Insightful Nana

Inauguration Day Perspective

This Inauguration Day certainly was one to be remembered.  I turned on my TV early to get a quick glimpse of the “comings and goings” of the event, and ended up spending far to many hours with my eyes glued to the screen.

The highlight of Inauguration day for me was, Aretha Franklin’s hat.  I loved that big gray bow with the shiny stones around the edges.  I wish I could be so big and bold about my apparel.  What a woman!

Now, you’re probably wondering if I’m so shallow as to consider Aretha the highlight of the day.  No… just trying to balance all the seriousness of the occasion with a little fun.  Now, let’s get serious!

1.  Yes, it will be an Inauguration Day that will live in the memory of many for years to come.  I was a senior in high school when JFK’s famous inaugural speech was piped through the inter-com system.  I remember that speech well.  Come to think of it… I can’t remember an Inauguration speech given by a President since.   Some events really make an impact.

There is no doubt… Obama is eloquent.  We have not had a President with such a command of the language in a long time.  His demeanor exudes confidence… or is it pride?   What he said yesterday will make an historical impact, but only if I step up to the plate on a personal level… as he encouraged all Americans to do.

2.  When I woke up this morning,  I thought about inaugural speech, and it took me back to when I paid for seminars, and listened to speakers that were powerfully motivating.  I would leave the seminar convinced I could change the world… only to wake up a few days later to find the same old gal looking at me in the mirror.  My mentor was gone and I felt abandoned some how.

Since the election… it seems the world stood still… waiting for Obama to become President so he could take charge and fix things.  I looked into the eyes of the crowd, and felt that there may be some expectation of… “Please fix things for me.”   If I expect government to fix it… it will never happen.  Nothing is fix from the top down.  There are many fallen governments that took that path.  Too much power at the top.

3.  Change will happen from the grass roots up.  That’s the strength of this country.  The point is… Do I have the courage to look at my own values and change what I need to change?  Do I have the courage to stand up against friends and neighbors who exhibit unhealthy morals and values?  Do I have the courage to stand up against my local, state and federal government, when I see things that do not promote honesty and integrity and freedom?  Do I understand… I have to stand on my own two feet and not expect the government to fix everything for me?

I refuse to stand by and allow this administration to follow the same course as the last one… and I refuse to allow this administration to take away my constitutional freedoms and replace them with socialist values with out raising my voice.  I want to join other Americans who believe we can make a difference by speaking out. Change… you bet… change from the grass roots up.  Look out Washington!

Time for me to look into the mirror and say…  Yes I can.

Till Later

Kathy Griffiths
Insightful Nana

P.S. After Aretha sang… the hat company was bombarded with orders. They sold over 500 hats out of Dallas alone. They have several hundred more orders. See… I know a good thing when I see it.

Kathy Griffiths

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9 responses to “Inauguration Day Perspective”

  1. I find Obama’s demeanor to actually exude a fair amount of humility. Pride is found in the inability to listen and in the belief that your opinion reigns supreme over another. He has stated in his acceptance speech, in his addresses, and in his inaugural speech his willingness to listen, especially when others disagree. I find his calm self awareness and confidence reassuring and motivating, I especially appreciate it in the embers of a passe government that promoted fear, distrust, and supremacy. I believe there is much gained from listening.
    I am on the other end. I believe in speaking my voice for change to help provide children with opportunity for a healthy productive life. This is a socialist value that I am extremely passionate about, and I would fight tooth and nail for. In fact, I just emailed my governor and representative about the budget cuts they are purposing that will cut funding for the Giant Steps program(autism school)by 70%. There is already an incredibly long waiting list. I have found significant help in the government that provided me with answers for my daughter. Already the doctor that I saw at the health department has been cut and further cuts would give those with very little resources even fewer answers and options. I have a strong belief that children are entitled to health and well being regardless of their parents circumstances.

  2. Martha… thanks for your comments.
    I’ve always been a champion for women and children…I have no beef with social programs that assist citizens to get up and running again. If the program points in the direction of self-sufficiency and well-being..I’m all for it. After that’s accomplished… then bye bye system. .

    Let’s take a look the definition of Socialism.

    1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods

    2 a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state

    3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

    The basic Constitution seems to erode more and more everyday.

    Daily… we see the banking system move toward being controlled by the state. As big businesses are bailed out by Big Gov… Big government will have more control over business. We are being put in a position where Big Gov.will be controlling more and more. Dangerous!

    The new “Interior Army” that Bush put into effect scares me to death. I don’t want Fed. troops tramping around in my back yard.

    This socialist issues have crossed party lines and are so entangled I don’t know if any President will be able to unwind it.

    Back to what I said in my post. I need to be aware and know what the Constitution says and be willing to stand up for it no matter which party in is the White House.

    I wish Obama the best and he will be in my prayers. But as I pray… I’ll have one eye open… watching!

    I was much too quite during the last admin. and I don’t intend to stay in that position during this one.

    Love you Martha…

    Kathy

  3. I am aware of socialism, for essentially in many ways, I am a socialist. There are many differing views of socialism, many different ways it is working around the world; some quite well, others not as well. As a country we fall somewhere in the middle of socialism and capitalism. There are many social programs that I have taken advantage of throughout my life, and am grateful for.
    I just have a different point of view, it’s not that I am not aware; a fair amount of my day is listening to different points of views and disseminating information. But my passion tends to lean to the left. It always has, my conscience won’t let me lean to the right; not because it’s cool, or it’s hip, or it’s what the celebrities do, but this is what I believe in and feel strongly about. That’s all.

  4. I forgot to tell you that those green things on my mantel are owls that Katie got for me for my birthday from that nook and granny store on state street in Lehi. There are 3 of them, and they are adorable.
    Anyway, if I didn’t have to pack 4 kids with me, I’m sure I could find all kinds of treasures thrifting.

  6. Well, there are many examples. Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and Norway, to name just a few. I assume from your tone that you are in the very least trying to be argumentative and am implying that perhaps I haven’t done my homework or that my point of view is inferior to yours. I was just trying to point out that, I, have a different point of view, as many people do.