There’s something about this year, something unexpected. It’s good. Maybe it’s the sucky economy or the over-publicized notion of December 21, 2012 as the end of times, or maybe it’s the political mayhem and the social apathy that is running rampant… but for whatever reason, I wasn’t expecting much out of 2012.

But here we are, just barely into this year, and I can feel the difference. I thought 2011 was ok, not great, but ok. Things were going in the right direction for me personally, but progress had been slow and, honestly, I didn’t expect improvement to flourish in 2012. (Maybe that’s why I’m so thrilled for the first few days to be going so well.) Maybe things being better than expected really does create a boost — a sense of joy.

Either way, this is going to be a great year! Last year, so many things were up in the air, so many things needed to be decided and done. It was never-ending. By the end of the year, although exhausted, I noticed that things had started to settle down and now they are starting to hum.

So now, completely out of the blue, I’m anxious to enjoy this year. I hope it’s good for everyone else too!

I’ve always been opinionated. I’ve always been pretty vocal about those opinions. Today, my dander is up. Today, I’m mad as hell.

The stock market slid over 600 points today (after over 500 one day last week), but that actually makes me happy. At least the stock market is beginning to reflect the state of the union – something it has failed to do for months and months. I do hate it for people who have their retirements and personal wealth tied up in the market, because they are losing their butts.

Congress is useless. The Tea-Party folded and signed that blasted agreement to raise the debt limit (sliding in the legislation for the unconstitutional “super congress” at the same time). I have no respect for any of them now.

Our economy sucks, unemployment is up, satisfaction with our representation in Washington is down… and yet these aren’t the things that set me over the edge.

What is it?

It’s the fact that slothful behavior is being rewarded. Those who do the least are being rewarded the most. There is no incentive to work hard to get the “nice” things for your family and yourself — in fact, you get more for less by doing nothing (other than signing up for more benefits). That’s not how this country was founded and it will only serve to sink it. There is a huge difference between the “land of opportunity” and the “land of the free lunch.”

Foodstamps (or EBT cards) now cover fast food — even DELIVERED fast food. And guess what? No tips or sales tax is allowed! Awesome, isn’t it? I can assure you that I will refuse to eat at any restaurant that accepts EBT cards from here on out (even if that means I never eat out again). Here’s a list of “participating” restaurants in the Los Angeles area alone — and it’s EIGHTEEN pages long!

I don’t know about you, but I can’t really afford to have pizza delivered these days. I also don’t buy red meat anymore – it’s too high. I’m working menus around what’s in season and what’s cheap. Think beans and cornbread, garden vegetables from my parents’ garden, and local fare from the Amish store.

I’m cutting back on the AC, swapping out incandescent bulbs for the curly florescent ones I hate, curtailing trips off the farm and trimming all the bills that I can.

Of course, my cell phone isn’t free like it would be if I were on Foodstamps. And my ISP isn’t $10 a month like it would be if I were on the dole. And recently, I saw an article in a local paper that’s using SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) funds to … get this… issue “vouchers” for spaying and neutering of companion pets. I guess I’m the idiot for paying to be a responsible pet owner.

Or maybe I’m the idiot for working so hard to make ends meet…

I’m constantly frustrated with the level of “charity” our government feels it has the right to steal from our pockets to give to others. The government is not Robin Hood and those of us who work to make ends meet aren’t the “rich” of society. Many of us are the “barely eeking by” of this society.

I’m not saying that those who need the assistance shouldn’t have it. It’s the abuse of the “help” that makes me crazy. At the very least, those who (for whatever reason) are unable or unwilling to pay their own way — should not be permitted to vote on how the rest of us live our lives and make ends meet.

After much contemplation and even more frustration, I’ve decided that that is the simple solution.

As such, I think anyone on governmental help — either foodstamps (or SNAP/EBT as it’s called these days), free/reduced lunches, SSI, Medicaid, etc. — should not have the right to vote.

Yep, you read that right. And I’m sure I’ll have a great deal of backlash from that view… but I don’t care.

Social Security is a different beast. The people drawing that paid into it and should get it AND retain the right to vote. I also think the right to vote should be restored 12 months after aid ends, but should be revoked the minute any aid is sought again — not granted, but sought.

Sure, everyone has tough times. Many people need occasional, temporary help. But others make this a lifestyle. Those people who are incapable or unwilling to care for their own affairs and support their own families should not have the right to vote for the lawmakers who pass laws dictating how the rest of us run and support ours.

It’s a political conflict of interest that will only result in the total destruction of the American Dream, the Puritan work ethic and the desire to succeed through hard work and dedication — that was the basis of the building of this great nation.

People who live by the grace of the charity of others shouldn’t be a member of the voting public. Voters should vote on how their tax dollars are spent. If they don’t give in to the system (or at least live in a “break even” state), then they shouldn’t vote themselves additional benefits on the back of the shrinking percentage of the populace working to support our nation.