The Only Baggage You Can Bring

The Baggage Is Packed and I'm Moving On--LAST POST HERE

2008-12-01T13:18:00.003-05:00

TO MY VERY OWN DOMAIN!!!!

Visit me over at http://averypoliticalwoman.com. You'll get the same sarcasm, laughter, politics, local news, insight and more...but with better functions.

Change your readers and your bookmarks. We're on our way!

Where Do We Go From Here? A Progressive Roadmap for 2009 and Beyond

2008-11-26T09:57:00.008-05:00

I think we've all awoken from our coma of joy. We elected a progressive president. We took the House and the Senate by storm, increasing our numbers. In states like Michigan, we've approved Stem Cell research and made positive changes to the state supreme court. Colorado and South Dakota defeated sweeping anti-choice measures. We lost the Prop 8 battle, but we're organizing for the future.

In other words--yes, we did.

But now reality is sinking in. Round about the time the Christmas music started playing loud enough for anyone to hear in stores, progressives everywhere perked up and realized that electing these people and approving these measures is a good start, but not the end of the road. It didn't matter who we elected, come November 6, 2008 we all had to start focusing on the nitty-gritty details.

So where do we go from here? What policies do we support? What legislation do we push forward? What tactics will put the issues in the best light?

There is so much to do and relatively so little time. We must focus our priorities to ensure sweeping changes for the better and not stagnation, or worse change in the wrong direction. We have a chance to make things better for the present and the future.

Here's what we need to do to ensure that "Yes we did" is echoed by "Yes we will":

The Seven First Term Working Goals for Women and Progressives

1. Pass the Freedom of Choice Act
The FOCA is a legislative measure intended to codify t what Roe v. Wade achieved in the 70s. The Act will ensure that state laws cannot escape the Constitutional protection of privacy found by the courts and provide a safeguard for a woman's right to chose. The legal nuts and bolts of the FOCA is this--if it is enacted, anti-choice groups will have to do more than just appoint conservative activist judges; they will have to show that a duly enacted law of Congress is somehow unconstitutional. This is much harder than showing an already sympathetic judge that the past precedent of the Supreme Court was wrong. Therefore the FOCA is needed to ensure choice as a national policy, just not a regional right.

2. Create a national health care plan.
The one thing that we must achieve in the first term is a blue print for national health care. This is crucial to the survival of our country and our society. Too many people are going day-to-day, not knowing whether they'll have to chose food and shelter or treatment and prescriptions. This is an unrealistic choice for our citizens to have to make. The lack of a national health care plan puts our nation at risk and creates a third-world society inside of a first-world nation. The haves and the have-nots are pushed further apart, creating class-warfare. For progressives, this health care dilemma comes at such a trecherous time when our country is leaning over the edge of a giant abyss called "depression." What we truly need is a single-payer health care system, like the one promoted by Physicians for a National Health Care Program. What Obama proposed during the election would be a great concession, but a single-payer program is what's needed to ensure equality in health care.

This isn't just a socialized-medecine issue, this is a trade issue. When countries like China are proposing to ensure their billion-plus population and world leaders like England already have a system to ensure all, it is absurd that we intend to lead the world into the 21st century without having a plan ourselves. It's worse than the blind leading the blind--it's the blind attempting to lead the sighted with a cliff ahead. It threatens our position as a world power and diminishes our status in the eyes of the world.

With an economy so abysmal, the government should stop giving handouts to corporations and focus on the very people who move the system forward on a daily basis.

3. Stop unaccountable corporate bailouts
Every day since September 15, 2008 brings news of a new government idea to help their friends on Wall Street. Sure there's rhetoric about Main Street needing help too, but since the bailout was formally enacted, what has Congress done to ensure that Wall Street is playing by the rules (and there are rules to be played by) and that Main Street is receiving the help it needs? The answer is "nothing."

Corporate bailouts can be important when they affect the lives of everyday America. To let the whole banking system fail would have been catastrophic, but to allow individual banks to take chunks of money with no promise to repay it and no strings attached is like handing a heroine addict a syringe. Meanwhile, the whole impatus behind the bailout--to ensure credit is flowing freely--is going untouched. Credit is stagnant as ever and business and individuals alike are finding it hard to make ends meet where they used to be able to make a profit.

Not all bailouts are bad. An auto industry bailout would provide security for hundreds of thousands of jobs for average citizens on Main Street. In fact, it is the only proposal over the past two months that has anything at all to do with the working man and woman (soon to be the unemployed man and woman). Yet Congress is hesitant to help the auto industry out, presumably because they aren't as influencial on Capitol Hill as the banking and financial industries.

If we are going to move forward and fix the economy, we must engage in sweeping measures that protect the sanctity of a hard day's work and discourage handouts to those who have the means to help themselves. If the financial institutions were single mothers, they wouldn't have received a dime.

4. Pass the Employee Free Choice Act
In the years following the Depression, what the New Deal focused on wasn't the sanctity of a mortgage-based-derivative, it was the ability of the worker to bargain for his or her own wages and set his or her own terms and conditions of employment, just like the big wigs at the top are allowed to do. Collective bargaining and unions created a generation of wealth for America, that allowed more people than ever to own homes, send kids to college, and retire in peace and tranquility. People blame unions for so many things because big business has made them the enemy...and big business controls the mind set of America.

Nevertheless, I think that we could all agree on one thing--people should not be fired for trying to organize a union. Well, at least I thought that until I started working in labor law. Turns out that we don't all agree on that, and employers would rather fire someone for thinking about unionizing than engage in fair practices for their employees. And the current law is not enough protection. This is why we need the Employee Free Choice Act. The EFCA ensures workers protection when they seek to unionize and allows first-time contracts the same protections offered to ongoing contracts. It's a simple law that could lead to great things.

We got the weekend and the forty-hour work week from unionized labor's first hurrah--just imagine what we can get from the next.

5. Create a plan for responsible global engagement
On Day 1 of his administration, President Bush enacted a global gag rule, forcing global aid to cease to provide family planning information. This was a striking move for his first day and it sent a clear message to many--Bush idiology was going to rule the day, not diplomacy or common sense. Since then we have watched as our towers crumbled and our nation sought after the wrong people for the wrong reasons. We called on the world to change, while we engaged in politics that were exclusionary and dangerous.

On Day 1 of Obama's administration, we need to set the tone for a more dynamic world view. We need to negotiate. We need to allow common sense to run through all of our policies. We need to recognize that not every nation wants a democracy. We need to appreciate our differences and learn to build on them. This is more lofty of a goal than practical of one, but it is a necessary goal, nonetheless.

It might be hard to see how progressives can help. But we can. We can support programs that foster worldwide understanding. We can support legislators who engage in dynamic world politics and work to eradicate those who favor a more dogmatic approach. We can support funding for programs throughout the world that allow us to be seen as the nation of opportunity we can be, and not the stagnant stalwarts we've become. We can do our part.

6. Advocate for more women and people of color on the bench and to appointed positions
I know this one seems out of place with the lofty ideals cited above and to some it may seem to whisper of quotas--but if you've read my stuff before, you know that I'm not about supporting women for no reason but their gender or the color of their skin. However, it is sad that this day in age we have a lack of representation from females and persons of color.

There is a huge gap to be filled here for women. Of the 179 federal bench positions available, only 48 of those are held by women. This is astaggeringly low 26% compared to the 51% majority women hold in the population. Only 33 women have ever held a cabinent level position in the history of the U.S. This is horrendously low considering there are 19 current cabinent-level positions available.

People of color aren't looking much better. Sure we have a president-elect who is a minority, but the federal bench is predominately white. According to the last census, of the 58,355 state and federal judges on the bench, 48,530 of them are white--a staggering 82%. The fact that we don't keep better statistics on this is telling.

Obama has the chance to make a real change here and public support is key. We need to lift up those qualified candidates and make the federal system a more diverse body. The composition of our federal government should reflect the people, and right now it only reflects a certain type of person that it has reflected for far too long.
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There is so much to do, and so many things to explore. Our opportunities are endless, if we allow them to be. Progressives need to take this next month and relax, because we have a long road ahead of us until we get to the great society we all envision. It's going to take a tremendous amount of work and we'll have arguments along the way, but if we keep key priorities at heart, we'll achieve more than we ever thought imaginable.

The struggle is not over. It has only just begun.

And I Thought It Was Just Me

2008-11-26T09:24:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I wonder if I have a bad memory or if something really has changed. It's a constant second-guessing thing that can drive me nuts if I let it. Lately that thing has been driving me nuts over whether it was just me or whether Obama was moving extremely quickly throwing together a Cabinet. I mean, if this freaking thing were from Ikea it would take more time to put together. (Assembly-required furniture joke, people.)

But it turns out that I was right. It happens every once in awhile. Obama's team is moving at light speed to get the proverbial Jedi Council together. W. and Clinton waited until December to make their first picks.

I think it's a smart idea to move quickly this day in age, but it could cause problems down the road. Penny Pritzer has already jumped ship because of the media scrutiny and while I don't think she was any prize, there's likely to be some casualties from such a rapid-fire succession of announcements.

But I guess whatever keeps the Dow bouncing up at the end of the day is worth some praise.

Black Friday Approaches

2008-11-25T12:15:00.003-05:00

Economic downturn, recession, depression...and SHOPPING. People are wigging out right now about Black Friday more than ever because of the lack of funds to spend a lot. So deals are left and right and I have some here for you. Call it an early Christmas Gift to the loyal OBYCB readers.

First, if you want to get a great deal, check out AMAZON on Friday. If you use this link right here I'll get credit on my Amazon Associates account and you'll help some Grace family member get a better gift. Look at the deals though, because they are good...a TomTom for less than $100. Books on sale for 60% off. Check it out.

Second, here are some links to other great black Friday deals via Black Friday Ads.

The Mister might be making me get up Friday...not looking forward to it. So if I see you in line and I look like I'm going to pass out or kill someone, wave hello!

A Free Mayor With Good Experience? Sign Detroit Up!

2008-11-24T15:59:00.002-05:00

Dave Bing, former NBA player turned businessman and now Detroit mayoral-candidate has announced that if he were elected Mayor, he would not take a salary. What a novel concept for a city approximately $200 million in the red.

I haven't taken an opinion one way or another on the Detroit mayoral race yet. One part of that is that I'm not technically a Detroit resident, so I don't get a vote (just a voice). But the other reason is that there are so many candidates that it's hard to get a grip on what would be best for the City.

This type of generous and ingenious move by Bing, though, has caught my attention. He's the kind of person who is above reproach (which is something the City desperately needs right now) and he's a proven leader. He's the kind of hometown hero that Detroit needs to champion it through these tough times. So maybe he is the right pick.

Plus, he is agreeing to work for free! That's got to save some money at least one way.

Obama Takes On The Economy--New Deal Style

2008-11-24T15:11:00.003-05:00

President-Elect Obama (it's still fun to say that) has been busy putting together a team of the right people to solve the economic crisis. That formally includes Tim Geithner and Larry Summers now.

His goals? A New New Deal.

Obama wants to create 2.5 million jobs by 2011 by re-imagining and rebuilding America's infrastructure. Such long term investments in our infrastructure saved us from the grips of the Great Depression and it's so comforting to hear a plan talked about like this. As Robert Reich puts it, this is a "down payment" on America's economic future.

It's so gratifying to hear about change from the bottom up--from the worker to the CEO instead of the other way around. When the population is employed and paid, they are happier and better contributors to society, thereby creating a community that people want to save. An investment in America's workforce is more than just a temporary bandaid, like the Bailout of 2008 is, it's a permanent committment to keeping America working.

So, where do we go from here? The next step has to be health care. People need a health care system that works--that provides care for all, instead of for the fortunate few. If people have jobs and health care, there's no telling where our society could go.

Citigroup Gets Keys to the Candy Store While the Big 3 Can't Get a Candy Bar

2008-11-24T09:21:00.004-05:00

Here's a joke for you--Ford, GM and Chrysler all engage in plans to turn around their companies prior to the financial crisis. They all engage in new technology development, organizational changes and financial upgrades. Granted, they still have problems, but they were at least working on them. Meanwhile, Citigroup is one of the main perpetrators of the mess we're currently going through. They gave away bad mortgages, sold them to the highest bidder as assets and basically undercut the market to get a stock advantage. Then they hit the skids when the rest of the country did, in large part to the tactics they used in the past ten years.

The punchline? Citigroup gets a huge multi-billion dollar bailout in the form of cash that does not have to be repaid while the automakers, who employ hundreds of thousands of people, can't even get a loan.

I just don't get how the auto industry became the proverbial red-headed stepchild of our economy. This focus on the financial and service industry is going to leave us a poorer country in the short and long runs. We have to have a manufacturing base to compete in this world. The financial sector has to be fixed, but just handing over the keys to the candy store to those who robbed the candy store and poisoned the customers in the first place isn't a great plan.

And yet we're willing to let the automakers go bankrupt and not the financial sector that was in large part to blame for this mess. I guess the lesson is just to foul things up as much as possible and then you'll get help. If you actually try to help yourselves, you're screwed.

Geithner is Treasury Pick

2008-11-21T17:02:00.004-05:00

CNN and The New York Times are reporting that Obama's pick to lead the treasury will be Timothy Geithner, current President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

I'll admit it--I don't know much about Tim Geithner. But Wikipedia does...

After completing his studies, Geithner worked for Kissinger and Associates in Washington, DC, for three years and then joined the International Affairs division of the US Treasury Department in 1988.

In 1999 he was promoted to Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs and served under Treasury Secretaries Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers.

In 2002 he left the Treasury to join the Council on Foreign Relations as a Senior Fellow in the International Economics department. He then worked for the International Monetary Fund as the director of the Policy Development and Review Department until moving to the Fed in October 2003.^[4] In 2006 he became a member of the influential Washington-based financial advisory body, the Group of Thirty.

Outside of Secretary of State, this is going to be one of the most scrutinized cabinet picks that Obama has to make. With the economy in the toilet and the Big 3 knocking at the door, Obama needs someone that he can trust to give the answers that are good for the people--not just the powers that be. Can Geithner be that guy? Well, in some good news he has more policy background than Paulson, who came out of an investment firm. So I should think he's more studied, at least. And the stocks jumped 300 points when this was leaked, so that might be a good thing.

I'm sure there will be much talk about this over the weekend.

AG Collapses: I Blame the Federalist Society

2008-11-21T09:52:00.003-05:00

The Attorney General no one has ever heard of, Michael Mukasey collapsed during a speech last night. He's currently recovering in a D.C. hospital.

What was Mr. Mukasey doing when he collapsed? What could have caused this? Well, he was giving a speech to none-other than the Axis of Evil, the Federalist Society. What was the speech about? Oh, just defending GWB's legal policies. You know, the ones that even conservatives disagree with on a regular basis? Yeah, those.

Mukasey, 67, was giving a spirited defense of the Bush administration's legal policies when his speech began to slur and he lost track of his thoughts about 30 minutes into his talk. Seconds later, he became rigid and then began to slump.

Maybe he realized how ridiculous his speech was and decided he needed an escape and this was the only way out. Anyone who can defend the legal tactics of the Bush Administration is clearly under a lot of duress or clinically insane. I'll give Mr. Mukasey an easy time and say it was the former. And then I'll send him a membership form for the American Constitution Society. It'll be the gift that keeps on giving.

Wait, wait...don't tell me...this is the part where the working man gets screwed

2008-11-21T09:36:00.002-05:00

Sources close to the UAW have said that Detroit's most powerful labor organization is ready to give some concessions to the automakers to help the automakers score some easy cash from Congress. The controversial jobs bank is at the key of these concessions.

So let me get this straight, the 3 CEOs fly to D.C. in private jets. They are paid millions of dollars and don't agree to not take a salary for a year. They beg and plead for money, but are unwilling to make real lasting changes. And it's the working stiff who is left to give up what little power he had? Wow, I'm so shocked.

The domestic auto industry is poised to move towards coupledom after decades of a tough menage-a-trois. It is almost inevitable that one of the Big 3 will not make it through this financial crisis. The largest domestic automaker is doing worse now than it has any time since the Great Depression. That alone will cause millions of families to suffer and a ripple effect across the nation where buying grows even more stagnant than before. And the solution to this...the only one to be offered up...has to be the working man? I'm all for playing ball and compromising, but I have yet to hear one single word about what the auto execs plan to give up in exchange for government help. But the working men and women are already handing over their hard-earned money, spent on split shifts, overtime and blood, sweat and tears. Can't the execs at least show them that they're willing to give in the spirit of cooperation as well?

Or is that just too much to ask?

Lt. Gov. Cherry Lays The Smack Down. Mitt Romney, You've Been Served

2008-11-20T12:08:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, in a stunning slap in the face to the big Mitten, Mitt Romney, former GOP presidential hopeful who claims ties to this state, decided he didn't want to be friends with the automakers anymore. In his Op-Ed to the New York Times, Romney wrote:

The American auto industry is vital to our national interest as an employer and as a hub for manufacturing. A managed bankruptcy may be the only path to the fundamental restructuring the industry needs. It would permit the companies to shed excess labor, pension and real estate costs. The federal government should provide guarantees for post-bankruptcy financing and assure car buyers that their warranties are not at risk.
In a managed bankruptcy, the federal government would propel newly competitive and viable automakers, rather than seal their fate with a bailout check.

It must be easy to say to hell with the automakers, when you're rich. It doesn't take much to throw people under the bus, when those people don't include yourself. There were so many outraged people in Michigan yesterday that I think the entire state had to take a Xanax so it didn't collectively stand up, walk to wherever Mitt was, and slap him across the smarmy little face of his.

But to ease our woes, our Lieutenant Governor, John Cherry, decided to take his words to the same street Mitt was playing on and wrote his own letter to the NYT:

In Michigan today, unemployment reached a 16-year high as a direct result of the nation’s economic downturn. Mr. Romney’s suggestion that our economy would be best served by a Big Three bankruptcy is a breathtaking assertion of economic Darwinism made more shocking by his roots in Michigan, where hundreds of thousands of jobs rely on the auto industry.
The Center for Automotive Research reports that if one of the Big Three ceased operations in 2009, nearly 2.5 million jobs would be lost in the first year. Additionally, one year of bankruptcy would result in the loss of $125 billion in personal income, $17 billion in Social Security receipts and $20 billion in personal income taxes.
Nonetheless, bankruptcy advocates like Mr. Romney would pile these kinds of losses onto the shoulders of a nation already struggling under the weight of record mortgage foreclosures, a recessionary slowdown across economic sectors, a credit crunch and decreasing global demand for American products.
There are no human benefits to Mr. Romney’s you’re-on-your-own approach, only continued loss of jobs, homes and health care for millions of people.
A bankruptcy in the auto industry will cripple our economy and worsen the human toll of our current economic challenges.
Now is not the time for Mr. Romney or his supporters in Congress to advocate for experiments with intriguing financial techniques on some grand scale. It is time to work cooperatively on a solution that invests in security for American workers and in our technological strength.

I think you've just been collectively slapped, Mr. Romney. And by the way, your ties to Michigan have been revoked. Don't count on us for a nomination in 2012. (Not that you could count on me anyhow.) In fact, don't visit, don't write and don't come to our door at 3 a.m. looking for forgiveness. The fact is we're sick of your passive-aggressive ways, Mitt. Either you're a Michigander at heart who knows what a bankrupt Detroit 3 would mean, or you're not, and we're not going to stand for this abuse anymore.

Mitt...take your things and stay the hell away from us.

Bye Bye Dingell

2008-11-20T11:59:00.002-05:00

The longest-serving member of the House of Representatives just got served...eviction papers from his chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee. There has been speculation ever since the election that Dingell would be given the old heave-ho, but nothing has happened until today. It is now being reported that Rep. Waxman from California is taking the chairmanship starting in January.

There are a lot of people in Michigan that are going to be furious about this. I don't think I count myself as one of them. I mean, sure he's been there forever and he deserves respect, but at the same time if new leadership is needed, new leadership is needed.

And in that paragraph, I just ousted myself from ever being an insider in Michigan politics. That's how powerful the Dingells (particularly Debbie Dingell) are.

I can't help but wonder what this does for the auto companies chances at getting some help in D.C.

Daschle Comeback for Secretary of Health and Human Services?

2008-11-19T21:21:00.002-05:00

Word on the street and in the blogosphere is that Tom Daschle, former Senate minority leader, is being tapped to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.

More to come...

Bail Out The Workers, Not The CEOs

2008-11-19T16:43:00.002-05:00

In not so startling news today, it was revealed that the CEOs of the Big 3 flew private jets to D.C. to testify before Congress. Honestly, they should have driven their company's cars there. I want to see Waggonner in a Malibu, Nardelli in a Charger and Mullally in a Fusion. At least I'm giving them full-sized cars here, folks.

This just goes back to what I've been saying all along--I know it's hard to look past the greed of the CEOs and others on top, but I hope that Congress does because just under the top layer, there are millions of families' lives at stake. This is more than a political pissing match--this is the survival of America's once-most-robust industry. This is the industry that got us through WWII by producing planes and tanks instead of cars and trucks. This is the industry that built cities and towns by bringing good quality manufacturing jobs to places unknown. Don't do it for the jerks at the table, do it for the retirees surviving on measly pensions. Do it for the line worker trying to support her family. Do it for the accounting administrative assistant who wants to go back to school. Do it for these folks.

The Auto industry has supported America and although it might be hard, it's time we support them through this crisis. I know they need to change--they know they need to change. Take the CEOs out as part of the deal. Require them to fork over their salaries and benefits. Whatever it takes, just do it. There is far too much at risk here. We need to stop the political pissing match and get back to basics--people need to be able to afford things to get jobs. People need a fresh start.

Wiping out the auto industry will do nothing to further our common goals.

Further and Further We go

2008-11-19T16:41:00.001-05:00

The Dow Jones Industrial Average--otherwise known as the bain of our collective existence as of late--has sunk to a new low. It closed today under 8,000--its lowest closing since 2003.

I'm really out of ideas on this one. Or maybe I'm just cranky today. Either way, let's get it together, America. We're falling apart at the seams.

Is This True? Can I Get A Confirmation? Will Eric Holder Be The First Black AG?

2008-11-18T15:24:00.004-05:00

Has Obama really selected his Attorney General? And is it really the first Black AG? Can I break out the bubbly yet?

Eric Holder, the man in question, is a partner at Covington & Burling LLP and was a Deputy AG in the Clinton administration. He's been a senior adviser to Obama during his campaign and now during the transition period.

What would Holder's nomination and selection mean for the U.S. and an Obama administration? Is he the best candidate for the job? Will he be able to pick up the pieces of the Constitution that Bush/Cheney et al left around the country and re-establish the rule of law?

I'm sure we'll be seeing more to come in the next hours and days. Let's hope this was a good choice. It wouldn't have been my first choice, but I am willing to be proven wrong.

The Bailout is "Working"

2008-11-18T10:31:00.003-05:00

Here's a joke for you: two bald dudes walk into a Congressional hearing room and testify that a multi-billion dollar mess is working.

That's it. There's no clever punchline.

That's what Ben Bernanke and Henry "Hank" Paulson are doing today. They're sitting in front of members of Congress and lying through their teeth. Either that or they're delusional. I can't tell yet.

Meanwhile, the Big 3 and their entourage are in D.C. today for hearings on their measly $25 billion bailout request. People ask whether the auto bailout will work, and skepticism is more than healthy given the failings of our last bailout. I guess for this commentator, the differences are enough to give it a go. The CEOs are placing their mea culpa at the feet of a very angry and actionable Congress, though, so who knows what the outcome will be?

What I do know is this: there are American families hurting and they'd like to be next in line for this government cheese.

Point of Contention: Different Standards for an Automaker Bailout

2008-11-17T16:19:00.003-05:00

In September when the stock market crashed and millions were left, jaws agape, to pick up the pieces of their broken investments, Wall Street flaunted its power. The big wigs went to Capitol Hill and demanded help. We branded them villains but, in the end, allowed the villains to continue. In fact, we were even told that the only people who could get us out of this mess were the very same people who got us into it in the first place.

Washington joined its constituents in crying foul, and the world watched as certain banks and brokerage firms fell victim to the inevitable downsizing. We felt less than sympathetic for the broken CEO who carried on so well for the past eight years, as right we should. But instead of doing something about it, we just flushed money into the system to try and take the pain away and watched as those who broke the system profited from its demise.

But now, even the Democrats are taking turns vilifying the auto industry for their missteps along the way and asking them, as part of any bailout, to get out. I'd like to think that the reason for this is that we've learned our lesson when it comes to who we trust, but I know better. The real reason for this change of heart is that instead of dealing with bankers and brokers, we're dealing with unions and line workers, and, frankly, the latter group doesn't hold as much power as they should.

It's amazing to me that we're spending so much time fighting over $25 billion to automakers when we essentially have given a blank check to bankers and brokers of all people to run amuck without any controls. Could it be a little class warfare that's playing into this?

Sure GM, Ford and Chrysler need to shape up. And I think that the leaders of those companies need to hit the road as well. But the insistence that is running crazy-like through D.C. today against the automakers is in stark contrast to the "doing what we have to do to save the banks" attitude that Washington took last month. It's as if D.C. has gone off its meds and is looking at the world much more cynically now, and instead of quesitoning the people they should be questioning, they are holding the latest victim accountable.

The fact is that a large part of the reason the automakers are in a bind is because people are not buying cars. People cannot buy cars because they can't get credit. Sure an auto bailout has its problems, but there are solutions to those problems. Meanwhile, it's the banks who got a free ride last month who caused this credit crunch on the everyday American in the first place. There are other factors that need to be addressed, but nothing will happen if the auto industry fails while we're bickering about this.

So when D.C. has gone postal on the Big 3, the big Banks have walked out the back door to the Oceans 11 music, smiling the whole way. And the automakers are being left to wither in the wind, with millions of workers' lives hanging in the balance.

Seems that the government socialism is only applicable to those who already have the means to help themselves.

Auto Aid 2008--Monday Morning Roundup

2008-11-17T11:11:00.003-05:00

You know my thoughts on auto aid, but here's a roundup of this morning's news relating to all things American Automaker.

Six myths about the Detroit 3 from The Detroit Free Press.
Obama knows that an auto industry collapse would be devastating.
W thinks that auto aid should not come from the $700 billion bailout package.
Could the foreign automakers really step in if Detroit falls?
Have the Democrats coddled the auto makers too much?

I'm sure there will be more to come as the day rolls on.

Join the Impact: Protest Prop 8

2008-11-14T16:14:00.003-05:00

Find your local protest tomorrow...write your legislators...start a blog...get informed...do something...show you care. Join the Impact.

MARRIAGE IS A LEGAL CONTRACT AND SHOULD BE OPEN TO ALL CONSENTING ADULTS.

Will An Auto Bailout Work?

2008-11-14T11:00:00.003-05:00

I must preface this by saying that I'm not an economist. I'm not an analyst. I haven't followed trends carefully or reviewed the books. But I can tell you that a $25 billion loan to the car companies will not help them in the end because it isn't their indebtedness that's killing them--it's the fact that people cannot and are not buying cars.

So while the car companies beg for help, and while I hear their call and agree something needs to be done, I am skeptical about whether such a bailout, as planned, will work.

Some of this is their own fault

There are a lot of people who blame the auto industry for its own problems. They blame workers and unions for causing a lot of those problems. I'm not that type of person. Frankly, I'd rather buy a car from a company that uses well-paid and well-trained workers because they're less likely to mess my car up on the assembly line, amongst other things.

There are two major things that have been killing the American car manufacturer. The first is a top-heavy structure that was built in the days when cars were made out of metal and not plastic. The perks that once came with having a successful company in the 1950s are still being given away like candy to executives today. Sure the stability is not as great, but who wouldn't want a job where they can perform little and gain a lot? Instead of holding executives responsible for the mess they've created, the people at the top have had a hell of a journey making the American consumer hate themselves for being the American worker. You hear about health care costs all the time--especially retiree health care costs. But has anyone ever stopped to wonder why these weren't such a big deal until now? The answer isn't that there are more retirees (though there are), but rather the accounting rules that were put into place in the late 1980s and early 1990s--namely SFAS 106--which requires companies to account for not only the current cost of health care on their books, but the future costs. Almost overnight the weight of retiree health care went from bearable to excruciating. And instead of looking for other ways in which to cut costs, the executives went on a stealth campaign to blame the average line worker for bargaining for better wages, hours and benefits. Meanwhile the top dogs get private jets, unheard of salaries and all kinds of perks that cost the companies billions of dollars and the little guy living in a three bedroom house in Hazel Park is the one to take the blame.

This top down mentality has made it stifling to be creative. When the name of the game is "status quo" there is no sense of urgency to make things more efficient on a regular and ongoing basis. Instead, they make tweaks here and there to promote themselves as individuals and let the system go on, broken as it may be. This isn't unique to the automakers, but it has plagued them more than most because of the next thing...

The American auto company has become stagnant in innovation. The most creative minds in the world are hired by these companies to produce the same things as last year. Sedans get the same gas milleage they got decades ago. Sure we've had some new things like anti-lock breaks and airbags and such, but those are inventions that would have come along without much thought after awhile. They take design, but not true innovation.

The American automaker has found itself in trouble because it has given into the theory that people will continue to buy cars bigger and bulkier than before no matter what it costs to fuel them up. And for awhile, they profitted from that mentality. But instead of preparing for the future and creating new power technologies, the auto companies basked in the glory of record-setting SUV and truck sales and let bygones be bygones while letting their chances of coming out ahead go by.

Many people thought that by 2008 we'd have flying cars and transportation that we so new and innovative we wouldn't recognize it. To be blunt, if someone that died in 1977 woke up today they wouldn't be that shocked to see the cars out there. There's nothing inherently new about the cars and the American automakers are losing an entire generation of consumers by failing to innovate. This is true of all automakers in general, as I haven't seen anything from any foreign auto maker that really shakes me to the core either, but it's even truer of our domestic companies.

Some of this is our fault

Though the auto companies have a lot of blame in their own demise, it's also true that we have an equally deadly part in this endgame. Instead of demanding fuel-efficient cars, we have demanded bigger ones. Instead of demanding innovation, we've settled for bells and whistles. All of this has led to stagnation.

Meanwhile, we've never stopped buying foreign cars or made a statement that we'll only buy American cars. Frankly, the money is going to be the only thing to stop them, but all we've done is turn Ford and GM into competitors against Toyota et al with no real results. Toyota has one innovative car, the Prius, but no real lasting difference. Yet we continue to show preference to the status quo no matter what nation our car's manufacturer came from.

More than that, we've let them ship jobs overseas, which, in the end, has caused a great strain on our economy and on the auto makers bottom lines. What used to truly drive the auto industry, was that there were workers in every plant who were loyal to the brand and who could afford to get a new car every few years. With those jobs gone overseas, presumably never to come back, those workers have taken on service jobs elsewhere and are unable to purchase a new car at all. In the end, though the automakers might have made a few bucks, they've lost sales and loyalty--one you can get back, but one you might never see again.

Why a bailout won't work

So you ask why a bailout won't work? Here's why--because the problems faced by the domestic automaker are bigger than any bailout Washington can provide. The $25 billion is a drop in the bucket and will only serve to allow the automakers to continue on their self-destructive paths a little longer. They'll make payroll for awhile and their stocks will go up, but no shake ups will happen. You won't see Rick Waggonner's head roll for this debacle, because no one wants to challenge the status quo. There will be no greater innovation. But most importantly, they won't win any market share back--and for companies this big, the only thing that can save them is future sales. And future sales have left the building.

Perhaps what the automakers truly need is for one of them to fail. I hate to say it because it'd be devastating to this area, but it's true. The only thing to truly shake them up is to see a fellow bretheren fall to the wayside. I'd like to think this crisis will make them live up to their promise, but once the bailout is over they will continue to sink.

I'm not dogging the American auto industry. I think it has the potential to be the best and most innovative industry in the world. It built states like Michigan and cities like Detroit. It has the ability to make technology that will change our lives forever. But unless something truly new happens, a bailout will be nothing more than an excuse to take the easy way out.

More importantly though, in terms of bailouts, we have seen how they just don't work. Executives continue to screw the rest of us and our tax dollars are going to save institutions who probably should be forced to file bankrupcy like the rest of us. Instead of protecting our assets, it has made them more vulnerable. And an auto bailout that is structured on these faulty premises cannot last. More than that, we have a lame duck president who is willing to place bets on the failure of one of our most important industries. The recipie is ripe for disaster.

So what do I suggest?

Three things:

A bailout that is premised on promises from the automakers to reduce executive compensation while increasing American manufacturing. This includes parts and labor--no more shipping transmissions to Mexico and putting them in a car in Flat Rock and calling the car American.
A requirement that the automakers, in order to get the bail out funds, agree to keep a certain percentage of their workforce in the country and that for every percentage point lower than the set goal they will pay back a certain portion of the bailout within 6 months.
An enforceable promise that the government will only help the automakers if they invest in alternative fuel sources by a set date--that the combustible engine will be a relic or at least only used in large commercial vehicles within twenty years. The deadline will stimulate the creativity that I know is there and will require more jobs. In turn, the automakers will achieve higher sales because everyone and their brother is looking for a more fuel efficient car.

The American car company can only go so far as the American public is willing to let them go. But I think, in this case, America isn't ready to get rid of the mantle of being the automotive capital of the world just yet. And for those of us in Detroit, that's a damn good thing.

I Can Hear All Those Crazy Clintonites Screaming Now

2008-11-14T10:19:00.003-05:00

It appears Sen. Clinton made an impromptu (or not so impromptu) trip to Chicago this week to meet with her good friend, President-Elect Obama. This was no social trip though, it was purely business I'm sure.

There's a lot of speculation that Clinton is up for the Secretary of State gig. And while I think she'd do fine as that, I'd rather see her as AG. A Justice Department under Clinton would be such a joy to watch. We need someone in there with exceptionally good views on the tough issues, and she's that person. She'd make a great SOS, but she'd make an even better AG.

I filled out my application, why won't Barack listen to me?!?!?

Real Women Have Domains

2008-11-13T14:40:00.002-05:00

So as some of you have noticed or have been made aware, I have a new domain for my writing blog. I am self-hosted! Check it out at http://perfectlycursedlife.com.

Now that I'm a self-hosting pro, I'm going to be streamlining my blogs more and more. From now on my music, movies, television and book posts will be at PCL. I will keep the politics, news and feminist commentary right here. But I am looking to get a domain for this blog and, in the process, change its name to reflect the purpose. Any suggestions you have will be greatly appreciated. Some thoughts I have had are: What's Right is Left, Liberal in Moderation, Pundits Paradise and Liberal Under Fire. But I'm sure I'll have more.

I'll even throw in a prize. You give me a good domain/blog name and I'll get you something at Starbucks.

Follow me, Sam Grace Says

2008-11-11T13:21:00.002-05:00

I added the new Blogger follow me feature right there to the left of the screen. Follow me good friends!

You've Got To Be Kidding, Right?

2008-11-11T10:51:00.002-05:00

Kwame Kilpatrick hasn't been in jail for a month and already his lawyer is spouting off about some other grave injustice. What could it be? Is it malnourishment? Corporal punishment? An unfair media frenzied justice system?

Nope. It's the fact that he thinks it was wrong to take away Kwame's law license.

I don't know where this guy went to school, but there were few things drilled into me in law school more than ethics about letting a witness lie and going along with it. So you'd think that lying yourself would cause a great ethical dillema.

So what is this guy's glitch? Well, apparently he thinks that Wayne County Circuit Court doesn't have the power to take away your law license. Which is kind of true in a way, but semantics aside, you can't deny the fact that KWAME MADE A DEAL WHEREBY HIS LICENSE WAS REVOKED. Complaining about that now does nothing to solve anything. His license was already suspended when he pled guilty to felonies, what does this clown think he's going to get out of this?

This is one of those times when lawyer jokes are truly appropriate.

Apparently "Maverick" Means "Status Quo"

2008-11-10T15:11:00.002-05:00

In another attempt to fall flat on her face and make herself look like even more of an idiot than she already appears to be, Sarah Palin has decided to strike back at the McCain campaign for being too "status quo".

I cannot recall another election where the losing team disintegrated so quickly after the election. Last week staffers were saying Palin didn't know Africa was a continent and not a country and this week, Palin is lashing back saying that the party's ticket wasn't, essentially, "mavericky" enough.

So I wonder, what is good enough for Sarah Palin?

SG Reads: Twilight

2008-11-10T13:16:00.002-05:00

Check out my book review at Good Reads.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really liked the story of this book. There was nothing special about the writing style, but the story intrigued me.

There were some things I found irritating--Bella referenced Edward's "beauty" like all the time. I get that she didn't feel worthy of him, but it was a bit much by the end.

Somethings I did like that I feel have been, so far, better done in the second book, New Moon, was the description of Bella's feelings and the physical sensations her emotions gave her.

It isn't a literary masterpiece, but it's definitely a key book of our time.

Plus, the movie is coming out...

View all my reviews.

Approval ratings? He doesn't need any stinkin' approval ratings!

2008-11-10T13:04:00.001-05:00

George W. Bush is officially the most disliked president in modern history.

That is all.

The measurements for new curtains begin

2008-11-10T10:29:00.002-05:00

Obama is making his first trip since the election to the Oval Office today. I wonder if Michelle will come with him to help him feng shui the place out. God knows it needs it after the past eight years. In fact, it probably needs a seance and some herbs to be burning in the corner. It wouldn't hurt to replace the carpet either--you know W's spilled shit on there and never told anyone about it (and to be fair, I would have too).

Here's what I suggest--limit the family pictures and just go for a clean look. I can tell you from the clutter on my desk that a clean office would be a great start. You can always add things later if you need them.

Oh, and nothing says "it's just another day at the [Oval] office," like a red stapler.

Not Cool, McCain Camp. Not Cool At All.

2008-11-07T13:20:00.002-05:00

I dislike Sarah Palin just as much as the next normal American. I think she was unqualified, irresponsible and a constant drag on any type of real conversation about the issues. In fact, as I have made known before, I think her selection was the reason McCain lost so easily.

But now, the disjointed McCain staffers are playing fast and loose with their new-found hatred for Palin and blaming her for everything for being naive. It's a drastic turn from two weeks ago when she was the true family-values warrior.

Instead of finding fault with a campaign so unorganized and unfocused that it imploded months ago, the staffers are turning on Palin calling her a "diva" and "dumb." It blows my mind that they've turned on the very characteristics that they claimed to love in Palin from the beginning, just to blame her for the very fact of their loss.

I can't decide if this is blatant sexism (blaiming the VP candidate who happens to be female over the actual presidential candidate who happens to be male and, well, the candidate), or just plain stupid. What I do know is that it signals a long road ahead of the GOP to mend wounds within their own party before they can attempt to make a plea to the American people either in the midterm elections two years from now or in four years.

The fact is that it isn't Sarah Palin's fault per se that the McCain camp lost. I think her selection cost the campaign dearly and made the loss very easy, but it wasn't her fault--it was McCain's fault for selecting her. He didn't properly vet his candidate and chose to inspire a base that would have voted for him anyhow because they weren't going to vote for a Black baby killer. (In fact, it is coming out that the reason the GOP lost so big across the nation was because of moderates, not the so-called "base".)

Nope, this loss was not Sarah's fault. This was all YOU, Johny boy. It was your choice and your choice alone. So own up to it and come out against these attacks. We all know she's dumber than a doornail when it comes to current events in the world. But your campaign staffers need to stop using it as a blame-sheild to block the career-killing bullets aimed their way.

That would be the real mavericky thing to do, in my opinion.

I Ain't Got Time To Die

2008-11-06T14:03:00.001-05:00

Just check out this amazing woman.

Post-Mortem

2008-11-06T13:54:00.001-05:00

I took yesterday off from blogging, notwithstanding my NaBloPoMo commitment because, well, I posted so damn much on Election Day that I think I could have been justified in not blogging the rest of the week.

This election really sold me on hope. Across the country, people made the right choice most of the time on issues of interest to me, such as progressive senate and house seats, pro-choice reactions to ridiculous anti-choice ballot measures, and of course, the presidency. Michigan came together to approve Proposals 1 and 2, allowing medical marijuana use and stem cell research, respectively. Watching Obama give his acceptance speech on Tuesday night was something I will never forget as long as I live. I could watch that speech every day for the rest of my life and not get sick of it.

But at the same time, there were some disappointments. Locally, L. Brooks "The Devil" Patterson is still in power for some reason. Nationally, we Dems might not have picked up the seats necessary to fill the magic 60 number. And across the nation, biggotry raged forward in the ludicrious fight of the conservatives to ban gay marriage.

In the end, November 4th was a historic day of hope for many Americans, twinged with despair for some. Looking forward, we must make amends and work to full justice for all.

Thoughts On An Historic Moment

2008-11-05T00:25:00.002-05:00

Tonight has been so moving. I have sat with people I've never met and had one common goal--to make sure that Michigan has a stem cell research policy that's right. I've sat here and watched friends win local elections. I've seen a new Michigan Supreme Court Justice elected.

But most importantly, I've finally answered the questions of a young Sam Grace who questioned why everyone in power was white and male. Tonight, one of those questions has finally been rhetorically answered.

In a brilliant speech, to an energized country, and a world waiting for change, Barack Obama stood and asked us to work with him--to work for ourselves--and be the change we wish to see in the world. For the first time since I can't even remember when, I feel optimistic about the future of this country.

There are hard battles before us--reproductive rights, workers rights, equal pay, energy independence, global warming--but there is nothing I feel we can't do tonight.

Yes we can.

Yes we did.

Yes we will.

Best Day Ever

2008-11-04T23:03:00.000-05:00

America has elected Barack Obama as president of these United States.

God bless us everyone.

Best Night of My Life

2008-11-04T22:09:00.001-05:00

This night is going too well. I feel as if I'm in the middle of a dream which is going to result in me waking up naked in a pile of my own vomit somewhere unknown. It's just too good to be true.

Obama has over 200 electoral votes. He's taken Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Arizona is too close to call. I want a t-shirt that says that.

Today has been an amazing day.

Obama takes Pennsylvania

2008-11-04T20:00:00.002-05:00

And the pain begins. ABC is predicting New Hampshire and Pennsylvania for Obama along with (of course) Illinois.

New Jersey is jumping on board.

Maryland is here. Give me a crab cake.

Connecticut is representing.

Prediction for the Evening: Pain

2008-11-04T19:55:00.002-05:00

I see McCain just took a few more early states, according to ABC News.

But as Clubber Lang said in Rocky III, I do have a prediction. PAIN. I think Republicans better just pop that bubbly right now because it's not going to be fun later.

Check me out national style

2008-11-04T19:50:00.000-05:00

On RHRealityCheck.org at 8 p.m. EST.

Election Day Commentary/Prediction: How Sarah Palin Ruined McCain's Chances to Win

2008-11-04T15:36:00.004-05:00

Long before candidates were announced for VP, it was a crucial part of McCain's strategy to pick up the pro-Hillary Dems who were miffed by Obama's wins int he primary. As most pundits would tell you, this was a Democrat's year to lose, and McCain had to pick up ground where he could. But instead of picking a smart choice that rose above partisan politics ina Democratic year to lose, McCain chose to shore up his base--a base that would have voted for him in likely any situation--and pick a base VP candidate, Sarah Palin. In the months that have ensued, we have watched McCain's campaign unravel with McCain even admitting, in humor on SNL albeit, that his VP had gone rogue and was gunning for herself.

Prior to August 2008, Sarah Palin was a relative unknown to anyone outside of political circles. She was the governor of a state rich in natural resources, but low in political clout. She was known inside the Republican party for being staunchly-pro-life, but nothing much else. In the months leading up to the conventions, McCain's campaign pulled a page out of the Hillary Clinton playbook, calling Obama elite and un-American. It rang true with white American voters--particularly those white men and women who were miffed at Obama for his "clinging to guns and religion" comment during the primaries.

It was clear that McCain needed to garner this support, but how to do it without alienating the conservative base was the tricky part. It was like asking for a peanut butter jelly sandwich and expecting not to get your hands sticky--it was, in other words, impossible.

So in the same form in which McCain changed his mavericky ways from a maverick independent bending partylines while crossing them to a conservative maverick siding with one of the worst presidents in American history, just to get a fraction of the Christian evangelical support George W. Bush once conquered, McCain decided to abandonned those who admired his independent streak, and hope that the conservative Christian Bible-Belt Americans would get him through.

Thus, he picked the most conservative sheep in wolves' clothing.

McCain aimed high by picking a woman in order to gather support from the Clinton campaigners bitter that another election cycle had gone by without a woman in the White House. But his aim was off and instead of picking a qualified candidate, he picked one who typified white, female tokenism--a cute, energetic, airheaded white woman who was folksy as the day was long.

In the past eight weeks, McCain's campaign has fallen apart, in large part just because of this choice. He has shown his weakness to those who hold the party's pocketbooks by picking an ultra-conservative. He has shown his willingness to forego his independent ways (as independent as a Republican can get and still get elected) on issues such as LGBT rights and reproductive choice just to get a few mad women to vote. He has shown, in otherwords, that he is erratic and cannot be trusted with truly vital choices for this country.

McCain may claim Country First, but he certainly doesn't play with that slogan in mind.

Like a kid in a candy store, instead of sticking by the penny candy that would have lasted him the rest of the election, he went with the shiny lollipop which was bright and colorful for awhile, but has faded away into less than a stick of its former self. In fact, if he wanted to garner the world's attention with his brand new toy, he hould have picked a better toy because the world is watching and they're sorely dissappointed.

True, Palin has energized the base of the new Republican party, but unlike the way in which the Rove machine did it for GWB in 2000 and 2004, this time around, the more liberal Republicans and true fiscal conservatives feel disowned. Talk show after talk show, report after report, shows Republicans turning to Obama in waves of dissappointment. The man they once called Maverick has instead gone bersurk, pandering to the very people who would have voted for him with any other Republican VP candidate. In fact, as a reformer, you'd think he would have picked someone without a questionable ethics record.

Consider this--if McCain had picked a Rudy Guilianni or a Tom Ridge as VP it may not have been as glamorous at first and would have carried its own risks, but it would have been a smart choice to satiate those Republican faithfuls hell-bent on lowering taxes and limiting government. Instead the people that he invigorated, the social conservatives, are the same people that would have turned out for him anyhow because they could never picture themselves voting for a pro-choice candidate, much less one who was Black.

In the end, after tonight, it is likely that McCain will regret this pick for the rest of his life. A VP gone rogue has slashed and burned his last chance at becoming president. And for a Maverick, it is just as important to admit wrong turns as it is to take chances.

Remember the stock market?

2008-11-04T14:09:00.002-05:00

Apparently they are also voting for change...the foldable kind, not the jingly kind. The markets are making a big rally today.

Where is my November Surprise?!?!?

2008-11-04T14:07:00.000-05:00

Already problems in Michigan?!?!?

2008-11-04T13:45:00.002-05:00

Apparently in Oakland County we have some rogue voting machines, counting things incorrectly. Hopefully this occurred early enough in the day to fix it.

Here's a three step process I learned from SNL.

Step 1-Fix
Step 2-It
Step 3--Fix it.

So let's go Ruth Johnson--fix it.

Oh and good, a Reverend Wright commercial. Like that's really about any issues.

Shooting Hoops and Tearing Up

2008-11-04T13:40:00.003-05:00

I have heard of so many people tearing up today in a wave of emotion. I have to say that I haven't felt it yet, but I've secluded myself from much of society. But it is amazing to hear of long voting lines. Sure it discourages some people, but to see people waiting in long lines means that they actually care, and to be quite honest I think the longer the lines are, the better it is for Obama.

Instead of tearing up, Obama has a different game plan--basketball. Maybe he'll tear up later, as I'm sure I will, but he's going to shoot hoops this afternoon to release some stress. I think I'll take the dog for a walk to do the same.

There's a lull in the polls right now, apparently--so if you haven't gone yet and you can go now, run!

Crazy McCrazerson Is At It Again

2008-11-04T13:35:00.003-05:00

Otherwise known as Elizabeth Hasselcrack. How this woman continues to not get it is beyond me. But I guess that means a lot of things are.

Stop what you're doing....

2008-11-04T12:27:00.002-05:00

And play Super Obama World. It's a take off of Super Mario, of course, but even better. Instead of dodging mushrooms, he dodges pigs with lipstick in ALASKA.

Try it now and never find yourself bored again.

Proposal 2--Vote Yes Now, Vote Yes Early

2008-11-04T11:34:00.003-05:00

Michigan's Proposal 2 is glaringly important to me. But I realize that I don't necessarily represent the voice of all the people, sadly.

Everyday people are suffering from incurable diseases, chronic pain, chronic suffering. Their relationships are faltering because of their pain. Careers are going down the tubes.

Yet, instead of being compassionate, some people are trying to block the best known route to cures. It's as if I-75 were off limits and the people all suggested using US-23. It's another route, but it won't get you to Saginaw because it stops before there.

What boggles my mind more than the lack of compassion, is the outright lies coming out of the mouths of the No on 2 People. The commercials are outrageous and nothing short of fear-mongering.

They allege higher taxes would result. Lie.
They allege that human cloning would occur. Lie.
They allege that it goes too far. Lie.

I just hope that people look past the lies. The thing is that to be a good practitioner of any type of religion, you must be compassionate. Being compassionate isn't saying a prayer. It isn't just saying you're compassionate. It's actually doing something about it. Frankly, it's a lie if you say you'r compassionate and you chose to vote no on Proposal 2. All of the major religions ask you to do one thing--put your money where your mouth is, and by voting No on 2, you fail to do that.

Proposal 2 is your chance to be compassionate. So just do it. Vote yes. Be compassionate. Chose cures over fear. And chose life over just getting by.

OH NOES!!! NOT AGAIN

2008-11-04T11:06:00.002-05:00

I can't make this up....

Undervotes are reported in Palm Beach County Florida. Between that and the Rove prediction I feel sweaty and clammy. I'm flashing back to 2000. Suddenly I'm in college, thinking there's no way Gore can lose.

Oh, I see the trick.

When Karl Rove Speaks, I Usually Vomit

2008-11-04T11:04:00.001-05:00

But apparently he predicted an Obama landslide today.

I'm so conflicted right now. What do I do? Do I believe him? Or is this the devil's trick? Is this the temptation of Sam Grace? Should I grab the closest apple and run?

This is a dirty, dirty trick. But I'll take it.

Final Push

2008-11-04T09:11:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Election Day 2008

2008-11-04T07:43:00.002-05:00

The weather here in Michigan is supposed to be nice, though the pavement is wet this morning. The mood is still high from what I can tell. I'll be going to a polling place soon with The Mister and I'll report back on that.

In the meantime, check out some posts on the important issues:

Michigan's Proposal 2--Stem Cell Research
Reproductive rights
Equal pay
Gay Rights
Socialism

Senate Races

2008-11-04T00:19:00.000-05:00

Though the day is historic because of the top of the ticket, we cannot forget that legislators are truly the key to a just society.

So looking over the senate races all across the country, here's what people are seeing.

The Dems are looking to gain that magical "60" number. In fact, it's so mythical, so out of touch that I dare not say the number today for fear of jinxing myself and the rest of the nation. Daily Kos predicts us coming close, but ending with only 57.

What's so important about 60? Well, it gives us the chance to shape new legislation that was impossible to do when we were deadlocked. It gives us the chance to force things in terms of judicial nominations. But most importantly, it allows us to block the all encompassing filibuster.

What a glorious day 60 would be!

Oh damn...I just said it.

Pour A Forty: Obama's Grandma

2008-11-03T17:21:00.003-05:00

Knowing how much grandmothers can mean to a person, I say this with great sadness: Obama's grandmother passed just hours before her grandson's big election day.

Everyone pour a forty for Madelyn Dunham.

The Great Undecided Voter Checklist

2008-11-03T15:54:00.004-05:00

I've never understood undecided voters. And I've never made that a secret. I just don't get what makes them tick. Either you're for something or you're against it. It's pretty simple to me. With McCain looking to close the gap on his status as underdog, it's time we do something about this.

I guess my normal forgiving nature has changed this year, because now more than ever I just don't get undecided voters. What is it that makes things so muddy for you?

For those still confused, please take the following test.

The Great Undecided Voter Checklist

Instructions: print up this list and check the boxes next to the positions you agree with. Just like a Cosmo quiz, once you're done, add up who you agreed with the most--Obama or McCain. The one you agreed with the most is your winner. It really is that simple!!!

Taxes
[ ] Obama wants to cut taxes for the middle class and close loopholes for the rich and big business.
[ ] McCain wants to cut taxes for business and the rich, hoping the rest will trickle down.

Higher Education
[ ] Obama wants to fund higher education and believes higher education is a fundamental right.
[ ] McCain wants to re-do the way in which higher education financing is done.

K-12 Education
[ ] Obama supports fully funding programs like No Child Left Behind and invoking merit pay for teachers in a way that promotes good education without stripping teachers of their right to unionize.
[ ] McCain supports vouchers so that parents can take their kids out of public school and put them in private schools and let the public schools deteriorate.

Energy
[ ] Obama wants to invest in alternative fuels starting on day 1.
[ ] McCain wants to drill baby drill until we find an answer.

Foreign Policy
[ ] Obama wants to use diplomacy and meet with foreign leaders--even those we disagree with--in order to foster a dialogue and perhaps prevent catastrophes.
[ ] McCain wants to show muscle to Iran and Iraq.

Reproductive rights
[ ] Obama believes it is a woman's right to chose and that Roe v. Wade was properly decided.
[ ] McCain mocks the "health of the mother" exception and thinks Roe v. Wade was wrong.

War in Iraq
[ ] Obama did not support the invasion or the surge and thinks we should leave soon.
[ ] McCain supported the invasion and the surge and thinks we should stay longer.

Gay Rights
[ ] Obama believes in civil unions and gay rights.
[ ] McCain does not agree with civil unions or gay marriage and finds support from the factions of society that use hate as a tool against gays.

Equal Pay
[ ] Obama flew back to D.C. to vote for the Ledbetter Act.
[ ] McCain voted against the Ledbetter Act.

Health Care
[ ] Obama wants to start a national health care program where no one is left without health care coverage.
[ ] McCain wants to privatize health care and give a tax incentive for buying on the open market, leaving loopholes for companies to deny coverage.

Social Security
[ ] Obama wants a strong social security benefit.
[ ] McCain would like to privatize social security.

Judicial Philosophy
[ ] Obama believes that the Constitution is a living document that needs to be interpreted by not only reviewing the history behind it, but the intent and the precedent which has discussed it over the years.
[ ] McCain is a strict textualist believing the Constitution has a fixed meaning that provides for certain rights and not others.

So what's the problem? Make a decision already!!!!!!

A Manifesto: Why I'm Voting for Barack Obama and Why You Should Too

2008-11-03T12:14:00.000-05:00

Over the past six weeks, I have brought you stories from people on everything from stem cell research, to race and beyond. We've talked about Hillary and Michelle, John and Sarah. We've discussed local matters and national ones. We've talked foreign policy and hot topics. But tomorrow, it all comes down to your ballot.

Though I'm usually a big believer that local politics are far more influential on our daily lives than national ones, I can't help but feel a little more tilted in the other direction this time around. You see, after living through eight years of absolute idiocy, I am beginning to appreciate the power of the presidency again. Unfortunately, until now, it's not been a good thing.

Four years ago this summer, I watched a young, charismatic and unknown man take the stage at the Democratic National Convention. While he spoke, something in me stirred that had not been awakened for years. For the first time in a decade, I began to feel my love for politics grow with each word he spoke. And from that moment on, I've guaranteed friends and family alike that when they saw Barack Obama, they were looking at the next president of the United States of America.

Campaigns change a lot. Though this one has not changed my mind about Obama's future, it has hardened me to a lot of truths--gender and race inequity are more prevalent than ever, the economy is not a one-fix-cures-all-problem, and people who were hurt worst by the GWB politics still believe in so-called "conservative values."

So for those still interested, and hell even for those who aren't, here are the reasons I'm voting for Barack Obama.

1. Obama's message of hope is the right message at the right time.
The first thing that made me pause in 2004, is the most important thing I think the nation needs today--a message of hope. We've invested the past eight years in two failed wars, a broken-down economy that has little chance of bouncing back on its own, and a general distrust for government. That message of fear has done nothing but seperate people and engender hate. Hell, even Yoda would tell you that. The thing is that America is so receptive to Obama's message because America is thirsty as hell for a new way of doing things. It's as if the past eight years have been a cash-only bar where very few get a drink and we have the promise of an open bar with unlimited top-shelf liquor staring us in the face.

Hope is what America needs right now because we have so much to work on. Without hope, we're likely to give up when times are hard. With hope, we're likely to work harder. We need a leader with hope to help us through these trials and errors. I'm not saying that Obama won't screw up at anything--because he will--but I'm saying that his underlying message is what America needs, gaffes and all, at this point in our history.

2. Obama's energy policy is by far the most thorough and thought-through policy.

One large thing that is keeping this country from realizing its potential is its dependence on the energy of the past. Think of this--for a hundred years cars have run primarily on gasoline. The gas mileage that cars were getting in the 1960s is on par with what many cars are getting today. People are using more, not less. And yet we are confused as to why we are so dependent on foreign oil.

The answer isn't to drill here, drill now or drill ever. That's a band aid on the biggest gaping wound that mankind has ever self-inflicted. The answer is to invest in new technologies, the way we did a hundred years ago, to further ourselves. The answer is to harness the Earth's less destructive powers for our own needs. Drilling isn't the answer. Clean coal isn't the answer.

In addition, one thing that Obama stands head and shoulders above McCain on is the idea of conservation. McCain's idea of conservation cannot be bigger than the head of a pin, considering he heats and cools 9 houses and fuels 14 cars.

3. Obama's foreign policy stance is sorely needed.

Anyone who thinks that America hasn't taken a beating in the PR sense of the term over the past eight years needs a serious head examination. The fact is that America is more vulnerable today than it was eight years ago specifically because of the ridiculous choices made by those in power. Instead of using diplomacy, we've found stupid reasons to wage war. Instead of standing firm on finding Al Qaeda, we've stood shaky on everything. America is being looked at like the boy who cried wolf.

Obama stands for rebuilding the relationships we've broken, building ones we've never had and making America stand behind its word. Foreign policy isn't about whether you'd negotiate with terrorists or bomb-bomb-bomb-bomb-bomb-Iran, it's about what standards you set for going to war, discussing terms of settlement and moving forward as a united world. Preconditions to sitting down with other foreign leaders aside, do you really think that McCain the self-made war hero, if elected, won't try and start his own war?

I'm sick of hearing from the world how America has failed. I'm ready to stand with Obama to make America right again, by leaning left.

4. Obama's economic policy is the right policy for the U.S. right now.
The facts on this are clear--McCain just doesn't get it. From a young age, McCain was the son of a naval officer's family. He never had to struggle hard to get ahead, get an education, get a job, or get his bills paid. And while it's nice to have ideas about money, if you've never been where the bulk of America is or is heading right now, you have no idea what is needed to get things right.

Spreading the wealth isn't a socialist tactic--it's a way in which to deamonize fair taxes and services for all. Over the past eight years, we've watched the Enrons, the AIGs, the Haliburtons et al come to power with our tax dollars cushioning the way. Not once has the GOP or McCain questioned this as socialism or "spreading the wealth." In fact, that notion of spreading the wealth has only been questioned when individual citizens were the ones benefitting from any reallocation.

Cutting taxes might have been the answer when Ronald Regan came to power decades ago, but for America in the 21st century, it just doesn't hold water. Cutting taxes will not help those who cannot afford to eat. Cutting taxes won't pay for outrageous energy bills because we have nothing other than oil and coal on which to rely. Cutting taxes will not help a sick mom live to see her son graduate high school. Cutting taxes, in other words, just doesn't cut it. Running on a platform of lower taxes does nothing to help the country.

Obama has a solid financial economic plan based on cutting government spending where necessary and increasing it with those new-found dollars where needed. He believes in affording people not only the right to unionize, but the right to go to college, the right to believe in the American dream again, and the right to have a home and credit without the terms changing at big business's whim.

5. Obama makes us invest in our own futures.

Obama doesn't just turn the page on the old political rule, he opens a new book entirely. Instead of telling us what he can do to make our lives better, he has decided to run a campaign based on that old JFK slogan "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Over the weekend I was at various volunteer offices and saw people of every different race, creed, color, belief, age, background, etc. manning the phones and knocking on doors. I saw people in West Bloomfield with Obama signs on their lawns--lawns that very well have never seen a political lawn sign before.

What scares the McCain people about Obama's following isn't that Obama will have power in an Obama administration--it's that people that have been disenfranchised for so long will have power in creating their own destinies. Obama has made his campaign a campaign for change based on the idea that we all have a stake in our political futures--not just the future of one man or woman, but the future of our society. Obama has made us break down walls and talk about race and age and gender and personal freedom. Obama has made us invest in our own political cache and together, we have made a difference.

In other words, ask not what Obama can do for you, but what you can do for you.

People are already turning out in droves for early voting in unprecedented numbers. People are volunteering for campaigns that they never took interest in before. People are getting involved, and the part of the people, the Dems, looks to make a comeback.

Tomorrow night I pray that I go to bed exhausted but happy in the knowledge that for the first time as an adult, I can hope to be happy and proud to be an American again. I pray that I go to bed knowing that hope is not only an idea, but hope is on the way. But more importantly, I pray that I wake up the next morning knowing, more than ever, that a group of Americans can do something truly magical together and change the paradigm of politics-as-usual that has plagued our nation for too long, helping only those who can help themselves and leaving behind those who can't. There's a reason why McCain is lagging in the polls--it's because the old playbook doesn't play to Americans anymore. A historic day is on the horizon and hope is on the march. The final play is set and I'm sure there will be an audible here or there...but the time has come.

In other words, I can't wait to hear the talking heads say that Obama is our next president. Upwards and onwards, America. Upwards and onwards.

Are you serious!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

2008-11-03T12:05:00.003-05:00

I'm having such hatred for things right now. My world has been turned upside down. I'm reeling in self-hatred mixed with doubt, confusion and isolation.

The pistons have just traded Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess for the rat of the NBA, Allen Fucktard Iverson.

I need a fucking drink. A strong one. I can't believe Joe D would do this to me on a Monday, let alone the day before an election. I can't stand Allen Iverson. I've hated him forever. He's the most ungrateful, lazy, self-righteous player ever to wear an NBA jersey. And for a team that prides themselves on teamwork and hard work, good luck getting Iverson to play along.

Son of a bitch.

Say it ain't so!!!

2008-10-31T13:34:00.002-04:00

Fox isn't renewing King of the Hill for its 14th season. Looks like the 13th was an unlucky number.

I freaking love King of the Hill. Hank Hill is very much like Dad Grace and his wisdom, like that of Dad Grace, is short and simple. My all time favorite Hank Hill quote comes from an episode where Dale and Nancy have a renewal of their vows and Hank is charged with inviting Dale's estranged gay dad.

Hank takes the invitation from Nancy and sighs. "With the joy of responsibility comes the burden of obligation," Hank says.

How true, Hank. How true.

Maybe now they'll put seasons 7 through 13 on DVD.

Eye of the Tiger, Barack. Eye of the Tiger.

2008-10-31T12:03:00.002-04:00

Polls are still showing an Obama victory within reach. Even Stephen Colbert endorsed him and last night in his segment called DaColbert Code he had a preminition (several actually) of an Obama victory.

In that vein, I realize that the taste of sweet victory may be on our lips and in our minds, but we must remember that the fight is still on and, as Rocky Balboa once said to Apollo Creed, "I didn't hear no bell." McCain is looking to gain votes where ever he can and if you think the GOP machine is going to rest easy and let this one slip away, you're crazy.

Therefore, to motivate those of you feeling as if you can just phone it in over the next few days and not hit the pavement, the interwebs and the phone lines full force, here is a video of one of the most inspirational songs of our time: Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger."

Oh yes, there will be live blogging

2008-10-31T11:59:00.002-04:00

It took me some time to figure out what my role in the festivities of Election Day should be. But then I remembered the power of the interwebs and decided to live blog. I'll also be live blogging for a national organization on issues pertaining to the election, Michigan and Prop 2. More info on that shortly.

So if you want the snark, the commentary and the wisdom that is Samantha Grace, check me out here and on Twitter all day long!

For all my conservative friends drinkin' the hatorade on community organizers...

2008-10-31T11:04:00.001-04:00

A brilliant piece from last night's Daily Show with John Stewart.

Happy Halloween!!!!

2008-10-31T10:53:00.003-04:00

And happy birthday to Dad Grace who turns a Graceful 53 years old today. How spooky!

Run, Do Not Walk To Read This Article

2008-10-30T15:56:00.002-04:00

McCain is a make believe Maverick. This is an amazing and well-researched article from Rolling Stone. It'll take you awhile to get through the whole thing but I promise you won't be disappointed.

The Ultimate Hot Topic: Reproductive Rights--Abortion, Birth Control and Freedom

2008-10-30T11:55:00.000-04:00

One of the greatest differences between us and the rest of the Animal Kingdom is the ability to control our reproductive future. Unfortunately, so many of the issues surrounding reproductive health have been marginalized and politicized instead of remaining the highly personal issues they ought to be. Instead of teaching our children about ways in which to safely engage in sexual activity if they so choose, we've started teaching them first that abortion is wrong, above all else.

There's one thing that conservatives and I can agree on: freedom isn't free. In a society like ours, how are we to dedicate ourselves to freedom if we don't allow ourselves the basic reproductive freedoms that should run tandem with being a free citizen?

I was raised Catholic. My family was not a strict fire and brimstone Catholic family, but rather one of liberal social justice. To this day, there are many things that I can find common ground with the Catholic church on--we're both against the death penalty and war, we both believe in workers' rights, we both believe poverty is a crime against humanity. But sadly, the Christian world, including the Catholic world, has turned against these basic beliefs in order to form an opinion on the most basic of rights in a stunning turn of events.

So if I were to create a world of my own, what would the reproductive rights look like, you ask? Here is my simple three-part Reproductive Health Bill of Rights:

1. Comprehensive, age-appropriate, sex education shall be provided to all children.

It's amazing to me that children these days aren't presented with the same set of facts that I was presented with even twenty years ago. I never felt bombarded with information or that sex education urged me to procreate or engage in acts of procreation, so I'm unsure what the hullabaloo is about.

Comprehensive sex education teaches our youth the things they need to stay safe. While it's a nice fantasized notion that we can urge our youth to refrain from sexual activity until they are ready, it is just that--a fantasy. Children do not hear "no" when it comes to things they want to do. In fact, it's part of growing up that we test our boundaries by doing those things we were told were bad--whether it be touching a hot stove or having sex. What abstinence-only education does is it just tells us the stove is bad, it doesn't tell us why it's bad to touch a hot stove and what we can do to prevent touching the stove, or if we chose to touch the stove from burning our hand.

It's a fact that before the average American teen reaches age 20, he or she has had sex. So odds are they are going to do it whether anyone tells them abstinence only or not. And instead of being prepared, they are going to lack knowledge of proper ways to protect themselves.

If we want to avoid abortion (and I think everyone would rather avoid it than not), comprehensive sex education is the only proven way to do it.

2. Birth control shall not be a taboo subject, but should be discussed and used freely.

An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. So if that old adage is true, and I believe it is, why don't we heed it when it comes to preventing unwanted pregnancies?

Birth control is basic health care. If every sexually active person were knowledgeable about birth control and it was easily accessible, the need for abortions would diminish. The argument that pro-choice is pro-abortion is nonsense when you consider the amount of effort organizations put into promoting safe sex and contraception.

Instead, the powers-that-be have taken it upon themselves to limit access to contraception. Not only do we not talk about it in a safe, educational setting, we cut funding for it, we allow insurance companies to refuse to cover it and we allow pharmacists the privilege of refusing to fill a prescription for it. Nothing is more absurd than these tactics.

Contraception is basic health care, but more importantly it is basic common sense.

3. Prevention shall rise above all else, but abortion shall always be an option.

Facts are facts--even in a perfect world with prevention and comprehensive sex education in place, unwanted pregnancies will arise. The Conservatives call for a culture of life to be developed wherein women are forced to carry pregnancies to term and either keep the child or give it up for adoption. These consequences are unacceptable.

Abortion is a safe medical procedure to end a pregnancy. Abortion is not murder because embryos and fetuses are not born yet, and therefore are unable to be murdered. If a heartbeat is recognized as a human life, then a seed must be recognized as a full grown tree. It is an absurd argument.

But more improtantly, the question of when life begins is an unnecessary one. Abortions are a necessary part of life because some women are not fit mentally, physically or otherwise to have children. Abortions are a necessary part of life because some women did not chose to get pregnant and are not proper candidates for carrying a child to term and/or raising one.

The fact is that even if you think abortion is morally wrong and not for you, the access to one is a right that is ingrained in our culture and in our Constitution. It is a medical procedure--one which should be between the patient and the medical provider. Being pro-choice means that you accept and respect the fact that there is the option of abortion--not that you would have one yourself.

Furthermore, unintended pregnancies which are carried to term often lead to worse consequences. Children are given up for adoption and end up in a foster care system which cannot provide basic care and security for the children it is intended to protect. Children are born to families where they are not wanted and abused mentally, emotionally or sexually. Children are born to people who cannot afford their care, resulting in increased poverty and dependence on welfare programs. These are all of the consequences of abortion bans--none of them being good consequences.

Finally, medical concerns often come into the picture. No matter how hard McCain mocks, the health of the mother is very often a real and legitimate concern and anyone who disagrees with that obviously hasn't been in such a situation.

The fact is that in an ideal world, reproductive rights should not be a political issue at all. It should be a matter of choice for the person involved. Sadly, our world has become all to interested in the reproducitve organs of women, giving them secondary status when it comes to a fetus.

Sexism starts from the moment the doctor says "It's a Girl!" but it doesn't have to continue until she hears those words for herself--whether she wanted to, or not.

Not Fair, Exxon. Not fair at all.

2008-10-30T08:59:00.004-04:00

Exxon Mobil announced even higher record breaking profits for the third quarter. While the rest of us are losing our jobs, our homes, our money and our sanity, Exxon Mobil has made history yet again with record breaking profits.

So how do you feel about spreading the wealth now?

Who else needs a drink?

Students Take On The Election: SG's Beginnings

2008-10-29T12:30:00.003-04:00

I always love these student-perspective stories about elections because it allows me to talk about one of my favorite political stories.

In second grade (and yes that gives my age up for better or worse), it was the 1988 presidential elections. Then Vice President, George H.W. Bush (sadly what would turn out to be the non-complete fuck-up Bush) was running against then-governor of Massachusetts, Michael Dukakis. Dukakis had a snowball's chance in Hell of winning, but that didn't dissuade true Democrats, like Dad Grace, from supporting him. Even if Dukakis himself wasn't a winner, there was no way in hell Dad Grace was voting to extend the Reagan era trickle down economics that hurt so many along the way.

The week of the election, in an effort to educate our young minds about the electoral process and voting (though I don't think I understood the Electoral College quite yet), the school had a mock-election pitting the real candidates against one another in a contest to win the affection of suburban white kids in Michigan. Our ballots were hardly secret, instead we entered our vote with a student teacher who sat at the end of the hall all day with an old Comodore 64-style computer.

When it came my turn to cast my ballot, I clearly wasn't voting for Bush. That type of blashpemy in the Grace Household would call for execution. Furthermore, what Dad Grace taught me about politics seemed to hold true--you should always vote for the person who believed in the everyday working person and not the guy who believed in big business. It seemed fairly simple to me.

I handed my ballot over to the student teacher and he reviewed it. "You're voting for Dukakis?" he asked in a very condescending tone.

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, only one other person has voted for him so far." (Did I mention I grew up in one of the reddest areas of a blue state ever to exist?)

"Okay...so what?"

"Well, don't you want to vote for the winner?"

I stood there and thought about it for a moment. Then I smiled.

"No, I want to vote for the Democrat."

And, thus, my political future began...

Sarah Palin Feminism is Anti-Woman

2008-10-28T14:36:00.009-04:00

There are many schools of feminism. There's the school of feminism that believes you vote for a woman no matter what the consequences because she is a woman and we need more women in government. There's the school of feminism that believes you vote for the most qualified person and if that happens to be a woman, even better.

Now there's a new school of feminism, created solely for those saps who didn't believe in feminism before September 2008--Sarah Palin feminism. It's made up of thousands if not millions of women who are recognizing for the first time, or at least admitting for the first time, that sexism exists and that we should support women candidates.

The problem with this last type of feminism? It ignores everything that feminism has been about for centuries in the hopes of electing one woman who could set our gender back decades, if not further.

You may ask yourself, and I'm sure people will ask me, why Sarah Palin is bad for women. Go ahead--ask it. And I'll answer you in a well-thought-out set of talking points that you should take with you to the bank and store away for safe keeping.

1. Sarah Palin is a token woman.
Sarah Palin is the GOP's Vice Presidential candidate for no other reason than the fact that she's a woman and they need pissed off Hillary supporters who may ignore politics to vote for someone who has a vagina. That's plan and simple. To think otherwise is to fool yourself, and I hope you try to avoid that at all costs.

Definition: A token woman is a woman placed in a predominately male setting placed there for the simple fact that she is a woman and a woman is needed for appearances.

By all definitions, Sarah Palin is that woman. I think in the past few weeks, Palin has showed us how vulnerable she truly is as a politician, lacking experience and even the quality of character to do her own interviews, stay on point or talk the issues with any sense of cohesiveness or consistancy. Sarah Palin is to John McCain what Colin Powell was to Bush I--a convinient way to say "I have friends that are Black..." or "I have a woman friend..." without having to justify or discuss their issues which oppose the majority of Blacks or women in society.

In other words, Palin is not there for her brains or her politics as much as she's there because she has, presumably, the physiological parts that comprise a woman--a demographic from which the GOP needs a win.

2. Sarah Palin is not a politician in her own right as much as she is a figure head to be viewed in the male gaze.
For those of you unfamiliar with the male gaze, here's a (very) basic primer: The male gaze is the point of view from which a situation is viewed that casts (or typecasts) a woman as an object, not as the subject of the situation. It was a theory derrived from a study of film. If you still don't get it, this Dinosour Comic explains it much simpler and definitely more understandible.

So how does Palin fit into the Male Gaze? Well, it's actually so blatant that it becomes obscured, like viewing a close up item with binoculars. Sarah Palin has been viewed, from day one, as not an independent woman making decisions on her own and joining the McCain campaign for her own political motivations or beliefs, but rather a figure head for the GOP's attempt to gather women voters and solidify conservative males by creating a "VPILF". Instead of creating a persona for herself, Palin has become an object, rather than a subject. She is viewed as treating McCain as a sugar daddy or even pimp, thus furthering the view.

In other words, Palin is not on the ticket as McCain's equal or even his second in command, but she's there to be a figurehead for women, subjugated to the same myopic view of the world that has existed with men in charge for millenia.

3. Sarah Palin doesn't care about women.
Remember when Kanye said George Bush does not care about black people? He was right. That was the irony of the uproar over it. George Bush's policies have disenfranchized Black America from receiving their piece of the pie from day one of his presidency and even as Governor of Texas. In the same vein, Palin represents not a policy driven perspective intent on helping women achieve equality, but rather one that attempts to both use and abuse her gender for gain when necessary and drop it when convinient. Her policies about everything from rape kits to family planning imagine a world where women do not have choices over what happens to their bodies and once it has happened, have no recourse with which to address the aggressor. Her ideas about "counseling for life," even in the cases of child rape and incest are beyond regrettable. But even in the most stunning of changes, Palin denies that sexism plays a part in our media culture, something even Mom Grace could tell you, she claims the latest hullaballo over the price of her clothing was sexist. (Oddly enough, McCain campaign advisors are playing into the sexism Palin claims surrounds the wardrobe malfunction.) She doesn't believe in comprehensive sex education, even after her daughter falls victim to abstinence only policies.

In other words, if a man had these policies, you'd think of him as anti-feminist and anti-woman, but because she's a woman she's gotten, in large part, a free pass.

Feminism is about supporting women in achieving equality based on the theory that women are equal to men and should be treated alike. Sarah Palin Feminism is the idea that women can be touted around to serve agendas, present a strict set of so-called "family values," but never to stand on their own two feet and declare policies that support fellow women.

I hope for the sake of all the women in the world and those yet to come into existence, that we remember these things when we vote next week and recognize that a vote for the McCain/Palin ticket supports such backwards views of women and feminism.

Some said it was only a matter of time...but really it's only a matter of hate

2008-10-27T17:31:00.002-04:00

Authorities with the ATF announced today that they foiled the plot of 2 neo-Nazi skinheads to assassinate Obama and 102 other Black people.

There was just a post today on a blog I found (Kat's Litterbox) about how people are silently and not-so-silently wondering when the racism in this country will threaten Obama's life.

I presume that this is probably not the first plan to assassinate Obama, and it won't be the last. Therein lies the tragedy.

So for those of you who say racism is dead and we're in a post-racial world, I hope you've just had a wake up call regarding the state of racial affairs in the U.S. today. The thing is that racism is here and it's often not this blatant. Usually it comes as attacks to affirmative action or insults to "flashy" Black leaders, rarely does it become so brilliantly clear as this.

To say the color of one's skin should not matter is the truth. To deny that it does is a lie.

SG at the Movies: Religulous is Alright by Me

2008-10-27T11:47:00.003-04:00

Last week, Mr. CVD and I went to see Religulous. I wanted to go earlier, but Mr. SG claims he hates Bill Maher and refused to go. That's fine, I don't think he would have appreciated it.

You all know how I love documentaries, espeically ones about religion, right? Well as much as I wanted to wholehearteldy endorse this film, I found myself irked at times. I think I, more than anyone, can appreciate poking holes in religious theory. I've been doing it for my entire life. I was that kid in catechism that always asked "why" far too many times. I was that teen in youth ministry that disagreed with planting politics into religious discussions. I am that adult who views religion as having both good and bad attributes. And normally, I am that writer who can appreciate poking fun at religion.

Alas, I yearned for more.

I did like parts of the film. Bill talking to the Catholic priest outside of the Vatican was a great scene, remenecent of my own views on Catholicism. Bill talking to the fake Jesus at the Holy Land themepark was also a great visual and logical treat. Bill asking truckers at the truck stop church about their beliefs in a candid discussion also gave me joy.

The problem is that these clips were few and far between. The movie's 101 minutes seemed disjointed from minute 2 forward. Often, I found the film to be scratching merely the surface of the idiocies contained in our beliefs, while trying to belie them at the same time. It can't be done. You can't challenge people for having faith in ridiculous things and just leave your argument at that. You have to do something more. Sure it's crazy to believe that a woman gave birth to a son without having had sex, but just saying it's crazy isn't really anything new. People have been saying that for years. Just criticizing peoples' beliefs brings nothing new to the conversation. It just makes us lapsed Catholics giggle. Which is precisely what this movie felt like for 75% of the time. The other 25% it felt as if the movie was trying to take aim at other religions (primarily Islam) just to compensate for the fact that it hit Christianity so hard in the beginning. I felt as if the arguments about Islamic extremism and whether the extreme nature is ingrained in the religious doctrine needed more depth, more development. Instead, I was left with another second-camera view of Bill and Company getting kicked out of yet another holy place.

I like Bill Maher. He can get on my nerves and he has beliefs of his own that are as ridiculous as the ones he condemns (PETA and their comparisons of meat eating and the Holocust, anyone?), but I felt as if the message and the man were stiffled in this film. While the film touched on the ridiculousness of certain beliefs, like evangelicals being able to cure homosexuality, or the jihadist beliefs in Islam, it never got further than introducing them. And that, in and of itself, is Religulous.

Hot Topics: Race, Voting and Stereotypes

2008-10-24T13:40:00.002-04:00

This is another post from marilyn|Jean. marilyn|Jean: occasional blogger. constant activist. provocative party planner.

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There are no such things as voting blocs based on race and gender. People are too complex and diverse to be lumped together in political bundles. We’ve learned this lesson in this election, for sure. But for some reason (read: media & the patriarchy) people hold this falsity to be true, placing some hefty expectations and assumptions on people like Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin. There are groups of people that have dominated the political scene since this god awful race began and as November 4 looms nearer, they are really starting to piss me off. Below I break these groups down and explain why they are so gosh darn annoying.

Joe Sixpack: The poor white guy

I’m not exactly sure when the tides turned. All of a sudden in 2008 white men, particularly poor ones made up their own voting bloc. A bloc that warranted media attention, analysis and pandering. I find it disconcerting that the first female candidate and Black candidate for POTUS had to apologize to this “bloc” for being powerful, educated, wealthy…you know all the things rich, white men have always been.

When asked about the race factor in this year’s election, Rep. Murtha out of Pennsylvania found himself in some hot water for telling it like it is when he said: "no question that western Pennsylvania is a racist area.” Murtha was simply trying to explain the ugly truth that some people – no matter how qualified he is and how shitty the last eight years has been – will not ever ever EVER vote for Barack Obama. Ever. Like never. The people Murtha was referring to were his own Jesus/working/gun-loving residents, Democrats who have supported him election after election. For them, this isn’t about the issues, this is about their own prejudices that they refuse to let go.

No one has yet been able to explain to me how white and Black working class people are so different. When you look at it from a sociological perspective we value the same things, set the same goals, work in the same places and ultimately suffer under the same policies enforced by the Bush Regime. Yet, Joe Sixpack and Joe the Plumber have become the poster kids for the disenfranchised. Hey guys: when are you going to wake up and realize that poor has no color these days? We’re all shopping at Wal-Mart, praying that the bills go away, waiting in the unemployment lines and hoping our kids get a better deal out of life than we did.

Instead of talking about the issues and how he’s going to solve them, Barack has had to constantly toe a line of not being “too black”. He has to assure people that he’s just like them – justifying his American citizenship. That’s bullshit. No other candidate on the trail has to do that. They can be taken at face value and start a position of at least an iota of respect without being attacked for the parents they couldn’t choose and the accomplishments they have achieved.

If you love America like you say you do, then get over your prejudices and get to the polls.

Lily Liberal: Condescending White Liberals

I’m not sure which is worse: racist white people, or white people who don’t think they’re racist. This election has shown us how ignorant liberal white people can be. If they weren’t busy slinging sexist mud at Hillary Clinton, they were promoting subtle racist rhetoric about Barack Obama. One can almost expect that sort of malarkey in such an historical election. What I didn’t expect was the self-satisfaction some white people possessed when they proclaimed their allegiance to Barack Obama. I have had white people go as far as to say that his presidency would end the awful nightmare that is racial history in America. That his candidacy in-and-of itself diminishes the lasting residue of racial oppression.

Really? If anything, Barack Obama and this entire election has shown us how far we have not come. (Yes, I am one of those people who looks at the glass as half empty.) Have we progressed from public lynchings? Yes. Have we progressed past segregated lunch counters? Sure. Is the word “nigger” regarded as taboo and not a casual way to describe someone of African-American descent? Yes. BUT, is there still gerrymandering, job discrimination, inadequate school systems, segregated communities, predatory lending in Black communities, an imbalanced justice system and stereotypical portrayals of Black people in the media? You betcha! And the election of a Black president will not eradicate these realities. Yet, there are some optimistic white people who think that their vote for Barack is like some excuse note for all the privilege they have and will continue to enjoy when he’s in office.

Call me stuck in history, but nothing is going to erase the remnants of racism in America. Nothing. We still have people out there who can’t admit we have a problem. You can’t solve a problem if some people don’t even want to know that it exists. Instead of placing yet another Obama bumper sticker on your Prius, why don’t you take a trip into places like southern Ohio and western Pennsylvania and talk to your fellow whites and explain to them why you’re white, yet voting for Obama.

Make sure you leave your croissants and lattes in the car.

Juan Republican: The Latino Vote

In case you didn’t know, Latinos are some of the most racist people I know. I know this because I am half Latino and I grew up being exposed to the nasty prejudices between Black Americans and Latinos. I won’t be a bigot and point out specific nationalities, so I will be a jerk and speak in sweeping generalizations. There are plenty of stories like this one that go largely ignored in the mainstream media when talking about the Latino Vote and Barack Obama.

A recent story on NPR exploring this concept quoted one Latino as saying that he doesn’t like Blacks, but he is voting for Obama anyway. Then there was another story where one guy thinly veiled their prejudices by explaining how Barack Obama doesn’t “get” Latinos, that he doesn’t “get quinceñeras, piñatas, our values…tacos.” Seriously. Someone said that. Because you know that’s what being Latino is all about. Yet, to this guy John McCain gets it. Yeah…John McCain is the pinnacle of Latino advocacy. He’s done a terrific job with immigration. Like immigration is the only concern that Latinos in America have. Like all Latinos came here from Mexico. Way to monopolize the Latino voice. This is the same John McCain who belongs to a party that refers to many hardworking Latinos as “illegals” no matter if they were born in Poughkeepsie. The same party that has members who insist that English being constitutionally protected as the nation’s first language.

It’s fucking disgusting that some Latinos would forsake unity among minorities and soft shoe for a candidate who could give a rat’s ass less about them because they are too racist to vote for a Black man. A man whose father wasn’t even born here! Talk about being the son of an immigrant. How does Barack’s story of being raised by grandparents and his single mom less reflective of Latinos than the privileged upbringing of John McCain? And again: what about the issues? Last time I checked, a majority of Latinos were not sitting pretty in America. Do you truly think that John McCain is the answer, or are you just as close-minded and conservative as he is?

Oye: "La revolucion de la gente empieza con la liberacion de la mente."

Invisible as always: Asians and the election

I typed in “Asian vote” in my search engine and this is what I got. What gives? Maybe I have been under a rock, but this entire election has ignored Asian voters. Maybe they want to be ignored. I don’t get the invisibility and I am perturbed by this oversight. I can’t speak for Asian-Americans, but if I were them, I’d be pissed.

Seriously: where the hell is the Asian “bloc” and why doesn’t anyone care about them? There are some 11.9 million Asians in this country. Maybe the live in states where the vote is already locked up? I don’t want to assume that all Asians consider race to be their main and sole identity. Are they just lumped in with white people because they’re not Black or Latino? I don’t get it. Are they not elite, or working class? Women concerned about choice? People who have sons and daughters serving in Iraq? People who have a stake in the economic crisis?

I guess this indicative of racial realities and history in the U.S. Asian-Americans are often marginalized even in conversations on race. They are pushed into footnotes and cursory paragraphs (like here). Asian-Americans represent such a diverse range of incomes, values, identities and geographies that I can’t dare assume which party possesses the most members. I’m honestly at a loss on this group, so if you’re Asian and reading this, make some noise!

Al, Jackson and Co: Blacks who do more harm than good

There are just some Black people who do Barack more harm than good by publicly voicing their support for him. Rappers like Ludacris: He wrote a song that included the lyrics attacking Hillary Clinton and degrading her in order to show the world how much he support Barack Obama. How many Black people has the Obama Campaign had to say thanks, but no thanks to because their “endorsements” were collateral to Obama’s professional, political image? Too many (that includes you, Rev. Wright).

I find it disappointing that they are Black people out there voting for Obama, but can’t tell me why besides the fact that they think “our time has come”. Our time? Our time for what? My brother, you can’t spit knowledge on how dope his health care plan is, but like the Lily White Voter, you think a Black president is all we need to stop the hate. Just like women who voted for Hillary simply because she has a vagina, you are despicable for voting for someone just because they share the same skin color as you.

And while we’re talking about those Blacks, let’s talk about Black Republicans. Man, did we think Black folks would jump ship when Obama came on the scene. Is there a law that says that if you’re Black, you have to be Democrat? No. But do Black Republicans continue to amaze me? Yes. Now, I know that Black Americans aren’t a bloc. We don’t have the same money, live in the same places, possess the same degrees. I get it: there are bonafide reasons why some Blacks are Republicans. Nevertheless, Colin Powell befuddles me. So does, Condi. I can’t help but wonder why Black people of any ilk choose to be part of a political party who has done everything in its power to disenfranchise other Blacks. (I’m talking to you, Ken Blackwell and Clarence Thomas.)

If anything, this election has proven that Black Unity, no longer exists, if it ever even did.

This isn’t a race to the bottom…

This should be a march towards unity. During critical times like these, people need to let go of their misperceptions and fears. We need to move towards understanding what plagues us all and work together to find solutions. This is what Barack Obama is all about, yet the only man to talk about true unity is the same one who suffers from ugly divisiveness.

This election is historical and important. Not just because of what is at stake, but because people have really shown their true colors (no pun intended). It shows us that we’ve made significant strides towards catching up with the rest of the world by electing people based on merit, not identity, yet it also reveals just how ass backwards people in American can really be. So keep your heads in the sand, or pat yourself on the back for being so “progressive’ now because we won’t know who is who when we’re all shit on in the end.

Sorry for the hot topics miss yesterday...

2008-10-24T11:50:00.001-04:00

But I, SamGrace, was sick. In fact, I slept 20 out of the 24 hours of the day.

So in honor of the greatness that is Hot Topics, we will be continuing the topics into next week and merging it with our next topic:Innovation and Personality--Who Do We Need To Lead

If you haven't said anything yet, and want to guest blog or say something, e-mail me now at onlybaggage@gmail.com

We're Here and We're Queer--Give Us Our Rights

2008-10-22T15:47:00.004-04:00

I think there are two kinds of people in this world: (1) people who appreciate whenever someone loves another human being and doesn't care whether the sex of the first human being is the same or different from the sex of the second human being; and (2) people who are too afraid to confront their own preconceived notions of sexuality and so call the first type ignorant and sinners. I will hold this belief until the day I die. Sure there are gray areas (just ask DadGrace about gay marriage as opposed to gay civil unions), but at the basic atomic level, that's where we all must start from and the rest falls into line.

Long ago I decided I was one of the former types of people.

In 2004, gay marriage was the rage everywhere across the country. And I really mean "rage". People were tearing up the polls right and left to organize normal people into creating laws against gay marriage. It happened here in Michigan and the effects of the ruling have been devastating to some families. This year, in an attempt to reverse the State's Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex marriages, California is preparing to vote on Proposal 8--which would basically outlaw same-sex unions, in much the same way Michigan's Proposal 2 in 2004 did here.

So why is marriage, of all things, a necessary fight for the LGBT community and its allies? A great many people don't see what the right to marry has to do with basic human rights. In fact, the conservatives have taken a hold of this idea and deemed the right a "special right." Facts are facts, and gay marriage is a good thing for society. You might ask why....and I'll be glad to tell you.

1. The right to marry is a fundamental constitutional right.

I was not alive when it was illegal for a person of one race to marry a person of another race. But the effects of that have shattered lives for decades, if not centuries. Back in 1967, the Supreme Court decided that it was against the protections in the constitution to criminalize interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia. The legal precedent behind that case supports the case for gay marriage rights today. In the Court's decision, Chief Justice Warren wrote:

Marriage is one of the "basic civil rights of man," fundamental to our very existence and survival. Skinner v. Oklahoma, 316 U. S. 535, 316 U. S. 541 (1942). See also Maynard v. Hill, 125 U. S. 190 (1888). To deny this fundamental freedom on so unsupportable a basis as the racial classifications embodied in these statutes, classifications so directly subversive of the principle of equality at the heart of the Fourteenth Amendment, is surely to deprive all the State's citizens of liberty without due process of law. The Fourteenth Amendment requires that the freedom of choice to marry not be restricted by invidious racial discriminations. Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual, and cannot be infringed by the State.

Thus, the Court recognized, as many Americans do, that the right to marry is a fundamental American right. So if the right to marry is a fundamental constitutional right, doesn't it follow that the right to marry whom you chose is also a fundamental right? I have yet to hear a sound legal argument against the application of Loving to gay marriage.

2. Gay marriage is an economic stability issue.
You want a stable economic environment? Allow gay marriage. Consider this: a state which allows gay marriage is likely to get an influx of population. Population, in almost every instance, leads to higher taxes. Heck, even the weddings themselves are a billion dollar industry. Companies who provide same-sex benefits can draw from a larger group of talent to ensure the best pick. Further, a family--gay, straight or other--is a community which provides privitized services that would otherwise be provided by the state either directly or indirectly.

This isn't something I have made up. You can check the facts here or here or here.
3. Gay marriage is a family issue and a moral issue.

Yes, you read that right. Gay marriage is a family issue. If you are against gay marriage, you are against family. Plain and simple. A marriage of two people creates a family unit, in which love and support are fostered. The opposition to the marriage of two people--whether they are of the same sex or not--is against the creation of a family unit. Therefore, on basic language alone, such a position is untenable.

It always makes me laugh in a very sarcastic way when someone tries to play the morality card when it comes to gay rights. The fact is that while gay rights and gay marriage, in particular, are moral issues, the opposition to both provides the least moral outcome imaginable. When I was taught about the Bible and being Christian, I was taught that the first thing we ought to do to be good Christians is to love thy neighbor. Now, I hate to parse words here, but I don't remember Jesus saying anything about loving thy neighbor only if you are a he and she is a she or vice versa. And furthermore, isn't hating gay people (you know like Fred Phelps perpetuates) completely against the entire New Testement? Because hate produces hate crimes, isn't it, in fact, against the Ten Commandments?

I guess some people forgot to check their beliefs with their purported religious texts. Don't trust me still? Check out this brilliant list of reasons why Christians, in particular, should support same-sex marriage.

4. Gay marriage is none of your business.

When all else fails, if you haven't gotten with me on the first three points, you should be able to latch on to this: even if you can't see the benefits of a society that allows gay marriage, it doesn't hurt you in any way, shape, or form--so why are you so concerned?

I never have gotten the concept that the legality of a man and a woman being able to marry is somehow challenged when a man and a man are able to marry. In fact, I would consider my marriage more upstanding and right if I knew that my gay counterparts could enter into such an important legal union. And that's what it is, you know, a legal union. If you don't want your religious beliefs to recognize gay marriage, take it up with your church, not our governement.

So here's to hoping that Proposal 8 in California fails. I know that Michigan's 2004 Proposal 2 was a nightmere for those of us allies out there and a sheer terror for those in the LGBT community.

I pray, that one day, my future children and your future children will grow up in a world where love is free and marriage is equal.

Now You Can Social Bookmark Me Even Easier

2008-10-22T11:43:00.002-04:00

I've added handy-dandy little buttons below. So when you like something, add it to Technoroti or Digg or wherever you add stories.

Thanks everyone!

- SG

Give This Gal a Klondike Bar

2008-10-22T11:18:00.001-04:00

Some brilliant protester tried to handcuff Karl Rove yesterday and do a citizen's arrest for treason.

Seriously, give me her name and address. I need to get a thank you card out immediately.

Hot Topics: Am I Pinko Commie Scum?

2008-10-21T14:44:00.003-04:00

One of the things that I'm not shocked to hear from people like this (and this and this) is that I'm some sort of socialist, left wing nut. Though to be brutally honest, I don't much care because if socialist, left wing nut means I believe in fairness and equality, then I guess they're right to that extent. But recently, the "bailout" or "rescue" plan and the surrounding inequity in our financial system has lead a lot more people to be fellow comrades. I guess when it comes to money, tough times make for strange bedfellows. It seems McCain believes in Selective Socialism.

Something is starting to catch on in America though from the academics all the way down to the factory worker--when it comes to the rich and powerful, socialism is acceptable; it's only when the weak and poor are helped that it becomes such a sin. The facts are the facts--this most recent bailout was nothing more than government subsidizing the mistakes of the rich and powerful on Wall Street and in financial centers around the country. This was socialism. There are many who were mad about this instance of socialism, though, that don't get the basic fact-of-the-matter, which is that this type of socialism goes on all the time, you just have to make enough money to take advantage of it. McCain faults Obama for claiming to want to spread the wealth (which I think is a great idea by the way, and I'll stand by that), but McCain's policies as a senator and the GOP's platform as a whole support this kind of socialism.

In the past decade, Americans have watched as their wages stagnated and even fell. With a President Obama, the middle class will see a $13,000 a year increase in wages. With a President McCain, the middle class will only see a $5,000 a year increase in wages. Perhaps it's just me, but if we are to truly be capitalists, wouldn't we promote a greater and stronger middle class who has the purchasing power to make our economy whole? Yet McCain's politics give the middle class less just in time to give the companies more.

I think we've seen the end result of deregulation in the financial and energy markets. It has lead to higher costs of living and lower wages for the average American worker. Though the fundamentals may be strong, the deck is stacked against them. Regan said deregulate now--and we did. Bush I echoed this--and we continued. Bush II played favorites with the likes of Enron and Haliburton--and we didn't stop it. Do you really think McCain won't do this too?

What we've done over the past 60 days says a lot about what our contry is willing to do for the rich and what we aren't willing to do for the poor. We're willing to bail out Wall Street for falling victim to it's own greed and laissez-faire attitude while punishing everyday Americans for living outside of their means or just trying to get by. Instead of helping the people that need it most, we helped the ones who caused the problem, hoping that, in the end, they would help us. And now most of us can't get a loan or line of credit to save our lives--and that's exactly what people have to do to get by. If that isn't basic socialism, I don't know what is.

The thing is that those people in high finance don't give two cents, quite literally, about the rest of us. In fact, they're making a killing off of our genorousity in the bailout. We've been asked instead to look at Joe the Plumber, forgetting that Joe the Banker is raping us dry and Joe the Homeowner and Factory Worker is getting the shaft.

If I may use a McCain line: Here's the facts, my friends. John McCain doesn't want to spread the wealth because people like him who have so much of it are afraid that making the pie bigger will divest them of their piece of it. What they don't get is that when the pie is bigger, everyone can have a big slice.

Or do they not want us to eat at all?

But don't worry conservative types who claim I'm pink commie scum....there are plenty of people out there who agree with me and my values. And I'll stick by them (like here and here and here and here) any day of the week.

Yes to Hope, Yes to Cures, Yes to Michigan: Yes to Proposal 2

2008-10-21T12:08:00.002-04:00

I expect a lot off bullshit when it comes to ballot proposals. So you can imagine that it's hard to surprise me anymore.

Guess what? I'm surprised. I never thought there would be this much controversy over saying yes to medical research and a better quality of life.

Over the past few weeks, the opposition to Proposal 2 people have been fighting against common sense, dignity and just plan goodness. Mostly funded by the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, the No to 2 people have been making such ridiculous and patently false claims that it makes Richard Nixon look like a saint.

Here are the facts from Cure Michigan:

Proposal 2 will provide for safe and ethical research as permitted under federal law;
Proposal 2 will keep in force Michigan’s ban against cloning; and,
Proposal 2 will allow doctors and researchers to use voluntarily donated leftover embryos for finding cures and saving lives. These leftover embryos are currently thrown away as medical waste.

Why is Proposal 2 necessary in Michigan? Because under the current state law, Michigan criminalizes the use of new embryonic stem cells to find cures—researchers can be fined up to $10 million and imprisoned up to 10 years. That means researchers at our top institutions and even private medical research facilities are being forced to make a choice--research and jail or losing time and money.

The No to 2 people are right about one thing--this is a moral issue. This is an issue about whether you want people with severe spinal injuries to have the hope to walk again. This is an issue about whether you want people with chronic illnesses, like me, to live a pain free life. This is an issue about whether you want people with Alzheimer's and Dementia, like Nana Grace, to have a second chance at their golden years. So if you believe in those things, you believe in voting yes to Proposal 2.

Part of the problem now is that people are being fed these lies about Proposal 2 and it's alleged potential for raising tax revenues, allowing unethical use of human embryos and so on--all false claims mind you. The reason this matters--the No to 2 people have more money and captive audiences.

So what can you do? Until tonight at midnight, your donations are being matched dollar-for-dollar. You can only give ten bucks? Guess what, today you can make the impact of $20. Make a donation today, however big or small, to support such an important cause.

Don't let us wake up November 5 with a Michigan that is technologically inhibited and without hope. Donate here. And vote YES on Proposal 2.

A LOLMcCain for Hot Topics Week

2008-10-20T16:35:00.002-04:00

A Slap the GOP Needs, If You Ask Me

2008-10-20T15:21:00.003-04:00

This weekend, Republican Party faithful and token Black man of any consequence, Colin Powell, decided he had enough of the secrecy and decided to endorse Barack Obama for president. In what many called a brilliant oratory on his decision to do, Powell outlined the reasons for his Obamania.

Reporter: Do you think that Sen. Obama will be a better transitional president than potentially Sen. McCain?
Colin Powell: I think that Sen. Obama brings a fresh set of of eyes, a fresh set of ideas to the table. I think that Sen. McCain, as gifted as he is, is essentially going to execute the Republican agenda, the orthodoxy of the Republican agenda with a new face and with a maverick approach to it. And he'd be quite good at it. But I think we need more than that. I think we need a generational change. And I think Sen. Obama has captured the feelings of the young people of America and is reaching out in a more diverse, inclusive way across our society. Watch Powell tell why he supports Obama »
Reporter: Could you talk to us about when your decision was made final? When did you finally set your heart on Sen. Obama?
Powell: I have been watching, as I said [on "Meet the Press"], for a long time, and then, within the past couple of months, I really said, you know, you just can't keep watching. You've got to kind of settle down.
And frankly, it was in the period leading up to the conventions, and then the decisions that came out of the conventions, and then just sort of watching the responses of the two individuals on the economic crisis. It gave me an opportunity to evaluate their judgment, to evaluate their way of approaching a problem, to evaluate the steadiness of their actions. And it was at that point that I realized that, to my mind, anyway, that Sen. Obama has demonstrated the kind of calm, patient, intellectual, steady approach to problem-solving that I think we need in this country.
Reporter: Mr. Secretary, there were a number of chinks in your own armor, actually, because of the lead-up to the Iraq war and the events. How much did that play into your decision about this? And will it be taken perhaps by some, because of your previous high-profile position, won't it be taken by some as a repudiation of the Iraq war?
Powell: I don't know why. The Iraq war is the Iraq war. We now see that things are a lot better in Iraq. Maybe if we had put a surge in at the beginning, it would have been a lot better years ago, but it's a lot better now, and we can see ahead to where U.S. forces will start to come out. And so, my concern was not my past or what happened in Iraq, but where we're going in the future. My sole concern was where are we going after January 20 of 2009, not what happened in 2003.
I'm well aware of the role I played. My role has been very, very straightforward. I wanted to avoid a war. The president agreed with me. We tried to do that. We couldn't get it through the U.N. and when the president made the decision, I supported that decision. And I've never blinked from that. I've never said I didn't support a decision to go to war.
And the war looked great until the 9th of April, when the statue fell, everybody thought it was terrific. And it was terrific. The troops had done a great job. But then we failed to understand that the war really was not over, that a new phase of the war was beginning. And we weren't ready for it and we didn't respond to it well enough, and things went very, very -- very, very south, very bad.
And now it's starting to turn around through the work of Gen. Petraeus and the troops, through the work of the Iraqi government, through our diplomatic efforts, and I hope now that this war will be brought to an end, at least as far as American involvement is concerned, and the Iraqis are going to have to be responsible for their own security and for their own political future. ...
Reporter: Sir, what part did McCain's negativity play in your decision, the negative tone of the campaign?
Powell: It troubled me. We have two wars. We have economic problems. We have health problems. We have education problems. We have infrastructure problems. We have problems around the world with our allies. So those are the problems the American people wanted to hear about, not about Mr. Ayers, not about who's a Muslim or who's not a Muslim. Those kinds of images going out on Al-Jazeera are killing us around the world.
And we have got to say to the world, it doesn't make any difference who you are or what you are, if you're an American, you're an American. And this business, for example, of the congressman from Minnesota who's going around saying, "Let's examine all congressmen to see who is pro-America or not pro-America" -- we have got to stop this kind of nonsense, pull ourselves together and remember that our great strength is in our unity and in our diversity. And so, that really was driving me.
And to focus on people like Mr. Ayers and these trivial issues, for the purpose of suggesting that somehow Mr. Obama would have some kind of terrorist inclinations, I thought that was over the top. It was beyond just good political fighting back and forth. I think it went beyond. And to sort of throw in this little Muslim connection, you know, "He's a Muslim and, my goodness, he's a terrorist" -- it was taking root. And we can't judge our people and we can't hold our elections on that kind of basis.
So, yes, that kind of negativity troubled me, And the constant shifting of the argument. I was troubled a couple of weeks ago when in the middle of the crisis, the [McCain] campaign said, "We're going to go negative," and they announced it, "We're going to go negative and attack [Obama's] character through Bill Ayers." Now I guess the message this week is, "We're going to call him a socialist, Mr. Obama is now a socialist, because he dares to suggest that maybe we ought to look at the tax structure that we have."
Taxes are always a redistribution of money. Most of the taxes that are redistributed go back to those who paid them, in roads and airports and hospitals and schools. And taxes are necessary for the common good. And there is nothing wrong with examining what our tax structure is or who should be paying more, who should be paying less. And for us to say that that makes you a socialist, I think is an unfortunate characterization that isn't accurate.
I don't want my taxes raised. I don't want anybody else's taxes raised. But I also want to see our infrastructure fixed. I don't want to have a $12 trillion national debt, and I don't want to see an annual deficit that's over $500 billion heading toward a trillion. So, how do we deal with all of this?
Reporter: Are you still a Republican?
Powell: Yes.
Reporter: Have you conveyed your decision to Sen. Obama?
Powell: Calls are being made. Thank you.

The Republican armor is crumbling. Just yesterday, BrotherGrace called to try and get talking points on Ayers and Acorn attacks he was receiving from Republicans at the gym of all places. When I started off with the simple fact that such attacks were total diversions from the facts, Brother Grace echoed "well, of course, I know that." The fact is, everyone is starting to know that except those blinded by the Republican agenda and M.O. for the past 20 years which has been to slash and burn until you discredit someone at whatever cost necessary.

Many now think that Powell's endorsement of Obama is a bit of a dig against the GOP, rather than a pure endorsement of Obama. I think this is probably largely true, but that doesn't mean that the endorsement is any less powerful as a result. The fact is that a true player in the GOP who has been faithful to the GOP line for many years, through many leaders has found himself in a place where enough is, finally, enough.

I think that sends a bigger message than anything else could. It's not when your opponents decry your tactics that you should necessarily worry, but it is when your faithful break ranks to do so that you should begin to contemplate your methods. Are you listening, John?

The Hot Topics--Race, Gender, Gays, Reproductive Rights and Guns Week

2008-10-20T15:10:00.002-04:00

I have been waiting for this week for a LONG time. As most of you know or should have gathered, hot topics are my favorite. Between gays, guns, girls and more, I have so much to say and so little time.

So as we normally do here at OBYCB, here are the candidates' stances:

Here are Barack's views on women's issues, family, faith, and civil rights.

And here are John's views on "the sanctity of life" (I can't make that up), judicial philosophies (strict constructionist....blegh), and the second amendment.

I know people have strong views on this. After seeing the response MarilynJean's Baby Shower for Bristol Palin got on Bust.com last week of all places, I know there are many of you out there who don't agree with me. So speak up!!! Now is your time.

Equal Pay for Equal Work--The American Worker's Eternal Struggle

2008-10-17T11:26:00.007-04:00

This is another guest blog from my dear friend, marilyn|Jean. marilyn|Jean: occasional blogger. constant activist. provocative party planner.

Lily Ledbetter doesn't like peanuts. Especially when they're in her paycheck. For almost twenty years, Lily worked for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Alabama when one day she discovered that she was being paid less - way less - than her male peers and subordinates.

Lily fought with her employers about her wage discrimination, taking her case all the way to the Supreme Court. Ultimately, the court ruled against her saying that in wage discrimination cases, an employee has a window of 180 days from the first incident of pay discrimination to take action against his/her employer. The legal jibber jabber says:

The equal pay for equal work discrimination charging period is triggered when a discrete unlawful practice takes place. A new violation does not occur, and a new charging period does not commence, upon the occurrence of subsequent non-discriminatory acts that entail adverse effects resulting from the past discrimination.

For Lily, 180 days had long gone by. Her lawyers, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her dissent, argued was that each paycheck was an incident of pay discrimination and the 180 window makes it impossible for employees to seek retribution because pay discrimination isn't easily uncovered or blatant as an incident such as termination. In a place like Goodyear (and many other companies), discussions about salaries are prohibited among employees. If it wasn't for an anonymous note left in her mailbox with the names and pay levels of her male coworkers scribbled on it, Lily would have never known how poorly she was being treated.

That scrap of paper changed her life.

In response to the court ruling that favored businesses over people, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The act doesn't rewrite law books, it simply reinforces existing anti-discrimination laws and allows an employee to pursue action against an discriminating employer within 180 of discovery, or each paycheck, not the first incident, which can be hard to pinpoint. The legislation was supported by a vast cross-section of national and local organizations such as National Organization for Women, the American Association of University Women, the American Federation of Teachers, the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Council of Jewish Women.

The Senate failed to pass it.

Now Lily is on the move all over the country championing equal pay for equal work. She has become the face of wage discrimination talking to anyone who will listen about how important economic justice is. Lily may not work for Goodyear anymore, but the effects of her discrimination still haunts her. The discriminatory wages paid to her by Goodyear have carried over into her pension funds, which are based on her wages as an employee. The less you earn while you work, the less you have when you retire.

Take note American Worker. A McCain-Palin administration is in lockstep with the powers-that-be who put profits before people. Governor Palin thinks that sexism doesn't exist. Her reality is not Lily's reality.

Senator McCain thinks that the "fundamentals of our economy are strong". It's hard to hear these words as our economic infrastructure is crumbling down around us. His idea of middle class is not the American Worker's reality.

What people like John McCain and Sarah Palin don't realize is that the beauty of the American free market system is rooted in the individual, not the company. We drive and shape the economy. When the laws that govern us are eroded to forgo equity and values in order to achieve wider margins and fatter wallets for a privileged few, workers are limited in our capacity to participate wholly and fully in society.

After hearing Lily's story you may never want to buy another Goodyear tire ever again. But she's beyond tires. Her call to action is this: don't take the struggle for wage equity lying down. Economic justice means women (and men) will earn the wages they deserve for the work that they do. They will be able to afford a decent living, while providing for their families. Families with sustainable incomes and quality jobs can afford health care, have money to save and invest in a home. These are the cornerstones of community and economy.

For Lily and thousands of women, fair pay isn't a women's issue, it's a basic human right. Regarding the Fair Pay Act that bears her name she says, "I can help support and get this bill passed for others, for all discrimination protection, it'll help our daughters, our granddaughters in the future."

Why John Doesn't Get Joe...or Jane...or John...or Julio....or Jamal

2008-10-16T23:03:00.004-04:00

Between you, me, and well, the internet, I have to say that I'm developing quite the crush on Robert Reich. In fact, in the debate last night I was crossing my fingers that Obama would speak his name as one of his advisors. He of course dashed my dreams and didn't. What Obama neglected, I'll bring to light.

One of the things that has irritated me so much about the way in which the current "bailout" has taken place, was the blame that the American Worker and the Middle Class and Working Class folks out there have taken the shaft from every side. (And I'm not talking about Joe the Plumber, who has a recession proof job and can afford to buy a business.) Not only are they being screwed because they can't get credit to afford basic things, but they need credit in the first place to buy basic things. And to add insult to injury, there are people out there who consider themselves concerned and compassionate people who continue to blame those who have suffered most in this crisis (and continue to suffer the most) as a way of explaining the problem. It's like you can't talk about predatory lending without throwing in some quote about how some people abused the system. You can't discuss credit without saying that people live beyond their means. You basically can't talk about the have nots without faulting them for having not and wanting more.

I'm not here to say that there aren't people who live beyond their means and that I haven't been one of them. But what I am saying is that we have got to stop demonizing the working men and women of this country who have to get credit cards to pay for basic necessities because wages are stagnant and jobs are few and far between. People who took on larger mortgages than they probably should have were convinced by so-called experts that it was not only okay, but a good way for them to build equity and credit. Moms and Dads who use the plastic at the pump to get to work aren't doing it to afford a vacation, they're doing it to afford a life. So for those who don't have those problems and for those who never have had those problems, it's not surprising that the average John, Jane, Julio, Joanna and Jamal are being lambasted for doing what they needed to in order to get by and, god forbid, get ahead.

And to that message, comes Robert Reich's latest commentary. It's short and sweet and to the point: the American worker has been taking on more than s/he could handle because s/he has no choice. Very few Americans are vacationing, let alone taking luxury vacations. Very few Americans are purchasing new cars, let alone fancy ones. Very few Americans are taking on new homes, let alone ones too big for their budget. And yet we cannot seem to demonize the true demons without throwing some dirt in John, Jane, Julio, Joanna and Jamal's faces. It's a classic fault of the limousine liberal and it's coming out in places I never expected. I expect this commentary from GWB. I don't expect it from seasoned labor lawyers.

The thing is that today's American Worker is damned if she does or doesn't, whether she spends or saves, whether he works or not. Joe the Plumber is an exception, not the norm. And even if he were, McCain would still fail to grasp the ways in which his policies would kill him and bleed him dry.

Joe the Plumber--This Week's For You

2008-10-15T23:02:00.003-04:00

I find it highly ironic that John McCain pulls in "Joe the Plumber" to try and prove his points on the economy. McCain's insistence that the fundamentals of the American economy--the American Worker--are strong, have rung hollow every step of the way. His reaching out to Joe the Plumber is just another attempt to connect with middle-class white men who are leaning towards Obama.

Let's see how McCain really feels about Joe the Plumber and all the other Joes and Janes out there in the work force.

McCain supports free trade agreements without any restrictions requiring a true free trade for laborers and not just for businessmen.
McCain was against the Ledbetter Act which would have allowed people to sue for an equal pay violation when they learn of it--not to be outsmarted by companies until the statute of limitations runs just to be out of luck when it comes to a lawsuit in federal court.
McCain is against the Employee Free Choice Act, which would level the playing field for those workers wishing to join or form unions.
McCain wants to tax health benefits and make it less likely that employers will pay for health care.
McCain voted against an increase in the minimum wage as recently as 2007.

The record is quite clear--unless you're one of the wealthiest 2%, you just don't matter. Check out more here.

Oddly enough, Joe the Plumber might not be such a McCain fan....the major plumbers union in America endorses Obama.

Oh snap, indeed.

And Boom Goes the Stock Market...again....today.

2008-10-15T16:40:00.001-04:00

Just a reminder that a 700 point drop at close isn't a good thing.

As if you needed one.

SG's Thoughts on The Last Debate

2008-10-15T13:52:00.003-04:00

Check it out for tonight's last debate. Thank God McCain will be seated so we don't have to worry about his wandering around.

Welcome to The American Worker--Unions, Workers Rights and Wages Week!

2008-10-15T11:37:00.002-04:00

Yeah, I know, I'm a bit delayed on this. And there's no real excuse other than my first anniversary and my car getting smashed into. Nevertheless, this issue is too important to ignore.

Let's start off as we usually do, with the candidate's own positions:

Once again, McCain has no exact match for my topics, so I'll point you to his entire economic plan.
For Obama, I'll direct you to his economic plan and his poverty issue page.

Three Down, 47 To Go

2008-10-10T15:28:00.003-04:00

Connecticut has gotten with the program and allowed gay marriage, per its Supreme Court ruling today.

These states that allow it are going to see an influx of population, money and Madonna concerts. The first two will temper the last one. Seriously though, states need to get with the times. Too bad the Mitten never will be the first to do something good like this.

A White Guy (not Tim Wise) Talks Race...and he's Working Class Folk

2008-10-09T16:23:00.002-04:00

This video speaks volumes about the ability of the American people to learn to recognize and overcome racism. It's a counter for those who were unable to stomach the previous two.

Is this what it felt like in December 1929?

2008-10-09T16:08:00.002-04:00

I just ask because every day there's another reason to doubt the stability of our economic system. Today's lovely news--the Dow has closed below 9000 after dropping 600 points in a half an hour at the end of trading.

I'm not kidding. I am not making this up.

I often wonder what people though about in the days and weeks leading up to a major catastrophe. Like what did we think on September 10, 2001? What were our main issues. I'm now wondering what we were thinking September 14, 2008, because it seems since September 15th, we've been nothing but screwed.

I'm not the only one who questions whether this is another Great Depression.

There used to be one Great War. People called it that because it was the biggest war of its time and the world would never see the likes of it again. Then World War II happened. Are we on the verge of World Depression 2?

No sooner do I say it, the Republicans prove it

2008-10-09T15:44:00.002-04:00

Part One

And Part Two

You really know how to make people's blood boil, don't you GOP??!?!?

He Must Be Un-American....He's Black, His Dad Was a Foreigner and His Middle Name's Hussein

2008-10-09T12:12:00.003-04:00

For months, Obama we have subtly and not-so-subtly been beaten over the head with the theme that Obama just isn't "American enough" to be President. This tactic reeks of racism from days gone by and inherent fears and hatred of the unknown "other." It's a sad commentary on America that this has worked with some people.

But it's more than just a tactic. It's a Rovian like strategy that plays on the fear of the different. This fear popped up more than ever after 9/11 and although it's died down in a lot of major ways, it's been pervasive in our foreign and domestic policy ever since. For those who say it hasn't, I need only direct you to the detainees at Gitmo to prove my point.

It still amazes me, I guess because I've yet to become totally cynical, that this strategy works. It does work, though, and it works well. Obama has been labeled a Muslim as if that were a bad thing--as if his religion detered him from doing a good job as president. Obama's been labeled an elite--as if knowing the difference between nuclear and nucular is a bad thing. Obama's been labeled too flashy even though he's probably one of the least flashiest people I can recall. Underneath all of these comments, lies a sickening truth...America is racist.

So the news today that McCain is trying harder than ever to link the word "terrorist" to Obama's campaign is not surprising. In fact, it's sadly reassuring that McCain is going this far because it shows he's strugling badly. Nevertheless, the fact is that certain segments of White America falls for these divisive tactics more often than not.

How does this relate to foreign policy? Well, if America is inherently racist, and we elect a president who plays on those ingrained fears, how does it stand a chance of actually discussing the issues with countries like Iran and North Korea? We don't. That's why McCain won't discuss whether he'll talk to Iranian officials--because he won't. Diplomacy is not a characteristic of a McCain Administration. And if we recall, that's how we got into this quagmire of never-ending wars in the first place.

McCain claims to speak softly and carry a big stick, but if the words and tactics you are using speak louder than words, it makes no difference what you say.

And that, my friends, is just another reason not to vote for McCain.

Foreign Relations Step 1: Restore Our Relationships

2008-10-08T21:05:00.002-04:00

I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to study abroad in France during the summer between my junior and senior years of college. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget and that is everything the cliches about studying abroad promised. I stayed with an amazing host family and lived the language.

But more importantly, I lived as an American in a foreign land.

I was in France in the summer of 2002. This was less than one year after 9/11 and nearly a year before the infamous "Mission Accomplished" speech on May 1, 2003. Needless to say it was a trying time to be an American abroad.

My host family taught me many things, but one of the things that really struck me was the fact that, unlike stereotypes the did not hate Americans. Americans, for example, had helped France out in World War I and saved it from the Nazis in World War II. But it seems that since then, we've done nothing but tarnish our own image.

One day I was walking down the streets of the small city where I frequented after class. On the light posts there were posters for a protest. A protest against American invasion of Iraq. On the posters was a picture of George W. Bush, riding a rocket with a cowboy hat on. The perfect Kubrickian-masterpiece. I've never been a W fan, but at first I was a bit miffed. Then I read what it really meant--they don't hate me as an American, they hate my country's policies. And rightfully so.

One night, my host family had over one of their former host-students for dinner who happened to be in town. He was a citizen of Kuwait. Imagine the tension at the dinner table that night with my country invading the country just to the north of him, claiming to be liberators yet again. Imagine the tension at the dinner table that night with many in my country calling for the heads of so many innocent Arabic and Muslim people as some battle cry. He was an unbelievably nice person, but I couldn't help but see Americans through his eyes that night and, for once, I was the outsider.

I have thought of these experiences over the past six years in dealing with our foreign relations debacle. I think they really speak for themselves.

I just hope when I go back to France, I'm greeted with a little less angst for being an American and a little more hope for the future. I am convinced that this can only happen if Obama is elected. McCain is a great war hero. Do you honestly think that he isn't going to want a war of his own, whether it's Iran, North Korea or somewhere entirely different? And do you think our armed services can take another unncessary, time consuming and life-wasting war? I think not.

I mentioned the other day about how McCain's issues section has no section on foreign relations. This is indicative as to what a McCain presidency would bring--more disdain from the world community. You think the Bush Doctrine was bad? Think of what the McCain doctrine would be.

I seriously question whether America will last as a country for the rest of my natural life, but I know with McCain that it won't. We have to stop depriving ourselves of our own opportunities and relationships and get back in there with diplomacy and true world leadership.

We need, in otherwords, relationship counseling with our allies. I, for one, think Obama should be in the driver's seat.

Best SNL Opening Skit Ever

2008-10-06T23:04:00.001-04:00

Well, maybe not, but this was fucking hilarious. Tina Fey should win some sort of Nobel prize or at least a Pulitzer for this shit. (And yes, I know what those awards are for--I'm being ironical.)

SG at the Ballot Box: Welcome to Foreign Policy Week!

2008-10-06T09:57:00.002-04:00

I must say, the posts are getting better and better as this little experiment of mine goes forward. We've talked about Education and Health Care. This week, it's foreign policy. While I doubt our talks will be as intricate and detailed as they could be, they'll be a far cry from "I can see Russia from my bedroom."

In that vein, let's begin as we always begin, with the candidates' own words.

You can review Barack Obama's views on foreign policy yourself. Barack Obama's foreign policy views are here.

As for John McCain, oddly enough (and I don't think this is an oversight), his campaign website has no foreign policy section. Instead, the closest thing I could find was national security, homeland security, and Iraq. I know these initial posts usually don't have much commentary, but I'm sorry, when you don't have a foreign policy outside of national/homeland security (which is the same thing) and Iraq, there's a serious problem.

In any event, read up.

Stem Cell Ballot Initative: A Prop 2 that actually works for MI

2008-10-04T07:15:00.001-04:00

This is another post from a guest blogger, Julielyn Gibbons. Julielyn Gibbons has been fighting for those unheard voices in Michigan for nearly a decade both in Lansing and online as her nom de plume, Liberal Lucy. Diagnosed with a particularly severe case of Crohn's Disease while a teen, Julielyn's taken her own personal tragedy into a victory and is now one of Michigan's best known political voices and online strategists, recognized for efforts both in Michigan and nationally.

A terrible accident. A horrific diagnosis. A lifetime sentence of needles, medicine, or expensive medical equipment. Even worse, a terminal illness.

Juvenile Diabetes. Cancer. Alzheimer's. Parkinson's Disease. Spinal Cord Injury. ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Auto-Immune Diseases. Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Your mother, your child, your brother, your friend, your grandparent, your aunt. You.
I was 14. They said I had Crohn's Disease and they were without a reason for the illness, without a cure, without a real treatment.

Almost 15 years later, I'm missing my colon and rectum, among other miscellaneous parts and pieces. My body is a walking tribute to the skill of surgeons after 36 surgeries and almost 80 hospitalizations.

To stay alive and functioning in society, I require over $300 in ostomy supplies a month, not to mention the various treatments and medications that keep the other 'peripheral' conditions and illnesses at bay. I have a deep love-hate relationship with the insurance industry.

I'd like to have children some day, but I realize that if I'm even able to have children, which is unknown at this point because of my health, there's a great risk of passing my disease on. Do I want to do that to my child?

Not a day doesn't pass when I don't realize how lucky I am to be alive, but I also understand that there are millions that like me, suffer from illnesses and injuries that could be one day cured, so that we don't have to suffer.

But first we need the proper research to be done, and so much promise lies in stem cell research.

Unfortunately, Michigan is one of five states that lies in wait for progress to happen. Since 1978, we've been stuck in a Draconian period along with Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Louisiana; definitely some of the least progressive states in our Union.

Fortunately for us, that could change this November. We all have an opportunity to be a part of making a Cure happen for Michigan.

The ballot proposal, (Proposal 2) led by the Cure Michigan folks, would turn the current law right around, and put Michigan at the forefront of curing debilitating illnesses and conditions.

Despite the Extreme Right's moaning and belly-aching about the issue, it's a very practical solution that is quite a bit more 'pro-life' than the current standards. For instance, instead of throwing away unused embryos, parents who use fertility clinics have the option of donating them to helping find a cure. Right now, all they can do is have them thrown out. Seems like a waste, doesn't it?

A study has already found that more than half of all parents who benefit from fertility clinics are willing to donate their embryos to finding a much needed cure.

What's ironic is that under the current law, a researcher could be thrown in jail for up to 10 years for their work in finding a cure by using stem cell lines that would have been put in the trash. As a result, we've already heard the stories of the states that have benefited from our top researchers packing up and moving shop out of Michigan.

A change in Michigan could help cure our health and financial woes. It's a change that a majority of Michigan is already getting behind, as today's editorial from the Muskegon Chronicle highlights.

While you could say that my interest in the Cure Michigan campaign is selfish, there's a good chance that you have someone in your life who is either suffering now or has suffered in the past from an illness that could be helped or cured through stem cell research. In the end, we all benefit from finding a cure.

Get the facts, send it on to your friends, family, neighbors, and above all, let's make sure that we all check YES on November 4th. We can't afford not too.

A Note to Our Leaders Upon the Passing of the "Bailout"--Don't forget the rest of us

2008-10-03T14:50:00.003-04:00

Today is a sad day. Today, Congress finally passed the Bailout. As you know, I'm neither for nor against it, though I do believe that it's probably a necessary evil. Nonetheless, it is passed and on its way to GWB's desk right now.

The Bailout Congress just passed provides Wall Street with the means to pick themselves up by the bootstraps--something they have always been able to do because, unlike many Americans, they have bootstraps in the first place. And although there were numerous ways to skin this cat, they chose this one and it's fine to me. For now.

My great fear though is that we will now stop working on the crisis and leave it to the next president, the next Congress to handle. I think Congress should call off any election period recess and keep working on a housing bailout bill and an automotive industry bailout bill and an employment bailout bill and so on.

For ninety-year-old Addie Polk, the bailout was too little, too late. Wednesday, as sheriff's office tried to foreclose on her Akron, Ohio home, she took matters into her own hands and shot herself. Now Addie is in the hospital and the home is in foreclosure. There is no happy ending to this story for now, because congress hasn't passed Ms. Polk's bailout yet.

So congrats, Congress. You did something necessary and patted yourselves on the back. Now get back to work and make sure that the Addie Polks of the world suffer no more.

Medicare and the 2008 Presidential Election – Why it matters

2008-10-03T11:14:00.003-04:00

This is a guest blog from my dear friend The Road Less Traveled. The Road Less Traveled is a graduate of the Masters in Health Advocacy Program at Sarah Lawrence College. Her expertise in the field lies in helping consumers gain access to appropriate health care, as she has done with Medicare, Managed Care and Prescription Drugs.

Early in my career as a health advocate I had the amazing opportunity of counseling Medicare beneficiaries and training other advocates to do the same. What I learned through that process, in addition to my health policy and law studies in graduate school, was an invaluable lesson in how health care policy, from law to implementation, works in the US. Some friends of mine were recently discussing past US elections and how seniors seemed to have a heavy influence in the issues regarded by the candidates. While it is true that we, as young people, are not directly affected by Medicare now, we will be eventually. If we want to have reliable health care when get older, or should we happen to come upon terrible luck and incur a disability, then we need to make sure that Medicare is properly funded and administered. Not to mention, as our parents are coming upon Medicare age now, it may affect us more than we expect.

Medicare was put into law in 1965, in response to the critical need for older people and those with disabilities to be covered by health insurance. Medicaid was passed in the same bill, offering health insurance for people with low incomes. These populations are often vulnerable and refused by insurance companies due to their high costs of care and fixed incomes. We obviously saw a reason in 1965 to create health care coverage for people who otherwise would not be able to get it. It has been the closest form of a universal health program in the US.

There have been significant changes to Medicare since it was first passed. Most significantly, HMOs began coming to Medicare with the passage of the Balance Budget Act of 1997 (offering what are now known as Medicare Advantage plans). Prior to this, Medicare benefits could only be obtained by enrolling in a federal program administered solely by Medicare. Then in 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) was passed, establishing an outpatient prescription drug benefit offered only through private plans. This was a substantial step in privatizing Medicare as beneficiaries could not get drug coverage under the traditional Medicare program.

The supposed advantage of receiving a drug benefit through only private insurers was that competition would allow for better choices of plans. There were a few flaws in this idea. First, insurers jumped on the chance to provide plans to the growing senior population, resulting in 50-60 plan choices within a region. Beneficiaries had to search through all of these plans to find out if their drugs were covered and for how much. Imagine your grandparents or great-grandparents trying to search online between 50 drug plans or talk to an inept customer service representative (if they could get through to anyone). Second, insurers were not always ethical in enrolling individuals and took advantage of the trusting people who thought they were trying to help them out. CMS (the federal administrator of Medicare) has not been diligent in holding insurers responsible for indiscretions and have made some indiscretions of their own . Finally, the act did not allow for the federal government to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, doing nothing to help bring down the enormous costs of drugs used by seniors.

In addition to offering a drug benefit only through private insurers, the Bush administration has been pushing the privatization of Medicare through Medicare Advantage plans. In fact, the government has been making payments to private insurers to enroll more beneficiaries into these plans for lower costs. People with lower incomes especially see this as beneficial because it lowers their costs of care. Sounds great, right? Not so much if you realize that many people get trapped into these plans for a year by fraudulent marketing tactics and are not always warned that their doctors and hospital must be in network in order to get these lower costs. I saw a lot of people receive huge bills from their doctors that Medicare would not pay because they were enrolled in an HMO that their provider does not take. It was heartbreaking.

Why is all of this important in the 2008 election? The Medicare population is growing significantly as the baby boom generation is becoming eligible for the benefits. With the federal deficit the way it is, the government is looking to cut costs where ever it can. With Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security representing over 40% of the federal budget, you can count on the fact that it’s going to be scrutinized and revised. So, it’s very important to know what the candidates views are on these things. It’s not something that we’ve been hearing about, not as sensational as the bailout plan or the Iraq war. But it is something that, if it doesn’t already, will affect you in the future.

Proponents of universal healthcare have long offered Medicare as a successful example of a universal health care in the US. It’s no surprise then that McCain wants to see more people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans and less in traditional Medicare. Obama, also not surprisingly, wants to see the subsidies going to insurers eliminated, so that the costs for enrolling people in the traditional plan and the private plans are the same. Since Obama would like to see universal health care, he will support the traditional form of Medicare, because its success will only strengthen his platform for a universal health care system. McCain wants more privatization. More information on how the candidates compare can be found here.

Regardless of who gets elected, losing Medicare would be a tremendous upset to the US. Not only would it detrimental to the vulnerable people who are covered by it, but it would affect much in the way our hospitals and medical centers are run. For instance, EMTALA, an act passed in the 1980’s, requires all hospitals receiving Medicare reimbursement to see and stabilize anyone who comes through their doors. Since just about every hospital in the US takes Medicare, the act covers them.

The next administration will be key in the future of Medicare and in the future of health care itself. See for yourself how the candidates compare and keep this is mind, in addition to the economy and the Iraq war. Because once the economy is restored and we get out of Iraq (although these may be long and arduous journeys), we will still need good health care. This is an issue that will never be irrelevant.

Now, go hug a senior and tell them it’ll be okay! Tell them the young people in this country are concerned about Medicare too.

Gol' Darn It, Joe

2008-10-03T08:36:00.000-04:00

Well, it wasn't the trainwreck I thought it could be. I kind of thought this would happen--only mediocre gaffes and the refusal to answer any of the questions. No giant hyperbole about reading all the newspapers in the world or the Great Depression.

Nevertheless, a tip of the OBYCB hat goes out to Sen. Joe Biden. I'll be damned if he didn't inspire the hell out of me last night. Even DadGrace called from the truck at one point (he drives trucks on the overnight shift) to laugh about a Joe Biden comeback. It was classic. I recalled myself going "oh snap!" more times than I can remember.

Of course the media is saying Palin won the battle against herself just by keeping her cool. While that may be true, keeping cool while regurgitating memorized speeches is not the same thing as participating in a debate. Next time, the GOP better program its robot better.

You can read my blow by blow comments on my twitter feed to the left.

Here are some other observations:

SP's bangs really get in her eyes and it bothers me.
Don't question Joe Biden on being a single parent. Ever.
That flag pin of SP's was really distracting. I'm like a cat when it comes to shiny things.
The colloquialisms were off the chart. It was such an overt attempt by SP to connect to rural America that it was transparent as hell.
The 90 minutes felt like 30 tops.
My favorite part of the whole night was JB's speech about how McCain isn't a maverick when it matters. Pure brilliance.
I kept picturing Jenny From the Block Granholm practicing with JB.
It's a sign of weakness not to admit any weaknesses. It's a sign of strength to admit to your shortcomings.

You can read the transcript here. But really, all you need to read is this from JB in response to SP's mentioning of the term "maverick" for the five-millionth time:

Look, the maverick -- let's talk about the maverick John McCain is. And, again, I love him. He's been a maverick on some issues, but he has been no maverick on the things that matter to people's lives.
He voted four out of five times for George Bush's budget, which put us a half a trillion dollars in debt this year and over $3 trillion in debt since he's got there.
He has not been a maverick in providing health care for people. He has voted against -- he voted including another 3.6 million children in coverage of the existing health care plan, when he voted in the United States Senate.
He's not been a maverick when it comes to education. He has not supported tax cuts and significant changes for people being able to send their kids to college.
He's not been a maverick on the war. He's not been a maverick on virtually anything that genuinely affects the things that people really talk about around their kitchen table.
Can we send -- can we get Mom's MRI? Can we send Mary back to school next semester? We can't -- we can't make it. How are we going to heat the -- heat the house this winter?
He voted against even providing for what they call LIHEAP, for assistance to people, with oil prices going through the roof in the winter.
So maverick he is not on the important, critical issues that affect people at that kitchen table.

Maverick he is not, indeed great Jedi Master JB.

Don't forget the live blogging....well, Twittering

2008-10-02T21:09:00.001-04:00

right there

So Long, John

2008-10-02T15:48:00.002-04:00

It appears McCain is taking a hint from Obama's double-digit poll leads and taking a hike out of Michigan to go to states that might actually still listen to his crap.

I for one say

Adios
Au revoir
Goodbye....

Palin v. Biden--Round 1 of 1: Follow me life tonight right here!!!!

2008-10-02T13:02:00.002-04:00

Follow me throughout the VP debate tonight, right here!!!

Eat 'em Up Joe: It's Showtime for Palin and Biden

2008-10-02T12:50:00.002-04:00

The birds are singing, the sky is blue, the air is crisp and the stage is set for the biggest VP debate in history. Sarah Palin has just arisen to a new day and is reading EVERY NEWSPAPER IN THE WORLD to prepare for this debate. (She might want to bone up on some SCOTUS decisions while she's at it.)

I have the "Opening Night" song from the Producers stuck in my head. It's just that kind of furry that surrounds what is ordinarily the least watched of all debates. Get your Moosehead beer ready for the Sarah Palin drinking game and let's begin!

For those of you who want to know my thoughts on the Palin-Biden debate, you can follow me LIVE over at twitter at http://twitter.com/kmcsaks. I'm working on putting that feed on here as well.

The GOP is Desperately Seeking Gwen

2008-10-01T19:38:00.004-04:00

In another sick, sad and gruesome attempt to somehow postpone or cancel tomorrow night's VP debate, the GOP has decided to stick it to the one person they haven't tried yet--the moderator, Gwen Ifill.

I have grown up watching debates with Gwen Ifill and, let me tell you, there ain't no one more impartial then Gwen Ifill. She takes her job seriously and doesn't let her personal views get in the way.

So imagine my surprise today when I get some news that there is "controversy" around Ifill because (God forbid!) she's writing a book about race and politics...a book that is more historical than opinion and just happens to feature Barack Obama because, well, he's the first Black presidential candidate from a major party.

Since I have time because I can't leave work yet, I decided to pull up Gwen's bio. There is nothing so much as a hint of the so-called "liberal bias" that GOPs like to spew when backed into a corner. Of course, aside from the fact that she's BLACK.

Then I meandered over to the other moderators' bios.

Jim Leher is a BUS ENTHUSIAST. Therefore, he must favor public transportation. As such, he must be liberal because he wants to preserve a socialized form of transportation. I guess we should go back in time and cancel that debate.

Tom Brokaw, who is hosting the next Presidential Debate is on the SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS BOARD OF VISITORS AT THE HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY!!! Naturally, he must be biased to Obama.

Clearly, the only qualified candidate they got to moderate was Bob Schieffer--who happens to be an old pal of George H.W. Bush and went to a Christian college (and not one of those fancy Black colleges either). Now there's a solid guy.

Let's just cancel everything but that last debate. Obviously the debate commission is biased.