Not a Kerry thread (though mentioned) - I am taking 2 months off work to care for wife

[The Straight Story]

So WHY I am telling you this?

Well, here is why. Because it was Democrats that gave us the Family Leave act. It's always the democrats doing things for us little folk out here. Sure, they can suck up to the big corporations and pull some shitty stunts, but they are still the only party really in our corner.

I don't give a rat's ass what kerry said, and if a voter pulls the lever for a repub based on that alone then they are idiots who weren't got vote based on issues anyway, they were gonna pick the cutest candidate or one with the name that sounds nice.

Go ahead and let people freakin try to cloak the real issues by bullshit. The real issues are that we are for the people - and we should be in power so that the majority of Americans don't have to face things like I am going to with fear. Let me explain this:

I will probably have enough time that I will get paid while off, but suppose I didn't (most don't). Then what? Well, I should have worked harder and saved more. It's all my own fault, so screw me.

NO - screw you filthy bastards who run up a damned iraq war bill, 700 mile fence, and so on and cannot pay for the needs you have created so go begging for handouts from ME. "Well, ya know, Sept 11 and all that, we were attacked, we need your money". You get it, I have no choice when you raid the coffers.

How can you seriously do this shit then let people like myself and others suffer? Toss me a few grand a month while I work out my issues and I won't have a leg to bitch at you on. If I was one of your precious corporations you and your lap dogs would bail me out and then some.

You ever see the movie "IT's A WONDERFUL LIFE"? You see how that ended, everyone coming together to help out a person in need. That's who we are - us democrats. And it ain't just local, it's across this whole land and even global. So when Joe six pack's wife is ill and he needs to care for her and their child, we step in and help. But no - there is no damned happy ending with you assholes in charge.

And so the sick become mentally anguished, which makes it a living hell. You're the Mr. Potters of the world. You take and give back a little then demand even more saying 'but look, we built ya a road'.

Who gives a flying f*ck about the damned terrorists - they ain't gonna kill me, the lack of health care, support, and stress over it will be my demise. Yet you spend trillions saving me from some nut job in the Middle East.

Yeah, I am pissed. My wife is laying in bed sick and worried. The sick is one thing (Parkison's) but the worry is on your shoulders.

Go to hell. Vote dem, or you're voting against life, liberty, and love of your fellow man and Woman.

Look me in the eye and tell me mess is my fault. Part of it is. Then you look me in the eye again and tell me none of the shit you are putting this country through is your fault. You can't. But you will still get your billions to kill others.

Something is wrong with this country, and it is YOU and your fellow republicans.

[Skittles]

1. you know it, Straight Story

by the way, what a lovely person you are

[brentspeak]

2. Great post...prayers for your wife

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Straight Story..........

Your post is beautifully and eloquently put!

K&R

All my best to you and your beautiful wife.......

I wish I could put your thread directly onto the Greatest Page.....

It belongs there!

:patriot:

[Jeffersons Ghost]

4. K&R

[JeffR]

5. I wanted to be the first rec on this post

But though I read fast, I type like a three-fingered cartoon character.

TSS, your last sentence sums up the American dilemma like nothing else. Bravo.

[The Straight Story]

10. Took me years but I learned to type fast:

Had so much to get out of the system the brain finally got the hands to keep pace :)

Thanks for stopping by JeffR, always appreciate seeing you around!

[JeffR]

14. As I appreciate you weighing in here, my friend

If I could get my hands in synch with my heart, well, I can only dream...

[The Straight Story]

22. Just treat your keyboard like a guitar

And soon you will be playing it well and making beautiful music.

BTW, love your graphic! Saved it on the HD, did you make it??

[JeffR]

23. I did, in a fit of pique

The kind of fit I've had many of in the past 6 years.

[anitar1]

6. You are speaking directly to my heart. n/t

[babylonsister]

7. Here's a thought; consider your wife and

contemplate the care the soldiers, who served our country well, 1-2-3-4 times, who might be
dead or maimed, but we don't hear too much about them either.
This sounds horrid, but it's where I'm at. My point is
not to anger anyone.

[The Straight Story]

9. It is even more sickening in the scenario you mention

And it angers me to no freakin end when I think about it. Thank you for bringing that up here as it just adds to the laundry list of proof they are not a pro-life party.

[babylonsister]

21. Your wife and you are dear to me;

we'll talk, soon!
I have lots of anger, and mine has to do with a son who has a disease also.

[bananas]

24. If our country regains its senses we can turn that around too

we can make a laundry list of new pro-life legislation
a new GI bill, stem cell research, etc etc etc.
Thanks for your OP, sometimes DU goes off on tangents.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

8. you didn't need it, but

I Recommended anyway.

so right on.

:hug:

[Robbien]

11. What a great rant and a much needed knock upside the head

for the idiots sweating the small stuff.

:thumbsup:

and sending out good wishes for your wife's health.

[SeattleGirl]

12. Well said.

That IS what the Dems are about -- reaching out and helping people, not reaching into their pockets to rob them blind like the Republicans do.

Best to your wife.

[The Straight Story]

13. My one gripe with dems - they need to focus hard on that

Day in and out showing who is the party of and for the people. Let's win and take back this great country.

[NanceGreggs]

15. "So WHY I am telling you this?"

Well, to answer a question with another question, I would ask: "So WHY are WE listening to this?"

Maybe it's because we care about you and your wife as individuals, as people we have come to know here at DU.

Maybe it's because you're both fellow citizens -- and for us, that's pretty much the same as being family.

Maybe it's because we tend to think in terms of what happens to any of us, happens to ALL of us.

Maybe it's because we believe that in a country that generates such wealth, it is a sin that anyone's first thought in a time of sickness should be worries about money.

Maybe it's because we THINK about our fellow human beings as being a part of ourselves, and not strangers to be dismissed.

Maybe we think that way because we're Democrats.
Maybe we think that way because we're decent human beings.
Maybe they're one and the same.

(Great post, as always. You are not ALONE in this - ever.)

[The Straight Story]

17. Good to know a few folks have come to know me here :)

Makes it feel more like a home away from home while I am at home ;)

Great reply BTW, I hope many here read it.

[Suich]

16. Well said, Straight Story! Well said...

Thoughts and prayers to you and your wife...

:hug:

[ashling]

18. Straight to the heart of the matter

Your post is excellent. You go straight to the heart of the matter ... which is that we Democrats, members and supporters of the Democratic Party, have a heart.

As George Clooney says, we are the ones that don't have to put "compasionate" in front of our name to show that we give a shit about people.

This country is indeed fortunate to have people like you ... you, and that most estimable person who decided to connect her life with the likes of yours. Go care for her in peace and in the knowledge that it is people like you who are what this country is ssupposed to be about.

:grouphug:

[Atman]

19. Powerful stuff. k&r'd a thousand times if I could.

You've said everything right there. My heart is with you and your wife in your time of need. I really do believe most people fully understand what you've so forthrightly spelled out here, but the corporate government would rather we divide and fight amongst ourselves in the hope we won't notice they are among the most despicable enemies the regular working citizens of this country have ever faced. Be strong. We'll all be sending out positive vibes for you both.

.

[JDPriestly]

20. You and folks like you are why I am a Democrat

Thanks for the honest, heartfelt post. You are real. I wish you and your wife the very best.

[ninkasi]

25. Straight Story, and Autumn Mist

First, I hope I got your wife's DU name correct. I remember when I first read about your wife's disease, and the obvious fierce, wonderful love you have for her. I remember when you posted a picture of a beautiful, brave woman. I stand with you, all the way. Your wife and you, and all of the sufferers who are being pieces in a board game played by the republicans, are being cheated by the neoconservatives now holding a death grip on our throats.

They do not give one damn about the agony you and your wife face every day. They do not give one damn about anybody's suffering, if it will cost them a tiny fraction of a penny. They care about themselves, gathering all of the money and power they can, and smirking at you as your heart breaks. While their true base is the million and billionaires who rely on them for favorable tax laws, and lenient labor laws, they continue to use the religious fundamentalists, and laugh at them behind their backs.

There is nothing on earth that will make me believe that a clump of cells deserve the same treatment as a cherished and dearly loved spouse, or child. One is a possibility, the other is a reality. I pray, for both of you and the countless others who live under a cloud due to their health, that we can take back Congress, and start voting for policies which truly value human life, a life already living, and much loved by others.

[The Straight Story]

27. You got her name pretty much right (no Space) AutumnMist

And it angers me more each day that they do not care, that we are expendable to them.

It has been a hard two years for me, from mom dying to wife having major asthma attacks, to her finding out she has parkinson's disease, and seven deaths of close people I have known most my life.

I have not been out there rallying the troops and doing enough, but I have learned from all this. I need to be more active, and god willing I will have the time to be when this is all over and she is on some new medications.

I was once almost a minister, and still have the faith. But right now I think I need to be preaching a different message, one directly to the people about the dangers and hatred of the republican party.

If, when, we get through all this I am going heavily on the offensive. I owe it to my wife and daughter to use my time and skills to fight for a better America.

[brer cat]

31. You are a rare jewel in the crown of humanity, TSS.

I have walked part of your walk, and know some of the difficulties. For you to take your anger and grief and turn it into a positive for the future of AutumnMist and your daughter is so commendable. You WILL get through this, TSS, and I have no doubt that you will find an outlet for your skills that will make a difference for all of us.

You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. If times are bad, please post here where 95,000 friends DO care...and not one is an R!


:grouphug:

[snowbear]

26. We will miss you.... Please stop back in as life permits...

We'll keep the light on and the coffee hot.

If you ever need to drop in and PM any of us--- at anytime of the night or day ---- please, do that!! We care buddy!

[bonito]

28. Many people believe that money will save them

But you know it is whats in ones heart, even being broke is what will save us all.
I could never bare the thought to let my wife slip by only to secure a financial future for myself.

[laylah]

29. I am sorry to hear

of your wife's illness. There are many of us out here who share your feelings and anguish. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

:hug: Jenn

[Old and In the Way]

30. Powerful post....wish you and your wife the very best.

I know how frustrating this has to be on both a macro/micro level for you. If there was a just God, he'd inflict people like Rush with the very conditions that they are so quick to politicize and belittle.

Best wishes.

[WillyT]

32. Hey Straight Story... Found Somethin For Ya !!!

My aunt who has cancer, is taking care of her husband (my uncle) who has Parkinson's and Dementia.

She tells me you have to keep some sense of humor through it all, or you'll be crushed by the weight. She also tells me that once in a while gettin really pissed and throwing things feels pretty good too, LOL.

I love ya man... tell your beautiful wife we love her too.

Peace

[The Straight Story]

33. ROFL - Damn! They DO look alike.

When I have time someday maybe I will pull parts of the movie in to the computer and do some voice overs. Might have some fun with that!

[Vidar]

34. Wishing you & your wife the best.

[UrbScotty]

35. Keep it up. (nt)

[flyboy85]

36. The Straight Story

Sorry to hear about your wife. Will keep you and your wife and family in our prayers!! Be tough and Strong!

[windbreeze]

37. You are correct...SS...

take care...sending good vibes your way...wish both of you only the best...
wb

[spuddonna]

38. I'll be thinking of you guys when I vote next week...

And I'll be thinking of all the soldiers, our kids, that are trapped in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the lucky ones that have gotten back home...

And the people who are scattered to the ends of the country from the Katrina massacre...

And the countless friends of mine who are one illness away from losing it all, because they have no health care...

You guys are in my prayers... Love and peace to you! I'm looking forward to next Tuesday, to seeing our country start to take care of each other again!

[The Straight Story]

39. Since you are up at this god awful hour:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCCR2huE2m8

A video worth seeing (especially for old timers like me). Brings back a lot of memories from when I was much younger and the anti-war music.

PS - Thanks for you thoughts and kind words. Everyone on this thread have made this a good day for my wife and I.

[spuddonna]

41. Wow, I haven't heard that one for a long time...

Thank you so much for the link! :) Peace!

[Alamom]

40. My best to you & AutumnMist.....n/t