Actually, the "bill" has not been written yet.  There are 3 bills making their way through committees right now.  What is frustrating me, I received in email today from the Nat’l Homebuilders Association(I’m a member) a PDF of the 3 bills, what they each contain and what their status is.  And, darn it, I don’t know how to post it here, or I would to share with everybody.

I had two very small children at the time, and remember seeing it on the news.  All I remember are filthy dirty looking people in a sea of mud because apparently it rained, and being thankful that I wasn’t having to endure that overcrowded mess.  I remember seeing lots of pot and people that were as high as kites and the stories about the nudity and open sex.  Mostly I remember the mud.

Victoria, I don’t know who you are or where you are,  but I think you are grand, and a helluvagood writer.  Too bad we couldn’t share a meal…

Thank you, Victoria, for a beautifully written post.  I was part of Kennedy’s world; I know darned well what he was thinking because we all were thinking like that.  Back then, we were taught that the greatness of our nation was that we thought of the greater good than of just ourselves.  And, I thank god every day that I know what living in that kind of world is like…

Think about it—he looked fabulous in Some Like It Hot.  By the way,  I played that movie here at home, and I think it is still one of the great comedies ever made.  Monroe had great comedic talent.

I usually cook all meals at home because I only eat fresh and it’s healthier.  Besides,  this time of the year, there is nothing as good in the whole wide world as a freshly picked Central Ky. tomato!  The farmer’s market is loaded with heavenly food.

And, even though there are some restaurants around that I love,  it is so expensive now. 

Speaking of Palin, this is the state of healthcare under her watch:

http://www.adn.com/life/health/story/864670.html

Well, we’ve had Medicare for the better part of 40 years and it still pays 95% to patient care, whereas private insurance only pays 80% of its incoming to patient care—the rest going to bonuses, shareholders and the like.   The insurance programs that federal workers have from the lowest up to the President are very good and efficient.  There is no argument that we have the most inefficient and expensive medical system in the G20, indeed all industrialized countries.

As for "Obama’s" plan, that is yet to be seen in its complete state since they are still working on consolidating 3 plans.

And, for what it’s worth, by saying that at the rate things are going somebody is going to get shot or hurt,  I did not mention the second amendment. 

My name is Diana, not honey…

And, yes, I’ve worked in medicine since before HMO’s were invented. 

Well, Oriana, this is not a discussion about second amendment rights.  And, no, loaded guns have no place in a gathering that is supposed to be a forum, often with children present.  And, of course,  I have never in all the 5000+ postings I have done on this site indicated that I think it is un-American to practice our first amendment in the Bill of Rights.

I think it is very sad that unscrupulous people in high places have deliberately and cynically spread many lies and have scared many people that, perhaps, aren’t as well read and sophisticated as the typical people on this site.   The expression is "Swift-Boating", that is saying a lie over and over again until many people believe it, even though it can be proven false.  There is so much mass hysteria that has been created in the past few weeks which has totally put the future healthcare bill on the back burner.  A bill hasn’t even come out of the House yet; they are trying to consolidate 3 of them.  And, all this talk about "euthanasia",  "socialism", and god knows what else has been put into circulation for just the purpose of fear and manipulation.

I was in the medical management profession from 1970-1996; I know a thing or two about it.  Back in the 80’s we used to talk about how someday there would be a huge problem with for-profit medical business models.  When I started so long ago,  the ethical models were Patient First.  Then, the corporate takeovers started.  Suddenly, you went from being a "patient" to being a "consumer".  The pharmacy companies and the insurance companies were no longer in the business for the patient; they became fiduciaries to the Shareholder…the bottom line became the priority.  And,  that is when it all went wrong.  Because,  you see,  when you are sick, when you are injured, when you are losing a loved one to cancer or other terrible diseases, or when you just happen to have a cold and sore throat,  you are not a consumer.  You are a patient, first and foremost.  I hope that the powers-that-be will remember this one day.

I agree, SJ.  It’s why I’m a Democrat…

Lordy, I can’t believe I left out Carol Burnett.  Her show and her ensemble comedy routines were un-equaled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qqE_WmagjY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-cnBGMMmCI&feature=related

I agree with Joan.  Imogene Coca was an artist in every since of the word.  Gracie Allen had a perfect sense of timing.  Lucille Ball was the greatest clown/physical comedy performer of her day.  And, I loved the early Phyllis Diller routines.

Unfortunately,  the contemporary comediennes I find vulgar for the most part.  Gettin’ old, I guess?  Although, I find Wanda Sykes hilarious.

Interesting article.  Several years ago when my sister was a Hospice Volunteer,  most of the doctors and the nurses at the facility where she was were not in favor of breast re-construction.  They thought it caused more problems that it solved.

I was thinking yesterday that when Bush came into office we had a large surplus.  Do you realize that the money he spent on his war in Iraq could have easily funded a healthcare initiative?  Sad…