Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Dear Republicans

One of my favourite people really summed up how I'm feeling about the health care reform....

To My Fellow Citizens, the Republicans:
Thanks to last night's vote, that child of yours who has had asthma since birth will now be covered after suffering for her first nine years as an American child with a pre-existing condition.
Thanks to last night's vote, that 23-year-old of yours who will be hit one day by a drunk driver and spend six months recovering in the hospital will now not go bankrupt because you will be able to keep him on your insurance policy.
Thanks to last night's vote, after your cancer returns for the third time — racking up another $200,000 in costs to keep you alive — your insurance company will have to commit a criminal act if they even think of dropping you from their rolls. Yes, my Republican friends, even though you have opposed this health care bill, we've made sure it is going to cover you, too, in your time of need.
I know you're upset right now. I know you probably think that if you did get wiped out by an illness, or thrown out of your home because of a medical bankruptcy, that you would somehow pull yourself up by your bootstraps and survive. I know that's a comforting story to tell yourself, and if John Wayne were still alive I'm sure he could make that into a movie for you. But the reality is that these health insurance companies have only one mission: To take as much money from you as they can — and then work like demons to deny you whatever coverage and help they can should you get sick.
So, when you find yourself suddenly broadsided by a life-threatening illness someday, perhaps you'll thank those pinko-socialist, Canadian-loving Democrats and independents for what they did Sunday evening. If it's any consolation, the thieves who run the health insurance companies will still get to deny coverage to adults with pre-existing conditions for the next four years. They'll also get to cap an individual's annual health care reimbursements for the next four years. And if they break the pre-existing ban that was passed last night, they'll only be fined $100 a day! And, the best part? The law will require all citizens who aren't poor or old to write a check to a private insurance company. It's truly a banner day for these corporations. So don't feel too bad.
We're a long way from universal health care. Over 15 million Americans will still be uncovered — and that means about 15,000 will still lose their lives each year because they won't be able to afford to see a doctor or get an operation. But another 30,000 will live. I hope that's ok with you. If you don't mind, we're now going to get busy trying to improve upon this bill so that all Americans are covered and so the grubby health insurance companies will be put out of business — because when it comes to helping the sick, no one should ever be allowed to ask the question, "How much money can we save by making this poor bastard suffer?"
Please, my Republican friends, if you can, take a quiet moment away from your AM radio and cable news network this morning and be happy for your country. We're doing better. And we're doing it for you, too.
Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Healthcare

Today, President Barack Obama signed historic legislature for the talked-about health care reform. Personally, I'm stoked that the United States have taken a socialist step. Is that what they're so terrified of? There are already 14 states that have filed lawsuits, citing the reform as "unconstitutional". Of the people that are truly opposed to equal access to health care to everyone, I'd be willing to bet my next paycheck that these are people wealthy enough to afford private health insurance. Everyone deserves the peace of mind of being able to have access to even the most basic of health care options. No one should be denied health care simply because they cannot afford it. So many Americans have destroyed their credit simply because they got sick. Unpaid medical bills will ruin even a middle class American. The legislature may not be perfect, but it's a step in the right direction. I'm anxious to see what kind of "sound arguments" the Republicans come up with to repeal the reform. Their argument that it's "unconstitutional" is the most infuriating response possible. As per that argument, it would be "unconstitutional" to harness stricter gun laws, as "every American has the right to own a firearm". Well, we all know how well that's worked out. Look at the murder rate in the USA via gunshot. Look at the number of school shootings. The saddest part about a school shooting is the word "school" in that phrase. Children have access to guns, when they shouldn't. So as per your "constitution", give the kids a gun, send them off to their public school where art & physical education programs are being cut, serve them hot dogs, biscuits with gravy and 2 litres of coke for lunch, and then when they either get shot by the quiet kid at school, or have a heart attack at the age of 25 from their overwhelming obesity, let them suffer and die because their 7$ an hour Piggly Wiggly job won't pay for the hospital bills. Oh, I forgot, they should do all of this while hanging an American flag in their window and volunteering to go fight someone else's war in Iraq. President Obama has followed through on the promise he was elected for. Shut up, and enjoy your health care!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Makeup

There is something both satisfying and sad about removing my makeup, however I tend to lean towards the latter. It's satisfying in the sense that I suddenly feel the urge to rub my eyes, which I'm only too conscious of my inability to do so while wearing makeup. Even if I don't want to rub my eyes, I think about the fact that I can't, because it will cause raccoon eyes, and mascara smudges all over my hands. I think it's more the thought of not being able to do something. I am definitely someone who can't stand to be told she can't do something. So much of my life seems so out of control, and I like being able to control things, even if small and insignificant. Which is strange, seeing as makeup is a self inflicted disguise women wear on a daily basis to hide their imperfections as a masquerade of confidence. I think what makes me sad about removing my makeup is the fact that to me, it is a masquerade of confidence. Removing it makes me feel like I'm removing my confidence. I wish there was some way to put makeup on my soul. Permanent, tattooed makeup on my personality, that way my confidence would never be shaken or removed. And yet, I still enjoy wearing makeup, because as an artist, it is, to me, a way to express my creativity and how I'm feeling that day - dark, and dramatic, or wild and whimsical. Either way, as I'm sure several girls can attest to, makeup is both liberating and imprisoning.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Crosby


Not long after Sidney Crosby scored what will go down in history as "the golden goal", Twitter uses quickly began talking about hating Sidney Crosby... So much so, that "hate Crosby" became a trending topic on Twitter (for you non-Twitter-users, that's a way of seeing what are the most talked about topics at any given moment on the micro-blogging site). It seems unfathomable that one of the greatest moments in hockey history could in ANY way be seen as negative.

Sid the Kid was quiet throughout the tournament, and it was originally supposed to be HIS Olympics, HIS year, and HIS team. It was only fitting that he would score the goal that ultimately won his team (and his country, for that matter) the gold medal.

Despite what may have been said in the Twitter-verse, a fanpage quickly sprung up on Facebook, asking users to become a fan of "Crosby's Goal". Barely 24 hours after the gold medal game, the page already boasts nearly 70, 000 fans. It would appear Crosby fans are Facebook users, and not Tweeters? Here's a great article that sums up the Olympics. Oh and last (but not least) just in case you missed the closing ceremonies, check out one of the funniest moments:

Gold