Donald

Well, I've been at an ideological fork in the road for months... 

Respect President-Elect Donald Trump or don't?   

Some Background: I am 40 years old.  I was raised in Texas as a Republican (big surprise).  I was taught in predominantly christian school environments.  I was raised in church - Southern Baptist, Pentecostal, Church of Christ.  I attended christian universities.  I married a christian woman and had two children; then later divorced.  Once I began to care more about people and less about a bank account or guns, I became a Democrat.  I also came out as gay.  I'm now married to a man.  I've voted for President George W. Bush (once).  I voted for President Barack Obama (twice).  I voted for Hillary Clinton.  I describe myself as a staunch Democrat with a dash of Republican...because I'm a big enough person to understand there is value in both major political parties.   There, now you have the necessary background.

Having said all this, I was raised to respect the President without question.  I was taught that while you don't have to agree, you should respect him (or her).  That worked seamlessly for me until we all encountered the now President-Elect Donald J. Trump.  Never in the history of our nation has a President shown such a lack of respect for the people he's supposed to govern.  This is when everything changed for me.

I thought to myself - {Wait a fucking minute... The whole respect the President thing worked great before.  Why am I having such a hard time with this now?}  Simply put, Donald continues to disrespect both the office of the President and the people for which he was elected to lead.  And that, my friends, changes everything.  No longer will I be shackled by a concept of respect just for the sake of said concept.  Simply put, respect is earned.   Every President in my lifetime has approached this solemn duty and the American people with the respect and gravity that the job requires.  Every President, that is, until now.  As with the law or social issues, things evolve as we enter into uncharted territory and our understanding of circumstances changes.  This is uncharted territory.  I will not use this moment to list Donald's many transgressions against the American people or the office of the President.  His words (many just outright lies) and actions stand alone and need no context or clarity.  Only someone wishing to justify his inexcusable behavior will say otherwise.  This isn't about me not voting for Donald.  This isn't about Republican vs. Democrat vs. Bernie vs. the Green Party.  This is about what is undeniably missing from Donald's approach thus far - RESPECT.  He has none.


The Bottom Line:

Respect is earned and Donald is currently facing a "respect bankruptcy".  Until he pays his debt; until he stops trying to avoid giving the very thing he demands; until he starts behaving like a President; he will get no respect from me.  If you want to act like a 70 year old temper-tantrum throwing child - You will be Donald.  When you choose to grow up and show ALL the people of this great nation the respect they deserve - You will be President.  Some things really are that simple.

An Inconvenient Truth

My, how a few months changes everything...

There is no honor, nor nobility, nor any grace in spending months decrying the Democratic Super Delegate process; only to make it a part of your strategy for winning.   This alone proves that Bernie Sanders is as much a typical politician as anyone else currently running for President on either side. 

Wake up people!!!

He is essentially saying that EVEN if Hillary takes the popular vote (that's you - in case you were confused) and the Pledged Delegate count; that his campaign plans on completely disregarding the will of the people (that he CLAIMS he's representing) and try to convince Super Delegates to vote for  him in an effort to usurp Hillary Clinton as the nominee for President.  

So, to all the hardcore Bernie Sanders supporters out there in the world...you can support him if you like -that's your prerogative- but PLEASE stop pretending like your candidate is above all the bullshit.  He not; and neither are you for supporting him.  He does not represent a political revolution.  He represents politics JUST AS IT IS...flawed.  I can respect people for knowingly supporting their candidate despite their shortcomings.  I cannot respect those who choose to pretend like their candidate is vastly better or different or more honorable than any other.  

#hypocrisy #politics #nowthetruthcomesout 

A Pledge to American't

I just finished reading the twenty-one page "A Pledge to America".  I have to say, the Republicans have out done themselves this time.  They've found a way to use 7,853 words, 215 paragraphs, and 21 pages to say nothing of substance.  It's a long-winded way to say absolutely nothing.  I will give credit where credit is due. They are masters at being obtuse and blending fear with patriotism.  It is NOT a different approach.  It's not a new way forward.  It's SSDD (same shit different day).  Yes, I said it!  This document, like all it's predecessors, is flagrant and irresponsible in it's claims and scope.

I will give you some quotes that seemed to stand out to me...

"The American people are speaking out, demanding that we realign our country’s compass with its founding principles and apply those principles to solve our common problems for the common good."

They speak of founding principles.  What they aren't admitting is that times change.  These Christian principles that Republicans are so fond of don't all make sense for the society we live in today.  As with the Bible, there are vast differences between Old and New Testaments and even Christians will tell you that we don't live by Old Testament law these days.  So, using "founding principles" would require us to restrict women from voting and enslave all minorities(including the President).  Republicans invoke this term as a way to inspire their base, but you can't pick and chose which "founding principles" you want to use.  Society changes.  Times change.  Understanding evolves.  We know things now that our forefathers did not.  We shouldn't do things a certain way just because it's the way it's always been done.  That's not progress.

"Our plan offers a clear and clearly different approach, one in which the people have the most say and the best ideas trump the most entrenched interests." (No, in fact, the majority of this "pledge" is to simply revert to how things were before Obama.)  (i.e.)...

"...we will roll back government spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels..."


"We offer a plan to repeal and replace the government takeover of health care..."


"Congress should move immediately to cancel unspent “stimulus” funds, and block any attempts to extend the timeline for spending “stimulus” funds." (which, by the way, will throw state and local budgets into instant havoc and chaos, resulting it program cut-backs, and lay-offs...which is the exact opposite of job creation)

The other thing I can't stand about this document is that once again, Republicans are trying to capitalize on fear and confusion to win elections.  Just take a look at this ridiculous and illegible chart.

Even blown up to 139%, I am unable to read or make any sense of this chart.  It has no value except providing the Republicans with a way to confuse the readers of this document and add to the fear of the unknown.

The document made statements about protecting our country and our troops, saying...

"When asked to provide our troops with the resources they need, we will do so without delay."


Would these "resources" also include the nearly 13,000 troops discharged under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy?  Not according to most Republicans.  In 2000 and 2001, when our nation needed troops during and after September 11th, more than 2,500 gay and lesbian troops were discharged.  Fast forward to Republicans blocking key votes to repeal the policy.

Additionally, they drone on about reducing red tape while indicating that they want to add more voting processes to an already bloated system of voting on legislation.  (i.e.)...

"If a regulation is so “significant” and costly that it may harm job creation, Congress should vote on it first." - Red Tape


"Hold Weekly Votes on Spending Cuts" - More Red Tape




This "pledge" is PR BS.  There are no concrete solutions for anything and the vast majority of its text is telling us what's wrong with Democrats.  Please don't mistake this as a true way forward.  This is just a different way of saying the same thing the Republicans have said since losing the Presidency.  They continue to say... You should be afraid of change.  You should be afraid of terrorism.  You should be afraid of the economy.  You should be afraid to admit that any major advances in this country take time.  You should be afraid to understand that NOTHING happens over night.  Do you see any trends here?  Shame on the Republican Party for wasting the people's time with vague rhetoric that amounts to trickery, smoke, and mirrors.  There is nothing different here.  I can sum up this entire document it a few short words...

We are Republicans.  We want control back.  We are bitter about losing.  We want you to be afraid.  We don't like change.  We don't think the American people are smart enough to see through BS.  We want to create jobs for lawmakers.  We want you to vote against yourself...your families...your friends...and your interests.

The Bottom Line:  All the documents and press conferences and rallies and town hall meetings and Fox News appearances in the world will NEVER change the fact that it's time to put up or shut up!

United States of Terrorism: Why Immigration is Just a Symptom

"Immigration"  

This word really is a loaded gun, a gun certain political parties seem hell-bent on using against anyone that dare stand in their path.  Arizona has become a lightning rod of attention with the passing of the very obtuse immigration law recently.  I'd like to point out that this law is not only a band-aid for a very real problem; it's a dirty band-aid.  Politicians in Arizona are trying to make a statement.  They are trying to tell the White House that they can do as they wish when it comes to immigration.  The problem I see with this law and logic is that immigration is to the United States of America, not Arizona specifically.  With that in mind, I believe immigration laws should be written on a federal level...not state.  I also believe that measures to prevent illegal immigration should be funded and maintained by the federal government.  The Arizona bill flies in the face of federal judiciary and law.  This is why you will see challenges to it.  Local law enforcement should hold its traditional role...to protect the people.  It should NOT be used to act in a federal capacity by verifying U.S. citizenship.  The federal government should be securing our borders with agents, funding, fencing, and technologies.  Stopping every ethnic person one sees to make sure they belong here is not an answer.  Putting our police officers in a role of having to racially profile individuals is not wise and not clever.  Solve the problem at the source...the border.


Those who tell you that Arizona HAD to pass this law to protect the citizens are wrong, if not lying outright.  Some of the worst laws in history were passed out of fear...i.e. The Patriot Act.  Politicians will use the weapon of fear to keep their own positions of power and influence.  They are not concerned with making sure people are U.S. citizens.  At the end of the day, they would do most anything to keep a seat at the government's table.  Government, in general is a gigantic popularity contest.  If you can't appeal to people for votes you must scare them into voting for you.  September 11th didn't just kill thousands of people, it turned America into the VERY thing we claim to fight against... the largest, most well-funded terrorist group the world will ever see.  Think about it, we have waged wars using bad intelligence, killing thousands and contributing heavily to economic unrest.  We've imposed our way of life and values on sovereign countries.  We have terrorized our own citizens with laws that infringe upon basic civil rights.  We tell our citizens, by our actions, that we should live in fear of the unknown...fear of things that are different or contrary... fear of finding our own answers.  Oh, we go on and on about how this is all in the interest of national security...blah blah blah.  It's about power.  


While I realize that many will find my words subversive and unpatriotic, the simple truth is, I love this country and those who, under orders from our government, risk their lives for this country.  I have NO ill will toward and mean no disrespect to any member of the armed forces.  I also love the freedoms that this country was founded on that afford me the right to express my opinion.  I want those same freedoms to remain in tact for my children and their children.  I do not love what I have seen happening in America since 9/11.  It's year after year of bad judgment and leadership.  It's moment by moment scare tactics.  It's a dreadful mess.  


The Bottom Line:
Don't let the politics of immigration law distract you from the much larger issues going on in America.  There are very real powers at work to make sure we remain under foot and scared of the dark.  

Slow Prescription Drug Abuse: Create a National Prescription Database

The problem with prescription drug abuse in this country is spiraling out of control.  Perhaps the one good thing that can come from the deaths of stars like Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson, and Corey Haim is that this problem can get the attention it desperately needs.

I've witnessed the effects of prescription drug abuse first hand.  I can tell you there is NOTHING glamorous or acceptable about this issue.  Creating a national prescription narcotic database which every pharmacy is required by law to subscribe to and update in real-time would go very far in slowing this problem.  It would subsequently drive down health care costs by perhaps millions!


The Basic Concept:  When I fill a prescription for a controlled substance, it is automatically updated to a national registry which ALL pharmacies have access to via the web and are required to check for current or pending prescriptions in other pharmacies nationally.  Now, this will also require legislation to make it illegal for doctors to prescribe drugs using pseudonyms.  This is key especially in the case of celebrities.  To remedy privacy concerns, we should mandate privacy laws for pharmacies which not only carry stiffer penalties for breaches in security but also make the breach punishable by mandatory imprisonment for no less than 1 year.  Remember, this is a basic concept, but a very sound one.

The Bottom Line:  It's time to prescribe a real and tangible solution to prescription drug abuse in America.  The only ones profiting from this abuse are the drug companies.  We all know how that story ends.  

Show your support for sound ideas by logging on to http://www.healthreform.gov/

  

Home Sweet Home

http://www.udr.com/

Nearly two years ago, I moved to my current apartment community.  I had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting the only male in the office at the time.  He was snide.  He over compensated for being a straight man in an increasingly gay male profession by flirting with any woman who entered the room.  He was rude. He was juvenile.  He got my UDR relationship off on a sour note.  It was like one of those really bad American Idol audition clips that we have all grown to love.  My prayers were answered early on as this delight of a man moved away to Austin.  I don't recall his name because I had a medical procedure done to block it from my memory permanently.

Then there was James...

James didn't really get a fair shake from me because of that Neanderthal that ended up in Austin.  I figured James was Neanderthal Jr. and would typically steer clear of dealing with him. As fate would have it, there were several times I was forced to deal with James because there was simply nobody else to help me.  I started to realize that James might be OK.  He seemed interested in what I had to say for one thing.  That's always a GREAT way to start.  Then he did something else that took me by surprise.  He followed up.  While that may seem like a really lame thing to be surprised by, the apartment leasing world has changed for the worse over the years.  I've lived in apartments all my life.  I've seen just about every type of leasing "professional" you could imagine.  The chance that one of them would follow up with you on an issue or question is about as great as the chance that you would be hit by a truck-driving nun in a school-zone situated in an all Baptist community.  Let's just say that today's leasing professionals don't exactly measure up all the time.  James has always followed up with me.  If he doesn't have an answer...he gets one.

While all this is noteworthy, there is something that sets James apart from even the rest of the staff here in my community.  He has the uncanny ability of "knowing his audience".  He is able to assess WHO he is talking to and engage them in a manner that shows them that he's paying attention.  When he needs to speak slowly and with regard for his words...he does.  When he needs to "be real" and talk to you straight...he can.  When he knows you need a laugh...he makes you smile.  I've personally witnessed him in action.  He is keenly aware of who he is talking to and is able to present himself just as that person needs him to be presented.  This is a quality that is rare.  Most people are only satisfied with coming to terms with how they interact with others.  It's not often that you find those perceptive people who are willing to meet others half way in order to better communicate and build trust.

UDR should be taking notes.  James has a lot to offer any employer.  His abilities make him priceless.  In case you were wondering, I do not know James.  I don't even know his last name.  There is nothing in it for me except the pleasure of being able to brag on someone who is doing a stellar job at treating people like...well...people.  It's timeless.  It's classic.  It NEVER goes out of style.  James should be considered the "new black" in apartment leasing.  Every apartment community should have a James "hanging in the closet".  He goes with everything.

James:  I appreciate you for treating me like a person and not a lease.  I appreciate you caring enough to stay late on a Sunday to update me on an issue I was having with trespassers.  I appreciate you always taking the time to get back to me.  I appreciate you always going above and beyond for even the smallest things.  I wanted to take the time to say thank you and to make sure that everyone knows what a great person and great professional you really are.  It's because of your efforts that I continue to call my apartment...home.  UDR is lucky to have you.

Sincerely,

David by the pool.  :-)

Health Care Hoax: Smoke & Mirrors

America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) is a group of major health insurance providers that have banded together to resist health-care reform. They are now offering up a "report" which states that should health-care reform pass in Congress, it would increase deductibles for America's insured. I had to wonder why a group of major insurance companies would even have such a group. I did a little digging. The following is just a short list of some of the board members of this group. Everyone should know this...

George C. Halvorson
Chairman and CEO
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan

H. Edward Hanway
Chairman and CEO
CIGNA Corp.

Michael McCallister
President and CEO
Humana Inc.

Daniel P. Neary
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company


Ronald A. Williams
Chairman and CEO
Aetna Inc.

Any of those companies look familiar to you? There are also several CEOs from various Blue Cross - Blue Shield companies around the U.S.

Again, this is just a fraction of the CEOs that are a part of this "bipartisan health-care reform" group. Now why would all these major insurers be against health-care reform? Something is just "off" here...

Even more interesting...the "bipartisan" report claiming that reform would raise our rates by 111% percent in the next decade was created by PricewaterhouseCoopers, a tax, risk, and business strategy firm that all of these insurance companies are members of. This is a firm which helps the insurance companies be more profitable world-wide. Oh, and this tax firm, it's based in the UK...not the U.S. Do you really think they have OUR best interest in mind?

This same group has a tax-free research group (AHIP Foundation) set up to do research about the insurance industry. That means you and I are paying for them to research how to increase their business. Have you ever heard of such MESS???

This health-care reform bill represents massive accountability and regulation for the Insurance Industry and they are fighting it tooth and nail. They have their lobbyists and their pseudo reporting firms throwing lies at the American people and legislature in hopes of continuing to profit off the backs of every-day Americans like you and me. Don't fall for this report that premiums will increase for every American. The premiums have been increasing dramatically for years, well before talk of health-care reform. What's not being said is that insurers would no longer have a free ride at our expense and they do NOT like that idea at all. The sad part is all of this information that I've laid out here today is available to everyone. All you have to do is read. I simply went to each website and started connecting the dots. Don't just take my word for it...read for yourself.

Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/12/health.care/index.html
http://www.ahip.org/default.aspx
http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/index.jhtml


Stay Free!

Nobel B.S.

It astonishes me that so many people have such an issue with President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. I think some people are not familiar with the award's purpose and function. I also think there are others who are just angry that Obama is being recognized for any good deed and would find any reason to criticize the choice. It really irritates me that so many don't know anything about the award yet have so many things to say about who receives it. For more information on the history and purpose of the award please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Peace_Prize or http://nobelprize.org/index.html

I believe there are good reasons why Obama has received this award. There are many things which he has put into motion to open dialogue between countries. Communication is paramount to any effort for peace. While our previous President closed many doors to communication while fostering an isolationist approach to war, President Obama has again opened those doors and begun a new era of open communication...even where it's not popular to do so. He's had to reverse so much of the damage done by former President Bush across the globe. He's done an incredible thing taking this country off the path of isolationism.

All things said, I believe people should take it upon themselves to get more background and information on the Nobel award before they chastise the committee or the recipient. The ignorant comments I've seen in a mere few hours has left me with a desire to continue to educate myself as much as possible.

For the record: Self-education is a highly undervalued resource.


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C.I.G.N.A. - Caring Is Generally Not Acceptable

Let me start by saying, that I have a job. I book travel for my client's executives. That said…please understand that I pay my premiums. I pay my deductibles. I play by the rules. Cigna, my insurance provider, does not.


Cigna proved to me today that they are NOT in the "business of caring". They ARE, however, in the business of making their policy holders micro-manage their health care to the point of lunacy. More directly, they are not in the business of caring at all. Let me explain...


On my current plan for prescriptions, I am to pay a yearly one-time deductible of $50 in addition to my RX co-pay. This was paid on my first prescription in January. Since then Cigna has tried to charge me my yearly deductible EVERY SINGLE MONTH. Here is how that goes... I call in the prescription. I drive over to pick it up. They tell me it cost some outrageous amount. It never fails that it's on a weekend or a holiday of some sort. The following business day I spend at least an hour on the phone, while at work mind you, to "resolve" the matter. Cigna has admitted to me on every occasion that it is a system issue that can be fixed. Every month since January, Cigna has promised me that this issue will be resolved and every month it's the same tired routine.


Then today there was Maura, Sherry, and Nicole...

All three are designated as Customer Relations Supervisors. Each and every one of these reps REFUSED to put another authorization for the correct co-pay amount on my account. They said it should not have been done in the past because it doesn't solve the issue and that they (would not) do it again. I explained to all of them that I could not afford the increased co-pay and wait on a reimbursement. I explained that Cigna already owes me $50 from a February over-charge which I have yet to see. I also explained that I could NOT miss taking the medication under any circumstances. I further explained that the medication was NOT an optional one. Their reply: "Well, that's all we can tell you. I'm sorry." Sorry they say… Sorry that I will get gravely ill if I don't have the medication? Sorry that Cigna is too stupid to have resolved this issue 5 months ago when I first brought it to their attention or in any of the following months? Sorry that because it's the Friday of a holiday weekend they could care less? Sorry that they every rep I've spoken to in the last 5 months didn't know how to actually do their job? Sorry that Cigna and its "caring" reps refused to assist me today? Sorry for what, I wonder.


It's clear to me after today that Cigna is not at all in the business of caring as they say. I am not basing my conclusion on one, two, or even three situations. I'm basing my conclusion on 5 months, 16 Cigna representatives, 4 Cigna Managers, 1 Cigna Site Director (who finally told Nicole to do her job and provide me with an override today), 3.5hrs in phone conversations all while on my job, 15 calls to CVS to make sure everything was correct, 2 emails to my company about the issue, 3 phone calls to my company about this, 0 actual solutions to this ongoing problem, and 1 Cigna Manager out of 4 that offered a sincere apology (last month). The numbers are in and it's not pretty.


Cigna 1 Consumer 0


Stay Free… if your healthcare company will let you!