Medical update and other etc.

Not much new to report. I will write more when something changes. Otherwise nothing said means nothing changed.

I am pretty much off an pain meds and the headaches are generally gone.

My tongue is still causing me speech impediments so that indicates that the clot at my CAD location is taking it's time to dissolve.

My records from Phoenix arrived incomplete. Of course the part missing was the write up from my angiogram and follow on instructions for exercise and future scans, etc. I had to send another record release requesting the final pieces.

Two more classes start this Monday: astronomy and nanotechnology.

A college friend of Mary and mine is visiting this next weekend with his bride and brand new daughter. My mother's oldest brother, bride and daughter will be out here at the end of the month to enjoy AZ, CO and NM.

Her Highness, Julia Sweeney, Queen of the USA

Julia Sweeney doesn't frequently post to her blog but her most recent post has some thought provoking ideas. Read the full post here:

1.) Flat income tax with no deductions. I'm guessing between 15 to 25%. No nifty accountants, no discount for being poor, no deductions for children, or interest on house loans, or even medical expenses, and no increased tax for the rich. I know it seems like the rich should pay more, but I think they pay so much less now -- than even poor people do -- because of all the deductions they take. I think this is a fair start.

2.) Mandatory conscription. Everyone has to serve two years. It can be in the military but could also be building infrastructure in the U.S. or aid, Peace Corps like, outside the U.S. This would also help create a more cohesive American culture. To me this is important because I think the need for culture is great and religion swoops into the vacuum. Additionally, if people from the wealthier classes had to send their children off to war, there would be fewer wars. Duh.

3.) Universal health care. Medicare for all. Untether health care from jobs.

4.) Universal and equal education. Remove the correlation between property taxes and school budgets. Children of people who are not high-income expensive-home-owners should not have to go to schools of any less quality because of their parents situation. Parents in rich areas have a greater resource of available at-home parents who can volunteer and this is allowed. This will inevitably cause a discrepancy in the schools, but this I will allow. (Yes! I am QUEEN! This is fun!) Religious private schools are outlawed. Private alternative learning schools are allowed, as long as the basics are taught. This subject is added to the curriculum: Religion. Not teaching religion, teaching children about religion. The Bible is mandatory reading in school. Are you shocked? I do believe we would have much less fanaticism, fundamentalism, and influence by the religious right if everyone were forced to just simply read the Bible as literature, as a historical document, as a window into religion itself and not the word of god. I would still allow religions to exist (aren't I tolerant?) and kids could get religious schooling after their regular school if their parent chooses this.

5.) Charity Schmarity. No tax deductions for churches or any non-profit organizations. None. People will still give money to charities even if it's there is no tax benefit, this has been proven time and again. Churches rake it in and have little to report about it. Other charities do too, it drives me nuts.

6.) No inheritance. You can't transfer wealth to those who are over age 21. (Okay, this idea is impossible, hell, they're all probably impossible - but this one really REALLY is. Still, I like the idea that wealth cannot be transferred to those who did not earn it unless they're children.)

7.) Eliminate special states rights. State lines should evolve over time to simple cultural and geographical delineation's. No special business tax havens in Wyoming, for example. State taxes would also be set at a flat rate and every state would have the same rate.

8.) Lobbying is made illegal. Sure there will still be lobbyists, but it will be clandestine and when rooted out, prosecutable.

9.) Electoral college abolished. One person, one vote. I would go with the necessity of picture identification cards at the polling places.

10.) Eliminate tax subsidies to any business that is profitable or even possibly profitable. Eliminate tax subsidies to any business that creates pollution.

11.) Marijuana decriminalized.

12.) Other drugs also should be decriminalized, but they can only be done if you're not a parent and in a safe environment and not driving. If you're out of your home (which cannot have children in it) you have to be with others doing the same drug. Basically I would set up drug houses where, if you want to do drugs, that's fine, you can go there and do it. But you have to stay there until you're off of the drug or dead. I guess that means we will also provide the drugs. All right, fine. But no leaving until you are dead or not high anymore. (HA! This is really fun!)

13.) Euthanasia decriminalized, equal marriage rights for gays, prostitution decriminalized, and regulated. 

14.) "Under God" taken out of the pledge. "In God We Trust" replaced with the historical, original "E Pluribus Unum" on money.

15.) Our influence in the world limited to defending a Universal Bill of Rights. Forget about bringing democracy everywhere. A solid Bill of Rights is more important than democracy.

16.) Online poker is legalized.

17.) Palestine has a right to exist, Israel out of Gaza. Jeez! Let the boats in, for crying out loud.

18.) State Fair's are mandatory. State's cannot vote to de-fund them. (Michigan?! are you listening?) They are too much fun and add to state pride and understanding.

19.) Abortions are free. Anyone who wants one can have one. No questions asked, no waiting period. Also, babies born with severe disabilities can be euthanized. Yes, I said it. I'm with Peter Singer on this one. I know it's a tragedy. These things happen. While I'm on the subject, birth control is also free.

20.) Cash payments for going to the gym. I'm not sure how this will actually work but somehow you get $20 in cash for every time you go work out at the gym or go to yoga.

21.) High school students must graduate with a certified skill. It could be hair cutting, electrical apprenticeships, copy editor apprentices, marble cutters, sous chefs - something - a skill that can be learned in a year, which has enough basics for a job, and is certifiable.

Discuss.

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