I admit it. I am an Obama fan, and I can't wait to see him on television tonight. This is not always an easy thing to admit to here in Oklahoma, as my right to make decisions about my own reproductive health care slowly dwindles away.
I don't know what the president is going to talk about tonight. I haven't been paying as much attention to what's been going on politically since they passed the HCR bill. I know despite the continued unemployment that the economy is picking up a little, which I am glad for. I know the House passed the repeal of HCR in a waste of time and money because the Senate probably won't even look at it. I know the top 2% of the wealthiest nation on earth have managed to keep their taxes from being raised again. I know my husband's paycheck has increased by fifteen dollars a month, which I am grateful for, although I'm concerned it's coming out of the social security benefits. If we had more disposable income, we would put it away for retirement ourselves. However, we're hoping it will help us juggle our bills so that we might afford health insurance. I know my Senators still don't believe in global warming. I know that Sargent Shriver's death has reminded of the documentary that I saw about his life and work, and how he believed that we could eradicate poverty in the United States.
So, things look hopeful, but I think it would be nice if we could follow the president's vision for the future, instead of wishing things could stay the same as they were in the past. My husband told me once that the past doesn't have to be maintained. I have to say that I agree. Let the fifties rest in peace. And frankly, I remember the eighties as a mean, mean time. Those ways of life just weren't and aren't sustainable. We've come too far to go back to that now. Let's continue building a United States where every one has the opportunity to better themselves. It doesn't ignore personal responsibility or hard work to increase opportunities to those fellow citizens who are struggling and who might otherwise fall through the tears in the social fabric.
Showing posts with label Health Care Reform Bill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health Care Reform Bill. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, November 4, 2010
State Questions
Okay, I actually expected Mary Fallin to win, in the end, and although I'm disappointed, I'm not really surprised. What I am most upset about are four state questions that passed. I'll start with the one about showing your ID to vote.
In reality it wouldn't be that big of a deal to show my ID or sign something stating that I am who I am(something I already have to do when I sign the register.) The point is this law passed because people in Oklahoma are afraid that illegal immigrants are somehow getting themselves on the roles and voting minorities into office or some such nonsense. And, honestly I can't say that's never happened, but I can say that I don't care if it has, because it wouldn't make sense for someone who is illegal to bring attention to themselves, because if they get caught they will get sent back to a country that will probably imprison them for wanting things like free speech and voting rights. But the people in my state sent a clear message to all those illegal immigrants that we are no better than the country they came from because we don't want people we don't like to vote either. Because this question was not about efficiency or accuracy or even illegal immigrants, it's about intimidating legal, minority voters who were either born here or who became naturalized citizens the legal way.
The second state question that upset me that passed was the one that makes the English language the official language. What is interesting is that it makes exceptions for tribal languages and does not forbid the use of other languages in other situations. Again, it makes no practical sense, because the state's business is already done in English. But it sure did send a message, not just to illegal Mexican immigrants but to those who have come here legally and are still struggling to communicate effectively in our "official" language.
Of course, we can't overlook the whole opting out of the Health Care Reform Bill. I thought it interesting that while reading the question on the ballot, it actually said that this question could not override federal law. WTF! What was the point? We sent a message to that crazy Muslim in the White House that we don't like him and never will, no matter how hard he tries to make our lives better.
Finally I will tackle the stupidest one. That's right the one covering sharia law. This one makes absolutely no sense what so ever. This is like saying the courts can't use the Ten Commandments to decide cases, which they don't do. The Ten Commandments and Sharia Law are religious law and as far as I know the courts refer to legal law when deciding cases. But I think Muslims understand now that they are not welcome in our state. And that's a damn shame.
In reality it wouldn't be that big of a deal to show my ID or sign something stating that I am who I am(something I already have to do when I sign the register.) The point is this law passed because people in Oklahoma are afraid that illegal immigrants are somehow getting themselves on the roles and voting minorities into office or some such nonsense. And, honestly I can't say that's never happened, but I can say that I don't care if it has, because it wouldn't make sense for someone who is illegal to bring attention to themselves, because if they get caught they will get sent back to a country that will probably imprison them for wanting things like free speech and voting rights. But the people in my state sent a clear message to all those illegal immigrants that we are no better than the country they came from because we don't want people we don't like to vote either. Because this question was not about efficiency or accuracy or even illegal immigrants, it's about intimidating legal, minority voters who were either born here or who became naturalized citizens the legal way.
The second state question that upset me that passed was the one that makes the English language the official language. What is interesting is that it makes exceptions for tribal languages and does not forbid the use of other languages in other situations. Again, it makes no practical sense, because the state's business is already done in English. But it sure did send a message, not just to illegal Mexican immigrants but to those who have come here legally and are still struggling to communicate effectively in our "official" language.
Of course, we can't overlook the whole opting out of the Health Care Reform Bill. I thought it interesting that while reading the question on the ballot, it actually said that this question could not override federal law. WTF! What was the point? We sent a message to that crazy Muslim in the White House that we don't like him and never will, no matter how hard he tries to make our lives better.
Finally I will tackle the stupidest one. That's right the one covering sharia law. This one makes absolutely no sense what so ever. This is like saying the courts can't use the Ten Commandments to decide cases, which they don't do. The Ten Commandments and Sharia Law are religious law and as far as I know the courts refer to legal law when deciding cases. But I think Muslims understand now that they are not welcome in our state. And that's a damn shame.
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