It's political, and it's personal

I have three kids. My son is 22, and my twin daughters are 20. Two of the three have Type I diabetes, the kind that kids get, the kind that is not caused by obesity or poor eating habits, but by an autoimmune response gone wrong. Because of this, something over which they have no control, they are uninsurable. That is why this election has aroused my passions. Well, it's not the only reason, but it's a biggie.

So far, we have been fortunate. My husband's employer provides excellent coverage for the entire family. A couple of weeks before my son graduated from college this June, I started calling insurance companies, just to see what was out there. His graduation meant that he would no longer be covered. I soon found out that the diagnosis of diabetes is a pre-existing condition that prohibits him from obtaining individual coverage. He can't get it at any price. His only chance to be covered is if his employer offers it. He has since gotten a job, but it doesn't come with insurance, so for the next three years he will be covered under COBRA, for which we will pay a considerable extra monthly premium. After that....well, that is why I am urging everyone to elect Barack Obama.

Obama's health care plan will make it much easier for those with pre-existing conditions to get coverage. McCain's will make it more difficult. (Ironically, McCain himself would not be able to get coverage under the plan he is proposing, because he has cancer.) If you need more details, go here: http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/print_friendly.php?ID=nj_20081011_2605

This is my personal plea to you: Please think about all those Americans with pre-existing conditions, including my kids, when you vote on November 4. Vote for Barack Obama.

The Silver Lining

It's all about the election. And the economy. And how they are related. Today I am thinking about the one bright spot in the economic storm that threatens to bring down the global economy. FINALLY, finally, we will be rid of the unregulated capitalist, trickle-down, reaganomics, deregulation, free-market policies that have almost destroyed this country and have made it into the largest debtor nation on the planet. It will be painful, and difficult. But now that these economic theories have been proven disastrously wrong, we can dispose of them and build a new economy. Obama can guide us in doing this. McCain will take us backwards.

That is the crucial choice in this election.

I DIDN'T KNOW: find out who is googling you, ziggs.com

digg 1: Zakaria: McCain's VP choice is 'fundamentally irresponsible'
digg 2: 10 People From Your Past Who Will Haunt You On Facebook

I didn't know that there is a new social networking site that allows you to find out who is googling you. It is called ziggs.com, and after you set up a profile, when someone googles you and finds your ziggs profile, you get an email that tells you who that someone is. Sounds interesting, but I already have profiles on enough networking sites to keep me plenty busy. Not to mention my recent addiction to political blogs--I mean, I must keep track of what's going on during this most fascinating presidential race. Some of my favorites are fivethirtyeight.com, democraticunderground.com and thinkprogress.org. Check them out!

TALK2ME: roll call bailout vote, 1929 stock market crash

digg 1: I WONDER: Homecoming hairstyles online
digg 2: McCain: Instead of emergency room, go to Wal-Mart

Today, of course, everyone is talking about the economy, so TALK2ME: What happened this morning in the United States House of Representatives? How did my congressman vote in the roll call bailout vote, and why? Will we experience another 1929 stock market crash-type event? Here's what I think: we do have to do something, but Paulson and Bush are unwilling to even consider any alternatives to the toxic bill that, ironically, brought progressive Democrats and fiscally conservative Republicans together to send a message. That message is this: Do not rush through a bill that few have had time to read, let alone digest. And do not put more taxpayer dollars into the hands of those who got us into this mess. There are numerous alternative plans being floated by numerous economic experts, many of whom in my opinion are smarter than Paulson and Bush put together. OK, I know that is not saying much, but there it is.

To see one of my favorite alternatives, try this: http://www.sanders.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=303317

Talk to me! What do you think?

I DIDN'T KNOW: ephelides, mabon

digg 1: Our WWWorld Blog
digg 2: WSJ.com - Lawmakers Battle Over Rescue Plan

I didn't know that there are two types of freckles. The first is ephelides, the light-colored kind that come and go with sun exposure. Now that the autumnal equinox is upon us, those who get those summer freckles should notice fewer of them soon. Lentigines, the second type, don't fade in the winter and are usually isolated spots.

I also did not know that mabon is what pagans call the beginning of the fall season. It seems everyone has a way of celebrating fall. For Jews it is rosh hashanah and of course here in my country almost everyone celebrates Thanksgiving. How do you celebrate the turning of the seasons from summer to winter? I would love to hear from you.