This last election was very interesting. I had hoped that name-calling and other low-down thinking would not be so prevalent. I wonder if the name-calling would have been the same if there was an Anglo American person serving as President!
However, when one compares the election of President F. D. Roosevelt over outgoing President Herbert Hoover. Like President Obama and the Democratic Party, President Hoover and the Republican Party was blamed for America's economic crises. Thankfully, President Roosevelt was able to bring Congress together and get both sides of the aisle to agree to some compromises in order to get the country up and running again. Perhaps President Obama will get support from forward-thinking Republicans and Democrats to be able to forge a coalition to help all Americans during our current economic crises.
Maybe I should run for President! I have enough experience as a working American who understands economic cycles, the impact of wars on one’s economy, the need for immigration reform, the importance of education, the rationale of capital punishment and smaller prison budgets, encouraging “Buy American First!”, and doing all those things to help the country that a radical, moderate, progressive conservative should do in these challenging times. Unfortunately, I would not run as a Republican or as a Democrat and would not have the millions behind me needed to brainwash people to vote for me---the lesser of the other evil people!
Maybe it’s time for a dictatorship to take over America. Most Americans know what needs to be done to have lower taxes, less government intrusion, higher wages for the masses of working people, accountability in education and government, to keep more jobs inside the country than going outside the country, the consequences of having cheap labor from the millions of illegal and some legal immigrants, uncovering the ungodly profits made by the quiet stockholders and the shrewd corporate executives, and the hundreds of other little pieces of the puzzle that needs to be put together in order to have a smooth-running economic vessel, trudging along in troubled fiscal waters. At least a dictator with a strong military group could just make things happen, and run ship-shod over civil rights, personal property rights, equal rights, the Bill of Rights, and all the other “rights” people want.
However, after the red AND blue “true” Americans rise up and overthrew the dictator and have taken back power from the military machinery, some human will still have to be willing to stick out their neck. This person would have to be willing to work with political parties that would care more about pleasing special interest groups that raised the money to make it possible for the person to even sit in the special chair and be called “President” or some other executive name. This person would have to be willing to have their personal and business life held up to the inquiring minds who would want to know the details of the scratches on their leader’s armor. This person would have to be willing to work long hours for the little pay received for the harm done to their bodies. They would also have to stand quietly by while their opponents with small brains and simple intellect throw missiles of hatred toward members of their family, as well as throw mud on any project the person would put forward to help the masses of the American public.
It’s really easy to fix the problems we face in America. We could begin by merging smaller cities and towns, thus eliminating the need for so many overlapping positions that require more tax money. We could cut Congress by at least ½, as well as cut every office supported by tax dollars by 70%, choosing to use more technology without feelings, than using so many people with selfish feelings.
To help America, we could insist that everyone take better care of their own health and economic well-being without the aid of government programs. Those who are unable to do so would be helped, but only after agreeing to serve their communities and their government by doing those chores normally done by a public servant. Everyone would be charged a fee for health care, based on the color of their card, without regard to the color of their skin, or their limited resources. The rich, and those with resources, including good jobs with good pay and good benefits, would be charged on a sliding-fee scale, based on how far they went in school, and on how wise they were in choosing a way to take/make money, or in choosing an occupation that paid very well and/or had great medical benefits.
To further help America, we could charge all countries a fee for helping them win their freedom/democracy. They would pay by giving America their resources, and/or by becoming a puppet of American democracy (since we would know what is best for them). All wars would be on a “cash-basis” only. Before we would enter a war, or a “peace-keeping” mission, we would figure out the cost to win and thus charge our allies accordingly. If they could not pay, America would not enter the war or mission, realizing that this country might be taken over by an enemy of America and turn that country with hatred for America and all Americans.
To stem the tide of “sleeper spies,” terrorism, and drugs coming into America, we could move the United Nations building to Sweden or some other “neutral” country. We would then eliminate “diplomatic immunity” and check everyone coming to our shores, both friend and enemy. We would also put a team to watch all “outsiders,” making sure no drugs or anything that could hurt America is being brought in. To insure a “drug-free” country, we would develop a private military group to destroy all production and personnel associated with illegal drugs in all countries, including ours, as well as keep track of those associated with “legal” drugs. Those drug users who refuse to go into rehabilitation and stay clean would be sent to the moon or some other safe place, away from all of the “healthy” citizens in America. They would be given tools for food production, housing, and would be offered training so they could develop their own rules for living.
All those refusing to at least complete community college or trade school would be trained to become the new, military “fighting machine,” and sent abroad to “keep the peace” for all of America’s interest, as well as the interest of America’s allies. To ensure compliance to do what is right, and to ensure there is no rebellion, each of these individuals would undertake a brain lobotomy to ensure their loyalty to their training against all enemies and protection of all Americans.
Eventually, all budgets to aid the poor, the sick, and the unemployed would be eliminated, saving the American taxpayers billions. These groups would become the responsibility of their families, faith-based groups, and communities. In return, these groups would do mental, physical, or other work for their communities to ensure local budgets had funds to help their every need. No death-row inmate would have to stay on death-row any longer than one year; eliminating the harsh and unjust treatment they now receive for having to have life sentences. Their organs could be processed to aid those they have hurt, as well as aid others who are living productive lives who could profit from their organs. Plus, the victims and the families of victims would not have to suffer for years, waiting for justice to help balance the scales. Those waiting for sentencing, those in jails, and those in prisons would be required to work 10 hours a day, six days a week. They would be fed a minimal, but nutritious, diet. They would also be trained to be useful while they wait for execution, or when they were released. In time, this process would balance the budget as well as help our schools. The billions saved from this process would be shifted to our education system where all citizens could be trained to become productive and prosperous, with little need for others paying for their health care or government programs to subsidize them, or farmers, or manufacturers, or any other industry.
All budgets could be balanced by some common-sense cooperating. America has too many cities and too many counties supporting too many politicians and too many overlapping departments. All cities could be merged into metro-cities with regional governments getting input from town hall-type meetings. Such meetings would be run by unpaid elected neighbors who would get input from their neighborhoods. Computer systems would be set up to gather input (yeah, Big Brother, but get over it!) with paid college students and senior citizens manning the systems with oversight from military personnel.
With the merging of cities and counties, there would be a reduction in property and business taxes, causing more citizens to have more income for savings (mandatory), medical/dental/long-term care policies (mandatory), and retirement funding (mandatory). The courts could also be combined, with judges, including the Supreme Court, having to face the electorate every 10 years. There would also be a reduction in the numbers of people (and staffs!) needed as representatives in Congress. This alone would save billions, cutting away the fat in pork-barrel programs, and shrinking the number of lobbyists being paid to control the thoughts and votes of fewer politicians.
All federal departments, and the federal budget, would come under review of a blue-ribbon commission of civilian auditors, CPAs, and successful CEOs. Members of this commission would only be those who have not sent jobs overseas or laid off employees without a review by the local town-hall groups. This commission would be appointed by the President, reviewed by regional leaders, with veto power given to America’s billionaires who would sit on regional boards. Should the government still have an unbalanced budget due to previous decisions of deficit spending, the billionaires and millionaires would be given the opportunity to make donations to cover the deficit. In exchange, they would receive “naming rights” for streets, roads, bridges, highways, freeways, light rail systems, train depots, airports, universities, and other items of significant value in America’s landscape. For example, the 406 or so billionaires who have made much of their money in America could wipe out the present deficit of $11 trillion by donating $30 million each. This would cover the ever-growing interest adding more red to the deficit until paid in full.
With the federal budget being controlled by the most successful people in America answering to the poorest of the poor via townships and regionalships, America would never have to engage in deficit spending ever again. As far as items like Social Security, health care, unemployment, and help for the helpless, there would be a special fund set up by local townships for each local area to see after their own residents. Funds paid out would come from funds paid in by registered, documented legal citizens. No illegal immigrants would receive free education, free health care, free Social Security, or any other benefits.
No pregnant immigrant would be allowed into the United States, negating immigrants coming to America pregnant so their children would be American-born citizens. No one would be allowed to work without a background check conducted by local citizens. The current unemployed would be given jobs to check on all job sites to ensure that all workers were legal citizens. If any company was found to have illegal immigrants working, they would be fined $1 million a day for each infraction. If any company was found to have sent jobs overseas, they would be fined $5 million a day for each person employed overseas, unless such person was an American citizen helping to do a joint project with a foreign country. Only those foreign employees necessary for the joint project would be hired by an American company unless the agreement with the foreign country stated otherwise. Such an agreement would be reviewed by a panel of union leaders and professional employment counselors in America.
Such moves by the above would eliminate unemployment among America’s native-born citizens, curtail the hiring of illegal immigrants, and stem the flow of billions of dollars leaving America by illegal immigrants sending their ill-gotten paychecks back to their home country. Although hiring native-born American citizens would require companies to pay more than by hiring illegal immigrants, the paycheck income would stay in America, and eventually wind up back under the control of companies who would have invested in homes, car dealerships, retail stores, and every other business that employees would be spending money on.
As far as health care, there would be special cards issued to every American citizen, in cooperation with insurance companies. Those with plenty of money would still, of course, receive the best health care money can buy and would receive a health “gold card.” Those with expensive health coverage, allowing them almost the same kind of care as the rich would receive a health “blue card” and pay no deductibles for anything. These employees and retired personnel must prove they are maintaining and/or improving their health by good health habits, limiting negative health lifestyles, active in a health club 4 or more times a week, with documentation of eating healthy meals, drinking plenty of water, and checking in with their health and medical team 6 or more times a year would keep their health “blue card” and pay a 10% deductible.
Those American employees and retirees who have a proven record of going to health clubs 3 or more times a week, with documentation of eating healthy meals, drinking plenty of water, and checking in with their health and medical team 3 or 4 times a year would receive a health “green card” and pay a 20% deductible. Those American employees and retirees who have a proven record of going to health clubs 1 or more times a week, with documentation of eating healthy meals, drinking plenty of water, and checking in with their health and medical team 1 or 2 times a year would receive a health “orange card” and pay a 30% deductible.
Those American employees and retirees who do not have a proven record of going to health clubs 1 or more times a week, with no documentation of eating healthy meals, nor drinking plenty of water, nor checking in with their health and medical team once a year would receive a health “yellow card” and pay a 40% deductible. Those limited-income Americans and retirees who do not have a proven record of going to health clubs, with no documentation of eating healthy meals, nor drinking plenty of water, and not checking in with their health and medical team because they could not afford such a team would receive a health “purple card” and visit a regional health center and clinic where medical students, retired health professionals, medical researchers, and alternative health care providers would care for them. All would pay according to a sliding scale based on their net income (not gross from a business), but no less than $10 per visit per day. As the overhead of the community health center and clinic increased, so would the fees. Also, since the FDA and all federally-funded health research programs would be merged or eliminated, the health center and clinic would assume those responsibilities, with funding coming from individuals, foundations, corporations and pharmaceutical companies.
Should there be a national disaster, the federal government would only give oversight, with local governments and companies taking the responsibility for returning their area back to its status quo. Foreign governments and individuals would be allowed to help, and the local militia would help the regional law enforcement keep the peace. Anyone found looting or hurting anyone for selfish motives would be shot on the spot by the regional law enforcement, the militia, or any private citizen licensed to have a gun.
It will only take 36 months before these and other progressive measures can be put into place. This will give those on welfare and unemployment (including government officials) time to get trained for employment and/or develop legal ways of supporting themselves. Those who refuse to comply, or cannot find livable wages, will be allowed to do public service for their communities, living in group arrangements provided by their families and their local communities. Others will be encouraged to live the country and given opportunities to live in countries where the cost of living (and standard of living) is much lower and affordable.
Those who choose to commit crimes to support themselves will be given speedy trials and allowed to do public work on behalf of a community in a state located at least 2,000 miles from their earlier place of residence. This way, they can learn how to conduct themselves as good citizens in a new area and earn the respect, trust, and employment of their new domicile.
As far as education, no longer will it be a free right for all. Everyone will pay for their need for childcare, kindergarten, K – 12 education, community college, university education, advanced academic work, as well as for any training. Each will pay according to their ability to pay on a scaling scale. Local businesses, residents, foundations, and others will be encouraged to contribute to a fund to ensure all residents have opportunities for education, training, employment, and the necessities of life (shelter, food, clothes, transportation, etc.). Those who drop out of their education or training will be sent to “conditioning” camps and trained to become eligibility for military or public works service, including working in parks and responding to local, state, national, and international disasters.
The best minds in America will be brought together in economic think tanks to work out all of the details of this outline. All Americans will be given opportunity to share their wisdom in the development of this united effort to keep America strong. The development of “We Must Save America” plan could be ready by 2016, with the merging of cities, counties, and the federal government completed by 2014.
Yeah, I just might run for President on the Independence Party ticket if I cannot become the wonderful, loving dictator that America needs to solve all of its problems!
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Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, October 26, 2009
Medicine and Health Care: Great Jobs In the Past; Great Jobs For the Future!
October 27, 2009
Today’s Information On African American History
Maybe it was because they were slaves, or descendants of slaves. At any rate, many African Americans have found good fortune in the field of medicine and health care. This was an area in which most slave kidnappers, slave traders, and slave masters paid little attention. Slaves were so plentiful that if some died early or slowed down because of health issues, there were other slaves to take their place.
As African Americans grew in awareness of the importance of health care, the field of medicine and health care for African American practitioners was wide open. Not many white doctors were willing to treat African Americans. At the same time, many African Americans had hand-me-down herbal and medicinal recipes they could use for colds, rashes, burns, bites, and a number of ailments.
However, some African Americans that had a serious interest in health and medicine and had opportunity for schooling made a concentrated effort to get through enough schooling in order to be accepted into some medical school. Again, not many medical schools were willing to accept African Americans interested in doctoring,
Dr. Charles Richard Drew, born in 1904 in Washington, DC, had interest, but everyone at Dunbar High School in Washington figured since he was so good in track, starring as a four letterman, and football that he would major in athletics. He even went on to “study at Amherst College, where his prowess in track and football won him the annual Mossman trophy as the athlete who brought the highest honor to his school.”
After graduating from Amherst, Charles Drew excelled as a coach and a biology and chemistry instructor at Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland. However, he had another interest: to enter the field of medicine. He left Morgan State and went to Montreal, Canada, enrolled in McGill University's Medical School, was granted two fellowships and was awarded his doctorate of medicine and master of surgery degrees.
Dr. Drew was an intern and resident in Montreal hospitals and returned to the United States in 1935 to accept an appointment as instructor in pathology at the College of Medicine of Howard University in Washington, D.C. where he advanced to become assistant professor of surgery.
Dr. Drew’s work at Howard University caught the attention of prominent professionals and he was recommended for one of the Rockefeller fellowships at Columbia where he could advance in all fields of medicine. While there, he met the famous Dr. John Scudder, an assistant professor of clinical surgery at Columbia University “who was achieving national recognition for his research findings relating to body fluids. Dr. Scudder had been asked to give overall direction to the Plasma for Britain Project [due to war challenges].”
Dr. Drew excelled at Columbia when he “prepared a 200 page thesis entitled "Banked Blood," which further alerted Dr. Scudder to the keen mind and talents of his pupil. The Columbia professor said the thesis was "a masterpiece one of the most distinguished essays ever written, both in form and content." He had Dr. Drew to assist in the international blood plasma development. While others had worked on such things on a small scale, it was Dr. Drew who put the work into mass production. The final product he developed was “dried plasma rather than the earlier liquid form that was sent to England. In dry form, plasma could be preserved for relatively long periods and administered under battlefield conditions. The outgrowth of this project was the American Red Cross Blood Donor Service during World War II.”
Whether racial or not, Dr. Drew was not allowed to lead in some other research furthering his development. He resigned and returned to Howard University, trained others to become successful surgeons, “received honorary degrees from Virginia State and Amherst Colleges in 1945 and 1947.” He was one of the first African Americans to be selected for membership on the American Board of Surgery, and received the Springarn Medal of NAACP.
Many saved lives due to blood plasma can be attributed to Dr. Charles Drew. He could have done more for America and the world if it hadn’t been for harsh racial attitudes during his day. When he and other doctors should have stopped and rested in hotels, they had to push on. Unfortunately, Dr. Drew was driving a friend’s car, had a serious accident, and died close to a white hospital. While many said that it wasn’t a racial thing, Dr. Drew was transported quite a ways away where he was pronounced dead.
A brilliant mind is a terrible thing to waste, but many brilliant minds like that of Dr. John Drew may have been allowed to go to waste when he was killed in an auto accident. He had saved thousands, probably millions of life from his work; he may have died because America hadn’t advanced far enough to give him proper lodging, thus preserving his life a little longer. He is credited with the most important bank in the world: The Blood Bank.
Credits:
David C Cook “Black America: Yesterday and Today”
American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/museum/history/charlesdrew.asp
Next time: Inventions have helped make America a very innovative nation, reaping profits for many of its inventors, except for most African Americans. Next time, we will look at some of the African American inventions that have made American most prosperous.
What is October known for? Halloween? The Bilingual Child Month? Church Library Month? Church Safety and Security Month? Domestic Violence Awareness Month? Dyslexia Awareness Month? German American Heritage Month? Global Diversity Awareness Month? National Breast Cancer Awareness Month? National Crime Prevention Month? National Dental Hygiene Month? Polish American Heritage Month? Women’s Small Business Month?
Credit: http://www.brownielocks.com/october.html
You need to check out this web site…it may blow your mind: http://www.freemaninstitute.com/RTGseminar.htm
And, here are some more:
www.Black101.com
www.BlackChurchMissions.org
www.RosettaStoneReplicas.com
DID YOU KNOW? There is another resource to help you learn more about Black History?
Check out: www.yenoba.com
And another? Check out: http://www.blackhistorypages.net/index.php
SPECIAL NOTE:
Leave a legacy for future generations by helping to restore an armory for the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in 2010. Less than $4 million is needed for the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum to restore the historic Houston Light Guard Armory (1925). Buy a brick for $100 or $500 or $1,000 or $2,500 or $5,000. Have your name added in their “Legacy of Fame” hall. Get your NFL, NBA, or other professional sports relative to invest $1 million or more and thus give back to future generations by having a hall or room named after them. Get your relative in entertainment to donate $1 million or more and thus leave a legacy that will outlive them by having space dedicated to them.
Contact Ed Udell @ 832-216-7786 for your next speaker at your church conferences, youth meetings, community events, or for diversity programs, teaching writing grant writing, and/or teaching others about health/nutrition, and help for senior citizens.
Today’s Information On African American History
Maybe it was because they were slaves, or descendants of slaves. At any rate, many African Americans have found good fortune in the field of medicine and health care. This was an area in which most slave kidnappers, slave traders, and slave masters paid little attention. Slaves were so plentiful that if some died early or slowed down because of health issues, there were other slaves to take their place.
As African Americans grew in awareness of the importance of health care, the field of medicine and health care for African American practitioners was wide open. Not many white doctors were willing to treat African Americans. At the same time, many African Americans had hand-me-down herbal and medicinal recipes they could use for colds, rashes, burns, bites, and a number of ailments.
However, some African Americans that had a serious interest in health and medicine and had opportunity for schooling made a concentrated effort to get through enough schooling in order to be accepted into some medical school. Again, not many medical schools were willing to accept African Americans interested in doctoring,
Dr. Charles Richard Drew, born in 1904 in Washington, DC, had interest, but everyone at Dunbar High School in Washington figured since he was so good in track, starring as a four letterman, and football that he would major in athletics. He even went on to “study at Amherst College, where his prowess in track and football won him the annual Mossman trophy as the athlete who brought the highest honor to his school.”
After graduating from Amherst, Charles Drew excelled as a coach and a biology and chemistry instructor at Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland. However, he had another interest: to enter the field of medicine. He left Morgan State and went to Montreal, Canada, enrolled in McGill University's Medical School, was granted two fellowships and was awarded his doctorate of medicine and master of surgery degrees.
Dr. Drew was an intern and resident in Montreal hospitals and returned to the United States in 1935 to accept an appointment as instructor in pathology at the College of Medicine of Howard University in Washington, D.C. where he advanced to become assistant professor of surgery.
Dr. Drew’s work at Howard University caught the attention of prominent professionals and he was recommended for one of the Rockefeller fellowships at Columbia where he could advance in all fields of medicine. While there, he met the famous Dr. John Scudder, an assistant professor of clinical surgery at Columbia University “who was achieving national recognition for his research findings relating to body fluids. Dr. Scudder had been asked to give overall direction to the Plasma for Britain Project [due to war challenges].”
Dr. Drew excelled at Columbia when he “prepared a 200 page thesis entitled "Banked Blood," which further alerted Dr. Scudder to the keen mind and talents of his pupil. The Columbia professor said the thesis was "a masterpiece one of the most distinguished essays ever written, both in form and content." He had Dr. Drew to assist in the international blood plasma development. While others had worked on such things on a small scale, it was Dr. Drew who put the work into mass production. The final product he developed was “dried plasma rather than the earlier liquid form that was sent to England. In dry form, plasma could be preserved for relatively long periods and administered under battlefield conditions. The outgrowth of this project was the American Red Cross Blood Donor Service during World War II.”
Whether racial or not, Dr. Drew was not allowed to lead in some other research furthering his development. He resigned and returned to Howard University, trained others to become successful surgeons, “received honorary degrees from Virginia State and Amherst Colleges in 1945 and 1947.” He was one of the first African Americans to be selected for membership on the American Board of Surgery, and received the Springarn Medal of NAACP.
Many saved lives due to blood plasma can be attributed to Dr. Charles Drew. He could have done more for America and the world if it hadn’t been for harsh racial attitudes during his day. When he and other doctors should have stopped and rested in hotels, they had to push on. Unfortunately, Dr. Drew was driving a friend’s car, had a serious accident, and died close to a white hospital. While many said that it wasn’t a racial thing, Dr. Drew was transported quite a ways away where he was pronounced dead.
A brilliant mind is a terrible thing to waste, but many brilliant minds like that of Dr. John Drew may have been allowed to go to waste when he was killed in an auto accident. He had saved thousands, probably millions of life from his work; he may have died because America hadn’t advanced far enough to give him proper lodging, thus preserving his life a little longer. He is credited with the most important bank in the world: The Blood Bank.
Credits:
David C Cook “Black America: Yesterday and Today”
American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/museum/history/charlesdrew.asp
Next time: Inventions have helped make America a very innovative nation, reaping profits for many of its inventors, except for most African Americans. Next time, we will look at some of the African American inventions that have made American most prosperous.
What is October known for? Halloween? The Bilingual Child Month? Church Library Month? Church Safety and Security Month? Domestic Violence Awareness Month? Dyslexia Awareness Month? German American Heritage Month? Global Diversity Awareness Month? National Breast Cancer Awareness Month? National Crime Prevention Month? National Dental Hygiene Month? Polish American Heritage Month? Women’s Small Business Month?
Credit: http://www.brownielocks.com/october.html
You need to check out this web site…it may blow your mind: http://www.freemaninstitute.com/RTGseminar.htm
And, here are some more:
www.Black101.com
www.BlackChurchMissions.org
www.RosettaStoneReplicas.com
DID YOU KNOW? There is another resource to help you learn more about Black History?
Check out: www.yenoba.com
And another? Check out: http://www.blackhistorypages.net/index.php
SPECIAL NOTE:
Leave a legacy for future generations by helping to restore an armory for the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in 2010. Less than $4 million is needed for the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum to restore the historic Houston Light Guard Armory (1925). Buy a brick for $100 or $500 or $1,000 or $2,500 or $5,000. Have your name added in their “Legacy of Fame” hall. Get your NFL, NBA, or other professional sports relative to invest $1 million or more and thus give back to future generations by having a hall or room named after them. Get your relative in entertainment to donate $1 million or more and thus leave a legacy that will outlive them by having space dedicated to them.
Contact Ed Udell @ 832-216-7786 for your next speaker at your church conferences, youth meetings, community events, or for diversity programs, teaching writing grant writing, and/or teaching others about health/nutrition, and help for senior citizens.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A Better Understanding of 3 John 2
Today was a good healthy day for me! After I had a light stroke (TIA) in 2006, I was forced to train my right side again. I had to get serious then because I was not allowed to drive for 6 months! It’s strange how serious we can get about physical fitness information, health, wellness, nutrition, and exercise when we have had a serious health challenge!
After I had gotten permission to drive again, I was so far in debt that I took on two jobs to try to catch up and get ahead economically. This didn’t leave much room to exercise, but since I was now watching my calorie intake (usually 2,000 per day), I felt like I was being good to my body.
It didn’t take too long before my body began to rebel---again! I began having all kinds of aches and pains. My wife told me I needed more rest. I figured that just wasn’t possible. I was active in church, working two jobs, trying to do some writing, working on completing Bible school, and stay somewhat current on my ever-growing e-mail.
Before I knew it, I was having some health challenges---again. After finishing Bible school, I was able to get a little bit more rest, but I figured out I was still losing about 8 days of rest monthly. My body began to be mean to me! My joints were hurting; my head didn’t feel right; and sometimes numbness began to creep over where I had the stroke, and my left hand would curl up and would not cooperate.
After several visits to my primary doctor and being sent to specialists, I began to figure out that while praying for my health was good, God wanted me to use my brain and take care of myself. So, I made a plan: I would begin back exercising when I felt better and I would cut down on one of my jobs…someday. Then it happened recently---pain on the left side of my chest!
One day I just couldn’t take the pain. I figured I must be having a very bad case of indigestion, or---I could be having a slight heart attack. Slight? There is nothing slight about having a heart attack!
I drove myself to ER after telling my supervisor that I just didn’t feel well. After the exam, the doctors asked me some questions about my routine. I had just started back doing some stretches and toning about two weeks earlier. Thus, they figured, I had probably pulled a muscle. Probably? I was STILL hurting!
My primary doctor was concerned about my continuing high blood pressure. Although she had me on several medications, now she was adding a stronger one for hypertension. I saw concern on her face and it made me somewhat uncomfortable. My wife told me I needed more rest. My mother told me from 2,000 miles away I needed more rest. My wife’s mother across the hall in our senior complex told me I needed more rest. Some of my grown children from miles away suggested I needed to take it easy. How was I supposed to take it easy when I had all these medical bills and bills from when I wasn’t working? Plus, there was a lot of ministry I wanted to do and since I didn’t have the temperament to be a pastor, I would need to be able to support myself or get a lot of friends and family members to help me.
The pain in my chest would not leave me alone. Then one day my wife noticed that although she had carried our five children, my belly was beginning to compete with hers! I tried to suck it in, but it would hardly bulge. I could push it up and it would just roll up and down. I began to think of all the other men who had those jelly roll stomachs. Now, I was one of them! One day I looked sideways in the mirror…I began to look like a pregnant man!
I finally decided to pray about my situation. Perhaps God had a miracle of healing and another one for my prosperity. After a season of prayer, I sensed He wanted me to quit one of my jobs. I resisted because it just didn’t make sense. I had plans to do so much for Him, but I also had these other obligations coming in the form of mail and phone calls.
Like Jacob, I wrestled with my decision, but I lost. When I told God that it didn’t make sense but He and everyone else was right and I was wrong---I needed to quit one of my jobs and cut back on the other job. As far as the bills, oh well, I had talked about faith, taught about faith, and was going to a church that strongly taught faith, now it was time for me to walk the talk, knowing there would probably be a season of being uncomfortable while the manifestations of my faith could catch up with my speaking faith and trusting God’s plan over mine. I just didn’t want to be uncomfortable. It was easy to talk faith when I had a great income, health insurance, credit cards, and some money in the bank. Take those things away from me and I was a little nervous!
Well, it has been almost two months since I made the decision to believe God for better and take care of my body. Oh yeah, it has been somewhat uncomfortable, trying to balance ½ of my income with double the expenses. However, it has been quite an adventure!
My health is much better, along with my attitude. Someone remarked about a month ago that I looked happier than he had ever seen me in about 20 years. Wow! There is something to be said about taking care of one’s health and on purpose spending more time with the Creator!
Yep! Today was a good day. I just completed my exercise and nutrition journal. I began keeping one about 3 years ago. I had no idea the affect of what I wanted to eat was having on my body. When I began to chart calorie intake needed, while tracking carbs, fat, and protein, I began to read labels of food I wanted. I had no idea how many calories a hamburger, fries, a shake, and certain sweets contained! Today, my 2,000 calorie intake was down to 1320. Oops! I forgot to add my snack of 3 large chocolate chip cookies my wife just made. Whoa! My calorie intake jumped up to 1527. I had no idea what three cookies could do! In times past, I would have had 4, 5, or 6 cookies. And I probably would have added a candy bar. Some things are easier to give up when one doesn’t have the money!
When I added the three cookies just now, my fat content jumped from 31 grams to 51 grams, my carbs went from 200 grams to 227, and my protein count jumped a little from 47 grams to 51 grams---I am glad my wife cut back on some ingredients!
Learning how to improve my health through understanding what I eat has been eye-opening. Three years ago I wasn’t concerned about things like: saturated fats, mono unsaturated fats, trans fats, dietary fiber, starch, sugars, sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose, galactose, tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cystine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, valine, arginine, histidine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, serine, hydroxyproline, cholesterol, retinol, retinal activity, betacarotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, folic acid, pantothenic, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, fluoride, water, ash, caffeine, theobromine, a whole lot of words I can’t even pronounce, and all those vitamins (A, B6, B12, C, D, E, K). God made all of the natural things to be taken in a certain quantity, in a right way, and in combination with other like items to match what our bodies need. He never planned for us to eat the chemicals we consume in canned and frozen foods. However, many of us just ate what tasted good, looked good, smelled good, and felt good. We are not too far removed from Eve when she consumed something not good for her at the time!
Now that I have a 3-year record of my consistent recording of what I eat, I plan to help others. The software program that one of my health consultants developed is fantastic! He and I are working on a plan where I can offer a virtual health center for all of my family and friends who are so interested. For about $30 a month, we can replicate this work nationwide. For another $30 a month, I can help anyone set up their program and help them record and track what they eat and meet with them weekly in consultation. Of course, if there are some who need more accountability, I can meet with them DAILY but that will cost them! Accountability is easier for me---I have a caring wife watching me!
Hey! You can start improving your health right now! Begin by drinking more water, but try to get the water as pure as possible. Then, begin to do some simple stretches before beginning a walking program. Then move into some aerobics. When it’s time to eat, learn what a serving is. Unless you have really big fists, a serving is about the size of the average fist. Check out the food pyramid. Eat more grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables and cut back, way back, on red meat. And, of course, cut out the pork! Ask God to give you grace if you have been raised on bacon, pork chops, pork sausage, and pork ribs. Of course, check with your doctor before you begin any exercise or change your diet. This is especially true if you are diabetic or have other serious health challenges.
If any would like to see a copy of one of my food charts for a week, send me an e-mail. I pray that you prosper mentally, physically, socially, and financially, even as you prosper in your soul spiritually.
After I had gotten permission to drive again, I was so far in debt that I took on two jobs to try to catch up and get ahead economically. This didn’t leave much room to exercise, but since I was now watching my calorie intake (usually 2,000 per day), I felt like I was being good to my body.
It didn’t take too long before my body began to rebel---again! I began having all kinds of aches and pains. My wife told me I needed more rest. I figured that just wasn’t possible. I was active in church, working two jobs, trying to do some writing, working on completing Bible school, and stay somewhat current on my ever-growing e-mail.
Before I knew it, I was having some health challenges---again. After finishing Bible school, I was able to get a little bit more rest, but I figured out I was still losing about 8 days of rest monthly. My body began to be mean to me! My joints were hurting; my head didn’t feel right; and sometimes numbness began to creep over where I had the stroke, and my left hand would curl up and would not cooperate.
After several visits to my primary doctor and being sent to specialists, I began to figure out that while praying for my health was good, God wanted me to use my brain and take care of myself. So, I made a plan: I would begin back exercising when I felt better and I would cut down on one of my jobs…someday. Then it happened recently---pain on the left side of my chest!
One day I just couldn’t take the pain. I figured I must be having a very bad case of indigestion, or---I could be having a slight heart attack. Slight? There is nothing slight about having a heart attack!
I drove myself to ER after telling my supervisor that I just didn’t feel well. After the exam, the doctors asked me some questions about my routine. I had just started back doing some stretches and toning about two weeks earlier. Thus, they figured, I had probably pulled a muscle. Probably? I was STILL hurting!
My primary doctor was concerned about my continuing high blood pressure. Although she had me on several medications, now she was adding a stronger one for hypertension. I saw concern on her face and it made me somewhat uncomfortable. My wife told me I needed more rest. My mother told me from 2,000 miles away I needed more rest. My wife’s mother across the hall in our senior complex told me I needed more rest. Some of my grown children from miles away suggested I needed to take it easy. How was I supposed to take it easy when I had all these medical bills and bills from when I wasn’t working? Plus, there was a lot of ministry I wanted to do and since I didn’t have the temperament to be a pastor, I would need to be able to support myself or get a lot of friends and family members to help me.
The pain in my chest would not leave me alone. Then one day my wife noticed that although she had carried our five children, my belly was beginning to compete with hers! I tried to suck it in, but it would hardly bulge. I could push it up and it would just roll up and down. I began to think of all the other men who had those jelly roll stomachs. Now, I was one of them! One day I looked sideways in the mirror…I began to look like a pregnant man!
I finally decided to pray about my situation. Perhaps God had a miracle of healing and another one for my prosperity. After a season of prayer, I sensed He wanted me to quit one of my jobs. I resisted because it just didn’t make sense. I had plans to do so much for Him, but I also had these other obligations coming in the form of mail and phone calls.
Like Jacob, I wrestled with my decision, but I lost. When I told God that it didn’t make sense but He and everyone else was right and I was wrong---I needed to quit one of my jobs and cut back on the other job. As far as the bills, oh well, I had talked about faith, taught about faith, and was going to a church that strongly taught faith, now it was time for me to walk the talk, knowing there would probably be a season of being uncomfortable while the manifestations of my faith could catch up with my speaking faith and trusting God’s plan over mine. I just didn’t want to be uncomfortable. It was easy to talk faith when I had a great income, health insurance, credit cards, and some money in the bank. Take those things away from me and I was a little nervous!
Well, it has been almost two months since I made the decision to believe God for better and take care of my body. Oh yeah, it has been somewhat uncomfortable, trying to balance ½ of my income with double the expenses. However, it has been quite an adventure!
My health is much better, along with my attitude. Someone remarked about a month ago that I looked happier than he had ever seen me in about 20 years. Wow! There is something to be said about taking care of one’s health and on purpose spending more time with the Creator!
Yep! Today was a good day. I just completed my exercise and nutrition journal. I began keeping one about 3 years ago. I had no idea the affect of what I wanted to eat was having on my body. When I began to chart calorie intake needed, while tracking carbs, fat, and protein, I began to read labels of food I wanted. I had no idea how many calories a hamburger, fries, a shake, and certain sweets contained! Today, my 2,000 calorie intake was down to 1320. Oops! I forgot to add my snack of 3 large chocolate chip cookies my wife just made. Whoa! My calorie intake jumped up to 1527. I had no idea what three cookies could do! In times past, I would have had 4, 5, or 6 cookies. And I probably would have added a candy bar. Some things are easier to give up when one doesn’t have the money!
When I added the three cookies just now, my fat content jumped from 31 grams to 51 grams, my carbs went from 200 grams to 227, and my protein count jumped a little from 47 grams to 51 grams---I am glad my wife cut back on some ingredients!
Learning how to improve my health through understanding what I eat has been eye-opening. Three years ago I wasn’t concerned about things like: saturated fats, mono unsaturated fats, trans fats, dietary fiber, starch, sugars, sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose, galactose, tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cystine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, valine, arginine, histidine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, serine, hydroxyproline, cholesterol, retinol, retinal activity, betacarotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, folic acid, pantothenic, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, fluoride, water, ash, caffeine, theobromine, a whole lot of words I can’t even pronounce, and all those vitamins (A, B6, B12, C, D, E, K). God made all of the natural things to be taken in a certain quantity, in a right way, and in combination with other like items to match what our bodies need. He never planned for us to eat the chemicals we consume in canned and frozen foods. However, many of us just ate what tasted good, looked good, smelled good, and felt good. We are not too far removed from Eve when she consumed something not good for her at the time!
Now that I have a 3-year record of my consistent recording of what I eat, I plan to help others. The software program that one of my health consultants developed is fantastic! He and I are working on a plan where I can offer a virtual health center for all of my family and friends who are so interested. For about $30 a month, we can replicate this work nationwide. For another $30 a month, I can help anyone set up their program and help them record and track what they eat and meet with them weekly in consultation. Of course, if there are some who need more accountability, I can meet with them DAILY but that will cost them! Accountability is easier for me---I have a caring wife watching me!
Hey! You can start improving your health right now! Begin by drinking more water, but try to get the water as pure as possible. Then, begin to do some simple stretches before beginning a walking program. Then move into some aerobics. When it’s time to eat, learn what a serving is. Unless you have really big fists, a serving is about the size of the average fist. Check out the food pyramid. Eat more grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables and cut back, way back, on red meat. And, of course, cut out the pork! Ask God to give you grace if you have been raised on bacon, pork chops, pork sausage, and pork ribs. Of course, check with your doctor before you begin any exercise or change your diet. This is especially true if you are diabetic or have other serious health challenges.
If any would like to see a copy of one of my food charts for a week, send me an e-mail. I pray that you prosper mentally, physically, socially, and financially, even as you prosper in your soul spiritually.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Health Reform? It's a Joke, Unless...
HEALTH REFORM
By Edward G. Udell, Sr.
August 9, 2009
I have been concerned about health ever since as I little boy I discovered my mom had health issues.
Sometimes, my mom, Cassie Mae (Roland) Udell McCain, would work in the fields with only one arm because when it would be really cold, her left side would shut down and she would be partially paralyzed. However, she still picked almost as much cotton as anyone else in the field during cotton-picking time. During any other labor work, she could usually outwork others who did not have a health issue.
My mom came into the world with health issues, but her family did not have the funds to get her the medical care she needed, due to their lack of income. Mom fought. She was scheduled to die from her health challenges at age 8. Then it was moved to age 11. A strange aunt said some words over her, hit her in her back (which straightened up!), and she was able to walk straight. However, she still had other health issues.
Mom was scheduled to die at age 18. Then it was moved to age 30 and again to age 40. By this time, mom had learned more about prayer, alternative medicine, and just read up on medical information. She is now 85 and people don’t understand how she made it. Those doctors who are still alive are amazed!
I had health issues most of my life. The Navy even gave me a 4F rating after I was hurt in drill in 1964 and they discovered I had had some health issues. Without properly serving me, they just kicked me out with a medical discharge, but without any veteran’s benefits. I have fought for over 44 years to get them to revise my records and/or let me have my veteran’s benefits but they have refused.
I was selected by the National Urban League to attend a national health conference in San Antonio, Texas in 1972 upon a recommendation by someone who knew of my interest in community health improvements. I gave my input and hoped there would be a great health policy put forward in America; not much happened.
In 1973 – 1974, I was selected to serve as a Community Health Worker for the Regional Medical Program, a federally-funded program associated with the University of Washington Medical School. I served 14 eastern Washington state counties, helping medical professions and health consumers work on improving the health operations in their counties. After an election, this program was cut by Congress. In 1975, I was asked to serve on the “new” Congressional health plan, Comprehensive Health Planning. This program frightened medical professionals who thought the federal government was going to take over health care and put them on smaller salaries. Although we did some good serving the various eastern Washington state counties, the negative support of the medical community hurt the good this program was trying to do. I gave up hoping that the government and the medical community would ever agree on how to best improve the health of its citizens.
In 1979, I completed my Master’s Thesis “Health: In Good Hands With Educators---A Discussion Paper Proposing A Way To Improve The Health Of The Nation.” My premise was that the government should require parents to become better health monitors and turn schools into health centers. Although some schools began to offer pre-natal care and child care centers to girls in school and later added giving out condoms and offering girls abortion information, it was still a far cry from really solving the health problems of this country.
As I have watched the health of many low-income and moderate-income people worsen because they did not have access, I have also watched another trend having a negative impact on the health of this country: allow millions of immigrants with lower health standards to come, stay, work, and interact with Americans trying to get healthy.
The impact of the millions of legal and illegal immigrants since the 1960s have had a catastrophic affect on the health delivery service in America. While they crowd the clinics and budgets are expanded to make sure they have reading material in their language and health care professionals who speak their language, more native-born Americans with a long list of American ancestors are pushed back further in the lines to get health care. Surprisingly, the immigrants of the past 30-50 years pay far less for health care than they should be paying since they have put in very little into the health care pot through taxes, fighting wars for this country, and working hard to make life better for others.
If health reform is going to work, there must be a system put in place whereby native-born Americans can freely have a better opportunity to get access to health care. They should not have to wait in lines because politicians and business people want a lot of cheap labor to ensure the financial success of their own enterprises. It’s time for Americans to bite the bullet about immigrants---limit the number of legal immigrants coming in, deport those who are illegal with their children, put those who habitually break laws and commit serious crimes on land where they can learn to support themselves, learn to be a honest citizen, earn skills needed by world employers, and have stronger determination to become legal, or deport them when their criminal time is up.
If health reform is going to work, we must be honest and see what groups are causing the cost of health care to sky-rocket: the poor, the immigrants, and the elderly. The poor need to have better training (their schools, their faith-based centers, etc.) on health prevention. This group should then be rewarded with a health card where they have a small deductible, a lifetime cap, and receive more training on health care, cleanliness, and health/wellness/nutrition development. This group could then be rewarded with their lifetime cap being raised, and annual total health care check-ups for a small amount.
The poor, including immigrants, who do not maintain and improve their health care, will be penalized with longer waits at health clinics, higher shared-cost fees, and a lower lifetime health care cap. If they work, their employer should deduct more of their check for health care and Social Security so when they have such needs, they have already paid something into the health care coverage.
The elderly who probably consume over 2/3 of the health care costs in this country will have three options:
1) those unable to work and currently who do not have funds to maintain and/or improve their health will be placed in larger health care centers with limited staff and allowed to die gracefully, instead of being maintained in a vegetable-like state;
2) those able to work will pay into a health care fund restricted for those with the same disease or disability and given an opportunity to learn how to improve their health and allowed to die gracefully without prolonging their agony; and
3) those able to work and willing to be trained as part-time health caretakers for the elderly, will also pay into a health care fund for their age group and health care challenge, but will have access to better health care by those training to become doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.
The government could also insist (or make it a law) that those who are over 40 make better preparations for their future health needs by having them pay a higher premium for their age group and health care challenge so as their health care needs arise, funds are there to cover the costs. Employers will also be required to donate and withhold a higher amount to cover future longevity and longer health care needs. The government will also need to cut prison care about 2/3 so that prisoners do not get better health care and nutrition than the honest citizens who do not have funds to have such help as prisoners. When short-sighted judges sue cities, counties, states, and other judicial groups for NOT providing ample space, ample beds, and “reasonable” benefits for prisoners, they should be impeached for acting against the rights of non-criminals.
All citizens should be trained in health care, wellness, nutrition, and given health credit cards to cover their health care needs as they arise from accidents or a sudden onset of a disease. As citizens are trained in taking better care of themselves, they will have fewer health aliments, and will have the means to improve and maintain their health as long as they are productive. Those citizens who are no longer productive (sharing history, giving wisdom insights, teaching about gardening, etc.) should be allowed to die gracefully without extra drugs or special care when it is determined that they will not regain enough health to become as productive as they would like.
I realize that the above may sound harsh, but we are now living in harsh times. Strong people are needed to make strong decisions if America is going to get a handle on the health care costs in this nation. Employers will have to pay more of the costs of health care since people are living longer and short-sighted planning did not send enough funds ahead to take care of the future needs. Medical professionals will have to adjust their lifestyles and expect to make less to help during the transition. If the millions of immigrants were not given jobs from native-born citizens, native-born citizens could have good jobs to pay for increased health care. However, native-born citizens would also have to be trained in health prevention and in ways to maintain their health. If they refuse, their card should be a red card and they will be given the opportunity to pay more for their health care since they did little to prevent their health from doing downhill!
By Edward G. Udell, Sr.
August 9, 2009
I have been concerned about health ever since as I little boy I discovered my mom had health issues.
Sometimes, my mom, Cassie Mae (Roland) Udell McCain, would work in the fields with only one arm because when it would be really cold, her left side would shut down and she would be partially paralyzed. However, she still picked almost as much cotton as anyone else in the field during cotton-picking time. During any other labor work, she could usually outwork others who did not have a health issue.
My mom came into the world with health issues, but her family did not have the funds to get her the medical care she needed, due to their lack of income. Mom fought. She was scheduled to die from her health challenges at age 8. Then it was moved to age 11. A strange aunt said some words over her, hit her in her back (which straightened up!), and she was able to walk straight. However, she still had other health issues.
Mom was scheduled to die at age 18. Then it was moved to age 30 and again to age 40. By this time, mom had learned more about prayer, alternative medicine, and just read up on medical information. She is now 85 and people don’t understand how she made it. Those doctors who are still alive are amazed!
I had health issues most of my life. The Navy even gave me a 4F rating after I was hurt in drill in 1964 and they discovered I had had some health issues. Without properly serving me, they just kicked me out with a medical discharge, but without any veteran’s benefits. I have fought for over 44 years to get them to revise my records and/or let me have my veteran’s benefits but they have refused.
I was selected by the National Urban League to attend a national health conference in San Antonio, Texas in 1972 upon a recommendation by someone who knew of my interest in community health improvements. I gave my input and hoped there would be a great health policy put forward in America; not much happened.
In 1973 – 1974, I was selected to serve as a Community Health Worker for the Regional Medical Program, a federally-funded program associated with the University of Washington Medical School. I served 14 eastern Washington state counties, helping medical professions and health consumers work on improving the health operations in their counties. After an election, this program was cut by Congress. In 1975, I was asked to serve on the “new” Congressional health plan, Comprehensive Health Planning. This program frightened medical professionals who thought the federal government was going to take over health care and put them on smaller salaries. Although we did some good serving the various eastern Washington state counties, the negative support of the medical community hurt the good this program was trying to do. I gave up hoping that the government and the medical community would ever agree on how to best improve the health of its citizens.
In 1979, I completed my Master’s Thesis “Health: In Good Hands With Educators---A Discussion Paper Proposing A Way To Improve The Health Of The Nation.” My premise was that the government should require parents to become better health monitors and turn schools into health centers. Although some schools began to offer pre-natal care and child care centers to girls in school and later added giving out condoms and offering girls abortion information, it was still a far cry from really solving the health problems of this country.
As I have watched the health of many low-income and moderate-income people worsen because they did not have access, I have also watched another trend having a negative impact on the health of this country: allow millions of immigrants with lower health standards to come, stay, work, and interact with Americans trying to get healthy.
The impact of the millions of legal and illegal immigrants since the 1960s have had a catastrophic affect on the health delivery service in America. While they crowd the clinics and budgets are expanded to make sure they have reading material in their language and health care professionals who speak their language, more native-born Americans with a long list of American ancestors are pushed back further in the lines to get health care. Surprisingly, the immigrants of the past 30-50 years pay far less for health care than they should be paying since they have put in very little into the health care pot through taxes, fighting wars for this country, and working hard to make life better for others.
If health reform is going to work, there must be a system put in place whereby native-born Americans can freely have a better opportunity to get access to health care. They should not have to wait in lines because politicians and business people want a lot of cheap labor to ensure the financial success of their own enterprises. It’s time for Americans to bite the bullet about immigrants---limit the number of legal immigrants coming in, deport those who are illegal with their children, put those who habitually break laws and commit serious crimes on land where they can learn to support themselves, learn to be a honest citizen, earn skills needed by world employers, and have stronger determination to become legal, or deport them when their criminal time is up.
If health reform is going to work, we must be honest and see what groups are causing the cost of health care to sky-rocket: the poor, the immigrants, and the elderly. The poor need to have better training (their schools, their faith-based centers, etc.) on health prevention. This group should then be rewarded with a health card where they have a small deductible, a lifetime cap, and receive more training on health care, cleanliness, and health/wellness/nutrition development. This group could then be rewarded with their lifetime cap being raised, and annual total health care check-ups for a small amount.
The poor, including immigrants, who do not maintain and improve their health care, will be penalized with longer waits at health clinics, higher shared-cost fees, and a lower lifetime health care cap. If they work, their employer should deduct more of their check for health care and Social Security so when they have such needs, they have already paid something into the health care coverage.
The elderly who probably consume over 2/3 of the health care costs in this country will have three options:
1) those unable to work and currently who do not have funds to maintain and/or improve their health will be placed in larger health care centers with limited staff and allowed to die gracefully, instead of being maintained in a vegetable-like state;
2) those able to work will pay into a health care fund restricted for those with the same disease or disability and given an opportunity to learn how to improve their health and allowed to die gracefully without prolonging their agony; and
3) those able to work and willing to be trained as part-time health caretakers for the elderly, will also pay into a health care fund for their age group and health care challenge, but will have access to better health care by those training to become doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.
The government could also insist (or make it a law) that those who are over 40 make better preparations for their future health needs by having them pay a higher premium for their age group and health care challenge so as their health care needs arise, funds are there to cover the costs. Employers will also be required to donate and withhold a higher amount to cover future longevity and longer health care needs. The government will also need to cut prison care about 2/3 so that prisoners do not get better health care and nutrition than the honest citizens who do not have funds to have such help as prisoners. When short-sighted judges sue cities, counties, states, and other judicial groups for NOT providing ample space, ample beds, and “reasonable” benefits for prisoners, they should be impeached for acting against the rights of non-criminals.
All citizens should be trained in health care, wellness, nutrition, and given health credit cards to cover their health care needs as they arise from accidents or a sudden onset of a disease. As citizens are trained in taking better care of themselves, they will have fewer health aliments, and will have the means to improve and maintain their health as long as they are productive. Those citizens who are no longer productive (sharing history, giving wisdom insights, teaching about gardening, etc.) should be allowed to die gracefully without extra drugs or special care when it is determined that they will not regain enough health to become as productive as they would like.
I realize that the above may sound harsh, but we are now living in harsh times. Strong people are needed to make strong decisions if America is going to get a handle on the health care costs in this nation. Employers will have to pay more of the costs of health care since people are living longer and short-sighted planning did not send enough funds ahead to take care of the future needs. Medical professionals will have to adjust their lifestyles and expect to make less to help during the transition. If the millions of immigrants were not given jobs from native-born citizens, native-born citizens could have good jobs to pay for increased health care. However, native-born citizens would also have to be trained in health prevention and in ways to maintain their health. If they refuse, their card should be a red card and they will be given the opportunity to pay more for their health care since they did little to prevent their health from doing downhill!
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