i posted this to facebook, too, and i realize that one of the problems of posting notes to facebook is that, primarily, we are "friends" or friends of friends of like minded people and so we are preaching to the choir. i also happen to have others with whom i am friends - and family - with whom i do not agree but with whom i can have intelligent dialogue and sometimes simply agree to disagree. i started the "note" several days ago when the republicans first announced they were going to try to repeal the Health Care Reform Act. but, atypically, i didn't hit "send" without sitting on it for awhile. after the events of yesterday in arizona, it's more apparent than ever that this insanity has to stop and those who purport to be "leaders" need to be held accountable for their actions however innocuous they may pretend them to be.

i am posting it here to "further weavings" as i have folks stop by here from time to time who send me emails and as awkward or amateurish as it may be, it is very, very important to me and those i love. even to many whom i don't even know. it is also a sore subject between a lot of people but this is just my opinion - even though an english teacher told me once that you never have to say "it's my opinion" because everyone will know that as you are the author. anyway . . .

i'm not a politician, lawyer, doctor or anything else with an alphabet behind its title. i'm not a professional speaker, accomplished writer or anything else that qualifies me to think my opinion is of any value. i am first and foremost a human being like everyone else and then i'm a mom, daughter, step-daughter, friend, co-worker, etc. - the first two roles, human being and mom, being the most important and probably the ones i've made the most mistakes with.

i'm also not left-wing, right-wing, democrat or republican - i try to vote on the issues when it comes to politics and i try to educate myself as to the issues rather than take someone else's word for what a bill says or a politician believes. anyone who passes judgment on something or someone or attempts to speak with a level of authority on an issue without familiarizing themselves with the facts is as dangerous as someone with a loaded gun. sadly, that seems to be what happened yesterday in arizona.

paul krugman of the new york times wrote that while ". . . we don’t have proof yet that this (the shootings in arizona) was political, the odds are that it was. She’s (Representative Giffords) been the target of violence before. And for those wondering why a Blue Dog Democrat, the kind Republicans might be able to work with, might be a target, the answer is that she’s a Democrat who survived what was otherwise a GOP sweep in Arizona, precisely because the Republicans nominated a Tea Party activist. . . . And yes, she (Giffords) was on Sarah Palin’s infamous “crosshairs” list. Just yesterday, Ezra Klein remarked that opposition to health reform was getting scary. Actually, it’s been scary for quite a while, in a way that already reminded many of us of the climate that preceded the Oklahoma City bombing. You know that Republicans will yell about the evils of partisanship whenever anyone tries to make a connection between the rhetoric of Beck, Limbaugh, etc. and the violence I fear we’re going to see in the months and years ahead. But violent acts are what happen when you create a climate of hate. And it’s long past time for the GOP’s leaders to take a stand against the hate-mongers." end quote

i happen to agree with krugman's (and klein's) statementsi've been saying for quite some time that i was afraid given some of the tactics and subtle (and not so subtle) messages certain "leaders" were taking and making. all it takes is someone who is not in their right mind to take those messages to the extreme and sadly, again, that is exactly what seems to have happened. no one can be inside the head of the tuscon shooter - who would want to be? but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out from where he took his cues.

i can also empathize with the overall sentiments of a letter marianne williamson recently wrote to sarah palin.

Dear Sarah Palin,

I don't share your politics but I do share your country. I am writing to you now as a fellow American and also as a woman who, like you, puts my spiritual journey above all else.

When your book first came out, I knew I had to read it because I felt judgment in my heart that was not in keeping with my religious convictions. I was tempted to think about you in prejudiced stereotypes, and I know that this doesn't jive with "Love one another" or "Judge not lest ye be judged." So I bought your book.

And I liked it. I admire you as a self-made woman who has achieved a lot in your life, and I can see how some unfair criticisms that have been leveled against you could have hurt terribly. I am sorry for that. As a woman from Texas, I recognized your refusal to "sit down and shut up" as the attitude of a kick-ass woman from a kick-ass state. Although I am pro-choice, I felt your spiritual process regarding coming to acceptance and obedience in relation to giving birth to a Down Syndrome child was both inspiring and profound.

When I read your descriptions of liberals in the book -- not just critical, but simply false -- my jaw did drop a couple of times, like I almost thought you must be joking... you couldn't really think that. But I knew my job in reading the book was to beware my own judgments, so I simply read on and tried to ignore your jibes.

I have defended you since reading the book, particularly when others would make fun of your comments about looking to God's Will to guide you. But something is happening now that is so critical to this country, with such genuinely significant repercussions, that I implore you to hear me -- not just as a fellow American, but as a sister who I know prays to the same God that I do: Words have power. Please modify your words.

In my lifetime, we have lost a President, a Civil Rights leader and a Presidential candidate -- all to gun violence. Another President was shot and survived the ordeal, while his press secretary was paralyzed for life. These are not left-right issues; they are not political correctness issues; they are human issues concerning life and death. I am not suggesting you would pick up a gun and shoot anyone; I am suggesting that there are other people who would, however, and in your position as a leading political figure you are stoking fires -- regardless of your intention -- that are simply too dangerous to be safely stoked.

This is not the stuff of media bias. It is the stuff of history -- in the United States and elsewhere. From Hitler's Germany to the arousal of genocidal fervor in Rwanda, there are more than enough examples of how a group psychosis can emerge within a nation. I beg you to join with me -- even though I am not your political ally -- in praying for blessing and protection on all our politicians and their families, and looking deeply within our own hearts for where violence lurks so we can cast it out.

I am speaking from genuine concern for our country -- a concern no more or less meaningful or legal or freedom-loving than your own. I have a pretty tough edge myself, and I don't mince words when it comes to politics. But no one needs to be "re-loading" now, and our political opponents are not "enemy territory." In a free society, we do not have to agree; in fact, that's the point of freedom. "Shoot with accuracy; aim high and remember it takes blood, sweat and tears to win" is a frightening statement, Sarah. It is not funny; it is threatening. There are some crazy people in this country on both sides of the political aisle, and saying such things could incite them to violence that is very real.

Please join with me in turning to a God of Love and not fear, that our country and our world -- and perhaps most importantly, our own hearts -- might be purified of hate. It is love and love alone that will heal our country and heal our world.

Marianne Williamson

end of letter and back to sharron . . .

prior to yesterday's atrocities i was angry enough - i didn't understand how there could be even one iota of a discussion about repealing the health care law. the people of the united states went out to vote for president obama based on his platform of economic and healthcare reform. he and those in congress have been and are delivering in keeping with that platform. it took 18 months for health care reform to pass and a heck of a lot of work on the part of many people. although slowly, the unemployment rate is improving and "wall street" is being reined in. obama told us during the campaign, after his election, during his inaugural speech and often thereafter that as hard as it was to elect him, it would take even more work to make these reforms happen. you can't just stop an avalanche once it's begun nor turn the titanic around on a dime.

but for hate mongering such as palin's "cross-hairs" map and the rhetoric of limbaugh and beck to be taken so seriously and to be taken to such extremes is criminal. and, although related and extrapolates my concerns to the Nth degree, it's not why i started to write this note.

the Health Care Reform Act is not perfect. but it is good and it reflects a country whose leaders (or a good majority of them) are compassionate and mindful of all the people in the country - not just the top 1% in wealth nor those who, for one reason or another, don't have to worry about health care. those who oppose the Act without reading or understanding it - or bothering to find out more - create an atmosphere just as dangerous as others that have existed in our lifetime and that we had the power to stop but chose to ignore.

what is worse about the republicans' threat to repeal the health care reform bill is that the republicans' alternative at this point consists of a two-page addendum to the two-page repeal bill. It's a plan to make a plan to have a plan. if you don't believe me, check it out.

yes, i have family members and friends who benefit from the health care reform bill - so do 32 million other americans. some of my family members are already reaping the benefits from these reforms - the ability to have insurance even though they have a pre-existing and chronic condition. they don't want handouts from the government nor to go on welfare, which would be one of the only alternatives if the health care reform bill is repealed. unless, of course, you are independently wealthy and can pay cash for your medications and any hospitalizations. or you're a member of congress and are guaranteed insurance FOR LIFE even after you complete your term of office.

to be fair, i can see why people would be opposed to the government requiring everyone in the country to have insurance - the argument that this is the only way to pay for the reform is ludicrous. but we do need to ensure that everyone - every last human being in this country - has the OPTION of being covered by insurance that they pay for. in addition to the other things i'm not, i'm also not a mathematician but i know enough math to know that what we'd save by having far fewer welfare cases by allowing individuals with chronic or pre-existing conditions to be able to purchase their own insurance is a no-brainer. and to repeal the entire act based on this fact alone would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

i've read and heard that a vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which - among other things - prevents insurance companies from refusing coverage when someone becomes sick, is expected as early as next wednesday (since Congresswoman Giffords' shooting it may be delayed). If they get their way, insurance companies will once again have the right to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, drop or limit coverage if you become sick, and charge women higher premiums than men. seniors will lose critical prescription drug savings and free preventive care under Medicare.

i again quote someone else when i say that "The motivations here have little to do with good policy. Repeal is just the first agenda item of a new Republican majority that is much more interested in appeasing their right-wing base and looking out for special interests than working together to create jobs and grow the economy. Behind the scenes, insurance-industry lobbyists are working overtime with Republicans to take us back to the days when their clients were able to do whatever they wanted."

but the health care reform act and those who support it don't take their cues, nor money, from special interest groups or lobbyists. the majority of the people of the united states of america voted for the people who represent the platform that included health care reform . . . and lots of people fought to pass the Affordable Care Act because it was the right thing to do.

citing statistics (which, arguably, can be stated differently depending upon the statistician with whom you speak) the Act's provisions are fair, reduce the deficit by more than $230 billion over the next 10 years, cut costs, and protect all Americans from the worst insurance industry abuses. as i mentioned earlier, the law is already making a difference in people's lives.

here are some of the facts for those who haven't even bothered to read the Act or join any of the open calls Secretary Sebelius has sponsored or educated themselves in any other way, shape or form other than to take their cues from the aforementioned lobbyists, those who oppose the Act or the guy next door.

among other provisions, the Affordable Care Act:

-- prevents insurers from raising premiums by double digits with no recourse or accountability;

-- requires insurers to spend 80 to 85 percent of premium dollars on health care, not CEO bonuses -- and if they don't, they have to provide you a rebate;

-- frees families from the fear of losing their insurance, or having it capped unexpectedly, after an injury or illness; and

-- prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against pregnant women or denying coverage to children born with disabilities.

my plea, even more impassioned than before after the events of yesterday, are that each and every one who bothers to read this message to please call, email, or visit their leaders in the House of Representatives or their Senators to ask them to please not repeal the Affordable Care Act.

how can we call our selves human beings if we can't even allow one another the opportunity and dignity of having health care? we will always have our poor and our indigent who will need assistance of a special kind. but for those individuals who are willing and able to purchase insurance but are denied it because of a condition that is outside their realm of control; or to make our parents or grandparents choose between paying their heating bill or getting their medication; or to tell a single father that his just diagnosed with muscular dystrophy child can no longer be covered . . . we cannot allow that to happen.

i have a child who was born with type 1 diabetes - he is as fit, if not more so, than most people who will read this. he did not cause his condition but he will not be able to get insurance if this Act is repealed. we are fortunate in that we have other options but the majority of others are not. i have a friend who was (incorrectly) diagnosed with cancer but for the rest of her life, insurance companies will consider her to have a pre-existing condition and she will be unable to get insurance if this Act is repealed. i have another friend who does have cancer and can't quit his job because then he will lose his insurance, if this Act is repealed. i have another friend whose husband was informed last week that he was being displaced - he had insurance through his company but won't be able to get a personal policy for all of his family members if this Act is repealed because one of his children has a pre-existing condition and another decided to sit out a semester of college.

if you were diagnosed with a life threatening disease tomorrow, would you want the insurance companies to dictate how you were to live out the rest of your life? to dictate your quality of life? in each of the instances i've just cited, these people are willing and able to pay for their insurance - they just can't find anyone who will sell it to them IF this Act is repealed.

the violence of yesterday is indicative of the hate and fear that propels far too many actions in this world of ours. . . of how dangerous ignorant people can be when caught in the "cross hairs" of propaganda and fear-mongering. that a young girl and five others had to die - with many more seriously injured- because someone with a loaded gun was convinced that violent actions were the answer to God only knows what question. and those who are now saying the shootings weren't politically motivated are only fooling themselves. representative giffords' windows were shot out the day she cast her vote for the Affordable Care Act - she received violent death threats on the day she beat out her 'tea party' opponent and now the westboro baptist church plans to picket the funerals of the 9 year old girl and the 5 others who died along with her . . . even released a statement that says, "Thank God for the shooter - six dead!" what kind of christians are these? and i sure as hell hope homeland security or the fbi or even the kansas state police has "detail" on each and every one of them.

as tragic as it is, i hope yesterday is a wake up call to those who expound hate, perpetrate fear and perpetuate tolerance of intolerable behaviour. i hope it is a clarion call to everyone to stop and reassess their priorities and to leaders to reassess the messages they are conveying. sadly, yesterday evening, allyson miller, a founder of the 500-member pima county (arizona) tea party patriots said that while they were "deeply saddened" by the events of today and that "there is no place for violence" in political debate she also stated that this doesn't mean her group is going to tone down their rhetoric suppressing freedom of speech.

tell that to the parents of the child who was killed and silenced forever. where is her freedom of speech? it is victim to the violence of someone incited by a political leader's inferences. if these "leaders" are not going to tone down their rhetoric then they should be held accountable for the actions that their "free speech" incites. perhaps then they will choose their words, suggestions and tactics more carefully in the future.

Recently, Representative Gifford said, "For example, we're on Sarah Palin's targeted list... the way she has it depicted has the cross hairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that they have to realize there's consequences to that."

I hope there are and I hope the repeal of Affordable Care goes no further than it has - a threat.