VOTE

I was only number 94 (out of about 350 possible voters) at my polling place an hour ago...

DV & Monserrate

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR LIZ KRUEGER IN RESPONSE TO HIRAM MONSERRATE’S CONVICTION

NEWS FROM STATE SENATOR LIZ KRUEGER New York State Senate, 26th District STATEMENT FROM SENATOR LIZ KRUEGER IN RESPONSE TO HIRAM MONSERRATE’S CONVICTION "I believe Hiram Monserrate should not remain in the Senate, and for the sake of his constituents, the institution of the Senate and the Democratic party he should resign immediately based on the seriousness of his violent crime. Being an elected official is an honor and a privilege, not a right. As a state legislator , the voters give you the power to decide what laws all 19 million of us live under. And as such we are obligated to hold ourselves to the highest standards of our laws. The justice system has determined that Mr. Monserrate has violated our laws and is guilty of a very disturbing and violent crime against a woman. Domestic violence is a scourge on our society, and an issue which I believe requires us to speak out. Only through speaking out can we work to prevent more violence, support survivors, end the stigma and fear that victims deal with, and advocate for stronger penalties for those who believe they are above the law and violate another human being. The Senate is exploring our institutional legal options now that the Courts have ruled, but haven’t yet issued a sentence. For me, the length of the sentence does not matter – domestic violence is domestic violence, guilt is guilt. Therefore, I believe Hiram Monserrate should not remain in the Senate."

MIA: Real Health Care Reform

Health care reform should be to help people not companies --real health care reform that would * help those who get denied insurance--such as victims of domestic abuse (see http://www.alternet.org/politics/143142/really_sick%3A_if_your_partner_beats_you%2C_insurance_companies_don%27t_have_to_give_you_coverage);
* the public option necessary for many with chronic health care issues such as HIV & AIDS (see http://www.thebody.com/index/govt/reform.html);
*health care reform would not include drive by major operations (its not take two breasts and call me in the morning);
* health care reform would cover all people--using the ER as a clinic is very expensive:
*health care should not cause foreclosures;
and
* health care insurance should be disconnected people's jobs--it keeps people hostage to jobs.

Rape

Questions raised by Roman Polanski's (re-) arrest:
Is a rape a rape when committed years ago? Is a rape a rape when the rapist is reknowned? Is a rape a rape when the raped is a 13 year old seductress? Is a rape a rape when the victim says move on? Is the crime of rape a crime against the state? Is a rape a rape, and always a rape?


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/weekinreview/04kimmelman.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=kimmelman&st=cse

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/anotherthing/479379/roman_polanski_has_a_lot_of_friends

And, Don't get me started on Letterman. . .

Women's Autonomy & the Healthcare proposal

Once again, women's healthcare is being compromised--a woman's body is her body--regardless of class or income: decisions about it should be made by her, and when it comes to health/medical issues by her doctor. The current health care proposal being tauted by Republicans and anti-choice Democrats basically says that anyone one who might get federal subsidies that would allow them to buy their health care, can NOT purchase a health insurance plan that covers abortions.

Abortions are legal, there are many reasons why women seek/need to have this medical procedure done, Women need to be able to make ALL their own health care decisions.

I wonder if these health care proposals that disallow for elective abortions allow for Viagra and its ilk, breast implants or even all forms of birth control --want to limit the number of abortions, provide adequate, easily available birth control and sex education!


Today's NYT editorial on Abortion & Healthcare:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/opinion/01thu1.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=opinion&adxnnlx=1254402145-GNBOJ17r8OIKlnC/K29BvA

51% of the People Living in America

Need health care reform and we need it NOW!

Based on an in depth report by The National Women's Law Center (NWLC) has found that:

NWLC found that the individual insurance market is a very difficult place
for women to buy health coverage. Insurance companies can refuse to sell women coverage altogether due to a history of any health problems, or charge women higher premiums based on factors such as their gender, age and health status. This coverage is often very costly and limited in scope—and it often fails to meet women’s needs.

Besides making it difficult and more expensive for women to find maternity coverage it seems that having been a victim of domestic violence in some states also precludes women from health care insurance:

Insurance companies can reject applicants for health coverage for a variety of
reasons that are particularly relevant to women. For example, it is still legal in nine states
and D.C. for insurers to reject applicants who are survivors of domestic violence. Insurers can
also reject women for coverage simply for having previously had a Cesarean section (C-section).

http://action.nwlc.org/site/PageNavigator/nowheretoturn_Report
For the Full Report PDF:http://nwlc.org/reformmatters/NWLCReport-NowhereToTurn-WEB.pdf

New UN Women's Agency

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48439