Why I do not Trust Government Officials or Politicians

This question should be self-explanatory. I know many Pennsylvanians, even Americans, that are discouraged to a point where they do not even bother to vote.
Mr. Donald Rumsfeld's predecessor, Dr Robert Gates, has stated that the we are not winning in the war in Iraq.
A few weeks ago I watched 60 Minutes on CBS General Abizaid said that there are high hope for an Iraqi stabilization.
In short who are we to believe?
This is exactly why anytime, especially during an election season I do not believe anything a politicians states. I almost never trust anything a Government official states.
This is exactly why I do not belong to any political party. I am not going to support two parties that create lies and propaganda to shortchange the other side. Manipulation and fears. One side will point to the other side and state the fear and propaganda to intimidate those who agree or disagree. If you aren't apart of one side, you are wrong. The same goes for the other. It happens on both sides.
The difference between the Democratic and Republican Parties are the Donkey and the Elephant. You might as well replace them with this,


or this!


Most people know that Chrysler and Dodge are the same company as well as Ford and Mercury.
That is what I think of when it comes to Democrats and Republicans. Same company, different name.

Contradicting Stories

Today I found this piece of news I found at Reuters, USA Today, and Yahoo.com.
Robert Gates, the man that President Bush to be Defense Secretary, has said the US is not winning the War in Iraq. gates had claimed there were not enough troops when they were deployed in 2003. He also has stated that leaving Iraq would create furtehr turmoil in Iraq.
Dr. Robert Gates was the man selected by President Bush to replace Donald Rumsfeld. I am hoping this man will give a new direction for America's troops in Iraq. It looks like America will probably do most of this on their own.
I feel that it should have had better planning before jumping into the war. USA Today also reported that more troops were needed in Afganistan.
Keith Ellison, the first Muslim American to be elected to congress has chosen to take his oath on the Quran. This has caused some public outcry because of his choice. I feel it should be his choice on the book to take his oath on. The voters knew he was a Muslim when they elected him and Mr. Ellison should be able to take his oath and be sworn in on the Quran if he chooses.
I have no idea why people are making such an issue out of it. The voters have spoken, let the man take his oath on what ever book he chooses, and let him do his job.

Article IV of the United States Constitution reads:
"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."

Random Posting and Thoughts

Today I am posting some random thoughts and things I should be grateful for. This comes at a week or so late from thanksgiving, but this is a season to be grateful for.
Everyday I hear other people's pessimism. I have a fair share of it myself. Matter of fact my entire world used to revolve around pessimism. My entire world was one of despair and hopelessness. It would boil over to a point where I was constantly angry at everyone and everything. Most of it was self-induced and self-inflicted.
Eventually I realized I must get over my own self-inflicted harm because it can and will cause other medical problems. I knew I had to stop being so hard on myself. I knew there was a way to do it and had to find it. I realized that this is not the way to live.
I have found other outlets such as my blog to deal with myself. I know now how to effectivetly communicate with other people and to discuss how I feel. This is no easy task. It is a learned behavior and to use it effectively you must develope your own techinque once you lean how to do it.
I have learned to enjoy the things around me. I have learned to enjoy my life and live as fullfilling as possible. I look at the beauty of Mother Nature and realize it is still a beautiful thing, even when the trees are bare at this time of year.
I am not perfect. There are time when everything I written above is thrown out the window. I still get frustrated with my life such as my job, but I don't let things get the very best of me. I have learned that things do not always go the way I planned, but 99% of the time they work themselves out.
I see some people at their very worst and they feel it is something they cannot get out of. Especially at my workplace the worst can come out of the nicest, most courteous, and patient people. Sometimes, I may give them a piece of advice and other times I am at a loss for words. Most of the time I can picture myself getting that frustrated as well. I know I have been there before.
There are things that present a challenge. Those challenges, when the demands are met and the job is complete, it only makes a person stronger.

Americans are Driving Less

Higher fuel prices are causing Americans to drive less. The American driving average dropped from 13,711 miles to 13,657 miles. This is not that sigificant. However, Americans are driving less.
Black Friday sales have increased from last year, although Wal-Mart did not recieve as high of sales as expected. Was it due to the boycott crititzing Wal-Mart as a "gay" agenda because they donated $60,000 to a gay rights group? I am not going into detail because I am not going to get excited over an extremist Christian group opposing their donation.
Overall, sales have been quite well for other retailers than Wal-Mart. Sales have increased over 3.4% from last year. It isn't looking too bleak afterall.