A couple of days ago I was floored to discover that one of my favorite paranormal writers, L.A. Banks was fighting late stage renal cancer. Her editor notes that she is in an "uphill battle" that also includes skyrocketing health care costs.
Ironically, this video is of Banks talking about her healthcare insurance issue a couple of years ago when Obama's universal healthcare system was being pushed. Eerily, Banks talks about an issue that she is now facing, not enough healthcare coverage to pay her bills.
Along with the F for failure in universal healthcare, I am ashamed to have voted for someone who is consistently turning their backs on those who put him in office.
I represent a new class of people, it is the professional poor, people who have degrees out of the ass, but are barely or not making it at all. In this recession we are either unemployed, underemployed, or being pimped out at a job paying us a for a portion of what we do. We are either without healthcare insurance or under-insured, and in serious debt. Just like Banks, my talents, my education, my contributions to American society bear very little significance when it comes to protecting greedy corporations and jack-legged politicians.
Though I know that healthcare is being dragged through the courts, I just hoped he'd fight for it as hard as he allowed banks to get the biggest welfare check after slavery, or him igging critics in his support to drop NATO bombs in Libya, though the African Union has called for a peaceful resolution.
Yep, change did come, and it its not the change we bargained to get.
In the meantime, please buy a book for LA Banks to help support her return to good health. The last thing we need is a writer who writes more than "street lit" to pass before their time.
Eco.Soul.Intellectual
For those of you who still believe that a system in which medical insurance comes from private, profit hungry corporations is one which we should stick with, read the story of Ronald Flanagan, a cancer patient who was denied life saving treatment over a two cent shortage in his monthly insurance payment.
It was an innocent enough mistake, according to Ronald's wife, Frances Flanagan.
"If I only had just hit the nine instead of the seven," Frances said.
When she was paying their monthly health insurance premium online in November, Frances swapped a 7 for a 9, leaving their $328.69 payment 2 cents short.
"And now we're just pulling teeth and trying to figure out what's the next step," Frances said.
Their insurance benefits administrator, Ceridian Cobra Services, based in St. Petersburg, Fla., promptly dropped the Flanagans for the 2-cent shortage.
The couple found out about losing their coverage at a doctor's appointment on Jan. 13 while they were at the Exempla Rock Creek Medical Center in Broomfield.
As Ron was getting prepped to have a bone biopsy, Frances was on the phone with Ceridian.
For some weaker-willed individuals with less faith in themselves this can be a devastating moment. But not for you, because you're a champion. You possess a strong sense of determination and commitment that not too many others are blessed with. That's the reason we hired you. You also possess the tendency to be quite an incompetent buffoon. That's the reason we fired you.
Anywhichaways, as the chipper for no apparent reason at all type of person you are, I'm sure you realize that the best things in life are free. So obviously you also realize that the mortgage on your home, your car note, your children's college education, and that luxury we humans commonly refer to as food are not amongst the best things. Don't forget, there are alternatives to earning and spending money.
I've heard that one of the most prosperous and rapidly growing industries in today's marketplace is crime. It doesn't require a great deal of start up money or vocational training. At this point, it would also be a good idea to minimize all of your dependents. Get rid of the dog before you end up sharing his bowl of Gravy Train with him. Keep the kids though. At least, they'll come in handy when you're applying for public assistance.
Since the holiday season has arrived, make sure you remind everybody that it's better to give than to receive. That's how I feel while writing this letter. I also want you to remember to never give up. Suicide doesn't solve anything. Allow me to share an anecdote with you. A few paragraphs ago, I ran out of ink. I contemplated delivering the news of your termination face to face. Then I thought about how much I really didn't feel like doing that. So I asked my lovely trophy wife to hand me one of the solid platinum pens, with all the tiny diamonds decorating the cap, that she keeps in her limited edition Dolce and Gabana handbag. She did and, as you can see, my perseverance has enabled me to continue writing this letter up to this point.
I want to reiterate that suicide is not the answer. You've probably decided to collect unemployment. Might as well make the company pay you that last bit of money they owe you since you aren't going to receive any severance pay, right? That line of thinking is not without merit. The worst thing that is certain to happen is that your wife will lose all respect for you. She will then engage in a torrid affair with an old acquaintance or several guys with bigger penis'. After the long, torturous nights spent arguing, she will finally decide to part ways. In the process of leaving she will take possession of the house, the car, the kids and ultimately your pride. That would be an ideal time to kill yourself.
So, in closing, remember that if you ever step foot on company property again you will be immediately arrested. Also don't forget that guns are cheap but peace of mind is priceless. Suicide is the answer...not! Godspeed and Good luck...you're gonna need it. Oh yeah, Health Care Reform is coming soon, so, um, Merry Christmas.
Head of Human Resources/ Director of Dream Destruction,
Happily & well paid Corporate CEO,
Uncle Sam
P.S. Everybody said that your office secret Santa gift was the best this year.
Who needs a “Public Option” or HEALTH CARE REFORM for that matter?
Yeah, it's too bad that my Republican buddies were not successful getting that amendment to the current proposal to exclude legal immigrants from access to any health care should it be reformed.
Hell, they get that good American air; what more do they want?
So I caught Barack Obama's speech the other night on Health Care Reform. Every time I listen to this brother and his speeches I somehow feel guilty for not going to church. I swear when he was done I was ready to get off the couch and kneel before the TV and repent for my sins. Yeah, he was that moving. But you know what stopped me? Good ole South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson. You know he was the guy who shouted and pretty much called Barack Obama a liar during his speech, right?
Well, some people are upset with him right about now, but if it wasn't for him reminding me that niggas presidents lie a lot (usually it's about weapons of mass destruction, wars, getting blowjobs and small stuff like that), I too may have been sold on Obama's alleged plan for Health Care reform. Now don't get me wrong, Obama's speech was great, and in the eyes of many he closed the deal. Yes, he sold the sizzle and not the steak as all master salesmen do. However, he delivered so well that I think many people are overlooking the ambiguity of his proposal. Or more specifically, what he had to say about the much discussed Public Option in the media. Truly this was by design and an act of true genius.
You see, for me, Single Payer Health Care Coverage would be the way to go. But unfortunately Obama backed off from that idea very early in the game. As matter of fact he never invited any proponents for single payer to the very first meeting at the White House earlier this year. Yes, and he did this after meeting with lobbyists for the insurance industry. I'm no wingnut republican, but I'm sorry, this proposed "public option" doesn't sound like the idea of Universal Health Care that motivated many of us to rally behind Obama as he campaigned last year. Yep, and I guess people missed it when Obama said this in his speech the other night:
“There are those on the left who believe that the only way to fix the system is through a single-payer system like Canada’s where we would severely restrict the private insurance market and have the government provide coverage for everyone.” He went on to say such a plan “would represent a radical shift that would disrupt the health care most people currently have.”
But here we are two days removed from his great speech and sadly, what has dominated the minds of many were the words of some asshole who called Obama a liar. To me, I think unintentionally it shifts focus from what was actually said in the speech. Sure Joe Wilson was disrespectful with his outburst, but what do you expect from a member of a political party who makes no bones about their hate filled agenda. I don't know about you, but when I envisioned Universal Health Care during the campaign, I never thought it would involve some 48 million people currently without health coverage being put in a “situation” where they're able to "shop" for affordable health care coverage as proposed. Especially at a time when the poverty level in this country has reached an 11yr high.
I never envisioned the now so-called public option being administered by Blue Cross or even having to wait at least 4yrs to see it work or even kick in. But I guess Blue Cross knew something we didn’t know when it took out a full page ad on page A15 of the Wall Street Journal the very next day entitled “Healthcare Reform That Works for Everyone”. Isn’t that capitalism socialism at its finest? Clearly this is another example of how the gov’t is at work and on the side of the electorate. I mean why would they not be? Surely our tax dollars are more important, influential and powerful than the BlueCross BlueShield Association who donated a total of $3.16 million (in 2008 and for 2010) to congressional candidates, $1.64 million to Democrats and $1.53 million to Republicans.
Yeah, Obama told the truth when he said that the gov’t will not kill old people. Yes, and surely he told the truth when he said that it was a false claim that “illegal immigrants” would be covered by gov’t ran health care. But was he telling the truth about being on the side of citizens who are without health care coverage? I don’t know, but I’m trying to not go there and remain optimistic and less cynical when I think of hope and change. But who am I to forget that our society is more plutocratic than it is democratic where “we the people” all have a voice with our vote and ability to affect change. Thanks to Joe Wilson and his childish outburst, not many many people are paying attention, which makes him more of a blessing than a curse I suppose; especially since insurance company stocks have risen since Obama's speech.
I'm sorry, but reform should benefit the insured and uninsured people in this country, and not insurance companies as it's being set up to do. I'm afraid, but I think Obama has the interests of the lobbyists at heart more so than us voters.
Last week when I suggested that town hall meetings on health care reform should go light on the presence of gun totting "Elmer Fudds". And instead have my man "O-Dog" of Menace II Society show up with a gun, this is not what I had in mind:
It is my firm belief that this dude was a plant. Yes, I seriously think he was picked up at the Rent-A-Negro store somewhere in Arizona, and I'm willing to bet that John McCain was the one to do it. After all, Arizona is his home state, no? Considering that much of the protests have been staged and anti-reform protesters have been brought in from other cities, that's going to be my belief about this guy. I'm sorry, but that brotha was a little too calm for me to believe otherwise. I dunno, maybe it was the tie and Roger from What's Happening glasses that gave him the confidence. I'm just sayin', you know how smart brothas have been standing up to law enforcement lately and making the news.
Speaking of confidence, when interviewed by The Arizona Republic, he refused to give his name. Not only that, when asked why he felt it necessary to pack his AR-15 assault rifle, he responded, "Because I can do it," and, "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms." Listen here Black people. Before you Negroes get too happy and think Arizona is the land of milk, honey, and Negro freedoms. Remember that those muthaf*ckas raised hell back in the day about recognizing Martin Luther King day as a national holiday.
And personally this attempt to fool me pisses me off and is insulting; especially since the media all focused on the Black guy with a gun rather than the other men reported to be openly packing heat as well. Shit, if they wanted to convince me that this Negro was real the least they could have done was put a doo-rag on his head, throw some gold in his mouth, and have him hugged up next to a White girl. Sorry, but the Black Panther in Birkenstocks thing just wasn't working for me.
UPDATE: Hat-tip to AverageBro of AverageBro.com for this next video. Basically this video proves just what I said in the post above. Yes, this clown works with www.FreedomsPhoenix.com. If you click the provided link you cn see what they're about. At any rate, yes this dude was a plant, and again, strategically positioned to push an agenda and or movement. I guess Larenz Tate wasn't available for booking so they got this guy (read my last post on guns at town hall meetings to get that joke).
One thing I love is how useful the internet has become as a tool for political activism. That said, if you're like me and interested in affecting change this post is for you. If not, then I suggest you go play in rush hour traffic. OK, so the hot topic is health care; yep, something I haven't touched on for some time on this blog. The last time I did, people didn't give a rats ass or commented. But anyway, the heat is on and yes, health care reform is a must. There's a war going on outside that directly impacts your life and well being; and that would be the current health care debate. Things are so heated that you cannot watch a show on television without seeing and ad which is either for or against health care reform.
You know, like this one:
Interesting ad isn't it? Unfortunately, CNN is refusing to air this ad on their channel. Why you ask? Well because according to them “it unnecessarily singles out an individual company and person.” Here's some news folks: these "individual companies and persons" are spending millions of dollars to spread mis-information about health care reform. And why would they do this? Because a government ran public health care option would create competition. And why is that a bad thing? Oh because they would see a slight shift in their profit margins in a direction they would rather it not go. I'm sorry, but this is America and everybody competes. Competition is a good thing. Yep, if it wasn't for competition we would never have "Ladies Night" at our favorite night-clubs, nor would we have "Quarter Beer Night".
Listen, these cable news channels like CNN are beholden to corporate interests just like politicians. Yes, and these corporations like the one mentioned in the ad above spend millions buying of donating contributions to election campaigns. That's right folks, the bottom line is money. Yep, money talks and bullshit runs marathons trying to play catchup. So listen, do me and yourself a favor. If you're about health care reform, take a few seconds of your time to click THIS LINK and tell CNN to air this ad. It's bad enough that they (CNN) allow Lou Dobbs to have a show where he pushes racist conspiracy theories, but now they want to be fair and balanced; oops, that's a whole different network...I think; checkout my sidebar on the right to see what you can do about that Lou Dobbs mess.
BTW: Click HERE and send a message to our Senators and tell them that health care cannot wait. To date, Democratic Senators have received up to $80 million from from special interest groups opposed to a public option.
If you don't think it's a big deal or unimportant, checkout what can happen to you:
The most important piece of legislation in America today, with nearly 100 cosponsors in the house, H.R.676 is the only health care bill that will truly reform our tragically broken health care system. What would you think about a health care system that actually works for everybody, costs billions of dollars less, provides greater coverage, truly protects you from financial ruin due to medical bills, improves quality, increases innovation, and returns medical decisions to you and your doctor instead of some claims adjuster at an insurance company 1,000 miles away.
31 cents of every health care dollar spent is wasted on administrative expenses and insurer profits in the US system. This is why the US spends double what other industialized nations spend on health care yet has worse outcomes. We need to save that money and spend it on better health care for you, me, and all Americans. Our system is sick and dying, and this is the cure. And just for the record, this is NOT what President Obama is proposing. Don't let the word UNIVERSAL in his healthcare proposal fool you. This is what America needs. Can you tell me why it won't work?
“He who warned uh, the British that they weren't gonna be takin' away our arms, uh by ringing those bells, and um, makin' sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed.” -- Sarah Palin on Paul Revere
