Predictions for 2010

1. Global Ionization — Scientists will discover that Earth’s supply of electrons is rapidly diminishing due to the steadily increasing number of electrons being used up by right-wing bloggers, teenaged text messagers and mid-life tweeters.

2. Under-developed African and South American countries will form an international cartel for selling electrons to the United States, Europe, Japan, China and South Korea.

3. The Pentagon will draw up joint contingency plans with China for invading Africa and South America.

4. Rabbi to the Stars Shmuley Boteach’s new book will be based on tapes of his private spiritual counseling sessions with Moses, Mohammed, Socrates, Buddha and Jon Gosselin.

5. Tiger Woods will receive the Nobel Piece Prize.

6. Republican cost cutters in Congress will propose the Logan’s Run amendment exempting Baby Boomers from health care reform. It will pass by a narrow margin with the deciding vote being cast by Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

7. Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School of Government will announce a new interdisciplinary graduate program in Nation Building.

8. US News and World Reports will rank it as Number One on the list of degrees with the greatest job growth potential over the next 7 years.

9. The American coal industry will publish a study proving that global warming does not exist. And that the particulates emitted by coal-fired power plants reflect heat from the sun back into space, reducing global warming.

10. Congress will pass a series of tax breaks for coal-fired electric power plants.

Sheriff of Nottingham Medicine

The idea of universal health care is simple and elegant. Make sure no one is denied access to doctors, hospitals, clinics or treatment simply for lack of money.

Back before Medicare and Medicaid, medical costs for the poor were covered (inadequately) by charity and what was called “Robin Hood Medicine,” that is, doctors and hospitals overcharged wealthy patients to subsidize poor folks.

Today, Medicare, Medicaid and large private insurers use their clout in the market place to get favorable rates from hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies and physicians. Providers contract to charge insurers less per procedure or pill than they do individual out-of-pocket payers.

Instead of soaking the rich to pay for the poor, these providers soak those who lack insurance to subsidize those who have it—what I call “Sheriff of Nottingham Medicine.” Middle-income families without employer-subsidized insurance end up paying more in medical bills because those with insurance pay less.

The correction is obvious and simple—have the government cover everyone’s bills for preventive and necessary medical expenses, spreading the cost across the entire gamut of taxpayers while eliminating their current, out-of-pocket payments. This would not only assure universal access to health care, it would provide welcome relief to American companies and workers burdened by medical insurance costs. U.S. companies would become more competitive overseas and at home, putting more people to work. Medical providers would have guaranteed payment and a single set of forms and regulations to plow through when filing for reimbursement.

What business calls a win-win solution and G. W. B. called a no-brainer.

Of course Republicans oppose public, single payer health care, or even a "public option". If implemented successfully, it could provide congressional Democrats with a political edge like  the one they enjoyed following the New Deal and the Great Society.

But why does a Democratic Congress produce "Health Care Reform" legislation that provides neither universal coverage, nor relief to business, nor reduction in the paperwork that is a major component of the high cost of medical care in the United States?

The answer is left to the student. (Hint: consider medical insurers’ and drug companies’ budgets for advertising, lobbying and campaign contributions.)

Christmas Reflections

Christmas tide sweeps back the night
A new sun rises cold and bright,
To herald a season of ascendant light.

Sky blue shadows reflect the site
Of cyclic warfare, dark versus light—
If not of evil and eternal right.

As old men descend to sleep and night;
Waking children rise up to delight.
 
Mark Levy
copyright 2009

A Poem for December Brides

In remembrance of Spring Byington and her 50's TV show "December Bridge" here are a few poetical thoughts on marriage.

On Marriage

Weddings, it has been said, celebrate

The triumph of optimism over experience.

(Which may be why so many marry young.)

Matrimony is, they say, the victory of hope over destiny;

Mindless glands overwhelm the mind’s accumulated wisdom.

Thus marriage springs eternal and the self crumbles

Before the dreams of single-minded desire.

The hunger for comfort in darkling hours

Outweighs light-hearted common sense

And solitary nighttime terrors overwhelm

The heart’s persistent fear of breaking.

Therefore, it has been written:

It is better to marry than to burn

Like tinder in the caress of loving flames.

Experience,

Destiny,

And self,

Jealousy,

And desire,

Wisdom;

Common sense,

Fear,

And flames.

So let us gathered here in witness simply say,

Truly, “Love conquers all.”

copyright 2009

Why Megacept?

In college I learned a number of useful and edifying things.

Perhaps the most useful at the time were the three necessary elements for an assigned essay:

1. The CrucFac (crucial facts)
   
2. The SpecRef (specific references)
   
3. The Megacept - the over arching conceptual theme.

As life has gone on, year following year, decade following decade, ear hair following knee pain, I have lost whatever command I may have had for the crucfac and specref. But the megacept is still key.

Whether the topic is Bank Bailouts or Tiger Woods being named athlete of the year, I can always come up with an appropriate, if unfounded, megacept.

These I will undertake to share with you. No thanks necessary.

Peace!