My Rant on Election 2012.

It is the day after the 2012 Election and I am filled with so much negative energy and thoughts.  I just have to get them out.  This seems like the least harmful way.  Just got to put it all out there and let it go.

This election has really polarized a country and no good can come of that. Each side cannot see the others side point of view.  We have lost empathy. The ability to put ourselves in others shoes for a moment. That is a shame.

I tried very hard this season not to just spout "party" lines and dribble. Make board statements. I actually voted for more then one party. I voted on the issues important to me.  This year that issue was the economy. If I voted for a straight party or ticket I would had gone straight Libertarian.

I heard so many people though just regurgitate something they heard from a bias source and as much as it hurt even though I know what they were saying was misguided or twisted out of context I bit my tongue. Have some regrets about that. I think it was a pick your battle decision. It felt that it someone was ..oh how can I say this nicely..uneducated enough and I don't mean what level of schooling but that self educating I think we all should do..any ways if they were simple enough just to believe what they heard for fact with out putting some thought into, take into consideration the source or the content they would not be a person you could have an intelligent rational discuss with. That is not to say if you don't agree with what I say you are not intelligent or uneducated. I love the fact we can have different point a views, I love intelligent conversation where two people can disagreed without arguing. Just explain to me why you believe what you believe, give me facts and data, not broad statements.  In turn listen to why I believe what I believe. Listen to my facts. Maybe we will meet in the middle.

Oh Facebook. I admit I just wanted to smack some people there.
1st the Board Blanket Statement makers- be it they were on "my side" or not.  When you spout nonsense it comes out as nonsense.  Realise you are a reflection of what you represent. Case in point. Okay this didn't come off of Facebook rather my 10 year old experience at school.  "My friend told me that Obama is against Catholics".  I am not pro-Obama and definitely not pro-Catholicism but I cannot stand behind this. You put out nonsense like that you come off as ridiculous.  How about the facts.  The Catholic Church does not believe in birth control or abortion.  Obama wants to force the Catholic Church and many other businesses who provide health care to their employers to provide coverage for both of those even though it goes against their core beliefs.  I believe that no business or organization should have that force upon them. Which to some makes me anti-abortions and anti-woman, REALLY??
That just brings me to the 2nd group. The Fearful. They believe and truly believe the Fear talk.  The Republicans are anti-woman and Roe vs Wade will be overturned.  I think I want to smack them the most.  The 1st group are just idiots and will always be idiots. This 2nd group may have the capacity to make a decision of their own if they gave themselves a chance to think on their own. Yes there are some Republicans who are anti-abortion, yes and I am sure some Democrats are too. So what? Roe vs Wade is going no where.  Maybe  you work for a business who has certain core values and beliefs and they may not want to pay for your abortion that does not stem from a health of the mother issue.  Why should they? That does not mean you cannot get one.   Those are two different things. Do not confuse them SMACK SMACK!! You are making women look bad. You have a brain USE IT. SMACK SMACK. There is not a rule that says if you are a woman you must vote Democrat or vote for a woman. Liz Warren enough said on that.

I understand that some people equate Gay Rights to the Democrats.  I can understand that. It is ridiculous that in this day and age a same sex couple who have made a commit to one another cannot have the same rights as another couple who have taken a vow to each other. As I said before I am a Libertarian and therefore I think that this is a fight that needs to be made on a state level. And if it were to be fought on a state level you will see great results. In this I have great faith in my fellow man.  Great news in Maine this year.  If this issue is near and dear to you I understand but does that mean you do not look at any other issues? On a federal level how are you effected by the economy? How about education? Though again I think education should be on a state level. National defense? Overseas relations? China? If Gay Marriage or the recognition of civil unions were already laws in your state, what would matter to you?

Labels.  Libel, Conservative. I shocked a friend this week when I said I leaned conservative and she shocked me when she thought seeing how I was brought up I would not be. How I was brought up? I was brought up to think for myself. Make rational decisions. Work hard. Be kind to those around me. Give back when I can and not take what is not due to me. I was taught to vote. Didn't have pot smoking, hippy parents living on welfare stamps.  Okay that is a broad generalization of how I think a liberal would had been brought up. Actually I think they would had parents that though educated i.e. master degrees and doctrines would lack common sense and sit around the dinner table discussing what Utopia should look like. Again I am painting with board strokes. Shame on me. But that is examples how we pigeon hole people.  Maybe we need to stop with the labels and the parties lines.

I voted for Mitt not because he was Republican but because he was a businessman first. If anyone could balance this budget he would have the best chance. Is he a total flip flopper, let me check which way the wind is blowing kind of guy? Yes. Does he know money? Yes.  Which is more important to me this election? His integrity? or money skills? Politician with Ingretity? is that an oxymoron? Sorry Ron Paul I did love you. Yep went with Money Skills! Rational thought process.

I believe me and my husband are going to be okay. Not great but okay. I do not think our jobs are in jeopardy in the next four years. I do wonder about the future of my children and I feel for the people around me without jobs and those who are in jeopardy of losing their jobs in the next four years.
Four years ago my work place had so many employees that we had to desk share. Today though the company is growing I am surrounded by empty desks. Those empty desk where not caused by layoffs but rather the ebb and flow of people finding what they want or do not want in a job or career. We are a growing company why are those workers not being replaced? My company along with many other companies are finding other resources and ways. Our work hours have increased (don't feel bad we are still under a 40 hour work week), technology has been update. I know that health care reform has impacted my company.  Having to cover dependents until they are 26 even if they have a full-time job and can get their own benefits.  That is crazy.  It is more cost effective to work with the resources they have.  Those types are decisions that are made because of government mandates effect our economy. Our nation has one of the highest tax rate for corporations. How does that encourage growth here on U.S. soil? It doesn't. Where is the common sense?

I don't think those in charge at this time are using common sense or are making decision for the greater good of the people.  Let me use one example. Cash for Clunkers.  Remember that one? I work in the insurance industry so I had some first hand experience with that one. People would call in to let us know they traded in their older vehicle, most of the time something they only had liability on. They would be shocked when they were told their new premium for their new vehicle. People who were struggle to make ends meet and probably had no business getting a new vehicle got pulled into the Cash for Clunker excitement.  Gee does this sound a bit familiar, let's say in the housing market? So not only did they know have a car note payment they had a higher insurance payment. Hey, but at least they got to drive around in a shiny new car. How about those people who did not get pulled into the frenzy and made better decisions and purchased used vehicles how did this impact them. All those Clunkers had to be Junked. Anyone remember their macroeconomic class? Law of supply and demand? The cost of used vehicles went up because the supply was less. Who benefited from this brain-child? Hhhmmm let's see? The car companies and the banks. Weren't they the ones we were bailing out? 

There are so many other examples I could use where the current administration showed lack of common sense and disregard for the America people but I am not going to continue.

I do not think either party holds the answers to solve our problems with America today. The problem lies within both parties. The problem really is career politicians who only have their interest in mind. So the only solution I can see is ending career politicians.  Sadly I cannot see us every doing that.

I think I got it all out of me. Or at least enough that I can sleep with out my brain going a mile a minute.

Made in U.S.A. How much more are you willing to pay?

It all started with a Muffin Pan and my new obsession with Quiche, Mini-quiches to be exact. In finding new ways to use all the eggs my chickens are giving us I started making mini-quiches in an old muffin pan. The pan is pretty done in as you can see from the photo so I had to use paper muffin cups.

It's time for a new pan. I did spot one on of my favorite websites www.kingarthurflour.com a little pricey for me but it had great reviews and the plus it was Made in the USA. I put it on my wish list and moved on.

This week I ran into Target to get something quick before work. I had to go by kitchen goods so I make a detour. There I saw an inexpensive one from Wilton a name we have all heard. I picked it up to see the quality. The first thing I noticed was Made In China, down it went and I picked up the Kitchen Aid pan. Better quality, almost twice the price though still less than the one I liked online but wait…yes this too was Made In China.

I left without a muffin pan. A year ago I would had left with the Kitchen Aid muffin pan not minding that it cost more than the Wilton because in some items quality matters. Something clicked in that moment though. Could I find a muffin Pan Made in the USA that would fit in my budget? I know I am only one person but with today’s economy and so many people losing their jobs when manufacturing goes overseas suddenly I was not only thinking about the quality I was thinking about where it is made and how my shopping choices might impact that.

Who knew my little trip to Target to get my Diet Coke before work would lead me to this big debate within myself. How much more am I willing to pay for a Made in the USA product?

On certain types of items I have always been willing to pay more for quality if it matters. Take a coat. I will pay for a LL Bean jacket for me, knowing I will have it for many years. I am not willing to pay for my kids to have jackets from LL Bean knowing they are going to outgrow them within the year and a “no name” coat is going to keep them just as warm. I will admit I will buy them the boots from LL Bean because I don’t think the boots I get from Payless will keep them as warm and dry with our New England winters. (It’s January we have had no snow. Next year I will have to put up 2 hardly used LL Bean boots boys size 3 on Craigslist anyone interested?)

Choices are never simple. If I want to change my thinking on how I buy not only do I have to now figure in quality but also where it is made when I plan my budget. I like most average Americans have a budget.

So I soul searched. Yes as an American I believe it is important to buy American when possible. That day in Target it was not possible for me to leave with a muffin pan Made in U.S.A and I could continue using they yucky muffin cups a bit longer. Sometimes availability and urgency are not going to make it possible. If I needed to cook a dozen muffins that day (assuming that I did not have the yucky pan and muffin cups) I would had left with the Kitchen Aid. In this case I had time to go online and search for a muffin pan Made in U.S.A. Now you are going to say "didn’t that take a lot of time?" A bit but for me it was worth the effort and it is going to be a take conscious effort on my part to change the way I shop.

I also have to figure out what products are worth the time. A muffin pan I am going to have hopefully for a lifetime if I pay for quality. Current muffin pan not quality and boxed away in the garage for many years. What types of items will I look at to see if Made in U.S.A? I am not sure. I look around me at the items on my desk. Box of Mead white envelopes? Good Made in U.S.A. We only buy envelopes every couple of years. If I am at Staples and I have two choices of envelopes one is Made in U.S.A. another is a bit less and the other is not made here I will go for the Made in U.S.A. If neither are Made in U.S.A. I will probably not go online to find envelopes and just go for the cheapest. How about my wireless router? That was Made in China. Now I think I would take the time and see if I could find one Made in U.S.A.

Little everyday items I am willing to spend a little more on depending on how often I buy them but I am not willing yet to put in much effort to go completely Made in U.S.A. for them.For large ticket items that will have a longer life yes on more money and more effort.

How about you? How much effort and time would you put in to buy Made in U.S.A? How much more money would you be willing to spend? What if it was for another cause you believed in? Going Green? What is the level of effort, time and money?

I beleive in shopping local and with a Small Business when I can. Yep more of my “causes”. So I’ll take this a step further. If I knew there was a local independent shop that sold muffins pans made in U.S.A. I would support my local economy and buy it there.

Okay you cynics who are saying it is ridiculous for me to believe I will single handily save the economy by buying more Made in U.S.A. Duh! But I am going to be a drop in the ocean that causes a ripple. Think about it.

As for the muffin pan I did get the one I really wanted from King Athur's Flour an employee owned company in Vermont. Love that. I happened to need a couple of things which got me the 20% if you buy 3 or more pans discount. I still paid more for the pan which was made in the U.S.A. but I was willing to spend it.

Thanks for "listening" to me ramble,

JenzaLynn

P.S. a sidebar about LL Bean here is a link to an article about their hunting boots being Made in the US http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ll-bean-boot-gets-kick-173715613.html

Not all their products are but I do like their Social Responsibility views http://www.llbean.com/outdoorsOnline/conservationAndEnvironment/index.html?nav=ftlink

Lots of get Made in the U.S.A. websites out there. Just give it a search.