People Pusher Beliefs

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. - Martin Luther King

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings. - John F. Kennedy

Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. - Henry David Thoreau

The Mission of the People Pusher

It's about the people, stupid.

That's a campaign slogan I wish someone had adopted. In our world today, so much is focused on "platforms" and ideology that is not about the people. The People Pusher wants you to think about that.

At the end of everyone's life, what are they thinking about? Some are seeking redemption for the things they know they did that were "bad." Others are thinking "did I leave my mark on the world?" Still others haven't figured out yet that you can't take the bank account, high profile career, McMansion, or any of that with you.

In the end, the hope is that we are all thinking about who was loved, who we helped, and how we behaved in the community of humanity.

This blog is focused on people issues. And the mission of the People Pusher is that you will think about the people, too.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Sarah Palin: What the Puck?

Sarah Palin swept into Colorado recently and decided to weigh in against Colorado's solution to ending decade-long waiting lists in Colorado for kids like her son, Trigg through Amendment 51.

Read the story

I just have to say to this hockey mom: what the puck?

Well, the truth is Sarah Palin, because of her wealth, will never need to use Medicaid waiver services for her son - so why should anyone else? Right? If it can be done in Alaska (where, by the way they DO have a waiting list!), why not Colorado? After all, who on earth would have thought of trying to find that funding some other way in Colorado when we didn't have Sarah Palin, "the knower of all things disability," and the "expert" on balancing state budgets?

Somehow, even without her highness, people actually thought of that before she ever arrived. Parents and advocates went to the legislature. All last summer the legislature worked in an Interim committee to figure this out. They tried hard, and some bills that improved the lives of people with disabilities went through - but not the funding to end the waiting lists because there is NO MONEY.

You have to understand that Colorado has the Taxpayers Bill of Rights - which prevents the state from keeping excess revenue. You have to understand that our state budget has extremely limited discretionary funds. People who do this work know this.

The question remains: exactly what is Sarah Palin proposing to do for people with disabilities anyway? Or is it enough for her to say she is our "friend?" Readers, you need to know I have dug into this issue very far. I have actively sought information from the McCain campaign about their disability policy and what Sarah Palin is proposing.

It does not exist.

I am personally insulted that she gets to wave her son around as a flag representing all of us parents of kids with disabilities. She is no friend to us.

1 comment:

Diane said...

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog. You and I are like minded, especially when it comes to Palin. I was once told, during the fight for Presidency, that I should vote Republican this time, because Palin was a champion for people with special needs. ARE YOU SERIOUS? I said well, just because she has a child w/ special needs doesn't mean she is a champion. I too, cannot believe that she tried to use her son as a tool to get votes. Damn her for that. Please excuse my anger, but I would NEVER use my daughter, or anyone's empathy to get a vote. Amen sister, I hope you'll contact me, I can't figure out how to follow your blog!!!!