Frankly speaking

I realize it's a tad bit premature for Thanksgiving, but I am working on my list of items for which I am thankful. Doesn't hurt to get a head start.

And speaking of Thanksgiving, when did retailers start displaying their Thanksgiving wares in August? Probably had to clear out the Halloween gear that went on display in July. Oh, well, I digress.

Back to that Thanksgiving list. Family and health always top the list. Always will. I hope that applies to most of you as well.

Given the highly unfavorable political climate of the day, I find myself thankful that I live in a country where I can openly criticize an elected official without fear of reprisal or harm.

I think that too often we ignore this basic freedom because, quite frankly, we know no different. Despite some very isolated instances, we have always enjoyed the freedom to express our displeasure and in some cases outright contempt for those who run our government.

This is especially true today. Granted, I suspect that those we criticize would love nothing more than to aim arrows in our direction in retaliation but, for the most part, these are simply verbal salvos.

Like many of you, perhaps, I watched Rush Limbaugh rant about the Obama administration on a news program this weekend. By way of disclaimer, I agree fully with Limbaugh's assessment despite his swipe at the enormous Obama ego. Rush probably should avoid making an ego claim against anyone, given his healthy admiration for himself.

But what amazed me and pleased me as well was the fact that Limbaugh could make these highly critical remarks and not face repercussions other than the usual contempt that follows his every step.

Sure, I'm thankful for the roof over my head and the food on my table. But I worked hard for that roof and that food. I didn't do any of the heavy lifting when it came to assuring that I had the freedom to bitch and moan about our government. This freedom was given to me and all others as a resident of this great nation.

Following the Limbaugh interview, I patiently watched as the Obama team took to the same airwaves and spouted their critical comments on the conservative movement. Though I wanted to shout them down, I realized that they too had the very same freedom of expression that I enjoyed.

When the nut job from Florida -- one Mr. Alan Grayson -- tells the nation that the Republican health care plan is for older residents to "die quickly," I want to meet him in a dark alley with a big baseball bat. But I have to remember that the same freedom that allows me to call him a nut job covers his freedom to claim I want others to die quickly.

It clearly cuts both ways.

Obama, Reid, Pelosi, Grayson, Schumer, Jackson-Lee, Waters, Rangel, Frank and too many others to mention are absolute idiots in my book.

And I am thankful that I can say these words without fear.