REAL Politics

[Viki]

OK, the Super Bowl is boring me to death; I really couldn't care less and I've been surfing the DIS boards trying to find something stimulating.

The closest I could come was a thread on our very own board about politics and the upcoming presidental campaign.

See, the thing is, in my youth I was very political - even made it to the 1980 Democratic Convention as an elected Kennedy delegate. Spent years as a lesbian-feminist rabble rouser. I'm talking smoked-filled rooms and trenches here. About the only thing I didn't get to do is take it on the road with a political campaign. That would have been sweet!

The truth is I am still very political - I think it's critical that we find ways to order our public lives and I love a good debate about just those issues.

The problem, from my perspective, is that there is never a sufficient amount of honesty and truth in the room. In my profession I am constantly challenging communities to tell the truth, as well and as much as they can. Take risks. Be real. Be wrong. It's OK - we're all in this together.

And I can't find those values honored anywhere, in any political debate, on any "side."

I'm afraid I'm a true believer, a real romantic, and there just isn't any moonlight.

Anybody want to dance?

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I'll dance .

Even if it smacks you right in the face it's still on true for that moment. The next second will be the truth thats needed at that point of time to get their way.

It all boils down to who can pay me for what now.

Corporate America is leading the way with the same reasoning.They all know they have a short life span so it's all about protecting their future not the general publics or consumers. Even employees and the help are dispensable for the good of those sitting in the highest seat of the house.

It's such a ME world now and for the ones in charge thats all that matters is ME.

 

[OrlandoMike]

I'll dance with you Viki anytime! It would be an honor!

I think as far as this board is concerned, maybe we should concentrate on our youth. I can't believe how many young gay people I run into who dont vote!

Guys and Gals, learn your rights! VOTE...

Viki, I turn the dance to you......

 

[ConcKahuna]

Truth is very subjective. Too many political "truths" are based entirely on opinions.

As for the upcomming election, at least they can't dig any dirt up on Hillary, everyone already knows what skeletons are in her closet, what color their bones are, and who they were before she hung them there.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Political truth? There isn't any that I've seen in how many years.

Dworkin, harsh as it was, told the truth, Daley (as in Mary) told the truth (if you can understand her! LOL) Rich, et al... but no one seemed to want to carry on with the truth.

Inspiring the younger generation to vote takes more than words, eh? We have to have a reason to SHOW them; a value for the action.

Party of what I think has interefered with political truth is that activism has lost it's edge. It's neat and tidy now; easy to ignore. I do not promote violence in any way shape or form, but I do believe activism needs to be hard hitting. Tell the inescapable truth and keep it there before the public... insist on a change.

When we sit back and don't act, bad things happen. Very bad things, and at all segments of life.

Quick example... look into the Medicaid "reforms" that are about to hit the seniors of Florida. They'll be struggling mightily (and by definition, Medicaid means low income, so these folks DON'T have other options) to get the care they need. Right now they can barely get the supplies and services needed for basic care. The "new and improved" version of Medicaid will make a bad situation worse.

Anyone care? Anyone "out there" protesting in public, bringing attention to the matter?

My clients are the seniors of Florida, so I advocate for them at every turn (public appearances to "sell" the new product, contacting legislators, etc.). One person is easy to ignore.

Anyway, I did say quick example.

It takes people to care, people to come out of their complacency. Look back. Look back at what gained independence for this country. People who were not happy with the way things were going acted to change. We don't need to take up arms anymore, but that doesn't relieve us from the responsibility to act for change.

Eeesh. Sorry!!!

Quick, someone save Viki and cut in!

 

[Viki]

Thanks to all of you for ushering me around this floor!

So, given that a few of you are up for the prom, let's look at concrete issues.

You might not believe this, but today I spent 3 phone calls being abused by my primary care physician about the fact that my health issurance (Aetna - Express Scripts, you know, the usual, nothing different) now needs to have almost all of my meds precertified at the beginning of each year - so, since Janaury, I've been without two of my meds - and it looks like I will now forever have to pay out of pocket to the tune of 200/month for a third that was previously covered. I mean we're talking heart meds and stomach meds, totalling 1000/month that I can't begin to cover on my own while I wait for my doc and issurance to get their act together.

Well, they finally do, today, but it's over my body, with me being yelled at by my doc over three phone calls for having issurance which she needs to relate to.

Oh, my, this woman, in many respects holds my life in her hands and I loved her for years, but this is too much.

I have to tell you the most reasonable person I talked to today was from Express Scripts and it's her job to keep my meds from being approved. Sigh.

Something is very, very, very wrong. This isn't a problem - this is a CRISIS!

What's you solution?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Ach! Viki! That's terrible. It is a crisis and one that I deal with on a daily basis. Many of my clients have the same issues facing them. Heck, I lost my PCP because of those types of issues. She finally threw in the towel and dropped my carrier. (United Healthcare).

What is my solution. Not sure if I have a comprehensive one, but I'd start by giving DOCTORS back the authority they need to order the tests and medications that THEY have determined THEIR patients need. I would remove veto power from those insurance employees who have never been to med school, never treated a patient and have no idea what is going on beyond what they have read in their company's training manuals.

I would also have the government work (eeek, but bear with me) along side the pharmaceutical companies to keep the cost of medication production and development as low as possible. I might even advocate doing something as drastic as moving medication development from the profit arena!

Oiy. Enough. I'll go on for ten Virginny Reels and then we'll both have sore feet.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

It's good to see you posting, Dear Friend!!! Unfortunately unlike Brother Banana , I have two left feet so howza'bout we sit this one out?
I too, am pretty political and would love to see some reasoned intelligent discussion but GOLLY!!! How would we keep it that way and not have it turn into a mud-slingin' name-callin' troll-fest? Is it do-able, do you think?

Top 3 Election Issues I expect to see:
Iraq
Health Care
Culture Wars

Issue I REALLY wish we would see discussed and addressed:
Election Reform ( multitude of sub-topics including fraud, systems failures, and (gulp!) the electoral college)

 

[Viki]

I too, am pretty political and would love to see some reasoned intelligent discussion but GOLLY!!! How would we keep it that way and not have it turn into a mud-slingin' name-callin' troll-fest? Is it do-able, do you think?

Great question! And here's the answer on THIS thread: we can do it if we want because I'm a moderator.

Post away with whatever (Dis-allowable) stuff you want on other threads, but this thread is for our political opinions on real issues.

Anything outside of that I'll just rule as OFF TOPIC!

 

[RickinNYC]

Great question! And here's the answer on THIS thread: we can do it if we want because I'm a moderator.

Post away with whatever (Dis-allowable) stuff you want on other threads, but this thread is for our political opinions on real issues.

Anything outside of that I'll just rule as OFF TOPIC!

Check the big bad Vikster moderator wielding her mighty sword of power! Go Viki!

 

[OrlandoMike]

I'm not so sure the culture wars will be a viable topic this round. It seems with Giuliani in the ring, a lot of conservatives may be willing to overlook this topic. He does have the lead so far with the Republicans, and has a "moderate stance" on gay rights, abortion, and gun control. This dance marathon has just begun, so who knows. I do hope though that this country can get over this subject and start concentrating on some real issues like war, poverty, and the rising medical costs!

Let's hope for the best......

And the thought of Viki wielding a sword at me just makes me want to misbehave all the more!

 

[Viki]

Check the big bad Vikster moderator wielding her mighty sword of power! Go Viki!

You got that right, I am all ready to get down with my BAD SELF on this one!!!

So, yes, HEALTH CARE - huge issue, probably only right behind fixing what ever the hell is wrong with our Airline Transportation system

Today, the health care saga continued - I had my annual mammogram, about 2 years late - bad girl, I know, but I've been faithfully having these babies for over 20 years (runs in the distant family).

Today was easy - just like it's suppossed to be - everything was about the process, procedure, and results - NOTHING was about money. Good show. We do something right - I had to wait three months for the appointment, but I don't mind that at all - it was routine.

Now, here's a few of of my thoughts on this issue:

1. I am willing to pay more for my medical services - more of my fair share IF that means prices fall. In other words, I think there may be some truth to the proposition that insurance artificially keeps prices high. So, I am not totally against something along the lines of a medical bank account where we make choices, IF prices fall.

Sorry, the thought of nationalized health care scares the hell out of me - I think I'm getting a taste of that with my drugs and their brilliant step process. I want MORE choices, not fewer.

2. My partner works for a major drug company and my graduate work is in biology and chemistry. Friends, let me bottom line it: research costs MEGA bucks. Companies have to be able to recoup those costs. On the other hand, they better be stepping up to the plate in Africa and around the world with the drugs we're paying for. Again, I don't mind paying more than the rest of the world for the same drugs - I think I SHOULD pay more - but this has got to be a cooperative effort, where all the parties step up to the plate!

OK, someone break in and swing my partner round the floor!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Too bad there isn't a sword wielding smiley...I think the closest we have is a magic wand.

I hope you are right, Mike. Maybe it is just that I live in an unusually conservative area but the drums are already beating around here: it's been in the news recently that James Dobson does not plan to endorse John McCain and my Republican friends seem to see that as the kiss of death.

 

[Viki]

I wanted to note that after my primary care doc's 3 rd meltdown in a day on Monday I sent her a Valentine's basket from my partner and I which arrived in her office on Wednesday, at which point she called and gave me a HUGE mea culpa and I offered how I can only imagine the stress she and the staff are under.

Then this week I heard Edwards launch his bid for universal health care. Fine, but does that mean doctors will have more freedom to care for their patients and other agencies less? If not, we're driving the good docs crazy and out of business.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Viki....

I believe Sen. Barack Obama is going to tap you on the shoulder today and ask for a whirl around the dance floor.

Should be an interisting day.

Perhaps he can push Anna Nicole off of the front page for a day or two.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Yep, this dance is for Senator Obama. Getting quite interesting on the democrat side!

I have a friend who works in the UK national health system and I'm not convinced it's any worse (and sometimes FASTER!) than the US system.

OK! OK! Don't burn me at the stake, but at least people are being treated there. I have to deal with the fallout (on a daily basis) of people (elderly) who do not have the money to purchase needed healthcare (and NO, I'm not talking just about pharmaceuticals).

Health care is a major issue, and should be for anyone elected to the presidency.

The war in Iraq is another major issue. We're there because of vendetta. Yes, I know and quite frankly I don't want to hear it. I have relatives (quite close ones thank you very much) who have done more than one tour of Iraq and may be now headed to Afghanistan. For what? Bin Laden still walks and Hussein never had a darn thing to do with the destruction of the WTC, the Pentagon or the plane going down in Pennsylvania.

And don't even look like you are going to tell me that we needed to free Iraq from a dictator.

Let's take a look at a few of the countries in Africa where children are conscripted; mutilated; raped; murdered... we don't rush to intervene in those horrific situations.

Oiy. I'm going to let someone else take the floor now. I've worn myself out with this jitterbug.

 

[Viki]

Yep, this dance is for Senator Obama. Getting quite interesting on the democrat side!

I have a friend who works in the UK national health system and I'm not convinced it's any worse (and sometimes FASTER!) than the US system.

OK! OK! Don't burn me at the stake, but at least people are being treated there. I have to deal with the fallout (on a daily basis) of people (elderly) who do not have the money to purchase needed healthcare (and NO, I'm not talking just about pharmaceuticals).

Health care is a major issue, and should be for anyone elected to the presidency.

All great issues that I'm going to let others pick up on.

For the moment, I'm staying with healthcare. Under a nationlized system are docs going to have more or fewer choices of how they treat their patients?

I'm thinking fewer and that sort of strategy has already deprived the city of Philadelphia of the best OB/GYN we ever had (he did in office procedures that other docs had to do under general - including for me every year - and saved the health care system oogles of money, but they couldn't see the pay off and he finally quit the profession) and they've driven my primary doc, who I searched for years to obtain and travel an hour each way to see, around the bend!!!

Also, when I go for my re-do mammogram on Wed if I were capped (had a more regimented health plan, instead of the one I pay extra to use) and I needed a follow up ultrasound I'd have to wait days and days to get it.

My point is that even though I currently pay a LOT of money for more freedom, the system is still really bad for doctors and patients. I can't imagine how less freedom is going to help.

None of which gets anywhere near addressing the issue of quality health care for everyone - a very good goal and as someone who spent a good chunk of my life (17 years) doing inner city ministry I agree - big issue. But the last thing we need are warmed over ideas that are going to make everything much, much worse.

Are there ideas out there that candidates are proposing that get us somewhere visionary on this issue?

 

[OrlandoMike]

I think it a little early for the real issues to come forward in this dance.

Watching the news of the past few days, (Got the Sunday programs on now) they seem to be focusing on the fact that this is the first time a Woman and an African American have been allowed into the dance hall.........

Give it a few more weeks till the real issues come forward.

 

[Viki]

I think it a little early for the real issues to come forward in this dance.

Watching the news of the past few days, (Got the Sunday programs on now) they seem to be focusing on the fact that this is the first time a Woman and an African American have been allowed into the dance hall.........

Give it a few more weeks till the real issues come forward.

You're right, but - SEE - there I am, the true believer. It's embarrassing!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Anybody up for a looooong slooooow tango here?

Saw Obama's Illinois address and honestly have to say I'm starting to get excited. I'd sure like to see maybe a primary front-runner and charismatic newbie join up for two terms of Hillary followed by two terms of Barack. (Fully realizing that he's shooting for the #1 position now -- but honestly, he's only got 2 years senate experience. Hillary's got tons more -- when you add in all the time she has spent pushing Bill through the eye of the needle in spite of himself. Eight years as VP would season him nicely) IMHO -- it's likely gonna take 16 years <at least>to repair the damage on the world stage we have sustained in the last 8.