I don’t do a whole lot of serious here on the blog and I rarely do anything political, because I’m much more about God’s grace and Christ’s love and cute shoes and chocolate.
But every now and then I just feel compelled to plop down and share my heart with y’all – and today it’s a serious subject.
What in the WORLD is going on in Washington, D.C.? Has the whole White House just taken leave of their senses?
At first I didn’t believe it when I heard the Whitehouse was asking American people to “report” any “fishy” emails they’d received about the healthcare plan. I thought surely, this is just some silly rumor. After all, this is America! I went directly to the Whitehouse blog and found this statement at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog dated August 4, 2009.
“These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.”
Okay – did chills just run down your spine? They did mine. Oh my stars. The government posted a blog requesting that we forward rumors we’ve heard to them. And don’t miss the “casual conversation” mention in that first sentence. Are they asking me to send names of people I’ve spoke with who have “fishy” comments about the healthcare plan? What do you want me to send? and Why?
When I read this I had a brief thought flash through my mind: What will happen if I write something bad about healthcare? Will I be “turned in? and what does that mean? And then it occurred to me that I’ve never, ever, in my life considered such a thing. What is happening that I, just a southern girl with a blog, should ever worry about writing what she thinks?
This is all about the healthcare reform that seems to be the ONLY thing on the President’s agenda. He’s pushing to pass it and seems pretty ticked that some Senators want to actually peruse the 1000 + page document before voting on it.
As the Senators head home they are coming face to face with constituents who are livid about the healthcare reform. These town hall meetings are making news across the country and YouTube is covered up with them. Several high level Democrats have decided to just come right out and bash the American people who are choosing to speak up and speak out on something they don’t agree with and something they don’t want.
Nancy Pelosi the speaker of the United States House of Representatives, said that people at the meetings were “carrying swastikas and symbols like that.” Ms. Pelosi, let me share with you what happened – it seems one protester held up a handmade sign with a “no” slash over a swastika. Seems that American doesn’t want government run healthcare. Think before you speak, Ms. Pelosi. PLEASE!
And then Barbara Boxer goes on the show Hardball and states these town hall meetings are a “diversion by the people who want to hurt President Obama” and she goes on to accuse the “well dressed people” of doing this to “hurt our president.”
Well, guess what Ms. Boxer, I’m fairly well dressed and if I went to a town hall meeting, I’d be very well dressed because there’s always a chance I’d end up on TV. I’d probably do my hair up a little more than usual and add a little extra bronzer to my cheeks – and I don’t care didddly squat about hurting President Obama, but I do care about an administration that is trying desperately to PUSH through this healthcare plan.
You know what this is like? It’s like going to one of those high pressure time share presentations. The salesman is going to pressure you every way he can until you cave in and sign on the dotted line. Why are you pushing so hard? What are you trying to hide? If this reform is all that and a bag of chips, then it will stand on its’ own merit. You should want us to take time to review, consider and discuss, but you want to push, bully, and intimidate. I don’t like it – at all.
This isn’t a timeshare you’re selling, it’s Healthcare Reform and we don’t like it. I believe the current administration has underestimated the American people – we aren’t Republicans and Democrats. We’re just good people trying to make ends meet and we don’t want or need the Whitehouse to take care of us. Thank you, but we’ll do just fine without you.
We don’t like these strong arm tactics, Mr. President. We don’t want to snitch on our fellow citizens even when they come up with ridiculous, hard to believe stories about your healthcare reform. We don’t trust you. You’re being a bully and we don’t like bullies. We are Americans and we’re proud of it! We love our flag and our freedoms and we will NOT allow you to push us around. I think you, Mr. President, and your administration have been in Washington, DC too long. We don’t live in the bubble that you live in. We live out here in the real world, where jobs are scarce and money is tight. But we love it here and we don’t need a hand out. In fact, stop helping us so much.
Washington (Democrats, Republicans, and everyone in between) you’ve mistaken our silence for apathy and we’re not an apathetic people. We just like to give everyone their chance, but when this administration had the audacity to ask me, an American citizen, to “turn in” anything “fishy” about healthcare, you’re done. I don’t trust anyone in the current Whitehouse. And I’m a bit concerned about the rest of y’all in Washington, DC.
All this hoopla over healthcare reform? Seriously? What about all the other stuff that needs attention. Let me share a couple of interesting tidbits with you –
There are 500,000 children in foster care and things aren’t getting better for them, it’s getting worse. Why don’t we spend millions, oops, make that trillions on that reform? Why don’t we give speeches and write 1000 page reform documents to change the lives of those who’ve been abused and neglected?
I’ve given up my silence and I’m letting my voice be heard. I will speak out loud and proud. I encourage others to do the same.
AMEN SISTER!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn’t agree more.
Preach on. Preach it. 🙂
Well said!
*stands on the chair and claps* Yes!!!
I’m like you…I really, really don’t want to talk about this stuff on either of my blogs. That’s not what they’re for. I refused to say anything about politics during the whole election But…my gosh, this stuff is unbelievable….
Well said, well said!
Do you hear that? It is bloggy women everywhere applauding and screamin at the top of their little lungs “WHAT MARY SAID!!!!!”
Oh yeah, and I am the loudest one of all!
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G POST!!!!
Hello, Mary. Meet your soapbox.
🙂
Girl. BRING IT. That was awesome.
I’m tweeting a link to this and blogging a link to this. And probably posting a link on FB.
Well done, friend.
Amen Sister!!! I would be HONORED to be standing proud next to you!!
Holy Moly this is NUTS NUTS AND MORE NUTS.
Whatever. Ridiculous and outrageous.
I’m with ya.
Yes ma’am! Yes. Ma’am.
Whoa! Thanks for all the support! I guess y’all are all just as fed up with this mess as I am. Do you think I’ll end up on the “fishy” White house list? Oh, well, such is life.
Very well said! I couldln’t agree more!!!
I love that you “turned yourself in” LOL
I think the whole thing stinks and I would never want to hurt a person in my life yet I would still stand up and share my opinion
That is what America is about – the first Amendment – Freedom of speech –
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
which means we might not always agree with one another but we can at least talk about it
Love you
Kim
If you go down I’ll go down with ya, Sister!
The “Silent Majority” has been silent far too long and look where it’s got us…
Time to remind the minority government officials there’s a big majority out here and we aren’t going to take it any more!
AMEN!!! Let me get my can of “Big Sexy Hair Spray” so that my hair is JUST RIGHT—to go with my “well dressed look” and GO WITH YOU!!!!
I never could tolerate “Timeshares Sales Reps.” and tolerating this presidential office is out of the question. We pray for them…but they need to go. Pack up their paperdolls and head out.
The office of the President has always been held in high esteem, but I am seeing stuff since this term began that makes my acid reflux seem extremely pleasant.
Okay, I can see I have got to stop. My blood pressure is rising…and my healthcare plan has changed already so that I can’t see the physician of my own choosing…
We should all be sitting up and taking notice then standing up to speak up. Serious times and serious issues. Great post, Mary!
Amen! THanks for speaking up!
Love ya girl!
Ang
Amen!!
Nicely Stated.
MirandaGrace
I got out of my chair more than once to jump up and down and scream, “Amen, girl!” I even had to call grandma. Now you know that means I like it.
More people need to speak up. I am soooo glad that you did!
Great rant, Mary! you go girl,I think so many of us have these same feelings & finally people are jumping up & down & having a fit over what’s going on in WA. As well we should. We all need to speak up & get this thing defeated.
You go, girl!! I’m right there with you…along with a HUGE crowd of people!
Oh my stars! Fishy emails and casual conversation? Glory be Father, where is this nation headed? Our very right to freedom of speech is being directly threatened.
This is so very frightening to me – the whole thing. Mary I’m proud of your very succinct post on this subject.