http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/10/health.care.questions/index.html

If I behaved this way in public, my mama would have called me rude.

The local news around here is all the rain we’ve had, Phyllis.  It’s affecting the tomato harvest and the wine grapes.  And, danged it if another storm isn’t coming as I type this.  Lousiville has sustained tens of millions of dollars from the flash flood they experienced last week; it rained over 5 inches inside an hour. 

I would love some of your cherry tomatoes; I eat them like candy in the summer.  Red or yellow?

BTW,  I don’t listen to Bill Maher either.  If people really have the desire to gain objective factual information , they must simply learn to avoid the tv pundits.  Most of them are getting huge paychecks, and it isn’t for the purpose of broadcasting factual information.  In fact, I’ve said for quite a while they are aiding and abetting the Brownshirts in the extreme side of the GOP.  All for a the almighty buck….

You know what I’m beginning to realize, Barrett?  It took more than 8 years to get to this point.  It started when the corporations started "movin’ on up" back in the 80’s, and then the far-rights commandeered the GOP.  That’s back when I left the GOP.

Back to the subject DeB opened up—Healthcare.  How refreshing it was this a.m. to open up my local paper and see a lone voice of sensibility talking about this subject.  Dr. Arlis Hoven.  I love her name.  You and I haven’t communicated very much, but a lot of you all know that before I retired, my career was is medical office management.  Well, back in the 80’s, my doctor boss, as well as all the other internists in the country were getting patients with complete system breakdowns; they were not familiar with the ugly dragon that reared its head…HIV.  Dr. Ardis Hoven was a pioneer in treating these unfortunate patients, and doctors here in Central Kentucky soon were referring their patients to her. 

Now,  she is a very important component of AMA, being the newly appointed Chairman of their Board of Trustees.  She is the Voice of Reason, as always:

http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/story/890431.html

Thank you, DeB.  There is so much mis-information being bandied about, to the delight and encouragement of the Big Pharma and the Insurance Lobbies.  And, these lobbies have recruited some major players in getting the town hall meetings disrupted so that people who really want to have serious discussions about this are suppressed.

What disturbs me so much is back in the 80’s we used to talk at the medical offices about this happening.  That was when the corporations were buying up insurance companies and hospitals and forming more corporations that would turn medicine into for profits.  And, that is when they created a whole new layer of bureaucracy that stepped in between the doctor and the patient. 

Late last night I was reading an online article comparing us with the other richest countries when it comes to healthcare.  If I can remember where I saw it, I’ll share it here.

Our hospitals almost require them now.  If you can’t present a legally written one, they will send someone to you who will. 

I have written reams about Wills, Living Wills and POA’s here on wow.  I can’t get close to explaining how essential these three instruments are and how important it is to update them periodically.  At least have the lawyer review your circumstances regularly.  And, the kits you buy at the Office Depot are not usually the correct documents to prepare because state law varies, and they have to be done By The Rules….

Thank you, DeB.  Skilled Statecraft and Effective Diplomacy are subjects I find absolutely fascinating, all the way back to the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks.  So much occurs behind the scenes, and it is important to know that.  So, how great it is to get an occasional peek into the events leading up to the Big Event.  I assure you that President Clinton knew the outcome when he boarded the plane to go to Korea.  And, there were several members of the various diplomatic sections that were with him.   Have you read Dennis Ross’ book, Statecraft and how America Can Restore Its Image in the World?  It is so interesting. 

As a Realtor, that is what I do.  We are negotiators during the complete transaction of the selling process.  One rule:  never let your emotions get involved with what you brain is telling you…

Oops!  I pushed the send button too fast.  Belinda,  try to watch Charlie Rose tonight because this is going to be one of the conversation topics, the other being about the 3 hikers in Iran.

You also would enjoy reading Dennis Ross’ book he wrote a year or two ago called Statecraft.  As Richard Holbrooke says, it’s fascinating what goes on behind the scenes.

Belinda,  Not only Pres. Clinton, but also Gore and Bill Richardson have been working on this for some time.  You may want to keep up with this story on Times.com—The London Times.