Bared Expectations - A Book of Poetry by Candace Hardin

http://www.amazon.com/Bared-Expectations-Collection-Candace-Hardin-ebook/dp/B00SK6DLJ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431466993&sr=8-1&keywords=bared+Expectations+by+Candace+Hardin See my poetry book on Amazon or any e book reader.

Leica Camera and the Family Story as posted on ClashDaily.com/CandaceHardin

How many times has a 35 mm camera been used to immortalize a family gathering? The numbers would probably be about as high as the Federal Deficit. While using a 35mm camera at a birth, wedding or graduation, did the camera save a life? The story of Leica Camera and the lives the company had saved is finally being told. The name Leica is made by taking the first three letters of the last name of the founder, Ernst Leitz and combining it with the first two letters in the word, camera. The company was founded in Wetzlar Germany by Ernst Leitz the first. The Leica Company originally created the compact 35 mm camera for use in landscape photography, especially mountain landscapes. The Leica was the first practical camera that used 35 mm film. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_Camera The Leica Company founded in 1869, wrote the book on employee benefits and how to treat company employees. Early on, the Leica Company were pioneers of pensions, sick leave and health insurance. The reason for such benign behavior is that Mr. Leitz depended on generations of skilled workers to run his business. Many of the workers were Jews. Ernst Leitz II took over in 1920, being the head of the company his father had begun until 1956. When Adolf Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, Leitz II began receiving frantic calls from Jewish associates for help in getting them and their families out of Germany. As Christians, the Leitz were not restricted by the Nurnberg Laws, created to restrict Jews in their professional and business activities. To assist those asking for help, Leitz II quietly established what is known to Holocaust historians as the “Leitz Freedom Train.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_Camera This was the process of assigning colleagues, friends, family of friends etc. with a way to exit Germany safely. These people were sent to France, Britain, Hong Kong and the United States as “employees” under the ruse of work transfer to the Leica facilities in foreign lands. “Employees” sent to the United States went to Leica’s Manhattan office. They were given a Leica camera, a living stipend and assistance in finding a job. The “Freedom Train” was in constant operation between the years of 1938 and early 1939. They delivered refugees into New York every few weeks until the invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 when Germany closed its borders. Though successfully transferring many to safety, family members and staff were not excluded from retaliation by the German government. A top executive, Alfred Turk, was imprisoned for helping Jews, only to be released upon the payment of a very large bribe. Leitz’s daughter, Elsie was imprisoned by the Gestapo for helping Jewish women escape at the border. She was eventually released, but not after receiving rough treatment. She was treated with suspicion while attempting to improve the living condition of 700 to 800 Ukrainian women assigned as slave labor to the camera factory. The reason that this story has not gained notoriety over the decades is that the family sought no praise for their actions, and wished to remain anonymous for their altruism. Since the last family member has passed, a book detailing the story of the Leitz family and their contribution has been written by a California born Rabbi named Frank Dappa Smith. The name of the book is The Greatest Invention of the Leitz Family: The Leica Freedom Train.

Days Ahead: A Chance for Responsibility as posted on ClashDaily.com by Candace Hardin (4th in the Teddy Roosevelt Series)

Two weeks ago, the American Public stood up in unison and made a few bold statements. They were not happy with the status quo. They were not happy with a food stamp administration. They rejected the policies that have stagnated the economy and desiccated the life and wealth of the middle class. They would like their original country returned to them as the Constitutional Republic, based on Judeo-Christian values. Hopefully, the victors will be able to discern that all is not yet well and their victory is tremulous. Now is the time for action, for hard work and for fulfilling the responsibility for which these officials were elected. Teddy Roosevelt once said, “The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight.” The Republicans that are in the House and Senate should be emboldened to rise up and just say a resounding “NO” to the current administration’s agenda and those who support it. They should be willing to put up a grand roadblock in front of any last minute efforts of the departing team to cause the American People more havoc. It could be that they would lack sufficient support to completely stop or pass any actions, but they should have enough courage to delay and deter as much as is possible until the swearing in of the new Senators and House Members in January. Support is forthcoming, if they will just hold on until it arrives. Obama is determined to pass an Amnesty bill on his own, by executive order. http://cnsnews.com/commentary/ken-blackwell/house-republicans-can-stop-obamas-amnesty-agenda This is an illegal and unconstitutional act! Only Congress has the authority to make changes to the laws that govern naturalization. The middle class is struggling to return to earning a living wage at one job, with normal benefits, so as to support their families. Many are working two or three part time jobs with few benefits just to make ends meet. Many have given up and are in despair of ever finding decent work in their career field again. So many have lost their homes and any wealth they had accumulated in the years prior to the recession. It is an extreme act of folly to believe that anyone from either side of the border would be served by a free for all at this juncture of the fallout of the recession. It is also an extreme injustice to legal aliens who followed the rules and went the correct route to receive their status. For what reason did they wait, if the ticket is just to show up and get everything for free? The American Public is expecting those who are in the upcoming majority to reach deep down and grab the courage to hold the law and the line until next year. So much damage can be done in so little time. A fine example is the last six years. Who would have thought things could have declined so far, so fast? Voters, you made step one and changed the management. Now, you will have to be willing and able to pull your own weight and ride the current representatives as well as the representatives elect like a fine race horse to see your concerns and needs met. Now is the time to continue the fight. No one has the luxury to sit down and rest!

Work Worth Doing - 3rd in series on Theodore Roosevelt Quotes - as published on ClashDaily.com

Written by Candace Hardin on November 11, 2014 https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5136591818701317992#editor/src=sidebar

The problem with the United States right now is a lack of viable jobs for its citizens. The new corporate way is more work for less employees. During a recent job search, I found that today’s employer wants a tailor made person for their position. Their standards are extremely high and the pay does not come close to matching the qualifications. I found a fine example of the ridiculous on a popular classified website. “Our digital agency is growing and in need of a full time writer for our unpaid internship with the possibility of hiring. Intern must have an English degree from a 4 year college and basic knowledge of marketing / public relations.” The ad goes on to relate the various duties that will be required of this unpaid position. Their list is the perfect job listing for a copywriter, normally a fairly well paid job by a professional. People with four year English degrees are not necessarily versed in marketing as a matter of course. Those skills usually come under the curriculum of a BA in Business. Here is the problem with this ad: The company is wanting an employee without compensation. (Not sure this is legal either, the Dept. of Labor may need to be consulted.) The company has very specific demands as to whom shall be qualified for this free work. The company wants this person to come pre-trained, and ready to jump into the flow without adding any training or input on their own. Our economy is consumer driven. There is no other way to explain it. A large portion of the year’s GNP is determined by consumer spending during the Christmas holiday season, as well as other factors. America has lost so many middle management jobs and manufacturing work. These were and will continue to be the backbone of our economy. When people made a living wage, they had some purchasing power. They had the confidence to borrow for the things they wanted, and money was available for lending. After the bailout and with all the TARP money that banks were given, loans are still very hard to come by six years after the fact. Most people are afraid of incurring debt as the job situation is more precarious than ten years ago. Teddy Roosevelt once said that, “Far and away, the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” This is true. Work is healthy for the body and the mind. It inspires confidence in a person and allows for the realization of dreams that everyone has for the way they would like to live. If highly skilled work is allowed to be unpaid or underpaid, it is a formula for despair. Despair is the reason that so many people have left the workforce. Unless workers are given an opportunity to work hard at work worth doing, that is properly compensated, the economy will never truly recover. People need an opportunity to have pride in their performance and in the life they provide for themselves and their families.

Russell Crowe

Just a note: I met Russell Crowe today. It was very exciting for me. He was very nice, not as excited to meet me, of course, but nice. He is the only actor I have ever met, other than my Grandmother, who really missed her calling. So, Mr. Crowe, should this blog come to your attention, I so love your work. I thought Pearly in "A Winter's Tale" was one of your best portrayals. I loved "Robin Hood" as well. I really never thought that anyone could beat Kevin Costner's version, but this different perspective was very entertaining. I hope you enjoy your stay in Atlanta. Welcome.

2nd article in the Teddy Roosevelt series

http://clashdaily.com/2014/11/bottom-line-vote-best-thing-can/ THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO This is the second article in the Teddy Roosevelt series of quotes applicable to today’s events. Teddy Roosevelt said, “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” This quote is very appropriate to one of the most important and sacred duties of an American citizen. Tomorrow is November 4th, Midterm Election Day, the perfect opportunity to make a difference in your community and your country. Voting is a privilege, not a right. Many have died defending that privilege, and yet it often unused or worst misused. Registering to vote gives everyone a chance to participate in the mechanics of our government. It gives a roll for the courts to call on when justice is to be meted out. Jurors are drawn from registered voters. The right to a jury trial is a very important part of our American Justice System. Many claim that their one vote is of little consequence, but many votes gathered together can make an enormous difference in who wins the race, especially in a straight run off when the strength of the majority is the deciding factor. Going to the polls tomorrow, in this moment of decision, is the best thing you can do. It is the right thing to do. Anyone who refuses to participate in this activity forfeits their right to complain about the problems within the government. Many are not overly enthralled with the choices. They feel forced to hold their nose and choose the lesser of two evils. This is not a new condition. There is no perfect formula. Even those who seem a good choice can blow up in your face. However, the next best thing is the wrong thing, a vote for someone who didn’t pan out under fire, yet duty was observed. Finally, in the moment of decision, the worst thing you can do is nothing. This was never more evident than in the 2012 presidential election. http://lonelyconservative.com/2012/11/three-million-republican-voters-stayed-home-on-election-day/ Many voters couldn’t get their head around the opposition to the incumbent president, and found any excuse to justify their dereliction of civic duty: They wanted Ron Paul, They weren’t sure about a Mormon, and were unwilling to research the matter themselves. He was just another moderate rich guy who couldn’t relate to the average Joe. (Never mind that he was a businessman of a sterling reputation, a family man and professed Christian.) So, in doing nothing, by indecision and self-righteousness, the status quo remained and everyone has suffered more than anyone could have possibly realized. In the words of Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.”

First in a series contrasting the words of Teddy Roosevelt with today's issues

http://clashdaily.com/2014/10/teddy-roosevelt-barack-obama-changed/ FROM TEDDY ROOSEVELT TO BARACK OBAMA: What Has Changed?

Written by Candace Hardin on October 28, 2014 Theodore Roosevelt was our 26th President. By all accounts, he was a formidable leader. He was a fine orator and left many quotes from his ponderous speeches. In fact, one speech was so bulky that when folded and placed in his breast pocket, it slowed a bullet during an attempt on his life. Studying the wise sayings he left behind, I began to wonder if anything he said could be applied to the concerns many have with today’s leadership. Teddy Roosevelt once said,” Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big.” Here are a few examples of idle rhetoric that have lessened our standing as a nation and in the International Community: Drawing the “Red Line” with Syria, according to Leon Panetta, was the right thing for the president to do. However, failing to act on his word did harm in that “it was important for us to stand by our word and go in and do what a commander in chief should do.” The Affordable Healthcare Act, an oxymoron on the best of days. So far, it has not made insurance more affordable. In fact, most people’s premiums have been steadily rising, along with deductibles, while benefits dwindled. Healthcare on a national level is important. It should be done and it should be done prudently. Neither of which has happened, and all we are left with is the rhetoric. “If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it.” Postponements and political posturing aside, eh, not so much. Many have lost their health coverage, and others stagger under the weight of increased premiums, or have been forced financially to drop their coverage. “Not even a smidgen of corruption in the IRS.” Really? It seems that IRS commissioner, John Koskinen, said Lois Lerner’s emails were lost. He didn’t bother to mention that the company Sonasoft was hired by the IRS to protect against data loss. Then, oops, the IRS came out with an apology for “inappropriate targeting” of large Tea Party groups during the 2012 election year. It is probable that the majority of Americans have always been suspicious of the trustworthiness of the IRS. After all this, all doubt is removed. They are not to be trusted. It seems that an administration run on hot air, rhetoric of dubious veracity and unresolved scandals of major proportion is all that we have to show from the White House for the last six years. Teddy Roosevelt’s words still ring true. He would be outraged beyond all reason if he was alive today. American citizens should be outraged as well.