Why is everybody who hates the government and loves freedom so against the Wikileaks shedding a little sunlight on what our so called freely elected government doing with our hard earned tax money?
One of the founding principles of this country was freedom of speech. Unless you offend some big people. I say if they are thinking of doing or saying something that would offend them if it ever got leaked, they should not be doing it. It is about time somebody held these people accountable.
This is real freedom of the press. Speaking of press, or Faux press, I wonder if some of Wikihackers can take down Fox. Please please please, it would be a wonderful Christmas present. Replace lies with truth:) Jesus would like it too, I think.
And as much as I worry about tax rates going up, I have to give kudos to the House dems for fighting the Republican tax cut extensions. It's a little bit too little and too late to actually try to start being the majority party, but better late than never. Geez, if the Republicans are running the country from a minority position now what is going to happen when they get the majority?
I shudder to think. At any rate, I am officially a Socialist now. There is little difference between most Dems and the Reps at this point, and I do not know why Socialism is being touted like a dirty word, but I've researched it and it seems a more reasonable way to govern, not being run by corporations or by government but by the people. Our Constitution is actually more socialist than it is Oligarchy, but that's not what you will hear on Fox. And if you should wonder about class warfare and who wants to start it, get out of your daze. We have been in the midst of a class warfare for some time now and the middle class is losing badly, partly because they do not even want to admit the bombs are being aimed at them daily.
The election went badly, the people are going to suffer unless we take our first amendment rights seriously. Thank you Wikileaks for taking the lead on this
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Take back from Wall Street
Two years ago I lost all of my home equity to the housing price collapse. Who got bailed out? The banks. Sweet.
Then my home, which is now worth less than I owe on it is getting even more expensive to live in. Property taxes, a water project, rising insurance costs, etc have forced me to look into home refinancing.
Now these banks, which got away with all the money, dare to charge 2-4K for refinancing and then demand you have the equity which dissappeared into Wall St.
I remember last year (or was it the year before?) when there was a big movement to move your money out of the big banks. Well, I have one better. Move your money out of Wall Street.
The current Congress inc. would love to give Wall Street not only the pensions and homes it already stole, but our Social Security and Medicare as well. I say no way. Starve this beast that is called Wall St. I say we take it down and take every penny out of it, put it into CD's in local banks, or even under your mattress. If the Democrats did not make them pay for their crimes, you can be twice as sure the Republicans will not. Heck, they will reward them. The only thing that can be done is the people taking their money out and leaving them as drained as our bank accounts and pensions and home equities are.
Since there is no way to elect an uncorrupt government the people must take steps on their own. Draining Wall St would be a good start toward social justice
Then my home, which is now worth less than I owe on it is getting even more expensive to live in. Property taxes, a water project, rising insurance costs, etc have forced me to look into home refinancing.
Now these banks, which got away with all the money, dare to charge 2-4K for refinancing and then demand you have the equity which dissappeared into Wall St.
I remember last year (or was it the year before?) when there was a big movement to move your money out of the big banks. Well, I have one better. Move your money out of Wall Street.
The current Congress inc. would love to give Wall Street not only the pensions and homes it already stole, but our Social Security and Medicare as well. I say no way. Starve this beast that is called Wall St. I say we take it down and take every penny out of it, put it into CD's in local banks, or even under your mattress. If the Democrats did not make them pay for their crimes, you can be twice as sure the Republicans will not. Heck, they will reward them. The only thing that can be done is the people taking their money out and leaving them as drained as our bank accounts and pensions and home equities are.
Since there is no way to elect an uncorrupt government the people must take steps on their own. Draining Wall St would be a good start toward social justice
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The morning after
Today I am truly in a daze. Everyone expected Republicans to win, but my state was hit hard. There is truly nobody in this state that represents me now. I feel like I have moved into the deep south.
I can only hope the survivors in the Senate do what I hated the Republicans for doing-filibuster and obstruct. Not because I think bringing the country to a complete halt is a good idea, but their agenda is too extreme-killing education, social security, medicare all so the wars can continue and the rich can continue to pay no taxes.
So what is the future for my children who receive a public education? Property taxed will have to soar, so we may even not have a place to live.
I sincerely think about moving to Canada.
They ousted Russ Feingold! One of the good guys, one who wanted to reform campaign finance. That is probably why they are his target.
Welcome to the Corporate states of America, where the legislative process is bought by the highest bidder. Where corporate profits trump people keeping their jobs and homes.
I lived through eight years of Bush, and I fear these next two years are going to be worse because the right has become even more extreme, violent even.
God/Goddess bless us all and protect the middle class so we may live through these next two years without losing more homes and jobs.
I can only hope the survivors in the Senate do what I hated the Republicans for doing-filibuster and obstruct. Not because I think bringing the country to a complete halt is a good idea, but their agenda is too extreme-killing education, social security, medicare all so the wars can continue and the rich can continue to pay no taxes.
So what is the future for my children who receive a public education? Property taxed will have to soar, so we may even not have a place to live.
I sincerely think about moving to Canada.
They ousted Russ Feingold! One of the good guys, one who wanted to reform campaign finance. That is probably why they are his target.
Welcome to the Corporate states of America, where the legislative process is bought by the highest bidder. Where corporate profits trump people keeping their jobs and homes.
I lived through eight years of Bush, and I fear these next two years are going to be worse because the right has become even more extreme, violent even.
God/Goddess bless us all and protect the middle class so we may live through these next two years without losing more homes and jobs.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Lets get government out of the way
So the big corporations can do openly what they are doing now secretly (well almost)-running the country. And not just our country, the world. With The Chamber of Commerce headquartered in India it is hard to believe that they have American worker's interests at heart.
Anyone reading please watch some non Fox TV, a little Dylan Ratigan, Huffington Post, just for one day. I listen to conservatives. Actually had an aha moment when I found out why people are willing to throw Social Security to Wall St-because they don't want their future on the whims of Congress. Indeed, the next Congress, if things go as predicted, will immediately work at whittling away at SS. So I can see that POV. I can honestly understand it. I don't want my income at the mercy of whatever yahoo gets elected either, but I dont want it in the hands of Wall ST either. That is why it would truly pay to watch DR or some other show so that you realize there is not much difference between government and Wall St. The safest place for your money is actually under your mattress.
It's not that I do not want a government, I just do not want a corrupt government. I want my trash picked up, roads to drive on, clean drinking water, police and fire departments, and hey it would be great if I could eat anything without having to fear bacteria, chemical, and/or glass contaminents in it.
So yes, we need a government, we just need one for the people and by the people. And those people who want government out of the way-just what do you think they want them out of the way of? To turn a completely blind eye to more sticking it to workers and consumers. Everyone just accepts blindly that wages need to come down. But they also accept that tax cuts will stimulate the economy. Well what do you think depressed wages do to the economy? The emphasis on tax cuts is just to try to eliminate the government, not to stimulate the economy. The corporations that run this country now don't give a rat's behind about this country's economy. They are too invested overseas.
Well at least there is talk of China doing something to alleviate the pay gaps there. It is sad to believe that the vast majority of Americans have been brainwashed to believe the corporations are good and are not going to screw them, they need to do away with what's left of our pitiful government not under control of the overlords in order for things to get better. Our only salvation will be when the Chinese revolt against their working conditions, and the Indians, and the South American, etc. Our labor movement cost a lot of lives, I imagine theirs will too. Too bad we could not use our experience to shake ourselves out of the daze and lead the world in this again.
Anyone reading please watch some non Fox TV, a little Dylan Ratigan, Huffington Post, just for one day. I listen to conservatives. Actually had an aha moment when I found out why people are willing to throw Social Security to Wall St-because they don't want their future on the whims of Congress. Indeed, the next Congress, if things go as predicted, will immediately work at whittling away at SS. So I can see that POV. I can honestly understand it. I don't want my income at the mercy of whatever yahoo gets elected either, but I dont want it in the hands of Wall ST either. That is why it would truly pay to watch DR or some other show so that you realize there is not much difference between government and Wall St. The safest place for your money is actually under your mattress.
It's not that I do not want a government, I just do not want a corrupt government. I want my trash picked up, roads to drive on, clean drinking water, police and fire departments, and hey it would be great if I could eat anything without having to fear bacteria, chemical, and/or glass contaminents in it.
So yes, we need a government, we just need one for the people and by the people. And those people who want government out of the way-just what do you think they want them out of the way of? To turn a completely blind eye to more sticking it to workers and consumers. Everyone just accepts blindly that wages need to come down. But they also accept that tax cuts will stimulate the economy. Well what do you think depressed wages do to the economy? The emphasis on tax cuts is just to try to eliminate the government, not to stimulate the economy. The corporations that run this country now don't give a rat's behind about this country's economy. They are too invested overseas.
Well at least there is talk of China doing something to alleviate the pay gaps there. It is sad to believe that the vast majority of Americans have been brainwashed to believe the corporations are good and are not going to screw them, they need to do away with what's left of our pitiful government not under control of the overlords in order for things to get better. Our only salvation will be when the Chinese revolt against their working conditions, and the Indians, and the South American, etc. Our labor movement cost a lot of lives, I imagine theirs will too. Too bad we could not use our experience to shake ourselves out of the daze and lead the world in this again.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Rescue
Wow, it was really great to see people working together, from the government to the mine owners, to other countries, and the mine workers themselves to save lives.
This stands in sharp contrast to the Tennesee fire department that let a citizen's home and pets burn to the ground and to death.
Contrast this also to the freeze in SS benefits and the calls to actually get rid of social safety nets and to repeal health care reforms.
If the people in Chile had the 'every person for themselves' 'tude we would probably be hearing a story of death and suffering.
People and politicians take note. Helping others in need is good.
On the subject of Social security I find myself personally taking a hit. As is my husband in his wage freezes. We are all sacraficing because of this economy.
Take note multinational and/or national corporations. You need to lower your prices too
This stands in sharp contrast to the Tennesee fire department that let a citizen's home and pets burn to the ground and to death.
Contrast this also to the freeze in SS benefits and the calls to actually get rid of social safety nets and to repeal health care reforms.
If the people in Chile had the 'every person for themselves' 'tude we would probably be hearing a story of death and suffering.
People and politicians take note. Helping others in need is good.
On the subject of Social security I find myself personally taking a hit. As is my husband in his wage freezes. We are all sacraficing because of this economy.
Take note multinational and/or national corporations. You need to lower your prices too
Friday, October 8, 2010
Who is afraid of capitalism?
My stomach turns at the thought of the man who lost his home to the fire department in Tennessee. It was not only the fire department, but the ultra conservatism in general, the attitude that government is bad and nobody should help anyone in need that does not pay for it.
And there was loss of life, but that keeps getting glossed over. Five pets died by the hand of that fire department that day. And as someone who has recently lost a pet a feel the need to bring a lawsuit up for that poor family and get them some justice.
I have already written about my pain of not being able to afford medical treatment for my animals or dental for myself. But we have lived with that as a country for some time, and nobody else in the world gets universal dental coverage either.
But emergency fire services I thought were always taken as a given. Not only that but some shred of common human decency. The man owed 75 dollars for the love of God, and offered to pay it on the spot. But the fire department refused to put it out. Then even showed up to watch his animals die and his home burn to the ground.
We have people we put in prison for sociapathic behavior. People who torture animals and commit crimes such as arson. People who steal money (hello big banks).
Which brings us to the banks. They are after our homes. They are fraudulently foreclosing on our neighbors to cover up for their illegal lending activities. And I hear from some it is okay because it is only those who fall behind on their mortgages. Well that could be any of us with a little bit of bad luck. One animal hospitalisation, major dental work, and a car that dies before its time, and we are starting down the barrell of bankrupcy. Again why are these people not in jail?
Capitalism. As long as they are making enough money, or can hide behind some conservative sacred idea they are actually given the thumbs up by the likes of Glenn Beck. (I turn my head and spit).
Why are we afraid of Socialism? Socialized medicine, public schools? The abscence of any sense of public responsiblity brings out the sociopaths in this country. Some of them have TV and radio shows, some of them are running for office, and some of them show up to a fire to watch animals die while they are sitting on the equipment to save those lives.
This scares me more than anything. This this was okay by anybody's standards. Where is the justice for this family, for those pets? Are they going to be the first of many victims that conservatism is going to claim if they win this election?
And there was loss of life, but that keeps getting glossed over. Five pets died by the hand of that fire department that day. And as someone who has recently lost a pet a feel the need to bring a lawsuit up for that poor family and get them some justice.
I have already written about my pain of not being able to afford medical treatment for my animals or dental for myself. But we have lived with that as a country for some time, and nobody else in the world gets universal dental coverage either.
But emergency fire services I thought were always taken as a given. Not only that but some shred of common human decency. The man owed 75 dollars for the love of God, and offered to pay it on the spot. But the fire department refused to put it out. Then even showed up to watch his animals die and his home burn to the ground.
We have people we put in prison for sociapathic behavior. People who torture animals and commit crimes such as arson. People who steal money (hello big banks).
Which brings us to the banks. They are after our homes. They are fraudulently foreclosing on our neighbors to cover up for their illegal lending activities. And I hear from some it is okay because it is only those who fall behind on their mortgages. Well that could be any of us with a little bit of bad luck. One animal hospitalisation, major dental work, and a car that dies before its time, and we are starting down the barrell of bankrupcy. Again why are these people not in jail?
Capitalism. As long as they are making enough money, or can hide behind some conservative sacred idea they are actually given the thumbs up by the likes of Glenn Beck. (I turn my head and spit).
Why are we afraid of Socialism? Socialized medicine, public schools? The abscence of any sense of public responsiblity brings out the sociopaths in this country. Some of them have TV and radio shows, some of them are running for office, and some of them show up to a fire to watch animals die while they are sitting on the equipment to save those lives.
This scares me more than anything. This this was okay by anybody's standards. Where is the justice for this family, for those pets? Are they going to be the first of many victims that conservatism is going to claim if they win this election?
Monday, October 4, 2010
Gone and gone
We are still mourning the loss of our beloved dog, who was taken suddenly by cancer last week.
He was a lively dog, a loyal if not always obedient dog and he gave his all until the end. We cannot replace the void in our lives. Even if we chose to get another dog, finances would make that impossible.
Our surviving dog is taking this very hard. She will not eat. I was asked if we wanted to view the body before he was taken for cremation and declined. I later thought that my other dog should so she would not be waiting for him to come home. But when I called back, the crematory had already picked him up.
So I am hoping my other dog will resume eating again really soon.
Another thing gone was the amazing pastor I wrote about a few weeks ago. I went to church to find that he had disagreements with the elders and chose (maybe) to leave. This is the guy that restored my faith in people of faith and made me think there was hope for this country ever getting back together again.
But he was gone. Perhaps his message of love and forgiveness did not fit into the church's political agenda.
I hate to think that way but the guy who replaced him revered Billy Graham and spoke against 'liberal theologians'.
Goodbye to my dear and loving friend of ten years, you will be missed.
And goodbye pastor I only meant once, you were even more necessary in this city and should be missed by more than me.
He was a lively dog, a loyal if not always obedient dog and he gave his all until the end. We cannot replace the void in our lives. Even if we chose to get another dog, finances would make that impossible.
Our surviving dog is taking this very hard. She will not eat. I was asked if we wanted to view the body before he was taken for cremation and declined. I later thought that my other dog should so she would not be waiting for him to come home. But when I called back, the crematory had already picked him up.
So I am hoping my other dog will resume eating again really soon.
Another thing gone was the amazing pastor I wrote about a few weeks ago. I went to church to find that he had disagreements with the elders and chose (maybe) to leave. This is the guy that restored my faith in people of faith and made me think there was hope for this country ever getting back together again.
But he was gone. Perhaps his message of love and forgiveness did not fit into the church's political agenda.
I hate to think that way but the guy who replaced him revered Billy Graham and spoke against 'liberal theologians'.
Goodbye to my dear and loving friend of ten years, you will be missed.
And goodbye pastor I only meant once, you were even more necessary in this city and should be missed by more than me.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Vote Pro-Life
I keep seeing these signs that say vote Pro-Life. I do not know that any candidate named pro-life is running, or that there is a referendum on life on any ballot.
So I can only assume that this means to vote for the candidate that supports and protects living beings, especially humans. Okay so who is for medical research, health care for everyone, protecting the environment. Well, that is in the Democrats' platform. So I guess they would be the pro-life vote.
Glad I got that figured out
So I can only assume that this means to vote for the candidate that supports and protects living beings, especially humans. Okay so who is for medical research, health care for everyone, protecting the environment. Well, that is in the Democrats' platform. So I guess they would be the pro-life vote.
Glad I got that figured out
Monday, September 27, 2010
A sad farewell
My dog died. The cancer was too extensive to be able to save him and came on too suddenly. But at least we did everything we could and so did the veterinarian.
A dog's life is a short one, but one that gives many lifetimes worth of loving memories. I will always be grateful for him in my life but will not be getting another dog. We have a surviving dog and I do not look forward to her end of life. There is just too much emotional pain, and then add financial pain just to dig the knife in a little deeper.
So no, pet ownership is really no longer for the middle class as much as for the very comfortably wealthy.
But in the end we made a moral decision about his life, not a financial one. I pray someday in this country people consider life sacred enough that there is not a price that can be put upon it. At least starting with human life if you cannot go there with animals
A dog's life is a short one, but one that gives many lifetimes worth of loving memories. I will always be grateful for him in my life but will not be getting another dog. We have a surviving dog and I do not look forward to her end of life. There is just too much emotional pain, and then add financial pain just to dig the knife in a little deeper.
So no, pet ownership is really no longer for the middle class as much as for the very comfortably wealthy.
But in the end we made a moral decision about his life, not a financial one. I pray someday in this country people consider life sacred enough that there is not a price that can be put upon it. At least starting with human life if you cannot go there with animals
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A dog's life
My husband is currently trying to find a way to save our dog's life. He is ten and has been sick for about a week now. It is nothing new for a dog to vomit. However, he fell over and the emergency clinic says he is in shock and may or may not have liver cancer. Any further testing would require $$$$$$ or they would be happy to put him down if we could not afford it.
My husband left for a second opinion, as he watched the only other people in the office (1:00 am) make the decision to put their dog down. He said he felt they were in the business of killing dogs, not helping them.
We may ultimately have to make that decision but we would rather do it at home, by our own vet, and knowing that we did everything we could afford.
This life or death decision for animals is often a financial one and it is sad. But at least he had ten years which is pretty good for a dog.
But our own human health care system does that. I am faced right now with losing all my teeth because I cannot afford implants. I am being denied by my insurance company treatment for my degenerative disc disease in my back. I was also denied treatment for infertility, which left us with a hefty debt, partly from treatment and partly from adoption expenses. We are headed firmly down the path of bankrupcy, so honestly I would save my dog if we could even find the credit to do that and give me teeth.
And so many people are worse off yet. They cannot get any medical treatment. In a more humane world life would not come with such a price tag on it. If you listen to Mr Huckabee and Ms Angle they do not think insurance companies should be forced to stick money into already sick people. Mike went as far as to compare human life to a burned out home.
Yet I think he is a pro-lifer. Go figure.
But I agree. Insurance companies should not. They should not be in the picture. They should not be the middleman. There should be single payer. Some think that would cause rationed health care for the elderly. But all the government DOES not is care for the elderly. I would just like to see that care extended to everyone, and the unborn would have a better world to be born into.
So far nobody has been asked to put their human loved ones down. But denying coverage just makes them die slowly and painfully. We actually do treat dogs better than that.
So at least our poor dog is better off. He is better off not knowing there may have been treatments out there but were denied because a veterinarian would rather put a lethal injection in him than perform some work for less money. And he is also better off if it turns out no amount of treatment would actually make him better, just prolong the inevitable leaving him to suffer until the end, but he does not actually have to do that. There is the lethal injection option that should only have to be used in this cases, when it is the right thing to do morally and not financially
My husband left for a second opinion, as he watched the only other people in the office (1:00 am) make the decision to put their dog down. He said he felt they were in the business of killing dogs, not helping them.
We may ultimately have to make that decision but we would rather do it at home, by our own vet, and knowing that we did everything we could afford.
This life or death decision for animals is often a financial one and it is sad. But at least he had ten years which is pretty good for a dog.
But our own human health care system does that. I am faced right now with losing all my teeth because I cannot afford implants. I am being denied by my insurance company treatment for my degenerative disc disease in my back. I was also denied treatment for infertility, which left us with a hefty debt, partly from treatment and partly from adoption expenses. We are headed firmly down the path of bankrupcy, so honestly I would save my dog if we could even find the credit to do that and give me teeth.
And so many people are worse off yet. They cannot get any medical treatment. In a more humane world life would not come with such a price tag on it. If you listen to Mr Huckabee and Ms Angle they do not think insurance companies should be forced to stick money into already sick people. Mike went as far as to compare human life to a burned out home.
Yet I think he is a pro-lifer. Go figure.
But I agree. Insurance companies should not. They should not be in the picture. They should not be the middleman. There should be single payer. Some think that would cause rationed health care for the elderly. But all the government DOES not is care for the elderly. I would just like to see that care extended to everyone, and the unborn would have a better world to be born into.
So far nobody has been asked to put their human loved ones down. But denying coverage just makes them die slowly and painfully. We actually do treat dogs better than that.
So at least our poor dog is better off. He is better off not knowing there may have been treatments out there but were denied because a veterinarian would rather put a lethal injection in him than perform some work for less money. And he is also better off if it turns out no amount of treatment would actually make him better, just prolong the inevitable leaving him to suffer until the end, but he does not actually have to do that. There is the lethal injection option that should only have to be used in this cases, when it is the right thing to do morally and not financially
Sunday, September 19, 2010
The propaganda is working
Oh my, just last week the majority of people were against cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans.
I watched the local news where the reporter stated as a Fact the Repulican opinion that the top 2% of American individuals were job creators.
Really. Well, they still have the majority of the wealth, and have probably gained quite a bit in this redistribution of wealth that has been going in the upward direction.
Why aren't they creating jobs now? I mean here, not overseas.
But if it is repeated on the news it must be true. And Fox is not the only one guilty now. I guess when it comes down to the wire, all but a few networks are going to be reporting hard for their corporate bosses.
I guess all that can be down is to sit down and watch the corporate takeover of America resume. Goodbye Social Security, Medicare, K-12. I will really miss you.
I watched the local news where the reporter stated as a Fact the Repulican opinion that the top 2% of American individuals were job creators.
Really. Well, they still have the majority of the wealth, and have probably gained quite a bit in this redistribution of wealth that has been going in the upward direction.
Why aren't they creating jobs now? I mean here, not overseas.
But if it is repeated on the news it must be true. And Fox is not the only one guilty now. I guess when it comes down to the wire, all but a few networks are going to be reporting hard for their corporate bosses.
I guess all that can be down is to sit down and watch the corporate takeover of America resume. Goodbye Social Security, Medicare, K-12. I will really miss you.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
A night for the crazy
Last night I heard so many dems say they were happy exteme tea party candidates had won because they were going to increase the dems chances in November. Whoa. Check the facts. Talk to people. Even sane, your next door neighbor type of people are being infected with the crazy.
Honestly, when they think Nancy Pelosi is crazy for wanting a public option in health care, but do not think Sarah pick up your gun and reload Palin is, you have to redefine what constitutes crazy for most people.
For me, it is trusting that the Wall St that took everyone's pension funds as soon as baby boomers were about to retire and lost all that money, and their home's money as well. The bank who, as soon as everyone was heavy in debt to make up the difference between dwindling wages and rising prices doubled the interest rates and tightened credit. Oh, and there is that little thing of taking all the taxpayer's money via the bailout and either hoarding it or investing it overseas. What is crazy is that people trust these people with our Social Security.
And to these people anyone who does not is crazy.
So unless something happens between now and Nov. look forward to a really altered America. They want change? How about a you may not masturbate law. See Christine ODonnell. Or how about getting rid of the department of Education? See Sharon Angle. See her for how to use your second right amendments too (that's if she has won and has not shot Reid, or if she has shot Reid but is a free woman anyway and takes the Senate seat)
So everyone who wanted change, say goodbye to civilization and hello to the wild wild west
Honestly, when they think Nancy Pelosi is crazy for wanting a public option in health care, but do not think Sarah pick up your gun and reload Palin is, you have to redefine what constitutes crazy for most people.
For me, it is trusting that the Wall St that took everyone's pension funds as soon as baby boomers were about to retire and lost all that money, and their home's money as well. The bank who, as soon as everyone was heavy in debt to make up the difference between dwindling wages and rising prices doubled the interest rates and tightened credit. Oh, and there is that little thing of taking all the taxpayer's money via the bailout and either hoarding it or investing it overseas. What is crazy is that people trust these people with our Social Security.
And to these people anyone who does not is crazy.
So unless something happens between now and Nov. look forward to a really altered America. They want change? How about a you may not masturbate law. See Christine ODonnell. Or how about getting rid of the department of Education? See Sharon Angle. See her for how to use your second right amendments too (that's if she has won and has not shot Reid, or if she has shot Reid but is a free woman anyway and takes the Senate seat)
So everyone who wanted change, say goodbye to civilization and hello to the wild wild west
Monday, September 13, 2010
What people will believe
I do not know but I have been told that Speaker Pelosi wanted to penalize all medical tourism. I would like to not believe that but remembered when Obama made a deal with Pharma that keeps people from purchasing meds overseas.
I also cannot believe that people are more willing to gamble their social security to Wall St then to the government as it has been for so many years. Even when reminded that everyone who had a 401K, pension, or home has suffered massive loss of value due to Wall St.
I am also told that the health care reform will benefit younger people, resulting in rationing care for older people, like supposedly happens in England. I know that the only health care now being run by the government is Medicare/caid and they mostly help older people.
I think people will only believe what they want to, myself included. But I am willing to actual check the facts. I don't mean the facts distorted for politics, like science, revised history, evolution, etc. (BTW I am waiting for 2 plus 2 to no longer equal 4 because that is a socialist plot). But I am willing to listen to reason. I know there are flaws in the current political pary, the president has flaws, the health care bill has flaws, and social security has flaws.
But if the people who vote only spout what their party of preference believes and refuse to even consider anything said by others then we are doing ourselves and others a disservice. If we keep demonizing those with opposing beliefs we cannot fix the flaws in our government, we only mirror them. We cannot make informed decisions as voters. We really need to get all the facts even if we do not like them.
I think we as Americans are a complete failure when it comes to participating in politics. We only fall for the current propaganda, the gimicks of factions that arise like the tea party, catchy slogans, fearmongering, and of course hating our fellow Americans because that divide and conquer thing is really working for the ruling class.
I stand by my conviction that Social Security should be saved as FDR wanted it. And I stand by the history I learned that he was the hero that got us out of the great depression. Look, if we cannot even agree on history how are we going to grow the middle class back again.
More hopeful that even if we never get it together, the slave laborers in China and other 'emerging markets' are going to refuse to be the planet's factory any longer. There is talk of unionizing and revolt. How ironic that America's economy may ultimately be saved by the same country that took all our jobs. But don't hate the Chinese, the average worker makes a lot less and works even longer hours (35 hours per shift I hear). They too have a ruling class (or government), but if worldwide workers demand their due we may see the rise of our economies again
I also cannot believe that people are more willing to gamble their social security to Wall St then to the government as it has been for so many years. Even when reminded that everyone who had a 401K, pension, or home has suffered massive loss of value due to Wall St.
I am also told that the health care reform will benefit younger people, resulting in rationing care for older people, like supposedly happens in England. I know that the only health care now being run by the government is Medicare/caid and they mostly help older people.
I think people will only believe what they want to, myself included. But I am willing to actual check the facts. I don't mean the facts distorted for politics, like science, revised history, evolution, etc. (BTW I am waiting for 2 plus 2 to no longer equal 4 because that is a socialist plot). But I am willing to listen to reason. I know there are flaws in the current political pary, the president has flaws, the health care bill has flaws, and social security has flaws.
But if the people who vote only spout what their party of preference believes and refuse to even consider anything said by others then we are doing ourselves and others a disservice. If we keep demonizing those with opposing beliefs we cannot fix the flaws in our government, we only mirror them. We cannot make informed decisions as voters. We really need to get all the facts even if we do not like them.
I think we as Americans are a complete failure when it comes to participating in politics. We only fall for the current propaganda, the gimicks of factions that arise like the tea party, catchy slogans, fearmongering, and of course hating our fellow Americans because that divide and conquer thing is really working for the ruling class.
I stand by my conviction that Social Security should be saved as FDR wanted it. And I stand by the history I learned that he was the hero that got us out of the great depression. Look, if we cannot even agree on history how are we going to grow the middle class back again.
More hopeful that even if we never get it together, the slave laborers in China and other 'emerging markets' are going to refuse to be the planet's factory any longer. There is talk of unionizing and revolt. How ironic that America's economy may ultimately be saved by the same country that took all our jobs. But don't hate the Chinese, the average worker makes a lot less and works even longer hours (35 hours per shift I hear). They too have a ruling class (or government), but if worldwide workers demand their due we may see the rise of our economies again
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Stem cell win, insurance companies, and that other thing
Today the appeals court ruled in favor of medical research. Yes! Score one for America. Now this is only temporary but it is a step in the right direction. I am grateful to the scientists who persist even in the face of such opposition. Don't give up the good fight.
Insurance companies need to see my ad directed at the oil companies. Apparently they are going to raise rates, right about midterm election time. And, big surprise, they are going to blame the health care reform for that. Lord knows that cannot be responsible for their own price increases any more than the oil companies can. I have a three year old who takes more responsibility for his own actions than that.
And lastly, I refuse to comment on the thing that keeps getting media coverage any more. Just because talking about it and covering it will only give the crazy pastor the attention he craves, and will very possibly result in injury to American troops overseas. But why does the media keep covering this?
Insurance companies need to see my ad directed at the oil companies. Apparently they are going to raise rates, right about midterm election time. And, big surprise, they are going to blame the health care reform for that. Lord knows that cannot be responsible for their own price increases any more than the oil companies can. I have a three year old who takes more responsibility for his own actions than that.
And lastly, I refuse to comment on the thing that keeps getting media coverage any more. Just because talking about it and covering it will only give the crazy pastor the attention he craves, and will very possibly result in injury to American troops overseas. But why does the media keep covering this?
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Hazy Daze, psuedo dems, and another business (and people) killer
Apparently the skies will be hazy again on Sept 11. Not from the heat of an Indian summer, but from Qoran burnings. Now I am on record for not caring about Islam, but this is a cheap publicity stunt that will hurt our troops overseas. I may not care if a book is burned, but some people will KILL over it. So why do it?
Or if you must, just do it quietly without involving the media and letting the world know. BTW your hatred for the books will do nothing to change anythingbesides the safety of our troops.
Democrats who want to fight the president on the tax cuts for the wealthy should lose this election. I really think we can do without them, esp Lieberman, who did so much to wreck our health care reform
Lastly I want to give the raspberries to the federal judge who is still holding up the money for stem cell research funding. Apparently if your job is a medical researcher it's not all that important to this judge. But any job with the oil company-ok-I won't go there again. But ok, lets now watch the brain drain of med research out of our country like what happened under Bush. Could we even get more stupider (see Jan Brewer, AZ gov).
But not only are those jobs going, so are the lives of all those this research could save. I hope you are proud your honor
Or if you must, just do it quietly without involving the media and letting the world know. BTW your hatred for the books will do nothing to change anythingbesides the safety of our troops.
Democrats who want to fight the president on the tax cuts for the wealthy should lose this election. I really think we can do without them, esp Lieberman, who did so much to wreck our health care reform
Lastly I want to give the raspberries to the federal judge who is still holding up the money for stem cell research funding. Apparently if your job is a medical researcher it's not all that important to this judge. But any job with the oil company-ok-I won't go there again. But ok, lets now watch the brain drain of med research out of our country like what happened under Bush. Could we even get more stupider (see Jan Brewer, AZ gov).
But not only are those jobs going, so are the lives of all those this research could save. I hope you are proud your honor
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
That commercial again
How horrible and people are buying this oil commercial ad.
1. Suck it up oil companies, we are all facing rising prices.
2. You know what's a real job killer? Big messy oil spills.
So here is my commercial aimed at oil companies or any monopoly for that matter. You have to image the audio and visual since I don't have those up and running(dont know if Ill ever add video)
Poor looking ethnic minority person: This is certainly not the time to raise prices. Some people are barely hanging on.
Smart looking young person: Raising prices on consumers means raising prices on businesses too. This would be a job killer. Because if YOU cannot even handle a dent into your billion dollar profits, imagine what a price increase would do to companies pulling in less money.
Wise looking old woman: We are all in this economy facing rising prices, falling incomes, and yes we all pay our share of taxes. Its what keeps our roads paved, our schools running, our police, our national defense, among many other things.
Middle aged white man:If you raise prices now people that depend on your product may freeze to death. That person may be somebody's grandma, you know the ones who survive the death panels.
End commercial
PS These commercials must be costing quite a bit so I guess we can expect you to make up the dent in your profits by raising prices, so these commercials are also killing jobs.
1. Suck it up oil companies, we are all facing rising prices.
2. You know what's a real job killer? Big messy oil spills.
So here is my commercial aimed at oil companies or any monopoly for that matter. You have to image the audio and visual since I don't have those up and running(dont know if Ill ever add video)
Poor looking ethnic minority person: This is certainly not the time to raise prices. Some people are barely hanging on.
Smart looking young person: Raising prices on consumers means raising prices on businesses too. This would be a job killer. Because if YOU cannot even handle a dent into your billion dollar profits, imagine what a price increase would do to companies pulling in less money.
Wise looking old woman: We are all in this economy facing rising prices, falling incomes, and yes we all pay our share of taxes. Its what keeps our roads paved, our schools running, our police, our national defense, among many other things.
Middle aged white man:If you raise prices now people that depend on your product may freeze to death. That person may be somebody's grandma, you know the ones who survive the death panels.
End commercial
PS These commercials must be costing quite a bit so I guess we can expect you to make up the dent in your profits by raising prices, so these commercials are also killing jobs.
Oil Companies give me a break & Obama keep this promise
First, I was happy to see our president woke up and decided to take on his opposition during his labor day speech. I was beginning to wonder whether or not the Democrats were being paid off to throw this midterm.
However poorly things are going, whatever mistakes I or anyone else thinks that you have made do NOT make the mistake of breaking your promise to not let Social Security become privatized on your watch. I believe you will not.
However, with Alan Simpson at the wheel I do expect to see it weakened. Do not be afraid of the veto.
Now I will play the world's smallest violin for the oil companies that keep running ads please don't tax me anymore. Just looked up their profits. In the BILLIONS all of them, except maybe BP, but they aren't American anyway.
These commercials have paid citizens to spout their claim that raising their taxes will raise oil prices, and we can't afford that. Well, I agree with the we can't afford that part. But why do people take it as a given that if your taxes are raised, or any more regulations put on you you HAVE to raise prices. What, you HAVE to make billions or all your CEO's will die? Is there a bomb planted in them that makes it impossible for them to settle for less than billions without imploding?
I think the truth is, if their taxes are raised they will CHOOSE to raise prices. Big difference. I honestly wished it worked that way. Because then common sense would dictate that all that we would have to do to lower oil prices would be to lower their taxes. Does anyone think things would really work that way around?
However poorly things are going, whatever mistakes I or anyone else thinks that you have made do NOT make the mistake of breaking your promise to not let Social Security become privatized on your watch. I believe you will not.
However, with Alan Simpson at the wheel I do expect to see it weakened. Do not be afraid of the veto.
Now I will play the world's smallest violin for the oil companies that keep running ads please don't tax me anymore. Just looked up their profits. In the BILLIONS all of them, except maybe BP, but they aren't American anyway.
These commercials have paid citizens to spout their claim that raising their taxes will raise oil prices, and we can't afford that. Well, I agree with the we can't afford that part. But why do people take it as a given that if your taxes are raised, or any more regulations put on you you HAVE to raise prices. What, you HAVE to make billions or all your CEO's will die? Is there a bomb planted in them that makes it impossible for them to settle for less than billions without imploding?
I think the truth is, if their taxes are raised they will CHOOSE to raise prices. Big difference. I honestly wished it worked that way. Because then common sense would dictate that all that we would have to do to lower oil prices would be to lower their taxes. Does anyone think things would really work that way around?
Monday, September 6, 2010
Your home, the American dream
What is more American than home ownership? Well I guess that is going the way of your wage-getting more and more worthless.
According to Kipling.com you may be better off renting.
I shudder to think what will happen if Americans leave their homes in droves (more so than those getting forclosed on).
What will happen if we do not even have one piece of America left to call our own?
And if some monopoly gets a hold of a substantial amount of real estate, what will happen then to home values (or at least what you will be charged for rent?). I am guessing since it is not owned by an actual human individual it will be worth a lot more.
According to Kipling.com you may be better off renting.
I shudder to think what will happen if Americans leave their homes in droves (more so than those getting forclosed on).
What will happen if we do not even have one piece of America left to call our own?
And if some monopoly gets a hold of a substantial amount of real estate, what will happen then to home values (or at least what you will be charged for rent?). I am guessing since it is not owned by an actual human individual it will be worth a lot more.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
More self esteem issues
Today I saw two things on TV that really struck me as indicative that this country is suffering from very low self esteem.
A campaign ad from as far as I can tell the oil companies from people saying that no way in this economy should anyone ask the oil companies to pay more taxes or in any way diminish their corporate profits because that would be bad for the economy.
Later on a news story about the same old thing-employees being asked to make sacrafices of wages and/or benefits under threat that the employer will leave. And people interviewed considered it the right and patriotic thing for the employees to give in to the demands of the employer.
So we think we as workers deserve very little if anything at all and the corporate gods do not owe us anything for making them their profits to begin with. We all know that if we tax them, they charge us more. But that's okay. But when we are charged more for Everything from food to medical, hell we do not have the right to charge any more.
I am not saying that these are not rough times and people really have very little choice about keeping jobs or not these days. I am just saying that nobody even get Angy about it. Well, not at the right people anyway. Because if they could see the balance sheets of some of these companies maybe they would say yes you can pay me more, you just wont you greedy people.
Or when Citibank takes the money our taxes gave to them and uses it to create jobs in CHINA. Where is the outrage? The same place our self esteem went? Or our brains?
I keep hearing we need to create an environment friendly to business. Well yes, we need business. But not Crappy business. We need honest American business friendly to US. What about having a people friendly environment? Where lives mean more than profits?
A campaign ad from as far as I can tell the oil companies from people saying that no way in this economy should anyone ask the oil companies to pay more taxes or in any way diminish their corporate profits because that would be bad for the economy.
Later on a news story about the same old thing-employees being asked to make sacrafices of wages and/or benefits under threat that the employer will leave. And people interviewed considered it the right and patriotic thing for the employees to give in to the demands of the employer.
So we think we as workers deserve very little if anything at all and the corporate gods do not owe us anything for making them their profits to begin with. We all know that if we tax them, they charge us more. But that's okay. But when we are charged more for Everything from food to medical, hell we do not have the right to charge any more.
I am not saying that these are not rough times and people really have very little choice about keeping jobs or not these days. I am just saying that nobody even get Angy about it. Well, not at the right people anyway. Because if they could see the balance sheets of some of these companies maybe they would say yes you can pay me more, you just wont you greedy people.
Or when Citibank takes the money our taxes gave to them and uses it to create jobs in CHINA. Where is the outrage? The same place our self esteem went? Or our brains?
I keep hearing we need to create an environment friendly to business. Well yes, we need business. But not Crappy business. We need honest American business friendly to US. What about having a people friendly environment? Where lives mean more than profits?
Friday, September 3, 2010
Dumb is good?
I just watched one of my favorite programs, and I promise I will remember which one next time, I will watch with a notepad by me.
Anyway, he was talking about Jan Brewer of AZ and her less than brilliant appearance on TV. I was actually embarrassed for her, felt sorry for her, in fact. This was a debate with opponents for re-election and surely she had not only lost but embarrassed herself in the process. Oh yes, it was Keith Olbermann. How could I forget the hilarity of the headless corpses.
At any rate, his guest, Howard Finemann I believe, said nope this woman was still going to win. Apparently the American public no longer expects their elected officials to do well in debates, to talk to the media, or to exhibit any intellegence whatsoever (my words not his, but that the gist of what I got out of it)
Any dummy who is willing to hook up with the tea party can be propped up by them and their astroturf funding without having any qualifications at all. No wonder our schools are in such trouble. What good are brains in this society? Thinking people might figure out who is taking their money from them. Better to keep them stupid and avoid the media.
I lost a whole lot of sleep over this. I really want to quit watching our country get flushed down the toilet, esp now with Republicans poised to win and take out Social Security (hey the Dems might too for all I know, but with the GOP its a sure thing). And take us further down the road of tax cuts for the wealthy and dismantling our country's infrastructure and schools. I am looking for a light at the end of this tunnel and it appears we are turning around back the way we came, DEEPER into the tunnel.
Smart used to be cool, Sexy in fact. I like smart. I want my elected representatives to be smart. How else would he/she represent me? I am not stupid. Maybe people are afraid that smart equates to smart enough to pull one over on them. I know there is some of that going on too. But dont throw the baby out with the bathwater. We need smart And transparency too.
Anyway, he was talking about Jan Brewer of AZ and her less than brilliant appearance on TV. I was actually embarrassed for her, felt sorry for her, in fact. This was a debate with opponents for re-election and surely she had not only lost but embarrassed herself in the process. Oh yes, it was Keith Olbermann. How could I forget the hilarity of the headless corpses.
At any rate, his guest, Howard Finemann I believe, said nope this woman was still going to win. Apparently the American public no longer expects their elected officials to do well in debates, to talk to the media, or to exhibit any intellegence whatsoever (my words not his, but that the gist of what I got out of it)
Any dummy who is willing to hook up with the tea party can be propped up by them and their astroturf funding without having any qualifications at all. No wonder our schools are in such trouble. What good are brains in this society? Thinking people might figure out who is taking their money from them. Better to keep them stupid and avoid the media.
I lost a whole lot of sleep over this. I really want to quit watching our country get flushed down the toilet, esp now with Republicans poised to win and take out Social Security (hey the Dems might too for all I know, but with the GOP its a sure thing). And take us further down the road of tax cuts for the wealthy and dismantling our country's infrastructure and schools. I am looking for a light at the end of this tunnel and it appears we are turning around back the way we came, DEEPER into the tunnel.
Smart used to be cool, Sexy in fact. I like smart. I want my elected representatives to be smart. How else would he/she represent me? I am not stupid. Maybe people are afraid that smart equates to smart enough to pull one over on them. I know there is some of that going on too. But dont throw the baby out with the bathwater. We need smart And transparency too.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Back to School
Before I get to the school, I want to first amend my previous post. That was all about me and how the HCR will affect me. However, there are many who actually will be helped, and although I hope this is not a step toward giving the insurance companies brand new monopolies and stranglehold on our country I am grateful for those who will have health care that previously could not.
Now about our schools. I took my children to their open house to drop off supplies (which included some cleaning supplies but no big deal we know they are strapped for money) and my kids got to put their things away in their desks and lockers. My daughter's locker is broke. I told the teacher and she said that she knew that many were broke and some desks were too and there were no repairs planned. Her class size is 26 kids.
I do think my child is entitled to a decent education which includes equipment in good working order. Is that too much to ask? From the richest country in the world? Its not about giving her a sense of entitlement, but a sense of self worth. If we expect her to work hard and do her best but give her crap for a school how is she going to want to work, to care, when it is obvious nobody cares about the children?
Actually she is too young to get that but Im not. I actually get teary eyed thinking about how this country's education system has been taken down to a level where the BEST school in our district cannot upkeep their lockers even as good as the local Goodwill can repair used items given to them.
And I don't want to hear crap about voting to raise MY property taxes next time around. The middle class is already overtaxed. That is one thing the tea party got right. But what they don't get is that the Republicans are not any better. Oh no. I watched the Ed show and he was straight on about how we paid into Social Security and it was robbed to fund two wars I did not want. I did not get to vote on that. I do not get the choice to decide to divert money from wars, tax cuts to the wealthy, bank bailouts, and put all that into our children's schools. No sir, but I do get to choice between paying out of my pocket for all that stuff and if I want an education for my children too, well thats going to be extra.
Well I want my children to have an education because as a taxpayer and a lifetime citizen of the richest country in the world I do think I am entitled to that. And the Social Security I have paid into all my life. Leave it alone Pentagon, AND Wall Street. I want it where it belongs, in the fund set up by Roosevelt.
I am still remembering the sermon that touched me so much about love and forgiveness so I pray that the greedy in this country find it in their hearts to believe that our children are worth educating. And I pray that the middle class in this country wakes up to their own self worth and comes to believe that they too are worth investing in, their children, this country's infrastructure, the America that used to be. We had it once. If you think the government took it away then dig deeper. Who got the money? The Banks, the defense contractors, the insurance companies.
They are not entitled to OUR tax money. If we pay less taxes, it is not going to make us richer, the prices of everything will keep going up. But it will make our roads, our schools, our police and fire departments, all looking like their developing world equivalents. Dont get me wrong I dont want to pay more taxes, I just want it to go to the right things. Like my daughters locker.
Now about our schools. I took my children to their open house to drop off supplies (which included some cleaning supplies but no big deal we know they are strapped for money) and my kids got to put their things away in their desks and lockers. My daughter's locker is broke. I told the teacher and she said that she knew that many were broke and some desks were too and there were no repairs planned. Her class size is 26 kids.
I do think my child is entitled to a decent education which includes equipment in good working order. Is that too much to ask? From the richest country in the world? Its not about giving her a sense of entitlement, but a sense of self worth. If we expect her to work hard and do her best but give her crap for a school how is she going to want to work, to care, when it is obvious nobody cares about the children?
Actually she is too young to get that but Im not. I actually get teary eyed thinking about how this country's education system has been taken down to a level where the BEST school in our district cannot upkeep their lockers even as good as the local Goodwill can repair used items given to them.
And I don't want to hear crap about voting to raise MY property taxes next time around. The middle class is already overtaxed. That is one thing the tea party got right. But what they don't get is that the Republicans are not any better. Oh no. I watched the Ed show and he was straight on about how we paid into Social Security and it was robbed to fund two wars I did not want. I did not get to vote on that. I do not get the choice to decide to divert money from wars, tax cuts to the wealthy, bank bailouts, and put all that into our children's schools. No sir, but I do get to choice between paying out of my pocket for all that stuff and if I want an education for my children too, well thats going to be extra.
Well I want my children to have an education because as a taxpayer and a lifetime citizen of the richest country in the world I do think I am entitled to that. And the Social Security I have paid into all my life. Leave it alone Pentagon, AND Wall Street. I want it where it belongs, in the fund set up by Roosevelt.
I am still remembering the sermon that touched me so much about love and forgiveness so I pray that the greedy in this country find it in their hearts to believe that our children are worth educating. And I pray that the middle class in this country wakes up to their own self worth and comes to believe that they too are worth investing in, their children, this country's infrastructure, the America that used to be. We had it once. If you think the government took it away then dig deeper. Who got the money? The Banks, the defense contractors, the insurance companies.
They are not entitled to OUR tax money. If we pay less taxes, it is not going to make us richer, the prices of everything will keep going up. But it will make our roads, our schools, our police and fire departments, all looking like their developing world equivalents. Dont get me wrong I dont want to pay more taxes, I just want it to go to the right things. Like my daughters locker.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Not a good book
I picked up a copy of 'Landmark, America's New Health Care Law and What it Means for You', and sadly it did not really say what it means for me.
It does seem that it is trying to push America into health care exchanges which would not be bad except that there is no COST control whatsoever.
I really think we should have gone the route of single payer and take the layer of profit that the insurance companies make out of the equation. Cost control one.
I really think that doctors should be educated without having to go so deeply into debt. Educate doctors for free. Cost control two.
Instead this book claims that this law will "maybe" slow the growth of health care cost increases. Slow the growth? We need to bring this to a screeching halt. Why does it have to be so expensive? You can go to other countries for a fraction of what you pay here for almost everything.
It also claims wages are stagnating because the rising health care costs. I agree. Furthermore, once health care costs quit rising employers will pay higher wages. Ya, right. Never underestimate greed. Once a wage is lowered it is hard to raise, esp in this economy.
It also states the government assumes that once you reach the magic income of 88K per year you can afford 8-12K in premium costs, not to mention copays and medicine, and hey dental care which is completely left out.
What it does not say is how insurance companies will be regulated, like do they have to cover well care? The book claims these laws have yet to be written. I thought the thousand page document covered this.
Some people claim this is a start. I agree with Dennis Kucinich. It is a start to privatize health care. The book even agrees that the new health care will be people buying there own policies (being forced to in fact) through government run exchages. Seeing how the insurance company lobbies have such influence in Washington this does not bode well for Americans.
Oh Canada, you are looking better every day
It does seem that it is trying to push America into health care exchanges which would not be bad except that there is no COST control whatsoever.
I really think we should have gone the route of single payer and take the layer of profit that the insurance companies make out of the equation. Cost control one.
I really think that doctors should be educated without having to go so deeply into debt. Educate doctors for free. Cost control two.
Instead this book claims that this law will "maybe" slow the growth of health care cost increases. Slow the growth? We need to bring this to a screeching halt. Why does it have to be so expensive? You can go to other countries for a fraction of what you pay here for almost everything.
It also claims wages are stagnating because the rising health care costs. I agree. Furthermore, once health care costs quit rising employers will pay higher wages. Ya, right. Never underestimate greed. Once a wage is lowered it is hard to raise, esp in this economy.
It also states the government assumes that once you reach the magic income of 88K per year you can afford 8-12K in premium costs, not to mention copays and medicine, and hey dental care which is completely left out.
What it does not say is how insurance companies will be regulated, like do they have to cover well care? The book claims these laws have yet to be written. I thought the thousand page document covered this.
Some people claim this is a start. I agree with Dennis Kucinich. It is a start to privatize health care. The book even agrees that the new health care will be people buying there own policies (being forced to in fact) through government run exchages. Seeing how the insurance company lobbies have such influence in Washington this does not bode well for Americans.
Oh Canada, you are looking better every day
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Timidly stepping into a church
No I didn't think the roof would fall in. But I did expect to be fed some Glenn Beck style political propaganda, I expected to be told who to hate, what to believe in order to conform and therfore not be condemned, how much money I must give and if I did not have that much to give I must be a sinner.
I even expected to be segregated from the men because women are inferior, or to have the sermon begin with "if you came here to feel good you came to the wrong place". Yes, that honestly happened, and being a sane person and actually wanting to feel good I started to leave but my husband begged me not to so as not to embarrass friends.
So I started to think about buying a Bible cover and enclosing a good read into it, or a kindle and who would know what was being read.
I started writing notes about how I loved trees and nature and science and the miracle of life and that is where I feel more spiritual, that you cannot find spirituality in a book or a building.
But then I got surprised. I started hearing things from the pastor that took me back decades, things about love and forgiveness, and a sad story about his kid who got bullied by neighbors that actually brought a tear to my eye.
So I started actually listening. Pastor said that you are supposed to love people who are of different faiths, and different beliefs, and even people who hurt you. He prayed for his son's tormenters. I prayed for the rich and greedy.
Then I wondered, does the Bible promised that the blessed will be poor and go to heaven only to appease them so the rich get left alone and get to live good right now. But then I thought, no, having that kind of hate and greed may get you some nice things, but your soul has to be suffering.
So maybe this book that is thousands of years old has some good points.
I know I dont like the hate that has been inspired in others and in me by the political atmosphere and class warfare in this country.
I honestly am glad I saw this pastor and not the Beck spectacle. I wish all of America had seen it. And this was a mostly conservative, mostly white, middle to upper middle class crowd. All listening about love and tolerance. And praying for your enemies.
I wish someone in the mainstream media would pick up on messages like this and play them over and over again. God knows our country needs it.
I even expected to be segregated from the men because women are inferior, or to have the sermon begin with "if you came here to feel good you came to the wrong place". Yes, that honestly happened, and being a sane person and actually wanting to feel good I started to leave but my husband begged me not to so as not to embarrass friends.
So I started to think about buying a Bible cover and enclosing a good read into it, or a kindle and who would know what was being read.
I started writing notes about how I loved trees and nature and science and the miracle of life and that is where I feel more spiritual, that you cannot find spirituality in a book or a building.
But then I got surprised. I started hearing things from the pastor that took me back decades, things about love and forgiveness, and a sad story about his kid who got bullied by neighbors that actually brought a tear to my eye.
So I started actually listening. Pastor said that you are supposed to love people who are of different faiths, and different beliefs, and even people who hurt you. He prayed for his son's tormenters. I prayed for the rich and greedy.
Then I wondered, does the Bible promised that the blessed will be poor and go to heaven only to appease them so the rich get left alone and get to live good right now. But then I thought, no, having that kind of hate and greed may get you some nice things, but your soul has to be suffering.
So maybe this book that is thousands of years old has some good points.
I know I dont like the hate that has been inspired in others and in me by the political atmosphere and class warfare in this country.
I honestly am glad I saw this pastor and not the Beck spectacle. I wish all of America had seen it. And this was a mostly conservative, mostly white, middle to upper middle class crowd. All listening about love and tolerance. And praying for your enemies.
I wish someone in the mainstream media would pick up on messages like this and play them over and over again. God knows our country needs it.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Stem cells again
Just when I was wondering about the ethics of a profit driven health care system the stem cell silliness is back. Here we go again.
I first found out about the religious fervor against anything dealing with embryos when I was going through fertility treatments. I found out what I was doing was considered the same as having an abortion to some. Seriously, trying to have a baby is the same as killing a fetus? Some of these people didnt stop there, birth control pills were a form of abortion and I remember the heart of the silliness where some pharmacists were even refusing to give women there medicine.
But then some states took over with stem cell funding and eventually Obama overturned Bush's crusade against the medical research and all was going in the right direction or so I thought.
But here we are again. Its not ethical to sell kidneys or other body parts (that I have to agree with), but it is okay to sell health. Life and death is all about money here. But not when it comes to fetus, the unborn, or even the potentially unborn (only a small percentage of embryos actually make it to the fetus stage as I sadly found out when my treatments didnt take).
I dont get it. Life is so precious when its not even born, not even to the stages of potentially being born, just a couple of separated cells of a fertilized egg, but a real, living breathing human being-well THAT life is only worth how much money it has
I first found out about the religious fervor against anything dealing with embryos when I was going through fertility treatments. I found out what I was doing was considered the same as having an abortion to some. Seriously, trying to have a baby is the same as killing a fetus? Some of these people didnt stop there, birth control pills were a form of abortion and I remember the heart of the silliness where some pharmacists were even refusing to give women there medicine.
But then some states took over with stem cell funding and eventually Obama overturned Bush's crusade against the medical research and all was going in the right direction or so I thought.
But here we are again. Its not ethical to sell kidneys or other body parts (that I have to agree with), but it is okay to sell health. Life and death is all about money here. But not when it comes to fetus, the unborn, or even the potentially unborn (only a small percentage of embryos actually make it to the fetus stage as I sadly found out when my treatments didnt take).
I dont get it. Life is so precious when its not even born, not even to the stages of potentially being born, just a couple of separated cells of a fertilized egg, but a real, living breathing human being-well THAT life is only worth how much money it has
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Rotten eggs
I heard on the news that if we want our chickens grow safely we are going to have to pay more. He went further to claim we have 'cheap' food supply. Not by my checkbook, things are going up by my checkbook.
But I went out and bought some cage free eggs and yep, they are more expensive. I think it is right we need to eat less meat. I could never stomach the idea of actually killing an animal but dont like veggies enough to be a vegetarian.
So while we can legally raise chickens on our own property (if they survive the dogs) I dont think I could.
So here we go with regulations again. There are so many regulations that are imposed on anyone that wants the organic label. And it is right there needs to be regulation because we have seen in our egg supply that there are going to be people who put profit over safety (and in the oil, mining, etc).
But cant we regulate a little more efficiently? There is an opportunity to privatize. But the govt not the industry would have to pay the regulators. And of course the regulators would have to be regulated to insure they dont get paid off by the industry....
Oh boy, I am rethinking the home grown chicken thing
But I went out and bought some cage free eggs and yep, they are more expensive. I think it is right we need to eat less meat. I could never stomach the idea of actually killing an animal but dont like veggies enough to be a vegetarian.
So while we can legally raise chickens on our own property (if they survive the dogs) I dont think I could.
So here we go with regulations again. There are so many regulations that are imposed on anyone that wants the organic label. And it is right there needs to be regulation because we have seen in our egg supply that there are going to be people who put profit over safety (and in the oil, mining, etc).
But cant we regulate a little more efficiently? There is an opportunity to privatize. But the govt not the industry would have to pay the regulators. And of course the regulators would have to be regulated to insure they dont get paid off by the industry....
Oh boy, I am rethinking the home grown chicken thing
Saturday, August 21, 2010
About free speech
It is wonderful to be able to express oneself. It feels good to vent, to complain, or just to be able to talk about an issue. After all nothing can be resolved if it cannot even be discussed
Yesterday I complained about religions that discriminate against women, esp Muslim. But let me be perfectly clear that my aim was not to incite rage against Muslims or fundamentalist Christians or anyone else.
Words can be used to incite violence. I would never tell anyone to load their guns. I was just expressing an opinion about a wrong that I perceived. I perceived it in a lot of Christian churches so I stopped attending them.
That is all that needs to be done. Stop condoning the sexism and subscribing to it. Unfortunately some people see it as natural, normal, our subscibed 'roles' in life. Well, they saw slavery that way too. So I am here to hope sexism goes the way of slavery, and the burkas all get burned the way the bras did in the sixties.
But sexism is hardly mentioned anywhere. People only want to talk about whatever the media throws out there as important or as a distraction like Ms. Lohan's many misadventures. Hence the Mosque being talked to death and I let it pull me in because it was all over the news.
But like free speech, I believe in freedom of religion. But I would argue that if a religion calls for rituals like human sacrafice should that be tolerated? Everyone would say no to that I would hope. Yet we tolerate a lot of sexism in our religions. Nobody is getting killed, but there is damage being done IMO. So I do not believe religion should be free to do whatever they want.
Dr Laura is a piece of work. I think she made the right decision to leave radio, especially when the poor woman she verbally accosted was asking for some advice. Not a good way to use your freedom of speech, doc.
Why don't people on the radio try to inspire something good? It's easy to get people fired up, gun toting angry. But what is not so easy is to help solve problems, like the women who's husband I believe was calling her names.
Well Dr Laura welcome to the internet where you do not have to care about those things. I happen to care, but I don't have to.
Yesterday I complained about religions that discriminate against women, esp Muslim. But let me be perfectly clear that my aim was not to incite rage against Muslims or fundamentalist Christians or anyone else.
Words can be used to incite violence. I would never tell anyone to load their guns. I was just expressing an opinion about a wrong that I perceived. I perceived it in a lot of Christian churches so I stopped attending them.
That is all that needs to be done. Stop condoning the sexism and subscribing to it. Unfortunately some people see it as natural, normal, our subscibed 'roles' in life. Well, they saw slavery that way too. So I am here to hope sexism goes the way of slavery, and the burkas all get burned the way the bras did in the sixties.
But sexism is hardly mentioned anywhere. People only want to talk about whatever the media throws out there as important or as a distraction like Ms. Lohan's many misadventures. Hence the Mosque being talked to death and I let it pull me in because it was all over the news.
But like free speech, I believe in freedom of religion. But I would argue that if a religion calls for rituals like human sacrafice should that be tolerated? Everyone would say no to that I would hope. Yet we tolerate a lot of sexism in our religions. Nobody is getting killed, but there is damage being done IMO. So I do not believe religion should be free to do whatever they want.
Dr Laura is a piece of work. I think she made the right decision to leave radio, especially when the poor woman she verbally accosted was asking for some advice. Not a good way to use your freedom of speech, doc.
Why don't people on the radio try to inspire something good? It's easy to get people fired up, gun toting angry. But what is not so easy is to help solve problems, like the women who's husband I believe was calling her names.
Well Dr Laura welcome to the internet where you do not have to care about those things. I happen to care, but I don't have to.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Enough about the Mosque already
I am sure it is a big deal to some people and I am not making light of what happened at the site of ground zero. But what Im saying is that there is so much more going on in this country, like the economy.
And I am going to be politically incorrect to say that I do not like the Muslim religion. No, I don't think all Muslims are extremists and terrorists and I that they are not good people. A lot of good people are in with screwy religions.
I don't like the whole burka thing. It angers me as a woman. Now I know, that probably as many Muslims dont do the burka thing as Catholics dont do the abstain from birth control pills thing. But the religion has a deep down bias against women, as do many religions. Most of them dont wear it on their sle....I mean heads though. Now the Catholic church as well as many Christian sects are male supremists as well. However I believe there is hope for evolution there. Catholic nuns fighting to be ordained priests, etc. They have a lot of good things too but the priests should be allowed to be women and in light of all the issues they have had marriage should be a *requirement*
Can Muslims evolve into a more female friendly religion? I don't know. But the burka will always give me that knee jerk repulsion to it.
And hey, lots of troops came home from Iraq!!!! Its a start, now we need them back from Afghanistan.
But I am sure a lot of people are happy and celebrating. Obama fulfilled a promise!! Maybe there is hope for an evolution of this presidency as well
And I am going to be politically incorrect to say that I do not like the Muslim religion. No, I don't think all Muslims are extremists and terrorists and I that they are not good people. A lot of good people are in with screwy religions.
I don't like the whole burka thing. It angers me as a woman. Now I know, that probably as many Muslims dont do the burka thing as Catholics dont do the abstain from birth control pills thing. But the religion has a deep down bias against women, as do many religions. Most of them dont wear it on their sle....I mean heads though. Now the Catholic church as well as many Christian sects are male supremists as well. However I believe there is hope for evolution there. Catholic nuns fighting to be ordained priests, etc. They have a lot of good things too but the priests should be allowed to be women and in light of all the issues they have had marriage should be a *requirement*
Can Muslims evolve into a more female friendly religion? I don't know. But the burka will always give me that knee jerk repulsion to it.
And hey, lots of troops came home from Iraq!!!! Its a start, now we need them back from Afghanistan.
But I am sure a lot of people are happy and celebrating. Obama fulfilled a promise!! Maybe there is hope for an evolution of this presidency as well
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Musings on regulations
Hey aren't you happy I am not writing about the mosque! TMI on that sit if you ask me.
I just discovered I am free to use foul language on this blog! More freedom! I still don't know if I will but I like it that I can:)
I can relate to businesses not liking to be regulated but when I do not know if the next thing I eat will give me salmonella I see the wisdom in it.
I can tell you as a parent how regulated I am. The buckling up of seatbelts in carseats can be a half hour routine in winter. Heck, there are laws I did not even know about at first. I was enjoying a cheap cup of Kwik Trip coffee when my daughter was a baby until I realized I could NOT leave her in the car, not even right in my view for a minute in very mild weather.
And my two year old son had a temper tantrum at the mall because he wanted to be carried. Any parent knows you go down a slippery slope when you start rewarding temper tantrums. But is there a law against public tantrums. Actually, yes disturbing the peace, and judging from the other people in the mall they were ready to convict me so my son got his way.
So none of us even in this free democracy can do whatever we want when there are consequences to others, or in the coffee case paranoid reactions to stuff (or a godsend to Starbucks who has a drive thru so they can sell their overpriced coffee).
Do these regulations cost me money? Yes, besides the coffee price differece, the cost of car seats and many others.
So I have little symathy for companies that want to save a buck on safety measures that may have prevented say a huge oil spill.
Still, I know some regulations are overboard. I dont know why my dog cant poop (perfectly natural biodegradable stuff that he puts right on top of the bunny poop) anywhere but our yard yet our neighbors can pollute the air with huge clouds of bonfire smoke and leafburning smoke and wood burning (and trash burning, although technically not legal) smoke.
I know its unpleasant to step on dog doo. But it washes off. Damaged lungs are much harder to fix.
But since burning is popular in my neighborhood, there is no regulation. So lack of regulation in this case costs ME money in the form of extra albuteral inhalers, other prescriptions, downtime from being sick and trips to the doctor.
Then there are subdivisions who regulate what you can plant, what fence you can put up, even whether or not you can have a rummage sale. And some people like that amount of regulation.
I think we all have more regulations that we dont want and not enough of the ones that we do want. But it is hard to please everyone.
I just discovered I am free to use foul language on this blog! More freedom! I still don't know if I will but I like it that I can:)
I can relate to businesses not liking to be regulated but when I do not know if the next thing I eat will give me salmonella I see the wisdom in it.
I can tell you as a parent how regulated I am. The buckling up of seatbelts in carseats can be a half hour routine in winter. Heck, there are laws I did not even know about at first. I was enjoying a cheap cup of Kwik Trip coffee when my daughter was a baby until I realized I could NOT leave her in the car, not even right in my view for a minute in very mild weather.
And my two year old son had a temper tantrum at the mall because he wanted to be carried. Any parent knows you go down a slippery slope when you start rewarding temper tantrums. But is there a law against public tantrums. Actually, yes disturbing the peace, and judging from the other people in the mall they were ready to convict me so my son got his way.
So none of us even in this free democracy can do whatever we want when there are consequences to others, or in the coffee case paranoid reactions to stuff (or a godsend to Starbucks who has a drive thru so they can sell their overpriced coffee).
Do these regulations cost me money? Yes, besides the coffee price differece, the cost of car seats and many others.
So I have little symathy for companies that want to save a buck on safety measures that may have prevented say a huge oil spill.
Still, I know some regulations are overboard. I dont know why my dog cant poop (perfectly natural biodegradable stuff that he puts right on top of the bunny poop) anywhere but our yard yet our neighbors can pollute the air with huge clouds of bonfire smoke and leafburning smoke and wood burning (and trash burning, although technically not legal) smoke.
I know its unpleasant to step on dog doo. But it washes off. Damaged lungs are much harder to fix.
But since burning is popular in my neighborhood, there is no regulation. So lack of regulation in this case costs ME money in the form of extra albuteral inhalers, other prescriptions, downtime from being sick and trips to the doctor.
Then there are subdivisions who regulate what you can plant, what fence you can put up, even whether or not you can have a rummage sale. And some people like that amount of regulation.
I think we all have more regulations that we dont want and not enough of the ones that we do want. But it is hard to please everyone.
Conspiracy theory
The headlines read many think Obama is a Muslim. Oh Pllllleeeease. Why on earth would we be at war with ONLY MUSLIM COUNTRIES! I am not a big fan of Islam, but can't people even THINK anymore?
Here is my theory-BO is really German, a direct descendant of Hitler, in fact and this time around the Nazis want to finish off the Muslims because they couldn't win against the Jews.
Or
He is really a woman, in a gay relationship with Michele. The gay community planted him there to carry out their agenda. Even though he is not. And he is not carrying out their agenda because he does not want to be too obvious. But just wait. They are going to make us all gay!!!
Serously
Where is the outcry against the suggestion of privatizing Social Security. You know starvation and hypothermia can kill grandma as much as lack of medical care.
Or do people really think trusting our SS to the same people who robbed us of a huge chunk of our 401k's and home equities is really a good idea. Now I would expect a few people to be fooled, but we are talking about a population who believe in the birther and secret Muslim theories.
BTW let me know if you believe any of mine
Here is my theory-BO is really German, a direct descendant of Hitler, in fact and this time around the Nazis want to finish off the Muslims because they couldn't win against the Jews.
Or
He is really a woman, in a gay relationship with Michele. The gay community planted him there to carry out their agenda. Even though he is not. And he is not carrying out their agenda because he does not want to be too obvious. But just wait. They are going to make us all gay!!!
Serously
Where is the outcry against the suggestion of privatizing Social Security. You know starvation and hypothermia can kill grandma as much as lack of medical care.
Or do people really think trusting our SS to the same people who robbed us of a huge chunk of our 401k's and home equities is really a good idea. Now I would expect a few people to be fooled, but we are talking about a population who believe in the birther and secret Muslim theories.
BTW let me know if you believe any of mine
What's so good about America?
Well, to some capitalism, capitalism, capitalism. And you can own guns:) And they see government as baaaaad and are afraid government is taking over our government.
In all reality business is taking over our government. They are not all that bad, they create jobs and wealth and all that good stuff. But some of them frankly do not give a hoot about anything but their bottom line. And since many are multinational there is absolutely no interest in the health of the American economy and people.
What's so good about America? We are smart, innovative, at the top of the game in technology, health care, science, etc. We take care of our own and extend that generosity to other countries. Our infrastructure is strong. No way a bridge is going to collapse here. We can depend on eating food that is free of taint, breathing clean air, and drinking clean water. WAIT
I was dreaming of yesterdays. None of that is happening now. We are still the biggest military for what thats worth. Maybe that is why we get into so many wars. It's all we know how to do now.
There is freedom of speech!!!!! Yes! So guess what I am going to keep taking advantage of this before the corps' propaganda machines fail to hypnotize others (my dream) and the turn to the internet to express themselves, then of course, net neutrality will have to go.....STOP. I am going to try to not be negative.
I still have free speech.
Obama you are a wimp for breaking all your promises. Hey no police!
Tea partiers you are just plain crazy. Wait, that may prompt some gunfire.
But I can still say it and I will.
The Extemely Angry party is crazy. The conspiracy theories they come up with should be really funny jokes, and would be if people did not actually believe them.
So maybe next post I will start craxy conspiracy theories and see who I can get to believe them
In all reality business is taking over our government. They are not all that bad, they create jobs and wealth and all that good stuff. But some of them frankly do not give a hoot about anything but their bottom line. And since many are multinational there is absolutely no interest in the health of the American economy and people.
What's so good about America? We are smart, innovative, at the top of the game in technology, health care, science, etc. We take care of our own and extend that generosity to other countries. Our infrastructure is strong. No way a bridge is going to collapse here. We can depend on eating food that is free of taint, breathing clean air, and drinking clean water. WAIT
I was dreaming of yesterdays. None of that is happening now. We are still the biggest military for what thats worth. Maybe that is why we get into so many wars. It's all we know how to do now.
There is freedom of speech!!!!! Yes! So guess what I am going to keep taking advantage of this before the corps' propaganda machines fail to hypnotize others (my dream) and the turn to the internet to express themselves, then of course, net neutrality will have to go.....STOP. I am going to try to not be negative.
I still have free speech.
Obama you are a wimp for breaking all your promises. Hey no police!
Tea partiers you are just plain crazy. Wait, that may prompt some gunfire.
But I can still say it and I will.
The Extemely Angry party is crazy. The conspiracy theories they come up with should be really funny jokes, and would be if people did not actually believe them.
So maybe next post I will start craxy conspiracy theories and see who I can get to believe them
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
First day at the new blog
Well first day at any blog. Writing any blog that is. I could write about politics but the more I think I know the stupider I actually am. We are in the midst of some really bad times and the government seems more interested in campaigning than fixing anything.
I am looking into refinancing my barely above water mortgage but the TARP money never trickled down to the local banks.
It seems the people who have all the answers, or think they do, ie the pundits and academic types do not have the power to do the things they want.
And the president claims to be held back by Congress. Could he actually affect any change if we did away with Congress, and if so would he? It's hard to tell.
But hey, I found a cheaper place to buy groceries (why ARE grocery prices rising in this economy?) and found that my kids love mac & cheese so we can substitute that for meat and potatoes to cover the doubling of our prescription costs (another thing rising besides wages)
But even though I have dental work I need and cannot afford, debt up the yahoo, home maintainence plan that includes fix only those things that have completely broken, I will rest assured this country is indeed deep into recovery because the Wall St people are making profits, and the richest of them and the richest of the richest in our country will not have to suffer with a horrible tax increase. Lord forbid they have to do without a yacht or two.
But on the bright side, I always wanted to live in the tropics and global warming has made Wisconsin practically a greenhouse this year. My garden is doing great.
Time to go to bed and wake up in a better mood.
I am looking into refinancing my barely above water mortgage but the TARP money never trickled down to the local banks.
It seems the people who have all the answers, or think they do, ie the pundits and academic types do not have the power to do the things they want.
And the president claims to be held back by Congress. Could he actually affect any change if we did away with Congress, and if so would he? It's hard to tell.
But hey, I found a cheaper place to buy groceries (why ARE grocery prices rising in this economy?) and found that my kids love mac & cheese so we can substitute that for meat and potatoes to cover the doubling of our prescription costs (another thing rising besides wages)
But even though I have dental work I need and cannot afford, debt up the yahoo, home maintainence plan that includes fix only those things that have completely broken, I will rest assured this country is indeed deep into recovery because the Wall St people are making profits, and the richest of them and the richest of the richest in our country will not have to suffer with a horrible tax increase. Lord forbid they have to do without a yacht or two.
But on the bright side, I always wanted to live in the tropics and global warming has made Wisconsin practically a greenhouse this year. My garden is doing great.
Time to go to bed and wake up in a better mood.
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