Recently I have found myself writing a response to threads and after I am done, before I hit 'post message', I say to myself, 'What is the point? This person will not be open to any discussion. I can't change a thing by posting these words'. I hit delete and shake my head.

I lurked here at DU for several years before I got brave enough to enter into the fray of the conversation. Then there were years when thoughtful response could add to discussion and even enlighten folks. The words of others opened my eyes and helped me see things that I would not have been aware of otherwise. I miss those days of opportunity for real discussion, support and the encouragement from a group of folks who really did want our country to be a better place.

To all of those DUers who feel the same frustration I send a call out. I'm not going to give up just yet. Peace, energy and good thoughts to you, Kim

I wonder how each day would feel living in a war ravaged country where soldiers and hired hands could kill, rape and steal from my family without so much as a reprimand? I wonder how I could possibly handle feeding, clothing and sheltering a family when everything we owned had been destroyed?

I look around the beautiful village that I live in and realize that most of the Americans who live here have no real idea what their country is doing across the globe. Yet, I can imagine the outrage they would feel if their own community were destroyed by the selfish greed of others.

What I don't understand is why they can't see what I see. Why they don't take ownership of the destruction our government causes? Why they won't make a stand to bring an end to these wars? Why they won't write, call and stand up to their elected officials and demand that we stop this madness. How can we get up every day and go on as if none of this is happening? How bad do things have to be before Americans will make a stand? Peace, Kim

The only way we can ever truly solve this injustice to the American people is to drop health care benefits from our elected officials in DC and let these talks start at square one. It would become illegal for insurance companies to offer the politicians or their families special health care policies or discounted rates. Only then will these politicians agree to a plan that is equatable for all.

The question is, where do we start to implement such a program? Who would sponsor such an effort and how can we go about garnering the signatures and support. If the process can be defined then work can begin on solving this problem. All we have is time and if we don't start now, when will the time be better? I think it is evident that the solution is not going to come from those currently in charge.

The people who were elected to look out for the interest of the American people have obviously jumped the track and are working tirelessly to fill their own bank accounts and rob the American people of health care insurance and health care, a vital component to any successful country. Let's put down in words what the process would be to get the ball rolling and take back our future.

Please do not respond with calls that this is impossible. Two years ago we might have thought that getting Obama to the White House was impossible. The leg work, donations, time and money that everyday people contributed to make that happen came from hometown USA. We are here, big eyed and appalled at what is happening to health care in this country. There must be a way to put all of that energy to good use.

As a small business owner I am painfully aware of what is going to happen after the politicians adopt this health 'care' legislation. Those small businesses who have been hanging on in this economy, paying double Medicare and Social Security will be unable to continue to afford to pay the already huge insurance payments. Once we can no longer afford health insurance we need only to sit and wait for an illness or injury to happen. Doors will close and the business will no longer be contributing to Medicare or Social Security coffers. The wheels are destined to fall off at both ends.

The only way to solve this problem is to let our elected officials find their own health insurance, making it illegal for politicians to receive 'specials' from the insurance companies. Sooner, rather than later we will have representatives in DC who will look for a solution to this disaster. The greedy people who have been defrauding us for years will be forced to wake up and realize that their own loved ones will not get coverage with preexisting conditions. Just maybe they will wake up.

Least you think I am a whiner, my insurance premiums alone, for three people...$2600 a month (up $300 in January). This cannot go on indefinitely. As the economy continues to grind to a halt something has got to give. The number of uninsured is destined to increase not decrease unless premiums come down. Those tea partying seniors are going to feel it when Medicare collapses from within, by design I fear!

People it is time to wake up! What can you expect? We have waged illegal wars, bombed, killed, raped and tortured! What can you possibly expect? What do we deserve? I am dumb founded by people that don't think twice about eight years in Afghanistan, not one thought about the children that have been maimed and killed. How dare you be taken aback when the violence reaches our military base. This is war folks. WAR!!! And if you don't like it in your back yard you better stand up and stop the wars that YOU are waging in other people's back yards. It is time that Americans take account of our actions and make the necessary changes. What are you waiting for?

For the record I do not condone the violence at Fort Hood and stand opposed to any killing at home or abroad.

What a difference one day makes. Today we have given one organization the right to build casinos that will gain tax free profits from slot machines. We have decided to borrow money to pay veterans a bonus instead of using other funds. We have created a board of large corp members to oversee our farm animals while selling the amendment as safe food and organic lifestyle safeguards. It is mornings like these that remind me that I am surrounded by a sea of nonthinking fools. And so they passed three for three, but don't think they gave one penny to the vocational school! Fume!

Way to go Ava! You make me so proud. Thank you for all that you do to make the world right!


/www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/20/adolesce...

I went into a bank that I have been doing business with for over twenty years and walked up to a teller that I have done business with for at least fifteen years. My mission was to move payroll money from savings to checking, an amount and process that I have done every month for at least fifteen years.

I gave the teller my deposit and withdrawal slips and all of the appropriate paperwork. She took it and entered them into the system. We waited and waited and waited and finally I said, 'If I didn't know the money was there you would be making me nervous.' Her reply was that she was no longer allowed to transfer the amount I was asking to move, and was waiting for the manager to come over and OK the transaction. It has come to this? My deposits in that bank were ten times the amount of the transfer! I can't wait for the day when the manager says that I can not get access to my funds. I have pondered many things about the position we are in but this was not one of them. I walked out with an eerie feeling that I doubt will ever pass. I am beginning to understand why the folks who lived through the first Depression never had the feeling leave them.

As their employer we simply state that the country can no longer afford to issue these benefits. Until they are subjected to the real world problems of the insurance companies there will be no change. Imagine the politicians who have severe ailments such as cancer, suddenly realizing that they are not insurable in the outside world. This is the only way that we will get quality health care reform in this country. Peace, Kim

http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/2009...


GRANVILLE -- Karl Rove took the stage at Denison University's Swasey Chapel on Thursday to fervent applause and left after a standing ovation.
(snip)
Rove focused the address on two challenges facing the Obama administration: the economy and the war on terrorism.

Although he said there is no single reason how the nation ended up in its current economic state, he cited "imprudent lending" funded by "government-chartered enterprise" -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- as a contributor.

Rove said the stimulus required to help the nation's ailing economy should be "timely, targeted and temporary" -- something he said the Obama administration had not accomplished.


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This is what has put me in a foul mood today. Not only does he walk free and refuse to answer to the American people, but that insane folks out here actually PAY him to speak. Although the article says that the Young Republican group on campus paid for the gig, Karl gave a hearty thank you to the folks at The Young America's Foundation as well. Here is the link. Don't go there on a full stomach! http://www.yaf.org /

Long story short, we did what we could last night by welcoming Karl's audience with a sidewalk demonstration. We caught a few people off guard. The oddest thing was students driving by asking who Karl Rove is? America, there is so much work to be done! Peace, Kim

Barack Obama and his campaign have set out specific plans to get the vote out. Between now and Election Day there is still work to be done. Please contact your local office to see how you can help. Please pass this message along to your friends and family. Many hands (and feet) make light work. Call today. Peace, Kim

I watched and waited and hoped that the world would stand up to this illegal invasion but no stand was taken. Now, more than six years have gone by with no hint of an end to this war and not a single payment made on the debt that it has created. As America slips into bankruptcy her tumble will take out those who refused to stand up for what was right so many years ago. They will be forced to pay for the cost of a war that should never have been. For those who stood up and marched against the madness I say thank you. For those too frightened to stand up for what is right I shake my head and wonder how we will all get through this disaster.

Day after day you are berated, lied to and emotionally shoved to the ground. You are powerless and frightened and then one day something changes, maybe a friend lends a hand or someone at church reaches out to you and suddenly you find that you can change your life for the better. Well I think that the American people, the 35% of the hangers on, are slowly realizing that this administration has been lying and bullying them all along. These folks are coming around. If you have someone in your life who may be experiencing this, offer a hand and help them up. Who knows what we can accomplish together. Peace, KIm

I know that some of us aren't good at cold calls and don't feel comfortable going door to door for Obama. Here is a way that you can help.

*Locate the contact number for your local Obama headquarters. Check the number to make sure that it is good.
*Make a list of 10 people that you know support Obama
*Call each of these people and encourage them to get down to the Obama headquarters and volunteer.
*Make sure that your friends call five of their friends and keep this process going.


This will cost you nothing but a little time. Many say that they aren't good at canvasing and if that is the way you feel then call people that you know and tap into that resource. Feet on the ground and ears to the phone will be the only way that we can make sure that Obama gets to the White House. Make this contribution to Obama today. You won't be sorry. Peace, Kim

Here are some pictures of our Memorial to those who serve in the US Military, for those who put their lives on the line every day for us, for those who have been injured and those who have died in the line of duty.

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We started this project in December, 2005 when the official fatality count for American soldiers in Iraq was 1250. We have kept it up, removing the flags to mow and replacing them when they become tattered. This spring the count is 4079 and the job has become unmanageable for two people. This afternoon ten friends from our local peace community came over and helped us reset all 4079. We could not have done it without their help. It is a sad and yet amazing sight and I thought that you would like to see it.

Peace and love, Kim