Get Off Our Backs!

I have an insiders view as to why the country is in such a mess. Why am I on the inside? Well because my life literally depends on how well the country is managed. When times are bad, as they are now, it becomes more difficult to pay for the medicines that keep me alive. When the economy is booming the story is obviously different. I am 51 and completely dependent on the government to cover my $3,000.00 a month drug cost, plus $1200.00 a month in Social Security Disability payments. I also receive $653.00 a month from a pension. I live in San Francisco with my partner in an apartment in the mission district that we’ve shared since 1992. He also depends on the government to keep him alive with basically the same resources as income. His medicines cost more than $3,000.00, plus $100,000.00's of dollars in hospitalization alone. We both had a long work history and paid tax into Social Security to qualify for (considered by the government) a pretty decent monthly payment. It has always been difficult to navigate the financial twists and turns of managing a life threatening illness as well as managing the illness itself, but now it’s almost impossible. Though I depend on credit cards to make ends meet, I’m besieged by the government with requests for bank statements, accounts, and other records. It doesn’t matter that the debt I carry at 19% interest costs me more than $60.00 a month, but what does matter is the $12.00 I got in interest for the entire year of 2006 from a Washington Mutual bank account that I opened for the free checking. In 2005 I opened the free account. In 2004 our garage was flooded and we lost a lot of valuable memorabilia. We received $5,000.00 insurance payment that I put into savings to qualify for a credit card with a very low interest rate. The $5,000.00 was gradually spent during 2005, mostly on medicine. I never reported this account because I have no money in it now. I was wrong for not reporting this oversight. The government should get off the backs of sick people it’s not money well spent. It’s obvious to me why we’re in a mess.

It's Not Over Texas Dems

I hope I don't come off as being against Obama. I'm for a Democrat. One just happens to have more experience and makes me feel more comfortable about the future. I'm afraid that Obama may not have the expertise around him that Hillary has around her.

I don't know for sure.

Michelle Obama is great and will be a great asset, but Hillary has Bill.

If we're still deeply mired in Iraq in November, will the majority of voters be willing to turn over the country to a young, brilliant, albeit inexperienced senator, or a long-term senator who became a war hero after being a POW for years during the Vietnam war and knows all about Iraq and has had a plan about Iraq from the beginning?
I still think Hillary would be the best candidate to go up against McCain. She has the experience and expertise to get out of Iraq as soon as possible. Her husband was President during the greatest economic boom this country had seen in a long time, so I'd say she also has experience about the economy.

I'm tired of Hillary's negatives! She has no negatives. Unfortunately, she's always had the Republicans attacking her with venom. Since 1992 when Bill beat Older Bush, they hated Hillary because she was and is a strong woman. When she wanted to push her plan for Universal Health Care through Congress, they were so affronted that they've been after her ever since, and then began all the scandals they could sink their dirty yellow teeth into to try to ruin the Clintons. So since 1992 Hillary has picked up a lot of negatives that aren't deserved but discussed OVER and OVER in the media. I am not going to abandon the ship. Go Hillary!

I didn't die, so...

it's pay back time. So says the government.

I am a long term survivor. I was diagnosed with HIV in 1987, most likely I was infected in 1981-82. By the early 90's the diagnosis changed to AIDS when my tcells dropped to 76 and I had all the classic symptoms, including a debilitating bout of shingles that left me in constant pain. My body was breaking down and I ran the gamut from thrush to chronic fatigue to weight loss to constant diarrhea. I could not hold down a job. Life expectancy for someone with an AIDS diagnosis was 6 months to 2 years. I was literally told to get my affairs in order. My Doctor suggested that I retire from my job as a clerk in a clothing store and collect Social Security Disability. Most of my friends were either dying or had died by then and I saw retirement as a way of saving my own life. In the early 90's the only drug to fight HIV available was AZT, which I took in combination with acyclovir and bactrim, but it wasn't enough to stop the onslaught of more opportunistic infections. Fortunately I didn't have to worry about earning a paycheck anymore and felt very relieved at that. I was receiving good health care through medi-cal and medi-care, and because I lived on SSDI I qualified for full drug coverage. It was basically a government insurance because money was taken each month from my check. I believe that is how I survived the 1990s before Protease Inhibitors, also known as "the cocktail", came along and extended my life expectancy.

My Partner is also a long term survivor and has experienced trials and tribulations even worse than my own.

We both have been taking the cocktail since 1997 and while my Partner has had to deal with serious cardio vascular disease and several bypass surgeries that may or may not be related to the medicine, I have only had to deal with the daily nausea, diarrhea, the painful neuropathy that I've had along, and the fatigue. We both have to be monitered every 6 weeks to see if our liver and kidneys are still functioning.

The great news is that we're both still here. I count my blessings. I survived what was once considered a death sentence.

Even after everything we've been through we love life and continue to thrive, but that is not without expense. Our medications alone cost over 3,000.00 per month for each of us. Doctor visits, emergency room visits, sometimes even hospitalization can and does go over $100,000.00 per year. We've been so lucky but our luck is running out, because the government now expects us to share in the expense.

How can we do that? I sometimes think about getting a job so we can have a little extra money, but I would then forfeit my pension and possible future benefits. And really, who would want me on the company group policy? That's besides the fact that I would need to find a job where they're very understanding about HIV, the side effects, and the time spent in the restroom. And I'm still not sure my health can handle the daily grind of earning a paycheck.

We live in one of the most expensive cities: San Francisco. The government doesn't care where you live. A certain poverty level is decided and whether you're in Peoria or San Francisco, if you're above that level you have to pay. Property you own and live in is not considered. Example, In San Francisco a person can own and live in a house worth $1,000,000.00, but if their yearly disability amount doesn't exceed 11,900.00, they qualify for the extra prescription help. Yet, if another San Franciscan pays $1,000.00 or more in rent, but their disability amount exceeds 11,900.00, even by as little as $15.00, they don't qualify for the extra help.

I could go on.....

Dear Hillary, BRING OUT THE BIG GUNS MAMA!

You can pull off the greatest comeback of all time. Show us who's the real comeback kid. You need to win Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Bring out the big guns and show who's the frontrunner. Obama-mania is a fact that we can't ignore anymore.

Obama Wins Hands Down Against McCain....

over who's got the better teeth. I think Obama's are fresh and very healthy looking, while McCain's are yellow and ugly.

Beautiful Day

Temo, Cooper, and Panda looking out at the Pacific Ocean on a picture perfect day.
Today is our 4 year anniversary. We dated for 16 years then decided to get married. You can check out that eventful day in San Francisco history.
http://dudespy.tripod.com/story.htm


February 12th Birthdays
Abraham Lincoln
Archie Braswell Joyner III
Hector Ellenberg

The Lesser of Two Evils? Not!

I can't recall an election or even a primary where that wasn't true. It was always the lesser of two evils, but this time in this primary, in my opinion, its the greater of two goods, and that makes me feel positive for the first time in many years. Isn't it great that we can witness history whether it be the first African-American President or the first woman President? If Obama is nominated, I'm sure Bill Clinton will jump on that band wagon and be his number one supporter ASAP. If Hillary is nominated will Michelle Obama do the same?