This Is Not The Way To Start The New Year: FEAR

This was taken from the www.whitehouse.gov:

Executive Order — Medical Countermeasures Following a Biological Attack

ESTABLISHING FEDERAL CAPABILITY FOR THE TIMELY PROVISION OF
MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES FOLLOWING A BIOLOGICAL ATTACK

Basically, what he is saying is that following a biological (anthrax) attack the U.S. Postal Service is allowed to deliver medical countermeasures (antidote). Well, thank you Mr. President, that makes me feel all safe & confident that all the branches of the U.S. Government are doing their job (uh not!).

This Executive Order is released after a Nigerian man tries to blow up a plane last month, Newark Airport was on a Security Lockdown Sunday night and the masterminds of the 9/11 attack on America are facing a trial in New York.

So is the message we are getting for the new year to be afraid, be very afraid in 2010? Because when a President makes an announcement like that it kind of makes me believe it’s just a matter of time.

Mr. Obama didn’t anyone ever tell you that is not the way you show confidence in your government? The American people need you to do your job and do it right. You are focusing on all the wrong things and in the meantime we are sitting ducks for another terrorist attack.

Airport security measures have been tightened since Christmas Day, they never should have been lowered. The Nigerian man was on a terror watch list, so someone wasn’t doing their job letting him in the country to begin with. Now we are being told if we fly our lives will be disrupted further due to new screening measures, which please understand I am all for. However, as Americans are arriving early, subjected to more screenings and randoms checks, terrorists are still getting through.

This is why, two very simple reasons:

1) The people in charge of airport security are lazy. They don’t want to be bothered having to detain someone or go through all the procedures for people they know are of interest. Instead, they “randomly check” those who they know are not a threat. It’s fast and easy for them.

2) The people in charge of airport security are afraid of being portrayed as prejudice. If they stop someone to “randomly check” them because of their race, nationality or ethnicity they are yelled at and bullied into believing that it is racial profiling. That these people should not be picked out just because of their background.

Fix this problem and fix it fast. Also, Mr. President one more thing (for now) do something besides talk and spend money. All you have done since you took office is spend Billions and Trillions of dollars and we are no where near the end of this economic depression or any terrorist threat. Let’s make that your New Years Resolution!

Remembering Sept. 11th

We all remember September 11, 2001 as if it were yesterday.  Where we were, what we were doing, how we found out.  It is a memory, no matter how horrifying it was, it is one that will haunt us forever. That was a day Americans finally realized that we are not untouchable and there are evil people in this world whose sole purpose is to destroy us.

As we all watched the Towers collapse, the Pentagon wall crumble and a big crater in the ground where a plane crashed our hearts broke. They broke for all those innocent people who were killed that day, that’s right they didn’t just die they were killed, viciously and intentionally. They still break every time a birthday or anniversary passes and every year we realize this day was not a nightmare.

So today we remember all those that lost their lives that day eight years ago. We remember the people who simply went to work that morning, the ones who sat on a plane and all those who gave their lives trying to help others. We will never forget.

I want to remember my friend Deanna, who was pregnant with her first child Matthew. I will never forget.

To the disgusting, evil men who took her life and the lives of almost 3,000 people that day, may you rot in hell. America will never forget.

God Bless The USA!!!!

Health Care Reform: The Obama Plan

The Obama Plan.  It has been the focus of many debates and knee deep in controversy.  I have a pre-existing condition so this affects me greatly.  I say we break it down.

If you have Health Insurance:

• Ends discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. Those with pre-existing conditions are not denied health insurance.  Health Insurance companies are not allowed to deny anyone coverage if you can pay their premiums, they are however going to make it incredibly hard for you.  This was said to me personally by one of the biggest insurance companies.  Their representative said those words to me when I tried to obtain their coverage.  They will force you to pay high premiums while limiting your coverage and denying claims.  By them denying claims you are denied treatment.
• Limits premium discrimination based on gender and age. How?  If you can do that, do it now.
• Prevents insurance companies from dropping coverage when people are sick and need it most. It’s not that they drop your coverage, why would they if you are paying the premium.  They will keep taking your money and just deny your claims.
• Caps out-of pocket expenses so people don’t go broke when they get sick. Please see my thoughts below.
• Eliminates extra charges for preventive care like mammograms, flu shots and diabetes tests to improve health and save money. Please see my thoughts below.
• Protects Medicare for seniors. If this is truly a concern for them why did they just cut budgets for Medicare and stop making premium payments for seniors who cannot afford them?  They did not give prior notice, they just took the money out of Social Security checks.  The checks these people rely on to survive and pay for the medical costs Medicare does not cover.
• Eliminates the “donut-hole” gap in coverage for prescription drugs. Isn’t this why the created Medicare part D? The part D plan gives Medicare recipients who did not have prior prescription coverage the plan to cut the out-of-pocket costs for their monthly prescriptions.  Why not just expand the program?

If you don’t have Insurance:

• Creates a new insurance marketplace – the Exchange – that allows people without insurance and small businesses to compare plans and buy insurance at competitive prices. This does not guarantee Americans will be able to afford it.  If you have no job, which is the issue millions of Americans are facing you still cannot afford to pay any premium.  They can compare plans now and buy insurance with the one who offers the lowest premium.  However, they can’t afford the premium period, even the lowest isn’t low enough.
• Provides new tax credits to help people buy insurance. He speaks about tax credits on a sliding scale and cost- sharing for out-of-pockets expenses, but he doesn’t care to elaborate or explain what these are to the Americans who don’t know.  Cost-sharing is what they did to Medicaid, which made it impossible for some people with pre-existing conditions and life threatening disabilities to be covered under the program and excluded them from receiving health insurance.  Also, who exactly will be able to receive these tax credits?
• Provides small businesses tax credits and affordable options for covering employees. What about handing fines out to the employers who do not want to offer coverage or use the loop-hole and hire all part-time employees that they are not required to offer any benefits to.
• Offers a public health insurance option to provide the uninsured and those who can’t find affordable coverage with a real choice. He also said it will be like Medicaid.  Then he contradicted himself and said that this public option will operate like any private insurance company – it must be self-sufficient and rely on the premiums it collects. How if those on Medicaid cannot afford a premium?  If it will be like Medicaid why not just improve that program, instead of creating one just like it.  This public option is still on the table for one reason, no matter what he says it is geared toward those who already rely on public assistance.  If not, why not eliminate the option.  You are already supposed to be offering affordable coverage, so why does there have to be yet another option?
• Immediately offers new, low-cost coverage through a national “high risk” pool to protect people with pre-existing conditions from financial ruin until the new Exchange is created. Again I ask, how?  Who is going to provide this coverage and what will the limitations be?  Again, what if it’s not as affordable as you are leading people to believe?  You want us to accept what you say and wait for this new “Exchange” but we won’t receive it for another four years.
• Requires additional cuts if savings are not realized. Under the plan, if the savings promised at the time of enactment don’t materialize, the President will be required to put forth additional savings to ensure that the plan does not add to the deficit. He says this, but what if at the time savings are not realized he will do what he has been doing and say we will put forth additional savings but it will take time.  So he wants you to pass a bill that probably won’t even be realized during his Presidency and makes promises for future Presidents.
• Requires large employers to cover their employees and individuals who can afford it to buy insurance so everyone shares in the responsibility of reform. Under the President’s plan, large businesses – those with more than 50 workers – will be required to offer their workers coverage or pay a fee to help cover the cost of making coverage affordable in the exchange. This will ensure that workers in firms not offering coverage will have affordable coverage options for themselves and their families.  Individuals who can afford it will have a responsibility to purchase coverage – but there will be a “hardship exemption” for those who cannot. There it is at the very bottom, the exception to the everyone pays promise, the “hardship exemption.” What qualifies as a hardship?  If you have not or do not pay taxes then you should not be allowed to be an exemption.  People on Social Security Disability have paid taxes at one point in their life, this makes them eligible to receive Disability, that should be the only exemption.

America needs Health Care Reform, that is not under debate, however there is a way.  It’s just not Obama’s way.  Instead of finding ways to make it easier for patients to pay hospital bills why don’t you make the hospitals accountable for what they charge.  There should be only one bill, a single bill received from the hospital, for services rendered.

There should not be a bill for each service.  A patient should not receive a separate bill, one for the hospital stay, one for medication, one for lab tests and individual bills for each person who walks through their door.

That person should not be responsible to pay for each nurse and doctor who enters their room, that is why they get a paycheck.  They should not be responsible for doctors they did not approve of who come in to read their chart and listen to their heart for two minutes.

Congress wants to cut health care costs and make it affordable for everyone, then start there.   Stop allowing doctors and hospitals to take advantage of us.

Another way to cut costs, make insurance companies accountable. Instead of trying to pass a bill making separate programs improve the ones already in place.  Instead of allowing these companies to profit off of us fine them for every legitimate claim they deny.  Lower the costs of medical services and prescriptions, which you can by demanding these medical and prescription providers not be allowed to mark-up costs to the degree they do now.  There can be a compromise between making a profit and offering affordable options.  That’s what any Commission you create should be focusing on.

I don’t want to hear that is government interference, government interferes with everything else, why not let them interfere with what can benefit Americans.

There are many more ideas just like these, so why don’t we get them out in the open and then maybe, just maybe someone will listen.

Source: WhiteHouse.gov

Kourtney Kardashian Speaks Openly About Considering Abortion

We all know by now that Kourtney Kardashian (Keeping Up With The Kardashians & Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami) is pregnant with her on-again boyfriend, Scott Disick’s, child. What we didn’t know what that she considered not keeping the baby and wasn’t thinking about adoption. She speaks openly and as far as I can tell honestly about how difficult the decision was for her.

Kourtney took everyone’s opinions into consideration, but says ultimately the decision was hers and hers alone. She confesses that all the reasons she had for not keeping the baby were selfish and that she wasn’t in a position where she couldn’t support the baby. After researching abortion online, speaking to a doctor and crying she made her decision and says she is very happy with it.

Go here to read the article in People.

I have to say that when I read the title of the article I passed judgments and was ready to blast her, but after reading I changed my mind and think that the article was a very good idea. Maybe it can help others who find themselves having to make that difficult choice. I also commend her for having the courage to put herself out there, especially on such a touchy subject. Good for you Kourtney!

Lost University

Are you a fan of the television series LOST?  Are you obsessed with figuring out the mysteries and secrets of the island?  Would you like to learn more about time travel?  Well, do we have a website for you.  ABC the network that brings you LOST is now opening LOST University.

At LOST University you will be able to further explore the themes and mysteries of not only the television show, but also how they relate to the world around you.  

On September 22nd, 2009 enrollment will begin for the very first semester of LOST University.  You will take a placement exam, receive a student ID and watch your University introductory class LOST 101.

The first semester begins on December 8, 2009.  So visit the LOST University website and begin your journey today.

Happy Fourth Of July

Happy Fourth of July!!

Happy, Healthy & Safe!!

More Tax Hikes To Come

After reading an article on Wallet Pop about states raising taxes I am left disappointed in the people we voted for.  Their job is to look out for the best interest of their states and its residents.

It is obvious they understand that they are losing money usually gained from income taxes, because of the rising unemployment issue.  So what I don’t understand is why they would think it’s a good idea to charge those people who have no money coming in besides their unemployment benefits more money on everything?

NOTE TO ALL LAWMAKERS:  STOP TRYING TO MAKE MONEY OFF THE PEOPLE WHO DON’T HAVE IT.  FIND ANOTHER WAY.

Stop handing out raises and bonuses to already highly paid executives. Actually, make sure the people that get to keep their jobs deserve it.

I would like to know where all the tax money has been going.  What about all the money being made from bridge & tunnel tolls, traffic or parking tickets, all the parking meters and every lottery ticket (and don’t tell me it’s going towards education)?  Just to name a few.

Every single thing we purchase has a tax on it and every pay check we receive decrease as the months pass.  Sure Obama gave us an extra $13.00 a week in our pay, that should really put a dent in our household bills.

Come on America…..WAKE UP!!

Build A Better Resume

Looking for a job?  Emurse wants to help you build a quality resume.  The site will also store and share your resume for free.

Keep notes on where you send your resume and set reminders.  Like a website you will have privacy controls and advance stats.

Help employers find you by using Emurse.  It’s easy and it’s free!

Source:  Emurse

Calvin Klein Replaces Controversial Billboard

The controversial Calvin Klein billboard that I wrote about a week ago has been replaced with a swimwear ad.

The new Calvin Klein billboard some say is just as provocative but less controversial.  No one will know if the company took the other billboard (that some referred to as borderline pornography) down because of the public outcry over it or because of the arrival of summer.  The new ad features a model emerging from the surf.

Oh well, as long as it’s gone.

Mother Let Boy Reach 555 Lbs.

Jerri Gray from South Carolina is out of jail on $50,000.00 bond after being charged with neglecting her obese son.

Gray allowed her son Alexander Draper to reach 555 lbs. by the age of 14 and that’s when law enforcement finally stepped in.  Alexander’s mother claims she cannot afford to get her son treatment and blames a hectic work schedule on his weight gain.  She says she was forced to buy fast food in between shifts.

There are too many working, single mother’s out there for this excuse to fly.  If you need to work you make prior arrangements for your child, whether it be babysitters or food.  How could you let your son gain that much weight, nevermind not seek help?

Taxes, Fare Hikes, Fines & Unfair Hearings – When Do We Win?

I have previously written about DMV tricks to get your money, but what I experienced today has proved once again in NY is that no one in this state is looking out for the best interests of the residents.

We all know that cops have been out and about in full force, handing out tickets like candy.  What some people don’t know is that they are doing it as down low as possible.  They are driving around in unmarked, old vans, checkered cars and black sedans, just to name a few.    

I received a ticket from an officer in an unmarked car last September.  His black sedan was  two cars behind me.  I answered my cell phone using the speaker function, the phone sat on my center console.  I was already pulled over when the cop pulled up behind me flashing his dashboard light.

He told me that because he pulled me over it is mandatory that he give me a ticket, which we all know is not true.  Just because a cop pulls you over does not mean they have to write you a ticket.  The cop told me to plead not guilty, see the judge and tell him it was an emergency.  He had already written the ticket there was no arguing.

I found out  the ticket was submitted 2 1/2 months later only because I happened to look online for the hell of it and due to no response my license was suspended.  I went to the DMV the next business day and was told I cannot reverse the suspension or see the judge unless I pay a suspension lift fee and a bond.  Those fees together were more than the actual ticket.  I refused and left.  In the end I had to write to Albany and have them overturn the decision and give me a fair hearing date.

That hearing was at 10:30 this morning and it was not fair at all.  It has taken me until now at 4:57 pm to write this because I wanted to be calm when I did.  Not only was the judge a half hour late, but I felt like the hearing was just a formality and no matter what I said he was going to find me guilty.  Especially, when the cop flat out lied, more than once and I called him on it.  The judge didn’t seem to care, even though the officer was under oath.

He claimed that I had the cell phone in my left hand, to my left ear.  First of all, as I stated above I had the phone on speaker on my center console which is on the right side of the drivers seat and even if I had been on the phone I am a righty.  It would have been in my right hand not my left. 

The officer also said that he was in pursuit of me, until he finally pulled me over in a safe location.  Really…hmm…Well, let’s go over this again, he was two cars behind me, so how could he even see if I was on a cell phone?  He didn’t pull me over I was already pulled over in a parking space and yes by that time you could visually see the cell phone.

The third lie was after he already said he saw the phone to my left ear and I had explained that it was on my center console on speaker, the cop claimed he told me even though it was on speaker that it was still illegal.  Uh..not if it wasn’t in my hands while I was driving it wasn’t and he had already said he saw it to my ear. 

So the judge asked him, did you see the phone close to her ear?  The officer said yes.  The judge said how close in proximity to the ear?  The officer said within 2-3 inches uh not true.  Now the judge had already heard him contradict himself, but that didn’t matter.  The officer also said that I was on the phone with my husband and it was not an emergency.  Convenient for him to say that now.

The judge didn’t seem to care that Albany agreed with me to the point that they overturned the original conviction.  It also didn’t matter that the call was an emergency and I explained why.  It didn’t matter that the cop lied or that his story didn’t make sense or that I pleaded a very convincing case.  He was going to find me guilty regardless and he did.  The best part is that the $40.00 fine comes with an $80.00 surcharge.  Imagine that, the surcharge is twice as much as the fine.

Unfortunately, I have to pay it or they will suspend my license again.  However, I will appeal it and I will continue to write about the unfair practices of NYC law enforcement.  New York lawmakers really should start looking out for us New Yorkers, because between traffic and parking tickets, raising tolls and fares and adding taxes to everything they can think of it’s getting really hard for people, especially those who lost their jobs, to make ends meet.

When are they going to realize this is not the way to make money.  The city has been hurting since September 11, 2001 and the economy has gotten worse.  Believe me we all understand that every state is in need of a bailout, but this is not the way to get it.  Ripping off your residents is not a way to boost the economy.  It’s only going to make everything worse.  Call AIG and get it from them.  They have gotten plenty from us.

A Change In The Priorities Of Government Funded Health Care Programs Is Needed

A change in the priorities of Medicaid and other government health care coverage is absolutely necessary. Eligibility should be based on medical necessity not income.

It is unfathomable that people in desperate need of health insurance are not receiving coverage.  In many of these cases their life depends on it.

The rules need to be changed.  Medicaid is automatically given to people who receive SSI, which is based on income or lack of.  However, those on SSD, which is based on disability do not get such consideration.  That is just plain backwards.

Major health care insurance companies, such as Aetna (just to name one but definitely not the only one), have waiting periods of up to 12 months for pre-existing conditions.  Which means they have to pay the high premiums for 12 months before they can actually use the coverage and even then insurance does not cover everything.

This needs to change and now.  There are too many people left out due to this loophole.  To think if Congress would put just some of the money they spend on their pet projects into the health care system and make the changes needed then the people who need coverage would receive it.  

They would receive the tests, operations and medicine they need to survive.  These are not options for many people, they are necessary for their survival and it’s unacceptable for them to not be receiving the coverage for all of these things.  Not in America!  Not when people come from other countries and receive it first.

The issue for health care coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and disabilities needs to be addressed.  It should take precedence over whether abortion should be allowed in Mexico, which was one of the first issues Obama confronted as President.  He even offered government funds for it.  Does he not think there are plenty of people here in America, the country he is supposed to be lookingout for need his help?

I would really like to read your thoughts on this subject.

 

Swine Flu Outbreak

It started in Mexico and was carried over (most likely by travelers) to the U.S., Canada and even Spain.  The U.S. has declared a public health emergency.

High Schools in New York and Texas, where students were found who have the virus, have been closed. Schools in California and Ohio, where students are suspected of having the virus, will be closing.

Planning stages to quarantine travelers with flu-like symptoms arriving from the affected areas have begun from countries such as: China, Russia and Taiwan. Other countries like Italy, Poland and Venezuela are advising citizens to postpone travel to the places affected as well.

Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and the Philippines went a step further, checking for signs of fever among arriving passengers at airports using a thermal scanner.

If anyone traveling to or from Mexico needs to change their reservations multiple airlines, including American, United, Continental, US Airways, Mexicana and Air Canada, are waiving their usual penalties, but they have not canceled flights.

For more information on the flu virus investigation and ways you can stay healthy visit The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention.

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Shooting Due To Unemployment

On Friday just after 10 a.m., a man barricaded the back door of the American Civic Association center with his car.  He then walked in through the front and started shooting.  He killed 13 people that day, a receptionist, 12 immigrants taking a citizenship class and then killed himself.

Another receptionist, who was wounded and played dead, called 911.  Police reportedly showed up at the scene within two minutes, but waited an hour after hearing no gunfire before going inside, to be sure it was safe for officers.  Four other people were critically wounded and 37 others made it out safe.

The suspected killer was found dead in an office with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  Around his neck he carried ammunition in a satchel.  Police also found two handguns, a 9mm and a .45-caliber, there was also a hunting knife.

The man carried ID with the name Jiverly Voong, a 42 year old Vietnamese immigrant from Johnson City, N.Y.  However, this was believed to be an alias.  According to reports, Voong was angry he had lost his job and had language issues, because he didn’t speak English very well.

A woman who answered the call at a listing found for Henry D. Voong said she was Jiverly Voong’s sister, but refused to give her name.  According to her, Voong had been in the country for 28 years and had citizenship.

The massacre was probably “the worst tragedy and senseless crime in the history of this city,” said Gov. David Paterson.  He also went on to say, “When are we going to be able to curb the kind of violence that is so fraught and so rapid that we can’t even keep track of the incidents?” In response to the shootings in Alabama and California.

How about when you wake-up and realize New Yorkers are hurting, just like everyone else.  Instead of helping us get through tough times you try to make them tougher by raising fares and tolls.  Which makes it harder for us to get to work to support our families.

This man was angry because he lost his job.  Do you think this will be the only incident of this kind?  People are going to react to their unemployment issues and it’s only going to get worse.

As for Voong, who is the suspected killer, he was also frustrated due to language issues.  He didn’t speak English well.  If he was in the country for 28 years and did have citizenship like his so-called sister said, shame on him and his family.  There is no excuse for living in a country for more than half your life and not learning the language.  If he wasn’t a citizen, shame on us for allowing him to stay here (Oh!  And by us I mean the American government).

Source

Woman Awarded $7 Million For Contracting Herpes

A 56 year old woman was awarded nearly $7 million in a suit filed in Riverside County Superior Court, because she was unknowingly infected with herpes by a 77 year old man.

According to the woman’s attorney, the man knew he had genital herpes for over 25 years.  However, he didn’t share that information with this woman before they had sex and didn’t use a condom.

The attorney explained that on Jan. 27th, his client was awarded $4 million in compensatory damages and $2.75 million in punitive damages.  His client was denied health insurance after contracting the sexually transmitted disease.

I completely disagree with sexual partners, lovers, whatever you want to call them, not disclosing their medical history with the other person before starting a sexual relationship, especially when it can result in the other person being infected with a disease (of any kind).  That said, the woman should have made it her business to make sure he wore a condom.  This is 2009, there is no excuse!

Source:  Fox News

Bizarre Baby Names

Every year when the list of popular baby names comes out I like to go through it and the names usually reflect a trend of the moment.  In recent years names like Emma, Madison, Aiden and Jayden were at the top of the lists.  However, another trend seems to be naming your child very unique names, which in some cases in not always a good thing.

TheBabyWebsite.com had a team of researchers investigate Britain’s most unfortunate names.  Some of the more unfortunate names chosen by parents were, Barb Dwyer, Helen Back, Jo King, Terry Bull, Anna Sasin and Justin Case.

There were a few doctors names that are entertaining such as, Dr. Payne, Les Plack (a dentist), Priti Manek and Dr. Sumey.

The list should be a warning for parents choosing a name that their child will be stuck with for life.  What is cute at six, is not cute at 30.

There is also a list of baby names being derived from text-message speak.  Although it may be amusing to read, I would think that the person who has to carry the burden of such a name wouldn’t find it quite as funny.

Source:  Switched, TheBabyWebsite.com and BabyCenter.com

Tax Cuts Coming In April

April 1st is when working America should start seeing tax cuts in their weekly pay checks.  This is what Obama said boasting about his ”Making Work Pay” tax break  that will be in affect for two years.  When the banks (who started this whole mess) needed the money they got it in record time.  We have to wait.

This credit  (up to $400 for individuals and up to $800 for married couples) will be spread throughout the year in take-home pay.  It should allow workers to see about $13 a week more in their pay. In 2010, this credit will decrease to about $7.70 a week, if spread over a year.  Oh Boy!!!  Thanks Obama, $13 whole dollars more, what will I do with it?  How is $13 a week supposed to boost the economy?  McDonald’s for two cost more than that.

For those who don’t earn enough money to owe income taxes, they’re eligible for the credit too, to offset payroll taxes they pay.  However, for anyone who makes $75,000 or more the credit is phased out.  Whatever that means.

Source

I would much rather have had the one time credit/stimulus, whatever you want to call it today, sent to me in a check like Bush did it.  Unless, Obama wants to increase the $13 a week tax credit to $100 a week tax credit.

I want to give an example of weekly taxes in what some would consider a middle-class (you’re not poor, but you’re not rich) pay check in a NY working class family.  Out of the primary bread winner’s weekly pay over $400 is taken out for taxes, again that’s $400 a week.  Not including what his wife pays in taxes all year long.  At  tax time he files, but because he doesn’t own a home and not much to claim what does he receive back, a whole big $2,000 for working hard all year long.  They took out over $20,000 over the course of a year but he gets back $2,000. 

Please let’s not forget that even though someone doesn’t own a home they still have to pay rent.  Now, I don’t know about the rest of the country but here in New York, we pay top dollar.  If you are single, a studio will run you at least $700 but most of the time more.  If you are a couple with a one bedroom, you will most likely pay between $800-$1000.  If you have children, a two bedroom will cost you anywhere from $1,000-$1,300, a three bedroom $1,300-$1,600.  Those are apartments, if you rent a house you are usually paying $1,900 or more.

OK so I will stick to a working class family and I’ll throw in two kids.  A three bedroom is needed.  For arguments sake we will say they rent a house for $1,900.  That’s just rent.  Electricity which thanks to good ‘ol Con Ed has gone up three times in two years, even with “an economic crisis” is quite expensive.  During the winter it can be around $150 a month (that’s if no one is home and the lights are always off), during the summer good luck, it can run you way over $300.  That’s assuming you want air condition in 90 degree weather.  Gas and heat during the winter will be no less than $300, during the summer without needing heat except for your dryer will be approx. $200.  Then there is telephone or cellphone(s), cable, Internet access, car insurance, maybe a car payment and the all important groceries.  Add them all up..$3,700 a month and I added everything using the lowest bills you can possibly have in NY.  If the government is taking out $400 in taxes a week how much can the bread winner possible be taking home?  Possibly, between $500-$900 a week.  That’s between $2,000 and $3,600 a month take-home pay.  That’s not even enough to cover the bills.

So I ask, what is an extra $13 a week supposed to do to help the million of Americans who can’t pay their bills?  Where is our bailout?

The Grass Is Never Greener On The Other Side

I guess it’s just human nature to think everyone has it better than you.  That everyone else’s life is happy and problem free.  However, you should keep in mind that is often never the case.  Everyone has problems, no one is always happy (is that even possible) and no ones life is as it seems.

It goes for both men and women.  We and I say we because we have all been guilty of this at one time or another.  We believe that someone else has a better life, a better relationship or a better job. 

No one has a perfect life.  Not the celebrity on TV or the friend who you think has it all.  Everyone has issues.  Everyone has their own crosses to bare and their own heartache, whatever it may be.  Life was not meant to be perfect.  It has ups and downs, good and bad times.  You just have to learn to roll with the punches.

A part of life is having someone to share it with.  Someone who you make promises to and create a family with.  You buy a house, but the people in it make it a home.  I think often times we forget that.  It’s easy to say you are not happy anymore and you want out, because you think there is something better out there.  Then when you realize that there is no one better it will be too late.

We think that love is supposed to stay the same, our feelings are not supposed to change.  Of course they change.  The couple sitting at the table next to you, the ones who can’t keep their hands off each other, the ones that leave you wondering where those feelings went.  That is the stage they are going through in their relationship.  Will theirs last because they are so in love at the moment? Maybe, maybe not?  Love, Real Love, was meant to stand the test of time.

That once in a lifetime love that was meant to be, will always be, but the feelings won’t always be the same.  You get married and most times start a family.  The person that you looked at as your lover is now the mother/father of your child, so of course you will look at them differently.  You will feel love, but a different kind of love.

We think that we are always supposed to be ”in love” with the person we marry.  Love changes over time.  The “in love” feeling you had when you met turns into true love, a love that defines a relationship, a respect, an understanding that only you share with that person.  That person is the most important thing in your life or at least they should be.  Love is not meant to be just a rush of feelings, it’s meant to be so much more.

Also, we forget that no relationship goes without problems.  During the course of life and all those ups and downs the people we are with go through them too.  When we are up we are great and happy and love the person we are with, but when we’re down we are sad or depressed and that stress causes tension in a relationship.  We forget that the person next to us through it all is the one that knows us better than anyone, knows our flaws and accepts them.  That is the person who will be the only person you can count on for anything. 

Then we have the times when we are at the plateau which is where we are usually and we go through day to day motions. That is when our mind wanders.  We are bored with our job.  It wasn’t what we planned on doing for the rest of our lives.  It wasn’t the career we thought we’d have.  Well, in life you have to make sacrifices and choices.  It’s not one persons fault, it’s what we choose to make our lives work.  Does the job we choose define who we are?  No.  Should it?  No. 

We have to make allowances for ourselves and the situations that life puts us in.  It’s just the way it happens.  But the person you envy who took your dream job, he probably hates it half the time.  We don’t always love what we do, but we do it anyway.  Does it suck just to make ends meet and not have passion in what we do?  Yes, so what do we do, get a hobby. 

We start to think is this what my life is?  Is this what I want?  Am I in a rut, unmotivated or uninspired?  Sure you are.  Life and relationships have moments.  Moments of joy and happiness, moments of sadness and pain, but they don’t happen everyday.  Face it we don’t walk around excited about everything and always look at our partner in awe.  So it’s not just you, it’s everyone.  Everyone goes through the same thing, we think the grass is always greener on the other side. That the other persons life is somehow better than our own.  You know what?  Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t, but no matter what their life isn’t always great.  Their job sometimes sucks just as much as yours and their husband or wife fights with them too.  So get over it!!!!!!

Man Kills Son To Avoid Paying Child Support

That is exactly what Danny Platt of New Orleans did.  After initially telling police that men with guns kidnapped his 2 1/2 year old son, Ja’Shawn Powell, the man confessed to killing the child.  

Actually I shouldn’t refer to him as a man, I should’ve typed monster.  He killed his own child, an innocent little boy, because he didn’t want to pay court ordered child support.   

I’m trying to wrap my head around this.  He brought the child into the world and even though he had visiting rights he never cared to see his son.  That is until a court ordered him to financially help support the child, so then he decides to pick-up the boy and murder him.  This way if there is no child, there is no need to give the mother money to take care of him.  What a waste of human life!!!