Oct. 6, 2009 - Fall into Grace

Greetings, Joyful and Successful Homeschoolers!

A big hug to all of you this lovely autumn day!  Here in FL, the sun is still warming our days with the intensity of summer, but last week we got a sneak preview at colder days!  We even turned off the air and opened the windows!

Today was a free day at The Holy Land Experience and our church coop drove down to get in.  Unfortunately, it was full.  We turned around to come home, only to find out later that we could have gotten vouchers to come back another day....I was so sad.  I have wanted to go to the Holy Land Experience since it opened. 

Maybe you are having some disappointments and frustrations in your homeschooling already this school year. If so, the rest of us can relate in some way or another.  We all have plans fall through or children get behind or oversleep day after day or something else that makes us feel like a failure of some sort.

"I don't know why I even try," my friend moaned to me, explaining that her son was behind.  As I tried to encourage her, I realized once again, that over and over, we must all fall into grace!  His grace saves us and sets us free from frustration and feelings of failure!

One thing that can lead to disappointment is comparing ourselves to others.  We are all so different!  For a fun look at our differences, enjoy today's article:  "What homeschooling personality are you?"  http://www.takerootandwrite.com/2009/10/what-homeschooling-personality-are-you.html#more This time we talk about Sanguines and Melancholies.  Next time, Cholerics and Phlegmatics.  All of us are unique--but this may bring you a chuckle...and maybe even some insight.

Love and hugs to all of you!  Remember, whatever personality you are....fall into grace!

Love,
Meredith

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Sep. 17, 2009 - Updates from Powerline Productions

Good morning, Joyful and Successful Homeschoolers!

What a lovely day!  I'm finally catching a breathe this week.  Mondays are jam-packed with work at home--our biggest homeschool work day.  Tuesdays, five families arrive at my house for USA History Coop.  What a fun, exhausting day.  We talked about John Smith, Pocahontas, and Jamestown this week, but also the kings and queens of England from the War of the Roses until Charles II and how English history affected the colonization of the Eastern coast of North America.  What fun!  We are watching the Drive Thru History Videos in this class too!  Boy, are they great!  I should do a review on them....I love them all!

This weeks article is on a subject near and dear to my heart...buying books, oops, I mean building your homeschool library.   Check out part I here:  http://www.takerootandwrite.com/2009/09/building-your-homeschool-library.html#more

This Fridays review will be Guardian Angel books, a publishing company and next weeks' review will be on an SAT prep, College Genius Prep.  My daughter loved using this, so I interview her for the review.  I have a stack of homeschool material yet to review....all kinds of neat stuff.  Check out reviews here:  http://www.takerootandwrite.com/homeschooling_curriculum/index.html

Last night, Mike and I finished up a series on finances with our church family.  We ended the series by talking about How to Start your Own Business.  Hmmmm....I think there will be several articles coming up soon about that topic in my Focus on Finances column!   There are so many people right now in our church who are starting up their own business.  A T-shirt company, a personal training for kids company, making and selling jewelry, computer fixing and web design, and a cleaning company.  Whew!  A lot for a small church!  Check out  more articles on finances here:  http://www.takerootandwrite.com/columns_focus_on_the_finances/index.html

We are planning our next homeschooling high school conference for March 2010 with sessions for dads and teens too.  Friday night will be added....worship and a session for everyone on strengthening parent/teen relationships.  I'll keep you posted.

"Now to God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or dare to imagine....to Him be glory in the church now and forever!  Amen!"

Hugs!
Meredith

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Aug. 25, 2009 - NEAR HIM Homeschool Meeting Aug 27, 2009

NearHim Home Edcuators invites you to celebrate the new school year with Terry True, Linda Moedinger, and Anne Marie Sargent. These three experienced ladies will share the ins and outs, the successes and the realities, of their homeschooling journeys with the hope that you will leave feeling encouraged and inspired. Join us August 27, 2009 at 7:00 in room 5208 of the Children’s Worship Wing in the Nortland Church main building. Dads are encouraged to attend. Childcare is not provided, but nursing babies are welcome.

Terry began homeschooling in 1987 only 2 years after the Florida home school law was in place. She was one of the founders of Grace Home Schoolers, a support group in Central Florida, and lead the group for several years. Terry has 5 children, 4 of whom have graduated from home. Although all four graduates qualified for Bright Futures, each approached the "after homeschooling days" differently. She is now homeschooling one, her youngest son, who will be a freshman in high school this year. Terry has been married to Danny for 32 years.

Linda began homeschooling her sons in the state of California. In 1995 she moved to Central Florida, continuing to homeschool and joining the leadership team of NHE in 1996. Her boys, both National Merit Scholars, graduated from homeschooling in 2003. One son accepted a full scholarship to Stetson University and the other accepted a full scholarship to the Burnett Honors College at UCF. Throughout her 13 years of homeschooling she at times described herself as: The Reluctant Homeschooler, The Frustrated Homeschooler, The Relaxed Homeschooler, and The Happy Homeschooler. Linda has been married to Harry for 26 years. Having completed her homeschooling journey, Linda enjoys spending time visiting North Carolina, visiting her sons in their far away locations, and volunteering with Northland's Prison & Jail Ministry.

Anne Marie began homeschooling her 2 children in 1999 in Palm Beach County. She moved to Central Florida 6 years ago, joined Home Grown Kids and is now a member of the HGK board of directors. Her daughter is 15 years old and has special needs caused by a premature birth. Although they are not twins, both of her children are 9th graders this year. Her son is at the other end of the spectrum and has the opportunity to graduate early. Anne Marie has been married to Stan for 20 years.

Bring your questions for these ladies who have been there, done that.

(The panel discussion will immediately follow a short business portion of the meeting.)

--------------------

This invitation was sent to me by my dear friend, Cheryl Bastian.  I heartily endorse Terry True and Linda Modinger, who are also dear friends of mine.  So much to learn from these dear ladies!

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Jul. 3, 2009 - FInish Well Enjoying the Homeschooling Journey

Hello Dear Friends! 

Here is an opportunity to be equipped and encouraged to teach high school with joy and success!  If you are in this adventure or are considering this adventure in the future, come out and be blessed!

I am offering a free Homeschooling High School Seminar with workshops and a panel discussion.  I am teaming up with Cheryl Bastian and Virginia Knowles, seasoned homeschooling moms and published authors. 

Please see the brochure for information on the seminar, taking place on Saturday, July 25, 2009.  Here is a concise outline of the schedule and events:

9 am Welcome and first session (Joy and Success in Teaching High School)

10 am Choice of 3 workshops (Homeschooling  Highschool 101; Designing Your Own Curriculum; or The  Three R’s of High School Literature:  Read, Reflect, and Respond)

11:15 Choice of 3 Workshops Understanding the Times and Defending the Faith:  Teaching Apologetics and Worldview); Getting it on Paper; or Praying for our Teens)

12:15 Lunch (bring your own bag lunch and drink!)

1 pm Q & A with Panel of Workshop Speakers!

What?  FINISH WELL:  Encouragement for the High School Journey

When?  Saturday, July 25, 2009

Where?  SafeHarbor Church in the Sanford/Lake Mary area  (730 Upsala Road, Sanford, FL 32771)

Why?  To bless and encourage Homeschool Moms & Dads & Families like you!

How?  Just show up, bring a bag lunch, and ENJOY!  Be sure to take lots of notes!

Please pass this on to anyone you think would be interested!  Thank you so much! 

Be blessed with bright beautiful days!

Meredith Curtis

Meredith@powerlinecc.com

http://www.joyfulandsuccessfulhomeschooling.com/

http://www.takerootandwrite.com/columns_joyful_and_successful_homeschooling/index.html

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PowerlineProductions/

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Jun. 29, 2009 - TOS Magazine Renewal Special

What a great deal TOS is offering.  Be sure to renew your subscription and check out all the gifts that you will receive!  http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/TOSSummer19Gifts/sears/index.html  I enjoy TOS Magazine and you will too!  Check out the info here: http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/TOSSummer19Gifts/

Here is a link to the TOS Store where you can learn more!  There is also a Fourth of July Special where you can receive all four 2008 TOS magazines!  http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_176_179&products_id=10458

This is TOS's Fun Summer Promotion and it's a good one!  Check it out!

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Apr. 13, 2009 - Find us at Currclick

You can now find Powerline Productions at Currclick too!  Here is a link to our Powerline Productions page at Currclick:  Currclick PowerlineProductions

You'll find all of your favorite titles:

Joyful and Successful Homeschooling I
Joyful and Successful Homeschooling II:  Subjects You Will Teach
Joyful and Successful Homeschooling Your Journey Workbook
Teaching Literature in High School with Classes You Can Use
Lovely to Behold:  The Priceless Treasure of Godly Womanhood Bible Study Workbook
Friends to the End Bible Study Workbooks
A Wise Woman Builds Bible Study Workbook
Jesus Fill My Heart and Home Bible Study Workbook
God's Girls Talk about Boys, Dating,Courtship, & Marriage Bible Study Workbook
God's Girls Friends to the End!

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Mar. 3, 2009 - From David and Shirley Quine of Cornerstone Curriculum

Changing Lives ~ Changing Culture

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Feb. 17, 2009 - Diaglogue # 1 on the American Gold Standard!

I received this email from American Vision and thought I would pass it on.  I am in favor of returning to the gold standard.

DIALOGUE #1 ON THE AMERICAN GOLD STANDARD
Date 2/17/2009 • Issue 54
In reading any dialogue, you know in advance that the guy asking the questions is the guy who wrote the dialogue. He will win the argument. This tradition goes back to Plato, where the losers were sometimes reduced to some variation of "Tell us more." This dialogue is between two vocal advocates of limited civil government: Private Money Guy (PMG) and State Money Guy (SMG).
PMG: Please describe the ideal monetary system.
SMG: Where the Constitution bans all forms of official money except gold and silver.
PMG: Why do we need official money?
SMG: Because people need to trust the money system.
PMG: What has this got to do with the government?
SMG: People need to believe that the money is honest.
PMG: Because the government is honest.
SMG: That is correct.
PMG: But if the government is honest, why limit money to gold and silver? Why not let it declare anything it chooses as money?
SMG: Because gold and silver keep the government honest.
PMG: I don't follow. Are people supposed to have faith in gold and silver because the government is honest, or because gold and silver are honest, and the government is essentially crooked?
SMG: Both.
PMG: This is a circular argument. Circular arguments go in circles. Where does your argument begin?
SMG: With the Constitution.
PMG: The United States Constitution?
SMG: Yes.
PMG: The Constitution prohibits any state from issuing legal tender money unless it is gold or silver (Art. I, Sect. 10). It says nothing about the United States Government.
SMG: Well, it's implied.
PMG: That is not what the U.S. Supreme Court said in 1934, when it certified, 5 to 4, the legality if Franklin Roosevelt's confiscation of all Americans' gold.
SMG: Well, the Court was wrong.
PMG: Can the Court be trusted?
SMG: No.
PMG: Who has the final say in determining what the Constitution says?
SMG: The People.
PMG: And what if the People do not care one way or the other?
SMG: The Supreme Court.
PMG: I think we have another circular argument here. The Constitution is sovereign, but the Supreme Court interprets the Constitution as the final court of appeal. We cannot trust the Court, but we can trust the Constitution. Could you clarify this?
SMG: That is a trick question.
PMG: If it is, then it is an old one. It goes back to Chief Justice John Marshall's decision in "Marbury v. Madison" (1803), which determined that the Supreme Court has the right of judicial review, something is not mentioned in the Constitution. The Court can annuls laws passed by the government. But the other two branches cannot overturn a decision by the Court.
SMG: Well, someone has to have the last say.
PMG: And that someone said, 5 to 4, in 1934 that the government had the right to abolish the gold coin standard in 1933.
SMG: The gold standard survived.
PMG: The gold-exchange standard survived, which allowed foreign governments and central banks to buy gold from the Treasury at $35 per ounce. That ended on August 15, 1971, when Nixon unilaterally ceased honoring the law. From 1933 to 1971, the Federal Reserve System issued fiat money and bought the gold from the government. It has never returned that gold to the Treasury, nor has the Treasury returned it to the families from whom the government stole the gold in 1933.
SMG: Don't say "stole" when referring to the government. It merely appropriated it in the name of the People.
PMG: Like Communists used to do in the Soviet Union.

SMG: That was theft. They were Commies.
PMG: They were, indeed. How do you define Communism?
SMG: Any confiscation in the name of the People that is not authorized by the Constitution.
PMG: Stalin issued a Constitution in 1936.
SMG: Yes, but it was not our Constitution.
PMG: You mean the Constitution that established the gold standard for states, but not for the national government, according to the Supreme Court?
SMG: Yes.
PMG: Let me summarize. You are saying that in order for people to trust the monetary system, the government must set the terms of the gold standard. This gives people confidence in gold and silver coins. The coins are necessary because people need to hold the government in check.
SMG: That is correct.
PMG: The government is reliable because the Constitution is sovereign.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: But the Constitution is interpreted by the Supreme Court, according to the Supreme Court.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: So, if the Supreme Court declares that the government can abolish the gold coin standard, this is legal.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: Then why should anyone trust the government rather than trusting in gold and silver coins?
SMG: The people should trust in gold and silver coins, not in the government.
PMG: Who owns the gold confiscated by the government in 1933?
SMG: the U.S. government.
PMG: Not the Federal Reserve System?
SMG: The government.
PMG: Where is that gold?
SMG: In Fort Knox.
PMG: How do you know?
SMG: Because the government says so.
PMG: Has this been audited by any outside agency?
SMG: No.
PMG: Why not?
SMG: Because the government is sovereign.
PMG: Is there any other gold owned by the government?
SMG: Yes. It is stored at 33 Liberty Street, New York City.
PMG: That is the address of the New York Federal Reserve Bank.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: Then who owns this gold?
SMG: The government.
PMG: Then why is it stored at a privately owned Federal Reserve Bank?
S: Because it is part of the monetary base.
PMG: Who owns the assets in the monetary base?
SMG: The Federal Reserve System.
PMG: A government agency.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: Has this gold been audited?
SMG: No.
PMG: Why not?
SMG: Because the Federal Reserve System is an agency of the U.S. Government.
PMG: But the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is private.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: Can the government find out what is inside that bank?
SMG: No.
PMG: Why not use the Freedom of Information Act to find out?
SMG: Because a district court ruled in 2008 that the FOIA does not apply to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, because it is a private organization.
PMG: But doesn't it carry out the orders of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System?
SMG: Yes.
PMG: Then why can't Congress or the public demand proof that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has carried out the orders as ordered?
SMG: That is a trick question.
PMG: If so, then it goes back to Marshall's decision in "McCulloch v. Maryland" (1819), which declared that the State of Maryland could not tax the Second Bank of the United States, even though the bank was privately owned. It was the agent of the sovereign United States government, and therefore possessed sovereignty, making it immune to state action.
SMG: Well, somebody has to have the final say.
PMG: The U.S. Supreme Court?
SMG: No, the Constitution.
PMG: As interpreted by the Supreme Court.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: So, let me get this straight. We need a government-enforced gold coin standard because people need to trust the monetary system.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: But the government can lawfully unilaterally abolish the right to own gold.
SMG: No, that would be unconstitutional.
PMG: But the Supreme Court said it was Constitutional.
SMG: The Court was wrong.
PMG: Should people trust in gold and silver coins or the government, as limited by the Constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, which obviously can't be trusted?
SMG: Gold and silver coins.
PMG: Then why did we need a government-enforced gold standard?
SMG: Because people need to trust the monetary system.
PMG: Why not just allow anyone to produce gold and silver coins?
SMG: They are allowed.
PMG: But they were not from 1933 through 1974.
SMG: But they are now.
PMG: But few Americans have ever seen a gold coin. They do not regard gold and silver as money. They do not think gold and silver should serve as a limit on the government.
SMG: Well, they used to.
PMG: Then what do they trust today?
SMG: The government.
PMG: Which stole their grandparents' gold.
SMG: Don't say "steal" when referring to a sovereign government under the Constitution as interpreted by 5 out of 9 Supreme Court justices.
PMG: All right, "which appropriated gold from Americans in the name of The People."
SMG: What was your question again?
PMG: Whom do Americans trust to provide trustworthy money?
SMG: The government.
PMG: Which has transferred this authority to a government organization, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: Which has delegated authority over monetary policy to the Federal Open Market Committee, which is made up of representatives of the 12 regional and privately owned Federal Reserve banks.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: Whose decisions are implemented by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: So, everyone is supposed to trust the dollar because an agency that is immune to the Freedom of Information Act implements policy of privately owned banks in the name of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, which operates under the authority of the U.S. Government.
SMG: Yes.
PMG: Do you trust the dollar?
SMG: Are you out of your mind? I am buying gold and silver coins.
End of Dialogue #1

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Feb. 11, 2009 - Birthday greetings to Laura!

February 12 is Laura's birthday!  Happy Birthday, Laura.  You are a blessing!

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Feb. 6, 2009 - Obama's New Deputy Attorney General

I received this letter from HSLDA, the watchdog for homeschoolers!

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

David Ogden has been nominated by President Barrack Obama to the position of deputy attorney general of the United States, the second highest position in the Justice Department. His hearings are scheduled for today, February 5, 2009.

Contact your senators now >> <http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=6079>

Note: It would be best to call the local offices of your senators in your state, as phone lines on Capitol Hill are tied up by voters concerned about pending economic incentive legislation.

Home School Legal Defense Association urges all of its members to immediately telephone both U.S. senators from your state to oppose the nomination of David Ogden.

The most important reason to oppose Ogden’s nomination is his belief that the rules found in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child <http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=6077>  are already binding on the United States under the doctrines of international law.

In the Supreme Court case of Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005), Ogden argued in a brief that the rules banning the juvenile death penalty contained in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child were customary norms of international law “binding on all states.”

For background information on this doctrine, see Michael Farris’

article, “A Deeper Understanding of the Threat of International Law”

<http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=6078>  in the November/December 2007 Home School Court Report.

This means that Ogden believes that the legal rules contained in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are already binding on the United States, even though this treaty has never been sent to the U.S. Senate for ratification.

Homeschoolers have long understood the dangers of this international treaty, which contains the core principle that the government may decide what it believes is best for each child without any proof of wrongdoing by the child’s parents. Ogden promoted the use of this UN treaty in the Supreme Court to reach the conclusion that America’s courts have the power to overrule state law, using international law as their guidepost for constitutional interpretation. Unfortunately, he was successful in doing so in the Roper case.

It also means that Ogden is a proven advocate for the position that international law should be used to interpret the Constitution of the United States and bind the decisions of our elected officials.

If this weren’t enough, Ogden has a history of representing Playboy and other purveyors of pornography in high-profile legal cases. He also challenged the legality of using filters on library computers to protect children from seeing pornography. It would be hard to imagine how Ogden would faithfully enforce the nation's pornography laws if he is placed in this position at the Justice Department.

The United States Senate needs to understand right now that the American public will not countenance the idea of the nation being led by people who believe that international law trumps American law.

Please call both of your U.S. Senators today to register your opposition to David Ogden.

Sincerely,

Michael P. Farris

HSLDA Chairman

Please take this seriously.  The handwriting is on the wall.  Let's be astute enough to read and respond to it!

Blessings to everyone!

Meredith

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Nov. 12, 2008 - HOmeschooling & What Can We Expect under an Obama Administration?

  This is a newsletter from HSLDA.  Many of you have read it, but I see this as very important! 

What Can We Expect under an Obama Administration?

 Dear HSLDA Members and Friends of Homeschooling:

 Since the election of Barack Obama as U.S. president, HSLDA has received more than a few calls from both members and nonmembers. Some are quite concerned about the future of homeschooling under an Obama presidency.

 First of all, let us always remember that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). He also instructs us to be wise, plan, and be prepared in everything we do.

 Despite HSLDA’s efforts prior to the election to get an official statement from the Obama campaign regarding their position on homeschooling, we received no response.

 So where does that leave us?

 We do know that the Democratic Party has an official position of supporting public education. The National Education Association (NEA), which is the national teachers union, is a major supporter of the Democratic Party. We know that the NEA’s position is that every child should be either taught by a certified teacher or supervised by one.

Additionally, their position is that the curriculum used by all homeschoolers should be approved by the state, and children should only be able to continue to be homeschooled based upon systematic evaluation by the state.

 It is important to remember that under the United States Constitution, the federal government has no authority over private and home education.

This is not to say that they will not attempt to exercise authority in these areas. And whenever private educators accept grants and benefits, there are conditions to receiving those benefits, including being subject to regulation.

 Just because the federal government has no constitutional authority over home education, however, doesn’t mean that federal bureaucrats or legislators might not attempt to impose some form of regulation over private and home education. We saw this back in 1994, when the reauthorization of the Secondary and Elementary Act (H.R. 6) contained an amendment which would have conditioned funding to the states for public education to require that all teachers be certified in every subject area they teach. The homeschool community rose up; over a million phone calls were made to the U.S. Congress, and the amendment was defeated. During that process, Representative Dick Armey from Texas introduced an amendment which stated that the federal government and Congress have no authority over private and home education. This protective language was passed by the House of Representatives.

 With your help and the help of homeschoolers all across America, we will vigorously resist any effort on the part of the federal government to regulate home education. Obviously, this will take resources—which come from our membership—and we would encourage our current members to continue standing with us, and encourage others to join us.

 An immediate concern to watch is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Although we do not know what Barack Obama’s specific position on the treaty is, we know that future Vice President Joe Biden has publicly indicated that this UN Convention should be ratified by the United States.

 It does appear that we will soon have the challenge of keeping the UN Convention from being ratified by the U.S. Senate, ratification requiring a two-thirds majority to pass.

 Should the UN Convention be ratified, it would impose the United Nation’s view of children’s rights on America. Under the U.S. Constitution, treaties become the Supreme Law of the land, taking precedent over state laws and state supreme court decisions.  The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is not in the best interest of parents or children, as it would undermine the parental authority that our laws currently recognize. For further information on the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child visit ParentalRights.org <http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5805> .

 To summarize, homeschoolers should not live in fear, but we do need to be wise, and we will need to be vigilant to protect parental rights and homeschooling freedoms in the future. We stand prepared, with your help, to do that as we’ve done for 25 years.

 Michael Smith

HSLDA President

 Home School Legal Defense Association • P.O. Box 3000 • Purcellville, Virginia 20134-9000

Phone: (540) 338-5600 • Fax: (540) 338-2733 • Email: info@hslda.org

Web: http://www.hslda.org

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Nov. 3, 2008 - Tomorrow is the Big Day in America

It is Monday morning and the sun is shining bright in Florida. Many of us have already voted because the polls have been open for early voting for weeks. I live close enough to a polling place to see how many people have been waiting in line each day to vote. There have been many! When Meredith and I went in last week to vote there were two people voting for the first time.

This is such an important election. Let's all get out there and vote for freedom. Let's vote for life. Let's vote for a better America.

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Oct. 28, 2008 - One Vote

All across America people are already flocking to the voting booths. Early voting allows us to have our voice heard even if we can't make it to the polls on the first Tuesday in November.

This may be the most important election in our lifetimes. It may even be the most important election in the history of the United States of America.

Never before this year have we had such a clear choice between America remaining a free nation and it not. Never before has so many lives been in the balance.

Please watch the video below and pray and pray and pray before you go out and let your voice be heard.

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Oct. 23, 2008 - Ten Things About Obama

Dear Friends & Family,

          Who can’t help but like Barak Obama?  He is handsome and charming with a message of hope!  What a great speaker!

          How I wish that my mother could be here to see the first black man on the presidential ballot.  She would be so excited.  My mother was passionate about Civil Rights before it was popular or politically correct.  I share her enthusiasm and long to see a world that is color blind.  That is why it saddens me to admit that I am unable in good conscious to vote for Obama. 

          Would you take time right now from your busy schedule and allow me to share these reasons with you.  Please prayerfully consider them.

1.      Obama talks about lowering taxes for the middle class, but in looking at his voting record, I am unable to find a single time that he has voted to ease the tax burden on the middle class.   Although, I want to believe his promise, I have to look at his track record.  His track record is one of voting to raise taxes.  Please see his voting record at this site: http://votesmart.org/index.htm  and especially see Tax and budget issues: http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=9490&type=category&category=10&go.x=17&go.y=16 .

2.     I’m tired of high gas prices. Even though they are going down at the moment, they are still too high.  In fact, I don’t want to buy oil from foreign nations anymore.  Obama stated in his third debate that “oil companies have to drill on their land or lose it.”  What did he mean by that?  Who would they lose the land to?  The Federal Government?  Are we talking about nationalized oil companies?  I certainly hope not, but Obama is very vague and that scares me.  Nationalized oil companies are something I DON’T want!  Does Obama want socialized, nationalized oil companies?  Isn’t America still a Free Market nation?  Oil companies have excessive regulations and restrictions on them that make it nearly impossible to drill.  I would like these restrictions eased, while still protecting our beautiful land and oceans.  But, I want to drill the Gulf.  I want to drill Alaska.  I want to drill North Dakota and anywhere else there is oil in our nation.

3.     Unfortunately, though Obama declares his support of Israel, I am unable to believe him because of his ties to Arab terrorists.  Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East.  I want the USA to stand beside her, not undermine her by secret deals with her sworn enemies.  When Obama talks about sitting down with no preconditions with countries and leaders that desire to wipe Israel off the face of the map, I am concerned…greatly concerned. 

4.     Obama uses the term “distribution of wealth” quite frequently in his speeches and in the debates.  I have read The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and recognize that term from this book.  Although Biden uses the term “let’s be fair,” this team is putting forward as their platform the principles in this book.  Since I am not a Marxist/Communist, I find this rather frightening.  In fact, haven’t the countries that have tried communism found that it doesn’t work?  Didn’t we win the “Cold War?”  Why are we trying something that is a failed theory????  I challenge you to read The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx with Obama’s own campaign platform from his own website and compare the two.  You will be shocked to find all the similarities.  Obama’s platform:  http://www.barackobama.com/issues/     Here is a place you can download the book for free as a pdf file:  http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/index.htm

5.     In the last debate, Obama mentioned that we have to “win the trust” of countries that have “lost faith” in us.  His plan to “win their trust,” he went on to explain was to give them EVEN MORE foreign aid.  That was very frustrating to me.  I am tired of giving away billions of dollars to countries that burn our flags, insult us, and undermine our foreign policies.  I certainly don’t want to give these countries MORE aid.  In fact, I want to give them LESS aid or none at all.

6.     When talking about health care, Obama promised in the second debate that uninsured Americans would be insured by “the same company that insures our senators and congressman.”  Something struck me as odd and the next day I investigated to find out just who that “insurance company” was.  I was surprised and shocked to find out that the “company” was a federal agency.  This “company” is called “Federal Employees Health Benefits Program,” and is not like any company I’ve ever seen.  Get on their site and investigate.  They talk about selection and choice, but no other companies are ever mentioned.  Hmm.  At least 70% of the “premium” is paid by the federal government.  Yes, they may “subcontract” with other companies, but this “company” Obama wants to have us be insured by is the federal government.  See their website:    http://opm.gov/insure/health/about/fehb.asp   Try to find some proof that this is a real company.  After investigating, I felt that I had been deceived by Obama’s rhetoric.  I don’t want socialized medicine.  I think socialized medicine is foolish and a drain on the economy.  I would like tax cuts to purchase my own insurance and laws putting a check on greed in the insurance companies.  I would like more, not less, competition.  Socialized medicine is not the way I want to go.  Please, give me more money in my pocket, so that I can choose my own plan. 

7.     Obama has talked about bringing soldiers home from Iraq.  But when I listened to him in the second and third debate, I heard him wanting to send our troops all over the place.  In fact, he wanted to increase, not decrease, our involvement in other nation’s problems, including Darfur.  All I could think about was how much it would all cost.  Shouldn’t we finish the job we started in Iraq and then come home with our heads held high?  I don’t want to leave before the job is finished, like we did in Vietnam.

8.     Business and corruption don’t have to go hand in hand.  There is an old saying that “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  I agree with that statement.  It is true of people in government.  It is true of people in business.  The government and businesses should be separate entities.  No more government subsidies, no more government bail-outs, and no more of the government micromanaging business decisions.  Let’s require government to have a limited amount of laws and regulations that keep businesses in check.  John McCain and Sarah Palin both have experience in cleaning up corruption.  But let’s leave business to private citizens.  The government simply makes a mess of business (and other things too!)!  Let’s let government govern and businesses conduct business.  In the end, everyone will be better off.

9.     I have concerns about the company that Obama keeps.  You can tell a lot about a man or woman by the people that surround them.  That is why it concerns me that Obama has ties to ACORN and William Ayers.  One of ACORN’s less fraudulent schemes (but dangerous!) was coercing banks into giving loans to those who could not afford to pay them back.  They played their own role in the current banking disaster!   William Ayers is an unrepentant terrorist.  The Hamas leader, Ahmed Yousef, and other terrorist leaders have endorsed Obama.  Why is Obama so popular with people who support terror?  Why is Obama so popular with people who hate Israel?  Why is Obama so popular with people who hate the United States of America?  That concerns me.  Warren Buffet, the richest man in the world and a big giver to and supporter of Abortion, is funding Barak Obama.  Has Obama promised him a role of power?  Can wealth buy power?  I hope not.

10.                          Though Americans are divided with some being Pro-Life and others Pro-Abortion, most Americans find partial birth abortions distasteful and morally reprehensible.  I was shocked and saddened by Obama’s reaction in the third debate to the question of partial birth abortion.  He stood firmly in support of abortion, even if the method was barbaric, inflicting torture upon unborn babies.  When babies are born alive from botched late-term abortions, he voted to outlaw giving those children care.  He wants to leave those babies to die.  Please explain that to me?  There are many people in this land who would gladly adopt these children.  I am of the conviction that you cannot treat life with contemptuous disregard and expect the blessing of God on your nation.

11.        Yes, I know I said ten reasons, but this last reason is more subjective, so I don’t want to count it as one of the ten.  I may be completely wrong here, but I don’t sense in Obama a love for this nation.  Would he lay down his life for the USA or for the Americans he wants to lead?  I can’t answer that question for him.  I don’t see that love for our nation in him like I do in John McCain.  There is confidence in my heart that John McCain would gladly give his life, his reputation, and the outcome of this election for his beloved United States of America.  I want someone leading this nation who loves her.  I will vote for someone who puts America first and thinks that she, though flawed, is the most wonderful nation in the world.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.  May God bless you in every way!

Meredith Ludwig Curtis

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