I was almost a Valentine! Born Feb. 15, 1936

I had hoped to remove an old post or two, but still feel strongly about them. I think they'll stand the test of time. Still read plenty-even bought a Nook to take to my regular visits to doctors' offices. Most every week I go in for tune up or two: family doctor, chiropractor, dentist, massage, hearing aid lab or for an occasional x-ray. Still feel OK, able to get around. Moving across rough ground, I'm a little wobbly. Nowadays a foot race lasts abound five steps and to an observer- it's hilarous! Had cataracts removed, lens replaced- no glasses now. Just have to remember to wear safety glasses when I go out to my shop to putter. My pistol shooting is shakey, but at five steps I can surely nail a bad guy. I have pretty much given up hunting. I have some vertigo and can't find anyone to hunt with me when I'm carrying a loaded shotgun! Still lots of fun shooting my 22's at targets and tin cans. I daily count my blessings having wife Emilie as my lifetime partner. Over fifty years together and we're still civil to each other. I learned long ago who wears the pants in our family. It's scarey sometimes the way she looks at me like she can read my mind. At these times must concentrate on trees, clouds, and other things instead of unnamed items.It's trying to snow outside now-been a mild winter, but cold enough to break the bank on heating oil bills. Remember, "EVERY DAY IS A GIFT!"


I hope you have enjoyed my blogs and if you wish e-mail me wguyemilie@wildblue.net.

VIRGINIA MAY HOLD THE ANSWER

We here in Virginia have a one term governor. So, one has no need to campaign for a second term. Since most elected officials spend most of their time and energy running for another term and all the great fringes that go with it, why not limit them to one term? Six years sounds about right. Then we stagger the elections to stand for one third at a time so the newbies can't do but so much damage, if they are so inclined. All fringes should be identical to a typical corporate plan, including social security, and health insurance. No 100% retirement for anyone. Senators and
Congressmen deserve no more than the forty percent of us who are now our only taxpayers. Everyone should pay some taxes. The poor could pay $20 a year and they might appreciate their gifts more.

Our president is determined to " Take from the rich and give to the poor." So, if you are making a modest salary, trying to spend your money wisely and hopefully save a little - you're a prime target. Yes, he's coming to take as much as he can to make us into his model as a socialist country. Whether you work or not you get the same size piece of the pie as the person who spends 40 hours a week trying to make a decent living. The present gentleman cares very little for the America way we all have loved and worked to perfect. I hope you will try to work through the media blitz, and "separate the wheat from the chaff " to get us a leader who MAY save our country in 2012. This maybe our last chance. Let's not drown following the Pied Piper-making the same mistake twice, into a disaster for our country.

The Presidency could use a fixed term also. The situation in DC is a mess, part of which we, the good citizens, helped create by demanding services we well could have done without or voluntered to fill the gaps.

Let's follow othe groups, vote as a solid block, to save our great country. It's our only and maybe the last opportunity to save our great heritage.

THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm Back

I've left my older blogs on because I think they are timeless, carry important messages and need to be published in this time of "political correctness", which I think is often used as someones agenda to brainwash the logical and straight thinking of sensible people. Generally, I consider "politically correctness" should be assigned the same level as a sewer rat!

A WORD OF CAUTION: WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH SOMEONE-ASK YOURSELF- IS THERE A CONFLICT OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST HERE? Most people tend to look after their interests first, so if your's comes second-button your pocket book and find someone else to help you . Thank you for visiting. WGT

My Book - ONE MAN'S FOOTSTEPS

This is a small paperback, about my life. Born in 1936, growing up during WW II on a farm here in Virginia, my time on this earth has been challenging, exciting and full of wonderful experiences. My college English(composition) teacher must be turning over in her grave, I was a "C" student - I have managed to write and communicate in an uncomplicated way.

The book i$17.50 total, if mailed. My address: W. Guy Townsend 661 Richmond Tapp Hwy Manquin, VA 23106. E-mail: wguyemilie@wildblue.net

Feedback

I am open to suggestions. My skin is thick enough to take criticism-good and bad! But please, think about what great things lie ahead for our next generations. Offer positive thoughts. Goodness knows negative inputs help no one. My e-mail: wguyemilie@wildblue.net

God Blest America!

Our wonderful country was created with ambition and a a strong spiritual philosophy. The first arrivals to our shores were not wimps. They faced huge obstacles, they labored and succeeded in creating the strongest country in the world. They were individuals, not hamstrung by "polictical correctness." The spirit is still with us. I'm biased toward rural and small town thinking where plenty of "common sense" still survives. We must not lose this momentum. Dumbing down high school and college coursework serves no good purpose. When a student "graduates" to the real work, disappointment should not greet them. Teaching to tests is ridiculous. Teach the course work in English, math, science, and history. Insist on hardwork, discipline and satisfaction will bring success. We have much to be thankful for, so many wonderful positive things are in our future. The opportunities are there - we just need to take 'em!

WAKE UP MIDDLE AMERICA !

Unions have played an important part in the development of our country. Child labor laws, decent working hours and wages have helped make the United States strong. Unfortunately there have been excesses. The automobile industry, for years held the public hostage with management and labor rewarding themselves with excessive salaries and wages, all the while producing mediocre products. They've paid the price. NEA & AFT's positions against charter schools, lack of enthusiasm for innovative improvements in education as well as a "protectionist" attitude for senior teachers,regardless of their competency, is not being fair to our children, nor to our nation! Tenure is a joke. There is no tenure in the private sector- either produce or find another job! Teachers and college professors look forward to tenure as it encourages them to "slack off", doing just enough to keep their jobs and in many cases to detriment. to the entire educational process. California, is a good example of public employee unions holding the State hostage. As taxpayers we have allowed Congress and these unions a free rein because of our apathy. While we have idly stood by, wringing our hands in frustration, the unions have stolen our piggybank, sapped our resources and decimated our economies. Let's do thing, starting this fall!

Political Parties: There's " Not a nickel's worth of difference" between Democrats and Republicans! The difference in the "worker bees and the drones" is about the individuals who are "givers" or "takers". Like tomatoes, some are good, some are over-ripe and some are rotten. The success of our Country depends on how to sort out the best ones and toss out the rest. Some of the most senior members need a closer look. Power breeds contempt. Neither should we "throw out the baby with the bath water." Select good people based our independent assestment, not on party affiliation.Voice your positive feelings at the next election, both state and national. It is our only hope!


Power: Power flows from the people! Growing up in a rural church, by the time I was elected to the church Board it was obvious that the church's hierarchy was calling the shots - not the people. Senior members of any governing body sometimes worship power and "forget" the peoples wishes. I know I'm biased when I say small town and country people have the edge on city folks when it comes to commonsense. It comes from growing up in rural areas, making do with the meager resources, and conservative values. In one of my first classes in college, our professor admitted he was an agnostic. Wow! Being in an agricultural program, conservative professors talked our language, but liberals amongst them slid in some new thoughts. Some liberalism is good, progressive. It prevents stagnation and lack of fresh ideas. I finished college with some moderate thoughts, picking up more as I matured, but my country roots hung in there. I was born a Democrat, worked later as a Republican enthusiast and am now an Independent,solidly. A third party won't work, but independent thought is our strongest suit. Term limits or at the very least strong voting by those of us with a grain of common sense is our only salvation! Fewer of us are paying taxes as greater feed at the public trough. Guess which group demands more service(our taxes)? It's our own fault for allowing this to happen. Remember, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ! Contact your elected representatives in local, state, and national levels, now. Let them know your thoughts. Those folks get uneasy when we show up in big numbers! For God' sake, vote for sanity this fall-2010!

Conflict of Interest: When you're dealing with someone who stands to gain, more than you, from your final decision, not in your best interest. An acid test!