Monday, September 27

Something I'm thankful for

Today I thought I'd write about something I'm thankful for. There are really so many things, too many to list here in one day. So, it might turn out that I write something I'm thankful for fairly often. I hope that's ok with you. In fact, I hope it inspires you to write down something you're thankful for, too. :-)

Today, I'm thankful for coffee maker.



I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "What? Her coffee maker? What in the world would make you be thankful for that so much that you'd write it in a blog?!" And maybe you're right.

But I know every morning when I get up, I can make myself the best latte ever, without spending money or driving in my car to get it. It was a Christmas gift from my husband. (For background, he and I decided a loooong time ago to forgo giving each other gifts at Christmas.) He was dubious that I would use it. Boy was he wrong!! I think I've used it every single morning since I got it. Well, except for the 2 weeks I didn't have the filter and had to wait for it to come in the mail. (My husband made coffee while I was gone, and threw away the filter!)

I feel good knowing that I used to spend a pretty penny on Starbucks or Moxie Java or Tulley's (my all-time favorite!) I feel even better knowing I don't have to feel guilty about drinking coffee every day, when I'm still looking for work. (My husband doesn't say anything, but I know some days he's sensitive about money being spent. I would be.) I feel good giving my compost something it loves. (Coffee grounds, people!)

So, for today, I'm so thankful to have such a useful appliance taking up valuable space on my counter.

What are you thankful for?

Monday, September 20

Healthcare and my future here

You all know by now that health care is something I'm passionate about. I do not understand why Americans think we're #1 in the world, when nearly half of all countries in the world have healthier people than we do (according to the World Health Organization.) I realize there are a number of reasons for that, one of which is our abysmal lifestyle here in the States. But we could slowly change that for the better, if we'd just try to.

Anyhoo, if health care isn't your thing, you probably won't care about this clip from The Daily Show recently. You should care, and should research this topic on your own. Our health care system is a massive drain on our economy, and on our main street lives. Jobs, wages, possibilities of moving up in the world. All of these are related to the cost of health care in America.

One of the blogs I read almost daily, Momma Politico, posted a lengthy clip of Bill Clinton on The Daily Show. It was fabulous! But, I wanted to post just a portion of the interview, because in it Mr. Clinton talks about health care, and brings home my point about the costs. Thanks for posting, MP!

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Bill Clinton Extended Interview Pt. 2
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorTea Party


When smart people realize that America could be better, I hope we move in that direction. Right now, I have a very negative view of America's future. In that, I guess I'm not unlike most of the TeaBaggers. (Yikes!) I am angry. Angry that we haven't wanted to do better. Angry that those in power continue to manipulate the masses, so they can keep their money and their power. Angry that the masses are so uneducated about everything that they don't even realize they are being manipulated. Angry that they vote against their own interests time after time after time.

So, when a poll comes out asking if you are happy with the way the country is moving, or happy with the job this Administration is doing, I probably end up in the same category as all those angry TeaBaggers. I want more! I want Obama to man up and fight for what's right, not compromise from the middle to the right. I want Americans to be educated. I want us all to have a better life.

I voted for Obama, and I'd do it again. But I'm not happy with what he's done, mainly because I believe he squandered the momentum he had. We could have so much more right now, but he wanted to get bipartisan support. He was more worried about making people happy than he was about doing the right thing.

Politics is a nasty business. I know. And every day I get more and more discouraged by the whole theatrics of it all. And when my husband and I sit down and talk about what we want to do after the kids move out, one of the first things we agreed on was considering a lengthy stay abroad. That is SAD! I want to be proud to be here. Proud to live in a country that's tolerant, and works towards ideals that every person be free. Freedom isn't just about religion. It's about the ability to make something of yourself. Unless things change, and the religious right settles down and stops trying to become a theocracy, I don't feel we have that here anymore.

My eyes are open. I hope to see the change we need soon.