HI EVERYONE!
MY NAME'S MEGAN, AND I'M A LIBERAL!!!
lib·er·al
ˈlib(ə)rəl/
adjective
- 1.open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values."they have more liberal views toward marriage and divorce than some people"
noun
- 1.a person of liberal views.
I thought we'd just get that out of the way before I tell you my story!
A couple weeks ago, my MP3 player wasn't working, so I was stuck listening to the radio on the way home from work. On a whim, I turned on a local right wing talk radio show that I hadn't listened to in quite a long time. Within 5 seconds I was sickened by what the host was saying. Mind you, this isn't a conservative program. It's not a republican program. It is one of those programs that caters to 85 year olds who are afraid the government is out to get them. The host preys off of FEAR. It's like Fox news times one million.
This talk radio show HATES "liberals", and every time the host said "liberal", he said it like it's a disease. I happened to turn on the program while the host was ranting about how liberals are evil, they are violent, they deface property, and they shove their views down everyone else's throats.
It was quite a dramatic speech and it made me so angry.
I am not evil!
I am not violent!
I don't deface property!
Oh, wait a minute...
A couple years ago, I wrote a post about why medical marijuana should be legal. I urge you to go back and read it, but if you don't have the time, here is the short story:
Paul has a brain tumor that gives him grand mal and partial seizures. The seizures can be brought on by stress, lights, noise, and physical activity. These seizures prohibit him from doing many things he enjoys (like working and driving) so it greatly affects his quality of life.
When we traveled to Colorado a couple years ago, he was able to vaporize cannabis oil. He went from having several partial seizures a day to having ZERO SEIZURES THE ENTIRE TIME WE WERE THERE. We hiked. He played disc golf. He didn't stop moving. And he had zero problems. Medical marijuana worked for him.
Fast forward to a few months later when a medical marijuana bill was passed in the Pennsylvania Senate but still needed to be passed by the House of Representatives. I tried to contact my representative but she was not responding to my messages or phone calls.
Finally I got her on the phone. I told her our story. She was concerned about the affects of smoking marijuana, and I found myself educating her on how cannabis oils can be vaporized and that they don't have to be smoked. It really ticked me off. It was her job to know this stuff. It wasn't like this bill popped up out of nowhere. She was not very informed on the subject at all. She told me she was not voting for this particular bill at this time. My blood was boiling.
Medical marijuana is not a political or religious issue. The majority of Americans support marijuana for medicinal use.
I am not an expert on the law, but I wish Obama would make and executive order and make medical marijuana legal federally.
"The idea that people are able to get their cannabis medicine in one state, but not another, defies some of the core principles of our medical system, which strives for an equality of health care in terms of options," -Dr. Sanjay Gupta
And there was HER sign. UGH. I hated her!!! Didn't she understand our plight!?
As I ran through the neighborhood I got angrier and angrier. By the time I crossed back over the highway and saw her sign for the second time, I had had enough of her DUMB FREAKING NAME ON THE SIGN. I tore it out of the ground and threw it down the embankment.
It felt good.
This is the memory that dawned on me when I was listening to that extremely right wing radio show that accused liberals of being violent, shoving their views down everyone's throats, and defacing signs and property to get their way.
Okay, I guess that is me, A left wing nut. Destroying property. Shoving her views about medical marijuana down your throats!
**I'm not violent though.
Here's a quick link to update you on the progress of medical marijuana in PA. The train has slowed down again.
I 100% agree with you - it should be legal. And I too, am a left wing nut and proud of it. Kristen : )
ReplyDeleteWoo! Left wing nuts unite!!!
DeleteI'm with you! Liberal, proud of it, and all about legalizing medical marijuana. Personally, it should just be legal in general. It is a natural substance. But that's a whole other argument in itself. I did not know that about Paul!!! He is an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI am for it being legal in general too, much you are right, it's a whole other can of worms!
DeleteI'm with you on both being liberal and people getting my blood boiling!
ReplyDeleteThe other day I had an (internet) argument with someone over why a raise in minimum wage is good for everyone. He kept insisting that it would cause inflation, and I kept explaining that inflation is impacted by a million factors and wages are just one small part of the puzzle. And that also that saying companies will raise prices because they have to raise wages assumes they are currently paying employees they maximum they can while still turning a profit - which large companies definitely are not (walmart, papa johns, etc.). They won't raise their prices because competition will keep them in line, plus they can still make a large profit while paying employees more and cutting costs elsewhere.
The biggest point is that this isn't like it's the first time in our country's history that we've raised min. wages! Like... we don't have to be scared of what's going to happen or wonder what's going to happen or make shit up because we have history to look back on and history says raising the min. wage doesn't cause inflation.
Not to mention in the end this guy said the people who work min. wage jobs are IDIOTS who don't deserve more. Actually he assumed I was making min wage and called me an idiot who doesn't deserve more lol. When people realize they are losing a rational argument they turn to playground insults apparently.
I don't know why I'm writing you a novel about this except that the whole encounter is still making me mad! There are certain issues you can dig your stake into the ground about based on opinion, but raising the min wage is not one of them! That shit makes me so mad.
Well I am glad you could get it off your chest! I really don't understand how people can LIVE off of minimum wage. They can't live off it, let alone save enough money to pay for college or technical school so they can get a job that doesn't pay minimum wage.
DeleteExactly! Its crazy that someone could work 40+ hours a week and still live below the poverty line. The working poor deserve so much better, and the government absolutely should step in and help. Companies shouldn't be allowed to take advantage of employees who dont know how to or can't get out of the system they are in.
DeleteYou are on point.
DeleteLoud and proud! Well done!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that progress on the medical marijuana front is slowing down. Sorry, but not surprised. I'm even less surprised by how ignorant your representatives are.
I had a benign brain tumour in 2014 with partial seizures and had to take medicine for a year after the surgery. I had a mild experience compared to your husband's, but I can empathise. I hated that medicine with a passion and started fighting at six months to get off of it. I would have happily used marijuana instead - even if it meant I ate every box of cookies I could get my hands on :).
Keep fighting! And running (your posts are so inspirational)! and puzzling! and Liberal-ing! (but I can't add cats - dog person).
Best wishes
LOL well hey I love dogs too, I will talk baby talk and pet and kiss pretty much any 4-legged friend. :)
DeleteI suppose I am not surprised either only because politicians try to make it a HUGE political issue. Like, they have so many other agendas going on. I realize that. It's so frustrating though!
So did the surgery help and rid you of all of your seizures??? There are so many horrible side effects to meds. The side effects of marijuana are minute in comparison!
In full disclosure I don't mind cats, but I'm allergic to them!
DeleteI believe the polis make it a political issue because of the lobbies that have the $$$, frankly. Alcohol, tobacco, and also pharmaceutical.
The seizures were caused by the location of the tumour (left frontal/temporal lobe). They were partial, and until the tumour grew a lot and the swelling got really bad, I didn't realise they were happening. I just noticed small gaps in time that I couldn't explain. I also had a strong instinct not to drive.
The medicine in my case was preventative. Because of the location of the resection and the fact that I'd had seizures beforehand, the doctors told me I had a high probability of more seizures without it.
I took Keppra, which I understand is less severe than others, but the side effects were just awful. I had my last seizure (touch wood) the day after I completed my wean. I think my brain was shaking the last drops of that wicked drug out.
Hopefully you guys can get back out to Colorado for a holiday soon.
Paul is on Keppra too! And he was the same- didn't know he had a tumor until it grew big enough to cause him problems. He has had two surgeries to remove as much as they can, but they can't get it all so they did radiation and he is currently on chemo. He has had one partial in the last 55 days which is WAY less than what he normally would have and we think it's at least partially due to a new med he is on. I am so glad your seizures are under control!!
DeleteOh, I just ache reading this. I was in really bad shape when I finally got a diagnosis, but the tumour was vascular and so it was easy (?!) for the surgeons to see what they needed to cut out. There is a chance of reoccurrence, but I'm hopeful.
DeleteI'm so glad he is feeling better, even if it takes evil meds, but I know how hard this must be for you both.
Thanks Tamara, I'm glad we connected on here! It's comforting to hear other people's stories.
DeleteHeck yeah Medical Marijuana should be legal! There are so many other things that cause much more damage that are legal! Like say... fracking!!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently angry at our Governor, and have considered throwing eggs at his mansion, but it's hard to carry eggs in a long run! Plus I don't wish to go to jail...especially over the Budget.
I get like this whenever I see the Lou Barletta signs around!! I want to get out of my car and rip his signs off the road and stomp on them!! AGHR! He gets me so mad!! and when I heard he endorsed Trump! AGR! I wish I had thrown an egg at him when he was at the Saint Patricks day parade! Those two scum buckets deserve each other!
I'm sorry... I have completely gone off on a wish list for egg throwing... maybe we do enjoy destroying things!
I sure wish the budget was passed too! :( Many teachers at my school are having to provide materials themselves for their classroom because they were not able to get what they ordered due to the budget. We've been told even when the budget is passed, we will not get this back money for classroom supplies. :( So in the meantime, we are just all banding together and trying to help each other out- sharing things we have a surplus of (I have staples to last until retirement) and stuff like that.
DeleteI don't even know who Lou Barletta is! But if he endorses Trump I know I don't like him.
You won't get your money back? That is the worst! I have been sending random supplies to my son's teacher, like two boxes of tissues, random stickers, pencils, and glue sticks. I told her to email me if she needed something else, and we would do what we could to help out. Maybe I should email the Specials teachers, like music and art to ask if they need anything. Since my kid LOVES his music and art class!
DeleteLou Barletta used to be Mayor of Hazleton PA, and made it his goal as mayor to make it impossible for illegal immigrants to live there. He passed acts that would give big fines to employers hiring illegal immigrants, and big fines to landlords to leased to Illegal immigrants. All of that was eventually ruled unconstitutional by a District Judge, but he appealed it. And now he is a US Representative... spewing his hate all over the place!
Well that is so nice of you to send in supplies! I know some parents do that here and it's always appreciated. I know not every family can, but the ones that can help out are usually happy to! I had some parents donate tissues to my classroom this year and it was very much appreciated!
DeleteI wish more people would get out and vote for their senators and reps. I feel like a lot of people go out only when there is a pres. or governor election but the other elections matter too.
Oh this makes my blood boil. Like seriously... it's a medicine!! Why would it not be legal. People snort and do all sorts of bad things with pain killers, so why do we assume marijuana is being misused. Oh and... even if it is, it should still be legal! That is absolutely insane. I am also liberal, loud, and proud. I am more than willing to tell everyone my views on my uterus and climate change whether they want to hear about it or not. This goes right back to people being anti-science in this country. Medical marijuana has been shown to be great for all sorts of medical issues... and yet no one listens or assumes scientists have "an agenda". SCIENTISTS DON'T HAVE AN AGENDA!!!! Politicians do!!!!
ReplyDeleteOk... that turned into an angry rant. Sorry about that. lol
Oh man prescription drugs are abused sooooooo much and cause so many deaths! And they are readily available!
DeleteLOL I love your statement, "SCIENTISTS DO NOT HAVE AN AGENDA!" So are so right.
I HATE WHEN PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN MY UTERUS!!! I called my rep the other day because the are some repubs in the PA house that want to pass one of the most restrictive abortion bills in PA history. The government has vowed to veto it if it is passed, but I still felt I needed to be heard. I am VERY against the government making laws on women's reproductive health. That should be the WOMAN'S business. OH THERE WAS ALSO A CLAUSE IN THE BILL THAT THE WOMAN IS REQUIRED TO TELL HER HUSBAND IF SHE IS GETTING AN ABORTION. That made me want to throw up in my mouth. I can't think of any legal medical procedure my husband would be required by law to inform me about. It's interesting politicians have no interest in penises whatsoever. Oh my gosh I am so mad now just thinking about this.
Oh that's just great! Do you need a permission slip from the husband? Ugh! I hate conservative politicians.
DeleteYou have to sign a paper that says you told him. And if it is found out that you lied, it is punishable by law. Did you throw up yet?
DeleteI can't even ...... Do they not consider the scenarios in which a woman is in an abusive relationship and wants to quietly get an abortion so as to not get abused further by her husband either by telling him she's pregnant and invoking anger or by telling him she's aborting the fetus and invoking his anger, both seem like realistic scenarios. I mean really that seems like who they are hurting because I would imagine in most healthy relationships the wife would tell the husband without the law forcing her hand in the matter (although obviously she shouldn't be required to do so!). This is totally inappropriate!
DeleteOkay, yes they do have a few exception. The first is if you are afraid you would be abused. The second is if the husband is not the father of the child. The third is if you in good faith tried very hard to find your husband and tell him, but he couldn't be located. I'm not making this shit up.
DeleteI agree, that in my definition of a happy marriage, most people would inform their partner. But guess what? What I think is best marriage practice may not be someone else's so it shouldn't be the law. I thought of a MILLION reasons why I woman may not want to tell her husband despite the couple exceptions stated in the bill. What if the woman feared VERBAL abuse. What if the husband would hang it over her head? What if the husband threatened to tell people about it and the woman wanted it to be private??? I thought of a million more reasons but the number one reason is laws should not tell me what I have to share with my husband.
That's good that there are exceptions, but yes, absolutely so many reasons why the government shouldn't interfere. They are situations where government intervention is good and places where it has no business being!
DeleteWell, you know how I feel about it and I am very proud of my state for legalizing both MMJ and recreational marijuana. It's both a huge big deal for those that really need it to treat illness/conditions and also not a big deal for those that just want to alter their current state/mood. No different than drinking. I promise everyone who thinks our state is all about pot smoking--it's not. I honestly never see it. We are good people! And I am a liberal, too! Always have been...always will be.
ReplyDeleteYeah when we go to CO we do not see people smoking pot. We see them out running and hiking and being very active and healthy! We love CO!
DeleteYes--exactly.
DeleteOk, I had to giggle thinking about you ripping down that sign. I imagined you having a "Christmas Vacation" moment where Clark kicks the Christmas decorations around in the front yard (hope you have seen that movie, it's pretty dang funny!!). Anyhow, I have read your post and I totally support you on that idea. I wish it would get passed for Paul and others who can clearly benefit from it. What a frustrating situation for sure!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes I have seen that movie and I love it! Chevy is a genius! Glad to give you a giggle. :)
DeleteWell, I can't add much because I just agree with you and you said it better than I could. Just legalize it already, jeebus. Come on, people. How long are you going to go on fighting a losing battle? I did LOL at you tearing down the sign. Get it, girl!
ReplyDeleteI consider myself a left-leaning moderate, and what gets my blood boiling is how many times I have to hear privileged people try to deny that subtle institutionalized racism exists, and how many times states pass or try to pass laws that shamelessly allow people to discriminate against others based on their gender identity and sexual orientation. Reasonable people can disagree on political issues, but it sickens me how often I see people who want to deny the humanity of other people in the name of their own personal political ideals, and politicians who play off dangerous fear and anger to get ahead. It really does scare me how much anger is in this country right now. All of that will reach a boiling point soon...or maybe it already has (see: the popularity of Donald Trump).
I think Trump's supporters are not just fearful but they are ignorant as well. Trump can't build a wall. Mexico is not going to pay for it. If you think this is going to happen, you're an idiot. And if you want this to happen, you are also an idiot.
DeleteYou know, these people that want to deny others of humanity and cite their religion (mainly Christianity) as the reason for it- I think they are full of shit. I am not a religious scholar, but I don't think discrimination is a tenant of Christianity. The thing is, laws should not impose one's religion on others, and these laws that are supposed to protect people's "sincerely held religious beliefs" really just makes it easier for assholes to discriminate.
The people who cite their religion as their reason for discrimination - it's not the reason. They'll never admit it, but their bigotry is the reason. Religion is just their convenient excuse. They don't have to admit that they just don't like different people, they can hide behind "I have to because the Bible says so". The same way they did when they didn't want white people to marry black people. I'm no religious scholar either, but I am fully convinced you can practice your religion and not discriminate against people who aren't straight.
DeleteWhat's hilarious is that when you actually look at Trump's past and some of his ideas (well, the ones that he actually has), he's actually kind of moderate. But shhh, don't tell his uber conservative fanboys that.
"I am fully convinced you can practice your religion and not discriminate against people who aren't straight." <----- SING IT SISTER!!!!
DeleteHaha, Trump fanboys. :)
Must jump in and say that I consider myself to be a pretty religious person and I am sickened at how so called Christians treat people. So much hate, so much judgement. Aren't we called to love each other? When people tell me they don't believe in gay marriage I am like "good for you, don't get gay married, then". Ugh....
DeleteVery good point Susan. I think a lot of religious people are sickened by people who use religion as an excuse to hate.
DeleteLOL I love the "don't get gay married" line. Ever notice that whenever you use that argument it shuts them up?
DeleteThanks, Susan. That's exactly my point - the discrimination and hatred has nothing to do with religion. It's simple hatred. I'm not even religions, and it makes me sad that Christianity (and, in certain cases, Islam) has to be the scapegoat and get a bad name over it.
I stay out of politics because I am too ignorant to form any sort of respectable opinion. But I will say that I am deeply disappointed that medical MJ hasn't been approved for you guys yet.
ReplyDeleteDoes it interest you to become more informed? I am a huge proponent of people being informed about what goes on in government because it really affects all of our lives.
DeleteThere's a jerk, I mean man I've seen at the busiest intersection around here who for the last 8 years has been wearing a placard that says things like "Obama is a cracker" and "impeach Obama". I saw him a few weeks ago wearing a sign that said "Putin is right". He gets handshakes and thumbs up from people in cars, which really freaks me out. First of all who has time to do this? And why would you want to? My father-in-law, who's in his 80s, once rolled down his window and told the guy he should be ashamed of himself. I don't ever remember living in a time where there has been so much hatred. It's really sad.
ReplyDeleteAren't you glad you opened this pandora's box? I agree with you, tho. I've been called liberal as if it's a dirty word. Oh well. I wear it proudly.
It would freak me out too to see someone like that getting handshakes and thumbs ups!
DeleteHaha yes I love posting stuff like this because I like hearing people's points of views and stories. I even like hearing differing points of views, because I have found that i can be a very judgmental person and I want to UNDERSTAND more why people disagree with me. It doesn't mean I will change my mind, but when I know where people are coming from, then I can at least understand why they feel that way.
Outside of the closest Target to my house people picket every single weekend with the most vile, hateful, racist signs against Obama and Muslims. It's absolutely appalling and to see people honk and wave at them is terrifying. It literally makes my head feel like it's going to explode!
DeleteWoah! Why do they do it outside Target? Just so a lot of people hear them?
DeleteYeah, I think it's just because it's a busy intersection and a lot of people visit that shopping center!
DeleteThat guy was out there again tonight. What a whack job!
DeleteI'm thrilled to hear how much marijuana helps Paul. We have medical marijuana here in IL now but it seems to be off to a slow start, mostly because docs are not prescribing it. Boo to the hatred and stereotyping.
ReplyDeleteWell that stinks. I wonder why the drs. don't prescribe?
DeleteI don't think it is a partisan issue. Most people I know support it no matter their political views. I just thought it was funny the talk show host was calling me names and then I realized I did really throw that sign down the hill! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think you are a crazy right wing nut. To me, a crazy right wing nut is someone who wants to impose their own beliefs on others by way of law. That's my definition of a right wing nut anyway! For instance, if someone is against abortion, then great, they shouldn't get an abortion. But when you take that choice from others, you (not YOU, but the collective you) are imposing your views onto them.
I am also a strong proponent of church and state as well! As for guns, I will tell you my opinion. I think they should be COMPLETELY abolished. Like I think every single gun should be taken away. Believe me, I know that is not feasible and it will never happen, but I do wish I lived in a country where there weren't any guns at all. This may actually be one of my most liberal nut job opinions because I think most Americans support common sense gun laws. Then there's me who's like, "Take them all!!!!" At least I can admit when I have a rash opinion. (Don't worry, I do realize many people (like you and your hubby) are responsible gun owners, and thank goodness for that or there would be even more gun deaths.)
Now here is where I question my opinion about guns. I always wondered what if I lived all alone, single woman. would I own a gun then? What if I was sleeping and someone broke into my house and tried to kill me?? I am sure I would wish I had a gun.
Wow I rambled.
Oh I also wanted to mention that I have stopped hoping for stricter gun control because of 26 dead first graders at Sandy Hook couldn't change the laws, nothing will.
ReplyDeleteMy school has gunman/intruder drills where we hide and flee from the building. It's sickening we have to do that.
I understand that point, but I feel like if it was harder for someone to get a gun, it would happen a lot less often. There are hundreds of mass shootings in our country a year. I wonder how many in places like Australia and France? A lot less.
ReplyDeleteAlso, this: "Crazy people will be crazy people no matter if they have a gun or not, I just believe they would find another means, could it less mass destructive maybe..." That's just a defeatist attitude. Why are we so accepting that, oh there will just be mass shootings there is nothing we can do about it. It is SICKENING nothing has been done about it.
ReplyDelete