health care blues

This little bit from Beth's blog helped me understand a bit more about why the health care debate is so confusing:

Capitalism

I repeatedly hear that the current health care system is broken, that we "cannot afford the status quo," and then hear the current system referred to as "free market" or "capitalistic." It is not. Our economy is a mixture of free market and government-controlled central planning. I realize many people are finding it harder to afford health insurance and medical care, but in a system where freedom and government control are so intimately and complexly combined, it should be open for debate which aspect of the mixed economy is the cause of rising prices and shrinking affordability.

Health care expenditures in this country are already half public and half (heavily regulated) private. Sound economic arguments exist which explain how it is the public (centrally planned) half which created the "status quo" and why increased privatization (i.e. capitalism) is the the solution.

It seems like this health reform is a done deal to me. Something is going to get through congress in the fall. I'll be surprised if it doesn't.

On NPR today there was an interview with a guy who wrote a book comparing health care systems around the world. His book was premised on the idea that all people have a right to adequate health care (and this was briefly mentioned in the intro, as if - of course! - everyone already agrees to that).

But to me that seems like the biggest issue. DO we have an inherent right to adequate health care? Why? Based on what? And does that right trump the right of others to their own property and the fruit of their labor? Because if I have a fundamental right to health care (or housing, or a job, or food) then someone has got to pay for it. In other words, the government has to forcibly take away money that someone else has earned (violating their rights) to fulfill my rights. Doesn't make sense to me.

Aren't privately run charities way more efficient and effective in helping the needy? What about Catholic Charities? or St. Vincent de Paul?....why couldn't we all be encouraged to donate to private charities?

I get really annoyed when I think about all the things we are going without (fixing the car, paying medical bills on time, family vacation, home repairs...etc.) in order to pay our taxes. It's a bummer.

Bad Libertarian

I claim to be a Libertarian. One who espouses limited government, individual rights, yada yada.

But if there was an award for the Lamest Libertarian, I'd probably win.

I'm just keeping my head above water with my three kids, puppy, Hubby, house, church, friends, family...etc. I do NOT have time to understand the myriad reasons for opposing Obama's health reform. I know I oppose it. I know, in general, why I oppose it. But can I make a cogent argument why? Can I articulate my position clearly? Um......no.

The other day I got a phone call. It was a machine voice saying, "Please don't hang up, you have been invited to attend a teleconference with representative Eschoo....blah blah blah". So I didn't hang up. And before I knew it, I was listening in to a conversation between my rep. and folks who live nearby. "Next up, is Jim in El Granada!" the moderator said.

I'm thinking....oh dear....is he going to say, "Next up, Sue in Montara!" What will I say? What will I ask? How can I nail this lady? All this going through my head as she is spewing facts and figures at Jim about the uninsured, health care costs.....etc. YIKES! I panicked. I hung up.

Definitely puts me in the running for the Lamest Libertarian award.

I am not happy with the way the government is going. But do I do anything about it? No. Shame on me. I deserve what I get.

But when I read libertarian literature, it always starts with "The Founding Fathers would be appalled..... (at something that we accept as normal today)". That is true. And they would be appalled. But we are not there anymore. We are so FAR from there. And we can't go back. So what? So where do we go? How do we move from a semi-socialist state to free market, limited governemnt that protects individual rights?

I have no bleeping idea.
(feeling pessimistic. i'm good at that)

Lost Girl

I am feverishly preparing for school, ballet, fencing tournaments, online courses...etc. I completely disagree with the idea that school should start in August. But since I am cheap, and want the $$$ that I get through our charter school, I have at least make an effort to get things rolling next week.

The good news is that all of the classes, tournaments, curriculum seem to be falling in line. The bad news is my schedule. I look at our weekly schedule with mild panic. ARG has two hours in the morning for math and programming, then he's booked solid most days with classes: history, English and fencing. Rosie, since she will be in the car with me as I chauffeur ARG to his class, has about three hours for her academics. MiniMe....well, I'm just going to have to squeeze her ABC's and 123's wherever I have time. Poor third child.

Speaking of poor third child. She has lost her best friend. Seems like her big sister who up until now has been her primary playmate has disappeared into books. While I am overjoyed, relieved, proud...etc. that Rosie is finally reading up a storm, I am saddened for MiniMe.

"I don't like when Rosie reads," she whined yesterday, "She never plays with me anymore."

She's right. Rosie doesn't do ANYTHING but read anymore. Talking, sleeping, eating... who needs them? She's got Harry Potter, what else could she need in life? I wonder if the passion for reading will continue past HP? Or will she be rereading the series for the rest of her life? Will I still have to (gulp) force her to read other books? I hope not.....

Anyways, ARG's Bday campout is tongiht. Hubby, bless his soul, is taking four boys on an overnight campout in Pescadero. Brave man.

So, aside from ordering airline tix for a Nov. tournament, applying online for ARG's computer course, and figuring out how the heck to tech Rosie about paragraphs, I need to prepare some yummy food for the boys. And get the sleeping bags out. And air out the tent.

And oh yeah, MiniMe threw up this morning and is on the bed watching a movie.

Breathe.

Freaky Friday

Lucy the dog has been doing remarkably well. She sleeps great. Travels like a charm - not one peep for 8+ hours from San Diego to home. Walks reasonably well. Is about as cute as a button.

It's just that I expect perfection (makes my life so fulfilling as you can imagine).

I vacillate between worrying about "accidents" in the house, and feeling that the worry is worse than the accident. We let her have free run throughout the house now (though we keep bedroom doors shut cause she just can't resist a good garbage can dive, or underwear chew). She has had very few "accidents" in the house, considering she is 5 months old.

However, every accident that has occured in the last month, has occured on a Friday. What is it about Fridays? Rosie thinks it is because we are relaxed. I have no idea what it could mean. Freak coincidence? Somethng in the neighborhood that we are not aware of?

Today as I was getting out of the shower, MiniMe said "Ew! It smells like poop in here." My heart sank. Sure enough, right next to my reading chair, a big plop.

Then, later in the day when I was enjoying a nap in said reading chair, I heard doggie come in the room. I didn't open my eyes and she ran right out again. But when I got up, my first step was into a big wet spot on the rug. Yuck!

It is frustrating for a person who doesn't tolerate mistakes.

But seriously, I wonder when the doggie brain "gets it" that business takes place outside, not inside. And am I doing something wrong that is confusing her?

And what the heck is it about Fridays?