Dear Everyone: Let's Lead with Love

Dear Everyone:

[Please feel free to contribute to this conversation if you like.]

Today there was a shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty children were shot. Is that really true? I actually cannot comprehend that. Six adults. My heart goes out to the parents, families, and the entire community. They have my condolences.

A recent shooting at a Sikh Temple here in Wisconsin. The theater in Colorado. Columbine some years ago. Incompresheniible.

So, we all are trying desperately to come to some understanding about how and why these things happen and how to prevent future horrors like this. I am quoting a woman from Newtown: "Let's lead with love."

It is time to change and so let's lead with love.

Previously, we all swore to make changes to prevent such future happenings and then forgot our promises to ourselves and our children.

We search for perfect solutions and forget that we could improve safety for our children and citizens 100% by focusing on reducing the likelihood of violence -- there are no perfect solution.

We search for solutions in one area of life (school security, gun laws, parenting, etc) and forget that violence is a complicated subject and requires a multi-faceted solution.

There will always be sociopaths, freak accidents, evil, and inexplicable behavior. That is the nature of life. But, there are many things we can do as a society and as individuals to decrease violence in our lives and in the lives of children.

DECREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF CHILDREN GROWING UP TO BE VIOLENT:

Parents must be accountable to keep children safe and keep them in a safe environment. Do not abuse them or punish them harshly -- and do not allow anyone else to do so. Do not abuse their mothers or siblings or elders. Do not abuse pets or animals. If you do so, you are increasing the likelihood that they will have psychological problems.

Parents, do not abuse alcohol or drugs. If you are doing so, you are endangering your children.

Families, keep children stable & secure. Provide them with basic food, clothing and shelter.

We must be our brothers'& sisters' keeper. If you are aware of children or women who are being abused, who are not safe, or who do not have basic necessities, find out how to help them. 

Protect your children from the people that you date and from the insecurities of your dating life.

Protect your children from divorce and from any violence or insecurity from divorce.

Get help to provide the best possible care for your children -- from friends and family or agencies & professionals if needed including mental health treatment. 

Teach your children that "children cannot solve other children's problems." Make sure your children know to tell you about any problems other children tell them about.

Don't cover up violence, abuse, incest, suicide threats, etc.in your family or among your friends. Get help on how to be helpful. 

Spend more time with your children and their friends. Cook, play games, bake, bowl, walk, bike, read, watch good movies, sing, etc.

Actively teach your children social skills: how to "meet & greet" people, carry on conversations, talk to adults, make phone calls, negotiate problems, resolve conflicts... how to "lose" and how to "win" ...

Take parenting classes.


 STOP OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH VIOLENCE TODAY 

Actively teach your children that violence is not romantic, glamorous, sexy, etc. Show your children and teens how violence is romanticized in our culture.

Fall out of love with violence and guns. Look at your TV schedule and your local movie page in the newspaper: We are in love with violence. We need a new fascination. Show this to your children.

Limit your child's TV, movies, and video games. 

WE NEED POLITICAL SOLUTIONS: LET'S STOP SAYING "DON'T POLITICIZE THESE TRAGEDIES AND POLITICIZE THE HELL OUT OF THEM

Let's be reasonable & intelligent about guns and gun control laws.  Demand action from politicians.

a. Let's all stand up to the NRA and start taking steps toward specific and sane gun control laws. Write them every day. If you don't know what to say, copy this page and send it to them.

b. Write every one of your lawmakers every day until we change gun laws.

c. There must be better coverage for mental health services by insurance companies.

d. The law must be changed so that master's level counselors are required to receive supervision from a psychologist or psychiatrist.


THE PUBLIC NEEDS A MUCH BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND TREATMENT.

AS A SOCIETY WE HAVE TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO: 
+MUCH EASIER ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,
+MORE AFFORDABLE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,
+MUCH MORE EASILY AVAILABLE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,
+MUCH MORE ACCURATELY TARGETED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

If your a child has serious problems at home, at school, with other children, etc. s/he needs a psychological assessment as well as a physical examination to rule out physical illness. This is not an assessment from the school, a pediatrician or a counselor but an assessment from a clinical psychologist.

Mental illness is real and the need for mental health treatment is a real need that affects not only individuals and families but sometimes entire communities. The cost of  not treating mental illness and alcohol and drug abuse is simply overwhelming.

Mental illness is not about being unhappy, or sad, or not liking your new job. I wish everyone that wanted to could talk to a counselor any time but that is not a necessity.  Every child with a serious emotional, cognitive, or behavioral problem has to get the right services from the right professional as a necessity.

If you think someone you know is a danger to themselves or others, get help. Get advice on how to do so from a mental health professional or agency.

So, these are a few very obvious very general ideas. Maybe the single most important thing we could do is fall out of love with guns and violence.

Love, 

Vivian

Dear Mike Huckabee: I Am Not Going to Revere You!

Mr. Huckabee: 

Well, I am certainly not going to call you Reverend, am I?

I heard you on television some time ago talking about President Obama's Kenyan influences and his lack of understanding of "America." You were using your grave and serious "man of God teacherish" voice.

Knowing that you are an educated and informed man, I inferred that you were lying. Because you call yourself a Christian and are an ordained minister, I was repulsed. Lying just repulses me in general. Hypocritical Christians... set my teeth on edge.

Of course, you could be deceiving yourself for... power, money, fame, glory, sex appeal... gagging a little... But, I have looked at your Facebook pages. 

I did think you were lying, but you have thousands of seriously ignorant, bat-poopy crazy, and junkyard dog mean women who are ready to do the horizontal tango with you.

Then, recently, I saw one sentence of you being interviewed by John Stewart. You believe that the Republican Party can attract African Americans? You must be psychotic! [Did I dream this?]

Mr. Huckabee, people of color would have to be insane to vote for a party which publicly embraces the blatantly racist, terribly ignorant and emotionally sick "birther" movement! 

 Why would people of color vote for a party that shows so little respect for them and our first African American president? They won't. 

Women would also have to be insane to vote for a party that so obviously has no respect for them, their health and well-being, their economic issues and is brutally callous in addressing them in the public arena. They don't want to get legitimately or illegitimately "raped" by a political party.

Likewise, do not look for support from the scientific community or anyone who needs a real scientific education so the US can do things like... oh... be competitive in the international market place. We cannot be the scientific and technological leaders of the world based on evolution.

Because, as it turns out, we are the only country, except Iran, where religious leaders such as you control education. 

Well, I could just go on and on. Did I mention union members?

Vivian

Dear Perpetrators of Violence--Stop it!

Dear Perpetrators:

I am trying to love perpetrators... because if anyone in the world needs love and assistance in changing, it is perpetrators of violence against women and children.

So, I was reading articles about violence against women and children. Not good to do just before bedtime.

The incredibly high incidence of sexual violence against women and children, including stranger rape, incest, child molestation, and the molestation of women unable to give consent (by age, mental illness, intellectual inability, alcohol or drug consumption) means that many, many men are committing violence against women and children.  

Yes, YOU. Husbands. Fathers. Grandfathers. The boyfriends of mothers of young children. Sons. Brothers. Uncles. YOU are committing violence of all kinds against women and children. 

And, we still live in a dark and dirty world where vast numbers of Neanderthals, that includes women, blame victims. Yes, we live in an ugly, ugly world.

And, you enjoy incredible protection from the political system. The judicial system. The law enforcement system. Your families. Your hunting & fishing & bowling & golf & business &... buddies.  From all the simple-minded folks who only believe what they see: "Well, all I know is that he is a good neighbor. The salt of the earth..."

I read an article about the need to engage you, men, in addressing violence against women. Well... that would be... like... very cool. If men were engaged in addressing violence against women, wouldn't about 90% of violence disappear? Because, men are the perpetrators! Duh!

It occurred to me that you, men, not being concerned and on-board about decreasing violence is like saying that prisoners are not serious about decreasing crime! Really?

And, then you are not afraid. So, you aren't really motivated. Men, you are much less likely to be victims. You aren't worried in parking lots. And very few of you have been assaulted. You don't worry about waking up in the night with a stranger standing over the bed. With a weapon. 

In fact, there is research showing that women are more likely than men to identify domestic violence as an "extremely important" issue..." And, did someone need to research this? So the researcher calls the home of an abuser, "Sir, on a scale of 1 - 10, how concerned are you about domestic abuse as a social issue?"

I think we need to all admit that when every form of violence against women and children is added up, and when we really truly realize that most perpetrators are men, we come to the shocking conclusions:

We have an overwhelming number of violent men all around us and a shocking lack of respect for women. 

Perpetrators of violence are all around us.  And, women also aid and abet you by failing to respect themselves and other women and children. They blame victims and hide your crimes.  Mothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, grandmothers fail to support victims and hold men accountable.

During this election, when I heard politicians talk about abortion, I looked around the room. I knew that a good percentage of women in the room were victims of sexual & other violence including: rape, incest, and other molestation victims. Whether the incidence is 10 or 30% -- that is a lot of horrifying suffering.

And, that means that there were perpetrators in that room. Whether 5 or 30% of the men in the room were perpetrators -- that is the truth we don't want to deal with.

We always talk about victims because we don't want to talk about perpetrators. 

Some man (or more than one) that I know has committed an act of violence against a woman or child. I don't know who this is, but the statistics indicate this to be true. Just as someone you know has been a victim of violence -- whether you know it or not.

In fact, some folks have concluded that messages about what a bad idea violence is should be directed to men! Who knew!?! And, why? Because, you men have room to change! Well, what can I say? Of course, you need to change!

Yes, I agree with researchers! I love research, as always. 

Men! Listen up! YOU need to be actively engaged in ending violence against... anyone & everyone! Especially women, children, and all other living creatures!

End violence now. Talk to your sons, brother, fathers & grandfathers, uncles and buddies-- so you won't have to talk to your daughters. 

Don't be silly and think that just because the guy you play golf with doesn't beat you means he isn't beating his wife. If she says so, believe her and support her.

Your friend,

Vivian

Dear Republicans: After the Election

Dear Republican:  After the Election

[Satire warning!]


Ahhhhhh... I get up every morning and everything I do, every fact I encounter, every bit of independent research I read is...BIASED if is not in agreement with Republican values & beliefs. If the research was conducted by an independent company and comes to a non-R conclusion, it & I am biased.

Every day, for the rest of my life, in the view of my Republican friends and family, I am a deluded, biased moron. So, today, I got up and began my life, as I do every day, as a deluded biased moron.


Yes, as you can imagine, I have been fortifying myself with more & more Kool-Aid for the past year--I didn't drink enough during previous years nor as a child. Because, as we all know, there are only a few reasons that anyone in the USA could vote for Democrats and one major reason is that they "drank the Kool-Aid." So, I have restocked my Kool-Aid shelves.

My poor parents -- and, myself! -- think of all the money we wasted on education, science classes, research courses, reading the newspaper, learning to think reasonably and rationally. All wasted.

Republicans claim that it is impossible for anyone but Republicans to be thinking, logical, reasonable voters. Why, I hear that all the time on Republican FB pages, radio, Fox News,  and web-sites, so it must be true! However, since Republicans do not believe in science, math, or reading any independent journalism... If only my parents had known I was going to be a deluded moron, anyway! Oh, wait, they were deluded moronic Democrats, too.
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So, I have restocked my Kool-Aid shelves. I begin my life as a slavering idiot--as is 51% of the population -- according to Republicans.

And, yes, it is my goal to foster the "gimme gimme" culture! Why would I have any other goal?  After all, my entire family worked like dogs, lived on next to nothing, never considered themselves poor, were painfully honest and so charitable, it makes me cry to remember. I lived in 500 sq. ft. -- why wouldn't I want to foster a gimme gimme culture! It is my total goal in life to foster dependence.

And, destroy America. Yes, I want to destroy America, destroy marriage (honestly, my husband & I have done more toward that end... another story...), destroy Christianity, destroy the Capitol... I am a one woman wrecking crew. God, I am powerful... OK, forward!

After all, the only people in the world who are true pioneers, who accomplished everything all alone, who are masters of achievement and accomplishment are Republicans. They are out there raising Victory gardens, hunting squirrels... loaning money to their children, borrowing from their parents... In fact, I heard that they are the only ones who survived the Great Depression, fought in WWI, WWII or Vietnam, pay taxes, and have gas or poop.

But, I will continue to vote for hand outs for those sorry slackers--the 5-10% of the population who are severely & chronically mentally ill & who Republicans seem to think should have been working and earning a living--as CEO's perhaps!

I will vote for the 10% of the population with IQ in the Borderline & Below Normal Range! Why haven't those bums become CEO's of Bane Capital ... thinking...  Let Republican successful business men get them high paying skilled jobs on the boards of directors of Bane Capital or as... airplane traffic controllers!

Oh, yeah... I have been out there voting for those sorry lay-abouts who are paralyzed from the neck down, have severe and unstable diabetes and other problems like that -- to receive disability payments.

I will vote for our great public institutions because I damn well do not want to pave my own street or educate my child through high school.

Hmmm... yes, I vote for those who have no bootstraps, no boots, and sometimes no feet. No car, no presentable clothing, no food, no running water, no car to borrow, no money for gas, no health care, no dental care... because I know them personally. But, my R friends, who have never met anyone poorer than a laid off teacher, do not believe this level of poverty exist, so they believe I am demented.

I have been voting for retirement. People used to drop dead at the job. Perhaps Republicans would like to be role models and go first?

Oh, I just love you so much! It is my prayer that you will learn some modesty. That you will be grateful for all that you were born with and given. That you will have the life-altering experience of watching a few children go hungry -- day after day after day. That you will spend some time some where that there is no industry, no jobs, a rotten educational system, no decent health care.

And, for Jesus sake learn some logic and learn something about research or STFU! Jesus! You are getting on my nerves!

Love love love

Vivian

Dear Republican Voters: May You Get What You Vote For

Dear Voters:

Experience is the best teacher: I learned that as a parent. There were so many lessons that I wanted to tell my child. I did not want her to have to learn some of life's most bitter lessons by suffering.

And, then I learned:  Some lessons can only be learned by suffering. By pain. Often, the pain has to be excruciating or the lesson just won't be learned.

So, Voters, it is my hope that you will get what you vote. I am hoping that you receive KARMA! For Republicans, that means that I am hoping that you are going to suffer like an SOB!

I hope that didn't hurt your feelings! I didn't mean it in a negative way!

If YOU vote for LOW WAGE REPUBLICANS, may YOUR wages be low.

If YOU vote against SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE may YOU never receive it.

If YOU vote against unions, may YOU lose YOUR 40 hr work week, YOUR lunch break, YOUR paid vacation. & all benefits that unions procured for you.

If YOU vote against reproductive health care, may YOU never receive prostate, bladder, or kidney cancer screenings or treatment;  May be have 10 children;  May you pay for every ounce of pregnancy and delivery care yourself;  May you support each child until the age of 25.
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If YOU vote to legislate YOUR religious views, may YOU be required to follow MY religious views.

If YOU vote for or support a party or politicians that use terms such as "legitimate & illegitimate" rape, may you experience both and write a book about it.

If YOU support & vote for voter suppression & voting fraud, may your vote be disqualified.

If YOU support the corporatization of our democracy, may Bain Capital buy your employer, sell the company to China, ship your job overseas, require you to train your replacement and FIRE YOUR ASS.

And, if YOU vote for those who do not support Unemployment Insurance (because jobs grow on trees) and think the unemployed are slackers, may it take you 2 years to find a job.

If you vote for those...

I think you get the picture!  Please, please... get out of your box! Learn more about the world. I hate suffering. I don't want you to suffer--I really, really don't. I love you! I want you to find another way to learn!

These sound a lot like..., well honestly..., like... curses.  I don't intend them to be curses! I really, really don't!

These are meant to be blessings!  Because, I love you, I really, really do. And, I want you to learn & grow. I certainly do.

Your friend,

Vivian

Dear Teeny Weenies: It Is God's Blessing!

Dear Teeny Weenies,

I have been so worried about you! After all, you men never stop thinking about your junk from the moment your itty biity baby fingers find it! I am pretty sure you masturbate in the uterus.

Literacy alert!!! Literacy alert!!! I will be using adult medical terms as well as some very immature words because --- I just cannot help myself. I love funny words!

OK, time for tit for tat. Ahhhh, that has a ring to it. 

Ladies, I am bored with girl talk. Let's talk about boys! MALE REPRODUCTIVE CARE. First, let's just take urology out of the medical lexicon and put politicians in charge of it. I think that men parts and urology should be under the control of women: wives for married men and mothers for single men. And, Our decisions should be implemented by the government and by religion!

 I don't really think men need to see a urologist at all. Just have faith in the Lord. Whatever happens is God's will! That saved some money.

If you balls don't drop til you 45, well, your mother is a really good cook! You will love living at home. This isn't really a medical condition -- that's just nature telling you to slow down!

Except for the case of STD testing. All men who are sexually active or over the age of 14 will have mandatory STD testing every 6 months and the results will be sent to his mother and every girl in his school. YES, because those are the one most affected!

Then, since insurance doesn't pay for birth control and abortion will soon be illegal, all young men will be required to freeze sperm for the future and to have vasectomies. There had been an outbreak of pregnancies and the young people didn't recognize the cause.

PRAISE THE LORD!!! WOMEN ARE FREE!!! 

OH, YES, if a man has an STD, he has a temporary tattoo on his forehead until he finishes treatment! Coooooool!

Should there be a failure of the vasectomy, THE MAN GETS THE BABY!!! TO KEEP! The mother gets the baby on weekends and holidays -- or any time she wishes. The father is required to do... basically every thing women do now only better!

All that peeny weeny stuff--no longer a medical discussion. You don't get enlargements, or facelifts, or splints, or pumps or pills. Dude, that's just mother nature! Urologist don't even go to school!

And, should you somehow endanger a woman, batter her, beat her, burn her, sexually assault her... well, you have to provide and care for her for the rest of her life! With out seeing or knowing where she is. You  break it, you won it: Rent, car, weekly massage.

Your insurance doesn't cover kidney exams, or bladder exams, or prostate exams, or Viagra. So, drink more juice and watch more video.

Now, should you have been a male born with an unfortunate Male Reproductive Health problem, you are out of luck, because insurance companies are just not going to cooperate--they listened to YOU!  

You said you didn't want to pay for treatment that you don't believe in! Well, neither did women! So, if you have an abnormally small penis, or if you have male external organs but female internal organs, or a mix of organs... the Republican Party has screwed you, dude. 

Then of course, Republican men also get raped. Violently. They get battered. Burned, Limbs broken. Knocked unconcious. Given date rape drugs. Raped by boys & men they know and some they don't. Raped by attractive men and repulsive older men with hairy backs and foul breath. They receive internal images -- sometimes leaving scars for life.  JUST LIKE GIRLS.

Now, what if, in addition to all that, after facing the shme that inevitably results -- because no one will ever see you the same again and some people will openly blame you. What if you had to go through a life changing, body changing, emotionally altering, bitter, event that would rip you out of school, out of work, out of your social & family life... and leave you with a living reminder of your rapist. In our current world, the rapist has access to the baby--women have to watch their rape-babies go off with their violent psychopatic fathers. BUT, in our new world, the men do not only have no rights, they have to pay support to the mother or the adoptive parents until the child is 18 -- through secret funds protecting the child and the mom.

Well, I won't even pretend that I am a woman of character. I would claw my eyes out. IF I couldn't have an abortion and remove every reminder of the rape from within my sight immediatly

All my love, Vivian

Dear Wade #2: Communicating with Republicans

Dear Wade:

I love you & love listening to Liz v. Wade on Discover Janesville with Yuri Rashkin. I am learning a lot about power dynamics in verbal communications.

Or... is it psychological warfare? Army v. Civilian? 

You are very, very good. But, sincerity and compassion win out every time. So, Liz has my vote!

So I was struck very forcefully when I listened to #7 of Liz v. Wade and  again #8  by "how" the 3 communicate--Liz, Wade, and the show host, Yuri Rashkin.

The "conversations" grabbed be by the throat, so to speak.

"What is going on here?" I asked myself. I found the interpersonal dynamics anything but straight forward.

Who talks the most? Who talks the loudest? Who has the power & dominates? How is control exercised? Why? Who assumes leadership? Is the host really moderating the show? Are the guests controlling the host? Are both parties talking as equals? Are all parties equally respectful & congenial? What is the mood?

Was this a conversation or psychological warfare? 

I am going to use Liz v. Wade #8 as an example of... "WHY NOT TO TALK TO REPUBLICANS." 

As if...!

Yuri (I love Yuri!) begins this segment by reading my letter, posted in the notes of #7, on the air.

Then, Yuri narrows the conversation by using the term "abortion."  Naughty!

Reproductive health care is about far more than sex, abortion, rape and contraception.

It is HEALTH CARE provided by real DOCTORS in HEALTH CARE FACILITIES frequently involving PRESCRIPTIONS and HEALTH CARE PROCEDURES--and needed at every age and stage of life.

But, reproductive health care keeps being narrowed to the subject of rape & abortion. And, why aren’t we discussing vasectomies and Viagra more?

Moving on... Wade responded to my letter by saying that I misrepresented his positions but does not say how. How, how. how?

Wade did not apologize for calling Liz an "experienced woman,"   interrupting her repeatedly, over-talking her, chastising her and talking down to her. Why, why, why?

Wade did not respond to my accusation that he is trying to legislate HIS religion or that he doesn’t have any right to any opinion at all about women's reproductive care. Why, oh, why?

How did he respond on the air?  He replied that he doesn't "pander to the crowd" and is there to share the time equally with Liz and address the issues. 

Well, Wade, are you under the impression that being polite is pandering? 

Then, you continued to interrupt her, talk down to her, over-talk her, and patronize her in #8! What?  

Etiquette lessons? You did know that I teach etiquette and communications skills didn't you? Now, you do!

Wade, address the merits of every issue and the merits only. With facts. IF you want the respect of listeners.

So, I am going to just analyze the first few minutes of the conversation in #8. 

Liz says that there is a "whole new breed" of Republicans who bear no resemblance to Eisenhower or Reagan. She mentions Murdoch (of the "conception from rape is God's will" fame) and Sharon Angle.

Yes, factually speaking, there is a whole new breed of Republican: the Tea Party. 

Lots of people consider them extremist -- including many Republicans. I read quit a bit about the difficulty this new breed of Republican are giving the mainstream Republican Party and their upstanding long-respected more conventional Republican candidates.

Wade, you could have addressed those issues.

Wade, you could have addressed the insensitive comments and the simply scientifically inaccurate, not to mention bizarre comments, about rape and rape victims from Republicans lately about women's issues.

I feel comfortable calling these comments by Republicans crazy and strange.

Dairy cattle (and race horses, show dogs, etc.) all have reproductive health care—and better health care in general than I do. Liz makes a very valid point! 

Respond to her points, Wade!

But, Wade, you attack Liz and her comments. 

You used a combination of 3 excellent tactics. 

1. Respond with a list – do not just address a specific issue.

2. Always make sure to be nit-picky – do not address an issue of major concern—such as why Republicans are making such insensitive comments about rape.

3. Go on the attack and use mostly nonsense--so that the opponent will be so gob-smacked they cannot think of a response.

IF you responded on the facts -- such as the remarks on rape made by Sharon Angle... Well, what would the defense be?

He accuses Liz of personal attacks. She made none. Nonsense attack.

You accuse Liz of generalities. She gave great examples. Nonsense attack.

You accuses her of name calling. She didn't. Why not respond to her and address the Tea Party.

You say that there are also extremist in the Democratic Party. No doubt, but that is NOT a rational argument in support of extremist Republicans.  Nonsense attack.

THEN, you accused Liz of being hypocritical!?!  Oh, please. Personal attacks are not acceptable responses.

You maintain that Liz is a hypocrite if she uses examples of 2 or 3 extremist Republicans making disgusting comments about rape UNLESS SHE GIVES EXAMPLES OF EXTREMIST DEMOCRATS.  Nonsense attack.

As examples of extremist Democrats, you gave a list of Democrats that range from disgraced sex nuts, to money scammers, to mere liberals, to gay men... 

First, not a logical response to the rash of rape comments coming out from Republicans and second, the Republicans also have disgraced sex nuts, money scammers, ultra-conservatives, and gay men & women.

By the way, the very typical way of controlling women in every stinkin' conversation is to call them out when they raise voice. 

Wade, you have a very effectively controlled, very soft voice.

But, Liz cannot get equally heard and she did not have come-backs for Wade's nonsense response list. SO, SHE BROKE THE RULES AND RAISED HER VOICE. 

Oh, sorry, I raised my voice.

At, that point, Yuri, began chastising her. "Liz, Liz, Liz," he says even though Wade is the one refusing to allow Liz to talk.

That is why I don't engage in political conversation.

BUT, here is the really odd thing. Every one of my Republican friends, whom I no longer discuss politics with, use all of these exact tactics!!!  I know that there are workshops where Republicans learn various tactics for... disrupting, attacking, sabotaging, etc Democratic campaigns. Do they teach this tactics somewhere?

Love is all there is. I won't discuss rape or women's issues, or much of anything without love in the heart!

Oh, I hope I didn't hurt your feelings! I imagine after a career in the military, serving in 2 combat zones, and living in the Middle East, it would take a lot more than a love letter to hurt your feelings.

Love, 

Vivian

Dear Birthers & Other Ignoramos Conspirator TheoristsY

Dear Birthers & Other Ignoramous Conspirator Theorists:

You make me so sad I cry every time I read something written my you. I saw one of you in a crowd and picked you out by your clothing and demeanor. Listening to you talk makes me cry all night and worry about things like: "Where is civilization going?" "Where did our schools go wrong?" "Should people have to have a license to have children?" And, "Why isn't logic taught in school anymore?"

I love you and wish that I could help unravel that tangled mass -- or, is it mess -- of neurons in your poor head,

I just read one of your articles.

Someone just posted an radio blog on the DPRC page asserting that too many coincidences constitute proof (as in circumstantial evidence in a trial) that Obama is Communist & Muslim.

It was along the lines of: President Obama worked with Mr. X whose wife was friends with Mr. Y whose sister was married to a prominent Muslim whose best friend was  a Communist...

So, it was the most pathetic thing  I have ever heard -- or the best example of nonsense!

In 1979, MK & I went to a dinner party in NC where everyone present knew my major professor from the UW-Seattle!!!

 COINCIDENCE OR CONSPIRACY BY 8 PEOPLE TO DOMINATE THE FIELD OF MENTAL HEALTH????  I went to graduate school at UW-Seattle. One couple had a daughter who also went to graduate school there and had the same major professor. Another couple had met him at a conference.

What an utterly wild coincidence -- and, it was. But... not quite so completely crazy.

BECAUSE we all worked in the field of mental health. We all went to major universities. We all had mental health or social work degrees. There is a lot of exchange between the major universities. Parents visit their children when they are at university.

 BUT... There's more... The new chair of the psych department at UNC was from UW-Madison, I heard him speak at a conference in Chapel Hill before we moved to Madison  I went to work at UW-Madison and MK knew many people who knew the former chair of the UW-Madison Department of Psychiatry who was now in Chapel Hill and...

It just goes to show that WE SHOULD STILL BE TEACHING LOGIC IN SCHOOL!

YES, it is a small world!  YES, people in the same fields tend to know many of the same people. Especially in the world of politics where everything depends on who you know and how many people you know.

YES, guess what happened after the "wild and wooly radical 60's?" The radicals went back to class, graduated, and got jobs in their father's companies, became college professors, bought houses in the suburbs. Yes, Barack Obama's radical 60's friends (who were radicals before he was born) are now members of the establishment.

YES, people hire people they know so more people tend to know more people that know each other.

And, , YES ere are a few Communists and Socialist around. Those are political parties -- not dirty words that we call our enemies on the playground. Words that even have definitions and have nothing to do President Obama.

So, LOUDLY NOW: if you believe President Obama was born anywhere other than Hawaii, you are nuttier than a fruit cake. If you believe that President Obama is a Muslim you are bat-poop crazy. If you believe that he did not deserve to go the excellent universities that he went to on his own merit, you are simply a racist pig--the man is brilliant whether you like him or not.

Hmmm, I am the most boring person on earth, but if I dig far enough! Ha!
I know a Muslim and an Anarchist, both are from Madison, they both drink coffee, they both drive cars and breathe oxygen, they are both women, they are both brunettes,,,

Ha! I have just proved that I am an Anarchist Muslim who was born in... somewhere else... of Anarchist Muslim parents who plan on going... somewhere and planting the seeds of...DEMOCRACY!

Long live logic! Oh, I hope I haven't hurt your feelings! But, if I didn't tell you these things, who would? It is only because I love you & I don't want people to talk behind your back.

As my sainted Mother used to say to me, "OH, for God's sake! Don't be a moron!"

Much love and many blessings. May your neurons fire sequentially for many years to come!

Your friend,

Vivian

Dear Republican Leaders: Why oh Why?

Dear Republican Leaders:

Why do I keep thinking about you? I must ask my therapist. I also think about train crashes, fires, car wrecks, cancer, and rare diseases. Hmmm...?

You are so, so, so misbegotten and so, so, so needy. I don't even know where to begin. Is it ever too late? You need more love than... my little white lap dog. You are a lot like her in fact. You just don't know when to SHUT UP!

Darling Republican Leaders: Quit talking about women and anything to do with our lady parts. Rape. Abortion. Women's Reproductive Health Care.

I am going to talk to you like your mothers, wives, sisters, and lovers ought to: You are scientifically & medically illiterate; morally bankrupt; AND, slavering political syncophants who would sell your mothers into sexual slavery to win an election.

Since you have no judgement, take it from me:

STOP TALKING ABOUT WOMEN'S LADY PARTS.

But... But... But...

I am waiting breathlessly for you to take a strong public stand against rape. Take a strong public stand against incest. Take a strong public stand against domestic abuse. Take a strong public stand against all violence -- especially against women and children.

Take a stand against those men and boys who perform sex acts on girls & women who are unable to give informed consent because they are too young, mentally ill or emotionally disturbed, intellectually handicapped, physically handicapped, or debilitated by drugs or alcohol.

Take a stand against men who use their positions of power and authority to take advantage against the vulnerable: ministers, doctors, politicians... You?

I am waiting. We are waiting. Be heroes.

You can stand up for (I simply cannot believe it!) a fertilized egg that has not been implanted. That are not yet sentient beings. Women are sentient beings. Stand up for us. Yes, you can!

I believe in you! YOU CAN DO IT! Why oh why don't you?

Your friend,

Vivian

Dear Women

Dear Women:

Without any satire, irony, or facetiousness, I can say I love you truly with every cell in my body. I loathe being serious, but I am simply terrified for us. Reality is something I try to avoid at all cost, but sometimes it just sneaks up on me.

Tonight, I can hardly breathe with the simple awareness of how deeply women are hated. Yes, in the USA. How little cared for we are. How little devotion we receive. How little simple justice. Common respect. Plain & simple empathy.

We have no voice.

We also all too often have very little concern for each other -- because we do reflect our culture. So many women brag about not being "feminist." It makes me ill. It hurts my eyes to look at a woman when she says this. If you brag about this, know that I think you are very, very ignorant.

There are about 30,000 pregnancies resulting from rape/year. That means that about 30,000 men rape women/year and impregnate them. Those are just the rapes resulting in pregnancy. How absolutely evil is that.

And, yet, what are (Republican) men talking about on TV? The sanctity of the life of ... not the victim... not the impregnated woman... but, the fetus. A fetus which many of them believe, including our own Paul Ryan, ought to have full constitutional rights AT CONCEPTION. Yes, a fetus that is microscopic in size, has not implanted in the uterus, and looks like frog eggs...

Why aren't they talking about the sanctity of the lives of rape victims?

If 30,000 male Republican politicians were held down, had their clothing stripped off, and had a foreign object (say a broom handle) rammed up their anuses for about 10 minutes or more, I don't think they would be talking about God's intentions, or how the body shuts that whole thing down, or the sanctity of life. Oh, and if some of then got raped by more than one person and some of them were beaten and some of them got tortured and some of them had other foreign objects... and some of them were burned... Then... oh, what if these 30,000 Republican leaders got a baby as a bonus gift! And, what if these 30,000 men were not allowed to get rid of the baby.

Then, in 31 states our (male) political leaders (girlfriends, remember that the vast majority of political leaders, business leaders, civic leaders... well, all leaders are men) have passed laws giving rapists access to the children that rape victims have given birth to. So, if the rapists have rights, then the victim might not be able to give the baby up for adoption.

So, now, the 30,000 Republican men who had broom handles rammed up their anuses (and some were beaten and some were burned and some had battery acid and some...) , and then were given a baby because that was God's will, now they cannot give the baby away because they will be co-parenting with the town alcoholic who lost her other children because of child-abuse.

[That is a good comparison. Since men don't get pregnant, it is a damned good comparison.]

YES! You read that correctly! First, you are raped. THEN, our Republican friends want to give the fertilized egg constitutional rights. THEN, our Republican leaders want to take away OUR right to have an abortion. THEN, in 31 stinking states, they give the rapists rights to the child that the rape victim gave birth to. SO, the rapist not only has access to OUR child, but he still has access to US! Yes, the rape victim shares custody with a violent felon.

Women who report rape and go to court are often vilified themselves. The incidence of rape is incredibly high. And, what does that tell us? THAT MANY MEN ARE RAPISTS. Not only do men rape women violently but they have sex with women who are unable to give informed consent because they are too young. They are unable to give consent because they are emotionally disturbed or intellectually handicapped.
They are unable to give consent because of alcohol or drug consumption. They are unable to give informed consent because they are in an unequal power relationship.

There have been studies in which as many as 40% of male college students admit to having forced a sexual encounter on someone else.

I think this is often not very disturbing to people. After all, I saw a remake of an old play recently in which a many "spanked" a grown woman.

So, just to make it real, picture it happening to a man. It did happen to a boy my daughter went to college with. He was given a "date rape" drug at a party. He was given too much and was unconscious for about 24 hours. He woke up in a hospital and does not know/remember what happened to him.

So, picture your son being held down by another bigger boy. Being kissed against his will. Being fondled against his will. Being raped. Being beaten. Being found by the police -- so, he didn't have a choice about reporting it. Being taken to the hospital. Neighbors finding out. Now, it's another story isn't it.

If the tolerance for violence does not indicate absolute loathing for women, then I do not know what does.

If the demand by men for control over decision making about women's choices does not indicate hatred for women, then I don't know what does.

If the demand by men to control women's access to birth control -- by controlling the funding -- does not indicate complete and total hatred and loathing, then I do not know what does.

We live in a world where men (in the Republican Party) do not want women to get cancer screenings for free  at Planned Parenthood because 3% of their services are abortions. Where abortion providers are murdered.

There are people who want to protect clusters of cells but do not care if grown women with children and families die of cancer.

Women, I fail to understand why a single one of you votes Republican.

I fail to understand why a single one of you lives with a man who votes Republican or supports any leader who wants to overturn Roe v Wade, opposes choice, opposes Planned Parenthood (where many women receive the only cancer screenings they could ever afford!), or opposed insurance paying for reproductive HEALTH CARE!

I cannot understand why you a sitting in pews and sending your hard-earned money to churches that have NEVER IN THEIR HISTORY HAD A WOMAN LEADER and who do not believe that you have a right to control your own body.

We are a sick society. Most of the time I am used to that. Some times I am overwhelmed by it.

All of my love and devotion,
Vivian

Dear Men & Boys: About Women's Rights

Dear Male Persons:

First, you do know that I sometimes write political satire, correct? Fair warning: Do not take everything that I say literally, or seriously, or to the bank, or to your priest or minister.

Of course, I do love you, men & boys alike. After all, you represent 49% of the population and all of my grandfathers, uncles, and my father. And, I loved all of them in the unconditional way that I love all of humanity and that I love all men and boys.

Thank Goddess, I don't have any brothers--that might have been too much even for me.

So, I am going to present to you very compelling reasons that you should support women and women's rights.

1. Well, duh! Your religion compels you to support your mothers, aunts, grandmothers, nieces, and daughters.

Every religion, and godless humanism (!), tells us to cherish human life and to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Don't you hate it when religion bites you in the butt!?!

2. Increased wages for women benefits YOU.

If women made more money... think about the implications for YOU!

I have a cousin who made so much more money than her husband that she had to move in with her mother for 5 years to afford his settlement! WOW!!! How cool would that be, gentlemen?

If your female partner made a lot more money than you, she might have to buy out your share of the house, pay child support, pay health insurance -- maybe even dental -- for those rug rats, pay for private school tuition, cough up maintenance for YOU... ah, I see a trip to Mexico for Christmas coming up!

3. Have fewer children and save big $$$$!

a. Is there some reason that you were unaware of this? Living in the Midwest and without sending your child to college, it costs approximately $167,000 to rear a child.

Get on board with birth control.

b. Get birth control covered by insurance and save your family $$$$.

Gentlemen (and, I use that word loosely),  why don't you want birth control covered by insurance?

Are you aware that the most reliable forms of birth control are forms of FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CARE that are PRESCRIBED BY DOCTORS!

If it is covered by insurance, it saves YOU money. YOU don't want to save money?

You did not know that "oral contraceptives" means birth control pills? Right?

YOU have been advocating that your own insurance should NOT have to pay for BC pills so that YOU YOURSELVES will have to pay for it?

4. Practice your religion. Do not legislate it.

If you don't believe in contraception and abortion -- then don't use them and don't have them.

But, do not try to discourage or prevent people of other religions or philosophical beliefs from using contraception, benefiting from a wide range of reproductive health care and having abortions by preventing insurance from paying for it or by closing down Planned Parenthood. Because that is wrong.

You would be preventing women from having cancer screenings in order to discourage them from using birth control and having abortions.

Your would be preventing poor women with health problems from getting free contraception in order to prevent an 18 year old from getting BC pills -- and that is wrong.

You would be preventing women and men from getting free STD screenings because you think they shouldn't be sexually active -- and, that is wrong.

Insurance should pay for health care. Period. And, Planned Parenthood pays for itself a hundred times over. Period.

You practice your religion and don't legislate it.

5. Save $$$$ as a society by treating problems early!

Guess which costs more? Finding out you have breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, etc when it is at Stage I or at Stage IV? Go ahead, guess!

6. Have a heart, gentlemen. Have a heart.

Guess which hurts the most? Losing your wife to cancer or having treatment in the early stages? It could be YOUR daughter who gets a cancer screening at Planned Parenthood.

There are many more reasons to support women:
You can inherit more money from your mother, granny, and aunts. Your daughters can support you in your old age. You won't blame yourself when your daughter cannot get appropriate treatment after being raped and gets pregnant. Your wife will support you in your old age. You won't blame yourself when you son gets 3 girls pg on Prom Night...

Oh, I do so love male persons! I hope I have not hurt anyone's feelings. I realize that this is a sensitive topic and that is why it needs to be discussed very loudly, frequently and publicly -- that is how we desensitize ourselves!

Your friend,

Vivian

PS By the way, requiring hospitals to provide health care is not religious persecution. If you want to practice religion, build a church! If you want to practice health care, build a hospital or clinic. If the only health care facility in my county won't perform an abortion to save my life, I think I am being persecuted. If religious groups go into the "health care business," they need to provide health care. If providing all legal health care is against your religion, you might have gone into the wrong field or your employer needs to hire some new employees.

Dear Political Liars

Dear Political Liars:

I so wish you could have known my mother--either as a mother or a teacher. Pretty sure she would have just loved you to death. You would have had so much respect for her. Fear and respect.

She isn't here to help you grow up to be good, honest, strong, moral, honest, altruistic, honest, competent, loving, thoughtful, honest, compassionate, intelligent, honest men so I am just going to pass on a couple of her rules.

You do know that I wrote "men" not because I am a sexist, but because it appears to me that women are generally your moral superiors and you need a little more help than women!  Oops? Was that stereotyping? I think the Nuns on the Bus agree!  Does that make me a sexist. This is confusing!

I will skip the 1001 rules about not standing in doorways when people are trying to pass through, not standing in the middle of the room, not standing with the refridge door open, not standing with your mouth open ... Those are in the "Not Standing..." chapter.

But, we have bigger fish to fry than that. We are going to go to the "Etiquette on Lying" chapter.

Mother's rules are non-negotiable. You don't have to agree with them, see a need for them, or understand them. Since it is mostly Conservative Right-Wing Republican Christian men who Put Women on a Pedestal (never have I seen this) that seem to have a need for re-education, this should appeal to your traditional values! My mother was a Democrat outside our home, but inside, that woman was a dictator.

Here are two of Mother's rules for life:

Do not lie by commission, omission, distortion, bragging, exaggeration... or any other sneaky method you can think up. If it isn't the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, it isn't the truth. And, do not make Mother think of the exactly correct wording to find out the exact truth--because she counts that as dishonesty. Whew!

Do not call anyone a "liar" or accuse people of "lying." Ohhhh, how I hated that rule. Still do.

So what to do when some lying liar is lying to you. As children, to be blunt, we were screwed. Totally defenseless. Kid lies to you. Not even allowed to call the kid a liar. That stinks.

So, I made two excellent decisions. One: I ignore the rule about accusing people of lying when ring-tailed smarmy smirking lying bustards tell bare-faced lies about actual factual provable facts!

Two: I pretend I am a scientist. I just keep stating the facts. Re-stating the facts. Defending the facts. It isn't really calling anyone a liar or accusing them of lying -- just a discussion of fact.

Oh!!! This is why Republicans don't believe in science. Shhhhh... they have it confused with religion and think that if they don't believe in gravity, they are not bound by the rules of gravity. Ahhhh... can I say it? Does this have anything to do with being... No. Not going there.

Romney and Ryan, you are liars. Big fat liars. Pants on fire liars. And, you think you have Democrats tied up in knots because most of polite society, like my mother, has not come up with an attractive response to a bare-faced lie told by a bare-faced ring-tailed liar? And, the public does not like hearing people accused of lying or being liar?

I hope not. I hope not. Keep on speaking truth to power.

With buckets and buckets of love for all those that disagree with me! It is my belief that we can have different values, different opinions, different belief systems -- but, we cannot have different facts.

Go get 'im, Joe!

Your friend,

Vivian

Dear Jobbers--The Haters of the Unemployed

Dear Jobbers:

Notice how I just shortened that? From "Haters of the Unemployed" to Jobbers?" I love nicknames almost as much as George Bush does!

Today, I have decided that I am going to educate you! Because I love you and I think that you are worth educating!

So, "GET A JOB," you frequently shout at me as I stand with stinky hippie tree-hugging femi-nazi atheist tax-and-spend baby-killing liberals. Why don't the "Jobbers" (as I call you) notice that the folks they are shouting at are so often OLDER (Yes, I know I am shouting. My blog, my rules.), clean, conventional, well kempt, respectable, local, frequently church-going, peace-loving, kind, smiling neighbors of yours! It's cognitive dissonance or stupidity--haven't decided. That's for another day.

 I could take the Jobbers shouts as a warning that we are going to become un-retired and need jobs if Republicans get elected... but, nah. I am going to overwhelm you with love and help instead! Oh, I do so love "love!"

You just haven't thought through this hatred you have of lazy no good takers who don't have jobs--which are plentiful, well-paying and come with terrific benefits on "Bull Shit Mountain" (to steal a term from Jon Stewart).

I accidentally saw a couple of minutes of a Fox show (forgive me!). The interrogator was talking to a NYC director of a welfare/human services/jobs program that also assisted people in getting food stamps. There was a young intern there who claimed that when she went in for help in getting a job, she was told that the jobs agency couldn't help her get a job but could get food stamps for her. A researcher walked around a block or two and counted 40 business that had "Help Wanted" signs in the windows. He spoke with a few people in line who said the jobs didn't pay well enough.  Sooooo...

Let's look at the big picture.

I believe that Republicans claim that we have a jobs crisis and that President Obama hasn't created any? Cannot have it both ways, Jobbers. Which is it? Obama created plentiful jobs which are there for the taking -- or we have a jobs crisis and there is little work?

And... it is not unusual for employers to advertise and keep "Help Wanted" signs up all the time -- job or no job. An organization in my home town has advertised for a certain position for years -- and, never hires. My daughter has had this experience repeatedly. Organizations and companies continually advertise, get dozens of qualified applicants, if not hundreds, and the job remains open month after month--even entry level job with very basic requirements. I have no idea what the strategy is behind this.

The cost of commuting makes some jobs simply not affordable. Hey, Obama does not set the price of oil -- oil companies and speculation does that.

Hmmm... Of course not everyone can physically do every job. A 55 year old ex-GM employee with a bad back and bad knees probably cannot do hard physical labor. I'm not a doctor, so that is just a wild guess on my part.

And, not everyone is qualified for every job. Never worked in retail? Might not get that shop job. Don't have an engineering degree. Damn, shoulda thought about that 28 years ago. Not a nurse? Oh, well... as a great philosopher once said.

Ah.... schedules. Your spouse works at night and you have a baby? Guess you cannot take the night shift unless you put your child in over-night "day care." It is illegal to leave infants unattended. No day shifts available. You're screwed!

Dear me... here is a job! But, the take home is less than your rent & utilities. Hmmm... Yes, already living in the cheapest housing available. Oh, just cash in some of your stocks! How could I forget that! Thank goodness Mittens and Mrs. Mittens didn't have to do that. Whew!

Forget benefits of any kind -- vacation days, health insurance, life insurance: You have got to be kidding!

It is an employers market out there! By the time imaginary jobs, impractical jobs, physically impossible jobs, specialty jobs, financially impossible jobs, etc. are taken into account, there just are not that many jobs.

Human beings have innate needs for survival, security, respectability, self-esteem, accomplishment, and (yes) even self-expression. There is no one who does not want to earn a good living, have good health care--and, therefore good health, and have decent housing. I promise.

So, jobbers, I believe that experience is the best teacher. In fact, I believe it is the only teacher! And, Jobbers, because I love you soooooooooo much and want you to become informed, knowledgeable, wise and compassionate, I am hoping that you all lose your jobs!!!

Then YOU strong and hardy people (Why do  Repubs believe they are the only strong and hardy folks who chop down trees, hunt squirrels, eat deer, scavenge for food, shoot their neighbors, build their own roads & schools & septic systems and are simultaneously rich and successful) ... whoa!

Back on track. OK, you Republican Jobbers who know exactly how to do everything perfectly, how to plan your lives so that you never need help, how to find a $300,000 job in a day--or how to live like a millionaire on $8.00/hour can show the rest of us poor slobs how it's done!

Jobbers, I so hope I haven't hurt your feelings! Don't just shout, "Get a job!" at me, hire me! You won't be sorry! Yes, offer me a job! Oh, I love you so very much!

Your friend,

Vivian

Dear People Who Still Live on the Grid:

Dear People Who Have Phones, Who Are Registered to Vote, Who Sign Petitions, and Live in Public on Real Streets:

I am politically active. I used to canvass--knock on doors and ask people to vote, register to vote, vote for Democratic candidates, etc. Now, I make phone calls -- hundreds of phone calls. Many people thank me. But, not everyone.

And, guess what some people ask?  "How did you find me?" Well... you opened your door! I saw your house, I knocked, and you opened. Bingo! There you were! Further more, you pay taxes. And, you vote. And, you have a telephone. Anyone could walk down your street and "find you!" Bingo!

And... guess what else? This is a consequence of living in... wait for it... Democracy! Yes! Democracy is inconvenient. Loud. Messy. Requires research. People lie. Disagree with us. Don't like our views. And... Knock on our doors. And, call us on the phone... And call... and call... and call some more.

While we are playing guessing games, guess where you cannot knock on peoples' doors and make telephone calls about political topics? Yes! Dictatorships! Autocracies! Iran! Syria! Saudi Arabia! Non-democratic countries!

Yes, there are countries where you don't get 2 or 3 or 6 opinions -- you might not really even get one opinion! Well, we don't get actual well thought out and informed opinions based on logic, reason and fact here, either but, it is an ideal I cherish.

Thoughts I'm thinking as I go about talking to people:  Besides those who cannot figure out how we found them, a few people I talk to tell me that they just don't vote -- on principle -- so they say. I think they are self-indulgent whiners, but that's JMNHO. I try everything in my arsenal of argument.

And, occasionally someone gives me hell for calling them about politics. Well... guess what? I am NOT discouraged by that! I am just going to give the next person a pep talk on how lucky we are to be living in a Democracy where we are able to make and receive political phone calls.

Most Republicans and Democrats I have been speaking with have been astoundingly gracious and thoughtful.

 There are people all over the world who would give an arm & a leg right now to be able to make and receive political phone calls without endangering their lives!

So, this coming week, I will be dedicating my calls to those all over the world who would love to have the freedom to pick up the phone, use their real voices & names, and ask people to vote in open elections for their candidates.

So, whiners, for goodness sake, pull yourselves together! It is just a phone call or 2 or 20! It isn't cancer or hemorrhoids or adult acne or terminal stupidity. Get a grip! The neighbors can hear you. How are you going to face the real tragedies in life if you cannot get through a few phone calls!

Honestly, where are your parents?

I love you and I think you need some re-parenting. You really, really do!

Your friend,

Vivian

Dear Voters

Dear Voters:

Sometimes you almost have me in despair! You don’t read enough. You don’t pay enough attention to facts. You’re too emotional. You don’t vote often enough, for goodness sake! You are pathetically uninformed.

And, yet! YOU are the good guys! You do vote!!! Voters vote!!!

Of course, for reasons completely unknown and completely illogical, Republicans turn out in larger numbers than Democrats. This causes me deep and abiding grief and sorrow. Oh, I forgot. It’s because Republicans are by nature more fearful. Get quaking, Dems. Start quaking in your boots!

BUT, I do love voters more than... new born kitties. More than puppies. More than cupcakes. More than... you get it already!

Any way... Voters, I love you and I have been deeply pondering the metaphor that we use more than any other in politics: comparing country and family. Republicans are especially fond of this metaphor, but we all use it.

Voters do you think of our country as a family?

This is the Republican metaphor. But, is this really how your family lives and believes:
It’s a dog eat dog world. Make and take everything you can.
Spend as little as possible on others--especially slackers such as children.
No sharing. Everyone is responsible for h/erself.
Seek success--and seek power over each other. Keep it at all cost.
Invest as little as possible in your infrastructure and surroundings..
Seek to implement your religion very aggressively--everywhere.

Uhhhhhh...  Nope! Didn’t think so!

Voters. Republicans are silly to even think about using family metaphors!

But, Democrats should! Oh, yes we should!

My parents were exceedingly authoritarian, but other than that they make great examples of why the family metaphor holds up. Here were some of our rules:
Everyone works as they are able.
Everyone shares!
Everyone cooperates and no back-talk about it.
Families members invest in each other and the children! [Mother finishs college and graduate school after having children. Go Mom! Yes, children have art supplies, music lessons, toys, books, etc--all within the budget--but, no one is deprived of the basics!]
All children go to college, get a job, and have a retirement plan. Or else.
All children have health care. No matter how much over-time it takes.
Family members do not seek power over each other--or they will be punished.
Families invest in their personal infrastructure & their communities: homes, cars, drives, lawns, schools, communities, neighbors, etc.
And, no, we never ever in a  million years insult anyone else’s religion, politics, sexuality... ! [Jesus H. Christ! What is wrong with people. Were they raised in caves by wolves?]

Because, if we don’t invest in ourselves and if we shit in our own nest, we end up with a ratty shitty nest! 

The 1% may not care what happens to the United States. They have homes in other countries. They have yachts, jets, and live in gated communities. 

[My dear Republican friends, quit implying you are in the 1%. I have known you your entire lives and you are NOT RICH!]

But, voters we have to live here. Probably forever.

AFTER Republicans have destroyed our public schools, stopped the average person from going to college, stopped the average person from receiving health care, and exported more jobs to Asia, the United States will effectively be a third world country.

We will be an illiterate, unhealthy, country making ten bucks an hour. [OH, but, by God, Wisconsin Republicans showed those uppity teachers, didn’t they? Funny, how so many Republicans are envious of teachers but not of Romney & Ryan????]

Fewer people are able to go to college; fewer people have health care; and, there are vastly fewer manufacturing jobs in the United States in my life time. I witnessed that happen.

I witnessed college and health care become unaffordable and unavailable and I witnessed thousands and thousands of jobs leave the United States.

Wake up Dear Voters! You are going to have to stop watching Fox News or network news and start reading independent and foreign press--or you are not going to know what has already hit you.

All my love.

Your friend,

Vivian