Thanksgiving 2012

I've been trying to post something about Thanksgiving for a while now. For some reason I keep losing the post. Here is my last try. Thanksgiving is a day where we gather with family and friends to be thankful for our blessings.

 

In the tradition of our forefathers we have a big feast to eat and celebrate th bountiful blessings we have received. Men and women see this holiday completely different. Women spend hours preparing dishes and getting ready to receive company. Men see it as a day to watch football and eat till their hearts content

 There are some ground rules for this occassion if it is held at my house. 1.) I have six TV's in my home, so don't even think of changing the channel on the one I am watching. 2.) I am a simple man so I like cranberry sauce from the can, regular turkey, and cornbread dressing so don't think of bringing me some new age cooking from Whole Foods. 3.) If dinner is set for 3:00 don't expect us to wait till 5:00 when you arrive. You will have missed the blessing. 4.) If you bring your new boo to dinner don't expect me to entertain them. Visitors need a pass to eat. 5.) If you can't cook don't try to impress me today. Just bring the drinks or some bread. 6.) If you are new age parent and you can't control your kids I will check them. I am from the old school of children should be seen and not heard, especially if they are screaming. 7.) I am from St Louis and hate the Cowboys, so don't root for them if they are on TV. 8.) It is OK to take food when you leave but use a paper plate. Don't even try to walk out with my dishes or tupper ware. 9.) Don't bring your kids Christmas lists over with you. This is Thanksgiving and I will not be discussing Christmas at all. And last but not least 10.) If you have a problem with you sister, cousin, mother or whoever check your drama at the door!

 

Enjoy the day and remember how blessed you truly are everyday. While we always say the blessing before the meal we should always say it after each meal too.

Heath Care Open Enrollment

It is that time of year when companies and the government have open enrollment for health plan coverage. If  you are lucky enough to still be working, and you company offers these benefits, you may have what is called a Cafeteria Plan. This is where you go down a long list of possible dishes and pick the ones you like. Those folks on who are retired or disabled will need to look at their Medicare, Medicaid, Supplement Plan A, B, or C and various other options that are available. If you watch TV this is presented as a easy and non threatening event. Just turn on your laptop and go to the government website and begin reading and choosing the best option for you. Right!!!!!!!!!

 

While sitting in my open enrollment session this year I reviewed the various forms that were sent for me to review in advance. The 2013 Insurance Rates, Dental Plan Summary, Dental Plan Enrollment Form, Vision Plan and Summary, and copies of the various Health Care Plans available, based on the contract that my company had signed. First of all there is the issue of what is a PPO, the HDHP (High Deductible Health Plans) both Standard and Enhanced, the HSA (Health Saving Account) and their various options, along with a Salary Redirection Form, so they can get the premiums taken out of my check.

 

I don't know when heath care became so complicated, but I image he probably occurred when the politicians and capitalist, decided that private industry could do a better job of providing it that the city, states, and federal government. If I got hurt or sick i went to the hospital, they took care of me , and then sent me the bill. Once all the hospitals became "for profit" establishments. insurance became almost mandatory for service, the cost sky rocketed, and the ability to take care of ourselves went down the tubes.

 

Now I have to figure out my contribution to pay for the insurance plans and also know what the company is kicking in. Some plans have co-pays (what does this really mean?) and deductibles like car insurance. Once I reach my deductible the insurance kicks in at some rate 70%,80%, or maybe even 100% of the cost of health care for the rest of the year. But wait there is a catch. I have to use a doctor or service "in network". So now I have another manual to go through to make sure I going to the right people or facilities that want to pay ball with the health care provider. Also, one must look at the prescription drug clauses, since you can get cut rate costs on some drugs, or generics, depending on which plan you take.

 

Now I can have one of these plans, but I also need to see if dental or vision coverage is included. If not I need a plan for these. I have to remember these have yearly caps on them, plus some have higher deductibles, may or may not cover the braces or frames fro the glasses I want. Timing is everything  here in terms of when you get things done. There is also the HSA, which is like a saving/credit card account where you can save up money just pay medical bills. This is a way to get enough money saved up pre taxed to pay your deductibles with. Yeah, assuming you have the money. Anything that you don't use is yours to keep, but watch out for Uncle Sam, since there are a variety of tax implications. Since I am over 55 I can even add an additional $1,000 over what most people can have as a maximum contribution. Wow, they call that a "catch up" contribution.

 

Unfortunately I don't have the time or inclination to scour through all the pamphlets, brochures, and notebooks to learn all I need to know about the plans and health care.  I'll pay the minimum amount for the medical premium, dental, and vision and hope this year that I don't reach my deductible. This year my wife has her own plans from her job so I don't have to pay for a couples plan which would be eight times as much as the single plan. Who would have thunk it.

 

And some of the people in our government want serior citizens to go out into these shark infested waters and negotiate for the best deal on health care with vouchers? Surely you jest.

Pray for the President

As the election draws near it becomes abundantly clear that we all need to pray for the President. Whomever that may be after next week, they will need our prayers. The bible teaches that we should pray for our leaders, because they will have the responsibility to lead. I can't imagine how, we as a country, could allow those people that represent us to ever voice goals to see the President fail, or to do anything to ensure that he does not see another term, because of who he is or his beliefs. This is the person that the people of the country have giving the authority to lead. To want him to fail is to say that you don't care about the results, and its impact on all those who follow his lead. Would this not be considered traitorous, or at least dispicable behavior during any other times?

 

The problems that we face as a nation did not start with this President and the last four years, or the last President and those eight years, or even the two Presidents before that. Our problems began in the sixties, beginning with the decision to stop prayer in schools and the taking down of the ten commandments. The very core of our country is established as one nation under God, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all. Yet we started to turn away for God. God was no longer wanted in our lives, outside of the church. Not in school, or work, or business, or the home itself. People were berated for using the term Christmas as a holiday we celebrate. People began to look for ways to satisfy their own inward needs under the name of "my freedom" to do so. We could say whatever I wanted, and do whatever I wanted, whenever we wanted , because we are free to do it.

 

Just because we can, does not always mean it is right to do. As the country has slide down this slope things have only gotten worst. No politician of government will be able to make our country right, until we look at the core values of our country, and move back towards them. Through the establishment of Christain values, in our homes,schools, justice system, and just by being on the side of right versus might.

 

All great nations of the past have risen and then fallen. I only pray that we can have a leader who see this, and lead accordingly. We talk about what kind of America we will be leaving for our children. If there is not a change in our culture I can't even imagine. I pray for whomever God "permits" to become President based on our request (votes). One must always be careful for what you ask for, because you may get it.