Arlen Specter, this is just fraud.

I voted for Arlen Specter when I lived in PA. To me it seemed he listened to his constituents views and actually took them into consideration. I didn't agree with some of his views - I'm a liberal pro-choice Democrat - but I also realized that there would never be any person whose views would match mine 100%. So I voted for the person I thought would be the best for my state.

I didn't expect Specter to change his views when he joined the Democratic party. But I did expect him to stay the fundamentally honest person he always was. Until I saw this ad for Specter for the Cure. If one were to judge by the title one would think that is an advocacy group of some sort.

Scrolling down the page, comes the answer to what Specter for the Cure really is: a fundraising site for Arlen Specter. Here's the blurb on page one that gives up what the site is really about, in down near the bottom:

Specter for the Cure - Cures Acceleration Network (CAN) Act Turning Research into Cures

(snip)

Senator Specter has launched “Specter for the Cure”, a bold new initiative to reform our government’s medical research efforts, cut red tape and unstrangle the hope for accelerated cures.

The sufferers of cancer, autism, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and too many other afflictions have waited long enough. It’s time we unleashed the cure.

The centerpiece of Specter for the Cure is legislation to transform medical research by creating the Cures Acceleration Network (“CAN”) – a new institution, answering to the President of the United States, the sole mission of which is to turn medical research into disease cures.

(snip)

In 2010, Arlen Specter will seek re-election to the United States Senate. Without Arlen Specter back in the Senate to see it through, Specter for the Cure could be lost to the ordinary politics of Washington that kills real change.

(snip)

Become a member, today, of Specter for the Cure. Please contribute to Senator Specter’s re-election Committee – Citizens for Arlen Specter. All contributions, of any amount, will be gratefully welcomed. Those who sign up to donate $10 each month for ten months, will receive members only information on the Senator’s effort to transform medical research and accelerate cures.

Tell the Congress, the President, and the world, that the time to accelerate cures has come.

Together, we “CAN” do it

This is a screenshot of the contact page. There is no way to tell that this site is a fundraising site for Arlen Specter, just a contact for "Specter for the Cure".

This is a deceptive way to raise money for a 2009 run. The group running this website is "Citizens for Specter", the same fundraising group that raised money for Specter in 2008. Most people don't read the fine print on fundraising ads, but this is a prime example of why people should.

Shame on you, Arlen Specter.

Dear Senator Specter

Welcome to the Democratic Party! I lived in Philadelphia for many years and you were the only Republican candidate I ever voted for. You always seemed to listen to your constituants and overall, we (Democrats and Republicans) were pleased, otherwise we wouldn't not have reelected you so many times. You actually served your constituants, which somepeople might consider a novelty in this hyperpartisan age.

I know you are now what is considered a center right Democrat and there is one issue I want to nudge you on: EFCA. I know you don't like it, but Americans need EFCA to ensure they have a real choice when it come to union membership. Having the Republicans lie about the fact no secret ballet elections will be allowed is a fallacy that needs to go away. Even if you are opposed to EFCA, if you could present the facts, that would be a good thing.

Health care reform or smoke and mirrors?

This is going to be short since I have to get to PT.

I received an email from Healthcare-Now! this morning. I have bolded the bits that I think are important.

We need your help getting a single-payer supporter into Senate Finance Committee roundtable discussions on healthcare reform. The Finance Committee (Led by Sen. Max Baucus - MT) is holding three roundtable discussions on healthcare reform in the coming weeks.

The first discussion, titled “Reforming America’s Health Care Delivery System,” on April 21st, had thirteen witnesses. Aetna was there. Blue Cross Blue Shield was there. But not one single-payer supporter was invited.

This is unacceptable. We need to make sure our representatives respond to the demands of the people. Together, let’s put the Senate Finance Committee to the test and demand they include single-payer experts at the upcoming Roundtable discussions on health reform.

The next two discussions are on May 5th(”Increasing access to health care coverage”) and May 14th (”Financing comprehensive health care reform”.

Here is the link for Healthcare-NOW! that includes more information. If your congressperson is on this committee, please write them and let them know you support Single-Payer healthcare for the American people. Americans deserve no less.

Good Monday!

It's been awhile due to a biceps tendon causing lots of pain. I had a biceps tenodesis performed on March 6th so I am on the road to recovery.

It's been fun (and frightening) to watch the economy these days. Could the Republicans and Conservadems (thanks Rachel Maddow for that great word) possibly be more obstructionist? The seem so intent on being the contrarians that they are forgetting their slowing down what the administration wants to do is slowing down the recovery for their constituents. I'm not sure they are know the meaning of the word constituent, but it means the people who vote them in (and OUT) every so often. These people are losing their jobs, their homes, their medical care, and you are playing politics?

Here a hint: start playing nice with others and solve this economic mess that was caused years of deregulation and people being downright greedy.

Things I read in the paper, 02/18/09

New Tolkien book is due

It's about time! I mean, how often can a person reread the Trilogy? The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun predates Rings. My guess is , judging by the names, there's a little Norse influence here. Tolkien wrote it in the 1920's and '30. Now the hard part: we have to wait until May. It's just like waiting for the Star Wars opening, but I don't know if people will wear costumes for this.

Health Care: My Hotbutton Issue

Here's the link to the Obama/Biden health care plan, so you can learn more.

Sneaky aren't I. Yes I will make you go to the sources yourself. Why? Because you should always research things on your own and decide for yourself. People keep telling you things about Obama, but have you taken time to find out the real deal for yourself?

Back to (un)reality.

It's been hard to keep up this blog. Why? I can sum it up in one word: lupus. It does things to you that you never really expect. There's that pesky "mind fog", which people with fibromyalgia will know very well. For those who don't, imagine trying to function mentally when you've had two too many drinks. Then there's the fatigue, which is indescribable, so I won't even try.

I've go a great rheumatologist, and I'm on a great new combination of meds. I actually think I can function at about 80% of normal, which is better than the 40% I've been averaging for the past couple of years. Which is very good, considering this is time we all should be be busy making sure our country gets headed in the right direction again!