I'm little more than a month into my news moratorium and I must say it feels good. Though I choose to eschew anything Trump-related, that does not mean some does not get through.
The voluntary sifting does not preclude me from catching other news, including the blockbuster story of the United HealthCare CEO who was gunned down in midtown Manhattan.
Let me begin by stating that with one possible exception (see Colonel Von Stauffenberg) I do not support political or economic violence. I take no joy in the taking of this man's life.
On the other hand I'm hardly in mourning. I was more upset when the leftover Baked Macaroni & Cheese from last week's Thanksgiving feast spilled out onto the floor rendering it inedible. Though I did consider the alternative, considering no one was looking.
Since Karma caught up with UHC CEO Brian Thompson, social media has been flooded with stories of folks denied healthcare coverage by insurance bean counters and healthcare insurance brass with their eye on a yacht.
Or a second yacht.
I have plenty of teary stories about the battles we fought over vital oncological drugs and procedures that would fill up an entire issue of the New England Medical Journal. I choose not to go down that well worn path.
The larger issue and one that will not be addressed for at least another 4 years is the fucked up system of healthcare coverage in this country. A system that is not replicated anywhere else in the world. With the possible exception of Sudan, Somalia and Fredonia.
Even North Korea has universal healthcare. Although every treatment involves getting slapped in the head with a fish.
Americans, at least the ones who voted in the majority last month, are averse to the type of universal healthcare now prevalent throughout the free world. They see it as some kind of commie plot meant to drain us of our rugged individualism and our precious bodily fluids.
We are an exceptional people. Exceptionally fucking dumb.
For the life of me, I'll never understand why our health insurance is tied to our employment status? We don't ask our bosses to insure our cars. Our houses. Or even our jetskis. All of which are disposable and replaceable.
Why then do we entrust our bodies to the same people who have no problem asking us to work nights, weekends and cancel vacations just so we can pitch the Pizza Hut account?
Two weeks ago I went in to see my doctor about my nagging back. After a 20 minute visit where he determined I had a bad back strain he prescribed me some Meloxicam -- sadly a painkiller with no euphoric side effects.
"Get dressed, let me know how it heals."
With that I walked out and right past the billing nurse. Because I'm on Medicare. And that's the way it should be.
If we had Medicare for all, Brian Thompson might still be alive. Granted he might be the Assistant Manager at a local Pizza Hut instead of a greedy SOB who denied healthcare top people in sore need of it. But he'd be alive.
"Mr. Thompson, we're running low on pepperoni..."
RIP, Bri.
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Addendum: Having written this two days ago and having observed the fallout on both sides of the equation, it occurred to me that the real shame of this scenario has everything to do with our two-tiered justice system.
For close to a year now we have seen the perversion of justice like...if I may borrow a phrase...like we've never seen before. Rudy Giuliani is on the hook for $150 million dollars because (and he admitted it) he made false drug accusations about two Georgia State Election Officials. They are having a monumental time collecting that debt.
We've seen the world's richest douchebag, Elon Musk, skate on charges of election interference when he PAID people to vote. His buddy ship with the next president will make that charge disappear.
And of course, we've seen the next President/Seller of Fine Cologne brush aside 91 indictments, a prison sentencing and immunity from all future acts because well...he's fucking rich.
This will not end well. Ask the French.
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