More Politics!?!?

I know I said I don't like to get too political on this blog, but I just can't help it. One of the very prominent political issues that The Husband and I shared with great enthusiasm, is the denying of climate change/global warming. And here I go...

To begin, I DON'T believe we are put here on Earth to 'rape and plunder.' I very proudly voted for the deposit tax on beverage bottles/cans to be reinstated in this state. I find it a pain in the ass to bring them back to the store, so I give them to The Oldest and, as a family, they save the money to help pay their way at the county fair each year. I have seen how much bringing cans back to the store has helped this state; the amount of debris on the sides of the roads and in wilderness areas is minuscule, compared to what it used to be. It is a good thing. I support common sense solutions to keeping the Great Lakes clean and usable. I don't care for too much cutting of the trees here...again, common sense solutions. Just some of what I believe in.

And then we have some things that really get under my skin...

The wetlands reclamation (or whatever it is called) is ridiculous. Because some construction, at some time, happened to 'destroy' some wetland (read that as 'swamp') here in the city, new wetlands had to be built. Within one mile of me, I now have FOUR swamps. (Could actually be more, but sometimes they hide them.) I don't ever remember the amount of mosquitoes that we have now...all at a time when more diseases are being spread by the critters. There are people I know, that have property, that are not allowed to have roads because they would disturb the wetlands. One couple wanted to make their camp a permanent home, but without easy access, they can't do it...it remains a summer escape, nothing more. I don't understand this. We also have a ban on the killing of grey wolves because they are protected.** That was all well and good when it was passed, but now the population is to the point where they have to kill livestock to sustain themselves. Again, some of this stuff needs to have common sense applied to it.

So, I can see the reasons for some regulations/concerns and not see some others. (The above is just a smattering of climate/environmental issues that I have opinions about. 😁) That being said, I have a REAL problem with this entire climate change hysteria going on now. And here we go...

I'm so old that I remember being inundated with the 'facts' about how we were entering into a new ice age. I remember thinking about how far south I would eventually be living...and, at the time, I LOVED warm weather and was a happy little camper thinking of living 'down south.' NOW they're telling me that I have to move even farther north in order to escape the rising temperatures. I also remember how the population of Earth would grow so large that there would be massive famine, at all times, around the world, and here in the US. We were told that the population couldn't be sustained and that people would be dying in massive quantities. We weren't supposed to be able to grow enough food to feed the world. Well, one thing is true, we are told that the famine is STILL coming because of over population...it just didn't happen by the turn of the century as I was told. In 2007 (and this was The Husband's favorite story against global warming/change) the Great Lakes were at an 'all time' record low. Basically, we were told that they were drying up and IF they were to recover, it would take decades. A few years later, the levels recovered to 'normal' and this year, all of the Great Lakes have record high levels. Hmmm...

I believe there is a changing in the climate, but it is something that has happened over and over and over again, as long as the Earth has been here. While some of what we have seen (pollution, for example) is man-made, the majority of what is screamed at us is just cyclical and usual. We don't have records from 2000+ years ago, so we can't know if what is happening NOW happened then.

While I might not live long enough to see it, I think there will be a 'what were we thinking' moment in the future. Coal-fired power plants--such as where The Husband worked--are being dismantled and power plants using alternate fuel are being built. We now have natural gas fueled plants here...all supposed to provide cheaper electricity for us. And when EVERYTHING is using natural gas, just how much will the price of the fuel rise? And how much will our 'cheaper' electricity cost then? We also have a 'solar garden' to help provide electricity to our city. Works well enough in the summer, but the six months of the year when we have/can have snow, it doesn't work so well. (I know how 'well' this works because The Husband 'bought' some solar panels and I get 'credit' on my electric bill from the power generated from my panels. Even in the middle of the summer, I get no more than a $10 credit per month...in the winter, at the most, it is a few cents. All of this on a $100+ bill.) Solar, at this time, is NOT a solution where the sun doesn't shine for days, weeks, even months, at a time. And I won't even get into the problems with wind power.

There is NOTHING wrong with exploring other means of doing things. We can look into alternate fuel sources for power...and look at different, alternate ways to grow food. I have no problem with doing things differently, in theory...it's just when scare tactics are used to try and FORCE drastic change, very quickly, that I have problems. We are told we MUST change our ways of doing things, yet those who are screaming the loudest are doing more 'damage' to the environment than the normal people are. I don't fly private jets around the world or live in a McMansion (or bigger) house, so my gas/electric/water consumption is, at the most, comparable to what the majority use. I DO have a smaller-sized SUV, but for me, it is a necessity so that I can get around during the snow months, especially. (We have minimal public transportation here, so private ownership of a vehicle is close to being 'must have.') I would make changes if it was PROVEN that it is necessary, but I haven't seen the proof. (I can bring up as many articles 'proving' my opinion as anyone on the other side of this issue can cite. Statistics, to me, only prove whatever YOU want them to prove. The way they are presented can show whatever 'facts' the presenter wants.)

Anyway, when ALL the facts are ultimately presented/believed, I have to wonder just how much support this will get from the young 'uns. It is an inconvenient fact that they will have to give up a lot more than us old timers will. I remember a time when there was no internet, cell phones, cable TV, high school students driving their personal cars to school, certain foods being unavailable during some months, no fast food drive-in restaurants on every street corner, and you get my drift. I don't think a lot of people have thought this through very well...there are a lot of things they will not want to give up. But it isn't only the young ones: How many people are going to give up their cars or their daily Starbucks fix (unrecyclable/non-reusable cups) or their drive to the restaurant because they can't be bothered to fix a meal at home. And what about all of the STUFF we HAVE to have: BIG houses, more clothes than we can possibly wear, cell phones, ear phones, TVs, recreational toys... (So much of what we have uses enormous amounts of energy to build/make. If we can't use energy for 'things,' then we will have to go without.) Not to mention how much this is going to cost...not many people are going to be happy having to pay the taxes necessary to implement the changes being talked about.

In no way am I saying there can't be a conversation...but it HAS to be more than one sided. It has to be open and honest, not just fear mongering. And BOTH sides HAVE to listen to each other. There is much too much screaming and not wanting to hear what the other side has to say...that's not the way to get things done. It would be very easy for me to say 'the sky is falling' and 'this world has had it,' but I've lived through a few of these 'moments' in my time...and we always have seemed to come out okay. I think we might be able to survive this crisis, also.


**I believe we make a lot of things worse, rather than better, when we decide to 'fix problems.' If we let Mother Nature take care of some things, maybe she would have the correct solution and not what WE think is right. For example, pandas. There are those that feel as if we should just let them become extinct...they can't live without aggressive human intervention, so maybe nature just says it's their time to go. A thought, anyway...

Trying to be Politically Savvy

It is a constant source of annoyance to have people post political stories that are either partially the truth or outright lies. And whether it is a good or bad thing that is posted, it ALWAYS depends on who they like/dislike politically. And I am seeing this from BOTH sides of the political debate.

I don't watch the news and haven't for about ten years or so. It got too difficult to see how stories were formed in a way to advance or destroy a political agenda. I want the NEWS, NOT an opinion piece...unless I'm looking to read an opinion piece. And that's where I still am, today.

Some might wonder how I stay informed if I don't watch the news. Well, I have a computer. The first thing that comes into my inbox every day are news headlines...from THREE different sources. I get headlines from the 'right,' the 'left,' and from the (relatively) 'neutral.' If a story is interesting enough, I go online and read it. If two sources have headlines that are completely the opposite of each other, I go online to read the story. It is surprisingly easy to find 'the rest of the story' if one is so inclined. I know, I know...who would have thunk it, right?

I am completely amazed at how people, who I thought were reasonably intelligent, allow themselves to be blinded by their political agenda. I don't know what the solution to this is--if there even IS one--but it doesn't look well for this country if things continue in this manner. We are in a world of hurt if things don't change soon. I'm not holding my breath waiting...

A Different Take on Politics

Once again we have an election coming up.  And if I didn't know it, all I have to do is ride around town and see all of the political signs.  Most of the time, I don't pay much attention to them and don't necessarily 'see' whose name is on the sign.  However, I noticed one name lately and that is because I 'know' him on a personal basis...

When my girls were in school, I did quite a bit of volunteering in the school system.  One year when my youngest was in elementary school, I was called upon by the 'room mothers' several times to supervise/chaperon events.  I didn't really get along with these women--one in particular--because they were SO. DAMN. PEPPY!  Every single time I saw them, they were almost giddy with happiness.  They were cheerleaders about everything.  I think I could have coughed and spit a snot ball the size of a Tootsie Roll in their faces and they would have found something positive to say to me.  BUT, it would have come out as a bit condescending, because I wasn't quite on their social level.  I think we all have known people like this in our lives.

Anyway, one of these room mothers really rubbed me the wrong way:  She had the perfect life, the perfect child, the perfect home, the perfect wardrobe, the perfect side job, the perfect husband, the perfect perfect, etc, etc, etc.   And she was just so happy all of the time--and everything was great all of the time.  And I really couldn't stand being around her.  I don't do peppy people.  But one day, I realized there just might be a reason for all of her peppiness.

I don't quite remember what holiday or special day we were celebrating in the classroom.  I had done whatever it was I had been told to do...probably passing out juice or cookies or something.  I remember going to get some napkins from the other side of the room and happened to stumble upon the peppy mom and her husband standing, hidden from view, in the corner.  While I didn't hear what was going on, I SAW what was going on:  He was berating her in such a manner that I actually felt sorry for the woman.  He had such a bullying look on his face and she was almost cowering over the 'attack.'  Because they had placed themselves away from everyone else, I knew they wanted privacy so I moved on and pretended not to see anything.*  I always imagined that her peppiness was a cover up for an, at least partially, unhappy life.  This was something that I can never forget.

So, imagine my surprise when this same man shows up on campaign posters, asking for my vote on November 4.  Just proves that we have no idea who any of these people are that we are asked to vote for.  I wonder if I want to have a possible abuser represent me even at a local level.  Quite a dilemma.


*I'm sure some people would say that I did a disservice to the woman by not intervening.  I don't how to respond to this.  I REALLY don't know how to respond to this.

Another Thing I Don't Understand

I won't go into how disappointed, disheartened, depressed, and downright scared I am over the results of Tuesday's election--after all, anyone reading my bio -----> would have a good understanding of the place I am coming from.  Let's just say that I disagree with the majority and leave it at that.  However, there IS one thing that came out of the election that I WILL talk about--and here goes...

Other than fat people, possibly one of the most vilified groups in this country is smokers.  Through the years, it has been the goal of a small group to destroy every freedom any smoker has ever had in this country.  Smokers can no longer do their thing in restaurants, bars, offices, basically anywhere indoors but private residences--and I'm sure THAT will change in the years to come.  Actually, there are some places where a smoker can't even smoke outside--beaches are off-limits and there are some parks where a person can't smoke.  (Of course the biggest park--Walt Disney World--banned smoking quite a few years ago.  Thankfully this was AFTER I quite.  ;))  A smoker is not allowed to be within a certain distance of most buildings before lighting up.  And frankly, I am disgusted by this.  Even though I no longer smoke, I feel it is up to the individual establishment to decide whether or not to be smoking or non-smoking.  I feel this is a case of 'supply and demand' so to speak.  If enough people want to patronize a smoking establishment, then the place will make money.  If people want a non-smoking place to congregate in, then they will stay away from a place allowing smokers.  And this will all work itself out if given the opportunity.  I don't feel as if this is something that should be regulated by the government.  But, this is the world as we know it today.

Other than individual businesses, etc, I feel this is a violation of people's rights.  If a person wants to smoke, let them.  I don't like the idea of the US becoming more and more of a 'nanny state,' legislating the way we live our lives.  We are seeing it in other areas as well, with some cites outlawing 'super sized' soft drinks and disallowing the kinds of ingredients put in foods, all because it isn't 'healthy' for us to eat/drink the stuff.  Again, it is a person's right to eat him/herself to death if s/he so chooses.  Individual freedoms are very quickly being taken away from us and we are allowing it.

Okay, so the reasoning behind the banning of smoking is because it harms those who choose not to smoke.  Fine.  And how do we know this?  We know this because of 'statistics' and 'studies.'  I'm NOT saying that smoking is good for you--other than the fact that it is GREAT for calming a person down--but I know enough about statistics and studies to know you can make them say anything you want in order to prove your point of view.  Is this what has happened with smoking?  To a certain extent I believe it has.  But, I'm not here to debate the smoking vs non-smoking issue--I have one other thing that is bothering the hell out of me...

On Tuesday, Colorado and Washington legalized the smoking of marijuana--and people cheered.  I am not going to come down on either the pro or con side of smoking pot, but I wonder this:  why is it okay to smoke marijuana, but awful to smoke cigarettes?  I will just about guarantee that a good percentage of people ecstatic about the change in the law about pot were equally ecstatic when the smoking of cigarettes was banned.  Something just isn't right here.  And I wish this could be explained to me...

All Over But The Crying

Later today we will have voted--some have already done so.  The phone calls (thankfully) will stop and the massive mailings will no longer show up in our mailboxes.  Unfortunately, we will then have to listen to the winners crow about their victory and the losers cry about how the election was stolen from them.  But, it will be over--maybe.

Every election in recent memory has brought out the 'nasty' in a lot of people, but this one defies all understanding--and I don't know how we, as a country, will recover.  The level that a whole lot of people have gone to to vilify 'the other guy' is mind boggling.  And it just isn't on the national, front page/TV show/radio stage, either.  We saw the depths of hatred in our own neighborhoods, among our own families and friends--whether on Facebook, Twitter, or in person.  From what I understand, friendships have fallen by the wayside and families have been broken by this election.  And I am appalled by some of the things I have heard/seen.

I can't imagine what went on in people's minds to do the rude, petty, and downright mean things that happened.  For example, one thing that I saw on the interwebs really described the entire election in one grand example:

One day I was doing a bit of surfing when I came across a blog post by a woman who I do not know.  She posted a picture of her dog using the neighbor's yard as a bathroom--an offense that is punishable in many municipalities, by the way.  Next to the dog doing its thing was a political sign of a candidate this woman didn't like.  In her post, with malicious glee, she said (paraphrased), "And even the dog knows (candidate) is crappy!"

Just when did we get to this point and where do we go from here?  I fear for all of us if we don't change, and soon.  The world just doesn't make a whole lot of sense anymore.

Was It Something I Said?

Our town is run by a city commission.  The commissioners are voted in to 3-year terms and can only serve 6 years in a row.  The commissioners, in turn, vote in a mayor, who can only serve one year at a time.  This works as well--or as poorly, take your pick--as any of the types of governing bodies we have here in the US.

One of our neighbors was a commissioner/mayor several years ago.  For the most part, our commissioners aren't voted in as party members, but it isn't hard to deduce which side of the fence they are on.  The Neighbor and I are polar opposites in almost everyone of our beliefs.  However, I don't know how HE knows this fact.

K is opposed to having signs, posters, decals, bumper stickers on ANYTHING we own.  I'm surprised he 'allows' me to have a Red Wings Skin-It on my cell phone.  ;)  While I DO have a few smaller Red Wing  Skin-Its on the Envoy, K would be just as happy if it was devoid of any personality whatsoever.  (Of course, I would have the entire Envoy covered, but that is another topic.)  We never have political signs in our yard.  We don't have bumper stickers of any kind.  We don't go to political rallies and never endorse, in any way, political candidates.  Yet, our neighbor knows that K is closer to his political views than I am.  And the only way he knows/thinks this about K is that K is a union member.  Frankly, even *I* am not sure how far left OR right K leans.  Politics is not something we discuss often.

As I said, our neighbor has some experience in the political arena.  He wants more.  A few years ago--after his time on the city commission--he tried to get elected to the State House.  I'm not sure he even got out of the primaries.  A few weeks ago, he came by the house with a petition so that he could become a candidate for the commission once again.  Nothing unusual about that, except for HOW he presents these petitions.  And this is the story:

The doorbell rang in the early evening.  This in itself is a very unusual occurrence, but seeing The Neighbor at the door was even more so.  We are neighbors and friendly, but we aren't what you would consider 'friends' with him and his wife.  I opened the door and he asked if K was home.  When K came to the kitchen, The Neighbor told him that he was going to run for City Commission again and asked if K would sign his petition so that he could get on the ballot.  K agreed and The Neighbor left.  Without asking me if *I* wanted to sign the petition.  This is the second time he has done the exact same thing, so I'm assuming he knows that I don't particularly like his politics.  But I don't understand HOW he knows this.  I find this very perplexing.

After The Neighbor left, I asked K if he thought there was any chance of the man getting on the commission again.  K said he didn't know, only that he would NEVER vote him.  I really had to chuckle over that one.  ;)

A Political Post

While this MAY come off as snarky, I don't think I mean it to be such.  Well, not TOO much.  ;)

I am not a fan of the Democratic Party.  However, the Dems do something that the GOP can't--they can convince the electorate to vote a person into office that shouldn't be appointed dog catcher, better than anyone ever has.  If the GOP could do this, Sarah Palin would be sitting in the White House right now.  Now THAT'S something to think about.  ;)

All The President's Men

The other night I was channel surfing and came across the movie 'All The President's Men' on one of the movie channels.  It is the story of how the Washington Post--namely, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward--broke the story of the Watergate scandal.  I remember when I saw it the first time--I was wowed by the performances of Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford.  Actually, to be perfectly honest, I was wowed by Redford--how gorgeous he was in this movie.  Those were the years when he was his most-beautiful.  ;)  Anyway, I love to watch old movies and compare my feelings about them NOW as to how I felt THEN.  And this movie definitely has me looking at things in a different way from what I did at the time.

First off, let me say that Richard Nixon was not then, nor is now, my favorite President.  (Actually, I can't find one to accept as 'favorite,' as my assessment of the Presidents seems to change as the years go by.)  As hard as this is to say, I could never accept him as trustworthy because of his looks--he always seemed to have a bit of a weasly look to him and never looked honest.  At the time of his 'take down,' I was front and center cheering and applauding.  I thought there had never been a more crooked person to hold the office of POTUS and thought the man got much less than he deserved for what he did.  Today, I don't have quite as harsh feelings about him.

Without turning this into a Republican vs Democrat--or liberal vs conservative--thing, I do believe Nixon wouldn't have been pursued so doggedly by the Washington Post if he had not been Republican.  (This is the same as conservative reporters 'going after' Barack these days.)  The Post--and Ben Bradlee--were VERY liberal and I believe they delighted in doing what they could to smear Nixon in any possible way.  That he actually WAS dirty, made it so much better.  Also, if he wouldn't have LOOKED so damn guilty...  But, I don't believe Nixon was much different from any other POTUS that has been, is, or will be--he just happened to be the one that got caught.

Years ago there was a 'gentlemen's agreement' about what would and would not be printed about the POTUS.  Roosevelt was never photographed--or the photos were never published--sitting in his wheelchair.  The wheelchair could have given the suggestion of weakness and that wasn't a good way for the POTUS to be seen.  Even though JFK was a womanizer and his numerous affairs were some of the worst kept secrets in Washington, the papers never mentioned the fact--because there was respect shown to the office.  This is no longer the case and hasn't been for some time.  Some people think the internet and 24-hour news networks are the reason for this, but it has been a much longer time coming than that.  A good reason for this is the fact that, as a society, there has been a breakdown in common decency and respect.  Plain and simple.

It is human nature to want our leaders to be 'perfect,' or, at the very least, better than we are.  Before TV, the internet, etc, it was much easier for us to believe that those in the public eye were (or could have been) a step above us in every aspect.  Of course, we know better today.  There are very few people that show any sign of being even a little bit better than 'only human.'  And too often, we won't give our leaders the courtesy of being 'only human.'  Every one of us has something in our past that we wouldn't want examined in the cold light of day, but most of us are lucky enough to not see our mistakes talked about on the 6 O'clock News.  Unfortunately, because of the nit-picking ways of the 'opposition,' far too many highly qualified people won't even try to become elected officials.  And that is a crying shame.  Isn't it time that we allow our leaders to be human and make mistakes?  Can't we forgive youthful indiscretions?  Couldn't we look at how good of a leader a person could be and ignore a mistake from the past?  Or should we expect more from them?  I don't really know the answer, but I'm afraid that our best potential leaders will never step forward because of the unattainable standards we set for others, and can't come close to in our own lives.

Yeah, More Politics

When I was young, about the only woman politician girls could look up to was Margaret Chase Smith.  And she was pretty much it.  I, of course, have lived through the 'burn the bra' and 'you've come a long way, baby' movements--a push for women to show what they can do--so I have seen things change.  The Vietnam War was a time when so many people--women especially--started to say "women should be in power--they would do things differently."  And many listened.  Today, we have quite a few--some would say not enough, however--women in positions of power.  And we see more and more getting into power every year.

And yet, nothing has changed.

The women who have come into power were supposed to try and change things--to do things differently.  This has not been the case--we see things going on as they always have.  Women have talked about 'the old boy's club,' but the 'old girls' have joined the same club.  It is business as usual--and things don't seem to be getting any better.  Actually, a lot of the women in power seem to be more masculine than the men--and that is one scary thought.  So, we are NOT getting any different perspectives on any of the problems this country faces.

I believe one of the reasons Sarah Palin was so popular with so many people--and why she SCARED so many others--was because she was different.  Now, depending on what side of the like/hate fence you were/are on with her, this was either a good thing or a bad thing.  But, a lot of people liked the fact that she WAS different than the same old, same old.  And this is what is going to get some people elected in the coming years--being different.  After all, how else can you explain Minnesota electing Jesse Ventura?  He CERTAINLY brought something different to the table.

Many people have called on Ted Nugent to run for office here in the state of Michigan.  He has the same mindset--on gun control, hunting, natural resources--as many citizens of this state, and I could see him winning if he ran.  He wouldn't necessarily be saying things that differ from what many believe, it's just that he would do it in a manner that hasn't been seen before.  And that alone could win him an election.

While 'change' and 'different' could possibly be a good thing, it also could blow up in our faces.  We are comfortable with what we know and are scared of the unknown--and it may not be a bad thing to feel that way.  On the other hand, we may be limiting the possibilities by not trying something different.  Hmmm, I will have to think on that for a while...

Politically Speaking

I don't really do politics.  I find most politics/politicians petty and childish and I avoid it/them like the plague.  While I make sure I vote, I usually don't even think about who or what I'm voting for until just before the November election.  Until then, I just want to be left alone--which definitely doesn't happen.

A couple of weeks ago, I was bombarded with the fact that we are having primary elections with a front page story in our newspaper.  And the story was revisited the other day.  And frankly, I find it quite unbelievable on some level.

If Jimmy Carter decided to make another run at being president, in the state of Michigan he wouldn't be allowed to put the term 're-elect' on his posters/signs--it is against the law.*  We have a guy that is seeking office--an office he has held twice before.  He does NOT hold the office presently, but his signs read "Re-elect John Doe."  This is against the law--and the signs were 'reported.'  So, he went around and put duct tape over the 'Re' on the signs so that he would be in compliance with the law.  All of this is just absolutely ridiculous, as far as I'm concerned.  (And I'm not even sure if I would/will vote for 'John Doe.'  I believe I may NOT be one of his supporters.)  Politics and the absurd--a match made in heaven.

*I don't know if this law is for federal elections or just state/local ones.  Also, I have no idea if this is a law in every state, or not.

Doesn't Make Sense

Why doesn't Barack just stop with the health care thing already? Way too much energy is being spent on it when there are so many other problems facing this country. Time to give up.

Merry Christmas--Politically

Saw this during my rounds of the Gore* and thought it was pretty good.


Christmas cards sent to my friends of different persuasions:

To All My Democrat Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or explicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2010, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To My Republican Friends:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Kind of the way things are these days. :D

*Also something I picked up on my surfs--alluding to Al Gore saying he 'created' the internet.

I'm Sad

I knew the day was going to come, but I didn't expect it to come as suddenly as it did. Yesterday, I received a letter from my gynecologist saying that he is closing his office and retiring as of 15 September. I have had him as my GYN for 26 years, so this is very disconcerting news for me.

My GYN is only a couple of years older than I am, so I was shocked that he is retiring already--I expected him to work for another five years, at least. I guess I will be facing the retiring of my internist and dentist, next. This is one of the hardest things about getting older and I have not been looking forward to it at all. It will take me quite a while to get over this--if I ever will. I ADORED my GYN and always enjoyed seeing him once a year--as much as a woman could EVER enjoy her yearly exam, anyway. ;)

I think what has me most confused, though, is the speed of this retirement. I would never have expected him to give less than 2 months notice to his patients and it wouldn't have been surprising if the letter would have reached me six months ago. I hope I'm reading too much into this, but there seems to be a haste here that I find very surprising.

After mulling over the letter yesterday, I mentioned to K that there has to be more to this retirement than what is seen on the surface. I was very surprised by his confrontational response when he asked me, "Just WHAT do you think is behind it?" I told him that I was hoping this decision didn't have anything to do with the doctor's health or anyone's health in this family. K backed down and let it go at that. Later, I realized what K was asking me--whether or not I thought the retirement came out of the doctor's worry over the possibility of the health care bill being passed. The thought never occurred to me and I was taken aback to think K might be FOR the bill in any way, shape, or form. We don't talk politics a lot--mainly because I think we are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of what we believe--and it is best to stay away from it in every way. It's not easy living with someone who has opposite views than you on some important issues.

It Was Time

Over the last little while, I have been worrying more and more about the health care bill that our officials are trying to shove down our throats--and I decided that I needed to say something. So, I composed a letter/email to send to my congressman and senators. Early on Monday, I sent this:

To begin, I am not writing because I believe what one political party tells me more than another. I am not writing because some group has told me what to say. I am not a part of some big conspiracy to make your life miserable. I am an intelligent woman who has done research and reading about the health care bill. Frankly, I am scared to death that this might be passed. There are many concerns about this bill that I have, but will not repeat the ones that have been reported widely. I will zero in on one very selfish concern that I have. Hopefully, this will give you one more viewpoint to consider when you have to vote.

I have battled psoriasis for the past 35 years. This disease has not been life threatening in any way, but it has impacted my life in very negative ways. Because of this disease, I have found myself becoming more of a recluse and dreading having to leave my house, as I worry so much about what clothing to wear in order to cover my psoriasis 'spots.' The hiding of my condition and the work to try to control this disease is a big part of my life and takes quite a bit of my time. Actually, I should say it DID take up a lot of my time, because my psoriasis is under control and I'm almost 'spot' free for the first time in many, many years. And this is where my concern about the health care bill comes in.

A little over three months ago, I began using the drug Enbrel for my psoriasis. Enbrel works on auto-immune diseases such as psoriasis and works very well. This drug is also very, very expensive. For a year's supply of Enbrel, the cost is about $20,000. I don't pay this amount, as we have prescription insurance, but if there is national health care, I don't see how this medication would be approved for me to use. Now, how do I figure this? Easy. Paying $20,000 for me to have clear skin so that I can feel better about myself, seems to be a very frivolous expense. If the decision had to be made between spending that amount of money for my medication or the same amount for a child's asthma medication, who would 'win?' If I had to decide, of course the child's medication would be paid for over mine. A child would 'win' every time. But, selfish as it is, I don't want to give up how well I am feeling with this medication. Right now, we pay for our health care/prescription insurance and want to continue doing so in order to enjoy the benefits we receive.

PLEASE don't tell me not to worry, that everything will stay the same for us. Unless you, the President, and every public official can give me a written guarantee that my health insurance won't change if the health bill is passed, I WILL worry. While there needs to be some reform in the medical costs in this country, I feel as if the operative word is REFORM. I don't believe we should throw away what we have and start an entirely new and unproven program when all that is needed is some fixing of what is already in place. I ask you, please, to not support this bill and vote no. We, the voters, do not want this.

Sincerely,
cmk

As of this post, I have only had a 'thank you for contacting me' form reply from my congressman, but that is alright with me. All three of the ones I wrote to are Democrats and the two senators--Stabenow and Levin--are left of Barack in terms of how liberal they are. I don't think if either of them told me my name is cmk that I would believe/agree/trust them. As for the congressman, he was siding with the 'blue dog dems' in terms of the health care bill, but doesn't seem to be as opposed lately. The only thing he and I have in common is an opposition to abortion--other than that, he is a dem through and through. I don't want a response from any of them if it is in any way comparable to the one I received the last time I emailed the senators. The tone of the response--at least the way I read it--was the same as a parent explaining the error of a three-year-old's thinking. I found it extremely condescending and don't need to be treated that way. So, it is better to not hear a thing.

Will my email do anything? No. Do I feel better for having sent it? Yes. And I think I will continue to let my voice be heard--often.

A Followup

I wanted to say that I have no intentions of turning this into a political blog, despite my last post. The post came out of a sense of frustration that I am feeling. Lately I have been reading about the proposed universal health care that the POTUS wants implemented and I have to say I AM SCARED TO DEATH! Without going into everything that scares me, I will focus on one very selfish reason why I don't want universal health care.

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I have psoriasis. I finally have found a medication (Enbrel) that is helping to clear my skin. The cost of Enbrel for a year is $20,000. Now think about it, will I be able to get this medication under universal health care? And if I COULD get it, would I get it for the $120/year that I am paying right now? (And be truthful--would YOU be happy paying for this medication for me with your tax dollars?) This medication is CLEARING MY SKIN. My skin looks pretty much like most people's does now and that is basically what this very expensive drug is doing for me. (With on-going research, it may be shown that psoriasis IS a life-threatening disease, but right now it isn't considered as such for most people.) Does anyone think that I will be given this medication, for free, just because I want to be able to wear short-sleeved shirts in the summertime? So, let's weigh this: Me--$20,000 for clear skin vs 8-year-old child--$20,000 for asthma medication. Who is more deserving? And who would deny the child the medication just so another could feel better about him/herself? OF COURSE I would give up the medication so a child could be well!

Until someone can GUARANTEE that I will be able to see my own physician whenever I want and that I will have access to EVERY medication available and that I wouldn't have to have my tax dollars pay for procedures that I DON'T AGREE WITH (abortion), I want the government to stay the hell out of my health care!

Just WHEN Are The Libs Going To Get It?

For eight years, George Bush was lambasted by the liberals in this country. The most disgusting and obscene jokes were made--one by Whoopie Goldberg, if I recall--and then any of Bush's supporters were told to 'get over it' if they protested. Every form was used to belittle Bush in every way possible--but the libs continuously berated any conservatives for not having a thick enough hide. They threw 'free speech' into our faces and said they had every RIGHT to make whatever comments they wanted. Well, someone FINALLY dared to make a comment about Barack that is far from supportive.




These posters have been found all around L.A. and more people are planning on using them in their own protests. This has become viral on the web. T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc, are being sold.

And guess what??? The liberal democrats are SCREAMING over the RACISM this portrays and how TERRIBLE it is that anyone would think this is free speech at all! GET OVER YOURSELVES!!! The writing is on the wall, people are waking up, and the king/god is about to be defeated. Suck on that one for a while.

Very Interesting

I finished reading Mark R Levin's book Liberty and Tyranny and must say that I would recommend it to anyone. It made me think, see some things differently, and supported a lot of my beliefs with factual evidence. Unfortunately, the people who most need to read this would rather burn it than open the cover. Hopefully this country will stop the decline it is in before we reach bottom. With my pessimistic personality, I don't know if we CAN turn it around in time.

I Just Don't Understand

Shortly after Barack took office, I was walking through a store and saw some tabloid headlines saying that George W Bush was "depressed and suicidal." I overheard someone tell her companion, "He SHOULD think about killing himself after what he did to this country."

WOW.

Just WOW.

How mean, petty, and just plain UGLY is that remark.

If I said that Barack should think about killing himself, I wouldn't be surprised if Blogger closed this blog. I could just about guarantee that Facebook or Twitter WOULD suspend my account if I said that on either of those sites.

I just don't understand some people.

When Will It End?

The unemployment rate in the state of Michigan is 14.1%--and I believe the UP is higher. (I don't have the figures close by at the moment.) It is the worst in the US, which has a rate of 9.1%. And things don't seem to be getting any better anytime soon.

The beginning of June it was reported that 8 of Michigan's prisons will be closed this year--five of them in the UP. That means more people will be out of work. BUT, there is a solution that has been proposed.

Remember the closing of Gitmo and all of those terrorist prisoners that are being held there? Well, one of our government officials has suggested that we might want to have these prisoners moved to the prisons here in the UP. I don't think so. FINALLY--not that I wanted it to happen, mind you--with the closing of the air base that was close to our town, we were taken off of any target map that any enemies might have. We no longer are a concern to anyone--we are just a rural wilderness that isn't a threat to any country. (And, most aren't even sure we are part of Michigan, much less the US.) So, if we are to house terrorists, we will be back on the enemy radar. (Yes, I realize this sounds ludicrous, but the terrorists in our world are NOT logical.) And who do we have to thank for this wonderful suggestion? Democrats. Don't like that I pointed that out? Tough shit. The dems have been in power how long now? Is ANYTHING better now than it was when Engler left office? I don't think so. And Granholm has had six years to improve things--and she has sunk this state even deeper into the shit. I hope there will be some level-headed people in power if this suggestion is EVER looked at seriously. I, for one, don't want to have terrorists living down the road from me.

THIS Is What This Country Has Become

I try to not be too political on this blog--sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't. Today I am going to rant and rave and call down God's wrath--okay, not THAT bad, but still.

I. DON'T. EVER. WATCH. BEAUTY. PAGEANTS. EVER. That being said, I DO read news headlines and that is how I saw the story about the Miss USA Pageant. Seems as if during the question section, Miss California was asked about gay marriage. She said she was against it. She lost the contest--some say BECAUSE of her answer--and drama diva, out-of-the-closet gay, gossip columnist Perez Hilton has climbed onto his rainbow-colored high horse and is appalled--APPALLED, I tell ya--and ranted and raved in his blog about her and called her a dumb bitch. How DARE she say gay marriage is wrong?!?!?!?! How DARE she have a difference of opinion than this little disgusting BUG of a human being? One of the Miss USA muckity-mucks said she was wrong with bringing 'religion' into the pageant. After this, it is VERY obvious that all that is required of a beauty queen is Barbie looks and Barbie's brain.

I REALLY worry for this country. I am very conservative. That being said, I feel that if someone is gay, so be it. Do 'your thing' if you want, but do it behind closed doors as I 'do my thing.' Unfortunately, with the new 'hate crime' legislation that is about to be passed, I could be arrested for the statement I just made. I feel homosexuality is more a choice than something a person is born with. THAT statement could also get me arrested. I feel as if homosexuality is against God's law. Arrested, again. There is NO free speech in this country if it comes from the conservative, Christian perspective--it is ALL considered hate crime.

I FULLY admit to being a conspiracy theorist--anyone reading ANY of my hockey posts knows that about me ;)--but things are getting a bit ridiculous in this country. It is becoming more and more obvious to some of us that the conservative voice is being stifled at every turn. As ridiculous as some may find it, Fox news is about the only place--other than talk radio--where conservatives can actually hear some of their own opinions discussed on a daily basis. When a conservative voices an opinion--as did Miss California--the wrath of the entire mainstream media comes falling on his/her head. From nothings--like Perez Hilton--to university professors, to political heavy weights, the judgment and vitriol comes spewing forth and the condemnation is swift and intense. It takes an EXTREMELY powerful person to stand up to what rains down--and there are going to be less and less people able/willing to do so. Thus, the conservative voice WILL be stifled--and our country will be poorer for it.

Before anyone says that conservatives stifle liberals, all I have to say is "You've GOTTA be kidding!" The majority of media in this country IS liberal, so the liberal agenda is ALWAYS in the spotlight. And so be it. Just let the other side be heard, too. I don't care WHAT your point of view is--even if I find it vile--I think you have the right to be heard. The liberals don't seem to feel the same way. What are they afraid of? That if people hear a different point of view that they may agree with it? It is very much like negotiations between unions and management: Ask for way more than what you want, counter with way less than what you will give, and things will even out somewhere in the middle where everyone can live comfortably. The same with speech, please.

For anything that I said that may have offended someone, I apologize. I know gays and have gays in my family--and I love them no less than any other person. A person's 'gayness' is between him/her and God just as any other 'sin' that someone may commit. Yes, I said being gay is a sin--just as my jealousy over my best friend's slenderness is a sin and my NOT keeping God as number one in my life is a sin! (Sin is sin--one is no more 'horrible' to God than any other.) I sin every day and I must reconcile myself with God every day--something I don't always achieve, I admit. God loves each person He has created, He just doesn't love the sins that we commit. This is my 'opinion,' if you will--but I am allowed to have an opinion.

I don't know how to end this post. I am very upset and very afraid of what will happen in this country. And I see very little that can be done to stop the downfall of this great nation.*






*I may not live to see it, but this country WILL be brought to its knees--and not in a good way. (Another thing that could get me arrested.)