lalucas's Open Salon Blog

Anarchists & Millage Idiots - A Letter to Joan Walsh

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:07:02 -0400

Hi Joan:

Participating in local budget discussions, I experienced the same stubborn, irrational stance by ultra-conservatives as President Barack Obama has this week. The Board of County Commissioners has listened to requests asking for the closure of all three public libraries with no consolidation plan-- having no library is an acceptable option in rural Florida for ultra-conservatives. This county has 100,000 citizens, 35% of whom are over 65. They use the libraries but do not speak out about the value of reading and having new books in the libraries. What kind of society do ultra-right wing Republicans seek to create?

Major de-funding of parks & recreation is on the table, with a new plan to charge user fees at sports complexes. Such fees will effectively exclude 35% of local kids living in poverty from these sporting programs.

Property values have decreased by 10%; property taxes will decrease by 10% for most owners. The Tea Party (TP) & anarchistic Libertarians cannot fathom raising the millage enough to fund libraries & parks. The average citizen will pay $100 less in property taxes this year; $6 of that $100 savings will cover the budget for P & R and three libraries. The TP chants "No millage increase!" Is $6 per YEAR (50 cents/month) too much to pay for libraries and parks?

The ultra-conservative Chairperson stated that the librarians have no right to be proud that they offer reading materials not available at retail outlets such as Books a Million. A local newspaper offered the following about the chairpersons' comments on the library :

"There are businesses out there that are struggling," she said, and added it was no wonder that bookstores are folding. Borders and Barnes & Noble have financial problems." ***

A local radio personality called libraries as well as parks and recreation "frills". The radio host and his audience want to keep their $6 -- ideology trumps practicality. For pointing this out, I have been berated consistently, with both moderator and county commissioner tolerating same. The following comments are written after intense interaction with millage idiots:

After speaking out against decimating all that represents civilized society, I know what the President endures first hand. I empathize with the President's frustration because I have had to hold back my own anger in sticking to the facts. The sole response has been disrespect and Republican bullying accompanying a complete denial of the facts.

Should the President remain cool and polite in his anger, or can he be more pointed in his statements? What sound-bite can be developed to repeat over and over that is effective? His speeches and plans require thoughtful attention and response -- the Republican response is to lash out or react by signing pledges and speaking in soundbites.

The current right-wing talking point is that the President keeps "moving the goal post". A simple sports analogy for a political climate that pits individual Americans against each other. The Red and the Blue team are lured into playing a game that nobody ever wins because society loses.

Why didn't the President say that moving the goal post has been the sole Republican tactic since he took office? Why are Republicans allowed to twist reality so that somehow THEY are the victims rather than the President and the American people? Honestly, can the President find someone to create pointed sound-bites for his speeches?!

The only thing that ignorant people understand is force but our President is not a thug. Republican politicians have chosen to become bullies for the Party of "No" this century. In real life, bullies back down when they are pursued and defeated. The time is NOW to go on the offensive with these people. They are not smart and will never understand a nuanced argument. If the President refuses to respond in a fashion that these people understand, and Harry Reid is too soft-spoken, what happened to the fighter in Nancy Pelosi? Or, is there another solution:

The bullying was so terrible against me that others on the thread defended my thoughts and right to post them. Eventually, even some Conservatives came to my aide in subtle ways. What will it take to reach a tipping point for the majority of Americans in their understanding that Republicans are not working in their best interests?

Could the Republican House caucus be called out as members of an anti-government faction -- or at a minimum anarchists?? Is this not the truth about some House Republicans and Blue Dogs? These elected government officials are systematically working to change the role of government. They are willing to risk its destruction and jeopardize most American's economic security in NOT raising the debt ceiling. How is their posture considered anything but anarchistic?

Eventually enough Americans will be aware that we have an anti-government faction sitting in the House of Representatives, but they must be told. I believe we are fast approaching a tipping point but the media and the President have to say just the right things to make it happen.

The local county residents respond by backing down somewhat when called out as the "anti-government faction". Is that too harsh, Joan, when in reality the freshman in the House are threatening to take America down by not raising the debt ceiling?

The local citizenry is living in fear of not receiving their Social Security checks, just as the President noted. Even worse things are happening and are reported on the local level. Suicide is on the rise. People are not spending. Seniors are dying in their sleep or not sleeping at all because they cannot survive without the next SS check.

Holding anarchistic viewpoints should be political suicide for the freshman Republicans. They are willing to gamble that their base can be manipulated by sound-bites and lies because they have a short memory.

Perhaps the President needs to call the Republican bluff and maximize an approach that blames Republicans over and over ad nauseum for the fact that seniors are living in fear thanks to this Republican anti-government stance? These "public servants" are being paid to undermine the economic security of those least able to withstand it? Why is THAT fact off the table as a talking point?

Joan, you have Chris Matthews' ear. Is there anything more you can do or say? Perhaps ask your host to be even more pointed in his criticism of the House Republicans and Eric Cantor -- that is Chris Matthews specialty! Thanks!

All the Best,

Lisa Lucas

*** There is neither a Borders or a Barnes and Noble within 45 miles of Highlands County.

Floridian Idiotology

Wed, 11 May 2011 15:05:22 -0400

Too many Floridians believe that new Florida State laws should be considered "Tea Party Progress". Thinking members of society (and many Floridians) dub the last legislative session the "Tea Party War on the Poor". Just how did so many deviations from civilized thought become modern day law? How do Tea Party Republicans answer the following?:

"What is going to happen to the poor when Medicaid and other assistance is cut or eliminated? These citizens live among us now -- are they meant to sleep in tents on some piece of vacant land, eating from dumpsters until they die of privation?"

Few will be amazed to learn that the extreme Right Wing shows no emotional or intellectual understanding of this potential. They have no thoughts or solutions for these members of society -- standard Republican Tea Party mindset. The most coherent response is that Tea Party members do not like the fact that too many people are getting a "hand out" rather than a "hand up". The new phrase "hand slap down" can be added to future discussions of recent changes to Florida law.

Because only a few hundred dollars per month separate most locals from enduring a similar fate, they seem to willfully misunderstand the plight of the "working poor" living among them. Wages are stagnant or declining in a region where the top wage for blue collar women is $12 per hour, and the top wage for blue collar men hovers around $15 per hour, unless they are "management" and make up to $20 per hour. The locals that are thriving/surviving have not considered that other local workers are expected to feed and keep a roof over the heads of their family as well. Unfortunately for the majority of local blue collar workers, with only one income, they are living below the poverty level, and with two incomes, the family still qualifies for moderate level affordable housing.

There are consequences to living paycheck to paycheck in an area with few primary jobs and declining wages. A single mom was arrested for stealing food recently to feed her family. There was no one available to take care of her children while she was held in jail for the crime of trying to keep them alive. No local program existed to "cover" this situation. I cannot find any record of what happened to her or to the kids, but she and her family will not be alone in this kind of suffering. The State of Florida has done everything possible to destroy the already shredded safety net for the poor, many of whom are single women with children working more than one job while qualifying for food stamps and Medicaid.

At the same time, the State has passed a new five part law with regard to abortion rights. Of the most onerous, a pregnant woman will have to view her ultra sound or listen to a description of the fetus seen in the ultrasound prior to an abortion. This is a State that teaches "abstinence only" in most rural counties, and has lost millions of Federal dollars in "comprehensive sex education" grants for the privilege to continue this practice. While making both birth control and abortion more difficult to attain, this State has cut or eliminated aid to single parents and pregnant women via Medicaid. Rick Scott and the Republican party are waging a war on women's rights and, unfortuantely, are succeeding in ensuring that young women will have less opportunities for success than their predecessors in recent decades.

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Too many people continue to believe in the sanctity of the individual's right to prosper outside the constraints of the social compact. Those that believe the "rugged individual" should prosper at all costs as well as that the free market remains viable are going to witness first hand what happens when Libertarian Ideals (aka Floridian Idiotology) turn into Social Darwinism for the poor. There will be more crime, more people living on the streets, and too many children dropping out of school and/or going hungry. Not understanding this likelihood, "Floridiots" defined as the proponents of "Floridian Idiotology", demand smaller government with less police, less firefighters, less taxation and more gun rights; they truly believe, against all odds, that all will be well once the poor do not receive assistance.

In arguing with one local male about the fact that the free market does not exist for commodities such as oil and fuel, or for monopolies such as health care and insurance, he replied that he wasn't too interested in economics! I guess that is true of Rick Scott, Paul Ryan and all the others that believe there will be no consequences from removing the social safety net and subjecting the poor to the cruelty of the "free market".

I am mentally and emotionally exhausted from arguing with these ignorant, selfish people - I have made myself physically sick in result. I am sure the poor are feeling very similar stress in their disbelief and economic insecurity. What is going to become of these poor people when they get sick? There are no new primary wage jobs being created in this area, unemployment is at 11.4%. There are no stats for underemployment, workers for whom unemployment has run out or those without health insurance. Yet, in spite of having the third highest unemployment in the country, the Florida legislature just cut employment benefits from 26 weeks to 23 weeks -- in a state that ranks 47th lowest in its unemployment payout -- $275 per week. This figure supplies a level of income that is WELL below the poverty level for a single income family.

At the same time, people are losing their homes and home values continue to decline at least 1% per month. When the local government of this Tea Party county learned that it is ranked #1 in the State for its high number of foreclosures and vacant homes,, they declined a $1 million dollar Federal grant to create new affordable housing rentals and sales. By rehabbing foreclosured properties with Federal dollars, the county could have provided at least ten homes to help shrink the list of the 350 families now waiting for a new or rehabbed Habitat for Humanity home. Yes, "idiotology" reigned supreme in that decision but then, again, this county is dominated by Tea Party (TP) rhetoric, Fox News turned on in every restaurant and doctor's office and the presence of TP thugs and bullies who shout down any voice of reason during official local meetings.

Huge disruptions to the once sought-after "Florida lifestyle" are occurring in Central Florida (and across the State). The predominance of Floridiot propaganda prevents them from opening their eyes or listening to reason. People will be living on the streets and in abandoned buildings, engendering crime and death, before it dawns on the majority that this is no way to live. The appeal of the Wild Wild West to these "rugged individuals" may diminish once the underbelly of that lifestyle becomes their every day reality.

Rick Scott has nothing in mind but taking all he can get from this State, at least just short of going to prison. The Tea Party Right elected a criminal to office and turn a blind eye to what he is doing. His bald head and white supremacist attitudes were to very alluring to many Floridians. Florida's leadership is corrupt, and in general, the rural citizenry voting in the extremists have no critical thinking abilities. They go with their gut while believing that might makes right and white reigns supreme. In result, the other half of the citizenry have to live with what the extremists created via their Floridian Idiotology. Perhaps we will evolve socially back toward reason and fairness, thereby restoring civilized society without too much more damage and loss of life.

On the other hand, thank God my husband likes guns and has lots of ammo...

Pres. Obama Touches Down in Florida's Heartland

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:10:59 -0400

A handful of Democratic women woke up this morning excited about our trip to see the President of the United States, Barack Obama. Shortly thereafter, we were disappointed to read the headline in our local newspaper. Although he was passing near to the sleepy town of Arcadia, in the Heartland of Central Florida, President Obama's address would be delivered to a select group of attendees admitted by invitation only.

Hundreds of people were unhappy to learn that they could not hear the President speak after his tour of the newly opened DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center, currently the largest solar energy facility in the country.

In spite of this, many fans of the President chose to wait near the highway to watch the President's motorcade as well as catch a glimpse of the President.

Under the Grand Live Oak Tree

Since we had planned to beat the crowd, we arrived with over an hour to spare. We tried to flirt with the policemen and SS agent at the entrance to the road in effort to gain admittance. As sweet as we are, our best efforts did not win entrance for the four us....sigh.

In result, historic downtown Arcadia beckoned us to breakfast. The restaurant is located on Main St. in a nearly century old building nestled among antique shops and other remnants of Old Florida including the train station.

So old there is only enough plumbing for a unisex bathroom...!

Realtors taking a break from dealing with the Housing Sector -- we still smile from time to time! ;)

Our waiter put up with us -- American Cheese Omelets or Poached Eggs with Corned Beef Hash, Grits and Publix Wheat Toast $4.25.

Bill for Four $26.10 plus tip.

Ambience -- priceless!

Arcadia is blessed with many well-preserved historic buildings.

After breakfast we headed back to park a ways past the right wingers, who outnumbered the good guys by about three to two. Always the optimistic, I held that supporters were present 3 to 2, but the group's eyeball concensus was that we needed to spread ourselves out in a longer line to make the President feel better about our turnout.

Unfortunately, the local right-wing didn't disappoint, turning up with home-made signs, lots of flags (though no Confederate ones) and patriotic garb. Two favorite protestors are included shown below. (The second sign made us snort):

President Obama's supporters were a lively happy crew. We had a great time for 20 minutes mingling while waiting for the motorcade:

Friend Jean, with two fond Obama fans.

First Prize -- Best Obama Gear

Dozens of police came from several surrounding counties, blocking off all side roads with cars and motorcycles. They asked us to stay off the highway making photo ops a hard won fight, but all of our finest were courteous and pleasant -- kudos!!

Note Cool House with Metal Roof in Background -- Cracker Style!

Finally, the helicopters began to fly overhead -- five in all were counted. Next came the motorcade with one black armoured truck.

I figured the President was heavily guarded at all times, not just because it is deer hunting season. After all who knows what could be hiding up in those trees...I always like to think well of people in spite of what they call my beloved President. Some of their words and thoughts are not nice or true...

I am the only one who thought that the President landed directly at the solar plant in this helicopter which flew out ahead of the motorcade:

I hope I am right as I want President Obama to always be safe.

There are more people than one might believe in Central Florida that love our President. It warms my heart to see them:

I love our Obama, too, Litte Ones. I hold him in my heart and pray for his success. Today, I added another tiny prayer: May these darling babies grow up to live in a more happy, loving and tolerant world. And may solar energy take its rightful place as the sensible energy solution for the Sunshine State.

Amen.

End of Life Issues, pgs 424-426

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:08:19 -0400

Hi _____:
With regard to Dr. James A Grillo III's letter:

http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/note.php?note_id=120243129785&id=48801385&ref=share

There are moral, ethical, religious and political assertions being made in his letter and others like his that have been interpreted according to the author's personal beliefs and professional desires.

For example he writes:

Page 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3: Govt provides approved list of end of life resources, guiding you in death. (assisted suicide)

He interprets the language of Pg 425 and 426 as "assisted suicide". That is his analysis of the language regarding end of life consultations. Here is the actual language, taken directly from the HR 3200 bill:

Page 424 - 426

Advance Care Planning Consultation

Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the term “advance care planning consultation’ means a consultation between the individual and a practitioner described in paragraph (2) regarding advance care planning if, subject to paragraph (3), the individual involved has not had such a consultation within the last 5 years. Such a consultation shall include the following:

(A) An explanation by the practitioner of advance care planning, including key questions and considerations, important steps, and suggested people to talk to.

(B) An explanation by the practitioner of advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney, and their uses.

(D) The provision by the practitioner of a list of national and State-specific resources to assist consumers and their families with advance care planning, including the national toll-free hotline, the advance care planning clearinghouses, and State legal 17 service organizations (including those funded through the Older Americans Act of 1965).

(E) An explanation by the practitioner of the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, including palliative care and hospice, and benefits for such services and supports that are available under this title.

(F)(i) Subject to clause (ii), an explanation of orders regarding life sustaining treatment or similar orders, which shall include—

(I) the reasons why the development of such an order is beneficial to the individual and the individual’s family and the reasons why such an order should be updated periodically as the health of the individual changes;

II) the information needed for an individual or legal surrogate to make informed decisions regarding the completion of such an order; and

(III) the identification of resources that an individual may use to determine the requirements of the State in which such individual resides so that the treatment wishes of that individual will be carried out if the individual is unable to communicate those wishes, including requirements regarding the designation of a surrogate decision-maker (also known as a health care proxy).

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Apparently, Dr Grillo is attributing to this language a slightly sinister slant (assisted suicide) based on his personal beliefs about end of life actions and decisions. His take seems to align with the "keep Terry Schiavo alive forever" judgment of end of life decisions.

Apparently, his belief is that anything short of keeping a patient alive at all costs is assisted suicide. This opinion reflects one side of the coin in the partisan debate that surrounded the Terry Schiavo case. I have mixed feelings about her case to this day as do many people. These decisions are never easy nor made lightly without a lot of thought and soul-searching.

The bill's language was intended to fill a gap in Medicare procedures. Should a patient want to consult with their doctor about end of life procedures, that consult will be paid for by Medicare. The Bush Administration tried to get the exact same language into another bill but failed.

Bill HR 3200 is written to change guidelines and standards of care. Naturally, moral questions result from interpretation of the language. The issues surrounding the questions of , "Should our lives be prolonged indefinitely, or should we be allowed to die without medical intervention?" continues to be a hard fought moral battle fron both perspectives.

In result, there is going to be some opposition to any bill's language that allows doctors to be paid for these consultations. The effort is being attempted by Congress so that the Medicare patient does not have to pay should they chose to have this consultation. That is the issue in a nutshell -- who pays for an end of life consultation.

The above listed paragraphs are the exact language from the bill, therefore it should be easy to read that these consultations are NOT mandatory. They would constitute a new covered benefit within Medicare for those that choose to be kept alive at all costs as well as those that do not want to be kept alive artificially.

If a doctor and patient want to talk about these things, surely this is a valuable benefit for the dying patient. Everyone will not agree that these consultations are a benefit-- evidence Sarah Palin's take on this language.

In the end, the right wing's fight against this aspect of patient care has fomented yet another divisive partisan moral/religious issue. Unfortunately, for the public, this issue has been couched in an outright lie. Every American that is concerned about end of life issues should read the actual language of pages 424 through 426 so that this propaganda about "death panels" can be silenced immediately.

Unfortunately for the masses, this discussion of this portion of the bill has devolved into partisan hyperbole focused around "pulling the plug on grandma". This is a falsehood that has been perpetuated at the expense of the elderly and is doing grievous harm to them. End of life issues might remain forever a hot button topic but putting fear in the hearts and minds of the elderly is not the way to have meaningful discussion concerning the moral aspects of the issue.

This country is divided on so many issues that it is hard not to be scared. One of my customers said that she is afraid we are going to have another civil war. I believe Fox News and the media are working overtime to keep the masses stirred up about everything. You and I try to talk one-on-one, and in our hearts and conversations we are left trying to bridge the huge divide that is obvious to both of us.

In the end, we have to find national solutions that are moral but also fair and reasonable. To use an easily understandable analagoy, health care reform is much like agreeing to "treat all parties honestly and fairly" in a real estate transaction. We have to walk a fine line to get things done in an ethical manner. Issues involving this level of human interaction are not easy and chosen methods open to interpretation. Just as homes continue to be bought and sold, people get sick and die. There need be humane rules governing these transitions in our lives. We need to support humane treatment of others.

I don't know what the answer is, but as I wrote yesterday, my sister-in-law remains unattended by the needed specialist for three days now apparently due to lack of health care insurance. I can tell you with certainty that the health care system is failing her as it does so many of us who cannot have health care insurance coverage for lack of funds or due to pre-existing conditions. Americans truly need health care and insurance reform whether they understand it fully or not. In the end, we all pay too much for care or lack of it within our current system.

All the Best,
Lisa Lucas

***************************************************************************************** Refuting a similar right-wing email campaign, please read this post by Mishima.

My Letter to a Fiscal Conservative

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:08:01 -0400

Dear __________:

I wanted to write a personal note to thank you for your consideration of my position on affordable health care in the message crafted for our district's House Representative. I know that it goes against most conservative tenets to refrain from protest on the issue of health care reform with regard to a public option. I have struggled to understand the conservative position for some time now, but I think I understand your position much better now. I am reading a book called a "Conflict of Visions", by Thomas Sowell. His writing is helping me gain perspective on the nature of the fiscal conservative juxtaposed to a more socially liberal perspective with regard to economic policies.

In result, because I think we may be more in agreement than you would suppose, I want to explain my perception of what is happening with our economy:

I have come to see that most segments of big business have become "too big to fail". They must continue to exist and prosper due to a lack of other viable consumer options in the marketplace. Having a handful of giants in any segment of business works against the principles of competition in the market place that are needed to keep the free market functioning equitably.

As I have written, the creation of the public option for homeowner's insurance in Florida reopened the market for new smaller businesses to compete with the insurance giants. Short of anti-trust or other regulation, the only entity large enough to jump start competition with businesses in the "too big to fail" category is the government. As the President has said many times, he is not in the "car business" or the "banking business", but his administration knows that the current economic situation where greed has run wild can only be curbed by the economic force of competition in the market place.

We seem to find ourselves in a period of time where conservative principles left unchecked for too long have thrown the market out of balance. Although I am no fan of big government, or perhaps even this new version of government intervention, I have realized over the past several years that big business cannot be expected to police itself any better than certain branches of the government have done. We are in need of leadership and decisions that force a level of business practice that is not just profitable but follows fair trade in business as well. Market competition is the only remedy possible for capitalism gone feral.

With regard to health care, the CEO's of the insurance giants went on record saying that they had no problem cancelling policies of their customers when they became sick to a level that was deemed too costly to the corporation. Regardless of politics on any side, they sold the customer a product then did not perform as advertised of their product.

In a normal marketplace, this would cause a lack of return business that would ultimately impact the bottom line. Failure to provide products that were paid for by insurance premiums is not only bad business practice but should result in at least the punitive damage of loss of business and profitablity to the corporate entity. With businesses "too big to fail", there is little negative impact to the bottom line, however, as they can raise premiums without limitations. There is no other choice for the consumer due to lack of viable competition. In result, big business gets away with selling a product that can become worthless without notice, without recourse for remedy or refund.

Some corporations will not do the right thing ethically, morally, socially or even in the sense of good business practice because the only thing ruling corporate interests is ever-increasing profitability. By definition, a corporation exists solely to create profit. The only way to check the business practices of a corporation is to seriously cut into profitability through intensely viable market competition.

In result, as well as to circumvent the effect of corporate lobbyists , this administration is opting to provide market competition in the corporate world on behalf of its citizenry. I am eager to learn if in the end, the plan may be to operate for profit (as in the takeover of GM) which certainly will be a new concept in the market place.

Is it possible that the plan to create government participation in the market place could be viewed properly as capitalism working through the precepts of the free market? If so, this is a relatively new concept. I remain optimistic a public option will provide a much needed wake up call to big business, who have been able to operate unchecked for a very long time.

In the end, if this new force in the market place becomes viable, the United State of America will maintain its status as a capitalist country, with the government providing competition in the freemarket on behalf of its citizens. I have come to believe we are looking at the beginnings of a new hybrid capitalistic economy.

On the surface, it may appear that a liberal government is attempting to become much bigger than ever in recorded history in its efforts to save every corporate entity from failure while "giving away" market products to the masses. We have to look beyond the talking points to understand what is truly happening in the marketplace. Again, I hold, a public health insurance option will serve much the same function as Citizen's homeowner's insurance (with all its flaws) serves for us in Florida. We have seen that high risk homeowners have been served by a state run homeowner's insurance company. The same thing is possible by allowing the government to create a public health care risk pool for the uninsured and uninsurable through a public option for health care insurance.

I do not propose that the transition will be easy or without initial cost, but short of competition, how will affordable health care and/or the possibility of getting what was paid for through years of premiums ever be restored? The structure of our economy dictates that the insurance giants must be forced to compete for their customers. It is really the only solution short of regulation, which now seems to be a thing of the past. Apparently, due to lobbying efforts, regulation would face an insurmountable uphill batte in Congress. We will see what works in the end, but I truly believe that reform is needed in the insurance industry.

That is my take, do with it what you will...

Best Regards,

Lisa Lucas