Slaughtering the American Dream

Several years ago, when my husband got injured on the job, the money stopped.

Poof - just like that - no paycheck, no income, not even unemployment benefits or worker's compensation... nothing. It was a soft tissue injury - next to impossible to file claims for benefits - and impossible to do the job he had done for 22 years.

I couldn't go to work... even if I had wanted to do so. We were still waiting on the long slow process of getting my permanent residence card. (In all, that took us 6 years. Long story.)

My husband had "made too much money" the previous year for us to qualify for any assistance.

So... there we were.

It wasn't too long before what little savings we had dried up. And in no time at all beyond that when the creditors began calling. And very soon after that when we couldn't afford to put gas in our tank to heat our home, heat our water, run our stove...

A dear friend helped us with 4 mortgage payments.

A close relative helped with 1 more.

Have you ever tried to cook spaghetti on a campfire in your backyard?

A little tip for you... you'll need a LOT of wood to keep the flame hot enough to keep the water boiling.

Six months, the coldest spring in years, we went without heat. We had a 2-1/2 year old child as well... and heating water for his baths became quite a trick. I'll leave it up to your imagination.

There is a saying that goes like this:
"Necessity is the mother of invention."

Without my residence card, I might not be able to work as an employee, but I could write... and I had a great deal of experience on the Internet. So, out of necessity, I began my Internet writing career... our first online business began.

The first year, we made less than half what is considered "poverty" by Government standards. Less than $13K for an entire year -- for a family of three.

Working 12-, 13-, 14-... up to 18-hour days, the second year brought in $60K -- but a mountain of debt hanging over our head sucked that up right quick. More long days -- 7 days a week -- night and day -- day and night... and the following year was our first 6-figure income year.

It was a time for celebration.

Then the tax bill came.

We're still paying that one off... it's a long process.

But we did it. We didn't declare bankruptcy. We didn't walk out on our mortgage. We didn't walk out on our debts. In fact, here we are, 6 years later, and we've finally managed to pay off the last of the largest (and highest interest) credit card debt.

It was a long struggle, doing what most people will not do. We lived on a budget so tight that even a pack of hot dogs was a luxury.

Cell phone?

Forget it... one more bill we were not willing to add our month.

A couple old computers, a cheap dial up connection, and a huge dose of dogged determination.

Those were the days, and not so long ago...

Flash forward to today. My husband is back at work doing the job he loves. Plus I'm still working on the business. Plus, just last month, I've expanded into joint venture ownership of 3 more businesses based online with partners on the East Coast... and with the economy in shreds, it's actually looking really good for us next year. I had even had plans to add 3 to 5 new work-at-home employees next year.

It's the American Dream.

The rags to riches story.

It's our story.

We lived it.

We suffered.

We struggled.

We sacrificed.

Yes, we even starved for a bit.

No Government handouts. Very little help from family and friends... a drop in a very large bucket if you would have seen the load we were under back then.

And Obama thinks that people like me should "share the wealth" with others who are not willing to make the kind of sacrifices I and my family had to make to survive ...and at long last... finally thrive?

He's like a vulture circling high over our heads...

We're just finally getting out from under a mountain of debt.

We're just now finally paying off that first whopping tax bill.

We're finally starting to breathe easier, even thinking of adding carpeting to our bare floors and finish remodelling the kitchen that has had to remain half torn apart prior to my husband's injury more than 6 years ago.

So now you know...

You know why the recent bailouts have angered my husband and I so much -- why Obama's plan actually makes me physically ill at the thought -- snatching our success away, the rewards for hard work, negating all the sacrifices we made to finally reach this point ...stealing our American Dream to give it to so many others that I know for a FACT would NEVER EVER go through the sacrifices my family and I had to struggle through.

Imagine that.

Based on polls I'm seeing, he'll be your next President.

Imagine that.

No more rags to riches stories for America.

No sirree... just households all across America lining up with their hands held out, waiting for their Government handouts.

Imagine that.

Work hard to succeed?

Well, maybe if you're a so-called non-profit like A.C.O.R.N. where you fall under far different tax laws.

Oh, and let's throw even more money into education and pay for all those who want a College or University education ...so they can graduate and work for...?

I had to struggle, paying for my education as I worked two full time jobs, taking a course here and there as I could afford it. I have no "degree" or fancy certificate -- but I do have a business built from scratch out of need and a strong desire to face down our challenges.

And because we were willing to sacrifice.

Imagine that.

You think the financial picture is grim when you look at the Stock Market?

Check this out.

No less than 10 states are facing insolvency for unemployment benefits in 2009.

Indiana is one of those 10 States... here's a few others.

"California, New York, Ohio and Michigan are among populous states projected to deplete their unemployment insurance funds this year or in 2009 to cover the cost of benefits." [link]

"Michigan, which has the country's highest unemployment rate, at 8.1 percent, is already borrowing from the federal government, even though it is not in the red just yet, according to a spokesman." [link]

But here is the rub...

"The federal government is required to loan states money when their trust funds run short. In the short term, bailouts increase the federal deficit. In the long term, businesses pay higher unemployment insurance taxes to replenish the trust funds." [link]

Imagine that.

So, under Obama's health plan, how many businesses are thinking about hiring new employees next year? Under Obama's tax plan, how many will expand their businesses next year? And under Obama's plan to extend Unemployment benefits, how many new businesses will be eagerly starting up next year?

Restore confidence? Indeed.

Inspire economic growth? Puh-leeease!

And then he stands there and says we all will have to tighten our belts a bit.

The ultimate slap in the face.

Imagine that.

Spending is furiously out of control at the Federal level. Wealth is being redistributed every day... ...but who are the recipients?

Here's another little newsflash for you.

"On Monday, I said that the total cost of this bailout could scale up to $3 trillion -- I just didn't imagine it would happen by Wednesday. We learned yesterday that the size of the bailout just tripled, from $750b to $3T." [link]

All that to get credit into the hands of conumers, to build even more debt on top of debt on top of debt....

Imagine that.

Take it from one who has been there -- debt is no fun.

I Won't Be Voting For Obama

After considerable deliberation, I've decided I will NOT be voting for Obama.

So ...go ahead all you far left Dems -- have at 'er.

Show the world how nasty you have truly become by posting your comments here.

Keep in mind, however, that comments are moderated.

With that said, I'm guessing most of the worst of you won't even see your comments appear here.

But, I will be reading every comment... so if it makes you feel self-important (and full of that ridiculous self-righteous indignation you like to brow beat others with), then feel free to flame away.

It won't change my mind.

It will just further reinforce my already low opinion of what has become of you...

So sad.

So very truly sad...

Bailout - Who Voted Yes

Well, here in Indiana, I now know who I'm NOT voting for... the "Y" against each name below.

In the Bailout Bill passed this afternoon, here are the votes from the Indiana part of the House:

INDIANA

Democrats — Carson, Y; Donnelly, Y; Ellsworth, Y; Hill, N; Visclosky, N.

Republicans — Burton, N; Buyer, N; Pence, N; Souder, Y.

Now it doesn't mean I'm voting for any of those who voted NO... but it definitely means anyone that voted YES is getting a NO from me.

Interestingly enough, Visclosky voted NO both on the first version and on the second version of the Bill. I'm impressed. It must have been tough considering the political arm twisting that was going on.

Speaking of Visclosky, Jasper County Democrats are hosting a "Meet the Candidate Night" event this weekend here in Wheatfield. Here are the details:

DATE/TIME:
Saturday, October 4th 6:00 pm

LOCATION:
Wheatfield American Legion
11768 N 80 West

SCHEDULED TO ATTEND INCLUDE:
Congressman Pete Visclosky, Jill Long Thompson (Candidate for Governor), State Representative and State Senate Candidates, and Jasper County Candidates

ADDITIONAL NOTE:
Free Food and Refreshments


PS: For a complete list of all who voted for and against the bailout bill, here is a link to the Associated Press article on the final votes.

Bailout of the Century

After the Senate signed off on the $700+Billion-dollar-bailout, there was a saying that came to me that goes something like this:

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

As the news trickles down to the American public of who really gets the biggest benefits... as the pounds of pork buried in the bailout becomes common knowledge... as the reality sets in for what we have done to our children, their children and their children's children...

~~ shaking my head ~~

They tell you it's about "Main Street" -- to make sure you and I have credit to buy those cars, those homes, meet those small business needs -- and yet, one of the first articles to come out this morning hailing from Bloomberg notes:

Oct. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The cost of borrowing in dollars in London for three months rose for a fourth day, signaling that banks haven't started to lend after the U.S. Senate approved a $700 billion plan to rescue beleaguered financial institutions.

...Credit markets have frozen as financial institutions hoard cash to meet future funding needs amid deepening concern that more banks will collapse. Libor, set by 16 banks in a daily survey by the British Bankers' Association, is used to set rates on $360 trillion of financial products worldwide, from home loans to derivatives.

Where not many months ago the Feds were known for giving millions to millionaires, the Feds have raised the bar, now giving billions to billionaires.

Sucks, doesn't it?

And look at all the "sheeple" who believe the Gov is acting in their best interest.

It hearkens to "abused housewife syndrome" where the woman keeps clinging to the hope that her man will change and stop beating her up.

In the back of her mind, she knows he'll never change and the beatings will continue, getting more and more violent... and yet, she'll see his false tears of remorse through swollen black eyes and cling to his false promises as she croaks through bloodied lips -- "I forgive you." -- sticking around for the next time he decides to beat on her. Never knowing when he will strike again. Walking on eggshells until the next time...

Those in denial will swallow the promise of economic security, the bitter pill that needs to be swallowed, only to watch the economy slowly unravel as the country's debt climbs to heights where it can never be repaid.

And voila, the tax slaves of the future have been condemned to their fate.

I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I just don't get it. Why-oh-why-oh-why do they want all of us to be swimming in debt? Why-oh-why do they want all of us to live on credit and loans instead of living off the wealth we build through saving and careful budgeting?

They've managed to jam it through the Senate. It now meets the house.

Who really has our best interests at heart?

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
Matt. 7:20

In other words...

"You shall know them by their deeds."

Bailouts and Bullets

The minute pathetic Pelosi perched on her pulpit to pummel Republicans for the mess, I knew the so-called "partisan" deal was heading to "heck" in a hand basket.

Here's a chilling thought to ponder.

As Speaker of the House, Pelosi ranks second in the line of presidential succession, following the Vice President. So that makes her "two heartbeats away" from the presidency of the USA.

And let's not forget that bigoted buffoon, bombastic Barney Frank, blustering party bashing rhetoric to the cameras -- even cracking jokes to much laughter among the dems standing beside him -- blaming while trying to remain blameless as 12 of his very own committee members voted NAY against the bailout of the century.

Both of them must think the American population is deaf, dumb and blind.

Here's a few bullets:

1977 - the CRA is enacted into law by President Jimmy Carter (Democrat) Thus, Freddie and Fannie came to be. The FDIC was chosen as the regulatory body responsible for ensuring Fannie, Freddie and other banks complied with CRA.

Sidenote: The Federal National Mortgage Association is Fannie Mae // The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation is Freddie Mac

1993 - the CRA is revised by President Bill Clinton (Democrat)

Major changes included:

- Reduced leverage requirements for Fannie and Freddie, allowing them to hold just 2.5% capital to back their investments (versus 10% capital requirements required by banks)
- Required non CRA banks to qualify under CRA regs by forcing them to have a certain percentage of their business in "risky" loans to low- to moderate-income borrowers if they wanted to merge and/or change their business in any way to better compete in global financial markets
- Allowed marketing of such "risky" mortgages by established and new community groups (such as ACORN)

2002 - An interagency review is launched at the request of the Republicans to review effectiveness of the 195 regulatory changes to the CRA that were done in 1993.

2003 - Bush Administration (Republican) recommended that a new Dept of Treasury step in to oversee Fannie/Freddie... Democrats state based on their review it was certainly not necessary and that Republicans were wasting taxpayer dollars investigating a problem that does not exist.

McCain (Republican) also pushed for change of regulations. His statements regarding the impending disaster are well-commented on by some of the media out there so no need to repeat it here.

2005 - Democrats opposed new CRA regs put into effect in July of 2005, which included clearer definitions for what actually counted as a "small" and "intermediate small" bank which were subject to less restrictions than formerly

FACT: Between 1993 and 1998 the number of CRA mortgage loans increased by 39% while other loans increased by only 17%

FACT: By 2007, largely owing to their reduced capital requirements, Fannie and Freddie owned or guaranteed nearly 1/2 of the $12 Trillion US mortgage market.

FACT: As a result of the CRA, the community groups as of 2000 received an estimated $9.5 Billion in services and salaries. They also received multi-year commitments from banks adding up to tens of billions (eg. ACORN to the tune of $760 million, NACA to the tune of $3 Billion, New Jersey Citizen Action-lead Coalition to the tune of $13 Billion, Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance to the tune of $220 million, etc.)

FACT: The housing "bubble" was inflated in large part owing to the CRA and the requirements that Act forced on banks in order for them to compete in a global economy.

FACT: The way I see it, reduction in leverage capital requirements through the CRA set banks up to fail if/when home market values started falling owing to the mark to market general accounting principals chosen to value mortgages -- in turn, creating a credit crunch with little to no room for any bank holding large amounts of mortgages (toxic or otherwise) on their books.

FACT: You can't lay the entire blame for the collapse entirely on the doorstep of the financial institutions and/or banks when Government (mostly DEMOCRAT), through short-sighted regulations and poor economic impact studies (if any) were a major influence in their demise.

And don't even get me started on the short-selling market tampering that's been going on, forcing once great USA companies to crash and burn. That was a Bush (REPUBLICAN) mistake by wiping out the up-tick clause.

Personally, I think short-selling should be abolished entirely. It turns the entire market system IMHO into a lottery system for big players only -- small investors like you and I need not apply.

Frankly, every time Government seems to stick their fingers in the cookie jar, it seems a mess is inevitable -- particularly when they tamper with the so-called "free" market system.

Don't get me wrong... I'm most certainly not anti-gov or whatever. In fact, there are some super hard working, honest representatives seriously trying to resolve the "crisis" we all face, through no fault of our own. God Bless them, for they surely have a lot of political posturing and BS to swim through to accomplish anything while at the same time protect all of us here on "Main Street."

I'm a little sick and tired of everyone running around crying "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"

They say it's about us being able to get more loans. Honest to Betsy, who in their fool mind would want to get a loan at the rediculously high rates being charged today? Why in the world would they think we can't live unless we keep adding more and more debt in our lives?

And further, as a small business owner, I KNOW exactly how hard it is to get a small business loan... way, way, waaaaaaaay before this whole thing erupted on the scene.

My father always used to say, if you can't afford it, don't buy it.

He was a small business owner that grew his business from a back yard garage into a small empire in his area. He knew how to hold the reigns tight, watch his cash flow, avoid heavy debt and hang onto capital... because in those days, there was no such thing as a bank loan being available to help you meet your payroll.

Bottom line is, you should always have more coming in than you have going out. You should have solid products and services because one angry customer will tell ten more and hurt your business exponentially.

Bad news always spreads faster than good news.

Now... that said... they can slap a bandage on the gaping wound and postpone the inevitable... truth is, things are already tight down here on "Main Street" -- they always have been. Thing is, we're innovative and flexible enough to think on our feet and stay afloat during hard times. We prepare for contingencies, and most of us have more than a Plan B... we usually have a Plan C, a Plan D and more. We know how to eat hot dogs and skip the steak when we can't afford it. And it will be small businesses like ours that help rebuild the economy when the time comes -- that is, if you don't tax us into extinction and regulate us out of the country.

To both parties I say:

Don't spread your fear by telling me I won't be able to get a loan -- because you know what? I'm not asking for one, thank you very much. And when I really needed one, you wouldn't give it to me. I either wasn't rich enough, or wasn't poor enough by your standards.

For the record, I'm one of the 1/3 out here who DOESN'T own stock in the markets, DOESN'T have a 401K to lose, is saving CASH for my son's college education (he's only 8 right now) and will have plenty for him when he's ready.

Okay. Stepping down from my soap box now.

Lipstick on a Pig

I'm sitting here wondering, "Did Obama's writer/handler give him the saying as part of his town hall type speech yesterday? Or did he come up with it all by himself?"

To me, it was reminiscent of the time he brushed off a female reporter calling her "sweetie" -- he never did answer her question as I recall.

In case you're one of the very few who didn't hear the pig speech, this is a short excerpt of the quote as reported by Reuters:

“You can put lipstick on a pig. It’s still a pig,” he said as the crowd cheered and yelled and eventually got to their feet.

Now, he could have said: "If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck... then it must be a duck." --- but NOOOO --- in his infinite wisdom he chose the lipstick comment.

Lipstick on a pig -- ***** -- it's a saying that isn't even on the list of over 500 colloquialisms and phrases that I save in my resources for writing projects.

I won't be adding it to the list.

Why?

Well... quite simply, because it is sexist.

D'uh!

For supposedly such a sharp man (I'm having serious doubts) he sure knows how to tick off a demographic quickly.

Here's another sexist saying:

"You can slap aftershave on a donkey, but in the end, it's still an ass."

Maybe he can use that one in his next town hall meeting.

Sheesh!

Speaking of pigs, here's a newsflash from the Political front lines closer to home:

The Indiana Pork Advocacy Coalition (INPAC), the voluntary membership arm of Indiana Pork, announces its endorsement of Mitch Daniels in his bid for a second term of Governor of Indiana. This is the first official political endorsement that the organization has provided in its history.

It figures. If you've been following my blog at all, you know how I feel about Daniels' pro-cafo stance, giving millions to millionaires.

So if you're wondering if I'm voting for him, I'll answer with another colloquialism: "When pigs fly."

Election Speech Analysis

Did you watch the speeches delivered from BOTH large party conventions on each side of the presidential election fence?

I did.

Not just from a voter's point of view (pov)... but also from a writer's pov.

By now you know I'm a copywriter. Some of you might be wondering, "What is that, exactly?"

Briefly, I write the words that help my clients make their fortunes. I'm the ghost writer behind the scenes, talking to you through them. I've written:
- large product/service presentation websites
- lead generation sites
- scripts for online video presentations
- SEO copy for online website traffic generation
- press releases and content articles
- classified ads, google ads, banner ads, ezine ads, solo ads, and more ads
- scripts for radio ads, tv ads, and more...

Yes, I've even written a few "jingles" during the course of my career.

But I digress.

I point out the above because when watching any "scripted" presentations, such as the bulk of the speeches that were dilivered during both major 2008 Presidential Election Party conventions, I like to take them apart from a writer's pov -- paying careful attention to what the writers have each done to "frame" and present their speakers.

As usual, there are a LOT of subliminals built in (A LOT!!) to both Presidential Candidates' speeches.

But, I was curious if I had caught the main themes.

After the campaigns were over, I searched and searched online for "analysis" of the speeches but kept tripping across propaganda and hate articles on both sides of the election fence instead.

Finally, I found this article:

"Super Bowl of Spin Heating Up …
Who Do You Think Will Win?"

It was written by a Canadian copywriter who has been observing events (at a comfortable distance) from his home in Toronto, Ontario. This distance gives him a bit of a clearer "perspective" since he's not an active participant in what is happening here on our side of the border.

After reading Daniel's article, I have to admit, he really "nailed it" from a writer's pov. It's well worth your time to read. It will reveal with startling clarity how words from both speeches were used to "brainwash" voters.

Well, maybe "brainwash" is too harsh a word... but needless to say, the subliminal "positioning" deployed through the speeches were without a single doubt, brilliant -- on BOTH sides.

Click to read the article and see what you think.

More on this soon. See you then!

Knee Jerks

Dumbing down a population starts in 2 main areas:

1) at the school level

2) at the mass media level

Mind control of a population requires 2 things:

1) constant exposure to the "message" (subliminal or otherwise)

2) an eloquent speaker to "lead" the sheep

Having watched a lot of the mass media spin on the presidential election circuit, I have to wonder -- are the media trying to "dumb down" the USA population? -- or are they being "used" by other outside entities to accomplish the same?

It boils down to who is using whom...

For example, take a look at the flagrantly obvious subliminal "dumb down" tactics employed by US WEEKLY today. Side by side covers, one showing Obama in the most delightful light and the other an outright attack on Palin:



Shame on you, US WEEKLY.

If you're a reader (or, God forbid, a subscriber) of US WEEKLY reading this, I say this: "Don't let them contaminate your brain cells with their contrived neuro linquistic programming trash. Don't let them do that to you."

Who owns US WEEKLY?

The obvious front owner is none other than Jann Wenner, also the proprietor of Rolling Stone and Men's Journal.

But, just a minute here... I found this link to CJR which reveals (as of 2006) 50% of US Weekly was owned by -- get this -- The Walt Disney Company!?!

Gag me with a spoon! Say it isn't sooooooo....

All those supposed "family oriented" films and toons my eight year old son LOVES to watch -- run by the same company that has a 50% stake in one of the most outrageous mind-control tabloids (in my humble opinion) that consistently dumbs down our population (or at least, anyone vulnerable enough to their tactics)... be it in your face or subliminally... plastering their hidden messages throughout supermarkets and newstands across the nation.

Makes you kinda wonder what's hidden in those Disney movies, doesn't it?

Sadly, the dumb-down tactics being deployed by many mass media outlets appear to be working based on the huge numbers of "blind" followers stepping up to drink the kool-aide being offered in most mainstream media spins. I wonder what the flavor-of-the-week will be next week?

To the people, I cry, "Wake up!"

Before it's too late.

Next, from the US WEEKLY site, one commenter provided this list of advertisers for the US WEEKLY tabloid. Here you go...

***Us Weekly Advertisers AND THEIR PARENT COMPANIES***
Cover Girl...Procter & Gamble - PG dot com 800-568-4035
Neutrogena....Johnson & Johnson - JNJ dot com 800-582-4048
Coca Cola/Powerade....thecoca-colacompany dot com 404-676-5009
Pepperidge Farm....Campbell's Soup - campbellsoupcompany dot com
Lady Foot Locker....footlocker-inc dot com Lady Foot Locker Marketing Director, Doug Smith - 212-720-3700
CW....CBS & Warner Bros - cwtv dot com
TRESemme....Alberto-Culver - alberto dot com
M&Ms....Mars - mars dot com
Olay...Procter & Gamble - PG dot com 800-568-4035
ABC...abc dot com
RID...?
Jack in the Box....jackinthebox dot com
Glaxo Smith Klein...gsk dot com 888-825-5249
food network... E. W. Scripps Company - scripps dot com
Target....target dot com 800.440.0680
Wrigley's...wrigley dot com
Special K....Kellogg's - kelloggcompany dot com
McDonalds....mcdonalds dot com
NutriSystem....nutrisystem dot com
WalGreen's...walgreens dot com
Walmart Media Relations - 1-800-331-0085
Figi Water....?
and Sony...sony dot com
Toyota -
State Farm -
Proctor and Gamble -
LG -
Boost mobile -
Campbell's Soup -
Rhapsody -
Schick -
Converse -

So, the above support the dumb-down operation by their ad dollars, and we can choose to vote against them all with our pocket-books.

Next, what to do about Disney...???

I guess the first step is to find out if it's true. *sigh*

Happy Birthday - NASA Established, July 29, 1958

Happy Birthday NASA

On July 29, 1958, passage of the National Aeronautics and Space Act gave birth to NASA.

NASA's motto is: "For the benefit of all."

NASA's Office of Education motto is... "Shaping the Future: Launching New Endeavors to Inspire the Next Generation of Explorers."

Life on the Moon

Yesterday, July 28, 2008, NASA awarded 12 contracts relating to the Constellation Program:

"These studies provide new ideas to help the Constellation Program develop innovative, reliable requirements for the systems that will be used when outposts are established on the moon," said Jeff Hanley, the Constellation Program manager at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. [link]

Notice the word "when" in the above quote. Not "if" ...but, "when" we have outposts established on the moon.

NASA plans to establish a human outpost on the moon through a successive series of lunar missions beginning in 2020.

In addition to the Constellation Program, NASA is also working on developing lower-cost access vehicles to space, in particular the Ares and Orion programmes, and thus make access to the International Space Station (ISS) independent of Russia.

New Frontiers for Both Russia and USA

Many recall NASA being established as a response to the 1957 successful launch of the Soviet Union's artificial satellite Sputnik. While NASA continues exploring new frontiers in space, Russia continues with their own desire to break new records in science...

Russian explorers plunged to the bottom of Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake, on Tuesday in a show of Moscow's resurgent ambitions to set new records in science. [link]

Last April U.S.A. and Russian scientists revealed that Lake Baikal, which contains more water than all the North American Great Lakes combined, had warmed faster than global air temperatures over the past 60 years. Many scientists are concerned that this could put animals unique to the lake in jeopardy.

America's Most Important Gift

When I graduated 8th grade, heading into my high school years, our class held car washes, bake sales, collected/recycled pop bottles... everything we could do to raise funds for our Graduation trip to Minneapolis.

The highlight of the trip for me was when our entire class went to a live dinner theatre where we were able to watch an incredible cast and crew perform "Oklahoma" on stage. We were all seated up front and center, able to see the band pit and view the live action on stage.

It was a breathtaking experience for me as I had never been to a live theatre before. To this day, I can still recall some of the words to a few of the songs in this exhilarating performance. What a rush!

As an aside, I've also had a soft spot in my heart for Oklahoma for the warm memories the live performance invoked.

Last April, in my post "Pop E Quiz" I wrote:

This incredible country was united by a truly remarkable document known as The Constitution of the United States of America. It was quite possibly the greatest gift your ancestors bestowed upon you. Treasure it.

Little did I know at the time that at least one State here in the U.S.A. was actually in the process of protecting this important gift. I'm speaking about Oklahoma. Here's an excerpt from a recent article written by Walter E. Williams at Townhall.com:

Oklahomans are trying to recover some of their lost state sovereignty by House Joint Resolution 1089, introduced by State Rep. Charles Key.

The resolution's main focus is on recovering - and preserving - the Constitution and its rights in the State of Oklahoma. Quote:

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 2nd session of the 51st Oklahoma Legislature: that the State of Oklahoma hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States. That this serve as Notice and Demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers.

Thus far, the Resolution passed in the Oklahoma House of Representatives with a 92 to 3 vote, but it has yet to pass through their Senate. Here's a link to the full story.