Freedom and Liberty: R.I.P.

Most people in the U.S. think that Obama's stimulus bill is for fixing the train wreck known as the economy. WRONG. Most of the components in the 1,400 page bill are bits and pieces of spending that will have minimal, if any, impact on the economy. The house and senate are being pushed into voting on this thing immediately, though most of our representatives haven't even had time to read it! What's really terrifying though, is some of the "bits and pieces" tagged on to this behemoth are other bills that would not stand a chance of being passed if illuminated on their own accord. Just to name a few:

• The Holt Act, which will require every single gun owner in the nation to register with a new alphabet agency of the Federal Government. You will have to submit to re-licensing every 5 years, and forfeit your right to protection under the constitution against random search as seizure. In other words, the feds will have total control over how, when, where and why you own a firearm. They can take it away, any time they want, without due process.

• 
  The creation of a Federal electronic database of every American's medical record, including diagnoses, treatments, medications, who is treating you, etc. It will be used to determine whether your medical provider is giving you "appropriate, cost-effective treatments". This is mandatory for ANYONE who even steps into a doctor's office or gets treatment from a hospital. That means that the federal government will know all of your private health information and decide for you and your doctor what treatments you will or won't get! Aside from the invasion of privacy, just imagine what can be done when, (not "if "- we know NO electronic records ANYWHERE are completely safe) you are barred from certain jobs, insurance or health coverage because of your medical conditions!!!

Now, you don't have to take the word of a dumb blond if you think this information is hogwash. Do your own research. If a bubble-headed rockerchic can find this information with a little Googling, you can too.

The bottom line is, America is quickly transforming from a free republic into a hybrid socialist-fascist country. You, your children and grandchildren will no longer be FREE in any way, shape or form. The constitution is being thrown out the window. Every aspect of your lives will be molded, monitored and accountable to a totalitarian government.

REVOLUTION?

8 States, including New Hampshire and Oklahoma, have drafted resolutions that basically tells the Federal Government to butt-out of State business and State sovereignty. They are publicly stating that the Federal government is trampling on the Constitution, and won't tolerate any more of the feds bullying.

Counties within the State of California (where rockerchics are hatched) are organizing their own "tax revolt" and are either suing the State for forcing mandated programs without funding them, or shutting down said mandated programs - even though some may risk prosecution for doing so. These mandated programs include things like welfare, services for the elderly and disabled, etc.

I've even heard some rumblings among working citizens that they will change their W-4 withholding exemptions to "25", thereby eliminating most or all Federal withholding of their paychecks. (It's not illegal, but at the end of the tax year you had better come up with the money owed for that year's taxes or risk a spanking from the IRS). I suppose one who has financial discipline could put the equivalent of their "saved" withholdings in a savings account, then pay the taxes at the end of the year. It does make sense in that you won't be loaning Uncle Sam your hard-earned money interest-free. Hmmmm......

DECLARE YOUR OWN INDEPENDENCE!

With the continuing collapse of the economy, layoffs, civil liberties, and privacy being eroded on a daily basis the only way we can retain any sense of freedom anymore is to wean ourselves off government and corporate systems. To each our own abilities and resources, try to get "off grid" as much as possible. Plant a garden and store food so you need little or no income to survive. Downsize your life (do you really need to "own" a large home enslaved to an overgrown mortgage? You don't really own that house anyway - the bank does!) Get your money out of paper assets: Invest in tangibles such as gold, silver, storable food, emergency supplies, etc. Get off the credit cards and pay-as-you-go. The more we depend on the government to meet our needs, the more control they gain over you. Re-prioritize your values: Would you rather live as a slave to the corporate-government system to have the big house, newer vehicles, designer clothes, etc.? If we continue to consider this lifestyle as "success" we are living a lie. I would rather be free living in a rental or paid-for humble abode than enslaved to the banking cartel. Real success is family responsibility, helping others, serving God and our communities with our natural gifts. Look what a mess the government has created in managing itself. Do you really want them managing every aspect of your life?

THANK GOD! (IT'S RAINING)

California and other Western states have been really thirsty - facing one of the worst droughts in memory. 4 months ago, my hubby and I rocked on up to Grants Pass, Oregon for the a gig. Driving across the Lake Shasta bridges, we were horrified at how low the lake was. Those of us who remember the bad drought we had in the 70's remember the lake level at that time. It was way lower than it was back then! Entire docks were sitting aground, there was more bank than there was water. Thankfully, last week a series of storms came in, and supposedly will continue through February. This may help spare us from very strict water rationing down the road. Rockerchics usually don't like rain, but we do like flushing toilets, showering and a little extravagance known as a swimming pool. (Hey, greenfreaks - it gets HOT here in the summer. We can't all live in chilly, foggy San Francisco!).

(Photo credit: Thewhitebear of Flickr.com)

A TALK SHOW FOR THE REST OF US

On the VH1 Classic channel they launched a heavy metal talk show called, "That Metal Show". Hosted by Eddie Trunk (Founder of the channel's hugely popular "Metal Mania") and two other guys I've never heard of. They interview legendary metal musicians such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Lita Ford, Dee Snider (Twisted Sister front man), and many others. The trivia competition segment is "Stump the Trump", which I love playing along with. Eddie usually has my metal trivia beat by miles but I always learn something I didn't know before. Interspersed with lots of humor, practical jokes (usually on Eddie or some unsuspecting fan), album reviews, debates and tour info, this is a talk show I don't mind watching. They're gearing up for the second half of the season to start airing in March. Check your local listings for day/time.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

A digital family slide-show project I've been working on has stirred my nostalgic side. Besides missing my family members (most of whom have all passed). I found this photo of me in the 1980's, and found myself pining for the days when my biggest worries in life were, "what to wear to the concert?", or whether the drummer would ask me out. Living in L.A. in the mid 80's was the greatest time and place for a 20-something rockerchic to be living. Hair bands galore! Big hair! 24/7 nightlife! I did hair and makeup for some of the band members I knew back in the day. Quite an exciting time for a country girl from rural Northern California. Ahhh, those were the days...

Rockerchic - Circa 1988!