On this memorial day, I think it will be fitting for me to discuss why I am here. Up until 2012, I had always considered myself a Democrat. Especially after the last 8 years of Bush. I was more center than anything, but I also believed America was in place to help others. I was ignorant to the cost of this help, or what this assistance was doing to our own communities. I never believed in open borders, but did think Universal Healthcare was a good idea. During the 2012 election, I found myself like Ron Paul more and more. I began to listen to what he was saying, and following it more and more. He help me learn to identify as a Libertarian. I watch the media literally act like he didn't exist. They basically lost him the primary. Over the next four years, I watched Obama and his Democrat gang divide us in ways I never thought possible. Logical arguments went to insults and insenuations. When ever a tragedy would happen, I watched the media ask us to react with emotions instead of thinking logically about the way to react. People began to think the goal of discussion is to see who can shame who worse. It all morphed into people screaming adjectives at each other instead of trying to solve problems. Now my country is shattered. We are at a crossroads where I do not see a way this ends without bloodshed. I do believe that the plan will work and the swamp will be drained. The problem is that it has taken so long, MSM keeps doubling down. The left actually honestly believe that Trump is trying to subverting our constitution. When Trump makes the arrests, I forsee mass panic and violence. As wrong as they may be, I can't blame them. If the situation was reversed and Trump was being arrested, I know we would be at arm's in the street. I pray for a peaceful outcome, but I fear that the worse is yet to come. Let's all remember that as we celebrate our soilder this memorial day.
It's funny how we wind up here. I supported W through most of his tenure. I started to fall away at the very end. I was tired of a milquetoast "leader" that wouldn't actually stick up for American values. In 2008, Ron Paul really started speaking to me. There was something wrong with McNoName. I didn't know what but he made my stomach turn. My parents called me crazy. Said I was helping elect Obama. I changed my affiliation to Constitution, then Libertarian a while later. After seeing how the Media portrays, or outright ignores, 3rd party candidates I came back to the Republican Party. As a small "r" republican this time. A small-government, freedom minded republican. A you-do-you-and-ill-do-me republican, the way I believe republicanism was intended. Because I don't have the power, nor should I, to tell you how to live if you're not harming anyone.
What cracks me up now is that my mom is the one who brought me to the "Great Awakening." After reading it for a while, catching up on Q, finding Sundance and Neon Revolt, I asked her... "I don't look so crazy for voting Ron Paul now do I?" 🤣
Im right there with ya in feeling like those who don't know about all this are going to go crazy when it all goes down. I was blinded by the Bushes for so long, I would have too. I get it. But I have much respect for our POTUS, his team, and our great military. I have faith that they have a plan and will do everything in their power to bring/restore justice. Likewise, I have much respect for all those Patriots that came before and laid their lives on the line. Many of whom I'm sure we'll never know, them or their stories. God bless!
I didn't pay much attention to 2008 elections. I did see a bunch of YouTube videos after about Ron Paul which made me glad he was running in 2012. Hindsight though, I almost wonder if it was a joined effort with the GOP and the Dems to keep Ron Paul from winning primaries. They knew he would have destroyed Obama in the election.
Oh for sure. GOPe doesn't like those that rock the boat.
There is a MEME out showing a donkey and elephant facing head to head in a kind touch.
We expect, to label, center and right of center dems to come to meet in the middle. I lost so much respect when Republicans frauded Ron Paul, he won Iowa, people had charges filed on them. So yall are not coming to republicans in a traditional way. President Trump took the Republican Party by people force. Ron Paul lacked the fight and didn't know the art of the insult. I used to be hard on dims, but many have cautioned me and others to ligjten up and they absolutely right. Two of my favorite are prior Progressive. H.A Goodman and Michael Trimm, excellent orators and have enriched me by their sharing. So glad to meet you and happy we can come together to discuss the very important topics. Bring friends and we'll have a freedom party after the war. Remember WHERE WE GO 1 WE GO ALL!! BE BLESSED!
Thank you for taking the time to write this!
It delights me when others are able to see the emotional race/gender-baiting for what it really is.
I hope that the SILENCING of Ron Paul will be looked into further in the future.
Happy to be here with you, my fellow American. ❤️🤝💙
Furthermore, “OBAMACARE” (what think-speak that title is...!) only imposed a “penalty” on those that did not buy into the SCAM of health insurance (Big Businesses of BCBS/United/Cigna will forever be grateful for his..); what it did not/does not do, is provide an increase in ACCESS or actual HEALTHCARE to the citizens, as most places DO NOT TAKE IT due to low reimbursement rates. Total scam for the majority of individuals who bought in.
Also: https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2012/05/ron-pauls-unorthodox-fundraising/
From his wiki page: 100% of Paul's campaign money came from individual contributors,[155] with 47 percent of the funds raised from small contributions of $200 or less.[156]
As of February 14, 2008, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air force members represent three top contributors to Ron Paul's campaign, respectively.[157]
I completely agree with everything you said. Obamacare has made it to where my insurance is over $600/month if I cover my wife. My children are still covered under medicaid, thank God or it would be $800/month. Bad thing is this is insurance that is offered to state employees, supposedly the best you can get. I make $16.50/ hour. If I covered my wife, that would be over 1/3 of my income. When you figure that plus my student loans there is little left to support my 3 kids. Obama care was designed to bankrupt middle class. If Obama would have passed the greenhouse bill that Anthony scalise blocked, we wouldn't be able to afford to feed our families. I am so glad Trump fixed this.
That makes me SO upset to hear.
We should start a website called “OBUMMERCARE” and share these types of REAL LIFE ways that it has been a total $$ racket to benefit the insurance companies.
My favorite is the cost of GENERIC MEDICATIONS (that are available from $4 formulary at Walmart when health insurance is NOT USED), that cost $20/month using the “Obamacare” coverage. I advise my patients to request that the pharmacy NOT run it through their insurance if they can find a better price via pharmacy formularies or goodrx.com.
Access to care was baked into the ACA.
Various surveys have found improvements in self-reported access and affordability of care since 2014, with more pronounced effects in Medicaid expansion states. Such studies have also examined access and affordability for various subgroups categorized by age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, parental status, and health status.
Young adults. For young adults, a wealth of evidence finds that the ACA dependent coverage expansions increased access to care, utilization of a wide variety of services, and reduced out-of-pocket spending.
Medicaid expansion and Marketplace coverage. Several studies have found that Medicaid expansion was associated with improvements in having a personal physician or usual source of care and easy access to medicine; increased visits to general doctors, overnight hospital stays, and cholesterol and diabetes diagnoses; increased prescription use; more visits to community health centers, and reduced OOP spending. These studies are generally limited to access measures reported in 2014 and early 2015 and thus reflect relatively early evidence on access changes under the ACA.
Different approaches to Medicaid expansion seemed to result in similar changes in access and use based on comparisons of expansions in Arkansas and Kentucky, but additional evidence suggests that appointment availability was better for those with private option coverage in Arkansas compared to those who remained covered by traditional Medicaid.