Dear Mr. President Obama,
Yesterday, I watched from start to finish, your televised address. As I watched and listened to what you had to say, I had a notebook and pen at my side. I was taking notes on what you were addressing, and jotting my own thoughts as you went along. As out of the ordinary that may sound, it is something that I believe Americans should be doing. No matter how we voted in November last year, you are indeed our current President, (as you reminded us several times during your address). Although I did not vote for you, I am not the type of person who sits around and watches what will happen next. I do not sit around complaining about the status quo without feeling compelled to offer some sort of solution or take steps that may lead to a possible solution. The American spirit and the American Dream were not founded on inaction. Therefore, I hope more and more Americans sit with pad and pencil at their side each time you address us, so that they can take their notes and rebuttal more effectively.
Now, let's get to the specifics of yesterday.
You talked about the status of Iran, condemning the violence. However, even when asked blatantly what it it would take for you to feel the need to have America step in, you, Sir, side-stepped the questions. But, that is not what I wanted to discuss today.
You talked in most detail about the government stepping in with a Health Care plan. You spoke of the Market Place. You did an excellent job of explaining the ideals behind it. You explained that Americans who are either uninsured or under-insured, would have this "Market Place" of different Health Insurance plans, varying in type of coverage, extent of coverage, cost of coverage, etc. Of these plans, there would be a government funded plan for people to choose from. Of course, the immediate questions were related to the fact that this could threaten the Private Health Insurance Industry. Your remark was that if the current private companies are as cost-conscious and consumer-minded as they claim, then they should remain a competitive choice in the Market Place that Americans would choose.
There is so much to say with what is wrong with this idea. I will start by saying that the government can obviously buy in greater bulk and possess in greater quantities what it needs to be the most affordable Health Care Plan in the Market Place. When Americans are looking at their choices, it will come down to the bottom line of cost. Purposely or not, the American government will put the Private Health Insurance Industry out of business. It is not only short-sighted for you to think otherwise, but also unAmerican. Why unAmerican? Because this nation was founded on the American Dream, the dream to excel. It was not the dream to stifle and suffocate.
Secondly, as unfair as it sounds, not all Americans will ever be universally covered for Health Care. It is not how our economy works, that is, if we are going to remain a capitalistic, free market society. There should not be an equality in bank accounts across the board. The government should not be telling doctors and medical services how much to charge for their goods and services. The government has no right to do this. All those in the medical field should be irate with your idea. They should come together and fight you on this tooth and nail. For those who are under-insured, (as I am as a Multiple Sclerosis patient), we have to be more resourceful. You know the saying, "When there is a will, there is a way". In these situations, it is necessary to rely on our neighbors, as individuals and as entities. As citizens of this great nation, we must rise to the occasion and educate ourselves on resources that exist. And for those who have, we should be rising to the occasion by being active participants in our society. That means being able to recognize when we possess enough, when our wallets are full enough. If we are blessed enough to do so, we should have the moral standard to help those who are truly in need. On a basic level this would mean donating to local food pantries. On a magnified level, donating to charitable causes and sponsoring charitable efforts. If, "in God we trust", then we should not come knocking on the doors of the White House with our palms up. Rather, we should have our hands out to lift another up.
Focusing back on the idea of all Americans having health insurance, I think you are missing the point. You are searching for ways to give health insurance to all. Instead of handing out ears of corn, you should be handing out the seeds to plant. In that I mean, that if the economy were put back on track, then prosperity in this nation would grow again. With increased prosperity, people can afford, themselves, to cover their medical costs.
Please, Mr. President, listen with open ears and without bias. There is a better way to meet the needs of the American people. You may be thinking that my suggestion, "fix the economy and then all other things will follow" is easier said than done, and easy to be said by someone who does not sit behind the desk in the Oval Office. Well, that is not necessarily true. You have protections around you that my family does not. I possibly have much more at risk than you do, Sir. And I do have ideas on how to significantly better the economy. I cannot take credit for these ideas, however. You see, I listen to people of all sides of the arguments so that I can be better educated and less biased. With that, the true voice of the American people can be heard. I will gladly share these ideas with you in short time, however, it will have to be at another time from now. You see, I am a mother of three children all six years and younger. My motivation is my family and my faith. Everything I say and do should reflect that. And right now, my 16 month old needs me, so I will say farewell for this moment.
Please explore the idea of abandoning a government health care plan. Instead, give the people the foundations to take care of theme selves. The government was not formed with the premise that it needs to hold the hands of the American people through every step of life. Let us be accountable for ourselves. Let the governement be accountable for itself.
Sincerely,
Michelle M. Birkenstock
http://www.parentsrpeople.com/, search "HudsonValleyAuthor"
http://www.authoredbymichelle.blogspot.com/
authoredbymichelle@verizon.net
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Jan. 24, 2009 "Dear Mr. President"
In January, 2009, I began a personal campaign to have my voice heard by the White House. The letter below was my first letter to the President. It was sent directly to President Obama and to several newspapers around the country. I am about to send another letter off and wanted to give my new blog readers some back ground on this by posting this letter. I always welcome comments!
Dear Mr. President,
Today I have made a promise. This promise is to myself, to my children and to my Lord. It is a promise of diligence and enduring conviction.I begin by asking you to be a man of your word. Your very first words as President of these great United States of America told us that you were standing before all humble, grateful and mindful. I ask of you, even plead with you, to remain that way. Be humble enough to hear the voice of each one of us. Be grateful enough that we love this country enough to speak up. Be mindful enough to realize that there is a value to what we say.Mr. President, today I write to you with a heavy heart. As with all forty four Presidents, the first one hundred days in office are watched with microscopic vision. These first one hundred days blazes the path for not only the coming four years, but for our history in the making.Signing the order reversing abortion-funds policy is a grave error that will act as a pebble in the proverbial pond. To begin with, looking at the economic emergency that this nation is currently in, it is shocking that you would find such urgency to spend money that has been saved by having the ban in place. Secondly, favor would be won with more of your citizens to see their own hard earned tax paying dollars remain domestic rather than spending globally. We need to help ourselves before we help others. Lifting this ban is expecting a cripple to carry not only himself, but also his neighbor. Finally, you did not ask us, your constituents, how we felt about this. A a a nation who proclaims freedoms associated with religion, your action suffocates me. It is against every fiber of my being to assist in activities that are pro-abortion. You are stealing my money and using it ways in which you do not have my permission. You are not even taking this in careful enough stride to allocate these funds for the education of choice and leaving it there. Instead, you are willing to use my money to have a doctor snuff life out. You spoke out against the slaughtering of the innocents in your Inaugural Speech. Do you not realize that this is the slaughtering of the innocent by signing the reverse order? Instead, could you not allocate funds to the security of the nations where men go freely about their way after having just raped a thirteen year old girl? Or to promote safe sex alternatives even, yes, abstinence in lesser educated communities? Do you really feel this was entirely necessary? I think you do realize that there are alternatives. That is why you signed this behind closed doors, without fanfare, almost in humiliation and regret.You spoke of prudent use of power in your first minutes as President. Well, Mr. President, I do not see your use of power here as being prudent at all.Sincerely,Michelle M. Birkenstock
Dear Mr. President,
Today I have made a promise. This promise is to myself, to my children and to my Lord. It is a promise of diligence and enduring conviction.I begin by asking you to be a man of your word. Your very first words as President of these great United States of America told us that you were standing before all humble, grateful and mindful. I ask of you, even plead with you, to remain that way. Be humble enough to hear the voice of each one of us. Be grateful enough that we love this country enough to speak up. Be mindful enough to realize that there is a value to what we say.Mr. President, today I write to you with a heavy heart. As with all forty four Presidents, the first one hundred days in office are watched with microscopic vision. These first one hundred days blazes the path for not only the coming four years, but for our history in the making.Signing the order reversing abortion-funds policy is a grave error that will act as a pebble in the proverbial pond. To begin with, looking at the economic emergency that this nation is currently in, it is shocking that you would find such urgency to spend money that has been saved by having the ban in place. Secondly, favor would be won with more of your citizens to see their own hard earned tax paying dollars remain domestic rather than spending globally. We need to help ourselves before we help others. Lifting this ban is expecting a cripple to carry not only himself, but also his neighbor. Finally, you did not ask us, your constituents, how we felt about this. A a a nation who proclaims freedoms associated with religion, your action suffocates me. It is against every fiber of my being to assist in activities that are pro-abortion. You are stealing my money and using it ways in which you do not have my permission. You are not even taking this in careful enough stride to allocate these funds for the education of choice and leaving it there. Instead, you are willing to use my money to have a doctor snuff life out. You spoke out against the slaughtering of the innocents in your Inaugural Speech. Do you not realize that this is the slaughtering of the innocent by signing the reverse order? Instead, could you not allocate funds to the security of the nations where men go freely about their way after having just raped a thirteen year old girl? Or to promote safe sex alternatives even, yes, abstinence in lesser educated communities? Do you really feel this was entirely necessary? I think you do realize that there are alternatives. That is why you signed this behind closed doors, without fanfare, almost in humiliation and regret.You spoke of prudent use of power in your first minutes as President. Well, Mr. President, I do not see your use of power here as being prudent at all.Sincerely,Michelle M. Birkenstock
Sunday, June 21, 2009
ParentsRPeople.com
Hi, Everyone!
As many of you know, I am a recent addition to a great site! I am thrilled to have this position to write for the site. It caters to both family and the career minded. There is a wide range of topics that is covered within the site, giving me a broad area in which to explore. You will see me writing on politics, religion, health & wellness, education, parenting and more! Having you visit me on the site helps me within the company. So, please visit me at www.ParentsRPeople.com !
You can find me by using my name or by using my screen name which is HudsonValleyAuthor. I have a blog there, but this blog is also linked to it. So, if I update this one, it will automatically update that one!
I am looking for feedback at all times! We do not have to agree on our positions, just be able to qualify our standings to each other!
Thank you for the tremendous support you have shown me! www.ParentsRPeople.com is a huge opportunity for me that is a blessing from above!
As many of you know, I am a recent addition to a great site! I am thrilled to have this position to write for the site. It caters to both family and the career minded. There is a wide range of topics that is covered within the site, giving me a broad area in which to explore. You will see me writing on politics, religion, health & wellness, education, parenting and more! Having you visit me on the site helps me within the company. So, please visit me at www.ParentsRPeople.com !
You can find me by using my name or by using my screen name which is HudsonValleyAuthor. I have a blog there, but this blog is also linked to it. So, if I update this one, it will automatically update that one!
I am looking for feedback at all times! We do not have to agree on our positions, just be able to qualify our standings to each other!
Thank you for the tremendous support you have shown me! www.ParentsRPeople.com is a huge opportunity for me that is a blessing from above!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Lean on Me
Title: Lean on Me
June 14, 2009
In these economically challenging days, we all know somebody who is in straits. Jobs are being cut. Positions are being redefined and restructured. This leaves many unemployed or making less money than what it costs to live, as that continually rises. Mortgages and car payments are delinquent and people do not know where to turn for help. Instead of turning to the government, should we not be turning to each other?
There used to be a time when people would turn to family, friends, fellow countrymen instaed of looking to the White House for a rescue plan. With our current governemnt struggling to to reshape it’s role to assist, this is an opportune time to have the average American step forward.
Some have already committed to this idea by agreeing to reduce their own hours in the work week in order to keep another from getting a pink slip. Others have contributed by not allowing their own restraints keep them from donating to their local food pantries. And, more people are donating their gently used clothes and household items to Good Will or consignment shops, allowing others to shop more affordably. On a more personal level, school and religious communities have adopted families to anonymously provide for their needs as a united effort. The network of parents bartering child care with each other is on the increase. With this, parents of both families are able to go to work. Seeing these selfless efforts is reassuring to many. There is a comfort and strength in knowing that when chips are down, we can depend on our neighbors.
Although there is a time and a place for the government to step in and help the citizens of this great nation, we need to have personal accountability as well. We need to tow the line ourselves by spending smarter, saving when we can, while offering what we can to those who are in an hour of need. New government policies take time to be put into place. For some, they come a day late and a dollar short.
Be connected with your community by staying aligned and informed through your neighbors, schools, Churches or synagogues and local groups. Let us do what we can to lend a helping hand as we can instead of waiting for government bail outs. This is what it means to be a patriot. This is what it means to be a champion of the American Dream.
June 14, 2009
In these economically challenging days, we all know somebody who is in straits. Jobs are being cut. Positions are being redefined and restructured. This leaves many unemployed or making less money than what it costs to live, as that continually rises. Mortgages and car payments are delinquent and people do not know where to turn for help. Instead of turning to the government, should we not be turning to each other?
There used to be a time when people would turn to family, friends, fellow countrymen instaed of looking to the White House for a rescue plan. With our current governemnt struggling to to reshape it’s role to assist, this is an opportune time to have the average American step forward.
Some have already committed to this idea by agreeing to reduce their own hours in the work week in order to keep another from getting a pink slip. Others have contributed by not allowing their own restraints keep them from donating to their local food pantries. And, more people are donating their gently used clothes and household items to Good Will or consignment shops, allowing others to shop more affordably. On a more personal level, school and religious communities have adopted families to anonymously provide for their needs as a united effort. The network of parents bartering child care with each other is on the increase. With this, parents of both families are able to go to work. Seeing these selfless efforts is reassuring to many. There is a comfort and strength in knowing that when chips are down, we can depend on our neighbors.
Although there is a time and a place for the government to step in and help the citizens of this great nation, we need to have personal accountability as well. We need to tow the line ourselves by spending smarter, saving when we can, while offering what we can to those who are in an hour of need. New government policies take time to be put into place. For some, they come a day late and a dollar short.
Be connected with your community by staying aligned and informed through your neighbors, schools, Churches or synagogues and local groups. Let us do what we can to lend a helping hand as we can instead of waiting for government bail outs. This is what it means to be a patriot. This is what it means to be a champion of the American Dream.
Super Dads to the Rescue
Title: Super Dads to the Rescue
June 13, 2009
Today’s mom does it all. She is nurturer, care giver, nurse, lover, best friend, navigator, personal assistant, administrative assistant, baker and, oh, yes, she works full time for the family’s income, too. That is the definition of today’s Super Mom. What about Super Dads though? Do they exist? Do they deserve the same "super" title? You bet they do.
Most dads of today work full time to support the family. Some even work anywhere from 50-80 hours a week to do this. After work, dad welcomes the tackle of his children, gets on his aging knees and plays "horsie" to his youngest. His back is about to give out but cannot resist the charms of, "One more time, daddy!" Twice a week he coaches Little League, staying after the game to let the kids hit some extra balls. When it is all done, he digs into his shrinking pocket and buys ice cream for the whole team at the concession stand. On the weekends, he is busy washing mom’s minivan. He washes his after hers. Sure, he may spend a little more time on his wheels, but that is fair enough. The afternoon is spent mowing the lawn. He keeps glancing over at the cars to see what a good job he did, which keeps him smiling with each pass. After dinner, he sits on the back porch, having his favorite drink, looking at his well manicured lawn and showroom clean cars. He asks for a pat on the back from his wife, which he gets with a smile. She knows that as much as he complains about all of the jobs he has to do, he will always do them. He does it because he loves his wife and loves his children. And this is just the "regular" Super Dad. There are also Super-Duper Dads out there.
This title is reserved for an elite group. The title is not handed out like candy. This dad must be truly exceptional. This Dad is the single dad who does all that Super Dad does, and then does what mom would do, too. He kisses boo-boos away and he takes his daughter to ballet class every week. He never misses a PTA meeting, he finds time to teach his son how to fish and gives him the confidence to take the training wheels off the bike. Fortunate to be the daughter of a Super-Duper Dad myself, I know that the life of a single dad is one of sacrifice and selflessness. I always knew that I was number one to my dad. I always knew that no matter how bad I messed up, he would still be there for me. I knew that dad was going to cry on my wedding day. I knew that he would cry again each time I gave him another grandchild. Now my children know what a Super-Duper Pop-Pop he is.
Dads of all shapes, sizes and circumstances rise to the occasion each day. They earn the love and respect of their children and often that of fellow parents as well. This Father’s Day, if you are fortunate enough to be married to a Super Dad or be the child of a Super-Duper Dad, let them know how much they are loved and appreciated. If the words do not come naturally, actions work just fine, too
June 13, 2009
Today’s mom does it all. She is nurturer, care giver, nurse, lover, best friend, navigator, personal assistant, administrative assistant, baker and, oh, yes, she works full time for the family’s income, too. That is the definition of today’s Super Mom. What about Super Dads though? Do they exist? Do they deserve the same "super" title? You bet they do.
Most dads of today work full time to support the family. Some even work anywhere from 50-80 hours a week to do this. After work, dad welcomes the tackle of his children, gets on his aging knees and plays "horsie" to his youngest. His back is about to give out but cannot resist the charms of, "One more time, daddy!" Twice a week he coaches Little League, staying after the game to let the kids hit some extra balls. When it is all done, he digs into his shrinking pocket and buys ice cream for the whole team at the concession stand. On the weekends, he is busy washing mom’s minivan. He washes his after hers. Sure, he may spend a little more time on his wheels, but that is fair enough. The afternoon is spent mowing the lawn. He keeps glancing over at the cars to see what a good job he did, which keeps him smiling with each pass. After dinner, he sits on the back porch, having his favorite drink, looking at his well manicured lawn and showroom clean cars. He asks for a pat on the back from his wife, which he gets with a smile. She knows that as much as he complains about all of the jobs he has to do, he will always do them. He does it because he loves his wife and loves his children. And this is just the "regular" Super Dad. There are also Super-Duper Dads out there.
This title is reserved for an elite group. The title is not handed out like candy. This dad must be truly exceptional. This Dad is the single dad who does all that Super Dad does, and then does what mom would do, too. He kisses boo-boos away and he takes his daughter to ballet class every week. He never misses a PTA meeting, he finds time to teach his son how to fish and gives him the confidence to take the training wheels off the bike. Fortunate to be the daughter of a Super-Duper Dad myself, I know that the life of a single dad is one of sacrifice and selflessness. I always knew that I was number one to my dad. I always knew that no matter how bad I messed up, he would still be there for me. I knew that dad was going to cry on my wedding day. I knew that he would cry again each time I gave him another grandchild. Now my children know what a Super-Duper Pop-Pop he is.
Dads of all shapes, sizes and circumstances rise to the occasion each day. They earn the love and respect of their children and often that of fellow parents as well. This Father’s Day, if you are fortunate enough to be married to a Super Dad or be the child of a Super-Duper Dad, let them know how much they are loved and appreciated. If the words do not come naturally, actions work just fine, too
Monday, June 1, 2009
Where Have All the Moms Gone?
As a young child, the American family was rather traditional. Most fathers worked while the mother stayed home. Entering in to high school years, the corporate woman evolved, entering the work force, making their way to the top like never seen before. Some of the dads even stayed home as the mother gave up the apron strings for the corner office in the Manhattan
high rise. Movies like "Mr. Mom" and "Mrs. Doubtfire" hit the silver screens. Through the college years and a few that followed, both mom and dad went to work, and children made a
mass transition into day care. As the time came to become a mother, the "Green Movement" gained momentum, bringing back a more natural, traditional, intending to be simpler lifestyle that had many moms back at home and dad bringing home the organic, free-range and hormone-free bacon.
Next comes 2008 and the economy is sent into a tailspin. Through the 2008 year, and 2009 so far, the momentum picks up. The non-working mom finds herself alone in the world of stay-at-home-mothers. As a side note, truthfully, "non-working" is a fallacy. Unfortunately, there are just too few words to describe the genre, despite being invaluable. The Stay-At-Home Mom is baking more cupcakes for their childrens schools, finding herself on more school and Church committees and having a harder time keeping up with the laundry. The reason becomes increasingly clear, the moms are gone. But where did they go? They went to Kohl’s, they are commuting to a City job, they are working beside their husband as they struggle to keep the family business afloat.
It has become necessary, perhaps even lacking, an overall desire to go back to work. Some have adjusted well, as kids are grown enough, more independent in school, thankful to help make ends meet at home. Other returning moms, showing it in their eyes, are a bit resentful. None of their domestic or parental duties have been relieved and now a 30 hour work week has been added to their calendar. Their energy is depleting, resentment building. Don’t be mistaken, it would be wrong to think one case of resentment is towards the husband or the family. Rather, it is resentment that this country is in the shape that it is in. We are at a point now where we are in good understanding of how it happened. The jury is still out if the nation is doing what it needs to in order to start emerging from the raging waters that almost drowned us. One thing that can be banked on for sure, moms will have to keep working and send the cupcakes in, too.
high rise. Movies like "Mr. Mom" and "Mrs. Doubtfire" hit the silver screens. Through the college years and a few that followed, both mom and dad went to work, and children made a
mass transition into day care. As the time came to become a mother, the "Green Movement" gained momentum, bringing back a more natural, traditional, intending to be simpler lifestyle that had many moms back at home and dad bringing home the organic, free-range and hormone-free bacon.
Next comes 2008 and the economy is sent into a tailspin. Through the 2008 year, and 2009 so far, the momentum picks up. The non-working mom finds herself alone in the world of stay-at-home-mothers. As a side note, truthfully, "non-working" is a fallacy. Unfortunately, there are just too few words to describe the genre, despite being invaluable. The Stay-At-Home Mom is baking more cupcakes for their childrens schools, finding herself on more school and Church committees and having a harder time keeping up with the laundry. The reason becomes increasingly clear, the moms are gone. But where did they go? They went to Kohl’s, they are commuting to a City job, they are working beside their husband as they struggle to keep the family business afloat.
It has become necessary, perhaps even lacking, an overall desire to go back to work. Some have adjusted well, as kids are grown enough, more independent in school, thankful to help make ends meet at home. Other returning moms, showing it in their eyes, are a bit resentful. None of their domestic or parental duties have been relieved and now a 30 hour work week has been added to their calendar. Their energy is depleting, resentment building. Don’t be mistaken, it would be wrong to think one case of resentment is towards the husband or the family. Rather, it is resentment that this country is in the shape that it is in. We are at a point now where we are in good understanding of how it happened. The jury is still out if the nation is doing what it needs to in order to start emerging from the raging waters that almost drowned us. One thing that can be banked on for sure, moms will have to keep working and send the cupcakes in, too.
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