Lethargy

The dictionary defines Lethargy as "the quality or state of being drowsy and dull, listless and unenergetic or indifferent and lazy; apathetic or sluggish inactivity".  I can tell you that for myself, this is something I battle.  I battle this in alot of aspects of my life.  I fight it.  Sometimes, I fight it hard, and other times I just succumb to where the lethargy wants to take me.  


It's funny ironic.  In my Sunday school class we just started a new study.  We have started reading together the book by Beth Moore called Get Out of That Pit.  Kind of perfect timing for me.  I've been able to recognize the pits that I go through.  I cycle through them.  In all aspects of my life ~ family, marriage, overall self, spiritual, and political.  And I am just now beginning to recognize how A LOT of them start.  Apathy.  Indifference.  LETHARGY.


I also battle how I balance my faith with politics.  THAT is hard.  But, it really shouldn't be.  All of my political views come from the same place that I get my faith.  The Bible.  And that is how it should be.  But, I guess my balance issues come from how I express them.  I tend to have an acerbic communication style.  I know it.  And I try to  work on that.  I know I am not the best writer, and a lot of times what I say/type does not come out how I really want it to sound.  I call it "passionate" and it is, but most of the time I realize if I just type a post out or a reply and let it sit there before pressing the "post" button, I will be able to reread it after a few minutes and sound more intelligent and less harsh ~ if I have the patience to just let it all out.  I'm trying to learn that.  But oh, sometimes, with some people, oh............  Then I realize that does nothing for me except to make me look like an angry conservative or hypocritical Christian.   And what does that do for either "cause"?  Nothing.  Oh, how I long to be able to exercise Psalm 19:14 with every breath, with every word I type/say.  Psalm 19:14 (NIV 84):
 May the words of my mouth
 and the meditation of my heart 
be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. 

I long to be a voice that makes a difference.  But then I see where that path leads and I think at times ~ "It's too hard"  or "there's too much work involved"  or "there's too much to risk putting myself out there".  And I become LETHARGIC.  And while I sit here being lethargic, my mind whirls.  And I think, "THIS is exactly why this country is where it is right now."
We, the People, have become SO comfortable.  We, the People, have become so accustomed to our way of life.  We sit back and let the few speak for us.  We get angry when the ones speaking don't say what we believe, but then we sit back on our laurels and let it go by without standing up and speaking for ourselves because that would be too hard, too uncomfortable, too much work.  We, the people, have been all too willing to stay stuck in the pit of our lethargy.  We are too comfortable in this horrible pit that we have sunk ourselves into.  

Here is an astonishing little statistic ~ Did you know that there are at least 100 million people in this country who are of voting age that just DON'T VOTE.  But the more astounding (and might I say extremely sad) statistic is that 65% of that 100 million claim to be CHRISTIANS.  This statistic is from Andy Andrews {author of How Do you Kill 11 Million People}.  And it is crushing to me.  I realized that there were Christians out there who didn't vote, but to realize that over 65 million Christians did NOT vote.  Oh, how sad.  This country could be so VASTLY different if we took our faith seriously ~ if we voted our faith.  I guess that is one reason why Paul wrote in  Ephesians 5:14 ~  

for it is light that makes everything visible. 

This is why it is said: 

“Wake up, O sleeper, 
rise from the dead, 
and Christ will shine on you.”

Okay, so Paul didn't write this verse about politics.  But Jesus told us we are the Light of the World ~ we are to make our light visible to all, and not hide it under a bushel.  Oh, conservatives.  Oh, CHRISTIANS ~ we need to wake up.  We need to get out of our Pit of Lethargy.  We need to fall to our knees and repent.   As it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 

if my people, who are called by my name, 

will humble themselves and pray and 

seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, 

then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin

 and will heal their land.

We (and I am talking to myself, more than anyone here) need to wake up, and humble ourselves and beg God to show mercy and heal our land.

I don't want to be lethargic anymore.  Who is with me?


*cross-posted at Smart Girl Politics

Who speaks for you?

Oh, sheesh.  My family and I went on a vacation ~ to DC and South Carolina ~  and had a marvelous time.  But since I have been back, UGH.  I don't even know where to start.  I'm feeling kind of frustrated with politics right now.  Do you ever get like that?  I have a few friends who I know feel that  way.    And the way I feel right now, I know if I try to articulate much of an opinion about any of these, I know the opportunity to sound bitter and angry is VERY much there.

So, here is a recap of things in my world that has been in my sphere ~ probably yours too ;)

First off, redistricting in NY state has been finalized ~ and it was great for us here in my district.  Our representative is still able to run for us!  The district lines were favorable and fair.  So glad I'll be able to vote for Rep. Buerkle.  She has been a good voice for us in New York.  Plus, she is a confirmed speaker at Smart Girl Summit this year!  Yay!

Now, the other things is where my "dander gets up", so to speak.  I was saddened by the news that Sen. Santorum suspended his campaign.  He was my pick, and I am so sad that I won't be able to cast my ballot for him in 12 days.  But, I don't blame him, although I was looking VERY much forward to having a homeschooler in the White House.  But, not yet.

Another one that gets me just plain angry ~ This whole fiasco.  The liberals are set on starting a Race war.  And the rhetoric and parties involved are ramping it up to a level that is totally not necessary.  And this one just boils my blood.  I see a total "Top down, bottom up, inside out" possibility which spells hard times ahead.

And finally (well, not really, but the last one I will mention) is this ~ Faux apology to Ann Romney .  UGH.  I repeat UGH.   And this war on women that the left has launched.  It's despicable.   And let me tell you, as much as they like to scream that they speak for all women out there.  They don't speak for me.  They don't speak for conservatives.  They don't speak for us.

Don't let them speak for you!  You are strong.  Use your voice! 

*cross-posted at http://smartgirlpolitics.ning.com

Interview (not mine) with Rep. Buerkle

Rep. Buerkle Interview

Click the link to hear a great interview with Rep. Buerkle talking about redistricting, Obamacare, and Jobs!

She is exactly what we need!  And she is not getting a fair shake.  We conservatives need to stand up and let our voices be HEARD.  Liberals are not the only ones who can be loud and heard!

Come and join us at:
Smart Girl Politics Action

Time for Conservative women to stand up!

"Republican Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle from New York’s 25th District has been ranked the most conservative woman in the House. She is wildly popular among pro-life groups, and her strong stance against government spending has earned her a Club for Growth rating of 92, a full 24 points higher than the next best rating in New York. Rep. Buerkle is a strong, independent, female conservative — the kind that the Republican Party sorely needs in Washington.
So naturally, the New York GOP is intentionally redistricting her out of her seat. Their own, self-drawn map places Rep. Buerkle in a nearly impossible electoral situation.
Anyone who is familiar with the New York Republican establishment shouldn’t be too surprised by this. In 2009, the state GOP forced the liberal, pro-union, pro-choice Dede Scozzafava onto the Republican ticket in the NY-09 special election, causing a third-party rebellion within the conservative movement that led to Scozzafava’s withdrawal from the race and endorsement of the Democrat over the conservative candidate. In 2010, the establishment tried to hoist candidate Rick Lazio onto the GOP gubernatorial ticket — only to result in yet another voter revolt that put Carl Paladino on the ballot, a candidate who went down in flames in November.
This time, instead of forcing a flawed candidate onto the ticket, the state GOP is trying to redistrict a good one — a great one, actually — out of contention, simply because..........."
continue article here, at the daily caller.

We need to stand up for Rep. Buerkle and Conservatism now.  We can no longer be silent!

Brokered, baby, brokered 2

Here is an interview that Sarah Palin did with Eric Bolling last month!  She answered about a brokered convention that "all bets are off"!  She is such a tease!  And Eric Bolling is a great interviewer!

You seriously need to watch the video!  Here is the article off of Mediaite.  You can watch the video on the link.  I also put it below!  I LOVE Sarah!

Brokered, baby, brokered!!

While I am (like most Republicans) so tired of all this "politic-ing" during this nomination season, I have a small glimmer of hope at the end of this tunnel.   I'm holding out for a brokered convention.  Yup.  Though it wearies me to think of so much smear and nasty tactics employed by the wanna-be nominee's, I am willing to endure to get to a brokered convention.  It is an exciting thought to me.

But, if you are like me just a few months ago, and my husband just a few days ago, you may be wondering "What the heck is a brokered convention?  And why are you so excited for it?!"   Well, I will do my best to explain it to you, as I understand it.

According to Wikipedia (yes, I know not necessarily a reliable source, it does explain it pretty well) a brokered convention is " a situation in United States politics in which there are not enough delegates 'won' during the presidential primary and caucus elections for a single candidate to have a pre-existing majority, during the first official vote for a political party's presidential candidate at its nominating convention.  Once the first ballot, or vote, has occurred, and no candidate has a majority of the delegates' votes, the convention is then considered brokered; thereafter, the nomination is decided through a process of alternating political horse-trading, and additional re-votes. In this circumstance, all regular delegates (who, previously, were pledged to the candidate who had won their respective state's primary or caucus election) are "released," and are able to switch their allegiance to a different candidate before the next round of balloting. It is hoped that this 'freedom' will result in a re-vote resulting in a clear majority of delegates for one candidate."

 Summed up, all the pledged delegates would be released and the deal making would begin.  The August 2012 GOP Convention in Tampa could be one hotbed of fun.  One that I would LOVE to go to, but since I no longer live in Florida, that won't happen ;) . 

I have heard that a brokered convention could also bring in a party who could throw his (or her ;) ) hat into the ring and convince the delegates to give him or her the nomination.  I'm not too sure how realistic that could be, but can you just IMAGINE?!?!  Oh my.  I would love to see a brokered convention, Sarah Palin coming in and throwing her hat into the ring and bringing it home!  But, that is more than likely nothing more than just a dream.  But how AWESOME would that be?!  Or even someone else?  Who would you like?

Right now, I support Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich.  But for November 2012, my rallying cry is Anybody but Obama.  I may have to plug my nose when I walk to that voting booth, but I did that when I cast my vote for McCain.  And in all honesty, I only voted for McCain because of Sarah Palin.  But, oh the dream of a brokered convention.  Just think about it.  We (Republicans) haven't had a "brokered" convention since 1948.   We could see something that is pretty rare!  History!  Yes, I realize we see historic things happen everyday, but it would be so fun to see a brokered convention!

Redistricting

When politicians chose their voters, district lines are at times purposefully drawn to eliminate challengers.  And this is where the problems arise.  Because of the 2010 census, the state of New York will lose some congressional seats.  I do believe the total number that we will lose is 2.  There have been many proposals.  And, there are some of our representatives that are going to suffer from the lines that have been proposed.

The one that concerns me the most is the representative of my district.  As of right now, I live in the 25th congressional district of New York State.  My representative is Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle.  She has been ranked as being one of the most conservative (if not the most conservative) woman in Congress.  She does not cow tow to the party line.   "Since Buerkle captured the Syracuse area congressional seat in a 2010 election upset, she has been loath to play the game others rely on for self-preservation: She didn’t contribute to state Senate Republicans; she didn’t hire a lobbyist to watch out for her in Albany; and she didn’t sponsor partisan bills to win political friends." ~ Mark Weiner

Needless to say, she doesn't have many friends in even her own party.  Which is terribly sad.  She has been a tremendous representative for our district.  And I find it a shame that even her fellow republicans are so intimidated by her that they can't get their act together to support someone in their own party.   I can't imagine feeling so inferior to someone who is doing good things for their constituents.  So, they decide it is in THEIR best interest to make sure she doesn't win.  Those politicians only care about what is good for themselves, not caring about their constituents.  It is no longer about WE THE PEOPLE ~ whether the politicians are in Washington DC or Albany.  Well, Rep. Buerkle cares about her state and the constituents of not only her district, but her state, also.

Because of all the skewed district proposals, Rep. Buerkle has requested a judge to reject the proposals.  The judge she petitioned will be redrawing the district map and hopefully that will be accepted and it will be unbiased.  If the lines are still skewed against her, she is considering running in another district ~ which she can according to state law ~ but what a shame for those of us in her current district if she has to change districts.

Stay tuned for the outcome.  It has to be settled soon.