Time to Burnish My Reputation
- as an opinionated old man!

Here's my take on some current events:

1. Obama: All through the 2008 campaign, some of us kooks said Obama was a fool. It took him less than four months in office to prove us right. But, we didn't know he was also a liar and a cheat. New bills will be published on the net before being signed into law. Still waiting, Prez! He stands shoulder to shoulder with the U.A.W., but calls retired Indiana State Police and teachers greedy for wanting their legally secured investments secure? Etc., etc. But, of course, if anything bad is happening it is Bush's bad! ;-)

2. California's budget mess: Screw 'em. They have millions of barrels of gold (black gold) just off their shores, waiting to be hauled up and put in the bank. Hey, that would even reduce seeping and minimize the risk of getting a tar stain on some beach beauty environmentalist's foot!

3. Health care costs: A. Immediately eliminate all medical mal-practice lawsuits. Dismiss any in progress. All they do is make more John Edwards type lawyers rich. The victims get their medical bills paid - which would probably happen anyway - and a little lump of cash to buy a wide-screen TV, or perhaps a new mobile home. Most goes to lawyers. B. Immediately end free emergency room care. No more treating sniffles in emergency rooms without cash in advance. If someone has a life threatening illness or injury, but no money, treat them, but only after an enforceable, ironclad arrangement for them to pay for their care. If the person is not a citizen, get a citizen to stand for their debt or put them on an ambulance home. C. End direct payment of medical bills by insurance companies. The patient must arrange full payment, then depend on getting a reimbursement from their insurance. Many non-life threatening medical procedures would be skipped if the patient saw the costs up front, and knew he had to pay them. D. Make some care options ala carte. You want a MRI with a million dollar machine? That will cost extra.