42 thoughts on “The Non-Voter Paradox”

      2. My views are a bit radical……nice to find someone that can appreciate that all is NOT just ducky…..chuq

      3. All is hardly just ducky! You are hardly radical… sheesh, my own husband thinks I’m radical! LOL And he refuses to discuss politics with me or anyone!… nanarhonda

  3. I wonder if you are as ‘radical’ as I am… only I am unable to DO anything but blog. I have a funny feeling we have some similar thoughts.

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    1. Back in my youth I was in the Socialist Party and a convention delegate….I resigned because they were wasting the cash on elections….we need more massive amounts of people’s education and then try the election route…

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      1. Well, you are more closer to the Socialist government than ever before. Is it what you thought it would be?

        My father-in-law knows my feelings about socialized healthcare from socialist countries and many years now, as I passed through (before I was disabled) the kitchen where the men were gathered discussing politics, my father-in-law, who was of the same mind as me, though I didn’t know it at the time, said, “Hey Rhonda, what do you think about socialized healthcare?” Little did I know I was being baited into their political debate. Truly there was one loud voice among all at the table and of course, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I said, “Places where there is socialized medicine, people die waiting for their medical care. They save up their money to come to the U.S. for medical care in order to survive.” The loud voice chimed in in disagreement. I told him that I came from Montana where the hospitals were fled with Canadians that could not get healthcare in Canada because of their socialized medicine. So I ended with, “If you think that socialized medicine is so great, pack your bags, and move to the U.K.! Enjoy your socialized medicine there!” And finished my business and left the room, and saw the biggest grin on my father-in-law’s face. I later asked him, “Pa, did you set me up?” He said, “Well, sorta, you happened to walk into the room and I know you won’t be intimidated by Pete! I’m proud of ya, kid!”

        I tell people today, if you want a picture of socialized medicine, look no further than the VA! THAT is socialized medicine and how well has that been working so far?

        But, that’s not the same as a socialist country, only one aspect of it. However, Obama, with his having nearly 1/2 of Americans receiving government assistance now, has well-established that Socialist form of government, wouldn’t you agree?

        After all the years have passed, do you still hold to those beliefs of your youth?

        I am disenfranchised by both parties, however, I am not one that believes our Forefathers fought to give us a Socialist form of government, They gave us a Republic with documents that our “leadership: are sworn to uphold. But who holds them accountable to that oath? Should they break it, who is to take them into custody? POTUS has taken that Oath 3 times and he has not only been derelict in his duty, but treasonous.yet there is NO ONE to hold him accountable. Who had that power? Congress? HA! I could prattle off a list of those who would also be derelict in their duties of upholding their Oath of office.

        Again, I thank you for sharing with me about your beliefs… and allowing me to prattle on and on.

        Most appreciatively,
        Rhonda aka nanarhona

      2. Rhonda….that sounds good in a political tagline….the truth is as long as there is massive profits to be made then it is not socialized medicine….my problem is the health of citizens becomes a political hot topic…..actually I am a Viet vet and the care in the VA is amazing….what Americans hear is the negative side of it…..it is the rush to cut budgets that have made it a “bad” example…..they can only do what the Congress allows them to do…..

        If you look beyond politics and profits….soccialized countries have a better grade on health education and services than this country….why? All is motivated by the desire for more money and more power…..I have written about this in the past…there has NEVER been a socialist country….in name only….most are state capitalism…..

        Our country is owned by special interests….your vote is just a tolerable diversion that they will allow….for now.

        Like I said….feel free to prattle as much as it is needed….chuq

      3. First, allow me to thank you for your service to our country in Vietnam. You did not deserve the way you were “welcomed” when you returned. Though I was just a very young child, I know what the Vietnam vets suffered from their own people. I, for one, am ashamed for how they treated our vets.

        Second, I am fully aware of how the VA system works as I have spent much time in the VA Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. My father is a vet as was his wife, who had a second by-pass surgery and open heart surgery to repair a heart valve at the age of 72 yrs old. After the surgery, she was found to have an infection in the sternum and had to go back to the OR to have that completely removed. She was on a vent and there was a sign that said NO CHEST COMPRESSIONS! You could literally see her heart beating under the dressing. Because of the lack of protection to her heart from her ribs, they could only move her slightly. She was moved (dumped) from the VA to a disguised nursing home that takes patients on vents. She had a bed sore that went all the way to her pelvis. She was septic. She had attempted to remove the vent. They restrained her. She fell out of bed. I asked why there was no bed alarm on her. They put her in a low boy bed and put thin cushions on the floor. She did not want to live like this. The staff and the doctor’s told me dad what he wanted to hear as he would come in with hope. I knew she was dying. I asked the doctor to please tell him the truth. When I wheeled my father to her room, the doctor was coming out. He asked him as usual, “So how’s she doing today, Doc?!” He said, “Do you want me to tell you what you want to hear, or the truth?” My father, puzzled, said, “The truth.” (I had tried to tell him all along, but to him I knew nothing.) The doctor looked at him, with compassion in his eyes, and said, she is dying. We can continue to try to do all we can, which includes more surgery for the huge bedsore, or we can simply make her comfortable and let her go when she is ready.” My father said, “She’s been through enough, just keep her comfortable.” We stayed with her as long as he could. I took all the way back to him home and then I came home. She passed just after midnight that night.

        I have sat in line with my father as he waits with the other vets that have had to take a bus from the upper state, as they pick up people all the way down, spend the day, trying to get all of their appointments in at that time, then take that same bus back because there is no VA availability for them there. My father is just fortunate to live fairly close – within driving distance. I no longer have a relationship with him. He takes himself to his appointments. But I saw how there were good and caring people that worked there and then there was the one who thought his sh!t doesn’t stink and he’s a clerk. I doubt he ever worn a uniform.

        I like Lt. Col. Oliver North’s suggestion of putting out those that are not doing their job and putting in those that have served their Nation and will take care of their own. They have already been trained in the various skills needed so put them to work!

        As for the homeless men, there are Vietnam vets that have fallen through the cracks and are homeless. I’ve seen them.

        I understand what you are saying. The problem with trying to change the medical system to a socialized medical system is there will be fewer doctors and nurses and a lot of patients to care for. How would you propose to fix that?

        Regarding the socialized medicine in the U.K., my sister-in-law had gone to school in Scotland as an exchange student in college. She was ‘in love’ with a man. His father was very ill with heart disease. He was on a waiting list to be evaluated for his condition! By the time he made it to his evaluation, he nearly died. This is why I am adamantly against socialized me dine. As I said prior, the Canadians would come to Montana for medical care they were on waiting lists in Canada for.

        As always, Chuq, I appreciate your conversations with me! Rhonda

      4. There is a simple fix…..while a would be doctor is in residency let them work in the VA. Then since doctors have massive amounts of school debt once they go into private practice they offer one day a week to treat the poor and elderly and they can deduct the cost form their bill….it is a bit more complex but that is the nuts and bolts of a plan. Nurse could be included in this also……

        Wisconsin….my father’s family is in Janesville.

        Remember in 1985 the country got on a soapbox and had that parade for the Viet vets….I was asked to participate and I declined and all wanted to know why….I told them it was too late….10 years too late….I still hold a bit of a grudge against most people for that treatment….

        Anytime Rhonda….it is always a pleasure to have these dialogues…..chuq

      5. Chuq, I hipe that you accept my appreciation. I truly mean it even though it is so late in coming. I was born in 1964 so I was a child. It wasn’t until I was a young adult that I found out how horrible the Vietnam vets were treated and it angered me. All I can say is that I’m ashamed for the way that the American citizens you served treated you. You only did what you were told to do by your commanding officers. And you all did the best you could and many didn’t come home, some came home missing parts, and some came home with nightmares that still haunt them to this day. I am so sorry and I do appreciate all servicemen and women that have served and I especially want the Vienam Vets to know it. I saw a man as we left a restaurant a week and a half ago or so, he was wearing a ball cap that said he was a Vietnam Vet and his daughter (?) was walking him in. I stopping my wheelchair to say thank you for your service, sir. My husband just pushed me away to the car, but I heard the daughter say, did you hear what she said? She said, thank you for your service, sir. He smiled from ear to ear.

        My husband felt I was being intrusive. I saw the cap and said thank you and didn’t feel it was intrusive at all. I appreciate all servicemen and women and when I get the opportunity, I say so with all the sincerity my heart can hold.

        My father lived near Janesville, in Lake Geneva at the time I was driving to pick him up, take him to the VA hospital to see his wife, then drive back to Lake Geneva, then drive the 45 minutes back to my home.

        Sounds like we have more in common! My dad does have a clinic that he can go to in Union Grove. Its VA clinic, next to the VA assisted living center, near the VA cemetery . As a matter of fact, my step-father’s funeral was featured in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal in 2001 as they were showing the opening of the VA cemetery. They asked if it would be ok, and my mother said yes. I have the article scanned if you’d like to see it.

        At some time, chuq, you have to let go of the bitterness. It only hurts you. I understand it, and I don’t blame you from not wanting to participate in the parade, but, well, I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir. 🙂

        I enjoy the dialogues as well, chug! Rhonda

      6. Rhonda, I lost 4 of the best friends I could possibly have…..I was treated so badly that I went back to Vietnam for a second tour…..my biggest problem is that people have an opinion that were not there…..that irks me badly…..

        I am not really close of my father’s side…..never had much exposure to them….they konda ignored my father once he moved and stayed in the South…..

        I will be honest with you….I salute vets but I seldom approach them…..most feel the country has let them down…AGAIN……they are proud to have served but the country turns their backs on them the first chance they get…deep down it is good to feel appreciated…but this country needs to do more…..don’t get me started on patriotism…..LOL

      10. Thank you for allowing me to reblog your feelings about Vietnam… I would like for MORE people to know the truth about it. The only way for them to know is ti hear from those who actually were there. Thank you for trusting me to post it and share it. Blessings and much appreciation, Rhonda

      15. Chuq, my son trained at Ft. Benning and was supposed to go into the Rangers but at the last minute decided not to. My step-dad, my uncle, you, and my son all served in the Army.

        May I reblog this or would you prefer that I simply take the YouTube video and use that?
        I would prefer to reblog so that people can read what you have to say about it, but I will only reblog with your permission as it is personal to you. If I could, I would hug you for all that you have lost and all that haunts you. But I can’t… all I can say it, I’m sorry and that I appreciate you, one of the unsung heroes in American history!

      16. The Rangers are a noble group….we in the LRRP never wanted to be a Ranager….we were LRRPs and we wanted to stay LRRPs…our mission changed once we were added to the Rangers….me? I was with the 9th Division in the Mekong Delta….there was NO training available to prepare a soldier for that region…..we learned on the fly…..God I missed it for years!

        Yes, please feel free to re-blog…..chuq

      17. You are truly an unsung hero, chuq, and I truly believe that with all my heart. Its the same with the SEALS. It started out… it escapes me now, but, Jesse “The Body” Ventura was part of that group that ended up becoming a SEAL. As for him, I have no respect for him, as I showed in my blog post regarding him. However, in relation to what you are saying about a group that up that you were a part of then being integrated with another. I was just relating the same thing happened in the Navy.

        It is my hope that those who see my blog will take the time to read it, and end up at your blog to finish it, taking the time to watch the video and learning something that they would never hear on any news channel. Thank you for allowing me to reblog it! Rhonda

      18. Most of us were LRRPs when Rangers were still a head scratch in Washington…….that is why I will never call myself Ranger…I was then a LRRP and will always be a LRRP….

      19. And a LRRP you will always be! Did you have a patch or something? Maybe I can find it on Google. I would like to put it on there.

      20. Since much we did in the early days was secret not many knew our true duties…..later there was a flash that was worn about the ubit patch we all wore….as for us….we did not even wear name tags….we were anonymous….

      23. Brillant! I have Googled LRRP. I have found various different sites, some wanting to combine them with the Rangers and some that list the Units. I have wanted to find your unit.. so far, I am still searching. I truly want to give credit where credit is due. It is decades too late, but it is still due. Your friend ~ Rhonda

      27. Yeah, I am having a hard time finding much. I found a map of the area, but its within a .pdf book and I’ve tried to just get the map.

      28. It will be hard to find much from the early days….most of it will be memories from the participants…look for towns like Long Thanh, My Tho, Can Tho and the Rung Sat Special Zone…..sorry it is gonna be difficult…..chuq

      29. Thanks chuq… I would like to find a way to honor those who served and if I can find someone that wrote about his time there, I will connect with him! The .pdf file that had the map had the city you spoke about, but I only wanted the one page not all 200+ pgs!! I tried to just get that one page but I’m not savvy enough, I’ll ask my hubby if he can do it when he has a few moments of time for me! 🙂 Thanks for giving me more info so I can keep looking, chuq. I really appreciate that trust!

      31. My reply may not help…..try Company E 50th infantry……in 69 they became the 75th Rangers….not my proudest moment…..

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