Semantics....

I noticed something happened in the news. The US Senate proposed (Harry Reid did, actually) that INSTEAD of a 'public option' that independent NON PROFIT CO-OPs could be set up, instead.

It did NOT seem to draw the same ire as the 'public option' does.

The bottom line remains, and I have come to believe this - ALL Insurance should be run as NOT-FOR-PROFIT. If its the government that has to run it or set up these type 'co-ops', either would work for me.

It is immoral for people to profit from the misfortune of others and that is basically the insurance industry's end result.

The concept of MANY putting into a common pool, so that monies are available to the ones who need it, in times of emergency - can ONLY work when it is NOT run for profit. In THIS example, profit is the drainplug at the bottom, being open. Everything will be drained out, if it is NOT replenished.

Our Constitution specifically states that the US Government exists to, among other things, to 'promote the general welfare'.

Now, all welfare jokes aside, it IS in the best interest of ALL citizens that ALL insurance be run as NON PROFIT organizations, to make them financially and morally sound. If it takes the government to make THAT happen, it IS in the best interest of the people.

These insurance companies.....

I have worked on the inside and been with, and without, on the outside.

What a crooked, maddening situation we have now. I have had to FIGHT for treatment with MY insurance, as have had many others.

With YOUR government, YOU have a say. Just because the great masses are passive, doesn't mean that the wheels of Justice don't turn.

Try getting anywhere with an Insurance company, whose main purpose is to make money.

Your government exists to serve the people, the fault lies in this GREAT APATHY that has swept this once proud land.

Half the people do not even care and they have the right to disengage, but in the end, it hurts us all as their voices wind up NOT being represented.

I'd be 100% in favor of making ELECTION DAY a NATIONAL HOLIDAY for all American's that are able, to vote.

We need MORE people engaged in our government, because the people are fundamentally GOOD, especially if you present them an opportunity to make a difference. Many people will open their hearts to strangers, a trait that always seems to be undervalued.

The SPIRIT of America is STILL alive, but Congress has such a stench of corruption, it seems difficult to be genuinely trusting of their 'doings'.

Don't get me wrong. I am sure that SOME members of Congress are legit. I feel very supportive of some. But, from the outside (and I have been on the INSIDE of Florida Politics, but that's another post entirely), The Congress seems to be the 'heartbeat' of the corruption.

That is where all the men and woman, go in with suitcases, and convince legislators to craft laws with 'specific' wording. Look at the polls, Congressional approval is always lower than The President's, and I think I finally figured out why....

The PEOPLE only have to become concerned, involved, vote for the leaders they think will serve them the best. If we could only awake HALF of the disenchanted electorate, it could decide the course of our own history, for DECADES.

People are Good, the concept of being American is something we are ALL proud of.


I have NO allegiance to ANY Insurance company

but, I do believe in America.

Forgiveness

For those of you that know me, hearing that The Catholic Church and I are not on the best terms will be no surprise.

Recent events have given me reason to examine the ANGER that I still carry from those events which occurred on Church Property.

Has been 30 years, or more, for most of what I can recall and that ANGER has served me well for many years in protecting me, and not so well in other areas.

Now, THAT anger is something akin to more of an anchor than a lifeline.

Is funny how strange things can align and show you a NEW path. Is why I retained my strong belief in God. Has been too many instances where it was OBVIOUS I had an ANGEL on my shoulder.

Over the weekend, I came across the lyrics to an old Eagles song. The song itself was on a disk I recently got and it was sticking in my head. I thought the name of the song was 'Forgiveness' but is actually called - 'The Heart Of The Matter'.

Have NEVER thought I would be rid of my anger, The Church has never sought forgiveness, no penance has ever been paid. My life has been put into ruins over it as I continue to struggle with the realities I can remember and the things I fear to recall.

My anger has been like a crutch to lean on.

Something about the words in this song reached into me, had tears falling when I first read along with the music. The song was not written for me or my situation, but THE MESSAGE would certainly seem to apply.

I can't hold onto this anger forever, it no longer works to my benefit, if anything, it is keeping me from getting past the issues, as it holds me in place.

With all the other crapola going on, especially with the WTSP forum being a place where people can no longer exchange ideas, I am at a crossroads in my life.

What goes on at WTSP is beyond acceptable and when people can use the fact that I care about the forum, and use it against me - it is time to step back and rethink....

I can try to change what occurs at the WTSP forums, it may work, it may not.

But to change how I deal with MY anger is something I NOW have much more control.
For a LONG time I could not even SEE letting it go, couldn't even consider it.

All this time, I had thought it was something that stays with me, but I now see that I CHOOSE to keep it with me. That makes it something I can change and even eliminate myself of.

Is a time of great change, at many levels, for many people.

For me, it would seem that these lyrics have lit a path for me and I intend to take it and see where it leads me.

Anger has only led me in circles. I am tired and dizzy from it.

A NEW path sounds exciting as I am weary of the same old fights....

These are the words to the song 'Heart Of The Matter', it is my biggest hope that they will light a path for others as well.



The Eagles

'The Heart Of The Matter'



I got the call today, that I didn't wanna hear
But I knew that it would come
An old true friend of ours was talkin' on the phone
She said you found someone
And I thought of all the bad luck,
And the struggles we went through
And how I lost me and you lost you
What are these voices outside love's open door
Make us throw off our contentment
And beg for something more?


I am learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes
And the more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew, I'm learning again
I've been tryin' to get down to the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if, you don't love me anymore


Oh, These times are so uncertain
There's a yearning undefined
...And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive in such a graceless age
The trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They're the very things we kill, I guess
Pride and competition cannot fill these empty arms
And the work I put between us,
You know it doesn't keep me warm


I am learning to live without you now
But I miss you, Baby
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I figured out, I have to learn again
I've been tryin' to get down to the Heart of the Matter
But everything changes
And my friends seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if, you don't love me anymore


There are people in your life who've come and gone
They let you down, you know they hurt your pride
You better put it all behind you baby, cause life goes on
You keep carryin' that anger, it'll eat you up inside


I've been tryin' to get down to the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if, you don't love me


I've been tryin' to get down to the Heart of the Matter
Because the flesh will get weak
And the ashes will scatter
So I'm thinkin' about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if, you don't love me


Forgiveness (x6)


Even if, you don't love me anymore.
 
 
I WILL NEVER fully understand the WHY of my being abused, but the thing I have been missing was in THIS song.
 
Don't NEED their request for forgiveness to grant it, only need MY permission to let it go.
 
So I will....
 
Have a great day, please feel free to comment if you'd like.
  
 

"The Sane World"

What happened with the WTSP forum is a result of MONTHS of neglect by WTSP and the staff. Was telling a friend today that it used to be something awesome, something truly wondrous to me.

It was the realization of real democracy in action, the total free flow of information. An Arena Of Ideas where people could voice their causes and concerns.

The forum is NOT that, anymore. It has descended into something much more base, much worse than anything I could have imagined. Maybe I haven't been around this stuff long enough, but no one has, really, is only as old as the net tech that allows for it.

'jewhader' was the straw that back this camel's hump, it was so far past acceptable. I was DEEPLY offended for my Mom, my step dad and for all people of the Jewish faith and People of Color were also targeted.

Am hoping to add some civility back to this little cyber corner of the world. Have found some decent news feeds and some familair ones, at that. For now, everyone that isn't going to be a prick is welcome, comments are open to all and seeing we are all civilized adults, we will start from THAT point.

ANY story you would like to discuss, make the comment on the most recent blog post. Will make a thread on that story and we can discuss it. If it is WTSP we can hold our own discussion, in parallel to the crapola. This way, you can do BOTH, which is the most I can ask of anyone who still is with WTSP.

Jumping away is MY IDEA, so ALL are welcome here that are willing to be civil to each other.

Am QUITE sure that we can all learn something from one another and that we can do it with more class and dignity for everyone.

Is all I ever wanted.

Leave your comments on my latest post, even start the discussion without me. Once I get to it, I'll do my best XFER it all over to the new thread.

That's about it.

This is going to be fun, already has been.

WELCOME EVERYONE to 'The Sane World'....

PS:  'jewhader' changed his photo once, he had two different pictures. Am posting BOTH pics and a list of his superbly classy thoughts on the world.

Here is face selection number one:

And here is face selection number two, with 'most of his rap sheet':

There is something in the works, trying to get a GROUP of the better posters to sign a joint statement and get it to Peter Roghaar, the NEW Director of News and Information.

More on that, when it develops.

What now follows are the TWO comments removed by WTSP for expressing my distaste for the goings on and how they were handled. They can delete it from their site, but not from mine. People NEED to see the TRUTH.

Why I left WTSP.....

Greetings Fellow Earthican's

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary to dissolve the bonds which have connected one to another, and to assume upon the internet, a separate and equal station to which the laws of decency and civility are entitled, a decent respect to the opinions of my fellow countrymen requires that I should declare the causes which impel me to separation.

As an American, I hold THESE truths to be self evident:

That ALL humans are created EQUAL and they are endowed by their Creator with certain UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, that among these are LIFE, LIBERTY and The Pursuit of Happiness, in the way they see best fit for themselves, provided their actions to not bring harm to another.

Pretty obvious where I stole those words from, but they are BEAUTIFUL words, meant to be re-examined and redefined as the situation merits.

I left the CHAOS of WTSP due to the actions of a few bad posters and the INACTION of WTSP for allowing such despicable comments to reside on their site.

Attached are some choice examples - WELCOME to Rickster's Rants...

Civility

Where as I can no longer find a civil forum to exchange ideas, have decided to create my own.

Was StPeteRickster on WTSP's site for a few years, but the level of discourse has fallen below my low water line.

Have encouraged others to follow my example, to stop posting on WTSP and let management know why.

When I first started to post there, my skin was thin and I was very naive. Some would say I am still naive, but I hold that as a positive trait. It helps me see the GOOD in people.

The way society has become, fear and anger have taken control and that frightens me greatly. Had thought I was setting a good example by not attacking fellow posters, by not buying into group hate. It seems to have fallen on more deaf ears than live ones.

There, I learned to stand up to bullies, to oppose those who peddled intolerance and ignorance, put myself between the haters and the hated.

I hope to live up to MY standards, here on this new endeavor.

It is my greatest wish, that a movement toward civility would be had by our country.

Nothing is gained by this endless acrimony, yet everything can be lost when we fear to even discuss the most basic of issues with one another.

Words and ideas are to be debated and pondered, not used as weapons to humiliate or to instill fear or intolerance.

This time, its MY rules (Google's rules, really, but you know what I mean).

Will do my best to keep current, to reply to those who would like and to thank everyone who has found their way to this new home for me.

Am eager to get started, feels WAY overdue....