Friday, September 11, 2009
Remembrance
Today is, of course, the 8th anniversary of the attacks on America by Islamist fundamentalist radicals. It was disturbing to me to learn that flags were flown at half mast for the death of Senator Kennedy (which I do not in any way mean to disparage) but were flown at full mast today. I can't believe that the collective memory of this country is so short. I am disheartened and really do not know what to add to that.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Eutopia
In tonight's speech our Beloved Leader promised us Eutopia if we follow his lead on Health Care. I sincerely hope that everyone who agrees with and supports our Beloved Leader's message is still happy when the velvet gloved but iron fist of government crushes our liberty and freedom.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Friedman on Capitalism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZStCMC5bCCg
The above link is a classis clip of the late great economist Milton Friedman schooling Phil Donahue on the virtues of Capitalism. This is precisely the the kind of common sense thinking that has been missing in our society lately. I also believe this to be a good example of how two people with diametrically opposed belief systems can have a civilized conversation.
The above link is a classis clip of the late great economist Milton Friedman schooling Phil Donahue on the virtues of Capitalism. This is precisely the the kind of common sense thinking that has been missing in our society lately. I also believe this to be a good example of how two people with diametrically opposed belief systems can have a civilized conversation.
Weighing in on Health Care Reform
Once again, the President has managed to raise my blood pressure to unsafe levels. This time it was with his speech on Friday, in which he accused the detractors of his Health Care reform as being without ideas of their own - as if his plan is the only thing that anyone has come up with. The substance of Obama's message is irritating enough; his arrogant, lecturing tone in delivering it makes it insufferable.
Regarding the "lack of ideas" from Conservatives, I would be happy to throw out just a few of the more popular ones for consideration:
- Tort reform. The single biggest problem with health care in this country is the profligation of medical malpractice suits and the shameless precedents set by judges who are evidently more interested in the enrichment of their colleagues than they are in imparting justice. It is because of the fear of lawsuits that insurance companies require and doctors are compelled to order so many tests and procedures, and why the path to get to the right specialist is such a convoluted one. Malpractice insurance for some specialists, such as brain surgeons, can run into as much as a half-million dollars per year. Combine this weight with the student loan payments that many doctors have and the tax bracket they are in, and you have doctors that must gross nearly a million dollars per year before they see a profit. These costs trickle down into every aspect of health care.
- Allow insurance companies to sell across state lines. Obviously, anything that fosters competition will lower costs and increase quality.
- Allow small businesses to join together and form insurance buying cooperatives, so that they can use the strength of their combined numbers to lower their costs.
- Allow pre-tax employer contributions to personal health care accounts in lieu of employer provided healthcare, with supplemental insurance for catastrophic event care. My company probably pays about $15,000 per year for my health insurance, and I pay about another $4,200. This would add up quickly if the bulk of it was going into a personal health care account and accruing interest. It would also make people think twice about running to the doctor over every little ache and pain if they were using their own money to pay the bill.
- Make health care costs 100% tax deductible, to ease the financial burden on folks with major health issues.
I am sick and tired of hearing the insurance companies demonized; my insurance isn't perfect and is expensive, but it has seen me through my children's childhood misfortunes, my wife's bout with breast cancer, and my own back surgery and sleep apnea, among other things. We have always received stellar care by excellent health care professionals.
It is true that our health care system could be reformed for the better, but the ideas of Obama and the liberals in Congress are the worst possible solutions. To hear Obama accuse Conservatives of not having ideas or solutions is both laughable and infuriating.
Regarding the "lack of ideas" from Conservatives, I would be happy to throw out just a few of the more popular ones for consideration:
- Tort reform. The single biggest problem with health care in this country is the profligation of medical malpractice suits and the shameless precedents set by judges who are evidently more interested in the enrichment of their colleagues than they are in imparting justice. It is because of the fear of lawsuits that insurance companies require and doctors are compelled to order so many tests and procedures, and why the path to get to the right specialist is such a convoluted one. Malpractice insurance for some specialists, such as brain surgeons, can run into as much as a half-million dollars per year. Combine this weight with the student loan payments that many doctors have and the tax bracket they are in, and you have doctors that must gross nearly a million dollars per year before they see a profit. These costs trickle down into every aspect of health care.
- Allow insurance companies to sell across state lines. Obviously, anything that fosters competition will lower costs and increase quality.
- Allow small businesses to join together and form insurance buying cooperatives, so that they can use the strength of their combined numbers to lower their costs.
- Allow pre-tax employer contributions to personal health care accounts in lieu of employer provided healthcare, with supplemental insurance for catastrophic event care. My company probably pays about $15,000 per year for my health insurance, and I pay about another $4,200. This would add up quickly if the bulk of it was going into a personal health care account and accruing interest. It would also make people think twice about running to the doctor over every little ache and pain if they were using their own money to pay the bill.
- Make health care costs 100% tax deductible, to ease the financial burden on folks with major health issues.
I am sick and tired of hearing the insurance companies demonized; my insurance isn't perfect and is expensive, but it has seen me through my children's childhood misfortunes, my wife's bout with breast cancer, and my own back surgery and sleep apnea, among other things. We have always received stellar care by excellent health care professionals.
It is true that our health care system could be reformed for the better, but the ideas of Obama and the liberals in Congress are the worst possible solutions. To hear Obama accuse Conservatives of not having ideas or solutions is both laughable and infuriating.
Road tripping
I just got home from Denver last night; as has been my M.O. of late, I drove out. There are a lot of people who tell me I'm crazy for driving instead of flying, but there are a lot of reasons why I prefer to drive these days. Not the least of these is that driving can be a rewarding, educational, and eye-opening experience. In driving to Denver from southeast Louisiana, one encounters the massive sprawl of Dallas - Fort Worth; the beautiful vistas of the Texas panhandle; the prairies of eastern Colorado; and the majesty of the Front Range of the Rockies fading into view (although for the first couple days of this trip that sight was obscured by smoke from the California wildfires). You see the wealth of massive ranches and farms and the crushing poverty of some of the most rural areas in the country. You can experience great regional cuisine and see historic landmarks. I have been fortunate enough to travel much of this country, and I always enjoy the opportunity to see anything new.
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