Of this and that

First and foremost, healthcare reform, yes I am still at it. (Two different views and I actually agree with both of them but then, I am a Gemini). You should read BOTH of them:

National Coalition on Healthcare statement on healthcare reform bill passed by Senate: click here

And, the Pittsburgh Trib on Democrats playing doctor: click here

Ok, moving on to lighter topics. I saw 2 great movies this year, total opposites (just like me). That's 2 more then I saw last year!

Precious: brutal truth, heart wrenching. A must see.

It's Complicated: Brilliantly hysterical yet poignant story of divorce. Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin are superb but so is John Krasinski who is absolutely HYSTERICAL. I would see this movie again. I never laughed  so hard and that felt great. GO SEE IT.

David and Shaun Goldman reunion: does NBC have no shame since it provided the charter plane...do they have to report on this time when these two need time alone?

Ok, am done. Happy and healthy new year to all!

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, Part 7??

I have done so many posts with this title I can't remembe what number I am on. But here goes:

What makes me happy?

American Idol starts in 2 weeks as does Project Runway, back in New York, Hurray! Biggest loser starts their next season in 1 week and new cooking competition shows. Yeah, life is good. These are such great distractions from the incredible burden of trying to find a job.

My grandchildren and family. Over the holidays, we got together with family and friends. Here are some pictures which of course feature my grandkids as well as their cousins:

Lexi, 8 1/2 months delicious

Chloe almost 3 with cousins (and my cell phone!)

Family, Kids, Joy

I wish for all of us the happiest and healthiest new year with joy, peace, and love.

Scrooge and the Good in the Holidays

The holidays are here. Yeah. But they are tempered by some scrooge visits already happening. So here are my nominations, my opinions, for Scrooge of the Year:

The entire Republican Party: they know nothing about compromise and constituents and pay more attention to PAC funds from Managed Care Insurers then the health and well being of their constituents.

Senator Lieberman: who cares more about getting his name in the press then about health care or common sense issues.

President Obama: this one pains me greatly as I supported him and believed in him; and to an extent, I still do. But he did not step up to health care and is happy about a bill that will take 4 years to implement (unneccessarily) while impacting the over 160,000 people who will die over those years. Keep it simple and make it happen should be the mantra here.

My former employer which also pains me greatly. While this company does good things for people who reside in their communities, public documents filed in their recent bankruptcy show they made sure to financially stuff the pockets of the chosen few executives just 4 days prior to the filing while not paying the accrued time off earned by employees who agreed to stay to the end as part of a signed agreement with those people. These are people like you and me; good workers with families who got no money; no payment for time earned and not used which is a policy of this company, no severance and are struggling to live and provide for their children. Chances are these individuals will become part of the uninsured, the foreclosed and more. While executives were enriched. I wonder how the leaders can sleep at night, especially this holiday season.

The good: the kindness of strangers, friends and family to help each other in good times and bad. I wish for these people the best life has to offer. I wish for peace and joy and justice in 2010 and I want to especially acknowledge the employees of Social Security who are kind and never recognized. They helped me to get Medicare health coverage for 2010 so I would not be one of the uninsured. Thank YOU!

So Happy Holidays to all and to all, thoughts and prayers for a healthy and happy 2010!

The Good Life

So last night we went to my daughter and son in law's new home that they moved into during the snow, 1 week ago. Of course, all of us are sick with colds but it was Chanukah, festival of lights and chance for gifts and sharing time with those we love most: our children and grandchildren.

My Daughter's oldest daughter loved the bow on the gift most and proceeded to wear it through the night. My son's daughter was more interested in exploring and trying to get the two of them to take a picture was hysterical as you will see. Each doing their own thing. The baby was asleep and missed the festivities; the older kids more interested in toys and exploring then in picture taking.

But all in all, it was a great warm night on a very cold outside weather. Meet the stars of the evening that allow me to experience more joy then I ever thought possible:

Health Reform as we wished for has been pronounced dead

According to the Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/10/pelosi-backs-off-public-o_n_387197.html}, Pelosi has thrown in the towel, and no one is standing up for the public option. So almost 50 million US citizens, will now not have the hope of life with health care coverage. Personally, I cannot stand Pelosis or the other power monger, partisan, imbeciles in Congress. Senator Reid: where the heck are you in this?

Almost 70% of the US citizens want a public option. The good news is that Medicare will have an option for 55+ now. Gee,.....duh...some of us have been saying just do Medicare for all to share the risk and lower health care costs and get it done quickly. But some of us actually work in health care. What makes us think we know what we are doing? We have people in Congress who know how to use anatomical parts of their bodies and take oodles of money from managed care companies....but are soooo clueless when it comes to actually providing legislation to protect, perserve the citizens of the United States. And they get their health care coverage paid for by you and me....that's good because I bet some of these congressional geniuses couldn't write a check for payment...but they know how to deposit those checks don't they......

So sick of this. Wish there was an election tomorrow to get rid of all of Congress and start over. Mr. President, I voted for you and am disappointed you did not stand up for this public option. Senator Ted Kennedy must be turning over in his grave.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly; Ramblings on a Monday

I have been silent for awhile. Helping my daughter and her family move and recognizing that my body is way older then I thought it was and I work out! I have muscles hurting that I did not know I had. And they moved during the first snow in Maryland. Nice.

Coupled with the snow was the absolute unbelievable poor customer service of 2 companies who, in my opinion, represent companies who feel they are doing well enough not to have to care about customers. This represents my opinion, but Verizon is number one on my list of incompetent, stupid, and disdainful businesses in today's world. My daughter's family has NO phone or wireless connections because VERIZON, even though they confirmed that everything would be done the Friday before the move since they don't do new connections on weekends (must be nice), have neither. And when Verizon was called, they did NOTHING to correct the situation. It's a good thing my family  all have cell phones (and not thru Verizon). Additionally, since Verizon did not have FIOS available in the area, direct TV was to be the provider of television services.

All of this was arranged well in advance of the move. Email confirmations were received. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. Nothing. And my daughter and her husband have spent hours on the phone with each and they frankly don't care and have done nothing to rectify situation saying they could come out in a week or so.

So they called Comcast and whoever does come out and install first, wins. Frankly, I would like to ask VERIZON: don't care about customers? Well, maybe its time, customers or potential customers leave you. I did. In my opinion, the best thing about Verizon, is that it made Comcast more customer friendly.

Amanda Knox: I have been following this Italian trial. What it showed me is no matter how imperfect the US court system is, it is enormously better then the Italian System.  I can't even imagine what Amanda's family is going thru, not to mention what they are spending on this. What would you do? In my opinion, Amanda should have been acquitted. It really was a verdict against the US as Italian American relations are not great.

Tiger Woods: really a personal matter but very disappointing as this clean cut role model turns out to be a slime bucket. I actually would watch golf if Tiger was playing. I don't think I will ever be able to look at him with any respect at all. I don't care what he does on the golf course; he is a cheater, liar, plain and simple.

Congress: Several senators are urging Senator Reid to move Medicare under the auspices of Congress. What? Congress can't agree on what bathroom to use much less how health care should be governed. We are the only major country without health care for all. And now THEY want to manage Medicare. Spare me. They are not health care professionals and are frankly clueless in this realm. Instead, I would like to see ALL of them gone.

The GOOD? hmmmm...Amazing Race was great. Top Chef is coming to a close, sadly. About 6 more weeks till American Idol starts. And, I have great friends and family. Yep, that's the best!