Okay, so this is "Sarah's Soapbox" Round Two.
What brought this about? Well, I got annoyed with a news article and sent an email to my Dad who is an architect currently working in Singapore. The title of that email was something along the lines of "On my soapbox" which is how I refer to the pseudo-political rants constantly fermenting in my brain.
This morning I opened my inbox only to find a dozen inquiries from total strangers - "Hey, can I subscribe to "Sarah's Soapbox"?"
No, you cannot. There is no soapbox.
I should know, because I'm the Sarah who's supposed to be standing on it. To clear up any confusion - Yes, I am only 26 years old. I am not a student. I currently hold an MA in History (that would be 6 years of study, 2 - 10 years short of a Doctorate of Philosophy, depending on whether you prefer to take the suicide route or the scenic route through graduate school). I have used my basically useless degree to acquire the exceptionally low-paying job of my dreams in a small town in Texas (Hollywood it is not). I work as a museum curator,
I enjoy fencing (with swords), classic science fiction, philosophy, theatre, photography, skating, computers, theoretical physics, cooking, archery, cartoons and snowboarding. Until recently, I lived in Seattle which is my favorite US city. I was unable to find a decent job, so I resorted to working at a Domino's Pizza for about eight months until I decided to relocate.
I have previously lived in Gunnison Colorado, Moscow Idaho, Cambridge UK and La Maddelena, Sardenia. I have insufficient respect for any authority and my current roommates include a german shephard and an exceptionally stupid seven foot boa constrictor named "Leonard".
The phrase "on a soapbox" dates back to the 19th century when soap was still packed in sturdy wooden crates which people could actually stand on. In the days before blogs and social networking sites, opinionated assholes (and geniuses) actually had to physically get up in front of thier peers.
I believe what I believe and I am not afraid to say it. If you don't approve, you may pelt me with rotten fruit just like they did in the old days. God knows that Youtube could certainly use a few crates of moldy tomatoes. Ditto for CBS News.
I've decided that need a coffee mug with a picture of Socrates on it - done up like one of those motivational posters. The caption would read
"Philosophers - In ur base, killing ur ideas."
http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/in-ur-base
If this makes no sense to you - it's probably because you don't play video games. Personally, I find shooting things to be incredibly therepeudic, and when I can't enjoy filling a haybale full of arrows from my Hungarian bow, I'll settle for firing a virtual rocket launcher at a patch of terrorist pixels.
But I digress. People seemed to enjoy my first rant, so here's another one. This is a touch more personal and makes heavy use of this thing called LOGIC that our government is clearly terrified of.
I think I mentioned free medical treatment briefly in my rant about immigration. Frankly, I can't even begin to express how absurd "Obamacare" is - the system was clearly devised by individuals who have no understanding of basic economics.
Medical care is bloody damned expensive, and if doctors must treat more patients without pulling in more money - you can bet anything that the quality will go downhill. Early modern medicine was so bad that most people preferred not to call a doctor until they were certain that they were going to die.
Let's do a little story problem here. Pretend that I have $5.00.
With this $5.00 I am told to buy a bottle of asprin which has twenty pills in it.
I am told to give these pills to anyone who comes in to my clinic with a headache.
Five people come to me with headaches. Each person gives me $1.25 and I give them four pieces of asprin.
I now have $6.25. I use $5.00 to buy another bottle of asprin for my patients and I take the remaining $1.25 to pay my own paycheck and my bills.
But then heathcare becomes free. I still only have $5.00, which is enough to buy one bottle of asprin.
Ten people come to me with headaches. Five can pay, the rest cannot.
Each of these ten people demands four pills. But I only have twenty pills to give out.
I could buy a second bottle of asprin, but I can barely afford the asprin I've already bought. If I don't want a riot, my only choice is to give each person only two asprin and tell them that two is all they need. Let's call this "The Soviet Option".
Alternatively, I can raise the cost of the aspirin from $1.25 to $2.50 - but only for the people who can pay. That way, when my five paying customers come in, I can use thier money to buy asprin for those who can't afford it. This is "The IRS Option".
So is "free" medicine actually free?
No. Logically speaking, free medicine is impossible.
Uh oh. I used the "L" word, didn't I? Looks like I won't be up for reelection.
There isn't a single government agency in this country which efficiently does its job. A federal medical system will most certainly operate with all of finesse of FEMA. Just think, we have so much to look forward to!
And please do ignore the fact that there are already free clinics in this country which will treat patients who cannot pay. Here's an example of one. I have been there myself, and it was not too bad.
http://www.countrydoctor.org/
But universally "free" medicine for the public good? Equal care for everyone? Sounds a bit like an Orwellian party line, doesn't it? Before we buy into this crap, we'd best remember that some animals will always be "more equal" than others - and that someone always has to foot the bill. If you work, that "someone" will be you.
Of course, what we currently call medical care is also a tremendous scam - right up there with presidental elections, Nigerian emails and insurance sales.
If you make under $20,000 (like me) you cannot afford to carry medical insurance. Hell, you probably can't afford car insurance, but you've got to have that. If you are uninsured, the warning I received when I first moved to Italy also applies in the US. Put simply, DON'T GET SICK.
I've chosen to make medicine the topic of my second "soapbox" for personal reasons.
You see, I currently have an eye infection. I correctly diagnosed my condition, threw away my contacts and applied first aid procedures. When the infection refused to clear up on its own, I realized that I would need antibiotics.
If such a thing were available over the counter, I would have bought a bottle days ago. But of course, drugs can't simply be made available to consumers!
And why? Because consumers will abuse drugs, use them incorrectly and take things they shouldn't without reading warning labels. Even relatively harmless drugs must be accessed only through a vast bureucratic chain.
All pharmaceudical companies know that the Average American is far too stupid to figure out what kind of medicine he needs.
Personally, I get sick only twice a year, usually once with strep or bronchitis and once with a sinus infection or eye infection of some kind. I have never gotten a flu shot and have not had "the flu" since I was in elemetary school. I am a healthy person. I excersize and I eat well. And let me tell you, when I get the same damned infection every year at the beginning of allergy season - I know what I have. I can feel an eye infection coming on like I'm staring into the headlights of a Mack truck. I know that I need Ciprofloxacin - taken one drop every two hours for seven days.
But I can't go get that for myself. A doctor must tell me that I need it. Just as a doctor must tell me that I need Zithromax when I get a sinus infection because I am allergic to penicillin.
Now this is the ridiculous part. How many people are completely honest with thier doctors?
"Doctor - I have been dieting/exercising/watching my cholestrol/sugar? Doctor - I haven't been smoking/drinking/having unprotected sex?"
Think about it. Does anyone actually mark "yes" at the hospital when they ask you to check whether or not you are an alcoholic? Of course not! Alcoholics check "no" on that box! The same goes for "recreational drugs". Even if you do them, you never admit it - not unless you've been hospitalized for an overdoes. And if your doctor tells you that you've contracted an STD, you always tell him that you were being careful. Even if you know damned well that you weren't.
But you can't medicate yourself, even if you do know more than your doctor does.
You don't have that right. The doctor makes the call on what you "need".
And fairly soon you won't have the right to elect what kind of medical treatments you would like either. Can universal health care pay for everyone's lasik? Who needs a nose job or liposuction? I'd sure like to have laser surgery done myself - if I didn't have to wear contacts 24-7, I'd probably have a lot less trouble with eye infections.
So, I had an appointment at 2:45 today. After signing away my soul and writing a check for $82.00 (which is a substantial chunk of my bi-weekly paycheck) - I waited more than an hour for a ten minute consultation with the doctor. The doctor took one look at me and said "You have an eye infection. You need Ciprofloxacin."
I pointed out that this was the reason I'd made my appointment in the first place. I had drawn two columns on my paperwork when I arrived, one titled "symptoms" and the other "diagnosis/treatment".
The doctor tells me I can pick up my prescription at the pharmacy. Again, I have no insurance. The cost of that miniscule bottle of eyedrops is $47.16.
Total cost of an eye infection - $129.16
Time invested - 3 hours
Percentage of Sarah's bi-weekly paycheck - 21%
Consensus? - If medical care gets any worse than it already is, we're all going to die..
Good evening, everyone.
I'm glad to be of service to the thinking people of cyberspace.
- Sarah
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Pain
I once was passionate, however my passion caused pain, so I became hard, and cold, and my frigidness became my fear.
I chose to become loving, then my love cause me anguish, so I became angry. I let my anger consume me and I became lost.
Now I wonder the paths laid befor me, no longer angry, no longer afraid, my pain has left me and my anguish subdude, but I wonder, still lost, searching for the truth, still lost, but content.
Then I thought I had found the truth, but it disapointed me, it made me empty and left me alone.
I have rejected my eternity to retain my mortality, now existence is past and once again I am searching,
not for the truth,
but for passion...
the circle begins again.
I chose to become loving, then my love cause me anguish, so I became angry. I let my anger consume me and I became lost.
Now I wonder the paths laid befor me, no longer angry, no longer afraid, my pain has left me and my anguish subdude, but I wonder, still lost, searching for the truth, still lost, but content.
Then I thought I had found the truth, but it disapointed me, it made me empty and left me alone.
I have rejected my eternity to retain my mortality, now existence is past and once again I am searching,
not for the truth,
but for passion...
Saturday, August 14, 2010
I have the most brillient daughter on earth
If our government didn't give so many handouts to people who don't work - immigration wouldn't be an issue. I've got no problem with anyone who puts in an honest day's labor and pays their taxes.
If you were an Irish immigrant in 1890, you were lower than dirt. People were a lot more blunt about their distaste for immigrants in the late 19th century (lots of signs used to read "No Irish Need Apply"). My ancestors (Slovenian and German) worked hard, learned English and became legal citizens. And they did all this without food stamps or welfare.
Anybody who wants to do these things should be welcome in the US. But you MUST do them. Albert Einstein was sworn in when he immigrated to the US. Everyone who arrives should be.
Want to create some jobs in our lousy economy? Start processing everyone at the border - give them a visa for one year. Make them eligible for employment, but do not give them unemployment, welfare or free medical care. If they want to work, let them. If they want to leech - screw them!
For too long the US government has operated like a broken ATM machine, spewing money at anyone who demands it. Is it any surprise that our country is bankrupt?
Most other countries in the world require all immigrants to be contributors. If you think it is hard to be a US citizen, you should try moving to New Zealand! If you aren't "useful" - you won't be allowed to stay.
I have lived abroad where I did not speak the language and I know how hard it is to get a job under those circumstances. When I asked what to do if I got sick in Italy, I was informed "don't". I was told that it would be almost impossible to get a doctor's appointment if I was not a citizen.
Meanwhile, in the US there are clinics that will give you medicine free of charge if you go in and tell them that you make less than a certain amount of money a month. They don't even ask for any proof that you need the free service - or proof that you even have a job. I know because I have attempted this myself to see if it was actually true.
What makes me furious is when money comes out of my paycheck so that the government can provide care for people who are too lazy to work (a severe handicap is a different issue - but being "fat" is not a handicap). I hate supporting lazy people when they are US citizens, and when they aren't even here legally... that makes it worse.
Sure, immigration is expensive. But so is paying a coyote to sneak you across the Mexican border! On average, they charge over $1000 - $2000 per person! To the best of my knowledge, those are old statistics - it's probably more expensive now that security has been ramping up.
I have a lot more respect for the person who sells their few belongings and packs up like my ancestors did, leaving their old country behind for good to make a new home in America. Regardless of whether they arrive on a boat or hoof it across the Sonoran desert - anyone who comes with the genuine intention of working hard for a better life should be welcome in America.
Has anyone heard the phrase "old country" recently? It used to be that all of the elder generations would use it. Ireland was "the old country". Poland was "the old country". Turkey was "the old country".
I've worked with a few immigrants in the past, most of them older than fifty. And in that generation, the sentiment of "the old country" is still very strong.
Russia "the old country" - "Oh my got," Vladimir would say "Sarah, let me tell you about..."
About getting shot at for stealing apples out of a government-controlled orchard?
About highways so often unpatrolled that a collision killed everyone in both cars because no police or ambulence would come when called? "In America, never happen." Vladimir brought his family from a little town near the border of Georgia twelve years ago. His daughter is a banker, very successful. One of his sons is a championship martial artist. He works two jobs, driving limo and delivering pizzas. His wife is a substitute teacher.
Pakistan "the old country" - According to Aamer "The government turns off the power when the people are not doing what they want. No water, no power. You don't know how long. The apartment I live in now? A palace, in my old country." He came to the US about four years ago with the clothes on his back and very little money in his pockets. He works construction as he attends community college.
Vietnam "the old country" - "In my old country, I spent six years in a government camp. Sometimes there is no food, then they do not feed you at all." Canh has been in the US for more than twenty years. He came as a refugee following the Vietnam War, got a job and never went back.
Iraq "the old country" - and I quote "I'd rather be in prison than anywhere in my old country."
Ismael, a "survivor of three wars" also delivered pizza until recently, when he was in a car accident. It was discovered that he has a heart defect and he expects to recieve surgery soon, a thing which he would never have had access to in "the old country".
But is Mexico "the old country"? For some it is.
A friend of mine is a second generation immigrant. He speaks Spanish and English with equal fluidity. He attended American high school and has the same experiences as any American-born kid. He may prefer soccer to football, but you'd be hard pressed to call him a foreigner.
Still, large numbers of immigrants seem to think that they should turn most of the US into Mexico rather than embrace their new home. They protest American issues waving Mexican flags - failing to recognize, perhaps - that they are no longer in "the old country".
And of course, the Mexican government gets up in arms whenever anyone criticizes these immigrants because they enjoy the fact that they are funneling money earned in America back into Mexico.
I used to live in an apartment building occupied by Mexican, Indian and Somali immigrants. Since I was actually born in the US, I was a real rarity there. People constantly marveled that they didn't understand why I couldn't find a better, higher paying job.
I spoke English, I knew how to use computers... I'd even gone to college! But America is no longer the "land of opportunity" for those who work. It's the "land of opportunity" for those who NEED.
"Give us your tired, your hungry, your poor" used to mean that those people would be handed shovels and mops right off the boats. They would have the opportunity to earn a living - if they busted their asses. But now, busting your ass is no longer mandatory. The US government has become the world's largest charitable organization.
If someone gets arrested for a crime and is found to be illegal, deport them. Why should American workers pay to feed them in jail? Did you know that people in prison complained when their cable service was cut off? I work more than fifty hours a week and I can't afford cable! Why should criminals have it? It's not a necessity!
What is then? Food, water, shelter. That's it. Anything above and beyond those three things is something you want - not something you truly need. Personally, I don't believe that there's anything wrong with feeding criminals bread and water and letting them sleep on piles of hay - but that's another issue.
The point I'm trying to make is that we should check people - not only when they are arrested, but any time they are looking for handouts.
If someone applies for government services of any kind - food stamps, etc. check their immigration status. If someone is hospitalized, check their status.
It doesn't matter what color they are or what kind of accent they have. There are a ton of illegal Canadians living in the US too - who knows why?
Maybe because we keep giving people stuff for free.
I have no insurance, no internet service or t.v. I make less than $20,000 a year. I survive because I work - and if I ever stopped working, I'd stop having food to eat. That's how it should be.
If you were an Irish immigrant in 1890, you were lower than dirt. People were a lot more blunt about their distaste for immigrants in the late 19th century (lots of signs used to read "No Irish Need Apply"). My ancestors (Slovenian and German) worked hard, learned English and became legal citizens. And they did all this without food stamps or welfare.
Anybody who wants to do these things should be welcome in the US. But you MUST do them. Albert Einstein was sworn in when he immigrated to the US. Everyone who arrives should be.
Want to create some jobs in our lousy economy? Start processing everyone at the border - give them a visa for one year. Make them eligible for employment, but do not give them unemployment, welfare or free medical care. If they want to work, let them. If they want to leech - screw them!
For too long the US government has operated like a broken ATM machine, spewing money at anyone who demands it. Is it any surprise that our country is bankrupt?
Most other countries in the world require all immigrants to be contributors. If you think it is hard to be a US citizen, you should try moving to New Zealand! If you aren't "useful" - you won't be allowed to stay.
I have lived abroad where I did not speak the language and I know how hard it is to get a job under those circumstances. When I asked what to do if I got sick in Italy, I was informed "don't". I was told that it would be almost impossible to get a doctor's appointment if I was not a citizen.
Meanwhile, in the US there are clinics that will give you medicine free of charge if you go in and tell them that you make less than a certain amount of money a month. They don't even ask for any proof that you need the free service - or proof that you even have a job. I know because I have attempted this myself to see if it was actually true.
What makes me furious is when money comes out of my paycheck so that the government can provide care for people who are too lazy to work (a severe handicap is a different issue - but being "fat" is not a handicap). I hate supporting lazy people when they are US citizens, and when they aren't even here legally... that makes it worse.
Sure, immigration is expensive. But so is paying a coyote to sneak you across the Mexican border! On average, they charge over $1000 - $2000 per person! To the best of my knowledge, those are old statistics - it's probably more expensive now that security has been ramping up.
I have a lot more respect for the person who sells their few belongings and packs up like my ancestors did, leaving their old country behind for good to make a new home in America. Regardless of whether they arrive on a boat or hoof it across the Sonoran desert - anyone who comes with the genuine intention of working hard for a better life should be welcome in America.
Has anyone heard the phrase "old country" recently? It used to be that all of the elder generations would use it. Ireland was "the old country". Poland was "the old country". Turkey was "the old country".
I've worked with a few immigrants in the past, most of them older than fifty. And in that generation, the sentiment of "the old country" is still very strong.
Russia "the old country" - "Oh my got," Vladimir would say "Sarah, let me tell you about..."
About getting shot at for stealing apples out of a government-controlled orchard?
About highways so often unpatrolled that a collision killed everyone in both cars because no police or ambulence would come when called? "In America, never happen." Vladimir brought his family from a little town near the border of Georgia twelve years ago. His daughter is a banker, very successful. One of his sons is a championship martial artist. He works two jobs, driving limo and delivering pizzas. His wife is a substitute teacher.
Pakistan "the old country" - According to Aamer "The government turns off the power when the people are not doing what they want. No water, no power. You don't know how long. The apartment I live in now? A palace, in my old country." He came to the US about four years ago with the clothes on his back and very little money in his pockets. He works construction as he attends community college.
Vietnam "the old country" - "In my old country, I spent six years in a government camp. Sometimes there is no food, then they do not feed you at all." Canh has been in the US for more than twenty years. He came as a refugee following the Vietnam War, got a job and never went back.
Iraq "the old country" - and I quote "I'd rather be in prison than anywhere in my old country."
Ismael, a "survivor of three wars" also delivered pizza until recently, when he was in a car accident. It was discovered that he has a heart defect and he expects to recieve surgery soon, a thing which he would never have had access to in "the old country".
But is Mexico "the old country"? For some it is.
A friend of mine is a second generation immigrant. He speaks Spanish and English with equal fluidity. He attended American high school and has the same experiences as any American-born kid. He may prefer soccer to football, but you'd be hard pressed to call him a foreigner.
Still, large numbers of immigrants seem to think that they should turn most of the US into Mexico rather than embrace their new home. They protest American issues waving Mexican flags - failing to recognize, perhaps - that they are no longer in "the old country".
And of course, the Mexican government gets up in arms whenever anyone criticizes these immigrants because they enjoy the fact that they are funneling money earned in America back into Mexico.
I used to live in an apartment building occupied by Mexican, Indian and Somali immigrants. Since I was actually born in the US, I was a real rarity there. People constantly marveled that they didn't understand why I couldn't find a better, higher paying job.
I spoke English, I knew how to use computers... I'd even gone to college! But America is no longer the "land of opportunity" for those who work. It's the "land of opportunity" for those who NEED.
"Give us your tired, your hungry, your poor" used to mean that those people would be handed shovels and mops right off the boats. They would have the opportunity to earn a living - if they busted their asses. But now, busting your ass is no longer mandatory. The US government has become the world's largest charitable organization.
If someone gets arrested for a crime and is found to be illegal, deport them. Why should American workers pay to feed them in jail? Did you know that people in prison complained when their cable service was cut off? I work more than fifty hours a week and I can't afford cable! Why should criminals have it? It's not a necessity!
What is then? Food, water, shelter. That's it. Anything above and beyond those three things is something you want - not something you truly need. Personally, I don't believe that there's anything wrong with feeding criminals bread and water and letting them sleep on piles of hay - but that's another issue.
The point I'm trying to make is that we should check people - not only when they are arrested, but any time they are looking for handouts.
If someone applies for government services of any kind - food stamps, etc. check their immigration status. If someone is hospitalized, check their status.
It doesn't matter what color they are or what kind of accent they have. There are a ton of illegal Canadians living in the US too - who knows why?
Maybe because we keep giving people stuff for free.
I have no insurance, no internet service or t.v. I make less than $20,000 a year. I survive because I work - and if I ever stopped working, I'd stop having food to eat. That's how it should be.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Religions of man, just man made
Belief in a god or spirit of higher level of existence has nothing to do with religion anymore. Religion has gone down the path of politics. It may have started out as a good idea, but has become so corrupt due to the failings of the human ego, that the message has gotten lost.
If we are truly placed here, by the Christian way of thinking, by god, with free will, then why should we pray? Why ask god for help? If he intervened in your life, wouldn't that take away from free will? I never said I don't believe in god, I just don't believe in religion anymore.
Every religion claims to be right and condemns the other, what they don't understand is that they are all the same, and the only correct religion is none. Religions of man are just that...man made. The Bible, Koran, Dead Sea Scrolls and so are a collection of stories made up by a bunch of self righteous priests, prophets and kings, the self proclaimed moral leaders in an effort to re-shape mans thinking to match their own perverted view of righteousness. They invent rules and subsequently punishment for breaking the rules, in order to control the masses, to expand their influence, so they can become more powerful then the next group of misguided hypocrites.
Let's face it, the Supreme Being is existing in his plane of reality watching all of the worlds that he put into motion, and when he gets board, he'll pack up all his toys and take a nap.
If we are truly placed here, by the Christian way of thinking, by god, with free will, then why should we pray? Why ask god for help? If he intervened in your life, wouldn't that take away from free will? I never said I don't believe in god, I just don't believe in religion anymore.
Every religion claims to be right and condemns the other, what they don't understand is that they are all the same, and the only correct religion is none. Religions of man are just that...man made. The Bible, Koran, Dead Sea Scrolls and so are a collection of stories made up by a bunch of self righteous priests, prophets and kings, the self proclaimed moral leaders in an effort to re-shape mans thinking to match their own perverted view of righteousness. They invent rules and subsequently punishment for breaking the rules, in order to control the masses, to expand their influence, so they can become more powerful then the next group of misguided hypocrites.
Let's face it, the Supreme Being is existing in his plane of reality watching all of the worlds that he put into motion, and when he gets board, he'll pack up all his toys and take a nap.
my reflections in the dark
You look at me as if I’m some sort of hero, but I’m really just a frightened child
I try to show that I’m in control, but I’m just lost inside
It’s been so long since I closed my eyes and dreamed……of better times.
They tell me it’s time to come home now, but I have too much left to do.
And in the darkest days I have left standing…… I want to spend every minute with you.
Given the choice when I’m face to face with God, I’ll still choose…..to come back to you.
The worlds spinning out of control and I’m running on fumes
You know I’ll travel a million miles to find a way to come back to you,
I’ll come back to you.
I haven’t slept for a thousand years now and they take my hand to show me which way to go
In our journey as the darkness fades, I just don’t know if their demons or angels
I gave up eternity, now I just ask for one more chance, a chance to dream….. of better times.
I try to show that I’m in control, but I’m just lost inside
It’s been so long since I closed my eyes and dreamed……of better times.
They tell me it’s time to come home now, but I have too much left to do.
And in the darkest days I have left standing…… I want to spend every minute with you.
Given the choice when I’m face to face with God, I’ll still choose…..to come back to you.
The worlds spinning out of control and I’m running on fumes
You know I’ll travel a million miles to find a way to come back to you,
I’ll come back to you.
I haven’t slept for a thousand years now and they take my hand to show me which way to go
In our journey as the darkness fades, I just don’t know if their demons or angels
I gave up eternity, now I just ask for one more chance, a chance to dream….. of better times.
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