PackerGrL's Blog

I am getting tired of these political ads. I don't know who exactly to forward this idea to (if you know let me know thanks) but honestly this country shouldn't base who they vote for on the information in these political ads anymore.
What if we used the same format for other decisions in life like job applications, school elections...etc.
"Don't offer that person a job over me 'cause I heard two years ago they talked with someone who said that they hated your business..."

"Don't vote for that student 'cause did you know that they got a bad grade on a test and they said something wrong one day..."

COME ON NOW...these political ads are equally ridiculous!

 

In the future I think that political ads should just stay factual. This is who I am, this is what I will do, this is why I want to do this, this is what I have done...etc. They could even dedicate certain weeks or months for the candidates to have their political ads focus on the same issues so the citizens can compare their stances on certain issues with how they think.

I am getting tired of hearing "my opponent said this..." and "my opponent believes that..." Can't the candidates tell the American people their own beliefs other than during debates? Fine people can go to the candidates websites or find literature elsewhere but many voters get their information from the television ads only which in my opinion doesn't help either candidate much.

 

Citizens also must realize that there are two ways of looking at government (and the economy) so because of this there will always be the never-ending debate over big government or small government. Let's just have our own opinions and quit acting surprised when one candidate wants a big government and the other doesn't.

 The `Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007'  S.1858 just got passed this week by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and we must all hope that it is vetoed by President Bush.

 

This act is a wolf in sheep's clothing. The name of the act itself sounds great but if this act goes through it will be an invasion of your DNA property rights. The bill also violates research ethics and the Nuremberg Code.

According to Twila Brase, the President of Citizens' Council on Health Care, "Already, in Minnesota, the state health department reports that 42,210 children of the 780,000 whose DNA is housed in the Minnesota "DNA warehouse" have been subjected to genetic research without their parent's knowledge or consent."

 

Where I can understand why they would want to screen newborns (or adults) for certain hereditable disorders this could lead to trouble in the future. Once they have access to your DNA and the power to do what they want with it who knows what could happen? Will your insurance claims be declined because, according to your genes, you might have this pre-existing condition? Will you get denied a job because, according to your genes, you might have physical, emotional, or other problem? It's not like you can appeal it because your genes don't lie. Or do they? Oh and did I mention that this DNA databank will be available online? I am nervous about hackers as it is now my DNA or my future children's DNA will be out there on the Internet. Hmm...

The bill also mentions the benefit of counseling or other educational opportunities which is a good idea. Researchers may not be able to find cures without it. But can't they do that with the consent of the parents or person instead of just deciding they are going to take the sample, put it in their DNA databank and do what they wish.

A person's DNA should be their DNA. So where I can't say that nothing good has ever come from studying DNA we are coming to the point where we may be crossing the line soon.

I joke sometimes that won't it be nice to have a baby come with an instruction manual and, you know if bills like these pass maybe that will become a reality someday. Your baby could be screened and the doctors could tell you from day one that you should do certain things for your baby so that certain heritable disorders might not occur. Where's the fun and mystery in that? Can't we just lead our lives and if something happens then we'll deal with it when it happens.

Don't get me wrong, again, humans have done great things to expand their life expectancy using DNA and other methods and I'm grateful for that BUT this bill is not the answer. They need to re-write and/or re-think this bill.

 

Contact President Bush if you have concerns and make sure bill S. 1858 doesn't get signed.

Maybe I am naive on this issue but I just don't understand how so many people I know feel so comfortable criticizing President Bush (or the government in general). Yes, I know they have the right to, with freedom of speech and all, but don't they also have the freedom to suppress their opinions too? I admit, I don't follow politics and the news as closely as I probably should sometimes but, to me, it seems so anti-patriotic to be so critical of our President and government. Is the government perfect? No. Has President Bush done everything right in his terms in office? No. Has any president for that matter done everything right in his term? Probably not. But when we elect a president we all should acknowledge that he is human and won't be perfect nor will the government be absolutely perfect during or after his term.
The problem with having a democracy sometimes and having everyone (who's eligible) vote is that in the end the majority will be happy and the minority will not, wishing their candidate won instead. Then we, as Americans, unite again to become the United States of America having some citizens still criticizing this and that among each other. Honestly, unless those citizens are proactive and contact the proper people to voice their concerns, like the government allows them to, they should be proud to be American and try to suppress their negative feelings. It doesn't help anyone to just complain about something (especially if it is incorrect information and/or taken out of context). If things are that bothersome then do something about it. At least by being proactive if it still doesn't work out or it takes a while then at least you tried. I'm proud to be American and our government continues to do some great things. So, the United States of America and its government may not be perfect but nothing ever is really. We must look to the positives and do our best to change or accept the negatives. In this historic election, I am curious to know how Americans vote this November and to see what the future holds for the United States of America. I see great things...

I clicked on my school's website to find out FAFSA information and found they posted  this Youtube.com video with FAFSA information. It's pretty cool if you ever have to do it or have children that will need to fill it out sometime. Check it out!

I was curious about the Wisconsin Primary and found it will be Feb.19th. So until then, I plan on continuing my research to decide on the best candidate(s).