#309, are you serious? I mean, really, I'm not being sarcastic - were you being serious when you referred to Barack Obama as a Muslim? He grew up with a default non-religious household (non-practicing Christian mom and non-practicing Muslim dad, then an areligious step-dad), and became a Christian over 20 years ago. My grandfather's wife has said something to the "He's really a Muslim" effect and it never ceases to drop my jaw alllll the way down to the floor. Again, just, WOW. (Oh, and "Ali" is short for "Alison." I'm not some scary boogeyman Muslim plant oooo! Muslims! scary! aiieee!)

#889, right on. I'm sad to see so many comments saying, "I'm out of here, Heather!" because they don't like what's in this post. Isn't the whole point of having a blog (famous or not) that it's YOUR viewpoint? YOUR writing? This isn't exactly a one-topic website. I don't come here often because only some of the posts really pique my interest. On the flip side, you're really going to leave because of ONE day's writing? Well, I guess WaltzInExile is correct: That's your right!

And, also, Dooce,

Hmmm...I'm intelligent, caring, wonderful, generous, educated, worldly and you're a dumbass who can't understand my nuanced arguments.

Great way to win people over to your way of thinking.

This post is exactly why conservatives, like me, don't listen to what you have to say. Liberals, ironically, hew much more strongly to ideology than any conservative I know. I say it's ironic because I'M supposed to be the mouth-breathing, closed minded, bigot who hates trees, poor people, minorities, women, and clouds. There is ZERO tolerance on the left for ANY dissent from the party line...just ask the graveyard of Hillary supporters that have been banned from Kos over their failure to recognize the inevitability of the One.

I, too, would like to see poor people (and not just black poor people...little betrayal of your condescension toward blacks there, Heather?) have access to health care and good schools. That's why I support privatization of medicine and school choice. The government will only screw it up, as it as since 1776. Unlike you, I don't make 40-50K a month, so I like to be a little smarter about tax policy.

Anyway...keep preaching the hate and intolerance of any idea other than your own. It's sure to make me wake up one day and have a "eureka!" moment and start thinking you're right.

i. love. you.

you, and your perspective on this election.

I really enjoyed your post, and I also agree with you to a certain extent.

My family is a military family, and if you know anything about the military, then you've heard about TriCare. It is socialized medicine My husband also has a premium taken out of his paycheck every month to cover him and our family. So no, it's not free.

Personally, I hate it. I hate the fact that it takes upwards of 2-3 weeks to get an appointment at any given time. There's hundreds of doctors in the military hospitals, it's just nearly impossible to get into see them. And you never, ever see the same one twice. If you want continuity of care, then you have to be willing to wait. I won't get into on here, because I am sure someone will tell me I am wrong, but I personally wouldn't wish socialized health care on anyone. There's nothing wrong with Medicare, but it is extremely flawed, and corrupt. The people who need it don't qualify, and those who abuse continue to stay covered on it.

I have also worked in the health care field for many years, and I can tell you first hand that our current system is totally flawed. People who don't have insurance treat the emergency rooms like a family practice clinic. Which is NOT what the ER was intended for. I think instead of forcing everyone to go with socialized medicine, there needs to be a huge health care reform, but not by socializing it.

I had just a big a problem looking at all those Democrats who had their eyes glazed over while drooling at the feet of Obama. They are no better than the Republicans, and I have a problem with people acting like the RNC is any different from the DNC.

The fact of the matter is that the two candidates are going to tell you exactly what you want to hear to get into office. That's what politicians do. It's what they do IN office that matters. Whose to say that once in office, Obama won't say, well uh you see uh, I think the health care is just uh fine and dandy. Uh, we're gonna keep it, uh the same.

And Obama is also a very good teleprompter reader. he doesn't um and uh as much.

I am all for some kind of national health care coverage for kids. I will say that I think that would be a wonderful thing, especially for families with little to no monthly income. We should protect those who can't protect themselves. But I do not agree with socializing healthcare.

I also find it insulting to read comments from people who don't live in the US who lump us all together as gun totin', moose huntin' beer drinkers. That's ignorant, and slightly racist. I think people in Australia wouldn't appreciate it if someone in the US lumped them all together calling them kangaroo shootin, koala lovin' drunks.

The amount of times last night that Palin made a snarky, sarcastic comment and the crowd went crazy made me physically sick. Her and Rudy both, denegrating community organization as if it's nothing at all, laughing like a couple of "mean girls" over what is very valuable work... I don't understand how anyone could even LIKE these people much less want them leading the country.

Does it strike anyone in the Republican party that their people ARE comparing Palin to Obama, proving that even THEY seem to think that McCain is going to croak before it's all said and done?

I am so upset and flustered over this whole thing that I can't even articulate with any seblance of intelligence. I just don't get it.

And did anyone else see the people wearing the "Hoosiers for the Hottie" button? And Liberals are sexist??? Really?? I mean... REALLY???

GREAT post! I had a really big wake up call about healthcare recently. I had to take a trip to the ER last month. After receiving the insurance statement showing me how much it would've cost me without insurance, I am ever so thankful to have that luxury. I have to pay around $200, but the entire bill is for over $9,000! I was lucky enough not to have to make the choice between my health and money, but sadly many people have to choose not to take care of themselves because of the cost. I'm with you, PLEASE take more of my money if it will help people have something every human being deserves not to have to worry about.

long time (epic) lurker here that felt this whiplash sort of urgency to run over here and tell you THANK YOU! I am a full time caregiver to my Grandmother who has stage 7 Alzheimer's. I have to pay for my own individual health care. But when I got pregnant I could not get coverage. Now I am benefiting (THANKFULLY!) from state funded prenatal coverage and it took me ages to get over this sort of shame about that. But now I feel like everyone that needs it should have this kind of care available to them. Everyone. I am so afraid that people will be blinded by the talking heads and not see that we need a huge shift to get out of this shit.
again- Thank you for being open and honest.

I am so sick of divisive partisanship.

It needs to end. And after listening to Obama, I thought it had. His speech was inspiring, optimistic and made me think American politics might change.

Then the RNC brought it all back this week. Ugh.

I think all of the Democrats who are so worked up about Palin and her speak are just running scared. They question whether she should be up there because she is a mother of 5 (one with a disability). I find that this kind of questioning sets back women years and years. I would have never expected Democrats to go in this direction. Obviously I am not saying that you went there----I just find the media coverage funny. Many, unfortunately, are influenced by what they see on television.

See, here's where it gets ugly:

"gun totin', backy chewin', god fearin', moose huntin' folks will be told to go back to their (many) homes and that the real, honest people of the US will get some sanity"

So if I tote a gun or chew tobacco or fear God, then I'm not a "real honest person of the US" and I'm not sane and I need to "go home"

How is that better than telling the Mexicans to go home and stop wasting our goodwill?

This thread isn't so bad but some of the stuff being spouted? By the left wing? I don't get what the hell happened...

I'm a liberal. I am not impressed with Palin.

I live in one of those countries that think Americans are all fucking nutso. But they aren't just looking at the Republicans anymore.

Stop it.

My husband is in the process of recovering from major surgery. His second is to be scheduled in the next coming week. I couldn't be more grateful right now for the insurance his employer provides us because his first bill was upwards of $70,000. And he's young; he's only 31 years old. I don't know what we would do if we were uninsured in any way. And if the future if he were to try and get insurance on his own I'll bet there isn't a company out there that would cover him after this.

Bravo for opening this discussion.

684. Anonymous said:
It saddens me to see how many people leaving comments agree with you. :(

Well it makes me jump for joy to see so many people agreeing with Heather! Obama '08!!!!

Heather, I am one of those people who grew up without someone encouraging me to go to college, shit, no on even bothered to teach me much of ANYTHING, I had to figure so much out as an adult. I'm sick to death of people locked up in prisons getting medical care, dental care, mental health care, and me not being able to afford health insurance for myself or my kids. EVERYONE in a country this wealthy should have health insurance whether they work or not, and everyone should be paid a living wage when they work a full time job. Anyway, people need to really look at how European countries handle their health care, and maybe this country should change some things.

Thank you thank you thank you for articulating this. I have actually decided to take a break from politics this week, because the frustration is bigger than I can handle at the moment.

Sorry, real quickly. Anonymous poster #925, that "gun totin', backy chewin', god fearin', moose huntin' folks" comment" was made by an Australian. Just so you know.

Thanks Heather - giving an Aussie a new perspetive on a typical American's point of view! And what a relief.

Thank you Heather for speaking up! Sometimes I become completely overwhelmed by the idiocy and meanness of people. I don't consider myself a bleeding heart, but I am concerned about other people who are going through hard times-- and isn't that a part of being FUCKING HUMAN?

How did all these people slip into denial while sticking their heads into the quicksand... and it IS quicksand in which we are sinking because I truly believe the decline of the US began in 2001, when Dubya took the oath of office then promptly took us down the shitter.

Reading your words gives me HOPE, and I haven't had much of that, lately. Let's continue to speak up and out so that humanity is kept alive.

The saddest part is that we don't have a true third choice. I am all for getting back to the country this used to be,the one it started as, the one where both the people and the politicians actually lived by the constitution.

God should not come up in politics. Ever. After all, your god and my god my be very different gods with very different moral codes.

Helping people is both noble and necessary but thru force of charity, there is no charity, as 805 said. If we didn't have federal taxation people would have more money to feed and shelter their families without the government help. There would also be community programs for support when needed. There would be a saturation of private schools with better payed teachers and higher standards, people would be able to afford this because taxs would be lower and it would give people options. Free healthcare means a lesser quality of healthcare for the general public and insane rates for the few who can keep private healthcare.

I love your blog, your writing is amazing. I don't agree with your political views but that is the great thing about this nation. Freedom of Speech and all.

I could not have even come close to saying that as well as you just did. I don't understand the idiots in this country, and especially in this lovely state of UT, that insist on voting republican come hell or high water! It scares me to death at the thought of McCain and Palin, a.k.a. Geezer and Gidget, running this country. I honestly don't think the U.S. can survive antother 4, or God forbid 8, years of that. I know our family can't. We are always one paycheck away from not eating or paying our mortgage. Anyone who owns SEVEN houses and considers the "middle class" those making UNDER $250,000.00 needs to pull his head out of his ass!

As if I needed another reason to wish you were my best friend. Thank you for saying that so eloquently to your millions of readers, especially those overseas. You are awesome.

How ridiculous the republican argument has gotten. Now the party line that they're all regurgitating is that it's all about "executive" experience. Sarah Palin is theoretically more qualified than Obama because of her executive experience? Helloooooo, John McCain has no executive experience! If we were dupe enough to believe their twisted logic, of all the candidates, Palin is the most qualified to be president? Think it through, guys.

"If giving up more of my paycheck could help get this family adequate healthcare, then PLEASE. TAKE MY FUCKING MONEY...We are just as scared as you are of those around us who have their fingers in their ears and are going LA LA LA LA LA in an attempt to convince themselves that their behavior and their policies are not in direct violation of the teachings of the God they think put them in power."

Amen! That's about all I have to say about that. "Love thy neighbor" is a lovely concept, adhered to by right-wing conservatives unless it means loving a gay person, a poor person, a non-citizen, a non-white person, or (God forbid!) some combination of the above.

I wonder, do you spend any time in volunteer work to actually create change or serve others? As a Republican woman who works in social services, I look around at the food bank I'm in and see ... Republicans ... serving clients, stocking shelves, repackaging food. It's been the same at every place I've volunteered for 20 years. I live in WA, a liberal state, and don't see the "compassionate Democrats" putting their time where their mouths are.

So, do you volunteer? How do you plan to make this a better country?

and apparently she doesn t believe that global warming is man-made either...
i am european, have been living in nyc since 2000 when the bush adm took over the white house. it has been very frustrating. more of the same? inconceivable. well written, heather, thank you.

Yes yes yes. I just found your blog a couple of weeks ago and am hooked. Brilliant. Thank you!

Heather, you've got balls to open the comments on a post like this.

I'm right there with you. And, if I'm not mistaken, my conservative family members are coming our way quickly.

Thank you, thank you for so clearly and eloquently expressing what I deeply feel about this election. Not only do I think this country desperately needs Obama/Biden for all the reasons you mentioned, I am heartsick at the rift this election in particular has caused in my family.

I almost puked too watching Palin last night... She's talking about hockey moms, and our country is at war? Give me a break! And, the R's want us to praise her family values and the fact that her daughter is marrying that child??? I think he was chewing gun the entire time... Again, puke.... I'm appalled that she may very well be our next vice president. Makes Dan Quayle look like a frigin' genious!

MY THOUGHTS on Palin from my blog....

I am not political. I am really sorta ANTI-political, if there is such a thing. I know, I know….politics effects us all and we should care about one side or the other yada, yada, yada…..but I don’t. The whole spectacle just frustrates me. So I just try to IGNORE it. (do you hate me yet?). I do vote. I research at the last minute and make a decision. So I vote. That is good right?

BUT. I. HAVE.TO. COMMENT on Mccain’s VP choice. Because sometimes I have no control over this blog and my typing hands….I MUST. I like to say the things I think people might be THINKING….but are afraid to say outloud lest they offend others. I guess I am a natural offender.

First, the whole ‘joke’ about hockey moms and bulldogs was offensive. To both sport moms and well, bulldogs. Just exactly whose vote is she trying to get?

She has a 4 month old BABY. Um, a baby with special needs (Down Syndrome) no less. I am pretty damn sure when my kids were 4 months old I was in no position to be running a country. Heck when they were 4 months old I could barely get a shower everyday. And they were still feeding in the middle of the night-so spent most days in a zombie like state until nap time. When I may or may not have passed out on the floor next to the baby’s crib daily. Okay so…..you (you being those who support his choice) might say- oh but she will have HELP if elected. White House nannies I guess. (do they have those? and if they do, do they wear those secret service ear pieces?)……SO she is gonna let someone else help raise her kid I guess. Along with her fishing snowmobiling husband. Not exactly the kind of mom the kid was probably hoping to get. Some mom’s HAVE to work. But does SHE? We criticise celebrities FREELY about their nannies and ability to spend so much time away from their children. How they go back to work immediately-even if they obviously don’t need the income. Um, how then is this any different? How can I be expected to think her choices AS A MOTHER are a good reflection on HER CHOICES as A VP of A COUNTRY?

And what is with having a baby at 44? By choice? She had to know the increase % in complications and possibility for special needs to the child. Oh wait- perhaps an accident surprise? Do they not HAVE birth control in her ’small town’? Perhaps that is the same cause of her 17 year old daughter’s pregnancy as well. Like mother, like daughter? But most shocking to me, was the fact that her 19 year old son has enlisted to the military. I think the men and women fighting for our country are…I say without hesitation…absolute HEROS….BUT would I encourage my son to join in the middle of a WAR? I am praying this was not a ploy to help the campaign. And I am praying he (along with all the other CHILDREN in Iraq) come home safe.

I am all about women doing all the jobs that men can do blah, blah, blah. But not at the expense of their CHILDREN. Sure you can DO it ALL. But NOT all at the SAME TIME. And if you try to do it all at the same time…something WILL SUFFER.

So as you can see I know next to nothing when it comes to politics. I know McCain has a better deal on taxes for me. And I know Obama has a pencil mustache that is really obvious on a 60? plasma screen TV but his wife seems pretty together. Oh that and his catch phrase is CHANGE. Which as it sits right now- no matter which side wins…there is gonna be plenty of change in the white house. PLEN.TY. Including and not limited to the possibility of DIAPERS. And I am not talking about McCain this time.

i live in the tri-state area.....which means i am surrounded with a liberal base, so i am usually pretty calm and confident that although nobody has bothered to IMPEACH HIS ASS - george (and the republicans) is on the way out with the door slamming him in the ass.

BUT have you heard ms. Cynthia Ruccia sprouting off her mouth-?

take it from me, Palin WILL stand a chance if ding-dong spoiler Ruccia has her way......how do you say "sore-loser-mental-bitch-digging-own-grave-and-that-of-all-women-striving-to-contribute-to-leadership" in one word?????

love your site! *envy your witty skills!*
and this is my FIRST comment to you......

:D

Heather, you rock.

Check out this scary piece of Palin crap! http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/we-are-expe...

I can tell you that my friend, who is Australian, emailed me recently and said, "Obama is very popular here, and with people I speak to in England. We all want to know why so much of America is so conservative when it doesn't seem to benefit the people, and why Obama is not the clear front-runner."

I emailed her back and said, "Friend, I wish I knew."

Thank you so much for saying this on your blog. I wasn't born American and never fails to amaze me that what I used to think of as principles of the American national character--principles such as fairness, responsibility, independence, and freedom--have been irreparably compromised in the last eight years. I can't BELIEVE that the American people are willing to try four more years of the same.

I don't know how i'm going to get through the next couple of months :).

I sincerely hope that your family will talk to you after they read this but in the case that they do not--please let me pierce my palm and make you my blood sister. While I am almost old enough to be your mother, I applaude your empathy and mercy towards others that don't have what you do. Thanks for being a light for my day.

I think a lesson in respect is always important....we may not all agree (and the beauty of this wonderful country we live in is that we don't have to) but we really should respect each others position. Just because you believe one way does not mean everyone else is wrong....and it should not result in arguments.

Descares said "I may not agree with what you have to say but I will fight to my death for your right to say it." To think anything different really is dangerous.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For your blog. For the laughs. And today, for the inspiration you provided. You're fabulous.

Go Dooce! Down with Gidget and the Geezer! (thanks Pat Bagley...)

To #922 Ivan,
Do you really think Bristol Palin ever had a choice? She is a minor, and her mother has always been anti-choice. I'll bet it never crossed her mind. Normally I would say, "leave the teenager alone", but in this case, Sarah Palin has brought it upon herself. She is so vehemently anti-choice, she doesn't believe in that choice even for victims of rape or incest. She also is for teaching abstinence only education in Alaska. Didn't really work for Bristol, did it? That, to me, is an example of a failed policy, which makes it a relevant topic of public discussion. As someone who has used birth control (at times, by the fistful) for more than 20 years, and the mother of two children, let me assure you it is by no means 100% effective. Women need to have options. Period. And frankly, until you men can grow a uterus and carry a baby to term, I don't believe you get to be part of the abortion debate.

I just wanted to say thank you for writing this. You're an incredible thinker, and I totally agree with what you've said.

You speak the truth, I love reading your posts :)

You are so very right. Thanks for saying it.

I just have one quick thing to add . . which I've seen a few comment about here.

Please please please everyone read articles and take a look at what Socialized Medicine has done in other countries. Ask your Canadian or British (or any other) friends in places with such socialized policies. It's not as wonderful as it seems. Don't let them blind you about "Health Care for all". Keep in mind, that no matter what type of medicine you have in place . . . you still get what you pay for. And if you're not paying anything, and relying on the government to tell you what kind of health care you should be receiving? . . . you'll like that even less.

I absolutely agree that health care needs reform. But the reform needs to come mostly from the Insurance companies and the Drug companies . . . who are running health care around in crazy, expensive, impossible to pay for circles.

The State of Ohio runs a program called the Hospital Care Assurance program . . . for people just like the ones Heather listed above. Most hospitals in this state also run 'charity' programs . . . and give patients help with bills when they cannot afford them. Many States offer the same programs.

I'm definitely leaning towards the Obama side . . but again . . for those thinking that Obama stepping into the White House is going to cause ripples of CHANGE . . please pull your head out of your ass.

And one more thing . . . for those of you who think Global Warming is real? Please pull your head out of your local reporters ass.

DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH please GOD/DOG/ALLAH/BUDDAH/JEHOVA or anyone that you might see as a higher power. Do NOT listen to the Media. They're just puppets.

Good God, when are you people going to wake up and realize that McCain is NOT Bush!!!!!

Just because he is a Republican does not mean that he's going to take us the same route as Bush did. We all know how many shades of F'ed up that election was, or is that just too convenient to forget?

So by the same logic, because Obama is a Democrat, does that mean he's going to have a little hanky panky with some intern in the Oval Office, IF he even makes it there?

I am so TIRED of these foreigners leaving snarky comments that generalize the American people as all the same. We're not, just like not all you Europeans and Australians aren't the same. It's very insulting, and I, for one, would never generalize all your countrymen the same.

Yes, our health care system is extremely flawed, but that does not mean that it can't work for everyone. I think that we need to fix what's in place before some guy with Hope! and Change! gets in there to put something new into place.

Marcy, from the Glam Life, I totally agree about the 'kid havin''. Palin is Pro Life, but obviously not Pro Birth Control.... and how's that workin' out for ya?

Unprotected sexual practices are risky (as in having a very risky pregancy-- or conceiving a child while still being a child yourself). That just shows her stupidity. Period.

can i get a 'praise dooce!'

thank you!

I'll be the thousandth person to say a-fucking-men to this post, Heather. Well said! I'm one of those people affected by pre-existing conditions and the resulting insurance nightmare. People like McCain and Palin make my blood boil. I wanted to punch the fucking tv last night at her smirking face. It's gonna be a LOOOONG 2 months listening to their shit.

Heather, I agree with everything you said.

Here is another thing that DRIVES ME CRAZY: Palin's support of abstinence-only education (vs. proper family planning and sex ed) for teenagers.

So now her 17-year old daughter is 5-months pregnant. It wasn't planned; daughter isn't married. Yes, the daughter plans to marry the father, etc. and maybe they'll defy the odds and actually stick together, but I'd bet thousands of dollars they don't last.

CAN SOME JOURNALIST PLEASE ask Sarah Palin to her face if she still believes abstinence-only education works, when her own daughter obviously didn't follow the plan? Not all teenagers have a wealthy family to bail them out if an accident happens, so perhaps giving teenagers some education so they can make informed choices would help? Would she possibly admit that? I can not believe that McCain and Palin have gotten off so lightly thus far.

thank you so much for writing about this, heather. it is such an important topic and i am so appreciative that you're tackling it - particularly in light of the complications it raises in your personal life.
keep at it, girl.

BOOM! is right. You really stuck out your neck on this one (long and lovely though it is). Thanks for saying it so eloquently. It was a brave thing to do. So along with that long, lovely neck, you have a set of balls...big, brass, clanging ones! Go Obama!

Uh, and Obama has so much experience? I don't think so. Nice try.

Amen Heather! You said it well! Thanks!

it does suck. i know it firsthand. i'm just getting to college, on my own. my family was those who did not go to college but tried as they might to save money for me to be able to go. that did not happen. my mother was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was 9. never had insurance. i've never had insurance. my mom is dying more everday as her disease takes over and she cannot be insured due to her "pre-existing illness".. terminal, mind you. So her and my stepfather had to file bankruptcy due to medical bills. they have now been living with my boyfriend and i, who make about $25,000 a year together. and here we are supporting ourselves and my parents for the last 4 years. my stepdad works so hard, 2 jobs and they barely have anything. my mother and us, with what money we have, struggle to decide what prescriptions of hers we can afford to get filled and what ones have to wait. she cant get help anywhere and is denied any assistance. each month is tough and makes us wonder if she'll make it to the next and have any supplies for her insulin pump.

Bravo.... I agree! And I am with you all the way...too bad I can't vote!

Hello everyone,

I haven't read through the comments, but for those of you who are interested in a nonpartisan fact check site, go to http://www.factcheck.org/.

Heather, I am so with you as far as wanting a change in Washington. Speaking of folks who work their asses off and are still poor, I have a friend who works very hard at his full-time job, is well-educated in his field and who's government salary does not cover the expenses of his family of four, including two small children. He actually qualifies for housing assistance.

And speaking of insurance, what about the need for good insurance coverage for parents? If the parent doesn't have health insurance and gets sick... the children will suffer. The parent may not go to the doctor because he or she knows that they won't be able to pay the bills, so the parent may become much more ill (or be more likely to die) than a parent who has insurance and can easily go to the Dr and get appropriate care in a timely fashion. And, if the parent has thousands of dollars in hospital, Dr, treatment bills, is the parent going to be able to buy food, clothing, basic necessities for his or her child?

This country needs big changes, and leaders who care about ALL people in America. I believe that George W once said that he just didn't understand poor people. Well, duh! He's certainly never been poor, so how could he?

Thanks for being willing to speak out about the Presidential election on your blog, Heather...

Jan

If you want to live in a socialist country, why don't you go live in one?

Cheers, sister.

Considering how similar Canadians and Americans are in many ways, it never ceases to amaze me that so many Americans are actually against public health care. Canadians tend to consider it very precious. Hell, we voted the guy responsible for the it as the greatest Canadian in our history.

I think what these fucking-thick-skulled conservative assholes can't understand is that some people would actually rather give a few people a "free-ride" (because welfare is such a glorious lifestyle) and pay more taxes, than let their fellow human beings go without.

I AM AN IDEALIST. SHOOT ME IN THE HEAD.

Heather..
First off...HUGE fan of yours. HUGE.

As angry as you are about all of this, I am as well. Except from the opposite end.

Still love your blog.

Agree with you 98% of the time.

Here's the 2% where I don't.

But guess what? This is your site and you can say whatever the heck you want...none of us have to agree.

Beautiful, huh?

Have a great weekend.

OK people, seriously. I have read several comments telling heather to stick to "mommy blogging" because she knows nothing about politics (wow, insulting. i guess "mommys" are all a bunch of stupid, brainless, bon-bon eating cows who know NOTHING!). oh and then the comments saying they won't read this blog anymore (good riddance to ya!). and i have to say i'm shocked.

last time i checked....we lived in America. we have this nifty little thing called FREEDOM OF SPEECH. which means, for those of you morons who don't get it...that Heather can say anything she wants to say and you don't have to like it. that is what being an American is all about.

but just because she doesn't agree with your right wing crap, you're gonna take your toys and go home. good. run home. g'bye.

i am SO SICK AND FREAKIN' TIRED of every McCain person jumping up and down foaming at the mouth the minute someone says they support Barack. jesus people, get over yourselves.

how about a little humanity people? quit being such assholes.

Amen, sister, Amen.

If this country elects another four years of Bush policies, I really don't know if the country can survive it. And I'm definitely not sure if I can.

What the HELL are people who voted for Bush and are now thinking of voting for McCain THINKING? Do they care at ALL about global warming, our economy, our civil rights, our standing in the international community, or anything else of any importance?

thank you, thank you, thank you.

If you were not as fortunate as you apparently are, your child would be eligible for Medicaid and/or FAMIS or whatever your state calls this medical coverage for low income families. The truth about the alleged medical insurance problem is that the majority of folks that don't have it are young people who choose to not have it. It would be great if we had unlimited resources to pay for everyone to have everything. That is just not realistic. And the truth about GWB is that he has spent more money on entitlement programs (example Medicare D; billions on AIDS relief in Africa) than even Clinton. He just doesn't get it that he will be hated by the libs no matter how much money he throws at people. It is true, however, that we have not been attacked since 9/11 - and as a mom of three I am grateful for that. You are a smart woman - do your homework next time. Use your logic and intellect rather than your emotions.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This needs to be said. Often. I appreciate your taking the time to say it.

Yay, Heather!!!! Haven't read the comments but I'm sure there are many agreeing with you, and just as many saying "you're NUTS"!

Amen, sister. I am a Canadian, and continue to be horrified how the American government continues to ignore the health of its nation. I can't imagine being in the corner of deciding to ensure health care or nutrition or housing for my family. A-fucking-men, Heather.

The only thing I see Palin is someone pretty look at for the next four years, just as I see the first lady. I do not know anything about her really, and I figure I am still voting for Ron Paul.

I am a conservative, not a liberal and I have found that the Republicans in office are just as liberal with the Constitution as the Democrats.

Republicans give the tax money to big businesses, the Democrats give the tax money to lazy people and both make decisions for the people instead of letting the people make decisions for themselves, responsibility. Just like Christian Stewardship works.

With giving money and power to Big Businesses makes it harder for the working class because of businesses being in position to take advantage of workers, which is not free-trade like they say.

The Democrats do the same thing except they make it easier for people to sue for no good damn reason. Making it more expensive to go to the doctor.

I have my own business, with this business I can hire five people to make an honest (close to over high class living wages) living working for me, enough to pay for insurance and comfortable home, two cars, and a dog. That last part is a joke, but their is no shortage of money, that I know of. While their wife stays at home and takes care of the kids. I also take the pleasure of quietly paying every month for part of two under privileged families rent/insurance/groceries. I have asked these families indirectly to not accept government help, as I will help until they can stand on their own two feet.

I do this because I was taught Christian Stewardship, even as I make a bucket load of money for myself. I take no tax money (because I do not hire people that would be unqualified or hire someone I do not trust could do the job) and if I get a tax break it goes to the people that work for me or to help other people

I do not need the government to tell me what to do with my money, I have divine help to do that. And sometimes I wonder how much more I could help if I did not have a chunk of my money being taken out of my pocket.

Reply to daffodil #924: On the contrary, mommys absolutely should take a keen interest in neighborhood, national, and world politics lest they abandon the earth their little ones will inherit. And if Heather loses audience share by taking a principled and critical position against 2008's McCain-Palin ticket, it will certainly be in the low single digits. And comprised mostly of the few mommys that are unable to think critically or logically for themselves -- perhaps due to domineering pastors and husbands!

if i learned anything out of my bachelor's in poli sci, it's that you can't speak to people about politics, particularly when said sides are emotional and don't agree. bottom line: you can't win 'em all and to try is kinda useless. but i will say that my relationship with family members of differing political opinions has been made supremely easier by distance and occasional reunions. hugs and good luck, heather.

A hearty THANK YOU from a college educated, full-time working professional / single parent living in a VERY modest home, who struggles EVERY month to provide the most basic of items, such as food, heath care and heat, to my family of two.

I am a Canadian. I live in the province of B.C.

I pay $108 each month for my family of 4 for health care (3 or more in a family pays a maximum of $108 each month.) I can walk into a doctor's office or walk-in clinic and receive treatment by showing my CareCard. I went to the hospital 16 and 13 years ago and had a baby - each time! - by showing my CareCard.

My mother is a widow living with cancer for almost 20 years now. She pays $54/month for health care. She had surgery, and has been going for regular specialist visits and receiving medication all by showing her CareCard.

The trade off is I pay a little bit extra for gas, a little bit extra for everyday purchase, and see a little bit more taken off of my paycheque. Is it worth it? What value do you put on having your kid's grandma around for 20 (and more!) years without going broke? It's too high to define.

Universal health care is not the devil.

I cannot thank you enough for this post. Everything contained in it so needed to be said.

I don't go out of my way to talk to Republicans anymore because I just get infuriated. I'm tired of being told to have an "open mind" about others political leanings. I don't agree with the selfish gimme-gimme attitude of most Republicans and I never will---no matter how open my mind is.

On a personal note: Three months after getting married, I got pregnant. My husband and I had both recently started new jobs and our 90 day waiting period for insurance wasn't over yet. I had to get government assistance. As a white middle class gal, I was mortified. I thought gov't assistance was for scumbags who didn't work. Needless to say, the few months I was on assistance humbled me and changed me in a way nothing else since ever has.

That was almost eleven years ago and I haven't needed government assistance again. If a Republican saw me eleven years ago, pregnant and broke, I'm sure they would have thought I was someone wanting something for nothing. That couldn't have been further from the truth.

Everyone should be poor once in their life.

golly i am glad i stopped to read this before i go to my book group because i feel THE SAME and now can let my seam off and attempt to sound rational when i whine about the lack of qualifications in this VP candidate... and that's before we talk about her beliefs.... God, I should have been more specific when i prayed for a woman to lead us. i did have the exact image in my mind

Go Obama.....

first let me say that I love your blog but you are so delusional about this it is scary. Palin has more executive experience than Obama and had it 10 years ago. Obama has no record, nothing nada! show me what he has done. not put his name on but actually done. You can't. Palin has run a multi billion dollar budget for 2 years now. There are 2500 people working for Alaska. For Obama to say he is about change then bring on Biden a plagiarizer and 37 year member of the Senate is really doing "more of the same!" that is not change. I LOL when I heard that Obama actually tried to say running a campaign that in all truth is run by his campaign manager and not him is down right funny!
Stop the name calling on the left and maybe someone will listen to you!

Yep, that about sums it up. I can't wait to vote for Obama.

I'm a white, well-educated, Republican Mormon woman . . . and I agree with you. I think people should be able to afford good health care, and if that's going to cost me extra taxes, I'm o.k. with that. There are people who fit the stereotypical "Republican" mold who feel exactly the way you do about the direction the country is going. I don't know if that makes you feel better or not, but for the record, we're out there.

#951...Thank you! I just said that to my wife an hour ago. I look around at the volunteer work we do and see conservative Christians. I see Christians going on missions all over the world to help. I see Christians giving upwards of 10% of their after-tax income to charity. I'll gladly stack up our volunteer work and charitable contributions against any liberal. We do it because we want to help and we think we can do it better than the government.

I guess liberals are too busy reading Kant and Aristotle to actually get their hands dirty and help. Screw it...just make the government do it.

By the way...why are liberal people so vulgar? I can't keep track of all the tolerant people on here dropping F-bombs about "the others." If y'all are so well-read and intelligent, why can't you express yourselves without cussing? Can't find the right words?

Finally, which one of you enlightened feminists completely infantilized GOVERNER Palin by calling her "Gidget?" Way to set women's lib back, oh, 30 years. Ya'll little women just keep cackling back and forth on your cute lil Mommy-blog and leave the heavy lifting to us men.

Not cool, is it?

Please read these comments again and see which side is fanatical. I think there's a bit of idol worship going on. Please folks, stop worshiping the Obabma God and quit kissing Dooce's ass, it's not very becoming.

Republicans were screaming at their TV's just as loud last week as you are this week. The crap that came from the left was just as full of bullshit as that which is coming out this week so don't act this is a one sided thing.

Think for yourselves people!! Stop being ZOMBIES!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

Sarah Palin makes me FUCKING SICK. I literally lost sleep last night with thoughts of that pathetic spectacle of bullshit passing for news. And while in my heart of hearts, I can feel this country opening its eyes and standing behind the only person who can and will turn this mess around, there is a profound fear looming in the background... these people could do this again... we could have a repeat of 2000... what if we are not enough?

The notion of Palin running this country when John McCain kicks it (and he WILL kick it) scares the living SHIT out of me.

WE CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN!!! VOTE OBAMA '08!!!

Ugh. I'm there. I've been trying to write a "political" post all week, thinking better of it because a) I have at least a few conservative readers (how I managed that, I do not know), b) I don't want to be tethered to my website all day, putting out fires, and c) I dunno. I'm worried about looking stupid. C is mostly the result is spending the past week arguing politics with my dad, who might actually be Archie Bunker's long lost Italian twin.

BARACK THE VOTE, man - Rock the vote!

AMAZING post! If your head wasn't about to explode before writing it, it will be exploding after reading the comments!

Health care is a basic right, makes me realise just how lucky we are in Australia to receive it FREE. Break your arm or have a heart attack - head to the emergency department of the hospital and they will fix you.

Heather,

I gradueated form Collierville High in '94. Dated a guy from Bartlett. Have follow for years. Enjoy my daily dose of Dooce. But I have never felt the overwhelming urge to comment. Until now.

THANK YOU. Sweet Jesus. I have been watching this nightly circle jerk all week with alternating disgust and sadness. It's just too much. Are they blind? Deaf? 'Cause they sure as fuck ain't mute. Though my blood pressure would be in a much better place right now if they were.

I hear ya sister. I am with you all the way. As the only dirty liberal in a lovely family who is full of conservatives (why God, why?) it is so nice to know that others are equally outraged. This HAS TO STOP.

harper, the canadian prime minister is likely to call an election that will get us to the polls before the americans do in november. our choices here are mighty slim, but one thing is certain, i would hope that he can't get in again with a majority. in some ways i'm hoping that the backlash that's been going on with bush, mccain and palin will reflect in votes against harper here.

i have to say, if palin and mccain win the election i would be seriously scared for and of the usa.

I need this on a T-Shirt. Honestly. I'm tired of trying to express all that you just said to nearly every person around me.

I think what makes me the most angry is how dumb the GOP must think women are! Sure, why not. Put a woman in there because you think the Hillery voters are dumb enough to "come to the dark side" in order to vote for a women. It's just offensive, honestly.

Personally, I think they're looking for a "fall-guy". They don't want to smear the War Hero's name and certainly don't want to risk putting up someone that has the potential to run in four years. They'll end up blaming her for their failure, never to be seen again.

I think there are too many things to list that annoy me about their ticket.

Obama-Biden '08!

Ok, I just watched Jay's editorial (Ill Doctrine) from the convention and Dooce, you really, really need to watch this. If you haven't already.

http://www.illdoctrine.com/2008/09/the_republican_haters_ball.html

YAY HEATHER! While this may not be the funniest, or most touching post you've written, I would still have to say it is MY FAVORITE in a SEA OF FAVORITES! Thank you for this, and I hope with everything I've got that Obama wins!! xo

Heather -
O.k. I took a step back for over an hour in order to think things through before I put my comment out there. I am an independent voter; yet I vote Republican most of the time mainly because I like their message and values.

I am also a patriot, a stay at home mom and a wife. Can you please explain to me because I have never been able to understand the absolute anger and hatred that the majority of liberals have in their tone when they speak about their beliefs and their values.

We had 8 years of Clinton (whom I voted for) and feel he did a great job (his values and dedication to his wife sucked) but I think he was a very charismatic leader. It is also a "fact" that he had the opportunity to capture BinLaden and did not do so. Because of that "grave" error we lost thousands of lives on 9/11. Do you blame Bush for that too??

Also, I thought Hillary was going to "fix" the health care system. Uh, yeah, that never happened. Were you this angry at her and your party as you are today with conservative citizens that don't agree with you?

My main point to you Heather and John (yes I read his Blog too and damn he is a politically angry man also). We have a lot of freedoms in this country that citizens in other countries are not granted. Furthermore, research the cost of gas and living expenses in England, Canada, Austria, Italy, Germany etc... They have been paying high prices for many, many years we are (unfortunately) catching up; furthermore, the cost of living always rises during war time. In my opinion a war that Bush did not create Bin Laden and Hussein created the war by attacking our innocent citizens. (oh gosh, please don't write how you don't believe they were linked because to me that would be an insane argument). Now, I realize war sucks, I hate it; my nephew to two tours of duty in Iraq during the very beginning and thank God he came home a proud soldier and a grateful man that he lives in this country.

I also feel that we have the right to voice our opinions because of freedom of speech; therefore, you are entitled to your opinion and this independent, conservative, mostly republican fan is entitled to hers (just without the anger).

Do realize Heather that ALL politicians have their own agendas, they are all crooked on some level and you can only pray for the best outcome. I just have a feeling in my gut that someone that attended church with the "Reverend Wright" as he was spewing propaganda and hate speech towards my country can not possibly be the answer.

I will continue to read your blog because I truly like your writing and I enjoy everything you offer to your readers through your stories. I always put on my big girl panties during a debate so I can handle that we don't agree on this issue and I don't think I need to just read my other favorite blog "Amalah" just because you stated an opinion different than mine.

Oh, and by the way this flaky chick would have voted for Hillary because I believe she truly would have been the right choice and I would have loved another Clinton era "so there" !! :-)

Thank you! Can't say enough how relieved I am to read your post and so many supportive comments. PHEW.

I agree 100%. Im watching it right now, I wish I could scream at them right now. They did a 9/11 tribute and as a person who was destroyed by what happened that day, I was in shock that they would use something like that to attain votes. I dont know who could sink that low, it awful. I just dont know what to say, I cant put it into words. Thanks though too you Heather for voicing what I cannot.

I'm the 1075th (or so) person to comment, so I doubt anyone will get this far, and I have nothing to add anyway except a very hearty AMEN.

As an Australian, I'm watching this presidential race with shock and awe. Here, there is no choice in whether you vote in an election - if you're an adult, you vote. It scares me that McCain/Palin might get in, just because a huge number of Americans don't care enough to vote. It scares me that there *is* a huge number of Americans who don't care enough to vote. That's almost worse than the fact that there are people who would vote for McCain/Palin and what they stand for.
We're a pretty highly taxed nation, but I'm glad we pay all those taxes and have universal healthcare for everyone and readily available social welfare rather than face the alternative.

1. totally offended that they picked her, my intelligence, insulted.
2. Yes, speaking as a kid who grew up without health insurance, please take more of my money to help someone not go through what my family did. (one little bike accident that they payed for for 9 years. More than paying the initial cost over again in interest. Cause yeah, that's fair.

You rock, cause you know, you do. Thanks.

Dooce, you have called yourself crazy in the past and now I agree with you.

Wow. I have enjoyed your blog on a regular basis for several years, but now one of three things is going on:
1. You are only allowing posting of the comments that agree with you (which I don't think you would do?)
2. No other Bible-totin', gun carrying conservatives read your blog, or
3. The Bible-totin', gun carrying conservatives are keeping silent here.

I grew up in a family on welfare and food stamps. I busted my ass and worked three jobs to get through college. Then I went to law school, clipping coupons and driving a 10 year old vehicle so that my husband and I could survive on $18k a year. We didn't need the government to help us. And even if we did, there are plenty of programs available.

Health insurance? Yeah...it sucks. We pay $800 a month for semi-decent coverage and we are all very healthy. If you want socialized health care, talk to someone from Canada and see how it's working up there. Then decide if you really want it here. IT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S JOB TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE. Support a crack down on the people ripping of the system )(Medicare and Medicaid fraud would be a good start) if you want to help with the health care crisis. If you are willing to donate some of your income to help someone pay their health insurance, have at it. Who is stopping you? You can voluntarily pay more taxes any day of the week...Uncle Sam won't turn it away, I promise.

I will miss your humor.

I can't believe how happy to have found people just like me! I used to be a flag waving, gay bashing, welfare mother blaming, Christian conservative. The only thing I didn't do was join the NRA. I can't believe the turn I've made in the last 8 years! I guess Bush will do that to you. I won't ever go back to the dark side! My parents have become more Christian as the GOP has. We can't even look at each other during presidential elections. Any way, I'm so glad I'm not alone. I guess misery does love company.

Amen.

Heather, thank you for phrasing that so eloquently. Here in Canada, all the news is about Palin, and it freaks me out to hear that her "speach" was so amazing...
People forget that she obviously has a really good SPEACH WRITER, and just because she may be a good public speaker does not make her a good VP OF THE USA!
Ugh. I don't even live in the US and this upsets me so.
I've often wondered why in the US there are so many healthcare problems (insurance problems), and after watching Michael Moore's SICKO it become clear. Brainwash the people. Make them think universal health care will take away their freedom of choice. Bingo, it works.

I live in Canada, where yes, we complain about a variety of things... but I will never and have never complained about the fact that I can make an appointment to see any doctor I want to and I don't pay a dime to see them.
It's time to pack up and move north!!

Just adding my chorus to the Amens.

Amen.

Nyd #1099
Sorry but if you believe anything Michael Moore says, you are the one who is brainwashed. He is a joke.
Screw Canada. What makes me sick is to think that Obama would actually want to model the US after your piece of crap country : )

I am Canadian, and I am so frightened for your country. Many times a day, I contemplate what it would be like for the American people and the world community if another Republican government comes to power. I can't imagine any other global reaction other than dead silence and profound grief for your country and, indeed, all of us. We love you, but you're scaring us - and not in a good way.

Do you know, Mrs. Armstrong, that there are people in this world that are actually proud to be Republicans? So proud, in fact, that they attest to this anonymously in the comment section of your blog! That is dedication to a cause.

Wow... much more eloquently put than I could ever manage. I have a pathetic mind/mouth disconnect when it comes to McCain/Palin/the Republican party that prevents me from properly expressing and channeling my EXTREME OUTRAGE AND ANGER. So... thanks for that post.

I totally agree with you, Heather.

Republicans: you're not the only ones who "act" while others sit idly by. This is what your party leaders want you to think. Are you really that dumb to buy it? We ALL act, we ALL do things every day to make our lives better.

The Republicans and those that vote for them have got to stop drinking the kool-aid.

This ridiculous tow the party line at any cost is laughable.

I am Canadian and love the USA passionately. However the last eight years have seemingly destroyed or put in jepoardy many of the things that I have always associated with the US.

It would be terrible to watch the American people vote the "pitbull with lipstick" (her words) and McCain into office. 8 years is enough. I truly worry about the world if the current Republicans in power and those on the ticket keep destroying all of the things that made your country so great.

McCain voted 95% of the time in line with GWB. What the hell kind of change will that bring?

Good for your Dooce.
Everyone should be talking about this election.
Far too much depends on it to keep silent.

Amen, sister.

HEAR F'ING HEAR.

...and to those of you who want to stay neutral, and stay out of it- that's the attitude that led to the present state of affiars in the first place. Open up that can of worms,engage, vote and participate in voter mobilization.

I wonder just how many of you who claim to have paid your own way through college really understand that your education was subsidized either by the state or by endowments. No one really pays the full cost of college. But now you don't want to offer the same to others. Sad, very sad.

You go, girl.
It doesn't matter what one's political affiliations are. McCain's choice of Sarah Palin is cynical, manipulative and insulting to women.
We have a chance at an administration that engages in civil discourse, and will represent us to the rest of the world as reasonable and humane people. I know I want my kid to experience the possibility of that.

My 3 year old niece watched the RNC briefly with my brother and innocently said, "It's like the circus, Daddy."

Thank you for writing this. Lord knows that enough people will read it, and then maybe they'll get out and VOTE in November.

Go Obama Go!! I so hope he gets in, I don't think we could stand another 4 years, of some stupid old white guy in power.

From all the way down here in New Zealand.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for saying this. I was on another blog where the author discussed how unqualified Palin was to be VP - and the conversation eventually evolved into one about healthcare. As a Canadian, and as someone who has lived in Europe and certain Asian countries with universal healthcare, it astonished me that commenters on that blog thought universal healthcare was 'socialist' and one step away from 'communism' and that it just enabled 'freeloaders' to steal their money.

The fact is, the US has one of, if not the highest budget of any OECD country, and yet leaves more Americans uninsured than the entire population of Canada. There are other reasons to disagree with universal health coverage, but the ridiculously selfish and individualistic idea that someone else is riding off your coattails is NOT one of them.

Keep it coming, keep speaking your mind, don't change - the comments are amazing. I love how most of them sound very erudite, making a good case for the position that is espoused, but then it all dwindles into a "neener, neener, neener" sign-off.

And am I any different? Possibly not. One of my favorite lines belongs to Joe Biden when he said, last November, about Rudy Giuliani:

"There's only three things he mentions in a sentence: a noun, and a verb and 9/11."

PS - a good blog about Alaskan politics.

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/

I'm reading this wearing my ObamaMAMA t-shirt. With my Vote Obama yard sign on my lawn. And my Obama '08 bumper sticker on my car.

Just 5 more months of this crap to go! Wahoo!

I just got online and thought, dear god, i wonder if heather has anything to say about last night.

I just sat here and read this to my parents, who are visiting. We all couldn't agree more, and thank you. I got tears in my eyes. I'm so scared for November. So terribly scared.

You're going to get a lot of comments in this vein, but thank you so much for putting into eloquent words exactly how I've been feeling. I have linked to and emailed this post out and I'm so glad you have a voice for my words. This is exactly why I read your blog. Thanks!

Amen!

I can put words to my anger at John McCain and the constipated, slick dick, Republican National Party for choosing Sarah Palin as the VP pick.

If Olympia Snowe had been on that stage last night, there would have been plenty of freaking substance as well as some shining light on working to save this country.

Ooops, with Olympia as a RNP VP pick, McCain would be pretty McLame, as Olympia is well known as being a MODERATE Republican who frequently canvasses across party lines for Country First.

Oh Oh Oh and Olympia IS an eternally experienced State Senator and she DOES sit on high profile Senate Committes.... was married to a Maine Governor, and just rocks in her commitment to public service for her constituency and her country.

But Olympia is not a Bowflex 44 anymore, not "hot" and doesn't have kids that can be unfurled like flags to match or mismatch her own or her RNParty's concept of the day,week, month.

McLame may have considered Snowe, but that would have risked Olympia making McCain look stoopid and retro as in Old White Man Last of the M'Cains, especially when it got down to a Snowe and Biden debate ( which might have been a real treat for voters to follow, considering Biden and Snowe have A LOT of shared time in the halls of politics.)

I'm rightfully pissed off as an Independant Voter that Sarah Palin is seen as THE new window dressing for a dreary REPUGNANT party that can't connect within themselves to actually effect responsible social CHANGE.

Dang, how does Sarah Palin stack up when she can't see for herself that she is being used way outside her efficacy?

That is scary.

Breeze

Thank you -
Even better than the post is seeing the number of comments and the representation from (mostly) like minded people who remind me that all is not lost. Thank you for the eloquent post I can forward on to many to bolster us through the two months ahead.

Thank you - You wrote the way I feel about this situation. I appreciate you and what you have to say. Preach on, sister! Obama 08

"But the fact, the reality is that she is not. And instead of demanding better from their party, instead of going, wait a minute, no, we deserve better than this, many Republicans are contorting themselves into a denial of reality." LOVE IT LOVE IT

you have said it the best I have seen yet, Denial? a side of that please. I am begining to think Rove's "let's see if we can make the election about that darn liberal media" gamble is paying off, and I can't believe it!!!

Yes, to all you've said.
Brilliant words, Heather.

I'll be with my very Republican in-laws all weekend. I hope I can keep my thoughts to myself...

I'm still nursing a sore throat from getting into a long and somewhat heated political debate with friends and family two nights ago. Your fantastic entry today summed up everything I argued for and about, and loved reading all the awesome comments from people feeling the same way.

I also opened up another window and made a donation to Obama for America. I can't wait to get my Obama-Biden car magnet (a gift for any donation of $15 or more) and ride around town--and park my ride in the driveways of multiple family members!

Okay, I have to comment again.

I am a thinking person. Certainly, I don't think that all Republicans/conservatives are evil. Of course not.

What does strike me as a common denominator in my conservative friends and family members (and in many of the commenters here) is the lack of ability or willingness to look outside of themselves. They seem to assume that their story is THE STORY.

"My family was poor and made it without help, so yours should, too!"
"I haven't experienced discrimination, so discrimination does not exist!"
"I'm not gay, so being gay must be a choice!"

Then one day, their gay son comes out to them and all of a sudden they realize, "Oh, I have 3 other children and none of them are gay. We didn't raise our gay son any differently than our other children and yet he still turned out gay. Maybe it's not a choice? And weird, he's actually still the same person and still a good person even though he's gay." The lightbulb goes off, hopefully, and their thoughts on gay issues are changed.

Just using that common scenario as an example.

We're all different and we all have a million variables in our lives that make us who we are. It just seems to me that Republicans/conservatives need a personal experience with each of these important issues in order to open their minds to those different lives whereas Democrats/liberals approach the issues with more of an open mind.

Aloha from the socialized medicine state. Just wanted to comment that more government intervention does not improve medicine. Health care in Hawaii sucks. Socialized medicine does not improve health care. I guess I am repeating myself, I am sorry. Also, Canada has socialized medicine, and their income is taxed at around 54% last I checked. If you don't mind Uncle Sam taking more than half of your paycheck then Barrack Hussen Obama is the man for you. I personally was rooting for Ron Paul, but that was just a dream.
Also, I read and love your blog. Mahalo!

I LOVE SARAH PALIN!!!

I completely disagree with your opinions but I DO applaud you for eloquently stating them. Too many people do not take the time to listen to and study current issues. We live in a "soundbite" nation and the fact that you have taken the time to form your own opinions is more than most people ever bother with. These are my opinions:
- The smaller the government the better, what has the government ever improved by getting itself involved?
- The poor should definitely have help covering basic needs and this includes healthcare. It is my experience that most children that fall in the "poverty zone" do have access to medicaid. Perfect? No but a start.
- Ease up on me with taxes and government regulations and I am going to create businesses and jobs. Americans are smart, industrious, and hard working just get out of our way!
- Pallin has more experience than Obama and quite honestly the reason why the Dems are so angry with her is because they see her for what she is: tough, smart and a capable leader. I will proudly vote for her-unfortunately they are a package deal so I guess I have to vote for HIM to get her.

Keep up your writing and wit, I love it! I will never agree with you politically but the last time I checked that is what made this country great. Americans are loud and opinionated and after living all over the world I wouldn't trade this country for anything. Heather

Hoorah Heather! I am in Newfoundland, Canada (wrote you once before) and I am cheering you on for this post.
Money sucks, health care and insurance suck!!!

Heather,

Very well said. To everyone who responded with "how is Palin unqualified?": she governed the 47th most populated state, has only traveled out of the country 3 times - as have I - and has a degree in journalism, as do I. Are you kidding me? Where does it say that governing 700,000 makes you ready to be the leader of a country of 300 million? And where the hell is her foreign policy is she's only been out of the country 3 times??

We SHOULD be comparing her to Obama because face it, McCain is quite old and could very likely die in office. And VP means that you assume the Presidency on a moment's notice. Doesn't the choice of an unknown Palin speak volumes about McCain's judgement?

America is the one of the only Countries that really helps other Countries...so give me a break. Liberals are all me me me, leave other Countries alone and focus on my already blessed ass. Also My husband's Papi is Cuban, here legally because he is an honest man. He is 84 years old, collects SS because he worked for about 10 years here, but is pretty broke, he has Lung cancer. Guess what! He is taken care of medically...so maybe you don't really know anything at all. My mother-in-law is also from Cuba. SHE hates communism because she grew up with it, actually saw her Country change because of it. Guess what she sees in Obama? It scares the shit out of her. When you've lived in a Communist Country and lived in a horrible, abusive work camp in your own Country for 2 years so that you can legally come to America, then maybe you will gain some political perspective and not just buy what the liberal media sells you. ALSO my father-in-law is a Flight Attendant who speaks French and goes to France every week. A few months ago he had a serious asthma attack in France...his medical treatment was awful AND he's out 5,000 Euros...so what do you really know about the medical plans in other Countries? Illegal Immigrants in America get better medical coverage then that. Yeah I said it.

Well put. If I have to hear another word about what an amazing hockey mom that Palin chick is, as she passes her kid around like a football, I think I'm going to throw up. Surely she can find a babysitter, but no, she has her own interests in mind, not that baby's.

I agree totally. 19 years ago I had an unplanned pregnancy at age 17 and had my baby when I was a senior in high school. I naively thought I would receive government support while I attended college. I received $231.oo a month from welfare (exact same amount is still given for 1 child today)- which left me dependent upon my abusive boyfriend for help making ends meet. I went to a prolife agency for help with diapers once and they made me watch a graphic video showing an aborted fetus before they would give them to me. "Yeah- you're making me watch a video about abortion before I can have diapers for my baby that I obviously gave birth to" anyway- the entire experience of raising a child by myself and having to navigate "the system" for help made me choose social work as a profession. I was on welfare during the school year but then every summer I got a job. I graduated and got a job within 2 weeks and have never been on welfare since then. I now have my master's degree in social work and I am so grateful for the help I did receive. I'm able to pay taxes- and I think I've paid back way more than I ever took from the system. I wish I could sit down with a conservative and ask "If you're against abortion, then I hope you'll support programs that help women raise their children- like welfare, Wic, food stamps, medicaid, etc. That issue boggles my mind!!! Thanks for letting me rant & rave....
VOTE OBAMA!!!!!!!!

Amen!
The part about the taxes thing that KILLS ME though is that if people actually took the freakin' time to look at a NON-PARTISAN ANALYSIS of Obama's and McCain's proposed tax plans, they would see that Obama's plan is almost definitely either "better" for them (as far as having lower taxes goes), or within a FEW DOLLARS A YEAR. And those uber-rich people, who look like they're getting screwed by Obama's plan? That's just putting them back at the tax rate they had when Clinton was President.

The Washington Post made a nice picture (people like the pictures, right?) http://tinyurl.com/5s4l7j of the Tax Policy Center's results.

But people STILL SEEM TO THINK that Republican's lower taxes and Democrats raise them.

ARG!!!!

(And apologies for the all caps. But my head is close to exploding too)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGCRncVOkS0

Pretty funny! Boy they sure talk out of both sides of their mouth

You're wrong on this but I still love ya, Heather.

You just said what I've been thinking all week. Thank you for saying it much better than I would have. I wondered if I was the only one shaking my head every day when I hear people getting excited about Palin. Our country's values are so screwed up that they see a pretty girl and automatically think she is capable of running the country. You made my day and took the words right out of my mouth.

You are right on. I think Sarah Palin was chosen simply because she's a woman and McCain and his fellow Republicans felt they needed to avoid having two white guys on the ticket. Period. For whatever reason, they think Palin is the right option for them. They think she's somehow going to make McCain more attractive to the independent voters who are, at a minimum, interested in a little diversity. While she's a great speaker, her speech made me sick to my stomach. While I'm not thrilled with McCain, I started to listen to her speech because it was a somewhat historic moment (first female Republican candidate -- welcome to the 21st century guys) but she made me sick to my stomach. The AP article was right on. To be honest, I wasn't going to vote for McCain but I really believe that if I had been considering him at all, I would have changed my mind simply because of Palin.

I am not sure anyone can muddle through our broken political system but Obama is the first person ever to give me any hope and so I'll vote for him.

As an Australian who has lived in the US, I agree with your sentiments, particularly the second last paragraph. We, the rest of the world, are laughing (whilst clenching our buttock cheeks) at the cock up that the US is making.

The "Land of Opportunity" has become a land of poverty on the homefront and arrogance on the global front.

Meg: (post 123) "And honestly, while I respect everyone's opinions, its our election, and I don't care who Canadians or Australians hope to win. They don't vote here." It's this kind of opinion that makes us call American's ignorant. It IS a global issue. The rest of the world CARES about our whole planet. (well, we kind of have to when a war-starting US president threatens "You're either with us or against us")

Elizabeth: (post 106) "Go live in one of the third world countries and I guarantee you will get help from America, because trust me, we aren't billions in debt by giving back to our own people, as you all complain about. We're in debt due to different reasons, but one of the main ones being that we help our foreign allies and less fortunate countries" The US gave the smallest amount per capita to the victims of the Tsunamis, the Chinese Earthquakes, and even to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The rest of the world helps America with charity much more than she helps the rest of the world. Oh, unless you call murdering innocent civilians in an effort to destroy weapons of mass destruction (*h-hmm*) HELPING.

Anonymous: (post 123) "Oh, poor people, they are sick, they don't have a house, they don't have a job. Oh, poor, poor, people. FUCK THEM." Which is why the rest of the world dislikes America. With an attitude like that on the home front, how on earth can you display empathy towards foreigners? And unfortunately, your opinion is the one that the rest of the world hears. Lovely.

DJK: (post 173) "Obama's a communist". LOL. (thanks for the chuckle in an otherwise gut-wrenching read)

I'm sorry, but I have to add one more thing. Don't just look towards Canada for a socialized health care system. Look to the UK. Look to Australia (although ours has become much more privatised due to our GWB-loving previous Prime Minister). They WORK. I could not live in a country which would deny me emergency health care based upon my ability to generate income. That is just plain wrong.

The UK all but got rid of their outdated class system, and your government has instated it well and truly in your country. Oh, you can't be racist anymore, but you can be "poor-ist". And anyone who believes that they couldn't be put in poverty by divorce, death or illness needs to think again.

Sorry for the long rant.

Thanks Heather. You really rock.

From a Canadian.....please, please vote for Obama. The insanity for the past eight years must stop.

I don't get it? If palin is so unqualified, why are the democrats so mad? this should be a good thing, no? Don't you WANT your opponent to pick someone who you don't like? what...are they scared of her or something???!

(to the poster who said that Republicans spend a larger percentage of their income on charity than Democrats do, perhaps it's because because they're busy getting tax breaks, or they have the luxury of "Hmmm, Oxfam or Catholic Charities?" when ACTUAL middle class people--as opposed to those who make $250k a year--are busy making the "Hmmm, health insurance or mortgage payment?" decision. My mom once had to decide between school shoes for her daughters or groceries for the week. We ate a lot of hot dogs cut up in macaroni and cheese that fall.)

Heather, I will respond further to this post when I am done applauding.

Which may be quite a while from now.

Thank you, Heather,for coming out and saying your piece. I was for some reason thinking you might be proRepublican and thankfully that is not the case. I can only hope after voting and praying for the past eight years that people would wake up and see what is happening in and to our world, that they will vote for the right people who are looking out for the greater good of everyone - Obama and the Dems. I just said to my husband during Palin's speech that despite this whole political circus being so divisive, that you just can't help wishing everyone would just come together because as Americans we generally want the same big things in our lives: a happy healthy family, a decent job, care for the elderly (well maybe they don't want that, good schools. But when statements are made to drill, drill drill (what about our beautiful world and the future of it for our children) and talk about making the government smaller (i.e. cutting social services to poor, elderly, children) I just can't buy the Republican way and I doubt I ever will. Sorry to be so long here but I am passionate about this too and too often don't speak to anyone about it after being so beat down by the "we are running the world, holier than thou GOPers for so many years. I know the far right is not the majority in America - we come together and make a change now for us all and for the future of our children...which means choices and options for everyone, not just a few. We too paid COBRA for two years, nearly bankrupting ourselves to keep insurance when my husband lost his aerospace job. We are college educated, professional, normally middle class, intact family. We have been made to be the working poor by policies of recent years. We need insurance for all. Thank you for letting me speak.

Screw the Fox News domination of "Talking Points."

This is for all of you out there on the receiving end of endless, reckless emails & rants from your conservative family members and friends. I love and respect many people in the former category, but I'm finished with "respectful" disagreement, which meant silence on my part for way too long. Speak the truth. Fight back with direct quotations...

http://www.dailykos.com/

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

-Love, One Happily Registered Voter, Maeve

Heather,
A friend pointed your site out to me a few months ago. I've been reading, laughing, yet not posting...until today. I haven't been reading your blog long enough to know your political views. I actually didn't want to know where you stood because then I'd have to stop reading...and I really like what you say. So today, I breathed a sigh of relief when I read what you wrote and I am thrilled to say that I will continue to be a fan of your blog. As an educator in an impoverished school district, I can't agree more regarding health care and the sad state of affairs that this nation has become. Keep up the wonderful work. I certainly hope that your ability to influence others stretches far and wide.
Regards,
Mrs. D

Dear Heather: Bless you, thank you for writing this. I am forcing myself to bear witness and watch John AssfaceShitholeBlobFascist McCan't prattle on about his time in the Hanoi Hilton. I get it. I really really really really really really really get it. I honor his service. I honor the fact that he was brave. I honor that he "know what it's like in a box" but why can't he see the suffering here in this country at this time? In THIS box we call America. Why can't he see that so many children don't have a good education? Why can't he see that women don't get paid as much as men do...still? Why can't he see that the polar ice caps are melting? And why did he just refer to his mother as 96 years young? 96 years is not young. It's old. And so is he. I am fucking infuriated. I can't take it anymore. I promised myself I wouldn't get so worked up this election. I wouldn't curse them. I would try to see it from their side. But I DON'T SEE IT! I don't get it! I believe that what happens to the least of them happens to me and I believe in the purity of the welfare state as it was meant to exist---to aid those in need. Do they know that a crappy 1% of their gold bullion goes to a single mother living in poverty in East LA who's husband got in the way of random gunfire? No, they don't know. Actually, there is something I do know. I know I'm not sitting on the sidelines and cursing under my breath this time. I'm going to speak up this time. I'm going to risk alienating someone at a dinner party if they start talking about how "eloquent Obama is but..." Thank you Heather B. Armstrong for your words and wit and wisdom and weird-good journey that inspires so so so many. You ROCK. You so DON'T suck. OBAMA-BIDEN 2008! I see it. Let's make it happen.

Hey, thanks for the Palin info by AP link. Ironically I had been sorta following her before she was nominated. One of the baby-killing blogs I read was tracking the whole "Troopergate" story so I was looking at the name when it was announced going, "Gee that name is familiar and I'm not thinking about Michael Palin"

Look, I HAVE a college degree and I've been unemployed before between quiting grad school and finding a bad job, and then leaving the bad job and finding the hellish but much better job. And every instance was an attempt to stave off or deal with major depression. If paying more taxes means that someone who is having a hard time won't go bankrupt because they have an accident, have mental issues or get cancer or something because we'll have universal healthcare then I'm all for it. That person could be anybody. Me, you, your neighbor, your cousin ... ANYBODY.

If paying more taxes mean that our servicemen and women get the mental healthcare they need I will gladly do so.

And denigrating community organizers (ie the people who really get shit done when it needs to get done. Like say those faith based soup kitchens the Republicans have been so hot about for the last 8 years) is not only stupid, it belies the elitist power structure that currently exists in the Republican party where only a few can eat at the table and the rest must hope for scraps to be dropped.

So right on sister. I totally GROK your frustration and anger with your loved ones insistence on being delusional about who benefits from Republican policies and who suffers. Jesus Christ wouldn't vote Republican.

Amen and Thank You.

I'm still wondering how in the hell we have had eight years of this nonsense and how people are still believing and defending all of it. How? I thought we, as a nation, were more sophisticated and smarter than this.

These are divisive times and at 40 years old, I could care less who I piss off anymore - family included! This country must change. Now!

Obama 08!

You uppity elitist bitch. Since when does college equal success? It is that elitist attitude that will be why Obama will lose. I will clutch to my religion and guns and my chain of auto body shops who employ 164 people who don't have a college education, some not even a HS education. I provide insurance for 734 people at a cost much greater than $300 per person, and it is total BS that you can't find insurance for Leta, you're just not looking hard enough. I have 3 employees who's children have the same condition from the "back to sleep" campaign. I gladly pay the $1043 a month per child to provide insurance for them. Maybe if you cut back on gallivanting around the country drinking yourself into a stupor you could afford proper insurance for your daughter.

But you go ahead and vote for Obama so he can raise my taxes. I am a small business owner who's company makes more than $250,000, not brings home more, but grosses more. I want to fly you, who brings home an estimated $40,000 a month (yes, we poor hicks without a college degree can read the WSJ) to Kansas where you can tell the 11 employees that I will have to layoff why you think that they should have gone to college so they could be smart like you and offer them the welfare you think is so great. Where do you think the money will come from? I can't raise my prices enough to cover what Barry says he will take. I am terrified. I don't sleep at night. The 41 people who rely and me and the salary and insurance I provide them plead to me in my dreams not to layoff their mommy or daddy. Thanks for making me feel so good today about the business I have built. I didn't realize I was so fucking stupid. I'm glad I had you, the educated one, to put me in my place.

today i decided that i needed to take a break from the election...it's exhausting. i'm refusing to watch mccain tonight.

what i find sad about the pallin and her speech last night is that this move has added even more division in our country...the speech last last night contained no issues or solutions, only belittling and self-righteous speak. and sadly that's the way i see this election continuing. i want to ask both republicans and dems...do we really want to move forward with this mind set? as a country we are beat down, at least those of us who aren't "elite" (which is another rant...since when did those money spending, poor people helping democrats become elite). do we want to go down this road?

and i think this is where the hope comes in.

Right on! I spent last weekend with my parents, who think G. Bush walks on water and everything on Fox news is completely and utterly correct and all other news organizations are left-wing extremists. My father actually said that nobody in this country dies from not being able to afford healthcare, that nobody gets turned away because of not having enough money. What??? I'm starting to wonder if he thinks he lives in Canada or something. Of course he doesn't really because Canadians are obviously socialists since they have that universal healthcare thing going on. I just have to keep my mouth shut and try to sleep in a bedroom that always has a G. Bush calendar hanging up (my old bedroom to be precise). Geez.