America is my country. This is my America the Beautiful and I share it with you and yours.
Imagine my disbelief today when I was told that Trenton voters have been urged not to vote.
Trenton churchgoers have been advised to stay away from the polls this November.
At first, I thought someone was joking. Then several people chimed in that this was indeed the case. Everyone had a different slant on the story, but it all boiled down to the fact that church leaders, pastors, preachers in Trenton want voters to stay home.
Ministers are preaching from the pulpit that this election is a lose-lose for their churchgoers. When I asked for particulars, I was told the following:
1. If you vote Republican, you vote for a Mormon. (OK. That is no secret, what is wrong with that?)
2. Romney is a Mormon and therefore he is not a Christian...or anti-Christian...or just working with the Devil and believes in polygamy. (Come on people, this is the 21st Century)
Well, it looks like a slam dunk for the President. That is until the preaching continues thus:
1. If you vote Democrat, you will be voting for a black man who is in favor of gay marriage, which is a sin... (What? GLT tolerance has permitted more people to contribute to our nation's diversity. Also, not every American is a Christian so the Bible is not universal doctrine.)
2. The President is a black man who is not behaving like a black man...( guess you can't please everybody. President Obama has turned out to be color-blind)
Going to church is a rich experience and a welcome chance to recharge spiritual batteries. It seems to me that these local clergy need to have their heads examined.
There is supposed to be a separation of church and state in this country. This is a heck of a good reason to reinforce that.
Meddling in affairs of state by superimposing individual religious preferences is absolutely contrary to our Constitution.
Clear your heads, everyone. If some robed chucklehead bellowing from a pulpit is trying to get your attention and sway your vote, walk out!
Churches presently enjoy tax exempt non-profit status in the City of Trenton. If parishoners do not go to the polls, that situation can be very neatly corrected.
This is a glorious and open society with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddists and Hindu. There are also Native American, Wiccan, and many other faiths, worshiping side by side and tax exempt, in our City of Trenton.
We do not have a State Religion with good cause.
Our culture and its mores are based on principles set down by our founding fathers. If you remember in the very beginnings of our country, only people who owned land were able to have a voice in determining the future of the republic. Women had to petition to be heard and finally got the right to vote reinstated in the twentieth century. That's right. If single, and property owners, women and free Blacks could vote under the original Constitution. By 1809 the states had taken that away. The Civil War emancipated slaves, but women were shut out until more recently. One of the most cherished and sacred privileges a citizen can have is to vote.
When election day rolls around, tension builds and television ads for the candidates drive us nuts. It is all part of the decision making process. Finally we take our ideas and preferences to the polling place. Pressing levers behind curtains, or marking paper ballots the old fashioned way, we take a stab at making our voices heard. We do our part to steer our ship of state to the next four years of hope or disaster.
If you don't vote in this election, kiss your place in the community,
"Goodbye."
Seniors vote.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Bubble Up, Not Trickle Down
Some time ago, I suggested that a ten percent raise in Social Security Benefits would spur the US economy faster than another "bailout". Consider this:
Most of the money theory floating around presently makes a big deal about the old-fashioned idea of "trickle down". This means throwing funds at big business to make it so happy that new jobs will budd and burst off like maturing amoebas.
Ick. Messy. Running a country like Jackson Pollock paints.
Surprise, surprise...it does not seem to be working.
Business moguls and their boards of directors have to answer to stockholders and everyone is on board with the capitalistic notion of making money---not spending it. Bonuses have to be earned and accounted for, dividends are nice, poison pills make sure that noone steps on your parade, and the orgy continues. So where is the money?
The problem in this present business climate is that big business is hoarding (gasp, choke, urk!) the surplus monies they were supposed to be reinvesting. Reinvesting in capital improvements, plant expansions, research and development, and even jobs is on major hold because the international climate is uncertain. The value of the dollar changes so rapidly that there is a real dread of making a big mistake by making a Big Move.
Whatever, whatever, is an economist to do?
Senior citizens, living on Social Security, are not worried about the "Big Move". Seniors are more concerned with the nitty-gritty and down to earth problems of food, shelter and medicine. Even a ten percent increase in a thousand dollar check is a big difference in an elderly person's life style.
Consider that funding from Social Security is spent in the middle segment of the economy. If someone needs to eat, that person is not likely to put a down payment on a fur coat or 42 foot yacht. Social Security payments go to a restaurant, a local shop or even a US Savings Bond for a grandchild. This is a steady segment of the economy that will produce jobs. That Wendy's or MacDonald's restaurant hires local people. Staples, Walmart, Target, Petsmart, Lowes, etc. are not bringing in executives in jets to man cash registers. No, not at all. The jobs that senior-spending support are definitely in the middle or lower middle of the employment range and correspond to that part of our country-wide recession hit the hardest.
Jean Batiste Say was the origin of the popular phrase that "supply creates its own demand." But if you cannot find a market before your goods are discounted, you are out of luck. One example is Kohls discounting 30 percent, handing out 20 percent coupons, and then topping it off with cash coupons for another visit. If you have a bloated inventory, you have to get cash flowing. John Maynard Keynes (uncle of Quentin Keynes, my African explorer friend, as per previous blog) observed that when people did sell something, it did not guarantee that they would spend the proceeds. In previous recessions, folks have been known to chipmunk and stash money in a mattress. I guess nowadays it would more likely be in the freezer behind the pizza rolls....whatever.
My point is that there is going to be more turnover and less hoarding in the middle of the economy.
And that is my soapbox for the day.
Seniors rock.
Most of the money theory floating around presently makes a big deal about the old-fashioned idea of "trickle down". This means throwing funds at big business to make it so happy that new jobs will budd and burst off like maturing amoebas.
Ick. Messy. Running a country like Jackson Pollock paints.
Surprise, surprise...it does not seem to be working.
Business moguls and their boards of directors have to answer to stockholders and everyone is on board with the capitalistic notion of making money---not spending it. Bonuses have to be earned and accounted for, dividends are nice, poison pills make sure that noone steps on your parade, and the orgy continues. So where is the money?
The problem in this present business climate is that big business is hoarding (gasp, choke, urk!) the surplus monies they were supposed to be reinvesting. Reinvesting in capital improvements, plant expansions, research and development, and even jobs is on major hold because the international climate is uncertain. The value of the dollar changes so rapidly that there is a real dread of making a big mistake by making a Big Move.
Whatever, whatever, is an economist to do?
Senior citizens, living on Social Security, are not worried about the "Big Move". Seniors are more concerned with the nitty-gritty and down to earth problems of food, shelter and medicine. Even a ten percent increase in a thousand dollar check is a big difference in an elderly person's life style.
Consider that funding from Social Security is spent in the middle segment of the economy. If someone needs to eat, that person is not likely to put a down payment on a fur coat or 42 foot yacht. Social Security payments go to a restaurant, a local shop or even a US Savings Bond for a grandchild. This is a steady segment of the economy that will produce jobs. That Wendy's or MacDonald's restaurant hires local people. Staples, Walmart, Target, Petsmart, Lowes, etc. are not bringing in executives in jets to man cash registers. No, not at all. The jobs that senior-spending support are definitely in the middle or lower middle of the employment range and correspond to that part of our country-wide recession hit the hardest.
Jean Batiste Say was the origin of the popular phrase that "supply creates its own demand." But if you cannot find a market before your goods are discounted, you are out of luck. One example is Kohls discounting 30 percent, handing out 20 percent coupons, and then topping it off with cash coupons for another visit. If you have a bloated inventory, you have to get cash flowing. John Maynard Keynes (uncle of Quentin Keynes, my African explorer friend, as per previous blog) observed that when people did sell something, it did not guarantee that they would spend the proceeds. In previous recessions, folks have been known to chipmunk and stash money in a mattress. I guess nowadays it would more likely be in the freezer behind the pizza rolls....whatever.
My point is that there is going to be more turnover and less hoarding in the middle of the economy.
And that is my soapbox for the day.
Seniors rock.
Friday, September 14, 2012
New Jersey History
New Jersey History
Here is some great information on what makes NJ tick. If you want to know where you are going, you have to know where you have been.
Here is some great information on what makes NJ tick. If you want to know where you are going, you have to know where you have been.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
This Business of Medicare Vouchers....
For several weeks now, I have had a Google Alert for news of the Ryan Plan for Medicare. Not surprising, it scared the heck out of me.
Ryan's plan was conceived because there is a fear that Medicare is running out of time to be able to balance its books.
That is a bit of nonsense if we are to accept another government form of accounting as being the unassailable truth. This is like looking up at Mount Fuji and knowing that gazillions of people before you have made it to the top. However if you don't feel like you will be able to breathe, or your knees won't take you that far, you are indeed likely to be skeptical of someone who tells you it is going to be duck soup. In this case, miso and duck soup. At any rate, you don't believe that this bozo has all the facts.
Well that is the case with the Paul Ryan Plan for Medicare. I don't care what anyone says, I want to have the facts for myself.
And thus the Google Alert that force feeds me article after article concerning this skinny numbskull's well meaning attempt to innovate. Only problem is that his ideas are really not that original.
For example, his savings for Medicare, which are going to come from vouchers, are the same as the savings projected by the Obama Administration for current policy changes. The Ryan plan will divert the savings into the national "defense fund" whereas Obama will use the monies in medical areas.
Haven't we had enough of Republican war mongering...excuse me, war policy? Somewhere in the Obama numbers is one TRILLION DOLLARS for future projected costs of the disabled coming home from these recent war exercises in Iraq and Afghanistan.
My heart bleeds for our young men and women who thought they were doing the right thing after 9/11 and found themselves less than they were before. They are coming home as heroes but jobs are not waiting for them and, if disabled, jobs may never be there in the same context as they were before.
We are coming up on Grandparent's Day. Every year for a decade, it has coincided with the 9/11 weekend. The Grandparents Grove at Mercer County Park is gorgeous this time of year and the Office on Aging maintains a bulletin board with a calendar and all sorts of news. Check it out!
Perhaps this year we can remember and celebrate family values and traditions while embracing changes in our society. Perhaps it is the desire to leave something of ourselves behind, but seniors are especially good at thinking of others. We must look ahead at those challenges to our economy and how we can now reach out and help our disabled soldiers move forward.
By the way, the Ryan vouchers have been estimated to cost the average senior between $6,000 and $12,000 extra, above present Medicare amounts, just to keep comparable coverage.
This column will include further information and investigation into the options put forth by changes in medical coverage during 2012.
Seniors Rock!
Ryan's plan was conceived because there is a fear that Medicare is running out of time to be able to balance its books.
That is a bit of nonsense if we are to accept another government form of accounting as being the unassailable truth. This is like looking up at Mount Fuji and knowing that gazillions of people before you have made it to the top. However if you don't feel like you will be able to breathe, or your knees won't take you that far, you are indeed likely to be skeptical of someone who tells you it is going to be duck soup. In this case, miso and duck soup. At any rate, you don't believe that this bozo has all the facts.
Well that is the case with the Paul Ryan Plan for Medicare. I don't care what anyone says, I want to have the facts for myself.
And thus the Google Alert that force feeds me article after article concerning this skinny numbskull's well meaning attempt to innovate. Only problem is that his ideas are really not that original.
For example, his savings for Medicare, which are going to come from vouchers, are the same as the savings projected by the Obama Administration for current policy changes. The Ryan plan will divert the savings into the national "defense fund" whereas Obama will use the monies in medical areas.
Haven't we had enough of Republican war mongering...excuse me, war policy? Somewhere in the Obama numbers is one TRILLION DOLLARS for future projected costs of the disabled coming home from these recent war exercises in Iraq and Afghanistan.
My heart bleeds for our young men and women who thought they were doing the right thing after 9/11 and found themselves less than they were before. They are coming home as heroes but jobs are not waiting for them and, if disabled, jobs may never be there in the same context as they were before.
We are coming up on Grandparent's Day. Every year for a decade, it has coincided with the 9/11 weekend. The Grandparents Grove at Mercer County Park is gorgeous this time of year and the Office on Aging maintains a bulletin board with a calendar and all sorts of news. Check it out!
Perhaps this year we can remember and celebrate family values and traditions while embracing changes in our society. Perhaps it is the desire to leave something of ourselves behind, but seniors are especially good at thinking of others. We must look ahead at those challenges to our economy and how we can now reach out and help our disabled soldiers move forward.
By the way, the Ryan vouchers have been estimated to cost the average senior between $6,000 and $12,000 extra, above present Medicare amounts, just to keep comparable coverage.
This column will include further information and investigation into the options put forth by changes in medical coverage during 2012.
Seniors Rock!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
2012 Results of NJ Senior Art Show: Huzzah!
Mercer County Artists defy category and description. This year's exhibition of Senior Citizen artists showed an amazing range of imagination, inspiration, and ingenuity. Sometimes it takes a lifetime of experience to provide such a rich depth to artistic expression. Its not that we feel superior to those youngsters struggling to find their voice, its just that we are so bursting with life stories that we don't know where to start!
Many senior recreation centers give older adults their first lessons in art; sometimes art comes from just dabbling and doodling with pen or brush. However it happens, the Mercer County Senior Art Show gives everyone an opportunity to show their final results. Show exhibits are divided into both professional and non-professional categories so that the competition continues to encourage "Sunday painters".
The Mercer County Senior Art Show is presented each year by the Office on Aging/Department of Human Services, the Division of Culture and Heritage of Mercer County, and with the auspices of the County Executive Brian Hughes. This year's show was elegantly hosted by the Springpoint Foundation at Meadow Lakes in Hightstown, New Jersey.
The winners from this year's Mercer County Show will go on to the statewide show in the fall. Kate Somers, the jurist for this year's county show, has over 20 years experience and is currently the curator of the Bernstein Gallery at Princeton University. Somers remarked that her choices for this year's prize winners "resonated---each for a different reason."
We are proud to list the winners:
Acrylics--Non Professional
1. Beth K. Wham, "2011's Hot Models"
2. Frank M. Scarpati, "Roses"
Craft--Non Professional
1. Sue S. Chiu, "Lidded Basket Jar" clay craft
2. Katheryn Deguire, "Homage to Judy Stein" stained glass
Mixed Media--Non Professional
1. Ahuva Arie, "The Balcony" collage
2. Mary S. Johnson, "The Crocodile" mixed media
Oils--Non Professional
1. Richard Snarski, "Peter's Pool" oil
2. Norman Fesmire, "Sam" oil
Photography--Non Professional
1. Judy Filipponi, "Biding Time in the Village" digital photography
2. Anne Benedict, "The Great Egret is Landing" photography
Photography--Professional
1. Gerald P. Sternberg, "Tree of Life" photography
2. Walt Varan, "Untitled" photography
Watercolors--Professional
1. Suzanne M. Hunt, "It's a Hoot" watercolor
2. Margaret Rosen, "Prism" watercolor and ink
Watercolors--Non Professional
1. Terry Goldstein, "Village on the Hill" watercolor/gouache
2. Huiyi Huang, "Longlife & Happiness" watercolor
Works on Paper--Professional
1. Victoria Chu Moy, "Caryatid" Conte pencil
2. Robert Allard, "West Creek Chair house" pencil
Works on Paper--Non Professional
1. David T. Potts, "The Sea Maiden" pen and ink
2. Ming Ji, "Lakeside", Chinese ink
Special awards were presented to the following artists for their extraordinary efforts.
Best in Show:
*Frank Snarski, "Peter's Pool" oil
County Special Mention:
*Manfred Peil, "Untitled" pen and ink
Mercer County Intern's Award:
*David Potts, "The Sea Maiden" pen and ink
Wow! This show was terrific and everyone who participated deserves applause for a job well done.
Seniors rock!
Many senior recreation centers give older adults their first lessons in art; sometimes art comes from just dabbling and doodling with pen or brush. However it happens, the Mercer County Senior Art Show gives everyone an opportunity to show their final results. Show exhibits are divided into both professional and non-professional categories so that the competition continues to encourage "Sunday painters".
The Mercer County Senior Art Show is presented each year by the Office on Aging/Department of Human Services, the Division of Culture and Heritage of Mercer County, and with the auspices of the County Executive Brian Hughes. This year's show was elegantly hosted by the Springpoint Foundation at Meadow Lakes in Hightstown, New Jersey.
The winners from this year's Mercer County Show will go on to the statewide show in the fall. Kate Somers, the jurist for this year's county show, has over 20 years experience and is currently the curator of the Bernstein Gallery at Princeton University. Somers remarked that her choices for this year's prize winners "resonated---each for a different reason."
We are proud to list the winners:
Acrylics--Non Professional
1. Beth K. Wham, "2011's Hot Models"
2. Frank M. Scarpati, "Roses"
Craft--Non Professional
1. Sue S. Chiu, "Lidded Basket Jar" clay craft
2. Katheryn Deguire, "Homage to Judy Stein" stained glass
Mixed Media--Non Professional
1. Ahuva Arie, "The Balcony" collage
2. Mary S. Johnson, "The Crocodile" mixed media
Oils--Non Professional
1. Richard Snarski, "Peter's Pool" oil
2. Norman Fesmire, "Sam" oil
Photography--Non Professional
1. Judy Filipponi, "Biding Time in the Village" digital photography
2. Anne Benedict, "The Great Egret is Landing" photography
Photography--Professional
1. Gerald P. Sternberg, "Tree of Life" photography
2. Walt Varan, "Untitled" photography
Watercolors--Professional
1. Suzanne M. Hunt, "It's a Hoot" watercolor
2. Margaret Rosen, "Prism" watercolor and ink
Watercolors--Non Professional
1. Terry Goldstein, "Village on the Hill" watercolor/gouache
2. Huiyi Huang, "Longlife & Happiness" watercolor
Works on Paper--Professional
1. Victoria Chu Moy, "Caryatid" Conte pencil
2. Robert Allard, "West Creek Chair house" pencil
Works on Paper--Non Professional
1. David T. Potts, "The Sea Maiden" pen and ink
2. Ming Ji, "Lakeside", Chinese ink
Special awards were presented to the following artists for their extraordinary efforts.
Best in Show:
*Frank Snarski, "Peter's Pool" oil
County Special Mention:
*Manfred Peil, "Untitled" pen and ink
Mercer County Intern's Award:
*David Potts, "The Sea Maiden" pen and ink
Wow! This show was terrific and everyone who participated deserves applause for a job well done.
Seniors rock!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Rename Grandparent's Day?
Grandparent's Day is celebrated in September. Lately, it has been overshadowed as it falls the same time as memorial events for 9/11. Perhaps this is a good time to remarket the concept.
Grandparent's Day should be an occasion to gather family members and children around their elderly relatives. The idea is to share family heritage and traditions that might have been taken for granted or ignored because everyone is too busy and going their own way.
Having a warm fuzzy day honoring grandpas and grandmothers is welcome respite from our hard driving life styles, but today's culture just wants to get past the "grannie" part of the idea.
There is a current car commercial that features a senior couple heading for a beach party while the grown son is making his own dinner in a microwave:
"They always said I had the fun parents. Now where is the fun now?" The son is back home, and living with Mom and Dad, but reflects attitudes about growing old that are more mainstream today.
The stereotype of Gran knitting in her rocker, and Grandpa chewing on his pipe while reading the newspaper, are out of fashion. Today's baby boomers are trying to stay employed as long as possible and do not like to be reminded that they are headed out to the scrap heap.
The mention of "Grandparent's Day" is likely to be met with conscious denial by baby boomers not ready to retire. I know of an 84 year old who does not want to go to nutrition centers because that is where the "old people" are.
There is a need for the care and comfort and leadership which seniors supply without equal. However, getting this resource to the younger generation is the problem. If we see this as a delivery problem, as a marketing problem, maybe changing the name will update the concept.
Seniors have love and experience in abundance. Children left out because they don't have grandparents could be otherwise feel included if the celebration of love and tradition were just called something else....
Seniors rock.
Grandparent's Day should be an occasion to gather family members and children around their elderly relatives. The idea is to share family heritage and traditions that might have been taken for granted or ignored because everyone is too busy and going their own way.
Having a warm fuzzy day honoring grandpas and grandmothers is welcome respite from our hard driving life styles, but today's culture just wants to get past the "grannie" part of the idea.
There is a current car commercial that features a senior couple heading for a beach party while the grown son is making his own dinner in a microwave:
"They always said I had the fun parents. Now where is the fun now?" The son is back home, and living with Mom and Dad, but reflects attitudes about growing old that are more mainstream today.
The stereotype of Gran knitting in her rocker, and Grandpa chewing on his pipe while reading the newspaper, are out of fashion. Today's baby boomers are trying to stay employed as long as possible and do not like to be reminded that they are headed out to the scrap heap.
The mention of "Grandparent's Day" is likely to be met with conscious denial by baby boomers not ready to retire. I know of an 84 year old who does not want to go to nutrition centers because that is where the "old people" are.
There is a need for the care and comfort and leadership which seniors supply without equal. However, getting this resource to the younger generation is the problem. If we see this as a delivery problem, as a marketing problem, maybe changing the name will update the concept.
Seniors have love and experience in abundance. Children left out because they don't have grandparents could be otherwise feel included if the celebration of love and tradition were just called something else....
Seniors rock.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
From the Personal File: Medicaid Kranks Along
Sometime in the early spring, the knob that supports my walker handlebars snapped off. The maintenance man here at my apartment complex offered to repair it. After several days, he finally located a screw long and small enough to fit and installed it. In the meantime, the retailer who had supplied me with my original walker years ago gave me another without charge from a stock of used pieces.
This knobby issue was not to be the end of my troubles. The brake and cable on the left side sheared off leaving me with no brakes. Once again the retailer sat down for an estimate. Parts and labor were as formal as going to the automobile repair shop. The technique was about the same, the part wasn't too bad, but the labor (to attach a cable to the outside of the walker frame?) doubled the amount.
It looked like a new machine was the practical way out.
Enter Medicare and Medicaid. If you need a new mobility issue, there is a time limit. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Well I definitely made the time line and I was entitled to a new "mobility device". The next step was to get the doctor to write a prescription and fax to the retailer.
Glitch # 1. The retailer calls me and says that she can only give me a walker without a seat.
"What!" She explains that my Medicare "mobility" party will only pay for part of my rollator.
Glitch #2. I called my visiting nurse again and found out that she was leaving for another position outside the politically supervised agency supplying me with services, but, not to worry, the additional sum would be picked up by her office.
Flash to July. Now this has been going on since March.
My walker is now in pieces. It was merely dilapidated in March and by now it is dangerous.
Picture this: The brakes were gone, scotch tape wrapped and secured the cables away from the handles so I could grip them, one of the hooks of the wire basket attaching it to the walker had sheared off, the seat had broken off and now rested unsecured between two bars of the main frame, and the four hard rubber wheels were cut and ragged from rolling over Trenton's rough streets and cobblestones.
Glitch # 3. I called the retailer to see how soon I could pick up my replacement. The answer was not good. Since the script from the doctor, submitted to Medicare's "mobility" clearinghouse, left an amount not covered, they were not going to give it to me.
Glitch # 4. My visiting nurse director had not yet assigned me to another case worker. I got a letter this week advising me that they were assigning someone.....well... I had to call on Friday.
Glitch # 5. The worker answering the phone from another agency, (they had gone outside since they felt they were overloaded) who patiently explained to me she did not know what to do. (!) She was new to the situation and had to find out how to "handle" the situation.
Glitch # 6. When she found the papers to file or whom to contact, she would "get back to me".
I almost exploded. I explained to her that I cannot use a wheelchair due to my particular injuries, can't afford a powerchair ($60,000 for van, $10000 for lift, and $8000 for chair) and rely on my ten year old Hyundai and my Medicare walker to stay active in the community.
I also told her that my walker seat has served as my writing surface in class since desktops are not low enough for my peculiar situation....and that this past week was expecially hard for me. During my exam, the seat of my walker fell through the frame! My exam papers, calculator, pens and scratch paper went flying in a noisy jumble to the floor.
I was mortified.
Aside from being forty years older than the next oldest student, I try to stay out of the way with my walker, huddled against a wall in a front chair so I don't take up much room. There was no way that my situation could escape notice this exam day! I was embarrassed and distressed. I was also frustrated...but by the time I could get home to phone, any office contact would be fruitless because most Trenton offices close at 4pm. Needless to say, my call to nursing services commenced first thing the next day.
As of this moment in time, I need a working rollator. I can use the frame to roll down the hall, but the seat is not attached and there are no brakes so it is not safe to use.
I guess I have no alternative than to wait until that Monday call with an update.
It started with a knob, and now is a heck of an example of how disconnected, (Yeah, Lord!) disconnected the system has become. The total cost of a premium walker with seat and push bar is around $250. We are probably talking about $50 dollars difference between Medicare and Medicaid....so what the heck is the problem? If they gave me a wheelchair, it would be in the thousands....
I wonder if nursing services might not want to replace the two case workers who left since they handled the problem by moving cases into other outside agencies....just wondering is this is after all an administrative economy move.
Just wondering....and things krank, krank, krank along. (That is the sound of my walker kreaking and kranking along...)
Oh, I offered to expedite things by advancing the difference between Medicare and the visiting nurse share and was told ......there is no provision to reimburse patients!
Man, this system sucks.
Seniors rock!
This knobby issue was not to be the end of my troubles. The brake and cable on the left side sheared off leaving me with no brakes. Once again the retailer sat down for an estimate. Parts and labor were as formal as going to the automobile repair shop. The technique was about the same, the part wasn't too bad, but the labor (to attach a cable to the outside of the walker frame?) doubled the amount.
It looked like a new machine was the practical way out.
Enter Medicare and Medicaid. If you need a new mobility issue, there is a time limit. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Well I definitely made the time line and I was entitled to a new "mobility device". The next step was to get the doctor to write a prescription and fax to the retailer.
Glitch # 1. The retailer calls me and says that she can only give me a walker without a seat.
"What!" She explains that my Medicare "mobility" party will only pay for part of my rollator.
Glitch #2. I called my visiting nurse again and found out that she was leaving for another position outside the politically supervised agency supplying me with services, but, not to worry, the additional sum would be picked up by her office.
Flash to July. Now this has been going on since March.
My walker is now in pieces. It was merely dilapidated in March and by now it is dangerous.
Picture this: The brakes were gone, scotch tape wrapped and secured the cables away from the handles so I could grip them, one of the hooks of the wire basket attaching it to the walker had sheared off, the seat had broken off and now rested unsecured between two bars of the main frame, and the four hard rubber wheels were cut and ragged from rolling over Trenton's rough streets and cobblestones.
Glitch # 3. I called the retailer to see how soon I could pick up my replacement. The answer was not good. Since the script from the doctor, submitted to Medicare's "mobility" clearinghouse, left an amount not covered, they were not going to give it to me.
Glitch # 4. My visiting nurse director had not yet assigned me to another case worker. I got a letter this week advising me that they were assigning someone.....well... I had to call on Friday.
Glitch # 5. The worker answering the phone from another agency, (they had gone outside since they felt they were overloaded) who patiently explained to me she did not know what to do. (!) She was new to the situation and had to find out how to "handle" the situation.
Glitch # 6. When she found the papers to file or whom to contact, she would "get back to me".
I almost exploded. I explained to her that I cannot use a wheelchair due to my particular injuries, can't afford a powerchair ($60,000 for van, $10000 for lift, and $8000 for chair) and rely on my ten year old Hyundai and my Medicare walker to stay active in the community.
I also told her that my walker seat has served as my writing surface in class since desktops are not low enough for my peculiar situation....and that this past week was expecially hard for me. During my exam, the seat of my walker fell through the frame! My exam papers, calculator, pens and scratch paper went flying in a noisy jumble to the floor.
I was mortified.
Aside from being forty years older than the next oldest student, I try to stay out of the way with my walker, huddled against a wall in a front chair so I don't take up much room. There was no way that my situation could escape notice this exam day! I was embarrassed and distressed. I was also frustrated...but by the time I could get home to phone, any office contact would be fruitless because most Trenton offices close at 4pm. Needless to say, my call to nursing services commenced first thing the next day.
As of this moment in time, I need a working rollator. I can use the frame to roll down the hall, but the seat is not attached and there are no brakes so it is not safe to use.
I guess I have no alternative than to wait until that Monday call with an update.
It started with a knob, and now is a heck of an example of how disconnected, (Yeah, Lord!) disconnected the system has become. The total cost of a premium walker with seat and push bar is around $250. We are probably talking about $50 dollars difference between Medicare and Medicaid....so what the heck is the problem? If they gave me a wheelchair, it would be in the thousands....
I wonder if nursing services might not want to replace the two case workers who left since they handled the problem by moving cases into other outside agencies....just wondering is this is after all an administrative economy move.
Just wondering....and things krank, krank, krank along. (That is the sound of my walker kreaking and kranking along...)
Oh, I offered to expedite things by advancing the difference between Medicare and the visiting nurse share and was told ......there is no provision to reimburse patients!
Man, this system sucks.
Seniors rock!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Trenton's Mud Is Not Saratoga Spa
After two years of murkiness, the FBI finally stepped in and raided the homes of Mayor Tony Mack, his brother, and one of his associates. Instead of clarifying long standing issues of cronyism and misdirection of funds, the result is a congealed mess of uncertainty for Trenton residents.
Legendary Saratoga Springs is known for mineral rich springs and herbal mud baths that are reported to relax and heal body and soul. If you try mud therapy, where the sticky smelly stuff oozes into every pore, being surrounded by Mother Earth makes you feel pampered and special. Think more mud might work for Trenton?
Consider mud. If you live in the city, you are surrounded by sights and sounds, seeping into every cranny of being, garbage juices and mortar dust...did you know that blood smells like iron and leaves a metal tang on the palate...which decomposes to a sickening sweet fetid note that hangs in your clothes until someone cleans up the mess? Not exactly the herbal version.
After time passes, organic matter becomes melded into mud. Leaves and trees, sand and critter carcasses, layers and layers of all sorts of organic stuff, imbedded with artifacts and fossils, merge on the way to becoming coal.
Trenton has no shortage of mud: marina mud, Delaware flood overflow, alley way gully washes, and of course Trenton-special City Hall Mud. We almost have a patent on that recipe.
Well, the Feds want the recipe.
Think we will ever find out how they are doing in their search?
Even the governor indicated that reasons for these surprise raids are not forecast in advance and even an educated guess, based on speculation, might have less than a 25% chance of getting right.
Instead of clarifying matters, mud therapy under FBI hands is likely to leave us just feeling dirty and worse off than before.
But we are used to that.
Hopefully things will be better and any positive parts of the Mack administration tenure will surface and reassure residents that voting him in to office was not all bad.
We senior citizens remember when this city was vibrant and full of light. Now it behooves us all to see that corners are hosed down, the crap hauled away, and the city is left once again to find its way.
One more thing:
Don't forget. The Mercer County Senior Art Show is underway at Meadow Lakes in West Windsor. The awards reception is August 3 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Artwork not going on to the New Jersey Senior Art Show will be released to artists immediately following the reception. Paintings may not be taken down before the show is over. Call 609-989-6661 for information.
Art rocks!
Legendary Saratoga Springs is known for mineral rich springs and herbal mud baths that are reported to relax and heal body and soul. If you try mud therapy, where the sticky smelly stuff oozes into every pore, being surrounded by Mother Earth makes you feel pampered and special. Think more mud might work for Trenton?
Consider mud. If you live in the city, you are surrounded by sights and sounds, seeping into every cranny of being, garbage juices and mortar dust...did you know that blood smells like iron and leaves a metal tang on the palate...which decomposes to a sickening sweet fetid note that hangs in your clothes until someone cleans up the mess? Not exactly the herbal version.
After time passes, organic matter becomes melded into mud. Leaves and trees, sand and critter carcasses, layers and layers of all sorts of organic stuff, imbedded with artifacts and fossils, merge on the way to becoming coal.
Trenton has no shortage of mud: marina mud, Delaware flood overflow, alley way gully washes, and of course Trenton-special City Hall Mud. We almost have a patent on that recipe.
Well, the Feds want the recipe.
Think we will ever find out how they are doing in their search?
Even the governor indicated that reasons for these surprise raids are not forecast in advance and even an educated guess, based on speculation, might have less than a 25% chance of getting right.
Instead of clarifying matters, mud therapy under FBI hands is likely to leave us just feeling dirty and worse off than before.
But we are used to that.
Hopefully things will be better and any positive parts of the Mack administration tenure will surface and reassure residents that voting him in to office was not all bad.
We senior citizens remember when this city was vibrant and full of light. Now it behooves us all to see that corners are hosed down, the crap hauled away, and the city is left once again to find its way.
One more thing:
Don't forget. The Mercer County Senior Art Show is underway at Meadow Lakes in West Windsor. The awards reception is August 3 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Artwork not going on to the New Jersey Senior Art Show will be released to artists immediately following the reception. Paintings may not be taken down before the show is over. Call 609-989-6661 for information.
Art rocks!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Mercer County Senior Art Show 2012
Entries for this year's Mercer County Senior Art Show are due on July 16 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and the show runs from July 18 to August 3.
Once again, Meadow Lakes, Springpoint Foundation has generously offered the use of their beautiful facilities to Mercer artists and artisans. The address is 300 Meadow Lakes, East Windsor, and their phone contact numbers are 1-800-222-0609 and 609-987-8900.
The closing reception for artists and friends is August 3 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Winning works will be held to go on to the statewide New Jersey Senior Art Show held in the fall.
Once again, art categories range from acrylic painting to photography. For a Mercer County Senior Art Show brochure, please contact the Mercer County Office on Aging at 609-989-6661.
If you were not able to make the registration deadline by June 29, please call for updates.
The continued success of Trenton's Art All Night is a wonderful reminder of how vital art is in New Jersey. The New Jersey Senior Art Show, limited to artists aged 60 and over, demonstrates to budding artists that they are embarking on a lifetime of productive and rewarding activity...
Art rocks!
Once again, Meadow Lakes, Springpoint Foundation has generously offered the use of their beautiful facilities to Mercer artists and artisans. The address is 300 Meadow Lakes, East Windsor, and their phone contact numbers are 1-800-222-0609 and 609-987-8900.
The closing reception for artists and friends is August 3 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Winning works will be held to go on to the statewide New Jersey Senior Art Show held in the fall.
Once again, art categories range from acrylic painting to photography. For a Mercer County Senior Art Show brochure, please contact the Mercer County Office on Aging at 609-989-6661.
If you were not able to make the registration deadline by June 29, please call for updates.
The continued success of Trenton's Art All Night is a wonderful reminder of how vital art is in New Jersey. The New Jersey Senior Art Show, limited to artists aged 60 and over, demonstrates to budding artists that they are embarking on a lifetime of productive and rewarding activity...
Art rocks!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
It Seems Like Yesterday
Now that the Affordable Care Act has been upheld by the Supreme Court, the elderly and disabled can look forward to a more holistic and affordable approach to medical needs. The dreaded "donut hole" will be fazed out and eventually closed. Visits to the doctor to check out your overall condition before you get sick are now covered under the new law.
Most of us seniors know someone who has been affected limited income, stretching Social Security checks, trying to pay for prescriptions and doctor deductibles while leaving room for food. The cost of medical care has gotten so high that serious illness can lead to modifying treatment or even bankruptcy. Many doctors told me of their dismay with a system that was broken and needed to be fixed. Now that this law is going into effect, hospital stocks are up in spite of the rest of the market's skepticism about European developments. Traders felt that "Obamacare" is good for the hospitals and good for business. Who knew?
As I was going through some old family papers today, I compared some of the newspaper clippings with current events. How did medical costs, the basic cost of surviving a medical emergency in our hazard-filled high tech-environment, get to be so extremely expensive?
In an article written in the Blairstown Press on July 19, 1899, the editor writes: "Vernon, the 11 year old son of Allen Frutchey of Upper Mt. Bethel was killed when driving a reaping machine on his father's farm. For some reason, the horses ran away and he was thrown off the reaper. His little sister who was sitting on the seat with him was unhurt." This was before automobiles and ambulance service so the poor chap succumbed.
Another entry reads: "The mother of Mrs. Ervin Beck, Mrs. Lavina Emery, died at the former's home in Walnut Valley at the age of 79. Her husband died several years ago meeting a horrible death by falling from a haymow onto the tines of a pitchfork. The deceased was the mother of...." This was before antibiotics and emergency care that could have saved him. She died at home of old age...
In a later column dated July 19, 1922, the Press editor records: " Merrell Landes fell thirty feet from the haymow on the Charles Lewis farm and was hurt, but not seriously." In those days, if one was able to walk, thrifty hardscrabble farmers likely did not seek medical assistance because of what it might cost.
During this period of time, one local physican customarily charged $1.00 for visits and $1.50 if he had to set an arm or fix eyeglasses. During prohibition, one doctor prescribed whiskey for his patient and charged $1.50 for a pint to treat "digestive disturbances".
In a Blairstown Press article dated July 15, 1937, the editor states: "Two boys, Harold Aber, 18 and Junior Nolan 17, of Union City, were hurt when they fell from a rumble seat along the Hope Road. They had been to Blairstown and were hitch-hiking back to Hope where they were visiting. Edwin Schneider gave them a lift and they were having a fine time enjoying the "fun" of standing up in the rumble seat. After a while Schneider missed them and turning back found them along the road. Aber (was) unable to walk and Nolan unconscious. They were taken to Newton Hospital." Here ends the record but one wonders how they got there. Now there was a medical facility in Newton, Sussex County, but it was a good 12 to 15 miles from the scene of the incident. Perhaps Schneider drove them there himself.
The Press also states in the July 15, 1937 article that "Irvin Phillips, 83 died at the home of his son Edward of Yellow Frame." Elderly people were cared for by family members and many died at home. There is a shift under the Obama administration philosophy to caring for persons in their own homes instead of the current reverse graduation process of hospital-rehab-nursing home that we see so often today.
The Press also notes in the July 15, 1937 article that "Mrs. Otto Haldiman was painfully injured when the horses ran away. She received a sprained ankle and bruises...Mrs. Orphia Hall has returned from Easton Hospital after surgery....Miss Grace Raynolds returned from Easton Hospital after an appendicitis operation..." Easton Hospital was about 30 miles away, in Pennsylvania and across the Delaware River.
By 1951, rural area residents were sometimes served by going all the way to Orange Hospital in Orange, New Jersey. Urban areas could support medical facilities to perform complex surgeries.
Costs had increased from the 1930's but were still low. One financial record in l972 shows doctors visits were up to $11 to $15 per visit, Newton Hospital's radiologist charged $4 to read xrays and all patient bills were sent to the insurer, Prudential Insurance of America, Medicare B Division, for reimbursement. It appears that Medicare paid the hospital bill of about $100 per day or less.
As employers competed for a depleted work force following WWII, they found that offering medical insurance was an incentive for hiring men. That optional offering morphed into the entitlement situation that currently exists. When an employee is cut out of his job, he loses his health benefits which affects his entire family. This evolved into one of the deciding factors for the present state of the Affordable Care Act, justifying many insuring entities instead of more efficient centralization.
Employer coverage is not taken lightly by someone in the job force. The threat of losing medical coverage supplied by an employer's pooled coverage is mainly because of the difference in cost. A company writes more favorable terms for a client with many employees who do not make claims for coverage. The employer, in turn, looks for young and healthy employees so the insurer will give him the lowest rates.
Independent coverage can also have terms dictated by the insurer which often meant that coverage could be denied for preexisting conditions, making it prohibitively expensive to be a single policy.
Regardless of the political posturing, having a central government-run healthcare entity is the most efficient. Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, and most of the rest of the world has taken steps to assure that their citizens are covered by basic health services. Having a centralized offering worked for them but the United States has been reluctant to change.
This bring us to Obamacare.
Yep.
It looks like we may be taking a huge step forward by taking some small steps backward. Or is it the other way around? We are taking the first step forward to get back to what we had before...before medical overheads and drug costs became so enormous that they could lead to bankruptcy, or before employers figured insurance consequences were part of a resume...
My opinion is that we have nothing to lose by giving it a chance. We could be worse off if insurers continued to dictate vital terms of service and medical emergency rooms continued to cope with costs from uninsured patients.
America rocks.
Most of us seniors know someone who has been affected limited income, stretching Social Security checks, trying to pay for prescriptions and doctor deductibles while leaving room for food. The cost of medical care has gotten so high that serious illness can lead to modifying treatment or even bankruptcy. Many doctors told me of their dismay with a system that was broken and needed to be fixed. Now that this law is going into effect, hospital stocks are up in spite of the rest of the market's skepticism about European developments. Traders felt that "Obamacare" is good for the hospitals and good for business. Who knew?
As I was going through some old family papers today, I compared some of the newspaper clippings with current events. How did medical costs, the basic cost of surviving a medical emergency in our hazard-filled high tech-environment, get to be so extremely expensive?
In an article written in the Blairstown Press on July 19, 1899, the editor writes: "Vernon, the 11 year old son of Allen Frutchey of Upper Mt. Bethel was killed when driving a reaping machine on his father's farm. For some reason, the horses ran away and he was thrown off the reaper. His little sister who was sitting on the seat with him was unhurt." This was before automobiles and ambulance service so the poor chap succumbed.
Another entry reads: "The mother of Mrs. Ervin Beck, Mrs. Lavina Emery, died at the former's home in Walnut Valley at the age of 79. Her husband died several years ago meeting a horrible death by falling from a haymow onto the tines of a pitchfork. The deceased was the mother of...." This was before antibiotics and emergency care that could have saved him. She died at home of old age...
In a later column dated July 19, 1922, the Press editor records: " Merrell Landes fell thirty feet from the haymow on the Charles Lewis farm and was hurt, but not seriously." In those days, if one was able to walk, thrifty hardscrabble farmers likely did not seek medical assistance because of what it might cost.
During this period of time, one local physican customarily charged $1.00 for visits and $1.50 if he had to set an arm or fix eyeglasses. During prohibition, one doctor prescribed whiskey for his patient and charged $1.50 for a pint to treat "digestive disturbances".
In a Blairstown Press article dated July 15, 1937, the editor states: "Two boys, Harold Aber, 18 and Junior Nolan 17, of Union City, were hurt when they fell from a rumble seat along the Hope Road. They had been to Blairstown and were hitch-hiking back to Hope where they were visiting. Edwin Schneider gave them a lift and they were having a fine time enjoying the "fun" of standing up in the rumble seat. After a while Schneider missed them and turning back found them along the road. Aber (was) unable to walk and Nolan unconscious. They were taken to Newton Hospital." Here ends the record but one wonders how they got there. Now there was a medical facility in Newton, Sussex County, but it was a good 12 to 15 miles from the scene of the incident. Perhaps Schneider drove them there himself.
The Press also states in the July 15, 1937 article that "Irvin Phillips, 83 died at the home of his son Edward of Yellow Frame." Elderly people were cared for by family members and many died at home. There is a shift under the Obama administration philosophy to caring for persons in their own homes instead of the current reverse graduation process of hospital-rehab-nursing home that we see so often today.
The Press also notes in the July 15, 1937 article that "Mrs. Otto Haldiman was painfully injured when the horses ran away. She received a sprained ankle and bruises...Mrs. Orphia Hall has returned from Easton Hospital after surgery....Miss Grace Raynolds returned from Easton Hospital after an appendicitis operation..." Easton Hospital was about 30 miles away, in Pennsylvania and across the Delaware River.
By 1951, rural area residents were sometimes served by going all the way to Orange Hospital in Orange, New Jersey. Urban areas could support medical facilities to perform complex surgeries.
Costs had increased from the 1930's but were still low. One financial record in l972 shows doctors visits were up to $11 to $15 per visit, Newton Hospital's radiologist charged $4 to read xrays and all patient bills were sent to the insurer, Prudential Insurance of America, Medicare B Division, for reimbursement. It appears that Medicare paid the hospital bill of about $100 per day or less.
As employers competed for a depleted work force following WWII, they found that offering medical insurance was an incentive for hiring men. That optional offering morphed into the entitlement situation that currently exists. When an employee is cut out of his job, he loses his health benefits which affects his entire family. This evolved into one of the deciding factors for the present state of the Affordable Care Act, justifying many insuring entities instead of more efficient centralization.
Employer coverage is not taken lightly by someone in the job force. The threat of losing medical coverage supplied by an employer's pooled coverage is mainly because of the difference in cost. A company writes more favorable terms for a client with many employees who do not make claims for coverage. The employer, in turn, looks for young and healthy employees so the insurer will give him the lowest rates.
Independent coverage can also have terms dictated by the insurer which often meant that coverage could be denied for preexisting conditions, making it prohibitively expensive to be a single policy.
Regardless of the political posturing, having a central government-run healthcare entity is the most efficient. Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, and most of the rest of the world has taken steps to assure that their citizens are covered by basic health services. Having a centralized offering worked for them but the United States has been reluctant to change.
This bring us to Obamacare.
Yep.
It looks like we may be taking a huge step forward by taking some small steps backward. Or is it the other way around? We are taking the first step forward to get back to what we had before...before medical overheads and drug costs became so enormous that they could lead to bankruptcy, or before employers figured insurance consequences were part of a resume...
My opinion is that we have nothing to lose by giving it a chance. We could be worse off if insurers continued to dictate vital terms of service and medical emergency rooms continued to cope with costs from uninsured patients.
America rocks.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Mercer County TRADE Hearing Needs You
This Thursday's monthly meeting for the Advisory Council of Office on Aging was especially interesting as Martin DeNero, Director of Mercer County TRADE Transportation, delivered an eye-opening look at the dynamics and challenges facing transportation providers in NJ's present economic climate.
Director DeNero announced that there is a hearing on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 2:00pm, at the offices of TRADE, 300 Scotch Road, Building 1, Trenton, NJ 08628, located at the Mercer County Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. This hearing is an opportunity for residents and users of TRADE services to provide input and comment on present services in order for TRADE to apply for funding under the Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Assistance Program...
A question from an Office on Aging Board Member, concerning the outlook for service demands in the future, was answered by Mr. DeNero who estimated that TRADE can presently manage only about 30 percent of projected future customers.
This means that elders and disabled users of these transportation services have to let New Jersey Transit and the Mercer County Coalition for Coodinated Transportation know how much we need TRADE.
We applaud these efforts to serve the community. TRADE is taken for granted and every year they have to fight for funding. Being able to serve only 30 percent of future riders means that everyone will suffer.
Right now TRADE takes the disabled to work and provides rides for seniors to go to nutrition centers. It also is a dependable means for seniors to go to the mall shopping or to that eye doctor appointment. The demand for services comes from persons who can no longer drive themselves, but are not in medical categories which would be served by Logisticare, and is growing due to the sheer numbers of baby boomers.
TRADE is barely handling the traffic now. Reservations are best made up to 14 days in advance and the good old days of a ride within 24 hours are but a memory. If the situation is not helped with funding, this worthwhile endeavor will suffer even more service lag.
In summary: write that email, mail that note, or better yet, go to the Tuesday meeting at 2 pm and make your voice heard. These folks deserve your support and....even a donation. The suggested dollar donation per ride brought in approximately $27,000 last year...the costof gas for only one month of rides.
Seniors Rock!
Director DeNero announced that there is a hearing on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 2:00pm, at the offices of TRADE, 300 Scotch Road, Building 1, Trenton, NJ 08628, located at the Mercer County Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. This hearing is an opportunity for residents and users of TRADE services to provide input and comment on present services in order for TRADE to apply for funding under the Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Assistance Program...
A question from an Office on Aging Board Member, concerning the outlook for service demands in the future, was answered by Mr. DeNero who estimated that TRADE can presently manage only about 30 percent of projected future customers.
This means that elders and disabled users of these transportation services have to let New Jersey Transit and the Mercer County Coalition for Coodinated Transportation know how much we need TRADE.
We applaud these efforts to serve the community. TRADE is taken for granted and every year they have to fight for funding. Being able to serve only 30 percent of future riders means that everyone will suffer.
Right now TRADE takes the disabled to work and provides rides for seniors to go to nutrition centers. It also is a dependable means for seniors to go to the mall shopping or to that eye doctor appointment. The demand for services comes from persons who can no longer drive themselves, but are not in medical categories which would be served by Logisticare, and is growing due to the sheer numbers of baby boomers.
TRADE is barely handling the traffic now. Reservations are best made up to 14 days in advance and the good old days of a ride within 24 hours are but a memory. If the situation is not helped with funding, this worthwhile endeavor will suffer even more service lag.
In summary: write that email, mail that note, or better yet, go to the Tuesday meeting at 2 pm and make your voice heard. These folks deserve your support and....even a donation. The suggested dollar donation per ride brought in approximately $27,000 last year...the costof gas for only one month of rides.
Seniors Rock!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Artful Success for Trenton
Art All Night has gone into the record books for 2012. Final numbers are not in but it was a resounding success.
From artists to foodies, from musicians to videographers, this year streamed with excitement for everyone who came into our city for this annual celebration.
This was my fourth year as a volunteer and I guess I looked like I was having fun. Most of my friends asked how they could:
Get involved.
Get a cool T shirt.
Get involved.
Learn to paint.
Get involved.
Get lessons for their kids... So,of course, I suggested that they "Get involved."
Art Works has been around for years...and yet when I moved to Trenton it was a big mystery, part of the city urban grit that I was not able to deal with, part of an alien life style to this country mouse. I used to drive miles to attend workshops with the Willingboro Art Alliance because I did not realize that Art Works even existed.
Getting involved today is as easy as going to the Art Works website. Who knows, maybe I will see you there next year.
This entry is going to be short, my arm is a bit sore from hand stamping visitors during my volunteer shift (M'Lord there were thousands yesterday!) and I am still processing the impressions from the show.
Just one more thing: Artfull Codger sold a painting.
Yep, that's right. I sold my entry in this year's show. I have no idea who is going to take it home, or who did take it home already, but this Friday's Art Works reception is supposed to match the buyers with the producers.
I can hardly wait.
Art rocks.
From artists to foodies, from musicians to videographers, this year streamed with excitement for everyone who came into our city for this annual celebration.
This was my fourth year as a volunteer and I guess I looked like I was having fun. Most of my friends asked how they could:
Get involved.
Get a cool T shirt.
Get involved.
Learn to paint.
Get involved.
Get lessons for their kids... So,of course, I suggested that they "Get involved."
Art Works has been around for years...and yet when I moved to Trenton it was a big mystery, part of the city urban grit that I was not able to deal with, part of an alien life style to this country mouse. I used to drive miles to attend workshops with the Willingboro Art Alliance because I did not realize that Art Works even existed.
Getting involved today is as easy as going to the Art Works website. Who knows, maybe I will see you there next year.
This entry is going to be short, my arm is a bit sore from hand stamping visitors during my volunteer shift (M'Lord there were thousands yesterday!) and I am still processing the impressions from the show.
Just one more thing: Artfull Codger sold a painting.
Yep, that's right. I sold my entry in this year's show. I have no idea who is going to take it home, or who did take it home already, but this Friday's Art Works reception is supposed to match the buyers with the producers.
I can hardly wait.
Art rocks.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Art All Night 2012
You don't want to miss this!
Artworks' Art All Night explodes on the scene June 16 and 17 at the Roebling Wire Works building on Dye Street and South Clinton Avenue. This 24 hour art and music venue again celebrates the best of New Jersey's creative energy.
Over 900 artists and 15,000 visitors are expected to flood city streets and Chambersburg in what has become the area's most surprising and rewarding event.
Artist works of all ages,from seniors' water colors to kid's refrigerator art, are exhibited with the best of area professionals. There are drawings, oil paintings, sculpture and handicrafts. Artworks show committee has been screening films for a film gallery. There is interactive art where anyone can become part of the picture.
Combine that with 24 hours of music and bands, food to die for, a thrilling night time iron pour, and you feel for a time that we are in the same league as the really big cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York who subsidize and promote their art scenes for tourist dollars.
Rubbing elbows with noted artists creates a synergy, that is best viewed at night, when the ancient brick building fairly glows from the activity within.
It is worth noting thatTrenton Artworks success depends on a slim professional staff and many enthusiastic volunteers who keep coming back year after year. Each year's event starts planning "next year" the day after cleanup from the current event. The year of preparation and planning shows well in the smooth flow of attractions and low number of bumps in the road. Kudos to all the planners and sponsors who contribute so generously of their time.
The following is a sample of what visitors can expect:
Indoor Stage.
Astronaut Jones-acoustic rock.
Eddie West-folk music and instrumentalist Marty Rifkin
Kelly Carvin-endorsed by American Idol and Apollo Theater, nominated for Best Female Acoustic Act at Asbury Park
Jim Gavin-soloist/song writer who runs program at ARC for disabled adults
Edna's Kin-American bluegrass band
The Renagades-Jazz band lead Barry Wilcox
Rebop-jazz standards from WestWindsor-Plainsboro school district
Wakah Chan-Jazz funk ensemble
Dale J. Gordon-White Trash Jazz album offerings, sketch and skits
Drop Dead Sparrow-alternative rock band high energy
DJ Ms. Sue-community DJ of the year out of home base WTSR
Trenton House Society-DJ promoters Steve Hype and Fake Brit
DJ Tangency-Philly University of the Arts influenced electronic remix
Anker-Woodstock influenced solo acoustic singer/songwriter
Matt Wong-is Matt "right", a teenage guitar player with innovative style
Shikantaza- ensemble rhythm section
The Rythm Kings-top Jazz musicians from Trenton/Princeton area, 6 piece swing band
Outdoor Stage.
Lipstick and Cigarettes-music of 80's rocking with today alternative "vibes"
The Constant-New York City rock band of 90's style
The Jah Guide Reggae Band-8 piece band mostly from Jamaica, play Trenton, NY, Conn, Princeton...
Chalk and The Beige Americans-smooth, eclectic, soul-hop w. guitar
Machucco's Trabuco-Puerto Rican percussion and island melody, reggae, salsa, calypso, jazz, merengue, kompa
Paul Plumeri-blues guitarist and singer
Downbound City-Party with acoustic guitars and rock and roll
Honah Lee-powerpop-punk noted for music and mayhem
Cryptkeeper Five-American punk rock band from Trenton now down to five members
SweetEureka-"garage band living in garage land" Ok
Cynthia White-Trenton gospel singer working on another album.Wrote "I'm a Survivor" for breast cancer. You go girl.
Kim Yarson-singer/songwriter from Chambersburg w. country touch
The Tone Rangers-a mix from Elvis to Allman Brothers...with blues thrown in
World Food Court Vendors:
Stewart's Root Beer-root beer floats, hot dogs, more
The Green Empanada-Empanadas
Fresh NetiBoo-fruit smoothies
Blossom's Catering-Caribbean Food featuring Jerk Chicken
Zizi's- Vegetarian Vegan Fare
SOCIAL-famous fish tacos, margaritas, martinis, mojitos
Stace's Cakes-Gourmet Cupcakes (apologies if incorrect name)
Sumo Sushi-Asian noodles, gelato and sushi
Trenton Kebab House-freshly made Gyros
Everything About Crepes-Gourmet Crepes
Taking Tea in Style-Freshly brewed tea
Buzzetta's- Sausage peppers onions and French fries
Magma Pizza-Falafel
Aunt Martha's Funnel Cakes-funnel cakes and deep fried oreos
Kiss the Chef-BBQ and pulled pork sandwiches
Italian Ice by Edwin-Italian ices
Keifer's Kettle Korn-Blue Moon-infused kettle corn
Now if only Blossom throws in cowfoot stew w. pimentos....
Art All Night puts Trenton on the map!
Trenton Rocks.
Artworks' Art All Night explodes on the scene June 16 and 17 at the Roebling Wire Works building on Dye Street and South Clinton Avenue. This 24 hour art and music venue again celebrates the best of New Jersey's creative energy.
Over 900 artists and 15,000 visitors are expected to flood city streets and Chambersburg in what has become the area's most surprising and rewarding event.
Artist works of all ages,from seniors' water colors to kid's refrigerator art, are exhibited with the best of area professionals. There are drawings, oil paintings, sculpture and handicrafts. Artworks show committee has been screening films for a film gallery. There is interactive art where anyone can become part of the picture.
Combine that with 24 hours of music and bands, food to die for, a thrilling night time iron pour, and you feel for a time that we are in the same league as the really big cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York who subsidize and promote their art scenes for tourist dollars.
Rubbing elbows with noted artists creates a synergy, that is best viewed at night, when the ancient brick building fairly glows from the activity within.
It is worth noting thatTrenton Artworks success depends on a slim professional staff and many enthusiastic volunteers who keep coming back year after year. Each year's event starts planning "next year" the day after cleanup from the current event. The year of preparation and planning shows well in the smooth flow of attractions and low number of bumps in the road. Kudos to all the planners and sponsors who contribute so generously of their time.
The following is a sample of what visitors can expect:
Indoor Stage.
Astronaut Jones-acoustic rock.
Eddie West-folk music and instrumentalist Marty Rifkin
Kelly Carvin-endorsed by American Idol and Apollo Theater, nominated for Best Female Acoustic Act at Asbury Park
Jim Gavin-soloist/song writer who runs program at ARC for disabled adults
Edna's Kin-American bluegrass band
The Renagades-Jazz band lead Barry Wilcox
Rebop-jazz standards from WestWindsor-Plainsboro school district
Wakah Chan-Jazz funk ensemble
Dale J. Gordon-White Trash Jazz album offerings, sketch and skits
Drop Dead Sparrow-alternative rock band high energy
DJ Ms. Sue-community DJ of the year out of home base WTSR
Trenton House Society-DJ promoters Steve Hype and Fake Brit
DJ Tangency-Philly University of the Arts influenced electronic remix
Anker-Woodstock influenced solo acoustic singer/songwriter
Matt Wong-is Matt "right", a teenage guitar player with innovative style
Shikantaza- ensemble rhythm section
The Rythm Kings-top Jazz musicians from Trenton/Princeton area, 6 piece swing band
Outdoor Stage.
Lipstick and Cigarettes-music of 80's rocking with today alternative "vibes"
The Constant-New York City rock band of 90's style
The Jah Guide Reggae Band-8 piece band mostly from Jamaica, play Trenton, NY, Conn, Princeton...
Chalk and The Beige Americans-smooth, eclectic, soul-hop w. guitar
Machucco's Trabuco-Puerto Rican percussion and island melody, reggae, salsa, calypso, jazz, merengue, kompa
Paul Plumeri-blues guitarist and singer
Downbound City-Party with acoustic guitars and rock and roll
Honah Lee-powerpop-punk noted for music and mayhem
Cryptkeeper Five-American punk rock band from Trenton now down to five members
SweetEureka-"garage band living in garage land" Ok
Cynthia White-Trenton gospel singer working on another album.Wrote "I'm a Survivor" for breast cancer. You go girl.
Kim Yarson-singer/songwriter from Chambersburg w. country touch
The Tone Rangers-a mix from Elvis to Allman Brothers...with blues thrown in
World Food Court Vendors:
Stewart's Root Beer-root beer floats, hot dogs, more
The Green Empanada-Empanadas
Fresh NetiBoo-fruit smoothies
Blossom's Catering-Caribbean Food featuring Jerk Chicken
Zizi's- Vegetarian Vegan Fare
SOCIAL-famous fish tacos, margaritas, martinis, mojitos
Stace's Cakes-Gourmet Cupcakes (apologies if incorrect name)
Sumo Sushi-Asian noodles, gelato and sushi
Trenton Kebab House-freshly made Gyros
Everything About Crepes-Gourmet Crepes
Taking Tea in Style-Freshly brewed tea
Buzzetta's- Sausage peppers onions and French fries
Magma Pizza-Falafel
Aunt Martha's Funnel Cakes-funnel cakes and deep fried oreos
Kiss the Chef-BBQ and pulled pork sandwiches
Italian Ice by Edwin-Italian ices
Keifer's Kettle Korn-Blue Moon-infused kettle corn
Now if only Blossom throws in cowfoot stew w. pimentos....
Art All Night puts Trenton on the map!
Trenton Rocks.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Caregiver Update and Other Stuff
Here is a reference for caregivers who are coping with the dilemma and demands of meeting needs of those afflicted with Alzheimers. The Mercer County Office on Aging supplied us with this link and the website is a good one to answer questions and provide tangible ways to help.
http://www.aoa.gov/aoaroot/Press_Room/News/2012/2012_04
News on the Social Security Front: Michael Hiltzik, writing for latimes.com/business, (26 Apr 2012) suggests that we "beef up Social Security benefits instead of cutting them". Wow. Heresy.He points out that the latest reports on the condition of the fund neglects to tell us that the program had a surplus of $69 billion last year, increasing to almost $2.7 TRILLION.
Hiltzik goes on to say that latest numbers indicate that over 55 million people depend on Social Security program benefits. 20 million Americans rely on it for supplement income to bring them up to poverty level and that money goes right back into the economy in the form of goods and services they need to survive.
20 MILLION Americans at the poverty level rely on the trust fund just to have a roof over their heads or food on the table. Here is a thought for you, if those amounts were increased, they would amount to a BOOST to the economy. That seems to be more productive than bonuses to bank bailouts where bonuses were paid because of "contract obligations" and other nonsense, padding accounts for the millionaire upper one percent in our economy.
Another thing, that one percent, holding 99 percent of our resources, has a tendency to hold itself apart from the lower poverty level of our society. It holds or reinvests into money making enterprises and does not trickle down. Since trickle down has not worked for the last fifty years, it is time to be creative and Mr. Hiltzik's suggestion has merit.
When workplace benefits and pension funds fell apart, there was an effort to emphasize personal savings and investments as an alternative to Social Security. Recent stock market debacles showed that was not a wise alternative.
Social Security is still the best bet if we can keep Congress out of the piggy bank. No more borrowing (to fight senseless wars) at the expense of our aging retirement community.
Period.
Please.
And another thought.... Waiting for the numbers of "Baby Boomers" to swell the ranks of senior citizens may be cause for apprehension among some pessimists fretting about stretching resources. On the other hand, this is a great opportunity for to welcome millions of new volunteers, with new leisure time, into a world where their talent and experience can make a difference.
Seniors rock.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Alzheimer's Hope
This year may be significant for Alzheimer's disease sufferers all over the world.
February 9, 2012, marked the announcement of an unusual weapon in our arsenal to treat one of our species most heartbreaking ailments. Mice with brain plaques were dosed by researchers with a drug already on the market. Doctors found spectacular results with a skin cancer drug previously used specifically to treat the sarcomas of AIDs patients.
Plaques and tangles in mouse brains began to clear from the tiny mouse patients within hours of starting the doses. Within three days, over half their Alzhimer type plaques had vanished and the critters recovered memory and some of their lost cognition.
This is so amazing that it might even be considered a cure.
But the drug has not been tested on humans for dementia. Approval for this purpose will be sought after, to be sure, and it is an approved human drug at present, so the likelihood of approval is not as tough as if it were the "new kid on the block".
Think of it. The nursing homes and continuing care facilities could scale back.
Home care could be so much more fun when your parent or spouse shares experiences or even the cooking.
Think of it. The future might be just one shot at your local pharmacy and then you could have Grammy back.
I just get goose bumps.
Seniors Rock.
February 9, 2012, marked the announcement of an unusual weapon in our arsenal to treat one of our species most heartbreaking ailments. Mice with brain plaques were dosed by researchers with a drug already on the market. Doctors found spectacular results with a skin cancer drug previously used specifically to treat the sarcomas of AIDs patients.
Plaques and tangles in mouse brains began to clear from the tiny mouse patients within hours of starting the doses. Within three days, over half their Alzhimer type plaques had vanished and the critters recovered memory and some of their lost cognition.
This is so amazing that it might even be considered a cure.
But the drug has not been tested on humans for dementia. Approval for this purpose will be sought after, to be sure, and it is an approved human drug at present, so the likelihood of approval is not as tough as if it were the "new kid on the block".
Think of it. The nursing homes and continuing care facilities could scale back.
Home care could be so much more fun when your parent or spouse shares experiences or even the cooking.
Think of it. The future might be just one shot at your local pharmacy and then you could have Grammy back.
I just get goose bumps.
Seniors Rock.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Alzheimers Updates
We all have absentminded moments. Someone told me that if you forget your keys, that is probably absent-mindedness, but it is something else if you forget the car.
As the numbers of seniors grows, and the baby-boomers swell our ranks, the cases of impaired cognition are going to rise. In January, President signed the National Alzheimer's Project Act with the intent of coordinating research and funding for our national efforts to control and treat this modern day scourge.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services A(www.hhs.gov)announced an additional $50 million dollars would be available for "cutting-edge" research this year. The President's action also includes an additional $26 million for "caregiver support, provider education,public awareness and improvements in data infrastructure.
There will be an advisory council to help define goals to treat and cure Alzheimers by 2025.
More than 5 million persons currently are being treated for Alzheimers. By 2050, the number is likely to be twice that, with accompanied demands on caregivers. Most patients stay with family caregivers as alternate facilities are too expensive for many Americans.
Over 2012 and 2013 funding will total $130 million for research, up 25% from previous appropriation.
Some current research is truly exciting, like the 72 hour injection that sloughed off plaque from lab mice, leaving them dramatically rejuvenated. Other medications are also promising...and some current standards are coming up blanks.
We are wondering what the impact of "baby boomers" and their numbers will have on various infrastructure and services and this is one area that the current Administration seems to be paying attention to.
One last note: There is also a sizeable amount to be dedicated to provider training. This field of education is growning because it is certain that the need will be there. This is a very promising direction for students to consider when choosing a career.
Just maybe someone in Washington "gets it."
People rock.
As the numbers of seniors grows, and the baby-boomers swell our ranks, the cases of impaired cognition are going to rise. In January, President signed the National Alzheimer's Project Act with the intent of coordinating research and funding for our national efforts to control and treat this modern day scourge.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services A(www.hhs.gov)announced an additional $50 million dollars would be available for "cutting-edge" research this year. The President's action also includes an additional $26 million for "caregiver support, provider education,public awareness and improvements in data infrastructure.
There will be an advisory council to help define goals to treat and cure Alzheimers by 2025.
More than 5 million persons currently are being treated for Alzheimers. By 2050, the number is likely to be twice that, with accompanied demands on caregivers. Most patients stay with family caregivers as alternate facilities are too expensive for many Americans.
Over 2012 and 2013 funding will total $130 million for research, up 25% from previous appropriation.
Some current research is truly exciting, like the 72 hour injection that sloughed off plaque from lab mice, leaving them dramatically rejuvenated. Other medications are also promising...and some current standards are coming up blanks.
We are wondering what the impact of "baby boomers" and their numbers will have on various infrastructure and services and this is one area that the current Administration seems to be paying attention to.
One last note: There is also a sizeable amount to be dedicated to provider training. This field of education is growning because it is certain that the need will be there. This is a very promising direction for students to consider when choosing a career.
Just maybe someone in Washington "gets it."
People rock.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Equal Rights
Artfull is very sad today.
I remember what it was like in the 60's as we fought for something called "Womens' Rights".
The past decade has seen so many gains taken away or pulled back as the conservatives hammered away at our culture... Is there anyone out there who remembers what it was like to walk into an employer's office for an interview and be told that women were not dependable because they "might get pregnant"? Does anyone remember that if you were good at math, but female, you must have been cheating? Girls took typing while boys played sports. Heck, girls competitive sports were not funded...school board money went to the male programs.
How about a society where getting "in the family way" meant a shotgun wedding, women who were maimed or even died because abortion procedures were "back alley", being sent off to live with a far away friend or relative or nuns till the baby was adopted? Does anyone remember that? Does anyone remember Murphy Brown and Dan Quayle's absurd declaration that Brown's TV persona, having a baby without marriage, was detrimental to the country's morals?
How about an oil company executive so full of himself for picking winners among his male staff that he describes a home interview this way: "When I go to the house, I always go to the kitchen for a glass of water. If there are dishes in the sink (!) he is out of the running. If he can't keep his wife under control, he can't handle the job."
The right to choice, which was passed by Congress and is the law, is targeted by the ultra conservative right segment of our political life. Since the Bush years,which were spent paying back those religious segments of our society that helped get him elected, we are mired in a culture which erodes the rights we worked so hard to establish.
Right to choice. Breakdown of color barriers. Gay and Lesbian rights. Equal pay for equal work. Discrimination in hiring and for access of all kinds is illegal. We need to be reminded that prejudice in our nation, which has always been part of our history, should not be permitted or encouraged. Women today are entitled to opportunity and privacy.
And finally...do we seniors want to be told that we cannot drive, live, work or survive because we are not the current economic producers in the nation?
Social security is our lifeline. As extremists knock down our hard fought gains because they cannot see beyond their Camry cars or Gucci totebags, we have to stand our ground. The Social Security program is one of the most efficient business models in our nation's history with an total overhead percentage rate that is equal to some retailers loss percent.
Finally: AARP magazine has the largest circulation in the nation. That should tell someone something.
Seniors rock.
I remember what it was like in the 60's as we fought for something called "Womens' Rights".
The past decade has seen so many gains taken away or pulled back as the conservatives hammered away at our culture... Is there anyone out there who remembers what it was like to walk into an employer's office for an interview and be told that women were not dependable because they "might get pregnant"? Does anyone remember that if you were good at math, but female, you must have been cheating? Girls took typing while boys played sports. Heck, girls competitive sports were not funded...school board money went to the male programs.
How about a society where getting "in the family way" meant a shotgun wedding, women who were maimed or even died because abortion procedures were "back alley", being sent off to live with a far away friend or relative or nuns till the baby was adopted? Does anyone remember that? Does anyone remember Murphy Brown and Dan Quayle's absurd declaration that Brown's TV persona, having a baby without marriage, was detrimental to the country's morals?
How about an oil company executive so full of himself for picking winners among his male staff that he describes a home interview this way: "When I go to the house, I always go to the kitchen for a glass of water. If there are dishes in the sink (!) he is out of the running. If he can't keep his wife under control, he can't handle the job."
The right to choice, which was passed by Congress and is the law, is targeted by the ultra conservative right segment of our political life. Since the Bush years,which were spent paying back those religious segments of our society that helped get him elected, we are mired in a culture which erodes the rights we worked so hard to establish.
Right to choice. Breakdown of color barriers. Gay and Lesbian rights. Equal pay for equal work. Discrimination in hiring and for access of all kinds is illegal. We need to be reminded that prejudice in our nation, which has always been part of our history, should not be permitted or encouraged. Women today are entitled to opportunity and privacy.
And finally...do we seniors want to be told that we cannot drive, live, work or survive because we are not the current economic producers in the nation?
Social security is our lifeline. As extremists knock down our hard fought gains because they cannot see beyond their Camry cars or Gucci totebags, we have to stand our ground. The Social Security program is one of the most efficient business models in our nation's history with an total overhead percentage rate that is equal to some retailers loss percent.
Finally: AARP magazine has the largest circulation in the nation. That should tell someone something.
Seniors rock.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Interviewing for the Job of President
Happy New Year!
It's the start of 2012. This is an election year and most media coverage is overshadowed by the competition for the Republican nomination for President. So far, we have had titilating and naughty tidbits of indiscrete behaviors, ho-hum charges of "flip-flopping", and even Donald Trump declaring his candidacy at one point.
Have we lost our collective minds? What does this circus prove? The rest of the world must think we are nuts.
When ordinary people go on a job interview, there is a long list of items that employers are not supposed to ask. Lately the question of age has been added to this rundown. However it is not appropriate for your interviewer to ask where you stand on abortion, whether you believe in birth control, how much money you have in your bank account, how much money you spent on your spouse's birthday present, if you prefer men or women as sexual partners, if you would eat meat if you had to kill it yourself, if you know how to use a gun, if you hate guns, if you pray to one god or several,etc.,etc.,etc.
Why do we think our political candidates have to answer these infernally intrusive questions?
Oh, I know, that is how we determine if they are Republican or Democrat, Liberal or Conservative, Red or Blue, Narrow or Wide...Come on now folks, this is freaking ridiculous.
We should be asking ourselves if the person has enough business expertise to know how to balance a set of books and present a rudimentary financial statement. Hopefully Business 101 would translate into knowing how to "follow the money."
If your bank account is running on empty, it makes sense to let your friendly neighborhood banker have first cracks at your needs (and then shop for a better interest rate). Whoops. That is what everyone does now anyhow...and they do it online. Tough to follow the money trail...but think of it as experience for more complicated situations...like looking down the tank at the "empty" Social Security Trust Fund.
Now let's look at it another way. Stem cell research? Other countries are charging ahead on stem cell research and technology while we cut off funding for domestic lab projects since we have a squeamishness about stem cell harvesting which frequently results in a non-viable embryo. Discouraging this form of research means that we have to pay "retail" for the results, instead of coming up with the product at home.
Republicans are still battling over a candidate's position on the question of "Choice" for the "Conservative" designation. Whenever debate gets bogged down in subjects like jobs and the economy, religious conservatives can be counted on to suck the life out of intellectual discussion by drawing the issues back to volatile abortion arguments.
Would it not be more relevant to find out if the candidate has a short fuse and hair trigger temper which would impact his response when provoked?
If a candidate is stubborn and uncompromising in his personal life, what chance would we have if he ran the country? What would happen when he or she butted heads with countries where loud noises and posturing are part of diplomatic foreplay? We must have a cool and level personality who would not overreact. The tearful display of candidates in recent weeks is troubling. Our President must deal in arenas where he is regarded as serenely powerful.
Our successful candidate should be bright, educated, and cognizant of our country's place in the engine of world commerce and culture, because there is no room for narcissistic overconfidence.
The successful job candidate should not be one who has a pocketful of cronies and fellow businessmen eager to swoop in for government contracts. He should know of such things but not be of them. You just can't expect a President to ride herd on unethical interests if he is closeted with them at regular intervals.
What qualities do you think a successful President should have to have? Looking back we got lucky a time or two, but the office has had its share of drunks, scamps and tricky business. Can't we do better?
Have the guy write an essay....like for the SAT or participate in a National Geographic type geography bee to indicate depth and/or lack of knowlege of the real world. Sometimes it seems that candidates are behaving like the world is flat. There must be more to the Presidential job description than the most recent caucuses and town hall meetings imply.
Seniors vote.
It's the start of 2012. This is an election year and most media coverage is overshadowed by the competition for the Republican nomination for President. So far, we have had titilating and naughty tidbits of indiscrete behaviors, ho-hum charges of "flip-flopping", and even Donald Trump declaring his candidacy at one point.
Have we lost our collective minds? What does this circus prove? The rest of the world must think we are nuts.
When ordinary people go on a job interview, there is a long list of items that employers are not supposed to ask. Lately the question of age has been added to this rundown. However it is not appropriate for your interviewer to ask where you stand on abortion, whether you believe in birth control, how much money you have in your bank account, how much money you spent on your spouse's birthday present, if you prefer men or women as sexual partners, if you would eat meat if you had to kill it yourself, if you know how to use a gun, if you hate guns, if you pray to one god or several,etc.,etc.,etc.
Why do we think our political candidates have to answer these infernally intrusive questions?
Oh, I know, that is how we determine if they are Republican or Democrat, Liberal or Conservative, Red or Blue, Narrow or Wide...Come on now folks, this is freaking ridiculous.
We should be asking ourselves if the person has enough business expertise to know how to balance a set of books and present a rudimentary financial statement. Hopefully Business 101 would translate into knowing how to "follow the money."
If your bank account is running on empty, it makes sense to let your friendly neighborhood banker have first cracks at your needs (and then shop for a better interest rate). Whoops. That is what everyone does now anyhow...and they do it online. Tough to follow the money trail...but think of it as experience for more complicated situations...like looking down the tank at the "empty" Social Security Trust Fund.
Now let's look at it another way. Stem cell research? Other countries are charging ahead on stem cell research and technology while we cut off funding for domestic lab projects since we have a squeamishness about stem cell harvesting which frequently results in a non-viable embryo. Discouraging this form of research means that we have to pay "retail" for the results, instead of coming up with the product at home.
Republicans are still battling over a candidate's position on the question of "Choice" for the "Conservative" designation. Whenever debate gets bogged down in subjects like jobs and the economy, religious conservatives can be counted on to suck the life out of intellectual discussion by drawing the issues back to volatile abortion arguments.
Would it not be more relevant to find out if the candidate has a short fuse and hair trigger temper which would impact his response when provoked?
If a candidate is stubborn and uncompromising in his personal life, what chance would we have if he ran the country? What would happen when he or she butted heads with countries where loud noises and posturing are part of diplomatic foreplay? We must have a cool and level personality who would not overreact. The tearful display of candidates in recent weeks is troubling. Our President must deal in arenas where he is regarded as serenely powerful.
Our successful candidate should be bright, educated, and cognizant of our country's place in the engine of world commerce and culture, because there is no room for narcissistic overconfidence.
The successful job candidate should not be one who has a pocketful of cronies and fellow businessmen eager to swoop in for government contracts. He should know of such things but not be of them. You just can't expect a President to ride herd on unethical interests if he is closeted with them at regular intervals.
What qualities do you think a successful President should have to have? Looking back we got lucky a time or two, but the office has had its share of drunks, scamps and tricky business. Can't we do better?
Have the guy write an essay....like for the SAT or participate in a National Geographic type geography bee to indicate depth and/or lack of knowlege of the real world. Sometimes it seems that candidates are behaving like the world is flat. There must be more to the Presidential job description than the most recent caucuses and town hall meetings imply.
Seniors vote.
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