Posts Tagged ‘2009)’

Midas Well

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

We’ve all heard the story of King Midas. He had such a penchant for gold that when offered a wish he replied that he wanted everything he touched to turn to the precious metal. Well, if you know the story, it didn’t turn out too well.

That is true of so many things. If something seems too good to be true, one should take that gut feeling and walk away.

We find ourselves in a very emotional time. Not only are more and more of our fellow Americans out of work and searching for another job, but those of us who do work also worry that the specter of government hovers over us like a hawk circling over a very fat rabbit — happily living its life but slow to notice the threat.

We are the sole source for the government’s money. Supposedly, a republic guarantees that our wishes will be honored and that the government only operates with our approval and to our overall benefit.  So much for assumptions.

I became accustomed to the partisan in-fighting years ago. It goes with the territory when it comes to politics. However, when the stakes are so high that they imperil the fiscal security of my grandchildren and THEIR children, the proverbial stuff has hit the fan.

Take careful note of what officials do not explain. It’s not so much what they do say, it’s what they don’t say that matters.  If the devil is in the details, then that explains why the furor in the halls of Congress is so hot right now. Having “behind closed door” sessions and locking out the minority party is not a healthy way to write legislation.

Statistics can be cited to promote any position, pro or con. I had a great graduate class in how to draft a poll.  Basically, you can draft a question to get the answer you want. You must really work at it to craft questions that get to the heart of an issue without bias.  Only a completely unbiased pollster gets correct data from sampling — and the sample must be from a group integral to the question. For example, you don’t poll non-registered voters to get an idea of how voters view major issues. Random sampling is an art unto itself, and pollsters must be very careful to do it well.

I recently went on Medicare. I must say that, even though my private insurance was costlier, it was very good and met all my needs.  However, with all the changes that could come with new legislation, I don’t feel at all comfortable with what may lie around the corner.  If budget studies are correct and Medicare incurs the deep cuts forecast, all seniors will suffer — mightily.  Huge cuts in tests or procedures amounts to rationing, no matter what name they give it.

I find ironic that the majority party has — for decades — thrown slings and arrows at its opposition, claiming that THEY would imperil seniors’ benefits.  Alas, the shoe is on the other foot.  The majority proposes — in legislation — precisely that.  When you cite facts, they call you names.  Great logic, huh?  Try that with a teacher.  Give the wrong answer and then call names and see how far you get!

I know people in Europe and Canada who would mortgage all they have to get the USA for care should they become seriously ill. To go ” to hospital” in England is, pretty much, analogized to a death sentence —- that is, if you manage to get to a doctor in time to even be sent to a hospital.

Be careful what you ask for in health care.  If the number of patients increases by tens of millions and the number of physicians and nurses remains static, just what do you think the outcome will be?  Long waits… delayed tests… rejected procedures… shortages in everything….  When 85% of Americans are perfectly satisfied with their health care, why burden future generations with an unproven, largely conceptual, plan?

There are two sides to everything.  Take a well for example.  A well is wonderful it you are atop it dipping for water, but it is terrifying if you are at the bottom trying to get out.  Don’t allow the government to drop you, your grandchildren and great-grandchildren down a financial well.

The “pie in the sky” single payer option may be a modern day version of what Midas sought. Instead of the right pie, it looms as pyrite:  “Fools’ Gold”! Midas’ Well?  Think about it.