Chant in my head: Si Se Puede.....Si Se Puede


I went to the pro-immigration rally in Hood River today. I was amazed at the turn-out. I'm thinking about 300-400 people. I don't own a camera so forget the pics. But, I did get a kick out of reading the protest signs...( Boing Boing has some great coverage with visuals from other parts of the country.) Update 5/6/06: The Hood River News is reporting 1,300 demonstrators HR News LINK

Legalize...Don't criticize
More greencards
Hispanics= Family Values
We were all immigrants once
Don't Panic We're only Hispanic
Don't Hate Appreciate
My Dad was a Wetback and I Vote
What's next? Concentration Camps?
Land of the Free?
Diversity with Dignity


Alter-Abled News

Yep, Another Goddamned blog has posted Paul Krugman's column Death by Insurance where he proposes putting all uninsured Americans on Medicare......

Many of the uninsured reported spending their entire savings on health care and/or that they were having difficulty paying for basic necessities. And most uninsured adults reported cutting corners on medical care to save money — failing to fill prescriptions, skipping medications, going without preventive care.

I sure can relate to that. I am currently not using my osteoperosis medication and I'm behind on my preventative care visits which include an important kidney function test. By the time I pay my monthly medicare supplement bill I have no extra cash for the $15 copayments required by my doctor to receive services. I can't afford any counseling visits or physical therapy and all my dental care is out of pocket. Medicare does not cover any birth control services, either.

First Draft reports on the Medicare Drug Debacle....It's working okay for me but my plan does not cover all my medications and I have limitations on the quantity per month of my expensive migraine medication.

A May Day Poem

They came together for what is fair
My family were immigrants from somewhere
Those who exploit cheap labor complain so loud
All our services they steal, yet act so proud.
We can't make money if we pay them more
Yells the farmers who need to settle the score

Try living in a cabin without a kitchen,
restroom or heat..then you'll be bitching
To pay for food you work long days,
while your boss vacations without malaise.

I join this group of families strong,
whose endless labor is never wrong.
The true felons are on cable tv.
Whose morales I question endlessly. annie 5.1.06