9.17.2009
Fall Rushing
Beginning of the third week August 2009 – We have endured nearly a two-week flat spell presented on a platter of nice weather. We are also five days into a fire in the mountains. It’s been really smoky; cigarette smokers are getting it for free. The conditions have been great for fishing. The other day, I witnessed a striper fest in the fishing hole at the Steps, and the day before I checked in with a pro who had turned his pro efforts into producing a halibut for dinner. The maps indicate a swell showing toward the latter part of the week. We shall see – the rumors are starting to brew – and the masses are pressed with the end of the summer near.
I have reflected on the health care debate, and while I am relatively well taken care of, I know many are not. My neighbor needs a kidney, and gets dialysis every other day. He has insurance through his wife, and although he tells me about many possible transplant opportunities, they always end in the insurance monitors requiring more testing. For those with less clout, this situation is probably the norm – not so for Jobs. If I didn’t know any better, I would think the insurance company is just buying time until the inevitable death – and elimination of a liability. What I am really concerned about is who or what is behind the misinformation, lies, and fear tactics aimed at keeping the status quo. It’s clear that a small group of people/Corpgov is making policy for all. If they can control the outcome in the debate of healthcare, and thus the course of this democracy, what else is on their agenda? For example, how do they get away with this fabrication – many Britons were surprised to read a recent editorial in the American newspaper Investor’s Business Daily. The editorial stated, “People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn’t have a chance in the UK, where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless.” Hawking was in fact born in the UK and has lived there his whole life. The paper was forced to run a correction. Hawking said, “I wouldn’t be here today if it were not for the NHS.” Besides the scary part of outright lying, the American SPB believe it – regardless of the media retracting their statements. I mean, for a large segment of SPB, O-lame-a was born in Africa – in the face of a governmental agency validating his birth in the US.
The “ant and the grasshopper” syndrome and single payer health care. The fable concerns a grasshopper that has spent the warm months singing away while the ant worked to store up food for winter. When winter arrives, the grasshopper finds itself dying of hunger, and upon asking the ant for food is only rebuked for its idleness. Many people in the health care debate feel that others will benefit while they will not use what they input into a single payer plan. Their hard earned wages will go to provide healthcare for some lowlife single mother working at McDs who got knocked-up out of wedlock and wants to get an abortion instead of having her sixth child. It’s just not Christian.
Confucius said, “What you do not want done to yourself do not do to others.” Unfortunately, many adhere to some other way. Consequently, there are various laws, regulations and policies that attempt to force people to live as Confucius suggested. Let us consider the insurance debate. First, how do we translate Confucius into Corpgov speak? How do we equate individuals with Corpgov? The courts recognize Corpgov as an individual, but really? For example, Corpgov really doesn’t mind getting sued by the individual – most of the time they can scare individuals off with an escalating budget for defending their wrongdoing. And if it comes down to it – the cost of a settlement is much less for Corpgov; in fact, it is cost effective and allows Corpgov to extricate itself with no admission of guilt. And how about Corpgov socialism and individual capitalism? In both examples, Confucius translated into Corpgov speak is “Do what we want to others, others bear the consequences.” Now, apply this to the latest health care proposal – let’s have an industry fee to help pay for covering the uninsured - as O-lame-a said, insurance companies must share accountability for the troubled system. Sure. We already pay for the uninsured through taxes and covering overhead for insurance companies, hospitals, doctors, pharmaceuticals, and other medical service providers. Any fee faced by an insurance company will be passed right on through to consumers – so add insurance company fee to the overhead costs just listed. Are we to believe the proposed fee would be subtracted from the profit? Sure.
"They [financial crises] are all different, but they have one fundamental source," Greenspan said. "That is the unquenchable capability of human beings when confronted with long periods of prosperity to presume that it will continue." I do not think the science of economics learned a thing from the latest test results.
O-lame-a’s speech to congress – worthless. Any of the ideas being tossed around now will just increase the wealth of Corpgov at the expense and well being of individuals. Health for profit does not square. I’ve heard, “why should government get involved, it’s not in the constitution.” Indeed, what is government for? Back to the mission statement: We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. This is the preamble to the Constitution – it is part of the Constitution – the guiding principle. Please take note - promote the general welfare, insure domestic tranquility, secure the blessings of liberty, establish justice – are these not elements of health care?
No surf in weeks. Weekend saw weak wind swell at waist high at the Point – over 300 feet of critical length at the Hook alone. Took the LB out tonight – wayyyyyy small nose-ride-closeouts in chilly water. Keep trying.
This week, a combo of west-northwest swell mixed with south swell to provided solid head- to chest-high surf at El Segundo Bol and Tiburones. And even though we had a flat spell before the recent flurry of surf - the wait wasn't that bad. Of course we complain about no surf the minute the surf disappears. Heck, we complain when we have to wait 15 minutes for the next set of bombs. As seems to be the norm, the swell and unruly crowds show on the weekends, but some week days still have soul. For my own part, I've stayed out of trouble. Ask the Ranger.
Art Work: Gio interior decorating
Last Word:
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith, economist (1908-2006)