Saturday, January 14, 2017
January 14, 2017
4:23 p.m.
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
I have never before in my life been a person interested in discussing politics or religion. In my experience, sucn discussions lead nowhere. You cannot sway a person from their beliefs no matter how wrong they are. (Hahaha. I am right, dang it!)
That said, this past year has been a time of great change for me, I actually have spoken up against certain things that have me concerned, and I have to say--I still can't change the beliefs of all those people who are wrong.
But some things need to be made more visible in this country, because there are a lot of dishonest, sneaky people in high places in our government, and we need to be aware of that. It's vital that we be aware!
There are plans afoot--and progressing nicely, behind our backs--to destroy Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Healthcare Act (AKA Obamacare) As a disabled American, I have a Medicare healthplan. I pay premiums which come out of my Social Security Disability pay, and I have co-pays whenever I seek care for anything. Now, My SSDI is less than a minimum wage 40-hour-a-week job. So I have barely enough to pay my bills, much less out-of pocket expenses after insurance. Take that insurance away from me, and I'm on the street. I can't NOT go to the doctor; I have health issues that require maintenance whether I want it or not.
Oh, yeah! I do have the option to just--you know--drop dead.
I'm not alone; thousands of Americans have been on the same boat for decades. Obamacare gave them options they had never had. No, it's not perfect. There are problems, certainly, but they could be ironed out. Of course it would take some work...
Something about that seems to make to GOP nervous. Work? Who, me? (How many days did they refuse to work in the past four years, never completing the things they're paid quite handsomely to get done?)
Nope. Instead, they plan to decimate the first affordable health care program available in years and replace it with--NOTHING. Great idea.
In effect, they are passing a death sentence on the people who need help the most. Low and middle income families have trouble just providing the basics. Roof over your head, dinner on the table, lights, gas and heat--it all costs a pretty penny, and leaves little left in the coffers for medical care. Thousands of people would have no access to affordable healthcare; no basic health screenings, no early cancer-detection screenings. No vaccines for the children. People won't go to a doctor or hospital until they are so sick they have no choice--which is too late. Can't pay out of pocket? Oh well; die, then.
Now, last I heard, the Great Orange One had promised NOT to do anything to jepardize these programs. But his own party is already moving forward with plans to eliminate them and make healthcare a luxury item. Much like the Pharmacutical companies have already done with medicines; the United States has some of the most expensive medications in the developed countries of the world:
http://usuncut.com/news/us-drug-prices-in-the-us-are-literally-insane-when-compared-to-other-nations/
We are so screwed.
They are also moving forward to destroy Planned Parenthood because--gasp!--they provide legal abortions. Please note the word "legal". Abortion is legal. You might not like it, but there it is. "Legal abortions."
Let's get something straight, though, before all the Pro-Lifers out there start calling for my head. I DON'T CARE what your stance is on abortion; I have no intention of debating it; I have no intention of explaining my own views. All I DO care about in this instance is the fact that abortion is only ONE of the services Planned Parenthood offers.
Planned Parenthood provides a means for women to have health screenings, breast exams, mammograms. They educate the public regarding birth control and STD prevention. They even advocate for--I know you don't believe it--abstinence. Oh yes, they do. They don't want 12-year-olds to be sexually active! They are not encouraging your children to have sex by providing them with education and birth control. They are encouraging safety. Because of Planned Parenthood, abortion rates have actually gone down. Not up--DOWN.
Some people will tell you that abortion is murder. Period. End of subject.
Without arguing the point one way or the other, let me just ask you this: Is allowing a child to be uneducated about sexuality which leads to ignorance regarding safe sexual practices which leads to contracting AIDS not also, in effect, murder? The kid is going to die--because he/she also has no insurance, thanks to this upcoming administration's black/white and no grey policy-making desires.
Oh, yeah, how about that 13-year-old rape victim who is now forced to give birth to an unwanted child even though she is physically too immature to have a safe, healthy pregnancy, especially now that--yep!--she has no insurance? So, no prenatal care--they're probably dead. How is that not murder?
What about all the children who will no longer have access to free or reduced-price vaccinations? The women who can no longer be screened for female-related cancers? The men who can't get a prostate exam?
What about the lactation classes for nursing mothers, and the classes for young parents who need to know how to keep their children safe?
Planned Parenthood is about SO MUCH MORE than just abortions-on-demand. And let's clarify that, too. They provide classes and alternative options to abortions with referrals to adoption agencies. They don't consider abortion the ONLY choice a woman has, they just consider it to be a choice, and that a woman has a right to make that choice, or any other option she might choose.
Again, I'm not arguing with you about that, I'm just telling you it is what it is. Less than 10% of the services Planned Parenthood provides is abortions, and federal money does not pay for those services, so it's not money out of your pockets and no skin off your noses. Their report, last updated 2014:
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/4013/9611/7243/Planned_Parenthood_Services.pdf
And this will tell you about funding:
http://www.factcheck.org/2011/04/planned-parenthood/
I'm getting pretty tired of being told that things are going to be okay, and then seeing the sneaking and lying and greed that goes on in our government. I'm tired of worrying that my children and grandchildren are destined to live in a country that does not have their best interests in mind. I have nothing against anyone making a buck--a legitimate, well-earned buck--but if they are lining their pockets at the expense of childrens' lives and well-being, then I'd rather see every one of those politicians in the poorhouse eating mush.
I'll tell you one thing--I worked hard for many years, and I do not consider Social Security to be a handout--I paid into that system. That's money well-earned. I pay for my Medicare coverage. I don't think a bunch of well-heeled politicians have any right to jepardize what may be my only means of support for the rest of my life, or to take away my healthcare coverage.
You shouldn't think so, either.
So I'm being political--again, damn it! I'm asking you to fact-check and be aware, because they will stab you in the back. They will. It's already happening. Let's fight back. We have voices. We have voting rights. Lets use them and make sure our kids have a future in this country.
And...that's all for tonight.
Bye.
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