Proposal 2 In Michigan--Stem Cell Research: An Issue for The Body Chronic

I originally posted this on my politics and pop culture blog, Only Baggage You Can Bring. As the election draws nearer, I feel the need to publicize it more.

I expect a lot off bullshit when it comes to ballot proposals. So you can imagine that it's hard to surprise me anymore.

Guess what? I'm surprised. I never thought there would be this much controversy over saying yes to medical research and a better quality of life.

Over the past few weeks, the opposition to Proposal 2 people have been fighting against common sense, dignity and just plan goodness. Mostly funded by the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, the No to 2 people have been making such ridiculous and patently false claims that it makes Richard Nixon look like a saint.

Here are the facts from Cure Michigan:

• Proposal 2 will provide for safe and ethical research as permitted under federal law;
• Proposal 2 will keep in force Michigan’s ban against cloning; and,
• Proposal 2 will allow doctors and researchers to use voluntarily donated leftover embryos for finding cures and saving lives. These leftover embryos are currently thrown away as medical waste.

Why is Proposal 2 necessary in Michigan? Because under the current state law, Michigan criminalizes the use of new embryonic stem cells to find cures—researchers can be fined up to $10 million and imprisoned up to 10 years. That means researchers at our top institutions and even private medical research facilities are being forced to make a choice--research and jail or losing time and money.

The No to 2 people are right about one thing--this is a moral issue. This is an issue about whether you want people with severe spinal injuries to have the hope to walk again. This is an issue about whether you want people with chronic illnesses, like me, to live a pain free life. This is an issue about whether you want people with Alzheimer's and Dementia, like Nana Grace, to have a second chance at their golden years. So if you believe in those things, you believe in voting yes to Proposal 2.

Part of the problem now is that people are being fed these lies about Proposal 2 and it's alleged potential for raising tax revenues, allowing unethical use of human embryos and so on--all false claims mind you. The reason this matters--the No to 2 people have more money and captive audiences.

So what can you do? You can donate. You can host a yard sign. You can speak to your family, friends and collegues. But do something and do it now. This is our future. This is our fight.

Don't let us wake up November 5 with a Michigan that is technologically inhibited and without hope. Donate here. And vote YES on Proposal 2.

Health Care and The 2008 Election--Issues that Matter

Check out my sister blog, Only Baggage You Can Bring all week this week for issues about health care and the election. So far we have discussed the candidate's proposals for health care coverage and world HIV/AIDS policies. We'll also be discussing stem cell research and medicare.

Come join the discussion!

Marijuana and Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness: A Political Fight

Today on Capitol Hill Senator Barney Frank (D-Mass) took a stand that boosted the treatment possibilities for those with chronic pain and chronic illness. He took a stand to limit or eliminate penalties for marijuana users with less than 100 grams in possession.

So what does this have to do with chronic health?

Well, in those few areas of the country that allow for medical marijuana use, the fear was always that though the state or municipality allowed such use, the federal government did not. Theoretically then, the federal government could have come in at any time and penalized someone using marijuana medically, regardless of the safeguards or other laws in place.

But today, the dialog started to change on marijuana. Perhaps it's the realization that so many Americans support medical marijuana availability. Perhaps it's the fact that we are realizing the war on drugs is a crock. Perhaps it's the fact that we know there are bigger fish to fry and using government dollars to go after small time marijuana users just isn't worthwhile. Perhaps people are starting to come to terms with the fact that marijuana is actually less dangerous than alcohol and nicotine.

Whatever the case, today at least there's a little more breathing room (pardon the pun) for those with a chronic illness/chronic pain who use marijuana as a treatment option.