The Old Doctor Wonders: Gasoline prices

The Old Doctor Wonders: Gasoline prices

Gasoline prices

Now, come on! We get only 2% of oil from Libya. Egypt has NO oil. Why are gas prices so high? Big oil has us over an (oil) barrel once again.

I have mixed emotions over the situation in Wisconsin. The left part of me is sympathetic to the wage earner, but the right part of me thinks unions ARE too strong. The easy acquiescence to union demands in the past is coming home to bite us. First bitten, autos, where sweetheart contracts nearly brought the US auto industry to its knees, Next bitten, the teachers union, making it nearly impossible to fire a teacher for incompetancy.  Next up government workers, some of whom in this state, earn more than the governor!

Retirement, My novel

I am truly enjoying retirement. If I knew it was so wonderful, I'd have done it sooner, and I think I will try it for a while longer.

I have completed my crime novel, "Best Served Cold." The manuscript is being edited and will soon be submitted to a literary agent to be published.

My editor likes the book. She says it is a real page turner and has it all-murder,sex,blackmail and even redemption!

In subsequent posts, I will reveal snippets of the plot and text. Stay tuned!

Greenspan

So, Greenspan says he was 70% accurate. He is a professional, as am I. If I were 70% accurate in my profession, I would be disgraced and drummed out of my profession. Let's ignore this dope and let him sink back into ignominy.

Robert Rubin claims he was unaware of the subprime problem. Americans suffrered and he walks with millions and millions. Talk about being rewarded for incompentency! He should be tarred and feathered on Trinity Place!

The health plan will go down in flames

Once again, the country lacks the political will to go forward on some sort of much needed health plan. There are so many negative forces. The bishops who would sacrifice a plan because of abortion, yet were silent about the deaths of 4000 young people caused by the Bush/Cheney lies. The bishops decry abortion and yet also decry condoms and birth control. As a physician and a father and grandfather, I think abortion is a terrible decision, but so is unplanned pregnancy. Where was Rep. Stupak and his ilk when votes to commit our troops to foreign wars were held? Speaking of hypocrisy!!

The republicans would vote no on any democratic proposal. I believe that most of the negative around Obama is pure and simple racism. They will not let our African-American president look good. Well folks, he is a breath of pure air after the stench of Bush and Cheney.

I have decided to resume my blog. There is so much going on in this greatest country that ever was, that I won't run out of things to comment about. I remain an ardent Obama supporter. That said , I am very disappointed in his presidency to date. He bit off too much and his attention has been scattered. He should have left off health care until he had built up more political capital. No one understands the whole bill (of 2700 pages). The doctors are screwed, the free choicers are sacrificed on the altar of anything to get the bill passed, and the insurers and other fat cats will win another victory.

OK-Check this out: My health care solution (ta da!):

First- Draft all the docs into national service. (a la TSA). Give us all the rank of Colonel (or Captain). A good health and retirement plan. Base housing and a new BMW every 3 years would be nice, too. (ok a Chrysler!) New grads get the rank of Major with rapid merit promotions. Nobel prize winners in Medicine and true innovators can become 4 star generals (or admirals). Pay off all medical school debts. Nationalize all medical schools and make tuition free. Encourage innovations and and cost saving strategies. Reward then generously to incentivize. Increase taxes on all Republicans to 50% marginal tax rate to pay for the programEliminate for-profit health care corporations and the bonuses paid to the CEO's will fund the program further. Ration health care to the patients reasonably expected to survive. Standardize end-of-life care.

See....it's easy! Told 'ya so!