I don’t think we are over reacting to the current situation, but I also don’t think the problems will be solved by refusing to look at reality or pointing fingers at any scapegoat we can find to blame or running in circles screaming about how bad it is.  It is bad and we need to act in whatever way we can to make it better for ourselves and others.

A year ago, I would drive from the rural area where I live and see trucks, SUV’s and other cars that use too much fuel parked along fences and in yards with "for sale" signs on them.  Now, I see "for sale", "foreclosure" and "for sale by bank" signs in front of homes and farms and some homes that appear to just be vacated.  There are more people at the food banks and buying from the local thrift stores rather than the local Walmart.  In nearby malls, shops are closed and shuttered and companies that have been in business for more years than I’ve been alive, are folding.  It doesn’t matter if it’s not as bad as it was in the 1930’s-it’s BAD now and that’s what matters.

Under Stimulated,

Reminds me of the guy on Saturday Night Live years ago that used to whine,"It’ll never work" to ever suggestion of a solution.  Makes me wonder if you work for a for profit medical care organization.  Sometimes, socialism is not a bad thing, if it helps the situation or the people involved.  Our country is going to have to try new things when the old way of doing things isn’t fixing the growing problems.

I wonder how many posters on this site are in countries where Universal Health-care exists and whether they are happy with their care and not having to worry about whether the can afford to see a Dr?  I know Lilly of the Valley who used to post here is in Canada and mentioned it, but I haven’t seen her here for a while.  In fact, many posters who used to be here seem to have dropped out, or maybe they just drop by to read, as I often do.

I would like to hear Universal Health-care recipients tell us what they like and dislike about their programs.  I am currently fortunate enough to have 2 Health Ins. coverage plans, but even then, I find if one Co. doesn’t cover a procedure, the other one wont cover it either, taking their cue from the primary one, so I have to call to see if something will be covered before I agree to have it done and I’m not talking about elective procedures.

We always hear the worst case scenarios, I’d like to hear both sides of the issue.

DeB.,                  

Exactly!  These are some of the regulations that could be improved on and probably wouldn’t be a consideration under a Universal Health Care Plan, or at least, it shouldn’t .  Health Problems wipe out the financial security of  so many families.

i thoroughly enjoyed this interview and conversation between the two of you.  As I’ve said before, Joan, you have known and know some fascinating people.

DeB,

That’s what I’m saying-"Compare" the pros and cons.  What is good and bad about the existing programs in order to make our evolving one better.  I’m sure there can be improvements made on what’s out there, in order to make ours a better program. 

For example, did you know there are Insurance programs that will not cover foot care, podiatry for diabetics, a leading precondition leading to amputation, but they will cover the amputation after the damage is done.  It doesn’t have to be a "spin", we could have a medical coverage system that is well planned and is truly worth bragging about.  Imagine the peace of mind that could bring to all Americans.

Bella,

Obviously, we could compare the pros and cons of existing Universal Health Care and improve on it, as ours is developed. 

There will be massive resistance from Ins. Companies, Hospitals, Insurance Companies,Doctors and anyone else who feels their profits are threatened by a Universal health Care System. 

I am sure these groups have lobbyists working on it right now to see that it doesn’t come to pass.  If we indeed are a Government for the people and by the people, then we’ll just have to demand that Congress do the right thing and pass a Universal Health Plan that can be tweaked and improved upon as the plan develops

 If other countries can do it, surely we can.  Make Congress answerable to us and not the lobbyists.

If any of this is true, then Bristol Palin certainly knows how to "win friends and influence people", fiance included.  That should close the door on any future possibilities of a reconcilliation.  Holier than thou is not a good way to start a relationship of any kind.

Morning routine on awakening: going to the bathroom, letting the puppy out, making coffee, watching and reading the news and trying to get as much of my "to do" list accomplished as I can for that day. 

It was raining, thundering and lightening this morning, so I just opened up all the doors to let the wonderful smell of rain and wind blow through, wrapped up in a blanket and tried to calm the alarmed puppy while I drank hot tea.

Joan,

You have known and know such interesting people.  What a blessing.

I’m sure he can use whatever support anyone is willing to give and would smile at your "Hooshagog", as I have.

Being President must be one of the hardest jobs, especially now and especially under the circumstances Obama became President.  He did hit the ground running as he said he would do, but he must have a list a mile long of things that need to be accomplished and he has to get a consensus from both parties in order to get anything done.  I don’t see a lot of willingness between the parties to cooperate, which puts the skids on any progress.  He can’t just say,"I’m going to do this and get it done."  He has to woo each party and try to persuade them the merits of his plan and even if it was turning hay into gold, he wouldn’t get cooperation from some of these boneheads, who are more interested in preening and posturing in front of the cameras.  That’s why time is so important to get some of these plans implemented and there are those who will lard each program up with their wish lists, knowing there isn’t time to quibble over the things that should be cut out of these programs.

I doubt he planned for the stimulus package to have all the unnecessary crap it has larded into it, but they know, and he knows, it needs to be passed and he doesn’t have time to reason with the idiots who have used it to their gain.  Help is needed now.

Medical coverage for those uninsured, under-insured and who have lost their medical coverage along with their jobs, and who are having to fight the Insurance companies to get reasonable claims covered.  COBRA is not the answer-it’s enormously expensive and few can afford it.  We need Universal Health Care and how would it be paid for?  Imagine this-if health coverage was available to every American, it could be paid for with premiums now going to Health Insurance, premiums paid by employers for their employees health coverage, payments going to Medicare and Medical and any other Health Insurance who acts as a middle man getting their cut of the cost of Medical Care.  If we had Universal Coverage, we would hear such a hue and cry from Medical Insurance, Pharmaceutical Companies, Hospitals, Doctors who fear losing their substantial profits, but we would know our families would have medical care when they needed it.  Politicians would lose their bribes from lobbyists to vote for their interests.

Imagine trying to fight Congress for every inch of progress needed, to change the way things get done in Washington.  Republicans are sore losers and aren’t going to give an inch and there are Democrats who aren’t going to let a situation go by in which they can thumb their noses and act like fools.  That’s why we need to clean house in Congress and get rid of the rotten apples.  Obama said, he would try one thing and if it proved to not be the best choice, he would try another path.  Isn’t that what we do in our own lives when we’re faced with problems?  He’s having to run willy-nilly here and there trying to herd support to pass needed legislation and there are stubborn elected officials who don’t care what’s best for us, they are so full of self interest to promote themselves.

How many things do you suppose are on his list of things that need solutions now and how quickly can the problems be solved?  I think he has done a lot to date and I expect more in the future but it wont happen overnight.

Jacquie,

i had seen this movie before, many times (really good film) , but didn’t connect it to anyone in particular, since it was before the Presidential race and I hadn’t seen this poll before I saw the movie again, earlier this week.  While I was watching the movie, I thought the wife looked a lot like Michelle Obama and sounded the way I thought Michelle would have reacted.  I didn’t even know for sure who the actress was at the time, but when I saw the poll, it just seemed to fit, so I went back and checked to see who the actress had been.  I can’t imagine a film being made already about the Obama’s but I do think she would be good in the part of Michelle.