Found this posted by Scholastic on FB yesterday ...
...with a comment saying this was the key to success. What do you think? Is it? If so, how come so many people take the easy road? How come so many people who have a good-paying job have such a poor attitude and do the bare-minimum-for-survival to keep that job? In my profession, as in many, that could be called malpractice. What happened to the work ethic? When did "good enough" become the mantra? When did we stop listening to our mothers?
I'm sure you have all encountered the employee who just doesn't give a shit. You can almost excuse it at McDonald's or the grocery store (oh, never at Wegman's though!) because most of these people are working temporary jobs -- or they're students working for the dime. But it has almost become the norm nowadays. It bothers me tremendously that people don't want to work hard. Okay, I complain about my work load, or the hours, or the miscreant children I encounter from time to time, but it never sways me from doing my best. I like working hard and the satisfaction it brings from knowing I'm doing my best. In fact, most of the time I try to figure out how I can do more or be more effective. I'm constantly striving to be better than my best. Where did that drive for self-satisfaction go? I think we've swapped self-satisfaction with self-gratification. Our lives have become too easy, too filled with ways to distract us from our work, too inundated with technology that lets us play and communicate perhaps too easily. We want immediate results and don't have the patience to wait for anything. Hell, we can't even solve problems anymore. What happened to innovation, intuition, and ingenuity? Perhaps that's why people can elect a president based on what he can do for "me." We look to a government to make our lives easier, but with more governance we end up with less personal freedom. All of that "free stuff" has a price. And now I stop. Peace offering. Here's a little giggle on the topic. Oh, and listen to your mamma. Work hard and be nice to people.
I took a break yesterday. I'm not sure if anyone is reading this, or just stumbling across it and moving on. Anyway, I thought I might not have enough to say to maintain a blog like this -- well, not unless I open it up to include my non-political ramblings. And I just might do that once I have run out of things to say. After all, I'm a rebel, right?
Today's rambling ... why don't we communicate more effectively? How is it that I can have good friends who are democrats, but we can't seem to discuss politics. For me, that's always be taboo. Why? Because I'm not quick on my feet to have snappy come backs or fail-proof facts to support my ideas. Why? Because I don't EVER feel that my views would be taken seriously. I am mocked for what I believe as if I'm the idiot, when of course, they are. No, that's not true. I don't believe people who don't believe what I believe to be idiots. I just think that both parties breed "believers" who must protect their ideas no matter what. It's almost as if people pick a side and then praise whatever their side deems appropriate. And once you've chosen, you have to defend it no matter what. No matter what the idea is, or who said it, or what proof there is, you must believe and defend or ... or what?
I sometimes think this is a testimony to our self-preservation. If you take enough time to listen to the other side, you might find out that you don't know everything. That you don't understand all of the issues. That you might have been (gasp) wrong! And then, how does that feel to your sense of self and your assessment of your own intelligence? No, better to defend the whole than to risk the chance of finding out we're not as superior as we thought.
Now, while I have encountered enough Democrats to prove this theory again and again, I have also encountered Republicans who do the same thing. Both sides defend to the end instead of really thinking about the issues, having a discussion, and trying to understand the other side. It's called communication, people. And like a bad cell connection, we just can't hear each other right now.
I think if we just took the time to really try to understand each other, more people would discover more similarities in their thinking than differences. Perhaps it's a political plot to keep each side away from the other ... to preserve the party system as we now know it. As if that's working. Let me hear you now! Are you a staunch Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Liberal, Moderate, Independent? And why? Can it be that we're not so different after all?
Like our bellies, our government has become super-sized. We Americans do everything BIG! as if it's a testimony to our intelligence, or our bank accounts, or our prowess. But "bigger isn't better", to quote a man who met with fame for being little -- General Tom Thumb. (Barnum)
Like the Trojans, we need to beware of "Greeks bearing gifts." The more we accept from our government, the more people like it. Well, some people, of course. What ever happened to working hard, saving money, and living within our means? Too many people take the easy road, accepting government handouts with no thought of whether or not they deserve such rewards.
Can you believe people voted for Obama because of the "stuff" he promised? How can you live with yourself? That's just bribery!
I want to return to a world where people work hard and in return, make money. The harder you work, the more money. Okay, well, we all know salaries are not necessarily based on how hard you work - with athletes and celebrities getting paid astronomical amounts. I'm not saying they aren't worth it -- the people want their "rock stars," but in the case of every day working class people, your paycheck should reflect the work you do. Now, now, now -- don't get all bent out of shape about salaries. As a teacher, I know first hand how mismatched salaries are! I'm just trying to make the point that you shouldn't get "sumtin for nuttin." What are we teaching our children? Don't go to work and someone will take care of you? (Oops, perhaps I should examine my own household about that one -- but I digress!)
What breed of human being are we developing in the US?
This picture popped up on Facebook today and pissed me off ...
I think this demonstrates extreme liberalism! Yes, we should help the sick and the poor -- the truly destitute who don't have any means to support themselves. Not those who choose not to work, who choose to support themselves by having babies to increase their welfare checks, who gloat about the size of their hand-outs, and who have nicer phones, cars, and clothes than those who are working their butts off! (Oh, and I have NO idea who John Fugelsang is or why I should care what he says. But someone does, I suppose.)
Smaller government means we don't create a program for every person, group, or cause that need help. Instead, we help people get back on their feet again so they can feel worthwhile! Shame on those who rejoice in their bad fortune. We are enablers in this country -- we help people stay poor and uneducated -- and unfortunately, some of them love it.
You dare to question my Christian values??? My belief is that if our government were smaller, our tax bills would get smaller. If government took less of the money I earned (through my hard work, intelligence, and diligence), then I would have more to donate to those causes I believe in. I donate to many causes regularly and wish it could be more. Some I choose not to donate to because I question their values or their use of my money. That's my choice. But when the government takes my money to "give" to others, I have no say in where my money goes.
I believe in the generosity of the American people. Just look at what we do for each other when a crisis comes up! The American Red Cross has reported $117 million in donations for those suffering the effects of Hurricane Sandy.
The Red Cross said that by Friday it had raised $117 million in donations and pledges, and the Salvation Army cited $5 million. SOURCE
Can't we trust the American people to come forward and help those in need, instead of continually increasing what we work hard to earn? We're not heartless. We're not children who need to be forced to do the right thing ...
Now, don't even get me started about the taxes for those earning at the top 10%. Really? So you're basically saying that people who work hard, earn more, and save responsibly should be punished? Why bother working at all? Oh, now I see ...
I don't want the government taking care of me. I want to take care of myself. I want to make my own decisions about the personal issues in my life. I want to be free to believe what I believe and act on that accordingly.
Oh, and here's the kicker ...
WASHINGTON — An economic calamity looming, President Barack Obama on Friday signaled willingness to compromise with Republicans, declaring he wasn’t “wedded to every detail” of his tax-and-spending approach to prevent deep and widespread pain in the new year. But he insisted his re-election gave him a mandate to raise taxes on wealthier Americans.
“The majority of Americans agree with my approach,” said Obama, brimming with apparent confidence in his first White House statement since securing a second term.
Really, Mr. President? Okay, technically you did receive the majority vote - 50% to 48%. Not much of a landslide, and I also wouldn't call it overwhelming support for your policies.
Though I doubt Mr. Romney was the perfect candidate in every way, I truly believe he would have kicked the economical butt of this country into submission. Now, I have no hope for my children, grandchildren, and the children of the future. We will be speaking Chinese before long ...
Enough ranting for today. Hope I didn't scare anyone away!
Oh, and ONE MORE THING! Mayor Bloomberg, banning super-sized soda may feel like a good thing to do, but in the US, we allow citizens to make their own decisions about what they put in their bodies -- and weather the consequences - responsibly (or not.) that is our choice. If we're fat, then no one is to blame but ourselves. Stop being an ineffective parent!
Today I just don't have it in me to post ... well, not about politics, anyway. I got to work at about 8am with a satisfying mocha beverage and jumped into the day dancing to The Locomotion with several students during our morning announcements (Fit Fridays - yay!) Sadly, that's about the extent of my exercise these days. The day was long and tiring, and as luck would have it, on the eve of a glorious three day weekend, I'm coming down with something. No worries. It was a hard day, but a good one. The only thing that discouraged me was the two hours after school I spent writing sub plans, creating activities and assignments, and arranging my room so that a substitute would have some chance of survival for the two days I'd be gone next week. And that was after working on this for two hours last night.
If you ask me, it's just not fair that it's way more work to be absent than to go to work. Good thing I don't get sick often -- it's absolute hell to have to write plans when you're sick. As a good friend used to often say, "If I don't show up -- carry on without me!" Like that could ever happen. The only way we can't show up and not have plans ready is if we die -- and if we know that's going to happen, we'd better write the plans first! Anyway, I tried to get a gang together for a happy hour after work. It's so sad how many people didn't make it there -- perhaps too exhausted from 2-3 hours of writing sub plans (yes, at least 12 of us will all be out on Tues/Wed.!)
BUT, HURRAY for the friends who made it! It was the perfect end to the day and I had such a nice time. So there -- the weekend has begun, I've been wined and dined (well, beered and dined), and I'm looking forward to a well-earned rest this weekend.
I do have a list of topics I'd like to vent about, but I'll save it for another day. I'm just going to enjoy this happiness for a while.
KKJ - Without a care in the world. Ah, to be a cat.
(Disclaimer-- I began this post at 6:30am but couldn't finish it in time to post before work. Coincidentally, readers posted similar views today while I was away ...)
Like moths flocking to a porch light, millions of people have cast their vote for Obama. Like moths, they seem intent on reaching only one goal -- and that goal is one of self-interest. So many of my liberal and democrat friends have made this election about the right to choose (women) and/or the right to marry (GLBT). They painted Romney as this evil man that would take away all of their basic human rights. BULLSHIT! Do you think I would vote for Romney if I thought that was true? Yes, Romney is conservative, but Romney is not a religious tyrant or demon or whatever other label they want to paint on him. I don't believe for one moment that those rights would have been violated. In fact, I think they would have continued to blossom FOR the people -- because it is the right thing. If dems had looked at the whole picture, perhaps they would have seen the more dire issue. Our country is sliding down the constitutional mountainside, caught in a landslide of foreign policy failures, slick and sloppy health care initiatives, and atrocious economic instability. Personal human rights won't mean too much when the country is in collapse and we are all speaking Chinese. My views? Well, this is probably where I stray from the Republican conservative agenda -- but I do use the "smaller government" perspective to justify my views. If we are all about reducing the size of government and their influence on the American people, then they should get out of people's personal business. The micro-sized government should not have a voice in a woman's right to choose. That decision must come from the woman, with only God as her judge. I don't agree with abortion, but my perspective has changed over the years. I know the decisions I have made over the years and I wouldn't want someone else telling me how to live my life. A woman needs to make the best choice she can at the time of crisis. It may not always be the right choice or the popular choice, but she's the only one who can make the choice and live with the consequences. Gay marriage once left me torn. Having a brother whom I love dearly (heh - like a brother!) who is gay, I support his right to choose happiness. Although for a while I felt odd about calling it marriage, I always thought a gay "union" was right and acceptable. It took some time to be able to accept the term "marriage" as applicable to gay couples. For some reason it didn't seem quite right -- but I've come to think differently about that too. If two people love each other and want to commit their lives to each other, than why not join together AND call it a marriage. That's what it is, after all. My brother's marriage to his longtime partner of 21 years was the best wedding I ever attended (uh, until this summer when my daughter got married!) His wedding was attended by friends and family and overflowed with joy and love. It was an awesome feeling that only served to defend their right to join together as husband and husband. It's a reality that their marriage is stronger, more stable, and more caring than many other marriages I have witnessed. When you have to fight so hard to be together, you fight that much harder to make it work. What purpose does it serve for government to mandate these things? How does it hurt the country or the state or integrity of our government? It simply doesn't. All that could possibly happen is that the citizens of our country grow closer together. Yes, there are people who will throw the religion card into the mix. Again, you can believe what you want to believe, but let me be free to have and share my own opinion. Why do humans always have to validate themselves by condemning others? Can't we just respect an opposed view and live and let live? Simply put, we can't experience forward progress if we continue to tear each other down for having a different point of view. If we want a smaller government, we can start by getting out of people's personal lives!
Back to our regularly scheduled Republican rant tomorrow ... Linda Oh, and if you want to be notified when there is a new post here, I think there is a way to "subscribe" to the page. On the side, next to my profile, you can become a "follower." I think you can get email messages when there is a new post. Do it! (and thanks!)
Today I woke to find that Barack Obama had been reelected as president of the United States of America. I was pretty much stunned and even cried a few tears this morning as I went through the rote routine of getting ready for work. As I showered, I started to form my thoughts ... thoughts that would not be heard by anyone. Why not? Because I'm usually a good girl and keep my mouth shut. I know what I believe and what I feel, but when faced with an argument, I'd much rather run that stand and fight. Still, the passion of my beliefs wouldn't let me just let this go. Depression began to sink in as I reflected on what another four years would bring. How could this happen? How can people be so short-sighted?
So, I thought, "What if I write a blog?" I could get my thoughts and feelings down in print, and begin to face my fears when it comes to challenges. "I'll write a blog!" thought I, "Though probably no one will read it ... and is that such a bad thing?" I'm such a chicken shit.
Now for the name. What shall I call the blog? At first, I thought of the Reluctant Republican. I am a Republican, after all, even though I don't share all the views. But reluctant? Somehow, the name didn't seem quite right.
I once heard a quote that stuck with me. I'm not sure who said it, but I'll look it up ... Anyway, it goes like this -- "Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." I once asked my fifth graders to explain this. It was a difficult task to say the least. So back to the name. I would love to be one of those people who can just talk and argue and be up on all of the facts in order to present the most intelligent case, but I'm not. I would love to stand up in a crowd and say, "Follow me! I know the whole story and this is the way to go." Again, not me. So, I remain reticent. Reluctant, restrained, silent. That's not a rebel at all, I suppose. I guess I just don't want to open my mouth to remove all doubt.
So, if anyone cares or anyone even reads this page, this is my attempt to get inside my own head and figure out what I believe and how I can make sense of the fact that others (many of whom I call family and friends) don't remotely come near understanding my points of view, and I must admit, I theirs. It may at times seem like a political rant, but I assure you, it is primarily a device for me to vent.
There you have it. I hope you will respond and participate in my discussion with me. It gets so lonely talking to myself. It would be so nice to have a civilized chat with all of you.
Thanks for reading. Hope to see you here often.
Linda
OKAY! Did my homework!
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. Abraham Lincoln
