Nationalized Health Care IS coming

Is there anyone still defending Obama on the terms that he isn't attempting to turn our society socialist? No, not all at once, but one at a time- he is introducing, nay sneaking in, the ways to make this happen. He has already proposed some very interesting terms for his nationalized health care and you don't even realize it b/c of how he did it- he snuck it into the "stimulus bill". No one on either party side has pointed it out thus far and this is perhaps the most interesting aspect of this foul bill.

Check it out HERE- it has quite serious implications for how our future health care needs will be met- as in the government deciding what we do and don't need and those darn Seniors are just going to have to deal with reality and suffer like they're meant to. Again, Tom Daschle proves to be the useless authority on another huge issue- and this was the guy Obama was going to put into control of all of it. This was Daschle's own idea- just check out his book!

Really people, are you not a little bit frightened yet? Write to your Senators!!!

Cafe Rio

Oh man- I love Cafe Rio. I have been having Cafe Rio cravings for awhile now but am never in the area to fulfill them or when I am it seems like too much of a hassel to drag poor Slade out of the car to wait in a long line just for lunch.

The other day I was visiting the World Market over in Fort Union and I just had to go. There is not much I crave out there in the restaurant circuit, but from the day I was introduced to the stuff (thank you Wells Fargo!) I have been an addict!

I love the pork- I could roll in it (clothed of course), lounging for hours, slowly licking my fingers and savoring every moment (sorry Sarah, guess in the right circumstance I could totally be a finger-licker!). What is it that makes it so darn addictive? I cannot express my love for their pork. I love it, I could eat it everyday.

I totally and completely heart Cafe Rio.

Wise Words!

Obama at National Prayer Breakfast (yesterday): "There is no religion whose central tenet is hate. There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being."

Yes, because babies in utero OR who were not wanted when they were born alive are NOT innocent human beings and must be put to death tortorously immediately upon request. We must make funds available for this and provide government support to these industries who rely on killing babies to make a living and try to sneak in stimulus money to them whenever possible. We must also send money abroad in our times of greatest economic need to ensure that we are killing babies of other nationalities as well - gotta spread the wealth after all don't we? No, we don't aim to torture as U.S. citizens - we aim to tortorously murder our own and abroad! As Nancy says, there's no way to stimulate an economy like killing its children! Watch out nursing home folk - you're next!

I become ever more endeared to this man and to his abstract and religiously unencumbered logic.

Also, I STRONGLY question his logic on there being no religion whose central tenet is hate. For example, read HERE.

Stop the Presses- the Money's rolling in on its own now!

Obama's increasing the flow of money back into the system all right- just look at how quickly all of his nominees are paying back the tax money they owe to try to buy their way out of utter dishonesty and into the highest and most influential offices in the country!

Yet, another STORY of a nominee scandal (and you thought it couldn't possibly get any worse!). Keep nominating the "Best and Brightest" Obama and soon we'll have that enormous, yet about-to-grow-much-much-much-bigger debt paid right off! No need for a stimulus PORK bill when the Democrats now finally have some incentive to pay off their own debts to their beloved country!

More scandals in 2 weeks than Bush had in 8 years! Hope he Changes, my friends, Hope he Changes!

Of course the Dems don't mind higher taxes- won't affect them one bit....b/c they DON'T pay them as it is!

5-Day Rule?

Everything is considered an emergency to Obama and that is how he gets around his own new rules. Transparent new President? Yes sir indeed. Obama's new 5-Day Rule doesn't really apply to even Obama, see HERE.

Where's the media when you really need em? Guess Katie Couric was too busy ripping on Sarah Pallin and glorifying despicable rappers to catch this one...or any of them.

Vote NO to the Stimulus Bill - Here's How:

Email your Senators and tell them NO! to the newest and most ridiculous-to-date stimulus bill. If you live in UT, I've made this very easy for you (see the upper right hand side of the screen for the direct links to their email pages).

It takes all of 1 minute each and you'll have done your service as a citizen!

Get Smart

We've been getting a lot of duds for movies lately. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what the point of Hancock was. It had potential- but ended up very weirdly with us wondering if when the credits rolled that really meant the confusing mess we'd just watched was truly over.

I liked Ironman, a lot actually, surprisingly b/c I'm not a fan of whats-his-name. With the exception of the obligatory, thankfully short-lived, sex scene- it was almost a movie you could watch with the family.

I'm also not a fan of Steve Carrell or Anne Hathaway but it felt like a movie watching night this past Sat. so Mark, Bekka, & I watched Get Smart, which Bekka had rented. From start to finish I liked the movie! No sex scenes, no terrible or offensive language (though I've grown so accustomed to it from just watching regular TV I could be wrong), it moved well - no annoying lag time really, and it was funny. I thought they both had great performances (I totally forgot the Steve I know in my mind from The Office which is why I don't like him). People say Heath Ledger had an excellent performance in Dark Knight- but the whole time watching him I thought of him as Heath. Strangely enough, I didn't think that about Steve in this movie. Of course, it doesn't hurt to throw The Rock into any movie! I did like Anne Hathaway in the Princess Diary (well the 1st one anyway...yes, it does hurt a little to admit I've seen them both), but any sort of interview (which is very little admittedly) I've read from her has been disappointing. Yes, I do appreciate my entertainers to have a brain and expect them to be able to hold their own in a normal conversation and keep their political affiliations to themselves (yes, even those I agree with, unless they are just relating in a group setting and it gets out by word- rather than them make a platform for themselves of their uneducated views due to their popularity as a celebrity) or I am disappointed to the point where I will not entertain myself with what they are in anymore. Sorry Dixie Chicks and Shawshank Redemption man I was once quite the fan.

My favorite part? When the bad guys are going to send a bomb into L.A. to kill the President and the sidekick bad guy says to the main badguy something like, "But we'll kill all of the celebrities too". To which he replies, "Ah, yes, won't it be devestating to lose the politically astute commentary which they provide" or something along those lines. I also do not like movies being used solely as a platform for political correctness, as in the whole purpose of the movie being to promote global warming or some such nonsense- this was a surprise and I liked it. Just a short, quick comment made the movie for me personally.

Any other movies recommended? I plan to see Bride Wars and something else I can't think of right now...Oh, I heard the Marley movie is pretty good (though as you can guess, not a fan of the stars of that movie either- dang them for being so eager to state their political sides using celebrity).

I'm really fairly easy to entertain, but as you can guess, my more recent political obsession truly does affect evern aspect of my life. If I'm going to pay you my hard earned money then entertain me and we'll both keep our real selves to ourselves.

CRAP- I have to ammend this already. I'm going to make a crappy mother! I give this movie a rave review then read this online a minute later (I really do just block things out nowadays- what else am I taking in???):

Beyond the movie ratings: What Parents need to know about sorry...

Frequent, but usually bloodless, depictions of violence include shootings, gunfire exchanges, explosions, hand-to-hand fighting and the threat of terrorist acts. A character is hit over the head with a fire extinguisher and another has a paper stapled to his head. Several men are shot (impact of bullet is shown), and one is hit by a speeding bus. An agent is knocked down by a woman, impaled with mini harpoons and hit with paintballs. He also falls from a plane without a parachute and later is pinned by a heavy metal door. Sexual jokes include comments about a woman's uterus and male body parts, suggestive flirting, a scene of men kissing, some mild homosexual innuendo, name-calling and male buttock nudity. A woman is briefly seen in her underwear. Men are repeatedly kicked in the groin. One man relieves himself in the bathroom and later makes comments about excrement. Language contains terms of Deity, infrequent mild and moderate profanities and the use of a sexual hand gesture. Some mild body-size jokes and brief portrayals of smoking and alcohol use are also included.

I Heart Michelle

Michelle Malkin- I love reading her articles, esp. lately. See a link to her full article below.

Well, if I thought we were in for it with Obama's previous nominations, esp. Geithner for his tax evasion- look out, here comes Tom Daschle. He's set a new low for Obama's picks, though I've yet to be surprised by any of them. Outrageous, though more so here than with Geitner (him b/c he's the Treasury Secretary now and in charge of the very businesses he cheated, but maybe it's a toss up b/c Tommy Boy here is going to be overseeing the nationalization of health care- and who says Socialism has no place in the new Presidency? Why work for it when you can take take take?). What's interesting is that it is all just taken with a grain of salt. What's a little crime here and there- it's a "Do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do" kind of government now. So what if major leaders in the Obama Cabinet are lying cheating douche bags- what matters is that we are all in love with Obama, and it's for reals.

Daschle has said this:

“Make no mistake, tax cheaters cheat us all, and the IRS should enforce our laws to the letter."

This guy cheated the IRS of well over $100K!!! How many of us could get away with that do you think??? No worries though, he's apologized for the errors.

I don't even know if I can take anything seriously anymore. No longer do I stress out when I hear this stuff, lately I've been laughing and letting it roll off my back more. My friends who know me from way back when just laugh when they read my political posts b/c it's so not the person they know and the people who know me only now think I"m one track and that I need to just get over the political hype and get back to "real" life- but the way I see it is there's nothing more important in our country than what's going on right now. We're in the beginning of scary times for our country -with the economy mostly- and there's nothing I worry about more than that and the future we're creating for our children. They will be the ones paying the price for all of these 'stimulus' packages and such.

Anyhow, HERE is her latest- read it, it's good stuff! I promise to NOT make my next post about politics for those of you who keep asking for updates on the family...or anything else! haha

P.S. Go and email your Senators how you feel about Daschle- they're the ones DIRECTLY responsible for the 'yay' or 'nay' on this joker! Here are the email links for our UT Senators to make it that much easier. And believe me, it's easy, it took me all of a minute each!

Senator Hatch: HERE
Senator Bennett: HERE

Timothy Geithner...again, tsk tsk tsk

What would have happened to you or I if we had cheated the government of $30,000+? We'd have received some nasty notices demanding the money and eventually be garnished and maybe even thrown behind bars. We certainly would NOT have been confirmed into one of the most important positions of government. Where are the ethics and honor that should precede being placed in positions of great responsibility and authority? We certainly don't have high expectations for ourselves anymore do we? Just another example of not caring enough to look at the details only believing the outrageous promises so we can go back to watching American Idol on the couch. (Did you know it's being reported that 22 million viewers caught American Idol the same night the Inauguration was being broadcast again...can you guess what the numbers were for those who watched that? Come on, we're making fabulous history here, aren't we??)

This renown (supposed) financial genius has been guilty of the following thus far: 1.Whoops! Didn't realize I didn't pay all of those taxes time & again but didn't mind cashing the refund checks I got, but please find in in your heart to overlook that b/c I really am smart with money, 2. Whoops- guess the TARP program didn't work out exactly like I'd thought it would, oh well, on to running the money presses and spending some more of your hard earned cash, and 3. Whoops! I've employed illegals on accident but I still want credibility.... I don't know about you, but i thought Change was coming- good Change, not just change being the only thing left over in my pocket when BIG Government is through with me.

Of all of the people- Obama selects this joker to put into a position of overseeing the financial future of our country - Treasury Secretary. Is anyone else worried about this because he was just confirmed - he's IN.

Read more from a more seasoned writer at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,481347,00.html.

Inauguration Prayers...tsk tsk TSK

Ok, so we all pray differently- I realize this and had no problem with it...until now. Rick Warren's prayer at the inauguration was interesting- not offensive to any high degree though very clearly enunciated and was to be expected in content. Apparently though some people are taking issue with the very Christian basis of the prayer as being exclusive and blah blah blah. They are upset that he is anti-gay and Obama isn't so why was he chosen? Where is all the tolerance and love from our gay friends? Jeesh!

What you will not see people in mainstream media taking issue with is the following part of this post.

I was quite taken aback with the closing prayer by Rev. Joseph Lowery who is, "a United Methodist considered the dean of the civil rights movement, focused on poverty and social justice."

The following is the first part of his prayer (which you will see quoted online):

"Lord, on the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate. On the side of inclusion, not exclusion. Tolerance, not intolerance," he said.

Very nice, I agreed- it's always good to be loving and tolerant of those different from you (as long as it doesn't include infringing upon the rights of others, especially abortion of course). THEN he concluded the prayer with the following (which you are NOT likely to see people talk about though they SHOULD as they would for any other extremely bigoted and racist statement - especially from SELECTED BY THE PRES. HIMSELF someone giving such an important and public "prayer" as this one):

Then he ended his prayer with, “Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around – when yellow will be mellow – when the red man can get ahead, man – and when white will embrace what is right.”

Obama reacted to the benediction with a smile.

The crowd cheered and boomed with a loud “Amen.”

You can read more of the deciphering of this prayer from a rational perspective at http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=86675.

I'm fairly confused by this- isn't the huge percentage of voters that voted for Obama WHITE?? I don't know where to begin or end with yesterday's proceedings and it's just more of the same old anyway. I felt the need to post about this "prayer" though b/c it was just TOO much and the lack of its coverage by the media who has just adored tearing up anyone who dares to make a statement like this isn't apalling in itself. I've heard nothing of being offended by the content of the last prayer on a religious or any other level- WOW. Has our country not come a long way that people keep referring to Obama being elected as only the beginning of reparations to be made in this country. WOW. That's what maintaining poverty and and anything-but-Capitalist society is all about. What can you give me today- it's never enough, I want more more more but I certainly don't want to work for it.

I was running on the treadmill (my foot is healed with new shoes!!) today and heard a new song by Britney Spears come on. I can't remember them word for word and I turned it SHORTLY thereafter, but it goes something like, "Some people were born to be entertainers and some people were born to serve." Not a lot of options to be important in that statement is there? Isn't that how society is shaping up? Entertainers are glorified, given talk shows, given air time to spout uneducated nonsense, given awards for doing NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING but pretending to be something they're not cool enough to really be- but this is how society sees it. Those who are entertainers are really worth something and we should all aspire to be one. Those who are NOTS- should just keep their mouths shut, keep funding the entertainment industry like mindless zombies, and let them handle it all. The Presidency is not an entertainment industry- the new President is a Rock Star by societal standards. He can rock a speech or a lucky campaign - but nothing else of real value. We know this because he has not demonstrated anything in his past that would suggest otherwise. If you listen to President Obama on occassion you will hear him often refer to anyone not in his immediate political realm as 'Ordinary'. He is now going to be entitling us 'Ordinary' people to things of government that have been kept under wraps- many for extremely good reason, but that doesn't matter. From this point forward there will be no lies, deceptions, or information held back. Us lucky ordinary folk will finally get a say. Now that's very nice of him isn't it?

Anywho, I tried to explain the prayer to Mark, who wouldn't you know was working a nice 12 hour day- as usual- to get ahead in life and make it so there will be tax dollars to steal for the "poor", but he just wasn't getting the full effect of it until he went online to read it himself. He asked me if that is really what the guy had said and then laughed for the rest of the night. Nothing surprises him anymore.

Silver Linings...

So anyone who knows me or has read my blog knows I become quite the obsessed NUT when it comes to politics that's why up until lately I've tried to keep it to a need-to-know basis from it for the sake of my sanity and my family. When I became a SAHM I suddenly had much more time to listen to the political wonderment that awaits - too much time actually. All I felt during that time was severe distaste bordering on constant feelings of hate and disappointment in my fellow man/politician.

When election time hit - I hit rock bottom with hopelessness and serious disillusionment about how warped our society has become. I only saw depravity and lack of morals mainly because that is what the media is all about, but more importantly because I didn't realize that there is the other half of the population of voters who did actively vote for a candidate who represented morals and the like (who also unfortunately was a wussy-pants moderate who pretty much no one even wanted to vote for though - just the lesser of two loser candidates. I still can't figure out how we ended up with the pair). Then there's also a huge portion of the population who did not vote because they couldn't support either character. History has shown that a moderate Rep. is usually not the favored choice so not big shocker there and then there's Obama...where to start with him? While I think it is really not good to not vote at all, I am at least heartened by their reasons for not doing so and knowing that there are many more on the side of that which is good and holds strong values for families and God's purpose for us here. What I find the most interesting though, is that of the many people polled who voted for Obama- a huge percentage had absolutely no idea what he stood for or what kinds of 'change' he proposed- though to be fair, neither does Obama, but still. Many were shocked to learn of his past and blamed the media of disillusioning them- go figure - but at least their disillusionment is fading and their expectations becoming realistic. Does this man deserve our general ill will- no, for the sake of our great country and great freedoms - NO, but we also must not sit back and not take action for the things that we believe in that are in jeopardy if what he has promised comes to pass.

Of all the many forms of silver linings that are found even in situations with such gravity that affects our amazing country as a whole, I saw none of them until recently. I've been doing things to put me more in touch with my more God-fearing side (b/c I'll be honest, it has really been neglected) and I feel like a better side is opening itself up to me that seems so very apparent to me now but that I certainly missed in my crazed world-is-going-to-now-end state. Here are several of the silver linings that I've found recently that brought some peace and sanity back into my life, besides, of course, doing the regular yet easily forgotten things:

1. I had needed some mental support so I went online to the church's website (as well as a few others but this was my significant source) and read a few articles on the major issues at hand (b/c after awhile of hearing about why others can rationalize making one selection over the moral/ethical other can lead to you thinking maybe there is something more to that when there definitely isn't. It has been made very clear to us that we choose one side or the other but not both- we either support the big, life-altering issues or we don't.). What I found was very uplifting, motivating, and most importantly what I needed...peaceful - the gospel heals and gives us what we need despite what goes on in the world. The temple is a refuge when you feel like there is too much sadness and sorrow in the world and people who suffer. I read the following regarding our purpose and why society is so rampantly tearing at its seams and it all comes full circle to the value that we place on human life.

"Mother Teresa delivered a message that cut to the very heart and soul of the social ills afflicting America, which traditionally has given generously to the peoples of the earth but now has become selfish. She stated that the greatest proof of that selfishness is abortion. It was reported that Mother Teresa had tied abortion to growing violence and murder in the streets by saying, “If we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill each other? … Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want.”

Then she alluded to the concern that has been shown for orphan children in India and elsewhere in the world, for which she expressed gratitude. But she continued: “These concerns are very good. But often these same people are not concerned with the millions who are being killed by the deliberate decision of their own mothers. And this is what is the greatest destroyer of peace today—abortion, which brings people to such blindness.” Commenting on this powerful message, columnist Cal Thomas asked: “Why should people or nations regard human life as noble or dignified if abortion flourishes? Why agonize about indiscriminate death in Bosnia when babies are being killed far more efficiently and out of the sight of television cameras?”

In conclusion Mother Teresa pled for pregnant women who don’t want their children to give them to her. She said, “I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child and be loved by the child.”What consummate spiritual courage this remarkable aged woman demonstrated! How the devil must have been offended! Her remarkable declaration, however, was not generally picked up by the press or the editorial writers. Perhaps they felt more comfortable being politically or socially correct. After all, they can justify their stance by asserting that everyone does it or that it is legal. Fortunately the scriptures and the message of the prophets cannot be so revised."

2. I then heard a girl bearing her testimony in church about how we need to be doing the small and simple things to keep our testimony's alive and well- how reading our scriptures and praying truly does make us different people. Different - good people. I find that by doing this regularly I feel more spiritually directed and minded the next day. I thought of how strange it was to go from not feeling this way to having my mind drawn in that direction more regularly and what a difference it is surely making on my subconscious. It truly does make you better- I believe this and am excited to be changed through this process (I really have been very neglectful in the past few years unfortunately).

3. I have also heard recently on the radio (where I do much of my conservative value listening while I drive, cook, clean...alternating with the Little People happy CD- yikes!) that since the election people have been shocked back into reality with the election results and what we have opened ourselves up to now knowing of the real plans and promises that our new President has made and intends to keep that are very scary and have begun to talk openly about the greater support and backing of conservative values. SAHM's have come out of the woodworks with Blogs, groups, and the like to get the word out to the world that there are still many many many of us who hold strong values that support and love life and the determination to make sure our children grow up strong and fight against the crazy rationale that is invading our lives at every angle. From TV shows, to movies, to magazines on the rack, to disgusting billboards, to hateful displays of contempt for others who do not share one's opinion- we cannot escape from it, to songs like, "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It" sung by a girl- is that really what's 'IN' in society today and am I the only one who absolutely cannot believe this song is played so frequently or is popular at all? This is why I listen to so much talk radio nowadays - of course you can go online and tell the supposed 'family' radio stations that you do not appreciate it as I do to take some kind of action besides turning it off but that would require some action on your part- when will we be willing to step up to the plate and put our politicians, media, and government in their places? We certainly do not have to sit back and accept it - what these mothers are doing is awesome!!

4. I have also realized recently that there are many who do not wish to be openly political though they are in what they do and say on a regular basis with the most important people we have for our future. They teach their children values and morals - regularly and by example. They value human life above all else. They believe in God and follow his teachings. There are many many many of these people!! It's wonderful!!

We don't hear all of this good stuff in mainstream media, b/c it's about glorifying fake lives (what else does the Grammy's or Golden Globe's really mean?)- it's about being trendy, hip, portraying the opinions of the staff writers or actors as that of the great majority of the population. I was reading through 1 Nephi about the spacious building and my mind kept jumping over to the awards shows where so much self-congratulation goes on for pretending to be someone you'll never ever be smart enough to be or that doesn't exist in society already for good reason - that it is only seen for what it is by those who distance themselves from it and choose a better way. Can you be Christian and also actively fight against that which is pervasively evil in your life? I certainly hope so.

What I am now, finally seeing is that there are amazingly wonderful people who choose not to let these false ideals into their lives, who teach their children and love them actively, who know right from wrong despite those who try to rationalize it another way. Who try the best they can to protect their children from the huge waste of time, resources, and intelligence that goes on in the "entertainment" industry (I use that word very loosely). Are there shows and movies you can watch with your family still- yes, but they are very few and far between. Do you ever stop to ask yourself why this is or when it will get to a point when there are none. What do you think the Pioneers of our country or state even would think if they could see us now? I wonder about that a lot and can only see them shaking their heads in utter disbelief and disgust. What would we rationalize to them about it? How do we rationalize it to our God? We are affected by and take in our environment whether we wish to have it become a part of us or not- watching it is becoming it in many ways.

5. Our own prophets and church authorities know the way - they live it and they share it with us now. How often in history has there been a time without great controversy and deception- but how often in history has good prevailed or at least held out until the end? There are many more amazing articles you can read about this issue at www.lds.org if you have any doubt that there is any greater cause over that of fighting for the lives of one another - God's children.

6. I just want to end by sharing with you what President Bush has put out in one of his final acts as president. For as many bad decisions he has made in office - he has done something very decent and good as one of his last acts. He has declared January 18th a day for the National Sanctity of Life. I have not read anything this beautiful, eloquent, or heart-warming in a very long time. I think it says something very significant about society today that this Day ever needed to be created in the first place. I wonder that Pres. Obama will honor this day each year in his upcoming term. When you look at a thriving toddler (as I often do b/c my day is spent cleaning up after him) can you see him as a murdered fetus- a wasted life? They are amazing creatures full of so much love and goodness- where do we ever get the idea to dare to kill them in heinous and unimaginable ways from (again what would the pioneers say- what does God say to it)? This is one issue I will never be at peace with as it haunts me continually- as I'm sure must be the sentiment in a significant portion of society thankfully.

“All human life is a gift from our creator that is sacred, unique and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world. The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent. My administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing federal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen abstinence and funding crisis pregnancy programs. The sanctity of life is written in the hearts of all men and women. On this day and throughout the year, we aspire to build a society in which every child is welcome in life and protected in law. We also encourage more of our fellow Americans to join our just and noble cause. History tells us that with a cause rooted in our deepest principles and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens, we will prevail.”

7. I will pray for President Obama to be inspired by God- daily. I know that people can change through God's love, I am and have been the recipient of His love and forgiveness many a time. I know that good can once again prevail in a heart that has been clouded with disillusion and lost values. I have the audacity to Hope that he does Change for the good of our country but in the meantime I will not idly sit by while he institutes FOCA or continues to waste my taxdollars and turn our country into that which our forefathers certainly did not intend. You pray for your enemies and those who despitefully use you but you do not facilitate them doing so continually, this seems to be a point that is hard to reconcile for many that I've talked to. Being a good Christian and supporting the President of our great country versus taking a stand agains that which he intends to impose upon us which we know to be very wrong. We have to talk about these issues and act on them, it's not pretty, fun, or the best way we'd like to spend our time - but it's what we are required to do to ensure our Country retains its founding principles and freedoms for all.

Whether anyone reads this or not doesn't matter- I had to get it out of my mind where it has been dwelling and building for awhile now. The best we can do is try to influence one another for the good of our country and keep the good in life alive for as long as we can. We were given this amazingly beautiful and free country to have for as long as we choose to follow God - how long that will be for is up to us to be and to expect from each other.

A Hypocrite In Need - Help me!

I am looking for some good kid recipes for vegetable dishes. I am literally a dunce when it comes to preparing vegetables for a meal - so no recipe would go unappreciated.

This may sound odd to you veggie lovers out there but I have never 'taken to' most veggies (I spent many a night left sitting at the dinner table long after everyone had left until I ate my veggies, after so long my parents just gave up though I really do wish that I liked them) therefore I never learned how to prepare them or how to make them appetizing. I have struggled getting Slade to eat his veggies and now that his growing is slowing down he is becoming picky and is not the hearty eater he once was so he refuses veggies even more. I can only see my bad habits leading him further astray unless I make some good changes. Mark thinks I'm being a little hypocritical, but I'd really like for my children to grow to be good healthy eaters.

Please send me (taylor.elisabeth@gmail.com or just reply in a comment post) the recipes that your family enjoys when you get a minute, if you don't mind. I have ordered the book written by Seinfeld's wife that incorporates veggies right into the main course so that he is getting them and hopefully developing a taste for them (as well as myself), but I need to learn how to prepare veggies as a side dish and what better source to turn to?

Again, anything is appreciated!

What's wrong with my foot?

Ok, this is really a question of who knows a good podiatrist. I have started back at the gym again recently and my right foot hurts some when I run but leaves me practically crippled for a day or so afterwards. It's the outside middle area of the foot where it ridges out (what the heck is that part called again?).

I don't know if it is just because I'm so much fatter than I have ever been in my life and my body is balking against me or what because I used to be a fairly avid runner before baby - and my only issue has always been my left knee, off and on (does anyone have any remedies for that either, I'm too lazy to go see the Dr. about it but just may make this a year of healing my body with routine Dr. visits until I've got a clean bill of health).

Unrelated to running, I also apparently developed plantar faceitis (spelling??) in my left foot (yes this does mean both of my poor feet are afflicted, but I won't complain too much, I'm no Job...yet). I assume this an accurate diagnosis as it came from my OB who refused to let me believe that the pain was just pregnancy related (it started during pregnancy but hasn't ended after soo....thinking he was right about that one) and referred me to a Dr. - which I did not go to at the time believing the pain would be delivered with the ginormous baby. When I was pregnant I would try to bend over to wash my legs during my shower routine and it felt severe pin pricks in my feet - like I was pulling some strings too tightly or something. I would post a picture of my foot for a visual, but I'm thinking you don't want to see my seriously flaking gold toe nail polish or hairy toes - plus it would do no good, the problems are internal so an external visual will prove futile for a helpful diagnosis.

Does anyone have any advice or a good Dr. to recommend? It's funny b/c after I got married I didn't want to work out as much and would claim 'sickness' or pain to get out of it...to Mark I suppose, now when I really want to I feel like an idiot b/c that really is the excuse! My feet can't take any more abuse but I must lose weight...the show must go on!

BTW Happy New Year to you all!

Shout Out

Dr. Laura recently posted this on her blog which I thought was really cool- kind of a shout out to Mormons for some great programs that we have. I'm a big fan of hers, and while I do not always agree with what she has to say, I'm more than appreciative that she stands up for morals and values with straight talk in our society today.

Blessings in Disguise

December 18, 2008 on 8:00 am | In Charity, Economy, Marriage, Mormons, Relationships, Values Email This Post

I have always been impressed with the mentality of the Mormons with respect to the issue of charity. I had a tour of their main charity facilities, and was amazed at what I saw and learned. There are absolutely no handouts – they barter!

Here’s how it works: if you could lose your home, or if you need food, clothing, medicine or toys for your children, the Church takes financial care of your needs. In exchange, you provide services to the very mechanism that rescued you. This means that folks in the bakeries are people who have benefited from the charitable services; those helping in the stores that sell thrift clothing, housewares and food are those who have benefited from the charitable services, and so on.

The basic concept is to preserve a sense of dignity and pride in those who have temporary need by giving them an opportunity to use their skills in the service of others. Walking around the premises, I felt the uplifted attitude of all who were there: smiles, waves, and straight backs.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints provides for people all over the world – not only with goods and goodwill, but with the opportunity to not lose a sense of self when “things” are lost.

I probably sound like an advertisement for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am not a member of their religion, but I am impressed with their charitable philosophy, because I believe it teaches our children their real value, while motivating and uplifting them at the same time.

Their young people who graduate high school are expected to go on two-year “missions,” reminiscent of the Peace Corps. These young people come back much more mature, as they’ve experienced the pain and need of others, and have sacrificed two years of their own comfort to be of service to others.
Other youngsters just don’t want to skip a beat in their acquisition of iPods, cell phones, and other “Internet in your hand” gadgets.

I believe that the economic disaster our country is in right now is a kind of blessing in disguise with respect to values. Without values, life just provides us with “things,” but not necessarily with any profound meaning.

Mr. Poopypants.

Since becoming a SAHM I have been openly admired by women who are eager to one day be the same. Before I became a SAHM I was the same way. I was so jealous of all of the "free" time those SAHM women enjoyed and the beautiful children they had and couldn't wait to be one of them.

Well, now I am and it is harder than working f/t at a 'regular' job. There is no vacation, no work parties or gifts, no overtime pay (or pay period), no work friends to joke around with, no cute clothes to wear, or reason to spend $40 on a haircut anymore. There is no sick days (or pay) so it's no longer fun to get sick b/c you can't stay in bed b/c you've got someone else who expects you to still be the same enthusiastic, playful mother regardless. There's always someone who needs you and your time - so effectively you have much less free time than before, and I mean LESS. Plus, everyday can really feel like Groundhog day unless you take some serious initiative to mix it up for you and your child(ren). Doing so, however, takes lots of planning, juggling, and working around baby's ever-changing schedules and temperments.

Without boring you to tears or making you think that I do not enjoy motherhood or being a SAHM (which I would not trade all the money in the world for despite what I am about to tell you) I just thought I'd share the following:

So I thought I'd reached a point where changing a diaper was pretty much a forte of mine by now. I also thought Slade had reached a point where 'Blow-outs' were not really an issue anymore. Today I was proven wrong on both accounts. Slade had the mother of all blowouts that covered his pj's and body as well as my pjs and body. We both needed a bath by the time that diaper was changed. You truly wouldn't believe the mess unless you were here to witness it (and it's just not a kodak kind of moment anyway) and you wouldn't have felt my panic and understand why I froze on the spot with his arms in the air wondering how I'd ever get it totally cleaned up because it was mind boggling. It was everywhere, everywhere. It was disgusting. Slade's arms are now long enough to scratch his own bum, which he did once the diaper was released, so I spent a good 30 total minutes disinfecting them BEFORE I threw him in the tub. This all went down before 9am folks- the time most people are just getting into their workday. I called Mark, who is always wishing I would fill in for him at work and he could stay home with the baby, to let him know what happened. Mark despises poo and bargains with me when it's his turn to change a dirty diaper EVERY TIME.

Just thought I'd share an unfortunately common moment in a day in the life of a SAHM.

Utah Child Protection Agency

This is the official webpage for the Utah Child Protection Registry. Great site to get registered with for Ut residents! Visit: https://www.utahkidsregistry.com/

The Utah Child Protection Registry is a free program provided by the State of Utah that helps you stop adult-oriented solicitations from being targeted at you and your family. The program allows you to protect:

• E-Mail Addresses
• Mobile Phone Numbers
• Instant Messenger IDs
• Fax Numbers

Companies and marketers that send adult-oriented messages, such as those promoting pornography, alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, and gambling are required to screen their mailing lists with the State of Utah and remove registered addresses and numbers before they send their solicitations. Marketers that fail to remove registered addresses face felony charges as well as substantial civil and criminal fines.

Lila Rose

Looking for someone to admire? I am so impressed with the things this girl has done!

Check out her biography, projects, and work at www.liveactionfilms.org. In a world dwindling with figures to be truly impressed with and admire - here is a great, YOUNG, example for all of us!

Below is a link to a youtube video of an interview w/ her and O'Reilly.

The first video from this investigative series can be seen at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLDGFzdPjBU

Who Says?

To take a page out of Judy's blog- I'm inclined to begin a weekly segment on ongoing political issues in an attempt to help myself and my fellowman get more interested in the world falling apart around him as he hopes that someone else will be interested enough to take care of it.

I am obviously a Conservative on a very extreme level but if you feel you'd like to comment, add onto, or correct what I post about then I welcome you to do so (yes, I AM very knowingly opening them up to anything but offensive language or the like here). I've very admittedly been under-informed in politics up until now, for good, though futile and ignorant reasons, and am going to show that it's not hard to get into them and that it is imperative that we do so- especially at this point in our great nation's history.

It has been almost 70 years since our nation experienced something of this magnitude taking place within its borders and this threatens to be as extreme if not more - how can we continue to claim ignorance to it or 'non-affiliation' with any viewpoint or stance? In other words, there should be no one left saying, "Well, I'm just not political so it's not my fault" when the nation goes to pot and we're destitute and moral-less. I'm saying right here and now that in NO WAY do I consider myself exempt from criticism or that I make stellar choices- but then, who does? If we don't start talking about the real issues among our real selves then...Big G. (Government) will just keep doing it all for us because the people who run Big G. actively decide on what gets done and what doesn't with or without us...and we've seen where that's gotten us thus far.

I'm very positive that there are many who do not agree with me (as they've stated in prior posts) and those who bypass my political posts for nice pictures- just look at the level of comments on each. I will strive to be more 'moderating' with how I present the issues and welcome your input for the benefit of myself and whoever else may read.

I'll start this segment with the following:

- The Governor of Illinois - Nothing has been proven to implicate Obama directly (yet) in this scandal- and yet here is yet ANOTHER shady character directly linked to him. When Sarah Pallin was getting totally crucified by the media (even Moderate McCain's own staff) for the issues that people tried to bring public to take away her credibility, even get her into prison- what happened- nothing, because there was nothing foul or legally wrong with her situations to prove. NOTHING or believe you me- she'd be behind bars with a tossed key by now. With Obama, however, time and time and time and time and time again he is being linked to characters who are absolutely detestable and morally abhorrable (though morality is only very selectively applicable among the very liberal). Ayers, Wright (has anyone heard his latest rant?, Alinsky - we could go on and on but these are the ones you'd most likely be familiar with and these names are to prove a point here - where are the cries of scandal and extreme legal scrutiny of his connections? For Obama serving as Senator under this guy and his foul-mouthed Lady Macbeth wife (thanks Rush for that very accurate depiction) - yeah, I'm sure they've never played dirty together before. If you look into Obama's history you will find many a connection and situation that would be very interesting to darn right illegal if cast under the same scrutiny and infamous limelight from the mainstream media. It's just downright unfair, then to go and try to institute the 'Fairness Doctrine' (an oxymoron if there ever was one) just chaps my hide further.

- In regards to the 'Life' issue- in recent news there have been stories of parents performing unspeakable acts of abuse on their children, even unto death. These people are being given the maximum sentencing with no sympathy to their tears of momentary weakness/insanity (can we even allow there to be such a thing if we seek to be a society who is serious about offenders and decreasing criminal activity?). Why, I ask- do we impose punishment upon these parents who kill their children in these situations when we allow mothers to murder their unborn children or doctors to murder children of botched abortions (who HAVE been born but yet, still are not wanted as was the intention of the abortion). What is our explanation for allowing this to happen? Better yet, why punish men like Scott whatever-his-name-is for murdering his wife AS WELL AS unborn child. Must he have gone to Doctorate school before murdering the unborn child for it to have been considered acceptable? Why is the murder of children ok in some situations and not others (and let's bypass the extremely gray area of medically necessary, rape, incest, and the like- we're talking the really gratuitous reasons like inconvenience or 'lack of a better alternative')? Oh heaven forbid Roe v. Wade get overthrown (ironically if you go check the history on that one you'll be surprised to learn the defended mother's intentions never were that of her lawyers and she regrets that it ever happened, very interesting) in order to save a few lives of the children we ACTIVELY ELECTED to harbor in our bodies.

- Lila Rose - If you haven't heard of her, you should check her website out at liveactionfilms.org . She is a huge proponent of being Pro-Life actively and has done several under cover sting type of operations at Planned Parenthood to really show us just where our millions of American dollars are going....funding murder. Most recently, Laura Ingraham was interviewing the head of Planned Parenthood (also an oxymoron if you ask me) in Indiana about why they are offering giftcards for the Christmas season and if those giftcards can be used to fund abortions (yes, this is from a morality standpoint again so turn away if you wish). The lady, Betty something, was actually very articulate and refused to be baited into admitting anything about where the majority of the funds come from to support the 'business'. Like Obama, she would never outright admit to anything but did say it was highly unlikely that the gift cards would be used for abortion. A week or so later a story hit (mostly in conservative media b/c mainstream will not lend credence to the matter of legality when it hits so close to home apparently) where this girl (a student at UCLA I believe) went into a clinic in Indiana posing as a 13 year old saying she'd been impregnanted by a 30 year old man. The nurse at the clinic proceeded to tell her not to tell her her age and that her story would now be that she was impregnanted by a 14 year old fellow school boy instead. There was other advice as to what she should do thereafter to obtain the abortion unawares of her parents or other adults that you can read about- but this is the gist. This was all caught on camera and is very illegal as you've probably surmised. To let this young barely-teen obtain an abortion and then on top of it to NOT report that it was statutory by a much older man...well, that's just not nice is it? There are also stories of people who call to contribute to P.P. who tell the person they want their donation to fund an abortion of a minority and the caller is told that is do-able. Why isn't this being given more attention and why aren't the religious sector of us up in arms about this going on and the fact that our hard earned tax dollars are being taken from us and used in commandment-breaking ways?? Very disheartening, but when you visit her site there are actions layed out for you to take to become more active. I'd give them to you here but that'd be too easy, get some practice on doing some legwork on this one- it'll be well worth it.

- No more F's huh? - No more F's in the public classroom and the lowest grade you can now get is 50% - no more ZERO's for neglecting to turn in school work or being held back a grade b/c now you'll forever be a C student who dinks his way up the food chain. My son WILL be a productive contributing member of society for our posterity and will find joy and pride in the effects of the efforts he puts forth to better himself and be a honorable person. If he is a C student even with his best efforts, that's fine- not every great thinker or doer in history was a great student- but he will NOT be a cop-out from a failing system who refuses to acknowledge it PC'ness is running out of steam and straight into the ground. This, my friends, is why Slade and my forthcoming children will be home-schooled until we can be come financially well-off to provide a nice conservative private school for them b/c heaven knows I'm no teacher (hence again, lack of comments on my political postings). Fingers crossed vouchers will be in effect by then!

- Happy Holidays to you and you and you. I am tired of having my morals and good cheer PC'd away as of late. I understand that we live in a society made up of many people from many backgrounds who worship in many different ways. I am so happy that people believe in something bigger than themselves and hold themselves accountable to someone else besides....themselves. I even understand that one whose beliefs differ from Christianity may get tired of seeing Christmas decorations everywhere or getting told 'Merry Christmas' over and over again (well, not so much anymore though right?)- but too bad (we don't hear that enough in our society is my firm belief, if we did we wouldn't be in the situation that we are now, guaranteed, and digging ourselves in deeper b/c of our refusal to say it). You are choosing actively (there's that pesky personal responsibility thing being thrown in here again) to live in this GREAT nation. This GREAT nation was founded by CHRISTIANS and is populated overwhelmingly by CHRISTIANS. So when the majority of the population is celebrating its religious beliefs in a happy, fun, seasonal way- well, you're just gonna have to get over your objections to it and learn to be accepting of the diverse environment of which you live. That way when YOU want to celebrate YOUR beliefs (though they will not be as visually grand and seen everywhere b/c your religion is simply not the one of the popular majority and that is all) then you won't have to listen to people harping all over YOU for your constitutional right to celebrate them and enjoy them. What really gets me though, is Christians who are trying to PC (berrate) other Christians into discontinuing their beliefs b/c they just so happen to interfere with or irritate those who cry unfairness b/c we're the majority. Well guess what, you need to be grateful that this majority is so tolerating and loving in return- b/c in other countries of religious majority you'd get a bullet in your gut and tossed into a cold cement ditch to rot. So let's just focus on a bigger issue...like the fact that our economy is in the pooper, children are being murdered daily by a self-absorbed bunch of loonies, there are bigger fish to fry (see point #1), or if you're a gullible greenie- then go save the world and get Al Gore and his drones to practice what they preach...before all of the polar bears die or the ice melts (oh wait, there is an overpopulation now and the ice is getting thicker...oh well, I'm sure that can also be explained away by global goofiness somehow). Let me enjoy MY holiday in peace b/c I surely will let you...or better yet, go back to your own country and celebrate your beliefs all the day long without worry of any pesky Christian wishing you a 'Merry Christmas' - IOW, good cheer, love, freedom...and the like.

- Gay Day? See point above and let me expound further. Go find another word to describe the union of two people of the same sex b/c the simplest explanation here is that 'straights' picked theirs a LONG time ago. Quit trying to PC your way into ours and force your demands upon us. That's not very diverse of you. I really detes being called a bigot when I happen to not share your beliefs and refuse to vote the affirmative on something to allow you to change mine. too bad. It's what my husband tells me when I tell him I want something that we can't or shouldn't afford. Guess what, my world doesn't fall apart and I don't start making demands of everyone around me that I be accommodated. Society needs to straight up put its foot down on this irrational business and get back to the real issues at stake. Better yet, I heard an idea today that for businesses looking to downsize, who would be the likely candidates selected (the ones who call in for 'Gay Day' trying to force feed their agenda down everyone's throats OR the ones who keep their agenda to themselves in the workplace and fulfill the dutie THEY signed on for?)..that's a tough one. But then, that will mean my husband and I will get to pay for THEIR extended unemployment until WE lose our jobs and the awesome unemployment benefits have run their course. Ain't it great?!

- The Economy- I've said it back to the beginning (even before I started listening to fellow-doomsayer Glenn Beck, who, as a fun fact, is also LDS) when I'd hear the radio commercials on the radio calling out to all those who've had bankruptcies, bad credit, and the like- bad credit, no problem! The government will fix you up in a nice home with nice things and then when you can't pay again- NO PROBLEM! There are enough good hard-working Americans left to take care of you, so just sit back and enjoy the ride. I can't help but think that's what the 1/3 of people who defaulted on their loans, got 'BAILED OUT' and then when right back and defaulted IMMEDIATELY thereafter are thinking. Can someone please tell me why Christ Dodd, Barney Frank, etc... are STILL telling US what to do when it comes to the economy and are NOT behind bars for why they significantly helped to put us here? Sure sure, you want some more of my money, go ahead. I'll keep living in my house built in 1939 with my 1998 hub-cap-missing Toyota Camry and my child who wears consignment clothing and my school debt so Mr. Big House and fancy car can keep it all on my family's dime. That sounds like a great plan... only guess what? Just today there is news that people who have NEVER been late and are NOT in financial crisis (well, yet) are starting to call in and demand these bail out loans from their mortgage companies or they threaten to default as well. Hmm...who would've seen THAT coming? Fair's fair right? What's the point of playing by the rules when it only puts you further in the hole and those who refuse to play by the rules have not a care in the world? Where is the justice for the good (see point above about the 'holiday' season)?

- President Bush - let's talk transition first. Pres. Bush didn't get a transition team b/c of the foolishness that was going on when he was obtaining office - he didn't even get the 'W's' that came with the computers in the White House (hmm..where could they ever have gone to?). He got a big slap in the face from the get go by the American Media and its counterparts. No one welcomed him in, showed him the ropes, or let him in on the issues at hand. And he certainly didn't make a pulpit for himself and post YouTube videos of himself talking either in circles or very non-descriptly about well...issues that he said he'd bring Hope and Change to. I'm very interested to hear from those who voted for him have to say about his choices thus far for hope and change - what were you hoping for that would change because so far its the same rhetoric that leaves you guessing where his real answer is for anything or who the next Czar will be that he appoints from the Clinton Administration (new politics huh?) to find the right answer. But I really do digress, my issue here is the hammering what W. has taken for his bad decisions in his Presidency. He's being depicted as the worst leader out there and should be tried for his decisions...really? How quickly we do forget everything he HAS done for our country and how many people he's liberated in other countries (who were not blessed with the freedoms and safety that we are - whose lives have been ruled with a murderous iron-fist for as long as they can remember). These are our brothers and sisters too...lest we forget out of convenience to ourselves. Can we think of any other great things that he HAS done while in office? No one is perfect, and despite my personal feelings on the horror that he contriubted to and is contributing to with our economy and his Big G. programs- the man doesn't deserved to be crucified or under criminal investigation, good golly people.

We are so eager to take care of the PC Fighters & Terrorists (I like to combine the two together, it's more accurate that way to me) out there that we are losing everything that once held our country up grandly. Our morals, values, hard-work, sensibilities, goals, ambitions... what's it all good for if someone's going to steal it from you anyway? Whenever I quote Dr. Laura or refer someone to something she's written, I often get, "You listen to HER, she's so awful, harsh, antiquated." While I don't agree with everything that she says, I'm very hardpressed to find someone who represents boldly the values that used to be pervasive in our society. She tells it like it is and we've become a society of folks who aren't interested in having it any way but our own, especially not hearing from someone else that we're head-deep in destructive behavior. I ask again, are we surprised to be where we're at in the economy? That's assuming people realize how bad of a situation we are in or how much worse it's likely to get because from the looks of it (driving by restaurants, malls, etc..) we're not. Which is it- spend or save to keep ourselves and our economy afloat long enough to be bailed out? Big PROPS to the Republicans for standing up in Senate and pushing back on the 'Big Three Bailout'. A nice demonstration for me that there are a few willing to let our democracy work the way it was supposed to- like a wound healing itself instead of continually jabbing and picking at it in a ADHD attempt to make it all better right now. We will heal on our values and beliefs - that is, if we don't PC them away.

Family Pictures!!

Our friend, Lindsay , has a photography business (Lindsay Jane Photography) which is GREAT. She just hired on some new talent and asked us if we wanted to give her some experience...um YEAH! Here are a few pictures below that one of her girls took of our family. You can visit her website here if you are in need of pictures for any occassion- she and her team are so talented, creative, and a lot of fun to work with!

And them mommy with her big caboose has to go and ruin it all! Not for long though, she's working it OFF!!

What do you do?

We often hesitate to commit ourselves to much these days with all of the crazy things that our great society has encountered. We need to re-commit ourselves to our values and what we say we stand for and the rights we wish to protect...ACTIVELY.

Now is the time to do this- it won't matter down the road when we no longer get a say. We can no longer sit back and not be active in seeking the best for ourselves and those we love because as much as we wish for peace and to happily enjoy family and life and our blessings - there are those who do not have what we have and will ALWAYS fight to take it away from us no matter our fondest desires and dreams otherwise. Peace is an oxymoron because we will always have to continually fight to maintain it. Don't think that someone else will always do all of the fighting for you- we've very apparently become the minority, do you think that merely desiring to be back to the point where we were the majority (I mean a society full of values, morals, and care for others) is going to work? Guess what the alternative is...

I recently found this UT site (not party affiliated and does not endorse political candidates) that seeks to do just this- to unite us together, to commit to our beliefs and that which keeps us free to live as we wish. You can visit this site to put your name on the list to showcase your belief that we are a state that believes in the NEED for Limited Government. Government does not have many, if any, of the answers for us- in small scale, here in UT.

Here's another opportunity to actively promote your beliefs in an effort to protect them from all the ways others are seeking to overrun them these days: http://sutherlandinstitute.org/ltd_govt.asp

The Sutherland Institute is a conservative public policy think tank committed to shaping Utah law and policy based on a core set of governing principles. We strive to make Utah an example of good government for the rest of the nation and a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

On September 26, 1994, the Sutherland Institute was incorporated. On May 22, 1995, the Institute was granted tax-exempt status and began formal operations.

Over the past 11 years, the Institute has established a presence in Utah politics and law. It is a force for good. And though the words have changed with time, the Institute's Mission Statement has retained the same ideals as when Sutherland was founded by Gaylord Swim.

Sutherland's objective has been, and forever will be, to influence public policy in Utah according to enduring principles such as private initiative, self-reliance, and family as the fundamental unit of society. The Institute seeks to influence law and society, and provide an effective vehicle for fellow Utahns to influence public policy as well.

Sutherland's message is transcendent: RISE above politics as usual. STAND for something good. TRUST in family and community to solve problems. LOOK for lasting solutions, not simply zero-sum results. The Institute's message is inclusive and pluralistic, meaning that Sutherland will find value in the differing opinions of others if value is to be found.

I am committed to limited government. I, along with other Utahns, share the beliefs that 1) government exists to benefit mankind, 2) our American form of a democratic republic works best to secure freedom, and 3) its layers of processes – from its federalism to its checks and balances to its enumerated powers to its inalienable rights – coordinate and integrate a government of the people, for the people and by the people.

I accept that limited government rests on several attributes: local self-government (the government closest to the people is best-suited to make decisions of the people), personal responsibility, an essential balance between self-reliance and charitable giving, a humane rule of law, stable and autonomous families, the maintenance and integrity of private enterprise and community organizations, and the interdependent fabric of social community.

These processes and attributes combine to create limited government.

The primary role and function of state and local governments are to provide a just and orderly system of laws that allow maximum freedom for individuals and communities to safely intersect, effectively interact, and honestly transact with one another. State and local governments should defer action to the private sector whenever possible, and should only be a last resort in providing direct benefits to Utahns.

In my commitment to limited government, at least four principles will govern my official actions:

1. Honoring local self-government. Also known as " subsidiarity " we should look to the smallest unit of government in solving personal and community problems – beginning with ourselves, then linking individuals to families, families to neighborhoods, neighborhoods to local government, local government to state government, and state government to federal government, in that order of responsibility.
2. Protecting the integrity of the free market. The free market is necessarily characterized by a legal and moral framework. Laws governing private property (the injunction to not take what is not yours), contracts (the requirement to keep your promises), and torts (the obligation to make good on wrongs you inflict on others) must be protected. The free market should be relied upon to generally arbitrate economic development, and state or local governments should not be permitted to compete with or subsidize private businesses.
3. Unburdening and uplifting Utah’s families. State and local taxes, regulations, and intrusions should be held to a minimum – only enough to maintain basic order, essential infrastructure, and "safety nets" underlying the general welfare. Proven family structures that unburden society should be encouraged.
4. Creating transparent and open government processes. State and local taxpayers should have open and easy access to the many layers of government for purposes of accountability, made easier in an era of high technology that increases efficient and inexpensive opportunities for transparency.

If limited government means anything, it means Utah’s state and local governments keeping their reach, scope, and intrusions in the private sector, and in the lives of functional families, to a necessary minimum in the orderly maintenance of society.

I affirm,

Name:
Title:	Select One Public Official Candidate Private Citizen
Elective Office:
Date:	Monday, December 01, 2008
Email: