Remember when...
When America was founded, the people supported each other; they sacrificed “in order to form a more perfect union”. They understood the power of their dollar. For instance, even though they enjoyed English tea, they boycotted the tea and fought for their freedom. They sacrificed a pleasure, which they once enjoyed. They kept their eye on the big picture. They knew that each individual action they took, when combined with the actions of others, would form a great country. Out of their commitment and dedication, they were able to form, America, the greatest country in the world.
Our generation has lost sight of the big picture. Too many people are only thinking of “what is in it for me”. Not enough people are thinking all the way through to the end. What happens when we purchase items from overseas? Where does our dollar go? What are we truly supporting? What is the environmental impact of shipping an item from half way around the world compared to purchasing the same item which is available right here?
It is in our power to secure American jobs and strengthen small businesses. These small businesses are the foundation of our economic condition. Every time we spend our dollar, we have the power to contribute to job security and to strengthen America. Pride in America ~ Our Economy and What YOU Can Do to Help, was written to make this process simple. So many people say, “We don’t make anything anymore”. Yes, WE do and Pride in America categorizes and lists the items to make supporting small businesses easy. When you glance through the many companies in this book, you can’t help but feel Pride to be an American!
George Washington said, “I use no porter or cheese in my family, but such as is made in America”!
We can, once again, form “a more perfect union”, step by step, day by day, as we take actions towards strengthening small businesses (America).
It’s up to US!!!
Hope
The final course for America is dependent upon the daily actions that the people of America choose to take. It is not too late. We can not give up. Some Americans are beginning to speak as if there is no more hope for America; that because of the actions of some Americans in the past, the entire country is doomed for failure. Without hope, our actions, or lack of actions, will LEAD us to failure.
What does failure really mean? If the America that we know falls, what will replace it? Do those who have given up hope think that if America falls, the replacement will be better? If we do not fight for America, sadly, it will be lost. If we do not fight to strengthen our country, life is as good as it ever will be, right now. Yes, if America falls, we will all have fewer freedoms, less resources, less income, less peace, less health, and less happiness.
Hope gives us strength to take the actions necessary to make positive changes for ourselves and the country. It’s never too late to build a better tomorrow. Without hope we are finished. Don’t give up. We can do it, if we work together and make an effort to take daily actions that will make a difference. There are many Americans who are working towards a better tomorrow. It will take all of us -just pick an area that is true to your heart, where you would like to see improvement, and talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about the change you would like to see. Soon, others will share your passion. You have many fellow Americans who are working on other areas and together, with a little hope and faith, we will strengthen America!
Book signing
The authors of Pride in America will be in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 17th and 18th. If you are in Las Vegas and would like to meet the authors and have your book signed, they will be at The Cashman Center at the Crossroads Gun show.
Saturday 9:00AM to 5:00PM and Sunday 9:00AM to 4:00PM.
Hope to see you there!
The Food, Inc Transformation
The Food, Inc Transformation
A friend recommended that I watch the documentary, Food, Inc. For some reason, I was a little hesitant to watch this movie, for fear of what I might learn, but I decided to watch it anyway. I was shocked to see how the food that we eat is produced. It was disgusting and I thought no wonder our society is overweight and has health problems. Remember the old saying, “You are what you eat”. I spent the following week in upset; as I reached to eat my food, my stomach churned; there was no way that I could continue to eat what I had normally been eating. My family and friends were not happy that I had seen this movie because they wanted to keep eating the “delicious”food that they had been eating and they did not want to hear or see anything that would change their view of their food. As I watched the reactions of my family, friends and myself I realized that this “human” reaction is what has allowed the food companies to get away with this horrific, destructive food process. I think it is human nature to want to “hang on” to what we have in life for fear of the unknown. People enjoy meat; as soon as someone says something negative about the way the meat is processed they think, “I am not giving up meat, there is no way I could ever be a vegetarian so I will not hear this propaganda.” There mind is shut off and they will not hear anymore on the subject.
The good new is that there is another choice. We can continue to eat meat; we just need to become choosy as to which meat we purchase. I have been experimenting, the last couple of weeks, with my food choices. The price of grass fed meat that has been produced without using, drugs, hormones and chemicals is much more expensive, however the taste and quality is unsurpassed. To offset the price,families could choose to have a meal or two each week without meat, or with less meat. For instance, I bought one large healthy chicken breast (cost about$3.50) and cut it into small cubes and then sautéed this with onion. I added spaghetti sauce (the ingredients were tomatoes, onion, garlic, spices – nothing unknown)I added this to pasta and sprinkled the top with parmesan cheese. For the vegetable, I went to the local farm and bought zucchini, which was freshly picked. I must say, “It was delicious”. My family also enjoyed this meal. As a parent, I feel good that I have given my family food that will nourish their body and help them to grow to be healthy and strong.
This transformation of what we eat will take some thought. I understand that changing habits takes time, but I am willing to take the time to learn new ways to feed my family. If “we the people” do not support the corporations who are putting their profits above our health, they will no longer be able to produce food in this destructive, unhealthy manner.
I encourage everyone to watch this documentary. Together, we can change the way our country produces our life sustaining food!!
Chris Jordan Illustrates Consumerism
Chris Jordan Illustrates the Collective effects of Consumerism
When we read statistics on topics such as the U.S. deficit or the amount of plastics bottles that enter the land fills each day, it can be difficult to comprehend what these massive numbers truly represent. Photographer, Chris Jordan brilliantly illustrates the impact that people have on the world, as the results of their actions are seen collectively. Through his work, he shows us what our plastic bottle and plastic bag usage looks like. Chris Jordan is a creative wizard as he demonstrates American consumerism with his mind-blowing photographic artwork. His images transform the viewer and cause people to stop and ponder on the part that they play on the condition of our world. To learn more, visit www.chrisjordan.com "As you walk up close, you can see that the collective is only made up of lots and lots of individuals. There is no bad consumer over there somewhere who needs to be educated. There is no public out there who needs to change. It is each one of us."
Chris Jordan on Bill Moyer's Journal
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