I have not always been in agreement with the ones who have occupied the White House in DC, but I have respected them for being the President.  I vote and I vote in every election.  Since I was 18 years old and first registered to vote, the only elections I have not voted in were when I was ill and could not get to the polls or the time I moved and didn’t make it to register in time.  I can count on one hand the number of elections I have not voted in.  What gets me is the most noise and lam blasting comes form those who do not vote.  I don’t think anyone should have the right to voice their opinions if they are not willing to get out there and vote.   Another thing about me when I voice my opinion, is that I do my research first.

I don’t just come in here and start spouting off (except this time) unless I have first researched what I am about to say in order to get my facts straight.  When I wrote my initial posts regarding the health care reform bill, I read all that I could find in print of what Mr. Obama said about it.  Then before I wrote my next post, I actually took the time to read the bill (most of the politicians voting on it never read it.  They just read the Cliff-notes).  I am still re-reading the bill in order to write my follow-up post since the bill was signed in.

Right now there is a lot of protesting going on in Arizona claiming that the Governor signed a law legalizing racial profiling.  Of course she didn’t do this, but some  feel this law which is getting tougher on illegal immigrants will cause undo racial profiling.  I have had a fascination with history since I was old enough to hear about it and retain what I was hearing.  There has been racial profiling since before there was a United States and a US government.  There has been profiling against Native Americans, Black Americans, Asian Americans, German Americans, Jewish Americans, Arab Americans, Mexican Americans and the list goes on.  Racial profiling is a fact of life all over the world.

Back to the reason for this post.  One thing that caught my eye was the last line of this spammers post and how they post on internet forums regarding how “SOCIALISM in medicine is BAD because the government can’t do anything right.”  This is the line which struck a nerve with me.  While no government is perfect, you can’t say that the government can’t do anything right.  If any government failed at doing anything right, then the country would cease to exist.  I may dislike many things about the United States government, but it does have many good qualities.  We have come so very far in many respects from our humble beginnings.  However, I also believe that there are some areas where we have not improved at all and in fact have digressed and even regressed.  If you are so very unhappy you have many options.  You can move to another country for starters.  Or you can shut your mouth and run for office to make changes in the laws.  At the very least you can shut your mouth and get off your bum to vote.

I finally began looking at things with open eyes (after using my already soaked handkerchief to dry my eyes).  I knew that due to my health I would not be able to get another regular job until I could regain more of my stamina lost from my chronic illness.  I also watched the unemployment numbers soar both locally as well as nationally.  To say I was scared is an understatement.  I had already considered the possibility of my needing to do freelance writing as my physical condition worsened.  But I never anticipated being thrown into it.  I mustered every ounce of focus I could to put things together.  I began by making the decision to start my own business and become a freelance writer.  I then set about reading and studying and putting money into the things I would need to help me along the way.  I even went to a writer’s conference in New York City (Oy vey, what a trip).  Some writer friends shared links to sites where they bid for jobs.

I took an online career test to help me figure out my direction.  The test determined I should be a writer or work in a museum.  I thought, why not put them together and write about museums and historical events.  I laid it all out in my head and then on paper.  I knew the types of magazines and publications I could submit to.  I bought a small camera outfit to add photos to my work for better sales opportunities.  With the help of a friend (the best graphic designer any where.  Just check out my website and other blogs to see her work) I set up my website to begin “pimping” myself out.   I was going in the right direction.  Then I came to a screeching halt.  I realized that I didn’t have a clue about how to get to that place I wanted to be.  I attempted to ask those who have been in the business on a large scale for a long time and was pretty much shut out.  Two even said they would help me and make an appointment with me to just sit down and talk and then they avoided me like the plague.  I guess they saw that I have the talent and they felt I wanted to take over their jobs and clients.  Oh well.

As time has worn on in my endeavors I have grown more and more discouraged.  It doesn’t help when I see those I know with jobs and making an income complain how much they hate their jobs.  I would love to trade with them.  It seems that those who complain about their jobs get all kinds of sympathy from everyone else (I am speaking of status updates on various social networks).  However, when I have made comments voicing my frustration and discouragement from being unemployed and the lack of prospects, I get met with short, bitter statements like “move” or “get over it princess”.   Then there are those who pose questions and when I answer them in a realistic manner (not saying I am giving up totally) they make it sound like I am saying I am doomed and will find nothing.  It seems all of the advise and “encouragement” is coming from those who have at least one household income, their health and continual moral support and encouragement.

Doors get closed (some in your face).  Opportunities fizzle.  Unemployment funds run out.  Bank accounts dry up.  Desperation sets in.  Some folks turn to robbing and conning to get money to pay their bills and put food on the table.  Others take what little money they have and “invest” it in the lottery.  I have been tempted at both of these.  Especially seeing the billboard which brags that the Power Ball is up to $30 Million for the week.    The former, I blew off steam by IMing a friend that I am considering white-collar crime.  Then I can be sent to prison and have my needs taken care of and just spend my days writing.  I even jokingly posted a status update asking if someone could teach me how to get rid of my conscience so I could indulge in criminal behavior since it pays better than being out of work.  I can understand why people turn to this kind of behavior, but I don’t condone it.

The only thing worse than trying to find work during a recession would be to try to find work during a depression.  That is economical or emotional.  So what is one to do in this situation?  There are the optimists who would say to make some lemonade out of these lemons.  Then the pessimists who would tell us to just stay in bed it will never work out anyway.  Cynics?  nothing matters anyway, so why bother.  Nothing I have covered is news.  Well, perhaps you didn’t know about my weekend binge.  I am venting my own frustrations of not being able to get a viable job in the middle of a recession.  Yes, I said middle of.  I know the President and all his mouth pieces have said the recession is ending, but when you have no job and none in sight it is like trying to see the end of your car while driving in the middle of a fog in East Tennessee.  You can’t see that far.

As a little girl, I remember watching the seasonal animated movie How The Grinch Stole Christmas.  This heart warming tale endeared me to the thought of what holidays should be about.  Even after the mean ogre came in and stole the presents, decorations and food, the Who’s were still able to come together with a song in their hearts and embrace the one thing that truly matters ~ each other.  It was this that moved Grinch to return everything and join the festivities.

Being a fan of Jimmy Stewart, I am well acquainted with his movie It’s A Wonderful Life.  Here a man who, believing he has just lost everything because he lost a large sum of money, wants to end his life.  In comes an angel to help hom realize that what matters most isn’t the material possessions and money we accumulate, it is actually friends and loved ones we hold dear.

years ago the holiday season began (in the US) with Thanksgiving Day.  The Thanksgiving Day parade ushered in Santa Clause and the start of the Christmas season.  The day after (aka Black Friday) would be the first day you could purchase specific Christmas items.  These days, Santa Clause comes to town during Columbus Day parades in October after retailers begin selling Christmas lights during the summer.

There is always a frenzy each year to sell more, to buy more.  Then by mid January the frenzy turns into an uproar beginning with complaints of how much was spent for the holidays.  The gifts, the food, the charitable donations; everything adds up to spending way too much.  o, why do it?  Every year I hear people say that you can’t have Christmas without ‘stuff’.  I did some checking.

There are three main winter holidays ~ Chanuka, Christmas and Kwanzaa.  Chanukah has been celebrated for a few thousand years and is to celebrate the miracle of the oil lasting eight days when there was only enough for one day during the restoration of the Temple.  Gift giving did not enter this festival till modern times as the Jewish children were jealous of the presents the other children received for Christmas.

Christmas came about a lot later and was added into the celebration of winter solstice and yule.  This is when gifts were given to the gods to pay homage for the season.  Christians incorporated their ‘religious’ ideas into the celebration to be able to maintain honoring this holiday.  Over-indulgence came with the package.

Kwanzaa is the newest member of the winter holidays only being created in 1966.  this holiday was designed for gift giving.  However, the intent was for the person to make or create a specific gift for its recipient.

I am not knocking any of these holidays.  however, if the true intent or meaning of a special day is lost or forgotten or it brings about so much stress and strife, why continue?  From my studies of these holidays, including yule/winter solstice, I find no place where followers are encouraged to over-indulge, spend too much, neglect to pay bills and go further into debt.

Another aspect of this holy time that bothers me is charitable contributions.   I am not against giving to charities or helping those less fortunate.  What bothers me is that people seem to only feel the need to be charitable two months out of the year.  I also add that it is the last two months of the year.  this, in my opinion, is so they can claim it on the income taxes in April.  Needy people are needy 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days a year.

It is not my desire to keep folks from celebrating.  Nor do I want to sway you to celebrate certain holidays.  I firmly believe that ALL people should be remembered ALL year long and not just for two months.  If you are only going to remember someone at one time during the year and pay no regard for them the rest of the time, what kind of message does that send about you and your sincerity?  Holiness should not put you into debt and generosity should be your theme every day of the year.

If the debt Americans have accrued with credit cards and other forms of credit was combined, I do believe it would resemble the National debt.  Everyday people make decisions and sign for yet another credit card or sign a piece of paper to buy on credit.  It is, after all, the American way.

I pay my taxes, local and federal.  I have my tax returns prepared and submitted by April 15 every year.  this is NOT a new thing in the United States, paying taxes.  So why is it so difficult for people to plan and prepare to make sure and make sure everything is in order by April 15?  Are they waiting and hoping that the government will change its mind about paying taxes or perhaps make special allowances just for them?  If every person in the United States who lives and works here (including those here illegally or on visa) would pay the proper taxes we could greatly diminish the national debt.

Credit!  The other part of the United States financial problems.  However, I am not talking about the United States national debt here.  That is a whole different ballgame I may address at a later time.  it makes me angry every time I see those ads telling people that their credit card debt may not be their fault.  Well, just whose fault is it?  You signed the papers accepting responsibility for any debt you incur using the card.  Yes, there are fees that go along with this.  You know that as it is in the fine print you were supposed to read before signing.  You then sign to purchase what you want on credit.  So, why is this debt NOT your fault?

There once was a time that folks believed in only purchasing things they could afford.  Now the norm is to rack up as much credit debt as possible and then go to an organization to have them make it go away or simply file for bankruptcy.  I say, “WAKE UP YOU IDIOTS!!!”  It is possible to live without amassing deep debt.

When I opened my bank accounts I was very adamant that I did not want any kind of a bank card.  They kept trying to sell me on the credit card or an ATM card.  I continued to decline.  I had no desire to be tempted with what could get me into trouble. It may be less convenient for me to go to the bank during banking hours to make a withdrawal, but I don’t have ATM fees to pay.

Yes, I have one credit card.  It is actually a pre-paid credit card.  I recently took a four day trip to New York City.  I paid for as much as possible before the trip.  then I applied money to my credit card and took very little cash.  What I got from this was a trip that forced me to live within my means and not accrue any added debt.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!  If you don’t, what will be your legacy to your children?  DEBT!!