I Ain't Never Seen No Blue Dog!

Where in the World is D?

Trying to figure out what heck a blue dog democratic REALLY is.

10.11.09

A special note to the “blue dog” democrats. (By the way, who in the hell chose that name for you? You need a new PR rep. Just stick with conservative democrat, ok? It’s easy and clear to understand, though it seems a bit of a contradiction. But that’s another blog post for another day.)

Real Health care reform in within the nations grasp. It’s time to choose. Either you’re with us or your against us. If you against us, fine, that is your prerogative, but stop calling yourself a Democrat. If you believe in big business, if you believe that neighbors having a bake sale to help pay medical bills of a sick friend, if you believe the very misguided notion that you should pull yourself up by your bootstraps when you are standing barefoot, if you really believe that giving people the opportunity to buy health insurance from the government is a bad thing, and if you believe that you have no obligation to help the 1 million people who will file for bankruptcy because of medical bills or the some 40,000+ that will literally die because they have no insurance and can’t afford to go to a doctor….. call yourself what you are a Republican.

It’s time to take shit or get off the pot.

Good Luck

戴格智

A Few Thoughts On the Health Care Debate

Where in the World is D Today?

Smiling About His Health Care in Taiwan.

I will try to make this simple and not a long rant.

I have been following the debate, or rather the scare tactics of the republicans. I am also totally amazed at what people will believe! I am also very disappointed in the level of Racism in this argument directed towards President Obama...... OK, the rant is being so I will stop... for the moment.

Here's the deal. I have gotten hurt a few times in the last month. Each time I was able to get affordable health care. Today when I went to the doctor I received acupuncture, some sort of steam treatment, massage and a medical wrap; plus two wraps to put on tomorrow. All for 100NT. In U.S. Dollars, that is about $3.50. Yes, you read that right, $3.50!

Taiwan has a National Health Care System, that even a foreigner can use. I buy into it just like everybody else. And my monthly premiums are about 1/3 of what I would pay in the U.S.

OK, for those of you that think, I'm not getting "real" medical care, I am not a doctor, but I know I feel better, faster than I would in the U.S.! And, for the record, x-rays and other "Western" medical treatments are covered as well. Again, for far less, than what I would pay in the U.S. I've had those services as well.

So, All of this is to give you a first had account that a National Health Care system can and does work. And I get treated in the office. I don't have to make an appointment to see another series of doctors in another office on another day. I saw one Doctor and two specialists today. All in the same office thank you very much.

The health care system here works. Period. AND also for the record, if you want to see a special/personal doctor you can. You pay extra for it, but that's fair. You can get the service you want.

I know the U.S. is a larger country, but our biggest obstacle is history. We've never done anything like this, that alone makes it hard. Throw in all the competing financial interests of pharmaceutical and insurance companies and you have a major fight on your hands.

But what if Americas leaders decided that people should be helped more than protecting the profit margins of corporations.

America revolves around capitalism. There is no changing that. And quite frankly, I do not want to. Capitalism itself isn't bad. Pharmaceutical and insurance companies should be allowed to make a profit. But in a free market system, let's see what the market can bear. If corporations do indeed have a better product, then they'll be fine. A national system won't hurt. Except maybe their profit margin will be 100 billion instead of 300. We're still talking about 100 BILLION. That's still a lot of profit.

In the end everybody wins. We get a healthier nation AND people make money. Why Not. But it will take guts on the part of Congress. Correction, it doesn't take guts, it take having the backbone to do the work of the people, put peoples needs and interests first.

That will make our great nation even better.

Peace

戴格智

A New Day in America!

Where in the World is D Today?!

Sitting in AWE of history.

Welcome to the new world America! I am still struggling to find the words to describe how excited I am about America electing Barack Obama as President of the United States of America.

To say I'm excited, just doesn't do it.

To say it's a great day for America, just doesn't do it.

To say I'm a prouder than ever to be an American, just doesn't do it.

Last night I wept twice. While talking to Tim and at the end of Sen. Obama's acceptance speech. I was so glad that Tim called me. I couldn't hear him in the middle of the party. Then I couldn't hear him outside either. But I could remember watching Barack Obama's convention speech in 2004. The first time either of us, and most of the country had ever heard of him. Tim said then he thought Mr. Obama would be President some day. I love his speech but didn't think America was ready. Then when Sen. Obama announced his candidacy 18 months ago. Tim was excited but, I still didn't think America would actually elect a Black Man President in my lifetime.

Then the Iowa Caucaus's happen and I thought, "Hmmm, that's weird." The more time went on the more I believed which lead to me giving my time, my energy, my feet, my best effort to get Sen. Obama elected. I just saw on the news that Missouri ultimately went to Sen. McCain. BUT, the campaign won Boone County. It's bitter sweet, but that is the turf I walked, knocked and persuaded voters long and hard for! I hurt my left foot a week ago, but kept going. My foot hurts, but my heart is so lifted. The pain just didn't matter during his acceptance speech.

Yes, today IS the start of a new day in America. America is a very young nation compared to rest of the world, but last night we moved from adolescence to the beginning of adulthood as a nation. We still have many hard days ahead. And just because Barack Obama got elected, doesn't mean all the ills in America have gone away. I got called a nigger last a half a block away from the campaign office! It hurt just as much as ever.

But I believe more than ever that so much is possible when in this nation, a nation with a long history of racial ills can elect a Black Man with name Barack Obama. God Bless America!!

I am a Born Again Believer too

In my last post I used the phrase "the so-called Christian Right". I get so frustrated with fundamentalist Christians. I hate using the term "they" but it's the best one I've got at the moment, but "They" seem to think they've got the corner on Christianity. My biggest beef is that if I support Barack Obama, and I do, I can't be a Christian too. Well I am.

There has been so much hatred, venom, and lies to come from the Christian Right that it makes me embarrassed to use the term. Christ was all about Loving others. So take the plank out of your own eye before you look for the speck in an others.

Let me say here for all to read and know. I support Barack Obama because he is honest and true. He sees a need for a course correction in the U.S. Our nation has become poorer in the past 8 years. Poorer in its standing in the world as well as in our pocket books. We've become poorer because too many have believed that if someone is different they are to be feared. To say that we are not a christian nation is saying that America is made up of many different faiths. And in this country you have the freedom to worship as you please. Nothing more, nothing less. Regardless of the principles the country may have been founded on. The over arching principle is Freedom from excessive government interference in our personal lives.

Senator Obama is Not a Muslim, though it shouldn't matter if he were. He does Not believe in abortion. He believes that a woman should make that decision with her doctor, her mate and her own faith beliefs. That is not an endorsement of abortion. This is also my personal belief. I deplore abortion but, it's NOT my place to even suggest to any woman what to do with her body that I'm not married to.

The Christian Right says it doesn't want "Activist Judges" legislating from the Supreme Court. But it wants Judges that will over turn Roe v. Wade. That by definition is legislating from the bench. Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land for 30+ years like it or not. To over turn that precedent IS legislating from the bench. The right wants less government everywhere except for in our bedrooms. That's a bunch of bull. (Sorry for the harsh language.);)

I was even in a Sunday School class were many people said you couldn't be a Christian and a Democrat. I quietly got up and left. No love of Christ there.

So if you are my brother or sister in Christ. Love me as such. Love Mr. Obama as such. You can do that and still not agree with his or my politics. Why? Because Christ himself told us to.

Colin is MY BOY again!

When President Bush first took office almost 8 years ago, suffice it to say I was seriously bummed. The one ray of hope I had was Colin Powell was in his administration.

I, like so many others, admired Mr. Powell for his knowledge, experience, but above all his honesty. While I was disappointed in some of his positions, especially some those on racial and social issues, I dug the fact that was a straight shooter. (And while I disagreed at that time on those issues, appreciated his position because I once held the same positions. So I really understood what he was saying.)

The he made that speech to the U.N. endorsing and justifying why we needed to attack Iraq. I didn't trust the president any farther that I could throw Warren Sapp, but I did trust Colin Powell. He wasn't a war hawk and if he said, it must be true. Well we all know how that story ends. No weapons of mass destruction and me and many others feeling like we had been duped and betrayed by that last good guy.

Today Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama for President. And! Simultaneously threw John McCain, Sarah Palin and the Republican party under a very large and swift moving bus! He has switched parties. He says he's still a Republican, but in short, just can't take it anymore. That is just CLASSIC!!

Ya think John McCain was making some angry faces at the debates. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when he got that news!!

A new day is coming! Yeah for us.