I've already explained this and said I will gladly vote, given a worthy candidate and an assurance that the election process itself is not corrupt. You can do neither.

Not sure where I said I was a Tea Party Supporter anywhere. I don't follow a particular political affiliation because I think they're all flawed/misguided in some form or fashion. I never said I never voted. Indeed, I did at one time when I still believed it actually made a difference to do so. Present me with a candidate of any affiliation I can trust to do what they say will, I'll gladly vote.

Please do not insult my vet status. You well know as a fellow vet, those of who have served, are serving, indeed, 'have a clue'.

This is not pessimism, it's realism.

I have to admit that in conversations with friends and folks around here, the idea of a revolt here in the states has certainly come up. I don't agree that our situations are similar to Egypt, however We have not been repressed and we do have liberties, freedom...democracy, and we've taken it for granted, so much so that I'm not certain we could organize ourselves due to our apathy, the 'me' syndrome and just plain reluctance....lack of conviction....laziness.... to get involved with such a demonstration. Sad thing to say. The kind of organization and conviction it takes to do what the Egyptian folks are doing comes from true repression, greed, cruelty and neglect from leaders, truly doing without just basic needs/rights/privileges for years upon years. I don't think enough folks would be willing to really sacrifice to the extent those folks have, leave their jobs, their homes for 3 weeks, do without not only basic needs, but luxuries for that period of time. Just don't think we're 'fed-up' enough to pull it off.

Dear Politicians,

I keep hearing the phrase “American People” tossed around….here’s a perspective from one American Person. I’m willing to bet I’m not alone.

The deficit. There’s only one answer here….cut spending. Use the fine examples provided to you by many ‘American People’.

Many of us have had to learn to cut back, clip coupons, buy generic and sale items only, cut back on not only luxury items, but some necessities as well, and if we can’t pay with cash, do without, in short…. live within a budget. We’re buying things we need at garage sales, thrift and second hand stores when we can. We’re buying sale items only, researching to get every ounce of our dollars worth. We’re using things up until their worn out and then finding a way to fix them and use them some more.

Many ‘American People’ have elected to take a pay cut so other employees at their place of work can keep their jobs. Many more haven’t got paid overtime, gotten a pay raise, or a cost of living increase in years. A great place to start cutting spending is with your own salaries…not only do most of us feel you are paid waaaaaay too much, we think you should take a pay cut, be willing to do what so many ‘American People have done, who by the way, did not create this deficit in the first place…you did.

I work as a medical transcriptionist, predominantly in the psychiatric field. More and more in my work each week I’m transcribing reports about folks with no prior history of depression or suicidal tendencies who are feeling hopeless and helpless, indeed defeated, and feeling that suicide is their only way out. They’ve lost their jobs, with no hope for another one in sight. Many have lost their homes and their families as a result. Indeed, their ‘American Dream’ has been shattered.

Some thoughts on a few folks…

Joe Biden: Fat cat, blow hard. Perfect example of the problems in Washington.

John Boehner: Bless your heart for showing your sensitive side but………time to put aside the tissue box, grab that gavel, roll up your sleeves and get to work!

Nancy Pelosi: Pathetic. I can only feel pity for you. Here’s an idea, the next time you have thought, keep it to yourself.

First Lady Obama: Dining out, for a lot of folks now is a luxury, a treat, leave our menus the hell alone! It’s none of your business if I chose to eat a Big Mac Meal AND super-size it! Most restaurants already offer healthy alternatives, we’re just chosing not to take part, and that is OUR choice, not yours. The responsibility of seeing to it that kids eat healthy lies with their parents. So…you take care of yours, we’ll take care of ours!

President Obama: I can only shake my head at you and repeat the phrases I have so often shouted at the TV every time you speak…. Get a clue. Pick a side. Grow a spine. Stand up something! Your medical bill…I work, but I still can’t afford health insurance and I won’t be able to any more if this bill passes than I can now and that’s the situation many ‘American People’ are facing. Insisting we all get health insurance and then fining us if we don’t only goes to prove how out of touch with the American condition your truly are.

Sarah Palin: Folks, leave her alone. Stop picking apart everything she says and does. It just makes you look petty and small, and most of us grew out of that kind of conduct in grade school. I KNOW they are more constructive ways you can spend your time. I probably should have prefaced all of this with the fact that I don’t vote, haven’t in years, because I, like so many Americans feel if the election process isn’t corrupt, the politicians running for office surely are, and it really makes no difference who we ‘elect’….we’re doomed either way, but ….if she runs for presidency, I will, with wings on my feet, run to register to vote, for the first time in decades, to vote for her.

‘American People’…the working class, indeed, we are the back bone of this country, but we’re tired, we’re disillusioned, we’re losing faith and we’re fading fast. How much louder to do have to scream…Help Us?

One last note, I’m a Veteran. When you finally get around to ‘cutting spending’ leave our benefits the hell alone….we’ve already paid it forward.

Krup, think you're doin the right thing by staying home. Even here, where we did not get the ice, road crews, city officials are urging folks to stay home and off the roads unless it is an emergency. I know, in these times when folks are concerned about their jobs it may be tempting to try to get through the streets to work, but.....not having a job is rather moot if you get stuck somewhere and can't make it to work anyway, or heaven forbid, lose your life or become disabled as a result of being in an accident on streets that clearly are not safe to travel on.

Stayin' home, kickin' up your feet, makin' a drink, watchin' a movie, readin' a book, spendin' some quality time with your family/and kids...makin' it a memorable day for other reasons other than being an "historic weather event" sounds good to me!!

Ha!

Sorry about your frozen pipes, Kristi. I was worried about ours too, so I opened the cabinet doors under the kitchen sink before I went to bed last night, seem to work.

At least the snow has moved on, but I guess we have another round coming this weekend. The sun is out today, doubt that much melts off as it is only 10 degrees here, but it is good to see the sun and the wind has stopped blowing so much. We didn't lose power, satellite, phone service or Internet, so all-in-all, it's just the huge snow drifts we are dealing with. I gotta give the plow trucks around here kudos too, they did a great job of clearing HWY 54 and traffic is passin' on thru at a pretty normal pace.

If you've got pics of the weather where you are, please post them.

So..... who has hangovers today??!!

This morning...

This is HWY 54...

Sorry, guess I 'broke' the topic...

Sharing some pics....

I gotta settle for coffee and hot chocolate. Can't drink alcohol 'cause of my blood pressure meds.

Ya'll have one for me!!

It's officially blizzard conditions here today. Got into full swing about 4 this morning. White-out conditions. Snow is blowing sideways. Can't even see my neighbor's house. The town here has officially closed down, nothing is open. They're calling for 20 inches of snow here through today and tomorrow and as cold as -16 temps. We are pretty much snowed in, even with a 4WD truck. It is doubtful that the mail will even be delivered....I don't blame them! We're under a state of emergency and the National Guard is on standby to help folks stranded. This is nuckin' futs!! So far, no power outages. I heard this morning Louisiana is having tornadoes! That's just crazy!

Everyone, please take care and stay safe.

Be safe,(((Kristi)))

Ha! Fur babies count....'cept they can't really appreciate the 'ambience' of the occasion... ...so yeah...calling for volunteers to be TxGal's cuddle buddy!!!!

I'm guessin' you mean me... That would be my cuddle buddy, Bobby

Oh my goodness, please be safe. Maybe they can reschedule the surgery? Your poor dad...bless his heart...and yours

Got your Red Radio flyer all geared up??!!

Yeah, I don't think the major stuff has gotten 'round yet. Suppose to start really winding up in full force in the overnight hours and into Tuesday.

We're a bit more prepared for this stuff here than you folks are. Will keep good thoughts. Stay warm and safe!