Halloween Costume Decision

Boo, y'all!  The sun's sinking lower by the second, and it's decision time—hmmmm too many zombie choices in Congress, and even on Halloween I couldn't stand impersonating Ted Cruz.  Maybe something more general:  Perfect!  This idea posted on Facebook by Being Liberal.  (Like their page; they're great!)

We the Corporations

Happy to see this video, "How We the People Became We the Corporation."  The legal progression is explained in under four minutes.  I didn't know about any of the rulings that preceded Buckley vs. Valeo.  Interesting!  Share if you're so inclined. 

http://www.upworthy.com/how-we-the-people-became-we-the-corporations-in-under-4-minutes-10?g=3&c=ufb1

Insurance Premiums 101

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/29/the-health-care-trilemma-how-obamacare-is-changing-insurance-premiums/

That's a long link to a great explanation of insurance premiums under the new Affordable Care Act—written by Ezra Klein in his "Wonkblog" at the Washington Post.  A friend said this explains it in simple terms, especially good if you need to explain it to a Republican.   Some excellent information, well presented.

Church and State Separation: It's Great!

(Being Liberal posted this on FB.   You'd "like" their page!)

Saw a Facebook comment responding to the above post, and my fingers wouldn't let it go unchallenged.  When there's a 12-step program for compulsive commentors,  I'll be the signing up.  Here's the core of the comments:

 

Fox Republican: . . . Marriage is religious so why do people who hate religion want to get married? Just have a civil union. and change all the government wording to co-habitators/civil unions.

 

Me:   Actually, many who seek marriage equality are people of faith, active in their places of worship (churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.) I don't know anyone who "hates" religion, . . . but not everyone agrees that marriage is religious. Churches are free to refuse marriage services to anyone they choose to exclude for whatever reason, such as divorce,  unwillingness to handle snakes, or whatever. That's another gift of church and state separation—in addition to churches not having to pay taxes.  However, should churches keep trying to make and influence public policy, they should lose their tax exempt status.

Wooo Hooo—Let Freedom Ring!

  Dedicated to the memory of Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan, and Molly Ivins.

 

  11/3/13 - Addendum to original post:  Sadly, another Court has nixed the ruling that would have kept women's health services fully operational in Texas.  I'll be reading more about this.  Let's all stay plugged in.  The Republicans have problems with "government interference" in their health care but none about government interference with their most personal possession:  their bodies.  Women's bodies, that is.  Efforts to ban contraception, opposing scientifically accurate sex education in schools, transvaginal ultrasounds . . . and of course outlaw abortion, a legal right under the U. S. Constitution.  A smart woman once said, "If men could become pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament."  Amen sister.  Amen.

  _____________________________

 

This summer the Texas legislature blew off the Constitution to put the little ladies of the Lone Star State in their places—back decades in time where they belong, right?  The radical right passed a law restricting women's rights to certain legal health care services.  Could be dangerous to let those feminists have too much power.  No telling what they might do.   Democrats pulled out all the stops—including Senator Wendy Davis with her amazing filibuster—to halt the Republicans' foolish action; however, in the end women's health services that included pregnancy termination were outlawed.  The law was enacted and signed by Governor Rick Perry, and—to no one's surprise— was causing a third of the abortion clinics in that big state to close, limiting or eliminating many, many women's options.  That was the point, after all. 

 

Today on "Politics Nation" there was a montage of Republican talkers making outrageous statements about women.  Someone said it looked more like a SNL montage, and another responded that it was more like a "Flintstones" montage, because it was sheer caveman talk.  Rush Limbaugh squawked that "chickification" is happening in this country and of course went on the ridicule that.  We smart, elitist women pay no attention to Rush; actually we don't listen to Rush.  Anyway, the montage clearly showed that the term "War on Women" is no exaggeration.  Disgusting, yes,  but also outrageous to the point of being on the edge of amusing.  Too bad Fox watchers won't change the channel now and then to get some real news.

 

Happily, this day ended with some excellent news.  District Judge Lee Yeakel has ruled that the restrictive law cannot be implemented; regulations restrict women's constitutional rights and the rights of medical doctors to determine what is best for their patients.

 

Today I'm grateful for the judicial system and that the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law prevailed.  Be advised, you radical righties:  We women will not go back.  Members of state legislatures and Congress who want to protect the world from powerful women, I have some advice: Give it a rest; turn your attention to something more productive.  There will be an abundance of estrogen at the polls, nationwide, in 2014.   Yes, we women will be voting in numbers that will surprise you.  Those of you who fear women will soon have your fears validated!  Yep, you'll be looking for a hobby.

 

Tonight I'll be going to bed with a vision of Texas turning blue and Governor Davis at the helm of the ship of state.  I've done my happy dance once and just might repeat it.  Woooo hoooo—let freedom ring!

Fried and Hard-Boiled

(Thanks to Being Liberal for posting this on Facebook.)

'Tis True

It's tempting to comment on this, but I'll resist in the interest of human kindness!
(Shared on Facebook by Being Liberal)

Presidential Empathy Revealed

I've spoken out more than once about the disrespect and hatred aimed at President Obama—from subtle, thinly veiled signs to openly hostile declarations.  Then there are the complaints—even from supporters—that this President is "cold" and "should express more feelings."  He's "aloof" and "uncaring."  I believe the "coldness" some see is an effort to offer the American people the dignity the office deserves.  (We didn't have that under the previous administration.  President Bush was a back-slapper, a schmoozer, and, to his friends, a good fellow.  He was friendly to just about everybody. Friendliness is not a bad thing.) But President Obama doesn't do schmoozing; his steady, calm, and collected demeanor has earned him the designation of "No drama Obama." Many times I've been thankful this steady,  calm and thoughtful man is the leader of the free world.

 

What do we have instead of an ever-smiling, inappropriate comments, and grins that don't match a serious message in the face of tragedy?  Sincerity.  Empathy.  Tenderness.  With President Obama, compassion doesn't show itself in every photo op.  But it's there.  To see great love and tenderness, watch him interacting with his daughters or the First Lady sometime.

 

The depth of his compassion was evident as he spoke to the people in Tucson; that was, of course, after the shootings that killed or injured innocent Americans meeting with Congresswoman Gabby Giffords on a street corner one bright Saturday morning.  And it was the same when he spoke in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook following the massacre of young children and their teachers.  I've seen him talking about soldiers returning home, whether horribly wounded or in flag-draped coffins.  Make no mistake: President Barack Obama is a caring man, capable of feeling and expressing empathy.  We know because we've seen him in his role as "comforter in chief." 

 

An article at HuffPost expands what we know about President Obama's response to the Sandy Hook shootings. About his meetings with families of the victims.  If you're a fan of our President, the piece by Joshua Dubois will warm your heart and make it ache all over again.  If you are someone who believes we have a cold President with an empathy deficiency, this excerpt from Dubois's book, "The President's Devotional," might change your mind.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/26/the-presidents-devotional_n_4158485.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Robin Hood?

An interesting primer on socialism and democracy— how Democratic socialism isn't taking money from the rich and giving it to the poor:  http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/12/11/explaining-socialism-to-a-republican/

(Posted on Facebook; info sources noted in image)

Vampires and Witch Hunters

I tuned in to C-Span radio on the road to the Midlands this morning—forced myself to listen to the House hearing on the healthcare web site rollout.  One of my first questions (which I ask out loud when no one's there to witness my foolishness):  Where in hell are the Democrats? Heard only one querant identified as a Dem and can't remember who that was now.  Funny thing, as soon as a member asked his/her first question I knew, before the party affiliation was announced in the C-Span whisper, that he or she was a Republican.  The thirst for blood was obvious immediately; then there was the tone that bordered on being abusive and the unnecessarily harsh words used.  A couple of members seemed well prepared with their questions and should have kept them more civil.  These people can't afford to risk even lower approval ratings.  (Their ratings have gotten lower than a snake's belly; I was thinking the number must be the average IQ of Tea Party members.) 

Someone ranted about how much this or that aspect of the site cost the American taxpayers.  A couple of million bucks, I think.  Hrrrrmmm, excuse me, sir:  How's about $24 million and still counting for a totally unnecessary government shutdown?  You wouldn't think to make this level of hypocrisy up—unless you're Fox or something; they don't recognize hypocrisy or irony.

 

Another member lectured  the four contractors at the witness table on not having apologized to the American people for their failures.  I couldn't have been more delighted when someone (on the Committee panel, it seemed) threw out a good point:  Have the American people heard an apology for needlessly closing down their government?

Anyway, I listened to as much as I could stand and came away with Halloween costume ideas for Republican committee members:  Vampires or sanctimonious witch hunters.  There should be a contest with prizes.  Maybe a lifetime vacation from Congress?

Karma

(Steve Marmel via Being Liberal/Facebook)

Minced Words: Not On Today's Menu!

Okay, I’ve had it.  Again.  Someone was quoted about the ACA rollout on a cable news crawl earlier, but I missed the attribution—a Republican, I imagine:  “It  [the web site] should have been Obama’s top priority.”
 

Yeah.  He should have been micro-managing the rollout and web site construction instead of dealing with Syria, Iran, and other foreign hot-button situations; instead of canceling his trip to Asia to deal with radical Congressional Republicans as he worked to avoid a government shutdown; of course we know how that turned out.   He should have been looking over the contracted techies’ shoulders instead of making sure Congress didn’t cause us to default on the debt (run up by Republicans) and cause financial catastrophe here and around the world.  The Tea Party Republicans brought us close enough to nearly lose our AAA credit rating, and their actions slowed down economic recovery just as it was beginning to gain a little momentum.

 

During the Republican hissy fit that caused the shutdown and nearly a default, they nearly wore out this talking point: “All we want is for the President to sit down with us.”  The President did sit down with them more than once. Before they even began repeating that at every microphone they could find.  It’s being reported today that, during one of the meetings at the White House, a House leader said to the President of the United States, “I cannot stand to even look at you.”  How’s that for a groin kick to one’s host?  There have been times (plural) when Republicans, including the Speaker, have refused invitations to go to the White House and boasted about it.  Refusing an invitation from the President is something one just doesn’t do.  Not even if you hate him; you show respect for the office.  To the best of my knowledge, gloating about refusing a Presidential invitation is something that hasn’t been done in our nation’s history.  Then again, President Barack Obama is a first.  And he is also first class—to take the endless, unprecedented insults and disrespect he has taken.  He has endured it all with tremendous grace and dignity. Republican treatment of our President is bullying at it’s worst. Five years of it.  I can’t think of another President who would have tolerated most of it for a minute.   Of course he is the first African American President (as someone said, “guilty of governing while black.”)   He is simply a better man than those who continue to give so much energy to seeing him fail.   Only the highest caliber individual could handle such abuse.  But it can’t be easy.  So much right-wing effort has gone into blocking any program he proposes, even those the Republicans proposed in the first place!  It’s been blatant.


 

I’ve been thinking about hearings House Republicans scheduled to “investigate” the ACA web site problems, yet another witch hunt to be certain blame is placed squarely on the President and his Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebilius.  God knows they’ve tried everything they could to “get” the President.    A friend had two words for why she thinks the ACA site wasn’t up and working efficiently on Day 1: “Low bid.” That well could be the case or at least part of it.
 

A conspiracy theorist is something I've never been.  Just don’t think that way.  Nevertheless, I believe an investigation by Senate Democrats or the FBI might be in order.  If what I keep hearing is accurate, there were numerous serious mistakes made in setting up the site—maybe too many to be “mistakes.”  Without an investigation, who knows? Nevertheless, I can’t help thinking how much big rightwing money (more than $50 million) has been spent, is still being spent, to keep Americans without insurance from enrolling.  The plan is to be certain "Obamacare" doesn't work.  Remember the weird Uncle Sam figure in the examining room with the woman? That ad campaign, that money.  Just a day or two ago I heard that obstructionist cash is currently funding pizza parties on college campuses; students will be strongly discouraged from signing up for coverage.  I can’t imagine that many young people could be bought for a pizza.  Geeeez.  Maybe some of them are on board with the Tea Party.  If so, most of them would be embracing policies and future plans not in their best interests—the Republican stand on social issues and their votes on college loans, their cutting Pell grants etc.  Nope, Republicans have not been kind to college students.

 

With the mega millions being spent, someone(s) surely are determined to derail this law they keep referring to as a “train wreck.”  I think this may go even deeper than Obama-hating.  If they’re willing to spend that money, maybe they got to some of the private sector people contracted to build the web site to be certain the train did wreck.  Contrary to former Sen. Blanche Lincoln saying a teenager can build a web site, these contractors must certainly have represented themselves as capable of designing a sophisticated, functioning site—one that interfaces with other agencies like the IRS, HHS, etc.  Surely they knew what their task was at the outset.   That’s what seems strange to me.  If there were only a couple of problems, it would be understandable—instead, it sounds like a full range of “glitches” that include writing the code.  How does that much stuff get screwed up?  It’s as if someone might have said, Let’s be damn sure this site is so compromised that it will finally defeat "Obamacare."  I don’t think that’s too far-fetched to consider.  Think about it.

 

I’m pretty sick of the right wingers and their rotten behavior, their lack of gray matter and manners. Not feeling sympathy for the GOP’s record-breaking low polls either.  They’ve brought it on themselves.  Today I heard that former Republican Florida governor Charlie Crist’s new book has been released.  The title?  The Party’s Over.  Good title and a good bet.

Position Statement

(Being Liberal/Facebook) 

Neurotic Thoughts on a Monday

It's possible I'm about to emulate the late Andy Rooney and his gripefests on 60 Minutes.  Just having a variety of unsettling or irritating thoughts: 

 

After the President spoke in the Rose Garden this morning, I wondered:  What if all the tabulated visits to the healthcare.gov site were actually a far smaller number of people and the number is high because those same people made multiple visits trying to apply?  God, I hope not.  Another thought about the ACA:   For it to work as intended (to work period) a certain number of people need to enroll in the program, right?  It's assumed that a certain percentage of those seeking coverage for the first time will be young people.  I'm wondering whether it was a good idea to allow young people to remain on their parents' policy until they're 26.  Might have been better to lower the age to 22 or even 23 to up the chances of greater numeric success?  Time will tell.   One thing's certain now:  I'm with the President on thinking it's time for all Americans to pull for the ACA to succeed rather than pulling for it to fail.  Way past time.  Just saw a great piece by (are you ready) a Fox News contributor who has signed up for "Obamacare" and is delighted about it.  Here's the link:  http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/10/21/was-obamacare-guinea-pig/

 

New subject:  Been seeing Dick Cheney on your telly lately?  He's mighty proud that he championed "enhanced interrogation" (torture).   On his book tour this shameless man is  slamming President Obama at every opportunity, talking about uncontrolled spending and debt.  Geeeez.  That computer in his chest that passes for a heart has kept him alive, but he needs some help with his memory.  Has he forgotten the invasion and occupation of Iraq he orchestrated?  Not paying for it, I mean.   And the other Bush administration war that this President is in the process of ending? Not paid for by the previous administration.  And the tax breaks for people in his income bracket?  And and and—  When he goes out to dinner, I'll bet he pretends to be surprised when someone else finally picks up the check; he probably says "I'll get it next time."  Of course he's also talking up daughter Liz's candidacy (for US Senate/WY), saying the Tea Party "uprising"is a good thing.  A good thing.  Liz Cheney recently said she admires  Republican Tea Party Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee.  The Cheneys don't know squat about subtlety or diplomacy, for sure.  And they don't worry whether what they say has anything to do with the truth.  When the late dictator Hugo Chavez said he could smell the "stink of the devil" on President George W. Bush, what do you want to bet he was getting a whiff of the Cheneys?

 

Okay, no vitriol.  I might have just broken Lucy Left's rule on that.  We call Donald Trump "the Donald"— so shouldn't we honor the former VP in the same way? 

 

Did you see the interview with Lima, Ohio Tea Party members on ABC's This Week ?  The general idea was to ask whether they, as individuals, thought the government shutdown was "worth it?"  Of course they all did. Think it was "worth it."   Some things they said clearly showed ignorance of government and reality.  I've been thinking it's absolutely mind-boggling how Ted Cruz is being venerated as a hero by the Tea Party—by any human, period.  I mean how could anybody not "get" that he was at every microphone he could find— slamming government for closing various monuments and programs when he was the primary cause of the shutdown?  But then I heard what these seven people had to say and was reminded all over again that some low-info voters are more like no-info voters.  In other words, they are Fox watchers, as I feel sure most Tea Partiers are.   

 

Actually I just trotted out some neurotic thoughts instead of doing the Andy Rooney thing.  As far as Ted Cruz goes, one of my liberal elitist friends, Audrey in Austin, is excited about Ted Cruz.  Excited to think about the possibility he will be running for President— and about helping Hillary take Texas in 2016.  Yeee haaa!  And Wendy Davis for governor!  I'm on board with both. 

Three Cheers for Eric Stern

Anybody else tired of the distortions, misinformation, half-truths and lies about the Affordable Care Act?   We've talked about the big money being spent on the campaign designed to discourage people from enrolling in the ACA program.  And of course Fox News continues its endless deluge of negative opining about "Obamacare."  You probably know about Sean Hannity's hour-long show on October 11; it focused on the "disaster" that is Obamacare.  To beef up his case, Hannity had three "typical" couples as guests—all white,  3 men and 3 women—the usual Republican diversity.   These guests made claims about their experiences with bad ole Obamacare.   It's chilling to think of the number of viewers who don't realize that Fox churns out far more propaganda in its programming than news, which is customarily a factual reporting of events.

 

Let's hear it for investigative journalism! It's heartening every time I'm reminded investigative journalists still exist in the rapid-fire 24/7 news world.  Salon.com writer Eric Stern watched that Hannity show and smelled a rat.   He did some research and interviewed the couples he'd seen on the show.  Too bad Mr. Hannity didn't do the same before his guests made their appearance.  Stern learned that claims made simply were not so.  These people made their complaints without so much as a look at the exchanges or, sounds to me, without attempting to learn about the new health care law. They don't like Obamacare.  Don't bother them with facts, their minds are made up.    Fox counts on that in their loyal viewers—not big fact-checkers, those folks.  I'd guess Hannity's guests are single-news-source consumers.  Here's a link to Eric Stern's post:  http://www.salon.com/2013/10/18/inside_the_fox_news_lie_machine_i_fact_checked_sean_hannity_on_obamacare/

 

Also, I'll share a link to economist Mark Zandi (Moody's Analytics) debunking claims that the ACA is negatively impacting full-time work.  It's not, despite stories on Fox, right-wing talk radio and even some real news sources.  Check it out:  http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/09/05/economist-mark-zandi-debunks-myth-that-obamacar/195739

                 

 By the way, when you hear "Business is saying insurance under the ACA is too expensive," remember this:   Too often greed is the motivating factor in "business" arriving at such conclusions.   These are probably people who'd like to lower the minimum wage or, better yet,  do away with it altogether.  Not losing a lot of sleep over the plight of their workers. As long as CEO's and upper level executives can buy items like oriental rugs that cost more than one of their employees can spend on food, housing and other basic living expenses for an entire year, I'll be taking their whiny claims with a big block of salt.                                                              

 

 

Because It's Friday

                    (from deadstate.org, shared on FB by Americans Against the Tea Party)

Have a great weekend, all! 

'Tis True

from Being Liberal page/shared on Facebook)

The Cost of Electing Fools

(from Kansas Democratic Party/Facebook)

[Note: I've seen cost estimates for the government shutdown at close to $25 billion.  Have heard a couple of "bean counters" say "over $24 billion."]

 

Even a couple of Republicans whose sanity and service I respect— though I rarely agree with their positions —are saying the shutdown was "worth it."  Sen. Orin Hatch was one who said the government closing was "worth it."  Said it's "good" to see people "standing up for their beliefs" even though it was not going to change things.   In the same interview with Chuck Todd this morning, Sen. Hatch  was going on about the need " to get the administration under control"with its big spending (can't remember the exact adjective--excessive, runaway? You've heard those talking points before).  Geeeez.  He's essentially saying it was okay to spend over $24 billion— and cause the anxiety and (in some cases) economic crises of many government employees and the American people whose services (including cancer trials) were affected by the government closing.  Okay to slow down the fragile economic growth the country has been experiencing.  Okay to get to the brink of having our credit rating downgraded and all the repercussions that would have had.  AND YET we can't afford basic food assistance to hard-working Americans living under the poverty line because their greedy corporate bosses are only interested in big profits, not in fairness to workers.  AND YET we can't afford to fully fund Head Start and services, such as Meals on Wheels, for the elderly.  AND YET Republicans stubbornly resist raising taxes on the wealthiest 1% of Americans or discontinuing the unconscionable oil and mega-farm subsidies, despite their windfall profits.  How about finding a way to collect taxes on the offshore US Corporation accounts?  How about some economic patriotism?  Do you think the average low-information voter gets the hypocrisy?

 

The Republican"spin" on what happened— after the Congressional fools had their tea party at the country's expense—has been far removed from the reality of the situation.  And mostly to put a thumb in the eye of a President they despise—again.  It's almost as crazy as Ted Cruz greeting tourists at the Capitol this morning, welcoming them to the now-open seat of our government.  I wonder how many of those visitors realized Cruz played the starring role in the shutdown?  I wonder if Texans will vote him out next time?  He'd make an excellent Walmart greeter.

 

About all the ruckus around the Affordable Care Act: Some of the less-appealing aspects of the law are there because of concessions Democrats made to Republicans during the legislative process—after which Republicans didn't support it.   The President is wide open to making changes to the law, modifying any aspects that aren't working—through the normal democratic process.  My hope is that changes will lead to "Medicare for all" (single payer).  I think that's always been the way to go, but already Republicans (including Hatch this morning) are squealing about "socialized medicine" and doctors discontinuing their practices, students deciding not to pursue careers in medicine.  Maybe that's a good thing.  Maybe those people shouldn't be practicing medicine at all, Senator Hatch.  Sounds like a Wall Street would be a better career fit.

 

Time for me to put away the soapbox for now.  Let's do all we can to be sure the next Congress has a Democratic majority.  And more women!

Senate Sisters

Let's hear it for the women in Washington!  Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) worked to get bi-partisan support of a way out of the quagmire.  She was supported by women (and men) on both sides of the aisle.  And Nancy Pelosi is known for getting  the job done in the House.

 

 I'm convinced of this:  If women made up the majority in both houses, we'd never have a shameful government shutdown or risk defaulting on our credit.  Or losing our AAA credit rating.

Here's an interesting piece in Time/Swampland on the subject:  http://swampland.time.com/2013/10/16/11-things-you-dont-know-about-the-senate-sisterhood/#ixzz2hvrXIIVD

U. S. Credit Rating in Jeopardy

No surprise but definitely a big concern:  Fitch has now placed the U.S. on a rating downgrade watch.  That means we could lose our AAA credit rating.  The people who started this mess still don't seem to understand the magnitude of the negative consequences of not only defaulting, but coming so close to defaulting.  On the debt Congress racked up!   We think we've experienced a recession?  If this continues, these tough times, which have started looking brighter, will seem like "the good ole days."

 

Any Tea Party member, fan, or Republican House Speaker who happens to be reading Lucy Left right now  (thought I'd give you all a belly laugh, Lefties) might give this some serious thought and take action to avoid a self-induced catastrophe.  Immediate action. I understand Boeher is afraid of losing his speakership.  He's one weak character.  I keep wondering if I could think any less of  him than I do now.

 

Earlier today the Speaker announced the House would vote this afternoon to reopen the government and also to avoid default.  Apparently the Heritage Foundation was against it, and Boehner withdrew the bill!  Just heard someone say that Heritage has effectively "strapped dynamite on the bridge to reconciliation."  Yep.

 

Let's Be Cllear

(Being Liberal/Facebook)

The Quick & Easy Version

(Being Liberal/Facebook)

2014!

(Living Blue in South Carolina/Facebook)

 All I want for Christmas this year is a Democratic Congress!   

FYI

(from Being Liberal/posted on Facebook)

Thoughts That Keep Me Up At Night

I woke up during the night with this chilling thought:  Some of the same people who believe  defaulting on our debt would be no big deal also don't think evolution or climate change are real.  (That sentence could have just as well ended with the word think.)  How, with all the evidence to the contrary, Republican obstructionists can blow off the tremendous impact defaulting would have—not only on the economy and the ensuing fallout in this Country but globally—is beyond me.   Respected economists and other leaders around the world are warning us of the consequences.  How can anyone deny this?  The same way they deny the scientific evidence of evolution and climate change.

 

Former President Carter made a thoughtful observation this week:  He said that what the world is seeing when they look at the United States today is a democracy that's not working.  No way that can be a good thing.  I believe our "exceptional" country is getting less exceptional by the day, thanks to a handful of people who—to a great extent—were bankrolled by some of the wealthiest people in this country and elected by pawns of those people who have no idea they're being used against their own best interests.

 

Someone I love dearly sent me a message the other day, with a link to an article quoting the Heritage Foundation on the Affordable Care Act.  He was asking what I thought about it. I could tell my fuse was getting mighty short when I nearly had apoplexy, wondering how he could trust that source.  (Saw just yesterday that the Koch brothers recently gave $50 million to Heritage.)  Or how he could think of buying the assertion that "Obamacare means the end of the middle class in America."  Then he sent an article quoting another Affordable Care naysayer—Ben Carson, a Harvard-affiliated MD.  A regular on Fox.  So, I understand my friend isn't immersed as I am in monitoring and researching the political landscape.  He has other passions, other interests.   I messaged, "I don't want to talk about this."  To which he replied, "I understand, but . . . " and continued, totally ignoring my wishes.   Geeeeez.

 

Wish I hadn't gotten so upset about it, enough to take a BP pill.  He's a brilliant person, a genius in some respects.  Just not in politics!  I shouldn't have attempted to educate him in an e-mail.  Foolish to try. And I wish I hadn't told him to find somebody who would tell him what he wanted to hear.  But it's beyond frustrating to receive right-wing propaganda from someone I love, respect and believe I know well—especially when the person is hard-headed as I am and hard to convince.  I hope some of his reaction is about anxiety for the future and not knowing what information is reliable.   I did refer him to healthcare.gov.

 

Yep, the fuse is short and getting shorter.  Maybe, in part, because I spend so much time listening, reading, researching, watching C-Span, cable news and PBS.  There's still a lot I don't know about politics, policy, and too many other subjects.  But I have been paying attention.  My burning interest in all things political keeps me tuned in— even when it's not in the best interest of my well-being.   I'm worried about the state of our political system.  The rigidity.  The ignorance.  The unprecedented power the Republican majority in the U.S. House has given this small group of obstructionists is deeply troubling—as is the control already being exercised over our elected representatives by mega-wealthy businessmen.  And the Supreme Court's next ruling on campaign contributions, if they rule in favor of unlimited personal contributions, would have a terrible impact on the electoral process and governance, much like the Citizens United case has.  It's horrifying.  But fear can render us impotent, so we can't give in to it.

 

After writing this and on more hard self-examination, I recognized a deeper truth about my beloved friend's messages and their effect on me.   It's that I have grown to associate a person's political philosophy with their moral compass, as a reflection of what's in their hearts.  What their priorities are.   It speaks volumes about a person's worldview. So, it frightened me to think that the man I have known as a liberal's liberal (a self-described "radical" when we first met) might have given in somehow to fear or—what?  My father once said, "I'm a Democrat because I care about people."  That's certainly the reason I'm a Democrat. That, and I respect that other people are my equal.  Most of us Lefties don't mind having a little less (paying more taxes, etc) in order that less fortunate Americans might have a hand up.  We don't resent it.  And my friend does care about people.   I know that. When we're face to face next time, I will talk with him about all this.  I care far too much about him to discuss something of this magnitude (for me) by phone or messaging.

 

I don't know how the Affordable Care Act will affect individual Americans or this Country over the long haul.   Granted, the first week of the AFA "rollout" didn't go well.  However,  I am optimistic that changes will be made when aspects of this huge, complex new system are found wanting.  Some have been identified already.  And the President seems more than willing to modify whatever doesn't work in "Obamacare." Social Security and Medicare weren't without glitches in the beginning.  Best I can tell both systems have been running smoothly for a long time; in fact, they've exceeded this taxpayer's expectations.

 

No, I don't know everything.  Far from it.  But I am informed for hours each day by a broad range of sources.  I do know "the middle class" won't be destroyed by the health care act.  The "middle class" has been on the road to extinction for decades.   The Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and greed (which has led to such things as the exportation of jobs for jaw-dropping profits and socking away money in offshore accounts) are two major contributors to that sad truth.  Make no mistake about it—Democrats and this President are the ones who have been fighting—who historically have fought—for the poor and for policies that strengthen the "middle class."  So don't recite the freaking Republican talking points to me.  And don't wonder why my head explodes if you do.  If you know me at all,  you know I don't suffer fools gladly; in fact, these days I don't suffer them at all.  The ones in Congress—well, I need to keep an eye on what they're doing.  We all do.

Yep

(From PoliticusUSA page -Facebook)

Narcissists Du Jour

Narcissism runs rampant on the hard right.  There are other labels that fit the two men on today's radar screen—opportunistic, cold-hearted, etc.  Sometime if you have trouble falling asleep, try counting Republican narcissists instead of sheep. 

 

 I watched part of Ted Cruz's speech at the "Values" Summit this morning.  Do they ever define "values"?—just wondering because I'd think one value should be about helping the poor, the sick, and feeding hungry children.  But of course that's not the case with the Tea Party and too many other "Sunday School Republicans."   Again, I wasn't happy that MSNBC and CNN played to Cruz's narcissism by airing his whole damned speech.  He talked about what "the Left is afraid of..." and says it's  the American people.  I don't think so.  We are the American people!  Has he forgotten that the American people re-elected President Obama? That the American people affirmed the Affordable Care Act by doing so?  It's chilling that the likes of Ted Cruz can get free TV time.  I imagine it ran on Fox, as well— only place his fans would be likely to see him.  I imagine Fox carried it because my remote doesn't know how to get Fox.  Anyway, Cruz seemed quite satisfied with himself.  A number of vocal protesters were escorted out of the arena, one or two at a time.  Made it a little interesting. 

 

[An off-the-subject question: Hearing all the Republicans in front of cameras saying that FiNALLY the President is going to sit down with them (yesterday and this morning).  They've been saying that's all they've "been asking for all along."  Did I not see the Speaker of the House and his entourage planted at a mike in the White House driveway just last week? After meeting with President Obama?  Please tell me if I was hallucinating.  It's amazing to me that NO reporter or cable host has bothered to mention that when one of the Republicans goes into "all we want is to sit down with the President."  Seriously, save me if I'm wrong.]

 

The other narcissist of the day is Glenn Beck.  I'm not sure his name has ever made it to a Lucy post.  He's a self-promoting money-grubber who's currently offering parenting advice on his radio show.  Fair warning, even reading about it made my stomach turn. I didn't watch the video. He's appealing to the hard-right "spare the rod" people who think of themselves as Christians. And of course that's his main demographic.  I'm reminded regularly that his objective is making money:  Beck doesn't care about, or even mean, most of what he says.  He's in show biz.  It's all an act.  But still, what he says is so crazy and so toxic, filled with hate and delusional theories—mercy.  

 

Sometimes I'll see  on Facebook that someone I know "likes" Glenn Beck, and I can't imagine the person being gullible enough to buy anything he's selling.  And the word "gullible" is my contribution to a kinder, gentler "narrative" today.   Here's a link to Mr. Beck's radio rant if you really want to subject yourself to it. 

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/parenting-advice-glenn-beck-push-your-children-against-wall-teach-them-rights-come-god

Beyond Vexed

Lucy's pissed.   I counted to more than ten and took deep breaths—which helped dial back the outrage just enough to sit still at the laptop for a few minutes. 

On today's Andrea Mitchell show Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX and proud Texas A & M graduate) held forth.  He trotted out the worn-thin, fictional Republican talking points, saying the American people don't want Obamacare, that they're being forced to go to a web site that doesn't work.  (Must be because the people who don't want to sign up all went there at once and crashed healthcare.gov--as happens with many new and popular sites when traffic is too heavy.  Geez!)

 

He said,  "We don't support Obamacare; we support patient-centered care."  That statement was laughable and I wish I could have laughed.   Instead it really got to me, for some reason.   It's totally misleading for one thing, but so is nearly everything else Congressional Republicans are saying.  Misleading and downright untrue.  It makes me angry that too many people hear something indicating they won't be getting quality care— and believe it without questioning it or thinking it through.  

 

Whether care is "patient centered" or not has everything to do with physician and patient.  How the doctor is willing to work with a patient and what a patient is willing to accept in the way of how a doctor cares for him or her.  I believe the Patient's Bill of Rights made it into the final version of the Health Care bill when it was going through Congress.   If anything, the new law might contribute to an environment where a more patient-centered approach is possible.  The preventative care included in the law certainly is patient-centered.  Those ridiculously "tacky" ads where a weird Uncle Sam figure pops up between the stirrups where a woman lies on an examining table is bad enough.   I will say again that I'd far rather have the government making decisions on my health care than an insurance company.  Any day of the week.  Insurance companies are profit motivated and care only about the bottom line.  They've been notorious for cutting off coverage in mid-treatment for people dealing with cancer and for denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.  They have people on staff who spend all their time looking for ways to deny coverage to sick people, even after they've paid premiums for years.   Women have had to pay  more than men for coverage.    All that changes under the AFA, hallelujah.  

Then the Congressman got on my very last nerve with his sanctimonious talk about veterans in his family— so of course Congress wants to pay veterans' benefits and death benefits.   Apparently he's never had hungry children in his family.  

Thanks for listening, good Lefties.  We'll get through this together.

What Matters More?

         (Image posted on Facebook)

Fed Chair Nomination

Waiting for the President to nominate Janet Yellen to chair the Fed.  That's supposed to happen at three.  I'm feeling really good about her and hoping the Repubs won't turn her confirmation into an opera.  

 

I learned recently that Yellen was the first at the Fed to predict the big recession and the housing horror that's still very prominent in our collective memory.  She's also a "tell it like it is" person; she said when everybody else was saying we'd come back from the recession fast that it would be a very slow and painful comeback.  She was right about that, wasn't she?  Wall Street likes her. "Main Street" should like her, I hear, because she's likely to keep interest low.  Bets are that she will do all the things that will contribute to job growth.  Will be more concerned about unemployment than inflation.  If and when confirmed by Congress, her appointment won't become effective until January.  Time to feel good about something political.  Wait a minute:  I felt really good about our President's press conference yesterday.  He was calm, strong, reasoned and personalized some answers to questions about the debt.  Getting better at explaining things!  And I don't think he slammed the media once.  

 

What are your thoughts and instincts about Yellen?

The High Court Returns

First Monday in October means the Supreme Court is back in session.  I was excited for about two minutes after learning they were hearing a case involving campaign contributions—thinking we might be on the road to changing the Citizens United ruling.  Well, I was wearing my rose-colored glasses yesterday.  The case is about taking the limit off individual contributions!  Guess who that would benefit if the ruling is favorable?   I need to learn the details; it didn't sound good.

I heard once that there's no order of difficulty in miracles.  Will embrace that idea and hope for two more Obama appointees over the next three years! 

Government in the Bathtub?

You know how Republicans (especially the Tea Party wing) go on and on and on about "reducing the deficit"and stopping the President's "reckless spending"? Turns out, this is one of many instances in contemporary GOP mythology where an outlandish inaccuracy (aka "lie") is repeated over and over to various media outlets until certain news consumers begin to believe it.  "I heard it from several reporters on Fox . . . ."  Sound familiar?

 

To set the record straight, here's some information on that very subject from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office via a post at Politicususa:(To read the full article:  http://www.politicususa.com/2013/05/15/gop-whip-empty-scandals-avoid-realities-most-rapid-deficit-reduction-wwii.html)

 

"The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported a continued decline in the federal budget deficit: “The CBO projects a $642 billion budget deficit for fiscal year 2013, down more than $200 billion from its February estimate and the smallest annual shortfall since 2008. It is the lowest level of deficit spending to date under President Obama, who faced $1 trillion or more in annual deficits during his first term.”

 

Now the shutdown of our government is unconscionable.  Period.  And for those who harp on deficit reduction, the action seems downright schizophrenic.  The estimated cost of this maniacal shutdown, in monetary terms:  $300 million dollars per day.  Of course there are too many human costs to enumerate.   In the face of this high-cost drama and despite hardships too many Americans are experiencing because of it, the Republican Tea Party wing is celebrating and feeling proud about closing down the US Government.  Sheer insanity. 

 

BUT remember, what has seemed to be the chief Republican goal for years (possibly tied with stopping Obama and in lieu of that, stopping "Obamacare") has been to "shrink government" so that it would be small enough to "drown it in a bathtub."  They think we have no need for government.  At all!  How the bloody hell can any human of sound mind believe that?   Geez, people.  Maybe that's what Michelle Bachman considers "winning" which I just heard her say they're doing. 

 

We know this whole thing is crazy.  What we don't know is how or when the insanity will end.  House Speaker John Boehner could resolve it in an hour if he would allow the Senate's "clean" Continuing Resolution to come to the floor for a vote ("clean" = legislation that addresses only its intended purpose, one that has no other issues attached).   The catch:  Boehner have to show more concern for the Country than for his speakership, because he might lose it if he calls for a vote.  He wouldn't lose his House seat or his seniority.  But so far there's been no evidence of courage and little to no concern for the American people.  The Senate bill I'm talking about simply funds the government for the next 2 or 3 months (not sure which--but short-term). 

 

The President has said he's willing to discuss longer-term budget changes with Republicans after this temporary solution is passed and the debt ceiling is raised on October 17.   Contrary to Republican talking points, our President has not refused to talk with Republicans; in fact, he invited Republican leaders to sit down with him at the White House.  Of course his WH visitors held a press conference as they were leaving the meeting to trash the President and continue distorting the situation.  President Obama has said all along he will not allow all the people who will benefit from the Affordable Care Act to be left in the lurch; he's not going to "negotiate" on a law that's been law for three years!  What a horrible precedent that would set.  Impossible.  

 

It feels as though I'm in the middle of a nightmare.  But some of the frustrated Americans I've heard speak in the last couple of days—people already suffering from your shutdown—are living a very real nightmare.  Mr. Boehner, please make it possible for these Americans to sleep at night and resume their pre-shutdown lives.  Also, stop wasting federal dollars, and allow our Country to have a fully functioning government again.

 

At the next GOP caucus, you might tell your members that the United States Government will not be drowning in a bathtub or anywhere else—not as long as Barack Obama is President of the United States.  Not as long as there are some voices of reason left in the Senate and the House.  I have little doubt there will be a lot more of those voices after the next Congressional elections, thanks to irresponsible actions of Republicans.   What do you think?

 

 

Yes, please!

Open for Business

No amount of bitter tea nor grandstanding nor government shutdown was ever going to padlock this program.  May all Americans without insurance— and even those with pre-existing conditions—find a plan that works for their needs.

 

 This achievement took over half a century to accomplish.   Surely some Republicans are smart enough to understand there will be changes made as problems arise with the program; that's what happens with any endeavor—in the public or private sector.  I'm so tired of the GOP's antics I don't even enjoy drinking tea these days!