A Republic

I have alluded, in a past post, to the fact that our form of government is a "Republic" not a "Democracy" as so many call it. Today I read a good article on just that subject and had to share it with you, my gentle readers.

The article is entitled "A Government of Laws and Not of Men: The Electoral College" by Nancy Salvato.

The Founding Fathers were brilliant in their understanding of tyranny and how government and its people work together to create tyranny.  We are moving dangerously close to becoming a democracy.

"Democracy >> Mob Rule >> Anarchy >> Tyranny, under an Oligarchy"

Gentle readers I implore and encourage you to educate yourself on the constitution and its background.  An excellent way to learn about the reasoning of the Founding Fathers is to study the Federalist Papers and the Anti-Federalist Papers.  You can even study them through SparkNotes!

My question for you today, gentle readers, is "Have you read and/or studied the Constitution, and the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers?  And if you have did you do it in school or on your own?"

I will make my own confession here and now.  I do not remember studying the Constitution in depth, much less the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers during my years in the public school system.  As such, gentle reader, I vow to rectify this atrocity starting today.  I will start at SparkNotes and then move to reading the original texts.

Women's Boutique Fund Raiser for Team Jean of Upland Relay For Life

You are cordially invite to the Women's Boutique, Saturday April 30, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 10249 Effen Street, Rancho Cucamonga, California

What is the "Women's Boutique"?
The Women's Boutique is a fundraiser for the Upland Relay For Life sponsored by Team Jean.  And your opportunity to buy all kinds of products, many of them handmade, from independent businesses.  25% of all proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society to further their mission of education, research, advocacy and service.

Who Will be Selling at the Women's Boutique?

ME!!!  I will have my handmade jewelry and handbags for sale.

I hope to see you there.  If you cannot make it but would like to help go to my Etsy store and I will donate 25% of any purchases made on April 30 to Team Jean.

Resurrection Day

A Snapshot of My week

I am spending a lot of time in the studio working on riveting and soldering.  My goal for 2011 is to master these metalsmithing skills.  To that end I am teaching riveting and soldering lots of bangle bracelets.


Nothing takes your skill level up a notch like teaching. Teaching forces you to examine each step of the process so you can relay the information to another.  Yesterday  I taught two lovely women--Aleta and Terry--wire riveting.  Here's what they did in class.  Awesome work.

And today we had a rummage sale for the Relay For Life teams.  Three teams participated and each felt it was a good way to fund raise.

Are You a Patriot?

Every American ( and especially Baby Boomers) needs to read "The Truth about Social Security".  What is your gut feeling about the article?  Denial? Anger? Agreement? Resolve?  I believe your reaction defines whether you are a patriot or a leech.

I don't care what your political affiliation if you are not willing to reform Social Security and Medicare in a meaningful way--raising the retirement age, limiting benefits based on need, allowing our young working Americans to have private accounts, paying for at least a portion of your health care costs--you are a leech.

I know all the rationalizations for justifying receiving your monthly SS check and Medicare benefits, and demanding that it continue until your death.  "The politicians stole the money".  "I paid in for 10... 20...30...40...50 years." "They said the money would be there when I retire."  "It's a Ponzi scheme."

I also know that if "We, the Baby Boomers" do not step up, act as patriots, and demand meaningful reform we are denying our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren the opportunity for "pursuit of happiness".

My definition of a patriot is a person who is willing to give everything for the Republic (please note the use of "Republic" not "Democracy" ...oh well, I digress). Everything means just that everything; security, possessions, and, if necessary, life. We have many examples of patriots in our history: the founding fathers, those who fought in the Revolutionary War, our veterans, our all volunteer military, and even a few politicians.  Now "Boomers" it is your turn.

Patriot or leech; it's your choice.