After thinking about it for a while, and the post initial jubilation subsided, yes, I’m glad he’s  dead.  Gone.  However you want to say it.  I’m glad that justice is served for a mass murderer.  I’m exuberant that the largest cache of intelligence was recovered which makes our CIA foreign intelligence agencies giddy.  I’m exited to be reminded once again that we have the greatest men and women on earth willing to fight for justice and freedom even if it demands their own blood.  And why not celebrate?  Do you think the SEALs are pensive, somber or restrained in their excitement and sense of accomplishment this morning?  Do you think the ones who pulled the trigger to rid our world of a demonic tool of hell are wondering if they did the right thing?  After a lifetime of training and grueling preparation do you think they aren’t in a celebratory mood?  Of course they are and I want to join them. When I lived near Norfolk, a SEAL and AIR BOSS lived down the street from me and I know what they were doing after this success.  And they weren’t wringing their hands in remorse.  I want to congratulate them for protecting our country. I want to celebrate that the US has the most skilled, trained, and capable military in the world. There’s not a single country in the world who could have pulled this off  except perhaps Israel.  I’m appreciative for the inspiring parents of dead soldiers who lost so much on this road to victory and I mourn their loss.  I celebrate that I’m an American, born in America and proud of it. And for those who espouse and worship at the altar of liberal policies, constantly apologizing for America, and hate the idea of American exceptionalism, I encourage you to visit Muslim or communist countries and report back to us on the liberty and freedom that minorities and women have in these oppressive states.  I have.  Go to Egypt where women are dressed from head to toe (literally) in black cloth of oppressive religious rules. Visit Shanghai, that icon of progress and modernity, and drive just a few miles outside of the sprawling metropolis and see how the people live without running water or under meager tin roof shelters. Look beyond the tall concrete walls that block gritty views of the extreme poverty sheltering both sides of the road on your ride from the airport to the city. You admire China and their economic growth to power?  It’s capitalism at work, not communism. Just ask Colonel Sanders.

So yes, today I celebrate our victory.  I celebrate that a maniacal demon has been removed and can no longer plot, scheme, and devise evil plans to take out innocent men, women, and children on their way to work or play.  I’m grateful that Mr. Obama appears to be much more practical in his governance than his campaign rhetoric and liberal ideological platforms suggest.  The job is not finished.  I know others are at this very moment plotting to kill us, but this was an important step on our road to freedom and liberty for all.  It took a while, but the US government demonstrated resolve and determination to follow through with Mr. Bush’s promise.   And now that I’ve thought about it……yea, I celebrate.

We drove to the local firehall today just as we’ve done so many times before on this crisp, fall, November morning.  We made our way past the cluttered campaign signs and a few cheery poll workers offering their last minute hand shakes and tired, somewhat forced smiles.  We slowly make our way over to the table marked A-M.  “Creasy, C R E A S Y.” We autographed the small space and moved to the next station.  An elderly man handed us our paper ballot and pointed us in the direction of the small, dimly lit voting booth that reminded me of those that protect the contestants on final Jeopardy from sneaking a peek.

I notice a lump in my throat.  What is it?  How does one describe the feeling that only manifests and is only noticeable in the polling place each first Tuesday in November?  Is it just pride in our country? Is it an unconscious “knowing” that we are free citizens and can make a difference to protect the republic by voting that suddenly breaks the surface of our conscious realm of thinking? Does this reentry into consciousness strike an emotional chord  that often goes unnoticed during the routine of our daily existence?  I describe this as a sacredness.  It’s a feeling of reverence and deep respect for the privilege of expressing our voice in how we are governed.

I’d like to borrow from Neil Young, a school history teacher in Chester Co. Pennsylvania to elaborate.

As one story goes, Benjamin Franklin emerged from Independence Hall and was asked by a lady, “Sir, what have you given us?”; to which he replied, “A republic ma’m, if you can keep it.”

Every time I read that quote, I wonder what Governor Franklin meant by it.  The obvious answer lies in the fact that the burden of keeping a republic ultimately lies with the voting public.  However I believe that this cryptic, backhanded, and off the cuff comment was Franklin’s way of expressing just how difficult it is to maintain a republic.

The United States officially recognizes 194 countries around the world and of those around 40 are recognized as dictatorships.  That would leave over 150 countries operating in varying degrees as republics.  Despite their best efforts, many of those republics are perilously close to slipping back into despotism.

There are many difficulties with placing power in the hands of the people, but two causes will crumble a republic more often anything else.  First is a countries inability to host free and fair elections.  Elections run with minimum corruption and fraud, and where citizens are safe and informed to cast their ballot in secret.  This is no small task.  In Afghanistan’s last election, the U.N estimates that about 60% of votes were fraudulent.  Votes were either forged or simply discarded.  Citizens were either intimidated or attacked.  As a result Afghanistan now has a president that few citizens can put their trust in.   Ironically enough it seems that the less equipped a country is to deal with an election, the more hungry it’s people are to let their voices be heard.  There are many reports that the Taliban cut off the pinky fingers of those who voted, yet voter turnout in Afghanistan was likely three times that of the U.S midterm elections.

I took my marked ballot and fed it gently into the machine resembling a cross between a paper shredder and printer, which gobbled it up. I carefully noticed the counted ballots number changed from 214 to 215.

Yep, that’s it.  Now I feel like I’ve done all that I can do to make a difference and protect the republic.  Ben would be proud.

How will this angel of mercy extend a healing touch?  First, they’ll use stimulus funds (aka our tax dollars) to label menus and advertisements with the danger of calories, and perils of sodium, sugar, and fats.  Recently Massachusetts was awarded over $12 million in stimulus funds to do just that.  Secondly, the government vilifies and demonizes the food industry from Kraft to Crispy-Creme, to big Macs, Frito-Lay to Outback threatening to levy taxes on the cost of their ads unless they place warnings on unhealthy foods.   You’ve seen the warning disclosures currently required by the FDA on TV for pharmaceutical ads that run for 3 minutes listing every risk, every side effect known to mankind, that could ever possibly show up by taking this medication.  Picture it now, a  30 second TV ad for Hellman’s Mayonnaise would run 5 minutes in length; 30 seconds about the great taste and 4 minutes and 30 seconds warning you of diabetes, coronary artery disease, allergic reaction to eggs, rash, hives, diarrhea, glaucoma, nose bleeds, hyper-pigmentation and an erection lasting more than 24 hours. Please see your doctor, NOW!

There’s even an assault by food critics on the portion size that restaurants serve.

Is there anything our government won’t do to make our lives more comfy and safe?

To my knowledge there’s not a shred of evidence that demonstrates our government sponsored patchwork of weight loss, nutrition initiatives, and taxes on food products does anything to directly improve our health.  But we can all feel better knowing that someone in central planning is watching after us.

People’s exercise of free choice lies at the core of this issue.  Is there anyone with an IQ above 100 that does not understand over-indulgence of any product or activity (food, sugar, caffeine, salt, calories, lack of or over exercise) is unhealthy?  That message is out there.  People have knowledge and then make decisions.  The government in this case wants to make those decisions for you. Is it just me, or does it seem a little scary that the government wants to mandate the amount of salt and sugar I can use to season my food?

News cameras spotted our distinguished Mayor of Philadelphia (Nutter Dem.) as he proudly walked the hallowed littered streets of Philly feeling good about the newly passed law requiring restaurants and food establishments to post calories of food for all to see. It warms my soul as well because I’ve always wondered how many calories a Starbucks Vente Caramel Machiato with double cream contained. And thankfully I can also see right away the calories in a Boston Cream Filled Dunkin Doughnut.  No more for me!!  That did it!

This along with the new tax proposal to add 25 cents to the cost of colas for inner city kids is something we can all feel good about.   This is heart warming.  Just think of those kids now refusing to pay an extra quarter for Coca Cola and turning instead to the OJ section of  Florida’s fresh squeeze. And besides we all know that increasing taxes improves diet and health as well as creates jobs.  Right? Right. Behavior modification is just another thing our government has excelled in.

The tax on vendors using plastic bags for groceries will help to eliminate trash on the streets too.

Mayor Blumberg of NYC can also boast about mandating restaurants to stop cooking with saturated fats and too much salt.

This is what I want my government doing for me.  Who needs better roads or decrease in crime when we can have them looking out for our dietary needs.  So today I am thankful for all that my government does for me and my family!!

I’ve been asked “where is this anger coming from?”  So I’m trying to think through this question.  Why are people angry at our politicians?  Why are we angry with each other?  Is there in fact increased anger today or is it more in plain sight because of increased visibility created by the blogosphere, the internet, success of talk radio, and of course FB?

I am very concerned anytime government expands and creates a larger dependent population.  I don’t  ”hate” anyone but I do hate high taxes.  It robs me of my  hard earned money and ultimately the more taxes I pay, the less I have to spend on manufactured goods, home improvements, travel, entertainment, and savings. Increased taxes results in less job creation. And where do the taxes go?  I posted a comment earlier this week asking if anyone could name a single entitlement managed by the government, funded by tax payers that was doing a good job.  There is none.  Why would anyone believe this entitlement is any different?  I’m angry because this is not the hope and change promised.  Obama never crossed the isle as a senator (for a full 18 months) and he has shown so far the same partisan politics. We were promised by Obama that “all this will be seen on C Span,” which was a lie.  This bill was passed with sleaze, deals, and largely behind closed doors. Is this the political transparency Obama promised?  Have you heard Obama speak lately?  Can any objective listener say that he doesn’t sound divisive and angry?

I’m angry that people apparently don’t understand what debt is and at citizens who have little concept of “pay as you go.”  It’s a simple concept, balance your checkbook.  Someone has to pay for government services but we hear little about how things will be paid for.

The liberals I’ve spoken with are still mad at Bush/Cheney.  They refuse to place any blame for problems of the past year on Obama or the Democratic leadership (Reid and Pelosi) who, by the way have been in power for several years now.

Yes there is anger.  Political and Religious beliefs go deep into the heart and soul of people. Individuals dig into their beliefs and refuse to listen and learn from each other.  When this happens, pride slips in and prevents us from seeing the “big picture.”  In this case, I believe the “big picture” is the growth, protection, and success of The United States of America, the greatest nation on earth.

Adopted in conference at Sharon, Connecticut, on 11 September 1960.

I believe there are three things that keep American people up at night; the economy, jobs and unemployment, and national security.

Obama’s answer to fix these problems has been government takeover of banks, bailouts, complete overhaul of healthcare, take over of General Motors, “stimulus” packages, more entitlements, plans to tax the “rich,” carbon taxes on businesses, Copenhagen silliness, apologies to other countries for American greed and arrogance, releasing Gitmo detainees, relocating the camp of war criminals onto American soil, and providing lawyers to Khalid Sheik Mohammad (KSM) for a show trial in New York City.

If Washington elites like Pelosi, Reid and our Supreme Leader don’t have the mental and political acumen to understand what happened last night, then their demise and political fall will be sooner, harder than expected and good riddance. Have you noticed lately, we’re over taxed, overspending, broke, and Al Qaeda is trying to kill us while fools in Washington try to decipher whether Bill Clinton and Harry Reid’s comments “negro dialect” and some “boy serving us coffee”  were racist or not (and yes there is a double standard here but I’ll save that for another blog.) Congressional leaders are engaged in serial bribery by paying off senators Nelson from Nebraska and Landrieu from Louisiana to vote for a health care bill that no one wants, no one’s read. Closed door politics is a way of life in Washington even though our Supreme Leader promised in at least 8 campaign speeches that he would allow C Span to broadcast the health care negotiations. The people of Massachusetts demanded change from the current path of government “over-reach,” closed door deal-making that we’re witnessing, and inability of the Obama administration to prioritize and fix our critical lack of security from those who want to harm us. You remember, “the system worked.” ?

Seven Senate seats now held by Democrats are considered toss-ups in November — Nevada, Colorado, Arkansas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut. Four Republican seats are in the same situation — Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio and New Hampshire.

If a relatively unknown republican state legislator with a truck, in the heart of liberal, big government, Kennedyland, can win an election that’s been held by the democrat political machine for over 5 decades, WARNING, democrats and  RINO’s (republicans in name only) alike better be on the lookout. You’re at risk for losing your seat.  The American people are coming to take this country back from socialists, tax and spend politicians, American apologists, and Islamic extremist sympathizers, regardless of your party affiliation.

Transcript (not verbatim) below: