Apples and Oranges

First off, let me just say that I am not a fan of our presidents proposal for health care reform. In fact, if I had to lay out my political philosophy, I would definitely align myself with the beliefs of the Republican party. Now having said that, I don't believe the Republicans follow those beliefs anymore. At least not consistently. The Republican ideal of a small federal government, with greater state controls is a myth. Ask any Republican politician or conservative justice about their stance on abortion, and they will exclaim it should left to the states. Hypocritically though, they will gladly enforce federal laws overriding state laws allowing medicinal marijuana. I know the Democrats aren't any better, and I no longer support any political party. I vote based on the individual or the issue, regardless of what any horses ass pundit might say.

Over the last year I have read a constant barrage of complaints against Obama, and his health care proposal. "He's not listening to the will of the people" "He needs to read the constitution" are a couple of the many crimes people claim he has committed. When I read these statements I have to wonder where were these complaints when Bush was president? Domestic wire tapping (Data mining), Guantanamo Bay (Right to speedy trail), the outing of a CIA agent by a member of his staff. Definitions of torture (water boarding), and last but not least, the invasion and war in Iraq. Right or wrong, these are all issues that definitely call for the same degree of scrutiny, if not outrage. And to further my point, I would like to add a quote by former vice president Dick Cheney. This is from an interview with ABC news on March 19, 2008. Check out his view on public opinion and listening to the will of the people..

RADDATZ: Two-thirds of Americans say it was not worth fighting.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: They ought to go spend time, like you and I have, Martha. You know what's been happening in Iraq. You've been there as much as anybody. There has, in fact, been fundamental change and transformation, and improvement for the better. I think even you would admit that.

RADDATZ: Let me go back to the Americans. Two-thirds of Americans say it's not worth fighting, and they're looking at the value gain versus the cost in American lives, certainly, and Iraqi lives.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: So?

RADDATZ: So -- you don't care what the American people think?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: No, I think you cannot be blown off course by the fluctuations in the public opinion polls. Think about what would have happened if Abraham Lincoln had paid attention to polls, if they had had polls during the Civil War. He never would have succeeded if he hadn't had a clear objective, a vision for where he wanted to go, and he was willing to withstand the slings and arrows of the political wars in order to get there. And this President has been very courageous, very consistent, very determined to continue down the course we were on and to achieve our objective. And that's victory in Iraq, that's the establishment of a democracy where there's never been a democracy, it's the establishment of a regime that respects the rights and liberties of their people, as an ally for the United States in the war against terror, and as a positive force for change in the Middle East. That's a huge accomplishment.

RADDATZ: Are you certain of victory?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: You can't, say -- get up some morning and say, gee, the polls are critical of what we're doing, and quit. It doesn't work that way.

Entire interview: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Vote2008/story?id=4481568&page=1

I know the claim will be I am comparing Apples and Oranges, but I disagree. If we are going to hold our politicians accountable to the law of the land, then we have to do it consistently, and regardless of whether or not the politician is our good ol' boy. And in my opinion, we wouldn't have an administration that in some peoples minds is so liberal, if we hadn't of allowed the previous administration to go unchecked so far to the right. The pendulum always swings, and if any administration chooses to cater to minority and ignore the rest, there will be an eventual price to pay. Here is an idea, why don't we vote for someone who will represent the middle and start ignoring the fringe on both sides?

Thank you for choosing Kaiser

So I get a phone call yesterday morning canceling my 2 week follow-up appt. for my ankle. I am told that the doctor will not be in, and the first I can get into see him is next Tuesday. I explain that this appt. was set by my doctor, and my work restriction expires today. I will need some sort of letter extending my work restriction until next Tuesday. The representative indicates that she will send a message to my doctor/nurse requesting such a letter, and I will be contacted later.

Later that afternoon I get a call from another representative, who explains that she got my message, and that there are no appt's available today and I will have to try and get in on Saturday. In my calmest voice I explain that I already know I can't get in, I am waiting for a letter to get me through until Tuesday. She explains that I can't get a letter unless I get an appt. I explain that I had an appt. up until the doctor canceled, and it is your M*%^$R F*%$#N! responsibility to remedy the situation. She responds that my only option is to call Saturday morning and make an appt. I explain that our lovely conversation must come to an end, and hang up.

Not understanding why I have to wait until Saturday to make an appt. and not wanting to stress all night worrying if I can get in, I call again to make an appointment. I speak to another representative explaining the facts of my case IN DETAIL, who while being a little more sympathetic, explains to me that Saturday appts. must be made same day. I finally give up and agree to stop fighting the machine. I thank her and she tells me "Thank you for choosing Kaiser" Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!


p.s. I didn't really curse, that was just my inner dialog.