My first day as a 36 year old.....

Good news, I was able to get out of bed and I did not feel like I was senile.   All kidding aside, it just seemed like another day to me.   But, it got me to thinking about some of the changes I have gone through in the year so fall.   I have to admit, this has been a pretty bad year  BUT it really is all about how you choose to deal with it.   So, I have looked at those events as chances to recognize areas within myself to make changes.   And, I feel that I have been making real progress, and I guess that is what it is all about.  You only have to answer to yourself, but that also means that you have to take responsibility for yourself (and that includes your actions).

That tends to get me thinking about stuff, especially with our current crisis.  But, it really seems to me that the problems stem from people (individuals, political parties, companies, governments...) not being accountable for their actions.   Mistakes happen.  Really they do, and it sometimes drives me crazy how we think that nothing will ever go wrong.   We get so caught up in perfection, that we forget that it is really about how you deal with those problems or mistakes.   I know we would be much better off, if we could just say, 'OOPs, I F*'d up.'   And, then we start the process of fixing the problem or better yet the root cause.

I guess the process engineer in me came out.   But, I really do think if we applied some of those basic concepts (including common sense) we could really get this country back on track.

Thanks for your time.

Power BACK to the People...The Founders Party

The goal is to rise awareness, and hopefully generate a groundswell to pull the power back to the people of this country. So, let's see how this goes. I really need to get a job...

Our Positions:

1. Find the middle ground on the issue, and start on a solution from there.

2. Be aware that each solution will NOT be the homerun ball.   Small but constant improvements are what we need.

3. Let's address the issues that impact all of us: Education, Health care, Economy (jobs), and National Security.

4. Every citizen, and this includes our corporate-citizens (businesses) as well, need to be both morally and fiscally accountable.

The idea is to get the ball rolling.  We the people are starved for real leadership, and even more for real results.   If our given elected officials can not or will not do the job, then we must do something to change the process or the leadership.   I don't feel that we need to take to the streets, like an angry mob hunting Frankenstein, but we do need to do something.

So, it is my hope that this can generate some interest, and get people thinking and talking...not yelling like the pundits on television.   Ideally, it would be great if the ground swell became so much that a current third party would take notice and incorporate the ideas here.    

With that said, I welcome ANY of your feedback.  I have also created a Cause on Facebook, so if you like maybe you can join there.  That is how I hope we can track the impact.

Washington is broken, and needs to be fixed.

i figured that i needed to get these ideas out of my head. putting my thoughts here at least would get them documented somewhere. i read a few books this last week that really seemed to showcase the broken system that is our national political circus. i read a book by lou dobbs, and one dealing with senator john mccain. both men, at least in my opinion, are examples of where we need to move this country. moving away from the political left or right and moving toward a centrist platform. this country seems to be controlled by the vocal fringes of both parties.

so, how do we fix this country? well, let me list a few of the things that need to happen. the list below is in no particular order, and likely most of them would need to be done simultaneously.

1. a legit third political party. this can't be some wild, fringe element group. this really needs to be something that would probably lie between the 2 'knuckle-head' parties we currently have. they would need to leverage real and viable candidates and have a platform that makes sense and really impacts people's lives. initially, i would think they would want to focus on health care, new employment opportunities, and education. maybe, take the 'average' approach to define their positions. as progress and results are generated, more 'sticky' issues could be tackled.

2. term-limits for all politicians. this would prevent our representatives from getting out of touch with their constituents. in addition, hopefully this would also prevent the impact of lobbyists.

3. real and meaningful campaign finance reform. this has been started with mccain-feingold, but it still needs to be updated and enhanced to deal with new issues that arise. this will go a long way to reduce the impact of lobbyists and their big money clients. in addition, rules need to be clearly defined on when campaigns are to start for a specific office.

4. politicians needs to really understand the plight of people they represent. so, salaries would be the median salary of the company. if you want to really impact change, then you effect a person's wallet. to often it seems like we have career politicians, and why not. they get great health care, a fantastic salary, and incumbents have a much higher election success rate.

i have to admit that these ideas are not relatively new. they have been around (in some form) since the founding fathers created our government. first, no where in the constitution are political parties discussed and george washington warned of these entities. second, the rules that define how officials are elected clearly indicate that no all officials are chosen at the same time. this would prevent all knowledge from being 'removed' at the same time. third, the elected officials were not to be full time politicians. they were meant to keep their 'day-jobs', and be in touch with the people of their community.

this is just my take on it. who knows, maybe some political consultant will take a look and find my ideas pretty interesting. i know this is not completely error free, but i am sure that we can work through any issues. let's get the ball rolling.

I have the fix to Healthcare in this country

so, i guess i have your attention now.  :)    i mean this is clearly a huge problem and it definitely needs to be fixed.   i don't know, but it seems to be a fairly straight-forward fix.   but, i know it probably has a few sticky points for everyone.....regardless of the political alignment.

but, let's give it a shot.    there are a few items, to it and i will attempt to be complete in my thinking and documentation.

1.  this is more of a ground rule.  EVERYONE, AND I MEAN EVERYONE ( CEO, MAIDS, CONGRESSMAN, SENATOR, PRESIDENT, DITCH-DIGGER, STUDENT, CHILD) USES THE SAME 'PLAN'.   this is important, because it will insure that if problems occur, they will be fixed because the mover-n-shakers are using the same 'plan'.   we all know that problems only get fixed/resolved when the pain level becomes to much to ignore and this starts the action/fix process.

2.  we i say plan, what i am referring to is the overall system.   and, i guess that is really what i am going to try and layout in this blog.  the system will allow for each person to buy into a 'plan' that works best for their particular health, age, or lifestyle.

3.  employer based health care is NO LONGER allowed.   the funds that a company would use for health care would now be included in the employees salary.  ideally, this would be the full amount that was paid on behalf of the employee.  (again, this helps to insure we are all on the same place)

4a.  every person is given a healthcare credit.    when i say everyone, i am referring to anyone who has a social security number or is her as an legal immigrant.   basically, if you are a citizen and/or pay taxes then you are entitled to this credit.   

 b.  access to this credit is done through a debit like card.  this card would be used to pay for your bills when you get your monthly premium, a prescription,  an appt, or anything related to health.  some other activities could include gym memberships, massages, counselors,  health-store purchases.   now, each year there would be deposit to your account, which would be the credit.   this could take place sometime around tax season.     a simple way to look at this, would be as a health savings account.   in addition,  as you don't use all your funds,  you would continue to accumulate more in your account.   also, this is a really good way to help people start saving funds, which is a huge problem that currently plagues this country.

5.  now, that we have the funds that are needed.   what about the plans?   well, the key issue here is that people need to have choices.   this is what drives a free-market economy.   and, we need to have no pre-conditions.   with, everyone using this same system, including the insurance ceo's and politicians i think this would be resolved relatively quickly and painless.

plans could be national or regional, and that difference would be reflected with costs but that is what should the case.  if you don't travel, why get a national plan that is just not a good use of your money.

what if you don't want to get a plan?   that is entirely within your right as an American.   you will still have your health account that was linked to your social security number/ tax information.   so, if for whatever reason, you had to get emergency service but had no plan.  well, your health account would be used to pay those bills, and if you didn't have enough, then would have to be 'punished' at the time you did your taxes.  if you had a rebate, then you would that $$ used to pay your remaining medical bills, if not then you go back to owing the gov't money.    see, this sorta makes you want to have at least a minimal plan.

medical bills are so high because often we approach everything from a reactive position, instead of proactive.  that is why it is important to allow for the health account to be used to pay for things related to staying healthy, most notably a gym membership.

5.  ok, so now maybe you say what about the un-insured or more appropriately, 'those without a health account'.   as i stated earlier, the only folks in that position,  would be illegal immigrants.   first, medical service would not be denied, and this is similar to auto insurance...we all have to pay a portion for these drivers in our auto insurance bills.   and, to help with this there would be a component of you monthly premium that would deal with this.

but, as a follow-up certain items would need to be collected at the hospital, such as an address, employer, etc.   this really starts to get into a whole other issue that needs to be resolved too.

6.  people are feel to move around and change plans as they see fit.  this is same concept as auto-insurance.   so, items like customer service will be a real issue, and will force the medical insurance to get there house in order.  if you are a crappy company, people leave and go to the competition.     as of now, most folks are locked into what their company gets for them, and could be limited due to pre-existing conditions.

that is the basic idea of my plan.  i am sure there are some areas that need to be strengthened but it seems like a good starting plan.    the biggest component of this plan is how everyone has to use the same system.    politicians in washington have a plan, so they are covered.  they don't have to worry about their coverage or likely even think about it.   with this, now they are in the muck with everyone else, so i am sure that will be all the motivation they need.

so, let me know what you think.   does it seem feasible?

-thomas

Can't Sleep

So, I guess should just go to bed, but I really don't feel all that tired.

I am really at a loss for what to type here.  Maybe, I am a little gun-shy because of all the 'trouble' you could get into with HR folks, after they do a google search on my name.   

Oh well, maybe it is my hope to just try to get my eyes to shut while I type this way.

But, I was wondering about is:  Can your friends be a hinderance to a person's attempt to grow and change themselves?

Part of me wants to say, YES.  But, we are all in control of our own lives.   Maybe, what I am seeing is where I used to be.   Who knows?  Actually, it was sorta my thinking, and it was seconded by an accquaintence.    

Forgive me.   Not sure where this really went.  Nite.

-thomas

FIrst Blog

Well, I can not sleep, so I thought I would give this a try.   Bare with me.  This really just be more for me to put some thoughts down.   But, now they are out there for everyone to find and read.  Not, all to sure how I feel about that.   Maybe, if I get really going on rant, then we might have something to worry about.   I feel like I am really just trying to see if my typing can keep up with my brain...( the brain is winnig, but hopefully it looks like it is even)

Ok.   Well, that seems like enough to get a feel for it.

Nite.

-Have I started down a dark, virtual pathway?