A fan writes in appreciation for the stand I've taken on local government spending and the scam that we call "property taxes". The writer also suggests that if I were to run for office I would have at least one vote. This has come up before. I'm perfect right where I am. With the current attitude regarding elected officials it is likely that if I were elected I would lose my voice in these matters. Nobody trusts anyone in politics and rarely pays attention to anything they say. I do appreciate the thought as it was well intended.
We also received an email via our web page editorial comment section this week from a writer who has a great idea for Christmas gift giving:
I received this email from a friend and wanted to pass the idea along! We are going to give this a try this year...Stephanie..... As Christmas approaches, Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide the American market with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.
This year will be different.
This year Americans will give gifts of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is! It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down some Benjamin's on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint? Remember, folks, this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home-town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy? Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running. OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater? Your local charity thrift store has more than used clothing! A gift for small children doesn't have to be NEW! Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip. You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city.
Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?
Amen.
We also received an email via our web page editorial comment section this week from a writer who has a great idea for Christmas gift giving:
I received this email from a friend and wanted to pass the idea along! We are going to give this a try this year...Stephanie..... As Christmas approaches, Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide the American market with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.
This year will be different.
This year Americans will give gifts of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is! It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down some Benjamin's on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint? Remember, folks, this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home-town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy? Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running. OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater? Your local charity thrift store has more than used clothing! A gift for small children doesn't have to be NEW! Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip. You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city.
Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?
Amen.
Wow ... Suggestion --- try paragraphs.
ReplyDeleteWho wrote this Freel?
ReplyDeleteRiver bear--Good Idea. Corrected.
ReplyDeletePatrick- Stephanie Miller sent this out.
So this is what Christmas is all about huh?
ReplyDeleteThis is to be the best Christmas I and my family will have participated in and enjoyed for many years.
ReplyDeleteWe will share our resources with each other modestly and give our of sincere appreciation, love, and kindness to and for each other.
We will decorate just as modestly and with the dual purpose of delighting others as well as ourselves with the results.
We will seek to be of humble service to someone or some aspect of our community who needs such service, be it a helping hand or a kind word or a practical form of assistance / kindness. We will seek to make someone else's Christmas better than it might be otherwise.
We will give thanks for what we have and pay nevermind to what it is we don't really need. We will ask, in our own and private way, for this great nation's near and far future to be positive, humane, and healthy.
We will honor those who have paid and will continue to pay great prices for our freedoms, individual rights, and safety at home and abroad.
We will not be loud, or shabby, or disrespectful, or self-promoting this Christmas.
Rather, we will seek to be humbled as well as humble, quiet in grace as well as graceful, and thankful for the opportunity to be as blessed as we are.
And hope to be a blessing to those others' lives we may touch as this Christmas takes us toward next Christmas.