I am not a political person. Everyone in my family votes in every election we can, from school board elections to presidential elections. I cast my vote carefully. I don't vote for a party and I don't base my vote on any one issue. I am pro-life, but I have voted for candidates who are pro choice because of their stand on other issues. I am sick to death of all the political wrangling in Washington. Democrats stand against Republicans. Republicans stonewall Democrats. Bills get voted for or against not based on the bill but on favor-trading. I hate it, I HATE politics. Hey, everyone, listen up: We are Americans! We should all be doing waht we can to help our contry and its people. Not our own party or ourselves.

Why is a romance writer who has just said she is not political writing a post that talks about politics? Well, because of Representative Gabrielle Giffords. I don't know her. I've never even heard her name until today. She was shot earlier today in Arizona and I grieve for her family and friends and the others who were shot with her. I don't know anything about her or what she stood for in government. But I know she didn't deserve to be shot.  I don't know why she was shot. I am just appalled that it happened. In my lifetime there have been many people shot while in office. I offer a moment of silence for their memory and the grief of those they left behind.