I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Illinois, not for nothing, but my DH is a life-long Republican, and yet he does not believe any of that nonsense. Is he crotchety sometimes, sure. Was he anti-communist in the Soviet days, sure [although one could argue that considering what we know now, this is to his credit]. But he is not into theocracy, was against the Iraq war, believes in the right to choose and finds it baffling that his party is opposed to some sort of reasonable solution on health care. I know many other GOPers, who hold similar views.

I too miss the give and take of the GOOD OLE' Republican party.  Everyone likes having choices which has become impossible.  Two parties, able to discuss and compromise, and a country that really runs.  Instead fodder is produced for commedians, and the GOP has become NO and STUPID all in one package.  I feel for all those who would still like the REAL party to be able to stand up and be counted. 

I have always been a registered Democrat, but up until the last two elections....I voted for the person I thought was most capable for the job -- no matter which party.  I have voted for 'the other side' a time or two but this last two times...didn't even consider such a thing.  I don't have much hope in the next few years either, but good things could happen. 

Jackie

I don't mean this to anyone....just thought it was the perfect description of a dog.

Kam, yes, he is still a Republican. He did vote for Dubya the first time, but couldn't bring himself to do it a second time. He also couldn't bring himself to vote for McCain, mainly because of Palin being on the ticket. He is not happy about this state of affairs, but nor will it make him switch sides.

Hi Gals,

I saw my first snake of the season today.  I nearly stepped on it! eeek!  He's an eastern Virginia garden snake.  I looked him up.  He seemed friendly enough, but I don't like snakes.

Hope everyone is enjoying the day!

hugs,

Bren

Momine - well if he ain't voting for all of those R's, they've lost him, even if he won't vote Democratic.  The R's have basically lost a whole generation in addition to your husband, and if they continue to treat women the way they do, as Wabbit expressed, they'll lose a majority of the voters - women.  They've lost African-Americans and working on putting the nail in the coffin for most Hispanics.

That snake has a huge head Bren!! Yikes.

Notself -- It's so GREAT to see you here again!  And even more wonderful to hear about your brother.  Absolutely amazing surgical story -- a rock star surgeon indeed!

The Grand Old Party just doesn't exist anymore, more's the pity.  It's always good to have a loyal opposition, and the current Repubs are anything but loyal to the USA.  I say that as an outside observer who discusses the "state of the union" with several American relatives and friends.

Once you place your personal religious beliefs over the welfare of your fellow citizens, you are no longer loyal to your country -- well, that's what they think, and I'd have to agree.

I think the US should stay out of the conflict in Syria - arming the rebels - do we know who these people are?

Sort of a lazy day today - I did however, clean out a box of junk I found in the spare bedroom last weekend. Did change the sheets and fold the washing though and went shopping.

Notself, what a scary time for you and your brother.  So glad he is healing and doing better.

I'm also conflicted about Syria.  I need to do some research and reading before I formulate an opinion. 

Here is a very good article about "Obamacare."  The extreme, right wing, tea party crowd will not like this article!

"Million-Anecdote Baby"

"A friend of mine has an adult child with cancer, a young man just old enough to be beyond the age of coverage under his parents’ health care plan. After nearly killing him, the dreaded Hodgkin’s lymphoma is in remission. But he’s still a pariah in the eyes of the insurance industry, which means they can deny him a policy that might save his life.

Not for long. In six months’ time, the heartless practice of refusing to let sick people buy affordable health insurance — private-sector death panels, the most odious kind of American exceptionalism — will be illegal from shore to shore.

“I can’t wait for Obamacare,” my friend gushed the other day. And she’s not alone. About one in 10 people with cancer in this country have been denied health coverage.

The cartoon version of the Affordable Care Act, that much-loathed government takeover of one-sixth of the economy, is now moving from Beltway gasbags and caricaturists into the hands of consumers. Its fate will be determined by the countless anecdotes of people who will apply the law to their lives.

The early indications are that most Americans will be pleasantly surprised. Millions of people, shopping and comparing prices on the exchanges set up by the states, are likely to get far better coverage for the same — or less — money than they pay now. The law, as honest conservatives predicted, before they orphaned their own idea, is injecting competition into a market dominated by a few big names......

.......In Oregon, brisk competition will mean real choice for consumers. Starting in October, a 40-year-old resident of Portland can choose between one insurer charging $169 a month or another asking $422 for the same plan. When these rates were first posted not long ago, some of the companies requested a do-over so they could submit lower rates. Yes, lower rates. So much for a government takeover.......

Of course, you can expect scare stories and Fox News alerts about higher premiums. These anecdotes will focus on young, healthy people with no coverage who will have to join the rest of the country in the insurance pool, or pay a fine. Some employers will also choose to pay the government rather than insure their own workers, but you won’t find too many of those listed among the best places to work. And we’ve already seen claims of skyrocketing premiums under the new plan, but those have been widely debunked as fraudulent comparisons between the bottom-of-the-bin teaser rates of today and the substantial packages of coverage required in the new law.

It’s a fascinating moment, akin to the dawn of Social Security or Medicare. Republicans in the last three years actually did the country a favor by wildly overstating the case against a middle-ground approach to getting the United States closer to universal health care. As in 1935 and in 1965, the ossified right is warning once again of an impending end to American life as we know it. Thankfully, they’re right......"

For the full article:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/million-anecdote-baby/?hp

RR.....I had the same feeling that we might have been better served if Clinton had not opened up that can.  I've no idea what should be done either. 

Bren...thought provoking article.  Just the other day my BIL who now is actually NOT calling himself a Republican is still bad mouthing Obamacare.  I think many people, including him will get the surprise of their life when things actually do get better.  Well, I think he, along with some other area Repugs, are looking for 'another' party.  Well, so far it looks to me....different name, same basic principles and ideals.  That is a HUGE fail in my books.  He said the name, but I didn't hear it.  I don't think he wanted me too, just then.  I'm sure since we had a limited time then, he wants to soft pedal things in there for awhile.  Then he will drop it on me.  Been married to his brother for 38 years now and he still doesn't know me one bit. 

Lots of fun stuff to do here today so best get busy but I'll be checking back later.

Jackie