Few Americans remember World War II and the decision to use atomic bombs to end the war. Even fewer of us remember the depression when there was no work and not enough to eat. For most Americans this is the political debate of a lifetime.

Will our politicians increase our taxes, raise the debt limit and continue the profligate spending or will they choose a path of significant cost cutting with a balanced budget and a start toward paying down our accumulated debt?

All Americans have seen their dollar's value eroded and are paying more for groceries, energy and clothing. Americans know too well the value of their savings has decreased and, except for a few communities, the value of their homes has been decimated.

As we watch and we send emails and faxes and even handwritten letters to our Congressmen informing them of our positions, we can only hope they will listen and act accordingly. And it is by their actions we will know them and their true characters.

We know good character when we see it in action. Ronald Reagan showed his character in his unshakeable belief in the
greatness of America. The firemen rushing into the World Trade Center showed character by their courage in the face of horror. Captain "Sully" Sullenberg showed character in his calm expertise. Our sons and daughters in the military show us their character by "just doing their job", as my nephew in the 82^nd Airborne would say, and doing so with bravery and valor. And countless Americans around us show strength of character by working to build a career or a business, by taking responsibility for their lives and for the care of their families, by remaining loyal to those they love and compassionate to those who need help.

As we watch the leaders in Washington and listen to our own Congressmen we will be watching to see who is true to their stated principles and values and who has solid reasons for a change in their positions. We'll have time before we vote again to evaluate their actions and decide if their character was strong enough to serve us well or if we must look to another to represent us.

Our own American character will be tested. Will we turn away, no matter what the outcome of this debate, and assure ourselves that in our big government one person can't make a difference? Or will we say, "I can't do everything but I can do something...and I choose to do everything I can"? As Seniors, America's seasoned patriots, we can do no less than our determined best.

Each week we are learning more of the problems with PPACA (Obamacare).  As the time of full implementation comes closer, the problems are becoming more evident. We're still far from 2014 when the insurance exchanges will be functional and cuts will have already begun for home health care, dialysis treatments, Hospice care, etc.

The current doctor shortage will be exacerbated as doctors already are planning to retire or go into other healthcare roles where they will not be told how to treat their patients by the Secretary of HHS and the Independent Payment Advisory Board.

If you haven't been spreading the word, please join the Seniors who are finding great interest in our healthcare pamphlet. The healthcare pamphlet which can be printed here and at www.912SuperSeniors.org  continues to provide important alerts about the effects of PPACA (Obamacare). We get emails and comments from Seniors about doctors who make extra copies of the pamphlet to put in their waiting rooms.  The pamphlet is proving to be a conversation starter in clubs and even at dinner with friends.

Every day a new healthcare structure is building. Even as our politicians debate maintaining our country's economic  viability,

changes are being made to our healthcare system to comply with Obamacare. 

Although many companies have been given waivers from the scheduled implementation of Obamacare, Seniors have not. We will be dealing with a healthcare system accepting 10,000 new Medicare enrollees per day while giving up 575 billlion iin Obamacare cuts.

Help yourself and other Seniors to preserve the excellent healthcare we have built in America. Take your Senior Pamphlets anywhere conversations may spring up...or anywhere Seniors will be looking for something to pick up and read.

Also, inform yourself about the problem of hospital infections like MRSA and the 15 things you can do to protect yourself from infections if you are hospitalized.

Since we invited you to come to the Facebook page of the 912 Super Seniors several readers have come to read the news and sign in to the page.

Facebook is a great place to share an article or opinion and get quick response from others checking into the site. Go to www.facebook.com and in the search box at the top type in 912 Super Seniors and visit us often.

Long ago, or so it would seem by the striking price increases, we began tracking price inflation on a select list of groceries and on gasoline per gallon. 

A core of Seniors continues to take their shopping list and make the time to record grocery prices so we can continue our reporting.

Over 27 weeks the prices have climbed 14.6% on the items you have been tracking. No wonder we are all feeling more and more pressure on our household budgets.  And with the date of the last comparison being 6-28, we know the increase will be even higher by the end of July with gas prices turning sharply higher again.

A bag of flour has almost doubled in price while American cheese is up by 35% and hamburger, bread sugar and even toilet paper a are showing increases over 10%.

Please come back and help us track grocery prices as many people are away on summer vacations and we need all the data we can get.

Just go the www.912SuperSeniors.org and click on the grocery bag pictured there to get started.

A lot of work from determined volunteers and the result was impressive.

Findlay, Ohio residents were provided a look at period costumes and a reminder of the words of America's Constitution when the Findlay 912 Project float made a much appreciated appearance in their local parade.