RWOS awards scholarship to Corey Martha Decker Raley

The Republican Women of the South awarded the Frances Wideman Scholarship for the study of political science and history to Corey Martha Decker Raley, a junior at Birmingham Southern College. (photo L to R Frances Wideman, Cindy Douglas, Corey Raley and Carolyn Reich). Miss Raley was recognized at the March 24^th club meeting where Attorney General candidate Luther Strange was the guest speaker. "The $1000.00 annual scholarship award was established in an effort to promote political participation among our college and university students," said Carolyn Reich, scholarship chairman. "For our republican form of government to succeed, we believe it is imperative that our young people are encouraged to participate in the nitty gritty work of our political system under our U.S. Constitution." Miss Raley is majoring in history with a minor in religion. She served as the 2nd Vice President of the Birmingham Southern College Republicans and remains on the BSC College Republicans Executive Committee. She plans to become a teacher and said, "I fully believe that it is essential for America's youth to understand and appreciate the entirety of our heritage, religious heritage included, in order to know how to best provide for our future. Teachers, on all academic levels, have the greatest influence on a person's life. Though I may never be the one to run for office or write legislation, I can be the one to influence those who do."

The scholarship is given each year to a student who has completed at least one year of college coursework. The award was established by the club in 2007 and named in honor of club founder, Frances Wideman. Republican Women of the South club meets every 4th Wednesday at Vestavia Country Club with the goal of promoting an informed electorate and supporting the ideals of the Republican Party. Please join us!

Happy Spring!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Lorica Gaelic Chant Críost liomsa, (Christ with me)

Críost romham, (Christ before me) Agus Críost i mo chroí’se, (and Christ in my heart) Críost os mo chionn’sa, (Christ above me) Críost fúm, (Christ below me) Agus Críost ar mo chroí’se. (and Christ on my heart) Agus Críost i mo chroí. (and Christ in my heart)

The Lorica

I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity,

By invocation of his name, the Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me forever, by power of faith, Christ's incarnation;

His baptism in the Jordan river; His death on the cross for my salvation;

His bursting from the spiced tomb; His riding up the heavenly way;

His coming at the day of doom; I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power of the great love of cherubim;

The sweet "Well done" in judgment hour, the service of the seraphim;

Confessors' faith, apostles' word, the patriarch's prayers, the prophets' scrolls; all good deeds done unto the Lord, and purity of ransomed souls.

I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heav'n,

The glorious sun' life-giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even,

the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,

the stable dearth, the deep salt sea, around the old undying rocks.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to watch, his might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need;

The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, his shield to ward;

The word of God to give me speech, His heav'nly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me,

Christ within me,

Christ behind me,

Christ before me,

Christ beside me,

Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ in quiet,

Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same, The Three in One and One in Three.

Of whom all nature hath creation; eternal Father, Spirit , Word:

Praise to the Lord of my salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

JeffCo Straw Poll/Fundraiser a big success!

Why is control of private insurance companies so critical?

by Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D.

read the full article here: Why is control of private insurance companies so critical? Follow the money. Medicare and Medicaid are broke. A financial bomb will explode Medicare starting in 2011 when the first of the “baby boomers” turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. “Baby Boomers” born between 1946 and 1964 will add another 76 million to the Medicare rolls.

Medicare is going broke. It cannot handle a dramatic cost increase. President Obama has quadrupled our national debt in his first year in office. Our deficit is now greater than the deficits of all US presidents combined, from George Washington to George W. Bush.

Washington desperately needs to get its hands on hard cash. Democrats only see 3 options to cover the staggering deficits, plus cover more people on Medicare:

1) print more money (following that, our dollar is worth less, things cost more)

2) raise taxes…at first on “the wealthy,” then as deficits build, higher taxes hit all taxpayers.

3) take over private insurance companies and their large mandatedfinancial reserves set aside to pay future claims.

The government can gain control of private sector money in at least two ways:

(1) Money now being paid for private health insurance premiums and medical services will go to government coffers, either as direct payments for premiums or as added taxes.

(2) The Government can nationalize private insurance companies and confiscate their financial reserves, providing enormous new cash under government control.

Could this be the reason why we see the current administration so entrenched in their position on healthcare and their refusal to discuss viable, lower cost options to fix only what is “broken?” Republicans, particularly Senator Jim DeMint and Representative Paul Ryan, have offered excellent ideas by citing strategies used by some states (Indiana) and private businesses like Whole Foods and Safeway to successfully solve problems of rising costs, while providing more patient empowerment over health choices.