Religious Freedom and Women's Health

Lately there has been so much discussion about Religious freedom, contraception, and abortion.  I've decided that it's time for me to speak up. I figured it's best to express myself in this forum.  I want to be very honest here.  This entire discussion is driving me crazy! Why are we STILL, today, in 2012 having a debate about women's health? How did women's health become a partisan political  issue? 

Let me start by talking about the provision in the Affordable Health Care Act that requires religious institutions to provide free contraception to it's employees.  I have listened to many constitutional law scholars speak about this issue.  I am in agreement with the ones I've heard.  This provision does not violate the 1st amendment. This is NOT a constitutional issue.  Requiring religious affiliated organizations to pay for the contraception of it's female employees is a LABOR LAW issue.  

The 1st Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 From what I see it's a matter of the Catholic church being required, like every other employer to follow labor law.  Religious exemptions already exist in this legislation. Just like employers are required to provide workman's comp, they are required to provide free contraception to women who choose to take it.  This same policy is already happening in 28 states across the country.  DePaul University, the nations largest Catholic University provides for free contraception to it's employees. 


http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/02/08/421242/nations-largest-catholic-university-we-offer-a-prescription-contraceptive-benefit

My point is that these types of policies have already been in existence for many years.  Where was the outcry? Where were those politicians, who are now ready to fight the "WAR ON RELIGION"? Where was Rick Santorum? Where was Mitt Romney? I would say where was John Boehner, but we all know he was somewhere on a bar stool.  Based on the constitution, there is no violation of religious liberty.  Get a grip! The power of suggestion is an amazing thing. 

I also have to admit, I'm sick and tired of watching MEN sitting around debating women's health issues.  Do you see women sitting around debating whether other women should have access to specific health services? I'm tired of listening to MEN debating a women's right to choose.  That is such a deeply personal and private decision.  I think it's so incredibly fucked up to listen to MEN making the decisions about what a women should do after suffering rape or incest.  I'm tired of it.  Why do men THINK  they have any say or decision in what a women does with her body? The ONLY time it's appropriate for a man to take part in such an intimate discussion, is when he's the one who didn't pull out quick enough.  Otherwise, shut the fuck up about a women's right to choose.

Stop politicizing women's health.  Polls show that Americans support the use of contraception overwhelmingly.  The lesson that MEN seem to never learn is that women have a voice.  If they continue to believe that women will accept MEN restricting access to health services, contraception, and denying a women's right to choose, they are seriously playing themselves.  Women are the largest voting block.  It's women who vote in larger numbers than anyone.  So far men have attempted to take away cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, and now contraception.  Rick Santorum even wants to outlaw contraception.  What the hell is HE smoking? It will never happen. 

In my opinion, this ISN'T a war on religion, it's an all out assault on women! 

Prove Your Case...Please!

I've been thinking about the upcoming Presidential election and I'm confused. What's the problem? Why don't more of you support Barack Obama's re-election effort? I listen to people. I listen to what they say about this President, his record in office, his political philosophy, his family, his ethnicity, his religion, his immigration status, his birth, and very existence. However, I never hear his critics make the case..specifically, for why they do not support him.

All I want is someone to make their case against Barack Obama. Please, make your case for why he should not be re-elected? Why do you call Barack Obama a socialist? Specifically, which of his policies do you consider to be socialist and why? In what way, specifically, is his Foreign Policy, one of appeasement? How did Barack Obama turn his back on Israel..specifically? Specifically, in what way did Barack Obama's statement on Israel at the UN, differ from that of George W. Bush? Why don't you support The Affordable Health Care Act aka "Obamacare"? What alternative healthcare plan do you support? Why do you consider an individual mandate, socialist? Why do you support the privatization of Social Security (Ryan Plan)? Why don't you believe the stimulus plan helped avoid a deeper recession or possibly depression? Why was Obama's decision to bail out the Auto Industry, wrong? Specifically, why do believe it's the role of government to control what a woman does with her body? Why don't you support equal pay for women? Specifically, why don't you support an extension of the pay roll tax cut? Why do you support an extension of the Bush Tax cuts? Why don't you support Obama's jobs bill? Why don't you believe the Constitution applies to Gay and Lesbian Americans? Why do you think it's in the best interest of America to keep our men and women fighting in Iraq? Specifically, how has Barack Obama's economic policies hurt our economy? Why do you consider Solyndrya's collapse a failure of Obama's green jobs policy? In what way specifically, has he been lacking in leadership? Why don't you believe the top 1% of the wealthiest Americans should make the same sacrifices as the 99%? Why do you support cutting programs to the poor and middle class and directing that money toward the wealthiest Americans, by extending tax cuts?

In case you don't get my point, all I want is someone...anyone..to make the case against Barack Obama's re-election. No, I don't want to hear Fox News Talking points. If you call him a socialist, prove it! Give me meat, I don't want talking points. I understand that my request isn't easy, because frankly, I don't believe you have a case to make.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. You have no legitimate reason to dislike, or not support Barack Obama. If you take a look at history, his policies have not been out of line or more radical, or socialist than an other modern American president. Most of the policies he has adopted politically, economically are previously bipartisan or even Republican. Barack Obama isn't a leftist. He's a moderate, and most Americans are oblivious to that fact. Or are in denial of that fact. Why?

I have worked for many years in the Market Research Industry. We conduct polling, we look at trends, brand awareness, effectiveness of advertising. The one thing I know is that, if you want to shape public opinion, it's easy to do. The power of suggestion is an amazing thing. You can do wonders with the right marketing. The Republican party has done an impressive job shaping public opinion against Barack Obama. They have a tool that is second to none. Fox News! Fox news is a tool of the right, an instrument of the Koch Brothers, and the Republican Party. What's even more impressive is that they make no effort to hide it. Do you know anything about Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch? Do you know the history of Fox News,  the intent of it's creation? Those who oppose Barack Obama, have done a masterful job at slowly shaping public opinion against him. Convincing people he's an enemy of America and a socialist.

Now, back to my original point of this blog entry. Please make your case against the re-election of Barack Obama. I yearn for someone..anyone..to make their case. You must include specific, detailed information to support your opinion, and not talking points from Fox News. Good luck!

Am I Really Being Partisan, Or Am I Simply Voting My Interests?

One thing that my friends and family know about me is, that I love to discuss politics. In many cases my political views reflect that of the Democratic party and are in support of President Barack Obama.. People have called me partisan, anti-Republican, and a Liberal (as if that's an insult). However, from my perspective, I am only voting my interests.

I have actually loved politics, government, and history since I was a child. My parents would discuss politics, history, what was happening in the world as we were growing up.  I remember discussions about civil rights, and my fathers experience joining the military just at the time of integration. He'd tell stories of the adversity he'd faced. How he overcame that adversity. I was raised in a Republican household, but my parents voted their interest. Regardless of their party affiliation, what matter to them was how a vote for a candidate would impact their lives.

My political views have evolved over the years. I began as a die hard Democrat and supporter of former Congressman Tom Downey. After moving to Virginia, I become interested in the All African People's Revolutionary Party, then became a member of the Independence party. I served as co-chair for the statewide committee to elect Dr. Lenora Fulani as President of the United States. Most surprisingly, after moving back to New York State, I became a registered Republican, and in 2000, I voted for George W. Bush. YES! I've said it. I voted for George W. Bush. It's one of  my biggest regrets so far. Had I known he was going to steal the election, I would have just stayed at home. Oddly enough, it was Hilary Clinton's run for Senate in NYS that inspired my Republican party affiliation.

After 9/11, my support for George W. Bush, increased. As an American and resident of NYC, I was devastated after seeing what occurred. I will never forget that period afterward. The pictures being hung throughout the city by family members searching for their missing loved ones, the tanks patrolling through the streets, soldiers and police officers walking around carrying assault rifles. That smell! I will never forget that smell that permeated throughout the air, the fear on everyone faces, the anxiety of what may happen next.
At this point, I wanted a butch, kick ass President. Someone who was going to be strong, and not allow those who committed such a hateful and destructive act, to get away with it. Never, did imagine our President would instead, lead us into a war of choice, in Iraq. Based on lies and manipulated intelligence. For the first time, I time in my life, I saw exactly how a vote can impact our lives.

At this point, what is most important to me is to vote my interest. I vote for the candidate who will best represent my beliefs, and who's policies will most positively impact my life. Contrary to what some have expressed, I don't claim to know everything. What I do know is that a vote for a Republican would be a vote against my interest, and possibly yours. Call it partisan if you will, but I know that if a Republican is elected POTUS, and they gain full control of Congress, we are all in trouble.

Here’s just a short list of some of the bills that Republicans have blocked, or attempted to block, since Obama became President:

Tax on Companies that ship jobs overseas- A bill that would have eliminated a tax break that companies get when they ship jobs overseas. Republicans blocked this, allowing companies to keep the tax break they receive when they ship jobs to other countries.

Political Ad disclosure bill- Would have required all donors to political campaigns to reveal themselves. Republicans blocked this, not once but twice.

Subpoena Power for the Committee investigating the BP Oil Spill – Give subpoena power to the independent committee responsible for investigating BP’s roll in the oil spill. Republicans attempted to block this.

The Small Business Jobs Act -would give LOCAL, community banks access to billions of dollars to loan to small businesses. Republicans blocked this, then attempted to block it a second time and failed.

The DREAM Act- Gives immigrant youth who were brought here as children a path to citizenship by earning a college degree or serving the military for 2 years. Republicans blocked this.

Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”- Would have repealed the law that forces gay and lesbian services members to lie about their sexuality and gives the military the right to discharge soldiers based on their sexuality. Republicans blocked this many times and Democrats were finally able to pass it with the support of just 2 Republicans.

When John McCain led the filibuster of the Defense Appropriations Act, he blocked far more than the DREAM Act and repeal of DADT. Here are just a few of the other blocked provisions, courtesy of Mother Jones.

• No permanent military bases in Afghanistan.
• Report identifying hybrid or electric propulsion systems and other fuel-saving technologies for incorporation into tactical motor vehicles.
• Protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation.
• Improvements to Department of Defense domestic violence programs.
• Department of Defense recognition of spouses of members of the Armed Forces.
• Department of Defense recognition of children of members of the Armed Forces.
• Enhancements to the Troops-to-Teachers Program.
• Fiscal year 2011 increase in military basic pay.
• Improving aural protection for members of the Armed Forces.
• Comprehensive policy on neurocognitive assessment by the military health care system.
• Authority to make excess nonlethal supplies available for domestic emergency assistance.

And those were just some of the progressive provisions. On the conservative side, there are these, and more:

• Prohibition on the use of funds for the transfer or release of individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Prohibition on the use of funds to modify or construct facilities in the United States to house detainees transferred from United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Prohibition on use of funds to give Miranda warnings to Al Qaeda terrorists.

More bills Republicans have blocked:

Senator Franken’s Anti-Rape Amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill – Makes it so that women raped overseas while working for foreign contractors have the right to have their case heard in an American court instead of having their case mediated by the company they work for. Only Republican men voted against this, but it passed.


Benefits for Homeless Veterans- Would have expanded benefits to homeless veterans and homeless veterans with children. Republicans blocked this.


Affordable Health Care For America Act- Prevents insurance companies from discriminating against you on the basis of “pre-existing conditions”. Requires that insurance companies spend 85 cents of every dollar that you pay on your actual health care. Limits health insurance companies profit margins. Republicans blocked this for months before it finally passed and have vowed to repeal it if they are elected.


Health Care for the 9/11 First Responders who got sick from being at Ground Zero- Would provide billions of dollars in health care to help the 9/11 First Responders who were at Ground Zero on 9/11 and are now sick because of it. Republicans blocked this.


The Jobs Bill- Offsets the payroll tax for 1 year for companies that hire new employees, or people receiving unemployment insurance. Also gives other tax incentives to companies hiring new employees. Republicans attempted to block this.


Wall Street Reform- Puts stricter regulations on the banks, preventing them from becoming “too big to fail”. Curbs reckless spending practices that caused the banking crisis. Republicans attempted to block this.


American Recovery and Reinvestment Act- Pumped billions of dollars into state and local Governments to prevent us from sinking into a second Great Depression. Republicans opposed this but now want to take credit for the parts of it that we know are successful.


Oil Spill Liability- Raises the liability on what companies can be made to pay to clean up after an oil spill. Republicans blocked this.


Immigration Reform- Republican suggested comprehensive immigration reform until Obama supported it. Now they’re rabidly opposed to it and even voted against their own legislation. Republicans blocked this.


Unemployment extension bill HR-4213- Would provide additional aid to the millions of Americans still on unemployment who are just trying to support themselves and their families. Republicans blocked this bill for 8 weeks before it finally passed. Republicans blocked this for 8 weeks before it finally passed.


Fair Pay Act of 2009- Also called the Lily Ledbetter bill. Requires that women receive equal compensation to men for doing the same work. Republicans attempted to block this.


As you take a look at this list of legislation that has been blocked by the Republican's in Congress,  and as the 2012 election approaches,  I would suggest you consider voting your interest. 

The REAL Class Warfare..the party of the 1%

In America today, there is a real war being waged against the poor and middle class, by the party of the 1%. The Republican party, through words and deeds have made it very clear who they represent, and it's certainly NOT the interest of 99% of the people in this country. .

A few hours ago, Newt Gingrich, the latest GOP front runner gave a speech in Iowa, where he made a lame attempt to defend his comments on how children should replace Janitors in our schools and do the work. Who cares about violating child labor laws? Put the young bastards to work!

Newt's comments consisted of him saying that poor children have no concept of work. They are surrounded by people who don't work, and the only time they do earn money, it's from illegal activity. Now, am I the only one who see's a problem with these statements? Not only are they prejudicial, they are elitist and demonstrate how Newt has no connection to reality.

One of the greatest misconceptions in America today, is that poor people are lazy and do not want to work. Granted, I am from Bay Shore, New York. I did NOT grow up poor. My parents worked hard to make sure they were able to provide their children with anything that was needed. However, in my adult life, I became a part of the working poor. I remember living in Virginia, being so poor that I my electricity AND water got turned off.. I remember being so poor that all I could do was scrape up 99 cents for discounted Big Mac's at McDonald's as my only meal of the day. No, I did NOT run to my parents for help. It was my responsibility to work it out on my own.

What Newt and so many others in the Republican party fail to realize is that there are millions of people in America, who work hard every day. They work very long hours for little money. They live at or below the poverty line. They have families and do the best they can to provide for their children. It's not a matter of being lazy, and wanting handouts.

There IS a class warfare that has been being waged in America for decades. Over the past 30 years, the top 1%'s wealth has increased by a rate of 300%, while middle class has increased 40-45%, and the poor by 19%. There is a reason for such and incredible disparity in wealth, that has nothing to do with laziness. The GOP criticize the middle class and poor as if there has been or is an equal playing field. The assertion of an equal playing field or equal opportunity is an illusion in 2011. The deck for many years has been stacked to favor the top 1%. Which brings us to the Occupy Wall Street movement.

If you listen to the media or Republicans, they claim the OWS movement is over. I am here to tell you, it is far from over. They tell you, that OWS protesters have no clear message. I am here to tell you, there is a very clear message. Occupy Wall Street is about about how our political process has been corrupted by the money of the 1%. How Corporate greed is destroying our economy. How our elected officials have sold out the people who have elected them, the 99%. How the interest in Washington, DC is to pass legislation that will benefit the top 1%. To take the money out of the hands of the 99%, and direct it toward the top. Government is supposed to represent the interests of all people, not just the wealthiest Americans. Currently, it does not.

The perfect example of the war that is being waged against the middle class, and poor is the debate over taxes. The GOP consistently makes the argument that the UNPAID FOR, Bush tax breaks, become permanent. They say it will stimulate growth and create jobs. Forget the fact that every time the Bush tax breaks are extended it adds trillions to our deficit. Forget the fact that those tax breaks have been in place for over 10 years, and the "job creators" are not creating jobs, except for overseas. Unemployment is at a record high. It has always been the Republican argument that tax breaks do NOT need to be paid for, "they pay for themselves". In reality, we know the GOP is only protecting the top 1%, with their arguments.

In contrast, tonight the Senate is set to vote on extending the payroll tax break. This tax break will mainly help the middle class, and working poor. It is a proposal by President Obama, and just as expected, the GOP opposes an extension. Democrats sought to extend and expand the break, while paying for it with a 3.25 percent surtax on incomes over $1 million. Just one Senate Republican, Maine's Susan Collins, voted for the middle class break, which died 51 to 49 in a filibuster.

Once again, the GOP express there desire to protect the 1%, while screwing over the 99%.

Happy Holidays!

My exchange with 2012 GOP Presidential Candidate/Former Lousiana Gov. Buddy Roemer

As seen on the Rachel Maddow Show -

Part I: Occupy Wall Street, @ Zucotti Park - October 11, 2011

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#44868447

Part II: Our conversation continued....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#45471259

I support Occupy Wall Street! I am part of the 99%. You can evict the protesters, but you can't evict an idea who's time has come.

Gov. Roemer seems like a nice enough guy. I'd have a beer with him. He is right, we DO agree on the need to take money out of our political process. The interest of the 99% are no longer being represented by those in Washington. My problem with him lies in his assertion that he's a "different" kind of Republican. In reality, he is not. Besides money in politics, he STILL supports the same old intrusive, oppressive Republican policies. He never wants to talk about that, or even acknowledge it.

The beginning

Well..I've decided it's time to post my inaugural blog. At first I was unsure what to say. I sat for a moment, and came to the decision to just talk about what's on my mind. Politically speaking of course.

This morning I was having an exchange with a friend on facebook. A guy from my hometown. We graduated High School together. This particular guy loathes President Obama, and refers to him as the "annointed one". That term used to characterize the President is so funny. The right, use the term as if it's a punch to the gut. Seriously, who cares if they want to call President Obama the "annointed one"? More importantly, why does he think it's use, will hurt me?

Pat, my hometown friend, also kept referring to Obama as "your" president. In response.. I said, "he's YOUR President as well." I'm not exactly sure what I thought Pat's response would be. Possibly, you're right we are all Americans or I respect the office of the Presidency. However, much to my dismay..Pat's response wasn't at all what I had expected. He said, ‎"I refuse to have a Muslim as my president".  


My first thought was, WTF did he just say? Did we just step back into 2008? In 2011 do people STILL think President Obama is a Muslim? It was bad enough to think such a thing in 2008, but to STILL think it...in 2011? How does it happen? How is it possible? Ignorance is so unattractive. 


Now...on to my second thought. Let's just say for the sake of humor...President Obama IS a Muslim. So, what??? This is America. Are people so prejudice that it would be unacceptable or unthinkable for a Muslim to be President of the United States? This goes back to the assertion of Islamophobia existing since 9/11. Not all Muslims are bad. Not all Muslims are terrorists. Islam is not our enemy. Every single religion has extremists. How quickly we forget the Crusades or even the last bombing of an abortion clinic!