[lamazeteacher]

Originally Posted by MNmom3boys

Did I miss something? Local elections were last month, national next year. What I am missing?

__________________________________________________ ________

It's never too early to prepare for what will be the most important election of our time. We need to be discussing the issues:

(1)war, with it's scourge of young people's death and disabilities that will need care for the rest of injured, dismembered soldiers' lives.

(2)Healthcare costs that are way out of control, with large segments of the population unable financially to access care early enough to avoid complications and death,

(3)a political machine interested only in their own financial gain,
(4)disparity in delivery of education and healthcare which results in literary, mathematical, scientific and nutritional deficits which affect the capability of future workers and leadership of this country. Priorities need to be developed at an early age.
(5)The potential of future citizens and children to influence planetary concerns that will shorten the lifespan of this planet, and make decisions based on the educated opinions of many aspects of industry affecting waste disposal of fossil fuels. We need to use our money to purchase products that are made in planet friendly countries. The coal mines in China and India affect the ozone and create other harmful fumes, use lead in painted products without concern for our children, even though it's prohibited.
(6) Many of us have allergies that heretofore were much fewer and less serious, and the incidence of MS has doubled in just a few years, yet research monies are awarded pharmaceutical companies that "double dip" by charging outrageous prices for new medications, due to their "research costs". Whatever happened to grants going to Institutes for Research with great scientists? Did they all reach for the candy/money offered by the tony/elegant surroundings of the pharmaceutical companies, with many other perks. Certainly the medicinal treatment by doctors has been bought with expensive pens, free meals, office decorations and message pads.

Psychologists know that gifting people wins their loyalty, and the Chinese have used that for milleniums. When I was in that country I was flabergasted by all the gifts tourists receive from the guides in each part of that place (mostly junk, but "it's the thought", right?). I can't say I wasn't influenced by it, I spent plenty there, for things I'd never have bought, without if I hadn't been there - even knowing that the deplorable work conditions of the creators of handicarafts I wanted, would not be improved by my purchase.

[lamazeteacher]

Originally Posted by MNmom3boys

Did I miss something? Local elections were last month, national next year. What I am missing?

__________________________________________________ ________

It's never too early to prepare for what will be the most important election of our time. We need to be discussing the issues:

(1)war, with it's scourge of young people's death and disabilities that will need care for the rest of injured, dismembered soldiers' lives. Is our freedom and enjoyment of life as we know it, really endangered by Irag's raging animosity toward factions that have always been in that country? Which candidate will get us out of there, preserving American lives that could be lost if we stay.

(2)Healthcare costs that are way out of control, with large segments of the population unable financially to access care early enough to avoid complications and death. Which candidate has a worthwhile plan for changing that?

(3) a political machine interested only in their own financial gain, without caring about the loss of Americans' lives and quality of life.

(4)disparity in delivery of education and healthcare which results in literary, mathematical, scientific and nutritional deficits which affect the capability of future workers and leadership of this country. Priorities need to be developed at an early age. Which candidate will raise the status of teachers by improving their economic conditions.

(5)The potential of future citizens and children to influence planetary concerns that will shorten the lifespan of this planet, and make decisions based on the educated opinions of many aspects of industry affecting waste disposal of fossil fuels. We need to use our money to purchase products that are made in planet friendly countries. The coal mines in China and India affect the ozone and create other harmful fumes, use lead in painted products without concern for our children, even though it's prohibited.

(6) Many of us have allergies that heretofore were much fewer and less serious, and the incidence of MS has doubled in just a few years, yet research monies are awarded pharmaceutical companies that "double dip" by charging outrageous prices for new medications, due to their "research costs". Whatever happened to grants going to Institutes for Research (that don't profit from which product is most useful), with great scientists? Salk discovered polio vaccine in a place like that. Did they all reach for the candy/money offered by the tony/elegant surroundings of the pharmaceutical companies, with many other perks. Certainly the medicinal treatment by doctors has been bought with expensive pens, free meals, office decorations and message pads.

Psychologists know that gifting people wins their loyalty, and the Chinese have used that for milleniums. When I was in that country I was flabergasted by all the gifts tourists receive from the guides in each part of that place (mostly junk, but "it's the thought", right?). I can't say I wasn't influenced by it, I spent plenty there, for things I'd never have bought, if I hadn't been there - even knowing that the deplorable work conditions of the creators of handicarafts I wanted, would not be improved by my purchase. However, it might have kept them employed.

Please use this next year to hold meetings with representatives of both sides of issues, and evaluate the sense of responsibility they exude, for actually carrying out their campaign promises. If you remember former campaign promises that weren't actualized, ask the political party representative of that promise, what happened.............

Power exists only when it is earned, and the power of our vote expands when we involve others in our search for better government!

[MNmom3boys]

Originally Posted by lamazeteacher

It's never too early to prepare for what will be the most important election of our time.

Agreed, and I have participated in/listened to/read many such discussions. My question stemmed from the fact that the OP implied that there was an imment election that we needed to be making arrangements to participate in. I am VERY aware of next year's elections, but have not felt the need to make specific plans for how or with whom to visit my local polling place yet. So, I just wanted to be sure that it was next fall's election she was referring to, and not some other local or less publicized election.

[lamazeteacher]

Originally Posted by MNmom3boys

Agreed, and I have participated in/listened to/read many such discussions. My question stemmed from the fact that the OP implied that there was an imment election that we needed to be making arrangements to participate in. I am VERY aware of next year's elections, but have not felt the need to make specific plans for how or with whom to visit my local polling place yet. So, I just wanted to be sure that it was next fall's election she was referring to, and not some other local or less publicized election.

__________________________________________________ _________
I remember being a young working mom, too exhausted at the end of the working day, to pay much attention to what was happening right outside my door.

Things weren't as drastically off target then, however, and NOW no one can afford (literally) to lose sight of the importance of public office (and often the abuse of it). PLEASE, PLEASE PLAN FOR THIS ELECTION. Call both parties (or more, but realize that a 3rd party vote only weakens the number of votes for someone in the big 2) and ask for a representative to speak at a gathering you host. It doesn't have to be in your home - it can be at a local coffee shop that cooperates (usually near a University campus).

Remember that the enthusiasm for the Ralph Nader's "Green" party in the '80s put Bush Sr. in office, by a small margin. We have so many people digging their heels in, to feel right about a party they and their families always supported, that they vote without thinking about it. We really need to know what those candidates both nationally and locally are, and if we can trust them to enact and support the things we believe in this time, or we'll be in the same fix we have now - unendurable health costs, war and all its ramifications (like enriching the rich, and killing or disabling the poor), global warming out of control, (due mostly to India and China's coal mines), and fraudulant use of our tax money.

Offer rides to the polls for those who can't get there on their own, and discuss issues you know about with them - not coersively. If you wait to decide who to vote for at the polling place, it's not usually an informed way to vote. Fill out that blank you get in the mail and take it with you (I have forgotten mine, and regretted it).

I know I do go on, but your and your children's futures are riding on this election. Nurses are on the frontlines of government spending! How proud we'll be when our efforts result in better times ahead.

[pickledpepperRN]

Originally Posted by MNmom3boys

Did I miss something? Local elections were last month, national next year. What I am missing?

I depends on your state.

Here is Minnesota:

Minnesota Republican
Presidential Nominating Process
Precinct Caucuses / non-binding straw poll: Tuesday 5 February 2008
BPOU Conventions: Saturday 15 March - Saturday 19 April 2008 (tentative date)
District Conventions: Saturday 3 May - Saturday 24 May 2008 (tentative date)
State Convention: Saturday 7 June 2008 (tentative date)

Minnesota Democrat
Presidential Nominating Process
Precinct Caucuses: Tuesday 5 February 20081
State Convention: Friday 6 June - Sunday 8 June 2008

Minnesota
Elections for Statewide offices and Congress
Primary: Tuesday 9 September 2008
General Election: Tuesday 4 November 2008

Look up your state: http://www.thegreenpapers.com/

[Patti 2nd gen RN]

That woman thought lawyers could fix the health care system...be real.....never asked nurses....and it's not about greed--having worked as a nurse for 21 years, I damned sure want to be able to pick my doctor and facility, and not have people die because they need to wait for surgeries and tx's, or can't use cutting edge meds for caancer etc...choice is what our nation is about...if you want o pay less, sign up for that kind of plan, just don't force me to...Yes..vote, but education and values clarification is essential...and if we were all paid the same as a nation of nurses, the shortage would balloon even more--we job hop and hunt for many reasons, and money is one of them

[MAISY, RN-ER]

546 Views. Only a few comments. Why don't nurses have a greater voice and persuasion about their jobs, income, patients, and our country? Because we don't look for common ground, but divisive points to discuss.

Regardless of your party, be of open mind and vote.

No one but you has your ideals, unfortunately we have to trust the person who is most likely to change our world for the better and best represents our hopes and dreams. A political party rarely does that.

So for me, anyone who doesn't go with the flow, is interested in the people for whom I care, will not be swayed(because they will not be the norm), has a working knowledge of politics, world saavy and is extremely bright. That is my candidate. I have to believe she will change the face and actions of America for the better.

If not, I'll surely be disappointed, but it can't be any worse than the past 8 years.

JMHO
Maisy

[Spidey's mom]

There are hundreds of comments on health care and politics on this website. This particular thread was about a particular issue - getting out and voting.

"I am calling upon all my fellow nurses to get out and vote for our next leaders. Take a friend with you take a neigbour (sic) take a fellow nurse. Lets have a say in our future." Dec 11, 2007

Universal Health Care is widely debated here . . .take a gander at "Nursing Issues" or "Current Events".

As for me, I won't vote for someone simply because they are "anyone who doesn't go with the flow, is interested in the people for whom I care, will not be swayed(because they will not be the norm), has a working knowledge of politics, world saavy and is extremely bright.".

If someone is all those things but doesn't believe in the same things I do, then they don't get my vote.

If we are talking Hillary - she is pretty much "anti" everything I believe in.

Sharon Randall has a great column today about voting.

"I wouldn't dare miss voting. My grandmother, like other women of her day, was denied the right to vote until passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Voting, to her, was personal. She made that clear to her 18 daughters and granddaughters. We were taught to honor that right, never take it for granted, or we'd have to answer to her. There are many reasons why I vote. Mostly as a matter of respect and fear: Respect for those who've been denied that right; and fear that if I fail to exercise it faithfully, it might one day be denied to me. And God help me, I'd have to answer to my grandmother. So I vote. You should too."

So, I agree with voting . . .but not just because someone is smart, savvy, etc.

steph

[MAISY, RN-ER]

Like I said, vote for the candidate that best represents YOUR views and beliefs.
Maisy

[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by MAISY, RN-ER

Like I said, vote for the candidate that best represents YOUR views and beliefs.
Maisy

steph