I don't write much about this on my blog, but psychic phenomenom is actually a huge part of my life, maybe more than just about anything else. I've had experiences going back to childhood, and yet for the most part, they've been dismissed, excused away, ignored, sadly sometimes by myself as well. Such experiences are something we can and do all have, if we only listen. However, women seem to have them more, or at least admit to having them. Societal thing most likely. Environment. Nurture. Women are much more encouraged to explore those feeling levels, the intuitive space, than men are. I've heard it say that this is the feminine energy at work. I happen to believe in this theory.
I've been corresponding for some time with a young woman on the eastern seaboard for a couple of years now. We found one another through a website, whereby we learned she, myself and another woman from Europe had each had the same dream (which I share below). Knowing the odds of that are next to zero, the young woman and I began corresponding, sharing our experiences, our dreams. What's become very bizarre to me (in a very cool way) is the fact that whenever I speak to someone about this young woman (which is very rare), she often ends up writing me within 1-2 days. Last night, Mr. Nina and I spoke of her, about our mutual dream. I then had a dream where I was looking for her. Upon waking up, I had the desire to speak with her, write her myself. However, I didn't have to. As I signed in to check my e-mail, there was an e-mail from her. She had had another dream. A plane crash. She woke up, heart racing, anxious. She soon found out about the plane crash in Bangkok, Thailand.
It's easy in our western world to dismiss such things as "coincidence". Exploring that intuitive side is something that is a bit uncomfortable, fearful even. When you venture into that part of the self, you open yourself up to a new level, and that can be scary, scary because you feel as though you don't have your normal sense of control over what you think, feel, experience.
Mr. Nina is also very psychic/intuitive in his own way. We realized last night that we have each had the impression of a Native American male spirit residing on our property--down to the exact location. I've felt it for a couple of years as has he, but neither of us had shared this.
See what wonderful things can happen when we share??? :)
***
The dream that we three women (that we know of) around the globe have shared is the following:
A China/Russian invasion off of the west coast, likely coming down from western Canada. The woman from Europe is incredibly detailed in the events leading up to this possible invasion--events she saw many many years ago, events that have been coming to fruition. She saw a military collaboration between China and Russia, tensions growing between the two countries and the United States. A fight for oil would be involved.
Frankly, given the current scenario, I am surprised that more people aren't talking about this threat. China's military (not to mention economic) power alone is immense--in short, they would kick our ass at this point. People are talking a lot about the possibility of an attack on Iran, however, my greatest concern is conflict (military) with China and Russia.
I hope to everything good that I am wrong. However, again, what are the odds of 3 women, women who have never met, having the same damn dream?
Coincidence?
You decide.
9.15.2007
Wanna Get Rich In America?
Well, you have three choices. You can inherit it (which happens 69.9% of the time); you can marry into it (which happens just a 4.2% of the time, so odds are not so good on that one) or you can do other things such as join the mob, become a druglord, become a corporate executive, make it in the entertainment and sports fields or win the lottery. (The other things category is listed as "crime", which isn't too far from the truth when you consider what is indeed done to make it in many of these "other" categories.)
I found this piece online after I saw the piechart on a blogging buddies blog. I wanted to find out if the chart was accurate. A google search brought me to this article that just happened to have the same pie chart. Anyway, this site gives a ton of information, articles and such on wealth and poverty in America. Those who are against sharing the wealth or who think anyone can become wealthy will receive a good dose of humbleness upon reading through this "wealth" of information.
My thought is, I wonder how many people who are swimming at the bottom are actually aware of it. I was unaware for about 5 years where we fell in terms of wage and how we lived. Of course at the time, our rent was considered "dirt cheap" (to us it was fair given the income we were making). However, all of that changed when we were forced to move and realized we would have to pay at least $300 or more per month for something similar. It was a shocking reality to have to swallow.
I found this piece online after I saw the piechart on a blogging buddies blog. I wanted to find out if the chart was accurate. A google search brought me to this article that just happened to have the same pie chart. Anyway, this site gives a ton of information, articles and such on wealth and poverty in America. Those who are against sharing the wealth or who think anyone can become wealthy will receive a good dose of humbleness upon reading through this "wealth" of information.
My thought is, I wonder how many people who are swimming at the bottom are actually aware of it. I was unaware for about 5 years where we fell in terms of wage and how we lived. Of course at the time, our rent was considered "dirt cheap" (to us it was fair given the income we were making). However, all of that changed when we were forced to move and realized we would have to pay at least $300 or more per month for something similar. It was a shocking reality to have to swallow.
John Stossel Claims Capitalism Encourages Competition Which Is Better For You and I
One last point I left out of my post last night. JS claims the capitalist/free market system actually benefits folks like you and I. Uh huh. It sure indeedy does. Benefits us in that companies compete with one another and as a result, you and I get good bargains on goods and services. Uh huh.
If that is the case, why has health insurance premiums continued to skyrocket? Ours jumped up 20% this year alone. I heard the other night that overall, the cost of health insurance jumped 6% while wages, only 3%. (A distorted fact considering wages increased the most for the top 95 percentile, and even at that, cost of health care once again outpaced the cost of living/wage increase. Ah but remember, the free market benefits us all.) There are a lot of health insurance companies out there, but that hasn't resulted in their offering the people a "good bargain". Same for cable. Rates up 100% in the past several years.
Let's look at milk. Up over a dollar gallon in under a year. Lots of different brands to choose from. The cost? Skyrocketing. Gasoline? Same thing. Alcohol and tobacco? Up 20% this year. Food itself, up nearly 20% this year alone. But wait, there is that free market competition offering us those "bargains". How silly of me to forget that.
Oh sure, there are some bargains, if you want to call them that. Goods and services that have seen their costs decline due to market competition. Cell phone plans. Internet plans. And you can go to one of those dollar stores and pick up a toothbrush, a notepad or a bottle of generic tylenol for $1.00 (most of these products of course coming from China, so let's remember that when thinking about the term "bargain"--someone working 14 hour days for a pittance made it so you could have that dollar item).
One must take into consideration the entire pie. While the costs on some things may have come down, while there are some bargains to be had, by and large most of our basic living expenses have continued to far out-pace wage increases. And for those who continue to stick their head in the sand on this one while holding the FREE MARKET sign, I've got news for you. Don't be surprised if some day some desperate, worn out soul comes into your life and takes some of what you have. I can guarantee that if things do not change, "crimes" such as these will only continue to grow. And a little reminder to stick with you in that little sandpit you hide yourself in: Just remember we already have a Socialist Relationship between Corporate America and Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam, doing everything it can, to see to it that the wealth is equally distributed (AND kept there) amongst those at the top.
If that is the case, why has health insurance premiums continued to skyrocket? Ours jumped up 20% this year alone. I heard the other night that overall, the cost of health insurance jumped 6% while wages, only 3%. (A distorted fact considering wages increased the most for the top 95 percentile, and even at that, cost of health care once again outpaced the cost of living/wage increase. Ah but remember, the free market benefits us all.) There are a lot of health insurance companies out there, but that hasn't resulted in their offering the people a "good bargain". Same for cable. Rates up 100% in the past several years.
Let's look at milk. Up over a dollar gallon in under a year. Lots of different brands to choose from. The cost? Skyrocketing. Gasoline? Same thing. Alcohol and tobacco? Up 20% this year. Food itself, up nearly 20% this year alone. But wait, there is that free market competition offering us those "bargains". How silly of me to forget that.
Oh sure, there are some bargains, if you want to call them that. Goods and services that have seen their costs decline due to market competition. Cell phone plans. Internet plans. And you can go to one of those dollar stores and pick up a toothbrush, a notepad or a bottle of generic tylenol for $1.00 (most of these products of course coming from China, so let's remember that when thinking about the term "bargain"--someone working 14 hour days for a pittance made it so you could have that dollar item).
One must take into consideration the entire pie. While the costs on some things may have come down, while there are some bargains to be had, by and large most of our basic living expenses have continued to far out-pace wage increases. And for those who continue to stick their head in the sand on this one while holding the FREE MARKET sign, I've got news for you. Don't be surprised if some day some desperate, worn out soul comes into your life and takes some of what you have. I can guarantee that if things do not change, "crimes" such as these will only continue to grow. And a little reminder to stick with you in that little sandpit you hide yourself in: Just remember we already have a Socialist Relationship between Corporate America and Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam, doing everything it can, to see to it that the wealth is equally distributed (AND kept there) amongst those at the top.
9.14.2007
John Stossel: Sick In America. (Sick In News Reporting is a more accurate title.)
We just finished watching 20/20 with John Stossel: Sick In America. I really tried to go into this with an open-mind, although there was some scepticism since ABC is owned by Disney who is heavily invested in the Republican Party who is utterly and completely against doing away with any part of the for-profit health care insurance industry. And I also know by watching John Stossel's reports, they are typically heavily short-sighted.
Well, tonight Stossel didn't disappoint. He failed to discuss what to do about people who are uninsured, which the numbers are quickly reaching the 40 million mark. At the beginning, he interviewed a woman who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had just signed up with a new health insurance plan in the weeks prior to her diagnosis. However, upon hearing news of her cancer, the insurance company canceled her policy. Horrible. Criminal. Now she only goes to the doctor when absolutely necessary and prays no new cancer lumps or cells are found. Her distress was apparent--and I could not understand how JS could listen to her story with that deadpan, aloof look of his...he was in the same frigging room for christ sake and I was at home, watching it tape-delayed, crying for this poor woman. Ever hear of a little term called empathy, JS? How could he watch her eyes well up as she said she lives in this constant fear of knowing she has no insurance and is essentially uninsurable unless she can cough up $27,000 for an annual plan and god forbid what if the cancer were to return? Does this man have no heart? Oh well, I thought. He'll (hopefully) likely return to her story later in the program and offer up solutions to people in her situation.
Wrong. Not once did he address these issues. People not having health insurance. People being unable to afford it. People being canceled because they get sick with a serious illness.
He interviews Michael Moore--and yet the interview was pitiful at best. MM spoke for maybe 3 minutes tops, in bits and pieces while JS did most of the talking. Accusing, actually. And his last little jab at MM where he referenced MM going to Florida to a private facility to lose weight was uncalled for. And cowardly being he didn't give MM the chance to address it.
But what do you expect from people like JS? They suffer from emotional detachment. They see the world in black and white. They are rational thinking-only types, very individualistic. They are, in truth, inside, scared little people with a deep fear of showing vulnerability and weakness. And they have a gross inability to see suffering and struggle as a result. They're not evil. They're just really the victims of a capitalistic, money-driven, individualistic society. Nothing wrong with any of these things in moderation as long as they are balanced out by empathy, generosity, fairness.
JS showed the troubles that face the citizens of those countries whose government's foot the bill for health care. Certainly there are some real problems--problems we need to be discussing as we talk about a government run and/or government paid health care system. No system is perfect. And yet, overall, I did not see these countries as having problems that outweigh the current American Health Care System. Having to wait a month to see a doctor. Having to wait for an MRI or CT Scan. Problems not uncommon in some of these other nations. Well...Uh, last I checked, my spouse had to wait 3.5 weeks just to get in to see his PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. As he is now being told, the doctor is now booked 4 weeks out. And when I began my search for a PCP, I was starting to grow very concerned when office after office told me "no new patients" were being accepted. And honest to god, which situation would you rather be in: having no insurance and no way to pay for it and having to wait to see a doctor OR living in a country where the government pays for it and having to wait to see a doctor?
Funny it was when JS seemed to be so pro-insurance industry, but then showed the story of a doctor who no longer takes insurance because of the hassles and restrictions, regulations and rules imposed by bean counters in said industry. This doctor is now offering fee based services where patients pay a fee (quite a bit smaller than what the insurance industry would charge) out of pocket for basic office services. Sounds good on the surface of course but what happens when these people become seriously ill and cannot afford the more expensive health care treatments because they have no insurance coverage? Again, he let that one slip right on out the door. And he also made a slip-up or else didn't notice it. He began this particular segment saying most people who visited this particular doctor have no health insurance, at least that was the slant, but then ended it saying these people, when they need other services, let their insurance pay for it.
Uh, so which is it? Do most of these folks have insurance or don't they, JS?
When JS asked MM why he didn't hit up the Insurance Industry people in his movie like he usually does in his films, MM said it was his wish that the people go after the industry instead as a result of watching the film. So, JS decided to do this on his his own, and as he claimed, he had "no problem" doing so. Yeah, he went to ONE insurance company and spoke with ONE person, a bean counter, who of course proclaimed the industry was doing a splendid job and yet in the same breath actually supported the right for insurance companies to deny coverage for people who have the dreaded pre-existing conditions or occasionally denying services. All in a deadpan, matter-of-fact statement. But then again, that's what happens when you don't see the people you're treating, don't get that emotional closeness that once felt, will have you rethinking how you do things. Anyway... And again, this is a pro-corporate america journalist who works for a pro-corporate america broadcasting station who is owned by a pro-corporate america Multi-national. Yep, no bias there! And JS had an obvious agenda--to say BOO to government-run health care and YES to the "free" market (which as I've said before and will say again, free does not mean fair.)
Failing miserably in his report, JS also failed to talk about the huge increases in health care premiums, the stagnating wages/how wages have failed to keep up with the cost of living, not to mention the millions of living wage jobs lost only to be replaced by low end service jobs at the big "mart" stores....hey, it is ALL inter-connected. And still, not once, did he address what to do about the uninsured. And the people like this first woman with cancer he interviewed, who had insurance but was canceled because of her illness.
And oh how JS loved to show all of these wealthy royals who have come here to the states to receive medical treatment. Again, promoting the American Health Care System. Sure JS. These royals can afford it. And the obvious glaring fact: They come here to use OUR system and yet there are people in our own country who cannot afford it. Doesn't that bother you in the least? Hello??! KNOCK KNOCK MC'FLY is your consciousness at home this evening??!!
One thing that also intrigued me. JS talked about how miserable government is at running things (unless you're talking about war, he said--yes he really said that). Government can't handle anything, can't take care of anything, he said. There's inefficiency all over the place. Uh, last I checked, Uncle Sam is doing a pretty damn good job of taking care of Corporate America. No reason they cannot take the same care of People America.
And my favorite, the piece that had me to the point where I felt as though I may puke out a lung, I had to calm myself, was when they showed the advances in medicine and how these advances have helped keep Dick Cheney alive.
:::cough cough, gasp, choke clutch my heart give me some water WTF did i just hear that right??:::
That's right. They showed a GOVERNMENT employee who has HIS INSURANCE PAID FOR BY YOU AND I as an example to SUPPORT the private insurance industry.
Uh huh. UNbelievable...
The obvious question, JS, out of your mouth, should be the following: The American people pay for Mr. Cheney's Health Insurance. Now shouldn't the government be returning the favor to the people?
Balance. The doctors run the show, the government foots the bill and offers a sliding scale fee based on income. For those who wish to keep their private insurers, then so be it. Let it be a CHOICE. But also let it become the RIGHT it need be, the RIGHT it should be. Until that time, may JS and those like him become a silent breeze in the night and may people like myself became THE VOICE that is heard by all, listened to by all, respected and embraced by all. Well, at least by the "little people"...
Well, tonight Stossel didn't disappoint. He failed to discuss what to do about people who are uninsured, which the numbers are quickly reaching the 40 million mark. At the beginning, he interviewed a woman who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had just signed up with a new health insurance plan in the weeks prior to her diagnosis. However, upon hearing news of her cancer, the insurance company canceled her policy. Horrible. Criminal. Now she only goes to the doctor when absolutely necessary and prays no new cancer lumps or cells are found. Her distress was apparent--and I could not understand how JS could listen to her story with that deadpan, aloof look of his...he was in the same frigging room for christ sake and I was at home, watching it tape-delayed, crying for this poor woman. Ever hear of a little term called empathy, JS? How could he watch her eyes well up as she said she lives in this constant fear of knowing she has no insurance and is essentially uninsurable unless she can cough up $27,000 for an annual plan and god forbid what if the cancer were to return? Does this man have no heart? Oh well, I thought. He'll (hopefully) likely return to her story later in the program and offer up solutions to people in her situation.
Wrong. Not once did he address these issues. People not having health insurance. People being unable to afford it. People being canceled because they get sick with a serious illness.
He interviews Michael Moore--and yet the interview was pitiful at best. MM spoke for maybe 3 minutes tops, in bits and pieces while JS did most of the talking. Accusing, actually. And his last little jab at MM where he referenced MM going to Florida to a private facility to lose weight was uncalled for. And cowardly being he didn't give MM the chance to address it.
But what do you expect from people like JS? They suffer from emotional detachment. They see the world in black and white. They are rational thinking-only types, very individualistic. They are, in truth, inside, scared little people with a deep fear of showing vulnerability and weakness. And they have a gross inability to see suffering and struggle as a result. They're not evil. They're just really the victims of a capitalistic, money-driven, individualistic society. Nothing wrong with any of these things in moderation as long as they are balanced out by empathy, generosity, fairness.
JS showed the troubles that face the citizens of those countries whose government's foot the bill for health care. Certainly there are some real problems--problems we need to be discussing as we talk about a government run and/or government paid health care system. No system is perfect. And yet, overall, I did not see these countries as having problems that outweigh the current American Health Care System. Having to wait a month to see a doctor. Having to wait for an MRI or CT Scan. Problems not uncommon in some of these other nations. Well...Uh, last I checked, my spouse had to wait 3.5 weeks just to get in to see his PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. As he is now being told, the doctor is now booked 4 weeks out. And when I began my search for a PCP, I was starting to grow very concerned when office after office told me "no new patients" were being accepted. And honest to god, which situation would you rather be in: having no insurance and no way to pay for it and having to wait to see a doctor OR living in a country where the government pays for it and having to wait to see a doctor?
Funny it was when JS seemed to be so pro-insurance industry, but then showed the story of a doctor who no longer takes insurance because of the hassles and restrictions, regulations and rules imposed by bean counters in said industry. This doctor is now offering fee based services where patients pay a fee (quite a bit smaller than what the insurance industry would charge) out of pocket for basic office services. Sounds good on the surface of course but what happens when these people become seriously ill and cannot afford the more expensive health care treatments because they have no insurance coverage? Again, he let that one slip right on out the door. And he also made a slip-up or else didn't notice it. He began this particular segment saying most people who visited this particular doctor have no health insurance, at least that was the slant, but then ended it saying these people, when they need other services, let their insurance pay for it.
Uh, so which is it? Do most of these folks have insurance or don't they, JS?
When JS asked MM why he didn't hit up the Insurance Industry people in his movie like he usually does in his films, MM said it was his wish that the people go after the industry instead as a result of watching the film. So, JS decided to do this on his his own, and as he claimed, he had "no problem" doing so. Yeah, he went to ONE insurance company and spoke with ONE person, a bean counter, who of course proclaimed the industry was doing a splendid job and yet in the same breath actually supported the right for insurance companies to deny coverage for people who have the dreaded pre-existing conditions or occasionally denying services. All in a deadpan, matter-of-fact statement. But then again, that's what happens when you don't see the people you're treating, don't get that emotional closeness that once felt, will have you rethinking how you do things. Anyway... And again, this is a pro-corporate america journalist who works for a pro-corporate america broadcasting station who is owned by a pro-corporate america Multi-national. Yep, no bias there! And JS had an obvious agenda--to say BOO to government-run health care and YES to the "free" market (which as I've said before and will say again, free does not mean fair.)
Failing miserably in his report, JS also failed to talk about the huge increases in health care premiums, the stagnating wages/how wages have failed to keep up with the cost of living, not to mention the millions of living wage jobs lost only to be replaced by low end service jobs at the big "mart" stores....hey, it is ALL inter-connected. And still, not once, did he address what to do about the uninsured. And the people like this first woman with cancer he interviewed, who had insurance but was canceled because of her illness.
And oh how JS loved to show all of these wealthy royals who have come here to the states to receive medical treatment. Again, promoting the American Health Care System. Sure JS. These royals can afford it. And the obvious glaring fact: They come here to use OUR system and yet there are people in our own country who cannot afford it. Doesn't that bother you in the least? Hello??! KNOCK KNOCK MC'FLY is your consciousness at home this evening??!!
One thing that also intrigued me. JS talked about how miserable government is at running things (unless you're talking about war, he said--yes he really said that). Government can't handle anything, can't take care of anything, he said. There's inefficiency all over the place. Uh, last I checked, Uncle Sam is doing a pretty damn good job of taking care of Corporate America. No reason they cannot take the same care of People America.
And my favorite, the piece that had me to the point where I felt as though I may puke out a lung, I had to calm myself, was when they showed the advances in medicine and how these advances have helped keep Dick Cheney alive.
:::cough cough, gasp, choke clutch my heart give me some water WTF did i just hear that right??:::
That's right. They showed a GOVERNMENT employee who has HIS INSURANCE PAID FOR BY YOU AND I as an example to SUPPORT the private insurance industry.
Uh huh. UNbelievable...
The obvious question, JS, out of your mouth, should be the following: The American people pay for Mr. Cheney's Health Insurance. Now shouldn't the government be returning the favor to the people?
Balance. The doctors run the show, the government foots the bill and offers a sliding scale fee based on income. For those who wish to keep their private insurers, then so be it. Let it be a CHOICE. But also let it become the RIGHT it need be, the RIGHT it should be. Until that time, may JS and those like him become a silent breeze in the night and may people like myself became THE VOICE that is heard by all, listened to by all, respected and embraced by all. Well, at least by the "little people"...
Blockbuster. Try Walletbuster.
Mr. Nina and I made the switch from Netflix to Blockbuster a few months ago. In short, I am not impressed. Our plan was for two-at-a-time rentals plus unlimited in-store exchanges in addition to one free in-store movie rental coupon per month. Sounded like a pretty good deal. However, I soon discovered Blockbuster's movie selection sucks. Our local Blockbuster store is even worse.
Netflix has so many more movies, more variety for certain. Blockbuster seems to focus more on current hollywood crap. We prefer more independent films, documentaries, etc.
Another problem is the waiting period. When a customer of Netflix, when a movie would be shown as having a "short wait", they meant it. Two weeks or so later, it became available. However, with Blockbuster, "short wait" so far has meant 7 weeks. And while Netflix would go to the trouble at times of giving an actual availability date, Blockbuster doesn't do this.
Also, I soon discovered that while a movie may show itself to be available in ones queue, this doesn't mean it is available at your local shipping facility. I have had a movie from the 1960's sitting at the #1 spot in my queue for 4 weeks and despite it saying it is available, it keeps getting passed over. When I called Blockbuster Customer Service about this, which by the way I was on hold for 20 fucking minutes and had to listen to the SAME SONG over and over again, I was given the above reason. I said it may behoove them to have some sort of a notation online letting the customer know this little tidbit. In short, I was told by the customer service representative that he would check into the problem and have the movie sent out from another facility.
Two shipped movies later, my 1960's flick still sits there, waiting.
Mr. Nina and I discussed returning to Netflix last night. We didn't reach a conclusion. However, after the e-mail I received today from Blockbuster, my mind is now made up.
Blockbuster, in all of their wallet-busting, greedy, capitalistic gluttony has decided to change our plan. While the price isn't going up, the amount of movies we receive is dropping. No longer will we have unlimited in-store exchanges. Nope. We will now only be receiving 3. However, if that doesn't suffice, they will ONLY charge us $1.99 per movie for each additional in-store exchange. Wow. How fucking generous of them.
And, gone is the monthly free rental coupon.
Hmm.
Doesn't seem like Blockbuster wants our business anymore. I'll be returning us to Netflix, thank you very much.
Netflix has so many more movies, more variety for certain. Blockbuster seems to focus more on current hollywood crap. We prefer more independent films, documentaries, etc.
Another problem is the waiting period. When a customer of Netflix, when a movie would be shown as having a "short wait", they meant it. Two weeks or so later, it became available. However, with Blockbuster, "short wait" so far has meant 7 weeks. And while Netflix would go to the trouble at times of giving an actual availability date, Blockbuster doesn't do this.
Also, I soon discovered that while a movie may show itself to be available in ones queue, this doesn't mean it is available at your local shipping facility. I have had a movie from the 1960's sitting at the #1 spot in my queue for 4 weeks and despite it saying it is available, it keeps getting passed over. When I called Blockbuster Customer Service about this, which by the way I was on hold for 20 fucking minutes and had to listen to the SAME SONG over and over again, I was given the above reason. I said it may behoove them to have some sort of a notation online letting the customer know this little tidbit. In short, I was told by the customer service representative that he would check into the problem and have the movie sent out from another facility.
Two shipped movies later, my 1960's flick still sits there, waiting.
Mr. Nina and I discussed returning to Netflix last night. We didn't reach a conclusion. However, after the e-mail I received today from Blockbuster, my mind is now made up.
Blockbuster, in all of their wallet-busting, greedy, capitalistic gluttony has decided to change our plan. While the price isn't going up, the amount of movies we receive is dropping. No longer will we have unlimited in-store exchanges. Nope. We will now only be receiving 3. However, if that doesn't suffice, they will ONLY charge us $1.99 per movie for each additional in-store exchange. Wow. How fucking generous of them.
And, gone is the monthly free rental coupon.
Hmm.
Doesn't seem like Blockbuster wants our business anymore. I'll be returning us to Netflix, thank you very much.
9.12.2007
Kucinich Speaks The Truth, Gets Labeled A Moron, Nutjob, etc. etc
Read this article about Kucinich's latest attempt at finding the truth to 9/11, amongst other things. In a nutshell, he was the only member of Congress to vote against a resolution authorizing yesterday as a day of mourning for 9/11 victims. His reason? The lies and unanswered questions surrounding that day that the Congress still has yet to truly investigate until answers are found. While he offered his empathy towards those beautiful innocent people whose lives were lost, he made a powerful stand against all of his colleagues for essentially calling them on their political games they continue to play. This brave attempt, which would truly honor the victims of 9/11 more than anything Congress has presented thus far, gets him called all sorts of sophomoric labels, not to mention unbelievable comments made from people across america. To sum it up, the comment section verifies why the movement for truth and change is not as big as many of us think it should be/wish it would be. Read it and weep. Or at the very least, shake your head then do what I'm doing now: go back to bed, pull the covers over your head and pray for a better day tomorrow.
Worker "Apathy"
There's a local business owner expressing his/her thoughts on the corvallis craigslists rant and rave board. (Check it out and offer up your own thoughts.) On the one hand, this person is pretty progressive in their supporting of a single payer health care system and unions. However, out of the other side of their mouth is a very judgmental, harsh, critical analysis of today's "apathetic" worker. Gone is the work ethic, they observe. No wonder employers prefer to hire those from Mexico, he/she says.
Uh huh. How progressive is this person, really? That was my question. Below is what I posted in response to their words.
Like you, I support unions and a single payer health system.
I would like to say though that the reason for the decline in the work ethic is because people are no longer paid a wage that has kept up with the cost of living. In today's market, the minimum wage would need to be around $15/hour. In the 1960's, the minimum wage was 94% of what the living wage was. Today, it's hovering around 50%.
Workers feel enslaved today because their wages are so pitifully low and benefits are a luxury, which leaves many to fend for themselves for health care coverage. Do you have any clue how scary it feels to be unable to afford health care? To think that when you're sick, you hope it's just a cold and that it doesn't turn into an infection. To hope and pray you don't get some serious illness because god knows you won't be able to afford it. THINK before you speak please.
People who come here from Mexico think a minimum wage job is a luxury because IT IS--compared to where they come from. And frankly, employer's treat so many of these folks like cattle--paying them below the minimum wages, under the table (to avoid taxes), working them long hours, all to save a buck. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS HERE.
Please don't insult today's workers and their work ethic without taking into consideration the very realities of what has happened to wages and benefits.
Honest to god, if employers truly want a reliable, responsible employee, you have to be willing to pay a living wage and offer some benefits, and at the very least, FIGHT FOR THESE RIGHTS for your workers. Now I realize offering health care benefits has become out of reach for many of today's small business owners and our government needs to be as equally supportive of these folks as they are of their corporate minions.
Stop insulting the american worker online and instead get involved politically, as a business owner. Join in with other small business owners. Organize! Fight for the changes you claim you are for!
Until such changes take place, worker apathy will continue. Rather than gripe about such attitudes, have some compassion and understand the struggle. It is exhausting. Point the finger where it belongs--at the System, instead of at the worker.
***
Honest to god. What do these moronic employers expect from us? They expect us to show up, work hard and pay us $10...$11/hour (or less) while offering us no health care insurance and little, if any, vacation? When, 25 years ago or so, the SAME situation would be bringing us a LIVING WAGE AND FULL BENEFITS?! WHY IN THE HELL WOULD ANY SANE PERSON CONTINUE TO WORK UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN THAT AMERICAN "WORK HARD" ETHIC??!!! We're not fucking cattle! We're not fucking computers! WE ARE PEOPLE WITH EMOTIONS, FEELINGS, DESIRES. AND LIMITS!!
Maybe we should call it for what it really is. Worker fatigue. It isn't a result of a poor work ethic. No, it is not. It is, indeed, a result of a System that no longer supports Joe and Jane American Worker.
So there you go employers, big and small. STOP POINTING THE FINGER AT YOUR WORKERS AND POINT IT AT THE SYSTEM. Quit your bitching and organize with other small business owners, organize with your workers, and FIGHT to change the system together. We'll ALL benefit this way.
Uh huh. How progressive is this person, really? That was my question. Below is what I posted in response to their words.
Like you, I support unions and a single payer health system.
I would like to say though that the reason for the decline in the work ethic is because people are no longer paid a wage that has kept up with the cost of living. In today's market, the minimum wage would need to be around $15/hour. In the 1960's, the minimum wage was 94% of what the living wage was. Today, it's hovering around 50%.
Workers feel enslaved today because their wages are so pitifully low and benefits are a luxury, which leaves many to fend for themselves for health care coverage. Do you have any clue how scary it feels to be unable to afford health care? To think that when you're sick, you hope it's just a cold and that it doesn't turn into an infection. To hope and pray you don't get some serious illness because god knows you won't be able to afford it. THINK before you speak please.
People who come here from Mexico think a minimum wage job is a luxury because IT IS--compared to where they come from. And frankly, employer's treat so many of these folks like cattle--paying them below the minimum wages, under the table (to avoid taxes), working them long hours, all to save a buck. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS HERE.
Please don't insult today's workers and their work ethic without taking into consideration the very realities of what has happened to wages and benefits.
Honest to god, if employers truly want a reliable, responsible employee, you have to be willing to pay a living wage and offer some benefits, and at the very least, FIGHT FOR THESE RIGHTS for your workers. Now I realize offering health care benefits has become out of reach for many of today's small business owners and our government needs to be as equally supportive of these folks as they are of their corporate minions.
Stop insulting the american worker online and instead get involved politically, as a business owner. Join in with other small business owners. Organize! Fight for the changes you claim you are for!
Until such changes take place, worker apathy will continue. Rather than gripe about such attitudes, have some compassion and understand the struggle. It is exhausting. Point the finger where it belongs--at the System, instead of at the worker.
***
Honest to god. What do these moronic employers expect from us? They expect us to show up, work hard and pay us $10...$11/hour (or less) while offering us no health care insurance and little, if any, vacation? When, 25 years ago or so, the SAME situation would be bringing us a LIVING WAGE AND FULL BENEFITS?! WHY IN THE HELL WOULD ANY SANE PERSON CONTINUE TO WORK UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN THAT AMERICAN "WORK HARD" ETHIC??!!! We're not fucking cattle! We're not fucking computers! WE ARE PEOPLE WITH EMOTIONS, FEELINGS, DESIRES. AND LIMITS!!
Maybe we should call it for what it really is. Worker fatigue. It isn't a result of a poor work ethic. No, it is not. It is, indeed, a result of a System that no longer supports Joe and Jane American Worker.
So there you go employers, big and small. STOP POINTING THE FINGER AT YOUR WORKERS AND POINT IT AT THE SYSTEM. Quit your bitching and organize with other small business owners, organize with your workers, and FIGHT to change the system together. We'll ALL benefit this way.
9.11.2007
More on the Junk Mail Crap
I posted my thoughts and idea to an e-mail discussion group I belong to. I was surprised at the responses I received in terms of how insulting they were. Being called "naive" for being unaware of the biz relationship between the post office and direct marketing companies. Being told "how on earth could I think" such a thing. And my favorite, being told to suck it up and do what the rest of the population does: throw it away.
Wow. Now there's a brilliant idea, one I hadn't thought of. I have been collecting my junk mail for the past 20 years. Half my house is filled with the stuff...
:::sigh:::
No wonder Big Biz, Secret Societies and Uncle Sam continue to control "how things are". People so apathetic and so uncomfortable when presented with the distress call of a fellow citizen (uncomfortable because they know it's fucked and they don't have the energy, the desire or will to do anything about it), they resort to pointing fingers at the one in distress rather than the fucktards creating the chaos to begin with.
So sorry to have bothered you. So sorry I annoyed you with my "naivete". Next time I wish to discuss something, I'll make sure it revolves around things such as making pies or changing the oil.
Wow. Now there's a brilliant idea, one I hadn't thought of. I have been collecting my junk mail for the past 20 years. Half my house is filled with the stuff...
:::sigh:::
No wonder Big Biz, Secret Societies and Uncle Sam continue to control "how things are". People so apathetic and so uncomfortable when presented with the distress call of a fellow citizen (uncomfortable because they know it's fucked and they don't have the energy, the desire or will to do anything about it), they resort to pointing fingers at the one in distress rather than the fucktards creating the chaos to begin with.
So sorry to have bothered you. So sorry I annoyed you with my "naivete". Next time I wish to discuss something, I'll make sure it revolves around things such as making pies or changing the oil.
Fed Up With Junk Mail? Blame The Post Office!
I had an interesting phone conversation with someone from our State Attorney General's Office. I had called to inquire as to how I could be removed from a mailing list, BETUS.com (a dispicable organization obsessed with sports and gambling). I had called BETUS and asked to be removed. I was told they had no mailing list and if I didn't like the material, throw it away. No, I said, you don't understand. I want to be removed. Of course you have a mailing list. If you indeed have no mailing list, why is my spouse's name on it? Why have we been receiving this rag for 5 years now, even though we have moved three times in that 5 years?
Oh, well, that was part of a mass marketing campaign, Sleezeball Vinny told me (I swear, the guy sounded like some rude, arrogant idiot from the Bronx--sorry NY). Everyone received them.
Everyone?? I asked, incredously.
Everyone, said he.
Well if that's the case, I replied, why didn't I receive one? Why didn't my neighbor as well?
Look lady, he said, if you don't like them, toss them. We have no mailing list.
Fucking liar, I said.
He hung up.
So, this prompted me to call our State Attorney General's Office, where I was told there was indeed nothing I could do.
However......the clerk whispered something to me and said "you did not hear this from me". So ok readers, ssshhh, I did not hear this from a clerk with our State Attorney General's Office, capiche? What I did hear, through the grapevine, is that our own US Post Office receives MONEY from many of these sleezeball companies to deliver their crap.
Which got me to thinking.
You fed up with junk mail?
So am I.
So I have an idea.
Keep all of your junk mail (that you have not requested) for a month, then bring it down to the Post Office. Bring back TO THEM what they bring to us, even though we don't want it. And let them know we KNOW about the little arrangement they have worked out with some of these sleeze ball companies. Tell them we know about their little financial agreement.
Then tell them that while you may continue on with this plan, I will continue to REdeliver this unwanted material back to you.
At the very least, a lot of trees will be breathing a sigh of relief.
Oh, well, that was part of a mass marketing campaign, Sleezeball Vinny told me (I swear, the guy sounded like some rude, arrogant idiot from the Bronx--sorry NY). Everyone received them.
Everyone?? I asked, incredously.
Everyone, said he.
Well if that's the case, I replied, why didn't I receive one? Why didn't my neighbor as well?
Look lady, he said, if you don't like them, toss them. We have no mailing list.
Fucking liar, I said.
He hung up.
So, this prompted me to call our State Attorney General's Office, where I was told there was indeed nothing I could do.
However......the clerk whispered something to me and said "you did not hear this from me". So ok readers, ssshhh, I did not hear this from a clerk with our State Attorney General's Office, capiche? What I did hear, through the grapevine, is that our own US Post Office receives MONEY from many of these sleezeball companies to deliver their crap.
Which got me to thinking.
You fed up with junk mail?
So am I.
So I have an idea.
Keep all of your junk mail (that you have not requested) for a month, then bring it down to the Post Office. Bring back TO THEM what they bring to us, even though we don't want it. And let them know we KNOW about the little arrangement they have worked out with some of these sleeze ball companies. Tell them we know about their little financial agreement.
Then tell them that while you may continue on with this plan, I will continue to REdeliver this unwanted material back to you.
At the very least, a lot of trees will be breathing a sigh of relief.
Reflections
Mr. Nina said from the kitchen this morning, "it's the anniversary of 9/11".
"Yeah, I know..." I said, rather annoyingly.
The terms "anniversary" and "9/11" don't fit in my mind and heart. At all. I didn't want to hear about any of it today.
When he left for work, I told him I didn't want to talk about that day when he returned home either. He deals with the public and I knew he'd have stories to share from some of his customers. Stories I don't want to hear, either because I already agree with them or because I want to smack the people awake with whom I don't agree.
Maybe we should call this thing for what it really is. We have "D" day. Let's make this another "D" day. Death. The day of death for so many beautiful innocent people, our constitution, our safety. The day many woke up from their slumber and saw the realities of leaders around the globe. The day we began to realize we've been enslaved for decades and those doing the enslaving want it that way, don't give a shit about you or me, and plan on keeping on with the process. The day we began to realize the corruption of our "democracy", and the fact that there really is little difference between the letters R and D that follow the names of our elected officials.
Lost for me are the visions and memories of people coming together around the world. Lost because within weeks, within months, that coming together would collapse. Collapse because of the policies of governments, collapse because of the strong, ego-driven sense of patriotism and individualism and pride that permeates western culture to its very core.
I read a beautiful essay yesterday on Marianne Williamson's website, as linked through my friend/blogging buddy's site. Her words resonated with how I feel, deep in my heart, when I am not feeling tired and weary. She carries a strong message of hope and yet, she still believes to make a change, we must call our elected officials. Doesn't she know millions of us already have done/do this? Doesn't she know we have been ignored and essentially been told our will and wishes don't run the system anymore? Doesn't she know the corruption runs at depths so deep, agenda's based solely on control, and maybe even for some who have truly lost their way, their soul, to follow the will of their constituents would be akin to a death sentence, at the very least, any sort of political power and clout... Just look at Kucinich. He's a laughing stock in DC.
Hope. A strange word to me today. What good is hope when things are crumbling around us? What good is hope when you're worn out from the phone calls and the letters, demanding the will of the people return to politics? What good is hope when we have unseen people at the control panel? Sure, their numbers are small and ours are big, but honestly, how many people do you know, including yourself, who would be willing to simply say "ENOUGH" one day and refuse to participate in society in ANY way that reflected the (current) ways of slavery? That means refusal to work or shop for any corporation/business that is in bed with the government, that participates in the abuse of human rights around the globe, that doesn't pay a living wage and provide vacation, retirement and health care benefits. That means a refusal to pay outlandish interest rates on credit cards, mortagages. That means refusing to pay another fucking dime to the health insurance criminals. It means a refusal to pay another dime for energy when we can be getting it for free, or at the very least, much cheaper. It means a refusal to carry around that cell phone or be connected to the internet around the clock.
ALL of these little things we do are making others rich. Very rich. And yet are you seeing any of that wealth?
Hope. I'm sorry but I just can't find any of that in my heart at the moment.
"Yeah, I know..." I said, rather annoyingly.
The terms "anniversary" and "9/11" don't fit in my mind and heart. At all. I didn't want to hear about any of it today.
When he left for work, I told him I didn't want to talk about that day when he returned home either. He deals with the public and I knew he'd have stories to share from some of his customers. Stories I don't want to hear, either because I already agree with them or because I want to smack the people awake with whom I don't agree.
Maybe we should call this thing for what it really is. We have "D" day. Let's make this another "D" day. Death. The day of death for so many beautiful innocent people, our constitution, our safety. The day many woke up from their slumber and saw the realities of leaders around the globe. The day we began to realize we've been enslaved for decades and those doing the enslaving want it that way, don't give a shit about you or me, and plan on keeping on with the process. The day we began to realize the corruption of our "democracy", and the fact that there really is little difference between the letters R and D that follow the names of our elected officials.
Lost for me are the visions and memories of people coming together around the world. Lost because within weeks, within months, that coming together would collapse. Collapse because of the policies of governments, collapse because of the strong, ego-driven sense of patriotism and individualism and pride that permeates western culture to its very core.
I read a beautiful essay yesterday on Marianne Williamson's website, as linked through my friend/blogging buddy's site. Her words resonated with how I feel, deep in my heart, when I am not feeling tired and weary. She carries a strong message of hope and yet, she still believes to make a change, we must call our elected officials. Doesn't she know millions of us already have done/do this? Doesn't she know we have been ignored and essentially been told our will and wishes don't run the system anymore? Doesn't she know the corruption runs at depths so deep, agenda's based solely on control, and maybe even for some who have truly lost their way, their soul, to follow the will of their constituents would be akin to a death sentence, at the very least, any sort of political power and clout... Just look at Kucinich. He's a laughing stock in DC.
Hope. A strange word to me today. What good is hope when things are crumbling around us? What good is hope when you're worn out from the phone calls and the letters, demanding the will of the people return to politics? What good is hope when we have unseen people at the control panel? Sure, their numbers are small and ours are big, but honestly, how many people do you know, including yourself, who would be willing to simply say "ENOUGH" one day and refuse to participate in society in ANY way that reflected the (current) ways of slavery? That means refusal to work or shop for any corporation/business that is in bed with the government, that participates in the abuse of human rights around the globe, that doesn't pay a living wage and provide vacation, retirement and health care benefits. That means a refusal to pay outlandish interest rates on credit cards, mortagages. That means refusing to pay another fucking dime to the health insurance criminals. It means a refusal to pay another dime for energy when we can be getting it for free, or at the very least, much cheaper. It means a refusal to carry around that cell phone or be connected to the internet around the clock.
ALL of these little things we do are making others rich. Very rich. And yet are you seeing any of that wealth?
Hope. I'm sorry but I just can't find any of that in my heart at the moment.
9.09.2007
Idea
While Uncle Sam continues to spend billions of dollars on its wars, Corporations who benefit from war see an equal amount of profit. In short, the people get screwed while Corporate America gets even wealthier.
I have an idea to change this. It would force Corporations to look at war first and foremost as a necessity to truly protect ones country (and take a very close look at whether the "war" on the table is even necessary) instead of what it is today: A Money Making Opportunity. For every dollar of profit these companies make as a result of war, they must put that money to good use. It can be divided up between giving to those nations whom we have bombed to hell and back to help repair their infrastructure (and for goodness sake, HIRE THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY to help do the rebuilding and PAY THEM A LIVING WAGE). These dollars can be given to Social Service programs here in the States that have continued to see cuts due to their wars. It can be given to the service personnel who return home, in need of services for their physical and emotional/mental wounds. It can be given to the widows at home and in those nations with whom we are waging war.
I know this smacks in the face of a Free Market. And yet as anyone with a thinking brain and an equally open heart and mind knows, free does not equal fair. It is time to inject that fairness back into the market (or should I say, inject it back into our consciousness and thus, our actions). I don't know about you, but I am finished with listening to our leaders talk about god. I am finished with seeing cars with bumper stickers that have the jesus symbol AND bush stickers/pro-war stickers. I am finished with listening to the usual banter from people so stuck in their ways, so completely and utterly unwilling to take a step forward in consciousness and awareness. (And FYI, I have had a complete change in my thinking in many ways over the past 10 plus years so if yours truly, stubborn and resistant as hell sometimes can do it, SO CAN YOU. As I tell myself, I am a work in progress.) Mostly, I am Finished with people unwilling to be open to new ideas.
Again, anyone with a thinking brain must know how we conduct "business as usual", both here in the states and around the globe IS NOT WORKING FOR THE MAJORITY. But I also know if it works for someone, they don't want anything to change. To that I say the following: This planet belongs to us ALL. The resources belong to us ALL. The wealth that is generated belongs to us ALL. All of the wonderful luxuries, the beauty, the joys, the pleasures of being alive belong to us ALL. Equally. I know we are addicted to telling ourselves "well I am worthy and they are not". You think your god is saying that? Not a loving thought, is it?
Maybe what is needed is a mandatory return to kindergarten.
I have an idea to change this. It would force Corporations to look at war first and foremost as a necessity to truly protect ones country (and take a very close look at whether the "war" on the table is even necessary) instead of what it is today: A Money Making Opportunity. For every dollar of profit these companies make as a result of war, they must put that money to good use. It can be divided up between giving to those nations whom we have bombed to hell and back to help repair their infrastructure (and for goodness sake, HIRE THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY to help do the rebuilding and PAY THEM A LIVING WAGE). These dollars can be given to Social Service programs here in the States that have continued to see cuts due to their wars. It can be given to the service personnel who return home, in need of services for their physical and emotional/mental wounds. It can be given to the widows at home and in those nations with whom we are waging war.
I know this smacks in the face of a Free Market. And yet as anyone with a thinking brain and an equally open heart and mind knows, free does not equal fair. It is time to inject that fairness back into the market (or should I say, inject it back into our consciousness and thus, our actions). I don't know about you, but I am finished with listening to our leaders talk about god. I am finished with seeing cars with bumper stickers that have the jesus symbol AND bush stickers/pro-war stickers. I am finished with listening to the usual banter from people so stuck in their ways, so completely and utterly unwilling to take a step forward in consciousness and awareness. (And FYI, I have had a complete change in my thinking in many ways over the past 10 plus years so if yours truly, stubborn and resistant as hell sometimes can do it, SO CAN YOU. As I tell myself, I am a work in progress.) Mostly, I am Finished with people unwilling to be open to new ideas.
Again, anyone with a thinking brain must know how we conduct "business as usual", both here in the states and around the globe IS NOT WORKING FOR THE MAJORITY. But I also know if it works for someone, they don't want anything to change. To that I say the following: This planet belongs to us ALL. The resources belong to us ALL. The wealth that is generated belongs to us ALL. All of the wonderful luxuries, the beauty, the joys, the pleasures of being alive belong to us ALL. Equally. I know we are addicted to telling ourselves "well I am worthy and they are not". You think your god is saying that? Not a loving thought, is it?
Maybe what is needed is a mandatory return to kindergarten.
9.08.2007
California State Senate Says "No" To Employer-Forced RFID
Another no-brainer to me, to go into the "duh what took you so damn long" file.
And wow. Remind me to put on my "do not apply to" list "CityWatcher.com" who has required employees to be chipped.
And wow. Remind me to put on my "do not apply to" list "CityWatcher.com" who has required employees to be chipped.
So You Think You Want John Edwards In '08?
Think again, Edwards supporters (of which I am not one, btw). Edwards, like the rest of the candidates, have been spelling out (most misspelling) their ideas to fix the health care/health insurance nightmare in this country. Edwards idea? State mandated health care coverage for every woman, man and child.
Your progressive, bleeding heart is applauding this concept, right? Of course it is. Mine stood up and cheered at first. Until I read the following (I added the bold for emphasis):
TIPTON, Iowa (AP) -- Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said on Sunday that his universal health care proposal would require that Americans go to the doctor for preventive care.
"It requires that everybody be covered. It requires that everybody get preventive care," he told a crowd sitting in lawn chairs in front of the Cedar County Courthouse. "If you are going to be in the system, you can't choose not to go to the doctor for 20 years. You have to go in and be checked and make sure that you are OK."
He noted, for example, that women would be required to have regular mammograms in an effort to find and treat "the first trace of problem."
This should trigger a knee-jerk reaction in every American who values FREEDOM OF CHOICE when it comes to our health care practices. A reaction that will turn away every Edwards supporter.
This lack of balance is absurd. There is no reason not to have a State Plan that pays for coverage for all and is paid for by the State, giving people the freedom to sign up with said plan or stay with their existing private insurer, giving the people the freedom of choice, leaving the true health care decision-making where it belongs: between the patient and health care practitioner, all while Uncle Sam pays the bill (just like they expect YOU AND I to do for THEIR health care coverage). Having been on such a State Plan once myself, where services were covered, no co-pays or premiums and certainly no policy stipulating what I HAD to do or that I HAD to use their services, it can indeed work. If of course a balanced approach is taken, something that seems utterly lacking in today's Big Brother/Big Corporate America.
Your progressive, bleeding heart is applauding this concept, right? Of course it is. Mine stood up and cheered at first. Until I read the following (I added the bold for emphasis):
TIPTON, Iowa (AP) -- Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said on Sunday that his universal health care proposal would require that Americans go to the doctor for preventive care.
"It requires that everybody be covered. It requires that everybody get preventive care," he told a crowd sitting in lawn chairs in front of the Cedar County Courthouse. "If you are going to be in the system, you can't choose not to go to the doctor for 20 years. You have to go in and be checked and make sure that you are OK."
He noted, for example, that women would be required to have regular mammograms in an effort to find and treat "the first trace of problem."
This should trigger a knee-jerk reaction in every American who values FREEDOM OF CHOICE when it comes to our health care practices. A reaction that will turn away every Edwards supporter.
This lack of balance is absurd. There is no reason not to have a State Plan that pays for coverage for all and is paid for by the State, giving people the freedom to sign up with said plan or stay with their existing private insurer, giving the people the freedom of choice, leaving the true health care decision-making where it belongs: between the patient and health care practitioner, all while Uncle Sam pays the bill (just like they expect YOU AND I to do for THEIR health care coverage). Having been on such a State Plan once myself, where services were covered, no co-pays or premiums and certainly no policy stipulating what I HAD to do or that I HAD to use their services, it can indeed work. If of course a balanced approach is taken, something that seems utterly lacking in today's Big Brother/Big Corporate America.
Speaking of All That Is Intelligent (Or Not)...
Let's reinvent the "Find Waldo" board game and call it "Find Bush". He seems to need help these days in figuring out where he is and where he's going. Of course, that's what happens when Cheney isn't around to advise him and he instead has to resort to the "woof" factor...
Is We Comin' Or Is We Goin'?
I'm sure by now most of you have heard about the release of a (supposed) new tape from Osama (or Usama as is spelled on the FBI website). I don't know about you, but he sure looks younger in this picture. Gone are the white and gray streaks in his beard. I didn't think Islam would allow the coloring of ones hair.
That being said, I found this little jewel at mr. lipstick's blog, a report from Fox news no less saying Osama died in December 2001. We all know Bush has stated publically that he doesn't know where Osama is and doesn't care, and we all know that the interest by our government in Osama heated up on September 11, 2001 then died down quickly (so that the focus could shift to Saddam), and we all know the FBI's own website doesn't link Osama with 9/11...which should make us all question why in the name of all that is intelligent would the Administration keep showing us these tapes?
Which brings me back to my original question: Is we comin' or is we goin'???
That being said, I found this little jewel at mr. lipstick's blog, a report from Fox news no less saying Osama died in December 2001. We all know Bush has stated publically that he doesn't know where Osama is and doesn't care, and we all know that the interest by our government in Osama heated up on September 11, 2001 then died down quickly (so that the focus could shift to Saddam), and we all know the FBI's own website doesn't link Osama with 9/11...which should make us all question why in the name of all that is intelligent would the Administration keep showing us these tapes?
Which brings me back to my original question: Is we comin' or is we goin'???
9.03.2007
Ups and Downs...
First the good news:
The owners of the production company I've been raving about, What If Productions, have returned from L.A. They have found an Executive Producer for their tv pilot, Ghostalkers! I was told they will want some more tracks from me, if not for the pilot then for the future, assuming the pilot will impress. Things went to the next level for these guys and I am estatic not only for them but for what this could...would mean for me. Imagine it...some day I may see my name in the credits of a Television Series. Wow!! I had a friend put a bug in my ear several years ago when she first heard my music. I will never forget her words: "You need to write for the tv and movie industry." I hadn't considered that possibility until that moment. I'm so thankful she put that little bug in my mind and heart.
Now for the "ugh" news:
While not a shocker to me in any way shape or form, it is still discouraging to read this piece, straight from the Economic Policy Institute. Some are getting richer, alright. As usual, it's those at the top:
...many workers' wages have been stagnant for a number of years, after adjusting for inflation, particularly those at the middle and lower end of the pay scale. For example, while productivity is up nearly 20% since 2000, the real median hourly wage is up 3% overall and 1% for men, with none of this growth occurring over the three-and-a-half years since 2003. At the top of the wage scale—at the 95th percentile—real wages are up 9%.
So, we can conclude people in the lower and medium wage brackets are working harder with nothing to show for it, in terms of wage growth. See below for confirmation:
• Wage growth has been unequal. Wage growth in the 2000s followed a highly unequal pattern, and higher-wage workers gained the most ground.
And if that isn't discouraging enough, workers' power continues to erode. Many of us know what happens in today's workforce. Considering that unions continue to disappear, employers can fire or threaten termination simply for discussing the possibility of forming a union with other employees. And given the disgustingly low wages being offered across the board, not to mention the whole process of looking for work, who wants to take the chance of being fired?
• Despite low unemployment, workers' bargaining power has diminished. Though the unemployment rate has been low in historical terms, it does not capture the erosion of employment relative to the population caused by weak growth in (or withdrawal from) the labor force over the past few years. The bottom line is that many workers still lack the bargaining power to claim their fair share of the productivity growth they themselves are helping to create. This is partly due to weak job creation over the course of this recovery.
The owners of the production company I've been raving about, What If Productions, have returned from L.A. They have found an Executive Producer for their tv pilot, Ghostalkers! I was told they will want some more tracks from me, if not for the pilot then for the future, assuming the pilot will impress. Things went to the next level for these guys and I am estatic not only for them but for what this could...would mean for me. Imagine it...some day I may see my name in the credits of a Television Series. Wow!! I had a friend put a bug in my ear several years ago when she first heard my music. I will never forget her words: "You need to write for the tv and movie industry." I hadn't considered that possibility until that moment. I'm so thankful she put that little bug in my mind and heart.
Now for the "ugh" news:
While not a shocker to me in any way shape or form, it is still discouraging to read this piece, straight from the Economic Policy Institute. Some are getting richer, alright. As usual, it's those at the top:
...many workers' wages have been stagnant for a number of years, after adjusting for inflation, particularly those at the middle and lower end of the pay scale. For example, while productivity is up nearly 20% since 2000, the real median hourly wage is up 3% overall and 1% for men, with none of this growth occurring over the three-and-a-half years since 2003. At the top of the wage scale—at the 95th percentile—real wages are up 9%.
So, we can conclude people in the lower and medium wage brackets are working harder with nothing to show for it, in terms of wage growth. See below for confirmation:
• Wage growth has been unequal. Wage growth in the 2000s followed a highly unequal pattern, and higher-wage workers gained the most ground.
And if that isn't discouraging enough, workers' power continues to erode. Many of us know what happens in today's workforce. Considering that unions continue to disappear, employers can fire or threaten termination simply for discussing the possibility of forming a union with other employees. And given the disgustingly low wages being offered across the board, not to mention the whole process of looking for work, who wants to take the chance of being fired?
• Despite low unemployment, workers' bargaining power has diminished. Though the unemployment rate has been low in historical terms, it does not capture the erosion of employment relative to the population caused by weak growth in (or withdrawal from) the labor force over the past few years. The bottom line is that many workers still lack the bargaining power to claim their fair share of the productivity growth they themselves are helping to create. This is partly due to weak job creation over the course of this recovery.
We all know Bush loves to talk about how strong the economy is, and all of these jobs his policies have helped create. Uh huh. I wonder what he would have to say about this:
Another factor holding down wage pressures is the fact that job growth itself has been notoriously weak in this recovery. The nation's payrolls grew 5.5% in this recovery, compared with 11.3% over the same period in the last recovery, and 17.1% for all recoveries that have lasted at least this long.7 ...the average job creation rate for 2006—6.7%—is the lowest annual rate on record going back to 1990.
Oh wait. That's right. When Bush and his Policy Wankers talks about the American Economy, he isn't talking about the economy you and I live in. How could I be so silly not to know that?
Economic elites talk up the economy, with bullish references to GDP, productivity, and job growth. But just whose economy are they talking about?
If you're wealthy, things are great. However... If you're one of those workers who actually sell those products your big Retail Employer supplies... if you're one of those office workers who work for some Big Executive... if you're one of those customer service reps answering the endless questions from clients that your Big Insurance Company insures... if you're one of the millions (and growing) of temporary workers who have absolutely no job security... if you're one of the laborers whose energy and sweat go into making those little things called an "infrastructure", those things we take for granted: office buildings, roads, sewer systems, houses, stores... if you're one of those people who clean up after all of us in the wee hours of the morning... if you're one of these people, things aren't so great. As I've been saying on this blog, screaming it at you, for what likely seems like a very long time, I finally have some proof that says: NINA IS RIGHT.
I have no problem with people creating wealth for themselves. Money is not the issue and neither is wealth. It is how this wealth is distributed that I take issue. My problem is when this wealth is being created at the expense of those doing an equal amount (or often, more) work, when this wealth is not shared in a much more equitable, fair manner. This is called SLAVERY. That's right. S L A V E R Y. I am going to pay you to work for me. You are going to do most of the work, but I am going to reap most of the financial rewards. I can fire you for any reason. Why should I care about your personal life or whether what I am paying you doesn't provide you a living wage? In fact, why should I give a real heart-felt shit afterall? Why? Because I don't have to. In part because of something called "At Will Employment". And also in part because of a little thing called DEREGULATION. That means Businesses are mature enough, conscientious enough, responsible enough to follow the American Value System, which includes: Sharing. Respect. Compassion. Equality. Fairness. Justice. Truth. But hey, most of us flunked kindergarten. Many of us are pompous, arrogant, uncaring sob's who won't blink an eye when we see how often we use people and their skills, their labor, just so we can stuff that extra million into our overseas bank account.
This report points out some very cruel realities, but doesn't go far enough in calling this sytem what it is: S L A V E R Y. The people are waking up though. Through their cloud of fatigue that clouds their minds, through their myriad of stress-related illnesses, through their rising debt, through that 40 hour plus work week they have to put in just to make ends meet, through their moments of panic when they awaken in the still of the night with their minds racing with thoughts such as "how will we pay for food this week?" or "we have no insurance and I really need to see a doctor" or "the rent/mortgage is due tomorrow and I am short"... People are waking up to the truth that this way of living is bullshit. That this way of living is wrong. That this way of existance goes contrary to what we are told from day one is good and true about this country. That we are being used. And most of all, that THINGS DO NOT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.
Our voices are growing in numbers, gathering in strength. Unite, we must, even if this means uniting with your co-workers. Start small. The smallest of pebble, when tossed into the pond in the right way, at the right time, can have the same or even bigger lasting effect as the largest rock in the pile.
9.02.2007
Forgot One.......
I belong to an e-mail free-for-all discussion group. I usually delete most of the stuff, but recently got in on the conversation about phone service, in particular, Vonage. I'm always on the lookout for the best bargain. For $24.99 you receive unlimited local and long distance calls (including some free calls to parts of Europe). All of the features you normally pay for with other bigger companies, like call waiting and voice mail, are included in the price.
Wow! Sign us up, I thought.
Well, I checked out their website and found out in order to use their service, you need high speed internet connection, which we don't have. You see, they don't use phone lines to plug you in. They give you some sort of an interceptor adaptor thingie (high tech lingo warning). So my question to the discussion group was "ok, so say if the internet connection goes down, I assume this means no phone service, correct?"
Yep.
However, they have a call forwarding service if that happens. The call will then get forwarded to your cell phone.
We don't own a cell phone, so forget Vonage. As a joke though, I asked "what do you do if you don't own a cell phone?"
No response of course. I'm sure the people are still recovering from hearing there really are people who don't own a cell phone. We're a small group. We meet every month, at a secret location, to talk about how we're going to return to the days of real land line phones. The kind that plug in the walls. And, shhh, no one is to know this, but, a return to the ROTARY DIAL.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Wow! Sign us up, I thought.
Well, I checked out their website and found out in order to use their service, you need high speed internet connection, which we don't have. You see, they don't use phone lines to plug you in. They give you some sort of an interceptor adaptor thingie (high tech lingo warning). So my question to the discussion group was "ok, so say if the internet connection goes down, I assume this means no phone service, correct?"
Yep.
However, they have a call forwarding service if that happens. The call will then get forwarded to your cell phone.
We don't own a cell phone, so forget Vonage. As a joke though, I asked "what do you do if you don't own a cell phone?"
No response of course. I'm sure the people are still recovering from hearing there really are people who don't own a cell phone. We're a small group. We meet every month, at a secret location, to talk about how we're going to return to the days of real land line phones. The kind that plug in the walls. And, shhh, no one is to know this, but, a return to the ROTARY DIAL.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
9.01.2007
Late Night Ramblings
My profile says "photo not available". That's not entirely accurate. I have photos of myself I could share, I just choose not to. It reminds me of an old friend who told her doctor "couldn't you write that I prefer not to" when she saw her doctor write "refuses to get on the scale."
Earlier, I witnessed how utterly inept our local journalists are. An infant, riding in a stroller, was recently hit by a police car. A horrific thing to even think about for any amount of time. Thank god, he's still alive. One station reported there were no indications the officer was traveling at excessive speed, according to witnesses. They also said the names of the child and his mother (who was pushing the stroller) had not yet been released. Well, a couple of clicks of the remote showed two other stations interviewing a witness who said the officer was traveling very fast. And guess what else? We were told the names of the mother and the baby.
This particular station is said to receive journalistic awards every year... Uh huh.
You know, I re-read that sentence and couldn't help but feel this huge urge to giggle.
In other news, I read a report on happiness. A certified life coach gave his synopsis on what truly makes us happy. He starts off saying it isn't money, but then he quickly goes on to say those with the most money DO report higher levels of personal happiness and satisfaction with their lives.
Huh? Then this "coach" goes on to say WHY this is so. His analysis was brilliant. I can see why he wears the "life coach" title. You see, those who live in suburbia in those ticky tacky little boxes that look all the same with the heads of household all dressed the same every morning in their neckties threatening to cut off bloodflow to their brains looking so pretty as they head off to work in their cardboard cut-outs of SUVs and Prius' (anyone know the name of the cable tv show that inspired this line??) and the like are SURROUNDED by financial prosperity and thus, are reminded of their success throughout the day. And guess what this brilliant coach had in terms of advice for those who live in the lower income brackets? Live in poverty-stricken neighborhoods surrounded by people who are at, or preferably, below your standard of living. You see, that way, you won't feel so "bad" about your situation. You are also to stay away from buying a home in an exclusive, wealthier neighborhood because that will make you feel "worse" about your own situation. (And pppllllease tell me I am not the only one who is thinking the following: Ok, how is it possible for someone in poverty to buy a home in a more exclusive neighborhood?) And guess what? If none of these things work, you can always compare yourself to say, your "deadbeat" brother.
Yep. I'm not making this up. If you're poor, stay away from the wealthier, more successful neighborhoods and people and instead, surround yourself by people who are just a little below your personal financial situation. And remember, MONEY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HAPPINESS. So says he. And if all else fails, hey, remember your loser of a brother to help cheer you up and remind you that hey, life ain't so bad afterall.
I wonder how much this guy charges for his services...
I don't know about this guy, but when I see others who, according to my perception, are suffering or struggling more than I am--this doesn't make me feel better about myself or my life. The main emotion I feel is empathy and concern. And a sense of injustice. And sadness.
But that's just me. I actually give a crap, where it counts, about the human condition and the welfare of others.
The next time someone says "oh, it isn't my money that makes me happy" (and usually those with the most money spout that crap), I will simply say "trade lives with me for a few months and we'll see how you feel at the end of that time."
Now of course, I believe happiness is a package of many things. The most important being love of oneself (and all that this entails), then closely following, intimate, close bonds with others. A sense of purpose along with passion. Having people who believe in you. Help from others to help you fulfill your purpose/goals/dreams. Rewarding work. And to add some delicious icing to that cake, income/money to ensure a comfortable lifestyle.
There ya go. No need to compare yourself to others. No need to dismiss money as one of the ingredients. Just some god damn reality being thrown your way. I'm not a life coach. I'm just one person on this huge planet who prefers to tell it like it is.
To end on a rather odd note, I had a wild experience today, a first of sorts. Now I have all sorts of "intuitive" experiences, "psychic" experiences, "other wordly" experiences. Fill in the blanks. For example, the day before 9/11, I suddenly had this strong impression/knowing something awful was going to happen the next day and there was nothing I could do about it. It had all been planned out. When the Challenger crashed, I was having a dream about something that had crashed in this open field and people were running around, frantic while others were in a daze. Laci Peterson--I dreamt how she died and where her body was (which all later proved to be completely accurate). I often know who is on the other end of the phone when it's ringing. The latest experience.... when someone in our life (who had not been talking with us) was recently arrested, I woke up that morning knowing this was the day something big was gonna go down for them.
Anyway, this wild thing that happened to me today.......... I was in the bathroom late this morning, trying to wake up. I stood in there, in a daze, my mind blank, looking at the clock, watching the second hand tick tick tick away. Suddenly, my "mind" went elsewhere--and the second hand stopped. Or perhaps the more accurate way to describe it is that I went someplace where the need for a moving second hand was not a reality. Once I became aware of this, who knows how long, a few moments likely, the second hand started to move again. Wherever I went, to the dimension without time or wherever it was, well it was a really nice feeling. A brief moment where everything just is. Where time doesn't exist. A concept that my brain cannot wrap itself around, at all, but in that moment, I questioned nothing, even as I saw the second hand freeze.
I wish I could bring a little bit of that feeling into the world at large, and actually, into my own little life as well.
Earlier, I witnessed how utterly inept our local journalists are. An infant, riding in a stroller, was recently hit by a police car. A horrific thing to even think about for any amount of time. Thank god, he's still alive. One station reported there were no indications the officer was traveling at excessive speed, according to witnesses. They also said the names of the child and his mother (who was pushing the stroller) had not yet been released. Well, a couple of clicks of the remote showed two other stations interviewing a witness who said the officer was traveling very fast. And guess what else? We were told the names of the mother and the baby.
This particular station is said to receive journalistic awards every year... Uh huh.
You know, I re-read that sentence and couldn't help but feel this huge urge to giggle.
In other news, I read a report on happiness. A certified life coach gave his synopsis on what truly makes us happy. He starts off saying it isn't money, but then he quickly goes on to say those with the most money DO report higher levels of personal happiness and satisfaction with their lives.
Huh? Then this "coach" goes on to say WHY this is so. His analysis was brilliant. I can see why he wears the "life coach" title. You see, those who live in suburbia in those ticky tacky little boxes that look all the same with the heads of household all dressed the same every morning in their neckties threatening to cut off bloodflow to their brains looking so pretty as they head off to work in their cardboard cut-outs of SUVs and Prius' (anyone know the name of the cable tv show that inspired this line??) and the like are SURROUNDED by financial prosperity and thus, are reminded of their success throughout the day. And guess what this brilliant coach had in terms of advice for those who live in the lower income brackets? Live in poverty-stricken neighborhoods surrounded by people who are at, or preferably, below your standard of living. You see, that way, you won't feel so "bad" about your situation. You are also to stay away from buying a home in an exclusive, wealthier neighborhood because that will make you feel "worse" about your own situation. (And pppllllease tell me I am not the only one who is thinking the following: Ok, how is it possible for someone in poverty to buy a home in a more exclusive neighborhood?) And guess what? If none of these things work, you can always compare yourself to say, your "deadbeat" brother.
Yep. I'm not making this up. If you're poor, stay away from the wealthier, more successful neighborhoods and people and instead, surround yourself by people who are just a little below your personal financial situation. And remember, MONEY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HAPPINESS. So says he. And if all else fails, hey, remember your loser of a brother to help cheer you up and remind you that hey, life ain't so bad afterall.
I wonder how much this guy charges for his services...
I don't know about this guy, but when I see others who, according to my perception, are suffering or struggling more than I am--this doesn't make me feel better about myself or my life. The main emotion I feel is empathy and concern. And a sense of injustice. And sadness.
But that's just me. I actually give a crap, where it counts, about the human condition and the welfare of others.
The next time someone says "oh, it isn't my money that makes me happy" (and usually those with the most money spout that crap), I will simply say "trade lives with me for a few months and we'll see how you feel at the end of that time."
Now of course, I believe happiness is a package of many things. The most important being love of oneself (and all that this entails), then closely following, intimate, close bonds with others. A sense of purpose along with passion. Having people who believe in you. Help from others to help you fulfill your purpose/goals/dreams. Rewarding work. And to add some delicious icing to that cake, income/money to ensure a comfortable lifestyle.
There ya go. No need to compare yourself to others. No need to dismiss money as one of the ingredients. Just some god damn reality being thrown your way. I'm not a life coach. I'm just one person on this huge planet who prefers to tell it like it is.
To end on a rather odd note, I had a wild experience today, a first of sorts. Now I have all sorts of "intuitive" experiences, "psychic" experiences, "other wordly" experiences. Fill in the blanks. For example, the day before 9/11, I suddenly had this strong impression/knowing something awful was going to happen the next day and there was nothing I could do about it. It had all been planned out. When the Challenger crashed, I was having a dream about something that had crashed in this open field and people were running around, frantic while others were in a daze. Laci Peterson--I dreamt how she died and where her body was (which all later proved to be completely accurate). I often know who is on the other end of the phone when it's ringing. The latest experience.... when someone in our life (who had not been talking with us) was recently arrested, I woke up that morning knowing this was the day something big was gonna go down for them.
Anyway, this wild thing that happened to me today.......... I was in the bathroom late this morning, trying to wake up. I stood in there, in a daze, my mind blank, looking at the clock, watching the second hand tick tick tick away. Suddenly, my "mind" went elsewhere--and the second hand stopped. Or perhaps the more accurate way to describe it is that I went someplace where the need for a moving second hand was not a reality. Once I became aware of this, who knows how long, a few moments likely, the second hand started to move again. Wherever I went, to the dimension without time or wherever it was, well it was a really nice feeling. A brief moment where everything just is. Where time doesn't exist. A concept that my brain cannot wrap itself around, at all, but in that moment, I questioned nothing, even as I saw the second hand freeze.
I wish I could bring a little bit of that feeling into the world at large, and actually, into my own little life as well.
8.29.2007
Iraq War Public Service Announcement
Brian Heater of What If Productions and I are in need of funding for our PSA Video. The goals are to bring more awareness to the war, to highlight the overall costs and human life associated with the war and to establish a Memorial Fund for the families and the returning Vets. All proceeds, after production costs, will be going towards this Fund. A website will also be created for this purpose. I would also like to see some sort of a Support Group Forum on the website as well.
If any of you are interested in donating, please let me know and I can e-mail you a Written Proposal. Brian is the technical expertise behind this--I'm merely providing the music and some ideas, so any technical questions will be handled through him.
As those two old dudes from the Bartles and Jaymes commercials used to say, "Thank you for your support."
If any of you are interested in donating, please let me know and I can e-mail you a Written Proposal. Brian is the technical expertise behind this--I'm merely providing the music and some ideas, so any technical questions will be handled through him.
As those two old dudes from the Bartles and Jaymes commercials used to say, "Thank you for your support."
Religious "Sensitivity"
Apparently dropping footballs with "Allah" printed on them is considered to be offensive to Islam. While I don't know the intention behind this action, it seems to me that a little lightening up on the side of the Muslims is in order and a little more in the way of religious understanding is in order for our military personnel in the Arab world. I mean afterall, we've had a presense there for many years, I would think they would have known this action was a big "uh, NO".
8.28.2007
"So You Can Work Faster."
These were the words that came out of my employer's mouth recently when talking about how I use the mouse instead of certain command keys. I said I prefer the mouse, I find it easier and quicker, plus I don't have to remember all of those keys for each of the macro's I use.
"But if you use the command keys, you can work faster."
Work faster?
I didn't know whether to laugh or hit. Instead I took a deep breath and let the comment go. Had I been more courageous, had I taken the time to think about this remark, I would have said something like the following: "I've been here two years and have seen only a thirty three cent raise. I've always done everything that has been asked of me. I've gone above and beyond at times for this department, when others haven't been reliable or able to work. And need I remind you when most of the other employees were let go and I, being the newest of them all, was one of a small handful to be asked to stay because of the kind of work I performed? Let me make this clear: I am willing to work 'faster' as you say only if you raise my pay."
I'm so grossly underpaid. When people find out my job title and where I work, the first response is usually "wow" or "cool". Yeah, don't get so excited. Priorities are so out of whack at that place, it's simply a reflection of the business world at large. You know something's amiss when some big wig coach is given a multi-million dollar salary and someone like myself is paid slightly above minimum wage. Oh sure, Mr. Big Wig helps bring in a lot of money to the place, but so do I in my own way. Because of the work I do, students who have reading disabilities are able to attend class and succeed.
It's actually not my department with whom I have the issue. It's the U as a whole. They are the people who set the pay scale. My department just enforces it. They're kind of like the messenger...
Still, to be told there are ways in which I can work faster, when I already do just that, so much so that my arm, shoulder, neck and hands cramp up at the end of each day, is so insulting. Please!
It's time for the workers of this country who are not paid a living wage or benefits to say ENOUGH! I am going to give you the SAME LEVEL of work as compared to my level of pay. Pay me a good wage, I'll give you a good performance. Pay me an excellent wage, it is excellent work you shall receive. But pay me a low wage, then, well, you figure it out. My spouses boss loves to say "work harder THEN maybe we'll see about a raise." Fucking dictator. Employment is a two-way street. BOTH EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE MUCH EQUALLY BENEFIT! And that is simply not happening in today's world. It's a crisis. It's a disease. But it has a cure. Adapting a consciousness of fairness, respect, compassion, understanding, generosity. Without these values, we'll continue to see human apathy grow, enslavement spread and eventually, the collapse of our system. I guarantee it.
"But if you use the command keys, you can work faster."
Work faster?
I didn't know whether to laugh or hit. Instead I took a deep breath and let the comment go. Had I been more courageous, had I taken the time to think about this remark, I would have said something like the following: "I've been here two years and have seen only a thirty three cent raise. I've always done everything that has been asked of me. I've gone above and beyond at times for this department, when others haven't been reliable or able to work. And need I remind you when most of the other employees were let go and I, being the newest of them all, was one of a small handful to be asked to stay because of the kind of work I performed? Let me make this clear: I am willing to work 'faster' as you say only if you raise my pay."
I'm so grossly underpaid. When people find out my job title and where I work, the first response is usually "wow" or "cool". Yeah, don't get so excited. Priorities are so out of whack at that place, it's simply a reflection of the business world at large. You know something's amiss when some big wig coach is given a multi-million dollar salary and someone like myself is paid slightly above minimum wage. Oh sure, Mr. Big Wig helps bring in a lot of money to the place, but so do I in my own way. Because of the work I do, students who have reading disabilities are able to attend class and succeed.
It's actually not my department with whom I have the issue. It's the U as a whole. They are the people who set the pay scale. My department just enforces it. They're kind of like the messenger...
Still, to be told there are ways in which I can work faster, when I already do just that, so much so that my arm, shoulder, neck and hands cramp up at the end of each day, is so insulting. Please!
It's time for the workers of this country who are not paid a living wage or benefits to say ENOUGH! I am going to give you the SAME LEVEL of work as compared to my level of pay. Pay me a good wage, I'll give you a good performance. Pay me an excellent wage, it is excellent work you shall receive. But pay me a low wage, then, well, you figure it out. My spouses boss loves to say "work harder THEN maybe we'll see about a raise." Fucking dictator. Employment is a two-way street. BOTH EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE MUCH EQUALLY BENEFIT! And that is simply not happening in today's world. It's a crisis. It's a disease. But it has a cure. Adapting a consciousness of fairness, respect, compassion, understanding, generosity. Without these values, we'll continue to see human apathy grow, enslavement spread and eventually, the collapse of our system. I guarantee it.
8.27.2007
Monday, Monday: A Day In The Life of Yours Truly
I woke up this morning, peeked out from behind my Miss Scarlett sleep mask, saw that the sun had risen, my spouse had stepped in the shower and thus contemplated my options: stay in bed or face the day. Wishing really really hard it was Saturday or even Sunday, then realizing wishing doesn't always make it so, I realized it was time to face the day.
I may have mentioned this before, but if not, let me then say loudly and clearly: I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. Even as a little child, even if it was my birthday, even if it was the last day of school, I would sit at the breakfast table in the morning, yawning and occasionally grumbling something semi-coherent for my family to hear. My poor mother. She was a morning person and the rest of us, dad included, were not. And let me add that I married a morning person. So while he is (usually) all sunny smiles, ready to face the day, I am stumbling around, eyes half open, trying not to hurt myself.
This morning was a pretty typical Monday for me, which means I need to listen to my intuition and ban Monday mornings, from here on out. That means I simply won't do them any longer. I'll go to bed Sunday evening and wake up Tuesday. Around noon.
For starters, Mr. Nina is having a tooth issue. Finding a dentist who doesn't want to make a gazillion appointments plus charge an arm and a leg and run all sorts of ridiculous tests all for a simple filling is proving to be a pain in the ass. And the hours these folks carry is unbelievable. Tuesday through Thursday until 3pm. Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 5pm. Honest to god.
Where's the dentist who will work on you after 10pm for people like me??? I just pray for continued good dental health because god forbid I have to face these folks before noon.
Anyway, Mr. Nina then heads off to work only to return because he had forgotten the key, which we both tried looking for and being I am still waking up, well, let's just say I wasn't much help. Plus my mind tends to wander, so that meant I may not have found the key but I did find my tweezers!
So I eat some cereal and pull out my laptop and get to work. 30 minutes or so later, it crashes. Fuck. That means I have to take a trip up to the U to get another one, which means trying to find free parking. Being I have to pay for parking on my own when I visit, and being the parking is ridiculously expensive, I try and find a meter that already has money in it. Yeah, I can be that cheap at times.
So I phone Mr. Nina, ask when he'll be home for lunch, which is when I will have access to the car. Well, there's been a little mini-crisis at work (of course there has!) and he will be late coming home.
Grrr...
So I wait until he arrives home, haul my dead laptop up to my employer's offices, actually get lucky finding a parking spot--free-- right away, and exchange it for a newer version. I head home, ask Mr. Nina if he's having any further luck finding a dentist. He just grunts. I take the hint and get back to work I had started hours previously. I worked straight through the rest of the afternoon. The day was perfect--not too warm, bright sunshine, a nice breeze. I decided to take a bike ride to my secret spot to pick some blackberries. Well, I am assuming it's a secret spot given for the past several years I've gone there to pick, I have never seen anyone else and there is always a huge supply of berries.
So, I'm picking away, kind of wishing I had waited to go with Mr. Nina, who towers over 6 feet and has what I (affectionately) call "monkey arms". I'm not short, but I'm certainly not tall, so I had to pass on a lot of good clusters.
As I'm picking away, I had one run-in with a spider and 3 very close calls, for a total of 4 encounters. Pick, pick, pick, what's that sticky stuff on me oh my god SPIDERRRRRRRRRRR WEBBBBBBBBBBBB. It took me those 4 times to pay attention. As I mentioned previously, my mind tends to wander.
When I had picked enough, I decided to head back home. As I climbed onto my bike, I felt something in my eye. Not thinking, AGAIN, I rubbed my eye with my pointer finger, also one of my picking fingers. As I looked down at my finger, I saw the berry stains. Again, NOT THINKING, I rub my hand on my shorts then return to trying to remove whatever it was that was obviously caught in my eye. Well, I was making no progress and I had no mirror on me, so I decided to head home.
On my ride home I'm sure I looked like a drunk. First I was riding most of the way into the sun, hurting my stinging eye even more. Plus, whatever it was that was in my eye was hurting me so much at times, I kept trying to remove the object with my right pointer finger as I rode. This doesn't include holding the bag of berries with my left hand (I have no basket on my bike). In short, I was weaving all over the place.
I made it home, went inside the bathroom, tossed off my helmet and sunglasses and looked in the mirror. My eye was very red. The nice shade of purple streaks from the blackberry juice added a nice artistic expression.
Upon close inspection, I found the source of my irritation: a small piece of a blackberry bush.
So I remove the object, clean up and head into the kitchen to put my berries into the freezer. As I pick up my plastic freezer bag, a stream of berry juice pours out of the bottom. Instinctively, I put my hand underneath it to catch the juice, then toss the whole thing into the sink. And once again, with flair, absent-mindedly, I wipe my hands on my legs.
Can one person really be this stupid???
Oh well. The berries are in a new bag, in the freezer. I have a really pretty blackberry stain/design on my legs. It's kind of cool actually--a swirly pattern. And as for that hole in the bag, I haven't a clue when or how it got there. I'm too afraid to find out. Thank god the color blends in with our decor.
I may have mentioned this before, but if not, let me then say loudly and clearly: I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. Even as a little child, even if it was my birthday, even if it was the last day of school, I would sit at the breakfast table in the morning, yawning and occasionally grumbling something semi-coherent for my family to hear. My poor mother. She was a morning person and the rest of us, dad included, were not. And let me add that I married a morning person. So while he is (usually) all sunny smiles, ready to face the day, I am stumbling around, eyes half open, trying not to hurt myself.
This morning was a pretty typical Monday for me, which means I need to listen to my intuition and ban Monday mornings, from here on out. That means I simply won't do them any longer. I'll go to bed Sunday evening and wake up Tuesday. Around noon.
For starters, Mr. Nina is having a tooth issue. Finding a dentist who doesn't want to make a gazillion appointments plus charge an arm and a leg and run all sorts of ridiculous tests all for a simple filling is proving to be a pain in the ass. And the hours these folks carry is unbelievable. Tuesday through Thursday until 3pm. Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 5pm. Honest to god.
Where's the dentist who will work on you after 10pm for people like me??? I just pray for continued good dental health because god forbid I have to face these folks before noon.
Anyway, Mr. Nina then heads off to work only to return because he had forgotten the key, which we both tried looking for and being I am still waking up, well, let's just say I wasn't much help. Plus my mind tends to wander, so that meant I may not have found the key but I did find my tweezers!
So I eat some cereal and pull out my laptop and get to work. 30 minutes or so later, it crashes. Fuck. That means I have to take a trip up to the U to get another one, which means trying to find free parking. Being I have to pay for parking on my own when I visit, and being the parking is ridiculously expensive, I try and find a meter that already has money in it. Yeah, I can be that cheap at times.
So I phone Mr. Nina, ask when he'll be home for lunch, which is when I will have access to the car. Well, there's been a little mini-crisis at work (of course there has!) and he will be late coming home.
Grrr...
So I wait until he arrives home, haul my dead laptop up to my employer's offices, actually get lucky finding a parking spot--free-- right away, and exchange it for a newer version. I head home, ask Mr. Nina if he's having any further luck finding a dentist. He just grunts. I take the hint and get back to work I had started hours previously. I worked straight through the rest of the afternoon. The day was perfect--not too warm, bright sunshine, a nice breeze. I decided to take a bike ride to my secret spot to pick some blackberries. Well, I am assuming it's a secret spot given for the past several years I've gone there to pick, I have never seen anyone else and there is always a huge supply of berries.
So, I'm picking away, kind of wishing I had waited to go with Mr. Nina, who towers over 6 feet and has what I (affectionately) call "monkey arms". I'm not short, but I'm certainly not tall, so I had to pass on a lot of good clusters.
As I'm picking away, I had one run-in with a spider and 3 very close calls, for a total of 4 encounters. Pick, pick, pick, what's that sticky stuff on me oh my god SPIDERRRRRRRRRRR WEBBBBBBBBBBBB. It took me those 4 times to pay attention. As I mentioned previously, my mind tends to wander.
When I had picked enough, I decided to head back home. As I climbed onto my bike, I felt something in my eye. Not thinking, AGAIN, I rubbed my eye with my pointer finger, also one of my picking fingers. As I looked down at my finger, I saw the berry stains. Again, NOT THINKING, I rub my hand on my shorts then return to trying to remove whatever it was that was obviously caught in my eye. Well, I was making no progress and I had no mirror on me, so I decided to head home.
On my ride home I'm sure I looked like a drunk. First I was riding most of the way into the sun, hurting my stinging eye even more. Plus, whatever it was that was in my eye was hurting me so much at times, I kept trying to remove the object with my right pointer finger as I rode. This doesn't include holding the bag of berries with my left hand (I have no basket on my bike). In short, I was weaving all over the place.
I made it home, went inside the bathroom, tossed off my helmet and sunglasses and looked in the mirror. My eye was very red. The nice shade of purple streaks from the blackberry juice added a nice artistic expression.
Upon close inspection, I found the source of my irritation: a small piece of a blackberry bush.
So I remove the object, clean up and head into the kitchen to put my berries into the freezer. As I pick up my plastic freezer bag, a stream of berry juice pours out of the bottom. Instinctively, I put my hand underneath it to catch the juice, then toss the whole thing into the sink. And once again, with flair, absent-mindedly, I wipe my hands on my legs.
Can one person really be this stupid???
Oh well. The berries are in a new bag, in the freezer. I have a really pretty blackberry stain/design on my legs. It's kind of cool actually--a swirly pattern. And as for that hole in the bag, I haven't a clue when or how it got there. I'm too afraid to find out. Thank god the color blends in with our decor.
8.22.2007
Good Presidential Candidates? There Are None.
I actually sat through one of those debates last Sunday and lived to blog about it. The Democratic National Debate. What a bunch of wind-up dancing puppets. Authenticity? Zero. Sincerity? Same score. Even Dennis Kucinich sounded too much like a Politician, although he did toss out a real authentic zinger when the candidates were asked a laaaaaaaaaaame-ass question about god and prayer, whereby he said to the moderator, George Stepanapalouslalapalooza however you spell his name: "I've been praying all evening that you would call on me, George."
ZOWIE! That one initiated a good round of applause from the audience.
I'll believe in this whole fucking process when these debates become truly democratic and include all candidates from all parties. I'll have my faith restored when truth-telling replaces spin, manipulation and machinations. I'll start to believe in the political system when the tough questions are asked and the religious questions are left out. Who fucking cares what god, if any, these people pray to? I never have, even when I WAS part of the cult of religion. I will believe when the voting system is overhauled, when there is a paper trail that is created for every voter, when manufacturers of voting systems are not allowed to contribute to or support political parties and candidates.
I tried to keep my mouth shut as we watched, at the request of my spouse who knows me far-too-well, but I simply could not. All of the candidates spoke of the need for Universal Health Care. Billary blabbed about this need while failing to point out the MILLIONS she has collected from the Pharmaceutical Lobbyists. Kucinich did point out HR 676, a real plan for Universal Health Care just waiting more co-sponsors, but none of the other candidates acknowledged this piece of legislation. And George Lalapalooza let it slide.
Yep. Not surprising considering some of the advertisers for this little debate included a couple of the pharmaceutical druglords. That being said, I still yelled from my comfy spot on the couch: "HEY?! Come on! Why aren't any of you talking about this?? You SAY you are for such a plan and there is a bill already written! Come on George. SAY SOMETHING!"
Georgie boy did say the number one issue on people's minds is the war in Iraq. Lie. I'm pretty sure it's the cost of housing, health care and lack of living wage jobs. In short: M O N E Y. These issues, with the exception of health care, were not adaquately addressed in my opinion.
If the democrats want to win me back, they had better address the following:
1) Create a Universal Health Care System.
2) Poverty--A real tangible plan to, at the very least, ease it.
3) The outrageous cost of housing. Establishing grants to help low income earners (either that or ensure all make a living wage, see below)
4) Establish a minimum wage that is in-line with a living wage
5) Fix our crumbling infrastructure
6) Clean up the environment
7) Help the small family farmers
8) Promote the growth and use of Hemp
9) Study Tesla. Promote free energy and other alternative, sustainable methods.
10) Get out of NAFTA. (We should've listened to Ross Perot.)
11) STOP IMPORTING FOOD PRODUCTS FROM CHINA and ANY other country that does not have the same level of guidelines as we do here in the states.
12) End the war on drugs and decriminalize all drug use. Put some of those resources into treatment.
13) Put an end to this "Federal Law Supercedes State Law" b.s.
14) Iraq. Get out, of course.
15) OWN UP TO YOUR VOTE THAT GAVE BUSH THE POWER TO INVADE. It was a rushed decision. Sure, Bush lied to and mislead congress. I still say you all knew it was illegal at the onset, or at the very least you KNEW there was no pressing need to invade, even if you DID believe in the whole WMD story. There were some of your constituents who refused to authorize Bush. Why? THEY SAW THINGS AS THEY TRULY WERE instead of listening to the Prez. But, we all know War=Profit. As many of you said, money runs Washington. Yep.
So.......In other words, in so many ways, remember your priorities and do your damn job by providing for the people instead of Big Biz.
ZOWIE! That one initiated a good round of applause from the audience.
I'll believe in this whole fucking process when these debates become truly democratic and include all candidates from all parties. I'll have my faith restored when truth-telling replaces spin, manipulation and machinations. I'll start to believe in the political system when the tough questions are asked and the religious questions are left out. Who fucking cares what god, if any, these people pray to? I never have, even when I WAS part of the cult of religion. I will believe when the voting system is overhauled, when there is a paper trail that is created for every voter, when manufacturers of voting systems are not allowed to contribute to or support political parties and candidates.
I tried to keep my mouth shut as we watched, at the request of my spouse who knows me far-too-well, but I simply could not. All of the candidates spoke of the need for Universal Health Care. Billary blabbed about this need while failing to point out the MILLIONS she has collected from the Pharmaceutical Lobbyists. Kucinich did point out HR 676, a real plan for Universal Health Care just waiting more co-sponsors, but none of the other candidates acknowledged this piece of legislation. And George Lalapalooza let it slide.
Yep. Not surprising considering some of the advertisers for this little debate included a couple of the pharmaceutical druglords. That being said, I still yelled from my comfy spot on the couch: "HEY?! Come on! Why aren't any of you talking about this?? You SAY you are for such a plan and there is a bill already written! Come on George. SAY SOMETHING!"
Georgie boy did say the number one issue on people's minds is the war in Iraq. Lie. I'm pretty sure it's the cost of housing, health care and lack of living wage jobs. In short: M O N E Y. These issues, with the exception of health care, were not adaquately addressed in my opinion.
If the democrats want to win me back, they had better address the following:
1) Create a Universal Health Care System.
2) Poverty--A real tangible plan to, at the very least, ease it.
3) The outrageous cost of housing. Establishing grants to help low income earners (either that or ensure all make a living wage, see below)
4) Establish a minimum wage that is in-line with a living wage
5) Fix our crumbling infrastructure
6) Clean up the environment
7) Help the small family farmers
8) Promote the growth and use of Hemp
9) Study Tesla. Promote free energy and other alternative, sustainable methods.
10) Get out of NAFTA. (We should've listened to Ross Perot.)
11) STOP IMPORTING FOOD PRODUCTS FROM CHINA and ANY other country that does not have the same level of guidelines as we do here in the states.
12) End the war on drugs and decriminalize all drug use. Put some of those resources into treatment.
13) Put an end to this "Federal Law Supercedes State Law" b.s.
14) Iraq. Get out, of course.
15) OWN UP TO YOUR VOTE THAT GAVE BUSH THE POWER TO INVADE. It was a rushed decision. Sure, Bush lied to and mislead congress. I still say you all knew it was illegal at the onset, or at the very least you KNEW there was no pressing need to invade, even if you DID believe in the whole WMD story. There were some of your constituents who refused to authorize Bush. Why? THEY SAW THINGS AS THEY TRULY WERE instead of listening to the Prez. But, we all know War=Profit. As many of you said, money runs Washington. Yep.
So.......In other words, in so many ways, remember your priorities and do your damn job by providing for the people instead of Big Biz.
8.20.2007
Earth's Axis Has Shifted
This piece , at the very least, explained to me why meteorologists are not pointing out the obvious changes in our weather patterns, other than to say such patterns are "unusual" and letting it go at that.
8.19.2007
America's Infrastructure: A Report Card
Instead of waging war, let's overhaul our infrastructure. Findings provided by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
8.17.2007
A Tribute to the Cell Phone User
I wrote this in June of 2006 and I can't recall if I posted it here or not. I'm too lazy to go through my blog and see if I did, so I decided to post it/repost it. I also modified it somewhat, too. One of my biggest pet peeves is the cell phone user who shops at the store and talks, waits in line and talks, sits next to me ANYWHERE and talks, walks down the street and talks, bikes and talks, and my biggest one of all: drives and talks.
I don't own a cell phone for many reasons, one being I would rarely use it and would likely lose or misplace it. Another being the most basic plans are ridiculously expensive (if i could find one for $10/month that offered 30-60 minutes of time, I'd sign up--just to have in a potential emergency). And lastly, the health dangers.
Anyway.....here ya go. Enjoy. Or not.
"hi! yeah! i'm on my cell phone! yeah, i'm in a store! just thought i'd call you up and say hey. i have nothing really new or important to tell you, but being i have one of these call phones, which means i am super important, i had to call you up anyway. yep, i'm standing right next to someone and i am having this conversation and no i do not think i am bothering this person! i am super important afterall! and super important people like me do not consider the idea that i may be bothering others around me as i have my meaningless conversation with you. so ok i am buying tuna right now. hmm, so many brands to choose from. which brand do you think i should buy? oh wait, i have another call i gotta put you on hold..... hey there! what's up?! oh nothing, just shopping for some tuna right now. i KNOW isn't that SUPER IMPORTANT news?! hey, i gotta call you back later i'm on another call. ok, see ya.......... ok, i'm back. did ya miss me?? LOL!! ok, well i picked out my tuna now i am looking at soup. wow my life is SO important that i just have to share all of this with you RIGHT NOW!! i cannot possibly stand to miss out on any phone calls either because, after all, I AM SUPER IMPORTANT! ok i am at the checkout line. no that's ok i can keep track of what i owe and pay the cashier and bag my groceries PLUS talk with you all at the same time and give you the attention YOU deserve. afterall, us SUPER IMPORTANT people know how to multi-task better than most other people! ok now this is weird, the cashier is yelling my total at me and she is giving me a really mean look. HOW RUDE. wow, what a crabby thing SHE is today! she just snapped my money out of my hands! she must be having a bad day or something. and wow, the people in line are giving me dirty looks too. boy did i pick a bad day to go shopping or what??!! LOL!!
ok i am done with that now i am going out to my car. i am loading my groceries. isn't this an EXCITING conversation you are having with me?? ok i am getting into my car and i am starting the engine. oh wow, my windows need cleaning!! ok i am driving away and now i am coming to an intersection and i am still driving and HEY that person just honked at me and flipped me off! whatever could i have done to them? geesh, afterall i am just another SUPER IMPORTANT person having a SUPER IMPORTANT conversation on my cell phone..."
I don't own a cell phone for many reasons, one being I would rarely use it and would likely lose or misplace it. Another being the most basic plans are ridiculously expensive (if i could find one for $10/month that offered 30-60 minutes of time, I'd sign up--just to have in a potential emergency). And lastly, the health dangers.
Anyway.....here ya go. Enjoy. Or not.
"hi! yeah! i'm on my cell phone! yeah, i'm in a store! just thought i'd call you up and say hey. i have nothing really new or important to tell you, but being i have one of these call phones, which means i am super important, i had to call you up anyway. yep, i'm standing right next to someone and i am having this conversation and no i do not think i am bothering this person! i am super important afterall! and super important people like me do not consider the idea that i may be bothering others around me as i have my meaningless conversation with you. so ok i am buying tuna right now. hmm, so many brands to choose from. which brand do you think i should buy? oh wait, i have another call i gotta put you on hold..... hey there! what's up?! oh nothing, just shopping for some tuna right now. i KNOW isn't that SUPER IMPORTANT news?! hey, i gotta call you back later i'm on another call. ok, see ya.......... ok, i'm back. did ya miss me?? LOL!! ok, well i picked out my tuna now i am looking at soup. wow my life is SO important that i just have to share all of this with you RIGHT NOW!! i cannot possibly stand to miss out on any phone calls either because, after all, I AM SUPER IMPORTANT! ok i am at the checkout line. no that's ok i can keep track of what i owe and pay the cashier and bag my groceries PLUS talk with you all at the same time and give you the attention YOU deserve. afterall, us SUPER IMPORTANT people know how to multi-task better than most other people! ok now this is weird, the cashier is yelling my total at me and she is giving me a really mean look. HOW RUDE. wow, what a crabby thing SHE is today! she just snapped my money out of my hands! she must be having a bad day or something. and wow, the people in line are giving me dirty looks too. boy did i pick a bad day to go shopping or what??!! LOL!!
ok i am done with that now i am going out to my car. i am loading my groceries. isn't this an EXCITING conversation you are having with me?? ok i am getting into my car and i am starting the engine. oh wow, my windows need cleaning!! ok i am driving away and now i am coming to an intersection and i am still driving and HEY that person just honked at me and flipped me off! whatever could i have done to them? geesh, afterall i am just another SUPER IMPORTANT person having a SUPER IMPORTANT conversation on my cell phone..."
8.15.2007
Know what I find funny?
When I hear folks, who are typically either wealthy or very well established financially or the owner of a large, successful company, say there's something seriously wrong with the idea of expecting the government to provide for us.
I wonder how they would feel if Uncle Sam decided to tax that wealth at the appropriate levels to take care of the needy; if Uncle Sam decided to remove some or most all of those nice little deductions (often ridiculous--and I should know considering I used to work for a CPA firm and helped process tax returns) they get to claim every year, thus often greatly lowering their tax burden; if they should ever find themselves experiencing an unexpected calamity where upon they would lose their business/job/wealth.
Think they would have a change of tune then? I mean we already know they scream loudly when there is any hint of their taxes being raised.
The truth is, we all depend on the government (local, state and federal) to provide for us in some way, either through ensuring our infrastructure is sound and secure (which is IS NOT and this is becoming a HUGE issue that will only worsen unless something is done asap), through ensuring we have police, fire and medical to help us when in need, through ensuring our children have safe/quality education, through ensuring those dollars we invest in a little program called Social Security are there for us upon retirement age, to ensure we have safe, running water, to ensure our homes are safe and sound, etc. etc... And if you happen to be a Corporation here in Oregon, you know Uncle Sam provides for you very well by telling you the minimum state tax you must pay is $10. Anything after $10, eh, forget about it. Keep it!
When looked at in this way, we will see how much we truly do depend on our government.
It all comes down to this: Is Uncle Sam providing for my NEEDS and WANTS. Financially, if you are in the top income brackets, that answer is a resounding Y E S. Of course, given the collapsing of our infracture, I'm sure even those at the top are beginning to see or will begin to see our reps. aren't doing such a good job afterall.
I wonder how they would feel if Uncle Sam decided to tax that wealth at the appropriate levels to take care of the needy; if Uncle Sam decided to remove some or most all of those nice little deductions (often ridiculous--and I should know considering I used to work for a CPA firm and helped process tax returns) they get to claim every year, thus often greatly lowering their tax burden; if they should ever find themselves experiencing an unexpected calamity where upon they would lose their business/job/wealth.
Think they would have a change of tune then? I mean we already know they scream loudly when there is any hint of their taxes being raised.
The truth is, we all depend on the government (local, state and federal) to provide for us in some way, either through ensuring our infrastructure is sound and secure (which is IS NOT and this is becoming a HUGE issue that will only worsen unless something is done asap), through ensuring we have police, fire and medical to help us when in need, through ensuring our children have safe/quality education, through ensuring those dollars we invest in a little program called Social Security are there for us upon retirement age, to ensure we have safe, running water, to ensure our homes are safe and sound, etc. etc... And if you happen to be a Corporation here in Oregon, you know Uncle Sam provides for you very well by telling you the minimum state tax you must pay is $10. Anything after $10, eh, forget about it. Keep it!
When looked at in this way, we will see how much we truly do depend on our government.
It all comes down to this: Is Uncle Sam providing for my NEEDS and WANTS. Financially, if you are in the top income brackets, that answer is a resounding Y E S. Of course, given the collapsing of our infracture, I'm sure even those at the top are beginning to see or will begin to see our reps. aren't doing such a good job afterall.
U.S. Military Spending
From Planet of the Chimps, originally found on piglipstick.
This is one example when being Number One is not such a good thing.
At least this, in part, explains the need for the recent billions being added to the market from the EU and Fed Reserve. Or maybe I'm really just unable to wake up from a bad dream and in reality, the money was added to help feed the hungry, house the homeless, provide health care for all, etc. etc.
A girl can always dream.........
This is one example when being Number One is not such a good thing.
At least this, in part, explains the need for the recent billions being added to the market from the EU and Fed Reserve. Or maybe I'm really just unable to wake up from a bad dream and in reality, the money was added to help feed the hungry, house the homeless, provide health care for all, etc. etc.
A girl can always dream.........
Tree Killers
This issue is something that's been weighing on my mind recently. I'm not talking about worms, mites or disease. I'm talking about human beings killing trees simply because they find the trees a "nuisance". A few incidents have prompted me to discuss this issue in the hopes of changing some ways of thinking. And I need to add a little caveat here: I am a huge tree lover. I love to hug them. I love to watch them. Talk to them. Climb them. You name it. I've been this way for as long as I can remember. As such, I'm a little biased in favor of the trees.
When we moved into our home, a neighbor in back of us had just finished cutting down about 5 beautiful, massive, healthy Poplar trees. The reason? The previous winter had brought on a windstorm that knocked a couple of branches on her roof. Rather than realizing living amongst trees does bring some risk, rather than learning to live with that risk, rather than taking the time and money to trim the trees to reduce this risk, the owner, who interestingly enough was from California and according to what she told us, she was not "used" to having trees around, decided to cut them down and killed.
Last month, while Mr. Nina and I were outside enjoying a quiet, lazy Sunday afternoon, we heard a loud "zapping" sound. Looking around, we realized one of the trees next door was touching one of the power lines. Knowing this was a potential hazard, and seeing the neighbors weren't home, I phoned the utility company whereby an employee came out a few days later. I showed him where the noise had come from and he immediately knew what needed to be done. Trim back the tree and keep on top of it every 3-4 years. He said he would have to speak with the owner of the house (who rents out the place) to find out what she wanted to have done and a crew would be sent out. Well, apparently the owner, being the typical tightwad landlord, decided trimming the trees every few years was not an investment she wished to make and instead opted to have the tree (and it's neighboring tree) cut to the ground and killed. Well, needless to say, I was both angered and saddened as were the tenants living in the home. This particular tree provided a lot of shade and privacy. One of my favorite things to do was to sit out back and watch it sway in the wind.
Then this morning, as I was visiting a neighbor, I noticed something strange about the home next door: I could actually see the back yard. Apparently the neighbors decided to cut down all of the trees in their back yard. The trees were healthy and given their size, had been there for decades.
What can I say other than WTF is wrong with these people??? What gives you or any of us the right to cut down an otherwise perfectly healthy tree simply because we're too lazy/unmotivated/uncaring to take care of them?? What gives any of us the right to do the same simply because we find them a nuisance or want more sunlight?? Trees are continuining to be in short supply. Any of these folks stop and think that without these trees WE DO NOT SURVIVE???
Growing up, with the exception of one home, we lived amongst the trees. I remember one tree in particular that my parents had been told was a potential danger to our house--if a strong enough wind storm combined with torrential downpours occurred, this could possibly cause the tree to uproot and blow over onto our home. Our parents decided to keep the tree. I'm glad they did. It taught me a lesson about nature: We live amongst it. We need it. It deserves our respect.
If you do not wish to live around trees or do not want the responsibility and risk that comes from living amongst them, find a property that better suits your needs. Or if you do choose to remove trees, if they are healthy, have them removed from the roots and replanted elsewhere. Just, please, local residents, stop cutting down trees and having them killed simply because you find them to be a nuisance.
When we moved into our home, a neighbor in back of us had just finished cutting down about 5 beautiful, massive, healthy Poplar trees. The reason? The previous winter had brought on a windstorm that knocked a couple of branches on her roof. Rather than realizing living amongst trees does bring some risk, rather than learning to live with that risk, rather than taking the time and money to trim the trees to reduce this risk, the owner, who interestingly enough was from California and according to what she told us, she was not "used" to having trees around, decided to cut them down and killed.
Last month, while Mr. Nina and I were outside enjoying a quiet, lazy Sunday afternoon, we heard a loud "zapping" sound. Looking around, we realized one of the trees next door was touching one of the power lines. Knowing this was a potential hazard, and seeing the neighbors weren't home, I phoned the utility company whereby an employee came out a few days later. I showed him where the noise had come from and he immediately knew what needed to be done. Trim back the tree and keep on top of it every 3-4 years. He said he would have to speak with the owner of the house (who rents out the place) to find out what she wanted to have done and a crew would be sent out. Well, apparently the owner, being the typical tightwad landlord, decided trimming the trees every few years was not an investment she wished to make and instead opted to have the tree (and it's neighboring tree) cut to the ground and killed. Well, needless to say, I was both angered and saddened as were the tenants living in the home. This particular tree provided a lot of shade and privacy. One of my favorite things to do was to sit out back and watch it sway in the wind.
Then this morning, as I was visiting a neighbor, I noticed something strange about the home next door: I could actually see the back yard. Apparently the neighbors decided to cut down all of the trees in their back yard. The trees were healthy and given their size, had been there for decades.
What can I say other than WTF is wrong with these people??? What gives you or any of us the right to cut down an otherwise perfectly healthy tree simply because we're too lazy/unmotivated/uncaring to take care of them?? What gives any of us the right to do the same simply because we find them a nuisance or want more sunlight?? Trees are continuining to be in short supply. Any of these folks stop and think that without these trees WE DO NOT SURVIVE???
Growing up, with the exception of one home, we lived amongst the trees. I remember one tree in particular that my parents had been told was a potential danger to our house--if a strong enough wind storm combined with torrential downpours occurred, this could possibly cause the tree to uproot and blow over onto our home. Our parents decided to keep the tree. I'm glad they did. It taught me a lesson about nature: We live amongst it. We need it. It deserves our respect.
If you do not wish to live around trees or do not want the responsibility and risk that comes from living amongst them, find a property that better suits your needs. Or if you do choose to remove trees, if they are healthy, have them removed from the roots and replanted elsewhere. Just, please, local residents, stop cutting down trees and having them killed simply because you find them to be a nuisance.
8.14.2007
A Synopsis of Canada's Health Care System
As America's discontentment with our Health Care System (which includes quality of care and cost of insurance) continues to grow, let's take a look at how things are run with our neighbors up North, aye.
Daniel Cohn, a professor of public policy in Toronto's York University specializing in health policy, offers a detailed overview of Canada's Health Care System:
First off what Canada has: We don’t have one system, we have several. Each province runs its own show within a very lose federal framework. If they obey five general principles they get substantial grants. If they don’t obey the principles they can be fined (though the fines are often trivial and more meant to make a political point than to actually punish). The principles are universality (all permanent residents must be eligible for coverage), portability (coverage must be good whether the resident is at home or in another part of Canada), comprehensiveness (all medically necessary services provided by physicians, hospitals and diagnostic tests as defined by the province must be covered), public administration (the province must have a publicly managed not-for profit system for insuring people), [and] accessibility (services must be reasonably available in terms of timeliness, geography and no fees can be charged at point of service).
After that everything is up for debate. Some provinces insure things others don’t. Some provinces have premiums for health insurance, some have a dedicated portion of income tax, some fund it 100% out of general revenue. Some provinces have regional authorities that directly manage facilities, others (such as Ontario) leave that in the hands of charitable and not for profit corporations. Some provinces have aggressive programs to contract out care to for-profit firms (who provide treatment at no cost to the patient). One thing that is constant is that MDs are predominantly private and bill the provincial insurance schemes for their work, whether in their office or a hospital. They are not employed by the provincial governments. Some work on straight fee for service, others have different compensation, such as capitation. A lot of stuff is not covered and that is why most families have supplemental insurance for things like drugs, medical supplies and devices, dentistry and non-medically necessary stuff (such as private and semi-private rooms in hospitals). Low income families and seniors usually have public coverage for those things. As in the US marginal workers and entrepreneurs are the least likely to have this private coverage.
Second off public opinion: A few years back Matthew Mendelsohn did a meta-analysis of polling data on Canadian health care. He found that Canadians were well aware of the issues and options and had reached a considered opinion that our system works best for us. Canadians may want reform but not wholesale change. You can read the study on the website of The Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada which commissioned the study. To date I have not seen anything that would lead me to believe that Mendelsohn’s conclusions are no longer valid. What is important is that Canadians did not just support the system because of the care they felt they were receiving, but because it resonated with their values, specifically that high quality health care is a right, and as a right ought to be available to all regardless of location or socio-economic status. [my emphasis]
I myself tested something similar with a study of attorneys in the province of Alberta. Attorneys are a relatively political informed group (so they know the issues), they are also a relatively prosperous group (the sort of people who could theoretically benefit from market-based care as they can afford it and would be attractive risks to insurers). Finally Alberta’s government has been among the least supportive of the present health system and has regularly sought to undermine it. The people I surveyed nevertheless overwhelmingly endorsed the present system. Most felt they would not get better care if privately financed care for medically necessary services were introduced. What turned the majority in favour of the present system into a landslide was a sizable portion which supported the present system even though they felt they would get better care if privately financed care were introduced for medically necessary services. I found decent evidence that these people based their support exclusively in the values promoted by the system. You can read that study "Canadian Medicare is there a Potential for Loyalty: Evidence from Alberta" in the Canadian Journal of Political Science 2005, Volume 38(2) [.pdf here].
This relationship of support for the system to values is why I am hesitant to give detailed advice to Americans. Let me just say whatever plan people develop, it had better fit the values of your society or it will never gain traction and might positively hurt you politically as the losers will fight back and whip up the fear of those who think they might be worse off as a result of your reforms.
As an aside let me quickly point out that the idea that scores of Canadians sneak across the boarder with private insurance to get medically necessary elective surgery is bogus. Although I have heard some radio ads for this sort of coverage (in the Greater Vancouver Area, but no where else) I have not found a major carrier that provides it. In other words, it is not a huge business or the Aetna’s of the world would be in on it. In fact most private insurance for what we call “extended care” the stuff provincial plans exclude, specifically refuse to pay for out of country care other than that which is related to an emergency (heart attack, broken arm, etc. on vacation or business trip). A couple of years back some researchers did a study of billing recorders in hospitals near the Canada US border and could find little or no documentary evidence that there was a transborder trade in elective surgeries. See SJ Katz et al. “Phantoms in the Snow: Canadians use of Health Care Services in the United States,” Health Affairs May/June 2002.
Finally, the reason the above noted sort of insurance is hard to find relates to what I see as the single biggest problem with the present system for financing US health care. It sucks as a business! In fact many Americans with private sector coverage for health costs don’t even have health “insurance” any more. What they in fact have is employer financed care which is “managed” by an insurance or similar firm. The insurance companies bailed on providing insurance and decided to focus on managing benefits as the risks in providing health insurance are just too unpredictable to accurately price in a way that will make the product both profitable and affordable to clients....
So that’s my little contribution. In sum health care for medically necessary care sucks as a business (and we don't even have your tort problem up here in Canada as judges not juries decide damage awards). Whatever you choose to do make sure it resonates deeply with the values of your society or people will not be willing to sacrifice their own interests. I just you hope you get it together before GM and Ford go bust and trigger a meta crisis in your health system.
***
So let's begin the discussion. What do we as Americans value? Specifically, what do you value? What is important to you? What do you believe to be the utmost truth and of the utmost importance in your heart of hearts?
For the local folks, you can check out what's going on at: http://www.wecandobetter.org/.
Daniel Cohn, a professor of public policy in Toronto's York University specializing in health policy, offers a detailed overview of Canada's Health Care System:
First off what Canada has: We don’t have one system, we have several. Each province runs its own show within a very lose federal framework. If they obey five general principles they get substantial grants. If they don’t obey the principles they can be fined (though the fines are often trivial and more meant to make a political point than to actually punish). The principles are universality (all permanent residents must be eligible for coverage), portability (coverage must be good whether the resident is at home or in another part of Canada), comprehensiveness (all medically necessary services provided by physicians, hospitals and diagnostic tests as defined by the province must be covered), public administration (the province must have a publicly managed not-for profit system for insuring people), [and] accessibility (services must be reasonably available in terms of timeliness, geography and no fees can be charged at point of service).
After that everything is up for debate. Some provinces insure things others don’t. Some provinces have premiums for health insurance, some have a dedicated portion of income tax, some fund it 100% out of general revenue. Some provinces have regional authorities that directly manage facilities, others (such as Ontario) leave that in the hands of charitable and not for profit corporations. Some provinces have aggressive programs to contract out care to for-profit firms (who provide treatment at no cost to the patient). One thing that is constant is that MDs are predominantly private and bill the provincial insurance schemes for their work, whether in their office or a hospital. They are not employed by the provincial governments. Some work on straight fee for service, others have different compensation, such as capitation. A lot of stuff is not covered and that is why most families have supplemental insurance for things like drugs, medical supplies and devices, dentistry and non-medically necessary stuff (such as private and semi-private rooms in hospitals). Low income families and seniors usually have public coverage for those things. As in the US marginal workers and entrepreneurs are the least likely to have this private coverage.
Second off public opinion: A few years back Matthew Mendelsohn did a meta-analysis of polling data on Canadian health care. He found that Canadians were well aware of the issues and options and had reached a considered opinion that our system works best for us. Canadians may want reform but not wholesale change. You can read the study on the website of The Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada which commissioned the study. To date I have not seen anything that would lead me to believe that Mendelsohn’s conclusions are no longer valid. What is important is that Canadians did not just support the system because of the care they felt they were receiving, but because it resonated with their values, specifically that high quality health care is a right, and as a right ought to be available to all regardless of location or socio-economic status. [my emphasis]
I myself tested something similar with a study of attorneys in the province of Alberta. Attorneys are a relatively political informed group (so they know the issues), they are also a relatively prosperous group (the sort of people who could theoretically benefit from market-based care as they can afford it and would be attractive risks to insurers). Finally Alberta’s government has been among the least supportive of the present health system and has regularly sought to undermine it. The people I surveyed nevertheless overwhelmingly endorsed the present system. Most felt they would not get better care if privately financed care for medically necessary services were introduced. What turned the majority in favour of the present system into a landslide was a sizable portion which supported the present system even though they felt they would get better care if privately financed care were introduced for medically necessary services. I found decent evidence that these people based their support exclusively in the values promoted by the system. You can read that study "Canadian Medicare is there a Potential for Loyalty: Evidence from Alberta" in the Canadian Journal of Political Science 2005, Volume 38(2) [.pdf here].
This relationship of support for the system to values is why I am hesitant to give detailed advice to Americans. Let me just say whatever plan people develop, it had better fit the values of your society or it will never gain traction and might positively hurt you politically as the losers will fight back and whip up the fear of those who think they might be worse off as a result of your reforms.
As an aside let me quickly point out that the idea that scores of Canadians sneak across the boarder with private insurance to get medically necessary elective surgery is bogus. Although I have heard some radio ads for this sort of coverage (in the Greater Vancouver Area, but no where else) I have not found a major carrier that provides it. In other words, it is not a huge business or the Aetna’s of the world would be in on it. In fact most private insurance for what we call “extended care” the stuff provincial plans exclude, specifically refuse to pay for out of country care other than that which is related to an emergency (heart attack, broken arm, etc. on vacation or business trip). A couple of years back some researchers did a study of billing recorders in hospitals near the Canada US border and could find little or no documentary evidence that there was a transborder trade in elective surgeries. See SJ Katz et al. “Phantoms in the Snow: Canadians use of Health Care Services in the United States,” Health Affairs May/June 2002.
Finally, the reason the above noted sort of insurance is hard to find relates to what I see as the single biggest problem with the present system for financing US health care. It sucks as a business! In fact many Americans with private sector coverage for health costs don’t even have health “insurance” any more. What they in fact have is employer financed care which is “managed” by an insurance or similar firm. The insurance companies bailed on providing insurance and decided to focus on managing benefits as the risks in providing health insurance are just too unpredictable to accurately price in a way that will make the product both profitable and affordable to clients....
So that’s my little contribution. In sum health care for medically necessary care sucks as a business (and we don't even have your tort problem up here in Canada as judges not juries decide damage awards). Whatever you choose to do make sure it resonates deeply with the values of your society or people will not be willing to sacrifice their own interests. I just you hope you get it together before GM and Ford go bust and trigger a meta crisis in your health system.
***
So let's begin the discussion. What do we as Americans value? Specifically, what do you value? What is important to you? What do you believe to be the utmost truth and of the utmost importance in your heart of hearts?
For the local folks, you can check out what's going on at: http://www.wecandobetter.org/.
8.13.2007
Energy
That word is used a lot these days, especially amongst the New Age folks. Most of us believe we're composed of "energy". It's been said Jesus knew how to manipulate this energy. Regardless of whether this man existed or not, I believe in the existance of this energy that makes up life eternal and I have come to the conclusion that it can be used and manipulated by all of us. The following articles (one on fire the grid and the other is a blog entry) I read, while at times sounding ridiculous, do carry some good points to be considered.
I've done some experimenting with spirit communication, which is essentially connecting with energy, to (slowly) learn and accept how important it is to know what you are doing when venturing into this field. There are some things I won't be doing for awhile until I feel more confident/grounded in my own abilities. And now I am wondering if I need to put the same level of attention and importance when I send out my energy, ESPECIALLY when it's part of some organized prayer group. I now think it's important to know about the group organizing the event and its intentions.
I'm also having a growing concern--I wonder how much energy manipulation is going on in our world, especially by the leaders who are making decisions that are affecting all of us, regardless of whether we are aware of it or not. It seems I've been rather naive at times in putting this blind trust into any event centered around healing the planet. I wouldn't give my money or time to any group simply because it sounded good. Why would I give my energy?
I believe we are all very powerful in our own right. We have the ability to use our energy for healing or for destruction. And yet this is not something we are taught--AT ALL. We are given all sorts of mixed messages: "you have this energy but we can't/won't teach you how to use it for only the prophets are given this ability"; or "you are powerful but you are not god"; or worse yet: "you have no power". All lies.
I wonder how many church leaders, government and business leaders, maybe even other beings from other planets, know how to use this energy, know how to manipulate it. And most important of all, know how to take it from ordinary, well-meaning people, all simply because we aren't fully knowledgeable and aware of what we are doing or of the pure potential of our power/energy.
I'm not trying to scare anyone here, just passing along some information and let you decide for yourself. I've had a change of tune. At the very least, it's caused me to take a step back and rethink some things, put more of a focus on this whole topic of energy use and manipulation.
I've done some experimenting with spirit communication, which is essentially connecting with energy, to (slowly) learn and accept how important it is to know what you are doing when venturing into this field. There are some things I won't be doing for awhile until I feel more confident/grounded in my own abilities. And now I am wondering if I need to put the same level of attention and importance when I send out my energy, ESPECIALLY when it's part of some organized prayer group. I now think it's important to know about the group organizing the event and its intentions.
I'm also having a growing concern--I wonder how much energy manipulation is going on in our world, especially by the leaders who are making decisions that are affecting all of us, regardless of whether we are aware of it or not. It seems I've been rather naive at times in putting this blind trust into any event centered around healing the planet. I wouldn't give my money or time to any group simply because it sounded good. Why would I give my energy?
I believe we are all very powerful in our own right. We have the ability to use our energy for healing or for destruction. And yet this is not something we are taught--AT ALL. We are given all sorts of mixed messages: "you have this energy but we can't/won't teach you how to use it for only the prophets are given this ability"; or "you are powerful but you are not god"; or worse yet: "you have no power". All lies.
I wonder how many church leaders, government and business leaders, maybe even other beings from other planets, know how to use this energy, know how to manipulate it. And most important of all, know how to take it from ordinary, well-meaning people, all simply because we aren't fully knowledgeable and aware of what we are doing or of the pure potential of our power/energy.
I'm not trying to scare anyone here, just passing along some information and let you decide for yourself. I've had a change of tune. At the very least, it's caused me to take a step back and rethink some things, put more of a focus on this whole topic of energy use and manipulation.
8.12.2007
Vacation: A Time To Quiet The Mind, Right?
Turns out, not so much. After spending this past week at the coast with my sweetie and puppy dog, where one of my intentions was to quiet my mind, put aside the rambling dialogue that goes through my mind on a fairly consistent basis, dialogue that screams to be put onto paper in some format, I realized my intention was well-meaning, but naive.
I would spot a parent letting their infant child test the cold seawaters for the first time, and my mind would race with thoughts about experiencing things for the first time. I would watch a group of pelicans dive into the ocean in search of food and my mind would want to paint a story around the scene. And don't even get me started on seeing newlyweds embracing or watching the sun set upon the horizon!
To make matters more challenging, I didn't bring paper. I did this intentionally being I had a feeling my mind would not want to take a vacation from creating, especially in such a fabulous spot. Part two of my intention: when the urge to write made itself known, I was to relax into the moment and just become part of the scene rather than try and control it with my ideas.
Again, well-meaning but naive. Now if we had been allowed and able to get away for 3 plus weeks of vacation (as do all of the other Industrialized Nations on the planet mandate of private employers, but I digress), I may have been able to accomplish my goals.
All of this being said and done, it was a wonderful week. The town in which we stayed in is very small and was quiet up until yesterday. The weather was perfect. Low 70's. Mostly sunny skies. The experience of that occasional coastal breeze that seems to come along at just the right moment when the sun is starting to feel a little too intense. I got an amazing suntan (for me that is, which given my 50% Polish heritage isn't saying much). We had nightly campfires in the firepit out back. And we were blessed with 3 completely clear nights, which allowed us to sit outside and star gaze.
Next year, our plan is for 2 weeks of vacation, regardless of what "the man" says.
I would spot a parent letting their infant child test the cold seawaters for the first time, and my mind would race with thoughts about experiencing things for the first time. I would watch a group of pelicans dive into the ocean in search of food and my mind would want to paint a story around the scene. And don't even get me started on seeing newlyweds embracing or watching the sun set upon the horizon!
To make matters more challenging, I didn't bring paper. I did this intentionally being I had a feeling my mind would not want to take a vacation from creating, especially in such a fabulous spot. Part two of my intention: when the urge to write made itself known, I was to relax into the moment and just become part of the scene rather than try and control it with my ideas.
Again, well-meaning but naive. Now if we had been allowed and able to get away for 3 plus weeks of vacation (as do all of the other Industrialized Nations on the planet mandate of private employers, but I digress), I may have been able to accomplish my goals.
All of this being said and done, it was a wonderful week. The town in which we stayed in is very small and was quiet up until yesterday. The weather was perfect. Low 70's. Mostly sunny skies. The experience of that occasional coastal breeze that seems to come along at just the right moment when the sun is starting to feel a little too intense. I got an amazing suntan (for me that is, which given my 50% Polish heritage isn't saying much). We had nightly campfires in the firepit out back. And we were blessed with 3 completely clear nights, which allowed us to sit outside and star gaze.
Next year, our plan is for 2 weeks of vacation, regardless of what "the man" says.
8.04.2007
More Humor: Bush Bumper Stickers for 2007
not sure if these are really that funny when you think about the implications of this presidency. that being said, some of these are pretty good--especially after you've had a couple of glasses of wine...
Bush Bumper Stickers for 07
1. Bush: End of an Error
2. That's OK, I Wasn't Using My Civil Liberties Anyway
3. Let's Fix Democracy in this Country First
4. If You Want a Nation Ruled By Religion, Move to Iran
5. Bush. Like a Rock. Only Dumber.
6. If You Can Read This, You're Not Our President
7. Of Course It Hurts: You're Getting Screwed by an Elephant
8. Hey, Bush Supporters: Embarrassed Yet?
9. George Bush: Creating the Terrorists Our Kids Will Have to Fight
10. Impeachment: It's Not Just for Blow Jobs Anymore
11. America: One Nation, Under Surveillance
12. They Call Him "W" So He Can Spell It
13. Whose God Do You Kill For?
14. Jail to the Chief
15. No, Seriously, Why Did We Invade Iraq?
16. Bush: God's Way of Proving Intelligent Design is Full Of Crap
17. Bad President! No Banana.
18. We Need a President Who's Fluent In At Least One Language
19. We're Making Enemies Faster Than We Can Kill Them
20 Is It Vietnam Yet?
21. Bush Doesn't Care About White People, Either
22. Where Are We Going? And Why Are We In This Hand basket?
23. You Elected Him. You Deserve Him.
24. Dubya, Your Dad Shoulda Pulled Out, Too
25. When Bush Took Office, Gas Was $1.46
26. Pray For Impeachment
27. The Republican Party: Our Bridge to the 11th Century
28. What Part of "Bush Lied" Don't You Understand?
29. One Nation Under Clod
30. 2004: Embarrassed 2005: Horrified 2006: Terrified
31. Bush Never Exhaled
Bush Bumper Stickers for 07
1. Bush: End of an Error
2. That's OK, I Wasn't Using My Civil Liberties Anyway
3. Let's Fix Democracy in this Country First
4. If You Want a Nation Ruled By Religion, Move to Iran
5. Bush. Like a Rock. Only Dumber.
6. If You Can Read This, You're Not Our President
7. Of Course It Hurts: You're Getting Screwed by an Elephant
8. Hey, Bush Supporters: Embarrassed Yet?
9. George Bush: Creating the Terrorists Our Kids Will Have to Fight
10. Impeachment: It's Not Just for Blow Jobs Anymore
11. America: One Nation, Under Surveillance
12. They Call Him "W" So He Can Spell It
13. Whose God Do You Kill For?
14. Jail to the Chief
15. No, Seriously, Why Did We Invade Iraq?
16. Bush: God's Way of Proving Intelligent Design is Full Of Crap
17. Bad President! No Banana.
18. We Need a President Who's Fluent In At Least One Language
19. We're Making Enemies Faster Than We Can Kill Them
20 Is It Vietnam Yet?
21. Bush Doesn't Care About White People, Either
22. Where Are We Going? And Why Are We In This Hand basket?
23. You Elected Him. You Deserve Him.
24. Dubya, Your Dad Shoulda Pulled Out, Too
25. When Bush Took Office, Gas Was $1.46
26. Pray For Impeachment
27. The Republican Party: Our Bridge to the 11th Century
28. What Part of "Bush Lied" Don't You Understand?
29. One Nation Under Clod
30. 2004: Embarrassed 2005: Horrified 2006: Terrified
31. Bush Never Exhaled
8.02.2007
How To Have Fun
takin' a break from day-to-day life for awhile. i thought i'd post the following ideas that can help us all lighten up and have some fun with one another. as the little sign on my nightstand says: "calculated mischief is invigorating".
1) Sit in your car next to a busy road while wearing sunglasses and point a hairdryer at passers-by. See if they slow down.
2) When leaving the zoo, run out into the parking lot while yelling "They've gotten loose! Run for your lives!"
3) Skip rather than walk.
4) Run up to someone you don't know, pretending you do know them. Give them a hug while proclaiming "how have you been?! I haven't seen you in SO long!"
5) Next time you're out in a public place walking around, suddenly stop, throw your head back, slap your knee and announce "NOW I get it!" then begin laughing loudly.
6) Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.
7) Don't use any punctuation when speaking.
8) Finish all of your sentences with "in accordance to prophecy".
9) Put decaf in the coffee maker at work or at home for 3 weeks. Once everyone is over their addiction, switch to espresso.
10) Order a diet water with a serious face.
11) Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.
12) When money comes out of the ATM, scream "I WON! I WON!"
13) Sing along at the opera.
14) Next time you visit the doctor, sit down next to someone and say you're here for that "highly contagious rash", then start itching yourself all over.
and last but not least...
15) Ask for/receive and give at least one hug a day. Ok, so this isn't mischevious. But it will help lighten the load of daily living.
1) Sit in your car next to a busy road while wearing sunglasses and point a hairdryer at passers-by. See if they slow down.
2) When leaving the zoo, run out into the parking lot while yelling "They've gotten loose! Run for your lives!"
3) Skip rather than walk.
4) Run up to someone you don't know, pretending you do know them. Give them a hug while proclaiming "how have you been?! I haven't seen you in SO long!"
5) Next time you're out in a public place walking around, suddenly stop, throw your head back, slap your knee and announce "NOW I get it!" then begin laughing loudly.
6) Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.
7) Don't use any punctuation when speaking.
8) Finish all of your sentences with "in accordance to prophecy".
9) Put decaf in the coffee maker at work or at home for 3 weeks. Once everyone is over their addiction, switch to espresso.
10) Order a diet water with a serious face.
11) Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.
12) When money comes out of the ATM, scream "I WON! I WON!"
13) Sing along at the opera.
14) Next time you visit the doctor, sit down next to someone and say you're here for that "highly contagious rash", then start itching yourself all over.
and last but not least...
15) Ask for/receive and give at least one hug a day. Ok, so this isn't mischevious. But it will help lighten the load of daily living.
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