BlogHer - BlogHers Act: Post your red-hot issue (and link) below - Comments

Oh, I think daily health

jhonsmith — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:31:38 -0500

Oh, I think daily health hindrance drag the U.S. has got to symbolize on of the prime four issues since the voter manifesto. It's seemly eerie what happens to people.

A organization of rabble believe suggested healthcare over our poles apart universal activism clock in to. So, my inquire into is: how fulfill we make active a difference in health care worldwide? I actually think it could be a great issue, because there are so many components to it, and it seems like there would be lots of ways to take action. Hospitals in Mexico

Totally agree. All the

trendoffice — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 06:24:46 -0500

Totally agree. All the issues raised here have their importance, but I think that there is one way to succeed - since it is Media & Marketing that have most impact on kids who are our furture, it is there we should direct our efforts.
Media & Marketing shape our way of thinking, our behaviour and from here - our society. Globally. And globally we need to direct our efforts to change our today's world of consumers into a world where spiritual culture is valued most of all. It is our task as mothers. This is an issue that can bring the most long-term results and is worth our energy

trendoffice

Women's Health

Gail Anderson — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:10:52 -0500

Emmy,

Your post is very elegantly written and I couldn't agree with you more. Every woman needs to be able to choose for herself. Health should not be politicized. Families who do not want their children educated on the issues of sexual health can opt out of classes. I pegged health in general as a campaign issue, but I agree whole-heartedly that we need a pro-choice leader. Only then can constituents choose for themselves. Freedom of Choice is an American value. Separation of Church and State is a constitutional principal that we need to strengthen in our country.
http://www.gailanderson.org/2007/06/bloghers-act.html

sexual exploitation of children

Gigidiver — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:27:29 -0500

Gloria thank you for starting this...it is so important...these children are the future..it needs to be said, shouted and written about ...sexual exploitation is worldwide...there are so many of our fathers, husbands, brothers uncles and friends doing it, enjoying it and getting away with it...whay are so many women afraid to say it out loud? Its not about blaming its about naming them. It is one of the first steps to making changes. Laws exist but are they implemented? There is too much cover up and protection of those abusing because it makes so much money. So Gloria I would add to this discussion the whole subject of sexual violence towards women...especially in third world countries, especialy amongst the poor and uneducated. The subject is too easily dismissed in the West even by women.
Implement the laws, speak out against abusers even if they are your family members and beleive the children.
Gigidiver.

I know I'm a little late,

toledolefty — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:23:28 -0500

I know I'm a little behind schedule, but I just posted my contribution on global warming. I think we have to do something about climate change before it's too late.

----
Jen
http://yawwblog.blogspot.com
http://angryfatgirlz.blogspot.com
http://toledolefty.blogspot.com

The founders intent clearly supports church/state separation

BAC — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 22:44:44 -0500

The government is to remain neutral regarding religion. Having a separation of church and state protects your right to practice religion as you see fit. It also protects people from having a religious belief imposed on them that might not be in keeping with their faith tradition.

Both religion and government benefit from separation of church and state. It's why we have more than 2000 religions in this country, and why more people attend a worship service of their own free will than in any other industrialized nation.

Unfortunately, the current administration has forgotten our history. It would be to our benefit to not let this happen again.

Keep in Mind the Founding Fathers' Intent

Crimson Wife — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 17:54:06 -0500

The intent of the Founding Fathers in writing the First Amendment was to protect religion from government, NOT government from religion! Today we often lose sight of their original vision of freedom *OF* religion in this country, not freedom *FROM* religion. Pluralism, not atheism!

Education reform has got to

Daring Young Mom — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 01:23:09 -0500

Education reform has got to be at the top of my list. I want someone to come up with an actual plan to improve education in this country, rather than trying to enforce it without giving teachers the tools they need to succeed.

Healthcare is also huge.

I know there is no way that all BlogHer members will agree on any of the answers

we want to the 4 big questions we're asking but I hope we can agree on the questions we'd like to ask. This is a big undertaking ladies. Good luck.

My post will be late but will come this weekend.
Kathryn Thompson

What an education!

cindyfey — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:47:50 -0500

What an education I've received this week just reading these excellent and important suggestions.

My global issue: the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
Urgent. Specific. Imperative.

My four issues for campaign '08:

-The environment
-Health insurance for all Americans
-Iraq
-Affordable antiretroviral drugs for the poorest AIDS patients, here and abroad.

My post.

Healthcare Please!

cspangler — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:35:16 -0500

Dear Bloghers:

Healthcare is one of the #1 issues on my mind these days. I've felt again and again like this country is letting everyone down in the area of health - me, my close friends, family, pretty much everyone I know. As a self-employed artist, getting affordable health insurance has been impossible. At times, my monthly payments for insurance have been almost equal to those for my rent. Hardly any of my peers can afford even the most basic insurance, and my roommate, an extremely talented and self-sacrificing children's book illustrator, is in debt with hospital bills, can't even afford basic checkups or exams while suffering from worrisome health issues - all while working for very low pay while illustrating a book for a woman who is dying of cancer. It seems the only way she'd be able to get assistance of any kind is if she were pregnant. We need universal health care! The current system doesn't even make sense financially because people wait until they absolutely are desperate before getting healthcare. They can't afford preventative measures, and are often ignorant about how to help themselves.

I am 27, and for the past 10 years I've tried to get help for issues that seem to be more and more common among women, but still hardly understood by doctors. My sister and I both have struggled with PCOS, a hormone imbalance that is commonly "fixed" with birth control pills - a remedy that some believe worstens the condition's root cause. By adjusting my diet and exercise and learning to listen to my own body, I was able to almost completely rid myself of this problem - and without medication. It's taken years without help from a doctor, because I've had to fight against their impulse to medicate! medicate! medicate! and to ignore my pleas for common sense tests, such as a glocose tolerance test that my doctor said was "a test for diabetic people, why do you need that?" I've currently been fixing another health problem that is even more confusing - heart palpitations and fatigue, with diet adjustments and more education about how the body, especially the female body operates.

So many conditions are interrelated, and so many conditions are directly affected by the foods we eat and the lifestyle we live, especially in women. In today's healthcare system, it seems like so many women are being miseducated and mislead, told to just take their pills and stop complaining. I know this is certainly not true for everyone or every doctor, but it is a problem for many people I know, uncluding myself that has added so much stress and tears and frustration to our lives. Why do we have to fight for our health? Why do we have to search and struggle to find accurate information and educational resources for understanding our bodies, swimming upstream against the rushing current of commercialized health, "band-aid" medications and a system that promotes ignorance? I feel so powerless! And even now that I am finding some answers, I still feel powerless to share them with more than a few people.

SO my top issues are:

- Universal Health Care!!! We can't let our creative, entrepreneurial, truly "American" spirited core of individuals and families crumble from the inside out. Everyone deserves basic healthcare, even those who don't work for companies or corporations with group plans.
- and better Health Education, especially for women, based on understanding our bodies, awareness of what we put in our bodies, and knowledge about how to fix the root problems first through basic lifestyle changes instead of using drugs as the main and sometimes only answer.

I want to add that the understanding of "Women's Health" needs to go beyond issues like reproduction, abortion, contraception, and breast implants. It needs to include our everyday lives, even beyond reproduction, sexuality and body image. We have a right to know how to just FEEL GOOD and be healthy. We have a right to understand ourselves, love ourselves and become the strong empowered people we want to be.

Separation of Church and State

BAC — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:34:02 -0500

My main issue is safeguarding separation of church and state, because it touches so many other issues I care deeply about. Issues of reproductive justice, marriage equality, sound science, academic integrity, the disproportionate influence the religious right has over our policy makers, and -- as I get older -- end of life matters.

When there are not enough dollars allocated for social services, do we really want the administration pushing 'faith-based' initiatives that promote abstinence only education, and marriage as a solution for women in poverty? Or do we want our tax dollars going to houses of worship that are then allowed to discriminate in employment based on an applicant's religion?

As global warming, and the damage we are doing to our planet, becomes increasingly apparent do we need Congress and the President debating a federal marriage amendment? Does it matter more who we love, than whether or not we will be able to breath the air in another decade or so?

And with so many friends and family members battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, do we want a president who will veto a bipartisan stem-cell bill because it conflicts with his religious beliefs? I hope not.

BAC

YES! Global Heallthcare

Erin Kotecki Vest — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:29:14 -0500

I honestly believe we could tackle this healthcare issue in SO many ways. Just the US angle alone could keep us busy, with the upcoming election...but it need not stop there. Action could be taken on a global front, tackling issues in other part of the world including Africa's Aid's crisis. Darfur-any humanitarian crisis is a healthcare crisis. Childhood obesity. Infant mortality rates. Prenatal, postnatal care.

But really, this is mostly about getting our fellow human beings, wherever they may be, the care and medication they deserve. We can act locally on an innercity clinic front...or globally on a fundraising for Africa front...or we can work together to pressure the pharmaceutical companies.

So much can be done here.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Healthcare - the global issue

Elisa Camahort — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:13:53 -0500

Oh, I think universal health care in the U.S. has got to be on of the top four issues for the voter manifesto. It's just scary what happens to people.

A lot of people have suggested healthcare as our single global activism issue to. So, my question is: how do we make a difference in health care worldwide? I actually think it could be a great issue, because there are so many components to it, and it seems like there would be lots of ways to take action.

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org

My Issue

Erin Kotecki Vest — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 08:27:13 -0500

Sigh. I've struggled with this since you asked.
I've flip flopped on a million issues.
And here I am, at the deadline, and I think I have finally found my answer...

As I sit here on my parents Florida patio, my dad taking 5 of his daily pills for his ailing heart and his lukemia. I want universal healthcare in this country NOW. I want my Dad to stop worrying and I want my Mom to stop crying. I want them to be able to afford to see their grandchildren more. Not choose between perscriptions and dinner out. And my parents are some of the lucky one.

I know several of the 08 candidates are already making this a HUGE push. I think now is the time to make it real. For those millions of children with no healthcare. For those veterans lost in the system. For my Mom and Dad. Who just want to STOP worrying.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

I think I might agree with you on the single issue

Elisa Camahort — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 23:06:18 -0500

Earlier this year I hear a former UN envoy speak movingly about the AIDS crisis in Africa. he said they were making progress on every single part of the massive problem (distribution, medications, health care delivery) except one: the predatory beliefs of a certain segment of men in Africa who believe it is OK to rape women. He said there was an entire generation of women being wiped out by AIDS. One big reason: there is a myth that persists that a man with AIDS can "cleanse" himself by raping a virgin.

It was heart-wrenching.

And yet here in my home area, Cupertino, I have been equally heart-wrenched by the De Anza rape case that Liz Rizzo wrote about on this site.

Could we make a real difference on this issue, both here in the U.S. and everywhere around the world where women and girls are exploited and abused? It is a really compelling thought.

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org

BlogHers Act: Post your red-hot issue (and link) below

cooper and emily — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:50:30 -0500

We are excited and honored to announce today, with Elisa, Jory and Lisa, the launch of BlogHers Act, a year-long initiative to harness the incredible power of women online. That would be you.

BlogHers Act will take on two things --

1. Making a difference on a single global cause

2. Identifying the top four issues that women online want the U.S. Presidential candidates to address in order to win our votes in the â€˜08 Election.

Imagine the opportunity thatâ€™s in all of our hands right now.

All of us know the positive, productive, monumental ACTION of bloggers, especially women bloggers, when rallying around a problem, an issue or an event. Since we started blogging a few years back, weâ€™ve witnessed - and been so lucky to be a part of - countless moments, big and small, when bloggers worked together to make a difference.

And that's why it feels so right to kick it off here and on our blog, Been There, the place so many of you came to help during Katrina.

Hereâ€™s what needs to happen first: We need you to weigh in on the core elements of the two BlogHers Act projects.

Please answer the following questions, either here in the comments, or in a post on your own blog. If you blog this, please do two things:

DEADLINE FOR SUGGESTIONS: June 15, 2007

(1) Post your link below!

(2) Tag your post BlogHers Act and be sure to ask your readers to answer as well, and tag it if they too blog about it. If you don't blog, just leave it in the comments on one of the BlogHers Act posts, because we'll be compiling the information from those too.

Here are the questions:

Project #1: Choose a global issue â€“ BlogHer's red-hot issue for the year

If you could turn the power of the BlogHer community on to making a difference on a single global issue for the next 12 months, what would that issue be? Why? How would you and your community of blog readers help? Do you already have a blog or issue that you're working on and want the BlogHer community to fend for? Great! Tell us belowâ€¦ This year at BlogHer '07 in Chicago on July 27th , we'll be looking at some case studies of using social media to raise consciousness and awareness, and we'll apply them to an action plan for this issue.

Project #2: Creating an Election '08 Voter Manifesto

Let's create a Voter Manifesto, asking the media and presidential candidates from all parties to answer real questions and address real issues. Let's help them by creating a template: the questions any candidate must answer if they want to earn our vote next year. If you could tell the presidential candidates what is most important to you, what are the top four hot button issues you would ask them to address?

Please write your blog post or comment by June 15th to ensure your suggestion is included in the survey. On June 25th, BlogHer will issue a survey to the community, so everyone can vote for or against what's been proposed and choose our red-hot issue. The results will determine the causes we will be talking about and organizing around at BlogHer 07.

At the BlogHer â€™07 Conference in Chicago on July 27th, together we'll come up with an aggressive plan for the next twelve months of results-oriented action, culminating in a final report at BlogHer '08.

And please plan to join us â€“ we'll be part of these sessions at BlogHer '07:

BlogHer '07 Day One

4:30 â€“ 5:45 p.m., BlogHers Act: The Global Issue during the Community track breakout titled, "Getting it On(line) for a cause: Part 2 â€“ Raising Consciousness."

BlogHer '07 Day Two

10:30 â€“ 11:45 a.m., BlogHers Act: The Voter Manifesto during the Politics breakout titled, "Earn Our Votes: What Questions Do Women Bloggers Want Candidates to Answer in Election 2008?"

We look forward to hearing your ideas, and to using BlogHer 07 to make a world of difference together!

Any questions, please email us at: Emilymckhann@mac.com or Coopermunroe@mac.com.

And thank you, Britt Bravo, for this amazing Margaret Mead quote: â€œNever doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.â€