Foreign Aid is a great thing. It’s America being kind, and exhibiting that kindness through our national generosity. The total dollars we annually send to foreign nations in need is astronomical in proportions, yet we continue to send it without the first thought of repayment. We’ve sent hundreds of billions of dollars year after year to countries that feel a sense of entitlement to our American bounty & truly aren’t grateful for the gift. They simply expect it, and still hate us when they cash the check. Nonetheless, this is how we’ve behaved as global citizens since this nation won its independence over two and a quarter centuries ago. My issue is when we have Americans in need, such as with Hurricane Katrina, the recent floods in the north, or any number of our national disasters, our American government offers the victims “low-interest loans” as opposed to the “gifts” we give other nations. That seems less than I think we have every right to expect from our government. In the wake of a natural disaster in the boundaries of America, American dollars should be used without hesitation to make suffering American citizens whole. We are the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment - yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on all the TV networks, ships and planes lining up with food, water, tents, clothes, bedding, doctors and medical supplies, much of which goes unused, stolen or sold because of mismanagement. Haiti was a cesspool before the earthquake, now we seem to have the goal of making them better than they were before their disaster. Imagine if we gave ourselves the same support that we give other countries. I feel bad for Haiti, and for other countries that have suffered natural catastrophes, but I wonder, who cares about America. I swear that I do, and I assume you do as well, but by their very actions, and the offer of “lo-interest loans” as a remedy, how could we think that those self-serving duly elected officials in the halls of government in Washington, care as much about America as the voters that sent them there? Do they really believe they were sent from their states and their districts to represent the citizens that voted for them, or do they assume themselves to represent the citizens of the world? We can’t be a good global neighbor until we commit to caring for our own people. America First!! Then we’ll be more fit to care for others.

Who really knows the original source of this. It’s been circulating on the internet for quite some time now, but I’ve never shared it as a Soap Box until today: Since the Pledge of Allegiance and The Lord's Prayer are not allowed in most public schools anymore because the word 'God' is mentioned..... A kid wrote A NEW School prayer: Now I sit me down in school Where praying is against the rule For this great nation under God Finds mention of Him very odd. If scripture now the class recites, It violates the Bill of Rights. And anytime my head I bow Becomes a Federal matter now. Our hair can be purple, orange or green, That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.. The law is specific, the law is precise. Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice. For praying in a public hall Might offend someone with no faith at all.. In silence alone we must meditate, God's name is prohibited by the state. We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks... They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible. To quote the Good Book makes me liable. We elect a pregnant Senior Queen, And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King. It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong, We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.. We can get our condoms and birth controls, Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.. But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, No word of God must reach this crowd. It's scary here I must confess, When chaos reigns the school's a mess. So, Lord, this silent plea I make: Should I be shot; My soul please take! Amen

You have to be a certain age to appreciate this. I can hear my mom now... (If you don't know what clotheslines are, better skip this.) 1. You had to wash the clothesline before hanging any clothes. Walk the entire length of each line wiping the line with a damp cloth. 2. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order, and always hang "whites" with "whites," and hang them first. 3. You never hung a shirt by the shoulders - always by the tail! What would the neighbours think? 4. Wash day on a Monday . . . Never hang clothes on the weekend, certainly not Sunday, for Heaven's sake! 5. Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines so you could hide your "unmentionables" in the middle (perverts & busybodies, y'know!) 6. It didn't matter if it was sub-zero weather .. Clothes would "freeze-dry." 7. Always gather the clothespins when taking down dry clothes! Pins left on the lines were "tacky!" 8. If you were efficient, you would line the clothes up so that each item did not need two clothes pins, but shared one of the clothespins with the next washed item. 9. Clothes had to be off the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes basket, and ready to be ironed. 10. IRONED? Well, that's a whole other subject! A clothesline was a news forecast To neighbors passing by. There were no secrets you could keep When clothes were hung to dry. It also was a friendly link For neighbors always knew If company had stopped on by To spend a night or two. For then you'd see the "fancy sheets" And towels upon the line; You'd see the "company table cloths" With intricate designs. The line announced a baby's birth From folks who lived inside - As brand new infant clothes were hung, So carefully with pride! The ages of the children could So readily be known By watching how the sizes changed, You'd know how much they'd grown! It also told when illness struck, As extra sheets were hung; Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too, Haphazardly were strung. It also said, "Gone on vacation now" When lines hung limp and bare. It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged With not an inch to spare! New folks in town were scorned upon If wash was dingy and gray, As neighbors carefully raised their brows, And looked the other way . . .. But clotheslines now are of the past, For dryers make work much less. Now what goes on inside a home Is anybody's guess! I really miss that way of life. It was a friendly sign When neighbors knew each other best By what hung on the line!