Happy Dream and Sad Reality

I had an unnusual (for me) thing happen last night; I dreamt and actually remembered that I had a dream!

Two long-time friends and I were shopping, laughing, teasing each other and generally having a great time. Both of these friends have been a big part of my heart for over 15 years. I am sure that I was smiling in my sleep. I don't remember a lot of details about this dream, but I was left with a feeling/memory of laughter, happiness and well-being. It was a blessing.

I was smiling when I woke up. Then reality set in and I remembered that they were gone...and I cried. Like most people; I hate to cry.

However, during the day, today, I found myself smiling again, while remembering my dream so, in spite of my pain; I consider that dream a big blessing.

Moral of this little story; the only thing worse than losing loved ones is never having had them in the first place.

RIP Missy-Nov. 28, 2004

RIP Philly-Nov. 1, 2008

I miss you both.

p.s. The picture above is what Philly left me; her most important possession, so I am honored.

His name is Jack.

Just a Thought

Without Life; There IS No Liberty or Pursuit of Happiness.

Why Are Americans So Scared of "Socialized" Healthcare?

These days, all you have to do is mention the term "Socialized Healthcare", to see a lot of people have screaming hissy fits. A lot of it comes out as anger, but I believe that most of that anger is really fear.

Where is that fear coming from? From what I have seen, mostly talking points without a lot of data to back it up. Frank Luntz is in the business of making sure we keep the status quo, which means SCARING PEOPLE away from change, of any kind, that might hurt Insurance Companys' bottom-line.
(http://blog.sunlightfoundation.com/2009/07/16/health-care-word-soup-luntz-memo/)


While I realize that change is scary, sometimes the alternative to change is self-destruction. In the case of a lack of Healthcare Reform it is the deaths of the poor and middle class. I find this unacceptable. So, I did some digging. (You just never know what you will find, while digging.lol)

Here are some interesting bits of information that I found concerning USA (For-Profit) Healthcare and Canadian (Socialized) Healthcare:

Circulatory disease deaths per 100,000:
Canada: 219
United States: 265

Child maltreatment deaths per 100,000:
Canada: 0.7
United States: 2.2

Digestive disease deaths per 100,000:
Canada: 17.4
United States: 20.5

Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births
Canada: 5.08
United States: 6.3

Intestinal diseases death rate
Canada: 0.3%
United States: 7.3%

Proability of not reaching age 60:
Canada: 9.5%
United States: 12.8%

Respiratory disease child death rate per 100,000
Canada: 0.62
United States: 40.43

Heart disease deaths per 100,000:
Canada: 94.9
United States: 106.5

HIV deaths per million people:
Canada: 47.423
United States: 48.141

Socialized Healthcare does not make a Socialized Country. The USA is a wonderful melting-pot of people, cultures, and ideas; some Capitalistic, some Socialistic, etc. You get the idea.

For me, though, caring for my fellow citizens is stronger than my fear of change. If the above is the results of Socialized Healthcare then sign me up.

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/141534/you%27re_also_more_likely_to_be_eaten_by_a_sasquatch_in_%27socialist%27_canada/

EDIT: Here is some information about Socialized Healthcare from some UK Citizens. (Horse's mouth, you know.lol)

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090721075851AAphiOk

Homework Assignment for the Day~7/19/09~

Statement 1: American Soldier held by Taliban is "scared I won't be able to go home."

Statement 2: Each person being held at Guantanamo by US Forces, Soldier or not, is "scared I won't be able to go home."

Explain why the first statement is appalling.
Explain why the second statement isn't appalling.


Statement 3: But, the Taliban cut people's heads off.
Statement 4: But, the US Government, with impunity, rapes and sodomizes their foreign prisoners.
Male, Female, Child.

Explain why being held captive, tortured and raped daily is preferable to a quick death.


Statement 5: But, but the Taliban doesn't respect human rights.

Statement 6: But, the United States Tortures with impunity.


Explain how Torture (done by ANYONE) is respectful of Human Rights.



So, by not investigating, ie. letting everyone that tortured get off scott-free; the United States is, in effect, ordering, allowing and condoning Torture.

True or False?



Is holding an American Soldier, indefinitely, BAD? If so; explain why.
Is holding foreign citizens, by the USA, indefinitely, GOOD? If so; explain why.


Assignment is due in the comments section by~7/20/09~

Get to it. I mean it.

If You Disagree, Don't do Anything. If You Disagree and can Prove it, Even Better

(I don't think President Obama is perfect, by any means, but I am PROUD to have him as my President.)

Initially, this email was forwarded to me by a caring Republican.

(I googled Natasha Richardson's death. Here is what I found out...)

The actress Natasha Richardson died after falling skiing in Canada .. It took eight hours to drive her to a hospital.(FALSE: 40 minute drive.*)If Canada had our health care she might be alive today. We now have helicopters that would have gotten her to the hospital in 30 minutes. Obama wants to have our health care like Canada's and England's.

(She initially refused to go to the hospital. It won't matter where the hospital is if you won't go, though, true?)

"Paul Brunet, president of the(Canadian)Council for the protection of patients, said the question of whether a medical ambulance would have made a difference was moot.“If she had worn a helmet and accepted to see a doctor would there be any talk of this need for a helicopter?“And with all due to respect to the Americans, we don’t need any lessons from them about health care,” Brunet added. Canada doesn’t “have 50 million people without health care like they do.”**

In England anyone over 59 cannot receive heart repairs or stents or bypass because it is not covered as being too expensive and not needed. (Absolutely nothing is true about this one.) *Per Snopes, Urban legends.

I got this today and am sending it on. If Obama's plans in other areas don't scare you, this should. Please do not let Obama sign senior death warrants

(In other words, Obama is the Boogeyman, be afraid; be very afraid. PASS IT ON.)

Everybody that is on this mailing list is either a senior citizen, is getting close or knows somebody that is. (Isn't that pretty much everyone?)

Most of you know by now that the Senate version (at least) of the"stimulus" bill includes provisions for extensive rationing of health care for senior citizens.. The author of this part of the bill, former senator and tax evader, Tom Daschle was credited today by Bloomberg with the following statement. Bloomberg: Daschle says "health-care reform will not be pain free. Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them."!!!!

(He was talking about Cosmetic Surgeries and such. Talking wrinkles, not heart disease, folks.)*

If this does not sufficiently raise your ire, just remember that Senators and Congressmen have their own health care plan that is first dollar or very low co-pay which they are guaranteed the remainder of their lives and are not subject to this new law if it passes.

(Cause, you know; Senators and Congresspeople already have "socialized healthcare". You think about that a minute....)

Please use the power of the Internet to get this message out. Talk it up at the grassroots level.... We have an election coming up in one year and nine months. We have the ability to address and reverse the dangerous direction the Obama administration and it allies have begun and in the interim, we can make their lives miserable. Lets do it! If you disagree, don't do anything.

(In other words, spread the word. Unless you are a Liberal; then, don't do anything.)

Folks, almost 3/4 of all Americans polled want Health Care Reform.

Almost 3/4!

If you are an elected Rep and not actively pursuing ideas for single-payer; I have to ask, who are you representing?

Grassroots support is just what we need. Just make sure you are touting FACTS. Fearmongering doesn't cut it, anymore.

This is a subject of life and death; ours.

Debate; it's healthy.

But, check your facts.

*http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/seniordeath.asp

**http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/Socialized+medicine+didn+kill+Natasha+Richardson+says+doctor/1440316/story.html

***http://www.huffingtonpost.com/labourlist/socialized-healthcare-les_b_214162.html

Seat of Your Pants, Easy and Lazy Butterscotch-Chip Pancakes

"banana (or pineapple) butterscotch-chip pancakes"

instant pancake mix (8 servings; Any brand is fine)make as per directions on the box.
half-bag of butterscotch chips (WIH)*
diced banana and/or drained (and dried), crushed pineapple

Just eyeball the amount.

Cook according to box directions

Eat piping-hot, with a big glass of cold milk.
Awesome with melted butter.

Makes great hors douvres, if made in small sizes.
(Some kind of baked muffins? have to think on that one...)

*WIH-what I had on hand.

P.S. If you don't want to use butterscotch chips, substitute a warm, melted mixture of brown sugar and butter as a topping. (no syrup necessary)

This is IN NO WAY, as is, a healthy recipe; although it could be tweaked to make it healthy.

Recipe by the Cranky Quaker.

What Do U.S. Prisons and U.S. Healthcare Have in Common?

More than what you might think, folks.

For one thing, both have went from a Society Obligation to major Big Business profits.
So, what has the privatization (for profit) of our nation's Healthcare and Prison Systems done FOR us?While it is true that a few people have made a LOT of profit from both Industries; what about the U.S. Citizenry as a whole?

According to the New York Times; 1 OF EVERY 31 adults is in prison, parole or probation, at a cost of 47 BILLION dollars to states, in 2008. "Criminal correction spending is outpacing budget growth in education, transportation and public assistance, based on state and federal data."* (sidenote: Taxpayers pay for these budgets, folks.)

In other words; "The United States has LESS than 5 percent of the world’s population. But it has almost 25% of the world’s prisoners."**(sidenote: About HALF of ALL people incarcerated are for NON-violent offenses. More than the combined populations of Wyoming and Alaska. *****)

(Wow, I had no idea that incarceration was so much more important than education, transportation AND caring for our poor and sick citizens! Good to know where we stand, though, isn't it?)

Now, let's look at the privatization of Healthcare and its effects on the U.S. Citizenry.

pbs.org compared Japan, the U.S.A, Germany, Switzerland and the UK, regarding Healthcare.

Some quick comparison examples:
1)The U.S. spends MORE (percent-wise) of our GDP on Healthcare for our citizens than the other 4.
2)The U.S. has the LOWEST life expectancy (at birth).
3)The U.S. has the HIGHEST infant mortality rate.
4)Japan has almost TWICE the amount of MRI machines as the U.S. (number per million population).
5)Japan has almost THREE TIMES the amount of CT machines as the U.S. (number per million population).***

Not so amazingly, The Urban Institute estimated that 22,000 adults died in 2006 because they did not have health insurance.(ie. access to healthcare.)****

(Folks, we are NOT getting our money's worth.)

So people, decide for yourself if having for-profit Healthcare and for-profit Prisons are the way to go.

But, MY opinion is that both Healthcare (LIFE) and Incarceration (LIBERTY) is too important and should NOT be controlled by shareholders that are just out to make a buck. (Or a billion.)

I also have a question. I wonder how many of our Representatives have invested in Insurance Companies and Prisons? (And since they make the laws, that would make such investments VERY secure, wouldn't it?)

*http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/us/03prison.html?_r=2
**http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/us/23prison.html
***http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/etc/graphs.html
****http://familiesusa.org/issues/uninsured/publications/dying-for-coverage.html
*****http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2006/05/23/con-nation/

(This article is my opinion; albeit, with facts and sources cited)