Who or what are the BIGGEST things you stand up for or fight in life?

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

What groups of people or animals or causes or whatnot cause you to really bare your teeth when they get stomped on? Or things you fight?

Here are mine (they start off in order, the first two, but then they get out of order!):

1. GLBT community/rights

2. Teenagers--I am an advocate for them in real life with my adult peers (part of my job)

3. Animal rights--animal abuse and/or neglect cases really get to me pretty badly

4. Health care for Americans

5. Freedom of religion/freedom from religion/separation of church and state

6. Environment--especially clean air. I have a child with asthma and allergies and on high ozone days she literally cannot step foot outside, and I think that is horribly sad. (On three medications a day.)

7. Public schools/public education (this should probably be #3!) When I hear politicians talking about how THEY know how to fix schools and then their only expertise is because they once went to school, it burns me the hell up. Basically, we fund schools or we build bigger prisons. It's as simple as that. Public education should be and needs to be the great equalizing factor for all Americans.

8. Veteran's rights and benefits. Very few things get me more riled up than hearing stories of people who have given the most to their country being treated the LEAST by it. Ie: vets who are denied disability benefits, aren't listened to, shuffled off to the side, given poor medical care, lied to, etc. It's rampant, unfortunately. It's odd--we have a ton of military glorification in this country, but very little putting our money where our mouth is with regard to our veterans. Strange, that. Maybe the people yelling "SUPPORT THE TROOPS" think if they yell it loud enough no one will notice vets getting the shaft.

9. Corporate welfare--need I say more? and the complete corporate takeover of America.

10. GRRRRRRRRR, the media. Again, 'nuff said.

What are yours?

[Left Is Write]

1. Why don't you live near me? (nt)

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

5. Ummmmm

I don't know, why?

:hug:

Let's move our families to Minnesota, ok? I'd gladly move there if I knew you and your family were there and we had jobs. St. Paul?

[Left Is Write]

36. St. Paul is perfect.

We're working on it!

[Solitaire]

2. don't have as many as you off the top of my head, but here:

Animal rights

Child protection

Democracy

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

17. Just your third one

alone encompasses a lot. And a very nice list.

Wish sometimes I could say as much in fewer words the way other people can!

[UNIXcock]

3. my list

1) My Family
2) Christ
3) Our Country
4) RKBA
5) Animal Rights
6) Those less fortunate
7) the Environment
8) Americas youth

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

7. What is RKBA?

[UNIXcock]

12. The most important ...

... amendment to the US Constitution - the Second

Right to Keep and Bear Arms - the teeth of the US Constitution, the others are just ink on paper without it

[Seabiscuit]

39. The First Amendment is the "teeth of the US Constitution".

The "right to keep and bear arms" is, IMHO, wasted ink on paper. And the cause of a lot of needless deaths in America for centuries now.

[UNIXcock]

41. Sorry, but the First is merely "lip service" without the Second to ...

... back it up. Our Founding Fathers knew this fact intimately. They knew that speaking freely against the Queen wasn't going to cut it alone. To keep a tyrannical government in check, the populous needed to be assure the right to keep and bear arms.

... Oh yeah - those needless deaths. Lock up the perpetrators that use lethal weapons in the commission of a crime for years and punish or charge idiots that use firearms in a negligent manner much like those people that abuse driving privileges (drunk drivers that kill).

... Or option two. Continue using gun-control in our platform in elections and continue losing to republicans. There are way too many one-issue gun-owner voters to turn our backs on. Actually, it's a bigger threat to us than the evangelical right you're "fed to believe".

[Seabiscuit]

42. We couldn't be more diametrically opposed in our viewpoints.

Beyond saying that "gun control" legislation has absolutely nothing to do with why democrats are losing elections, I'll let the rest be, and stand on my original contention to the end. Yes, during the Revolutionary War, the army was assisted by a "well regulated militia", but since then guns have gotten out of hand - the framers never intended American citizenry to be armed to the teeth, unchecked. They just recognized that at that time they needed farmers with more than pitchforks to fight the British.

Which has absolutely nothing to do with our First Amendment freedoms.

[UNIXcock]

47. Oh I see, you're advocating re-writing the US Constitution to suit you're

... interpretation huh?

... One more reason democrats are abandoning our party (even with the most incompetent president in office ever). It's people like you that refuse to understand that the 2nd Amendment is to keep citizens a real part of the equation. See, otherwise it's a sum zero game - we would have no say whatsoever - we'd be complete victims to the fascists - yes, worst than we are now.

... Oh well, continue living in your fantasy world and continue driving hoards of democrats to vote "the lesser of two evils" that at least champion the cause of less gun-control. Wake up dude! :freak:

[Droopy]

4. Bigotry of all sorts really gets me riled up

After that one of my top issues is the mentally ill. I've suffered from mental illness for the past 12 years so I have a special interest in seeing that people with mental illnesses are treated properly.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

6. That's on my list, I just didn't mention it

my mother, a first cousin, an uncle and a great-aunt have all suffered from moderate to severe mental illness and it is horrifying the lack of attention and understanding it gets even now in the 21st century.

[Droopy]

24. The lack of understanding is something that really

plagues people who are mentally ill. It took a long time before my parents were able to get a grip on what I was dealing with. At first they thought I was just being weak and all I needed was the strength to "snap out of it." Well after my three stays in the lock down unit of the psychiatric ward, they became more receptive to what was ailing me. I got them some pamphlets that explained my mental illness (schizoaffective disorder). I had my mother sit in on one of my therapy sessions. They now see things differently and have a better understanding of my illness. But the only reason they have that understanding is because their son is ill. Most people don't have a clue about mental illness. I read somewhere that it is estimated that the majority of homeless people are mentally ill. Where would those people be if they had access to treatment? With modern psychiatric drugs most people who are mentally ill can live a somewhat normal life. I do.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

28. Oh my gosh

schizoaffective disorder is what my mother has! (Among other things, she also has Borderline Personality Disorder and is Bi-Polar.)

I have never known anyone else with it. She has never been treated, they tried to, she was diagnosed, but she was always extremely resistant and we could never prove she was a danger to herself or others (though she was, she attempted suicide four times). She did go into a residential hospital a couple of times, and they'd medicate her there, but as soon as she was out, she'd stop taking them. To make matters worse, she'd self-medicate with tranquilizers, etc.

You have my complete empathy. It's heartbreaking what the mentally ill and their families have to go through in addition to their illness.

[Droopy]

35. I'm sorry your mother is not receptive to treatment

It took me three times and nearly killing myself before I finally wised up.

I think that is a problem with a lot of mentally ill people. They don't want to take their meds. I've seen that on more than one occasion when I was in the hospital, and I myself have gone off meds a couple of times. But I want to live and I want to be happy. That's what it boils down too. When people are in the throes of a mental illness where there is severe paranoia it looks like everyone is out to hurt them. So they don't trust doctors and nurses who are really there to help them. It takes a serious leap of faith to break free of the chains of mental illness when paranoia is present. Some people never can.

I pray your mother will somehow see the light through whatever veil has covered her mind and get the help she needs.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

37. I do, too

though I am no longer in touch with her, sadly enough. It's been six years. My brother lives near her. I took care of her for a long time, he voluntarily is now. It was killing me and taking a toll on my own family.

She said things like the doctors were just after her money, etc. She didn't HAVE any money, though.

Oh the stories I could tell, but I'm sure you've heard them.

I can remember there were times when she would be so incredibly lucid and....normal. Like a ray of sunshine through a cloud. And then the clouds again.

Those moments happened less and less often as the years went on.

Anyway, thanks. Not a day goes by that I don't pray for her.

[BoX o BooX]

8. You left off reproductive rights.

Choice is my number-one issue when voting.


And I was born with no uterus.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

13. Doggone I sure did.

I tend to not think about it as much since it is no longer an issue for me BUT!!!!! that is selfish as it is STILL an issue for women everywhere AND I have a daughter I have to think about....thank you for reminding me of that, I am embarrassed I left it off.

[Seabiscuit]

9. 1. My wife, kids, and my wife's parents. 2. The U.S. Constitution.

3. The law.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

16. Good list!!!

[Bertha Venation]

10. Feral cats, hungry/homeless people, battered women, and equality for GLBTs

I don't have much energy, so the cats & the hungry get my action, and the others get as much attention as I can give as well as what we can spare in donations.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

15. You are such an angel

for your work with the cats. I've always said if money were no object, I'd open a no-kill shelter and start a rescue group.

Bless you.

[Bertha Venation]

21. I'm not the only DUer. alittlelark and jukes also work w/ cats.

And I know there are others; I just can't think of their names.

Today I learned that cats in need can make "angels" bleed.... ;) see my "kitten kicked my ass" thread.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

23. I read that and laughed, hope you don't mind

and I knew about jukes, but I didn't know about alittlelark, she's a total sweetie, too!

I did some feral cat rescue in college (well quite a bit of it, we had HUGE feral cat colonies in my college town) and WOW did I get bit and scratched up a lot. Had to have an entire series of rabies shots once. UG.

[Bertha Venation]

27. Of course not! I meant for people to laugh!

I got started on rabies shots once, but they took the cat, euthanized it and tested the head: no rabies, so I didn't have to get the series. My day will come, though, I have no doubt.

[BeatleBoot]

11. The "Little Guy"...

The underdog...

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

14. I have always always always been a sucker for the

underdog.

Always.

I guess that's one of the main reasons I'm a Democrat--I noticed it was the only party consistently standing up, throughout the party's history, for the "little guy."

[GOPisEvil]

18. The Constitution.

I'm a volunteer with the ACLU - the Consitution will continue to be under attack from the right wing, so the ACLU will have plenty to do.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

19. Hoooo yeah.

I am now a card-carrying ACLU member, something I've been meaning to do for years.

And I'll never forget the day I joined---November 3, 2004.

Good work, GOPisevil.

[miss_kitty]

20. Victims Rights

I have had to fight like hell about my ID theft. I ended up spamming the Seattle govt about being treated rudely by the cops. I called every Law Enforcement agency and with the help of a fraud investigator, we FINALLY got the USPS and the Social Security office of the Inspector General. Well that was May. hours and hours. It paid off. I got a call from the guy at the bank on Thursday. he thanked me profusely. The case had gone from a "what the fuck is this pissant case?" to a major major crime investigation with over 40 suspects and a task force. $70,000 in checks written in my name. New victims. The bank guy said that this was the most satisfying case upon which he has ever worked, and that I-my story-was his inspiration.

The hospitals changed their record keeping because of my case. A rude SPD detective got his ass kicked for being an asshole!

Now I have other work to do, to get the legislation pushed through to get these people in more trouble. Some of the crims were writing checks to pay fines arising from early release on previous convictions. no supervision.

And Moonbeam_Starlight, I totally support ALL the causes you listed. My cancer went so far because I had no medical insurance.

:hi:

[meow2u3]

22. Pet rights

I'd like to see the end to housing discrimination against families with furbabies. I'm tired of seeing people who have to give up their beloved cats, dogs, etc., just so the humans can have a roof over their heads.

I say animals have an absolute right to live with their humans, whether they rent their homes or not. No animal should have to suffer a death sentence just because kitty's or doggie's humans rent an apartment.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

25. Yes

I try to get people to understand that, once someone has taken on the responsibility of taking care of a pet, that is a HUGE responsibility, not to be taken lightly. They DEPEND on their human masters for everything.

[miss_kitty]

31. That's why I have no pets now

I love kitties. But I don't have $ for vet bills, and that's a necessity.

[barb162]

26. this is very difficult

I know animals would be first for me...I do rescue

2.after that, I think I lump everything into one "box" and that box would include trying to make the world better when I leave it than when I entered it.
If that means recycling, planting trees or native plants or being against the Iraq war or helping a blind person across a street or writing letters to congress people on what I want them to do, well, I don't know quite how to really put issues in order as to importance. I know SUVs totally get on my nerves and I am very worried about the world oil situation and our waste of it and other natural resources. I am very pro environmental cleanup, veterans welfare, soldiers' welfare, oh my, health care for all Americans is a huge issue, the economy and people not being able to find decent jobs, gee, it just goes on and on and on. There's so much more, like population control as I think there are already too many people on this planet and I think we should start trying for negative growth. Don't cut down the tropical rain forests for more housing or old growth forests here. Secular (v. religious) politics is certainly an issue for the last few years along with being pro choice which will become again very important the next few years (as it was the last few but noone was paying attention).

I cannot /wont itemize or prioritize these issues.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

30. You did very well in describing them, though.

I think it's interesting to do this because to hear some people talk, you'd think there aren't any Americans concerned about these issues, but look at all of us Democrats.

[Susang]

29. #1 for me is Equality for all, particularly women and minorities

#2 would have to be health care

#3 is education

#4 is Environment/Animal welfare issues (I put these in the same catgegory, because I believe they are to interconnected not to be)

#5 Constitutional/Bill of Rights issues

[judaspriestess]

32. #1 is perfect ^^^

I as a minority woman firmly believe in that.
(a co-worker of mine who is LDS and a * supporter had the audacity to say to me I know you worked hard for your success but it sits in the back of the white mans mind that you had affirmative action on your side)
....that type of mentality motivates me even more.....

2. Womans reproductive rights
3. Education
4. Environment
5. Homeless

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

34. What a DISGUSTING thing to say

sorry, but screw her.

Good list. The homeless are SO not on the national radar and I don't understand that.

[pres2032]

33. my list

1. God
2. Family
3. Friends
4. Country
5. Humanity

[Sabriel]

38. #1 is freedom of speech

Without the biggie, no one can do much of anything. But I'm also working on LGBTQ awareness, literacy, public education, and pre/post-natal care.

[LincolnMcGrath]

40. UNIONS

And workers rights in general.

[DemWitch]

43. Before anything or anyone else...

1) My family and friends. I will be the first one to point our they're wrong, but anyone outside our circle, beware treading into my territory to attack or demean them.

2) My country, our Bill of Rights and our Constitution. See above.

[flvegan]

44. Very focused on two right now

1. Animal rights. Been on the front lines for several years now;

2. GLBT equality. Pretty new to me, I guess, not having realized how difficult and unfair policies are towards these good folks. I'm not gay, and I don't know very many GLBT, which is probably why this one is so fairly new to me. Sorry I haven't been in the fight from the get-go, but I'm making up for it.

[FizzFuzz]

45. here's mine

Sexism, particularly in media--it's the main thing I pontificate on here, when I pontificate. I've even caused some changes by speaking up or writing letters at various times in real life. :D Yay me!

Overpopulation--this one is a hot issue for me too. Its at the root of so many problems.

Childfree rights--pro-natalism is so taken for granted. we childfree folks pay plenty of dues to support those with kids (local state and federal taxes, high insurance premiums, expectations to pick up the slack for co-workers with children. We are then also expected to never complain about this because saying anything negative about children is evil.)

Environment/Wildlife

Animals

Separation of Church and State

[nicedream815]

46. mine are

1. environment
2. animal rights
3. socialism/general economic issues
4. separation of church & state
5. the MSM
6. marijuana legalization
7. downloading music