The Pendulum Swings Part II
Obamacare and PLOM-ing
     I tune in late this morning to hear that Obamacare has been upheld again by the Supreme Court .  This is the second time.  Will it be the last challenge to Obamacare at the Supreme Court?  Many think so since the first decision resulted in a 5-4 win and the second, a 6-3 win.  But there is no way to share joy in my town tonight.

     Living in a small town within a red state means that, as a progressive, I celebrate these major victories alone.  In fact, to some extent, I have felt under siege.  It has resulted in another one of those PLOM times (Poor Little Ole Me).  Most of my transactions today have been colored by that fact and I'm feeling stifled, under-appreciated, and dare I say, on the right side for a change.  My celebration, however, is a silent cheer, a muffled yell, a beating on my chest -- behind closed doors.

     I awake at 6 a.m. energized and determined to observe the final stages of pouring a new concrete sidewalk at the Catholic Church across the alley.  A 3-man team has been digging up dirt and old concrete, building wood forms, all to prepare for the concrete to be delivered today.  I observe, ask names of each tool they use, and take notes on each step.  At my own pace, it's likely this can be done; my project is much simpler.  However, I'm told by a worker I couldn't do it because it's too hard, I shouldn't do it, and he advised me not to do it.

     Around noon, I visit a meeting in which the community group is developing ways and means to (1) get reps from different groups in town to work together, (2) improve attractiveness of downtown, and (3) develop our economy as a result.  Comments from several people lead me to believe that (1) my organization is already being represented inferring there is no need for me to attend here, (2) care needs to be taken that those who might disrupt the group should not be able to attend, present company excepted of course, and (3) "Does everybody know Edith?" used as my welcome to the group.

     Later, I keep an appointment to have some work done.  Although there's never been a problem in the past discussing political/religious viewpoints (since neither of us has brought it up), there seems to be some conversational pushback concerning one conservative program in which this person believes and brings up in our discussion (Why now? I ask myself).  Eventually, the conversation gets shifted to a more non-threatening topic.

     The hives that began this morning have blossomed considerably.  I purchase pills and cream from our pharmacy.  Tomorrow I see a P.A. at the local clinic.

     My answers to the situations above are:  Investigate further in trying my hand at a relatively new skill despite others' misgivings (I've done some patching), stop attending the meeting at which there already seems to be a rep, and steer clear sooner from a political discussion with someone whose views have been made clear.

     PLOM-ing is no fun.  There is a need to become more proactive.  Take control of my own life recognizing that I am not a victim.  For now, celebrating the success of Obamacare is done through writing, a more viable outlet in this time, in this place.  I commit to writing more often.