Hey girls, we’re just sitting around waiting for our hurricane to get here, hatches battened, listening to heavenly MUSICA. The storm’s been downgraded quite a bit and will likely just give the Island some high waves and a little wind. Not to worry. Our house is old and strong, we have our candles, there’s chicken stock on the stove, we can make a fire, we are 
60 feet above sea level, we are the lucky ones. I’m much more worried about the folks down south and our darling friends in Mexico City. Prayers for so many these days.
60 feet above sea level, we are the lucky ones. I’m much more worried about the folks down south and our darling friends in Mexico City. Prayers for so many these days.I have something to share, and because it’s somewhat impure in message, I will purify between each paragraph with my collection of WHITE photos . . . you will like them, they will give you some breathing space of sweetness and light . . . so here goes:
Somewhere around 1990 my life was changed in a totally unimagined and unexpected 
way. Just like Julia Child put sparks in my mind about food and cooking and entertaining, and Joseph Campbell excited me to look to my childhood to find “my bliss,” and Beatrix Potter showed me it was possible to consciously choose the life you want ~ a man named Ross Perot added his voice to my repertoire and changed the way I thought about our government. During the next years, I thought I’d hear about it again . . . but I never did, not in the clear lesson-learning way I heard it that day.
While flipping through TV channels, a speech to the National Press Club given by a little guy with big ears caught my attention, and despite the fact that I’d never heard of him and had zero interest in government or politics, I listened. His down-home Texas accent and common-sense words rang true, and what he had to say was an eye-opener for me, and I have to say, a shock. Even though I was over 40, I barely voted at the time. I couldn’t have told you if I was a Republican or a Democrat because when I did vote, I voted for whoever I thought was the best person. I thought I knew how our government worked, that our President and Congress were taking care of business on our behalf and didn’t need me to help. I was so wrong.
Ross Perot talked about things I never learned in school, but things that every school child should be taught, and certainly every adult should know, and what he said has rung in my ears ever since. I never forgot it. All these years later, I can still hear him.
Jane Austen’s Cupboard
Lately, the little voice that resides in my head has been urging me to tell you what he told me. “Tell them,” it cajoles constantly. “Shut up,” I beg, “they probably already know, it’s not my business.” But the voice won’t shut up. I wake up in the morning with that voice in my head, “Don’t assume everyone knows,” it says. “After all, you didn’t.” Once more, the voice is right. The voice says that due to age and love of cooking, I have teaching credentials. It says we’re all in this together. It says I only have one life. It says you won’t hate me. It better be right. So here I go. Doing my best to put this in a nutshell. After that, you can do whatever you like with it.
Always drink upstream from the herd. Will Rogers
You know I share every heartbeat I have with you, Girlfriends, many of us grew up together. And despite my interrupting our normal tiny vases, quilts on the clothesline, apple crisp in the oven, England, home and family-connections conversations that we love so much (just for today!), this too matters, because it’s everything for home and family. I wouldn’t be a Girlfriend if I didn’t tell you.
First off, breathe easy, I promise this has nothing to do with Republicans or Democrats. It’s about the way our government works, because outside of the three branches we all think we know about, there’s an invisible fourth branch, and in some ways, this one has more clout than all of them. Those in charge would rather we don’t know about it, it’s gone on forever, and lurks behind every decision made in Washington, everything that affects the health and safety and pocketbook of every American family, and covers its tracks with the words Freedom of Speech.
But they really don’t like to talk about it:
“We’ll just go with no comment,” said Stephen Cohen, a Goldman Sachs spokesman.
“We are not going to comment — it’s just not something we comment on,” said Dan Whitten, vice president of strategic communications for America’s Natural Gas Alliance.
“We never comment on any of our lobbying activities or lobbying expenditures,” Joy Sims, senior communications director for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association.
Lobbyists. That’s what they don’t comment on, but what Ross Perot taught me about. You’ve heard of them, every big company in America employs them. Foreign governments 
and corporations hire them. The job of the lobbyist is to talk to their voting-buddies in Congress to get laws made that favor the companies they represent. There are somewhere around 10,000 registered lobbyists working in Washington DC this year. Many of them are lawyers who’ve worked for our government. Half of retiring senators (such as Bob Dole (R), Tom Daschle (D), and Joe Leiberman (I) have become lobbyists. A third of retiring house members become lobbyists ~ not to mention their staffers ~ all insiders who cash in (lobbyist salaries are literally more than a thousand times higher than government salaries). They work for oil companies, the insurance industry, pharmaceutical companies, airline industry, gun manufacturers, food industry, the Chamber of Commerce, communications industries, the movie industry, charities, you name it. These lobbyists and the companies they work for are the real people who make our laws. All in their own favor, even if it hurts us. Lately they’ve been “taking it underground,” trying to stay out of the limelight, to obscure their activities as best they can.
and corporations hire them. The job of the lobbyist is to talk to their voting-buddies in Congress to get laws made that favor the companies they represent. There are somewhere around 10,000 registered lobbyists working in Washington DC this year. Many of them are lawyers who’ve worked for our government. Half of retiring senators (such as Bob Dole (R), Tom Daschle (D), and Joe Leiberman (I) have become lobbyists. A third of retiring house members become lobbyists ~ not to mention their staffers ~ all insiders who cash in (lobbyist salaries are literally more than a thousand times higher than government salaries). They work for oil companies, the insurance industry, pharmaceutical companies, airline industry, gun manufacturers, food industry, the Chamber of Commerce, communications industries, the movie industry, charities, you name it. These lobbyists and the companies they work for are the real people who make our laws. All in their own favor, even if it hurts us. Lately they’ve been “taking it underground,” trying to stay out of the limelight, to obscure their activities as best they can.
Public servants: Persons chosen by the people to distribute the graft. Mark Twain
Lobbyists and their corporations contribute HUGE amounts of money to election campaigns, they organize fund raisers with high stake donors (which are needed because 
part of this terrible game is that the average Senator must bring in $14,000 a day in order to stay in office), and they lobby both R’s and D’s. For example, after all the haranguing and back and forth, if the votes for something the gun lobby is advocating go against them in Congress, they withdraw their support from those who voted against them, and instead, give everything to the campaign of their opponents in the next election, both money and media, positive and negative. And, by doing so, they teach the rest of the congress a big scary lesson. Vote our way, or we will use all our powers against you, you will be out of a job. 
And so, when little children are mowed down in a first grade schoolroom by a lunatic with an AR-15, nothing is done, and life goes on like nothing happened. 💔 And why, despite huge profits during what have been relatively lean years for the rest of us, do oil and gas industries continue to get massive multi-billion dollar taxpayer subsidies? Lobbyists. In their ear, full time, with money and influence, every day, where we cannot be, making laws that affect everything we do, handing out subsidies with our tax money. When we subsidize extremely profitable companies we are using money that could go to schools or infrastructure or healthcare. It’s our money. It should be used for us. We think since we are the ones who elect them, they should work for us. But that’s not how it works.⚡️
part of this terrible game is that the average Senator must bring in $14,000 a day in order to stay in office), and they lobby both R’s and D’s. For example, after all the haranguing and back and forth, if the votes for something the gun lobby is advocating go against them in Congress, they withdraw their support from those who voted against them, and instead, give everything to the campaign of their opponents in the next election, both money and media, positive and negative. And, by doing so, they teach the rest of the congress a big scary lesson. Vote our way, or we will use all our powers against you, you will be out of a job. 
And so, when little children are mowed down in a first grade schoolroom by a lunatic with an AR-15, nothing is done, and life goes on like nothing happened. 💔 And why, despite huge profits during what have been relatively lean years for the rest of us, do oil and gas industries continue to get massive multi-billion dollar taxpayer subsidies? Lobbyists. In their ear, full time, with money and influence, every day, where we cannot be, making laws that affect everything we do, handing out subsidies with our tax money. When we subsidize extremely profitable companies we are using money that could go to schools or infrastructure or healthcare. It’s our money. It should be used for us. We think since we are the ones who elect them, they should work for us. But that’s not how it works.⚡️
Nowadays, lobbyists fix it so Congress people barely have to work. Under direction of the 
corporations they work for, these professional arm twisters often write the talking points for new laws ~ and to make it even easier, they’ll pull together co-sponsors for the bills, and write the bill themselves, word for word. Do the congressmen even know what they are advocating for? Not if they don’t read the bill. And what difference does it make, as long as they get re-elected, which takes money, and the lobbyists are the ones providing it.
corporations they work for, these professional arm twisters often write the talking points for new laws ~ and to make it even easier, they’ll pull together co-sponsors for the bills, and write the bill themselves, word for word. Do the congressmen even know what they are advocating for? Not if they don’t read the bill. And what difference does it make, as long as they get re-elected, which takes money, and the lobbyists are the ones providing it.
Don’t get me wrong, not every politician caves. Some do stick up for us. Some are hard at work year-round, even when not in session (Congress will be in session 133 days this year🤢).There are many good companies and organizations that, in order to keep up and get their piece of the pie, have lobbyists too, such as the American Cancer Society. But, it’s a huge difference when they give technical assistance on a cancer funding bill versus when one of the largest banks in the world writes a bill that will give it access to public deposit insurance to fund it’s exotic financial activities. Especially when that bank has just been bailed out with our money, while they foreclosed on our neighbors. Banks are happy, that’s what matters.😘
But watch, when there is a hero-Mr.-Smith-Goes-to-Washington kind of Senator or Congress person who speaks for us, wants common sense regulations for banks, big business, oil companies, insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, etc, they are punished. Those corporations will use their considerable power, in commercials and other media (which more and more, they own), to vilify this person with false or misleading claims in places as seemingly benign as Facebook or on Twitter, to make them the evil one, so they can continue to do their dirty deeds, perhaps get them unelected, and use our tax money to do it. They know we don’t have time to check every story we hear.
Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.
Adolf Hitler
“Too many government regulations” is the battle cry. Corporations don’t want regulations, regulations cost them money, and that’s all they care about. Regulations that help us, for health care, for safe cars, roads and bridges, for clean air and water, for food that isn’t tainted with drugs, for product safety and fairness in banking and identity protection on the web, for keeping guns out of schools; but instead, regulations are removed, and laws are written to benefit corporations. 
No regulations on credit bureaus means they didn’t need to protect our personal information, leaving the people (me included) to figure out what to do to keep our identities from being stolen. Now I think the government should fix this by issuing all of us new social security numbers and let Equifax pay for it. They won’t. No zoning law regulations in Houston, so the building industry had free reign to pave it over, got very rich doing it, and didn’t care that there was no place for the flood waters to go. Drug lobbyists work incessantly to reduce regulations, and now spend over 4 billion a year on TV ads ~ the average American sees 16 hours of drug ads per year (against our will) and we are now in an opioid crisis. Our prescription drugs are the most expensive in the world, while Medicare is prevented BY LAW from using its huge bargaining power to lower prices (thank you big pharma lobbyists, and chicken faced Congress who let that happen). To hold onto their insane profits, big Pharma will fight tooth and nail against Medicare for all of us. Will our Congress let them? Probably. Who do you think will benefit if they cut healthcare? We can go bankrupt if we get very ill, lose our homes and everything we’ve saved for all our lives. Perfectly legal.
No regulations on credit bureaus means they didn’t need to protect our personal information, leaving the people (me included) to figure out what to do to keep our identities from being stolen. Now I think the government should fix this by issuing all of us new social security numbers and let Equifax pay for it. They won’t. No zoning law regulations in Houston, so the building industry had free reign to pave it over, got very rich doing it, and didn’t care that there was no place for the flood waters to go. Drug lobbyists work incessantly to reduce regulations, and now spend over 4 billion a year on TV ads ~ the average American sees 16 hours of drug ads per year (against our will) and we are now in an opioid crisis. Our prescription drugs are the most expensive in the world, while Medicare is prevented BY LAW from using its huge bargaining power to lower prices (thank you big pharma lobbyists, and chicken faced Congress who let that happen). To hold onto their insane profits, big Pharma will fight tooth and nail against Medicare for all of us. Will our Congress let them? Probably. Who do you think will benefit if they cut healthcare? We can go bankrupt if we get very ill, lose our homes and everything we’ve saved for all our lives. Perfectly legal.
While our 22 year olds go into massive debt in order to get an education in the richest country in the world. Now they say, “tax reform,” and you get one guess to see who will benefit on that. While they shout “Freedom!” and “Clean the Swamp” and we believe them, and they go right on, swamping it up on our money. There are thousands of examples of how they put their money making ahead of our safety. They don’t want us to vote (doing everything they can to stop us from doing so) or be educated, because if we don’t vote, if we stay ignorant about all this, they can go on whooping it up on our tax money. They’re so blatant about it these days, it’s shocking. They think they can get away with it and they do. But my darling girlfriends, knowledge is power, and we have knowledge. Tell your friends. Alert your children. Call your representatives and tell them you want money out of politics.📞
benefit on that. While they shout “Freedom!” and “Clean the Swamp” and we believe them, and they go right on, swamping it up on our money. There are thousands of examples of how they put their money making ahead of our safety. They don’t want us to vote (doing everything they can to stop us from doing so) or be educated, because if we don’t vote, if we stay ignorant about all this, they can go on whooping it up on our tax money. They’re so blatant about it these days, it’s shocking. They think they can get away with it and they do. But my darling girlfriends, knowledge is power, and we have knowledge. Tell your friends. Alert your children. Call your representatives and tell them you want money out of politics.📞“When every man in a state has a vote, brutal laws are impossible.” 💖 Mark Twain
They tell us there’s no such thing as global warming, confuse us with argument, try to turn science, something we loved and revered as children, something that ended polio and took us to the moon, into a joke. They turned us against one another so they can go on pouring CO2 into the atmosphere, digging and fracking and tearing this beautiful gift from God, our earth, to shreds so they can add billions to the billions they already have. And the laws they write themselves says it’s all okay.
Only one thing will stop it. It’s not term limits, that’s like putting a bandaid on a gunshot wound. It’s no more money in politics, period. Election campaigns that last six months, an 
equal playing field for all candidates. No contributions over $1,000. No contributions from corporations, no more corporate fundraisers. No lobbyists, both state and federal, (yup, we put them all out of work, too bad, so sad, your dad, get a real job). Government for the people by the people. And no, corporations are not people. People are people. And we the people can MAKE them change the laws to take the money out of politics. We really can. I am the Shirley Temple of positive thinking. I believe anything is possible.
equal playing field for all candidates. No contributions over $1,000. No contributions from corporations, no more corporate fundraisers. No lobbyists, both state and federal, (yup, we put them all out of work, too bad, so sad, your dad, get a real job). Government for the people by the people. And no, corporations are not people. People are people. And we the people can MAKE them change the laws to take the money out of politics. We really can. I am the Shirley Temple of positive thinking. I believe anything is possible.
So that’s it, I wasn’t wild about this information when I first heard it, but I’m still very glad I know. I hope you feel that way too. I don’t want it to turn you against our government, which I truly believe is the last best hope of a kookie, never-perfect world ~ it didn’t do that to me, it just made me take notice and do what I could to change it. But we need help if we’re going to do this, we need everyone to know, we the people need to be our own lobby, we need to be the ones whispering in their ears, we need to be the strongest of them all.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke
If I were running for office, my motto would be “A kitty in every house!” The voice can 
leave me alone now, I did my part. What a relief! And always, always, when you’re looking for the truth in this complicated big-business world we live in, all you have to do is follow the money. And there you will have your answer. Ask yourself, “Who benefits from this?” That’s the question of the day. Here’s your diploma dear Girls, you just graduated, Government 101. Thank you, Ross Perot, you did a good thing.
leave me alone now, I did my part. What a relief! And always, always, when you’re looking for the truth in this complicated big-business world we live in, all you have to do is follow the money. And there you will have your answer. Ask yourself, “Who benefits from this?” That’s the question of the day. Here’s your diploma dear Girls, you just graduated, Government 101. Thank you, Ross Perot, you did a good thing.“No country can be well governed unless its citizens, as a body, keep religiously before their minds that they are the guardians of the law, and that the law officers are only the machinery for its execution, nothing more.” 💕 Mark Twain
🎶 I am a Yankee Doodle Girl. 🎵
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming which is, as always . . . .
Direct from the woods of Martha’s Vineyard.🍂
Besides walking in the woods, saying thank you God every day, I finished the designs for two more cups! And like the first two I showed you, these will also arrive in our Studio in early January. We are going to put them up for presale soon, and thought at the same time I would give you a link for a special card you could print out, like a promissory note, so you’ll be able to give them as gifts or stocking stuffers this year. We’re working on that. This first one is called “Girlfriends Tea” and it’s a big one, the 16 oz size.
Here’s the handle . . .
This is the back, with a quote by our darling Nancy Luce, who could have used a few Girlfriends in her time (but now she has us 💞) . . . and on the bottom it says, “If friends were flowers, I’d choose you.”🌸
And to go with the Autumn cup, here’s Winter (in the smaller, 11 oz size, perfect for hot chocolate!)
The handle . . .
Here’s the back, and on the bottom, it says, “Not fit for man nor beast.” Hope you like them!
Off I go Girlfriends, need to go try and put a freeze on my credit! Hope all is well with you, safe and cozy, making something delicious to share with the people you love. XOXO
I didn’t read the full post, it makes me too sad and it makes me feel powerless. I live in Belgium, and we have lobbyists, too, of course. Right now our minister of health is having our primary health care centers (which work free of charge for the patients) screened financially by a survey company which is really a lobbyist for privatization of health care. You can guess what the outcome is going to be. I’m not worried for my job, because I made more money when I was working in a private practice, and I can go back to that. I’m worried for all the patients I see now, who won’t get the care they deserve, who will have to rely on charity where they should be helped by our government…
It’s not just an American thing. For the people is a world thing. Sending love Saartje, thank you for being here. xoxo
Agreed, well said! I have felt for a long time that Lobbyists were a part of our American fabric – that just didn’t fit. ie. how did they even get there? It seems so obvious to be a non-democratic wrong.
Since we are all speaking our hearts, may I say that I have wondered whether God is showing his power with the weather(except that yet again, it is the poorest who are suffering the most, and with little help from our government – tho, I notice so much help from neighbors and strangers) Despite these paragraphs, I truly have “no words”.
I don’t know, but I imagine it grew organically, and once one greedy guy saw another greedy guy getting something he wasn’t getting, well then, the race was on. One of the best things my parents gave me? They lived in smallville and were perfectly content, we had it all. Even if I had a billion dollars, I would give it away. What fun can money possibly be if people around you are suffering??
My girlfriend of 50 years and I must have been channeling you yesterday. We had this exact conversation! How big money runs Washington and I guess it always has. We talked about lobbyist, how we wish our representatives had to carry the same health insurance we have so they know what it’s like and how donations to their campaigns need to have strict limits. I have so many friends struggling with how to pay for drugs they need even with health insurance. They worked all their lives, saved every extra dime and they struggle to make it. I live in Pennsylvania and when I call my senators office to express my feelings (always in a respectful manor) I get a “thank you for calling, we’ll pass your message along”. Sure they will. There are days when I lose faith. Your post gives me hope that there are others out there that feel as I do. Thank you Susan.
My dad was taking a prescription to help him breathe that would have cost him over $8,000 a month if it wasn’t for Medicare. Medicare paid, and of course our tax money paid that, and then of course the pharmaceutical people got that money. They get away with murder. Never lose faith. Your calls do matter. Thank you for every moment you’ve spent doing that. xoxo
Now there is talk of cutting Medicare funding. I’m amazed that there are elected officials in Washington who’s parents are on and using Medicare. But these officials want major cuts. Why am I continually surprised at my old age.
I know. But is always shocking. They want major cuts because they want our money to feed them, not nurture us. xoxo
Actually Medicare will not pay that amount. They will pay a price that THEY set as the allowable… It’s such a complicated system that has gotten way out of hand. I so agree with you Susan about lobbyists – I cannot believe that they are allowed to do what the do. My husband just retired from medicine , forced out of a system in which a private practice surgeon specialist can no longer pay the overhead bills and get a salary too !
Medicare is a government program, which is restricted by law, thank you lobbyists, from negotiating lower drug prices. Oh yeah, it’s true! That’s so sad about your husband. I don’t understand it, but it’s clear it isn’t working.
Betsy, you can visit your Representatives both while they are in session & when they are home. I call them but I also make a point to visit mine while in session in Tallahassee at the Florida Capital & also when they are home. That way when I visit them while in session they know who I am.
I want them to hear someone else whispering in their ear. I am a Union member and Chief Steward in my workplace and I want them to know that we want them to make decisions that are GOOD for us and working families!
RIGHT!
I like that!
Susan Branch for president!!! I too believed in Ross Perot! I voted for him! Can’t help but wonder what our country would be like if he would have won. Well said Susan!!!! Be safe in the storms! Blessings Abundant!
They sure went after him. Poor thing. After his family, everything. He for sure would not have signed onto NAFTA! So funny and true with his Giant Sucking Sound.
Very well said! We just went thru Hurricane Irma. We are safe. We need a new roof now. Sprung two leaks from shingles blowing off. Lost all our food from the freezer and refrigerator. But we are safe that is the main thing. We were watching Key Largo when the power went out. Thought that fit the situation! Stay safe from Jose.
My goodness. I’m so happy to hear from you. I’m watching Puerto Rico now, truly frightening. LOL, love your sense of humor about Key Largo. xoxoxoxo
Arnette, so sorry about your roof. I read that the new roof tiles which are solar are now about the same as a regular roof? If/when I need a new roof, I’m getting those!
Best wishes, Sally
Wonderful thought Sally!
Dear Susan — What an eye-opener! All those former politicians becoming lobbyists is akin to insider trading! You’d think it would be easy enough to forbid it. But, then again, we’d be asking politicians to do their jobs for the people they are suppose to represent, not to line their own pockets. It seems so futile. We need to bombard heaven with prayers if we hope to have a chance to succeed! Thanks for using your voice to inform and not just to denigrate or whine like so many others! Keep the faith!
Watching them tear us apart, American fighting American, so they can continue their game without anyone noticing, has driven me crazy. Bombarding heaven with prayers, definitely, but as the proverb goes, Pray to God but continue rowing toward shore. He gave us the gift, our job to take care of it. xoxoxo
I love you 🙂
I love you back. xoxo
Oh, dear Susan -so true, so complicated and so difficult to even move an inch. I am a cynic at heart and acknowledge that human nature also contains greed, envy, and that power and corruption go hand in hand. WE are born and raised (or through circumstances beyond our control, forced to use anyway available method to get basic needs met) some of us have been hurt too deeply to care whether we hurt others or not. It will be a very long road to travel until people all over truly care about each other and our planet worldwide . The dark side has to be acknowledged and those who have profited by it will hang on tight to protect it.
Nevertheless, each journey starts with a step. I truly hope that everyone will take your thoughtful words to heart and begin to seek a dialogue with people who also want to make this a better world inacts both large and small. Whether you believe in God, science, both or neither, or just have a primal urge to live and to see the future generations do better, we need to take the good from all things offered to give us strength to look for answers, and then take those first very hard steps to implement them. Marty
Teach your children well to carry on such work. Support each other and take time to give everyone a smile–its hard to hate someone who has given you an open truly friendly smile, even if it is just a reflexive action to smile back.
Love you for trying. Thank you. Marty
I probably always will. xoxo Thank you for the good words.
Truth is & always will be the issue here on planet earth, because as Jesus said, “the truth will set you free.” But when He died, He also said “It is finished” & “I have overcome the world,” & passed the baton on to us which was saying “now it’s your turn. Get out there & run your race to not let evil triumph.” & with Him, we can get a whole lot done. He is our hope & victory for this country & our world. & we are responsible to roll up our sleeves & get the truth out, even to the point of suffering & loss. & when we know the truth, we are not only free, we are responsible for the truth we know. Thank you for passing this on Miss Susan.Jul;
The same back to you Julie. 💕
Amen sister in Christ.
Let me add another Amen to that! xoxo
Amen again !
Thank you for this post. I’m sorry that you worried for days before posting it. There is nothing partisan about it. Just being informative. I’ve been following your blog for years and consider you a very intelligent, talented and kindhearted
woman. I can’t imagine anyone taking offense at anything you post. And I don’t have much respect for anyone who “plays it safe”, even though I understand
why most people choose to stay silent especially in this political climate. One
good thing about getting older is that you stop caring so much about popularity
and can just say what you think is right and true. Peace. xo
Thank you Karen, that’s so nice of you. You are so right. So what if no one likes me, Joe does! Jack does, and you do, and all my Girlfriends understand, so why not! 😘 xoxo
Me too “kid”!
Oh, Susan…thank you for sharing. As others have mentioned, I knew some of this but not all of it and it makes me SO sad. Especially the whole gun control lobby…as the school and other shootings go on and on. I think, as you mentioned, some of our congress are good, honorable people…but the system does need to change. And knowledge of how it is will be the first step…and you have taken it by sharing your thoughts with us. This ties in with watching the new PBS series on Viet Nam…wow, there was so much we did not know in that whole mess, too. Hope we learn from the past, and will keep praying for the future and supporting the people who will help this country thrive and continue to be the light of the world! And, as you said…until then, praying, baking, sending notes to friends, planning little dinners, heading to a wedding in Eastham, MA this weekend and wishing away any bad weather, and just living a good life…and thanking God for all the blessings! Thank you Susan, for sharing your thoughts and enlightening us all. God bless ! Stay safe in the storms…of every kind !
I think your wedding should be beautiful, and all this will be blown away! Thank you Ann! I don’t think some of our congresspeople even know what they are getting into. I think they ARE Mr. Smith when they start!
Thank you for the good thoughts…it did not ALL blow away, but it stopped raining, was misty and the bride got her dream beach wedding…and the mist made it romantic! All the drive there I kept seeing the signs for the ferry and all the little shake homes like your first cottage and thought of YOU! Wonderful wedding, great lobster rolls and chowder, good friends…but good to be home !
Misty and romantic! Perfect! Welcome home Ann!
Honestly, I don’t know what worries me the most these days ~ what is going on Across the Pond, what is happening at home {Brexit and terrorist attacks} or so many natural disasters and bad weather. Trying to keep a smile going just gets harder, but I do my best and that’s all we can do.
I adore the Winter mug! I have always loved that house and seeing the quote from Dylan Thomas really sets it off {big fan of his here, I wonder why?} Please, don’t ever stop decorating the handles.
It’s dreich and dreary in west Wales today, but we’re not being greedy with the rain, we’re sending it east across the rest of the country. I’ve just discovered some delicious {maybe too delicious} vegetarian marshmallows that behave just like regular ones on my hot chocolate. It’s been years since I’ve been able to have a fully loaded hot chocolate!
~~~Waving~~~from Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Yup, they’re messing things up in our green and pleasant lands. But I will never stop decorating the handles!!! Nothing can make me, no lobbyist has the power! xoxo Waving . . . from across the Pond!
Dear Deb,
Since I can’t leave a comment on your blog anymore, I hope no one minds if I tell you here, that your Autumn photos of fruits, barks and leaves are gorgeous!!! 🍂🍁
I love the coastal hamlet too. I wonder if they would give their cake receive? Yum!
Waving in woolies wildly~~~Margot
I have been having trouble posting here too the last few times.
Receipe ~
aww, bless you, I was thinking about you only a few moments ago! and Thank You Susan for letting Margot let me know. Oh, the joys and foibles of blogging.
You know you got that right /\ /\ – they want us to fight each other because then we’re not fighting them! Whew. It has been a tiring few years of politics, with no end in sight. It’s good to have people like you who are encouraging us to fight the good fight – especially when I (like most people I imagine) are just worn out from hearing about it all. It’s good to have a kind encouraging voice to help drown out the angry shouty ones!
Oops – to clarify my arrows /\ /\ are referring to this comment you made “Watching them tear us apart, American fighting American, so they can continue their game without anyone noticing, has driven me crazy. “. 😉
Me too! I keep trying to say it, and I’m not giving up!
They know they’re wearing us out, that’s all part of the plan. We just can’t let them. We stay happy and positive, make phone calls, vote, make dinner, and go on with life!
We all need your courage to speak truth….and your audacity to be educated. I honestly believe that our citizens could do amazing things, if they made the conscious decision to be educated. I don’t know how it happened, but our country has now accepted coarseness, ignorance and humiliation. Instead of embracing love, health, children’s rights, respect and dignity. It is NOT political. It is human, it is who we are in the world….decisions in Washington DC actually affect our lives. Health care political decisions = affect the lives of all of us. Environmental political decisions = how our planet lives on.
My hope for our country, so we can help each other more during our times of challenge, is that we have the courage, like you, to educate ourselves, to choose intelligence, to choose dignity.
I know, I almost laugh at this “accepted coarseness” as you say, it seems so impossible! What people now call “political correctness”, we used to call politeness or live and let live. I think there are many more of us than there are of them, we’ve just been too quiet in our quest for a fair playing field. Thank you for being here Regina. xoxo
Hi Susan: Just when I think that I am the only one fretting about what is a very poor example of governing for the people, I read your blog this morning and think YES, YES, Susan is spot on and a huge thank you for speaking out for all of us. My 85th birthday is Sept. 21st, and I have seen a lot, and things are not progressing for the GOOD for ALL the people. I am so glad that brave women such as yourself speak out. Love you for all that you do to make our lives beautiful and fulfilling with your Art, Thoughts, Pictures, Food and Adventures. A hope for your safety through the bad weather.
I will love the day that we the people, the spirit of the true America, get our voice back. xoxox Thank you dear Beverly.
Dear Sweet Susan,
I’m sure this was a leap of faith to write this brave, nonpartisan, totally true, blog. I love the white photos in between the alarming, and sad information. It was the spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down! Thank you for encouraging us to stand up, together.
Because you are right, no matter your political affiliation, we all want the same things for our families. And while we’re tricked into the fight of the Left/Right or Red/Blue, nonsense…the powers that be are free to do as they please, when they please. My husband and I are watching the Vietnam War documentary on PBS. Heart breaking and to us, 49/52, it seems like the most important television we’ve watched.
Continued blessings to you, you lovely sunflower!
❌⭕️❌⭕️,
Tawni Urrutia in Lodi, Ca
I love that Tawni, the “spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down,: just what I had in mind, only without the sweet words to go with it! You lovely sunflower. xoxoxoxoxo
AMEN Sister! There’s a country western song that says ” you’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything”. So I’m glad you are speaking up. Thank you.
Thank you back Peggy! xoxoxo
Well said!
Thank you so much for this profoundly beautiful and REAL post. My mother shared your philosophy, and reading your words took me home to the dining room table around which, she taught all 7 of her children the same. Of course, if she were alive today, she would be in apoplexy as to what has happened. She saw it coming, and worked very hard to educate anyone who would listen to her message. The forces you describe so well, must continue to be opposed. You are doing your part and I applaud you. We 7 still do our part, as well.
Love to hear that, love your memory of your mom. You were lucky to have her! xoxo
Our government is a giant machine out of control. Not sure what it will take to put on the brakes. You are so right about the influence of money in EVERYTHING, including the running of our country. Read GRANNY D, an amazing story of a 90+ year old woman who walked all the way across the county to protest against the way elections are financed in this county and promoting campaign finance reform. Sadly, nothing has changed. What we really need is God on our side and sadly we have eliminated Him from most everything.
Oh I love her. Had her picture on the wall in my studio, she’s pure inspiration. Her heart was so big. I still don’t think many people know about this fourth branch of government. I almost hope they don’t, because then I could have hope that when they find out, they will make such a noise about it, things will change.
Great read!! I was also going to suggest that.
You are so right, Susan! And hopefully, the more this sinister side of our democracy is dragged into the light, the better our chances of coming together to change what needs to be changed. Thank you for being a beacon of light for us.
(And when did being ‘correct’ or right about anything, political or not, become incorrect or wrong—a bad thing? I don’t get it.)
I don’t know! Thank you Shanna!
Yes, of course, Susan! We still love you! That Edmund Burke quote about the triumph of evil has always “got me”. How true! Thank you for spreading a little inspiration of a different sort. By the way, LOVED the white pictures and the newest cups are beautiful!
Thank you Valerie!
Thank you so much for having the courage to say how you feel and share what you are thinking. I believe it is something we all need to do more in these very scary days as hard as it is because to paraphrase one of your quotes, to say nothing is to be complicit. I come to your blog when I need inspiration, beauty and a friendly word even though I do not really know you. I trust you to always give that. And even in sharing something that was hard as you did in this post, you did a wonderful job of keeping a level and calm voice (and thank for all the beauty of the white photos and inspiring quotes, too). It gives me courage to keep on speaking out in my own small way when someone I admire, like you, does the same. It’s like lighting that one small candle – if we all do it, we may change the world for the better together.
A million small candles can light up the world. xoxo Thank you Sydney.
I totally know what you are talking about and second everything you said! 🙂
Just found out about lobbyists several years ago and sad to say it was from watching a movie. I feel powerless when I think of all the back dealing and money grubbing that goes on in politics and our world is changing so quickly that we need
our governmental processes to keep up with the times.
What makes me feel better is signing every petition I can get to make the changes I want to see and emailing my representatives. All you have to do is google something that interest you and you will likely find a petition for it.
In fact I just signed one last month for this very thing.
Thank you for being brave and selfless Susan and only a true girlfriend would share this great information!!
Thank you for all you do on our behalf Melanie! xoxo
Whew! Thank you for the inserted purification, here and there, God knows we sure do need it, everywhere!!!!! Good words my dear! Thank you! God Bless!! xo
To you too Joan, thank you! xoxo
You did a good thing, Susan. Thank you. Shedding light on the dark evil of corporate control of our government is most important. I try to explain this to everyone every chance I get. Once you see into that darkness, you understand why our congressmen are making such absurd comments. You realize he is representing a corporation, and that he has been bought and paid for. If he says that climate change is a hoax, you know he is talking for the fossil fuel companies and will get reimbursed for his words. Yes, we must vote against these legislators and get money out of politics.
There have been comments here about how things seem to be different from how they used to be. They are. Understanding neoliberalism will help. It is a philosophy, ideology regarding economics that has permeated our society in the last thirty years. Why am I called a consumer rather than a citizen? Why is my Home now part of my “wealth management”? Why is everything a competition? Read up on neoliberalism and so much will begin to make sense to you, and you will see how this philosophy has influenced so much of our society.
Like you, Susan, I have been ignorant for so long. Wanting to understand what is going on now, I spend a great deal of time in front of the computer, and I read books. (I’m 77 and am retired, so I have the time to study.) What can one person do in the midst of so much corruption and negativity? Some of the things I have done are: Since the election, I no longer have cable tv, nor a land-line telephone. I boycott corporations that assault my sensibilities. I support financially groups fighting against corporate destruction of our earth that is killing so many living things including us.
To keep my sanity and balance, I read my kindred spirit Gladys Tabor and many other wonderful writers (have read A Fine Romance three times, so far) , enjoy reading the comments on your blog, savor the beauty and philosophy of your Susan Branch blog (love, love Jack) and that of Ben Pentreath-Hall.com, and try to be mindful of every little moment of wonder and awe.
Everything we do can make a difference. We all must try. Your words in this blog will make a difference: a brick in the foundation for change.
“If he says that climate change is a hoax, you know he is talking for the fossil fuel companies and will get reimbursed for his words.” Well said, Darlene. A brick in the foundation. That’s what we all are. Thank you so much for your thoughtful words.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this post. It reminded me of a day my girlfriends & I spent in Woodstock, NY on President’s day sometime back in the 1990s. We went into a place serving hot chili (so nice on that cold, sunny day) for lunch and the servers all greeted us with “Happy Plutocracy Day” and had literature about how big money & big corporations ruled us via lobbyists; they pointed out that we were more of a plutocratic republic than a democratic one. It sure gave me a lot to think about to this very day. We have to try to make a difference no matter how small it may seem, people are of more value than any amount of money and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I have just started reading Hillary Clinton’s new book, What Happened, and so far I am enjoying it and finding it inspiring me to stay true to the ideals our country was founded upon.
They don’t want us to do that, but too bad, because we will and we always will.
Thank you, dear Susan, for making such valid comments on “Lobbyism” and doing so without being partisan. You were so eloquent in your wording, kind to us all and yet, so forthright in message.
No matter what affiliation we may feel with parties, IF we can even feel that, these days (to either party!) we can all share this one thing………..do away with the lobbyists! So many of our country’s problems will disappear with them. Yes, they are money hungry, greedy grabbers. Taking the money of the people and pocketing it to their gain. What a blight on the people! Like a black plague! I hope we get more “Mr. Smiths” going to Washington!
Either party, I know what you mean, Nanette. All words are hollow, promises not believable, because they KNOW what is going on, and they do nothing. And we are finding out. And I think they know it. Either they do something or we’re all in trouble.
yes, I feel scared for us all if we don’t stop the merry go round!
Meanwhile, it is so refreshing to have a place to drink in the beauties of home, kitties, tea, ironing, cooking, hanging laundry on the line, nature…….I find I nearly always sigh a BIG sigh when I pull up your blog. I release the weights of the world for a little while and things are pure and sweet. Thank you.
I totally agree with you…this blog will never turn into a political one. I put this lobbyist info on exactly the same plane as info about travel in England or how to make pie crust. As information to be shared between Girlfriends. xoxo
thank you! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. I don’t have cable so I don’t know what Jose has done so far……….be safe!
It’s all good up here . . . Jose has been blowing around here, today may even be the fourth day of storm and wind, but no damage at all, no loss of electricity, we are lucky! Seems that Maria is also weakening and might leave us alone too. Our prayers go south at this moment. Heartbreaking. xoxoxo
I could almost feel you taking huge breaths at each white photo! That was a difficult read but a very good reminder. Thank you for taking a risk, you are the best!!!💖
Oh yeah, I had to sleep on it a bit. But each morning I woke up and the voice said, you go girl. xoxoxo Thank you Cindy!
Anne in Maine – Bravo Susan!! Absolutely wonderful post! Very eloquent, done with such heart and love for our country. And oh, so true! We all need to sit up, pay attention and contact our representatives as you mentioned. This is OUR country and it’s time the people in Washington know that we are a force to be reckoned with. It has all just gotten so far out of control. It’s funny you mentioned Ross Perot. I must be channeling you as I was just thinking of him the other day. Stay safe through the storms and THANK YOU for this wonderful post! Anne
Thank you back Anne!! xoxoxo
Thank you for sharing, as always. I love you and hope that your courage will encourage all of us to do a little more. Our voices are important.
Also, my mom just gave me an Autumn mug for my 40th birthday present. I enjoyed coffee out of it this morning and smiled every time I picked it up.
Happy Birthday Larkin with the beautiful name!!!
Prayers* for all in these stressful time from weather to politics to personal challenges. May we each find peace and understanding. A positive note is people come together to help others in these trying times….could we please do it ALL THE TIME!
Do we get an instant replay of our lives when we die to better understand these challenges?
*ESPECIALLY ANIMALS
Yes, please, I love how hard they are trying to save the animals. xoxo
PS I like the BIG cups – Don’t have to get up for second cup or coffee and perfect for soup or chili!
Me too, they’re my favorite. But the smaller one (I know this from personal experience) is wonderful and cozy for hot chocolate.
So true and less calories = no guilt 🙂
That’s what I mean! xo
Susan Branch for president!! What do you say, girlfriends???
Next life! xoxo
Okay, I’ll be honest too. I love free speech. I have to admire yours and bravery to say what you feel–when I’m sure that a major reason for your blog’s existence is in hopes to appeal to and market yourself (and your products) to all sides of the political fence. That takes guts–to get political–a it’s a real risk, business-wise. Again, I admire you speaking up and taking a stand for what you believe. Bravo.
I’ll admit I didn’t read all your post today, as I come here to escape politics and have my spirits lifted. (Which you usually do!) I try to keep out of it. So…with that, I will quietly move on today and check back later.
Be safe.
(My state was devistated by Harvey and my dad retired to Mexico, so prayers, thoughts and giving what I can is–a huge concern right now)
I think most of us feel the way you do about Mexico, and these hideous hurricanes. Thank you Shelley!
I recently bought a copy of “Girlfriends Forever” for my BFF of 47 years, that lives across the country from me. It came today! I’m so excited to send it to her, as I love my copy so much. We send each other “mail art”, text, email and she is as sentimental as I am. I have no doubt she will love it. (I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before!) I will unfortunately never be a grandmother but her two age 40+ daughters still call me their “Fairy Godmother”. Your books are special.
Thanks for keeping it real.
That’s a wonderful compliment to be someone’s Fairy Godmother!!! Thank you Shelley!
Thank you so much for saying what needs to be said. Knowledge makes us stronger. We all need to call our elected representatives to tell them what we believe in and what we expect from them.
Amen, Sister!
Right. And maybe once a week. Like Mondays or something.
Loved your post. For the last many years, I have not called these people Lobbyists because these people give Gifts & Money to our elected officials. Therefore, to me, the actual term is Bribe. What a euphemism! Only in the USA would we label Bribers as Lobbyists. Thank you for such a thoughtful post.
Yup!
I’m grateful you speak out, Susan. You always teach me something. You make me think. What comes after think? Do.
It’s not about us not loving our country. We Americans are hurting for her, just like we would for anybody or anything that we love who’s in trouble; wounded. In fact, I’ve probably never loved my country MORE than I have for the past 10 months. Our natural inclination as a good human is to want to heal, make better; shield from harm; restore.
But I’ve had a blindness about my U.S. government (and its elected leaders); that I was well taken care of and it was something that I didn’t need to mess my mind with, because we’re the good guys and everybody in government here is smart and has my back.
I had an elderly auntie (lived out on the farm all her life; worked hard; had little) who used to rant about the ‘almighty dollar’ and how it was the ruination…of everything. How money can twist people and situations. Make you do or say or think or be something you wouldn’t be otherwise.
My mom would say, “money talks” – meaning it was a tool that can be used for good or bad. Money can be synonymous with manipulation, applied to any situation. I don’t have a lot of it even now…but I seemed happier when I had far less. I think it was more of just not knowing the diff, though; ’cause you can definitely get used to having more money and then feel desperate if it begins to go away. Money is the game-changer in 10,000 examples. Good, and evil. Life & death. Money is huge. Somebody else near to me would say, “Money makes the world go ’round.” So, yeah, but how: Spinning out of control? Or for good purpose. It’s a very human thing…and humans are flawed; we’re mortal; we err. But when lawmakers err, the ripple effect is wide.
I hate politics; I don’t want to think about it. But everything is changed now. We can never be the same.
I also hate Hitler. But just paste on the wall, so you can see it every day…that chilling quote of his you’ve posted here; and WAKE UP, more than ever…
Together we can do so much. xoxoxo
This is perfect. Thank you, Susan, for this much-needed blog! You are spot on in saying we need to be our own lobby. I am, I’m embarrassed to say, usually an ostrich when it comes to trying to make a change in anything I don’t agree with or quite understand; I stick my head in the sand! I also usually think, “I’m just one person, can I really make a difference?” Well, this blog put a fire in my belly! As soon as I read it, I re-read it and googled my representatives and their addresses and phone numbers. They’ll be hearing from me – a lot!
You are wonderful Linda!!! That’s what it takes. A small commitment of time and energy. Inundate them. If everyone wrote just one postcard, that would be like 652,000,000 postcards!!! 😋
That’s what I was thinking. A postcard would be better than a call, because it would be harder to ignore all those bags of mail.
Why can’t there be a way to make term limits for congress and the senate, without them voting on it.
Don’t even get me started on Vietnam!
Love you girlfriends!
“Those that have the knowledge of the truth, have a responsibility for it.”
My problem is that when I write…anything…it’s a ‘book’ – the gene escaped me to know how to be concise and not lose the reader in my too-many words. So, Susan, gosh I don’t mean to sound totally stupid, but what’s a good example of a first postcard? How should I say it/write it…as I follow Linda’s example and, as you’ve said, hopefully inundate them?
Good question, thank you Vicki, Well, since they won’t read past the first sentence, you gotta make it a good one. Something like, Dear My Senator, This is a warning: You need to find a way to get the lobbyists and the big money out of politics or we are going to find a way to get you out. That should do it.
Thanks for not making me feel small when I asked such a question. I get it!
No problem, I had to think about it too! 😃
good morning Susan, Girlfriends. what a busy morning it is today, first some really good news the Chetco fire burning near us is now 78% contained, the rains are really helping, and we have fresh clean, sweet air to breathe again… now I can take the curtains down and give them a good washing to get that nasty smoky smell out of them… BLEAH!!!! and the woman from the code enforcement dept. came over and we talked about my obnoxious neighbor, I took her out to the back and into the chicken yard where she got good digital pictures of the piles of garbage, and the illegal sheds, trailers and tents on this clown’s property. she is turning all the e-mails, and complaints from neighbors to legal and they will make the decision on what is to be done. as this guy is in violation of many building codes, as well as in violation of other laws, it will be handed out to the various depts. dealing with this. its a start and I am glad I did my part. plus spent a lovely morning enjoying a delightful Bette Davis movie, ” All This And Heaven Too”, with Charles Boyer. love that movie. and just what I needed to see today. plus I love “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington” that is one of my favorites. you are so right , its not the politicians so much as it is the money that pushes their decisions and votes and its about high time it stopped. I always felt this was a government of the people, by the people and for the people. so when did we stop being people?? for starters I refuse to watch CNN or FOX news, they never tell the truth. as for our elected representatives time to get busy on the phone and demand answers. well off to go wash the windows and play with some window clings to decorate the windows for Fall, I do a quilt design on the front door window, its perfect for that and the front glass windows get some beautiful designs with colorful leaf window clings… I am very proud of my work and enjoy it, especially now. have a wonderful day everyone, call your reps and demand answers and lets make this a government of the people again. stay safe out there on the East coast, Happy Fall and many Autumn blessings everyone. hugs…… 🙂 🙂
It’s true, I agree, it’s not so much the actual politicians but more the money-people pushing and threatening them. Congress has the worst reputation ~ I think something like 14% of the people actually like them. They let that happen because they’re afraid to change the system. They need urging and support from the people, they would be so much happier in the long run, could live up to childhood idealism, much more fun to be a hero (make your children proud, do good work) than to be Simon Legree. Thank you Pat! Happy decorating!
thank you Susan, I now have the cleanest windows in the neighborhood and scarecrows and pumpkins on kitchen windows, but for now it is tea time….. orange spice with honey… and to visualize the front window design, and the front door window design…. changes every year. the weekend will be spent washing and ironing the curtains… no more smoky smelling curtains. the chickens are happy now and clucking away, and the guy will be delivering our quails to us by the weekend. gives me just enough time to scoot over to the grange for more hay for the flooring and nest boxes. stay safe there Susan, Jose’ is nothing to fool with, that is one dangerous storm. and his sister, Maria, is right behind him and chewing up the Atlantic. have a good day, hugs… 🙂 Happy Autumn!!!
All’s well here Pat, it’s been very handle-able so far. xoxo
stay safe Susan, its raining here now, and helping to cool down the fires. been working on the windows some more and tomorrow I will tackle the front window. for now its time to listen to something calming like one of my favorite movies, maybe ” pride and Prejudice” or maybe “Little Women” and start cooking up spaghetti sauce for tonight’s dinner, so stay safe, warm, comfy and dry. hug Joe tight and Jack and see you tomorrow. hugs…… 🙂
We still have wind, rain seems to have stopped, day is breaking, shall look outside and see how many leaves came down!
Read your post last night before bed…thoughts spinning in my head all night. This all just makes me so anxious for my daughters and their futures(for everyone’s futures really). Thank you so much for writing from your heart. Love you and everything you stand for. <3
Thank you Mary. Yes, I worry for my family too. Luckily there is a sort of pendulum, and I’m just praying no one cut the chain on it, because it needs to swing back!
I heard once (in a TV murder show, of all things) that you should always follow the money (the murderer didn’t like that their money stream stopped, so blammo!). I see from what you are writing that it is the same thing in government and I’m not sure why I didn’t see that before. Thank you for sharing these thoughts – they really opened my eyes!
It’s a great question, has provided many answers for me ~ aha moments, complete with little lightbulbs that come on over my head.
Susan
Thank you for a great blog post. We are watching these people take down our country all in the name of money. There is so much money being spent on these situations so that corporations can make more money that the little man is being left behind. I don’t know what the answer is except to elect people that we trust to turn this around—-it seems like when they get to Washington the dollar signs talk and they get rolled up into it—again for the sake of money, vacations, etc. I don’t know what our children and grand children are going to be living with when they become adults. Worries me. I love the mugs! I drink my tea our of one every day and continue to wash by hand—don’t want anything to happen to them! Stay safe!
Thank you Christine. Knowing about it is half way to solving it. So we’re doing good!
Thank you, Susan Branch….We certainly need campaign finance reform and a repeal of Citizens United and allowing corporations to be considered as individual persons with all the rights pertaining thereto. Hmmmm. Will it ever happen? If not, I think my beloved country will become more and more of a third world one. My heart breaks.
It will, just keep talking about it. I’ts much easier than talking about politics. It’s actually something most of us can agree on! YAY!!!!
Yes, Yes… 100 percent yes. The problem is… money and greed will not allow for this to happen. Great post, Amen, friend…..and ugh, what a mess we’re all in. Just that.
I am thoroughly enjoying my Isle of Dreams mug – and am eyeing the Winter mug I see here in this post –
xoxo Thank you Karen, me too, drinking from my Isle of Dreams mug right now! Afternoon tea, honey, half and half! xoxo
Susan, I love, love, love you and this post!! As the saying goes “Money is the root of all evil”. Especially when it’s in politics. How in the world can a senator think we can put a price tag on someone’s life? How can anyone say that there is no global warming when all you have to do is look at the snow caps from 20 years ago to today? I have prayed, talked, worried, and talked some more about all this for some time. Most people just don’t want to believe. But Health Care…that is something we all need to start understanding and reading about! I just hope people start waking up to what is happening.
Thanks for this post.
Thank you Debbie, I agree with you!
Yes, united we stand and divided we fall and I do believe our nation is in the midst of falling apart from within and that it actually has been for a very long time. I’ve believed this would happen all of my life, because it’s in the history books you know – that’s what happens to nations divided and there is a great, great divide here. I’m okay though, I’m at peace because God is still and always will be in control! ♥
Ultimately there are many things we can never do anything about, even though many believe otherwise. Like you – yes, a kitty everywhere. That’s what I’ve done at home at least, taking in 2 strays (a momma and her baby) this summer and coaxing them to be tame and getting them fixed and loving them. They join the ranks of our outdoor cats since we already have 2 in the house and they are as divided on issues as our country is. I agree with you about the lobbyists. It’s enough for me though to simply take care of our own, my ailing parents, my marriage, our grown children, work, that honestly I entirely quit watching the news a long time ago.
Kindest regards,
Life is overwhelming for us these days. I totally get it. xoxo
Boy, everyone has a lot to say today! And rightly so. Our country’s government is a mess. I wish we could get rid of everyone in office and start again with new rules about money, length of campaigns, benefits when they leave office…. I think you could come up with a great set of guidelines and we’d just begin again. Thank you for speaking up and reminding us of what goes on in government and hopefully of how it could change for the better.
Your first photo looks like my little wheaten Scottie puppy, Izzy. She has shaken up our lives in a fun way!
Hope you are all safe in your island hideaway.
Those little dogs are so adorable! Lucky you! We are safe and sound. Just a bit rainy and blowy, but not scary. Electricity is still going full blast! xoxo
Glad you are safe and sound! I was watching the Weather Channel today and saw you were getting some impacts from Jose. Take care and stay cozy!
So little of an impact so far, at 4 pm on Wednesday, it really is just like any rainy stormy day. SO lucky, so blessing-counting!
Wow. Thank you.
I am glad you wrote this out. Good job! It IS important that we educate each other!
That’s what friends are for!
Thanks for your comments. Did not read the whole post yet but will. I am getting ready for Jewish New Year and time for reflection and boy do we have some things to reflect on….I love the winter mug though am not ready for winter…let’s enjoy autumn..it is 80 here in western PA…lobbyists can be for good or bad, the AARP lobbies for some good causes. but I agree most are spending money for an entity and have no interest in the better good, just one sided. hoping the latest hurricane (maria) will not cause too much damage. Hurricanes will come and have nothing to do with global warming themselves etc but their increased damage does have a lot to do with it as the seas are rising so anytime they hit barrier islands or FL etc they will do a lot more damage. Have a great autumn and again, thanks for sharing your thoughts, I agree with at least 99%…
That’s pretty darn good, I’ll take it. And please remember us all in your New Year’s prayers. xoxo
Again I’m going to say something negative which pains me. I am shocked that you are going political. I don’t want to know your politics. I don’t want to be ‘ taught’ by you. One of the reasons I didn’t enjoy your ex husband’s book is this as well. And now here you go, too. You’ve taken the heart out of my home space. I refuse to watch anything on tv anymore. You and they are all TOO depressing.
Luckily you are in the minority. But you are welcome anyway, because this is a place of ideas, and home and family, acceptance and love, not a place for argument. I wasn’t talking about politics. I was talking about how our government works. It’s just a plain true non-debatable thing, not really something someone can agree or disagree with. It is what it is, now we have to figure out how to get rid of it. But you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I told it, now each person can take it or leave it. xoxo
Actually, I don’t think she is in the “minority”. I’ll leave it, thank you! Thank God that our new President can’t and won’t be bought! What I love the most about our Country is that everyone can have their own views and speak their truth and we all don’t have to agree. But we do all have to answer to our Lord on Judgement day. I pray that I stand in HIS and only HIS truth always.
Well, all anyone has to do is count. So that’s okay, not important. xoxo
Susan, nobody has ever said it better! No matter what our politics may be, we are all being sacrificed for money. People, the planet, our future families – none of it seems to matter to most of those in our government. We must get money out of the decisions, so that the decisions are made on their merit, their honest evaluation, and how the decisions will help, or hurt our families. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I call and write my Congress people constantly. Unfortunately, at this point, they listen to there “donors” and not their constituents. Hopefully, your message will help to get the money out of our government. Whoever said it, they were right – money is the root of all evil!
You just said that perfectly “we are all being sacrificed for money, the people, the planet, our future families.” Their donors have money on their side, but we have numbers. We can scare them with the sheer power of numbers. One or two phone calls mean nothing, but a daily barrage, that is a different kettle of fish.😘
Thank you so much for your voice of logic! You spoke so well! Thank you for courageously using your voice and saying what needs to be said. 💕😊
Thank you for saying that Kathy! xoxo
Thank you, Susan. And now, I’d better go get a cat. I’ve been cat-less for a while, and life’s just too hard without one, or two.
This is the truest thing said all day. I’m so happy for you! Be sure to report back. Two is better, for you and for the kitty in the long run, I’ve learned now. Just saying’. xoxo
I tried three times to adopt at my shelter, but they are so disorganized that I gave up. I have gotten my past kitties by shear chance. They followed my son home. The last one jumped onto my husband’s boat.
Outside I have..🐿🦉🐈🦌🍁🍂 plus cardinals and chickadees.
My own menagerie!
Up the road are 🦆🐐🦅🦃AND🕊.
You’re lucky Margot, all that beauty!
My owl is not around so much this year, so I bought a fake owl to chase away the woodpeckers who keep pecking on my new siding. I hear them laughing like Woody, AND they google up the chickadees’ food.
Speaking without fear can be hard but not speaking out against something you feelnso strongly about is a greater burden with even greater consequences. . I am so happy you shared your thoughts. We are girlfriends first and foemist and we give each other the opportunity to share feelings and opinions. We do so respectfully and we will give you our opinions is we disagree butmy friend I never want you to be silent. I am oroud to have such a thoughtful intelligent friend and group of friends on this site. Girls Rule! Well I wish we ruled more of the world. Courage looks great on you. Bravo
Thank you so much Karen. It looks good on you too. It’s a color everyone should wear! xoxo
I don’t think you and I agree on much politically speaking, but I do agree with you completely regarding lobbyists. They should not be allowed and I also agree with you regarding corporations not being allowed to hire them. I have often wondered why politicians need so much money to run for office. The political season seems to last WAY too long . . . and starts too early. A cap on contributions would be great — but I fear they would find a way around that too.
I also agree that we need MORE education in our schools and more history. They are definitely suppressing our speech (and religious freedoms) more each day. We all need to speak out (and soon) or it will be too late.
That’s what I mean, no matter what side we are on, we’re all on the same side when it comes to this. So, this is what we should think about! They’ve been throwing smokescreens out about all the other stuff so we wouldn’t notice this! MORE education! Right on! Total religious freedom for all. This is America! And no more drug commercials on TV! xoxo Thank you Nicki!
Hope all is well on the island. Here in Wisconsin we are heading into the hottest days of the year, just as fall rolls in 🙁 But there is no climate change, right?
I agree with your comments about lobbyists and their impact on how our Government today. It’s not just our Federal government. I live in a state where I’ve watched the clean government into one that is corrupt. Our legislature and Governor just approved a 3 BILLION dollar handout to a company. In the meantime, our schools are suffering, Natural Resources ignored (and our state gave us Earth Day) and roads are crumbling. I do what I can to try to inform folks who don’t want to hear about politics. We need to all open our eyes, you are so right.
For those times that I get tired and sad, I have the sunflowers in my garden smiling into the kitchen window, the goldfinch happy at the feeders and orange cats that entertain me.
Thanks for your part in helping me see the joy in little things. moo
Makes me crazy to read about that handout. Makes me just crazy. Thank God for gardens and kitties, so when the going gets tough, the tough can go play with their kitties before they call their senator. xoxo
Love the moo Paulette! Home sweet home! I will take the heat because
I will jump in the Lake! I think the pretty leaves hang on longer if it’s warm.
Thank you, dear Susan. It had to be said, and you did it so well. ❤️❤️❤️
Love the new mugs! Good blog post!!!
Hi Pat! Thank you!
Hi Susan, I love your “white photos “! I actually have a Westie, she is a precious companion❤️! Thanks for showing us your new tea mugs, they are all so sweet, it would be difficult to choose just one!
Cutest doggies in the world! But I say that about all the doggies!
So, so, so true! Preach it Sista!!!
We are the world, we are the children!
Thank you for your courage and thoughtful comments. You have inspired me to do one thing a day to inform myself, call my representative/senator, educate others or take specific action to try to make a difference. Your other readers have provided excellent ideas for action.
It’s been a good day for that Marlyn, thank you for adding your voice. xoxo
Wow, Sue! You must be picking up the brainwaves from around the world! We have all been talking about this very thing. And, somehow we do feel helpless. Do our calls really matter? Does anyone really listen to the plethora of voicemails left by the People? Reports of elected officials turning off their fax machines and telephones have been made. The president had many important parts of the the White House web site wiped clean. How do we know we are being heard? I ask myself this every day. And, I pray…a lot….hoping that Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker and the rest who ARE desperately working at a fever’s pace to stand up for the corruption will be heard. Thank you, Girlfriend, for listening to the voice from within. We all need to remember that we ARE in this together. Much love to you! xoxoxo peg
We are! Maybe we are reaching that tipping point they write about, where suddenly everyone is on the same plane. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!
I couldn’t agree more! Thank you for having the courage to say it. After all we are all in this together.
We sure are!
I respect your right to express opinions on these things on your own blog, however, that is not why I look forward to your blog posts. I’m intelligent enough to figure things out on my own about how government and such work and get my information from whom I choose on these issues.
I much prefer to see and hear from you the kinds of things that make life more pleasant and “homey.” I’ll just skim your blogs from now on and take what I want from them. No offense, just sharing my thoughts.
I respect your right to leave a comment on my blog and appreciate it, although you are so right, it is my blog, and sometimes I just have to write my heart. I don’t take offense, you have that choice to stay or skim. xoxo
I can’t thank you enough, Susan. I feel like I had a civics course… remember those?? You gave us a huge wake up call. Now we need to do something with this information. You are a national treasure!
Love, Leslie
Thank you Leslie! I’m so glad you’re here! xoxo
Hi to Susan and Joe—layering your text with serene white pictures is so Susan-y! You are so mindful of our feelings.
Before the election, when candidate Trump was talking about “draining the swamp”, he did include lobbyists in that dismal group. As President, he signed a ban for lifetime foreign lobbying and five years for domestic, but this was just for his administration and is for future lobbyist prospects from his staff. President Obama also signed a similar ban for two years for his administration. Seems like a small step in the right direction.
It’s always both sides . . . Trump hired top donors to his campaign for administration jobs, while relying on industry lobbyists for both his transition and administration staff, and probably Obama did that too. They all have to go, no more lobbyists period. Yes, I so agree, Bev, I like to think every little bit helps, but not if it’s just lip service paid to someone else, not themselves, that’s just more swamp, faking it, to make us think something is happening. So tired of that. I’m so glad you like the white pictures, clean snow, fluffy dogs, cake batter . . . all are breaths of fresh air while out near the swamp!
Hi dear Susan—I remember when I was a little girl and my parents would talk about politics, the slogan going around in our world then was “throw the bums out”! I guess we are still trying.
Ha ha ha, I remember that too!
All you said and this which is my new mantra:
COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY!
We, the people, need to unite against them, our leaders.
Money out of politics, country before party! Yay!
I want to be you when I grow up (in a couple months I’ll be 64! *still feel 17) .
WELL SAID YOU! *aka, YOU GO GIRL!
Thank you, and such a baby only 64!
Thank you so much discussing this…I knew about lobbyists but this was so clear and informative, that I feel better informed. Yes, no money in politics! I get so disheartened by our current political situation. Most Americans are kind good hearted people. It is sad that our government and leaders do not reflect who we are.
Well said. They don’t!
Dear Susan,
Thank you, thank you thank you.. The Supreme Court court case decision Citizens United gave corporations the same rights as citizens.. It will be hard to over turn, but it can be done. Money in our elections is here to stay for now, and unless we get this all figured out so are the Russians interfering in our elections and fake news. .Superpacs can contribute unlimited money to campaigns and much of it is done without acknowledging where the money is coming from. We have become a country of the haves and have nots and the haves are making the decisions. I don’t understand how people vote against their own interests and fairness and justice for all. I think it’s because savvy politicians focus on dividing us and cultural and religious differences. Fox News is rampant with that decisive inaccurate speech, making it seem that progressive people want to take away people’s guns or destroy our “American” culture. Just what is that American culture?? It’s not what we saw on the tv on Father Knows best that’s for sure and it’s continually changing. American is an ever evolving beautiful dream that takes openness and flexibility and a commitment to engage in the process.
From what I can see it’s always been melting pot of very diverse, dynamic, wonderful people who are all trying to do the best they can.. I am a first generation American citizen born in the U.S as are so many. We are all humans… why must we be divided?? No one is better than another… It seems we have become an Oligarchy and the people in power are doing things to benefit the rich.. and it continues because they trick us into believing their rhetoric. They can only do this because we allow them to divide us and we don’t do the work of finding out what is real and really true. This health care repeal and replace is a perfect example. How are they able to convince people that this latest repeal and replace bill is good for the majority of Americans. It boggles my mind. I think people are so busy trying to keep their head above water that they trust news sources that peddle false narratives and create fear and anger and divisiveness. Tax cuts will go to the weatlthy… do you think that the powers that are guiding this health care repeal really care about people with preexisitng conditions or who cannot afford health care? Of course not. What they have done is demonize the Affordable Care Act naming it Obamacare which some put people off because President Obama was demonized for being the “other” not American or whatever… and people believed it. Their was a bipartisan committee to shore up the insurance markets and improve on Obamacare, but it was scrapped yesterday because Paul Ryan would have none of it… Why is that? Because it’s good for Americans? No.. because that is his rigid philosphy. He believes health care is not a right.. it’s how he thinks…
Again it boggles my mind. And the Democrats or progressive or liberals are demonized as the elite because they are for social programs that benefit everyone.. Yes.. they are more tolerant and accepting of difference.. The bottom line is that the people who are in power now believe that it is not governements responsibility to help it’s people. They don’t believe in social security, or medicare, or regulation, affirmative action and will try and destroy or change all of these programs. They want huge raises in military spending.. Not that we dont need a strong military but when people go without so we can spend excessive money in an area that is well funded that makes no sense to me.. They don’t believe that social programs or those types if things are the federal governments role.They call it socialism and also believe that each state should take care of it’s own citizens. Now we have a president who wants to go it alone in the world and just make America first.. Again boggles my mind. We are all in this country together, all on this planet together. I believe we are at a huge turning point in this country and I am hoping that compassion,empathy, support, tolerance, love, reasons, and truth ultimately prevail. But I have to say.. I am very very concerned it will not…. I do my best to stay engaged and call my senators and March and speak out for what I believe but I think it’s going to take many many more of us to really shout out what we believe in and what we want and actually VOTE for that. And I hope that every citizen will look into their own hearts and put themselves in the shoes of a minority, or a homeless person, or an immigrant, or sick person, or a child, or someone across the world who is suffering, or a woman, or a senior, everyone….because it’s going to take our collective empathy and caring to set our world on a better course. Trump seems to be a symptom of our lack of being engaged, or ability to be coerced and divided, and our fear and anger at the other.. He played into all of this and we are living in his chaos… I hope everyone will get engage in our democracy… because Democracy dies in darkness. And I hope we will begin and seeing human as a precious child of God who deserves our care, compassion, empathy and understanding.
We’re all learning a lot now. Both sides. Like looking in a kaleidoscope, constantly moving and changing, a different view daily, more understanding each time we look. That’s a good thing!
I voted for Ross Perot back in the day. He made a lot of sense. Thanks for sharing this post. Lobbyist are corrupt and need to be run out of Washington. Have a great day and be safe from the storm.
Thank you Carol, seems to be winding down in a luckily harmless way. xoxoxo
Your little voice was right. No way in the world any of your girlfriends could ever hate you. Banish that thought forever.
As I get older and see my options shrink, I realize the injustices so much more. After dealing with the IRS and Social Security recently, I realize no one in Washington really cares about the “little guy.” We could starve. We could lose our home. Even if we have worked hard, and I mean really hard, our entire lives. I have become very discouraged about the whole political system. I turned the Emmys off the other night because it seems Hollywood is obsessed with it. I’m so very tired of the negativity. No matter who it is directed at. I’m tired of the finger-pointing and the blaming, and the name-calling. Whether it is a Democrat or a Republican. I’m just so tired of it all.
But pulling up the boot straps each morning, and doing all we can do in little ways is what we must continue to do. And pray that it makes a difference, in a good way, for the future generations.
But oh my Lord, do not give me a heart attack like that again. At the beginning of your post I started holding my breath. Oh no, what is wrong? Is someone sick? Is Susan sick? Is Joe sick? Is something wrong with sweet Jack? I admit I had to go back and re-read your post because I was scanning it to get to the part about what the post was about! And that person who reviewed your artwork and said you were the master of the white space (in a lawsuit – which you were totally right to do) meant it in a different way than you used it in this post, but she was right – you ARE the master of the white space!
LOL, Vickie, I’m so sorry! Usually I have a better bedside manner than that. I think I was just so worried I would upset people, I forgot to say, everything is okay!!! Love you dear, thank you so much.
With the shocking turn of events in our government, I am alternately appalled and then thankful for the education I am getting. What a wake up call! I, of course, have heard of lobbyists but did not fully understand what their money could do or consider their impact on the decisions made in our country. In some cases, it is blackmail, isn’t it? My heart goes out to the lobbyists with a true mission for good.
I have always been happy with my rose-colored glasses, and I have worn them a long time. But now I want to learn, understand, and find the ways I can be involved in making life in my little corner of New England better. I can’t tell you the pleasure I get from being involved! I am an elected official – a Library Trustee (I know, is there a better job?) and my husband was a volunteer football coach and on the Planning Board for our town. VOLUNTEER – all of it is volunteer – even the Town Sewer Commissioner, but I’ll pass on that position, thank you very much. We didn’t have these opportunities in Ohio. Guess that’s one of the reasons why the income tax in the town I lived in was 2% and it is zip here.
Massachusetts is unique. It is a Commonwealth, as you know, Susan, and each and every town is run by its people. You can be involved or not, but, by golly, if you’re not, don’t complain if a change doesn’t float your boat!
So, now I am heading off to learn more about lobbyists. I fear I have a lot to learn. Thanks for the heads up.
Yes, blackmail definitely, and bribery is the other word I would use. Love that you are a Library Trustee. How wonderful. So true, our town meetings are the biggest eye-openers I know!
What would our Founding Fathers have to say about all of this? Their souls would be shattered!
I LOVE the new mugs, Susan. I can’t wait until they are available for preorder!
Yay! Thank you Karen!
My last sentence should have read… I hope we will begin seeing every human being as a precious child of God who deserves our care, compassion, empathy and understanding…
Not a darn thing I could add. I shared with my FB friends. I wonder if I’ll get a response?
I hope it’s as nice as the one I’ve been getting. But if not, you are trying, and not to try is to give up, and that just can’t be. Tell them, this isn’t R’s or D’s, it’s how the government works. Tell us how it goes! xoxo
I couldn’t agree more with your blog, Susan. I was thinking that we needed to watch Mr. Smith goes to Washington, but better yet, we need Ms Branch to go to Washington! Thank you for your thoughts. You had the guts to post your thoughts on your blog. I’m so thankful that they match mine!
Ha ha ha, thank you Jan. xoxoxo
I just read about Jimmy Kimmel. You mentioned him earlier about speaking the truth. Bless Jimmy.
It takes a special kind of person of congress to represent the medical insurance companies rather than the people of the United States who are suffering, physically and financially, with health problems. This senator has his facts straight and understands his instructions clearly now, so he can speak for the medical insurance industry and will be reimbursed handsomely for his words.
I wonder if there is a test that we could use to determine if a person is humane before he can run for office.
It sure does Darlene, take a certain kind. Need that test. The test could be, what will you do about the lobbyists that are stealing our American dream?
Thank you for explaining how corrupt our government has become. It breaks my heart that politics are so mean and we hate rather than heal. Perhaps if some of these high ranking elected persons in each party sat down with a cup of tea they could see some results and work together! You needed to write this post and it is frightening. I agree with most, not all of your opinions, but you did a great service to your readers. Saying that, I am glad the post ended on a pleasant note with the new mugs to come. Stay safe from Jose. As you prayed for us Texans we pray for other parts of the Country and world in danger from storms of all kinds.
Hugs and Blessings!
To tell you the truth, I wish I hadn’t felt compelled to do this post, but because it’s true, because they want to hide it, because I didn’t know for so long in my life, I felt I had no choice. But the good news is that I never have to do it again. Now everyone I’ve told, it’s up to them to tell three people, and they can tell three people and so on forever! I can go back to cups and England and all the sweetness and light still left in this wonderful old world of ours. I still pray for Texas, for Louisiana, and Florida and all the Islands, and now Mexico City, it’s been a tough September.
You explained that so well and I totally and completely agree. The problem is that their power is so insidious, how do we get rid of them? I would be the first in line to vote for it, that’s for sure. Thank you Susan!
They have to be voted out by our Congress. They have to get rid of them. They might need a bit of convincing, but I think it could be done.
Susan, I couldn’t have said it better. You need to submit your essay to a newspaper. It should be published! It needs a wider audience! With a little editing, I think the New York Times or the Washington Post would happily accept it.
I have a rare disease called erythromelalgia. It keeps me pretty much housebound in our freezing, air-conditioned home, so I can’t go out and protest or lobby a congressman. I wish I could. 🙁 I do write letters, even though my husband says, what’s the use, I won’t change my senator’s mind. I fear he is right, but I still try.
A young Muslim woman works at the checkout counter in our local library. Several weeks ago I suddenly found myself telling her how glad I was that she was in our country, that we were all immigrants or descended from immigrants. I told her how my grandparents fled the pogroms against Jews in Russia. I hope I didn’t say anything wrong, & that I brightened her day.
Oh yes. We desperately need more love and kindness in this world.
We’re all just walking each other home. (Ram Dass)
I love that you still try. I’m sure your library friend was touched by your sweetness. I think they get a lot of backlash these days. It has to be hard to have people say mean things when you’re shopping for baby formula. We’re all just walking each other home. I love that. xoxo
Catherine L.
You are beautiful woman…keep writing those letters and above all keep sharing your story. What a wonderful thing to do, to welcome that young woman to our country and into your loving world..
And yes, “We’re all just walking each other home.” I read that every Monday on Terry Hershey’s Sabbath…if you don’t receive his Monday message, please look into it…I think you would love it..
God Bless..
xoxo Sue
Amen Susan!!!! As usual, you said it well and from your heart…
Love you…
Stay safe will say prayers for all of you.
xoxo
Thank you Sue!
Susan, I am saddened by this post. It seems to be mostly political 🙁 I look forward to your blog posts in my email. But when it’s all about politics, it makes me sad. You are the one thing that I always found light hearted and happy. But it seems all these posts as of late are so down in the dumps. President Trump is our president. That’s it. We must allow him to do what he promised to do. If he is not the one you wanted, then you can vote again in 2020. For now, can we get back to lovlee things that are so Susan!?!?!? Puhleeze???? I love you and I love to read about your life on MV and your travels. Will we be getting a book about Scotland?
Hope you will fare thee well during this storm!
Hugs…..
Linda in Walnutport, PA
Don’t be sad. This wasn’t about who’s president. It was about the effect of the lobbyists on the needs of the people. Your words “But it seems all these posts as of late are so down in the dumps” almost hurt ~ because last post was all about September and English Houses and change of season, before that it was flickering light and shadows, about Hitchcock’s Suspicion and making Zucchini Bread, before that was a wonderful family visit and Island tour in the “Good Ole Summertime”, and before that was Beatrix Potter and our upcoming trip to England. And so on. Don’t they count? Never fear, that is my first love. But I’m not a person of only one or two notes, like all of us, I’m a symphony! Or at the very least, a Beatles song. At least that’s what I strive for. Storm has been quite peaceful, just a rainy blowy day so far. xox I think you will be getting a book on Scotland! I hope you like it!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It is nice to know that I am not the only one who feels like the government is taking more and more control away from the people. There is so much false information out there. It is sometimes impossible to get to the truth. Thank you!
I agree. Thank you Christine.
Thank you, Susan, for the courage to speak the truth!
xoxo Kristen.
Good job, Susan. Politics is a tough ugly topic these days and I think most have forgotten a favorite of mine: “I may not agree with you, but I’ll fight for your right to say it.”
I totally agree with your viewpoint and I feel totally helpless about how to curtail/regulate/de-legalize it. Has there ever been a day without lobbyists? Probably not.
Greed is ugly.
Get through the remains of Jose (my beloved island of St Thomas, among many others, was nearly destroyed by Irma and Maria) and continue to remind us, PLEASE, of the Beauty in our world. 💋
It’s that it’s gotten so narrow, so tight, so greedy, there is nothing left over for the beauty of America, it’s like we walk on the razors edge. How can that be??? I will never stop appreciating all that we’ve been gifted with. I’m so sorry for St. Thomas and all the losses so recently experienced. Thank you Holly!
Susan, I have always admired you – and now I admire you even more – if that’s possible!!
Thank you for saying what needs to be said – and said again and again!
In the words of Deep Throat: “Follow the money.” It really is all about the money — and the fact that there are people who do not – or will not – see this happening is frightening.
It is disgusting how some of these elected officials tell you they are for the American people – and instead, do everything they can to destroy America! I’ve often wondered how they can look themselves in the mirror.
I’m telling everyone I know to read this blog — it is plain and simple and understandable language – and people NEED to read it!
Bless you for being a voice of reason in this crazy world!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, I agree with every word, Rosanna. How can they look themselves in the mirror. Or go home and face their wives. Yikes!
Sing it, sister!
Laaaaa🎵😲
Oh Susan! Truer words were never spoken! Thanks for bringing this to the forefront. I was prescribed an inhaler thar my insurance wouldn’t cover. My cost was $262. No way! I’m looking into alternative medicine. 🙂
Won’t cover a prescription. That’s a sin. xoxo
I don’t think lobbyists ever retitre and they are joined by
Those who leave public office so pretty soon we we will have more of them than us.
Are there no honest politicians? Thank you for your civics lesson/ reminder.
A medication I take has been $45 for several years, now over $1000 for a 30 day supply.
And, guess who is writing the bill for the Obamacare replacement?
NO! That is just sickening. Lobbyists are writing the bill ~ I can tell, because we are being totally cut out of the picture. Why don’t they settle down, all together, and write something that really works. I just don’t get that. They don’t seem to care. Just want something to sign. There are honest politicians, but if they don’t throw in with the lobbyists at least part of the time, they are threatened, and so good bye to their good works!
Economics 101. When the insurance companies are being paid by the government with our tax money the costs they charge goes up. If they had to compete for our business directly with us the cost goes down.
If the government is in collusion with the insurance company in their favor and not ours, all kinds of things can happen.
Well our government is. Costs are going up not down.
Oh no question. But mostly wow, the pharmaceuticals.
I was SURE that you were announcing your candidacy for an office! Give that some serious thought. Think globally, act locally…
Your white things in between the paragraphs are a calming influence…thank you!
I’m such a late bloomer, I wish I had this fire when I was young. I try to infuse my nieces and nephews every chance I get.
I think that the great majority of people in this country acknowledge that the heart of all major problems are the lobbyists. My question is: Why are they getting much more powerful as we all grow older and watch in disbelief? Unless we all get together to change the system there is no hope of change. Calling our representatives is not the solution. We obviously don’t know what to do to get rid of them. If twenty small children being shot in their classrooms did not change our gun laws I cannot help but wonder what will. WE THE PEOPLE have lost the power and we must get it back to solve this. If the young generation had not taken to the streets to end the Vietnam war, I really think that it would still be going on. We are all leading busy lives and will continues to cope unless it gets worse, much worse. You all can pray as much as you want, I don’t think it will help either. Sorry to be so negative, but I don’t see an end to this mess we find ourselves in. Love all the cups Susan.
Can’t give up, that’s all I know, because you are so right. It seems hopeless. But it never is. Where there is life there’s hope. I do think it should be brought up and discussed at every town meeting, and every time we find writing about it, we should pass it around, and drag everyone into caring. Thank you Colette!
Yeah, for what you have written! You speak my heart and for so many of us. These days have been so filled with angst (especially now in watching Ken Burns, Vietnam). We need to hold each other in the light and love each other and not count on or believe those in Washington . . . . . Thank you for sharing from “your heart” to ours. You put it out there, Sister!
Lovely Donna Marie!
Thank you for being brave, Susan. I agree we need campaign finance reform and the lobby industry to disappear. Did you know Big Pharma spends more on lobbying than the insurance and oil industries together? In 1986 Reagan signed a law that gave Big Pharma complete immunity and no liability for damage caused by one class of their products. Now they have no accountability or incentive to create a safe product. I can’t be passionate about everything but I am passionate about my grandchildren using a product that could be safer but uses our children as a cash cow. The big lie they are telling us is that “the science is settled”. Good science is never settled. There is always room for new discoveries. I’ll understand if you feel you can’t print this, but I had to be brave also. Vaccines need to be safe for everyone. A government run “vaccine court”, that almost no one knows about, has paid out billions of dollars in damages for injured and dead children (and adults). Who cares about money when your child is injured or dead!?! Although I’ve gotten specific, I feel this issue fits in with your post today. I hope you will print it. Again, I admire your bravery.
Has to stop. What I worry about is how they are selling drones to the children as toys, to get them used to them, so then when they are our age, the sky will be filled with them! It’s not a world I would look forward to. I like sky, clouds, trees, sound of wind. Thank you Donna. It’s all important. xoxo
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you for articulating my thoughts and having the courage to put them into this forum. The power of lobbies has subverted the power of the voters. But I also place responsibility on the huge number of Americans who choose not to vote. Casting a ballot in every election including primary elections from the most local contest through county, state, and national election is critical to making your voice heard and the Democratic system of government work.
I do too, but I know why they feel so hopeless. We just need them to care again, and believe again. xoxo We need voting to get easier. That would also help. This bit about standing in line for 9 hours is ridiculous!
So eloquently put. Thank you so much for verbalizing what I’m so often feeling. But what are we to do when our own senators and representatives feel the same? Complaining to them seems useless if they already agree. It’s a very helpless feeling.
On a happier note, I recently sent for the Martha’s Vineyard cup (beautiful!), and now won’t be able to resist the winter cup with that snug little house! Hugs to you, Joe and sweet Jack.
I thought that too, then one day I realized, even if I agree with my senators, I need to bolster their beliefs with mine, let them know I’m behind them so they feel stronger. One way or another, tell them when I agree or when I disagree! Thank you back Annie, I’m so happy you liked your cup! xoxo