Warning...this is not about photography...this is a personal rant! So there, you've been warned. :-)
Does it make sense to you that we live in a country where a man is threatened with 30 years in jail for lying to congress about his steroid use while playing sports, while at the same time a young mother (if you can call her that) goes Scott free when every terrible detail points to the fact that she killed on purpose, or at least accidentally killed her little girl and covered it up? The sports figure's lies to congress are definitely wrong, but all he is guilty of is lying to a bunch of professional liars. And for that he may get 30 years in prison! Things are backwards my friends.
Do the following two words ring a bell with any of you? "Attitude Adjustment" I dare to say that to the younger generation those two words may not mean much, but to the older generation; those over 50 years and especially to those that are now 60 years of age or older, those words probably bring up certain disturbing mental pictures to your mind. Images like your dad grabbing you by the ear and taking you out back to "The Woodshed" for an attitude adjustment! Remember those days? Some do I'm sure.
Those adjustments were not child abuse, but no doubt they would be categorized that way now. No, they were simply stern, informative, hands-on adjustments that were required shortly after we sassed, disobeyed, or broke the rules that our parents (or any other respectable adult for that matter) had set in place. Okay shut your ears and cover your eyes...yes I was spanked! Oh the horrible damage of it all! (lol) No silly, I was spanked but never abused...ever! I'll go on the record...I hate child abuse, but some kids, and adults, could use an old fashion spanking for sure! There is a huge difference between a corrective spanking of the bottom and child abuse. Okay, no doubt I just lost some of you. To the others still here, hang on it gets worse!
It may have been different for you. Maybe your "Woodshed" experience was in another room, or just out in the back yard where no one could see; regardless those attitude adjustment usually got our attention the way they were meant to. In the end (no pun intended) we kids usually found a way to change our sorry uncaring attitudes and we "got with the program" in a way that benefited our family and our neighborhoods instead of just ourselves!
What's my point? I guess you can see that I've got something to say and by golly I'm gonna say it!
I, along with what I honestly believe are millions of other Americans, think its time for our Big Babies in Washington DC to have a good old fashioned "Attitude Adjustment!"
Personally in my humble opinion, be they Democrat, Republican, or Independent, every member of Congress and the Senate should be included.
Sure, a few of them are doing better than others, but they still need to be included just so they won't forget the lessons learned. I'm tired of being bossed by selfish crying full grown babies that supposedly work for me and you. Something needs to change. We were promised "Change". Little did we know it would include diapers...well it could happen!)
Here's the deal...They (the DC babies crowd) keep telling us that now is the time for the citizens of the United States to be ready for the hard decisions. Everything must be placed on the table in order for us to take care of the looming mountain of debt that our nation is facing. They say its our duty as Americans to tighten our belt and sacrifice....HOGWASH! They want us to cater to them while they remain the same or better off and that's it!
Here's my response to our beloved representatives in DC. You may ask me to help anytime. As an American citizen and a veteran I want my country to survive and even prosper, but first lets go to the "woodshed" with each and every one we've elected to represent us. Lets see...that would be about 535 attitude adjustments; 100 Senators and 435 Representatives from the house (hope that's correct?). Anyway that's a lot of whoopins' but by George its worth it!
If you are like me then you don't mind helping our country in times of need. If you, the country's leaders, will lead by example then I'll follow, but don't push me or my family to sacrifice when you don't intend to do any sacrificing yourself. I really don't respond well to pushing; never have and never will! Great Leaders lead by example first!
You say that Social Security is an "entitlement" for us. Sorry but NOPE we have paid into that system for years with little hope of a good return. It was our hard earned money that you have stolen to fund your pet projects. So find a way to fix it or go to jail; that would be my response!
Since 2007 our economy has been crashing. Americans have watched you waste money and do nothing but dig us into a deeper hole financially. We have lost jobs, homes, 401K's, Health Insurance and on it goes. What about you our trusted leaders?
Here's the facts about what you really are doing and some ideas that if taken to heart might begin to show that you really care about the Americans that put you in office and not just yourselves.
Fact #1: You have voted yourselves pay raises of about $8,800.00 during that same period of time since 2007 bringing your average salaries to $174,000.00. The majority and minority leaders make $193,400.00 annually while the Speaker of the House makes $233,500.00. In the meantime you arrogantly fuss at company CEO's and call them on the carpet to testify for making the "Big Bucks" and for flying their personal corporate jets. You say they are wasteful and are taking advantage of the stock holders and employees. At least most of them invested and worked for what they have and didn't steal the money from everyday people and old folks. Of course there are always a few bad apples, but most prospered because they risked to start a company or to grow their business. Oh by the way, President Obama makes $400,000.00 a year plus another $169,000.00 a year for travel, entertainment,and whatever else he wants. That's $569,000.00 for those of us that are counting. He also took in over $1,700,000.00 last year from book sales etc. No wonder he is smiling all the time!
So honestly, how about taking a look in the mirror Senator, Congressman, or Mr President, before you set yourself up as a judge of others? Truth is that on top of your salaries your average median personal wealth (not including the President) as our sacrificing government servants was $911,500.00 in 2009 and I'm sure its more now. Many of you are multimillionaires and I really don't care if you are, but I gotta ask...so how did you get your money? If your getting fatter and want to tax the poor or middle class more then shame on you!
Idea #1 If you really want and believe we should have higher taxes and deep cuts in Social Security and Medicare, then you go first and I'll follow. You could all start off by giving back the $8,800.00 each in raises you pocketed while we all suffered over the last few years. Maybe you can put the money into something worthwhile like feeding the hungry, or how about putting it back into the Social Security fund that you all have secretly drained away over the years? That would be almost 5 Million Dollars every year saved...its not a lot, but its a start! Then to show us more good will why not put your future raises on freeze status until you find a way to bring our economy back from the dead! I think you can live off of what you already make. After all you expect us to live off of much much less!
Whats important...your power and personal wealth or the future of your country? The elderly and poor along with families and businesses are suffering while you prosper. Is that really what you were elected for?
Fact #2: You have all voted yourselves great benefits in Healthcare and Retirement. You do not want to be on Social Security like us and you definitely do not want to be placed on the average person's Healthcare programs.
Idea #2 Bite the bullet and place yourself on the same systems as the people you supposedly serve. You have different Healthcare and Retirement systems that everyone knows are far better than your constituents, so how about joining us. After all we hired you...When did you become the elite class?
Fact #3: You give tax breaks, incentives, and low interest or no interest loans to foreign investors that want to start businesses in the United States. Wow how thoughtful. Are you great or what? (a little tongue in cheek there)
Idea #3 Here's a brilliant idea that you never thought of...How about giving the same tax breaks,incentives, and low or no interest loans to your own citizens. That way you will bring back jobs, stimulate the economy, and increase tax revenues, instead of crushing small businesses with your stupid taxes and regulations that send our businesses and jobs out of the country. How smart would that be? Are your thoughts consumed with taxing us and giving away our country to the world? Sorta looks like it huh?
Fact #4: You say that we must raise taxes to pay for increased spending.
Idea #4 First, stop wasting our tax money on non essential spending! You know what is essential and what projects are done just for votes. Most of what you spend our money for is spent to pacify people so you will get re-elected! Next, how about introducing a "Flat Tax" or something like it to place every person on the same tax percentage playing field according to personal income. Close the legal tax "Loopholes" that give the big wigs and the middle class ways of not paying their fare share. Exclude the verified poor and elderly from taxes all together.
Fact #5 From the President on down millions or actually billions are raised and spent on your combined re-election campaigns. Is that a waste of money or what? Is power that important to you? Old ladies and children are starving but at least you get elected. Awesome! Sorry, but when you get into office the results we get are far from worth the money spent to get you there.
Idea #5 Place real limits on how much money is spent on campaigns and set the limits low enough where everyday qualified people could afford to run for office. Give each person equal radio and television time and let the government pay for it. That would stop those of you that basically buy elections due to money you can raise from special interest groups. (poor baby...don't cry!) If you really want to impress people go ahead and raise all the money you can, but give the amount over the set limit to our national debt. (I know that will never be done because the politicians want the power that comes with that money. They want elected and they really do not care how they get it.)
I haven't even scratched the surface. If we do not stop being dependent on other countries we will fall. We need to drill here for oil and dig for coal while exploring all other alternatives. It can be done without harming our environment. Stop listening to the extreme environmentalist that are controlling you and our future. Put America first; not yourselves and definitely not our enemies. Close the border to illegals now! Never send our troops to a fight that we do not plan to win as quickly as possible. Just to mention a few.
Please stop pushing Your Agenda and Start Leading by Example...Do any of you in Washington DC have the moral courage to do what is right? You, our elected officials have just been taken to the "Woodshed" for an "Attitude Adjustment" by an average man. I pray you'll learn from it.
Note: Images on this post are Clip Art and not originals by John Godfrey.
