The Golden Rule:  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

The Silver Rule:  Do for yourself as much as you do for others.

The Iron Rule:  Don’t do for anyone what they can do for themselves.

I came back to the office to find an e-mail from a friend.  She had just gotten home from the hospital where she was coloring with one of her friends kids.  Her friend has a brain tumor that they are trying to remove.  The surgery started about 7 this morning and they hope to be finished somewhere around 7 tonight.

Whenever I have a conversation  about someone who is going through a rough time, someone usually makes the comment about how much they take for-granted in terms of  health, family, job, etc.  And then the conversation always turns to ‘what can we do for them’.

I was telling my SIL today, we’ve become a society that is so engrossed in our own lives and thinking we have to accomplish things on our own, that we’ve not only forgotten how to be neighborly, but also how to accept people being neighborly towards us.

So many times, it seems like we don’t know what to say or do for our friends in need.  Yes…prayer is of primary importance and I would advocate that for anyone watching a friend struggle.  But often, not only do I want to do more, but I am more the perfectly able to do so — so why shouldn’t I?  After all, this is a friend in need.  I love them!  But how do I let them know?

Depending on the situation there are two methods you can follow (Well, probably three, but I’m going to take for-granted that you tell your friend how much they mean to you!):

A) The indirect method:  mail a note (old school post-office style!), send some flowers or a gift that tugged at your heart strings.  Sometimes, your friend doesn’t need to talk, she just needs to know you’re there and you’re thinking about her.  I’ll never forget one time, I heard a woman in my church speak about her autistic twin sons.  I had sang with her in choir, but I didn’t know her especially well.  When she spoke though, it was obvious how frustrated she was.  I tucked the book “Motherhood, the Second Oldest Profession” by Erma Bombeck in her choir folder slot, along with a note that told her to read the chapter about “Special Mothers”  If you haven’t read the book, that particular chapter talks about all the wonderful gifts that God grants a mother of a special needs child.  I saw her not too long ago.  She still keeps that book in her nightstand, even though it’s years later, because sometimes she just needs a reminder that others are out there.

Likewise…I got a Valentines Day card from my friend Beth in Vermont, just because she knew what a rough day it was going to be.  It meant the world that she thought of me  

B) The direct method:  Often, a friend who is struggling can’t make decisions anymore.  They don’t know what they need, when they need it or how they are going to get it.  Sometimes, ya gotta get in there and take charge.  I often offer to bring dinner to people who are sick/moving etc.  They always say that they don’ t need it, but if you show up with food, you’re often welcomed in with open arms.  Sometimes with tears and hugs too. 

It’s not just about food though…people need all kinds of help!  Offer to pick up their groceries, chauffeur them around so they can think between errands, help them clean their house (or just do it for them!), babysit their kids…if you start to think of it, there are TONS of little things you can do to help a friend.

A couple of years ago, my friend Ryan moved my dryer out so that I could sweep behind it and clean out the lint.  It didn’t even take him 5 minutes to move that dryer out.  It did, however,  take him about 1/2 hour to calm me down from my crying spell.  I was so excited and thrilled that someone was coming to help me, that all I could do was cry about it.

So…there ya go.  A few ideas about being neighborly.  Just don’t forget…if someone tries to be neighborly to you, LET THEM and say thank-you!

Ciao!

Sara

PS – If anyone wants to practice being neighborly, my garbage disposal isn’t working…and something is leaking under there

Weight Watchers works under the philosophy that it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle. Home-made hot fudge sauce, Texas sheet cake, pecan balls, bread pudding with whisky sauce, creme brulee, cheesecake and truffles are things that I would like in my lifestyle on a daily basis, but I just don’t have enough points to consume them all.  What’s a girl to do?  Compromise.  It’s an ugly word, but a necessary one.

Here’s a recipie for Chocolate Haystacks.  It actually tastes great and each haystack is only one point.  Totally within my point range!  The other great things about it?  It’s quick and it doesn’t make a lot.  Here we go:

WW 1 Point Chocolate Haystacks

In a microwave safe bowl, melt 1 Hershey bar and 1 Tablespoon low-fat peanut butter.  If you’ve never melted chocolate in the microwave before, it’s pretty easy:  nuke for 30, stir, repeat until melted.

Combine the melted chocolaty-peanut-buttery-goodness with 1 Cup Fiber One Cereal.  Yes — we’re coating that nasty dog food blech stuff with goooooooood chocolate.  Stir to Combine.

Scoop by rounded spoonfuls onto a parchment lined baking sheet.  Make six little lovely brown little blops of bliss.  Stick the whole cookie sheet in the fridge to firm up. 

Keep in the fridge until ready to eat.

See?  No cooking, 6 cookies at only 1 point each, and only 5 minutes in the kitchen.  Does it get any better?  Enjoy!

If I could take one thing from my parents house, I wouldn’t have to think twice.  The bathtub.  (Disclaimer: Mrs. GotRocks ever growing wedding band isn’t technically in the house all the time, so it doesn’t count!)

Their bathtub is PERFECT.  I love it when I’m there, and miss it when I’m gone.  Here’s why it’s so great:

1) It’s deep.  Way deep.  Deep enough to come up to my chin when I recline.  The bathtub in my house holds enough water to wash the backs of your legs and your buttocki.

2)Even though it’s deep, it’s “normal” tub size.  It fit’s into what was a normal shower/tub combo when I was growing up.  Normal tub size is important for a few reasons:                                                                                                                             

• A) Garden tubs have too much surface area.  The water cools off WAY too quickly.  This isn’t as much of a problem if your tub is normal size.  Mom and Dad’s keeps water hot for at least 1/2 hour.  At forty-five minutes, it’s comfortable.  If you stay in over an hour, you’ll have to drain partway and add more hot water, but by that time the hot water tank has cycled and everything is peachy.
• B) Garden tubs and wider tubs don’t contain your body, and if it gets too deep you can end up floating from side to side.  I know — I had a garden tub once in an apartment I had.  It was such a disappointment.
• C) I’m an oompa loompa.  Mom and Dad’s tub is long enough that I can recline with my knees at a slight angle, or fully extend them on the side of the tub.  Or I can push against the end of the tub and slide up into a sitting position.  I never realized this was important until I babysat one week-end at Cousin Clydesdale’s house.  They’re all tall over there, and their bathtub reflects it.  I curled up at the far end of the tub and then would have to swim down to the faucet end to adjust the water temperature or turn the spicket off.  Which reminds me of…
• D) At Cousin Clydesdale’s house, I couldn’t reach the knobs from a seated position in the tub.  So, after I swam down to get to the faucet, I had to stand up and shiver and adjust the water **sigh**  Mom and Dad’s tub is completely controllable by your toes.

3) It reclines.  The back end of the tub isn’t straight up and down, but at the perfect angle recline-ation.  The angle is low enough to be comfortable, but still high enough to be able to read or sip wine without spilling it in your bathwater (although it’s OK if a little gets in…alcohol is just extra disinfectant.  I’m sure it makes you cleaner.  Or softer.  Something.)

4) Not only does it recline…but it has ARMRESTS.  Yes.  I know.  Genius.  Little ledges are molded into the sides of the tub.  You can rest your elbows on them as you hold your book up.  Of course.  I can only read for about 15 minutes before the wine kicks in and my arms go limp.  I admit that I have ruined more than one book by falling asleep while reading in the tub.  I also missed the school bus once because I fell asleep in the tub, but I didn’t have any wine that time.  I don’t feel bad about that though — I’m not the only one in the family who has a painful history of  sleeping in the bathroom. 

5) It has jets.  I don’t use them, but they’re there if you need them.  They make TONS of bubbles, which was a novelty when they first got the tub.  I have since discovered that I’m not a fan of the bubbles.  I can’t ever get rinsed off fully and then I feel itchy all day.  I much prefer oils or bath beads.  The cool thing about the jets is after several years, there seems to be a short in the system.  Now the jets turn on by themselves, unannounced and with no invitation.  It’s like the tub just wants you to know that it’s excited you’re there, so it gives you a spontaneous bubble party.  Isn’t that nice?

Sometimes I spend the night at Mom and Dads…just to commune with their tub.  Shh…don’t tell them!

Ciao!

Sara

5)

Today was my first day “alone.”  And it went alright.  The office is in the basement of their house, and I have only talk radio and ice cold fingers to keep me company.  I did come up a bit today to run to the post office and conduct some primary interviews.

We ran an ad for laborers a couple of weeks ago.  I called the last batch of responses and sat up interviews for today.  Since the office is in a residence, we do open interviews at a local coffee house.  I go down and just talk to each person for about 15 minutes.  Sometimes, it’s overwhelming.  Today, not so much.  No one came.  No one called to cancel or say they couldn’t find the place.  I can’t help but wonder…do we have an unemployment problem…or do we have an “I can’t wait for the Obama share the wealth train to come through so I don’t have to work anymore.”  Seriously.  67 phone calls.  30 people asked to come in.  No one calls…no one shows.  Nice.

Here’s the kicker about the job though.  When I was first hired, I was told that I would have to produce a Credit Bureau Report.  Apparently they have had problems in the past with office staff opening credit cards in the owners name/company name.  I’ve been asked to produce a CBR before.  When I worked collections, many agencies had policies about debt loads/types of debt…depending on what they were collecting.  I didn’t think much of it.  I had recently pulled a free CBR at the time I was hired, so I brought it in.  I didn’t see the owners for about a month after being hired.  When I did see them, the CBR wasn’t mentioned.  I ended up shredding it, cause I don’t like those things just laying around.

Now they are requesting it again and I don’t want to produce it.  The trust has been lost.  I fear that they are justifying my pay raise, not looking for fraud.  I also find it suspicious that the other office staff hasn’t been required to produce theirs.

Speaking of the other office staff…she’s officially on maternity leave.  May the baby come early and she decide to come back quickly!

Ciao!

Sara

Confrontation #1 happened bright and early Monday morning.  Five AM to be specific.  Cartman and I had made plans a week prior to share a dinner and watch the Fiesta Bowl together.  I got up at 5 and checked my phone to discover he had sent me a text the night before…around 11 — well after I went to bed.  His ex called and wanted him to watch their daughter and he said yes and therefore had to cancel the plans.  He just wanted to let me know “well in advance” in case I wanted to make other plans.  Hmph!

Resolution #1:  Cartman got several angry texts back and then 3-4 voice mails all before he woke up at 8.  We then proceeded to have a nice long talk regarding the differences in being a good dad versus being a good friend and his ability to compromise.  I asked him what the best solution would be and he invited me to dinner with him and his daughter — who I got to meet for the first time.  After he took her home, we ended up catching the second half of the day.  It ended up being a good night.

Confrontation#2:  About a month ago, I wrote the directors of the Sweet Adeline group a letter.  In the letter I detailed some issues I was having with the chorus.  One issue is the lack of disclosure about the cost of being in the group.  The other issue was about the sniping, gossipping and lying that goes on in the group.  In the letter, I asked for their advise on how to handle the situation, because I would like to help the group, not just myself.  I never heard back from them.  So, since a month went by and I never heard back, I sent in my resignation letter.  All of the sudden, it was a big deal and they needed to talk to me because they couldn’t lose such “amazing talent.” 

Resolution #2:  I agreed to lunch with the director, which is supposed to happen Saturday, but still have no intention of going back.  Its just too expensive for me in this climate.

Confrontation #3: It’s about time to admit, I bought a lemon of a house.  Since 2002, I’ve replaced the roof — twice.  The water damage is intense and now there is a mold problem as well.  It all stems from whoever renovated the house in the first place.  They wanted to save money so they didn’t use the proper amount of tresses, so the roof sags in spots and then the shingles pop and leaks occur.  The latest roof replacement occurred this summer and used all of my cash reserves.  It included venting and gutter work as well.  Now, we only replaced the back half of the roof this second time.  Literally the day after the roofers left, it rained and started leaking in the front of the house.  The roofers came back and said that a ridge cap needed to be replaced.  I saved up and had the work done last week.  Wednesday morning, I walked into a puddle in my bathroom.  Nice.

Resolution #3:  Roof guy guarantees his work for 5 years and is coming back out to go over nail pops and put some sort of pitch/sealant stuff on it that should close any gaps.  If that doesn’t work, we’ll tarp it until 2048 when I can afford another roof.  In the meantime, I pray that God will blow over the tree next door when no one is home and I can collect the insurance.

Confrontation #4:  Last summer I started looking for a second job, because January through March are our slowest months at work.  I thought I found the ideal job — a small company, similar to the one I work for, where the office manager was going on maternity leave for 6-8 weeks in January.  Perfect.  So, since September, I’ve been going in 2 days a week for training for a nominal fee.  The girl is now 60% effaced and could go into labor at anytime.  Things should be all set, right?  HA!  The owners (husband and wife) apparently don’t communicate and are now refusing to pay what they offered.  They want to pay me $5.00 an hour less than their offered rate.  They claim that the dollar amount I agreed to is only attainable if I do sales and get commission.  They’re “sorry” that it wasn’t made more clear.

Resolution #4: I gave them several options…higher rates for working less days per week, lower rates for working more days per week.  They are discussing and we are having a conference call tomorrow afternoon.  Wonderful.

So, there ya go.  Basically, a confrontation every workday this week.  I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. 

Ciao!

Sara

For the brief time I was in real estate, I partnered myself with a brilliant man who gave me some of the best advice I think I’ve ever gotten: stop planning.  You can get so caught up in who, what, when and where, that you can forget the do and the why.  Not to mention that when you get bogged down with  the who, what, when and where, you open the door for questions and self-doubt. 

It’s like one of my favorite quotes by Goethe (and yes, this has been one of my favorite quotes for a LONG long time):

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.

I recited that in my head all the way to Italy…when I didn’t know who was going to meet me in the airport, what I was going to do about lessons and music and money, when I was coming home or where I was going to sleep that night.  But I did know why I was going…and everything else sorted itself out.

Maybe Nike summed it up better:  Just do it.

Ciao!

Sara

Anyways, 2008 was a great year for discoveries – at least in my own personal life.  Here’s a quick list of things I discovered last year, that will make life THIS year, so great.

• My Blackberry.  Crackberry addict that I am, I can check e-mail and facebook at a moment’s glance.  I can mapquest my way to a destination, and have real photos to guide my way.  I can google anything — anytime — anywhere.  I can text annoying messages to my nephews.  I can look up movie times and phone numbers.  I can play Soduku, solitare, clue and a whole host of other games.  I can instant message.  I can listen to my own stash of music.  I can take pictures of my food instead of keeping a food journal.  Oh, and I can make phone calls too.  I love it.
• My favorites/history/book-marker on my computer is loaded.  And it’s usually cause I need to remember one thing from a website….a conversion, a measurement, a recipe…just something little.  It was so annoying to have to go through the bookmarks, pull up the page, find what you need.  Who has the time?  Then I discovered evernote.com.  WOW!  Just highlight want you want to save and evernote sends it to your personal clipboard.  You can tag your clippings to find them easier.  Just imagine…all the recipes on-line…from various sites…in one place!  LOVE IT.  
• GooGone Carpet Wipes.  Godsend — really.  Linus is a really great dog…but he’s still a dog.  He can make a lot of messes on the carpet.  Muddy paws, food he pirated off the counter, **anything else** comes right up with one GooGone Carpet Wipe.  They come in pop-up dispenser and have taken out anything I tried them on. Even the couch looks better with a GooGone Carpet Wipe.
• The Pioneer Woman.  I’m addicted to her blog.  Really…I am.  I love the pictures, especially when I’m trapped in a gray blah office.  Her recipes are fantastic and I love her picture taking tips.  It’s a mini-vacation every day.  Oh, and she has really awesome give aways.  I just KNOW I’m going to win one soon
• Facebook has let me contact so many people that I don’t think I ever would have talked to ever again.  Not because I didn’t want to!  It’s just too easy to lose touch with people…especially when they live in different states and or countries.  It makes my friends seem closer.
• Ohdontforget.com.  Another miracle website.  Sitting at work and need to remember to pick up dog food on the way home?  How about just remembering to pick up the dog?  Ohdontforget.com let’s you put in your phone number, date and time and message…then sends a text message to your phone at that time.  Maybe I should send a daily reminder…Oh don’t forget to update your blog!
• Mystery Case Files and Nancy Drew Mysteries.  Yes, I have been mocked repeatedly for liking these games, but ya know what?  They entertain ME and I love them.  Both can be found on Big Fish Games.  Mystery Case Files is kinda like a seek and find…although the later games have become increasingly complex.  Nancy Drew — well, you ARE Nancy Drew and you go to some exotic location and solve the mystery.  It’s a great way to kill a week-end.
• Battlestar Galactica.  Not the old series — the new one.  I watched seasons 1-3 this summer, and the first half of season four this fall.  Holy Frak I never thought I’d like Scifi so much.  The series last episodes and finale will begin later this month.  We’ll finally get to find out who the last Cylon is.  The anticipation is nearly killing me.
• Aldi’s.  It’s new to me and I love it.  I am constantly surprised at how GOOD their food is.  Spaghetti sauce is tops on my list.  WOW is it good.  I’d been a few times previously, but have become a much more frequent shopper there.
• When I’m not at Aldi’s, I’m usually at Giant Eagle.  Their food perks and gas perks are hard to beat.  Loving me some food perks this year
• Zoo Tracks ice cream at Graeters.  Cause it was chocolate with salted caramels in it.  Salted Caramel in anything gets my vote.  Yum-o.
• And how could I forget WordPress.  Such a class act.  When I blog, it’s certainly easier!

Ciao!
Sara

•  I have mad a TON of Christmas goodies.  Sea salted caramels, chocolate bark, fudge, toffee, springerles, sugar cookies, turtle cookies, peppermint swirl cookies, pretzels with Hershey hugs and M&Ms on top…it just goes on.  I’m still amazed at how much time can be spent rolling and wrapping caramels.
• I’m excited by blasts from the past — not only are Doc Loveshack and Beth the Vermonter due back in the great state of Ohio this week, but I’ve been bombarded on facebook from people I haven’t talked to in YEARS.  Friends from Italy, England and all across the states.  It’s great to hear from them and it’s great to stay in touch.  It makes the world feel not so big and scary.
• I got to see Glenn Beck’s “The Christmas Sweater.”  When I saw it, it kept going through my head that it was over the top, and why didn’t they mic this different? and why would you stage it that way?….and well lots of other things.  Ever notice when you have some experience in a specific area, it’s really easy to be picky?  Anyways, when I got to describing it for people, I was overwhelmed by the emotion.  I have to conclude that it IS a good story, it does have a fantastic message and you should try to watch a video or read the book.  The message I got was just a bit different from the one that was portrayed.  If you’ve watched or read, I’ll be more than happy to discuss.  Maybe I’ll review later!!!
• I’m distressed that Anitra Hamper has left Channel 4.  Dad is distressed that Tacoma Newsome keeps getting put outside for live remotes.  He’s scared for her health.  I miss Anitra’s deer-in-the-headlight looks when she didn’t get a joke.  Tyler and Anitra were by far my favorite news anchor team.   He was such a smart butt and she never seemed to get it.  **sigh**  FYI — Dad talked to Tacoma who was doing a live remote from Aldi’s in Marion this week-end.  Apparently Mike Jackson is taking over for Anitra.  Hold on Tacoma!  Your time is coming
• I’m still working both jobs, but sometime in January, I”ll probably be just in Columbus.  Yikes.  I’m going to miss the social aspect of my current job.  Last week I worked the Columbus office Tuesday and Thursday and I tele-commuted on Wednesday.  I didn’t talk to another human being face to face for three days.  It gets  so lonely!
• Linus has a yeast infection in his ear.  Nice.
• There are some frogs around…but I will have to discuss them at length at a later date.  Cartman and I are still friends and hanging out, I’m just smurfing around the pond, checking out the other merchandise. 
• I’m a bit blue about the economy, job security, politics in general — all that jazz.  So I leave you with this unique rendition of one of my favorite Christmas carols.  If you haven’t ever listened to Over the Rhine, I highly suggest them.  This song comes from their Christmas album Snow Angels, and they’ve played with the lyrics and the melody.  I wish I could have found a link so you could hear it, but I could not, and I’m too tired to figure out how to put my file on here.  So, if you want to hear it, it is on iTunes…but maybe the words will be enough….

O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.  Above they dark and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.  Yet in the darkstreets shineth, the everlasting light.  The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

The lamplit streets of Bethlehem, we walk now through the night, there is no peace in Bethlehem, there is no peace in sight.  The wounds of generations, almost to deep to heal, scar the timeworn miracle and make it seem surreal.

The baby in the manger, grew to a man one day….and still we try to listen now to what he had to say.  Put up your swords forever.  Forgive your enemies.  Love your neighbor as yourself.  Let the little children come to me.

 

Merry Christmas. 

God Bless.

See you next year!

My Aunt Joanne sent out this e-mail:

David Letterman wrote this; it’s the David we don’t often see….

‘As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.
‘‘The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe.
It must be true given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President.. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ‘What are we so unhappy about?’

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C. Could it be that 95 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state.
F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know.  What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn’t take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it……are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the ‘Media’ told you he was failing.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go.
They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ”general” discharge, an ‘other than honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a ”dishonorable’ discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by ‘justifying’ them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn’t kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way……Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative. 

‘ ‘With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, ‘Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?’

-David Letterman

My cousin Trevor in California sent this response:

We are, without question, a nation of spoiled brats. That portion of David Letterman’s commentary I agree with. President Bush bears a great deal of responsibility for our status as spoiled brats because he failed to take any steps toward curtailing our nation’s citizens’ unmitigated selfishness. In fact, he cultivated it. By specifying “shopping” as our primary patriotic duty, Bush encouraged citizens to exercise no self discipline in the face of a consumption frenzy that may eventually devolve into civilization’s crash. During WWII, U.S. citizens did not prevail against the enemy by “shopping.” To the contrary, people tightened their belts and made personal sacrifices. Do you see any of that being encouraged by the incumbent president? The president elect, on the other hand, has specified that the work of fixing our country falls to each of us. Finally, a politician who is not afraid to tell the children “No.”
 
The media is culpable for a lot of our problems, but Bush is a horrible leader who lacks the intelligence and the foresight to direct the course of a nation that intends to stick around for a couple more centuries. He has done his best to destroy us. The enemy is not on the outside, but in fact has been at the helm for eight years. Good riddance.

I, of course, couldn’t keep my mouth shout   Here was my response:

Oh, the blinders we like to wear when it comes to politics.

This past spring most of us received a check from the government.  We were asked to spend that check in order to stimulate the economy.  At the time, I remember listening to Michelle Obama give an interview in which she was asked what she would do with $600.  She kinda laughed it off and said there isn’t much you can get for $600.  She guessed that she would buy a pair of earrings or something.  WHAT?  $600 for a pair of earrings?  I don’t think every piece of jewelry I own would add up to $600.  It makes me seriously question the financial practices of the incoming White House.

I’m going to be honest with you.  I spent my $600 on replacing my roof.  Not only did that choice improve the property value of my house, but it also gave a young contractor one of his first jobs.  I was able to write him recommendations and his business has grown since
then.  We chose to use a local supplier for materials, and his business was improved by my spending.  I guess the stimulus package worked in my situation simply because I thought about it and chose to make it work.

I guess some might feel that we are a nation of spoiled brats and that Bush is despicable for trying to come up with a solution.   I can’t help but wonder what they did with their stimulus check.  Did they save it?  Did they buy a TV made in China?  Or did they stand up for their beliefs, contact their representative and senator and send their stimulus check back to the government with a note that says “Thanks, but no thanks.  I’m not a spoiled brat and I think what you’re doing is wrong.”  Who knows?  Maybe they bought a pair of earrings….

What was the right thing to do there?  Do you do the spoiled brat thing?  The conscientious thing?  The stick in the mud thing?  The radical thing?  These are decisions that everyone had the freedom to make for themselves.  We aren’t kids listening for advice from presidential parents on how to be an American — how to live a life of freedom.  Your own parents should have raised you with those values and understanding and educated you on the history of this nation.  If you weren’t lucky enough to be raised in that kind of house, thank God we live in a country that gave you a free education and a local library.  Sit down with the Constitution…the Declaration of Independence…the Bill of Rights.  Remember why this country was founded….what we fought against, and at what price our freedom has come.  We need to understand that the President isn’t a father figure who lays down the rules and punishes our brothers and sisters.  The President is our employee.  We pay his salary.  We tell him  where we
want to go.  We hired him to get us there.  If he doesn’t get the job done, it’s our job to vote him out.  (By the way…same goes for ANY elected official on a local, state or national level.)

If you’re mad at Bush, because he wasn’t a good “dad” and didn’t give great advice all the time, well, that’s just stupid.  There’s no politically correct way to say it.  If you look at it from the stand point that he was an employee who was hired to maintain national security, and that there hasn’t been any more attacks since September 11, then he at least got one thing right.  As for President elect Obama, I wouldn’t have hired him for the job.  But as of right now, as long as he serves our needs instead of taking care of our needs, he’ll have my support.