Morning: Waiting

Riley was up early as usual. He's waiting for something to happen. For G to wake up. For me to get dressed and put on shoes which equals : walk. For lunch in four hours. For squirrels to chase. For nests of mice to find in the snow. While I am seated here by the computer, he knows the wait will be long. He groans and grumbles but stays on his bed, waiting. Every so often he gets up and comes to see if I am still sitting here. When I type he knows where I am. When I read, he can't hear me doing anything. The photo above is of a dog check made after I had been reading blogs for a half hour. Nice legs.

I slept poorly last night and woke feeling angry. I have been trying to shake off the angry feelings in the hour I have been awake. I just now made my first cup of coffee. Reducing the sugar by one teaspoon. Saving 15 calories. Delaying my breakfast. Wondering how to spend the day. I need a book to read so will possibly make a trip to the library. G and I read our books last night instead of watching the President speak. Talk is cheap. I'd like to see some action. So far, Obama has wasted a year.

His health plan ended in the proverbial Christmas Tree of gifts and bribes in exchange for votes. Just let everyone buy policies across state lines and open Medicare to 55 and older taxpayers. Simple. Here in Maine we have one insurer. And each year a 20% increase in premiums. The State legislature passed laws to make it impossible to buy insurance from any other state (let's all say "special interest lobbying"). Our big insurer (the CEO is paid 40 million dollars a year in a state with only 1.2 million people) says that out of state insurers are "unreliable". My husband and I have been covered by an insurance company in Illinois for the 20 years we've lived in Maine. Because my husband works for a corporation based in Illinois. They are very reliable. All our local bills are paid promptly. Our rates never go up 20% a year. Can you hear the big sucking sound made by Anthem here in Maine???

Will Obama's plan change any of this? No. And why is Medicare reimbursement sent to the states? In our state, the Governor just decided to keep a large portion of the Medicare reimbursement payments from the Federal government to balance the state budget (full of pork, teacher pay raises of 12% and entitlements such as 100% health care coverage for state employee's union members). Hospitals and doctors are getting a "percentage" of the payments for services rendered to Medicare patients. THIS is why doctors and hospitals are cutting back on Medicare services. Why shouldn't they expect payment? The Governor is guilty of grand theft and should be arrested in my personal opinion. Who, besides bank employees is getting 12% raises with unemployment at 19%? Who should be getting free health insurance on the taxpayers dime?

Wasn't that pleasant? I'm going to eat breakfast now and do something to make myself happy. You do the same.