Palin and Mc Cain – are they really autism friendly?
As one of the most well known people with autism in the world I recently received a series of email forwards. I’m an Australian and these were about US politics. Is that relevant to me? Is it my country’s economy which is trillion’s of dollars in debt right now? No. Is it my country whose housing market and banking sector is going bust and showing signs of return to the Depression of the 1930s in which there was no disability funding? No. Is it my country which is still draining all it’s tax payers money in Iraq in a war machine that takes priority over health, education, welfare? No. But this email was sent to me in the hope I’d send it on, sent to me by people saying they would have voted Democrat but were impressed by fierce pro Iraq war supporter, Sarah Palin having an autistic niece. Suddenly, the woman who had never publicly claimed to support disability until 2008 (and the Iraq was disabled enough people itself) was claiming to be their voice in the White House. If you still believe that a Republican party which publicly proclaims it will stay in Iraq for the next 100s years if necessary will really support disability and those with autism, I urge you to watch this short video and see past the rhetoric.
As an Australian, US politics are for the US, even if their crumbling economy is taking us all down. As a person with autism, however, I am a citizen of the world.
Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons
Autistic author, lecturer, autism consultant
http://www.donnawilliams.net
THE FOLLOWING COMPARISONS WERE SENT TO ME:
On Support for Living Independently in the Community
Obama is a co-sponsor of the Community Choice Act of 2007. Obama believes that individuals should be able to make their own choices for their living arrangements and live independently in their communities. [S.799, 110th Congress]
Obama is a co-sponsor of the Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) Act Of 2007. This bill would help individuals with functional impairments pay for services that they need to maximize their independence. [S.1758, 110th Congress]
McCain strongly opposes the Community Choice Act. Asked about the Community Choice Act at a Town Hall in Denver , McCain said “The Community Choice Act is not a piece of legislation that I support.” [ McCain Town Hall , 7/7/08]
On Education for Individuals with Disabilities
Barack Obama supports full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), early intervention and developmental programs, and expanded college opportunities for students with disabilities.
Obama voted for over $44 billion in funding for the IDEA. [SCR 1, Senate Vote #94, 3/22/07]
Obama will invest $10 billion per year in early intervention, educational and developmental programs for children between zero and five. His plan will help expand programs such as Early Head Start to serve more children with disabilities. His plan also will encourage states to expand programs for children with disabilities, such as IDEA Part C. [Obama Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities]
Obama supports increasing opportunities for college students with disabilities. He also will provide more support for these college students. Obama was an original co-sponsor of the Senate bill to reauthorize the Higher Education Act (S. 1642) which significantly expands opportunities and supports for individuals with disabilities to attend college and graduate programs. [S.1642, 110th Congress]
John McCain has repeatedly voted against the IDEA even though he claims he supports full funding of it.
McCain has repeatedly voted against funding for special education.
* McCain repeatedly voted against funding increases for the IDEA. [H.R.4577, Senate Vote #170, 6/30/00; SCR 23, Senate Vote #103, 3/26/03]
* McCain has chosen tax cuts for the wealthy over education funding for students with disabilities. Specifically, McCain voted against increasing spending in the amount of $229 billion over 10 years for the IDEA. McCain also voted against an amendment that would create a reserve fund of $73 billion in IDEA funding. The spending would have been made possible by reducing tax cuts. [SCR 23, Senate Vote #103, 3/26/03; SCR 23, Senate Vote #70, 3/21/03]
McCain did not co-sponsor reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (S. 1642). He also did not vote on passage of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act in the 110th Congress. [S.1642, 110th Congress; S. 1642, Senate Vote #275, 7/24/07]
On Social Services Spending
Obama opposes a freeze on social services spending for people with disabilities.
Obama voted against capping non-defense spending which means that social service spending for people with disabilities could continue to meet their needs. In 2005, Obama voted against the Inhofe amendment that would cap non-defense, non-trust fund spending. [S.1932, Senate Vote #286, 11/3/05]
McCain promises that he will cap non-defense spending for at least one year, meaning that social services spending for people with disabilities will be capped as well.
McCain voted in favor of capping non-defense spending. In 2005, McCain voted for the Inhofe amendment that would cap non-defense and non-trust fund spending. [S.1932, Senate Vote #286, 11/3/05]
McCain proposed a freeze of discretionary spending as illustrated when he said, “As president, I will also order a prompt and thorough review of the budgets of every federal program, department, and agency. While that top-to-bottom review is underway, we will institute a one-year pause in discretionary spending increases with the necessary exemption of military spending and veterans’ benefits.” [McCain Remarks on the Economy at Carnegie Mellon University, 4/15/08]
On Health Care for Americans with Disabilities
Obama will sign universal health care into law by the end of his first term in office, and he has supported expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (“SCHIP”) and health care programs for people with disabilities, children, and veterans.
Under Obama’s plan to provide universal health insurance, insurance companies will not be able to stop individuals from getting coverage even if they have pre-existing conditions and disabilities. Obama’s plan allows individuals and businesses to purchase public or private health coverage through a national health insurance exchange. Obama’s plan would make health care more affordable and accessible to all Americans, particularly individuals who have been denied coverage in the private market due to a pre-existing condition or disability. [Obama Plan to Empower Individuals with Disabilities]
Obama is a co-sponsor of ending the Medicare Waiting Period Act of 2007 (S.2102). Before they can get Medicare coverage, people with disabilities must first receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months. Due to the 24-month Medicare waiting period, an estimated 400,000 Americans with disabilities are uninsured and many more are underinsured at a time in their lives when they need health coverage the most. During this waiting period, many individuals develop secondary conditions, their health status worsens and many die. Obama supports legislation that would phase out this harmful waiting period and provide individuals with health insurance. [S.2102, 110th Congress]
Obama supported expanded health insurance for children. In 2007, Obama voted to reauthorize the SCHIP at over $60 billion for five years. Two children who live with a single parent who makes $51,510 would have access to health insurance coverage under SCHIP. The bill would provide $100 million in new grants to fund state outreach and enrollment efforts and allocate $49 million for a demonstration project to streamline the enrollment process for low-income children already eligible for coverage. [HR 976, Senate Vote #307, 8/2/07]
Obama supported assuring accessible health care to people with disabilities by co-sponsoring the Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act (S.1050)The bill would require the U.S. Access Board to establish access standards for all diagnostic equipment (examination tables, x-ray, mammography and other radiological equipment, etc.). It also educates physicians and dentists by requiring that medical schools, dental schools, and their residency programs provide training to improve competency and clinical skills in providing care to patients with disabilities (including those with intellectual disabilities) as a condition of receiving federal funds. Finally, it establishes a national wellness grant program which will authorize funding for programs or activities for smoking cessation, weight control, nutrition or fitness that are tailored to the needs of individuals with disabilities and authorize funding for preventive health screening programs for individuals with disabilities to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions. [S.1050, 110th Congress]
Obama supported expanding health care for veterans.
* In 2005, Obama voted for providing an additional $500 million per year for the next five years for mental health services for veterans. [S.2020, Senate Vote #343, 11/17/05]
* In 2006, Obama voted in favor of adding $430 million for outpatient and inpatient health care and treatment for veterans. Nearly half of the military servicemen and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will require health care services for the physical and psychological traumas of war, yet the Bush administration and Republican-led Congress have underfunded the Veterans Administration’s medical services by at least $1.2 billion for 2007 alone. And, this was the second consecutive year they had done so. [H.R.4939, Senate Vote #98, 4/26/06; The Independent Budget, A Budget for Veterans by Veterans, 2/10/06; Newsweek, 1/19/06]Obama voted to grant access to Medicaid for Hurricane Katrina victims for up to five months. The bill would have provided full federal funding for Medicaid in Louisiana , Mississippi and Alabama for up to one year and provided $800 million to help people who were caring for Katrina evacuees. [S.1932, Senate Vote #285, 11/3/05]
Obama voted for $2 million for research of traumatic brain injuriesto improve imaging for traumatic brain injury testing and adapting current technologies to treat brain injuries suffered in war. [H.R.5631, S. Amdt. 4781, Senate Vote #222, 8/2/06; CQ, 8/2/06]
McCain’s health care plan does not prohibit discrimination against individuals with pre-existing conditions and disabilities. McCain’s healthcare plan would replace the existing tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health coverage with a refundable tax credit for all Americans as an incentive to purchase health insurance. However, many individuals with disabilities are denied coverage or unable to afford coverage in the private market due to pre-existing conditions and disabilities. While McCain’s plan would work with states to develop best practice models in expanding coverage to individuals who have been denied coverage, it would not prohibit discrimination. [ Washington Post, 4/30/08]
McCain opposed reauthorizing SCHIP and providing insurance for millions of uninsured children. According to Knight Ridder, “The [2007] Senate proposal would provide coverage to 3.2 million” uninsured children and renew coverage for the 6 million children already covered by the program. The legislation passed 68-31. [H.R. 976, Vote #307, 8/2/07; Knight Ridder, 8/2/07]
McCain voted against $2 million of funding for research of traumatic brain injuries. McCain rejected legislation that would help improve imaging for traumatic brain injury testing and adapting current technologies to treat brain injuries suffered in war. [H.R.5631, S. Amdt. 4781, Senate Vote #222, 8/2/06; CQ, 8/2/06]
McCain opposed expanding health care for veterans.
* In 2005, McCain voted against providing an additional $500 million per year for the next five years for mental health services for veterans. [S.2020, Senate Vote #343, 11/17/05]
* In 2006, McCain was one of 13 senators who voted against adding $430 million for outpatient and inpatient health care and treatment for veterans. Amendment passed 84-16. [H.R.4939, Vote #98, 4/26/06]McCain voted against granting access to Medicaid for Hurricane Katrina victims for up to five months. The Bill would have provided full federal funding for Medicaid in Louisiana , Mississippi and Alabama for up to one year and provided $800 million to help people who were caring for Katrina evacuees. [S.1932, Senate Vote #285, 11/3/05]
McCain has not co-sponsored the Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act (S.1050)
On Civil Rights for Americans with Disabilities
Obama strongly supports the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) Restoration Act. Indeed, he signed on as an original co-sponsor of the Senate version of the ADA Restoration Act. [S.1050, 110th Congress]
Obama will appoint judges who exhibit empathy for individuals with disabilities. “Barack Obama will appoint judges and justices who respect Congress’ role as a co-equal, democratically elected branch of government and who exhibit empathy with what it means to be an American with a disability” [Obama Plan To Empower Individuals With Disabilities]
While McCain has also co-sponsored the ADA Restoration Act, he has promised to appoint judges like those who interpreted the ADA narrowly and deprived millions of people with disabilities of their civil rights. McCain said that as president, he would “appoint strict constructionist judges.” [AP, 8/7/07] “In an address at Wake Forest University, McCain pledged to nominate jurists who believe ‘there are clear limits to the scope of judicial power’ …By way of example, McCain said he would look for people in the cast of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., and his friend the late Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. He called them ‘jurists of the highest caliber who know their own minds, and know the law, and know the difference.’” [ Los Angeles Times, 5/7/08]
On Medicare Eligibility
In 2007, Obama voted against increasing Medicare Part D premiums for beneficiaries making over $80,000 annually. Obama voted against the Ensign Amendment that would require Medicare prescription drugs beneficiaries with annual incomes over $80,000 and couples with annual incomes over $160,000 to pay a larger share of their Medicare Part D premium.[SCR 21, Senate Vote #93, 3/22/07]
Obama opposed means testing for Medicare. In response to a NCPSSM questionnaire, Obama said, “The bill added ‘means testing’ to Part B of Medicare, requiring individuals with incomes over $80,000 to pay gradually higher premiums. This undermines the basic premise of Medicare as an insurance program for all Americans and could cause wealthier and healthier people to leave the Medicare program.” [NCPSSM Questionnaire; Citizen Action Illinois Questionnaire, SEIU Questionnaire]
McCain voted to raise the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67. In 1997, McCain voted in favor of raising the eligibility age for receiving Medicare from 65 to 67 with the change being phased in between 2003 and 2027. The motion passed 62-38. [S 947, Vote #112, 6/24/97]
On Mental Health Parity
Obama is a long-time supporter of mental health parity legislation, having passed the Illinois Mental Health Parity Law. He also co-sponsored the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007. Obama co-sponsored a bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act to require a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health benefits to ensure that: (1) the financial requirements applicable to such mental health benefits are no more restrictive than those of substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan, including deductibles and copayments; and (2) the treatment limitations applicable to such mental health benefits are no more restrictive than those applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan, including limits on the frequency of treatments or similar limits on the scope or duration of treatment. The bill prohibited the plan from establishing separate cost sharing requirements that are applicable only with respect to mental health benefits. [110th, S.558, Introduced 2/12/07; HELP Report, 4/11/07]
Obama co-sponsored and voted for a mental health parity bill that requires coverage for serious mental illnesses to be provided on the same terms and conditions as other illnesses and diseases. [92nd GA; SB 1341; 2001; Signed into law 7/27/01, PA 92-0185]
McCain’s health care plan would eliminate the mental health parity requirements in 45 states. [Wall Street Journal, 10/11/07; SOURCE: National Conference of State Legislatures (www.ncsl.org/programs/health/hmolaws.htm), accessed 7/30/07; Council for Affordable Health Insurance, accessed 7/30/07 (www.cahi.org/cahi_contents/resources/pdf/MandatePub2007.pdf)]
On Autism
Obama will increase federal funding for outreach and support services for people on the autism spectrum. Specifically, “Obama will seek to increase federal ASD funding for research, treatment, screenings, public awareness, and support services to $1 billion annually by the end of his first term in office. Obama will also continue to work with parents, physicians, providers, researchers, and schools to create opportunities and effective solutions for people with ASD.” [Obama Plan Supporting Americans with Autism Spectrum Disorders]
Obama is a co-sponsor of the Expanding the Promise to Individuals with Autism Act (S.937) which would improve services and supports for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families. It would build upon programs within the Developmental Disabilities Act to increase interdisciplinary training of professionals, development and dissemination of evidence-based autism treatments, interventions, supports and services for children and adults, and protection and advocacy. [S.937, 110th Congress]
McCain has not taken a leading role to expand services and supports for people with autism. McCain has not co-sponsored the Expanding the Promise to Individuals with Autism Act (S.937). [S.937, 110th Congress]
McCain says he will work to advance federal autism research. “As President, John McCain will work to advance federal research into autism, promote early screening, and identify better treatment options, while providing support for children with autism so that they may reach their full potential.” [McCain Statement on Combating Autism in America ]
On Voting Rights for Disabled Americans
Obama supports fully funding the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) so that we can ensure all polling places are accessible. His administration would also assure better enforcement of federal disability rights laws – from HAVA to the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act to the ADA – to make sure the right of Americans with disabilities to vote is fully protected. [Obama Plan to Empower Individuals with Disabilities]
In 2002, McCain voted repeatedly against the Help America Vote Act, which was offered to correct problems in the election system and impose detailed voting-procedure requirements on the states. McCain voted for final passage of the bill. [S.565, Senate Vote #39, 3/1/02; S.565, Senate Vote #Vote 40, 3/4/02; H.R.3295, Senate Vote #238, 10/16/02]
On Veterans with Disabilities
The Disabled America Veterans (DAV) gave Obama an 80% rating in 2006. [Project Vote Smart]
McCain voted with the Disabled American Veterans 20% of the time. Factcheck.org “However, he is correct in that McCain doesn’t have a perfect score with DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a group of 1.3 million disabled veterans that supports more funding for veterans health care. McCain has a 20 percent record of voting the way DAV would like him to in 2006…Senators were evaluated on five votes for amendments that would have increased funding for veterans’ health care.” [Factcheck.org]
related videos
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=A6GzhVhKpOM&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0qTx7Z00NyU&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2sjvvdEPA9w
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wiIKKySgwEM&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j1aRWM2xbhg
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/3/163229/8631
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-k-longmore/palin-talks-about-special_b_131758.html
Donna,
I have enjoyed reading ALL your books, but what you type above, I will never stand beside you on.
Illinois has 3 class action suits. One is on behalf of the people with “physical disabilities” who object to living in “nursing homes” in order to get supports/services. This lawsuit is on behalf of people living in Cook County which is the 13th district of which Barack Obama was the “tenured state sentator” and the “community organizer”. You might agree with him, that people with “physical disabilites” deserve to be “locked up” in “nursing homes”….
The 2nd class action suit is on behalf of people with “developmental disabilities” who “object” to being “institutionalized” in order to get “supports and services”.
The 3rd class action suit is on behalf of people with “mental disabilities” who object to living in nursing homes and institutions.
How can you even overlook the 3 class action suits that are a result of violations to the Amercians with Disabilities Act?
Are you “comfortable” with my daughters peers beling locked up in nursing homes and institutions?
Are you comfortable with Obama campaigning for 19 months for the highest office in the Land, while human rights are being violated in his homestate, or does it matter that since you and my daughter are not locked up, we should forget about them? Are you really believeing that people with “developmental, physical and mental disabilities” perfer to live “lockedup” and have no “appreciation” for living “free” like 300 million Amercians? Are you comfortable with “institutional bias” in Illinois? Are you comfortable with “institutions” that were closed because of abuse and deaths now being re-opened for “business”.
I don’t understand how you of all people could ask that I be comfortable with choosing and supporting a candidate from Illinois who supports my daughters peers (people with disabilities) being locked up in “insititutions” and “nursing homes”.
I have dropped links to the “institutional bias, the nursing homes, the insititutions, the class action lawsuits” on Christschools blog, ABFH blog and autism speaks forums.
The thing I can’t understand anymore is how spectrum bloggers feel “comfortable” with the many “locked up’ in nursing homes in Illinois, and how they can give a “pass” to a tenured state senator and a community organizer? And totally overlook their peers who don’t have the same freedoms.
Sorry, what your write above is bogus.
Donna
Donna,
I have enjoyed reading ALL your books, but what you type above, I will never stand beside you on.
Illinois has 3 class action suits. One is on behalf of the people with “physical disabilities” who object to living in “nursing homes” in order to get supports/services. This lawsuit is on behalf of people living in Cook County which is the 13th district of which Barack Obama was the “tenured state sentator” and the “community organizer”. You might agree with him, that people with “physical disabilites” deserve to be “locked up” in “nursing homes”….
The 2nd class action suit is on behalf of people with “developmental disabilities” who “object” to being “institutionalized” in order to get “supports and services”.
The 3rd class action suit is on behalf of people with “mental disabilities” who object to living in nursing homes and institutions.
How can you even overlook the 3 class action suits that are a result of violations to the Amercians with Disabilities Act?
Are you “comfortable” with my daughters peers beling locked up in nursing homes and institutions?
Are you comfortable with Obama campaigning for 19 months for the highest office in the Land, while human rights are being violated in his homestate, or does it matter that since you and my daughter are not locked up, we should forget about them? Are you really believeing that people with “developmental, physical and mental disabilities” perfer to live “lockedup” and have no “appreciation” for living “free” like 300 million Amercians? Are you comfortable with “institutional bias” in Illinois? Are you comfortable with “institutions” that were closed because of abuse and deaths now being re-opened for “business”.
I don’t understand how you of all people could ask that I be comfortable with choosing and supporting a candidate from Illinois who supports my daughters peers (people with disabilities) being locked up in “insititutions” and “nursing homes”.
I have dropped links to the “institutional bias, the nursing homes, the insititutions, the class action lawsuits” on Christschools blog, ABFH blog and autism speaks forums.
The thing I can’t understand anymore is how spectrum bloggers feel “comfortable” with the many “locked up’ in nursing homes in Illinois, and how they can give a “pass” to a tenured state senator and a community organizer? And totally overlook their peers who don’t have the same freedoms.
Sorry, what your write above is bogus.
Consider me an “advocate” for the other citizens of the world who remain “locked up” in nursing homes and institutions in Illinois.
Donna
Donna,
I am so disheartened to read your opinion in this post. I admire all that you do to advocate for people with autism, and I admire your work in general. There are so many ways to view the war in Iraq. Yours is only one of them. I beg you please, do not turn your voice to issues like this. Your power lies in the field of autism, not in foreign policy. I have two children with autism. Having a child with a disability can drastically change a person’s worldview. It is not beyond comprehension that the birth of Sarah Palin’s son this year has led to become an immediate advocate for children with disabilties. It is not beyond comprehension!
May God bless you in your work,
galynn
Hi Donna,
I’m not American
but from what I can see, Mc Cain and Palin first said they won’t support housing choice,
and have a long history of slashing disability spending
then said they would support the housing choice legislation
BUT then said they wouldn’t agree that legislation AS IS
on the basis that it would cost the government
in other words
they will support it if parents alone are going to foot the bill
and given the US is plunging into a 1930s economic Depression and they are determined to spend 100 years more in Iraq if necessary increasing the trillions of dollars debt the US economy is already in
then I can see why they would support a changed version of the legislation which costs the government nothing
but saying that, I don’t think most families will have the money to pay out of their own pockets for housing choice
especially in a US economy gone bust
hence, what matters is to look very carefully at what how they have qualified their support
Hi Galyn,
your optimism is heartening.
But priority commitment to funding a potentially 100 year (presumed God’s Will) war contributing to a 1930s style economic depression and a government debt of trillions of dollars will not bring disability funding any closer.
Only a firm and immediate end to the Carte Blanche financing of a futile war will turn lip service into delivery.
I’m sure US TV is full of election info
but overseas we see each day the highlighted progressive collapse of the US economy fueled largely by current US spending policy re Iraq…. a policy at the top of the Palin/Mc Cain funding agenda.
Donna,
Thank-you for caring enough to send this out. I am in Maryland, USA and I shudder to think what will happen if these two are elected. I hope all of us here get well educated before we cast our votes and not blindly believe everything we hear secondhand from or choose to believe the political rhetoric. Do the research, then choose the candidate. I am sorry we have had the Bush administration for 8 years, our country is in bad shape and we cannot take more of the same. The war was wrong from the get go. We have found money to fund this war, we are finding money to bail out financial institutions, yet we cannot find funds to create real help for the disabled in our country. Write letters, get involved, call your reps.
Vicky
Hi Donna,
I’m not American
but from what I can see, Mc Cain and Palin first said they won’t support housing choice,
and have a long history of slashing disability spending
then said they would support the housing choice legislation
BUT then said they wouldn’t agree that legislation AS IS
on the basis that it would cost the government
in other words
they will support it if parents alone are going to foot the bill
and given the US is plunging into a 1930s economic Depression and they are determined to spend 100 years more in Iraq if necessary increasing the trillions of dollars debt the US economy is already in
then I can see why they would support a changed version of the legislation which costs the government nothing
but saying that, I don’t think most families will have the money to pay out of their own pockets for housing choice
especially in a US economy gone bust
hence, what matters is to look very carefully at what how they have qualified their support
On Education funding,
both Democrats and Republicans have controlled the oval office and congress and not much was given to education. It’s the current adminstration that has funded special education the hightest. This is fact.
The sepcial education that was supposedly “gutted” under Gov Sarah Palin is inaccurate and would suggest you read up on this.
On housing, 10 states have no institutions.
Illinois is ranked 10th of most wealthiest states, so they have the money for community housing but “choose” nursing homes and institutions for there residents who have disabilities.
I don’t base my knowledge on autism and special education and housing on what Christschool puts out in a video. I am a U.S. citizen. I read your first book, NN, back in the 90’s and have read many other books since and have paid attention to special education budgets, legislation and disability rights.
Obama has done nothing, zil, zippo, zero for the disability community in Illinois when he was a “tenured state senator” or back in his “community organizer days”.
Illinois is the worst state for anybody with a disability. The other 49 states does not need a leader who is by profession a civil rights lawyer, writes the Harvard Law Review, but failed to understand that his own constitutents in the 13th district civil rights were being violated.
You wrote me back in July 2004, about being a “humanitarian”. Being a humanitarian means that I have to look to legislaturers seeking my vote and researching their postions on those who need me to stand up for them.
Nobody in the US, gets civil rights so wrong, as an elected official from Illinois.
And Illinois is Barack Obama county.
I don’t think the other 49 states, needs his “Illinois Legislation”.
On autism and disabilitiy rights, Obama’s not and will never be my guy in the Oval office.
Thanks for this post, Donna. You may be interested in my blog — http://specialneeds08.blogspot.com, where I examine the records of all the candidates. In just two weeks, I’ve had visitors from 42 U.S. states and more than 15 countries, including Australia and New Zealand. I would advise U.S. voters to simply read the candidates’ plans — McCain doesn’t even have one on disabilities, though he has two paragraphs on autism. On the other hand, Obama’s disability policy was developed by people with disabilities, and his autism policy was guided by his chief counsel, who has a child with autism. Palin has yet to articulate any plan. Why is that?
Hi Donna
How are you? I hope the tour is going well.
Looks like you have stirred up peoples emotions a little on this one. It is hard for us living in Australia to voice our opinions on certain issues, where we are often relying on forwarded e-mails or second hand knowledge as we don’t know what each party really truly stand for. It certainly makes Australian politics seem really dull at times. We don’t share the same passion here as they seem to in the State.
I am off to an Autism workshop tonight in Ferntree Gully.
Talk to you soon,
Alex
Donna,
Your questioning of rhetoric is very legitimate! After the initial excitement of the possibility of a Vice Presidential advocate, I did some research to see what Palin has actually done regarding special needs services funding and found (from here):
The facts here show Governor Palin cut funding for special needs kids dramatically. In 2007, before Palin assumed her office of governor, the State of Alaska FY2007 Governor’s Operating Budget for the Department of Education and Early Development Special Schools Component Budget Summary (this department provides services—not just school but services—for children with severe disabling conditions) includes approved and necessary budget increases to help special needs children. This budget was released in December, on the 15th to be precise, 2006.
In that budget, the budget actuals are (FY = Fiscal Year):
FY 2005 6945.30
FY 2007 Management Plan 7949.30
FY 2007 Governors 8265.30
Palin was elected governor in November of 2006, and assumed her position in January 2007.
When budget time rolled around in 2007, Sarah Palin—self professed advocate for special needs chldren, mother to a special needs child, aunt to a special needs child, and who promised in her acceptance speech last night that she was there for special needs children—slashed the budget. When she said she would be a “friend and advocate in the White House,” I guess she just meant in words, not with actual money for needed services.
Here’s what the State of Alaska FY2008 Governor’s Operating Budget for the Department of Education and Early Development Special Schools Component Budget Summary shows:
FY 2006 7949.30
FY 2007 Management Plan 3173.70
FY 2008 Governor 3156.00
You see right. Under Governor Palin, funds decreased from a planned budget of 8265.30 to 3156.0. That’s a 62% decrease. Actual consumed amount went from 7949.3 to 3156.00, where it lingers to this day. That’s a 60% decrease.
How many children lost services? Too many.
Donna, I know that parents, family and friends of special needs people are so desperate for any ray of hope, for the possibility of solutions and support in their extremely difficult struggle for a decent quality of life, that they would latch onto anything and anyone who presents themselves as possibly being an advocacy for them. Palin’s track record does not indicate such a good friend and advocate in the White House.
Yvonne
This message re the upcoming elections is a good one. I speak to
> others from other cultures, who comment on the arrogance of the US. I
> think of the overall developmental traits of humans. Humans generally
> tend to reach a period when the world seems to revolve around us and
> our needs. That is just a matter of finding perspective, which can
> continue to unfold over what is called “time”. It’s
possible that,
> developmentally, that’s what might be happening re the US and the
> world. Compared to other countries, with long standing cultures
> operating, the US is very young. Some comment on how the puritans were
> literally kicked out of britain for being too up tight. The
> uptightness was brought here, and was directed to wipe out and destroy
> anything in it’s way. That process seems to continue to this day.
> Those indigenous to this area for a long time are still marginalized.
> There is so much richness here culturally. The medical field here
> operates much the same way. I must stop, because it just nauseates
> me. It puts in mind the saying – to think globally, and act locally.
> To vote with every action and choice. The rippling effect is quiet
> and filled with power. Real strength can be a very quiet thing. Very
> quiet. This is how I walk.
> Many people here are fed up, scared and suspicious of everything and
> everyone. Most conversations are brief and superficial, on the
> surface. Many either stare others down, or avoid eye contact
> altogether. In the face of current conditions, this seems to be
> agreed upon by many as just a way of coping with the mess. I am told
> this by others who are in the world more than I am. Defensiveness and
> denial puts a bitter edge on everything. The world is crying for
> beauty. Glad you stay in touch. Be well, be real, be yourself.
Thank you, Donna, for your clear and insightful reasoning. The Republican agenda is a terrifying one for anyone who isn’t convinced God will save us from ourselves. McCain’s choice of running mate shows he’s more interested in getting elected than in being a responsible public servant.
As to the financial situation, the economists have been screaming warnings for months, and no one did anything. Your prediction of Depression may not be far off. The parents of children within the Autism spectrum are already overburdened, and now we have to bail out a bunch of overpaid executives and their shareholders? Shameful. “Dubya” has a lot to answer for, and McCain would not be any improvement.
“I beg you please, do not turn your voice to issues like this. Your power lies in the field of autism, not in foreign policy.”
Wow… that seems really patronizing. Autistic people are affected by foreign policy as much as anyone else is, and of course many of us form opinions about that!
Hi,
I strongly oppose any war that has nothing to do ith defending our rights to liberty, happiness, and good health, such as the recent Irag war. Basically war is a lose/lose propersition. Besides ruined and lost lives as a result, our vital resorses, such as education, health care, and assistence for the needy are being sucked away. What a SHAME! I am voting democratic as they have a much better track record of dealing with the economy and human rights. I will later produce videos on politics hopefully by late October. My views are not just applicaple to the US, but to the entire world. I too think globally and act locally.
Debbie
http://www.dithorsos2.wordpress.com (new website where my blog continues)
As someone who is almost as far left as you can get, including as someone who is hard core pro-choice, these two are the Beast personified, sure signs of the Apocalypse.
I refuse to vote for them, and I refuse to believe that these people are truly autism friendly. It’s like McCain saying that he is a mmoderate maverick, when really, he is as far right as Biush is. He’s doing it for mileage.
Most likely, Palin’s form of autism friendliness is pirmarily made up of curist doctrine. )I think people who want cures should have evidence-based, safe cures, and families of those with autism severe enough who cannot speak should also be alllowed this. But most of us do not want to be cured and that should be respected, and parents should be educated on autism and all sides of the issue before pushing for a cure for their own.)
To me, Palin is an “Autism Speaks” sort of advocate, the kind that flatters the mercury militia and that sort of thing.
It is an outright lie from Obama supporters that Sarah Palin said the Iraq war was God’s will. It’s also an outright lie from Obama supporters that McCain said he wanted a 100-year war. Obama has deliberately spread the latter lie, knowing it to be a lie. He hasn’t touched the former lie himself, but plenty of his media surrogates have done so in front-page news stories.
What McCain said is that the U.S. might have a presence in Iraq for 100 years the way we do in Germany. How long has it been since the U.S. was at war with Germany?
What Palin said is that she thinks we should pray that what our leaders are doing in Iraq is God’s will. Praying that we’re doing the right thing is hardly the presumptuous assumption that it is in fact God’s will. I would encourage any Christian to pray that our government is doing the right thing, i.e. God’s will. It’s in fact a command in the New Testament that Christians should follow.
The same is true about the lie that Palin cut funding for special needs. What she did is not fund the huge increase presented to her as much as was requested. She only increased it by a smaller amount. How a funding increase counts as a cut is hard for me to grasp. The Democratic spin machine has been misrepresenting Republicans in exactly this way for decades, but that doesn’t excuse such ridiculous lies.
This sort of blatant misrepresentation is tantamount to the claim that Senator Obama is a radical Muslim who wants to make the U.S. a Muslim nation under Shari’a law or that he actively supports terrorism because he’s been somewhat cozy with an unrepentant terrorist on unrelated issues.
The McCain-Palin site does give information here on autism. They do support figuring out what causes it, which any reasonable person should do, even if most of the theories people have proposed turn out not to be supported. If there is a way to prevent some of the harm caused by autism, it’s worth looking into, even if it’s crazy to claim that your kid was stolen from you just because the kid is autistic. But the statement much more fully emphasizes treatment and help to families than anything about research into causes (and says nothing about curing). It also emphasizes that the exact causes of autism are unknown, thereby explicitly denying the crazy claims of conspiracy theories about the causes of autism. I see no reason to think the McCain-Palin ticket will do anything worrisome on this issue and much reason to think they’ll prioritize it enough for me to think they’ll pursue real progress when other people would probably do little.
If you don’t like Palin that’s ok– but the truth is funding for special needs children has gone up every year she has been in office – not since her baby was born.
Funding for ’special schools’ [not in any way related to special needs] projects only appears to have decreased because she moved the Alaska Military Youth Academy’s ChalleNGe … program out of the ’special schools’ budget and into it’s own category – this makes it appear to be a $5 mill. drop but no actual funding decrease occurred.
I am not supporting either candidate with this information, just felt I needed to point out when I see a factual error.
Mc Cain is 74 and it’s recognised he may not live out the next 4 yrs. Under Palin as president, the morning after pill may be made illegal, along with IUDs. Chosen abortion of unwanted foetuses (often a set of as yet undifferentiated cells the size of a pin head) will be become illegal. This will mean that even rape and incest victims, addicts, alcoholics and people in dire poverty who want abortions will be forced to carry these cells to the point they have limbs and gender, and give birth to them as babies.
In 4 years the population will swell enormously. Add a potential 100 years more spending in Iraq (already cost trillions and has the US govt in financial debt to nations worldwide who can foreclose at any time making all govt guarantees worth nothing).
Add a new, third was against Iran or North Korea the republicans have already itched for, more trillions of debt. Add that the concientious people of the world world will not buy products from a country with such politics, which supports rendition, water torture, illegal imprisonment, electrocution and sickening blatant racism and hate (we already try not to buy products of sweat shop labour or support Mugabe and many in the world are losing desire to buy American).
After all that, how much funding will be left for special needs.
Donna,
Hope all is well with you. Jade is doing wonderfully. She will be 5 soon, hard to believe!
I completely agree with you about seeing past the rhetoric. I have been watching this election, and just may very well become your neighbor if McCain is elected!
I too, am very concerned with McCain’s stance on the war in Iraq, and the exuberant amount of money being thrown away in Iraq. All while McCain insists we need a spending freeze.
I watched the 3rd US Presidential debate in awe last night, as McCain dropped the “A” bomb. I was horrified, however, that he lied to the American people, and portrayed himself as an advocate for the autistic.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
During our current congressional session, Senator John McCain has introduced 38 items of legislation, none I can see that will help the autistic.
During this SAME time frame, Senator Obama has introduced 130 items of legislation.
Bills regarding education, nuclear waste, preventing veterans from becoming homeless, providing services to our injured soldiers, improving science and mathematic education in our nation, early childhood education, etc, etc
McCain has a couple great ones that stand out, one to create a boxing commission, and another to declare a river near his home as “scenic”.
Both candidates can be compared at http://thomas.loc.gov/ under browse bill by sponsor.
How can McCain fund any programs for the autistic when he insists on spending $10 billion each month in Iraq, and not coming home in defeat? His victory in Iraq is more important than Jade’s shot at a future.
McCain has not cared about the autistic before, and he won’t care about them while in office.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ5ewmjhkZ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0lBN14rTeQ&feature=related
Obama on the other hand, appears to have a better understanding Jade’s needs.
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/disabilities/
After watching Christschool’s video, I was compelled to research the candidates, and attended an Obama rally to spread the news regarding the Community Choice Act. Here are some pictures from the day. We even got to shake his hand!
http://tampabay.momslikeme.com/members/scrapbook.aspx?g=443503