Saturday, September 10, 2011

My Take On 9-11.

I am sure everyone will either read a story or see a special on television, this weekend about 9-11. The pictures and the horror brought upon us all, are forever etched into the deepest furrows of our minds. What I would like us all to remember is the feelings we had on that fateful day, ten years ago. We were moved from disbelief, to being stunned, to sorrow, to anger and then back through each of those emotions over and over again. The one feeling I want all of your to remember, and the one I believe is most important is solidarity.

One September 11th, 2001 we were united. I am not a New Yorker, but I felt closer to my fellow Americans in New York then I ever did. I am not a Washingtonian, but as that plane slammed into the Pentagon, I wept with every other American citizen, as we realized the number of innocent lives lost on that day. Over the next several days, weeks, months and years that have followed we have all had time, to reflect on what happened to our country's people.

Why is it so important to go back and think about how close we were? That is what makes us Americans. It was the idea that whoever did this. Whoever participated in any way, we would not forget, but seek them out and destroy them. Some make think of this as revenge. It is, and when the word came that Bin Laden was dead, we all rejoiced. Yes, our citizens that were taken from us, will not return because we got Bin Laden, but we do know that he will never again plan and help carry out more terrorists plots in this world.

It is also important to remember that this is not the first and unfortunately probably not the last time we will come together in outpouring of grief and support. We are Americans. We rush to each others aid when any trouble or crisis arrives at our front door. Pearl Harbor, Chicago fire, San Francisco earthquake, Hurricane Katrina, tornadoes, wildfires, snow storms and any other catastrophes, nature made or man made will pull us together to fight on. This is what made us great and this is what we need to get back to. We need to stop bickering, have discussions and then move forward, as one united country. We have lost sight of the fact that we are one nation. If we continue to go after our own individual goals we will fail. If we remember to debate and then work together we will flourish and move upward to greater heights.

The first responders that rushed into the World Trade Center and eventual death did it because one of their fellow Americans needed help. The best way we could honor all who gave their lives, not only on 9-11, but at any point in our nations history, is to work together as one people. American citizens. Do they deserve anything less?

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Just Pass The Bill!!!

I just listened to the President and I can only say to Congress, "Just Pass The Bill"! The President has laid out the basics for getting Americans back to work and if watching the Republicans sit on their hands is any indication we are in trouble. Mr. Obama has proposed some of the same items that Republicans have already floated out and yet when he stated his support for those areas of action the members on the right just sat there. Where is the enthusiasm for putting middle class people back to work? They stood when the President mentioned our veterans that cannot get jobs. They also were excited when he talked about regulations that he would look at scaling back, but when Mr. Obama talked about middle class tax cuts or benefits for us, they did their best imitation of a civil war statue. President Obama was correct on many things tonight, and maybe his most important statement was when we told Congress that the American people cannot wait fourteen months for action to come. We did not vote for Representatives to go into Washington and do nothing, and that is what this Congress has accomplished. NOTHING! I am going to contact Congressman Daniel Webster, from my district, Senator Bill Nelson and Senator Marco Rubio and let them know to, "Pass the Bill." Senator Nelson will support the President. Mr. Rubio and Mr. Webster will get an earful. They are too busy courting the Tea Party, to do anything that will help average Americans. I stopped listening to all of the media right after the President spoke so that my thoughts and opinions would not be influenced by them. I wanted to write while I still spoke for the average American. That is who I am and who most of the people I know are. We are middle America and we need to step up and be heard. As the President travels around the nation and talks to people about his plan we all need to contact our Congressional leaders and let them know where we stand. For once set aside your feelings about the politician and support the direction that will most benefit us. Do not allow your negative thoughts about President Obama, if you have any, influence your choice. Lose the complacency that has taken hold of the citizens of our great nation and stand. Stand with one voice. Make that voice loud and clear. Let every member in Congress know that the power in America is still  "We the People".