This infuriates me as well. Do they think we're that stupid that we don't notice everything shrinking? I'd rather they just be honest and increase the price and admit it. Even my dh noticed it at the grocery store- ice cream cartons smaller, frozen pizza are practically personal-size, etc... I have also noticed it a lot with restaraunt servings. Our family of 5 went to Taco Bell and spent $27 and no one was even close to being full. The tacos are pathetic. Everyone opened theirs and almost in unison said 'there is almost no meat in this'- maybe a tablespoon. the whole thing is lettuce and shell, yet the prices went up. I've noticed it at all restaurants and it has really turned me off from dining out at all. I suppose eating out less is good, but it just makes me mad how they try to fool you.

I am one of those is very afraid of socialized medicine. I don't buy the argument that everything is 'fine' in countries that have it, so there is nothing to fear. The point is, things may be fine now, but you never know where they will go. Governments always have a way of over-reaching, and this is just to get a foot in the door into total control of your life and society in general. It might take one year, 5 years, maybe even 20 years, but it WILL happen. Again, all they need is a foot in the door to lay the groundwork and use the 'frog in boiling water' method. Once governments get a taste of power and control in any area, their thirst grows ever stronger and there is only one road they can take. Reason it away and defend it however you want, but those are the facts.

A right is something you have automatically just by virtue of your status as a human being and no one should take away. Since health care has to be provided by someone else, it can't possibly be a right. __________________ Aubrey Well said and I totally agree. If everyone has a right to healthcare (and again, what kind- emergency, running to the doctor for every cough and sniffle, Viagra, plastic surgery- where does it stop?), then others will be forced to provide that care, and not at the conditions or rewards that they feel appropriate. Maybe people don't want to spend 8+ years and hundreds of thousands of $'s to be government workers forced to do the bidding of others for capped pay. what do you think will happen to the quality of much of the medical field when it is socialized? The same thing that happens to everything else when it is socialized- it will become less efficeint, corrupt and stop attracting the best and brightest. Be careful what you wish for is a fitting warning here.

First of all, these rumors of riots are being circulated by the media and on the internet, so accusing her of being racist like it is her own idea that there will be riots isn't really fair. She is probably just pointing out her fears based on what she has heard. Second, how is it 'racist' to point out that a group of people has rioted before in the past might do so again. It's just observing reality. As for the fact that certain groups may be planning to riot and saying as much if their candidate doesn't win is all the more reason to vote for the opposing candidate, if these are the type of people supporting said candidate and using fear tactics to get him elected. Just my opinion, but it certainly draws back the mask.

Admitedly, I am biased for McCain, but I do think he won on content and presentation. When he answered questions, he did so calmly and with a comfortable command of the material. Obama seemed to be trying to make up for a lack of content with bombastic style and a blizzard of words. He seemed to be talking very loudly and rambling. He also came off as petulant and disrespectful, never addressing McCain as 'Senator' while McCain addressed him as such. Whenever there was a split screen during McCain's answers, Obama could be seen smirking, shaking his finger and muttering things like 'not true' under his breath or outright trying to cut in instead of waiting his turn. Here are some of the biggest moments that stuck out for me: 1. After McCain's heartfelt story of the mother who asked him to wear her son's bracelet, Obama retorting with 'Well, I have one, too!" and not even knowing the name on it! Childish and phoney. 2. Obama referring to himself as if he were already president in one segment "As president, I reserve the right to meet with whomever I want..." Alittle ahead of himself, don't you think? McCain had a good comeback with 'Well, I don't even have a seal, yet" 3. After interrupting and seeming to lose a point, Obama decides HE is the moderator and with a wave of his hand says "Well, let's move on". Ugh. Overall: McCain- grandfatherly, confident command of issues, patriotic, heartfelt in what he says. Obama- overly rehearsed, petulant, disrespectful, egotistical, down on America.

Not trying to argue here, but how is politely pointing out that your dd has been passed over with the cake going to ruin a party? Rather than sit there and watch dd left out, you could have given your piece to her and then told the girl that you were "a piece short over here". If she then would have argued with an adult about the situation, then all would have been laid bare for everyone to see (probably for the better), and it wouldn't have been YOU ruining anything, it would have been the girl, and so be it. Again, just saying 'Oh, so and so, I think you forgot a piece over here (you don't even need to mention a name or that it was your dd passed over) is not argumentative, confrontational or going to ruin a party. It would have been common sense and could have saved your dd some tears. It also would have taken the satisfaction of seeing your dd upset away from the mean girl. I know we all think of these things hindsight, though.

I know sometimes you are just too flabbergasted about something to think quickly or say something, but if the girl gave you and your dh a piece of cake and passed over dd right in fromt of you, I don't think I would have had any problem speaking up. I would have very politely said something like "Oh, so and so, I think you forgot dd" basically daring her to say something snotty. Then if she was snotty to me about passing up dd, then all bets would be off and I would put her right in her place, including calling her parents out on it in front of everybody. Then again, I wasn't there, but this was my first reaction. Why did you just watch and let her pass dd up as you accepted your cake? Was this girl or her parents that intimidating?

I thought I was the only anti-social person who hated playdates as well. It all seems so forced and phoney. Especially when you have to go sit and someone's house and make conversation for 3 hours just because your kids like each other. I've known other peole involved in large, elaborate 'play groups' that almost always end badly with cliques and hard feelings, especially as kids get older and more comparisons/competition starts about schools, activities, child-rearing philosophies, etc... Just not good.

Not only am I afraid of the care they might NOT give, but if gov is paying the bills, then they can start deciding what care you MUST accept. This opens a whole can of worms and here are just some examples of where it could go: 1. If gov is paying for your prenatal care, they could force you to get tested for abnormalities and as a result terminate any pregnancy they feel would be an undue burden on the system. If you would refuse, I am sure you would then be on your own for all costs incurred by that pegnancy/child and of course go bankrupt in the process. 2. If they decide obesity, smoking and diabetes are adding to costs, they could force people to take drugs and treatments for those things. Not that it isn't good to control these things, but imagine not having a choice of HOW you will go about it. 3. The vacccine debate is relavant here. I would say that under a universal system, there would be no choice whatsoever. They could demand that you and your children get every vaccine THEY feel is necessary WHEN they feel it is necessary or again- you're out of the system entirely. There is no end to the vaccines they could come up with as being mandatory. These are just a few situations I can see off the top of my head. No more holistic or alternative choices as well. I feel the idea is very scary. things are not good as they are, but choice and free will must always be a part of health care or it soon becomes nightmarishly Orwellian with control over seemingly every breath yoou take from birth to death. With gov paid and controlled care, you can be assured there will be no choice or freedom. there really is no such thing as a free lunch.

I agree that it is an annoying question because it is almost always asked in a 'gotcha' kind of way. They are just waiting for them to say no so they can give you 'the look' that says 'see-they should be in real school'. And my dc usually say no or at best it's just okay because they think I give them TOO MUCH work and their friends in school seem to have it easier! It would be interesting to ask random kids out with their parents if they like public school and when they say no to chastise their parents and say they should obviously hs them! I wonder how they'd like that?

I have taken my kids to political rallies before and had a lot of fun. My middle dd12 really loves them (she's kind of into history and politics) and has asked to go to one this year if possible. Either I or my parents will take her if we can. Just not for (ahem) Obama.

I just have to ask about people that want a political party to 'do something' so that everyone magically has (I'm assuming free) health care. In a perfect world, health coverage would be affordable for all. And by 'affordable', I mean reasonably priced with transparency in fees, quality of care, etc.. so that people could choose a plan, and yes, be able to pay for it due to market forces. Whenever something is provided for free, it invites abuse and corruption. I get very nervous to hear so many people wanting government to 'do something' to provide health care. That something can only be providing free (which is never free since someone always has to pay for it via taxes) health care to everyone. This smacks of dependency and helplessness and is not what government was intended for. It will lead to nothing but more government control of every aspect of our lives. Can someone explain more clearly what the 'something' is that they expect to be done? Is it, as I suspect, a universal/socialist style of health care distribution or am I missing something?

As many have even touched on, why do we even need to care how she is going to do this with a family, etc...? No one seems to have the same concerns for the male candidates kids and families. Michelle Obama doesn't strike me as the meek, stay at home and tend the children so her husband can be successful type. who is going to be looking after their kids? It's a done deal- she has obviously thought about it, discussed it with her family and decided that it is a good move and that they can handle it. I really don't think anyone that brings this up is REALLY concerned about her new baby/kids/family. they are just trying to plant doubts in people's minds about her as a candidate under the guise of concern so that they don't look bad for doing it, but it really is a hollow argument.

To answer the question, yes we go out when necessary, but I have to admit over the years I do less and less just because I get tired of answering the questions (friendly or not). With the dc getting older, it seems we have a lot more to get done, anyway, so I try to 'do school' as much as possible during school hours. If it's a doctor's appointment or something, I really don't care, because people take their dc out of school for things like that, anyway. I just can't believe that people are such busy bodies, though. Even when I didn't hs, I would have never presumed to ask a parent why their child wasn't in school. It could be any number of reasons and mostly it's just none of my business. There's a big difference between 'Oh, you must homeschool' and 'Why aren't your dc in school' (accusatory). Speaking of busy-bodies, there was a local story here last week about a granmother who was ARRESTED for leaving a 14yo in charge of a 2yo sibling in the car while she was in a store. When approached, the 14yo even said there was no problem and she was just babysitting, but the grandma was still arrested for 'child abandonment' or neglect and spent the night in jail. I don't know if there's more to this story, but it was pretty unbelievable to me that someone would have a problem with a 14yo and 2yo waiting in a car,if they seemed (and said) that they were fine. That's why busy-bodies bother me.

All I have to say about Reya's comments are "Wow". Incredibly arrogant and intolerant of other's opinions, rights, intelligence and free will to make the decisions they feel are best for themselves and their families. And if she feels so many homeschoolers are 'stupid', why is she one of them, much less on a board like this? Just to browbeat us and let us know how superior she is, apparently.

I saw that article in our paper today and my blood just boiled. Ditto many of the points already made. Oh, and a co-worker's 1 year-old daughter just came down with of all things- Measles! Guess what she was just vaccinated for 2 months ago? The treatment for this 'serious and deadly' disease that all must be vaccinated for or risk certain death? Take her home. The rash and fever will go away on their own in a few days. Also, when I pointed out that at least she won't have to get another measles shot before school, the mom told me that the doctor told her she would still have to get it because the measles her dd got was somehow different than the one the shot protected against. Give me a break!

I second the Dr. Bronner's soaps for personal use and cleaning the home. For moisturizer, I use organic aloe vera gel in the morning and organic virgin coconut oil in the evening. I also use Burt's Bees shampoo and conditioners. I am a 'curly girl' and just use the aloe gel to scrunch and style with and a dab of coconut oil if needed for dryness. Last time I went for a cut, my hairdresser called his trainee over to demonstrate cutting curly hair and he told her I have some of the healthiest hair that he cuts. He always looks confused when I never buy any of the expensive products he uses on me.

. I used to interview in person, but got sick and tired of the lectures and threats. Stories like this make me so mad! Lectures and threats because you are looking out for and doing what you feel is best for your child?! Does anyone else realize how ridiculous this sounds in a supposedly 'free' country. Free except for medical decisions, apparently. Frankly, I find the whole idea very scary, and it makes me even angrier that so many doctors have just seemed to become enforcers of mandates and CPS snoops rather than actual health care practicioners. When you have to feel on your guard and wonder if they will 'make trouble' for you, something is seriously wrong. How do they live with themselves? I always wonder if this is why they went into medicine, or is it just and unfortunate position they find themselves in. My distrust and disdain of 'pediatrics' in particular seems to grow by the day. It seems many are nothing but 'shot factories'. I mean, if it wasn't for giving shots at 'well-child' visits (a misnomer if I ever heard one), what else would their practice consist of? Okay, rant over.

I put it on my face, hands and rub into my nails every night. I also cook and bake with it, use it for popcorn and have used it as deodorant.

Well, I guess I will be with dissenters on this one. I wouldn't have fired her (in a note, much less) over ONE missed lesson due to a doctor's appointment. And I am usually very cool to people's excuses with their personal life, health problems, etc... this situation struck me as harsh, though. I would have let her know I didn't appreciate showing up to find her not home for the lesson, made sure she had my number in her phone for future reference and given her another chance (at lessons- no more no-shows, etc..). If You truly felt she wasn't a good fit for you dd's lessons after the month you paid for, I think that would have been a much better way to end the relationship. Again, I'm pretty hard-nosed about living up to responsibilities and being professional, but this didn't sit right with me. Not that you need to care about my opinion on this matter, but there it is.

Well, I'm glad you called the CVS pharmacy where it happened. I pointed out that the error could have come from many different sources- in this case the pharmacy that transferred the Rx. You wouldn't have known this had you not called and would have reported this pharmacist for making an error that was really not his fault. He filled the Rx as given to him by the other pharmacy, and that is all he could have done. While I agree that the follow-up by CVS was poor and you got some strange stories and excuses thrown at you, I'm wondering why you don't seem angry with the pharmacy/pharmacist that actually made the transfer mistake. Isn't that who you should really be following up with? If the CVS pharmacist filled the Rx as transferred to him, why is CVS responsible (financially or otherwise) for the error made by the OTHER pharmacy? Maybe I'm not understanding the story correctly, but that is what I'm getting out of it. Now, unfortunately, you are inconvenienced and stuck in the middle. However, this could serve as a good lesson that you should find one pharmacy that you like and trust and stick with them, rather than transfer around based on whim or convenience. More transfers= more potential mistakes, misunderstandings and missed drug interactions.

Okay, I can understand being upset if there was an error made, but why don't you simply check into it before flying off the handle or placing blame or trying to endanger someone's job? The error could have come from several sources- doctor, nurse, pharmacy tech, pharmacist, etc... Why are you so eager to nail the pharmacist to the wall? Here's what you could do: call the pharmacy. Explain (calmly and politely) that you got something different than you normally do and would like to know why. The pharmacist can pull the prescription and easily determine what happened. Maybe it was called or written incorrectly, maybe it was the pharmacist's error. If it was, I will bet they will apologize profusely, refund your money and re-fill it correctly at no charge. We're all human, after all. How about a little compassion for someone that will feel terrible enough for their mistake as it is? Isn't that how you would like to be treated if you were in his position? You were not harmed and the error was not made intentionally or maliciously. By your own admission, the pharmacist was very nice and helpful. Why don't you just call him and find out what happened and have the problem/error corrected? I'm sure CVS has a program for him to report the error himself and he will be very grateful that YOU pointed it out. Now, if he was rude or callous or did nothing to rectify the mistake, THEN you would have a case for complaints and letters.

You should have said "by all means get a blanket- and give it to whoever is uncomfortable so they can put it over THEIR head and not have to see the nursisng baby"! I would definitely call or write a letter of complaint to Target- corporate if necessary.

I thought Menactra (the newer one) had been associated with GBS (Guillian-Barre syndrome) and the FDA even issued a warning/statement about this a few years ago. If the FDA even admits it, I've really got to take some notice, since it seems like they always just want to cover these things up(or at least not talk about them) to protect the manufacturers and have people keep taking the drugs/vaccines. I really don't know know what to do about this one. The disease scares me, but I have had one dd have neurological problems caused by vaccines, and definitely don't want to go down that long and horrible road again, either.

This is a very cute phase, but I just have to tell you about my sweet ds. He went through a phase where he always wanted to wear a tie like daddy! It was the cutest thing. He had a small collection that he kept in his 'lockbox' of all places! He looked so cute and dapper!