I have a confession

*sigh* I didn't watch the State of the Union address last night. I think that's my first skipped speech in over 10 years.  I'm sure the anti-Obama legion is saying, "Right on, Sister! Join our excessively rude and possibly racist campaign to hate a living human being for ill-defined reasons!"  Alas, being anti-Obama is definitely not the cause (and I need more justification to hate a man than some half-phrases he supposedly said in college).  I am simply exhausted by politics.

I hate all rhetoric.  I'm disgusted by propaganda. I hate the us versus them theology (so irritated by every GOP who just sat there and didn't applaud. I don't freakin' care WHO is the President - show some bleeping respect).  I am incapable of supporting the falsehoods used by both sides.  I long for a bit of sanity.  I am not a hateful person, so I won't be joining the pro-defamation leagues beloved by adherents to each ideology.  I've just had it with the impossible.

I did hear a few snippets on the Jon Stewart show.  After talking about the President's plan to raise the minimum wage on Federal contracts, Jon Stewart said, "He's reached the effit point of his presidency."  Personally, I would have been there about 4 years ago.  President Obama really is a patient man.  I couldn't have held a single meeting with the House without throwing something (or someone) out a window and telling every single person to grow up and learn to compromise.

When did compromise become an ugly word? When did we lose the ability to talk to each other? When did we ever convince ourselves that being rude, boorish and stubborn would create anything other than chaos?  We have lost our respect for democracy.  And that, my friends, is much more of a threat to our existence than either party ideology.

So, I didn't watch.  I have lost my optimism.  I've always believed that people are essentially good, but, lately, Americans seem to only be "good" at being ignorant.  I still believe in America.  I just haven't seen the ideals we supposedly cherish in so long that being confronted by our current hypocrisy just causes me pain.  Yet I remain hopeful - maybe next year I will have found my political mojo once again.  Maybe next year, we will see democracy in action.  Maybe next year, we will actually be the land of the free and the home of the brave.  Maybe next year, we will invite the poor and hungry to our shores.  Maybe next year, we will praise God without judging others.  Maybe next year, we will care about our land, our air, our children, and our future.  Maybe next year, we will be a land of opportunity. Maybe. Just maybe.

Of course, the video today may explain part of my bah-humbug-ness of present.  I really need some food.  After gorging myself on cheese (see video), I only had 125 Calories for dinner.  I'm hungry.  Very, very hungry.  Oh so hungry.

But other than that, I had such a good project day!  In fact, it's 7:56 pm and I'm done! Yay!!

Daily Reporting Table

Task	Completed!	Partially Complete	Not completed
Physical/Emotional Goals
2 ½ cups vegetables	X
Caloric intake < 1500/day	X
300 min/week moderate exercise	X
Sleep 8 hours per day			X
Complete a brain exercise daily	X
Clean hands per CDC guidelines	X
Professional Goals
8 hours focused work daily	X
Arrive at work before 8:30 am	X
Wear make-up and fashionable clothes	X
Leave work at work	X
Spiritual Goals
Read scriptures 10 minutes per day	X
Pray on my knees twice daily		X
Meditate 10 minutes daily	X
Parenting Goals
Absolutely no harsh treatment	X
If I say it, I have to do it immediately	X
Family meals (No TV, sitting at table)		X
One-on-one listening time	X
Limit screen time to 2 hrs or less	X
Read for 20 minutes daily	X
In their own beds by 8:30 pm	X
Home/Finance Goals
Stick to a strict budget	X
Clutter-free home	X
Social Goals
Listen more than I talk		X
Speak only positive ideas	X
Call someone on the phone	X

Score: 22.5/25 = 90%  Woo hoo!

 

Yup. I support a public option.

The same thing happened to my husband. We spent MONTHS arguing with our insurance company. Finally, I basically spammed congress with the story and then, magically, the company agreed to pay.

I hate for-profit insurance.

yes, Virginia, there is a reality...

Lily Tomlin made a great ad about the need for improved healthcare in America...




Thought I'd share...

I've so had it with opposition without purpose

I've decided what's wrong with our government. It's the toddlers. Oh, no, not the nation's ACTUAL toddlers but the bevy of lawmakers who run about shouting "NO" regardless of whether they're offered a cookie or a spanking.

You see, after age 4, it's anticipated that humans will learn to weight options and make careful decisions about saying no. But that's not the case with the average Republican lawmaker. No...even when they campaigned as a friend of a good idea, when the day for the vote comes, they shout "NO" and tantrum their way back into the headlines. Well, I now echo the democratic leaders as I say:

"Republicans are going to oppose health care reform, no matter how many
concessions Democrats make...There's simply no need for bipartisan talks...and
Obama and Democratic lawmakers should stop chasing GOP cooperation that will
never materialize."

Just like any good parent, it's time to stop asking the toddlers for their opinion. Sometimes, things are just good for the toddlers, whether they tantrum about it or not. After all, you don't let a toddler touch a hot stove just because he or she screams "NO" when you stop the wayward hand. You don't let the toddler rush out into traffic just because he or she will toss onto the sidewalk and scream in opposition if you halt the life-devouring act. So, the day has come to accept the Republican temper tantrum and still do what's best for the nation.

Here are some facts for the reality-based:

1. Healthcare rationing is already a way of life.

I deal with this every day. Insurance companies decide which drugs can be prescribed, which doctors can be seen, which procedures are logical, and which specialists may be consulted. I work with a disease called Cystic Fibrosis. Every best practices document in the world repeats that a dietitian is a vital part of CF treatment. But can the children see me? Nope. Not a covered benefit. If the family wants, they can "pay out of pocket" but when families face hundreds of dollars in copays, they don't add on the service. This is healthcare rationing. The industry is deciding what healthcare you can have. So, here's the real question: do you want an executive with a balance sheet determining if you get proper treatment or would you like some say? Do you know that 80% of the care YOU RECEIVE is contrary to best practices for your condition? It is...and a huge reason for that is that your HMO, PPO, or medical group won't authorize the proper treatment.

Personally, I like public programs. My kids on public programs (Medicare, California Care) are much healthier, get better and more rapid care, and have access to anything mentioned as a best practice. That's how government programs run - they are mandated to provide the care deemed appropriate by national health groups. Huh. That sounds like a good practice. It sounds like what people would want.

So - bullshit now called on the "healthcare rationing" tantrum.

2. No one is going to kill granny.

Really. Idiots. Is Medicare killing granny? No. So, it's unlikely that we're going to start now if we've let all these grannies live to ripe old ages for the past 30 years.

Oh & by the way - my medical insurance once had a "death squad" on my behalf. I had an extreme cluster headache that failed to respond to pain medication. My doctor wanted an MRI to rule out anything truly scary, like a tumor. I wasn't dying - that was obvious - but we couldn't stop the headache. The doctor submitted the request for authorization and was told, "Patient may not be viable (aka having capacity for life). Please resubmit authorization once viability established." In other words, my insurance company was betting on my death and wanted to save itself a few thousand dollars rather than diagnose my impending doom.

So, the reality is that when you get expensive sick, your insurance company stops paying. That's their version of a death squad and I see it over and over and over again here at the hospital - by denying care, they deny life. Personally, I'll take Medicare since I've watched Medicare grannies and kids on Medicaid yanked back from death until they sign paperwork saying they're ready for it - that's much nicer than some businessman who has never met me trying to save himself a buck by encouraging me to die.

While I'm on the subject...that's another bullshit call for the "don't kill granny" tantrum.

3. Capitalism means that if we create a better product, the entire industry will evolve to provide the better product. It's good for business to have competition.

The claim is that a public option will drive private insurers out of business and that is anti-free market economics. Okay, the first part is likely true. HOWEVER, the second part is pure tantrum. It's pro-capitalism to create a better, cheaper, more effective product and let the market readjust. The insurance companies have had 30 years to do this on their own - they opted not to do so because, dangit, the profit was too good! So, the time has come to create that better product. There needs to be a shift towards the better, cheaper, more effective product so that the market can readjust. That's capitalism. You know, that thing that supposedly Democrats don't understand (major BULLSHIT there since we're the group that wants EVERYBODY to have an equal voice!)...but in capitalism, the better product gets the customers. Toyota drove the American cars out of business because it built better cars for less money. The public option may drive the private insurers out of their cushy pensions for a while, but then the market will readjust and the private companies will begin to make a better product (or die, as the American car makers chose to do until this recession finally woke them up a little).

So, I have to call BULLSHIT on this confusion of facts. It's just another tantrum.

4. Quality will likely improve with a public option.

Do you know that Medicare is the medical insurance plan with the highest patient satisfaction and best outcomes (despite the fact that 100% of its beneficiaries die - they're just old, folks) in the nation? Guess what has the lowest satisfaction...private insurance plans!!!

Also, guess which countries boast the highest satisfaction and best outcomes? It ain't the US of A, my friends. It's France with its completely socialized system that has somehow led to extremely long lifespans despite terrible lifestyles and Germany with the hybrid system (part private, part public) we're trying to enact here. You see, they're healthier than we are. They get better care. They focus more on prevention and so the public is happier and lives richer lives. And that bullshit about wait times? Guess what - Americans wait longer than Canadians for most appointments and surgeries. Oh, and Canadians are happier with their healthcare than we are.

So, we call bullshit on the "poor quality" argument...reform will likely create better care that will satisfy us more. Sorry, Republicans, but this one is just another tantrum.


I could go on for a really long time because it's all just tantrumy bullshit. We need to change the system and we need to stop letting wealth determine health - because that's bad business. The time has come for Papa America to ignore the whines of his little herd and just do the right thing for the family. Really - the time is past.

But that said, none of us have much hope. The truth is that America is focused on the whiners. That's why a group of the smartest minds in medicine sat around a table the other day with heads in hands lamenting the foolishness of the American people. As practitioners, they see the truth - they are limited in bad ways by insurance companies and only reform can restore them to the way they need to practice in order to improve lives. But that's not likely to happen because Republican tantrums have already effectively terrified the easily swayed public. The dream of Obama has past - in the end, Americans are just whinerbabies who would rather run headlong towards healthcare disaster than face the fear born of progress.

Of course, the medical professionals in question would love to be proven wrong. Please. Prove us wrong. Ignore the tantrums and help the people...help yourself...by choosing reform.

So tired of the bullshit...

Yeah. I said it.

So, America, stop listening to the overpropagandized fearmongering. Resist the urge to believe every bit of unsolicited junk mailk or inbox SPAM that is full of stinky manure. And when I say 'America' - I really mean 'senators' and, in particular, any ex-governors of small northern states.


On healthcare...the real stuff....

WASHINGTON – Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin says the health care overhaul bill would set up a "death panel." Federal bureaucrats would play God, ruling on whether ailing seniors are worth enough to society to deserve life-sustaining medical care. Palin and other critics are wrong.

Nothing in the legislation would carry out such a bleak vision. The provision that has caused the uproar would instead authorize Medicare to pay doctors for counseling patients about end-of-life care, if the patient wishes. Here are some questions and answers on the controversy:

Q: Does the health care legislation bill promote "mercy killing," or euthanasia?

A: No.

Q: Then what's all the fuss about?

A: A provision in the House bill written by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., would allow Medicare to pay doctors for voluntary counseling sessions that address end-of-life issues. The conversations between doctor and patient would include living wills, making a close relative or a trusted friend your health care proxy, learning about hospice as an option for the terminally ill, and information about pain medications for people suffering chronic discomfort.
The sessions would be covered every five years, more frequently if someone is gravely ill.

Q: Does the bill advocate assisted suicide?

A: No. It would block funds for counseling that presents suicide or assisted suicide as an option.

Q: Who supports the provision?

A: The American Medical Association, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and Consumers Union are among the groups supporting the provision. AARP, the seniors' lobby, is taking out print advertisements this week that label as false the claim that the legislation will empower the government to take over life-and-death decisions from individuals.

There are more FACTS, too. More reality. More "this is not a bad thing." So - please stop listening to corporateers who know how to use fear and peer pressure as marketing tools. You're playing right into their money-loving hands by keeping America so stuck in a rut that we never do anything progressive that could improve the place...for those of us who need it to be a bit improved.

Oh - and while I'm on this high horse - Folks, really, stop buying your tweens designer labels. This is basic parenting 101! Teach the kids some responsibility and how to resist marketing ploys...oh, wait, that would mean that YOU have to have those skills. Oh, well, never mind. The healthcare debate has shown me that at least this generation of adults will do whatever the marketeers tell them to do, especially if they have pretty hair.

Again...on Prop 8

NPR had a story this morning about discrimination faced by those who have supported Prop 8 - the so-called gay marriage ban. I thought I'd add my story to the milieu.

First, however, let's be clear. Prop 8 is NOT a gay marriage ban. It's a poorly-worded attempt to preserve the right of religions to define marriage. I am not particularly fond of the way it's written - but I do strongly support the constitutional right to religious freedom. Nothing but religion has the right to define itself - and marriage is a judeo-christian concept, therefore, it belongs to religions to define the concept. And, as it is defined in sacred works, marriage is NOT an expression of love or even the formation of a procreative union - it's a union between the male & female genders created and sanctioned by God.

So, let's be clear on something else: I don't care who you have sex with nor do I think that your sexual relationship should be a foundation for civil rights or benefits. I think marriage needs to be abolished as a political concept. It's antiquated and likely violates the separation between church & state - at least, this argument seems to demonstrate that it's caused a big problem and probably shouldn't be a legal matter.

But let me tell ya - nobody's asked my opinion as to why I supported Prop 8. I've been told I'm a closeted bigot and that I'm woefully inept at being liberal-minded. I've had to fight past protestors to go to the temple or go to church. I've heard people say that they've been forced to resign from jobs or positions of influence. And I've had my own experience now.

I'm a well-known "mormon" who attends UCLA. I've struggled from the day I announced my religion - but it's wrong to attack a social group and I wouldn't stand for it. Then Prop 8 happened. My grades declined radically. I've been asked to write and rewrite every paper. The requirements for me to graduate have doubled. I can't say I'm the best student - but I also have to ask if my religion has influenced this sudden change in grading.

So, I ask you....where is the freedom of speech here? Who is the real mob? I know there are bigots - but the vast majority of us simply request to live our religion as we see fit and are asking culture to leave that alone. Our church, those evil Mormons who are out to kill gays apparently - I just keep missing those cross-burning & hood-wearing meetings it seems- have advocated for stronger civil union legislation so that civil rights can be extended to all.

We should have the right to be free. We all should - and driving people out of business, forcing them out of school, or trying to use the media to convince others that we are evil just so our viewpoint can't be expressed. It's wrong people and as anti-democratic as anything could be.

Happy Inauguration Day!

Compared to how much I love him, you hate him...

I have fallen in love with President Obama. Oh - not the silly love I had yesterday with Phillippe Cousteau (shut up - it was deep and it had meaning and why are you always criticizing me, imaginary Internet people?!). I just cried as I read through things at Change.gov. I posted my own story. I shared my opinions. I felt like I had a democracy that responds to me. I want to savor the moments until FOX news gets the crazies so wound up that this beautiful era of hope comes crashing down.

For today, I want to rejoice in the vote I cast and the promise that America can be great again and to everyone who is listening to too much FOX news, I quote Obama in his acceptance speech:

"[T]o those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too."

For the first time in generations, I feel like I have a president of the United States.

Happy (at long last) Election Day!

Never have I been so grateful that everyone is getting out to vote tomorrow. I'll finally dare answer my cell phone again...

Where I stand on Prop 8

I am not a person who believes that I have any right to impose my religious or personal standards on any other person. I don't believe in making civil rights deferential per my own subjective opinions. So on big-ticket morality-based issues, like the marriage debate, I usually just sneak into my own corner and abstain from voting.

But Prop 8 is a little different and not because it's about "gay marriage" because that's a big, complicated issue that has way too much bigotry involved. I don't think anyone should be denied their basic civil rights. If you're raising a child with someone or have been that person's life partner - who am I to decide whether or not you get a tax credit or access to that person at end of life? We all deserve human dignity, love, and connection to our social networks...and Americans love a good tax break!

So, the reason I'm voting 'yes' on Prop 8 has nothing to do with who gets to get married and who doesn't. I'm voting 'yes' on Prop 8 because I don't think that government should get to define religious creed. I believe firmly that separation of church & state is a vital and valuable part of our constitution. Religions ought not determine politics and politics ought not inform religion.

Whether certain groups agree or not, 'marriage' is a religious concept. Marriage in the Judeo-Christian tradition is a formal union between man and woman to "multiply and replenish the earth." It refers to the union of a man and a woman for procreative purposes under the power of God. I am aware that's no longer the cultural definition of marriage - which is more like a club that two people agree to enter so long as they are amused by it. However, marriage in a religious sense is a binding contract for specific purposes.

Under the new laws, the government has the right to evoke certain rights of religions to prepare and administer their own religious tenets. Churches can be required to accept marriage as defined by the state rather than it own creed. In Massachusetts, one church had its tax-exempt status revoked because they did not want to perform marriages between homosexual couples. This is wrong. This is dangerous. This is anti-constitutional. Whether you believe that homosexuality is this, that or the other, separation of church and state is a part of the constitution and should be respected as highly as modern civil rights. We may one day want churches to have some inherent power - have we really all forgotten the many eras in history where refuge within a church gave oppressed people safety during times of persecution? Do we really want no place safe from government power?

As a religious person, I am more than willing to give up my "marriage" tax rights in order to support stronger civil union laws, but I have to insist that marriage be left as the sacredly defined union I believe it to be - not because I "hate gays" or want anyone to feel persecuted but because I want my religion to have its own level of civil rights, its freedom to define itself. I have a right to worship God in the way I see fit as does any other person. I don't think the government should be allowed to slap labels and force actions. I believe it's a violation of fundamental rights and should be stopped...even if the issue of civil rights that is currently in question most certainly deserves attention.

So, I hope that people vote for Prop 8 and maintain the definition of marriage that Californians already agreed upon. Then I hope that some forward-thinking person of power gets mad and abolishes all rights of law inherent with "marriage" so that we talk about "civil union tax benefits" and everyone can enjoy all the same rights. But I want that done without the feeling that I've lost my freedom to worship and weakened the Constitution.

I am...

proud to be an American and eager to serve each and every Internat fad!

I am...

having deep and ponderous thoughts about the upcoming election.

And now a very special news conference wherein I read a recycled public statement on the tragic downfall of a politician who failed to uphold the law

Good afternoon. Today I will read to you from Text #34 of the Book of American Politics. The chapter is known as 'the insincere apology' and is said thus....

"For the past [#] years as [insert position of authority/power/great boat loads of money and influence and bad stuff no one else gets/does for free and without police involvement], I have tried to uphold a vision of progressive politics that would [insert vague and unsubstantiated political goal here]. We sought to bring real change to [insert population name] and that will continue.

Today I want to briefly address a/an [insert purposefully vague reference to inappropriate behavior]. I have acted in a way that violates my [insert subjective yet important noun] to my [close yet legal personal unit used for political gain, can include pets if indiscretion did not involve animals] and violates sense of [insert moral opinion as defined by the populace]. I apologize first and most importantly to my [insert socially approved personal unit]. I apologize to the [insert offended populace], whom I promised [insert vague political ideal never intended to provide and never truly expected by public].

[Insert political power-preserving idealism meant to ensure that all your ex-friends continue on amoral pathways with cool, free, illegal stuff] is best for the [insert populace name]. But I have [grovel, grovel, grovel]. I must now [insert nice excuse for getting the hell out of Dodge before the feds change their mind about prosecution].

I will not be taking questions. Thank you very much."

A moving, moving read from the Book of American Politics. I would like to end with a little personal aside that builds upon the text.

It's difficult to know what to say in these trying times of [insert grievous sin/error/utter stupidity]. So many thoughts leap to the mind...so many references...moral outrages...ponderances on IQ and cause-effect rationale and how anyone could think that wouldn't cause utter downfall...concerns about a republic preserved by those who represent the anti-thesis of its philosophical establishment. But all is summarized in one simple quote, spoken by the immortal Jim Carrey in the movie Liar, Liar....

STOP BREAKING THE LAW

Thank you.

a really great quote

If the writers strike, somebody should hire this guy to do commentary:

You express some dismay that the world's most powerful economy does notproduce the world's best medical care. But if a nation makes the economy itsultimate bottom line, and if that economy is unabashedly skewed to favor thewealthiest top percent, it should hardly be surprising that its health caresystem is calibrated to function in precisely the same fashion.
--Joel Brence, M.D.
Aspen, Colo., Aug. 12, 2007

Very well stated, Joel. And I concur.

5 Ways to Build a Democracy *Sarcasm Alert*

Just for the record: it only took 2 rallies, a dozen letters, and one blog post for people to begin calling me a communist (note to anyone commenting on the post: I'm not offended. It's fine. Kinda funny. Read on, good friends.) for wanting to implement poltical ideas well-used in Europe. Silly me and my American education. Apparently, my geopolitical instruction failed to teach me that England, France, Switzerland, and Canada were all crazy commies. I supposed I should watch more TV, pay attention to the print ads, and be aware that any talk of limiting profit-based control of human capitol is a big score for Stalin.

m expecting a call from Joe McCarthy's group any minute.


I heard this fabulous quote: "The only way democracy can fail is if the people fail the democracy." So, I started thinking...how do we get the people back to the front burner and the money back in the pockets (where it will stop catching fire and burning down the house)...here's what a public health professor and I decided in a very long conversation:

1. Campaign finance reform: all donations are pooled into one big pot and each person gets an equal share. Any candidate found to accept money, goods, or services originating from any other source (including his own back pocket) is immediately disqualified from all electioneering at present or in the future. Campaign funds will be monitored by outside, private companies and no company can manage the same type of election more than once every 5 years.

2. Regulate lobbying. Lobbyists should be banned from speaking directly to representatives. They need to lobby the people not the candidate. All advertising on any issue is subject to the truth in advertising act. Representatives can accept petitions, letters, or endorsements from private citizens only.

3. All representatives are required to hold 2 public meetings per year in their representative area. All registered voters must be invited by mail and phone call to participate in the meeting. Possible addition: in order to cast a ballot, voters must provide proof of attendance from at least one public meeting.

4. Create town hall rules so that every voice is heard. I would suggest only 2 rules: 1) every issue brought to attention must be personally relevant (i.e. You can't oppose gay rights if you have no close tie to a homosexual person whose rights have affected you) and 2) each viewpoint must receive a compassionate hearing.

5. On hot-button issues with no clear majority (think: abortion), status quo rules. No limits placed on how often the populace can be polled. However, no position can ever be taken that violates the right to life and housing or fair employment of any group, individual, or credo.

I know - everyone shrugs. What can we do, right? Well, it's easy. If we really want to take back the country, we take back the country. We take a stand as a group and stop being so happily blinded. The other part of the quote above: if any powerful group can keep the individuals in a democracy so filled with personal fear and helplessness that they singlemindedly focus only on what directly affects their daily lives without thought of the grander scheme, then that group can control the democracy under the ruse of being elected by the population it enslaves.

Maybe it's time we re-read the Declaration of Independence. Maybe it's long past the time that we should be applying it to more than a week of Political Science study.

We the People hold these truths to be self-evident..that among these are LIFE, LIBERTY, and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS...That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter...it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

So, to prove I'm a true American and avoid a trip to Guantanamo for my crazy out-there beliefs in healthcare equality and ending under-the-table campaigning that seems to have reduced our president from leader of a republic to CEO of a very large international corporation...I present....America, the Beautiful.





God bless us everyone...

BTW, in case you don't capture sarcasm well, I'm not a communist - even China has now proven that system goes corrupt over time. I just don't believe that government should serve profit above its own people. Capitalism is an economic system, not a government. I'll stop there....Joe's on the phone.

"Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist." Source: Garth S. Jowett and Victoria O'Donnell, Propaganda And Persuasion, 4th edition, 2006.

I now return to my usual fluff...

P.S. Searching for "communist images" will get you some scary stuff on the Internet. I recommend it even less than "school uniforms." *shudder*