Medicare Makes My Blood Boil

My previous pulmonologist and I had a very controversial, odd relationship. He insisted on seeing me every 3 months, which I always stretched to six months, because this is how it went every time:
Doc: So how are you doing?
Me: Pretty much the same.
Doc: {listening to my lungs} They sound okay.
Me: Mmm-Hmm.
Doc: So have you thought anymore about getting that BiPAP machine (machine that kind of breathes in AND out for you...CPAP is constant "in" pressure).
Me: I've told you that the only way that can happen is if I get the Shiley trach again. The Shiley is uncomfortable, painful, harder to change, harder to clean, makes me cough like crazy, requires more suction, and I will never get one again for the rest of my life if it's up to me.
Doc: Well, okay then. See ya in three months.

Every time it was the same. I'm like, if this isn't the biggest waste of time on the planet. But I had to keep going because he signed off on my oxygen. My oxygen supplier wasn't super huge on speedy billing, so once in a while when they started billing me again, they would call and tell me I needed a doc to sign off on my oxygen, so I'd go back to the pulmonologist.

Then for a while my neuro. was doing it, but now Medicare decided I needed to SEE a doctor, have an exam and a "requalification test" that I have to do every year. Medicare is SO GOVERNMENT. They tell you what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and if you don't, they will not pay and you will not get what you need.

Yet if I were on welfare, I would get food stamps and other monies to pay for alcohol, cigarettes, junk food, pop, shampoo and stuff, with no regulations. But heaven forbid you and your doctor try to manage your health in a positive, LEAST RESTRICTIVE way. I have to go to the diabetic doctor every 3 months now. I have to send Medicare 30 days worth of my blood sugars every 4-6 months or they won't cover my supplies. So now the GOVERNMENT is telling me whether or not I need diabetic supplies?

So I had to find a new pulmonologist, drive all the way to Kalamazoo, Doug had to take work off because I felt like crap, we had to take Jacob because everybody and their brother was sick and couldn't watch him...it was a total nightmare. Except for the actual doc....he's AWESOME.

My friends, do you see where this is going? And this is BEFORE the "government overhaul" of health care. It's only going to get worse. Chronically ill people and the elderly will suffer the most. I'm sure there will be a "cap" on what the government will pay in a lifetime...and I would have met it already, I'm sure. A million dollar hospital bill...yah.

Change is coming all right. And you are NOT going to like it.

Israel Prepares for Sukkot

I know I was in the middle of a series on immigration, but right now my heart keeps going back to Israel. I feel remiss that I have not cared in the past, that I didn't understand the importance of the Israeli people to God. They are still His chosen. They are STILL precious to Him. They are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

All throughout the Old Testament God smites Israels's enemies. Until they turn away, as in the time of the judges. It seems as if Israel would just go down hill, start worshipping other gods, become deeper entrenched in sin than the time before, and God would send a judge to whip them into shape.

Judges 2:17-19 (NKJV) says, "Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so. And when the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way."

Ezekiel 36:17b-19, 22, 24-28 (NKJV)
“Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity. Therefore I poured out My fury on them for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it. So I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them according to their ways and their deeeds.... “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake.... For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God."

Pretty darn clear, eh? God scattered them, and God WILL bring them back together for HIS Holy Name. And what happens to the people who oppose Israel?

We find the answer in Ezekiel 38:18-23 (NKJV)“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “that My fury will show in My face. For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’ I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord GOD. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother. And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”’

Right now the nation of Israel is preparing for Sukkot, which is also called The Feast of Booths or the Feast of Tabernacles. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei (which would be like from late September to late October on our calendar...the 15th being a bit before the 15th of our month of October.)

Jews celebrate this seven day festival to remind themselves of the fragility in which their anscestors lived in the desert as they wandered it for 40 years. All their meals are eaten in the living area of the house, which becomes their "sukkah" (home) for those 7 days.

From israelinationalnews.com, Maayana Miskin reports that "Violent riots began several days ago, shortly before the Sukkot holiday. Rioters have primarily targeted policemen and Jews in the neighborhoods of Mei Shiloach (Silwan), A-Tor and Ir David. Several Jewish homes have been pelted with rocks and firebombs, and at least one home and one sukkah have been burnt. Eleven civilians have been wounded by rioters' violent attacks."

Israel is constantly under one kind of attack or another. They have been since the beginning of time.

I ask again that you pray for the nation of Israel, for they are God's chosen ones, and I believe it would please Him. Notice that is is not because of THEM or anything THEY do, but because God said by His Holy Name it would be so.

I would also ask that you remain in prayer for OUR country, as "we" in our government are not supporting Israel as we should be. Re-read Ezekiel 38:18-23. I do not think this is allegory. I think that God will rain down fire and brimstone. On us, and anyone else who has opposed His people.

WHAT?!?!?!

Okay. This is COMPLETELY off the beaten path as far as this blog has been going, but it is a PERFECT example of TOO MUCH government control, and the ludicrousness of government. I made up a new word: idiocracy. Not democracy or bureaucracy, but idiocracy. I think it fits nicely.

Here's the thing: according to a FOX news article, schools are moving to ban cupcakes (ya know, like what you bring to school for your kids birthday?) to help quell childhood obesity. YES, I am serious.

"No, Johnny! Put down that cupcake! It will make you obese! Don't be ridiculous, of course it has NOTHING to do with the 200 grams of fat you eat at McDonalds every day, or the 75 grams of fat in your "healthy" government-supplied lunch. How silly of you to think that it's because you eat garbage at home all day, sit on your duff playing video games and never get out to exercise that you are fat. It's not YOUR fault, it's those #!$%! birthday cupcakes!!"

I sit here shaking my head. Is there NOTHING more important the government, (or the schools for that matter!) can think of that might be a hair more important than birthday cupcakes?

Someone brought up the whole allergy thing, and I get that. Obviously the responsible thing to do is to KNOW your child and his class and make sure you know of any allergies beforehand. If THAT had been their argument I could at least UNDERSTAND what they're doing.

Anyone ever hear of parental responsibility? Why will no one take responsibility for their actions? My gosh, people, WAKE UP!!! Pretty soon the government will be telling us what to eat for breakfast and when and where to pee for crying out loud. This may seem like a ridiculous thing to be all riled up about, but it's just another thing that government wants its tentacles in.

Enough is ENOUGH!

Oh, and for fun, join this facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Give-Back-Our-Cupcakes/110603185666691?v=wall

LET THEM EAT CAKE!!!

Illegal Immigration--Part One

I want to start off by saying that I think seasonal workers (migrant workers) are some of the hardest working people in the world. They work hard and sometimes aren't treated very well.
And the fact of the matter is, if Americans would be willing to work that hard and do the jobs they do, our unemployment rate would be ZERO.

Specifically discussing Mexican immigrants (illegal immigrants), I get it. I understand you live in a craphole that I wouldn't want my dogs living in. I've seen where you live and where you come from and know that you want better for your children. I would too! And I have absolutely no problem with you trying to better yourselves. But do it the right way!

America is essentially made up of immigrants. My grandfather came over on the boat from the Netherlands, via Ellis Island. He waited in line. He learned the language. He was so proud to be coming to America, the land of opportunity. Opportunity for people who had good work ethic, who were willing to put in a hard day's work for a good day's pay.

If you would have told him that he could have come over during the night to sneak in, and go to US hospital to have a child (for free), that child would automatically be a citizen. Then, all your family would stay permanently living in the US, even though you would be undocumented; that you wouldn't even have to learn the language, and you could get their government to give you money to live on...well, it never would have happened. My grandmother's family wouldn't take a nickel from a stranger if that nickel was the only thing between them and utter starvation.

In 2008, 340,000 of the 4.3 million children born in the U.S. were born to illegal immigrants. However, according to the 14th Amendment, Section one, any child born in the U.S. is a United States citizen.

The first section of the Fourteenth Amendment reads as follows:
Section. 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

These children are often called anchor babies: since that child is a citizen, it of course can't live alone especially not without mom, and dad, and grandma and grandpa, and uncle and auntie and cousins. So one child is a citizen, while 20 other family members are not.

I will delve further into the issues surrounding illegal aliens living in the U.S., including border patrols, the State of Arizona (which got it right!) and several other cntroversial topics. Stay tuned!

Government Healthcare...JUST SAY NO

On August 23, 2009, a Mississippi ER doctor wrote a letter to the editor of the Clarion Ledger. (Not to the White House as some have said.)

The actual letter can be found here but I will sum it up in this post with my reaction.

His letter was titled, "Why Care For The Careless?"

Basically, Dr. Roger Starner Jones describes taking care of a patient with a shiny gold tooth, elaborate tattoos, the newest cell phone on the market, and $400 tennis shoes. When he looked at the chart, he saw that the patient was on Medicaid. The doctor said, "During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one pack of cigarettes every day, eats only at fast-food take-outs, and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer." Dr. Starner Jones's point was that we don't really have a healthcare crisis, we have a culture crisis.

I was like, BRAVO, Doctor! This is my issue with Medicaid. It's not monitored! I'm on Medicare because I'm on disability, and my husband's insurance kicked me off their plan and forced me to pay for Medicare. It certainly wasn't my choice. Either way, you don't see me with gold teeth, expensive clothes, fancy hair, acrylic nails, or super expensive tennis shoes!

People who receive Medicaid do so because they are financially unable to even pay for Medicare which I can tell you is $96.00 a month. The patient above, even at one pack of smokes a day, is spending $140.00 a month just on CIGARETTES! Only eating at fast food places? Average $7.00 a meal (which is a conservative estimate), even only twice a day, that's $98.00 a week, or $392.00 a month!

Getting acrylic nails done is about $40.00 (at a cheap place). Getting them filled is about $20-25.00, and it needs to be done at least every 2 weeks, if not more. When I used to get my hair done (can't afford it now) it was easily $100.00 a time. I got it done every 6 weeks to maintain it. So given the figures above our patient has spending habits of $562.00, not including dental work, tattoos, tennis shoes, clothes, gasoline, bills, rent...see my point?

And Congress wants ME to pay for HER insurance? NO. Not only no but H#LL no. Are you kidding me??

Around here, a person has to make less than $800.00 a month to qualfy for Medicaid (free insurance from the government). This woman is spending more than that on crappy habits!

Assuming she's on Medicaid, she probably qualfies for welfare and food stamps. More money coming out of my pocket.

Now listen. I have NO PROBLEM helping people that need help. I DO have a HUGE problem when MY TAXES are paying for someone's cigarettes and tattoos! White, black, yellow, red, I do not care! Lazy has no color.

In the Bible, there is a wonderful example of how people who need help SHOULD be helped. From Ruth, chapter 2: "And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor..." So she went out and began to glean in the fields behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.... Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "Whose young woman is that?" The foreman replied, "She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi. She said, 'Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter...."

At mealtime Boaz said to her, "Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar." When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, "Even if she gathers among the sheaves, don't embarrass her. Rather, pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her." So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough.

Even though she had nothing (she an her mother in law Naomi were completely broke and on their own), she worked. She worked from sun up til sundown. And for her work she was taken care of.

Now I am not so simple minded as to think that all you have to do when you are down on your luck is to find a farmer. The point is, Ruth didn't just sit around and wait for someone to take care of her. She sought a solution. She WORKED at what she could. She earned her food. She earned her good reputation.

We need to overhaul health care, alright, and GET RID of government healthcare. Give the power back to the doctors and patients! Let the patients CHOOSE their doctors. Limit or eliminate ridiculous malpractice lawsuits. Let the DOCTORS decide what to charge for their services, and tell the government to butt out.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of my tax money paying for anyone's acrylic nails and beer.

The Moral Decline of America Part Two

UPDATE: It has been brought to my attention that the first 2 paragraphs of this post may not be 100% historically accurate. For that I apologize. I resent ANY implication, however, that I intentionally mislead my readers, or purposefully chose to lie to further my cause. What good would that possibly do? For the record:

"On September 1, 1782, a committee that had been appointed to consider Aitken's petition asked the chaplains of the Congress of the Confederation, the Rev. Dr. {{William White (Bishop of Pennsylvania)William White]] of Christ Church and the Rev. George Duffield of the Third Presbyterian Church, to examine his Bible for accuracy. On September 12, based upon the report of the committee, the Congress of the Confederation approved "the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitken, as subservient to the interest of religion, as well as an instance of the progress of the arts in this country" and recommended his Bible to the American people." (wikipedia.org)

In 1782, the United States Congress voted this resolution: "The congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools." (Forsaken Roots)

Did you get that? American Revolution: 1776. Six years later, in the forming of a fledgling government, the Congress of these United States RECOMMENDED AND APPROVED the Holy Bible for use in ALL SCHOOLS.

Listen to these words of Mr.William Holmes McGuffey: "The Christian religion is the religion of our country. From it are derived our notions on character of God, on the great moral Governor of the universe. On its doctrines are founded the peculiarities of our free institutions. From no source has the author drawn more conspicuously than from the sacred Scriptures. From all these extracts from the Bible I make no apology." His text book called The McGuffey was used in public schools until 1963. (Forgotten Roots)

So what happened?

Many people believe that the first major "attack" on God was the removal of prayer in public schools in 1962. While this was the first huge, national ruling against God, a year previously the state of Maryland had the dubious distinction of being the first state ruled against by the Supreme Court, in regard to God and their state constitution.

In 1961, an atheist named Roy Torcaso ran for a public commission, but was denied because he wouldn't agree with the provision in the Maryland State Constitution which made “a declaration of belief in the existence of God” mandatory for holding public office. The Supreme Court basically overruled God and overtly promoted atheism. (some information taken from The Forerunner, Gary Bergel).

In 1962, prayer was banned from public school. A parent of one of the students disagreed with the principal reading a prayer in the morning and took it to court. All the way to the Supreme Court. So ONE parent, and NINE judges, made a decision that effected our nation in a devastating manner.

Other decisions to kick God out followed:
In 1963 -- ABINGTON SCHOOL DIST. v. SCHEMPP -- banned school-directed recital of the Lord's Prayer and reading of Bible passages as part of "devotional exercises" in public schools.


In 1965, the Courts ruled it unconstitutional for a child to pray aloud in the school cafeteria.

In 1980 -- STONE v. GRAHAM -- banned the posting of the the Ten Commandments on public school classroom walls.

In 1985 -- WALLACE v. JAFFREE -- banned observance of "daily moments of silence" from public schools when students were encouraged to pray during the silent periods.

In 1990 -- WESTSIDE COMMUNITY BD. OF ED. v. MERGENS -- held that schools must allow student prayer groups to organize and worship if other non-religious clubs are also permitted to meet on school property.

In 1992 -- LEE v. WEISMAN -- outlawed prayers led by members of the clergy at public school graduation ceremonies.

In 2000 -- SANTA FE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT v. DOE -- banned student-led pre-game prayers at public high school football games. (http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa070100a.htm)

I have heard MANY people say, "Well I'm just one person, what can I do? I vote, it doesn't matter." My answer? Madalyn Murray O'Hair. This ONE woman formed a group called the American Atheists, and single-handedly took prayer out of public school, saying it was a violation of the First Amendment and against separation of church and state. (Even though in the United States separation of church and state was originally intended to protect established state Christian churches from being replaced by a church chosen by the federal government.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state
(More on that later.)

“God’s laws are not watered down to suit anyone; if God did that He would cease to be God. The moral law never alters for the noblest or the weakest; it remains abidingly and eternally the same.” Oswald Chambers

I love this quote by Oswald Chambers. God's law is God's law. He will not be mocked. We will reap what we sow. And if we continue to allow individual people to take their cause more seriously than we as "the church" take ours, it will not be long before we start reaping!

I read an interesting article that reminded me of Ephesians 6:12: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

My friends, please hear me clearly. We are not fighting against the Madalyn Murray O'Hairs and Obamas of the world: we are fighting against the principalities of darkness. Sound scary? Well, that's because it is!

But we do NOT need to be afraid, because in I John 4:1-6 we are told:

"Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God... and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

Do you see? We fight against the ruler of this world, the devil. And to be frank, we are not doing a very good job. We need to get off the phone, turn off the TV, stop facebooking (and I'm preaching to the choir here as well!) and get on our knees for this country.

Please don't believe that bad things are just coincidences or people are just mean. There are forces at work that we can not see in the physically realm. And they are very, very real. And they mean business. Do you?

The Moral Decline of America Part One

“God’s laws are not watered down to suit anyone; if God did that He would cease to be God. The moral law never alters for the noblest or the weakest; it remains abidingly and eternally the same.” Oswald Chambers

First of all, to determine the moral decline in America we have to acknowledge that America was once indeed moral. Christianity. Is this what our country was based on? Is this the original intent of our forefathers? Where THEY Christians? Decide for yourself:

Patrick Henry, the "firebrand of the American Revolution" said this: "An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not of the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."

These words are no longer in history textbooks.

Patrick Henry also said: "I have disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give to them, and that is the Christian religion. If they had that and I had not given them one cent, they would be rich. If they have not that, and I had given them the world, they would be poor."

Hmmm...sounds like it to me.

How about Thomas Jefferson? These words are written in his Bible: "I am a Christian, that is to say a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus also."

Did George Washington, the first President of the United States think God was important? Did he believe God to be necessary for a successful country? He said this at his farwell speech as President: "It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are the indispensable supporters. Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that our national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

In his personal prayer book were written these words: "Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of thy son, Jesus Christ."

John Adams, the 2nd President of the United States, was also the chairman of the American Bible Society. He said this to military leaders: "We have no government armed with the power capable of contending with human passions, unbridled by morality and true religion. Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

The first Court Justice, John Jay: "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian Nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."

The sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams, on July 4, 1821, said, "The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity." (He was also chariman of the American Bible Society)

Wow. Can you imagine President Obama saying ANY of those things? Can you imagine a U.S. President being the chairman of the American Bible Society?

James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution of the United States, said this: "We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments." (Forgotten Roots/Mary Jones)

And where are the Ten Commandments now? They have been shoved out of schools. It is very clear to me that our founding fathers started this country on the premise that God would always be the center of what they were doing. If they could only see us now.

So how did this happen? Who started it, and why? Check out tomorrow's post.

September 11

I was being wheeled through one of the x-ray rooms getting pre-op work done for my surgery the following day. I was having my trach examined and enlarged. It was Tuesday, September 11, 2001. I was still quite weak, so I had to be in a wheelchair yet. Doug and I saw the TV'severywhere in the hospital and we couldn't quite believe it. We weren't sure if it was real.

My surgeon was held up in Colorado, and my surgery was postponed. I will always remember where I was that day.

There is so much I could say.

I'm going to simply say 2 things.

1. Thank you. To the first responders. The the people on Flight 93. The the courageous men and women who have had to live with the memories of 9-11-01 every single moment of every single day. To the people helping others recover. To those who never will. To those who helped others down the stairs. To those who never gave up.

2. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry to the families of anyone who lost someone. I'm sorry to anyone who was there and was injured, physically and emotionally. I'm just so terribly sorry. It never should have happened.

Even if you have read this before, please read it. And never forget.

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you . But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

The Wrong Perspective

So you know what really bothers me about the whole “I’m a Florida pastor who is going to burn a bunch of copies of the Koran?” The fact that it’s making headlines all. over. the. world. Do you think for one moment if a Muslim Eman stood outside his mosque burning hundreds of copies of the Holy Bible it would even see moment one of media attention. Nope. Me either.

In fact, I would dare say jihad extremists would do it in a heartbeat if they aren’t already. And the President? Would he “weigh in” if it WERE Bibles that were being burned. Doubt it.

While I don’t agree with burning religious books, I applaud this Florida pastor for making a statement about his opinion of the mosque planning on being built right by Ground Zero.

Tomorrow is a hideous anniversary for the U.S. and he wants to make sure people understand that there IS much opposition to that mosque.

People burn the American flag in protest every day. Does it make headlines? Think about this: if there were not a Muslim president in office would it make headlines? An Iranian woman was recently executed because she was convicted of adultery. Executed. For adultery. How many of you knew that? Was that covering every headline in the world? It should have been.

Obama said that he fears retaliation on U.S. troops everywhere. Why? Because he KNOWS the Koran and he KNOWS what they are supposed to do to “infidels” (anyone who is not Muslim). Slay. Burn. Kill. Maim. If it WERE an Eman burning Bibles, would they fear Christian retaliation? NO. Because Christians are taught to love our enemies and repay evil for good. To me, Obama’s warning or fear of retaliation is just another thread in his prayer rug.

Historically Speaking...

I am fired up today. It's been a crazy week, what with the holiday weekend, a marathon garage sale, and arcing power lines in my pear tree that Consumer's Energy didn't bother to fix in FIVE days...it took the FIRE department to get them out here to fix it!

I want to state at this point that politically I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I am Conservative, I am a Christian, and I believe our government has entirely too much power, and is a far cry from its original purpose.

James Madison is considered the main author of the Constitution. He is also the man who pushed for a Bill of Rights, to PROTECT the people from governing bodies, and clearly EXPLAIN their place in this newly founded country.

On June 8, 1789, Madison rose to address Congress and impress upon them his urgent desire for these first 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. In The Annals of Congress, House of Representatives, First Congress, 1st session, pp 448-460 we find Madison's original intent summed up in his own words:

"I wish, among other reasons why something should be done, that those who have been friendly to the adoption of this constitution may have the opportunity of proving to those who were opposed to it that they were as sincerely devoted to liberty and a Republican Government, as those who charged them with wishing the adoption of this constitution in order to lay the foundation of an aristocracy or despotism. It will be a desirable thing to extinguish from the bosom of every member of the community, any apprehensions that there are those among his countrymen who wish to deprive them of the liberty for which they valiantly fought and honorably bled. And if there are amendments desired of such a nature as will not injure the constitution, and they can be ingrafted so as to give satisfaction to the doubting part of our fellow-citizens, the friends of the Federal Government will evince that spirit of deference and concession for which they have hitherto been distinguished."

Madison wanted to ensure that the people who fought and died for our freedom were guaranteed that this new government would NOT become an aristocracy, or worse, fall into the hands of a despot, as is the case at this moment in United States history, in my humble opinion.

He wanted “First, that there be prefixed to the constitution a declaration, that all power is originally rested in, and consequently derived from, the people. That Government is instituted and ought to be exercised for the benefit of the people…. That the people have an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform or change their Government, whenever it be found adverse or inadequate to the purposes of its institution.”

Our founding fathers were as concerned about limiting the power of government as they were about their independence from England. They didn’t want to be subjects like they had been. That’s what they bled and died for. If they could see us now. How far we have strayed in just over 200 years. As far as a civilization goes, America is STILL a baby…It terrifies me to think of Her as a toddler with our current President and trends toward Socialism.

And check this out: Madison knew how easily power can get away from where it belongs, WITH THE PEOPLE. He said, “The exceptions here or elsewhere in the constitution, made in favor of particular rights, shall not be so construed as to diminish the just importance of other rights retained by the people, or as to enlarge the powers delegated by the constitution; but either as actual limitations of such powers, or as inserted merely for greater caution.”

Madison goes on to say, “But whatever may be the form which the several States have adopted in making declarations in favor of particular rights, the great object in view is to limit and qualify the powers of Government, by excepting out of the grant of power those cases in which the Government ought not to act, or to act only in a particular mode.” To read the speech in full, go to http://www.usconstitution.net/madisonbor.html I really encourage you to read it all….I would love to put it all here, but there’s a lot, and this is getting too long!!

Do you see what this country was founded on? The power of the PEOPLE to govern THEMSELVES as they see fit. Do you see a welfare program in there anywhere? How about nationalized health care? Insurance companies that tell you which doctor you may or may not go to? Let’s go a step further…helmet laws? Seatbelt laws? Laws that require a person not to drink and drive, not to text or talk on the phone while driving? Where the heck is our common sense??? Do we really need a government mandating this?

I realize that many of the above laws are for our safety. But can you imagine telling James Madison that the government would have the right to tell them when they can see the local doctor? Or that he has to ride his horse a certain way? He would laugh in your face. There really is no difference. We have taken so much for granted! We have been like sheep, dumbly following along and staying mute as our government leads us to the slaughter.

Well I say, SILENT NO MORE! We have right, no, the OBLIGATION to pursue freedom from tyranny and despotism. The very Constitution that began this country demands it! In 1775, Patrick Henry was willing to die for liberty. What are YOU willing to do? Write a letter? Stand out from the crowd? Voice your opinion? VOTE? Strive for change? (A real change…for the BETTER, not the “change” that Obama has brought us: nearer and nearer to Socialism and losing our rights completely!)

What are you willing to do? I can’t physically go out and go door to door. I can’t storm the capital. But I can exercise my First Amendment rights. I can research and try to education and encourage. I want to evoke passion in you! I want to remind you what we REALLY have in America…where we have come from….and where we have gone.

Say it with me: Silent No More!

This Is EXACTLY What I'm Talking About

This article was sent to my via e-mail by a friend. Yes, I checked it out on Snopes, and it's correctly attributed to Charlie Reese. So Charlie, I'm with ya. You are right on the money.

545 PEOPLE -- By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country. {This is Kerri...that means that each individual of the 545 represents 55,046 people. Could YOU accurately respresent that many people???}

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits.... . The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red ..

If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems. {Me again. Read that again. And again.}

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power..

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have read it......... Is up to you.

Sales Tax
School Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Excise Taxes
Property Tax
Cigarette Tax
Medicare Tax
Inventory Tax
Real Estate Tax
Well Permit Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Inheritance Tax
Road Usage Tax
CDL license Tax
Dog License Tax
State Income Tax
Food License Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Gross Receipts Tax
Social Security Tax
Service Charge Tax
Fishing License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Building Permit Tax
IRS Interest Charges
Hunting License Tax
Marriage License Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Property Tax
Accounts Receivable Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Utility Taxes Vehicle License Registration Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax


Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the h#ll happened? Can you spell 'politicians? ' I hope this goes around THE USA at least 100 times!!!

YOU can help it get there!!!

GO AHEAD - - - BE AN AMERICAN!!!

Bravo, Mr. Reese. BRAVO. I couldn't have said it better myself. {All emphasis in this post, except for the caps at the end are mine.}