“He isn’t one of us” (Tim Burns)… You’re right!

I’m absolutely mystified I’m hearing that some (who didn’t vote for Tim Burns on May 18th) chose to NOT vote for him because he IS a successful businessman.  What?!  This doesn’t make a bit of sense to me; however, this seems to be the overall theme today — If you’ve worked hard and made something of yourself, you’ll be penalized and condemned for it.  It’s as plain and simple as that.

We all know that the Democrats target and seemingly advocate for the “regular working man,” but why have we allowed the media and Washington to continually portray Republicans as the money-hungry, “all for special interests” type?   As I’ve said before, we’re wrongly generalizing an entire group of people based on a few bad apples, and let’s face it — there are “bad apples” on both sides of the political fence, friends.  I, for one, prefer to have a leader who will challenge me and encourage me to be more than I am — not just prolong our government-funded contracts or “life support” here.  But see that’s the difference.  When you’re challenged and encouraged, something is expected in return (on our part)… and that’s why it’s just so much easier to pick the candidate who will deliver FOR US and TO US (not EQUIP US to do for ourselves).  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to just exist here on “life support” any longer; I want TO LIVE and PROSPER!  The Democratic way seems to be more of the same “We’ll take care of you” attitude, while Tim Burns and the Republican idea is “We’ll help to equip you for better days.”  Do you just want to exist (more of the same here)?  Or do you want a more promising future for you and your family?  It’s time we face the truth, friends, and it’s time we admit that our apathy and conformance to the political “establishment” here has put us in this dire position.  Enough!

We have become a nation who regularly puts down and condemns those who work hard (from the ground up) to get where they are today.  Somehow, we’ve been led to believe these hardworking people have somehow “cheated the system” or have had things “handed to them.”  Yes, this may be true for some — but not all.

The Obama administration is determined to “spread the wealth” which may sound great to some, but what does it really mean?!  This radical, socialist concept will negatively level the playing field for us on so many immeasurable levels.  In regards to a worldly view, we’re already not fairing well for many reasons and just recently, President Obama wrongly implied we are no more great than the other countries of this world.  What?!  More disturbing yet — this week, a leader of another country stood on the floor of Congress and put down our governing policies (and our country) with a standing ovation from our own elected officials.  Very disturbing indeed!

For us locally here in the States, leveling the playing field or “spreading the wealth” will provide little to NO INCENTIVE for our future generations to work hard and make something of themselves.  If we’re going to completely level the playing fields for all, we really don’t have to do anything on OUR END, do we?  We just have to simply exist.  That’s it.  For some who already rely on welfare and the government, this is like another guaranteed paid vacation, but for the rest of us, it will be another slap in the face for our hard work and dedication.  It promises even more deductions from our already overly-taxed paychecks.  I don’t know about you, but I want to keep the money I make AND EARN!  I’m trying to raise a family, too.  As someone who regularly participates in community service opportunities and donates my time and money, I feel I already do what I need to do (as a responsible citizen).  What (and how much) I choose to donate and give is between myself and God — not the government.

Why try to encourage our children to do well and be the best they can be?  If we cease to reward individuals for their hard work (with promotions, wage/salary increases, and just the joy of knowing you’ve reached your personal, professional, and financial goals), the average and perhaps lazy “Joe Smoe” can virtually DO NOTHING and get the same as the rest of us.  In that case, why would the hardworking citizens continue to work hard and give THEIR BEST?!  Our hard work ethic will simply become extinct.  Without some kind of drive, goal(s), or the simple joys associated with rewarded accomplishments, we will fail (on so many levels).  If you don’t believe me, you need to study the history of the Soviet Union, friends.

When I hear people from this area tell me they didn’t vote for Tim Burns because they feel he “wasn’t one of us” and “he’s a snobby millionaire,” I get extremely frustrated (and alarmed).  I DO AGREE that “Tim isn’t one of us” from the standpoint he’s a very hardworking individual with courage and a fire in his heart which MANY OF US, unfortunately, LACK.  Tim Burns started his own business in the basement of his home, persevered, and he hired 400 employees for a very successful venture.  Tim represents the true American dream, and to hold his success against him is just plain inexcusable.  Tim had the drive and the courage to do something many of the rest of us could not (or would not).  He took a chance, worked hard, and succeeded.  To twist it into something else is completely inappropriate and it shows how sad we’ve become as a people and nation when we bitterly put down someone (like Tim) because WE simply just didn’t have what it takes to “get it done” (like him).  Shame on us.

Western Pennsylvania was once driven by a hardworking middle class of blue-collar, industrial workers and immigrants who gave their blood, sweat, and tears to make this area great.  At one time, we were one of the most successful steel production areas of the country and the world!  Somehow, we’ve exchanged our hardworking history and mentality for the “gimme” attitude and we’ve allowed the spirit of the American Dream to die within our hearts here.  Somehow, we’ve been led to believe that WE CAN’T do better (and this is from the very Democratic officials who have “ruled” this area for so long).  We’ve built our own brick walls separating us from success, and we’ve become almost completely dependent on government-funded contracts for our primary existence.  Now, we are at the mercy of Washington and other citizen’s tax monies (and the people of western Pennsylvania are looked down upon because of this, and so we’ve become known as the area of “pork privilege”).  Shame on us.  I often wonder what our hard-working ancestors and immigrants would say if they could see us now…?!   Somehow I just don’t believe they would be pleased to know they worked so hard for us so we would become so dependent on someone else — the government.

Thank God Tim Burns “isn’t one of us” in regards to how we think and respond to life’s circumstances.  Thank God Tim Burns has demonstrated what WE CAN DO with the right attitude, hard work, and perseverance.  We have the power to make this area great again, and we have a proven leader, Tim Burns, who can help us to realize our best here.  But we have to be willing to take a chance, work hard, and stop this “What can he (the government) do FOR ME?” attitude.  Rather, we need to ask ourselves what WE CAN DO for western Pennsylvania, friends!  Perhaps WE HAVE become an area which is comfortable taking hand-outs… I hope and pray not, but time will tell.  For those who insist May 18th’s election was about local issues and not national, that may be true — for you.  If that’s the case, I challenge you to take a step back and look at the bigger picture because it truly is bigger than just western Pennsylvania, friends.  The upcoming mid-term elections are important BOTH locally and nationally; it’s about stopping this extremely liberal government from destroying the essential foundations of our country:  faith, freedom, and the American Dream.

Don’t forget: The Obama administration is now in hot water for reportedly offering Representative Joe Sestak (Democrat, PA) a fancy job had he dropped out of the Democratic primary (Joe Sestak declined and recently bumped out long-time Senator and White House favorite, Arlen Specter.).  Is this “politics as usual” stuff something you want “more of the same” of?!  The corruption continues on, folks!  The Democratic party will continue to “eat their own” to preserve their power and influence.  How can they be “looking out for us” or “the working man” when they’re clearly looking out for themselves FIRST?!  Wake up, dear friends!

Help us to turn things around this November (It’s not too late)… Vote for someone who has proven his leadership and business sense.  Vote for someone who believes the American Dream still lives here and WE CAN do it without the government’s assistance.  Vote for INTEGRITY and HONESTY (It truly starts here, friends.).  Vote for Tim Burns in November.