Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Childern of the '70s! You Too Were Conditioned

The cartoons back in “the day” lacked a political message for the most part (unlike today), but childhood conditioning was alive and well. PBS played shows like Sesame Street, Electric Company, Zoom, Mulligan Stew and Vealegra. Largely, the content of the shows were educational; some math, phonics, a bit of basic science, letters and number identification. However, many more suspect messages were sent on these programs that were by design. Multi- culturalism (misspeak for cultural non-conformance, or societal rebellion) was praised and acted out on a stage set, where everyone, every day, all go home happy. While in the real inner city, it caused chaos and despair (still does). Hyperboleus examples of greed and giving were acted out as a psudo-socialisim 101 class, and introductory class envy training was started. If we want to find out how we got so screwed up as a society today we must look at what conditioning was done to us. For instance let’s look at Bert and Ernie. Bert was grumpy and a bit greedy. Ernie would always share his cookie with Bert. Now, by no means do I condemn Ernie for his charity because individual charity is the most noble endeavor, however, I do recall guilt trips being imposed upon members of the cast for non-sharing. They really had a social utopia on that show with a few holdouts, like Oscar the garbage can puppet, and of course Bert was a soft-core Archie Bunker. But how would this socialist utopia have gone over if some real world was interjected.

Real world socialism/ communism episode 1250

[Scene Ernie's kitchen]- Ernie and Grover cook two cookies one for each of them. They have flour all over themselves and the kitchen; they have worked very hard and have more to do. They talk about how they had to buy the egg (The screen goes solid blue and the word EGG comes on the screen, pronounced three times in English and three times in Spanish.) and the flour and such, and how they had to earn the money for those goods. They talk about how much they will enjoy the cookies; “Yummy Yummy,” Grover says in his patent voice. [Pan to kitchen window] A nose appears at first, and then the head- Its Elmo! (Greetings exchanged). Elmo comments on the yummy smell. Grover and Ernie explain the cookie making process and the ingredients (The word EGG pops up on the screen again). Elmo although he has all the available knowledge needed, now, to make his own cookie, he hints around for a portion of the finished product; Ernie and Grover are a bit too dense to recognize the plea. Ernie being a kind heart writes the recipe down for Elmo. Soon others gather at the window, attracted by the aroma. Ernie and Grover both write recipes down and hand them out to all at the window, amongst the persistent hinting; Ernie and Grover remain oblivious to the crowd's lust for their bounty. Soon Bert comes to the window, evidently home from a hard day at the pointy head club. Bluntly he says, "Aren’t you gonna share." Their dreams of yummieness dashed, they offer up their cookies. The swarm of puppetry ensues; the sound of “MMMMMM,” and “yummy” from all, “thank you,” from a few; the crowd vanishes. Left on the floor, crumbs and recipe cards.

Day two-Repeat day one, save some of the thank yous, and a few of the people (Elmo and Big Bird) are missing.

Later day two- Big Bird and Elmo thank Grover and Ernie for the recipe and explain how they made their own cookies! They share with Ernie and Grover as thanks and repayment. Ernie and Grover finally get a taste of their own recipe. [Camera pans around the corner] Bert hears the exchange, and spreads the news all over Sesame Street; Elmo and Big Bird have cookies too.

Day three- Similar results- Mob of puppets also visit Big Bird and Elmo.

Day four Big bird, Elmo, Ernie and Grover close the window and pull the blind as not to entice the mob or announce their baked goods. At last they eat their cookies in peace. The mobs gather puzzled at the closed window. Peeking through Bert says, "They are in there!" He runs around the house enters the door and proceeds to lecture Ernie and Grover on their greed. Ernie and Grover try to explain how this day was the first day they actually got to enjoy what they worked for, and how they had shared the recipe. Burt looks cross and his hair is especially on end!

Day five repeat day four in Ernie’s kitchen. The cookieless mob grumbles. Above the grumble, words like greedy, unfair, mean, are heard. Burt takes the stage once the crowd is at fever pitch, and eloquently re-enforces their anger and lust for yummy cookies. He announces in a discussed voice, "It is unfair that only four Sesame Street residents get to eat all of its cookies! We should take their cookies and share them with every one equally! Let’s put it to a vote! All in favor?" "IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII" It is unanimous, save the absence of the cookie makers. Bert announces he and Cookie Monster will take on the burden of seizure and redistribution of cookies. He will also mandate higher production levels; the crowd chants his name..Bert! Bert! Burt!!!

The baker boys were shocked by the news, but Bert explained to them again their greedy ways, and how they will be shunned if they do not comply. Burt leaves the kitchen and before he locks the door behind him, he says, "I expect cookies for every one and extra, or else!"

The seizure and redistribution starts. Burt and Cookie monster do their duty, and reward themselves with extra cookies, justifying more and more for themselves each day. The mob grumbles seeing their share diminish. An additional increase in cookie production is demanded by Burt. Burt bars the window to the kitchen and orders Snuffleufagus to stand guard. [Screen goes red] a word appears with a little dot bouncing above each letter. SOCIALISIM (repeat three times English and Spanish). Fade to song-

We don’t need greeeeeeed-We don't need un---kind...ness. We should all share, says this pair-- [photo of Burt and Cookie monster] If you care...Obama gonna change the world.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Radical Health Care Reform (American Style)

Preface- The following is an outline of a “Health Care Reform” plan that addresses the real problems with health care in the United States. Additionally, a compulsory gov’t health plan is included, but extreme personal responsibility is required of participants. The plan is based upon, good faith, disclosure, cost reduction and responsibility.


1) No fault medical practice- Medicine is called a practice because it is not perfect, and because each medical professional is practicing their craft every day. Of all of the professions in the US the medical profession requires the most, extensive and expensive training of all, by our best and brightest. With all of the training medicine will never be perfect. This proposal will make the practice of medicine “no fault.” Otherwise, every doctor, nurse or medical professional is held harmless from lawsuit. Each medical professional however, will retain a record of success and failure, and their compensation and job retention will be based upon this factor (buyer beware). Consequently, in a full socialized medicine environment the same is true…you can’t bring suit the government. This provision will reduce the cost of care by hundreds of billions and eliminate the need for malpractice insurance wholesale.

2) Full cost disclosure- Each medical facility will post online their charges for each procedure and medication. Each potential client will receive a comprehensive good faith estimate for any procedure within 24 hours based upon predetermined pricing and typical procedural protocol. This provision will allow the public to shop and prepare for medical expenses and eliminate surprise expense.

3) All medical expense is pre-tax- All expense in medical and wellness related endeavors is to be paid for with pre-tax dollars managed through an HAS account. This includes any insurance expenses whether private or provided by employer, and any direct expense like co-pays and deductible satisfaction.

4) Competitive insurance-Neither the State nor federal government may exclude an insurance provider from trade in any state as long as an insurance company fulfills its contractual obligations.

5) Government compulsory insurance (bridge)-The government will provide a basic wellness insurance program for those who can not afford insurance. Provisions to prevent un-necessary taxpayer expense.
A) Vice prevention and exclusion.
I) Mandatory drug testing- No one on the gov’t plan is allowed any drug use.
II) Alcohol testing-no one on the gov’t plan is allowed alcohol consumption.
III) Tobacco testing- No one on the gov’t plan is allowed tobacco consumption.
IV) Caloric intake - Obesity and improper eating habits are forbidden. Each participant of the gov’t plan must adhere to a strict diet and exercise regiment. For those already obese a strict diet will be assigned.
X) Risky or dangerous behavior or activities- All typically dangerous activities are forbidden, such as football, basketball, skate boarding, surfing, parachuting, water sports, boxing, MMA, cycling, motor cycling, motor sports etc.
XI) Masochism-Anyone on the gov’t plan is forbidden from any tattoos, body piercing, or any body alteration that may increase the risk for illness (hepatitis etc.).
XII) Sexual promiscuity forbidden- Each person on the gov’t plan must either opt into a contract of monogamy with a partner (tested free from stds) or sign a contract of abstinence (prevent spread of STDs and unwanted pregnancies). The ID card for each person on the gov’t plan will carry an endorsement that dis-allows alcohol, tobacco and other vice.

B) Hardship certification- Those on the gov’t plan must have and display a hardship and while on the gov’t plan must not expend funds on luxuries such as cable/satellite TV, boats, RVs, unnecessary cars or motorcycles, have a car greater than $10,000 book value, magazine or website subscriptions, or any other non-essential services or assets. This program is to be offered by the Federal government but may be replaced or forbidden by any state. Social matters are the sole Constitutional responsibility of the state or the people.

Comments please

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A Health Care Word Picture

Dear Congressman Minnick,

Please allow me to draw a brief word picture.

A man who can not swim a lick jumps into the shallow end of a swimming pool; his feet easily reach bottom. From time to time he lifts his feet off of the bottom, holds his breath and flails his arms and legs around. Of course he promptly sinks and he must stand up to get air; the man simply can not swim. Occasionally some one will come by and deliver the man an unproven theory on swimming and some times he tries some of the recommendations to no avail. One day a guy who really looks like a good swimmer shows up and delivers the most inspiring theory on swimming he had heard to date. The guy is so inspired he climbs out of the shallow end and runs to the diving board (on the deep end). Exited about this grand new swimming theory the man jumps in head first. Having just enough flailing energy to lift his head from the water one time hears the inspirational theorist yell, “Yes you can!” He drowns inspired and confused.

The swimmer in this story is our government’s involvement in healthcare. Right now we are in the shallow end with Medicare and Medicaid. The government is in the water but not at all swimming. We have trillions in unfunded liabilities and absolutely no plan. Today we have a massive new plan by our central planning theorist, President Obama, that would take over the entire health care system. Is it wise for us to jump in to the deep end before learning how to swim in the shallow end?

I ask you, Congressman Minnick to recommend a tabling of this bill until the government can prove they can handle the power they have already seized. Table all health care legislation until at least Medicare is solvent. You can not run a business or a Nation on idealism. We must face the facts. No matter how much you want to swim, or like water, if you have no idea how to do it based upon physical evidence and practice, you will drown.

Respectfully,

Walt Holton