Well, it’s almost December here in Iraq and already I feel as if I’ve been here forever. Since my last blog entry, I’ve been in good health and in good spirits. For anyone reading this blog, I haven’t written anything for awhile due to my site being blocked by network security filters. However, today when I tried to log into my site, everything actually worked, so I’m greatful for that.
The elections came and went in the United States and I did cast my absentee ballot. Unfortunately, because there is no true conservative third party in US politics today, I chose to vote a straight Republican ticket. Though socialist Democrats captured Congress and will slowly attempt to legislate their liberal agenda for America, the state of Indiana (my state) is fortunate to have re-elected Richard Luger and Mike Pence to the Senate and House of Representatives respectfully. As always, I’d rather have a Republican majority in both the House and Senate. Conservatives like me must admit however, the Republicans did this to themselves. With leaders like Senator Bill Frist, Republicans were not only weak in implementing a conservative agenda over the last few years, but simply yearned for more power, thus moving to the political left. By lacking in leadership on a number of issues including tax reform, social security reform, immigration, and corruption, it was no surprise Republicans were voted out of office.
Democrats seem to think the recent election was a referendum on the President’s Iraq War, but in my mind, the American people became fed up with egos, corruption, and wide-eyed spending of the Republican Party. In truth, Republicans need to take these next two years to reflect on why they lost. Republicans must reexamine what it means to be conservative and what terms like “limited government,” “reformed government,” and “traditional values,” really mean to Americans. It is yet to be seen what Nancy Pelosi’s Democrats will attempt to do in the House, though it seems that passing “centrist” legislation that most Americans could agree with is definately in the works - raising the federal minimum wage, Department of Homeland Security reforms, and raising taxes on oil companies. Indeed, look for gas prices to rise to record highs this summer and to be paying more for groceries and clothing. No doubt top Democrats will continue to blame President Bush.
Anyway, enough of the political banter. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and gained a few pounds scarfing down on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pie, and cranberry sauce. I did not have a huge Thanksgiving dinner here; I am on a calorie-restricted diet (in an effort to look ripped when I come home). And as always Happy Holidays and God bless America!