48 AMERICAN STATES DISAPPEAR!

I am very disappointed this year in our electoral participants. According to our last census there are 316.1 million people in the United States. Let's subtract approximately 12 million people from that number because they are "illegally" here in this country. I use air quotes because I'm not going to lie, I support the DREAM Act because I do believe that many were brought here as children and are as American as apple pie. However, that is an issue to discuss at another time. No today I want to encourage more people to vote. It is our civic DUTY as citizens! It is one of the few things this country asks of us as citizens, we have such liberty that we have the liberty to not give a F.

Lets get back to the numbers, so 300 million people approximately that could potentially vote but now remove underage citizens. On November 4th, our midterm elections only 33.9% of eligible voters voted. That means that only approximately 50 million people showed up to vote, that means those people are actually registered to vote. According to the last census we have 206 million eligible voters.

Now of these eligible voters there are only 146.3 million people registered. Where were the other 97 million people? I would like to know what 97 million people are doing during early voting or on the actual day. That means we have 97 million people whose voice is not being heard or who have given up completely on this country. I walked my butt off during the summer and it was not an easy feat considering my foot was still in pain from February when I developed plantar fasciitis. I spent so many weekends knocking on doors and trying to register people to vote and yet we saw a decline in voter turnout. Yeah this country had a 7% decline in voter turnout. Yup. California has a population of 38 million, Pennsylvania has 12 million people.

1 California and 1 Pennsylvania voted.

In other words - 2 states voted.

97 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS DID NOT VOTE. Translates to 48 states did not vote.

48 STATES DID NOT VOTE.

These numbers come from different websites and the 33.9% was from Al Jazeera America, I chose them because I feel they have more to gain from being brutally honest about our voting habits than say FOX News, CNN, MSNBC, or similar broadcaster. Google provided population numbers. Registered voters came from Statistic Brain because it seemed that they cared more about the numbers than politics.

Please register to vote! 

Jaw Dropping

Good day everyone! I have been MIA due to many things, mostly due to the World Cup, it was fun but I lost $10.  Seriously we dedicated way too much time to watching the games at work. It was kind of funny and I am super thankful that I have a boss who also dedicated the same amount of time! It was an exciting Cup, with tons of upsets and surprises, can't wait until 2018! Apparently Russia is suspending the visa requirements to enter the country for the next Cup! How security will be handled is another matter.

I have recently discovered that my brain operates at a higher level whenever I exercise in the mornings. Yes I have been going to the gym at 630 in the mornings! Did your jaw just hit the floor? I know. If you had told me this 1 1/2 months ago, my jaw would have hit the floor too. However, I have a workout buddy from my lab and that makes all the difference. We push each other to go and workout, we also signed up for a Spinning class at 630, once a week. I paid $15 for it, damn straight I'll get my tuchus there! It has made a huge difference in my health. I feel lighter, more flexible, energized, I sleep better - simply put I feel better. I haven't seen a huge shift on the scale, no lies only 4 lbs lost so far. However, I have lost inches and my clothing fits differently. I will try to not obsess about the number but I know I will, I had to limit myself to only weighing myself 1X/week. I've been pretty good about it but I still worry about the number. I suppose I should focus on being fit but the number is what I think about. 

My brain not only operates at a higher level but I think of funnier things to post but then I forget them after I work out! Perhaps I am not operating at a higher level, I just dream I am because I'm really still asleep. I was walking up the stairs this morning to the machines I use at the gym and had the funniest thought but then I tripped and I completely forgot the funny thought. Not face planting took priority over my comedic skills. 

As for the volunteering, it's going. I think I may not be as generous as originally thought. Might be a bit of a miser. I will not quit but I have lost my enthusiasm. 

Well I hope everyone has a great week, failing that - a decent week.

Judging Since 1979

Hello all! Sorry for the lack of posting but writers block and the World Cup have interrupted my writing time. As I write this I am watching the USA vs. Belgium game, with 12 minutes in I hope that I win this game! By I hope I win, I mean that the game ends with a 1-0 score USA vs. BEL because if they don't finish like that my bracket is screwed. Please forgive any grammar mistakes (well the increase in mistakes) and any misspelled words. My attention is divided at the moment.

Besides the World Cup and the writers block, I have also been working with a political campaign. I am on team Wendy Davis! This summer I am volunteering, doing lots of block walks, and lots of phone banks. I started at the beginning of June and have wondered a few times since then, "What the hell did I get myself into?!" but it's this or sit at home on my ass. I have a lot of projects planned for my yard but they have moved along rather slowly due to my other activities.

Now let me dispel some misconceptions about my future governor (I'm being optimistic),  no official position on abortion, had a child while she was in HS, and is not an abortion barbie. The media is focusing on the filibuster she did last year because it protected funding  for women's clinics that also offered abortions. The bill essentially closed down all of the health clinics that focused on women's healthcare because their physicians were not affiliated to a hospital that was certified to perform the procedure (abortions). The certification from a committee on which Rick Perry's sister sits and it costs a pretty penny to obtain said certification. Anyway, Davis felt that the clinics funding was relevant as they provide other services at a graded pricing based on a woman's income. Your PAP tests, mammograms, birth control, and obstetric services for those women having children but can't afford insurance. My personal philosophy is if you don't believe in abortions, then don't have one. If you feel birth control is bad, don't take it. If you feel those who participate/believe in the aforementioned, then don't be friends with them. I don't tell you you're going to hell, when you post drunk party pictures on Saturday night and church pictures on Sunday. I judge you but not from behind God, I just judge you.  Yes, independent judging since 1979. Pretty sure I judged even as a child.

Well that has been bothering me for a while now, especially after yesterday. The Supreme Court has allowed 2 corporation to discriminate against women based on what type of birth control they choose to use. If you are on the pill, which is more likely to cause a miscarriage than any otehr type of birth control, they still pay. If you want an IUD or wish to use the morning after pill - DENIED. FYI the morning after pill does not cause an abortion, if not taken within 48 hours it permits fertilization of the oocyte but taken within 24 to 48 hours of unprotected intercourse simply prevents sperm from reaching the egg (explanation a little over-simplified). Although you should be re-evaluating your priorities if you are having unprotected sex.

OK off the soap box and the game is 0-0 still. GO USA!