[lets-retire]

First let me say I'm just ranting about things that have bothered me for some time, but I just didn't voice them. I put it in soapbox, because many people ignore this part of the forum.

Health care is expensive. Health care will continue to get more expensive. Look at the past when a business targeted the boomers, they have made more people rich than any other segment of the populace. As the boomers age they will consume more health care, increasing the demand. Providing health care for all will also increase the demand. Simple economics says if you increase demand for an item without increasing supply the price will go up. Any money spent on health care might consider building new medical schools to increase supply.

I've heard many times that the AMA is for government assistance to provide health care. There is even a commercial in my area eluding to the fact that the AMA is supporting health care for all. This brings up something in my mind. The doctors, who are members of the AMA, are complaining that they can't provide medical care to the poor. Why not? You are the business owner, aren't you? Don't you set your price and payment options? If you want to treat a patient treat them, if not then don't complain that medical care is to expensive for them, YOU set the price. Here's a thought if you can't lower your prices, due to insurance reasons, maybe consider joining up with several doctors in your area and set up a free/low fee clinic as a charity. The more doctors the less impact to you wallet. The biggest question in my mind is why would a doctor support giving health care to all? I believe it is in hopes of increasing their paychecks through suckling from the government teat. If they believed it would decrease their paychecks, but provide care why get the government involved when they can set up a free/low cost clinic. I don't buy the fact that it would allow them to treat more low income people. If they wanted to treat the person they would.

Credit. It is the consumers responsibility to determine if a credit product being sold to them is good for them, not the salesman. Would any of these people who are complaining they were lied to believe a salesman in another situation? I doubt it. It is very simple if it is not in writing then it was not said. I've dealt with many people who some would classify as low to moderate income. Many in my family are in the low income category. I work with people who have a very simple view of the world. Pretty much everyone I know and have had dealings with want a promise in writing. Why would a CONTRACT be any different. If a salesman says one thing, but the contract says something else, why believe the salesman? It doesn't make sense. I read and article not too long ago about a woman who was being foreclosed on a loan for over 400k. This woman made just above minimum wage. Why, when looking at the paperwork did she think she could afford the payments? She would have to work all day every day to afford to live. That's not 8 hours every day, it's 24 hours a day every day. She was upset that the loan officer lied. Simple mathematics would have prevented her from obtaining the loan.

Energy. Yes we are dependent on foreign oil. There is no reason not to drill for the resource we posses. Don't use the cop out that we won't feel the impacts for several years. Who cares, if we don't use the resources we have we will never feel the impacts. Drill, build wind, solar, and nuclear stations, just get more energy out there. The more options the better. As seen recently when Ike hit the gulf. It destroyed several drilling rigs and incapacitated several refineries. Relying heavily on one source of energy, is a bit foolish. Relying on one source of energy primarily located in one area, is extremely foolish. Other sources of energy might be more expensive, but the expansion of energy options would increase the safety of our energy supply.

Bad guys. Bad people want to harm you. Don't ask why, they just do. Either defend yourself or don't. I choose to defend myself, my family, and my property. I don't care if you choose to defend you and yours, but don't chastise me for defending me and mine or possessing to tools to defend me and mine. It is none of your concern, I'll stay out of your business (unless you breaking the law) you stay out of mine (unless I'm breaking the law).

Thatr's about all I have right now. Rant off.