Merry Christmas to all!

Health care bill passes the Senate

For what it's worth, the Senate version of the health care reform bill passed last night with not one Republican vote [unless you count Lieberman]. Stripped of all the important portions that meant anything to me, I'm not sure I would call it a victory for anyone but the insurance companies. Without a public option or the expansion of Medicare to those 55 years old and older, I can't be happy with it in its present form and I am disappointed in President Obama's leadership to say the least.
It has to be sent back to the House for reconciliation with their version and already there are threats that if it's changed in any way, the two holdouts who decimated the Senate version will not vote for the final version.
While some are hailing this bill as historic, I merely call it eye-opening to see how low this government has sunk. It has become obvious how selfish some Senators have become, how some individuals will put party above their job and responsibility to their constituents who voted them in, how lobbyists with money can buy what they want and how powerless this democracy really is.

Lieberman = Dems selling us out

I am so disappointed in Congress, and in this Administration. I never thought these words would come but I am truly disappointed in President Obama. I had high hopes just a year ago. I thought this country was finally on the right track, that the Republicans were no longer going to run this country into the ground and what do I see? More of the same.
How can one man hold this country hostage? Why is Lieberman allowed to bully and get his way? Why is he allowed to keep his Chairmanship when he is clearly a Republican in Independent's clothing? He campaigned for McCain. He coached Palin for her debate. Can it be any clearer where his loyalties lie?
Why can't the Democrats grow a backbone? Strip him of his chairmanship if he votes for a filibuster. Hit him where it hurts. But don't cave on health care reform. That is why we voted the Dems in in. Do they honestly think they are going to keep their majority after this debacle?
And where is Obama while all of this is going on?

Health care

I have been watching the health care debates in Congress very closely. Now it seems Joe Lieberman is threatening to filibuster the entire process if his demands aren't met. I am tired of the Republicans [Joe may say he is an Independent but he acts like a Republican] doing whatever they can to obstruct what is best for the American people. Who do they think sent them there?

The Shift

If you get the chance, please give yourself a treat and see Wayne Dyer's new movie The Shift. It speaks to all of us Boomers and what many of us are probably feeling - a change in priorities, feeling a need to do more, be useful, switch gears, be finally fulfilled, have sense of purpose.
I have seen it twice so far and each time I heard something new that touched me deeply.
Through simple story-telling set against the backdrop of a documentary being made about Wayne, the films shows how our values and needs change as we enter this next phase of our life. I think it is impossible to watch this film and not feel touched by it. You will come away with a deep sense of having learned something about yourself but also a sense of finally being able to name that stirring within you.
I plan on watching it again and again. It's the perfect film for our generation.

The President and the Afghan war

I can't begin to say whether or not I think the surge is a good idea. I am not a war general or the Commander-in-Chief. All I know is I would love some peace for all of us. If this works, fine. But that region has been lost so many times it's hard to see any victory in sight. My heart goes out to the men and women who will be in harm's way and their families who will worry about them. God bless all of them and watch over them.