Dear Republicans (and others who do not support Health Care Reform),

I just don't understand you.  All I'm hearing from you is Big Government this and Socialism that.  But that has NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.  NOTHING!!!  Health care reform is about people.  People like me.  People who can't get insurance.  People who have to make every life decision based around the existing system.  People who can't afford to go to the doctor for preventative healthcare.  People who rack up astronomical bills for health care that they can't help needing.  Going into bankruptcy for it.  Sacrificing everything else in their lives for it.  Having pre-existing conditions and never qualifying for healthcare again.  Not being able to live their dreams because they can't risk not having employer-provided health care.

Maybe there are other ways to fix this system.  A not-for-profit based privatized system would also be a great start.  Profit based health insurance makes NO SENSE.  But honestly, the fact that we are the ONLY industrialized nation without universal healthcare...  And the fact that many second and third world countries provide their citizens with universal healthcare... doesn't that start to make it sound like healthcare is a basic human right??  One that all of us deserve?  One that has nothing to do with big government or socialism.


Get a clue.  Put yourself in my shoes.  I'm not an anomaly.  I'm just a person, a relatively healthy person with a few chronic conditions who has been deemed uninsurable who wants to live out my dreams and instead must settle for crappy corporate jobs that provide health insurance because otherwise my healthcare costs will pull me under immediately.  And that's just me.  There are millions more like me.  You're lucky to be you, but most are like me.  Let us have this basic human right.

Thanks,
Me

Dear Vodka,

I made up a song about you today.  It goes something like this:  One Vodka, two Vodka, three Vodka, MORE, four Vodka, five Vodka, six Vodka, FLOOR.  Anyway, thanks for being a good friend.  You and me, we're like this (I know you can't see me, but my fingers are crossed). 

(And no, I'm not an alcoholic.  I just like my occasional vodka soda or three.)

Lots of love,

me

Dear Little Brother,

So many congratulations are in order here.  First, congratulations on your engagement.  You already know how much I like her and how excited I am to have her as a member of our family.  But also, congratulations on getting up the nerve to do it.  I know it wasn't easy.  Especially since this wasn't your everyday proposal.  I know that this is the first step down a long road for the two of you and that it may not be easy.  But I know you can do it.  Best of luck going forward, with her parents, and with life.  I truly wish you both nothing but the best. 

Much love,

Short Stack

Dear Mother Nature,

Thank you.  Days like today make me hopeful that summer will, in fact, eventually arrive.  I got to ride my bike, enjoy the amazing colors of the lake, see the sun, and enjoy sitting on my balcony.  All of this made me smile.  And I need to smile more.  So thanks :)

Love, me