I have health insurance through my employer. Let’s call it EANTA. I contribute 50% of the cost and I have a $4000 deductible for my family coverage. (We will not meet the deductible this year.)

My doctor accepts EATNA and GREEN SABRE insurance.

* * * *

I needed to visit my doctor for a quick consultation.  I called the office to make the appointment and asked how much the visit will cost.

The receptionist asked me if I was paying out of pocket.  I said yes, I was paying out of pocket. (My deducible will not be met so I am paying out of pocket.) She said the appointment will cost $70.

When I get to the office, I asked the receptionist to confirm that my appointment will cost $70.

She looks at my file, notices I have EANTA, and tells me $79.

I explained I was told over the phone the visit cost $70 and I was paying out of pocket.  She replied that (a) I had insurance and (b) $79 is the amount  the insurance company tells them to charge. She said she will check with the doctor to see if it was OK to charge me $70.  I told them to make believe I do not have insurance and I will submit it on my own.

* * * *

On the way out I paid $70 and they gave me a receipt for the visit.  The receptionist said next time they will not do it this way. The charge must be what EANTA designates as the price.

* * * *

Here is a continuation of the dialogue:

Top:  (Speaking to the receptionist) I am not angry but I would like to describe a scenario to you.

Receptionist:  OK

Top: I come into your office. I need a Strep Test.  My insurance company (EANTA) says you can charge me $90 for the test. So you will charge $90 for the visit?

Receptionist: Correct

Top: 5 minutes later, Mr. Smith comes into your office and he needs a Strep Test, His insurance provider (GREEN SABRE) says you can charge $80 for the same test. So you will charge him $80 for the visit?

Receptionist: Correct

Top: Do you see anything wrong with that?  I am getting charged $10 more for the exact same service just because of my insurance provider?

Receptionist: What would you like us to do?

Top: (Half kidding and pointing to the wall in the empty waiting room.) I would like you to put up a big sign like they have in McDonald’s… Show your services and the costs… Strep test $85.. Flu Shot $30… Yearly physical $95…

Receptionist: (Nervous giggle)

Top: I know it’s not likely to happen, but this (a doctor’s office) is the only place where the service provider doesn’t set his own prices. It’s also the only place where the consumer is typically unaware of their charges until a few weeks later, when a 3^rd party dictates what they have paid and what I owe.

* * * *

THIS IS NOTHING NEW.  AS WE ALL KNOW — THERE’S SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG HERE.

Is Nancy Pelosi’s brother-in-law in the second in command at Tonopah Solar, a subsidiary of California-based SolarReserve?

I love listening to Bob. He’s definitely one-sided but, love him or hate him, you need to at least make a note what he is saying…  (Links below)

• http://www.bluecollarphilosophy.com/2011/09/obama-administration-to-loan-737-million-to-another-solar-energy-company.html
• http://www.drudge.com/news/148840/dems-pay-back-solyndra-invester-another
• http://www.tonopahsolar.com/pdfs/SolarReserveLGPConditionalCommitmentAnnoucement_Macquarie051911.pdf

Background: In 1845, United States of America annexed the Republic of Texas and admitted it to the Union as the 28th state. The U.S. thus inherited Texas’s border dispute with Mexico; this quickly led to the Mexican-American War, during which the U.S. captured additional territory (known as the Mexican Cession of 1848), extending nation’s borders all the way to the Pacific Ocean (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Annexation)

MEXICO CITY,Mexico- President Phelipe Calderóon of Mexico is in the process of submitting a formal proposal to the United Nations regarding the illegal annexation of Texas by the United States.

Speaking to reporters outside the capitol, Sr. Calderóon stated “The United States had illegally taken possession of the Northern Mexican territory known as “Territorio del Norte”.  This territory is rich in natural resources and is vital to our economy.  We demand this occupation ends immediately.  The world community supports our position and we are confident the UN will approve our proposal.  For over 150 years, the USA has occupied this territory and we now demand it ends. ”

In response to Sr. Calderóon’s comments, Manuel Embajador, USA Ambassador to Mexico, stated “It is our contention the region in question is a legitimate part of the state of Texas.  How long does an occupied territory, or “region in question”, remain “in question”.  It’s been a long time since the Mexicans owned that land.”

Sr. Calderóon stated he plans on submitting the proposal in October.

(This is a fictional press release that is relevant to recent events.)

Interesting ….

THE COYOTE

California : 

The  Governor of California is jogging with his dog along a  nature trail.  A coyote jumps out and attacks the Governor’s dog, then bites the Governor.
1. The Governor starts to intervene, but reflects upon the movie “Bambi” and then realizes he should stop because the coyote is only doing what is natural.
2. He calls animal control. Animal Control captures the coyote and bills the State $200 testing it for diseases and $500 for relocating it.
3. He calls a veterinarian. The vet collects the dead dog and bills the State $200 testing it for diseases.
4. The Governor goes to the hospital and spends $3,500 getting checked for diseases from the coyote and on getting his bite wound bandaged.
5. The running trail gets shut down for six months while Fish & Game conducts a $100,000 survey to make sure the area is now free of dangerous animals.
6. The Governor spends $50,000 in state funds implementing a “coyote awareness program” for residents of the area.
7. The State Legislature spends $2 million to study how to better treat rabies and how to permanently eradicate the disease throughout the world.
8. The  Governor’s security agent is fired for not stopping the attack. The State spends $150,000 to hire and train a new agent with additional specialtraining re: The Nature of Coyotes.
9. PETA protests the coyote’s relocation and files a $5 million suit against the State.

TEXAS:

The Governor of Texas is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A Coyotejumps out and attacks his dog.
1. The Governor shoots the coyote with his State-issued pistol and keeps jogging. The Governor has spent $.50 on a .45 ACP hollow point cartridge.
2. The Buzzards eat the dead coyote.

And that, my friends, is why California is broke and Texas is not.

From Politico — Obama plan: Destroy Romney
Barack Obama’s aides and advisers are preparing to center the president’s reelection campaign on a ferocious personal assault on Mitt Romney’s character and business background, a strategy grounded in the early-stage expectation that the former Massachusetts governor is the likely GOP nominee. More.

…portray the public Romney as inauthentic, unprincipled and, in a word used repeatedly by Obama’s advisers in about a dozen interviews, “weird.”….

…the Republican’s personal awkwardness will turn off voters….

.. The second aspect of the campaign to define Romney is his record as CEO of Bain Capital, a venture capital firm that was responsible for both creating and eliminating jobs….  More.

Examples of the “targets” are Romney being weird, an incident with his dog on the roof of the car, dressing in tight jeans, etc..

They will also portray him as a flip-flopper using the example of Healthcare in Massachusetts.

Mr. Romney should thank President Obama’s team for all the constructive criticism.  Stay with me..

* * * * *

Let’s take a look at Eminem’s battle strategy in 8 Mile.  Eminem is in a rap contest and he knows his opponent is going to rip him for being white trash, living in a trailer park, having a dunk mother, having a cheating girlfriend, and other obvious items.

What does he do? He discloses these negatives about himself and beats the opponent to the punch. When it is the opponent’s turn, he has nothing to say.  Take a minute and watch the video.

So Mitt Romney should beat the Obama team to the punch…

Here’s a sample presentation or monologue for Mr. Romney:

President Obama and his team are trying to divert the attention from the poor job he as done as President Of The United States.  They are planning on avoiding serious topics such as unemployment, the historically low bond rating of the USA, and our deficit.

• I know I am not perfect. I imagine you all realize you are not perfect. No human being is perfect.
• I have on occasion dressed in a manner you may feel is weird. Yes have I have worn those skinny jeans.  So?
• I made a mistake putting my dog’s crate on the roof of my car. Yes it was a mistake and I would not do it again.  Fortunately the dog is fine.
• I have been the CEO of a very profitable company.  I have created jobs as well as eliminated jobs. Creating jobs is great.  I also needed to eliminate jobs to run the business.  That was my job. Tough decisions are necessary running a business as well as running a country. Unlike President Obama, I have a documented track record of having the ability to create jobs. When I am President, it will be my job to create jobs. I will create jobs.
• I have implemented a universal healthcare program in Massachusetts.  As governor of Massachusetts, at that time,  it was the right thing to do for the people of the state.  Please keep in mind that decisions are made based upon the audience affected and the timing.     At that time it was the correct decision. And just because it made sense to implement it in Massachusetts, doesn’t mean it would have made sense to implement it in New York, Texas, Kansas, or other states.  Regarding timing… Sometimes the Fed will raise rates and other times lower rates.  Decisions are based upon timing and the current environment. This is not flip-flopping.

Now that all those irrelevant distractions are out in the open, let’s get down to the issues we need to improve the direction of our country.

President Obama,  what are your specific plans for the country? You have been in office for 3 years. There are no signs of job growth. The deficit is over $14 trillion.  And for the first time in history, the bond rating of  the USA has been lowered.

This is what the people want to hear.  You can talk all you want about my skinny jeans and awkwardness, but you are avoiding the subject — you have not done your job.

KingJamesLeBron James — Guys get on that TV and act like they was all WORLD when they played. How bout encouraging him and wishing him the best instead of hating!!

 KingJamesLeBron James — Listened to Merril Hoge today on SC and he was just blasting Tebow. The man hasn’t even play a full season and its only his 2nd year in.

 KingJamesLeBron James — Tim Tebow will succeed in the NFL. He’s a hard worker, a student of the game, a natural born leader and most of all a WINNER! It takes time and he’ll be nice (extended)

Learning from your mistakes? Mr. James?  Didn’t you learn anything from your public relations nightmares of the last year? Who is running the Lebron James “Camp”?  Someone needs to sit Mr. James down and teach him the ABC’s  of  “how not to be a public relations nightmare.” This book is also known as “How not to lose fans and sponsorship opportunities.”

Again – It’s pretty condescending to anyone who is not an All-Pro in professional sports.  Lordy. Lordy. Lordy. 

 Merril Hoge is one of the top football analysts.  Most of the time he is right on target.   Your tweets (@KingJames) show your consistent immaturity.

 Hoge’s honest assessment has nothing to do with Hoge’s playing career. Sorry if everyone can’t be the self proclaimed “King”.   That’s pretty arrogant coming from someone who has never won an NBA Championship.

 Shout out to Lebron James:  Merril Hoge has as many NBA Championships as you – ZERO.

Doesn’t Mitt Romney look like a president?

It is interesting to note how Mitt Romney has stayed clear of everything going on in Washington. Little exposure. Few comments.

• Right or wrong – Michelle Bachmann  will  continue to speak in her extreme ideas and will be picked apart by the media and Democrats
• Right or wrong – Sarah Palin has the flaky, media-exaggerated, reputation, and will “probably” not be taken seriously.
• Right or wrong – Tim Pawlenty is a long shot and is now “playing games” with Michelle Bachmann.
• Right or wrong – Newt Gingrich is too extreme and has no shot at the nomination.
• Right or wrong – Herman Cain has some interesting points but is way behind.
  
• Right or wrong – Rick Perry. Although Texas is probably the most successful economic state, unfortunately Texas = George W. Bush.

• And Right or wrong – President Obama has broken his promises of transparency and the country “may be” worse off than when he took office.  There is little indication we are headed in the right direction. For how many years can George W. Bush be blamed. We all acknowledge Bush was not a good president but it’s Obama’s job, without blaming others, to improve our country.

If Romney clearly gets the word out in a simple, logical manner, he won’t be attacked by Democrats or Republicans.  He needs to stand clear of the noise. It may simply be the case that he could win the Republican nomination because there is no other front runner. And he could win the presidential election because the country is disgusted with Washington DC and the direction of the country.

But then again, things can change quickly. Twelve months before the previous election, we all thought Hillary Clinton was going to be president.

(Note: Image of man with finger up is from workingnaked.com)