Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Say what? Is any candidate going to say they’ll kick a vet to the curb?
I started looking ahead at some of the questions:
11. Support policies that eliminate the inappropriate use of seclusion and restraint and foster humane alternatives?
That’s interesting, it’s like asking if you support abuse in general.
12. Support accelerated investment in National Institute of Mental Health research on mental illness, co-occurring disorders, recovery and reintegration into the community?
An unspecified, un-defined promise of "accelerated investment"? I wouldn’t be surprised if even a fiscal liberal winced at this. How about "What level of accellerated investment would you provide?" And provide choices including "Recommend a decrease in funding."
13. Support incorporating cultural competence standards in requirements for federal mental health funding?
Huh? What was that? “Cultural competence standards” as a requirement for mental health funding? Funding to what? States? If so, who pays for the training and enforcement of these “standards”? Unless it’s a recognized issue of which I’m not aware, it’s very vague and a huge financial unknown. What Republican is going to agree to this given the information provided?
15. Support the integration of mental health and primary care to achieve better health outcomes, particularly for older adults and communities of color?
No politician is going to say they oppose this, especially for older adults and communities of color.
After reading this I can see why Republicans avoided this questionnaire. By design, it will make a conservative, particularly a fiscal conservative, look less attractive. Not that most conservatives need any help in that regard. And even though I personally see no current republican candidates as viable choices for someone interested in mental health issues, It still would be nice to see a format designed to elicit Republican as well as Democratic responses.
The point of this is not to criticize NAMI. I understand that their efficient operation, and perhaps their survival, is dependant on political climate. But as mental health consumers, and US citizens, we need to be ever mindful of what is important, and what is not. We have to look beyond the buzz-words, and ensure the person we elect will be able to effectively and efficiently lead us, both domestically and internationally. So before we stake our vote on an endorsement, an advertisement, or a questionnaire, we need to take a long, critical look. Make your decision with your eyes wide open, as well as your mind.
So what are others' opinions on the presidential race? If you have an opinion to express on this topic, leave us a comment.
I started looking ahead at some of the questions:
11. Support policies that eliminate the inappropriate use of seclusion and restraint and foster humane alternatives?
That’s interesting, it’s like asking if you support abuse in general.
12. Support accelerated investment in National Institute of Mental Health research on mental illness, co-occurring disorders, recovery and reintegration into the community?
An unspecified, un-defined promise of "accelerated investment"? I wouldn’t be surprised if even a fiscal liberal winced at this. How about "What level of accellerated investment would you provide?" And provide choices including "Recommend a decrease in funding."
13. Support incorporating cultural competence standards in requirements for federal mental health funding?
Huh? What was that? “Cultural competence standards” as a requirement for mental health funding? Funding to what? States? If so, who pays for the training and enforcement of these “standards”? Unless it’s a recognized issue of which I’m not aware, it’s very vague and a huge financial unknown. What Republican is going to agree to this given the information provided?
15. Support the integration of mental health and primary care to achieve better health outcomes, particularly for older adults and communities of color?
No politician is going to say they oppose this, especially for older adults and communities of color.
After reading this I can see why Republicans avoided this questionnaire. By design, it will make a conservative, particularly a fiscal conservative, look less attractive. Not that most conservatives need any help in that regard. And even though I personally see no current republican candidates as viable choices for someone interested in mental health issues, It still would be nice to see a format designed to elicit Republican as well as Democratic responses.
The point of this is not to criticize NAMI. I understand that their efficient operation, and perhaps their survival, is dependant on political climate. But as mental health consumers, and US citizens, we need to be ever mindful of what is important, and what is not. We have to look beyond the buzz-words, and ensure the person we elect will be able to effectively and efficiently lead us, both domestically and internationally. So before we stake our vote on an endorsement, an advertisement, or a questionnaire, we need to take a long, critical look. Make your decision with your eyes wide open, as well as your mind.
So what are others' opinions on the presidential race? If you have an opinion to express on this topic, leave us a comment.
bring this up. I completely and fully believe this is the most important election of my lifetime. Of course there have been other very very important elections, but in my lifetime this is IT i do believe....the most important decision we will all make come November....and I so hope that so many are reading your information and are putting their hearts and souls into deciding who will run this country for the next 4 years.
I do have to admit I am, and still am, a conservative....very much so....and well, I do believe exactly what you said, NO ONE is going to answer the questions with full and complete disclosure at this time for they are all playing both sides in order to win votes, at this point i do believe most (not ALL) but most would say just about anything OR avoid saying too much in order to not ostericize themselves from ANY voters.
I realize the DIRE need for health insurance reform, and the DIRE need for mental health awareness too.....so much so it literally haunts my dreams...for as you know i'd love to be an advocate for the mental health society and reach out and EDUCATE so many....however...
GJ I DOOOOOOO believe that foreign policy and the way things will be handled over in the Mid East is a PRIORITY....I am perhaps a little odd by putting the safety and protection of Israel very very high up on my list and I have to vote with my gut on the person that I believe will stand by God's chosen people and protect them from those that want to "blow them off the face of the earth" ....oh my.....just breaks my heart for no matter what all we have been through here in America, the Jews have gone through so much and are still fighting constantly to just be left alone...and well, i feel i will base most of my weight on the one i believe will protect the homeland and protect Israel's right to be...
Now, as for health care, well, that makes you wonder who the heck even KNOWS anything about what those of us are going through, or worse do any of them CARE....truly.....I applaud the NAMI for trying to get answers but we all know that NOW is not the time to lay creedance to what the politicians say when interviewed or when sent questionares...my question is did Hillary even fill it out herself???hmmm (look at the history of this one she has been known to let her understudies handle a lot of things like that) and well Obama, I like him A LOT but don't feel he has the experience needed to run this country in the situation it has found itself......So it is like what lesser of evils does one chooose.......
Well, to be honest I am kinda leaning toward the one who is willing to cross party lines and go with his conscience and do what he thinks is the best for the nation, not what is best for conservatives OR liberals ....and to me that one seems to be McCain....the conservs are upset for he is being compliant with some of the liberals, and the liberals aren't thrilled with him either but appreciate his crossing the party line to vote on what he thinks is right regardless......soooo i feel we need someone who will work WITH others, work WITH americans, and will definetly stand his ground in the protection of Israel against the axis' of evil...and yes, i do believe they ARE the axis' of evil.....so much hate.....
but i digress......thank you for your post...we ALL ALLL ALLLLLLLLLLL need to be looking in the direction you are and checking out the voting status of each politician, looking at what they have done or are on RECORD of doing (not just what they SAY), and decide on our own what canidate that covers most of what we want for i hate to admit this but i don't think it can be found in just ONE of the canidates.....feel a conglomerate would be nice, but uhm doubt i'm getting that!! tehee..
thanks again for engaging our minds in being PRO ACTIVE in our choices, so important as is education of what exactly (not what the media or the politicians say, heck as bp's if we've not learned to doubt the media we never will......) but what they have SHOWN us, for to me actions speak MUCH loouder than words.....but that is MY opinion....hope didn't offend anyone, for we all agree to disagree and that is what makes America great.....we CAN!!!
Thanks again,
love your posts always!
ctrygirl