Stock Market Doing Better? Who Controls It?

This morning, as with a few other mornings in the past, I have wondered about the stock market while listening to NPR (National Public Radio). A few questions have lingered over the past year.

1) Who controls it/influences it?

2) Does the stock market actually effect the average person/general economy?

And more recently 3) Why would the stock markets rebound more recently since Trump's election?

I really wanted to know, so I went looking at .org, .edu, and news sites for some information.

First, I found out from the University of California at Santa Cruz, that the top 10% of the wealthy in this country controlled 80.8% of the stocks and mutual funds in 2010.

Chart from University of California at Santa Cruz website.

Here we go again. Progressive that I am, this makes me wonder. If the ones pulling most of the punches with stock market gains and falls are the top 10%, does that actually affect the general population? Or you and me? And how or why?

According to The Mises Institute, prices of goods rise when more money goes into the economy, which is ironic as prices keep rising for goods in the USA but wages are stagnate, so is this true?

Investopedia tries to explain how the stock market effects the general market, but it uses words such as "could" and "may" with no real hard evidence. And most of the evidence listed indicates that "trickle down" economics is how the stock market (or Wall Street) effects the average person. But does "trickle down" economics work? Sure, it sounds nice, if the rich are given tax cuts and help, they will help everyone else out, but does it really happen?

As I looked into all of this, I felt like I was going down a rabbit hole, leading from one question to another.

In researching the question about trickle down economics, I found that Fair Economy and the John F. Kennedy Harvard School of Government both explain how trickle down economics does not work and never really has. Cutting taxes for the most wealthy has not led to job growth or wage growth in the past 50 years.

Even though the stock market went down right after the election, the stock market has rebounded. Based upon the evidence that I have outlined above that describe that the rich have control of the stock market (which does not really directly effect the general economy), they want to get rich, stay rich and not pass it on by hiring more at their companies, keeping their companies in the USA and paying higher wages (which would ironically allow people to spend more, so weird.. sarcasm), or spend more on charities. It just does not happen, they hoard it.

Why did the stock market rebound? Because Trump is a rich fat cat (and ALWAYS has been) who is promising less regulation on industry (heaven forbid they do the right thing on their own, because history shows that is what happens), and nice tax cuts for corporations and the rich (sources: Forbes and NYTimes).

So here we have a rich guy in the presidency who is going to help out all his rich buddies (anyone surprised? If you are, you've been duped). The stock market is controlled by the rich, the corporations are controlled by the rich, and the rich just want to get richer. So where does that leave the rest of us?

Screwed. Welcome to the new United States of America.

 

My Response to Trump's Election

   Can I just start out, that I truly am mournful (still) that Bernie Sanders did not have the opportunity to drive Trump into the ground?

  It has been 3 weeks since the election, and I am still as disturbed and upset about the results as many others are. I am flabbergasted that so many millions of people bought into the lies that Donald Trump wove with hatred, fury and a loud voice.

  That people would still vote for someone who was recorded numerous times (not just the older recording about "grabbing them by the pussy's") as talking down towards and about women!

  That people would vote for someone who is so quick to make statements so void of any factual basis (illegal immigrants are rapists and murderers, for one)!

  That people would vote for someone who MOCKED a disabled reporter!

  Who picked a running partner so repulsive in his beliefs that evolution should not be taught in public schools, that LGBTQ should not be allowed to marry (and even arrested for trying) and anti-Planned Parenthood (even though, please remember that federal money NEVER goes to pay for abortions).

  Yes, I know. I'm a liberal. I did vote for Hillary Clinton, even though I wasn't a huge fan of hers and would have preferred Bernie Sanders. But I did my research and discovered that Hillary was not as bad as Republicans made her out to be.

  Every day I learn about more hate crimes, about the rise of the alt-right/White Supremacy movement that suddenly seems "ok" to talk about?!

  All I will say, in response to Trump's Election is this:
    If you voted for Trump, what the hell were you thinking? Did you really think that he would do anything good for this country when he has NEVER done anything for anyone else other than himself and his family? Did you really think that he would be able to build a wall across terrain that was not suited for a wall, and a Native American reservation where he has NO RIGHT to built anything without their permission? Did you really think that tax cuts for the rich would help the poor (trickle down is debunked, seriously)? Did you really think that Obamacare was so bad (and if so, are you in one of the states which refused to bring it in so have absolutely no experience with it)? Do you really believe it is your right to impose your beliefs on others?!

  I am baffled!

  I am sickened!

  I am truly worried about what the next four years will mean for me and my family, as well as my friends.

  If Trump tries to make any group in this country register themselves, I will also register because that is wrong and discriminatory.

  I will not be quiet, I will not accept his lies. I will not accept him destroying what this country has slowly built over the past 8 and more years with his demagoguery.

  I will explain with facts with any individual who supports Trump why I think they are wrong to do so.

  I will stand for the rights of everyone in this country, not just those of a European background.

  I am an ally and I ALWAYS will be.

Refugees, Terrorists and Trump vs Clinton

Today seems to be the day that I have a great deal to say, and I honestly do not want to comment on any other posts, I want to vomit my opinion out for you here.

I actually really hate the media, and do you know why?

Last night was the first debate between Trump and Clinton. I admittedly was a huge fan of Bernie, and though I will vote for Clinton, I was not thrilled about it. Well, she did fantastic last night and I am much happier about my decision to vote for her over Jill Stein (sorry Jill). I would never vote for Gary Johnson because I do not agree with free markets or trickle down economics, they don't work for anyone except the rich.

So Trump lost the debate, and the fact checks pretty much support that.

Then, as the day goes on, people are still going on about how Trump lost, Hillary did well, Trump said it's rigged, Hillary says nothing because she won so let Trump whine.

Then, there starts the fear-mongering. I very much wonder if it is a coincidence that the media has started talking about refugees and terrorists right after the king of fear-mongering lost an important debate by looking ridiculous while trying to mansplain Hillary Clinton off the stage, and failing.

So my local (which in upstate NY is usually still pretty liberal) ABC/FOX news channel starts to work on keeping people afraid. They shared this story: Homeland chief: Homegrown attacks an increasing threat which was published by the Associated Press today. But the quotes come from a statement released in JULY. So why is this news today?

Because Trump stuck his head up his ass yesterday and they need to distract Americans, keep them afraid enough to vote for him.

Yes, by all means, let us not allow refugees in (and if you are against allowing vetted refugees entrance the USA, stop calling yourself a Christian if you normally do, Jesus would be ashamed). The vetting system is outline here:

1) White House Info
2) Heritage Foundation
3) Times

I agree that we need a better system for people who come here on visas and disappear into the population, but let's look at facts instead of fear.

"In the 14 years since September 11, 2001, the United States has resettled 784,000 refugees from around the world, according to data from the Migration Policy Institute, a D.C. think tank. And within that population, three people have been arrested for activities related to terrorism. None of them were close to executing an attack inside the U.S., and two of the men were caught trying to leave the country to join terrorist groups overseas." The Atlantic

I went to the Migrant Policy Institute website and the article is worth citing on here again: The U.S. Record Shows Refugees Are Not a Threat 

So I'm going to leave a few images here for you, because I'm so frustrated and sad that so many people are letting fear rule us. Anyone else a Dune fan? Remember the mantra?

May the best of us go out and vote.

Please REGISTER  and VOTE!!!


 

America Divided

If you spend any amount of time on social media, you must be noticing this VERY disturbing trend.

Who are you planning on voting for? Trump or Hillary or one of the others on the side?

To be honest, I was always rooting for Bernie and am very disappointed that he did not win the nomination. But, in my view, Hillary is a better choice than Trump. I would consider Jill Stein, but she is just not getting the traction she would have needed to get the majority of votes to beat Trump. And we NEED to beat Trump.

I honestly do not understand how anyone could consider voting for him. He lies in most of his speeches and seems to waiver between outright racist and discriminatory towards anyone not male and white to middle of the road conservative (perhaps when his advisors manage to reign him in ever so rarely). He has no experience in any sort of government and has gone bankrupt how many times?

What frightens me most about Trump is the idea that his popularity spurs mostly from his television shows. How is that a way to gauge someone being capable of being president? He cannot come in and fire Congress if they disagree with him.

That's not how it works, that's not how any of this works!

 

So on social media there are people like me, who refuse to vote for Trump and though, to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of Hillary (I'm kind of sick of the Clinton's), she is the only one with the numbers to beat Trump. Trump is like a walking WW3!

 

I honestly do not understand the hatred against Hillary. And YES, I have seen all of the news articles about the emails (which, by the way, Colin Powell and Condeleeza Rice both had private servers and you are not seeing them being brought in for questioning or being investigated, why is that?), and the Bengazi thing is done (she did nothing wrong, get over it), and her health does not appear to be any worse than anyone else her age.

 

So what is the real reason why so many hate Hillary? Could it be sexism? She is definitely not the first woman running for the presidency, but she is the first that may actually win it.

 

To be honest, this past year it feels as if the rose-colored film has been peeled away from the USA, revealing rampant racism (and the denial that goes with it), sexism, and a continued blindness towards what we are doing to the environment (North Dakota Pipelines).

 

Never have I claimed to be perfect, I am flawed. But, above all, I am trying to leave this world a better place than when I got here.

 

Are you?

 

Do you really think Trump is doing that?

 

I at least believe that Hillary would harm less, and of course would have preferred Bernie. But this is reality we are given.

 

Today, I am more worried about my daughters growing up in the United States than I have ever have been before. How can we help each other? If that is not how you are thinking, than do not call this a Christian nation because Jesus would be ashamed. This nation is full of people from all sorts of different places.

 

We need to educate each other and ourselves, as well as open our minds to understand each other and how we effect each other.

 

 If you are afraid to do that, ask yourself WHY?





Kids - Are We Holding Them to a Double Standard?

School has been starting all over the country this past week or two and already we are seeing stories of bullying online and parents asking for advice. We are seeing examples of schools trying to make an environment in which parents cannot bring forgotten items into school for their kids (this went viral recently).

Here is my take. We want to teach our kids to be little adults and problem-solve right? And we are also concerned with the lack of community in the world right?

Well these two can go hand in hand as long as we do not tell our kids that they are all alone. Seriously! If are hit in the face at work, we call the police and that person gets in serious trouble. So if your kid comes home and says that someone hit them, you should throw a shit fit because A) they told you so are asking for help and are frightened and B) we need to show them that they are not alone and we will stand by them.

Why the hell do we expect kids to resolve these on our own when as adults we don't? And we shouldn't! There is no reason to make a child solve these types of things on their own, our jobs as parents is to guide and protect our kids so that they see the best way to deal with a situation, not figure it out on their own somehow and then maybe even get into trouble if they make a decision that leads to trouble.

Why can't we help our kids? If we forget our lunch at work, we either can stop at the atm and go out and get a lunch or order in. Schools don't have that option, so why the hell can't a parent stop in and drop off a lunch? Homework I get, if you forget it, you're out of luck. But who hasn't forgotten something at home and had to drive home to get it, kicking yourself the entire way? But we could still leave, most kids can't.

So seriously, what is with this double standard we have for kids? Why are we so hard on them and call anything else helicopter parenting? It is only helicopter parenting if the kids don't want it at all in middle or high school. If they want it is called community, it is called helping each other out and isn't that the kind of adults we want in the world? What kind of lessons are teaching our kids?

When I was a kid, I needed help and never reached out to an adult because I didn't believe one would help me and I didn't want to make the situation worse. I hope to God that my kids do not feel that way and can turn to me.

My oldest rode a big bus to kindergarten and back and there was this little girl who sat next to her for a week or two. One day, on the way home from school, my daughter was pinched twice in the leg then smacked in the face by this little girl. She got off the bus sobbing and the bus driver hadn't seen what happened.

So I called the school and told them what had happened, and I didn't just complain to get the girl in trouble, I called because I wanted to make sure she was okay. 5 year olds do not just do that unless A) they are learning it at home or B) they are so stressed going home that they act out and maybe they need help.

Now my daughter is friends with this little girl and is going into 4th grade.

When I was in high school, I saw all sorts of bullying and sometimes I spoke up. I have a high sense of what is right and what is wrong and as an adult I am determined to speak my peace.

Think about it. Put yourself in their space. Parent compassionately. As an adult, how would you want to be treated if placed in this same situation? Remember, these schools are fishbowls and they cannot just leave like we can. They are trapped sometimes.
 

Affordable/Free College or the Circling Drain

Call me what you want, a freeloader, a communist. I do not care. Here are the facts. College used to be affordable, you could save up and pay for a semester, now you cannot. Seriously, you just can't.

I have a daughter who wants to be a teacher. I am supporting a husband who is disabled due to his time as an EMT saving people's lives. I work full time and have a ridiculous amount of student loans that I will NEVER pay off. Am I going to tell my daughter that she cannot be a teacher because I cannot afford to save up money to send her to college? NO.

At work, I am slowly working my way up the ranks from support staff (secretary) to professional (I have a master's degree). So this is good, but by the time she goes to college it will mean that she will get very little in aid from the state because supposedly I could afford to have saved enough to send her.

I don't take vacations, I don't even take staycations because I need my time for my husband and kids. So do not tell me that I am a freeloader. I want a better world for me and my kids. I want them to be able to get a college education and pursue the career that calls to them, that will make them most happy. Not rich, just happy in a regular job.

When my generation, and the ten years coming after me, fully reach the age in which the economy is expecting us to hold it up by buying cars and houses, they will get a rude awakening because there is NO way that I will EVER be able to afford a house. I cannot even get a new car because I just cannot afford it. This is life, this is what the high cost of college has done to us.

Circling drain anyone?

Buddhism Rant

I'm cranky, I'm bitchy, I'm feeling overwhelmed and undervalued. However you want to phrase it.

That being said, I have been doing the best that I can (with my stressed out and chaotic life) to follow the tenants and let it go. But:

I work at a job I HAVE to, not that I WANT to in order to support my family. This means that I cannot get away from some toxic situations (classism) and I have to work in a job that does not fulfill my passions.

I have a lot on my plate and work every day to not complain to everyone all of the freaking time, though it really feels like I do (sorry to friends).

Classism is when you are at work and people who are above you ignore you or treat you like a second class citizen because of how much you get paid. Doesn't always happen and it can be VERY insidious.

So here is where my Buddhism rant comes in. Buddhism is all about accepting your emotions and finding your center. But the monks who talk about this are living their life as monks. I can tell you that around 80% of the people in my very large building would love to do something other then what they are doing, but cannot because they have to support their families in this feudalistic/capitalist society.

I want to be able to buy my kids ice cream on Fridays and have yarn to knit. I want to be able to pay bills.

Would I rather quit my job and be a therapist? Fuck yeah! But I cannot support 4 people on 38k. Oh but wait, that must be my fault right?

I'll just put my Queen Irritable hat on for the day and look forward to when I can relax and knit while watching Netflix and cuddling with my kids.

This week of hell needs to end.

 

Plea to Hillary Clinton to Build Bridges

Okay, so I have made no bones that I support Bernie in this race. But I am not blind and do see that it is unlikely he will win the race at the convention and be the Democratic Candidate.

That being said, let me tell you what I worry about.

The Bernie movement is so popular, and picking up more steam, because the things that Bernie is saying resonate so strongly with so many. I actually believe that what he says resonates with many that are voting for Clinton as well, they just do not believe that he can get what he says he wants to do done. Considering how badly Obama has been blocked by the Republicans for the past 8 years, I can really understand that concern.

But the problems that the Bernie movement want to solve will not go away just because the crazy-ass Republicans (and remind me that I never want to even pass through southern states ever again, really Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Alabama?) block everything with their do-nothing campaign. Instead, we need to actually work on these things.

Free college, and forgiving all college debt, single-payer health care system, going more forcefully after the rich to pay their fair share of taxes.. These are all very important, and I believe doable.

Here is what I want to see from you, Hillary Clinton, I want to see you

• Make super-nice with Bernie and his followers.
• Openly acknowledge that all of the things that Bernie wants to get done are worth trying for in a systematic way that you are 100% behind.
• Ask Bernie to please be your Vice President.

These three things will make it more likely to pull the Bernie voters to your side. I even think you should offer a place in your cabinet for Jill Stein to help her work on the environmental issues strongly.

I understand #bernieorbust but I am more strongly #nevertrump and think that this is the path we need to take to not allow Trump to destroy our country and run us into World War III (I think Putin is drooling at the thought of another big war and the ability to blame the USA for it).

Please Hillary Clinton, consider my suggestions and let's start building bridges. Some people are never going to support you but let's gather all the folks together to fight against Trump, because that is so important.

Understand that you may claim to be progressive, but you are not progressive enough.

Sincerely yours,
A USA Liberal Woman

Common Fucking Courtesy

You know what I'm sick of?

  People being inconsiderate of others.

  At work, working together to be aware of when people take lunches, and not going during a time frame another does without notice, way to piss someone off.

  Driving on the highway like a fucking race-car driver. Use your directional and slow the hell down!

  Telling people who we should love. Love is love, people. If they are adults, stay out of it.

  Saying "thank you" and "your welcome".

  A little common kindness. If someone is not feeling good, why not help them and not ignore them, you selfish fucking assholes.

  Teach your kids to be nice to others. If your kid is being a little shit and throwing rocks, I sure as fuck should not be the one to have to step in. If it was my kid, shit would go down and at least grounding would occur.

   No, if a car is unlocked, a locker not locked up or a purse is sitting out in the open, NO you are not fucking given a free right to steal their money or credit cards. That is called morality, stupid ass.

  No, a baby is not a silver lining of an abortion, shut your mouth.

  No, I should not be voting someone because she is a woman and I'm a woman. Does that mean that men should be voting for men? WTF?

   I am not a fucking helicopter mom because I'm watching my kids out in public. It is because I know what the fuck can happen and I don't want anything to happen to my precious angels.

  Do not make comments or ask a new mother if she breastfeeds, it's none of your fucking business, no matter how red the babies cheeks are.

   This isn't about political correctiveness. I think Republicans invented that so that they didn't have to be nice to people and can stay narrow-minded. Do Unto Others As You Would Have Done Unto You. Even the Lord's Prayer talks forgiveness. Argh, I don't know. Seriously, this country needs some common fucking courtesy.

 

Bernie or Bust Crap

Listen, I get you don't like Hillary. She's a run of the mill democrat without a great history of sticking to what she says she will do and is to close to the rich that fund her.

That being said.

If my hero, Bernie Sanders, loses the nomination to her (and he really may), I will vote for her.

You know why?

Because #NEVERTRUMP.

Seriously.

Sitting out and not taking a stand against Trump by (yes I know) voting for Hillary is as good as voting for Trump and that is something I do not understand.

Hey, I get it. I am as progressive as they come. I'm a tree-hugging gal who wants this country to help it's citizens fight the 1%'ers who want to turn the rest of us 99% into a serfdom. I totally love Bernie and everything he stands for.

  But I will NOT shoot myself in the ass and end up with Trump in the house.

  So please, do not shoot yourself in the ass.

  If Hillary ends up with the nomination, just vote for her.

Again #nevertrump and #feelingthebern.

Later gaters.

Delivering Results - Democratic Campaign

To be honest, this was not meant to be an attack on Hillary Clinton. I do respect her experience as well as Bernie's. But after last night's debate I keep thinking about what she said, delivering results.

Hillary has always been moderate, and for most of my life, as an upstate New Yorker, that was okay. I voted for her both times she ran for Senator, and was okay with how she did, though she was nothing fantastic or progressive. Just the run of the mill moderate.

Bernie is someone that I wasn't hugely aware of until 2012. To be honest, I'm not sure how I became aware of him. I probably received an email and it spoke about progressivism and I researched him a little and subscribed to his email list out of Vermont, though I lived in New York.

What bothers me is the phrase "delivering results" because the only thing that Hillary Clinton is trying to do with that phrase, is make progressivism impossible as the democratic and republican party wants to keep a tight control on the status quo. To keep free college impossible, though we had it 50 years ago in NYS though state universities. She seems to want to keep this country in a bubble of moderation that is easy and safe and not challenging.

  I want this country to be challenged. I want us to have higher wages not just for the poor, but for everyone. Whenever she talks about jobs, it is always about technology jobs. Where was she for NYS when human services jobs (that requires Bachelors and Master's degrees) are paying $30k in wages? What is a comfortable wage for each part of this country? And if you work 40 hours a week, no matter what the job, you should be able to have health insurance, a car, a house, and your bills paid as well as a little left over to pay into the economy in goods. That is the American dream isn't it? We want to retire at some point and have less debt!

  Perhaps the reason why we have so much credit card debt is because we want to have a little fun and enjoy our lives a little. We work so hard to just pay for bills and have so little left over, not to mention very little savings for a rainy day. Of course, this short-sightedness is not a positive thing, but if we live paycheck to paycheck, is it so much surprise that our spending is similar?

   We need to reteach our children and our society to look long-term. To actually think about our children, and our retirement, and that rainy day. But how can we when we can BARELY pay our bills working full time? And how is that my fault? Why isn't that the corporations fault for keeping paychecks low so they can pocket more at the top? Why isn't this the governments fault for not keeping control of prices? Does milk really need to be $3-4 a gallon? If so, why?

  So rather than complaining and hating on Bernie, who has been forming progressive groups since the 80's and involved in civil rights issues since the 60's, why don't we question why Hillary isn't more willing to attack issues we need dealt with right now? Why isn't she listening to the swelling of support that Bernie is getting. We need real progressive work to happen, not more moderate.

  Listen, if Hillary wins the democratic nomination, I will vote for her. But until that date, I will pray that Bernie wins. I am a liberal, progressive, that wants the best for me and my children, you and your children and everyone.

Follow the History Lesson in Giving and Taking Rights Away

This morning I was listening to the story on the Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged v. Burwell Supreme Court Case that will make it's arguments today in court. And as a human being, I adore what the Sister's are accomplishing at their homes, but am disgusted with what this, and the other cases they are encompassed with, are trying to do.

So let's start go with some history:

1) 1964:  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, you cannot discriminate in hiring based on age, sex, religion, national origin, race or color, disability or genetic status. This means that these places, such as the Little Sisters Home, cannot specifically hire based on their religious beliefs. Because of this, they should not be able to discriminate and force their religious beliefs on those they hire (in theory).

2) 1993: Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, the government (specifically the government) cannot substantially burden a person's exercise of religion. This is specific to the government, not to corporations (though at this time corporation are NOT considered persons, this is pre-Citizens United).

3) 2010: Citizens United v. FEC (Link 1 and Link 2). This created 2 problems and is argued as one of the most recent standing causes of corporations to be able to act as persons and be protected as such, even though they are not persons at all and are incorporated in order to protect the individuals persons who own them in the first place, ironically.

4) 2014: Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., which is really the precursor to today's case that is being argued that I will get to in a minute. This 5-4 decision to uphold Hobby Lobby's right as a for-profit religious corporation (how the hell does that work exactly? Even I am having problems finding actual evidence of how a corporation can be religious and for-profit. And a corporation that is all for making money seems to fly into the face of religious standings so that just baffles me but is a post for another day.)

This decision was made specifically off of the backs of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) but yet seems to fly into the face of the Civil Rights Act (CRA). When do corporate rights count as more important than individual rights? Especially when it comes to corporations? Over and over we can find reason in history to protect the individual from big business, and this seems to be another example of this. Why else do we have labor laws? Civil Right laws? Do you really think that big businesses were all for these things and didn't fight them?

5) 2016: Priest for Life v. Dept of H.&HS, Link 2. NPR's title highlights my problem with this beautifully. "Birth Control At The Supreme Court: Does Free Coverage Violate Religious Freedom?"

I hate to use a wiki link, but this lays it out pretty neatly in terms of the Contraceptive Mandate for the USA, including links. What it means, just as it is outlined in the NPR article, is that once the organization opts out of paying or covering birth control, individuals who work for them can still get birth control through the insurance, but paid for and organized by the government. No hand or dollar of the employer touches the birth control coverage, thus covering their disagreement with covering it. But this is apparently not enough, and as with Hobby Lobby, they are arguing that that shouldn't even exist.

The only worry that I have here is the precedent that the Hobby Lobby case created, though I have some suspicion that the case may be tied 4-4.


Wrapping it up:

Again, I make no bones that if a woman wants to be on birth control, she should have affordable access to it. And if you cannot discriminate in hiring practices, you should not be able to force your religious beliefs on your employees. In this case the government hands these organizations a comfortable out that they are just not comfortable ENOUGH with. I do believe that all of these acts and supreme court cases add up to be a continual attack on the citizens of the united states.

  I try to respect religious organizations, I truly do. And many of them do fantastic works, I will not deny it. But science trumps mysticism.

We could even flip this around and really scare the evangalists. What if these organizations were run by Scientologists who refused to pay for psychotropic medication? Or Jehovah Witnesses and refused to pay for blood transfusions? It's the same idea.

Stop shoving your stuff down everyone else's throats, accept the hand the government offered and move on. This is not a high road.

Bernie Takes Michigan

I have never made it a secret that I support Bernie as our next president, and have been a fan of his for a few years now. Being from upstate NY, stuff that happens in Vermont isn't all that far from me, so it's not a huge slide to hear about it.

  Having always considered myself more of a green party/independent kind of person, I still am registered as a Democrat for elections for this very reason. For when someone like Bernie Sanders runs for office.

  No, I have no illusions that if Democrats do not take back the majority of seats in both the House and Senate in DC, they will continue their Koch fueled goal to obstruct everything that interferes with their views of free market and protecting their assets, regardless of what it does to the economy longterm, the environment, or the people of the United States outside of their small circle view (for more information on this, check out Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right by Jane Mayer).

  But one thing I do have, that Trump followers do not seem to have, is hope. I have hope that we can turn it around and make this country a place where we take care of each other. Where college is affordable and available, where healthcare is universal, where trickle down theory stays in the history books (not in policy), where the rich pay taxes just like the rest of us (not get out of paying taxes due to loopholes as they donate to their favorite radical right not-for-profits). You can read more about Bernie on the issues here:  "On the Issues"

  The great thing about what happened in Michigan, is that it shows how misleading the polls can be. Do not let the polls keep you from getting out and voting or feeling as if your vote won't matter. If nothing else has been demonstrated this year thus far, it is that every single vote really does matter (even with the super delegates being pain in the asses).

  Keep your head up! #feelthebern


 

Trump, Hillary and Bernie.. What is going on?

I have not hidden my opinions on Trump (Hitler reborn), Hillary (too middle ground for me, but I will vote for her if she wins the Democratic nomination), and Bernie (the man I believe can turn this country around, if we take back democratic control of the Senate and House in a dramatic fashion).

Trump Fans??
Yesterday was super Tuesday, and Trump won most of the states and is still leading the Republican nomination. To my fellow citizens, why are you voting for him? Just because he speaks his mind? But his mind is hateful and fear-mongering! If you are afraid of terrorist attacks (which I understand, they scare me too) but do not support gun control, you frighten me more than "Muslim" terrorists.

source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34996604

 

I know you're afraid, I really get that. But let's sit back for a second and realize a few things.

1) Muslim's are people too who believe in God (Allah), as many of you do as well, and most of them are against terrorist attacks.

 

2) Having a gun does not mean that you are protected, and do you really want more people to be able to have guns on school campus' when regulation is so low and they could be planning to kill someone? What if your child is caught in the crossfire in college?

 

3) Mexican immigration is another hot topic in terms of what Trump keep's yelling. Where are his statistics that illegal immigrants are criminals? In 2007, when illegal immigration was MUCH higher from Mexico than it is now, the Immigration Policy Center found that Hispanic immigrants are incarcerated at lower rates than native-born Americans. And now Mexican immigration is much lower than it used to be, lower than Chinese immigration and on par with India.

 

Source: http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-08-17/three-facts-that-can-refocus-u-s-immigration-debate

 

So why are you such a fan of someone who is spouting comments with absolutely NO basis in fact, meant to merely galvanize a frightened population that he seems to consider highly uneducated and easy to manipulate? Do you really want to be manipulated or do you want to do some research and think about the facts? This isn't a liberal idea, this is an equal rights, I should know all the facts before I make a decision grown-up kind of thing.

 

 

 

Hillary and Bernie

 

I have said it before, and I will say it again. If Hillary wins the primaries, I will vote for her. If Bernie wins the primaries, I will vote for him (and be thrilled). But I am a Bernie fan #feelthebern and all that. And I understand that some liberal websites have taken sides between the two of them, and that is fine. But what bothers me is when they take things that either have said and stretches it as far as they can to be able to say "look how horrible this is".

 

   Someone actually commented this in reply to my own comment on a motherjones.com post: "A vote for Hilary is a vote for Trump. Bernie supporters will not vote for Hilary." And all I can say in reply is WHAT? You would rather vote for Trump than Hillary? Really? Crazy-speak much? How can anyone make a jump from being a full supporter of Bernie to ever being able to vote for Trump? There is NO logic in that.

 

  It is understandable that these websites want Bernie or Hillary to win, respectively, but we can talk about it as adults and without mudslinging. There are enough differences in ideology alone to simply discuss it. And I am looking forward to being able to once again follow my favorite liberal pages on Facebook haha.

 

Finally

 

This race is really scaring me. I want us to have jobs, not cater to the rich, and keep social programs well funded (for once). If you are Christian, really look at what Jesus would do. Jesus defended a woman accused of prostitution, washed her feet. He only became violent when it came to money-changers in the temple.

 

Free markets do not work. The rich do not raise wages without being forced too. They do not create safe working situations without being forced to and with monitoring. The trickle down theory does not work. The rich are more likely to send jobs overseas than to create jobs here, and good jobs. We need to raise the pay for jobs that women typically take and are needed in this country, mental health and teaching (for example).

 

So much work needs to be done, but do you think that Republicans will do any of the previous paragraph? When have they supported these in the past 30 years?

 

Republicans need to realize that what is good for everyone is to have higher wages and more jobs. People will spend more, which will bring more revenue to the businesses and everyone is happy. Businesses do not need to get greedy and raise the prices of everything because they can, keep the prices low and sell more. We're Americans, we hoard, it will work :).

 

Go VOTE!



 

No, Michelle is Not in Fuller House. And That is OKAY!

My oldest daughter (who is 8) loves Full House, so when we found out about Fuller House, she was pretty darn excited! Then we heard that everyone was coming back except for the twins who played Michelle.

  To be honest, at first I did say "too bad" since everyone else is coming back. But then, after all the bashing and nonsense going on about it, I realized that it wasn't that big a deal to me and stayed out of the fray completely.

   Than the full season was released on Netflix this past Friday and my daughter and I finished all the episodes by Saturday night (which is pretty good, since we had a lot to do on Saturday haha).

  Here are my thoughts:

  The writers of the show did a fantastic job in poking fun at the fact that Michelle wasn't there, and everyone else was. My favorite was probably the drunken, late-night, phone message left for Michelle by DJ, Stephanie and Gibbler :P.

That being said, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have every right to not return to acting, or Full House. Let's think about it for a second from a few different view points.

1) Would you jump off a bridge if everyone else was? To be honest, just because everyone else from Full House came back to the show does not mean that they have to as well. It really doesn't and the idea that they do is kind of bullying. Sure, Mary-Kate Olsen did some acting in Beastly, but really the two of them have stayed so much out of the Hollywood acting world that they really do not have a fan base that they need to appease.

2) They started acting when they were babies. BABIES. They had absolutely no choice in the matter. I am not knocking that or saying one way or the other that it is a bad or good thing. But I am saying is that they have a choice now that they didn't have then. Sure they did a few kid movies, but did they really want to act? Because they faded from doing much acting pretty quickly. Do YOU want to be forced to do something you don't want to do?

3) There are much bigger things in the world that you can get mad about, rather than the fact that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen did not join the cast of Fuller House. And to be honest, them not being there made a few scenes really funny in pointing it out or poking fun at the cutesy things that Michelle used to say. Be mad about global warming, or the shit the Republicans are saying, or the fact that Trump is doing so well.  But to be mad because two grown individuals are exercising their right to make choices for themselves, regardless of what others think is admirable. They are not hurting anyone by these choices.

Not that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen will read this, but kudos to both of you for sticking to what is right for you. Do not take the pokes in the show too personally, and live your lives as you would choose to do so. Be well and see you around the star tracks (People Magazine).

So enjoy Fuller House, and ya'll, take a chill pill!!

What If Trump Won?

So I have been among the many liberals who are scared shitless about the idea that Trump could win. I mean, why would I want the man who is so far removed from reality to be president? The man who is frightening in his xenophobia, racism and lies?

There was even an article going around about a Canadian island welcoming Americans who want to flee the country if he wins. And I have admittedly said myself, to my husband and mother, that I would leave the country if he wins.

I will not lie, the United States of America has disappointed me many times with how conservative it can be, how blind, how many lies the politicians spew, and with how hypocritical and unkind the citizens can be when something doesn't "affect" them. But this morning, I realized that it is more important for people like me to stay.

There was this fantastic article, written by a millennial who already moved out of the country. I get why we want to leave, I would love to move to a country with universal healthcare, free (or low cost) college for my children, more family leave that is paid during illness or maternity/paternity leave. But my country, the United States, deserves this as well. And if liberals decide to leave, I truly fear that this country will go further to the conservatives and end up dialing back the clock until all that is left is the rich and their serf's. That is a real fear I have.

  I do not believe that if left to corporations, they will raise wages to a livable rate and keep it up, they do not take care of their workers. If it becomes too much of a hassle in the United States they hire overseas and have their factories there, as they have proven over and over.

  But tell me this. If the wages stay low, as things get more expensive, how are we going to be able to afford to buy food, and non-essentials? How are we going to keep the economy afloat in the United States if people do not get paid enough to do so?

  So I will not leave. I will stay and fight. I will stay and blog, and talk, and comment, and share on Facebook, and not keep my mouth shut. Because if Trump wins and the House and Senate remain Republican, I may not personally be affected immediately. But those I love will be affected, and those I do not know will.

I am not just liberal for me, are you just conservative for you?

Democrats, get your butt out there and vote this year. PLEASE.

"You Want My Daughter's to Wear What?" Petition Share

   Today Mayim Bialik shared a petition on her Facebook page that was started by Cassy James in Kissimmee, Florida asking American Eagle Outfitters, Urban Outfitters and Forever 21: Retailers should provide fashionable, modest, age-appropriate clothes for girls.

   I'm actually for this, I am not Jewish or Muslim, but find it comfortable to cover my hair on some days. I do not have a problem with showing some skin, but find it comfortable to wear shirts and pants that are lounge-able. I would love for my daughters to have this option as well. And the problem is that we do not have this option in the stores. It is not a matter of just what is fashionable, but we should have a wide-range of fashionable and comfortable clothes for all types of women (young and old). I want to wear comfortable pants, long skirts. Why can't we have both?

   Currently, I have two daughters who are 8 and 4. When going to a store for bathing suits, the main option (with a few one pieces around) are two pieces. For children? Why? Am I the only one who finds one pieces more comfortable for being rowdy in the pool with? Seriously?

  Looking at clothes as my kids get older, I have never been a fan of short skirts, and don't really want my daughters to wear them either. But I would like to be able to find a middle ground with her, but that middle ground is not available at all. And yes, of course I will parent and put my foot down where I need too. I have no problem with that, but it seriously would make my parenting job so much easier if I didn't have to fight over this, and I can't see how that isn't a fight sometimes.

  And what if my girls actually do want comfortable clothes? And I freely exchange comfortable with modest, because I don't expect my daughters to cover themselves from head to toe, but if you are not showing cleavage or have to worry that if your legs open too much your underwear will show, there is a certain comfort in that assurance.

  So if you are a fan of having actual choices in the teen clothing stores, please go sign the petition I linked above, I did (though I'm pretty sure the last word in the comment I left was written wrong, I'm a fan haha).