Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Judge me all you want.
I don't care what you think of me. I'm breastfeeding my kid until cold and flu season has passed. He's almost 14 months old, BUT he has not caught one single sickness that has raged through our household. With a batting average like that, I'm not changing a damn thing. Even if he bites me bloody once in awhile. I'd rather that then have a sick baby.
We Real Edumacated, We Is.
The greatest country on Earth is #14 in reading, #17 in science and #25 in math! Good thing we got rid of all those manufacturing jobs so we can put our super-educated populace to work doing all sorts of smarty-pants book learned jobs.
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/st_PISA1206_20101207.html
A side note: My Republican friends, if you want the "stray dogs" to quit gobbling up all those "handouts", perhaps you should ensure they recieve a decent education so as to be able to provide for themselves.
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/st_PISA1206_20101207.html
A side note: My Republican friends, if you want the "stray dogs" to quit gobbling up all those "handouts", perhaps you should ensure they recieve a decent education so as to be able to provide for themselves.
Monday, December 6, 2010
My Favorite Charities
This time of year, a lot of folks choose to donate money to charity...which is awesome! I just wanted to give a shout-out to some charities that are near and dear to my heart.
- The Canopy Center: The mission of the Canopy Center, Inc. is to prevent child abuse and neglect, strengthen families, and promote healing of those affected by abuse, through the provision of culturally competent and diverse professional, volunteer and peer services. http://www.canopycenter.org/
- Madison Mutts: Madison Mutts is an all-breed dog rescue based in southern Wisconsin that supports animal rescue shelters throughout the upper Midwest. We take in dogs that, through no fault of their own, are sitting on "death row". We provide them a safe, nurturing home environment, any necessary medical care, emotional support and the training they need in order to find a new home.http://www.madisonmutts.org/
- NAMI: From its inception in 1979, NAMI has been dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. For three decades, NAMI has established itself as the most formidable grassroots mental health advocacy organization in the country. Dedication, steadfast commitment and unceasing belief in NAMI's mission by grassroots advocates have produced profound changes. NAMI's greatest strength is the dedication of our grassroots leaders and members. We are the families, friends and individuals that serve to strengthen communities across the country. http://www.nami.org/
Monday, November 15, 2010
Can someone tell me what is wrong with "socialized" healthcare?
I was thinking today about the BENEFITS of having every single American covered under the same health care plan. Here are some bullet points of my conversation with myself:
1. Working Americans make MORE money! How is this so? No more health care deductions from your paycheck and your employer has a lot more money to distribute in the form of salary. Will your taxes go up? Probably. But certainly not as much as $150-300 per month, which is what most people pay for "family coverage." How do I figure you'll get a raise? Well, years ago I worked for a company that had probably around 100 people insured. Each MONTH, their check to the insurance company (which I mailed out, so I saw it) was for about $26,000. Take that $26,000, divide it by 100. That's an extra $260 per MONTH that could be given to you as wages, which adds up to over $3000 a year. More income=more spending=healthier economy.
2. Not to mention that we'd eliminate around 50-60% of all bankruptcy filings, which lowers overall costs of goods and services for everyone.
3. Healthy people are able to be more productive workers and work longer. Again, this boosts our economy by lowering the cost of things like sick leave, disability leave and having to hire when someone becomes too sick to work anymore.
4. If we provide health care to every citizen, we say that every citizen matters and that we care. When someone feels cared for, they feel empowered, and as a result, I predict that we would see a reduction in crime and other anti-social behavior. Certainly we'd be able to treat the mental illness and addiction that often lead people to commit crime in the first place.
5. You would receive consistent care. If we're all covered by the same insurance, no matter where we live, no matter what job we have, there's a continuity in care. No more switching doctors every time you switch jobs OR every time your employer switches benefits. Patients will have better relationships with their providers, which definitely means better health care. When you move, you won't have to jump through hoops to get your health history to a new provider because it's all in one system.
6. People will no longer be forced to stay at jobs that make them unhappy just for the health benefits. People will be free to pursue their dreams or attain higher education without worry. I believe this will greatly improve our country. Imagine what that could mean for innovation in America. Not to mention that happy people are healthier people and healthier people are cheaper to insure.
7. If everyone has health insurance, it will lower costs overall. More people=bigger risk pool. Plus, anyone can access preventative care services, instead of being forced to wait until that lump gets bigger or until that cough becomes pneumonia. Mammograms, pap smears, prostate checks, blood work, yearly exams...all these things catch disease early, and the earlier a disease is caught, the easier and less drastic the treatment. This adds up to cost savings. Even some insurance companies understand this: some of them give you reduced copays or premiums if you visit a doctor and/or dentist for the recommended amount of basic checkups, because they know that they'll save money in the long run to do a filling vs. a root canal or a mammogram vs. a mastectomy. Heck, maybe even the government will give you a tax credit for consistently following through with preventative care.
8. You won't have to keep track of all the little intricacies of your insurance that, for some people, change every single year. Providers will have it easier by only dealing with one insurance company instead of hundreds. In fact, it's highly likely that providers will save money by reducing the administrative costs associated with battling insurance companies who randomly decide to deny a procedure or battling with patients when they are suddenly stuck with a large bill that insurance won't pay, lowering the cost of care overall. These savings will be passed down to the government, who will pass the savings on to us.
Am I wrong?
1. Working Americans make MORE money! How is this so? No more health care deductions from your paycheck and your employer has a lot more money to distribute in the form of salary. Will your taxes go up? Probably. But certainly not as much as $150-300 per month, which is what most people pay for "family coverage." How do I figure you'll get a raise? Well, years ago I worked for a company that had probably around 100 people insured. Each MONTH, their check to the insurance company (which I mailed out, so I saw it) was for about $26,000. Take that $26,000, divide it by 100. That's an extra $260 per MONTH that could be given to you as wages, which adds up to over $3000 a year. More income=more spending=healthier economy.
2. Not to mention that we'd eliminate around 50-60% of all bankruptcy filings, which lowers overall costs of goods and services for everyone.
3. Healthy people are able to be more productive workers and work longer. Again, this boosts our economy by lowering the cost of things like sick leave, disability leave and having to hire when someone becomes too sick to work anymore.
4. If we provide health care to every citizen, we say that every citizen matters and that we care. When someone feels cared for, they feel empowered, and as a result, I predict that we would see a reduction in crime and other anti-social behavior. Certainly we'd be able to treat the mental illness and addiction that often lead people to commit crime in the first place.
5. You would receive consistent care. If we're all covered by the same insurance, no matter where we live, no matter what job we have, there's a continuity in care. No more switching doctors every time you switch jobs OR every time your employer switches benefits. Patients will have better relationships with their providers, which definitely means better health care. When you move, you won't have to jump through hoops to get your health history to a new provider because it's all in one system.
6. People will no longer be forced to stay at jobs that make them unhappy just for the health benefits. People will be free to pursue their dreams or attain higher education without worry. I believe this will greatly improve our country. Imagine what that could mean for innovation in America. Not to mention that happy people are healthier people and healthier people are cheaper to insure.
7. If everyone has health insurance, it will lower costs overall. More people=bigger risk pool. Plus, anyone can access preventative care services, instead of being forced to wait until that lump gets bigger or until that cough becomes pneumonia. Mammograms, pap smears, prostate checks, blood work, yearly exams...all these things catch disease early, and the earlier a disease is caught, the easier and less drastic the treatment. This adds up to cost savings. Even some insurance companies understand this: some of them give you reduced copays or premiums if you visit a doctor and/or dentist for the recommended amount of basic checkups, because they know that they'll save money in the long run to do a filling vs. a root canal or a mammogram vs. a mastectomy. Heck, maybe even the government will give you a tax credit for consistently following through with preventative care.
8. You won't have to keep track of all the little intricacies of your insurance that, for some people, change every single year. Providers will have it easier by only dealing with one insurance company instead of hundreds. In fact, it's highly likely that providers will save money by reducing the administrative costs associated with battling insurance companies who randomly decide to deny a procedure or battling with patients when they are suddenly stuck with a large bill that insurance won't pay, lowering the cost of care overall. These savings will be passed down to the government, who will pass the savings on to us.
Am I wrong?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Scott Walker: STFU
You are not the governor yet. STFU. When you are governor, maybe still STFU. But definately now. You look like a disrespectful asshole right now.
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_dd7e8186-edc2-11df-8449-001cc4c03286.html
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_dd7e8186-edc2-11df-8449-001cc4c03286.html
Friday, November 5, 2010
If I could give you only one piece of breastfeeding advice...
My one piece of breastfeeding advice would be this: don't give up!
My son is, as of today, one year and 2 weeks old. And we still share a good breastfeeding relationship. I am very proud of this accomplishment, I really am. At one point, six weeks was my goal. Made it that far, and then six months was my goal. At one year, I've exceeded my goal.
Here are some "booby-traps" we fell into, and how we got out of them.
When Max was born, he was born tongue-tied. I got a breast pump and he got his tongue clipped.
I was so sore and miserable for 2-3 weeks from all the latch issues Max had as a result of his being born tongue-tied. I set a goal...if my breasts are still sore after 6 weeks, I can quit. By 4 weeks, I was fine.
Sometime around 4 months, my supply dropped for about a week. Max was miserable. I was miserable. I tried everything under the sun: teas, potions, oatmeal. Nothing really helped. In a moment of desperation, we prepared a bottle of formula, which we had only because we'd received all sorts of free samples...and I'm sure this is their sneaky, slimy sales tactic. Max wouldn't take formula and I'm glad he refused it, because with no other option we kept at it and we got over the hump. He didn't lose weight or have any real significant problems other than a few nights of being hungry.
Max did start a combination of breast milk and formula at 5 months, because I wasn't producing enough during the day to keep up with his demand at daycare. He drank about one bottle of formula a day. At 8 months, I quit pumping because he was eating enough food and I got tired of pumping because by this point I was hardly producing one full bottle. He got formula and solids at daycare and I breastfed him in the morning and when I got home from work. At one year old, this is the pattern we still follow...except he's off of formula and on to whole milk. When will I stop? Whenever we are both ready. I've found that setting a date is kind of meaningless, because babies don't understand the concept of a calendar.
And at one year of age, it's so different than it is at 1 month. It's a relaxed, casual thing, and mostly I nurse him for his comfort and for the immunities he gets from the breastmilk (which is great, since we're getting into cold and flu season...and my son has hardly ever been sick, despite my husband and I and his daycare companions having all sorts of nasty bugs). Each month gets easier when it comes to breastfeeding: the baby gets a little less demanding, you get a little more used to the routine.
I know how fortunate I am, and I know that we're not all this fortunate. But looking back, there were so many instances where either I told myself or others told me to give up. And I didn't. I remember that I felt a little ashamed when Max's daycare provider suggested she add a little formula in because I wasn't pumping enough. I had a healthy, happy baby boy...what did I have to feel bad about? There's too much shame and judgement around breastfeeding in our society. And there's also not very much good breastfeeding support and information either. I only write this to encourage other moms to keep going if they can!
My son is, as of today, one year and 2 weeks old. And we still share a good breastfeeding relationship. I am very proud of this accomplishment, I really am. At one point, six weeks was my goal. Made it that far, and then six months was my goal. At one year, I've exceeded my goal.
Here are some "booby-traps" we fell into, and how we got out of them.
When Max was born, he was born tongue-tied. I got a breast pump and he got his tongue clipped.
I was so sore and miserable for 2-3 weeks from all the latch issues Max had as a result of his being born tongue-tied. I set a goal...if my breasts are still sore after 6 weeks, I can quit. By 4 weeks, I was fine.
Sometime around 4 months, my supply dropped for about a week. Max was miserable. I was miserable. I tried everything under the sun: teas, potions, oatmeal. Nothing really helped. In a moment of desperation, we prepared a bottle of formula, which we had only because we'd received all sorts of free samples...and I'm sure this is their sneaky, slimy sales tactic. Max wouldn't take formula and I'm glad he refused it, because with no other option we kept at it and we got over the hump. He didn't lose weight or have any real significant problems other than a few nights of being hungry.
Max did start a combination of breast milk and formula at 5 months, because I wasn't producing enough during the day to keep up with his demand at daycare. He drank about one bottle of formula a day. At 8 months, I quit pumping because he was eating enough food and I got tired of pumping because by this point I was hardly producing one full bottle. He got formula and solids at daycare and I breastfed him in the morning and when I got home from work. At one year old, this is the pattern we still follow...except he's off of formula and on to whole milk. When will I stop? Whenever we are both ready. I've found that setting a date is kind of meaningless, because babies don't understand the concept of a calendar.
And at one year of age, it's so different than it is at 1 month. It's a relaxed, casual thing, and mostly I nurse him for his comfort and for the immunities he gets from the breastmilk (which is great, since we're getting into cold and flu season...and my son has hardly ever been sick, despite my husband and I and his daycare companions having all sorts of nasty bugs). Each month gets easier when it comes to breastfeeding: the baby gets a little less demanding, you get a little more used to the routine.
I know how fortunate I am, and I know that we're not all this fortunate. But looking back, there were so many instances where either I told myself or others told me to give up. And I didn't. I remember that I felt a little ashamed when Max's daycare provider suggested she add a little formula in because I wasn't pumping enough. I had a healthy, happy baby boy...what did I have to feel bad about? There's too much shame and judgement around breastfeeding in our society. And there's also not very much good breastfeeding support and information either. I only write this to encourage other moms to keep going if they can!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
I Love You, Russ Feingold
Just wanted to publicly (to all 3 people who read this) state that I personally am very grateful and appreciative of all Russ Feingold has done for the State of Wisconsin and the United States of America.
It is a damn, damn shame that one of the most respected, independent politicians out there was ousted by a millionaire who got bored and wanted to go play in DC. With the help of a shitload of outside corporate money, he was able to buy himself a big ol' seat in the senate. It's senseless and disturbing.
Anyway, I look forward to what Senator Feingold will do in the future...vice president? President? Secretary of State? Who knows. I'm sad to see you go, Russ. Really, really sad. But I hope that this closing door is only the beginning.
And, to close...here's some interesting facts, courtesy of Mother Jones.
It is a damn, damn shame that one of the most respected, independent politicians out there was ousted by a millionaire who got bored and wanted to go play in DC. With the help of a shitload of outside corporate money, he was able to buy himself a big ol' seat in the senate. It's senseless and disturbing.
Anyway, I look forward to what Senator Feingold will do in the future...vice president? President? Secretary of State? Who knows. I'm sad to see you go, Russ. Really, really sad. But I hope that this closing door is only the beginning.
And, to close...here's some interesting facts, courtesy of Mother Jones.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Everytime I see this ad, I start screaming at the TV.
First of all, take a look for yourself at this campaign ad.
Are you screaming too?
If you are wealthy and your $150 per month healthcare premiums are just peanuts because that's what you spend on shoes every month anyway, well, then, good for you. And when you can afford to access any and all healthcare services under the sun because most of them are even cheaper than your vacation home on the beach, well then, good for you. You and I are on two different wavelengths.
For the rest of us, here is why I nearly jump out of my skin with rage when I see this ad featuring Scott Walker's running mate, Rebecca "Crazy Eyes" Kleefisch:
Crazy Eyes Kleefisch says: "[America has] the highest quality healthcare system in the world..."
Let's look at some facts, shall we? I know, I know. Politicians HATE facts. But let's do it anyway, for shits and giggles!
1. According to the most recent Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) report on the Maternal Mortality Rate, the United States ranked 39th in the entire world for maternal death.
2. The United States is 33rd in the world for infant mortality, according to the United Nations Population Division (and no, Crazy Eyes, that's not including abortions).
3. We're ranked 38th in the entire world for overall life expectancy, according to The United Nations.
If we indeed have the HIGHEST QUALITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN THE WORLD (her words), how can you explain this? Something as simple and natural as childbirth and we rank 39th in the WORLD? Can you guess what the top 10 MMR countries have in common? Give up? They provide healthcare for every citizen. And my guess is that if you researched the other statistics, you'd find the same result.
Crazy Eyes Kleefisch says: "[A Government run health] plan would increase costs..."
But what are the real costs associated with privatized healthcare? Yes, the emergency room has to treat you if you are having a medical emergency. But what happens if you have no insurance and can't pay your bill, because your bill is likely to be in the range of $5,000-$100,000?
"Increasingly, hospitals are shifting costs to those who can pay," said Wynn Bailey, partner and health care expert with consulting firm AT Kearney. "That's the government, private insurers and the self-insured." Bailey said hospitals are negotiating higher treatment rates with insurance companies to offset the bad debt. In turn, commercial insurance providers are charging higher premiums to their clients, both businesses and individuals, to cover their cost increases. As businesses struggle with their employee health care costs, they are shifting a higher percentage of overall premiums to their workers. --CNN.com, "Underinsured Americans: Cost to you", March 2009.
And how about the fact that well over half of all bankrupcies filed in the US are as a result of health care costs...and, of those, over 75% had some form of health insurance!
Not to mention the fact that people DIE in this country from lack of health care at rate of about 1 death every 11 minutes. According to a Harvard study, somewhere in the neighborhood of 45,000 deaths annually can be attributed to lack of health care. And that figure will rise, since in 2010 the number of uninsured Americans increased by 4.3 million. Are we counting that as a cost, Crazy Eyes?
Crazy Eyes Kleefisch says: "[Tom Barrett wants to] put government in charge of our healthcare choices."
WHAT CHOICES? Really. What "low cost, world's greatest" choices are available for the average American making less that 6 figures without health care? 50.7 MILLION Americans do not have health insurance. That's 16.7% of us.
This witch is so out of touch it's frightening. Really, really frightening.
Are you screaming too?
If you are wealthy and your $150 per month healthcare premiums are just peanuts because that's what you spend on shoes every month anyway, well, then, good for you. And when you can afford to access any and all healthcare services under the sun because most of them are even cheaper than your vacation home on the beach, well then, good for you. You and I are on two different wavelengths.
For the rest of us, here is why I nearly jump out of my skin with rage when I see this ad featuring Scott Walker's running mate, Rebecca "Crazy Eyes" Kleefisch:
Crazy Eyes Kleefisch says: "[America has] the highest quality healthcare system in the world..."
Let's look at some facts, shall we? I know, I know. Politicians HATE facts. But let's do it anyway, for shits and giggles!
1. According to the most recent Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) report on the Maternal Mortality Rate, the United States ranked 39th in the entire world for maternal death.
2. The United States is 33rd in the world for infant mortality, according to the United Nations Population Division (and no, Crazy Eyes, that's not including abortions).
3. We're ranked 38th in the entire world for overall life expectancy, according to The United Nations.
If we indeed have the HIGHEST QUALITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN THE WORLD (her words), how can you explain this? Something as simple and natural as childbirth and we rank 39th in the WORLD? Can you guess what the top 10 MMR countries have in common? Give up? They provide healthcare for every citizen. And my guess is that if you researched the other statistics, you'd find the same result.
Crazy Eyes Kleefisch says: "[A Government run health] plan would increase costs..."
But what are the real costs associated with privatized healthcare? Yes, the emergency room has to treat you if you are having a medical emergency. But what happens if you have no insurance and can't pay your bill, because your bill is likely to be in the range of $5,000-$100,000?
"Increasingly, hospitals are shifting costs to those who can pay," said Wynn Bailey, partner and health care expert with consulting firm AT Kearney. "That's the government, private insurers and the self-insured." Bailey said hospitals are negotiating higher treatment rates with insurance companies to offset the bad debt. In turn, commercial insurance providers are charging higher premiums to their clients, both businesses and individuals, to cover their cost increases. As businesses struggle with their employee health care costs, they are shifting a higher percentage of overall premiums to their workers. --CNN.com, "Underinsured Americans: Cost to you", March 2009.
And how about the fact that well over half of all bankrupcies filed in the US are as a result of health care costs...and, of those, over 75% had some form of health insurance!
Not to mention the fact that people DIE in this country from lack of health care at rate of about 1 death every 11 minutes. According to a Harvard study, somewhere in the neighborhood of 45,000 deaths annually can be attributed to lack of health care. And that figure will rise, since in 2010 the number of uninsured Americans increased by 4.3 million. Are we counting that as a cost, Crazy Eyes?
Crazy Eyes Kleefisch says: "[Tom Barrett wants to] put government in charge of our healthcare choices."
WHAT CHOICES? Really. What "low cost, world's greatest" choices are available for the average American making less that 6 figures without health care? 50.7 MILLION Americans do not have health insurance. That's 16.7% of us.
This witch is so out of touch it's frightening. Really, really frightening.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Living in the Moment
The remarkable thing about babies is that they live in the moment, and I think there's a great wisdom in following suit. Living in the moment in this cubicle isn't so great nor would I get much accomplished if I did so, but knowing how to stop on a sunny day and just be...listen to the wind in your ears, the feel of the pavement beneath your feet, the warmth of the sun on your skin...it's an invaluable skill that takes practice and patience and is worth it.
Sometimes it's hard to find the beauty in life. But maybe that's what makes the beautiful things in life so beautiful. Because you have to really look for them, they don't just pour themselves all over you. They are hidden treasures.
Sometimes it's hard to find the beauty in life. But maybe that's what makes the beautiful things in life so beautiful. Because you have to really look for them, they don't just pour themselves all over you. They are hidden treasures.
Talkin' Shit
I think it is important to make sure that you listen to points of view that may counter your own. I tend to lean left, so I have a few righties I go to, and in all honesty, sometimes I am all "Hell yeah!" about what they have to say. There are some people on "the other side" I respect greatly.
That is, until like 2 months before an election.
All the sudden, focus shifts from important issues to just straight-up shit talking anyone on the "other side." My guess is the lefties are doing the same thing, and sometimes I notice it and sometimes I don't.
It's as if a war breaks out, and we all have to pick a side or die in the crossfire.
The same goes for the politicians themselves. They widdle everything down into a few key talking points, refuse to go after any issue that might brand them as unelectable, and just become boring little puppets for a few months. Not to mention the mud slinging campaign ads. I think the worst campaign ads are the ones that are paid for by seemingly independent groups, when really it's not hard to figure out what political party is behind it.
Sigh. I look forward to November 3rd.
That is, until like 2 months before an election.
All the sudden, focus shifts from important issues to just straight-up shit talking anyone on the "other side." My guess is the lefties are doing the same thing, and sometimes I notice it and sometimes I don't.
It's as if a war breaks out, and we all have to pick a side or die in the crossfire.
The same goes for the politicians themselves. They widdle everything down into a few key talking points, refuse to go after any issue that might brand them as unelectable, and just become boring little puppets for a few months. Not to mention the mud slinging campaign ads. I think the worst campaign ads are the ones that are paid for by seemingly independent groups, when really it's not hard to figure out what political party is behind it.
Sigh. I look forward to November 3rd.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Capitalism
I don't mind Capitalism. I think it affords opportunites to anyone willing to work for them. The problem with Capitalism in this country is that those at the top have no regard for those at the bottom who hold them up and make their wealth possible. I almost wonder if shows like "Undercover Boss" are just a Republican fluff piece to show us common folk that those CEOs really care. But we don't need sappy music and pats on the back. We need healthcare! We need competitve wages! We need education! Those at the top pour massive amounts of money into the pockets of politicians to ensure that they can continue to have enough money to pour into the pockets of politicians so that they can get these politicians to oppose things like health care for everyone, which may, God forbid, take a few pennies out of their pockets. Meanwhile, they fire Americans and send American jobs overseas to nasty, unregulated shit holes that send back lead-poisoned toys and plastics that pour endocrine disruptors into our bloodstreams. Our 6 year old girls have DD breasts and our 10 year old boys can't do math and no one can figure out why as they fill their Wal-Mart shopping cart with cheap Chinese shit.
Honestly, are we past the point of rescue? Clearly the people in power are OBSESSED with profit and aren't willing to be a part of their global communities, lest their stock falls a point or two. How does a human being end up like that? Why are we a nation of "ME ME ME!" These are NOT the United States. We are far from united when we are unwilling to meet the BASIC needs of our neighbors and friends.
Honestly, are we past the point of rescue? Clearly the people in power are OBSESSED with profit and aren't willing to be a part of their global communities, lest their stock falls a point or two. How does a human being end up like that? Why are we a nation of "ME ME ME!" These are NOT the United States. We are far from united when we are unwilling to meet the BASIC needs of our neighbors and friends.
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