My Friend's Remembrances of Ted Kennedy

From Tranquilla II on The Back of Eddy Creek on Lake Barkley --- Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy (D-MA) was finally laid to rest this weekend. He joins his brothers John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy both of whom I had some fondness for actually. The good Senator Ted I were never quite able to warm up to one another and I suspect there are others who had an equally difficult time. I actually met the Senator at an event I was honored to be at on September 11, 2002 at the Kennedy Center. He looked as many of us do as if he had lived a hard life. He was polite and gracious.

Despite his perseverance to do good for the "common man," I just found it incredibly difficult to believe he could truly relate to the "common man" but then many did relate to him especially his union followers and those who wanted the legacy and myth of the Kennedys' to live forever.

Senator Kennedy had a difficult life. He lost brothers and a sister and his first wife lost at least two children due to miscarriages. I know how difficult it is to lose those you love early in life and those you want to love that were never meant to be.

He was I am sure hounded by his Father to continue the myth and legacy of the family at all costs through his public service. I quite suspect it would not have been a life even as privileged as it was that most of us could have probably dealt with for long.

I have hoped for a long time that the Senator would lay to rest all the speculations about what really happened to Mary Jo Kopechne that fateful night at Martha's Vineyard. I at least hope that he made peace with his God, her family and himself over all this.

Just as many of us were saddened by the death of the great Conservative President Ronald Reagan this was a weekend of mourning for those who revered the great Liberal/Progressive Senator Ted Kennedy.

My friend and colleague, who also at one time was a student of mine as well when I taught at St. Mary's High School in Paducah, reminded me today of the need to stop and reflect on those whom we might hold in less than honorable esteem because of our politics.

I appreciate her comments and her remembrances. She did a fine job of articulating that which I could not bring myself to do adequately. Her comments and thoughts come from one who is definitely not a liberal or a fan of the Senator rather they are thoughtfully delivered comments from one human being about another; from one who can see the need for compassion and I am not at all surprised that I agree with her. I thank her for doing that which I could not do nearly as well.

So from my friend Lynn Beckman in St. Louis ...

I don't consider myself a liberal (far from it!), and I disagreed with many of Ted Kennedy's aims in the Senate. But I have to admire a man who steadfastly, doggedly pursues achievement of what he firmly believes to be good and fair, on behalf of those less fortunate.... a man who perseveres in the strength of his conviction in what he believes to be fundamental human rights. This is not to heap accolades upon him in death.

What he said in his eulogy for his brother Bobby, also applies to him: "... need not be idealized in death beyond what he was in life."

Later in life, Kennedy made a public speech in which he acknowledged his faults, flaws, and personal failings, and accepted personal responsibility for them. (It has been remarked that perhaps his remarriage had something to do with that turn-around).

It appears that from that point forward, he did better in his life.... perhaps particularly his private life... the part that occurs when TV cameras are absent. Good news rarely makes the press, especially the main stream media.

There are privileges and burdens of carrying the legacy of a famous name and living a life of public service; an example of the latter is that the world was instantly informed of his every mistake and misstep.

The world was also immediately aware of the crushing personal tragedies that filled his life, beyond what most of us would ever suffer or could begin to comprehend, the most recent loss occurring just a few weeks ago, with the death of his sister, Eunice; even in these most intimate occasions of personal pain and grief, privacy was a luxury he could not buy.

I am glad I do not have to attempt to live my life under such an unflinching microscope.

I watched as much of the TV coverage of his services as possible, and learned things that I didn't know about the man. I was touched by the heartfelt remembrances of him as a loving father and grandfather. I noted the stories and photos of him attending the funerals of as many fallen servicemen from Massachusetts as he could.

I heard about him keeping a weekly standing appointment with children attending school in a rough neighborhood, to read to and with them.

In the end, God alone will judge Ted Kennedy on the events of what, by any measure, can only be called a remarkable life. - Lynn Beckman

Dave Ramsey Says It Better Than I Ever Could - Cash for Clunkers - Another "Bail Out"

I have tremendous respect for Dave Ramsey. I follow his money management philosophy and I believe we all should be doing so in these perilous times. I could not better explain nor agree any more with his assessment of this ridiculous "Cash for Clunkers" program. The government has simply created another opportunity to "bail out" a bunch of people who should have never bought a car they can't afford. And for those of you who have not thought this through we now have all these "clunkers" out of the used car market creating problems for those who wish to buy a good used car. Here is Mr. Ramsey's recent article:

With all the buzz about Cash for Clunkers, it’s easy to think that it was a great way for people to get a better set of wheels. But was it really? No way! Cash for Clunkers was simply a way for broke people to buy cars that they really couldn't afford. It was a bad idea on multiple levels. But before digging into that, let’s take a little history lesson.

About a decade ago, a fair housing program was started, called a sub-prime lending market. The idea behind it was that everyone “needed” to own a home—including broke people. The government decided to start a program to reinvest in communities, which allowed pretty much anyone to borrow money to buy a house. Lending companies charged high interest rates, causing already struggling families to go even further into debt.

Basically, this was a program designed to encourage broke people to buy houses. Most people didn’t even know it existed until it unraveled and became the number-one cause of our recent recession. The government took those stupid loans back and securitized them, which created the financial mess last fall. Helping broke people buy houses didn’t turn out to be a great government program. Guess what? Helping broke people buy brand-new cars—and now home appliances—will turn out just as bad.

The Cash for Clunkers program was designed exactly for people who should not take advantage of the program. You trade your $2,000 clunker in for a brand-new, shiny $20,000 car, and the only way you can afford it is with a high-interest payment. That just means you really couldn’t afford it to begin with. Doesn’t this sound like the sub-prime mortgage problem all over again?

When you drive that new car off the lot, you’re immediately going to lose $4,500. The worst car accidents happen on the showroom floor. New cars go down in value like a rock. The government thinks it’s going to save the American auto industry by putting broke people into cars they can’t pay for. It’s going to come back to bite them—and the rest of us—in the form of taxes galore.

Another bad thing about this program is that we, the taxpayers, are paying for the new cars! It’s morally wrong of the government to take money away from us—against our will—in the form of taxes and give that money to someone else to buy a stupid car they can’t afford in the first place! This is theft, plain and simple.

Cash for Clunkers is a program that redistributes wealth in the name of the environment, and it’s going to be a curse on the car dealer and the manufacturer that carries the paper. It’s going to hurt the broke person who bought a car he couldn’t afford. And it’s already a problem for our country, because it’s adding dollars to the national debt.

There’s always a twist with government programs like this. They try to think of creative ways to help people, but the situation usually ends up worse than it did before they “helped.” In the end, I should decide what to do with my own money. If I want to buy you a car, I will! And if you can’t buy a car without actually paying for the whole thing, then you’re better off keeping your “clunker.”

So good riddance to a really bad program that has done more damage than good. -

Dave Ramsey

http://www.daveramsey.com/

A Proctor & Gamble Executive Writes President Obama

Letter from Procter & Gamble Exec to President Obama

Please read, even if you are an Obama fan. It is legitimate, written by
respected, Lou Prichett, formerly of Proctor and Gamble. Lou Pritchett
is one of corporate America 's true living legends- an acclaimed author,
dynamic teacher and one of the world's highest rated speakers. Successful
corporate executives everywhere recognize him as the foremost leader in
change management. Lou changed the way

America does business by creating an audacious concept that came to be
known as "partnering. " Pritchett rose from soap salesman to
Vice-President, Sales and Customer Development for Procter and Gamble and
over the course of 36 years, made corporate history.

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

Dear President Obama:

You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of
the others, you truly scare me.

You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.

You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy
League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible
signs of support.

You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth
growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.

You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.

You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't
understand it at its core.

You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.

You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself
with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly
denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.

You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America' crowd
and deliver this message abroad.

You scare me because you want to change America to a European style
country where the government sector dominates instead of the private
sector.

You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a
government controlled one.

You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing
on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.

You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that
lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the
world.

You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against
certain banks and corporations.

You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you
on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.

You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider
opposing points of view from intelligent people.

You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and
omniscient.

You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.

You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs,
Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of
view.

You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.

Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably
not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.


Lou Pritchett

TRUE - CHECK: http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/youscareme.asp
This letter was sent to the NY Times but they never acknowledged it. Big
surprise! Since it hit the internet, however, it has had over 500,000
hits. Keep it going. All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that
good men do nothing. It's happening right now.

Under Obamacare My Cancer Would Not Have Been Even Diagnosed in Time

From Tranquilla 2 on The Back of Eddy Creek on Lake Barkley ---

Rush Limbaugh is a "Big Fat Idiot," according to my progressive friends, so let's also throw in Glenn Beck, the best-selling populist author of "Common Sense" and Mark Levin, the best-selling author of "Liberty or Tyranny" as well. That should really titillate the "snipers" and "bomb-throwers."

However, if we are going to get into calling names let's be as childish on the "conservative" side as well and add Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid and let's not forget Al Franken and Michael Moore, Chuck Schummer and a few others - maybe they can be called "Big Fat Air Heads." or something equally childish.

What's my point?

When people can no longer debate with reason, logic and facts and on principles they have to resort to name calling.

Sean Hannity becomes Sean Vanity; Ed Schultz becomes Ed "Big Mouth" Schlitz.

You get the idea.

The problem is name calling doesn't get us any where in the world of ideas nor does it move us toward solutions.

Frankly my friends this current administration is wrought with lots of ideas; they have never met a crisis they couldn't take advantage of and in my opinion they are using "Chicago-style" rough house politics on us all to force programs on many of us who simply don't want their "help."

I personally prefer to debate these issues on the merits and the ideals of liberty and freedom and not on silly name calling. But then, of course, even the administration has even gone back to the old playbook of "The Vast Right-wing Conspiracy" theory as to why they can't sell these ideas to the general public. They have become desperate.

However, let us not let Congress - those political hacks - that have become more arrogant and self-serving than we can measure off lightly in this debate. The problems in our country are on both sides of the political aisle as well as in the administration.

It is self-serving and to the Congress's advantage to keep us fighting with one another over "parties" so they can reach out into our pockets and solicit their campaign funds.

It is time for a new political party and agenda. It is time for part-time legislators at the state and federal level. It is time for the farmers to come from the fields, the factory worker from the production lines, the office managers from their desks to give to public service once again.

It is simply time we threw them all out and started all over. It is time we resorted to some "common sense" - we simply can not continue down this road to perdition.

Our debt is beyond the pale, each of us now owe the government more than $44,000 and the interest is climbing daily.

Progressives are asking that we sacrifice systems that work albeit they need improvement for systems run by the government such as Medicare and the Medicaid. If there is a single person reading this that doesn't understand both of those "government" programs are broke, wrought with fraud and mis-management and shamefully run then they have not lived the past 50-years watching government screw it up. They are uneducated and choose to be.

The money being borrowed to run these programs today is on the backs of our children and grandchildren.

The health care "advocates" on both sides want government to run health care - they want to give up their "rights and freedoms of being responsible for themselves" -- they want government to make decisions on the most personal of the decisions that we as free men and women now make.

I simply won't stand for it.

Had I been in an Obama health care system I would not have gotten my cancer diagnosis in time to have saved my bladder and quite possibly my life. That is a fact. I went from the diagnosis to surgery in 4-days friends an unheard of situation under any government program - I know I used to be a fed.

Listen carefully -- leave me and my health care and my family alone. I prefer to work harder and longer if necessary to buy my own insurance.

I choose to be a free man and make my own decisions thank you very much.

No Mr. President you are not a JFK and certainly not an Abraham Lincoln that you supporters are so fond of making you out to to be like.

My philosophy is appropriately stated below Mr. President.

Or, if I can make it simpler for you - I choose "Liberty or Death - Don't Tread on Me!" - Dr. D.

For your reading pleasure ---

These words are often attributed to Abraham Lincoln, but according to the book They Never Said it: A Book of Fake Quotes, Misquotes, & Misleading Attributions, they are not from Lincoln.

The quotes were published in 1942 by William J. H. Boetcker, a Presbyterian minister. He released a pamphlet titled Lincoln On Limitations, which did include a Lincoln quote, but also added 10 statements written by Boetcker himself.

They were:

1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
2. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong
3. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
4. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
5. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
6. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
7. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
8. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
9. You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
10 You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.

"Tank"

From Tranquilla 2 - The Back of Eddy Creek on Lake Barkley --- The following story according to snopes.com is not "true" and yet I quite suspect that many men and women who have deployed have faced similar situations and feelings. This is just a reminder of how much we do truly owe those who would defend our country at a time of war. My friend Lynn Beckman and Stephanie Farhie both sent the story to me on the same day. Lynn in her note to me says ...

"I imagine these circumstances really happened, some time, some where. If you have ever been so blessed to be on the receiving end of the unconditional love of an animal, have your tissues handy, because this is..... A really great dog story! ~Lynn Beckman" I agree.

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie, as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. he shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys (almost all of which were brand new tennis balls), his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff..... that I'd get him new things once he settled in.... but it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to.

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it; I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cellphone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "damn dog probably hid it on me."

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter. I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me.

Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number.

But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice.".........

To Whoever Gets My Dog: Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time... it's like he knew something was wrong. And something is wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it right.

So let me tell you about my Lab, in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really - don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones - "sit," "stay," "come," "heel." He knows hand signals: "back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. He does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.

I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially.

Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new. And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you....

His name's not Reggie.

I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it; of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine. But if someone else is reading it, well... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been giving you problems.

His real name is Tank.

Because that is what I drive.

Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter... in the "event"... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word.

Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family. But still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.

And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family, and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things... and to keep those terrible people from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.

Thank you,

Paul Mallory

_____________________________________

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory; everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.

The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.

"C'mere, boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months.

"Tank," I whispered.

His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whaddaya say we play some ball?" His ears perked again. "Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?" Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room.

And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

Through the Years - A Love Story

Tranquilla 2 - From the Back of Eddy Creek on Lake Barkley -

A woman knows the face of the man she loves as a sailor knows the open sea. Honore de Balzac

In 1989 after Hurricane Hugo devastated our vacation to Pawley's Island, S.C., upon a recommendation from a friend we went to Tybee Island, Ga.

Tybee Island was very different in those days; it was still very much the "quirky" Key West of Georgia. Although much of that "quirkiness" is hidden behind the scenes now, much of that allure still exists for those of us who fit in.

We had the pleasure and honor of meeting and being befriended by Ann and Jim Knipe, a Pennsylvania transplant couple who have become my adopted parents.

This is their love story and it is a slice of my story about my love of this island, my friends, my wife and my dogs and all our friends that still hang out there.

It is rare in life when we can take the time to stop and reflect and share life and this is a small attempt on my part to do just that.

Below are photos from Ann and Jim's 50th anniversary, they have since celebrated their 60th (and when time permits I will load those photos as well). The photos are set to Kenny Rogers "Through the Years."

I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

Love, peace and grace, Dr. Darryl

Just a Little Humor for the "Dog Days" of Summer

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A Letter from a Grandfather to His Granddaughter

From Tranquilla on the Back of Lake Barkley and Eddy Creek - I could not possibly explain this any better. Dr. D.

John is 65 years old and owns his own business. He sees his dream of retiring next year is now all but gone. With the stock market crashing and all the new taxes coming his way, John knows he will be working for a good number more years.

John has a granddaughter. Ashley is a recent college grad. She drives a late model car, wears all the latest fashions, and also likes going out and eating out a lot. Ashley campaigned hard for Obama, and after he won the election she made sure her Grandfather (and all other Republican family members) received more than an earful on how the world is doing to be a much better place now that Obama won the election.

Ashley recently found herself short of cash and cannot pay her bills, again. As she has done many other times in the past, she e-mailed her Grandfather asking for some financial help. Here is his reply:


"Sweetheart,

I am replying to your request for more money. Ashley, you know I love you dearly and am sympathetic to your financial plight. Unfortunately, times have changed. With the election of President Obama, your Grandmother and I have had to set forth a bold new economic plan of our own....the 'Ashley Economic Plan'. Let me explain. Your grandmother and I are highly productive, wage-earning taxpayers. As you know, we have lived a comfortable life , we have worked hard and were looking forward to retiring soon.

But this plan has changed. Your president is significantly raising our personal and business taxes. He says it is so he can give our hard earned money to other people.

Do you know what this means, Ashley? It means less income for us. Less income means we must cut back on many business and personal expenditures.

One example is, we were forced to let go of our receptionist today. You know her. She always gave you candy when you visited my office. Did you know she worked for us for the past 18 years? I can't afford her anymore.

That is a taste of the business side. Some personal economic effects of Obama's new taxation policies include none other than you. You know very well that over the years your grandmother and I have given you thousands of dollars in cash, tuition assistance, food, housing, clothing, gifts, etc., etc. By your vote, you have chosen another family over ours for help. Judging from your Email requesting more money, I recommend you call 202-456-1111. That is the direct telephone number for the White House. You yourself repeatedly told me I was foolish to vote Republican. You said Mr. Obama is going to be the people's president and is going to help every American live a better life. Based upon everything you have told me and things we heard from him as he campaigned, I am sure Mr. Obama will be happy to send a check or transfer money into your checking account. Have him call me for the transaction and account numbers, which by now I know by heart.

Perhaps you now can understand what I have been saying for all my life: those who vote for the president of the United States should consider what the impact of an election will be on the nation as a whole, and not just be concerned with what they can get for themselves (welfare, etc.). What Obama voters don't seem to realize is all of the "government's" money he is 'redistributing' to illegal aliens and non-taxpaying Americans (deemed "less fortunate") comes from tax money collected from income tax-paying families. Remember how you told me, "Only the richest of the rich will be affected"? Guess what, honey? Because of our business, your Grandmother and I are now considered to be the richest of the rich. On paper, it might look that way. But in the real world, we are far from it.

But, as you said while campaigning for Obama, some people will have to carry more of the burden so all of America can prosper. You understand what that means, right? It means that raising taxes on productive people results in them having less money. Less money for everything, including granddaughters.

I pray that you can live with the "change" you voted for. For future reference, I encourage you to attempt to add up the total value of the gifts and money you've received from us over the years, and compare it to what you expect to get over the next four years from Mr. Obama.

Remember, we love you dearly... but from now on you'll need to call the number referenced above when you need help.

Good luck, sweetheart.

Love, Grandpa