I’m not one that typically puts political content on my blog even though I consider myself a very politically active person and somewhat of a political news junkie. For those of you who are outside of the United States, you probably won’t be interested in this entry unless you happen to enjoy following U.S. politics. If not, I promise to get back to my regular stitching-related content in my next entry.
Today is Super Tuesday Voting for many of us here in the United States. This election is one of the most exciting I remember in my lifetime. Accordingly, I want to encourage EVERYONE who is eligible to vote today to go out and do it!
If you have ever visited the main page of my site, you probably already know due to my Backwards Bush countdown timer that I’m not a fan of the current administration. I believe there have been bad decisions made due to faulty logic/reasoning. I believe that our civil rights as citizens have been violated, or if not actually violated, then definitely compromised. The most exciting thing to me about his State of the Union address last week was the realization that it was his last!
Whether you agree with me or not is your right. Likewise, since this is my blog, it’s my right to state how my opinion. However you feel, I just ask that you be respectful in any comments that you may be inclined to leave. While I welcome political discourse, I will ignore any flaming comments.
Part of what is prompting this post is that I was speaking with my mother today to see how well my sister has been holding up. I have been very worried about her, not just due to the fact that her husband was killed, but due to the fact that stress can trigger her MS. I can’t think of anything more stressful than suddenly losing a spouse, or perhaps a child, so I’ve naturally been very concerned for her health.
During the course of the conversation I specifically asked Mom how my sister’s MS was doing. Mom mentioned to me that they were just kind of hoping and watching. She told me that my sister has been without health insurance since losing her job last year. As a result, she’s been going without her MS medications because she couldn’t afford them.
It just infuriates me to no end that in a country as wealthy as the U.S. that someone should have to go without vital medications. Given her MS, it’s not like she can just go out and get another job with health coverage either as there are many jobs that she physically just cannot perform due to balance issues. Then, even if she does find a job, many insurance companies wouldn’t cover her MS medications because it would be considered a pre-existing condition and would be excluded from coverage.
So, what is this post all leading to you may be asking. Well, there has been lots of talk by several candidates about the topic of change. While I’m really glad to hear the candidates talking about change, words don’t mean much to me. I don’t want to HEAR about change; I want to SEE change, and not the kinds of change we have seen under the current administration:
| |
Then |
Now |
| Median Income |
[2000] $49,158 |
[2006] $48,201 |
| People Living in Poverty |
[2001] 31.6 million |
[2007] 36.5 million |
| Gallon of home heating oil (avg) |
[2000] $1.40 |
[2007] $3.39 |
| Gallon of gasoline (avg) |
[2000] $1.59 |
[2008] $3.14 |
| Exxon-Mobil Profits |
[2000] $7.9 billion |
[2006] $36.1 billion |
| People without health insurance |
[2000] 30.4 million |
[2007] 36.9 million |
| Troops killed in Iraq** |
[2003] 139 |
[2008] 3,907 |
| National debt |
[2000] $5.7 trillion |
[2008] $9.2 trillion |
| Trade Deficit |
[2000] $380 billion |
[2008] $759 billion |
| Federal Budget – surplus to deficit |
[2000] $380 billion |
[2008] $354 billion |
**Since the declaration of “Mission Accomplished”
Source of tabular information: The Stephanie Miller Show [January 31st, 2008]
If you are reading this before the polls close and you haven’t already voted, PLEASE VOTE! Be a part of the process. Help move our country forward so we can have a better America for everyone! If you aren’t sure where your voting precinct is located, you can check it smartvoter.org. If you aren’t already registered to vote, it’s too late for Super Tuesday, but please get registered so you can vote in the General Election in November!
