So...What about it?

I often hear people complain about our government. Along with their complaining I frequently hear them say they can't do anything about it. And that is not true. Every one who is qualified can vote. But then they complain that it won't make any difference. Every vote counts! I am not defending the government, heaven knows it does many things of which I do not agree with. As an American citizen I have the right to institute change. How do I do this? I must work and vote for the candidates that best represent what I believe the government should be and do. We cannot sit back and let some other citizens elect whom they wish and then complain if we did not attempt to elect candidates that be represented our opinions and views. There is another alternative. Compete for public office your self. That's what I am going to do. I'm announcing my candidacy for Berkeley County Council representing District 5.

What's All The Fuss About?

In the last few days there has been a great deal of controversy about the President's addressing the school kids. Why? At a recent Republican breakfast the superintendant of the local school system was grilled about how the school system would handle the president's speech. He said that parents would be given the option whether their children would watch chief executive's address or not. Is paranoia sweeping the country? I think it is a good thing for the most powerful man in the free world to take a few minutes to address the future of our country. Would the president embed some radical idea in those young minds? Could we not let our classroom teachers make the decision of what the children see? The rest of the year we let them determine what little Johnny and Janie learn. I think that the simple truth is that a vast number of Americans no longer trust their president. I know some will say that he is not their president. But in fact, whether we voted for him or not, he is our president. This should be a learning experience for our president. He must be accountable to us, the citizens of this great country and that his power comes from us. He has the opportunity to be a great president, but that can only happen with the approval of the people.

What am I today?

Recently in the media the current administration has been calling me names. I remember when I was a kid sometimes other kids would make fun of me. I wore glasses and they called me "four eyes". I could usually answer all the teacher's questions , she called on me a lot and I got the name "teachers pet". Like many Americans I have taken a great interest in how my country is being run. I try to let my feelings be known by writing my elected officials and attending "Tea Parties" and other patriotic meetings. My political beliefs are conservative because I believe that is what the Constitution is all about. It, the federal government, should be "for the people, by the people". However, when I support these ideals, I'm called a "a right wing extremist" and more recently a "right wing terrorist". It could be said that there is nothing wrong with extremism in defense of liberty. But, a terrorists! Terrorists blow up buildings and fly airplanes into skyscrapers. I don't do that! And now, since I am a member of the Republican Party, a high level government official calls me an A****le. By the way, my tax dollars help pay the salaries of the folks doing the name calling. Your taxes too. Could we stop payment? Is our current administration so desperate that it resorts to name-calling? I think so. When the government forgets whom it serves there will be resistance by the unserved. And may it grow to facilitate change to a government "for the people, by the people".

The names I am called may change but what I believe will never change. What I believe begins with: "We the people...".

Do They Know Who You Are?

In today's political climate the average folks often ask the title question. Do they(they being elected officials) know who I am? Unfortunately, probably not. Until recently the "unknown majority" was not quite so vocal and the word accountable did not exist in many politician's dictionary. It was simple: People voted, the elected took office, and did exactly what they wanted to do. Such was representative government as we knew it. Maybe this would have continued if we had not elected a new president with very different ideas about things and the country suffered a financial collapse The "unknown majority" isn't quite so unknown any more. The vocal protest, in most cases, has made known the feelings of thousands of formerly silent Americans heard. They are demanding accountability from their elected officials. "Tea Parties" are being held. The name based on the 1776 protests of "taxation without representation". The elected have answered by holding "town hall" meetings. I believe the this intercourse between the government and the people is a very healthy thing. Modern media plays a big part in this as well. The many cable channels carry different points of view and a plethora of websites and blogs carry alternative ideas on issues at the forefront of the meetings. The ease at which the average person can broadcast their ideas via blogs ,websites, andvideo sharing networks allows many people to be heard the first time by others. The voices of the voters via meeting or media is changing the current political environment. They, the government, will know who you are!

Ode to the Sweet Potato

I've just finished dinner, London broil with sauteed mushrooms and baked potato. It was accompanied by a cabernet sauvignon we had picked up in White Oak Vineyard in Napa. However, the peace de resistance was desert, homemade sweet potato pie. Like in the Randy Owen song, "Song, song of the South, Sweet potato pie and a shut my mouth..." The wedge had an old golden color to it somewhat like burnt sienna. Slightly warm with a flaky crust and a dollop of whipped cream. It was the food of gods. We had bought the potatoes at Cook's Produce stand in Edgefield, South Carolina. The recipe was my mother's. The texture was a course but creamy. The native sweetness of the tuber enhanced slightly by the spices of the Orient. So quickly it was gone. No crumbs were left. But in the middle of the saucer was one lonely tear. When the last bite of this undeniable icon of southern cuisine is gone it is, indeed, a time for sadness and morning.