Stinko, Snobo & Sicko


Lately I have found myself pondering over the injustices of life, of which there are many. Nightly I watch in amazement at the information of the day's or week's events in our world in the political and social arenas. The best way for me to express what I'm thinking and feeling is by writing it all down.

There is not anyone that I know who doesn't think Bush has done a crap job over the past few years. The frustration is felt throughout all political parties. The Democrats are determined to be heard - "we told you so!" - while the Republicans are sinking further and further into their plush, leather chairs out of embarassment - "it wasn't us, it was him!" Bush's continued insistence that our troops need to remain in Iraq while more young men and women die on a daily basis has reached an intolerable rant. Now it would seem that instead of actually being a leader, he's out on the White House lawn dancing in the rose garden while our Vice President is actually calling the shots and the Homeland Security director has a "gut feeling" more terrorism is at hand. It's my opinion the biggest act of terrorism has been committed by the present administration. They have held our armed forces as hostages and instigated vicious acts against the American people of this wonderful country that entrust them to be honest, make the best decisions for our country and to make sure that the freedoms and rights our country were founded on, stay intact. Shame on them for committing the biggest act of terror of all. STINKO

************************************

I am blessed with many friends. Throughout each phase of my life, I have had wonderful friends that I can rely on, cry with, laugh with. I'm fortunate that several have remained throughout all phases of my life, while others come and go in my social circle. Being a friend is easy. Being a good friend is a little harder. A friend is someone who you enjoy spending time with but maybe not someone you'd call in an emergency. A good friend will drop everything and come immediately regardless of what the crisis; one that accepts the ways and opinions of their friends, even when they disagree.

This week during a weekly lunch outing with a group of my good friends, we began discussing the most recent administrations blunder and the upcoming 2008 election. One thing led to another and somehow the topic of citizenship came up. Given all the angst surrounding border controls, we all had an opinion. One such opinion was that it would be OK if citizenship was only granted to those actually born in the U.S. It would seem that many countries do not grant citizenship to anyone from another country. While I understood where the statement was coming from, the more I thought about that idea, the more it bothered me.

One of the first things I learned in American History was that America is the "melting pot". Remember Schoolhouse Rock? They had a jingle about it. The visual of people from all over the world jumping into the huge pot and stirred together to become one has always stuck with me. It was the whole purpose of our ancestors coming to this country. We're ALL from another country, except our Native American friends. We basically came over, moved in and took control. So to hear anyone say we should shut our borders and deny citizenship has forgotten a lot of facts regarding American history. Do we need a better immigration system? Yes, I will not argue that point but close our borders and deny citizenship? That would make America the ultimate, arrogant, self-serving country other countries believe we have become. SNOBO.

************************************

As most reading this blog will know, I am the proud parent of a feline named Hank. Hank came to live with me in 1997 not many months after the death of my Sophie kitty. He has been, from the very beginning, the most loving cat and always wants to be near me or lying on me. Many people tend to dislike cats because they think they are too aloof. While I've seen cats with this kind of temperment, Hank does not fall into that category. One afternoon with him and I know you'd agree.

This week has been a traumatic one for Hank and me. He was not feeling well so I made the trip to the Vet's office only to be told that he is diabetic. My ex was a diabetic and it never occurred to me that some of Hanks symptoms were mirrored in what I had already dealt with previously.

The good news is that he has suffered no liver or kidney damage and for all practical purposes, other than the diabetes itself, is in good shape. The prescribed course of action for now is 2 shots of insulin a day; one in the morning and one at night. I thought I would be more freaked out at having to give my cat a shot, but I guess my maternal instincts kicked in and instead I don't look at it as something negative but something positive that will help (hopefully) keep Hank with me for as long as possible.

The biggest shock of the whole situation came when I was told that the vial of insulin, about the size of my little pinky was going to cost $80! Since Hank is my pet and not my child, naturally this is not covered under my health plan.

Ah...managed healthcare. Seems like a good idea right? You have a group of doctors, in any given field, you choose from and instead of paying for a full doctor's visit, you pay a small co-pay. Included with your healthcare plan, with most plans, you have a prescription card that allows you to also pay a co-pay; usually one price for the name brand and a smaller amount for generics. Again, sounds okay, right?

For most, it IS okay. Meaning if you suffer from a sinus infection or a cold, the managed healthcare route works great. If you have something a little more serious or chronic? Well I'm not so sure that still applies. What happens if you have an illness that isn't readily detected with initial exams? Many times doctors have to fight the insurance companies or lie to get additional tests covered. The majority of the American people can not afford to pay "out-of-pocket" for additional procedures. If you are hospitalized, the insurance companies even dictate how long you should be in the hospital for said illness. After that time is up, doctor's are forced to fight the insurance company or release you. Sadly, many people get released far too early because the doctor's are so overworked and beaten down to even put up a fight.

And let's talk about medications. The rocketing prices are outrageous, most especially if your doctor prescribes a "new" drug. The elderly, who require the largest quantity of drugs, live on fixed incomes and whatever medicare will not pay for, they are left to decide if they purchase their medicine or food. Many are not fortunate enough to have children that can step in and help provide supplemental insurance for OR pay for it out of their own pockets. I personally pay for my own Mom's supplemental insurance for that very reason. Thankfully, she is in fairly good health for someone almost 80 years old, but she is on medications to help with the degenerative arthritis she suffers from. One of those drugs without insurance coverage would be $155 a month. Who can afford that? Certainly not a retired senior citizen living on their pension and social security.

My sister, a nurse, has said many times over the past years that our lovely government has managed "care" right out of healthcare. This is a sad state of affairs. Most people do not realize that the United States is one of the only nations that has people going bankrupt due to unpaid medical expenses. Some would argue the case of thousands dying from AIDS in Africa and other third-world countries but I attest that if our government would spend as much money for healthcare that many private individuals are spending on helping these other countries, maybe we would not have to choose whether we pay our light bills or pay for medication that will help keep us alive.

Then there's the argument over holistic lifestyles that will help you avoid having to take medications at all. This is a good theory also but not practical for most people. It costs even MORE to purchase organic foods and vitamins. What about the heart patient? The diabetic? The cancer patient? Sometimes you don't have any other option but to take the medications prescribed you, if you want to continue living. Being a cancer survivor myself, the alternative is not that appealing, so I took the chemo. 25 years later I'm still here to write this blog and share my concerns and opinions. Had a different option been available to me, maybe I would have felt differently. But that's just it, many people do not have any other option open to them.

No one anywhere should be denied access to doctors and medications at an affordable price that will sustain their lives. America, being the "land of plenty" should be the example, not the problem. Write your state representative and congressman; VOTE!; make yourself heard. Until our elected officials have been told by US how we feel about the healthcare system in America and what we EXPECT, nothing is going to change. SICKO.