Happy New Year!

Hope you all have a great time. Can't believe 2009 is here already.
Only 20 or so more days left of Bush!

How can anyone defend??

Ken Saltzman's (he's running to be the RNC chairman) decision to send around a CD with a song called "Barack the Magic Negro" set to the music of Puff the magic dragon? That is a "joke" that is just not acceptable in this day and age.

Well, Mike Huckabee is one of the defenders:

Mike Huckabee defended Saltsman, his former campaign manager, on his blog.
"Chip should have been more careful in his selection of Christmas gifts, but no one who knows him would ever suggest that he in any way would purposely disparage other people," Huckabee wrote. "Chip knows how sensitive such issues are. It shouldn't be the main factor in the RNC race."

Okay, this is the epitomy of what is wrong with the Republican Party. They are so far out of touch with the American People, that they are possible going to make this Saltzman the head of the party because they want to rally behind him for releasing a CD that has an obviously racist song.

And, nobody can honestly say it's not racist. Using the term "Negro" is out of line. That is a derogatory word for an African American and everyone knows that. If the democratic party had done this, the Republican Party would be so up in arms. Oh, the hypocricy.

I could even maybe accept the excuse that one bad apple doesn't spoil the bunch (Lord knows we have Blagojevich)... but the Republican Party is actually defending this guy therefore saying it is acceptable.

I just realized....

That we get to watch Barack Obama give the State of the Union address this year.

I may actually be able to watch it.

Speaking of separation of church and state...

I've been working up this post in my mind for awhile and have decided to write it up. I feel like I must confess.....


I want to explain why the separation of church and state are so important to me. I am agnostic. I don't believe in one God per se. This doesn't mean that I am not spiritual or "religious". There are parts of all religions that I like and subscribe to those ideals. The Catholic religion is the one I have a hard time with. It just seems so hypocritical to me. But that is another post for another day.


I am not ashamed of how I feel. But, most people hear "agnostic" or "atheist" and think of the devil or that you are a bad person. I don't like to make that first impression on people. I have values and morals. I have good manners and my mother brought me up to have compassion for others and to do the right thing.


Talk about a group that gets left out like we are lepers. The GLBT group has nothing to complain about compared to us! Imagine the candidates running for office needing to prove how "church-going" they are. Imagine they always end a speech with "God Bless America" or else they are chastised. Just think how that comes across to my demographic group.

I should add that I have complete respect for anyone that believes in whatever you choose to believe in. I have never put someone down for believing in God, (whatever form that takes)... but I do have a problem if you impose those beliefs onto me. I have a problem when policies in this country that are supposed to be good for ALL Americans are made based on the Bible or any religious ideals, because then that doesn't represent everyone.

So honestly, all this talk about Rick Warren... Technically there shouldn't even be an Invocation or Benediction at the Inauguration, if there were true separation of church and state.

I'm sure my conservative readers aren't surprised. This would explain all of my "deviant" (read: pro-choice, pro gay marriage) views to them. I welcome a good debate about this... however it will not include the pro-choice or pro-life comments. I won't publish them. I'd like to have one post that doesn't boil down to that, since there is so much else to talk about.

Let's apply for some of the TARP $$.

http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/reports/applicationguidelines.pdf

Look at the application that the banks have to fill out to get some of the bailout money. I've filled out harder applications for jobs, mortgage, car loans, etc.

I think we should all fill one out and send it in!

John Mccain's take on the Economy

On Sept 15th, McCain said "the fundamentals of our economy are strong"

When everyone pounced on him, he backtracked to say that he meant the American Workers are strong.

Well, last week he came out against the Auto Bailout that had saved the jobs of millions of workers.

What do you really mean John?

Ooooh....

I got a biography on Michelle Obama and "Audacity of Hope" for Christmas!
What a great day. :D

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a great Christmas. My son is almost two and I think this Xmas will be so much more fun this year, since he's older now.

If you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope that you are having a great time enjoying whatever holidays you choose to celebrate!

Rick Warren Controversy + Gay marraige.

Okay... I admittedly don't know a whole lot about him. I know that he's an evangelical minester. I don't tend to agree with Evangelicals on anything. I know that he's raised money for HIV/Aids. I know that he was a supporter of Proposition 8, and doesn't take kindly to homosexuals.

I am one of the biggest supporter of gay/lesbian rights. I feel strongly that they should have marraige rights, and all else that the average white, straight person should have. So, Christians believe that homosexuality is a sin. That's fine... so don't allow church marraiges. But, they absolutely should be able to have a state marriage. Esp since there is supposed to separation of church and state.

Now, onto the fact that Obama has asked Rick Warren to do the invocation at Inauguration. I can totally understand why the G/L community would be upset. However, this is what is so good about Obama. He has always vowed to listen to other viewpoints. To disagree without being disagreeable. Obama hasn't sold out the gay/lesbian community... it's better to try to find the things that we can work ont together. He probably won't draft any sort of legislation re: gay/lesbian rights with this guy.... but certainly there are things that they can work on together...

Latinos

Okay, so I'm listening to the radio on my way to work and I hear the local news guy talking with a guest about how Obama has appointed a record number of Latinos in his cabinet... and then they followed it up with "..and they're all legal.".

How insulting! I mean honestly... If you have any latino blood... you automatically get characterized as legal or not legal? That's just ridiculous because a lot of Latino people were born here and have lived here their whole lives.

Where do people get off not showing people common courtesy and respect?

Caroline Kennedy....

Okay... I'm probably slightly more interested in this because it involves my state.
I think this is such an intriguing pick. I can't understand how people are saying she shouldn't be selected because she hasn't been in politics...

umm.. Hello, she's Caroline Kennedy. She lost her father, uncle to assassinations. Her whole family is political. How can you say she hasn't been in politics? So she hasn't held a political office, so what? The last I knew that wasn't part of the criteria to hold office in the US Senate.

So, maybe she hasn't spoken up.... and been out there for the public to see... that doesn't mean she hasn't done anything...

Personally, I think some of the Republicans in our state are making it a big deal, because they want to run for the office in 2010 and they know they couldn't compete with her ability to fundraise.

Hello....

I'm still here, just been real busy. :D

But, I will say.... I was reading the Sunday paper, and I like to check the gossipy questions in the front of the Parade section. I saw Bill O'Reilly's "Great Holiday Quiz".

I said to my husband, "Isn't it kind of hypocritical that Bill O'Reilly makes a "Holiday" Quiz when he is constantly harping on the fact that we are taking the Christmas out of Christmas?"
This is the man that gets all upset when someone says "Happy Holidays" or talks of a "Holiday Tree"?

Then... Keith Olbermann mentioned it on his show last night! I got a chuckle out of that.

Safe Toys

I was driving to work today and heard about this commission in NY that tested toys to find out if they were safe. I guess there were a disturbing amount of toxic toys... But they talked about a website to go to in order to find out about them.

www.healthytoys.org

It lists toys by Brand Name and then the individual toys and it will tell you what the toys contains and classifications of low, med, high.

What a great time of year for this... now we can at least try to check before Xmas presents are bought.

Made in the USA

There is definately a problem when... you have to work so hard to find products that were made in your country. After the whole toy scare with China and lead paints, I went to a store and looked at where the toys were made and I was lucky to find 1 that was made here.

I saw a commercial on TV appealing to people to "Buy USA products". I wish it were that easy.

And now our biggest commodity... cars.... may go by the wayside.

Bye Hillary!

I think she'll make a great Secretary of State....

.. but I thought she made a great US Senator for my state. I will miss her in that role, and being such a big advocate for Healthcare reform, it's a loss.

What I am thankful for....

I am thankful for my friends, family, and that I have a job that I like.....

... and that we will have a smart, competent president in office for at least the next 4 years.

Technology

I continue to be amazed at how President-Elect Obama uses the technology available. His team is very clever. Back in the campaign days... I got such a kick out of him putting his Early voting message in video games!! Who would have thought of that?

Well, it appears as if he's going to make very good use of the internet during his presidency. He has launched a healthcare page by which he is allowing people to comment on what they think of the healthcare system and generate a discussion as how best to fix it.
http://change.gov/page/content/discusshealthcare

I love the idea of a president who is interactive. That he keeps all Americans involved.
With the radio address, I've heard bits and pieces on the news over the years and now PE Obama is video taping them and putting them on the net for mostly all to see. How refreshing.

My first award.

From Cynthiaa @ Confessions of a yummy mummy.

"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated."

Thank you! Very much appreciated!

A break from serious issues.....

During this past election season... I've had the news on quite a bit.
When Barack Obama had his first press conference, my son and I watched it. You know he's young, 21 months... so he likes to point out things to me and he kept pointing at the TV and I would name off the people that were on it. It's funny b/c I knew it wouldn't mean anything to him. He doesn't see these people on a daily basis, but he seemed interested. Well, Barack Obama stuck with him... Anytime he comes on the TV, my son will stop and point at him a say "uhh, uhh". So, I will tell him it's Barack Obama and then he giggles. I think he just likes the sound of his name, but it's cute nonetheless.

Pro life?

I've often wondered this. What is the meaning of Pro-life?
The only time I ever see it applied is with unborn babies. Surely, most people would argue that abortion isn't the best option. We all hope that one would pick to carry out the pregnancy and give the baby up for adoption. But that isn't our choice to project onto people.

How come this "pro-life" movement doesn't carry over to the people that are already living?
Think about all the groups that the pro-lifers conveniently ignore....

--People that live with chronic disease. Getting back to the argument against Universal Healthcare. How come we can't all agree that these people need to be taken care of so they can have a better quality of life?

--People with mental disease. Many times these folks are homeless, broken. People make cruel jokes and insist that these people did this to themselves. And they dont' realize that a good portion of the homeless are veteran's that the system neglected. We are so patriotic when we send these people off, yet when they come back we can't be bothered to treat them for all of the horrors they experienced for our freedom.

--Convicts. I am not arguing whether the death penalty is appropriate. That's another arguement for another day. However, it's odd to me how pro-lifers can be for the death penalty. If all lives are worth saving, then shouldn't convicts be included in that. And what about the people that are wrongly convicted... surely some of them fall through the cracks.

--Children put up for adoption. - They don't always get warm, loving homes. Alot of times they are put into foster homes that aren't ideal. If they're children that aren't coveted, they get pushed aside. AND.. now that we are trying to make it illegal for gay parents to adopt, this leaves more children unloved.

Please, please explain this to me.

I need to vent!!

Healthcare is one cause that is near and dear to my heart. I believe that everyone should have it. And, I think there is a way that gov't can help provide it without "being in control" of your healthcare. Many countries have various versions of universal health care. When you have an entity that is as large as the government, it can cut costs by bulk buying.

My company is great to work for. However, they struggle just like every other company. Every year they scout out the best deal for health insurance. This means they will switch to a whole new company if they have to. My first year here, we had United HealthCare and my Primary doctor didn't take it. It was okay because I am healthy and will go for a physical or cold every once and awhile. But then I got pregnant. And that changed everything. The next year we switched to Blue cross, blue shield.. which worked out wonderfully. It covered all maternity visits and I only had to pay $250 for my hospitalization when I had my beautiful son. And we were able to get my son into the office where our PCP is because they take BCBS, and I'd like to keep the doctor who knows my son and has seen him his entire life. For two years we've had this insurance.

Well, it's the end of the year and the shopping begins again. The cost of our policy is going up 10% and the owners don't want to absorb those costs. So, they are thinking of going to a HSA with a high deductible health insurance. Now, to be honest, I don't know all that much about it... But what I do know is that it works out well if you never go to the doctor, which really defeats the purpose. Most companies are going to start leaning this way, I'm told. So, you have a savings acct and your payments will come out of there. Naturally at the beginning of the year, you better hope nothing happens, because you haven't put anything into your acct yet.

This makes me angry. What if your a person who takes good care of yourself, but you have an "accident", fall and break your leg or something? Or what if you simply have a larger sized family? And in my case, if I want to have another child... it will be very costly as I likely will have to have a Csection. So, where is the justice in that? Anyone with kids knows that unpredictable things happen. No one should have to worry about providing for their family or not getting the care they need to restore their health.

So, yeah.. .Universal Healthcare is looking pretty good. Heck, I pay a huge premium right now out of my check... and I don't mind because at least I know that all I am responsible for is a copay here and there. I don't want FREE health insurance, I want AFFORDABLE health insurance.

All that nonsense about how you don't get to pick your doctor.... Well... if most people have a govt plan, doctors will take it. Waiting a long time to have a surgery? Ask most people from Canada or other countries, it's simply not true.

So... I will be waiting to see what President Obama can come up with. I'll be hoping that someday, my children won't be forced with a tough decision of trying to figure out how to get affordable health insurance.

The Bailout!

I am starting to get real angry about how the administration is managing the bailout bill. I wasn't against it totally in the beginning because I figured something needed to be done. But, I really thought there would be some regulations added into it. At least some sort of stipulations attached. It makes me angry that the Treasury dept can just up and decide to change course so that it's not what the Congress intended when they passed the bill.

Then, I start to think about all the money this administration WASTED over the past 8 years.

First - they put us so far into debt, it's not even funny.

Second- at least the debt would be worth it, if we had invested into anything... healthcare, energy independence, or even public works.

It is such a tremendous mess.

She just loves the spotlight!

Sarah Palin that is.
It's awfully strange how I'm seeing more of her now than I did when she was campaiging. But no matter how many interviews she does... she still talks in circles.

And, someone needs to tell her that the Bill Ayers crap that she keeps bringing up makes her look so silly.

Who are the ones that raise the national debt?

I love how Democrats have a reputation for "tax and spend".
But under which presidents have we accumulated a large debt.

Ronald Reagan... and then Bill Clinton cleaned that up.
.. and now George W Bush.

It makes me angry.. because "supposedly" the Republicans are the ones that are going to "save the day" in that regard.

My Election Night Cupcakes

Every Election night we get together at my mom's house to watch the results. We had sandwiches, chips, veggies, dip and cupcakes. I used candy melts to make the Obama logos that are on the top of the cupcakes! On the other cupcakes, they are little stars that I had made.

For the first Debate, I made cupcakes only I had made donkeys to put on top. I had some leftover so I mixed them in with the Obama logo cupcakes. Here's a picture!

A little hypocritical.

I am astonished at the lack of tolerance for our gay/lesbian community.

however, I understand that it's not the mainstream to allow them to marry and that states will deal with this as they choose.

I am of the opinion that church and state should be separate and therefore gay/lesbian couples should have all of the same rights as heterosexual couples - under the law.

But this Arkansas ballot sinks to a new low. It was proposed and passed that "unmarried" couples should not be allowed to adopt children. Moreover, this was proposed as a way to exclude gay couples from adopting children. BUT, it's always presented by the Right to Lifers that adoption be the option as opposed to abortion. If that's the case, how can they honestly say that the pool of adoptive parents be narrowed down. They are trying to get more woman to complete their pregnancies in order to give babies up for adoption... all that should matter is that they get a loving, caring environment where their needs are met.

Ahhhhh.... exhaling.

What an experience... this election. I've felt highs and lows and now I'm at peace. We can restore our standing in the world.. and the rich get their free ride taken away.

I am going to miss a lot of the democratic talking heads that have been on TV. I love Robert Gibbs, spokesman for Obama campaign.... and many others.

But, I will not miss Nicolle Wallace. She gets on my last nerve.

My account on making calls as a Obama Volunteer.

I signed up at the Obama website a long time ago. I kept getting emails telling me that I had voters to call. It's very hard to do at home with a toddler, so I kept putting it off. Well, I finally made some yesterday (better late than never, eh?).

It was very interesting. Mostly I got answering machines.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are how a couple of conversations went.

** I called a young man, 23, and got his mother. She said he wasn't home. I told her that I was calling to let him know where his polling place was. She told me that they knew and that he would be voting tomorrow (today). When asked who he was supporting, she told me Obama. I thanked her and hung up.

** I got a 60 ish aged woman and she told me that she was definitely voting tomorrow (today), but that she doesn't tell anyone on the phone who she is voting for. I can respect that. :D

** I got a 60ish aged man in Virginia. He had the southern accent. I told him who I was and he said "Gosh, you guys are relentless.". I was surprised, "Oh, you've gotten other calls?" He said "Are you sure you're with Barack Obama if you don't know that I've been called?"... I explained that I was volunteering through the website and was calling from NY. He then told me that he was supporting Obama and was a little worried by what he was seeing on TV. He told me that McCain's "minions" were spreading lies about Obama. We talked a little bit longer.

** I called a 37 yo man, but got his wife on the phone who offered to take a message.

Me: "You are probably sick of getting these phone calls about now, but I'm with Barack Obama's campaign for change.....:

Her: *laugh*

Me: I just wanted to let him know about polling location and hours.

Her: We are both voting tomorrow, we're definitely voting for Barack Obama.

** Another man, in 70's. Plans to vote for Barack.

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One Virginian told me that they don't have early voting. They do have early absentee voting and that he didn't trust that at all and that he would vote at the polls, in person.

It makes me so angry in this country that the one right/say we have in our government can't be assured to happen. That people worry their vote isn't going to be counted. It never seemed like this was so bad until that 2000 debacle that put Bush in office. I do hope that the Congress does some Voting Reform, so that people don't have to wait in lines and they can rest assured that their vote isn't going to get "thrown out".

It's beyond ridiculous that when they talk about it on the news, that voter intimidation seems to be accepted, that it "happens every year". I know that it's hard to pinpoint where some of these things are started but it's always perpetrated against the Democrats. Something seriously needs to be done.

An observation.

As I was driving to work this morning, I noticed that there were way more democratic sign holders than the republicans. Is this a sign of something? I always beep at them to show my support.


I love the feeling in the air on Election Day. It's almost like a buzzing.

It's finally here! ELECTION DAY!

This morning I placed my vote for Barack Obama!

It's so historical. I took my 20 mo old son with me and he pushed the levers.

I'm in NY, so this is the last year we'll have the old fashioned lever machines. They've served us well and I'm sad to see them go.

We never here of voting problems in NY. Which begs the question of why we're going to change out this machines. I didn't wait in any lines. In fact, I think I've waited in line once in NY. Makes me feel very lucky when I watch people waiting in line for hours.

My Breakfast Conversation This Morning

I am at work and eating my breakfast in the breakroom, when somehow the conversation of politics comes up. A young gentleman, who you could describe as poor.. married with 3 children... says "You wouldn't like what I have to say."

So of course, I want to hear. I'm not sure what point he was trying to make except that if Obama gets elected, it would make his situation worse. Okay, to be honest, it couldn't get much worse... he is exactly the type of person that Obama would help. We go into details of the tax plan and healthcare and I rebutt everything he says. His statements were classic things you would hear on TV...

*There have been inconsistencies with the amount of money to qualify for tax cuts. - How Biden was taken out of context when he said $150,000 as an example. etc.
* And that the tax cuts would hurt small business (it's not like he owns one??) , to which I commented that most small businesses don't earn a quarter of a million dollars.

What gets me, is this is a classic picture of a McCain supporter, yet he would benefit most from Obama's plans. So, it's true that people will pick up the typical bull McCain sputters at his rallies and run with it.

Helllloooo? Palin fanatics!!!

I read a comment somewhere that a woman was "concerned" about voting for Obama, because his wife is never with him. And where are his little girls? If his family can't support him, then how can I?

FIRST OFF - It's October... kids typically spend 10 months going to SCHOOL! That's where his little girls are. They made a parenting decision not to exploit their children and let them lead normal lives.

SECONDLY - Obama doesn't need to trot his wife across the stage like some sort of trophy. She is doing things behind the scenes. You know, PRODUCTIVE things like registering voters, talking with voters, etc.

C'mon people, are you really that shallow?

Random Thoughts

Campaign fighting - If McCain can't get a grip of his campaign now, how in the world will he control the White House?

Early Voting - I guess I have been real lucky. I live in Upstate NY and rarely have to wait in line to vote. There was one year that I did, perhaps 2000. But I would gladly stand in line, because to be honest, I love to exercise my vote. It makes me feel so powerful. But in watching the news, there are people standing in the heat, rain, cold, sun for 4+ hours to vote. I just want to thank all of those people. You make me so proud that I get tears in my eyes when I see it.
.. and then for the life of me, I can't figure out why... if there are people waiting so long in line, year after year, why don't they open up more polls? It's crazy to me. The consipiracy theorist inside of myself thinks it's probably an attempt to disenfranchise voters.

Lastly... for the 1 millionth time. - Barack is NOT going to raise taxes on everyone. How many people honestly take home more than $250,000 a year. HOW MANY!?!?! In comparison to the ones that don't. Don't let McCain lie to you. And even if you make more than $250,000... all Barack proposes is that the tax rate will go back to what it was when Clinton was in office... and everyone did well then, right?

Another Health Insurance Article....

Health Insurance for $5,800.00 a year? .. Yeah right.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/33431154.html

Providing Health Care is "Pro-Life"

This article says it all. How come Pro-life is used only in terms of "abortion rights". Why can't we be that passionate about the people that are already living?

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/catholicamerica/2008/10/catholicism_and_health_care.html

Tax Calculator

http://taxcut.barackobama.com/

Please visit!

Under McCain, I would qualify for a $60 tax cut.
Under Obama, I would qualify for a $1500.00 tax cut.

It's really sad.

The stuff that the Repubs are dragging out at the last minute in an attempt to sway voters. I mean, it's really sad.

I can't understand who would vote for the party that talks negatively rather than about their thoughts for the future of our country. When you look at Obama, he talks with a purpose, an excitement, hope for the country in the future. It makes me just want to cry. I've not felt good about this country in a long time. I guess Palin wouldn't consider me a "real American". Fear and division is NOT the way to win an election. I'm am just hoping that people don't fall for this tactic.

If they consider socialism, wanting the government to help people, then count me in! I think there's a way to let the free market work, while providing for the citizens. Look at all the other countries that do it. Where would we be if there was no social security, medicare, public transportation, public schools, state universities, student loans. There many facets of our world that are run by the government and we do just fine. The 1% of the population should not be able to control all of the wealth.

Anti American

Who gets to decide the meaning of American? Why do the Republicans get to decide who is or is not American? I always thought that being American was wanting better for your country. If that means disagreeing with the status quo, then so be it. Being patriotic comes in all forms. It doesn't mean you wear a flag pin or waves flags around.

What is American about people going without healthcare? What is American about poverty, and going to bed without food in your stomach. I thought when we all contribute to the good of the whole. Isn't that what was so enchanting about the long years before us? When community was so key. You knew your neighbors.. and neighborhoods worked together to ensure that everyone was safe and taken care of.

This is why I'm voting for Obama. He's that type of person. He's willing to give up more of his own income in order to benefit others who need it. We need to stop this mentality of handouts are bad. Everyone needs help during their life. Look in your own family. There has been someone who needed help. Most people want to be able to provide for themselves and their families... and any time you enpower someone, they usually step up to the plate.

I just don't think any group of people can market being "American".

What lessons is she teaching....?

Does Sarah Palin actually believe what she says? She was found by a bipartisan group that she abused her power as Governor of Alaska. Then at every chance, she says the she was cleared of any ethical or legal wrong doing. Huh??

Now aparently she's in a little hot water with the legislative bunch in Alaska over this. Well, I'd be upset to if she denied something that I spent my time doing.


Sarah Palin makes no apologies for her stump speeches. A lot of what she says are continued statements that have been PROVEN wrong, yet she still blurts them out. What is she teaching her children? That's it's OK to LIE? That winning is the most important thing at any cost?

When she was picked, she was admired for being a working mom of 5 children. One of which, is 4 months old and has Down's Syndrome. That IS admirable. But let's not mistake admirability for the ability to run the US. When listening to what she has to say , it's clear that she doesn't have enough knowledge of the rest of the United States, nor do I think she's ever cared to learn about any of it, except maybe the "Real America".

There are way too many lies to count. Recently she stated that if she were running the campaign, she wouldn't employ the use of robocalls. Yet, it didn't stop her from recording one of her own. If my child was a girl, I wouldn't want her to look at Mrs. Palin as a role model.

He's NOT going to raise taxes!

I know the GOP's are desperate and have to say these things to put this idea into voter's heads. BUT, Obama is not going to raise taxes. He's going to cut taxes for 95% of the people. Even the rich people will maintain the cuts they have now.

To put this in perspective. The Republican Party has been in power for *8* years. They cut taxes. Are we any better off? NO! We're in a financial crisis! And the Republicans expect us to give them another 4 years!?!?! C'mon, we need a fresh perspective to this economic conundrum.

Absolutely, it's a right!

What is so confusing to me is how ANYONE thinks it's okay for 1 person to be without health insurance in this country. We are the richest country. The billions of dollars we've spent in Iraq could have been used to fund a healthcare system over ride that would have gotten everyone health insurance several times over.

I've been working in the health care field for some time. Since a lot of my patients are older, I have a first hand view of what lack of insurance can do to people. It's not a matter of them choosing to "opt" out of the system. My patients all have Medicare as a matter of a mandate, with kidney disease it's a given. However, what you don't know, is that Medicare only covers the costs of their treatments. In order to get medications, which they all need several, they have to purchase a secondary insurance. Kidney disease is debilitating to some extent. Getting dialysis wipes you out. So many of my patients are unable to work. Add on top of that a family to care for. They receive a small amount of Disability or SSI (if old enough). This $$ barely pays their bills, let alone allow them to purchase an expensive secondary insurance plan. But, what is the alternative? If they don't, they will get socked for 100% of the bill.

I've seen patients have to give up their homes, in order to qualify for Medicaid to get some help. Why do they have to make that decision? Why are we SO concerned about the people that are losing their homes because they took out a mortgage they couldn't afford, yet people that are ill have to give up their homes to avoid large medical bills? This makes NO sense to me. And quite frankly it makes me angry.

Our system is broken. You want to solve the economic crisis! Then let's get some healthcare for everyone, so they don't have to spend every penny to extend their lives and they can use that money to put back into the economy. Everyone deserves to live. Everyone deserves to feel good. To, me that's absolutely a right!

Al Gore was right about something

When he was running for president 8 years ago... he spoke of the necessity to find alternative sources of energy and how we'd find ourselves in a global warming crisis. This is what he had done all while he was Vice President. Everyone laughed at him. No one saw the significance.

Look at where that got us right now. If we had initiated his plan, that would have taken 10 years to get us independant, we'd be just about 1 year away. This is the same plan that Obama supports as well as many scientists.

So maybe he didn't create the internet but....

Yet, another misuse of someone's quotes.

Okay, so I'm cleaning the house and I heard about how Governor Palin used a quote from Madeleine Albright yesterday in California.

The quote was: "There's a place in Hell reserved for women who don't support other women."

Now, I think her point is that she is not being supported. Madeleine Albright has come out to say that when she said that quote, it had nothing to do with politics and that the McCain-Palin ticket is using this.

So, I just wanted to say to Governor Palin, "I support you as a woman in your job as a mom, wife, soon to be grandmother, and Governor of Alaska.... but NOT as our Vice President."

An introduction.

I guess you could consider this post a disclaimer. I am a liberal!! Yes, I said it. I am proud of it. It bothers me when other democrats try to avoid that term. When did it become cooler to be called "conservative" rather than "liberal". If you look at all of the time since I started voting, there has been 2 presidents in charge. I'd say my life was better when Clinton was at the helm. This blog is likely to be biased. So if you don't like what you're reading.. you don't have to subscribe. :D