The Senate was finally able to gather up 60 votes to bring what they call health care reform to a vote. So what will it provide?
1. Access to coverage for 31 million Americans that are or may be currently without health insurance.
Depending on the source, there are anywhere between that 31 million figure and up to 86 million over that last 2 years. That leaves 55 million still without insurance if you believe that there are 86 million uninsured. And the bill only provides for access, with fines up to $2,250.00 per family by 2016.
2. Single people with an income of less than $43,320.00 will qualify for a sliding subsidy scale and families of 3 (and I assume or more) will qualify for the subsidy with an income of $73,240.00 or less.
According to the U. S. Census 32.6% of the households in America are 2 person households. That equals 68,836,092 million people in 2 person households. I can't tell from these figures how many 2 person married couples there are, but I'm sure it is a significant amount and they will not be qualified for the subsidies.
3, There will be no Public Option. There will be 2 nations insurance plans, 1 non-profit and 1 for-profit. The plans will only be offered to those without employer sponsored health insurance.
So, if you currently have employer provided insurance that you can no longer afford either you don't qualify or you would have to give up your current plan to qualify for something that may not provide the same type of coverage (that is if you can qualify by giving up your present plan).
4. There is an "age rating" provision that will allow private insurers to price premiums up to THREE TIMES HIGHER for older people.
According to the 2000 census there were 35 million people age 65 & up, living on retirement income that has dwindled significantly that will be forced to pay higher premiums for any Medicare supplement plan.
So, back to my original question, what will the Senate bill provide? Not much beyond adding a new segment of poverty and possibly and increase in the divorce rate (you see, single people qualify for the subsidy).
Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Public Screwing
Short and sweet, if the bill presented today by Sen. Reid is the best our leaders in Washington can provide, we are all screwed. Those of us that have insurance should just drop it and do the same as those without insurance today, don't get sick or die quickly.
Thanks alot Harry.
Thanks alot Harry.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Most Violent Element
"The most violent element is society is ignorance". One more time, "The most violent element in society is ignorance". This is a quote from Emma Goldman (1869 - 1940) in response to an objection about anarchism that stated "anarchism is violent and destructive".
My son had this quote on a bumper sticker on his car. Before the car was traded in, I removed the sticker and put it on my truck. Eventually it faded to nothing so I no longer have it but I have not forgotten.
Now don't get me wrong, I am not an anarchist, an advocate of anarchy, nor do believe that anarchy is a solution for what ails any country. I do believe that the quote above is true however and is relevant in today's world just as it was when she penned the thought in 1910.
Why do I believe this? I believe it because every day television brings vivid images of ignorant people into my home. People that believe in "death panels", people that believe that the correct way to engage in a discussion is to keep the discussion from taking place. There are also those that believe that they will no longer have access to their current private insurance, and that 120 million people will be deprived of health care.
What leads someone that would normally behave in a rational manner, why are all these people so worked up? Some say race is involved, that the realization that this country has elected a black President has hit home. Others believe that the President is leading the country down a path toward total socialism. Why to they believe this?
Because they are ignorant! They do not know the truth, don't want to know the truth and I'm sorry MSNBC no matter what Chris Matthews, Ed Schultz, Rachel Maddow or Keith Olbermann says, they remain ignorant because they aren't watching you.
The fact of the matter is that ignorance causes fear and those listening to the corporations and causes that wish to derail heath care reform have played their cards well. I just wish some good investigative journalism would come out of this. These poor ignorant souls that are on our TV screens every night would make wonderful candidates for an in depth expose. Do they have health care, how much do they pay for it, if they do not want any government sponsored health care plan are those on medicare willing to give that up? They should not be that hard to find, just go to a town hall meeting somewhere, pick them out and when it is over and their emotions have subsided interview them.
In the early 1980's I told a person he was ignorant, he never spoke to me again. You see, he thought I called him stupid even after I explained the difference between the two words. Maybe I was wrong then, perhaps he was stupid and perhaps all of these people aren't ignorant, just stupid but it would be nice to find out.
My son had this quote on a bumper sticker on his car. Before the car was traded in, I removed the sticker and put it on my truck. Eventually it faded to nothing so I no longer have it but I have not forgotten.
Now don't get me wrong, I am not an anarchist, an advocate of anarchy, nor do believe that anarchy is a solution for what ails any country. I do believe that the quote above is true however and is relevant in today's world just as it was when she penned the thought in 1910.
Why do I believe this? I believe it because every day television brings vivid images of ignorant people into my home. People that believe in "death panels", people that believe that the correct way to engage in a discussion is to keep the discussion from taking place. There are also those that believe that they will no longer have access to their current private insurance, and that 120 million people will be deprived of health care.
What leads someone that would normally behave in a rational manner, why are all these people so worked up? Some say race is involved, that the realization that this country has elected a black President has hit home. Others believe that the President is leading the country down a path toward total socialism. Why to they believe this?
Because they are ignorant! They do not know the truth, don't want to know the truth and I'm sorry MSNBC no matter what Chris Matthews, Ed Schultz, Rachel Maddow or Keith Olbermann says, they remain ignorant because they aren't watching you.
The fact of the matter is that ignorance causes fear and those listening to the corporations and causes that wish to derail heath care reform have played their cards well. I just wish some good investigative journalism would come out of this. These poor ignorant souls that are on our TV screens every night would make wonderful candidates for an in depth expose. Do they have health care, how much do they pay for it, if they do not want any government sponsored health care plan are those on medicare willing to give that up? They should not be that hard to find, just go to a town hall meeting somewhere, pick them out and when it is over and their emotions have subsided interview them.
In the early 1980's I told a person he was ignorant, he never spoke to me again. You see, he thought I called him stupid even after I explained the difference between the two words. Maybe I was wrong then, perhaps he was stupid and perhaps all of these people aren't ignorant, just stupid but it would be nice to find out.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
When a crime is committed and no one is there to see it happen, it is still a crime. In golf, there is one thing that can happen may not be properly claimed when it occurs, a hole in one. Generally speaking, if no one witnesses someones claim of a single shot from the tee box dropping into the hole, it did not happen.
But dammit, I saw it this morning so I am going to claim it. I was on the tee box on hole number 18, 116 yards from the flag. I had a 9 iron in my hand to fight the slight left to right breeze and my last thought before beginning my swing was you are trying for a 124 yard shot, swing easy.
Well, I did not quite hit the ball 124 yards, when it landed on the green it was about five feet short of the flag stick. I watched it bounce once and roll up to the hole, then into the hole. I immediately looked around to see if there was anyone close by that might have seen it go in, no one.
One good thing about it though, tradition states that anyone that gets an ace has to buy a round for everyone in the club house, but if no one saw it, and since there wasn't anyone in the club house at the time, it saved me a little cash. I did tell a few people to have a beer on me. I guess when I get my next statement I'll find out if they took me up on it.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Unconscious Mind
I'm reading a book called Zen Golf. Mastering the Mental Game. The premise is to let your intuitive mind control your actions, not your thinking mind.
Now I have not worn a watch for so long I can't really remember when I stopped. But today, my thinking mind asked what time it was and my head turned down to look at my left wrist.
I think the message may be getting through since my mind had me look where a watch would normally be.
Either that or I am rapidly losing what little mind I have....I prefer to accept the former!
Now I have not worn a watch for so long I can't really remember when I stopped. But today, my thinking mind asked what time it was and my head turned down to look at my left wrist.
I think the message may be getting through since my mind had me look where a watch would normally be.
Either that or I am rapidly losing what little mind I have....I prefer to accept the former!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Irrational Thoughts
Last month a casual acquaintance and a member of the same golf club I joined a few years back had a massive heart attack. According to the paramedics he was dead before he hit the ground.
He was 61 years old and he was playing golf in a pro am with his wife, our club pro and another member. He was playing well, shooting even par on holes 10, 11, 12 and 13. On the 14th tee box he hit his drive, asked about the location of his tee and keeled over. The only sound was a loud thud as he hit the ground. No one saw him fall but everyone around heard the "thud".
CPR attempts failed to revive him, he died playing golf with his wife. The only thing that could have been better is if his two sons had been playing with him.
The only reason I am writing this, other than thinking of Marv, is because the day after he died was to be his 62nd birthday. I turned 62 today and since Sunday I have wondered if I would fall like Marv or make it past 61. Since I am able to compose this, my irrational thoughts have subsided.
Enjoy life.
He was 61 years old and he was playing golf in a pro am with his wife, our club pro and another member. He was playing well, shooting even par on holes 10, 11, 12 and 13. On the 14th tee box he hit his drive, asked about the location of his tee and keeled over. The only sound was a loud thud as he hit the ground. No one saw him fall but everyone around heard the "thud".
CPR attempts failed to revive him, he died playing golf with his wife. The only thing that could have been better is if his two sons had been playing with him.
The only reason I am writing this, other than thinking of Marv, is because the day after he died was to be his 62nd birthday. I turned 62 today and since Sunday I have wondered if I would fall like Marv or make it past 61. Since I am able to compose this, my irrational thoughts have subsided.
Enjoy life.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
It Wasn't Loaded
As I was returning from the golf course just after noon I happened to notice a set of flashing lights in my rear view mirror. My eyes immediately went down to the speedometer. Nope, not speeding and I pulled to the side of the road.
After the unmarked car (looked like a Mustang) went by I continued on home. Shortly after I got there, there was a special bulletin on T.V. There were reports that a man was walking through the mall located about a mile from our house with a gun. The mall was in lockdown and they were clearing the stores one by one. There were federal marshalls on the roof, SWAT was deployed and of course all of the local news channels had their vans there bringing us live coverage.
In the meantime the man with the reported weapon was finally discovered. His weapon.....a long black unbrella (did I mention that it had started to rain).
After the unmarked car (looked like a Mustang) went by I continued on home. Shortly after I got there, there was a special bulletin on T.V. There were reports that a man was walking through the mall located about a mile from our house with a gun. The mall was in lockdown and they were clearing the stores one by one. There were federal marshalls on the roof, SWAT was deployed and of course all of the local news channels had their vans there bringing us live coverage.
In the meantime the man with the reported weapon was finally discovered. His weapon.....a long black unbrella (did I mention that it had started to rain).
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
For Shay
Nana K posted today, the subject was life.....and death. Her baby sister needs a lung transplant and she is not going to get it. She can hardly move from her bed to the bathroom. She has been smoking for around 2/3's of her life and it will be the cause of her death, probably this year.
I quit smoking last year, after a 45 year affair with the tobacco industry. It has not been easy and I still want to light up almost every day. I don't know at this time if I quit in time to add any years to my life but I hope I did.
If you still smoke, quit now, let us all put the tobacco industry out of business this decade.
I quit smoking last year, after a 45 year affair with the tobacco industry. It has not been easy and I still want to light up almost every day. I don't know at this time if I quit in time to add any years to my life but I hope I did.
If you still smoke, quit now, let us all put the tobacco industry out of business this decade.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Good-bye, Good Riddence
We found out this week that there is another house on the market in our little neighborhood. It has been listed for about 80 days but the owners for some reason have chosen not to have a sign put up so I guess it is a secret sale.
About a week before the election last November I had a conversation with one of the residents of that household in an attempt to gain her vote for then candidate Obama. To make a long story short, she called me a socialist and told me that if he (meaning Obama) wins the election the country will be ruined and it will be entirely the fault of people like me. I guess she may still be hoping, like Rush, that he fails so the country can be saved.
In the meantime, since the house if for sale, maybe she will move out of the country since we are obviously doomed to a fate worse than any of could possibly imagine.
About a week before the election last November I had a conversation with one of the residents of that household in an attempt to gain her vote for then candidate Obama. To make a long story short, she called me a socialist and told me that if he (meaning Obama) wins the election the country will be ruined and it will be entirely the fault of people like me. I guess she may still be hoping, like Rush, that he fails so the country can be saved.
In the meantime, since the house if for sale, maybe she will move out of the country since we are obviously doomed to a fate worse than any of could possibly imagine.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Visitor
I hate visiting Portland. Oh, don't get me wrong, I don't mind being there, in fact I love it. It's the act itself, a temporary period of time that eventually leads to a rather unsatisfying ending, that is leaving.
Leaving is never easy, there is a little treasure that takes it personally every time we leave and each time we have to leave it gets just a little more difficult.
Leaving is never easy, there is a little treasure that takes it personally every time we leave and each time we have to leave it gets just a little more difficult.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A Healthy Beginning?
The nations health insurers have decided it might be time for them to play with them that keeps them at the dance. Yesterday, Karen Ignagni, the president of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)stated at a Senate hearing that the industry would stop basing a persons premium on their health and would extend coverage to all Americans, regardless of any pre-existing conditions.
While I applaud the industry for taking this dramatic first step, there is of course a caveat; in fact a critical condition. Everyone must get insurance. Oh, and they also want to make sure that any new system does not include a government insurance plan like Medicare.
The exlusion of a government plan is necessary because such a plan might attract those with private insurance because the government can bargin for lower rates.
Lower rates, that's part of what everyone wants but it sounds like AHIP wants to monopolize the health insurance market and then charge what ever they want. Like AIG they would be too big to fail and the insured would forever pay the penality.
So Ms. Ignagni it sounds like a good start but I think we need to maintain some skepticism. We can't afford to let the insurance industry determine what is good for our health and pocket book.
Oh, wait a minute, that's the current system and it works just fine doesn't it?
While I applaud the industry for taking this dramatic first step, there is of course a caveat; in fact a critical condition. Everyone must get insurance. Oh, and they also want to make sure that any new system does not include a government insurance plan like Medicare.
The exlusion of a government plan is necessary because such a plan might attract those with private insurance because the government can bargin for lower rates.
Lower rates, that's part of what everyone wants but it sounds like AHIP wants to monopolize the health insurance market and then charge what ever they want. Like AIG they would be too big to fail and the insured would forever pay the penality.
So Ms. Ignagni it sounds like a good start but I think we need to maintain some skepticism. We can't afford to let the insurance industry determine what is good for our health and pocket book.
Oh, wait a minute, that's the current system and it works just fine doesn't it?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Second Opinion
I saw an article today about soldiers that are not medically fit for combat duty. It seems that commanding officers, having gone through exactly zero years of medical school are apparently more qualified to determine fitness than the Doctors that have examined their patients and are bringing charges against anyone refusing to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan based on their Doctors advice.
It's bad enough that the Army has continued with its stop-loss policy by extending the enlistment period of soldiers that have completed their commitment but now they are sending individuals that may not be up to completing their assigned tasks for valid medical reasons.....over 40,000 of them since 2003.
I just have to wonder, how many of the 4,186 deaths or 30, 182 wounded were a direct or indirect result of sending medically unfit personnel into a war zone.
Just another notch in the belt of the Bush/Cheney legacy.
It's bad enough that the Army has continued with its stop-loss policy by extending the enlistment period of soldiers that have completed their commitment but now they are sending individuals that may not be up to completing their assigned tasks for valid medical reasons.....over 40,000 of them since 2003.
I just have to wonder, how many of the 4,186 deaths or 30, 182 wounded were a direct or indirect result of sending medically unfit personnel into a war zone.
Just another notch in the belt of the Bush/Cheney legacy.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Geek it up
Not long ago if you told someone you were a tweetie, they would have looked at you funny and would probably have started slowly backing away before breaking out in a full fledged gallop. But how times have changed.
Now it is perfectly acceptable to be known as a tweetie and in some circles if you are not one you will be the person that feels as if you don't belong. I have been that non-tweet individual and vowed to remain tweet free, that is until last Friday when my vow was broken.
I was kind of tricked/led/yanked into the twitter world. It seems every time NK and I journey to the land of Kaos we become geekier. Princess Kaos got an IPOD for her birthday on Friday and when NK saw the video on DW's pod she decided it was time to upgrade from here little mickey mouse music player; and we both bought an IPOD touch (if we were going to get them, we wanted to buy them while in Oregon to take advantage of not having to pay sales tax, saved us about $35.00). But that's not what led to my experiment with Twitter.
I was watching/listening to StrangeLove Live. Everyone was chatting during the show and I was making snide comments on the side.....then I joined in the merriment and the next thing I knew I had a twitter account and fellow twits were sending me welcomes and such.
I don't know if I'll continue or not after we leave, I guess it depends on how much time I spend on my computer, we'll see.
Now it is perfectly acceptable to be known as a tweetie and in some circles if you are not one you will be the person that feels as if you don't belong. I have been that non-tweet individual and vowed to remain tweet free, that is until last Friday when my vow was broken.
I was kind of tricked/led/yanked into the twitter world. It seems every time NK and I journey to the land of Kaos we become geekier. Princess Kaos got an IPOD for her birthday on Friday and when NK saw the video on DW's pod she decided it was time to upgrade from here little mickey mouse music player; and we both bought an IPOD touch (if we were going to get them, we wanted to buy them while in Oregon to take advantage of not having to pay sales tax, saved us about $35.00). But that's not what led to my experiment with Twitter.
I was watching/listening to StrangeLove Live. Everyone was chatting during the show and I was making snide comments on the side.....then I joined in the merriment and the next thing I knew I had a twitter account and fellow twits were sending me welcomes and such.
I don't know if I'll continue or not after we leave, I guess it depends on how much time I spend on my computer, we'll see.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Why we can't win.
This type of soldier represents the primary reason we have lost our moral authority in the eyes of the world and why we should just get out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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