Pensive Day

I left work early yesterday and took it easy last night, and I'm better, but not 100%. My ears are still plugged up which is very weird. I was trying to sing harmony on my way to work this morning, and couldn't hear anything. (I'm using this term very loosely, I'm by no means a vocalist!) It seems that being ill or not feeling well, or maybe it's the time of year (or the time of my Life) but I've been thoughtful about lots of things in the news and in my life. There was a news report about revamping requirements for severly disabled children to receive Medicare. The family income level has been raised (I believe) and lots of children will be dropped. These are kids with birth defects that require major medical assistance and cannot be insured. Don't they have a right to life? Can't they be happy? The parents are making many sacrifices, can't someone else help? And Michele Burns (former Delta CFO, former Mirant executive with bankruptcy-proof million dollar retirement benefits) is angry because Delta will discontinue her free first class flights.

HOV Lanes
There is a lady in California who got ticketed for riding in the HOV lanes by herself. Her defense was that she was pregnant, and there were 2 people in the car. Well, the GOP did this to themselves. The 'activist' judge threw it out as the intent of the law is that the occupants of the car are seated in 2 separate seats. Does anyone else see any irony in this?

Selfishness is everywhere
I was just listening to the radio and the DJ's were discussing an incident where one DJ wanted to get a slushy or something, pulled up to the front of the store, parked his car and left his 3-month-old daughter in the car with the windows open. He said he had her in his sites the entire time, and was very near to the car. His wife was upset that he did that, he shouldn't have left his daughter alone and the issue discussed was his parenting skills (or lack thereof). My problem is with the fact this guy parked ILLEGALLY just for his convenience. Who does he think he is?? It's not all about him, there are a few other people in the world.

Socialism, or is it?
I read a letter in the opinion column last week that was talking about how we should be aware of everyone who've assisted us in getting where we are in life. My first take was 'This is so Socialist', but then I reread the letter. His point was that as an individual, you are successful and you should take credit for that, but there were many other people who assisted you, including teachers, clergy, family and friends. Are these people getting the rewards they deserve? An educator is, in many ways responsible for your success in life. What I got from this is that we have to start thinking about other people. Life is a group thing, not individual. People aren't too concerned about how their actions will affect(effect?) others.

Where is the outrage?
Another letter yesterday was commenting on the fact that there isn't enough outrage about the government spying on us. The letter concluded that the possible reason is that we are getting used to being watched, cameras at intersections catching speeders, surviellence cameras in stores and the like. My conclusion is that we can't do anything about it, apathy rules. My elected government officals don't represent me, they represent special interests. Whoever has the most money has the most power.

No, I didn't take my Happy Pill this morning.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'