New Hope for New America

While her response couldn't be considered timely, I could totally tell from this letter that she is completely engaged and excited about how much thought I had put into this proposal, and what a great idea it is. (I get that she has to kind of downplay it, not give me specific answers until she's 100% sure, etc. That's cool.)

Many of you may not remember my plea for a new American colony. And now, in the face of financial despair traveling around our country, and our world, I think more of you will be clinging to this new hope. So here it is - read up, and START PACKING! Amy is ON OUR SIDE! It could just be days away that we are free from the tyranny and hopelessness that is leaking through the radio and tv waves these days. And a mere blimp in time until we are in the beautiful northwoods of Russia tearing up the terrain in our Land Rover Defenders.

Meeting with Hillary

We are in D.C. this week to lobby for New America. Unfortunately, I was unable to meet with our Minnesota Senator, Norm Coleman, so decided to fry some bigger fish. Despite the tension of the North Carolina primary, Hillary was still willing to meet with me for a short meeting Tuesday, May 6 at the Yates Federal Building. I was able to present my idea along with work plans, topographical maps, and census reports. She seemed very open to the concept, even adding her own wisdom and insights. I think we were both pleased with the outcome:

The Unfortunate Incident

Dear Mrs. M,

Regarding the incident on Northwest Airlines on the day of April 11, 2008:

We don't know how security was breached that you were able to procure the date, flight number, and destination of Senator Coleman on April 11, flight number 1234. Regardless, it was very inappropriate to use that information in order purchase a ticket in an adjacent seat to privately lobby Mr. Coleman for the 2 hours, and 22 minutes from Minneapolis to BWI Airport. While he understands that each of those he represents in Minnesota have unique issues close to their heart, he feels that your "proposal" of starting a colony in Russia is blatantly beyond realistic or possible. In addition, Mr. Coleman did not appreciate your loud and dramatic emotional display when his answers weren't what you thought they should be. Because the plane had to land until you were calmed down, Mr. Coleman missed an extremely important meeting with President Bush, and the Committee for Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs .

In the future, please do not contact Senator Coleman, his office, any person directly employed by Senator Coleman, or anyone related to Senator Coleman to discuss, inquire, or even indirectly imply about anything related to starting a new "colony" in another country in order to drive around in some "overly-priced pop can" (Mr. Coleman's words).

In the meantime, we hope you will visit our website at http://coleman.senate.gov, to monitor the work we are doing in the Senate.

Sincerely,
Norm Coleman's Office
United States Senate

New America on the Line

After not hearing back from any of the 7 congressmen, 2 senators, or the President of the United States that I contacted March 17 about my idea for a new American colony in Russia, I summoned up the courage to call one of them on the phone yesterday. This is how it went down:

Me: May I speak to Senator Coleman?
Them: May I ask what it is in regard to?
m: Yes, I wrote a letter several weeks ago asking about starting a new colony in Russia, and just haven't heard back yet from him.
t: No, I can tell you right now, they don't respond to ridiculous letters like that.
m: I don't really feel that it was ridiculous. I wrote it with sincerity and felt that it was an idea with some merit.
t: If the Senator spent his time responding to every off-the-wall letter like yours, he would be unable to tend to more important matters such as passing legislation.
m: Did he mention the letter to you?
t: No, he did not
m: He didn't mention a Land Rover Defender, by any chance?
t: No, he did not
m: Will you let Norm know that if the colony doesn't work out, that I would still really appreciate the Land Rover Defender?
t: Good-Bye. (click)
m: Good...Bye

I am wondering at this point if I should just give up and be thankful that at least I have no regrets because I TRIED, which is much better than having this amazing idea then not doing anything about it. Its just the agony of defeat that I have a difficult time with.

The New Covered Wagon

I have had several of you ask me what you should plan to take, and what in the world to pack it in! Great questions, guys! Ideal for storing all our belongings on this long journey, the Contico Storage Locker is the preferred container for our trip. This box measures 31.0 x 17.0 x 13.0, and we will allow one box per adult and 1/2 box per child under 18. If you have an odd amount of children, you may round up. For example, since we have 2 adults and 5 children, we will be allowed 5 of these bad boys. You can see I've got my storage unit here packed and ready to go. I even had room for my hair dryer!

They fit very nicely on top of the Land Rover Defender with a roof rack, and can travel over wild terrain without getting damaged or falling off. I think we can all thank our lucky stars that we aren't in covered wagons! Its never been done like this before!

The girls are all ready to go:

Attention Pioneers

I saw an ad in today's paper of someone I am presuming is trying to sell everything to come with me, and it hit me how much we have to be willing to give up, to sell EVERYTHING, leave it all behind except for a few precious belongings. I think when you read this, it will pull your heart strings too:

Also, lady pioneers! A reader has graciously shared the following information that I think you'll find extremely helpful. If you're planning on going with me, can I recommend the pStyle? The pStyle is a plastic device that allows females to pee standing up without undressing. I would copy and paste the whole description here, but it uses body part language that I'm uncomfortable with. I can say that according to the website, once you become used to the convenience of the pStyle you may find that you always want to have it with you like a cell phone or a wallet. Hmmmm

First Lawmaker Response

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to contact me via e-mail. Because of the volume and range of e-mails I receive, it can take some time to send a response that specifically addresses the subject raised in your message. I do, however, want to let you know immediately that your message has been received and that a more detailed response will be forthcoming. In the meantime, I hope you will visit my website at http://coleman.senate.gov, to monitor the work I am doing in the Senate.

Sincerely,
Norm Coleman
United States Senate

Why a Land Rover Defender?

The Land Rover pictured above actually prefers terrain without asphalt, pavement, or tarred roads of any kind.

Some of you have been asking me "Why a Land Rover Defender?" And to that, I say "Why not?" Here's a description of the Perfect Car in a nutshell:

The Land Rover Defender is a British four wheel drive Off-road utility vehicle. It is the product of continued development of the original utility Land Rover Series I launched in 1948. Using the basic yet robust underpinnings of a ladder frame chassis and aluminium body, the Defender is available in a huge variety of body types (as of 2007, 10 major body types are available from the factory, plus many more specialist versions such as fire engines, hydraulic platforms and military versions). Defenders are used for a very wide variety of purposes- from agricultural and industrial users to a large number of military customers. Defenders are also a common choice for use on expeditions and surveys throughout the world.

I'm in love! This sweet ride can fit 2 people in the front, 3 in the middle, and then has two side seats in the back that can hold 2 adults each and then how many ever kids (on laps) that you happen to have (there are no pesky seat belt laws in the colony that we have to worry about).

PLUS , its eye-catching. Ladies, I don't think I speak just for myself when I say that the mini-van I drive around several hours a day doesn't catch too many eyes.

Letter to Lawmakers

Dear Senators Coleman and Klobuchar, Congressmen Walz, Kline, Ramstad, McCollum, Ellison, Bachmann, Peterson, and President George W. Bush:

I realize that what I am writing may be a little out of the ordinary, but please read this with an open mind, think outside the box, and outside the realm of possibilities you've previously given thought to. I am not a crazy rebel. I am a 37 year-old married mother of 5, with a college degree, and a mortgage. I want something new, something I didn't think possible. I want an adventure. The adventure I speak of is one that Americans in the past were afforded, and I believe new Americans should be afforded the same opportunities. Which brings me to New America.

According to the most recent forecasts, Russia's population of 143 million people is expected to decrease by 22 percent between now and the year 2050. If the figures are borne out, Russia could lose up to 42 percent of its active working population in a huge country covering over 17 million square km, (which is 1.8 times larger than the U.S.)* On the other hand, the United States has an estimated current population of 303 million, and growing.** Since we have over twice the number of people in nearly half the space, I think our government needs to purchase or lease a plot of land in Russia, and send over a colony! If you look on the map, you'll see where I am proposing our new colony be located. I have chosen this spot because of low population density (0-1 people per square km), plenty of precipitation, and natural resources such as gold and oil.*** You'll notice we also would have water access, which will also be critical to our growing colony for importing/exporting purposes.

I believe a colony like New America would be beneficial to both the United States and Russia. Not only would it be a bridge of peace, but with Russia's decreasing work force, it would provide a shot in the arm of educated/skilled and industrious workers. We could help Russia become a prosperous and economically-sound country like we have built America to be, while also providing room to grow for pioneers willing to take that step of faith.

Please don't discard this letter right away, but mull over it awhile. Think not that it CAN'T happen, but HOW can we MAKE it happen? Also, if this all works out, if I could have a Land Rover Defender to get around in while I'm over there?

Very Sincerely,



Stephanie M.

*http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-03/2006-03-08-voa29.cfm
**http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en
***http://maps.howstuffworks.com/russia-topographic-map.htm

New America

If you've spent any time with me, you've heard "I have a new book idea!" come out of my mouth. I have no presumptions that I am any kind of writer, and I have little follow through with that kind of time commitment, BUT I do have ideas!

Some of my recent book ideas:

A cookbook of recipes with surprise ingredients. (I think Jessica Seinfeld stole this idea from me with her Deceptively Delicious cookbook which confirms to me that my idea was good, but also tells me I have a 'friend' who can't keep a secret).

A romance novel about a woman who has to help her mother with online dating since her mother doesn't know how to use a computer, and meets a man who is helping his computer-illiterate father. This (single) woman has a boatload of kids, and spends over 3 hours running back and forth from the computer lab of the library (where kids aren't allowed), to the kids section of the library (where kids can't be left unattended) helping her mother sign up for said online dating service on the computer, and that's just the beginning!

My latest book idea is called A Plea For a New American Colony. According to the most recent forecasts, Russia's population of 143 million people is expected to decrease by 22 percent between now and the year 2050. If the figures are borne out, Russia could lose up to 42 percent of its active working population (click here for more information). And they have a huge country covering 17,075,200 square kilometers, which is 1.8 times greater than the U.S. The United States has an estimated current population of 303,631,166 and is growing. So since we have over twice the number of people in nearly half the space, I am thinking our government needs to purchase or lease a plot of land in Russia, and send over a colony! If you look on the map, you'll see where I am proposing our new colony be located: I have chosen this spot because of low population density (0-1 people per square km), but plenty of precipitation, and natural resources such as gold and oil, which will be so important for our new economy. I will rename the Ural mountains in this area 'the new Rockies', and you'll notice we also have a port, which will also be critical to our growing colony. (For more map info, click here).

I am writing this post with tongue in cheek, of course. But part of me does think it would be super fun to be a modern day pioneer riding around desolate Russia in my Land Rover Defender discovering new country while my strong, manly husband builds us a home out of logs.