What's Under My Hat
Monte Tucker
May 27, 2008
Howdy friends and neighbors. Come on first Tuesday in November! I have already had about all of the Presidential election I can stand. Surely, somewhere out there in this great nation is a "good ol' boy or gal," that is worth voting for. You know, someone that has actually done something, not just talked about what they think they have done. It's only the first quarter in the game between the R's and the D's. Both sides keep talking about time for change. Just what are they going to change? They obviously haven't changed the game of politics. Billary and Bama Lama Ding Dong boost the word "change" every time I see the media put their face on my boob tube.
The first place they could start changing things would be on the Senate floor that they're already on. Just go and look at their voting records for the last several months and you will find they aren't showing up to vote. You know, the job they campaigned so hard to get by promising "change," but they just don't have the time. McCain isn't immune from this either.
Let's talk "change." What in the world do these hot air compressors think they are going to change and why? Again, I'm just a professional bovine relocation specialist (it's the 21st century, we used to call them cowboys). But the way I see it from Sunny Point , Oklahoma , how are they going to change the greatest nation in the world? All of the candidates are demanding we must change! OK. I wake up a free man every morning and I'm free to do anything that is morally right or I can do nothing. If I choose to do something productive that day, well I can whistle at my dog, start up my ol' tan feed truck that I bought with the help of a free enterprising banking system I chose to use. Plus, there's the fact that other free Americans assembled this truck, and the companies that bought, sold and hauled parts and supplies to make that pickup possible. As I turn the key, ol' tans fires up on diesel fuel that a mean, nasty, big oil company conveniently made very accessible and affordable to me. I turn out of my land that I can freely own, onto a county maintained road that leads to any point in North America I would choose to go to that day. Also, in this country, I am free to own livestock and free to care for them so that the livestock will return a profit so I can repay my bank, buy my feed and fuel, and provide for my family. On Sunday Morning (or any other day that ends in "Y") my family is free to drive from our house on a ribbon of roads that lead to the Church of our choice and worship the real owner of all things we know, God. We can give praise to Him for all and especially for Jesus.
Why can't these hopefuls for the highest-ranking governmental seat see that it is just that simple? Provide me infrastructure and protect me from these knot-headed whack's that think they can take away our freedom. Billary, Bama Mama or McNobrain aren't going to change anything. The foundations of this great country can't be changed by one person, no matter how much they think they can. As Americans, we have the right to succeed or fail and try again as we please. As a free man, I'm getting good at failing but I get smarter when I try again.
When presidential candidates tout change, the only thing I see in this country that needs changing is them. Life in America is good and for those that don't think so, you're free to leave at any time, go to another country of your choice and try to change it.
I'm Monte Tucker, and that is what's under my professional bovine relocation specialist hat. Wait, I'm not changing, that is what's under my COWBOY hat!
Remember our freedom is not free; try to wear a red shirt on Fridays to show support for our troops.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/laska2005/3smiliesdank.gif)
'nuff said.
Jo, that is great wisdom and considering the current presidential candidates and their campaign rhetoric, it is so vey true. As usual your philosyphy and wisdom is wise and very much in keeping with the conservative right American way.
Frank
I said it before and I repeat - MONTE TUCKER FOR PRESIDENT
I second that motion, Flo!!!
One of the things that has me concerned, speaking of "change," is the slow but sure slide of the huge middle class. There is a polarization occurring that has me worried. The really wealthy are making more money than ever and the really poor are getting poorer. Now the responsible, educated, middle class, that has always shored up the poor, bought the pizza, drunk the Starbucks, wore the nicer clothes, and supported the local merchants has to take a second look at how they spend ALL their money. Unfortunately, burglaries and robberies are increasing too.
What used to be called middle class would be considered quite poor these days. One vehicle and one bathroom per family if that. Folks rode the bus or streetcar, carried their lunch, and the kids wore hand me downs or made-overs. New cloth for special occasions only! Entertainment was homemade or a weekly movie and church. Radio changed that some, but not like television. Birthdays and Christmas was not the madness it is now with oceans of gifts that the parents can ill afford. But that was before the invention of the credit card. Debt is killing the middle class, both credit card debt, and over extension of home buying. There is no middle class family that needs a million dollar home that requires a mortgage that sucks two paychecks dry. Children no longer save anything, not even knowing what a piggy bank is. School taxes are incredibly high yet the children are always hawking some overpriced item to get something for the school. The only ones who gain is the companies who supply the items. Gonna get off the soapbox now!
uh, I'm probably what you would consider "poor". Financially that is, but I am responsible, have had Starbucks a time or two and once we even bought pizza ::) I am also educated, self educated maybe but educated nontheless. My clothes may not have a fancy name in em but I have some nice ones. I'm real sorry some people can't afford four bathrooms now but don't think the fact they use to try to means they were shoring me up. The top 1% have been in charge with carte blanche for almost eight years now but the gravy train could be fixin to end, in a perfect world that is :P
Well, I have to say that we are not rich. I would have to say closer to poor!! We do save, though. We, if we get one, always try to put our tax refund, cattle checks, and whatever we is left over, in savings. I don't ever think there is anything wrong with second hand close. I have got my girls where they love to go to the Goodwill, Garage Sales, and such. Also, my oldest daughter is in 4-H. We make her pay for the animals that she buys and whatever other expenses the animals need, feed and such. Then whatever is leftover, she has to put it in her savings account. We also make the girls put the money they make from saling eggs into their savings accounts. But I do know what you mean by they don't save. My girls never want for food, but they waste a ton, at least it feels like it.
As for the more then one vehicle, we are guilty of owning more than one. But I have to say, the majority of the ones that are sitting around are for farm use. We do have 4 pickups, 3 feed trucks, 1 truck to pull trailers, and 1/2 ton to run around the farm. But they don't move to often, especially with the price of gas. We are don't like having all the trucks, but husband thinks he needs them. I would love another bathroom, but really can't afford to build on another one. We only have one but at least we have it.
What has me worried some is the rising cost of EVERYTHING!! My oldest is set to get braces June 11. We have insurance, but of course braces are not covered. Do we have the money in savings, yes!! But it is a hard decision to make. I mean we love her and want to take care of her teeth, but with the rising cost of gas and such, is it necessary to spend $5,000 that way??? I say yes, my husband says NO.
What I am getting at is, with so much change being talked about in government. I think that we are, the working class and such, are having a harder time than ever!! A year ago, I would not have even have thought twice about the different decisions that I am making. Now, I am just having trouble buying a gallon of milk!!
Those braces are a good investment in your daughter. If you ask, perhaps they can knock off a little. Go for it. Remind your hubby that's not for just one visit, that's for the whole procedure.
well, I'm all for "change" if it's for the better, I'm for "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", but folks, this country is "broke" and it needs fixin. But.... be a wee bit leery of any change because it may not be what you had in mind. Second hand clothes, one bathroom, less food on the table, less entertainment, been there, done that. What's wrong with good second hand clothes? Wore em all my life and so have my children. I remember not having any bathroom at all, so just one makes me feel right "up town". With today's "obese" problem, maybe less food on the table is a good thing. And teaching children that "if it wasn't fit to eat it wouldn't be in front of you, so eat" instead of running to Micky D's for a happy meal cause that's what they want to eat. We are an extravacant country and, sorry, I blame a lot of what is going on with people today on that little plastic card that is so easy to get. I know, I've been "pre-approved" for em all and that's 4-5 days a week. ;D ;D have been known to tear off anything that identifies me and put visa app. in the mastercard envelope and stick it back in the mail. Hey, it costs them the return postage. Young marrieds thinking they need to "start" with what it took their parents years and years to accumulate. Just my 2 cents that in the few minutes it took to type this has probably put me in debt by now. :-[ :-\
You are absolutely right, Flo, but I have two bathrooms and glad that I do. Nobody else uses my bathroom or cleans it. They don't clean the other one either. We started out in a 4 room house with just my bedroom furniture (bed and chest of drawers), a stove, table and 2 chairs, old kitchen cabinet and icebox. My kitchen equipment and other household goods was what I got at a small neighborhood shower. My mother gave me cutlery for two. My brother had to bring his own when he came to eat with us. We didn't need much. We had each other. And about half of my clothes now are what I have bought at thrift stores and yard sales.
Flo, my kids love second hand clothing. I was not complaining at all. So don't think that at all. I tell my kids all the time, what I fix is what you eat like it or not. And if you don't eat it, then don't ask for a snack in 10 minutes. Ok, so I think that Montee Tucker would be a great President!!! None of the others!!
I have to agree with Flo, that plastic is probably the worst of the problems in this country. Not only does it allow debt to be accumulated at a fantastic rate, but it also scratches that greedy 'I want it now' itch. How much is purchased every day that isn't used or really wanted? You only have to go to a yard sale to find out the answer to that, dolls that were new at Christmas, cars and games abandoned so that there would be room for more. Clothing that little sister or brother could wear in a few months sold for nickles and dimes. Mom has a couple of garments there that are new with the tags, decided that she really didn't like it, but would sell for a dollar rather than return it to the store. Trash cans full of the left over items that will fill the dump rather than donate to charity. We have become a greedy nation, full of the notion that the mall holds our happiness. Next time you go to the mall, look to see if anything there is really something that is needed rather than something wanted. Our beloved pastor Ted Smith used to preach regularly on the difference between 'wants' and 'needs'. Wilma, some of my prize posessions are things given to me to start my housekeeping. I have a measure cup from my mother, a small pie dish from one grandmother, salt and peppers form the other grandmother. I have since added several things from my mothers' kitchen, her mixing spoon that is grooved along one edge from banging against the side of a bowl or pan. I also have her tea kettle that whistles. My cornbread pan belonged to my great grandmother, and is the same one my mother made cornbread in. Would not want to trade for new ones made of gold. I use these things every day, and think of my family whenever I do. There are some that would not consider these things good enough, and out they would go. Surely things from Function Junction are better! Hmmmm, don't think so!
I had one of those moments the other day where the Universe slaps ya up side the head with what an ungrateful pain-in-the-ass youre bein. We bought a fixer-upper and it gets discouragin when you get caught up in the "gotta get more, better" rat run.Then you see these people livin in huts basically with a fire in the middle of the floor for cookin and heatin and sleepin on mats, carryin water 2 or 3 miles and boy does it make you ashamed of yourself. Ask my Mom, I'm NOT a stuff oriented person, but if I can get caught up in it once in a while anybody can and THAT is whats got us in the fix this country is in. The whole population needs a major reality check! The government needs an even bigger one. Lol, most of my stuff is old , scavenged, rebuilt, or second hand lol. And I love it:)
Not sure if this is the right place to post or not, but it kind of goes in with the "Conserving" thread on Coffee Shop...
Anyway, living in a small town and wanting to support local businesses, kids, and schools seems to somewhat conflict with the idea of conserving and doing with what little you possibly can. For example, yes, we could go out to eat less and save money... but I also feel like going and getting a pizza from Poplar every-so-often is also supporting the community and the people who live in the community. Not only is my pizza-buying habits supporting the owners of Poplar (who moved to Elk County from NYC and who's kids also moved their families here), it also supports the local kids who work there who are saving money for college, as well as the local organizations that Poplar gives money/food/support to. I feel like my $9 pizza once a week turns around and helps more people and the local economy better than me saving that $9 in my savings account. Same thing goes for buying gas at P&J's for a couple cents higher than somewhere else... yes, I could time it so that I would fill up somewhere else for cheaper, but spending money at P&J's ultimately helps the whole community, in my opinion.
I guess my point is that those of us in small communities need to save and conserve just like everyone else (or more), but yet we also need to keep in mind that we also need to keep supporting our local community so that it doesn't wither away. So, instead of cutting out some of the "extravagant" things we don't think we need, how about supporting a local business? AND as a local businesses, we need to make sure we, in turn, are supporting our communities!
good point, Tobina. Every woman needs a break from the kitchen once in awhile. Especially working mothers. Heck, I don't work and I still need a break so ate at Toot's tonite. Well, I did mow my yard today, so guess that was work. :-\
Flo, I sometimes wish my Hubby seen it your way about a woman getting out of the kitchen once in awhile. Steve took me out to eat the evening we got married, but not since then. That will be 13 years ago in September. Guess I've got use to cooking.
I love to cook, and do quite a lot of the time; but, frankly, there are times that we can eat out cheaper than we can cook at home. We got a flyer in the mail yesterday and when we looked at it, we both said "wow, that's cheaper than we can eat here at home! Since we both are very careful about what we eat due to health issues, we don't take advantage of all of the ads that we get.
Myrna
I suppose my not being married probably makes a difference altho I do cook supper for Marvin every night. BUT I have been known to ask him where he wants to eat tonite because "Flo's Kitchen" is closed.
Well, gals, I suppose I'm a little spoiled. My hubby was a bachelor for 7 years before we got married, so he learned how to cook a meal (and clean up after himself, too). Although he doesn't do it as often, he still cooks and cleans when I'm gone for work. So I suppose that he appreciates and understands a "night out" from the kitchen and we usually get pizza every couple of weeks, as well as our usual dinner after church on Saturday night.