One probably cannot afford to get sick in America unless he is financially able to pay for his own medical bills out of his own bank account.
God has blessed me with pretty good health. He has also blessed me with a job that offers a descent health care plan.
But up until the night when I got the opportunity to watch the documentary “Sicko,” I thought that I would be thoroughly covered medically with the health insurance plan that I have in place. Now, I am not sure.
It’s a scary thought to think that I could someday find myself in the position of needing medical treatment, and then discover that the medical insurance that I have will not cover me.
It is a disgrace what these insurance companies are doing to the people of America. It seems that they only are interested in insuring the people that have perfect health and do not need help.
For an insurance company to hire someone whose only job is to find loop holes in a person’s file so that the insurance company does not have to pay for their medical expenses seems to be so dishonest and deceitful. I sometimes wonder whether or not I would be better off without health insurance and just save my money and pray that I don’t get sick.
If the American government really and truly cared about all of its citizens, then I don’t understand why it cannot implement some type of health plan where everybody would be entitled to free government assisted medical care.
In Canada, Cuba, and some European countries, it has been proven that health care provided to their citizens by their government for free can work. So, why can’t America model a similar health care plan?
I recently watched a report on CNN regarding this gas crisis that we are currently experiencing. It stated that we, as Americans, should feel lucky to only be paying $4.00 per gallon for gas because in some European countries, the gas has been $6.00 per gallon for years.
Well, after finding out that they do not have to worry about getting sick and paying for medical treatment and medications, I can understand why they don’t make a big issue about paying $6.00 per gallon for gas.
The bottom line is that the American government does not care enough about its citizens when it comes to providing an adequate health care plan.
If you investigate deep enough, you will find out that it’s all about making money for these insurance companies. The best and maybe only alternative is to just pray that you do not get sick in America.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
American Man
As a man, I couldn’t disagree more with Paul Theroux’s opinions about what it is like to be a man. To me, being a man is one of the things that brings the most joy in my life. The comradeship that is shared between my male friends and I is something that I have enjoyed and look forward to for the rest of my life.
Not only did I disagree with the majority of his narrative, “Being a Man,” but after reading it, it left me a bit confused. He hates being a man, but yet, he does not like the idea of being a woman either. So, what does he considers himself to be? In his narrative, he expressed his
hatred with being an American male because he did not like American society’s definition of a man. His personal paradigms he experienced along with not having a desire to be molded into an American male caused his hatred of what he represented. He stated, “I have always disliked being a man.
The whole idea of manhood in America is pitiful, in my opinion” (p. 160). Before, I read further, I was thinking that Theroux may have wished he was a woman instead, but that was not the case. He went on to describe femininity as “an oppressed sense of nakedness” (p. 160).
I think while he was growing up from a little boy into a man, he grew tired of hearing boys should do this and men should do that. I would imagine he grew tired of hearing what little girls were suppose to do as girls and what things women where only to do as women.
He had a desire to be a writer, which was unheard of during his time because men did not grow up to be writers. Writing was a career for women not men. If he would have not listened to his heart to become a writer, then he would have had a more than unhappy life.
He ended up traveling or moving out of the country in order to be embraced as a writer. He simply abhorred the stereotypes of American men. He did not fit any of them. He even felt that the mere definition of men separated men from the company of women.
He went on to say that he hated organized sports. To him engaging in sports did not define masculinity. Overall, Theroux does not like being a man, and he does not care to be a woman either. I guess he is a person who does not want his life’s work to be defined by society’s definitions. He is a successful writer and teacher whose career has taken him all over the world.
Not only did I disagree with the majority of his narrative, “Being a Man,” but after reading it, it left me a bit confused. He hates being a man, but yet, he does not like the idea of being a woman either. So, what does he considers himself to be? In his narrative, he expressed his
hatred with being an American male because he did not like American society’s definition of a man. His personal paradigms he experienced along with not having a desire to be molded into an American male caused his hatred of what he represented. He stated, “I have always disliked being a man.
The whole idea of manhood in America is pitiful, in my opinion” (p. 160). Before, I read further, I was thinking that Theroux may have wished he was a woman instead, but that was not the case. He went on to describe femininity as “an oppressed sense of nakedness” (p. 160).
I think while he was growing up from a little boy into a man, he grew tired of hearing boys should do this and men should do that. I would imagine he grew tired of hearing what little girls were suppose to do as girls and what things women where only to do as women.
He had a desire to be a writer, which was unheard of during his time because men did not grow up to be writers. Writing was a career for women not men. If he would have not listened to his heart to become a writer, then he would have had a more than unhappy life.
He ended up traveling or moving out of the country in order to be embraced as a writer. He simply abhorred the stereotypes of American men. He did not fit any of them. He even felt that the mere definition of men separated men from the company of women.
He went on to say that he hated organized sports. To him engaging in sports did not define masculinity. Overall, Theroux does not like being a man, and he does not care to be a woman either. I guess he is a person who does not want his life’s work to be defined by society’s definitions. He is a successful writer and teacher whose career has taken him all over the world.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Murderball
After viewing the documentary,” Murder Ball”, I can confidently say that it was difficult for anyone not to take a moment to reflect on how blessed they are to have good health and full functioning of their arms and legs. I can only imagine the difficulties that are associated with an injury that are so devastating that it leaves one paralyzed from the waist down or worse. After experiencing the initial shock and devastation, the people depicted in the documentary had to come to the realization and accept the fact that their lives, as they knew it, changed in such a drastic way that it would never be the same. It was so imperative that they were strong mentally and had the support of their families. It was obvious to me that the characters in the documentary received the much needed support from their families and friends. It was also obvious to me that they were strong mentally. I think it was amazing the way they adjusted to their new lives. To have the desire to compete in a sport forced me to recognize that that having a disability does not change a person’s inner drive and motivation. Having to deal with all the hard stares from people along with the ignorant comments that they heard on a daily basis, was painfully obvious to me that we, as a society, have a long way to go to learn to be empathetic toward people who are disabled. One of the characters stated that he gets the comment very often that people are happy to see him out and participating in the Special Olympics. The comment was offensive to him because the event is not called the “special Olympics”; it was a rugby tournament.
What does the film suggest about people with disabilities? I think that it is not society as a whole that is insensitive towards people with disabilities, but rather, some people may be insensitive and not be aware that their comments are offensive. It is not every day that most people come in contact with disabled individuals. Therefore, people who do come in contact with people with disabilities on a regular basis need to help educated others on how to be sympathetic and accepting of disabled people. The film forces us to focus on their difficulties and their way of life.
I think it was great that the federal government created the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to ensure that disabled people are treated fairly. The film focuses on human emotion s of sympathy, gratefulness, and being appreciative towards human life. It showed how society views or acts toward disabled people, and it forces us to recognize our common human characteristics of being fearful of the unknown and having respect for disabled people.
What does the film suggest about people with disabilities? I think that it is not society as a whole that is insensitive towards people with disabilities, but rather, some people may be insensitive and not be aware that their comments are offensive. It is not every day that most people come in contact with disabled individuals. Therefore, people who do come in contact with people with disabilities on a regular basis need to help educated others on how to be sympathetic and accepting of disabled people. The film forces us to focus on their difficulties and their way of life.
I think it was great that the federal government created the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to ensure that disabled people are treated fairly. The film focuses on human emotion s of sympathy, gratefulness, and being appreciative towards human life. It showed how society views or acts toward disabled people, and it forces us to recognize our common human characteristics of being fearful of the unknown and having respect for disabled people.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Greedy Enron
Greed is a powerful human trait that is possessed by many and controlled by few. The dictionary defines greed as a selfish desire beyond reason. In most situations, it leads to the demise of all.
The movie that we were shown in class about the rise and fall of Enron spoke volumes about the power of greed, and the effect that it has on individuals once they get a taste of success and power. The events that lead to the fall of Enron, and the effects that it had on its employees and shareholders went beyond tragic. The lack of accountability and responsibility displayed by the executives only added to the pain and misery felt by the people that were affected as a result of it.
The first priority of a corporation is to make a profit. In the case of the Enron executives, their first priority was to make money. Their second priority was assuring that the future of their kids and families were secured. Acquiring as many big boy toys such as cars, boats, planes and more was high on their priority list along with keeping their mistresses happy. It wasn’t until after all of those things were accomplished that they felt the need to address any type of loyalty or responsibility to their employees other than paying their salaries.
It would probably be asking too much of a corporation such as Enron to always be open and honest with its employees. The company was deceitful with information it circulated in regards to the strength and future direction the company.
Expecting a decent salary for an honest day’s work would be a great start. It should also be expected of them to provide their employees with a 401K plan, health benefits, a safe working environment, and adequate training that would allow the employees to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities.
The responsibility that a corporation should have toward its customers should include having a quality product and service, a hassle free, customer service department, and a non-threatening work environment.
As a corporation, these responsibilities and the commitment to their employees and customers is something that should be accepted and viewed as an entitlement owed to them. It should not be viewed as a dreaded consequence of owning a business. The greediness of the Enron exectutives lead to their tragic downfall.
The movie that we were shown in class about the rise and fall of Enron spoke volumes about the power of greed, and the effect that it has on individuals once they get a taste of success and power. The events that lead to the fall of Enron, and the effects that it had on its employees and shareholders went beyond tragic. The lack of accountability and responsibility displayed by the executives only added to the pain and misery felt by the people that were affected as a result of it.
The first priority of a corporation is to make a profit. In the case of the Enron executives, their first priority was to make money. Their second priority was assuring that the future of their kids and families were secured. Acquiring as many big boy toys such as cars, boats, planes and more was high on their priority list along with keeping their mistresses happy. It wasn’t until after all of those things were accomplished that they felt the need to address any type of loyalty or responsibility to their employees other than paying their salaries.
It would probably be asking too much of a corporation such as Enron to always be open and honest with its employees. The company was deceitful with information it circulated in regards to the strength and future direction the company.
Expecting a decent salary for an honest day’s work would be a great start. It should also be expected of them to provide their employees with a 401K plan, health benefits, a safe working environment, and adequate training that would allow the employees to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities.
The responsibility that a corporation should have toward its customers should include having a quality product and service, a hassle free, customer service department, and a non-threatening work environment.
As a corporation, these responsibilities and the commitment to their employees and customers is something that should be accepted and viewed as an entitlement owed to them. It should not be viewed as a dreaded consequence of owning a business. The greediness of the Enron exectutives lead to their tragic downfall.
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