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June Devotional – VOTE!
Okay. My June devotional is late. I know. I could list a host of excuses for such tardiness, but I won’t. It won’t change the fact that I’m still late getting it out. And is this a devotional entitled “Vote?” Yes. It’s not that I couldn’t come up with anything else to write about. Rather, over the years I’ve noticed how we Americans are a little slack about getting out to vote during mid-terms. And I’ve got a feeling these mid-terms will prove very important in years to come.
See, if you and I don’t get out to vote, our civil liberties and religious freedoms will suffer. Why? Because I’ve got a sneaky suspicion that while the many voices on Capitol Hill are loud and boisterous as they bicker among one another, someone somewhere out there is changing laws under the radar screen. Okay, I admit that I’m being a little paranoid here. More importantly, another terrorist group is conniving a way to penetrate the borders of these United States so they can wreak havoc on our nation. That’s providing we don’t kill each other first. We seem to be doing a lot of that lately. Young men are raging through schools with the fire power of a militant army just for a body count. And let’s not ignore our economic issues. Politicians are afraid to touch the wage increase issue. DHS is underfunded and overworked. The VA debacle is disgusting! Okay, here goes my rant. I’m from a military family, so cut me some slack here. How dare we ask our men and women to put their lives on the line and we not take care of them when they return from battle! How dare we! And for what? So some already overpaid executive can get another raise and another promotion. I say revoke all of those raises and send those suit-wearing males and females back home without so much as a retirement pension. Inhale, Donna. Exhale, slowly. Pulse check. Okay, I think my blood pressure is under control now.
We also have an immigration problem. Texas, Mexico, Arizona, and California don’t have enough manpower to patrol and secure the borders. What are our politicians thinking with? The seat of their pants? They are so focused on defying President Obama that they won’t sit at the table long enough to get anything done. Who am I fooling here? They won’t even enter the room. And what were they thinking during that mock rendition of “We Shall Overcome?” McConnell looked defiant. Boehner looked angry. And neither of their lips moved a millimeter. Did they know the words to the song? Aaah, that’s it. They hadn’t heard that song before. Oh. Oh. Oh. I know–they were humming. That’s it. Really? Are you kidding me? These men act like children in a fitful rage. I hope no one is taping any secret conversations. I want to pull my hair out just thinking about what they might be saying behind closed doors. I think my blood pressure just went up again. Breathe, Donna, breathe. Okay, let’s not go there.
It’s sad, but you and I are caught in the middle of this crossroad. I feel like Rodney King: “Can’t we all get along?” Okay, I’m using that quote too loosely.
Here is a known fact: You and I can chastise Washington and get them to behave. I know it sounds unlikely, but it’s true. How? By realizing that the power lies in OUR hands! Not theirs. Vote in and out of office all those who are not getting their work done. I don’t give two figs what political party you represent. I’m Democrat, but not a loyal one. I’ll change my party at the drop of a hat if I think for one moment a Republican is a better candidate. I don’t believe in party loyalty. I believe GOD CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS!!!! And I believe in AMERICA! If you can get the job done and you’re listed as a CONSERVATIVE or INDEPENDENT, then court my vote. I’m game. Why? Because I believe in change where it’s needed. What I no longer believe in is you and I sitting back and doing nothing. That’s downright scary. You and I voted them in and we can vote them out! It’s just that simple!!!
I encourage you to please think about the upcoming mid-terms. Choose your party. Change your party. Whatever you do, VOTE! Use the absentee voting option if you have to. Please don’t allow others to make decisions for you. Pressure our American representatives to do what we pay them to do. Make them not only address the issues but also DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM. Think on this: If you and I were to flood our representatives’ phone lines or appear on the steps to Capitol Hill often enough, then maybe some of those suit-wearing highly educated reps wouldn’t be available for all those CNN interviews to spit their “nothingness” in our faces.
So, while on your yacht soaking in the sun this Fourth of July, think RED, WHITE, AND BLUE! Take time to access the internet and scale your fingers across that keyboard and research those politicians. Make the candidate of your choice, one who best represents your views and start planning to vote in the upcoming mid-terms. Here’s a challenge. Keep up with those bad boys and how they vote. It’s baseball season, so keep a scorecard. If your representative isn’t hitting the ball out the park, send in a pinch hitter. The minute you see them spending more time in contentious behavior and not enough time accomplishing YOUR goals, send a warning. No second chances. On their next misstep, recall your vote!
A bit radical?
You bet.
It’s time for change!
That’s my two-cents worth. If you can stand it, read more of my political editorials at:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Fall-of-Man—Will-Women-Replace-Our-Fallen-Politicians?&id=8057941
Donna B. Comeaux is a freelance writer, novelist, essayist, and poet.
NOTE: I have a short story that will be published for an online magazine this fall. Please see Rubyforwomen.com for details.
The Fall of Man – Will Women Replace Our Fallen Politicians?
Please click on the link below to read my latest political article on ezinearticles.com:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Fall-of-Man—Will-Women-Replace-Our-Fallen-Politicians?
Donna B. Comeaux
Freelance Writer, Poet, Author
Another Government Shutdown – Misbehaving Politicians
A storm is brewing in Washington.
Our political and economic climate in America is volatile. CNN correspondents are snippy. Politicians are defensive. Common folks are mad. Military families are scared. Veterans are disgusted. And those who depend on federal aid because of disabilities are nervous.
If politicians intended to scare the American people, they have succeeded. Politicians may not, however, have accounted for the height of anger of the American people. When the debt ceiling issues surface soon, do our politicians really think they will be able to hold us hostage again? Do they think scare tactics will work, yet again? Remember “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” by Aesop? You can’t believe a liar, even when he finally tells the truth. In time, that’s where this political tactic is headed. As a result, people will take to the streets and act out their frustrations. And I don’t suspect this will be a pretty sight.
When our leaders entangle us in their personal vendetta against the President of the United States, they become enslaved by their hatred. The more they are exposed, the harder they fight. Pride sets in. No matter what your political views, We the people are trapped in the feud and forced to care about the outcome of the brawl. The feud divides us. And what happens to a divided nation? They fall! Always!
If and when our nation falls, who will capture us? This is such a scary thought. It makes me nervous to even write about it. I hate to speculate. But given our dire circumstances and what they represent, it’s hard not to think about it. Right now America is asleep at the wheel. None of us can be assured with any certainty that the politicians’ attitude toward our President of the United States will not affect the government’s ability to protect its people. This feud is so much more than Republicans vs. Democrats.
Politicians think this is about them. It’s not. It’s about We the people. This is about the simplicities of life: should I pay the light bill, or buy bread; should I put $10 worth of gas in my truck, or pay my co-worker the $5 I owe him; should I pay my child’s lunch account at school, or should I make him a peanut butter sandwich. Oh, I forgot, I don’t have peanut butter.
As you and I sit here in frustration, I’m appalled that each and every representative is still getting paid. It doesn’t seem fair. Fairness seems a foreign word in our society. Respect is nearly nonexistent.
Every American will remember each and every day of this debacle. I don’t care how the politicians across these United States of America redraw the voting districts, people will crawl, bus, walk, and hitchhike to the polls and make their voices heard loud and clear. I have never been politically active, but as the next election nears, I will write every single chance I get and urge people to the polls. It is our God-given right to take care of our nation, even if the politicians won’t. It is our right to tell, guide, and urge those we put in office to govern our country with care. We are the free world. But if we aren’t careful, we can become captive to another nation, even a nation of politicians, and lose our freedom.
This is no longer about Republicans vs. Democrats. This is about selfishness. When politicians take to the podium and say “my constituents,” I lose my hearing. We are being fed half-truths. No matter what side of the political spectrum you are on, this entire feud is disingenuous. No one party is right. No one party is completely wrong. At this stalemate, common sense tells all of us that a compromise must be reached. Instead, politicians are exposed for what they really are: a host of children arguing on the playground, each blaming the other.
It’s hard not to wake up every morning and not wonder what state our economy is in. Since 2003, we as a country have battled against rising oil prices, lack of job opportunities, a variety of discriminations, and nagging wars we wish had never begun. We lacked the energy to make the phone calls to our state representatives and complain about the growing discord in Washington. For too long, We the people thought, in time, our government would come to their senses and get on with the business of governing. Ten years later, we find that our country is worse today than in 2003.
Have we forgotten that We the people are the ones who decide how our country should be governed? Let us not forget we are a free society and we get to go to the polls and vote representatives in or out of office. If we deem necessary, we can vote some of these politicians out of office today. We don’t have to wait until the next election. But maybe the fire isn’t hot enough. Maybe we aren’t mad enough. Maybe we are holding onto false hope.
Whatever We the people decide to do, we must collectively posture ourselves to keep the best interest of our country close to our heart. We must cherish our freedom, but not forget to use it to protect it. We must look throughout our land in search for men and women who are proven leaders. Our military deserves our voice. Your children deserve your voice. No matter what your political views, SPEAK UP AND SPEAK OUT!
I have never spoken out politically, but the height of my frustration is such that I had to. As a result of my need to voice my concerns, I reached out to Rep. Jim Bridenstine. Below is an e-mail in its entirety that I sent to Rep. Bridenstine.
I encourage each of you, no matter what your political views, to Speak Out! And remember this debacle during the next election!
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Tuesday, October 1, 2013
This is my e-mail to Rep. Jim Bridenstine – 1st District – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Out of my disgust for the political climate in Washington, this is what I wrote, word-for-word, to Rep. Jim Bridenstine of Oklahoma:
Rep. Jim Bridenstine, the political feud in Washington needs to end. I am weary over politicians’ need to “blame” each other. I am appalled that incivility has replaced reasonableness. If the politicians, both Democratic and Republicans, think that the people of this great United States will sit back and take this on the chin, they have underestimated us. No matter how politicians choose to rezone voting districts across America, voters will walk, crawl, bus, drive, and hitchhike to vote to replace each of you. The livelihood of Americans is being auctioned off because prideful men won’t take their defeat of the Affordable Health Care Act on the chin. We need our politicians to swallow their pride and get on with the business of governing. We the people don’t care who started all this. WE DON’T CARE if you don’t like the Affordable Health Care Act. WE DON’T CARE if you “hate” President Obama. We all know of your “hate” for him. Believe me, we get it. Your “hate” or dislike for the President and his policies has sabotaged politicians’ common sense.
I do not wish to engage in a debate with you or hear your political views. I’d rather you get to the House/Senate floor and vote for resolutions to our American dilemma. We the people know exactly how you and all other politicians feel. What we want is action. Do something. What the American politicians are doing now isn’t working. Do something different. Compromise. Fight fair. Don’t hold the American people hostage because you don’t like President Obama or the now “legal” Affordable Health Care Act.
Every one of you needs to swallow your pride and move on. You have a country to run. Work together.
If you respond to me with political jargon, I won’t read it. I’ll delete it. I hear it on CNN every hour of the day. I’m tired of it. I’m frustrated. We the people want our political representatives to act like adults and compromise. You won’t get everything you want. Neither will we. No one ever does. We all learn this in our adolescent years. We’re past that now.
Get the working class back to work. Stop hurting the American people. If our American politicians insist on fighting this out, then I suggest all of you give up your paychecks until a resolution is reached. Rep. Mullins gave up his paycheck. Federal workers and the armed forces have given up their paychecks. Give up yours!
I’m disgusted and fed up. Resolve your issues. Care more about the American people than your pride and your hate for President Obama.
I have never in my life written a political representative. I hope to never have a reason to write again.
Donna B. Comeaux
Freelance Writer, Poet, Author
