We the People...

We the People, has become a reality for me. Through the voting process, the open mindedness of Americans, the particpation of the election process, the determination for change and to be counted has been proven. Through the Incompetances of the Former Administration, has allowed for Americans to see the Realities of Failed Leadership. The economic hardships that American People have encountered and the new way of having to look at the Future of America.
Maybe, and I hope, that the American People will wake up, change the way in which they live because of this horrendous episode in our history. I hope that Americans look at life more seriously, change the priorities and take more time for themselves and enjoy what life has to offer; then looking at the money as the key that rules their daily lives.
I've learned, since living outside of my country, to look at America from the outside rather than from the inside.
I saw & realize what I was. My life revolved around the material possessions which meant alot of hours away from home to earn the money that was required to pay for "those things".
If I think back to my NY days,
I must have been a Fucking Nut Case!!!!!!
The best part is, is that I was single during all of these financial obligations. I chose to have the "things" rather than a relationship because "the things" were the "REWARDS" for living the "AMERICAN DREAM" (get real!)
I had no time for myself or anybody else for that matter. I was rarely home, other than to sleep & time to do the yard work on weekends before going to the second job.
Times are far worse now for the American People and must be even harder for those with families.
How did priorities change in America? Why did we allow ourselves to WANT rather than be WANTED? Why is IMAGE so important now? Why is it necessary to "Keep up with the Jones or to get the things before the Jones' do?" Why did we or do we allow ourselves to "Live Beyond our Means?" Why do we move to another home, rather than to "Just Add On to our existing homes?" Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah The questions go on and on for me......Now, it's confusing as to why I allowed myself to go THAT FAR! Is EXCESS really necessary? What about, "just the basics to enjoy life?"

So now, living outside of the US for the last 10 plus years, I can see where I was, where America is and I don't want to ever change my ways of thinking again.
I've learned that you can be successful, live discreetly & simple, have time to party, spend Quality Time with The Love of Your Life, Travel, not live beyond your means, have friends who like & respect you truly for who you are, rather than what you have in the pocket, where or how you live, & most of all, Respect & Cherish the person you chose to be your life partner and, "HOPEFULLY, that person will do th esame for you.....!" and, have Dreams for Tomorrow.....
I hope that America changes back to a more simple life & not put the emphasis on "the things" anymore after this economic crisis. I hope that America looks at the "important" things in life; which is our precious time of life & our companion in life. (you can define what is important to you)
We the People have spoken. Let's think about how we will use this chance we have to live a better life in America & around the world. Change is not only with the Government's Administration. We the People have to define our Priorities for ourselves.

Today, I Wait with Anticipation...

Today, I think most people with any intelligence & a functioning brain, sits, paces nervously, glued to the TV sets, listening to the radios or conversing with friends & collegues anticipating our next President of the United States.

I would also like to include the next "First Family" of America. When I see photos of this True American Family, I can only feel Strength & Comfort knowing that this family will make us proud that they are representing millions of Americans, giving us hope for a brighter & better tomorrow & future.

For me, they represent all of us in their determination, confidence and dreams that: "We can seek the Impossible"; take a stand in what WE believe to be our own successes; no matter how large or small. For me, they represent that "keeping life simple", and not living beyond our means, allows us to keep the dreams real & within reach. For me, they represent that through personal experiences allows us

or (should show us) to NOT forget where they/we came from and where they/we want to go in life. For ALL of us, they proved that "Anything is Possible" as long as we don't give up on ourselves.

For me, they represent that: We have to take a stand in what we believe to be of value, importance and what is cherished most in our lives. We have to learn from our mistakes & not repeat them. We need to look forward & not back if we are to have productive & healthy lives. We need to advance by thinking of others & not ourselves. We need to reach out, help & say hello as often as possible; even to people we don't know. In the end, those people will feel important & will hopefully pass on the hello or lend a helping hand to others as well.

Since teaching & dealing with the people of St. Maarten more on a daily basis, (professionally & personally), I find myself reaching out more to people & I especially reach out to my students & their family members. I try to understand their daily lives, struggles & hardships and what they do each day to survive. Through their struggles, they still laugh & enjoy life. They make the best of what they have & proud of what they accomplish. When a mom or dad sees me in public or even at the school, they are not shy to give me a hug. I even had one dad last week give me a hug & a kiss on the cheek because I prevented his son from being kicked out of school after an incident that could have been prevented, had a teacher been present & doing his job.

(remember the teacher who was spying on the computer to see what I was doing?)

I find myself enjoying life more now, then I did prior to teaching. I feel productive & giving back to St. Maarten & contributing to the future of these kids & the island. I'm even more sensitive now and find it easier to overlook things that were once or could have been a crisis.

Through Obama & his family, I have hope & feel positive for a brighter tomorrow for the people of America, the people of the world and the future of good things to come under his Presidency.

Again I will say, "I have found a New Role Model in My Life!" His Inspiration moves me to being a better person each day!

Today, I have hope for America & The World

Today, I have hope for America & The World after watching the Infomercial of Obama. I watched it today because the TV Satelite was down last night.

During the 30 minute Ad for Obama, I will be honest with you, I had tears in my eyes. His ad portrayed people from different parts of America who had "everyday issues" that they had to live with making concessions, changing their daily routines and come to reality with what they thought their retirement was going to be after retirement.

When Phil & I travel throughout America, we always observe people; who as American Senior Citizens, are working in fast food restaurants, Walmart, Sam's Club etc. When we travel throughout Europe, we don't see Senior Citizens working anywhere.

Barack Obama talks about the goals, policies and dreams He has for America & The People.

His personal crisis' & personal experiences allows him to understand; what ALL of US go through at some point in our lives. He can relate to what the "average American" is going through and hasn't forgotten about his youth, his family upbringing, his hardships. He understands what hard work is and what it means to get to a point in ones life. Nothing was given to him, except the "Drive to keep going to reach your dreams through the encouragement of his mom & grandmother & grandfather."

His encouragement for parents to take an active role in their children's lives as his mother did with him starting at 4:30am every morning. As a teacher, I too, can relate to the early mornings waking up in my childhood home with my dad & mom also encouraging me to study hard & learn. Good morals & values helped me to be who I am today and I encourage my students to "do the same."

Barack Obama is a "People Person" who, in my opinion, will change America for the better. The people will now have a better chance at a better life. People will have (I hope) a new feeling & beliefs in each other and stand together to make America what it was meant to be.

A place for ALL People, no matter what the socio-economic background is, what neighborhood you grew up in, what your skin color is, what type of job you do, what country your ancestors came from, what language you speak, what religion you believe in, etc.

Barack seems to be a sensitive person & knowledgeable.

I believe, the people will have a New Leader to look up to and Respect his accomplishments and the road He travelled, to get to where He is today.

I told my students today in class this: "If I had to ask myself who I admired most; I would have to say: Barack Obama. A man who is doing something what was believed to be Impossible. We should ALL take a lesson from him." If there is a God, God Bless Obama!

Friends Names Removed...

I wanted to add that after writing my post yesterday on my Blog, I learned today that 2 Wonderful Dear & Special Friends, Deb & Dave who live in Indiana (Republican State) had their names taken off the Voters Registration. Luckily they were able to put their names back on so they could vote.
Their concern: Is it possible because they are registered Democrats living in a Republican state that their names were "mistakenly taken off" or possibly "deliberately taken off" knowing that "most likely" they would vote Democratic-2 more votes for Obama-2 LESS votes for McNasty & Pitbull Palin......?
Had they not gone early to vote & went on the 4th of November-Election Day, would they have been able to have their names put back on the list or would it have been too late which would mean they could not cast their vote?
Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Oh the Republican Desperate Tactics!!!!!!!!!!! The Fear of Losing is upon THEM!

Bigotry, Prejudice & Desperation...

I'm saddened by the news today that 2 Red Necks from Tennessee had planned on killing as many non-caucasins as possible including a plot to assassinate Obama after robbing a gun dealer. (see the actaul story below)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Law enforcement arrested two men in Tennessee who had plans to rob a gun dealer to shoot Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and "as many non-Caucasians" as possible, an official said on Monday.
An official from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said police found the men in the Jackson, Tennessee area with a number of guns, including a sawed-off shotgun, in their car.
"They wanted to go to a place where they could shoot as many non-Caucasian as they could," the official said, noting that the men first planned to rob a gun dealer. "They also had a plot to assassinate Sen. Obama."
Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president, is leading Republican John McCain in opinion polls ahead of the November 4 election.
(Reporting by Deborah Charles, Editing by Sandra Maler)

Again, this proves how "some people" choose NOT to ADVANCE in society. Hill Billy Red Neck Mentality is BULLSHIT possibly synonomous with REPUBLICANS. Move into the next century already!

Democracy or DeNOcracy???

Well, it gets better and better as time goes on.

We were watching the news last night during dinner and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I learned that ELIGIBLE voters names were being removed from the ELIGIBILITY lists because of their names, and in most cases because they were minorities. That's right, in most minority areas, states, peoples names were being removed just "Coincidentally" less than 2 weeks before the election.
Is it possible that the "Republican Sore Losers" think that minorities will vote for Obama and he will "possibly win" and they will lose? I wonder! Do you think this is another way for the Republicans to STEEL THIS ELECTION as with Gore? I wonder! I'm beginning to think that I have NOTHING IN COMMON with Republicans after this election.
When interviewed, state representatives stated that "it was human error and their names would be put back to eligible status, but, they apologize that names won't be put back on in time for this election." duh
It was also stated that "the people will have the right to vote, but, their names will be put on temporarily hold status "provisional ballots" until the government can confirm that they are legal and are eligible to vote. The states will also decide if the votes will be counted. ummmm

Here's some facts:
Voters who have problems at the polls can cast "provisional" ballots. Election officials rule later whether those votes were properly cast and should be counted. But even that backup system varies greatly from state to state.
Perhaps the worst problems are in Florida, where a Gannett News Service analysis found more than 14,000 people whose voter registrations were disputed by the state because they didn't match other databases; about 75% are minorities. A federal district court ruled last month that the state couldn't deny registrations based on database matching.

This information above comes from USA Today newspaper. So I ask again, "Is this Democracy or DeNOcracy?" Oh the honesty of Conservatives.......! NASTY BASTARDS.....!

Absentee Ballot

Well, for those of you who have never seen an Absentee Ballot, here's mine. I sent a fax last week to the Board of Elections Supervisor of Lee County, Florida; requesting my Absentee Ballot, being that that is the location of our home now. I received it yesterday and brought it to school with me today to show my students what an American Absentee Ballot looks like.
Here's the best part of the experience for the students, but, Very Special for me.
Each student looked at it closely, located Barack Obama's name, touched it and ran their fingures over the name of Barack Obama; as though his name allowed them to touch Him personally. I didn't say anything at the time, I just observed each of their reactions when they read his name and touched it softly, through GREAT RESPECT & ADMIRATION for the man who "might be the next President of the Unitied States of America."
I told them that each of their touches on the ballot, "would allow each of them, a part-through my ballot, to have a part in the election process through my ballot." (symbolically of course)
The students, as "street wise" as some of them are, are knowledgeable and excited by the American Election and have been following it closely.
They were amazed of the process that is involved when filling out, placing it in an envelope or should I say envelope (s). Here's how it works.
First, you bubble in the candidate of your choice, Second, you place the ballot in an envelope marked SECRECY ENVELOPE, Third, you place the Secrecy Envelope containing your ballot in yet another envelope that will be mailed to The Supervisor of Elections; in my case it will be sent to Fort Myers, Florida. Forth, on the back of this envelope is a place where (after being sealed) you have to sign your name across the sealed flap and date it as well as Print your name on the top line. The next time it will be opened will be on Election Day and the vote recorded. I Hope! Remember, it's going to Florida and we know what happens in Florida Elections.......ugh!
The ballot & envelopes are here for you to see.
My students were excited by the fact that they could see and touch an Absentee Ballot first hand. I am also glad & proud that I allowed them to be somewhat "symbolically involved in an Historical Moment", that they were able to touch an Absentee Ballot that will be counted towards an Election; that will go down in American History for the First African American to become PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.


The students shared with other teachers today that, "Mr. R-------, had a "Real Absentee Ballot" and they were able to touch it and see that Barack Obama's name; an AFRICAN AMERICAN, is REALLY on the Ballot." Before I knew it, I had teachers knocking on the door asking if they could see it and touch it also. Well, I guess every person today that asked to see, touch and read his name, all feel a part of American History today. I didn't realize the sensitivity, the respect, as well as the reality of Barack Obama's name would have on students & teachers alike when they saw his name on the ballot. I didn't realize the Impact it would have on them.
At first, it started out as a classroom lesson. It was for the students to see the Absentee Ballot that I would use to cast my vote for the next President of the United States.
I learned alot today from my Students as well as my Collegues and Administrators. They saw "How far we've come from the Civil Rights Movement." The importance of the hard work, the hardships, the prejudices that existed, the hurdles the African Americans had to pass over & through to get to this point in history.
In reality for me, Prejudice will always exist for some people. Ignorance will continue to exist as well. People are FINALLY ACCEPTING to see people as people and observe their accomplishments and capabilities.
I'm not one to mix business with pleasure nor did I ever talk politics and religion openly until now.
I am an American; an American Indian and proud of it.
I live outside of my country BECAUSE of Politics of NOT ALLOWING ME TO CHOOSE MY LIFE PARTNER, WHO IS NOT AN AMERICAN, TO LIVE IN MY OWN COUNTRY AND BE HAPPY.

Just a Note: FOR ALL OF YOU CONSERVATIVES/REPUBLICANS, YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM AS TO WHY PHIL & I CAN'T LIVE IN THE USA......THANK YOU "OPEN-MINDED AMERICANS."

I will be forever greatful that I have had such a wonderful experience to live on the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, I will be forever greatful and thankful that I had this WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY to teach these kids, who have taught me so much about their life as well.
I will cast my vote with the "symbolic touch" of my students and collegues for an African American named Barack Obama on the 4th day of November 2008.
I can only hope that the American People can see past their noses, look to the future of America, and do the same. VOTE FOR OBAMA and LET THE WORLD RESPECT US ONCE MORE......