Leaning left!

I write this with some hesitation. I was born and raised in Alabama. Baptised at Cherry Street Baptist and raised by a Church of God of Phropecy Grandmother. The first election I was ever old enough to vote in I voted for Gerald Ford. So, I come to this not as someone with no idea what it is to be a good conservative. I am not mocking or being disrespectful to those who truly see the G.O.P. as the "good guys" it's just that I honestly disagee. Healthcare is one of those areas and let me respectfuly explain why.

It's true that government can't be a nanny to everybody no matter their lifestyle. Surely we can find common ground somewhere. I have very good insurance because of my job. I'm thankful and I understand what a slippery slope it is the the abysess should I or many like me lose my job. Ya see if you are very, very poor then you do indeed get healthcare. It's called Medicaid and although it is strained to the breaking point at times it does indeed cover you. If you are very, very rich then you get the best health care anywhere. None better! Ya pull out your wallet and ya call your specialist and your off! But, if you are lower or even upper middle class and you depend on your job for health care then you better pray and hope and make sure (as much as you can that you keep it.) If you are laid off or if you job doens't give you health care then you my friend are screwed big time! You are not poor enough for Medicaid and not rich enough for the doctor visits. (Medicaid folks are also not treated with the same respect by much of the medical establishment either but that's a whole nother subject.) If you get cancer or heart disease then you just better get on over to the side of the road cause the rest of God's chillun are gonna pass you by. They can't help it cause they can't afford to take you to the doctor.

Now that being said I am concerned that the new administration is moving to fast and to partisian with health care right now. However, the big insurance companies have got their propaganda and big guns blazing right now. If you are conservative and you think george bush was a true conservative I have some beach front property in Northeast Alabama in a little town called Altoona I'd like to see ya. (But that is also a whole nother post.) Fact is we the people need to take this nation back. The first thing a new congressman/woman should do is not to find their party "leader" when they get to D.C. but to find how to benifit the people back home. But it gets lost in the "agenda" of the party. Meanwhile people (sheeple)continue to cheer and wave the party colors while the rest of the people get (insert favorite colorful phrase here) So, I ask if you are anti abortion and yet you say "let em eat cake" once they get here then what have you really done? If you say life is sacred but cheer as homes and people are blown to rubble then what have you really done? (that is a whole nother argument also.) But back to my main question to my conservative friends (and lots of my friends are conservative.) Is there a middle ground somewhere so that health care can be obtained by those in honest need? Or do we continue to have this battle every four to eight years? I am not A Liberal because to be A "anything" means you endorse and are zealous for it. But I do lean left on healthcare and other social issues. My question is to my friends: Is there a way to meet without the hysteria and rhetoric or are we doomed to watch this play everytime congress and the presidency changes hands?

Truth lies bleeding!

It happened slowly. First it was simply letting a few special interest in the name of "helping" get projects and causes going. Then of course the sheep were told that instead of thinking about their state or their own turf to think "Party" Then the politicians started to pass out the (metophorically speaking)team jerseys. Ya know lib,conservative,repub and dem.Then the sheep started to cheer as long as their "team" was in power and boo when the "other" team got power. Meanwhile the politicans with their pockets full of special interest money began to only answer to their "party" and the sheeple be damned! Then when ole so and so got elected to congress the first thing he/she did was meet with their "party" leader for marching orders. That way the sheep kept sending sons and daughters off to die in wars and reap hate by the collateral damage to civillians (women and children)while the sheep at home waved the flag and the politicans got richer. Then finally the sheep forgot it was their nation and their state. The borders were thrown open and class warfare started. Then of course the sheep were led in cheering by the politicans and although the sheep knew that "their" guy was corrupt they stopped demanding accountability because the "Other" team does it to and the end justifys the means. Meanwhile the so called "teams" where actually paying into the same franchise and the sheep were being dumped on. So cheer,cheer dear old G.O.P. or sacred old Democrat! Meanwhile the sheep kept saying things like: Health care is a privaledge and when the sheep lost their jobs they lost their health care. Meanwhile only the very poor (easier to control)and the very rich (they control)could get health care. The middle class vanished and all the people said: Amen! Give us Barrabas! while the "truth" lay bleeding!

Posts: 3504 Location: Eternal Now! Registered: 06-16-2006

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! Current mood: adventurous Category: Religion and Philosophy
I stood at the foot of my grandparents graves some years ago now. Standing in that little country cematary in Northeast Alabama these words of joy filled my mind. Happy Easter! Now it wasn't Easter as far as the holiday went but it meant the world to me. It told me that somehow they were home! The grave held nothing more than the elements waiting to go back to the earth. Happy Easter! Now years later as a self styled "liberal" Christian who has left the fire and brimstone of my youth behind I think of Easter. I think back over my life and the meaning of Easter! I have to be honest I no longer feel that I deserve the fires of hell for the life I've lived. I actually can't see a loving God calling for the sadistic torture of souls. But Easter has lost none of it's meaning to me. The story of Easter is not simply sinners in the hands of an angry god. No I am not writing here to challenge your faith or make fun of your core vaules and beliefes. I am writing here in celebration! In no other religion in the world. Not in buddishm and it's wonderful meditation that I honestly respect and enjoy. Not in Hinduism with it's multitude of gods and goddess and not even in the beauty of nature that Wicca enjoys do I find this one gem of the faith of my childhood. That the maker of the entire cosmos could Love so fully and so perfectly that he/she/spirit would become one of us. That he would put on mortality not in a fire and brimstone follow me way. But in the ultimate sacrafice of a parent to a sick child. You might take your childs suffering upon yourself if it would release him or her but would you do it for a brother or a sister or a stranger or one who doens't even have the capacity to love you back? Would you do it just to join in! Not to cure or release from pain but to literally join in the pain! That is love! To take part in the suffering of the poor helpless beings that don't even know how to thank you. That is Easter! Not that we don't taste death but that he enters it with us and finally brings us (each of us in time)out the other side! He is risen indeed! So am I! So will I!

Welcome President Obama!

I do support the new President and I hope for the sake of all of us that he suceeds. I had hoped the last one would do better just as I wanted Clinton to do better. I am an American and the prosperity of my nation is good for me. Still some folks on my hometown paper forum are a little antsy the past few days. I do want to say this to you who are a little angry and disullusioned today. I can at least understand where some of the black folks are coming from. No it does not justify people like Farakan or Wright or Lowery. But for folks who are "brown" and who have always wondered about their representation it is a moment unlike any other. Finally, they can say "we" have a stake in this nation. The person in high office knows a little (rich no matter the color can ever know the poor completely.) but he knows a little more than most how "I" meaning black folks feel. I have never before had to look at a president and honestly wonder "does he hate me because of the color of my skin?" Now I honestly know how that feels because even though I support Obama I am very leery of Michelle and of the pollyanna rock star status of the new president. Still, black folks for generations have had to wonder. They know that whites have prejudice thoughts just as they have prejudice thoughts. For all my life I have wondered why do so many black folks say "I stay" instead of I live in a place? Now, I am begining to understand. They didn't feel they owned it. They felt like squatters. Now, I hope they will begin to take ownership and start to build instead of raising a generation that thinks it's "white" to act like you want to succeed at anything. So, cut em a little slack. Certainly call them and any one else including liberal white's out that tries to demonise "white" folks. But try to understand just a little bit where they are coming from. It might make the next 4 or eight years more bearable to you who are uneasy or angry about the election. God Bless President Obama! God help us all at this time in our nation and our world.

Election Day!

Posted
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11-04-2008 08:10 AM 11-04-2008 08:10 AM
Most of us today who don't consider ourselves a die hard repulican or democrat will today if the media is correct elect Obama. To the Repulicans: You may love bush and you may take up for him in a time of economic struggle. You may or may not have legitimate points for why you do. I'm not an economist and I'm not sure of all the little "sins" of the past that have gotten us here. I do know that like most Americans I vote with my wallet (admit it now)and with my emotion (two wars two fronts is idiocy.)So today the reason (right or wrong)that I will not be voting repulican if I vote is george dubya bush! You may not like it but he has done more damage to the conservative movement (and he isn't a true Goldwater conservative)than dems or the media ever could.To the Democrats: Keep acting like Obama is the savior and the incarnation of all good and that all white people who vote against him are racist and you will reap what you sow also. Most of us are not voting because we love Obama or democrats. Those of us who are giving you this chance today are simply tired of the way the train is getting off track. Mess up and play politics with the lives of our soilders and the economy and in four years we will be ready to throw your ass out also. Most Americans are neither right wing fanactics or left wing socialist. Most as a matter of fact are (and I am moderately left myself)a little to the right but fairly middle of the road.Right now we feel we have no choice but to vote Obama or stay home because only the most blind die hard repulican could call bush a "good" president. But just beware I (and many more)have woken up to the fact that the right wings and left wings and special interest have killed our democracy or at least have it on life support. If the Obama presidency starts the jessie jackson al sharpton racist junk then I and many others will throw em out come next election cycle. We need to heal the divides and I think Obama may be the person to get that process started. So here is your chance (at least I believe it is we still have an election today although the media and polls seem to have already decided it. I will say one thing: After eight years and two wars and inflation out the yin yang I am ready to take my chances on a new direction. Lets hope they don't blow it.

Posts: 2732 Location: In the front row! Registered: 06-16-2006

Honesty!

You can't handle the truth! We all love that line! But it got me thinking and now I'm gonna get it from both sides but here goes:All but the most dedicated Repulican Conservative would have to admit (and some of those will)that george bush has been a disaster for this nation. Inflation,gas prices,economy,two wars on two fronts!People having to work two jobs just to pay their rent or mortage.Incredible pay checks to oil company CEO's and incredible profits while they stick it to us at the pumps. If he honestly worked for some of the folks who support him they would have fired his butt eight years ago and they know it. Repulicans have controled the congress for most (not now)but for most of the past 12 years. So why am I having such a hard time supporting Obama? Why are people like me who are not democrats or repulicans and who think both the conservative and liberal wingnuts are killing our nation not comfortable with Obama? Mccain has never met a war he didn't like! Well here is the truth from one middle aged white guy and please remeber a couple of things if you think this is worth discussing. 1. I am not an english teacher and I am not going to spell check every word I write so if that is all you are worried about then Bug Off! 2. I am not a registered democrat or repulican and I am not trying to "convince" you that bush is a horrible president. The above is my opinion of the past eight years and spamming with all the mistakes the Clintons made or all the non sense the Democrats have fostered on us is not even where this is going. This is a challenge to others "like me." who are middle aged, white (don't hate my race or apoligise for it.)people who are uncomfortable with Obama and yet feel Mccain is just "shrub lite." Which brings me to a third point. 3. Please don't start (you know who you are.)with the b.s. that everyone who doesn't support Obama is a racist. That chit got old about a minute after it first came up. Now, why am I not to keen on Obama? Truth! His color combined with some of the people he has surrounded himself with over the past twenty years or so make me uneasy. I know it may not be rational or fair but I called this "truth" not politically correct. I (in my younger days)attended a local church here in Gadsden. The Pastor was not only my pastor but my freind and confident! I would still call him right now and certain others of that church if I was told I was gonna die in six months. Truth! I'm not a bible thumping born again fundlementilist. But,that is how much confidence and how much spirituality I've seen out of the place I attended for much less than twenty years. So, I am to believe that he did not know or agree or at least understand the man he called " Like an uncle" to me was not a reperations demanding white hating racist idiot? Before ya start I have read and watched much film on jerry wright and it is not out of context. So, he has surrounded himself with the brothas and whities who hate their own race for twenty years? Yeah that worries me. But still he seems to be a person that wants to unite the races instead of doing the old us against them sthick. He responded well to a young black man who started that crap and Obama told him he wanted to unite all races instead of dividing them. Still it bothers me that so many of the media refuse to take him to task and act offended when someone questions him. He's running with the big boys and girls and he is subject to the riducle and scrutiny that comes with the territory. Then there is the Michelle problem. I have watched her in interview and I am not impressed. She visited the Daily Show with John Stewart and believe me if you are familiar with that particular show she was in the company of freinds. Yet she came out with her lips pursed and her battle face on. After a couple of soft balls she began to realise that it was not an interview but a love fest and she lightened up. (kind of like the cheney broad being "interviewed" by big bill oreilly)Then Mr. Obama saying he didn't want to ingratiate himself to white people Sorry,whatever context ya put it in I (and most white people with a pulse and a brain)don't like it. Then he writes a book about his daddy when his daddy was spreading his sperm all over Africa and North America but it was politically expedient since his mother (who along with her whitey family raised the little snit!)was the wrong "color" to write a book about. Still,how many black people have had to vote for a person they felt was a closet racist? So, I do understand. Anyway, I will admit if he had acted a little more middle of the road. (white?) Maybe married a mixed girl instead of a sistah who plays on the old "we shall overcome" speil while living in splendor that most people white or black will never touch it wouldn't be so bad. See? I told you I would be honest! So, if Barrack were white or at least paid more respect to his "other" side would I be more comfortable with him? Absolutely! I am so sick of what this administration has done to my nation. However, do I feel like a racist? NO! Prejudice? Yeah a little. (told ya I'd be honest) Will I vote for Barrack? Yeah! If I vote. I can't see voting for shrub hugging johhny m! But only because I despise what is happening to our economy and nation right now. But,we do need to drill for oil wherever we can find it. Black folks do need to stand on their own feet. Sorry bout slavery but chit happens and it's time to move on. Not gonna pay a dime in reperations and not gonna go to the back of the bus and damn all white folks. Anyway, this is honesty! Anyone, black or white or hispanic or Asian who tells ya they don't feel a little tinge or question when someone of a different race or attitude or culture is in charge is either lying or self hating or Christ incarnate! Peace!

Happy 4th of July!

I was looking at a forum talking about religous tolerance and the pledge and the constitution and started thinking. No matter where you stand on religion, can you imagine this nation trying to agree on a pledge or a constitution or a National Anthem today? We truly have fallen far from the common sense and standards and faith in the spirit of mankind that our forfathers had. Please forgive all spelling errors as I am in a hurry this morning but wanted to get this written down.I can see it now:

One nation? Wait a minute...let me tell ya bout the hispanic experience gringo! No wait, let me tell ya bout the African american reality. No wait what about the south? The south? You hillbillies should be nuked under with the rest of the bible thumping idiots. Hold it! You can't say under god because Darwin and ritchie dawkins say that to believe in god is the same as believing in the tooth fairy! Well wait a minute! The earth may have evolved but it may have been created in six days so lets make sure we have a Christian nation! Hold it! Just hold on! We need some symbol in there that speaks of the "white" oppression of people of color and by the way the Isralie government wants to be sure you understand how intimately tied the interest of the U.S. is with them. Hold it the Saudie Kingdom won't go for that! Anyway,the "corporation" for a better Amerika just called and the lawyers want to look these documents over! Ah to heck with it! Lets just hoist the Union Jack and forget it! Have a happy fourth and be glad your nation's birth isn't being decided today by the beloved liberals and coservatives and corperations.