April 24, 2013

American Pride

By Tammy Derouin

I had a moment of hope this past week.  Maybe, just maybe all wasn’t lost.  Last week the crowd stood for the national anthem in Boston.  The Boston Bruins were about to play their first game at home since the bombing.  Rene Rancort began to sing the national anthem just as he has done for many years.  As the crowd joined in, he bowed out and the result was moving. It sent chills up my spine and tears down my cheek.  I so desperately want to believe that America can save itself from the tragic, suicidal path we have willingly chosen to travel. 

This was a true display of American pride.  Pride comes from learning and understanding who you are and what you’ve accomplished.  America is great because Americans are good, decent people.  Americans are the first to respond to a tragedy.  We don’t need the government to tell us what to do.  When tragedy finds its way to our door, we have always come together to help and support those in need.  Unfortunately, tragedy of today means that Americans have become the target on home soil.  Tragically, our own President has made us vulnerable because he’s not fulfilling the oath of office as President of the United States.  “…and to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”  Where’s Congress?  If this is to the best of his ability maybe he is incompetent.  If it’s not incompetence, where’s Congress?

The video of the crowd at The Garden was uplifting.  I want to have hope, I want to believe we can turn this around.  As Americans we celebrate American pride, but it’s for an America that no longer exists.  We want to believe that we are indestructible, that we could never lose our way of life.  We have enjoyed freedoms unknown to the rest of the world.  Freedom is the exception in the history of the world.  We are, or have been an exceptional nation because we have lived free. 

The Declaration of Independence states why we are exceptional. Our Constitution with the Bill of Rights, states how we remain exceptional.  Our President has called our Constitution a charter of negative liberties.  He feels it’s the government’s responsibility to provide for the people.  It’s a way to achieve the results he desires.  Obama may not have started us down this path of destruction but he knows and understands what he’s doing.  Why else would he seem so unconcerned with the economic disaster that is headed our way?  I feel our President is unconcerned because he is genuinely waiting for America to collapse.

The radicals of yesterday have disguised themselves well and have emerged as professors and professionals.  Cloward and Piven were radical left-wing professors at Columbia University.  They wanted to destroy our system of government and destroy capitalism.  They decided to attack their own country from within.  They taught that overwhelming the system would destroy the American economy, which would ultimately destroy the American way of life.  How do you overwhelm the system?  You create an endless amount of entitlements while you run up the debt.  Taxation increases for everyone but the rich become the enemy.  America is struggling with these matters, yet our president shows no concern.  America will be devastated by an economic collapse. Americans will beg the government for help.  The transformation from the land of the free to the land of servitude has already begun.  Socialism is social justice as determined by the elite.  The elites make the rules, they just don’t have to follow them.  How many times does this have to happen in history?  How many signs do Americans need before they realize that we are becoming the rule of history?   Our status of being exceptional is also becoming history.

Obama attended Columbia.  In his autobiography he admits he attended Socialist Party meetings. Entitlements have increased dramatically and so has the debt under his presidency.  He called Bush reckless for a $4 trillion debt over 8 years.  Obama added $6 trillion in his first four years in office.  He promised to cut the debt in half. 

Obama is dismantling our Constitution.  Our privacy is under attack be it in person or electronically.  Regulations are added at lightning speed.  Everyone could easily be guilty of something.  Miranda rights don’t need to be read if you are believed to be a threat to public safety.  Who decides that?  You can then be held indefinitely without being accused.  Drone strikes on Americans are not exactly being ruled out, but not exactly being denied either.  We, as Americans have rights.  If we allow the government to decide when, where or to whom our rights apply, we are lost.

“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is Liberty.”

Thomas Jefferson

 

 

April 17, 2013

Bubbles, Wine and Chocolate

There are a few things I find relaxing and stress relieving, a bubble bath, a glass of wine and chocolate, dark chocolate.  The only thing that makes it better is to combine all three. 

I never know how an idea for a column is going to come together.  The news, of course provides the basics.  It’s the everyday conversations and experiences that have a way of tying it all together.  The thing about a peaceful bubble bath is that it allows the mind to wonder.  It can be very therapeutic.  The mind jumps from one thought to another, looking at the past and thinking about the future.  There has been laughter and tears but both have provided reflective thought that has been both intense and light hearted.  When we force ourselves to just think, it’s amazing where the mind can travel.  Thinking and going about your daily routine isn’t the same as placing yourself in a confined space with nothing but your thoughts to ponder.

Last week I spent some time revisiting the past.  Boxes that have been sitting in storage since I left a bad situation needed to be organized.  I went from one end of the emotional scale to the other.  I found both good and bad memories.  I revisited childhood memories and traveled through young adult friendships.  Photographs pulled at the heart strings.  This is why I didn’t want to open boxes, not so much for the bad that I would see but for the good that I lost.  The mind adjusts and goes into survival mode.  Dealing with the bad becomes just another day.  Being reminded of how good life once was makes you wonder how and why.  

Looking at objects and pictures from the dark years was difficult.  Realizing that certain pictures held no meaning was comforting.  I don’t regret what I did to secure my freedom.  Reading journal entries was most difficult.  I was trying so hard to survive that I didn’t realize what was taking place.  It was at this moment, after a sip of wine, that several events from my week came together. I was able to tie up the loose ends.  I read my history; interaction with others provided insight and ideas.  

What seemed insignificant at the time had an alarming impact on my life.  There are consequences for bad decisions even if we make them with good intentions.  I was defending and denying something that I couldn’t quite acknowledge but it was there and I knew something wasn’t right.  I tried to pretend everything was fine.  

I dealt with my share of smoke and mirrors, double talk and the general feeling that no matter what I did I was wrong.  Making decisions became a tricky road to navigate.  I knew no matter what I decided it would end up being the wrong decision, so I stopped making them.

I smiled to hide the pain.  If I allowed my true feelings to show, it caused problems.  There were too many distractions.  I wasn’t able to focus on just one issue because another issue would pop up.  I was overwhelmed and drowning.  I had all the basics I needed and even a few extras.  I was however, lacking a couple key components, freedom and independence.  My servitude provided luxury for the one in the elite category.  

I fear that Americans are on the same path.  We’ve been so busy trying to survive that we haven’t been paying attention to what is happening around us.  When an entity wants to provide and protect you, it comes with a hefty price tag.  Freedom is an absolute right.  But with freedom comes responsibility.  Americans have been free to live their lives as they choose, but we haven’t always been responsible.  The government has now decided that we aren’t capable of making the right decisions.  They are stepping in and making them for us.  Our government is enslaving the people and the people do not see what is happening.  Our government is trying to convince us we need protection from ourselves.  We need to realize this before it’s too late. 

I see boxes being opened sometime down the road with evidence of the way life used to be for Americans.  The evidence will be hidden because it’s too difficult face.  We will somehow adjust to the transformation by going into survival mode.  The memories of the good will come back to haunt us.  Looking back we will see when and how it happened.  The picture will be clear once the smoke and mirrors have disappeared.  Out of fear we accepted things that didn’t seem right. We were too busy trying to survive.  The government convinced us that it knew best.  We were no longer capable of making the right decisions.  We smiled out of fear.

“Independence is happiness”

Susan B. Anthony

April 10, 2013

Reality and Mystery

By Tammy Derouin

I was involved in a discussion where reality and mystery collided.  I listened to the frustration of several people.  Sadly, the aggravation has only just begun. The impact will be great as every employer, every person will be affected.  I’m curious, how many will take comfort in the fact that it was done for our own good?  The reality of, “How is this fair?” combined with the mystery of, “They can’t do that, can they?” will be a wake-up call that will be taking place many times over across our nation.  As I listened, I found myself jotting down a quote from a very surreal moment in American History.  The moment was when then Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi said, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it…”  I am referring to the Affordable Health Care Act, also known as Obamacare.  Obamacare is far from affordable, as we are beginning to find out.  There is so much more at stake than just the financial cost.  We are losing more of our freedoms. This bill was relentlessly pushed, deals were made and Americans will now suffer.   Congressmen admitted they didn’t read the bill, yet they passed it.  It shouldn’t have even come to a vote without being thoroughly investigated, yet Congress passed it.  Congress betrayed the American people. 

I would like to say that Americans have been deceived but that’s not entirely true.  Yes, the Dictator in Chief is a wolf in sheep’s clothing but we didn’t investigate the sheep.  Our first line of defense is the press.  Perhaps if they weren’t salivating over this over-grown, too good to be true sheep, they would have noticed the zipper, the imitation wool, and the eyes of a predator.  The press is supposed to be skeptical yet they’ve bought into this larger than life image. What kind of hypnotic spell did the wolf put them under?  Maybe, after they are done feasting on the steaks that were tossed to them while the wolf jumped the fence, we can ask them.  Some have called him perfect, others have called him our savior; more dangerous behavior.  Just remember under the imitation wool there is a wolf leading the real sheep to slaughter.

When did Americans become so gullible?  Would you sign a contract without reading it?  How would you respond to a banker or a sales person who told you, “I don’t know what’s in the contract.  You have to sign it so we can find out.”  No person in their right mind would agree to such an outrageous demand.  If we as responsible individuals wouldn’t fall for such a scheme, why do we accept it from those in Congress?   Why are we allowing our elected officials to act so recklessly?  They have done, many times over, what responsible people would never do.  We don’t commit to something unless we fully understand the commitment we are making.  We try to weigh all possible outcomes and then decide if it’s still worth the risk.  A day of reckoning is a guaranteed occurrence after money is spent recklessly and foolishly.

We are just beginning to realize the consequences of our actions.  Americans freely and willfully elected a president that stated exactly what he intended to do, fundamentally transform America. Obama is only fulfilling the promises he said he would fulfill.  We heard what he said, we saw what he did during his first four years, yet we re-elected him.  There will be consequences for our actions.

The American people have forgotten what makes America exceptional.  While so many applauded the end result, the means, Americans disregarded the “way” of achieving the means.  By turning a blind eye, we’ve created the trap that the rest of the world is currently struggling to escape.  We were warned to not venture down the path that other countries have found themselves traveling.  We didn’t listen.  We ignored the warning signs and we didn’t think it could happen to America.  While we were busy trying to make ends meet, unlike our government, our very own president dishonored us and diminished our standing in the world.  In four short years we went from super power standing to being bullied by the world bullies. 

What happened?  We stopped paying attention.  We stopped questioning things that didn’t make sense.  We stopped being responsible and began to demand support.  We stopped being productive and bought into excuses.  A “can do” American attitude became a “give me” nation.  We’ve accepted the excuses, finger pointing, and lack of responsibility by this administration and Congress.  Now we have to deal with the reality, which is getting less mysterious.

“Government exists to protect us from each other.  Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.”

Ronald Reagan

 

April 3, 2013

Extinguished

By Tammy Derouin

I’ve never been a big fan of Jim Carey but I’ve enjoyed a few of his films.  In his recent video, Carey mocks Americans who believe they have the right to bear arms.  Oddly, he doesn’t mock the criminals or those in Hollywood who push gun violence, himself included.  This is hypocrisy at its best.  Carey belittles those who know and understand their Second Amendment Right.  Mr. Carey wants to disarm law abiding gun owners.  Apparently he doesn’t feel American citizens have the right to protect themselves.  Most people would rather not use a gun against another individual, unlike those on the big screen.   How very hypocritical of you Mr. Canadian born, came to America to strike it rich, became a member of the Hollywood elite to insult American liberties, Carey. 

I wonder why Mr. Carey came to America.  Was he looking for success?  Why couldn’t he find it in Canada?  There are a lot of talented actors/comedians that come from Canada.  I wonder why?  He used the American system, free enterprise and capitalism to find his fortune and glory.  Now that he has obtained the elite status in the entertainment industry, he has decided to mock an American freedom.

Those who think socialism and communism are so great should go see it in action.  In fact, I dare anyone who is pushing the progressive agenda to live in China, Russia or North Korea.  You must live as an average citizen, not the elite.  The only ones who benefit from socialism and communism are the elite.  They live off the servitude of the citizens.  In order to be successful, you must have life, liberty and the ability to pursue happiness.  Mr. Carey fed from the extravagant feast that only America can offer but he chose to dine and dash.

I would offer Mr. Carey, or anyone in an elite category, political, entertainment or otherwise, who pushes for gun control a challenge. Live in Chicago without a security detail.  Chicago has disarmed their population.  I guess you could call it a gun free zone.  I’m going to guess somewhere in the hypocritical city, there are also drug free school zones.  Imagine how safe and secure you will feel.  Oh, one more thing, Chicago is the Murder Capital of the United States.  How is that possible?  I bet it won’t take long for you to figure that one out. 

The elites don’t play by the same rules.  Mr. Carey now joins Mr. Michael Moore with “don’t do as I do, do as I say.”  They don’t want law abiding Americans to have guns but it’s perfectly fine for them to have a  gun carrying security detail.  Either Mr. Carey is part of the progressive problem or he truly doesn’t understand that which he mocks.  Much like many well-meaning Americans, they don’t understand what they are doing when they call for gun control.  The Progressives in power however, know exactly what they are doing.  The proof, “Nothing we’re going to do is going to fundamentally alter or eliminate the possibility of another mass shooting or guarantee that we will bring gun deaths down to a thousand a year from what it is now.”  Vice President Biden provided those insightful words.  Senator Charles Schumer admitted to MSNBC that the goal is “universal registration” of guns and gun owners.  Now why would they be interested in knowing which citizens have weapons?  Mayor Bloomberg of NYC states, “I do think there are certain times we should infringe on your freedom.”  I don’t think so.

The Progressives in power are using the entertainment industry, the press and uninformed Americans to do their dirty work.  If the government is successful in convincing the population that disarming the citizens is for “their protection,” what will stop them from convincing you that freedom of speech must be regulated too?  Why stop there, how about the right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures?  Maybe they will convince Americans that due process, trial by an impartial jury, the right to an attorney, or be deprived of freedom without due process are no longer important, if it’s for the greater good.   Executive Orders have already struck these rights.

The government has already attacked and is now beginning to shred our Constitution.  Should we get to a point where there is civil unrest, which I feel the President wants, he will actually use the Constitution as his guide.  A knock-out punch which will be delivered by our elected President and Progressives in Congress.  Don’t worry it will be for public safety.  The last beacon of hope will be extinguished, as Americans smiled and applauded.

“The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.”

The Constitution: Article 1, Section 9