Not all women are like that!

I was listening to morning drive time radio the other day and the female part of the duo was talking about her numerous coach purses.

I like her personality, she's usually amusing; but it started me thinking.

If you listen to programs like this and ads on TV and radio, you'd think American women are pushy, know-it-alls, and extremely materialistic.

Just listen to the ads.

And how many women really want numerous designer label purses? Really?

I happen to regard a purse as a necessary tool. It holds stuff that doesn't fit in your pocket.

You get a new one when the old one wears out or gets too dirty to clean.

If I could swing it, I wouldn't have a purse at all.

And lots of women I've talked to feel that way.

So if you like purses, great. If you don't, don't let TV and radio pressure you into thinking you do.

Time Warp Politics

I think my mother would be puzzled by anyone that would vote for any of the current GOP candidates.

My mother was a devout Catholic and staunch Republican.  She loved children and opposed abortion rights.

But in her years working as a nurse and living as a compassionate person, she saw way too many women who never were allowed to reach their potential because they were imprisoned by their biology.  Children too early, too close together, too many -- all these impacted women's lives as well as their children's and husbands (though in some cases, the husbands vanished).

Though she taught us to have morals and self esteem, she was a big fan of contraceptives, realizing that prevention was necessary at times.  Contraceptives have allowed couples to both have careers and bring families into the world when it makes sense, not haphazardly.

To the best of my knowledge, Jesus didn't say anything about contraceptives -- they didn't exist in the form we have them today.  Isn't that like saying people shouldn't have heart surgery?  That wasn't mentioned either.  How about taking Viagra?  What do these time warp politicians have to say about that?

So back to my mother.  If she was here, I don't think she'd be voting Republican this year.

Question for the debates

I've got a question for the debates that hasn't been asked.   I'd really like to hear what they say on this one:


"What do you plan to do to help the 50 year olds who have been hardest hit by the last recession?  These individuals want to contribute and have skills and talents to do so, but have a rough time competing for jobs."  


Please be specific -- answering "loosen government regulations" or "lower taxes on business" will not be accepted.


Please comment if you have an idea that might work on this.

Pictures worth a 1000 words

Good people look closely!  Choose wisely!

Five Ways to Manage Stress

Some good tips on managing stress:

1) Don't pass judgement.  Every time you pass judgement, you increase your stress level.  Give people the benefit of the doubt and you'll feel more relaxed.

2) Always arrive a few minutes early.  Being late can really raise your stress level.  Ever notice that you catch all the red lights when you're in a hurry?

3) Seek support.  When something is worrying you, find someone you trust and discuss it.  It might not be as bad as you think, or maybe there is some positive action you can take.

4) Don't catch other's stress.  Sure, it's good to be sympathetic and help when you can, but remember, you didn't create their problems.  Their stress is their stress.

5) Listen more, talk less.  Blood pressure goes up when you speak.  Relax and really listen -- determine what they are really saying, it might help.

Hope this helps,

Tracy

Why are they ruining the country we fought for? View from a WW2 Veteran

Talked to one of the wisest people I could think of, a very neat gentleman and a WW2 veteran.

Until Bush (W) was elected, he was a strong republican.

As we talked, he shook his head sadly.  

"What is wrong with people?  Don't they know you have to pay for services and infrastructure?  Taxes are a lot lower than they were in the fifties, especially for the higher brackets."

He leaned over and took a sip of water.  "And this debt ceiling -- why are they not working things out?  Our country was founded on compromise.  Don't they realize the impact, the damage they are doing to our country?"

He said, "Tracy, write that the American people want their leaders to sit down and be realistic.  You can't cut your way to prosperity!"

There you have it -- wise words to Congress.

Voters, know how your congressmen/women behave ... and remember!

Is it cool to be greedy?

Does our society reward those who've made it with the help of our infrastucture,  but don't want to help support it for anyone else?  

Interesting article:

Does this look like a golden age?

Have a great day,

Tracy