An Open Letter to Americans, the President and the Congress

Why should senior citizens have government-sponsored health care (Medicare) while the rest of the population has to get their health care from an employer-sponsored plan or in the case of the unemployed, buy it themselves or go without? It is evident to me that a Medicare for all citizens in a single payer system best serves the health needs of the country. It would cut out the middle man (Insurance companies) who have not served the health care needs of this nation for a very long time. They have reaped exorbitant profits, denied insurance and care to the needy, and made it virtually impossible for the average family to have health care.

The pending health care reform with its weakened public option is a joke. In fact, less than 10% of the population will benefit. It will be a huge windfall for insurance companies, and the politicians who are on the take (Most of them) will tout this as a huge success. It is nothing more than a ginormous government spending bill put forth by a gutless congress who is and has been out of touch with you and me and every other red-blooded working class American since World War One. This new health care reform should be abandoned. It will not do what it has been touted to do.It is a ghetto policy that throws a bone to a dying dog.
We need medical reform for all, not just the very poor or the very rich. We don't need triggers, delays, exchanges or any other nonsensical tactic to deny the care we deserve.

We have a Democrat president, a Democrat House, a Democrat Congress- a clear mandate from the voters to accomplish two things: Health care for all and end the war. It looks like when the cards are on the table, that neither will be accomplished because too many elected officials will capitulate to the special interest lobbies of the wealthy 1%.

It is criminal, the promises made by the President and the Congress. All the flowery speeches in the world will not deceive most Americans who are much smarter than most politicians and understand very well what is happening. Methinks, this sorry government has gone too far with obfuscation and the people will rise up in anger and take back what they've lost to the dishonesty of the financial and political system. Shame on you. You have sold out 300,000,000 people for your own minuscule slice of a very large pie. I, like Mrs. Obama don't have many reasons to be proud of my country right now. Perhaps Rev. Wright isn't as crazy as the naysayers made him out to be. Sometimes every American must feel like "God Damn America" is the correct feeling for the idiocy that streams across the nightly news.

I know as I write these words, that my children and grandchildren are facing a much bleaker future than I've had. The gap between the haves and have nots will widen, personal wealth will decrease, debt will increase, Afghanistan and Iraq will be an un-winnable quagmire and the nation's health, accept for the privileged will decline. It is my fervent prayer that I'm wrong, but I don't think I am. In closing, I implore Mr. Obama and the United States Congress to do an integrity check and do the right thing, before it is too late.

New temp. Home

Traveling Companion/Friend

Well, my new 5th wheel is situated in the Four Seasons RV Park in Littlefield, AZ for the winter. Harold and Linda Whittier, the park's owners are wonderful people. They both spent a couple of hours helping me set up the rig and getting oriented. Now all I need is a nice travel companion who loves Mexico to accompany me to Lakeside at Jocopetec when I decide to go to Mexico. We can't have too many friends.

The New Rig

Traveled from California after purchasing this baby, hauling it back to Nevada, through the desert with my pickup. The trip was slow going and somewhat nerve-wracking. I've decided to snowbird it with this trailer rather than move bags and baggage to Mexico. I an thinking however about pulling it to The Roca Azul RV Park in Jocopetec and staying there for about 5 months.

olivia.3g2

A Reply to Barbara L.

An American lady, Barbara L. 62 yrs old, an ex-pat living in Italy asked for advice about relocating to Mexico. She is very unhappy living in Italy.Before Italy she lived at Lakeside in Ajijic for a while. Here is my reply to her:

WE can run, but we can't hide from ourselves. You squarely need to face the "Wild Hair" that motivated you to pursue the European fantasy initially. Or the even wilder hair that incited the escape to Mexico the first time around. Was it money? Lifestyle?Romance or sexual longing? Security or insecurity? What are you looking for the second time around at the age of 62?
It seems to me with the world in its present dither economically that such a permanent life-changing move merits careful consideration. Mexico is not the nirvana that people often attribute to it. The economy is horrible. There is a raging drug war. Violent crime is on the up tick. Home invasions are common and the swine flu will probably return with a vengeance in the Fall. There are almost as many reasons to avoid moving there as there are advantages to retiring there.

Having said this, one can still have a very affordable and satisfying life SOB with eyes wide open. The language, the food, the people, affordable medical care, Mexican culture, cheap housing, and an ex-patriot support system add up to good reasons for retiring to Mexico and Lakeside or San Miguel Allende in particular. I having the niggling suspicion though that if you feel alone and isolated in Italy after eight years there, you'll feel the same way in Mexico, subtitles and all. Carefully look at the "Wild Hair". Honestly, I'm not trying to pop your bubble. I have been wrestling with similar considerations for well over a year now. My fantasy of being a latin lover is probably closer to being a pathetic old gringo in reality. Pursue your dreams, but wisely.
Buena Suerte.
Keith

Granddaughters on fath day