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The American Nurses Association Endorses Senator Barack Obama
Source: Creative Commons
PRNewswire
September 12, 2008
The American Nurses Association (ANA) announces its endorsement of Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) in the 2008 Presidential Election. The ANA represents the interests of the nation’s 2.9 million registered nurses.
“As President, Barack Obama will bring real change to our health care system,” said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. “Nurses are consistently voted the most trusted profession by the American people, and we, as a profession, trust that Barack Obama will see that affordable quality health care is made available to everyone.”
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the American Nurses Association,” said Sen. Barack Obama. “The nurses of America serve our country tirelessly, and I share their belief that we must bring affordable and accessible health care to all Americans. My plan lowers health care costs for the average American family by up to $2500 and finally makes health care work better for American families than it does for the drug and insurance companies.”
“Both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton spoke at ANA’s House of Delegates in June about the need to move forward in unity to bring about real, much needed change to our health care system, and our nurses responded: ‘Yes we can’” Patton added. “Nurses represent the largest group of health care professionals in this country, and working together, we can use our power in the voting booth to make health care a priority, and make Barack Obama the next President of the United States.”
Senator Obama is committed to signing universal health legislation by the end of his first term in office that ensures all Americans have high-quality, affordable health care coverage. Barack Obama recognizes that nurses play a critical role in every aspect of patient care, and the nursing shortage ranks as one of the most pressing issues facing our health care system. Obama’s health care plan includes expanded funding to improve the primary care and public health practitioner workforce; including loan repayments, improved reimbursement and training grants.
Barack Obama has a history of advocacy for nurses and patients. In the Illinois senate, he helped lead efforts to protect nurses and improve the quality of health care. In the U.S. Senate, he cosponsored the Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act, which limits mandatory overtime for nurses to true emergency situations, and as President, he has promised to sign this important legislation into law.
ANA has been making presidential endorsements since 1984. The endorsement process includes sending a questionnaire on nursing and health care issues to all of the Democratic and Republican candidates, an invitation to all of the democratic and republican candidates for a personal interview and an online survey of ANA’s membership regarding which candidate is most supportive of nursing’s agenda.
The ANA is the only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation’s 2.9 million registered nurses through its 54 constituent member nurses associations. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
© YellowBrix 2008
jeradem
about 1 year ago
2 comments
Wow. I graduate in December and was just lectured on how not enough nurses belong to the ANA. I now see why. I was unaware that the ANA wanted a single payer system. I'm all for universal health care but never a single payer system. Does any one out there really think that government could run health care effectively? I think everyone should be forced to buy coverage, companies should be unable to deny service or modify cost by age, insurance should be unhooked from employment, and people who can't afford it can be subsidized. This way you have one large pool of people for insurance companies to compete for. That would drive down premiums and let us keep our standard of care. Just like how working at larger company gets you more affordable insurance due to larger pool of employees.
mikeriveraprod
about 1 year ago
16 comments
Brighter future for nurses! Go Obama!
hydranthound
about 1 year ago
24 comments
Just cleared out some of the religon talk. It was quite a bit.
mg1021
about 1 year ago
500 comments
Thank you Christy for engaging me in a healthy and respectable debate. I truly enjoy having a discussion with you, because you are able to articulate your perspective in a way that is not demeaning to me or anyone else. For that, I hope you will be blessed.
Kudos to you on the missionary work. That is fantastic! You will have a huge impact I am sure.
Here is my last and final comment on this subject as I must reorganize my priorities by focusing more on school and less on nursinglink for now..........
I pray that whoever is most capable and willing to help improve the state of our economy, have compassion for the vulnerable populations in our society, be most creative and effective in resolving the issues we have with the war/Iraq, and do all this with honesty, dignity and loyalty to the American people........becomes our next president!
Sounds like a dream huh? I told you....I dream big!
christy53
about 1 year ago
14 comments
to Mg1021...... I am moving.... when i retire (after almost 40 years of nursing)... to fulfill a dream.... to do missionary work with the underprivledged in a foriegn country.... I will be working in the Philippines.... and I will be working as a nurse ... educator... english tutor... whatever the calling... it's a big world.... why limit myself to one country.... I can be a diplomat there as well as here....
As far as opinions.... I don't want you to see it my way... I want you to be strong in your own beliefs... when you are done with your studies and begin your life as nurse, you will need all the faith in yourself that you have... to care properly and wisely for your patients....
in this country we have the luxury of free thinking and free speech.... I personally don't think either candidate is a miracle worker.... and neither will get everything he wants... done.... but, I believe they both have a strong sense of service and whom ever gets in.... certainly will want to leave a legacy of good works for those who follow... you and I just differ in our ideas of the best way to get there... and again we live in a place that you can do it your way.... there really is no one right way... except that we do not forget to respect each other as humans... as nurses what ever our personal opinion on politics... it is a momentary distraction compared to our true calling.... we both know what we do is more than a job / it is a vocation / that calls for us to find our best selves... through giving of ourselves... for the sake of others.... and to this end... you are brave mg1021... to take on the struggle to bring life / health / hope to those who are strangers at your door.... a very good samaritan.... again God Bless.... (I will put you on my prayer list and pray for your continued sucess) I can only quote.... what I have told my young son all of his growing up days.... "treat strangers kindly and with care, for you never know, you might be serving Angels.. unaware."
mg1021
about 1 year ago
500 comments
Why would you move to another country when you retire? You just spent all this time defending the character of our nation and professed your love for our country.
We just have a difference of opinion. I'm not going to see things your way, I've already seen them my way (and not through rose colored glasses either). I am a realist. I'm genuine and as I like to say it "I'm all about being real". These perspectives I have about other people, how I'd like to see things in the future, my faith, my country, who I support for president that is real to me. To quote my man from Mythbusters...."I reject your sense of reality and substitute it with my own"! LOL....that's just a bit of humor. ;-)
I know you'll never see things my way either. It's cool.....really.
mg1021
about 1 year ago
500 comments
Please don't misunderstand me, I never said we should not pay taxes. I think it should be more proportionate, just as Obama envisions it.
There are those who are takers....but coming from a social service perspective and several years experience as a social worker, I know there are A LOT of people who are in desperate need and are reluctant to accept help as well. I also know that not everyone who is in need, is lazy, unmotivated, or looking for a free ride. There are many who have fallen on hard times despite having worked all their lives. For a large majority of America, we are one illness, one natural disaster, or one accident away from poverty. Why, because so many of us live pay check to pay check. To me, the system needs to be more fair. More fair so that the majority of us are not the ones subsidizing our nation. More fair so that the wealthy, income rich folks are paying their proportionate share to contribute to society like I and everyone else do. EVERYONE needs help sometimes, that does not make us takers.
I give money to others in some way just about every day. Sometimes, it wouldn't qualify as a tax deduction and sometimes it would. I'm not one who keeps those receipts when I donate to charities, church, or give my clothes to the salvation army so I rarely claim all those donations on my taxes. Because of that, I'm not going to be too quick to assume that Biden doesn't give because it hasn't been reflected in his 1099.
christy53
about 1 year ago
14 comments
to mg1021 continued.....
and that expense is paid for on the backs of you and me.... through other taxes that will be added to the system.... it may not be federal income tax.... but since i live in one of the highest taxed of the 50 states.... i can tell you .... they will get it from you... just look at all the taxes you pay on your cell phone / or the fact that 1/3 of your home phone bill is in taxes.... some that money going to pay for all the (sigh...) others who can't afford to pay.... and quite frankly since i've been working since 14 years... and put my self through school... and have not ever got on a government handout.... I quite frankly have a hard time understanding why I should have to pay for anyone's anything.... but .... until i move to another country...which i plan to do after i retire.... I will continue to pay my taxes....
this does not mean i am against people getting assistance.... my neice gets wic for her kids.... and i help her too.... my 2 sisters are disabled... and i help them too... I started a parish nurse ministry that i work in for free.... so don't misunderstand me..
i am not greedy.... but in 55 years it has come to my attention that there are more takers than givers.... and you will find this out too... and unless we have other resources stored up ..... we will be poor like all the rest.... and the wealthy will not rescue us.... If you want an example.... look at joe biden's tax return and wonder why he gives so little to charity.... (i give more than him and make less)... but thinks it's "American" to pay your share..... he hasn't paid his....
Any way..... God sees all.... the greedy and the good.... and my focus is more on where I'll end up.... because we will all spend more time in eternity than we ever will here on earth.... and i think you mg1021 would agree with that..... god bless
mg1021
about 1 year ago
500 comments
Christy,
You are a very intelligent woman, and I truly respect you for that. I think it's great that two can have a debate without being nasty like so many I've seen here. I suppose you won't change my mind and I won't change yours, but doesn't it feel a lot better to walk away knowing that your respect and dignity was spared after a debate? Doesn't it feel good knowing you can express your thoughts and have someone appreciate them without ridicule even if they do not agree?
Somebody's going to win this election.....that is for sure, and we can both say we have campaigned for our candidate with the fire and passion we believe they deserve.
I'll just say this......may the candidate who is the most appropriate and beneficial to our nation and globe win this presidency.
Thank you for your insight Christy ;-)
christy53
about 1 year ago
14 comments
to mg1021.... thank you for your response.... just a few things in return... and glad you voted... so did i.... :
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." ~ John Wooden - American Basketball Coach - 1910
In all my years spent working with immigrants, I've never once apologized for being American, nor have I ever felt the need to apologize for America's actions around the world. Like many Americans I have understood that America's benevolence however misguided or naive it might be at times has always stemmed from a noble intent. I've also accepted that simple truism that no matter what you do, you can never please everyone... and regardless of what good we do or what our intent is, there are always going to be instigators both at home and abroad who simply find themselves compelled to voice dissatisfaction.
Often times it is Americans themselves who either purposely or inadvertently, give rise to the animosity we experience around the world. Americans who are hopelessly consumed with what Pope Benedict has described as a "pathological self-hatred" and who fail to underestand the saying 'you can't expect someone else to love you until you learn to love yourself.'
Opinion polls from around the world indicate "America's reputation, standing and influence are at all-time lows, and possibly sinking further".
However, the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy recently gave a speech before Congress professing his nation's deep admiration of the United States and what America stands for. So i ask you not to so be influenced by others opinions that you fail to see all the good that America does around the globe.
A recent think tank report blames the American led War on Terror for America's low image around the world.... then on the other hand they suggest that "America would be a smarter power by investing once again in the global good and providing things that people and governments in all quarters of the world want, BUT... cannot attain in the absence of American leadership.
I'm not quite sure I understand what the hell that means, but I do know one thing, and that is that "providing things" is not what America is about, nor is it the way to foster and spread goodwill around the world.
In the words of Nicolas Sarkozy, "From the very beginning, the American dream meant proving to all mankind that freedom, justice, human rights and democracy were no utopia... but were rather the most realistic policy there is and the most likely to improve the fate of each and every person."
We need to concern ourselves with inspiring others overseas and we do that through promoting good will about America and about what we stand for...NOT by promoting ill will. What good will are we promoting when we demonstrate to the world that we have no respect for our own democracy or our nation's duly elected leaders? I believe... Every United States citizen serves as a diplomat. So maybe a little introspection should be called for before we start getting overly conceerned about our reputation overseas. Personally I don't care if we are liked. I care more that we are respected.
Leadership is not simply doing what is popular or what will get you liked, it is doing what is right, and often times doing what is right is not the popular thing to do. To paraphrase Ralph Waldo Emerson, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."
As far as the 250k.... sure it's a lot for many of us... however.... the majority of people who hear that number mistakenly think that those with more... will give more... and for those with no understanding of taxes / financial planning / and who live beyond their means... they will pay more.... but America has an abundance of people who are allready made.... and who have advisors that help them to be shielded from many of the taxes you and i pay.... and yes... it is possible to live off of the interest only.... from your investments and never pay taxes on the millions you have put in the bank (or where ever you hide it) there fore you pay a lower tax on the interest.... and nothing on the principle.... couple that with a mortgage or business expenses... and you can end up paying nothing.... or even getting a refund... so while we may benefit from being under the 250k radar.... there are other ways to get your money... and that is what is not being discussed in the election rhetoric....
as far as my sister in law.... she is not lucky..... to lose her job with the markets down and the highest unemployment rate in recent times.... because the corporation didn't want to pay "higher taxes"..... how many more businesses can we afford to ship overseas... at the cost of US citizens..... and my sister in law has MS ... which will make it difficult for her to be insured... a benefit she lost.... when she lost her job...
and speaking of nationalized health care.... both Obama and McCain don't think they can get that up and running for about (what did they say the other night) 10 years???.... If you want a lesson on how this might work.... check out the fact that the state of Hawaii... voted in last year... that all children in the state were entitled to health care.... and now only 7 months later... they have shut down the program because of lack of funding... and the fact that parents with insurance cancelled their childrens insurance... to be able to get the free state run care.... this over burdened the system... now no children have insurance....
this is what i meant when i said that ..... you don't make others rich by giving them what they want..... you just make yourself poor..... because when there is a free program available.... everyone thinks their entitled.... even the ones who it wasn't meant for.... and that expense is paid on the backs of y
mg1021
about 1 year ago
500 comments
Hydranthound,
I owe you an apology for not believing you earlier. I guess Obama did say that afterall....I am glad I have viewed it in context, however. Now I have an even better understanding of his position. Thanks!
Why did you delete your earlier postings?
thanks
mg1021
about 1 year ago
500 comments
Here's a link to the footage from the actual interview with Pastor Rick Warren for those who are interested hearing the comments in context for themselves.
http://www.eclipptv.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=2956&title=OBAMA_INT...
And here's a link to another part of that same interview where Obama admits that he is human. Pastor Warren approves! ;-)
http://www.eclipptv.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=2942&title=Obama_int...
mg1021
about 1 year ago
500 comments
Oh, okay! I see now that it is in context.
If one sees God as the author of life, It would be inappropriate to answer such a question. Seems plausible that Obama meant "above my payscale" as in....only God can answer that. In which case, I suppose that would be above everyones payscale now wouldn't it?
So, I just finished listening to his actual response. He does actually say he's pro-choice. It goes like this..... "there is a moral and ethical element to this issue.....I am pro-choice.....i believe in Roe v. Wade.....not because I am pro-abortion but because I think women wrestle with these things in profound ways".
He's right.....it's not simple and it's not an easy issue to solve. In fact, it's one that may never be solved....certainly not by humankind.
hydranthound
about 1 year ago
24 comments
That was a comment he had made during the sit down he and McCain had. The individual hosting asked him when does life begin. It was one of the first. They were asked a series of questions.
I guess. If someone wants to change the subject then offer a topic. I guess saying they aren't is strong words and unfair.
mg1021
about 1 year ago
500 comments
Actually, I used that particuar passage for a couple of reasons, but definitely not to make myself "feel better" in justifying abortion. I don't feel guilty about my perspective. Abortion isn't something I would choose for myself EVER.....but I don't think I have the authority to tell someone else what they should do.
I chose Matthew 7:4 to make a point. You've decided that people who vote for Obama aren't really Christians, but that's not really your job to decide and as a Christian you know that the scripture is about judging others. We are not the maker, nor are we the judge. We are also imperfect. We ALL have a (log, thorn, toothpick, speck, splinter) in our eye. That will never change as long as we are living no matter how often we read the bible, go to church, pray, help one another etc. You're no better than me and I'm no better than you. We're just different, and we each have different types of logs or specks in our eyes.
I also wanted to illustrate an earlier point about how it is so easy to present religion and scripture in a way that can suggest A LOT of different things based on ones own perspective.
I'm pretty confidant that Obama never ever ever said that the abortion issue is "above my paygrade". I'm not sure which "couple" you refer to, but if you watch the last debate you'll hear a lot of misconceptions clarified.
I'm sure the readers are wondering why this has turned into bible class, so maybe we should discuss this elsewhere. You can email me! ;-)