The Great American Tragedy

08 Mar 2017 2 Comments

by Laura in Politics, American Style, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I’ve had a few “traditional” occupations in my lifetime, as well as being a lifelong artist and craftsperson. At my last “day job,” I was the Supervisor of Medical Billing and Reimbursement at a large, non-profit organization. During yesterday’s press briefing spotlighting healthcare, Sean Spicer lied repeatedly and displayed his ignorance in regards to the policies of Medicare, Tricare (for members of the armed services and their dependents) and other federally-funded and private health insurance companies. I was enraged as I watched!

Thankfully, I did get a moment’s relief; I couldn’t help but chuckle at the visual aid. Two piles of paper were on display next to Spicer, representing the former ACA (a tall stack) and the replacement (a short stack). Remember the press conference featuring Trump’s accountant? I guess #45 thought the avalanche of folders representing his financial paperwork was effective. Perhaps he thought it would help drive the point home to the “uneducated Americas” Trump professed his love for during his campaign. Whatever the case, the majority of responses I saw or read categorized the display as downright comical.

I’ll say this about Spicer, his press briefings are certainly entertaining! He’s become a verbal Houdini, squirming out of the tight spots and challenging questions that result from the antics of his boss. You’ve got to hand it to the press; they don’t easily drop their attempts to get at the truth. Yesterday was no acception, especially since in was the first briefing in days, during which time the “Tweeter-in-Chief” had outdone himself, accusing his predecessor of wire-tapping Trump Tower. (At this point, SNL skits are writing themselves!) Spicer did so much rapid fire bobbing, weaving and spinning as the questions flew at him, I couldn’t help but wonder if a staffer holding a stiff drink was in the wings waiting for him!

Despite the Republicans’ attempt at cheerleading, this is a deeply distressing time to be an American. It’s also exhausting, if you’re committed to being well-informed about the daily news from D.C. It’s often necessary to consult a variety of news sources and to fact check each story. Lying, deflecting and insulting the intelligence of the American people is the new normal in the White House. I’ve said it before and I’ll be saying it perpetually, this administration is the embodiment of the great American tragedy.

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The State of Our Union

27 May 2014 2 Comments

by Laura in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As a citizen of  the United States, I’m surrounded by so much ideological bullying that I no longer watch the news, nor tune into cable stations that focus on modern politics or the state of our union. I carefully source my news from the internet and my local newspapers. I’ve chosen to do so in order to be informed of the events and issues that concern and affect me, while avoiding the rants and ravings of the tea party conservatives and members of the religious right whose rhetoric makes my blood boil and my feminist heart break.

Hope for a positive change in our national consciousness accompanied the inauguration of President Obama. This optimistic expectation has evaporated into thin air. Tragically, Obama’s election has brought every bigot, racist and narrow-minded man and women out into the open, be it through social media, reality TV or local “man-on-the-street” interviews, where they proudly proclaim the truth, as they see it. I’m especially infuriated by those who latch on to a catchy, politically charged phrase they’ve heard and gleefully repeat it ad nauseam, without a moment’s worth of fact-checking.

Besides our president, women are fair game.  When I say they’ re repeatedly hit below the belt, it’s not only a figure of speech, it’s where women are targeted most frequently. The words hateful men spit in our direction are obscene. The rules self-righteous religious leaders concoct are demeaning. The women who stand by these men, who are their husbands, in some cases, cause me particular distress. Do they worship a god who would debase them? Is self-loathing their excuse? And, while we’re on the subject, do they refrain from using contraceptives?

The call to arms is at fever’s pitch, now. Ban our abortions, murder our doctors, insist on ultrasounds, take away our contraceptives, limit our healthcare, all in the name of God. Strip us of our dignity and our rights, rights won with the real blood, sweat and tears of those who fought for what should have been ours, from the day the first male child emerged from his mother’s womb.

It’s a tragic era in America’s history, to be sure. And what makes it worse is that so many people don’t even know what’s happening, nor do they seem to care.