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We were going to take her into the vet tomorrow, but just overnighting the stuff from Petco or wherever is cheaper. It's the same medicine we got last time, so I know it works quickly. Tokio and Draco are easy to give medicine too, but Oscar is a problem. He spits the pills out, so I have to hold him between my knees, force his mouth open, shove the pill to the back of his throat, and then quickly pour water into his mouth, which forces him to swallow. It usually takes a couple of tries. Tokio has had so much medicine at this point, she just deals with it because she's learned that it's far less trouble if she doesn't squirm. We usually hide the pills in a lump of wet cat food. Poor little boo has costs us so much money, but she's worth every penny. :) We've spend a couple hundred dollars now getting her healthy and fixing her bumps and bruises (last time she hurt her hip and had to go to the vet to get pain medication). I feel bad leaving her in the bathroom, but we have to keep her away from the other cats and I really don't want squirmy wormy bits all over my covers. D: Meh. She'll be fine in a few days. I'll just keep an eye on her and wait until she stops dropping bits of worm. The medicine dissolves the worm, so you don't actually see it drop out completely. Thank goodness!
Platform Meeting for event “Yes We Can, Obama's The Man”
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Philadelphia, PA
Attendees:
Frances Gabon
Lou Incogneto
Will Inglis
Rosita Johnson
Rita Perna
David Schogel
Alyson Showell
Carole Showell
Helena Showell
Brandon Slattery
Contents:
I. Healthcare
II. Employment
III. Economy
IV. Energy
V. War
VI. Education
VII. Civil Liberties
I. Healthcare
The Democratic Party should support HR 676 (Conyers Bill), which advocates a single-payer healthcare system that would provide coverage for all Americans. HR 676 has already been endorsed by the US Conference of Mayors, several thousand Union Locals, and is supported by 84% of the physicians in the United States. It is our belief that no one should be left at the mercy of the insurance industry and pharmaceutical companies where profit is more important than the welfare of the patient.
II. Employment
We can create sustainable employment beyond the service sector via Public Works Programs, proper training and education (see Education), penalties against companies that export jobs overseas, and by creating “green jobs” (see Energy). Public Works Programs would not only revitalize the economy, but would also rebuild the Nation's infrastructure and natural environment such as waterways, wetlands and forests. Part of the urban agenda should be to provide living wage jobs with benefits and the right to form unions. This means passing the Employee Free Choice Act, which allows people in a workplace to organize or join a union without retaliation.
III. Economy
It is imperative that NAFTA be repealed if any serious effort is to made with the intention of improving the economy. Furthermore, the financial burden placed on Americans would be eased by placing price controls on commodities, repealing the Bush tax cuts to the rich, and taking steps to begin nationalizing the oil industry in order to temporarily reduce the cost of transportation.
IV. Energy
By endorsing and implementing Al Gore's Ten Year Challenge, not only would we begin to repair the damage to our environment, but we would also reduce and eventually eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. In addition, developing alternative sources of energy would create much needed “green jobs” and stimulate the economy. In conjunction with Gore's proposal, increased support of mass transit would reduce travel costs for American workers.
V. War
War should be considered the very last resort for resolving problems and a “diplomacy first” ideology needs to replace the current policy of “preemptive strike.” By averting combat through diplomacy, the military budget can be reduced and the finances freed by such a reduction used to fund Public Works Projects, overhaul the educational and healthcare systems, and the development of renewable energy sources. Part of discouraging violent solutions would need to include a plan for nuclear disarmament. This plan should be one that allows the US to lead by example, thereby encouraging other countries to adopt similar disarmament programs. Finally, the United States would benefit from avoiding intervening in the affairs of other sovereign nations when those affairs do not concern us.
VI. Education
The first step to restructuring the educational system is to adopt a policy of fully funded public education “from the cradle to the grave.” Of immediate importance is the need for the repeal of the No Child Left Behind Act, followed by, again, the full funding of the public education system and the cessation of granting public funds to private educational institutions. To directly improve the learning environment, we need smaller class sizes, providing each student with the needed textbooks, supplies and computers. Furthermore, many of America's schools require an increased number of teachers and teacher's aides to facilitate individualized attention for each student, and school counselors. A comprehensive curriculum that includes physical education, art, and music classes, after-school programs, and a safe learning environment will aid in providing an adequate framework for intellectual growth. Adult education must also be a priority and a properly funded adult education system is needed, as well as job training and retraining.
VII. Civil Liberties
We need to restore the rule of law and respect, obey, and uphold the Constitution.