Protect Drug Addicts?

There's a Milwaukee Journal Times editorial calling for a better law to protect people from abusing prescription drugs and, quite frankly, I don't think we need the law at all.  When will we stop allowing the government to protect us from ourselves.  If you want to ruin your life or even die by taking prescription drugs, oh, well.  If you're that stupid, we didn't need you in the gene pool anyway.

If this was a matter of the government making sure a company didn't put a drug on the market that was known to kill one out of every 10 users, then I'd be for it.  But, frankly, I don't need the government to protect me from me.  If I want to run around town, convincing doctors that I need that prescription drug, so be it.

If I have a brain cell left, then I know there are plenty of programs that will put me on the straight and narrow path from drug addiction.  Is it easy - no, it isn't.  But, that which does not kill us, makes us stronger.

I've been on pain medication and I realize that the soothing effects are quite addicting.  I do have an addictive personality, if I didn't, I would've quit smoking for good years ago.  But, despite my stupidity for still being a smoker, I do have enough good sense to know that when I crave the drug for the effect and not the pain in my leg, it was time to stop taking the drug.  Three days after my knee surgery, I was done with the vicodin.


Enough is enough.  It is time we expected everyone to take care of themselves and if they can't, and they die, that's just a sad fact of life.  It may be a little harsh, but only the strong survive and if you're not strong enough, well, they you're out of the gene pool.

Wisconsin Attorney General J. B. Van Hollen doesn't stand up for Wisconsin Laws...

But Fair Wisconsin does. (Read their announcement here) Everyday until the next election or someone who knows how to organize a recall against Van Hollen, I'm going to remind Wisconsin voters just how 1) he doesn't defend laws passed by our legistlature and 2) how that costs Wisconsin taxpayers $175.00 per hour to bring in an outside attorney. Apparently, Van Hollen only stands up for those constituents who are as small minded and backward as he is.
Let's all join together and make him a one-term attorney general. Let's send a message to future attorney generals that we want them to uphold our laws. Period.
In case you're wondering if I only want him to support laws I support, I support the Federal Justice Department's stance to support DOMA in court. I believe that's what attorney generals should do -- even if they disagree with the law.
Apparently, Republicans don't think that way. They think that somehow you have some made up right to only do your job as long as you agree with it -- the exception is you shouldn't have to do something unethical or illegal. Silly Republicans, running the government is an intellectual's job.
Defend the law, Van Hollen, or suffer the consequences and lose the next election.

God Bless

Domesticated Bliss

Yesterday, at around 1:30 PM, Cheryl and I, along with my parents and our good friend, Jerri and Preston, walked into the Racine County Courthouse and registered for domestic partnership. There's a five day waiting period, so next week, we have to go back and file the paperwork with the County Clerk's office. Some of our friends and family members read about this yesterday on our facebook pages. Some of our friends have asked what all this entails and I thought I should post a brief outline of our rights.

• Inheritance and Survivor Protections
• Family and Medical Leave
• Medical, Hospital and Visitation Rights
• Prevention of one Partner from testifying against another Partner
• Transfer of real estate and car and boat titles are exempt from fees.

There are 43 state rights / protections granted to domestic partnerships, as opposed to the 200 protections offered by marriage.

Just thought I'd fill you in.

God Bless

Illinois drivers in Wisconsin

Message: My mother is always complaining about how IL drivers receive more traffic tickets in WI than they should. This upsets her because she thinks that WI cops are picking on IL drivers. Well, I'm here to say that every single ticket issued is justified. Just this morning, a driver was on my back bumper-so close I couldn't see his headlights-at 70MPH. If I had hit my breaks, he would've hit me. Then when traffic cleared, he passed me. That's when I saw his plate. So, then I kept my eye on him and I should mention that he wasn't a young kid - he looked to be 50 or so. He tailgated in the construction zone and took off speeding when construction ended. And, that's why IL drivers deserve tickets when they drive in WI. And, I know not all IL drivers are like this - some are worse. God Bless

Thank you, Governor Doyle

Let's face it when the Republicans ran the Wisconsin State Legistlature, nothing good came of it -- and, yes, Cathy Stepp, I'm talking to you. Best thing to happen to Wisconsin politics was when she decided NOT to run for State Senator again to spend more time with her family.
Worst thing to happen to Wisconsin was that stupid anti-gay amendment. Yes, friends, that's what we can thank our state Republicans for -- an amendment to our state consitution to outlaw gay marriages and civil unions. But, did it attract one job to our state?
No, it didn't. And, all it did was place us in the same boat as those other states that voted for their stupid amendments -- we look like backward morons.
But, thanks to Governor Doyle, we can once again take pride in our great state. He is calling for a Domestic partnership registry -- he wants to make sure that no gay person is ever bared from a loved one's hospital room. He wants to make sure that no gay person has to chose between losing their job and being by their soulmate's side when the end is near. Thank God for Governor Doyle!
Last year, my mother-in-law passed away and I was heartbroken, but thanks to my very understanding employer, they allowed me to work from the hotel where we were staying to be by herside. They allowed me to work off hours, so I could spend the day supporting Cheryl and Mom in their time of need. But, a lot of employers wouldn't allow that. But, they would for a straight couple. And, that, friends, is one of the reasons we need equality in marriage for all, not just those that fit some mold.
God Bless

To Straight California From Gay Wisconsin

I received in my mailbox an email from the Human Rights Campaign. According to the email, the anti-gay marriage ban is now winning by a 47 to 42 margin. Apparently, the Nazi groups such as Focus on the Family are blasting ads that convinced voters equal rights for all is somehow a bad thing.

Well, my fellow Americans, don't believe the crap. Gays haven't ruined traditional marriage -- how could we when we can't legally get married.

Further if these groups were the Christians they proclaim to be, they would be out helping their fellow man and not demeaning him.

It has never been easy to be a gay Christian, but groups like this disgust me in ways you can't even imagine. To be close to God is one of the most magical parts of life possible. I feel His hand in my life when I hear my grandsons' laughter, watch the sunrise or snuggle with my wife as we fall asleep. To vote Yes on Proposition 8 is to let the anti-Christ win.

Please, please, please don't let that happen. We blew it here in Wisconsin, please don't blow it in your own state.

God Bless and protect me from your "followers"

Home Sale Fee...

On my way to work, I'm listening to 95.7 and I hear this ad from the Wisconsin Homeowners Alliance. (I didn't even know there was such a group.) Apparently in the new budget, they want to raise the home sale transfer fee -- something else I didn't know existed.

Currently, the home sale transfer fee is 3%. That comes to 3.00 for every $1,000. Governor Doyle wants to double it to 6% or $6.00 for every $1,000.

What's the big deal?

First, only 7% of homes sell in Wisconsin every year (According to the JSOnline.) So, we're discussing something that only affects 7% of the people and I don't think the home sale transfer fee is stopping anyone from selling their home.

Second, the home sale transfer fee hasn't been raised since 1982. Raising it now, when the money will be used for things like police officers is not a bad thing.

Third, has anyone noticed that our state is in financial trouble? (Along with almost every other state in the union.) The Republicans (according to the JSOnline article) are against this. Really? They had control of both the senate and the assembly for years, I didn't see them come up with any great ideas to help fund the state. (But, they did bring us the anti-gay amendment and concealed carry, so let's all applaud their efforts.)

Finally, the average person is not going to even notice this. The homeowners alliance group's ad on the radio sounds like we're all doomed if this passes. But, in reality, on a home that sells for $95,000, the fee is only $570.00. Since the last time I checked my house was valued at $95,000, I don't think I'll even notice the $570.00 fee. We're not talking about a huge amount of money. I pay half of that every year in state taxes on the gas I buy.

I read one blog entry that liken this rise in a state fee to the same tax raise that caused the Boston Tea Party. Things were a lot different 200 years ago. We didn't need as many police officers and fire fighters. We didn't have teachers. (Women couldn't vote.) I don't like paying taxes anymore than the next guy, but I like knowing that underprivileged children have access to Badger Care. I like knowing that we don't have to cut state funding to police offices and fire fighters. If that means I have to pay a little more when I sell my home, well that's just the way it goes.

God Bless