U.S. Congressman Candidate

I have been researching the candidates for the United States Congress the last few days. I did not know anything about a single one of the candidates beforehand. I have found through reading the candidate's statements that Sydney Hay's values, beliefs about the role of government in the lives of citizens, and her love and respect for the Founders of our great Country and Constitution most closely alignes with my beliefs. I support SYDNEY HAY for U.S. CONGRESS. Check out her website to see her views on the issues.

http://sydneyhayforcongress.com/Home.aspx

Elections are Coming - Who are You Voting For?

This election is a very sad thing for me. I do not have a candidate for President of the United States that I feel will do the right thing on every issue for this WONDERFUL country. I just want everyone to know that I LOVE this country. I love the opportunity that it provides. I love the freedom that we enjoy. I love being responsible for myself and helping others because I want to and I can. I believe that America continues to shine as a beacon of freedom and hope for millions around the world. I also believe that it can all be changed.

The change has already started. People do not understand that the same opportunities that were there for their grandparents and parents still exist. It is there for the taking. Many in the rising generation have been on welfare too long to work hard to improve their lot in life. I have many hard feelings for Franklin D. Roosevelt for ever starting a welfare and Social Security System in the first place.

People do not love and fight for their country as they once did. The media and the politicians are on a continual pessimisstic streak about how terrible everything is. I admit that everthing is not perfect, but how can anything ever get better with everyone being down on it all the time? Change does not happen on its own. People have slowly allowed these and many other changes creep up on them.

With that said, I still love this country and believe that we can make it greater. We need less people on welfare and more people responsible for themselves. People should be allowed to help others on thier own instead of the government forcing them to help others (aka taxes and social programs). That is called SOCIALISM!!!! We need less taxes and more money in our pockets. More money in our pockets means more jobs for those currently on welfare that can work. Taxing the "rich" just means that less people will be employed because the "rich" won't be offering as many jobs - especially good paying ones!

I can go on and on, but I'll try to restrain myself. Since I cannot fully stand behind either candidate, I have to make a choice. I can either support John McCain who loves and has fought for our country, whose wife actively tries to help others and alleviate pain, has made tough decisions on many policies and stood behind them, and has the strength necessary to make sure that America stays strong militarily. Check out this link about John McCain's wife, Cindy, and her work to make life better for many people around the world.
http://www.johnmccain.com/about/Cindy.htm

My other choice is Barack Obama. This socialist/marxist does not even like our country, wants the government to run as much as possible, and wants to raise taxes. I believe that we will rue the day we ever heard of Barack Obama if he is elected. Check out this link to see more about Barack Obama.
http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036

My choice is actually very easy. I vote for America. I vote for John McCain.

Michigan - last time, I promise!

Wednesday: Raining on and off. We still got in a lighthouse, the Colonial Michilimackinac Fort, and a historic working sawmill/nature preserve! I didn't go in the lantern room because you had to be able to walk up the stairs - one thing Katie can't do yet! I stayed down below with her. Becca and Anson dressed up like Lighthouse Keepers and showed their tickets to see the lighthouse.

Lighthouse Keepers! Inside the lantern room.

Outside the Lighthouse. Outside the Fort.

We are a 1700s family! Not even enough room for 2 kids!

In front of the working Sawmill.

Thursday: Mackinac Island! If you've ever seen Somewhere In Time (starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour), you have seen Mackinac Island. The beautiful Grand Hotel is on the island, along with 2 Butterfly conservatories, dozens of fudge shops, and Fort Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw). One interesting thing about the island is that no cars are allowed. Only horses and bicycles. It was very lovely.

We of course went to one of the butterfly conservatories, because if anyone knows Rebecca, they know she loves Butterflies!

Look at the beautiful Butterflies! This blue one is real!

Rebecca the Butterfly Lover!

The Grand Hotel. Outside Margaret's Garden.

(Aaron's mom's name is Margaret.)

Friday: Fourth of July! BBQ for lunch, family dance in the evening, and our own fireworks on the dock. Lots of people shot off their own fireworks on the lake. You can't do that in AZ, so it was really fun.

Anson- the leader of the pack!

Anson's "talent" of scaring people w/ his dinosaur!

Becca and cousin Sheridan and cousin Neve.

Amy and Katie. Anson getting his groove on!

Michigan Again

Monday: Fun at the lake and Cabin. Right outside of the cabin was a gorgeous lake! There was also a paddle boat, a row boat, and 2 canoes for us to use. Our family went out across the lake in one of the canoes (actually, we left Katie behind). It was a very relaxing, beautiful day. We got to visit with Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Grandparents too.

Lets go canoeing! Arghhhhh!

We love the water! And the sand!

Playing on the sandy beach and playing with a turtle!

Tuesday: Sault Ste. Marie Locks (pronounced Soo Saint Marie). Aaron, Rebecca, Anson, Katie and I went up to the Michigan/Canadian border to see the Sault Ste. Marie Locks. The St. Mary river flows between Lake Huron and Lake Superior, but Lake Superior is 21 ft. above Lake Huron. So some genious built the locks. A ship coming from Lake Huron goes in this narrow passage way that is blocked ahead of them by a big wall. Then they anchor themselves, the door is closed behind them, and water is pumped into the "lock". Then the "wall" ahead of them opens and they sail out at the level of Lake Superior! We got to take a boat ride on the river and actually go in the lock. To make it even sweeter, a cute couple gave us 2 tickets for free! They had prepaid for their tickets and the other couple was unable to make it, so they offered them to us for free.

Coming towards the Lock. Entering the Lock.


Lock opening at Lake Superior level. Katie loves food!


Rebecca and Anson enjoying the boat ride.


After the boat ride, we went across the border to Canada and Rebecca traded some of ther money for Canada money. It also happened to be Canada Day (July 1). There was a celebration under way, so we went over to join in the fun. It wasn't really very fun though. There were a ton of people, a choir singing weird songs, and huge lines to buy balloons and face painting. We ate a couple of hot dogs and hamburgers, then left. It was a good day though.