Health Care for Americans...They are getting it all wrong..

As the health care debate rages, an observer would note the idiocy being spewed forth by both parties as they attempt to defend/promote their positions.

Disclaimer: At one point in my life, I would have considered myself "generally republican".

While the Republican tired mantra of "let the capitalism system work and everything will be fine" is getting REALLY old (free market capitalism+historical human greed=FAIL), the whole idea that NOW the Democratic party is being verbally persecuted is...well, ludicrous. Some of the statements made by Nancy Pelosi strike me as someone who has let herself believe she is far more capable than most of us to make life-affecting decisions for us, the "uneducated masses"....and her statements about protests over the health care reform being "unAmerican" are just plain stupid.

Let me clear my stance on this once more. When COBRA health insurance coverage for my family exceeds $1000/month, and the private insurance route is flooded with greed (we want your premiums, but we will cover NOTHING if we can weasel out of it, sign this disclaimer please), someone please show me where the current system is WORKING?

Making sure the insurance agents live in gated communities, and drive Mercedes and BMW's is NOT a sign the current system is working!

Surviving the changes....Part III

For the late arrivals, my "Surviving the changes" posts involve things I have learned since becoming a "victim of the economic downturn" in the fall of 2008. We spent some time with friends tonight, and some simple words reminded me of something we all overlook too much. In fact, in the recent rise in popularity of the various social networking sites, I feel it is something we have way undervalued, especially in a time were it could literally "save" you or your family. So what is so important that it could save your family?


Friendship. Honest and true friendship. Not the huge lists of "friends" that you claim to have on your MySpace or FaceBook pages, or all the people whose e-mail addresses or cell phone number you have in your "Contacts". I am talking about TRUE friends...people, that if you called at 3AM, after being out of touch with them for months, or even years, would be on their way out the door to help you in 15 minutes. People that are truly glad for your successes, and feel for you (but offer REAL advice) when things are down. So who, out of "your circle of friends" can you count as a TRUE friend?

Try this little execise..go through your list of Facebook "friends" and count those that you are 100% certain would take a 3AM phone call from you and ask "How can I help/what do you need?" I would guess such would narrow the list to less than ten people, perhaps. Then review THAT list carefully, and check again. I would imagine the average person has 5 or less people (other than a spouse or sibling) that would qualify as a TRUE friend. Think about that...why do some people claim to have dozens of people as friends? Could they count on these friends to help them through some major life change, and provide earnest, heartfelt advice? Probably not.

A real friend will be there for you, to give you a hand-up, not a hand-out, when you need it. They will be the ones to offer caring advice when you need it, and warmth of their presence with bolster your spirit when you feel you simply can't make it on your own. Real friends are important. Have you called, e-mailed, or otherwise communicated with anyone you would consider a TRUE friend this week, if many weeks, months, or even years have passed since you last spoke? Maybe now is the time to reach out.