Thoughts on universal healthcare

This isn't for debate, it's just me putting some thoughts down about our health care debate in America. Feel free to share you're own thoughts. Just don't expect me to comment or reply. This might be a list in progress.

• The idea of changing anything big can be scary. I must realize that first.
  
• I wish everyone had healthcare insurance but I would never require it.
  
• I wish everyone tried to pay for their healthcare insurance too.
• I don't think having healthcare is an American right or a human right.
• I don't trust our representatives to read any bills associated with healthcare legislation.
• I'm disappointed with Barrack Obama's sense of desperation. It's a sign he's lost the hope he once promised. Even if I thought universal healthcare was a good thing, the President is doing a very poor job convincing us that it is good. His arguments seem vague and over simplified.
  
• I don't like high insurance premiums.
• I don't like that that people are discriminated based on the history of their health, but I understand the argument from a health insurance provider too.
  
• I think HSA's have potential, but they aren't quite there yet.
• I like my doctor and I like that I can choose.
• I don't want the government deciding what's best for my health.
• Under a socialized medicine structure, if my family was ever denied coverage for a life threatening issue based on a government decision I'm not sure I wouldn't be willing to pay out of pocket and perhaps even to the point of risking bankruptcy.
  
• I hate malpractice lawsuits and would prefer that issue be addressed before universal healthcare is passed. Doctors should not have to worry about paying huge premiums to protect themselves financially.
• I'm not convinced that anyone else in the world has socialized medicine that "works" and I'm not convinced that the US would be the first to make it work.
• I think universal healthcare is another step in wiping out the middle class and clearly drawing a line between upper class and lower class.
• Universal healthcare might improve my prayer life in the area of physical healing.
• The "bailouts" angered me. Healthcare reform scares me.
• Waiting in the DMV line gives me little hope for a universal healthcare system.
• I don't believe any one person or group has the answer. I don't think a Utopia exists in healthcare.
  
• ....
  

Communicating at Subway

I admit that I mumble. However, when I go to Subway I make sure I speak clearly and loudly so they will know how to make my sandwich. Whether it is Subway or another sub shop, I usually tell them to "run it through the garden" by saying, "I want everything."

Image via Wikipedia

They usually respond, "Everything?"

"Everything," I say.

"Even the jalapenos?"

"Everything."

"Olives?"

"Everything."

It never fails. When I ask for everything no one ever believes that I want everything because others in the past have also said they wanted everything, not really intending to get everything. They didn't understand everything meant everything like jalapenos and olives and not just most things.

Anyway, today at a busy Subway I asked for everything except for tomatoes and cucumbers. The employee said in his foreign accent, "No tomatoes or onions?"

"No CUCUMBERS or tomatoes."

He started taking off the cucumbers he had already put on the sandwich and replaced them with onions. Before he got to the dressings I said, "I just need mustard and vinegar."

He added mustard and when I wasn't looking, he added mayonnaise. Looking back I saw the mayo and with disappointment, I said "VINEGAR - not mayo." He looked back at me and I could tell he was thinking "Crap - what am I going to do now?"

I told him it was fine and that I would just eat the sandwich like he made it. He tried to scrape it off and add mustard again which for the most part worked. Then he gave me a free drink for the trouble.

That made me leave with a good impression. Nice save Mr. Sandwich Artist!

What Board Games Taught Us About the Economy

I stumbled across this post by Caitlin McDevitt over at The Big Money. It's clever. It's true. It also brings back a lot of memories of growing up.

What Board Games Taught Us About the Economy | The Big Money

What Board Games Taught Us About the Economy
The not-so-great financial lessons we learned as kids.
By Caitlin McDevitt

Beware of Driver

My mom did a lot of painting growing up, but she didn't always stick to pretty landscapes and crafts. She used her talents for practical jokes too.

One of her favorite things to do was paint big signs on large sheets of plywood when someone she knew was turning 16 and about to get their driver's license. She would first call and make sure the person got their license successfully. After having the signs painted and ready to go, she would then drive around town and put these big signs up that said something to the extent of...

"CAUTION: [insert name] turned 16
today and is now behind a steering wheel. Drivers BEWARE!!!"

This way the kid who just got their license had a good reason to get out and drive because they had to drive around town to find all the signs my mom had painted.

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We miss you Mom.