Looking Back, Looking Forward- Top 10 of 2010

I enjoy New Years for many reasons. The first is (obviously) it is the start of a year. It is a time to consider all of the things of the past year that you do or do not want to repeat in the coming year. And that is what I plan to do with this post. Let’s look back and find some things that have happened this year that we do or don’t want to repeat.

10. The Tea Party Movement- American’s are great. They band together. They work together. They stand together. This movement has been so good for our country. While there are a few glitches that need to be cleaned up, I would say this is one of the best things to have happened in 2010. Yes, I know that it was started by protests in 2009, but I think the fact that it continued and influenced in 2010 is something to be mentioned.

9. The Arizona Bill—the good the bad and the ugly. While the passage of this bill was, in my opinion completely legitimate (the good), the federal government did not agree with me, nor did they agree with the majority of American’s (the bad- surprise surprise). And as for the ugly… I think this will explain that. I am in no way alluding to the physical appearance of Peggy West. I am saying that this is probably one of the stupidest quotes of the year, and therefore, I am calling it ‘the ugly’. I did, however, have a lot of fun researching this woman. Something, I am sure, the people of Milwaukee failed to do.

8. BP oil spill- oh the things that could have been done to prevent this one. On shore drilling, or at least drilling closer to the shore. I’m sure people are thinking “it would have just been that much worse for the land if it had been closer or on the land.” It also would have been easier to regulate, cap, and clean up had it been closer. I, along with many others, won’t forget that Tony Hayward went yachting during the crisis. I, however, also will not forget that President Obama went golfing during the crisis, something that others have not only forgot but failed to mention in the first place.

7. Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell- I am not a bigot. I am not prejudiced. I am concerned with our national security. And if that comes before you being able to freely express your sexuality in the military then so be it. People in the military give up a lot of freedoms. They can’t speak out against the President and his administration because it causes rifts in our system. Well, this also causes rifts in our system. There are so many reasons why I do not understand the repeal of this bill. Yes, I get it, you want everyone to be able to express themselves because “it is only fair.” Has no one else heard the term “Life isn’t fair”? This causes problems in the camaraderie shared in the units. It will cause needless sexual harassment issues. And it will create a mess for our military to clean up. What I do not understand is why it is necessary? If being gay does not have any influence on if you are a good soldier or not, then why not prove yourself as a good soldier without that stigma following you around. Why not allow yourself the freedom by keeping it to yourself and proving that you are just a soldier, and your life comes second, just as any other soldier does? This was such a disappointment to me at the end of this year.

6. TSA- The System’s A-Holes- Personally, I think this is Obama’s way of trying to get back at us for putting Republican’s into office. “Oh, so you want me to be more strict? Ok, well take this.” And no, I would not put that past him. The problem I have with this continue to pile up. Forget you, do you want some man looking at a picture of your sister, mother, daughter, naked? It doesn’t matter to me that they can’t see my face, it matters that they can see everything else. And if that does bother you, and you advise them not to, then they get felt up and humiliated. Where is our freedom? Wait, didn’t I just say that some things come second to national security? Yes. I did. This, however, does not fall under that umbrella. For one, those who put their lives on the line for us have already signed that life away. How do we solve the problem of national security in airports? Well I would say they were doing a pretty good job. There hasn’t been a successful air terrorist attack since 9/11. And the one that came close started in a country where we have very little control over how they run their airports. What is the easiest way to stop these people? PROFILING! And truthfully, those who are going to attack us are probably not going to be dressed up in traditional Muslim garb, because they are somewhat intelligent. It is the easiest, most reasonable way of discovering these people. Do you think that my 80 some odd year old grandmother deserves to go through the humiliation that these people do? Just because you have to treat everyone equally? I don’t.

5. “Don’t touch my junk or I’ll have you arrested.” I don’t think this one needs much explanation. Other than his own.

4. Mosque on ground zero- a complete shame. This is such a ridiculous thing. I don’t know why it is even an issue. Why do people think this is ok? We have taken political correctness to a shameful level. One which offends the majority of American’s to appease a small group. Like I said, it is a shame.

3. Passing the Health Care Bill- This is probably the worst thing that has happened in 2010. Taking away so much of our freedom, this Bill is truly an abomination to the American way. The overhaul of not only our health care system, but also of our already struggling economy came at one of the worst possible times, not that there is ever a good time for this bill. It is despicable and completely Unamerican for so many reasons. Let me remind you of the reason that the Democrats pushed so hard to pass this bill, “We have to pass this bill, so you can find out what is in it.” Thank you Ms. Pelosi. I really appreciate you letting me know that I can’t know what a law is until it is passed. I could truly go on about this bill for a very long time so I should probably stop now.

2. Alabama winning the National Championship- Here I must deviate a little. Ahhh to be a Champion. This year could not have started off better for Alabama fans everywhere. A National Championship to add to our collection. To this I must give a resounding ROLL TIDE!

And the number one thing I see when I look back on 2010….

1. Taking back Congress! Thank Goodness. This was a completely necessary step in taking back our country. While we did have a few losses that would have been extremely helpful, we still have the majority, which can help stop this terrible agenda that our country has been following.

As the New Year approaches, many people look forward. They begin to make resolutions for the coming year, saying they will lose 30 pounds or they will finish a marathon, read the entire Bible or go skydiving. They say they are going to start afresh, beginning the New Year on a new note. I say that as this new congress is sworn in, they begin some resolutions of their own.

So now what? We have looked back and now it is time to look forward. Hopefully 2011 will bring better tidings than 2010 did. Hopefully we will bring our country back into the hands of the people. We have already taken the first step and now it is time to continue. It is time to start campaigning. It is time to take control of the white house. Yes, the election is in 2012, but it starts in 2011. Let’s make this year one that we can look back and find more good than bad. Let us look back and see us helping one another so that we can have a better future. Let us band together and bring our country back to its foundation. I hope we have learned our lesson from our past mistakes so that we do not make them in the future, which is so close to us. Have a safe and Happy New Year!