When asked by the LSJ which side I had more confidence in the legislature or insurance companies in setting car insurance rates, my response probably echoed most peoples'.
Frankly, I do not believe either "authority" at this point. Both sides are presenting noisy rhetoric and finger-pointing with little or no explanation. If bad credit scores make people crash their cars in sheer despair, let's hear the proof! Or does it make sense to arbitrarily (the legislature) cut rates wherever and for whomever with no rationale?
The insurance industry should be able to demonstrate statistical information proving who has a higher rate of claims and the legislature should quite playing to popular sentiment and weigh the facts. Maybe they could sit down, shut up and "listen" to each other?
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
COLOR ME BLUE
Latest rant. Why is such a big deal being made out of idiotic remarks made a couple of years ago? The President has accepted the apology and moved on. We need to do the same. How can he be the president of us all when certain interest groups continually want him to make "issues" out of everything. We have fought these wars before- racism, sexism, orientation. We are all human beings, each with our own talents, failures and humanity. Get over it already.
As a woman who broke several barriers in the course of my non-traditional career over the years, I understand what it's like to be different. If I carried a chip on my shoulder and rallied for "my rights" every day and on every issue I dare say I would have not been able to accomplish half of what I had done. Sometimes you just have to ignore the subtle insults and prove you can do the job. But making me stop to insist on my "rights" doesn't work people!
Eventually we all have to get along with each other and accept what each of us brings to the table. Do we have built-in bias' and fears? Of course. But the sooner we get over it, the stronger we will be.
As a woman who broke several barriers in the course of my non-traditional career over the years, I understand what it's like to be different. If I carried a chip on my shoulder and rallied for "my rights" every day and on every issue I dare say I would have not been able to accomplish half of what I had done. Sometimes you just have to ignore the subtle insults and prove you can do the job. But making me stop to insist on my "rights" doesn't work people!
Eventually we all have to get along with each other and accept what each of us brings to the table. Do we have built-in bias' and fears? Of course. But the sooner we get over it, the stronger we will be.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
TERROR SCENES
LSJ question this week was what were our thoughts about protecting the public against terrorist threats like the one in Detroit at Christmas. Serious stuff and opinion, but my answer did make me laugh.
Upon asking for input from my peers the best suggestion was landing everyone on an island and bringing them in on metal-detecting boats and buses. Also prohibit all carry-ons! That one seems obvious. Otherwise let's use a little common sense on the profiling. In most terrorist events, the perpetrator looks pretty much the same. Stop harassing the middle-aged professionally dressed female business traveler. Oh,and one more thought. We might quit advertising every detail of the security measures being used!
Upon asking for input from my peers the best suggestion was landing everyone on an island and bringing them in on metal-detecting boats and buses. Also prohibit all carry-ons! That one seems obvious. Otherwise let's use a little common sense on the profiling. In most terrorist events, the perpetrator looks pretty much the same. Stop harassing the middle-aged professionally dressed female business traveler. Oh,and one more thought. We might quit advertising every detail of the security measures being used!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
LSJ OPINIONS
Thought I would post a couple of recent opinions that did not make the Sunday edition. They are always online for LSJ, but hard to find. Difficult to express all the thoughts or issues in 75 words or less, but therein lies the challenge!
For the question on what I would like to see in the State budget:
"The State needs to get creative when it comes to the regulations and tax structures that are crippling small and mid-size companies. They are the ones struggling to survive yet employ 1,000's of people. They do not have the clout to demand concessions yet they will bring this state back if we just support their efforts. Some assistance or alternatives to allow smaller companies to cover health care costs would also be a major step forward."
On the question of what I would like to see in the next Governor:
"First there should be a limit on election spending. No buying of elections. The next governor should be compassionate to the needs of the people yet strong enough to make the tough decisions regardless of who it upsets. However no governor can succeed or focus on more important issues when they are constantly wrangling with a self-serving partisan legislature. "Politics as usual" has been a devastating win/lose game with Michigan taxpayers ending up the losers. Get over yourselves!"
For the question on what I would like to see in the State budget:
"The State needs to get creative when it comes to the regulations and tax structures that are crippling small and mid-size companies. They are the ones struggling to survive yet employ 1,000's of people. They do not have the clout to demand concessions yet they will bring this state back if we just support their efforts. Some assistance or alternatives to allow smaller companies to cover health care costs would also be a major step forward."
On the question of what I would like to see in the next Governor:
"First there should be a limit on election spending. No buying of elections. The next governor should be compassionate to the needs of the people yet strong enough to make the tough decisions regardless of who it upsets. However no governor can succeed or focus on more important issues when they are constantly wrangling with a self-serving partisan legislature. "Politics as usual" has been a devastating win/lose game with Michigan taxpayers ending up the losers. Get over yourselves!"
Saturday, November 7, 2009
ONE SMALL LIGHT
One must admit there are extremists on both ends of the world view spectrum which really do not define who most of us are and what we believe. As we grow a little older and hopefully wiser, we find our ideals encompass both liberal and conservative viewpoints. We believe what we believe based on our experiences, our families, our friends and most of us try to do the right thing.
But I have to admit if it wasn't for those annoying, saber rattling, hysterical opposite views being expressed,the world would be a scarier place. Debate and protest prevent one group from taking over completely and I thank whoever, that we can still do so in this country.
I ask you, if the crackpot liberals did not keep fighting for what they believe is right the wealthy, the bankers and wall street would force us to take whatever they deem fit and personal freedom would be a thing of the past. And if the wild-eyed conservatives did not continually fight to preserve their world view we would probably descend into chaos.
So I raise a glass to both sides of the everlasting debate as I contemplate the wisdom of my 57 or is it 58 years on this planet. ROCK ON!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
FALLING SCENES
Noticed a bouquet of fall flowers today. The colors were rich and succulent. Reds, yellows, purplish pink and white. Funny that the end of the season presents such vivid colors. Every notice how on a sunny fall day the sky is so blue it almost hurts your eyes? The leaves wear crimson and golden coats just before they skydive to their eventual demise. Almost as if the dying makes everything more colorful and vibrant.
A metaphor for life, love and death. A fever burns hotter; eyes shine brighter. A glimpse into heaven. Makes a lot of sense really. Two years ago this week. There must be a butterfly nearby....
A metaphor for life, love and death. A fever burns hotter; eyes shine brighter. A glimpse into heaven. Makes a lot of sense really. Two years ago this week. There must be a butterfly nearby....
Sunday, September 13, 2009
SCENES OF PROTEST
I find the vehemence and passion of the protests against a health care reform totally amazing. This affects every citizen of this country. People should not have to die for lack of care or go bankrupt due lack of coverage.
Where were all these protesters when Wall Street was bailed out and executives rewarded for crashing the economy? Where were the marchers and venomous rhetoric against the bank bailouts which were used for executive bonuses and banks buying up other banks. Yet the businesses and people who were begging for a small piece of these billions for loans "WHICH THEY WOULD PAY BACK" were getting nada. Ahh ahh the same people and businesses who would stop foreclosures, produce products, pay their workers and get the economy going again.
Protest and disruption are great tactics. We children of the 60's and 70's learned that lesson very well. Unfortunately normally thinking, intelligent people are questioning the need for health care reform rather than the tactics that are being used to confuse and condemn any change. Apparently it is ok for the rich to get richer, but not for the rest of us to have the basics of preventative care and choice. The large insurance companies control 70 to 95% of the business in most states. There is no choice.
Is the govt perfect? No of course not, but changes are needed and it takes a giant and compassion to slay the other giants. All options require compromise, but to do nothing but accept the status quo rewards the wrong segment of society and may condemn many to bankruptcy or worse.
Where were all these protesters when Wall Street was bailed out and executives rewarded for crashing the economy? Where were the marchers and venomous rhetoric against the bank bailouts which were used for executive bonuses and banks buying up other banks. Yet the businesses and people who were begging for a small piece of these billions for loans "WHICH THEY WOULD PAY BACK" were getting nada. Ahh ahh the same people and businesses who would stop foreclosures, produce products, pay their workers and get the economy going again.
Protest and disruption are great tactics. We children of the 60's and 70's learned that lesson very well. Unfortunately normally thinking, intelligent people are questioning the need for health care reform rather than the tactics that are being used to confuse and condemn any change. Apparently it is ok for the rich to get richer, but not for the rest of us to have the basics of preventative care and choice. The large insurance companies control 70 to 95% of the business in most states. There is no choice.
Is the govt perfect? No of course not, but changes are needed and it takes a giant and compassion to slay the other giants. All options require compromise, but to do nothing but accept the status quo rewards the wrong segment of society and may condemn many to bankruptcy or worse.
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