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There have been so many things on my mind lately, my head is feeling more cluttered than usual! Most of the time, I can separate things and keep them from running over each other, but lately, it just seems like they’re all in there crashing around together.

As a result, I’ve felt a bit restless and disconnected. I don’t really like feeling that way. It’s not my normal “state” of being. I am fairly easy going and don’t get ruffled too readily but lately I have to remind myself to keep calm.

Two things that are frustrating me a lot are some of the current policy going on in Washington DC. Namely, Obama’s health care reform and swine flu vaccinations. If you’re an American, these are two things that should be making you mad as well. That is, unless you don’t want America to be “home of the free” anymore. Because, essentially, these 2 things are only part of the problem. And they are only just the beginning.

Well, technically, not the beginning of losing of our freedoms – that’s been going on for a while now and nobody seems to notice. I think that’s the way the government wants it. All you have to do is look at what is being taught in our schools with regard to history, current events and the like and you can see it’s all a watered-down version that skirts around the truth.

And as a result, we’re in the dark.

And that, my friends, is not a good thing. I encourage you to do some research on your own and to contact your state representatives, your senators, congressmen, even your governors and ask them to oppose these things. Let your voice be heard. That is the only way we can change the direction our government is going.

Don’t be silent.

In the arena,

If you think it’s no big deal, think again. Your freedoms are being taken away and you don’t even realize it.

Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

Yay! The latest WordPress upgrade seems to have cured my dashboard issues I wrote about a few days ago, thankfully!

Now that I have that out of the way – LOL- here’s what I really want to say today . . .

I don’t talk much about certain subjects because I was raised to believe that certain things were personal and therefore, nobody else’s business. Chief among those things are subjects such as religion, politics and money.

The other reason I don’t talk much about these issues is because I can be very opinionated (as anyone who knows me well can attest!) and very passionate about things I believe in.

But . . . lately I’ve been thinking that maybe it’s part of my calling – part of my purpose on this earth, to be opinionated and passionate about those things for which I would give my all. Maybe by NOT talking about these things means I’m not fulfilling that aspect of my life here, that by keeping my mouth shut, I am not living to full my potential. And that as a result, I am doing a disservice to my fellow man.

So, I’m going to test the waters and see what happens. Now, don’t worry, though – I’m not about to become the next Bill O’Rielly or Rush Limbaugh or something. I just want to give people another voice and I hope that voice will be able to rise above all the other noise and serve a purpose greater than me.

I do believe we all were sent here for a reason, that our lives do have a greater purpose. And I believe mine is help people. Part of that help is to be a voice to those who cannot speak up for themselves. Those who know me, know that I have always stepped up for the downtrodden.

I’m still working out exactly what all this means for me right now and in the long term but I’m starting somewhere . . . and starting NOW.

In the arena,

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr

Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream so big, it took over four decades for that dream to begin. And I say begin, because we still have many miles to go before all races are treated equally – even in the USA.

Today, though, we stand at a very unique time in history as the first African American is poised to become the President of the United States. It’s a time of great excitement.

Although I did not vote for President Elect Obama, I can appreciate the historic significance of this Inauguration. I believe it’s no small miracle that Mr. Obama was elected. And it’s significance is in many ways heightened by the fact that today – the day before the Inauguration – is a day of honor to Dr. King.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels the way I do about Mr. Obama and his policies. Nonetheless, I will be watching the Inauguration festivities tomorrow with great anticipation and an open mind. While I don’t believe he is the “savior” others seem to think he is, I pray his every footstep is guided by a higher power and that, indeed, this is the beginning of a Dream inspired by one of the greatest men of our time.

Dr. King would have been 80 years old on January 15th this year.

Mr. Obama, let’s make him proud!

Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech delivered August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC

And in case you’d like to read it, here is a PDF of the famous speech (credit: American Rhetoric.com).

Happy Birthday, Dr. King!

May your Dream finally become reality.

In the arena,

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

Politics are one of the few things I rarely discuss with anyone. Along with money and religion, politics is just one of those topics which is off-limits.

They’re personal subjects and, frankly, nobody else’s business.

But today I’m going to break my self-imposed no politics rule and give you my opinion. Not that you asked for it. Nonetheless, I’m going out on a limb here. Before I begin, though, let me just say this is purely my own opinion and I do not expect anyone to agree with me. Please feel free to leave a comment if you wish but do be polite and civil or it will either be edited or deleted

I have hinted previously that I am not fond of Barack Obama. If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you may have noticed a banner in the sidebar last year for Ron Paul.

Now, I think it’s incredibly awesome that we have an African American President-elect. I think it’s beyond cool that come January 20th, we will have our very first black President in the United States of America. The only thing any cooler would be a woman in office.

However, that doesn’t mean I *like* Mr. Obama.

In fact, I dislike him a great deal. I do not like his agenda or his policies. I don’t like what his fans say about his potential and how wonderful he is. The problem, as I see it, is that a good number of Obama supporters seem to think he’s some kind of savior.

And in my opinion, that’s the downfall.

It puts so much pressure on one human individual as to make them unsafe. In the event he let it go to his head – which I’m sure would be a totally normal response in this situation – it could create huge problems for the Freedoms and safety of Americans across the globe. To make him out as some messiah is beyond foolish.

And potentially VERY dangerous.

Don’t get me wrong – because what I’m about to say could be taken way out of context. Just know that I am in no way saying Mr. Obama is this sort of person.

However, historically speaking . . .

Look at what happened with Hitler when he was given this sort of power. People looked to him as some sort of savior as well. Look at other famous political figures throughout history and you will see what a potentially hazardous situation it could be if Obama has trouble handling the pressure and stress.

For the sake of himself and for all mankind, I seriously pray that Mr. Obama is capable of handling this position. I seriously pray that he can indeed fill the shoes he’s about to put on.

Because if he can’t, America is in trouble.

On the other side of the coin, I have to agree with what my mom said . . .

She trusts that God knows what He’s doing. She trusts that Mr. Obama is exactly where he is supposed to be.

And so even though I wish we’d elected another man as President of our great country, I will stand beside the one our citizens have elected.

Good luck, Barack Obama! May you stand firm, yet be flexible. May you lead, yet not overshadow. May you be bold, yet gracious.

And may you be blessed.

In the arena,

It is indeed time for change. It’s time for the American people to stand up and take back their government. For the people, by the people.

Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

The DJ on the radio this morning told a quick story about a sign he saw on the back of a septic tank pump truck Friday afternoon and this is what he saw . . .

Just thought I’d share that with you. I nearly fell off my chair I was laughing so hard. Made the kids wonder what the heck was wrong with mom this morning.

In the arena,

Did you know I design blog headers and ebook cover graphics, too? Yes, I do. And you can get one now for the introductory price of $55 for a limited time. Just send a payment of $55 to me via PayPal along with a description of what you want. You’ll have a design within 48 hours.

Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.