Jackie Gingrich Cushman

Jackie Gingrich Cushman

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New Year, God's Grace

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Dec 29, 2011)

Last night, after traveling from Atlanta, my family and I arrived -- hungry and tired -- in Des Moines, Iowa. We are staying in the home of a friend who is out of town and... more

Christmas Cheer

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Dec 22, 2011)

Christmas memories fill our Christmas tree. It stands in our living room, filled with white lights and ornaments. Our ornaments reflect the life of our family: varied and... more

I'm Glad I Cleaned Bathrooms

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Dec 15, 2011)

My first paying job was cleaning the bathrooms of the First Baptist Church of Carrollton, Ga. This was also my sister's first job. The money we made was our money. We could... more

Letter to My 16-Year-Old Self

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Dec 08, 2011)

Last month, I wrote a column providing a midterm life update based on a question by David Brooks. This week, I'm writing a letter to my 16-year-old self. The letter is... more

Let Your Presence Be Your Present

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Dec 01, 2011)

December is often the time of too many events, too many parties, too many obligations, too many gifts and too much family. There are quite a few Decembers in my recent memory... more

Give Thanks

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Nov 24, 2011)

The first "official" Thanksgiving was celebrated 222 years ago. President George Washington's first presidential proclamation designated the 26th day of... more

Midterm Life Report

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Nov 17, 2011)

"What is the meaning of life?" my middle school daughter asked me recently as we were lying on her bed one evening. After a few minutes of contemplation, knowing that the... more

Those Super Heroes

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Nov 10, 2011)

I'm going to take the opportunity this week to write a letter of thanks, to our veterans. Our country is blessed to have people who are willing to serve in our... more

One Year Countdown

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Nov 03, 2011)

It will take more than a generic Republican candidate to defeat President Obama next year. Repubicans will need a leader that can inspire millions to get involved and take... more

A Time for Choosing Our Rendezvous With Destiny

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Oct 27, 2011)

Today, everyday citizens find ourselves at a crossroads. Abandon the ideals of the American Revolution, or take control of our destiny. The American people are called to... more

American Loses in Most Recent Debate

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Oct 20, 2011)

In the two hours of the Republican debate Tuesday night, more energy was spent in back-and-forth bickering than substantive answers. At times, I put my head down to avoid... more

Reagan Resoluteness, Too -- Not Simply Reagan Recovery

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Oct 13, 2011)

"It's the economy stupid" is the infamous mantra conceived by political consultant James Carville that underscored the main issue driving the 1992 presidential race. A few... more

It's Going to Be a Wild Ride

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Oct 06, 2011)

I'm a little bit disappointed that Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey is not running for the Republican nomination for president. He was sure to inject another round of... more

Needling Politicians Back, the Power of the Pen

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Sep 29, 2011)

Are you frustrated with the American government? If so, then you are not alone. According to Gallup's annual governance survey, you have more company than usual. "A... more

It's Not Fair!

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Sep 22, 2011)

I'm finally beginning to tackle the playroom in our home. For years, it's been a large space for toys, toys and more toys. Once or twice a year, when toys threaten... more

Waving the Constitution

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Sep 15, 2011)

We are used to flag-waving in this country, but we have moved to Constitution-waving as well. Small reprints often inhabit the jacket pockets of men and pocketbooks of women.... more

Service: The Legacy of Sept. 11

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Sep 08, 2011)

It was slightly more than six weeks after my second child had been born by way of emergency C-section. Sleep-deprived and tired, I had left my two under the age of two at... more

The Value of Work

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Sep 01, 2011)

In my hands was a small, multicolored clay turtle that I had made and painted at elementary school. I carefully walked up the steps to the front of our home, excited to... more

Raising Children and Raising a Nation

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Aug 25, 2011)

It's late summer, almost Labor Day, and for those with school-age children, it is time to get back to school, back to activities and back to routine. After 11 weeks of... more

Nothing Compares to the Iowa State Fair

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Aug 18, 2011)

It's vast, it's crowded, it's fattening and it's fun. "Nothing Compares to the Iowa State Fair." The slogan is aptly deserved. The fair is held in Des Moines, Iowa,... more

Morning in America Needed

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Aug 11, 2011)

Last week, over a long, late dinner with friends, our discussion turned to their recent trip to Australia. They remarked that the country appeared to be full of... more

Changing Tides

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Aug 04, 2011)

It's the last few weeks of summer. For those of us with children in school, this is our last chance to get away before becoming engulfed in school schedules, homework,... more

Fried Liver by the Pink Hamster

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jul 27, 2011)

This week, my son is attending chess camp. It seemed like a good idea when I signed him up in May. An indoor camp the last week of July when the temperature and the humidity... more

Life's Opportunities Easily Missed

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jul 21, 2011)

Normally, the surf can be heard faintly throughout our family's house on the coast of Georgia. This morning, the volume seems to have increased a few decibels. As I... more

Character Development

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jul 14, 2011)

I'm not sure how it started, but at some point over the past year, when my children begin to relate some hardship in their lives -- tough tests, tough teacher or coach -- I... more

Ill-Gotten Gains

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jul 07, 2011)

It was my freshman year of high school. My mother, sister and I had recently moved back to Carrollton, Ga. It may have been social studies, or it may have been biology,... more

I Love a Parade

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jun 30, 2011)

My earliest Fourth of July memories include fireworks, flags, BBQ and parades. Not watching parades, being in them. As the daughter of a Georgia politician (my father, Newt... more

Money, Money, Money

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jun 23, 2011)

Dr. Carl J. Arnold taught the money and banking class at Presbyterian College when I was a student there. I can still picture him in 1986: dark, crewcut hair; pressed khaki... more

It's Not About Me, It's About You

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jun 09, 2011)

Maybe it's because I'm in my mid-40s and part of what a friend from college calls the sandwich generation, helping out with both our children and our parents, but I am once... more

Oceans, Hope and D-Day

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jun 02, 2011)

Like many Americans, we packed up after the last day of school and headed out of town for a Memorial Day vacation. We spent the weekend at the beach, where our schedule was... more

Memorial Day Thanks and Devotion

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (May 26, 2011)

Flip through the local paper, and you'll see that Memorial Day notices appear as sales headlines and attention-grabbers. Memorial Day Sale and Pre-Memorial Day. Pretty soon... more

Winning the Argument, and then the Vote

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (May 19, 2011)

Last week, I attended a Georgia Public Policy Foundation lunch featuring Arthur Brooks, president of American Enterprise Institute. Arthur and I met a few years ago in... more

Love Your Breakfast Foods

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (May 12, 2011)

During the school year, our mornings are driven by routine, with the goal of getting the children fed and to school on time. It is our belief that full stomachs are a... more

Setting the Record Straight

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (May 08, 2011)

My father, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, has been in politics as long as I can remember. And as long as I can remember, media coverage about him has contained... more

My Miracle Mom

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (May 05, 2011)

I am blessed to have a mom who is special. She is a woman of will. More than simply headstrong and determined, she is indomitable -- someone who cannot become overcome or... more

Cultural Conceits

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Apr 28, 2011)

"Every society produces its own cultural conceits," Jack Weatherford wrote in "The Secret History of the Mongol Queens," "a set of lies and delusions about itself that... more

Simple Economics

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Apr 21, 2011)

Economics is much simpler than many highly paid pundits would like you to believe. At the same time, it's also much more complex than it might appear initially. For instance,... more

Leadership Lessons from the Civil War

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Apr 14, 2011)

The Civil War started 150 years ago this week, threatening to tear our country apart. In the end the Union prevailed. In today's turbulent times, the lessons from the Civil... more

The 2011 Budget Setup

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Apr 07, 2011)

By failing to pass a 2011 budget last fall while still in charge of the House, Senate and presidency, the Democratic Party set up the potential for the Democrats to blame the... more

Reagan Let Crisis Make Him Stronger

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Mar 31, 2011)

Every morning I receive an e-mail from Marketplace Leaders titled "Today God is First." Today's e-mail focused on Romans 6:11-12: "In the same way, count yourselves dead to... more

Turbulent Times Require Experienced Pilot

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Mar 24, 2011)

This week, for more than an hour, I experienced a turbulent airplane ride. It was not fun. Normally, the pilots are able to chart a new course and fly through the rough air... more

The Virtue of Values

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Mar 17, 2011)

The Lenten season is a time of reflection, renewal and anticipation. This reflection and renewal gives us time to prepare for Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of... more

Life Lessons from the Slope

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Mar 10, 2011)

This week, along with many other Americans, our family is on spring break. After years of beach vacations, we decided to brave something new and take our family skiing. After... more

Liberty or Bondage, Our Coming Choice

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Mar 03, 2011)

My 11-year-old daughter asked me yesterday to explain how Wisconsin's 14 Democratic state senators can leave the state while they are supposed to be working. I struggled... more

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Feb 24, 2011)

Protests in Tunisia spread to Egypt, which led to the flight of Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak and will lead to who knows what type of government in the end. Currently, the... more

Obama's Budget Increases 2012 Deficit by a Third

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Feb 17, 2011)

Obama's budget increases 2012 deficit by a third. Yes, that's correct. President Obama submitted his proposed 2012 budget this past Monday. This budget produces a $1.1... more

Back to the Basics

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Feb 10, 2011)

What was the takeaway from last weekend's Super Bowl experience? It's time to get back to the basics. This past Sunday night, our home was one of the 46 percent of... more

Reagan's Message Still Resonates

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Feb 03, 2011)

This Sunday will mark the 100th birthday of Ronald Reagan. Many will be celebrating his birth, his life, and the legacy he left our country and the conservative movement. To... more

Similar Rhetoric Obscures the Gap in Fundamental Values

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jan 27, 2011)

Have you ever had a friendly debate that seems to run in circles? On the surface, it sounds as though you agree, but as the conversation unfolds, it becomes apparent that you... more

A Life of Service, Not a Day of Service Needed

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jan 20, 2011)

This past Monday, we celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated when he was only 39 years old. He would have turned 82 this year. This is the... more

Power of Prayer

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jan 13, 2011)

It's the third consecutive day that we have been snowed in. I had thought that I would have time to read, reflect and get organized while my two children frolicked in the... more

A Change in Power Now, Optimistic Conservative Message Still Needed

By Jackie Gingrich Cushman (Jan 06, 2011)

My first memory of a congressional swearing in dates back to Jan. 3, 1979, when members of the 96th Congress took the oath. My father, Newt Gingrich, was among them. After... more