A tale of two Americas.....................

"I have alot of things I should be thinking about none of which should be how am I going to pay for college" stated the college student on a CNN story I just saw.She was talking about how she couldn't afford to continue her education at the University of Hartford as financial aid wasn't available and she didn't have the money to pay for it.The piece also mentioned another college student whose parents didn't have good enough credit to get student loans to afford for him to continue college.He was going to take a year off,work,save and go back to college.
This was a great example of something I've been thinking about.Big government vs. personal responsibility.Both of these college students talked like they expected the government (or someone) to help them out.Should I mention that the young woman had excellent grades and perhaps it's not her fault that the financial aid isn't there.It could be another result of the economic situation we're in.The young man has nothing to do with his parent's credit so should he suffer?BUT,who's to say it's their responsibility to put him through college anyway?
I was VERY blessed that my parents helped me through my bachelor's degree and saw them sacrifice alot to do that.Don't think I forget that for one second !!!
So,the question is this? Where does the government fit into this?Where does personal responsibility fit in? I saw my mom work full time AND attend college full time while raising me and my sister.My dad just retired after 36 years at the same company that provided the stability as far as paycheck,insurance,etc our family needed.My family is where it is today because of what my mom and dad did.Praise God for great parents.The thing is that not everyone is blessed like that.You have grandparents raising children,orphans,single parent families,etc that may not be able to do what my parents did.Yet,some can and choose not to !!! Let's say you have a mother who has child after child despite being able to care for the ones she has.Statistics say these children won't succeed and will barely graduate high school if they do.So,what about them?Do we punish them for their mom's behavior? What about a single teen who has a baby out of wedlock but wants to fulfill her dream for college? Should she be helped by the government? My mom wasn't.Yes she had my dad but that was her only help.We were dropped off at babysitters and sometimes had to go back to work with mom once she picked us up from school.
Let's look at another aspect of government help. Now,keep in mind,I'm a former governmental employee who worked directly with families on welfare,food stamps,medicaid.I saw these stories first hand and know many of their names.I had some families I worked with the entire 7 years I was at DHS.Also,I've benefited from a governmental program to return to school.I will be directly impacted by Prez Obama's stimulus plan.So,I've seen both sides of this issue.The biggest problem with government right now is that it's ineffective at times and VERY VERY poorly managed.
But this could be easily solved with better communication,technology and more employees.So,do we continue to let the government be as it always has?or do we send messages through our senators/representatives that we expect more out of our government? Do we fight to the death for private businesses/colleges?Are we better served in the private sector? Personally,I think so.But,that doesn't mean the BIG government couldn't be as effective as the private sector.
So,I just wanted to throw this out there as food for thought !! I'd love to hear from you and read your thoughts :)

Down by the Creek Bank !!!

As a child,there was a musical we did at church called "Down by the Creek Bank".Do any of you know it/remember it? I am fortunate enough to have the tape of it :) I was just wondering what was your favorite song/memory from that musical if you were lucky enough to do it !!!

STARBUCKS ! STARBUCKS ! STARBUCKS !!

YUM !!! I love me some Starbucks :) So,what I want to know is what is your favorite drink? There are some that aren't even listed on the menu so I'm especially interested in those.Do you have a favorite starbucks memory too? A group of friends and I would hang out outside playing board games while sipping our drinks.Fun times !!
So,all you readers out there share with me :)

Looking for a Miracle?

I was watching President Obama's town hall meeting this morning and was intrigued.I was proud to see Americans asking tough questions of the President and coming out to voice their thoughts,comments,etc.Now we can talk about whether he answered their questions or not and if people should be looking to government or not. I certainly welcome that discussion if you so desire.But what I thought I would comment on is the way people were looking at the President to perform "miracles".I am really thinking about the lady who needed help.She was unemployed and homeless.Once she was picked to ask the President a question you could see her excitement.She then proceeded to tell the President of her troubles (which alot of people face) and simply looked at him and said "please help". She was in tears.The President was very affectionate and gracious to her.I thank the Lord for that !! You could tell that she knew that if she could just talk to the President he could do something for her.She was in sheer disbelief that she was actually getting to speak to him. My mind instantly thought of the story from Scripture of the lady who knew she could be healed by just touching Jesus'garment.She was healed and He felt her touch the hem of His garment when there were many people surrounding Him.(Mark 5:25-31).It was a miracle in His time.So,my question is this? Do you still believe in modern day miracles? if you do,who do you look to for those miracles to be performed? The lady today believed the President would do something for her.She believed that if she could just talk with him then all would be fine.She acted out in faith and attended the rally with a slim chance she would actually get to talk to him.She went anyway.How amazing is it that as a christian we can talk to God anytime and KNOW that He cares and can/will provide.May God bless this lady I saw today and may we all as Americans be reminded that God can provide and never forget His supreme authority !!!!!