Joe The Mom

Recently Read: Room by Emma Donoghue

2012-01-23T22:17:00.002-05:00

Before the holidays, some of my sorority sisters organized an online book club of sorts. I was pretty excited about this because I’ve always wanted to join a book club and the online discussion fits perfectly in my schedule. We’ll take turns choosing the book and post a new question each day of the discussion week. This will be great preparation for when I’m retired and have more time for a “real” book club.

I had some reservations about the first book, Room by Emma Donoghue. First, I was reluctant for the same reason I avoid watching Dateline, The First 48, or any of the other real-life CSI shows that I love… because they keep me up a night.

I decided to read Room anyway, and after cracking the cover, I realized the story is told through the eyes of Jack, a young boy held captive in a small room with his mother. I thumbed a few chapters ahead to see if the point of view was alternated by chapter. Surely we were not going to read 300-plus pages through the eyes of a five-year-old.

It wasn’t long before I was engrossed in Jack’s little room, looking up at Skylight, reading on Rocker, falling asleep in Wardrobe but waking with Ma in Bed. Although you wouldn’t think much could happen in one little Room, Donoghue explores the complex relationship between mother and son, complicated even more so by the fact that Jack has never known anyone but Ma. It’s not exactly a “normal” relationship, but then, neither is their situation. It is, however, quite beautiful how a mother’s love transcends the ugly circumstances in which they are bound.

The other readers in our group agreed that Donoghue succeeded in imaginatively depicting what Jack sees and thinks. For an adult woman to convey the mind-set of a young boy is an enormous task. But a young boy who has never felt the wind in his face or grass beneath his feet… it’s hard to conceive.

I have read about two cases in recent years where women have been held prisoner and even raised children in captivity. I wonder how they would respond to this book. Donoghue has said the Fritzl case gave her inspiration for the story, but nothing more. She also researched extensively the subject of feral children.

Donoghue also points out that she never intended Room to be a Thriller. While it’s not a Thriller in the horror sense, it is absolutely a thrilling read. I recall one night, barely skimming the pages and turning them frantically because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

Mom's back in the kitchen

2012-01-16T20:09:00.000-05:00

I’m putting my apron back on, so to speak. I’m ready to start banging on my pots and pans and making a mess in the kitchen.

I’ve neglected my blog for almost a year. That has to be some kind of record. And yes, I’m back because it’s that time of year; this is when we are supposed to get back on the proverbial horse and do what needs to be done to get the mind or body back in shape.

I might also be a little motivated by the fact that it’s an election year. Although, I am resolved to write more than my political opining, as my life’s become so much more than that. Come back to my kitchen and you’ll see.

M.O.'s "thrifty" dress: blowing wind up your skirt

2011-02-11T19:28:00.000-05:00

It's Friday night and the media is still buzzing about the outfit Michelle Obama wore for her Wednesday morning media blitz... because it allegedly cost her a mere $35. A bargain-hunter myself, I was pretty impressed with the dress (and the pricetag) she chose to wear on Regis & Kelly and the Today show. So many people have been searching for her dress online that the newsmags are still talking about where to find it.

Last night, however, I was pretty dismayed to learn on Inside Edition that the dress (from H&M) is actually sleeveless and that her "stylist" added sleeves to it. Now, I'm no math major, but if she bought another dress to add sleeves, then it's no longer a $35 dress. And having a stylist isn't considered thrifty. Just sayin'.

Just Another Joke

2011-01-05T20:22:00.000-05:00

In honor of the first session of the 112th Congress... I give you, a joke:

I recently asked my neighbor's little girl what she wanted to be when she
grows up. She said she wanted to be President some day. Both of her parents,
liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, "If you were President
what woudl be the first thing you would do?"

She replied, "I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people." Her
parents beamed with pride.

"Wow... what a worthy goal," I told her. "But, you don't have to wait until
you're President to do that. You can come over to my house and mow the lawn,
pull weeds, and sweep my yard, and I'll pay you $50. Then I'll take over to the
grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to
use toward food and a new house."

She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the
eye and asked, "Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and to the work, and you
can just pay him the $50?"

I said, "Welcome to the Republican Party."

Her parents still aren't speaking to me.

Hotdogs, Bratwursts and Freedom

2010-05-26T19:06:00.000-04:00

Smart Girl Politics

2010-05-12T22:35:00.000-04:00

I'm a member (albeit not a good one, lately) of a terrific organization of conservative women called Smart Girl Politics. SGP is network of great Americans from all over the country. If you haven't heard, check them out here.

Jesus and the Democrat

2010-02-04T18:45:00.000-05:00

I really hope to get serious about my blog again. In the meantime, here's a joke I heard on the radio today. Enjoy!

A Republican in a wheelchair entered a restaurant one afternoon and asked the waitress for a cup of coffee. The Republican looked across the restaurant and asked, "Is that Jesus sitting over there?" The waitress nodded "yes," so the Republican requested that she give Jesus a cup of coffee, on him.

The next patron to come in was a Libertarian with a hunched back. He shuffled over to a booth, painfully sat down, and asked the waitress for a cup of hot tea. He also glanced across the restaurant and asked, "Is that Jesus over there?" The waitress nodded, so the Libertarian asked her to give Jesus a cup of hot tea, "My treat."

The third patron to come into the restaurant was a Democrat on crutches. He hobbled over to a booth, sat down and hollered, "Hey there, honey! How's about gettin' me a cold glass of Miller Light?" He, too, looked across the restaurant and asked, "Is that God's boy over there?" The waitress once more nodded, so the Democrat directed her to give Jesus a cold glass of beer. "On my bill," he said.

As Jesus got up to leave, he passed by the Republican, touched him and said,"For your kindness, you are healed." The Republican felt the strength comeback into his legs, got up, and danced a jig out the door. Jesus also passed by the Libertarian, touched him and said, "For your kindness,you are healed." The Libertarian felt his back straightening up, and he raised his hands, praised the Lord and did a series of back flips out the door.Then Jesus walked towards the Democrat. The Democrat jumped up and yelled,"Don't touch me!! I'm collecting disability!"

Happy Blog Birthday

2009-11-29T21:00:00.000-05:00

Glitterfy.com - Glitter Graphics

Happy belated birthday to my blog, and coincidentally, happy birthday to me.

I'm another year older, and another year wiser (at least I'd like to think).

Joe the Single Mom

2009-09-11T21:13:00.000-04:00

I'm not one to blog about my personal life, but I've been more than a little distracted with a divorce lately. I think just feeling overwhelmed has zapped all of my energy. Suddenly, keeping up with my vivacious 2.5 year old son and going to work are about all I can handle.

In spite of everything, I can't help but smile thinking about how lucky I am. I have the most amazing family to give me advice, cook dinner, and watch out for my little guy, who is the light of my life. I have incredible friends who are always willing to listen and never judge. Having a great job doesn't hurt, either.

"Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have."

It sounds pretty simple, but a great family is not to be taken for granted these days. I'm not talking about having a mother and father who have been married for 40 years. If your mom and dad have loved each other that long, that's great, but as I've seen first-hand, that does little to make you a good person. It's really about having parents who are happy--whether their still married, single, or remarried--and who are a good example to their kids.

I am the Voice of America!

2009-09-06T11:34:00.001-04:00

A crowd estimated at 18,000 gathered at Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio Sept. 5 for a tea party. The Cincinnati Tea Party did an amazing job putting the event together. Click the photo below to see more images of fellow patriots.

Click the photo to see more images from the Voice of America Rally Sept. 5 in West Chester, Ohio.

White House ironically launches "Reality Check" site

2009-08-11T21:45:00.000-04:00

I guess monitoring all the conservative blogs was too much work. Instead, the White House has introduced a new site called Health Insurance Reform Reality Check. I'm still perusing the info myself, but I've yet to uncover the reality of where the money will come from. Anyway, here's a copy of my email to flag@whitehouse.gov. I had no choice but to turn myself in.

Is this for real? http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things/

Did the white house communication office really honestly truly ask citizens to report fellow citizens who are saying reporting or blogging "fishy" things about Obama's healthcare plan????

I can't believe this is happening in my America. But just in case it is true... here's my blog www.joethemom.blogspot.com i've got plenty to say about this and i'll just go ahead and turn myself in. GUILTY!!!

By the way, how much taxpayer money is being used to monitor the "disinformation." Let me know because I wouldn't want to have to make a number up and put it out there on the Web... that would be disinformation, right?

Yours Truly,

Joe The Mom

Something smells fishy...

2009-08-05T21:06:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the Read My Lipstick Network for alerting patriots to what may be the most bizarre thing I've seen yet from the Obama administration...

President Obama and his cronies, czars and comrades want to know WHO is bringing up concerns on his socialized healthcare plan. According to the White House blog:

There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

As Jonah Goldberg just reported, this is really an un-American response to the unpopularity of Obama's policies. Much of what has transpired (the lack of transparency, the move to socialized healthcare, the appointment of liberals to the Supreme Court...) has been expected from Obama. But I have to say, I did not expect such a blatent disregard for the First Amendment so early in his term. And by the way, is it really up to the White House to say what's fact and what's fiction?

Cheers! Drink American

2009-07-30T20:25:00.000-04:00

When I belly up to the bar or skulk the beer cave, I'm not typically searching for an American brew. In my heyday, the drink of choice was usually the "beer of month," the "quarter beer" or the pitcher special, be it Canadian, Irish, American or whatever. As my earning power improved, so did my acumen for ales (hopefully, a continuing trend).

Thankfully, the Beer Summit has brought attention to the need to drink American. Nevermind pesky issues like healthcare reform or astounding unemployment. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs speculated prior to the meeting that the President's guests, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and James Crowley, would drink Red Stripe and Blue Moon, respectively, while the President himself would nurse a Bud Light. While I would be inclined to any of those choices, I am thinking twice now that American brewers have had their say on the summit.

Having spent several years living near the Motor City, I wouldn't dare buy a foreign vehicle, much less, park it in Detroit. Okay, that's probably the only thing that I'm dead-set buy American on. But, with so many tasty brews made right here in the states, why not make it a point to patronize them? Here are a few of my American faves:

Bell's Brewery (Kalamazoo, MI) Oberon is summertime must-try
Sierra Nevada (California) Try the Pale Ale
Boston Beer Co. (Sam Adams multitude of varieties)

More suggestions and info on multi-national beer conglomerates over at http://www.drinkamerican.us.%20also/Also, check out this documentary called American Beer.

"If you ever reach total enlightenment while drinking beer, I bet it makes beer shoot out your nose." -Jack Handey

Dear Bill Letter

2009-07-08T19:55:00.000-04:00

Bill O'Reilly hasn't read one of my emails on the air since about 2000. I thought I'd share my pithy remarks with Bill and all of you about MJ one last time, and then I never want to talk about it again. Ever.

Bill,

While I agree the Michael Jackson memorial has been a celebrity circus, I do take issue with your statement regarding the main stream media in Tuesday's program and today's column.

I am a loyal viewer of The Factor and think you are both brilliant and realistic, but your show is pure commentary. You do bring attention to deserving issues, but the MSM's role is different. They are responsible for giving the United States of Entertainment what they want and presenting it as *cough* objectively as possible.

A few years ago, the public wanted wall-to-wall coverage of MJ's molestation trial. Yesterday they wanted wall-to-wall coverage of his funeral. It's strange, weird and sad, but it's what the people want. Let Couric, Gibson and the like do their thing and you keep doing yours: tell the truth as you see it.

Sara

For reference, here's Bill's column today: Off the Wall: Race and Michael Jackson

Sarah Palin The Mom (and maverick)

2009-07-03T21:07:00.000-04:00

My gut is telling me that Governor Palin's resignation today was an effort to focus on her most important job: mom.

Her announcement today made my head spin. While I hadn't pegged her as the front runner for a 2012 nomination, I had thought she would emerge again on the national scene. Her decision to leave with more than a year left in her first term as governor makes her look like a quitter and definitely not a presidential candidate. It seems like an unusual path for someone who shot to political stardom in just the past year and who seemed to have a lot of ambition.

As I thought about it more this afternoon, I realized that one of the things I really like about Palin is that she has never been a conventional politician. She didn't attend an ivy league school and she doesn't have a law degree. Her husband is a fisherman and oil field operator. She doesn't come from a lineage of politicians, tobacco farmers or business owners. She has five children.

All of these nuances make her appealing to average joe Americans. The elite left (namely the media, comedians, and Hollywood) hate her because she is ordinary and yet she runs with the best of them. To Tina Fey, Keith Olbermann and Joy Behar her views are backwards, yet her platform is actually in line with most Americans. She is a real threat to the socialist machine pushing universal health care and over-regulating the private sector.

Palin was mocked out of the starting gate for her folksiness. Later, she was conversely reported to be a diva. The magnitude of her potential as a GOP leader had liberals falling over themselves to find something wrong with her. I do believe that being a contender Vice President makes you subject to such scrutinizing. But, as David Letterman had to be reminded, children are off limits.

Palin has been the most ridiculed public figure in recent history. Her family probably needs attention, but definitely not in the way they have received recently. Besides her family, Palin's next priority is Alaska and as she stated today, she is not doing the people of her state any favors by remaining in office where most of her attention (and money) is wasted on fighting ridiculous ethics complaints.

I'm not writing Sarah Palin off just yet. At the end of the day, I respect her more for keeping her priorities in order and acting as such.

I'm sayin WOW! everytime...

2009-06-24T21:03:00.000-04:00

With around 50 percent of marriages in the U.S. ending in divorce, I think it's time our elected officials suck it up and come to terms with their shamwow marriages. Represent!

It would be refreshing to see a politician, (having exhausted the avenues of couples therapy, of course) admit his or her marriage is not working and end things before causing a scandal with an intern, hooker or a "dear, dear friend" from another country. Surely this is wishful thinking. After all, it takes a special kind of narcissist to excel in politics. Maybe some of these men genuinely feel they are invincible, as John Edwards admitted after his affair was exposed. I'm not a fan of psychologically dissecting reasons people engage in morally reprehensible behavior. Why it happened is not as important as the mere fact that it happened.

By the way, if you didn't vomit after South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's press conference today, or even his wife's statement following said press conference, please check out these lovely
Emails, and have a barf bag handy. I give Jenny Sanford some credit for declining to stand next to the louse during his announcement, although I have a feeling she will eventually join the ranks of women who stand by their man in the spotlight. To each her own.

If you can't uphold the vows of marriage, how can you be trusted to honor your oath of office? Obviously, Gov. Sanford can't, as he went AWOL for an entire week, leaving his staff to lie about his whereabouts even on Father's Day weekend. Even Jon Gosselin spent the weekend with his brood.

I'll show you mine if you show me yours

2009-05-28T22:03:00.000-04:00

As I creep closer to age 30, I become increasingly prudish about things like sex on t.v. and teenagers with thongs peeking out of their jeans. It could be less about age and more about becoming a mother. Either way, let's just say I've grown up a bit since college.

This is the way it should be. At some point grown women are supposed to stop dressing like Britney Spears and men are supposed to stop shopping at Abercrombie. Meanwhile, adults earn a prerogative to talk about the next generation of oversexed slackers.

Leave it to Miami University to throw the universe off balance. The National Summit on Youth Culture, Popular Culture and Sexuality Education begins Friday at Miami with the purpose of, among other lofty pursuits, “affirming the okayness of the sexuality of all young people, as well as different sexual identities and orientations." Basically, this is a bunch of brainy grown-ups contriving ways to undermine any chance a wholesome-type might make it through high school as a virgin.

The scholars of human sexuality want us to "rethink" the way public school children learn about sex. I'm no scholar of human sexuality, but it seems to me the emphasis should be getting our public schoolchildren to think less about sex and more about school. While abstinence-only education is impracticable in light of the media's influence, school teachers and other adult mentors should be telling kids to get their head out of the sack and back in the books.

While this weirdo-fest happens to be in my backyard, it's not isolated. Bill O'Reilly's show Thursday included this segment about a pinhead Canadian professor who equated "sexting" to spin the bottle. Peter Cumming, of York University, also wrote

"In Bush's America, is there no middle ground between child pornography, sexual assault, abuse, and exploitation on the one hand and children's 'abstinence' on the other? When, in Western culture, did nudity become pornography, did children's sexuality become perverse, and when and how and why have we forgotten children's participatory rights as sexual beings?"

Children are sexual beings?

Another reason beauty pageants suck... and a checklist for those who aspire to pageantry greatness

2009-05-12T23:40:00.000-04:00

I am glad The Donald allowed Carrie Prejean to retain her Miss California crown despite her bad judgement as a 17 year old posing in panties. The photos weren't *that bad* for that Kim Kardashian world we are living in. I also think it's safe to assume many women like Prejean, who desperately seek careers in modeling or acting, have some juicy photos or videos from the past.

But, I'm more glad The Donald addressed Prejean's scandalous answer to the gay marriage question, a question I feel never should have been asked in the first place. Perez Hilton has used the pageant as a platform for his cause and Prejean has been the punching bag. If he and the rest of the world weren't willing to accept both possible answers, he should have asked something less controversial.

She could have dodged the bullet with a non-answer. She could could have given into the pressure of knowing the media would fillet her the next day. Instead, she spoke honestly, directly, and politely:

"I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other ... same sex marriage or opposite marriage," then added, "I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman ... that's how I was raised."

Hilton told Larry King Live that her answer didn't cost her the crown, but "a candidate for Miss USA should have offered more inclusive answers."Ironically, Hilton's definition of "inclusive answer" excludes the fundamental belief that marriage should be only between one man and one woman.

For all the hell that's been raised about Prejean in the media, you would think she had been on a gay-bashing rampage. Interestingly, 54 percent of Americans agree with her stance, according to a recent CNN poll. Even President Obama has said this is his belief.

As if beauty pageants were bad enough for objectifying women and perpetuating physical standards of beauty that are unrealistic for the average woman, now the meat parades are not subject to the First Amendment. Well, unless you want to be a punching bag.

Still, some girls dream of being in the meat circus. To each her own. For the beautiful and aspiring among us, I have devised a check list:

Grow to at least 5'8"

Lose 25 lbs

Take nudie pics

Sing, dance or twirl a baton

Get boob job

Lose 5 more lbs

Sew mouth shut

The doctor is out

2009-05-05T21:35:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I caught glimpse of a Rasmussen Report which reported the country was nearly divided on prefering capitalism or socialism. According to the study, conducted just one month ago, only 53% of American adults believe capitalism is the better system.

More telling: adults under 30 are essentially divided three ways with 37% preferring capitalism, 33% socialism and 30% undecided. It's easy to see how the undecideds could be wooed by lofty promises such as free healthcare for all, without considering the ramifications.

"GOOD RIDDANCE!"

2009-04-28T21:10:00.000-04:00

In a spectacle of political ballsyness, Senator Arlen Specter announced today, to the chagrin of many, that he is the greatest lemming of them all.

To this I say, "Good riddance." The GOP is cleaning house and getting back to the core conservative principles of personal responsibility and liberty, free markets and limited government that are key to the party's eventual resurgence. Specter most recently rebuked these fundamental values in supporting the Obama administration's spending bill.

Ironically, his vote on this bill has caused an uproar back home in Pennsylvania. Former Congressman Pat Toomey, Specter's rival in the upcoming primary, has built momentum in the race by highlighting Specter's bad decision.

"This is a pure political calculation," Pennsylvania pollster G. Terry Madonna of Franklin and Marshall College told NPR. "He was going to have great difficulty getting nominated in Pennsylvania. And he has been on this tightrope for a long time."

While symbolically it seems a loss for the Republicans in the Senate, Specter the Republican voted along party lines 65 percent of the time so I wouldn't consider him a sure bet just yet.

Where is the Entertainment Czar?

2009-04-21T18:34:00.000-04:00

We shouldn't have to be subjected to this.

I've had about enough of Susan Boyle and her so-called inspirational life story. I for one think someone should do something about it. Hey, I've got an idea. Why doesn't President Obama appoint an Entertainment Czar, that way the administration can monitor crap being produced in the name of entertainment and we won't have to sift through the B.S. ourselves. By the way, if you don't think this Boyle business is craptastic, check out this blog.

Granted, I did not come up with this great czar idea by myself. Obama has appointed (according to Foreign Policy magazine) 18 czars to oversee various um, stuff. Let's see there's

energy czar
urban czar
infotech czar
faith-based czar
health reform czar
TARP czar
stimulus accountability czar *my personal favorite*
non-proliferation czar
terrorism czar
regulatory czar
drug czar
Guantanamo closure czar

Special envoys falling into the czar category include AfPak special envoy Richard Holbrooke, Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell, special advisor for the Persian Gulf and Southwest Asia Dennis Ross, Sudan special envoy J. Scott Gration and climate special envoy Todd Stern. A total of 18 czars, way more than any past American president.

What the hell does an urban czar do all day? What they don't do is answer to Congress. The appointment of czars is Obama's method of expanding his power across the federal government to progress his socialist agenda. It's imperative he move quickly as he will surely be a one-term president.

His efforts aren't going unnoticed. Read Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) letter to Obama, expressing concern that the ever-expanding White House staff does not match up with his pledge to open and transparent government.

I think we could squeeze entertainment czar into that list without anyone really noticing.

Woof! Something stinks!

2009-04-19T17:15:00.000-04:00

After nearly two months of allowing life’s various distractions to take priority over my blog, I must finally break my silence. The controversy over the Obama family’s new pooch is just too much for me to hold my tongue.

Although not at all surprised, I was as disappointed as anyone that the President and Mrs. Obama went back on repeated intentions to rescue a shelter dog. Bo, a male Portuguese water dog, was a gift (produced from a breeder) from Senator and Mrs. Kennedy to the President’s two young daughters.

But, when did his highness allegedly make such a lofty promise? Malia has allergies. Mom needs a dog that compliments her J. Crew sweater sets. Such a pompous pooch could not be found in all the shelters of America. (Actually, about 30 percent of homeless dogs in shelters are purebreds.)

Obama initially made this promise to Dr. Jana Kohl, who authored the book about a puppy named “Baby” that was tortured in a puppy mill. Obama even poses with “baby" for the cover of the Winter 2009 issue of American Dog. Do you think she was a little miffed? Judging by her statements in this press release , I would say so.

Another broken promise, so what? Demand for the breed has skyrocketed and so have prices. But much more concerning is the unintended consequences for the equally deserving potential pets who suffer in shelters and face certain death. Two million dogs are euthanized every year in shelters across America. As sad as I think it is, Obama-loving lemmings the world over are crawling over themselves to emulate everything he does. Imagine the statement it could have made if he made good on his promise and actually rescued a dog. Adopt-a-Pet.com states pet relinquishment is up 20 to 30 percent due to the economy. Not everyone can afford a pet, especially not on par with the President's variety.

Just for old times sake, watch President Elect Obama relay his two criteria for dog adoption. The Obamas are all about appearances. I wouldn't be surprised if a second dog is brought in to quell the concerns of pet adoption advocates.

A new anthem

2009-03-04T22:29:00.000-05:00

HOPE is just a four-letter word

2009-02-26T22:48:00.000-05:00

It wasn’t always so. It used to mean something to me, but now it’s just as meaningless as any other buzz word: synergy, diversity, interactive, or green. As a matter of fact, very few of the words coming out of President Obama’s mouth mean anything to me. It’s like listening to Charlie Brown’s teacher.

The most substantive thing he said during Tuesday’s speech before a joint session of congress was about parents needing to turn off the television and read to their children. “Education must begin at home…That’s an American issue,” he said to bipartisan applause.

A statement of common sense to be sure, but I’ll concede there are plenty who need to be reminded. Maybe this obvious advice will resonate as it comes from the mouth of the silver-tounged snake. How easily some are wooed by his rhetoric and impossible promises. He offered no details about how he intends to both spend $1 trillion (just last week) and spare our children from generational theft from this and various other spending bills in the pipeline. But that’s not what the some people want to hear. That would be boring. They just want to hear that everything’s gonna be okay, their problems are not their fault or their responsibility, and most of all, they want to hear that dirty little four-letter word.

I couldn’t say it better than this comment, which followed one review of the President’s eloquence: “The vast majority of people don't understand or become educated on the issues. In the People-magazine-like world we live in, style seems to overshadow substance. No wonder Obama keeps getting high marks from those who just glaze over with glee to listen to him.”

Glaze over the glee. I can’t think of a better way to describe the look on the face of a certain someone I know who eagerly tunes in to hear this President, but has never before listened to anything any other politician has had to say. This person shall remain nameless.

Here's a newsflash for this person and other glee-glazed Obama-lovers. If it’s a warm fuzzy feeling you’re hankering for, go take a bubble bath or watch a romantic comedy. Here in reality, it’s time to get down to the cold, hard facts. The best message the leader of the free world could put out is that Americans need to get a hold of their bootstraps and stop looking for a bailout.

OH! That's how bipartisanship works!

2009-02-16T22:30:00.000-05:00

Stop the stimulus scam!

2009-02-11T21:40:00.000-05:00

Make a statement! Visit http://nostimulus.com/ and add your name to the petition to stop the government from wasting your money!

Americans for Prosperity has laid it all out: Only 3.6% of the scheme’s $825 billion price tag would actually go to real, practical infrastructure projects--roads and bridges. The site also reminds us, this trillion-dollar debt (including interest) will provide little or no stimulus, but will put each and every American household in at least $6,700 of new debt, to be paid by our children and grandchildren.

Daddy knows best?

2009-02-08T21:58:00.000-05:00

I really hate when people get up in my biznass.
One of my biggest pet peeves is someone looking over my shoulder and telling me how to do something--unless of course I asked for help. I know what's best for my child, my career and my money. Hence my disdain for high taxes and government spending.
It really pisses me off to see the President on t.v. mocking the people of America by saying "What do you think a stimulus is? That's the whole point." He is essentially saying, "I know what's good for the country. I know where your money should be spent. I know better than Joe the Plumber, Joe the Mom or anybody else."
Is anyone listening?
You know what would be stimulating? Give me more tax relief and I will decide for myself if I want to spend it at Macy's or donate it to the arts, STD education or whatever.
Although to hear the Democrats talk, you would think the current $800 billion-plus bill is a quick fix, there are long term consequences to be considered. Obama's administration is setting the stage for creating more dependence by individuals and businesses on the federal government. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has warned the long-term effect of that much government spending over the next decade could "crowd out" private investment, lowering long-term economic growth forecasts by 0.1 percent to 0.3 percent by 2019.

Here's your change. Thank you and have a nice day!

2009-01-31T21:41:00.000-05:00

Less than a month into his administration, even CNN's Campbell Brown is already calling out President Obama for his hypocrisy. Being that it's Saturday night, I'm going to take a break and let the video do the talking.

MWA ha ha! One TRILLION dollars!

2009-01-28T21:52:00.000-05:00

Forget the $819 billion "economic stimulus" package you heard about today. Any grown-up knows when you borrow money, you pay interest. In case you forgot, the U.S. government is in a deficit, so we'll be borrowing this money to fund Obama's big idea. With interest, this package is going to cost $1 trillion.

So, there must be, like, a load of jobs coming out of this, right? Well, let's take a look at where some of that money is to go:

$25 million for new ATV trails
$400 million for the National Endowment for the Arts
$400 million for global warming research
$335 million for the Centers for Disease Control to combat sexually-transmitted diseases
$650 million coupons to subsidize TV viewers for digital television conversion.

We might agree on the merits of global warming research, the importance of the arts and the need to combat STD's... but how does colossal spending for these special interests fit into the President's message of cutting back in these tough economic times? Is THIS the change we have been hearing so much about?

The short answer is it absolutely doesn't. In fact, this could be the single largest spending proposal of Obama's administration, and most of it isn't even going toward the infrastructure projects that would actually create jobs. The bill proposes just $30 billion toward rebuilding roads and bridges, etc.

The Democrats in Congress are taking advantage of an opportunity to easily throw money at the special interest groups by claiming this package is necessary--and necessary fast! "We don't have a moment to spare," Obama has ominously declared.

It's shameless, and sadly inevitable. The only thing bipartisan about this bill is that both Democrats and Republicans oppose it (not only did the bill receive absolutely zero support from House Republicans, but 11 Democrats actually voted against it as well).

The bill will need some support from Republicans in order to pass Senate approval. Expect to see Obama hosting a lot more cocktail parties next week.

Some rain for your parade

2009-01-18T20:46:00.001-05:00

It seems most of America is whooping it up in D.C. or reveling in the inaugural madness at the local watering hole. I don't mean to take away from the historical significance of this inauguration, and you can call me a cheapskate, but $150 million seems like overkill to me. Especially for a President-Elect who reminds us--every chance he gets--that we ALL need to be responsible and make financial sacrifices.

To be fair, Barack Obama has reportedly raised $41 million in private contributions to fund some of the inaugural festivities. (Visit the inaugural committee web site http://www.pic2009.org/ to view contributors of $200 or more.) I just can't help but ask myself how one justifies raising money for such a party when the country is seemingly falling apart, to hear some tell it. Let alone, spending our tax dollars toward it.

Think about this: maybe the company you work for needs to cut back on expenses. Do you think they are going to host the most lavish holiday party in the company's history? What if the company was more than $10 trillion in debt?

The price tag for this year's inaugural festivities is four times more than the next most expensive inauguration. I'm no mathematician, but I think that's a load of money. And to be honest, I expected nothing less from the ultimate leader in "do as I say, not as I do" politics. If Obama mentions sacrifice in his inaugural speech, I'm going to throw my shoe at the TV.

Enjoy your party.

Joe the Capitalist

2008-11-19T19:33:00.000-05:00

Here is what I love about America. A Presidential candidate visits a middle-class town, strolling door-to-door, shaking hands and kissing babies. Essentially he is winning over some votes by simply showing his face in this town, giving the impression he gives a hoot about these people. One guy, impressed by the candidate’s presence but courageous enough to ask a simple question, gets his attention. And then he has the attention of the entire nation.

Since the confrontation, Joe “the Plumber” Wurzelbacher has really felt the heat of the media scrutinizing his personal and professional life. Apparently, you must keep up-to-date on your plumber’s license before you may seize an opportunity to question the policies of Barack Obama with the man himself.

The heat hasn’t stopped Joe from standing by his principles, and even capitalizing on his 15ish minutes of fame. He recently launched www.secureourdream.com 2.0 with a public forum to keep the discussion going. Oh, and you can also pre-register for signed copies of his book! Personally, I enjoy reading things I can nod along in agreement to.

In an interview for the Tufts University student newspaper, Joe described himself this way: “I am a lower-middle-class average guy who happens to have some common sense and wants a straight answer once in a while instead of a dissertation for an answer that when you’re done listening to it you’re wondering what the first word was.”

You don’t have to be blue collar, a guy, or even white to relate. To people like Joe, and me, it’s not about “how am I going to benefit?” It’s about principles. It’s about right and wrong. In this case, it is wrong, as a matter of principle, for the government to decide who makes too much money and who deserves to get a handout. That doesn’t mean we don’t have a moral responsibility to help those less fortunate. But it is on each of us individually to look out for our neighbor, and ourselves, for that matter.

Here’s to you, Mr. Question Barack Obama And Write a Book About It Guy… you are a real man of American genius.

Why I dislike Barack Obama

2008-11-12T21:46:00.000-05:00

The title of my post is really just to get your attention. I mean, who doesn’t love this guy? He’s got it all: looks, charisma, charm, an Ivy League law degree, a beautiful (and equally well-educated) wife, and even lovelier children. He always has the right thing to say (not counting the séance-Reagan comment), the right tie, and the right friends (who doesn’t love Oprah).

I’m being sarcastic, but let’s face it the guy is Mr. Congeniality, forget Sarah Palin. I can’t watch anything on TV (GMA, CNN, Access Hollywood…) without a clip about so-and-so who knew Obama back when such-and-such and he liked to eat this-and-that and was just your regular-mr-nice-guy. Contrast this with post-election coverage of George W. Bush in 2000-01. Back then we couldn’t get enough stories about the drunken frat-boy C-student who smoked this-and-that. Alas, just another example of the liberal media, but that’s not the point I was getting to.

Prior to Bush, America elected an equally dynamic figure to the Oval Office…hopefully you already know where I am going with this. He had an affinity for cigars, women and risky real estate deals. He was also, in case you forgot, impeached.

I’m not suggesting Obama is as perverse or a “ladies man” (as some would prefer to call him) as Clinton…even I don’t want to believe that. The point I’m trying to make is that the suave, under-control, well-worded person we elected is just that, a person. If you are expecting him to solve all your problems, to give you peace, pride and bring new meaning to your life, you are in for a big disappointment.

I should have titled this post “Why I dislike Obama-loving lemmings,” because that is what I’m really irritated about. If I hear the word “hope” uttered one more time by another American I’m going to vomit on my loafers. When did you ever lose it? You live in the best country in the world. Since when do you put all your h*p* on a politician, anyway?

Celebrating our freedom & remembering those who fight for it

2008-11-10T22:23:00.000-05:00

It would be relatively easy to go about this Tuesday without much thought regarding the millions of men and women who have fought for our country in the past and present. There isn’t much hoopla around this national holiday. It seems to get buried between the trick or treat madness and the turkey-making plans, and for many of us—sadly—honoring our soldiers is an afterthought.

How lucky we are to live in times when military service is voluntary. As of tonight, 4,798 men and women have perished while serving in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Countless more have been wounded and sacrificed years apart from their families to fight a seemingly endless battle. Who are these people who give up everything? They are all my heroes.

This year I am making a personal commitment to give back to those who give us so much. I want my son to grow up with appreciation and gratitude for our veterans. Please feel free to share your favorite organization.

Blowing off post-election steam

2008-11-06T21:41:00.000-05:00

Day two following the historic election. Frustration has given way to disappointment although my blood still boils every time I hear one of my left winger friends proclaim suddenly how proud they are to be an American. Really? I’m not sure how the election of possibly the least experienced candidate in our nation’s history suddenly gives one pride, especially since we passed up a real American hero for the job.

I won’t go any further without addressing the significance of race in this election. I am not African-American and can’t begin to speak to the elation that must belong to those who are. Obama’s election crosses racial boundaries we are all happy to put behind us. Indeed it was a momentous occasion, and that is the last time you will hear me quote the Rev. Al Sharpton.

This mom didn’t vote for Obama based on his inexperience and his socialist agenda. Do I expect to live in the People’s Republic of America by the end of four years? No, no. But the intentions Obama expressed in his campaign set the stage for a socialized health care system and redistribution of wealth. I thought everyone had to read Animal Farm. Communism doesn’t just suddenly take over. It starts with a policy, an “option” even, as Obama has put it, to buy into or participate in the government’s system. More on that another time.

I wouldn’t be nearly as distraught if we had a balance of power in Washington, if I felt there would be a conservative majority in Congress that would prevent the liberal agenda from pervading the good middle-ground of our nation.

So now what?

Well I’m hoping the other half will come join me in reality, where the fact is most people are unhappy due to their own poor decisions, not because of something George W. Bush did or said. Did he convince you to buy the house you couldn’t afford, take out too many pay-day loans or cause your car accident when you didn’t have health insurance? Come on people. There are problems in our economy (predatory lenders, rising health care costs, and lackluster competition for American-made products) but how do you attribute that to the Executive branch? Bush made an easy target, especially after 9/11. How quickly we forget what this administration has done to secure our borders, hunt and capture our enemies and rebuild Iraq. Nobody said that would be easy, and I’m not surprised there are still troops there. It has been an unpopular war but I do believe it has been necessary. God bless our troops, they are not a waste of time or money!

Only after people start accepting responsibility for their situation can they work toward their own happiness and that increasingly illusive American Dream. Of course, don’t set your sights too high when it comes to that Dream. It wouldn’t be fair for you to finally start that business or eventually become a top executive; God forbid you might earn $250,000 and not share it.