Worrying about how to feed our huge oil appetite, which is a losing battle, since we'll run out sooner or later anyway, we should concentrate on how to get out of that bind. Why look to off-shore drilling when it really won't help much? How many more billions of dollars are we going to throw at wars with oil-producing regions when it eventually won't give us more oil?
As an alternative, I would propose that the government do some really constructive things like get all the auto manufactures (domestic and foreign) together to set a direction toward alternative fuels. Then set a target date when they will all introduce their new line of cars at the same time. This way they can still compete with other features for their cars, but none of them will be afraid that anyone will introduce a gas powered car that buyers simply can't resist.
As a further step, the government could also spend some of the billions, that it now spends on wars, to provide an initial subsidy to the auto makers as incentive to go the alternative fuel direction.
How about it? Could we that are hurting so bad with the high gas prices encourage congress and the President to do this?
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
What makes a President!
We've seen during this election how Senator Obama has risen to be the presumptive nominee of the Democratic party. The things that makes him a winner is not his experience, or his grasp of facts and figures. It's his ability to move people (and presumably the people in Congress, also). This, in my humble view, is what will make him a good president and leader. If you look at the history of the presidency, it's the presidents that had this quality that were really successful (Kennedy, Reagan, for example). These were not particularly brilliant individuals, but they certainly had the ability to move people. I suppose Clinton did also, but perhaps his methods were a little more underhanded.
I would certainly like to see more of the type of leader that can move people, both on the national and local levels. I'd like to have more to choose from.
I would certainly like to see more of the type of leader that can move people, both on the national and local levels. I'd like to have more to choose from.
Resturants and Seniors (or not so Hungry People)
I eat out occasionally, and am really bothered by the amount of food served. Being a senior, there's really no way I could, or should, eat the amount of food most restaurants serve. Yes, some have senior menu items, but not many, and the servings are not really that much smaller. Yes, I could request a "doggie bag", but these left-overs are many times not real suitable for reheating. It's not as much a question of money as it is of waste. That could add up to an awful lot of food that goes into the trash.
To prevent all this waste, restaurants need to either cut down on the amount they serve everyone, and charge a premium for those that really feel they have to have more, or simply offer a senior percentage discount.
Please stop the waste!!!!
To prevent all this waste, restaurants need to either cut down on the amount they serve everyone, and charge a premium for those that really feel they have to have more, or simply offer a senior percentage discount.
Please stop the waste!!!!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Carson City's "Paper Mill"
When the officials in Carson City were sold the idea that they could save money at the prison by providing electricity by burning waste, we were assured by the "Suits" that it would not be noticeable. One of our people at the meeting objected by stating that it would be a problem during the Winter. We were assured it would not be a problem.
Yeah, right!! Early this morning when I went outside, I could hear the machinery running, and could smell a cross between a paper mill and wood burning. I guess the city has once again yielded to the sales people rather than the citizens! No surprise!!
Yeah, right!! Early this morning when I went outside, I could hear the machinery running, and could smell a cross between a paper mill and wood burning. I guess the city has once again yielded to the sales people rather than the citizens! No surprise!!
Managed Care Today
Managed Care was suppose to bring cost savings to the consumers by managing the costs charged by health care providers. This is what we were told when these managed care companies were started.
Instead, they have been influenced by the huge sums of money from the health care industry. What Managed Care now means is that the consumer is going to be discouraged from seeking treatment. They focus on managing (read controlling) the lives of the consumer, not the health care providers! So any savings is on the backs of the consumers by denying health care!
Instead, they have been influenced by the huge sums of money from the health care industry. What Managed Care now means is that the consumer is going to be discouraged from seeking treatment. They focus on managing (read controlling) the lives of the consumer, not the health care providers! So any savings is on the backs of the consumers by denying health care!
Friday, April 14, 2006
More Thoughts on Doctors
When we visit our favorite doctor, I wonder if it would work better if we could submit our problem in writing ahead of time, to allow the doctor time to analyze the problem. It seems that when we see the doctor and describe our problem, there is typically about 5 minutes for the doctor to respond with a solution. Perhaps this is part of the problem with them just trying for the easiest solution, which is wastefull of both our times, at best, and maybe a little dangerous. Great for a broken arm, but not for something more complex. We shouldn't expect instant answers, nor should the doctors give them!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
American Cars vs. Foreign Cars
With all recent news about how the American car companies are having financial trouble, I'm wondering why Americans don't like American cars? Some might say it's the quality, others might say the price. But I wonder, would we buy them even if they were the same quality and price? Is it possible that we simply don't think very highly of our workers?
For some reason, we seem to have the idea that foreigh cars are somehow better or cheaper. We apparently feel that American workers are simply not capable of producing a quality car. Since foreign companies (read Asian) workers are better taken care of by their companies than our workers, perhaps they are motivated to do quality work. Do we feel that because of our unions, our workers don't care, so they take no pride in their work, and hence no quality? Or maybe it's because they feel they get such a bad deal from the companies they work for that they simply don't care?
Maybe management needs to rethink how workers are treated. Maybe the unions need to rethink how they protect workers.
As far as cost is concerned, we've said for many years that our costs are higher becuase of government regulations. However, I believe the government also regulates the foreign cars that are imported, so that might not be true. I'd guess that the cost of health care benefits has a lot to do with the costs passed on to the consumer, though.
As a side note, it seems we also think anything European is better (classier?), otherwise why would so many people try to emulate the European accents? Are we really a lower class than Europeans? Why not just be ourselves.
For some reason, we seem to have the idea that foreigh cars are somehow better or cheaper. We apparently feel that American workers are simply not capable of producing a quality car. Since foreign companies (read Asian) workers are better taken care of by their companies than our workers, perhaps they are motivated to do quality work. Do we feel that because of our unions, our workers don't care, so they take no pride in their work, and hence no quality? Or maybe it's because they feel they get such a bad deal from the companies they work for that they simply don't care?
Maybe management needs to rethink how workers are treated. Maybe the unions need to rethink how they protect workers.
As far as cost is concerned, we've said for many years that our costs are higher becuase of government regulations. However, I believe the government also regulates the foreign cars that are imported, so that might not be true. I'd guess that the cost of health care benefits has a lot to do with the costs passed on to the consumer, though.
As a side note, it seems we also think anything European is better (classier?), otherwise why would so many people try to emulate the European accents? Are we really a lower class than Europeans? Why not just be ourselves.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Some Thoughts on Doctors
I guess we all have a "love/hate" relationship with our doctors. It could be that our "love" is really what we feel because we are very intimidated by them. The main source of the intimidation is from our fear that they can and will withhold treatment that will provide us with a better quality of life. I firmly believe they will do this, under the pretense that "it is best for us", simply as retaliation for our not giving them the respect they feel they are due.
And speaking of respect they are due, why do you think they feel they are due this respect, anymore than we are, and they certainly don't respect us!
Doctors are really no different or smarter than anyone else. Certainly they took a different path in their education than we did, but it doesn't mean they're any smarter. It was just a different interest. Any one of us might have become a doctor if we had an interest in it. (Keep in mind that there are certainly some very smart doctors, just as in any profession.) The fact that they are not really a lot smarter is born out by the fact that when it comes to a diagnosis, their experiance comes into play more than their education. At best, they make educated guesses, which any of us might be able to do also. They might also just pick something that's convenient. For example, if I go to the doctor for a headache, but my arm is in a cast because I broke it, they'd blame the headache on the broken arm without even trying to figure out if that was really the cause.
Doctors, of course, feel they are too smart, and that we're too dumb for them to have to listen to anything we say, or what we might feel about our own bodies.
I also wonder why we don't really get any feedback from doctors. When they don't say anything (you know, the old "hum"..), it might be just because they simply don't know. Or maybe they think we're just too dumb to actually discuss anything with us.
Do doctors really take the time to study the latest developments, or do they simply rely on the pretty sales woman to tell them? Just as in any other professional field of work, they really have an obligation to continue studying, do research, and stay up-to-date on the latest knowledge in the field.
Speaking of being just like any other profession, doctors are really just like any one else. If you think of your own environment (home, work, or where ever), and think of all the different personalities, doctors arn't any different. There are good ones and bad ones. Some are arrogant, some are humble. Some are very conscientious, while others just want to get by (and rake in the money). I'm sure some doctors think they know better than other doctors, and discount a diagnosis that some other doctor came to. It's the old "I can do my job better than you" syndrome.
Just as the teacher's association doesn't want to hold teachers to a certain standard, and even the Catholic Church is not interested in keeping it's priests from molesting kids, so the American Medical Association doesn't want to hold doctors to a high standard.
If doctors quit being so arrogant and started to listen to and work with patients, their whole image would change!
And speaking of respect they are due, why do you think they feel they are due this respect, anymore than we are, and they certainly don't respect us!
Doctors are really no different or smarter than anyone else. Certainly they took a different path in their education than we did, but it doesn't mean they're any smarter. It was just a different interest. Any one of us might have become a doctor if we had an interest in it. (Keep in mind that there are certainly some very smart doctors, just as in any profession.) The fact that they are not really a lot smarter is born out by the fact that when it comes to a diagnosis, their experiance comes into play more than their education. At best, they make educated guesses, which any of us might be able to do also. They might also just pick something that's convenient. For example, if I go to the doctor for a headache, but my arm is in a cast because I broke it, they'd blame the headache on the broken arm without even trying to figure out if that was really the cause.
Doctors, of course, feel they are too smart, and that we're too dumb for them to have to listen to anything we say, or what we might feel about our own bodies.
I also wonder why we don't really get any feedback from doctors. When they don't say anything (you know, the old "hum"..), it might be just because they simply don't know. Or maybe they think we're just too dumb to actually discuss anything with us.
Do doctors really take the time to study the latest developments, or do they simply rely on the pretty sales woman to tell them? Just as in any other professional field of work, they really have an obligation to continue studying, do research, and stay up-to-date on the latest knowledge in the field.
Speaking of being just like any other profession, doctors are really just like any one else. If you think of your own environment (home, work, or where ever), and think of all the different personalities, doctors arn't any different. There are good ones and bad ones. Some are arrogant, some are humble. Some are very conscientious, while others just want to get by (and rake in the money). I'm sure some doctors think they know better than other doctors, and discount a diagnosis that some other doctor came to. It's the old "I can do my job better than you" syndrome.
Just as the teacher's association doesn't want to hold teachers to a certain standard, and even the Catholic Church is not interested in keeping it's priests from molesting kids, so the American Medical Association doesn't want to hold doctors to a high standard.
If doctors quit being so arrogant and started to listen to and work with patients, their whole image would change!
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Health Care: Decreased Coverage, Higher Premiums
Listening to the news tonight, the anchor was reporting on the latest agreement between General Motors and the UAW. Their solution to GM going bankrupt was to cut health care benefits, either by decreasing coverage, increasing employee premiums, or both. I’m sure this is a terrific solution for GM.
However, in thinking about it, I’m guessing that shifting the high cost of health care to the employees is simply going to mean that employees will seek less and less health care. Guess who this hurts – the health care industry! Isn’t that ironic!!
I’ve already noticed a real increase in advertising by most health care providers (doctors, hospitals, drug companies, even the AMA!). I suspect that they are going to be hurting even more. The net result of this is that finally, costs will come down. I’ve address the high cost in other writings, and how a lot of the blame rests with the insurance industry. Maybe the trend of cutting benefits will finally turn this around.
This can’t help but influence prices in a downword trend! (Is that wishful thinking, or what!)
However, in thinking about it, I’m guessing that shifting the high cost of health care to the employees is simply going to mean that employees will seek less and less health care. Guess who this hurts – the health care industry! Isn’t that ironic!!
I’ve already noticed a real increase in advertising by most health care providers (doctors, hospitals, drug companies, even the AMA!). I suspect that they are going to be hurting even more. The net result of this is that finally, costs will come down. I’ve address the high cost in other writings, and how a lot of the blame rests with the insurance industry. Maybe the trend of cutting benefits will finally turn this around.
This can’t help but influence prices in a downword trend! (Is that wishful thinking, or what!)
Medical Costs and Advertising
The drug companies probably say that they advertise to inform the public. This should not be necessary.
Drug companies have advertised in magazines for as long as I can remember. It is only in recent years that they have been allowed to. (I wonder which politicians they paid off to get this privilege!!)
This raises a couple of issues: Are our doctors so dumb they can’t diagnose conditions and prescribe the appropriate drug? Also, think of how much less our drugs might cost if they didn’t advertise! (Some day when I have time I’m going to see if I can get advertising figures. These are public companies.)
We apparently see the advertising, then convince our doctors we have to have it. Could it be that the doctors are being paid off by the drug companies also? Is that why they send in the sales girls to flirt with the doctors? Makes you wonder!!
Drug companies have advertised in magazines for as long as I can remember. It is only in recent years that they have been allowed to. (I wonder which politicians they paid off to get this privilege!!)
This raises a couple of issues: Are our doctors so dumb they can’t diagnose conditions and prescribe the appropriate drug? Also, think of how much less our drugs might cost if they didn’t advertise! (Some day when I have time I’m going to see if I can get advertising figures. These are public companies.)
We apparently see the advertising, then convince our doctors we have to have it. Could it be that the doctors are being paid off by the drug companies also? Is that why they send in the sales girls to flirt with the doctors? Makes you wonder!!
Monday, June 06, 2005
Carson City and the Water Supply
Carson City has had a problem with it's water supply for a very long time now. I've lived here over 30 years, and it seems there's never been enough. There's either not enough ground water, or not enough wells, or not enough distribution. And yet the city keeps letting the developers build new homes!
Yes, it could be that the advertised growth rate of three percent is a reasonable growth rate, providing all the things are in place to provide water, and yet there isn't enough water. The answer seems to be that those of us already living here need to give up our quality of life, some of which depends on water.
I seem to remember some years ago that the developers were complaining about limits on growth by stating that it would "put them out of business". Well boo hoo! Maybe it's not always in the best interest of the city and it's citizens for builders to keep on building! I'll never understand why this is of benefit to anyone but the builders and city hall anyway!
I would hope that we, the people that live here, could elect intelligent people to run the city, rather than those that are "in bed" with the developers (or other special interests, for that matter).
It's time our elected officials started representing the people!!
Yes, it could be that the advertised growth rate of three percent is a reasonable growth rate, providing all the things are in place to provide water, and yet there isn't enough water. The answer seems to be that those of us already living here need to give up our quality of life, some of which depends on water.
I seem to remember some years ago that the developers were complaining about limits on growth by stating that it would "put them out of business". Well boo hoo! Maybe it's not always in the best interest of the city and it's citizens for builders to keep on building! I'll never understand why this is of benefit to anyone but the builders and city hall anyway!
I would hope that we, the people that live here, could elect intelligent people to run the city, rather than those that are "in bed" with the developers (or other special interests, for that matter).
It's time our elected officials started representing the people!!
The High Cost of Health Care
Every day we seem to hear more about the huge problems caused by the ever increasing cost of health care. The government's response is to have more insurance. My feeling is this insurance is part of the problem, not part of the solution.
I believe that one of the reasons we are in the mess we're in with these costs is that insurance was made available to soften the blow of the costs. And it did! However, this meant that the health care providers were free to keep increasing their charges, and we really didn't have to worry about it because it was covered by insurance. I actually had a doctor tell me that once!
Granted, we need to have insurance, but we didn't need to have the medical providers taking advantage of the situation. Costs of medical care continued to skyrocket, and now we can't afford the insurance either! So what a mess we've gotten ourselves into. Although insurance covering the costs is nice, who do you think pays for the insurance? We all do. (Or at least we used to be able to!)
The other reason for the for the high cost of medical care is the huge cost of medical malpractice insurance. This is not the medical provides fault, it's strictly the fault of our greedy legal system. I'll certainly agree that we, the consumers, need to have a way to get compensated for medical mistakes, but certainly not to the extent that some of the courts go.
My solution to the problem of the cost of medical care is not to go the route of nationalized health insurance, or to simply keep increasing the insurance available. The government needs to get off the dole of the medical providers and start forcing controls on them. Since the medical providers don't seem to be able to control themselves, I think this might be something the government should take care of. Secondly, I think controls should also be placed on the legal system, to the extent that when the is some kind of malpractice on the part of a medical provider, limit the settlement to the cost of taking care of the person for as long as they are affected by whatever happened. Big attorneys getting big bucks for "pain and suffering" is rediculous! Sure, the harmed person gets some too, but it must be limited. The way things are, I'm sure that the attorneys (you know, the ones we always see advertising in the media) make contact with anyone hurt, and convince them they can live the rest of their lives on easy street.
I'm certainly a beliver in free enterprise, in fact feel very strongly about it, but when people get too greedy, something needs to be done!
In summary: The goverment needs to put controls on the charges allowed by medical providers, and limit the awards for "pain and suffering" for injured parties.
I believe that one of the reasons we are in the mess we're in with these costs is that insurance was made available to soften the blow of the costs. And it did! However, this meant that the health care providers were free to keep increasing their charges, and we really didn't have to worry about it because it was covered by insurance. I actually had a doctor tell me that once!
Granted, we need to have insurance, but we didn't need to have the medical providers taking advantage of the situation. Costs of medical care continued to skyrocket, and now we can't afford the insurance either! So what a mess we've gotten ourselves into. Although insurance covering the costs is nice, who do you think pays for the insurance? We all do. (Or at least we used to be able to!)
The other reason for the for the high cost of medical care is the huge cost of medical malpractice insurance. This is not the medical provides fault, it's strictly the fault of our greedy legal system. I'll certainly agree that we, the consumers, need to have a way to get compensated for medical mistakes, but certainly not to the extent that some of the courts go.
My solution to the problem of the cost of medical care is not to go the route of nationalized health insurance, or to simply keep increasing the insurance available. The government needs to get off the dole of the medical providers and start forcing controls on them. Since the medical providers don't seem to be able to control themselves, I think this might be something the government should take care of. Secondly, I think controls should also be placed on the legal system, to the extent that when the is some kind of malpractice on the part of a medical provider, limit the settlement to the cost of taking care of the person for as long as they are affected by whatever happened. Big attorneys getting big bucks for "pain and suffering" is rediculous! Sure, the harmed person gets some too, but it must be limited. The way things are, I'm sure that the attorneys (you know, the ones we always see advertising in the media) make contact with anyone hurt, and convince them they can live the rest of their lives on easy street.
I'm certainly a beliver in free enterprise, in fact feel very strongly about it, but when people get too greedy, something needs to be done!
In summary: The goverment needs to put controls on the charges allowed by medical providers, and limit the awards for "pain and suffering" for injured parties.
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