Stroger Hospital

My cancer on my back was removed this week at Stroger Hospital. It disturbes me that I was able to work through the system to get the life saving care I needed. Others who don't have health insurance may not have the knowledge to find the way to do it.

When I talk with people about single payer health care, sometimes they talk about how it will reduce the amount of money the doctors make. I think it is true that the "rock stars" may get a cut. 60% of the doctors are in favor of it. I think most doctors are in the business to help people. Am I right on this? Any docs out there?

I have always wondered, when is enough money enough? I am truly mistified about the people that make millions and continue to work. I understand boredom but how much do you really need?

Being at Stroger made me realize a number of things. The people being served there (very few that looks like me) were very nice for the most part, as were the people who worked there. And there were so many people that were in much worst shape that I was!

Before my surgery I was at a "staging area" where we were waiting to be called to the surgical rooms. 3 people were there to have tatoos removed!

Pitney Bowes needs Competition

I bought my Pitney Bowes stamping machine about 3 years ago from an outside company. I just realized that they are charging me $25.00 per month for the machine. I called them and they said by their rules I cannot own an machine!

The Night Ministry

A Freind of Mine just took a job at the Night Ministry. I had served on a board with the Executive Director but never really learned about what they did. When my freind sent out the announcement about joining them she included a You Tube about them. It brought me to tears and made me decide when I sell my business I will volunteer with them.

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53QsLkE2euY

I am really Worried

The Reporters that keep showing people with guns at a meeting against Obama, showing the "Birthers", showing Obama as Hitler, and what about those that held their kids away from school when the president gave the kids a speech about staying in school and working hard!

They are all very small groups (that I think they are crazy), but why are they being shown all the time? I think it is because CNN and the like want to show both sides of everything- even when the President gave the school speech, as every president before him had done.

There are times when it is absolutely ridiculous, but more than that I think it is dangerous. We are giving them creditability. I hope none of them try to go after the President.

My neighborhood

I walked over to the Davis Theater to meet a Friend to see Section 9 for an early movie. We came out and stopped to eat and I walked back home, cutting though Wells Park about 6:00. The was a baseball game being played in one corner, the tennis courts were full, there were about 15 people in the gazebo playing drums, about 16 Italian speaking men playing Bocce Ball and 6 women with Hulla hoops around them! It made me smile!

There are 3 big parks within walking from my house but Wells park seems to be the one that is the most used.

The Republican Party

CNN announced a new survey this week. Of the 50 states only 6 of them voted for the republicans. I don't understand why they think they can win elections the way they are acting. McCain voted against the new judge (who's name I can't spell) even when he gave a speech saying the party had to reach out to the latin vote. It was the first time he has ever voted against a candidate for the court!

Now those people that are trying to interrupt the meetings and not allowing people to talk - and now they are going on about nazis and hurting the people that are trying to talk.

Isn't there someone in the republican party that has real ideas instead of NO all the time?

Car Emission Problems

On June 24 I went to my favorite Currency Exchange (and cleint)to renew my plates. He told me I had to drive throught the emissions check, so I did. I guess I wasn't surprised that I flunked, and as I drove to my repair guy I was happy that the city was doing something to help the world. Little did I know the problems I would have.

Your car has a computer that tracks the emissions. When they "repair" it, they remove the "checks" on that computer. You have to drive over 55 MPH for a few days to get the "checks" put back. I drove up and down the outer drive at 55-60 and 3 days later went through the emissions check. I flunked, BUT instead of flunking 4 things it was reduced to only 1.

I went back the repair guy, who fixed it, waited 3 days and drove through again. The guy asked how long has it been since it was fixed? I said 3 days, he said drive it some more. Next day the check engine light came on - back to the repiar, bad wire that they replaced - 3 days later back to emissions. Of the 8 things they check , only 6 could be checked - he said drive it around more.

Meanwhile I have gotten abou 6 tickets for expired plates. I make copies of the bills, the emission reports and letter explaining what I have been doing to get the emission report.

By the way, eveytime to dirve into and out of the emissions places there are about 10 gusy that approch you car to give you a sheet that says "Did you car GO thu OK - if not we can fix it."