Do NOT Let your Representative / Senators Privatize Medicare!

Really, this is coming and we need to ACT. Call or write your Representative & Senators. We (anyone 65 and over) will pay MORE and get LESS. Don’t believe me, do the research and push for Medicare to remain!

“Sometimes a people lose their right to remain silent when pressured to remain silent.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy

Here's How To Make Sure Congress Hears You

A follow up on the request that you contact your Representative/Senators.

Want to ensure Medicare or the US Constitution aren't decimated? Want your Washington representatives to know where you stand? This advice might come in handy.

More Irony . . .

General Petraeus’s misdemeanor (by virtue of plea bargaining) for sharing classified information with his lover (remember he was married at the time, too). Hmmmmmmmm

“Sometimes a people lose their right to remain silent when pressured to remain silent.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy

Keep Alert on the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid and Medicare

REALLY, this nominee will try very hard to eliminate/dismantle safety nets.

“Sometimes a people lose their right to remain silent when pressured to remain silent.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy

Fake news network 'tried to write fake news for liberals — but they just never take the bait.'

Liberals didn’t bite! Check it out.

Note from member of my email list - Snopes has been found to be untrustworthy. So, try to double or triple check for truthiness.

“Sometimes a people lose their right to remain silent when pressured to remain silent.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy

A Free Press?

Mary Mapes’ speech on Freedom of the Press (given at Chautauqua Institute). Very very interesting!

A big thank you to a member of my family for this link!

“Sometimes a people lose their right to remain silent when pressured to remain silent.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy

The political IS personal and the personal IS political

Remember, if you are receiving this, you have NOT asked me to remove your name from the email list. At any time going forward, you may let me know if you do not want to receive any more of these emails. I have gotten a lot of wonderful responses - some from friends/family with whom I do not always agree and some from those with whom I do usually agree. There are so many topics in our political world, that I am sure we will continue to agree on some things and challenge each other on those other items. Either way let’s stay friends and work together on our common ground and leave our disagreements alone. This way, I think, we will be as individuals and as a country better for it!

My goal is to be a conscious American citizen. While I was disappointed in the recent election results, I do accept that we have a different president taking office in January, than I had imagined. He has promised a number of things that challenge our US Constitution, agreements with other nations in the world, and the core of who we are as a nation and a people. He is the president-elect – on January 20th, 2017, he will be inaugurated as our 45th President.

There is so much fiction swirling in the press, TV, internet, Facebook, our various email feeds, etc. etc. etc. I will strive to only pass on factual items. I ask that you do the same with any responses to me. I use SNOPES and POLITIFACT. Here is a link to another way to check information. When I sent the first email, I thought I’d be covering the topics below:
Personal: Protect and Maintain - Social Security (AARP) and Medicare (AARP)
Family: Protect and Maintain - Pro-Choice (Planned Parenthood / NARAL) and Affordable Care Act (House & Senate)
Community: Fight Discrimination (Anti-Defamation League/NAACP) and Support immigration for all religions (Anti-Defamation League)
Country: Maintain the Freedoms and Privileges accorded us from the Constitution of the USA (focus on the Bill of Rights) (ACLU)
World: Follow rules of the Geneva Conventions with respect to opponents (United Nations)

I have since determined that this list is too long, too broad, too ambitious. I may be retired but I don’t have to explore everything across the spectrum. So, I am primarily focusing on the US Constitution. It has gotten us this far (228 years) it can take us out 4 more years. Specifically, I am going to focus on the Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments to the constitution).

The frequency of any item (or email for that matter) will depend on what I find or what interests me. As I find things, I will send them on – no particular order. Feel free to send me information related to the 1st Amendment that you have found of interest. Don’t forget to verify it’s truthiness (to steal a term from Stephen Colbert).

“Sometimes a people lose their right to remain silent when pressured to remain silent.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy

Not Just Obamacare But Medicaid, MEDICARE Also On GOP's Chopping Block

As a mature American (over 65 yo), I am very concerned about the future of Medicare. Tangentially, I care about the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid for those younger people in my life but Medicare affects me very personally! Prior to turning 65, I had my own company and little access to health care insurance. What I did have was an insurance card that I showed at the doctor’s office which (no matter the incredible monthly premium) covered none of the care received. The only benefit was that I could say “I was insured.”. A scary time but luckily for me personally, I had no medical issues that could have bankrupted us. I love Medicare. The ease with which I am able to get care, the speed with which the bills are paid and the security of knowing I have health insurance makes me breathe easier.

Please check out this article and watch the efforts of your representatives/senators with respect to Medicare. Thanks!

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Maya Angelou

1st Amendment Support

Amendment I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Support the 1st Amendment’s freedom of the press, subscribe to your local paper and one of the national papers’ digital versions (NY Times, Washington Post, USA Today, etc. etc. etc.). We can’t get “home” delivery of the local San Diego Union-Tribune here at the RV park. So, we buy it daily out of one of the boxes within the park. That’s more expensive but we do like the local news, NYT Crossword/Sudoku puzzles, and honestly the “feel” of the paper in our hands.

“Withholding information is the essence of tyranny. Control of the flow of information is the tool of the dictatorship.”
― Bruce Coville

Isn't It IRONIC

Our Vice-President-elect wants to keep the public from accessing HIS EMAILS. Note, these are not personal emails but those from when he was Governor of Indiana (a public office). Isn’t it IRONIC!

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”― Edmund Burke (in a letter addressed to Thomas Mercer).

Citizenship Test

Here’s a link to the USA Citizenship Test, try your hand at it. I found it challenging and very interesting.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”― Edmund Burke (in a letter addressed to Thomas Mercer).

Crash Repairs - Valencia, CA

Remember the CRASH ( see 8/12 blog entry) - an incoming rig crashed the picnic table into our slide wall. Well, on our way south to Santee/San Diego area for the winter we stopped at Camping World for some annual checks/fixes. We didn't think they had any body shop facilities but we had arranged for the insurance adjuster to meet us there and figure out how and for how much the fix would be. Since the hole punched into the side of the rig broke the moisture barrier, it was important to get it sealed before the winter rains came.

Camping World did an amazing job - BEFORE

AFTER

Really this is the same spot! There is no way for anyone, who didn't know of the crash, to guess that there was a hole there. they were able to get it sealed smoothly and painted the same shade of faded dark blue. AMAZING! and it didn't cost us a penny - they on the other hand had to shell out $900.00. And, we are ready for the rains!