Author | Lightnews

Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · 17d

I took a photo of this still life, then used AI sleight-of-hand to create a digital painting.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Aug 28

Walkabout, Portland, OR; Tilikum Crossing area; March 2023
#StreetPhotography
#PortlandOregon
#Photography

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Aug 28

Walkabout, Portland, OR; Tilikum Crossing area; March 2023
#BlackandWhiteStreetPhotography
#StreetPhotography
#PortlandOregon
#TilikumCrossing

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Aug 28

Google / Gemini made it simple to understand the US Constitution:
gemini.google.com/share/0c0467...

‎Gemini - 📖 Our American Blueprint

Created with Gemini

gemini.google.com

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Aug 19

A reminder to always photograph what you love. I took these snapshots of my children with a film Canon AE-1 30+ years ago; I then printed these precious photos on fiber paper and hand tinted them in the 1990's.
#NationalPhotographyDay
#FilmPhotography
#PortraitPhotography

Photo of a toddler in denim overalls and wearing an adult Stetson cowboy hat. Photo taken by Charisa Martin Cairn in the '80s, hand printed on fiber paper and hand tinted color in the 1990's.

Photo of a young girl, a redhead, wearing a denim jacket, sitting on a rough-hewn log swing. Photo taken by Charisa Martin Cairn in the '90s, hand printed on fiber paper and hand tinted color in the 1990's.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

Healthcare should be based on medical need, not identity.

This bill targets trans people by denying them the same care others get.

It sets a dangerous precedent: if care can be denied based on identity now, who’s next?

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

A cis man with low testosterone? Covered.
A trans man needing the same treatment? Banned.

That’s not about medicine—it’s about discrimination.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

t’s about excluding a specific group from care that others still receive under the same system.

⚖️ What It Means in Practice
A cis woman who needs estrogen after surgery? Covered.
A trans woman who needs estrogen to live as herself? Banned.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

🧬 Medical Need vs. Political Targeting
Gender-affirming care is evidence-based, supported by every major medical association, and often life-saving.

This ban is not about cost, since gender-affirming care accounts for a tiny fraction of Medicaid spending.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

It does not ban medications for erectile dysfunction in cisgender men.

These treatments are allowed because they are not labeled as gender-affirming.

Same medications, same procedures—but different coverage depending on whether the patient is trans.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

Care banned includes puberty blockers, hormone therapy, surgeries, and related mental health support for the purpose of gender transition.

🚨 Double Standard in Medical Coverage
The bill does not ban hormone therapy for cisgender women after a hysterectomy.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

Gender-Affirming Care Restrictions in H.R.1
🎯 What the Bill Does
H.R.1 bans all federal funding—including Medicaid, CHIP, and ACA subsidies—for gender-affirming care, starting in 2027.

This applies to all ages, not just minors.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

• Adds over $3 trillion to the national deficit despite major social spending cuts.
• Critics say it rewards the wealthy and dismantles safeguards for working-class Americans.
• Proponents claim it promotes liberty, deregulation, and growth—but at what cost?

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

TALKING POINTS
• H.R. 1 delivers large tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations while cutting Medicaid and SNAP.
• Over 10 million Americans are projected to lose health insurance coverage by 2034.
• The bill undermines federal regulatory agencies and shifts power to Congress and states.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

POWER SHIFTS:
• Weakens executive branch by requiring congressional approval of regulations.
• Transfers program control to states, shifting benefit outcomes by geography.
• Increases income inequality through regressive redistribution.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

FISCAL IMPACT (CBO ESTIMATES):
• Adds $3.0 trillion to deficit (2025–2034); $4.5 trillion if tax provisions are made permanent.
• Raises debt-to-GDP to 123.8% by 2034 (or 127.7% with permanent cuts).

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

WHO LOSES:
• Low-income households: Lose $1,500/year in average resources (CBO).
• Uninsured population grows by 10.9 million (CBO projection).
• Clean energy sectors: Lose all federal support.
• Federal regulatory agencies: Power curtailed dramatically.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

WHO BENEFITS:
• High-income households and corporations: Receive largest tax breaks and regulatory rollbacks.
• States with conservative governments: Gain flexibility in program management (e.g., Medicaid).
• Defense and immigration enforcement sectors: Benefit from increased appropriations.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

• Limits agency rulemaking power; mandates congressional approval for major regulations.
• Repeals climate-related regulations and clean energy incentives.
• Increases funding for border security and restricts asylum eligibility.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

Also: a one page summary with talking points
H.R. 1 –One-Page Summary & Talking Points
KEY PROVISIONS:
• Permanently extends Trump-era tax cuts (TCJA) and eliminates taxes on tips, overtime, and car loans.
• Slashes ACA subsidies, Medicaid, SNAP, and student loan forgiveness programs.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

You can share this link with others.

chatgpt.com/s/dr_6868431...

Shared Content

chatgpt.com

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Jul 4

I asked ChatGPT to do "deep research" on the Congressional Budget Bill H.R.1 as well as give me an analysis of the impacts as estimated by the US Congressional Budget Office. It took 61 minutes to review and analyze the nearly 1000 pages of data. The result is this 27 page summary.

Shared Content

chatgpt.com

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · May 1

Interested in sitting for a portrait? Are you 60+ and in SW WA or willing to travel here? Send me a DM and tell me something about yourself.

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Apr 19

youtube.com/shorts/FNvbg...

They're Scared

YouTube video by PoliticsGirl

youtube.com

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Charisa Martin Cairn @charisa.bsky.social · Apr 8

Check the comments for even more resources!

Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg @theradr.bsky.social · Apr 8

(I haven't checked these all personally, BUT!! I do know a bunch are legit soo00o)

List of 25 sites to read books for free:

1. Project Gutenberg
2. LibriVox
3. Internet Archive
4. Open Library
5. Google Books
6. ManyBooks
7. Bookboon
8. Smashwords
9. Wattpad

(cot'd)