Where's the Plan?

I wonder where the magic-better-than-yours-why-don't-you-consider-this Republican Health Care plan is? What do they propose. For a group that has no new ideas, no proposal, and nothing new to offer, they certainly have gotten a lot of traction with no promise of anything.

Why on earth would anyone listen to the negative of a group that isn't offering an alternative. This only solidify's the reputation of the Republicans becoming the party of "NO".

The plan, as I understand it (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/09/transcript-gop-response-obamas-health-care-address/) Read Rep Charles Boustany's response of the Obama Healthcare Proposal: the Republican party would have you.. just not get sick. Rather, make healthier choices, earlier in life and these problems won't exist.

Are you kidding me?

For reals.

That's your solution?

Ok ladies and gentleman.

This Nancy-Regan-Just-Say-No approach may work if offered an illicit drug, but not when the demon of heart attacks is standing on your porch.

There's simply no way of knowing if you'll be in that percentile that experiences a catastrophic health event, and if you do - is that the appropriate time to establish how much you contributed to the condition? Is that what formula we'll use to determine how much a person will pay for their portion of the bill? Talk about death panels, who will head the what-portion-is-yours panels?

The conservative folks of this country are beating their chest, and crying and espousing lies but in all that there are no concrete plans on what they suggest we do instead. So, until they put up - I'd offer - shut up as a good plan.

Thank you.

The End of an Era. The Era of Civility.

Perhaps it's best that Eunice followed so closely by Ted has passed on into another dimension.

We can always recall fondly the times that the Kennedy's represented some of the best of America and what it stood for.

Sure there will be those who would go on, and on about how in some ways they represented the worst. But, even so. No, family should have to endure what the Kennedy's have. No family.

One thing that can be assured is that they were patriots. Perhaps, not your brand of patriots, but patriots nonetheless. And, while I feel sad that another icon of Americana has passed from the scene, I can't help but wonder if it's all for the best. What I mean by that is - that with the current state of this nation and radical element that is being fed by the evilest forces in this country - it's probably just as well that folks from a different era aren't forced to witness the decline of our American society and the slip into what I believe, may someday be, civil war.

While that in itself may seem like a radical notion. I'd like to draw attention to the last few weeks and the tactics the Republicans in this country have turned to. So pleased during the Bush years to mock the liberals with we won, you lost, get over it, they are now in the opposite position, and seem the least likely candidates to embrace democracy. That notion that the will of the people should govern our land is completely foreign to them. While they talk about American values, they simultaneously have adopted of posture of louder is better.

It would appear that merely drowning out your opponents viewpoint, or turning up the volume on your rhetoric means winning. It does not. It means whining.

So while we have protesters at town hall meetings carrying guns and painted signs of our President with Swastikas and mustaches. While they burn their Democratic Party congressional representatives in effigy and talk about the tree of freedom needing a drink of the blood of the likes of our elected officials - those who would never espouse violence to solve our countries differences have passed on.

I would never propose violence to solve anything.

That's why when we have the FAUX news network espousing tea parties and mimicking the poisoning of the Speaker of the House - I do think that the level of incivility will only rise. And, ultimately a shot will be fired. Perhaps at our President by some misguided, brainwashed malcontent who probably would be the one to tell you killing (as in abortion doctors) to stop the killing is a reasonable idea.

Perhaps it will be a shot fired at one of our elected congressional officials, or maybe it will come from the other side, whereas a liberal just can't take it anymore - because some of the stuff they are claiming is utter nonsense!

Do you really think that President Obama proposes and supports death panels? Really? If so, please - stop reading this blog, and go directly to the asylum. Really.

We will have to wait until the next round of elections for America's referendum on all this nonsense. The sad part is that even if there's another extension of the Democratic revolution, and we gain an even BIGGER majority - there are those that will simply revert to louder is winning. And that certainly won't help anything. It will be interesting to see how the FAUX news network and others in the Conservative media will try to spin this into having us believe that they had no part in it. That guns don't kill people - people kill people - while all the while they've been cleaning, loading, and handing the gun to the radical factions that they know will use it.

Yes, while it's sad that the end of the Kennedy era has passed - I think they are better off to not have seen what we have descended into - or what may become far worse than it is now. Good bye Senator Ted Kennedy.

For Folks That Have Been Asking...

I updated the blog links on the right hand side. Below the link for my pictures on Flickr is a link for Rob's pictures on Mac Gallery. Yes. I know. We're one family but when it comes to these things we still can't get it together. He really likes his Mac Gallery - while I still sing the praises of Flickr.

But I suppose if one site blew up, we'd still have some pictures on the other. In any event, Rob has recently completed some art projects so he keeps those on his Mac Gallery so you can keep up with what he's up to on painting.

Take care and let us know how you're doing!

Why the Overhaul is the Single Most Important Legislation in This Administration

This could be the big one. It's why the Republican-America-Haters have boasted that this could be President Obama's waterloo.

I call them America-Haters, because for all their talk of patriotism, it's clear that they'd rather be "right" than see the country prosper. For all their crowing about how much they love capitalism, and equate that to the American way of life, they just as soon as see it run over a cliff than even consider anything they deem to stray from the path of capitalism.

And, driving off a cliff it is.

The statistics composed by the National Coalition on Health Care, which can be found in some variation from other sources, indicates that the current rate of health care spending is approximately 4.3 times the cost of national defense. In 2008 we spent as much as 17 percent of our Gross Domestic Product on health care. More than any other industrialized nation in the world. (Compare: Health care spending accounted for 10.9 percent of the GDP in Switzerland, 10.7 percent in Germany, 9.7 percent in Canada and 9.5 percent in France)

Now, this isn't the worst part. The worst part is that this isn't stagnate. These figures are on an upward trajectory. There is no end in sight for these costs. They will continue to climb, some estimates having the GDP dedicating 20 percent to health care costs as we enter the next decade.

Now. Before we go further. I'll tell you right now. Republican-America-Haters will stand up at this point and say. "Stop comparing American health care to Canada or Germany. We have the best health care system in the world! Precisely because it is profit/capitalism based. The research which brings the best drugs, the most promising cures, and most advanced treatments comes because of our current system!".

I wouldn't argue this. We have the Cadillac if you will (in some regards) of health cares. However, we can no longer afford to drive a Cadillac. In 2008 the average employer paid for each worker covered $12,700 with each employee contributing on average, $3,700.

Under a plan where the U.S. economy continues to grow, and incomes increase, and property values climb and the GDP enlarges, and the overall productivity flourishes - this model could sustain itself for the foreseeable future. But we all know that today - none of these factors exist. In fact the enlarging costs of health care are exacerbated by the shrinking economy. Meaning - yes. We're headed for a cliff.

People wonder what will we do if the State of California, the worlds 7th or 8th largest economy, fails or collapses. I would argue, what would we do, if the U.S. federal government follows behind it? We view the federal government as if were a savior for all our ills. The reality, our deficit continues to grow and not unlike a person who lives on their credit cards, someday the bill will have to come due. In no case can you continue to outspend your income for an indefinite period. At some point, the credit line will cease.

Such is the case with our federal government, and the economy as a whole. The model we've been using for health care insurance in this country is broken. It no longer works. It is dragging our hopes for the future down.

That is why we must rally behind our President during this critical time. The Republican-America-Haters are employing tactics such as shouting down town meetings and disrupting public forums where this topic is addressed. It's a ploy they used in Florida during the hanging chad incidents. They paid congressional staffers and other Republican operatives to storm voting offices. This gives the impression that folks are against something. That they are riled up about something. It plays to the cameras well - and the average American sitting at home watching Katie Couric may think. "Wow. I must be on the wrong side of this debate if all these people are upset about this."

Don't believe it.

It is time for us to do our part and see these ploys for what they are. To ask those who would come to the table to 'discuss' health care, what their alternatives are. We need to ask the party of "NO" what they propose, what solution they offer - because the status quo, keeping things the same is not a solution. It may have worked in different times - it doesn't any longer.

It's time however too for our President to step up. I appreciate that President Obama has done an admirable job of attempting to court both sides of every issue. His approach seems genuinely concerned with all sides and making sure that he appears to be a President for all Americans. He seems to hope that all sides can come to an agreement - a comprimise.

This will be the President's waterloo if he continues this approach.

When Congress comes back in session in the fall - I hope the President starts talking Turkey. I hope he lays out a specific plan, that addresses the MAIN concerns. (It won't address every concern, it never can). And push for a vote. It's clear, at this juncture that it may fall upon party lines. That Republican-America-Haters may appear to be left out of the dialog, but they are not. Crossing your arms, holding your breath, stomping your feet and uttering "no" is hardly a dialog.

The American people hired President Obama to get things done. If he fails to get this, the most important act of his presidency done, then he will not lived up to the promise and the task we set him upon. Americans want a better life. Americans need a better life. An overhaul of our health care insurance system is the most fundamental key to that progress. Without it, there will only be a steady decline.

So, I'm prepared to listen. I'm waiting to hear the specifics of any proposal. I'm waiting to see a genuine debate in the Senate on this topic. I don't fear that President Obama is going to drive us into a ditch with any proposal he may offer. There's little comfort in that idea - that he could drive us into a ditch. However, I'll take my chances because we are assuredly headed for a cliff.

Taxing Health Care Benefits? Are you Crazy? Oh. Wait.

There is a 'new' debate in America at the mere suggestion that part of the national overhaul in health care might include (get ready to gasp) a new health care tax. The result of this might be that Americans would be required to pay taxes on the benefit they receive from employers on their health care benefits. Essentially, the IRS would look at a persons health care benefits as taxable income, rather than the current exempt status.

This idea is considered radical by some - welcome by others. Who would consider this a welcome idea? Taxes??

Well, there is a school that says when you tax something it reduces consumption. And, when you remove a tax it increases consumption. The by product of taxing these benefits might result in people becoming more active in the selection and take on more activist roles in demanding higher quality - and lower prices from their health care insurers. Currently, the tax exemption on these benefits may result in ending an employee's passive approach to the benefits they receive.

Which brings me to the real point of my rant today and the use of my quote marks around the word new.

Wake up America. No. really. Come-to. Gain consciousness. Grow up.

Welcome to my world. The one I've been talking about for years. And let me pose this question to you. How does it feel?

I'm a proponent of this tax. If, for no other reason to provide equality and parity. Even though my current situation would result in a reduction in income with the addition of this tax, I've seen the inequity of being one of those who pay it, while the many of Americans do not.

What I'm talking about is another example of the two Americas class structure we live under - American Apartheid. Whereas one group of people, predominately straight - set up laws that fail to recognize another group of American's predominately not straight. Gay people have been paying this tax for years. We've always paid this tax. It's one of the fiscal inequities (there are many, many more) which serve to oppress an entire class of people in this country. Most people aren't aware, or don't think about this of course because they are unaffected.

But, when Rob struck out to start his own business we had to find an employer that would allow us to have both of us covered by insurance - like most families in America. In 1995, the Sacramento Bee, my employer at the time, did not offer this benefit. I sought out employers in the Sacramento area that did. One of them, was the University of California. Traditionally higher education related employers are much more progressive in this area - unless you look at an institution like the University of Texas, which in most respects is a leader in education and research but in other areas think it's 1909 instead of 2009 - but I digress.

Once I accepted a job at the University of California, Davis - I added Rob to my benefits as a domestic partner. Aside from the hoops I had to jump through that traditional married couples are not, we were just pleased that Rob would have this. We tried for a period the route of the self-insured and found that for his little start up company - health care was eating up 50% of his operating expense budget!! What business can operate under that kind of cost structure!? (i.e. witness the current state of the auto companies).

What did come as a surprise though was the pay stub attached to my first check. What? I was surprised to see that Rob's benefits were taxed. Not only were they taxed, they were taxed at the estimated "value" of the benefit (i.e. the amount that I paid in addition to the amount the university covered). I shrugged at the time thinking how unfair that my co-worker who sat across from me had a different tax structure than I did.

Didn't we do similar work? Hadn't she just met her husband like 6-months earlier, her 3rd marriage, etc. etc. (this isn't about her after all). Where is the justice in that?

So gay people, who are in unsanctioned marriages like Rob and I, have been paying this tax all along. It usually gets no notice. The payroll representative I inquired from when I saw the stub that first time, had to research and call me back with the answer because she wasn't aware why my tax deductions were different than my co-workers around me.

I hear the collective gasp that this proposal has initiative has caused.
I understand the trepidation of headed down this road of taxing something that for 'most' people was here-to-fore not taxed.
But, I just can't quite work up a tear. Why would I. Finally - parity. Even if I wish we could achieve parity in the 'other' direction by providing this exemption to everyone.

But, justice, is justice.




Christopher @ Brazil in Houston
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

Summer Begins - Friendships Change

Three Amigos
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

We have a new Supreme Court Justice Nominee, Ms. Sotomayor. We have an abortion Dr. (Dr. Tiller) who was murdered last week. And, President Obama is running around the Muslim world, making nice.

Closer to home, Spring is in full bloom. Summer almost approaching. I didn't even know the trees needed pruning. I'm oblivious to such things. Remember, I'm the one who could just as easily live in a condo. I've never been very invested in having to have space. The only reason I could see having any outdoor space would be for a dog - and Rob is clear, this is not in the near future. Sigh.

Thus, I could care less about the state of the trees or lawn for that matter. Are they long? Oh. I guess they are. So, let's hire someone to come and cut them back. Oh hell - cut them down - then we'll save future cost. But, Rob is a yard person - and so I can easily conced this space to him. The yard is his to do with what he wants.

These things are becoming less contentious all the time. He let me have complete freedom on the paint choice colors in the living room (mostly anyway) and recently he's agreed the Master Bedroom is mine to decorate as I'd like. Wow. This is from two folks who used to argue about moving the vase a little to the left, or a little to the right.

I guess as one gets older, things like whether we have a quit or comforter on the bed, just don't seem as important. We're grateful that Jerry and Eric came over to lend a hand to Rob. It's fantastic that he has friends who 'get it' and understand his love for the yard and things green. Things of green make me sneeze and don't get me riled up like they do Rob. So having folks who can get as excited about such things is truly a blessing!

-----

The President has nominated Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Mom called me the other day and asked my thoughts and to be completely candid, I haven't formed an opinion.

I have my concerns. One is that she's been completely mum - well, with the exception of the recorded rant they keep playing in the media that some have charged as racist. But I do want to be understanding of the process and that she can't be forthcoming on her views on things like abortion, etc. To do so would only stir up opposition so the very nature of the process requires that she be tight lipped. She is Catholic, which in my book is not necessarily an asset.

While some say we should "trust" the President - that he certainly wouldn't nominate someone who wasn't pro-choice. Would he?

But, my trust for all things Obama is waning. Remember, this is the evolution of candidate Obama who promised to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". He's since backed off that. And, as California continues it's march to falling off in to ocean, and less and less people caring - the President still carries the same stance as most moderate Republicans which is to say, he does not believe in marriage.

But, for a warm, fuzzy, we're all in this together platform where has he been on this issue? Why didn't he even provide an indication that he stood in solidarity with millions of us who live under American Apartheid?

When advised to judge a man by the content of his character, the character is demonstrated by action - and our President has taken none.

----

I really don't get involved in the abortion debate. It's a sad, sad state of affairs that anyone would be in a position to have one. With the widespread availability of contraceptives there should be no such thing as an unwanted pregnancy. And, it is certainly not solely the woman's responsibility. This is a shared responsibility between the two people. That being said, they do occur. And, I support a family's right to choose such matters for themselves. Thus, I support maintaining this freedom while continue to support the use of intelligence, and planning for goodness sake.

What I don't understand is "pro-life" people who advocate "death" for abortion providers. Some don't see this as consistent. I am one of them. What's been hard however is realizing, particularly in Rob's case, how we're different from the Midwest folks and the values they hold. I lived there for four years, and Rob of course is from there.

What things like Gay Marriage, and Abortion have brought to the surface is our incompatibility and that's sad. How does one maintain a friendship with someone who looks down their nose at you, and says that your relationship isn't as valid as theirs? I'd like to pose this question to Miss Manners. I'm certain she'd respond with something like "Dear Gentle Reader.. in all the decorum one can muster, one should simply look them in the eye and advise that self-fornification might be advisable"

Well, since we're not those kind of people, we've agreed that it may be time to allow some of these relationships to die a natural death. Sometimes matters of distance and time can't be overcome with a quick connection on Facebook. Or a once-every-6-months-check in whose entire content can be summed up right here .. like this.

How are you?
We are fine. You?
We are too.
Talk to you in Six Months?
Ok, take care.
Bye.

This is hardly the process by which friendships flourish. It would appear, that they can't even be maintained.

If you love someone, let them know today. And, take more than three words if you can to do it.

Dramatic Skys

IMG_0758
Originally uploaded by ChristopherSolis.

Mom reminds me today that I need to update my blog. It's been a little while. We were at dinner last night and looked up into the sky. The one thing that is definitely different between Texas and California is that the Texas skies are certainly dramatic when there's a thunderstorm moving in. And, we had quite the lightening storm last night.

Rob loves it because he sits on the back porch and watches the sky. He likes to sleep with the windows open, which makes me crazy of course, because it's still hot and muggy enough to have the air on. I hate the air on, AND the windows open. So wasteful.

Everything is going good here. I'm putting the frosting on a cake, and rob is drinking his press pot coffee. We're laughing about the time Mom insisted she'd try it even though we tried to disuade her from it. The face she made still sticks in our mind - and makes us laugh.

That was in Mountainview, 1990. Almost 20 years ago! Wow.

Hugs from Texas.

A Great Weekend in Austin. Rockband Rules.

We had a great evening at Janice's a couple of weeks ago when we celebrated with Zylo. See you next time!

Ten Days Before My Goal Date

Pictures are are:

Me before surgery, 20 pounds shy of 300. That's Jon in the background. A fun day, but I don't look like this anymore.
Next is me on a sunny day a couple of weeks ago sitting next to the Turtle Pond on campus at UT. Rob and I were having a great lunch date.
Next is me with some friends from Dallas.
Next is me, in my new "medium" gap shirt at Chris and John's just yesterday at a game night event.
Lastly is the graph that shows my progress along the way. I'm not there yet, but I'm so close!










































I wanted to reach a hundred pound weight loss prior to my anniversary date of 1 year. And, I made it. I'm so happy with the progress. There have been times of discouragement, but mostly the scale has been cooperative. There were plenty of flat spots. But, even in those flat spots, people seemed to think I was losing weight. Maybe my body has been adjusting all along the way.

I'm feeling good for the most part! (Although, not at this precise moment of writing, because I just took a bite of chicken that was too big).

I'm still learning about eating differently. I'm trying still to remain conscious about how big a bite I take, and also how fast I eat and thoroughly I chew. This is not as easy as you'd think! I have a lot of years of not thinking about eating to undo.

But there's been some really good victories to commemorate this year.

• I no longer have aching knees/joints.
• I can fit behind the steering wheel
• I don't struggle to get into tight spaces
• People don't have to pull their chairs in to the point they are turning blue, so I can squeeze by
• I participated in a 5k
• I have gone from a 46 inch waist pant, to a 33
• I have gone from 3x Shirt to a Medium-Large
• Rob says I look amazing, and that means a lot
• I feel better about my ability to address my health
• I can sit in a booth at a restaurant
• I walk faster and folks don't have to wait on me (as long).
• I can board a plane without fear about the seat
• I can sit in the movie theater next to my friends and not spill over into their space
• I don't feel self-conscious walking into rooms full of people
• I feel younger
• I feel closer to the person I think God would have me be

So, all of those things mean a lot. But, they aren't everything of course. There are benefits of course related to appearance and such. But, mostly I'm glad that I just feel better. I am still about 10 to 20 pounds away from my goal. (I debate whether I'll stop at 170 or 160). But, I'm confident I'll make it by end of July, beginning of August.

Everyone has been so, so supportive and I just couldn't ask for better friends or family. I feel so loved, that I'm truly the luckiest person in the world - without regard to size. I hope to see you all soon.