Like Martin Luther, Rush has had to stand firm against a hoard of enemies: liberals, the main stream media, moderate Republicans, and, today, some fellow conservatives. Luther’s enemy was the Catholic Church. It branded Luther as a heretic and burned his books in an attempt to silence him because it feared his influence. The clergy recognized the danger of the common people becoming free thinkers and revolting against the bedrock of control that the church had enjoyed for centuries. Similarly, our current democratic-run government sees created dependency and unparalleled spending as a means of control and fears those who shout from the hills about this misuse of power and the relentless robbery of our freedoms. Both the resurgent talk of the Fairness Doctrine and the current Rush-Republican-Leader debate are means of silencing or pillaging our first amendment freedom to speak out against unbridled government control.

One striking similarity between Rush and Martin Luther is the belief in freedom. The core value of a conservative is that of individual liberty and individual responsibility. Luther interpreted Scriptures to mean that humans had an inner relationship of faith with the Lord—they were less reliant or beholden to what was happening on the outside. Rush knows that through hard work, diligence, and risk taking that individuals can achieve great things. It’s so easy to criticize the successful—I’ve done it—but I learned that many of the so-called wealthy sacrificed a great deal to earn what they have. We have the liberty to succeed and to fail; to win and to lose; to achieve and to fall short. When the government seeks to correct that, we become debtors to its overreaching hand. Freedom offers promise, not guarantees. Like Luther pointed out, we are to “work out our own salvation” and not become a slave to an institution. Likewise, Rush teaches that we are responsible—the government is not there to direct our lives.

Luther’s teachings changed the world, though not the way he expected.   The result was not a change in Catholic doctrine, but rather the birth of a new church that eventually separated even further. Perhaps questions persist about who leads the Republican Party because we are also splitting into two distinct entities—those who seek to be inclusive, less “right,” if you will, and those who strongly hold to the core beliefs of conservatism and are not wavering.  Perhaps like Luther, Rush is the catalyst for change—the kind of change that solidifies conservatives while at the same time producing some new kind of Republican. Whether we meet together—moderate Republicans and conservatives---to form a unified brotherhood or whether we go our separate ways, remains to be seen. Sometimes change is good.

Regardless of the present furor in the Republican Party, most would agree that Rush has helped our cause. He spoke our thoughts when no one else was speaking. We owe him for that.

"When I die, I want to be a ghost...So I can continue to pester the bishops, priests and godless monks [the left, the liberals, and the mainstream media] until that they have more trouble with a dead Luther [Rush] than they could have had before with a thousand living ones."                                                                                     --Martin Luther

My 18-year-old son’s statement to me when he came home from work at 11:42 pm was “what did Obama do now?” Apparently his friend had sent a long text message about President Obama’s treatment of Gordon Brown.   I explained how Obama gave Prime Minister Brown the magnificent gift of 25 DVDs. You heard me correctly—25 DVDs. Gordon Brown, on the other hand, brought valuable historical pieces. I also explained to my son how Obama did not have a joint press conference with the PM nor did he give him a state dinner. I’ve even heard that Obama has returned a bust of Winston Churchill that was given to us by the British to show unity after the 9-11 attacks! 

The White House’s excuse for these gaffes? Obama is tired. Oh really. Did he fire the chef and would have had to prepare the dinner? Was he too tired to get a suitable gift and instead had to send one of his aides to Wal-Mart to buy movies?   

I am so befuddled by these actions toward the British Prime Minister, that I’m not quite sure what to think. So, I’m trying to look on the bright side.

• Obama did not throw a shoe at Gordon Brown.

• Obama did not fall asleep during the meeting (he was so tired, you know).

• Obama did not break out into a rousing rendition of “London Bridge is Falling Down.”

• Obama did not blame Bush by saying "I inherited this prime minister."

• Obama did not say at any point during the conversation .  “Oy, guv. I’m knackered.”   “I need to visit the bloody loo.”  “Off with you now, you prat.”

• Obama did not ask if there was any way he could tax the queen.

• Obama did not slip a mickey into the prime minister’s drink so he could draw a mustache on his face.

See---we really have much to be thankful for---things could be worse.

           I am a 14-year old student that attends middle school. Unlike many of my peers, I keep up with things that happen in our country and around our world. I keep up with the decisions being made in Washington. I see the corruption. I see our economy slowly deteriorating. I ask myself day after day, “Are we just going to stand by and watch our Constitution be put on a dusty shelf; brought out only when it suits our purpose?” My frustrations are boiling over as I observe the government take more and more control of my life and my future.  

            Sometimes our country’s leaders forget that they work for us, not the other way around. And yet, some of them are the most corrupt, selfish and greedy people on the planet. But the real crime is that the American people are sitting idly by as the leaders break their pledge to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” For example, Timothy Geithner did not pay his taxes, but "Legolas" is still our Treasury Secretary. Chris Dodd gets a sweetheart mortgage deal, but he’s doing just fine. Countless congressional leaders insert ridiculous earmarks into the stimulus bill, but are not held accountable. Maybe some of our leaders are getting too old to remember middle school, where you get suspended when you do something wrong. It’s high time that our so called-representatives get suspended when they do something wrong. It’s a shame that when you’re a politician, you can do something illegal and the punishment is you get to keep your job.

            You may ask yourself, “Why does a 14-year old care about what’s happening in Washington?” I care because I feel the burden on my shoulders getting heavier and heavier as our leaders spend more and more. When I am an adult, I will be the one paying back the money that is so drenched in irresponsibility. The ones who spent it will be long gone. I have come to the sad realization that the majority of my classmates have no idea about the kind of decisions being made in Washington. I debate endlessly with some of my fellow students, trying to get across to them the harsh realities that await them in their future. They couldn’t care less that in 30 years, they will be the ones answering for what their beloved leaders of today do. I don’t want my future stolen away from me by leaders who love money and power more than America. I am as proud as anyone to be an American. It gives me such pride to know that our country was founded on principles that are as priceless as our freedom. And I for one will do everything in my power, however little that power may be, to stop the shredding of our Constitution and to regain America’s reputation of being the most respected nation on Earth.   

Why do I live in an apartment?   I refused to pay for an overpriced home a few years ago when I was finally approved to buy my very first house because it was not a smart thing to do. The reward from the government for my sense of fiscal responsibility? . . . . help those who did not have common sense enough to NOT buy a home during the housing bubble    Now people who did that will get help on their mortgages with MY MONEY.

Irresponsibility is the new modus operandi for individuals and corporations and the government. Make poor judgments, dig yourself in a hole, cheat your clients and the government will reward you with taxpayer money. The sad thing is that the government caused many of the problems in the first place! 

I am sick of the lying, the deceit, the robbery, the theft, and the cheating—I think that about covers the government. It will only get worse with the Democrats in charge; they simply wink at their sins and misdeeds and drag Republicans into hearings for years and years. Their response to not paying taxes, lying under oath, and getting sweetheart mortgage deals—“I didn’t know.” President Obama is no stranger to misspeak –“I didn’t know Jeremiah Wright held those views.” “I can’t find my college thesis.” “I promise transparency.” (Boy, that’s working well!)  Even Blagojevich would be going strong today if he hadn’t had the unfortunate lot of being recorded. Otherwise, he would be lying his way out of it like every other crook on Capitol Hill.

What we need are more whistleblowers. We need some good leaks from someone who works in government to shine the light on all of the shenanigans that are going on, and I don’t care who gets busted—Republican or Democrat—many of them are drunk with power and indifferent to scandalous behavior.  It wouldn’t take much light to reveal enough corruption to cause many hardworking Americans to riot.   Count me as one of them; I can’t take much more.

I am embarrassed to say that I’m from Florida. Obama’s recent Ft. Myers visit with its messianic overtones was just a little too much. I expected any minute for someone to rise up from a wheelchair and run across the stage (though it didn’t work for Biden).  I even think I saw Zacchaeus in a tree nearby just trying to get a glimpse of Obama and a local drunk waiting for the water to turn to wine. Though no miracles happened, people came away with a sense that Obama “felt their pain” and that government would meet their needs.

Anyway . . . I felt that this special moment needed a hymn. So I found one and made a few alterations, and now Obama has his very own hymn. (Taken from ”Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul”)

Obama Came in and Government Took Control

O what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I will never forget;

After I'd wandered in darkness away, Obama my savior I met.

O what a tender, compassionate friend, such love I’ve never felt

I gave him my wish list, and he blew me kisses, and he caused my heart to melt.

Chorus

Obama came in and government took control,

For socialist welfare now has filled my soul;

He said, “Yes we can! And I said, “You’re the man;”

Obama came in and government took control!

Justified fully thru Obama’s touch, with three Republican slaves

Since the transaction so quickly was made, it’s now a mystery bill,

But who cares what’s in it, Obama will spin it with cronies from Capitol Hill.

(Chorus)

Now I've a hope that will surely endure;  for I am an Obama fan;

The thought of all of this government help, Oh, what a wonderful land!

And it's because of that miracle day, when at the polls I believed;

Change is abounding, and my heart is pounding—Obama’s my savior indeed.

(Chorus)

• Joe the Plumber is now eligible for a cabinet post. (Apparently tax trouble is not as big an issue when it involves liberals.)

• If all politicians would start paying the taxes that they really owe, we would have the $800 billion to stimulate the economy.

• If you give birth to 8 American babies that may rely on the government for support, shame on you.  If you drag 8 children across the Mexican border illegally, you are poor and oppressed and need everything that the government can give you.

• Captain Sullenberger (of US Airways-Hudson River fame) was reading a book on professional ethics—the one man who doesn’t need to read a book like that.

• Nanny issues are still a problem in 2009.

• The New York “fat tax” is supposed to reduce the purchases of unhealthy items and bring in millions of dollars of tax revenue.  How can it do both? (I…think…they…are….LYING TO US!)

• Barack Obams is a homopartisan while posing as a bipartisan.

The Democratic plan---find a natural disaster (Hurricane Katrina for example)---locate the nearest Republican (Bush, for example) and hook that baby to his hip forever. Did Bush lock people in their New Orleans homes and refuse to let them leave? Did he remove the distributor caps off of all those parked school buses to keep them from being used for evacuations?   The truth is that Katrina was more devastating than expected and people did not take personal responsibility to prepare. (I live in Florida and I’ve seen it happen; we are told repeatedly to buy water and supplies --- the hurricane hits --- after the hurricane, news crews film people standing in long lines for water and complaining about the inefficiency of the government.)

Now, the Obama administration has made what I consider an “oh-my-I-wish-he-hadn’t-said-that” statement. I found it on the official White House website under the Katrina section (YES—there is a section called Katrina! It is among such topics as Faith, Arts, Child Advocacy, Science, Sportsmen, and Transportation).   Among other things, it says,”President Obama will keep the broken promises made by President Bush to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. He and Vice President Biden will take steps to ensure that the federal government will NEVER AGAIN (my emphasis) allow such catastrophic failures in emergency planning and response to occur.” 

We all know what happens when someone says “never.”   Does the overused phrase “epic proportions” mean anything? To boldly proclaim that we will never again have catastrophic failures depends on first of all, a government that has money, and secondly, it depends on having a manageable disaster.   Even Obama and all his wisdom might not foresee what lies ahead.

At least when the next calamity hits, we can stop talking about Katrina.

During the Inaugural benediction, Rev. Joseph Lowery had some closing remarks that caught my attention. I took a few excerpts and did a little parsing: 

“black will not be asked to get in back”   -  

• ahem… isn’t Barack Obama the first black President?  Doesn’t that show some progress? (I mean, I know he has to sit in the back of the limousine, but I think that is generally a positive thing, isn’t it?)

“when brown can stick around” - 

• has he not been to California lately?

“when yellow will be mellow” -  

• that’s right—we’re tired of all those Asian Americans surpassing the rest of us in academics—they just need to chill!

“when the red man can get ahead, man” - in some respects, they are already ahead – many reservations are like failed miniature socialistic governments and America is certainly heading that way

“when white will embrace what is right” - oh, I get it . . . white people need to start standing up for themselves and riot in the streets when people like Lowery and Jeremiah Wright use racist, inflammatory talk. They need their own henchmen to fill the roles of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton who will show up thronged by the media so that they can be headline news for days without end. They need to take offense to and demand the demise of rap artists and others who spew forth racial hatred. Good point Rev. Lowery.

bailout  – n. common usage - money from families given to the government to bail out criminals   2) n. modern usage –money from families given to criminals to bail out even more criminals

bank – n. a place to store your money, pay fees, and earn pittances so that you have the pleasure of knowing that there is a banker somewhere on a secluded beach without a care in the world

bank executives – n.  see insurance executives

Biden, Joe – n. 1. Vice President of the United States, or as he is commonly known during interviews “thorn in Obama’s side”

Blagojevich, Rod – n. 1. Governor of Illinois   2. distant relative of Narcissus 

Blagojevich, Rod – n. 1. Governor of Illinois who refused to step down after being impeached and is now believed to be hidden deep inside the Governor’s mansion – some reports are that a flower now blooms where he was last seen looking in mirror

(Note to editor: please hold second Blagojevich definition for a later printing)

blagojevich - n. a sly wheeler dealer; v. blagojeviching --- That ‘ole blagojevich wanted $5000 for this broken down truck.

Clinton, Hillary - n. Secretary of State 2. second fiddle to Joe Biden

Chrysler – n. 1. a car company sort of like GM but worse 2. a car that sells for $25,000 that cost $30,000 to make

commission – n. a government agency created to investigate problems and create the evidence that is needed so that Senators and Congressmen can point and say “See!”

“Gitmo” - n. a holding prison for blood-thirsty terrorists 2. what those terrorists plan to do to Americans when Obama releases them

fat cats – n.  see magnates

Ford – n. 1. a car company sort of like GM and Chrysler but better because they make cool trucks

GM - n. a car company sort of like Chrysler but better 2. parent company with too many children companies that had to go on welfare

insurance executives – n. see fat cats

Inaugural Ball – n.   the weeping heard across the land among Republicans on January 20th, 2009

magnates – n. see moguls

moguls – n. see plutocrats

Obama, Barack – n. 1. 44th President of the United States   2. first black President   3. messiah   4. anointed one  5. miracle worker  6. magician   7. wizard   8. the world’s leader  9. healer   10. economy fixer  11. mortgage crisis solver  12. ender of global warming  13. creator of a cancer cure  14. holds key to eliminating the common cold  15. may even be able to take on Chuck Norris

pardon – n. something OJ will never see.

plutocrats – n. 1.see tycoons

politicians  – n. 1. elusive fat cats who do very little and do it poorly and get rich for their efforts – see auto executives 

Turbo Tax – n. a great fall guy to blame during an IRS audit

tycoons – n.  see politicians

Wall Street– n. a noisy place where men and women run around with paper in their hands playing games causing many people to lose money /an adult version of Chucky Cheese

West Palm Beach – n. place where fat cats meet to scratch, sniff, and purr

“You know” – a handy phrase to use repeatedly during an interview for a job you don’t want

As I sit here in Florida in the middle of a deep freeze pondering global warming and spinning my Obama coin, I heard a story on the news that brought inspiration to my weary soul. (I know . . . I know. . . I shouldn't be weary; the four days of inaugural bliss should have been enough to send me into rapturous pleasure, but for some reason my feet remained firmly planted on my icy tile floor.)

Back to the inspiring news story.

–a case full of old cd drivers for computer hardware that I don’t even know if I own anymore

–Aunt Myrtle’s quilt complete with 250 images of Elvis

–an autographed Larry the Cable Guy mug

–a cigar box filled with Green Stamps

–a drawer full of pens (some still work)

–a rock tumbler (never used)

–a baseball glove trophy I received for being team mom

–25 miniature bottles of hotel hand lotion

–and several books— DOS Made Simple, How to Protect Yourself for Y2K, Has Pac Man Ruined Your Marriage?

Like Zack, I know it’s a long shot, but what the heck, I’ll call the White House tomorrow.

a hockey mom – n. a woman you should be afraid to meet in a dark alley

Berlin – n.   a major city in Germany where the wall was torn down opening the door for any ‘ole rascal to enter

celebrity – ad.j  1. a quality apparently needed to be elected President of the United States   2. n. a wealthy opinionated liberal who thinks we care what they think

change – n. everything will stay the same      usage - a word that helps the party not in power to win elections 

economy – n. 1. a behind-the-scenes mysterious power that surfaces every so often to clobber the incumbent party 2. an entity that no one can explain yet millions talk about

excessive greed – n. real bad greed (as opposed to okay greed)

George Bush - n. - 43^rd President of the United States who vicariously sought a third term through John McCain 

Jimmy Carter – n.- 39^th President of the United States who is vicariously seeking his second term beginning in 2009 

Joe the plumber - n.   a man used to dealing with crap

kitchen table – n.  1. a mythical place where depressed and suicidal peons go to discuss their financial downfall 2. a phrase used by wealthy politicians to show that they understand the lives of poor people

“mark my words” – n. 1. a phrase uttered before the foot is inserted

“more of the same” – n. 1. politicians in action      usage – a phrase that keeps an incumbent party from winning an election --- synonym - see change

“my friends” - n. 1. a phrase used repeatedly by John McCain 2. 46% of the voting public in the 2008 presidential election

pantsuits – n. 1. what a woman presidential candidate must wear so that she can fight down and dirty with the boys without revealing too much

patriotism – n. 1. a feeling of euphoria that sweeps the nation on April 15th

recession – n. 1. an economic decline that usually follows an economic boon 2. an event that helps to put Democrats in office who then seek to eliminate boons

redistribution of wealth – n. 1. the noble practice of prying hard-earned dollars from the hands of the successful to give to couch potatoes watching Oprah in the afternoon 

sniper fire – n. secret enemy ammunition that only the victim can see or feel

socialism – n.  an ideology that is praised by wealthy and powerful liberals as they play golf in Catalina

the beltway – n.  the area of the United States where lawyers and politicians go to lose touch with the common man

thesis – n. an insignificant paper written in college that most graduates don’t keep up with

typical white woman – n. term of endearment uttered by Barack Obama about his grandmother

uh- eh - n. short grunts between words that candidates make when their teleprompter breaks and they are forced to think

under the bus – n.a temporary storage area for the outspoken who threaten to reveal too much about a candidate’s life 

Washington insiders – n. those whom candidates castigate until they become one themselves

Washington is broken – n. duh!

“Yes we can!” interj. a chant to convince Democrats that they can win in a center-right country

With the Greek columns packed away, the teleprompter retired, and the poetic moments ebbing, the mist of illusion fades and stone hard reality arrives. I know it’s early; I know I’m to give him a chance, but I just have this hunch that things are not going to be so hunky-dory in Obama Land for long.  The honeymoon may be over before the consummation.