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Please read my latest entry and post your comments here:
http://pensionpulse.blogspot.com/2010/03/real-crisis-in-health-care.html
Thank you,
Leo Kolivakis
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The mind and ones choices of what one dwells on in that realm is the heart of depression . Think depressing thoughts . you will be depressed . Unrealistic expectations are another source of depression . I'm center of the universe . Why don't I have a McMansion . Why does everyone else make 25$ an hour and I'm unemployed . Selfish , self centered thinking is the root of depression. Pills DON'T CHANGE. A person has a choice how to think and what to believe
I understand the IRS will be the "enforcer " of the new ObamaGovCare Bill .
http://camp.house.gov/UploadedFiles/HC_Overhaul_Dangerously_Expands_IRS_...
And a question - Is Pelosi really a zombie, she looks like she's been dead a long time
Leo, I enjoyed your post, but disagree with the perscription solution. I think the studies show that exercise is as effective for combating depression as any medication on the market and am inclined to believe that our culture is more at the root of the problem.
One of the hazards of living in a society where there is almost no downward pricing pressure on the healthcare industry is that we are sold expensive medicines for which inexpensive cures are as good or better.
Exercise helps mild forms of depression, less so for moderate and severe depression. If you want to know the truth, electro-shock therapy is very effective in treating severe forms of depression, but very few places administer this treatment because they're afraid of getting sued or they think it's "barbaric". I don't believe that pills are the only solution, but in most cases, depression can be controlled through medication and patients go on to lead very normal lives.
The mentally ill homeless incur on average $100000 annually in emergency room charges. Any amount less spent housing and supplying basic care is found money.
Leo,
I do not believe that ZH is a blog to discuss the social ills of this world. They are unsolvable, unless the world returns to the small communities era and family values.
If you want to contribute anything new, informative, inovative or offer investment ideas, please do.
Leave the rest to the churches.
Leo, Perhaps we can forgive your ignorance since you are not American, but the reason there are so many homeless people with mental health issues is that the progressives in this country, starting in the 1960's decided to push for "de-institutionalizing" the mentally ill.
They got the government to vote in this "progress", but did not ensure the government provided adequate funds to truly deal with the problem. Thus we have countless mentally ill people wandering the streets, especially in more pleasant and hospitable areas such as San Fransisco and Florida. They have all the wonderful "civil rights" the progressives wanted to give them, but are too ill to follow through with or agree to treatment. Then, because of budgetary issues, we've underfunded their needs every year since.
Now we're about to do the same thing with every other form of illness. It will be a similar tragedy unless it's undone in time.
Progressivism is a mental disease in and of itself.
Partly true. The law changed during the Carter administration because a study showed that a large percentage of mental patients were improperly committed and then sedated without further evaluation.
Under the new law, a person could only be committed with their own consent, which is obviously problematic.
The newly released voters registered Republican and of course the Reagan Administration declined to reverse it.
I have been the sole caretaker for my father for the past three years. He is entering third stage dementia with full blow psychosis. My primary care physician asked me during the last visit if I thought that I was depressed. I responded by asking him if he would give a prescription of adderall if I said yes. He said no. I told him I did not believe that I was depressed.
Depression?
Little-known (and no monies to be made by Pharma/AMA/etc), but 3 basics need to be looked at first, not in order:
1. Vitamin D (at least 5000 units per day, unless you work outside or are outside a great deal), get your blood level checked.
2. Blood sugar levels. Keep them maintained, no roller coasters through the day, like coffee/sugar breakfasts.
3. "Good sinus health". Sinusitis/sinus infection sufferers often have issues.
Actually, the above three ARE well-known, not just well-disseminated...
Perhaps he said that because Adderall isn't prescribed for depression.
As a former caregiver, I haven't "ran into" many drugs that weren't used off-label by physicians, and side-effects be damned.
Quote from Wikipedia on Adderal (sic), I didn't bother going elsewhere to find more info, you can google?:
Apart from the FDA approved indications for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy, Adderall has also been used off-label to manage cases of treatment-resistant depression and exogenous obesity.[19] Individuals who show little or no response to FDA approved antidepressants, including SSRIs, MAOIs, tricyclics, bupropion, and aripiprazole, could show a favorable response to psychostimulant medication.
When any society economically crumbles the ones who suffer first are the weak.
An awful lot of health problems would immediately resolve if people ate right. Big Agra and Big Pharma know this, but there’s no money in getting people to eat more greens and fewer grains. Think I’m FOS? Look up the science on the imbalance of Omega 3’s and the links to cancer, depression, heart disease etc. These fatty acids populate cell membranes, and having too many of the wrong kind instead of Omega 3’s slows down transmission of messages between the inside of the cell and the outside. This slower transmission is replicated on a bigger scale, just like fractals in Elliott waves, so if inter-cellular communication is slower, it follows that thinking, rapid eye movement, muscle movement etc. will also slow down.
And since this is a pretty testosterone driven crowd, it should become common knowledge that Omega 3’s are concentrated in sperm, because they have to run the fastest race of all if they’re going to win the big prize.
Fish oil supplements alone won’t do the trick, because it’s not only about more Omega 3’s, it’s also about fewer Omega 6’s, because the two compete for sites in the cell membranes. Btw, the chain that leads to high Omega 3’s in fish starts with ocean plant life.
That said, of course there are diseases that won’t be solved just by eating your vegetables, but I’d bet that health costs, not to mention human suffering, would decline by billions of dollars if people ate right.
It would be great to see some study about health savings from this. If anyone knows of any, please post them.
Canada is the same. Healthcare is reactive instead of being preventative. Billions would be saved through good diet and exercise vs medication. Obviously the former isn't condusive to big profits.
Unfortunately, Americans get their diet and exercise advice from info-mercials. It is conducive to big profits, but for advice that is worthless for the majority of people. One doesn't have to be a swimsuit model to maintain good health.
Out of curiosity, for the hard-core capitalists out there I am wondering what your solution to mentally ill homeless people is? I mean, when someone is broken and fucked up they rarely have any money to seek help, and they contribute nothing to society. They should not be supported by taxpayer dollars because that is evil socialism. What should be done with them?
Children don't contribute anything to society either, should they be supported by taxpayer dollars?
Apparently you've don't realize that children contribute a future to a society, so your assertion they "don't contribute anything to society" is false on its face. We spend more than enough on providing for our children, but as in any human endeavor there is never perfection. Homeless children are the creation of their parents and extended families, and sometimes, as in the case of many homeless adolescents, of their own behavioral or emotional problems.
Are you talking about homeless children? Because I am.
Go find one and help him/her. Or is that too much trouble for you? Maybe it's just easier to take other people's money and hire someone to do it for you.
I do. I have, and always will. North Korea deals with them by ignoring them and letting them devolve to the point of animals trying to steal scraps of food to survive.
What does N Korea have to do with this conversation? Trying to equate the charitable giving (which the government of the US is going to stifle through the tax code) of the private sector in the US through churches and community groups with the policy of "Dear Leader" in N Korea is ludicrous and lame. You have over-reached a bit there.
Your real argument is for the government to make sure no one ever has any tragedy in their life. You will be disappointed more than you will be rewarded with that philosophy. And a lot poorer and less free.
+100
the best results come from the front line humans helping other humans, most certainly *not* an abstract monolithic gubmint that has no clue what's really going on. let me help fix it, in my town, with my people... directly. don't take my earnings and give grants to NYC commie artists and poets in the name of 'helping' reduce tragedy in the world.
sigh... more people know the michigan state basketball score than even know the health-care vote is going on today. we're friggin doomed...
Like, say,in India.
touche'
fortunately, i *happen* to be surrounded by good folks who seem to instinctively rally to those in need around them as best they/we can.
this, i suppose, is not a safe assumption when designing social systems.
point well-taken.
I brought up North Korea because they do not give a shit about their population. I was expecting a "Screw them, they're not our problem." but "Screw them, private sector funding through churches and community groups will help them." Is close enough. Presumptuous I know, but there seems to be a real avoidance of a straight answer.
I don't mind the argument but don't attribute comments to me that I did not make. I never said "screw them", nor does my answer come anywhere close to that sentiment.
You, in fact, provided the straight answer by affirming that you, yourself, with your own resources, have helped, do help, and will continue to help. But rather than trying to legislate your personal philosophy - which I think is wonderful - and lecture others on their individual moral choices, just continue to lead by example. In the end, you will wind up not only saving many more of the destitute in this country, but many more souls as well as others follow your lead. Mother Tereasa will be long revered for many generations...not so for self-serving, do-gooders.
My help consists of buying them a meal and offering them work when i have been able. It gets them by to tomorrow and is in no way a real fix. I have never saved them for more than a day or two, and I doubt many individuals can say different. They need more help/time than I can afford to give them. I have always liked the idea of "government of the people, by the people, for the people", and have a hard time letting go of it though it seems to be perishing. Although Mother Teresa did make a difference I think it is important to remember that she was also a missionary and what it means to be a missionary. I am sure you are aware that billions are given annually to churches and faith-based groups from the government. Those church's activities are partially funded by the tax payers who I am sure get lots of credit.
It's true, you will never get an appropriate answer from a free market purist on the subject of society's untouchables, nor on the subject of who and how justice systems should be paid for, how serial killers will be handled, who will fund militaries, or viable options for building roads. Scratch a Libertarian and you find an anarchist.
Ah the joys of being 15 with a fresh copy of Ayn Rand.
You guys are great. Give you an answer and because you don't like it you act as though I haven't answered. So here it is so that you can fully understand it.
Concern yourself with your family first, then your community. That is the obligation for each citizen. If your house is in order and you do not present a burden to society, then you are blessed and can then move on to help those in your community. If that was the standard of our society, there would be no need for government to have a hand in these things.
The desire for the government to provide safety nets to everyone is a result of those in power seeking more power supported by the morally lazy who do not want to face their own responsibilities.
There's you answer. You won't like it and you won't understand it until you find personal introspection. Let the whining begin.
Again, do you mean like India?
Concern yourself with your family first, then your community. That is the obligation for each citizen.
Citizen, you've got to be kidding what a poor choice of words.
1. A person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the protection of a state or nation.
2. A resident of a city or town, especially one entitled to vote and enjoy other privileges there.
3. A civilian.
4. A native, inhabitant, or denizen of a particular place: "We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community" (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
ROTFLMAO
lol, thanks. Unfortunately true.
OK...this is my last reply. You obviously have no idea what the concept of "government of the people, by the people, for the people" means or meant. To want assign it the missionary work like that of Mother Teresa is just silly. But, having defined her work, you want the government to do the same thing. Because you don't have the resources or time to give the downtrodden does not give you the right to demand that others pick up your slack. And I'm not sure what your definition of church is, but there are no tax dollars flowing through the church charities to whom I give. And who cares about the credit? Your arguments are emotional pap.
You misunderstood my reply. I certainly am not in favor of the government being involved with churches or religion in anyway. My point was that tax dollars ARE used to help these people via churches and community groups.
Go find one and help him/her. Or is that too much trouble for you? Maybe it's just easier to take other people's money and hire someone to do it for you.
Next time perhaps you could just answer the original question directly - "I am wondering what your solution to mentally ill homeless people is?" instead of pointing the finger back at me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Office_of_Faith-Based_and_Neigh...
For fiscal year 2005, more than $2.2 billion in competitive social service grants were awarded to faith-based organizations. Between fiscal years 2003 and 2005, the total dollar amount of all grants awarded to FBOs increased by 21 percent (GAO 2006:43[3]). The majority of these grants were distributed through state agencies to local organizations in the form of formula grants (GAO 2006:17[3]).
Added: Oh damn, I can no longer have high-lighted links. A privilege removed for questioning the gods no doubt.
I've been depressed, distressed, suicidal, broke, and survived cancer, failed marriage, broken dreams, broken promises, and any number of heartaches. It's called life and it is how we learn. No one can be guaranteed a sweet life, with safety nets at every turn and no risk of failure.
For the whole history in Japan, there was never a condition diagnosed as depression until western pharma began advertising the new, and wonderful drugs used to treat it. Of course, the ads had to describe the symptoms. Now depression is a growing concern there. Some say that Japan, as evidence of their suicide rate, needs to address depression as a means of reducing the suicide rate. Well, the suicide rate has not fallen. There is just a new class of depressed people.
So, what used to be a moment in everyone's life to suffer, overcome, and learn from has become another sob story. I know, let's just allow the government to take care of that for us. You wouldn't want anyone to struggle. That's just heartless.
Unfortunately, government allocation of resources is directly proportional to money spent lobbying for said resources. Until the PAC representing the homeless and mentally ill start forking over the big bucks (which obviously is not realistic) they will languish at the end of the line of the government appropriations buffet.
I know several wealthy Canadians who take full advantage of "free" psychotherapy. In my view, it worsens their condition, as does giving money to the "homeless" and paying "entrepreneurs" 15X market for electricity because it is generated by photo-voltaic cells.
You evidently see it differently.
We are defined as a country in how we treat our poor and weak.
and stupid and lazy. NOTE knee-jerks, I didn't conflate them, but the GOVERNMENT does.
+10000
we've institutionalized 'sucker-dom', with a middle-class whose willing (doomed) to pay for it, as we also pay for the police who enforce it all. friggin brilliant.
Were you the one throwing money at the man with Parkinson's disease at a recent teabagger protest:
After consideration, I decided to pile on.
When you use the term "tea bagger", you marginalize the opinion of all Americans who favor constitutional government. There are idiots on all side of the debate. Fact is the vast majority of "tea baggers" are just frustrated people who are sick of being exploited by the system & are fed up but don't really know where to direct their rage. These rankss include current & former democrat, republican,& independent voters.
From urbandictionary.com...
Teabagger: a man that squats on top of a womens face and lowers his genitals into her mouth during sex, known as "teabagging" That's classy.
Who was it that first marginalized the Tea Party phenomenon by referring to them as "Tea Baggers"? The first I recall was James Carville. That's about par for Carville... The label "tea bagger" clearly is intended to associate th group with a lewd sex act to put people off. This term is childish and rude, and is no doubt the result of bipartisan cooperation. They can work together for really important issues, such as stifling a potential 3rd party threat to the existing entrenched pseudo-two party system.
Everyone agrees the video shows an unfortunate episode, but it is obvious this was exactly what the sick man wanted to happen. This was all about generating negative publicity for the tea party. The only way it would have been a more beneficial outcome for Mr. Parkinson is if he'd have been physically battered (in addition to the verbal assault). So predictable...
Whenever I see this term "tea bagger" in print or hear it on other media, I consider the source... and think a little less of them because in doing so they've revealed themselves to be a force for maintaining the status quo. I didn't figure Mr. Kolivakis as a tool of the establishment, but I suppose we learn something new every day.
Harvey,
Thank you for your sane comments and perspective! There are a lot of "idiots" out there, some with and without college degrees. The "smart idiots" in power are not going to rollover and play dead just because some fringe people get caught on YouTube, but instead, like you describe, manipulate it to their own advantage to stay in power. The Tea Party is not going away anytime soon either, even if it has a fair amount of "dumb idiots" as members. Hey, I might just join them, even though I consider myself a non-confrontational type of person.
As far as Leo goes, I can't imagine there are not "idiots" in Canada who would do nothing more than drink Molson, watch hockey, and complain about their own socialist type of government. If the USA goes down, so do the neighbors to the north and south as well. Yes, there are crazies around but they just might be living next door, not just in another country.
We are all in this together and we had all better start educating those crazy neighbors as much as possible and GET INVOLVED. I consider ZH readers to be some of the brightest and most honest (including Leo). So, what have all of you been DOING to help your friends and neighbors understand what is going on? I have been sending emails and talking to as many people I know at my local church. What other ideas have any of you been doing that seem to be effective in educating the middle-of-the-road type people who have a decent head on their shoulders??? Let's start sharing ideas about what to DO instead of just bashing Tea Party'ers or self-interested politicians.
CM
Listen, I did apologize and was not able to edit or delete my comment. The term teabagger was on the YouTube video, and having forgotten my sexual dictionary from high school, I didn't think twice about it. But in my opinion, this Tea Party movement is nothing more than frustrated Republicans who want to bash Obama and Congress. Fine, go ahead, but when I see shit like that happening at these protests, it reminds me that many Americans are just so ideologically warped, they can't get anything done in Washington without polarizing the frigging country. Bi-partisanship, my ass, these politicians just do whatever to get re-elected, not what's best for the country. It's quite sad to see this health care debate play out. It just shows how utterly inept the politicians have become, and how polarized your country has become.
"...this Tea Party movement is nothing more..."
the core demographic of the movement (as seen from within it) has *no* party, and as a central theme, has a confident distaste for the nature and direction of the entire current political manifestation. the fact that conservatives generally prefer less government tends to bias the group as right-wing, but i direct your attention to the many daily kos and huffpo pieces of late that indicate the same lack of confidence in the mess called washington dc.
and we're right. it is *not* working as the founders intended, nor is it working at all. it's a game. Machiavelli would be proud, esp. today. those that "know better" than we do, won a big victory.
i believe the obama-bashing you cite is 80% based on his presence as the current leader of our dysfunctional system, and 20% based the extreme full-court press toward the same crap bush and the previous administrations have been enabling for the last couple of decades. he's just boiling the frog too quickly.
these protesters are concerned that the fabric of their country is being irreparably compromised by do-gooders who have no interest in history or consequences, because they "know better".
and you would expect those concerned protesters *not* to be polarized? what, and we should just stand there passively watching liberty choke in her gas-chamber?
i may not be able to define pornography, but i knows it when i sees it.
say what you wish Leo, while we still can, but i much prefer your opinions on pensions.
Leo, your use of the obscene term "teabaggers" reduces your argument. But, accusing someone who disagrees with you of being a part of a utube video whose sourcing is unknown is disgusting. Can I now claim all Canadians are as hateful as you? In fact, are you proud of this comment?
Point taken, I apologize if I offended anyone, but watching that idiot on YouTube made my blood boil. There is a way to disagree with someone without denigrating them.
Arguably, a culture is judged by how it treats it's most helpless and vulnerable members.
That being said, there is so much waste and gaming of the system it is tragic.Here in NC the mentally ill are increasingly marginalized.This is wrong.
I think socialized medicine will be corrupt and evil in the US.I base this on my observations of the government and the people who control them.
The video is sad.I wonder if the miscreants portrayed have any idea of the poverty and privation they are in as humans.I doubt it.How twisted and sad they are.And monstrous.