Halelujah for Health Care!!

I am happy that health care reform has passed! It was a hard won victory. I am ashamed at the shenanigans of some republicans and tea partiers. Acts and threats of violence must be denounced! Read below for some of the ignorance to be revealed via www.moveon.org:

"Last weekend, anti-health care protesters were out in force in Washington—and some of their behavior was deeply disturbing.

A crowd of tea partiers shouted the "n word" at Congressman John Lewis, a former civil rights leader who marched with Dr. King. They yelled homophobic epithets at Rep. Barney Frank, an openly gay congressman. And one protester actually spat on a Black member of Congress.1

Then this week, Democrats who voted for reform began receiving death threats—one had a coffin left on his lawn and another was told snipers would kill the children of lawmakers who voted yes.2 Several Democrats had their district offices vandalized, and a gas line was cut at a home that tea partiers mistakenly believed belonged to Rep. Tom Perriello.3

A few Republicans have spoken out against the racism and violence, but most are still treating them as "isolated incidents."4 They are not isolated. They've been part of Republican-supported tea parties for almost a year and they're a natural consequence of telling people that reform is a totalitarian plot."

Be informed and help spread the truth about the benefits of this newly passed health care bill. Continue to let your voices be heard. Write letters sharing your health care experiences. Read below for more information about the bill via www.barackobama.com:

"It establishes the toughest patient protections in history.

It guarantees all Americans affordable health insurance options, extending coverage to 32 million who are currently uninsured.

And it reduces the cost of care -- cutting over 1 trillion dollars from the federal deficit over the next two decades.

To ensure a successful, stable transition, many of these changes will phase into full effect over the next several years.

But for millions of Americans, many of the benefits of reform will begin this year -- some even taking effect this afternoon. Here are just a few examples:

Small businesses will receive significant tax cuts, this year, to help them afford health coverage for all their employees.

Seniors will receive a rebate to reduce drug costs not yet covered under Medicare.

Young people will be allowed coverage under their parents' plan until the age of 26.

Early retirees will receive help to reduce premium costs.

Children will be protected against discrimination on the basis of medical history.

Uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions can join a special high-risk pool to get the coverage they need, starting in just 90 days.

Insured Americans will be protected from seeing their insurance revoked when they get sick, or facing restrictive annual limits on the care they receive.

All Americans will benefit from significant new investments to train primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals, and the creation of state-level consumer assistance programs to help all patients understand and defend our new rights."




J

History in the Making!!

Be sure and be tuned in to your television tomorrow evening. I'm sure all the news outlets are going to be covering the final vote for health care reform. I'll be the first to admit that this bill is not perfect. I still say that the public option was the best course of action, but it was compromised out of the bill. Yet, this bill will still help the more than 30 million Americans who are currently without health care. I hope and pray that the democrats along with some republicans will have courage enough to do what is right. Watch tomorrow and share your thoughts.


J

Stagnant

Stagnant: not moving or flowing; motionless. The following is my favorite definition of stagnant: showing little or no sign of activity or advancement; not developing. Wow. I hardly need to say more. Take an honest look at your life. Can it be said that you are in a condition of stagnation? First take a look at your spiritual growth or lack there of, and then also apply it to your natural life.

Are you reaching higher heights and deeper depths in Christ? Have you overcome some of the tests and trials that plagued your progress in the beginning, or are you still at that same initial phase in your spiritual development?

Are you stuck in a rut at a job you don't necessarily like, let alone love. Are you under-appreciated and under-paid? Have you gone as far as your education and skill level will take you, but you stay because you fear stepping out in a new direction?

It is so easy to become comfortable and complacent in a situation, even when we are not happy or fulfilled. It can be caused by fear, lack of faith, laziness or simply procrastination. Many times God has given us dreams and visions of a better life, the life that He has intended for us, but we settle for what is comfortable and known. If you find that you are stagnant, ask God to move you. Ask Him to show you what He would have you do with your life. Following God's divine direction will bring you the blessings, peace and happiness you long for. Move and flow with God!

On the Move,

J

Prayer Request

The grandson of one of my co-workers has been diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of leukemia. He is just eight years old! He has begun a powerful series of chemotherapy treatments which can be devastating. Please remember to add little Andrew to your prayer lists. I hope to have wonderful praise reports in the near future. There is nothing too hard for God and the power of prayer.

Thanks,

J

Tech Lesson

Hi guys and gals. I thought I would share a lesson I learned the hard way this week. Two years ago I purchased a big screen tv. We loved it! It was an HDTV with a great clear picture. It was absolutely perfect for watching movies. Fast forward to our nightmare. The picture went out. It was a projection tv (with the latest technology) so we assumed it was the bulb. After purchasing an expensive bulb we discovered the picture still did not work. We had to pay a tv repair person to come out. We were delivered shocking news. Our tv was now obsolete and most of the parts for the tv are no longer produced, including the part we needed for the repair. So we basically are the owners of a $1,500 dust collector. Oh, we could get it fixed for more than the tv is worth, so that is out of the question.

My advice to you is if you are making ANY major electronic purchase do your research!!! Had we known those tv's were basically obsolete and could not be repaired we would not have chosen that tv. We made the mistake of making a wow factor purchase based on screen size. Wrong!!!! Our second mistake was not purchasing an extended warranty. We assumed the year warranty would be good enough. Of course nothing ever happens within your warranty. Spend the extra money up front and it will pay off. I'm so angry that I want to take a baseball bat to it, but as my husband reminded me, it's not the tv's fault. My final piece of advice to you is never make a major electronic purchase at a major discount store. Go where the staff is actually trained in their products and can answer any questions you may have. Make educated purchases.

In review:

1- Do your research!! Use the Internet for customer reviews. Technology is changing daily, so make sure your purchase is a good one for the life of the product.

2- Always purchase an extended warranty. I know the temptation is to be cheap and stick with the basic warranty. Do not make my mistake.

3- Try to avoid making major electronic purchases at discount chains. I don't want to throw anyone under the bus, but the store I went to starts with a 'W'. (LOL) Go where the staff is educated on their products.

Learn from my lesson and happy shopping! Guess what I'll be doing this weekend. UGH!!



J

Spring Cleaning

The deep winter chill is finally lifting! The birds are coming back, as evidenced by the barrage of bird poop on my car. Now I'm thinking about spring cleaning. Now there is plenty to be done in my house, but I'm also talking about spiritual spring cleaning and cleaning in the way of evaluating relationships. I read a quote online that was allegedly from Will Smith, and it goes something like you are as successful as the five people in your life you are closest to. That is really something to think about! I'm not talking about in terms of their financial success alone. What is more important is how they encourage and support you to be your best. I'm pleased to say in that regard I am blessed with mostly positive family and friends. I couldn't always say that, but over the years I have been able to weed out the negative folks. How about you? Will you take on the spring cleaning challenge in every aspect of your life? You'll be amazed by the difference.

J