I'M AN AMERICAN DANGIT

I recently was messing around on Facebook, and came across my buddy Campbell's "About Me" section. Check it out at this link: (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1502746940#/profile.php?id=1502746940&v=info&viewas=1422693116). You may have to be his friend to view it, but if you're not...nevermind it...just read mine! He was stating many of his political views, and they encouraged me that I needed to get some things off my chest. This is going to be unpopular amongst many of my friends, but oh well.

Regarding politics (which can be very controversial) I agree with much of what my dear friend Campbell stated. I'm neither Republican nor Democrat...I'm an American! Did anybody hear me out there? Let me say it again: I'M AN AMERICAN DANGIT! Regarding voting party lines...I think anybody who votes party lines only are not only closed minded, but are blinded by the fact that it's not the 80's anymore. Ronald Reagan is not the President anymore...God rest his soul. I wish his legacies would return to Washington D.C., but as much as our representation in the Republican party like to brag about what a great president he was, they sure do have a hard time living out his legacies. I'm sure Reagan is flipping in his grave disgraced by his followers in the GOP. What the heck happened to them? With all the corruption in the Republican party today, how can an American not be open to considering the other side. It doens't mean you have to vote the other side...just hear them out. Consider their views on various topics, then make an educated decision by your own convictions...NOT PEER PRESSURE! I could go on all day about my problems with the Republican Party today, but I'll stop right there.

Regarding the Democrats...don't get me started on the Democrats! They've become blinded by overtaking the Presidency. WHERE ARE ALL THE BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS TODAY? I know you're out there. I know there are many elected officials that are Blue Dogs. TAKE YOUR PARTY BACK FOR THE LOVE OF PETE! If the Democratic Party was to write a game plan, I'm sure every single chapter, paragraph, and sentence would start with "It's George Bush's fault". If you spend as much time focusing on what's best for America as you spend time trying to undermine George Bush and continue to smear him...you might just get something done. SHUT UP ABOUT HOW GEORGE BUSH RUINED EVERYTHING! Quit worrying about smearing his name and making him look bad...here lately he's done a fine job doing that himself, so he don't need your help. CONCENTRATE on your own job!

I'm not a news columnist. I'm not a professor. I'm not a politician. I'm an American! As an American I have the right to express my opinion, so here it is. Here's "The Problem" according to Chris Andrews. The problem is that us as "Americans" are freaking lazy and will do 1 of 2 things:

THE PROBLEM BY CHRIS ANDREWS

A SUB CATEGORY OF THE ANDREWS PONDERINGS

1.) We choose to stay home on election day. Listen closely...if you don't perform your civil duty and vote, you should just keep your stinking mouth shut if you got a problem with the way things are. Too many people have given their life for America for you to just "pee" it all away on the couch playing video games, watching DVD's, surfing the web, and not giving a rip about voting. You don't have a problem running your trap when Bush ticks you off...or Obama...or Palin...or whoever makes you mad, BUT you do have a problem getting out and voting because..."I'm tired"..."It's raining"....whatever. SHUT UP AND VOTE YOU WATER HEAD!

2.) We won't do our own responsibility as Americans and do our homework on the candidates. Instead, we simply just succumb to peer pressure when it comes time to vote. I've heard it all..."well my Gramma was a Republican, so I'm voting for McCain"...or "My Great Grand Pappy was a Democrat, so I'm voting for Obama". Well I have news for you...my fathers brothers nephews cousins former roomate was an Independent, but I "ain't" voting for Nader. Listen here...YOU have your own brain...you have your own voice...you have your "God" given right to vote for who "God" convicts you to vote for. If you don't believe in God...it's ok...God still gives you the right to vote anyway. He's cool like that! He loves you anyway. He's a BIG GOD! Before CNN and Foxnews started telling people how to vote, people made their own mind up. You don't have to choose your favorite news program or radio show in order to figure out who to vote for. You have the only tool you need...a brain. It's time to excercise it.

This has been one of my longer posts because I'm very passionate about it. I love following politics, and I love America! I can tell you without regret that come November, I'm thankful that I get to vote. I already know (mostly) which candidates I'm voting for...I did my homework. I even prayed about it...as a matter of fact, that's the main ingredient I use when determining my candidate. There's many candidates here in Sumner County Tennessee up for election that I'll be voting for. Most are Republicans...one of them is a Democrat. I did my civil duty...did you?

TO MY BROTHER JASON...

This blog is dedicated to my brother Jason. He recently made a life choice to turn his life around. You see, just like many people in the world today, he was a suffering alcoholic. He reached a point in his life that it was sink or swim if he didn't make a decision to dry up. With the help the greatest Uncle a guy could ever ask for....Big Daddy Uncle Steve...Jason decided to clean up. He went to California, got himself some help, and has been sober for about 1 month now. People have no idea how much fortitude and guts it takes to clean your act up once you've hit bottom. In the past month, my brother has shown more guts than most people can comprehend. Imagine this...some people get addicted to coffee...some to sodas...some to cigarettes...some to TV shows...etc., etc., etc....the list goes on. Alcohol addiction is one of the most dangerous addictions in the world. Many great people have lost everything to alcohol. Many innocent people have died because someone made the choice to drive a car they had no business in. Alcohol is dangerous. Alcohol is one of the biggest deceptions and liars there ever was. It has the ability to convince people that..."everything is OK...it's peachy." They convince themselves that they don't have a problem...they got it....listen to this..."UNDER CONTROL." If I can speak plainly to those who feel they can abuse alcohol and remain in control...here's a news flash.....BULL CRAP! I don't care who gets mad...I speak truth on this topic. I used to drink. I never abused alcohol, but I made the choice to follow God all the days of my life. Do I think a drink can send someone to hell??? YES I DO! Do all drinkers go to hell? I don't believe that, but why take the chance. Anything that puts my faith to the test isn't worth having. The point I'm trying to make is this...many many people suffer from alcohol abuse. If you don't...you probably know somebody that does. Here's where I bring it home...as long as there's air in your lungs...you have a chance to turn over a new leaf in your life. GIVE IT TO GOD MY FRIENDS! My brother was at the lowest of lows...and he made a CHOICE to clean his act up. There's always a choice. Jason...brother...you made the right choice. I'm proud of you...I love you...and when you get back to Tennessee...I'm here for you when you find yourself struggling. My final thought for you brother is this...let's look at what Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 2. "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. (JASON LISTEN TO THIS PART) But God, because of his great love for us, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.