My new site(s)!

I have been working on my other websites lately and would love your feedback. The above image is part of the front page of www.erinannmcbride.com, my more professional site. It includes my writing samples and resume. I'm not completely crazy about the layout, but I've been messing with it for so long I'm not sure how else to do it!

I've also started to write again at www.swingstatevoter.com. This is where I share my political views and commentary, both biased and unbiased at times. I hope to revamp the overall appearance of the site very soon. (Right after I finish writing a book, going to girls camp, my brother's wedding, etc.)

Visit my sites and let me know what you think!

Prevent Unnecessary Tragedies and Support Mental Health Reform

The tragedy at the Navy Yard is yet another wake-up call to both citizens and lawmakers that the United States needs legislative reform.

The Navy Yard, Sandy Hook, Aurora, Fort Hood, Tucson, Virginia Tech, Columbine, and several other unnecessary mass murders all had one strong, undeniable detail in common- mental health disorders.

Placing the blame on firearms regulations will not stop mentally ill persons from attacking and hurting others. The root of the problem is the mentally ill, not the tool the person chose for their attack. The real problem lies with sick persons who were not treated for mental illnesses adequately.

The time has come to raise awareness of mental health disorders in the public square and provide more resources to help ill persons. All individuals need to learn and identify the mentally ill among them, and help the sick and afflicted get help. Schools need to be given more resources to identify and serve mentally ill students.

The stigma of mental awareness needs to be lifted so that the ill will not be afraid to admit their sickness and reach out for help.

I urge you to support the mental health funding levels in the Senate FY2014 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill (S.1284) and to cosponsor and enact the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 689).

There has been a cut in state funding for mental health services and supports of nearly $5 billion over the last three years.  The Senate funding bill includes a roughly $107 million increase for much-needed, critical mental health services at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and would fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at FY2012 levels. 

S.1284 makes important strides in investing in "upstream services" such as suicide prevention, consumer programs, Project AWARE, etc. to begin to address the treatment chasm (80 percent of children and 66 percent of adults that need treatment do not receive it).

In the wake of the the Navy Yard shooting, the Sandy Hook tragedy, Aurora, and all of the other national crises, bi-partisan legislation was introduced by Sens. Tom Harkin and Lamar Alexander to assist states and local communities in addressing mental health needs ("upstream" services). 

The Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 689) was passed by an overwhelming vote of 95-2 in April as an amendment to a legislative vehicle that has since been pulled from the Senate calendar.
 
I urge you to support the funding levels in the Senate FY2014 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill (S.1284) in any future spending package or Continuing Resolution and to urge the Senate to have the House consider the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 689). These important bills will help address the mental health and addiction needs in our state and communities.

You can show your support for this bill by contacting your Senator (click here to find your senator and her/his email address), and sending her/him the text in bold above.

Share this message on your blog, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. Help spread the word, and encourage everyone to not just "like" the post, but SEND THE MESSAGE TO THE SENATE TO SUPPORT SENATE FY2014 LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATIONS BILL (S.1284) AND THE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2013 (S.689)!

You can learn more about this legislation on the Mental Health America website. 

Around the blog and back again

Purpose of this picture? None. I just think it is cute and I miss my nephews. The boy and the dog in this picture are almost 7 years old now.

I'm a little obsessed with politics and the stock market this week. Come join me over at Swing State Voter for a look at why I think Newt Gingrich is a tool, everything you need to know to look smart the water cooler talking about the Iowa Caucus, and my extended family's personal interests in Mitt Romney (including a picture of him kissing my grandmother).
I'm also busy writing about money over at that Foolish place. Never far from my roots and talking about what I know, I write about the financial interests of the GOP candidates, and why 2011 was the best and worst of times.
And just for fun, here's a video for you. I've had this song stuck in my head for days now. I've always loved it, but only saw the video for the first time ever today. It is so bad it is funny.

Leftovers and more

The best part of Thanksgiving- my turkey, cranberry sauce, havarti cheese, and homemade rolls leftovers sandwich!

Did y'all have a good Thanksgiving Weekend? Mine was busy (because I have a JOB now), but good. I spent a lot of time working on my other websites. I posted over 30 deals and sales to Cutting Back and Going Green. Have you checked them out yet? Personally, I have to say the Harry Potter movies complete set for $40 is an incredible deal (in comparison, most major retailers are selling it for $99.99), and a 3D Blu-ray player with Wifi for $99 can't be beat. If you check out my site you'll also find I've installed a widget where you can compare prices for any product with what it is going for on Amazon. I really recommend checking it before you buy anything online!
I also posted a few new things to my politically minded blog, Swing State Voter. I'm hoping to help people understand the significance of the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primaries. Personally, I find the primary nomination system fascinating, mostly because it is so undemocratic and unfair in the long run. If anyone wants to get into that discussion (argument) with me, I'm game!
Having a job again has really improved my spirits. Even if the job is just part-time holiday work, it feels really good to know that for the next four weeks I won't have to ask for help, and I can support myself, even if only just barely. It really feels good to be able to take care of myself again. Just having a reason to get out of the bed and get dressed every day really makes a huge difference in my spirits.
I've never taken the time to bother decorating for Christmas. First and foremost, I'm just not one who cares much about holiday decorations. (I find most to be tacky.) Second, I've never seen the point in decorating just for me. But I'm not only considering decorating this year, I may even buy a real tree and put it up. But then again, that means spending money on myself during a tight budget month. So maybe not. We'll see. But I'm liking the idea of decorations and a tree this year, even if I will be spending it alone.