Free Market Emergency? Yes, I’d Like to Compare Prices…

In this Friday’s Drawing for a Reader, I was prompted to tackle the issue of health care. I’m surprised I’d not tried health care, considering it’s such a big issue. I guess that’s why I invite topic suggestions, so I don’t get into any set grove.

So here you have it.

Free market health care, as explained in an article by Jay Bookman (August 23, 2007), would encourage health care consumers (meaning you) to be more proactive in seeking the best possible price for your health care solutions. Some advocates of Free Market Theory have used laser eye surgery as an excellent example of how non-covered medical expenses within the free market economy, become cheaper over time.

Yes, this may sound rosy when you no longer need your tinted glasses. But come on. Do we really think our health care costs keep going up because of minor cosmetic surgeries? Let’s try, $2000 for a 10 minute emergency room visit for starters. And it only goes up from there.

U.S. Officials May Be Reconsidering Democracy in Iraq

Just when I’m thinking every idea has been sopped out of my brain, I read the news.

Today, CNN reported that US Officials are no longer considering democracy to be necessary in Iraq, and would be willing to have a leader (read US installed dictator) that would provide security and a functional government.

Now isn’t that starting to sounds a lot like the government before occupation?

Superbad Dick Cheney Political Cartoon

Ok, I have a confession. I have this little problem. I don’t like to bring it up. But there was a time when all I could do was draw the Veep Pres.

I won’t say any more.

(If you’ve seen Superbad, then you’ll get this one. If you haven’t…see the movie, and visit again. It’ll make a lot more sense.)

Also, check out this YouTube video of “Drawing Dick Cheney with Editorial Cartoonist Justin Bilicki”. Great fun.

Forget Cheese Bombs and Backpacks, Terrorists May Try Wheelchairs

Forget dry runs with fake cheese bombs, for which the TSA released an advisory on back in July 2007. Terrorists are more likely to exploit a recently revealed lapse in our nation’s awareness of elderly black men in wheelchairs sitting in the same place at an airport for three days. Or could it be a handicapped person trying to cross a inaccessible section of an airport…for three days.

The incident last week where an elderly minister was left on the curb for three days has been described in as many ways as possible as a sad day. A better explanation of this sadness exists at SmashedFrog.

A true core has been revealed about Americans as a citizenry. We ignore what appear to be inconveniences, like the homeless, the elderly, the handicapped. The list could go on. And while the terrorism alert level didn’t change based on this incident, I’m thinking my own alert level is going up - to be more alert to helping others.

Climate Change Nudes Startle Swiss Glacier Ice Worms

A group of activists climbed a Swiss Glacier and sprawled out nude on the ice (watch a perspective from the Right on YouTube). The art event was intended to bring awareness to the issue of climate change.

Unfortunately these sorts of stunts prove useful fodder for conservatives that want to discount serious discussion of what can be done. And serious dialogue is what we need to hear. Laying nude on the ice will not bring an end to the current trajectory we’ve placed for our planet, and the event likely contributed in some small way to the demise of the local ecosystem.

So here’s one vote for serious climate change talk … and to keeping the clothes on.

‘Sheed May Have Been Right All Along About NBA Refs

A break from politics is sometimes in order. And that’s why some of us find ourselves drawn to sports.

What’s funny is how similar modern politics is to modern sports. Justice, fairness, and the people (fans) play second to the money. Scandal after scandal seems to rock the world of sports, and now the NBA is being shaken up by gambling, game-fixing NBA referee, Tim Donaghy, with the potential of up to 20 more referees implicated in the scheme.

Being an Oregonian and an ex-Trail Blazer fan, I always admired Rasheed, even when so many fan’s were against him. His passion for fighting the injustices of refereeing was unmatched. And it didn’t matter how many technicals he received, it was more important to fight for what was right. Isn’t this how the public should have been a few years back, before the Iraq war was ever launched? Calls for impeachment seem a bit late today. Why not a few years ago? Instead, too many in the media, and public remained spectators, while the Bush administration was able to pursue any agenda they wanted.

While I doubt many will side with me on my support of ‘Sheed, I do think we’d benefit from a little of his passion in our fight against injustice. Because eventually you’ll be proven right.

Tony Snow Knows Poor and Feels Your Pain

Tony Snow, White House spokesman, to step down, according to sources (from CNN August 17). Tony Snow revealed his intentions to Hugh Hewitt, a talk-show host, that financial reasons may prevent him from completing the remainder of the Bush presidency.

I’m sure this will touch some. We can all relate to how hard it is to raise a family under the Bush administration. Imagine only making $168,000 a year.

So remember, Tony Snow feels your pain.

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