Whatever your political persuasion, I believe you must acknowledge that today’s special election in Massachusetts illustrates that a citizen’s personal vote still holds sway in American politics.  A fairly small percentage of the electorate in one small state has effected, perhaps profoundly, the balance of power in Congress, and has signaled a substantial change in momentum for a movement considered by many to be unstoppable but a short year ago.

In the end, it is the will of the  American people, not that of career politicians, that will lead this great country forward.

May we all remember this example and exercise our freedom to vote whenever we get the chance.

I got this as a forward (forwarded multiple times I think) but it made so much sense it belongs here under the title for freedom. We must take back our country from career politicians and special interests. TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!

Congressional Reform Act of 2010

1. Term Limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two Six year Senate terms
B. Six Two year House terms
C. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work

2. No Tenure / No Pension:
A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security:
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund moves to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, Congress participates with the American people.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, server your term(s), then go home and back to work..

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

7. Congress must equally abide in all laws they impose on the American people.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.
The American people did not make this contract with congressmen, congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

“The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.”

Winston Churchill, British Statesman who served as United Kingdom Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.

"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must ever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."

Martin Luther King, from “I Have a Dream” speech at March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, August 28, 1963, Washington, D.C.

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America.

The free market punishes irresponsibility. Government rewards it.

Harry Browne, American libertarian writer, politician and free-market analyst.

“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God cannot retain it.”

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States.

“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.”

James Madison, Fourth President of the United States and “Father of the Constitution”

PS: “chimerical” = wildly fanciful; highly unrealistic

Happy New Year to everyone in the blogosphere! Now is a great time to count our blessings and look forward with eager anticipation to the year ahead.

I am most grateful for my wife and family, my God and faith, my employment and professional opportunity, and the freedoms we enjoy in this great country. And also – being able to post this little article from my iPhone while sitting in an airport.

I look forward to completion of the Oracle/Sun merger, the upcoming marriage of one of my sons, the return of another son from two years in Croatia, teaching my daughter how to drive, and other exciting professional and family opportunities.

It is going to be a great year!