Politics of Religion

It seems that this is the time of year to start talking about religion and it's place in politics. Headline after headline is filled with the debate - separation of Government from God. It's ironic that a country which was founded on the principles of God and religion that we have done a complete 180. It's also sad to me that 83% of Americans identify themselves as Christians (according to an ABC poll) and yet we let things get by us that should not even be and issue. Why are we electing people that don't uphold our beliefs? Why are Christians loosing the battle of faith in America? It seems that the attack on religion will not be going away, if anything it will continue to strengthen. I would love to hear what you think please share your thoughts on this matter if you have a minute or two.
Lisa

Squeaky

Why is it that the squeaky wheel always gets the grease? I have thought of this many times in the last week and it seems like there is no answer. Either you let it keep squeaking and it drives you nuts, or you grease it and then you move on to the other ones, but you are so out of energy from greasing the first that you don't have any more energy for the other three! As I have been contemplating this I have come up with a thought, If you take care for them all in the same way and do minor maintenance often then none of them will go squeaky. The USA is going bad one wheel at a time and WE the people need to do small and simple changes one baby step at a time so that we can help this great country work right, with no squeaks. Baby steps is a great concept and I think now that are eyes are a bit more open to what is happening around us, the right opinions and ideas need to be voiced.

And it continues

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I was looking forward to this day, expecting to feel relief, hope, happiness, but no even with an apparent victory for proposition 8 the hate continues. I will have to stop reading the newspapers comments I guess. It's like a drug though I just can't help it. I had to add a comment to the Sacramento's news paper this morning that I will share with you. After reading so many hateful comments and threats of lawsuits of discrimination it makes you want to just through your hands up and say WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!! I of course did not say that :) instead this is what I said.
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This is a sad day in California, the day that democracy instead of meaning the voice of the people govern no matter how great or small, means who cares what the majority says let's call people ignorant because of the way they voted and let’s call them bigots because they have religious beliefs. WOW it is sad. Most of our laws are based on some belief or conviction someone has, from what age you should be accountable, to vote, to drive, to drink, to animal rights and children’s rights. America is the land of opinions. Thank goodness there is a process where by we can decide whose opinions we agree with. An by the way…Brought to you by those crazy Religious people called pilgrims.
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Do I feel better? A little but unfortunately I feel like it is only the beginning.
Lisa

Power of the people.

Have you ever heard someone say that big box companies put the small mom and pop stores out of business? I've always had trouble understanding this. Someone comes in and builds a store and magically the mom and pop's stores go out of business? It must be true because of all the statistics that say this is what happens. This is NOT why smalls stores go out of business! It's because people (in the community) STOP shopping at the small stores. A big box company could build the building, hire the employees, open it's doors and if no one shopped there THEY, not the small business would be closing up shop. We the people have an amazing ability to affect all that happens around us. Problem is sometimes it's not the "convenient" thing to do. I mean I LIKE lower prices I'm the one who won't shop at the mom and pop's anymore because I can get a better deal at Big Box right! So it's really me that's putting them out of business right! Last night as I lay watching TV I realized how horrible MOST of the shows I watch really are, I thought why am I watching this? Did I turn off the TV? No because hey that would be to inconvenient. What would happen if I did? Probably not much, but what if everyone who didn't agree with what is being 'fed' to us did the same thing? What would happen if everyone who didn't agree with a certain newspaper or news station stopped buying or watching? I know there are so many good people in the world who just want what's best for their families. It may not be convenient, but I think we'll find that we are not alone, and that my friends is the power of the people.
Lisa

The power of knowledge...

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It's amazing to me the confidence knowledge brings to any debate. I have been researching proposition 8, really looking into the nuts and bolts. When I get an email for or against I have been looking up information, reading newspaper articles and I have even been reading the California Constitution and the California Family Code. (now there's some really riveting reading)I would love to share all this info with you...maybe on at a later day but the point I would like to make is that with knowledge comes power. Not power over anyone but power of facts vs opinion. I have read many many many comments about this issue. I would say 95% are based on raw emotion, which is a must in any cause, and 5% on actual facts. Or rather emotion mixed with some facts. For instance did you know that as far as the law is concerned there are only a few minor differences between a 'domestic partner' and marriage, and those differences make it EASIER to have a domestic partnership than a marriage. Again a discussion for a later date. Point? Don't answer questions your not sure about and be sure about the questions you answer!!! It's actually almost...dare I say...fun.
Lisa

My fundamental right.

Here in California we being asked to vote on Proposition 8 "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California." One argument that I have been hearing is that we (those for Prop 8) should not impose our morals, values and beliefs on anyone else.
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America is a country where we rights...not to force our beliefs on anyone but to stand up for our beliefs, present our argument and then let the voters decide it's called democracy. Every law that is passed is because someone "believed" that it would benefit us in someway. I have the right to voice my opinion on any given subject and then try and persuade all who will listen why I think it is right or wrong. It does not make me evil or intolerant, it makes me an American. Each individual in America, then has the right to agree or disagree, through their vote. It is an amazingly wonderful system. It only fails when a few individuals think they know better than the majority, or when people choose to sit idly by. I may not always win but I do believe in upholding the laws of the land. It is my fundamental right and moral obligation to question and try to change those things that go against what I believe in. Again it's call democracy. Our forefathers had amazing insight. I am thankful to live in a land where I can voice my opinion peacefully.
Lisa

Share your voice

This is the month were politics really gets ugly. One month to go, are you registered yet? I have been reading some of the political forums to see what people are saying about different issues. I notice that most comments are by very passionate people, people who feel very strongly one way or another about the issues. I think one thing that would help is for me to add my opinion to the discussion, It may be that there are lots of people who think like I do but just don’t take the time to share what is running around in their heads. The reason this would help? I have found that those who are the noisiest are in the minority BUT they voice their opinions very loudly which makes them seem to be the majority. Basically the majority is being shouted down. I would issue a challenge this week to you. As you read a news article that interests you or outrages you, leave a comment. Let your voice be heard, and then let us know about it and remember to HAVE FUN!!!

Liberal vs Conservative

I think this is a GREAT forum - I love to discuss issues and get educated - someone once said "knowledge is power" and this is a great way to empower ourselves.

I've been doing lots of reading about liberal and conservative. Here is my reader's digest version of my understanding of those terms: Conservative is for small government - get government out of the way and let 'WE THE PEOPLE" make things happen. I think it is no coincidence that those words were capitalized in the Constitution (by the way, how long has it been since you actually READ the constitution??)

Liberal is for more government with the idea that 'government' knows more and is better at managing your money (read that 'your life') than you, because they are inately smarter than the 'common' people.

We sat down and tried to think of ANY aspect of our life that we do not need government permission to live - couldn't think of a thing - if you come up with something, PLEASE post it. For instance - you have to have a birth certificate for your kids which interprets that now the government has officially given you permission to 'have' kids - try to operate without a birth certificate - hand in hand with social security number. Anyhow, if you can come up with something I am dying to know. (Do you know government sets the code for how your toilet is placed in your bathroom and regulates the production of toilet paper??)

That's my FYI for today.....

Dixie

What can YOU do?

This is the first in a series wherein we will discuss what each one of us can do to get involved. Up first GET REGISTERED TO VOTE!!! Sounds like I'm really stuck on this issue but this is ultimately the first step in making changes. The deadline to register so you can vote in the November elections is October 4th. If you've just moved or have not gotten registered yet GET IT DONE NOW!!! (notice the use of ALL CAPS this means I'm talking really loud and the three exclamation marks this means I'm really serious and I've changed all the caps to RED which means...well that I'm Truly, Genuinely, and Extremely serious .)

Take 5 minutes print out the registration form and mail it in, it's that simple. While your at it print out 3 extra forms... Think of this as Network Marketing...let's call it Network Politics or maybe Political Marketing? If you tell three of your friends and they tell three of their friends pretty soon you'll have helped your entire neighborhood get registered to vote. It's a marvelous thing, you'll sleep better at night trust me. This is something you can do no matter how many kids you have, how busy you are, how crazy you think your life is. It's non invasive your not pushing any agenda. In case some of you may still think this is to much let me give you a script you can use when talking to your friends.

"Hey (or hello depending on your familiarity with them) are you registered to vote?" they say "no" you say "I have an extra registration form, fill it out and I'll mail it with mine" they say "sure". See that was not to hard AND they will love you because you saved them .42 cents on a stamp it's a win win situation. So get out there and let me know how it goes!!! Good luck your on your way to changing the nation!

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men (and I add Women) do nothing." (Edmund Burke - see side note)

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I hope through sharing our thoughts and insight about the world of politics we can make more sense out of the whirlwind surrounding us, and develop an opinion of our own. We will be better informed and more influential in our communities. We can make sure that our values are upheld in the places we live. We can teach our kids that it is important to take a stand, to protect our families and morals. We can share ways to make a difference no matter our stage in life. I look forward to sharing our thoughts and ideas.

I have always been interested in the world of politics. Well I don't know about always let's say for the past 10 years or so. I have been fortunate enough to have been involved in a Republican convention as a caucus chair person for our precinct in Orem, Ut in 2000. I was also able to work on a committee to elect a mayor in Heber City, Utah in 2005. With both experiences I was amazed at how "we the little people" can make a huge difference. I have heard from so many people... that "my vote doesn't really count" or "my vote doesn't really make a difference". Another thing I hear is "I really don't know what the issues are or who to vote for". Most people know that voting is important but... I they 'should' vote but sadly enough they just don't.

In 2006 Utah had the lowest voter turnout in the country with only 36.7 percent of Utah's eligible voters, voting (politico.com). This is a state that is 62% LDS (Salt Lake Tribune), and encouraged EVERY year to take an active roll in the election process. The problem? First, I think most people are too complacent. They simply do not get involved unless the cause seems overwhelmingly 'important'. Second, I think that most people are too busy to take the time to know what the issues are and who is running. Third, most people are overwhelmed by the process it's too much, too big, and to inundated with information, they can't make heads or tails of the double talk from politicians.

I have been inspired by the Sara Palin story, regardless if you like her or agree with her, her's is the story of someone who simply got involved. The thing that is most impressed upon my mind is that through small and simple things, great things can happen. Someone like you or me who does not aspire to be the next Governor, or Senator (well maybe you do) can make a huge difference. We can start with our PTA or neighborhoods. We can find out the issues that directly affect our communities and then take a stand, get involved and let our voice be heard.

It has recently been said that the outcome of this election will be decided by the women of this country. I hope that we are among those that make a difference. My goal with this blog page is to ask questions, have discussions, find answers and share ideas about the politics of our times. I hope we can also simplify some of the mumbo jumbo double talk, get rid of the fluff and flowers and see what the real meat and potatoes is all about. I would love some input and look forward to your thoughts.

Lisa