THE TRUTH HURTS

Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam War veteran and served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate. He posted this statement on his blog and asked to pass this message on to others. Baby Boomers, pay attention to what has happened to our country under our watch! This is not going to be pleasant to read and the truth hurts, but it's not too late to wake up. We could actually turn this ship around and head for higher ground. When you read his statement, please think of your responsibility to make this country better - because you were in it...

"I'm 63 and I'm Tired"by Robert A. Hall
I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked hard since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.

I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.

I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought Mc Mansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.

I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe, the freedom of the press of China the crime and violence of Mexico, the tolerance for Christian people of Iran, and the freedom of speech of Venezuela .

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools of girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.

I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.

I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government.

I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America, while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay, but I #@*# sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.

I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime. What's next?   Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"?   And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those are the citizens we need.

I'm tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.

I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan.   And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois , where the " Illinois Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years.   Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.

Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.

I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.

Yes, I'm tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter. By, Robert A. Hall

"Our forefathers would roll over in their graves to learn what has become of the "Land of the free and the home of the brave". If you want to make a difference, we all have to change the course of direction. Our posterity will inherit our neglect and irresponsibility. As our values continue to decay, so will the future of this country." Linda Sumner Urza

ENLIST IN AMERICAN MADE

February 11, 2011, Diane Sawyer, did a special report on buying American made products. Her team removed everything from a typical American home that was not made in the USA and there was hardly anything left in the home, except the kitchen sink! They brought in truck loads of goods that were made in the USA and replaced all these items. Diane exclaimed that if every American spent just $64.00 more on American made items this year, it would create over 200,000 new jobs! Please think about this!

I went to Walmart yesterday to check out some of the labels and almost everything is made outside this country; even many of our food products! "Our Family," brand of mandarin oranges says right on the can, "Made in China", but right next to it on the shelves was the USA brand, "Liberty Gold" and "Dole" which are grown and canned in California!

Do you realize that none of the countries exporting products are subject to the food regulations or inspections required in this country? They use toxic chemicals and are often exporting inferior products into our country, including toys that our children play with daily (many are found with traces of mercury, copper and toxic substances that are at dangerous levels).

A survey taken showed 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges with China should be suspended! The best way to suspend these privileges is not to wait for our government to do something, but for all Americans to stop buying any products that are not made in the USA. It only takes seconds to check a label on a product; a simple step to learn where it's made and shipped from. Please make a big difference in this country by making a few simple changes. Look on the bottom of every product you buy and if it says "Made in China" or "PRC", (including Hong Kong) simply choose another brand or go without (you won't miss it).

Seriously, if 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20.00 of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance in our favor... and it will be reflected overnight!

"Prosperity begins at home! Let's rebuild America, one day at a time, by supporting American made products. We'll start a powerful wave that will radiate a significant message. "The people of America have a voice and that voice will determine the future of this country!" Please pass this on and maybe one fine day we will find that our country, once again, is a prosperous nation. by, Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day.

'Made in America' Pledge: What is American-Made in Your Home?

'ABC World News' and Diane Sawyer Want to Hear From You

In the global trade battle, you cast a vote every time you open your wallet. The decision? Whether you spend your money on products made in America or overseas.

In the coming weeks, "ABC World News with Diane Sawyer" is launching a groundbreaking series, "Made in America," focusing on American manufacturing and our economy.

The facts show that our nation is addicted to imports. In 1960, foreign goods made up just 8 percent of Americans' purchases. Today, nearly 60 percent of everything we buy is made overseas.

On air and online, we'll tackle the key questions: Is buying American-made more expensive? What staples are no longer manufactured in the U.S. at all? And what difference would it make if everyone promised to buy more American-made products?

There's no question that manufacturing still has a major impact on our economy and on the nation's workforce. The United States has fewer manufacturing jobs now than we did in 1941, the same year as the attack on Pearl Harbor, but if every American spent an extra $3.33 on U.S.-made goods, it would create almost 10,000 new jobs in this country.

Take our 'Made in America' Challenge

So as we launch our series, we want you to join us in the challenge, and we want to hear what you learn along the way. What products are you purchasing or have purchased in the past that are Made in America? How are they different from what you bought before? And what's it like to pay closer attention to where your groceries, clothing, and other goods are coming from?

A CRASH COURSE

My daughter Christa was 16 years old when she got her drivers license. One fine day she was backing out of the garage, looked over her right shoulder and stepped on the gas petal. Christa was shocked when the car lunged forward and into the wall (it was in drive, instead of reverse). It put a few little scratches on the front bumper, but destroyed her father's new personalized license plate! That didn't go over very well with her dad.

A few months later, she took her friends cruising on the boulevard in Saint George. It was during spring break (one of the busiest times of the year) and of course, she happened to be driving a new car we had just purchased. She was gone less than an hour when she came through the front door and had that same horrified look on her face! When I asked if she was all right, she burst into tears. I could hardly understand what she was saying, but it sounded a little like this...

"I (sob) wrecked (sniff, sniff) the (sniff, sob, sniff) car!"

"Was anyone hurt?" I inquired.

"Only (sniff, sob, sob) my pride," she replied with tears streaming down her cheeks.

She was drowning in disappointment, but I explained that we needed to be grateful that no one was hurt. Then she asked if I would be the one to tell her dad; we both knew he would not be a happy camper. (I remember walking into the bedroom and feeling a little relieved to see that he was already sitting down.)

I said, "Do you love your children more than things?"

"What kind of a question is that!" He responded.

I reiterated, "I need to know if you value your children more than you value your possessions?"

"Of course I do!" He fired back with conviction in his voice.

"Good, because your daughter just wrecked your new car."

(At that time in our lives, we had already raised five teenagers and each one had wrecked a car or two; seemed to come with the territory!)

There is a little irony to this story. Christa's senior year at Pine View High School she was presented with "The Best Driver" award! We still laugh about that one, for she had two more accidents before graduation (both were the other driver's fault of course)! By, Linda Sumner Urza, One find day.