And... boom
Yesterday was one of those days when the Universe wraps itself around my head and humps my skull just to show its dominance. Sort of like the times Coco climbs on top of Chuck's backside and moves her lady parts in and out, in and out, as if that would even work if things were functioning, and Chuck just stands there and lets her do it, sometimes glancing over at me as if to say, she thinks I'm buying this. She really thinks this is intimidating, and we both know that all this means is she is a total fucking nutjob.
Except, I believe the Universe very much when it tells me it is in charge. And a lot of what happened and then continued to happen yesterday falls squarely into the bag of things I will not write about on this website. And that bag is labeled PRESERVING MY RELATIONSHIP WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
I think things were made worse by my mood, one of wanting to walk around shooting randomly at things that could splatter or at least topple over in a magnificent way, and I don't even believe in the right to own a gun. In the last few days I have received innumerable requests to weigh in on what is currently going on with the circus that is the Republican National Convention, and I call it a circus because I'm trying to be nice. You have to understand that my family reads this website, and in order for us to have a working relationship I have to be careful when I write about certain things. But my blood pressure is such that if I don't say a few things about this then my head may just explode, and then it'd be all their fault. And they'd go to jail. So this is how I'm rationalizing what I am about to write.
I am angry. I am infuriated. And I don't think I would be if Sarah Palin were a qualified or competent choice as McCain's running mate. 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. (please read this, it's a report from the AP, not some spooky liberal blog that wants to kill babies) And that right there is what has been going on for the last eight years.
And I am just so damn sick of it.
Any time I engage with one of my conservative friends or family members, or sometimes the conservative commenters on this website, it usually devolves into them screaming about WELFARE! and TAXES! and THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING MY MONEY AND GIVING IT TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T WORK! And what they don't understand is that this is not the issue at all. What I and many of my more liberal friends want is to HELP people, not give them a free ride, but also not to ignore those who would benefit from us tossing them a life jacket.
Case in point: Because Leta was diagnosed with plagiocephaly when she was two months old, she cannot qualify for private insurance until she is thirteen years old. So the only insurance we can get her is high-risk insurance that costs us upwards of $300 a month. Just for her alone. And even then that insurance won't cover anything until she has reached a $3000 deductible. I am fortunate enough to have grown up in a white, middle class family who could afford to send me to college, as did my husband, and we have enough work experience to run a business that makes it so that we can afford this insurance for our daughter. We don't have to make the choice between buying food or insuring our daughter. We are really fucking lucky.
But what about the family who cannot afford that insurance for their child? The family who can barely make rent, and if they stretch the budget they can eat three meals a day all week, let's hope nothing bad happens to their kids because then they're screwed. Kids, go hug your father, he's off to one of his three jobs, none of which provide him insurance. And it's not because he's lazy or unwilling to work, it's that his family couldn't afford to send him to college, or he came from a family that didn't know they should encourage him to go to college because they were busy trying to survive. If giving up more of my paycheck could help get this family adequate healthcare, then PLEASE. TAKE MY FUCKING MONEY.
I get the feeling that people around the world are looking at this election as a gauge to see if America is finally ready to wake up and realize that we are not the only country on this planet. They are waiting to see if we are going to put yet another fundamentalist loon in charge of public and foreign policy, someone who doesn't think that global warming is in any way caused by humans, so screw the rest of you who live here on this planet, we need that cup of oil with breakfast in the morning.
To my readers who do not live in America, who are not American, please know that there are so many of us here who are disgusted with what we have let happen in the last eight years and are doing everything we can to ensure that it stops. 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.
You must have a dooce® Community account to leave a comment.
If you've already registered, login.
If this is your first time posting here, snag a free account.
Heather talks about public tantrums (from kids) on today's Momversation.
- Bedtime, Leta lingering defiantly in the hallway. Jon: "If you want fart stories, you better get in bed RIGHT NOW."
- RIP Louis Mortimer Armstrong: http://bit.ly/1R4tv6
- Hugs and kisses to you, too! RT: @Monkey_Tree: @dooce he probably committed suicide because he was tired of LISTENING TO YOU WHINE.
2408. xia yang said:
Hello Heather,
I am a 28 year old Hmong American and I get welfare, free school and food stamps. I also have 3 kids. Sure, I don't have to work and my Mom takes care of the kids (by the way, she gets paid to watch my kids BY the state) I also get free/discounted apartment. America is Great! When I get out of school I won't have to pay taxes because I am Hmong. Thanks again, America!!!
2409. Jolene said:
This just in! I got a chain email right here that states Oprah is going to have her gay decorator friend fly in to Africa and re-decorate Obama's Half-Brother's mud hut. He is going to fill it with Walmart furniture and accessories. This should stop all the conservatives from saying that no one cares about his half brother. TRUE STORY!
Also, I've uncovered that Sara Palin's daughter is going to give birth to a bi-racial child, much like Senator Obama himself. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???
2410. Bella Rum said:
Yep! You nailed it.
2411. ITs my LIFE said:
Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea, hosted more than 100 people for dinner on their mansion lawn by the Navesink River in Middletown, N.J. The price was $30,800 a person, to be divided between the Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
"When I look at Barack, I see an old man," Bon Jovi said in introducing his guest. Obama is 47, Bon Jovi is 46.
BON JOVI SUX! What a joke.
2412. Dr. Marta said:
It is very unsafe to binge drink while on antidepressants. Perhaps your universe wouldn't implode if you stopped.
2413. Canuck who Cares said:
47 million Americans do not have healthcare. 1 in 5 children lives in poverty. August 2008 was the single worst month of soldier casualties in Afghanistan over the past 5 years. The economy is at rock bottom with the world's former superpower in debt to China and a trillion dollar a day war in Iraq. Go Republicans. Keep up the good philanthropy (as some of you have commented on here?!? how is that not ELITIST - oh, I don't want a small percentage of my tax money going to social services for my fellow Americans, but hey, I'll donate $20 to a charity of my choice). Which party has the greater good of the American people at heart? The problem is that the Repugs have done a darn good job pulling the wool over the eyes of the electorate on that front. We elect our politicians in Canada not because of a charming personal narrative or because they are someone I can personally relate to but because they are the best person for the job - they understand economics, politics, foreign affairs, diplomacy. We take our politics seriously, as do most democratic countries. Is it really too much to ask that a Vice President of the United States understand not only the complexities of states other than Alaska, but also countries - Mexico and immigration, Georgia/Russia and history, Afghan and Iraq and Iran and geopolitical lines of ethnic and cultural divide since the medieval times. But no, Sarah Palin is on a mission from God so she doesn't have to read a history text book. Seriously, god help you all. What a joke.
2414. Cassie said:
Two thumbs up from this corner of the web. Well said.
2415. Laura said:
Like another commenter said previously... you nailed it!! We need someone in power who is going to start repairing our relationship with the rest of the world.
Thanks for your website... I've read it for the past year or so and I love that it makes me laugh out loud.
2416. Anonymous said:
@keith comment 2160
illegal immigrants don't often pay taxes, and are therefor unlikely to receive any tax breaks or incentives.
2417. Anonymous said:
"2371. Wank said:
To all of the posters from other nations who feel the need to express your disbelief that the US doesn't have universal health care for its citizens: SHUT UP.
The US supports your little nations in ways you can barely comprehend. Therefore, your government has all the money it needs to pay for whatever medical treatments you require.
Guess who pays for whatever disaster recovery or military intervention your country requires? Mmm hmm...the USA.
So enjoy your free health care at the burden of the US taxpayer. You're welcome."
Seriously?
You need to get your head out of your ass and read a book or two....or maybe some foreign media. Stop watching Fox "News" and learn a thing or two about the rest of the world. I guess Canada should stop sending you our oil and fresh water then, if you don't need us. I guess we should pull out of Afghanistan instead of being your biggest supporter there.
Next time you wonder about why the rest of the world feels the way they do about the US, come back to the self-righteous, inflammatory pile of crap you posted here and I think you'll find your answer.
That you can even believe what you wrote is true makes me sad for your nation.
2418. Kirsten said:
We do talk about Americans up here in snowy Canada. We do shake our heads and wonder how...how...how...
Well, we're flabbergasted.
But you, and lots of the Americans who left comments on your post, give us the reminders that it's not all of you. That some of you have overcome the brainwashing that mid 1900s Americans seem to have tried to impose on their children, and you see what is really happening.
Thank God! Or not. Whatever ;)
Kirsten
2419. Saffoula said:
RIGHT ON! I told my husband that if those hypocrits manage to finnagle themselves into another 4 more years I will be a crazy loon standing in the middle of the street, screaming, "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
What I don't get is how the neo-cons think we can fight what they want to call WWIII, bail out corrupt companies to the tune of billions of dollars, and allegedly fix state-run education and whatever else they say they are going to do, without any tax base!!! Our infrastructure is outdated and crumbling and we are actually paying less in taxes than in the past. What a legacy to leave future generations.
2420. AnotherNonAmerican said:
Who agrees with the post, and the OP's "healthy rage".
Having so many wonderful American friends as I have, I still find it hard to believe how many "other Americans" you have in there.
Vote. And shout. Not necessarily in that order.
2421. Michelle said:
AMEN, Heather! AMEN!
2422. Anonymous said:
Poster 2405: Now Obama is the new MESSIAH!!!??? WOW. Thanks for letting me start my day with a good laugh. It's brain-washed liberals like you that give your party a bad name. The MESSIAH?? I doubt even Obama himself would deem himself the Messiah. Wellllll....on second thought....
2423. sue said:
I loved your post, but I want to add that it's not a choice between keeping our money and helping people. I'm voting my pocketbook, and that means a vote for OBAMA. Republicans are trying to sell McCain as low-taxes, but Obama will cut more taxes for 95% of households.
Also, even for top-bracket people like me (I'm a lawyer), Obama will save me money in the long run. McCain's reckless spending and reckless wars will come out of my wallet 4 years from now. Since I plan on being alive in 4 years, McCain's low taxes are like a 0% APR credit card offer, and I'm not buying it.
Clinton balanced the budget but Reagan, Bush I, and Bush II have all run massive deficits while cutting taxes, and sooner or later that money has to be paid out of all our pockets. I'm going to vote for the smart guy who understands the economy and will restore America in the eyes of the world.
2424. maarmie said:
Hear hear! I'm an American living in Scotland, but I still vote, dammit! And I'm voting Obama in this election (though I'd love to see Nader president). I think Obama has a real shot, but I think McCain and his party are GENIUS for picking Palin. She's an everyday woman who, although ludicrously right wing, will undoubtedly get too many female left-wing votes just for having a vagina. Most of the American voting public is made up of animals. Let's see if they will choose the man who will run the free world for the next four and possibly eight years.
2425. Cathy said:
"Warning, Republicans: One is about sex. Hot, hot sex. But don't worry, I think it's between heterosexuals."
Heather, please stop. It's the liberals who are wagging their fingers at Palin and calling her a bad mommy because her 17 year old unwed daughter is pregnant.
What is wrong with good discussion about the issues? Why the mudslinging? Both parties are guilty. It's useless, vitriolic discourse and helps no one.
I read your blog for entertainment. Of course, it's your blog, and you have the right to print anything you want. And I have the right to not read it anymore, but that saddens me.
I can't take enjoyment from reading your posts if instead of being entertained, I end up feeling personally attacked, as I have been with your last two. All Republicans aren't anti-gay, anti women's rights (that one seems like a liberal specialty to me right now), racist, gun-toting jackasses.
2426. stpaulslim said:
The woman has the sure and certain notion that she knows God's will. Is there any better reason to think she's nuts? Remember the last bunch who were certain they knew God's plan? We're short 2 buildings and thousands of people for it. Don't get me started on health care. My premiums make yours look like the contents of the penny pan at the convenience store.
2427. Anonymous said:
Ouah ! 2426 coms ! Super cool !
Vive Obama et vive la France !
2428. Paula said:
Way up near the top someone mentioned "third world nations".
Ummm, that's derogatory. Try "developing nations".
As a Canadian, I probably should be a bit afraid of Obama, as he plans to push the American economy at the expense of mine (can't begrudge him that) but please, I think we all know that a third term of Bush is bad news.
Palins nomination is insulting.
She's horing out her daughter whom she spent many years "educating" in the art of abstinence.
That worked really well for her.
2429. Most Offensive said:
Thank God (or god, depending) that you could actually write something substantive about the content of this election beyond who is pregnant with who's child and who attends what church (be it Rev. Wright or Palin's pentacostal one), what color Hilary's suit was, and the word that I think truly means nothing, "experience."
While I respectfully disagree with you on the election, props for being a real person, not some political wonk.
2430. treen said:
Well, if it makes you feel any better, Dooce, I'm a good little Mormon girl who has always voted Republican ... and I have seen the light. Not necessarily to the goodness of Obama, but I'm as tired as any of you of the crap from the Republicans. That's what I get for living in DC for 5 years and seeing what's REALLY going on around here.
2431. Karen B said:
I don't think YOU get it. Conservatives ARE NOT opposed to helping people. We give freely to many causes that we believe in. We don't want to be forced to support causes we don't believe in, however, just like you wouldn't like to be forced to give to a cause you don't believe in or support.
I don't think the government has the right to decide who to give my hard earned money to. We work hard and long and can't afford decent medical coverage. Right now my family has a 10,000 deductible and I still pay over $500 per month for coverage but I feel that I need that minimal insurance in case of an emergency such as cancer, etc. We are all healthy and have no medical problems so far, knock wood.
Most of my birth family are deadbeat liberals. My father is taken care of by the state he lives in. My mother is on disability but is not disabled as is my aunt, uncle and my sister and several cousins. They have all worked the system and we are all paying for them. They all complain to no end that they are not given enough and it makes me sick. I wonder how many millions of people are just like them.
2432. Nancy said:
I think if America votes for McCain and Palin then the world should vote to remove your rights to vote and each foreign country vote in your place. Funny how everyone around the world knows Obama is the man for the job but Americans can't quite figure it out yet. Fact: the only other president in the history of the United States of America to have travelled as little (around the world) as Palin has is none other than Bush. History repeating itself?? I hope Americans get it right this time around.
Canadian
2433. Doris said:
"McCain did used to be somewhat of a maverick and even though I disagreed with a lot of his positions, I still respected him. The first time I lost that respect was when he stood by Bush after Bush had made such insulting, personal attacks on McCain."
Uhhh..............hello, Hilary???? Did you also lose respect for her when she stood by Obama after having "made such insulting, personal attacks" on him?
Oops! Your hypocrisy is showing.
2434. Anonymous said:
"Clinton balanced the budget but Reagan, Bush I, and Bush II have all run massive deficits while cutting taxes, and sooner or later that money has to be paid out of all our pockets."
Oh, please. Clinton benefited from policies put in place by REPUBLICANS before him.
And, to a degree, Bush has paid for policies enacted by the DEMOCRAT before him. Between 9/11 and Katrina, I wonder what the deficit would have grown to if Gore had been in the white house.
2435. Gillian said:
Aside from everything else that frightens me about the course we will find ourselves on if we continue to see ourselves as threatened children who need protection at any cost to the rest of the world and our own principles; the idea that we would elect the oldest man in the history of this nation as president with the least reliable neophyte as the backup presidential candidate makes me afraid for us all. Anyone who believes that this country has been functioning according to the basic concepts of republicanism such as fiscal responsibility and less federal government control has not been looking. And to see the billions of dollars we have borrowed and spent on this war, yet still complain that the real threat to our economy is the moneys we spend on social welfare has to be 'la la la'ing pretty darn loud.
2436. GailV said:
You know, I don't like McCain or Palin, but this post was so poorly written that I sort of feel like voting for them in protest. I don't want to be associated with such sloppy thinking as you've got here. Just sayin'.
2437. Anonymous said:
Karen B.
You think you're working hard now? Just wait til we (you and me) start paying back the $9 TRILLION deficit that GWB has created from the $236 Billion surplus he started with in 2000.
Sorry, but I'd rather my tax dollars go to the elderly and disabled than to the pockets of the rich corporate stockholders, even if I do help out a few of your undeserving relatives along the way.
Trickle down economics, my ass.
2438. Stephanie said:
2353. Carolyn,
My taxes have been reviewed by several accountants, I use a proffesional tax service, and the first year it happened we got more than one tax advisor to look at it. Its cause I live in a highly liberal state, and there is a marriage tax and we fall into the most highly taxed bracket. You should be thankful that there are tax breaks for the rich because Rebulicans have been in office the last 8 years. So go ahead and vote for Nobama and watch the money get sucked right out of your pocket. Oh and also when a baby is aborted in the 3rd trimester, makes it, then is murdered outside of the womb, you can have the blood shed of that on YOUR hands.
2439. Kim said:
Go Dooce Go!!! I am with you 100%. It is such a scary world they have built for us over the last 8 years, it is time for CHANGE!!
KIM
2440. Pamela said:
THANK YOU!!! Damn, I'm also going nuts trying to explain to people the TRUTH! I'm so tired of defending Obama's religion (No, he's not Muslim, but if he were, WHO CARES??!), or that he's truly American (Yes, he was born in Hawaii, last time I checked, that counted! - What about McCain, born in Panama), or that he refuses to swear on the bible and asks for a Koran instead - NOT... yet again, who cares?
Gosh, I hope we can all get the word across and get this country out of the ultra conservative hands!
And Palin SCARES me!!! She's so conservative that if she were to get into power I think I'd shake in my boots!
2441. raych said:
re: comment # 285...
"You are pathetic and you are scared."
yet.. you identified yourself as "anonymous". way to go, kettle.
I totally agree with you, Heather.
2442. Aimee said:
The most amazing thing to me is that the Liberals are all about hating Palin. Palin is the thru feminist - not Hillary who had to ride her husband's cheating coat tails to where she is now. Palin did it on her own and that is what shows the Liberal's hypocrisy more than anything! And all of a sudden the stupid liberals and the stupid "feminists" who always say a woman can have it all - a career and a family, are going nuts about Palin. You are all pathetic and your true colors show through. How sad for you all. You are just all whiney little babies, which is coming out more than ever! Sad.
2443. A Canadian with health coverage! said:
I could not have said it better myself! You go Girlfriend!!!
PS. What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull, Palin asks? Yes, perhaps lipstick.. but only half of the pitbulls out there are bitches!
2444. kate said:
I agree with you and I think how you stated it is right on.
I will say this. I am not a fan of socialized health care as Leigh mentioned above. I also don't believe "Obama shits rainbows and butterflies" I don't believe Obama is going to come in and save the country like superman but I think we are given a choice as Americans and out of the two choices we have the best chance for change is Obama. He will go in there and do his best to help our country. I don't socialized health care is the answer, I also don't think having zero insurance at all is the answer either. In an ideal world everyone would have insurance that covered every single thing and they would not have to worry about if they get sick and can not get the help they need. I believe socialized insurance is a foundation. I also believe if every person has socialized insurance and has the luxury to be able to afford private insurance on top of it so be it. You should be able to have additional insurance if you are able to pay for itt, but every single person deserves to be insured.
2445. Janna said:
#2442 Aimee,
Give me a break! What kind of "feminist" wants women punished for making decisions about their own bodies? Feminism is about equal rights for women in society. How does telling other women they should have no control (read: aren't smart enough to make their own reproductive decisions) over their bodies equate to that? That's right, it doesn't. Just because she's a woman against abortion and all forms of birth control rather than a man, does not mean she's qualified to make that decision for me. It's none of her fucking business. BTW, don't even for a second believe she's really pro-life. Have you seen the pictures of all the wolves, bears, and moose she's killed? She's pro-war and pro-death penalty too. Why wasn't she up there lamenting all the babies and children in Iraq that have been murdered at the hands of the U.S. if she's so pro-life. The answer there is obvious to all of us who actually think rather than those who shout "Woman Power." Of course they all are pro-life until birth and then they just don't give a shit, which is obvious by how they cut social programs for those who need it most.
Just because we women can have it all, doesn't mean we should at times. No one is saying she shouldn't be able to have it all, but she is neglecting the most vulnerable people in her family in the name of ambition. Rest assured that's all it is. I keep waiting for that great story in her past about how she aspires to be VP or President someday. I honestly don't think she ever gave it one little though before now. If she really wants it, she's young, she can try for VP again when her children are better able to take care of themselves. Being in denial about the demands of a high ranking job like VP isn't in any way noble or commendable or feminist for that matter. I'm not willing to risk the already failing health of our country to someone who thinks they should be allowed to do the job because they're a woman, regardless of her actual qualifications, which are few and sketchy as it is.
2446. Michelle said:
43. J. said: "However, Republicans are not going to force their ideals on us by way of federal laws and legislation."
Hmm. Is that why they're talking about overturning Roe v. Wade and banning gay marriage? How is it that the "small government" people are the ones trying to legislate morality?
269. maggie said: "The economy has highs and lows and if you are lucky, you are the sitting prez when all is good."
Statistics show that over the last half a century when Reps. are in office the market (a great indicator of the economy) falls an average of 10% and when Dems. are in office it climbs an average of 8%. Must be pure coincidence.
2447. Emily said:
2425. Cathy said:
"All Republicans aren't anti-gay, anti women's rights (that one seems like a liberal specialty to me right now). . ."
As long as Republican voters continue to support candidates who are anti-gay and anti-women's rights it is immaterial if they themselves are not anti-gay and/or anti-women's rights.
2448. aimee said:
regardless of her actual qualifications, which are few and sketchy as it is.
Well Janna #2445, what you refuse to acknowledge is that Obama's qualifications are far more sketchy and questionable than Palin's, which just proves that your arguments are as full as crap as you liberals are! No one has questioned Obama's "qualifications", which are non-existent. Nor have you questioned his associations which are downright scary!
2449. Stacy said:
I couldn't have said it better myself...I agree!
2450. GPlease said:
As someone who works for the Big Bright Blue insurance company, trust me, you do NOT want national healthcare unless you like:
waiting for key diagnostic test results months after they're taken
having a doc tell you that your heart, sinus, etc surgery isn't life threatening so you can wait it out for years
your daughter would have not gotten the care she needs.
oh and you think it's free? It's called taxes up the ass, which makes people complain "HOLY SHIT MY TAXES".
Trust me. You don't want national healthcare.
Now before you say it, no I didn't drink the Blue Kool Aid. I believe in access and slide scale fee insurance for EVERYONE. I think denial of coverage or dropped coverage by my company and others is a crime.
But I also think waiting 6 months for a MRI that could tell you it's a cancerous brain tumor is also a crime.
We need a kick ass approach that provides access and affordability on a private scare.
The government fucks up everything. Why let them fuck up our health?