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My heart is heavy...A letter to my family and friends

9-12-2009

I've been watching some television today as I was curious to see the Tea Party and March to Washington D.C.

9-13-09 I didn't post yesterday's blog so I'm adding to it with this paragraph.

This past year has been difficult for all of us. We have seen unemployment rise, and as I type this continue to rise at an alarming rate, home values go down and the stock market in disarray. Americans voicing their opinion over the deficit and costly healthcare proposals. Congress arguing amongst themselves. This is just an example of some of the things we see and hear on a daily basis. If I were a drinking person it would drive me to drink.

What are we going to do?

These are my personal thoughts as I watched some of the Tea Party Express and also flipped to President Obama's speech at the Target Center. Also some of the speeches earlier in the week. Our day of Remembrance on 9/11.

The Tea Party Express: From what I could gather and see was mother's, father's, grandmother's, grandfather's, children, pets, neighbors, families, aunts and uncles and a sea of Red, White and Blue flags and signs. From what I could gather they came from all over the United States to make a statement. They went to make a stand for America at its best. They went to voice their opinion and concerns. Thank goodness in America we are allowed to do this.

We have heard speeches, debates, attended town hall gatherings, written letters and emails. We have watch videos, read and re-read some proposals (not quite understanding everything but enough to know that we need some change). We have believed some things we have heard and days later changed our mind. We hear speeches that sound good but in reality know that it is impossible. We have seen fraud and corruption. We have witnessed families that are left with nothing, nada, zero and no hope to secure a job. We have seen families that have lost their home and not hopeful to ever own another home. We have seen businesses struggle to keep the doors open, only to find they have closed when we pulled into the parking lot. We see food banks that are growing low. We hear of more and more homeless people living off the street and sleeping under bridges.

Then on the other hand we see wealth, big bonuses and extravagant life style. We say The Rich and Famous at our house. That's good if they earned it honestly. We have always been a country with a vision and that is why we are the greatest country in the world. My prayer is for this to continue so that our children and future generations can continue to enjoy the freedom that we enjoy.

We have reached a crossroad in this country. Which way is the right way?

In this country everyone's opinion counts. Right or Wrong it counts.

We are a country with good people, hard working people that attempt every day of their life to do the right thing. We were so busy working and earning a living that we forgot to watch some people that we put in charge of running our country. For years we left, what was our responsibility to oversee, to others; others that we trusted would do the right thing. Well folks, we thought wrong. Our country is coming apart at the seams and I don't know if it will ever be the country as we knew it. We can no longer sit idle; we definitely need to stand for our principles.

We all know we have a system that is broken but in this United States we can fix anything if we desire to do so. We all have the right to be heard. These are the concerns we hear most and I believe with all my heart it can be fixed.

1 .Stop Spending (things we truly don't need, get our deficit under control, it's not too late)

2. No New Taxes

3. Please Stop the Greed and Corruption (this is what got us in trouble in the first place)

4. Write a healthcare bill with 100 pages and take out all the other garbage. We don't need 1000 plus pages.

5. Be Truthful (this is all we ask)

I believe if we could accomplish just these FIVE THINGS we would be better off and maybe get back on track. If only folks could agree we could be well on our way by the end of the year.

Is this possible? Yes

Is it probable that it will happen? No...unless folks that are in a leadership position will listen.

It will only happen if people would work together. That is possible if only people humble themselves and go to work at getting this country back on the right track.

We are at a very serious crossroads in this country and I pray that we can get back on track.

Thank You to my loving family. God Bless and Always keep you in his care. And God Bless America!

Ceil Winters

Carl Winters, Advanced Inspector, #3630.Certified by Texas Real Estate Commission

Carl's Blogs: localism.com/neighbor/realestateinspector www.home-inspection4u.com

Since 1994 * Your Home Inspection Specialist * Serving the Texas Hill Country

Complete Inspection Service

Posted by Carl & Ceil Winters Texas Hill Country Home Inspector on 09/13/2009 08:57 AM

Comments (20)

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20 Comments on My heart is heavy...A letter to my family and friends

SEP

We should also investigate government corruptioon, term limits, limit lobbying, and enact the laws and over sight that government is supposed to be doing.

Carl and Ceil,

My biggest concern is apathy. The television and internet have created a dumb down society. Our population is more concerned on who got voted off whatever reality show there is instead of the government waste that is going on a daily basis.

Until society wakes up, we will continue to flounder.

Carl and Ceil, Apathy is our enemy. Too many complain. we need to return to helping one another.

I have to agree with Steve also. Corporations are so greedy trying to keep us hooked on Nintendo, Wii, and keep us from becoming a conscious society.

That is why I feel that our President made it a point to talk to our children about education.

He knows how important keeping our people educated is to our country in the bigger picture.

Educated citizens = power and strength and wisdom.

And we ABSOLUTELY MUST have a health care bill passed for reform and to offer people a government alternative.

The health care industry and pharmamceutical industry are using there big bucks right now to plant seeds of "communism" and the like to keep a government alternative from coming to fruition because they know that will be the end of them raping the American people due to their monopoly on the healthcare system

Unfortunately, our system of government now runs on money, funded by big business and its special interest groups. You can't get into positions of power in government without having a lot of money, and often a law degree (ironically).

I agree with Steve and Ralph. Americans are being brainwashed, and the rich get richer while more people every month fall below the poverty line or declare bankruptcy because of their medical bills.

Just think how much we could do about healthcare, energy, educating adults young and old, and preserving the environment if we just stopped the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and brought all the soldiers home. But then we'd have to find jobs for them, the ones who aren't disabled physically, emotionally, or mentally, that is.

I share your feelings of sadness, Carl. The morning that I watched the planes hit the Twin Towers on TV, I knew that this country would take a turn for even worse--fearmongering, clamping down on our freedoms, and becoming even more intolerant towards immigrants. Now the government spends a huge amount of money for such a worthy cause: killing people.

We need to rise above all the fear and hatred. America used to welcome immigrants, give to charities, help other countries fight poverty ... we were welcomed everywhere. We have lost so much credibility and goodwill over the last 8 years. I have become more politically active, writing, calling, and e-mailing my Congressional representatives and donating to political groups working to help less-fortunate people and the environment. There should be enough of us who care who could do a little something every day to make things better, or even a big something.

Cheers,

Robin

Hi Carl and Ceil, I was talking with a disabled person yesterday who told me they got a letter from the food stamp office saying the criteria has changed for figuring how much the benefit is. They have to submit a new application. I went to the state website and entered the information in the benefit calculator. This person's food stamp benefit will be cut almost in half, from $178 to $93. Groceries have gotten to be a big expense lately. I am shocked by how little I can buy with the same amount of money I spent a year ago.

This person can't buy a car or house so they can't benefit from the cash for clunkers or the $8000 tax credit and now their food benefit has been cut.

Jim - We are all fatigued with the number of items that are so serious. If we could clean up corruption that would be first step.

Steve - You are correct. From now on we will be watchful and not leave it to someone else. Our country is more imporant then who got voted off a show or the newest reality show.

Marcia: We have seen our country come togeher but it is usually short lived, we are quick to forget. After the crisis folks forget but I believe many are very serious and want to see our country back on a positive track.

Ralph - Large or small company bring back character and principles into the economy will go a long way. We have certainly witnessed much greed in this country.

Robin - How in the world can we ever get rid of all these special interest groups. That is why I said we could write a 100 page health reform bill if they would just take away all the items that don't have anything in the world to do with healthcare. Goes back again to greed.

Shirley - It is so unfortunate the things we see and hear and probably allot more we don't even know about.

Carl and Ceil, We had two buses full of tea party patriots go to the march. They drove straight through and attended the march and are probably getting home sometime this evening. I will be honest I had a problem with our President not staying in town. I have not seen him do many Saturday speeches and I personally felt it was a slap in the face to them that he did not stay in DC. It is so FRUSTRATING when we try to voice our opinion and our leaders do not listen. The mall had tens of thousands and the story was on page 8 of the Denver Post. On Page 1 was a story about an Iraq soldier (which is a good story don't get me wrong but it could have been posted anytime.)

Howdy there Ceil and Carl

Each and every one of us, sure do need to keep a lot better eye, every part of government. From the State level to the folks in D.C.

One of the things that I sure don't understand about what Mr. Obama, that he did lately. Is taken time out of the kids education, to talk to them about education.

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Marchel I also thought it strange since they have know for weeks about thiis. However, I believe the well planned Tea Party and participants got their voice heard but we'll see if anyone listens. Seems they are rallying to deaf ears. We all know changes need to be made we just want to be sure they are right for everyone. At this point I am very disappointed in our government and I'm not alone. It appears we will definitelly have a split in this country which could be avoided if folks would be sensible. How cany you spend what you don't have. Clean up what we already have and don't keep throwing money at the problelm.

Dale I would think right now we have so many things to tend to. Jobs is still my biggest concern. Good Jobs, not forcing folks into part time jobs isn't going to do it.

Carl ,

This is WHY I drink!

I too am disheartened by all that has happened.

Honestly, when we stop putting unruly, dishonest, POLITICIANS into power than we will never regain this country.

Sheila: The next election can't get here fast enough for me. I believe some of these folks will be standing in the unemployment line. They are completely out of touch. Now I'm not saying everyone but I can name TEN that need to be gone tomorrow as far as I'm concerned. I don't like this CZAR bit on top of everything else. Of course, this is just my opinion.

Howdy there Carl and Ceil

One thing about the part time job thing. Is its something that a lot of the big Corporations, are behind. By haven folks only working part time, it cuts down on the amount of benefits that they have to pay out. And it cuts down on vacation time they have to pay out to their employees.

I have had a lot of the folks here telling how a lot of the big Company have been cut 40 hour a week folks down to 37 hours a week and calling that a full time job. But the Companys don't have to pay overtime to their employs unless they work 40 hours. And a lot of the Companys are going to giving vacation time, by the amount of time a employee works, and not bast on the amount of years the employee works for them. This is another way they are cuting a employees benefits, and the amount of time they are away from their jobs.

So that there program, is doing what the big Corporations are wanting done. Seen that I'm going to run for the office of Govern of New Hampshire. I've talked to a lot of different folks here, in every walk of life.

This is just one of the things, that I've been finding out from talking to folks.

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Dale you are correct with the companies not wanting to pay benefits. As soon as they can get that burden off their shoulders they will be very happy. The cost to hire someone, train them, provide a nice work environment, provide benefits (health, sick pay, vacation 401 etc.) is a tremendous burden and takes away from profits. They will love to have folks go over to the government plan or whatever they are calling it. I didn't mention retirement because that is a another issue.

SEP

I've read your post and some of the comments - revolving around greed, money, etc. - in my eyes it is all a matter of truth as you expressed. If people are truthful and honest, more than half of the crap would stop. The corruption, gone. Greed, gone, since people would have to work honestly (and fairly). Anymore, words are useless, as the twisting of our vocabulary and our actions is built on a foundation of dishonesty. Its a matter of the heart.

Steve thank you for your visit and comment. I think that should be our target; cut the greed then other things will fall into place. Out of all the millions of good and faithful Americans we have a few that have mudded the water.

Carl and Ceil,

Right on target my friends. What I saw at the rally in DC and for that matter the march in Fort Worth were Americans from all back grounds coming together because they love America!

That is wonderful thing!!

SEP

We all know we want and need some things to chance; that is part of life. We just need to be sure some folks know they many folks watching now. No more behind the scene deals and hopefully we can get all this waste and frittering away of money under control. If we didn't have all this waste we would not be in the mess we are in. We all know it and have been voicing our opinions and hopefully they will take th cotton out of their ears. I think somefolks have just lost sight of why we voted them into office and some have been there too long and need to step down.

OCT

How can you seriously ask all those politicians, of whom most are attorneys, to write in 100 pages what they can more easly write in 1,000 pages? That doesn't make any sense? Not logical! You don't gain entrance into the Mr. Spock School of Logic -- LOL.

And to be truthful? ! ? Ha!

Imagine if today's politicans could write a dynamic document like the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. Those days are well behind us....

OCT

Jim: In my opinion I hope and believe they can write a bill that all folks can read and understand without going through layers and layers of language that even the politicians say they don't read or understand.

Isn't it great that we live in a country where we can still state our opinion?

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