The one thing I never discuss with others, unless I know where they stand and our opinions are similar is politics. The reason I posted this on my blog is because it gives people the right to chose to read it or not – it doesn’t force it on anyone. I’ve even taken careful steps to ensure that my political comments are below the ‘feed’ on Facebook, so I don’t upset/anger those I know don’t share my opinions.
Be warned now: This is a politically related rant and I’m a Democrat. The ‘X’ icon in the top right hand corner of your screen gets you out of here fast.
A few years ago, I discovered that my politics were dramatically different than my families. Since making that discovery, I’ve gone out of my way to not expose them to my personal opinions and thoughts related to things political. The fact that I am so different from my family is really no surprise – we differ in almost every conceivable way, but when it comes to politics, there is one major difference:
I don’t forward tacky emails related to race. I mean really, if all you have is to comment on someone’s race – that to me says volumes.
I don’t send group invitations to join Facebook groups related to my personal opinions. You may get something funny from me – but you’re not going to get anything political.
I don’t send mass emails that clearly show a bias regarding any specific political group. I may not agree with a lot of Republican leanings – but I don’t want to ‘hang them in the rose garden of the white house’ – racist some?
I don’t send hate mail – because let’s face it; it’s gotten pretty dirty out there…this is a bipartisan problem – we’re all doing it!
Bottom line, I try to respect others by not force feeding them things that may not appreciate, because I know they have opinions that differ from my own.
So please, someone, tell me when I can expect this same type of treatment from the people that I know!?
Stop inviting me to your Tea Party – I barely even know you!
I had an interesting conversation with my dad yesterday. We don’t talk much, a few times a year and our conversations are generally brief and center on our health. Yesterday’s conversation was really no different…but it was most certainly eye opening.
You see, since the signing of the healthcare bill last week, the influx of ‘Democrat hate mail’ has increased tenfold. My dad has been the source of some of this stuff…and when you get things like that, you just assume that if someone is going to support something enough to associate their name with it and forward it on, then they’re going to have researched the information contained so that they’re not making a total ass of themselves.
Not true I discovered yesterday.
I’m talking to my dad, he’s asking about my job, my health and the family and I said something related to my happiness regarding one aspect of the healthcare bill. Something along the lines of, ‘at least I have one less thing to worry about now that the healthcare bill has passed’ and he said, ‘oh? What’s that?’ – and I replied that I was happy that, if something were to happen with my job, at least I wouldn’t have to worry about not having insurance coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Then he said, ‘What do you mean?’ and I asked him if he’d looked at the healthcare bill and he replied that he hadn’t and I said that one of the big pieces of it was the fact that insurers could no longer deny/exclude coverage due to pre-existing conditions and that it took a huge weight off my shoulders, because it was a valid worry of mine – along with the ‘lifetime caps’ for coverage.
His response, “hmm, I hadn’t heard that”.
Hadn’t heard that? Are you kidding me? What have you heard that has prompted you to be so against the healthcare bill? I mean – these two things are pretty big deals – it’s all over the news.
I know enough about my dad/family to not get into these debates – so I let it go…but honestly, this really surprised me. This whole time, I assumed (yes, I know what they say about assumptions) that my dad (at the very least, since he clearly had opinions on it – so much so that he felt compelled to forward me anti-healthcare bill emails) had at least a basic understanding of what the bill was about.
I was wrong. Assumptions…
At any rate – this did prompt an interesting discussion between me and the old man – we wondered why all the people who screamed that they were moving out of the US if Obama was elected always selected a country with universal healthcare – yet they seem to be so against it here in the US.
Strange.
At any rate – I’ve read the bill and I’ve researched it and while I’m not 100% with some aspects of it – I think it’s a huge step in the right direction.
I think it’s great that, if I decide to change jobs, my genetic condition will be covered.
I think it’s great that, if I have to have a transplant and all the care that goes along with it – I won’t be capped at a million dollars, like I am now…and that’s lifetime folks – keeping in mind that I’m already more than halfway there after my hospitalization last August.
What I don’t think is great is all the non-healthcare related items that got forced into the bill in order to get it passed. I realize some negotiating is required in order to get things to happen – but these types of things are the reason why people are so frustrated with the government – regardless of who is in charge.
At any rate – make sure, before you start sending your emails, invites and comments that you’re sending them to someone who shares your thoughts and opinions. Most of the time, the crap that gets sent around is complete rubbish – regardless of which side it comes from. Is it worth your friendships and relationships to send out something you haven’t fully researched for facts?
This is why email is dangerous. It was much harder to write a letter, put a stamp on it and go to the post office than it is to click forward and select every living and breathing human in your address book to send your message to.
Remember – you’re putting your name on the crap you forward – take a minute to research it before you do.
And for the love of Pete – stop sending me racist and rude hate mail about our President. Freedom of speech allows you to share your opinion – it doesn’t always mean you ought to.
[Now, of course, I feel like I must add - these are my thoughts - this is not an invitation to debate. You're welcome to share your thoughts as well - but don't tell me how wrong I am. I honestly believe, if you've researched something enough to form an opinion that differs from mine, then I think that's wonderful - it's part of the joys of living in the United States where we aren't forced to think one certain way. However, if you've educated yourself via Fox & Friends and you've never done any research on the topic - I invite you to keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself. I have no problem with civil decisions related to politics when both sides have taken the time to educate themselves on the topic - but I'm beginning to think that this expectation is unrealistic]
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My transplant cap is at 30,000. (Currently, obviously.) Pfft. That covers, what, exactly? My hospital room?
But, yes, some of my staunchest email forwarders had no idea about anything contained in the bill or how it affects my family. I had to hide a few people on FB because I couldn’t handle their nastiness anymore. I also unfollowed one who stated that “anyone who supported the health care bill is a moron.” I’m a moron? See ya.
Oh my Jenna! That is insane. I’ve listened to everyone complain about Medicare for the last year. I’ve done so a time or two also and can give you a pretty detailed list of improvements needed, but one thing I’m grateful for? Elena’s transplant and ongoing medical care has been covered 100%. Cate and Ava’s specialists related to prematurity, 100% covered. I’m grateful that if you do end up needing a transplant, your insurance worries will be lessened because of this bill! $30,000, that is pure craziness.
Brandy, requiring coverage for pre-existing conditions is a huge weight off of our shoulders too. I completely agree with being okay with the compromises made. Hopefully, this is just the beginning!