Hello LuLu

My birthday is next week, and today my husband and daughter drove two hours to an animal shelter and brought home a beautiful cat named LuLu. She is four years old and was at the shelter because her owner had died. She has made the rounds through the house, bothered the dogs, and is now reposing on the landing at the top of the stairs – surveying her new kingdom apparently. She is incredibly soft and seems to be adjusting to this new change in her life quite well.

I had seen her photo on the shelter’s website and was quite taken with how beautiful she looked. The shelter had a special today where the first 7 cats to be adopted would be free (7 donors to the shelter donated their fees because the shelter is busting at the seams with cats). Anyway, I was concerned that with this special that LuLu would surely be gone before the day ended. Well they arrived a few minutes before the shelter opened and were second in line. The third person in line mentioned they were there in hopes of adopting LuLu (fortunately, they had another choice, because Allan and Hannah were there on “Mission LuLu”!).

Here she is:

More cuddliness later …

OneMom

Blogging the MI 1st Congressional GOP Debate

Here we go …Tom Stillings opens with his remarks first. Claims to be the only businessman.

Jason Allen talks about being a veteran, run away health care plan, securing borders.

Don Hooper expects to win this time (after 4 tries); being driven into socialism; need to close borders; too much spending.

Dr. Dan – general surgeon; decided to run for congress after passing the healthcare and stimulus bills; 4 R’s.

Pat Donlon – talks about having a bachelor’s degree and an associate’s degree. Only candidate without a suit and tie on. Seems angry.

Greg Tripp is hosting the debate:

Question to Jason Allen about bringing jobs to Michigan:

• get rid of federal regulations (especially for mining)
• work on policies that give China the edge over US workers

Don Hooper

• need a new governor

Dan

• pointed out that Jason Allen voted for the surtax on business
• need to cut spending and taxes

Pat

• biggest impact would be to free up our natural resources to trail riding (that was his only solution)

Tom Stillings

• get rid of idea of income tax and go to fairtax

Next question: how to tackle the national debt?

Hooper

• Need leadership in DC
• President needs to give confidence to the business sector

Dan

• the problem is spending. The fed govt needs to live within their budget – too many employees, too high wages, and follow the constitution

Pat

• the issue here is debt and we don’t have the will to bring it down

Tom

• key is to quit spending money we don’t have
• become smarter the way we provide services

Jason

• get rid of earmarks, take control of social programs, take control of our state

Next question – if GOP wins house, will you try to repeal health care?

Dan

• First we will try to defund health care until we can repeal it.
• We need to address tort reform
• We must work to repeal it

Pat

• The issue is “will there be rationing”?
• Need free market
• (he’s very nervous and uncertain in his answers)

Tom

• I’m a free market guy. Must repeal the bill. Must defund and repeal.
• Let health insurance be sold across state lines

Jason

• Must be repealed and stopped (he starts all his answers with a recap of his resume in the state legislation)
• Free market solution

Don

• This isn’t a healthcare bill, it’s a tax bill. Must repeal.

Next question: would you introduce or support oil exploration in the great lakes?

Pat

• I’m not an oil and gas expert. This isn’t a good idea. I would like to be a part of the energy program.

Tom

• It’s going to be done by us or by Canada. It’s best if we do it and control it to enhance our energy independence.

Jason

• I’ve already voted against drilling in the great lakes.
• Discussed shale fine in the northern lower peninsula.
• Need balanced energy approach – again all referenced to the lower peninsula

Don

• there’s plenty of oil elsewhere in the US without drilling under the great lakes or the oceans.

Dan

• I don’t believe we should drill in the great lakes, but would like to look at slant drilling that the Canadians have been doing for years under Lake Erie.

Next question about the wars …

Jason

• Decisions should be up to field commanders and not congress
• Then talked about care for veterans.

Don

• We need victory to bring troops home from Afghanistan
• If we don’t win now, we’ll have to go back later
• Political correctness is making war hard to fight

Dan

• I don’t favor a published timeline. We shouldn’t be sending troops overseas without declaring war. We shouldn’t go if we don’t intend to win.

Pat

• The question is why are we there? Protect poppies or catch terrorists? I don’t know the numbers, I’m not a numbers guy.

Next question: general feeling about the TEA party?

Jason

• I have a lot to agree with with the TEA party.
• We have to support 10th amendments rights

Don

• I put on the first TEA party in the whole state of Michigan. Most powerful movement in the US.
• GOP and TEA party have to get together or we’re going to have a tough time.

Dan

• I think the TEA party is great! They are concerned citizens, worried about their country and trying to express themselves.

Pat

• Personally, I drink coffee. TEA party has a function to keep track of government and taxes. Not well organized, but that’s a good thing. I don’t think they are racists or bigots.

Tom

• I am the TEA Party republican. I am endorsed by icaucus.

Next question about new mining in the UP

Don

• Wants a pilot program to see if there’s any adverse connections to the water table. Has potential to create 1000s of jobs.

Dan

• I object to the term sulfite mining gives it a bad connotation. It is really nickle mining. I am in favor of the kennicott mine

Pat

• My business is preservation. I don’t know anything about mining. They deserve a chance to give it a try, but I would want more input from more people before making a decision.

Tom

• Kennicott mine is probably the best thing to happen to the UP in years.

Jason

• As a conservative that sponsored the legislation in the senate ….

Next question: do you support term limits for all elected officials?

Dan

• I have no problem with term limits. I have already promised to serve only three terms.

Pat

• I’m not making any promises. The intention is for somebody to come and serve who wants to go home. They all want to go to another government job. I guess I’m for it.

Tom

• The best term limits is an educated electorate.
• I promised my wife I wouldn’t serve past the age of 70.

Jason

• As a member of the state legislature, we see that term-limits are hurting the state because we are allowing the state bureaucrats to run the state.

Don

• I’m all for it. Six years in congress is enough. They should serve and go home.

Next question: is it good that a lot of money is being put into Michigan for green energy?

Pat

• I’m embarrassed by our governor calling us the battery capitol of the world. We are the motor capitol.

Tom

• I am in favor of all forms of energy if they can stand on their own economically. If it needs a subsidy, it needs to come back until it is ready.

Jason

• I would have voted against the stimulus pkg. I would rather have this money coming to Michigan though instead of N. Dakota or Tennessee.

Don

• We need a technology breakthrough in battery production.

Dan

• I think it’s ridiculous that the tax payers of Michigan are paying $100 million to Koreans to make batteries. Jason Allen voted for this. We need to support the people doing business in Michigan.

Next question: was the govt. bailout of GM a good thing?

Tom

• The answer is no. We through money down a hole and they still filed for bankruptcy and the world didn’t come to an end.

Jason

• One out of every 5 tax dollars in Michigan come from the auto industry.

Don

• The federal govt is too involved with the states. Far over-reaching their responsibility.

Dan

• I think it’s ridiculous to bailout failing businesses. The fact that the govt took GM away from the stockholders and gave it to the unions and the government is in need of investigation.

Pat

• Where’s my bailout. Bailouts set a bad precedent. We must reduce spending.

next questions: would you have voted to extend unemployment benefits?

Jason

• I would have voted against it, but worked for some set-asides to help people who are really trying to find work.

Don

• It’s become a new dependency program. Not sure what we can do about it in this economy though.

Dan

• If we’re going to extend benefits, then we have to cut elsewhere.

Pat

• I drew unemployment before and it was very helpful. It should be a certain length of time. Employees need to know that $7/hr isn’t a bad wage and they can always get another job to supplement.

Tom

• If we ‘re going to extend, then we have to get it elsewhere in the budget.

Closing statements:

Pat

• I believe I can prevail in this election. My platform comes from the Declaration of Independence. My leadership skills stem from the pillars of character – trustworthy, citizen, caring, responsibility.

Dan

• Thank you all for listening this evening. I’m a citizen, not a career politician. I will work to represent you and cast your vote on the floor of congress.

Don

• Thank you to channel 6 for letting me take part in this debate. I am concerned that the constitution of our great country is in trouble and we are heading to socialism and communism. We must get back to our standard as a nation.

Jason

• Thank you to tv 6. I am asking for your vote as a true conservative. I am a veteran and a small business person. I have worked to stop Gov. Granholm’s spending. We must be able to defend ourselves. I am a gun owner and endorsed by the NRA.

Tom

• Thank you for allowing us into your homes. I am pro-life, pro-business, pro-gun and all things good and conservative. We need a strong defense. We need to take care of ourselves and not worry about what others think who want to cause us harm.

Michigan 1st Congressional District Debate Tonight

Republicans seeking to compete for retiring U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak’s seat will be debating tonight at 7pm on WLUC TV6.

For the troll dwellers, I will be blogging the debate, so check back here at 7pm! This is a wonderful opportunity for Dr. Dan Benishek to increase his lead over Jason Allen.

OneMom

A Right to Be Free

Two stories this morning: one leaves me in dismay and one leaves me heartbroken.

The first story comes from Arizona – yet another interview with a person who would only allow the reporter to film their feet because they are in the United States illegally. The person was crying because they have the right to be free. Problem with that is in the United States, a person that breaks the law does not have the right to be free. I am weary of listening to illegals cry about Arizona’s new law as if they are victims – they came here illegally, they are not victims.

The second story comes from Texas. A mother strangled her two children (ages 5 and 2); one is dead and the other on life-support. She strangled them because she wanted normal children (both “apparently” had language disorders and possible autism). As the mother of a child with a severe language disorder, this story bothered me more than usual (and that’s a lot). My heart breaks for these little ones who did have the right to be free and safe and loved.

The two children in Texas were victims, while the illegals in Arizona (and in every other state)  gave up their right to be free when they chose to enter this country through a back door.

OneMom

Shame on Both Sides

Regarding the case of the Georgia USDA Rural Development employee, Shirley Sherrod, I say there is plenty of shame to go around.

• Shame on the conservative blogger who chose to post only part of the video.
• Shame on the media outlets for choosing to run the tape without checking the “whole story” (it wasn’t just Fox News, because I saw it on CNN).
• Shame on the NAACP for condemning her without knowing the facts.
• Shame on the NAACP for now blaming Fox News and the blogger for “snookering” them. So much for taking responsibility.
• Shame on Sec. Vilsack for practicing “guilty until proven innocent” politics.
• Was the White House involved in her forced resignation? If so, shame on them too.

Supposedly, journalists are suppose to check the facts before running a story, but today it is all about beating the other guy with a sensational headline … who cares about the facts.

I hope they give Shirley her job back, but I’m not sure she’ll want it.

OneMom

Dan Benishek to Replace Bart Stupak

I realize my headline is even more premature than the one about Dewey being elected president, but I am very hopeful that with Congressman Bart Stupak’s (D – Michigan’s 1st Congressional District) retirement, that not only will the Republicans pick up this seat, but that Dr. Dan Benishek will be the man to take that seat.

Dr. Dan was at an event I was working at recently, and we had a chance to talk – well, I had a chance to grill him on the important issues – and I told him I would take a look at his campaign and make a decision about whether to endorse him in his run for the Michigan 1st Congressional District seat being vacated by Stupak.

Dr. Dan Benishek on the issues:

• Right to Life. I believe in the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Paramount is life. From conception to death, all human life must be considered sacred and must be protected.
• National Defense. It is a primary responsibility of our federal government to provide a strong national defense to protect our nation, our liberty and our ideals. We should honor and respect our armed services and veterans, not undermine their strength and dignity. Additionally, we must aggressively pursue the war on terror and we must try prisoners of war in military tribunals, not as citizens in our civilian courts.
• Health Care. America has the best health care system in the world – a system that needs fine-tuning but definitely not a government take-over! We need to focus on free market reforms, which will increase competition and decrease costs. A good place to start would be to allow health care insurance to be tax deductible, portable and sold across state lines. Additionally, we must pass tort reform to rein in skyrocketing costs associated with frivolous medical law suits.
• Lower Taxes. I believe that a government which governs least is a government which governs best. We need a government of the people, by the people and for the people. We need to reduce oppressive taxation and allow individual citizens to keep and invest more of their hard-earned money. We need to shrink the size and scope of our government to be in line with that envisioned by our founding fathers.
• Secure Borders. Immigration must be legal and regulated and our borders must be secure. Uncontrolled access to our country increases entitlement expenses, decreases available jobs and renders us vulnerable to terrorists who want to destroy us.
• For more on Dr. Dan’s stance on the issues, please go HERE.

In a brief email conversation I had with Dr. Dan, he assured me he supports the reduction/elimination of the Federal Department of Education and that parents must hold the total control over how and where their children are educated.

The Michigan Primary is on August 3rd. Anyone in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District (the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and parts of the northern Lower Peninsula) who wants to put true conservatives into the U.S. Congress must consider Dr. Dan Benishek as our best hope when they go to the polls.

OneMom

For more on why Dan Benishek must be triumphant over his Republican opponent in the August 3rd Primary, please visit RightMichigan.

As Simple as Lemonade

With all the division and hate that seems to permeate much of our society these days, it is nice to see that in a small town in West Virginia, tradition and civility continues through the simple serving of lemonade.

In Bluefield, West Virginia, since 1938, the town has made it a policy to serve free lemonade to everyone in town whenever the thermometer tops 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Today (July 7, 2010) became the 198th time the small town has served free lemonade since 1938, and with the forecast it is likely that Friday will mark the 200th serving!

In this age of hard left and right politics, ineffective government, corruption, rotten economy and lack of accountability, it’s nice to see that a little cold lemonade is offered to those in Bluefield, West Virginia without regard to their politics, their income or their address. Seems like civility and kindness are hard to find these days, which is why I found their lemonade refreshing even way up here in the UP of Michigan.

OneMom

Fallen Friday

• After work today, my family and I prepared to head to the fourth of July kiddie parade (the big parade is tomorrow). I was going to be a judge, while Allan and Hannah were going to be sign-bearers.
  
• Here’s a  picture of the beginning of the fun:
• Twenty-minutes later, I was being carried off in an ambulance. I fell off the curb and could not move my left foot. The pain was intense. After x-rays and pain medicine, it was determined to be a severe sprain.
  
• I’m home with a splint, crutches, medicine and exhaustion.
  
• Here’s a couple more pictures – one is my foot, but the strap is in the way of the swelling. The second is Hannah and I reading a story from a Highlights Magazine at the hospital. She helped me by singing to me in the hospital.

OneMom