Politics, Opinions, and Freedom of Expression

Throughout the last Presidential election and since the election, I have received numerous e-mails from well-meaning friends and family members about how our country is headed straight for a socialist agenda, the new health care bill will enforce euthanasia on our senior citizens, and all sorts of other "end of the world as we know it" predictions. I can't count how many e-mails have pointed the invisible finger of blame on those who voted for our current president and how the next "Fourth Reich" and another holocaust will happen because of those voters' ignorance.

First of all, quit with the "sky is falling" nonsense. It would not matter who won the White House because the losing side will kick up a stink about how bad this country is getting and it's all the fault of the current administration. Enough already.

Second, I'm not convinced we are headed for a socialist government. We still have the right to vote and if you don't like who is in office now, vote that person out at the next election. Just keep in mind, you are limited to who is running for office. Your son's algebra teacher may be a really terrific person, but if he/she is not running for political office, a vote for that person won't mean a hill of beans. If you don't like the selection, get in there yourself and run for office. You think you got what it takes, then let's see it. It's a free country and anyone can become President if he/she wants it bad enough.

A lot of flak has been made about free handouts to those who don't seemingly deserve it. I agree that the illegal immigrant situation is a sticky one and since my knowledge of it is rather limited, I will keep any opinions on this to myself. However, I caution those who are so tough on those immigrants - most of us came from someplace else. My ancestors came from England, Ireland, Prussia, and Germany. We settled in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri. My family has been here since the early 1800's and it's only recently that my German side decided to keep the English and get rid of the German. As far as the handouts go, I challenge any one of these Americans to travel to another country with only the clothes on their backs, little money and education, and try to start a new life. Without a little help, it would be impossible. But go ahead, give it a try and let me know how well you do.

I agree that we have a much more divided country as far as monetary wealth. Seems the middle class is getting squeezed out by the wealthy. I have encountered this so much in my life that I often feel hopeless and wonder why I even bother. The things that used to be for the "every man" are no longer available. A baseball game used to be the family event of the summer - now it's the rich man's diversion. Not fair at all. Amusement parks and carnivals used to also be welcoming to everyone, now they are so overpriced that many cannot attend. Do I think the current administration can fix this? No. I believe that in order for change to happen, we must all accept the failings of our society and vow to make a change for the better. Corporate bigwigs should not be rewarded for failures and people in power should go without a few more perks. Those who have borne hardships should not have their efforts slapped in their faces by those who can just because they can. Not fair. Socialism is not the answer - we have all seen that. But a collective conscience of responsibility to our society, country, and world should be present and encouraged. Truthfully, this scenario of social responsibility really never has existed. Just look in your history books.

Many Americans have fought and died for our freedoms and this will remain the case for our country. Yes, the nay-sayers have the same freedom of expression as I do and thank God for that! However, please stop harassing me because you don't like the way I or someone else voted. The election is over - deal with it and move on with your life.

I don't know if the billions doled out in stimulus packages is going to work and I don't know if socialized medicine will work. All I do know is that things aren't working now, including me. Something must give. If you don't like the current proposals, you have the freedom to change them. I know I have that freedom and I'm not afraid to use it.

The President and the Pricey Helicopter

While President Obama is scolding Congress and another other political entity for overspending and irresponsible spending, The New York Times printed two articles that detailed something most of us really haven't given much thought to. The first article, posted February 15, explained in detail the history of replacing the aging helicopter fleet that scurries the President to the airport and any other place he may need to go.

I didn't know he needed a fleet of helicopters. I thought he only needed one, maybe two. However, the article explained that other staffers ride these choppers and some act as decoys. From a security standpoint, this makes sense. The article also explained that the current fleet was over 30 years old and really should be replaced. Frankly, I would be nervous about getting on anything that is going to lift me off the ground as ancient and in need of replacement.

The second article mentions a fiscal responsibility summit where Senator John McCain remarks on the cost of the new helicopters as costing as much as Airforce One. OUCH! A helicopter is quite a bit smaller than a jumbo jet and it costs as much or more - WOW! The origin of this purchase actually came in response to the security issues raised after September 11 terrorist attacks.

Now, I certainly want our President and his staff and his family safe in anything they are flying, but a $400 million flying machine is asking a bit much. Apparently, President Obama feels the same way. Does the President really need 28 helicopters? I wouldn't mind the White House having two, maybe three, to get by for awhile - but 28 sounds pretty extreme. Each of these new helicopters is supposed to hold about 14 people, so do you really need 28 choppers? In the event of another attack on our country, are we going to ferry all of Congress on these things? We didn't do that the last time.

I really hope that President Obama gets some really good, sound advice on this one. And I hope Congress doesn't go berserk and insist on all 28 choppers. A knee-jerk reaction to the terrorist attacks is not a good reaction and one that's never based on reason. We need to think clearly during our economic crisis and make decisions that will preserve our country on all levels.