You kooky kids!

[Homburg]

I will totally take shitty cupcakes and rockin' socialized health care.

Me, too. (so says the sick girls)

I agree.

 

[Keroin]

I will totally take shitty cupcakes and rockin' socialized health care.

Me, too. (so says the sick girls)

I agree.

Yes, but isn't the real tragedy here that we have to choose? Hmm, real buttercream icing and sprinkles or staying healthy without going bankrupt? Decisions, decisions.

(You do realize I'm joking?)

Please feel free to turn this thread into a rant about health care because, seriously, I can't fathom why Americans have put up with not having a good socialized medical system for this long. I mean, announce that maybe someone might possibly consider putting restrictions on gun ownership and they'd be storming the White House en masse and yet there's no similar reaction to companies getting fat off privatized medicine while so many people go without decent care. *Scratches head*

Or is the idea of socialized anything just too close to communism for people to accept? I'm not being snarky, I just really don't get it.

My aunt and uncle were driving in the US in the 60's and were struck by a drunk driver. My uncle died and my aunt lived, with minor injuries. The story of how much she was charged for her brief time in the hospital became the equivalent of a campfire ghost story to us, especially the part where they even billed her for the Kleenex she used as she cried over her dead husband and that they made her ride in the same ambulance as the guy who'd just killed him.

 

[CutieMouse]

I will totally take shitty cupcakes and rockin' socialized health care.

This week? Me three.

I'm really glad everything was okay, Keroin... I was crossing everything crossable for you.

 

[Netzach]

Or is the idea of socialized anything just too close to communism for people to accept? I'm not being snarky, I just really don't get it.

Yes. However that snake oil doesn't seem to sell as well as it did, witness what's happening to the republican party.

Far left economists said what's happening was going to happen for about 20 years now. That even huge businesses would be screaming and crying for a solution as they can't afford their part of the costs. And they are. Everyone but pharma and insurers believe there needs to be re-evaluation.

The issue: health insurance is our biggest slice of GDP. And a large contributor to everyone, D and R.

Until we actually make something again, we really can't topple Satan.

 

[Homburg]

The issue: health insurance is our biggest slice of GDP. And a large contributor to everyone, D and R.

Until we actually make something again, we really can't topple Satan.

I've said about a dozen times that the single best pro-nationalised healthcare argument is a few minutes spent perusing the CIA Worldbook. Look at how much we pay in percentage of GDP on healthcare vs nations with nationalised healthcare, and compare our numbers to their vis a vis life expectancy, infant mortality, etc. After you're done there, look into how many people have declared bankruptcy due to medical bills and how many people are on social assistance because they can't get whatever treatment they need to be able to work.

Why do we not have it, Keroin? Because we're too stupid to see the forest for the "COMMIES! COMMIES! It's a COMMIE PLOT!" trees.

 

[Keroin]

Yes. However that snake oil doesn't seem to sell as well as it did, witness what's happening to the republican party.

Far left economists said what's happening was going to happen for about 20 years now. That even huge businesses would be screaming and crying for a solution as they can't afford their part of the costs. And they are. Everyone but pharma and insurers believe there needs to be re-evaluation.

The issue: health insurance is our biggest slice of GDP. And a large contributor to everyone, D and R.

Until we actually make something again, we really can't topple Satan.

Wow, that's just really...sad. Not sure what else to say.

This week? Me three.

I'm really glad everything was okay, Keroin... I was crossing everything crossable for you.

That's very sweet, CM! Thanks. Yes, my fingers, toes, legs, arms, etc all took some time to uncross when the final report came in. It really does help to know you have people pulling for you when you're facing down the Unfriendly C.

Smiles - K

 

[BiBunny]

I'm going to be really super-mean here for a minute on the health care rant. Y'all will forgive me, right?

Me: self-employed, currently stuck in grad school holding-time hell, and too old to be on my parents' insurance anymore. No hope of affording health insurance. I work my ass off every week and struggle to pay bills.

Mother suggested the other day that I should look into Medicaid. I did. My income is too high.

You know what's pathetic? I could stop working RIGHT now and get my health care paid for 100%. But if I actually, you know, TRY to work and pay my bills on time, I'm fucked. How fucked up is that, especially when a lot of the reasoning behind "no socialized health care" is "you should have to work to be allowed access to health care"?

 

[Netzach]

I'm going to be really super-mean here for a minute on the health care rant. Y'all will forgive me, right?

Me: self-employed, currently stuck in grad school holding-time hell, and too old to be on my parents' insurance anymore. No hope of affording health insurance. I work my ass off every week and struggle to pay bills.

Mother suggested the other day that I should look into Medicaid. I did. My income is too high.

You know what's pathetic? I could stop working RIGHT now and get my health care paid for 100%. But if I actually, you know, TRY to work and pay my bills on time, I'm fucked. How fucked up is that, especially when a lot of the reasoning behind "no socialized health care" is "you should have to work to be allowed access to health care"?

I totally concur. Yes, there should be something for people who are too fucked up by the forces that be to work. Unfortunately, I looked to see what I'd have to live on if I DID get too fucked up to work and it scared the shit out of me.

But there should also be something for people working, entrepreneurs, self employed people. Whoever isn't covered. Start there and the rest will follow.

I say this as someone blessed with shitty substandard shit insurance. I can wait to drop mine, fix the problem for the me-of-five-years-ago.

 

[Netzach]

I'm going to be really super-mean here for a minute on the health care rant. Y'all will forgive me, right?

Me: self-employed, currently stuck in grad school holding-time hell, and too old to be on my parents' insurance anymore. No hope of affording health insurance. I work my ass off every week and struggle to pay bills.

Mother suggested the other day that I should look into Medicaid. I did. My income is too high.

You know what's pathetic? I could stop working RIGHT now and get my health care paid for 100%. But if I actually, you know, TRY to work and pay my bills on time, I'm fucked. How fucked up is that, especially when a lot of the reasoning behind "no socialized health care" is "you should have to work to be allowed access to health care"?

Do they have a student pool?

I was in this when I was in college. It wasn't very expensive, but it wasn't the best. However it was there when I cut off most of my fingertip and hit my head and stuff.

 

[LocaChica]

Chica


Felicidades"
Congratulations

Que Dios siga bendiciéndote
May god continue to bless you

 

[BiBunny]

I totally concur. Yes, there should be something for people who are too fucked up by the forces that be to work.

But there should also be something for people working, entrepreneurs, self employed people. Whoever isn't covered. Start there and the rest will follow.

I say this as someone blessed with shitty substandard shit insurance. I can wait to drop mine, fix the problem for the me-of-five-years-ago.

I keep hoping that one day I won't have to just cross my fingers and hope I don't get sick or hurt. I just can't imagine why someone would not want to help a working person out.

Also, this is totally un-PC to say, but fuck it. If I'd spit out 3 or 4 kids in as many years, I could have insurance, too. But because I know that a.) I don't like kids and would be a terrible mother, and b.) even if I wanted kids, I couldn't afford to take care of them properly, I'm somehow penalized. WTF?

 

[BiBunny]

Do they have a student pool?

I was in this when I was in college. It wasn't very expensive, but it wasn't the best. However it was there when I cut off most of my fingertip and hit my head and stuff.

Well, they do. But the problem is that I'm not enrolled in classes at the moment because they won't offer anything I haven't already taken. Hence the holding-pattern-hell. So I'm not eligible for it, as I'm not *actually* a student right this second.

 

[Netzach]

I keep hoping that one day I won't have to just cross my fingers and hope I don't get sick or hurt. I just can't imagine why someone would not want to help a working person out.

Also, this is totally un-PC to say, but fuck it. If I'd spit out 3 or 4 kids in as many years, I could have insurance, too. But because I know that a.) I don't like kids and would be a terrible mother, and b.) even if I wanted kids, I couldn't afford to take care of them properly, I'm somehow penalized. WTF?

I understand that feeling. We had a great program here, called MNcare that was geared toward the single working poor and now you have to have children.

I was 200 dollars away from eligibility for medicare when I was fucked solidly by the preexisting condition clause. 200 lousy bucks of my drive to not be a total drain and work while I was sick. Still playing catch up.

However, I also understand the wisdom of at least TRYING not to inflict homelessness and starvation on children who didn't ask to be here.

 

[Keroin]

I've said about a dozen times that the single best pro-nationalised healthcare argument is a few minutes spent perusing the CIA Worldbook. Look at how much we pay in percentage of GDP on healthcare vs nations with nationalised healthcare, and compare our numbers to their vis a vis life expectancy, infant mortality, etc. After you're done there, look into how many people have declared bankruptcy due to medical bills and how many people are on social assistance because they can't get whatever treatment they need to be able to work.

Why do we not have it, Keroin? Because we're too stupid to see the forest for the "COMMIES! COMMIES! It's a COMMIE PLOT!" trees.

Crazy. I had a conversation with one of my Yankee friends, AJ, a few years back, about communism and capitalism. I've always found his political leanings to be just slightly to the right of center and he's a smart cookie, so I figured he'd be pretty open minded. My point was that neither of the two systems is ideal and that, in order to have a society where freedom and social responsibility balance out, you have to strive for something in the middle. However, the moment I said, "Communism is a great idea in theory...", he got this look on his face as if I'd just suggested he go grab a butter knife and attempt to behead himself.

Up until that moment, I truly had no concept of how ingrained the anti-commie mentality was.

He then went on to tell me about how pinko my home country is and how our government sticks it's nose in everywhere and regulates business to death. Ironically, he recently lost big time on some spec real estate when the whole sub prime thing blew up. (Being polite, I have not brought up the fact that our government regulates our banks and mortgage companies and therefore never allowed such a ridiculous scam.)

Greed is insidious.

Yeah, I've had a few friends who got really screwed by their HMO's. Heartbreaking.

 

[Netzach]

Well, they do. But the problem is that I'm not enrolled in classes at the moment because they won't offer anything I haven't already taken. Hence the holding-pattern-hell. So I'm not eligible for it, as I'm not *actually* a student right this second.

Craptastic.

 

[Netzach]

Crazy. I had a conversation with one of my Yankee friends, AJ, a few years back, about communism and capitalism. I've always found his political leanings to be just slightly to the right of center and he's a smart cookie, so I figured he'd be pretty open minded. My point was that neither of the two systems is ideal and that, in order to have a society where freedom and social responsibility balance out, you have to strive for something in the middle. However, the moment I said, "Communism is a great idea in theory...", he got this look on his face as if I'd just suggested he go grab a butter knife and attempt to behead himself.

Up until that moment, I truly had no concept of how ingrained the anti-commie mentality was.

He then went on to tell me about how pinko my home country is and how our government sticks it's nose in everywhere and regulates business to death. Ironically, he recently lost big time on some spec real estate when the whole sub prime thing blew up. (Being polite, I have not brought up the fact that our government regulates our banks and mortgage companies and therefore never allowed such a ridiculous scam.)

Greed is insidious.

Yeah, I've had a few friends who got really screwed by their HMO's. Heartbreaking.

Unregulated capitalism is also a great idea in theory.

The problem is that both these theories assume that people will inherently do the right thing all things being equal.

They don't.

I think the problems in Russia are interesting - it's almost like they're actually living out the fulfillment of their propaganda version of Capitalism - criminality, excess, deregulation, mafia. Capitalism when no healthy model has ever been shown.

 

[Keroin]

Well, they do. But the problem is that I'm not enrolled in classes at the moment because they won't offer anything I haven't already taken. Hence the holding-pattern-hell. So I'm not eligible for it, as I'm not *actually* a student right this second.

BB, I think it's high time you, your master and mistress, all moved north. We have good socialized medicine and well-iced cupcakes. Yes, to some it is known as Canada but I like to call it K'topia.

Seriously, your situation sucks and I hear far too many of these kinds of stories.

I pay about $50 per month for my BC medical and that covers everything, even some elective stuff. Even this trip to NZ, with all the tests and stuff and being put on a "rush" order, still only cost me just over NZ$600, (in medical fees), which is just over $300USD...peanuts.

It's time for y'all to revolt.

 

[Keroin]

The problem is that both these theories assume that people will inherently do the right thing all things being equal.

Bingo.

 

[CutieMouse]

BB, I think it's high time you, your master and mistress, all moved north. We have good socialized medicine and well-iced cupcakes. Yes, to some it is known as Canada but I like to call it K'topia.

Seriously, your situation sucks and I hear far too many of these kinds of stories.

I pay about $50 per month for my BC medical and that covers everything, even some elective stuff. Even this trip to NZ, with all the tests and stuff and being put on a "rush" order, still only cost me just over NZ$600, (in medical fees), which is just over $300USD...peanuts.

It's time for y'all to revolt.

Ye gods.

The breast cancer ladies I fit for prosthetic breast forms/bras spend that much (out of pocket with reimbursement from Medicare) for 1 breast form or a year's allotment of bras. That's *after* diagnosis, surgery, radiation, chemo, hospitalizations, etc, much less reconstruction.

I'm too grumpy (and owie) this week to rant any further on the subject.

 

[FurryFury]

LMAO!

Grrrrrrrrooooooaaaaannnnn.

Seriously, you have to love the opening line: ""It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains."




Oh the cupcake suffered. There was licking, there was biting, there was torture! "That'll teach you to have insufficient icing, slutcake!!"

Actually, considering the egg fetish in this hemisphere, I was just glad they didn't put a fried egg on top of the icing.


Funny note: I went to get my hair cut and I apologized, (yes, I am Canadian), to the stylist for the abysmal state of my locks, explaining my small island situation and all but I don't think she really got it.

Stylist: So, who cuts your hair there?
Me: Um, me.
Stylist: How?
Me: With some household scissors.
Stylist: *Gasps and looks horrified*

Stylist: So, Keroin, what kind of product are you using?
Me: Shampoo
Stylist: Oh. *Starts scratching items off mental list of things she wants to sell to me* What type of shampoo do you use?
Me: The brand they sell in the store, I can't remember what it is.
Stylist: *Mentally removes me from mailing list*

Stylist: You'll notice that I haven't cut it quite as short as you showed me and the reason for this, as you'll see, is that when I blow dry and style it, it will sit perfectly at the length you want.
Me: Uh...um...OK. *Considers telling her that the only time I've used a blowdryer on the island was to dry a pair of underwear, that got caught on the line during a rain storm, before I went out for dinner but then think I've probably hurt her enough for one day.*

 

[Dreamliner]

Hiya K

Glad to hear everthing is A Okay!

Pleased you enjoyed your brief stay here in Auckland, even if it was raining and cold most of the time. Yummy looking cup cake hun. Did you lick the icing off slowly?



Ciao

 

[Keroin]

Hiya K

Glad to hear everthing is A Okay!

Pleased you enjoyed your brief stay here in Auckland, even if it was raining and cold most of the time. Yummy looking cup cake hun. Did you lick the icing off slowly?



Ciao

Thanks DL,

Yeah, I had a great time and I actually LOVED the cold weather, even the rain. Trust me.

My friend took me out for dinner at a quaint French restaurant right across from the TVNZ building. It was so yummy but I was nodding off before the meal was over. I crashed hard that night and the next day I went to Sylvia Park and shopped like a mad woman before zipping back to the airport. (The Auckland airport is really flash, BTW).

Oh and I've decided Pacific Blue Airline got their name because that's the colour of the passenger's skin after they disembark. Holy cow I froze on the trip over!!

Lovely city, Auckland, can't wait to come back. I have some friends in Wellington, though, who are demanding I come there next time. LOL. You Kiwis are so aggressive!

Oh and I licked the cupcake but not for long...animalistic tendencies and all that.

Cheers - K

 

[Dreamliner]

I am sure you will be welcome back anytime K. We are generally a friendly bunch!

So you are sort after, in a good way, here in godzown. I spend a lot of time in Wellington, a very nice place, I like how it is compact and centered around the harbour.

Have fun in the sun.

Ciao D

 

[Adakgirl]

So glad your tests came out benign. I know how scary that can be because I've been there myself, not to Australia, but doing the biopsy thing.
I was going to comment on the cupcake icing, it's the first thing I looked at in the pic before I even looked at your face ....I looked at the cupcake. Lucky you found it and put it out of it's misery. Such a terrible icing injustice was happening to that poor cupcake!