I just don't seem to be having any fun lately and I'm entering winter which is my least favorite time of year. What can I do to get some pep back in my step? As this blog as devolved into a diary of sorts, it captures more of my mood which isn't too good lately. It seems I am spending more time in a negative spin zone and that can't be good for me. I do, at least, try to stop myself from time to time because I know that I should be of a greater mind and that my outlook should have some shimmer. I really need to cheer up.
Perhaps, I am just reflecting the general mood of the country which is moving beyond cynical, in my opinion. Unfortunately, there is very little to trust these days. Capitalism is front and center and it is showing its ugly side, it seems like greed, corruption and immorality are leading the charge and the acceptance of this as "business as usual" has set us on an even more destructive course of every person for him or herself. It seems that the common good has been left out of the equation lately. Hopefully, it will turn up soon.
Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
What Price, Peace Prize?
On this Columbus Day, a celebration of the explorer who "discovered," America, President Obama continues to be bashed for what many view as his un-deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. What has he really done for peace, they ask? He really has accomplished nothing they conclude. While the rest of the world views his strong overtures toward diplomacy as a positive sign of great alliances to come, to his American critics, he appears to have changed nothing. In fact, these critics took it a step further by pointing out that he failed to secure the Nobel prize for economics. Huh? There are many who are rooting for this President to fail and they will find fault with his success and rejoice when he misses. They simply do not see that if any President fails, America fails.
While many loudly cheered when his attendance at the Olympic Committee in Copenhagen failed to help Chicago win its bid for the 2016 games, they missed the point that America lost. It is easy to blame the President when things are not going well - housing and health care costs, declining employment and rising taxes along with high debt - I am staring all of these issues in the face. Unfortunately, the seeds were sown long before he was sworn in and while I know it is customary to blame whoever is in power for the ills of the day, it is easy to see how negativity can suck in even the die-hard. It does seem though that we could use a little bit more peace and acceptance right here at home. Something about that great continent that Columbus found.
While many loudly cheered when his attendance at the Olympic Committee in Copenhagen failed to help Chicago win its bid for the 2016 games, they missed the point that America lost. It is easy to blame the President when things are not going well - housing and health care costs, declining employment and rising taxes along with high debt - I am staring all of these issues in the face. Unfortunately, the seeds were sown long before he was sworn in and while I know it is customary to blame whoever is in power for the ills of the day, it is easy to see how negativity can suck in even the die-hard. It does seem though that we could use a little bit more peace and acceptance right here at home. Something about that great continent that Columbus found.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Health Care Reform: A Moral Imperative
"The time for bickering is over. The time for games has passed. Now is the season for action. Now is when we must bring the best ideas of both parties together and show the American people that we can still do what we were sent here to do. Now is the time to deliver on healthcare."
Tonight the President addressed a joint session of Congress to urge them to continue to seek solutions for healthcare reform in a bipartisan fashion. The President offered some ideas for what he would like to see in the reform package and indeed some of these items have already been agreed upon by both political parties. The following points are what I remember off the top of my head:
1. Those with pre-existing conditions will not be denied healthcare coverage.
2. Insurance companies cannot drop you when you become ill.
3. Employers will have to make contributions to a healthcare fund if they do not provide healthcare coverage to their workers.
4. There will be a health insurance exchange where individuals who do not have an employer-based plan can purchase affordable care from existing insurers. A self-supporting (through premiums) public insurer should be an available option on the exchange as a competitor to private insurers; more competition should foster greater affordability.
5. Medicare and Medicaid will remain unchanged but there will be a mandate to combat fraud and waste within the current systems.
6. Everyone will be required to sign up for some sort of plan to help reduce the frequency of emergency room visits for primary care which we all pay for in our current premiums.
7. There will be no coverage for illegal aliens (who primarily use the emergency room for primary care, hmm?)
8. There will be hardship allotments and tax credits for individuals and small businesses who demonstrate financial need to cover healthcare costs.
9. ...and more, I am sure.
Furthermore, the President addressed the scare tactics being used to quash the reform debate primarily propagated by Republicans and right-leaning individuals and groups. He declared the oft repeated propaganda that there will be government-sanctioned 'death panels' as an outright lie and that the whole idea of a government takeover of healthcare is pure fiction. Finally, the President threatened to "call out" anyone who continued to disseminate false information about healthcare reform.
Of course the biggest part of the healthcare initiative is cost. The President made it clear that he will only sign a bill that does not increase the deficit and that savings gained by reducing medicare and medicaid waste and fraud and employer contributions into the healthcare fund will be used to cover the estimated $900,000,000,000 tab over the next 10 years. In any case, the bill should include a provision that any savings that are not realized must be covered by reductions in spending elsewhere in the general budget.
Sadly, those Republicans who are hell-bent on defeating reform for the sake of defeating anything this President proposes sat in protest as the President delivered his speech. Some Republicans agreed with some of the talking points but most were resolute in not supporting the President, at least in public.
At the end of the day, the President called upon all of us to support healthcare reform as a moral imperative, and rightly so, and implored us to honor the spirit of Ted Kennedy by doing so.
Tonight the President addressed a joint session of Congress to urge them to continue to seek solutions for healthcare reform in a bipartisan fashion. The President offered some ideas for what he would like to see in the reform package and indeed some of these items have already been agreed upon by both political parties. The following points are what I remember off the top of my head:
1. Those with pre-existing conditions will not be denied healthcare coverage.
2. Insurance companies cannot drop you when you become ill.
3. Employers will have to make contributions to a healthcare fund if they do not provide healthcare coverage to their workers.
4. There will be a health insurance exchange where individuals who do not have an employer-based plan can purchase affordable care from existing insurers. A self-supporting (through premiums) public insurer should be an available option on the exchange as a competitor to private insurers; more competition should foster greater affordability.
5. Medicare and Medicaid will remain unchanged but there will be a mandate to combat fraud and waste within the current systems.
6. Everyone will be required to sign up for some sort of plan to help reduce the frequency of emergency room visits for primary care which we all pay for in our current premiums.
7. There will be no coverage for illegal aliens (who primarily use the emergency room for primary care, hmm?)
8. There will be hardship allotments and tax credits for individuals and small businesses who demonstrate financial need to cover healthcare costs.
9. ...and more, I am sure.
Furthermore, the President addressed the scare tactics being used to quash the reform debate primarily propagated by Republicans and right-leaning individuals and groups. He declared the oft repeated propaganda that there will be government-sanctioned 'death panels' as an outright lie and that the whole idea of a government takeover of healthcare is pure fiction. Finally, the President threatened to "call out" anyone who continued to disseminate false information about healthcare reform.
Of course the biggest part of the healthcare initiative is cost. The President made it clear that he will only sign a bill that does not increase the deficit and that savings gained by reducing medicare and medicaid waste and fraud and employer contributions into the healthcare fund will be used to cover the estimated $900,000,000,000 tab over the next 10 years. In any case, the bill should include a provision that any savings that are not realized must be covered by reductions in spending elsewhere in the general budget.
Sadly, those Republicans who are hell-bent on defeating reform for the sake of defeating anything this President proposes sat in protest as the President delivered his speech. Some Republicans agreed with some of the talking points but most were resolute in not supporting the President, at least in public.
At the end of the day, the President called upon all of us to support healthcare reform as a moral imperative, and rightly so, and implored us to honor the spirit of Ted Kennedy by doing so.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part Four: August has Delivered
All of my lamenting about the weather has been put to rest over the last 10 days. August has delivered. Since our first 90 degree day 10 days ago, the weather has remained warm enough to satisfy my soul. I have been to so many different beaches in the last 10 days, I have no rival.
My husband, whenever he is available to join me and the children on one of our beach excursions, always has the same three questions: "Where are we going? Have we been there before? Why can't you just pick a beach and stick to it? Well, Suffolk County has some of the most beautiful beaches, it is no accident that Suffolk County has two of the top ten beaches in America according to Dr. Beach.
Though Dr. Beach favors ocean beaches which are on the south shore, I must point out that the Long Island sound beaches on the north shore are just as beautiful. The setting reminds me of the Cape with bluffs high above the water overlooking beautiful coves. The water is calm, clear bay water and and the beaches are dazzling white though some complain that they are too rocky, nothing that aqua shoes can't cure though.
When we really feel like swimming we head up north where the Sound feels like one big giant swimming pool and you can pull up your chair to the edge, relax and read while the water gently laps at your feet. Brookhaven Town has a free residents-only beach which just happens to be my favorite north shore beach. The Town has free ocean beaches but they require a boat or a ferry ride across the Great South Bay which can make it cost prohibitive for many, including myself. Thus, I trek further out East to get my ocean fill. It is well worth the trip to run over to Westhampton or Southampton for a glorious day.
My least favorite beaches are those on the Great South Bay which just happens to be the closest to me. In fact, my street dead ends at the bay. The water quality is lacking in my opinion and is loaded with seaweed but the beaches are well utilized because of their proximity. However, it is great for boating and fishing and every advantage is taken in both regards. We go crabbing on the bay and have done quite well this year with our catches; meals have been made. This is a great year for crabbing, the bay is loaded, you feel like you can literally scoop them up as they float by.
See how happy I am now! Like I said, all I need is some sunshine.
My husband, whenever he is available to join me and the children on one of our beach excursions, always has the same three questions: "Where are we going? Have we been there before? Why can't you just pick a beach and stick to it? Well, Suffolk County has some of the most beautiful beaches, it is no accident that Suffolk County has two of the top ten beaches in America according to Dr. Beach.
Though Dr. Beach favors ocean beaches which are on the south shore, I must point out that the Long Island sound beaches on the north shore are just as beautiful. The setting reminds me of the Cape with bluffs high above the water overlooking beautiful coves. The water is calm, clear bay water and and the beaches are dazzling white though some complain that they are too rocky, nothing that aqua shoes can't cure though.
When we really feel like swimming we head up north where the Sound feels like one big giant swimming pool and you can pull up your chair to the edge, relax and read while the water gently laps at your feet. Brookhaven Town has a free residents-only beach which just happens to be my favorite north shore beach. The Town has free ocean beaches but they require a boat or a ferry ride across the Great South Bay which can make it cost prohibitive for many, including myself. Thus, I trek further out East to get my ocean fill. It is well worth the trip to run over to Westhampton or Southampton for a glorious day.
My least favorite beaches are those on the Great South Bay which just happens to be the closest to me. In fact, my street dead ends at the bay. The water quality is lacking in my opinion and is loaded with seaweed but the beaches are well utilized because of their proximity. However, it is great for boating and fishing and every advantage is taken in both regards. We go crabbing on the bay and have done quite well this year with our catches; meals have been made. This is a great year for crabbing, the bay is loaded, you feel like you can literally scoop them up as they float by.
See how happy I am now! Like I said, all I need is some sunshine.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part Two: The Beach
This weekend we were finally delivered three relatively good weather days, including the hottest day so far this summer, 82 degrees. Whoohoo! Well, we went to Cupsogue Beach in Westhampton to remind us why we love summer on Long Island. It really was not as crowded as I expected for a Saturday. Though it was a nice sunny day, it did not have the underlying swelter that compels one to "run" to the beach. After all, we are still below our normal highs.
Here we are well into July and still the dog days of summer are yet to reveal themselves. Even a look at the 10 day forecast shows no hopeful signs; rain for the next 2 days and isolated or scattered thunderstorms for the subsequent 8. Oh well. Hopefully August delivers because we live for the beach.
Here we are well into July and still the dog days of summer are yet to reveal themselves. Even a look at the 10 day forecast shows no hopeful signs; rain for the next 2 days and isolated or scattered thunderstorms for the subsequent 8. Oh well. Hopefully August delivers because we live for the beach.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Health Care Crunch
Health Care, Health-care, Healthcare. It seems that any one of these iterations is acceptable so spell it any way that you want but no matter how you spell it, healthcare does not come cheap. This weekend we received our COBRA bill. COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act - huh?) is the program that allows a displaced employee to remain in an employer's health plan for up to 18 months should they leave or lose their job, under certain conditions. It is a nice idea. After all, in our employer-based healthcare system, losing your job should not compromise your access to care.
However, I don't think healthcare costs were as astronomical when COBRA was conceived. Our COBRA bill is nearly $1600 a month. It is a little higher than the average family plan because we also participated in an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) healthcare auxillary plan, where we contributed $200 in pretax dollars each month to pay for out of pocket healthcare costs such as copays, over the counter and other costs that are not covered by your healthcare plan. This is another great program that can save you up to 30% on associated healthcare costs, depending on your tax bracket. But, it is calculated on a yearly basis and you can use all of these expected funds long before your total annual contribution is deducted. What if you lose your job before your year is up? Yes, it does get confusing, believe me.
Considering that unemployment in New York pays $405 per week plus an additional $25 that the Federal Government stimulus plan kicks in, adding up to a whopping $1720 a month (acknowledged that there are 2 months a year where there is a 5 week payout) that does not leave much. However, another part of President Obama's stimulus package allows for a 65% subsidy for COBRA costs for the first 9 months. Thank God! While we do not get a break on the FSA part, that cannot be reduced, we now have to pay a little less than $700 dollars a month. I jump for joy but theoretically that is still a lot of dough to "pony up" in these economic times which, of course, makes the President's campaign promise of healthcare overhaul even more prescient.
Last week, President Obama rolled out his healthcare overhaul platform in earnest. Already the waters have been muddied when it comes to the best way to reel in the costs and still provide quality service. Those of us who remember Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's attempts to reform healthcare back in the 90s when she was First Lady know the ugly fight that lays ahead. It goes without saying that Hilary was ahead of her time. Unfortunately, powerful lobbies, like the pharmaceuticals and healthcare insurance companies, will do as powerful lobbies do with laser certainty - mount an unyielding campaign to thwart and undermine any chances of real reform. Anyone remember Medicare Part D written by and for the pharmaceutical companies?
Pharmaceutical companies are killing us people, killing us. They have ads on TV telling us that they can fix x, y, and z unless the side effects kill you first. You are supposed to ask your Doctor, the one who has no clue who you are because modern healthcare, as dictated by the health insurance companies, requires him/her to see a gazillion patients an hour, whether some drug you have no clue about is right for you. Trust me, you don't need to ask, they will write you a prescription for all those drugs you see on TV in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, your healthcare company does not pay for name brand drugs, does it? I have come home in a groggy state from some procedure or another, after stopping at the pharmacy to pick up some drug that turns out will cost me $400, to get on the phone with the health insurer about what generic drug is covered or is the best substitute.
Lately, I have been to more Doctors than I ever have. Somehow, despite my healthy efforts - I quit smoking years ago, I exercise regularly, I do not eat any meat or fatty foods and I mostly drink wine when I do drink - my over-40-year-old-body has begun to show too much wear and plenty of tear. What's up with that? Every time I go for a test, I get referred to even more specialists. Part of me knows it is a racket because I get sent to specialists before the results of other tests even come in. I certainly do not want to do contribute to increasing the healthcare costs of all and I try to pay attention to what I believe are unnecessary tests and procedures; understanding that the premiums of any employer or associated group health plan are subject to the expenses of all the members.
Insurance is a funny thing, you pay it to protect yourself in the case of calamity but if you actually use that insurance, you will pay more for it after your insurer has paid out for a "qualifying event." If a member or their family requires specialized care that carries a hefty price tag, next year's premiums for the entire group will be higher. Make no mistake, every time someone, whether individually or part of a group, actually utilizes the benefits of insurance, be it car, homeowners, or fire, you name it, your premium will increase. The increases are even more deadly when it comes to health insurance. I won't proclaim how to fix it, in fact, I'm wondering if it is too late. Good Luck President Obama. Godspeed.
However, I don't think healthcare costs were as astronomical when COBRA was conceived. Our COBRA bill is nearly $1600 a month. It is a little higher than the average family plan because we also participated in an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) healthcare auxillary plan, where we contributed $200 in pretax dollars each month to pay for out of pocket healthcare costs such as copays, over the counter and other costs that are not covered by your healthcare plan. This is another great program that can save you up to 30% on associated healthcare costs, depending on your tax bracket. But, it is calculated on a yearly basis and you can use all of these expected funds long before your total annual contribution is deducted. What if you lose your job before your year is up? Yes, it does get confusing, believe me.
Considering that unemployment in New York pays $405 per week plus an additional $25 that the Federal Government stimulus plan kicks in, adding up to a whopping $1720 a month (acknowledged that there are 2 months a year where there is a 5 week payout) that does not leave much. However, another part of President Obama's stimulus package allows for a 65% subsidy for COBRA costs for the first 9 months. Thank God! While we do not get a break on the FSA part, that cannot be reduced, we now have to pay a little less than $700 dollars a month. I jump for joy but theoretically that is still a lot of dough to "pony up" in these economic times which, of course, makes the President's campaign promise of healthcare overhaul even more prescient.
Last week, President Obama rolled out his healthcare overhaul platform in earnest. Already the waters have been muddied when it comes to the best way to reel in the costs and still provide quality service. Those of us who remember Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's attempts to reform healthcare back in the 90s when she was First Lady know the ugly fight that lays ahead. It goes without saying that Hilary was ahead of her time. Unfortunately, powerful lobbies, like the pharmaceuticals and healthcare insurance companies, will do as powerful lobbies do with laser certainty - mount an unyielding campaign to thwart and undermine any chances of real reform. Anyone remember Medicare Part D written by and for the pharmaceutical companies?
Pharmaceutical companies are killing us people, killing us. They have ads on TV telling us that they can fix x, y, and z unless the side effects kill you first. You are supposed to ask your Doctor, the one who has no clue who you are because modern healthcare, as dictated by the health insurance companies, requires him/her to see a gazillion patients an hour, whether some drug you have no clue about is right for you. Trust me, you don't need to ask, they will write you a prescription for all those drugs you see on TV in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, your healthcare company does not pay for name brand drugs, does it? I have come home in a groggy state from some procedure or another, after stopping at the pharmacy to pick up some drug that turns out will cost me $400, to get on the phone with the health insurer about what generic drug is covered or is the best substitute.
Lately, I have been to more Doctors than I ever have. Somehow, despite my healthy efforts - I quit smoking years ago, I exercise regularly, I do not eat any meat or fatty foods and I mostly drink wine when I do drink - my over-40-year-old-body has begun to show too much wear and plenty of tear. What's up with that? Every time I go for a test, I get referred to even more specialists. Part of me knows it is a racket because I get sent to specialists before the results of other tests even come in. I certainly do not want to do contribute to increasing the healthcare costs of all and I try to pay attention to what I believe are unnecessary tests and procedures; understanding that the premiums of any employer or associated group health plan are subject to the expenses of all the members.
Insurance is a funny thing, you pay it to protect yourself in the case of calamity but if you actually use that insurance, you will pay more for it after your insurer has paid out for a "qualifying event." If a member or their family requires specialized care that carries a hefty price tag, next year's premiums for the entire group will be higher. Make no mistake, every time someone, whether individually or part of a group, actually utilizes the benefits of insurance, be it car, homeowners, or fire, you name it, your premium will increase. The increases are even more deadly when it comes to health insurance. I won't proclaim how to fix it, in fact, I'm wondering if it is too late. Good Luck President Obama. Godspeed.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Can Get There From Here
Well I am feeling much better today, having worked through my 5 stages of grief since my layoff a week ago and having resolved to make lemonade out of lemons, I have chosen to push on with purpose.
Friday night was the company Holiday Party at a fancy catering hall that I was looking forward to attending, so in keeping with the tradition, many of us ex-employees having reserved that night out anyway staged our own Holiday Party. We had a great time. It was good to remember why we liked working with each other and how we had a nice group of people to add to our professional networking profiles on the web. LinkedIn, essentially a Facebook-type networking site for professionals, is the most well-known. It doesn't have all the Facebook goodies but I suppose it might not be appropriate to send widget plant gifts or other plug-ins to our business associates or why not? Perhaps there should be some humor in job-hunting which truly is a thankless job.
Job-hunting requires full-time effort; nothing less will produce meaningful results. However, those around you suddenly think you are free and somehow don't seem to recognize the time and effort required on a daily basis if you are serious about finding a new job: revising and revising the resume, targeting the resume by incorporating verbiage from the job offering. refining and improving your professional network, writing those dreaded cover letters and the sheer time-consuming act of simply searching all the job boards. These last 2 weeks of December are probably the worst time to be job-hunting due to the distraction of the holidays, a great & enjoyable distraction, but a distraction nevertheless when you want to hear something from a hiring company. So, while I do spend quite a bit of time on it, I do recognize that the turn of the year may bring better prospects.
My family started this year with the slogan "2008 will be great" and we all know how well that turned out. Now, we are looking forward to "2009 will be fine." Did I really write this in my holiday cards this year? While I focus on the holidays, I will try to take the best of the holiday spirit with me and forever be grateful for the opportunities I was granted this year. My goodness, don't I sound positive? We get bombarded with rhetoric, teaching, healing, books, medicine and other pearls of wisdom that we should remain positive no matter what. I suppose I'll give it another few weeks to find out if my feelings are truly "live" or "memorex."
Friday night was the company Holiday Party at a fancy catering hall that I was looking forward to attending, so in keeping with the tradition, many of us ex-employees having reserved that night out anyway staged our own Holiday Party. We had a great time. It was good to remember why we liked working with each other and how we had a nice group of people to add to our professional networking profiles on the web. LinkedIn, essentially a Facebook-type networking site for professionals, is the most well-known. It doesn't have all the Facebook goodies but I suppose it might not be appropriate to send widget plant gifts or other plug-ins to our business associates or why not? Perhaps there should be some humor in job-hunting which truly is a thankless job.
Job-hunting requires full-time effort; nothing less will produce meaningful results. However, those around you suddenly think you are free and somehow don't seem to recognize the time and effort required on a daily basis if you are serious about finding a new job: revising and revising the resume, targeting the resume by incorporating verbiage from the job offering. refining and improving your professional network, writing those dreaded cover letters and the sheer time-consuming act of simply searching all the job boards. These last 2 weeks of December are probably the worst time to be job-hunting due to the distraction of the holidays, a great & enjoyable distraction, but a distraction nevertheless when you want to hear something from a hiring company. So, while I do spend quite a bit of time on it, I do recognize that the turn of the year may bring better prospects.
My family started this year with the slogan "2008 will be great" and we all know how well that turned out. Now, we are looking forward to "2009 will be fine." Did I really write this in my holiday cards this year? While I focus on the holidays, I will try to take the best of the holiday spirit with me and forever be grateful for the opportunities I was granted this year. My goodness, don't I sound positive? We get bombarded with rhetoric, teaching, healing, books, medicine and other pearls of wisdom that we should remain positive no matter what. I suppose I'll give it another few weeks to find out if my feelings are truly "live" or "memorex."
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