Let's dabble in politics

I'm not going to pretend that this is the beginning of a newfound love of posting and that I'm actually going to start posting regularly. No, this is simply I suppose what blogs are for -- to vent our internal frustrations to anyone willing to listen, no matter how much we babble or rant.

I don't usually touch politics but being the staunch fat-headed republican that I'm known to be, I thought that maybe I should just put some thoughts or perceptions that I have out there in the ether and someone can enlighten me or reaffirm what I think I know.

I have not read Obama's healthcare bill. Perhaps at some point I will but it will have to be a realllllly slow day at work. Until then I am resigned to the bits and pieces presented to me by all the media outlets. So let's begin:

1) I feel no moral obligation to provide any more than "life or death" medical treatment to illegal aliens. If an alien has a gunshot wound, then feel free to make use of our ERs, but be aware, after you are treated you may be subject to deportation. I know that many people are critical of me for this position for wanting to deport illegal aliens, but the fact is you broke the rules. Frankly, even if you break the rules, America grants amenesties on a "regular" basis, so I invite you to break the rules and stay under the radar until you can apply for amnesty and citizenship, just don't spit in my face and ask me to pay for your medical treatment.

Mr. Obama, we are a country of citizens and you were elected to represent the interest of the citizens, you have no responsibilities towards illegal aliens. Additionally, it seems that no matter which side the information comes from everyone agrees that this mystical number of "Americans without coverage" includes some percentage of illegal aliens. The fact remains Mr. Obama, if you want me to pay for the illegals, then you do not represent me and do not have my vote.

2) I have a soft side, and I understand from a very personal place not being able to afford health insurance. No one is disputing that it's prohibitively expensive. However, just because you can afford it and I can't is no reason to punish you. The notion of taxing or (let's call a spade a spade) fining individuals for choosing private insurace is extortion. I think the concept of a catch-all plan to cover the needy is wonderful, but those that were lucky enough to be successful in this country deserve the right to pay for better care. Do we fine people for buying Starbuck's coffee when then could get the same product for less at 7-11 or Dunkin Donuts? Again Mr. Obama, don't punish the wealthy just becasue they were able to rise above the herd. If you really belive in these tactics, perhaps you should tax on both ends of the socioeconomic scale and tax the poor more. We can then bring the rich down, and bring the poor up (they'll try harder if they can avoid being taxed) and have us all reside in some mediocre middle class clump. Again, if this is what is is your bill, you do not represent me.

Beyond these specific points , I only have a questioning observation: I hate having to pay doctors so much, but if you set the fee schedule, won't there be less doctors since they will have more difficulty paying back their student loans?

I'm sure there's plenty more, but these points have really stuck out to me. Ok, I'm done ranting.

Now for a quick factoid: Why do we call it a Cab or a taxi? Well it's short for Taximeter Cabriolet. Cabriolet being the french for cabin or compartment and taximeter meaning a measure of distance. Enjoy!

GOBid, Pretty Fun

So there's a new penny auction site called GoBid that's pretty cool.  Check it out at http://www.gobid.com

Links now in session

Although reading my wonderful rants may be the high point of your day, there is such a plethora of useful tools and sites on the internet that I just have to share them with you -- thus the links section. I'll post my favorites, and if you have one you'd like to share, please let me know. Starting us off is:

Qipit - www.qipit.com

I often find myself in class and at work involved in some sort of group work. Inevitably, only one person takes notes or acts as a scribe and then we're stuck with one copy of our work and no copier in sight. For this situation and others I've been turning for a few years now to Qipit. Its a free service that will take a picture you send them either via phone or e-mail and turn it into a handy PDF and JPEG. Just snap a picture of a paper, a whiteboard or a note and send it to their free e-mail. *TIP* make sure there is plenty of light on the picture, especially if your phone doesn't have a flash.

Yeah, I know its been a while

Ok, so the last time I tried this, not so successful in the follow through, but here we go again.

First off -
Recent movie watchings:

Underworld Rise of the Lycans: Such fun trash to sit through, but no I could not accept an award for this movie even if I had directed it. Before any critiques, yes it is eons better than the last film, we're all still trying to forget that one. As for the acting, nothing truly spectacular, but it draws you into the story enough. I must admit, I just love Kevin Grevioux's voice, its just superb. In any case, nothing wonderful, but if you've got 2 hours to kill, its better than that family guy episode you've seen 8,000,000 times.

Futurama Into the Wild Green Yonder: yes it hasn't come out yet, and I know, surprise surprise, I haven't seen it yet. This is just a post saying how excited I am to see it after the last DVD, Bender's Game, as I really enjoyed that one. I did however just recently see all the special features off of Bender's Big Score and boy were they great. Everybody love's Hypnotoad didn;t dissappoint, and now I just have to find some suckers to show it to. The star was Bite My Shiny Metal X, a look at some of the mathematics in Futurama. I'm a sucker for extras like these where you get a glimpse at all the inside jokes and references put into a show. I used to have a teacher who knew everything in the Simpsons - it was kind of creepy.

Tech

So the MWC - Mobile World Congress is next week in Barcelona. I'm really excited as we should see the first real user experience with the Palm Pre (My next phone :-) ). The cell phone world in general is really changing, I think most notably in America. I was never, and still remain not a huge fan of the Iphone (although I must give props where props are due - Kudos Steve), but the huge demand and price wars with this phone have changed cell phone pricing dynamics. Now the the Pre is on the verge of release as an Iphone competitor, Palm - i.e. Sprint has had to lower their general smart phone prices so the legendary Treo 755P as well as the newer 800W are both down to $99 with new contract. This is of course in line with the Pre's intended launch price somewhere below that of the Iphone ($175ish). On the verizon side, I just saw the Blackberry bold going for $99 on Amazon with new contract. I'm liking this trend towards lowering prices (not that I think this economy could support a new $400 Iphone craze), but I'm also scared of being hoodwinked. Hoodwinked? By whom? Well the cell phone carriers of course. The average plan rate is up to nearly $60 with all the standard bells and whistles today (and yet people still act surprised when I tell them their phone has redial). Does this mean we'll save a whopping $100 on the price of a phone just to pay over $1000 extra in services we won't use? Just something to watch.

Disney

Even Disney is feeling the tension on the purse strings in this economy. The verdict is still out whether this will be good or bad for us Joe Shmoe consumers. On the one hand, they are offering some ridiculous deals from now until August (buy 4 days get 3 free on rooms and tickets), but on the other reports continue to pour out that new projects and developments have been frozen. All the current budget us going towards refurbs. Now while I understand that the paint on the carousel needs to be perfect so that Disney keeps it image. Do space mountain and the Frontierland Fry cart really need a makeover? This mouseketeer says no.

Family

I'll try to keep our personal lives off the internet, but e-mail me if you have questions :)