jenflor

Hi everyone! Welcome back, Lucy! :hug: and woohoo! looks like I'm just in time for Christina's picspam! :dance:

^I have to admit, it took me a while to come around on that album, but now I love it!

I disagree. I don't think that because someone is born into poverty they should be denied basic healthcare. We don't live isolated from each other. We are a community, and as such, I believe we need to step in when needed to help others. I DO NOT believe that it's ok for people to leech off the rest of society. There are many, many problems with many, many social welfare programs, but I don't believe the solution is to get rid of them all. Let's start with it would be great if everyone in the country could have 3 meals a day, nevermind a butler or gardener. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the AMA also strip doctors of licenses when they're found to be negligent (or worse). Without regulation, what would stop a doctor from commiting malpractice in one state, then picking up and moving to another and doing the same thing?

Really, guys. REALLY. what was the big deal?? MrNick, you asked earlier if people would be OK if GWBush gave such a speech. I could not have disagreed more with him on policy issues, but yes, I would have been ok with him giving a speech to students on their return to school. The majority of the speech is him emphasizing the need to stay in school, do well, graduate and go to college. He does bring up policy with No Child Left Behind, but he talks about how to fix where that law went wrong (and speaking as a former teacher, believe me, that law did go wrong). I understand that you don't agree with his policies, but to me, if the President of the United States is going to speak to children encouraging them to stay in school and pursue a college degree, that is not a bad thing. However divided we may be ideologically, it's a shame that the office of the presidency no longer commands the respect it used to. And by respect, I don't mean blind following. It used to be possible for people to RESPECTFULLY disagree.

^I see your point, Josh, but that type of system really just caters to the wealthy and educated doesn't it? I mean, you'd have to have the time and means to research in order to find a good doctor. At least with doctors being required to carry a license, you have some level of assurance that they should be doing what they're doing. I admit, I am able to take the time to research and find doctors that I think are best for my family. We've seen neurologists, cardiologists and hematologists that are great in their fields. BUT, I have good insurance, time to get referrals and recommendations and flexibility when it comes to scheduling appointments. Someone who works full-time, making minimum wage with crappy or no benefits would likely not ever get in to see the doctors my family has seen. Not because they'd be turned away, but because they wouldn't have the means to find them or to pay them. I guess my big argument is, what good is having the amount of medical technology and expertise that we have in this country, if not every citizen has access to it?

thanks for the link! didn't know this existed!

aw. 'night, Katie! :hug:

^ this scares me. You need a license to teach, to practice law, to DRIVE. Granted, requiring licensure doesn't stop there from being shitty doctors, teachers, lawyers and drivers. But the point of licensure (at least how I see it) is to ensure that certain requirements are met before someone enters a given profession or activity. And to say people will choose their doctors based on reputation alone... what of new doctors who have not yet established a reputation? and in the early 1900s doctors killed as many patients as they saved. You're right about the golf course and boats, though, but I think that is really tied to things like pharmaceutical lobbies. THAT's what really needs to be done away with, in my opinion.

wish I could chew gum for all of the reasons posted above, but it hurts my jaw. :( thus, I am addicted to altoids.

Hi everyone! 'Night, Marisa! :hug: gorgeous pics today!! QUOTE=coldplay_is_louve.;3442748]Hi Giulia! :D! :dead:! oooh, this gif! "I'm gonnna kissss youuuu...wait. what was that?!" Best of luck with the move, Jess. I'll see you on FB. :hug: Gorgeous pics, Maria! :heart: :bomb::bomb::sweatdrop: Wow! Katie going in for the kill!! :dead:

^Thanks for the link. Gah! I want them allllll!!!!

I don't have any bootlegs, but lots of the extra takes and conversations can be found on the Beatles Anthology CDs, which are fantastic. the game is awesome- includes lots of little bits of conversations as songs load, lots of great pictures and you can unlock little "prizes" by playing. Last night we unlocked a Christmas message the guys sent out to their fan club members on an album. I think it was from 1963 or 64. Very cool and quite funny. In a way, reminded me of the christmas messages Coldplay does. :)

Angie! Are you there already?? Track that man down and bring him back for me! (after the show, of course!) :P Hope you're having fun!!

^yeah, it's been posted before... and it's not a great one! :P looks a little like a mug shot! :\ Well, anyone who's around, I'm off! 'night/morning, etc.! :heart:

awww, poor lawyers. :P So, I'll admit I'm not quite up on all the tort reform stuff... what exactly is the aim? To make it more difficult for doctors to be sued?

Cobalt, it's from the benefit in Australia, right? What was it called again? Yes, he did look incredible then (still does, in fact!) :wacky:

but would tort reform and competition really, REALLY solve the problem? Insurance companies (and doctors too, for that matter) are out to make a profit. And if you "get the government out" are you saying there should be no regulation? I don't think I trust corporations enough to let the free market work it all out. Especially not when the health of myself and my loved ones is involved.

@space cadet- I completely agree with you that just as education is afforded all US children, so too should healthcare. I would love to see a system like Canada's adopted here. @MrNick- I also agree that the best way to fix the problem would be to bring down the costs of healthcare. but with the pharamceutical, insurance, etc. lobbies being the way they are, HOW would this be accomplished?? Your analogy about home insurance made perfect sense to me, and in fact, that is how I've used it myself this year. However, I'm paying $80 WITH INSURANCE for my daughter's pediatrician for a WELL-CHECK (a 15 minute visit with the doctor and maybe an immunization or two). That doesn't even touch what the insurance company pays out. It's ridiculous. Our deductible was so high that my husband deferred treatment for his back pain... which resulted in a bulging disc turning into a herniated disc- ironically, this ended up costing the insurance company even more, as he then had to see several specialists and get an MRI. I do see your point, I just don't understand HOW the costs could/would be brought down.

Goodnight, Marisa! :hug: :sweatdrop::heart:

or perhaps a handsome Martinbot? as long as it/he's hot, who cares? :P

thanks :nice: and yes, Chris does make it better! :wacky: I'm so glad your legs are doing better and you're able to run again. I personally hate running, but yay for you! :P Hey Kat! aww, come play when you can! :hug: loooove that pic! :heart:

what did you guys think of the speech tonight?

hey Marisa :) I've been a little sick today (bad cold), but I'm doing OK. how about you? busy? btw, i love that pic you posted :wacky:

are you sure the controller for the guitar is connected correctly and turned on? I also got it for Wii and haven't had any problems. :thinking: It should register the guitar as long as the controller is turned on...

aw, IMP :heart: 'night, Brooke! haven't talked to you in a while.. hope you're doing well! :hug: :wacky: EDIT: fail. sorry :( Hi Marisa! :hug: :kiss: