As I seem to begin more and more often lately, there are some things you couldn't make up because they're just too far out to even dream of. And then, Congress comes along and outdoes the ridiculous.
I mentioned yesterday, the House was called back from vacation to vote on a $26 billion education bill. They claim the funds are already on hand and will not raise taxes, saying it's just a reallocation of how the money's spent. But, aside from the fact that Congress always raises taxes, it's amazing (or politically brilliant) who they're going to short-change to free up the funds -a cut to food stamps benefits and a tax increase on some multinational companies based in the United States.
The last time I looked, very few folks on food stamps voted at all, and foreign nationals can't vote period (unless they become Senators and then President of the U.S.) In the meantime, this is being done at a time when fiscal restraint is being touted in most political campaigns.
So, why would responsible representatives of the people play this economic shell game at a time of financial crisis like this? Well, let's look at who benefits. According to Education Secretary Arne Duncan, "This bill will help keep 160,000 teachers around the country in the classroom as we start school the next couple weeks rather than on the unemployment line."
Now, we all know teachers can't teach worth a hoot, but they all do tend to vote.
In summary then, in this bill congress will spend $26 billion dollars of taxpayer's money to insure 160,000 likely Democrat votes. If my calculator's right that's $162,500 per vote and seems about right. Teachers probably do average $162,500 a year for baby-sitting six to eight hours a day, nine months a year. During the other three months, students are free to go elsewhere, camp, study-groups, travel, or simply staying at home where they'll likely actually learn something.
All in all though, at this point it looks like it's going to take more than buying 160,000 votes to save these Congressfolks. But, although they'll still be outvoted in landslides around the country, losing an election doesn't seem to be enough. There should be some sort of real penalty for the gross misuse of their offices, much less taxpayers funds. Then again, maybe Charlie Rangel and Blagojevich are just the first steps, and perhaps we'll see droves of them locked up. But, if that actually happens, I pity whoever winds up sharing a cell with Pelosi.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
BloggeRhythms 8/9/2010
Nothing at all worth typing about in the news, except for the House being called back from vacation early, expressly to vote for throwing another $26 billion of taxpayers money down the education chute. Between teachers being paid for no earthly reason I can dream of, because not one of them's worth a dime and the lawyers bleeding health care dry, what's left of ours for Congress to give away? Oops! I almost forgot, we pay those turkey politico's livelihood too.
But, now back to something important. I did that write-up about ipods yesterday, and that got me to thinking about music in general. And, as I mentioned, unless something really important conflicted, for many, many, years my wife and I were out in a restaurant and then in a nightclub in NYC on most Saturday nights.
Of them all, I think the best club was Sirocco. As I mentioned, the theme was Middle-Eastern. The owner, Ari San a Cypriot, had been a big-time recording star in Israel, Cyprus, and Europe and then came here with his four piece band. We stumbled across the place because my in-laws, both of whom loved to dance, were with us one night in a club in the city called Dionysus on 49th Street (I think), also Greek-Mediterranean. My in-laws ran into someone there that they knew, and he suggested we try Sirocco.
At that time, I knew nothing about Middle-Eastern music, traditions or anything else. I was in the equipment financing business then and a potential client, let's call him George D., sought financing for a couple of tanker ships, to bring oil here from overseas. Almost every time we met, sooner or later he'd get me to accompany him to Dionysus, and we'd sit and talk. When the music started, we'd both sit back and listen a while, then George would apologetically say he'd "dragged me there because he loved the music" and then he'd pay the check so we could leave. And that, as I said, eventually led us to Sirocco
After we began going to Sirocco regularly, we learned more about the music, traditions and protocols of Mediterranean life. And, over time, we were accepted as what would be called "regular" customers. One of the benefits of regularity was where we were seated. At first we generally wound up in a low balcony, quite a ways from the dance floor, and although the club wasn't huge, it wasn't small either. So, a trip to the dance floor was, frankly, a pain in the neck. Especially since this was Manhattan and the place was extremely popular. So, there were lots of folks between us and the dance floor.
In time, we worked our way up to a regular table for six right next to the dance floor, across the way from the entrance so people didn't trip all over us entering and leaving the club, and about ten feet from center stage. If we stood up we could easily have joined the entertainers. And, unless we were being joined by more than four other people, we never had to call for a reservation, because we were always expected.
The few times my wife and myself were really late in arriving, Mike E., the Maitre'D, gave our table away as he should have. Since we didn't call, how was he to know if we weren't coming and he had plenty of pleading customers to seat? And, that table, even back then, was probably worth a twenty to fifty buck tip, depending on who he chose to seat there. So, when we finally did show up after all, he apologized for letting our table go and brought out another one from storage and set it up right on the corner of the dance floor, in front of some other high-roller. But, that's what friends are for, and in time, Mike E. turned out to be a great one.
The headline entertainer was Ari San himself, accompanied by three others, a guitarist, a bass and a drummer. Unbeknownst to us at first was that Ari's style was unusual. Most Greek and Mediterranean music includes a Bouzouki, kind of a watermelon-shaped, big mandolin with six or eight strings. But Ari played the electric guitar. So even though he played the same songs as most similar musicians, he sounded completely different. And, as he aged his voice became richer, producing an incredible sound. If you want, you can listen to some of his hits at: www.last.fm/music/Aris+San/+videos/+1-IzBoFYMoR2k (Sorry, you have to copy and paste in into your browser, I couldn't find a link.)
Aside from Aris San, the headliner, most evenings included other instrumentalists and singers, most of them pleasurable even though they were more traditional in style and not as entertaining to us as was Ari. And then, there always a belly dancer on Saturday nights. While I can honestly say, belly dancing wasn't my thing and I truly thought it was boring because I'd have much rather have danced to that music myself than watch somebody else, some nights were truly amusing.
In most Mediterranean clubs, if audiences like particular entertainers, or songs or whatever, the tradition is to throw plates. Customers buy stacks of china from their waiters, then toss them at those they enjoy (they toss the plates, not the waiters.) But not in Sirocco. The tradition here was cash. Customers would exchange tens, twenty's, fifties or hundreds for singles then toss the bills either at the entertainers themselves or fling them across the dance floor. Afterward, a sweeper would brush all the bucks into a pile, pack it in a plastic bag and give the bag to whomever had entertained.
Now, when my son was younger, and he, or he and his similar aged cousin, accompanied us to a party at Sirocco, the kids quickly caught on. At four, five and six years old they'd duck under the table and snatch up thrown dollars that landed there out of sight. Sometime later they even figured out to hide their stashes, because they knew if we caught them, they'd have to throw it all back on the dance floor.
I'm sure as I sit here typing that in time, lot's of Sirocco stories will come back to memory, like the times Telly Savalas, Anthony Quinn (Zorba the Mexican)or Mayor Koch showed up. But for now I've got to stop, because I just figured out how to download itunes from Apple into my PC. So, I guess my wife's ipod is safe from theft for now, because I no longer need it. In fact, I'm listening to Tom Jones on my desk speakers as I write.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
But, now back to something important. I did that write-up about ipods yesterday, and that got me to thinking about music in general. And, as I mentioned, unless something really important conflicted, for many, many, years my wife and I were out in a restaurant and then in a nightclub in NYC on most Saturday nights.
Of them all, I think the best club was Sirocco. As I mentioned, the theme was Middle-Eastern. The owner, Ari San a Cypriot, had been a big-time recording star in Israel, Cyprus, and Europe and then came here with his four piece band. We stumbled across the place because my in-laws, both of whom loved to dance, were with us one night in a club in the city called Dionysus on 49th Street (I think), also Greek-Mediterranean. My in-laws ran into someone there that they knew, and he suggested we try Sirocco.
At that time, I knew nothing about Middle-Eastern music, traditions or anything else. I was in the equipment financing business then and a potential client, let's call him George D., sought financing for a couple of tanker ships, to bring oil here from overseas. Almost every time we met, sooner or later he'd get me to accompany him to Dionysus, and we'd sit and talk. When the music started, we'd both sit back and listen a while, then George would apologetically say he'd "dragged me there because he loved the music" and then he'd pay the check so we could leave. And that, as I said, eventually led us to Sirocco
After we began going to Sirocco regularly, we learned more about the music, traditions and protocols of Mediterranean life. And, over time, we were accepted as what would be called "regular" customers. One of the benefits of regularity was where we were seated. At first we generally wound up in a low balcony, quite a ways from the dance floor, and although the club wasn't huge, it wasn't small either. So, a trip to the dance floor was, frankly, a pain in the neck. Especially since this was Manhattan and the place was extremely popular. So, there were lots of folks between us and the dance floor.
In time, we worked our way up to a regular table for six right next to the dance floor, across the way from the entrance so people didn't trip all over us entering and leaving the club, and about ten feet from center stage. If we stood up we could easily have joined the entertainers. And, unless we were being joined by more than four other people, we never had to call for a reservation, because we were always expected.
The few times my wife and myself were really late in arriving, Mike E., the Maitre'D, gave our table away as he should have. Since we didn't call, how was he to know if we weren't coming and he had plenty of pleading customers to seat? And, that table, even back then, was probably worth a twenty to fifty buck tip, depending on who he chose to seat there. So, when we finally did show up after all, he apologized for letting our table go and brought out another one from storage and set it up right on the corner of the dance floor, in front of some other high-roller. But, that's what friends are for, and in time, Mike E. turned out to be a great one.
The headline entertainer was Ari San himself, accompanied by three others, a guitarist, a bass and a drummer. Unbeknownst to us at first was that Ari's style was unusual. Most Greek and Mediterranean music includes a Bouzouki, kind of a watermelon-shaped, big mandolin with six or eight strings. But Ari played the electric guitar. So even though he played the same songs as most similar musicians, he sounded completely different. And, as he aged his voice became richer, producing an incredible sound. If you want, you can listen to some of his hits at: www.last.fm/music/Aris+San/+videos/+1-IzBoFYMoR2k (Sorry, you have to copy and paste in into your browser, I couldn't find a link.)
Aside from Aris San, the headliner, most evenings included other instrumentalists and singers, most of them pleasurable even though they were more traditional in style and not as entertaining to us as was Ari. And then, there always a belly dancer on Saturday nights. While I can honestly say, belly dancing wasn't my thing and I truly thought it was boring because I'd have much rather have danced to that music myself than watch somebody else, some nights were truly amusing.
In most Mediterranean clubs, if audiences like particular entertainers, or songs or whatever, the tradition is to throw plates. Customers buy stacks of china from their waiters, then toss them at those they enjoy (they toss the plates, not the waiters.) But not in Sirocco. The tradition here was cash. Customers would exchange tens, twenty's, fifties or hundreds for singles then toss the bills either at the entertainers themselves or fling them across the dance floor. Afterward, a sweeper would brush all the bucks into a pile, pack it in a plastic bag and give the bag to whomever had entertained.
Now, when my son was younger, and he, or he and his similar aged cousin, accompanied us to a party at Sirocco, the kids quickly caught on. At four, five and six years old they'd duck under the table and snatch up thrown dollars that landed there out of sight. Sometime later they even figured out to hide their stashes, because they knew if we caught them, they'd have to throw it all back on the dance floor.
I'm sure as I sit here typing that in time, lot's of Sirocco stories will come back to memory, like the times Telly Savalas, Anthony Quinn (Zorba the Mexican)or Mayor Koch showed up. But for now I've got to stop, because I just figured out how to download itunes from Apple into my PC. So, I guess my wife's ipod is safe from theft for now, because I no longer need it. In fact, I'm listening to Tom Jones on my desk speakers as I write.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Sunday, August 8, 2010
BloggeRhythms 8/8/2010
A few days ago, my son gave my wife an ipod to be used during her morning walks. I wasn't aware of their discussions about the ipod itself, or its programming. I also know absolutely nothing, zip, nada, zilch, zero about ipods at all, and don't think I've ever seen one before. But, I guess my wife decided she wanted some upbeat tunes in the thing to help her keep up her walking pace.
Anyway, yesterday or the day before I saw this little thing on the kitchen table, put on the tiny earphones and figured out how to get it playing. And, I couldn't believe my ears. That square inch or so of technology blew me away. Song after song, artist after artist playing their top hits in outstanding sound -it's gangbusters!
That little gadget's amazing.
At this point, I guess a little background is needed to describe the ipod's impact on me. As I've mentioned before, sports broadcasters in general and most news analysts got me into watching most TV with the sound off and into just reading the crawlers and blurbs. Topping that off is a very serious couple of medical bouts I went through that, for some reason, made me hyper-sensitive to sound in general, so I never turn the radio on at all, even to listen to music.
During the last few months, however, I've noticed a lessening sensitivity to sound, so I've turned an FM music station on a couple of times and am perhaps bridging my way back to listening to radio music again. And, I guess, that's why I picked the ipod up in the first place, just to try it out.
And, now that I've tried it, I think I may be hooked. Because, back a while ago my wife and I used to go out a lot. In fact, for about forty years, or so, we went to nightclubs in the city every Saturday night, and many Friday nights too.
There was one place, Sirocco, on 29th street just off Madison Avenue, where we practically lived for twenty years or so, and spent most of that time on the dance floor. The music was Middle-Eastern, which I knew nothing about then, nor do I know anything about now. But, what I do know is the sound. You can't just sit in your chair when it's played. You HAVE to get up and dance. When the place finally closed, that was the end of that kind of music for me, and to this day I still haven't a clue about the songs, the singers or anything else, I only remember dancing to whatever they played and staying in the club til' closing time.
And that brings my story back to the new ipod. When I put it on, the first thing I heard was Donna Summer's "Dim All the Lights." In a couple of seconds I was spinning around the kitchen, hooked by the beat and the tune. Then came, Billy Joel, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Peter Frampton, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, and on and on.
Anyone looking in my window would likely have called the cops. Because, here's this guy disco-stepping and twirling across his floor all alone at ten o'clock in the morning. And, not only is he solo, there's no music to be heard because they wouldn't have seen my ear pods or whatever they're called, those things are so tiny they're practically invisible. So, no doubt it, from a peeping Tom's point of view, I definitely should have been locked up.
Right now, I have no clue as to where all this will lead as far as me and sound goes. All I do know is, the music generated by that microscopic thing is great. So, perhaps my aversion and symptomatic stages may be over. And, as far as my wife goes, I hope she and my son can find another ipod, because pretty soon as sure as I'm sitting here typing, I don't think she's going to get this one back.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Anyway, yesterday or the day before I saw this little thing on the kitchen table, put on the tiny earphones and figured out how to get it playing. And, I couldn't believe my ears. That square inch or so of technology blew me away. Song after song, artist after artist playing their top hits in outstanding sound -it's gangbusters!
That little gadget's amazing.
At this point, I guess a little background is needed to describe the ipod's impact on me. As I've mentioned before, sports broadcasters in general and most news analysts got me into watching most TV with the sound off and into just reading the crawlers and blurbs. Topping that off is a very serious couple of medical bouts I went through that, for some reason, made me hyper-sensitive to sound in general, so I never turn the radio on at all, even to listen to music.
During the last few months, however, I've noticed a lessening sensitivity to sound, so I've turned an FM music station on a couple of times and am perhaps bridging my way back to listening to radio music again. And, I guess, that's why I picked the ipod up in the first place, just to try it out.
And, now that I've tried it, I think I may be hooked. Because, back a while ago my wife and I used to go out a lot. In fact, for about forty years, or so, we went to nightclubs in the city every Saturday night, and many Friday nights too.
There was one place, Sirocco, on 29th street just off Madison Avenue, where we practically lived for twenty years or so, and spent most of that time on the dance floor. The music was Middle-Eastern, which I knew nothing about then, nor do I know anything about now. But, what I do know is the sound. You can't just sit in your chair when it's played. You HAVE to get up and dance. When the place finally closed, that was the end of that kind of music for me, and to this day I still haven't a clue about the songs, the singers or anything else, I only remember dancing to whatever they played and staying in the club til' closing time.
And that brings my story back to the new ipod. When I put it on, the first thing I heard was Donna Summer's "Dim All the Lights." In a couple of seconds I was spinning around the kitchen, hooked by the beat and the tune. Then came, Billy Joel, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Peter Frampton, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, and on and on.
Anyone looking in my window would likely have called the cops. Because, here's this guy disco-stepping and twirling across his floor all alone at ten o'clock in the morning. And, not only is he solo, there's no music to be heard because they wouldn't have seen my ear pods or whatever they're called, those things are so tiny they're practically invisible. So, no doubt it, from a peeping Tom's point of view, I definitely should have been locked up.
Right now, I have no clue as to where all this will lead as far as me and sound goes. All I do know is, the music generated by that microscopic thing is great. So, perhaps my aversion and symptomatic stages may be over. And, as far as my wife goes, I hope she and my son can find another ipod, because pretty soon as sure as I'm sitting here typing, I don't think she's going to get this one back.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Saturday, August 7, 2010
BloggeRhythms 8/7/2010
A couple of days ago, I used the term double-speak in an entry when addressing something or other that politico's were talking about. This morning I think I came across what has to be at least triple-speak regarding how bailout fund recipients are paying off their donors and those in office who supported the bailout concept. As usual, the column was buried among others, as if inconsequential.
Here's the first couple of paragraphs of what I read. "Several companies that escaped financial failure two years ago through massive taxpayer-funded bailouts are spending millions of dollars to make donations to political causes and even some candidates' campaigns.
General Motors, Chrysler and Citigroup are just three of the biggest bailout recipients who have continued to remain politically active, through their political action committees, federal lobbying or direct donations to the pet projects of lawmakers."
Now, not all bailoutees are proceeding that way, but seem to have some sense of decency because according to the same article, "The potential public relations disaster for firms spending big dollars on political causes and federal lobbying after being extended a taxpayer lifeline has led some, such as AIG, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to suspend their political activities until they pay the government back in full."
The way the paybacks are being packaged and sold defends them in some cases as simply efforts to form groups whereby employees voluntarily support political causes, or that federal lobbying is needed to keep Congress informed of their mission, and also that donations to pet projects are going to a good cause.
Critics though, doubt the logic. GM for example has spent $4.2 million on federal lobbying efforts so far, and likely to ultimately match its $8.4 million in 2009. Yet taxpayers own 61 percent of GM because the federal government gave the company about $50 billion in aid. GM's paid back $6.7 billion of the money, the balance converted to ownership.
Chrysler, another bailee, spent $1.2 million on lobbying this year, nearly half of the $3.12 million it spent last year. Chrysler has given back $2 billion of the $11 billion it has received from the government.
Citigroup's returned $31 billion of the $45 billion received from government. This year they've spent $3.03 million on federal lobbying, while last year, they laid out $5.56 million.
Now, in the scheme of things, a couple of million dollars laid out by major corporations is practically a non-event. I mean, who cares if these folks spend some bucks on candidates and their causes. But, the key point here is, it's not these corporations money being spent, it's ours. Because, without the taxpayer bailouts, these businesses would no longer exist.
So, what do we have here. As usual government has stepped in and given away taxpayer money to businesses that may or may not deserve to survive, then they've taken back their share in kickbacks disguised as donations to causes. Naturally, at the moment the donations aren't too large, but the way's been paved and future paybacks are certain to grow.
And where does the taxpayer, you and me, stand while all this goes quietly on? On the sidelines as usual, watching our dollars go back and forth over or under the net, because we're not in the actual game at all. Beyond that, not only don't the players want us in their events, they don't even want us to watch what goes on.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Here's the first couple of paragraphs of what I read. "Several companies that escaped financial failure two years ago through massive taxpayer-funded bailouts are spending millions of dollars to make donations to political causes and even some candidates' campaigns.
General Motors, Chrysler and Citigroup are just three of the biggest bailout recipients who have continued to remain politically active, through their political action committees, federal lobbying or direct donations to the pet projects of lawmakers."
Now, not all bailoutees are proceeding that way, but seem to have some sense of decency because according to the same article, "The potential public relations disaster for firms spending big dollars on political causes and federal lobbying after being extended a taxpayer lifeline has led some, such as AIG, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to suspend their political activities until they pay the government back in full."
The way the paybacks are being packaged and sold defends them in some cases as simply efforts to form groups whereby employees voluntarily support political causes, or that federal lobbying is needed to keep Congress informed of their mission, and also that donations to pet projects are going to a good cause.
Critics though, doubt the logic. GM for example has spent $4.2 million on federal lobbying efforts so far, and likely to ultimately match its $8.4 million in 2009. Yet taxpayers own 61 percent of GM because the federal government gave the company about $50 billion in aid. GM's paid back $6.7 billion of the money, the balance converted to ownership.
Chrysler, another bailee, spent $1.2 million on lobbying this year, nearly half of the $3.12 million it spent last year. Chrysler has given back $2 billion of the $11 billion it has received from the government.
Citigroup's returned $31 billion of the $45 billion received from government. This year they've spent $3.03 million on federal lobbying, while last year, they laid out $5.56 million.
Now, in the scheme of things, a couple of million dollars laid out by major corporations is practically a non-event. I mean, who cares if these folks spend some bucks on candidates and their causes. But, the key point here is, it's not these corporations money being spent, it's ours. Because, without the taxpayer bailouts, these businesses would no longer exist.
So, what do we have here. As usual government has stepped in and given away taxpayer money to businesses that may or may not deserve to survive, then they've taken back their share in kickbacks disguised as donations to causes. Naturally, at the moment the donations aren't too large, but the way's been paved and future paybacks are certain to grow.
And where does the taxpayer, you and me, stand while all this goes quietly on? On the sidelines as usual, watching our dollars go back and forth over or under the net, because we're not in the actual game at all. Beyond that, not only don't the players want us in their events, they don't even want us to watch what goes on.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Friday, August 6, 2010
BloggeRhythms 8/6/2010
After reading back yesterday's entry,I thought that perhaps there ought to be some kind of agency or group focused on controlling unnecessary practices and costs in the medical care business. I then decided that I might try organizing a group myself, and even came up with a name -Association Nationally Trying Initiatives Relieving Incessant Procurement Of Folks Funds "ANTI-RIPOFF"
By massing together, people might perhaps put some pressure on the administration and Congress to start eliminating the costs that are really killing health care -ambulance-chasing lawyers, outrageous malpractice court awards, and incompetent medical practitioners. Lopping all that fat and theft out of the system will by itself save billions.
Then, as I was typing, I glanced at the news. Buried among the stories I saw this stuff. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said today that "the Obama health care law has dramatically improved Medicare's finances. Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is now expected to remain solvent until 2029, 12 years longer than was projected last year."
Then he conceded that it's easier said than done. "As we know the future is uncertain, these are very long range projections. And those reforms require that we achieve very substantial improvements in efficiency and productivity."
Conversely, the Medicare trustees report expressed some skepticism, saying there's "great uncertainty" about the assumptions on Medicare cuts. While the health care law assumes some $200 billion in savings from productivity gains alone, the trustees called that "far from certain."
Though John Goodman of the National Center for Policy Analysis says extending the life of Medicare would be good news, he also says the problem is it's all a fantasy, based on assumptions so unrealistic Medicare's own actuaries put out a separate report today, which he's never seen happen before.
The report from the office of the actuary of Medicare, a nonpolitical watchdog, questioned many of the assumptions used to justify $575 billion in cuts to Medicare, including an analysis saying cuts to providers "could jeopardize Medicare beneficiaries access to mainstream medical care." They say cuts could also force 25% of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health care agencies into the red over the next two decades, and many "would have to withdraw from providing services to Medicare beneficiaries. The actuaries also said several prominent health economists, "all believed that the payment reductions were unsustainable."
John Goodman went on to say, "Half the funding for health reform is paid for by cutting spending on the elderly, and the way they're going to cut spending is by squeezing the doctors and squeezing the hospitals."
Top administration officials want to fix fees for doctors. Those treating Medicare patients are scheduled to have their fees cut 32% in the next three years. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called that "untenable", saying "If you want to destroy the Medicare program, the fastest way to do it would be to drive providers out of the program, and I think that kind of cut would do it."
Fixing doctors' fees was originally in the health care bill but the administration took it out to make the changes seem less expensive. Now they say the fees have to be fixed or the new law won't work. But officials are not talking about restoring any other cuts, because the savings, at least on paper, are needed to pay for the subsidies and expanded benefits in the new health care law.
So, what you have here is typical political double talk. They've set the mirrors up in the corners, turned the lights down low, and are trying to focus your attention on the hat while they pull your rabbit out of your refrigerator and have it for dinner. But, in the meantime, the election clock's still ticking and now the elderly, one of the administration's strongest allies are going to take it in the shorts healthcare-wise. Thus, it might just turn out that its the administration that even overpriced life-support won't be able to keep alive.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
By massing together, people might perhaps put some pressure on the administration and Congress to start eliminating the costs that are really killing health care -ambulance-chasing lawyers, outrageous malpractice court awards, and incompetent medical practitioners. Lopping all that fat and theft out of the system will by itself save billions.
Then, as I was typing, I glanced at the news. Buried among the stories I saw this stuff. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said today that "the Obama health care law has dramatically improved Medicare's finances. Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is now expected to remain solvent until 2029, 12 years longer than was projected last year."
Then he conceded that it's easier said than done. "As we know the future is uncertain, these are very long range projections. And those reforms require that we achieve very substantial improvements in efficiency and productivity."
Conversely, the Medicare trustees report expressed some skepticism, saying there's "great uncertainty" about the assumptions on Medicare cuts. While the health care law assumes some $200 billion in savings from productivity gains alone, the trustees called that "far from certain."
Though John Goodman of the National Center for Policy Analysis says extending the life of Medicare would be good news, he also says the problem is it's all a fantasy, based on assumptions so unrealistic Medicare's own actuaries put out a separate report today, which he's never seen happen before.
The report from the office of the actuary of Medicare, a nonpolitical watchdog, questioned many of the assumptions used to justify $575 billion in cuts to Medicare, including an analysis saying cuts to providers "could jeopardize Medicare beneficiaries access to mainstream medical care." They say cuts could also force 25% of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health care agencies into the red over the next two decades, and many "would have to withdraw from providing services to Medicare beneficiaries. The actuaries also said several prominent health economists, "all believed that the payment reductions were unsustainable."
John Goodman went on to say, "Half the funding for health reform is paid for by cutting spending on the elderly, and the way they're going to cut spending is by squeezing the doctors and squeezing the hospitals."
Top administration officials want to fix fees for doctors. Those treating Medicare patients are scheduled to have their fees cut 32% in the next three years. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called that "untenable", saying "If you want to destroy the Medicare program, the fastest way to do it would be to drive providers out of the program, and I think that kind of cut would do it."
Fixing doctors' fees was originally in the health care bill but the administration took it out to make the changes seem less expensive. Now they say the fees have to be fixed or the new law won't work. But officials are not talking about restoring any other cuts, because the savings, at least on paper, are needed to pay for the subsidies and expanded benefits in the new health care law.
So, what you have here is typical political double talk. They've set the mirrors up in the corners, turned the lights down low, and are trying to focus your attention on the hat while they pull your rabbit out of your refrigerator and have it for dinner. But, in the meantime, the election clock's still ticking and now the elderly, one of the administration's strongest allies are going to take it in the shorts healthcare-wise. Thus, it might just turn out that its the administration that even overpriced life-support won't be able to keep alive.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Thursday, August 5, 2010
BloggeRhythms 8/5/2010
After reading yesterday's entry my wife told me she'd never read another word of mine if I didn't stop beating the Soros issue to death. She said she was tired of the tirades, bored with the text and suggested I either move on (no pun intended) or give up blogging.
I replied that I was only trying to mention issues in the news that seemed noteworthy, and that my feedback from many folks indicated that a lot of them were unaware of information I'd found, thus, I was only trying to inform them. But, regardless of why I input all that stuff, if I bored you all, I apologize.
Meanwhile, I think something I wrote yesterday is worth a few more words. Because, I guess I came down pretty hard on medical folks. I did that, however, because they, like many others in service businesses today seem to have gone along with the current trend of providing poor to mediocre service and conditioning the customer to accept their miserable to non-existent performance nonetheless.
I know extremely well from my own experience that there are significant numbers, perhaps the majority, of medico's whom do their jobs as if they're doing the patient a favor. I also sense, from many folks that I talked to, or watched in medical offices and hospitals that many, many blindly accept these medico's seeming disregard and keep coming back for more, because they apparently feel that these medico's are "special" people.
But, I keep coming back to the same question. What are these medico's really? They're service people and technicians whom happen to work on people instead of products or inanimate structures. And, just like products, bodies consistently function in specific ways unless or until there's a glitch. Then, when glitches occur, service people are the ones expected to make repairs.
Well, if that's the case, and I'm pretty sure it is, why should anyone be shocked or surprised if the repairs come out right? That's what repair professionals are supposed to do to begin with, fix things that are broken or in disrepair.
Consequently, when I was talking to the guy the other day who thought I should be more respectful or appreciative of people simply because they properly did what they're far more than adequately compensated for, I fail to see why. In fact, I think it should be the other way around. While you can't return a customer that one of these turkeys croaked through mis-diagnosis or botched handiwork, or get reimbursed for lost hours of folks time frittered away in waiting rooms while these clowns overbook their calendars, there should be compensation back to whoever bears the loss.
And I certainly don't mean that ambulance-chasing, lounge-lizard lawyers are justified in their class-action or malpractice cases. What I think is needed is a simple refund schedule. If an operation is botched, the customer should get every nickel back, plus a penalty of "X". Conversely, a mis-diagnosed hangnail gets the customer back a pre-set amount and so on for every procedure. Every other business works that way. If a product or service is fouled up -the customer gets rebated a certain amount. Therefore, croaked patient refunds should be huge.
I think a system like that would solve lot's of problems for medical customers. If nothing else it'll get a whole bunch of these turkey medico's to shape up. Because, above all -even above the hypocritical oath- these guys want the bucks. So, maybe they'll pay more attention to their customers and actually start caring about the case outcomes, because right now the medico's have no downside.
Aside from all that, we won't have to worry about the clowns on the bottom of the medical ladder, because they'll all go broke and blow out in less time than it took to compose this entry. And, as for me, I have to stop typing now, because I want to send this idea on to the White House, Congress and the AMA.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
I replied that I was only trying to mention issues in the news that seemed noteworthy, and that my feedback from many folks indicated that a lot of them were unaware of information I'd found, thus, I was only trying to inform them. But, regardless of why I input all that stuff, if I bored you all, I apologize.
Meanwhile, I think something I wrote yesterday is worth a few more words. Because, I guess I came down pretty hard on medical folks. I did that, however, because they, like many others in service businesses today seem to have gone along with the current trend of providing poor to mediocre service and conditioning the customer to accept their miserable to non-existent performance nonetheless.
I know extremely well from my own experience that there are significant numbers, perhaps the majority, of medico's whom do their jobs as if they're doing the patient a favor. I also sense, from many folks that I talked to, or watched in medical offices and hospitals that many, many blindly accept these medico's seeming disregard and keep coming back for more, because they apparently feel that these medico's are "special" people.
But, I keep coming back to the same question. What are these medico's really? They're service people and technicians whom happen to work on people instead of products or inanimate structures. And, just like products, bodies consistently function in specific ways unless or until there's a glitch. Then, when glitches occur, service people are the ones expected to make repairs.
Well, if that's the case, and I'm pretty sure it is, why should anyone be shocked or surprised if the repairs come out right? That's what repair professionals are supposed to do to begin with, fix things that are broken or in disrepair.
Consequently, when I was talking to the guy the other day who thought I should be more respectful or appreciative of people simply because they properly did what they're far more than adequately compensated for, I fail to see why. In fact, I think it should be the other way around. While you can't return a customer that one of these turkeys croaked through mis-diagnosis or botched handiwork, or get reimbursed for lost hours of folks time frittered away in waiting rooms while these clowns overbook their calendars, there should be compensation back to whoever bears the loss.
And I certainly don't mean that ambulance-chasing, lounge-lizard lawyers are justified in their class-action or malpractice cases. What I think is needed is a simple refund schedule. If an operation is botched, the customer should get every nickel back, plus a penalty of "X". Conversely, a mis-diagnosed hangnail gets the customer back a pre-set amount and so on for every procedure. Every other business works that way. If a product or service is fouled up -the customer gets rebated a certain amount. Therefore, croaked patient refunds should be huge.
I think a system like that would solve lot's of problems for medical customers. If nothing else it'll get a whole bunch of these turkey medico's to shape up. Because, above all -even above the hypocritical oath- these guys want the bucks. So, maybe they'll pay more attention to their customers and actually start caring about the case outcomes, because right now the medico's have no downside.
Aside from all that, we won't have to worry about the clowns on the bottom of the medical ladder, because they'll all go broke and blow out in less time than it took to compose this entry. And, as for me, I have to stop typing now, because I want to send this idea on to the White House, Congress and the AMA.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
BloggeRhythms 8/4/2010
Maybe the wheels are really beginning to fall off the administration's bus. Because a day after a federal judge ruled that Virginia has legal authority to sue the federal government over the health care law, Missouri voters sent a symbolic message to the White House and Congress, overwhelmingly rejecting a key provision slapping a penalty on any American not having health insurance.
Add this revolt to the court cases over border control and maybe the grassroots majority will do something the Republicans in Congress can't seem to: blow Soros and his stooges out of the political water. Because, although I have no idea how Soros is profiting from health care reform, you can bet that if this administration fought for passage, he told them to get it done. And when the "boss" says jump, all this administration ever asks is "How high?" Because all Soros ever cares about is the money.
More than likely he's planning to build a network of rehabilitation centers across the U.S. populated with specialists who can repair all the patients that socialized medicine will almost kill, after the new health care reform bill puts all the good doc's out of business. And then those who don't like his clinics can fly to Guatemala, Haiti or Sierra Leone where the health care will likely be better. Maybe even Cuba will look good healthwise by then.
Going back to my own case that I touched on yesterday, I can't stress enough how scary it will be for those who are seriously ill in the future. Because, as I stated, if I was in one of the supposedly best hospitals in the United States, I can't imagine how awful it must be in a lesser institution. I met with and was examined by many people who are too dumb to tie their own shoes, yet they graduated medical school and landed jobs in a top-line place. A lot of that of course goes back to the fact that our educational system is valueless, but that's a whole 'nother story.
Anyway, having survived two so-called life-threatening infirmities and two long, involved, surgeries I think I got a pretty good insight into how and who does what and where in a hospital or medical practice. Furthermore, both cases involved months of hospitalization, so I saw and dealt with a lot more on the inside than most.
The conclusion I drew from my experience is that there are two critical things needed to survive in any aspect of medical situations, no matter. What you really need most are good genes and dumb luck. And, without either, you're likely cooked. Because, if you have to withstand what's done to you by most medico's, they'll ice you in almost no time.
I was explaining my medical viewpoint to someone just the other night, and he said, "Hold on a minute, Mike. You yourself went through two of the most life-threatening medical situations there are and survived. Don't you think these people are special and should be revered?" I replied that, "Yes, I agree, they are special in exactly the same way that my auto mechanic is, and I don't particularly revere him either."
The guy went on to ask why I had such a cold, non-caring feeling toward folks who'd "saved my life." I told him it was because, in my opinion these folks were simply doing their jobs and what they'd been trained to do. And, just like with a car, people go to them when something isn't working right and they're supposed to fix it. So, what's the alternative, should I be surprised that people who trained and worked at something every day for thirty years got it right and revere them for it? I don't think so. I went to these guys in the first place because their references said they were good at their trade. And, yes the two surgeons lived up to and surpassed their billings.
Yet, despite my opinions about my general expectations and performance among doc's, there's still the underlying, fundamental question. As perfunctory and rote as medical treatment is today, what's going to happen when the system socializes and future medico's don't even bother to open the manual up?
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Add this revolt to the court cases over border control and maybe the grassroots majority will do something the Republicans in Congress can't seem to: blow Soros and his stooges out of the political water. Because, although I have no idea how Soros is profiting from health care reform, you can bet that if this administration fought for passage, he told them to get it done. And when the "boss" says jump, all this administration ever asks is "How high?" Because all Soros ever cares about is the money.
More than likely he's planning to build a network of rehabilitation centers across the U.S. populated with specialists who can repair all the patients that socialized medicine will almost kill, after the new health care reform bill puts all the good doc's out of business. And then those who don't like his clinics can fly to Guatemala, Haiti or Sierra Leone where the health care will likely be better. Maybe even Cuba will look good healthwise by then.
Going back to my own case that I touched on yesterday, I can't stress enough how scary it will be for those who are seriously ill in the future. Because, as I stated, if I was in one of the supposedly best hospitals in the United States, I can't imagine how awful it must be in a lesser institution. I met with and was examined by many people who are too dumb to tie their own shoes, yet they graduated medical school and landed jobs in a top-line place. A lot of that of course goes back to the fact that our educational system is valueless, but that's a whole 'nother story.
Anyway, having survived two so-called life-threatening infirmities and two long, involved, surgeries I think I got a pretty good insight into how and who does what and where in a hospital or medical practice. Furthermore, both cases involved months of hospitalization, so I saw and dealt with a lot more on the inside than most.
The conclusion I drew from my experience is that there are two critical things needed to survive in any aspect of medical situations, no matter. What you really need most are good genes and dumb luck. And, without either, you're likely cooked. Because, if you have to withstand what's done to you by most medico's, they'll ice you in almost no time.
I was explaining my medical viewpoint to someone just the other night, and he said, "Hold on a minute, Mike. You yourself went through two of the most life-threatening medical situations there are and survived. Don't you think these people are special and should be revered?" I replied that, "Yes, I agree, they are special in exactly the same way that my auto mechanic is, and I don't particularly revere him either."
The guy went on to ask why I had such a cold, non-caring feeling toward folks who'd "saved my life." I told him it was because, in my opinion these folks were simply doing their jobs and what they'd been trained to do. And, just like with a car, people go to them when something isn't working right and they're supposed to fix it. So, what's the alternative, should I be surprised that people who trained and worked at something every day for thirty years got it right and revere them for it? I don't think so. I went to these guys in the first place because their references said they were good at their trade. And, yes the two surgeons lived up to and surpassed their billings.
Yet, despite my opinions about my general expectations and performance among doc's, there's still the underlying, fundamental question. As perfunctory and rote as medical treatment is today, what's going to happen when the system socializes and future medico's don't even bother to open the manual up?
That's it for today folks.
Adios
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