Welcome 2006!


I have to say that I am probably one of millions of people who are glad to see 2005 end tonight. This year, in a word, stunk. Between multiple political scandals, high death tolls in Iraq, and a year of natural disasters that just wouldn't quit, this year has to rank right up there as one of the worst years in modern history.

There is no one who has been untouched this year by at least one of the many stories of this year. Thousands were affected by the many hurricanes that hit the continental U.S. this year. Many of our brothers and sisters have died in Iraq either in the line of duty or due to insurgent activity. And then the many dramas out of D.C. have added to the trying times of this year.

What has affected me personally has come straight out of Washington D.C. and I am very angry about it. I'm poor. I honestly can not say I even qualify as middle-class. Nope, I am definately among the poor population of the United States. And 2005 has marked the biggest year for wiping out the poor population, not by making us rich but by making us even poorer. And I lay the blame squarely upon the very rich and selfish Republican party.

They House and Senate recently passed a cut in funding for programs such as medicare and medicaid. They did this right before they finally went on break for the holidays and were so very proud of having done so. They say this is the first cut in government spending to be made in 10 years. How come the cut in spending happens for the programs designed to help those of us who are poor, elderly and disabled? Why not cut the tax breaks for the rich? You know, the people who can afford it?

But oh no, we wouldn't want to make the rich pay, so let's make the poor. The cuts in medicaid and medicare are devasting for me. I have both. I became disabled while I was working. And do to changes in the law at the time anyone who was working when they became disabled had to have both insurances. I am so tired of being the fat cat's punching bag. I will NEVER EVER vote for a Republican again, even if the Republican is a good person. People like me have been royally screwed by the Republican party.

So as 2005 comes to a close, I can only think....GOOD RIDDANCE! Hello 2006 and may you be a better year. Happy New Year everyone.

Happy Holidays: Christmas In Crisis

Ok I have to talk about this because it's so absurd. Certain right-wing conservatives and religious groups are saying that we are at war with Christmas. That this country is trying to destroy Christmas because we say Happy Holidays in our cards instead of Merry Christmas. Even Bush has come under fire because his White House Christmas cards say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.

Now I am as far from a Bush supporter as you can get. I didn't vote for him in either election, I voted for his opponents. But this is not an area where I can criticize him or anyone else who says Happy Holidays for. Do you know how many major holidays come in December? Christmas is just one of many. The Jewish faith has Hannukah and I apologize if I spelled that wrong. African Americans have Kwanza. Again sorry if I spelled it wrong. And Muslims have Ramadan. Once again, sorry if it's spelled wrong. Also, one week after Christmas is New Year's.

What is wrong with saying Happy Holidays so that everyone knows you wish them a happy holiday season and a great and healthy New Year? It doesn't mean we are trying to kill Christmas. Personally, as such a public person I think it's only right that the official White House cards say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. That doesn't mean Bush and his family can't send out personal cards from their family saying Merry Christmas. But cards coming from the President in an official capacity should be all inclusive.

I celebrate Christmas. But my cards usually say Happy Holidays because they are for both Christmas and New Year's. This arguement by people like O'Reilly and the religious right are just plain ludicrous. There are far worse things in this world to complain about than this.