The Supreme Court’s Incentive to Keep American Dreams Alive

Why are we working? This is the first question, the people, who live in America should be asking ourselves. When our forefathers first came to this land they knew what they were working for. They were working to find their own place in this country, their freedom, their own religion, a home, a piece of land, and a dream. Throughout the years they accomplished what they had set out to do. Yes they had some problems getting there, but with the signing of the Deceleration of Independence and our Constitution they knew they had something solid to go by. That piece of paper gave all Americans their freedoms to live and work to achieve their own goals and dreams. Even with all the problems and wars they had back then, they held God above all else, their family second and their Country third. When England threw tax after tax at the people and they could no longer afford to pursue their dreams and goals, our country went to war. Much like today, all we are doing is working to pay yet another senseless tax. Yes that is what all this boils down too. Lets get serious here, if we could afford health and life insurance, with the weekly wages we make, doesn’t the government think we would have it already. Most of us have children, grandchildren, and family we want to take care of and provide for. With college becoming a dream that has quickly died for a large percent of the American people. Most of us now live in rental homes, make minimum wages, and barely live from paycheck to paycheck. We consider ourselves lucky if we can keep the electric, gas, and rent paid on a monthly basis. We no longer are able to afford the luxury of rental insurance, house insurance, car insurance, life or health insurance. Let alone a new car, new furniture, or even appliances. The government has now given us a choice we can spend money on food to keep us healthy or we can pay health insurance, and not eat, but if we do buy the food and forgo the health insurance, then we will be taxed for not buying the health insurance. I guess this could be a way to make sure the American people are no longer over weight. I guess it doesn’t cost as much for the government to bury starved corpse as it cost for health care if someone is on medicare. I guess I just figured they could always print up more money, it isn’t like they haven’t done it before, come August I’m sure it will be done again! I vote no more taxes, and if health insurance is so important to them that all American's have it, they can invest their wages to pay for the people's health insurance that is only making minimum wage. After all if they can grant all illegals amnesty then they should be able to pay our way as well.

Control is Not Love

Control is Not Love 

By Janeal Mulaney

Hi my name is Candace and this is my story it’s not a pretty one by any means, but if this story helps one person it’s worth writing.

I went for my jog through the park earlier then usual on that faithful spring morning. A stranger sat on a bench by the bike path. He was reading the paper with a Starbuck’s cup in the other hand as I continued on. I had never seen him before, but I usually jogged later in the morning, so I wasn’t surprised to see new face. I finished my jog and went about my day as usual. The next day I started my day off in the usual way. Except for one thing, I went for my jog earlier once again for some reason, I could not name. I just wanted to know if the man would be there on the bench again.

He was and this time I stopped at the bench to tie my shoe, which gave us a chance to say hello. We introduced ourselves, his name was Cal and we hit it off, we like the same movies, listened to the same music, and enjoyed the same kind of food. We exchanged numbers and that evening, he called to ask me out Friday night. For a few months we enjoyed each other’s company. Maybe that is why I never saw the control issue start. His control over me happened so gradually at first, it was just the tiniest things.

One night we were going out to dinner, he was there to pick me up. I was dressed in my midnight blue dress with my gold loop earrings finishing off, my assemble. I opened the door to his waiting arms. After a wonderful long hug and kiss he followed me on into the house we still had a few minutes before our dinner reservation.

“Sweetheart you look so beautiful, tonight.” He said with a smile, “there’s only one thing that looks off. How fond are you of those earrings, because I think these would go with that dress so much better.” He had reached in his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box, inside there was a pair of crystal blue diamond studded earrings.

He was right, and oh, how sweet it was for him to buy me a gift.  I thought as I immediately took out my gold loops to replace them with his gift. That was the beginning. In the weeks that followed he bought more jewelry, a shirt that would look oh so magnificent with a certain pair of pants that he had picked up the week before.  Next came the way I wore my hair, my make up, and even my nail polish was critiqued to his satisfaction. My friends were next, one was too jealous of our relationship; another was too lazy she didn’t have enough ambition. One by one, my friends were gradually pushed out of my life. My family was next. 

I was eye candy, just another piece of art on exhibit for others to admire, but I could not speak nor were they to touch. At parties I had to be at his side at all times, other then going to the ladies room. I had to be back within a certain amount of time. If I took too long we would leave the party, and I would be questioned. What was I doing? Who I was with? Just six months after I received his first gift the accusations started.

If I was late coming home from work, I was with someone, if I didn’t answer the phone when he called I was talking to another man, the list went on and on. I could no longer wear my old clothes, after all he wanted me to be seen in the clothes he bought me, that was why he bought them, he explained to me. I could throw my old clothes away, he said one night with a smirk on his face. After all that was what they really were anyway. (trash)! Then he would turn around and accuse me of wearing his clothes for some other guy, I was parading myself around for other men.

He kept me hurt and confused. I was worried about everything I said and did. If I smiled at some man that entered a restaurant he took me to, I wanted to sleep with him. My world revolved around him and only him, yet I felt he didn’t want to be around me. I didn’t smile anymore, I didn’t joke around with anyone, I was a totally different person, then who I use to be.

Now it was time for the physical abuse as well, but in a way I’m glad it started. The first time he hit me across the face I woke up. I realized what was truly happening to me and what he was truly all about.

I don’t know how I’d lost my self-esteem, I was old enough I should have seen the signs. I’d been in bad relationships before, not this bad but I had seen the signs so I could end the relationship before it had really began. Why was this one so different? I still ask myself those same questions.

This is the only answer I came up with; I thought he was exactly what I had wanted in a man. I fell deep and fast in love. My heart blinded me.

I had to get hit literally, before I woke up.

Thank God most men don’t have the finesse and the patience to go so slow. I now look at every guy I date, through wiser eyes. I look at every movement they make, every gift given, what time the gift is given to me. If they don’t want me to take my car and they ride along once in a while. I pay attention to their body language. I listen closely to what the man says and how he says it. I’ve ran into to a lot more men like Cal, but the minute they want to tell me how fast I can drive, I leave them in the dust. I no longer take out my earrings to replace them with their gift; I thank them nicely for the gift. Then I tell them I’ll ware them at a later date. I put the gift to the side and wear what I chose to wear that night. I watch their reaction to my independent ways.

Small signs and a man’s attitude can tell you a lot. Learn to look for the signs, and his temper if you pull the unexpected.