Sunday, September 26, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Who Actually Wrote Proverbs?
Question: who is the wisest man to ever live? If you said "King Solomon" then pat yourself on the back and give yourself a cookie, because that's exactly what the bible tells us in 1 Kings. He was the son of Israel's greatest king, King David, and in addition to his wisdom was the richest man alive circa 950 B.C. God appeared to him one night in a dream, telling him to ask for whatever he wanted and it would be given to him. Solomon, understanding this favor and great kindness the Lord had shone, asked not for riches or harems or political clout, but instead desired a "discerning heart to govern the people and to distinguish between right and wrong" (1 Kings 3:4-15). This answer pleased the Lord, and "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore" (1 Kings 4:29).
Perhaps you've heard of the decision that made him famous? A modern terminology-laden history lesson won't hurt. Let's say you're a judge in New Orleans presiding over a district court, and you have sole authority to determine a case. Two prostitutes from the local brothel stroll in, and the first one tells the story of how the second woman, while sleeping one night, rolls over and smothers her newborn child, killing him. Since they live in the same brothel, the woman who accidentally kills her son sneakily goes over to the first woman while she sleeps, takes her newborn and replaces him with her dead son. You follow? Of course in the morning, the first one sees the child by her side is dead and not hers, and because the DNA labs are down, it's really a case of she-said she-said, and now she's appealing to you, Judge. What do you to? What is the wisest decision you can make? What's fair? Thinking it over while surveying the room, you come to a conclusion, turn to the bailiff, and whisper quietly into his ear. He opens the door to your back chamber, grabs the Dragon Strike Shinobi Katana ninja sword you have on display, and returns it to you. Solemnly and devoid of any emotion, you stand and say, "Bring me the child, I will cut him in two, that you way you both can have a piece of the boy."
Whoa, curve ball.
Now you know good and well that forgery of a sword couldn't cut through a stick, much less a baby boy, and you wait to see if they call your bluff. The first whore cries in desperation, "Please judge, don't kill my baby, let her have him." The second one states matter-of-factly, "The Judge's ruling is final; neither one of us shall have the baby." Jackpot. Obviously any mother would never wish to see her own son sliced and diced before her very eyes; you don't wait for a recess to render your decision, the women have made it for you: "Give the baby to the first woman, for she is the real mother." Way to go, Judge, you made the right call.
The bible tells us that like the game of telephone, word spread about Solomon's historical decision regarding the two prostitutes; the entire nation held the king in awe, because they saw God had granted him the ability to administer justice fairly. Not only that, he was the smartest guy in every room he was ever in. We learn in 1 Kings 4 that Solomon:
- had knowledge of every discipline, field and area of study known to man;
- was wiser than all the men of Mesopotamia and Arabia (all the known world at the time);
- was a poet and songwriter, respectively composing over 3000 and 1000 in his lifetime;
- studied and taught botany;
- instructed the people on biology and zoology;
- was and international superstar in a non-digital age.
Ever heard of the Queen of Sheba? Modern archaeological evidence identifies Sheba in southwestern Arabia, about 1200 miles from King Solomon's hometown of Jerusalem, and the town profited from commodities trade with nearby Israeli cities of Damascus and Gaza. The Queen of Sheba took a road trip - how long does it take to caravan by camel through the desert 1200 miles? - just to pay tribute to Solomon. News had spread of his wisdom, and she wanted to see for herself. So impressed with Solomon was the queen that she showered him with more spices than had ever been given or known ever in Israel, gold, precious stones, the whole nine yards, and praised Solomon's God (1 Kings 10:1-13).
It's hard to make a 21st century comparison, but Solomon was an international rock star. If he were a baseball player, he would be a five-tool player; if he were a football star, he'd be in the hall of fame; if he were a musician, he'd be Michael Jackson (without the pedophilia); if he were a business man, he'd be Bill Gates; he was definitely Smarter than a 5th Grader - you get the point. He was all these talents rolled into one - there has never been a man like him before or after him, and all the nations of the earth recognized it. It's one thing to say you're the best, but when you can back it up with stats, your accomplishments speak for themselves. But more importantly, the most essential aspect of Solomon's talent was summed up neatly by the Queen of Sheba on her visit: "Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness."
Here's the rub...when God granted Solomon the ability to discern right from wrong and made him the wisest man to ever live, the people from all nations, not just Israel, recognized it. Our American political correctness doesn't like this - we call it judging, or polarizing, or [insert favorite gerund here] - but the nations in Solomon's time didn't have any qualms about it. For them, the king who said the God of heaven and earth had given him such wisdom was all the proof they needed, because the saw the truth of what he said by his actions. In other words, he walked the walk, and because of this, they gave tribute to that which Solomon gave tribute - God.
Proverbs is the biblical book that records many of King Solomon's wise sayings, and we're going to attempt to thoughtfully engage his proverbs and see whether or not they ring true. If they stand up to scrutiny, then whether we engage in personal or business transactions, they ought to be applied. Knowing the background of any author or writer helps to give credibility to his or her publication. If a man has the corner on wisdom, his life ought to show it...we'll find out.
Perhaps you've heard of the decision that made him famous? A modern terminology-laden history lesson won't hurt. Let's say you're a judge in New Orleans presiding over a district court, and you have sole authority to determine a case. Two prostitutes from the local brothel stroll in, and the first one tells the story of how the second woman, while sleeping one night, rolls over and smothers her newborn child, killing him. Since they live in the same brothel, the woman who accidentally kills her son sneakily goes over to the first woman while she sleeps, takes her newborn and replaces him with her dead son. You follow? Of course in the morning, the first one sees the child by her side is dead and not hers, and because the DNA labs are down, it's really a case of she-said she-said, and now she's appealing to you, Judge. What do you to? What is the wisest decision you can make? What's fair? Thinking it over while surveying the room, you come to a conclusion, turn to the bailiff, and whisper quietly into his ear. He opens the door to your back chamber, grabs the Dragon Strike Shinobi Katana ninja sword you have on display, and returns it to you. Solemnly and devoid of any emotion, you stand and say, "Bring me the child, I will cut him in two, that you way you both can have a piece of the boy."
Whoa, curve ball.
Now you know good and well that forgery of a sword couldn't cut through a stick, much less a baby boy, and you wait to see if they call your bluff. The first whore cries in desperation, "Please judge, don't kill my baby, let her have him." The second one states matter-of-factly, "The Judge's ruling is final; neither one of us shall have the baby." Jackpot. Obviously any mother would never wish to see her own son sliced and diced before her very eyes; you don't wait for a recess to render your decision, the women have made it for you: "Give the baby to the first woman, for she is the real mother." Way to go, Judge, you made the right call.
The bible tells us that like the game of telephone, word spread about Solomon's historical decision regarding the two prostitutes; the entire nation held the king in awe, because they saw God had granted him the ability to administer justice fairly. Not only that, he was the smartest guy in every room he was ever in. We learn in 1 Kings 4 that Solomon:
- had knowledge of every discipline, field and area of study known to man;
- was wiser than all the men of Mesopotamia and Arabia (all the known world at the time);
- was a poet and songwriter, respectively composing over 3000 and 1000 in his lifetime;
- studied and taught botany;
- instructed the people on biology and zoology;
- was and international superstar in a non-digital age.
Ever heard of the Queen of Sheba? Modern archaeological evidence identifies Sheba in southwestern Arabia, about 1200 miles from King Solomon's hometown of Jerusalem, and the town profited from commodities trade with nearby Israeli cities of Damascus and Gaza. The Queen of Sheba took a road trip - how long does it take to caravan by camel through the desert 1200 miles? - just to pay tribute to Solomon. News had spread of his wisdom, and she wanted to see for herself. So impressed with Solomon was the queen that she showered him with more spices than had ever been given or known ever in Israel, gold, precious stones, the whole nine yards, and praised Solomon's God (1 Kings 10:1-13).
It's hard to make a 21st century comparison, but Solomon was an international rock star. If he were a baseball player, he would be a five-tool player; if he were a football star, he'd be in the hall of fame; if he were a musician, he'd be Michael Jackson (without the pedophilia); if he were a business man, he'd be Bill Gates; he was definitely Smarter than a 5th Grader - you get the point. He was all these talents rolled into one - there has never been a man like him before or after him, and all the nations of the earth recognized it. It's one thing to say you're the best, but when you can back it up with stats, your accomplishments speak for themselves. But more importantly, the most essential aspect of Solomon's talent was summed up neatly by the Queen of Sheba on her visit: "Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness."
Here's the rub...when God granted Solomon the ability to discern right from wrong and made him the wisest man to ever live, the people from all nations, not just Israel, recognized it. Our American political correctness doesn't like this - we call it judging, or polarizing, or [insert favorite gerund here] - but the nations in Solomon's time didn't have any qualms about it. For them, the king who said the God of heaven and earth had given him such wisdom was all the proof they needed, because the saw the truth of what he said by his actions. In other words, he walked the walk, and because of this, they gave tribute to that which Solomon gave tribute - God.
Proverbs is the biblical book that records many of King Solomon's wise sayings, and we're going to attempt to thoughtfully engage his proverbs and see whether or not they ring true. If they stand up to scrutiny, then whether we engage in personal or business transactions, they ought to be applied. Knowing the background of any author or writer helps to give credibility to his or her publication. If a man has the corner on wisdom, his life ought to show it...we'll find out.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Blogging by the Book - An Introduction
Though I sell insurance for a living, it hardly defines who I am. Thus, insurance blogging hasn't been the easiest to do....not because a lack of material exists, but because, well, quite frankly, it's boring. I will continue to stay on top of what is becoming a giant governmental mess, but only as important events unfold that need to be communicated.
Instead, I've decided in 2010 to combine what I see every day - small businesses just trying to make it to next week - with what I live every day, the bible. That's not to say I'm some model of holiness, though it is my goal to be holy (1 Peter 1:16); those who know me know my sins, which have now been covered by the blood of Jesus. But what I mean is, what if every small business owner allowed the simple truths of Scripture to govern their daily activities of running a small business? More specifically, what if we just followed the prescriptions found in just one book: Proverbs? How would this impact small business owners for the better, whether or not they ascribe to the other posits of the Bible?
I'm always amazed at the resistance among non-believers, or even believers in some type of "deity," to look at what the bible has to say. Typically people invoke the hypocrisy of Christians as a reason to eschew reading the bible at all, but that's kind of like saying because Ford Motor Company had a recall on 2008 Explorers that all the Explorers ever built aren't worth a darn. That's a crass example, especially if you don't like Ford, but you get the point - I would mention a cliche about not throwing the baby out with the bathwater but all the experts say to avoid colloquialisms.....but I digress.
Even worse is the opposite of the people who haven't dusted off a bible in years - or ever - and that would be the ever-increasing-in-numbers modern-day skeptic. Though not always true, the skeptic is an ardent non-believer who's usually read multiple parts of the bible and loves to dismiss it as ancient drivel. They usually focus on the hard-to-understand Scriptures (Joshua and Judges can be pretty tough to swallow) and never choose to sincerely look at a passage and understand it: A) in its immediate context, and B) in light of of what the entire bible says from Genesis to Revelation. Atheism is a lot easier to engage when its not militant. But when it requires equal time at the local Christmas nativity scene with mean and belittling taunts, yet considers itself not a religion, it's almost easier to throw your hands up and stop giving pearls to swine (Matthew 7:6) than to engage in another one-way conversation.
So the two extremes have made up their minds already. If you're a small business owner and a militant skeptic, you might follow this blog with the sole purpose of humiliating the author. If you've written off Christianity because you've been burned by Christians in the past, maybe your mind is made up already too. But for the rest - for folks who have an open mind (which is supposed to be the definition of tolerance, right?) - I hope you'll stick around to see what the bible says about wisdom and how we can apply it to our businesses. Perhaps there's a tasty morsel or hidden nugget you haven't thought of, though it's been God's design for mankind all along. Considering the financial mess America is in at the start of 2010, I can't see why we wouldn't at least contemplate going back to the basics...maybe we can learn how to do Business by THE Book once again.
Instead, I've decided in 2010 to combine what I see every day - small businesses just trying to make it to next week - with what I live every day, the bible. That's not to say I'm some model of holiness, though it is my goal to be holy (1 Peter 1:16); those who know me know my sins, which have now been covered by the blood of Jesus. But what I mean is, what if every small business owner allowed the simple truths of Scripture to govern their daily activities of running a small business? More specifically, what if we just followed the prescriptions found in just one book: Proverbs? How would this impact small business owners for the better, whether or not they ascribe to the other posits of the Bible?
I'm always amazed at the resistance among non-believers, or even believers in some type of "deity," to look at what the bible has to say. Typically people invoke the hypocrisy of Christians as a reason to eschew reading the bible at all, but that's kind of like saying because Ford Motor Company had a recall on 2008 Explorers that all the Explorers ever built aren't worth a darn. That's a crass example, especially if you don't like Ford, but you get the point - I would mention a cliche about not throwing the baby out with the bathwater but all the experts say to avoid colloquialisms.....but I digress.
Even worse is the opposite of the people who haven't dusted off a bible in years - or ever - and that would be the ever-increasing-in-numbers modern-day skeptic. Though not always true, the skeptic is an ardent non-believer who's usually read multiple parts of the bible and loves to dismiss it as ancient drivel. They usually focus on the hard-to-understand Scriptures (Joshua and Judges can be pretty tough to swallow) and never choose to sincerely look at a passage and understand it: A) in its immediate context, and B) in light of of what the entire bible says from Genesis to Revelation. Atheism is a lot easier to engage when its not militant. But when it requires equal time at the local Christmas nativity scene with mean and belittling taunts, yet considers itself not a religion, it's almost easier to throw your hands up and stop giving pearls to swine (Matthew 7:6) than to engage in another one-way conversation.
So the two extremes have made up their minds already. If you're a small business owner and a militant skeptic, you might follow this blog with the sole purpose of humiliating the author. If you've written off Christianity because you've been burned by Christians in the past, maybe your mind is made up already too. But for the rest - for folks who have an open mind (which is supposed to be the definition of tolerance, right?) - I hope you'll stick around to see what the bible says about wisdom and how we can apply it to our businesses. Perhaps there's a tasty morsel or hidden nugget you haven't thought of, though it's been God's design for mankind all along. Considering the financial mess America is in at the start of 2010, I can't see why we wouldn't at least contemplate going back to the basics...maybe we can learn how to do Business by THE Book once again.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
What the President Said Versus What He Meant
What the President Said in His Speech
1. If you currently have coverage, nothing will change - same plan, same doctors.
2. The bill will disallow insurance companies to deny for pre-existings and/or drop coverage in the middle of treatment.
3. Insurance companies will not be allowed to cap benefits in a given year.
4. All plans will require out-of-pocket maximums to protect consumers.
5. An insurance exchange will be created for those who do not currently carry coverage, and private companies will compete against one another.
6. Tax credits will be provided for those who cannot afford coverage.
7. Individuals will be mandated to carry coverage.
8. Businesses will be required to offer coverage if operating at a certain level in gross revenue.
9. "Death panels" are a fabrication proposed by those who desire to derail reform efforts.
10. Illegals will not be covered, even though opponents purport the lie that they will.
11. Abortions will not be funded by federal dollars.
12. A public option will be used potentially by 5% of uninsureds and must be self-sustainable.
13. President Obama will NOT sign into law a bill that adds to our current deficit.
14. He will create a commission to identify waste and best practices, and most of the money to pay for the bill will come from this identification process.
15. He will panel together experts for beta-testing purposes to examine the effects of tort reform in certain areas.
What the President Meant in His Speech
1. If you currently have coverage at a small employer and they'd rather be fined 8% than offer health coverage because it's less expensive that way, they'll drop you and force you to go into the insurance exchange.
2. If you eat Cheetos and bon-bons all day and down a 12 pack of Coke at work 5 days a week, never exercise and smoke 3 packs of Reds a day, insurance companies cannot deny you coverage.
3. It's okay if one person causes everyone else's premiums to rise.
4. I'm okay with an out-of-pocket max (indemnity plans are out!)
5. Private companies must agree to the government's requirements for coverage, can't deny you, can't rate you up, but must still compete with the cheaper government plan.
6. Tax credits should be provided for EVERYONE, not just the poor!
7. Mandating coverage = one step closer to Big Brother being more than just reality TV.
8. But we know you really won't want to offer coverage when it's cheaper to take the fine - come on over to the government plan, employees of businesses of all sizes!
9. Mandating end of life counseling by government bureaucrats is IN THE BILL - page 425-430, read it for yourself!!!
10. That was the best, when some jabronee yelled "LIE!" and all the Dems went, "ooooohhh."
11. Abortions are already funded by federal dollars (hello, Planned Parenthood).
12. Does the President really think that if 5% of the sickest, poorest people pull their resources together for a health care co-op that it would really be self-sustaining?
13. CBO says otherwise.
14. This is the quintessential kicker of the speech - the President wants us to believe that he can identify waste created by a government agency (Medicare and Medicaid) to pay for another government agency (Public Option)? Does he sincerely believe we're that idiotic?
15. Still not sure why Dems are so opposed to tort reform.
As an insurance agent, if people are forced to buy a policy, it will line my pockets, but it's not the right answer for our health care crisis. Even more, the weakest portion of the President's speech was his half-hearted attempt at convincing us how he'll pay for it - MOST of his proposals are paid for by eliminating waste? Then why haven't we done that already? Is a government mandate really necessary? And where's the other money coming from? And what about the increasing debt indicated by the non-partisan CBO? And when did government EVER streamline anything?
FINAL VERDICT
President Obama, though charismatic and verbosely articulate, failed to answer the glaringly obvious question on every concerned Americans mind - how on earth will we pay for this?
I want reform as much as everyone else; I see good folk denied coverage nearly every week. But until we as individuals start taking responsibility for our health, our choices, and demand our voices be heard by those in Washington who look to genuinely represent their constituents, true health care reform is as fleeting as the morning mist on a summer Florida morning. And quite frankly, the way things are going, we have bigger fish to fry than simply reforming America's health care.
1. If you currently have coverage, nothing will change - same plan, same doctors.
2. The bill will disallow insurance companies to deny for pre-existings and/or drop coverage in the middle of treatment.
3. Insurance companies will not be allowed to cap benefits in a given year.
4. All plans will require out-of-pocket maximums to protect consumers.
5. An insurance exchange will be created for those who do not currently carry coverage, and private companies will compete against one another.
6. Tax credits will be provided for those who cannot afford coverage.
7. Individuals will be mandated to carry coverage.
8. Businesses will be required to offer coverage if operating at a certain level in gross revenue.
9. "Death panels" are a fabrication proposed by those who desire to derail reform efforts.
10. Illegals will not be covered, even though opponents purport the lie that they will.
11. Abortions will not be funded by federal dollars.
12. A public option will be used potentially by 5% of uninsureds and must be self-sustainable.
13. President Obama will NOT sign into law a bill that adds to our current deficit.
14. He will create a commission to identify waste and best practices, and most of the money to pay for the bill will come from this identification process.
15. He will panel together experts for beta-testing purposes to examine the effects of tort reform in certain areas.
What the President Meant in His Speech
1. If you currently have coverage at a small employer and they'd rather be fined 8% than offer health coverage because it's less expensive that way, they'll drop you and force you to go into the insurance exchange.
2. If you eat Cheetos and bon-bons all day and down a 12 pack of Coke at work 5 days a week, never exercise and smoke 3 packs of Reds a day, insurance companies cannot deny you coverage.
3. It's okay if one person causes everyone else's premiums to rise.
4. I'm okay with an out-of-pocket max (indemnity plans are out!)
5. Private companies must agree to the government's requirements for coverage, can't deny you, can't rate you up, but must still compete with the cheaper government plan.
6. Tax credits should be provided for EVERYONE, not just the poor!
7. Mandating coverage = one step closer to Big Brother being more than just reality TV.
8. But we know you really won't want to offer coverage when it's cheaper to take the fine - come on over to the government plan, employees of businesses of all sizes!
9. Mandating end of life counseling by government bureaucrats is IN THE BILL - page 425-430, read it for yourself!!!
10. That was the best, when some jabronee yelled "LIE!" and all the Dems went, "ooooohhh."
11. Abortions are already funded by federal dollars (hello, Planned Parenthood).
12. Does the President really think that if 5% of the sickest, poorest people pull their resources together for a health care co-op that it would really be self-sustaining?
13. CBO says otherwise.
14. This is the quintessential kicker of the speech - the President wants us to believe that he can identify waste created by a government agency (Medicare and Medicaid) to pay for another government agency (Public Option)? Does he sincerely believe we're that idiotic?
15. Still not sure why Dems are so opposed to tort reform.
As an insurance agent, if people are forced to buy a policy, it will line my pockets, but it's not the right answer for our health care crisis. Even more, the weakest portion of the President's speech was his half-hearted attempt at convincing us how he'll pay for it - MOST of his proposals are paid for by eliminating waste? Then why haven't we done that already? Is a government mandate really necessary? And where's the other money coming from? And what about the increasing debt indicated by the non-partisan CBO? And when did government EVER streamline anything?
FINAL VERDICT
President Obama, though charismatic and verbosely articulate, failed to answer the glaringly obvious question on every concerned Americans mind - how on earth will we pay for this?
I want reform as much as everyone else; I see good folk denied coverage nearly every week. But until we as individuals start taking responsibility for our health, our choices, and demand our voices be heard by those in Washington who look to genuinely represent their constituents, true health care reform is as fleeting as the morning mist on a summer Florida morning. And quite frankly, the way things are going, we have bigger fish to fry than simply reforming America's health care.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Retraining our Minds about Health "Insurance"
We really need a different term for "health insurance" than, well, health insurance. Let's think about it:
Car insurance - How many people go to All State so they can drive headlong into a light pole after insuring themselves?
Home owners insurance - I live in Florida, and I don't know of anyone who prays for a hurricane so they can test how well State Farm pays claims!
Life insurance - Unless you're an unethical despot looking to fraudulently scam the system, no one's looking to use this type of insurance any time soon...
Insurance, by definition, is about transferring the risk of the unknown, unbudgetable expense. But most people, especially those with group plans, view health insurance as something to be used, rather than something to be avoided, but there when you need it. Health insurance, then, really shouldn't be called insurance, but rather a medical services plan.
In 2004, the government paid for 45% of all health care costs, private industry paid for 36%, and individuals paid for roughly 15%. According to Alan Reynolds, senior fellow with the Cato Institute, in 2008 the government accounted for 60% of health care spending, putting private industry still at 36% and individuals at 3%. Why the increase in government involvement?
Perhaps because private industry has incentive to keep costs down, and so do individuals (at least theoretically). If I want to keep my costs down, I know eating healthy meals, regularly exercising, and avoiding stressful situations will lead to better health...the insurance companies know the same. The government has no incentive because they have discretionary funding at the taxpayer's expense to treat whomever they will, regardless of the lifestyle of such a patient.
Which goes back to the idea of our health needing "insurance." It's far more economical to take individual responsibility for our health - by healthy eating, regular exercise, not smoking - than it is live abhorrently selfish lifestyles and ask the government to rescue us when we're sick. Health care reform is necessary only in that we need to retrain how we think about the role of insurance in the debate.
We should be letting Congress know that we desire individual liberty when it comes to our health care and affordable insurance to cover us when, after doing everything right, we need chemotherapy treatment because of the random ravages of cancer. When we understand the definition of "insurance" we'll finally mitigate the price of health care.
Car insurance - How many people go to All State so they can drive headlong into a light pole after insuring themselves?
Home owners insurance - I live in Florida, and I don't know of anyone who prays for a hurricane so they can test how well State Farm pays claims!
Life insurance - Unless you're an unethical despot looking to fraudulently scam the system, no one's looking to use this type of insurance any time soon...
Insurance, by definition, is about transferring the risk of the unknown, unbudgetable expense. But most people, especially those with group plans, view health insurance as something to be used, rather than something to be avoided, but there when you need it. Health insurance, then, really shouldn't be called insurance, but rather a medical services plan.
In 2004, the government paid for 45% of all health care costs, private industry paid for 36%, and individuals paid for roughly 15%. According to Alan Reynolds, senior fellow with the Cato Institute, in 2008 the government accounted for 60% of health care spending, putting private industry still at 36% and individuals at 3%. Why the increase in government involvement?
Perhaps because private industry has incentive to keep costs down, and so do individuals (at least theoretically). If I want to keep my costs down, I know eating healthy meals, regularly exercising, and avoiding stressful situations will lead to better health...the insurance companies know the same. The government has no incentive because they have discretionary funding at the taxpayer's expense to treat whomever they will, regardless of the lifestyle of such a patient.
Which goes back to the idea of our health needing "insurance." It's far more economical to take individual responsibility for our health - by healthy eating, regular exercise, not smoking - than it is live abhorrently selfish lifestyles and ask the government to rescue us when we're sick. Health care reform is necessary only in that we need to retrain how we think about the role of insurance in the debate.
We should be letting Congress know that we desire individual liberty when it comes to our health care and affordable insurance to cover us when, after doing everything right, we need chemotherapy treatment because of the random ravages of cancer. When we understand the definition of "insurance" we'll finally mitigate the price of health care.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Could We Really Resist such Power and Wealth?
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, campaign donations from health care interests already top $19 million thus far in 2009, with 40% of those donations going to the five Senate and House committees that are responsible for reforming health care. Republican Senator Grassley from Iowa, who saw $53,000 in donations during the first quarter of '09, saw his health care contributions influx to over $125,000 during the second quarter.
According to Grassley's spokesperson Jill Kozeny, Grassley "accepts campaign donations that are legal and come with no strings attached."
Hmmmm...
Do I really think there are no strings attached? If I really expect to receive all those donations from special interests, am I not going to go ahead and push for their agenda? Do I really want to get reelected?
And therein lies the problem. In one sense I have no qualms with the way business is done in Washington - you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. On the flip side, money and power have become so entirely synonymous that I find myself having liberal tendencies of wealth-spreading in the deep recesses of my mind, and that's utterly frightening!
I suppose when you have the power you want to keep it, and money solidifies that ambition. I don't have the power so of course I see the plank in my brother's eye, but if any of us were in Senator Grassley's sneaks, could we truly resist the benevolent showering of praise, money and adoration? Or would we play the part of the whore?
According to Grassley's spokesperson Jill Kozeny, Grassley "accepts campaign donations that are legal and come with no strings attached."
Hmmmm...
Do I really think there are no strings attached? If I really expect to receive all those donations from special interests, am I not going to go ahead and push for their agenda? Do I really want to get reelected?
And therein lies the problem. In one sense I have no qualms with the way business is done in Washington - you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. On the flip side, money and power have become so entirely synonymous that I find myself having liberal tendencies of wealth-spreading in the deep recesses of my mind, and that's utterly frightening!
I suppose when you have the power you want to keep it, and money solidifies that ambition. I don't have the power so of course I see the plank in my brother's eye, but if any of us were in Senator Grassley's sneaks, could we truly resist the benevolent showering of praise, money and adoration? Or would we play the part of the whore?
Friday, August 28, 2009
Don't Give in to the Hype
Hype is totally overrated. Like MJ coming back as a Wizard, Y2K, or global warming, it leaves you like a flat tire on the side of the road. And even though you know how to put the spare on, the thought of actually doing it deflates you even more, if that were possible.
What I mean is this...living in Florida, and maybe it's like this everywhere, I pass by about 20 billboards a day telling me - a la, telling everyone - that breast enhancement, liposuction, and cosmetic surgery are keys to happiness. In an hour TV show I'll sit through three Viagra-esque commercials, one penile enlargement ad, and countless half-naked body spots directed at both consciously and subliminally convincing me that if I don't look like Brad Pitt I ought to at least spend my life savings trying.
Don't get me wrong, I have a little man-crush on the guy, but I'm not about to go out and get hair implants just because some marketing windbag on the 33th floor somewhere has his own insecurities about the teasing he endured as a 4th grade schoolboy.
And yet there's this sense of entitlement we have that says we should be our own person, follow our dreams, don't worry about what people think. It sounds healthy but it's veneered over with a false sense of self because we fail to recognize that it's really not okay to be 5'2" and weigh two and a quarter, nor is it okay to go get lipo to take away the symptom without addressing the root problem.
I guess what I'm advocating is that if you really want to swim against the current, if you really want to "be your own person," then start by recognizing the illegitimacy of both extremes. God has not created us to be who we're not, but he hasn't created us to live a lie either. We've been exactly fashioned in imperfection, and it's only by acknowledging our shortcomings that we can see our strengths, thus enabling us to reject the hype of either spectrum's end.
What I mean is this...living in Florida, and maybe it's like this everywhere, I pass by about 20 billboards a day telling me - a la, telling everyone - that breast enhancement, liposuction, and cosmetic surgery are keys to happiness. In an hour TV show I'll sit through three Viagra-esque commercials, one penile enlargement ad, and countless half-naked body spots directed at both consciously and subliminally convincing me that if I don't look like Brad Pitt I ought to at least spend my life savings trying.
Don't get me wrong, I have a little man-crush on the guy, but I'm not about to go out and get hair implants just because some marketing windbag on the 33th floor somewhere has his own insecurities about the teasing he endured as a 4th grade schoolboy.
And yet there's this sense of entitlement we have that says we should be our own person, follow our dreams, don't worry about what people think. It sounds healthy but it's veneered over with a false sense of self because we fail to recognize that it's really not okay to be 5'2" and weigh two and a quarter, nor is it okay to go get lipo to take away the symptom without addressing the root problem.
I guess what I'm advocating is that if you really want to swim against the current, if you really want to "be your own person," then start by recognizing the illegitimacy of both extremes. God has not created us to be who we're not, but he hasn't created us to live a lie either. We've been exactly fashioned in imperfection, and it's only by acknowledging our shortcomings that we can see our strengths, thus enabling us to reject the hype of either spectrum's end.
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