Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Like most people engaged in the political discourse of America, I get quite a few requests for campaign donations from politicians around the nation. I decided that since what I most often get are form letters spouting all the wonderful things the politicians are doing creating change, I would start sending out a form letter back to them stating why I won't be sending any money to politicians for a bit.

I spent quite a bit of money on democratic candidates in the 2008 election cycle. I didn't mind because I felt that America might finally be tired of being run by big business and would start working for ALL people and not just the rich. So far this year I have not seen a whole lot of change. What I have seen is the super majority Democrats caving into the super minority Republicans. We got a stimulus bill, which was and is needed, weakened mightily seeking bipartisan support, when it came to the vote, we didn't get one Republican vote. I am so tired of being told things are changing, and then seeing that the words don't match the actions. I understand the need for bipartisan action, I agree with including everyone in the mix, but the Republicans have repeatedly shown they are prepared to offer their support for the changes they want, often weakening a piece of legislation, but then when the time comes to put their vote where their promises are, they don't show up. A public option is imperative for health care. What I am hearing in the news and reading about shows that again, the Democrats, are kneeling before the Republicans to put big business first over the well being of America. When the Democrats pass health reform WITH a public option, then I will start donating again. Until that time, my money will stay in the bank to help pay for healthcare that I cannot afford. I would much rather be sending my money to people who are willing to make the changes promised happen.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Voice Against Sally Kern

I love Oklahoma. I was born and raised here. My grandparents helped settle two areas of this great state. One side helped settle the northeast part of Oklahoma and one side helped settle central Oklahoma. My love for this state is deep seated within my soul. I believe in the people of Oklahoma. I have seen Oklahomans rise through the ashes of tornados, wildfire, ice storms, and terrorism. There is an indelible belief in seeing our neighbors through the hard times and celebrating with them the good times. Oklahomans have stood for what is right without the ignominy of righteousness. We have stood for justice without the disgrace of inequity; and we have stood for Faith without the stain of exclusion. Sally Kern, who was not born in Oklahoma, seems to think that her voice should be the loudest coming out of Oklahoma, representing Oklahoma beliefs and Oklahoma values. Oklahomans need to raise their voices in solidarity against her desire to divide Oklahoma. Oklahomans must show the nation and the world that Sally Kern does not speak for all of us. Some would say that the best reason for raising our voices against Ms. Kern is the economic reason; no Fortune 500 company is going to extend their business in Oklahoma as long as Ms. Kern's is the loudest voice to come out of Oklahoma. According to statistics provided by the Human Rights Campaign, 86 percent of Fortune 500 companies now bar discrimination based on sexual orientation. More than half of Fortune 500 companies extend Domestic Partnerships to their employees.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06184/702548-28.stm#ixzz0KFfaKdQn&D
The best reason for Oklahoman's to speak out with one voice against Ms. Kern is that it would be doing what is right. Oklahoma, a state born from diversity of Native American tribes, fertilized with the blood from every race, has worked hard to triumph over hatred. We have a long way to go but we continue to strive to be an honorable state. We need to show the nation we are still Oklahoma Proud.