CwhatOweMMhaveUhereNIisCaAfailuretoTE
It is Election Day in the United States of America; the
country of my birth, a republic where people of all race, religion, thought,
past nationality, economic status and future potential have gathered for five
hundred years. Even Native Americans and First People migrated to his continent
from the East and West/North and South, far corners of this earth. But we are here
now. This is our home.
Men and Women came (and continue to come) here for the
freedom to build a life with present natural rights and future promise. They
came armed with determination and abilities to build a country where these Rights
were/have been/will always be “self-evident”. These “Rights” have always been costly. These “Rights” will always be costly.
I am now literally paralyzed by the “change” that has crept
into our country by greed, rhetoric, corruption, indecision/procrastination and
“commercials”. I am stunned by blatant illegal activities by people who are NOT
citizens, have come here seeking free handouts and criminal gain and to whom there
are NO consequences from any government enforcement for the crimes (which just
reinforce the criminal behavior). I am not disturbed by just this present
administration (local, state and federal), but for the last 35 years of descent
into chaos and confusion. I labor over finding solutions to my own situation
and realize that my neighbors, co-workers, friends and family have also been anesthetized
into an apathetic stupor; trying to decide what lie(s) started this present
situational gloom.
Why am I upside down
in my house mortgage? I now call it a house because I want to remove any
sentimental feeling I have in a piece of property that I have lived in for 22
years because I am always one month from living in a 15 year old car in a
campground or a vacant lot of friend’s driveway. I do not live in a $500,000 investment
that I could never afford. I have not taken out extensive loans or second
mortgages to renovate or re-decorate, but my neighbors have because of their
financial situations and I have been negatively impacted.
Why am I now
considered unemployable? I am only 62, in fabulous health, college
educated, experienced, productive, responsible citizen with no criminal (or
otherwise) arrests or employment terminations. I am told I am overqualified,
not affordable and one 22-year old hiring manager asked if I had ever
considered coloring my naturally gray hair as if that was an employment
qualification.
Why does the basic
definition of things change daily/weekly/monthly? Unemployment (NOT based on the number of unemployed people,
just a representation or poll of whoever walks by a pollster), social security (now an “entitlement”
program - like the ever-increasing percentage was not “extracted” from our
paychecks for 40 years with no other options and then borrowed from by Congress
with a still unpaid IOU), inflation,
(of course we have none), and recession,
which by the way we are not in one…WHO gets to make up these new definitions; I
want that job; I think I could be just as creative as they are. What is the
salary? How do I apply? or am I too old?
Why can I not
understand how to file my income tax paperwork now? Up until 2008, I had
filed my own tax documents; even when I had a part-time business. There were
always some terms I did not fully understand, but with a little reading, I
could find the right form and decide which version to use. I even figured out
how to file an extension. I now read the forms and the publications and just
read them again with no additional benefit. In 2007, I made a math error
(actually a math error due to filing the wrong, additional form) and after 2 years of communication (?) with
several IRS offices and agents, accusations of criminal activity/fraud and a
lot of frustrating tears, I hired an accountant (@$100 hour) and finally was
allowed to pay the $189 mistake plus a $192 penalty.
Why am I paying 27%
taxes now when I only paid 24% at my last job (and WHY are Wall Street moguls
and Mitt Romney paying14% and less)? When I set up my IRA, Annuity and
403-B, I was told by the company financial advisor, media, and expert authors
that you were in a better tax position/bracket when you retired and therefore
what a brilliant benefit it was to “defer taxation”. Wall Street ate my pension
and the federal government is sucking the life out of my social security and
other benefits.
I have no answers. No Person I know has an actual answer. I
am ready for a second revolution from the tyranny of excessive regulations, a
1% elite entity smothering the other 99%, and taxation without representation.
I am ready for a “CHANGE” back to the simplistic, original ideals/morals of
this America.
I have decided to vote
for a change from the present administration because I think President Obama
has spent the last four years preparing to run for a second term instead of
doing the job he was hired to do. I do not think President Obama has hired the
right professionals and “experts” to do their jobs, nor has he managed them
well. I do not believe President Obama has a thorough understanding of the
American culture and foundational ideals. I do not believe President Obama has
an understanding of the financial consequences of his economic (and foreign) policies
for the country and Americans. I think President Obama has spent too much time
either bending over too far backwards to avoid falling flat on his face, or
spinning some rhetoric, benefiting absolutely no one.
BUT, no matter how the election goes today. Tomorrow we
still call the United States HOME and…
Romans 13:1-3
New King James
Version (NKJV)
13 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is
no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by
God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the
ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to
evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you
will have praise from the same.
Amplified Bible
(AMP)
13 Let every person be loyally subject to the
governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by
His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment.
2 Therefore he who resists and sets
himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and
arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon
themselves [receiving the penalty due them].
3 For
civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those
of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do
what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation.
J.B. Phillips New
Testament (PHILLIPS)
13 1-2 Every Christian ought to obey the civil authorities,
for all legitimate authority is derived from God’s authority, and the existing
authority is appointed under God. To oppose authority then is to oppose God,
and such opposition is bound to be punished.
3-4 The
honest citizen has no need to fear the keepers of law and order, but the
dishonest man will always be nervous of them. If you want to avoid this anxiety
just lead a law-abiding life, and all that can come your way is a word of
approval. The officer is God’s servant for your protection. But if you are
leading a wicked life you have reason to be alarmed. The “power of the law”
which is vested in every legitimate officer, is no empty phrase. He is, in
fact, divinely appointed to inflict God’s punishment upon evil-doers.
The Message (MSG)
13 1-3 Be a good citizen. All governments are under
God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly
as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible
with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are
only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should
have nothing to fear.
May we continue also to believe:
We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men
are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that
among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure
these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect
Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common
defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or
of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free
State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.[60]
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without
the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed
by law.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,
and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury,
except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in
actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject
for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be
compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived
of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private
property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein
the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of
Counsel for his defence.
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact
tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United
States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Ninth
Amendment – Protection of rights not specifically enumerated
in the Constitution.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to
the people.
