I would have to agree with you, Laurie, particularly on your last observation.  At the same time I have to think that the ‘whatever it is’ within … fate, destiny, certain beliefs … may have something to do with determining the outcome.  I’ve known people whom I’m sure died of a broken heart.  There was a time when I didn’t believe there could be any other outcome for myself.  My only child died so suddenly in her sleep the day after her 21st. birthday and with her went what would have been our (first) grandchild.  She was almost five months pregnant.  Not only was I sure I would die, for many years I wished I had or would.  The broken heart didn’t mend but it now has a very substantial scar which, every so often, seeps open.  Yet life has moved on, I with it and somehow, while I was never a ‘bad person’ the lesson for me…whatever it was…has made me a better one.

I’m sorry, Kelly…you’re right…46 Million residents, not Americans…and the final number you offered was 27 mil. Americans.  I’m not sure that makes it much better, though…in fact, that alone is more than live in your entire State and only slightly less than live in California.  And, really…I have never said I favour Obama’s ‘plan’.  I’m not convinced it’s the best plan BUT despite years of haggling and haranguing over needing healthcare reform, he IS the only one who is actively trying to change things.  Since I surely believe change is needed perhaps, at the very least, his may not go forward but be a catalyst for something better.

The government run system in the UK has no objection to anyone securing private health insurance either, Kelly.  My sister’s job offered private pay…she chose to stay with NHS (which she has paid into all her life…it isn’t free, you know).  An aunt and uncle had private medical coverage…in later life she needed a hip replacement which she had done privately.  Some years later she needed another one…still having private medical she opted to use the NHS system.  Why?  One reason probably because she had the services of the same surgeon.  It’s not that you cannot get health insurance privately in the UK. 

Hmmm…only approx. 46 million in the US without health insurance.  Well…that’s a relief to know it’s such a drop in the bucket. I’m sorry…really.  Couldn’t resist a touch of sarcasm, myself.  Still, I did note you didn’t address a few salient points but preferred to stick to statistics.  Statistics, as we all know, can be skewed every which way and offers no background. 

Daniel Hannan…hmmm.  Ask yourself…does he use the NHS and if not, what?  I think I could probably guess he has private medical insurance.  And he is a Tory…which speaks for itself!  Given his background, it’s highly unlikely this man has never had to worry about if has no means of supporting the care of an illness, least of all something catastrophic and as far as his speech re the NHS and the care of the elderly.  I’ve  known too many elders leading…I’m glad to say…very comfortable lives courtesy of the British system, both in healthcare and uncomplicated elder care…not to mention relatives and friends who work tirelessly with the elderly in the UK and I can tell you this.  I wanted my mother to come live me when she reached that seniority and she wouldn’t even consider it.  #1…health issues she knew she could not cover here nor would she even consider putting us in "that situation" (and, btw…we would have happily been in that situation had she chosen to move).  #2…I sponsored my sister’s immigration to this country and by the time the approval came through (11yrs. later) she had had to have an aortic bypass.  There are only two of us…we’d have loved nothing more than to at least be in the same country but I understood her long thought-out final refusal due to fear of the health care here and "I could never afford the care I’ve gotten here (UK)..".  #3…the last five years of my husband’s life he was a quadriplegic caused by a ruptured aneurysm in the brain, coma following that surgery.  I have no idea how much his hospital care of almost three months in neuro ICU attached to every machine possible cost but the eight months of rehab following coast $997 per day.  This was covered by his military retirement medical benefit.  Without it…he’d have had nothing.  The next four years of his life the VA managed his health care, equpiment etc. which allowed me to take care of him at home until his death.  And fortunately, at 46yrs. of age, I was young enough and able enought to do all the grunt work myself…but it didn’t prevent me from thinking of the elderly or impoverished here who could not have access to what we did.  What do they do?  To whom do they turn?  Why do we have children suffering from cancers whose families, friends, neighbours must hold benefits, raffles, auctions to collect money for treatment?  Why do we have telethons for research or to provide specialized care for others?  #4…long before my mother needed such care and certainly before we could ever imagine my husband needing what he did…I vowed I would not grow old in this (US) country but would return home (which I have every legal right to do).  That I have left too late but I am still fortunate in that I do have the military medical benefits bequeathed by my husband’s service.  If we can do it for the military, why not for everyone who needs it?  You want health insurance and can afford to provide it for you and your family…more power to you, go get it and I’m happy for you, Kelly.  But just because I am assured of health care in my own circumstance doesn’t mean I can’t see the millions of disenfranchised who either have nothing to start with or will lose everything in the end to simply provide a means of decent health.           

Kelly, it is true there is no perfect healthcare system, anywhere, but I totally disagree with you that what we have here is the best/greatest in the world.  I absolutely love all of those who rale against systems such as the UK’s when they have little to no experience, just what they have "heard" or "read" by someone else.  My family are still in the UK, for example..ordinary, working/middle-class family.  It’s a small family..now.  Sister, BIL,  a nephew and his children.  My BIL has been struggling with bladder cancer for the last five years and, last year, my sister breast cancer.  Their care and treatment has been amazing.  They are both in their fifties…for the treatments, care they have been receiving would have bankrupt them, particularly since my BIL is self-employed.  Here, he’d be lucky if he could afford medical insurance before becoming ill.  These are not the only health care needs each has, either.  It’s not free…never has been…but it is a universal care system where no-one is without.  No-one.  If you happen to know any American military families who have been stationed in the UK you might want to ask how many of them…and their children…opted to be cared for by a British GP (and whatever specialists they may have required) instead of their base physicians.   And why.  As to Scott Atlas…what is his personal expierience of the countries whose stats he offers?  I notice one of his publications refers to Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  Hmmm…one of the many medical discoveries/inventions made by Brits, funded by socialised medicine.  Don’t you think it’s grand that while UK residents can have access to these wonderful inventions…without cost…here, where we ‘get’ the greatest health care in the world you best be sure you can foot the bill for such usage when it plops through the mailbox?  Or hope one’s insurance company will, at least, determine and authorize one’s need for it instead of one’s physician?

You nailed it, Victoria…"the last American President who treated them with some semblance of diplomatic respect".  As I watched the news (evening the release was announced) I felt the same way.  I do believe only Bill Clinton could have secured their release.  Funny how he is so respected and liked everywhere but here.  At least…with this ex-President and years from now when he is long gone and a dozen kiss-and-tell books hit the shelves…perhaps the only surprirse will be just how much this man was liked around the globe.  Unlike many others before him, his personal life and quirks won’t be…that much we all already know but he was and is a good ambassador.  (And no…I never voted for him!) 

Love my coffee, usually (at home) I prefer it black…just wrap a mug around it….but every Wednesday I indulge in a Grande Breve Latte with a triple shot (espressso, of course..lol).  Mmmm..mmmm…good!  One of my favourite things about winter (besides about ten dozen others..haha) is to make what we used to call ‘white coffee’ at home in the UK and while I generally loathe instant coffee, brewed coffee somehow just doesn’t taste as good made in this fashion.  Bring a mug of milk to just below a boil, add a heaping spoonful (or more to taste) of good coffee granules.  Find a quiet corner by the fire…good book in hand…and enjoy.  THIS is living!  Okay..I should get out more…….. 

Well, it’s about time the APA reversed their hypothesis publicly…and God knows why they even went there in the first place!  As to Exodis Ministries president, Alan Chambers…with all due respect I’d venture to suppose that most of his convertees either were not gay (and possibly ‘experimenting’) or are in some form of denial of their true selves, tamping down what they, themselves, cannot find comfortable or possibly find damaging to career, family expectations, whatever.  It took me half my life (given that I plan to live until I reach my century…you do the math! :)  )  and 28yrs. of marriage (and he WAS a wonderful man) to understand why I’d never been comfortable, didn’t seem to fit my own skin.  When I did, it came as quite a shock, frankly, but once recognising and accepting it I could not believe the change in me.  I felt I had "come home" to myself, I ‘fit’, was happier and more peaceful than I had ever been;  much less of the introvert…even my spirituality was enhanced.  Then, two years later I met my partner…we have been together twelve years and in those twelve years everything has been in place, right.  I love my world, love my life…I love me more than I could ever have thought possible.  Mental disorder??  Hmmmm…okay, then… 

Wow, Lin…at least one other person who leans more to CBS.  To be honest…close to the best and one of the most enjoyable programmes each week is CBS "Sunday Morning"!  And I too either want a factual, thought-provoking, dignified programme OR genuine entertainment….preferably something that will at least bring a smile if not laughter.  Not just any old thing to "fill a void".  In fact, I prefer to read.  TV does have it’s place but not filled with garbage.  But then, I’m sure my taste isn’t everyone’s or even most nor should I expect it to be.  I just wish……..!  ;)  Oh…speaking of Leno on every night…frightening thought, isn’t it?  Not so much the man himself but just seeing the promos for his new shows/time slot makes me want to scream!  An adult doesn’t know who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue but sure knows who lives in a pineapple under the sea…without any hesitation!  Another doesn’t know how many stars are on the flag "because it’s flapping to much in the wind and can’t count them".  Makes me want to not use the wrist band on my Wii so the remote will fly off…right through the tv.        

How true, Lin!  And so-called ‘reality shows’ pretty much fall into the categories you named.  Bad enough that every network has at least one reality show on per evening, but some are even repeating at least one of their shows on another evening of the same week!  I understand times are strained and everyone is feeling the pinch but it’s just too over the top for me.  Boredom and disgust…you are so right!

Not a fan of the ‘tabloids’ although I do pick one up, occasionally, but seems to me, in general, it goes back to the old saying "no smoke without fire"…particularly when it comes to scandals.  LOL…yep, Karen…those predictions will have a way of being accurate.  And speaking of yellow rags/tabloids…there are a couple of tv programmes really not any better.  Time to let this man RIP and his family get on with just taking care of each other…(as it should be with anyone, celebrity or not).

I can so relate, Jane…as posted elsewhere, I don’t lend but certainly give without expectation until it comes to me.  Family and friends know that there is something of a hermit about me and yet, for the most part, I’m happy with that.  I’m happy in my own self and company…and for most of my life it’s seemed that I not only like it but need it.  And if my physical presence is required, not a problem but I’m always happy to get back to my own space.  I used to think it a flaw but I’m not sure it is…I don’t think it is so easy to get to a place where one is content, "un"-bored in one’s own company and learn to say "I’m sorry…but no…" but if we do it right and with compassion…including with ourself…it can be healthier.      

Much like yourself, James, I’d lend only to my sister….but having lived oceans away from each other for more than forty years it’s moot…lol.  And we were raised being taught "Neither a borrower nor a lender be for loan oft loses both itself and friend…"  In early adulthood I put that aside and did lend for a time but quickly realised that lending in the military community is costly despite best intentions of the borrower.  They get transferred…and whatever was loaned goes with them!  The fastest lesson learned was never lending my books…even if they were returned the spine would be bent and creased, pages dog-eared and it drove me doo-lally.  But I do believe in sharing so with the books…if it’s one I know a friend would like or someone I know could benefit from…I just buy an extra copy to give.  Now that I’m considerably older (ahem! lol) when we know of someone (particularly a young person just starting out) who needs or could use something we don’t use often…like a guest bed, a window a/c, fan etc. we give it without expectation or return.  Truth be told, it’s often just "no expectation" but hope they don’t want to return it!  (In that event, we suggest passing it on to someone else who needs).  Money we don’t lend…have done and that’s usually a bad scene when it’s a loan.  Many years ago, following a sudden and tragic event, my then husband (in the military) and others of his shipmates found themselves without their ship (true!) and having been given a month’s leave needed to get home.  Pay records had been lost along with personal items and the younger guys…like him…didn’t have the money to do so, so needed to apply for what’s known as a "dead horse"…a loan.  A buddy in the same situation refused to borrow on such terms from the navy but came up fifty dollars short for his air fare.  My husband ‘loaned’ him fifty on the promise it would be mailed to him once the buddy arrived home.  Never happened…lesson learned.  But, again…we will give to anyone in real need.  I think the key is to have no expectations whatsoever.  Like you, we are not at all well-to-do but can certainly give a helping hand where a need is seen.  A few years ago my (now) partner was working at a police station when a young man was brought in.  He’d done nothing wrong, had no record but had been working in a nearby beach town.  Something happened at his home and he was trying to get back there with no money…he had no transportation, was walking when the police picked him up and once they determined he was "clean", tried to find him a place to stay overnight.  It was pouring rain…we have no homeless or any other sort of shelter around here and despite calling several of the local churches, no place was found for him.  He was able to leave and he did…walking.  We live in Delaware, he was heading for New Jersey.  It wasn’t long after my partner had ended her shift, was driving home and about to pass this young man on the shoulder of the highway.  She picked him up, took him a nearby motel and paid for the night;  gave him thirty dollars so he could catch the Ferry to Cape May next morning and get something to eat. When she called me, originally, and began with "Umm…there’s this young guy…" that’s about as far as she got when I said "Do it…whatever it is…"  Again, if one is moved to help someone, don’t have expectations…give, don’t lend.  At best and as most people will ask how they may repay one, we only ask that they don’t forget someone helped them and if/when they can help another…do it.    

Amen, Kristy B!  I had six silver hairs among the red at fourteen, in my 20’s there was a ‘summer camp’, 30’s a ‘woodstock’ and by mid-forties had a ‘million hair march’ going on.  Then came the laugh lines but…I know I earned every one of the grey hairs and my history was in my face.  At least the lines are upward turning!  Never any desire to do cosmetic surgery, hair colouring and don’t even wear make-up.  Attitude and a sense of humour…

Ugghh….sand!  Like Judith and Sandy, love the water…was raised within sight of the North Sea and always needed to have rivers, seas and oceans within easy reach, at the very least but sand…cannot thole how it gets into every nook and cranny…and crook and nanny.  No matter how one brushes oneself down, off, rinses…there are always a couple of grains to irritate.  And sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers…sand; books…sand.  Give me a rocky beach any day…so…how come I live at (yet never visit) one of the primary beach resorts (and have done so the last twelve years)?  Must’ve been a midlife crisis of sorts….