BRING BACK BORING IN 2024

A panelist on a public television program recently said that former Vice President Pence was boring. Therefore, she reasoned this would preclude him from consideration as a presidential candidate. I’m not sure that’s a bad thing Most voters are sick and tired of chaos coming out of the White House. We want a president who commands respect. While I’m not endorsing Pence or any other candidate, I’d like a leader who won’t make us the laughing stock of the world. Bring Back Boring in 2024.

Here is what I would not like to see in a candidate:

*Some one who has been indicted in several states for various crimes such as obstruction of justice and sexual assault.

*Shakes hands with ghosts, proclaims “God Save The Queen” after a speech about gun control, and calls someone a “lying, dog faced pony soldier. (whatever that means).

*Runs down his politicial opponents by using childish, school yard nick names. Builds himself up by running others down.

*Defends his son for failing to pay income taxes and child support. Says he’s proud of a man who’s debauchery can be seen all over the internet.

*Hides classified materials in his bathroom and refuses to return them to the proper authorities.

*Is suspected of receiving millions of dollars in exchange for favorable policies toward China.

*Will celebrate eighty plus birthdays while serving as president of the United States of America and leader of the free world.

Remembering Truman, Reagan, Eisenhower, this is what I would like to see.

Someone who:

*Conducts himself with dignity and respect for others.

*Hasn’t been indicted for a crime or involved in a scandal.

*Has distinguished himself as a defender of American Values.

*Enjoys a stable family life,.

*Works with the opposing political party to do what’s best for the American people.

*Respects all races, religions and social classes without pandering to any.

*Welcomes all immigrants, as long as they come into this country in a legal, orderly manner.

Above all, the president of the United States of America should be a statesman, not a politician. According to Dr. J. Rufus Fears, professor of the history and freedom, the two are not the same thing. He said a statesman must possess four critical qualities:

A bedrock of principles
A moral compass
A vision
The ability to build a consensus to achieve that vision

Does that sound too boring? ? I don’t think so. Bring Back Boring in 2024.

June 19, 2023June 18, 2023

HELP! HOSPITALS MAY GHOST YOU.

Most nonagenarians have important doctor appointments on a regular basis. Perhaps that’s why they’re still alive. My husband saves all of his appointment cards, even though the hospital usually calls or texts to remind him of the date and time. Last Monday, as his son arrived to drive him to the doctor, we realized he hadn’t received a reminder. Called the office just to be sure, and they informed him there was no use coming in, because his doctor had retired and left town. He asked if they had arranged for him to see someone else. No. Had they set up another appointment? Again, no. Why hadn’t they notified him that he had apparently been dropped by their system? They said they had been too busy. Help! Hospitals may ghost you.

Getting an elderly person to his doctor appointments is often a time intensive effort. A friend, child, caregiver or spouse has to get him showered and dressed before escorting him to the car or van. Hopefully, they will find a handicapped parking space near the door. Carefully, they get him out of the car, into the building, and up the elevator. But let’s say that when they arrive, they’re informed they don’t have an appointment after all. In this case, numerous scheduled patients and their caregivers will have spent precious energy and time getting them there. Worse yet, no other provider is willing or able to see him. He could go home and expire, for all they care.

How in the world has the quality of patient care deteriorated so drastically in the past few years? Apparently, it’s because most doctors have left private practice to work for managed care in hospital systems. Their contract is based on generating a certain amount of revenue. The more patients they see per day, the more “productive” they’re seen by the powers that be. Doctors who spend too much time with their patients may not get their contracts renewed and have to move on.

HELP! hOSPITALS MAY GHOST YOU because they can't afford enough doctors. — HELP1 HOSPITALS MAY GHOST YOU because they can’t attract enough doctors for good patient care.

The average specialist sees between 15 to 20 patients per day. However, there are some hardworking physicians who may see up to 60 patients a day. If they work a 50 hour week, how much time do they have to spend with individual patients? Six minutes, maybe. Do they like it? No. But the hospital that employs them is pleased as punch, because they’re making more money on that doctor.

Some hospital systems expect more from their physicians than others. Those that demand higher productivity often don’t have enough doctors on staff. In fact, they may get to the point where few doctors want to work for them. When that happens, the patient gets a poor quality of care, or maybe no care at all.

Help! Hospitals may ghost you.

June 12, 2023June 12, 2023

TELL ME IT’S COMING FROM CHINA

Thanks to Covid, I began shopping for clothes online. It doesn’t always work out, because what looks good on a size 4 model doesn’t always translate well to a size 14 body. However, the luxury of shopping from my computer vs. driving to a mall outweighs any negatives. There’s just one thing I wish they would change. When I order a garment, I’d like to be told upfront where it’s being produced. Please tell me it’s coming from China.

TELL ME IT'S MADE IN CHINA, and also being shipped from China — TELL ME IT’S MADE IN CHINA, and that it’s also being shipped from Dongguan CN.

What difference does it make, you ask? After all, 90% of every thing you buy in brick and mortar stores or online comes from China. But here’s the catch. Sometimes, the garment you buy is not just made in China, it’s being shipped from China. Usually, if you order a new top, it will be in your mailbox within a week. Just in time for the picnic or party you’re planning to attend. But this doesn’t happen if you’re waiting for something that’s being shipped from 3, 586 miles away.

On May 24, I ordered a top from Amazon, hoping to wear it on Memorial Day. That did not happen. I was okay with that, thinking I might wear it at a social event the following week. Nope, still didn’t come. Meanwhile, I checked on my order and found the price had been reduced to less than half since I placed my order, but I was still paying the full price. Shrugged my shulders. Luck of the draw. Just for fun, I checked my tracking order, and that’s when I found that my poor little top was coming all the way from Dongguan, Guandong CN. China.

Tracking order info:

Thursday, June 1

10:30 AM

Completed customs clearance.

Chicago, US

6:18 AM

Package left the carrier facility.

Sunday, May 28

12:32 AM

Package arrived at a carrier facility.

Dongguan, GUANGDONG CN

Friday, May 26

Carrier picked up the package.

According to Trip Advisor, Dongguan is a pretty touristy place to visit. “Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences.”

Unfortunately, I will probably never travel to Dongguan CN. The only contact I will have is when I receive a top that was apparently produced and mailed from there. Amazon has now committed to delivering it by this coming Friday June 17. That may or may not happen. Here’s the catch. What if it doesn’t fit, or I don’t like it? How long will it take to return? One thing I know. I will not be placing a re order.

When I order something online, please tell me it’s coming from China.

June 6, 2023June 6, 2023

IS IT VANITY OR CHRISTIE’S BLINDSPOT?

It’s no surprise that several Republicans are challenging Donald Trump’s bid for re-election in 2024. However, it’s perplexing to see that former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is at it again. How can he possibly believe that the cloud hanging over the 2013 Bridgegate Scandal will not continue to follow him? Maybe he’s hoping that younger voters have never heard about what happened at the Washington Lee Bridge. But most of us remember the scandal all too clearly. How can he be so tone deaf? Is it vanity or Christie’s blind spot?

There are all kinds of political scandals that didn’t seem to affect a candidate’s electability. Several have been accused of sexual abuse, but they got elected anyway. Possibly, because the misogny in this country blames the victim of such incidents, rather than the perpetrator. But in the case of the Bridgegate Scandal, everyone who’s ever been held up for hours in a traffic jam lost respect for Governor Christie.

It all started in 2013 when Christie was up for re-election in the state of New Jersey. He asked all of the Democrat mayors to support him , but some of them refused. Consequently, His Deputy Chief of Staff, Bridget Kelly, and David Wilstein, Director of Interstate Travel , conspired to implement a plan of retrubutuion to one mayor in particular.. In an e mail, Bridget Kelly sent a note to Wilstein , saying “it’s time for a little traffic problem in Fort Lee.”

On Sept 13, 2013 they orderd the closing of 3 traffic lanes on the George Washington Bridge leading out of that mayor’s city, Fort Lee. The result was bedlam, affecting paramedics, parents with little kids, and countless numbers of people. After several days , the scheme finally came out in the open. Christie claimed he knew nothing about the lane closings that lasted four days. He fired his loyal staff members who were held responsible. They responded that he was a liar , and had laughed when told about it after two days.

Realistically speaking, it stands to reason that Christie’s staff would not make that move unless they knew he would approve it. Can you imagine anyone on Mike Pence’s staff coming up with such a scheme? And then, there was Christie’s Beachgate debacle. When the State Parks were all closed in 2017, he was pictured lolling on the beach at one of the parks while his wife and kids frolicked nearby.

Even though Christie is a good speaker and apparently was a competent governor, he’s surrounded by a godfather aura. Former staffers accused him of fostering a culture of bullying while in office, Nevertheless, he’s taking a shot at getting the Republican nomination for the 2024 Presidental Election. Is it vanity or Christie’s blind spot that convinces him he could win? Will voters forget, or will the ghost of Bridgegate continue to haunt him?