BLOGGING THERAPY-

So on the news today they talked about how blogging is good therapy if you really blog about feelings, so get ready folks, here comes another political commentary...
Yes this is completely bias, but that is ok because it's my blog. If you don't agree with it, don't read it!

To start with, since when should it be a crime to be wealthy? Why should you be punished because you make money? It seems to me, especially now under this administration that this is the case. I'm not saying that the wealthy shouldn't be contributers to society or that they shouldn't donate money or help those less fortunate, but just because someone has money doesn't mean that gives anyone, the government included, the right to take away their money.

I'm sooo happy right now that Obama's Health Care Bill didn't pass, at least for now. I would have no faith in our government if it passed without being read. Here are some of my hesitiations: the outrageous cost, the elimination of insurace options (and by the way, it shoudl not be ok to fine me if I choose not to have insurance at all, that is my choice! yes i want insurance, but not everybody chooses to have it even when they have the choice) the idea of long lines and inaccessiblity to doctors, the elimination of choices, etc. ,etc. Seriously it should make every single person nervous that he wanted to pass it through so fast that no one really had the chance to read it.

There does need to be reform, tons of it for so many reasons. There are some clear basic steps we should take before we move to Obama Health Care. In my opinion, he is using those commericals and such to mask from the public what he is truly doing. It sounds great for everyone to get coverage, but it comes with a price and it has yet to be rationally decided how that is going to be accomplished. Nothing comes free, someone has to pay. And it killed me when I saw the clip of him saying that no one needed to worry about his health because he had a whole team of doctors taking care of him. Wait! I thought we should all get the same coverage.

Ok, back to it. First, we should cap malpractice settlements. I'm not saying its ok for doctors to mess up, but a bad doctor should loose his liscence, not be able to be sued billions and billions of dollars. Obviously this isn't helping the outrageous costs of healthcare. And if the government becomes in charge of health care, then doctors don't even have to worry about getting their own malpractice coverage which means if they aren't held responsible, they may not worry so much about messing up. (i'm not saying doctors purposely screw up, but they may not be as on their toes) Second, 1/3 of the American population is on some sort of goverment funded or supplemented health care. This health care is provided through the money of the other 2/3. If you move to Universal Health Care, who is going to pay for it??? There won't be anyone left. In addition, I would say that the costs of this 1/3 is huge. Here is my answer: create government funded clinics where you can get your basic health care needs met. I remember my grandpa being outraged many years ago because he had a woman come to see him that was getting fertility treatments that were paid for by the government! In short, this woman was living on welfare and wanting the government (so the American people) to pay for her fertility treatments! Seriously? Need I say more? Not to mention that the bill calls for the covereage of 5.6 million illegal immigrants to be included. In addition, I do not want the government to be able to decide my healthcare needs. If my doctor says I need the medication, then I do, but I'm worried that the government may be allowed a second opinion.

"Hospitals, doctors, and other health care providers should be accountable to patients - not to politicians, insurance bureaucrats, or HMO Administrators. If the supply of medical care is controlled by the federal government, then officers of that government will determine which demand is satisfied. The result will be the rationing of services, higher costs, poorer results - and the power of life and death transferred from caring physicians to unaccountable political overseers."

I am not a heartless person, but I do believe we have worked hard for what we have. My husband is gone for almost 11 hours every day. I'm happy to help others less fortunate than I, but don't force me. Equality is a loose and undefinable term. Equality in what? To me, equality means equal opportunity, not that everyone should have everything the same no matter how hard they work or not. I hope we can reform health care, but how about step by step bills, not one huge one that no one can read and that slides in a bunch of other things on the presidents agenda we don't know about?

I've said my peace, I feel better, Tom's happy I didn't vent this all to him, and now I'm off to bed.

We're Back from Bryce

Well, we made it. After only one real training run (yes folks, we were dumb and didn't really run at all before hand) Tom and I completed our first half marathon together! It was such a beautiful run and I would say we did fairly well all things considered. It was kind of a bite the bullet and do it even though I haven't been doing hardly any running because of my back and Tom hasn't been doing much because he is too busy. With the commute, Tom is usually gone for work for about 10.5-11 hours every day! But back to the race. Trent left us early in the race, but his knee bummed out and we met him near the finish line and crossed it with him. My mom and her friends finished before it closed and Carl brought up the back just over the three hour mark. Just to be clear Carl went on two long walks before this and doesn't exercise at all so we are proud that he finished and didn't die in the process. It was a fun little trip and we are so glad Sarah Boucher came down with us to watch Porter while we did it. And I am happy to report the two things I was worried about hurting, my back and my feet, didn't hurt at all. They actually feel better than they have for a while. So maybe this won't be the last race I ever do. . . We'll see.
I do have pictures, but they are on my mom's camera so maybe I'll put some up later.

Working Hard and Keeping Busy

It doesn't seem like much has been going on around here lately, but it's safe to say we've been keeping busy. Porter has been loving doing yard work with his Papa, in his safety hat.

My parents next door neighbors, much to their chagrin, have chickens and the first thing Porter wants my dad to do when he gets there is take him to see the "cadoos". We bought a zoo pass so Porter and I can frequent he zoo. We can bring guests, so if you ever want to make a day of it, let us know. Here is Porter with our last guests.

Unfortunately for me, this is where Porter likes to spend his days at the zoo, viewing the turkeys near the entrance. No, not the bears, tigers, monkeys or elephants, but the turkeys. I guess I should have saved my money and taken him to see those "cadoos" more often.

On another fun note, he is talking so much more and it is hilarious. Most people have names now, some are more fond of theirs than others. Trent's name is dirt, and although my mother would echo that name, he is not that fond of it. He has also learned the ways of manipulation with his grandparents. When I tell him no, he will immediately go find nanny to see if she will do what he wants.
Tom and I have been keeping pretty busy as well. I just got back from girls camp, which was so much fun! We are getting ready for the Bryce Canyon half marathon in two weeks. And after meeting with the back doctor last week, this will be my final time running unless I want to have surgery in my back. So this is my final hurrah! Sad, but I will accept it if it can hold off surgery for another couple of years. We had our ten miler on Saturday, after which Tom and I sustained some unforseen and at least for Tom, unmentionable minor injuries. I think I bruised the bottom of my feet. Is that possible? But we are looking forward to the next months of summer since we haven't really been experiencing it yet.