Dr. Von Monkerstein has tagged me

Yes, it's true. Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein has tagged me for this new meme started up by Jewish Princess, Katie Schwartz. I realize I'm a Diva, and older than Katie, so techinically I outrank her but it is such a good idea, I bow to her wisdom and wit. The meme asks a bunch of questions of Obama supporters, and so (please forgive me) Monkey see, Diva do.

1) What is your name (nickname, whatever you're comfortable sharing), your age (range), gender, occupation, income bracket (range), how you identify (gay/straight/whatever)? Married/Single/Divorced? Kids (how many)?

Real Name: Judith
Nickname: Diva Jood
I am 59, Halloween is my birthday, yikes. Female. Travel Counselor. Income is now up for grabs as I am independent. Cash flow is tight at the moment. I am straight. Divorced. Two kids, both grown and gone, one adorable 3 year old granddaughter.

2) What are the most important issues to you in this presidential election and why?

My issues are Universal Health Care for all citizens, the Environment, and an end to the war for Oil in Iraq.

As an older Boomer, and now self-employed, I am well aware of how Health Coverage bleeds us. The numbers of uninsured Americans, or underinsured Americans, staggers the imagination, and there is no reason for it. Universal Health Care works well in Europe, in Canada, throughout the world - the only thing standing in the way of it in America is Corporate Greed.

And we must now do everything we can to protect the Environment. Again, through greed, we have pillaged the land - over built, destroying natural and needed wetlands; dumped so much greenhouse gas into the atmosphere that we've increased global temperatures at a disasterous rate. If we don't act now to reverse this, we will not have a planet to live on. And I can't afford to relocate to Mars.

And what can pay for this? The TRILLIONS of dollars wasted in a needless, irresponsible and illegal war in Iraq, that's what. End the war now, and spend this money at home.

3) Why do you think voters should vote for Obama/Biden, what differentiates this ticket from McCain/Palin?
Roe v. Wade; The Supreme Court; The Environment; Protecting ANWR vs. drilling for oil; Health Care.

4) If McCain/Palin wins this election, where do you see our country going in the next four years?
If McCain/Palin do win, I see this as a giant step backward for the nation. Domestic surveillence will increase; more bank failures; increase deregulation of various industries in the name of Corporate Greed; more airline failures; escalating costs for health care; more home foreclosures; higher prices at the pump; an end to Civil Liberties; end of Separation of Church and State; more fear, more isolation from the world at large.

5) Economically, where do you think this country is today and how do you think Obama/Biden can make a positive impact?
We are in a Recession. With all the deregulation of industry, we are on the edge of a Depression, and economic collapse. Obama's plan would be to increase taxes for the wealthiest 2%, so that they finally will pay their share. He will end Bush's tax cuts. He will encourage companies to go "green" with tax incentives; he will tax companies that outsource. I would hope that he create a service unit similar to FDR's New Deal, to create jobs at home.

6) In the past 8-years, how do you think this country has changed under the Bush regime? Have you been affected by these changes? If so, in what ways?
Loss of international respect; we are less safe as Americans because of his reckless policies and illegal, pre-emptive war.
Loss of civil liberties and increase in domestic spying.
We've become financially strapped as a nation, with home foreclosures at alarming rates; six major financial institutions collapsing; major airlines going out of business. And yes, I've been affected by all of it. I am earning less now than I was before; travel in general is down because people are afraid to go anywhere. I have had horrific health care costs. I have had to deplete my savings. Nothing good has come out of the Bush regime.

7) I have read that Palin is considered the new voice of feminism, which is offensive in my opinion. Of equal concern are her views on abortion and the removal of books from libraries. I'd like to know what you think about all of that and how you feel about McCain choosing Palin as a running mate. And what kind of message you think that sends to women?

When Sarah Palin was Mayor of Wasilla, she made sure that victims of rape had to pay for their own forensic rape kits. And while Ms. Palin supports contraception, she is a member of a "pro-woman" but anti-abortion group called "Feminists For Life". Quoting Cecile Richards:

“Senator McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as a running mate makes clear that John McCain is completely out of touch on the issues that matter to American women. The last thing women need is a president — and vice president — who are prepared to turn back the clock on women's rights and repeal the protections of Roe v. Wade.

Ms. Palin's claim to Foreign Policy Experience is that she can SEE Russia on a clear day, from Wasilla. The ONLY thing she and Hillary Clinton have in common is a vagina. Sarah Palin is an insult to all of us.

So. Now I have to ask others to respond.

1. Despite her attempt to not blog about politics, I must as FranIAm to participate in this meme.

2. Dianne rarely blogs politically, so I would love her take.

3. Maria*Maria because, well, Maria Knows.

4. Border Explorer.