Get out & Vote While You Still Can

 I am voting for Donald J. Trump for President in 2016.  You can read my reasons at:  http://bicoastalgrandma.blogspot.com/2015/07/why-i-like-donald-trump-for-president.html .  I believe we need someone who is straightforward, loves America, has not been part of the political scene, and not owned by big money donors.

I was a non-partisan voter who, in every election season, voted for the person I thought would do the best job for America.  I watch politics closely and no sooner had I re-registered as a Republican, in my opinion, the Republicans' devious stratagem started coming to light.  As I became more aware of the Republican party's recent election machinations, I've been reminded of my younger days when I watched the TV coverage of the entire Republican convention feverishly trying to lock out Barry Goldwater.  I'm sickened and disheartened that the party hasn't improved in all these years. 

Sadly, the Republican party actions, namely, the last seven years of not standing up to the present Administration and the disingenuous technique of using your primary vote to create the need for a convention has caused my disenchantment.  These actions only confirm to me that, Republican politicians and their candidates, are only interested in their own personal welfare. 

Mitt Romney, the Republican who lost the 2012 Presidential elections was shown on TV advising Republicans to vote for a different person than the one they really believe should be the candidate in each State's primary.  To the best of my understanding, he was telling Republicans that voting in this disingenuous way would result in a 'contested' convention.'  In this type of convention, the Republican delegates could ignore the votes of the people and put whomever they wanted in as nominee.  He, admittedly, wanted to prevent Donald Trump from being nominated, no matter how many American citizens voted for him.  I watched the video of this losing 2012 Presidential candidate on three different channels because I could not believe that he actually said it.  No one stood up to him and said we don't play around with our votes.  No one. 

Apparently, the Democratic party is really no different.  It just handles things differently.  They have 'super delegates' as well as delegates. The 'super delegate' category seems to be comprised of elected officials who can vote for whomever they choose. Their vote seems to be cast for what is best for the Democratic party, seemingly not the American people.  It's like they, and only they, know what's best for America.  No matter how many people vote for a candidate, the 'super delegates' have the power to sway or skew the election results. The nominee will be the person selected by the 'super delegates', not the American voter.


The Republican party, on the other hand, doesn't use that technique.  I've read the explanations of their system, but in my estimation, it's just a convoluted process to get the results they, the Republican party, desire. To my understanding, sounds like a lot of 'back room' actions.  Doesn't matter what the 'unwashed' and 'unlearned' voter wants.  Even a politician, who has been in office just one term, knows how to game the system.

I saw the video made by a Colorado delegate who was shut out of voting because he was preparing to vote for Donald Trump.  Apparently, last August, the Colorado officials revised the rules so that without any people voting, they chose their nominee.  If Colorado can get away with it, what State Election Officials will try it next?


It used to be that the average person  just went to work, feeding and housing their family, and looking forward to the day when they can make ends meet to the best of their ability.  Now they are still in the 'rat' race, but it's an ever uphill battle.  I'm not even touching the subjects of many people out of work or the many people (45.4 million, as of October 2015) on food stamps.

Political officials, on the other hand, are much better off.  Many candidates enter the ring with idealism. Except for a few, their quest to help their Nation and its people seems to fade into a pursuit to preserve their own newly-found and cushy way of life. By the way, what do they do all day?  No matter what politicians of both, or either party decide for your health, wealth and freedoms, theirs is never affected.  With salaries and better benefits guaranteed by you, the American public, they live above the fray.  In my opinion, they answer to no one until Election time rolls around.  Then, they say what you want to hear in order to preserve their jobs.  After they are elected, they will hold meetings and look busy, but it seems that they've forgotten the hard working citizens who pay their salaries.  Do you really think a politician who has been in office ten, fifteen or even, 40 years can feel your pain?  


In my estimation, neither the Democratic nor the Republican party really care about or represent the voter.  We're just pawns for them to arrogantly ignore. All politicians and party officials need to be reminded that a vote is a privilege, not a toy.   Many people died protecting our freedoms, including the voting process.  It is every political party's patriotic duty to honor an American citizen's right to vote and have that vote counted.


The only hope we have as a nation is the silent majority waking up, and waking up QUICKLY.  It's time to end the cabal.

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Perhaps by Catherine Hall (on Kindle and the Nook) 

The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (on Kindle and the Nook) 

On the Go, My Restaurant Reviews

This past week, we had visitors from New York.  The first evening we went to the Old Town Mexican Cafe.  We had a half hour wait, but it didn't seem that long because the avenue was busy with diners and tourists. As you entered the restaurant, you could watch some women employees making fresh tacos.  I enjoyed the steak 'street tacos', which were a little smaller than the regular taco.  During dinner, we enjoyed Mariachi music.  Two guitarists went through the aisles playing requests.  I asked if they could sing "De Colores" and they did beautifully.  I recommend this restaurant for good food and great ambiance.

The next day we went to the San Diego Zoo, which is always a great experience.  We enjoyed our lunch at Sydney's Grille on the Zoo's property and then proceeded to view the koalas, which are always adorable.  About 100 feet away, there were two young giraffes and two very tall ones.  No matter how many times you look at them, you have to marvel at how tall they are. Then we walked back to the Skyride....a distance of about three city blocks.  After a short wait, we were on our way.  I always enjoy this ride because I can see everything in the zoo from that height.  Unfortunately, my camera stopped working when we were viewing the koalas.  It was very disappointing.

The next venue was the Ice Age 4D movie Theater.  It's very cute and not your typical movie.  The children really enjoyed it.  Our next choice was the Polar Bear.  Today there was only one visible and he was sleeping.  During other visits, we've seen the bear swimming and more active, but the day was cloudy and probably the bear was tired.  Who knows?  After this, we walked down a long hill to see the Pandas.  I saw a Red Panda for the first time.  When we reached the Pandas we are more familiar with, I was surprised at how large the young Panda had grown.  His mother was in one section and he was in the other.  The announcer stated that at two years of age, his Mom throws him out to fend for himself.  Later, we rode the Kangaroo Bus back toward the entrance.  Everybody enjoyed the zoo.

Also, you don't have to tour the zoo the way we did, because you get a map when you enter through the gates.  It gives you the opportunity to plan your day and ensure that everyone in your group gets to see their favorite animals.

That evening, my grandchildren, with the help of their aunt from NY, made homemade pizzas.  They did a great job.

The next afternoon as a visit to the R.H. Fleet Science Center.  I had been there a few months ago with my San Diego grandson and after six hours he still didn't want to leave.  So on this day with our visitors, we experienced the Taping Shape Exhibition.  Everyone had such a great time going through it that they insisted  I try it out.  The whole exhibition, made completely of clear packing tape, was suspended in air supported by a structure of steel pipes.  They walked through tunnels of tape and ended the experience with a 6 or 8 foot slide.  When I went through I had to told the walls for balance and then sit down and slide to the exit.  It was worth it just to see the delight on the faces of the rest of the family, who watched me come down.

Later that evening, we had dinner at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza in LaJolla.  My New York daughter and I shared a flat iron steak with fingerling potatoes.  Delish.  We finished our dinner with miniature donuts that were very tasty.  I love just a tidbit of sweetness after dinner.  Our waitress was excellent.  I certainly recommend this restaurant.

On Saturdays, minor league baseball practice is a commitment and takes precedence over anything else.  Because of that our ventures were scheduled for later in the day.  We took the trolley to downtown San Diego and walked to the Ferry to Coronado Island.  The ride probably takes about 10 minutes from the Broadway Pier to the Ferry Landing on the Island.  I always like a boat ride on the San Diego Bay.  After some Cold Stone ice cream and coffee, we toured some boutiques and an Art gallery.  Then back onto the ferry headed for the Broadway Pier.  Near the pier are the USS Midway Museum, a former aircraft carrier, and Seaport Village with restaurants and small shops.  Since it was late in the day, we skipped that area and went to dinner at Anthony's Fish Grotto on Harbor Drive.  This year they are celebrating their 70th year. The food was delicious.

 After Mass at Sacred Heart Church on Ocean Beach, we all joined together for Brunch at my City of San Diego daughter's house.  That afternoon we went to the Birch Aquarium in LaJolla overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  We had the opportunity to touch tide-pool animals and see a myriad of fish in the "Hall of Fish".   There were docents standing at the tide-pools to help the visitors and answer their questions.  The fish were identified so it was a great learning experience as well.  The other side of the building held exhibits of Seahorses and Sharks.  The most interesting to me were the Sea Horses.  Both adults and children enjoyed this afternoon chock full of information.  For the last meal of the day, we chose Rubio's on Mission Bay.  This, just like Anthony's Fish Grotto, was the original restaurant from 1983,  We completed our day with a walk on the beach where Pacific Beach meets Mission Beach.  A great day.

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog.

Please feel free to share a comment

Perhaps by Catherine Hall (on Kindle and the Nook) 

The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (on Kindle and the Nook)