While I was running errands yesterday, my car radio was tuned to NPR. I listen to public radio a lot. I used to send them money every year, I was a 'subscriber' or supporter. Then came their coverage of the war in Iraq and my colonel put his foot down. He got pretty angry at the one-sided, left leaning coverage and withdrew financial support.
But I still listen. I guess I'm stealing from them. I get angry every once in a while, but mostly I'm addicted to Science Fridays and a few other shows.
Yesterday, they were interviewing Bill Gates on the aid his foundation has provided to Haiti during this crisis. First, let me preface this by saying, you can believe what you like about Bill Gates--I used to tell everyone he was the anti-Christ because I am a Linux supporter--but you can't fault his philanthropic activities. His money and Warren Buffet's have been combined into a self sustaining fund that gives out over 3 Billion dollars a year in grants and aid. Yes, you heard that right 3 BILLION.
This foundation has made some profound choices. They looked at the studies. When they realized that in developing nations, as health and wellness improved, then women chose to have fewer children--they decided not to focus on birth control in developing nations. They focus on health. Knowing that as health improves, women themselves limit the number of children they have. The foundation has taken some hits from the press. Some folks think they should focus more on different areas. The foundation is focusing on malaria and AIDS research, trying to fund the scientists who will develop a vaccine. Anyone who can do research knows that more people die from malaria and other assorted 'bad water' borne illnesses than AIDS each year. In my humble opinion, the foundation is picking their battles and funding what they can.
They have medical care givers and stores of medical supplies warehoused for disasters. They are 'quick responders' to situations like the Haiti earthquake. So imagine my surprise when this NPR interviewer started taking Bill Gates to task for his decisions on where to spend his money. One of the current programs includes $30 million dollars in grants to point-of-service medical devices. The foundation is funding technology that will help caregivers provide medical assistance in third world countries. That seems like a really good idea to me. But this NPR reporter wasn't giving Bill the benefit of the doubt.
Really? This man and his foundation give out 3 Billion dollars a year in aid and you want to argue with where the foundation chooses to invest? Are you nuts? I wonder if there is another single foundation on the face of the earth giving back to this extent in these financial times??
I talk back to my radio sometimes. In my car or in my kitchen, sometimes I yell at it. Yesterday, they probably heard me across the street. NPR really missed the mark on this one.
--Sandee Wagner
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
I Don't Live Like That
All of us have some guilty pleasures, some show we watch on TV that we're embarrassed to admit we watch. I will throw myself out there and tell you that I am addicted to Project Runway. I cannot take my eyes off it. Much like a trainwreck, I am compelled to watch those creations strutted down the runway. Burlap? Really? Did they make an elegant evening dress out of it? Yes. There's drama, conflict and construction. All of it fascinates me.
Have I ever watched a single episode of American Idol or Dancing With The Stars? I think my darling daughter in law made me watch Idol once, but I'm not that big of a fan of singing or dancing shows.
When I was clicking through the stations this morning looking for something to light on long enough to get my laundry folded, I stopped on Say Yes To The Dress. For those of you who don't know, it's a reality show based on the real life brides of an exclusive NY salon buying wedding gowns.
Who doesn't love watching a bride try to find "the dress"? I have had the opportunity to help both a daughter in law and my dearest daughter try on dresses for a couple of days until "the dress". That's the moment where you stop and say, "That's the one. Put the rest away. We'll take it." It's a magical moment. What fascinated me about this episode is that they showed a very intent bride who knew exactly what dress she wanted. When she came out, it was perfect, the absolute "this is it" moment. Then they told her how much the dress cost.
What I should say about this is that I understand there are a lot of people who live differently than I do. I drive through neighborhoods full of gorgeous over-the-top homes and wonder what those people do for a living that allows them this lifestyle. I recognize that there is a whole society of people who would be appalled at my frugal financial status. But at this moment, that point was driven like a stake through my heart.
This summer, we threw the wedding of my daughter's dreams. She and her husband were thrilled. They loved the venue, the dresses, the food, the flowers, the decor, all of it. It was EXACTLY the party they wanted. We held it at a hotel near the groom's parent's house, so they could attend easily since his father is not well. The only things we have ever spent more on than this wedding are houses and cars.
The dress on this bride in Say Yes To The Dress this morning cost more than we spent on the whole wedding for our daughter. Her parents started bargaining, they tried to talk the salon into selling them the sample that their daughter tried on, regardless, the dress was pricey.
So, when their budget for the dress eclipses my budget for the wedding, I have to ask: is it worth it? Will that one dress, that one day, give this bride a better launch into married life than any other? She was a very pretty girl. I'm very sure she would have looked tremendous in any dress she tried on. Surely, those very talented salespeople could have steered her toward a flattering fit. They KNOW things.
I really don't live like that. I don't set my sights on something expensive and think, "if I can't have that, I don't want anything." I don't moon over jewelry I can't have. I admire it. If someone gifted me with it, I would cherish it, but I don't look at something tremendously expensive and think, "it's that or nothing." I'm not sure I even know anyone who does. That attitude is outside the realm of my understanding.
I understand people work hard for their money and want to spend it in whatever way they wish... but if you're going to spend that much money on a wedding, wouldn't it be better to buy the kids a house? Wouldn't that be a better liftoff into life? I don't live like that. I'm not sure I'd want to.
--Sandee Wagner
Have I ever watched a single episode of American Idol or Dancing With The Stars? I think my darling daughter in law made me watch Idol once, but I'm not that big of a fan of singing or dancing shows.
When I was clicking through the stations this morning looking for something to light on long enough to get my laundry folded, I stopped on Say Yes To The Dress. For those of you who don't know, it's a reality show based on the real life brides of an exclusive NY salon buying wedding gowns.
Who doesn't love watching a bride try to find "the dress"? I have had the opportunity to help both a daughter in law and my dearest daughter try on dresses for a couple of days until "the dress". That's the moment where you stop and say, "That's the one. Put the rest away. We'll take it." It's a magical moment. What fascinated me about this episode is that they showed a very intent bride who knew exactly what dress she wanted. When she came out, it was perfect, the absolute "this is it" moment. Then they told her how much the dress cost.
What I should say about this is that I understand there are a lot of people who live differently than I do. I drive through neighborhoods full of gorgeous over-the-top homes and wonder what those people do for a living that allows them this lifestyle. I recognize that there is a whole society of people who would be appalled at my frugal financial status. But at this moment, that point was driven like a stake through my heart.
This summer, we threw the wedding of my daughter's dreams. She and her husband were thrilled. They loved the venue, the dresses, the food, the flowers, the decor, all of it. It was EXACTLY the party they wanted. We held it at a hotel near the groom's parent's house, so they could attend easily since his father is not well. The only things we have ever spent more on than this wedding are houses and cars.
The dress on this bride in Say Yes To The Dress this morning cost more than we spent on the whole wedding for our daughter. Her parents started bargaining, they tried to talk the salon into selling them the sample that their daughter tried on, regardless, the dress was pricey.
So, when their budget for the dress eclipses my budget for the wedding, I have to ask: is it worth it? Will that one dress, that one day, give this bride a better launch into married life than any other? She was a very pretty girl. I'm very sure she would have looked tremendous in any dress she tried on. Surely, those very talented salespeople could have steered her toward a flattering fit. They KNOW things.
I really don't live like that. I don't set my sights on something expensive and think, "if I can't have that, I don't want anything." I don't moon over jewelry I can't have. I admire it. If someone gifted me with it, I would cherish it, but I don't look at something tremendously expensive and think, "it's that or nothing." I'm not sure I even know anyone who does. That attitude is outside the realm of my understanding.
I understand people work hard for their money and want to spend it in whatever way they wish... but if you're going to spend that much money on a wedding, wouldn't it be better to buy the kids a house? Wouldn't that be a better liftoff into life? I don't live like that. I'm not sure I'd want to.
--Sandee Wagner
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Donuts on Sunday
As a child, one thing I remember about Sundays is that after church there were always coffee and donuts. That was the time to catch up with friends and share fellowship. I remember the donut store that provided the myriad dozens of glazed donuts the church sprung for each week. I passed it on my way to school.
I know donuts aren't health food. I know that I shouldn't eat them all the time. But there's just something about hot donuts on a Sunday morning that makes my world all right.
We moved to Oklahoma in 2000. At that time, I was amazed by three things: 1) the number of young people smoking here; 2) the number of people who prayed in public over meals; and 3) the number of people missing teeth. Oklahoma was wild new frontier for me. As a child, we'd camped here--seen buffalo and picked up geodes. But moving here meant really getting to know the people of this great state.
The first Sunday I had a hankering for a donut, I learned a lesson about Tulsa. This is the HOME of Daylight Donuts. I live less than 5 miles from the factory where they ship out 18 wheeler loads of donut flour on a weekly basis. There are more Daylight Donut franchise shops in this town than you'd think possible.
And so few open on Sundays. That's right. All the donut stores are closed on Sundays. Don't get me wrong, I know a sole proprietor needs a day off too. I know Sunday is biblically the day of rest. I understand all of those things--logically--but when you want a donut... you want a donut.
This morning, as we lay in bed, my husband opined that he wanted a donut. I told him to call around and see if he could find a donut shop open on Sunday. The only one I know of is the Krispy Kreme shop that is way across town. Taking up the challenge, he googled donuts and started down the list, calling shop after shop until he located one where the phone was answered.
We got our donuts. We didn't have to drive TOO FAR. The shop was bright and clean and run by very nice folks. I'm sure we'll go back. On the way over, we drove by eight different donut shops that were not open on Sunday. Seriously. Who's making all the dozens for the church services?
So, on the list of things that surprise me about Oklahoma, I'm adding a fourth thing: how few donut stores stay open on Sundays. Maybe a fifth: how churches manage to serve donuts and coffee if the stores are all closed. Are they serving day-old donuts? That's not very Christian.
--Sandee Wagner
I know donuts aren't health food. I know that I shouldn't eat them all the time. But there's just something about hot donuts on a Sunday morning that makes my world all right.
We moved to Oklahoma in 2000. At that time, I was amazed by three things: 1) the number of young people smoking here; 2) the number of people who prayed in public over meals; and 3) the number of people missing teeth. Oklahoma was wild new frontier for me. As a child, we'd camped here--seen buffalo and picked up geodes. But moving here meant really getting to know the people of this great state.
The first Sunday I had a hankering for a donut, I learned a lesson about Tulsa. This is the HOME of Daylight Donuts. I live less than 5 miles from the factory where they ship out 18 wheeler loads of donut flour on a weekly basis. There are more Daylight Donut franchise shops in this town than you'd think possible.
And so few open on Sundays. That's right. All the donut stores are closed on Sundays. Don't get me wrong, I know a sole proprietor needs a day off too. I know Sunday is biblically the day of rest. I understand all of those things--logically--but when you want a donut... you want a donut.
This morning, as we lay in bed, my husband opined that he wanted a donut. I told him to call around and see if he could find a donut shop open on Sunday. The only one I know of is the Krispy Kreme shop that is way across town. Taking up the challenge, he googled donuts and started down the list, calling shop after shop until he located one where the phone was answered.
We got our donuts. We didn't have to drive TOO FAR. The shop was bright and clean and run by very nice folks. I'm sure we'll go back. On the way over, we drove by eight different donut shops that were not open on Sunday. Seriously. Who's making all the dozens for the church services?
So, on the list of things that surprise me about Oklahoma, I'm adding a fourth thing: how few donut stores stay open on Sundays. Maybe a fifth: how churches manage to serve donuts and coffee if the stores are all closed. Are they serving day-old donuts? That's not very Christian.
--Sandee Wagner
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Marketing FAIL
I have to admit, when I was in my graduate Marketing class, I was convinced that the field was populated by smoke and mirrors, voodoo and magical fairy dust. In a word, such a fuzzy soft science that I could not wrap my Type-A, rule following brain around it. Eventually, I sussed out what I needed to know and made a good grade, but it was challenging.
This falls under the "I know what DOESN'T work" category. So, listen up, retailers. If you are going to start a loyalty program and deliver emails with valuable coupons to your consumers, make sure it works.
I joined the Pep Boys frequent flier program because my husband spends a lot on auto parts. It seemed like a good idea to get some discounts. They sent me an email coupon three weeks ago good for $35 off of service or parts. When I clicked on the "redeem now" link, it took me to a page that said their website was down and to check back later. Hey, I work in IT. Websites do go down once in a while. I left the email in my inbox so I'd remember I had it and didn't think of it again until this morning.
My husband told me he had diagnosed his truck's problem and a $200 radiator was in our future. I told him, "Wait a minute, I need to print out this $35 off coupon." Then I went to the email and clicked on the "redeem now" link, and guess what I got? Three weeks later? The same website down message. So I called the 800 number and spoke to a representative.
Yes, they know their website is down. Unfortunately, there is nothing that they can do for me. I don't really believe that is the case. So I asked for the supervisor or manager on duty. When she got on the phone, this is what she said, "What I can do for you today is cancel your loyalty account and reissue it. Then, in a few days, you'll receive the discount coupon for joining the program." Really? The best you can do is to have me cancel, rejoin, and get a new member's coupon sent out by mail? When I want to spend $200 at your store this morning??
Wake up, marketeers. This is unacceptable. If you have some kind of customer loyalty program, then you are well aware that across the street from your auto parts store is another store where I can choose to spend my hard earned dollars.
If you want to lure my business, and I know you do because I'm your target demographic--household income over $100,000 a year, more cars than drivers, homeowner with disposable income and a good credit score--then you are going to have to get ahead of your technology. Guess what Brittany the customer service supervisor told me today? Pep Boys rewards site has been down for more than a week, that she's aware of. Really? Your uptime statistics must suck pond water.
Here's a thought: don't offer a program that is not going to reward your regular customers unless you have the technology to back it up. I did go to Pep Boys this morning to buy a radiator. I felt the need to yell at the store manager since I'd already unloaded on Brittany. At the register, they offered me a loyalty card application and my venom spewed forth. With my voice raised at the register that shatters glass, I informed her what I thought of their loyalty program.
I'm pretty sure they were glad to see me leave the store. I felt better. The truck runs better. I still have my shiny new loyalty card. I'm just wondering if I'll ever bother to use it again, because their emailed rewards don't appear to be very rewarding.
--Sandee Wagner
This falls under the "I know what DOESN'T work" category. So, listen up, retailers. If you are going to start a loyalty program and deliver emails with valuable coupons to your consumers, make sure it works.
I joined the Pep Boys frequent flier program because my husband spends a lot on auto parts. It seemed like a good idea to get some discounts. They sent me an email coupon three weeks ago good for $35 off of service or parts. When I clicked on the "redeem now" link, it took me to a page that said their website was down and to check back later. Hey, I work in IT. Websites do go down once in a while. I left the email in my inbox so I'd remember I had it and didn't think of it again until this morning.
My husband told me he had diagnosed his truck's problem and a $200 radiator was in our future. I told him, "Wait a minute, I need to print out this $35 off coupon." Then I went to the email and clicked on the "redeem now" link, and guess what I got? Three weeks later? The same website down message. So I called the 800 number and spoke to a representative.
Yes, they know their website is down. Unfortunately, there is nothing that they can do for me. I don't really believe that is the case. So I asked for the supervisor or manager on duty. When she got on the phone, this is what she said, "What I can do for you today is cancel your loyalty account and reissue it. Then, in a few days, you'll receive the discount coupon for joining the program." Really? The best you can do is to have me cancel, rejoin, and get a new member's coupon sent out by mail? When I want to spend $200 at your store this morning??
Wake up, marketeers. This is unacceptable. If you have some kind of customer loyalty program, then you are well aware that across the street from your auto parts store is another store where I can choose to spend my hard earned dollars.
If you want to lure my business, and I know you do because I'm your target demographic--household income over $100,000 a year, more cars than drivers, homeowner with disposable income and a good credit score--then you are going to have to get ahead of your technology. Guess what Brittany the customer service supervisor told me today? Pep Boys rewards site has been down for more than a week, that she's aware of. Really? Your uptime statistics must suck pond water.
Here's a thought: don't offer a program that is not going to reward your regular customers unless you have the technology to back it up. I did go to Pep Boys this morning to buy a radiator. I felt the need to yell at the store manager since I'd already unloaded on Brittany. At the register, they offered me a loyalty card application and my venom spewed forth. With my voice raised at the register that shatters glass, I informed her what I thought of their loyalty program.
I'm pretty sure they were glad to see me leave the store. I felt better. The truck runs better. I still have my shiny new loyalty card. I'm just wondering if I'll ever bother to use it again, because their emailed rewards don't appear to be very rewarding.
--Sandee Wagner
Friday, January 22, 2010
Aging and the Little Things
As I get older, I'm finding it a bit more difficult to do things that were mindless in my youth. Like brushing my teeth. Now, don't get me wrong, I still brush my teeth but I am having issues.
In the TV commercials, beautiful people stand upright staring at their oh-so-perfect reflections in the mirror while they carefully brush their gorgeous veneers. There is never a splatter of toothpaste foam around their lips or across that gleaming surface. Often, they drag their tongues across their pearly whites and voila!--done brushing teeth.
In my real life, I bend over the sink, getting as close to the bowl as possible, to capture all the drooling foam. If I stand upright, the mirror becomes so dotted with spray that I end up getting the Windex out daily. So, to eliminate the mess, I lean over the bowl and try to contain the mess.
Enter the glories of aging. I'm growing bone spurs in my spine. I'm told they are rather common and "no big deal". In fact, the doctor who told me this was very kind. I'd complained that my walking daily was being affected by the pain in my lower back. He held my hand, like a confidante, and said, "you're not a walker, you're a swimmer!"
Now, if he'd written a prescription for swimming, I might have a swim-spa in my backyard that I could write off my taxes, but since he didn't my walking for exercise has fallen by the wayside. It's hard to keep doing something that hurts so very much.
Which brings me back to brushing my teeth. Leaning down over the sink has become an agony. My stupid electric toothbrush has a two minute timed run and I can hardly stay bent over long enough for it to stop. If I try standing upright, the mirror becomes leopard spotted as I try to keep my lips locked around the shaft of that spinning brush head.
Am I actually giving up or giving in if I brush my teeth in the shower? I'm just sayin'.
--Sandee Wagner
In the TV commercials, beautiful people stand upright staring at their oh-so-perfect reflections in the mirror while they carefully brush their gorgeous veneers. There is never a splatter of toothpaste foam around their lips or across that gleaming surface. Often, they drag their tongues across their pearly whites and voila!--done brushing teeth.
In my real life, I bend over the sink, getting as close to the bowl as possible, to capture all the drooling foam. If I stand upright, the mirror becomes so dotted with spray that I end up getting the Windex out daily. So, to eliminate the mess, I lean over the bowl and try to contain the mess.
Enter the glories of aging. I'm growing bone spurs in my spine. I'm told they are rather common and "no big deal". In fact, the doctor who told me this was very kind. I'd complained that my walking daily was being affected by the pain in my lower back. He held my hand, like a confidante, and said, "you're not a walker, you're a swimmer!"
Now, if he'd written a prescription for swimming, I might have a swim-spa in my backyard that I could write off my taxes, but since he didn't my walking for exercise has fallen by the wayside. It's hard to keep doing something that hurts so very much.
Which brings me back to brushing my teeth. Leaning down over the sink has become an agony. My stupid electric toothbrush has a two minute timed run and I can hardly stay bent over long enough for it to stop. If I try standing upright, the mirror becomes leopard spotted as I try to keep my lips locked around the shaft of that spinning brush head.
Am I actually giving up or giving in if I brush my teeth in the shower? I'm just sayin'.
--Sandee Wagner
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Insurance or "I bet you I'll die!"
We had a life insurance guy come by last night. He was typical of the breed--classy button down shirt, spiffy creased chinos and highly polished lace up shoes. He didn't wear a tie. That's supposed to let us know that this is a casual, homey experience. Not that he's looking through a microscope at our lifestyle to see if we're living on the edge. Not like he's trying to determine if we want to insure way more than our net worth so we can suicide and collect.
To me, life insurance is an iffy thing. When I think about it for long, I feel like I can hear hucksters shouting and one armed bandits clanging in the background. That's right, it feels like GAMBLING to me.
I find myself bothered by the whole conversation:
"We don't think you're going to die, so here's your policy," the light glints off his reassuring smile as he hands us a flimsy piece of paper.
"I think I'll die sooner, so here's my premium," I hand over a check and hope for the worst.
Life insurance is sold with a whole convoluted 'if you need money you can draw on your payout' Ponzi scheme. Seriously, he said, "if you find out you have a terminal illness, you can draw up to 25% of the policy value in advance of your death!" Umm. Yea? That's great! What? Did he just try to make a terminal illness sound like a good thing?
I know some people consider life insurance to be a great investment (because it's a non-probate asset) but I still think I'm betting on my own death. It feels like tempting fortune to me. I gamble that I'll die sooner than my premiums paid-in equal more than the policy face value. I'm not really good at math, but betting I die sooner so my heirs make out feels kind of maudlin.
Currently, I'm unemployed. Luckily for me, my husband and I only buy as much house as one salary can support. We've been married for a while and this isn't the first economic downturn we've lived through. But with my continued unemployment, my husband worries. If he were to die, how would I survive? Thus, the insurance guy. My husband wants mortgage payoff coverage. So if he dies, the house is paid off. The funny part is, this insurance guy wants us to cover ME too. So if I die, the mortgage is paid off. I looked at my husband and said, "Why? If I die, you can still pay the bills--that won't change." The insurance guy looked a little concerned (there goes half his premium!) Then he mentioned that if I die, wouldn't my husband LIKE a big chunk of money? It seems that you don't actually have to pay off the mortgage. You can spend it how you like. Do I really want to fund a trip to the islands for my grieving husband? Umm. I guess so.
So, this very nice insurance guy sits down and starts asking 'lifestyle' questions.
Do I drink? Do I smoke? Do I sky dive? Do I scuba dive? Do I rock climb? I was waiting for him to ask if I tamed lions. I don't. But I still expected to have to affirm that. He also admitted that he was 'looking around'. By this, he meant that if we said we were non-smokers, but the front flower pots were full of cigarette butts, our premiums would have slid into a different bracket. Really? He's looking in my flower beds? Pull a few weeds while you're there, Jack.
The insurance company is not a very trusting one. They are going to test us to see if we have AIDS or cancer or some other blood borne disease. Knowing that some nurse is going to come to my house and draw blood and quizz me about my health is priming the pump of my perverseness. Think of all the stuff I could say while medical questions are being asked:
"I don't go out in daylight. It burns us."
"I only consume free range game. I kill all my own animals. Would you like a canape?"
"What was that question again? The voices said no, but I'm thinking yes."
Insurance is a financial protection. But I don't have to like it. I think I'll work on some more fun stuff for the nurse's visit. It'd be fun to line up some urns on the mantel and put discreet brass name plates on them. Or put a red splashed canvas on an easel and act like it's a work in progress. Maybe lay out some firearms. I'm going to have to give this some thought.
--Sandee Wagner
To me, life insurance is an iffy thing. When I think about it for long, I feel like I can hear hucksters shouting and one armed bandits clanging in the background. That's right, it feels like GAMBLING to me.
I find myself bothered by the whole conversation:
"We don't think you're going to die, so here's your policy," the light glints off his reassuring smile as he hands us a flimsy piece of paper.
"I think I'll die sooner, so here's my premium," I hand over a check and hope for the worst.
Life insurance is sold with a whole convoluted 'if you need money you can draw on your payout' Ponzi scheme. Seriously, he said, "if you find out you have a terminal illness, you can draw up to 25% of the policy value in advance of your death!" Umm. Yea? That's great! What? Did he just try to make a terminal illness sound like a good thing?
I know some people consider life insurance to be a great investment (because it's a non-probate asset) but I still think I'm betting on my own death. It feels like tempting fortune to me. I gamble that I'll die sooner than my premiums paid-in equal more than the policy face value. I'm not really good at math, but betting I die sooner so my heirs make out feels kind of maudlin.
Currently, I'm unemployed. Luckily for me, my husband and I only buy as much house as one salary can support. We've been married for a while and this isn't the first economic downturn we've lived through. But with my continued unemployment, my husband worries. If he were to die, how would I survive? Thus, the insurance guy. My husband wants mortgage payoff coverage. So if he dies, the house is paid off. The funny part is, this insurance guy wants us to cover ME too. So if I die, the mortgage is paid off. I looked at my husband and said, "Why? If I die, you can still pay the bills--that won't change." The insurance guy looked a little concerned (there goes half his premium!) Then he mentioned that if I die, wouldn't my husband LIKE a big chunk of money? It seems that you don't actually have to pay off the mortgage. You can spend it how you like. Do I really want to fund a trip to the islands for my grieving husband? Umm. I guess so.
So, this very nice insurance guy sits down and starts asking 'lifestyle' questions.
Do I drink? Do I smoke? Do I sky dive? Do I scuba dive? Do I rock climb? I was waiting for him to ask if I tamed lions. I don't. But I still expected to have to affirm that. He also admitted that he was 'looking around'. By this, he meant that if we said we were non-smokers, but the front flower pots were full of cigarette butts, our premiums would have slid into a different bracket. Really? He's looking in my flower beds? Pull a few weeds while you're there, Jack.
The insurance company is not a very trusting one. They are going to test us to see if we have AIDS or cancer or some other blood borne disease. Knowing that some nurse is going to come to my house and draw blood and quizz me about my health is priming the pump of my perverseness. Think of all the stuff I could say while medical questions are being asked:
"I don't go out in daylight. It burns us."
"I only consume free range game. I kill all my own animals. Would you like a canape?"
"What was that question again? The voices said no, but I'm thinking yes."
Insurance is a financial protection. But I don't have to like it. I think I'll work on some more fun stuff for the nurse's visit. It'd be fun to line up some urns on the mantel and put discreet brass name plates on them. Or put a red splashed canvas on an easel and act like it's a work in progress. Maybe lay out some firearms. I'm going to have to give this some thought.
--Sandee Wagner
Friday, December 5, 2008
Election Depression
As I watched this year's presidential election unfold, I grew more and more frustrated with all the candidates making promises they could not keep. Each audience had their own agenda and the candidates speaking to them chose to pander to that specific concern. When talking to union members, they were all pro-union. The same politicians were pro-management when addressing business leaders. Each chameleon politician put on the camouflage that would allow them to blend into their surroundings... with each public appearance.
Now, we've got a new president and vice president, and already the back pedaling has begun. When all the Democratic candidates were parroting the need to pull out of Iraq within the first 60 days of their taking office, no one really asked "once pulled out of Iraq, where will these troops go?"
If the military personnel are taken off of active duty and returned to their homes, we will be adding additional stress to an already depressed labor market. So, does keeping them in the military and employed answer the promises made on the campaign trail? I don't think so. If they are just sent from Iraq to Afghanistan is that keeping a campaign promise to bring the troops home and out of harm's way? Or is it just moving them from one engagement (where an intelligence failure led us to believe things were worse) into a situation where there is little to no intelligence??
Don't get me wrong, I want the administration to succeed. I want our economy to shrug off the recession and let Americans get back to work and spending like normal. But I am also appalled at the backsliding that is being done even before Barack Obama takes office in January. It appears that he's been given some national security briefs and now he understands what the general public did not know about the engagements abroad.
I know, I know. The cable news channels can be trusted to tell us EVERYTHING. There is never any kind of sensitive information that doesn't make it onto the TV news... but if there were, Obama knows it now. Thus the backsliding.
So, the Deomocratic party, of which I am a card carrying member, rode into the White House on the "get us out of Iraq" ticket. Who really thinks that is going to happen? Who really thinks that going from Iraq to Afghanistan fulfills that promise?
It makes me crazy enough to throw things.
Now, we've got a new president and vice president, and already the back pedaling has begun. When all the Democratic candidates were parroting the need to pull out of Iraq within the first 60 days of their taking office, no one really asked "once pulled out of Iraq, where will these troops go?"
If the military personnel are taken off of active duty and returned to their homes, we will be adding additional stress to an already depressed labor market. So, does keeping them in the military and employed answer the promises made on the campaign trail? I don't think so. If they are just sent from Iraq to Afghanistan is that keeping a campaign promise to bring the troops home and out of harm's way? Or is it just moving them from one engagement (where an intelligence failure led us to believe things were worse) into a situation where there is little to no intelligence??
Don't get me wrong, I want the administration to succeed. I want our economy to shrug off the recession and let Americans get back to work and spending like normal. But I am also appalled at the backsliding that is being done even before Barack Obama takes office in January. It appears that he's been given some national security briefs and now he understands what the general public did not know about the engagements abroad.
I know, I know. The cable news channels can be trusted to tell us EVERYTHING. There is never any kind of sensitive information that doesn't make it onto the TV news... but if there were, Obama knows it now. Thus the backsliding.
So, the Deomocratic party, of which I am a card carrying member, rode into the White House on the "get us out of Iraq" ticket. Who really thinks that is going to happen? Who really thinks that going from Iraq to Afghanistan fulfills that promise?
It makes me crazy enough to throw things.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
