Most Americans around the country are celebrating Independence Day today. They are gathering at the steps of the National Archives to hear the Town Crier read aloud the Declaration of Independence. They are going to parades, town festivals, bar-b-ques, family gatherings, and watching fireworks. All in all, today is a day of celebration.
We recall that day in 1776 when a small group of thoughtful men stood up for what they believed in, declared us free from taxation without representation, and that each of us is born equal and with the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But not thousands of citizens of the State of Illinois who rely on human services for their survival. In the State of Illinois, they are unequal and without these rights we all hold so dear.
At the hands of selfish, egotistical legislators, who have failed to do the jobs to which they were elected, the most vulnerable citizens of our state have had their rights ripped from them in the cruelest of ways. In case you're unaware, on Tuesday, the Illinois General Assembly failed to pass a full budget that would, among other things, guarantee full funding of human services programs. On Wednesday, Governor Quinn vetoed the 50% budget passed by the General Assembly that would allow some, but not all funding, and all the politicians fled Springfield on vacation until July 14th when they'll return for yet another special session. Really.
Well, except that not everyone went on vacation. Thousands of social service workers across the state went to work on Wednesday morning committed to their causes, yet unsure whether or not they had jobs and could provide the lifelines to the state's most vulnerable citizens. Governor Quinn issued a statement giving them the option of continuing to provide services with no guarantee they'd ever get paid or shut down. Many agencies are now operating with a skeleton staff, but many more, already grossly underpaid by the State, were forced to shut down leaving their clients with no jobs, no assistance, no way to get to doctor appointments, and wondering how long they'll have a roof over their heads.
As I prepare to march in the Arlington Heights 4th of July parade in just a few hours, I know I'll see quite a few politicians in attendance. Parade participation is a favorite politician pastime and today will be no different. I don't know which politicians I'll see, but there's a huge part of me that's tempted to walk up to them and let them know that if they want my vote in the next election, they'll decline to participate in the parade and get back to Springfield and do the job they were elected to do: represent all the people, not just the healthy ones.
Showing posts with label out of touch politicians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label out of touch politicians. Show all posts
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
It's Not a Democrat or Republican Issue. It's a HUMAN Issue.
The State of Illinois is currently operating without a budget because the General Assembly failed to pass one that Governor Quinn would sign. In fact, he vetoed the partial budget they sent him and so as of yesterday, social service agencies across the state were without funding. Many of them have given their employees notice that their jobs will be cut in the next few weeks and others laid people off yesterday.
People who rely on the services provided by many of these agencies - already operating on a shoestring budget given the work they do - will be going without services. That may not seem like a big deal to you or me, but the help developmentally disabled and mentally disabled people receive through these agencies is truly their life line. With assistance, a lot of people are able to live to the fullest of their abilities, have a sense of self-worth and accomplishment, socialize, work, and not be confined to a nursing home or lost in their own brains.
Private agencies that rely on state money in order to provide service had to choose between staying open and providing services and hoping they eventually getting paid by the State (which may never happen) or to shut down and eliminate services. What a horrific choice.
The General Assembly will come back into special session on July 14th to possibly consider overriding Governor Quinn's veto, but that's two weeks away. That's a disgrace. Why should they get to take a two week vacation while thousands of people across the State are suffering because of the lack of action by our lawmakers?
Lawmakers should get back to work and fix this mess they created. Stop holding the most vulnerable citizens of Illinois hostage.
This isn't a Democratic or Republican issue. It's a HUMAN issue.
Related blog posts:
We Must Have Human Services in Illinois
What You Do To The Least Of These, You Do To Me
People who rely on the services provided by many of these agencies - already operating on a shoestring budget given the work they do - will be going without services. That may not seem like a big deal to you or me, but the help developmentally disabled and mentally disabled people receive through these agencies is truly their life line. With assistance, a lot of people are able to live to the fullest of their abilities, have a sense of self-worth and accomplishment, socialize, work, and not be confined to a nursing home or lost in their own brains.
Private agencies that rely on state money in order to provide service had to choose between staying open and providing services and hoping they eventually getting paid by the State (which may never happen) or to shut down and eliminate services. What a horrific choice.
The General Assembly will come back into special session on July 14th to possibly consider overriding Governor Quinn's veto, but that's two weeks away. That's a disgrace. Why should they get to take a two week vacation while thousands of people across the State are suffering because of the lack of action by our lawmakers?
Lawmakers should get back to work and fix this mess they created. Stop holding the most vulnerable citizens of Illinois hostage.
This isn't a Democratic or Republican issue. It's a HUMAN issue.
Related blog posts:
We Must Have Human Services in Illinois
What You Do To The Least Of These, You Do To Me
Friday, December 19, 2008
Governor Blagojevich, What Is Your Problem?
Governor Blagojevich, I simply do not understand. I mean, I get that your defense is "Ha! Ha! Ha! I was just having fun and joking around on the phone with my buddies!" but is that really the best way to lead the home state of our President-Elect?
You spoke to us today, almost 2 weeks after you were arrested, and essentially told us nothing more than "I am not a crook."
Maybe you're not a crook. After all, you are innocent until presumed guilty. But, you most certainly are the biggest horse's ass I've ever seen in politics. Public servants should be role models. You are no role model. Public servants should be doing the people's business before doing their own. By your own statement today, you clearly do not understand that.
You say you're going to stay on the job and fight these allegations until your last breath. Well, okay, but how exactly are you going to do your job? You can't appoint a new Senator to replace former Senator and President-Elect Barack Obama. Everything you attempt to do is tainted.
Do you know what I worry about most? I worry that all the people who voted in the 2008 Presidential Election for the first time ever or the first time in many years who voted because they believed they could make a difference and were hopeful. Many of them were previously scarred from lying politicians. Will they be back in 2 years to cast another ballot or have your alleged actions just proven that all politicians are evil?
And what about the black cloud your alleged actions have put over our state? Illinois should be proud (and we are) of the man we are sending to the White House. But your alleged actions have given the Right Wingnuts an opportunity to try to tie him to you. Now, you and I both know that you hate him (we've all heard the colorful language you used to describe him), but the Wingnuts don't believe that.
You owe it to us to step aside, at least temporarily. Let Pat Quinn step in and keep your seat warm while you defend yourself. At this time, you need to be focussed on your defense and on your family. You don't really have the time to devote to us and we desparately need a strong and honest leader in Illinois.
You spoke to us today, almost 2 weeks after you were arrested, and essentially told us nothing more than "I am not a crook."
Maybe you're not a crook. After all, you are innocent until presumed guilty. But, you most certainly are the biggest horse's ass I've ever seen in politics. Public servants should be role models. You are no role model. Public servants should be doing the people's business before doing their own. By your own statement today, you clearly do not understand that.
You say you're going to stay on the job and fight these allegations until your last breath. Well, okay, but how exactly are you going to do your job? You can't appoint a new Senator to replace former Senator and President-Elect Barack Obama. Everything you attempt to do is tainted.
Do you know what I worry about most? I worry that all the people who voted in the 2008 Presidential Election for the first time ever or the first time in many years who voted because they believed they could make a difference and were hopeful. Many of them were previously scarred from lying politicians. Will they be back in 2 years to cast another ballot or have your alleged actions just proven that all politicians are evil?
And what about the black cloud your alleged actions have put over our state? Illinois should be proud (and we are) of the man we are sending to the White House. But your alleged actions have given the Right Wingnuts an opportunity to try to tie him to you. Now, you and I both know that you hate him (we've all heard the colorful language you used to describe him), but the Wingnuts don't believe that.
You owe it to us to step aside, at least temporarily. Let Pat Quinn step in and keep your seat warm while you defend yourself. At this time, you need to be focussed on your defense and on your family. You don't really have the time to devote to us and we desparately need a strong and honest leader in Illinois.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Bush Has Good Reflexes Going for Him, If Nothing Else
You simply must see this.
An Iraqi journalist threw his shoes at George Bush after calling him a dog, which is a huge insult.
The BBC also has a great story.
I know I promised that I wouldn't be snarky anymore, but this is so wonderful I simply couldn't help myself. Watch it over and over again. It's truly the gift that keeps on giving.
An Iraqi journalist threw his shoes at George Bush after calling him a dog, which is a huge insult.
The BBC also has a great story.
I know I promised that I wouldn't be snarky anymore, but this is so wonderful I simply couldn't help myself. Watch it over and over again. It's truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
I Got Tagged by Dr. Monkey!
Dr. Monkey has challenged me to answer some very thought provoking questions about my views on Obama. Because he entertains me, regularly comments on my blog, and sends me gifts, I'm happy to answer him.
Note: I started this on Monday. It's now 1:30am on Wednesday morning. These questions were not easy. I won't tag anyone with this meme, but if you want to answer the questions, feel free and let me know because I'd be eager to read your opinions.
1) What is your name (nickname, whatever you're comfortable sharing), your age (range), gender, occupation, income bracket (range), how you identify (gay/straight/whatever)? Married/Single/Divorced? Kids (how many)?
Name: Little Merry Sunshine
Age: 37 (really that's my age)
Gender: Female
Occupation: Self-employed, Mary Kay Consultant
How I Identify: Straight, but many of my friends are gay and I love them very much
Marital Status: Single
Kids: None that I know of
2) What are the most important issues to you in this presidential election and why?
The economy, health care, and the war.
And I can say that since Monday morning, I have become considerably more worried about the economy. The bank failures terrify me. Gas prices went up in my neighborhood 45 cents from Thursday through Saturday. I can't even look at the stock market. Unemployment is 6.1% and rising (it was 4.2% in Jan. 2001). Food prices are as bad as gas prices. And the GOP insists we're just a bunch of whiners and that the economy is fine. Too much has been deregulated and too much corporate welfare has been given out by the Bush Administration, all contributing to the bad economy.
Health care is vital. As a country, everyone pays for the uninsured through higher insurance premiums. We must focus more on prevention than treatment. As things stand now, insurance pays for treating illnesses, but not preventing them. It is always cheaper to prevent something from happening than to treat it after the fact. Keeping people healthy will keep them out of doctors' offices, increase productivity, and cost insurance companies and Medicare and Medicaid less. I believe that we have an obligation to provide health care for everyone. I'm not saying that everyone should have health care paid for by the government. I would like to see a mix of public and private health care - if your employer offers insurance great, but if not, you can get it through the government at a reasonable cost. And by "it," I mean heath insurance equal to what Congressmen and Senators get. The bottom line for me is that the way we run our health care system in this country needs to be completely overhauled.
We got into Iraq based on lies. Too many people, both military personnel and civilians, have died. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, no matter what John McCain or Sarah Palin would like us to believe. We need to refocus our energies on the real war on terror. I'm not sure that the answer is to simply pull out tomorrow, but we cannot stay in Iraq indefinitely. I also believe that we should be willing to talk to all countries unconditionally. Talk can't hurt.
3) Why do you think voters should vote for Obama/Biden, what differentiates this ticket from McCain/Palin?
Obama/Biden challenge people to be better. McCain/Palin believe in the politics of fear and 9/11 (TM). Obama/Biden believe that our best days are ahead, while McCain/Palin seem to believe they were somewhere around 1957. Obama/Biden would get the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act passed and let me have control of my body. Not to be funny, but McCain/Palin believe government should be small enough to fit inside my uterus. And McCain voted against Ledbetter. Obama/Biden know our economy has some serious problems. McCain/Palin believe our economy is strong.
For me, as a woman, I can't sit by idly and let McCain/Palin carry on about abortion, birth control, sex ed, and fair pay. McCain/Palin would make abortion illegal even in cases of rape and incest. This makes my blood boil. Sarah Palin and her pregnant teenage daughter have been praised for their "courage" in deciding to keep their babies that I assume are as a result of consensual sex, but McCain/Palin would require me (and you and our daughters, granddaughters, etc.) to carry a baby to term that was conceived during rape or incest. How dare they.
In making his VP choice, John McCain showed us how he makes important decisions. John McCain had almost 6 months from the time he won the nomination until he announced his VP choice to interview, vet, and prepare his VP nominee. He did none of those things. He chose a running mate he had met exactly once and without ever vetting her. The most important decision of his campaign and he took the same amount of time making it as he does in choosing a pair of socks.
4) If McCain/Palin wins this election, where do you see our country going in the next four years?
The economy is clearly Issue #1 (TM). And McCain has repeatedly stated that (a) the economy isn't his strong suit and (b) the economy is strong (thus proving A). McCain and his advisers believe we are a "nation of whiners." We have many problems in this country, but McCain either doesn't know they exist or he refuses to acknowledge them. Either way, to me, that means he lives in a fantasy world. A dangerous fantasy world.
And Sarah Palin is no better. As we clearly saw in the ABC interviews last week, her cliff notes education on the campaign issues didn't work. She is clearly not knowledgeable enough to run this country, as Carly Fiorina stated yesterday.
If McCain/Palin win this election, I worry that we will not get out of this recession for many years. That the economic divide in our country will continue to get wider. That middle class people will not be able to send their kids to college. That the American Dream will never be achieved by too many. And that, as a country, we will lose even more of our standing in the world than we have over the last 8 years under Bush/Cheney.
5) Economically, where do you think this country is today and how do you think Obama/Biden can make a positive impact?
Clearly we are not in a good place. And I've written about it before on LMS. Lehman Brothers, gone. Merrill Lynch, gone. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac now belong to the federal government. Unemployment is at 6.1%. And tonight, the feds announced they're taking over AIG. I am scared to know what will happen to the unemployment rate thanks to Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, and AIG.
Simply understanding that the economy is not strong and is currently broken (as Obama/Biden does) is a vast improvement over Bush/Cheney and McCain/Palin. Obama/Biden will increase taxes on the rich, while giving tax breaks to over 90% of all Americans. They will bring back some of the regulation of the banking industry that was lost under Bush/Cheney. And ending our immoral war where we spend billions of dollars per month will allow us to invest that money into our country.
6) In the past 8-years, how do you think this country has changed under the Bush regime? Have you been affected by these changes? If so, in what ways?
Well, the most obvious change is that we are a nation at war, which we were not during the Clinton Administration. We have lost our civil liberties and are being held hostage by the fears instilled in us by the GOP. Domestic spying is now the norm and is acceptable.
Elections have become nastier than ever and I fear that good people will be driven away from a life of public service because of it.
Questioning our government is now seen as "unpatriotic."
7) I have read that Palin is considered the new voice of feminism, which is offensive in my opinion. Of equal concern are her views on abortion and the removal of books from libraries. I'd like to know what you think about all of that and how you feel about McCain choosing Palin as a running mate. And what kind of message you think that sends to women?
Sarah Palin is like no feminist I've ever met. She frightens me. And as a woman, I am highly offended that I should vote for her because we both have vaginas. From everything I've read about her and observed in her speeches and interviews (well, I guess that's just 1 interview), she has a very "my way or the highway" view of the world. There appears to be no room for alternative points of view. One of my strongest beliefs is that a good leader encourages her advisers to challenge her. Even if they are simply playing devil's advocate. I believe that hearing different points of view and looking at all options, allows for better decision making.
There are certainly books I find offensive, just as there are TV shows I believe are trash, movies that are insulting, music that is demeaning, etc., and that's my right. So I don't read, watch or listen to them. And that's what I would say to anyone. If you don't like what's on TV, change the channel. If you don't like some books in your library, don't check them out. But don't come tell me that just because you don't like something, I can't read it.
As for abortion, I feel the same way. If you don't like abortion, then don't get one. But don't come tell me that I couldn't get an abortion when I was raped (I didn't get pregnant, so no abortion was necessary).
Every rational thinking woman should be highly offended by the choice of Sarah Palin as John McCain's VP. She is not the simple "hockey mom" she portrays herself to be. She is manipulative, shrewd, shrill (yep, I said it), and uneducated on the major issues of our time.
Any woman who votes for McCain/Palin is simply irresponsible.
Note: I started this on Monday. It's now 1:30am on Wednesday morning. These questions were not easy. I won't tag anyone with this meme, but if you want to answer the questions, feel free and let me know because I'd be eager to read your opinions.
1) What is your name (nickname, whatever you're comfortable sharing), your age (range), gender, occupation, income bracket (range), how you identify (gay/straight/whatever)? Married/Single/Divorced? Kids (how many)?
Name: Little Merry Sunshine
Age: 37 (really that's my age)
Gender: Female
Occupation: Self-employed, Mary Kay Consultant
How I Identify: Straight, but many of my friends are gay and I love them very much
Marital Status: Single
Kids: None that I know of
2) What are the most important issues to you in this presidential election and why?
The economy, health care, and the war.
And I can say that since Monday morning, I have become considerably more worried about the economy. The bank failures terrify me. Gas prices went up in my neighborhood 45 cents from Thursday through Saturday. I can't even look at the stock market. Unemployment is 6.1% and rising (it was 4.2% in Jan. 2001). Food prices are as bad as gas prices. And the GOP insists we're just a bunch of whiners and that the economy is fine. Too much has been deregulated and too much corporate welfare has been given out by the Bush Administration, all contributing to the bad economy.
Health care is vital. As a country, everyone pays for the uninsured through higher insurance premiums. We must focus more on prevention than treatment. As things stand now, insurance pays for treating illnesses, but not preventing them. It is always cheaper to prevent something from happening than to treat it after the fact. Keeping people healthy will keep them out of doctors' offices, increase productivity, and cost insurance companies and Medicare and Medicaid less. I believe that we have an obligation to provide health care for everyone. I'm not saying that everyone should have health care paid for by the government. I would like to see a mix of public and private health care - if your employer offers insurance great, but if not, you can get it through the government at a reasonable cost. And by "it," I mean heath insurance equal to what Congressmen and Senators get. The bottom line for me is that the way we run our health care system in this country needs to be completely overhauled.
We got into Iraq based on lies. Too many people, both military personnel and civilians, have died. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, no matter what John McCain or Sarah Palin would like us to believe. We need to refocus our energies on the real war on terror. I'm not sure that the answer is to simply pull out tomorrow, but we cannot stay in Iraq indefinitely. I also believe that we should be willing to talk to all countries unconditionally. Talk can't hurt.
3) Why do you think voters should vote for Obama/Biden, what differentiates this ticket from McCain/Palin?
Obama/Biden challenge people to be better. McCain/Palin believe in the politics of fear and 9/11 (TM). Obama/Biden believe that our best days are ahead, while McCain/Palin seem to believe they were somewhere around 1957. Obama/Biden would get the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act passed and let me have control of my body. Not to be funny, but McCain/Palin believe government should be small enough to fit inside my uterus. And McCain voted against Ledbetter. Obama/Biden know our economy has some serious problems. McCain/Palin believe our economy is strong.
For me, as a woman, I can't sit by idly and let McCain/Palin carry on about abortion, birth control, sex ed, and fair pay. McCain/Palin would make abortion illegal even in cases of rape and incest. This makes my blood boil. Sarah Palin and her pregnant teenage daughter have been praised for their "courage" in deciding to keep their babies that I assume are as a result of consensual sex, but McCain/Palin would require me (and you and our daughters, granddaughters, etc.) to carry a baby to term that was conceived during rape or incest. How dare they.
In making his VP choice, John McCain showed us how he makes important decisions. John McCain had almost 6 months from the time he won the nomination until he announced his VP choice to interview, vet, and prepare his VP nominee. He did none of those things. He chose a running mate he had met exactly once and without ever vetting her. The most important decision of his campaign and he took the same amount of time making it as he does in choosing a pair of socks.
4) If McCain/Palin wins this election, where do you see our country going in the next four years?
The economy is clearly Issue #1 (TM). And McCain has repeatedly stated that (a) the economy isn't his strong suit and (b) the economy is strong (thus proving A). McCain and his advisers believe we are a "nation of whiners." We have many problems in this country, but McCain either doesn't know they exist or he refuses to acknowledge them. Either way, to me, that means he lives in a fantasy world. A dangerous fantasy world.
And Sarah Palin is no better. As we clearly saw in the ABC interviews last week, her cliff notes education on the campaign issues didn't work. She is clearly not knowledgeable enough to run this country, as Carly Fiorina stated yesterday.
If McCain/Palin win this election, I worry that we will not get out of this recession for many years. That the economic divide in our country will continue to get wider. That middle class people will not be able to send their kids to college. That the American Dream will never be achieved by too many. And that, as a country, we will lose even more of our standing in the world than we have over the last 8 years under Bush/Cheney.
5) Economically, where do you think this country is today and how do you think Obama/Biden can make a positive impact?
Clearly we are not in a good place. And I've written about it before on LMS. Lehman Brothers, gone. Merrill Lynch, gone. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac now belong to the federal government. Unemployment is at 6.1%. And tonight, the feds announced they're taking over AIG. I am scared to know what will happen to the unemployment rate thanks to Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, and AIG.
Simply understanding that the economy is not strong and is currently broken (as Obama/Biden does) is a vast improvement over Bush/Cheney and McCain/Palin. Obama/Biden will increase taxes on the rich, while giving tax breaks to over 90% of all Americans. They will bring back some of the regulation of the banking industry that was lost under Bush/Cheney. And ending our immoral war where we spend billions of dollars per month will allow us to invest that money into our country.
6) In the past 8-years, how do you think this country has changed under the Bush regime? Have you been affected by these changes? If so, in what ways?
Well, the most obvious change is that we are a nation at war, which we were not during the Clinton Administration. We have lost our civil liberties and are being held hostage by the fears instilled in us by the GOP. Domestic spying is now the norm and is acceptable.
Elections have become nastier than ever and I fear that good people will be driven away from a life of public service because of it.
Questioning our government is now seen as "unpatriotic."
7) I have read that Palin is considered the new voice of feminism, which is offensive in my opinion. Of equal concern are her views on abortion and the removal of books from libraries. I'd like to know what you think about all of that and how you feel about McCain choosing Palin as a running mate. And what kind of message you think that sends to women?
Sarah Palin is like no feminist I've ever met. She frightens me. And as a woman, I am highly offended that I should vote for her because we both have vaginas. From everything I've read about her and observed in her speeches and interviews (well, I guess that's just 1 interview), she has a very "my way or the highway" view of the world. There appears to be no room for alternative points of view. One of my strongest beliefs is that a good leader encourages her advisers to challenge her. Even if they are simply playing devil's advocate. I believe that hearing different points of view and looking at all options, allows for better decision making.
There are certainly books I find offensive, just as there are TV shows I believe are trash, movies that are insulting, music that is demeaning, etc., and that's my right. So I don't read, watch or listen to them. And that's what I would say to anyone. If you don't like what's on TV, change the channel. If you don't like some books in your library, don't check them out. But don't come tell me that just because you don't like something, I can't read it.
As for abortion, I feel the same way. If you don't like abortion, then don't get one. But don't come tell me that I couldn't get an abortion when I was raped (I didn't get pregnant, so no abortion was necessary).
Every rational thinking woman should be highly offended by the choice of Sarah Palin as John McCain's VP. She is not the simple "hockey mom" she portrays herself to be. She is manipulative, shrewd, shrill (yep, I said it), and uneducated on the major issues of our time.
Any woman who votes for McCain/Palin is simply irresponsible.
Monday, September 8, 2008
It's the Hypocrisy, Stupid.
I have nothing original to say this morning, so I took this from FranIAm. The original author is unknown, but she got it from her friend David's blog. Frankly, this would be humorous if it weren't so true. Instead of being humorous, it shows the blatant hypocrisy of the GOP.
Read on people...
This was forwarded to me today in an email. There was no attribution to author or source.
I thought that many of them were quite clever. I share them with you lot.
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If you’re a minority and you’re selected for a job over more qualified candidates you’re a “token hire.”
If you’re a conservative and you’re selected for a job over more qualified candidates you’re a “game changer.”
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If you live in an Urban area and you get a girl pregnant you’re a “baby daddy.”
If you’re the same in Alaska you’re a “teen father.” (Actually, according to your own MySpace page you’re an F’n redneck that don’t want any kids, but that’s too long a phrase for the evil liberal media to take out of context and flog morning noon and night).
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Black teen pregnancies? A “crisis” in black America.
White teen pregnancies? A “blessed event.”
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If you grow up in Hawaii you’re “exotic.”Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, you’re the quintessential “American story.”
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Similarly, if you name you kid Barack you’re “unpatriotic.”
Name your kid Track, you’re “colorful.”
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If you’re a Democrat and you make a VP pick without fulling vetting the individual you’re “reckless.”
A Republican who doesn’t fully vet is a “maverick.”
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If you say that for the “first time in my adult lifetime I’m really proud of my country” it makes you “unfit” to be First Lady.
If you are a registered member of a fringe political group that advocates secession that makes you “First Dude.”
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A DUI from twenty years ago is “old news.”
A speech given without proper citation from twenty years ago is “relevant information.”
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If you’re a man and you decide to run for office despite your wife’s reoccurrence of cancer you’re a “questionable spouse.”
If you’re a woman and you decide to run for office despite having five kids including a newborn with Downs Syndrome… Well, we don’t know what that is ‘cause THAT’S NOT A FAIR QUESTION TO ASK!
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If you get 18 million people to vote for you in a national presidential primary, you’re a “phoney.”
Get 100,000+ people to vote you governor of the 47th most populous state in the Union, you’re “well loved.”
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If you are biracial and born in a state not connected to the lower 48, America needs darn near 2 years and 3 major speeches to “get to know you.”
If you’re white and from a state not connected to the lower 48, America needs 36 minutes and 38 seconds worth of an acceptance speech to know you’re “one of us.”
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If you give your wife a dap on stage, it’s actually a “terrorist fist jab.”
If your daughter licks her palm so that she can slick down your youngest child’s hair on national TV it’s an “adorable moment.” (Seriously, forget about abstinence only, teach these folks some grooming skills).
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If your pastor rails against inequality in the United States of America, you’re an “extremist.”
If your pastor welcomes a sermon by a member of Jews for Jesus who preaches that the killing of Jews by terrorists is a lesson to Jews that they must convert to Christianity, you’re a “fundamentalist.”
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If you’re a black man and you use a scholarship to get into college, then work your way up to being the president of the Harvard Law Review, you’re “uppity.”
If you’re a conservative and your parents pay your way to Hawaii Pacific University . . . you only have four more schools to attend over the next five years before you somehow manage to graduate (it might be five more school over the next five years. No one has yet verified whether or not Palin was actually ever registered at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. But, you know how shady people are who ever attended any kind of school in Hawaii).
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If you’re 18, white, and get a 16 year old girl pregnant “life happens.”
If you’re 18, black, and impregnate a 16 year old girl, you’re a “registered sex offender
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If you spend 18 months building a campaign around the theme of “Change,” it’s just “empty rhetoric.”
If one week before your party’s national convention you SUDDENLY make your candidacy about “Change,” that’s “red meat.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And lastly:
If you are a Democrat, an Independent, or even a moderate Republican, if you’re female, male, white, black, Asian, Hispanic, bi-racial, multi-ethnic, or GLBT, if you’re a Jew, Gentile, Muslim, agnostic or atheist - “Yes, we can!”
If you’re a pitbull with lipstick from Alaska, “Yup, yup!”
Read on people...
This was forwarded to me today in an email. There was no attribution to author or source.
I thought that many of them were quite clever. I share them with you lot.
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If you’re a minority and you’re selected for a job over more qualified candidates you’re a “token hire.”
If you’re a conservative and you’re selected for a job over more qualified candidates you’re a “game changer.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you live in an Urban area and you get a girl pregnant you’re a “baby daddy.”
If you’re the same in Alaska you’re a “teen father.” (Actually, according to your own MySpace page you’re an F’n redneck that don’t want any kids, but that’s too long a phrase for the evil liberal media to take out of context and flog morning noon and night).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Black teen pregnancies? A “crisis” in black America.
White teen pregnancies? A “blessed event.”
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If you grow up in Hawaii you’re “exotic.”Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, you’re the quintessential “American story.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Similarly, if you name you kid Barack you’re “unpatriotic.”
Name your kid Track, you’re “colorful.”
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If you’re a Democrat and you make a VP pick without fulling vetting the individual you’re “reckless.”
A Republican who doesn’t fully vet is a “maverick.”
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If you say that for the “first time in my adult lifetime I’m really proud of my country” it makes you “unfit” to be First Lady.
If you are a registered member of a fringe political group that advocates secession that makes you “First Dude.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A DUI from twenty years ago is “old news.”
A speech given without proper citation from twenty years ago is “relevant information.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you’re a man and you decide to run for office despite your wife’s reoccurrence of cancer you’re a “questionable spouse.”
If you’re a woman and you decide to run for office despite having five kids including a newborn with Downs Syndrome… Well, we don’t know what that is ‘cause THAT’S NOT A FAIR QUESTION TO ASK!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you get 18 million people to vote for you in a national presidential primary, you’re a “phoney.”
Get 100,000+ people to vote you governor of the 47th most populous state in the Union, you’re “well loved.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you are biracial and born in a state not connected to the lower 48, America needs darn near 2 years and 3 major speeches to “get to know you.”
If you’re white and from a state not connected to the lower 48, America needs 36 minutes and 38 seconds worth of an acceptance speech to know you’re “one of us.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you give your wife a dap on stage, it’s actually a “terrorist fist jab.”
If your daughter licks her palm so that she can slick down your youngest child’s hair on national TV it’s an “adorable moment.” (Seriously, forget about abstinence only, teach these folks some grooming skills).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If your pastor rails against inequality in the United States of America, you’re an “extremist.”
If your pastor welcomes a sermon by a member of Jews for Jesus who preaches that the killing of Jews by terrorists is a lesson to Jews that they must convert to Christianity, you’re a “fundamentalist.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you’re a black man and you use a scholarship to get into college, then work your way up to being the president of the Harvard Law Review, you’re “uppity.”
If you’re a conservative and your parents pay your way to Hawaii Pacific University . . . you only have four more schools to attend over the next five years before you somehow manage to graduate (it might be five more school over the next five years. No one has yet verified whether or not Palin was actually ever registered at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. But, you know how shady people are who ever attended any kind of school in Hawaii).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you’re 18, white, and get a 16 year old girl pregnant “life happens.”
If you’re 18, black, and impregnate a 16 year old girl, you’re a “registered sex offender
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you spend 18 months building a campaign around the theme of “Change,” it’s just “empty rhetoric.”
If one week before your party’s national convention you SUDDENLY make your candidacy about “Change,” that’s “red meat.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And lastly:
If you are a Democrat, an Independent, or even a moderate Republican, if you’re female, male, white, black, Asian, Hispanic, bi-racial, multi-ethnic, or GLBT, if you’re a Jew, Gentile, Muslim, agnostic or atheist - “Yes, we can!”
If you’re a pitbull with lipstick from Alaska, “Yup, yup!”
Saturday, September 6, 2008
My Congressman Speaks! Just Not To Me.
As I turned onto my street about an hour ago, I discovered both sides were lined with cars and Mark Kirk (R-IL) for Congress signs and flags in most lawns. My across the street neighbor was having a tea. Oh goody. Hopefully, my Dan Seals (D) for Congress sign would still be in my yard, but it's been known to disappear before.
Pulling closer to my house, I noticed him standing in my neighbor's driveway and I realized there was no place for me (the homeowning taxpayer) to park. Normally, this would not be a problem because I would simply park in my driveway. Unfortunately, my town is in the middle of replacing my street and they started on the curbs on my side of the street, just poured the concrete yesterday, and we have not been given the clearance to park in our own driveways yet. Given how much stuff I had to bring into my house (I had been meeting with some clients), I wasn't about to park a block away just because all the GOPers were having a party. I pulled right into my driveway figuring if someone says something to me, I'll blame my violation of the rules on my Congressman.
Settled into my driveway, one of my neighbors walked across the street to greet me. She said "Congressman Kirk is across the street to meet with all the neighbors. Everyone's invited . . . except you because you have a Dan Seals sign in your yard."
To be honest, I'm not sure I remember the last time someone spoke to me that way. It made my blood boil. It's not that I want to be invited to a GOP coffee because let's face it, if I was there, I would have to point out all of his lies, but no one needs to speak to me in such a condescending manner. You can be certain that I told her exactly why I'm not voting for Kirk and am voting for Dan Seals.
Since I am obviously not going to be given the opportunity to speak to my Congressman, here's what I would have told him.
1. You don't really care what your constituents think. I hate that you call at 6:30pm (or other random times) with a recorded message that says "We're having a town hall meeting via conference call NOW and if you'd like to participate press 1." I have, in fact, pressed one a few times only to discover that I am not allowed to ask questions. What's up with that? Other times, the calls come at completely bad times and I've just hung up. These calls completely irritate me. I'd like to participate. I'd like to hear what my Congressman has to say. I want to ask him questions. And if I knew about the calls IN ADVANCE, I would be able to plan an evening around them. I've called his office numerous times about this and never get an answer to my complaint.
2. I am troubled by your hypocrisy. Mark Kirk, although being a member of the Naval Reserve, did not go to Iraq when his unit was called up during this war. Instead, he served his time at the Pentagon. It must be nice to have that option. His reason was that he would put his unit at risk by being there. I hate to burst his obviously inflated ego, but I don't think anyone in Iraq cares about him. But it's a nice message to send to the folks back home: "I'm in the Reserves, but am too important to serve."
3. Judgement matters and you don't have it. Mark Kirk supported the War in Iraq. In fact, he authored the resolution to go to war and has voted 12 times against a withdrawal. He also took money from Halliburton and then voted to protect Halliburton's Iraq contracts.
4. Off-shore drilling isn't going to lower gas prices for at least 10 years, if at all. Mark Kirk loves off-shore drilling and takes money from oil companies.
5. You're too much of a "yes man." Mark Kirk has voted in line with President Bush's wishes 88% of the time.
6. Uninsured Americans cost us all more and aren't uninsured because they're lazy or don't want health insurance. He voted AGAINST SCHIP which would give healthcare coverage to impoverished kids.
7. No Child Left Behind isn't working. Ask any teacher. He supports President Bush's "No Child Left Behind," but refuses to fund it.
8. Gas costs too much. When Mark Kirk was running for office in 2000, gas was under $2 per gallon. At my neighborhood gas station, it's $3.95 today. Why is that? Why doesn't he do anything about this?
9. You're out of touch. He voted against extending unemployment insurance and refused to support any measures that would help homeowners facing foreclosure due to predatory lending because we live in a very high income district.
10. Why do you hate women? Finally, as a woman, I cannot ever support someone who opposed the Paycheck Fairness Act and Lilly Ledbetter Act which would have ensured pay equity for women. He was worried it would create lawsuits. How dare we want to enforce laws and get equal pay for equal work, when we're currently making $0.77 for every $1 a man earns.
When I see Mark Kirk, I see President Bush's lackey. He's a significant part of the problem in Washington these days. I want my Congressman to have a clue what goes on in our district. I want him to be someone who listens to members of the district, rather than telling us what he wants us to hear.
I'm voting for Dan Seals, who will work to end this debacle in Iraq, support my right to control my body and support a real energy policy that will include alternative forms of energy.
Oh, my yard sign is still there and I'm loving the fact that my car is parked squarely in my driveway with 4 Obama, Dan Seals, and anti-war stickers on it! But if my yard sign disappears, you bet I know who will get my first call of anger.
Sources: Mark Kirk's Congressional Website, Kirk Facts, Where Was Mark Kirk?, Dan Seals for Congress, Ellen of the 10th, and Progress Illinois.
Pulling closer to my house, I noticed him standing in my neighbor's driveway and I realized there was no place for me (the homeowning taxpayer) to park. Normally, this would not be a problem because I would simply park in my driveway. Unfortunately, my town is in the middle of replacing my street and they started on the curbs on my side of the street, just poured the concrete yesterday, and we have not been given the clearance to park in our own driveways yet. Given how much stuff I had to bring into my house (I had been meeting with some clients), I wasn't about to park a block away just because all the GOPers were having a party. I pulled right into my driveway figuring if someone says something to me, I'll blame my violation of the rules on my Congressman.
Settled into my driveway, one of my neighbors walked across the street to greet me. She said "Congressman Kirk is across the street to meet with all the neighbors. Everyone's invited . . . except you because you have a Dan Seals sign in your yard."
To be honest, I'm not sure I remember the last time someone spoke to me that way. It made my blood boil. It's not that I want to be invited to a GOP coffee because let's face it, if I was there, I would have to point out all of his lies, but no one needs to speak to me in such a condescending manner. You can be certain that I told her exactly why I'm not voting for Kirk and am voting for Dan Seals.
Since I am obviously not going to be given the opportunity to speak to my Congressman, here's what I would have told him.
1. You don't really care what your constituents think. I hate that you call at 6:30pm (or other random times) with a recorded message that says "We're having a town hall meeting via conference call NOW and if you'd like to participate press 1." I have, in fact, pressed one a few times only to discover that I am not allowed to ask questions. What's up with that? Other times, the calls come at completely bad times and I've just hung up. These calls completely irritate me. I'd like to participate. I'd like to hear what my Congressman has to say. I want to ask him questions. And if I knew about the calls IN ADVANCE, I would be able to plan an evening around them. I've called his office numerous times about this and never get an answer to my complaint.
2. I am troubled by your hypocrisy. Mark Kirk, although being a member of the Naval Reserve, did not go to Iraq when his unit was called up during this war. Instead, he served his time at the Pentagon. It must be nice to have that option. His reason was that he would put his unit at risk by being there. I hate to burst his obviously inflated ego, but I don't think anyone in Iraq cares about him. But it's a nice message to send to the folks back home: "I'm in the Reserves, but am too important to serve."
3. Judgement matters and you don't have it. Mark Kirk supported the War in Iraq. In fact, he authored the resolution to go to war and has voted 12 times against a withdrawal. He also took money from Halliburton and then voted to protect Halliburton's Iraq contracts.
4. Off-shore drilling isn't going to lower gas prices for at least 10 years, if at all. Mark Kirk loves off-shore drilling and takes money from oil companies.
5. You're too much of a "yes man." Mark Kirk has voted in line with President Bush's wishes 88% of the time.
6. Uninsured Americans cost us all more and aren't uninsured because they're lazy or don't want health insurance. He voted AGAINST SCHIP which would give healthcare coverage to impoverished kids.
7. No Child Left Behind isn't working. Ask any teacher. He supports President Bush's "No Child Left Behind," but refuses to fund it.
8. Gas costs too much. When Mark Kirk was running for office in 2000, gas was under $2 per gallon. At my neighborhood gas station, it's $3.95 today. Why is that? Why doesn't he do anything about this?
9. You're out of touch. He voted against extending unemployment insurance and refused to support any measures that would help homeowners facing foreclosure due to predatory lending because we live in a very high income district.
10. Why do you hate women? Finally, as a woman, I cannot ever support someone who opposed the Paycheck Fairness Act and Lilly Ledbetter Act which would have ensured pay equity for women. He was worried it would create lawsuits. How dare we want to enforce laws and get equal pay for equal work, when we're currently making $0.77 for every $1 a man earns.
When I see Mark Kirk, I see President Bush's lackey. He's a significant part of the problem in Washington these days. I want my Congressman to have a clue what goes on in our district. I want him to be someone who listens to members of the district, rather than telling us what he wants us to hear.
I'm voting for Dan Seals, who will work to end this debacle in Iraq, support my right to control my body and support a real energy policy that will include alternative forms of energy.
Oh, my yard sign is still there and I'm loving the fact that my car is parked squarely in my driveway with 4 Obama, Dan Seals, and anti-war stickers on it! But if my yard sign disappears, you bet I know who will get my first call of anger.
Sources: Mark Kirk's Congressional Website, Kirk Facts, Where Was Mark Kirk?, Dan Seals for Congress, Ellen of the 10th, and Progress Illinois.
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