The way I see it...

           One of my favorite things about this country is my ability to have my own opinions and beliefs and to make my voice heard.  As most of you know, I am very passionate about certain subjects; many of them pertaining to the preservation of the very things that our Founding Fathers created for us and my ancestors fought and some died for.  As I look around today, I see that our rights that are guaranteed by our Constitution are slowly being eroded away by the very people hell-bent on changing the face of this great nation.
               Our religious freedoms are being restricted.  Kids are no longer allowed to even utter God’s name in school for fear of punishment.  We cannot have a Christmas Tree anywhere public as it must be a “holiday tree.”  The Nativity is viewed as offensive to those who don’t believe in the Glory of Christ Our Savior.  If I say “Merry Christmas” to someone, they might take offense to it; but I’m supposed to likewise accept all other beliefs and their “holiday” greetings.  You can’t have your cake and eat it too.  This country was founded on Christian beliefs when the Puritans left the oppressive rule of the King of England; so that their descendants could live in a country where they were free to practice their beliefs.  Now these very beliefs are almost oppressed in lieu of not hurting someone else’s feelings.  I’m not saying that everyone needs to be a Christian and follow Christian beliefs, but stop attacking my (and others’) beliefs for the sake of your own.  And before you tout your argument that you don’t want to live under certain Christian beliefs, take a moment to think that you’re forcing your beliefs on me.
               Now, what about “Obamacare?”  What a joke!  This law will fundamentally change America, and not for the better.  I have seen numerous reports recently that companies simply cannot afford the cost.  They will be forced to either pass-on the cost to consumers, reduce their workforce, or both.  And if companies, both big and small cannot afford it, how is the general public supposed to?  Now, I haven’t finished reading that missive bill – only a couple hundred pages of it; but what I have found so far is disturbing.  Here are some of the things that I have an issue with.

• The government has placed specific limitations on hospital readmissions.  This relieves doctors of the ability to use judgment for readmission following a discharge.  If they disregard this rule, they will be subject to a massive fine.
• Raised deductibles for employer sponsored plans – up to $2k for individuals and up to $4 for all others.
• Does not remove pre-existing conditions (a statement that was used to get the public to get on board with this bill) but instead labels up to 100 high-risk conditions.  Individuals will be labeled as high-risk at an increased cost.
• Allows the Department of Human and Health Services, the Secretary of DHHS, and other predetermined individuals access to our private information.
• A penalty will be imposed on those who fail to maintain coverage for themselves or their dependents (strictly in violation of our Constitution).

I’m definitely sure that these are not the only things that the American people have been duped by in this bill. I’m almost scared to finish reading it.
               What about Benghazi and Operation Fast and Furious?!?  People died in direct result of these situations – American Citizens!  Why aren’t people more upset about this?  In my opinion, certain individuals in our government should be held directly accountable for the deaths that transpired as a result of these events; instead this administration is sweeping it under the rug in the hopes that we (the American people) forget about it!
               Let’s move on to the recent “fiscal cliff” deal that was made.  What a load of crap!  I heard an interview with a congressman from Utah who stated that they had 6 minutes to read the bill before voting on it.  Another congressman from Kentucky stated that he never even saw the bill before he was supposed to cast his vote.  Please tell me how this is even feasible?!?  They didn’t even know what they were voting on.  This deal did not involve spending cuts.  How are we supposed to reduce our nation’s debt if we are spending out of control?  Oh, but we gave deals to NASCAR, Hollywood, and other crap that, frankly, doesn’t need it.  Oh yeah, and most workers, if you’re lucky enough to have a job in this horrible economy, will see a payroll tax increase of 2%!  I hate to see what happens when this good-for-nothing government has to vote on the debt ceiling.
               On that note, while this nation is in such great financial crisis, why did we give Egypt alone almost $1.6b last year?  Under the rule of the previous president of Egypt, our government made a deal to supply them with various weapons.  Now, that president is no longer in office.  Instead, Egypt is under the rule of a president (Morsi) who is a known member of the Muslim Brotherhood; a group that has been found by the FBI to support terrorism.  Now, this deal is being held up by the Obama Administration; to supply the Egyptian government with 10 F-16 fighter jets and 200 tanks (all brand new) for a cost of $213m; combine that with the other aid that will be given to Egypt and the total will be $1.5b in U.S. TAXPAYER dollars!  This is a government that expressly is against our ally – Israel!  Look up what constitutes an act of treason…
               What about gun control, you ask?  Flat out, it doesn’t work.  All it does is to make criminals out of law-abiding citizens and take away our right to defend ourselves.  Take a look at Chicago.  Aside from Washington, D.C.; it has one of the strictest gun control laws in the nation and simultaneously has one of the highest homicide rates.  Connecticut has very strict gun laws as well, but that didn’t stop the tragedy that unfolded at Sandy Hook Elementary.  Passing more gun control laws will not solve the problem.  In 2011, the UCR reported a total of 14,612 homicides; 8,583 of these are attributed to handguns.  A large number of these homicides are gang related.  Gang members are criminals and as we all know, criminals don’t follow the laws – that’s what makes them criminals.  Another large number of homicides are drug related.  All but one of the major mass murders in recent history have taken place in gun-free zones – which are targets for criminals intent on mass harm by nature.  Now, I have a few ideas to start combating these issues (these are just a few of my ideas).

1. Abolish gun-free zones.  They merely institute areas of unarmed citizens who cannot protect themselves and those around them.
2. Implement mandatory sentences for unjustified murder – i.e.: 25 years mandatory for any murder that is not the result of self-defense (or something to the like – implemented only after ample research).
3. Increase access to mental health services.  Help the general public to learn warning signs for at-risk mentally ill individuals.
4. Stop attacking the 2nd Amendment.  PERIOD.  I should not have to explain this one to you.  This right is non-negotiable.

               You know what else irks me?  This new-age idea that parents can no longer parent their own children and that somehow the government knows what’s best for my children!  Since when did it become wrong for a parent to spank their child?  Or wash their mouth out with soap?  (Obviously within reason – no, I’m not talking about using a belt or excessive spankings).  Since when did it become the job of the government to dictate what my children can and cannot eat?  How is it okay to teach the notion of evolutionism in school, but heaven-forbid we simultaneously teach the teachings of the bible?  I, for one, am not okay with any of this.  For example, a new federal mandate states how many calories (in each food category) that each child can have per meal/per week when they order their meals from school.  In our district, that translates (for one meal example) into what they call a “yogurt plate” – which consists of a half-size container of yogurt, a cheese stick, and a small graham cracker; plus up to 4 fruit/veggie sides.  How is that supposed to satisfy a child for a day of learning?  Let me tell you from experience, it doesn’t.  I feel sorry for the kids who rely on the schools for their meals because they must be starving.
               Now, I could go on and on about the nation that I see crumbling before my eyes; but I am going to stop now.  In the meantime, I will continue to make my voice heard through any outlet available – including the letters that I continuously write to my (and other) elected officials; and I urge you to do the same.  Educate yourself.  Follow what is happening in this country.  It is up to each and every one of us to preserve it.

Kimberly Williams

P.S.
These are my personal opinions and beliefs.  I don’t expect you to agree with them, but I do expect you to respect the fact that they are mine and I am entitled to them.  These beliefs are based on my own personal experiences and perspective.  Your arguments against them will not change how I feel.  As I said before, I feel very strongly about these issues.  If you feel you must delete me as a friend because of them, I will miss you; but I won’t be sorry for me.  Instead, I will feel sorry that you are so close-minded that you cannot maintain a relationship with someone who differs in opinion from you.  It is my belief that our differences are what make us, and this nation, so wonderful.