Senate-Hopeful Makes Large Dent in Cancer Crisis
Jamie Lober of South Florida is a hardcore conservative mover and shaker who you can expect to find occupying her own office in the Hart Senate building before this decade is up. “I have gone from taking baby steps to dashing because I need to get there somehow; the nation needs me,” said Lober. Once known for her insightful, critical commentary on Obama’s first term in the Hawaii Reporter, Lober remained unsurprised at the celebration that came in response to his reelection in November. “I guess the good news is that at Inauguration this January out of several million people who will show up only a handful will have to call off work,” said Lober.
Lober works in health communications and is President of Talk Health with Jamie, Inc., a job that has led her to distribute sometimes lifesaving information throughout over forty states. “When we live in a country that has an obesity epidemic but the current fad is skinny jeans, somebody needs to say something and that person might as well be me,” said Lober. While Lober has been credited with running a top business more than once, she affirms that was not her intention. “I did not start my business to make money, I did it because I wanted to make a difference,” said Lober. Lober stresses the importance of making good lifestyle choices and considering how your decisions will affect you in the long run. “I feel people drink too much, eat too much and shop too much and though all of that helps the economy, those actions are detrimental to your health,” said Lober.
Having drawn much praise and recognition for her self-empowerment-themed book Pink Power: We Girls Can Do Anything!, Lober said that while some men need some assistance, it is the women who really need the help. “I have never seen so many women chase after cabs and men; there will always be more of both of them,” said Lober. She feels that gossip and belittling get in the way of people pursuing their dreams and women should not engage in that negative behavior. “I would never lower myself but I have no problem discussing my opinion about other people’s life choices,” jokes Lober. She tells that the more you express your opinion and take stands on issues, the more comfortable you will become with yourself. “Sure I could sometimes be wrong but I doubt it,” said Lober.
Reflecting on the message of her book, Lober explains that she has gotten great pleasure out of defying some odds over the years. “It is kind of fun to do what others think is impossible,” said Lober. As one of the youngest in the nation to run for mayor at just twenty-one years-old, she became no stranger to criticism and attack. “It was rough but in order for me to truly be offended I would have to value someone’s opinion in the first place and the people who mattered to me have stuck by my side,” said Lober. In terms of people who have not discouraged her wild ambitions over the years, she interestingly cites political mentors, her parents and a guy she was involved with through college who she speaks of as if she was last with him yesterday. “My favorite thing about him is the way I always felt when I was with him and the connection I had with him has been unbreakable over the years and he knows it,” said Lober. Seeming chronologically out of place, Lober’s words appear to come from the heart and be completely irrelevant to the crushing breakup she endured in 2012. “Working with the media I have learned that if I do not tell my story that someone else will tell it for me and it probably will not be accurate,” said Lober. She goes on to say that her words are a testament to the kind of person he is. “Having been there through many life transitions and changes, he means the world to me and if I can put it on my list of things I hope to achieve this year, I hope for a chance to tell him face to face,” said Lober. As to whether this piece of Lober’s backbone will be at a swearing-in ceremony for the Senate in some years, she cheers up. “I want to believe there is such thing as a happy ending,” said Lober.
While Lober claims her life used to be very routine, easy and pleasant, she tells that she is now a master at unpredictability, spontaneity and coping with anything that comes her way. “I never doubted myself but I also never really recognized how strong I was until I saw it was the only choice I had,” said Lober. Making her way in a community culture that she says is caught up in greed, selfishness and plastic surgery, she stays confident in her own skin. “I do not have to be perfect but I take great pride in knowing that I am not fake,” said Lober. She tells that she has never met people so wrapped up in other’s income. “I really do not believe money can buy happiness but I suppose it is better to cry in a mansion,” said Lober. Embracing the theme of her book she may give the impression that she is like a pink flamingo trying to shine in a city of pigeons at times, but it is her life experiences that have made her that way. She emphatically states that she has no regrets in her life and that anyone who feels she has ever made a mistake should evaluate themselves. “I can tell you that I have had so much fun and learned so much from any of these so-called mistakes that I cannot wait to make a few more,” said Lober.
Most evidently Lober’s life took a giant turn over the past year as she took the lemons of dealing with a loved one’s health challenges from rare cancer and made lemonade as she found herself as the Public Relations Chairman for the American Cancer Society – South Palm Beach Chapter and receiving national recognition all within a matter of months. “I would have to say that my paths crossed with the American Cancer Society for a reason and it has been gratifying,” said Lober. It is not just in the area of healthcare reform that Lober feels there is a dire need for a change in direction of the country. “When all of the tax dodgers, sex offenders and terrorists unite and you have the Democratic Convention, you know the nation has problems,” said Lober.
Going down the list of contemporary battles, Lober most voluntarily offers her opinion on the gun debate. “Gun ownership is a fundamental right particularly for self-defense and it would be unconstitutional to even hold a discussion that would contemplate otherwise,” said Lober. Lober takes side with the corporations, acknowledging that people should be smarter. “I applaud the lawmakers who are trying to put an end to the frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers in attempt to deprive citizens of their second amendment rights,” said Lober. In light of the recent tragedies, she expresses grave concern. “It is all political in the sense that nobody wants to identify the mentally ill population of all ages and certainly nobody wants to allow God or a message of faith, family and freedom into the schools to protect our youth,” said Lober. Lober always finds time to talk to others about current issues and hopes that they will come to what she feels is the right side of things. “The liberals think they are so smart but if that is really true, why do they always have trouble filling out the ballots,?” said Lober.
In addition to the political upset that the rest of the Republican Party faced, Lober dealt with the sourness of a devastating end to an on-again, off-again long-term romance. “It is a true story that Mary J. Blige/Drake Mr. Wrong came on the radio in my car after the last time we decided to get back together but everything seemed so right,” said Lober. The former couple was complete opposites yet inseparable as Lober was swept up in what she describes as a charming, affectionate, wild nature. “I always said I would never date a Democrat and now I obviously won’t,” said Lober. She took the experience with a grain of salt, darting to Washington D.C. where she claims that all of the nation’s problems get solved and hers would too – and they were, so she claimed. “He will always have a place in my heart but I went on to see my wisest friends and reaffirm my commitment to encouraging men and women to take control of their health,” said Lober. Lober is particularly passionate about women’s health, having an impact on what she refers to as the addiction epidemic and, most apparently, being at the forefront of the cancer discussion. “I have a lot of work cut out for me but it gives me a very fulfilling purpose and I know where I am headed,” said Lober. It seems in a number of years Marco Rubio will have a value-driven, compassionate, action-oriented partner to help him uphold the banner.