What the hell

Given my political position, I don't have to explain that I fully support health care reform. I don't think it's nearly enough, as I believe, without any doubt or hesitation, that being healthy and accessing affordable and quality health care is not something one should have to earn. It should be a right of every man, woman, and child that is a citizen of what I believe is still the greatest country in the world. Wow a liberal progressive that's patriotic (and also totally cute)? Unheard of!? Not at all - millions of us voted in Obama. Anyway, why do only select groups of our citizens benefit from universal health care (elderly via Medicare or select veterans)? No one is more deserving than anyone else in this country when it comes to their basic health. To suggest one has to earn health care is inhumane.

I recently read an argument that suggested that the government has no right to use your earnings to cover other's health care expenses. First, in terms of health care reform, this is false, but, as people only believe what they want to believe, I have 2 major challenges to this skewed viewpoint:

1. Your earnings would not be possible without 'big government.' Our entire economy operates in part on federally funded systems, infrastructure, as well as laws of commerce, taxes, and so on and so on - not to mention a public education system that provides free education to become productive citizens. An organized system in which we run business - big and small. Claiming that we owe nothing to the system that supports the framework in which you operate and earn our livings is pretty much naive. To be that 'free' you'd need to support yourself on a deserted island. We all pay. We just need to pay smarter, and private health insurance is really, really stupid, expensive, and inefficient. Sidebar: It is interesting to me that when it comes to money, conservatives tend to get all "hands off!" but when it comes to life and death matters, like abortion and capital punishment, 'big government' is demanded by some of the very same people. Isn't passing laws about life and death pretty much the ultimate in big goverment? In case you were wondering where I stand, I'm generally pro-choice and undecided about capital punishment.

2. If you don't believe the government has the right to subsidize health care with your earnings, then why do you let health insurance companies do so, and so obscenely? Under our current system, the cost of treating those un-insured who, in desperation show up at the ER with a condition that could have been prevented with basic care, and those un-insured who are getting life-saving treatments for their illnesses is passed on to all of us that carry health insurance. And our premiums go up, and up. And up. And coverage decreases because, after all, insurance companies are for-profit entities! The government is not for profit. Duh! Our current system is so stupid, so complex, so inefficient, and so UNFAIR, that it's on the verge of being quite insane. Ooop, there it went. It's now insane.

But back to health care reform. What the hell is all this crying about? It's such a ridiculous dog and pony show for votes - and I'm not even going to get into the Teabagging Walmart Hippies situation. It is my goal to get through most of the bill. Yep. Hey, I also bothered to look up the definition of Socialism back in 2008. Yeahno. Obama is not a socialist. Not so much. Do your homework.

Until I get through,however, I have something to point out. The five major changes in health reform are really quite neutral. With the exception of the employer mandate, which comes with tax incentives (and let's face it - if you have 50 full time employees, you're doing alright, A-hole)I don't understand why conservatives are challenging this, except just for show and to make sure the ignorant masses vote them back in. Saying that insurance companies,whom you pay a handsome premium to, can't cap your benefits, can't drop you for a pre-existing condition, and have to cover your dependents all sounds pretty darn fair to me. It sounds bipartisan. It actually sounds customer-friendly. We all know big business tends to not behave so nicely without occasional intervention. Ahem.

Requiring individuals who can afford health care to purchase it or pay a fine is interesting and I can see why people might disagree...until I get through the bill, I'm not sure myself, and dammit, the insurance companies are totally going to profit from that nugget, aren't they! Isn't that interesting? Theoretically, it would reduce the number un-insured and pass these savings on, but we'll see. Hey, it's far from perfect, as I said. Again, the only fair way is universal health care. I hope we see it, if not in our lifetime, in our children's.

But the point I'm trying to make is that this bill's major provisions are fairly benign. Obstructionists really ought to shut the fuck up and be proud of their country for such a big, important reform that challenges the status quo. Have we come full circle?

Dare to dream

http://www.nytimes-se.com/

Yes we did!

It's a beautiful moment on a beautiful night. I'm so happy for America and so, so proud. I'm so happy for our children, and I have more hope and confidence in our futures than I ever have before.

I'm excited to open the gates to a new order, a new philosophy, and a better way.

A Distraction Before E-Day

All sorts of silly little sayings and thoughts have been wriggling around my brain today. I guess it's in nervous anticipation of tomorrow. As much as I want it to be over because my nerves can't take it anymore, I'm looking forward to spending the eve with Tim, our eyeballs glued to CNN.

I feel totally moronic and dumb to even admit it, but I started to think superstitiously too - like when I was driving home today and the setting sun was a huge orange "O" over the horizon. A sign for sure, agreed? Very good.

So whether you identify with them or not, I hope some of my brain children and observations will at least make you crack a smile.

• I love my Mama, and I love Obama. My Mama, Obama, my Mama, Obama. Everybody in the house put your hands up.


• I predict that Barack will be a popular boy's name in the next few years. And for girls, Baraccuda.


• There's a 20% chance that if McCain wins, he won't make it through the first four years. That's a 1 in 5 chance of a Palin presidency. President Palin. That's when I start praying publicly, people. For sure. Gah!


• Swing state residents will hereby be known as Swingers. Naughty naughty swingers.


• Just in case things get really really red, moving to Canada is fairly easy. I looked into this in 2004 - apparently so did a lot of my peeps.


• If things don't go my way tomorrow, I will need a few days. About 1460 days to be more exact. It would be best to not mention the R word to me during this time.


• A nod to 2004.


• My favorite electoral map.

Catharsis by infomercial

It's no secret I'm on the left side of the fence. That aside, I believe that like many of us, I'm fairly objective and savvy when it comes to political spin and bull. It's loud, clear, and pretty obvious from both sides - c'mon it's politics. Duh. And with that, I was a little bit hesitant about Obama's network time tonight. I wondered if it would be too over the top, too glitzy, or preachy.

I started to watch it carefully, but by the middle of it, I was in tears. More than tears - I was on the edge of the couch, sobbing. I realize that a good movie can do this too, of course, and I also know that this was a smartly put together piece - but it simply transcended that. In each of the people highlighted, I could see myself and my family both now and in the future. It was wonderful and worrisome. It was an excellent argument, and most importantly, a positive and uniting one. It made me feel American. I can only speak for myself of course, but I do think that a generation of us have trouble feeling patriotic, and quite honestly, could care less about petty implications and politics of the past. Our conduct in the world has been an embarrassment over the past eight years, and our image is terribly broken. As a friend of mine mentioned, it seems like willful ignorance is taking over. Not only that, but we've been warned that we are the first generation that won't do better than our parents - in fact, to do as well as they have will be a long shot.

I believe that the dream is broken, and I've been bitter and disenchanted about America and my family's future. It's quite a feat to make me feel patriotic and hopeful, and Obama does that. I believe that's a crucial component in uniting us. This election strikes me as a turning point - a generational stand to say STOP this bullshit, people, and get back to humanity and dignity and supporting working people. No one has been more divisive, juvenile, and negative than the Republican campaign and the right - and what's worse is that many of them do it in the name of patriotism, some in the name of fear and race, and most disturbing, in the name of God. It's frustrating, sad, and at times, downright nauseating.

I'm on the left because I cannot understand why health care shouldn't be a birthright of every citizen; because I am sickened that 40 years of work may not support me and my husband and my friends and family in retirement; because I don't understand or accept this disastrous and wrongful war, wrong from its very conception. I don't understand how despite doing 'all the right things', so many of us still cringe when we buy groceries and heating oil. I don't understand why abortion continues to dominate politics, even though very few people (relatively speaking) will actually ever have to deal directly with the issue. I don't understand why people spout religion and patriotism over education and advancement. Education and advancement of a country and its people is true patriotism, isn't it? Questioning the deployment of troops is very patriotic - blindly following the 'wisdom' of the administration is, as evidenced by this debacle, most certainly not patriotic, and aids in fueling anti-American sentiment. I'm on the left because I don't understand how "drill baby drill" can be the mantra on anyone's tongue. I'm on the left because I don't understand why the rich shouldn't pay more taxes or why capitalism shouldn't be scrutinized. I don't understand how being a POW, albeit an honorable and extreme experience, makes you qualified to lead our country TODAY. McCain is dated, surly, and careless (evidence:Palin) and knee-jerk (you can call it maverick), and that's probably the worst combination to put out there in an unstable world.

Tuesday is the time for a complete 180 - I'm proud to have contributed to Obama's campaign and tonight I'm happy to know that some of that went toward this historic production. I have never contributed to any campaign before. I wish I could have given more - this year we've had to tighten our belts, but we didn't flinch at making a small contribution to Obama. And clearly, millions of Americans feel the same. I hope Americans will take a stand and make history on Tuesday and choose humanity and peace over war mongering and corporate greed. And if we choose McCain, then I will be convinced that half the country chose willful, shameful, and disgraceful ignorance as its mode of operation.

I'd like to end with a nod to our nutty undecideds, as beautifully crafted by the one and only David Sedaris:

"To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”

To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked."

How not to make little cupcakes.

I'm a decent cook, but I'm no baker. I hope to pass on my terrible baking skills to my child(ren).

The rain kept us inside today, so I needed a fun project to keep Sam entertained. I suggested cupcakes, and he started dragging a chair to the counter right away.

He was so cute with the stirring (and the dripping and the spilling) that I had to take some pictures.

I let him stir the ingredients and every couple of minutes I gave the batter a shot with the hand mixer. He pulled the trigger on it while it was sitting next to the bowl, and we got batter-spray everywhere. I'll be finding chocolate batter splatters for weeks.

Apparently we over filled the mini muffin pans, as you can see from the oven shot. If I were a skilled baker, I would have known to not over fill. Actually, a little voice of realization told me not to overfill about halfway through, but we were having so much fun, and there was a lot of batter.

Mini cupcakes are supposed to be cute. These are pretty darn ugly.

He ate one before his nap, and went to sleep excited to tell his daddy all about making cupcakes later on.



Changing gears: I'm pleased that McCain has decided to show up tonight. If that wasn't a totally lame distraction, I don't know what is. I guess he's trying to prove that he's 'Country First' or something, except it's pretty self-centered to presume that our country and our government can't operate properly for 36 hours without him being in the same room...

Debate Party at my house tonight. There will be plenty of ugly cupcakes.

I accept your nomination.

Ms. Chairman, Delegates, and fellow citizens:

I accept your nomination to be the next Vice President of the
United Z-Sectors of Planet 8-GS, Defender of the Galaxies.

The opposition has criticized my qualifications to be in this position and to potentially be the President. To them, I present that Governor Palin of Planet Earth has not just opened the doors for women like me, but has shot them open with her very own rifle. It is to her that I owe my unprecedented, freak rise from the PTA to the Governorship of Sector A-1. If she is deemed fit for for this position, than so am I, and so are millions and millions of organisms across our Galaxies.

Like Palin, I have multiple offspring - they are Squibb, Plank, Tearduct, Birch, and Activia. I share with her the burden of motherhood.

I too am an avid sportswoman - I never miss an opportunity to pick off fuzzy Andromeda Bears from the comfort of my spaceship.

My executive experience spans over half of my life, starting with Student Council in 9th grade, Vice President of the Sophomore Class, and President of the Junior Class. That's right...President. Like any Class President, or sector Mayor, or even President of a country, I had actual responsibilities like purchasing bunting for the Homecoming floats, and saying NO to over-the-top class expenditures like hooded sweatshirts and commemorative plaques. I ensured that our Student Government Constitution was honored by having anyone who questioned it removed from their position and socially ousted.

In college, I served on the Student Association, where I weeded out the bake sale fundraiser corruption among the good ol boys of the College Republicans club. Soon after college, I married my high school sweetheart, whose dead eyes still glaze over for me. Palin and I have much in common. I'm ready.

Once my children were part of the public space education system, I decided it needed to improve. Like Palin, I joined the PTA and cheered on the space-hockey teams. Because of my school spirit, I was catapulted to Mayor of W-18, Sector A-1. As mayor, I had about 10 more actual responsibilities. Just like in high school, I became totally popular as a Maverick, and just six years later, the 17 people of A-1 elected me to Govern their sector.

Since Governing this sector, I got a passport asap. I plan to travel to all the troubled spots in our galaxy and sort out what's going on. I'm glad my running mate's campaign still has a spaceship, as I sold Sector A-1's on SpaceAuction. I didn't think I'd need it. Plus, don't forget that I am qualified in foreign space policy because my sector is close to other foreign sectors!
You can be sure if my running mate dies in office, my advisers will implant a permanent chip in my brain so I can execute their decisions and run the United Sectors. And I'll let them do it without anesthesia. I'm tough. Bring it on.

Thank You. Thanks to ALL of You.

From Insulted to Disturbed

Putting aside McCain's offensive judgment on this for a moment, the more I'm learning about Alaska's prom queen, the more disturbed I'm becoming, especially as a mother.

From Wikipedia:
"On April 18, 2008, while in office as governor, Palin gave birth to her second son and fifth child, Trig Paxson Van Palin, who, as prenatal genetic testing had shown, has Down syndrome.[87] She returned to the office three days after giving birth.[22] Her decision to have the baby was applauded by the pro-life community"

This child is 4 months old. Not only an infant, but one with special needs - and this crackpot not only returns to her gubernatorial seat 3 days after birth, but is now choosing to essentially be absent from this baby's life before it can even ingest solids. And she's pro-life....figure that one out.

I don't judge moms that return to work after having a baby, willingly or not. I went back too. Our country's policies on maternity leave and early childcare programs are horrendous -sadly, many moms don't get adequate leave and most of us have to go back to work prematurely.
But being a state governor, then the VP nominee, and then potentially in office...these are not 9-5 positions....these are 24/7, 365. She must know that. She's putting her political career ahead of a four month old infant that needs its mother more than anything - a wealthy mother that can easily take indefinite time off and ensure that this child has the best chance...instead she'll let a team of nannies and staff do the job. A disturbing and heartless choice.

Maybe rich moms with maids and nannies can identify with her 'drive' to succeed. I am not sure how the rest of us could. She's not a suburban hockey mom, she's an egomaniac with big hair.

Palin Comparison

Yep, it's a play on words, my smarty-pantsies.

McCain's VP pick is the thinnest, most deplorable veiled attempt to woo those remaining (and a little bit nutty) Hillary die-hards.

AND, as far as I'm concerned, McCain isn't picking a VP based on experience or wisdom or 'readiness', he's brazenly exploiting the Minority Card for votes: oh, so you've got the first African American nominee? Well I'll just pick a woman then. Ha ha!

How cheap. How condescending.

Many smart women who were on the fence will see right through this. Easy to see why he really doesn't get it.

Of course I want a woman as a Pres or VP one day, but not a conservative. If the Dem nominee weren't Obama or even Hillary, I would STILL take an old white male democrat a million times over.

At least we can be sure Biden will mop the floor with her (and mess up her bun).

I had a feeling

Something about their wise and smiling expressions and their classic, clever design made me wonder recently if Duplos could be Lefties. This morning, I had no more doubts. They must have received the 3am text (yes, they carry cell phones), and worked together all night to find crayons and paper to make this sign. What a fun surprise! I had to take a picture. I must mention that a few have likely been influenced by our conversations and have become even more concerned and wise than the rest, thus being for Nader/Gonzalez - but clearly, they realize that in a broken and corrupt system, sometimes the next best thing is the only option.

Sam asked me what they were holding. He's too young for politics, so I explained that his little guys are very smart and industrious, and their deep patriotism enables them to recognize the need for sweeping change. He responded, "can I sweep with the broom, mommy?" He loves doing that, for about 5 seconds anyway.

So if McCain picks Romney, the opposition is going to be CryptKeeper/Dracula '08. I haven't thought about which toys in this house might be for uh that side, but I'll round 'em up for questioning. I suspect the dinosaurs, on account of their age and tiny brains.