Since Election night when Obama became President-elect, there has been an atmosphere on this blog that has nearly put me in a position to decide between staying here, or leaving and going elsewhere. I have struggled with this for many days. I had hoped that it was a temporary condition and all I had to do is be patient, or join the blogging at a different time of the day. It has become obvious to me, time, makes no difference.
Here are the issues that I have such concern about.
1. It is obvious to me, and I am sure the majority of us ObamaCANS that we are being invaded by trolls. This is a fact based on my own observations throughout the previous days and nights.
2. These trolls are unlike the periodic ones who use to interfere prior to the election. They are way more disrespectful, and are being blatantly rude and abusive, hiding behind what they call “their opinion” by calling people names and using swear words, etc.
3. This is the most bothersome part for me, all us diehard O-bloggers are engaging them when they show up. I don’t understand why anyone would want to engage to provoke the trolls to stick around and use up our valuable space on the blog, especially since we only get 1 or 2 forums a day to blog on, and it has been difficult for some of us to post or read because the whole blog site is running too slow.
4. The negativity the trolls bring to this blog, increases exponentially as anyone chooses to engage them.
5. I have even noticed much tension between our own O-bloggers; something I had not noticed b/f election. I am not sure if this is a result of the negativity being left behind from the trolls or there are other factors I am not aware of. This is only a hypothesis.
6. We, the O-bloggers, had in the past, set up a set of “rules of engagement” when trolls posted but those “rules” according to my own observations have not been followed by many here.
7. I have also noticed that as the engagement between O-bloggers and trolls increased, our other world-wide O-bloggers have quietly disappeared or came to the blog only to post how negative our blog has become.
8. An example of what I have listed occurred sometime late last week when several trolls hijacked our blog and as time progressed, nearly all O-bloggers, disappeared, but a couple kept engaging them and the trolls became more and more abusive. I even posted my one and only troll response about “bless the ignorant, that they may see themselves as others do, …” I use this post only to shake them up and hopefully they “get it” but I was abused for that and that had never happened b/f. So I posted one last time, not on a troll post but generally, I asked all our ObabaCANS to meet me at our “secret site.” I hope that is self-explanitory, don’t want trolls to know about it. I do believe most did get it, because not too long after, only a couple of O-bloggers were left on the site.
9. Today, I signed on, once again with hope that I could visit with my O-friends and have some positiveness in my day, only to find once again, trolls, trolls that were being engaged so the trolls kept trolling and engaging. I am at a loss. I so want to come here for so many reasons, but especially for positive support and communication.
10. Since I am not just an observer, but also I am a solution oriented person, I will state my observations and recommend an action plan that anyone is welcome to accept or change or whatever. So it is time for me to give all of our O-bloggers my recommendations to return our blog back to its original mission.
(i) re-institute the “rule” of “shock and awe” not really, “ignore, report, no engagement, PERIOD!”
(ii) O-bloggers need to be responsible to investigate suspicious posters by checking profiles and reporting back to O-bloggers if a post is likely to be a troll.
(iii) Some have started the donate in honor of troll visits, which is a very creative idea. However, I believe that the other night, it would have drained many of our bank accounts. I would still recommend that those who want to, please do it and post that you have right on the trolls post. THEN no matter what, DO NOT ENGAGE, no matter what.
Rational for these specific set of rules:
Consider these two documented behaviors from bullies, and two-year-olds:
Bullies- have issues with their own self image, they may have been or are being bullied by their own parents, or they may just be born to be a bully. (I actually know one) what a bully is attempting to get from the one they are bulling is engagement of any sort, verbal or physical. They want to have and be in control- this creates a false positive self-image and the more they get the desired response the more they seek it out of their victims.
Two-year-olds – at this developmental stage, they throw temper-tantrums. Now each child will hit this stage early or late or somewhere in-between, but it is inevitable and it is how these tantrums are dealt with, that will set up future behaviors through-out their remaining parenting years. I realize this only applies to anyone who is a parent, or use to be parenting children. But it is a pretty easy concept to understand.
Two-year-olds are also trying to get any response from a parent, and if they get any response, negative or positive, their temper-tantrum behavior will continue, and continue, and … you get the idea. The very best way to extinguish this particular behavior is by IGNORING it completely. Now, I know it is way harder than that, so you say, but, if you can learn to walk away, or very, very calmly walk, carry, or drag the child to another room and close the door, it is amazing how fast they get over it, because you did NOT ENGAGE, so they realize that behavior will not work.
Recently for me this was a very big issue with my grandson. It didn’t last very long because of the way it was handled from very beginning I won’t go into the whole story, except to tell you that there were two incidents, where there was not a “room” so he was put into time out in his car seat while he was already sitting in it, just by telling him he was in time out, and in a target store he was put on the floor right by the cart. Somehow me and my daughter made him think that just the word “time-out” was sufficient for him to “believe he was” ;)
Now apply these particular set of behaviors from both bullies and tantrums and find similarities. Both are seeking control through a specific mode of behavior whether it is verbally, or physically abusing a victim or by screaming so loud and for so long that it pushes a parent’s ability to deal with it. In both situations, they are seeking response because that gives them “perceived” control. Now, you can’t put bullies in time out, but you should not respond, or engage, you can just walk or run away without a single word. This disrupts the bully’s psyche, but the behavior will probably continue for some time, in an attempt to regain control but if you NEVER respond or engage, eventually they will stop.
As for temper tantrums, it is pretty much the same except the two-year-olds in general are not being verbally or physically abusive, at least not on purpose. But the way to deal with tantrums is the same, IGNORE, walk away, do not respond, or if it is necessary remove them, without any words or anger, and walk away.
Trolls-are verbally and virtually abusive bullies who are throwing temper-tantrums and are seeking “control” and have a complete repertoire of tools to rake havoc upon each one of us. The only way to reduce or extinguish their negative behaviors are to IGNORE, walk away, put them in another “room”—REPORT – and under no circumstances ENGAGE.
Remember, this is a behavior that will continue for some time, however, if they are NEVER allowed to gain any measure of engagement (control), their need for it will not be met, and they will eventually disappear, one way or another; either they choose to, or because we have put them in a “room” of report to admin.
I know this was a long, long post, but I believe it really needed to be addressed, so that our O-bloggers who only visit occasionally do not arrive, only to see 50% of the posts are interactions and engagements with trolls. This behavior will and probably already has scared those O-bloggers off and left a negative impression on them about ObamaCANS, which is the worst thing that could happen, especially if many of the visitors are those who may be trying to connect with us since the election.
We are the example. . . . we are an extension of the man we elected, he in no way would act this way. . . so this is my plea to everyone ----------------
Check first if there’s a suspicion that a post is from a troll by checking their profile, if they are, do NOT ENGAGE, post RID, and report them, and if you so desire, add the donate thing.
Myself, and anyone who wants to join, will post once and only once, my positive mantra to the troll, even though there may be a verbal attack against me, that will be it, NO RESPONSE, NO ENGAGEMENT will come from me. Posting just that one and only positive thing, leaves people who visit with the impression we take the high road, and who knows, a troll may not know what to say or do and they leave, it has actually happened a few times.
Ok. . . . I have said it. I really welcome any response to this very long and even more long . . . post because I really, really, want to keep returning here, because I have grown to love people here. I have loved our communicating, support, and humor, I don’t want to give that up, but if all that disappears amongst the negativity, I will not allow negativity to be inundated into my life.
Peace, lots and lots of Peace
PS: Any Troll reading this, well, you’ve now been informed, any ignorance on your part, well, is your problem but I will end by saying to you . . .
Bless the ignorant; that one day they may see themselves as others see them; another human sharing this planet, which supports all of our lives the same; through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the ground we walk on.
Bless the ignorant
It really is not such a novel idea. Our 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, has been an advocate for America to become energy independent and to step up our efforts toward increasing our development and use of Green Technology to accomplish this goal. The promise of change our 44th President based his campaign on, will be an uphill battle unless he becomes the supreme example for all Americans to follow.
One of Gandhi’s well known quotes, “become the change you wish to see in the world,” would be the best way to govern our new and improved Nation. This would show America and the world that serious change is on the horizon. It is obvious we should not continue to rely on our energy needs from governments that don’t like us that much. Some may think that in these tumultuous times, there is little hope of resolving our energy issues; especially when the United States is already so far in debt that our grandchildren’s children will still be paying off the debt that has been created.
However, there is more hope in our world that change is coming. Millions of us are standing by waiting for our next President to tell us how we can be “useful.” We are ready to begin implementing the work that will be needed to change our Country’s path toward a better future for our children.
This will not be as daunting of a task as one might think. Change starts, not just in, but also outside the White House. Americans will be able to once again, look upon our Nations capital, and more specifically, our White House as the beacon for change, becomes visible for all to observe.
The White House is full of centuries of a rich history, yet, the past is not progressive, and it is however, the antithesis of America’s new hope for the future. There is one way that future’s history could be made now. One interesting proposal for change by example would be to employ some Americans to participate in our first Green Technology project by erecting Windmills at the Whitehouse.
The enormous energy benefits of Windmills, pales in comparison to the significant example that our 44th President would show to all Americans.
Nay Sayers may say, it would be too expensive, or would use too much of taxpayers money, or that Washington D.C. is not the “windy city of Chicago,” and they may be correct. However, Windmills do not need Chicago’s wind to be effective.
Every day, Green technologies get more advanced, there may even be better and greater Green energy sources available in the not to distant future. Nonetheless, it is an issue of leading by example, whether it is Windmills, natural gas, or clean coal technology; it is the call for change that should be leading Americans through the 21st century.
There is another great saying that comes to mind, “if you keep doing the same thing, you can’t expect a different result.” The only way we as a collective whole; citizens of these United States, are going to “be the change,” is by following the example of change.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa217/ahhbeth/microwhitehousewindmills.jpg
A first step toward the change we need, could very well be, our 44th President of the United States installing Windmills at the White House. This one gesture toward “being the change we Americans need to see,” could be the catalyst of much more change to come. It is only befitting that Windmills be the “power” which jumpstarts our Country’s economy, by providing Green technology jobs for Americans. Maybe, just maybe, our Country will become an example of how to lead a Nation by “being the change” we need; and the change we want to see in the world.
In 2004, I watched the news media declare Bush the projected winner; again. I knew then it was going to be the longest four years of my life. Two years later, on October 18, 2006, I was flipping through the channels on my television and decided to stop and watch the Oprah Show, which was all ready in progress. Since I started watching sometime after the show began, I had no idea who the man was that Oprah was talking with, or what they had been talking about. However, something about this man fascinated me and I began to listen to what he was saying.
I watched this man, a man who was discussing ideas about his vision for a better America. I was very intrigued with his comments about “beneath the surface, we all have the same hopes and dreams and fears and that the human story is universal.” I also heard him discuss what we needed to instill in our country and in our children was a sense of “are you useful, to others and are you making other people’s lives a little bit better." Are you Useful? That statement was such a novel idea for me. By the time he said “there's a wonderful saying that…the most important office in a democracy is the office of citizen;" this man, had my complete attention. I was so captivated by his progressive ideas that a quite unusual thought crossed my mind; “I wish that man would run for President." I had now idea at the time my wish would set me on a journey less spoken because my support and admiration of this man could cause trouble for me if people were to discover that I was supporting an African-American who may become the President of the United States.
I knew nothing at all about the man I was introduced to for "the very first time" when Oprah was interviewing him about his book. At the time of the interview, I had tuned in too late to know what this man’s name was or the name of the book that I now know was “The Audacity of Hope.” Although I knew nothing about him or his life, I did know one important thing about him; he needed to become “my” President.
Several minutes after I had made my wish for this unknown man to run for President, Oprah spoke up and asked him, “would you run for President?” So, now there were at least two people who wanted him to become President, but one of us had no clue who he was. Although I didn't know anything about the man, I wondered if he could become President; not because of the color of his skin, but because I was clueless about the political process and if there were any rules and qualifications for a person to become President; other than you had to be a naturally born citizen of the United States.
Time past; and as the months went by, the memory of my introduction to this man faded. So when he announced he would begin a campaign to become the President. I recognized him immediately. I don't know how I knew it was him, but I knew. I paid close attention and found out his name was Senator Obama. I don't think I heard his first name; just "Senator Obama." There that man stood; at last I knew his last name and I discovered he was a Democratic Senator from Illinois. Not only did I feel something greater than me had heard my wish; but my journey less spoken had begun and I was committed to make my wish come true!
As soon as I heard his announcement on that cold February day, I began my search for a way to become involved in his political campaign. I need to say that prior to Senator Obama’s announcement, I had never participated in any political campaign, nor had I ever volunteered or donated to any political party. I had at least voted, but as an “unaffiliated voter,” I was usually voting for the “lesser of two evils,” not “for” a candidate I actually wanted to be President.
My first involvement with Senator Obama’s campaign was during the Oregon primaries. Now I, a lowly person, scared to talk to strangers, me, did my first ever canvass just prior to the primary elections. It took all the courage I had while sitting in a borrowed car, and I took at least10 minutes convincing myself that I could overcome my fear of talking to strangers for the GREATER GOOD of our Country. The "GREATER GOOD" won out; and I knocked on my first door. I was fortunate that who I spoke with, were kind and respectful, which gave me the courage to knock on that second door.
Since I had my first experience with canvassing, I continued to face my greatest challenge; stepping out of my home, and even more so, talking to complete strangers. I have knocked on hundreds of doors, spoke to over one hundred complete strangers at outdoor community events, and participated in phone banking. Even after having doors slammed in my face and in one instance, being run of a man’s property, I pushed forward with my fear stuck in my back pocket and continued to knock on door after door.
The night of the Primaries I was glued to the TV to see Obama win the state of Oregon, which for one of the first times, our state mattered to the outcome of an Election. Since the Primaries ended, I became a political junky. I started my personal fund-raising on the Obama website, continued to canvass and make phone calls. I continued to be committed to our Democratic Candidate. Even through all of the attacks against him, I saw him stay firmly committed to his vision and message that drew me to him in the first place. I was confident that when Obama was elected, he would begin the healing of our Country, and little did I know at the time, he would become the healer and President of our world.
Soon after the Oregon primaries, we were assigned an area organizer in my small town. We put on an acceptance speech party that turned into a great resource for volunteers. From that time forward, up through Election Day, we were working night and day to get every Obama vote we could in our “red” rural county.
As much as I could, between watching my grandson so that my daughter could attend college, and taking care of my own special needs son, I was volunteering for the Obama campaign. As Election Day got closer, I donated more and more hours at the O-office. Since I have bad asthma, once the weather changed, I had become an office “assistant.” I had already participated in canvassing, phone banking, data entry, and preparing canvas packets, but as our pool of volunteers grew, the area organizer became extremely busy. He was either training new volunteers, or when the focus of contacting people would change he would have to re-train volunteers.
It soon became obvious to me that we needed someone to organize the check-in and check-out process and assist volunteers with their paperwork when they returned. I decided that I would just do it. I saw the need, I knew I had the skills, so it was natural for me to just step up and do it. I went about making the whole process more efficient and organized; at the time, I had no idea how important that organization would become until one night, even with three of us in the office, it had been so busy that even with all my organization, I was close to being overwhelmed. In the seven hours that I was there we had only one fifteen minute lull in one of our busiest nights. I can’t even begin to explain how exhausted I was; yet I didn’t let it deter me from showing up the next day and night to do it all over again.
I also assisted in another endeavor that many of us were asked to participate in. We were asked to start submitting “letters to the editor” and “Op-eds” targeting battleground states. Our efforts started with few volunteers, but rapidly grew into a movement. We had much success publishing in those battleground states and I regained my writing skills that I use to have before I had a brain injury. As a result of participating in this, I was able to publish many articles, a couple of columns, and had some success in posting in some Florida online newspapers. This volunteering work played a huge role in my increased self confidence and gave me more than I can ever express.
One night, after a very long day and after everyone had left; our area organizer set down on the table, one of the many cell phones he was messing with, and put it on speaker. At this point my area organizer just turned and looked at me with this sheepish grin, but didn’t say a word. All of the sudden a man started talking and said that Obama would soon be on the line to speak with us. I think my mouth dropped clear to the floor. I thought to myself “no way.” But within just a few minutes, I heard his voice. As he spoke to the 20,000 listeners around the Country, I could hear in his voice that he was tired. He had just landed and it was about 10pm in the time zone where he was about to give another speech.
There may have been many defining and memorable moments in my life, but, other than the birth of my children and grandchildren, this was one of them. I had not been able to go see him speak when he was in Oregon, but here I was listening to him on a cell phone. His words were supportive of our efforts, and to remind us that we were not to let up with our efforts, not for one minute. Just having the opportunity to hear his voice, filled me with intense joy and it took everything to keep from having tears run down my cheeks. I was on such an emotional high that I didn’t sleep at all that night. Yet, I went right back to the O-office the next day to work another 7 hours.
The evening before the election it was announced that Obama’s grandmother had passed away. I cried, I sobbed, and cried some more. I wanted her to see her grandson become the 44th President of the United States of America, and she lost her battle with cancer just one day to soon. Then that evening I watched a very moving moment, as Obama spoke about her, I saw him wipe away his tears; as he wept, I cried. But what stirred inside of me, was how could anyone not see, he was “of the people,” no different than the rest of us, and had wept, not just in front of a large crowd of people who had come to see him, but in front of every viewer watching him on TV. I knew the answer to my rhetorical question, but I asked myself, had anyone ever, I mean ever, seen a President or someone who would become President, weep in front of millions?
The day and evening of Nov. 4th there were many volunteers helping us so much, taking two or three packets at a time, and would return to tell me their most moving moments, which made every day they had volunteered worth their effort. I was fortunate to hear their stories as I continued to work hard in the office on up to election night and the excitement and buzz was increasing every hour. We still had volunteers on the phone and canvassing, up until 30 minutes prior to Oregon’s polls closing. Once again I was manning the office, only this time, I was honored that the area organizer had trusted me enough to give me that responsibility. However, in accepting that responsibility, I had no idea, what that meant for me on election night.
I am probably one of two billion around the world, which actually missed all the fun leading up to the media projecting that Obama would be our next President of the United States. For Election night, I had been manning the County Democratic Office of all those who were running for positions in my city and county that were already at the Election party, while I was without a television or the Internet. I was unable to leave until someone returned to lock up and relieve me thirty minutes after the polls closed.
It was a long couple of hours for me, with no contact with another human, and without any idea how the election was going. It soon became evident that having the honor of being trusted by the area organizer to "hold down the fort" while he stayed at the elections office to be a "watcher," would cause me to miss what everyone else, all the volunteers, all of those running for local office were watching at the election party.
In my predicament, I did experience one bit irony that momentarily brightened my night. The phone rang, thinking it was my area organizer, I answered it. However, it was actually a young republican volunteer, doing last minute phone banking. He was as confused as I was about why he called the Country Democratic office to talk to a “republican” about making sure that their “republican” ballot got turned in before the polls closed in fifteen minutes. He really was quite baffled, but I was cordial and said, “I realize that you are just doing your phone banking job, but I don’t think you realized that you have called the County Democratic office,” I heard a awkward laugh from him and I ended the call saying have a good night. I couldn’t hang up the phone fast enough before I fell on the floor and laughed my head off.
Eventually I was relieved of my duty and arrived at what was left of the Election party, just one minute before our President-elect’s acceptance speech. As I watched, I was astonished at the beauty of all the faces that looked upon this man, as their new great hope. I saw tears of joy not only on women and young ones faces, but on the cheeks of grown men who were openly sobbing; a sight I had not seen before. Not only was it the grandest moment of the accumulation of nearly two years of my effort, but it was an amazing, historic event that I was thankful I had been given the opportunity to be a part of.
On my drive home, after his historic speech, I had some time to reflect upon my journey less spoken, and how my journey had come full circle. I started my less spoken journey two-years ago not knowing who this great man was, but having an unspoken wish that someday he could be my President; that night, November 4th, 2008, he became everyone’s President; and while on my journey, I was thoroughly introduced to that man I once knew nothing about. I am so grateful that my unspoken wish from two-years ago has now become our 44th President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama.
Reflecting upon the “day after” election 2008, I found myself feeling like I was standing between my yesterday life and a vague facsimile of the life I had pre-campaign. I was still; and there was no movement of time. I discovered the promises I had made to myself that I would finally clean my house, do the laundry and get the shopping done just after election night, are still left undone. Yet, I mindlessly wander around feeling an anxiousness, as if I was suppose to be doing something, but there was no motivation to do much of anything.
Over the last year or so my whole body, mind and soul has been focused on one goal; to do everything within my ability to be a part of history and see the first African American be elected as our 44th President of the United States. Now that it is a reality, I am discovering I was living an alternate life that ended quite abruptly on November 5th, 2008. The announcement that Barack Obama was the projected winner of the election was such a surreal experience but that event rapidly turned into an abyss of emotions.
Although, a day and night had passed, there seemed to be something going on. I was really mystified by my emotions and behavior, or in my case, the lack of behaviors until this feeling of familiarity bubbled up into my consciousness; I had experienced this before. Some time back, I had volunteered over 100 hours at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and the days following the closing ceremonies of that very meaningful world-wide event, I meandered around my days as if I was in a thick fog, and no matter how much I tried walk around or out of it, the fog continued to wrap around my life.
There had been approximately 25,000 people volunteering for the 2002 Olympics, and most of them were in the same patch of fog that I found myself in. This phenomenon actually became a story in the local news media. The news media dubbed the volunteers’ experience as Post Olympic Blues. I was pessimistic about such a description because I wasn’t feeling depressed, I was feeling like my purpose in life had been ripped right from under my feet.
Since the 2008 election process began, most of us have been living on a constant flow of the hormone adrenaline. This hormone has helped us push our bodies to be super-human by living on little sleep, constantly walking, door knocking, and talking to exhaustion; motivated by the hope that change was on the horizon. After the election, the body no longer needed the constant secretion of adrenaline, and so we soon felt the physical and mental crash that occurs when the body stops producing adrenaline in constant high volumes. This crash most of us experienced is an inventible consequence of a swift transition from high motivation and energy to “nothing.” The nothing we are experiencing, is the beginning of what can now be known as the “Post Election Trauma Syndrome,” or (PETS).
PETS has similar features to a well-renown concept known as the Kubler-Ross “Five Stages of Grief” model. This model was developed for the purpose of understanding how people grieve and process a significant loss in their lives. Most people believe that “grief” only applies to the loss of a loved one through death, or the loss of a love relationship, or even to the loss of a beloved pet. However, any significant personal change in circumstances is considered a loss and the change does not always have to be viewed as a negative one. The change just needs to be significant enough to elicit the response of loss.
It is pretty easy to notice that all of us, who have had a considerable investment into this year’s historic election, have experienced a “significant personal change” in our lives that may have caused a cluster of symptoms related to PETS. Our collective and diverse efforts and experiences dissipated soon after November 4th, 2008 and most of us, to some degree, have had some feelings of this loss. Even though the outcome of all our hard work and prayers had a positive result, gaining an understanding that we are suffering these symptoms of PETS, may help us reintegrate ourselves back into our family, friends and the society in which we once belonged.
There are specific symptoms that are identified with the PETS disorder which are identified below:
Numbness (mechanical functioning and social insulation)
Denial (this isn't happening to me!)
Bargaining (If only, then I will be OK, if …..)
Depression (moping around, no motivation)
Acceptance (I'm ready for whatever comes)
Reorganization (re-entry into a more 'normal' pre-campaign life.)
We may recognize some of the above symptoms as something we are currently experiencing, or have recently experienced over the last many days. The list above is a collection of symptoms related to PETS and if we are able to identify with at least two of these symptoms we may be suffering from PETS.
Let’s examine each of these symptoms separately by starting with the symptom of feeling “numb.” If we are wondering around our daily life functioning as a mechanical robot and insulating ourselves from any emotions that may want to surface, then we are most likely suffering from the symptom of numbness. Eventually, the numbness will wear off and we may move toward a natural defense mechanism of denial to protect our psyche from the reality that our efforts and work are no longer needed; and the life we had been living for the last year and a half or so, is no more. We may feel some anxiousness as if we are suppose to be doing something but we are bewildered as to what that might be. If this sound like you or any of us, there is a high probability we are suffering from the symptom of denial.
At some point denial will begin to dissolve into one of the other symptoms of PETS. Nearly all of us were ecstatic when we heard the announcement that the media projected Barack Obama had won the election. The extremely positive feelings we were having may have lasted for hours or even for days since our ultimate goal had been realized. Eventually though, we all began to participate in the symptom known as bargaining as another way to cope with PETS.
This symptom translated into a worry of “if only” Obama’s Head Quarters doesn’t shut down the campaign site, we will be able to keep in touch with the many virtual friends we had made. This symptom became quite noticeable when all of us blogger’s began posting a very similar theme of concern. Many of us started to consider the possibility of losing the site and started posting “if only” the Obama Head Quarters could provide an alternative site we would all be “OK” because we would still be able to stay in contact with all of our virtual friends we made during the Obama campaign. The Obama Headquarters must have noticed all of our worried posts and posted a forum that stated they would not be shutting down the site and they also notified us that they had created a new sight so that we may continue on our journey of participating in our government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
Even though we had been reassured by Obama Headquarters that they had not forgotten about us, some of us may have started to suffer from some level of depression. This may have started the day after the election or at any time after and co-exist with any of the other symptoms we were experiencing. Although this mild form of depression can be a natural part of the loss process, the symptoms should dissipate in a short period of time. If for some reason, someone continues to be depressed or the feelings of depression dramatically increase, it is important that we seek professional help immediately.
Eventually we will begin to accept this significant change in our life. At first, the symptom of acceptance related to PETS, may be tempered and we may be somewhat aloof about returning to our pre-campaign life. There will still be occasional waves of emotions that can be triggered by any number of experiences, which is very normal and is evidence that we are beginning to heal from what we perceive as a loss. As time passes, we will eventually reorganize our thinking by incorporating our loss with positive memories of the long, hard fought battle of the campaign. We will no longer be sad about this significant change in our lives, as the experiences are now a part of us and the feelings of loss will no longer keep us from functioning as we once did in our pre-campaign lives.
(PETS) is not a neat list of absolutes, it is a wide range of emotions and behaviors that are as individual and varied as those of us who are dealing with the disorder. What is important to remember, is PETS is not a pervasive condition and will subside as time goes by. Armed with the knowledge of PETS, we can now better understand ourselves and others who are going through many symptoms of PETS. Recognizing that we’re not alone in our suffering can increase our empathy and support for others and provide permission for us to go through the process in our own way and in our own time.
By now all of us may be wondering how we can help ourselves through this period of suffering from the PETS disorder. There is actually a barrage of activities that can improve our mood and increase our ability to recover faster. Just like people who suffer from PETS that will have diverse and unique symptoms, there are also as many unique ways of improving our ability to recover from this disorder.
Some ideas to promote our healing process may be to take a day to pamper ourselves in whatever way that we know how to pamper ourselves. Start making that scrapbook of your campaign experiences. Meditate/Pray, read both of Obama’s books for the first or second time. Give your pets’ extra special attention. Volunteer at an animal shelter, or a homeless shelter. Look for your local Democratic office and become acquainted with your local leaders. Begin emailing or writing letters to your state representatives about issues that you and our President-elect Obama have been passionate about.
It may be worth mentioning that the Obama Headquarters have already developed a new website to keep “we the people” involved in the restoration of our government. The site link is http://www.change.gov and may be a great way to start the process of reorganization and reentry into our pre-campaign life.
This is not the time of wondering where we go from here, but a time to adjust and move forward. Since this is a specialized disorder, it can be comforting to know we will eventually succeed in healing ourselves from PETS. This will become obvious when we are able to see ourselves stepping back into our pre-campaign life. The one difference between pre and post campaign involvement though, is that we will have brought with us a richer life filled with positive memories of our widespread involvement with our children’s and grandchildren’s history.
Although, we have all participated in making history, there is a possibility there may be another outbreak of PETS four years from now. However, next time we will have all been vaccinated and thus be armed by our understanding and knowledge of PETS disorder, which will greatly reduce the symptoms that we may suffer. If we decide to get involved in the political process once again, it will be inevitable that we will have that sudden and significant feeling of loss that will occur after re-electing President Obama in 2012. In the meantime, one way we can heal faster from PETS, would be by collecting all of the memorabilia that has been scattered around our homes that we thought would be cleaned up by know, and start making our scrapbook of memories we promised ourselves we were going to do as soon as this election was over!
(Loosely Based on the Grief Cycle model first published in On Death & Dying, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, 1969 and the Interpretation by Alan Chapman 2006-08.)
1. Beth, Albany, Oregon, U.S.A. (me, of course)
2. Simone, Geneva Switzerland
3. Theresa. I live in Rockport, Maine, born in Geneva, Switzerland, now a US citizen who voted for OBAMA
4. Yvette, Delaware
5. Michelle, Smithfield, NC
6. Julie R., Logan, WV
7. Jackie, Phoenix Arizona
8. Heidi, New Haven, CT
9. Maria & Dante, St. Petersburg, Florida
10. Beth, Chicago, Illinois
11. Emma, Uppsala, Sweden
12. Maria, Porto, Portugal
13. Jacqueline, Lakeland, FL!
14. Sheri, Williston, ND
15. Linda, Brewster, WA
16. Karleen, Miami, FL
17. Trina, Etowah,Tn.
18. Marti, Portland, OR
19. John, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA
20. Suzanne, Raleigh, NC
21. Kristin, Honolulu, HI
22. Vicki, Marshalltown, Iowa
23. Verdene C. California
24. Helen, Mt. Tamborine, Queensland, Australia
25. Betsy, Helena, MT; USA
26. Debi ("I keep peeking at the blog"), Rock Island, IL, USA
27. Stanley Krute, Camp Creek, Siskiyou County, CA
28. Nate, Long Beach, CA
29. Suzie Mckay, Las Vegas, Nevada
30. Jim, Meadville, PA.
31. Arlene, Buxton, Maine
32. Sherrie, Eugene Oregon, USA
33. Margareth, Queens, NY
34. Helaine, Beaufort, SC
35. Michaele, AZ
36. Reggie, Living in Germany via New York, N.Y.
37. Cece Bulkley
38. Haleiwa, HI
39. Sykie, Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA
40. Stan Z, Sayreville, New Jersey
41. Mary Bailey, Chicago, IL
42. Livvy. Sydney, Australia
43. Angelika from Berlin, Germany
44. Lemeki - Suva, Fiji Islands
45. Johnnie in Saratoga Springs, NY
46. Connie, Phoenix, AZ
47. Regina, Virginia Beach, VA USA
48. Larry, Fargo, North Dakota
49. Anne Melbourne, Australia
50. Manica, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
51. Marcello, Lantana FL
52. Judy, Coloma, Michigan
53. Robyn, Fort Lauderdale, FL
54. Sharon Gibson City, IL
55. Denelle, Marion, Iowa
56. Georgette, DeKalb, IL
57. Bert, Las Vegas, NV
58. Cheryl, Cambridge Ontario, Canada
59. Sampo, Helsinki, Finland
60. Jessica, in Ottumwa, Iowa
61. Cindy, Tucson, AZ
62. Lace, Neenah, Wisconsin
63. Ethel Harrisburg, PA
64. Robin, Sparta, NJ
65. Cilla, Jamaica,NY
66. Katrina, Fanwood, New Jersey
67. Doris, Germantown, MD
68. Sarah Moberly, MO
69. Glenn,Lakeland, FL
70. Toni, St. Louis, MO
71. Carol, Charles Town, Jefferson County (blue county), WV
72. Carrie, Winter Haven. FL
73. Glenn, Lakeland, FL
74. Toni, St. Louis, MO
75. Lawrence, Atlanta, GA
76. Carole, Lancaster, PA
77. Sandy, Baldwin, NY
78. Robert, Memphis, TN
79. Millie, Badenton, FL
80. Loretta, Stockton, CA
81. Becky, Jacksonville, FL
82. Coli, Columbus, OH
83. Emma, Gashen, NY
84. Marti, Syracuse, NY
85. Samantha, Southaven, Mississippi
86. Chris, Ted & Shelly, Sun City Center, FL
87. Steve, Aurora, CO
88. Joan, Latham, NY
89. Donna, Gorham, NH
90. Chuck, OK
91. Anita M., El Cerrito, CA
92. Ed, Sandy, UT
93. Felicia, Detroit, MI
94. Paula, Tollesboro, KY
95. Peggy, Eugene, OR
96. Matt M., Georgetown, KY
97. Art, Kay, Tempe, AZ
98. Sonia, Folsom, CA
99. Tori, Greenville, SC
100. Jay G, Indianapolis
101. Vicki, Lewisville, PA
102. Asmeret, London, UK
103. Chele, Hillsborough NJ
104. Holly, Eugene OR
105. Janet, Media, PA
106. Debbie East Sussex UK
107. Mary K., Front Royal, Virginia
108. Luevonia, Anderson, South Carolina
109. Doreen, Canada
110. Wanda C, Chesapeake, VA
111. Cherylene, Hartford, CT
112. Janet - Greenville, SC
113.
-
1000.
Signed,
All ObamaCANs
“Be the Change you wish to see in the World”
– Gandhi said it
– Obama guided it
– We believed it
– The World is seeing it
– And future generations will live it!
. . . as history writes itself, the Greater Good of Humanity prevails.
by, B. Roberts (Nov. 5, 2008)
The time for answering this question may go down in history as the longest wait ever.
Nearly two years ago, one by one, candidacy announcements for both parties started trickling in. One of the least of these candidates was given a “slim to none” chance of being the democratic nominee, let alone be in this general election. Yet, with his announcement he brought a message of hope, which Americans could cling onto until this historic election came to a close on November 4th.
Starting with just a speech, little money, minimal recognition, and with only a “wing and a prayer,” Barack Obama started on a Journey; a journey that would be unprecedented and will be in future history books for all students to read.
Obama has been publicly open about his life, which resonates with everyday Americans. He rose above his humble beginnings to believe that he could aspire to his greatest potential if he stayed dedicated and worked hard.
As he succeeded in his life, he felt a great desire to use his intellect, education and experience to serve the underprivileged and their communities. It has been through many years of concerted efforts that he has continued to help improve many who have fallen into unfortunate circumstances. He truly believes that all Americans can improve their lives and strive to attain their greatest potential, if only they are given a hand up, not a hand out.
His message of hope for much needed change is unwavering. He passionately believes that “WE the people”; is how his message of change will come to fruition for all Americans, not just for the some.
Obama could not possibly have known that his life-changing decision to serve, rather than become one of the financially elite, would send him on a path: a path that would propel him in a direction that has lead him closer to one heartbeat away from becoming the first African-American President of Our United States of America.
The history making, long awaited answer to the question of who will be elected on Nov. 4th, 2008 will be Senator Barack Obama.
It is quite interesting the contrast between the rallies of McCain versus Palin. It is a no brainer who is drawing the biggest crowds by ten/fifteen to one. There is something fundamentally wrong. Who are voters actually going to be voting for on November 4th? Is it McCain or is it Palin?
If the majority of voters are planning to vote for Palin or is only voting for McCain because Obama is African American, then they are not even considering, nor do they understand the dangerousness of this woman being in the White House. She has made it pretty obvious where she is going and what she is planning to do; and that is the scariest thing, which all Americans need to be concerned about.
Palin has slowly pulled away from McCain’s true message to the point of the frustration of McCain’s own advisors. They are cringing in the background, wishing that she had never been allowed to be a contender for the VP.
At her rallies she incites radicals and she stops speaking, and looks around the audience with her piercing smile, without saying a word. She is pulling the very conservative women into a hypnotic state of submission so that they hang on her every word and they forget that McCain is the one they would be electing, not Palin.
However, you can see it in her eyes, you can hear it in her speeches, you can feel it in your bones; this woman is not speaking to get McCain elected. She is however, giving speeches to endear her to become President; either by default due to the demise of McCain, or to run against Obama in 2012.
What are voters thinking? A better question, what are voters NOT thinking? She already has a proven record of abusing the power of her office by violating the ethics of her current elected office as Governor of Alaska.
She is such a sleazy, dodger of the truth, and a very domineering woman. McCain on the other hand has become a puppet. It is not that high of a leap to believe who will be running the Oval Office from the first day of 2009 or who maneuvering herself into a position to fight Obama for that Oval Office seat in 2012.
Again, who is going to sit in the Oval Office Seat first? On November 4th, it better be Obama. If not, or our Nation can expect we will be headed for Change; just not the “Change we Need,” not the Change we asked for, and not the change we want. It is imperative that Palin not step within one hundred meters of the White House Gate, let alone within one foot of the Oval Office Seat!.
Get out the vote today. Make that vote count for our future. Give that future the opportunity to change; you just need to make sure it is the “Change We Need.” Go to the voting booth and remember just one thing, “Who do you want to sit in the Oval Office Seat first?” And then VOTE!
It is quite interesting that since Palin was put on McCain’s ticket for VP, the dynamics of the election has changed. After the nuance, luster and “fresh” Washington outsider wore off; the media started their own negative campaign against Palin. However, there is a greater story; one which has been missing in this election; who is running against who?
McCain choose to use his “Pit Bull”, lipstick smacking, Barracuda to run against Obama & Biden; attacking them with misleading rhetoric, outright lies, and just plain off the wall remarks, unrelated to any issue that Americans are concerned about.
So who IS McCain running against?
Not Palin; she’s his VP; even though he has had to clear up some things that she has “misspoke” recently.
Not Biden. McCain’s attacks against Biden have been nearly non-existent except for when Biden has made a few gaffs, which he is well known for doing. However, it has been Palin, for the most part, which has gone after Biden for these gaffs.
Not even Obama. McCain is so busy trying to separate himself from the last eight years that he is losing respect from republicans left and right. Many of those republicans have stated recently, the McCain they see today is not the McCain they use to know, and their not even sure who McCain is running against either.
Now Obama has stayed steady in his message to Americans. He has, from the beginning, continued to show the Nation how he is so much different than McCain and the Republican's “old boy” politics. Any remarks against Palin have only been to clear up any of her unscrupulous attacks against him.
Biden has also stayed on message about how Obama will be a better President than McCain. The only times he has gone against McCain/Palin would be when McCain/Palin have used their lying oratory to stretch the truth until it becomes an outright lie about a few gaffs Biden has made Other than that, Biden’s platform has continued to stay on target against McCain.
It has been reported recently that McCain is starting to run against Bush. Yet, since the general election began, it has been obvious that McCain has beentrying to separate himself as being different than Bush; much like what opponents do in an election.
So is McCain running against Bush?
With such a short time to go until November 4th, it is no wonder that electoral maps are slowly turning bluer and bluer by the day. Someone needs to be asking McCain if he remembers who his opponent is and why he isn’t running against him and showing how he is different than his real opponent, Obama, rather than hopping around Washington trying to convince Americans he’s NOT Bush!
And you’re not mine.
Why is it that politicians feel the need to say “My Friends” to an entire crowd of people? Why do they say it over and over again in just one speech? Politicians are using the phrase “My Friends” in hopes that the word would endear the crowds to the politician, and not the other way around. However, there are politicians who choose to use the word “We,” creating a feeling of unity between themselves and the crowds.
American’s have friends. The difference is that “Their Friends,” are genuine. Their friends are not in the thousands or tens of thousands, and many Americans may only have one “best friend.” What the word “Friends,” use to mean, at least for most people, is a person that they actually spend time with, that they have similar interests with, is there when they need them, and so much more.
However, this term “My Friends” has been so overused that it is causing so much terror for the word “Friends” that the word may have to go to court and get a name change.
In comparing the two candidates in the 2008 elections, one uses the phrase “My Friends” and the other one uses the phrase or word “We,” so If you have been conscious over the last many months, you know who has used the phrase “My Friends” and who has used the word “We.”
After November 4th, the word “Friends” is going to need a major makeover in order to regain its true meaning, and most importantly its status in the lives of nearly all Americans.
Try to hang on the word “Friends,” November 4th, is just around the corner. “We” will be there to retrieve you for a serious intervention. We, as Americans and he who speaks the word “We,” will be joining together to restore “Friends” to its original meaning. Then from there and forever after, we shall protect and honor the original meaning of the word “Friends.”
I have been waiting for this moment; this Now, and for the Greater Good of our Country, to complete what started as only one thought, one naïve wish, and one unimaginable dream since “the very first time” I met a man. . . . http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/the-viery-first-time-596514.html
I had no idea that filling in that oval to the left of this man’s name on my personal ballot would bring so much emotion that a tear began to trickle down my cheek. Why a tear? A tear for the millions of Americans who shared my impossible dream of a new future; A tear for our tireless efforts to finally witness our dream become our new reality. A tear for every moment of every day of the last two years that I have not wavered in my devotion for this man whose name I did not know; this unnamed man who has continued to spread his message of hope that I heard for the “the very first time” http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/the-viery-first-time-596514.html when I had that one thought, that one naïve wish, and that one unimaginable dream, that this great man, Senator Barack Obama, could become President of the United States.
John McCain has been harassing, and pointing fingers at Barack Obama even after it has become evident that voters were running to the polls to vote for the change America has needed. McCain has continued to push non-issues about contributors, past supporters, and alluding to registration fraud, in hopes that no one will notice he knows “jack” about economical issues Americans are struggling with. I guess he figures he can change some independent voters by claiming there’s something scary about this the thoughtful, calm, intelligent man, we know as Obama. For those of you, who are still buying into McCain’s rhetoric, let me enlighten you. Prior to this 2008 election, I was a non-affiliated voter who made a decision the moment Obama announced his candidacy for President to register as a Democrat. I'm an Obama contributor. I'm probably not the kind of contributor John McCain is used to. I didn't go to an exclusive fundraising event and write a check for the maximum amount. I'm not a CEO who pressures his or her employees to contribute, nor am I one of the financial criminals whose greed has stolen nearly a trillion dollars from our Country.
I am a single mother of a special needs child, living on a fixed, low-income; most importantly I am an American. I have been an upstanding citizen, who has never been arrested, nor have I been an addict, nor have I associated with any questionable people other than many years ago when I was a professional counselor doing my job. I am like so many other American women who have experienced working in environments which have been paid up 25% less than a man when I was more qualified, more educated, or had more seniority over those men. I am struggling just as most Americans are, and I am just tired of how McCain keeps using rhetoric in which he believes me, and probably every other American, are stupid. We are all intelligent Americans, who want and need a great change in our Country. We are suffering in so many ways that McCain has never been able to connect with because he has NEVER been in our shoes, not even in “Jane and Joe Plumbers” shoes.
The reality is I'm just a woman who just turned fifty, who as a voter is making wise, informed decisions. It is because, and for all the reasons stated, I support Obama as President of Our United States of America. I am one of a million Obama contributors who give a meager five dollars here or there, spending hours volunteering, canvassing, and registering new voters or reregistering those who have moved since their last registration; no matter their affiliation. I do all of this without compensation from the campaign. It is for the first time in eight years, I have hope for my son, my other children, my grandchildren, and their children who will inherit a better America; an America that believes in supporting peace, that is prosperous, that reaches out to assist Countries outside our borders in their times of need; and an America that will once again be respected by other Countries from around the world.
Our posterity is counting on this time, this year, this NOW, to be the history in their textbooks that they read how their ancestors changed their lives, by going to the polls in the largest turnout ever; knowing that their vote, every single vote mattered. It mattered to all Americans to be sure that Barack Obama was elected because Americans wanted change and to move the Country, even in the worst of time, in a new direction, it mattered that democracy prevailed and that their lives were better because of it.
Obama/Biden 2008-2024
After the initial announcement of Alaska’s appointed committee that Palin violated an ethics law that governs the position of Alaska’s Governor, the media manage to give this story some minor coverage for a day and then, Poof the whole story disappeared. This was a significant ruling that affects this election, yet the media found it more important to discuss the race issue rather than how important this violation would affect a McCain/Palin Presidency.
What is a matter with people? Any reasonable person, not just all the college educated or intellectuals, would have to see the dangerousness of having Palin in the White House. Palin's entire platform of where she plans on taking our Country and how her right off the chart beliefs about government, environment, and foreign policy; should scare every voter in America. Even Alaskans are not only concerned for the lower forty-eight, but how Alaska is being poorly perceived since Palin was put on the republican ticket.
If McCain by some fluke is elected on November 4th, Palin is in a position to fundamentally change our Country by abusing the Power of the Vice President. She has already alluded to having her hands in changing all three of our branches of government and a step away from violating our Country’s Constitution. Now it wouldn't happen in one fast slap of her kid's hockey stick, but it would be a slow nudge here, and a little bit there while having her conservative base blindly supporting her every move; our founding fathers and mothers must be starting to roll over in their graves. If Palin was to somehow get within a hundred yards of our White House, the consequences could be more tragic than 9/11, Katrina, and the war in Iraq.
Voters need to remove the "lipstick" from their ears and their eyes, and check back into reality. Voters, especially Republicans, need to get more politically informed. Most voters don’t even read their voters pamphlet to vote on their state measures with enough interest to vote wisely. Why are Americans refusing to inform themselves of all the baggage she packed up in Alaska and is looking to unpack in our White House? It’s not over, more and more is being discovered about both Palin and her husband. What is it going to take to get Voters to WAKE UP!
Abuse of Power in her past is indicative of FUTURE behavior that will be brought into the White House. If anything, in Palin's case, the past behavior is only a small taste of what we would see when she promotes herself into the actual office of the President of the United States. And as has been said, that could be only one "last" heartbeat away.
At 4:58pm on October 3rd, 2008, a day after the VP debate, I heard it on CNN, and I could hardly believe my ears, but yes, a PUNDIT said: “yes, it is OVER!” The only way that McCain would have a chance in changing the momentum toward Barack Obama becoming the 44th President of the United States, would be if he could present a specific and believable, detailed plan to Americans on how he could actually fix America’s economy! Like that would ever happen.
After last week’s nose dive of the stock market, and watching congress bail out what many believe, are criminals of large financial institutions, Americans are completely fed up and disgusted with their government.
It doesn’t matter that both candidates voted for the “bail out” of the institutions, it doesn’t matter to Americans any more whether or not a woman or an African American becomes President, what is important to Americans, is their MONEY, or better said, the LACK thereof. Americans did not want the bail out in the first place, and now that the bail out is law, billions of dollars are being handed over to those who over the past decade have been extremely profitable and are now wanting money from every single American because they couldn’t even develop a budget and stick to it.
Bush said, “The bill I signed is a big step forward;” he is either on drugs, or has lost his mind! He is so out of touch with every man, woman, and child that will be bearing the incomprehensible cost of what was an appalling idea in the first place; criminal, just plain criminal. Does anyone really know how many people are on the fringes of criminality that are apart of this disastrous fiasco? Is anyone even bothering to ask?
This breakdown of America’s and the World’s financial stability, has unregistered democrats, registered independents & republicans alike, running as fast as they can, to vote early if possible, or joining democratic volunteering efforts, just so our new President will not be of the same party as the sitting President. Bush has presided over, an been responsible for these United States, for the last eight catastrophic years; just a reminder, President Clinton handed over to President Bush, a balanced budget, and a government without being trillions of dollars in debt. It is just so unimaginable for any American to grasp.
On the eve of October 6, 2008, there was a first ever detection by satellite, an asteroid plummeting toward earth, which will hit somewhere around Africa. Not that there is any correlation to the events of the day where the Dow dropped under 10,000 and saw for a momentary period of time, an eight hundred point loss. No, there is not a human on this planet that can predict when an asteroid is going to hit. But there were many humans who predicted what would happen today, last week, and the week before that. Actually these predictions were voiced years earlier, and one of those humans making those predictions was Barack Obama.
In the end, not that there is an end in site, those droves of voters running to vote away from the last eight years, are the same voters who are giving democrats, and our democratic presidential candidate’s current 339 electoral votes (http://www.fivethirtyeight.com), an immense boost on the way to the 375 electoral votes needed for A Heartbeat Away from a Landslide.
The Plastic Conspiracy October 1, 1958 American Express introduced their first credit card, which was purple and made from cardboard. Then In 1959, American Express introduced the first card made out of plastic. According to MasterCard, in the same year, the concept of offering the option of maintaining a revolving balance on the “plastic” card was introduced. This option was called the “Closed-loop system.” This new concept meant that cardholders could carry a balance on their “plastic” and make monthly payments, which included interest charges.
Fifty years to the date later, plastic has nearly bankrupted our Country, our financial institutions, and its citizens. You may be asking, how these two events, which happened a half century apart, could possibly be one of the biggest causes of our current financial nightmare. It is not that huge of a leap to figure it out. Over a period of decades, people learned that instant gratification is possible if they pulled the “plastic” out of their pocket book or wallet and purchased that “must have now” item. Generations of responsible citizens, previous to the introduction of “plastic” saved up enough money to purchase the item they desired; they just understood that it was going to take longer.
Today, our entire financial system is based on a balancing act between credit and currency. “Plastic” is not free, in actuality, there is a tremendous cost; and some of the cost is not just financial. Although much of the “plastic” pandemic is prevalent throughout all social-economic demographics, “plastic” is being spread like candy around college institutions to continue the concept of instant gratification and worry about how to pay later. Imagine a generation of Americans, the young adults of our time, who no longer have a clue how to spend within their means; or how to balance their own budget. This irresponsible and greedy act of financial institutions has created a post academic addiction to “plastic.” Now college students, not only leave college with student loan debt, but they also have “plastic” debt that may take years to pay off.
This “plastic” has become such a phenomenon that it doesn’t take much lurking around to discover whose wallet possesses “plastic.” However, herein is the hidden tragedy of this “plastic” conspiracy; millions of American homeowners are getting scammed into refinancing their home to pay off their “plastic” debt. This is where the swindling process begins. Prospective buyers are disheartened with the extensive amount of paperwork they are signing at the closing of the purchase of their home. In addition, there is little encouragement by those who know what is actually in-between the fine lines or small print of the documents, they are trying to read and sign. Eventually, homeowners discover at their peril, their monthly mortgage payments have significantly increased; but once again, they start making friends with their “plastic” they kept in their possession, with the idea of “for emergencies only”; well their emergency happened.
There have been emergencies in nearly all American’s households. Let’s list some of them:
1. Loss of employment (one or both “breadwinners”).
2. Unexpected healthcare issues, not covered by insurance.
3. Healthcare costs raising above ability to afford it.
4. Severe increase in Gasoline prices.
5. The cost of needs like food and regular household supplies, skyrocketing.
6. The tipping point when they no longer are able to stay afloat and file for bankruptcy.
7. Since the new bankruptcy laws were instituted, they are no longer able to keep their home.
8. The cost of rent is increasing as more and more homes are foreclosed on because there is a shortage of rentals
9. If they had a 401K or an IRA or any form of fixed and secure retirement fund it is slowly depleting.
10. Due to all of the above, they are now suffering from any number of psychological issues ranging from, situational anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, or even worsening of disorders they may already have.
LATER is now here. It’s rather easy to see the domino effect of the introduction of “plastic.” As people are no longer able to pay their mortgage, they lose their home to the lender. The lender now has an asset that depreciated because there is such an influx of foreclosures and they are not collecting any currency to continue operations of their respective institutions. Once the flow of currency is constricted, other businesses are affected. This sets in motion increased unemployment, which reduces the collection of taxes, and increases the National debt. The “plastic” conspiracy is more transparent as we watch the volatile financial market around the world spiral down to unbelievable lows; even though our government intervened to “bail out” the financial institutions that were part of the origin of the “plastic” conspiracy. The conspiracy has been exposed and now it is the ones who “dreamed up” such a scheme are the ones falling like a set of tipping Dominos.
Much has been discussed about the “War on middle the class” in response to our “plastic” economy. However, is it really a war; or is it a pervasive “plastic” plague that had its beginnings a half of a century ago? “Plastic” from its early beginnings, encouraged instant gratification purchases and the thoughts about a financial future began to seep into the economy; one “plastic” at a time. Now, fifty years later, “plastic” has crossed the line of credit and has tipped over the money bucket spilling what was left of real currency into the spiraling down markets, causing a crash of humongous proportions. The ultimate “plastic” conspiracy is that not only the possessors of “plastic,” but all Americans, will be carrying the burden of the concept introduced a half a Century ago known as the closed-loop system; far into the futures of many generations.
The “plastic” conspiracy needs to be thoroughly investigated if there is any chance of preventing this conspiracy from happening again.
I'm waiting for someone in the media to interview someone in the congressional or executive branch of government, or a well-renowned economist, or a trusted financial or stock market consultant; hey anyone at all that Americans would trust, to use the big "D" word and get over the so called 700 billion dollar bail out. This wildly contested congressional action or inaction is just a distraction that is keeping us from acknowledging the big "D", I have news for the news media and anyone being affected by our current financial crisis; we are in a "DEPRESSION;" come’ on admit it; you can do it, I know you can. Here, let me help you, say "DEPRESSION." No, you need to say it like you mean it. Let’s do it again; together – say “D-E-P-R-E-S-S-I-O-N.”
OK, that’s better. Finally, it’s out. There is no more hiding from reality.
Americans and people around the world are watching the stock market decline, banks failing, and mortgage and other corporate defaults increase by the hour. These events are creating so many fear responses such as, biting finger nails, watching their blood pressure rise, their anxiety level over-flowing into their financial decision making, These and many other fear responses are fixated on watching minute by minute, millions and even billions of their tax dollars pandering away. In this ominous time in the 21st century, Americans are tired of being treated like they are stupid. How stupid of those people who think we’re stupid. No more avoiding the truth; our Nation is in a great “DEPRESSION.”
Americans are currently watching the cog mire and much lack of cooperation within congress who are assigned to fix this humongous financial problem, fearing not only the outcome, but if they will be able to understand how the proposed fix will or will not effect their lives. Every aspect of the debate process is being scrutinizing by many of those who have been part of the problem. In those we trust, both the Senate and House of Representatives and all parties respectively; republicans, democrats, and independents are those who have been part of the problem. We have entrusted ours, and our children’s future in these officials, at the very most, are only going to place a band aid on this financially devastating crisis. Regardless of which color of band aid they use, there will be an enormous cost on the current and future generations of taxpayers.
Our current financial crisis mirrors another well-known 20th century financial disaster known as the 1929 stock market crash and aftermath of the Great Depression. It began with an economic boom over a period of time with Dow Jones breaking an all time high. Within two months of that record, the spiral began. There was not just one identifiable event that occurred, but many cumulative events that eventually triggered the collapse. Let’s have a synopsis review of that momentous era which occurred in the early years of the 20th Century history. Following is a list of many of those events that were factors which lead to the crash and the following depression:
Inequality of income distribution
very high unemployment
those who were employed had a dramatic reduction of wages
rapidly decreasing tax revenues due to the price of good that drastically reduced profits
excessive (9000) bank failures and large corporate defaults
depositors attempting to withdraw their deposits en mass, triggering multiple bank runs
Federal Reserve banking regulations prevented such panics were ineffective
people still lost billons in deposits and stocks
federal deficit spending
excessive credit
consumers defaulted on loans
nearly stalled production in industries, such as mining, farming, construction, and logging, especially in rural areas
overproduction of goods that consumers could no longer purchase
international trade at a near stand still
World War I-induced international economic problems
The sad thing about the 1929 collapse and the domino effect that lead to the Great Depression was predicted by certain economists. However, no one in government believed them at the time. The aftermath of the Stock Market crash took over 10 years before there was any noticeable improvement in the Country’s economy, employment rate and prosperity of any class of American. Oddly enough, this improvement was attributed to WW2, which gave jobs to men who were drafted into the war, and the subsequent jobs created for supporting the war, which put women in the workforce.
Information Compiled From Wikipedia; the online encyclopedia
Does this sound even a little bit familiar? Even the war, different name, Iraq, same economic problems.
It is time to introduce another concept you may have heard before: If you continue to do the same thing, you will get the same result. Thus, in order to get a different result, you need to change what you are doing. In other words, we all need to learn from previous mistakes that had undesirable results then apply the knowledge gained from those mistakes to avoid similar results,
It is a well-established fact that 50% of solving a problem is admitting the problem exists. Yes, say it again like you really believe it; “DEPRESSION.” Now that we are no longer in denial, let’s take a look at what the real facts are concerning the big “D.”
It has been said that 50% of solving a problem is admitting the problem exists. Let’s say it again, say it like you really believe it, “DEPRESSION.” Now that we are no longer in denial, this financial crisis is 50% solved. Now let's roll up our sleeves and get started solving the other 50%. This begins by listening to those who have had insight and have applied their insight and knowledge from previous events to our current crises. However, we all need to have selective hearing and be as informed as possible so that we trust those who can be trusted to lead all Americans out of the dyer catastrophe.
From the beginning there were warning signs and alarms going off a couple of years ago. These observations were voiced and expressed that if action wasn’t taken to avoid what we’re now experiencing, America would tumble right into the financial crises we are suffering from now. One of these alarmists, a fairly unknown man at the time, was Barack Obama. Obama saw a problem brewing and could see its future consequences. However, as before, no one listened; no one gave him the time of day because he was a “junior” Senator from Illinois. Nevertheless, Obama did not let his perceived lack of experience stop him from developing insightful ideas on how to avoid the financial crisis or actions that could be taken when then the crisis could no longer be averted. Now our Country is spiraling down the path he had previously warned congress about.
As events became more urgent, Obama began talks with experts and trusted individuals to receive sound economic and financial advice concerning our current disaster. With the input of these individuals, in his quite, thoughtful way we used his insightful judgment and outlined a detailed proposal of principles. Foremost on his agenda, was to make sure all taxpayers, great and small, were going to be financially protected. Obama was invited to participate in one of the first vital negotiations which was convened by congress. During these extremely important deliberations Obama proposed HIS detailed outline of the principals that he strongly recommended the committee to adopt.
Notably, Obama did not leave his campaign; he did not grandstand, nor become erratic in his behaviors or cancel any previous commitments he had made. Unlike his opponent, he waited until he was invited to participate. After the adjournment of the meeting he participated in, he gave a short statement to the media about the progress of the day’s events. He spoke to the media calmly and was believingly reassuring to the public. After his comments, he left as unassumingly as he arrived to prepare for the first Presidential debate of this general election. During these earth-shattering days since the Great Depression, Obama has proven he can lead our Country, through his calm, thoughtful insight while multi-tasking and without frustration or lack of intelligent judgment. As a result, members of congress have adopted, in principle, Obama’s plan to resolve this financial calamity.
Now, even under these uncertain times, a leader has shined. As citizens of America, not just democrats, but all citizens, need to support Obama and those of congress who are working hard to resolve these humungous issues we all face. This leader is one great man. He possess great abilities to act upon issues with thoughtful judgment, seeking input from other experts and knowledgeable individuals then making decisions based on trusted information he collected then using his insightful intelligence to make decisions based on his sound judgment. We need to trust and believe in those individuals that are doing everything they can to protect our interests and to safeguard ours and our children’s future inheritance of our Country.
The time is now. Millions and millions of Americans, and even so many others around the globe are watching the makings of a phenomenal President in these historic times. It will only be through our own involvement, voices and support that we will see the great change and hope for a new Country, a new world, and a new planet through the obvious leadership that Obama will provide.
Hi. my name is America, and I am in a Great. . . say it "DEPRESSION.”
As what Obama would say, “Let’s change the world and solve these problems together.”
Written September 24, 2008
I started watching my grandson at my daughter’s home again so that my daughter could continue to attend college to become a Nurse. After the four hours of tending him, I decided that I couldn’t possibly listen to another 4 teletubbie’s, 3 Caillou’s, and 2 Barney’s. Although, he is very happy to play by himself and loves watching these shows, my only part in this tending experience of a two and a half year-old is to be there to comfort him when he decides to be superman, and it doesn’t go very well. I am his Nana; however, I new I was going to need to entertain myself with more adult-like activities, or my daughter would return home to see her mother in a catatonic state with my grandson taking full advantage of non-supervision.
The next day, with laptop and earphones in hand, I signed onto the Obama site and started watching the video of Obama’s speech he was giving in Nevada; and as usual, just the words he speaks and the presence that he projects is remarkable. While watching the speech, I could hear the cheering crowds in the background, which at times was deafening. The massive crowd that was in attendance was responding to his words with cheers as much as I was. But today, while my grandson was going about his two and a half year old business, I started, for I don’t know how many times before, feeling Goosebumps creeping up throughout my body; but I also noticed something else; tears running down my face. I have had these Goosebumps nearly every time I have heard Obama giving a speech, but the flowing tears running down my cheeks, took me by surprise. I started to reflect upon my response to watching Obama’s speech, when I came to the conclusion that the tears were not for myself, but for my sweet little grandson’s uncertain future. I knew without a doubt that we, everyone of us, have been given Obama in this time, in our Country, on this earth, and in this NOW, not just for us, but for our children and for their children, who will be inheriting the world we leave them. It is my fervent belief that the only chance we have to give our children and their children a better Country, an environmentally friendly planet, and a more prosperous world, will be through the leadership of this great and awesome man.
Obama is here for our NOW, and for the future NOW of the next generations of Americans. It will take the efforts, not only from him, but the efforts and scarifies of all Americans to succeed in our common goal for change. Voting for Obama to be President of these United States is the only responsible action we should be taking on November 4th, 2008. With Obama as President, we will be given an opportunity to invest into the ideology of this new era Obama is ready to lead us into. It will only be through the actions of the many, rather than the actions of the unscrupulous few, to commit such effort towards the next eight years, and to be an interregnal part of this new ideology of change. As Americans, we need participate in this immense personal investment in order for this global inheritance to have any chance of trickling down to our posterity’s future.
As I watched my grandson go about his two and a half year-old day, I felt this overwhelming responsibility for the future he would eventually inherit. I am taking this responsibility very seriously. It is my conviction that the bright future I want, not only for my grandson, but for all the future grandchildren of America, will only come to pass if we very enthusiastically vote for the one and only man that we could possibly entrust our grandchildren to. This man, Obama, is the only person I know that can reach inside the innermost part of my soul and stir up these darn Goosebumps and sometimes the tears, just enough for them to escape; This is the man I am entrusting all of my grandchildren’s future to; the man I am voting for; and his name is Barack Obama.
I urge all of you who have, or will have, grandchildren, to vote on November 4th, 2008. It is our responsibility to vote for all those children who are too young, or are yet to be born, and to entrust their future in the next President of the United States, and his name is Barack Obama.
I'm waiting for someone, hey anyone that Americans would trust, to use the big "D" word. This wildly political race for President and the action or inactions of Congress is just a distraction to keep Americans and citizens around the world, from acknowledging the big "D", I have news for the news media and anyone being affected by our current financial crisis; we are in a "DEPRESSION;" come’ on admit it; you can do it, I know you can. Here, let me help you, say "DEPRESSION." No, you need to say it like you mean it. Let’s do it again; together – say “D-E-P-R-E-S-S-I-O-N.”
Go online a review the events of the 1929 stock market crash and the aftermath at Wikipedia; the online encyclopedia and you can see how those tragic times mirror our 21st century financial mess. The propaganda that is being spewed at you on every channel on your TV, are just efforts to keep you from doing what people did in 1929 when depositors attempted to withdraw their deposits en mass, triggering multiple bank runs, which triggered the domino effect of the Great Depression.
If you are conscious and breathing, you know how we have been suffering over the last several years. These events are creating many psychological responses in all of us such as, biting finger nails, watching blood pressure rise, anxiety level over-flowing into our financial decision making, and many other fear responses. Americans know any actions by congress is only a temporary band aid and regardless of which color of band aid congress uses, there are going to be enormous costs for current and future generations of taxpayers. In this ominous time in the 21st century, Americans are tired of being treated like they are stupid. How stupid are those people who think we’re stupid. No more avoiding the truth; our Nation is in a great “DEPRESSION.”
The sad thing about the Great Depression that began in 1929 is it was foretold some years prior to the event. However, no one in government believed these alarmists. There is a parity in their warnings to our current catastrophe. There was an alarmist, a fairly unknown man at the time, Barack Obama. Obama had insight that a problem was brewing and what the future consequences could be if action wasn’t taken immediately. However, as before, no one listened; no one gave Obama the time of day because he was a “junior” Senator from Illinois. Nevertheless, Obama did not let his perceived lack of experience stop him from developing insightful ideas on how to avoid the financial crisis or actions that could be taken if this financial crisis could no longer be averted.
Does this sound even a little bit familiar?
If you continue to do the same thing, you will get the same result. In order to get a different result from the previous Depression, we need to CHANGE what we are doing and learn from previous mistakes an apply the knowledge gained to avoid similar results,
There’s an idea that 50% of solving a problem is admitting the problem exists. Yes, say it again like you really believe it; “DEPRESSION.” Now that we are no longer in denial, 50% of the problem is solved. Now it is time to roll up our sleeves and get started solving the other 50%. We can start by having selective hearing; only listening to a trustworthy individual who warned us some time ago.
Over the last week, Obama, used his insightful judgment and outlined a detailed proposal of principles in a hearing to congressional individuals. Later, it was announced that Obama’s plan would be used as an outline for the bill that was to resolve, in part, this financial calamity.
Notably, unlike his opponent, Obama went about his previous commitments once his assistance was no longer needed. During these earth-shattering days, A leader has brightly shined. Obama proved he could multi-task without frustration, and use his intelligent judgment to lead us through this dramatic financial crisis.
In these historic times, we, and people around the globe are watching the makings of a phenomenal President. Once he is elected we will bring back hope for our Country, the world, and the beginnings of a new planet through the obvious leadership that Obama provides.
Hi. My name is 2008 America, and I am a Great. . . say it "DEPRESSION.”
There is a psychological concept known as the primacy and recency effect. In layman’s terms, it is the "first and last" effect. Basically, messages we hear first are stored in our long-term memory. And messages we hear later go into short-term memory and can be accessed shortly after their occurrence. Clearly, this effect will be of special importance as we get closer to Election Day.
When Senator Obama announced his candidacy, that defining moment was burned into everyone's long-term memory. His message, who he is, and where he started from were so refreshing that people stood up and noticed—not just Democrats, but Independents and Republicans too. This impression is now stored in their long-term memory; it is the primacy effect, whether they like it or not. It has helped him go from a virtual unknown to a household name in this country. Of course, Senator McCain also announced his candidacy. But how memorable was that moment, really?
Much of what was said or has occurred since the beginning of the campaign, even if it is in our long-term memory, has faded over time. It will not have much effect on persuading voters in the voting booth, especially not those who are still undecided..For that, the recency effect comes into play. The media always operates largely on short-term memory; in fact, media seems to have the shortest term memory in America. But the significance of the regency effect really kicks in toward the end of the campaign..
So, what will get those undecideds voting for Obama? It will all hang on the last week or two before the election. This is when Obama needs to shine, shine like he has never shined before. If he does, that message will be what the media captures, and what voters will take with them into the voting booth. If his message of hope and change comes through strongly at that time, the first and last effect will come together, and as he says, “turn the page” for this country.
If you ever want to know what our elected officials are voting on every day you may want to read further.
Below are the two Web sites for each legislative branch that gives information in regards to this discussion:
House of Representatives' daily Bills proposed and the actions of those bills Link: http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.html Select the date you wish to view.
Senate’s Bills presented on the floor for vote recently Link: http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/g_three_sections_with_teasers/legislative_home.htm
Under "Recent Floor Activity," Choose a date within the last five days, then select “Daily Digest.” Currently, today’s activities are not appearing on the site; you can only select yesterday's date. However, I believe this is because this entire day, September 23, 2008, has been devoted to the 700 billion dollar bale out.
