Remember on TV when the gangsters demand money from the store keepers to PROTECT them. Of course the shopkeepers were paying to keep the gangsters from smashing, or burning their establishment. Probably still do. Here is an example of another protection scheme, This one by the upright citizens of a small town in Tennessee. Imagine, if you will, watching everything you own going up in smoke. Now imagine the local firefighters with their trucks and equipment sitting there watching it also. That is exactly what happened in Tennessee. The family in this small town near the South Fulton Tennessee fire department, watched as their mobile home and belongings went up in flame. Why? Once again it was because the home owner did not pay the subscription/protection, fee. We saw this once or twice before. I understand the fire department had to go out of their usual confines to answer the call. They did respond in the event of human peril. Here is the catch. The fire department needs the money to keep it’s facilities and equipment up to date. These fees offset that need. The FD could just charge…..say $150.oo for these outside calls. But then there would be no need for anyone to pay the $75.oo annual fee. I vote for the $150.oo or so per trip charge. After all this is not like it is an everyday thing. Here is my dilemma. As a member of the human race, with the proper training, be able to just stand (or sit) and watch another person’s life belongings, go up in fire. NO! I couldn’t. But apparently the firemen of South Fulton Tennessee, have no problem with this. I guess that will teach the outsiders. Pay Up! or lose it. One last question before I close. I realize it was just a trailer home. But has anyone assessed the fire department a fine for, in my mind, violation of the EPA code. Surely a public minded group like a fire department, is concerned with AIR POLLUTION. Should they not have done their part to prevent this polluted air. That Is How I See It. Views: 334
Tag: Insurance
Election Mud
Welcome to the MUDSLIDE. Election time is here. At least local elections. It truly amazes me how these politicians, these public figures, these people with college degrees, who have other people with college degrees revert to a a kindergarten mentality. I apologize to you kindergartners, as you are probably more advanced than these so called leaders, and their think tanks behind them. If you listen to their ads you will learn that each one is a perfect fit to represent you. they have never made any mistakes, or miscalculations, if you will. But their opponents have done NOTHING right. The one I have been listening to in particular, (because one of the candidates apparently has more money than Bill Gates. Every ad is centered on what the incumbent has done wrong. The poor guy must have have been kidnapped by aliens as he has not fulfilled a single promise he made that got him elected. I assume he will be returned after this election is over. Meanwhile I can remember when the other candidate was in office as an assistant for the job she is running for. They didn’t accomplish anything, and did exactly all the wrong things she is accusing the now incumbent of doing. Probably those same aliens grabbed her during her reign and brought her back after her term. The way I see it these alien abductors erase all memory of them being gone, and the being that replaced them returns to outer space. What I would like to hear is WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO. NOW!!! If I vote for you. We have problems both economic, and political, as well as dozens of other smaller problems. What are your plans to ease unemployment, school budget cuts, etc. Perhaps I just miss these positive ads. But it could be that there are either none or very few. Maybe I am so far below your intelligence level that you don’t know how to communicate to me. Or perhaps I am just to poor to understand the ECONOMIC ramifications. Living at or below poverty level. What could I know about economics. Enough of the supposed history of the clients. It’s time to look to the future. The pass is passed. (Although the past performance should be considered), Since you millionaires running for office have nothing in common with me. TELL me what your answers are for the future. What the heck are you going to do to correct these past errors. Apparently you have no ideas on the FUTURE or you could promote them. Not bash your opponent. That Is How I See It have been they have Views: 288
Legalize Marijuana?
Legalize marijuana or not legalize marijuana. That is the question. We have heard this argument for many years. Does it really matter? I must admit I have never tried it so maybe I fail to see the advantage, or disadvantage here. From what I understand drugs like marijuana have been used in many different rites during the course of our history. The American Indian supposedly used this or a similar drug in some of their ceremonial rites. The tribes of Africa used similar drugs for the same reason. For all I know our forefathers may have participated in this type of rites, or maybe even recreational purposes. Perhaps the medicinal uses were known way back when. I remember hearing of our ancestors, and even royalty abroad having snuff boxes. (And it wasn’t for tobacco snuff). No! I don’t know the answer. What I do know is this. If it is legalized, our Government will be able to get a piece of the action, (money) . The cost will most likely go down. Thus crime created by trying to get marijuana should go down. I suppose these would all be pluses, and I can’t really think of any minuses; other than there will always be those who have no legal claim to buy marijuana. Also if it is legalized, will growers be monitored like the existing drug companies, like Eli-Lily. If it is legalized will insurance companies pay for it. How much more will this cost us, the consumer in increased insurance premiums. And how will it affect hiring practices of business. There is mass impacts involved here. I’m sure more than I can foresee. Finally let me insert my personal observation. People already take legal drugs, illegally. I know of one young lady who stole a doctors prescription pad, and wrote her own prescriptions. This was many years ago, and the doctors signature would be impressed on the sheets below it. Do doctors now take measures to prevent this? I also know of people who will steal a relatives much needed medication out of their medicine cabinet. Without regard to the relatives health. I also know peoples homes are broken into for the purpose of finding legal drugs. Legal or not people will get their hands on them and use them illegally. MOOT POINT. Does it really matter if it is or is not legal. The government will benefit by getting a portion of the proceeds. That Is How I See It. more than involved Views: 209
Accident 45 Years Ago Adds To 2011 Death Toll
This is one for the books. Perhaps a legal question. Or just an example of how our politicians use statistics, and the like. According to what I read. Forty Five years ago a woman in Northern Indiana was injured in an automobile accident. Extremely injured, she became paralyzed. Now 45 years later she died. Her death went into the records as an automobile accident death for the year 2011. I found this to be puzzling. She has lived 45 years after the accident. But according to the records she died of injuries received in the accident 45 years ago. Of course I realize she was injured, and quite badly. BUT. What I don’t understand is what kind of injury from an automobile accident can kill you 45 years later. And why this would go on the record as a 2011 automobile death. One would naturally think if you live 45 years after an accident, there must have been another cause for death. Will the auto insurance pay a death benefit after 45 years. Will this have to go to court. If the other driver was responsible, will he now face charges of vehicular homicide, or something. There just seems to be so many ramifications of this case. Any one have an answer for me? Doesn’t make sense to me. That Is How I See It. have been became Views: 356
Anti-Union State Governments
Wisconsin and Indiana legislators are currently split over a bill which would essentially KILL unions. It would not be the first time for this type of Genocide. History shows the need for unions. Before unions there were no 5 day work weeks, rarely were there any benefits, medical, retirement, vacations, etc. We had child labor. Sweat Shops. Poor working conditions. So many things workers now enjoy. The quality of living was so low and little hope of getting better. Now for 3 views on UNIONS. A friend of mine is very anti union. He blames all the woes in the world on Unions. According to him we would have more jobs, and things would not cost so much. It is the greedy union members who earn too much and drive up costs of the products they make. Everyone would be able to own big houses, new cars, just about everything would be better without Unions. Another friend of mine works in an Union shop, and claims they do nothing for the members. This is true in their place of employment. Unions are only as strong as their membership. In this case the membership is so weak, they never fight for anything. They bargain for a benefits, working conditions, and shop rules. But when the company violates items of the AGREEMENT, the company falls back on “THE RIGHT TO MANAGE”. Example. One item calls for a 3 step procedure before termination. 1. Verbal Warning. 2 Written Warning. 3. Time off without pay. Recently in this down turn in economy. The Company has taken it upon themselves to make this a first time infraction…TERMINATION. How? Right to Manage. The Union just says OK. As you can see although the members pay the dues, the Company really runs the Union. Thank all Unions are not this bad. My view. Unions are very much needed. Without them many jobs would be eliminated. No overtime, vacation, retirement, medical and life insurance, no breaks, and many many other things we would be doing without. You anti-union people don’t realize you benefit from unions also. If the unions did not win these concessions, do you think you would be enjoying the higher wages, and benefits, you have. NO! How many of your children have benefited from the the things unions fought and sacrificed for. Just think how our quality of life rose during unions haydays. The fifties, and sixties. Were great for the people. IBM, known as a great place to work, A friend of mine who worked his way up from a floor laborer, to a Vice Presidential, position explained the reason for IBM’s success as a great work place, was managements recognization of union negotions. He told me they would offer the same benefits, and sometimes a step better to keep there people and not have any breaks due to strikes, etc. Things were going great. Then Reagan, a former Union President, became President of the United Stats. You remember him as the Great Union Breaker. After he broke the air controllers union, Unions began losing strength. I wonder if he would have approved of his own actions if the government had tried to break his union at the time he was prsident of his Union. Then we had Clinton as President of the United States, he was also a Union Breaker, only more deadly. He said. I have a great idea. If you don’t like unions in your company take the jobs to foreign countries. Code name, (NAFTA). What does this do with our legislators not meeting and staying out of their state? When you lack numbers to win a battle you have to look at alternatives. Boycotting has always been a very effective way of combat. Provided you can secure the numbers to be effective. As is see it this is the only weapon these legislators have at their disposal to do what their constituents ask of them. As for the UNION members. Members must also take into the state of the country, it’s economy, and the effects of NAFTA. when they go to the bargaining table. Use some common sense in what they are asking for. Unions are good for America. That Is How I See It. Views: 140
New Car or Old Car
My newest vehicle, other than my motorcycle, and project sports car. My daily driver is a 1995 Ford Explorer. I don’t know how many miles it has on it. The odometer doesn’t work. It had 150,000 miles on it when I bought it 3 years ago. I know I average 20 miles a gallon with it. I chase my kids and their kids in sports. I bought the Explorer 3 years ago, and have put about 75,000 miles on it. I paid $1500.00 for it then. I pay the minimum in my state for license. We have an excise tax added to plate cost each year, until the vehicle is X years old or bottoms out on value. I pay only for Liability Insurance. The insured value would be less than I paid for it. I don’t count in the usual expected expenses for maintenance. Tires, Oil Change, etc. These things come whether you have a new car or old. I was fortunate that that the Explorer had been taken care of and had no rust, or excessive wear on the interior. I subscribe to these beliefs as far as vehicles are concerned. A vehicle is to get me from point A to point B. Do I need a new car for this? NO! If I were to buy a new car, (and I have had a couple. Three to be Exact. the last one I had one year, before I got laid off, seems my vehicle had already lost 50% of what I paid for it. I was able to keep it with the help of my brother. Do I want to take that kind of loss again. No way. If I were to buy a new vehicle payments would run, probably between $250-$350 a month. that would be a minimum of $3,000.00 a year in payments. for about 5 or 6 years. So I figure if I can keep my Explorer on the road for $2000.00 a year I am ahead of the game. Knock on wood I have had to spend $0, beyond the usual maintenance costs for the these 3 years. So at $500 a year ($1500 divided by 3 years equals $500 a year). Well as you can see I have thus far save $2500.00 a year on payments alone. That is $7,500.00 I have saved. I know most of you think you have to have a new car for appearance sake, or mistakenly think you will spend more for maintenance. Think of it this way If you had an older vehicle YOU would still have put more money in your pocket. I had a cousin who only bought a new car every ten years. But he could afford it. By buying only every ten years he was able to pay cash. Pretending to make payments.(putting the money aside), he was able to take his family on many fulfilled vacations with the extra money. Why Buy a New Car when an Older one is just as good at getting you from Point A to Point B, at a huge savings. That Is How I See It, Views: 311
Health Choices
Elderly people are caught in the insurance crunch The company a friend of mine worked for closed it’s doors in April of 2008. He has not been able to find a job. Although he has years of management experience. A Bachelor of Business Administration, a PHD , 3 other degrees, and a Honorary Doctorate degree. He can’t find a job. He was 61 years old when he found himself unemployed Even though He has the education and experience instead of saying you are too old, they say “You don’t meet minimum requirements.” Never mind he has many years experience. If you didn’t just graduate from college you can barely get a job at McDonalds. But to the INSURANCE thing. They want so much money for insurance, you can’t really afford it on unemployment, (which his has run out), His financial adviser told him to get a $5000,00 deductible temporary, or GAP insurance. Because he has always been healthy. This insurance is usually issued for a 6 month period. You can usually renew it for a second 6 month period. What this really translate to is a $7500.00 deductible because it is $5000.00 then you go to an 80/20 for the next $2500.00. Let me say this. When the company closed he had to use a huge portion of his 401K to pay off bills so he could get by on unemployment. Then he had to take out over $6,000.00 to pay his income tax because the firm he worked for did not take enough out of his separation package plus what he had to take out out of 401K to pay bills off. Then a hail storm hit. His homeowner insurance told him the damage was so small he would only need to take a caulking gun with tar and fill the holes. This of course fell below his deductible. His house which is a big old two story house, needed a new roof, and and a few things took what little he had left after loosing a big portion due to the “downturn” of the economy. So he has very little money left. One health insurance company was good until he had to fill a $20.00 prescription. They thought it was for something else. His doctor explained it was not that thing. But for something else. They would not listen. They refused to renew his 2nd 6 month coverage. He went to another company, paid 1 year in advance. They found out that he had been treated about 4 years earlier for possible Gout (that is a surplus of Uric Acid and causes pain in your toe joints). They informed him that because of that he would have to pay 3 times his present cost or be canceled. He couldn’t afford the tripled payment. So now he is out of insurance. The state he lives in has a state sponsored insurance program. Guess what.. He had to do without insurance for 6 months to qualify. Big risk to do with out health insurance for that long. You never know if you are going to be in an accident. He has now found another Gap insurer. He is due to renew in February. But now he needs to have an expensive procedure done. But if he has it done the insurance company will probably not renew his policy. He needs the renewal to cover him until he becomes Medicare Eligible. Now he is asking the hospital for an estimate of it’s cost. The surgeon said he would forgo his charges if that helped. If the estimate comes back within the money he has saved he will get the procedure done. But it is not expected to be that price, which would wipe out his entire savings. So you see his plight. He either loses all his savings and has the procedure, or goes in debt to the hospital. He also feels obligated to pay the surgeon. Also he has been told there may arise complications which will raise the cost. His social security is only $115o.00 a month pre-tax. His is still making House payments, Utility, Insurance, and trying to scrounge money to eat. Or he can put off the procedure (which may or may not prove to be cancerous), for 9 months when he qualifies for Medicare. What would you do if you found yourself in this situation This is his experience with this insurance. Because he has to bounce around from company to company every year. That Is How I See It. Views: 156
