I Voted

Today the Wife and I exercised our rights as citizens and cast our votes in the general election. City council, state senate, congress, President. We went and let our voice be heard.



It is a big deal to both of us, this right to vote. For me, it is one of the reasons I spent time in the Marines. Americans have the right to vote, because we are free. And freedom was bought and kept at a high price throughout our history.

As an average citizen, it is one of the most American things we can do. Yes, we are just one vote of millions. Yes, the electoral college picks the President in the end anyway. Yes, with all of the problems with voting sometimes it seems like our vote doesn't really matter at all anyway.

But remember Florida in 2000? Gore was down by three hundred and some votes. That turned the entire election on it's ear.

What if it's your vote this time that tips the balance?

Anyway. I voted today. And in the end, who I voted for is insignificant to the vote itself. That right. That freedom. That so many have fought to defend in the past two hundred plus years.

If you have the chance, please go vote. I would consider it a personal favor. I would love to think my near decade in the Marine Corps was spent, if nothing else, guarding your right to make a choice. Thanks.

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Shaffer South

My Sister in Law has a blog over at www.shaffertimes.blogspot.com. It is usually an update on the kids and their life down near St. Louis, MO. Her last posting was a bit more in depth to who she is though, and an awesome one at that.

I know that she and I disagree on many things. But we agree on many things as well. We both love my brother - in different ways of course. We both believe that we should all be "voting with [our] own well-formed conscience and well-informed mind". And even though there will be disagreement, our opinions should still be respected.

At the end of her post she writes, "I don't think I'm so arrogant as to think that life should be the way I wish."

Which got me to thinking. How many times have I thought, and sometimes out loud, that life would be so much easier if we all just believed the same things. Of course, the other speakers in my head chime in how boring the world would be and such. But I do wish that there could be respect in disagreement. Compromise in the extremes. A middle ground where, though not perfect, could at least be a way for us all to move forward in a positive way.

And, of course, I am arrogant enough to think that life should be like that!

I respect her most for her love of my brother and their kids, my nephews. It shines through in what she does, and they really are a good match.

So, well written posting, my sis-in-law. I'd like to believe there are more people out there like you and my bro, and me for that matter, who are one step out of what the media would have us believe is 'normal'. And Viva Bella Roma! And the growing and canning! And the random knowledge and gifts that make you unique.

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John's Economic Stimulus Plan

So a few of us were joking around while chatting about our Titanic Economy, and the subject of the Stimulus came up. It was pointed out that one of the main 'plans' for that money was for us consumers to go out and buy a big screen TV or a new washer and dryer or something, and thereby boost the economy through retail spending.

What really happened though is most of the American people put the money towards existing debt, or paying their taxes, or they just put it in the bank. Not such a big help for the 'plan' of boosting consumer spending.

So we were joking that perhaps the government should just buy everyone a big screen TV for the next stimulus package. That led me to write a letter to my senator. Here's what it said...


To my Government Representative,

Here's a thought for the next economic stimulus. It is my understanding that the stimulus checks were supposed to boost consumer spending amongst other things. The last stimulus package didn't work out so well since most of us used the money to pay down debt or, in my case, pay my taxes.

What if this stimulus package was given out in the form of something akin to a gift card or gift certificate? Redeemable at any retail store, the stimulus recipient could 'pay' with the card and the retailer would then submit the bill to the treasury. This way the money goes to actually boosting spending instead of being tucked away for the economic hurricane to come. The cards would only go to the taxpayers who pay in anyway, much like the last stimulus. So the Republicans shouldn't have any "spread the wealth" issues. And the consumers would be literally forced to buy something retail, thus boosting the local economy and such.

Best of all, if someone fails to use their stimulus card within, say, six months, the money reverts to the treasury thereby saving taxpayers the cost of paying it out in the first place.
Just a thought.
Thanks for your work and your service to our state.
John the Paramedic

So, whaddya think? I almost threw in as an aside something like "Or you could just buy everyone in the country round trip tickets to Hawaii." But thought better of it.

How will you 'spend' your next stimulus check?

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Americans

What does it mean to be an American? For most of us, it seems to mean only that we were born in this country and therefore have the right to life liberty and the pursuit of cheeseburgers.

Election time always seems to bring out the worst in people. Or perhaps just their 15 minutes. And we see the daily reminders on TV and such of just how backwards we are as a society. Crazy McCain Lady, Joe the Plumber (and the people holding up signs supporting "Joe the Plummer"), angry blogs on both sides of the political divide (and yes, I am guilty of it as well). Seems there is little room for tolerance of others opinions.

What is an American? Is it the white middle or upper class? Born into this land with a deep felt sense of entitlement? Is it the immigrant from Europe here to work and study, and staying to become a citizen? Is it the illegals from any nation who come here in hopes for a better life? Red States? Blue States?

There are as many ways to divide our society as there are stars in the heavens, yet very few talk of bringing us together under a common cause. There are probably too many differing opinions to really ever get people to see eye to eye on things. And those opinions are mostly formed from experiences based on regions.

Living as I do in the "great white North" I don't have nearly the racial interactions with someone living in the South or Southwest would. Oh, we have our enclaves of different races, but we are mostly fish belly white up here. Sadly that leads to a distrust, and sometimes hatred, of those who are "different". Personally, I enjoy mixing with the Latinos or Somalis, the Hmong or the Serbs. It's fun to eat different food and learn about other cultures. As a white guy, I have learned a lot, and have a lot to learn about people from other parts on our planet.

But I always seem to run into those folks who gripe about those non-white people. Who claim that the "foreigners" are just taking jobs, or too lazy to get jobs, or using the welfare system to steal our tax money. They talk out of their hindquarters, because I've only met folks who are hard working, trying to do the best they can, supporting families and living the American Dream.

I know there are people out there that think Americans should only be white, middle class and Christian. But the reality is that Americans take all different shapes, colors, religious beliefs and personal beliefs. Trying to come up with a set of laws in a country with so many differing opinions has proven to be nearly impossible. Yet somehow, we all seem to pretty much get by.

I'm looking forward to a day when we can come together as Americans, regardless of any differences, and really live up to our potential. I think for me that is the American Dream. And I think that a dream it will forever remain.

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Old Kids

Tonight I ran into someone I have not seen in a decade. She was a high school senior the last time I saw her, with a group of kids that I absolutely loved. Those were the days when I was a youth director at a small church, and our group was awesome and fun, and I missed those kids when I left, and have wondered over the years what may have become of them.



Turns out she and the others are doing pretty good. I can't say I'm surprised, as they were great kids.



Now she's all grown up and living life. It was so much fun to see that she's doing well.



I awoke at 5:45 this morning to take the Wife to work, and stayed up all day with the kiddos. Now I'm at work until 7am tomorrow, and hoping beyond hope I can stay awake...

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The Dangers of Politics

At Work...

Yes, I made the mistake of answering the question of "So who are you voting for?" asked by a co-worker. In a room of republicans. And one democrat who buried her head in the computer and would not respond.

I was accused of being a left wing liberal. Hee hee! Just because I didn't agree with most of McCain's campaign pledges. And when I said there were also a few things I didn't agree with Obama on, I was pretty much ignored. One nurse asked how I could agree that nationalized health care is a bad idea and still vote for Obama. As if that were the only issue we were voting on. It's very simple really. I vote with the candidate who I most agree with. This round it's Obama. As I've said before, I could have gone with McCain except for three major flaws in his campaign.



1) He has been erratic in his decisions. The campaign message changed, what, half a dozen times? Not to mention the dozen or so plans to 'rescue the economy' last week. Pick something and stick with it.



2) His choice of Sarah Palin as VP. With so many other great options, he went with her. Most of my family has more foreign policy experience, and she has proven herself less than credible as a politician on a national scale. Hmm. Maybe picking something and sticking with it isn't such a good idea.



3) The devolution of the campaign from issues to slander. Very junior high style work.



These three things make me question his ability to be Presidential on the world stage, which has to be a big part of the next President to help this country regain some respect from the international community. They also make me question his integrity, and his leadership style.

Of course, the same nurse who grilled me on health care also thinks Obama is a terrorist, a Muslim, and has a deep dark agenda to turn the country into Black America. She's a good nurse, but a bigot and a bit of a nut job!

And while I do lean left, I also research the candidates pretty well, and choose based on my own views and beliefs. Not just the party line. But I suppose I can't just be independent. I got the same treatment at the Democratic caucus in town when I voted against an amendment to the platform supporting universal health care. I asked how it would be paid for and got pretty well shouted down. I'm also pretty sure that's what shot me in the foot for getting to the next level of conventioning.

The Wife is right. I wouldn't make a very good politician. I don't do BS well, and I'm not afraid of a difference of opinions.

A far more amusing conversation happened much later as one of the lab techs, our reg rep and another medic and I were discussing movie sequels. Our lab tech wants to see the latest Indiana Jones movie, and the other medic said there might be another sequel in the works. Then the jokes started flying about much older action hero's. Indy in a wheelchair. Rocky getting opponents from nursing homes. Rambo heading into the jungle with a bow, explosive arrows, a walker and his AARP card. We were laughing pretty hard.

Ah, life in the ED. Just don't talk politics!

Teeth

The Boyo had his very first dental appointment today. It went swimmingly! The kid has no fear I tell ya'.

The dental hygienist did a great job too, letting him play with some of the equipment and such. He chose cookie dough flavored toothpaste for the cleaning and seemed to have a pretty good time.

It was a brief visit and completely untraumatic until the very end. That's when I scheduled my visit for next week, and it was only traumatic to me. I'm a big baby when it comes to dental visits.

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