I wasn't going to write anything, then I got to thinking. I was brought up to thank people who do unexpectedly nice things. And you guys really did something pretty damn amazing.
Because it's late on Sunday night, and I hope I'm not taking up space, I wanted to thank everyone for such an incredible outpouring of everything. May I tell you that nothing like that has ever happened to me--I was totally unprepared. Kind of like winning the lottery. I'm still reeling.
To say I was surprised to see that diary at the top of the rec list is the understatement of all time.
I returned home from the supermarket, and did what I always do. I turned on my computer, checked my email, then checked Daily Kos. My routine for the last 100 years or so. My eyeballs dropped from their sockets.
I was totally flummoxed, I sent an desperate email to my pal clammyc (who I lovingly refer to as clambake--even to his face). He gave me some good advice, " take it easy, relax and enjoy it."
Let me say a word about Daily Kos. This is a place we all love--alot. But we're invited guests. This world belongs to Markos, we just live in it.
And if the truth be told, I love the right side of the page. I am a right side of the page type person. I love the spontaneity, the vibrance, the brilliance, the fights, the dysfunction, the love, the insanity. It's who I am.
Okay, now I'm really going to get in trouble with everyone. I stay away from most candidate diaries which by now, I consider boring. And though I love the left side of the page, I don't spend a whole hell of a lot of time there either. I'm not so big on primary or election polls. That's not to say that polls aren't important, they are. It's just my brain is geared toward human beings. Always has been. The left side does its thing, we do ours. That's what makes life interesting.
Pretty funny, after I just said, I'm not a poll person, I had an idea for a Daily Kos Tracking Poll. So follow me to the end and answer the poll.
I'm well aware that what I write is not pleasing to some--here and elsewhere. What can I say? Don't read it. Trust me it's more painful for me to write, than for the detractors to read ignore. But someone has to humanize the political, or we're going to be in a shitstorm the likes of which you've never seen.
At the end of the day, my intent, our intent, the intent of Daily Kos, I know, is all the same. It's to change a system that is destroying human beings.
I'll leave you with a piece of an email I recently received from a Kossack who is hurting. I hope this will make you understand why I do what I do.
I just can't ignore this stuff. And quite literally, I cannot wrap my mind around the reality that this is normal life for millions of Americans.
Some people think Daily Kos should be strictly about politics and electing progressive Democrats. I agree. But we will elect the best progressives, I believe, by focusing this new generation of progressive leaders on the tragic circumstances faced by millions of Americans.
I have asthma, chronic migraines, and mild bipolar. The only medicine I am taking is my asthma medicine, because I simply can't afford anything else. I've learned to live with the migraines and mood swings, but it's frustrating because there is one pill that treats both conditions. I just can't afford it. It's not REALLY expensive compared to other medication... about $100 a month. But, when hubby works making $10 per hour and no benefits and rent going up, etc. etc. I can't afford it. I only work part-time... with the bipolar and the migraines, I can't really handle more than that.
We're currently working to save money for an eye appointment for hubby. He drives a bus, and has pretty bad eyesight... correctable with glasses, but he needs an eye appointment and new lenses soon if he wants to keep his job.
I looked in to medicaid, and in Illinois, the restrictions are pretty tough. A person must fit into one of three categories: 1)Over 65, 2)Pregnant, and 3)Disabled. Well, mild bipolar, chronic migraines, and asthma don't count as being disabled to these people. So, no medicaid for me.
Which brings me to the question: do you know of any programs available to help people like us? I've done a little research and can't find anything... I thought if anyone would know, it would be you.
I know this isn't as bad as most of the healthcare stories you read everyday... we are just the average American family... struggling to make ends meet and trying to stay healthy. I know in many ways we are very lucky, but sometimes it's hard to remember that through a pounding headache. ;)
And this was a second email from the same American citizen. I am swamped with emails, many asking for help or advice. You know what I say to these people? I say, be strong dear friend, help is on the way. Is it?
We just found out that we do have to scrape up the money for the eye appointment... hubby just had his physical. His left eye failed. He's on the phone with family asking for a little help buying the glasses. We're not sure how much they will be yet, but we know they will be expensive.. he has a lot of vision problems. He's had VERY thick glasses with bifocals since he was a child... it's a little worrying that it's getting worse. We worry not only about his job, but about his vision itself. If they are slowly but surely getting worse, how much longer will glasses be able to correct the problem?
He was on a government program when he was a child that payed for everything related to his hearing and vision (yes, hearing problems for him, too...) but that ended when he was 21, so he hasn't had an appointment since then... he's 25 now. He was on it because he was being raised by his grandparents, who were (and are) living on a very modest pension and social security.
And what you just read is mild, but it's recent. By the way, if anyone has suggestions about where this Kossack can get some help, that would be much appreciated.
Thank you.