Why our Health Care Ssystem needs to be fixed

We spend more more money than any other nation on healthcare and do not get what we pay for. The health care system needs major reform. The current bill does not go far enough, but it is better than nothing. Click on the chart below to see the details.

The Republican effort to block the bill is tantamount to treason in the name of political expediency.

They want to F the country in order to gain political advantage. Shame on them.

If they mange to win the Mass senate seat, and try to filibuster the bill to death, we should just let them do it. No business will occur in the Senate until they stop, which will be a good thing, anyway.
From Wikipedia:
"A filibuster can be defeated by the governing party if they leave the debated issue on the agenda indefinitely, without adding anything else. Indeed, Strom Thurmond's own attempt to filibuster the Civil Rights Act was defeated when Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield refused to refer any further business to the Senate, which required the filibuster to be kept up indefinitely. Instead, the opponents were all given a chance to speak, and the matter eventually was forced to a vote."

It is notable that that major filibusters were mostly trying to block civil rights legislation.

Motto for Republicans:
I've got mine - up yours!

Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson being called out for their BS

A snow day in the city

Thursday night we were scheduled to go to a concert the the CSO - Pierre  Boulez conducting. The weather forecast was for double digits of snow. We did not want to miss the concert, so we decided to go downtown the night before the snow started to avoid the long commute and the possibility of getting stuck or sliding off the road. Whimpy, I know.



Next morning we were greeted with some snow - but not a lot. We decided to go to the Art Institute to spend the day, and go to the concert across the road in the evening.
Click to see the AIC pictures.
The concert was marvelous - Pierre Boulez at 85 was spry and active, and conducted a strong performance of "Bluebeard's Castle" by Bartok. Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano and
Falk Struckmann, bass-baritone take their bows.

We had a great day.

Julia dances at the United Center

Julia danced at the United Center, and we watched a basketball game.

Up in the Air

We just watched "Up in the Air" - a result of my New Years Resolution not to resist going to movies. Quite a well made film - I enjoyed it. An accurate depiction of the road warrior lifestyle. Made me nostalgic for my life in the '80s as a management consultant. I did not have his job of delivering the message - but I was often in the position of helping draw up the lists of who was to go. Not always fun.

The protagonist had a target of 10 million miles on American. I only made 1 million (permanent Gold status), but I spread my miles over several airlines. I have over million across the rest :-(

Disclaimer:
I never had a fling - ever - I had reports to write. He could do his job, and then be free at night. I had co-workers and clients who were with me - almost always. Poor me :-(