National Health Care, A Must for Usa

Why do we need this?

My family on my mother's side tends to have longevity going for us. Both great grandmothers lived to be into their early 90's. A great grandfather to be about 88. The top picture is my grandparents, and my grandfather was 99 when he passed... My grandmother, who sleeps a lot is also 99.

We know it's a feat to make it to 85, much less to beat it by over 10 years. But seriously, in these days, it's difficult to think about, when we have our economy in shambles, and if you don't have insurance, you need $100 to walk in the door to your doctor's office... Well, if you don't have employment, you don't have money. So if you have pneumonia, what are you to do? The Emergency Room costs are even HIGHER, and well, things are getting ridiculous.

There's certain things that we can count on... One is that certain insurances will only cover us for so long, regardless of if we are paying the premiums or not. Even medicare and social security have their limits. Now that is at risk for cuts also.

We have growing kids, who may be into doing stuff like climbing trees, sports, and what have y you, and at the risk of not letting your kids act like kids, what would happen if they needed something and your insurance denied it or dropped you? A very nice family had something happen to them. Their oldest daughter, who is a total charmer, got childhood leukemia. Not that it's a good thing, but fortunately, she had the kind that was most receptive to treatment, so the outlook was hopeful, because they caught it early. But, she was allergic to the chemo that they were giving her, and the other kind, they refused to cover, even though it's approved in England. Yet if she didn't get the treatment, she could die... The parents decided to get it anyway, figuring that God would find a way to provide. We had a successful fund raiser that helped make it happen. But still, not everyone is so lucky.

The mother is a pastor, her father a retired pastor with strong roots in this community. The father is a well liked and respected person who is a computer guy and a coffee hound, and makes all who come in contact with him feel welcome. What about those who aren't so lucky to have such a broad support system? Then what? Are those kids not worthy because the parents aren't prominent? It's not a nice thought to ponder.
How about young mothers with their children? The last picture, has my aunt holding my cousin to the left. On the right is my mother with me. My cousin's family was on welfare at the time, because she became a stay at home mom, and my uncle was still starting off. WE lived in Japan where we had socialized medicine. People want to complain about those who need government help, and then saying that national health care is communist. Japan is no communistic country, and is actually a Social Democracy by political system. This basically means that they vote by democratic voting, as we do here in the USA. But, their social programs are for everyone.

For starters, even homeless people can have good personal hygiene because there are free and public bath houses for those people who don't have a place to go. Even in schools, rather than require all this paper work and the runaround for parents, the clinics come to the schools, and do the annual physicals there, and have a list of doctors to send the results to. It works pretty well. Even for elderly and those who have difficulty getting around, there are services for them too, and everyone is willing to give a little to ensure that all have a fair chance of staying healthy.

Eventually, when my uncle got a nickel raise... Yes, a nickel. He got cut off everything, and was in a dilemma of trying to support a wife and 4 children and no health insurance... Of course that ended up a better story, because he advanced to a spot where he could get the insurance. but affordability was an issue. There's the deductible, co-pay, monthly premiums, etc...

Today, our economy is in shambles, and many don't have jobs. I, myself am underemployed. I can't get what I need for my son's supplies, and there are issues going on with that. I also have a friend, who is single, and should be on disability. But, with no money, can't see a primary physician to get her a diagnosis to get on it. And because she is a middle aged woman with no dependents, she doesn't qualify for the Title 19 set up either.

With the various types of health issues I'm going through, I swear between my son, myself, and my husband, we must have 10 different appointments with 9 different doctors, ranging from a pediatrician, to a pediatric neurologist, to a pediatric geneticist, to a lipidologist, to an adult primary care physician, to a nutritionist, to a genetic psychologist, to an endocrinologist to who knows where we still have to go... My son and I have a couple of small genetic things. I'm diabetic with serious health issues. Yet some think despite all this, I should work harder at my home care job to earn more money, even though I'm in constant 24/7 pain, and have to have my husband help me get up and get dressed some mornings. Then because I work home care, that I should get minimum wage too...

Well, we are doing what we can, and eking by. But, there is no end in sight, at least not yet. We are willing to work. Hard. But, we need to be health enough to do so. yet in 15 years, and countless doctors, I still have no diagnosis on why my back is racked with pain and stiffness. And I'm on the "lucky end", so I'd hate to be on the other end. Sure, I could get another job, as what, a machinist? I'm not qualified nor would my back take that kind of pressure. I can't even walk down a half a flight of stairs with my own laundry basket. I am keeping my head up, because I know that being my own advocate will help me get to the next phase.
I will be having a meeting with people to talk about this on Saturday, June 16 @ noon. Anyone wanting their health story to be heard, please feel free to email it to me in an attachment, and I'll print it up for this meeting. I won't read it, so don't worry. My email is lika(dot)yvi(at)gmail(dot)com - This is important, so please, make your voice known, at your doctors' offices, legislators, and everywhere.

Whose Health Care Is It Anyway?

 

 

 

God's Heavenly Blue Sea.

Sometimes I wonder, what it would be like -
     to be God sitting on a cloud.

Does He see the earth, like the big blue ball -
     with white wisps like space shuttle pics?

Or, can all our activities be seen -
     we must look like over grown ants waiting to go swimming.

Now I must muse, how the Holy One gets around -
     He must paddle His cloud like a canoe.

Listen... as the wind goes by, you can almost hear -
     "Take time to smell the spring air..."

Then, I look around, to see who calls to me -
     to enjoy the beauty of nature in the midst of it all.

Only to realize, that is exactly what I've been doing -
     and the Great Spirit is also enjoying my same journey in the Heavenly Blue Sea.

The Importance of Voting in Wisconsin's Recall!

The midterm elections in 2010 were a major turn for Wisconsin. The former governor, Jim Doyle (D), retired, and it was up between Milwaukee County Executive - Scot Walker (R) and Milwaukee Mayor - Tom Barret (D). As odd as it seems that I think Wisconsin voted for Obama in 2008, Wisconsin is one of these states that after electing one party for president, we often vote the other party as the governor. It seems this is Wisconsin's way of trying to keep zen, what ever that my imply for the Wisconsin atmosphere for politics.

In this case, Zen ended up more like disaster. Seriously. Scot Walker said he would balance the budget, work with all major parties, and do something to move Wisconsin forward. Instead, he not only ends collective bargaining for teachers, but not for other public workers. Then he adds that teachers need to pay in further to the cause. The cuts to public education came next. Then ended the equal pay act. Don't forget the John Doe investigations, and the fact that he has a legal slush fund stacked up now. Then borrows money to give tax credits to large corporations, and brags about balancing the budget. I'd like to know, just how is moving funds from education for big business tax breaks balancing anything? It sounds more like rearranging numbers...

Uniting Wisconsin

This little Snot of a Stalker also promised 250,000 new jobs. Well, he's only done, supposedly, 33,000 or so jobs. Never mind that we lost at least that much since he came into office. Yet he only tells half of the story. Then, blames Mayor Tom Barret for losing jobs in Milwaukee as mayor, during the very same time that he was the county executive. Hmm, pot/kettle? It's no wonder he's being recalled.

NOT 4 Wisconsin!

Still on the state level but on a more local level, our current Senator, Van Wanggaard is being recalled as well. You see, Van is a retired sheriff. He is a public worker, who is collecting retirement on the hands of tax payers, AND collecting an income as State Senator. Yet he is NOT subjugated to the same cuts in his stuff that he took away from teachers. I wonder how much that cost him in pens, to donate to the sheriff station he used to work for? Plus the Fire & Rescue is backing his opponent, John Lehman.

Now mind you, John Lehman has been out for two years, and while he was in office, he was nice enough to draft April's Law Wisconsin, which would put stiffer punishments and mandatory minimum sentencing into place for those who sexually prey on children, on and offline. Unfortunately, before he could get it to the floor, he was ousted and replaced by Wanggaard. Fine. Stuff happens. At least it's a drafted bill. First he didn't respond to my email. Then when I finally got a phone appointment, he flat out refused to back it, because the democratic assembly man in my district introduced it, and Van didn't like what was there. Why? Because a high school couple may get caught in it.

First off, a high school couple is NOT about predatory sexual contact. Rape is still rape, and if it's consensual, there's still statutory. Even after asking if he could amend it to put in a 4 year clause, and other items such as perpetrators working to pay for victim therapy, he still wouldn't touch it, and was going to just wait and see what this other office was doing.

So, Van declined to help sexually abused children on the premise of a situation that does not even apply in this scenario, because high school sweethearts are NOT child predators. They are peers, and in puppy love.
Please help make a statement that our children need to be protected by sex predators, and we won't take no for an answer. Here is the petition to sign: Sign Here

So, please, make your voice heard. Stand up for what is right. Go vote! It's not just your right, it's your responsibility as a citizen. June 5 is the Wisconsin Recall Election. Polls open from 7am - 8pm. Bring a friend, bring a family member, a neighbor, and VOTE! It's up to us, so don't complain if the wrong person wins, and you forgot to vote.

Lika's Haikus

Haiku
To write a haiku
Seems real impossible, now -
 I'm all out of syllub...  

Koenig's Gallery
Pale yellow ball sits
Over the navy water
Boats sail for lighthouses  

Tribute Haiku
First I disliked him.
 Then I saw his sweet side.
Now I miss him much.  

Kluth's Mobil
Consumers get gas,
Come in & give me money.
 How Irritating!  

Friends.
I'm blessed with good friends.
 They give me good care.
I know I give back.  

Video of me reading my haikus.
 Video

Rememberance, it's NOT just for Veterans.

It's Memorial Day, in more ways than one! Every year, my grandparents had a tradition for Memorial Day. We'd go out to the family plot, clean off the graves, and have a prayer, a lunch, go back to their house, have a cook out or picnic in the back yard, sing songs, etc... Eventually, as they got older, their role got more passive, and then of course not being able to do it. My grandfather passed early last December, just a few days after Thanksgiving. He'd always wanted to live to be a hundred. At the Thanksgiving family meal, when he was asked if he knew what day it was, Grandpa fondly looked around at family and he happily answered, "Why, it's my birthday"! When someone was going to try to correct him, I'd just shushed them and let them know he should be allowed to think this... His heart was failing, and was barely walking. I'm glad, as that was the last celebration we had him for, was Thanksgiving 2011. His favorite song was Home on the Range, and favorite composer was Mozart.
Mozart Clarinet Concerto

My grandpa was a hard worker, who grew up on the family farm. He learned to milk the cows at age 5, and after finishing 8th grade, came to Racine, went to a community college, became a banker, and married my grandmother. There are too many stories to mention, but I can just say that every family dinner, he'd take the grandkids out for a walk so the moms could regather and reclaim the kitchen to clean up. His favorite sayings were "Oh, goody goody!", "Always be positive" and "Just keep smiling, and everything will be okay". There were more, and we had our special games... After supper, then the news, he'd doze off in his easy chair. My sister and I would bring out every pair of shoes and slippers and dump them in his lap. He'd have to match them without opening his eyes. He humored us every time. Happy memories like these are what I like to remember for memorial day. Home On the Range

My great uncle Wally, who is a brother to my grandmother (the one who was married to this same grandpa), had passed away long ago. He was a WWII veteran, and was the most gentle person you could possibly meet. I think everyone who met him loved him almost immediately. I have fond memories as a girl, who went out to Eagle Lake, and had such fun swimming, and of course there were lots of cookouts, and he always remembered that my favorite drink was coke. Even when Pepsi was bought, he'd remember to have at least a coke or two reserved for me. He had a golf cart that he'd let one kid ride on with him. The rest of us would chase the cart, and try to jump on, and whom ever did, would get to push the passenger off and be the rider. It was our twisted form of tag. And c'mon, he'd only drive as fast as children can run, so there was never any danger. I don't know if I'd ever thanked him for his service... Stars and Stripes Forever

Back in 1999, I was 33.5 weeks pregnant, and excited to be a mom, but nervous because I had severe health problems. I was eager to have this baby, my first time pregnant. But I was toxic. I had severe preeclampsia, a condition that gives you severe edema and ridiculously high blood pressure. On top of that, I was spilling proteins into my urine. My first baby was stillborn early February. My precious son would never see his mama with his own two eyes. I'd never hear him cry, laugh or call me mama. No first day of school, much less graduation. No wedding or grandchildren to dote over... He'd be 13 now if he were alive. He's buried in the family plot, and we will be remembering him also.

While it seems severe that here we have all these losses, and to be thankful for veterans who fought for our freedoms, I'd like to also be thankful for those we still have today: My 12 year old son, Chad, who is my pride and joy. Those military personnel who are currently serving. The veterans who are disabled, retired and working in the civilian world... Children's March


While it seems severe that here we have all these losses, and to be thankful for veterans who fought for our freedoms, I'd like to also be thankful for those we still have today: My 12 year old son, Chad, who is my pride and joy. Those military personnel who are currently serving. The veterans who are disabled, retired and working in the civilian world...

But not least, I'd like us to remember those who are abused, for they cannot celebrate right now. All too often, while we are out being thankful about those we have, many domestic violence victims are afraid of what their abusers may do today, because alcohol often makes the violence rise. And even with those who are abused, don't they deserve to be remembered also? After you are done celebrating, if you have left over food, or other things, it would be nice to share it with your local shelter. Just a little bit of extra can heal a heart a long way, since it's caring hearts that can help those in difficult situations to recover into the next level. Or, maybe if you know of a situation, invite them over, as it may be a good way to relieve the stress for a few hours, and try not to serve alcohol to the abuser. Let everyone have fun. What Is Love?

 I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable memorial day! After cleaning off the family plots, my husband and I randomly pick two other plots to clean off, usually those that are heavily grown over, because even those who don't have loved ones left deserve to be remembered. Peace out!

Abuse and Men - It IS an issue.

New faces of abuse victims.

We are all aware that abuse happens. What do you think when someone is abused? Do you want to step back and just say "I'm sorry", and walk away from the situation? Maybe we picture the teenage girl that is still getting the strap. Or the meek housewife who doesn't speak up for her self. Or it's the obstinate toddler or preschooler that won't listen to the parents. What if it were said that teenage boys and adult men are also victims of abuse, including domestic violence and rape?

According to several sources, 1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted by the time he is 18. If in college, it could be even higher. Of course, if a man is incarcerated, especially for a white collar crime, depending on how he is viewed, it can be higher yet. There are many misconceptions about men and being abused.

The fact that because most perpetrators are men, that only gays are either perpetrators or victims. If the boy/man experiences an erection, he may be viewed as enjoying the experience. If the victim was assaulted by a man, he may question his own sexuality, and fear exposing the perpetrator, because others may view him as a "fag" or a "queer". In any instance, these are part of the many myths that surround male abuse. Just remember, rape is not about sex, but about power and control.

Because sex is the abusive tool, just as a belt may be used to physically abuse, being gay has little or nothing to do with the abuse. Also remember that often when the prostate is stimulated, even in pain, that can cause an unwanted erection, so it means nothing about the enjoyment of it when it's happening in an abusive situation. So many don't want to be ostracized, and gay men are still very much discriminated against.

Even if one is not homophobic, after an intimidating sex assault, the last thing a guy needs is to be labeled as being gay. The Surviving Spirit is a place where abuse survivors, especially man, can go for support, inspiration and more. I hope that people will take advantage of this.

 The federal government has even included men in the definition of rape, so that forcible sex through oral and anal openings are now being recognized as being part of the crime committed against them. I think this is great. Now men will have recourse, hopefully, and with the petition in memory of Baby Sean, called Sean's Voice: A New Perspective, hopefully there will be a push to educate the public, create safe havens such as support groups, emergency shelter, and other services to help ensure that this will come to fruition.

Baby Sean is a precious baby who has earned his wings. He died from constant abuse at the hands of his mother, Lord knows why. She would physically abuse him in ways that would make many of us physically ill, and the story is NOT for the faint of heart. For his preciousness, the Youth Voice Initiative dedicates this petition. May his death not be in vain.  

Links for info & petition.
Surviving Spirit Sexual Abuse of Males: Statistics, Possible effects

Federal Crime Statistics to Expand Rape

Sean's Voice Petition

Youth Voice Initiative