Real Change????

Well...another election has passed...and I find myself even more concerned about the future and the economy. Living in Oregon, is very difficult at times. If you know anything about the state, you know that the Majority of people who live outside of Portland and Eugene, are more reserved and conservative. Those who live downtown Portland or in Eugene...are more "liberal" to use the term more loosely, than other parts of the state or country for that matter. Hence the motto many people have of "Keeping Portland Weird". Not that I think that is something to promote or to encourage, but they seem to continue down that path, from the naked bicyclist group to street vendors and quirky business like "Voodoo Doughnuts" (who promotes doughnuts such as the doughnut with bacon, the boobies, and yes...the penis).

With the recent election, the majority of the country showed their concerns and voted in "new blood", to try to balance the government and to have their voices heard. Here, they voted in a previous governor who, when he left his post last time, left the state in a poor condition. Today, the current tax structure in Oregon, is not conducive to providing enough income to keep basic services going. Now, they are talking about adding a sales tax.

Why can not political figures use some common since....We need to get back to basics, you know two plus two equals four. We need to establish priorities and stick to them. I'm sorry, Children and thier education is more important that assisted suicide.

I hope and pray things dont get worse...but I am very concerned...

Kyron Hormon

For over six weeks, my heart has had a constant prayer of protection, safety and the safe return of Kyron. Having an 8 yr old son, who is the same age span as Kyron, and Having a Husband who works for the same company as Kaine, this story really has hit home for me.

I remember watching the Susan Smith story while being Pregnant with our son Jacob, and feeling so overwhelmed by the story back then. Now again, I feel a little overwhelmed by this one as well.

All of the drama and oddness around the background is truly sad. I feel for all involved. For Kaine, I couldn't imagine. He has lost his child, his marriage, his wife, pretty much his whole world is turned upside down. For Desirae, she may not have been the primary custodian of Kyron, but she was still an active participate in raising him. The sorrow, The guilt (even though maybe misplaced) still has to been a burden unbearable by most. Little Kiara, who is the second truly innocent part of this awful situation. Has lost her brother, her mother, her home life, her stability, Nothing in this little girls life will ever be the same. This horrific situation continues to ripple further into the school, community, county, state, etc. as all those people who blessed the lives of this family and even community members, life myself, who didn't know the family, feel a deep since of sorrow and compassion for all effected.

I feel blessed to have my beautiful babies at home with me. To hold and to hug and kiss each morning and night. I pray that this situation finds closure soon. There could be no happier moment than when Kyron is located, safe and sound, and returned home.

I have faith in the Savior that he has his arms wrapped around this little boy no matter where he maybe.

Standing up to be counted.....

I have taken some time off from posting. I have found myself in-angered most times with news and situations in the world, particular, with our current recession, the apparent and rampant decline our country has taken into socialism, and the advert attack on religious freedom in the United States.

Again, I have reach my breaking point and feel a need to stand up to be counted...as someone who loves our country....who feels our country was founded by god on a belief that all mankind has inherent qualities and abilities. All men should be treated equal...I agree with...but I also agree that self sufficiency is an inherent part of a civilized country.

Nothing about Obamacare, Socialism, Communism, Marxism or redistribution of monies allows individuals self sufficiency. There will always be a need for a safety net, where there are those who are in need need support, however, the support given should uplift the person to better themselves, give them skills, training, self worth and value so that they can care for themselves. I do not disagree with social services, I disagree with overuse and misuse of social services. Self Sufficiency, education, true education, skill development is where our focus should be....not on redistribution of monies that others have earned....by their work ethic or inheritance.

By no means, am I am wealthy person. Our family has a one earner income, which makes us fall low on the economic totem poll. I do not want a hand out, I want a job that will allow me to contribute to our family income while I am rearing my children to be come an active participant in our society! Citizenship requires active participation, our civic responsibilities are given to each member of this society. Everyone has to except this responsibility and stand up and help our country to continue to prosper.

I don't disagree that Health care needs reform. But the current proposals are no where near addressing the underlying problems. I don't see any real solutions coming from the current government administration. I see a lot of name calling, of rhetoric and attaching those that are actually asking questions of the administration.

To be truthful, the more I hear members of Obama's administration talk about "others prospective" being "WRONG" and advising people to "DISREGARD" opinions that differ in their agenda, I have grave concerns over where our country is headed. If they truly feel that their rhetoric has merit then let us have an open debate, and open forum to discuss all of the issues, name calling, smoke and mirrors, and attempting to control only items in which they want to address, to me and others I know, come across as deceitful or at least ambiguous..and I don't support things without them being clear and understandable.

Another issue I have is the assertions that people who disagree with Obama are bigots and are only doing it based on race....To me this is utter Bull Crap....These are people who have no idea what they are talking about...Including former President Carter. I grew up in Rural Alabama...and now live in very LIBERAL Oregon. Disagreement on merits of policy or on intentional errors of omission are clearly and merely debate and a right of each and every American. The people who continue to throw out the race card when others oppose this administrations tactic, motives, agenda and policy need to realize its not a direct attach on Obama as a person, but on the agenda he is promoting. If he began to propose an agenda in which I agreed, i would support him whole wholeheartedly...my disagreements with his polices have nothing to do with his skin color...I think those who just the bigot angle are truly the bigots of America. They are prejudice against democracy, debate, and anyone who disagrees with themselves. They are the ones who are preventing change....in this country. We cant have true change until we deal with corruption, tax law issues, and set come term limits for house and senate. You cant throw band-aides at things, force people to do what you say, hoping that things will be fixed. It wont work.

I don not like any of the propaganda the white house has out there right now, and will not be forced into agreeing with things that I don't like because I fear being labeled a bigot or a whore-monger. I am an American, I believe in America, I believe in the Constitution of the United States of America, I believe in my rights and my liberties, and I will not allow anyone to tread on them at all.

So Mr President...if you want a simple Mother of 4 to agree with you and support you, Show me that you have started believing in our country. Start actively following our constitution and our laws (by enforcing them all, not picking and choosing which ones you will follow), Ensure you are following the correct steps to appoint your advisers, and then I will start to listen with a more intent ear...but until then...as long as the rhetoric is one of disrespect of the rights of Americans to stand up for their own beliefs...for their right of debate of the topics, and as long as you continue down this destructive path of socialistic agenda promoting, I will stand...and be counted...as someone who does not agree with you as a man with a socialistic agenda or a President promoting the same....I could care less that your half black sir...I do care that the direction you are wanting to take our country is destructive for my children...and will not ideally stand by and watch it happen without voicing my concerns.

Dear President Obama;

Sir, I urge you to take a look at how you are forming definitions of our country and us as a people.

As a female, mother of four, who was an unwed mother at 18, I am a believer of PRO Choice, in which a woman has a right to decide if she conceives or not. However, sir, you and I have a little different prospective.

The choice in which I refer, happens PRIOR to conception, NOT AFTER.

If a woman, teenager, ect. CHOOSES to enter into sexual relations, that she has, at that point either made a choice to conceive or not conceive.

Abortion, on demand is MURDER, sir.

Abortion, to help protect the life of the mother, or when a women has not had a choose in engaging in sexual relations (i.e. rape and/or incest), then abortion would be an option for HER to consider.

Abortion because of promiscuity, failure to take prudent care in birth control (opps, forgot to take my pill) is by no means OKAY. That is killing a human life in which the woman knowingly created by participation in acts that could lead to pregnancy but she failed to take prudent care to prevent.

Now, to complicate matters, you have chosen to put federal monies, in which our country currently does not have due to the finical crisis and recession that our country is in, to help these women to complete MURDER.

Maybe, Sir, you should take a step back, talk to a NON- Clinton adviser...and really look at the matter.

Sir, you are not creating change, you are becoming BILL CLINTON...and our country surely doesn't need another one of those, or at least that is what your campaign ran on when you ran against Mrs. Clinton.

I urge you to NOT become a second Clinton administration. His administration is the one who started us down the road to this recession.

Sincerely,
A Southern Mom in Tree Hugger Land

Human Greed Lies At Root Of Economic Crisis..NO TO THE BAIL OUT!

On September 23, 2008, Talk of the Nation had a very interesting discussion on the Economic Crisis. The question they posed was:

"As Fed and Treasury officials scramble to secure a $700 billion rescue for faltering financial institutions, economists are pointing fingers of blame at just about everyone: lenders, bankers and borrowers. Does greed lie at the heart of the financial meltdown? Is Main Street just as culpable as Wall Street?"

Their premise basically is that Human Greed on all levels, has caused the American Economic Meltdown. With so many people taking out refinances on their homes, seeking addition credit for home expansions, decorating and of course, all of those amazing things you "just have to have", such as, the latest and greatest car, motor home, water bike, motorcycle and don't forget all of those electrical gadgets!

It has been stated that today, Americans own less of their homes than at any time in history due to all of the home equity loans and consolidation loans that have been a common practice in our country over the past few years.

I remember growing up in Alabama, where home ownership was the most important thing. Having your own land, where you could claim as your own.... I grew up with my maternal grandparents. We lived in a upper middle class home, sitting in the middle of five acres. Next door to us, was my grandfathers Sisters home, where she lived with her husband and my great grandfather, who originally owned 100 acres around where we lived. That 100 acres had been divided time and time so that the next generations could have a piece of the family land. That dirt...meant a great deal to my grandfathers generation....and especially by great grandfathers generation. He grew up in the Great Depression...as a sugar cane farmer. He tilled the land and worked hard for all that he had and he was very proud to share that with his family.

Today, I see many people who are seeking home ownership, and find that the prices are out of reach for them. They long for that same type of comfort, of a place to call HOME. I can see why people embraced brokers and lenders, who approached them and told them that they could obtain their dreams....Some, took advantage of this opportunity to do the basics, get a home for their families....others....wanted the biggest....the best....and stretched their finance boot straps, to obtain...what they thought was, their dream. To them, it looked like a win win situation. Yes, they would be giving a lot of money to the broker in fee's, plus loan origination fee's, high interest to the banks...but they would have their DREAM....the AMERICAN DREAM.

At the time these types of loans were popping up in early 2001...the economy was booming. Most people had a good paying job, with nice benefits, energy costs were a good 30% plus less than today’s costs....why would one not be able to maintain their AMERICAN DREAM?

Then the layoffs began to hit, people who had been secure in their jobs, found that they were on shaky ground...Unemployment rates reached into the 6% range here in Oregon...and for those who were able to find a new career or a basic JOB after this...found that their pay checks were much smaller than before. It is true what economist were saying, the job markets were growing, and showed growth. But what they failed to take into consideration was that the jobs that were being created did not compensate for the ones that were dissipating. The median pay range had decreased. The comparisons that most economist used was flawed. They failed to look at the pictures as a whole...not just how many was employed, and how many new jobs were created...but what was the correlation between the pay of the newly created jobs vrs the pay of the dissipated jobs.

From 2001- to today....the average pay that American's receive, continues to downward spiral for those that are laid off...companies have to tighten their belts the same way we do when our income is less....that means for us, we buy less....for companies, they pay less and hire less.

Combine the" pay less and hire less" situation with that of an over inflated housing market...and you are set for total disaster. I have looked at the JONES down the street for awhile now...and wonder...how in the world can they afford what they have...the answer, clearly...is DEPT!

The basic reality is American's do not have enough income to support their American Dreams. Home ownership is out of reach for most. With the average home costing over $300,000 in Oregon, not many can afford the $2000 plus per month house payment.

Here in Oregon, the Median Two Income Household income threshold is $68,333, for a family of our size. That would be $15000 in annual average taxes which would bring it down to $53,333 per year. Then go ahead and break that down to monthly....$4444 per month. Now, with gas prices, the cost to go two and from work with an average commute of 15 miles one way, would come to about $1200 per month. Food for a family of 6...$1000 per month. Energy costs and other utility costs would be at least $500 per month (electric, garbage, natural gas, water, sewer, basic telephone, etc). That brings you down to $1744 per month for housing costs, car payments, credit card dept, health insurance, medical co pays, prescriptions etc.

Clearly, you can see that there would not be enough left for that type of house payment. The most you could hope for would be a house payment around $1100 per month....that would be a house in the $150,000 range. Half of what the average home goes for today.

With the greed of wall street wanting more and more profits, the greed of main street wanting the biggest and the best and the newest of everything....we have found ourselves in a quagmire.

A Economic Melt down....of epic portions.

Large companies such as AIG, Lemon Brothers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac....all collapsing because brokers set these loans up in a way they knew, the average home buyer could not afford, but they played both on the dream of home ownership...and the human nature response of trying to keep up with the JONES....Brokers new they would be able to sell the subprime mortgages to Freddie and Fannie....they wanted to pass of the risk...now...the risk is a reality...one that all Americans are facing.

The average American taxpayer, can not afford the colossal burden required by each household to bail out these poorly ran companies. If it is true, that the bailout is now exceeding 1 trillion dollars....that would boil down to approximately $10,000 per American household. That is clearly and undo burden, given the numbers I mentioned above.

The market is showing a regular resetting of its self. Over valued homes, over priced stocks, are balancing themselves out. We need to let the market do its job...it needs to level out on its own. That may mean some people will suffer...especially in the housing market...and I feel sorry for those who are going through this trial. But their suffering shouldn’t be carried by every tax payer in America.

Earlier today, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned the financial crisis could drag the U.S. economy into a deeper downturn and urged Congress to take action on a proposed bailout package. These GOTTA ACT NOW comments from both the Fed Chairman and the Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson...speak to the human factor of rush to aid, and not scrutinize what they are asking. Chairman Bernake said today:

"The intensification of financial stress in recent weeks, which will make lenders still more cautious about extending credit to households and business, could prove a significant further drag on growth," he told the Joint Economic Committee. "The downside risks to the outlook thus remain a significant concern."

I think Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana said it best when he said:

"I must tell you, there are those in the public debate who have said that we must act now. The last time I heard that, I was on a used-car lot," said Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana. "The truth is, every time somebody tells you that you've got to do the deal right now, it usually means they're going to get the better part of the deal."

American deserve the "BETTER PART OF THE DEAL" on this one...we deserve the marketing adjusting itself back to reality...a reality where Americans work hard for their dreams...and can afford the basics of life...Shelter, Food, and Heat.

The American Dream is today as it always has been....That piece of dirt to call your own....Maybe now, when the market settles, more Americans will have income that can afford lower home prices...Lets urge congress to look at the root cause...lack of jobs, lack of sustainable income for the jobs we do have....and the inflated cost of the housing market. These people on wall street do not need our help...especially given the fact that Lemon Brothers gave their chief executive officer at $64.7 million BONUS last year....that above his own salary...you can not tell me he deserved that type of bonus for encouraging greed among brokers and the ultimate down fall of the U.S. Economy....

Please speak up ....let your voice be heard...call your Senator and Congressman...Let them know you do not support the bail out!

AND TO SENATORS MCCAIN AND OBAMA….IF YOU WANT MY VOTE…SHOW ME YOU CAN FIX THE ECONOMY AND PROVIDE MORE JOBS FOR AMERICANS….THAT'S WHATS IMPORTANT TO ME!

Ten Reasons to Oppose the Wall Street Bailout

Ten Reasons to Oppose the Wall Street Bailout

1. It costs $700 billion dollars, which is as much money as the combined annual budgets of the Departments of Defense, Education and Health and Human Services. It amounts to $2,300 for every man, woman, and child in America.

2. This $700 billion will all be borrowed money. The plan raises the national debt ceiling to $11.3 trillion. That is $11,300,000,000,000.

3. It gives Sec. Henry Paulson, formerly the head of Goldman Sachs, the power to buy assets from his former firm with no court or administrative oversight.

4. Goldman Sachs, like many Wall Street firms, gave its CEO a $67.9 million bonus last year. That is more than 1,400 times what the median American earns. Yet the plan has no provision to cap salaries or reduce bonuses at Wall Street banks that take taxpayer money.

5.The bailout has a "reverse dutch auction" format that allows Wall Street firms to set the price taxpayers will pay.

6.The 5 companies managing the bailout auction are also Wall Street firms, and will likely receive billions of tax dollars in fees.

7. The plan buys "troubled assets" from foreign banks.

8. The plan hurts responsible U.S. banks by keeping reckless, insolvent investment banks in business.

9. The idea that taxpayers will make money is a fraud. If a profit was possible, private speculators would readily buy these "troubled assets." Instead, the bailout lets Wall Street push its losses on the taxpayer.

10. The plan violates basic principles of American capitalism by creating a system of "private profits, socialized losses."

Do you have HONOR???

Earlier this year, my husband and I watched a documentary on WWII. The thoughts and feelings that I gleaned from this show, truly touched me. I remember feeling overwhelmed, by the sacrifice and selflessness of many of the people of that error.

Particularity, the history of the Japanese Americans and the personal sacrifices that they made when they joined a segregated battalion, and the same with the black battalion. If you hear many of these peoples story's, they each talk about their personal desire to give back to our country for our freedoms and liberty's....a desire to fight for democracy and freedom.

I was impressed by one of the Japanese Americans speaking on personal honor....and the honor that he and others within his family and race had....including...fighting for our country and giving back to our country. The fact that he would do "nothing" to dishonor his family or his nation...touched my heart...can you imagine how great this country would be today, if only our youth of today had these same convictions?

What about us as a society....what if we had the honor of this generation?

Traditionally, in Western society, honor figured largely as a guiding principle. A man's honour, that of his wife, his family or his beloved, formed an all-important issue: the archetypal "man of honour" remained ever alert for any insult, actual or suspected: for either would impugn his honour.

The concept of honor appears to have declined in importance in the modern secular West. Since I grew up in a more "gentlemanly" society, The 'Old South" (Alabama). I grew up with an ingrained since of honor and respect. I also have many family members who were in the military, and there, is a emphasis on the importance of honour. Also, having three sons, all of whom have been or will be part of the scouting program, honour is taught and instilled.

HONOR- is the evaluation of a person's trustworthiness and social status based on that individual's espousals and actions. Honour is deemed exactly what determines a person's character. Honor is as real to the human condition as love, and likewise derives from the formative personal bonds that establish one's personal dignity and charicture.

Honor- goes beyond just going along with laws and requirements for being in this country....it is ingrained into whom we are...Honor, integrity, value and love....these are the things we need to charitirize for our children and our youth.

This type of honor....is personal.....it is real...it is true.


Ask yourself, do you have HONOR?


"Mine honour is my life, both grow in one. Take honour from me, and my life is done. Then, dear my liege, mine honour let me try; In that I live, and for that I will die." — William Shakespeare, Richard II (1.1.182-185)