April Fools

                                                                              April Fools

     I remember President Obama saying rather clearly that Americans would have no new taxes if their income was under $250,000 thousand if he was reelected as president.   I also recall that          Obamacare fines and fees were not a tax (although the Supreme Court said, after the election, that it was a tax).  Well, April Fools on us all because it is now tax time and our tax accountants are asking us if we have medical insurance and are warning that we will be assessed a ‘penalty’ if we are out of compliance.  It just so happens that those ‘penalties’ are enforced by the IRS which just so happens to be the same agency that collects our taxes.

     I also remember that our premiums were supposed to go down with the ‘Affordable’ Healthcare Act that was overwhelmingly supported by Democrats and vehemently opposed by Republicans.  I have been paying an extra $100.00 dollars on my insurance premium each month on my new plan because my old plan that I picked specifically to meet my needs was canceled.  Didn’t  someone promise I could keep my old plan if I wanted?
    
      My deductible went from around $2000.00 dollars to $4000.00.  In addition to now having a catastrophic insurance plan that I never asked for or wanted, everything about my healthcare insurance is catastrophic.

     So, how does all this make me feel?  Well, frankly, I feel sick.  I should feel satisfied now that I am paying my fair share, according to some, but I don’t.   If Obamacare could provide me with all the perks it does for those on the premium Obama plans that have no co-pay, no deductible, and very small to no monthly premiums, I would be singing its praises.  But, the truth is, it appears to be another scam to extract more money from hard working middle class America while delivering broken promises. 

     As tax time rolls around this April, I definitely feel like I have been fooled, our health system is sicker than before, and I am taxed more than enough already.

    
Mario diGesu          ]                                                                                              Truth or Consequences       

Obama’s Israel 2016

    

                                                            Obama’s Israel 2016

     A great documentary by Dinesh D’Souza came out just before the 2012 presidential election called ‘Obama’s America 2016’.  In that movie, D’Souza takes us on a journey to understand President Obama’s childhood, his parents, his education, and, ultimately, his journey to the White House.  There are many theories on where Obama came from, who Obama is, and what his intentions are but I feel D’Souza hit the nail on the head.

     Obama promised Americans hope and change, and change he has.  He promised to fundamentally transform America, and he has.   He is desperately trying, against the resistance of  the Congress and Conservatives, to seal the deal for not only America but the world.  In fact, his organization is trying to transform Israel as I write.   And, I suspect Obama’s Israel will look much like Obama’s America does now if he succeeds in ousting Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu.

     Reports abound that the White House has used taxpayer money to help fund an American nonprofit group to actively help the party running against Netanyahu.  This progressive center-left opposition party, no doubt with the help of the Obama administration, has been leading in the polls just before their Tuesday election.  Several of Obama’s prior campaign staff are in Israel on the ground assisting the opposition group.   We must remember that Obama’s billion dollar campaign machine called ‘Organizing for America’ was converted to a nonprofit organization called ‘Organizing for Action’ that has been actively pursuing Obama’s agenda in American politics and, as we clearly see now, across the globe.   Obama’s transformation that started with the Arab Spring in Egypt, then Libya, Syria, and Yemen is now headed for Israel.

     Israel has a choice on Tuesday to allow a progressive left of center government take over and bring transformational “hope and change.”  I hope the Israeli people are smart enough to see through the campaign promises that fooled many Americans and stick with a strong leader who has kept Israel secure in the midst of danger.  I hope Truth prevails and Israelis hit the nail on the head as well.

  Mario diGesu                                Truth or Consequences                                                New Mexico 

A Christmas Challenge for Challenging times....................................@teapartypassion

December 25, 2014

 Hello Dear Friends,

     This has been a very challenging time for my family this past year.  Among the challenges, my brother Mark passed the end of the summer.  My brother and I were close growing up; we had to be as we were roommates for most of our childhood.  But, as time passed, we grew apart and there was a lot of distance; he had his life and I had mine and it just seemed best to avoid tension by maintaining the space.  I justified the distance in my mind but there should ALWAYS be room to love a little more, a little deeper.  

      And so I join the ranks of those who have lost close loved ones.  We simply don’t understand what others endure until we have walked in their shoes.   That simple fact should not grant a pass but should give us pause as we try to understand and get along with our fellow sojourners.  Although easier said than done, compassion should guide our steps as we walk this world towards the next, all the while thanking God for the rugged Cross that comforts us as we pass through towards brighter and better days. 

     Holidays always bring back a rush of memories from the past; a smell, a sound, a place.  Those memories may be good or they may be bad.  My challenge is to embrace and let go; always allowing the good memories to linger.   As this holiday season unfolds, my prayer is that we all will have a deeper appreciation for each other, living in the moment and resolving the past in our minds, in our words, and in our actions.  This holiday season my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones.  May Gods peace console us, may good memories cheer us, and may the knowledge of a future hope and a full restoration of body and spirit give us strength for each new day.  Joy comes in the morning!

God’s rich blessings of comfort and joy on you and yours this Christmas as we all love a little deeper!

 

Mario diGesu

     

 

TaBoo!

TaBoo!

 

     Politics is scary!   And it seems there is a connection between Halloween and Election Day.  Politicians are covering up and coming out in full costume. There is dark, evil music playing in the background while the candidates are demonized.  There are treats and promises paraded before us, usually resulting in a policy or regulation trick we later regret.   And, the

White House, turned haunted house, gobbles up our children’s future, spooks our security, and chains our freedom.  The horror of it all causes our minds to race, our hearts to beat faster, and our stomachs to turn.

 

     Sadly, it becomes taboo for us to confront the cover ups and trickery head on because someone might be offended by our perspective or voice.  Bringing up politics is frowned upon at our jobs, at church, in our schools, at our business meetings, and even with our neighbors across the road for fear of stepping on toes or having a disagreement.

 

     Unfortunately, politics is a necessary evil.  In place of a king or queen, a dictator or a czar, we in America have a political system where citizens reach into a competition bag and pull out politicians each election cycle.  It is almost as predictable as bobbing for apples but it is self-governance!  We the people are ultimately responsible each election to engage each other and voice our opinions and values through our vote or risk losing freedom and liberty.

 

     So, no more silence of the lambs!  Break a few taboos and don’t fear to face off with those who might not care to know you care; get a little scary.  In a kind and diplomatic way, discuss the issues facing our Country.  We are not interested in a blame game or conflict but dialogue and solutions.  We know illegal aliens, dead people, and zombie-like voters find a way to vote so those of us who are alive and care about our future need to flock to the polls in greater numbers.  I believe legitimate voters driven by commonsense and positive communication instead of political correctness and silence can break the spell that has bewitched, demonized, and bound America.

@teapartypassion

Song '17 Trillion' http://cdbaby.com/cd/mariodigesu

17 Trillion  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mu6WKv9qyQs

Song 'I Love America!' http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mariodigesu2 

Mario diGesu                                      Truth or Consequences, NM                         10.31.14

No Excuses!.........................................................@teapartypassion..............................................................................Song 'I Love America!' http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mariodigesu2 ......................... Song '17 Trillion' http://cdbaby.com/cd/mariodigesu

    No Excuses!



     I forgot.  I had to work.  The line was too long.   I did not register.
I didn’t know I could vote early.  I can’t afford an I.D. or transportation
to get me to the Motor Vehicle Department.  I don’t like the candidates.  I
don’t care.
     These are some of the common excuses we hear from Americans that are
not voting.  As a hardworking, taxpaying, community serving American, I am
embarrassed that there are still people in our country that are not educated
in the process of voting and on the history and voting records of the
candidates.  I am embarrassed that I waited until my thirties to vote and
get involved!
     We get the government we vote for.  If you like it, vote in the same
candidates or stay at home.  If you don’t like it, make the effort to vote
and possibly change things for the better.
     Our County Clerk’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. for early voting.  They are even open during lunch!  You can
vote absentee.   They have voter guides in Spanish and English.  You can go
online to sierracountynm.gov and download a sample ballot that has all of
the candidates, bond questions, and Constitutional amendments or you can ask
for a sample ballot at their office.   By getting the sample ballot ahead of
time, you can prepare yourself so you vote for what you really want and are
not rushed to read through the fine print and fill out a party bubble.
     So, NO EXCUSES!  Well, there is one good excuse for not voting; you
have not taken the time to educate yourself on the issues and the
candidates.  Any elementary student can fill out ballot bubbles next to an
American flag or
eagle.  It takes an aware, caring, concerned American citizen to take the
time to affect policy and leadership in America.
      One of our many blessings in the United States, designed by our
founding Fathers and Mothers and secured by our veterans,  is the right to
vote.  As they say with things you love and want to keep working, healthy,
and strong, use it or lose it!

Mario diGesu                     Truth or Consequences NM                               10.15.14

All Aboard!......................................................................................@teapartypassion

                                     All Aboard!

     When I hear the word platform I think about a train station where all the people gather just before they step onto the train that will take them on a journey.  Most of the people have a final destination in mind although there are always those that are just going along for the ride.  But, the platform is that secure place that allows travelers to double check where they are going just before they get rolling.

     Likewise, a political platform is that firm foundation that a political party has agreed to at its yearly convention.  It contains specific key principles and core values that are designed in a committee and then agreed on at a state convention by the delegates.  These key principles and core values then become 'tierra firma' for that political party which allows voters to know what platform they will be standing on before the political train takes off on the journey that will affect their livelihoods and their future.

     I attended the Republican Convention this year as a delegate and I was very impressed with the New Mexico Republican Platform.  May I suggest you google it right now, as well as the New Mexico Democrat Platform, and then compare the two.  Which platform do you believe contains specific principles and core values that will bring New Mexicans stability, security, and success? If each state adopts those specific principles and core values, and votes in politicians who are held to account, do you think America might get back on track?

     So, which foundation will you choose on Election Day?  When the newly elected politicians holler, “All aboard!”,  I think we all want to know that we are on the right platform heading in the right direction toward a prosperous future for our families, our fellow Citizens, and the United States of America.  Know your State's Party Platform and vote wisely!

http://www.gopnm.org/page.php?t=NM_Platform

         Mario diGesu                      Truth or Consequences, NM                                       10.6.14

 

 

 

Patriot’s Day

                                                                        Patriot’s Day

     The tragedy of September 11th 2001 ushers in the recognition of Patriot’s Day each year on 9/11.  This year I am thinking about what makes one a patriot?

     What would some say is unpatriotic?  Presidential candidate Senator Obama in 2008 declared raising the national debt and U.S. companies shipping business overseas was unpatriotic.   Some atheists have their view of unpatriotic as some groups have brought lawsuits for saying the Pledge of Allegiance.  Evidently, they feel ‘one nation under God’ excludes them from saying the pledge making them appear unpatriotic.  I find these declarations of patriotism hypocritical and childish at best.

     What would some say is patriotic?  As Patriot’s Day is before me, I am thinking of the Americans who served in Benghazi, Libya, at the consulate on September 11th, 2012, just before the November presidential elections.   Ambassador Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods gave their lives in service to our country in the dangerous world of Islamic extremism and political correctness; the very same Islamic extremism and political correctness that brought us the first terrorist attacks of 9/11 and now the rise of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

     Brett Baier on Fox News recently interviewed contributors of the new book ’13 Hours’.   ‘13 Hours’ presents the un-gagged true account of September 11, 2012, when terrorists attacked the US State Department Special Mission Compound in Benghazi.  A team of six patriotic American security operators fought to repel the attackers and protect the Americans stationed there for over 13 hours.  Those men went beyond the call of duty, performing extraordinary acts of courage and heroism. 

          What makes one a true patriot?  I believe the Americans at Benghazi definitely demonstrated true patriotism and we honor their sacrifice on Patriot’s Day.    I believe patriotism is service to our citizens and country, sacrifice for fellow Americans, and living the American dream to our best potential.  And, with my whole heart, I believe true patriots “pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, with Liberty and Justice for All.”

 

Mario diGesu                                 Truth or Consequences   NM                                              9.11.14