A few weeks ago my husband Scott and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. Our romantic history is long and complex, having started not one decade ago but actually 36 years ago. We met in 7th grade in a cooking class at our junior high school. Love at first sight? Hardly. But it was, in fact, best friendship from the very beginning. Too young for love at age 12, we instead became the best of friends.
As time passed, we eventually tip-toed around an actual romance. Still, the thought of trading in a surefire friendship for a questionable romance was more than the two of us could consider. We moved on to other relationships and eventually both got married and then divorced. We remained in contact through it all, grateful that our solid friendship sustained where other relationships had faltered and failed. Scott came to visit me in Illinois from his home in Florida 11 years ago and from the moment I saw him standing in the doorway of my suburban Chicago home, I knew for certain what had remained only uncertain in the past: We belonged together.
Within five months we were seriously dating. Within 7 months we were engaged. And within 12 months we were finally married. A lifetime of deep friendship had morphed into a love affair and we were finally in the right place, at the right time, and with the right person. It was bliss ten years ago and it is bliss today. We are the couple that some choose to hate…an opinion that we completely understand. Holding hands in the grocery store, dancing in the kitchen, and endless inside jokes are the hallmarks of our life together.
Still, as often happens with married couples, we find that so much of the time we spend together is business oriented. Not just the business that we actually run as a livelihood, but the business of marriage and parenting. You know, those deep conversations that married people have, about getting colonoscopies or which pizza place to order from or who will be picking our daughter up from ballet. Three minute conversations that are 100% practical and goal oriented. This is no way to stay connected to your life partner and ensure that the marriage continues to be rooted in friendship.
As our 10 year anniversary approached, we discussed what we would do to celebrate this big benchmark in our marriage. Maybe a cruise was in order. Or a big celebration with our extended family. Perhaps a major purchase for our household. As we talked and talked about our possibilities we both came to the same conclusion about what we wanted out of our celebration: togetherness. We just wanted extended time together in an attempt not just to keep the love alive, but to revitalize the friendship as well.
What we settled on was a good old fashioned road trip wherein we drove from our home in the Chicago area to Niagara Falls. We were gone for 7 days and tried not to drive for more than 250 miles per day. It was leisurely and lovely. We winded our way through wine country, the shoreline of Lake Erie, Amish country, the Alleghany Forest and stopped at more than a dozen McDonalds’ for coffees and Diet Cokes. And all the while we talked. And talked. And then talked a bit more. We talked about everything from where we should retire to what sort of car we should buy next to where we should go on vacation next summer. We laughed, we made up silly sayings, sang along with songs from the 1970s and adored just being near each other. Corny? Yes. But also true.
As it turns out, ten years into marriage he is still my very best friend. I knew that all along, but sometimes it just takes moments like this to be gently reminded. The very best gift we could possibly give to each other was the gift of our time and our attention. It was, in a word, priceless.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Fax Numbers of the 111th Congress
Let's get involved, folks! Following are the fax numbers of the 111th congress, so there is no reason not to take a moment, gather your thoughts and let Congress know your real opinion of their refusal to tax the wealthy of this country and combine revenue (read: taxes) with tax cuts. Every poll available shows that Americans support this combined philosophy, yet many in Congress are intent on defying those desires.
Sen. Jeff Sessionsᅠ
202-224-3149
Sen. Richard C. Shelbyᅠ
202-224-3416
Rep. Jo Bonnerᅠ
202-225-0562
Rep. Bobby Brightᅠ
202-225-8913
Rep. Michael Rogersᅠ
202-226-8485ᅠ
Rep. Robert Aderholtᅠ
202-225-5587
Rep. Parker Griffithᅠ
202-225-4392
Rep. Spencer Bachusᅠ
202-225-2082
Rep. Artur Davisᅠ
202-226-9567
Sen. Lisa Murkowskiᅠ
202-224-5301
Sen. Mark Begichᅠ
202-224-2354
Rep. Don Youngᅠ
202-225-0425
Sen. Jon Kyl.ᅠ
202-224-2207
Sen. John McCainᅠ
202-228-2862
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrickᅠ
202-226-9739
Rep. Trent Franksᅠ
202-225-6328
Rep. John Shadeggᅠ
202-225-3462
Rep. Ed Pastorᅠ
202-225-1655
Rep. Harry Mitchellᅠ
202-225-3263
Rep. Jeff Flakeᅠ
202-226-4386
Rep. Raul Grijalvaᅠ
202-225-1541
Rep. Gabrielle Giffordsᅠ
202-225-0378
Sen. Blanche Lincolnᅠ
202-228-1371
Sen. Mark Pryorᅠ
202-228-0908ᅠ
Rep. Marion Berryᅠ
202-225-5602
Rep. Vic Snyderᅠ
202-225-5903
Rep. John Boozemanᅠ
202-225-5713
Rep. Mike Rossᅠ
202-225-1314
Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggerᅠ
916-558-3160
Sen. Barbara Boxerᅠ
415-956-6701
Sen. Dianne Feinsteinᅠ
202-228-3954
Rep. Mike Thompsonᅠ
202-225-4335
Rep. Wally Hergerᅠ
202-225-1740
Rep. Dan Lungrenᅠ
202-226-1298
Rep. Tom McClintockᅠ
202-225-5444
Rep. Doris Matsuiᅠ
202-225-0566
Rep. Lynn Woolseyᅠ
202-225-5163
Rep. George Millerᅠ
202-225-5609
Rep. Nancy Pelosiᅠ
202-225-8259
Rep. Barbara Leeᅠ
202-225-9817
Rep. Jerry McNerneyᅠ
202-226-0861
Rep.ᅠJackie Speierᅠ
202-226-4183
Rep. Pete Starkᅠ
202-226-3805
Rep. Anna Eshooᅠ
202-225-8890
Rep. Mike Hondaᅠ
202-225-2699
Rep. Zoe Lofgrenᅠ
202-225-3336
Rep. Sam Farrᅠ
202-225-6791
Rep. Dennis Cardozaᅠ
202-225-0819ᅠ
Rep. George Radanovichᅠ
202-225-3402
Rep. Jim Costaᅠ
202-225-9308
Rep. Devin Nunesᅠ
202-225-3404
Rep. Kevin McCarthyᅠ
202-225-8798
Rep. Lois Cappsᅠ
202-225-5632
Rep. Elton Galleglyᅠ
202-225-1100
Rep. Howard McKeonᅠ
202-225-0683
Rep. David Dreierᅠ
202-225-7018
Rep. Brad Shermanᅠ
202-225-5879
Rep. Howard Bermanᅠ
202-225-3196
Rep. Adam Schiffᅠ
202-225-5828
Rep. Henry Waxmanᅠ
202-225-4099
Rep. Xavier Becerraᅠ
202-225-2202
Rep. Diane Watsonᅠ
202-225-2422
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allardᅠ
202-226-0350
Rep. Maxine Watersᅠ
202-225-7854
Rep. Jane Harmanᅠ
202-226-7290
Rep. Laura Richardsonᅠ
202-225-7926
Rep. Grace Napolitanoᅠ
202-225-0027
Rep. Linda Sanchezᅠ
202-225-5859ᅠ
Rep. Ed Royceᅠ
202-226-0335
Rep. Jerry Lewisᅠ
202-225-6498
Rep. Gary Millerᅠ
202-226-6962
Rep. Joe Bacaᅠ
202-225-8671
Rep. Ken Calvertᅠ
202-225-2004
Rep. Mary Bonoᅠ
202-225-2961
Rep. Dana Rohrabacherᅠ
202-225-0145
Rep. Loretta Sanchezᅠ
202-225-5859
Rep. John Campbellᅠ
202-225-9177
Rep. Darrell Issaᅠ
202-225-3303
Rep. Brian Bilbrayᅠ
202-225-2558
Rep. Bob Filnerᅠ
202-225-9073
Rep. Duncan Hunterᅠ
202-225-0235
Rep. Susan Davisᅠ
202-225-2948
Sen. Mark Udallᅠ
202-224-6471
Sen. Michael Bennetᅠ
202-224-1933
Rep. Diana DeGetteᅠ
202-225-5657
Rep. Jared Polisᅠ
202-226-7840
Rep. John Salazarᅠ
202-226-9669
Rep. Betsy Markeyᅠ
202-225-5870
Rep. Doug Lambornᅠ
202-225-1942
Rep. Mike Coffmanᅠ
202-226-4623
Rep. Ed Perlmutterᅠ
202-225-5278
Sen. Christopher Doddᅠ
202-224-1083
Sen. Joseph Liebermanᅠ
202-224-9750
Rep. John Larsonᅠ
202-225-1031
Rep. Joe Courtneyᅠ
202-225-4977
Rep. Rosa DeLauroᅠ
202-225-4890
Rep. Jim Himesᅠ
202-225-9629
Rep. Chris Murphyᅠ
202-225-4488
Sen. Tom Carperᅠ
202-228-2190
Rep. Michael Castleᅠ
202-225-2291
Sen. Mel Martinezᅠ
202-224-2237
Sen. Bill Nelsonᅠ
202-228-2183
Rep. Jeff Millerᅠ
202-225-3414
Rep. F. Allen Boydᅠ
202-225-5615
Rep. Corrine Brownᅠ
202-225-2256
Rep. Ander Crenshawᅠ
202-225-2504
Rep. Virginia Brown-Waiteᅠ
202-226-6559ᅠ
Rep. Cliff Stearnsᅠ
202-225-3973
Rep. John Micaᅠ
202-226-0821
Rep. Alan Graysonᅠ
202-225-0999
Rep. Gus Bilirakisᅠ
202-225-4085
Rep. Bill Youngᅠ
202-225-9764
Rep. Kathy Castorᅠ
202-225-5652
Rep. Adam Putnamᅠ
202-225-0585
Rep. Vern Buchananᅠ
202-226-0828
Rep. Connie Mackᅠ
202-225-6820
Rep. Bill Poseyᅠ
202-225-3516
Rep. Tom Rooneyᅠ
202-225-3132
Rep. Kendrick Meekᅠ
202-226-0777
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinenᅠ
202-225-5620
Rep. Robert Wexlerᅠ
202-225-5974
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultzᅠ
202-225-8456
Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balartᅠ
202-225-8576
Rep. Ron Kleinᅠ
202-225-8398
Rep. Alcee Hastingsᅠ
202-225-1171
Rep. Suzanne Kosmasᅠ
202-226-6299
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balartᅠ
202-226-0346
Sen. Saxby Chamblisᅠ
202-224-0103ᅠ
Sen. Johnny Isaksonᅠ
202-228-2090
Rep. Jack Kingstonᅠ
202-226-2269
Rep. Sanford Bishopᅠ
202-225-2203
Rep. Lynn Westmorelandᅠ
202-225-3013ᅠ
Rep. Hank Johnsonᅠ
202-226-0691ᅠ
Rep. John Lewisᅠ
202-225-0351
Rep. Thomas Priceᅠ
202-225-4656
Rep. John Linderᅠ
202-225-4696
Rep. Jim Marshallᅠ
202-225-2515
Rep. Nathan Dealᅠ
202-225-5995
Rep. Paul Brounᅠ
202-225-8272
Rep. Phil Gingreyᅠ
202-225-2944ᅠ
Rep. John Barrowᅠ
202-225-3377
Rep. David Scottᅠ
202-225-4628
Sen. Daniel K. Akakaᅠ
202-224-2126
Sen. Daniel K. Inouyeᅠ
202-224-6747
Rep. Neil Abercrombieᅠ
202-225-4580
Rep. Mazie Hironoᅠ
202-225-4987
Sen. James Rischᅠ
202-228-1067
Sen. Michael Crapoᅠ
202-228-1375
Rep. Walt Minnickᅠ
202-225-3029
Rep. Michael Simpsonᅠ
202-225-8216
Sen. Dick Durbinᅠ
202-228-0400ᅠ
Sen. Roland Burrisᅠ
202-228-5417ᅠ
Rep. Bobby Rushᅠ
202-226-0333ᅠ
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.ᅠ
202-225-0899ᅠ
Rep. Daniel Lipinskiᅠ
202-225-1012ᅠ
Rep. Luis Gutirrezᅠ
202-225-7810ᅠ
Rep. Mike Quigleyᅠ
202-225-5603ᅠ
Rep. Peter Roskamᅠ
202-225-1166ᅠ
Rep. Danny Davisᅠ
202-225-5641ᅠ
Rep. Melissa Beanᅠ
202-225-7830ᅠ
Rep. Janice Schakowskyᅠ
202-226-6890ᅠ
Rep. Mark Kirkᅠ
202-225-0837ᅠ
Rep. Deborah Halvorsonᅠ
202-225-3521ᅠ
Rep. Jerry Costelloᅠ
202-225-0285ᅠ
Rep. Judy Biggertᅠ
202-225-9420ᅠ
Rep. Bill Fosterᅠ
202-225-0697ᅠ
Rep. Timothy Johnsonᅠ
202-226-0791ᅠ
Rep. Donald Manzulloᅠ
202-225-5284ᅠ
Rep. Philip Hareᅠ
202-225-5396ᅠ
Rep. Aaron Schockᅠ
202-225-9249ᅠ
Rep. John Shimkusᅠ
202-225-5880
Sen. Evan Bayhᅠ
202-228-1377
Sen. Richard G. Lugarᅠ
202-228-0360
Rep. Peter Viscloskyᅠ
202-225-2493
Rep. Joe Donnellyᅠ
202-225-6798
Rep. Mark Souderᅠ
202-225-3479
Rep. Stephen Buyerᅠ
202-225-2267
Rep. Dan Burtonᅠ
202-225-0016
Rep. Mike Penceᅠ
202-225-3382
Rep. Andr? Carson?
202-225-5633
Rep. Brad Ellsworthᅠ
202-225-3284
Rep. Baron Hillᅠ
202-226-6866
Sen. Chuck Grassleyᅠ
202-224-6020
Sen. Tom Harkinᅠ
202-224-9369
Rep. Bruce Braleyᅠ
202-225-9129
Rep. David Loebsackᅠ
202-226-0757
Rep. Leonard Boswellᅠ
202-225-5608
Rep. Tom Lathamᅠ
202-225-3301
Rep. Steve Kingᅠ
202-225-3193
Sen. Sam Brownbackᅠ
202-228-1265
Sen. Pat Robertsᅠ
202-224-3514
Rep. Jerry Moranᅠ
202-225-5124
Rep. Lynn Jenkinsᅠ
202-225-7986
Rep. Dennis Mooreᅠ
202-225-2807
Rep. Todd Tiahrtᅠ
202-225-3489
Sen. Jim Bunningᅠ
202-228-1373
Sen. Mitch McConnellᅠ
202-224-2499
Rep. Ed Whitfieldᅠ
202-225-3547
Rep. Ron Lewisᅠ
202-225-3501
Rep. John Yarmuthᅠ
202-225-5776
Rep. Geoff Davisᅠ
202-225-0003
Rep. Harold Rogersᅠ
202-225-0940
Rep. Ben Chandlerᅠ
202-225-2122
Sen. Mary Landrieuᅠ
202-224-9735
Sen.ᅠDavid Vitterᅠ
202-228-2577
Rep. Steve Scaliseᅠ
202-226-0386
Rep. William Jeffersonᅠ
202-225-1988
Rep. Charlie Melanconᅠ
202-226-3944
Rep. Jim McCreryᅠ
202-225-8039
Rep. Rodney Alexanderᅠ
202-225-5639ᅠ
Rep. Charles Boustanyᅠ
202-225-5724
Sen. Susan Collinsᅠ
202-224-2693
Sen. Olympia Snoweᅠ
202-224-1946
Rep. Tom Allenᅠ
202-225-5590
Rep. Michael Michaudᅠ
202-225-2943
Sen. Benjamin Cardinᅠ
202-224-1651
Sen. Barbara Mikulskiᅠ
202-224-8858
Rep. Wayne Gilchrestᅠ
202-225-0254
Rep. C. "Dutch" Ruppersbergerᅠ
202-225-3094ᅠ
Rep. John Sarbanesᅠ
202-225-9219
Rep. Donna Edwardsᅠ
202-225-8714
Rep. Steny Hoyerᅠ
202-225-4300
Rep. Roscoe Bartlettᅠ
202-225-2193
Rep. Elijah Cummingsᅠ
202-225-3178
Rep. Chris Van Hollenᅠ
202-225-0375
Gov. Deval Patrickᅠ
202-624-7714
Sen. Edward M. Kennedyᅠ
202-224-2417
Sen. John Kerryᅠ
202-224-8525
Rep. John Olverᅠ
202-226-1224
Rep. Richard Nealᅠ
202-225-8112
Rep. Jim McGovernᅠ
202-225-5759
Rep. Barney Frankᅠ
202-225-0182
Rep. Niki Tsongasᅠ
202-226-0771
Rep. John Tierneyᅠ
202-225-5915
Rep. Edward Markeyᅠ
202-226-0092
Rep. Michael Capuanoᅠ
202-225-9322
Rep. Stephen Lynchᅠ
202-225-3984
Rep. William Delahuntᅠ
202-225-5658
Gov. Jennifer Granholmᅠ
517-335-6863
Sen. Carl Levinᅠ
202-224-1388
Sen. Debbie Stabenowᅠ
202-228-0325
Rep. Bart Stupakᅠ
202-225-4744
Rep. Peter Hoekstraᅠ
202-226-0779
Rep. Vernon Ehlersᅠ
202-225-5144
Rep. David Campᅠ
202-225-9679
Rep. Dale Kildeeᅠ
202-225-6393
Rep. Fred Uptonᅠ
202-225-4986
Rep. Mark Schauerᅠ
202-225-6281
Rep. Mike Rogersᅠ
202-225-5820
Rep. Gary Petersᅠ
202-226-2356
Rep. Candice Millerᅠ
202-226-1169
Rep. Thad McCotterᅠ
202-225-2667
Rep. Sander Levinᅠ
202-226-1033
Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrickᅠ
202-225-5730
Rep. John Conyersᅠ
202-225-0072
Rep. John Dingellᅠ
202-226-0371
Sen. Amy Klobucharᅠ
202-228-2186
Sen. Al Franken
202-224-1152
Rep. Tim Walzᅠ
202-225-3433
Rep. John Klineᅠ
202-225-2595
Rep. Erik Paulsenᅠ
202-225-6351
Rep. Betty McCollumᅠ
202-225-1968
Rep. Keith Ellisonᅠ
202-225-4886
Rep. Michelle Bachmanᅠ
202-225-6475
Rep. Collin Petersonᅠ
202-225-1593
Rep. James Oberstarᅠ
202-225-6211
Sen. Thad Cochranᅠ
202-224-9450
Sen. Roger Wickerᅠ
202-228-0378
Rep. Travis Childersᅠ
662-844-5437
Rep. Bennie Thompsonᅠ
202-225-5898
Rep. Gregg Harperᅠ
202-225-5797
Rep. Gene Taylorᅠ
202-225-7074
Sen. Kit Bondᅠ
202-224-8149
Sen. Claire McCaskillᅠ
202-228-6326
Rep. William Clay, Jr.
202-226-3717
Rep. Todd Akinᅠ
202-225-2563
Rep. Russ Carnahanᅠ
202-225-7452
Rep. Ike Skeltonᅠ
202-225-2876
Rep. Emanuel Cleaverᅠ
202-225-4403
Rep. Sam Gravesᅠ
202-225-8221
Rep. Roy Bluntᅠ
202-225-5604
Rep. Jo Ann Emersonᅠ
202-226-0326
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyerᅠ
202-225-5712
Sen. Max Baucusᅠ
202-224-9412
Sen. Jon Testerᅠ
202-224-8594
Rep. Dennis Rehbergᅠ
202-225-5687
Gov. Dave Heinemanᅠ
402-471-6031
Sen. Mike Johannsᅠ
202-224-5213
Sen. Ben Nelsonᅠ
202-228-0012
Rep. Jeff Fortenberryᅠ
202-225-5686
Rep. Lee Terryᅠ
202-226-5452
Rep. Adrian Smithᅠ
202-225-0207
Sen. John Ensignᅠ
202-228-2193
Sen. Harry Reidᅠ
202-224-7327
Rep. Shelley Berkleyᅠ
202-225-3119
Rep. Dean Hellerᅠ
202-225-5679
Rep. Dina Titusᅠ
202-225-2185
Sen. Judd Greggᅠ
202-224-4952
Sen. Jeanne Shaheenᅠ
202-228-4131
Rep. Carol Shea-Porterᅠ
202-225-5822
Rep. Paul Hodesᅠ
202-225-2946
Sen. Robert Menendezᅠ
202-228-2197
Sen. Frank Lautenbergᅠ
202-228-4054
Rep. Robert Andrewsᅠ
202-225-6583
Rep. Frank LoBiondoᅠ
202-225-3318
Rep. John Alderᅠ
202-225-0778
Rep. Christopher Smithᅠ
202-225-7768
Rep. Scott Garrettᅠ
202-225-9048
Rep. Frank Palloneᅠ
202-225-9665
Rep. Leonard Lanceᅠ
202-225-9460
Rep. William Pascrellᅠ
202-225-5751
Rep. Steven Rothmanᅠ
202-225-5851
Rep. Donald Payneᅠ
202-225-4160
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysenᅠ
202-225-3186
Rep. Rush Holtᅠ
202-225-6025
Rep. Albio Siresᅠ
202-226-0792
Sen. Jeff Bingamanᅠ
202-224-2852
Sen. Tom Udallᅠ
202-228-3261
Rep. Martin Heinrich
202-225-4975
Rep. Harry Teagueᅠ
202-225-9599
Rep. Ben Lujanᅠ
202-226-1528
Sen. Charles Schumerᅠ
202-228-3027
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrandᅠ
202-228-0282
Rep. Tim Bishopᅠ
202-225-3143
Rep. Steven Israelᅠ
202-225-4669
Rep. Peter Kingᅠ
202-226-2279
Rep. Carolyn McCarthyᅠ
202-225-5758
Rep. Gary Ackermanᅠ
202-225-1589
Rep. Gregory Meeksᅠ
202-226-4169
Rep. Joseph Crowleyᅠ
202-225-1909
Rep. Jerrold Nadlerᅠ
202-225-6923
Rep. Anthony Weinerᅠ
202-226-7243
Rep. Edolphus Townsᅠ
202-225-1018
Rep. Yvette Clarkeᅠ
202-226-0112
Rep. Nydia Velazquezᅠ
202-226-0327
Rep. Michael McMahonᅠ
202-225-1272
Rep. Carolyn Maloneyᅠ
202-225-4709
Rep. Charles Rangelᅠ
202-226-0816ᅠ
Rep. Jose Serranoᅠ
202-225-6001
Rep. Eliot Engelᅠ
202-225-5513
Rep. Nita Loweyᅠ
202-225-0546
Rep. John Hallᅠ
202-225-3289
Rep. Scott Murphyᅠ
202-225-1168
Rep. Paul Tonkoᅠ
202-225-5077
Rep. Maurice Hincheyᅠ
202-226-0774
Rep. John McHughᅠ
202-226-0621
Rep. Michael Arcuriᅠ
202-225-1891
Rep. Dan Maffeiᅠ
202-225-4042
Rep. Christopher Leeᅠ
202-225-5910
Rep. Brian Higginsᅠ
202-226-0347
Rep. Louise Slaughterᅠ
202-225-7822
Rep. Eric Massaᅠ
202-226-6599
Sen. Richard Burrᅠ
202-228-2981
Sen. Kay Haganᅠ
202-224-1100
Rep. G.K. Butterfieldᅠ
202-225-3354
Rep. Bob Etheridgeᅠ
202-225-5662
Rep. Walter Jonesᅠ
202-225-3286
Rep. David Priceᅠ
202-225-2014
Rep. Virginia Foxxᅠ
202-225-2995
Rep. Howard Cobleᅠ
202-225-8611
Rep. Mike McIntyreᅠ
202-225-5773
Rep. Larry Kisselᅠ
202-225-4036
Rep. Sue Myrickᅠ
202-225-3389
Rep. Patrick McHenryᅠ
202-225-0316
Rep. Heath Shulerᅠ
202-226-6422
Rep. Melvin Wattᅠ
202-225-1512
Rep. Brad Millerᅠ
202-225-0181
Sen. Kent Conradᅠ
202-224-7776
Sen. Byron L. Dorganᅠ
202-224-1193
Rep. Earl Pomeroyᅠ
202-226-0893
Sen. Sherrod Brownᅠ
202-224-6519
Sen. George Voinovichᅠ
202-228-1382
Rep. Steve Chabotᅠ
202-225-3012
Rep. Jean Schmidtᅠ
202-225-1992
Rep. Michael Turnerᅠ
202-226-1443
Rep. Jim Jordanᅠ
202-226-0577
Rep. Bob Lattaᅠ
202-225-1985ᅠ
Rep. Charlie Wilsonᅠ
202-225-5907
Rep. David Hobsonᅠ
202-225-1984
Rep. John Boehnerᅠ
202-225-0704
Rep. Marcy Kapturᅠ
202-225-7711
Rep. Dennis Kucinichᅠ
202-225-5745
Rep. Marcia Fudgeᅠ
202-225-1339
Rep. Pat Tiberiᅠ
202-226-4523
Rep. Betty Suttonᅠ
202-225-2266
Rep. Steven LaTouretteᅠ
202-225-3307
Rep. Deborah Pryceᅠ
202-225-3529
Rep. Ralph Regulaᅠ
202-225-3059
Rep. Tim Ryanᅠ
202-225-3719
Rep. Zack Spaceᅠ
202-225-3394
Gov. Brad Henryᅠ
405-521-3353
Sen. James Inhofeᅠ
202-228-0380
Sen. Tom Coburnᅠ
202-224-6008
Rep. John Sullivanᅠ
202 225-9187
Rep. Dan Borenᅠ
202-225-3038
Rep. Frank Lucasᅠ
202-225-8698
Rep. Tom Coleᅠ
202-225-3512
Rep. Mary Fallinᅠ
202-226-1463
Sen. Jeff Merkleyᅠ
202-228-3997
Sen. Ron Wydenᅠ
202-228-2717
Rep. David Wuᅠ
202-225-9497
Rep. Greg Waldenᅠ
202-225-5774
Rep. Earl Blumenauerᅠ
202-225-8941
Rep. Peter DeFazioᅠ
202-225-0032
Rep. Darlene Hooleyᅠ
202-225-5699
Sen. Robert Casey, Jr.ᅠ
202-228-0604
Sen. Arlen Specterᅠ
202-228-1229
Rep. Robert Bradyᅠ
202-225-0088
Rep. Chaka Fattahᅠ
202-225-5392
Rep. Kathy Dahlkemperᅠ
202-225-3103
Rep. Jason Altmireᅠ
202-226-2274
Rep. John Petersonᅠ
202-225-5796
Rep. Jim Gerlachᅠ
202-225-8440
Rep. Joe Sestakᅠ
202-225-0280
Rep. Patrick Murphyᅠ
202-225-9511
Rep. Bill Shusterᅠ
202-225-2486
Rep. Chris Carneyᅠ
202-225-9594
Rep. Paul Kanjorskiᅠ
202-225-0764
Rep. John Murthaᅠ
202-225-5709
Rep. Allyson Schwartzᅠ
202-226-0611
Rep. Michael Doyleᅠ
202-225-3084
Rep. Charlie Dentᅠ
202-226-0778
Rep. Joseph Pittsᅠ
202-225-2013
Rep. Tim Holdenᅠ
202-226-0996
Rep. Tim Murphyᅠ
202-225-1844
Rep. Todd Plattsᅠ
202-226-1000
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouseᅠ
202-228-2853
Sen. Jack Reedᅠ
202-224-4680
Rep. Patrick Kennedyᅠ
202-225-3290
Rep. James Langevinᅠ
202-225-5976
Sen. Jim DeMintᅠ
202-228-5143
Sen. Lindsey Grahamᅠ
202-224-3808
Rep. Henry Brownᅠ
202-225-3407
Rep. Joe Wilsonᅠ
202-225-2455
Rep. Gresham Barrettᅠ
202-225-3216
Rep. Bob Inglisᅠ
202-226-1177
Rep. John Sprattᅠ
202-225-0464
Rep. James Clyburnᅠ
202-225-2313
Sen. John Thuneᅠ
202-228-5429
Sen. Tim Johnsonᅠ
202-228-5765
Rep. Stephanie Hersethᅠ
202-225-5823
Sen. Bob Corkerᅠ
202-228-1264
Sen. Lamar Alexanderᅠ
202-228-3398
Rep. Phil Roeᅠ
202-225-5714
Rep. John Duncan, Jr.ᅠ
202-225-6440
Rep. Zach Wampᅠ
202-225-3494
Rep. Lincoln Davisᅠ
202-226-5172
Rep. Jim Cooperᅠ
202-226-1035
Rep. Bart Gordonᅠ
202-225-6887
Rep. Marsha Blackburnᅠ
202-225-3004
Rep. John Tannerᅠ
202-225-1765
Rep. Steve Cohenᅠ
202-225-5663
Sen. John Cornynᅠ
202-228-2856
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchisonᅠ
202-224-0776
Rep. Louis Gohmertᅠ
202-225-5866
Rep. Ted Poeᅠ
202-225-5547
Rep. Sam Johnsonᅠ
202-225-1485
Rep. Ralph Hallᅠ
202-225-3332ᅠ
Rep. Jeb Hensarlingᅠ
202-226-4888
Rep. Joe Bartonᅠ
202-225-3052
Rep. John Culbersonᅠ
202-225-4381
Rep. Kevin Bradyᅠ
202-225-5524
Rep. Al Greenᅠ
202-225-2947
Rep. Michael McCaulᅠ
202-225-5955
Rep. Mike Conawayᅠ
202-225-1783
Rep. Kay Grangerᅠ
202-225-5683
Rep. "Mac" Thornberryᅠ
202-225-3486
Rep. Ron Paulᅠ
202-226-6553
Rep. Ruben Hinojosaᅠ
202-225-5688
Rep. Silvestre Reyesᅠ
202-225-2016
Rep. Chet Edwardsᅠ
202-225-2234
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Leeᅠ
202-225-3317
Rep. Randy Neugebauerᅠ
202-225-9615
Rep. Charles Gonzalezᅠ
202-225-1915
Rep. Lamar Smithᅠ
202-225-8628
Rep. Pete Olsonᅠ
202-225-5241
Rep. Ciro Rodriguezᅠ
202-225-2237
Rep. Kenny Marchantᅠ
202-225-0074
Rep. Lloyd Doggettᅠ
202-225-2947
Rep. Michael Burgessᅠ
202-225-2919
Rep. Solomon Ortizᅠ
202-226-1134
Rep. Enrique Cuellarᅠ
202-225-1641
Rep. Gene Greenᅠ
202-225-9903
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnsonᅠ
202-226-1477
Rep. John Carterᅠ
202-225-5886
Rep. Pete Sessionsᅠ
202-225-5878
Sen. Robert F. Bennettᅠ
202-228-1168
Sen. Orrin G. Hatchᅠ
202-224-6331
Rep. Rob Bishopᅠ
202-225-5857
Rep. Jim Mathesonᅠ
202-225-5638
Rep. Chris Cannonᅠ
202-225-5629
Sen. Bernie Sandersᅠ
202-228-0776
Sen. Patrick J. Leahyᅠ
202-224-3479
Rep. Peter Welchᅠ
202-225-6790
Sen. Jim Webbᅠ
202-228-6363
Sen. Mark Warnerᅠ
202-224-6295
Rep. Robert Wittmanᅠ
202-225-4382
Rep. Glen Nyeᅠ
202-225-4218
Rep. Robert Scottᅠ
202-225-8354
Rep. Randy Forbesᅠ
202-226-1170
Rep. Thomas Perrielloᅠ
202-225-5681
Rep. Bob Goodlatteᅠ
202-225-9681
Rep. Eric Cantorᅠ
202-225-0011
Rep. Jim Moranᅠ
202-225-0017
Rep. Rick Boucherᅠ
202-225-0442
Rep. Frank Wolfᅠ
202-225-0437
Rep. Gerald Connollyᅠ
202-225-3071
Sen. Maria Cantwellᅠ
202-228-0514
Sen. Patty Murrayᅠ
202-224-0238
Rep. Jay Insleeᅠ
202-226-1606
Rep. Rick Larsenᅠ
202-225-4420
Rep. Brian Bairdᅠ
202-225-3478
Rep. Doc Hastingsᅠ
202-225-3251
Rep. Cathy McMorrisᅠ
202-225-3392
Rep. Norman Dicksᅠ
202-226-1176
Rep. Jim McDermottᅠ
202-225-6197
Rep. Dave Reichertᅠ
202-225-4282
Rep. Adam Smithᅠ
202-225-5893
Sen. Robert C. Byrdᅠ
202-228-0002
Sen. John D. Rockefeller, IVᅠ
202-224-7665
Rep. Alan Mollohanᅠ
202-225-7564
Rep. Shelley Capitoᅠ
202-225-7856
Rep. Nick Rahallᅠ
202-225-9061
Sen. Russell D. Feingoldᅠ
202-224-2725
Sen. Herb Kohlᅠ
202-224-9787
Rep. Paul Ryanᅠ
202-225-3393
Rep. Tammy Baldwinᅠ
202-225-6942
Rep. Ron Kindᅠ
202-225-5739
Rep. Gwen Mooreᅠ
202-225-8135
Rep. James Sensenbrennerᅠ
202-225-3190
Rep. Tom Petriᅠ
202-225-2356
Rep. David Obeyᅠ
715-842-4488
Rep. Steve Kaganᅠ
202-225-5729
Sen. Mike Enziᅠ
202-228-0359ᅠ
Sen. John Barrassoᅠ
202-224-1724
Rep. Barbara Cubinᅠ
202-225-3057
Delegate Eni Faleomavaegaᅠ
202-225-8757
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Nortonᅠ
202-225-3002
Delegate Madeilene Bordalloᅠ
202-226-0341
Delegate Pedro Pierluisiᅠ
202-225-2154
Delegate Donna Christensenᅠ
202-225-5517
.
Sen. Jeff Sessionsᅠ
202-224-3149
Sen. Richard C. Shelbyᅠ
202-224-3416
Rep. Jo Bonnerᅠ
202-225-0562
Rep. Bobby Brightᅠ
202-225-8913
Rep. Michael Rogersᅠ
202-226-8485ᅠ
Rep. Robert Aderholtᅠ
202-225-5587
Rep. Parker Griffithᅠ
202-225-4392
Rep. Spencer Bachusᅠ
202-225-2082
Rep. Artur Davisᅠ
202-226-9567
Sen. Lisa Murkowskiᅠ
202-224-5301
Sen. Mark Begichᅠ
202-224-2354
Rep. Don Youngᅠ
202-225-0425
Sen. Jon Kyl.ᅠ
202-224-2207
Sen. John McCainᅠ
202-228-2862
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrickᅠ
202-226-9739
Rep. Trent Franksᅠ
202-225-6328
Rep. John Shadeggᅠ
202-225-3462
Rep. Ed Pastorᅠ
202-225-1655
Rep. Harry Mitchellᅠ
202-225-3263
Rep. Jeff Flakeᅠ
202-226-4386
Rep. Raul Grijalvaᅠ
202-225-1541
Rep. Gabrielle Giffordsᅠ
202-225-0378
Sen. Blanche Lincolnᅠ
202-228-1371
Sen. Mark Pryorᅠ
202-228-0908ᅠ
Rep. Marion Berryᅠ
202-225-5602
Rep. Vic Snyderᅠ
202-225-5903
Rep. John Boozemanᅠ
202-225-5713
Rep. Mike Rossᅠ
202-225-1314
Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggerᅠ
916-558-3160
Sen. Barbara Boxerᅠ
415-956-6701
Sen. Dianne Feinsteinᅠ
202-228-3954
Rep. Mike Thompsonᅠ
202-225-4335
Rep. Wally Hergerᅠ
202-225-1740
Rep. Dan Lungrenᅠ
202-226-1298
Rep. Tom McClintockᅠ
202-225-5444
Rep. Doris Matsuiᅠ
202-225-0566
Rep. Lynn Woolseyᅠ
202-225-5163
Rep. George Millerᅠ
202-225-5609
Rep. Nancy Pelosiᅠ
202-225-8259
Rep. Barbara Leeᅠ
202-225-9817
Rep. Jerry McNerneyᅠ
202-226-0861
Rep.ᅠJackie Speierᅠ
202-226-4183
Rep. Pete Starkᅠ
202-226-3805
Rep. Anna Eshooᅠ
202-225-8890
Rep. Mike Hondaᅠ
202-225-2699
Rep. Zoe Lofgrenᅠ
202-225-3336
Rep. Sam Farrᅠ
202-225-6791
Rep. Dennis Cardozaᅠ
202-225-0819ᅠ
Rep. George Radanovichᅠ
202-225-3402
Rep. Jim Costaᅠ
202-225-9308
Rep. Devin Nunesᅠ
202-225-3404
Rep. Kevin McCarthyᅠ
202-225-8798
Rep. Lois Cappsᅠ
202-225-5632
Rep. Elton Galleglyᅠ
202-225-1100
Rep. Howard McKeonᅠ
202-225-0683
Rep. David Dreierᅠ
202-225-7018
Rep. Brad Shermanᅠ
202-225-5879
Rep. Howard Bermanᅠ
202-225-3196
Rep. Adam Schiffᅠ
202-225-5828
Rep. Henry Waxmanᅠ
202-225-4099
Rep. Xavier Becerraᅠ
202-225-2202
Rep. Diane Watsonᅠ
202-225-2422
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allardᅠ
202-226-0350
Rep. Maxine Watersᅠ
202-225-7854
Rep. Jane Harmanᅠ
202-226-7290
Rep. Laura Richardsonᅠ
202-225-7926
Rep. Grace Napolitanoᅠ
202-225-0027
Rep. Linda Sanchezᅠ
202-225-5859ᅠ
Rep. Ed Royceᅠ
202-226-0335
Rep. Jerry Lewisᅠ
202-225-6498
Rep. Gary Millerᅠ
202-226-6962
Rep. Joe Bacaᅠ
202-225-8671
Rep. Ken Calvertᅠ
202-225-2004
Rep. Mary Bonoᅠ
202-225-2961
Rep. Dana Rohrabacherᅠ
202-225-0145
Rep. Loretta Sanchezᅠ
202-225-5859
Rep. John Campbellᅠ
202-225-9177
Rep. Darrell Issaᅠ
202-225-3303
Rep. Brian Bilbrayᅠ
202-225-2558
Rep. Bob Filnerᅠ
202-225-9073
Rep. Duncan Hunterᅠ
202-225-0235
Rep. Susan Davisᅠ
202-225-2948
Sen. Mark Udallᅠ
202-224-6471
Sen. Michael Bennetᅠ
202-224-1933
Rep. Diana DeGetteᅠ
202-225-5657
Rep. Jared Polisᅠ
202-226-7840
Rep. John Salazarᅠ
202-226-9669
Rep. Betsy Markeyᅠ
202-225-5870
Rep. Doug Lambornᅠ
202-225-1942
Rep. Mike Coffmanᅠ
202-226-4623
Rep. Ed Perlmutterᅠ
202-225-5278
Sen. Christopher Doddᅠ
202-224-1083
Sen. Joseph Liebermanᅠ
202-224-9750
Rep. John Larsonᅠ
202-225-1031
Rep. Joe Courtneyᅠ
202-225-4977
Rep. Rosa DeLauroᅠ
202-225-4890
Rep. Jim Himesᅠ
202-225-9629
Rep. Chris Murphyᅠ
202-225-4488
Sen. Tom Carperᅠ
202-228-2190
Rep. Michael Castleᅠ
202-225-2291
Sen. Mel Martinezᅠ
202-224-2237
Sen. Bill Nelsonᅠ
202-228-2183
Rep. Jeff Millerᅠ
202-225-3414
Rep. F. Allen Boydᅠ
202-225-5615
Rep. Corrine Brownᅠ
202-225-2256
Rep. Ander Crenshawᅠ
202-225-2504
Rep. Virginia Brown-Waiteᅠ
202-226-6559ᅠ
Rep. Cliff Stearnsᅠ
202-225-3973
Rep. John Micaᅠ
202-226-0821
Rep. Alan Graysonᅠ
202-225-0999
Rep. Gus Bilirakisᅠ
202-225-4085
Rep. Bill Youngᅠ
202-225-9764
Rep. Kathy Castorᅠ
202-225-5652
Rep. Adam Putnamᅠ
202-225-0585
Rep. Vern Buchananᅠ
202-226-0828
Rep. Connie Mackᅠ
202-225-6820
Rep. Bill Poseyᅠ
202-225-3516
Rep. Tom Rooneyᅠ
202-225-3132
Rep. Kendrick Meekᅠ
202-226-0777
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinenᅠ
202-225-5620
Rep. Robert Wexlerᅠ
202-225-5974
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultzᅠ
202-225-8456
Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balartᅠ
202-225-8576
Rep. Ron Kleinᅠ
202-225-8398
Rep. Alcee Hastingsᅠ
202-225-1171
Rep. Suzanne Kosmasᅠ
202-226-6299
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balartᅠ
202-226-0346
Sen. Saxby Chamblisᅠ
202-224-0103ᅠ
Sen. Johnny Isaksonᅠ
202-228-2090
Rep. Jack Kingstonᅠ
202-226-2269
Rep. Sanford Bishopᅠ
202-225-2203
Rep. Lynn Westmorelandᅠ
202-225-3013ᅠ
Rep. Hank Johnsonᅠ
202-226-0691ᅠ
Rep. John Lewisᅠ
202-225-0351
Rep. Thomas Priceᅠ
202-225-4656
Rep. John Linderᅠ
202-225-4696
Rep. Jim Marshallᅠ
202-225-2515
Rep. Nathan Dealᅠ
202-225-5995
Rep. Paul Brounᅠ
202-225-8272
Rep. Phil Gingreyᅠ
202-225-2944ᅠ
Rep. John Barrowᅠ
202-225-3377
Rep. David Scottᅠ
202-225-4628
Sen. Daniel K. Akakaᅠ
202-224-2126
Sen. Daniel K. Inouyeᅠ
202-224-6747
Rep. Neil Abercrombieᅠ
202-225-4580
Rep. Mazie Hironoᅠ
202-225-4987
Sen. James Rischᅠ
202-228-1067
Sen. Michael Crapoᅠ
202-228-1375
Rep. Walt Minnickᅠ
202-225-3029
Rep. Michael Simpsonᅠ
202-225-8216
Sen. Dick Durbinᅠ
202-228-0400ᅠ
Sen. Roland Burrisᅠ
202-228-5417ᅠ
Rep. Bobby Rushᅠ
202-226-0333ᅠ
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.ᅠ
202-225-0899ᅠ
Rep. Daniel Lipinskiᅠ
202-225-1012ᅠ
Rep. Luis Gutirrezᅠ
202-225-7810ᅠ
Rep. Mike Quigleyᅠ
202-225-5603ᅠ
Rep. Peter Roskamᅠ
202-225-1166ᅠ
Rep. Danny Davisᅠ
202-225-5641ᅠ
Rep. Melissa Beanᅠ
202-225-7830ᅠ
Rep. Janice Schakowskyᅠ
202-226-6890ᅠ
Rep. Mark Kirkᅠ
202-225-0837ᅠ
Rep. Deborah Halvorsonᅠ
202-225-3521ᅠ
Rep. Jerry Costelloᅠ
202-225-0285ᅠ
Rep. Judy Biggertᅠ
202-225-9420ᅠ
Rep. Bill Fosterᅠ
202-225-0697ᅠ
Rep. Timothy Johnsonᅠ
202-226-0791ᅠ
Rep. Donald Manzulloᅠ
202-225-5284ᅠ
Rep. Philip Hareᅠ
202-225-5396ᅠ
Rep. Aaron Schockᅠ
202-225-9249ᅠ
Rep. John Shimkusᅠ
202-225-5880
Sen. Evan Bayhᅠ
202-228-1377
Sen. Richard G. Lugarᅠ
202-228-0360
Rep. Peter Viscloskyᅠ
202-225-2493
Rep. Joe Donnellyᅠ
202-225-6798
Rep. Mark Souderᅠ
202-225-3479
Rep. Stephen Buyerᅠ
202-225-2267
Rep. Dan Burtonᅠ
202-225-0016
Rep. Mike Penceᅠ
202-225-3382
Rep. Andr? Carson?
202-225-5633
Rep. Brad Ellsworthᅠ
202-225-3284
Rep. Baron Hillᅠ
202-226-6866
Sen. Chuck Grassleyᅠ
202-224-6020
Sen. Tom Harkinᅠ
202-224-9369
Rep. Bruce Braleyᅠ
202-225-9129
Rep. David Loebsackᅠ
202-226-0757
Rep. Leonard Boswellᅠ
202-225-5608
Rep. Tom Lathamᅠ
202-225-3301
Rep. Steve Kingᅠ
202-225-3193
Sen. Sam Brownbackᅠ
202-228-1265
Sen. Pat Robertsᅠ
202-224-3514
Rep. Jerry Moranᅠ
202-225-5124
Rep. Lynn Jenkinsᅠ
202-225-7986
Rep. Dennis Mooreᅠ
202-225-2807
Rep. Todd Tiahrtᅠ
202-225-3489
Sen. Jim Bunningᅠ
202-228-1373
Sen. Mitch McConnellᅠ
202-224-2499
Rep. Ed Whitfieldᅠ
202-225-3547
Rep. Ron Lewisᅠ
202-225-3501
Rep. John Yarmuthᅠ
202-225-5776
Rep. Geoff Davisᅠ
202-225-0003
Rep. Harold Rogersᅠ
202-225-0940
Rep. Ben Chandlerᅠ
202-225-2122
Sen. Mary Landrieuᅠ
202-224-9735
Sen.ᅠDavid Vitterᅠ
202-228-2577
Rep. Steve Scaliseᅠ
202-226-0386
Rep. William Jeffersonᅠ
202-225-1988
Rep. Charlie Melanconᅠ
202-226-3944
Rep. Jim McCreryᅠ
202-225-8039
Rep. Rodney Alexanderᅠ
202-225-5639ᅠ
Rep. Charles Boustanyᅠ
202-225-5724
Sen. Susan Collinsᅠ
202-224-2693
Sen. Olympia Snoweᅠ
202-224-1946
Rep. Tom Allenᅠ
202-225-5590
Rep. Michael Michaudᅠ
202-225-2943
Sen. Benjamin Cardinᅠ
202-224-1651
Sen. Barbara Mikulskiᅠ
202-224-8858
Rep. Wayne Gilchrestᅠ
202-225-0254
Rep. C. "Dutch" Ruppersbergerᅠ
202-225-3094ᅠ
Rep. John Sarbanesᅠ
202-225-9219
Rep. Donna Edwardsᅠ
202-225-8714
Rep. Steny Hoyerᅠ
202-225-4300
Rep. Roscoe Bartlettᅠ
202-225-2193
Rep. Elijah Cummingsᅠ
202-225-3178
Rep. Chris Van Hollenᅠ
202-225-0375
Gov. Deval Patrickᅠ
202-624-7714
Sen. Edward M. Kennedyᅠ
202-224-2417
Sen. John Kerryᅠ
202-224-8525
Rep. John Olverᅠ
202-226-1224
Rep. Richard Nealᅠ
202-225-8112
Rep. Jim McGovernᅠ
202-225-5759
Rep. Barney Frankᅠ
202-225-0182
Rep. Niki Tsongasᅠ
202-226-0771
Rep. John Tierneyᅠ
202-225-5915
Rep. Edward Markeyᅠ
202-226-0092
Rep. Michael Capuanoᅠ
202-225-9322
Rep. Stephen Lynchᅠ
202-225-3984
Rep. William Delahuntᅠ
202-225-5658
Gov. Jennifer Granholmᅠ
517-335-6863
Sen. Carl Levinᅠ
202-224-1388
Sen. Debbie Stabenowᅠ
202-228-0325
Rep. Bart Stupakᅠ
202-225-4744
Rep. Peter Hoekstraᅠ
202-226-0779
Rep. Vernon Ehlersᅠ
202-225-5144
Rep. David Campᅠ
202-225-9679
Rep. Dale Kildeeᅠ
202-225-6393
Rep. Fred Uptonᅠ
202-225-4986
Rep. Mark Schauerᅠ
202-225-6281
Rep. Mike Rogersᅠ
202-225-5820
Rep. Gary Petersᅠ
202-226-2356
Rep. Candice Millerᅠ
202-226-1169
Rep. Thad McCotterᅠ
202-225-2667
Rep. Sander Levinᅠ
202-226-1033
Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrickᅠ
202-225-5730
Rep. John Conyersᅠ
202-225-0072
Rep. John Dingellᅠ
202-226-0371
Sen. Amy Klobucharᅠ
202-228-2186
Sen. Al Franken
202-224-1152
Rep. Tim Walzᅠ
202-225-3433
Rep. John Klineᅠ
202-225-2595
Rep. Erik Paulsenᅠ
202-225-6351
Rep. Betty McCollumᅠ
202-225-1968
Rep. Keith Ellisonᅠ
202-225-4886
Rep. Michelle Bachmanᅠ
202-225-6475
Rep. Collin Petersonᅠ
202-225-1593
Rep. James Oberstarᅠ
202-225-6211
Sen. Thad Cochranᅠ
202-224-9450
Sen. Roger Wickerᅠ
202-228-0378
Rep. Travis Childersᅠ
662-844-5437
Rep. Bennie Thompsonᅠ
202-225-5898
Rep. Gregg Harperᅠ
202-225-5797
Rep. Gene Taylorᅠ
202-225-7074
Sen. Kit Bondᅠ
202-224-8149
Sen. Claire McCaskillᅠ
202-228-6326
Rep. William Clay, Jr.
202-226-3717
Rep. Todd Akinᅠ
202-225-2563
Rep. Russ Carnahanᅠ
202-225-7452
Rep. Ike Skeltonᅠ
202-225-2876
Rep. Emanuel Cleaverᅠ
202-225-4403
Rep. Sam Gravesᅠ
202-225-8221
Rep. Roy Bluntᅠ
202-225-5604
Rep. Jo Ann Emersonᅠ
202-226-0326
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyerᅠ
202-225-5712
Sen. Max Baucusᅠ
202-224-9412
Sen. Jon Testerᅠ
202-224-8594
Rep. Dennis Rehbergᅠ
202-225-5687
Gov. Dave Heinemanᅠ
402-471-6031
Sen. Mike Johannsᅠ
202-224-5213
Sen. Ben Nelsonᅠ
202-228-0012
Rep. Jeff Fortenberryᅠ
202-225-5686
Rep. Lee Terryᅠ
202-226-5452
Rep. Adrian Smithᅠ
202-225-0207
Sen. John Ensignᅠ
202-228-2193
Sen. Harry Reidᅠ
202-224-7327
Rep. Shelley Berkleyᅠ
202-225-3119
Rep. Dean Hellerᅠ
202-225-5679
Rep. Dina Titusᅠ
202-225-2185
Sen. Judd Greggᅠ
202-224-4952
Sen. Jeanne Shaheenᅠ
202-228-4131
Rep. Carol Shea-Porterᅠ
202-225-5822
Rep. Paul Hodesᅠ
202-225-2946
Sen. Robert Menendezᅠ
202-228-2197
Sen. Frank Lautenbergᅠ
202-228-4054
Rep. Robert Andrewsᅠ
202-225-6583
Rep. Frank LoBiondoᅠ
202-225-3318
Rep. John Alderᅠ
202-225-0778
Rep. Christopher Smithᅠ
202-225-7768
Rep. Scott Garrettᅠ
202-225-9048
Rep. Frank Palloneᅠ
202-225-9665
Rep. Leonard Lanceᅠ
202-225-9460
Rep. William Pascrellᅠ
202-225-5751
Rep. Steven Rothmanᅠ
202-225-5851
Rep. Donald Payneᅠ
202-225-4160
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysenᅠ
202-225-3186
Rep. Rush Holtᅠ
202-225-6025
Rep. Albio Siresᅠ
202-226-0792
Sen. Jeff Bingamanᅠ
202-224-2852
Sen. Tom Udallᅠ
202-228-3261
Rep. Martin Heinrich
202-225-4975
Rep. Harry Teagueᅠ
202-225-9599
Rep. Ben Lujanᅠ
202-226-1528
Sen. Charles Schumerᅠ
202-228-3027
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrandᅠ
202-228-0282
Rep. Tim Bishopᅠ
202-225-3143
Rep. Steven Israelᅠ
202-225-4669
Rep. Peter Kingᅠ
202-226-2279
Rep. Carolyn McCarthyᅠ
202-225-5758
Rep. Gary Ackermanᅠ
202-225-1589
Rep. Gregory Meeksᅠ
202-226-4169
Rep. Joseph Crowleyᅠ
202-225-1909
Rep. Jerrold Nadlerᅠ
202-225-6923
Rep. Anthony Weinerᅠ
202-226-7243
Rep. Edolphus Townsᅠ
202-225-1018
Rep. Yvette Clarkeᅠ
202-226-0112
Rep. Nydia Velazquezᅠ
202-226-0327
Rep. Michael McMahonᅠ
202-225-1272
Rep. Carolyn Maloneyᅠ
202-225-4709
Rep. Charles Rangelᅠ
202-226-0816ᅠ
Rep. Jose Serranoᅠ
202-225-6001
Rep. Eliot Engelᅠ
202-225-5513
Rep. Nita Loweyᅠ
202-225-0546
Rep. John Hallᅠ
202-225-3289
Rep. Scott Murphyᅠ
202-225-1168
Rep. Paul Tonkoᅠ
202-225-5077
Rep. Maurice Hincheyᅠ
202-226-0774
Rep. John McHughᅠ
202-226-0621
Rep. Michael Arcuriᅠ
202-225-1891
Rep. Dan Maffeiᅠ
202-225-4042
Rep. Christopher Leeᅠ
202-225-5910
Rep. Brian Higginsᅠ
202-226-0347
Rep. Louise Slaughterᅠ
202-225-7822
Rep. Eric Massaᅠ
202-226-6599
Sen. Richard Burrᅠ
202-228-2981
Sen. Kay Haganᅠ
202-224-1100
Rep. G.K. Butterfieldᅠ
202-225-3354
Rep. Bob Etheridgeᅠ
202-225-5662
Rep. Walter Jonesᅠ
202-225-3286
Rep. David Priceᅠ
202-225-2014
Rep. Virginia Foxxᅠ
202-225-2995
Rep. Howard Cobleᅠ
202-225-8611
Rep. Mike McIntyreᅠ
202-225-5773
Rep. Larry Kisselᅠ
202-225-4036
Rep. Sue Myrickᅠ
202-225-3389
Rep. Patrick McHenryᅠ
202-225-0316
Rep. Heath Shulerᅠ
202-226-6422
Rep. Melvin Wattᅠ
202-225-1512
Rep. Brad Millerᅠ
202-225-0181
Sen. Kent Conradᅠ
202-224-7776
Sen. Byron L. Dorganᅠ
202-224-1193
Rep. Earl Pomeroyᅠ
202-226-0893
Sen. Sherrod Brownᅠ
202-224-6519
Sen. George Voinovichᅠ
202-228-1382
Rep. Steve Chabotᅠ
202-225-3012
Rep. Jean Schmidtᅠ
202-225-1992
Rep. Michael Turnerᅠ
202-226-1443
Rep. Jim Jordanᅠ
202-226-0577
Rep. Bob Lattaᅠ
202-225-1985ᅠ
Rep. Charlie Wilsonᅠ
202-225-5907
Rep. David Hobsonᅠ
202-225-1984
Rep. John Boehnerᅠ
202-225-0704
Rep. Marcy Kapturᅠ
202-225-7711
Rep. Dennis Kucinichᅠ
202-225-5745
Rep. Marcia Fudgeᅠ
202-225-1339
Rep. Pat Tiberiᅠ
202-226-4523
Rep. Betty Suttonᅠ
202-225-2266
Rep. Steven LaTouretteᅠ
202-225-3307
Rep. Deborah Pryceᅠ
202-225-3529
Rep. Ralph Regulaᅠ
202-225-3059
Rep. Tim Ryanᅠ
202-225-3719
Rep. Zack Spaceᅠ
202-225-3394
Gov. Brad Henryᅠ
405-521-3353
Sen. James Inhofeᅠ
202-228-0380
Sen. Tom Coburnᅠ
202-224-6008
Rep. John Sullivanᅠ
202 225-9187
Rep. Dan Borenᅠ
202-225-3038
Rep. Frank Lucasᅠ
202-225-8698
Rep. Tom Coleᅠ
202-225-3512
Rep. Mary Fallinᅠ
202-226-1463
Sen. Jeff Merkleyᅠ
202-228-3997
Sen. Ron Wydenᅠ
202-228-2717
Rep. David Wuᅠ
202-225-9497
Rep. Greg Waldenᅠ
202-225-5774
Rep. Earl Blumenauerᅠ
202-225-8941
Rep. Peter DeFazioᅠ
202-225-0032
Rep. Darlene Hooleyᅠ
202-225-5699
Sen. Robert Casey, Jr.ᅠ
202-228-0604
Sen. Arlen Specterᅠ
202-228-1229
Rep. Robert Bradyᅠ
202-225-0088
Rep. Chaka Fattahᅠ
202-225-5392
Rep. Kathy Dahlkemperᅠ
202-225-3103
Rep. Jason Altmireᅠ
202-226-2274
Rep. John Petersonᅠ
202-225-5796
Rep. Jim Gerlachᅠ
202-225-8440
Rep. Joe Sestakᅠ
202-225-0280
Rep. Patrick Murphyᅠ
202-225-9511
Rep. Bill Shusterᅠ
202-225-2486
Rep. Chris Carneyᅠ
202-225-9594
Rep. Paul Kanjorskiᅠ
202-225-0764
Rep. John Murthaᅠ
202-225-5709
Rep. Allyson Schwartzᅠ
202-226-0611
Rep. Michael Doyleᅠ
202-225-3084
Rep. Charlie Dentᅠ
202-226-0778
Rep. Joseph Pittsᅠ
202-225-2013
Rep. Tim Holdenᅠ
202-226-0996
Rep. Tim Murphyᅠ
202-225-1844
Rep. Todd Plattsᅠ
202-226-1000
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouseᅠ
202-228-2853
Sen. Jack Reedᅠ
202-224-4680
Rep. Patrick Kennedyᅠ
202-225-3290
Rep. James Langevinᅠ
202-225-5976
Sen. Jim DeMintᅠ
202-228-5143
Sen. Lindsey Grahamᅠ
202-224-3808
Rep. Henry Brownᅠ
202-225-3407
Rep. Joe Wilsonᅠ
202-225-2455
Rep. Gresham Barrettᅠ
202-225-3216
Rep. Bob Inglisᅠ
202-226-1177
Rep. John Sprattᅠ
202-225-0464
Rep. James Clyburnᅠ
202-225-2313
Sen. John Thuneᅠ
202-228-5429
Sen. Tim Johnsonᅠ
202-228-5765
Rep. Stephanie Hersethᅠ
202-225-5823
Sen. Bob Corkerᅠ
202-228-1264
Sen. Lamar Alexanderᅠ
202-228-3398
Rep. Phil Roeᅠ
202-225-5714
Rep. John Duncan, Jr.ᅠ
202-225-6440
Rep. Zach Wampᅠ
202-225-3494
Rep. Lincoln Davisᅠ
202-226-5172
Rep. Jim Cooperᅠ
202-226-1035
Rep. Bart Gordonᅠ
202-225-6887
Rep. Marsha Blackburnᅠ
202-225-3004
Rep. John Tannerᅠ
202-225-1765
Rep. Steve Cohenᅠ
202-225-5663
Sen. John Cornynᅠ
202-228-2856
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchisonᅠ
202-224-0776
Rep. Louis Gohmertᅠ
202-225-5866
Rep. Ted Poeᅠ
202-225-5547
Rep. Sam Johnsonᅠ
202-225-1485
Rep. Ralph Hallᅠ
202-225-3332ᅠ
Rep. Jeb Hensarlingᅠ
202-226-4888
Rep. Joe Bartonᅠ
202-225-3052
Rep. John Culbersonᅠ
202-225-4381
Rep. Kevin Bradyᅠ
202-225-5524
Rep. Al Greenᅠ
202-225-2947
Rep. Michael McCaulᅠ
202-225-5955
Rep. Mike Conawayᅠ
202-225-1783
Rep. Kay Grangerᅠ
202-225-5683
Rep. "Mac" Thornberryᅠ
202-225-3486
Rep. Ron Paulᅠ
202-226-6553
Rep. Ruben Hinojosaᅠ
202-225-5688
Rep. Silvestre Reyesᅠ
202-225-2016
Rep. Chet Edwardsᅠ
202-225-2234
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Leeᅠ
202-225-3317
Rep. Randy Neugebauerᅠ
202-225-9615
Rep. Charles Gonzalezᅠ
202-225-1915
Rep. Lamar Smithᅠ
202-225-8628
Rep. Pete Olsonᅠ
202-225-5241
Rep. Ciro Rodriguezᅠ
202-225-2237
Rep. Kenny Marchantᅠ
202-225-0074
Rep. Lloyd Doggettᅠ
202-225-2947
Rep. Michael Burgessᅠ
202-225-2919
Rep. Solomon Ortizᅠ
202-226-1134
Rep. Enrique Cuellarᅠ
202-225-1641
Rep. Gene Greenᅠ
202-225-9903
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnsonᅠ
202-226-1477
Rep. John Carterᅠ
202-225-5886
Rep. Pete Sessionsᅠ
202-225-5878
Sen. Robert F. Bennettᅠ
202-228-1168
Sen. Orrin G. Hatchᅠ
202-224-6331
Rep. Rob Bishopᅠ
202-225-5857
Rep. Jim Mathesonᅠ
202-225-5638
Rep. Chris Cannonᅠ
202-225-5629
Sen. Bernie Sandersᅠ
202-228-0776
Sen. Patrick J. Leahyᅠ
202-224-3479
Rep. Peter Welchᅠ
202-225-6790
Sen. Jim Webbᅠ
202-228-6363
Sen. Mark Warnerᅠ
202-224-6295
Rep. Robert Wittmanᅠ
202-225-4382
Rep. Glen Nyeᅠ
202-225-4218
Rep. Robert Scottᅠ
202-225-8354
Rep. Randy Forbesᅠ
202-226-1170
Rep. Thomas Perrielloᅠ
202-225-5681
Rep. Bob Goodlatteᅠ
202-225-9681
Rep. Eric Cantorᅠ
202-225-0011
Rep. Jim Moranᅠ
202-225-0017
Rep. Rick Boucherᅠ
202-225-0442
Rep. Frank Wolfᅠ
202-225-0437
Rep. Gerald Connollyᅠ
202-225-3071
Sen. Maria Cantwellᅠ
202-228-0514
Sen. Patty Murrayᅠ
202-224-0238
Rep. Jay Insleeᅠ
202-226-1606
Rep. Rick Larsenᅠ
202-225-4420
Rep. Brian Bairdᅠ
202-225-3478
Rep. Doc Hastingsᅠ
202-225-3251
Rep. Cathy McMorrisᅠ
202-225-3392
Rep. Norman Dicksᅠ
202-226-1176
Rep. Jim McDermottᅠ
202-225-6197
Rep. Dave Reichertᅠ
202-225-4282
Rep. Adam Smithᅠ
202-225-5893
Sen. Robert C. Byrdᅠ
202-228-0002
Sen. John D. Rockefeller, IVᅠ
202-224-7665
Rep. Alan Mollohanᅠ
202-225-7564
Rep. Shelley Capitoᅠ
202-225-7856
Rep. Nick Rahallᅠ
202-225-9061
Sen. Russell D. Feingoldᅠ
202-224-2725
Sen. Herb Kohlᅠ
202-224-9787
Rep. Paul Ryanᅠ
202-225-3393
Rep. Tammy Baldwinᅠ
202-225-6942
Rep. Ron Kindᅠ
202-225-5739
Rep. Gwen Mooreᅠ
202-225-8135
Rep. James Sensenbrennerᅠ
202-225-3190
Rep. Tom Petriᅠ
202-225-2356
Rep. David Obeyᅠ
715-842-4488
Rep. Steve Kaganᅠ
202-225-5729
Sen. Mike Enziᅠ
202-228-0359ᅠ
Sen. John Barrassoᅠ
202-224-1724
Rep. Barbara Cubinᅠ
202-225-3057
Delegate Eni Faleomavaegaᅠ
202-225-8757
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Nortonᅠ
202-225-3002
Delegate Madeilene Bordalloᅠ
202-226-0341
Delegate Pedro Pierluisiᅠ
202-225-2154
Delegate Donna Christensenᅠ
202-225-5517
.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saddened But Not Shocked: The Death of Amy Winehouse
While the weekend death of 27 year old singer Amy Winehouse has left many folks saddened and distressed, it has left few actually surprised. In fact, it seems like our world has been filled with celebrities young and old who seem clearly on a path to self-destruction and there is little the public, let alone their family, can do to stop this freight-train of personal ruin. When this devastating path leads from bottle to pills to grave, leaving only misery in its wake, the world grieves not just the loss of a young life but the vision of what may have been given the great talent involved.
What sort of cautionary tale is this for the likes of Lindsey Lohan or Charlie Sheen, who seem to be also wallowing in behavior that at best reeks of poor judgment and at worst is plain dangerous? The sad truth is that they will learn nothing. Amy Winehouse follows Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Heath Ledger, John Belushi, Jim Morrison, Chris Farley, Jimi Hendrix, River Phoenix and far too many more to name in one short blog posting. If Amy did not learn from Kurt who failed to learn from John who did not learn from Jimi, then any celebrity currently battling their own addictions will not learn from her. There is a pathology to the way that celebrities view themselves and the world that leaves them impervious to lessons that seem all too obvious to the rest of us.
The death of Amy Winehouse is tragic beyond belief, but she has been on the short list of celebrities-who-will-die-too-soon for quite some time. Once someone has committed themselves to prescribing their own death via drinking and/or drugs, there is little that anyone else can do to alter that pathway. I am sure that Ms. Winehouse’s parents, extended family, close friends and professional management team have begged her to change her ways. They have likely cried more tears than we can imagine and mentally prepared for her funeral hundreds of times. None of this changed the way she lived and none of this altered the timeline for her death. She needed help in the most desperate way and could not claw her way towards health, as the draw of the addiction was stronger than anything she had in her spiritual or emotional arsenal.
A picture was released in 2007 of Amy Winehouse wandering in the streets of London, wearing only a bra and jeans. She is disoriented, confused, out of control and appears nothing short of desperate. The camera catches her raising her hands as if to surrender and she is naked both physically and emotionally. It is a scene of desperation and one that speaks to her complete helplessness over the addiction that had consumed her very existence. It is, in a word, sad.
RIP Amy Winehouse.
What sort of cautionary tale is this for the likes of Lindsey Lohan or Charlie Sheen, who seem to be also wallowing in behavior that at best reeks of poor judgment and at worst is plain dangerous? The sad truth is that they will learn nothing. Amy Winehouse follows Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Heath Ledger, John Belushi, Jim Morrison, Chris Farley, Jimi Hendrix, River Phoenix and far too many more to name in one short blog posting. If Amy did not learn from Kurt who failed to learn from John who did not learn from Jimi, then any celebrity currently battling their own addictions will not learn from her. There is a pathology to the way that celebrities view themselves and the world that leaves them impervious to lessons that seem all too obvious to the rest of us.
The death of Amy Winehouse is tragic beyond belief, but she has been on the short list of celebrities-who-will-die-too-soon for quite some time. Once someone has committed themselves to prescribing their own death via drinking and/or drugs, there is little that anyone else can do to alter that pathway. I am sure that Ms. Winehouse’s parents, extended family, close friends and professional management team have begged her to change her ways. They have likely cried more tears than we can imagine and mentally prepared for her funeral hundreds of times. None of this changed the way she lived and none of this altered the timeline for her death. She needed help in the most desperate way and could not claw her way towards health, as the draw of the addiction was stronger than anything she had in her spiritual or emotional arsenal.
A picture was released in 2007 of Amy Winehouse wandering in the streets of London, wearing only a bra and jeans. She is disoriented, confused, out of control and appears nothing short of desperate. The camera catches her raising her hands as if to surrender and she is naked both physically and emotionally. It is a scene of desperation and one that speaks to her complete helplessness over the addiction that had consumed her very existence. It is, in a word, sad.
RIP Amy Winehouse.
Labels:
addiction,
alcoholism,
amy winehouse,
celebrity,
death,
drugs,
famous,
lindsey lohan,
self-destruction,
singer
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Real Price That Deadbeat Parents Pay
Many of the myths surrounding child support continue to shock and surprise me, even 16 years into my own process. As I peruse child support forums in preparation for this blog, and for my own information, there are several fairytales that persist. The most common one is this: The money I pay to my ex does not go to my kid. Every single time a parent paying $30 or $100 per week makes this allegation I am torn between laughing and screaming. The kids in question needs clothing, food, shelter, education, social activities, medical care, haircuts, new shoes, a blow dryer, eyeglasses, poster board for a school project, tights for a ballet performance, knee pads for soccer, money for a field trip, and more. You really believe your small amount is going to some other cause? Not a chance. In fact, your small amount does not even begin to impact the real expenses that the child incurs. There are costs you cannot even wrap your brain around, such as having to rent a 2 bedroom apartment for $1,000 versus a one bedroom at $800 because you have a child. Or, buying a home in a great school district for $325,000 versus one in a mediocre district for $275,000.
The fact of the matter is that the custodial parent has no choice in paying for these expenses, whether the non-custodial parent pays up or not. Can she go to the school and say “Sorry, can’t pay tuition until my ex pays me”? Can she tell the child, “Nope, no new eyeglasses until Daddy comes through”? No, the expenses need to be paid and the custodial parent just prays that the money comes through…eventually….someday. If there is such a concept of economic or fiscal abuse, this is it. And it is abuse that the custodial parent cannot walk away from.
Something I have heard hundreds of times in my own Child Support Journey is, “All you care about is money”. Funny, only folks that owe other people money say things like this. It is an attempt to make me look petty, superficial and shallow. It does not work and fails to affect me personally, because I know that whether the money is there or not I am still on the frontlines of parenting taking care of financial needs, emotional needs, academic needs, social needs and basic needs. I need to do that whether I have gotten $100 in the last month or $100 in the last year. My duties as a parent endure, even as the flow of money stops. The bottom line is this: The money matters.
Still, deadbeat parents do pay a price that is much higher than just the money piece. I have yet to talk to a deadbeat parent that has a close and loving relationship with their child. In fact, the older the child gets the more they realize the truth of the matter even as the custodial parent never says a word about her financial strain. In my own case, I never once spoke to my child about the money owed as I felt that this was a burden that a child does not need thrust upon their shoulders. On the other hand, I also never once withheld visitation in some nasty effort to punish my ex. My very wise divorce attorney told me early on that money and visitation are completely separate issues and that one has no bearing on the other. He also said that I should always do the right thing even as the other parent did the wrong thing, because if we ever end up back in court I will want to stand before the judge with clean hands. There were years where I got zero dollars even as my child visited his father nearly every weekend.
As Bradley matured, though, the truth of the matter became evident to him and he knew that a man that did not care for his child from a financial perspective did not care about him at all. The easy part is going to the park or the movies or riding bikes with your kid. The hard part is putting your child’s financial needs ahead of your own and saying to yourself, “Gee, I really need to get in shape and would love a gym membership, but my child needs braces”. Know how often a custodial parent that is owed money says such things to themselves? Daily.
Now, so many years later, my son has turned into an amazing young man ready to start college in six weeks. Two years ago he opted on his own and for very personal reasons to walk away from his father for good. And, he has never looked back. His biological father did not see him graduate from high school, will not see him graduate from college, will not see him marry, and will never know his grandchildren. He will never know the pain of sharing Bradley’s heartaches or the pure joy as he has fallen in love with a lovely young woman. He will not be there to help select a graduate school, fuss over buying the perfect first car or help straighten his tie for his first job interview.
He has sold all of this privilege, all of this honor, all of this blessing for five digits worth of past due support. What a shame for him.
The fact of the matter is that the custodial parent has no choice in paying for these expenses, whether the non-custodial parent pays up or not. Can she go to the school and say “Sorry, can’t pay tuition until my ex pays me”? Can she tell the child, “Nope, no new eyeglasses until Daddy comes through”? No, the expenses need to be paid and the custodial parent just prays that the money comes through…eventually….someday. If there is such a concept of economic or fiscal abuse, this is it. And it is abuse that the custodial parent cannot walk away from.
Something I have heard hundreds of times in my own Child Support Journey is, “All you care about is money”. Funny, only folks that owe other people money say things like this. It is an attempt to make me look petty, superficial and shallow. It does not work and fails to affect me personally, because I know that whether the money is there or not I am still on the frontlines of parenting taking care of financial needs, emotional needs, academic needs, social needs and basic needs. I need to do that whether I have gotten $100 in the last month or $100 in the last year. My duties as a parent endure, even as the flow of money stops. The bottom line is this: The money matters.
Still, deadbeat parents do pay a price that is much higher than just the money piece. I have yet to talk to a deadbeat parent that has a close and loving relationship with their child. In fact, the older the child gets the more they realize the truth of the matter even as the custodial parent never says a word about her financial strain. In my own case, I never once spoke to my child about the money owed as I felt that this was a burden that a child does not need thrust upon their shoulders. On the other hand, I also never once withheld visitation in some nasty effort to punish my ex. My very wise divorce attorney told me early on that money and visitation are completely separate issues and that one has no bearing on the other. He also said that I should always do the right thing even as the other parent did the wrong thing, because if we ever end up back in court I will want to stand before the judge with clean hands. There were years where I got zero dollars even as my child visited his father nearly every weekend.
As Bradley matured, though, the truth of the matter became evident to him and he knew that a man that did not care for his child from a financial perspective did not care about him at all. The easy part is going to the park or the movies or riding bikes with your kid. The hard part is putting your child’s financial needs ahead of your own and saying to yourself, “Gee, I really need to get in shape and would love a gym membership, but my child needs braces”. Know how often a custodial parent that is owed money says such things to themselves? Daily.
Now, so many years later, my son has turned into an amazing young man ready to start college in six weeks. Two years ago he opted on his own and for very personal reasons to walk away from his father for good. And, he has never looked back. His biological father did not see him graduate from high school, will not see him graduate from college, will not see him marry, and will never know his grandchildren. He will never know the pain of sharing Bradley’s heartaches or the pure joy as he has fallen in love with a lovely young woman. He will not be there to help select a graduate school, fuss over buying the perfect first car or help straighten his tie for his first job interview.
He has sold all of this privilege, all of this honor, all of this blessing for five digits worth of past due support. What a shame for him.
Labels:
child custody,
child support,
deadbeat dad,
deadbeat parent,
debt,
debtor,
divorce,
past due support,
visitation
Friday, July 8, 2011
A Broken Child Support System
I would like to preface this blog, and all related blogs to follow, by saying that I am not a child support collection expert. I am not an attorney, financial advisor or CPA. I am just a mother that desperately wants what is best for her children, including protecting their financial interests. I would also like to mention that the current support owed to me by my first husband is a staggering $70,000. Bear in mind that this is support only and does not include 50% of other owed expenses such as medical insurance, day care expenses, and school tuition. If we crunched those numbers, we would be closer to $100,000. The current order that is in place for this case, not that it seriously matters because the ex could care less, is a mere $70 per week. This means that if I started get support today…literally, today…that he would be all paid up sans any interest in 1,000 weeks. For those of you without a calculator handy, this is about 20 years. Yes, I will be collecting child support at the same time I am collecting Medicare. Even as I reflect on this, my stomach twists and turns in a maddening cocktail of rage, astonishment and pure helplessness.
While I live in Illinois, I also have experience with the child support system in both Ohio and Florida. However, it seems that Illinois is light-years behind many other states when it comes to child support enforcement and my case is no exception. I wonder at times if I am too lax in my approach or too patient in waiting for what is owed me. The fact of the matter is that it takes time, energy and money to pursue delinquent child support and I am short on all of those things. As a freelance writer, if I am not at home working on a project for a client then I do not get paid. I do not have the luxury of abandoning my work in pursuit of money that I know in my gut I may never receive.
In the last 6 months I have traveled four times more than 120 miles round-trip to the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, Illinois. This is nearly 500 miles and with gas nearing $4 per gallon I have spent $100 in order to get a zero net return. Obviously, this does not even include the money I could be making if I were at home for those hours actually making money. Yes, I would end up making more money if I simply stopped pursuing child support. How sickening is that?
My current husband, who is pragmatic almost to a fault, believes that I should simply wash my hands of the matter and if money floats our way, so be it. And if it does not, I will have saved myself money, endless tears and nonstop aggravation. He knows that this outstanding balance will never evaporate and that it will eventually catch up with the ex. He knows that in a thousand different ways our lives are more magnificent than the ex could even hope to imagine for himself. Of course, he is right. But let’s not tell him that….yet.
Because my case is being handled by the Illinois States Attorney’s office I am at their mercy regarding whether they actually act on my case. I cannot reach anyone by phone, by fax or by mail. For those who have never lived within the child support system, you probably imagine that as soon as a check is missing you can pick up the phone and say, “Well, he is late again. Please do something”. It simply does not work like that. In the 16 years that I have been dealing with this matter, I have stood before a judge a total of three times. The first time was six months ago when the ex asked for a reduction in support (granted). A reduction? Are you freaking kidding me? The second time was a month ago when the judge wanted (after I pleaded a bit previously) an update on the exes employment status. In that case, he never even showed up and so the case was continued until yesterday. Yes, read that again…he never even showed up to court. Surely something happens in that case, right? I mean, contempt or a fine or something? Nothing. I stood in front of the judge feeling as though my head was going to explode. It did not and I drove home with tears streaming down my cheeks.
There is so much to this case that I will continue nearly daily updates on this until either I get a bit of money or I finally take my husband’s advice to walk away from this frustrating journey. Stay tuned as tomorrow I will outline for you just what my ex is missing out on, when it comes to my amazing son and why my son has made his own choice to walk away from his biological father.
While I live in Illinois, I also have experience with the child support system in both Ohio and Florida. However, it seems that Illinois is light-years behind many other states when it comes to child support enforcement and my case is no exception. I wonder at times if I am too lax in my approach or too patient in waiting for what is owed me. The fact of the matter is that it takes time, energy and money to pursue delinquent child support and I am short on all of those things. As a freelance writer, if I am not at home working on a project for a client then I do not get paid. I do not have the luxury of abandoning my work in pursuit of money that I know in my gut I may never receive.
In the last 6 months I have traveled four times more than 120 miles round-trip to the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, Illinois. This is nearly 500 miles and with gas nearing $4 per gallon I have spent $100 in order to get a zero net return. Obviously, this does not even include the money I could be making if I were at home for those hours actually making money. Yes, I would end up making more money if I simply stopped pursuing child support. How sickening is that?
My current husband, who is pragmatic almost to a fault, believes that I should simply wash my hands of the matter and if money floats our way, so be it. And if it does not, I will have saved myself money, endless tears and nonstop aggravation. He knows that this outstanding balance will never evaporate and that it will eventually catch up with the ex. He knows that in a thousand different ways our lives are more magnificent than the ex could even hope to imagine for himself. Of course, he is right. But let’s not tell him that….yet.
Because my case is being handled by the Illinois States Attorney’s office I am at their mercy regarding whether they actually act on my case. I cannot reach anyone by phone, by fax or by mail. For those who have never lived within the child support system, you probably imagine that as soon as a check is missing you can pick up the phone and say, “Well, he is late again. Please do something”. It simply does not work like that. In the 16 years that I have been dealing with this matter, I have stood before a judge a total of three times. The first time was six months ago when the ex asked for a reduction in support (granted). A reduction? Are you freaking kidding me? The second time was a month ago when the judge wanted (after I pleaded a bit previously) an update on the exes employment status. In that case, he never even showed up and so the case was continued until yesterday. Yes, read that again…he never even showed up to court. Surely something happens in that case, right? I mean, contempt or a fine or something? Nothing. I stood in front of the judge feeling as though my head was going to explode. It did not and I drove home with tears streaming down my cheeks.
There is so much to this case that I will continue nearly daily updates on this until either I get a bit of money or I finally take my husband’s advice to walk away from this frustrating journey. Stay tuned as tomorrow I will outline for you just what my ex is missing out on, when it comes to my amazing son and why my son has made his own choice to walk away from his biological father.
Labels:
child support,
childhood,
court,
deadbeat dad,
delinquent,
divorce,
judge
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tips for Reducing Healthcare Expenses
Whether you have health insurance with your current employer or you are self-insured, there is no question that healthcare expenses are too much for the average household budget. In fact, according to a 2007 Harvard University study 62% of the personal bankruptcies that occur in the United States are due to unmanageable medical expenses. While this percentage has decreased a bit in the subsequent few years, it is still holding at greater than 50%. Because of this, folks are looking for ways to possibly reduce what they spend on healthcare for themselves and their family. Following are several great tips that may help you in keeping healthcare expenses low.
Insurance Via Your Employer
If you are employed and have insurance through your employer, you should request from your supervisor or Human Resources Department a full outline of all of your health insurance options. In some cases, employees are offered a variety of plans (HMO, PPO, POS) through the same insurance company. Given these three options, HMOs will nearly always end up being the most cost economical. While restrictions apply to HMOs, most people find that this plan more than satisfies all of their healthcare needs and is a plan that is very easy to work with. If you follow all of the rules of an HMO (e.g. obtaining referrals, staying in network, etc.), you will procure the maximum benefit levels allowed by the plan. In fact, you will likely have no out of pocket expense except for your copayment. If you do not have an HMO option via your employer sponsored plan, you should still consult with your plan administrator to determine if there is any way to reduce your monthly premium expense. For instance, if you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) you may be able to pay for your health insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars.
Adjusting Your Deductible
If you are self-employed or have retired early you may have to purchase your own health insurance plan without any employer assistance or subsidy. While you will not get the monetary enhancement that you would with an employer sponsored plan, you will have greater control over the expense and insurance options that you choose for your family. The primary way to keep your plan at a reasonable rate is to maintain a high but manageable deductible. If you are young or fairly healthy, this will prove to be a huge cost savings. For instance, the same insurance plan via a national insurance carrier will cost a 30 year old female $174 per month with a $1,000 annual deductible versus $56 per month with a $5,00 deductible. This is a cost savings of $118 per month or more than $1,400 over the course of one year. You should try to find a sensible balance of premium expense and deductible.
Short Term Plans
If you are temporarily unemployed or an adult college student not eligible for placement on a spouses plan, you should opt for a short term health insurance plan. These policies are very reasonably priced and do provide at least a measure of insurance coverage. At the very least, you will get the insurance carrier discount when seeing a physician. This may mean the difference between paying $75 for an office visit (no insurance) and $57 (insurance plan rate applied). These short term plans are valid for up to 6 months, but may be renewed regularly. As with any other plan, try to find a plan that has a manageable blend of monthly premium expense and annual deductible. There are several online sites that offer short term policies and you can usually know within just a few moments if your application has been approved.
Health Insurance Discount Programs
Most of the major health insurance companies offer to their members a variety of discount programs in an effort to ensure that they remain healthy and have a reduced number of medical claims. For instance, you may receive 15% off of a gym membership, 20% off of mail-order vitamin supplements or 25% off of a weight management program via a national chain. Contact your health insurance company to see what programs they offer to their members. In most cases, you can view that information right on the carrier’s website.
Working With Physicians and Hospitals
If you have no insurance at all or your insurance company has paid very little on a high dollar claim, you should appeal directly to the providers for assistance with the outstanding balance. Do not wait to do this while hoping that the outstanding balance will evaporate or you may risk going to collections. You just need to contact the Office Manager of the physician office or the Patient Accounts Department of the hospital and discuss the matter directly with them. In your discussions, be honest with them and tell them that you are experiencing an economic hardship. In the case of a bill for physician services, they may be willing to discount your bill up to 50%. For hospital bills, depending on your financial situation you may have up to 100% of the bill written off. If you approach these folks with honesty and integrity, they will work with you with regards to your outstanding balance.
Freebies
Both large and small hospitals have health outreach programs for their community and the programs are often free. Services that are offered may include: nutritional counseling, diabetic counseling, exercise programs, pregnancy services, healthy cooking classes, smoking cessation programs, asthma management programs and more. Contact your local hospital to see what they are offering that may be of benefit to you. Also, most of the major health insurance companies have nurses that staff a free hotline for medical inquiries 24 hours a day. They can address questions such as:
• What are the symptoms of sunstroke?
• What is the difference between a sinus infection and the common cold?
• Should I put ice on a sprained ankle?
• What should I do with a colicky infant?
Finally, another great freebie for you is right at your physician’s office. If your insurance plan does not cover medications, or covers them at a very low level, you should take the time to ask your doctor for samples of any medications you take. The pharmaceutical companies regularly provide to physician offices plenty of samples, which the doctor will be happy to share with you.
Whether you are insured, uninsured or underinsured, managing your healthcare expenses can be a real challenge. Using some of these tips should help alleviate some of that burden and ensure that your bank account remains as healthy as you do.
Insurance Via Your Employer
If you are employed and have insurance through your employer, you should request from your supervisor or Human Resources Department a full outline of all of your health insurance options. In some cases, employees are offered a variety of plans (HMO, PPO, POS) through the same insurance company. Given these three options, HMOs will nearly always end up being the most cost economical. While restrictions apply to HMOs, most people find that this plan more than satisfies all of their healthcare needs and is a plan that is very easy to work with. If you follow all of the rules of an HMO (e.g. obtaining referrals, staying in network, etc.), you will procure the maximum benefit levels allowed by the plan. In fact, you will likely have no out of pocket expense except for your copayment. If you do not have an HMO option via your employer sponsored plan, you should still consult with your plan administrator to determine if there is any way to reduce your monthly premium expense. For instance, if you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) you may be able to pay for your health insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars.
Adjusting Your Deductible
If you are self-employed or have retired early you may have to purchase your own health insurance plan without any employer assistance or subsidy. While you will not get the monetary enhancement that you would with an employer sponsored plan, you will have greater control over the expense and insurance options that you choose for your family. The primary way to keep your plan at a reasonable rate is to maintain a high but manageable deductible. If you are young or fairly healthy, this will prove to be a huge cost savings. For instance, the same insurance plan via a national insurance carrier will cost a 30 year old female $174 per month with a $1,000 annual deductible versus $56 per month with a $5,00 deductible. This is a cost savings of $118 per month or more than $1,400 over the course of one year. You should try to find a sensible balance of premium expense and deductible.
Short Term Plans
If you are temporarily unemployed or an adult college student not eligible for placement on a spouses plan, you should opt for a short term health insurance plan. These policies are very reasonably priced and do provide at least a measure of insurance coverage. At the very least, you will get the insurance carrier discount when seeing a physician. This may mean the difference between paying $75 for an office visit (no insurance) and $57 (insurance plan rate applied). These short term plans are valid for up to 6 months, but may be renewed regularly. As with any other plan, try to find a plan that has a manageable blend of monthly premium expense and annual deductible. There are several online sites that offer short term policies and you can usually know within just a few moments if your application has been approved.
Health Insurance Discount Programs
Most of the major health insurance companies offer to their members a variety of discount programs in an effort to ensure that they remain healthy and have a reduced number of medical claims. For instance, you may receive 15% off of a gym membership, 20% off of mail-order vitamin supplements or 25% off of a weight management program via a national chain. Contact your health insurance company to see what programs they offer to their members. In most cases, you can view that information right on the carrier’s website.
Working With Physicians and Hospitals
If you have no insurance at all or your insurance company has paid very little on a high dollar claim, you should appeal directly to the providers for assistance with the outstanding balance. Do not wait to do this while hoping that the outstanding balance will evaporate or you may risk going to collections. You just need to contact the Office Manager of the physician office or the Patient Accounts Department of the hospital and discuss the matter directly with them. In your discussions, be honest with them and tell them that you are experiencing an economic hardship. In the case of a bill for physician services, they may be willing to discount your bill up to 50%. For hospital bills, depending on your financial situation you may have up to 100% of the bill written off. If you approach these folks with honesty and integrity, they will work with you with regards to your outstanding balance.
Freebies
Both large and small hospitals have health outreach programs for their community and the programs are often free. Services that are offered may include: nutritional counseling, diabetic counseling, exercise programs, pregnancy services, healthy cooking classes, smoking cessation programs, asthma management programs and more. Contact your local hospital to see what they are offering that may be of benefit to you. Also, most of the major health insurance companies have nurses that staff a free hotline for medical inquiries 24 hours a day. They can address questions such as:
• What are the symptoms of sunstroke?
• What is the difference between a sinus infection and the common cold?
• Should I put ice on a sprained ankle?
• What should I do with a colicky infant?
Finally, another great freebie for you is right at your physician’s office. If your insurance plan does not cover medications, or covers them at a very low level, you should take the time to ask your doctor for samples of any medications you take. The pharmaceutical companies regularly provide to physician offices plenty of samples, which the doctor will be happy to share with you.
Whether you are insured, uninsured or underinsured, managing your healthcare expenses can be a real challenge. Using some of these tips should help alleviate some of that burden and ensure that your bank account remains as healthy as you do.
Labels:
frugal living,
healthcare,
insurance,
reduce expense,
savings,
underinsured,
uninsured
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Breaking News: Casey Anthony is Found Not Guilty
At about 1:15p CDT the verdict was finally returned in the Casey Anthony trial. As you may know by now, the verdict was not guilty for all of the main charges including first degree murder. She was, however, guilty of providing false information to law enforcement officials in this matter. I believe that I have literally felt my heart fall to the floor as those words….Not Guilty….float from my television and to my unbelieving ears. As I watch tears of relief fall from the eyes of Casey Anthony, the rage is rising within me as I wonder how many tears of grief she has shed for her deceased baby girl.
This trial has captured the attention of the nation for a variety of reasons. The little baby girl, Caylee Marie Anthony, was so very cute. So very innocent. So very helpless. And now that the trial has run its course and this shocking verdict is alarming the good folks of our nation, Caylee is also so very without justice as well. In many ways it feels like the O.J. Simpson trial all over again and the hollowness in my heart persists without end.
I have not followed this trial as diligently as others, but have gleaned enough to get a real sense for what was going on in this horrible matter. Perhaps it is because I am a mother myself, or perhaps simply because I have a soul, I cannot fathom not turning the world upside down in an effort to find my child who had been missing for four long weeks. Hell, after five minutes of not spotting my kids at a playground I can be found searching every tree, swing and parked car like a lunatic. Albeit, a caring, loving, and protective lunatic. What Casey Anthony has displayed was not just poor parenting, but it was flat out criminal regardless of the insane verdict that was just announced.
Caylee Marie Anthony, we will never forget your precious angel face. Caylee Marie Anthony we will never forget that your mother has gotten away with murder. Caylee Marie Anthony we, as a civil society, are so very sorry about this injustice.
This trial has captured the attention of the nation for a variety of reasons. The little baby girl, Caylee Marie Anthony, was so very cute. So very innocent. So very helpless. And now that the trial has run its course and this shocking verdict is alarming the good folks of our nation, Caylee is also so very without justice as well. In many ways it feels like the O.J. Simpson trial all over again and the hollowness in my heart persists without end.
I have not followed this trial as diligently as others, but have gleaned enough to get a real sense for what was going on in this horrible matter. Perhaps it is because I am a mother myself, or perhaps simply because I have a soul, I cannot fathom not turning the world upside down in an effort to find my child who had been missing for four long weeks. Hell, after five minutes of not spotting my kids at a playground I can be found searching every tree, swing and parked car like a lunatic. Albeit, a caring, loving, and protective lunatic. What Casey Anthony has displayed was not just poor parenting, but it was flat out criminal regardless of the insane verdict that was just announced.
Caylee Marie Anthony, we will never forget your precious angel face. Caylee Marie Anthony we will never forget that your mother has gotten away with murder. Caylee Marie Anthony we, as a civil society, are so very sorry about this injustice.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Yet Another Double Standard
Imagine a scene such as this…
A daytime talk show with 4 male co-hosts, average age of about 45, sitting before a live studio audience. The audience is 95% men with an average age of maybe 55. The audience is excited, clapping, laughing and squirming in their seats with near-teenage giddy anticipation. Clearly, something exciting is happening here at Generic Television Studios USA, but what could it be? On stage the co-hosts are as tickled as the audience regarding the impending show featuring one awesome guest.
To the roar of clapping, wolf whistles and general shrieking the much-anticipated guest of the day makes her entrance. It is young Miley Cyrus and the middle aged men in the audience and on the stage are going positively crazy with excitement. Some in the audience hold crudely made signs saying “Seniors for Cyrus” and “Work it Girl” and “Marry Me” while others simply wave their hairy arms trying to capture the attention of this teen sensation. The audience is squirming, wiggling in their seats, and droplets of hormonal fueled perspiration are forming around their hairline. Soon the shrieking intensifies…”We love you Miley!” and “Oh, you are sooo cute!” and “Can I take you home?”. Even the co-hosts are adjusting their ties and smiling nervously, unable to contain their enthusiasm for being just this close to a darling teenager. Their ensuing banter is nothing short of flirtatious and the co-hosts do what they can to stroke Miley’s hand and hair while trying to slip their arm around her waist.
What do you think of this picture I have painted? Pretty cool, huh? No, I didn’t think so either. I think it borders on some sicko pedophilia and, literally, the thought of it turns my stomach. Grown men treating a young girl in this manner? Ugh.
Yet, I was fortunate enough to witness a similar scene just yesterday as I sat down to watch The View when their featured guest was Justin Bieber. They and their audience acted towards him just as I have described above with the Miley Cyrus scenario. And no one seems to be thinking twice about it or thinking that it is grotesque. Except me, of course. Why is that?
Probably for the same reason that when a cute female teacher is caught in a sexcapade with a teen boy there are usually snickers all around and comments along the lines of “Wish my teachers in high school looked like that” or “Yeah, he’s one lucky fella”. Is that fair? No. It sure the hell is not. In fact, it is just one more way that gender equality in this country seems eons away. Just when you think we have finally gotten our act together as a society, little tidbits like this chip away at any perceived progress we may have made. A shame, I tell you. It is a damned shame and it should cease sooner rather than later.
A daytime talk show with 4 male co-hosts, average age of about 45, sitting before a live studio audience. The audience is 95% men with an average age of maybe 55. The audience is excited, clapping, laughing and squirming in their seats with near-teenage giddy anticipation. Clearly, something exciting is happening here at Generic Television Studios USA, but what could it be? On stage the co-hosts are as tickled as the audience regarding the impending show featuring one awesome guest.
To the roar of clapping, wolf whistles and general shrieking the much-anticipated guest of the day makes her entrance. It is young Miley Cyrus and the middle aged men in the audience and on the stage are going positively crazy with excitement. Some in the audience hold crudely made signs saying “Seniors for Cyrus” and “Work it Girl” and “Marry Me” while others simply wave their hairy arms trying to capture the attention of this teen sensation. The audience is squirming, wiggling in their seats, and droplets of hormonal fueled perspiration are forming around their hairline. Soon the shrieking intensifies…”We love you Miley!” and “Oh, you are sooo cute!” and “Can I take you home?”. Even the co-hosts are adjusting their ties and smiling nervously, unable to contain their enthusiasm for being just this close to a darling teenager. Their ensuing banter is nothing short of flirtatious and the co-hosts do what they can to stroke Miley’s hand and hair while trying to slip their arm around her waist.
What do you think of this picture I have painted? Pretty cool, huh? No, I didn’t think so either. I think it borders on some sicko pedophilia and, literally, the thought of it turns my stomach. Grown men treating a young girl in this manner? Ugh.
Yet, I was fortunate enough to witness a similar scene just yesterday as I sat down to watch The View when their featured guest was Justin Bieber. They and their audience acted towards him just as I have described above with the Miley Cyrus scenario. And no one seems to be thinking twice about it or thinking that it is grotesque. Except me, of course. Why is that?
Probably for the same reason that when a cute female teacher is caught in a sexcapade with a teen boy there are usually snickers all around and comments along the lines of “Wish my teachers in high school looked like that” or “Yeah, he’s one lucky fella”. Is that fair? No. It sure the hell is not. In fact, it is just one more way that gender equality in this country seems eons away. Just when you think we have finally gotten our act together as a society, little tidbits like this chip away at any perceived progress we may have made. A shame, I tell you. It is a damned shame and it should cease sooner rather than later.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
What's Your Problem?!
When you talk to people about their childhoods, as I am prone to doing since I am nosy like that, there are typically either a long or short list of complaints that they are quick to register. Maybe their father never said "I love you" or their mother was overbearing or a sibling was clearly the preferred Golden Child. Of course, some complaints are actually rather serious (read: abusive). For the purposes of this blog, that is not truly what I am talking about. I mean, just general bitching and moaning that they were ripped off by not having the ideal childhood. Or, what they presume is ideal.
I mention this because I recently interviewed my brother for a book I am writing about our father. This brother, who shall remain nameless for no real reason other than the fact that "remain nameless" sounds cool and mysterious, is the kind of guy that appears to be totally self-sufficient. Really together. Very much in control and wanting for nothing emotionally. One of those people that accepts whatever life has thrown at them and makes the best of it without looking back. No regrets, no repairs required.
So I was surprised when this Nameless Brother (still uber mysterious, no?) went on and on during our interview about how he had yearned for more attention, affection and positive reinforcement during his childhood. Even now, some 50 years later, these soft emotions and deep disappointment were so apparent. Believe me, we did not come from a neglectful home and he got, in terms of attention, pretty much about the same amount as any other kids in our upper middle class slice of suburbia.
But I don't want to talk about him....this is my blog, so let's bring this back around to me (see, we all crave attention). My own children, Brilliant Bradley and Perfect Paige, have had what I consider a super blessed childhood. Great vacations, constant encouragement, life in a safe subdivision, loads of opportunities, and fully supportive parents. Seriously, in the Championship Of Parenting, my husband and I have successfully landed in the top 10%.
Which leads me back around to my first thought -- childhood complaints. I can't help but wonder that when my kids are quizzed by some nosy friend, neighbor or other intrusive freak about their own childhood, what will they say? Since we all have mild to moderate (if we're lucky) complaints about what went down the first 18 years of our lives, what will these kids who share my DNA say? There must be something.....right? How about "My mother loved me too much" or "My dad provided excessive positive reinforcement" or "What, you think it is so great to be told that you are loved a dozen times per day". Maybe it will be like one of those job interviews where you are asked about your weaknesses and you are supposed to present them in such a way that they are actually strengths. "I am too honest" or "I tend to be a perfectionist". Side note: Seriously, do human resources professional actually believe that BS? What do they really think when people say that? Probably that they are hiding some serious personal flaw, like they plan to pilfer the company pens and steal their co-workers ham on rye sandwich from the communal staff fridge.
In one way I can peep into the future on this one. My kids are space nearly ten years apart, so in a few years I can quiz 18 year Brilliant Bradley about his childhood and then still have a few good years to fix whatever I have broken with Perfect Paige. Still, I think we are clean. You know why? Because amazing children make parenting easy.
I mention this because I recently interviewed my brother for a book I am writing about our father. This brother, who shall remain nameless for no real reason other than the fact that "remain nameless" sounds cool and mysterious, is the kind of guy that appears to be totally self-sufficient. Really together. Very much in control and wanting for nothing emotionally. One of those people that accepts whatever life has thrown at them and makes the best of it without looking back. No regrets, no repairs required.
So I was surprised when this Nameless Brother (still uber mysterious, no?) went on and on during our interview about how he had yearned for more attention, affection and positive reinforcement during his childhood. Even now, some 50 years later, these soft emotions and deep disappointment were so apparent. Believe me, we did not come from a neglectful home and he got, in terms of attention, pretty much about the same amount as any other kids in our upper middle class slice of suburbia.
But I don't want to talk about him....this is my blog, so let's bring this back around to me (see, we all crave attention). My own children, Brilliant Bradley and Perfect Paige, have had what I consider a super blessed childhood. Great vacations, constant encouragement, life in a safe subdivision, loads of opportunities, and fully supportive parents. Seriously, in the Championship Of Parenting, my husband and I have successfully landed in the top 10%.
Which leads me back around to my first thought -- childhood complaints. I can't help but wonder that when my kids are quizzed by some nosy friend, neighbor or other intrusive freak about their own childhood, what will they say? Since we all have mild to moderate (if we're lucky) complaints about what went down the first 18 years of our lives, what will these kids who share my DNA say? There must be something.....right? How about "My mother loved me too much" or "My dad provided excessive positive reinforcement" or "What, you think it is so great to be told that you are loved a dozen times per day". Maybe it will be like one of those job interviews where you are asked about your weaknesses and you are supposed to present them in such a way that they are actually strengths. "I am too honest" or "I tend to be a perfectionist". Side note: Seriously, do human resources professional actually believe that BS? What do they really think when people say that? Probably that they are hiding some serious personal flaw, like they plan to pilfer the company pens and steal their co-workers ham on rye sandwich from the communal staff fridge.
In one way I can peep into the future on this one. My kids are space nearly ten years apart, so in a few years I can quiz 18 year Brilliant Bradley about his childhood and then still have a few good years to fix whatever I have broken with Perfect Paige. Still, I think we are clean. You know why? Because amazing children make parenting easy.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
We Meet Again
Am I the worst blogger in the world? Well, maybe not. I mean, I am not filling this site with homphobic rants (let's leave that to Tracy Morgan), personal attacks on my exes (so not worth my time) or sappy little odes to my children (okay, I am occasionally guilty of that indulgence). I am a Bad Blogger because I am a neglectful blogger. This was to be a chronicle of my amazing life. It was to an open diary that you can peep into and share my joys with me. And here it sits...neglected, dormant, empty and pitiful for lo these many months. Or has it been years? Scroll down and verify for yourself. What am I, your mother? Pull your own weight on this blog.
I will not bore you via getting caught up on the highs and lows of our life here in suburban Chicago. There has been parenting challenges, marital bliss with a side of toe-to-toe disputes, awesome vacations and dismal health issues. There has been the blossoming of children, extended family, lines of business and personal growth. Oh, yes, we have all been to that Zen place by now -- Scott heads there via Budweiser, Bradley by way of guitar genius, Paige is All Zen All The Time and I achieved spiritual and undying peace by writing. Okay, that is a lie. I get paid to write and I happen to like it. Most of the time. Writing 500 words about how great silk flowers are or 750 words about 3D televisions can be mind-numbing. The dance to the bank? Uber gratifying. Do you enjoy your job 100% of the time? Smiling around the water cooler, skipping to your office, singing as you type, mold, design, fix, or whatever? Nope, me neither.
So enough about me and my neglectful habits. Would it surprise you that I also fail to dilligently floss, haven't cleaned out my freezer since the democrats held the House, and have three Christmas items that have yet to make it to the basement? It seems that you and I are fairly similar, no? Because I neglect so much of my life and control so little of it, I vow here and now to commit to this blog. I want you to come back, I want you to be amused (laugh with me, laugh at me, laugh near me) and I want to get back to writing for me....well, also for those folks that pay the bills as well, but mostly it is all about ME.
I will not bore you via getting caught up on the highs and lows of our life here in suburban Chicago. There has been parenting challenges, marital bliss with a side of toe-to-toe disputes, awesome vacations and dismal health issues. There has been the blossoming of children, extended family, lines of business and personal growth. Oh, yes, we have all been to that Zen place by now -- Scott heads there via Budweiser, Bradley by way of guitar genius, Paige is All Zen All The Time and I achieved spiritual and undying peace by writing. Okay, that is a lie. I get paid to write and I happen to like it. Most of the time. Writing 500 words about how great silk flowers are or 750 words about 3D televisions can be mind-numbing. The dance to the bank? Uber gratifying. Do you enjoy your job 100% of the time? Smiling around the water cooler, skipping to your office, singing as you type, mold, design, fix, or whatever? Nope, me neither.
So enough about me and my neglectful habits. Would it surprise you that I also fail to dilligently floss, haven't cleaned out my freezer since the democrats held the House, and have three Christmas items that have yet to make it to the basement? It seems that you and I are fairly similar, no? Because I neglect so much of my life and control so little of it, I vow here and now to commit to this blog. I want you to come back, I want you to be amused (laugh with me, laugh at me, laugh near me) and I want to get back to writing for me....well, also for those folks that pay the bills as well, but mostly it is all about ME.
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