Since 2002 I have lived in a sea of frustration, yet there are quiet islands and sunny days.  Our pride and joy, our 23 old son who is brilliant suddenly had a melt down.  Well it seemed like it was sudden.  He did well in school, he did extremely well on the SATs; he was being sought out by military academies; but he chose to go to a local college and then his world became a worldwind of indecisiveness; voices he could not understand.  We were clear across the US from where he was attending college.  He was no longer a military dependent.  He had no health care and we (my husband and I) were both preparing for deployments in the aftermath of 911.  I must commend the Wake County Mental Health clinic personnel.  They were wonderful, despite limited funds.  Unfortunately their commitment and concern could only go so far.  Once a person is labeled as a mental health patient, it is like someone with HIV or Aids or leprosy...My son was listed in DMV as a mental health patient for his safety and the safety of the officers who may have to respond to an incident involving him.  He was victimized on several occasions - robbery, burglary, theft of his car and no one wanted to believe him because he was labeled.  I tried to get him medical  coverage and no one would touch him for a reasonable premium; some wouldn't take him on for any kind of money.  And I was trying to get ready to go fight a war on someone else's turf with no one back home to take care of a 23 yr old disabled son.

What will it take to get my vote?  Firm assurance that our many mental health challenged citizens (civilian and veterans) have a place to go for treatment; reasonably priced medication and a QUALITY affordable housing.  My son was placed on section 8 housing list - he was placed in an apartment with a room mate not of his choosing in the most drug infested area of Raleigh, NC.  My son was trying to stay way from self medication, street drugs, and stick to the regimine his doctor and therapist set up for him.  He was having to spend part of his study time keeping an eye on his room mate who was a cutter..I saw was, because one day my son came home to find his room mate went too far and died.

My son, and many more Americans like him, make every effort to live in a world that does not understand them; comply with the protocols set up for them.  Yet, if they try to work to build up self esteem, they lose medicare and medicaid benefits that pay for their medications and therapy appointments.  Without those medications that cost upward of 985 to 1600 dollars per month, these Americans are not able to interact in a sociably acceptable manner; hold a job; live in a secure and clean home; eat decent food.  My son works hard.  He pays rent, yet he cannot afford his medication AND rent without reasonable health insurance.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET MY VOTE?  Quality health care for those like my son; those with longterm illnesses who are really trying to fit into this society.....they should not have to wait for 9 months to get a dentist who will do pro bono work for medicaid  to get a root canal; a simple filling; a crown; or mouth guard to protect their teeth from the inevitable grinding some of the medications cause.

I met a woman while traveling who said she was working on a presidential candidate's health care reform.  I shared my story with her.  She assured me that her candidate was working toward this end - reasonable health care; affordable medications; safe guards to protect those with long term illnesses so they could still work - she understood that employment was a necessary part of their treatment - gives them a feeling of self worth so they don't have to live on thorazine in a psychiatric hospital or vicadin/valium in a convalescent center.

Well - I have yet to hear or read anything that assures me that this woman's candidate intends to provide any such consideration for our mentally ill or those with long term illnesses.  No, he doesn't understand the situation because he has yet to live it.  And if he had to live it, he is already covered financially so he will not be able to relate even if he did have a poor upbringing.

WHERE IS THE HEALTH CARE OUR AMERICANS NEED WHO ARE LIVING ON THE STREET?  WHY DO THESE PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LIVE ON THE STREET?  They choose to live on the street because they don't trust the government.  They don't trust the government because no politicians promises have ever come true.  INstead, as cost saving measures, these people were deemed able to take care of themselves and turned out from the hospitals and group homes they once called home.  Now they have to fend for themselves; handle what little stipend is thrown at them and maybe get to see a case worker once every 3 months because that is all the time the county worker can afford to spend with them. 

SHOW ME AN AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE PLAN THAT INCLUDES THESE PEOPLE AND I WILL SERIOUSLY CONSIDER VOTINGFOR YOU......BUT I KNOW YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO PRODUCE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE POLITICAL SUICIDE FOR YOU.  tHAT IS WHY YOU HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT THE ENTIRE TIME YOU HAVE BEEN A US SENATOR...AND NOT SUPPORTING THE VOTERS WHO ELECTED YOU.  THERE ARE NO SPECIFICS IN YOUR SPEECHES --- JUST TYPICAL LEGAL BANTERING AND DIVERTING NEGATIVE COMMENTS TO YOUR OPONENT.