democrats . . . this is not your savior

I am not a Democrat, (as depicted by the picture) nor am I a Republican. I am just an American with an opinion, so quit trying to shove your political agenda on me.

As an American I have a right, no I have a freedom, to speak about what I wish, freely. I make no apologies for my opinion, and I ask no one to make them on my behalf. However, as of recent, a newly elected political figure feels like he must apologize on my behalf to others, yet I don't remember asking him to do so.

As of recent he has also pumped billions of trillions of dollars into an economy, that if it's to remain a capitalist society, should be allowed to reset on it's own. Now as we watch 4 billion in tax dollars go into bankruptcy, I wonder how my children are going to survive paying back a debt they had nothing to do with.

I'm concerned about the carbon credits, and Al's hidden agenda on pushing something that will be nothing more than a profit for big business. One of the biggest in business, our government. See for those of you who don't know your government is a business, and in order to stay afloat, they need us. But, without your willingness to stand up for yourself, I'm afraid this is a boat that will stay afloat for quite some time.

I never asked to own a bank, yet now I do. I don't have time to run a car company, but now I have to figure out how. I don't know much about insurance, but I'm in the business, anyone need a policy? Oh, and because I am a great guy I've also picked up some of my neighbors mortgage's. Did I mention I had a lot of neighbors?

With all of my new found hobbies that my government has put me on the hook for, I barely have time to myself. Cough, is that the swine flu? Great guess I'm going to buy some hospitals soon!

Republican or Democratic, you have got to quit putting your political figure on a pedestal. Both parties stand for the same thing, which is being in the business of being all up in your business. If you want my attention quit telling me what your party "used too" stand for. (you know, as your parents and professors have brain washed you to believe) Instead tell me how they're helping, by getting off my back and allowing me to be what I was born to be. A free and proud American, with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

your roadside memorial may be dangerous?

Here's a topic that I'm sure is disturbing to many, but one that needs to be addressed. Roadside memorials seem to be growing trend and as they become so, there seems to be a competition on who's is the most elaborate. All though I understand every ones need to grieve, I don't understand why roadside memorials are becoming more than just that, a memorial.

It used to be a ribbon tied around a pole or a cross staked into the ground to symbolize the final resting place of a loved one who was so suddenly taken from our world. However today's memorials are now eye cathers for all to see, and actually becoming a danger to drivers who take a few extra moments to look, instead of keeping thier eyes where they are supposed to be, on the road.

Today these "super memorials" come complete with pictures, stuffed animals, balloons, and even special lighting for nighttime allumination. With all of this stuff, its impossible for a person not to notice. So am I insensitive to those who have a lost a loved one? I really don't think so. I am concerned, just as you are when you get behind someone who is texting rather than driving. We all know that it only takes a slight distraction to cause a major accident, as I'm sure was the case for the roadside memorial.

Now if some of these memorials were signs they would be a violation of city code because of the placement. See the following link for regulations. http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/egov/planning_development/TaskForce/sign_regs.html

In many situations theses memorials violate lighting regulations, streamer violations, and other variations of this law, and are clearly a danger to passing motorists.

In closing I would like to say, if this has offended anyone, please accept my apologies. I am in no way saying you don't have the right to grieve your loved ones. However, if we are going to keep our city safe, lets at least tone it down.

lo mein pork flu ... only $4.99

Today's epidemic is the swine flu. Tomorrow will be a new disaster, and so on and so on. If your smart, you'll wash your hands of this whole pork bellied media hype (please do, I don't want to get sick) and go on with your life.

Believe it or not the folks at CDC ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ) tell us to do the same thing for this swine flu that we do for the normal everyday flu. The list is a little overwhelming, but here it is:

First, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Second, wash your hands often with soap & water, especially after you cough or sneeze.

Lastly, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

These steps seem to be a far stretch, but now that you have been updated from the same things your mom taught you and your kindergarten teacher, it's time for you to get back to your merry life. As most disasters come, (like Y2K) this too will pass. Remember you live in a a country, that has great health care, and as long as you do the simple things your mother always told you to do, everything will be just fine.

Could I tie this blog to the massive flocking of illegals that will be jumping our fence to escape the lastest pig outbreak, sure. But what would I have to write about tomorrow?

your friend is a wolf in sheeps clothing

To be completely clear and up front; I love my friends. They're needy, but there when needed. They're time consuming, yet always willing to give up some of their own time. They're also expensive, yet always willing to give to a friend in need. So why, if I am so content, do I feel like I have a knife in my back?

There are a lot of you, family included, that consider yourselves to be friends to a lot of people. But to be honest, your friendship is biased and is only available to others in a time of convenience, your convenience. Your willingness only goes as far as it's a benefit to you, and no further. No, you are no more than a fair-weather friend which is defined as: a person who supports others only when it is easy and convenient to do so. Ungrateful family members, this definition pertains to you as well.

So how do we avoid these, self proclaimed "friends," and ensure we don't fall into this trap? One simple step. Never lend yourself more than once. These predators care about one thing, and one thing only, themselves. So when I say never lend yourself more than once, I mean it for all areas of your life. Money, personal items, and even time. Trust me, when you have run out of these things, like a vulture they will move on to the next prey. So the key is to run out of these items quickly.

To test the value of this "friendship," ask for its return soon. I don't mean put a time limit on it, but like checking a water's temperature before getting in, dip your toes in a little bit, and see what your jumping into. For money, even if you don't need it, tell them you may need to borrow some from them too. Then in time, borrow it. Even if it's just $50 bucks, ask to borrow it. If you keep getting excuse after excuse of why they can never loan it to you, it's time to cut this friendship short. The same goes with personal items, and time. Even if you don't need it, ask for it. They're asking you to put your time on the line, so why shouldn't they do the same for you.

For family members, it's tough, but trust in this one step to get you through them too. After all, family is no more than a friendship, based on trust and connected by blood.