In Search of Thanksgiving

With November nearly done -- and Thanksgiving barely  finished -- I am struggling with my usual response to this time of year:  "I am thankful for the following..."

Still smarting from our election defeat, I find myself thinking about things differently.  The majority of time, I tell myself ... it could be worse.  You could be dying, your wife could be leaving you, or your two sons could be moving back in with you.  

And that thinking is right, it COULD be worse.

As Liz reminds me, I'm the eternal optimist, which is what makes this so tough.  Normally I need a day or two to get over the loss of the Packers or Badgers.  Pretty soon I'm right back in front of the television thinking last week's loss was a fluke.  We'll get 'em this time!  More times than not, I'm right.

So let's look at a few things and put them into perspective.


I still don't like the dark meat (it's nothing racial).

1.)  Obama's re-election means that Obama Care is going to be the law of the land.

With the Supreme Court allowing the take over of our healthcare system by government bureaucrats, and this fall's election signalling America's endorsement of such folly, be prepared for higher taxes, higher insurance premiums, less control over your care choices, and death panels.  Know someone in the business of selling health insurance?  Add them to the growing unemployed ranks.

I AM THANKFUL that I won't be sitting in front of business clients trying to explain why their premiums are going up 30% this year.  In the near future, my ex-clients will be on the phone talking to someone else who will piss them off and eventually pass the buck to their "supervisor," who will then promise to get back to them.  Right.

2.)  During a season of yuletide blessings, peace on earth and good will towards men, I find it ironic that the Freethinkers Society is having such a hard time with Christmas.  When the whole world is enjoying a season of lights, carols and the occasional eggnog, this atheist group has their Santa undies in a bundle over the busing of school children to see "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at a local Arkansas church.

Anne Orsi, spokesperson for the group, says the sponsored field trip made "some" parents uncomfortable because of the religious content of the program.  Makes me wonder if these parents turn the television off when CBS runs the special on television.  The late Charles Schultz must be rolling in his grave.

I AM THANKFUL that as a child, I faced no such hurdles in observing and celebrating Christmas. Religious displays on public property were a joy to visit -- providing assurance that someone greater than me was born in the city of Bethlehem.  I'm sure many of the displays were tradition and involved whole communities celebrating their similarities, not differences.

How long before they ban "Silent Night" from public airwaves?

3.)  The Land of Lincoln -- Illinois -- recently elected Jessie Jackson Jr., Democrat, to another term in Congress, despite a bipolar disorder, links to disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich, an affair that threatens his marriage and suspicious activities leading to a federal investigation into his political finances.

Before election day, a number of political observers said that the developments would have no impact on his re-election.   They were right.  Jackson, who was too sick to even campaign, was chosen by Illinois' Second Congressional District with more than 66% of the vote.  "Congressman Jackson is in a very safe congressional district," said DePaul University Law Professor, Len Cavise.  "Absent the most blatant kind of violation, I don't think (anything) would have much of an effect."

Update:  It was recently reported that Jackson would resign, citing a federal ethics investigation and poor health.  It is believed he swung a deal to avoid further investigation and potential prosecution.

I AM THANKFUL that the great state of Wisconsin has Republican Paul Ryan of Janesville.  The presidential campaign introduced many people to Ryan, who -- as the Chairman of the House Budget Committee -- has stood his ground on many conservative issues.   By challenging President Obama during the Obama Care health forum debate, people got to see  his  Midwestern principals on display.  .

Anyone who is viewed by Washington's left as "the evil genius, the cruel and mad budget cutter who threatens grandma's health care, granddad's retirement, and the entitlement state as we know it," gets my vote every time.

Apparently others feel the same way.  He was re-elected to his seventh term by a large margin (in a mostly Democratic district).


I'll take the white meat (just keep it moist).

1.)  The Wisconsin Badgers football team has had a really tough year.  How tough?  For the third time this year, they lost an overtime game.  Once to Michigan State, once to Ohio State, and last weekend to Penn State.  I don't know what effect losing in overtime does to a team's psyche, but I would imagine it's like reliving the election results of November 6th over and over.  And over.

I AM THANKFUL that the Badgers have Montee Ball who was voted the Big Ten's top running back for the second straight year.  As a first team all-conference pick by both coaches and the media, Ball set a NCAA record with his 79th TD.  He has rushed for 1,528 yards this year and 18 touchdowns.  Wisconsin now has the honor of having two of the greatest college running backs ever:  Montee ball with his 79 touchdowns and Ron Dayne with his 6,397 rushing yards.  If that doesn't help future recruiting, I don't know what could.

The Badgers also have the honor of going to the Big Ten Championship game again for the second year, playing Nebraska.  The first time this year the two teams played, Nebraska came from behind to win 30-27 in Lincoln, NE.  It was a game that featured a fast start by Wisconsin, followed by strong defense in the second half by Nebraska.  The winner will travel to the Rose Bowl to face the winner of the PAC 12 Championship Game.

Admittedly it's been a tough year for the 7-5 Badgers, but wouldn't it be great if they could play in Pasadena one more time?

2.)  The fickle voters of Wisconsin pulled a bit of a surprise with Republicans regaining control of the state Senate and state Assembly, when they picked up two Senate seats that were lost in last summer's recall election.  In typical fashion, Democrats blamed the re-districting efforts by the GOP for their surprise victory.  It's surprising, considering the cantankerous recall elections earlier in the year, and the decision to send Tammy Baldwin to the senate instead of Tommy Thompson.

I AM THANKFUL that Republicans gained influence in 60% of all states, where we can establish a firewall against President Obama and the rest of Washington.  In stark contrast to the Presidential outcome, voters put Republicans in control of local and state purse strings.  This is significant because Democrat-controlled states like California, Illinois and New York are spending themselves into bankruptcy.  If Republican-controlled states, like Wisconsin, can foster economic growth and job creation at the state level, perhaps we can give the electorate a clear choice in 2016.

Do the people of America want  more California/Illinois or more Wisconsin?  It may be the kind of test that finally fixes the problems coming out of Washington.  Perhaps the Rose Bowl (with Wisconsin playing the PAC 12 winner) will be a harbinger of things to come.

Rockwell's Thanksgiving

3.)  Finally, what would Thanksgiving be without family?  My wife and I were speaking recently about how much family means to us at Thanksgiving.  For her, it wouldn't be the holiday without sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, moms and dads.

This year marked the first Thanksgiving for Liz without either parent.  Her dad died almost 20 years ago, and her mother passed away this summer from cancer.  For some very good friends of ours, it was the first Thanksgiving without their son, who died in a car accident.

And it wasn't the same without them.

Many of us take for granted that we will always have family sitting around the table at Thanksgiving.  It seems like your sister will always be there with her green bean casserole, or your mom with the sweat potatoes topped with marshmallows.  And how many kinds of pie will there be?  Apple, pumpkin, banana cream and pecan?

I AM THANKFUL for our traditions -- like watching the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade,  sitting down to some Detroit Lions football (maybe playing a little ourselves outside if it's warm enough), that afternoon nap, and perhaps best of all -- the leftover turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy.

When I worked at Gast Manufacturing in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the owner -- instead of sending Christmas cards -- would send Thanksgiving Day cards.  It was my job to work with an agency that created a new card every year.  We always focused on the customer, who was the most important part of his business.  It was his reason for going to work everyday.  And ultimately for it's success.

I think of those cards often.  Thanksgiving is about work, and reaping the benefits of that hard work.

Hopefully, this blog finds you thankful for many of your blessings.  Despite the election results, it could be worse.  If we do our best, love those around us, and treat our friends like family, we will truly be blessed.

Give thanks for that.