UNCLE MB, thanks for the response. Your point of view is not uncommon. I've shared it myself as recently as well, probably yesterday, depending on the topic and who I was annoyed with.
I would humbly submit, based on your other posts I've read which suggest you are a reasonable thinker, that you might indeed pull out your hose, but FIRST you would call the fire department.
The fire department in most communities is a communal effort to provide a response to the ravage of fire, regardless of cost. And in most cases, we fund it cheerfully, knowing it's in the community interest.
Are all fires 'accidental'? Of course not. In fact, many are due to careless activity and choices. But we forgive the error on our neighbors part in the interest of all. If his house burns too long, it may come over to my house.
If his house burns all the way down, he may make demands on the social welfare system which we all have to pay for.
I, and I bet you too, don't see the flames and think, "I bet dude was smoking on the couch again, that dumbass. I don't think I'll call the fire dept this time."
No, we call the FD anyway and after the flames are put out, we work to educate our neighbor on not being stupid or careless.
What if he doesn't listen to us? What if his house catches on fire again next year? We still call the fire dept, don't we?
To carry the analogy to health care, it would seem to me to be a higher level of thinking (and btw one I personally have NOT mastered yet, less I sound too sanctimonious) to say, if someone has a treatable affliction, it is in our best interest to help first and then educate.
Let's face it, if it was my Mother, or my Brother who was the stubborn Pizza Hut eater and he needed heart surgery, I know I wouldn't say, "Tough, dude. You didn't listen."
Right?
And then The Guy reminds me, "Hey Bar, everyone is your Brother".
Oh yeah.
Forgiveness is a pain in the a$$. Lecturing is so much easier and it feels so SMART.
Take it from me, I've tried both. And still working on it, day to day, just like you I imagine....peace
I would humbly submit, based on your other posts I've read which suggest you are a reasonable thinker, that you might indeed pull out your hose, but FIRST you would call the fire department.
The fire department in most communities is a communal effort to provide a response to the ravage of fire, regardless of cost. And in most cases, we fund it cheerfully, knowing it's in the community interest.
Are all fires 'accidental'? Of course not. In fact, many are due to careless activity and choices. But we forgive the error on our neighbors part in the interest of all. If his house burns too long, it may come over to my house.
If his house burns all the way down, he may make demands on the social welfare system which we all have to pay for.
I, and I bet you too, don't see the flames and think, "I bet dude was smoking on the couch again, that dumbass. I don't think I'll call the fire dept this time."
No, we call the FD anyway and after the flames are put out, we work to educate our neighbor on not being stupid or careless.
What if he doesn't listen to us? What if his house catches on fire again next year? We still call the fire dept, don't we?
To carry the analogy to health care, it would seem to me to be a higher level of thinking (and btw one I personally have NOT mastered yet, less I sound too sanctimonious) to say, if someone has a treatable affliction, it is in our best interest to help first and then educate.
Let's face it, if it was my Mother, or my Brother who was the stubborn Pizza Hut eater and he needed heart surgery, I know I wouldn't say, "Tough, dude. You didn't listen."
Right?
And then The Guy reminds me, "Hey Bar, everyone is your Brother".
Oh yeah.
Forgiveness is a pain in the a$$. Lecturing is so much easier and it feels so SMART.
Take it from me, I've tried both. And still working on it, day to day, just like you I imagine....peace
Everfresh - the US DOES have a workable healthcare system!
Nearly eveyone is covered - those who aren't have chosen not to work within the system.
I feel no need to ensure that indegents and bums are covered - the state ensures that ALL children are covered - even if their parents are indegents or derelicts.
I was a Materials Manager in a not-for-profit Boston Hospital for 11 years, and I know that everyone who walked through the doors got some form of medical care if they needed it.
The one single factor that is wreaking havoc in the American medical system is trial lawyers that sue for amounts that are hundred and even thousands of times what a person may have earned in their lifetime - until there's tort reform, the cost of medical care will ciontinue to skyrocket - and evryone knows it, but ignores it because it's not politically correct to say there should be a $ ceiling placed on someones life for tort cases.
Nearly eveyone is covered - those who aren't have chosen not to work within the system.
I feel no need to ensure that indegents and bums are covered - the state ensures that ALL children are covered - even if their parents are indegents or derelicts.
I was a Materials Manager in a not-for-profit Boston Hospital for 11 years, and I know that everyone who walked through the doors got some form of medical care if they needed it.
The one single factor that is wreaking havoc in the American medical system is trial lawyers that sue for amounts that are hundred and even thousands of times what a person may have earned in their lifetime - until there's tort reform, the cost of medical care will ciontinue to skyrocket - and evryone knows it, but ignores it because it's not politically correct to say there should be a $ ceiling placed on someones life for tort cases.
barman,
I have tried the education route as well as the round of insults. Neither have any effect on him. I assume that either he has a death wish or he is apathetic to the consequences of his actions. When he walks in with donuts and milk, I shake my head. When he comes back from McDonalds with all his "goodies", I cringe. I tried to dissuade him from eating there with my cattle auction story but to no avail.
I've only met his wife twice so I can't speak as to what amount of pressure she puts on him to change. The rest of his family enables his careless habits that much I've seen. He does have a fair amount of life insurance so maybe in a roundabout way they're trying to collect that policy.
If he lost his job he would be S.O.L. because of his medical conditions. I bet his insurance would be $1000/month minimum just him. He would be able to COBRA for a while but after that watch out. He is being watched right now because of his chronic FMLA usage. This is serious stuff and he doesn't care.
I don't have an opinion about the guy one way or the other as far as his personality goes. If he changed his eating habits tomorrow I would be one of the first to congratulate him.
I have tried the education route as well as the round of insults. Neither have any effect on him. I assume that either he has a death wish or he is apathetic to the consequences of his actions. When he walks in with donuts and milk, I shake my head. When he comes back from McDonalds with all his "goodies", I cringe. I tried to dissuade him from eating there with my cattle auction story but to no avail.
I've only met his wife twice so I can't speak as to what amount of pressure she puts on him to change. The rest of his family enables his careless habits that much I've seen. He does have a fair amount of life insurance so maybe in a roundabout way they're trying to collect that policy.
If he lost his job he would be S.O.L. because of his medical conditions. I bet his insurance would be $1000/month minimum just him. He would be able to COBRA for a while but after that watch out. He is being watched right now because of his chronic FMLA usage. This is serious stuff and he doesn't care.
I don't have an opinion about the guy one way or the other as far as his personality goes. If he changed his eating habits tomorrow I would be one of the first to congratulate him.
Wilhelm - I've always heard "stories" about the VA hospitals. Over the years, I've visited patients in both the Brockton and JP hospitals - and neither impressed me - both were circa 1960 in furnishings, et al.
I'll stick to the commercial and not for profit hospitals if you don't mind!
Did you know Sal Tibaudo?
I'll stick to the commercial and not for profit hospitals if you don't mind!
Did you know Sal Tibaudo?
wil,
Rehab worked? Congrats. Now work on your political viewpoints. How many phsycologists does it take to change a lightbulb?
It don't matter, the light bulb has to want to change, first.
I'm PROUD to say I have never had health insurance and I don't want you libs trying to give me any. Not one pennies worth. No need for it and screw the knocking on wood bullshit. I have about 25 years left before I get some - medicare. If I get hurt....I hope it's in a car accident.
Rehab worked? Congrats. Now work on your political viewpoints. How many phsycologists does it take to change a lightbulb?
It don't matter, the light bulb has to want to change, first.
I'm PROUD to say I have never had health insurance and I don't want you libs trying to give me any. Not one pennies worth. No need for it and screw the knocking on wood bullshit. I have about 25 years left before I get some - medicare. If I get hurt....I hope it's in a car accident.
Sal was a Viet Vet, got really messed up on drugs when he came back to the world - spent a ton of time in jail - got stabbed once about 25 or 30 times - almost died, and got his life together - he was big time into the VA, Alanon (or whatever it's called), and other like orgs in the Brockton and Boston area. He was well liked and had a ton of "recovered" (and not so recovered) friends. He was as far to the left as I am to the right, but we both love the local sports teams and would watch a few games together.
I thought you might know him.
My wifes neurologist is extremely good and he has diplomas?" from both the WR and Brockt=on VAs on his wall - so you're probably right - you know what they say about first impressions.
I thought you might know him.
My wifes neurologist is extremely good and he has diplomas?" from both the WR and Brockt=on VAs on his wall - so you're probably right - you know what they say about first impressions.
My first sponser Steve B. was sober about 3 years when he found out he had AIDS (he said from a dirty needle), he did not pick up a drink or a drug, he stayed sober, and finally died a year or so later still sober. He was an MP in Nam. Left a wife and two kids, sad story. We went to the Detox at Brockton VA hospital every couple of months to speak to Vets trying to get sober.
wil.
wil.
The UK system is fully inclusive, and includes dental if you can get an NHS dentist.
Dentists are harder to find now, the increase in wealth in society has created an extra tier of non NHS dentists for those people who want to look their best and brightest when they smile.
I can't see that ever happening for medical stuff though.
Socialist taxes are about 8% over $9000 for the individual and an employer tax as well.
I have yet to meet ANYONE in the UK who wants a take it or leave it system for medical problems.
Dentists are harder to find now, the increase in wealth in society has created an extra tier of non NHS dentists for those people who want to look their best and brightest when they smile.
I can't see that ever happening for medical stuff though.
Socialist taxes are about 8% over $9000 for the individual and an employer tax as well.
I have yet to meet ANYONE in the UK who wants a take it or leave it system for medical problems.
