Meanwhile…
It's just another day in America and the cost of health insurance keeps it's trajectory to the stratosphere. Working Americans, if you are lucky enough to be working in America are in the sights of the republican evil doers. Still, working Americans are under attack with continuing aid from the slobbering rightwing mouthpieces in the media. And so on and so on, as it all goes so merrily rolling along at our expense as they cash the checks.
Meanwhile…
Five days ago I get some news that my brother in law had been airlifted to the hospital and was lying in ICU after suffering a heart attack. He's 54.
As my sister explains it, he had been complaining of pain. The story goes he was attributing it to a hernia or some other nonsense, when in reality, serious shit was coming down and he was not being completely truthful about all his symptoms. Of course she urged him to see a doctor; which he did after almost a week. Not only was he not truthful with his wife, (my sister) he was not open about all his symptoms with the doctor. Say what? Why in the hell would you not tell a doctor about the symptoms you were feeling when you took the time and effort? Well, that was the question many of us in the family were asking as well.
It was a "front" to quell her insistence to see a doctor. Evidently, he was planning to inform the doc about what he was really experiencing, then changed his mind and decided to essentially tough it out, wait and perhaps the symptoms would improve by magic somehow.
The real reason behind this? Money. No shock there, except to his heart. You see, about 9 months back his wife had emergency gall bladder surgery and because of the shitty damn near non existent health insurance they have; the bill totaled in the tens of thousands of dollars, which of course, they didn't have. Next, the collection vultures came a calling, day and night, wanting their pound of flesh.
At any rate, his money conscious part of his brain took over during the doctor visit and off he went. All through the next 5 days shortness of breath, and pain, till finally…KAPOW! All this time he had been suffering little "attacks" of the heart if you will, until the heart decided to give him a wake up call that damn near killed him. In addition, his kidneys decided to take a holiday too.
Here's the other little tid bit. He has suffered from diabetes since early childhood. Take one guess why they have so much trouble getting adequate health insurance?
My sister is furious with him. Yet at the same time…
Nothing unique about this story, this is why we fight for reform. It's because it's a travesty of epic proportions that we must fight this shit.
Meanwhile…
In Wisconsin another battle ensues as working Americans protest peacefully to maintain what is rightfully theirs. To hear Rush Limbaugh tell it, and his chucklehead followers, these people are asking for a handout and therefore will be freeloaders. The absurdity of it all, as it escapes from a millionaire gasbag. These are Americans standing their ground to maintain what has been earned.
A great big thank you to Clytemnestra for one righteous rant. an excerpt:
Clytemnestra
You and your wart infested buttocks couldn't even serve your country in Nam, much less have the intellectual fortitude and gut to get a bachelors degree.
free loaders? Teachers bring their work home, have to take classes over that supposed 2/3 months of summer vacation, dip into their own pockets for supplies .. they work harder that YOU Rush ... they are ANYTHING but freeloaders.
RUSH : It is narcissistic.
Wanting a living wage, and benefits so that you can pay your mortgage and raise your children is narcissistic?!
fuck you rush
Do you think a letter to his ad sponsors will stop his B.S?
Although I did write one to Select Comfort Corporation.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
I have a few grievances I would like to take up with my government. Let me start with healthcare. Then, I have a shitload of problems with the banksters and I can guarandamntee these bastards have no fear. And therein lies the problem. They just don't care. Hello Mr. President, can you hear me?
Let us follow Wisconsin. Enough is enough.
Meanwhile…
*Jeffrey, my dear friend in Oklahoma is still unemployed. You've heard the stories. Been unemployed so long, that it is in of it's self a barrier to employment. That shit is just cruel. No prospects, no hope, no wife (she left him. money issues) and his unemployment will run out next week. Did I mention no health insurance? He couldn't afford it any longer. Says he doesn't feel well and attributes it to the stress. He won't go the doctor either. His family worries.
I call him regularly to see how he is coping. Just a little chat now and then, so that he is aware that someone out there knows. Knows what it is he is dealing with. Small comfort for me to tell him he is in good company. He is a testament of what it is to be an American. An American in his 50's nearing 60 just trying to hold on. Son of a bitch; it sucks the life out of you. Because you know. We all know. There are more, a lot more just like him in America.
Meanwhile…
It's just another day in America. Or is it?
Is this the time? The time to stand as Howard Beale in the movie Network and proclaim; "we're mad as hell and we're not going to take this anymore."
I don't have the answer. But damn, this same crap being hurled at us is getting real annoying. Fuck 'em.