Thomas Jefferson saw the future.

My friend Jeannie sent me this quote (thanks Jeannie). How appropriate...and it was written by Thomas Jefferson, one of our forefathers, in 1802. I think he was on to something...

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."

- Thomas Jefferson 1802

Editorial by Rick Gray

Change - we all want it. And most of us would agree we need it. But change can be either good or bad.

We had the same frustrations and desire for change back in 2006. And we made a change by sending more Democrats to Washington. But it was the Democratic controlled Senate that rejected President Bush’s proposal to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That regulation may have kept us out of the problems we are in now. The Democrats drug their feet on this problem until it was too late, and then they pointed they fingers and proclaimed it was the Bush Administration that was at fault.

And it was Democrat Barney Frank who, as recently as July of 2008, said we didn’t need to regulate the Troubled Twins, they were doing just fine. When you see how much money Freddie and Fannie were contributing to the same Democrats that were responsible for their oversight you can see why they were given favored treatment, and a free hand to do what they wanted. With the free hand the Democrats gave them they ended up taking the money and leaving the problem with the American people. The problem we have to pay for now.

Barak Obama has been like a captain calling people to climb on board his ship of Change. And it seems many are joining him. It’s a change that’s heralded as our great hope. And we do need some hope as well as change.

But there was another historic ship that we ought to remember. It has some similarities. And they even made a movie about it: Titanic.

As Americans we sail together. Like the Titanic, America is powerful, capable, beautiful, and a place most people are glad to be aboard. And, like the Titanic, we are in dangerous waters. The one in charge of guiding our way and keeping us safe is the Captain. We will choose our new captain in a few days. But will we choose the one with the best rhetoric or the most leadership experience? Like the Titanic, our future depends on it. And like the Titanic, there are not enough lifeboats for everyone. That’s why I am choosing John McCain.

Buddy Walk

Today was the Buddy Walk in Omaha. I wasn't able to be there in person but I was there in spirit! My cute and lovable adorable niece, Bailey was born with down syndrome. She has been one of the biggest blessings in our family. Love you Bailey!