Healthcare is one thing we all have in common. Every single one of us could tell a story about our own experiences or the level of care we’ve witnessed a loved one receive. Some of our stories are uplifting and positive, while others are the opposite. If you’re like me, you could pull out a story from either the good column or the bad one and tell it truthfully.
The older we get, the more stories we have. Poor ole’ Dharma could weave more than a few interesting tales if only she could talk…
Healthcare is currently a hot political topic.
I’ve never been a fan of Obamacare. As a self-employed person, once Obamacare was implemented my health insurance premium went up by 832.03%. READ THAT AGAIN and note that it was for the same coverage. When I listened to the Democratic Senators talking about increases that would happen on January 1 because of the spending package, I wanted to scream through my computer screen that people with Medicare supplemental insurance plans already saw a HUGE increase in October!
Not gonna’ lie… there have been times in my life I have been uninsured because I couldn’t pay my premiums. I’ve never received government assistance and don’t even know what a food stamp looks like. But I do know what it feels like to go without things that those receiving government assistance could afford. That’s wrong, y’all.
Have you considered what YOU think is fair?
I’m not smart enough to even guess at what would be a better healthcare solution nationwide. I know I don’t want to pay for gender affirming care; and I don’t want money going to other countries to fund frivolous, stupid shit (like transgender opera in Columbia or transgender comic books in Peru) — or here at home (like ice-skating drag queens for climate change) — while the cost of healthcare skyrockets. I don’t want those receiving Medicaid to have better care than those working their guts out to pay their own insurance premiums or seniors on Medicare. Oh… and I don’t want anyone to die.
This isn’t a recent challenge! Working for a dentist in the 80s, I saw parents bring in their 5 kids for cleanings and fillings with a Medicaid card when I couldn’t afford to do the same for my own kid. He wouldn’t have gotten the same care except for the fact that my boss did his for free. The jail was a short walk to the dental office and those treated in handcuffs that had work done on the county’s dime was above what I could afford at the time.
If there was a single “right answer” or solution, would we be where we are today decades later? OR… are we simply more aware of what’s going on because we can consume data — and listen to stories — via the Internet? Because we all have a story we could tell about healthcare — and we all now have a platform where we can share it…
Now you know: The color and condition of your fingernails can reveal significant health insights. For example, pale or white nails might indicate anemia or liver issues, while blue-tinged nails could suggest low oxygen levels in the blood. This subtle diagnostic tool has been used since ancient times but is often overlooked in modern healthcare.
On Friday, I watched a portion of the live coverage from the Senate floor that included speeches and the vote that could reopen the government. The weather wasn’t great here in southern Indiana (raining and chilly), so why not?
Regarding the Senate vote, I saw:
Republicans rejecting the Schumer option — Schumer’s plan offered a “clean” continuing resolution to fund government operations in exchange for extending ACA tax credits.
Democrats rejecting the Johnson option — Johnson’s plan offered a House-passed continuing resolution to fund the government that fails to address the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.
I put brownies in the oven and set a timer via my Alexa device. It then popped up a news headline with the title: “Senate Republicans Block Reasonable Democratic Offer to End Shutdown.” ~NBC News
Journalists should not be determining what’s reasonable.
STOP IT already!
Many major news agencies — talking about TV and publications because it’s all on the Internet — manipulate reporting to align with specific ideological goals by using selective framing and loaded language in coverage. Both sides of the political spectrum do it. When headlines subtly shape public perception through word choice or omission, it’s for sure those news organizations prioritize persuasion over objectivity. It pisses me off! In addition, it makes me question the authenticity of EVERY little bit of news they report on.
The government remaining closed — and the persuasive massaging of content being offered via news outlets (rather than unbiased news reporting) — is widening the gap between Americans with different viewpoints.
It’s like back in the day when my buddy, Alisa, and I would watch a trial on Court TV, and then tune in to Nancy Grace at the end of the day. Good ole’ Nancy would make shit up as she went along! We’d text one another and say, “That’s not what happened!” Or… “They didn’t say that!”
The wrap up…
I asked Grok, Genesis, and ChatGPT to deep dive into reporting on the government shutdown by CNN, Fox News, AP, and Reuters. The result — across the board — is as follows:
“Reuters is the most balanced, giving equal weight to both sides. AP leans slightly Democratic but includes GOP efforts.CNN attributes blame to Republicans in 80-90% of its coverage. Fox News, conversely, attributes blame to Democrats in 80-90% of its coverage.”
It’s no wonder trust in authentic news reporting is eroding. To quote my friend, David Horsager, “TRUST, NOT MONEY, IS THE CURRENCY OF BUSINESS AND LIFE.” (His past client list includes the US Congress… go figure.)
Now you know: Moon dust is toxic. Astronauts have reported watery eyes, throat irritation, and coughing after accumulating dust on suits. Moon dust particles are not weathered and are ultrafine, sharp, and reactive.
This current event post will feature harvest photos — Mr. Farmer began his bean harvest this year on October 1 and should finish today (10/2/25).
A couple days ago, I saw an interview with Maxie Walters regarding the government shut down (before it actually happened). She was asked if Democrats were willing to shut down the government over free healthcare for undocumented immigrants. She responded:
“Democrats are demanding healthcare for everybody. We want to save lives. We want to make sure healthcare is available to those who would DIE but having the help of their government.“
Maybe she said it differently in another interview, but in the one I heard, DJT isn’t correct.
I certainly don’t want anyone to die, but is there more?
Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for full federal health programs like Medicaid, Medicare, or Affordable Care Act Marketplace coverage. However, hospitals can receive targeted reimbursement for emergency care provided to them through Emergency Medicaid. (FYI–about 1/2 of this is for labor and delivery which often results in US citizen births). Without Emergency Medicaid, costs would shift directly to hospitals or states.
Some Democrat Senators want about $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds, along with an extension of expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits and subsidies (that run out at year’s end). The amount most commonly cited as a rough total is $1.0 trillion. (Republicans say it’s $1.5 trillion). Republicans want the CR to be approved without what they say is for excessive spending hikes to a far-left base with ideological priorities. (Basically a “no” to every ask.)
It’s no secret that each political party is blaming the other for the shut down.
Left Says: Republicans want to cut healthcare so they can give more kickbacks to the rich.
Right Says: Democrats want to provide free healthcare to illegals.
Are both sides are gaslighting us? Given the minimal information above that I dug up from neutral sources, it sure seems like there’s a whole lot of distance to cover to get the last 5 votes needed to open the government.
I’m just here contemplating this meme…
And enjoying harvest time at the barndo. 🙂
Now you know: 60% of Japanese military casualties during WW2 were from starvation and illness, not combat.
I do my best to focus on the positives and roll with the negatives. That’s tough sometimes when everyone has an opinion on everything and shares on social media like it’s their job.
I also try not to post a whole lot here about politics — and never on social media. I’ll admit I lean a bit to the conservative side, but am in the middle on many issues. The whole walking on eggshells to protect feelings isn’t one of those issues. It’s ridiculous in my opinion.
Local arrests caused some people to flip out.
A condensed version: Seymour Police made this Facebook post: “The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Seymour Police Department assisted our Federal partners to include HSI, ERO, ICE, and FBI, with the arrest of numerous criminal illegal aliens in the City of Seymour, this morning. All arrestees were taken into federal custody and are subject to deportation.”
Some were horribly offended by the term “criminal illegal aliens.” Lectures about how calling these people illegal aliens was dehumanizing (and unChristlike) ensued with claims that they were being treated like cattle, vermin, or worse. Whatever… everyone has a right to their opinions and to voice them. But when I read the following comment, my fingers just about got the best of me.
“Without them, we cannot keep our factories and farms running.” <—- WHAT? What farms? And what factories are hiring the undocumented (being careful not to use disparaging descriptors)?
Term ‘unauthorized immigrants’ was okie dokie.
When the Seymour PD posted again, they referenced those arrested as unauthorized immigrants and went on to say, “These arrests targeted individuals who had already been charged with or convicted of serious violent crimes including drugs, child molesting, sexual battery, strangulation and domestic violence. Some of those arrested have been deported more than once.”
The angry posters simmered down a bit. Still, I don’t understand why calling them criminal illegal aliens was so awful. Illegal aliens is a legal term used in U.S. law (e.g., Immigration and Nationality Act) to describe non-citizens who enter or remain in the country unlawfully, either by crossing the border without permission or overstaying a visa. And those arrested were all violent offenders… criminals!
The term ‘illegal alien’ is based in REALITY — legal reality of unauthorized presence. I don’t get why some found it so offensive. Why get tore down about the term used for those arrested? I kept my fingers in check and didn’t comment… but it wasn’t easy. I have one friend in particular who takes it upon herself to educate Facebook on her political views — and of course, her views are always right. Although I really like and respect her, she is now on my “don’t show me any posts from this person for 30 days” list.
I’m sure gonna miss seeing photos of her dogs. 🙁
Now you know: The country that eats the most pizza per capita is Norway, with each person eating about 11 pounds of pizza a year.
When I went to bed around 1:00 AM yesterday, I’d left open the live stream of the House lawmakers voting on the one big beautiful bill. It had no sound for hours and hours before I went to bed so I didn’t give it any thought.
At some point around 4:30 AM, the filibuster was in full swing with modulated ranting that bested any fire and brimstone preacher I’ve ever heard.
The loud voice that woke me up? Nancy Pelosi! 😱
I understand the reason for the “magic minute” for the minority and majority leaders. BUT… I think it’s ridiculous that the time is unlimited. There’s only so much you can say that really matters, and it’s become nothing but a tool for grandstanding and attacking the other party.
For example, Hakeem Jeffries spoke for 8 hours and 44 minutes debating in opposition to the Republican tax-cut bill. At the times I tuned in, I heard him mention everything except his neighbor’s cousin’s sister-in-law’s best friend’s uncle’s dog. I don’t see how those in attendance stayed awake. We thought it was boring.
Professional speakers can covey a primary business thought with actionable steps in 60-90 minutes. I figure that would be a good cutoff for politicians too.
Happy 4th of July!
There isn’t an American flag emoji in Windows operating system. Oh, there’s a pride flag and transgender flag… but no stars and stripes. Y’all… that’s the kind of thing that simply doesn’t seem right to me. I don’t care there’s a flag to represent LGBTQ+, pride, or transgenders… but not in place of country flags. Fair would be to include ALL or NONE.
You CAN; however, find an American flag emoji on the Apple operating system by searching “July.” 🇺🇸
How are you celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, marking the birth of the United States as a free nation?
Now you know: People with depression use language differently. They use significantly more first person singular pronouns – such as “me”, “myself” and “I”. Researchers have reported that pronouns are actually more reliable in identifying depression than negative emotion words.
