Saturday, November 05, 2005

Add On

There are a couple of issues I would like to add too in this article.

First there is a recent medical study commissioned by the Commonwealth Fund, a private nonpartisan, nonprofit foundation in NY. They're survey of 7000 sick adults in US, Australia, Canada, NZ, Britain and Germany, found the following among these countries: (1)the US is highest in cost; (2)the US has the highest error rate; (3)the US has the highest disorganized care. If you read my previous blog about David and his unfortunate venture into the medical world, you will recognize the "highest disorganized care" finding. For those who may be wondering, the view of these folks as to the health of medicine in this country is that "healthcare in the US is quietly imploding." For those of us fortunate enough to have good healthcare and good insurance, it really doesn't appear that bad. But, if you happen to be among the working poor in this nation, you are only to aware. I have seen this close up and personal. Members in my extended family who have working class jobs (Mom & Dad both work), but who have to ration healthcare because they can't afford the co-pays that go with it. Do I advocate universal health care (UHC)? If you haven't read my previous blogs on the matter, let me help you. YES!!

NEXT
As President Bush's poll numbers drop down there with Nixon's Watergate numbers, let us just remind ourselves of the promises that came with him into the WH. "...uniter not a divider", "higher standards for those working in the WH", "The way you earn credibility with the American people is to set a clear agenda that everybody can understand"... Well let's see here. He still has three years to make good on any one, let alone all, of these and the rest of the political promises that spilled from Rove's mind. At this moment, he still has a divided nation. "Scooter" Libby stands indicted. Rove is still under investigation. There is now indication that the Italian's told Bush pre-Iraq that the fake letter which linked Saddam to Niger was produced by a rogue intel guy in Italy. Cheney just led a charge to dismantle the McCain bill that strictly forbids torture by US troops. Secret bases on foriegn soil used by the CIA to hold prisoners, so that they don't have to adhere to US, UN or any other law. And, the clear agenda that Mr. Bush spoke of seems to be more and more apparent. Do everything that can be done to enhance life for corporations, start a war, make the public debt so high that it forces the dismantling of the Welfare State. (Welfare State means those less fortunate).
NEXT
Read an article today that was of the generic "How to prevent cold/flu" variety. Found the usual wash your hands (cool), avoid large crowds if you can, cough into your shoulder, get plenty of rest, items. Then there was, take aged garlic to prevent. That one got my attention. So, I went looking for verification of the statement. There is no recommendation by any National Health Agency for taking garlic to prevent a cold or the flu. So, just in case you have heard this from some other source, it's bullshit.
NEXT
A retired Bexar (San Antonio,TX) County judge has been selected to oversee the proceedings in the trail of Tom DeLay. It turns out that Pat Priest, the retired judge, is a Democrat. Wonder what the DeLay camp is saying about that? Priest is described as a judge with a Social Conscience, which puts him at odds with DeLay and company right off the bat. Since Tom & company already had their shot, and the original judge stepped aside, this is the end of that ploy. No more complaints will be heard in the matter...at least, inside the judicial system. Hopefully, this will drag out well into next year when DeLay has to stand for re-election.
NEXT
With the problems the Republicans are having and will continue to have into the forseeable future, it is entirely possible that we will have a complete regime change by the end of '08. I pity the poor sob who has to follow behind and clean up the mess that this administration (elephant) is making. It will take someone who can truly lead. At this juncture I am not committed to anyone in the field. But, like most folks I know, I'm looking for a radical departure from where we are today.

AND LAST
Thank You!! Rosa.

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