With the elections right around the corner in 2008, there are few topics as hot Healthcare among the politicians, pundits and public.
The prevailing notion is that there are an insanely high number of Individuals in this country (47 million! 47 million!) without Health Insurance and that all these folks are literally tossing and turning in their beds afraid that the Black Plague will return and they'll be stuck treating it with Aspirin and Witch Hazel. In reality, it's not only a much smaller number of folks without coverage but also a good percentage of those uninsured folks have done so by choice.
I have sold Individual and Small Group Health insurance for almost 15 years and I have seen everyone from the poorest of the poor to folks who smile and Bentleys fall out of the gaps in their teeth; truly a great cross section of America. Although most of these Individuals claim that healthcare is a top priority and one of their biggest concerns, when I actually take time to meet with them or discuss their personal and business lives in more detail I discover a very different reality, one where their priorities are very opposite of what you'd imagine. A reality that shows me how backwards and impractical their thinking is and also how ill-informed they are about the Healthcare system. For example:
When I meet with poor people I often hear from that that they wish to free themselves from the ties to welfare and social service programs, which is a noble idea and something I commend them for. However, often times these folks are only seeking this free market coverage because they are being kicked off the state sponsored plans due to an increase in income. I learn this after asking some qualifying questions and all of a sudden it becomes a different discussion. It's no longer about pride but instead necessity, or at least it seems. What I generally discover at that point is that many of these folks think it's insane and unreasonable to spend $400/month or more on Health Insurance for their families but totally acceptable to have a 50" plasma TV in their homes and an SUV that averages 12 MPG in the driveway. They become angry that Health Insurance is no longer free and their three medications and follow up doctor visits will not be paid for. Suggesting they cut back in other areas to afford cobverage is never brought up in order to avoid stabbings and gunfire.
To be fair, not all lower income families are like this, many are truly poor and working several jobs to afford basic necessities but in most cases those folks have social service-based plans and deserve them and only meet with me to see how feasible it may be to break from that system in the future. It's honestly the middle and higher income folks that are the most difficult to explain the "system" to. Many of these families feel healthcare is a right and a benefit that comes with being alive and not actually a business and one that is very regualted, intricate and expensive to operate. There has never been a mother I have asked "If your child was sick, would you seek medical attention immediately?" who has replied, "No, I might buy an XBox 360" but in reality that's often times what they're doing. If every family of even modest means were to buy some form of Health Insurance, even with a higher deductible, then what you'd see across the Healthcare landscape is a dramatic shift in pricing for services at doctors and hospitals as well as Insurance coverage itself. Health Insurance is expensive because doctors and hospitals charge a fee that factors in those who never pay, which many times are folks who, had they made Healthcare a priority in their lives, would have never faced that problem if they had coverage. It really is that simple, and pathetic.
So why don't those who can afford it choose not to and instead cry for "Universal Healthcare" and the like? Probably the same reason many of those folks prefer the government to control the bulk of their retirement dollars: lack of discipline. It's far easier to spend $500 a month on various entertainment and luxury items as well as spoiling your kids, etc., than it is to toss that money at something as boring and abstract as a Health insurance policy. We have decided as a culture that instant gratification and living in the moment is far more pleasing than saving and protecting what we have through deferred gratification. I have been guilty of this myself in many ways and can understand the lure of living in the now and ignoring the responsibilities of tomorrow and the unexpected. However, with Health Insurance I have always made it a priority, as I have seen far too often the results of being un-covered.
There is no Health Insurance crisis is this country, it's instead of crisis of priority. The truly poor will always be guaranteed coverage and the truly sick will always have access to some of the geatest doctors in the world here in this country. The question is will those of us who have the means to buy Insurance do so and forego the things that are more exciting and more pleasant today? My suspicion is that we will not, and someday in my lifetime a governement-sponsored, Universal Healthcare system will be implemented, and like the DMV and the Post Office and other goverment run facilities, we'll be waiting in lines and huffing and puffing about the beauracracy. The only question is, when this drives competition out of the market and doctors are all paid the same thing and no one strives for excellence anymore, where will all the foreigners who currently utilize this type of system but travel to the US when in dire need, go to seek the best care?
Maybe Michael Moore will be chartering cruiseships to Cuba...
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Still Got the Blues...
Sometimes I feel like a early 19th century black man, though I know my heart could never truly share his burden.
In the months preceding today I have been overcome, maybe possessed, by the Blues. The music of the Mississipi Delta that slowly found it's way into places as far reaching as Chicago and London and many mens souls. A music so rich in history and texture, passion and pain, that it has become the foundation for so much of what we call rock and roll today. It's music that transcends boundaries while remaining eloquently simplistic in nature. It's an art form that so many have copied, yet only very few have mastered.
I have always worshipped music, from almost as early as I can remember. Much of what I grew up with was Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, which share not only numerous musical foundations with the blues but often times mirror the anguish and pain lyrically that is so prevolent in the Blues. I suppose my early love for the Blues could have arisen from the hard driving, angst and pain fueled style of Hard Rock/Metal, but my total obsession with it has only fully blossomed of late.
Lyrically I don't tend to identify with a lot of what's being uttered by greats like Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, B.B King and Muddy Waters, but the emotion in their music speaks to parts of my soul I never knew existed. With each note BB King plays I can feel his mood as if it were a temperature rising through my spine. The conviction of his playing and the timing of each bended note, holding just so long to convince you of its pain, is truly breathtaking. The later generation greats like Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Hendrix and my personal 6 string God, Stevie Ray Vaughn, have all taken the Blues to louder, faster and more intense places and this has only caused me to become an even greater admirer. Just today while watching E.C. play his solo during "I Shot the Sheriff" on his Crossroads DVD I realized that for me there really is nothing musically more rewarding that being a part of that moment when a masterful Blues player takes you on a ride emotionally with their Minor Pentatonic notes. It's like being swept up in a captivating campfire tale that mesmerizes and saddens simultaneoulsy but always alows for hope at the end.
I like to think for me, and probably others, that the Blues is an acoustical tonic of sorts that can be swirled around in the ears of one's heart before ingesting fully. The richness of it's texture being so satisfying that even the most tortured soul can find some relief in it's intoxication. Maybe the Blues is just about feeling sad and letting others know they're not alone. For some of us, we're alone even when we're not alone and the Blues is like an invation to a members-only club. I suppose it doesn't really matter. The Blues are about whatever they are to whomever is playing and those who are listening.
For me, it's become a religion.
In the months preceding today I have been overcome, maybe possessed, by the Blues. The music of the Mississipi Delta that slowly found it's way into places as far reaching as Chicago and London and many mens souls. A music so rich in history and texture, passion and pain, that it has become the foundation for so much of what we call rock and roll today. It's music that transcends boundaries while remaining eloquently simplistic in nature. It's an art form that so many have copied, yet only very few have mastered.
I have always worshipped music, from almost as early as I can remember. Much of what I grew up with was Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, which share not only numerous musical foundations with the blues but often times mirror the anguish and pain lyrically that is so prevolent in the Blues. I suppose my early love for the Blues could have arisen from the hard driving, angst and pain fueled style of Hard Rock/Metal, but my total obsession with it has only fully blossomed of late.
Lyrically I don't tend to identify with a lot of what's being uttered by greats like Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, B.B King and Muddy Waters, but the emotion in their music speaks to parts of my soul I never knew existed. With each note BB King plays I can feel his mood as if it were a temperature rising through my spine. The conviction of his playing and the timing of each bended note, holding just so long to convince you of its pain, is truly breathtaking. The later generation greats like Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Hendrix and my personal 6 string God, Stevie Ray Vaughn, have all taken the Blues to louder, faster and more intense places and this has only caused me to become an even greater admirer. Just today while watching E.C. play his solo during "I Shot the Sheriff" on his Crossroads DVD I realized that for me there really is nothing musically more rewarding that being a part of that moment when a masterful Blues player takes you on a ride emotionally with their Minor Pentatonic notes. It's like being swept up in a captivating campfire tale that mesmerizes and saddens simultaneoulsy but always alows for hope at the end.
I like to think for me, and probably others, that the Blues is an acoustical tonic of sorts that can be swirled around in the ears of one's heart before ingesting fully. The richness of it's texture being so satisfying that even the most tortured soul can find some relief in it's intoxication. Maybe the Blues is just about feeling sad and letting others know they're not alone. For some of us, we're alone even when we're not alone and the Blues is like an invation to a members-only club. I suppose it doesn't really matter. The Blues are about whatever they are to whomever is playing and those who are listening.
For me, it's become a religion.
Friday, October 26, 2007
"Gone Baby Gone" in all time "Top 5"
Anyone that knows me will surely tell you I have at least 40 movies in my "all time top 5". It probably started about 20 years ago when I decided that "Angel Heart" was the greatest movie ever made and forced numerous pals and girlfriends to watch it with me, none of whom were as impressed as I was by the film. Over the years my Top 5 has grown to legendary status, and includes such classics as "Some Like It Hot" and "The Goodbye Girl" to modern pictures like "Gladiator" and "LA Confidential". The one thing that has remained a constant is "The Shawshank Redemption" sitting comfortably atop the list as my personal favorite film of all time, however, for the first time in a long while there is a dark horse that has leaped over may of the others and started to nip at the heels of the mighty Shawshank...
If someone asked me a year ago if I would ever spend $10 on a movie directed by Ben Affleck I would have first punched them in the eye and then laughed out loud for a solid minute. After I had gathered myself and then kicked them in the sack, I would answer sternly, "No f**king way asswipe," and be done with it. Why would a film lover, someone who usually agress with professional critics and takes the time to search for what lies beneath the obvious exterior of the average movie and dissects it, ever assume that Ben Affleck would be allowed to direct a movie nevrmind actually attempt to? They might as well have asked me if I thought Ann Coulter was going to endorse Hillary Clinton in '08; ridiculous.
Well, here it is a year later and alas, Ben Affleck has indeed directed a movie. A BRILLIANT, engossing, visually engaging, exceptionally acted, captivating morality tale that captures a slice of the South Boston experience like no other film has, including Mystic River. Now, don't get me wrong, Mystic River was a great film (in my Top 5!) and superbly directed by the all time great Clint Eastwood, but it is somehow not quite as engaging as "Gone Baby Gone". Sure, they were both stories penned by the excellent local writer Dennis LeHane about the perceptions of different people in this same environment and the catastophic results they can cause, but Gone Baby Gone, for me at least, just captures the spirit of the inhabitants of this neighborhood more beautifully. The story unfolds in a real and tangible manner, spearheaded by the minimalist yet stunningly well acted performance of Casey Affleck, Ben's little brother. Trust me on this, Ben should stay behind the camera and let Casey handle the acting chops for as long as they both shall live.
Gone Baby Gone has style and intrigue and mystery, interwoven with tension and darkess that is palpable, all the while keeping you entertained with it's story and shocking language that would be comical if it weren't so representative of the actual people that inhabit this area of Massachusetts. This movie asks you to make choices, though the characters have made theirs, for right or wrong. This movie leads many of us to places we probably don't feel comfortable going but should think about visiting from time to time. It's truly a masterpiece and deserves a marketing campaign and promotion to support it's wonderful gift to the audience.
Gone Baby Gone is likely going to start tearing off little pieces of Shawshank in my Top 5, and that's OK. Shawshank was a brilliant movie that was nearly flawless and will never leave that list. However, as long as guys who can't act their way out of a speeding ticket who also dated Latino dancer/singer/actresses with huge asses continue to make magic like this on film, there will always be movies breathing down its neck. My Top 5 may continue to grow, and that's OK because I really just enjoy great movies and it's hard not to give them the recognition they deserve. Interestly though, no one really knows about my Top 5 or has ever consulted me for any reviews or opinions so whether it's a Top 5 or a Top 1000 is almost irrelevant. I guess I just like the small compact number and by telling someone who asks how a movie was, replying "It's in my Top 5 movies ever!" seems like a good response that creates some urgency.
Gone Baby Gone deserves an Oscar, that's just the crazy truth about Ben's little film. His brother should win best Actor and there should be no arguements. Sounds crazy, I now, but the movie is just that good. I guess for now I just have to wait and see what happens, but firmly placed in my Top 5 it will be no matter what. I did hear that Scott Baio is directing a remake of "The Dirty Dozen" with Mr. T and Gilbert Gottfreid starring so a little more room might need to be reserved in the near future. Until then, the Top 5 is closed.
If someone asked me a year ago if I would ever spend $10 on a movie directed by Ben Affleck I would have first punched them in the eye and then laughed out loud for a solid minute. After I had gathered myself and then kicked them in the sack, I would answer sternly, "No f**king way asswipe," and be done with it. Why would a film lover, someone who usually agress with professional critics and takes the time to search for what lies beneath the obvious exterior of the average movie and dissects it, ever assume that Ben Affleck would be allowed to direct a movie nevrmind actually attempt to? They might as well have asked me if I thought Ann Coulter was going to endorse Hillary Clinton in '08; ridiculous.
Well, here it is a year later and alas, Ben Affleck has indeed directed a movie. A BRILLIANT, engossing, visually engaging, exceptionally acted, captivating morality tale that captures a slice of the South Boston experience like no other film has, including Mystic River. Now, don't get me wrong, Mystic River was a great film (in my Top 5!) and superbly directed by the all time great Clint Eastwood, but it is somehow not quite as engaging as "Gone Baby Gone". Sure, they were both stories penned by the excellent local writer Dennis LeHane about the perceptions of different people in this same environment and the catastophic results they can cause, but Gone Baby Gone, for me at least, just captures the spirit of the inhabitants of this neighborhood more beautifully. The story unfolds in a real and tangible manner, spearheaded by the minimalist yet stunningly well acted performance of Casey Affleck, Ben's little brother. Trust me on this, Ben should stay behind the camera and let Casey handle the acting chops for as long as they both shall live.
Gone Baby Gone has style and intrigue and mystery, interwoven with tension and darkess that is palpable, all the while keeping you entertained with it's story and shocking language that would be comical if it weren't so representative of the actual people that inhabit this area of Massachusetts. This movie asks you to make choices, though the characters have made theirs, for right or wrong. This movie leads many of us to places we probably don't feel comfortable going but should think about visiting from time to time. It's truly a masterpiece and deserves a marketing campaign and promotion to support it's wonderful gift to the audience.
Gone Baby Gone is likely going to start tearing off little pieces of Shawshank in my Top 5, and that's OK. Shawshank was a brilliant movie that was nearly flawless and will never leave that list. However, as long as guys who can't act their way out of a speeding ticket who also dated Latino dancer/singer/actresses with huge asses continue to make magic like this on film, there will always be movies breathing down its neck. My Top 5 may continue to grow, and that's OK because I really just enjoy great movies and it's hard not to give them the recognition they deserve. Interestly though, no one really knows about my Top 5 or has ever consulted me for any reviews or opinions so whether it's a Top 5 or a Top 1000 is almost irrelevant. I guess I just like the small compact number and by telling someone who asks how a movie was, replying "It's in my Top 5 movies ever!" seems like a good response that creates some urgency.
Gone Baby Gone deserves an Oscar, that's just the crazy truth about Ben's little film. His brother should win best Actor and there should be no arguements. Sounds crazy, I now, but the movie is just that good. I guess for now I just have to wait and see what happens, but firmly placed in my Top 5 it will be no matter what. I did hear that Scott Baio is directing a remake of "The Dirty Dozen" with Mr. T and Gilbert Gottfreid starring so a little more room might need to be reserved in the near future. Until then, the Top 5 is closed.
Welcome to Abareblog!
Hello and welcome to Abareblog! For those of you who don't know me, I am nobody special, just some random nutjob that likes to write and figured it was finally time to let the world in on some of our thoughts. My intention is to offer commentary on current events, discuss random thoughts that roll around in our heads and sometimes just see if I can annoy you. While you you won't always agree with me, I can promise it will always be an interesting read.
My first post this week is going to be on the exceptional film by, ahem, Ben Affleck titled "Gone Baby Gone", and will be up on the site shortly. Look for a link to Peter "Poppy" Abare's blog on this site as well.
See ya!
My first post this week is going to be on the exceptional film by, ahem, Ben Affleck titled "Gone Baby Gone", and will be up on the site shortly. Look for a link to Peter "Poppy" Abare's blog on this site as well.
See ya!
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