My first blog in my campaing for president

My name is Debora Youmans and I've decided to run for president of the United States during the next election. I'm starting now because I don't have any money for a campaign. Like many of my reader's I live from pay check to pay check. My greatest qualification is that I am not a politician. Although I recognize that I became one the moment I threw my hat, or should I say my scarf, into the ring, I am not a professional politician. I have not made it a career as many of those in our state capitals and in Washington, DC have done.

I'm a commoner, if I may use that word in the United States, and I have worked most of my adult life. In fact I'm still working.

I was born in Idaho and reared on Air Force bases all over the country. I love my country and I love the richness of life in the United States. I am not talking about the financial richness, but the diversity of culture and the spirit of can do that has been so much a part of our history as a nation.

When Thomas Paine wrote "The Crisis" he started with the phrase "These are the times that try men souls." These words have never been truer. Today, many Americans are feeling an overwhelming and growing frustration and anger with the American government. We are looking at a dysfunctional congress with members who failed to learn one of the primary lessons taught in kindergarten. They did not learn to play well with others. Congress is failing their primary role of making laws that are beneficial to the American people. They have made party politics and party loyalty more important than their constituents. They have passed bills that they have not personally read.

As the tea parties happen all over the country many of the politicians in office consider that it is simply a few hot headed rightist complaining.

I believe it is more than that. People like me feel that our government has left us behind and we feel that we do not have an effective voice. We can't afford lobbyist, we can't afford to run for office, and we struggle to survive financially in the society that we support with our taxes.

Many young people cannot find jobs. Young college graduates like my son are happy to find any job. Many of those jobs are in the service industry or are commissioned sales. Older Americans have to go back to work because their retirement investments have dwindled or disappeared.

My mother will be seventy-six on Mother's Day. She substitute teaches at a school to supplement her income.

What has happened to the America that was once a place of hope? We used to be neighbors. All of us. If you attacked one of us, you attacked all of us. Today's warfare is of a different nature. It has become one of vitriolic attacks against anyone who disagrees with a position. In our politically correct society I cannot disagree with President Obama on his political, economic or social positions without being called a racist. I am not a racist; I just disagree with some of his positions. I admire his perseverance and believe that some of his ideas have merit, but I do not agree with everything he believes.

If I disagree with the right, I am un-American. To be a "great American" I have to agree with every word that comes from the mouths of the self appointed guardians. I wish for a forum where there could be open dialogue and discussion of the issues. The American people deserve this.

I believe fully in the power of the American People and I believe they deserve better than they are currently getting. I don't know how many people are as disgusted as I am with what is going on in government, but it is time to vote out the people who are in office and search for people who will listen to the people.