Health Insurance

Why do I feel like we're about to be screwed yet again. Over the last couple years, we have been "tempted" by health insurance alternatives that lower monthly premiums at the expense of higher deductibles and co-pays. When you do the math, unless you know you are going to have some major medical event, it appears that you will come out ahead with the higher deductible plan. In my case, even a worst case scenario only exposes me to $2000 risk. So, the insurance company is offering me the "opportunity" to manage my healthcare costs and share the resulting savings with them. Nice of them isn't it?

But, what's really going on here? For years we have been told that the most important aspect of managing an illness of any kind is early detection and intervention. Let me tell you something folks. 90% of the people out there who have been told to "manage their own healthcare costs" and whose deductible and co-pay have doubled are going to think twice before heading out the door to the doctor. Yeah, I've got this funny pain in my chest.... but if I wait a few days, it will probably go away. Oh, that lump on breast, I think it's been there a while, I don't think it's anything serious. I've been feeling very tired lately. I guess I just need more sleep.

These high deductible plans, at least in my case, are an alternative right now. I can choose the old plan (which still has a deductible and co-pay) or the high deductible. My fearless prediction is that most people who don't have a known medical condition will jump to the high deductible plan. In a couple years the insurance company song will be: "Well, nobody wants these low deductible plans anymore, so we don't offer them". The healthy will be ok. Unfortunately it is the sick, who insurance is supposed to protect, that will pay most dearly.

Ron Paul

What's not to like about Ron Paul....... if you're young, white, male, Christian and employed. Think about it. You'll be male and white forever. Don't be too sure of the rest.

Marine Urination

This should be real simple. Turn the assholes over to the Taliban. Not only that, but get a video of what the Taliban do to them. Nothing more to be said.

Alabama is #1..... Or NOT??

#2 Alabama beats #1 LSU so they are now #1, right? Makes sense to me. But wait a minute. Over two games between these two teams only one touchdown was scored. Who else did they play anyhow? Did they play #3? How about #7? The debate goes on, as it does every year.

Next on the table is: "Let's have a playoff, then we'll know for sure". One game playoffs are a farce. If Alabama and LSU played again next week, LSU may well win again. It's a crap shoot.

The bottom line is, who cares anyhow? I mean what the fuck is the big deal? Sure, it probably means more money for the school that gets the prize. If one of my alma mater's was #1, I'd be pretty proud.... and I'd even watch a few games. But I'd be pretty proud if they were #2 or #3 too. It's a university for god's sake. The sport is taking on a level of importance far beyond it's true place in the university and in society. It is, after all, just recreation. For those that go on to the "business" of football, it's just entertainment.

It's fabulous that we have pee-wee football programs, junior high football programs, high school football programs, college football programs, semi-professional football and professional football. In the early years, it's great exercise. It's a great place to learn some physical skills and develop some mental toughness. It's a way to prepare yourself for the life ahead. In the later years, for a very small percentage, it's a good way to earn some money while playing a game you love.

I think football should continue at ALL levels, but the importance we put on it(primarily measured by the resources we throw at it) must be scaled back. If we don't get the sports industry under control, it will become the economic "bust". The whole system is not sustainable the way it is currently run. Unfortunately, those in control will continue to run up the bills and the hype until the public turns their back and says "enough". Then the system will go into an uncontrolled collapse costing thousands of jobs causing economic ripples through TV networks, college athletic departments, team owners and the players themselves.

I know what will happen, everyone will cover their eyes ignore what is happening. That's why the dot com bust caught everyone by surprise. That's why the housing bubble caught everyone by surprise. Everyone can see what's going on, but nobody wants to do anything about it. Big changes are coming. You heard it here first.

Charles Barkley

Why is Charles Barkley on NFL in a shirt two sizes too big? Can you spell MONEY; WEIGHT WATCHERS? Very subtle marketing maybe? Or maybe not so subtle.