Editorial #62: Your Health Insurance.
Autism Politico wants you to know how you will be paying for health insurance going forward. Here are all the ways you will pay:
1) You will pay whatever the rates are, unless you qualify for a subsidy.
2) Because states must pay into the plan, you will be taxed higher by the state.
3) Because companies must pay into the plan, your company will either pay you less or charge customers more.
4a) Every company in the US that manufactures a product or provides a service will have to jack up the price of those products or services to pay for health care, thus everything you purchase will be more expensive.
4b) Unless foreign competitors come in and sell everything for less, in which case domestic workers will lose their jobs…but will still be required to buy healthcare and pay their taxes.
5) Rich people will be taxed higher to pay for care which the poor and about-to-become-poor cannot pay for. This means that wealthy people will have less to donate to charities such as the Easter Seals, the Autism Society of America, and hospitals and clinics, etc.
Thus your attempts to get quack treatments that healthcare insurance doesn’t cover will be difficult.
6) The IRS will hire many more people to ensure that people are paying their taxes and are providing proof of insurance on their tax forms. If they do not provide such proof, or do not pay their taxes…and any back-taxes owed for not filing their taxes in the past, their assets will be seized and auctioned off.
This means that if you owe the IRS money and have no money to pay for it, and if you are required to buy healthcare, but have no money to pay for it, while you are in jail, the IRS will auction off your assets at rock bottom prices to pay the government what it is owed and to pay for your healthcare.
Because the majority of the country voted the people into office that passed this health care bill, Autism Politico can only assume that this is what the people want.
Replies to this editorial are welcome.
Editorial #61: Observation #3
Autism Politico observes all 50 states are objecting to the passing of the healthcare bill. Some will sue the government. Some will petition the US Supreme Court. Polls suggest that the majority of the population opposes the passage of the bill.
Would anyone care to offer an opinion about why so many people and governments are suddenly vocal AFTER the bill’s passage?
Just an observation.
Replies to this editorial are welcome
Editorial #59: Quote #7
Autism Politico has found another quote to discuss:
Dickens once wrote:
“To conceal anything from those to whom I am attached , is not in my nature. I can never close my lips where I have opened my heart.”
People who have done nothing wrong have nothing to conceal.
But whether or not a person has something to hide, to not be open to others suggests a closed heart.
As Aspies, we keep ourselves to ourselves. This sort of reserve is admirable, but from society’s perspective, we are secretive at best, concealing something at worse.
Oftentimes, a lawyer of a perpetrator of a crime will say “Because my client had Asperger Syndrome, he did not know right from wrong.”
People on the spectrum know right AND wrong and they know right FROM wrong.
People on the spectrum may claim not to understand why it is people believe people on the spectrum do not know right from wrong, but the reason people have this belief is simple:
Aspies conceal their hearts from people, because they keep their mouths shut.
Autism Politico believes that a lot of the prejudices people have about Aspies are the direct result of Aspies making themselves inaccessible to other people. We are not only aloof, but we are so shy as to be perceived guilty of something by other people.
By contrast, a smiling NT can pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.
While it may be better to be honest and presumed guilty rather than guilty but presumed honest, it’s best to be honest and presumed honest, and that is something that people on the autism spectrum are perfectly capable of doing, if they only open up to others.
Replies to this editorial are welcome.
Editorial #58: Mumps and Exclusion
Autism Politico was pleased to read the following:
As many as 170 Plattsburgh State students will now be excluded from campus during a mumps outbreak because they are not fully vaccinated against the viral disease.
Further:
New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines issued an order Friday barring students who are not vaccinated against mumps and have not contracted mumps from campus for the duration of the outbreak.
Autism Politico believes that if people want to expose themselves to the possibility of contracting a dangerous disease, that is their choice, but that choice should not allow them to expose others to the disease.
Autism Politico hopes that all states and all countries will enact rules like this one for all diseases for which vaccinations are available and generally required EXCEPT in instances where people are allergic to vaccines and cannot take them. That people may find themselves getting behind in their schooling is NOT regrettable given that people are CHOOSING not to fulfill the requirements that they be vaccinated.
As it has been repeatedly shown, vaccines do not cause autism, and side effects and deaths resulting from vaccination in cases where people are not allergic to vaccines are few.
Autism Politico understands that some religions do not believe in vaccinations, and Autism Politico respects religious freedoms. Yet for these people’s protection, it is best that they not be exposed to dangerous diseases, nor should they be allowed to expose others to such diseases.
Replies to this editorial are welcome.
Editorial #57: Age Of Ari
Just when Autism Politico thought there might be a glint of hope for the Age of Autism blog, Autism Politico’s hopes have been dashed again.
Age of Autism wrote a blog article which reads as a petition to President Obama opposing his nomination of Ari Ne’eman to the National Council on Disability.
Autism Politico can get behind that movement. Ne’eman has demonstrated repeatedly that he tends to ignore the wants and needs of whole sectors of the autism community as it suits and serves him (see the other Autism Politico blog articles where Ne’eman and ASAN are mentioned for details). In this respect he makes a perfect politician, and this is why he should not be appointed to the National Council on Disability.
But Age of Autism screws up any chance they have of being taken seriously when they give their own reasons why Ne’eman should not be appointed. To paraphrase them here:
Point 1: Ne’eman is too young and inexperienced for the job.
This is true. However, while Ne’eman is young, he is smart enough to know what his elders at Age of Autism apparently don’t: Vaccines have nothing to do with autism. Autism is genetic in origin. Autism has no cure.
So right away, THAT point is shot down. To think that a young man with allegedly no work experience of college degrees knows more than some of the most well-known bloggers on the net makes it look like Ne’eman is exactly the man autistics should have on the National Council on Disability.
Point 2: Ne’eman opposed curing autism.
Well, so do the majority of autistics. That Age of Autism fails to recognize this fact flattens their credibility. How can they claim to be speaking in the interest of autistics when they are not taking a political stance in keeping with autistic viewpoints?
So THAT point is shot down too. That Ne’eman appears to be acting in the interest of autistics is exactly the man autistics should have on the National Council on Disability
Point 3: Autistics cost too much and are a financial burden.
Any way a person looks at it, that concept seems discriminatory. Put in “elderly” or “diabetic” or “HIV positive” and there is trouble. Age of Autism argues under that point that the increasing autistic population will be financially unsustainable. What would they have to say about the increasing age of the population?
Should we put the elderly to death early?
So THAT point is shot down too. Age of Autism has made Ne’eman look compassionate in light of their own callousness.
Point 4: Ne’eman has similar interests to Big Pharma.
The Big Pharma conspiracy has been repeatedly disproven. Age of Autism clings to the conspiracy theory nevertheless. Well, Autism Politico believes that anyone can believe anything they want. But it is generally not good policy to argue from a position commonly recognized as weakness. Most people will not publicly state that they believe the earth is flat, or that there are UFOs, even if they believe those things in private. In fact, they will publicly attack anyone who voices the view that the ocean’s waters cascade off the plate that is Planet Earth and that aliens are among us.
So THAT point is shot down too. All President Obama has to do in response to Age of Autism is say “Look at those conspiracy theorists! What fools.” Obama can say that even in he believes/knows, that he is keeping aliens in Area 51.
Point 5: “Rather than unifying the autism community, Mr. Ne’eman divides it.”
That’s a direct quote. And as it is completely true, Autism Politico will not dispute that point. But unfortunately, Age of Autism kept writing, and also said:
He equates the search for a cure with outright rejection of all autistic people. Mr. Ne’eman and a small faction within the autism community may personally oppose prevention and cure as is their right, but they do not represent the majority of people on the spectrum, particularly those who are so impaired that they face a lifetime in institutional settings at taxpayers’ expense.
Age of Autism forgets that according to the Raven’s test, 1/3 of autistics have below average intelligence, 1/3 have average intelligence, and 1/3 have above average intelligence. With 66% of the autistic community having an intelligence which is capable of understanding their own health issues and possible outcomes associated therewith, they are nearly uniform in their opinion that autism should not be cured.
So THAT point is shot down too. The idea that the majority of autistics are not capable of thinking for themselves has been disproven by science, and Age of Autism’s attempt to make the public believe something different is akin to believing that the earth is flat, or that vaccines cause autism.
Point 6: They claim that Ne’eman’s belief that there is no cure for autism is wrong.
Unfortunately, Ne’eman is right, and their assertion is wrong. That they believe otherwise is their right, but there is no scientific basis to support their view and plenty on Ne’eman’s side.
So THAT point is shot down too, and they have made Ne’eman look very smart into the bargain.
Point 7: Ne’eman is against Dr. Bernard Rimland and the B-6/magnesium therapy.
The Autism Genome Database already lists out all the genes which cause autism, and as these genes are looked at closely, environmental triggers are increasingly being ruled out as a cause for autism, and vitamin therapies are increasingly being shown to have no influence on the autism genes. Further, most autism genes do not have an “on/off switch”. Those that are “on” were “on” from conception. Those that were ”off” were ”off” at conception. If scientists could develop a switch, THAT might solve the “problem” of autism. But to date, nothing has affected a cure for autism, except in instances where the patients in question were not autistic to begin with, but only presented with autistic symptoms.
Autism Politico could list out all the studies which support what has been stated in the above paragraph, but there is no need. Articles on this matter abound on the net, and it is increasingly becoming a commonly accepted scientific baseline to believe that the above is true.
So THAT point is shot down too. In light of all scientific research which jumps on Age of Autism’s point of view and grinds it into the ground, Age of Autism seems to believe that it ought to be taken seriously because they know of one scientist who has a contrary view to the science that is accepted worldwide by all the world’s governments and all the world’s major medical associations, and most of the world’s doctors.
It makes them look foolish.
If they could quote a Journal of the American Medical Association article which delineates a treatment or cure for autism, they would sound more credible. But they can’t.
Point 8: Ne’eman uses big words, but does not address the big issues. Ne’eman needs to recognize that autistics suffer and the suffering will not end with his rhetoric.
Ne’eman addresses most of the issues concerning the autism community. As the interests of Age of Autism are not in the interest of the autism community, it makes sense that Age of Autism has a problem with Ne’eman’s views.
Autism Politico posits that the National Council on Disability knows that the Age of Autism doesn’t represent the autism community either, which is why Ne’eman would be a good addition to the position.
So THAT point is shot down too.
Although there is truth in it. Where autistics ”suffer” is when Ne’eman fails to address OTHER big issues:
- He fails to criticize autistics for using the “I have autism” defense when they commit crimes.
- He fails to stop autistics from bullying each other or autistics in his own organization, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, from bullying other autistics (see previous posts).
- He went against the wishes of autistics when he worked to get the autism registry set up in one state.
- He appears to pick and choose boycotts based on the publicity he stands to get from it.
- He makes political alliances with unsavory partners when it suits him (see previous posts).
There are more reasons not to appoint Ari Ne’eman to the National Council on Disability, but that is not the point of this editorial. The point of this editorial is that Age of Autism missed a huge chance to influence a lot of people to oppose Ne’eman’s appointment.
Replies to this editorial are welcome.
Editorial #56: Parethood
Autism Politico is disappointed with the new TV show called Parenthood - or else it is disappointed with people with Asperger Syndrome. It cannot decide which.
In episode two, we watched two parents who have raised a son from birth lose grip with reality and fall to pieces when their son is diagnosed with AS. The emotional over reaction is realistic in that it seems in keeping with the way most neurotypical parents react when their child is diagnosed.
This sort of hyper-reaction characterizes neurotypicals. Autism Politico doesn’t understand why. The situation is what it is is, and has been what it has been since the child was born. Why should a label change anything? Maybe it’s because parents live in denial until such time as a diagnosis makes them face the music and live up to their responsibilities as parents. Could we not see a show where parents take a diagnosis in stride?
Suspecting where the series was going with AS, Autism Politico skipped trying to watch the pilot online.
Objectivity got the better of Autism Politico, however, so we watched episode number three.
The third episode disappointed Autism Politico. It begins with the AS kid in class. His teacher is trying to make him focus on his work, but -amid the shuffling of papers from his fellow classmates, and the distractions commonly associated with classrooms- the AS kid focuses in on the bubbling fish tank as the cause of his inability to concentrate. In a later scene, the glass from the broken fish tank is on the floor, all the fish dead, and the kid is expelled.
By the end of the episode, the AS kid (Autism Politico is so disappointed with the series that it is not bothering to memorize the characters’ names) is happily installed -without even the hint of a meltdown on the horizon due to this massive and potentially life changing transition- in a very exclusive school, the quick and easy result of ceaseless efforts by the boy’s pathetic and desperate parents who seem to believe that the school, rather than their efforts at parenting, are the boy’s only hope.
Aside from the unlikelihood of a quick and immediate transition from public school to a special needs one (most special needs schools have waiting lists) Autism Politico doesn’t often see autistics kill other life forms out of such selfishness. Nevertheless, it has been known, and that was probably why the producers of Parenthood zeroed in on this fact and wrote it into the TV show. Viewers who saw the show are now going to get the idea that people with AS are selfish, self-centered, pathological sociopaths who will destroy any sub-creature to make sure that their own little microcosm remains intact.
Given that so many autistics have behaved this way in real life, however, Autism Politico thinks this portrayal of autistics is GOOD because it may help shame misbehaving autistics into acting in keeping with decent human standards of conduct. We keep hearing stories about autistics getting violent in schools and at work, or at home, and knowing autistics the way we do, Autism Politico knows that even though many of these autistics are mistreated, Autism Politico knows that violence for the most part is a choice.
The behavior of AS as depicted on Parenthood will certainly cause people to stereotype autistics. Autism Politico believes that the way to protest against this stereotype is not to write the show’s producers, but for autistics to restrain themselves whenever they have the urge to break societal laws and rules. Most autistics who are functioning at average or above average intelligence should have no problem doing this, and they should have no problem mentoring other autistics either.
Replies to this editorial are welcome.
Editorial #55: Ruling for vaccines
Autism Politico notes that a US federal court has ruled against parents seeking restitution for supposed harm done to their autistic children by vaccines.
Autism Politico’s pleasure could not be greater because
1) Not only has science proven these people wrong, but now the courts have made it impossible for them to make money off of their spurious opinion-based, anecdotal “evidence.”
2) These people may have suffered a great monetary loss in their legal pursuits, which is a punishment in itself.
3) They have demonstrated to the world that by trying to hold vaccine manufactures responsible for their own familial genetic differences [autism genome research suggests that autism can be hereditary and IS genetic in origin], they are deniers of important science.
4) If they had been paying for and attending psychological therapy for rather than wasting time and money on a cause that has repeatedly been shown to be untrue, invalid, and unsubstantiated, they might have been able to foster better relations with their autistic children.
5) And THIS goes to show that they will take drastic steps to change what cannot be changed rather than apply their wealth and resources to change THEMSELVES and better their relationships with their autistic children.
Autism Politico thinks it is encouraging that with each attempt anti-vaxers make to challenge science or challenge government, they get a door slammed in their faces and are boxed in to an even tighter corner.
While it would be wonderful to see these people silenced altogether, the autistics at Autism Politico don’t believe in eugenics, as many anti-vaxers do, so we will just have to accept the fact that strange people will always be with us no matter how much we don’t like it.
Replies to this editorial are welcome.
Editorial #54: Kudos to Autism Speaks
Autism Politico notes that Age of Autism has its underwear in a twist over Autism Speak’s lack of support for autism insurance bills in some states. It says on the Age of Autism blog:
Autism Speaks’ bill contains vague language that doesn’t compel insurance companies to cover any specific treatments, services or therapies. And would require any treatments to be approved by three separate state agencies. There is no time line for the agencies to act and no money to pay for staff. It is a recipe for inaction. A staffer for the Senate sponsor of the bill said on Monday that it could perhaps assist a parent’s lawsuit against an insurance company.
This is precisely what is needed as far as legislation is concerned. There is no known treatment or cure for any autism spectrum disorder, and to require insurance companies to cover any treatment would be a sheer waste of money. Autism Speaks has suggested that approval for therapies be granted by at least three state agencies because states do not recognize any autism treatment or cure that is not approved by the FDA. To date, while a number of drugs treat symptoms of autism, the FDA does not believe there is any treatment or cure for autism itself, and quack therapies that Age of Autism loves to believe in, such as chelation, are not approved by the US government for treatment of autism.
That Age of Autism believes differently about autism treatments speaks to their limited knowledge and examination of medical science.
That there is a list of organizations supporting the legislation that Age of Autism wants passed is irrelevant.
In this particular instance, Autism Speaks cares about autistics enough not to want to torture them by subjecting them to unproven quack therapies.
Autism Politico is no fan of Autism Speaks, but approves of their stance on this issue. Autistics, who have consistently proven too lazy to speak for themselves, -radical neurodiversity people excepted- ought to be thankful that Autism Speaks got it right this time.
Replies to this editorial are welcome.
Editorial #53: Regarding Petitions
Autism Politico reminds autistics that it’s easy to sign petitions. TOO EASY.
Anyone can draft a petition which makes it look like by signing it, you will be doing a world of good.
What you have to do is read all the information concerning the issue about which the petition has been drafted. In many cases, a lot of self-interest goes into the drafting of petitions.
Petitions enable someone to put their signature to something and feel good about what they’ve done, but without all the work and effort that goes into researching issues and doing REAL WORK to get things accomplished.
Autism Politico reminds people that one well-written letter to a politician often causes the exact result a person is looking to see. But petitions, being easy to sign, often become bait and switch tools whereby a person believes themselves to be supporting a particular issue but is in fact supporting the opposite issue.
Don’t be caught up in this form of lazy political action. Do the research before signing a petition so you know all the information surrounding the issue. Find out who is drafting the petition and whether or not that person or entity is trustworthy. Don’t get suckered into believing that because a lot of people like the person or entity who created the petition that this makes the petition worth signing. There are a lot of people out there who appear to be good people but who really are not. There are a lot of neurodiversity folks out there who really are extremely ignorant -or, alternatively, extremely radical- about autism issues.
Replies to this editorial are welcome.
Autism Politico
