Mr. Boccieri is a Winner

Last night John Boccieri lost an election– but he is a winner!

Over the course of two years, John Boccieri worked for the people he represents in Ohio’s 16th Congressional District. His courage of conviction, his prioritizing of policy over politics and his careful, thoughtful, prayerful votes have made my son’s life better. Because of Mr. Boccieri’s vote in favor of healthcare reform, it is now illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against the 1 in 70 boys diagnosed with autism.

John Boccieri is a winner.

Why Vote For John Boccieri?

John Boccieri can tell you eloquently why you should vote for him in Ohio’s 16th District so, let me tell you why I voted for him.

Boccieri gets it. He’s a fiscal conservative who voted against healthcare reform’s first version because it was financially irresponsible. He voted for the second version because it had been revised/improved so that it will save tax payers money and assures that abortions will not be Federally funded. His vote FOR healthcare reform gave my son insurance. He has autism (a previously deniable pre-existing condition) and was on Medicaid. Now, you aren’t footing the bill for my son’s healthcare– I am. In a tiny little way, my family is proof of savings to taxpayers.

I’ve met him and know him to be genuine– not some slick politician. He looks you in the eye while he’s listening to what you have to say and is sincere with what he can or can’t do– what he’ll try to do– what goes against his grain…

John Boccieri is a dad. He understands parents who want what’s best for our kids– better for our kids…  He wants the same for his kids that we want for ours… and, he’s willing to do politically unpopular things to get that done.

I don’t agree with every vote he’s cast– any more than I agree with everything my husband does– but, I’m not going to ditch either. I voted for Boccieri because I really believe that he represents me– and, he’s able to do so because he listens to what I have to say…

Vote today. We are responsible for electing people who represent us– not people who we tolerate because we’re mad at the other guy. Vote today. Vote for the best person, the most genuine, the one like you. I believe that’s John Boccieri and he has my vote.

From the Mouth of Babes

 

We voted yesterday. I picked my son up from school and we went together to the Board of Elections. After some great conversation with the lady at the poll, he took the e-pen and card and together we cast our vote. Since we were the only two there (besides the really nice lady) we were able to talk.

My son has met Frances Strickland– and likes her– so he was thrilled to vote for Ted Strickland for Governor. We’ve talked about the obstructionism in the Senate so he wanted to pick Fisher for Senate. And, when we got to the congressional candidates– he immediately marked John A. Boccieri and declared “That’s our friend!”

Vote Early! Vote Often! Vote Boccieri!

My Pledge to America

Democrats, Independents and Sane People of the United States– it’s time to get mad and get to work! Our future– our children’s futures depend on keeping “Sharron”, Samantha O’Donnell and their ilk away from our laws. We’ve gotten a lot done in the last year and a half but if we’re ever going to get out of this mess– electing the people who got us into makes no sense!

The Tea-GOP made a big deal of un-veiling their Pledge to America yesterday– but, didn’t even bother changing the script from 1998!

Watch last night’s ‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.’

 John Boehner  said (again) ”We’re not going to change”… that dog doesn’t want to learn new tricks– why would we elect the party who keeps drinking out of the toilet– because they say they have a plan? Because after voting against everything they’re now claiming they’re going to start playing with the kids across the aisle? Please! Are we THAT gullible?

We are not a dying breed and we’re  not a silent majority– we’re just polite. We compromise ourselves out of the things we belive in and give away the biggest piece of candy on a regular basis… ENOUGH!

We’re in a fight for our children’s future! We compromised on universal healthcare and shied away from DADT… we backed down from the Tea-GOP bullies on maintaining lower taxes for the middle class and we’re too nice to even call them out on their lies… ENOUGH!

It’s time for us to understand that “the Party of  NO” isn’t just a name– it’s their policy! We’ve squandered the majority and now are at risk of loosing it… ENOUGH!

Here is MY Pledge:

I, Hfamom– pledge to work to increase the democratic majority, to call out the Tea-GOP as they attack kids with pre-existing conditions, I will campaign for and donate to Progressive candidates, I will educate myself on the issues and take on any Tea- GOP-er that wants to talk rationally– I will work to make this country a better place for my kid.

What is YOUR pledge?

Where’s The Parade?

Today it became illegal for children with developmental disabilities to be discriminated against by health insurance companies– Yes! Mr. Biden! This IS a big F*#@%ing deal!!

But, where is the parade? Families celebrate silently and politicians who voted for it shy away from the topic unless they are defending their vote… the President has taken 6 months to start talking about it in earnest and republicans are lying about it. 

Insurance companies are having tantrums and refusing to play– that gets the attention of the media. Republicans are proclaiming they will repeal healthcare reform– that gets the attention of the media.

But where are the families who benefit from this law? Why are newspapers burying the story on page 5 when full page covers were given to protests prior to passage? Why are politicians campaign websites missing the healthcare link under “issues”?  The silence is deafening.

MY SON HAS INSURANCE TODAY BECAUSE OF HEALTHCARE REFORM!! Children with developmental disabilities– autism, down syndrome ( Sarah, that includes your son!)– can no longer be discriminated against! Short of a cure for autism, or truely effective treatment,  the end to healthcare discrimination is the biggest thing that can be done for children with autism (Autism Speaks)! So– where’s the parade?

I call upon those who voted for this law (Sherrod Brown and John Boccieri– MY  SON’S representatives)– for families who spent years fighting for this day– for teachers, doctors,therapists and advocates of children with developmental disabilities– for the media who championed this law– CELEBRATE!   This IS a Big F*#@%ing Deal!!

A Little Bit of Normalcy

Autism is no longer an uninsurable pre-existing condition

For well over a year we fought for the opportunity to pay for insurance for our son who has, until this month– been denied on the basis of his “pre-existing condition”. Jay has autism. He’s healthy and happy. And now… he has insurance!

I am thankful to so many who had a part in making this happen… to family and friends… to politicians and insurance companies who gave me lip service and made me angry… but, it really came down to our Congressman– John Boccieri, who took a big political chance… whose family endured threats and as recently as last week was on the front page of the NY Times with a man’s finger in his face… He voted for healthcare reform.

I don’t believe that when President Obama signed HCR he had any thought of the children with autism who were denied this often taken for granted thing– but, his signature gave my son a little piece of normalcy. For that I will always be thankful.

The Republicans have sworn to work for the repeal of HCR… This would be a huge step backwards… and, we can not allow it to happen.  Vote. Stand up for those who, like Congressman Boccieri, have stood up for our kids!

Tonight, my son goes to bed with insurance. And, I can sleep knowing that what I did mattered.

A Letter to Hillary Clinton

My husband wrote this letter to Mrs. Clinton– thought I’d share.

I’m 47 and a undecided indpendent from the state of Ohio.  and now more than ever before in my life time I’m embarrassed to be an “American”.

I use to believe that my country’s military stood for defending freedom whatever the choosen political system of an independent sovereign nation. A navie narrative I freely admit, however we ave never been invaders, using freedom to mask overt corporate greed.

Likewise, we use to be a nation that prided itself in it’s mental ability to overcome obstacles, no matter the enormity of the task confronting the public. In our lifetime we have sticken down the epidemic illnesses of Polio and Chicken Pox. Yet today we as a nation have turned our backs on the Austism epidemic.

Hillary is on public record as to comitting to find the cause of Austism. As a parent of a high functioning Austic 8 year old I find this to be little more than campign banter.

How exactly is she planning on helping the Austic Community?
It’s no longer just a matter of finding the cause of the problem, how will she empower those of us who grapple with day-to-day struggles? Ever have to deal with an openly hostile insurance industry after dealing with day after day of chaos that often includes head banging?  How will my little boy learn to adapt in school? Private Austic school tuitions run anywhere from $20,000 – $40,000 annualy. How will he and other like him survive after I’m dead…..in a Walter Reed institution or worse?

I want specific answers….there’s no problem as Americans we can’t solve. It starts with an open and honest dialogue.

My wife and I  invite you to our home to discuss this matter of national importance with other Austic parents.

Show us how and why we can once again take pride in America and your potential to lead.

Thank you.

I’ve still not decided who to vote for and, frankly am not pro-Clinton…

Super Tuesday: Ohio Doesn’t Vote For Another Month

I’m  encouraged that the races are so close because there is still the hope that my vote will matter.  By the time Primaries come to Ohio the field has narrowed significantly… will Huckabee and Paul still be hanging on in a month? Will McCain have shot himself in the foot? Will the Obama vs. Billary fued have boiled over or cooled?

It’ll be interesting to see what happens today– and, how far off the pundits are! Funny– last night I watched MSNBC for a little while and Abrams was actually making fun of himself being so far off in the last round… I don’t like his style– too abrasive and opinionated– but, I appreciate his ability to mock himself.

Ohio has an open Primary– you go to the polling place and get to ask for whichever ballot you want– Republican or Democratic. Independent only has issues.  I’m so proud of my parents who have been die hard party loyalists are now looking at all candidates and are planning to vote on the other ticket! I feel fortunate to live in a State that allows voters to do this… it’s just too bad that Ohio doesn’t hold Primaries sooner.

So it’s up to you. Please make the effort to vote if you are in one of the States that holds primaries or caucuses today. It does matter. I’m counting on you to narrow the field.

Primaries Deny a Voice to Most Americans

I am so glad that I haven’t had a chance to vote yet. If I had, my vote for Edwards would have been given away to another candidate.  I read a blog this morning talking about how voting early in primaries isn’t a good idea– too many votes are wasted by candidates dropping out.

Folks in Ohio don’t necessarially prioritize the same things as they do in New Hampshire, Iowa or South Carolina. Maybe one of the first Primaries should be held in Indiana, Ohio or Illinois… but, then what about Texas, Arizona and Georgia? There isn’t a true sampling of the American fabric in the early primaries and therefore we aren’t all heard.

The American system of Presidential election is so bizarre from the point of view of the rest of the world. We sort. A couple of States get to thin out who they like best and the rest of us are stuck with a dwindling field of candidates. 

Maybe it’s time to move back to Brasil where I couldn’t vote but at least I knew upfront that my vote wouldn’t count and my voice was unheard.

Edwards Is Going Home. Who Will Speak For The Single Mother in Missouri?

I’ve figured out what’s really bugging me about Edwards dropping out… He has used the personal stories of people in Missouri, West Virginia, Ohio… and isn’t giving those folks a chance to have their say.

By dropping out of the race before Super Tuesday he has stopped those voices from speaking for him.

What will he do for the single mother in Missouri who can’t afford to pay the rent and keep on the heat despite working a full time job and is concerned that Child Services will take her children away?  What will he do for the many he has told us about who have lost their jobs and are loosing their homes?  What will he do for the other 50 year olds with cleft palate who can’t afford to have it fixed?

He has walked away from the race before giving those folks a vote.

I can only hope that Edwards, as did Al Gore upon leaving politics, will become a crusader for the working poor– for the middle class– for those without health-care.

At the end of his speech in New Orleans today he said something to the effect that we shouldn’t worry about “this son of a mill worker”  Well, that’s hardly our concern… The Edwards family will go home their comfortable life and they will be fine… it’s the single mother in Missouri that I worry about.  Who will speak for her?

Will either of the democratic candidates speak for her? I guess time will tell…