"Sweet Freedom's Song"

I stumbled across the phrase "sweet freedom's song" while singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" today. Has it always been there?
I wonder. Which makes the most difference in the world, the official documents of freedom like The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution or little catch phrases like sweet freedom's song, that etch themselves deep into our hearts--phrases like "I have a dream," "In God we trust," "This land was made for you and me," "with liberty and justice for all," and ". . . of the people, by the people, and for the people?"
I know what my answer would be.

Just Say No

Just because a direction is deemed constitutional doesn't mean it's the right direction for the country.
Constitutional is not the same as "Americans want ObamaCare." Not by a long shot.


Mitt Romney's guiding statement(s) about this;


"As you might imagine, I disagree with the Supreme Court's decision and I agree with the dissent. What the court did not do on its last day in session, I will do on my first day if elected president of the United States. And that is I will act to repeal ObamaCare."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/06/28/transcript-romney-remarks-on-high-court-ruling-upholding-obama-health-care-law/#ixzz1zCL45vXP

Act to Repeal ObamaCare

Today, the Supreme Court announced its decision that the ObamaCare "tax" is constitutional.
Today, Mitt Romney announced he will "act to repeal ObamaCare"on his first day in office.
Today, it is more crucial than ever to elect Mitt Romney as president in November.

It's Not About the Constitution

The question is not whether ObamaCare passes constitutional muster.
The question is whether U.S. citizens want government to snatch even more control over their lives and their wallets.

I Can't Afford It

Sometimes I want something I can't afford.

What I can't afford might be good or bad for me. 

I get to decide what I want.

Still, the fact remains.

I can't afford it. 

I can't afford President Obama to be reelected. 

He's had his day, and things didn't work out 

Because his ideas are expansive, expensive and controlling. 

They snatch choices from me,

Not just money.

I can't afford that.
I can't afford the idea
That big government knows what's best for me.

And I just wonder.

Who can?

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm 66 today and one year into retirement from my job as a middle-school teacher.
What am I doing today? Attending a music class at BSU ($5. per credit for people over 60), talking to my Colorado, Indiana, Hawaii, and Utah kids on the phone, and having a picnic at the newest park in Meridian with my Boise kids and grandkids.
God Bless America!
Next time I celebrate my birthday, I hope to celebrate it after the successful inauguration and seamless installation of Mitt Romney as 45th president of the United States.

Renee for President

Many ordinary American citizens have qualifications for the presidency that President Obama lacks. 

Number one, they have clear proof they were born in the U.S. 

Number two, they prove daily through words and actions that they"will (and do) to the best of (their) ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." 

It's a plus when a president has more than the basic qualifications. Besides, most citizens who qualify aren’t interested in pursuing or preparing for the job. 

Mitt Romney is pursuing the job. He has the basic qualifications and so much more. He is prepared for it. 

Liberty and Justice for All

Americans are enveloping themselves in a culture of entitlement that contrasts sharply with the past. Sunshine, air, and gravity are "givens" that come with no strings attached. However, for starters--food, energy, health, and homes must be grown, harnessed, maintained, and built. Who deserves any of it or all of it and why? Do all deserve every? Do every deserve all? If a line is to be drawn, where is it to be drawn and by whom? If a line is not to be drawn, who gets to provide everything for all and how will they do that?
Just wondering.

The President's Oath of Office

Which of the two candidates running for the office of president is best prepared and qualified to take this oath? 
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
I believe people who read and study the Constitution will answer this question the way I do.  
Mitt Romney

Choking Hazards

My ten-month-old grandson tries to put everything large and small into his mouth. We don't worry about most of the large things because they won't fit. It's the small things that can cause choking.
A lot of words come from the mouths of politicians. Some of their words have large scope, some have small. The rub comes when words spoken with seemingly small scope become choking hazards later.
There seems to be quite a bit of choking going on in the White House these days.

Words Have Meaning

President Obama has a gift for stating words clearly and convincingly.
After all, that's why he is . . . President Obama.
Lately, I've noticed something about when he is using this gift.
The words are very clean, almost sanitary, spoken with perfect diction and conviction.
Beautiful form.
But what do they mean?

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
-The Wizard of Oz-

History in the Making

Today, President Obama invoked executive privilege in the historic Fast and Furious issue which resulted in the death of an American border patrol officer and the deaths of over 170 Mexican citizens. Decades from now, my grandchildren can read this and know their Grandma Hawkley participated in a small way by watching, listening and waiting to see what the truth is and how that truth will come out.
God bless America.

A Weigh-In Quiz

According to the American Heart Association's 2012 Statistical Fact Sheet:
"Among Americans age 20 and older, the following are overweight or obese (BMI of 25.0 and higher):

- For non-Hispanic whites, 72.3 percent of men and 59.3 percent of women.

- For non-Hispanic blacks, 70.8 percent of men and 77.7 percent of women.

- For Mexican Americans, 77.5 percent of men and 75.1 percent of women."*

Which one of the following can accomplish the task of lowering these percentages: 

1. individuals who assume responsibility for improving health and lifestyle choices
2. corporations that select, serve, and market food 
3. websites that feature updated diets and nutrition facts 
4. government that provides new programs

Hint: Three of the above four possibilities are incapable of eating. 

*American Heart Association

www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319588.pdf

Happy Father's Day!

Just for today, I want to talk about two important fathers--my own and my children's.
My father liked to put pansies in a Dixie cup and set them on the kitchen table.
My husband brought roses, no reason, even when we couldn't afford them.
It's the little things I miss most.

The Obama Years

Something I learned as a mom:
If there's someone easier to tune out than a whining child, it's a whining politician.
Something else I learned as a mom:
After a few times of being tuned out, children learn that whining doesn't work.
In the meantime, after a few times of being tuned out, politicians learn . . . not so much.
Mitt Romney is not a whiner.

That Smile

Early in Mitt Romney's campaign for president, I attended a rally where he spoke.  I don't remember most of what he said, but it was similar to what he is saying now. What I remember is that smile. Mitt Romney likes people. He likes being around them. He likes talking to them and hearing what they have to say, even if their opinions conflict with his own. He has a sincerity about him that doesn't rely on the polls or a teleprompter. I came away from the rally knowing. Mitt Romney is a genuine American.

Flag Day

What the American flag means to me:
Red. A soldier's blood. Grew still and cold today. While mine pulses on.
White. God's light. Be still and know. Illuminating freedom, faith and family.
Blue. I boldly stand. Still with others. Or alone.

Bailouts

Occasionally, one of my children called from school with a desperate request that I deliver misplaced homework or lunch money. This service was never convenient, but I usually came through. That's because, even though they had behaved irresponsibly, I wanted to help them, and I could.
As a lowly taxpayer who has to carefully plan for financial stability, I am upset when forced by the present administration to participate in economic bailouts to mature institutions that have behaved irresponsibly amidst vast resources. I don't want to help, and besides--I can't.
With Romney, there's less chance I'll have to.

Favorite Romney Quote (so far)

"Life is all about the people you love."  Mitt Romney

Healthy Families Are Top Priority

Healthy families are building blocks in the foundation of America. These unique blocks are bound together with a rich mortar of freedom and responsibility. Time-honored principles taught best in families--hard work, life-long learning, independence, honesty and kindness, to name a few--prepare family members to contribute significantly to our nation and even to the world. A healthy family can "make it" without government, but a government can't "make it" without healthy families.

Having Their Cake and Eating it, Too

Something I don't understand about some people (whose political party often starts with a D) is their  devotion to freedom of choice for every imaginable option coupled with an intensity for establishing "bigger and better"  laws and government programs that constrict freedom of choice for every imaginable option.
For them, the institution of marriage should include the option of women marrying women and men marrying men, but a regulation is necessary to prevent parents from packing school lunches.

"The Private Sector is Doing Fine."

President Obama’s statement, "The private sector is doing fine," is puzzling.  

If he didn’t get the memo, shouldn’t his staff let him know the truth about something like that?  

I don't really believe that he really believes "The private sector is doing fine." I just wonder. Do other Americans really believe that he really believes? 

Mitt Romney knows the private sector is not doing fine. He has the skills and determination to tackle problems that exist in our economy using time-honored principles that have successfully guided our nation for centuries. 

Leading From Behind

An example of how President Obama's leading from behind* style would work after a traditional family meal:

The family leader delivers a flowery speech extolling the finer points of the meal and outlining his/her methods for cleaning up. He/she then makes assignments, being careful to exclude favorites from participation. Time passes, and observations occur by the leader and the favorites as outlined tasks proceed or don't proceed. When order in the kitchen stalls or stops altogether, the leader is then able to analyze the situation with superior intelligence and affix blame properly.


*http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/leading_from_behind_could_doom_yrOicXetgIOhSYkFmIhq4J

When Principles Trump Rhetoric

My dad used to give the advice, "Do the right thing, not the easy thing."
Standing for the principle of fiscal responsibility is what got Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker elected, and now the recall election reaffirming him as governor is a triumph for doing the right thing. Congratulations to Governor Walker and the voters of Wisconsin!
Standing for time-honored principles of freedom and responsibility is what Mitt Romney is all about.  Obama?  Not so much.

Military Service

Mitt Romney has been criticized by the media because he didn't serve in the military during Vietnam due to legitimate deferments.  Meanwhile, during Obama's college days, there was no need to apply for military deferments, so he is given a "bye" for his neglect of military service.  Huh?

Be a Volunteer

I just registered as a phone volunteer for Mitt Romney--made three calls, talked to two Colorado voters and a message machine. The process took 30 minutes start to finish, mostly because both voters wanted to voice their concerns about the mess our country is in and to give their views on the candidates. I realize three calls is just a beginning, but it wasn't as intimidating as I thought it would be.  So--if you have more time than money, like me, why not consider helping out?  It's an adventure with no strings attached!

Check it out:
http://mi.tt/Volunteer-for-Mitt

James Dobson On Same-Sex Marriage

"...there hasn’t been one single state where the people were allowed to vote where they have voted in favor of same sex marriage. " James Dobson, Ph.D.

Listen to Dr. Dobson's Interview Here in response to Obama's recent statement that same-sex couples should be able to marry.

Pass the Sugar

It's no secret that Americans enjoy their sugar. Don't you love the way sugar becomes invisible when you add it to food so you don't have to be reminded you're eating it until it shows up on your hips?

What does eating sugar have to do with Mitt Romney getting elected as president? 

Well, remember when Barack Obama made a sugary promise in 2008 that he would deliver in three years or his presidency would be a "One Term Proposition?" After his election, that promise got stirred into the mix and became invisible--unfortunately for Obama, the sugar isn't invisible anymore.

The Doctrine of Fairness

Present-day liberals foresee a day when the USA will be just one of many equal countries in a fair-and-level-playing-field world. The rest of us shake our heads in utter disbelief. Even a casual study of history is replete with examples of how equal-distribution and fairness to all has not worked and is not working. It seems preposterous that the present administration, with its self-appointed savior, will be able to secure  the "lion and the lamb shall lie down together" doctrine for the 21st Century.
Actually, that doctrine is reserved.

As the Noose Tightens

Members of the present administration and Congress aren't poor or hungry—at least not hungry for food.  Still, they steadfastly continue to exercise their power, tightening the noose around the necks of all U.S. citizens and tethering them—rich, poor, and yet unborn—to an ever-increasing national debt and to a poor economy for generations to come.   This is just wrong. 
We need a president who can work with people and who knows how money works. 
We need Mitt Romney.