For those who think Obama and the new healthcare are "ruining our country," here's some education
The Senate health reform bill will:
-- Extend coverage to 31 million Americans, the largest expansion of coverage since the creation of Medicare.
-- Ensure that YOU can choose your own doctor.
-- Finally stop insurance companies from denying coverage due to a pre-existing condition.
-- Make sure you will never be charged exorbitant premiums on the basis of your age, health, or gender.
-- Guarantee you will never lose your coverage just because you get sick or injured.
-- Protect you from outrageous out-of-pocket expenditures by establishing lifetime and annual limits.
-- Allow young people to stay on their parents' coverage until they're 26 years old. (I know I sure could have used this when I was in college!!!)
-- Create health insurance exchanges, or "one-stop shops" for individuals purchasing insurance, where insurance companies are forced to compete for new customers.
-- Lower premiums for families, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office -- especially for struggling folks who will receive subsidies.
-- Help small businesses provide health care coverage to their employees with tax credits and by allowing them to purchase coverage through the exchanges.
-- Improve and strengthen Medicare by eliminating waste and fraud (without cutting basic benefits), beginning to close the Medicare Part D donut hole, and extending the life of the Medicare trust fund.
-- Create jobs by reining in costs -- fostering competition, reducing waste and inefficiency, and starting to reward doctors and hospitals for quality, not quantity, of care.
-- CUT the deficit by over $130 billion in the next 10 years.
Seems like ALL the republicans can do is talk about cost and the constant tax hikes, but I guess we're living on two different planets because I haven't seen one tax increase...have you? Why don't we start talking about the overall good, and oh yeah, the true facts!?!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Lieberman's Compromise Plan...
Due to this crazy time of year, my daughter's birthday, vacation planning...and a TON more going on, I haven't had much time to really write much. So, I thought I'd pass along this that I recieved from my brother. Unfortanatly, this seems to be exactly what's churning in Lieberman's head!
COMPRIMISE CARE:
by Joe Lieberman, et al.
*Under CompromiseCareTM, people with NO coverage will be allowed to KEEP their current plan
*Medicare will be extended to 55-year-olds as soon as they turn 65
*You will have access to cheap Canadian drugs IF you live in Canada
*States whose names contain vowels will be allowed to opt out of the plan
*You get to choose which doctor you cannot afford to see
*You will not have to be pre-certified to qualify for cremation
*A patient will be considered "pre-existing" if he or she already exists
*You'll be free to choose between medications and heating fuel
*Patients can access quality health care if they can prove their name is "Lieberman.
*You will have access to natural remedies, such as death
Joe Lieberman just beat Ben Nelson for being the biggest sell-out of the year!!
COMPRIMISE CARE:
by Joe Lieberman, et al.
*Under CompromiseCareTM, people with NO coverage will be allowed to KEEP their current plan
*Medicare will be extended to 55-year-olds as soon as they turn 65
*You will have access to cheap Canadian drugs IF you live in Canada
*States whose names contain vowels will be allowed to opt out of the plan
*You get to choose which doctor you cannot afford to see
*You will not have to be pre-certified to qualify for cremation
*A patient will be considered "pre-existing" if he or she already exists
*You'll be free to choose between medications and heating fuel
*Patients can access quality health care if they can prove their name is "Lieberman.
*You will have access to natural remedies, such as death
Joe Lieberman just beat Ben Nelson for being the biggest sell-out of the year!!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
A List of Obama's Successes
If all Obama does during his time in office is UNDO all that Bush did, then he will be unbelievably successful! However, here's what Obama HAS done. (Thanks to my brother for sending this to me!) This is refreshing after all of the negativity that can be spun from the media...especially from the "conservative" media!!
While we may or may not agree with the actions of some things on the list, there are significant deeds here which we may not be aware of and may need to weigh before making a personal assessment. The author is Professor Robert Watson of Lynn University who was once a writer for the New York Times. (You know how I like to be factual, but I couldn't find anything to dispute that Professor did in fact write this.)
Friends,
I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.
As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years. Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).
Robert
Health care reform was left off. This should be # 1.
1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal
standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31.Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45.Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
46.Closed offshore tax safe havens
47.Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
48.Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource
American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
49.Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices
50.Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
51.Lower drug costs for seniors
52.Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
53.Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
54.Improved housing for military personnel
55.Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
56.Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
57.Increasing student loans
58.Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
59.Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
60.Established a new cyber security office
61.Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
62.Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
63.Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
65.Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
66.Improving benefits for veterans
67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
68.Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
69.The FDA is now regulating tobacco
70.Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
71.Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
72.Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
73.Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
74. Making more loans available to small businesses
75.Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
76.Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
77.Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
78.Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
79.Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
80.Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
81.Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
82.New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy,and good government practices by Afghans
83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
84.Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
85.Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his OWN pocket
86.Held first Seder in White House
87.Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
88.Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
89.Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
90.Has announced his intention to push for education reform
Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!
While we may or may not agree with the actions of some things on the list, there are significant deeds here which we may not be aware of and may need to weigh before making a personal assessment. The author is Professor Robert Watson of Lynn University who was once a writer for the New York Times. (You know how I like to be factual, but I couldn't find anything to dispute that Professor did in fact write this.)
Friends,
I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.
As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years. Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).
Robert
Health care reform was left off. This should be # 1.
1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal
standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31.Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45.Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
46.Closed offshore tax safe havens
47.Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
48.Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource
American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
49.Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices
50.Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
51.Lower drug costs for seniors
52.Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
53.Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
54.Improved housing for military personnel
55.Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
56.Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
57.Increasing student loans
58.Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
59.Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
60.Established a new cyber security office
61.Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
62.Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
63.Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
65.Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
66.Improving benefits for veterans
67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
68.Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
69.The FDA is now regulating tobacco
70.Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
71.Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
72.Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
73.Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
74. Making more loans available to small businesses
75.Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
76.Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
77.Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
78.Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
79.Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
80.Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
81.Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
82.New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy,and good government practices by Afghans
83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
84.Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
85.Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his OWN pocket
86.Held first Seder in White House
87.Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
88.Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
89.Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
90.Has announced his intention to push for education reform
Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The Abortion Topic
This is never a popular subject, and it is a subject our nation usually avoids really talking about. But, I have felt compelled to write about it as the subject of abortion has presented itself many times over the last couple of weeks within the news. This particular subject is pretty much THE subject that divides the political parties. The Republican Party is the one that took this issue and shoved it into the political lime light decades ago, and has ridden on the coat tails of the issue ever since. In turn, they have been able to brand themselves as the party with the highest morals, upholding the teachings from the Bible. Never mind that they pick and choose things from the Bible that fit their own political agenda…otherwise, what was Noah’s Ark about if God is truly Pro-Life? I could go through a litany of things to shed light on the hypocrisy of the church and their true torturous history. But, this issue is no more a political issue than it is a religious one. The issue comes down to if a woman has a RIGHT to an abortion.
Of coarse a woman has a right to choose, and she can help make that choice with the help of her own religious beliefs. The Republican Party likes the idea of small government and for government to stay out of the personal lives of citizens. Well, how much bigger can a government get then when it makes a medical decision for a woman based solely on a politicians personal religious beliefs? What if our government had a Jehovah Witness majority? Jehovah Witnesses do not believe in blood transfusions. Would we then be faced with the closing of blood banks, touting that it is immoral and that citizens should have that right taken away? We have the right to choose if we want blood transfusions, just have we have the right to reject it if it conflicts with a personal belief. We simply have the right to choose!!
Many years ago, I was confronted with the choice of abortion. I found out that I was pregnant during my first year of college. I am thankful that I had the right to choose what was best for me and for my future, and that the decision was my right to make! I decided not to abort based on my own personal beliefs and knowing that that was not a decision that I could ever live with. But, women are faced with this choice everyday! The decision, I can assure you, is not a flippant decision. There are women that are in highly abusive relationships/marriages, women that are raped, women that are in their 50’s or older, girls that are 15 and younger, women that have jobs that don’t offer medical insurance or don’t offer paid leaves of absence coupled with little to no familial help, women that find themselves in poor health or their unborn child is incapable of living outside of the womb. All of these different faces to this issue are the reason there should be a choice. It is simply a woman’s right! Just because women have the right, doesn’t mean that they will choose to have an abortion. It just simply means woman have the right to choose.
Of coarse a woman has a right to choose, and she can help make that choice with the help of her own religious beliefs. The Republican Party likes the idea of small government and for government to stay out of the personal lives of citizens. Well, how much bigger can a government get then when it makes a medical decision for a woman based solely on a politicians personal religious beliefs? What if our government had a Jehovah Witness majority? Jehovah Witnesses do not believe in blood transfusions. Would we then be faced with the closing of blood banks, touting that it is immoral and that citizens should have that right taken away? We have the right to choose if we want blood transfusions, just have we have the right to reject it if it conflicts with a personal belief. We simply have the right to choose!!
Many years ago, I was confronted with the choice of abortion. I found out that I was pregnant during my first year of college. I am thankful that I had the right to choose what was best for me and for my future, and that the decision was my right to make! I decided not to abort based on my own personal beliefs and knowing that that was not a decision that I could ever live with. But, women are faced with this choice everyday! The decision, I can assure you, is not a flippant decision. There are women that are in highly abusive relationships/marriages, women that are raped, women that are in their 50’s or older, girls that are 15 and younger, women that have jobs that don’t offer medical insurance or don’t offer paid leaves of absence coupled with little to no familial help, women that find themselves in poor health or their unborn child is incapable of living outside of the womb. All of these different faces to this issue are the reason there should be a choice. It is simply a woman’s right! Just because women have the right, doesn’t mean that they will choose to have an abortion. It just simply means woman have the right to choose.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Twas the Night of Health Care Voting
I received a very right-wing e-mail today using "The Night Before Christmas" theme. It was about Democrats standing in the way of prayer in schools and having no morals. It inspired me to write my own "Night Before Christmas" theme. So, here goes...
Twas the night of health care voting, and all through the house,
The majority members cheered with one minority mouse.
The Party of No, just simply didn't care,
Hoarding their gov. insurance and not wanting to share!
Americans nestled all snug in their bed,
With visions of health care and not being dead!!
Feeling safe that the leaders would fill the coverage gap,
And not let the Extremist treat them like crap!
When the next day on TV arose such a clatter,
Fox News reported sorrow on the bill passage matter.
And said the poor insurance was not to bash,
they only wanted a huge, chunk of our cash!
Republicans have grown angry and yell loudly, "NO!"
For reasons not known...I think maybe they're slow!
For why are they consumed with all of this fear,
Except their lobbyist money might soon disappear.
The Republican remedy is to "just not get sick!"
But with H1N1, that can't be the trick.
Reform is the answer and not the blame.
The Republicans must surly be all insane!
"Now Beck, now Limbaugh, now Hannity and Palin,"
Stop all the non-sense and the annoying loud waylin'.
Americans want reform and enough of this brawl.
If you offer no solution, then give no more stall!
The senate must pass reform and not die,
But if it is blocked then me-O-my!
Party of No will become less than few,
But one thing's for sure, we'll not hear their spew!
Americans are ready for common sense proof,
That the leaders care and not offer their spoof.
Hijacking Jesus makes one dumbfound,
For he would give health care for all around!
Enough of the bake sales for children with cancer!
Affordable health care is the ONLY answer!
True reform is now here, and muffling strife.
So, health care to all, and to all a good life!
--Share with others and spread the "good cheer!"
Twas the night of health care voting, and all through the house,
The majority members cheered with one minority mouse.
The Party of No, just simply didn't care,
Hoarding their gov. insurance and not wanting to share!
Americans nestled all snug in their bed,
With visions of health care and not being dead!!
Feeling safe that the leaders would fill the coverage gap,
And not let the Extremist treat them like crap!
When the next day on TV arose such a clatter,
Fox News reported sorrow on the bill passage matter.
And said the poor insurance was not to bash,
they only wanted a huge, chunk of our cash!
Republicans have grown angry and yell loudly, "NO!"
For reasons not known...I think maybe they're slow!
For why are they consumed with all of this fear,
Except their lobbyist money might soon disappear.
The Republican remedy is to "just not get sick!"
But with H1N1, that can't be the trick.
Reform is the answer and not the blame.
The Republicans must surly be all insane!
"Now Beck, now Limbaugh, now Hannity and Palin,"
Stop all the non-sense and the annoying loud waylin'.
Americans want reform and enough of this brawl.
If you offer no solution, then give no more stall!
The senate must pass reform and not die,
But if it is blocked then me-O-my!
Party of No will become less than few,
But one thing's for sure, we'll not hear their spew!
Americans are ready for common sense proof,
That the leaders care and not offer their spoof.
Hijacking Jesus makes one dumbfound,
For he would give health care for all around!
Enough of the bake sales for children with cancer!
Affordable health care is the ONLY answer!
True reform is now here, and muffling strife.
So, health care to all, and to all a good life!
--Share with others and spread the "good cheer!"
Monday, November 9, 2009
Uncovering More Truth in the Great Health Care Debate!
An acquaintance of mine expressed her disgust with Saturday's house health care bill passage. She expressed her bitterness at "socialized medicine" and a future "Utopian/Socialized" nation upon the horizon at this "liberal" pace. I, of coarse, had different feelings on the subject, as I feel this was a huge victory for our nation! Never have we come so close to really reforming health care, and I feel that we are finally making steps in the correct direction! I reminded her that our nation has literally hundreds of "socialized" programs that nobody bats an eye at. The government currently funds such things as our highways, education, the military, police force, fire departments, food and safety standards, work force safety standards, and so on. She quickly responded with,
"...The government run health programs that are already in place are bankrupt, non efficient and riddled with corruption and fraud. And just in case you think government run health care is the way to go, hang out at Ben Taub, Parkland or any other county run hospital for a day and tell me how you like that."
At this response, I really started thinking. This must be what the right-wing really thinks! My, how misinformed so many Americans really are! First, let me start by saying that the government is in no way, shape, or form taking over hospitals. The government is simply trying to pass a bill with the Public Option. This would mean they are trying to get into the health care insurance business, which by the way, they are already in. Certain sectors of society already receive and enjoy the benefits of government insurance such as the VA and the elderly. And, the same people that are repeatedly debating against, voting against, and smearing the current health care bill that just passed the house, are the same people who currently enjoy government health insurance. If government insurance really is corrupt and paving the way to the "Hitler dream," why aren't our congress and other federally employed men and women, abandoning their own current government health insurance programs, and signing on with the supposedly "wonderful" private insurance programs? It's almost like, "do as I say, not as I do" sort of mentality.
Because profit, and gross profits with little to no regulation at that, create greed, there is absolutely no incentive for the private insurance companies to come back down to reasonable ground. The Public Option, along with setting up new rules such as destroying pre-existing conditions, is the only thing that is going to tie the greedy little hands of private insurance companies. For-profit insurance companies are in no way, shape, or form looking out for their customers, because they are expendable. Full-profit insurance companies are only looking out for their pockets. Which brings me to my second point.
Just for kicks, and to point out the obvious to my acquaintance who brought up county run hospitals, I researched nationally ranked hospitals in the United States to see where some of the for-profit and non-profit hospitals ranked. The #1 hospital in the country is Johns Hopkins, a non-profit hospital. The #2 hospital was the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN...a non-profit hospital. Actually out of the top 20 hospitals listed, not one was a for-profit hospital! Being that I live in the Houston area, and the largest medical center is rooted here, I found it sort of astonishing that not one Houston hospital was listed in the top 10 hospitals in the US. When Houston is finally listed, it is Methodist Hospital at #20....and guess what? It too is a non-profit hospital! What I found the most interesting is that Barnes-Jewish Hospital, which is a county hospital, was ranked at #9! Interesting that a county run hospital out ranks every for-profit hospital in the United States!
The facts are simply not with the voices from the right! The one thing they cling to, is their fear, and they are on a campaign to spread it! The voices of reason are armed with facts, and we need to be on a campaign to spread it!
"...The government run health programs that are already in place are bankrupt, non efficient and riddled with corruption and fraud. And just in case you think government run health care is the way to go, hang out at Ben Taub, Parkland or any other county run hospital for a day and tell me how you like that."
At this response, I really started thinking. This must be what the right-wing really thinks! My, how misinformed so many Americans really are! First, let me start by saying that the government is in no way, shape, or form taking over hospitals. The government is simply trying to pass a bill with the Public Option. This would mean they are trying to get into the health care insurance business, which by the way, they are already in. Certain sectors of society already receive and enjoy the benefits of government insurance such as the VA and the elderly. And, the same people that are repeatedly debating against, voting against, and smearing the current health care bill that just passed the house, are the same people who currently enjoy government health insurance. If government insurance really is corrupt and paving the way to the "Hitler dream," why aren't our congress and other federally employed men and women, abandoning their own current government health insurance programs, and signing on with the supposedly "wonderful" private insurance programs? It's almost like, "do as I say, not as I do" sort of mentality.
Because profit, and gross profits with little to no regulation at that, create greed, there is absolutely no incentive for the private insurance companies to come back down to reasonable ground. The Public Option, along with setting up new rules such as destroying pre-existing conditions, is the only thing that is going to tie the greedy little hands of private insurance companies. For-profit insurance companies are in no way, shape, or form looking out for their customers, because they are expendable. Full-profit insurance companies are only looking out for their pockets. Which brings me to my second point.
Just for kicks, and to point out the obvious to my acquaintance who brought up county run hospitals, I researched nationally ranked hospitals in the United States to see where some of the for-profit and non-profit hospitals ranked. The #1 hospital in the country is Johns Hopkins, a non-profit hospital. The #2 hospital was the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN...a non-profit hospital. Actually out of the top 20 hospitals listed, not one was a for-profit hospital! Being that I live in the Houston area, and the largest medical center is rooted here, I found it sort of astonishing that not one Houston hospital was listed in the top 10 hospitals in the US. When Houston is finally listed, it is Methodist Hospital at #20....and guess what? It too is a non-profit hospital! What I found the most interesting is that Barnes-Jewish Hospital, which is a county hospital, was ranked at #9! Interesting that a county run hospital out ranks every for-profit hospital in the United States!
The facts are simply not with the voices from the right! The one thing they cling to, is their fear, and they are on a campaign to spread it! The voices of reason are armed with facts, and we need to be on a campaign to spread it!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Socialized Education
A friend of mine wrote this, and I thought it was very interesting!
Americans are really great, loving, forbearing and giving. They are also short-sighted, opinionated, naive and shallow. The point is that Americans, though well-intentioned, generally miss the point. The REASON that people come out of institutions of higher learning deeply in debt is that the entire, and I mean ENTIRE, certification and practical application(s) of the certification process are deeply flawed. If the training of youth to meet the challenges and responsibilities of the future are so essential to the public welfare and success of the nation, then the challenges and responsibilities for their thorough education to meet those needs SHOULD be met by the nation.
Socialism be damned! At the VERY LEAST, the bachelor's degree and/or practical trades training to the journeyman level should be accepted and paid by the nation for every man woman and child. If it requires the taxation of the citizenry to pay for the advancement of American society to the next level, then so be it. The rewards for REALLY leaving no child behind would be HUGE!
Americans need to recognize that the stratification of the United States is effectively destroying it. By guaranteeing a life of indebtedness for our children and by guaranteeing that potentially brilliant minds ARE being left behind and unused, the nation takes VERY careful aim and shoots itself in the foot. Assigning a label of socialism to advanced public education, with all of the unsubstantiated fears that go along with it, we do nothing more than ensure that the stratification of wealth and the suppression of advancement continues.
Who stands to gain wealth from a thoroughly indebted and uneducated populace? Who stands to gain power from that same scenario? If you are going to school to learn how to steal and keep others under your thumb while schmoozing with the elite then you are. If you are going to school to learn how to advance not only yourself but the nation and world around you, then ALL should be allowed the same opportunities without facing fiscal slavery for the rest of your lives. Political posturing and stonewalling need to be overcome thoroughly, the next level certification process needs to be completely revamped and IGNORANCE, reinforced by suppression and greed needs to be vilified. The United States is a democratic republic with SOCIAL needs! Our forefathers recognized and accepted it. Why can't we???
--author, Kaysie Markwardt
Americans are really great, loving, forbearing and giving. They are also short-sighted, opinionated, naive and shallow. The point is that Americans, though well-intentioned, generally miss the point. The REASON that people come out of institutions of higher learning deeply in debt is that the entire, and I mean ENTIRE, certification and practical application(s) of the certification process are deeply flawed. If the training of youth to meet the challenges and responsibilities of the future are so essential to the public welfare and success of the nation, then the challenges and responsibilities for their thorough education to meet those needs SHOULD be met by the nation.
Socialism be damned! At the VERY LEAST, the bachelor's degree and/or practical trades training to the journeyman level should be accepted and paid by the nation for every man woman and child. If it requires the taxation of the citizenry to pay for the advancement of American society to the next level, then so be it. The rewards for REALLY leaving no child behind would be HUGE!
Americans need to recognize that the stratification of the United States is effectively destroying it. By guaranteeing a life of indebtedness for our children and by guaranteeing that potentially brilliant minds ARE being left behind and unused, the nation takes VERY careful aim and shoots itself in the foot. Assigning a label of socialism to advanced public education, with all of the unsubstantiated fears that go along with it, we do nothing more than ensure that the stratification of wealth and the suppression of advancement continues.
Who stands to gain wealth from a thoroughly indebted and uneducated populace? Who stands to gain power from that same scenario? If you are going to school to learn how to steal and keep others under your thumb while schmoozing with the elite then you are. If you are going to school to learn how to advance not only yourself but the nation and world around you, then ALL should be allowed the same opportunities without facing fiscal slavery for the rest of your lives. Political posturing and stonewalling need to be overcome thoroughly, the next level certification process needs to be completely revamped and IGNORANCE, reinforced by suppression and greed needs to be vilified. The United States is a democratic republic with SOCIAL needs! Our forefathers recognized and accepted it. Why can't we???
--author, Kaysie Markwardt
Monday, October 26, 2009
More Myths Hidden as Fact from the Right
The party of No Fact/All Fiction and political bias is spreading another forward around and is being circulated by the extremist yet again. Just wanted to make you all aware of what is circulating now and give you a piece of actual truth. Let me first share with you what is being spread around:
"Dr. Krauthammer is on Fox News. He is an M.D. and a lawyer and is paralyzed from the neck down. A friend went to hear Charles Krauthammer. He listened with 25 others in a closed room. What he says here, is NOT 2nd-hand but 1st.. The ramifications are staggering for us, our children and their children.
Last Monday was a profound evening, hearing Dr. Charles Krauthammer as he spoke to the Center for the American Experiment. He is brilliant intellectual, seasoned & articulate. He is forthright and careful in his analysis, and never resorts to emotions or personal insults. He is NOT a fear monger nor an extremist in his comments and views. He is a fiscal conservative, and has received a Pulitzer Prize for writing. He is a frequent contributor to Fox News and writes weekly for the Washington Post. The entire room was held spellbound during his talk. I have summarized his comments, as we are living in uncharted waters economically and internationally. Even 2 Dems at my table agreed with everything he said! If you feel like forwarding this to those who are open minded and have not drunk the Kool-Aid, feel free. Summary of his comments:
1. Mr. Obama is a very intellectual, charming individual. He is not to be underestimated. He is a cool customer who doesn't show his emotions. It's very hard to know what's behind the mask. The taking down of the Clinton dynasty by a political neophyte was an amazing accomplishment. The Clintons still do not understand what hit them. Obama was in the perfect place at the perfect time.
2. Obama has political skills comparable to Reagan and Clinton. He has a way of making you think he's on your side, agreeing with your position, while doing the opposite. Pay no attention to what he SAYS; rather, watch what he DOES!
3. Obama has a ruthless quest for power. He did not come to Washington to make something out of himself, but rather to change everything, including dismantling capitalism. He can't be straightforward on his ambitions, as the public would not go along. He has a heavy hand, and wants to level the playing field with income redistribution and punishment to the achievers of society. He would like to model the USA to Great Britain or Canada.
4. His three main goals are to control ENERGY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, and NATIONAL HEALTHCARE by the Federal government. He doesn't care about the auto or financial services industries, but got them as an early bonus. The cap and trade will add costs to everything and stifle growth. Paying for FREE college education is his goal. Most scary is his healthcare program, because if you make it FREE and add 46,000,000 people to a Medicare-type single-payer system, the costs will go through the roof. The only way to control costs is with massive RATIONING of services, like in Canada. God forbid!
5. He has surrounded himself with mostly far-left academic types. No one around him has ever even run a candy store. But they are going to try and run the auto, financial, banking and other industries. This obviously can't work in the long run. Obama is not a socialist; rather he's a far-left secular progressive bent on nothing short of revolution. He ran as a moderate, but will govern from the hard left. Again, watch what he does, not what he says.
6. Obama doesn't really see himself as President of the United States, but more as a ruler over the world. He sees himself above it all, trying to orchestrate & coordinate various countries and their agendas. He sees moral equivalency in all cultures. His apology tour in Germany and England was a prime example of how he sees America, as an imperialist nation that has been arrogant, rather than a great noble nation that has at times made errors. This is the first President ever who has chastised our allies and appeased our enemies!
7. He is now handing out goodies. He hopes that the bill (and pain) will not come due until after he is reelected in 2012. He would like to blame all problems on Bush from the past, and hopefully his successor in the future. He has a huge ego, and Dr. Krauthammer believes he is a narcissist.
8. Republicans are in the wilderness for a while, but will emerge strong. Republicans are pining for another Reagan, but there will never be another like him. Krauthammer believes Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty & Bobby Jindahl (except for his terrible speech in February) are the future of the party. Newt Gingrich is brilliant, but has baggage. Sarah Palin is sincere and intelligent, but needs to really be seriously boning up on facts and info if she is to be a serious candidate in the future. We need to return to the party of lower taxes, smaller government, personal responsibility, strong national defense, and state's rights.
9. The current level of spending is irresponsible and outrageous. We are spending trillions that we don't have. This could lead to hyperinflation, depression or worse. No country has ever spent themselves into prosperity. The media is giving Obama, Reid and Pelosi a pass because they love their agenda. But eventually the bill will come due and people will realize the huge bailouts didn't work, nor will the stimulus package. These were trillion-dollar payoffs to Obama's allies, unions and the Congress to placate the left, so he can get support for #4 above.
10. The election was over in mid-September when Lehman brothers failed, fear and panic swept in, we had an unpopular President, and the war was grinding on indefinitely without a clear outcome. The people are in pain, and the mantra of change caused people to act emotionally. Any Dem would have won this election; it was surprising it was as close as it was.
11. In 2012, if the unemployment rate is over 10%, Republicans will be swept back into power. If it's under 8%, the Dems continue to roll. If it's between 8-10%, it will be a dogfight. It will all be about the economy. I hope this gets you really thinking about what's happening in Washington and Congress. There is a left-wing revolution going on, according to Krauthammer, and he encourages us to keep the faith and join the loyal resistance. The work will be hard, but we're right on most issues and can reclaim our country, before it's far too late...
Do yourself a long term favor, send this to all who will listen to an intelligent assessment of the big picture. All our futures and children's futures depend on our good understanding of what is really going on in DC, and our action pursuant to that understanding!! It really IS up to each of us to take individual action!! Start with educating your friends and neighbors!!!"
This is just more right wing talking points and BS posing as fact! Maybe the first clue this was bogus was when Fox News was used as its resource! And, maybe the second clue (amoung others) should have been the claim that Dr. Krauthammer is a lawyer, which he is not! I did some research....I wish the "believers" of such propaganda would do their own research before spreading rumors disguised as fact! According to the "good doctor", this is an urban myth. Although it is no secret that Dr. Krauthammer is no fan of Obama’s. His statement on the rumor is now circulating and his comment appears on the website of the American Experiment.http://www.americanexperiment.org/e.../2009-06-26.php I've copied and pasted what is at this link, to make it easier:
"This account is neither accurate nor authoritative. My views on Obama are well known. I’ve explained them in a series of five columns. This email is somebody putting his own ideological stamp and spin on my views. One giveaway of the superimposition of someone else's views on mine is the rather amusing use of phrases that I never use. To take just a few examples randomly: "God forbid," "far left secular progressive," “this is the first president ever who has chastised our allies and appeased our enemies!” “no country had ever spent themselves into prosperity,” and, the real doozy,"states rights.” … Anyone who wants to know my views should consult those and not this email. "Charles Krauthammer
I have found this, so called Krauthammer account, spilled all over the Internet with tons of response from the right cheering this on, not giving a care in the world that this wasn’t actually said by the doctor. They dismiss its credibility, but then give it a thumbs-up for all of the “true fact” and wonderful insight. I still can’t find an inch of fact. All I find is biased opinion! And, I really have to wonder where all of these conspiracy theorist were during the Bush years? “Consider the arrogance of asserting that anyone who disagrees with your political philosophies has been brainwashed. The GOP is not going to win more supporters by calling the people they wish to convince naive idiots. On the contrary, these tactics hurt them more and more every day.” And, the fact that they think that Palin, Jindahul, Pawlenty, Romney, or Gingrich could be good for this country should give an insight to their judgement!
"Dr. Krauthammer is on Fox News. He is an M.D. and a lawyer and is paralyzed from the neck down. A friend went to hear Charles Krauthammer. He listened with 25 others in a closed room. What he says here, is NOT 2nd-hand but 1st.. The ramifications are staggering for us, our children and their children.
Last Monday was a profound evening, hearing Dr. Charles Krauthammer as he spoke to the Center for the American Experiment. He is brilliant intellectual, seasoned & articulate. He is forthright and careful in his analysis, and never resorts to emotions or personal insults. He is NOT a fear monger nor an extremist in his comments and views. He is a fiscal conservative, and has received a Pulitzer Prize for writing. He is a frequent contributor to Fox News and writes weekly for the Washington Post. The entire room was held spellbound during his talk. I have summarized his comments, as we are living in uncharted waters economically and internationally. Even 2 Dems at my table agreed with everything he said! If you feel like forwarding this to those who are open minded and have not drunk the Kool-Aid, feel free. Summary of his comments:
1. Mr. Obama is a very intellectual, charming individual. He is not to be underestimated. He is a cool customer who doesn't show his emotions. It's very hard to know what's behind the mask. The taking down of the Clinton dynasty by a political neophyte was an amazing accomplishment. The Clintons still do not understand what hit them. Obama was in the perfect place at the perfect time.
2. Obama has political skills comparable to Reagan and Clinton. He has a way of making you think he's on your side, agreeing with your position, while doing the opposite. Pay no attention to what he SAYS; rather, watch what he DOES!
3. Obama has a ruthless quest for power. He did not come to Washington to make something out of himself, but rather to change everything, including dismantling capitalism. He can't be straightforward on his ambitions, as the public would not go along. He has a heavy hand, and wants to level the playing field with income redistribution and punishment to the achievers of society. He would like to model the USA to Great Britain or Canada.
4. His three main goals are to control ENERGY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, and NATIONAL HEALTHCARE by the Federal government. He doesn't care about the auto or financial services industries, but got them as an early bonus. The cap and trade will add costs to everything and stifle growth. Paying for FREE college education is his goal. Most scary is his healthcare program, because if you make it FREE and add 46,000,000 people to a Medicare-type single-payer system, the costs will go through the roof. The only way to control costs is with massive RATIONING of services, like in Canada. God forbid!
5. He has surrounded himself with mostly far-left academic types. No one around him has ever even run a candy store. But they are going to try and run the auto, financial, banking and other industries. This obviously can't work in the long run. Obama is not a socialist; rather he's a far-left secular progressive bent on nothing short of revolution. He ran as a moderate, but will govern from the hard left. Again, watch what he does, not what he says.
6. Obama doesn't really see himself as President of the United States, but more as a ruler over the world. He sees himself above it all, trying to orchestrate & coordinate various countries and their agendas. He sees moral equivalency in all cultures. His apology tour in Germany and England was a prime example of how he sees America, as an imperialist nation that has been arrogant, rather than a great noble nation that has at times made errors. This is the first President ever who has chastised our allies and appeased our enemies!
7. He is now handing out goodies. He hopes that the bill (and pain) will not come due until after he is reelected in 2012. He would like to blame all problems on Bush from the past, and hopefully his successor in the future. He has a huge ego, and Dr. Krauthammer believes he is a narcissist.
8. Republicans are in the wilderness for a while, but will emerge strong. Republicans are pining for another Reagan, but there will never be another like him. Krauthammer believes Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty & Bobby Jindahl (except for his terrible speech in February) are the future of the party. Newt Gingrich is brilliant, but has baggage. Sarah Palin is sincere and intelligent, but needs to really be seriously boning up on facts and info if she is to be a serious candidate in the future. We need to return to the party of lower taxes, smaller government, personal responsibility, strong national defense, and state's rights.
9. The current level of spending is irresponsible and outrageous. We are spending trillions that we don't have. This could lead to hyperinflation, depression or worse. No country has ever spent themselves into prosperity. The media is giving Obama, Reid and Pelosi a pass because they love their agenda. But eventually the bill will come due and people will realize the huge bailouts didn't work, nor will the stimulus package. These were trillion-dollar payoffs to Obama's allies, unions and the Congress to placate the left, so he can get support for #4 above.
10. The election was over in mid-September when Lehman brothers failed, fear and panic swept in, we had an unpopular President, and the war was grinding on indefinitely without a clear outcome. The people are in pain, and the mantra of change caused people to act emotionally. Any Dem would have won this election; it was surprising it was as close as it was.
11. In 2012, if the unemployment rate is over 10%, Republicans will be swept back into power. If it's under 8%, the Dems continue to roll. If it's between 8-10%, it will be a dogfight. It will all be about the economy. I hope this gets you really thinking about what's happening in Washington and Congress. There is a left-wing revolution going on, according to Krauthammer, and he encourages us to keep the faith and join the loyal resistance. The work will be hard, but we're right on most issues and can reclaim our country, before it's far too late...
Do yourself a long term favor, send this to all who will listen to an intelligent assessment of the big picture. All our futures and children's futures depend on our good understanding of what is really going on in DC, and our action pursuant to that understanding!! It really IS up to each of us to take individual action!! Start with educating your friends and neighbors!!!"
This is just more right wing talking points and BS posing as fact! Maybe the first clue this was bogus was when Fox News was used as its resource! And, maybe the second clue (amoung others) should have been the claim that Dr. Krauthammer is a lawyer, which he is not! I did some research....I wish the "believers" of such propaganda would do their own research before spreading rumors disguised as fact! According to the "good doctor", this is an urban myth. Although it is no secret that Dr. Krauthammer is no fan of Obama’s. His statement on the rumor is now circulating and his comment appears on the website of the American Experiment.http://www.americanexperiment.org/e.../2009-06-26.php I've copied and pasted what is at this link, to make it easier:
"This account is neither accurate nor authoritative. My views on Obama are well known. I’ve explained them in a series of five columns. This email is somebody putting his own ideological stamp and spin on my views. One giveaway of the superimposition of someone else's views on mine is the rather amusing use of phrases that I never use. To take just a few examples randomly: "God forbid," "far left secular progressive," “this is the first president ever who has chastised our allies and appeased our enemies!” “no country had ever spent themselves into prosperity,” and, the real doozy,"states rights.” … Anyone who wants to know my views should consult those and not this email. "Charles Krauthammer
I have found this, so called Krauthammer account, spilled all over the Internet with tons of response from the right cheering this on, not giving a care in the world that this wasn’t actually said by the doctor. They dismiss its credibility, but then give it a thumbs-up for all of the “true fact” and wonderful insight. I still can’t find an inch of fact. All I find is biased opinion! And, I really have to wonder where all of these conspiracy theorist were during the Bush years? “Consider the arrogance of asserting that anyone who disagrees with your political philosophies has been brainwashed. The GOP is not going to win more supporters by calling the people they wish to convince naive idiots. On the contrary, these tactics hurt them more and more every day.” And, the fact that they think that Palin, Jindahul, Pawlenty, Romney, or Gingrich could be good for this country should give an insight to their judgement!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Great Quote!
Somebody sent me this quote, and I thought it was rather profound!
". . . And for those that say that the government can't run anything effectively, why do you hypocrites trust them with enough nuclear weapons to destroy the earth but not trust them with health care?"
I think that statement says it all!
". . . And for those that say that the government can't run anything effectively, why do you hypocrites trust them with enough nuclear weapons to destroy the earth but not trust them with health care?"
I think that statement says it all!
Friday, October 16, 2009
The True Faces of the Uninsured
American’s have a stereo-typical idea of the uninsured. They are thought to be minorities, and more than likely illegal immigrants, people that are lower class and do nothing to help themselves, and more than likely jobless and riding the system for handouts. Although I’m sure the stereotype might be true in some cases, it is not the majority, and probably only a small fraction, of the uninsured. Even so, they too deserve to have health care as it is a right and not a privilege or a luxury! But, in actuality, the true faces of the uninsured look just like you and me. They are Christa Vasquez, age 31, who says “I have a pre-existing condition and nobody will approve me." They are Mader Glenn, age 60, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and underwent chemotherapy and was then laid off from her fortune 500 company, as they “couldn’t wait for her to get well.” She had Cobra insurance for a couple of months, but was one day late paying her premium and the insurance dropped her. They are also people like Alaina Ronewicz, age 23, who is a full time college student and does not have a full time job to help her attain health insurance. They are people that have lost their jobs due to the American recession, like the Houston gentleman who attended Dr. Oz’s free clinic at the Reliant Center in Houston. He lost his job and then could no longer afford his home and had to move into a motel as he could not find another job. On top of the stress of being jobless he had a cancer scare that went unscreened for over a year. It wasn’t until he attended the free clinic, that he found out that his polyps were benign, but reflects on the fact that there would absolutely be nothing that he could do if indeed the test did turn out to be positive for cancer.
The fact is, 70% of the families that are uninsured have one or more full-time workers, and 12% of the uninsured families have part-time workers. We have got to put a human face to our health care crisis. Pretending that “these people” are different from ourselves is a lie! These faces could very easily be our own faces some day.
I remember when I, myself, was uninsured. I remember my father’s insurance dropping me once I turned 21. I was a full-time college student and a mother of one. I had a part-time job, but could barely afford my car insurance much less health insurance. I had severe chest pains that would attack at random times, but never sought medical help as there was no way that I could pay it. Finally, the pains became so bad that I did go to the ER. They did numerous screenings and never found the source of my problems. I walked away with a $2,000 bill and an uncured chest pain. I never did find out what those phantom chest pains were all about as they eventually went away.
There was one other time in my life that I did not have insurance. It was after I was married and we had three kids, and my husband had been relieved of his job. He decided to make a go of his own law practice. During the four months that we did not have insurance, we had a son who had severely broken his leg and required x-rays every week to two weeks, we had a son whose ear drum ruptured during the middle of the night from an ear infection, and the same son who broke his leg also decided to swallow a penny. That also required more x-rays as pennies are made of zinc and could become poisonous if it did not exit his body. However, it eventually did exit the day before he was scheduled for surgery. Thank goodness we had credit cards to help pay those medical bills that came to about $2,500, but it took more than a year or more to pay those credit cards off. To tell you the truth though, I really don’t feel much safer with insurance. When my daughter was born, we pretty much came out of pocket for the delivery and hospital stay as we had not met our deductible yet. I have to wonder, what was the point of paying $900.00 a month for insurance if it didn’t even begin to cover my daughter’s birth? That money is just being pocketed somewhere! You are pretty much damned if you do have insurance, and damned if you don’t! Something has got to change!
Thanks to: http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/voices/2009/09/faces-of-the-uninsured-project.html for help with some of the stories I spoke about above.
The fact is, 70% of the families that are uninsured have one or more full-time workers, and 12% of the uninsured families have part-time workers. We have got to put a human face to our health care crisis. Pretending that “these people” are different from ourselves is a lie! These faces could very easily be our own faces some day.
I remember when I, myself, was uninsured. I remember my father’s insurance dropping me once I turned 21. I was a full-time college student and a mother of one. I had a part-time job, but could barely afford my car insurance much less health insurance. I had severe chest pains that would attack at random times, but never sought medical help as there was no way that I could pay it. Finally, the pains became so bad that I did go to the ER. They did numerous screenings and never found the source of my problems. I walked away with a $2,000 bill and an uncured chest pain. I never did find out what those phantom chest pains were all about as they eventually went away.
There was one other time in my life that I did not have insurance. It was after I was married and we had three kids, and my husband had been relieved of his job. He decided to make a go of his own law practice. During the four months that we did not have insurance, we had a son who had severely broken his leg and required x-rays every week to two weeks, we had a son whose ear drum ruptured during the middle of the night from an ear infection, and the same son who broke his leg also decided to swallow a penny. That also required more x-rays as pennies are made of zinc and could become poisonous if it did not exit his body. However, it eventually did exit the day before he was scheduled for surgery. Thank goodness we had credit cards to help pay those medical bills that came to about $2,500, but it took more than a year or more to pay those credit cards off. To tell you the truth though, I really don’t feel much safer with insurance. When my daughter was born, we pretty much came out of pocket for the delivery and hospital stay as we had not met our deductible yet. I have to wonder, what was the point of paying $900.00 a month for insurance if it didn’t even begin to cover my daughter’s birth? That money is just being pocketed somewhere! You are pretty much damned if you do have insurance, and damned if you don’t! Something has got to change!
Thanks to: http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/voices/2009/09/faces-of-the-uninsured-project.html for help with some of the stories I spoke about above.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Health Care System Blocks Andrea's Diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome
What is wrong with a country that is considered to be the wealthiest nation in the world but does not provide medical care to their own citizens? For those of you that feel that you are safe because you have insurance, I must point out that you have a false sense of security! It's no secret that insurance companies can dump you at any time, they can pick and choose what they want to cover, and they can leave you high and dry when you might need them the most.
Last night I watched the show, Mystery Diagnosis. I often watch this show and see first hand what is so wrong with our health care system. However, last night I watched a particular disturbing episode. A mother soon realized after bringing her new born baby home that something was very wrong with her daughter, Andrea. Andrea could not keep any food down and always seemed to be in pain after eating. Doctors chalked it up to colic. This went on for months, and doctors continuously told the mother that she needed to "just deal with it." The last time Andrea saw the doctor, he insinuated that Andrea was suffering from neglect and that the mother needed to step up to the plate and take care of her daughter. Andrea's mother was in shock that nobody took her cries for help seriously and even placed blame on her. After finally having enough, Andrea's mother called the doctor's office and demanded that she see the chief of pediatrics. She got an immediate appointment with one of the top specialist, and he could see in an instant that there was something very wrong with Andrea as her head had not grown, she wasn't reaching developmental mile stones, she could not keep food down therefore becoming very malnourished and very underweight for her age, and she had an unusual disposition for her age coupled with very jerky movements. He referred her to a pediatric developmentalist, but quickly found out that her insurance would not cover this and was told that there was absolutely no further help that could be given. Andrea's mother was left at a dead end with a child that so desperately needed medical attention!
The insurance company made a very conscience decision that Andrea didn't need a diagnosis. They make these decisions every day in our lives! What is wrong with a system that allows an infant to suffer? What is wrong with a system that first looks at the dollar signs before even looking at a very obviously sick little girl? With out this mother's persistence, Andrea would have for sure died! In the end, Andrea's mother took her to the Albany Medical Center ER which was two hours away from their home. There, Andrea finally received the medical attention that she deserved and finally received the appropriate diagnoses of Angelman Syndrome. It is a chromosomal disease that was easily diagnosed with a blood test!
This family came very close to loosing a child. This did not happen to a family that didn't have insurance, BUT it happened to a family that did have insurance. Who is really looking out for us? We, as a people, need to advocate for our health and for our future. The insurance companies are so obviously not in the business of doing this for us. This very issue's future is currently in the hands of our government. Will we finally have the health care in this country that is very much over due, or are we going to receive more of the same? Are we going to continue to allow the health care industry to buy congressional votes with the money they profit on from our premiums? This should not be a political issue that divides us! This is an issue that should unite us! There is a blatant crime going on, and innocent lives are being lost every day!
Below is a link to the show that I watched last night, although not a very good quality picture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DVci92VLYQ
& below is the last half of the show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IROaxf2HF4k
Last night I watched the show, Mystery Diagnosis. I often watch this show and see first hand what is so wrong with our health care system. However, last night I watched a particular disturbing episode. A mother soon realized after bringing her new born baby home that something was very wrong with her daughter, Andrea. Andrea could not keep any food down and always seemed to be in pain after eating. Doctors chalked it up to colic. This went on for months, and doctors continuously told the mother that she needed to "just deal with it." The last time Andrea saw the doctor, he insinuated that Andrea was suffering from neglect and that the mother needed to step up to the plate and take care of her daughter. Andrea's mother was in shock that nobody took her cries for help seriously and even placed blame on her. After finally having enough, Andrea's mother called the doctor's office and demanded that she see the chief of pediatrics. She got an immediate appointment with one of the top specialist, and he could see in an instant that there was something very wrong with Andrea as her head had not grown, she wasn't reaching developmental mile stones, she could not keep food down therefore becoming very malnourished and very underweight for her age, and she had an unusual disposition for her age coupled with very jerky movements. He referred her to a pediatric developmentalist, but quickly found out that her insurance would not cover this and was told that there was absolutely no further help that could be given. Andrea's mother was left at a dead end with a child that so desperately needed medical attention!
The insurance company made a very conscience decision that Andrea didn't need a diagnosis. They make these decisions every day in our lives! What is wrong with a system that allows an infant to suffer? What is wrong with a system that first looks at the dollar signs before even looking at a very obviously sick little girl? With out this mother's persistence, Andrea would have for sure died! In the end, Andrea's mother took her to the Albany Medical Center ER which was two hours away from their home. There, Andrea finally received the medical attention that she deserved and finally received the appropriate diagnoses of Angelman Syndrome. It is a chromosomal disease that was easily diagnosed with a blood test!
This family came very close to loosing a child. This did not happen to a family that didn't have insurance, BUT it happened to a family that did have insurance. Who is really looking out for us? We, as a people, need to advocate for our health and for our future. The insurance companies are so obviously not in the business of doing this for us. This very issue's future is currently in the hands of our government. Will we finally have the health care in this country that is very much over due, or are we going to receive more of the same? Are we going to continue to allow the health care industry to buy congressional votes with the money they profit on from our premiums? This should not be a political issue that divides us! This is an issue that should unite us! There is a blatant crime going on, and innocent lives are being lost every day!
Below is a link to the show that I watched last night, although not a very good quality picture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DVci92VLYQ
& below is the last half of the show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IROaxf2HF4k
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
GOP Hate
I couldn't be more sickened then when I heard the loud whoops and hollers and high fives from the GOP after Chicago lost the bid for the 2016 Olympics. With unemployment at an all time high, having the Olympics would have made instant jobs for Americans, almost over night. It would have created hundreds of thousands of jobs and would have generated much needed revenue. Why would any American pull for the failure of such a boost for fellow Americans and its economy? Any failure where Obama is concerned, is reason to celebrate in the GOP's eyes. It doesn't matter what's at stake or who gets hurt, just as long as Obama's reputation gets tarnished. The same is true when it comes to health care or the environment. Every failure in Obama's book, is a success in the GOP's book. Look at the price we are paying for the GOP's hate.
When did we reach this point where we could no longer just simply disagree with one another's views, but had to go one step further and hate them just because their views were different. This "with us, or against us" mentality only leads to devastation. Isn't it just odd that the GOP disagrees with EVERY idea or policy the democrats have, but then offer ZERO alternative ideas or policies? Isn't it also odd that the same people that judge others to be labled "unpatriotic" are the same ones that vote time and time again against the American people or cheer when America fails? Isn't it also odd that hate crimes, especially against minorities and gays, are at an all time high in this country just during the last few months? This is not a coincidence. The GOP is in the business of shutting up anyone who might pull dollars out of their pockets. They love the top 1% of Americans (the wealthy), and treat the remaining 99% as their slaves, and they will say and do anything to convince us that we are valuable and we're not slaves, but in the end the suppression is evident!
When did we reach this point where we could no longer just simply disagree with one another's views, but had to go one step further and hate them just because their views were different. This "with us, or against us" mentality only leads to devastation. Isn't it just odd that the GOP disagrees with EVERY idea or policy the democrats have, but then offer ZERO alternative ideas or policies? Isn't it also odd that the same people that judge others to be labled "unpatriotic" are the same ones that vote time and time again against the American people or cheer when America fails? Isn't it also odd that hate crimes, especially against minorities and gays, are at an all time high in this country just during the last few months? This is not a coincidence. The GOP is in the business of shutting up anyone who might pull dollars out of their pockets. They love the top 1% of Americans (the wealthy), and treat the remaining 99% as their slaves, and they will say and do anything to convince us that we are valuable and we're not slaves, but in the end the suppression is evident!
Monday, October 5, 2009
"Holy Now"
Sometimes it's good to just stop and smell the roses, so to speak. I found some words to a song that I thought was rather profound. I'm sure if one was a religious person, one could see these words through more of a religious view. I, myself, am not religious. I guess you could call me more spiritual. However, I came to view these words through a view of gratitude. We shouldn't be inspired by only the big events and coincidences that intersect our lives, but we should also find inspiration and gratitude through everything around us. However one believes this Earth came to be formed, it's still amazing and deserves our gratitude....not just our respect (although, even the respect seems to be very lacking these days). The miracles of life can be found far beyond the walls of a religious institution and we should open our eyes to find the reverence of life, which means to show and feel deep honor for all of the amazing intricacies of life. I also looked up the definition of "Holy". We often hear this word in accordance with the name of God, but "Holy" is defined as "having a Divine quality". Aren't we lucky that this world is filled with divine, or magnificent, qualities?
"Holy Now" by Peter Meyer
When I was a boy, each week
On Sunday, we would go to church,
And pay attention to the priest
He would read the holy word
And consecrate the holy bread
And everyone would kneel and bow
Today the only difference is
Everything is holy now
Everything is holy now
When I was in Sunday school
We would learn about the time
Moses split the sea in two
Jesus made the water wine
And I remember feeling sad
That miracles don't happen still
But now I can't keep track
'Cause everything's a miracle
Everything's a miracle
Wine from water is not so small
an even better magic trick
Is that anything is here at all
So the challenging thing becomes
Not to look for miracles
But finding where there isn't one
When holy water was rare at best
It barely wet my fingertips
But now I have to hold my breath
Like I'm swimming in a sea of it
It used to be a world half there
Heaven's second rate hand-me-down
But I walk it with a reverent air
'Cause everything is holy now
Everything is holy now
Read a questioning child's face
And say it's not a testament
That'd be very hard to say
See another new morning come
And say it's not a sacrament
I tell you that it can't be done
This morning, outside I stood
And saw a little red-winged bird
Shining like a burning bush
Singing like a scripture verse
It made me want to bow my head
I remember when church let out
How things have changed since then
Everything is holy now
Everything is holy now
It used to be a world half-there
Heaven's second rate hand-me-down
But I walk it with a reverent air
'Cause everything is holy now
"Holy Now" by Peter Meyer
When I was a boy, each week
On Sunday, we would go to church,
And pay attention to the priest
He would read the holy word
And consecrate the holy bread
And everyone would kneel and bow
Today the only difference is
Everything is holy now
Everything is holy now
When I was in Sunday school
We would learn about the time
Moses split the sea in two
Jesus made the water wine
And I remember feeling sad
That miracles don't happen still
But now I can't keep track
'Cause everything's a miracle
Everything's a miracle
Wine from water is not so small
an even better magic trick
Is that anything is here at all
So the challenging thing becomes
Not to look for miracles
But finding where there isn't one
When holy water was rare at best
It barely wet my fingertips
But now I have to hold my breath
Like I'm swimming in a sea of it
It used to be a world half there
Heaven's second rate hand-me-down
But I walk it with a reverent air
'Cause everything is holy now
Everything is holy now
Read a questioning child's face
And say it's not a testament
That'd be very hard to say
See another new morning come
And say it's not a sacrament
I tell you that it can't be done
This morning, outside I stood
And saw a little red-winged bird
Shining like a burning bush
Singing like a scripture verse
It made me want to bow my head
I remember when church let out
How things have changed since then
Everything is holy now
Everything is holy now
It used to be a world half-there
Heaven's second rate hand-me-down
But I walk it with a reverent air
'Cause everything is holy now
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Michael Moore's film, "Capitalism: A Love Story"
This past weekend I went to see Michael Moore’s, "Capitalism: A Love Story." This was an excellent movie, and I highly recommend everyone to see it! In this movie you will be moved to find your voice and to stand up for what is right and just. This movie is for everyone, no matter your political offiliation…I truly hope all will take the time to watch this movie as it unearths the truth for us all. Below is an e-mail that Michael Moore sent himself.
October 4th, 2009 1:56 AM
For Those of You on Your Way to Church This Morning ...a note from Michael Moore
Friends,
I'd like to have a word with those of you who call yourselves Christians (Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Bill Maherists, etc. can read along, too, as much of what I have to say, I'm sure, can be applied to your own spiritual/ethical values). In my new film I speak for the first time in one of my movies about my own spiritual beliefs. I have always believed that one's religious leanings are deeply personal and should be kept private. After all, we've heard enough yammerin' in the past three decades about how one should "behave," and I have to say I'm pretty burned out on pieties and platitudes considering we are a violent nation who invades other countries and punishes our own for having the audacity to fall on hard times.
I'm also against any proselytizing; I certainly don't want you to join anything I belong to. Also, as a Catholic, I have much to say about the Church as an institution, but I'll leave that for another day (or movie).
Amidst all the Wall Street bad guys and corrupt members of Congress exposed in "Capitalism: A Love Story," I pose a simple question in the movie: "Is capitalism a sin?" I go on to ask, "Would Jesus be a capitalist?" Would he belong to a hedge fund? Would he sell short? Would he approve of a system that has allowed the richest 1% to have more financial wealth than the 95% under them combined?
I have come to believe that there is no getting around the fact that capitalism is opposite everything that Jesus (and Moses and Mohammad and Buddha) taught. All the great religions are clear about one thing: It is evil to take the majority of the pie and leave what's left for everyone to fight over. Jesus said that the rich man would have a very hard time getting into heaven. He told us that we had to be our brother's and sister's keepers and that the riches that did exist were to be divided fairly. He said that if you failed to house the homeless and feed the hungry, you'd have a hard time finding the pin code to the pearly gates.
I guess that's bad news for us Americans. Here's how we define "Blessed Are the Poor": We now have the highest unemployment rate since 1983. There's a foreclosure filing once every 7.5 seconds. 14,000 people every day lose their health insurance.
At the same time, Wall Street bankers ("Blessed Are the Wealthy"?) are amassing more and more loot -- and they do their best to pay little or no income tax (last year Goldman Sachs' tax rate was a mere 1%!). Would Jesus approve of this? If not, why do we let such an evil system continue? It doesn't seem you can call yourself a Capitalist AND a Christian -- because you cannot love your money AND love your neighbor when you are denying your neighbor the ability to see a doctor just so you can have a better bottom line. That's called "immoral" -- and you are committing a sin when you benefit at the expense of others.
When you are in church this morning, please think about this. I am asking you to allow your "better angels" to come forward. And if you are among the millions of Americans who are struggling to make it from week to week, please know that I promise to do what I can to stop this evil -- and I hope you'll join me in not giving up until everyone has a seat at the table.
Thanks for listening. I'm off to Mass in a few hours. I'll be sure to ask the priest if he thinks J.C. deals in derivatives or credit default swaps. I mean, after all, he must've been good at math. How else did he divide up two loaves of bread and five pieces of fish equally amongst 5,000 people? Either he was the first socialist or his disciples were really bad at packing lunch. Or both.
Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com
October 4th, 2009 1:56 AM
For Those of You on Your Way to Church This Morning ...a note from Michael Moore
Friends,
I'd like to have a word with those of you who call yourselves Christians (Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Bill Maherists, etc. can read along, too, as much of what I have to say, I'm sure, can be applied to your own spiritual/ethical values). In my new film I speak for the first time in one of my movies about my own spiritual beliefs. I have always believed that one's religious leanings are deeply personal and should be kept private. After all, we've heard enough yammerin' in the past three decades about how one should "behave," and I have to say I'm pretty burned out on pieties and platitudes considering we are a violent nation who invades other countries and punishes our own for having the audacity to fall on hard times.
I'm also against any proselytizing; I certainly don't want you to join anything I belong to. Also, as a Catholic, I have much to say about the Church as an institution, but I'll leave that for another day (or movie).
Amidst all the Wall Street bad guys and corrupt members of Congress exposed in "Capitalism: A Love Story," I pose a simple question in the movie: "Is capitalism a sin?" I go on to ask, "Would Jesus be a capitalist?" Would he belong to a hedge fund? Would he sell short? Would he approve of a system that has allowed the richest 1% to have more financial wealth than the 95% under them combined?
I have come to believe that there is no getting around the fact that capitalism is opposite everything that Jesus (and Moses and Mohammad and Buddha) taught. All the great religions are clear about one thing: It is evil to take the majority of the pie and leave what's left for everyone to fight over. Jesus said that the rich man would have a very hard time getting into heaven. He told us that we had to be our brother's and sister's keepers and that the riches that did exist were to be divided fairly. He said that if you failed to house the homeless and feed the hungry, you'd have a hard time finding the pin code to the pearly gates.
I guess that's bad news for us Americans. Here's how we define "Blessed Are the Poor": We now have the highest unemployment rate since 1983. There's a foreclosure filing once every 7.5 seconds. 14,000 people every day lose their health insurance.
At the same time, Wall Street bankers ("Blessed Are the Wealthy"?) are amassing more and more loot -- and they do their best to pay little or no income tax (last year Goldman Sachs' tax rate was a mere 1%!). Would Jesus approve of this? If not, why do we let such an evil system continue? It doesn't seem you can call yourself a Capitalist AND a Christian -- because you cannot love your money AND love your neighbor when you are denying your neighbor the ability to see a doctor just so you can have a better bottom line. That's called "immoral" -- and you are committing a sin when you benefit at the expense of others.
When you are in church this morning, please think about this. I am asking you to allow your "better angels" to come forward. And if you are among the millions of Americans who are struggling to make it from week to week, please know that I promise to do what I can to stop this evil -- and I hope you'll join me in not giving up until everyone has a seat at the table.
Thanks for listening. I'm off to Mass in a few hours. I'll be sure to ask the priest if he thinks J.C. deals in derivatives or credit default swaps. I mean, after all, he must've been good at math. How else did he divide up two loaves of bread and five pieces of fish equally amongst 5,000 people? Either he was the first socialist or his disciples were really bad at packing lunch. Or both.
Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Truth About ACORN
In the midst of our country’s most important piece of legislation, health care reform, the right wing quickly switches gears. Evidently all of the lies about death panels and such are not working, so “let’s just change the subject”. Right GOP? Their new agenda is to attack ACORN. A non-profit group that has signed up numerous low-income minority and young voters, and during this last historic election they registered 1.3 million voters. Of course the right wingers have never liked ACORN, or agencies like them, such as Project Vote or Demos, as these agencies are able to register voices that would more than likely not vote the “red” ticket. I guarantee if the majority of these voters were voting republican, we would never see these bogus stories in the media, suspicious of “voter fraud.”
In case you haven’t heard, the right wing is up in arms over a hand full of bogus voter registration forms. This sort of thing is common when registering voters and the law is that you must flag any forms that you find that look suspicious, and you must turn them in. In every suspicious case that was reported, ACORN was the one who originally discovered and called attention to the forms for further investigation….therefore, they followed the law! Furthermore, not a single reported instance, where bogus voter registrations were discovered, did that registration lead to ANYONE voting! All first time voters MUST provide their ID and risk jail if found to be fraudulent. In actuality, very few individuals intentionally fabricate a registration form and/or cast an illegal ballot. The point is, when a store turns in an employee for shoplifting, no one says the store is guilty of consumer fraud. So, why is ACORN receiving the wrap of voter fraud when they followed the law?
I find it interesting, and a little suspicious and sneaky on the GOP’s side, that they are so enraged over this non-subject with ACORN, with absolutely NO evidence of actual fraud. I guess if you can say something loud enough, then it must be true, right? As far as the GOP goes, fact is simply irrelevant. Does it take a genius to figure out that the GOP is targeting our less fortunate citizens time and time again? Sounds like voter suppression, and that sounds like voter fraud. The GOP is famous for trying to suppress voters they feel will not vote favorably for them. Laws such as the National Voters Registration Act, which offer voting registration with your license, license renewal and to those through low-income assistance programs such as Medicaid and food stamps, is ignored in many states. For example, in Florida, agencies are failing to help low-income voters register when they sign up for public assistance, which is required under the National Voters Registration Act. The GOP has an agenda, and their agenda is to win elections at any cost, and they are not looking out for American citizens while doing so. This could not be more evident than in our current health care reform debate.
I have attached a link to a story that Rachel Maddow did on this exact topic. Enough is enough already! No more taking time from the true important topics concerning our country’s future!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDxm--DyavI
In case you haven’t heard, the right wing is up in arms over a hand full of bogus voter registration forms. This sort of thing is common when registering voters and the law is that you must flag any forms that you find that look suspicious, and you must turn them in. In every suspicious case that was reported, ACORN was the one who originally discovered and called attention to the forms for further investigation….therefore, they followed the law! Furthermore, not a single reported instance, where bogus voter registrations were discovered, did that registration lead to ANYONE voting! All first time voters MUST provide their ID and risk jail if found to be fraudulent. In actuality, very few individuals intentionally fabricate a registration form and/or cast an illegal ballot. The point is, when a store turns in an employee for shoplifting, no one says the store is guilty of consumer fraud. So, why is ACORN receiving the wrap of voter fraud when they followed the law?
I find it interesting, and a little suspicious and sneaky on the GOP’s side, that they are so enraged over this non-subject with ACORN, with absolutely NO evidence of actual fraud. I guess if you can say something loud enough, then it must be true, right? As far as the GOP goes, fact is simply irrelevant. Does it take a genius to figure out that the GOP is targeting our less fortunate citizens time and time again? Sounds like voter suppression, and that sounds like voter fraud. The GOP is famous for trying to suppress voters they feel will not vote favorably for them. Laws such as the National Voters Registration Act, which offer voting registration with your license, license renewal and to those through low-income assistance programs such as Medicaid and food stamps, is ignored in many states. For example, in Florida, agencies are failing to help low-income voters register when they sign up for public assistance, which is required under the National Voters Registration Act. The GOP has an agenda, and their agenda is to win elections at any cost, and they are not looking out for American citizens while doing so. This could not be more evident than in our current health care reform debate.
I have attached a link to a story that Rachel Maddow did on this exact topic. Enough is enough already! No more taking time from the true important topics concerning our country’s future!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDxm--DyavI
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Open Letter to Texas Senators
This is an open letter to Texas Senators Hutchison and Cornyn from a concerned citizen and constituent:
Dear Senators,
I am very concerned about the statements being made by the republicans on health care. It is as if all of you are in lock step and refuse to budge. Let me tell you my take on this subject.
1. If the sales of insurance policies across state lines is such a good idea, why didn't the credit card rates fall when Congress exempted banks from state regulation? Instead of lowering rates, the consumers were charged more! The system became more corrupt, rather than being fixed.
2. The GOP always talks about TORT Reform. Were our insurance rates lowered after TORT Reform was passed in Texas? No, our rates did not go down! Instead, Texans are paying more than any other state for health insurance. Also, our rates are increasing faster than almost any other state.
Senators, these are only two of the republican mantras on health care. The other "excuses" are just as debatable. Rather than trying to answer all of the republican "ideas", let me try another tact. Ethics and Morality are the basics that are missing in the republican playbook. It is not ethical, nor moral, for people to be dying because of the lack of health care insurance. I am not telling you something you don't know....you have heard the stories. You have read the facts. You know that Texas ranks 50th in the number of people who are uninsured.
There are so many more facts I could write about, but you already know them. If those who died defending this country could talk.....do you think they would say that they are proud of the way we treat those without insurance and those who are under insured? Do you think they would be proud to know that the country they died for are letting loved ones suffer while the insurance industry CEOs and CFOS are pulling down tens of millions of dollars and more? Do you believe that these heroes would be heartened to hear Rep. Cantor tell a constituent, that if a loved one needs a life saving operation, there must be some type of program or charity that would help? Charity?!?! Forget charity!! It is time for you and the other responsible members of congress to stand up and say NO to your right wing base.
Sincerely,
Robert W. Tomlinson
Dear Senators,
I am very concerned about the statements being made by the republicans on health care. It is as if all of you are in lock step and refuse to budge. Let me tell you my take on this subject.
1. If the sales of insurance policies across state lines is such a good idea, why didn't the credit card rates fall when Congress exempted banks from state regulation? Instead of lowering rates, the consumers were charged more! The system became more corrupt, rather than being fixed.
2. The GOP always talks about TORT Reform. Were our insurance rates lowered after TORT Reform was passed in Texas? No, our rates did not go down! Instead, Texans are paying more than any other state for health insurance. Also, our rates are increasing faster than almost any other state.
Senators, these are only two of the republican mantras on health care. The other "excuses" are just as debatable. Rather than trying to answer all of the republican "ideas", let me try another tact. Ethics and Morality are the basics that are missing in the republican playbook. It is not ethical, nor moral, for people to be dying because of the lack of health care insurance. I am not telling you something you don't know....you have heard the stories. You have read the facts. You know that Texas ranks 50th in the number of people who are uninsured.
There are so many more facts I could write about, but you already know them. If those who died defending this country could talk.....do you think they would say that they are proud of the way we treat those without insurance and those who are under insured? Do you think they would be proud to know that the country they died for are letting loved ones suffer while the insurance industry CEOs and CFOS are pulling down tens of millions of dollars and more? Do you believe that these heroes would be heartened to hear Rep. Cantor tell a constituent, that if a loved one needs a life saving operation, there must be some type of program or charity that would help? Charity?!?! Forget charity!! It is time for you and the other responsible members of congress to stand up and say NO to your right wing base.
Sincerely,
Robert W. Tomlinson
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
"See You at the Poll" Movement
I did some research on the web to see if anyone was talking about this See You at the Poll rally, but I could not find a single site that had issue with this. So, maybe it’s just me, but I feel a little offended. For those of you who are not familiar, See You at the Poll (SYATP) started in the early 90’s in a small town in Texas. Every third Wednesday in September across America, students, teachers, and parents gather around the flag poll of their school to pray for the new school year ahead. I remember attending SYATP as a jr. high and high school student, and maybe it was just my own experience and a different time, but it was very innocent. We would gather at the poll and pray to God…not Jesus, Allah, or Buddha, but just a general termed God. Although this was more of Christian organized gathering, it seemed to be open to any, and all, walks of faith or non-faiths. It wasn’t exclusive. It was a time you felt joined together with your peers and your leaders to share in the same spirit of love and harmony as you prayed/hoped for a peaceful year.
However, today it doesn’t seem to be quite so sincere or innocent. Right Wing Politics and Christianity have become so intertwined, that you definitely feel the hidden agenda behind SYATP. It almost feels like more of a demonstration. I received a long e-mail from the PTO president at my son’s school, inviting all Christian parents and students to attend SYATP this Wednesday to display “radical obedience” to Jesus.
“Are we desiring to see a mighty move of God on our children's schools? Are we pursuing God passionately? Are we serious about radical obedience? Are we determined to get rid of anything and everything that dishonors God and ready to challenge our friends to do the same?” Quote from the e-mail
This just feels like a right wing fundamentalist movement of finding a voice in numbers, weeding out those that don’t believe the same, and to one day redefine public school. We already know that right wing fundamentalists want to establish prayer and (Christian) religious education in our public schools. This SYATP feels more and more like movement of bullies making a statement that “you must believe as I do, or you’re simply not worthy and your voice doesn’t count” all the while standing on tax payer property, holding hands in a circle around our nation’s flag (in a display to intimidate all of those that do not think/believe the same) and to make others feel that America only belongs to the Christians. Coming across this scene as an “outsider” could make anybody feel as though their country were taken hostage. This would not be condoned by any other religious organization and definitely not by non-believers….do you see the double standard? What ever happened to “Do unto others as you would have done unto you”?
However, today it doesn’t seem to be quite so sincere or innocent. Right Wing Politics and Christianity have become so intertwined, that you definitely feel the hidden agenda behind SYATP. It almost feels like more of a demonstration. I received a long e-mail from the PTO president at my son’s school, inviting all Christian parents and students to attend SYATP this Wednesday to display “radical obedience” to Jesus.
“Are we desiring to see a mighty move of God on our children's schools? Are we pursuing God passionately? Are we serious about radical obedience? Are we determined to get rid of anything and everything that dishonors God and ready to challenge our friends to do the same?” Quote from the e-mail
This just feels like a right wing fundamentalist movement of finding a voice in numbers, weeding out those that don’t believe the same, and to one day redefine public school. We already know that right wing fundamentalists want to establish prayer and (Christian) religious education in our public schools. This SYATP feels more and more like movement of bullies making a statement that “you must believe as I do, or you’re simply not worthy and your voice doesn’t count” all the while standing on tax payer property, holding hands in a circle around our nation’s flag (in a display to intimidate all of those that do not think/believe the same) and to make others feel that America only belongs to the Christians. Coming across this scene as an “outsider” could make anybody feel as though their country were taken hostage. This would not be condoned by any other religious organization and definitely not by non-believers….do you see the double standard? What ever happened to “Do unto others as you would have done unto you”?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
What's Good Enough for Iraq, Isn't Good Enough for America
Quick thought,
Why is it that as we were/are helping to build Iraq, one of the things our country set in place was universal health care for Iraqis? Why is universal health care good enough for Iraq, but not for Americans? There's a thought to ponder on over your morning cereal...
Why is it that as we were/are helping to build Iraq, one of the things our country set in place was universal health care for Iraqis? Why is universal health care good enough for Iraq, but not for Americans? There's a thought to ponder on over your morning cereal...
The United States Was Not Founded on Christianity
I recieved this forward through my e-mail a few weeks back:
"Missouri teacher's letter to Obama, wow!
This Missouri teacher certainly says it all about Obama. I doubt Obama will be sending Ms Lyday a Christmas card. Folks, This just about says it all, and I admire the teacher who wrote it. Even if you voted for the our current President, you surely are beginning to have doubts about for whom, and what he stands.
April 17, 2009
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington , DC 20500
Mr. Obama:
I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally. You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America . You are responsible to the citizens of the United States .. You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth. I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe ? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century? Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States ? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this? Your bowing to the k ing of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king > of Saudi Arabia . You don't show Great Britain , our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia . How dare you, sir! How dare you! You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey . You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What s the matter with you? I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you. You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it. What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members on top of the $2.5 million in20automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn't! Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now. I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country. Sincerely,
Every real American P.S. I rarely ask that emails be 'passed around'...PLEASE SEND THIS TO YOUR EMAIL LIST...it's past time f or all. Americans to wake up!
Ms Kathleen Lyday Fourth Grade Teacher Grandview Elementary School
11470 Hwy. C Hillsboro , MO 63050
(636) 944-3291 Phone (636) 944-3870 Fax "
Granted, this was written several months ago, but it's still worth a comment! First of all, let's get the first thing straight, several sites including snoopes.com, find that this teacher did not write this. It was actually traced back to a conservative blogger....surprise, surprise. They seem to be famous for glazing over true fact. Second of all, this "letter" is littered with biased OPINIONS, that the majority of Americans do not share, and frankly I find VERY offensive! What I really found amazing is that this person got so worked up about Obama saying that this is a country of many faiths. Wow...what a rash and controversial statement. And by the way, he is speaking truth! We are a country without a national religion! This county was founded on the right to believe, or not to believe, in whatever each citizen so chooses. I'm sure our fore fathers would roll over in their graves if they could hear that this is "a Christian Nation!" They fought, struggled and died so that we could have the freedom of religion, and not a national religion like the one they left behind in England. And, if by Christian foundation you mean its principles involving human rights. (But then, I don't know of any major religion that doesn't include basic moral guidelines such as love and respect at its center. And there are those who will claim that Islam does not, they are the same ones who have not bothered to explore that religion beyond their preconceived notions.)
Christian extremists operate under the delusion that Christianity is the first and/or only religion to subscribe to such principles. It's that lack of humility that turns many off, and it looks as though this statistic is growing. Even if we could agree that religion is the foundation of our system...which brand? And this bit about the country being founded upon Judeo-Christian ethics...precisely which ones were these? Certainly in neither the Declaration nor the Constitution (the Constitution does not even mention the word "God" in its text, and the Declaration contains ONE reference each to "nature's God," the "Creator" and "Divine Providence"). Sorry, the fact that we make generic references to God in the pledge and on our money is not good enough. And even if it is true that more people profess the Catholic or Protestant faith, or some strain thereof, than any other in this country, it does not then follow that this is a Christian nation.
"Missouri teacher's letter to Obama, wow!
This Missouri teacher certainly says it all about Obama. I doubt Obama will be sending Ms Lyday a Christmas card. Folks, This just about says it all, and I admire the teacher who wrote it. Even if you voted for the our current President, you surely are beginning to have doubts about for whom, and what he stands.
April 17, 2009
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington , DC 20500
Mr. Obama:
I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally. You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America . You are responsible to the citizens of the United States .. You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth. I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe ? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century? Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States ? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this? Your bowing to the k ing of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king > of Saudi Arabia . You don't show Great Britain , our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia . How dare you, sir! How dare you! You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey . You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What s the matter with you? I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you. You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it. What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members on top of the $2.5 million in20automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn't! Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now. I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country. Sincerely,
Every real American P.S. I rarely ask that emails be 'passed around'...PLEASE SEND THIS TO YOUR EMAIL LIST...it's past time f or all. Americans to wake up!
Ms Kathleen Lyday Fourth Grade Teacher Grandview Elementary School
11470 Hwy. C Hillsboro , MO 63050
(636) 944-3291 Phone (636) 944-3870 Fax "
Granted, this was written several months ago, but it's still worth a comment! First of all, let's get the first thing straight, several sites including snoopes.com, find that this teacher did not write this. It was actually traced back to a conservative blogger....surprise, surprise. They seem to be famous for glazing over true fact. Second of all, this "letter" is littered with biased OPINIONS, that the majority of Americans do not share, and frankly I find VERY offensive! What I really found amazing is that this person got so worked up about Obama saying that this is a country of many faiths. Wow...what a rash and controversial statement. And by the way, he is speaking truth! We are a country without a national religion! This county was founded on the right to believe, or not to believe, in whatever each citizen so chooses. I'm sure our fore fathers would roll over in their graves if they could hear that this is "a Christian Nation!" They fought, struggled and died so that we could have the freedom of religion, and not a national religion like the one they left behind in England. And, if by Christian foundation you mean its principles involving human rights. (But then, I don't know of any major religion that doesn't include basic moral guidelines such as love and respect at its center. And there are those who will claim that Islam does not, they are the same ones who have not bothered to explore that religion beyond their preconceived notions.)
Christian extremists operate under the delusion that Christianity is the first and/or only religion to subscribe to such principles. It's that lack of humility that turns many off, and it looks as though this statistic is growing. Even if we could agree that religion is the foundation of our system...which brand? And this bit about the country being founded upon Judeo-Christian ethics...precisely which ones were these? Certainly in neither the Declaration nor the Constitution (the Constitution does not even mention the word "God" in its text, and the Declaration contains ONE reference each to "nature's God," the "Creator" and "Divine Providence"). Sorry, the fact that we make generic references to God in the pledge and on our money is not good enough. And even if it is true that more people profess the Catholic or Protestant faith, or some strain thereof, than any other in this country, it does not then follow that this is a Christian nation.
The Christian right is trying to rewrite the history of the United States as part of its campaign to force its religion on others. They try to depict the founding fathers as Christians who wanted the United States to be a Christian nation, with laws that favored Christians and Christianity.
This is untrue. The early presidents and patriots were generally Deists or Unitarians, believing in some form of impersonal Providence but rejecting the divinity of Jesus and the absurdities of the Old and New testaments. Examples:
George Washington never declared he was a Christian, but championed the cause of freedom of religion. He was called an Agnostic.
John Adams (who was quite ambivalent about his own religion) It was during Adam's administration that the Senate ratified the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which states in Article XI that "the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion." He was a Unitarian.
Abigail Adams, wife to John Adams, wrote the following: "when will Mankind be convinced that true Religion is from the Heart, between Man and his creator, and not the imposition of Man or creeds and tests?" John Adams also found the Catholic religion rather distasteful, but I imagine bringing that point up would only serve to muddle the religious right's arguments within this issue.
She was also Unitarian.
Thomas Jefferson was a Unitarian, and believed that the Unitarian beliefs would be very common in the U.S. He referred to the Bible as nonsense.
James Madison - Not a religious person. "Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for noble enterprise."
Ethan Allen - Commander and a Deist, inspired congress to pursue a war of independence, "Jesus Christ was not God as evidence from his own words."
Ben Franklin - Deist
I could go on and on. Knowledge is power. Going on with the assumption that this nation was founded on Christianity, and ignoring true fact, is absurd! And, I wouldn't want this to be a Christian Nation as it is suppressive. We already see this suppression vividly through the fundamentalist right wing. I think that Abagail Adams said it right, and it's worth repeating "When will Mankind be convinced that true Religion is from the Heart, between Man and his creator, and not the imposition of Man or creeds and tests?"
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
"Billionaires for Wealthcare"
The "Billionaires for Wealthcare" marched with the teabaggers Saturday in an effort to mock them. Actually, I see as an effort to present obvious facts and to point out the ridiculousness of the right wing plight. If you have 6 minutes, click on the link and watch the video. I find it amusing, and a little pathetic as the protesters can't figure out that they are being mocked! Goes to show you the mentality!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHVwrCzRUX0
& here's another, shorter video. Rachel Maddow presents the music video version of the "Billionairs for Wealthcare" This is great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NDzA7nChB4
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHVwrCzRUX0
& here's another, shorter video. Rachel Maddow presents the music video version of the "Billionairs for Wealthcare" This is great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NDzA7nChB4
Enjoy!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Who's The Real Liar?
As Senator Wilson shouts, “you lie!” at the president during his congressional address, the rest of the right wing party falls in step with the childish call, “liar, liar pants on fire!” Are these the people that want to “take back America?” Do they think they are on the playground yanking a young girl’s pig-tails, or have they realized they’ve been elected to the American government and that they are now supposed to be adults making important decisions for our country’s future? You know, if you want respect, you first have to earn it. And if you want respect, you must first give it, at least to the office that President Obama holds.
Never in the eight years that Bush reigned did you ever hear a democrat heckle him during a speech, and if anything, Bush rightly would have earned the title Liar. I have to wonder, what in the world did President Obama ever do to “earn” the title of liar? You may disagree with his politics (which I find even ridiculous as he has worked tirelessly for bi-partisanship) but when has he EVER lied to the American people? Did he lie to us about WMDs in Iraq? Did he bring us into a needless war in Iraq and lie about their link to 9/11? Did he lie to Americans about the real cost of the wars? Did he lie to the American public about not torturing prisoners at Gitmo? Did he lie about 80% of the detainees at Gitmo being involved in terrorist movements? Did he lie about illegally wire-tapping the American citizens? Did he mysteriously finagle not one but two elections? Did he lie about “being caught off guard” when the levees failed in New Orleans? Did he lie about “keeping us safe from terrorists” all the while knowing that 9/11 happened on his watch? Is Obama the one who ignored the nuclear build-up in North Korea and Iran? Is Obama the one that made horrible energy policies that led to record gas and oil prices? Is Obama the one responsible for the record deficit and the worst recession since the depression? Is Obama the one that failed on education with “no child left behind?” No! This all happened under Bush, hence, if anyone ever deserved the title of liar, it would be him. Through all of that, we still were able to give Bush respect because of at least the office he held. The hypocrisy here is thick, don’t you think? Where in the world was Senator Wilson when Bush embarrassingly fumbled through every speech and bold-faced lied to us? Guess he was quietly holding on to Bush’s coat tails as his pockets, and his party’s pockets, were continuously filled by lobbyist! It doesn’t really matter what Obama says, or does. The right-wingers are just in love with opposition at every corner. They have no intention of working together for the betterment of this country!
Never in the eight years that Bush reigned did you ever hear a democrat heckle him during a speech, and if anything, Bush rightly would have earned the title Liar. I have to wonder, what in the world did President Obama ever do to “earn” the title of liar? You may disagree with his politics (which I find even ridiculous as he has worked tirelessly for bi-partisanship) but when has he EVER lied to the American people? Did he lie to us about WMDs in Iraq? Did he bring us into a needless war in Iraq and lie about their link to 9/11? Did he lie to Americans about the real cost of the wars? Did he lie to the American public about not torturing prisoners at Gitmo? Did he lie about 80% of the detainees at Gitmo being involved in terrorist movements? Did he lie about illegally wire-tapping the American citizens? Did he mysteriously finagle not one but two elections? Did he lie about “being caught off guard” when the levees failed in New Orleans? Did he lie about “keeping us safe from terrorists” all the while knowing that 9/11 happened on his watch? Is Obama the one who ignored the nuclear build-up in North Korea and Iran? Is Obama the one that made horrible energy policies that led to record gas and oil prices? Is Obama the one responsible for the record deficit and the worst recession since the depression? Is Obama the one that failed on education with “no child left behind?” No! This all happened under Bush, hence, if anyone ever deserved the title of liar, it would be him. Through all of that, we still were able to give Bush respect because of at least the office he held. The hypocrisy here is thick, don’t you think? Where in the world was Senator Wilson when Bush embarrassingly fumbled through every speech and bold-faced lied to us? Guess he was quietly holding on to Bush’s coat tails as his pockets, and his party’s pockets, were continuously filled by lobbyist! It doesn’t really matter what Obama says, or does. The right-wingers are just in love with opposition at every corner. They have no intention of working together for the betterment of this country!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Health Care Rally
I was at a rally for health care yesterday, Sept. 2nd, in front of Houston's City Hall. There were about 1,300 people there, with a hand full yelling against health care. It amazed me to see that the ones who were against the health care reform, were the ones that STILL believed in the lies their party told them. They had signs saying that abortions would be paid for out of the proposed health care and that death panels did in fact exist. Must I say thing again? Not one federal penny would be spent on an abortion. Not even private insurances will pay for abortions unless the mother's health is at risk. And, there is no such thing as a death panel...unless of course you were a prisoner at Gitmo under the Bush administration and endured never ending water boarding, electric shock, starvation, thirst, shackle and suspension, and beatings. No, this reform is here to help the American people. We've waited long enough. We call ourselves the best nation in the world, but we aren't taking care of our people. 28 other industrialized nations are ahead of us. We're the only modern country who doesn't believe that health care is a right! It's TIME to change that! The rally last night was a great example of people ready for change! Congressman Al Green was the final speaker of the night, and he gave one of the best speeches in history! He left with the words that he had the great honor of going to the hill to vote in honor of our voice! Our voices are loud and clear, and CHANGE is here!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
When Hate Becomes Rationalized
The power of belief in anything, political, religious... CAN become poisonous. It can make you feel superior in that you feel that you are right and everyone else is wrong. Hate and violence can become justified in this state of mind. The fundamentalist right wing has demonstrated this very well through the years, but even more so recently. I was sent this very disturbing sermon given by Pastor Steven Anderson. He is a pastor at Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, AZ. Sunday, August 16, 2009, Anderson preached that Barrack Obama should die! Chris Broughton, the man who brought an assault rifle and a handgun to one of Obama's events recently, was also in attendance to this hateful anti-Obama sermon. Anderson preached a lengthy sermon about how God doesn’t love everyone. He said that God hates murderers, rapists, those that reject Jesus being the son of God, abortion doctors, gays, and so on. He said that God not only hates the sin, but hates the sinner as well. “I hate Barrack Obama the person!” Anderson yells at his congregation, but then also adds that he is “preaching this out of love.” He used numerous examples from the book of Psalms to describe his point. He used scripture taken from the Old Testament to justify hating Obama and yelling over and over again that Obama should die. He said that he prays from one of the verses from Psalms, that God would “break (Obama’s) teeth”, and make him melt like a slug when salt is poured. He does say that he hopes Obama dies of natural causes as he would not like to see him turned into a martyr.
WHAT!?! Are church goes supposed to leave church hate filled? I always thought that church was to be uplifting, inspirational, and that one would leave in love and in peace. This sermon is so far from the intention of church that it’s pathetic!
Anderson uses books from the Old Testament to back up his agenda of hate. Must I point out that he’s using the Torah, the Jewish book to back up his Christian values? And, needless to say that he took scripture out of context, and “God” is not the one credited for writing Psalms. People like David, Moses, King Solomon, and other authors are the ones credited for these words. So, in truth, these words come from man, not God. (In actuality, I haven’t come across one single verse in the Bible that was actually written by God, but that’s a whole other blog)
The true “Christian Book” lies in the New Testament. This is the book in which Christians are supposed to be living in, otherwise you would live in constant confusion and would banter back and forth between the two testaments. One book talks about revenge, while the other talks about turning the other cheek. One book talks about a God who hates all who do wrong, and another that says love thy neighbor as thy self. The New Testament is the book that strives for peace, love, understanding. Although, this too should not be taken literally as these books were written for the time period, and in many instances, years/decades/centuries after events occurred.
I’m sure you can use the Bible, or any religious book for that matter, to justify hate and violence and to back up one’s agenda. But, if it doesn’t come from love and peace, then it doesn’t come from God, or a higher being.
While I’m on the subject, I have to wonder what Barrack Obama has done that makes him so "evil" and worth Anderson’s one hour sermon on his death and destruction. Is it that Obama discontinued torture that the Bush administration allowed for nearly 8 years? Is it Obama’s steps to create a cleaner environment for us to live and breathe, and to preserve what we are on the road to spoiling? Is it Obama’s selflessness to want to provide each citizen with the right to health care? Is it Obama's steady movements of bringing us out of our economic recession? Is it Obama’s lack of expertise in each patients life and health that he has given the choice of an abortion to a woman and her doctor, as they are the only ones that understand the circumstances surrounding the unique and agonizing decision? I don’t see any evil intentions here. Sounds like Barrack Obama's intentions are coming from a place of love, peace, and justice! We are all entitled to our own opinions, but it doesn't give the right for out right violent hate, especially within a church!
Here’s the link to Anderson’s sermon. I’m sure Fox News won’t consider Pastor Steve Anderson “America hating” as they labeled Pastor Jeremiah Wright.
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/pastor_of_gun-toter_at_obama_event_day_before_even.php
WHAT!?! Are church goes supposed to leave church hate filled? I always thought that church was to be uplifting, inspirational, and that one would leave in love and in peace. This sermon is so far from the intention of church that it’s pathetic!
Anderson uses books from the Old Testament to back up his agenda of hate. Must I point out that he’s using the Torah, the Jewish book to back up his Christian values? And, needless to say that he took scripture out of context, and “God” is not the one credited for writing Psalms. People like David, Moses, King Solomon, and other authors are the ones credited for these words. So, in truth, these words come from man, not God. (In actuality, I haven’t come across one single verse in the Bible that was actually written by God, but that’s a whole other blog)
The true “Christian Book” lies in the New Testament. This is the book in which Christians are supposed to be living in, otherwise you would live in constant confusion and would banter back and forth between the two testaments. One book talks about revenge, while the other talks about turning the other cheek. One book talks about a God who hates all who do wrong, and another that says love thy neighbor as thy self. The New Testament is the book that strives for peace, love, understanding. Although, this too should not be taken literally as these books were written for the time period, and in many instances, years/decades/centuries after events occurred.
I’m sure you can use the Bible, or any religious book for that matter, to justify hate and violence and to back up one’s agenda. But, if it doesn’t come from love and peace, then it doesn’t come from God, or a higher being.
While I’m on the subject, I have to wonder what Barrack Obama has done that makes him so "evil" and worth Anderson’s one hour sermon on his death and destruction. Is it that Obama discontinued torture that the Bush administration allowed for nearly 8 years? Is it Obama’s steps to create a cleaner environment for us to live and breathe, and to preserve what we are on the road to spoiling? Is it Obama’s selflessness to want to provide each citizen with the right to health care? Is it Obama's steady movements of bringing us out of our economic recession? Is it Obama’s lack of expertise in each patients life and health that he has given the choice of an abortion to a woman and her doctor, as they are the only ones that understand the circumstances surrounding the unique and agonizing decision? I don’t see any evil intentions here. Sounds like Barrack Obama's intentions are coming from a place of love, peace, and justice! We are all entitled to our own opinions, but it doesn't give the right for out right violent hate, especially within a church!
Here’s the link to Anderson’s sermon. I’m sure Fox News won’t consider Pastor Steve Anderson “America hating” as they labeled Pastor Jeremiah Wright.
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/pastor_of_gun-toter_at_obama_event_day_before_even.php
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Great Health Debate, As I See It..
As I sit here listening to the uproar over health care, I am completely amazed. I hear the side that desperately wants the new proposed health care plan, which is also the side that overwhelmingly voted Obama for mainly this one particular issue that we’ve struggled with for decades. Polls show that 60-75% of Americans would like a universal health care system. From the other side, I hear a bunch of yelling. All I hear is “no!” No explanation, no logical reasoning…just, no! I struggle to understand, therefore I began to really research. What are the points that the party of NO has for not wanting health care? (Although, I really wonder if they even want some sort of health care refrom at all. Seems to me they say that we need it, but then lie to their constituents and trash any kind of propsed health care reform, all they while offering no solutions of their own.)
Is it cost?
A very legitimate concern, but the fact is, the new system would actually cost less than the current system due to lower administrative costs. Right now the US spends about 40% more per capita on health care than any other industrialized/developed countries with universal health care. According to studies the new health care plan would actually save 100 to 200 billion dollars per year.
We already have the single payer health plan with Medicare and with the veteran health care system. The plan is widely popular with those that already use this system. We are talking about expanding the same health care our vets, elderly, and disabled already get, and that doctors are already familiar with, to the rest of America. That means we would only have to pay 33% more than what we already pay, but we’re also saving money if we are lowering the administrative costs. This also means: NO MORE out of pocket payments, NO MORE co payments, NO MORE deductibles, NO MORE employee contributions to premiums, which would also get many companies off the hook and could free up more money to possibly go to higher salaries. Look, the cost for this single payer health care system cost even less than what we spent/ing on the war in Iraq. If we can afford a pointless war and national security for another nation, then we can take care of our own American citizen’s health needs here at home!!!
Is this socialism?
First of all, those that scream “socialism”, are the same ones that enjoy free public education, free emergency services, and free highways. Yet, even with these services, capitalism has not gone away. Second of all, to be a truly socialist plan, that would mean the government provides your health care for free, and everyone is on the same exact plan. That would also mean that the health care providers would be employees of the government, which would not be the case under this plan. Under this plan, you would have the freedom of choice and everyone would contribute to it. Unlike our current system in which people are forced to see providers on the insurer’s panel to obtain benefits. With the new system you could stay with your own health care provider, or you could go with another private provider. The government would simply limit what they could dump on you and make sure there was no such thing as preconditions to receiving health care. There’s also the choice that you could buy public health care, similar to Medicaid. Which leads to even more choices. The party of NO trying to shut down this option are simply removing a choice from your plate and forcing you to go with private, even if you don’t want it. Truly socialist programs do not offer choices...
Will this increase wait times at the ER?
Truthfully, the new single payer health plan would do a lot to cut down on wait times in the ER. Those that are uninsured now, go to the ER as their form of primary health care. With this plan, they could go to the doctor to not only take preventive measures, but also take care of any health care needs before it becomes dire enough to have to go to the ER. If anything, providing health care, reduces wait time in the ER. If you've experienced anything with our current health system, then you would know that our current ERs are obsene! I remember waiting from 3:00pm until 9:00pm with my own son on a weekend. He had a 103 fever, he wouldn't eat or drink, and fever reducing medicines were not working. At 9:00 the nurses still couldn't tell us when he would be seen, so had to finally leave as he fell asleep in our arms! That is just rediculous, and that's with private insurance! Making sure people have insurance, would help unclog the ERs for true emergency cases.
Will my tax dollars pay for abortions?
Absolutely not! Not one federal dollar will pay for an abortion. And, I have to add, that most current insurance companies don’t even pay for abortions unless, for example, a mother’s health is at risk.
Is there really such a thing as “death panels” that will tell the elderly when to die?
Absolutely not! This is an out and out myth! The provision would create no such panel. It calls only for “consultation between individual and practitioner.” The intent for this measure is not for doctors telling patients what to do, but to give doctors more incentives to talk to patients about all of their options. It calls for primary doctors to be better compensated for the time they spend offering advice to seniors who have questions about the thorny issues surrounding their end of life care. This was actually added in by a republican. He wanted to make sure that DNR (do not resuscitate) power of attorney, and such was explained to those facing end of life care.
Health insurers have 41 million in campaign contributions to congress since 1989 and increasing everyday by the millions. The conflict of interest is deafening. 70% of bankruptcies in this country occur with those with health insurance. We need to put a human face to this issue, and really live to the statement “United We Stand.” We are in this together. The fear that is being bread by those with a conflict of interest will do anything and say anything to detour from real fact. Will this plan be perfect? Probably not, as nothing is perfect, and we might have to revisit some issues to make it the best possible plan. Are we taking a step in the right direction? Absolutely! Even though this hasn’t passed yet, we are at least talking about it. I only wish there was less yelling, a whole lot less lying, and a lot more of us working together. This is an investment in our future! Out of the 28 industrialized nations, the US is the only nation that does not guarantee access to health care as a right of citizenship. Folks, making sure I receive health care, especially when breast cancer runs so rampantly through my family, is my right….not a privilege! And, yours and my health should not be making companies multi-millions in profit! Think about it….
Is it cost?
A very legitimate concern, but the fact is, the new system would actually cost less than the current system due to lower administrative costs. Right now the US spends about 40% more per capita on health care than any other industrialized/developed countries with universal health care. According to studies the new health care plan would actually save 100 to 200 billion dollars per year.
We already have the single payer health plan with Medicare and with the veteran health care system. The plan is widely popular with those that already use this system. We are talking about expanding the same health care our vets, elderly, and disabled already get, and that doctors are already familiar with, to the rest of America. That means we would only have to pay 33% more than what we already pay, but we’re also saving money if we are lowering the administrative costs. This also means: NO MORE out of pocket payments, NO MORE co payments, NO MORE deductibles, NO MORE employee contributions to premiums, which would also get many companies off the hook and could free up more money to possibly go to higher salaries. Look, the cost for this single payer health care system cost even less than what we spent/ing on the war in Iraq. If we can afford a pointless war and national security for another nation, then we can take care of our own American citizen’s health needs here at home!!!
Is this socialism?
First of all, those that scream “socialism”, are the same ones that enjoy free public education, free emergency services, and free highways. Yet, even with these services, capitalism has not gone away. Second of all, to be a truly socialist plan, that would mean the government provides your health care for free, and everyone is on the same exact plan. That would also mean that the health care providers would be employees of the government, which would not be the case under this plan. Under this plan, you would have the freedom of choice and everyone would contribute to it. Unlike our current system in which people are forced to see providers on the insurer’s panel to obtain benefits. With the new system you could stay with your own health care provider, or you could go with another private provider. The government would simply limit what they could dump on you and make sure there was no such thing as preconditions to receiving health care. There’s also the choice that you could buy public health care, similar to Medicaid. Which leads to even more choices. The party of NO trying to shut down this option are simply removing a choice from your plate and forcing you to go with private, even if you don’t want it. Truly socialist programs do not offer choices...
Will this increase wait times at the ER?
Truthfully, the new single payer health plan would do a lot to cut down on wait times in the ER. Those that are uninsured now, go to the ER as their form of primary health care. With this plan, they could go to the doctor to not only take preventive measures, but also take care of any health care needs before it becomes dire enough to have to go to the ER. If anything, providing health care, reduces wait time in the ER. If you've experienced anything with our current health system, then you would know that our current ERs are obsene! I remember waiting from 3:00pm until 9:00pm with my own son on a weekend. He had a 103 fever, he wouldn't eat or drink, and fever reducing medicines were not working. At 9:00 the nurses still couldn't tell us when he would be seen, so had to finally leave as he fell asleep in our arms! That is just rediculous, and that's with private insurance! Making sure people have insurance, would help unclog the ERs for true emergency cases.
Will my tax dollars pay for abortions?
Absolutely not! Not one federal dollar will pay for an abortion. And, I have to add, that most current insurance companies don’t even pay for abortions unless, for example, a mother’s health is at risk.
Is there really such a thing as “death panels” that will tell the elderly when to die?
Absolutely not! This is an out and out myth! The provision would create no such panel. It calls only for “consultation between individual and practitioner.” The intent for this measure is not for doctors telling patients what to do, but to give doctors more incentives to talk to patients about all of their options. It calls for primary doctors to be better compensated for the time they spend offering advice to seniors who have questions about the thorny issues surrounding their end of life care. This was actually added in by a republican. He wanted to make sure that DNR (do not resuscitate) power of attorney, and such was explained to those facing end of life care.
Health insurers have 41 million in campaign contributions to congress since 1989 and increasing everyday by the millions. The conflict of interest is deafening. 70% of bankruptcies in this country occur with those with health insurance. We need to put a human face to this issue, and really live to the statement “United We Stand.” We are in this together. The fear that is being bread by those with a conflict of interest will do anything and say anything to detour from real fact. Will this plan be perfect? Probably not, as nothing is perfect, and we might have to revisit some issues to make it the best possible plan. Are we taking a step in the right direction? Absolutely! Even though this hasn’t passed yet, we are at least talking about it. I only wish there was less yelling, a whole lot less lying, and a lot more of us working together. This is an investment in our future! Out of the 28 industrialized nations, the US is the only nation that does not guarantee access to health care as a right of citizenship. Folks, making sure I receive health care, especially when breast cancer runs so rampantly through my family, is my right….not a privilege! And, yours and my health should not be making companies multi-millions in profit! Think about it….
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