Keep Government Out--A Personal Experience

Recently I received an e-mail from the Romney campaign pointing out the main difference between his campaign and Obama’s:

“Mitt Romney's vision for America is an opportunity society, where free people and free enterprise thrive and success is admired and emulated, not attacked. President Obama's vision for America is a government-centered society, where government grows bigger and more active, occupying more of our everyday lives.”

I think one of the areas we see this most obviously lately is healthcare.

My husband has cancer, and like most people in this economy, he can’t help but worry about job security. Yes, it’s true, I would love to be assured that he will always be able to get health insurance, regardless of pre-existing conditions, and be assured that my family’s health care will always be covered.  But at what cost?

I had to laugh to myself while watching the Olympics this summer.  During the opening ceremonies dancers and performers were celebrating all things wonderful about England, including their famous health care system. Well, my family lived in England for a while and experienced their system first-hand.

First, I will say that it was quite generous of the National Health System to include us, even though we were not British citizens.  However, the NHS facilities and services were a less than optimal.  On different occasions I had to spend some time in the local hospital with my children. I felt I was in something from an old , worn-out World War II movie hospital ward. Fortunately, my children were both fine, and for that I am truly grateful.

But when I found out I was pregnant, I admit that along with my excitement, I was terrified. I had heard stories that women were kept waiting in the halls, delivered their babies, then were sent home right away. When I asked my friends if those stories matched their own experiences, they said yes. “But, you wouldn’t want to stay in the hospital more than six hours anyhow,” they said, “because it’s impossible to sleep in the maternity ward with eight other women and their babies lined up in the beds next to you.”

I had confidence in my midwife (at least until she recommended I have my baby at home), and I must say that most of the midwives in England are highly skilled. But I was terrified to have a baby in one of the NHS hospitals.  I was faced with the decision to either have my baby at home, at the NHS maternity ward, or fly home and be without my husband for several weeks to have the baby back in the States. None of those options was appealing.

Another option came available—private insurance. We realized our private insurance would cover the private hospital in London. I could deliver there. I was so relieved. I was even excited when I heard that this was the finest, fanciest hospital around; that people from all over Europe went there to have their babies.  Royalty from the middle east would rent out an entire floor to bring their entire entourage for when a new prince or princess was to be born.  Victoria and David Beckham were even having there baby there at the same time I would be!  Well, that clinched the deal.

I have to say, I had wonderful midwives (and a great doctor who had long since lost his New Jersey accent and replaced it with something a little more posh). 

But…

Even with the best facilities in London, I was a little disappointed. I have had three other children in the U.S., and all three hospitals were much nicer and better equipped and more comfortable than even that fine hospital my private insurance covered.  Fortunately, all went pretty well with the pregnancy and the delivery of my third son.

But I do cringe when people talk about health care reform and government involvment. I wonder how many people asking for more government regulation or socialized medicine have ever received health care from a system utilizing those standards? On paper it all sounds wonderful. But I have lived in various countries with this sort of government regulated system. And it seems quite clear to me that when government gets involved,  the personal cost may go down initially, but so does the quality of both the care and the physical resources.  And in order to try to get better quality care, the cost jumps significantly higher. 

Who suffers the most then? The poor that the government was trying to help in the first place. 

Oh yeah--throw God in there somewhere

In case you need a little pain in your life to make you feel alive, try watching the democrats attempt to amend their platform at their delegate convention.

Somehow they neglected US support for Israel by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. So they threw that in. That was one amendment.

But attention was drawn to the fact that they apparently had somehow left out God from their platform. Perhaps they felt they didn't need Him if they have Obama. I guess they got enough complaints or bad press that they decided to put Him in.  Here's how they did it:

Amendment 1: Page 32, line 48:  "We need a government that stands up for the hopes, values, and interests of working people, and gives everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential."

Seriously? I mean I am extremely grateful the Lord has provided work for my family, but THAT is how they sneak God into their platform? A mention of "God-given" potential in terms of working?  

And do they see the irony of this, considering the President recently waived the welfare work requirement?

Unbelievable.  But just as unbelievable, was the fact that such amendments require a two-thirds vote. Clearly they couldn't get it! Even after voting three times, trying each time to get the cheers of those in favor louder than the cheers of those opposed, there was still not two-thirds in favor.  So, what did they do about it? Passed it anyhow.  Typical Obama style. 

Republican Rock Star

Last night one of Fox news' reporters said that the Republicans have a rock star--he was talking about Chris Christie. Well, yeah, Chris was great and all, but it was ANN that rocked the house! It was ANN that inspired me as a patirot. It was ANN that made me feel proud to be a mother. And yes, it was ANN that even moved me to tears.

Ann was amazing, reminding us that it is the greatness in each individual that makes this nation the great nation it is. And it's mothers who make those individuals.  She reminded us of the critical roles moms have in America. Moms stand strong when everything else around us is falling down.  Moms have smiles on our faces even when our hearts are aching inside for the struggles of our kids. Moms give up anything and everything to give their kids a chance at their hopes and dreams.  And hopes and dreams are what make up America.  Ann Romney knows that. Moms know that.  And we teach that to our children.  And we want to do everything we can to ensure their possibilities.

My sweet nine-year-old occasionally says to me, "Mom, I'm sorry you have to do so much. Do you like being a mom?" 

My answer is always the same. "I love it.  And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!"  

And what greater nation is there in the world in which to raise a family? There is no greater place to seek opportunities, gain experience, and reach high and lofty goals.  We cannot afford to let that change in America.  We cannot afford to lose that dream for our children.

Ann Romney reminded the world that under the leadership of her husband, our nation can not only return to the greatness Mitt will never apologize for, but can become even greater.  When we think about our children's futures, we can remove the fear and doubts and replace them with ferver and determination.  Because the possibilites will be there.  The American dream will be revived.

So, my praises to Ann for her remarkable, inspiring words last night.  The only thing that she got wrong was thinking she is the luckiest woman in the world--that prize goes to me, but I suppose every mother feels that way.  She's still a rock star in my eyes!

Inspiration of Olympic Proportions

I love the Olympics.  Starting from the moment that first torch is lit to the very last moment of the closing ceremonies, I am enthralled with the incredible games.  I think it’s because every athlete, every medal represents a little bit of each of us, a little bit of the American dream—the dream that with hard work, dedication, innovation, anything is possible.

But there is something special about seeing our flag raised and our anthem played that lights a flame inside me.  It’s a burning sense of patriotism and national pride.

Woodrow Wilson once said, "The things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history." 

When I see fans waving our flag from the stands, or athletes wrapped in it running around the field, or even the stars and stripes on t-shirts and uniforms, I am reminded of what our nation has gone through to have the freedoms that flag represents, and what our nation now stands for among the nations of the world.

These Olympians represent the very best athletes in the world.  They inspire us all to not be satisfied with mediocrity-- to work harder, reach higher, and dream bigger.  In the same way, our nation does the same.  The United States of America is the greatest nation on earth.  And just like those athletes, our greatness can inspire freedom, democracy, and greatness in others everywhere across the world.  That is what the true American dream is all about. 

The Affordable Luxury

My father used to always tell us, “You’ve got to distinguish between wants and needs.”

Recently President Obama said that after his daughters were born, he and Michelle “could not afford the luxury” of her staying home with the children.

Hmmmm.

Both Barak and Michelle are Harvard graduates. She had been working for 10 years, he had been working for 6 when their first daughter was born.

They hadn’t been working at McDonald’s.

In 2005 their combined income was nearly $500,000. And certainly they had savings. In 2005 Barak alone was making over $162,000.

Yet, with that kind of income, Mr. Obama said they “couldn’t afford the luxury” of living on just his income [Insert my dad’s advice here—remember—wants vs. needs?].

Does he realize that his measly $162,000 is more than triple most states’ median incomes today?

Most people in this country, and most certainly in the world, live on far less than $162,000, even with two incomes.

I grew up in a town with many large families who lived off one income (my family was one of them). Often times that one income was that of a farmer or school teacher. Sure, most of us had to wear out our tennis shoes before we could get a new pair, and we shared bedrooms, and even, gasp, rode the bus to school since we teenagers didn’t have our own cars.

We got jobs to help pay for school trips, new shoes, dates, and college. We didn’t have a TV in every room. We stayed home for spring break. I didn’t know a single family who took a trip to Europe every summer or had a home in Aspen. But we had plenty to eat and we went to school, and we had clothes to wear (of course, my older siblings reminded me I was spoiled since they only had two pairs of pants in Jr. high). And even though it may have just been to Yellowstone National Park, we took vacations and spent time together as a family. And guess what—we turned out fine. In fact, we thrived.

Could some of those families have been better off financially if both parents brought home a pay check? Could they have had fancier vacations, nicer wardrobes? How about expensive colleges, and new cars? On a small-town’s school teacher’s salary could they afford the luxury of a single income?

Well, somehow, yes. But it was a choice. A life-style choice.

Could the Obama’s have afforded the luxury of his single income? Absolutely (and had they lived anywhere near where I grew up, they could have afforded to live high on the hog and then some).

But, perhaps they wouldn’t have been able to have the vacations they wanted or live in the house they wanted in the city they wanted with the cars and clothes and careers they wanted.

Like most Americans, they would have had to survive on much less. Maybe even sacrificed a bit. But make no mistake, they could afford it.

So, I say, Mr. President, don’t insult working families by trying to paint yourselves as poor, suffering Americans.

Thinking they couldn’t afford living on $160,000 a year, answer me this—who is the one out of touch now?

Women's War

Perhaps it’s time for those of us moms who have “never worked a day in our lives” to start lining up for unemployment benefits. That ought to make the joblessness numbers more interesting! Maybe then we could show we care about the economy.

If a woman is not in the “work force” does it mean she cares less about economic issues? Does it mean she is less aware of the terrible economic problems facing our nation, more particularly her own family? Does it mean she is out of touch with how the economy impacts hers or her family’s life?

No!

If a woman is not the one bringing home a pay check, she still has to worry about that pay check.

Right now my husband’s company is going through a hostile take-over. It is not my job at stake. I am not the one dealing with the intricacies of such transactions. The share-holders do not even know I exist. But am I concerned? You better believe it.

My husband and I made the choice nearly 20 years ago that when children came to our family I would care for them full-time, even if it meant financial sacrifice and sacrifice of my own time and career, among other things. For the last 15 years, this is exactly what I have been doing. I know many people think that’s crazy. I know many people, including other mothers, put very little value on what I do and the choice we made.

Several years ago, when we tried to get life insurance for me, the first insurance company we went to refused to insure me because I “didn’t contribute” enough to our financial well-being. When we sat down and calculated my “contributions” we quickly discovered that were we to have to hire out the “work” I do (if I were to die or become incapacitated), we wouldn’t be able to afford it! This was just for the basic cooking, cleaning, laundry, yard work, music lessons, and child-care, not to mention tutoring and full-time teaching for our one home-schooled child. Needless to say, I was more than displeased with the insurance company’s ignorant response (obviously, we dropped them as our carrier for any insurance and went with another company).

When a woman leaves the “work force” to care for her family, it does not make her less concerned or less in touch with economic concerns. If anything, it makes us more concerned. We have to plan carefully, make adjustments and sacrifices, and be creative in budget development. We know that if our husband loses his job, we do not have a second income to fall back on. I fully recognize many women don’t have the choice to be at home full-time, and I feel extremely grateful that I can be with my kids. Although it is not without its challenges, being home with my kids is my favorite place to be and it is my very most favorite job. I wouldn’t change it for the world. And I hope I don’t have to.

Parenting Tips

This week I got an e-mail telling about a chance to win a day with Mitt at the ball park in Boston for Patriots’ Day. As one recently popular movie expressed, “It’s hard not to get romantic about baseball.” It’s true. And what could be more American than a good baseball game mixed with even better political conversation? Especially if there are hot dogs and ice-cream involved? Yet, having said that, as much as I would love discussing policy and interesting ideas about government change, I don’t think that’s how my day would go, if I were to win a few hours with Mitt Romney.

I can read his books and study his official web site to find out all about his platform and political beliefs. No, what I would really want to get from him would be his parenting secrets.

You read that right. Parenting secrets. And I’m guessing Mitt would say I should ask Ann. But I’m sure it took both of them to raise such a good family.

We've all heard you can tell a lot about a person by their grandkids. I hope my children reflect what wonderful, faithful people my parents are (so far, so good). Now, I don’t personally know Mitt or Ann, but I do know a couple of their kids and their grandkids. Two of their sons and their families go to church with us, and you couldn't find better people anywhere--and it shows in their kids. They all are kind, generous, hard-working, creative, and funny! Their kids, like most kids, come in, have a snack, then head for the first thing with wheels (and I know at their houses, skates and scooters are even allowed inside, along with swings and slides!). The kids help out at every scout activity or church activity, whether it's cooking, cleaning, or sewing; they work with their parents at the bishop's store house packing and shelving food for the needy; they help babysit the neighbors, they say “please and thank you,” and they do it all with a smile! These kids are good and faithful and not afraid to stand up for what’s right. Clearly they have been taught well by example.

So, when Mitt talks about wanting to preserve the greatness of America for his grandkids, I can put faces to his words, and I know he means it. He's a great man who will be great for this country. And I, for one, would love to know his secrets.