Opinion es' mi....my opinion on news, health care, love, miracles & more!

Don't fall down of a heart attack, yes, I wrote my title in Spanish, or at least attempted too!

Here's my opinion on some of what's going on in the world--okay, just so that I know that I haven't lost touch and backed down completely!

The Killer Whale Trainer Incident:
NO! The tape of the lady trainer @ Sea World who was literally killed by a Killer Whale last month, it should NOT be released, not AT ALL! There is no way in you know where that ANYONE should have a RIGHT to WATCH the mangling and killing of another human being. I don't blame the husband or family what so ever for fighting this tape from being made public. We do not have to see EVERYTHING just because we can. Sensationalism has gone a little too far in our society. And people who WANT to see a person being mulled, mangled and pretty much murdered by an animal (or mammal, sorry), that's just sick. Something is wrong with people when they are the ones hungry for some killing action. (Literally). Personally, I have NO desire to see this poor woman's demise--non what so ever! I know what happened, I have a pretty good (all be bit ugly & tragic) picture in my head, and that's enough. To those who DO want to see this video, I ask you this: what if it was YOUR wife/daughter/son/sister? Ridiculous and sad.

All The Shootings in Las Vegas:
WTF?! WHERE and HOW are people getting all of these guns and why isn't crime staying in certain parts of the valley? It's the economy, I know. And to say that crime should stay in one part of town is ridiculous and mean, I didn't mean that, I'm sorry. I'm just saying that when I moved here 6+ years ago, North East Vegas and N. Las Vegas had a lot of crime (it still does), but other parts of the valley were relatively safe. Now, there's been shootings right where I used to live and at least 1--2 people are MURDERED in this city every day--it's kind of frightening. I don't want to turn on the news or read the local paper. It's scary. Granted, I won't live in fear, and I'm always cautious and aware of my surroundings, but still, in your house or out of your house--Las Vegas can be a scary place. (Like any other major/big city, I'm sure, we just passed the 2 Million (residents) mark).

Healthcare Reform:
Right idea, wrong execution! I do NOT want to the government coming into MY bank account, un-announced taking money from me whether I have it or not. (Okay, yes, I know they do this with a little thing called taxes & the IRS, but still). In my opinion, it's not the 32 million UN-insured it's the 268 million who ARE insured who spend 1/4--1/2 (literally) of their income on health insurance. It's the people like my husband who spend 1/4 of their paychecks (and no, I'm NOT kidding), up to $2000 per year OUT of pocket and STILL can't afford blood tests, non-generic prescriptions and regular doctor visits. THAT is the real problem. Also, MENTAL HEALTH needs to be covered in this bill--depression, anxiety, and a plethora of other mental illnesses are running rampant in this country, and while I'm a big believer in mind over matter--this country should be ashamed of itself for NOT covering mental health patients just like they cover physical health--it's all connected, you morons! And another thing--what about the people who do NOTHING to help themselves? The people who never eat a vegetable, never drink water, never take a single step beyond the couch, cubicle and refrigerator? What about those people whose greatest sickness is themselves? I know that sounds cruel and I don't mean for it too, but health care (while I believe it should be a right) is also a TWO WAY STREET! REAL health care is not JUST about Dr's, hospitals and Rx's. It's up to each individual to take care of themselves and live a life that is conducive to their overall health. I'm not saying that the government should mandate how we live and what we eat (well, actually, the already do, but I digress) all I'm saying is that if we make health care a free for all and cover EVERYONE for EVERYTHING--that's a freakin' disaster in the making. What motivation would someone have to PREVENT diabetes, heart disease and/or cancer? And how come so many people have forgotten the ever popular phrase I grew up learning in grade school (holy crap I sound old!), and is still so true: WITH GREAT FREEDOM COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY! Why should people have the freedom of health care if they're not willing to be responsible for their health? Now, that being said, I KNOW that it's a two way street. People don't take care of their health because drugs, Rx, and Dr's cost so damn much when they DO have to use them, that there's no $$$ left over to eat right, join a gym or take better care of yourself. I totally get that and am in complete agreement with that philosophy. So, like I said, this Health Care Reform---brilliant, wonderful idea--horribly wrong execution!

More on Health Care Reform:
I just named reasons I'm AGAINST it, now I'll name reasons I'm FOR it. Pre-existing conditions should NOT be a reason someone is not insured, or the reason a persons insurance stops. People like me (and my husband, mother, and family) should not be DENIED health care coverage because of conditions we have NO control over. Some things CAN'T be controlled with diet, exercise and a healthier lifestyle, and in those instances, we do DESERVE the quality health care that we NEED! Also, EVERYTHING in life--quality of life, quantity of life, happiness even, in life--depends on HEALTH! Health IS the greatest WEALTH and if affects EVERY SINGLE OTHER ASPECT OF OUR LIVES, whether we realize it or not. How our country leaders expect this nation to ever make a full recovery (economically and socially speaking) when we are chalk full of sick, mentally unstable, obese, and chronically ill people is BEYOND me! Health and education are the stepping stones to a better, more productive society. So in that respect, health care DOES need to be reformed. What we've been doing is clearly NOT working! Also, Rx companies--no more "sales" people who make $100,000/year pushing drugs w/ TONS of side affects--lower the marketing campaign, the adds, the drug push---don't make popping a pill the first (and often only) remedy when something bad happens. Make it a LAST resort, reduce the NEED (this is where personal responsibility comes in) for Rx drugs and they're costs will automatically go down. Cut the demand, and a price cut will follow. Besides, we all know that they don't cost that much per pill anyway, so why are we bending over paying up to an 80% markup? If they were QUALITY pills and quality drugs WITHOUT a hundred different side affects, than they'd be WORTH what we're paying for them, but we're not. So, health care reform should start with Rx companies, and work its way down from there! I'm also for Health Care Reform because Dr's need to be able to make decisions with their patients and vice versa, people themselves should be making their own physician guided decisions, not a CEO in a big insurance company who decides "yes or no," that's not right. Fix that too! And also, I'm for health care reform (but not in the way that it's being brought into law) because again, heartily is our greatest wealth!

Nellie Marie:
She'll 16 next month and is more and more of a joy every single day! Her sitting on my lap is one of my greatest pleasures in life!

It's Springtime!
Finally! I can really respect and enjoy ALL seasons, to everything there is a turn. Winter is great and necessary, but WELCOME SPRING! Fresh, yummy vegetables & fruits (my favorite), longer sunny days, warmer weather, cool breezes, flowers galore! I think it's edging out Autumn as my favorite! It's just been exceptionally beautiful here in Vegas lately and times like these (weather wise) are why I'm so glad I live here! It's just gorgeous!

SPRING FOOD:
Last night, I made deliciously scrumptious Spring Pasta dish w/ kalamata olives, fresh asparagus, red onions, garlic, oregano, grape tomatoes and EVOO! Oh my gosh, so darn good! So darn good in fact that I even had it for breakfast this morning! YUM!

POTTY TRAINING:
I have some friends who are attempting to potty train their children--sometimes successfully, sometimes not. I just wonder though if we're not pushing kids today to grow up too fast. We have them learning, running and going (literally and figuratively) earlier and earlier. What happened to being a kid? It's a joyous, innocent time and kids shouldn't be thrust into adulthood as soon as they are. That's just my opinion. There's nothing wrong with early education and learning encouragement, but they're only little for so long, why not let them be little while they are? As for potty training, I think changing diapers is a nice bonding time for parents/their kids--sure, it's probably not fun, a hassle and after a few 1000 times, I'm SURE it gets old. But, still, there's something beautiful about a child needing their parent--even for the most basic thing. I wonder if parents ever miss changing diapers? So many people keep having babies, so maybe they do! I don't know, just the fact that I'm pondering this question proves that I'm not a parent myself. Seriously, though, does anyone ENJOY changing diapers? I don't think it'd be that horrible, but then again, I haven't done it two million times, go figure!

LOVE & MIRACLES:
They go hand in hand. One makes the other happen and there are never enough of them to go around. The world, despite it's craziness, is full of love & miracles. Each day, every breath--it's all a miracle. That is still my true and basic belief in life. Love DOES change things, make you grow, and make you look deeper at yourself and life and all it has to offer. Miracles are happening everyday, everywhere--just look around! When the world gets especially insane, go looking for the miracles in your life--I bet you'll find a lot of them in no time!

Check out www.goodnewsblog.com, for more love & miracles in your life! It'll just make you feel good!

POSITIVITY:
Yes, I'm still an optimistic, positive person on a the whole. I certainly worry, I have fears and I find it hard to STAY positive through the chaos of adult life, marriage and so on. But, it's so important. I can't not be positive for long. It's just a part of me, and I hope it always is! Positivity has saved my life many times and it's been scientifically proven to help many ailments. I don't understand people who are consistently negative and they tend to get on my nerves. I can bitch and moan and groan with the best of 'em, there's certainly plenty to complain about in the world (not in my own life, but the world in general), but why? Complaining doesn't really get you anywhere, it rarely solves anything and how does it contribute positively to the world? It doesn't. Positivity contributes positively to the world--try it, just for today. Stay positive!

Thank You, Lord, for it all!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

P.S. Even though this may backfire on me, I am glad I made this post. It's evident that I haven't lost my individual opinion on things, that I'm still passionate about certain issues, that I question things thoroughly, and that I clearly, still have a viewpoint (or ten). I'm proud of that. Turns out, I've not lost my passions and while I've learned the true goldeness (a word?) of silence, sometimes, it feels good to vent! I hope I've done so respectfully.