I Am Sick of Doctor's Complaints About Money

The news is replete with physicians who complain that they are not making as much money as they want and are refusing to accept patients on medicare.  Many medicare patients cannot find a doctor who will treat them no matter how urgently the elderly  person needs medical treatment.  Yes, I'm sick of doctors who have a very few medicare patients and say "we cannot accept any more medicare patients."  I have heard doctors on TV angrily threatening to retire before they will accept anyone on medicare.  Not enough money, they complain.  I have not seen any doctors who are forced to live in a second-hand mobile home and drive a 1950 Ford.  Wake up, doctors.  You are giving the entire medical profession a bad name.  The new medical creed has become "I want money, to hell with the sick and dying."  Doctors had best understand that if this administration has its way, doctors will be required to treat everyone, make house calls and live on a salary set by the government.

Think of Your Blessings This Thanksgiving Day

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  The first Thanksgiving was to express thanks to God for all who survived and  for food to last them through the winter (of course I could be wrong and it was for some other reason).  Judging from the many requests I receive  for funds, this Thanksgiving may find many persons going hungry. So let me offer this suggestion: 
If you have food to eat, give thanks.
If your health is good, give thanks.   
If your relationship with loved ones is good, give thanks.
If you have a job in these bad economic times, give thanks.

Of course, there may be many different reasons for individuals to give thanks.  Anyway, I hope everyone has a great day tomorrow.

Unbelievable -- Al Gore and I Agree on Ethanol Subsidies

I have long been  opposed to the use of corn and other grains to make ethanol. It is an inefficient way to create energy.  We could produce more oil and natural gas instead, if the federal government would permit. As it is now by our favoring  so-called "green energy" this nation wastes money.  Last year subsidies for ethanol totaled 7.7 billion dollars.  Forty-one per cent of corn grown in the United States is utilized for ethanol. Not only do taxpayers subsidize ethanol, the use of corn results in higher costs to consumers, not only for cereal but in higher prices for poultry, beef, pork, milk and eggs.  This is a horrible use of our resources and continues only for political reasons; plus ethanol has powerful lobbyists in Washington D.C.

Discarded Books Bring Back More Memories

What value does an old out-dated text book have?  Nothing, money wise, but I can remember what a thrill it was to us as children to find an old school book a parent had owned and read notations made. In one my daddy had, he had written these almost exact words-- " Here I am in the middle of June in school when I want to be outside working and enjoying the summer."  He only went to school in the winter and for a short time in the summer when crops were laid by. 

Several boxes of books and  many years of National Geographic went to Goodwill Saturday.  I feel bad about discarding 50 years of National Geographic because I used to find it so interesting. Few people want magazines now; they choose the Internet.  At one time old Geographics were sold in book stores in New Orleans.

My freshman English book was among those discarded. I took a look at it and couldn't believe I learned a lot of that stuff.  LSU  divided  freshmen into X, Y and Z classes.  I was in X which gave a year's credit for one semester's work.  That was fine except we had to write twice as many themes, or essays.  I had trouble thinking of subjects.  Today, that would be no trouble because I want to comment ( raise hell) about so many things. My class began at 1 p.m. and the room was empty from 12 to 1.  I would show up at noon, take my fountain pen and write a paper, then hand it in without any corrections or changes.  I agree, it was a miracle I passed the course.

My freshman history book was in a box to be discarded, but I saved it and will keep it at least for a little while.

Heavy Back Packs Give Students Spinal Problems

What's with all these heavy back packs carried by first graders to seniors and all students in between?  I know it is not a new thing, but the back pack seem to be getting heavier and heavier.  Watch the children walking down the street after leaving a school bus.  They are bowed over frontwards or leaning sideways to balance the heavy weight.  When I was in school little kids had book sacks to carry pencils, crayons and scissors, and maybe one book.  Boys in high school, if they carried books home at all, usually tied a belt around them.  Girls usually clutched theirs to their bosom.  Some text books are very large now; I mean not only thick but large in area. I found out these books are very expensive, also.  Text book printing is a lucrative business.  I wonder if all those books are necessary.

A few years ago I asked my daughter why she brought all her books home every day when she needed only some of them for homework.  She explained when school opened and students were permitted to enter, they had  very little time to get to class and no time to visit a locker.

Things I Thought Unfair as a Child I Still Consider Unfair

What parent has not heard his child scream "that's not fair!"  Well, as an adult I am as convinced as ever about at least two things I argued were unfair when I was youngster were and are still unfair.  My parents always told us that "if you get a whipping at school, you'll get a worse one when you get home."  I insisted that if misbehavior at school was punished there, that ended it.  What the parent meant was  "if you get a whipping at school, Ill be so embarrassed Ill feel like punishing you again."

What about the psychological pain of  being sent to get a switch to be used to punish you?  Terribly unfair. How weak a switch can I get that will satisfy the parent giving the punishment and yet not hurt too much? That was more talked about than actually done, I expect.  Anyway, just two things I thought unfair as a child to my mind are unfair now.

Have You Got Yours Yet?

The White House has awarded  111 waivers to Obmacare, affecting 1,200,000 Amsericans The waivers have gone to companies and to many labor unions.  This is the bill that was going to allow you to keep the health plan you have now if you are satisfied with it. Obamacare was going to cover more people, not raise insurance rates, and result in lower taxes while reducing the national debt. Then why are all these waivers being granted? The truth is, of course, Obamacare is a bad, bad  plan.  The only solution is to abolish it completely and start ovsr with another health plan.  However, we must face facts.  Health costs are going up and coming up with a plan that all groups will be happy with is not going to be easy.  Doctors and hospitals don't way their rates lower; medicare recipients fear being deprived of benefits, and many want coverage at lower costs.  Some better plan is a goal that will not be easily reached.