Our country is at a crossroads - our decisions in the next few months could affect the outcome of our economic strength for decades. The answers being presented around the Internet are time consuming, inconvenient and quite frankly ineffective. The efforts are there - people do care and that is what I have been looking for. It has presented to me that America is without hope - doomed to an economic depression beyond all imagination. There will be riots in the streets and starving children. All this because Americans are selfish and lazy. They no longer have the spirit or drive to take action. They have become a mass of followers and prefer to point their fingers and whine. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS.
Our country was founded by our forefathers setting aside their differences and working for a common good. They carried in their hearts an unwavering sense of patriotism, compassion and brotherhood. They established a foundation for freedom and equality like no other country had ever had before on earth. This fire burns in the hearts of all Americans - it is witnessed when a threat to our country fans the embers and reignites the flames of passion that Americans feel for their country. We are a country that does not give up - we fight for what is right - we are strong.
Our attentions are being diverted from real issues that will make a difference in our lives - as the donkeys and elephants continue to trample on democracy in Washington - we are watching and waiting for an outcome that will make little difference to us if we cannot change the public mindset of social and fiscal responsibility. The power of the government is only as strong as the people it represents. We define the government by our actions (not our words) They do not define us. We cannot wait until we are pushed to the brink of desperation before we take action. We cannot allow our situations to worsen while we wait on the red tape in Washington to unravel. The results of our combined actions will be bigger than any legislation passed in congress. I am talking about the effect it will have on our everyday lives - long term change - for the people - by the people.
Think this doesn't apply to you - think again. You may not be headed for unemployment or welfare but inflation will soon start eating into your stock pile of cash. If the government can't pay for our military - are you really going to feel that safe living in a country that cannot defend itself from terrorists? "United We Stand Divided We Fall" means a lot more than people realize.
Our country needs a renewed sense of hope and pride - we need a united productive direction to prove that we are still cut from the same moral fiber as the great patriots that founded this great country of ours. Our forefathers were asked to lay down their lives in the name of liberty and freedom and they did this without hesitation. What we can do for our country does not come with such a steep price but is just as important. Do not allow Lady Liberty to stumble and fall on our watch - let's prove that our generation of Americans can be as strong as the great generations of Americans before us.
Shop Local - Buy American - support your neighborhoods - quit listening to the negative banter about a dying cause - know where your money goes and keep it local if not in the country. Quit being a zombies and stay out of Walmart (70% Chinese products) Start your Christmas shopping now and go to local vendors to fill your orders - Do you realize the run off of American dollars at Christmas time - never to return - Is it possible to have an "American Made" Christmas? Our country cannot survive the flow of money out anymore - what is more important - that silly piece of plastic for little Susie - or a country for her to grow up in.
We take our country back - We are REAL people with REAL values and our children are not spoiled brats that have to have these chinese toys - we can live without the junk until an American company comes along and makes it for us to buy from our local vendor - the % of $ that stays in your community will amaze you if you all get onboard.
I will be putting out the community plans to get started soon - all this is free - I do not get paid - it comes from my heart and what I feel for my country and my community and my family. It is what we are all supposed to do for mankind - help without expectation of payment. There will also be ways for you to get involved by forwarding ideas to local businesses - and how you can start to modify your spending habits in small ways that will make a difference. I am here to answer questions - solve problems - and lend a hand. Everything that will be put forth in this "plan" has been thought out and easily adaptable to the busy working class American lifestyle. Ease and convenience are key to getting this to work and online ordering is good from some things, but not the answer to everything. I am getting all the info a patriot needs into one spot - and this is information that will change your communities - for free - I will not be selling anything.
Get ready for our country to move towards recovery - we will survive and thrive!
God Bless America
Average American
Amanda Schalau
If you are interested in helping save the American Economy - please spread
Showing posts with label democratic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label democratic. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Big Biz Runs for the Border
The purpose for this blog is education - we intend to educate the American public on how their everyday choices reflect on the economy, to shop responsibly, to poke fun at some of the extreme politicking going on, and above else we want to help our fellow man. We believe that most Americans do not realize the power they yield at the check out register and that if they had a bit of help understanding where their hard earned cash is going - they would make better choices. Responsible spending will bring with it - a lower deficit, more money in your community, more jobs, better jobs, better education, higher home values, less crime, etc... All of these things are happening in India right now - they have a growing middle class as the American middle class shrinks. I wonder if that has something to do with all the jobs our American Big Biz have moved there to avoid our governments regulations? hmmmm
If you have made it this far through the blog and you are yawning right now then apparently you fail to understand how this is going to affect you. So your job is safe - you are indespensible - you have it made - right? Wrong! Think again - the next time you pull out in your BMW I want you to take a look around at your neighborhood. How secure is it going to be as the middle class disappears and your fellow citizens begin to turn to crime? Look at the public parks - how long will the money last before funding is cut to support those little luxuries in life - feeding straving families surely will override cutting the grass. What abouit all those lovely little independently owned businesses that line the streets of your hometown - will they still be there after these big box chain stores plopped down in the middle of town and are given all these tax breaks resulting in the little guy not being able to compete. Now that middle class American citizens are becoming lower class Americans - has anyone thought about their tax dollars shrinking as well? You can't get blood from a turnip you know. So where will these new tax dollars come from - YOU - the future over taxed citizens - because remember - you still have your job - the government still has to get paid - big biz is protecting itself by running over the border.
So before you roll your eyes and say it doesn't apply to you - Think Again - spread the message - we are going to continue ongoing education about the money trail. We are not selling anything - but like you, We will benefit from having a better America and it can happen quicker and have more impact if we do it ourselves instead of waiting on Washington to cut through all the red tape!
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American
If you have made it this far through the blog and you are yawning right now then apparently you fail to understand how this is going to affect you. So your job is safe - you are indespensible - you have it made - right? Wrong! Think again - the next time you pull out in your BMW I want you to take a look around at your neighborhood. How secure is it going to be as the middle class disappears and your fellow citizens begin to turn to crime? Look at the public parks - how long will the money last before funding is cut to support those little luxuries in life - feeding straving families surely will override cutting the grass. What abouit all those lovely little independently owned businesses that line the streets of your hometown - will they still be there after these big box chain stores plopped down in the middle of town and are given all these tax breaks resulting in the little guy not being able to compete. Now that middle class American citizens are becoming lower class Americans - has anyone thought about their tax dollars shrinking as well? You can't get blood from a turnip you know. So where will these new tax dollars come from - YOU - the future over taxed citizens - because remember - you still have your job - the government still has to get paid - big biz is protecting itself by running over the border.
So before you roll your eyes and say it doesn't apply to you - Think Again - spread the message - we are going to continue ongoing education about the money trail. We are not selling anything - but like you, We will benefit from having a better America and it can happen quicker and have more impact if we do it ourselves instead of waiting on Washington to cut through all the red tape!
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Beer and Hair - How It Begins
Beer - Before the first European stepped foot onto this great country of ours, the Native American Indians were brewing up batches of beer made from what the land had to offer - corn, water, birch sap, as well as a variety of other things. As the early colonials began to populate the land, different styles of brewing developed and beer quickly became a mainstay in the American diet as opposed to wine like in many other countries. By the time prohibition came along there were thousands of microbreweries spread across the land offering up different styles and taste as varied as the location and craftsmen they were coming from. It was an art form as well as an inexpensive refreshing treat for the working class. You could tell where you were by the beer in your mug. When the 18th amendment outlawed the production, consumption and sale of beer, thousands of these micro breweries closed their doors and part of our American culture was lost forever. When prohibition ended 13 years later, the larger breweries bounced back and they are responsible for the production of the majority of the beer produced in America today.
Prohibition brought with it organized crime, prisons filled to capacity, unemployment, and a loss of legitimate taxes. All this because the government wanted to legsilate our morality. So the government made a mistake - how does this affect you now? It has been almost 100 years and we are still feeling the ripple of prohibition.
We lost thousands of small businesses that shaped our country and those businesses were replaced by the larger beer companies that mass produce a lower quality product. Most of these large beer companies are not even American owned - yes they are still produced in America and provide jobs for Americans - however - the bottom line is where is the money going at the end of the day - the money is being tapped out of our economy like beer from a keg.
As I looked at the history of beer and saw how far it had come through the years, I did note that one of the only good things that came out of the self indulgent 1980's was an interest in micro brewed beer again. Those microbreweries have grown and now offer us a choice between the 100% American beer or the "We make it here" beer that is so widely consumed today.
And of course - as I pondered the 1980's, I thought back to my preteen years and how I was determined to have the biggest perm in school. This had me thinking of the beauty salon and how the beauty shop and barber shop employees were truly our first form of social media. I am sure that any beauty salon worth it's weight could spread any news quicker thn facebook and twitter combined.
So my goal today was to start a discussion at the beauty shop about buying a 100% American beer instead of the regular cans of blah. We decided that if enough people started buying the 100% American beer that it would be good for the economy as well as for a spice of flavor in our lives - but would the husbands go for this - hmmmmm. That is a whole different question - is their patriotism stronger than their desire for the mundane and bland cans of comfort they have clung to since their teenage years? Do they even realize that part of their hard earned American cash is heading overseas with every ice cold sip? Would they be willing to and be proud to sport an ice chest full of American pride to this weekend's ballgame?
We will cross our fingers and hope - God Bless America
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American ;-)
Prohibition brought with it organized crime, prisons filled to capacity, unemployment, and a loss of legitimate taxes. All this because the government wanted to legsilate our morality. So the government made a mistake - how does this affect you now? It has been almost 100 years and we are still feeling the ripple of prohibition.
We lost thousands of small businesses that shaped our country and those businesses were replaced by the larger beer companies that mass produce a lower quality product. Most of these large beer companies are not even American owned - yes they are still produced in America and provide jobs for Americans - however - the bottom line is where is the money going at the end of the day - the money is being tapped out of our economy like beer from a keg.
As I looked at the history of beer and saw how far it had come through the years, I did note that one of the only good things that came out of the self indulgent 1980's was an interest in micro brewed beer again. Those microbreweries have grown and now offer us a choice between the 100% American beer or the "We make it here" beer that is so widely consumed today.
And of course - as I pondered the 1980's, I thought back to my preteen years and how I was determined to have the biggest perm in school. This had me thinking of the beauty salon and how the beauty shop and barber shop employees were truly our first form of social media. I am sure that any beauty salon worth it's weight could spread any news quicker thn facebook and twitter combined.
So my goal today was to start a discussion at the beauty shop about buying a 100% American beer instead of the regular cans of blah. We decided that if enough people started buying the 100% American beer that it would be good for the economy as well as for a spice of flavor in our lives - but would the husbands go for this - hmmmmm. That is a whole different question - is their patriotism stronger than their desire for the mundane and bland cans of comfort they have clung to since their teenage years? Do they even realize that part of their hard earned American cash is heading overseas with every ice cold sip? Would they be willing to and be proud to sport an ice chest full of American pride to this weekend's ballgame?
We will cross our fingers and hope - God Bless America
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American ;-)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Saving America is More Than A One Man Job
I was tweeting the other day and ranting about the economy and how people should shop local and buy made in America products - when I got a reply from @NiceGent - his site promotes US made products. Go to it and click the link for a listing of where to find a variety of thing made in the USA. Anyway - back to my point - he used the word "we" all have to do our part. I have been going about this project head strong that I was going to get this done. I, I, I - me, me, me.
How dare I look at this in that way - I did not come up with the concept of "buy Local" nor did I think up "Buy American" - what made me think that I could turn a nation's thinking around all by myself? Was I so arrogant that I thought I could do this single handily? Seriously - I was in for a reality check - people have been working for years to get this message out - why do Americans like myself and @NiceGent among countless others continue to have to remind fellow Americans WHY they should be more aware of where their money is going and how this is going to help their communities as well as their country survive? What is it that we are doing wrong trying to get the message across and how can I make a difference in this large group of people with the same goals?
What talents that have been given to me by God will further the cause? How can I make a difference doing the same thing that so many other are doing? Should I give up? Is this a lost cause? The answer of course is NO.
The reason there are so many people trying to do this is because it is important. I was given the gift of gab by our dear Lord and I intend to use that talent to the fullest - I have also been blessed with common sense. My desire to see this thing through to the bitter end is fueled by human loss - a powerful incentive to say the least. I have the ability to organize reasonable efforts that can be implemented immediately. And the last thing I can bring to the table - I was in insurance marketing for 15 years - I was a head hunter of sorts - I can link up individuals and organizations that will benefit each other. I am not a threat because I sell nothing and I am doing this with pure intentions.
So moving forward in America's quest to fix the economy - I will be finding better ways to utilize my talents - not just begging the American public to Shop Local and Buy American. If I intend to make a splash in this cause - I will have to start helping the others that already have begun this monumental task of spreading awareness. The impact of my work will not be seen in the number of my followers - but in the added success of those who are supporting the cause by offering American products. I am here at their service and the American public's to help make our country a better place.
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American
The next blog will be on How YOU can help in small ways!
How dare I look at this in that way - I did not come up with the concept of "buy Local" nor did I think up "Buy American" - what made me think that I could turn a nation's thinking around all by myself? Was I so arrogant that I thought I could do this single handily? Seriously - I was in for a reality check - people have been working for years to get this message out - why do Americans like myself and @NiceGent among countless others continue to have to remind fellow Americans WHY they should be more aware of where their money is going and how this is going to help their communities as well as their country survive? What is it that we are doing wrong trying to get the message across and how can I make a difference in this large group of people with the same goals?
What talents that have been given to me by God will further the cause? How can I make a difference doing the same thing that so many other are doing? Should I give up? Is this a lost cause? The answer of course is NO.
The reason there are so many people trying to do this is because it is important. I was given the gift of gab by our dear Lord and I intend to use that talent to the fullest - I have also been blessed with common sense. My desire to see this thing through to the bitter end is fueled by human loss - a powerful incentive to say the least. I have the ability to organize reasonable efforts that can be implemented immediately. And the last thing I can bring to the table - I was in insurance marketing for 15 years - I was a head hunter of sorts - I can link up individuals and organizations that will benefit each other. I am not a threat because I sell nothing and I am doing this with pure intentions.
So moving forward in America's quest to fix the economy - I will be finding better ways to utilize my talents - not just begging the American public to Shop Local and Buy American. If I intend to make a splash in this cause - I will have to start helping the others that already have begun this monumental task of spreading awareness. The impact of my work will not be seen in the number of my followers - but in the added success of those who are supporting the cause by offering American products. I am here at their service and the American public's to help make our country a better place.
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American
The next blog will be on How YOU can help in small ways!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Fix the Deficit - We Can Do It Together
Today marks one month of my being on Twitter and blogging. I first had to pat myself on the back for being able to continue with my efforts despite having 4 children with active lives as well as trying to start working again after a year off due to my husband's suicide. After losing my home, my husband, and most of my friends (people avoid the widow of a suicide victim because they just feel uncomfortable), I now have 4 well adjusted children, found a reasonably sized home to rent, started to work again, married a man who understands me and dries my tears as I continue to heal. This wonderful man supports my endeavors to continue with this project that my daughter Lauren suggested to help America get back on it's feet quicker so that maybe we can prevent what happen to our family from happening to theirs.
I revisited why I started the project to refocus on what we are wanting to accomplish with all my tweeting and ranting. The bottom line is to educate as many Americans as possible that their actions count. People everywhere need to realize that for every action there is a reaction - every action reaps a consequence. If the American people continue to buy imported goods as opposed to American made goods - the reaction is that there are no jobs in America. If the Government continues with it's unfair trade practices and heavy taxes on the businesses in America - there are no jobs at home.
The deficit is a result of the governments actions against American businesses. The reason the deficit continues to spiral out of control is that the government cut off their own revenue by running the American businesses overseas or out of business all together. Now that there are less businesses to pay taxes and less American workers to pay taxes - the Government is compelled to raise taxes on the businesses and Americans left in the country that still have jobs. The only way to prevent the spiral downward in our American economy is to stop the excess of imports and bring the manufacturing back to America.
Our mission is to educate the American public on how important it is to change our habits - the people have to do this now - because Washington moves slow - and they solve problems in complicated ways that seem to never show results.
What we need to make our project a success is to have enough Americans recognize what we are trying to do and make an effort to support their fellow Americans. If we can get enough people to join our cause then the American people can do what the government has a such a hard time trying to accomplish on it's own. We can turn around the economy, give jobs back to our fellow Americans - we can support our military for humanitarian causes as well as defend our country from our foes and terrorists - we can stand on our own two feet again and be the country that I know we are. We can get rid of the deficit and Washington can quit fighting over money and start taking care of it's citizens as well as the world again.
This cause is the only good thing to come from the suicide of a great man - Monty Townsend - he retired from the Army - he loved his country and he was a small businessman living the American dream. Mistakes that we, as a country, made filled his heart with hopelessness and despair when it came to supporting his family. No American should feel like their family is going to be homeless and go hungry.
It is time for our message to spread across the country - letting the American people know it is in their hands to fix this - the American public has the power to change everything for the better or continue to turn a blind eye to the problem. We have to stand together to fix this problem.
So as I close out my first month of tweeting and blogging - I want to thank those who have encouraged me - those that I have just met but I feel like I have known forever. The good friends I have made - the people who have taken time out of their busy lives and read my blog and thought about what I have had to say.
As I sit at my keyboard with tear filled eyes, I feel so blessed that I am not alone - and even though I rant and have days where I vent nonstop, there are people out there that also wish for a better tomorrow who continue to support me.
I sincerely thank you all from the bottom of my heart,
Amanda Schalau
The Average American ;-)
I revisited why I started the project to refocus on what we are wanting to accomplish with all my tweeting and ranting. The bottom line is to educate as many Americans as possible that their actions count. People everywhere need to realize that for every action there is a reaction - every action reaps a consequence. If the American people continue to buy imported goods as opposed to American made goods - the reaction is that there are no jobs in America. If the Government continues with it's unfair trade practices and heavy taxes on the businesses in America - there are no jobs at home.
The deficit is a result of the governments actions against American businesses. The reason the deficit continues to spiral out of control is that the government cut off their own revenue by running the American businesses overseas or out of business all together. Now that there are less businesses to pay taxes and less American workers to pay taxes - the Government is compelled to raise taxes on the businesses and Americans left in the country that still have jobs. The only way to prevent the spiral downward in our American economy is to stop the excess of imports and bring the manufacturing back to America.
Our mission is to educate the American public on how important it is to change our habits - the people have to do this now - because Washington moves slow - and they solve problems in complicated ways that seem to never show results.
What we need to make our project a success is to have enough Americans recognize what we are trying to do and make an effort to support their fellow Americans. If we can get enough people to join our cause then the American people can do what the government has a such a hard time trying to accomplish on it's own. We can turn around the economy, give jobs back to our fellow Americans - we can support our military for humanitarian causes as well as defend our country from our foes and terrorists - we can stand on our own two feet again and be the country that I know we are. We can get rid of the deficit and Washington can quit fighting over money and start taking care of it's citizens as well as the world again.
This cause is the only good thing to come from the suicide of a great man - Monty Townsend - he retired from the Army - he loved his country and he was a small businessman living the American dream. Mistakes that we, as a country, made filled his heart with hopelessness and despair when it came to supporting his family. No American should feel like their family is going to be homeless and go hungry.
It is time for our message to spread across the country - letting the American people know it is in their hands to fix this - the American public has the power to change everything for the better or continue to turn a blind eye to the problem. We have to stand together to fix this problem.
So as I close out my first month of tweeting and blogging - I want to thank those who have encouraged me - those that I have just met but I feel like I have known forever. The good friends I have made - the people who have taken time out of their busy lives and read my blog and thought about what I have had to say.
As I sit at my keyboard with tear filled eyes, I feel so blessed that I am not alone - and even though I rant and have days where I vent nonstop, there are people out there that also wish for a better tomorrow who continue to support me.
I sincerely thank you all from the bottom of my heart,
Amanda Schalau
The Average American ;-)
Friday, May 20, 2011
If The World Ends - Washington is Off the Hook
Because the world is supposed to end tomorrow I decided that worrying about America's future today is just a waste of time. Why should I be bothered with all the spending in Washington if no one is going to have to pay the bill anyway? Who cares that there are millions unemployed and will not be able to find a decent job because we have sent all our jobs overseas? I mean we really should be thanking our government for all those unfair trade laws that made it impossible for the American companies to compete and keep their workers employed. Bringing all those imports in was helping us out. We should thank them for all the time they afforded us to stay home and relax with our families in these latter days before armageddon. Without all the unfair treatment towards the American businesses - there would be millions of Americans wasting their time at work today.
Apparantly - our government has had it all figured out from the beginning - No Jobs and No Money didn't matter - they knew the whole time that we wouldn't be needing to work for the future - there would be no generation after us to have to clean up the mess. They are so smart - now I know why we elected them.
I wonder if they know what they are going to do if they are wrong and there is a tomorrow?
Apparantly - our government has had it all figured out from the beginning - No Jobs and No Money didn't matter - they knew the whole time that we wouldn't be needing to work for the future - there would be no generation after us to have to clean up the mess. They are so smart - now I know why we elected them.
I wonder if they know what they are going to do if they are wrong and there is a tomorrow?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
You Can Learn A Lot From Baseball
Recently I was sitting in the bleachers at a baseball game and I took a moment to look at the fans that surrounded me. Most were adorned in their team colors, some wore jerseys of their favorite players - there were even toddlers and small babies decked out in the appropriate colors to somehow ensure that the fan base would flourish and continue to grow. It was not difficult at all to tell which team each person was cheering for. Some of these fans arrived early, some came late, some watched attentively the entire time while others chatted away on cell phones and frequented the concession stands as much as possible. Others partied in the stands as if this were part of the social scene with no real interest in who would win or lose. And of course there were the clock watchers hoping to get a head start on the traffic that would hit directly after the game.
As I sat there during the top of the 6th inning contemplating on exactly which category I fell into - a fight broke out between two fans from opposing teams. It did not stop the game, nor did it garnish the attention of the players on the field or the umpires. The two men threw punches at one another and screamed ugly phrases at each other about how the other fan's team was a bunch of "losers and idiots". They defended their own team's players as if it were a matter of life and death. It occurred to me that these two men were so blinded by team loyalty that they could not bring themselves to see or admit that the other fan's team members were quite accomplished and actually brought a lot of talent into the game. They failed to realize that the opponents on the field actually challenged each other and brought out the best in each of them for the benefit of all the fans.
We have all been guilty of sitting in the stands and not looking at the individually gifted players . We have judged them by the uniforms they wore on their backs. We have nonchatlantly ignored the blatant mistakes of our own team members or made excuses for them and at the same time we have called foul and looked for fault at any good plays made by members of an opposing team. We have looked at the talents of any opposing team members and seen them as a threat. Because we had chosen our team before the game even started we had already made up our minds that the opposing team was substandard at best. If they happenned to win it would be a fluke and an injustice.
Politics plays out much in the same way. We are brought up by our family and friends to follow a "team" and at a very early age we are predispositioned to believe that everything our team does is right and everything the opposing "team" does is always wrong. We are forced into choosing a side - republican or democratic - or we can go to the minor leagues and choose an indepentdent. We are taught to judge our political leaders and candidates by the party they represent, not for that individual's character or his accomplishments.
These leaders and candidates are forced to pick a team as well - they are forced to pick a team so that they will have the support they need to get into the game and out of the dugout. Unfortunately when this happens the candidate or leader automatically becomes a threat to anyone not associated with his team. That candidate is labeled for life and any good that he could have brought to the table will be fought or opposed by the other teams. Half the nation's willingness to work with any good idea that candidate may have will disappear because the opposing teams refuse to give up a "win" strictly out of fear of losing their "fans." Just like in the world of sports - having more fans in politics means more money and more financial support. So in the end the battle of power, money and fans ultimately becomes the focus - taking up more time and energy than should be spent on working together and cultivating the good ideas no matter where they came from.
There are many players in the game today that have the talent to play great but have no heart for the game - there are many players that have great heart but possess little talent to play. The great players have both the talent and the heart to play and most importantly they have the ability to maintain focus - they are the ones we wait for and those are the ones that make history. I am looking for a candidate that has talent, heart and the ability to maintain focus. Someone that can recognize a problem, find a solution and see that it is handled efficiently. Someone who can stand up for the principals this country was founded on and not be seduced or swayed by power or money. Someone who puts his country and other Americans before himself. And when this leader reveals himself I will not be looking at the color of his uniform. I will not be blinded by the party he represents - I will be influenced by his accomplishments and his character.
So I guess the answer to the question I asked myself about what kind of fan am I would be - I am the kind of fan that appreciates the talent and drive exibited on the field, I am open to becoming a fan of all the great players no matter what team they play for. I guess I am just a fan of the game.
God Bless America & Play Ball!
Words from the Average Amercan -
Amanda Schalau
As I sat there during the top of the 6th inning contemplating on exactly which category I fell into - a fight broke out between two fans from opposing teams. It did not stop the game, nor did it garnish the attention of the players on the field or the umpires. The two men threw punches at one another and screamed ugly phrases at each other about how the other fan's team was a bunch of "losers and idiots". They defended their own team's players as if it were a matter of life and death. It occurred to me that these two men were so blinded by team loyalty that they could not bring themselves to see or admit that the other fan's team members were quite accomplished and actually brought a lot of talent into the game. They failed to realize that the opponents on the field actually challenged each other and brought out the best in each of them for the benefit of all the fans.
We have all been guilty of sitting in the stands and not looking at the individually gifted players . We have judged them by the uniforms they wore on their backs. We have nonchatlantly ignored the blatant mistakes of our own team members or made excuses for them and at the same time we have called foul and looked for fault at any good plays made by members of an opposing team. We have looked at the talents of any opposing team members and seen them as a threat. Because we had chosen our team before the game even started we had already made up our minds that the opposing team was substandard at best. If they happenned to win it would be a fluke and an injustice.
Politics plays out much in the same way. We are brought up by our family and friends to follow a "team" and at a very early age we are predispositioned to believe that everything our team does is right and everything the opposing "team" does is always wrong. We are forced into choosing a side - republican or democratic - or we can go to the minor leagues and choose an indepentdent. We are taught to judge our political leaders and candidates by the party they represent, not for that individual's character or his accomplishments.
These leaders and candidates are forced to pick a team as well - they are forced to pick a team so that they will have the support they need to get into the game and out of the dugout. Unfortunately when this happens the candidate or leader automatically becomes a threat to anyone not associated with his team. That candidate is labeled for life and any good that he could have brought to the table will be fought or opposed by the other teams. Half the nation's willingness to work with any good idea that candidate may have will disappear because the opposing teams refuse to give up a "win" strictly out of fear of losing their "fans." Just like in the world of sports - having more fans in politics means more money and more financial support. So in the end the battle of power, money and fans ultimately becomes the focus - taking up more time and energy than should be spent on working together and cultivating the good ideas no matter where they came from.
There are many players in the game today that have the talent to play great but have no heart for the game - there are many players that have great heart but possess little talent to play. The great players have both the talent and the heart to play and most importantly they have the ability to maintain focus - they are the ones we wait for and those are the ones that make history. I am looking for a candidate that has talent, heart and the ability to maintain focus. Someone that can recognize a problem, find a solution and see that it is handled efficiently. Someone who can stand up for the principals this country was founded on and not be seduced or swayed by power or money. Someone who puts his country and other Americans before himself. And when this leader reveals himself I will not be looking at the color of his uniform. I will not be blinded by the party he represents - I will be influenced by his accomplishments and his character.
So I guess the answer to the question I asked myself about what kind of fan am I would be - I am the kind of fan that appreciates the talent and drive exibited on the field, I am open to becoming a fan of all the great players no matter what team they play for. I guess I am just a fan of the game.
God Bless America & Play Ball!
Words from the Average Amercan -
Amanda Schalau
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