Health Care.

It's simple. Whoopi Goldberg said on the view - "give me what you've got" to congress. Then Elizabeth jumped in and said their program was a private program Wrong Elizabeth! It is a program similar to what I have.
I have Tricare Prime run by Humana Healthcare South, but managed by the US Army. (It is a program for the military, active duty and retired). You pay an annual fee and have small co-pays. Pharmacy - outstanding. Very, very well run program. Mostly administered by Humana, but with government guidelines.  Now this is the military, I lost three men in my platoon the day I was almost killed in Viet Nam. I had a person I met a couple of months ago, an insurance agent, question me on my right to have Tricare Prime because we don't pay enough for the coverage, and she didn't think that was fair. She told me she was a very Conservative Republican. Well I was polite and not in a position to argue with her at the time, so I let it be.
To all of you Conservatives that have any issue with any Veterans getting Tricare coverage - you go to war, you get shot, wounded for life, or get PTSD and then we can talk. What crap.I think Sen. Johm McCain would have something to say to you people.
Health care for all can be done. Richard Nixon wanted to do it, and the Democrats dropped the ball. The Clinton administration tried hard. So here we are again - everyone says rethink. Maybe a little - back room deals get people very angry - rightfully so - it's not Change. I worked for Change.
Simple - take a look at Tricare and how it works - modify it for all people - payment would be staggered, and if a person couldn't afford the coverage - Medicaid is there as a net.
I had private health care when I worked at a couple of corporations, which were both sold. I had Cobra after these companies laid us all off, and when I wanted to change from Cobra to full coverage, the insurer wanted to double my payments...due to pre-existing conditions. (Back then the Army used Champus which was secondary to my main health care, (and the Army hospitals in my area were still open) - when I had a heart attack I went straight to an Army hospital - they saved my life and transferred me to a private hospital for specialized care.
So what you might say.  Well the warning is there...if your employer does not provide health care, as most of mine here in Florida have not; or you have health care, don't feel so secure. The vast corporate changes will catch up with many people at some time. Loose your job...go through Cobra, and then pray. I worked for a health benefits provider for one month during the evening this last year. Scariest stories I have heard in a long time... from some very scared people whose Cobra was ending and they wanted a solution...lot's of luck. Medical discount cards, rubbish.  High deductible policies, rubbish. Unless you are wealthy or have planned very, very well...pray that the President gets what he wants for you! Yes it needs some fixing and fine tuning.
I do not understand how some people on Social Security, and Medicare can possibly complain about the government.  Medicare fraud is being addressed in Florida very aggressively here in Florida. If you didn't like FDR or LBJ, good we'll pull your programs right now. Is the government system broken - yes - I've been at it with four government departments over the last few months. I have worked with two of them to make some possible system fixes - one person can make a difference. (See Penny Ronning - go Penny).

One  leads by example, not with a tea bag.

PS
A few years ago my wife had to be seen by 23 separate doctors in a years time - (If you are Diabetic be very careful, and be well) - now you sort of get the picture - it can get complicated. Most of the doctors I know prefer government programs, they can plan better - insurance companies drive them insane.

Lower Casualties, but local sadness. (In Memory of Herb Saffir)

Thanks to all who have helped with Haitian relief efforts. I was at church tonight and said a prayer for the people and their country. This one hit very close to home.  My sympathy to all who have suffered losses. Some of the missionaries from a local university are missing. I don't know what you see outside of Florida, or even out of Miami/Ft. Lauderdale metro - but each hour or two we hear about more and more family members missing or found dead. Now we have looting, mass graves, ...luckily our building codes are tougher here than almost anywhere else.  I worked with one of the Hurricane Code writers, the late Herb Saffir - as I have said before he wrote the codes stronger than they really had to be - but he always knew there would be worse storms, and events that would hit us. Hindsight for Haiti, a warning for us. I once asked Herb if he ever thought about how many lives he may have saved by his categorizing hurricanes and their damage - he said not really. That was his job - he was cited by congress for his great work. We must do as President Obama has said, our infrastructure is fragile in many areas - we need another national public / private effort to protect this country - now. Thank you Herb for our ten + years of friendship, and the lessons I learned from a quieit decent genius who really care about people. .As Herb and Mr. Simpson developed the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale, maybe we will find better ways to predict when a major quake might hit. Building codes must be upgraded here in our country - Florida and California are doing well, but there is a long wat to go.

Haiti and Politics and religion - Act Now!

I am appalled at Rush Limbaugh - he has lost his mind and any perspective he may have ever had. I would like to hear Gov. Mike Huckabee address Rush's ridiculous disatribe today, also Newt, Sarah, Mr. O'Reilly - I don't always agree with all of you, but you are decent people. Rush is not - he is an oozing sore on the face of American decency.
Pat Robertson - the devil did not do this to Haiti, geology did this to Haiti, non-existent building codes did this to Haiti. My wife's relatives back in 1624 left Plymouth, Mass. and helped found Salem, Mass. You sounded today like the people in Salem during the witch trials. I will not debate the devil, or pacts with the devil - just too out there for me, sorry. Especially when a Roman Catholic Church collapsed killing the leading church leaders - were they devil worshipers Pat.  I am pleased that your organization is sending aid to Haiti. If I had Kathy lee Gifford's number I'd have her call you and have a talk with you. I remember Kathy Lee Epstein on the 700 Club many years back. I used to like you - you're losing it sir.

Elvis Presley Jan. 8th, 2010

Happy Birthday! Got posted late). Almost 33 years ago a meteor that came out of Memphis returned home ti his place in the great unknown. For his good deeds and kindness I hope he has had the chance to speak with Jesus.
In his short life he radically changed the world. How could an entertainer do this. Grace, belief, generosity of spirit and caring about those who cared about him. He redefined music, but always paid homage to his roots. (If a black writer did not get his royalties, if an idol of his was ill - Elvis privately stepped in to help).
He opened doors that others would not open. He began pounding on that door and hopefully people will listen for a long time. Please see the film "The Express" - there is a great underlying reality defined by the soundtrack - whoever put the soundtrack together knew Elvis quite well in spirit the. The film defines how hard change comes all over our country. The song "A Mess of Blues" grabs you and makes your eyes pop open, after having heard all the great "Race" music, R + B artists played in the film to that point, (most of them later recorded by Elvis), suddenly a white singer, rocks the race boat. This was the mellower post-Army Elvis yelling out.
This is to be another year of "Elvis" - listen to the great Gospel music. Don't look at the bad jokes, the cruel comments - think of life without Elvis. Thanks Sam Phillips for having the foresight to know what would happen when he left this young man loose. Very few people like Elvis visit us.
See Ann Margaret's interview with Larry King on You Tube and you certainly feel his impact.
Elvis always said he was not the King - Jesus was the King, he meant it! I'm Jewish and I love Gospel music, without Elvis I never might have opened that door.
(There will be) Peace in the Valley for me, oh, oh, oh yeah!
Thanks, I'm sorry I didn't come to meet you when I was invited, thanks to Elvis for so much.