Did you know that the economy’s gone to shit? I know, why doesn’t anyone talk about it?
Okay, so I watched the first presidential debate on Friday (or at least half of it, that which I could hear over the packed bar full of NYU students). I thought that Obama brought his A-game and didn’t back down. Since I couldn’t hear everything that was said, there were times where I could only focus on body language. A few things I noticed:
-Obama looked directly at McCain several times and McCain would only look at Jim Lehrer. -The reactions of both McCain and Obama were hilarious! Both had smirks come up several times throughout the debate. McCain especially, while writing down notes as Obama was speaking. -Obama let out a big smile that, while I’ll explicitly state is not the reason I want to vote for him, did make me crush on him a little.
BTW – Excellent piece(s) in the NYTimes today about the absence of healthcare in the election lately. Where did it go?
I’m gearing up for the VP debate this Thursday. Palin’s ineptitude has been shown in the past few weeks, so it will be interesting to see her performance at the debate. Of course, the McCain campaign has set “restrictions” to the debate, to make it more even for Palin. Really? You know, Hillary got so much BS for having to work even harder to be taken seriously as a woman and Palin waltzes in and has the election dumbed down for her? There’s the part of me that thinks there is no way that McCain/Palin are going to get elected, especially after her performance lately. But, last night I saw a clip of Bush and I was taken back to the 2000 election, when I thought there was no way in hell that he would ever get elected. Some American people, or the rigged voting system – however you see it, were silly enough to elect him – twice! – why would this be any different for Palin?
Speaking of Palin, an SNL sketch of Palin’s interview with Katie Couric was spot on! Thanks Tina Fey for making SNL funny again and the election slightly more amusing. Anyway, to see Tina Fey’s remarkable resemblance, I’ve posted both interviews here. Enjoy!
(A brief introduction for those not familiar with how Medicare is administered. There are two ways to receive Medicare benefits when you are eligible; one is through the government administered traditional Medicare and the second option is to get your benefits through a private insurer. The benefits under the traditional system are pretty standard across the country, while private plans have different costs and benefits by region and plan.)
This is exactly why private insurers should not be involved in Medicare. If you need more convincing, read this. A few things to note:
-People who have Medicare tend to be the least likely (able) to research and understand what the differences between 50 drug plans are. We're talking about people who tend to be less mentally acute (whether because of age or a disability) and who may never have used a computer before (something our generation takes for granted). Much of the information about the plans is online.
-Both CMS (the federal adminstrator of Medicare) and private insurers have been called out on inappropriate actions. The insurers are not following through on marketing promises and CMS fails to regulate them.
-Keep in mind that the increase in premiums is typically not met with an increase in income. Most Medicare beneficiaries lived on a fixed income.
So, to sum up. If you're able to know what questions to ask of whom, you're likely to get incorrect information and pay an increasingly high percentage of your limited income on a plan that doesn't give you coverage.
Additionally, if you think that private plans are saving the government money, think again. The government pays the insurers to provide Medicare plans, more than what it pays for a beneficiary under the federal program.
Medicare’s payments for beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans are higher, on average, than what the program would spend if those beneficiaries were in the FFS [fee for service] sector—so shifts in enrollment out of the FFS program and into private plans increase net Medicare spending.
Rather than simply buying the farmers' crops outright, much of the money will go to teaching better farming methods, and to helping them store their crops in warehouses, plant higher-yield seeds, and transport their produce to customers.
What a concept! Way to go B (also WFP and Howard G. Buffett Foundation)! I hope this becomes something sustainable over time.
Today I am in mourning of my laptop. It has served me well over the past 4 years - including 1 year of working from home, 3 years of grad school research and writing, and a whole year of job searching - not too shabby for one little machine. But alas, Lappy has bid adieu. Goodbye, old friend, I will miss you (at least until I get a newer, better version...).
Samantha Grace has lovingly tagged me to tell you all some things about me. Thanks SG!
Eight things you didn’t know about me:
I have a cat, she’s sassy. Her name is Audrey and she doesn’t like you (don’t take it personally).
I like food. I have an entire blog dedicated to food.
I love wine! It is an emerging passion of mine. My mother once called me a winer, I think she meant wino. Maybe she was trying to be nice.
I have 2 masters degrees, neither are in opening doors, ballet, or neuroscience. Please do not ask me to do anything or criticize my abilities in these areas. I do have degrees, however, in thinking critically and changing the world, especially in terms of healthcare. Also, I have an innate ability to breakdance fight (no degree required), that will not only leave you taken aback, but will change your whole concept of the world.
When I got my first masters degree I made all of my loved ones call me Master Irish. If you have a doctorate, people call you a doctor…it just makes sense.
I think health care is a human right, not a commodity. I am astounded that so many people in this country, and around the world, do not have full access to essential health care. (Perhaps you’ve been able to detect this in my blogging)
I have been regularly practicing Zen Buddhist meditation for about 2 years now. Every so often I get to be doan (timekeeper – I ring bells and clack sticks) at my neighborhood zen center.
I sing, but I will not sing for you. I am very self-conscious about my voice. I’m sitting with it…
You see people, this is a woman who is actually fighting for the progress of women (unlike another woman who is in high political contention). No matter how you feel about Hillary, she knows her stuff when it comes to health care in this country. Here is an Op-Ed published in the NY Times last week, on new legislation being pushed by the Bush Administration.
Should a drug or device manufacturer be liable when a provider harms the patient? What about if they are aware of possible risks when the drug is administered incorrectly? This woman settled with the clinic where the mistake was made, but has continued to pursue a lawsuit against Wyeth, the manufacturer of the product. Briefly, she argues that Wyeth should present the risks of a certain form of administration of the drug and Wyeth argues that it cannot because of state regulations. It’s a mess of an issue and is bringing up all kinds of problems that have not really been brought into the public light before.
Who gets the final say over safety standards? Wyeth? The FDA? Vermont? It all seems to be a bureaucracy that leads to blaming and scapegoating by all parties. This reminds me of ERISA, a federal law that was created to protect beneficiary’s health, life and pension benefits, but has created a loophole that also protects insurance providers from law suits. Both cases deal with the issue of pre-emption of state laws by federal regulations.
Here’s the deal. Although some might think that Wyeth should not be held liable, and therefore should not be sued, if the mistake made by this provider can be made by others, isn’t it a good thing to a) get the information dispersed to as many people as possible to try to prevent the mistake being made again and b) call into question the bureaucracy of control of safety standards and the issue of federal pre-emption that is preventing this from happening? Say what you want about medical malpractice and industry law suits, but they are often the only means people have of avoiding medical and personal bankruptcy (this woman not only racked up medical bills but also lost her livelihood), and for calling into light an issue that needs to be addressed (whether within an institution or within an industry). These are the ways in which changes are made to our health care system in this country. Go Erin Brockovich, go!
Interesting Times piece about the perception of Oprah by Saudi women.
We have a very male-dominated society, and it’s very hard sometimes. But for now I have my coffee, and sit, and I watch Oprah. It’s my favorite time of day.
Apparently McCain keeps using music for his campaign without approval from the musicians. Is requesting permission really that hard? We sing a Jackson Browne song in choir (see the link below). Fitting for McCain, don't you think?
Yesterday I was jolted back to the present by one of the very things that allows me to disconnect. I was eating lunch in the cafeteria and reading a zen book, when the lid of the soda I was drinking popped off and the contents dumped all over me, my lunch, the table, and my book. How's that for a reminder to mindful?
"They're looking for whatever new particles they can find"...
This makes me reminisce about Bill Nye the Science Guy and my high school biology teacher Mr Jaworski (he was so into science and tried to make it fun for all of us!)
Afterthought: I love that the background dancers prefer annonymity in the credits!
As part of my zen practice I have been observing myself and also the world around me a bit more consistently than I have before. Here are a few things that I have noticed in recent months.
1. Back in August I had the opportunity to witness an altercation arise out of a misunderstanding. I noticed the events leading up to it and even stopped myself in the middle of the sidewalk (yeah, yeah, walk around me!) to watch it play out. Both sides quickly retaliated and an intense shouting match ensued. I could see why both parties got upset. However, being that I was distant from the situation I didn't feel the emotions tied up with either party.
2. I've noticed that most people, myself included, will say anything to avoid silence. There's something about silence that makes people say and do things without really thinking about it. It's like an automatic response of 'just say anything!' I also find myself leaving the tv on when I'm home alone sometimes just to have some sound.
But we leave the sound on 'cause silence is harder. -Regina Spektor, the Consequence of Sounds
3. I can come up with an excuse or explanation for almost anything. Sometimes I get to a point where I realize that it doesn't make any sense, but just cannot admit the truth to myself. Doing so, would compromise the things I've believed up to that point.
4. I've realized that there are a lot of sad and lonely people in NYC, as I'm sure in the rest of the world. A lot of people are really suffering.
5. I feel like I am able to slow down more recently, but when I sit I feel this great energy in my head. I noticed this when I went upstate as well. Being out of the constant movement of NYC, I still feel the movement even though my body's still. I mentioned this to a zen teacher and she said to just sit with it. Let it come and go as it will, don't try to analyze it. But then, I guess that's what being an observer is about. No analysis, just mindfulness.
Thanksgiving Letter to the Family
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Dear Family, Once again, we will gather for turkey and all the trimmings
this Thanksgiving. Trump remains a pain in my rump, but I have decided to
rise ab...
And we're back!
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It's been about four years and boy have we eaten and cooked a lot!
Oh, wait - I just said we. So the "we" in question is me and my fiance.
We both really...
London Burning
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I'm torn about the riots in the UK, on one hand I wholeheartedly believe
that they have a lot to be mad as hell about (and so do we in the UK). With
the ra...
(500) Days of Summer
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(500) DAYS OF SUMMER claims to be an anti-love story, a poisoned penned
tale about how love really works. Despite some cloying touches of whimsy it
mostly ...
