Economic Fears, Politics but Gratitude Goes a Long Way for Me

     It has been a while since I blogged about anything.  I think it has been a difficult time for some Americans, a time of uncertainty about finances and the future.  Now with the Republican agenda glooming over our heads, (at least that is how us Democrats feel),  I am probably losing my conservative readers, but the idea of kids not being able to go to college and kids not having health care is disturbing. If I were a foreigner in India, Australia, Germany, etc, I would think that the Republican party was heartless, but I suppose I should not even go there.  I went to college on financial aid.  My brother did.  My older son did.  Even the Commisssion for the Blind only pays what a Pele grant would not, and still there is a cap on that.  I tried to get them to pay for my yoga teacher training, and believe it or not my case manager tried to get them to, but it was to no avail.  They only were willing to pay for something like tech. and I then considered going to massage school, but instead I became a Reiki Master.
     I have been lying in bed awake at night, wondering how I will pay the bills.  I have been wondering, "will we have enough money to eat?"  
     The words most music to my ears this morning were, "the check is in the mail."
     I have been thinking about gratitude as well as deprivation.  I got out of my depression and started counting my blessings, a loving family, grown kids, owning my own home (mobile home to be honest but nonetheless a home), food in the cupboard, a few friends, the gifts of music and writing, my washing machine, kindness, the United States government as we know it today, my talking books for the blind, fellowship, the few that really care, a hug, a birthday card from my brother that he obviously chose with a lot of thought.
     I think we as a nation will go on and we will remain the greatest country on earth as far as I am concerned.  I was inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama's powerful speech and the idea of America truly being a land of opportunity and a melting pot of all ethnic groups, and this diversity warms my heart and gives me great hope.
     Anyone who is so elite and privileged as to say, "just borrow from your parents," does not know anything.  Mitt Romney said this to college age students.  Not everyone has parents with money.  I feel like some of the Republicans, not all, are like the French royalty before the revolution, totally out of touch with what people actually endure.
     I understand the working and middle class who are upset with the foreclosures, the lack of health care, but Obama will make health care affordable for everyone if they really want and need it.  
     Also, if you don't like 'the spending,' just remember that sometimes a little stimulus is a huge help to the economy.  I know as anyone that this can be true as an individual as well.  Obama is not a socialist.  He really is not, but in order to be a great country we need some degree of socialism, and I think he is brilliant and a genius.  I really do.