“Democrats will fight to end discrimination based on race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and disability in every corner of our country, because that’s the America we believe in.”
The Democrat Party has a noble goal to end discrimination against people based upon these things in America, one that I find to be very worthy. The vision presented by the Democratic Representatives and President of America is something that I do not believe very many people would disagree with. Those who would disagree with this statement are bigots, to be plain-spoken.
“We all have to do our part to lift up this country, and that means changing hearts and changing minds, and making sure that every American is treated equally under the law.”
People with Disabilities are as American as apple pie. We have been a part of the population of this country since before America was a nation, with deaf people living in Martha’s Vineyard since the 1670’s, a time prior to the establishment of major cities in this country.
“We will restore vigorous federal enforcement of civil rights laws in order to provide every American an equal chance at employment, housing, health, contracts, and pay. We are committed to banning racial, ethnic, and religious profiling and requiring federal, state, and local enforcement agencies to take steps to eliminate the practice.”
Despite the fact that America is far more than 200 years old, these issues continue to be discussed; it is necessary – something that reflects on the administrations that have followed each other, one after the other. Despite every single administration in America’s history, the civil rights laws in place have not been adequate to quell the profiling, prejudice, bigotry, hatred, bias, and stigma associated with People with Disabilities and others in the United States of America. The fact that these things continue in this nation reflects on the inability of the government to address adequate civil rights legislation in regards to these populations.
“We will sign the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and restore the original intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
Unlike George Bush Senior, who sat out in the open and signed the Americans with Disabilities Act with Justin Dart sitting next to him, Barack Obama sent someone else to sign the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Convention has been signed, yet it does not present People with Disabilities in America with a single civil right.
The original intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act was to present America with comprehensive Equal Rights in relation to the People with Disabilities in America; all 54+ million of us now. The Democrat Party has stated they will present us with comprehensive Equal Rights Legislation in regards to People with Disabilities, the original intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act – and I fully intend to hold them to their word.
“My Administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans have the chance to fulfill their potential and contribute to our nation. Across this country, millions of people with disabilities are working or want to work, and they should have access to the support and services they need to succeed. As the nation’s largest employer, the Federal Government and its contractors can lead the way by implementing effective employment policies and practices that increase opportunities and help workers achieve their full potential.” -President Barack Obama
The Americans with Disabilities Act, in its current form, does not cover buildings beyond a certain age. The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) does not pursue cases it feels that it is unable to win, leaving thousands of People with Disabilities without justice in America. Because of these facts, People with Disabilities in America find themselves facing inaccessible areas of American society on a daily basis. We find ourselves facing employers and property owners who find endless ways to weasel around existing ADA laws.
The federal government can hire all of the temporary, transition, or even permanent workers with disabilities it wishes; unless the private sector faces comprehensive disability equal rights legislation that presents them with iron-clad laws denying them the ability to continue to weasel around laws – the endless discrimination will continue. Unless the Democrats in America pursue their promise of comprehensive equal rights legislation in relation to people with disabilities in America – people with disabilities will continue to face inaccessible areas of society in this nation, as well as the social isolation that accompanies it.
“These principles include proper training and equipment for our troops as they head to battle; a budget that reflects America’s responsibilities to our veterans by providing health care options and assistance to military families; support and assistance for veterans and their families when they return home from fighting abroad; and a continued support for the values and dignity that come with a military career.”
President Obama has stated that he will bring the Veterans Administration Health Care System, “up to 21st century standards.” There is a VA Hospital in the process of being constructed in the Denver area, one that has been put on hold for the second time now during his term in office. This VA hospital is meant to serve Veterans over a four-state area! The hospital is not even half-complete; it sits there, doing nothing, with the construction halted.
The people who work for the Veterans Administration health care system are magnificent people, please do not misunderstand me. The health care workers who are working for the VA health care system are some of the best in the world in many cases. They are simply working under impossible conditions – there just are not enough of them to serve the population of veterans. There is not enough funding.
In Colorado Springs there is a VA Clinic that is about the size of a few 7-11 stores. This VA Clinic is supposed to serve every single veteran emitted from Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy, Shriver AND Peterson Air Force Bases – as well as every single veteran that finds their way to the Colorado Springs area. To the best of my knowledge, there are two, maybe three main doctors to provide primary care at this clinic.
WHERE is this, ’21st Century VA Health Care,” Mr. Obama?
“The Democratic Party is committed to real ethics reform and meaningful campaign finance reform that protects our rights and ensures that elected officials act ethically — not just within the law, but within the spirit of the law. Democrats offer an aggressive reform package to reverse Republican excesses and restore the public trust.”
The actions of the Democrat Party as they passed Health Care Reform through back room dealing, arm-twisting, and bribery, was such a blatant violation of this statement – posted on their own website, that I could vomit repeatedly on the desk in the oval office. My trust has been utterly crapped upon. I have absolutely NO love of the Republican party after witnessing the actions of George Bush Junior; none whatsoever – yet the completely unethical actions of the Democrats in relation to health care reform leaves me wondering if they give one damn about People with Disabilities in America.
“We are committed to immediate change to lead our country in a new direction, to put an end to Republican business as usual, and to make certain our nation’s leaders serve the people’s interests, not special interests. For us, this commitment spans our lifetime, as we were elected to represent the people, not the powerful.”
“A community that ignores even one of its citizens is no community at all.”
If the Democrats are, “elected to represent the people, not the powerful,” then bear in mind the greater than fifty-four million People with Disabilities in America, Mr. Obama. We comprise this nation’s largest minority population. We are a larger population than the one you have changed the entire health care system in America for.
“Our goal is to restore accountability, honesty and openness at all levels of government. To do so, we will create and enforce rules that demand the highest ethics from every public servant, sever unethical ties between lawmakers and lobbyists, and establish clear standards that prevent the trading of official business for gifts.”
I fully intend to hold the Obama administration accountable – very much so – for the rest of my entire life as a matter of fact. These statements will remain a part of my collection until the day I die. You have an option, Mr. Obama and Democrats. It is time to put things out in the open and call things plainly.
At this time I do not support any party for any purpose other than voting, and that because I feel like I am forced into one of two parties for such a purpose.
1.)If the Obama administration passes Comprehensive Equal Rights Legislation for People with Disabilities in America – I will remain a supporter of the Democrat Party until the Day I Die because it has done so. I do not make this statement lightly.
2.)If the Obama administration DOES NOT pass Comprehensive Equal Rights Legislation for People with Disabilities in America – I will fight against the Democrat Party until the Day I Die because it has NOT done so. I do not make this statement lightly either.
Clear enough? You have promised this legislation – YOU ARE NOW BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT, JUST AS YOU ASKED ME TO. Don’t mince words with me, just do it.
Thomas C. Weiss.
http://democrats.org/ - The Democrat Party
