"Thanks" Giving

I spent a large part of yesterday and this morning doing prep work for tomorrow's dinner.  I thought about how we've downscaled the meal over the past several years.  For the best of reasons - we just can't eat as much.  Not because we can't afford it.  We're among the fortunate.

The food banks have had a real struggle this year.  Not just for the holiday, but daily.  There are more and more people in need and fewer able to be as generous as they might like.  Yet, as is typical in our community anyway, the need has been answered to the point there may even be surplus to go toward Christmas.  It's the rule here, rather than the exception.  Whether it be for a holiday meal or warm coats for kids or toys for tots or a family struck by misfortune and becoming financially strapped, the people here step up to the plate and help.  Always.  Generously.

It makes me wonder what Thanksgiving means to our politicians.  I can't see them sharing a meager little turkey as the pilgrims and Indians above without it being a 'taxing' situation.  Do they look around at the people and see the pain caused by greed, be it monetary or ideology?  Would a  Republican pilgrim even think of sharing with a Democrat Indian? Or vice versa.

 When they go home do they see in their communities what I see in ours?  Do they see the people reaching out to help those less fortunate? Or do they only see what is on the table before them, for them; for them to indulge themselves in in lieu of all else?  It's a cynical view, but to me the most likely.

It's going to be cold and blustery here.  The kitchen is already warm and inviting with the sounds and smells of a meal being prepared.  We'll enjoy it and afterward perhaps settle in with a fine brandy to finish off and reflect.  Reflect on the idea that the people, both those who give and who receive, are the heart and soul of this country.  I'd pit any one of them against any ten politicians and bet on the one to solve a problem or get a job done.

I can only hope that a break from politics, away from Washington, might let a little of the reality the rest of us live with seep into their consciousness and prompt them to look beyond themselves.  Even if only for a fleeting minute.   That's all that's needed to pique a conscience isn't it?

Wow.  Now, that would be worthy of thanks giving!

But For One Political Black Sheep!

Of course the super committee was designed to fail  Anyone who thought otherwise need only look at the math.  An even number from each party. Of course had it been an uneven number it too would have failed.  What was needed was one person, just one, who put country before party ideology.  It wasn't going to happen and isn't.

As I write this the super committee has yet to voice it's failure.  If they do come out with a last minute agreement it will be an act of lame desperation and doomed to failure anyway.  They might as well just slink out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday.

And they wonder why the American public has such a low opinion of them.  Both parties were on all the Sunday talk shows spouting about how there is always hope though things didn't look good.  I watched the clips of them looking oh, so smug while blaming each other for the failure.  It was so pathetic it wasn't even worthy of contempt.

The behavior of Congress has brought about good reason for term limits.  We agree they are all bums.  Everyone, at least, except our own.  We need to get over that.  Maybe we need to look at their bank accounts when running versus leaving to drive the point home.  Insider trading and self enrichment.

It's time for them to have to live by the laws they pass with which we have to live.  How do we do that?  How do we find candidates willing to be that black sheep and say, "Stop, enough"? I haven't a clue.  I'm not sure that type of potential candidate is out there.

Is it time to consider love of and faith in our country above all else?  Is it time to give them a pass on their religions?  Is it time to give them a pass on their moral failings?  Does one really effect the ability to govern or should governing for the good of the country trump all other faults?

That the committee failed by design is of little matter other than the principle.  With no one Congress beholden to the prior and the time lapses between decisions and implementation make efforts meaningless.  If the power changes parties.  Otherwise we're doomed to whatever legislation passes whether we like it or not.

I dwell too much on politics.  I hear sound bites from on the street surveys that show me too many people are uninformed and laugh about it.  I wonder if they vote.

 We are in a sense just like a herd of sheep.  We followed Shepard Obama.  We would have followed Shepard Hillary had it not been for Obama.

The Republicans are following the shepard of the week.  Now, of course, it's Newt.  Good thing Iowa kicks things off in January.  They're running out of shepards.

So what will they do?  Return to Obama?  Follow the last shepard standing or spook and run hither and thither until they collapse from sheer exhaustion or run off a cliff?

One of the constant mantras we hear is about how awful it is we're kicking the can down the road to our children and grandchildren.  I've got news for you, it isn't  particularly great for those of us in the here and now.

Maybe we sheep need to stop swaddling the shepards in our warm wool, our insulating wool.  Leave them out in the cold and wet.  Let the wool get wet.  When it does it will not only shrink, it will stink.  Then maybe they'll get an idea of what our lives are like.

Ah, wishful thinking - the spawn of rants.

Socialized Medicine - A Global Nightmare

At my age one spends a lot of time with health concerns.  Everything is wearing out and you no sooner get a handle on one issue when another one pops up.  I've come to grips with the idea this is my new normal.  I don't like it, but I manage.

One thing that bothers me is that I've had to go to a doctor who does not accept insurance of any kind, including medicare and I cannot bill medicare for his services because he is not part of the network.  This has been my choice because he's the best doctor I've found.  There is a market for his services.  By not having the expense of billing clerks, etc., he is able to keep his rates reasonably low.

It is of concern as to what will happen to doctors like him if Obamacare goes into full effect.  It is, essentially, socialized medicine to be run by bureaucrats rather than medical professionals.  What's the worst that can happen?  My care could be 'rationed'? I could die before my time?  Who knows, but I want to share with you a story from a friend.

We met years ago when she and a friend were travelling in the states and found themselves stranded.  They were Romanian, spoke passable English but found themselves in a strange country with strange customs and at a loss as to how to get out of their predicament.  Hub and I helped as best we could.  They arrived home safe and sound and we've been friends ever since.

I've been privy to her health problems.  After what seems to have been a stroke, she had difficulty finding adequate care.  Living in Bucharest, you'd think the best the country had to offer would be available.  Well, maybe it was.  It just wasn't good enough.  After years of persistence my friend now has a Swiss doctor who communicates with her long distance.  Hardly an ideal situation.

She now has a new problem.  Her mother needs surgery but has a heart problem and they are worried about anesthesia.  The economy of their country is in a slump like the rest of the world.  And like much of the rest of the world, they have their version of socialized medicine.  Because of the slump many of the good doctors left the country for better salaries elsewhere.

She wrote to me that many of the hospitals were closed because the health  ministry  has no money to keep them open.  One sentence struck me deeply.

In this situation it was very difficult to find a good doctor and a clean hospital for my mother.

Could it happen here?  You bet.  Just think about our economy and the world's economies and how everything controlled by governments are intertwined. It's a chilling reminder of what reality is in the real world.  Just something to think about.

Giving Thanks For Thanksgiving

The obvious reasons not withstanding, I have another reason for looking forward to next week.  I know what the flavor will be.  Turkey with all the trimmings.  At least for many of us.  There are so many directions I could go with this, but not having written a post for a week, I'll stick with my old staple - politics.

Republican politics to be exact.  I cannot recall ever seeing candidates come and go from favor so quickly or for such a strange mix of reasons.

To date I have to agree with some of my readers who have yet to find a candidate to back.  I have real doubts about their intentions.  I guess that's because I got snookered last time around.

A quick review.  Romney is viewed as the most likely nominee.  I do not fear his being Mormon and he really wants the job yet for some reason he just doesn't grab me.  That doesn't mean I wouldn't vote for him, yet...

Current flavor - Newt.  If he would just leave Reagan out of the equation I'd feel better.  Reagan was of a time long gone.  We need to be looking ahead.  His grey hair and grandfatherly manner belies an ambition not clearly defined.  Beware the silver tongue.

Most recently displaced - Cain. His knowledge of foreign policy has always been suspect.  After this past week so is his knowledge of current events like Obama's stand on Libya.  Not yet ready for the Presidency.

Perry.  I've got to admit I love his idea of cutting congressional salaries and making them part time.  Also starting his foreign aid budgets at zero.  The problem is how is he going to accomplish this?  The era of non-stop executive orders is treading on thin ice.

Paul.  The campaign's Libertarian.  Leaning toward the libertarian philosophy myself, less government, I applaud his tenacity.  His foreign policy ideas, though, don't wash.  It's always that foreign policy!

Santorum.  Considering he spent a ton of time in Iowa and has made family values his bellwether issue, he hasn't caught on.  I know what I'm not seeing, I wonder what the Iowans aren't seeing.

Bachmann was so hot out of the chute.  Her strength would seem to be her congressional battles even though she doesn't win them.  Her conversations with God through just about everyone may not sit well with others as well as myself.

Huntsman.  Here's a candidate who has yet to really run except in New Hampshire.  I have to wonder about the unfairness of our campaign funding laws that prevents one who could be in the top tier from being there because of a lack of start up money.  He's banking on New Hampshire yet I haven't heard that he's expected to be among the top three.  I'd not necessarily agree but I'd like to know the reason.

I don't take the flavor of the week seriously.  It's showing me a very fickle electorate.  What is it they want?  Humor like Cain?  Right wing conservatism?  I hope not. Hindsight and what I did when...?  More of the same only under a different banner?  What?

It won't be long before those decisions have to be made and I get the feeling the electorate isn't at all ready.  I know I'm not.  That worries me.

A Movement Without Leadership Is A Mob

The 'Occupy Wall Street' movement has had its say and has run it's course.  It's time to pack up and go home before your intent is totally diminished.

From the headlines we learn of a dead man found in Salt Lake, TB in Atlanta, 'Zucotti' (park) lung in New York, suicide in Oakland and murder in Vermont.  Property is being destroyed.

Just what message are you trying to send?  The people hear only what is reported and this is it.  Protests are your right.  Breaking the law is not.  Yet city after city has given the movement a pass.

You've bragged about your lack of leadership.  Rethink that one.  It's time to get some leadership if you want to continue.  Your message has been lost and your movement hijacked by hooligans.  Those Democrats who applaud you and the unions who support you are wearing thin with those trying to run businesses or just plain live within your proximity.  Filth and mayhem is no way to make your point so clean up your act or go away.

Why isn't this being done?  Is it because you have no leadership to point you in a cohesive direction?  Is it because you have no leadership to tell the hooligan element they're not welcome?  Is it because you have no leadership to help authorities maintain order?  Is it because you have no leadership people are dying?  As individuals, are you proud of this?  Without leadership your future is no more than a footnote to the chaos that was 2011.

With leadership you might have done as was suggested.  Converge on Washington D.C. where all the ills you complain about have their origins.  They write the regulations, they accept the lobby money, they turn a blind eye when expedient then are shocked, shocked when one of the favored takes things too far.

With winter here it's time to pack up the tents and head for home.  If you really want to be heard register to vote and do so.  Flaunting the law and antagonizing the citizenry isn't the way to do it.