R-E-S-P-E-C-T......................

Sing it, Sista' Aretha!!!!

Ok -- this is a rant.  If you don't want to hear me rant, please turn away from the page.

I am a Democrat.

There.  I said it.

I believe strongly in social justice.  I happen to be what is a rare-bird at this point in time.... a Blue-Dog Democrat.  Social Justice ... Fiscal Responsibility.  I believe they can work together. Not sure how .... but I think they can.

I have never shied away from my political beliefs but I will not cram them down your throat.

They are my political beliefs.  Like the clothes I wear.  The flowers I plant.  The life that I live.  They are my beliefs.  Although, occasionally I may share them .... they are still mine.

And I don't expect you to agree with them.  Any more than you would wear my clothes or or live my life.

You believe what you want to believe.  I believe what I want to believe.

 This is America.  And I thought political freedom came with religious freedom.

Yesterday .... I was "un-friended" by a "friend" because I told them that I was going to see the President of the United States.

It was a statement.
Not an invitation.
Just "I-am-going."

I'm going to see the leader of the free world and I am getting "un-friended".

And I am pissed.

Which leads me to my rant.

The vile hateful language that spews from Washington DC politicians and pundits .... is seeping into my peaceful, wonderful, friendly Midwest.

And I am tired of it.

It's not new.  Hamilton and Burr dueled over political differences.  And, once in a while, I wish dueling was still legal  in DC again so the political spin-doctors would realize what their hateful, out-of-context, out-of-control lies are doing to this country!!!

And I am not taking sides on that statement!!! It is happening on both sides of the aisle.

Over the next 90 some days, I will share with you a part of my life.

It is not a campaign commercial.  It is not a plea to join me.

It is a statement.
It is a part of my life.
It is who I am.

Like knitting, spinning, canning tomatoes, growing flowers and going to church.  It is part of me.  I have worked for a lot of campaigns in my life since 18 year-olds got the right to vote in 1972.  I will continue doing it.

I always thought that getting involved in the political process was just being a good citizen.

I will respect and honor your views.  I hope you will do the same.

You will not see political signs in my yard when I am open for business.  You will not see bumper stickers on my car.  I  might wear a "I was there Day One" t-shirt from the 1988 Gary Hart campaign.

If I could get into it. :)

Respect ............. pass it on.