My Fireside Chat (or Chef Mama goes political)

Doesn't a fireside chat sound cozy? Probably not if you live in South Texas where we are rejoicing that temps are in the upper 90's instead of the 100's! LOL!

I don't typically blog politcally (though I can rhyme most the time). I have very strong views and I feel it is a good idea to know what's going on and definitely to know what you support & don't support. I believe it is good to stand up for your beliefs. If you live in the U.S. your (and my) freedom was paid with the bloodshed of soldiers initially over 200 years ago, and continues to be bought because of soldiers taking a stand for what they (or we as a nation) believe.

I just don't like to argue about politics. I like people to state what they believe & listen to each other. I think we need to continue to state what we believe to anyone who might have any persuasion to put into action our beliefs about issues. I don't think we need to argue. I think it may be okay to state, "I believe I'm right, and I believe this is the proof of it, and I do believe your views are wrong," and expect to be told the same thing from those who oppose our views. But, once this is stated, I think bickering over these issues does nothing more than waste time. I used to spend a lot of time in a forum for current events. I learned a lot there and enjoyed reading views, even opposing views (gasp! LOL!), but I can't tell you how many times the discussions descended into the same old arguments as the last time this topic was discussed. Seriously, how many times can you discuss how many kids the Duggars have and why are we spending time doing that instead of doing something more productive? I finally decided I was spinning my wheels & would rather get to know some of the ladies better outside of that forum.

Having said all that, as I just wrote, I DO think there is a time to speak up for what we believe. My political views are based on what I know to be true: The Bible. Oh, yes, I know that is a turn off to many, and "you just believe it's true, but you don't know it is." Well, I have yet to find that it isn't, so I am calling it knowledge, and I do have a right to choose that. There aren't a lot of issues that get me in a tizzy, but there are some on which I base my political decisions. I'm pretty sure these are obvious to most who know me:

1. I believe that every conceived child has the right to live outside the womb.
2. I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman.
   
3. I believe parents should have the right to choose how to raise their children.
   
4. I believe the Federal Government should send chocolate to all women weekly.

I just wanted to see if you were still reading! Yes, the first 2 are hot topics, and I'm not discussing them here. I also understand that if someone doesn't believe the Bible is true, then these same issues probably don't make sense. I do understand the arguments on both sides. I really, do, but ultimately, this is my choice to believe this way.

The 3rd item on my list is what I am going to address in this little chat. That is, if those aforementioned children will do what this parental unit has told them to do so I can type! LOL! I know there is a lot of uproar over President Obama speaking to our nation's children. I will say that at first glance, of course it seems logical that our President (whether we elected him or not, if we live in this country he IS our president) would encourage our kids to stay in school and learn. I even told my husband that as the first African American president, he could really encourage kids who might be a "minority" (I find that to be a misnomer as we have SO many ethnicities in the US that I don't think there is a true minority any more) to go beyond what their parents or siblings might have done. Maybe one of those kids listening could be the President some day! I didn't know that the Bushes addressed our nations kids. I'd like to hear what they had to say to them.

Here is where I get my feathers ruffled: IF what I have heard on the news is true, Mr. Obama was planning to ask the kids to write a letter to him telling what THEY could do to help HIM. What happened to elected officials being called "Public servants?" He was elected to help the people, not for the people to help him. IF he worded it, "What can you do for America?" that would be different. "What can you do to make your community a better place?" I could go for. Also, I've heard that there was to be homework assigned involving students learning more about Mr. Obama. I think it's good for our kids to know some things about our presidents, present and past. As a former classroom teacher, there is SO much on each teacher's plate, that to toss in one more "to do" is just crazy. For that matter, I think addresses like this should be recorded and shown at the teacher's discretion when it will not disrupt her lesson plans.

From a parents' standpoint, NORMALLY I would say the president addressing the nation's kids with a "do well" speech would be great. However, because Mr. Obama IS a controversial president and these are VERY rocky times politically, I think it is in his best interest to address parents and let them decide if they want the kids to watch him. This is not a dictatorship with a leader having rights to do as he wants despite the peoples' wishes. This is not a monarchy with a king who can dictate laws at will. Technically, it's not even a democracy, but a republic. FYI, here's the definition from Wikipedia (which we all know is 100% accurate---LOL!): "A republic is a form of government in which the head of state is not a monarch and the people (or at least a part of its people) have an impact on its government. The word 'republic' is derived from the Latin phrase res publica which can be translated as "public affairs"."

I'll ask a question here: If you are an Obama supporter, IF John McCain & Sarah Palin had been elected to the presidency/vp, would you want Sarah Palin to address our nation's school children without knowing what she was going to say? I believe she is as far "right" as Obama is "left," and know that many who support Obama think Palin is a "looney tune."

I'm trying to explain WHY this is such a heated issue for parents. It is not just that he has some stances that conservatives disagree with, but he has some stances that go against the CORE VALUES that many conservatives have. He has already shown that he is not afraid to move forward with his plans despite great opposition. BECAUSE of that, it is reasonable that parents have concerns over what he will say to our children.

I want to hear his speech. In fact, if it is innoculus as I hope it is, I will let my kids hear it (if their dad will let me---ha, ha!). I just think parents' rights are being sucked away and this is one more example of it happening.

Now, I am stepping off my podium, um, I mean out of my lazy boy by the fire, and going to go to my mother-in-law's house to lay in the pool and sip on my coke! America IS still a great nation where wonderful luxuries like this still exist!