Do You Feel Invisible to Your Government?

8:30 am PDT, Aug 24, Sherry Gibson, Ohio
as an environmental education instructor and operations coordinator for a children's camp, i have felt invisible as i have witnessed the bush administrations ignore the children, ignore the environment and ignore the impact of the poor choices made about the planet's future that we are leaving to the next generation and beyond. please know that i will stand behind you for election as i know you care about the children and their future.

8:29 am PDT, Aug 24, Stan Fitzgerald, California

8:29 am PDT, Aug 24, Robyn Erler, California

8:29 am PDT, Aug 24, Erline Towner, New Hampshire

8:29 am PDT, Aug 24, Deborah Piper-slaughter, Arizona
My husband and I are ranchers and also own a small fence installation business in rural Arizona. Between the price of steel and the price of fuel going up so much we are close to bankruptcy. Our customers belong in the shrinking middle class and if we raised our prices to include a modest increase in our labor costs we wouldn't have any business at all. We are charging the same amount for our labor as we did 6 years ago: and that money doesn't go far enough anymore. In the last 2 months we have had friends give us groceries, help pay for utilities, and supply us with hay for our cattle. I have no health insurance, and if it weren't for the fact that my husband receives a modicum of care from the VA he wouldn't have health coverage either. I would like to see more emphasis put on saving the middle class: as it is this has become a country of the rich and the poor ... PERIOD. I also want to see some real work done on deporting the majority of illegal immigrants and keeping our borders safe. We need to stop interfering with the governments of countries all over the world and start concentrating on raising the standard of living for the majority of Americans.

8:29 am PDT, Aug 24, Kathleen White, California
As a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and a Marine for 13 years, I have to use valuable time away from work to visit doctors that can attest to my current disabilities brought on from my many years of loyal service. Had my injuries not prevented me from continuing in the military, I would have made it a career. However, that option was no longer available to me once my injuries. Why is it so damn hard to get a veterans claim for service connected injuries. Why is the bush administration cutting benefits for service people and making it difficult to claim what is rightfully yours after serving faithfully for years? Additionally, there used to be a time when a veteran could get great educational benefits.... our's is okay, but the cost of education is unreal and paying for anything beyond a BA can land you in the poor house, even when you're working full time. What's up with that?!?! Probably one of the worse issues is how our environment has been compromised under this administration. bush has undone all the work that President Clinton established. bush has used a majority of American people as his personal toilet paper.

8:29 am PDT, Aug 24, Laura Hamlyn, North Carolina
In so many ways, this presidency has taken politics and the presidency to a new low. As an American, I feel completely disconnected from the process. More than any other president before him, he has turned our nation into the United States of Corporate America. President Bush appoints Exxon Mobile executives to write energy policies, he recently sided with coal companies to loosen the laws on mountaintop removal mining, he withheld emergency help for the victims of Hurricane Katrina--the list could go on and on. More than anything, this President has made it clear that he alone is the "decider." And I think many Americans are yearning for a president who cares about the people he or she serves. I am a Democrat, but if we had a Republican candidate who truly cared about people (I don't see one now) I'd support him or her. I am tired of feeling invisible. The United States is better than this. We can do better. We are all waiting for a candidate who understands one simple thing: with great power comes GREAT responsibility.

8:28 am PDT, Aug 24, John Jones, Texas
I worked for a county government for 10 yrs and became dissabled. I've tried to get dissability, twice and was turned down. I've given up. I can't work a regular job, even part time because of the pain. I've given up on dissability. I'm a single parent and the only income we have is my sons dissability check. If it wern't for my parents we would be homeless. I don't like being a burden on them. In Texas Medicaid is a joke. They won't even pull a tooth for an adult, and I need all of them pulled. My credit is as bad as it can get because of my situation and bankruptcy has gotten harder. If the President was in my shoes for a month he would commit suicide.

8:27 am PDT, Aug 24, Jennifer Nyland, North Carolina

8:26 am PDT, Aug 24, Karen Walker, Missouri
My dream...is for ALL Americans to have a chance at the American dream...please!

8:26 am PDT, Aug 24, Anna Koncz, Michigan
Not just to the "Bush administration" but the whole governement itself. I watched a documentary that backed (www.zeitgeistmovie.com) itself up regarding 9/11, the wars, the federal reserve, the income tax law that does not exist. Yes the enivornment is important, yes women should be able to decide if we want an abortion or not. Who cares about the gays? It's there decision. . . But what about how the Ferderal Reserve that has no laws to govern it? What about how 9/11 was staged so we could start a war with Iraq? What about our gas prices that we are already are taxed on along with everything else and than you want us to pay income taxes? These are just some of the very important questions that should be answered with a solution supporting them.

8:26 am PDT, Aug 24, Silvy Ovalle, New York
all of us are invisible to the president,s administration. We protest, nothing happen, we complain, nothing happen. Talk is cheap, and it is about time the us citizens wake up and smell the coffee.let us all come together as one, white, black, brown yellow. We are in the same bote.we have to change how the world vieuw us now,which really is sad.town by town we have to organize and face the administration.We have to stop being affraid of the administration and make the administration fear the citizen. we are all in this together. all this silly laws that just take away your freedom.Democracy? dont make me laugh. the administration dont know democracy if it hit them in the face.Come on wake up, we are not the america we use to be.lets pull our strenght, community by community.I pray it will happen, but our skies are darken with time, yet we are a very good hearted nation, the people are just being put to sleep,we say one thing and do another. sad story and may God help us, the end look very gloomy.silvy

8:26 am PDT, Aug 24, Hugh G. Rection, South Carolina
We sexual harassers have always been invisible to everybody. All we wanted was a little action from a vulnerable victim without getting in trouble. Because you and Bill were able to argue so effectively against that draconian policy we now get one free shot, we can perjure ourselves and not worry about the legal consequences, and we can count on our wives to lie like hell to defend us AND stay with us. I look forward to eight years of you in the White House and am in the process of picking my best victims to last me eight years.

8:24 am PDT, Aug 24, Deborah Foster, Minnesota
I am afraid to be hopeful for the 2008 elections. I'm not sure that Hillary can win against powerful rich networks. I have always felt invisible to my government, because of being from a family deeply affected by mental illness. Services are horrible, and worsened under this administration.

8:24 am PDT, Aug 24, Christine Cosser, Arizona
I am one of the many working Americans who do not have health insurance. I can't afford to buy it one my own, so I have to go without health insurance. I have medical problems that I should be under a doctor's care and receiving meds, but because I have no medical insurance I can't go to a doctor. Some meds are so expensive that people have decide to buy food or their medicine. We need Nationalized Health Care in this country where every citizen has a basic level of health care. We need a system where every citizen should be able to get medicines they need and not have to choose between eating and getting the rx they need. We need a system where every citizen should be able to have an eye exam and get glasses they need to see and not have to go without because they can't afford it. Britain, Canada and other Western Europe Countries have medical care for their people. When is the USA going to have a basic level of health care for all its people so that those of us who work but whose companies do not provide medical coverage going to be able to get the medical care we need?

8:24 am PDT, Aug 24, Alexander Ames, California
Dear Hillary, So far you have not made want to support you in the slightest. I see you still employing some GOP-lite tactics. Show a principled stance on an issue for once. If you want to appeal to "your base" and the "ordinary American" you have much work to do, IMAO. I do plan voting in the Dem. primary FWIW and the election, so please consider this if you want my vote...

8:24 am PDT, Aug 24, Rodney Patterson, Washington D.C.
Being disenfranchised from voting in national election as a fifty-six year African American ex-offender leaves me feeling extraordinarily invisible in a system of government that can hardly be said to epitomize its own Constitutional creeds to its citizens.

8:23 am PDT, Aug 24, Annette L Chiddister-Woods, Wisconsin

8:23 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
I am a single woman. I've worked just about all my life and recently lost my job as well as my apartment due to an unfortunate accident which left me disabled. Unfortunately the government ignores single people. I have had to fight to get several types of assistance and finally received SSI and had to pay out of my pocket over $500 a month for prescription medicines, not including doctors visits as well as diagnostic tests, since SSI will not give medical assistance until you have SSI for 2 years. I worked hard, and am to this day still having hope that I can return to work. I did all the right things, paid my taxes, voted, etc. Yet being single I am not considered unless I have a family. WELL, I AM A FAMILY! A family of ONE, and I need to be considered just as much as a family of two! As far as I'm concerned, being single, I am forgotten. It's past time for the government to consider looking at single people besides looking at families. They seem to think single people have it good, have no problems. Yet everyday is a struggle for me to get through. Single people are the largest minority in this country. We are the overlooked, American "NON-ENTITY TAX PAYERS" AND WE NEED TO BE CONSIDERED TOO!!!

8:23 am PDT, Aug 24, Stephanie Turner, Tennessee
I am a single grandparent who is raising my grandson. I have felt completely invisible because I have not been able to get any kind of assistance for child care. I do not make enough money to pay for day care plus all the other needs my grandson has. When I raised my children things were much, much different and prices were not inflated like they are now. The high price of gas has made everything go up and it is getting harder and harder to make ends meet. I know several people who have to work two jobs now just to make it. I am not sure whether Hillary is for the people either. What do I have to go on? We all thought that the Democratic congress would help bring the price of gas down and they did nothing. Little by little our rights are being taken away from us. How do we know what has been changed or taken away will ever be restored? My dream for the 2008 election is that someone who truly cares for his/her fellow man will be elected and bring our country back to where it was in the beginning. I do not understand politics very well, but I do understand that our constitution and bill of rights has been butchered and ignored. I also understand that people are very tired of being ignored and invisible.

8:21 am PDT, Aug 24, Michel-Joy DelRe, California
As a native Californian, I have experienced the effects of a President who, frankly, doesn't care about California, period. We are carrying a heavy financial burden caused by the Federal Government's lack of concern that we have MILLIONS of illegal aliens (I don't care how you politely language it, they are here illegally). Because of the high costs of caring for them in the emergency care in our hospitals, creating special education classes for them in our schools, food programs, requring that our good teachers take mandated Spanish classes, gang-related crimes, jailing costs (I could go on and on), we are having to pay higher and higher taxes. In addition, we are enduring deaths of some of our brightest young people from automobile accidents caused by unlicensed, uninsured drivers. Our good President is hell-bent to unite Mexico and the United States - whether or not we, as citizens, want that. My dream for the 2008 election is a President who has the courage and fortitude to openly address these issues to find a solution that works. Giving illegal aliens the right to stay in the United States under an 8 year plan is ridiculous! Everyone knows that we have no way to follow-through on that plan. Very simply, if we DO follow through with the laws that are currently on the books - voted for by citizens of THIS country, we can simply focus on making it impossible for our own business owners to hire illegal aliens. Without jobs, they will go home and resolve their problems there.

8:21 am PDT, Aug 24, Yvette St. Onge, California
I have no faith that Hillary Clinton - IF - elected, will make any positive changes to repair the mess that the good old US of A has succumbed to! I say this in part because of her ties w/Murdoch. Help Elect Kucinich for REAL CHANGE. http://www.dennis4president.com/home/ I agree w/ #74 @ 7:51 am PDT, Aug 24 Anonymous of Washington, US... "While I expect to be invisible to republicans, I am very sad that I am invisible to Democrats who refuse to hear the voices of their supporters demanding IMPEACHMENT of Bush, Cheney and Gonzales."

8:20 am PDT, Aug 24, Dennis J. Landi, California
I am one of the many Americans that find it quite difficult to get a job because of the large number of immigrants being hired only because they know the Spanish language. That is why I am against illegal immigration.

8:18 am PDT, Aug 24, Boyer c. August, California

8:18 am PDT, Aug 24, Scott Moore, New Mexico
I can't imagine an administration that could have left so many people disenfranchised. From the theft of two elections, to the illegal pursuit of two wars. It is now unfortunate that so many nations of the world find us a raving and diabolical monster that has temporarily quelled the voices of its people. WE ARE THE PEOPLE, and this government is supposed to be of the people and by the people, and I find it hard to believe that if the people knew the truth of the of this administration's intentions, that they would support the pack of lies that shroud the imperialistic motivations. If we do no have a voice with a ballot as intended, then we are left with very similar motivations that inspired our own revolution to begin with. I believe that the office of the president and vice-president needs a proper cleansing that only the process of impeachment can bring.

8:17 am PDT, Aug 24, Joan Zawacki, Virginia
I am a teacher. As an educator, I have watched teachers, who work very hard, keep their cars for 123,000 miles, whereas the students they serve, in wealthier districts, drive to school in BMWs and Mercedes' (until they wreck them and get another) I not only feel invisible but discriminated against because of underfunded NCLB and lack of concern for our increasing inabliity to live in the areas in which we teach. Perhaps it's because we as a group did not support Bush.(?)

8:16 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, North Carolina
It's not only the Bush Administration. Other than restoring taxes for the wealthy, we need to greatly decrease the military budget for costly weapons that don't work. That also are out of date in today's warfare. Otherwise there will be no great change to increase social programs, restoring lives after disasters, and rebuilding our infrastructure. I worked for 41 years consecutively. My husband, who died, worked for 43 years and received 3 ss checks. I receive my own, but not his. I am disabled, and living day to day. It's highly stressful, and I fell thrown away. This would occur under any administration, HOWEVER. WE need to be more like the 23 other wealthy countries of the world, who help their citizens, esp after doing their part.

8:14 am PDT, Aug 24, Nancy Labovitz, California

8:13 am PDT, Aug 24, Troy Purkey, Tennessee
you know the old and d/a get $ 19.00 to $ 20.oo more on there check a year C OF L WHEN WASHINGTON GET FREE INS. AND $1000.00'S OF DOLLARS MORE WE CAN'T EVEN PAY FOR THE UP IN PRICE IN ONE TANK OF GAS FOR MUST LESS EAT OR BUY N]MED. WE NEED HELP AT HOME WE CAN KEEP UP EVERY OTHER COUNTRY.BUT OUR FOLKS AT HOME.I GUESS YOU DON'T GET YOUR NAME IN THE PAPER FOR HELPING THE OLD AND D/A AT HOME.

8:13 am PDT, Aug 24, Michelle Jatko, Delaware
Hillary, my partner and I have been together 28 years. We deserve the same benefits as married couples. My work does not provide health insurance. If there was a universal health care plan or insurance made available to all people including spousal equivalents we might be able to hold onto our home in the event of a catastrophic illness. The cost of any long-term illness or surgery would take our 2 bedroom house from us. Don't be just another "good-ol'-boy. Let your compassion show. That's what is real, and when shown, earns my respect and vote.

8:12 am PDT, Aug 24, Joe McQueeney, California
Does anyone actually believe that Clinton cares that deeply about anything except winning the election? And that things will improve substantially. I wil vote with someone with integrity. Perhaps Dennis Kucinich?

8:12 am PDT, Aug 24, Janice Straub, Virginia
IT'S NOT ONLY BUSH THAT I'M INVISIBLE TO, IT'S HILLARY CLINTON, TOO! I see very little difference between the two, and 2008 will be the first time I, a democrat, WILL NOT VOTE in the presidential election if Senator Clinton is the democratic candidate. Even Senator Warner is calling for troop withdrawal starting September 15th. I can't believe it! I suppose it will take a Republican with some guts to call for impeachment of this crazy administration because it sure isn't going to be the cowardly democrats. I am so ashamed of, and disgusted by, my party! Very Sincerely, Janice Straub

8:12 am PDT, Aug 24, Susi Eastin, Oklahoma
Even though I'm nearing retirement age, there is no way I will be able to retire. As a single woman, I have no one to support me, and have not been able to afford to save much. In spite of the administration always telling us how great the economy is, I still am barely getting by. If the costs of gas continue to rise, affecting everything else, what are we to do? I've already cut so far back on everything, there's not much left to cut! But I'm sure those in power aren't feeling any pain.

8:12 am PDT, Aug 24, Gordon Carmichael, Texas
I feel equally invisible to the Democrats (up until now, I have been a life-long Democrat) AND to the Clinton campaign. I've tried to stop my monthly donation to Hillary's campaign in protest of the Demo's cave-in to the admin on spying on us -- not the courtesy of a simple answer, just like no answer from the DNC on my outrage with Pelosi's and Reid's cowardly kowtowing to the administration. I'M DISGUSTED with them all and plan to vote independent. The spinelessness of the Democrats has completely alienated me from what WAS my party. I'm very angry.

8:11 am PDT, Aug 24, Ana Bikic, Florida
I am a parent who can't afford ...much....while the wealthy get tax cuts ??? The American dream is gone..? WE need Hope , we need Change , we need Peace.....We ...Need Knowledge. We....Need ....Solutions. We need collective leadership... we need to be a protagonist ..... we need each other..... we need to be brave on the face of owe life. for the future of owe children ... owe nation... awe Planet ... we need to Connect ... we Need Inspiration & Dertermination...... For Noble Solutions ... artist Ana Bikic www.anabikic.com

8:09 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, Florida
We are FL residents. We homeschool our children because even the good schools are crap. It is hard to make it on one income - and my husband was going back to school so we could better our lives. He lost his funding because of credit and that killled our chances of getting ahead. FL schools are horrible - and more and more families are turning to homeschooling. Yet we cannot get credits or access to educational supplies even though we still pay educational taxes. Programs like the FCAT only make teachers spend less time teaching and more time review the stuff just to pass the test. It is not fair to today's youth who will be tomorrow's citizens. Please - consider helping alternate education and programs for continuing eduation for families who don't want to wind up on welfare. Please make educational reforms a priority, not just a financial investment! THANK YOU!

8:09 am PDT, Aug 24, Judi Merl, Massachusetts
The middle classes of allgroups have been neglected with impunity by this administration, to say nothing of the even more needy.

8:09 am PDT, Aug 24, Charles Larson, Missouri
During the recent "debate"....not one single Democratic canidate said the word GOD. They ducked. They said..."I pray"...."I have values"....Richardson said I'm a Catholic...BUT. In other words room to wiggle when it comes time to stand up for being a Christian. Or when it's time to defend the Boy Scouts....or the Ten Commandments.....or abortion...or any of the other issues....They will DUCK. As a Christian I'm invisible to Democrats.

8:08 am PDT, Aug 24, Linda J Smith, Louisiana
I would hope that we could get a bill passed making it mandatory for all insurance companies a practice to offer family packages for gays etc so that my partner and her kid could all be covered not just my kid thanks to government.

8:08 am PDT, Aug 24, Cathleen Bittle, Missouri

8:08 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, California
I went to school with a young woman that was vivacious and had great promise instead she fell onto hard times, had five beautiful mocha colored daughters and worked hard but could never save any money. She just died from colon cancer leaving 5 girls between the ages of 15-21 and now two of the five girls under the age of 21 have just given birth and each have a beautiful baby daughter that are from an illegal immigrant from Mexico and another hard working mexican who is here legally. They all work hard but are making minimum wage and cannot afford vitamins for themselves or for the things that they need to take care of themselves and their families. Now another daughter is pregnant and going to have a baby in November. I think that we need to begin educating our young in our schools and we need a better health care system which I know that Hillary and Bill were working so hard to pass when Bill's term was up. After seeing Sicko America is waking up and trying to do something about our system and where our money goes "America First" should be our motto not "when is it our turn". I think that it is great that we are helping the World but charity does begin at home and there are many homeless and hungry on our streets of San Francisco. I was a single mother with no help and had to live in a youth hostel while working as a legal secretary. I made too much money to have a helping hand and fortunately I had a person in my life that helped me while I went to school to get my real estate license and now I have a very comfortable life -- if one corporation sponsored one family for one year it could make the difference of a lifetime and those people could in turn help others as I try to now in a pay it forward fashion. Everyone deserves a good education and that sex education is extremely important as well as global warming from grade school to College. I know that Hillary will make a difference!!! I hope that middle America will recognize that they need Hillary to help the Farmers and the middle class and people that are living in poverty.

8:08 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, Maryland
ONE CAN SEE AND FEEL THE LACK OF PROGRESS FOR THE LESS THAN THE VERY WEALTHY -- THE MAJORITY FOOTS THE BILL OF WAR AND HAS LESS ACCESS TO CARE AT HOME -- THIS IS NOT PROGRESS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY AND WHERE ONCE THE USA LED THE WAY IN MANY A FIELD OF RESEARCH IT IS LOSING GROUND AND RESPECT----- THIS TIDE CAN AND SHOULD BE TURNED -- NOW!

8:07 am PDT, Aug 24, Michele Maniscalco, Massachusetts
Enough about "working families": not all households are families. Many households are childless, composed of unmarried and/or childless individuals and couples. These are the REAL invisible Americans. If you aren't a senior citizen and you don't have a child in the house, our social safety net doesn't give a damn about you if you can't make ends meet. Whether you become unemployed, suffer a health or financial catastrophe, or your modest salary doesn't keep pace with skyrocketing expenses, childless people often fall through the safety net. Unemployment insurance only lasts 6 months and if you don't find a job, you are on your own. Many heating assistance and other programs to provide essential services only cater to the elderly and households with children. I know two hard-working single women, both full-time employees, who had to endure a New England winter last year without heat in their homes because they had lost their heat during financial hard times and couldn't afford to pay the full amount they owed to get their heat turned back on. Neither could find an assistance program that would help them with the bill because they aren't elderly or caring for children, they just don't make a lot of money. This winter may be the same for both of them if they can't finish paying off the gas company. Message to Hilary and all of your competitors: STOP addressing the needs of "working families" and change that to "working Americans." Last time I checked, all of us, whether childless or parents, work, pay taxes and vote in order to survive and participate fully in this country, but those of us who aren't in "families" with children are not being cared for in our times of crisis. It has to stop, and voters who don't have children will turn away from politicians who do not address our needs.

8:06 am PDT, Aug 24, Debbie Harrop, Nevada
I'm a 70 year old woman who cries a lot for the younger people of today. Not for myself but for them for sure. I'm so happy to hear that we have have someone who really seems to care. Thank you Hillary, thank you so much.

8:06 am PDT, Aug 24, Muriel Schnierow, Illinois
I see no progress in dealing with violence against women,verbal,physical,emotional,financial abuse.I have fought all my life to be equal,to be heard, to be successful in spite of male opposition,personal and cultural. I have really worked beyond my strenghth and I want women to have real opportunities that they will NEVER have under a Republican administration.There are 59,000 battered women in Illinois,no mention of "Domestic Violence" in the criminal code,and in home battering is a misdemenour. Enough is enough.

8:05 am PDT, Aug 24, Mike Trevino, Texas
The current administration has been so out of touch with us. I know the war is taking much effort,but all Bush talks about is his defense of the war. But what about the other issues? Like exports -Imports, energy, healthcare, insurance issues, immigration? Tainted products from China(help the american farmer, and we won't need those type commodities from them! We import tons of produce from Mexico, yet they owe us water for our Rio Grande farmers they desperatly need! Why? Make them pay! Immigration- has caused our health care to rise, then if they are Mexican citizens getting healthcare here, then the Mexican Government should be asked to help fund their healthcare needs!The Mexican Government wants their citizen's treated well here, Then make them pay! Rising fuel costs and home utilities have strapped the average American Family! Set a National speed limit to save fuel. When the speed limits 70mph, we drive 80, so set it to 60, it would make a big difference in consumption We need someone to listen and act, and not make promises only!Think how bad we Texans have it, We have a Bush for president, and Bush Jr. for Govenor!

8:04 am PDT, Aug 24, Regina Porto, Connecticut
My husband and I are hard working, middle class Americans yet we are struggling just to keep our home and buy groceries. There is something fundamentally wrong with this. We've live through other hard economic times but never before has there been such indifference to the sufferings of the citizens of America. Inflation has to be off the roof yet salaries remain stable or in many cases older, higher paid people are being replaced by inexperienced young people just so that large corporations can improve their bottom line and the pockets of the rich. Remember when in America everyone had a chance to a secure decent life if they were willing to work for it? Remember when "paying your dues" led to job security and better salaries? Where did that America go? Why does it seem that no one is noticing that average hard working Americans are losing their homes and life savings? That is what happened to my husband and me. We are slowly trying to build our way back but it is an uphill climb with constant backsliding due to rising prices on everything we need to just sustain ourselves. Something is rotten in Denmark and the Administration doesn't seem to smell it!

8:03 am PDT, Aug 24, Shelley Garcia, Colorado
Any time me or a family member becomes ill or injured, we cannot afford medical care, we cannot afford insurance, and if we could afford insurance, the battle to get any benefits is debilitating in and of itself. I imagine this situation is ALOT OF PEOPLE'S story. We don't have the money to afford health care, and THAT is truly being invisible!

8:03 am PDT, Aug 24, Ratka Popovic, California
Yes, we need socialized medicine- and we can take safe examples from other nations through out the world who have implemented this for decades now. We need to put our money into our people not into the war machine; education, medicine, social welfare and services.

8:03 am PDT, Aug 24, Amanda Butler, Vermont
I am a single mother of a teenager, working full-time (thankfully for more than minimum wage) and going to college to better my circumstances, but the cost for health insurance for my son and I is nearly $1000/month. I am at the point where I am not sure if I can afford it any longer, but what are my choices? I make too much money for state health plans. We have no backup. We are part of the silent group that falls between the cracks - working full time at a good job, making too much money to be considered for any help but making too little to pay for the basic necessities -- and it is so hard to stay above water. We are paying taxes but don't seem to get anything for it. We are contributing to our communities and working hard, but there seems to be no support. Please recognize those of us in this situation and help us find solutions.