On this Memorial Day holiday, I believe we should show the proper respect for those who paid the ultimate price to help maintain our freedoms. Although I may not agree with every decision made by our government over the years to become involved in wars all over the globe, I still believe those who laid down their lives should be remembered. The men and women who died during conflicts to protect our values and freedoms did so without questioning their reasons for being there, or what they were fighting for, they knew how important it was to protect U. S. citizens from tyranny and those who would take away our freedoms.
To say they were unselfish is an understatement. They laid down their very lives to help keep us free, and should be remembered as such. I grew up during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and although a small lad during the Korean conflict, I do remember the Vietnam conflict very well. During the 1960s and early 1970s war protestors disrupted college campuses, and held marches and rallies protesting the war in Vietnam. Although I too was against the war, I had nothing but the utmost respect for those who did go and fight, and die for us. I know that we often get involved in conflicts to further our own selfish economic ends, but I find it hard to hold those who give up their lives in these conflicts somehow responsible for starting or furthering the conflicts. Just think what could have happened if our troops refused to go to fight in Europe or the Pacific during World War II, we might all be speaking German right now, and be under a military dictatorship.
I know deep in my heart, and believe with all my soul, that many of the conflicts we have been involved in over the years have not all been justified or supported by the majority of citizens. Yet I find it difficult not to have anything but the greatest respect for those Americans who did lay down their lives in those conflicts. On this Memorial Day, I want to say thank you to those who died to protect my rights and freedoms, and God bless them and keep them. To the families of those fallen heroes, let me just say you should be proud of your loved ones who died for us, and let us never forget that they died for us, and to keep us safe and strong as a nation.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
HAS ALL THE POLITICS HURT OR HELPED THE U.S.
In recent years it has become more evident than ever that the U.S. political scene has become more cutthroat and uscrupulous than ever before. We have had our share of political fiascos especially when it comes to foreign policy and even more on the domestic front. It seems to me that our politicians have lost touch with the pulse of America. Who in God's name ever made us the world's policemen? We did, or at least our governing leaders did decades ago. After the end of World War II, the United Nations was established to help keep world peace by offering dialogue to resolve international issues rather than violence. It was an outgrowth of the League of Nations proposed by then President Woodrow Wilson at the end of World War I. Unfortunately although it has had its problems, the United Nations has still been more successful overall than the League of Nations due mainly to U.S. support.
At the end of World War I, the League of Nations did not gain U.S. support and as a result was a dismal failure, which only fueled the fire which eventually led to the start of World War II. The Treaty of Paris which Germany was forced to sign only served to make the people of Germany bitter, and ultimately led to Adolf Hitler's rise to power in the 1930s. The League of Nations found itself powerless to do much of anything to thwart the impending doom, and instead basically was nothing more than a place for minor problems between countries to hold dialogue. By the time Hitler took over control of the German government, the League of Nations had been basically abandoned, and there was no public forum through which countries could hold dialogue, to resolve their problems and concerns.
Our leaders hoped that through the United Nations things would evolve differently, but countries like the U.S.S.R and China were hell bent on taking over economically and politically weak nations. We as a nation believed that between NATO and the U.N. we could contain communist agression around the world. Although they did manage to curb the stem of communist aggression in many areas, we were thrust into a Cold War which lasted into the early 1990s. It was of course during this Cold War period that we became the world's police force, and assisted many underdeveloped countries with both economic and military aid to curtail the spread of communism. Since the end of the Cold War we have maintained our world police activities, becoming involved in not only wars between nations, but internal civil wars as well.
Our politicians over the years haven't really changed their views very much, and although I by no means recommend a policy of isolationism, I do believe we need to straighten out our priorities. We have become virtually totally dependent upon foreign oil, which has seen our transportation costs skyrocket over the past several years, as well as any costs involved with petroleum based products or services. The main problem seems to be in the fact that politicians rely on big business, labor unions, and special interest groups to help get them elected. The common hard working people seem to have little say in who gets elected anymore, and suffer as a result of all the big money interests who seem to control the elections through big campaign contributions. That old adage that there is no such thing as an honest politician never rang truer than it does today.
It is definitely time for a change. Our entire system of government needs an overhaul, using the Constitution as it's basis. We have a fantastic baseline from which to work and build upon, but only if it's done properly. That means listening to the people of this country and really hearing what they have to say. We need to stop trying to fight battles in countries where we are not even respected, or just for economic reasons. We need to turn our attentions inward, and return to what this country once was, a country of citizens who were prosperous and strong and healthy. I have no problems with helping other nations or peoples, but if this country is going to thrive and remain a world power, we need to take care of ourselves before we can help anyone else. In my opinion the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are a waste of money and manpower, and should be terminated immediately. Our troops can better serve us by helping to protect our borders from terrorists, illegal aliens and drug smugglers.
We can better use those economic resources to create new jobs, offer affordable health care and housing to our citizens, finance alternative fuels, and for medical research to name a few. We have a national election coming up, and this may be our one chance for many years to come, to elect someone who really has their pulse on us, and fight for us, and create some opportunities for change for the better of all U.S. citizens.
At the end of World War I, the League of Nations did not gain U.S. support and as a result was a dismal failure, which only fueled the fire which eventually led to the start of World War II. The Treaty of Paris which Germany was forced to sign only served to make the people of Germany bitter, and ultimately led to Adolf Hitler's rise to power in the 1930s. The League of Nations found itself powerless to do much of anything to thwart the impending doom, and instead basically was nothing more than a place for minor problems between countries to hold dialogue. By the time Hitler took over control of the German government, the League of Nations had been basically abandoned, and there was no public forum through which countries could hold dialogue, to resolve their problems and concerns.
Our leaders hoped that through the United Nations things would evolve differently, but countries like the U.S.S.R and China were hell bent on taking over economically and politically weak nations. We as a nation believed that between NATO and the U.N. we could contain communist agression around the world. Although they did manage to curb the stem of communist aggression in many areas, we were thrust into a Cold War which lasted into the early 1990s. It was of course during this Cold War period that we became the world's police force, and assisted many underdeveloped countries with both economic and military aid to curtail the spread of communism. Since the end of the Cold War we have maintained our world police activities, becoming involved in not only wars between nations, but internal civil wars as well.
Our politicians over the years haven't really changed their views very much, and although I by no means recommend a policy of isolationism, I do believe we need to straighten out our priorities. We have become virtually totally dependent upon foreign oil, which has seen our transportation costs skyrocket over the past several years, as well as any costs involved with petroleum based products or services. The main problem seems to be in the fact that politicians rely on big business, labor unions, and special interest groups to help get them elected. The common hard working people seem to have little say in who gets elected anymore, and suffer as a result of all the big money interests who seem to control the elections through big campaign contributions. That old adage that there is no such thing as an honest politician never rang truer than it does today.
It is definitely time for a change. Our entire system of government needs an overhaul, using the Constitution as it's basis. We have a fantastic baseline from which to work and build upon, but only if it's done properly. That means listening to the people of this country and really hearing what they have to say. We need to stop trying to fight battles in countries where we are not even respected, or just for economic reasons. We need to turn our attentions inward, and return to what this country once was, a country of citizens who were prosperous and strong and healthy. I have no problems with helping other nations or peoples, but if this country is going to thrive and remain a world power, we need to take care of ourselves before we can help anyone else. In my opinion the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are a waste of money and manpower, and should be terminated immediately. Our troops can better serve us by helping to protect our borders from terrorists, illegal aliens and drug smugglers.
We can better use those economic resources to create new jobs, offer affordable health care and housing to our citizens, finance alternative fuels, and for medical research to name a few. We have a national election coming up, and this may be our one chance for many years to come, to elect someone who really has their pulse on us, and fight for us, and create some opportunities for change for the better of all U.S. citizens.
Friday, May 23, 2008
My First Grandchild
On June 11, 2007, Joslin Freya Taylor-Powell, my first grandchild was born. Her birth was marred by the fact that my stepdaughter was being incarcerated at the time. Corey was allowed to remain in the hospital for 2 days so she could spend some quality time with her newborn baby girl. All the while, there was a deputy sitting vigil outside her hospital room, and when the time came for her to return to jail, Joslin was given to my wife to take home and care for until Corey was released from jail. Corey was due to be released in December of 2007, and to keep Joslin from being placed in foster care until her release, she requested in writing that we be given temporary custody and guardianship over Joslin. Joslin's father who was scheduled to enter a drug rehab program was present at her birth, but soon thereafter was sent to a special rehab cener located in the local mountains for 6 months.
In order to care for Joslin properly, my wife applied for TANF, which is the state's aid for needy families, as she was forced to take a leave of absence from her job. The leave of absence put us in a financial bind, and this was the only way to recoop at least a part of what income she would be losing over the 6 or so months that Joslin would be in our care. Corey wanted to breast feed Joslin, and while incarcerated at the local jail, she was allowed to pump her breast milk, and store it in a small refrigerator/freezer we provided. One of us picked up the milk on a daily basis, and brought it home to feed to Joslin, and placed the rest in our freezer here at home. This arrangement worked out fine for a few months until Corey got into trouble while in jail, and was transferred to the County Jail facility some 260 miles away. She could no longer breast feed, and we put Joslin on formula provided through the WIC program.
Although Corey was only allowed one contact visit during the time she was incarcerated locally, and the jail did not allow anyone under 18 to visit an inmate, she still was closer and able to breast feed Joslin as she had planned to all along. Once she was transferred, although she could see Joslin on visiting days, she was several hundred miles away, and could no longer breast feed. Being so far away we decided that visiting her every week was out of the question. We visited her with the baby, as that facility did not have an age restriction on visitors, but visiting hours were only for 1 hour at a time. This meant that although Corey and the baby got to see each other, and she was allowed 2 contact visits with the baby, she still had no real interaction with her baby all during her incarceration. This meant that as far as the baby was concerned we were her parents not her grandparents. This gave us cause for concern as to how the baby would interact with Corey upon completion of her sentence and her return home.
Our concerns were short lived, as even with Corey's change in release date due to her misbehaving even in the County facility, Joslin seemed to know almost immediately that Corey was her mother. Upon her return home, Corey spent a good amount of time with Joslin, but I wasn't sure this was going to last, and soon thereafter, I was proven correct. After a few weeks of being home most of the time with the exceptions of attending some NA meetings, Corey drew bored and restless. She showed that she really wasn't prepared to be a full time mother, and that through all her trials and tribulations she hadn't grown much at all, at least not in terms of being a mother. She began to stay out late with friends after her meetings, leaving grandma and grandpa to care for Joslin, and put her to bed. Now don't get me wrong, we love Joslin very much, and have even considered filing for full time custody or even adopting her, but I know that would be a long drawn out fight. For the most part Joslin is a good baby, she is now 11 months plus old, and has been sleeping through the night for months, however, my wife has had to return to work, I don't earn as much as I did, and we are in a financial bind. Corey gives us $50 a week toward room and board, and nothing for watching Joslin 6 and sometimes 7 days a week while she works and sees her friends.
To Corey she thinks she shouldn't have to give us any money at all. Now mind you she works 30-35 hours a week, and collects TANF, and both she and the baby are covered by Medicaid. In fact the only bill Corey has is her auto insurance which is $75 a month. If we buy something for the baby, she usually doesn't like it, when we go grocery shopping and we buy food for the week, she doesn't want to go with us, and then complains when we don't buy something she likes to eat. To say Corey is a spoiled rotten little bitch, is an understatement in my estimation. She talks to her mother like she is dirt under her feet, and I think she believes she is owed what she is getting, and shouldn't have to pay a dime for her room and board or our taking care of her baby when she isn't home, or doesn't feel like taking her with her when visiting friends. Corey is talking about moving to Las Vegas, and moving in with Joslin's father, and of course taking Joslin with her. Wonder what she's going to do when she finds out that it is going to cost her a lot more than $50 a week just for someone to watch Joslin while she and her boyfriend are at work.
It's not that she hasn't lived on her own before, but her mom made sure she had enough money during the month to pay her bills on time. We kept her money here at the house, and deducted all her bills coming out of that paycheck, and then allowed her to take the rest to do with what she pleased. She never really had total control over her paychecks, but moving to Vegas is going to mean that she is going to have to budget herself, and watch how much she spends on non essentials, like having her nails done, or on stuff for herself and her boyfriend, that isn't really needed. I wish her nothing but the best of luck, but my wife and I still can't wonder about Joslin's quality of care and life. If it wasn't for Joslin we could care less if Corey moved out, or to Las Vegas, but with a baby, we really do have some legitimate concerns.
In order to care for Joslin properly, my wife applied for TANF, which is the state's aid for needy families, as she was forced to take a leave of absence from her job. The leave of absence put us in a financial bind, and this was the only way to recoop at least a part of what income she would be losing over the 6 or so months that Joslin would be in our care. Corey wanted to breast feed Joslin, and while incarcerated at the local jail, she was allowed to pump her breast milk, and store it in a small refrigerator/freezer we provided. One of us picked up the milk on a daily basis, and brought it home to feed to Joslin, and placed the rest in our freezer here at home. This arrangement worked out fine for a few months until Corey got into trouble while in jail, and was transferred to the County Jail facility some 260 miles away. She could no longer breast feed, and we put Joslin on formula provided through the WIC program.
Although Corey was only allowed one contact visit during the time she was incarcerated locally, and the jail did not allow anyone under 18 to visit an inmate, she still was closer and able to breast feed Joslin as she had planned to all along. Once she was transferred, although she could see Joslin on visiting days, she was several hundred miles away, and could no longer breast feed. Being so far away we decided that visiting her every week was out of the question. We visited her with the baby, as that facility did not have an age restriction on visitors, but visiting hours were only for 1 hour at a time. This meant that although Corey and the baby got to see each other, and she was allowed 2 contact visits with the baby, she still had no real interaction with her baby all during her incarceration. This meant that as far as the baby was concerned we were her parents not her grandparents. This gave us cause for concern as to how the baby would interact with Corey upon completion of her sentence and her return home.
Our concerns were short lived, as even with Corey's change in release date due to her misbehaving even in the County facility, Joslin seemed to know almost immediately that Corey was her mother. Upon her return home, Corey spent a good amount of time with Joslin, but I wasn't sure this was going to last, and soon thereafter, I was proven correct. After a few weeks of being home most of the time with the exceptions of attending some NA meetings, Corey drew bored and restless. She showed that she really wasn't prepared to be a full time mother, and that through all her trials and tribulations she hadn't grown much at all, at least not in terms of being a mother. She began to stay out late with friends after her meetings, leaving grandma and grandpa to care for Joslin, and put her to bed. Now don't get me wrong, we love Joslin very much, and have even considered filing for full time custody or even adopting her, but I know that would be a long drawn out fight. For the most part Joslin is a good baby, she is now 11 months plus old, and has been sleeping through the night for months, however, my wife has had to return to work, I don't earn as much as I did, and we are in a financial bind. Corey gives us $50 a week toward room and board, and nothing for watching Joslin 6 and sometimes 7 days a week while she works and sees her friends.
To Corey she thinks she shouldn't have to give us any money at all. Now mind you she works 30-35 hours a week, and collects TANF, and both she and the baby are covered by Medicaid. In fact the only bill Corey has is her auto insurance which is $75 a month. If we buy something for the baby, she usually doesn't like it, when we go grocery shopping and we buy food for the week, she doesn't want to go with us, and then complains when we don't buy something she likes to eat. To say Corey is a spoiled rotten little bitch, is an understatement in my estimation. She talks to her mother like she is dirt under her feet, and I think she believes she is owed what she is getting, and shouldn't have to pay a dime for her room and board or our taking care of her baby when she isn't home, or doesn't feel like taking her with her when visiting friends. Corey is talking about moving to Las Vegas, and moving in with Joslin's father, and of course taking Joslin with her. Wonder what she's going to do when she finds out that it is going to cost her a lot more than $50 a week just for someone to watch Joslin while she and her boyfriend are at work.
It's not that she hasn't lived on her own before, but her mom made sure she had enough money during the month to pay her bills on time. We kept her money here at the house, and deducted all her bills coming out of that paycheck, and then allowed her to take the rest to do with what she pleased. She never really had total control over her paychecks, but moving to Vegas is going to mean that she is going to have to budget herself, and watch how much she spends on non essentials, like having her nails done, or on stuff for herself and her boyfriend, that isn't really needed. I wish her nothing but the best of luck, but my wife and I still can't wonder about Joslin's quality of care and life. If it wasn't for Joslin we could care less if Corey moved out, or to Las Vegas, but with a baby, we really do have some legitimate concerns.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Free Debt Advice Available
In recent weeks I have begun writing articles on destroydebt.com, a self help website for those of us who find ourselves or have found ourselves in financial distress. I am part of a team of writers who write articles and blogs from our own personal experience in an effort to help others who find themselves in similar financial situations. Some of the writers are experts or have expertise in the world of finance and debt control, and offer sound advice to others who are now experiencing financial problems. Especially in todays economic conditions, many are facing or have faced foreclosure, high credit card debt, or just cannot earn enough to keep up with the rising gas, food and housing costs.
Although my articles are written from my own personal experiences in dealing with debt and tough economic times, you can certainly find articles and advice from experts as well. I try to relate many of my own personal trials and tribulations of living in a debtor society, and coping with the high costs of living, and low cost of living raises most jobs today offer. Additionally, I have a work at home job which I have written about previously that helps bring in more money each month, and am still seeking others, and will continue to write about my success in locating work at home part time jobs that can assist myself and others with additional monthly income. While this is just one way to combat debt, it is by no means the only way, and from the website you can learn about all different ways to do so. Every possible topic is covered from filing bankcruptcy to debt counseling, and everything in between.
In fact I just negotiated a payment plan with one of my car loans directly with the lender, and probably have avoided having to file bankcruptcy in the process. I have found that most lenders, especially those with secured loans will work with you to help you to overcome your financial difficulties without using an intermediary, like a debt resolution service. If you do decide to use a debt resolution service, be sure to check them out thoroughly and make sure they can do what they promise before signing any contracts. Get some independent references, check them out with the BBB, and if you know of anyone personally who has used their services, find out if they did fulfill their promises. Don't just pick one at random, there are plenty of them out there, and there are some that are totally legitimate and been in business for years. Check their track record.
Check out destroydebt.com, and make use of all the information contained within. There are new articles and discussion forums posted daily, and you will find a plethora of helpful information to assist you no matter what your particular financial plight.
Although my articles are written from my own personal experiences in dealing with debt and tough economic times, you can certainly find articles and advice from experts as well. I try to relate many of my own personal trials and tribulations of living in a debtor society, and coping with the high costs of living, and low cost of living raises most jobs today offer. Additionally, I have a work at home job which I have written about previously that helps bring in more money each month, and am still seeking others, and will continue to write about my success in locating work at home part time jobs that can assist myself and others with additional monthly income. While this is just one way to combat debt, it is by no means the only way, and from the website you can learn about all different ways to do so. Every possible topic is covered from filing bankcruptcy to debt counseling, and everything in between.
In fact I just negotiated a payment plan with one of my car loans directly with the lender, and probably have avoided having to file bankcruptcy in the process. I have found that most lenders, especially those with secured loans will work with you to help you to overcome your financial difficulties without using an intermediary, like a debt resolution service. If you do decide to use a debt resolution service, be sure to check them out thoroughly and make sure they can do what they promise before signing any contracts. Get some independent references, check them out with the BBB, and if you know of anyone personally who has used their services, find out if they did fulfill their promises. Don't just pick one at random, there are plenty of them out there, and there are some that are totally legitimate and been in business for years. Check their track record.
Check out destroydebt.com, and make use of all the information contained within. There are new articles and discussion forums posted daily, and you will find a plethora of helpful information to assist you no matter what your particular financial plight.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Obama vs Osama
Now that the primaries are all but over, and it appears that Barrack Obama is in the super delegate lead at this point, one has to wonder just how well he will fair against someone like a John McCain. One also has to wonder how well this well intentioned man will do when it comes to dealing with the rest of the world. The one advantage a Hillary Clinton has is that she was a part of a White House administration, and has a former President along side of her. Obama, at least to me seems less likely to convince voters that he can overcome his lack of foreign policy experience and make a good choice for leader of this country.
While his platform for change on the domestic front is well intentioned, I often wonder just how much change one man can accomplish without the necessary backing. Also he has to surround himself with advisors and managers who feel as strongly about the things he wants to change as he does, not to mention the backing of the Congress. After all, it is the Congress that creates changes in our laws or public policies, more so than the President. I just have to wonder, what type of support Obama will receive, and whether or not he will be able to accomplish all that he has promised during his campaign for the nomination. We've all heard the rhetoric before in other campaigns, and seen some changes, but not nearly all that was promised, and certainly not as quickly as many of us would have liked.
In order to undue many of our past mistakes, will take someone with not only a great deal of determination, but patience as well. I hope the voting public truly realizes this, and doesn't lose confidence in Mr. Obama or whomever the voters decide to elect to the Presidency before they really have a chance to make any changes. Let's be honest, the changes we need to see in this country is immigration reform, more of a focus on our own people and problems, which includes lower gas and food prices, higher wages and plenty of jobs, and affordable health care for all of us. It will take a lot of perseverance, and patience on everyone's part to accomplish this, as well as many of the other problems facing this great nation of ours. The environment and alternate forms of energy, disease research and other pressing domestic issues must take the forefront of the President's agenda.
As far as the war in Iraq or against terrorism for that matter, they have to take a back seat to our own issues here at home. We need to bring our troops back and allow these countries and governments to resolve their own issues without outside interference. We claim to be on the side of democracy and human rights, yet we have our own human rights issues here at home. We have people living on the streets, people starving, living in poverty, and being discriminated against because of ethnicity, color, or origin. Our nation is overtaxed, and underemployed, and much of our tax dollars are spent overseas. We give tax breaks to oil companies and pharmaceutical companies who charge outrageous amounts for their products, and depend on foreign oil to produce those products, while we ship oil from the Alaskan Pipeline to countries like China and Japan. While China and Indias economies flourish ours flounders like a fish dead in the water.
I do not envy whoever becomes President, no matter what promises they make, they are going to have an uphill battle, unless and until they put special interest groups aside, and do what they know their hearts has to be done to get this country back on track and bring prosperity once again to its people. We need affordable homes, salaries that keep up with the cost of living, good and affordable health care, and politicians who really care about their constituancies and their needs and concerns. In terms of our foreign policies, I think we need to take a step back, and allow other countries to decide their own fates, without pressure and/or interference on our parts. Let's bring our troops home, and use our military to protect our own borders from illegal immigrants, and drug smugglers, as well as potential terrorists who would try to destroy the very foundation of this country.
While his platform for change on the domestic front is well intentioned, I often wonder just how much change one man can accomplish without the necessary backing. Also he has to surround himself with advisors and managers who feel as strongly about the things he wants to change as he does, not to mention the backing of the Congress. After all, it is the Congress that creates changes in our laws or public policies, more so than the President. I just have to wonder, what type of support Obama will receive, and whether or not he will be able to accomplish all that he has promised during his campaign for the nomination. We've all heard the rhetoric before in other campaigns, and seen some changes, but not nearly all that was promised, and certainly not as quickly as many of us would have liked.
In order to undue many of our past mistakes, will take someone with not only a great deal of determination, but patience as well. I hope the voting public truly realizes this, and doesn't lose confidence in Mr. Obama or whomever the voters decide to elect to the Presidency before they really have a chance to make any changes. Let's be honest, the changes we need to see in this country is immigration reform, more of a focus on our own people and problems, which includes lower gas and food prices, higher wages and plenty of jobs, and affordable health care for all of us. It will take a lot of perseverance, and patience on everyone's part to accomplish this, as well as many of the other problems facing this great nation of ours. The environment and alternate forms of energy, disease research and other pressing domestic issues must take the forefront of the President's agenda.
As far as the war in Iraq or against terrorism for that matter, they have to take a back seat to our own issues here at home. We need to bring our troops back and allow these countries and governments to resolve their own issues without outside interference. We claim to be on the side of democracy and human rights, yet we have our own human rights issues here at home. We have people living on the streets, people starving, living in poverty, and being discriminated against because of ethnicity, color, or origin. Our nation is overtaxed, and underemployed, and much of our tax dollars are spent overseas. We give tax breaks to oil companies and pharmaceutical companies who charge outrageous amounts for their products, and depend on foreign oil to produce those products, while we ship oil from the Alaskan Pipeline to countries like China and Japan. While China and Indias economies flourish ours flounders like a fish dead in the water.
I do not envy whoever becomes President, no matter what promises they make, they are going to have an uphill battle, unless and until they put special interest groups aside, and do what they know their hearts has to be done to get this country back on track and bring prosperity once again to its people. We need affordable homes, salaries that keep up with the cost of living, good and affordable health care, and politicians who really care about their constituancies and their needs and concerns. In terms of our foreign policies, I think we need to take a step back, and allow other countries to decide their own fates, without pressure and/or interference on our parts. Let's bring our troops home, and use our military to protect our own borders from illegal immigrants, and drug smugglers, as well as potential terrorists who would try to destroy the very foundation of this country.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Go Figure
Go figure that the current Myanmar regime would re-label all the aid packages with the top generals' names. You would have to be an idiot to think that they would do anything less. Somehow we Americans seem to think that the rest of the world is just like us, and that they really care about their citizens, especially those who are in distress because of some natural disaster. What the hell is wrong with us, why do we allow U.S. based agencies and our illustrious government leaders to lead us into believing that whatever aid we give will get to those who really need it? Don't we have enough people in this great country of ours who are starving, don't have adequate housing, or who can even afford to support their families properly?
Then please explain to me why it is, that whenever there is a natural disaster overseas, we Americans feel the need to run to the rescue of each and every one affected by these disasters? I suppose they help us in our times of need? Yeah right, sure they do. I cannot believe that we are constantly duped into helping people who could care less about us, or much less our problems. All we seem to do is make matters worse, as the aid we offer rarely gets into the hands of those who need it the most. Sure there are charity efforts in Africa and other underdeveloped nations where the aid goes directly to those in need. However, that is only because they allow the agencies or people providing that aid to oversee its distribution. What would make us think that a country which is ruled by a military dictatorship would allow such in their country.
I think someone was asleep at the switch on this one. I heard President Bush ask the military leaders in Myanmar if they would allow us to assist, and send aid, but I cannot remember him waiting for a reply before requesting Americans to put forth their hard earned dollars to help. We have lost our way somewhere back a few decades ago, when we tried to befriend any nation we thought might be otherwise influenced by then the USSR, and communism. Someone needs to tell the President and the Congress that the Cold War is over, and now our biggest enemy seems to be ourselves, and not the terrorists. If we are foolish enough to believe that this gesture of charity is somehow going to make relations between us and the Myanmar government better, they are just deluding themselves.
We are still dependent on OPEC nations for much of our oil. We are at the mercy of countries like Venezuela who jacks up the price of oil simply because they don't like us, and know we will pay whatever to keep our country going. To be quite honest, I think many of the oil producing countries have good reasons not to like us. We send our oil companies there to explore and teach them how to drill for the oil, and then rake in the profits from use of cheap labor and lower overall costs. They then pass on the ridiculous costs of shipping the crude oil back to the refineries here in the U.S. as well as the high costs of refining the oil into gasoline and other petroleum based products. Let's face it, if we continue to allow ourselves to be controlled by the petroleum industry, and don't start finding and refining new sources of power, such as nuclear, solar and wind, we are doomed to pay even higher prices for gasoline in the future.
Let's stop the nonsense people, and show the President and Congress we mean business in the upcoming national elections.
Then please explain to me why it is, that whenever there is a natural disaster overseas, we Americans feel the need to run to the rescue of each and every one affected by these disasters? I suppose they help us in our times of need? Yeah right, sure they do. I cannot believe that we are constantly duped into helping people who could care less about us, or much less our problems. All we seem to do is make matters worse, as the aid we offer rarely gets into the hands of those who need it the most. Sure there are charity efforts in Africa and other underdeveloped nations where the aid goes directly to those in need. However, that is only because they allow the agencies or people providing that aid to oversee its distribution. What would make us think that a country which is ruled by a military dictatorship would allow such in their country.
I think someone was asleep at the switch on this one. I heard President Bush ask the military leaders in Myanmar if they would allow us to assist, and send aid, but I cannot remember him waiting for a reply before requesting Americans to put forth their hard earned dollars to help. We have lost our way somewhere back a few decades ago, when we tried to befriend any nation we thought might be otherwise influenced by then the USSR, and communism. Someone needs to tell the President and the Congress that the Cold War is over, and now our biggest enemy seems to be ourselves, and not the terrorists. If we are foolish enough to believe that this gesture of charity is somehow going to make relations between us and the Myanmar government better, they are just deluding themselves.
We are still dependent on OPEC nations for much of our oil. We are at the mercy of countries like Venezuela who jacks up the price of oil simply because they don't like us, and know we will pay whatever to keep our country going. To be quite honest, I think many of the oil producing countries have good reasons not to like us. We send our oil companies there to explore and teach them how to drill for the oil, and then rake in the profits from use of cheap labor and lower overall costs. They then pass on the ridiculous costs of shipping the crude oil back to the refineries here in the U.S. as well as the high costs of refining the oil into gasoline and other petroleum based products. Let's face it, if we continue to allow ourselves to be controlled by the petroleum industry, and don't start finding and refining new sources of power, such as nuclear, solar and wind, we are doomed to pay even higher prices for gasoline in the future.
Let's stop the nonsense people, and show the President and Congress we mean business in the upcoming national elections.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Life's Trials and Tribulations
If anyone had asked me 10 years ago if I would be married, and in the lousy financial situation in which I now find myself, I would have thought they were crazy. I am married, living in a small rural town in southern Nevada, living from paycheck to paycheck, and still helping to support my wife's two daughters. This is not my first marriage, but I was not divorced, rather my first wife died some 20 years ago after a long bout with a terminal illness. While I do not have any regrets about my first marriage, it was filled with plenty of ups and downs, and problems, but we were both supportive of each other, which seemed to make all the difference in the world. I cannot say that about this relationship, as I am my wife's 4th husband, and she can be difficult to live with at times to say the least. Not to mention that she puts her adult children first, and me last.
Not too long after my first wife died, I became involved with a woman who worked for my insurance agent, and had 3 small children at home. She was also supporting her mother, who basically stayed at home and watched the children while mom was either at work or attending school. I never really thought much about what it would be like to be involved with a woman who had children at home, until I became so involved with this woman, that I ended up feeling bad for her and the children, and became financially responsible for them. She was collecting Aid for Dependent Children from the government, as her dead beat husband refused to pay any child support. She was attending community college, and trying to better herself, so she could properly support her kids. However, when her car broke down, or it was Christmas time, or some one's birthday she looked to me to assist her with the costs involved. Being a good hearted person, I obliged, and within 3 years I found myself filing for bankruptcy and not in a really good financial position. After losing my job, and countless interviews and applications, I decided the best thing for me to do was to relocate to southern Nevada, and start over.
I relocated to a small town along the Colorado River, which I had visited previously and found to be a good place to make a new start. Before I left, I managed to convince a manager with a large security service that I had worked for to hire my girlfriend as a receptionist/secretary. I believed that this would at least help her out financially, and not leave her and her family in the lurch. I packed my things, and drove myself to Laughlin, and found a job and an apartment, and only returned to southern California to retrieve the rest of my belongings. I did return on a couple of occasions to visit with my best friend who thought I was doing the right thing, and to go to court on my bankcruptcy proceedings. Other than that I did not return to southern California, until mid 1995 when my uncle died. I only heard once from the woman's mother, when she attempted to make a purchase at Sears for a Christmas gift, and found that the account had been closed. She herself never contacted me, and I never heard from her or her mother again after that incident.
Needless to say the entire affair left a sour taste in my mouth, and I vowed I would never become more than just friends with any woman who had small children still living at home. However that was a short lived promise to myself, as within a year of relocating to Laughlin, I found myself once again involved with a woman with small children living at home. Although that relationship was on sounder financial ground, it wasn't on such a wonderful emotional one, as the woman was still in love with her former husband, and was determined to return to Wisconsin where he lived, as she put it for the sake of her children. Although she did move to Wisconsin, her ex-husband relocated to Florida, and she was left with her children by herself. She managed to find a job at a local casino, and supported herself and her children. I was left to my own devices, and for a long time, did not even date. To say I was heartbroken over both failed relationships would be an understatement.
Finally, in 1999, through the use of the Internet and several different chat and personal programs I managed to meet and date several women, including my current wife. My wife lived in Las Vegas, and drove down to Laughlin on one of her days off so we could meet. We did meet and began dating and talking. We really seemed to hit it off, and although I had some concerns about her youngest daughter who still lived at home, I set those aside as we seemed to be in love with each other, and I didn't want to use her daughter as an excuse for us not having the opportunity to be happy. Unfortunately, because of drugs, and alcohol, her youngest daughter has been in and out of trouble with the law for years, and just recently spent the better part of a year in jail. While incarcerated she had a baby, and guess who took the baby home from the hospital and cared for her the first nearly 8 months of her life. You guessed it, we did. Even now we still watch the baby while my step daughter is at work, or at an NA meeting. Although she is working and staying clean, she still has issues that concern both me and wife, namely her ability to care for her child and still have what she calls a life.
We love our beautiful grand baby and would not want anyone else to care for her. However, we are both in our late 50s and should be enjoying our lives free of any child caring responsibilities, but that is not the case. Before we can even make plans to go anywhere or do anything, we have make sure that the baby will be cared for if we cannot take her along. Additionally, my wife's work hours have been cut with the recent recession, and I do not earn as much as I was just a few months ago. Therefore we are already in a big financial mess, and even working from home part time is a hassle, as the baby doesn't always lay down for a nap, or needs constant attention. It's hard to talk with people on the phone, or even write when the baby wants to be held, or wants you to pay attention to her for prolonged periods of time. I have recently began to work for a company called ASI which I detailed in a prior blog, but I have to have the time to contact people and interview them, and this can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes or more at a time. Having to care for Joslin, doesn't always allow that much time for me to be on the phone.
I begrudge this baby nothing, but I am about to lose one car to the bank, and at the same time, we are trying to qualify to buy a home, so we can have at least a decent tax break at the end of the year. For the past several years we have had to pay taxes, and are paying off those debts currently. In order for us to get ahead one of us either has to work more hours, or we have to be able to complete a job at home that will not take away from our responsibility of caring for our granddaughter. Eventually, I know my step daughter is going to have a place of her own and will of course take her daughter with her, our concern is that depending upon where she moves to, we will not be able to take care of Joslin while she and the baby's father are working. This causes great concern as we do not want her left with strangers that we do not know.
Not too long after my first wife died, I became involved with a woman who worked for my insurance agent, and had 3 small children at home. She was also supporting her mother, who basically stayed at home and watched the children while mom was either at work or attending school. I never really thought much about what it would be like to be involved with a woman who had children at home, until I became so involved with this woman, that I ended up feeling bad for her and the children, and became financially responsible for them. She was collecting Aid for Dependent Children from the government, as her dead beat husband refused to pay any child support. She was attending community college, and trying to better herself, so she could properly support her kids. However, when her car broke down, or it was Christmas time, or some one's birthday she looked to me to assist her with the costs involved. Being a good hearted person, I obliged, and within 3 years I found myself filing for bankruptcy and not in a really good financial position. After losing my job, and countless interviews and applications, I decided the best thing for me to do was to relocate to southern Nevada, and start over.
I relocated to a small town along the Colorado River, which I had visited previously and found to be a good place to make a new start. Before I left, I managed to convince a manager with a large security service that I had worked for to hire my girlfriend as a receptionist/secretary. I believed that this would at least help her out financially, and not leave her and her family in the lurch. I packed my things, and drove myself to Laughlin, and found a job and an apartment, and only returned to southern California to retrieve the rest of my belongings. I did return on a couple of occasions to visit with my best friend who thought I was doing the right thing, and to go to court on my bankcruptcy proceedings. Other than that I did not return to southern California, until mid 1995 when my uncle died. I only heard once from the woman's mother, when she attempted to make a purchase at Sears for a Christmas gift, and found that the account had been closed. She herself never contacted me, and I never heard from her or her mother again after that incident.
Needless to say the entire affair left a sour taste in my mouth, and I vowed I would never become more than just friends with any woman who had small children still living at home. However that was a short lived promise to myself, as within a year of relocating to Laughlin, I found myself once again involved with a woman with small children living at home. Although that relationship was on sounder financial ground, it wasn't on such a wonderful emotional one, as the woman was still in love with her former husband, and was determined to return to Wisconsin where he lived, as she put it for the sake of her children. Although she did move to Wisconsin, her ex-husband relocated to Florida, and she was left with her children by herself. She managed to find a job at a local casino, and supported herself and her children. I was left to my own devices, and for a long time, did not even date. To say I was heartbroken over both failed relationships would be an understatement.
Finally, in 1999, through the use of the Internet and several different chat and personal programs I managed to meet and date several women, including my current wife. My wife lived in Las Vegas, and drove down to Laughlin on one of her days off so we could meet. We did meet and began dating and talking. We really seemed to hit it off, and although I had some concerns about her youngest daughter who still lived at home, I set those aside as we seemed to be in love with each other, and I didn't want to use her daughter as an excuse for us not having the opportunity to be happy. Unfortunately, because of drugs, and alcohol, her youngest daughter has been in and out of trouble with the law for years, and just recently spent the better part of a year in jail. While incarcerated she had a baby, and guess who took the baby home from the hospital and cared for her the first nearly 8 months of her life. You guessed it, we did. Even now we still watch the baby while my step daughter is at work, or at an NA meeting. Although she is working and staying clean, she still has issues that concern both me and wife, namely her ability to care for her child and still have what she calls a life.
We love our beautiful grand baby and would not want anyone else to care for her. However, we are both in our late 50s and should be enjoying our lives free of any child caring responsibilities, but that is not the case. Before we can even make plans to go anywhere or do anything, we have make sure that the baby will be cared for if we cannot take her along. Additionally, my wife's work hours have been cut with the recent recession, and I do not earn as much as I was just a few months ago. Therefore we are already in a big financial mess, and even working from home part time is a hassle, as the baby doesn't always lay down for a nap, or needs constant attention. It's hard to talk with people on the phone, or even write when the baby wants to be held, or wants you to pay attention to her for prolonged periods of time. I have recently began to work for a company called ASI which I detailed in a prior blog, but I have to have the time to contact people and interview them, and this can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes or more at a time. Having to care for Joslin, doesn't always allow that much time for me to be on the phone.
I begrudge this baby nothing, but I am about to lose one car to the bank, and at the same time, we are trying to qualify to buy a home, so we can have at least a decent tax break at the end of the year. For the past several years we have had to pay taxes, and are paying off those debts currently. In order for us to get ahead one of us either has to work more hours, or we have to be able to complete a job at home that will not take away from our responsibility of caring for our granddaughter. Eventually, I know my step daughter is going to have a place of her own and will of course take her daughter with her, our concern is that depending upon where she moves to, we will not be able to take care of Joslin while she and the baby's father are working. This causes great concern as we do not want her left with strangers that we do not know.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Cinco de Mayo el Drinko
Here we are again, that time of the year when we have yet another excuse to provide a foreign holiday to give people yet another excuse to get drunk and act like idiots. Don't misunderstand, I have nothing against holidays per se, but why we Americans feel the need to adopt yet another holiday to give people an excuse to get drunk is beyond me. I cannot believe that the liquor and beer manufacturers and distributors need an additional reason to sell more alcholic beverages. We certainly have enough holidays of our own, not to mention those who choose to drink everyday, or on any occasion. Have we become a nation whose people need a reason to get drunk or act like idiots?
As if we didn't have enough holidays of our own, maybe we should celebrate every battle we won even if it was on foreign soil. Let's be honest the Mexicans won a battle and now use the date of that battle to celebrate the victory by drinking and getting out of control, or did they. I believe it is all advertising hype by the beer and liquor distributors who have created this illusion just to sell more booze. I have no doubt that the Mexican people are very proud of winning this battle, and have good reason to celebrate, but why do we Americans who gained nothing, nor had anything to do with this victory feel the need to celebrate, if not for all the advertising hype. Free enterprise is a great thing, and I think we are very lucky to have such a system in place in this country, but let's not get carried away.
There are more alcohol related traffic accidents and deaths on Cinco de Mayo then any other holiday. I wonder why? Perhaps it's because we have people who buy into all this hype, and believe it is okay to drink and drive, especially if they are celebrating a special occasion. Even with all the advertising telling people to drink responsibly cannot seem to curb all the alcohol related traffic fatalities and injuries. Some one needs to get a clue, and step up to the plate and act responsibly, and that has to be the American public. After all, no one person can be responsible for changing the attitudes of another. It is something that has to come from each individual, and no one else. If enough of us begin to act responsibly and not be drawn in to all the advertising hype and propaganda spread by companies in this country and abroad who are only trying to sell something, then maybe we will be better off.
I have absolutely nothing against holidays or celebrations, but let's be responsible citizens and not a bunch of irresponsible people who don't care if we hurt or kill someone, just so long as we are having fun and not hurting ourselves in the process. I think we Americans are better than that, and we all have a conscience, we just need to exercise good judgement and know when we've had too much to drink, we don't dare attempt to operate a motor vehicle of any kind.
As if we didn't have enough holidays of our own, maybe we should celebrate every battle we won even if it was on foreign soil. Let's be honest the Mexicans won a battle and now use the date of that battle to celebrate the victory by drinking and getting out of control, or did they. I believe it is all advertising hype by the beer and liquor distributors who have created this illusion just to sell more booze. I have no doubt that the Mexican people are very proud of winning this battle, and have good reason to celebrate, but why do we Americans who gained nothing, nor had anything to do with this victory feel the need to celebrate, if not for all the advertising hype. Free enterprise is a great thing, and I think we are very lucky to have such a system in place in this country, but let's not get carried away.
There are more alcohol related traffic accidents and deaths on Cinco de Mayo then any other holiday. I wonder why? Perhaps it's because we have people who buy into all this hype, and believe it is okay to drink and drive, especially if they are celebrating a special occasion. Even with all the advertising telling people to drink responsibly cannot seem to curb all the alcohol related traffic fatalities and injuries. Some one needs to get a clue, and step up to the plate and act responsibly, and that has to be the American public. After all, no one person can be responsible for changing the attitudes of another. It is something that has to come from each individual, and no one else. If enough of us begin to act responsibly and not be drawn in to all the advertising hype and propaganda spread by companies in this country and abroad who are only trying to sell something, then maybe we will be better off.
I have absolutely nothing against holidays or celebrations, but let's be responsible citizens and not a bunch of irresponsible people who don't care if we hurt or kill someone, just so long as we are having fun and not hurting ourselves in the process. I think we Americans are better than that, and we all have a conscience, we just need to exercise good judgement and know when we've had too much to drink, we don't dare attempt to operate a motor vehicle of any kind.
Just Another Day in the Desert
Just another day here in the beautiful desert southwest. Flowers blooming, grasshoppers swarming, and temperature rising. Here I sit at my desk in the emergency room, having just admitted our first patient of the morning, and awaiting the usual Monday morning rush. Mondays at the E/R can either start out slow and pick up by late morning, or start out busy, and slow down some by mid morning. It just depends on how many of our illustrious citizens decided to wait until the weekend was over to seek the medical attention they needed days or even weeks ago. They usually wait until a relatively minor situation blossoms into a major illness before seeking attention, or trying to get in to see their primary care physician. Then there are those who think they have a need to come to the emergency room, when in fact all they have is something minor that can be treated at one of the local urgent care centers or their primary care physician.
It seems like as our population ages, and more and more older Americans move to rural areas like Pahrump, that we get a little more worried about our health and forget that many of our symptoms can be cleared up rather easily and with over the counter medications. We clog our emergency rooms with unnecessary so-called emergencies, making it harder for those who really do have an emergency situation to be seen promptly and receive the quality of care they need. In Nevada, and I presume in many states around the country, we as a hospital emergency room cannot turn anyone seeking medical attention away. They have to at least be seen by a Triage Nurse and evaluated to determine if in fact they are in need of emergency medical treatment. Even so, there are many who still insist on being seen by a doctor, and sit some times for hours waiting to be seen by a physician rather than go to an urgent care center, clinic or their own doctor.
Being a small town hospital, we have a limited number of beds, emergency treatment rooms, and staff. This puts some of our growing number of citizens at risk, especially with all the non emergency patients we see on a daily basis. For a long time, Pahrump was considered a retirement community of people who had worked at the Nevada Test Site, mining companies, and other such businesses in the area. Over the past several years Pahrump has grown to a population of over 37,000, and many of them younger people who have been forced to relocate here due to higher housing and utility costs in places like Las Vegas and southern California. As a result the population is shifting here, but we still have a substantial older population. To make matters worse, we have physicians in this town who do not support the hospital due to their own business agendas, and also never seem to have enough time to see their patients when needed.
As a result we see many of their patients in the emergency room even when it's not a true emergency situation, just because they cannot get into to see their doctors when they aren't feeling well. This is only one reason why we are often times busier than we should be, the other reason is that even if a patient has no insurance we cannot turn them away. As a result, even those seeking attention for non emergent situations, or with such problems as abscessed teeth and other type conditions are seen here. There are doctors and dentists in town that we treat uninsured people, but they have to come up with at least some money at the time of service. Why not go to your local emergency room knowing that they cannot turn you away, and that they will try to collect from the county for your services rendered?
The hospital has been opened for nearly two years now, and we are experiencing growing pains. We also are experiencing problems in keeping enough staff on board to handle the work load now, but we are always looking to hire more qualified individuals as well as bringing more specialists on board to handle our more involved cases. We do have two surgeons, an OB-GYN on staff, but are sorely in need of a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, and orthopaedic surgeon. Management is actively recruiting for these types of physicians as well as good RNs to support those physicians as well as those already in place. It has been a tough road to hoe, but we are all hopeful that everything will be where it should be by no later than the end of the year.
So far it has been a fairly quiet Monday morning, but I am sure we will be busy before long. For now I will drink my coffee, and try to wake up some more, as I don't do mornings real well, and wait for the onslaught. LOL
It seems like as our population ages, and more and more older Americans move to rural areas like Pahrump, that we get a little more worried about our health and forget that many of our symptoms can be cleared up rather easily and with over the counter medications. We clog our emergency rooms with unnecessary so-called emergencies, making it harder for those who really do have an emergency situation to be seen promptly and receive the quality of care they need. In Nevada, and I presume in many states around the country, we as a hospital emergency room cannot turn anyone seeking medical attention away. They have to at least be seen by a Triage Nurse and evaluated to determine if in fact they are in need of emergency medical treatment. Even so, there are many who still insist on being seen by a doctor, and sit some times for hours waiting to be seen by a physician rather than go to an urgent care center, clinic or their own doctor.
Being a small town hospital, we have a limited number of beds, emergency treatment rooms, and staff. This puts some of our growing number of citizens at risk, especially with all the non emergency patients we see on a daily basis. For a long time, Pahrump was considered a retirement community of people who had worked at the Nevada Test Site, mining companies, and other such businesses in the area. Over the past several years Pahrump has grown to a population of over 37,000, and many of them younger people who have been forced to relocate here due to higher housing and utility costs in places like Las Vegas and southern California. As a result the population is shifting here, but we still have a substantial older population. To make matters worse, we have physicians in this town who do not support the hospital due to their own business agendas, and also never seem to have enough time to see their patients when needed.
As a result we see many of their patients in the emergency room even when it's not a true emergency situation, just because they cannot get into to see their doctors when they aren't feeling well. This is only one reason why we are often times busier than we should be, the other reason is that even if a patient has no insurance we cannot turn them away. As a result, even those seeking attention for non emergent situations, or with such problems as abscessed teeth and other type conditions are seen here. There are doctors and dentists in town that we treat uninsured people, but they have to come up with at least some money at the time of service. Why not go to your local emergency room knowing that they cannot turn you away, and that they will try to collect from the county for your services rendered?
The hospital has been opened for nearly two years now, and we are experiencing growing pains. We also are experiencing problems in keeping enough staff on board to handle the work load now, but we are always looking to hire more qualified individuals as well as bringing more specialists on board to handle our more involved cases. We do have two surgeons, an OB-GYN on staff, but are sorely in need of a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, and orthopaedic surgeon. Management is actively recruiting for these types of physicians as well as good RNs to support those physicians as well as those already in place. It has been a tough road to hoe, but we are all hopeful that everything will be where it should be by no later than the end of the year.
So far it has been a fairly quiet Monday morning, but I am sure we will be busy before long. For now I will drink my coffee, and try to wake up some more, as I don't do mornings real well, and wait for the onslaught. LOL
Saturday, May 3, 2008
ASI Healthcare
In a previous blog, I mentioned that I worked part time for a company called ASI(Affordable Services, Inc.). I would like to tell you about ASI, the benefits offered as well as some of the home based jobs available for people with a home computer w/internet access and a home phone.
ASI was created in 1989, and offers affordable health insurance discount plans to anyone who wants to sign up. They have over 300,000 participating doctors and dentists around the country who accept there discount plans. In addition to doctors and dentists, ASI provides discounts for optical care and prescriptions at most major pharmacies. If you sign up for their Premier Plan, which costs $52.00 a month, in addition to saving 40-60% at doctors, hospitals, dentists, opticians, and pharmacies, you also get accident insurance up to $2000. with a $100. dollar co-pay at the Emergency Room, as well as an accidental death and dismemberment policy of $5000. You also get a free cellular phone with 250 free minutes per month from Govius with additional minutes costing only 8 cents a minute.
ASI has partnered with Govius Cellular, to offer great cellular phone services to its members. We have over 3 million members around the U.S. who are enjoying the benefits of our discount plans and cellular services. Govius is an environmentally friendly company who recyles cell phones and batteries. Between the two companies, we offer some pretty outstanding services at affordable prices. Even if you don't want to take advantage of the health plan services you can still take advantage of the Govius plans starting at a cost of $19.95 per month with a free phone and 250 minutes. These are anytime minutes and include texting. There are no contracts, and no hidden charges, just a free phone and great reception.
If you would like more information about the services offered by ASI, just go to their website at ASIhealthcare.com and check them out. If you would like to sign up for any of their services, call them at 1-800-929-8344 and refer to the following PAL # 257687 when they asked who referred you. In addition to offering these services to the general public, ASI offers home employment opportunities to those who qualify, and offer the same health and phone services at a discounted rate. In fact they offer their Premier Plan which includes a free cellular phone and 250 minutes a month to employees for $29. a month and that's for your entire family.
Now for those of you who might be interested in working with us at ASI, let explain what the qualifications are, and how to express your interest and set up an interview with either myself or one of our other human resources recruiters. The first thing you are going to want to do if you have a home computer with internet access and home phone is check out the ASI website at ASIhealthcare.com, and check under Careers. It will outline the various positions available and you can post your application directly on the website, or if you prefer, you can email me directly at sacks_m@yahoo.com to advise me that you are interested in learning more about the work at home job positions with ASI, what time zone you live in, a time of day that is good for you to spend some time for an interview, and a phone number where you can be reached at that time. Please be patient whichever path you choose, at it may be a few days before someone gets back to you. We have a lot of applicants and we do try to contact each one, whether we hire them or not. If you do not have either a computer with internet access at home, or a home phone, you would not qualify to work for ASI. We also recommend that your home phone have an unlimited long distance plan as you will be required to make long distance calls if you choose to become a recruiter with the human resources department. If you choose to become a promotions coordinator, you will not need long distance service on your phone. The only other requirement is that you have excellent customer service and telephone skills. In addition to my e-mail address, here is my personal recruitment website on which you can apply for employment directly:
http://employmentfromhome.net/p260894/
Okay, now you know about the positions available and the requirements, let's get down to brass tacks. How much you can expect to earn with ASI. If you choose to work part time you can expect to earn between $200-$400 per week. If you choose to work full time your earnings should be between $400-$500 per week. In addition to these positions I have mentioned, there are also other positions available to you after you have been with ASI for 4 weeks in management and training if you want to take on more responsibility, both offer an increase earnings.
ASI was created in 1989, and offers affordable health insurance discount plans to anyone who wants to sign up. They have over 300,000 participating doctors and dentists around the country who accept there discount plans. In addition to doctors and dentists, ASI provides discounts for optical care and prescriptions at most major pharmacies. If you sign up for their Premier Plan, which costs $52.00 a month, in addition to saving 40-60% at doctors, hospitals, dentists, opticians, and pharmacies, you also get accident insurance up to $2000. with a $100. dollar co-pay at the Emergency Room, as well as an accidental death and dismemberment policy of $5000. You also get a free cellular phone with 250 free minutes per month from Govius with additional minutes costing only 8 cents a minute.
ASI has partnered with Govius Cellular, to offer great cellular phone services to its members. We have over 3 million members around the U.S. who are enjoying the benefits of our discount plans and cellular services. Govius is an environmentally friendly company who recyles cell phones and batteries. Between the two companies, we offer some pretty outstanding services at affordable prices. Even if you don't want to take advantage of the health plan services you can still take advantage of the Govius plans starting at a cost of $19.95 per month with a free phone and 250 minutes. These are anytime minutes and include texting. There are no contracts, and no hidden charges, just a free phone and great reception.
If you would like more information about the services offered by ASI, just go to their website at ASIhealthcare.com and check them out. If you would like to sign up for any of their services, call them at 1-800-929-8344 and refer to the following PAL # 257687 when they asked who referred you. In addition to offering these services to the general public, ASI offers home employment opportunities to those who qualify, and offer the same health and phone services at a discounted rate. In fact they offer their Premier Plan which includes a free cellular phone and 250 minutes a month to employees for $29. a month and that's for your entire family.
Now for those of you who might be interested in working with us at ASI, let explain what the qualifications are, and how to express your interest and set up an interview with either myself or one of our other human resources recruiters. The first thing you are going to want to do if you have a home computer with internet access and home phone is check out the ASI website at ASIhealthcare.com, and check under Careers. It will outline the various positions available and you can post your application directly on the website, or if you prefer, you can email me directly at sacks_m@yahoo.com to advise me that you are interested in learning more about the work at home job positions with ASI, what time zone you live in, a time of day that is good for you to spend some time for an interview, and a phone number where you can be reached at that time. Please be patient whichever path you choose, at it may be a few days before someone gets back to you. We have a lot of applicants and we do try to contact each one, whether we hire them or not. If you do not have either a computer with internet access at home, or a home phone, you would not qualify to work for ASI. We also recommend that your home phone have an unlimited long distance plan as you will be required to make long distance calls if you choose to become a recruiter with the human resources department. If you choose to become a promotions coordinator, you will not need long distance service on your phone. The only other requirement is that you have excellent customer service and telephone skills. In addition to my e-mail address, here is my personal recruitment website on which you can apply for employment directly:
http://employmentfromhome.net/p260894/
Okay, now you know about the positions available and the requirements, let's get down to brass tacks. How much you can expect to earn with ASI. If you choose to work part time you can expect to earn between $200-$400 per week. If you choose to work full time your earnings should be between $400-$500 per week. In addition to these positions I have mentioned, there are also other positions available to you after you have been with ASI for 4 weeks in management and training if you want to take on more responsibility, both offer an increase earnings.
How About Those Rising Food Prices
First it was gasoline and pharmaceutical prices that the general public was up in arms about, now it's food prices which are on the top of every one's hit list. I suppose it should come as no surprise to anyone, that with the increase in oil and gas prices, packaging, and transportation costs have risen sharply. As a result those increases are being passed along to us consumers, and there isn't much we can do to prevent it. Sure we can use coupons, or shop at grocery warehouses like Costco, and Sam's Club and stock on those items like staples. However, it is unlikely that the price increases won't eventually effect even those membership clubs prices, and make even shopping there no real bargain unless you need large quantities of certain products.
The middle class American is being squeezed on all sides now, housing, food, transportation, taxes, you name it. In my opinion the middle class in this country will soon no longer exist. We will become a nation of haves and have-nots. Perhaps the time has come for us to rebel, and I don't mean that in a bad way. I'm not perpetuating the idea of overthrowing the government, or any thing even remotely like that, but instead send a harsh word to our leaders and representatives, that we aren't going to keep taking it on the chin and asking for another. It is time that all Americans took back their legal right to have a say in what the government does and spends our tax dollars on. We ship oil from the Alaska pipeline overseas, mainly to China and Japan, and have untapped oil reserves in this country, yet we allow ourselves to be blackmailed by OPEC nations into paying ridiculous prices for crude oil.
Our costs keep increasing, yet our salaries don't even come close to keeping up. We have companies that would rather outsource jobs to foreign nations for less money, then pay employees here at home a living wage. We spend billions of tax dollars overseas fighting battles we can't win, losing American lives in the process, and help rebuild nations that just want to be left to their own vices. I have compassion for those nations less fortunate then ours where children are starving and have no health care through no fault of their own, however, we too have people starving, living on the streets, and with no affordable health care. When do we reset our priorities and begin working towards helping those less fortunate here at home? Again it comes down to the people demanding accountability from those we elected to represent our needs and desires in Congress. We can place blame on whoever is in the White House, and believe me I am no big fan of our present administration, but really, it's Congress who passes the laws and financial programs that run this country, not the President.
The Democrats took over control of Congress in 2006, and I think that a lot of people were expecting big changes in how the government conducts business, but as usual that hasn't happened. Until we get special interest groups, lobbyists and big business out of politics, nothing will change. I think the time has passed for seeing any big changes until that happens. If they continue to fill politicians pockets and finance their campaigns, there will be no major changes in our political system. The average American has little say who gets elected anymore, and until the system is completely overhauled and revamped, I don't see any real changes in the near future. That is why I believe we need a revolution in this country, not a military one, but one of reasoning and common sense. Let the American people really have a voice in Congress, and allow our politicians to do their jobs without any outside interference from special interest groups and businesses who have their own agenda. Elect politicians who really listen to their constituency, and have an honest feel for what their constituency needs, and has a true belief for what is needed to help to make this country as great as it once was, with well paying jobs, affordable housing and health care for all Americans.
If we cannot control the rise in prices of commodities that we need and purchase everyday in this country, then let's at least give people the tools they need to keep up with the increases. I don't enjoy living from paycheck to paycheck, and never having enough money to even purchase enough food every month to feed my family. I don't like the idea that I cannot afford health insurance because it costs too much for me to obtain. I don't like having to work at a job close to home, which pays less than a comparable job in Las Vegas, some 65 miles away, because I would spend the difference in transportation costs just getting to and from work everyday. I cannot comprehend how anyone could allow this type of situation to spiral out of control, and not hold our representatives in government responsible.
There are those out there who would say we have allowed this to happen and have no one to blame but ourselves. I would agree with them to a point, but as I stated before, we have not had control of our government for some time now, and until we make the necessary changes to do so, little is going to change in my opinion. It really makes no difference as to who we place the blame with, the only thing that matters is whether or not we do anything constructive to change things. In the past, most parents wanted their children to have things better than they did. Nowadays, I think we just want our children to be able to survive from day to day, and not have to worry about expenses outdistancing their income.
The middle class American is being squeezed on all sides now, housing, food, transportation, taxes, you name it. In my opinion the middle class in this country will soon no longer exist. We will become a nation of haves and have-nots. Perhaps the time has come for us to rebel, and I don't mean that in a bad way. I'm not perpetuating the idea of overthrowing the government, or any thing even remotely like that, but instead send a harsh word to our leaders and representatives, that we aren't going to keep taking it on the chin and asking for another. It is time that all Americans took back their legal right to have a say in what the government does and spends our tax dollars on. We ship oil from the Alaska pipeline overseas, mainly to China and Japan, and have untapped oil reserves in this country, yet we allow ourselves to be blackmailed by OPEC nations into paying ridiculous prices for crude oil.
Our costs keep increasing, yet our salaries don't even come close to keeping up. We have companies that would rather outsource jobs to foreign nations for less money, then pay employees here at home a living wage. We spend billions of tax dollars overseas fighting battles we can't win, losing American lives in the process, and help rebuild nations that just want to be left to their own vices. I have compassion for those nations less fortunate then ours where children are starving and have no health care through no fault of their own, however, we too have people starving, living on the streets, and with no affordable health care. When do we reset our priorities and begin working towards helping those less fortunate here at home? Again it comes down to the people demanding accountability from those we elected to represent our needs and desires in Congress. We can place blame on whoever is in the White House, and believe me I am no big fan of our present administration, but really, it's Congress who passes the laws and financial programs that run this country, not the President.
The Democrats took over control of Congress in 2006, and I think that a lot of people were expecting big changes in how the government conducts business, but as usual that hasn't happened. Until we get special interest groups, lobbyists and big business out of politics, nothing will change. I think the time has passed for seeing any big changes until that happens. If they continue to fill politicians pockets and finance their campaigns, there will be no major changes in our political system. The average American has little say who gets elected anymore, and until the system is completely overhauled and revamped, I don't see any real changes in the near future. That is why I believe we need a revolution in this country, not a military one, but one of reasoning and common sense. Let the American people really have a voice in Congress, and allow our politicians to do their jobs without any outside interference from special interest groups and businesses who have their own agenda. Elect politicians who really listen to their constituency, and have an honest feel for what their constituency needs, and has a true belief for what is needed to help to make this country as great as it once was, with well paying jobs, affordable housing and health care for all Americans.
If we cannot control the rise in prices of commodities that we need and purchase everyday in this country, then let's at least give people the tools they need to keep up with the increases. I don't enjoy living from paycheck to paycheck, and never having enough money to even purchase enough food every month to feed my family. I don't like the idea that I cannot afford health insurance because it costs too much for me to obtain. I don't like having to work at a job close to home, which pays less than a comparable job in Las Vegas, some 65 miles away, because I would spend the difference in transportation costs just getting to and from work everyday. I cannot comprehend how anyone could allow this type of situation to spiral out of control, and not hold our representatives in government responsible.
There are those out there who would say we have allowed this to happen and have no one to blame but ourselves. I would agree with them to a point, but as I stated before, we have not had control of our government for some time now, and until we make the necessary changes to do so, little is going to change in my opinion. It really makes no difference as to who we place the blame with, the only thing that matters is whether or not we do anything constructive to change things. In the past, most parents wanted their children to have things better than they did. Nowadays, I think we just want our children to be able to survive from day to day, and not have to worry about expenses outdistancing their income.
My Profile
I am a 58 year old married male, living in a small rural town in southern Nevada. I work at the local hospital as an admissions representative in the Emergency Room. My work is very interesting, and it is not the first time I have worked in a hospital environment. Back in the early to mid 1980s I worked in the business office of a major southern California health center. Originally from New York, it has taken me the better part of 30 years to become acclimated to the western mentality. After living in southern California for 16 years, I found myself wanting something new and different than the rat race that L.A. had become, so I packed up and moved to a small Nevada town along the Colorado River named Laughlin.
Upon arriving in Laughlin, I obtained a job working security at one of the local casinos. Having spent the better part of 15 years working in the security field, (mostly in management and supervision), I was satisfied as it was an hourly rather than salaried job. I thought maybe now I would truly be compensated for all the time I put in on my job, rather than receive comp time which never seemed to really compensate one for all the hours put in on a job. Anyway, I worked security at the casino for about a year, then after learning to deal cards I became a 21 dealer and dealt cards for the next nearly 4 years both in Laughlin and Las Vegas.
In 1995 some friends of mine moved to Las Vegas, and asked me to come up there to live and work. I tried it for about two years, but soon grew tired of the ever growing city, and wasn't making as much money as I had been dealing in Laughlin, so I decided to return to Laughlin in June of 1997. Upon returning to Laughlin I decided to no longer deal cards, as the fun and money just didn't prove to be enough to keep me satisfied, so I went back into working security at one of the casinos. I remained in Laughlin until 2000, when after meeting my wife online, I returned to Las Vegas, and we married and lived there until April of 2002, when we moved to this rural area of Pahrump, which I fondly refer to as Podunck.
To me it reminds me of a small town trying to be big without allowing the business development necessary to do so. The political system here is still the "good ole boy" system where it isn't what you know, it's who you know, or how much you're willing to pay to get what you want from the incumbent political machine. I can't tell you how many positions with the County I have applied for and been more than qualified for that I have never even received as much as an interview for, because I don't know the right people. Anyway, we do now have a Wal Mart in town, and by August a Home Depot, so I suppose we are making some progress. We did have a chance to have an Applebees restaurant and a Lowes home improvement center here, but as usual all the politics and hoops that businesses have to go through to get approved in this town, neither came to fruition.
I am currently working part time for a company called ASI, as a recruiter in their human resources department. I work from home, and simply download a list of potential applicants from their website, and call and interview them to see if they match our criteria. ASI is a company that offers discount health care plans, which can save people 40 to 60 percent on their health care costs. They have over 300,000 doctors and dentists who participate in their plans, as well as optometrists. With over 3 million members throughout the U.S. the company has been in business since 1989, and is partnered with Govius Cellular Phone Service, which offers affordable pre-paid cellular programs which include a free cell phone, and minutes for .08 cents. Most of ASI's employees work from home, and all the business is conducted through websites, e-mails and conference calls.
What makes this a nice part time job, is that I can work around my full time job hours, and make extra money to help with monthly expenses. Part time one can earn between $200-$400 a week. In addition to the human resources, I can also earn commissions on their programs, just by informing people about their services. I pass out business cards (PAL cards) which I can download and print at home on my computer, and post flyers at public places like grocery stores, libraries, colleges, etc. I don't have to do any selling, just inform people of the services, and by calling a toll free number they can speak with a representative who presents all the programs to them. If they sign up for any of the services offered I receive a commission.
I also have a passion for writing, which is the main reason I have begun to write blogs. Although I would some day like to work on and complete a manuscript for a novel, I find writing blogs about various subjects that have an effect on me and my family, such as gas, and food prices, pharmaceutical prices, and the environment. Perhaps I can earn a little extra money by writing about these things, or products that we use and like. This new medium seems to be catching on, and I believe it may be the way to go for many aspiring writers like myself.
Upon arriving in Laughlin, I obtained a job working security at one of the local casinos. Having spent the better part of 15 years working in the security field, (mostly in management and supervision), I was satisfied as it was an hourly rather than salaried job. I thought maybe now I would truly be compensated for all the time I put in on my job, rather than receive comp time which never seemed to really compensate one for all the hours put in on a job. Anyway, I worked security at the casino for about a year, then after learning to deal cards I became a 21 dealer and dealt cards for the next nearly 4 years both in Laughlin and Las Vegas.
In 1995 some friends of mine moved to Las Vegas, and asked me to come up there to live and work. I tried it for about two years, but soon grew tired of the ever growing city, and wasn't making as much money as I had been dealing in Laughlin, so I decided to return to Laughlin in June of 1997. Upon returning to Laughlin I decided to no longer deal cards, as the fun and money just didn't prove to be enough to keep me satisfied, so I went back into working security at one of the casinos. I remained in Laughlin until 2000, when after meeting my wife online, I returned to Las Vegas, and we married and lived there until April of 2002, when we moved to this rural area of Pahrump, which I fondly refer to as Podunck.
To me it reminds me of a small town trying to be big without allowing the business development necessary to do so. The political system here is still the "good ole boy" system where it isn't what you know, it's who you know, or how much you're willing to pay to get what you want from the incumbent political machine. I can't tell you how many positions with the County I have applied for and been more than qualified for that I have never even received as much as an interview for, because I don't know the right people. Anyway, we do now have a Wal Mart in town, and by August a Home Depot, so I suppose we are making some progress. We did have a chance to have an Applebees restaurant and a Lowes home improvement center here, but as usual all the politics and hoops that businesses have to go through to get approved in this town, neither came to fruition.
I am currently working part time for a company called ASI, as a recruiter in their human resources department. I work from home, and simply download a list of potential applicants from their website, and call and interview them to see if they match our criteria. ASI is a company that offers discount health care plans, which can save people 40 to 60 percent on their health care costs. They have over 300,000 doctors and dentists who participate in their plans, as well as optometrists. With over 3 million members throughout the U.S. the company has been in business since 1989, and is partnered with Govius Cellular Phone Service, which offers affordable pre-paid cellular programs which include a free cell phone, and minutes for .08 cents. Most of ASI's employees work from home, and all the business is conducted through websites, e-mails and conference calls.
What makes this a nice part time job, is that I can work around my full time job hours, and make extra money to help with monthly expenses. Part time one can earn between $200-$400 a week. In addition to the human resources, I can also earn commissions on their programs, just by informing people about their services. I pass out business cards (PAL cards) which I can download and print at home on my computer, and post flyers at public places like grocery stores, libraries, colleges, etc. I don't have to do any selling, just inform people of the services, and by calling a toll free number they can speak with a representative who presents all the programs to them. If they sign up for any of the services offered I receive a commission.
I also have a passion for writing, which is the main reason I have begun to write blogs. Although I would some day like to work on and complete a manuscript for a novel, I find writing blogs about various subjects that have an effect on me and my family, such as gas, and food prices, pharmaceutical prices, and the environment. Perhaps I can earn a little extra money by writing about these things, or products that we use and like. This new medium seems to be catching on, and I believe it may be the way to go for many aspiring writers like myself.
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