Apologies for bringing it up again, and then disappearing. We just took a big load of shop and kitchen tools over to the local Habitat for Humanity headquarters. Their and our shared good thots soothed the soul. And lugging around cartloads of fill and topsoil most of the day finished off the rest of me.

Treat yourself to a great weekend, Sir. You earned it. ;->

1. The problem is neither health care itself nor health insurance, the problem is health care finance.

2. Single payer (HR-676, HR-1200) is preferable.
– it works (Canada, UK, Spain, etc.)
– it reduces transaction costs.
– it doesn’t result in the horror stories being disseminated now by the insurance industry. For every Canadian or UK story they tell, there are several as bad or worse here.
– it doesn’t have to be socialized medicine. Canadians don’t have socialized medicine, but they do have single payer.

3. If single payer is a bridge too far, a strong viable public program is mandatory. This means a program that is:
– Available immediately, no triggers.
– Properly funded via premiums and government budgeting.
– Nationwide at its inception.
– Comprehensive.
– Not hobbled by the law, that is, able to negotiate prices.

4. This is necessary.
– Health insurance costs played a role in the GM/Chrysler debacles.
– The rate of uninsured individuals is a disgrace nationally and here in NM.
– Our current spending is at least twice (per capita) that of other industrial economies, but our measurable health outcomes are worse.

5. Health care professionals and providers recognize the need. The AMA is no longer the voice of American medicine. Ignore them. Listen to the professional primary care specialty societies, AAP, AAIM, ACOG, AAFP.

6. The health insurance industry is lobbying you and your colleagues to protect their rents. The system is broken, it does not work. We need something that works. Please sign on as a sponsor to HR-676, please agree to oppose any bill that comes to the floor without a strong public option.

What have I left out?

Oye. Never again.

Spent the whole morning deftly slinging fill and then topsoil to make things presentable around here. (looks great, too, even if i brag just a tad too much)

Best way to describe what we’ve been thru lately: the kitties , who used to growl every time someone drove up our driveway, now don’t even flick an ear at hours of jackhammer noise right next to their porch.

I wonder if I could teach teh kitties how to deal better with trolls than I seem to.

i will not feed
i will not feed
i will not feed

Carry on. We’re off to donate our old but useful tools to Habitat for Humanity.
They seem thrilled. Goodie. I’m thrilled at what THEY do in this tight, tense old world. There are lovely candles out there if one looks… Gives me hope.

So do you guys.

P. E. A. C. E.

and a soft pillow for each and every little tiger. ;->

First, I take a “snack pack” with me every time I go run errands, go to the gym, etc filled with cut veggies, babybel cheese and a small gatorade. If my blood sugar starts to crash I have something good to tide me over until I get home, preempting the “rush through the door and inhale half a bag of blue cornchips” routine.

Then, I realized I ate pretty healthily but was eating too much at each meal. I rooted around the cupboard holding the delicate things I acquired after closing out the family house three years ago but never use, and brought out little ramekins and tea cups. Now I put my morning granola and plain yogurt in one ramekin, fresh cut fruit in the other. My mid-morning fresh juice break in a beautiful espresso cup. It’s made a huge difference. I eat less, and enjoy the experience much more.