You're right Joe, It is a big F***ing deal!

Anyone who knows me is more often than not sickened by my perpetual optimism, my faith in humanity, my firm held belief in people and their ability to rise to the challenge and unite in the face of adversity!

Well, Daaaaaaamn! Health-care opposition, you have managed to put a small chink in my armor of optimism!

"I hope you bleed...get cancer, and die." That was one of many threatening messages left on the phone of Representative Bart Stupak, D-Michigan.
"There are millions of people across the country who wish you ill and all of those thoughts projected on you will materialize into something that's not very good for you." That's another one. Not to mention the faxed in pictures of Stupak hanging from a gallows.

Let's dial back for just a moment. Take a journey with me.

Health Care reform is not a new issue. The government has been working toward health care reform since Carter was in office...maybe even prior to that, but I'm only 28, so my personal experience is slightly limited.

That being said, there's a great deal of talk about President Obama's agenda. It's not his agenda. It's a problem that has been plaguing America for ages. Obama is the first president who has managed to get anything truly done with it. And more power to him.

"Oh, stop strong arming everyone, President Obama! Stop forcing your agenda on people who don't want it."

HARDLY! One of the reasons America voted Obama into office was the fact that he intended to hold America accountable for itself. And when he stands in front of the children that make up our senate and house of representatives and tells them to grow up and get something done, everyone gets up in arms.

Its the truth, folks. Think about it. Lately I have become disenfranchised with political parties in general. I'm definitely not a Republican, and lately it seems the Democrats aren't getting much done either. Oh, for the good Ole' days when the loser of the presidential election became the vice president.

I can't think of a better path to true bipartisanship. But then again, if we tried to do that again, someone would probably cry foul and curse us for our heavy handed political agendas. Damn me and my desire to have people work together!

So now that I have completely lost focus, and turned this into a pointless rant, let's try and bring it back again.

The point I'm trying to make is, legislation is more than just laws and paper and votes. It's people. There are millions of Americans who can't afford to keep their families healthy. Simply by being born into this world, you have a responsibility to every other human being on the planet. We are drafted into service of our fellow man whether we like it or not. Any measure taken to make life better for humanity, is for our greater good. If the process isn't perfect then we need to sit and talk. Threatening others, decrying them as scum, name calling, vitriol...all of these things only serve to hurt us.

what I'm trying to say is, that even though I think Rush Limbaugh is a blowhard, I don't wish him ill. I'd love to sit and have a conversation with him, and find out why he's always so angry at the liberals. I wouldn't like to see him burned at the stake, despite any inklings to the contrary that may pop up.

We're human beings. We get angry. It's healthy to let it out. But let's not waste our time and energy on tearing each other down. My hand is always outstretched to anyone who needs it, or wishes to stand by my side, regardless of political leaning.

You are a person.

I wish you well.

I wish you to share those well wishes with others.

I wish you to embrace the people who make you the most angry, and figure out how to appreciate them for what they are, flawed, emotional...human.

That's hard. For everyone. But man, what life would be like if we could do it.

And last but not least: Contrary to the folks(mostly republicans) who have spoken out against these threats, intoning that America is not a country of violence or hatred, Take one minute to think about every act that you've been in favor of lately, and how many lives, both American and foreign have been lost in the last 8 years. And then re-examine your chosen language.

"Don't retreat, Instead...RELOAD!" -Sarah Palin.
Maybe you're not inciting violence, but your metaphores are a bit unfortunate. Especially in this day and age.

There never was a good war, or a bad peace. Health care doesn't have to be a battle, and the people who are our public servants aren't the bad guys.