THE CURMUDGEON CHRONICLE ©
AN IRREVERENT VIEW
Time Line: July 22nd 2009
Date Line: Flemington New Jersey
During the election, the clarion cry was “It’s the economy Stupid!” That was true and remains so: our economic model is as stupid as it can be.
Current conditions have exposed an economy that is: based on no useful industrial growth patterns; reliant on the whim of other countries willingness to lend us money and use our currency as a yardstick of value, and a legislative process torn apart by meaningless squabbles over “turf” and Party politics.
Healthcare is a burning issue and we must think about the realities we face.
The insurance industry has a cartel with prices and terms fixed for its benefit and sanctioned by law. Given the right incentives, a White Knight could bring suit under the anti-trust statutes to end the monopoly. If the US could bring AT&T to its knees wrongly in the name of “competition” perhaps it can do something right about insurance “fences” and pharmaceutical pickpockets.
Sorry Mr. Frost; good Fences do not necessarily make good neighbors.
The older our legislators are, the more likely a positive outcome is in the cards. The result is not ordained by mature thought or intelligence, but by the fact that Viagra and Celebrex cost $15.00 per pill and are not covered under Part D of Medicare. A message that runs from the groin to the brain, with a free transfer to the finger that presses the voting button is the cure for the pocketbook and incidentally for health care disagreements.
The legislative mind is not unique to any one political party. It hallmarks every Senator, Congressman, and elected official. It is not the fault of the individuals we elect; they are changed by the process.
I recall the story of the newly elected Congressman from Moose Jaw Idaho who had come back home after his first month in Washington. In the local barbershop his constituents asked typical questions like “Was it uncomfortable to be with all those high fallutin’ people that talk nonsense?”
“No, (said the fledgling), I gave ‘em back the same kind of lies I learned from my opponents here in Moose Jaw”
Then someone asked, “What about getting us that new prison to hold the detainees from Gitmo? Were you uncomfortable asking for that handout?”
“No Siree! The only problem was the line was so long I had to bring my lunch and my tomato sandwich soaked right through the bag. Had to get my pants dry cleaned!”
“Well”, said the Barber “it sounds like you aren’t having too much trouble being a Congressman. Was there anything that caused you any trouble?”
The new legislator hemmed; hawed, and said, “The initiation ceremony was a bit painful.”
“What ceremony is that?’ asked the Barber.
“You know” said the Congressman), “the one where they take out half your brain and fill the cavity with sawdust. You are supposed to get it back when you leave the Congress, but if you become a Lobbyist I hear that they replace the sawdust with Bullshit”
Howard Stamer
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