tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191030722024-03-07T12:34:21.139-06:00Mrs. WheezerContinuing to celebrate anniversaries of my 25th birthday while allowing my husband to age gracefully.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.comBlogger498125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-91438896261878476622011-06-08T09:06:00.004-05:002011-06-08T09:13:27.977-05:00Triple Threat - Or How the Pants Problem Has Hit the WheezersBefore the advent of the 90s, I assumed there were only two ways to wear pants: clean or dirty. Now that I am much older and fashions have changed, alas, I have learned wearing pants has become an artform.<br /><br />Take S. for example. She is 9 and is only comfortable in her pants if she is in danger of exposing her nether regions. When she was a toddler, 'pull up your pants' became a constant theme in our house. She is quite thin, so I can kind of wrap my head around why she might have trouble keeping her pants in her hip region.<br /><br />Moving on to L. This child knows how to wear pants. Hers always sit right at hip height. Never do I see any part of her rear end while she is out in public. Ah, I am so proud.<br /><br />Now we have A. She is three, and she insists on keeping her pants yanked up as far as they will go. The child has a constant wedgie, and I just can't understand it. Isn't it uncomfortable? It sure makes me wince.<br /><br />With S. we worry about the top part of her bottom hanging out. With A., she yanks her shorts up so high, we worry about the bottom part of her, er, bottom hanging out.<br /><br />I wonder if I can get L. to give her sisters instruction on how pants are supposed to be worn...Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-15281675684632736382010-11-19T10:35:00.002-06:002010-11-19T10:38:50.766-06:00Unsolicited Text SpamI'm fighting mad now. Somehow, my cell phone number (which has been on the do-not-call list for years) has become a target for text spam. After much hair pulling and digging around, I found where you, the consumer, can file a complaint online: <a href="https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action">https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action</a><br /><br />So far, I've submitted one very long complaint as the spammer keeps changing the number appearing on caller id. The FCC provided a nice cover sheet so I can fax additional information as it becomes available (which I have used). As well, I received a letter through the mail detailing my complaint.<br /><br />Here's hoping this government entity actually does what it is tasked to do. In the meantime, for those of you experiencing this violation of federal law (unsolicited texting), feel free to use the link above to file your own complaint.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-32961957540985991452010-04-15T13:59:00.002-05:002010-04-15T14:03:11.642-05:00Overheard...L. has a best buddy, P., who she claims she will marry some day.<br /><br />While walking along behind L. and P. (who were holding hands, awwwww), I overheard L. telling P. all about their future life together.<br /><br />L.: When we grow up and get married, then your little brother will be my brother! For real!!!<br />P.: Can we count now?<br />L. & P.: 1, 2, 3, 4...<br /><br />They pooped out on the counting right around 48.<br /><br />P. is an adorable little boy, but I hope he and L. never date. I want to use him as a spy on the boys she does wind up dating some day...Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-89535799407113367232010-03-22T12:26:00.002-05:002010-03-22T12:27:53.374-05:00Fun is when...your 2 year old begins to quack like a duck...<br /><br />loudly...<br /><br />longly ...<br /><br />in church ....<br /><br />during service ...<br /><br />while Communion is being served.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-43505938544712838802010-02-09T14:10:00.003-06:002010-02-09T14:22:17.988-06:00I could really use something caffeinated right now...Latest checkup at the doc's office showed quite a spike in my blood pressure. It came down during the visit, but taking measurements at home show a bp flitting and flying up, down and all around.<br /><br />Sooo, in the spirit of being proactive, and in the hopes of avoiding a heart attack any time soon, I am changing my diet. OUT goes the caffeine, DOWN goes the sodium, UP goes the potassium, veggies and fruits.<br /><br />In a week and a half, I've managed to lose 5 pounds and find a caffeine headache. Ouch!<br /><br />The headache is absolutely not helped by the fact I was rear-ended last week while stopped for a traffic light. BANG went the car, POP went my back, and CRACKLE went my neck. BLEEEEEEEEEPPPP went my mouth. I have multiple reasons for being grateful the kids were not in the car with me. Not the least of which is that they would have expanded their vocabulary quite a bit that day. I don't normally swear, but boy did I let loose after that fender bender.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-11304658274816181712010-02-01T13:15:00.004-06:002010-02-01T13:26:01.404-06:00And I never knew her nameI came across unexpected, and very sad news in the internet universe last week. A lady who frequently posted on a blog I regularly read passed away unexpectedly. She was 40.<br /><br />It struck me that even though I never conversed with her (even on the blog), and she wouldn't have known of my existence, I feel her loss. Her postings were always lively, uplifting and forthright. She made a positive impact on dozens of people who she literally never met.<br /><br />If you're the praying sort, say a little prayer for Gayle Broadbent-Ferris' family. They must miss her sorely.<br /><br />If you have children, kiss a frog, wear a tiara and cut out some paper dolls together with your kids.<br /><br />Her obituary: <a href="http://www.funeralalternatives.org/Obit_Results.asp?ObitKey=1642">http://www.funeralalternatives.org/Obit_Results.asp?ObitKey=1642</a>Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-42881909052944355602010-02-01T13:00:00.003-06:002010-02-01T13:12:10.175-06:00Becauthe the talkth like thith...After 2.5 years hemming and hawing and trying to figure out therapy and schedules, we finally started L. on speech therapy. Her first session was today, and she skipped merrily off with her therapist. Literally. It completely cracked up the entire waiting room as she flipped her ponytail back and forth.<br /><br />They have begun work on the letter 's' which I cannot recall having ever heard L. pronounce properly. This includes the times she and I have stood in front of the bathroom mirror practicing. The little mite just can't seem to keep her tongue back on the right side of her teeth.<br /><br />She came skipping back to me after her session, pretty pleased with herself. The dark cloud fell when I told her she had to go back to school so I could go to work. When she threatened to run away from me, I informed her that threatening to run off was not okay at all. My response made her start to cry... Mommy guilt is in huge overdrive today.<br /><br />Ah, well, I am taking vacation two days next week and plan to spend one of them with the L.-bug. Maybe spending the day together will ease the guilt a trifle.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Mr. W. and I will have to sort out schedules for taking L. to her 10:30 appointment twice a week. It is inconvenient timing, but I am grateful that she is going to a very reputable clinic that is part of the local university. I am also grateful that the cost for a semester of one hour/week therapy time is costing us a grand total of $50.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-90305321929438379222010-01-23T11:56:00.002-06:002010-01-23T11:57:46.376-06:00Red Letter DayMiss A., after weeks of struggling, has managed to put her shoes on. The velcro is undone and the shoes are on the wrong feet, but she did it all by her little lonesome.<br /><br />Of course, I had taken her shoes OFF in order to get her ready to take a nap... This one has a defiant streak a mile wide.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-25960637491137330142010-01-23T10:33:00.002-06:002010-01-23T10:49:32.081-06:00Ham soup for breakfastIt's Saturday morning in the Wheezer household. S. played a basketball game this morning. We signed L. up for tee-ball, and A. has gone happily about her way.<br /><br />I missed breakfast thanks to being blessedly slow to get ready this morning. Now that the younger two girls and I are back home, I decided to get some breakfast. Mr. W. made some really delicious ham soup earlier this week, and it really hit the spot.<br /><br />While I have been eating L. and A. have been amusing themselves with Liza, the cat. Both the girls and the cat seem to be enjoying themselves, and the running commentary from L. has been hilarious.<br /><br />L.: Liza tripped A. (complete with the singsong tattletale tone).<br />Mrs. W.: Liza makes everybody trip.<br />L.: What about Nadya? (our other cat)<br />Mrs. W.: Eliza makes Nadya run away.<br />L.: Why?<br />Mrs. W.: She is shy.<br />L.: Why?<br />Mrs. W.: Why do you ask so many questions? It's just in her nature.<br />L.: Why?<br /><br />While playing with a feathery, jingly cat toy.<br /><br />L.: Here, A. shake it like this and then throw it.<br />A. shakes and throws. Liza ignores the toy.<br />L. picks up the toy, shakes and throws again, this time beaning the cat. Liza runs off.<br />L.: Mom, why did Liza run away?<br /><br />After I spotted L. tracking Liza with a big blanket.<br /><br />Mrs. W.: Don't you put that blanket on the cat.<br />L. putting down the blanket dejectedly: Okay, I won't.<br /><br />L.: Look! Liza let A. pet her!<br /><br />L.: Mom! Can I pick up Liza? She touched me, but she didn't scratch me!<br /><br />L.: Mama! Mama! She's giving her a bath. (As Liza attempts to groom herself despite the 'help' of two little girls.)<br /><br />Liza is the world's most tolerant cat. Or at least, she is in the top 10. In the nearly 8 years she has been subjected to children, she has not scratched, bit, yowled or hissed at any of my kids. She has had ample provocation, too.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-12310433455417150282010-01-22T09:31:00.003-06:002010-01-22T09:48:01.837-06:00The Hope SuitAt the beginning of my pregnancy with S., I had bleeding issues. Lots of bleeding issues. Bleeding issues that led my doctor to give me a hug and tell me he was so sorry I had to go through this with my first pregnancy. He told me anything could happen, but that this pregnancy did not look healthy. I should be warned that it was likely I would miscarry.<br /><br />I was a mess. I cried, I prayed, I begged God to let me keep this baby. <br /><br />And I continued to bleed.<br /><br />Blood tests came back with hormone levels rising normally.<br />Ultrasound came back with a little heartbeat fluttering away.<br /><br />And I continued to bleed. In fact, the bleeding became heavier.<br /><br />Mr. W. found me in the shower sobbing one morning when I had passed a clot. He hugged me and insisted that I was still pregnant.<br /><br />That was the day I went shopping. I needed a talisman, a solid object I could look at and take comfort in. I drove to WalMart hoping to find the perfect stuffed animal or baby blanket. Instead, I found a white Winnie the Pooh sleeper with green trim around the cuffs and little pictures of Pooh, Tigger and Piglet all over. It was a size 6 to 9 months.<br /><br />I can remember holding it tight and trying not to cry in the middle of the store. When I got home, I hung the sleeper up in the middle of my closet. Every morning when I got dressed, I would stroke the little suit and say a little prayer of hope.<br /><br />The bleeding continued. It lasted 30 miserable, emotional, crazy days. But I was still pregnant, and on April 17, 2002, I gave birth to a squalling, healthy baby girl weighing 10 lbs 3 oz and measuring 22.5 inches long.<br /><br />I do not credit the Hope Suit, as I've come to call it, with giving me a healthy baby. However, I did come to understand how much a physical object can come to mean to a person.<br /><br />PS: All three of my daughters have worn the Hope Suit at some point in their lives.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-19408599582596246472010-01-20T15:36:00.001-06:002010-01-20T15:37:39.356-06:00A Poem in Three LinesDedicated to the idiot who drives the little red car I see zipping in and out through traffic more mornings than I can count:<br /><br />It is after eight,<br />You are already late,<br />Please SLOW. DOWN.<br /><br />Thank you.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-63549987167639215712009-11-10T16:24:00.001-06:002009-11-10T16:26:40.546-06:00*sniff* *sniff* So Very, Very ProudAt the ripe old age of 4 and a half, L. has learned to cross one eye whole holding the other one still.<br /><br />She gets that from <a href="http://mrswheezer.blogspot.com/2007/03/sincerest-form-of-flattery.html">me</a>.<br /><br />I'm so proud.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-70113400429150816702009-11-09T15:24:00.005-06:002009-11-10T16:27:56.837-06:00Lockdown UpdateAnd now, the rest of the story...<br /><br />Burglary attempt was halted when an elderly woman pulled out her gun and fired off a couple shots at the attempted crook. Said crook made an escape into nearby neighborhood, which just happened to be right by the school. School went under lockdown as a precautionary measure until 3 when all the kids went home.<br /><br />It sounds like the school handled everything very well. The kids were told the doors were being locked to keep out a man who had tried to get into someone else's house. Then the kids were all given ice cream as a consolation prize for not getting afternoon recess.<br /><br />S. can be a bit of a worry-wart, so I am very glad that she skipped into school this morning with no reservations. Actually, I think her biggest take-away from the incident was the ice cream.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-78772346305793791052009-11-06T14:03:00.002-06:002009-11-06T14:06:38.018-06:00Isn't this just duckyFirst the Fort Hood shootings yesterday. For whatever reason, this has hit me really, really hard. Just the thought of the chaos and utter betrayal is bringing me close to tears.<br /><br />Second, S.'s school is under lockdown at this moment thanks to a search for a suspect who broke into a house in a neighborhood near the school. News details are sketchy, but they've got helicopter support as well as K-9 dogs hunting for this individual. Fortunately, all the kids are secure, but I'm a little concerned about how everyone will get home if the search is still on-going at 3.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-53543262607315295792009-10-29T11:15:00.002-05:002009-10-29T11:17:29.222-05:00What do you get...when you mix a 4 year old with a skating party and a Christmas tree costume?<br /><br />A gift certificate for 2nd place in the costume contest, and tears each and every time she fell down, shattering one of the ornaments on her costume.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-17021355643160126162009-09-16T19:29:00.002-05:002009-09-16T19:38:17.213-05:00Aren't They Just Adorable?What would a DaVinci exhibit be without Carnival masks?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06YpPQDYfyNSP3xfPPnAoYMa4GMxmQNuDcMxRg1T-U1uaSeX_sO3UPkRGwToaAIIuCeHZHBzlwClE5Dr4cyCes5Zmehwht-c134ylv3yIcCMo22CSaiZYefURH57Gr45Jr9GL/s1600-h/2009-08-29+Pictures+280.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382228134704607970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06YpPQDYfyNSP3xfPPnAoYMa4GMxmQNuDcMxRg1T-U1uaSeX_sO3UPkRGwToaAIIuCeHZHBzlwClE5Dr4cyCes5Zmehwht-c134ylv3yIcCMo22CSaiZYefURH57Gr45Jr9GL/s320/2009-08-29+Pictures+280.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-27344246106817672642009-09-16T19:28:00.001-05:002009-09-16T19:29:43.814-05:00You heard it here, firstTeams<br />Engage<br />All<br />Members<br /><br />Slogan I'm kind of proud of that MY team and I developed this morning.<br /><br />;)Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-75548624017230230322009-07-14T16:56:00.000-05:002009-07-14T16:57:12.155-05:00101 Muppets of Sesame Street!!!!!Check it out: <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/muppets/index.html">http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/muppets/index.html</a>Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-41455866205814523372009-07-06T19:23:00.003-05:002009-07-06T19:31:16.955-05:00Blank BlogFor the umpteenth time, I'm staring at a blank blog screen. Why can't I write anything?<br /><br />This is driving me crazy.<br /><br />A. is weaning. L. is taking to swimming lessons like a fish. S. is growing so fast I can't keep up. Mr. W. loves his new job.<br /><br />I'm feeling bitter sweet about the weaning. I'm proud of the swimming. The growing up thing scares me. I am happier than I can say about Mr. W.'s job.<br /><br />Lice notice came from summer camp. I've ordered some preventative lice shampoo.<br /><br />I want to cut my hair, but I am torn. A. often uses my hair as a sort of security blanket.<br /><br />There. My life in a nutshell...Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-75599284125325806702009-06-09T13:34:00.002-05:002009-06-09T13:41:24.331-05:00Ok... OUCH!Found an unexpected, very, very HOT jalapeno in my lunch today. Unfortunately, I did not have any cheese left to try to cut the burning sensation. Actually, I'm not entirely convinced that WAS a jalapeno. It was awfully hot.<br /><br />I've had a hard time contributing to the blog, lately. I really want to do better. I can't believe A. is already 16 months old, and I've documented precious little of her life here. She has all the sass her middle sister has. I have a feeling those two are going to wind up making S. look easy to raise.<br /><br />L. has been exploring her defiant streak lately. I begin to suspect this is a stage, since S. went through a very similar phase. I just hope we don't have too many more months of 'you can't make me' and 'I don't have to do what you say' left. She got her very first haircut on Mother's Day this year. I cut off 4 inches of her beautiful, curly hair. She still has quite a bit of curl left, but those long ringlets are gone. I'm sad about that, but she does look adorable with shorter hair.<br /><br />S. survived first grade. Her final report card was the best one yet. Above grade level for reading, S+ for spelling, S- for PE and everything else was S. Things really came together for her this school year. As many issues as I've had with her teacher, Mrs. N. did instill a certain amount of acceptance of the requirements for school. S. starts the elementary school next year. Where has the time gone?Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-55954312329394408492009-05-22T15:37:00.000-05:002009-05-22T15:38:05.311-05:00Memorial Day"It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray-haired. But most of them were boys when they died, they gave up two lives -- the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for their county, for us. All we can do is remember."<br /><br />-- Ronald Wilson Reagan<br />Remarks at Veteran's Day ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery<br />Arlington, Virginia, November 11, 1985Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-90834104631929383592009-05-14T09:36:00.005-05:002009-05-14T09:43:13.159-05:00I've Been Presidentially Spammed!Apparently, sending an e-mail to the President complaining about how he's handling bailouts was enough to get me on his e-mail list. This strikes me as incredibly funny since I'm not exactly his biggest fan.<br /><br />Text of the e-mail rah-rahs the ongoing plan/discussion/blustering concerning providing better health care options for Americans. Plus it applies a subtle guilt trip encouraging the recipient to get all his/her friends and neighbors to sign up for the updates.<br /><br />After the way the Federal government manages to muddy up every little thing it touches, I just gotta say (with respect to affordable federal health care): Good luck with that, buddy. You need it.Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-76391933117006768572009-05-14T08:51:00.002-05:002009-05-14T09:01:32.041-05:00Of Strawberries and Bar-B-QMiss A. shows a very decided preference for strawberries and anything that could have bbq sauce on it. It's to the point that if we are having one or the other, I have to hide them until after she has eaten the other foods with her meal. Otherwise, she refuses everything until she has gorged herself on the favored foods.<br /><br />Neither of the first two ever showed that strong a preference for a particular food.<br /><br />We drove down to Llano, Texas in order to enjoy some of <a href="http://www.coopersbbq.com/">Cooper's BBQ</a> last month. It is Mr. W's favorite place to eat, and this was the first time he ever took me. Kind of a fun place where you pick out your food from the pits outside and take it inside to be weighed, cut and eaten.<br /><br />Miss A. ate more of the bbq than I have ever seen her eat in a single meal. The kid sucked this stuff down FAST. We had leftovers we took home and reheated a couple days later. When she caught the aroma and saw the plate piled with the brisket and sausage, she squealed. Again, she sucked the food down.<br /><br />Earlier, she pitched a fit because I did not have enough strawberries to suit her at supper. This was after she'd eaten plenty of other food. But darnit, she WANTED more strawberries!<br /><br />Is it bad that I still giggle when I watch a baby pitch a wall-eyed hissy fit?Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-88428290844721165272009-05-05T15:19:00.002-05:002009-05-05T15:22:17.406-05:00Wheezer on a wireStrange thing I did a couple weeks ago...<br /><br />I climbed straight up a 20 foot pole (telephone pole type thingy), walked 40 feet across an awfully thin cable while holding onto two ropes, and trusted someone not to let me plummet to the ground in my little harness.<br /><br />Note: I will NOT EVER EVER EVER EVER NEVER AGAIN do that.<br /><br />Thanks!Mrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19103072.post-48923332693626590542009-05-05T15:10:00.002-05:002009-05-05T15:14:45.610-05:00The Libertarian in me likes...This came out some time in the 80s (as evidenced by the Reagan and Tip O'Neal references), but it pretty well summarizes my attitude about our current legislators.<br /><br />THE 545 PEOPLERESPONSIBLE FOR ALL<br />OF AMERICA'S WOES<br /><br />BY CHARLEY REESE<br /><br />Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.<br /><br />Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits? Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?<br /><br />You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does. You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does. You and I don't write the tax code. Congress does. You and I don't set fiscal policy. Congress does. You and I don't control monetary policy. The Federal Reserve Bank does.<br /><br />One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president and nine Supreme Court justices - 545 human beings out of the 235 million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.<br /><br />I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.<br /><br />I excluded all but the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it.<br /><br />No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislation's responsibility to determine how he votes.<br /><br />A CONFIDENCE CONSPIRACY<br /><br />Don't you see how the con game that is played on the people by the politicians? Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.<br /><br />What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of Tip O'Neill, who stood up and criticized Ronald Reagan for creating deficits.<br /><br />The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it. The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating appropriations and taxes.O'neill is the speaker of the House. He is the leader of the majority party. He and his fellow Democrats, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetos it, they can pass it over his veto.<br /><br />REPLACE SCOUNDRELS<br /><br />It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 235 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts - of incompetence and irresponsibility.<br /><br />I can't think of a single domestic problem, from an unfair tax code to defense overruns, that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.<br /><br />When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.<br /><br />If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair. If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red. If the Marines are in Lebanon, it's because they want them in Lebanon.<br /><br />There are no insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take it.<br /><br />Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exist disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation" or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.<br /><br />Those 545 people and they alone are responsible. They and they alone have the power. They and they alone should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses - provided they have the gumption to manage their own employees.<br /><br />This article was taken from the Orlando Sentinel Star newspaperMrs. Wheezerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13824483210130539974noreply@blogger.com2