Thursday, April 15, 2010

Thursday Thinking—Tea, Anyone?


This afternoon Calvin and I went to the city park for the Tea Party rally and joined a thousand or so other citizens . I’m so glad we went. We heard the candidates who are opposing our seated senator in the November election. One candidate was a physicist that teaches at the University of Washington, one was a doctor, one was a farmer, one was a businessman, and one was a radio talk show host. They stood on the back of a wooden flat-bed hay trailer and addressed the concerns and interests of us fellow citizens. There were no promises, pledges, or mocking of current leaders. Instead they called for us to come forth and serve in whatever capacity we could to help restore America to its founding values.

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One speaker called for our government to live within its means. Another mentioned that if one citizen had paid $1,000,000 each day since the birth of Christ, he would still have to pay $1,000,000 a day for another 32,000 years in order to pay off the 12 trillion dollar deficit we face. I called Ty and asked him if we heard it right. Yup. We did. Whoa. Suddenly I could comprehend 12 trillion dollars. So must this little boy. He carried a sign that said, “I’m only 5 and I’m already in debt.”


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One of our fellow ward members came and sat down on the grass by Calvin and me during the speeches. After listening to a few speakers she said, “I’m going to go and offer to sing Amazing Grace.” And she did. (Calvin leaned over to me and whispered, "Now that takes guts." I concurred.) She went and found the organizer of the event and told him she’d like to sing. After the speakers were finished, he turned the microphone over to her and she invited the crowd to sing along. She has a beautiful voice and backed by the crowd it sounded especially good. She took the charge to stand up and serve to heart.

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Calvin and I were both really glad we'd gone. It was a great way to spend a tax day. It was a great way to spend any day.

15 comments:

Deidra said...

Looks like a beautiful day to be out and involved.

With all of the stress of moving, the other day I got overwhelmed with the thought that we'd have to learn a whole other state's politics and people! There will be an open senate seat in Indiana, and I don't know what to do about it! It gave me some serious anxiety, but I realized I have to stay involved here while we're here, and I'll work on figuring out IN slowly (hopefully before we get there). Whew.

michelle said...

Way to be involved!

Deanna/Mimi said...

You and Calvin are just a fantastic couple. You both are a terrific example in every aspect of life. I have great respect for you both. Thank you.

Cali said...

Mom,

I am very proud of the example you and dad are to our family about not only knowing about our country, it's founding fathers/constitution, and it's politics... but being involved. You have both instilled a GREAT national pride in me. I feel a responsibility to defend and assist my country and fellow country men.

I love you, and thank you for still TEACHING me. You probably thought that when I graduated from high school, the teaching was over. I think it's only picking up momentum.

Cali

Becky said...

Sounds like it was a great experience! I love your patriotism!

P.S. I also loved the great newsletter you sent out today :) I learned something new today about Lewis & Clark!

Cassidy said...

Wow. You rock!! Way to be involved.

Mindy said...

How motivating! I am inspired to be more involved, thank you!

Nanci said...

That's awesome.

Anonymous said...

Once again, best intentions....I missed another something that I was planning on attending. Glad you had a good experience. Maybe you'd like to take on the assignment of reminding me when I should be showing up. Thanks for always being in the right place.

YOUR neighbor,
Brenda

jenny said...

I would actually love to attend one of these sometime. It's definitely an eye opener. Wow 1,000 since Christ. I never would have thought of it that way.

ShelleyG said...

Yeah for you!! I think that we all need to be more involved. For so long I have been content to leave it to someone else...oops! You are very inspiring Jane! Thank you!

Jill said...

That was seriously brave of that girl from your ward to volunteer to sing for everyone.

Rachel said...

I LOVE that picture of the man sitting in the grass. Good work.

Becky said...

P.S. I have to add that it sounds like the Tea Party there has very, very different meetings (much calmer) than the Tea Party here in Arizona based on what I have seen here.

bBchronicles said...

YES! I LOVE a little cup of 'tea'!!!!! Thanks for asking! Love your post - love the analogy of the 1,000 years and the deficit - boggles MY MIND! We ALL need to do our part - we CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE . . . you guys certainly are! Bravo, to the singer!