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Health Care

“If you can find money to kill people you can find money to help people” -Tony Benn

I believe that statement is quite true. I recognize the need for protecting our national interests, and security and securing our positions in this global economy. However, spending money on those programs when we struggle internally is unacceptable. I can’t given you any sort of metrics to illustrate how our country is failing which doesn’t really do much to help my argument stand on its own. However, through our own daily trials and tribulations we are certainly exposed to enough situations where we find ourselves saying “That’s just a shame that it works like that. That’s just the system.”

I can’t recite a single detail of the bills being debated in congress right now around health reform. However, I know there are a lot of Americans suffering out there and there just aren’t enough charity dollars to go around. I don’t think you can really argue that a national health care program isn’t a socialist concept. However, just because you do something positive for all people with no exceptions doesn’t mean you are turning in a cold war Soviet Union. If the US ever would go too far down the socialist path you could always run away to Mexico or Canada anyway.

I’m comfortable with a lack of security in our country if I can go to bed knowing my government found a way to help every citizen with their health needs. I’m no extremist so some sort of balance is necessary but I just haven’t seen any value created by the billions/trillions? of dollars spent on security efforts afar. It would be interesting to poll people who have been seriously ill to see if they would value the health of their nation or the security of their nation more.

Having the American flags fly proudly every 4th of July really doesn’t matter if you are dead does it?

2009 Christmas List

It is again time for my annual Christmas list. According to my family, this year is going to be a light Christmas. I’m perfectly fine with that as long as everyone gives me something or does something nice as a present. It doesn’t need to be extravagant by any means. With that said, I still think it is a nice idea to create a list to aid them in their quest. Also, my gift registry website still exists so feel free to use it in planning your own lists. The code for my list is: 1229464894

The Wishlist Builder

Red wine glasses
Wireless router
Bilchmann beer gun
A crockpot
My knives sharpened
Socks
Any blu-ray movies
Any Yankee candles (“housewarmers” type preferred)
A home theater system
A subscription to Newsweek or Time magazine
A new internal CD burner for my desktop computer (old one died)
Craft beer
Gift certificates for any of the online brewing supply companies (Midwest, Northern, etc)
Silk ties
A single Wüsthof knife
Season 2-5 of the Twilight Zone
Anything interesting
A black truffle (mushroom)

Congress & Sports

Today some members of congress decided to approve some potential legistlation that would make the current college football BCS debacle no more. I don’t think there are many people who think the current process for finding a national champion is a good one. However, should congress really be getting involved? Before I answer that, I actually believe if congress does not get involved it will never get changed and we’ll have a year where Penn State is undefeated and they don’t got a nod for the national championship game.

It really bothered me when congress got involved in the baseball steroid thing. It was a case of “shouldn’t congress be working on education or saving lives or something.” However, given that we still call baseball the national pastime, I suppose it is not that out of line for a little political meddling. I don’t remember when that baseball thing took place but maybe we didn’t have any wars to stir up so congress was a little extra bored as well.

Anyway, I’ll be a little surprised if this legistlation actually gets anywhere as we do have a ton of national and international things to deal with. There would definitely be some backlast if it got on the floor for debate. Again, I feel this might be necessary if we want some change, but just too inappropriate at this point in time.

Celebrity Integrity

Even though all the facts have not yet been set out on the table, we all can surmise that Tiger Woods is as much a feeble piece of human scum as the rest of us. His life could be considered extenuating circumstances as when you are an icon like he is, it comes with a ridiculous moral pressure. There is no questioning that. I’d say that 99% of Americans would have collapsed when faced with the same challenges. That by no means justifies it.

The whole thing makes me wonder if anyone who reaches major celebrity status can stay morally straight. I’m not so sure anymore. I really thought Tiger was an example of moral fortitude. I guess I was wrong. I challenge you to name a celebrity who hasn’t engaged in some sort of questionable moral behavior. The only three people I can think of that haven’t disappointed me yet are Donavan McNabb, Brett Favre, and Peyton Manning. Perhaps it is only a matter of time for them as well. I hope not.