Mel's Mind, January 25, 2009

Can you believe that we are closing in on the end of January? It amazes me at how time flies by the older I get. Before I know it, I will be 60 -- the good thing about time flying by so quickly is that the bad things or bad days are soon a distant memory.

I had a tough fibromyalgia day yesterday. I ended up in the ER. The good thing is that I received a morphine dose in an IV and felt better quickly. The bad side of it is that I spent several hours in the ER (Mark was with me), and it will cost the usual $100 for an ER visit. I asked my doctor if I could go to the Urgent Care Clinic, but he was worried that they wouldn't have the correct tests available if something showed positive on an evaluation test, so off I went to the ER. The tests showed nothing, of course. I am glad they erred on the side of caution, but I also wish I didn't have to worry about the fees involved.

What do you think about the new president working over the weekend? I heard on the news that Washington politicians are going to have to get used to the idea of working on Saturday. I don't think that is a bad idea for the time being, until the budget it set and the economic situation of the country is relived or on the way to relief. I don't think that is the situation right now. I don't see locally that our economic situation is on an upswing. I do look forward to that day though.

Mark is talking about a trip he took to the Bahamas -- with his now ex-wife -- almost 20 years ago. I have never been, but would sure like to go. There are a lot of places that I would like to go, but have never been. I had always thought that I would have been much more of a world traveler by this time in my life, but, sadly, that is not the case. The only place I have ever been outside of the US is a couple of day trips to Mexico. I am hoping that changes in the next few years. Is this typical of others facing mid-life? I would surely like to know.

Mel's Mind, January 21, 2009

I was so excited yesterday -- I was glued to the TV and had a difficult time pulling myself away. I am so pro Obama/Biden anyway -- and it was thrilling to see them take command of our country. I think we are in for some big changes in the next couple of years; I am sure that some of them will be really difficult for us, but necessary. I look forward to the draw down of the troops in Iraq. I think it is senseless that we are still there. I don't think we are helping the citizens of that country; I do think that we are creating a sort of helpless dependence on the soldiers there.

I often wonder if the President Bush really thought that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. I sometimes think that it was a sort of revenge for his father's failed mission there. I know that when it was discovered that there were no weapons of mass destruction, the troops should have begun a draw down, but there wasn't. I would like to be inside of Bush's head to understand why he made some of the decisions that he made. When he left DC yesterday, I thought he was looking old and tired. I felt a twinge of sympathy for him and Laura. I guess history will tell what sort of president he was.

In the same vein of thought, we face a new commander and a new force of power. I heard a comment on the news that President Obama was concerned that he would lose the man that he was before the election. In some ways, it is inevitable that he will change -- I don't know that he will lose that man, but I know he will change. I hope he does keep his ideals though. Power can corrupt if you don't wield it correctly.

I am sure that others have high hopes for the future too. I know that I do.

Inauguration Day

I am so excited today. I hope everyone can watch the inauguration of Barack Obama. I will actually be with Patrick at a therapy appointment, but I am going to record it. I will definitely watch when I return home. I think the historic ramifications of this are just overwhelming. Do you know that Mr. Obama will use the same bible that Pres. Lincoln used? And just think that he will be residing in a building that was built with partial slave labor. Just boggles my mind.

I heard on tv that the mall in DC is almost to capacity, and that was at 7am. Even if you aren't an Obama supporter, I don't see how you can not be excited by the historical significance of this event.

Support Obama

Just thought I would give the opportunity for you to support Barack Obama. For $30, you can receive the new Barack T-shirt. The link follows.

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/dnc08standardnd?source=mainnav

VOTE CHANGE!

Please vote today. Please consider voting for Barack Obama as he has the most effective plans for middle class America to pull our nation out of the slump that has been affected by the Republican party and George W. Bush. If you live in Missouri, I encourage you to vote no on Prop A. Prop A does not add funding to the schools, it takes it away from one source and allows the money to be given from another -- there is no additional funding to schools in this bill. In addition, it allows the current gambling casinos to create a monopoly. Monopolies are never good for the economy. It also lifts the current loss limits for individuals, meaning that an individual could potentially gamble away their life savings in one event. My attitude of gratitude for today is that I am so happy that I live in a country that allows me the freedom to express my opinion without fear of retribution.

On Meet the Press

I am so excited this morning. Colin Powell, a man that I both respect and admire, has officially endorsed Barack Obama. The interesting part of the interview with Powell is that he was very respectful of his friend, John McCain. Powell said that he is not supportive of MCain's choice of vice-presidential candidates.

On another note, Obama drew 100,000 here in St. Louis yesterday. I really wanted to go, but am glad I didn't. I think the crowd would have overwhelmed me. I might be kicking myself for this decision later.

Obama: The Change We Need

When making your decision about who to vote for in the presidential elections, please consider these things:

Barack Obama will start to bring troops home from Iraq while John McCain endorsed the surge.

Barack Obama will work for working America by challenging Republican (McCain) policies of the corporate tax breaks for the wealthiest 1% in America. Obama wants to give tax cuts to us, the working families of America, and wantes to eliminate taxes for our senior citizens making under $50,ooo per year.

Barack Obama wants to pass massive health care reform. He wants to put the needs of the American family first -- like my family and yours. Please consider voting for Barack Obama.

To learn more about the policies of Barack Obama, click the title to this article. It is a link to his web site.

VOTE CHANGE!

I believe that it is a responsibility to vote. I have felt that way since I was 18. I also believe that one should self-educate as much as possible in order to make informed decisions regarding elections.

In the upcoming presidential elections, it is my belief that the best person for the job is Barack Obama. His views on the war in Iraq and education closely mirror my own. I agree with many of his proposed policies, and vehemently disagree with many of those proposed by John McCain. That said, whether or not you agree with me, please, if you are a registered voter in the US, vote. You have the power to change the political front of this country.

Vote Change!

Vote Obama!