Sunday, October 12, 2008

POLITICS AS USUAL; THE ECONOMY

I have listened to two of the three candidate debates (1 presidential, one V.P.) with great interest. More power to all of them: we all expect them to perform miracles. What they promise is pretty close to that, anyway.


The problem is that the debates leave me more confused than ever. It's obvious that I can't believe my ears, because things are taken "out of context." Also, some didn't really mean what they said: they "misspoke."


I also like the fact that politicians make "mistakes" rather than poor choices. I always thought a mistake was something you did by accident.


The newspapers and television gives me insight: their own. Which begs the question. Is there such a thing as a "neutral" newspaper, magazine, radio or television station?


And do we hear only what we want to hear? Even before the bailout - er, recovery effort - of the failing financial institutions, I was hearing our current debt would cost each taxpayer about $45,000 to pay off.


So, do we really think there'll be no tax increases in some form?


In the final analysis, I would wish our hopefuls would state what their top concerns for our country even if they don't have a solution for them all. We can't expect one, or even two persons to be experts in foreign, economic, educational, war, healthcare, education, the poor, the elderly, children, oil, the space program, agriculture, city roads, disaster planning and military policies. But perhaps they can outline for us where they will start.


And as for the policies they have discussed, gentlemen, please tell us the whole truth. Mr. Obama, just how much coverage are those insured by your health care plan going to receive? Will it be available to healthy adults who refuse to work? And won't it tempt employeers who now offer healthcare as a benefit to drop that benefit? Will it really be much less of a burden on those of us whose health care premiums have gone up to cover the losses that the uninsured rack up?


Mr. McCain, do you really believe those who have no insurance will discipline themselves to purchase it with the promise of a tax break in April? Or will they see a plasma TV they can have right now with the amount down that would pay for a month's insurance premium. After all, "If I don't feel any better, I'll just go to the hospital. They have to take care of me." True enough.


And gentlemen, everybody cheers when you tout doctors should be back in charge, without insurance making rules. Check it out, insurances do have rules. They have appeal processes that can leavae the final decision to an expert physician who has no connection with the patient or insurance company. The fact is, among the majority of honest doctors and facilities, there are also greedy ones. This is why "managed care" came into being. Also, some people who are selfish in other areas of their lives, demand needless tests and procedures. No argument, however, that the whole managed care industry needs to be revamped. It's hopelessly inefficient.


Having just about run out of steam with the above, about the only thing I have to say about Wall Street is how disgusting it is.


Also, whatever happened to personal accountability? If you can't afford something, don't buy it. And why, in heaven's name, would you think people with poor credit histories would suddenly change their priorities when it came to owning a house. It's beyond me.


Crawling off the soapbox now, and taking a walk...

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