I opened up The Times Web site Thursday night to see where President Obama’s “Organizing for America Listening Tour” was coming to Valdosta. The same day we had a headline “Government Motors” to lead readers into a story about General Motors’s restructuring where the federal government will get a 55 percent ownership of the company. The United Auto Workers union gets most of what’s left.
On Friday, another numbing headline: “Chrysler files for bankruptcy.” In the story, we learn that once they emerge from Chapter 11, the UAW will own 55 percent of the company and the feds 8 percent. If you want more, our government has organized its way into reorganizing our banking system so now they own most of it too.
Not sure how you feel but I have had about all the “organizing” I can stand for this lifetime.
From my reading about the “listening tour,” it had more of the sound of a “telling tour.”
“In recent weeks,” the press release read, “the group organized a nationwide pledge drive and encouraged Americans to call their members of Congress to encourage support for President Obama’s budget.”
Not much listening in that statement.
It went on to say, “volunteers and supporters are continuing to have conversations and educate their neighbors and members of the community about the President’s bold economic blueprint.”
Now that I write this, I am beginning to understand it. The people on the tour are doing the talking (educating) and all the “grassroots” folks are to do the listening.
When I understand something, the better I feel. From my simple mind, I see this is going to get easier and easier for me. In this new rebuilt America, I only have to listen and then go and do what I am told. I was never much into thinking anyway.
I can hardly wait until I need another car. I won’t even have to think about it. The federal government and the UAW will have already done that for me. I know it will be a “green” car — not the color but the kind created by Al Gore and Hollywood. That’s a savings for me, right? That was not meant to be a question because in the new America we don’t question … we listen and do.
If we all end up getting the car big brother builds for us, I wonder if we will need sales people at the car dealerships. My thinking is we will be government profiled (they won’t call it that but you know what I mean) and cars will be given out in reverse economic order. I mean by this the richer you are, the more basic your vehicle will be. By doing this, everyone will see right before their eyes that America’s wealth has been successfully redistributed.
What glorious days are ahead for America! For me I know it means I will never have to drive an old used car or truck. Thank you, Mr. President! Don’t worry, I am definitely listening.
Sandy Sanders
Organize America? Tell me more
- Sandy Sanders
-
-
Think before you answer
I got an email this week where a writer of an online column tells the story of a young child in Sunday School. The writer says the little boy’s teacher asked his class ‘What’s the animal with a long, bushy tail that lives in trees?’ One child quickly answers while probably thinking about the usual answer to questions in his church Sunday School, ‘Jesus. Though it sure sounds like a squirrel to me.’
-
Forgiveness, redemption go together
The news story on Friday read: “WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Thursday to censure once-powerful New York Rep. Charles Rangel for multiple ethical misdeeds — the first time in nearly three decades that House members have publicly rebuked a colleague.
-
South Georgia roots run deep for these execs
David Ratcliffe and Mike Garrett, two highly respected executives with Valdosta and South Georgia ties, will be stepping down as leaders of two of the largest power companies in the nation by yearend.
-
VDT ready with all-new digital edition
You can now go to the home page of our website (www.valdostadailytimes.com) and click on the link for our digital e-edition. You can sign up for a seven-day trial or, if you currently subscribe to the print edition, we will be glad to add the e-edition just by calling our office for details.
-
We are losing our children and we are blaming ‘others’
Extinction! There are public outcries to save animals, bugs and reptiles while our own children are being lost to a new world order. In the past two weeks, I have seen two students, one high school, one middle school, with their parents blessing bring to the public area all the details of their student-teacher antics. Each student had been suspended from school and one was making his way to court.
-
Do we want tax or football braggin’ rights?
A drop in our property digest seems evident and to maintain we will need a tax increase. We can recruit higher-paying jobs to the county and get more taxes that way but is that practical thinking for a quick adjustment in this economy?
-
Blazer Zone moving into Drexel Park
Next Saturday, Blazer fan families will have a great opportunity for some pre-game tailgating fun. The university is turning Drexel Park into a mini carnival so families can spread out to enjoy an afternoon under the trees, as they get ready for the Blazers’ season opener.
-
Maggots with your steak
Today, with online journalism on newspaper websites, readers are able to go online, read the story, post a comment and, within minutes, their comment (thread) is answered by another reader. The bantering can follow a positive line or it can quickly move to having all the attributes of a barroom brawl.
-
Why do some children live in abusive houses?
As I have written many times in this column, I grew up in a small town. My father worked at Moody Air Force Base for 30 years and as he would recollect while laughing, “I ate a fried egg sandwich for lunch every day of those 30 years.”
-
Turning 18 before the election board
When I turned 18 my father took me down to the courthouse one evening to go before the Board of Registrars so I could be qualified to vote. I was called into the room before three men. I remember being nervous. They asked me questions about residency and being an American before I was given their stamp of approval.
- More Sandy Sanders Headlines
-
Think before you answer
