BLOG POST #10:                     HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

I’ve been meaning to write about this for a long time, but there has been so much going on lately that it has been impossible.  

I had a message prepared for Mother’s Day, but I am tweaking it and dedicating it instead to all mothers out there who have had to step and be like fathers in their absence for whatever reason.

Fathers are unsung heroes in any family. They pay bills. They keep a small space in a house usually. They tend to not get all the spoils of parenting, like major-league hugs, tears or super dramatic secrets. To keep the peace in the family they do not express opposing viewpoints. It often goes unnoticed. Every family is different, but that is how I grew up. My father was not a disciplinarian, but thats okay because I am a free spirit because of him. Both my parents knew what was right for me even though they had different ways to show the right path.

There is a point to mentioning my parents' relationship.  It was affected by politics.  Leaving Cuba separately was beyond a strain on their marriage. My father was a doctor. He had to stay behind because of government restrictions.  It was my father who encouraged my mother to come without him so we could be free.  My mother came with my brother and myself, four and three years old, and my grandparents. She did this alone, not knowing the language or the culture. It was the sixties and people walked barefoot on the street in cut-off shorts.  She missed her husband and her country but she put food on the table and kept us together until Dad joined us, two long years later.  They did this for me. 

I have little if any patience for people who think they know what sacrifice is. Please give me a break! As much as I love the United States, I cannot help but make observations based on my experiences and the pain that I have seen over the years, 53 to be exact. Totalitarianism destroys families, in endless ways. Where there is separation and division you can be sure a dark force is behind it. Trust me.

I hope no one gets offended when I say this as I have felt I have been on the “outside“ of the culture for too long. To me, America is full of whiny, spoiled cry babies who do not know how good they have had things here. I am not talking about the people who I have met in the last few years.   I am referring to people who make complaints yet offer no solutions, who want to express their opinions at all cost, yet cannot take the time to listen to someone else’s first. It is sacred for Americans to voice their opinion.  I understand that, but with that “right” should come a little burden, like, answering this question: “What are you doing about it?” or "Don't just tell me what the problem is, offer a solution while you're at it!"
 
For the first time in over 40 years of living here, I feel like I am finally a part of this country.  I feel that I have something unique to offer in this fight, my perspective. And that makes me feel good!  I wish it was under different circumstances, though. Our country is in a predicament and it is out of duty, not pleasure, that I am trying to do what is right. It is the ironic nature of socialism that it brings people who are against it together! 

Again, I see a lot of time wasted on superficial nonsense caused by the very thing that makes this country great.. Freedom. Freedom has spoiled people rotten. In life, if you do not act responsibly, you lose your freedom! Likewise, if people do not govern themselves accordingly like chickens without heads just saying but not doing, rules and regulations become more needed to control the masses. Progressivism is not just a political phenomenon it is a by-product of the very freedom that made this nation complacent while they were distracted. This is just my humble observation.

Americans are great. They are patient. They are giving, kind and God-fearing. But they have been immature in many ways. Until Obama came into the picture, many people did not know that communism had been here for a long time. Obama is not the only problem, though. He just woke a lot of people up! Yes, he is a totalitarian and No, Romney is not a Communist, but they are both Progressives.   It is my heartfelt opinion that unless we push back to keep our house clean first, it will be hard to fight against a radical leftist President who can be beat in 2012.  

Just because a candidate gets the nomination for our Party, does not mean we allow a Progressive message to take hold of it, which it has. We must continue to stand against that pernicious agenda as effectively as we can. Our resolve is being tested now more than ever.  Our voices must continue to be heard.  We have to continue to flex our debate muscles so we can improve our argument each time.  It takes practice.  It takes time. There is a lot to do, don't just sit there and complain.  Do something! 

If your argument is so weak or your evidence so lacking that you resort to name calling or smearing someone’s reputation when they disagree with you then you are part of the problem, and you should get out of the way!  Everyone has a “right” to their opinion, but no one is obligated to respect stupidity!  In fact, stupidity is nature’s way of weeding out the weakest among us. And we sure need strong soldiers to fight this battle on two fronts.  Time and energy well-spent is of the essence.

Just to remind you, Congress, the media and higher-learning institutions to name a few, are filled with people who have degrees that show they took the time to learn something. It has merit, but degrees do not mean you are intelligent.  Intelligence comes from wisdom, no matter who you are or where you come from. You don’t need a title to be smart or wise!  You just need to understand things or attempt to understand them by asking questions when you need to, listening to others and seeking help or information from people who know more than you. You really want to know when someone is really intelligent?  When they know enough to know they do not know something. 

For every person who makes me feel like giving up because they refuse to see the truth, I find ten or more who keep me going because they share in its knowledge.  I will speak the truth even if my voice shakes, and it has been shaking lately!

Getting back to Father’s Day. My father passed down his love for freedom to me, my mother's life is a daily reminder that freedom is not free.  Sometimes we have to do things we do not want to, but for the greater good we must sacrifice and put what we want aside to make room for what we need: a sane, healthy conversation. Let’s listen to one another. Let’s assess our situation as honestly as we can. And let’s solve our problems!  I hope everyone enjoys this weekend and reflects on what really matters.
 
Happy Father’s Day, Mom & DAD!

Thank you for all the sacrifices you made on my behalf.

I love you!

Isabel Matos