because i believe in the freedom of speech

this blog is about me.

my opinions.

my beliefs.

my convictions.

my family.

my favorites.

my bad times.

my celebrations.

my feelings.

my worries.

my joys.

i am so grateful to live in a country where i can blog

{in lowercase} about my little life.

i am so grateful to live in a country

where i can express my angie-self.

i am so grateful to live in a country

where i have a voice.

*god bless america.

***

because i believe in the freedom of speech, i have decided to post my concerns & feelings about our current america.

i am a lover, not a fighter.

but right now, i feel it necessary & appropriate to stand up for what i believe in.

i want there to be no question the principles and values i stand for.

i have dear friends, family, and acquaintances that disagree with me on political issues and that’s totally okay. everyone is entitled to their own beliefs! we can still love & appreciate one another.

i think it’s essential to remember that just because someone has a different opinion & concerns, doesn’t automatically make them intolerant, small-minded, a hater, a racist, uneducated, or unkind.

***

remember this post?

well, on that day in november i was feeling hopeful. i was cautiously optimistic when a man, who seemed to have {very} different ideas than me, was voted into office. i celebrated with america as wonderful history was made & change was promised.

and now, on this day in september, i am still feeling hopeful. but i have real concerns about the “change” that is coming to pass.

i respect president obama for the office in which he holds & child of God that he is. i think he is a very articulate, smart, capable person. i just have a hard time trusting him & his administration based on the decisions that have been made, the company that they keep, and the issues that are currently on the table.

i believe that the problems we are facing with this administration have been a long time comin’. i would agree that passed administrations [including bush] have made mistakes too.

but i also [know] that there is a better way to fix what is broken than to,

[quoting obama] “fundamentally {transform} the united states of america."

so: because the federal government works for me [and you!], i have decided to stand up for the things i believe in.

today i attended & enjoyed a very organized, peaceful, inpsiring tea party at the state capitol,

along with my awesome dad & a group of other concerned arizonans.

*i took a stand against the healthcare bill in it’s current form.

*i took a stand against the excessive spending in Washingtion.

*i took a stand against cap and trade.

*i took a stand against tax increases in a struggling economy.

*i took a stand against the shady czars working with the president.

*i took a stand against big government.

*i took a stand for the principles & values that I hold dear.

*i took a stand in defending the constitution.

*i took a stand for freedom.

***

9 years ago, i visited new york city.

i had no idea that within a year, the twin towers i visited would be there no longer.

on september 11^th, 2001 there was great tragedy here in america- one that i pray never repeats itself. it was through that experience that i gained an even deeper testimony of freedom & appreciation for liberty. i saw a country that was hurting & scared, come together & be strong.

such memories inspire the guts out of me to cling to my belief that this country is unstoppable & that we ALL have a voice!

i am not some "right-wing-nut-job."

i am just a momma who wants her babies to enjoy freedom.

i am grateful to a God in heaven who blessed me to live in such an awesome country.

i believe he also blessed each of us with a heart to discern and a voice to be heard.

***

so, to my government, with my voice,

i boldly declare:

don’t tread on me.