Happy New Year!!! It is 2013, a new beginning, a new opportunity and a new chance to be a better person, better Christian, better mother, daughter, friend and wife. I was feeling a certain kind of way on the 31st, but when we rung in the new year, I almost immediately got excited for the blessings that are in store for me. I didn't make any resolutions, instead of talking about it, I am going to be about it. I have always made a resolution for New Year's, so I'm doing something different this year.
With all the optimism and enthusiasm I have for 2013, I still have issues with certain things that happened in 2013. Things that I would like to see resolved, eliminated and not repeated in this new year. The first on my list of gripes, is this flipping DO NOTHING politicians. So as you know we faced the end of the Bush Tax cuts at midnight on NYE, which would mean an increase in taxes and cutting of exemptions that we, the middle class, have benefitted from over these past several years. And you also know that our employees, the DO NOTHING politicians, could not come up with a deal before the deadline and as of today the House has yet to vote on the deal passed by Congress. Now, here's my problem(s)....what employee can repeatedly miss deadlines and remain employed??? I can't go in to work and miss the deadlines for my reports, etc and think I should keep my job. What's up with that? Why is it ok for them? I am paying their salaries and I say "You're Fired".
The other issue I have with the House of Republicans especially is that they are so hell bent on NOT compromising or reasonably negotiating that they would have the whole country suffer to prove a point. Isn't that like cutting off your nose to spite your face? It gets me so angry, that there isn't more outrage for this behavior and on top of it, regular folks in the 99% are still supportive of their position. Is it me??? Who doesn't vote their interest?
Another thing from 2012 that had/has me upset is the violence in Chicago and how the murder rate continues to rise and it doesn't appear grand enough measures are being taken to deal with it. I felt like I needed to do or say something and so I did. I wrote to Father Pflegar to ask what I could do. I wrote to the mayor, the governor and Rev. Al Sharpton, asking each of them what they are doing and to Rev. Sharpton, how I think his show on MSNBC can help shed a national light on the issue. As there was National light on the Sandy Hook murders of 26 adults and children. The dialogue went to gun control and mental health. But I haven't heard that about the 500 people dead in the Chi. In the posting on Rev. Sharpton's page I got into an email debate with some very right wing, gun toting individuals. I don't understand why looking for more control on types of guns, makes those that hunt and gather and that are unable to protect themselves without fire power, feel threatened? They always speak of the second amendment, which is the right to bear arms. I am not promoting taking your handgun or hunting rifle, I am saying no one other than military personal need assault weapons or magazines that carry multiple bullets. These are not the weapons/tools for self defense they are tools for mass death and destruction. It escapes my why those folks can't make the distinction.
Chicago needs help as well as other major cities and it's a multi-level approach. But nothing is going to happen unless the people make something happen. The residents, the communities need to write letters, petition, protest and speak out to make the powers that be solve the issues. It's not going to be easy, but it's necessary. The work has to be done, or it will just continue to be bloodshed in the city. I will continue to let my voice be heard on this issue and do what it is I think I can until a change has come.
I guess the last thing I want to talk about is more about my personal goals for 2013. First off, I will be celebrating my milestone birthday all year. So I plan to do something to celebrate 50 each month. And so for November 2012, my birthday month, I went home to the Chi to celebrate my birthday with my family. December, Maddison and I went to the Kevin Hart concert, which was funny as hell. And for January, I have re-committed to improving my health and an Ipad! I will be celebrating ME all year, how fun. I don't know yet how we will culminate the celebration, but that will be in November. I plan to move closer to my goals and vow to always choose to be happy. Oh, was that a resolution? Naw, it's a life choice:)
Whew that was cathartic! I am serenely resting now at the lake. I will do my part to receive the Blessings that God has in store for me and my family. You do the same. The lake is beautiful this time of year.
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