Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Women are Heros too
Quote from a piece by Henry Rollins in regards to the Steubenville rapes: "So, how do you fix that? I’m just shooting rubber bands at the night sky but here are a few ideas: Put women’s studies in high school the curriculum from war heroes to politicians, writers, speakers, activists, revolutionaries and let young people understand that women have been kicking ass in high threat conditions for ages and they are worthy of respect.
Total sex ed in school. Learn how it all works. Learn what the definition of statutory rape is and that it is rape, that date rape is rape, that rape is rape."
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
President Thanking Staff
Just love how real and genuine his feelings and emotions are in this video.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Sister Giant
I like Marianne Williamson. I have for many years. I have the Course in Miracles which she wrote a book based on that practice. I also have her prayer book. Now she is getting involved in politics - in getting women involved specifically. She has some interesting things on her new website Sister Giant and really enjoyed listening to this video she posted there too.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
My Health Insurance History
One thing I hear people complaining about is Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) for the elections. But so many of the things I see people saying aren't accurate. I wish people would actually read the facts of it. It can be confusing, but it is just sad that so many things that people say it will do - it won't. Such as having the government tell you what drugs you can and can't have - it won't do that. It is up to your doctor what drugs you can and can't have - as it always has been well...except when insurance companies say no. I have had that happen in the past. See that is what I don't get many things that people are saying are going to happen - insurance companies already do, continue to do, and have been for all of my life.
Something I keep reading is how people are upset that their health insurance is going up or things that were covered aren't anymore...so I thought I would share my personal history with health insurance because for as long as I can remember it has been that way...and it is the insurance companies doing it not the government. Not President Obama since for the majority of my health insurance coverage was before he was President.
As a child I was of course covered by my parents insurance, I do remember when we moved to Omaha my Mom asked around about doctors and found us a doctor several people recommended. We really liked this doctor, but one year Dad's health insurance changed and the insurance company would only let us see someone on "their list." I remember both my parents being upset about this, but we did it. We found a doctor we liked that wasn't too far from our home. I know the price went up - on and off throughout the years too.
When I was married to my ex-husband, he had a good job with good insurance. But again you had to choose a doctor off the list. I wanted to see a woman doctor and they had 2 women on the list - that is all. I ended up on a waiting list for one of the female doctors. I remember having the insurance say they wouldn't pay for certain meds or procedures. I remember one year the monthly price doubled for him and it tripled in price to cover me. Another year all our co-pays changed - where regular gp doctor visits were a different co-pay then seeing a specialty and doing our labs.
Michael's insurance when he worked for an state organization was really actually horrible. His co-pays for regular gp doctor visits were him paying 80% out of pocket. And the insurance only covering 20%. Even though he paid a lot of money each month into it. During his time with that organization, the insurance went up several times. His co-pays totally switched around and again he had meds denied by the insurance company even though it was what the doctor wanted.
Since I divorced, I haven't had health insurance really. Well, I had it once for a while, but it was so expensive and it didn't cover my asthma or migraines. Right now Michael and I don't have health insurance for the same reason. We are denied a lot because of our pre-existing conditions or they will give us health insurance, but won't cover the pre-existing conditions ever or for a set period of time without incident of the condition. So I have asthma if I go without an asthma attack in 2 years or 3 or whatever set amount of time then they will start covering it. So really I won't get it covered because although I have went a long time without an asthma problem - the older I get the more likely I am to have problems again. Migraines I don't go without - I have them anywhere from 5 to 15 days a month. So not like that will be something they will cover ever. Well now they have to though with Obamacare. So I am thankful I might have some insurance and coverage so that medical costs won't drained our bank account.
Health insurance businesses are in it to get money and they can't get money if they are paying for all of our medical costs so of course throughout history they have raised our premiums, co-pays, denied coverage for procedures, doctors, meds and so on. Not sure why...it is okay to blame President Obama for them when they have been doing that as long as I have been alive.
Something I keep reading is how people are upset that their health insurance is going up or things that were covered aren't anymore...so I thought I would share my personal history with health insurance because for as long as I can remember it has been that way...and it is the insurance companies doing it not the government. Not President Obama since for the majority of my health insurance coverage was before he was President.
As a child I was of course covered by my parents insurance, I do remember when we moved to Omaha my Mom asked around about doctors and found us a doctor several people recommended. We really liked this doctor, but one year Dad's health insurance changed and the insurance company would only let us see someone on "their list." I remember both my parents being upset about this, but we did it. We found a doctor we liked that wasn't too far from our home. I know the price went up - on and off throughout the years too.
When I was married to my ex-husband, he had a good job with good insurance. But again you had to choose a doctor off the list. I wanted to see a woman doctor and they had 2 women on the list - that is all. I ended up on a waiting list for one of the female doctors. I remember having the insurance say they wouldn't pay for certain meds or procedures. I remember one year the monthly price doubled for him and it tripled in price to cover me. Another year all our co-pays changed - where regular gp doctor visits were a different co-pay then seeing a specialty and doing our labs.
Michael's insurance when he worked for an state organization was really actually horrible. His co-pays for regular gp doctor visits were him paying 80% out of pocket. And the insurance only covering 20%. Even though he paid a lot of money each month into it. During his time with that organization, the insurance went up several times. His co-pays totally switched around and again he had meds denied by the insurance company even though it was what the doctor wanted.
Since I divorced, I haven't had health insurance really. Well, I had it once for a while, but it was so expensive and it didn't cover my asthma or migraines. Right now Michael and I don't have health insurance for the same reason. We are denied a lot because of our pre-existing conditions or they will give us health insurance, but won't cover the pre-existing conditions ever or for a set period of time without incident of the condition. So I have asthma if I go without an asthma attack in 2 years or 3 or whatever set amount of time then they will start covering it. So really I won't get it covered because although I have went a long time without an asthma problem - the older I get the more likely I am to have problems again. Migraines I don't go without - I have them anywhere from 5 to 15 days a month. So not like that will be something they will cover ever. Well now they have to though with Obamacare. So I am thankful I might have some insurance and coverage so that medical costs won't drained our bank account.
Health insurance businesses are in it to get money and they can't get money if they are paying for all of our medical costs so of course throughout history they have raised our premiums, co-pays, denied coverage for procedures, doctors, meds and so on. Not sure why...it is okay to blame President Obama for them when they have been doing that as long as I have been alive.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
I'm Voting
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I don't think any politician ever does or says everything I want them to do. I am not totally happy with President Obama. But I do feel the President is more representative of the man I want in the White House when I lo
ok at his record. Romney scares me - he has held a man down, beat him and cut his hair and his views on women rights would take us backwards instead of forward. I want many people who are close to me to have equality - and be able to get married and I know Romney is against Gays/Lesbians. I want more support of Veterans and Romney again hardly ever mentions then except clumping them into the 47% but never clearly on what he would do for them. Really everything thing I care about Romney is against or flip flops back and forth on. I can't trust anything he says. At least I see where the President has said and done some of the things he said he would. Not all and not all completely in a way I would like but at least I see a clearer message and record. So I am voting for President Obama.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
#OccupyWallstreet
I have been totally hung up on this website for the last several days. It really is getting to me. I feel often at times we are struggling but then I read things like I am reading on this website and am thankful for the roof over our head and the work coming to the business. Michael works really hard and I am proud of all he does to keep moving forward. Our story pales in comparison to most of the folks I read about. We are in the 99 percent - but we're grateful for what we have as most folks are in much worse shape.
http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/
http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Ten Years Later
Monday, May 02, 2011
Moving Forward
I am not sure what to say about last nights events. Part of me is very relieved and maybe feels some justice was served for all those he killed. I am not rejoicing or joyful. But I am hoping that there is some peace to come - certainly not as an end to terrorism as I know that isn't ending but maybe peace for some people who have had family members killed.
From the Maddow Blog:
From the Maddow Blog:
"Since then, 2,441 coalition troops have lost their lives in Afghanistan. Another 4,770 have died in Iraq. God only knows how many civilians have been killed. We're so far from being out of this. And yet, somehow, through courage and perseverance, the wheel of history just rolled forward."
Monday, March 22, 2010
Health Reform
"This legislation will not fix everything that ails our health care system, but it moves us decisively in the right direction," Obama said shortly after the historic vote.
I agree with him that it won't fix everything but I guess only time will tell if it moves us in the right direction. I am not very happy with how things turned out.
I think the democrats - as always - have problems executing what their voters want. They were put in with the majority - you would think that they would get the clue. But of course not. So the health reform bill - I think really won't help Michael and I very much. And again as things are right now it is better for Michael and I not to get married and the same will most likely go with the healthy reform bill that was passed. But as I said above only time will tell.
Edit to add: I think this link does a pretty good job of describing the bill - Health care reform bill 101: what the bill means to you
I agree with him that it won't fix everything but I guess only time will tell if it moves us in the right direction. I am not very happy with how things turned out.
I think the democrats - as always - have problems executing what their voters want. They were put in with the majority - you would think that they would get the clue. But of course not. So the health reform bill - I think really won't help Michael and I very much. And again as things are right now it is better for Michael and I not to get married and the same will most likely go with the healthy reform bill that was passed. But as I said above only time will tell.
Edit to add: I think this link does a pretty good job of describing the bill - Health care reform bill 101: what the bill means to you
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Not Responsible = No Health Care
On Facebook a couple weeks ago there was one of those chain-letter-statuses going around: "...no one should die because they cannot afford health care and no one should go broke because they get sick. If you agree, post this as your status for the rest of the day."
Many of my friends and family posted it. Just take a look at the statement as a statement. If you ask your neighbors and family if they wouldn't want their family to go broke or die because they couldn't afford health care most would say they wouldn't want that to happen. Most of us could probably agree on that or at least I hope others wouldn't want us to go broke or die because we couldn't afford health care.
One of my relatives posted the statement (I did too) but then she had a reply from someone on her friend's list that made me shake my head. I am totally baffled that someone would actually believe it...I am going to paraphrase....but basically he said that "people who can't afford health care should stop driving fancy cars and spending money on other luxury items. And people just need to be responsible."
What? Really?
Where is the compassion? Did we lose that somewhere? Is it okay that 47 million people don't have health insurance? Is it okay that our neighbors and people in our families struggle to pay their health care bills? Has the politics and viral emails worked to create the stereotype that every poor person who can't afford health insurance has fancy cars and other luxury items? How did we get so blinded by the stereotype that removes compassion and replaces it with something unrecognizable?
Michael and I don't lead a luxurious life. We never have. We don't have a fancy TV. We have a car that is functional for our business, but it's hardly a luxury mobile. We might get Chinese take-out once in a blue moon. We scour the weekly sales because we want good deals to make our money last longer. With how the state of the economy has been for us lately we have had to cut out even normal daily things for cheaper brands. I used to wash my hair with Pantene, not the $20 Paul Mitchell stuff, but Pantene. It was the one shampoo I have found that leaves my hair manageable in our dry climate. I now use whatever I can find the cheapest. I used to have a diet coke a day. I now drink one about a week. We cut out many things that were "luxuries" because we have our own business and the economy has sucked.
Yeah, some people make poor decisions but I imagine there is a very limited few that are driving around in their luxury mobiles flashing their bling worrying about how to pay for their health care. And really when you think about how many people try to beat the system it doesn't just go to one economic class.
But I am not trying to beat the system. I am trying to get quality health care at a price that I can afford. I am one of the 47 million people that doesn't have health insurance. I have asthma. It is a pre-existing illness. So when I apply for insurance I am turned down. The ones that will cover me - I can't afford and on top of that they won't cover asthma or I would have to pay outrageous premiums have it covered. I am on a drug that I am lucky to get at a discount - because if I had to pay full price it would be $187 a month. There is no way I could afford that.
Michael hurt his knee 3 years ago and hasn't been able to get any help for it because we can't afford it because he has no insurance also. Again, it's a pre-existing condition. Recently we saw a wonderful Doctor who will work with us on making payments to get Michael's knee fixed, but we still might not be able to afford it because if it comes down to making our house payment or making a surgery bill - the house bill will come first.
Unfortunately this is normal for us. We opt to not go to the doctor because we know we won't be able to afford the drugs or tests they will want.
And really our story isn't even close to the worst or the saddest ones out there. I just read an op-ed the other day that was beyond sad and unfortunately I think this is becoming more the norm every day. So many like us are just in the middle class bracket (or just barely) that can easily go broke paying for healthcare. The person that replied to my relative's post irritated me. The implication that we just weren't being responsible is the unfortunate perception. I often hear opposition against health care reform that is from the people who actually have health insurance. I really don't think they understand how hard it is when you are without it. Even when the President presents his plan - saying that it's not going to change their insurance, it doesn't matter. To them, it's okay that Michael and I along with millions of other families out there go without basic health care. I simply don't get that. Even if I had coverage or insurance - I still would never want to read another story about someone suffering or dying like the ones I've been reading.
Do we really lack compassion to not want to give everyone in the United States the right to health care?
Is this the United States we recognize?
Many of my friends and family posted it. Just take a look at the statement as a statement. If you ask your neighbors and family if they wouldn't want their family to go broke or die because they couldn't afford health care most would say they wouldn't want that to happen. Most of us could probably agree on that or at least I hope others wouldn't want us to go broke or die because we couldn't afford health care.
One of my relatives posted the statement (I did too) but then she had a reply from someone on her friend's list that made me shake my head. I am totally baffled that someone would actually believe it...I am going to paraphrase....but basically he said that "people who can't afford health care should stop driving fancy cars and spending money on other luxury items. And people just need to be responsible."
What? Really?
Where is the compassion? Did we lose that somewhere? Is it okay that 47 million people don't have health insurance? Is it okay that our neighbors and people in our families struggle to pay their health care bills? Has the politics and viral emails worked to create the stereotype that every poor person who can't afford health insurance has fancy cars and other luxury items? How did we get so blinded by the stereotype that removes compassion and replaces it with something unrecognizable?
Michael and I don't lead a luxurious life. We never have. We don't have a fancy TV. We have a car that is functional for our business, but it's hardly a luxury mobile. We might get Chinese take-out once in a blue moon. We scour the weekly sales because we want good deals to make our money last longer. With how the state of the economy has been for us lately we have had to cut out even normal daily things for cheaper brands. I used to wash my hair with Pantene, not the $20 Paul Mitchell stuff, but Pantene. It was the one shampoo I have found that leaves my hair manageable in our dry climate. I now use whatever I can find the cheapest. I used to have a diet coke a day. I now drink one about a week. We cut out many things that were "luxuries" because we have our own business and the economy has sucked.
Yeah, some people make poor decisions but I imagine there is a very limited few that are driving around in their luxury mobiles flashing their bling worrying about how to pay for their health care. And really when you think about how many people try to beat the system it doesn't just go to one economic class.
But I am not trying to beat the system. I am trying to get quality health care at a price that I can afford. I am one of the 47 million people that doesn't have health insurance. I have asthma. It is a pre-existing illness. So when I apply for insurance I am turned down. The ones that will cover me - I can't afford and on top of that they won't cover asthma or I would have to pay outrageous premiums have it covered. I am on a drug that I am lucky to get at a discount - because if I had to pay full price it would be $187 a month. There is no way I could afford that.
Michael hurt his knee 3 years ago and hasn't been able to get any help for it because we can't afford it because he has no insurance also. Again, it's a pre-existing condition. Recently we saw a wonderful Doctor who will work with us on making payments to get Michael's knee fixed, but we still might not be able to afford it because if it comes down to making our house payment or making a surgery bill - the house bill will come first.
Unfortunately this is normal for us. We opt to not go to the doctor because we know we won't be able to afford the drugs or tests they will want.
And really our story isn't even close to the worst or the saddest ones out there. I just read an op-ed the other day that was beyond sad and unfortunately I think this is becoming more the norm every day. So many like us are just in the middle class bracket (or just barely) that can easily go broke paying for healthcare. The person that replied to my relative's post irritated me. The implication that we just weren't being responsible is the unfortunate perception. I often hear opposition against health care reform that is from the people who actually have health insurance. I really don't think they understand how hard it is when you are without it. Even when the President presents his plan - saying that it's not going to change their insurance, it doesn't matter. To them, it's okay that Michael and I along with millions of other families out there go without basic health care. I simply don't get that. Even if I had coverage or insurance - I still would never want to read another story about someone suffering or dying like the ones I've been reading.
Do we really lack compassion to not want to give everyone in the United States the right to health care?
Is this the United States we recognize?
Sunday, September 13, 2009
A PSA for Equality
As Michael said over on Facebook...Makes one rethink that whole "traditional" marriage bit....
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
This is SO GOOD!
Winner of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Rights Award at the sixth annual "Media that Matters" film festival.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Dr. Tiller
I just heard about Dr. George Tiller being shot. These are the things that frustrate and sadden me so much....a person was upset that he "killed babies" so took it upon himself as a "Pro-Lifer" to kill Dr. Tiller at his church on Pentacost. How can you be fight for Pro-Life and kill anyone? I don't get it. I don't understand how someone can do that no matter their beliefs.
The Tiller family's statement: "This is particularly heart-wrenching because George was shot down in his house of worship, a place of peace."
Links to news articles:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104766374
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090531/us_nm/us_usa_abortion_shooting
http://www.kansascity.com/657/story/1225769.html
The Tiller family's statement: "This is particularly heart-wrenching because George was shot down in his house of worship, a place of peace."
Links to news articles:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104766374
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090531/us_nm/us_usa_abortion_shooting
http://www.kansascity.com/657/story/1225769.html
Monday, May 11, 2009
I support gay marriage
I just ordered a free sticker to support gay marriage here is the letter that they sent out to share for others to order the sticker also...Dear friend,
After a lot of years of devastating setbacks in the fight for marriage equality, it seems like we're finally moving in the right direction. With marriage legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and Maine, and the fights going strong in New Hampshire, New York and California, this movement is gaining more momentum every day, and I'm excited to be a part of it.
To that end, I wanted to let you know that CREDO Action is giving away some awesome stickers about supporting gay marriage - I think you'd really like them. I just got mine - if you have a minute, click this link to check out the stickers and get one of your own (for free!).
https://act.credoaction.com/stickers/?r_by=-305079-qIAw7ix&rc=fb.connect&sp=i_love_love
Thanks!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Don't Divorce....
A friend had this video on her blog. She just got married this summer in California to her partner so might be one of the couples forced to get a divorce. It is upsetting. So this video is made in support of the Courage Campaign to fight it.
"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.
"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Homeless in America
So the other day Michael and I watched - well he watched and I listened - to President Obama's town hall meeting in Florida. During it a woman who sounded like she was on the verge of tears and talked of living in her car with her son. And asked if the stimulus package would help them. Later I found her son was laid off from a computer programing job so couldn't keep their house payments up. I was instantly in tears of course watching her... and feeling for her.
Here is a link to the Huffington Post with the clip of Henrietta Hughes asking President Obama her question.
When trying to find the link to that clip, I made a mistake by clicking on a conservative right blog. It went on and on how it was staged. I have read the news articles with photos of people standing in line for tickets. And doesn't seem it was staged. The next thing they complained about is how a homeless woman could have stockings on, a decent looking dress and nice hair but be living in a car. That they had never seen homeless people that didn't have matted hair, dirty clothes and stunk. I was appalled that people would talk about people less fortunate like that.
As someone who has worked in homeless shelters and known people who were homeless at one point or another in their life. I can say that if they got a ticket to see President Obama - they would have been in a bathroom at a public park getting ready if need be. And I am sure that is what Henrietta Hughes did and that is sad that someone has to do live like that.
I found another post on Huffington Post about helping people like Henrietta Hughes. And trying to find solutions.
I suggest taking a look at Change.org that is a social networking site to learn about causes, connect with people good people working for change and take action.
Here is a link to the Huffington Post with the clip of Henrietta Hughes asking President Obama her question.
When trying to find the link to that clip, I made a mistake by clicking on a conservative right blog. It went on and on how it was staged. I have read the news articles with photos of people standing in line for tickets. And doesn't seem it was staged. The next thing they complained about is how a homeless woman could have stockings on, a decent looking dress and nice hair but be living in a car. That they had never seen homeless people that didn't have matted hair, dirty clothes and stunk. I was appalled that people would talk about people less fortunate like that.
As someone who has worked in homeless shelters and known people who were homeless at one point or another in their life. I can say that if they got a ticket to see President Obama - they would have been in a bathroom at a public park getting ready if need be. And I am sure that is what Henrietta Hughes did and that is sad that someone has to do live like that.
I found another post on Huffington Post about helping people like Henrietta Hughes. And trying to find solutions.
I suggest taking a look at Change.org that is a social networking site to learn about causes, connect with people good people working for change and take action.
Monday, January 26, 2009
100 Things | West Wing
15. I am a HUGE West Wing fan.
I mean HUGE! Just talking writing about it right now will give me this need to watch it again.
In 2004, I was folding clothes in the living room so flipping through channels trying to find something to watch while I did that task I dislike so much. And I found repeats of West Wing on Bravo. It ended up being a very moving episode in which I ended up in tears (not hard to do in the first place.) Michael was passing through the living room and stopped to watch some with me - and well from there he was hooked. He had never really seen it before. And the writing of West Wing is really amazing so that it was hard for us to not become addicted. We ended up recording episodes from there and watching it daily.
Eventually we started slowly getting the seasons on DVD. And it one we go to often. We will have West Wing days where we will snuggle up on the couch and watch West Wing all day. Recently we hooked Michael's parents on it.
It doesn't matter how many times we have seen them. We still cheer, cry (okay so I cry and Michael doesn't), laugh and get invested in it. It is good entertainment, good life lessons plus it taught me some things about government I didn't know before. I mean Josh's lessons to Donna alone were good refreshers of how the government works.
I could never name a favorite episode because there are so many. You should hear me when we are watching the DVD's - the start of the episode will come on and it will jog my memory of which one it is and I turn to Michael and say this is a good one. And if I don't do it at the beginning I always do it at the end saying that was a good one. Almost almost EVERY episode I say that. I also don't have a favorite character because I love them all. Each has great depth of personality and passion.
What spawned this 100 things post was I found this video that does the West Wing theme/opening but with President Obama and his staff.
I mean HUGE! Just talking writing about it right now will give me this need to watch it again.
In 2004, I was folding clothes in the living room so flipping through channels trying to find something to watch while I did that task I dislike so much. And I found repeats of West Wing on Bravo. It ended up being a very moving episode in which I ended up in tears (not hard to do in the first place.) Michael was passing through the living room and stopped to watch some with me - and well from there he was hooked. He had never really seen it before. And the writing of West Wing is really amazing so that it was hard for us to not become addicted. We ended up recording episodes from there and watching it daily.
Eventually we started slowly getting the seasons on DVD. And it one we go to often. We will have West Wing days where we will snuggle up on the couch and watch West Wing all day. Recently we hooked Michael's parents on it.
It doesn't matter how many times we have seen them. We still cheer, cry (okay so I cry and Michael doesn't), laugh and get invested in it. It is good entertainment, good life lessons plus it taught me some things about government I didn't know before. I mean Josh's lessons to Donna alone were good refreshers of how the government works.
I could never name a favorite episode because there are so many. You should hear me when we are watching the DVD's - the start of the episode will come on and it will jog my memory of which one it is and I turn to Michael and say this is a good one. And if I don't do it at the beginning I always do it at the end saying that was a good one. Almost almost EVERY episode I say that. I also don't have a favorite character because I love them all. Each has great depth of personality and passion.
What spawned this 100 things post was I found this video that does the West Wing theme/opening but with President Obama and his staff.
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