| JANUARY 2, 2024 -- At the 139th Connecticut State Grange Session we had 28 resolutions presented to the membership. We had resolutions on a Code of Ethics for the Supreme Court, Fixing Student Loans, to allow refinancing or forgiveness, a cap on college tuition, stronger cyber security for hospitals, Granger by email, recycling centers and paper recycling. While all of these did not pass they all had great discussion by the members. The Code of Ethics for the Supreme Court did not pass, as members stated it is not for us the dictate rules for the Court, the Supreme Court did present a Code of Ethics in October, just on paper with no one in charge of overseeing the Codes.
In November, the House selected another Speaker, Micheal Johnson of Louisiana. He says he is a Christian Nationalist, and his strength is what he finds in the Bible.
He is a pro-life follower and supports the fall of Roe v Wade. His thoughts are that if all those babies weren’t taken, we would have the next generations of workers, so Social Security would be funded by those workers, and the population would not be in decline. But Mr. Speaker, what if Congress passed an immigration program that processed all those seeking asylum and given a chance to enter legally, to work the farm jobs, cleaning and dishwasher jobs, and all the others which none of us care to do. And while these hard working people get the chance to become good citizens, they also will pay taxes to help pay for Social Security. Just a thought. The Government is on a band aid budget as the house kicked the can down the road. Since the last writing Israel was attacked by Hamas (a Terrorist Group in Palestine) and 240 Israeli hostages were taken and thousands of children, concert-goers, parents and grandparents were killed by these terrorists. Israel is fighting back and many hostages have returned, yet others are still held. This war has destroyed much of the Gaza Strip and killed many Palestinian people trapped between Hamas and the Israel troops. Hopefully this will stop soon.
Ukraine is still fighting off Russia and still needs NATO’s aid to take back their country. They are asking for aid that we as a nation has promised to them, yet many members in Congress are back-pedaling from our promise. Ukraine has proven to the world that Russia is not the Super Power we all were told they were. Under Putin’s leadership the military has been robbed, stripped down, not maintained, supplied with inferior clothes, weapons, meals, electronics, China’s reject tires, and many other war items. We thought they were the best military might but little Ukraine has shown the world that Russia is not a power nation. We need to get back in the game and support these brave Ukrainians and get their homeland back.
2024 is here and the elections are in November. As Grangers we must look at our founding fathers who have laid the pathway toward the light. Our organization being founded after the Civil War, on the principles that we encourage all to join us and there is a place for all. We welcomed women to
join us and have four offices that only women can fill. We fought for women’s Right to Vote in 1919, many Grangers work hard to get this done. When we all entered the Grange, we have all taken an oath to obey the Constitution of the United States. Connecticut had one Grange black ball a potential member twice because he was a Tavern Owner. We all pledge to uphold these values that a Good Granger is welcomed to our family.
This coming election many lies and truths will fill our networks, social medias, newspaper, friends and family members. Do your own research and ask what would the Seven Founders do if they were here today, our what would Jesus do. Democracy is so delicate like a new flower that needs to be cared for and nursed to bloom. The choice is yours and remember that obligation we have all taken through our Grange time. Your action will affect you, your parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, and future generations.
Happy New Year!
|
