Monday, September 14, 2009

Written in response to Madera Tribune Letter to Editor 9/12/2009

Faith and religion require trust and belief systems that are not based on hard facts. I say Mr. Michael Harris and Mr. Lou Pritchett are impeded by fear and can not grow. Fear blocks the ability to be rational and to truly accept religion and religious beliefs.
A Non-Believer may say that Jesus had an education, but has never said how he paid for it or how he made money.
A Non-Believer may say that neither Jesus nor God ever ran a business or met a payroll -so they should be feared.
A Non-Believer may say, neither Jesus, God, the Pope, Mother Theresa, etc., ever had military experience and did not understand military logistics, so we should fear them and they should not lead.
A Non-Believer may say that churches give a "free pass" to God, Jesus, the Pope, Mother Theresa, etc., on everything they do.
You can continue this for all of your expressed fears, as published in the Madera Tribune.

As you can easily see, this thinking is abnormal and neither Mr. Michael Harris nor Mr. Lou Pritchett should be followed. I can see why Procter and Gamble got rid of Mr. Pritchett.

Being a religious person requires a leap of faith. One must be able to look a man in the eyes, hear his words, watch his actions and judge the man not by the color of his skin or your race-based fears, but by the content of his character. I see nothing to fear in President Obama. He speaks the facts as they are presented to him and jointly, with multiple professional inputs, draws a "best conclusion." Mr. Harris and Mr. Pritchett would make horrible leaders, because they are drowning in irrational fears. Hate-mongers like Limbaugh feed on fear and make a tidy profit by feeding fear "of the unknown." Rush Limbaugh has no children and divorced his wife and business partner. Honest disagreement and discussion is great, but “Crazy Joe Wilson’s’” outburst was irrational and dishonest. The people who want America to fail are/were the banks, securities firms, mortgage businesses, automobile industries, etc., who led for greed and continue to do so, nonresponsive to American needs.

President Obama is a role model for America's future - an ordinary guy doing an extraordinary job. Fathers often abandon their family obligations, so I applaud President Obama for being a male role-model – father, husband, leader -which others may choose to follow. America needs more nuclear families that can raise rational, well-adjusted children - ready to learn.

Open your eyes and join the world of rational people who love America and want the best for our AmeriCAN and world future. Join the world of people who are thankful that President Obama took advantage of his opportunities for an advanced education, and can now give back to those who were not able to succeed in academics. Join the people who are happy to see a real father and loving family in the White House - spreading family values and enjoying the beauty of nature in our American parks and historic sites. Join the world of people that appreciate that our current national leaders are not making "French" jokes, as Bush staff did - but can get along with the various world leaders and respect cultural and personal differences. Hope is alive and doing well. Life is fragile and we need to nurture or minds and unify as AmieriCANS for a better America.

Dr. Loraine Goodwin, MD, JD

Friday, September 04, 2009

Preventive Medical Care Works

I support President Obama and his quest for healthcare reform. Seniors already enjoy the benefits of government healthcare in the form of Medicare. Unfortunately, many seniors have not practiced prevention and wellness over the years, and enter into the Medicare system with on-going illnesses, which could have been prevented or minimized.

School-based health centers provide access to medical care in communities struggling to offer such services. Reimbursement is usually through MediCal, another government medical program intended for low-income individuals, mainly women and children. By keeping the population healthier and promoting prevention, we all enjoy economic savings and contribute to a better community. Our students will be healthier and more productive with fewer “sick days.” Treatment for most routine health complaints could be done onsite-at school with a focus on prevention, wellness and living a healthier more productive life. By emphasizing preventive care, we can reduce the number of inappropriate emergency room visits, reduce hospitalizations, reduce chronic illness, and reduce drug and alcohol abuse

School-based health centers have also been shown to increase students’ time in class and lessen health concerns and complications. This school-based care can also reduce healthcare disparities, allowing students to care for some health concerns via the school nurse and allowing an opportunity for preventive interventions.

I wholly support President Obama’s attempts to establish a National Prevention and Wellness Strategy for providing prevention interventions and timely medical care.

Dr. Loraine Goodwin, M.D., J.D.
Candidate for Congress CD 19
PAROLE BOARD DECIDES ATKINS WRONG    9/3/09


It is clear the California Parole Board has no fiscal responsibility when they decide parole issues. In the recent case of inmate Sharon Atkins, the Parole Board had an opportunity to cut thousands of dollars in costs to an already broken correctional budget. Instead, the parole board chose to forge ahead.Susan Atkins appeared before the parole board Wednesday for a Compassionate Release Hearing. The hearing took about 7 hours according to news reporters. Susan was incarcerated around 40 years ago for brutally stabbing an actress after breaking into her home. A horrible crime that deserves a life, if not a death, sentence. Now, years later, inmate Atkins is unable to walk and can hardly speak. She has terminal brain cancer and, by news reports, can not move 85% of her body. Custody officers wheeled inmate Atkins into the Parole Hearing on a gurney, she can not sit in a wheelchair.

During the hearing, the family of the slain actress stressed that society would not be safe if this inmate was paroled and that inmate Atkins deserved to die in prison. I understand the family’s statements.
However, it is the duty of the Parole Board to put the whole picture together and do what is best for society and the correctional system. Realistically, this inmate is not going to terrorize society if paroled. She can’t move. Pictures of inmate Atkins at the hearing showed her appearing to doze off during the hearing. She certainly appeared terminal.
So, what is the risk if inmate Atkins is paroled? As I see it, none to society. She has a husband. He could provide end-of-life care – but I doubt he would commit crimes because she was paroled.

What does the state gain or lose by paroling inmate Atkins? Mainly, they lose additional medical costs. Her medications, nursing, hospital trips, special custody costs and special correctional housing in the skilled nursing facility add thousands of dollars per week to the correctional budget. Since the governor is trying to squeeze financial savings for the state budget, this is an area that needs to be re-evaluated.
Loraine Goodwin, MD, JD
Candidate for Congress CD 19

Thursday, September 03, 2009

MAN SMACKS BABY IN WALMART

Man told baby to shut up ..mom did nothing...so man smacked baby four tiimes. SHOCKING.
MICHAEL JACKSON MAUSOLEUM

Michael Jackson will be put ito a special mausoleum at Forest Lawn today There are stained glass windows and lots of statues in the building. The doors lock to keep everyone out-except family. No fans can get near.

This is very anti-Michael because he loved his fans. Except for his children and some special friends, Michael was energized buy having fans near. Fans kept his name alive - long after family had started to ignore him. Fans asked for help for Michael - while family denied he had any problems and could not see his drug use signs.

Michael is better in public. His children have a trust fund which requires income for posterity. Michael's children could enlarge their inheritance by having the public visit a more public grave site. The public would like to periodically visit the man who sang them through hard times from 1960 to 2009. Always bringing a smile.

Michael hated to sleep alone. He always wanted someone near when he slept. A childhood fear? He would not like to rest forever without the protection of his fans and friends. He would like to be observed.

The Jackson family bought 12 of these super expensive grave tombs with trust funds. Why? This is a waste of the kid's trust funds. Only Michael is a superstar. Michael's kids and their spouses may want spots. So, who will be in the other tombs? Joe Jackson - to haunt Michael forever? LaToya and her wild friend? Jermaine? The court should decide if this is a waste of the kid's trust funds. I believe it is.