Sequestration

Okay, this upcoming government sequestration is coming to a head. I got official notice last week of upcoming furloughs. I wrote my congressman, senator and the president. I urge all government workers and concerned citizens to do the same. Below is a copy of what I wrote.

I am writing you about the upcoming government sequestration. I am 51 years old and have served our government since I was 17. First, as a decorated member of the US Air Force and Gulf War Veteran where I served 16 years and took early retirement due to force draw downs. Since then I have served as a sworn Federal Law Enforcement Agent. I was officially notified today that due to the government sequestration myself and all other federal workers will be forced to take one unpaid furlough day every federal pay period (two weeks). I was also informed that this would last for 14 pay periods. I don’t know about Congressmen or Senators but for myself and most other federal employees, losing a full day’s pay every two weeks is just not affordable. I understand the need to save money and get government spending under control. I do not agree with doing on the backs of the people that keep the government running and keep our streets safe. The current cat and mouse game being played with the federal budget is not a game; it has an immediate effect on many thousands of American workers and voters. Whether Democrat or Republican neither side is looking good or looking like they have the best interest of the American people at heart. Both sides just appear to be bull headed and inflexible. I urge you to go to the table and come to a quick workable compromise, keep the government working, then spend the time necessary to find a permanent solution to this nation’s financial trouble.

I am an American

I am an American. I am registered to vote as an independent. I have very conservative leanings but am not in any way hardcore left or right wing. I do not normally jump on the political bandwagon, but with recent event I felt I needed to put my two cents out there. I have conservative friends, I have liberal friend. We do not always agree on politics. But this being a free and democratic country we have the right to voice our opinion. A right given to us in the Constitution and its amendments. The first ten of these amendments being called the Bill Of Rights. Everything listed on the above mentioned documents are our rights as citizens. I make no bones about the fact that I do not like or trust our current President, but I do have respect for the office he holds. That’s one thing about living in a democracy, you don’t always like the person who wins the election, but the majority voted for them and they won office. As I said I have the utmost respect for the office, but any President, past, present or future must remember they are held to the same laws as every other American citizen. They also must remember that these laws are taken from the Constitution and Bill Of Rights and the President does not have the power to change that. If they did we would be living in a dictatorship.

Now let’s get to the current issue of gun control. I own guns. Some may consider that I own a lot of guns; some may differ with that opinion. I own hand guns designed for protection and some designed for target shooting. I own shot guns for hunting. I own various hunting rifles designed for different types of game, terrain, etc. Yes I own rifles that some consider “assault” weapons. Why do I own them you ask. I enjoy shooting and I especially enjoy shooting military tactical weapons. It is a hobby I enjoy. I don’t own these guns because I think I need to protect myself from a tyrannical government. There may come a time when the people of this country need to rise up, but I don’t believe it will happen in our lifetime. I am not one of these radical anti-government types. I work for the government and have since 1979 in both the military and now in a federal law enforcement capacity. I don’t own “assault” weapons for home defense. If someone breaks into my house and I need to defend myself or my family, I am grabbing a handgun or shotgun. As I stated I enjoy recreational shooting of that type of gun. But also one of the reasons I own these guns is the simple fact that I am an American and I can. Do you know why I can? Let’s go back to those pesky little documents called the Constitution and Bill Of Rights. More specifically the second amendment: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed". You know that one little word “shall” sums it up. It does not say should or might it says "shall", period.

If you made it all the way through this, whether you agree or not (that is your right), thanks for reading and remember, I am a proud American.