Transition
The older I get, the more life seems to be about transition. As the adage goes, the only constant is change. Earlier this year I lost both of my parents in a short span of time. Specifically my mom, January 31 and dad February 11. Life is short and fleeting. My mom was a kind, loving woman who was kind to everyone she met. She was a big fan of mine. She carried a copy of my book in her purse and would mention it to anyone that would listen. My dad was a hard worker and a decorated WW2 combat Veteran. My parents lived into their late 80's and are hopefully in a better place now. At a recent dinner the host asked if anything unusual had happened to us this year. My parents passing was unusual but luckily something that only happens once in your lifetime. There are so many things we can't control in life. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and keep taking positive action, every day and every way you can. So much for the Sermon on the Mount....
Obamacare
Or as I like to call it, the Unaffordable Healthcare Act. I suppose some people saw their premiums go down this year, but not the ones I talked to. One of my health insurance clients saw a huge rate increase this year. When I asked the carrier who had previously had some of the lowest rates in the market why they were raising their rates, I was told that Obamacare allowed them to! It should be interesting when the subsidies some people are getting begin to evaporate. And with these high deductibles, many with health insurance can't afford to go to the doctor.
You never know about people...
Bill Cosby. His legacy is tarnished if not ruined for life. Why did he have to drug those women...if in fact, that is what he did. Although you wonder why it took so long for those women to come forward.
And then there's Stephen Collins who played a minister on television but molested some kids.
I guess we all have a dark side. Let's hope we show more light than darkness in our lives.
Moving Forward
Stay Positive. Take action. Years ago when my book, Patrick Gilligan Says Be Your Own Boss! came out I was a guest on a lot of talk shows. One host invited me to her book club at her home. As I sat and listened to the dozen or so would-be authors gripe and moan about their literary efforts, some having worked on their books for years, I said " look, you guys are probably all better writers than I am, but I'm the only published author in the room." Move confidently toward your goals everyday!
Make it a great 2015!
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Friday, December 27, 2013
If You Like Your Health Care Plan.... You Can Keep It!
Probably the mantra for 2013. That has to rate right up there with the first President Bush oft quoted promise "Read my lips..no new taxes." The Affordable Health Care Act. I think the Unaffordable...would have been more accurate. And then there's their web site. I remember reading that the company chosen to run that site had been fired by Canada for various problems. Then after the site is an obvious debacle, the administration says they are going to get the very best people working on it. Too bad they didn't think of that before. Many say that the site is still not secure and people are still required to use it.
Then the President said again you could keep your old plan. The only problem is that the insurance companies had already scrapped those relatively inexpensive plans for more expensive plans with much higher deductibles to comply with the law. In effect, these plans amount to "catastrophic coverage", with people paying for most of their care out of their pocket. I've heard that there are multi-billion dollar funds built into the law to make insurance companies whole if they have problems providing the coverage.
So, who wins? Perhaps the working poor, because they are suppose to get a tax break or subsidy to help pay for these plans. But, I've heard that many of them can't afford these plans..even with the subsidies.
Of course, insurance companies will make out.
So who loses? You guessed it...the taxpayer. Some have speculated that some insurance companies may go out of business because they are forced to sell plans that consumers can't afford. Well, if they do, I'm sure they will ask the gov't....the taxpayer, for a bailout.
I agree something had to be done about healthcare. This wasn't the answer. Perhaps they could have given a stipend or tax break to those below a certain income level that wanted to buy a healthcare plan.
Another flaw in their plan is that they want to put a lot more people into Medicaid. The problem there is that fewer and fewer health care providers are participating in Medicaid because their fees keep getting cut. In order to keep providers and attract more, they will have to increase those fees. Until they do, there won't be enough professionals to care for all of the new people.
More government news: The Post Office recently announced that they had ONLY lost $5 billion last year. Only....too bad the government can't be run like a business, with consequences for ill advised actions and inefficiencies.. And that brings me to a positive note:
As long as this country has great entrepreneurs, and we do...we will always prosper. And entrepreneurship is still the best way for many Americans to Succeed. Don't forget about my highly acclaimed book,
Patrick Gilligan Says Be Your Own Boss! Make it a great 2014!
Then the President said again you could keep your old plan. The only problem is that the insurance companies had already scrapped those relatively inexpensive plans for more expensive plans with much higher deductibles to comply with the law. In effect, these plans amount to "catastrophic coverage", with people paying for most of their care out of their pocket. I've heard that there are multi-billion dollar funds built into the law to make insurance companies whole if they have problems providing the coverage.
So, who wins? Perhaps the working poor, because they are suppose to get a tax break or subsidy to help pay for these plans. But, I've heard that many of them can't afford these plans..even with the subsidies.
Of course, insurance companies will make out.
So who loses? You guessed it...the taxpayer. Some have speculated that some insurance companies may go out of business because they are forced to sell plans that consumers can't afford. Well, if they do, I'm sure they will ask the gov't....the taxpayer, for a bailout.
I agree something had to be done about healthcare. This wasn't the answer. Perhaps they could have given a stipend or tax break to those below a certain income level that wanted to buy a healthcare plan.
Another flaw in their plan is that they want to put a lot more people into Medicaid. The problem there is that fewer and fewer health care providers are participating in Medicaid because their fees keep getting cut. In order to keep providers and attract more, they will have to increase those fees. Until they do, there won't be enough professionals to care for all of the new people.
More government news: The Post Office recently announced that they had ONLY lost $5 billion last year. Only....too bad the government can't be run like a business, with consequences for ill advised actions and inefficiencies.. And that brings me to a positive note:
As long as this country has great entrepreneurs, and we do...we will always prosper. And entrepreneurship is still the best way for many Americans to Succeed. Don't forget about my highly acclaimed book,
Patrick Gilligan Says Be Your Own Boss! Make it a great 2014!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Politics
If nothing else, politics can be entertaining. Especially with a dynamic speaker like Bill Clinton. He gave a masterful speech at the Democratic Convention. Although he left out one small detail. It's great that he had four straight balanced budgets when he was president. His omission. He , at least in part, set the stage that would make it very difficult if not impossible for future presidents to balance their budgets. A little thing called NAFTA. With millions of jobs outsourced and still being outsourced, how can the economy ever fully recover? I wonder how many balanced budgets Clinton would have had if the president before him had signed NAFTA? None I would guess.
I had listened to speakers at the Republican Convention earlier. They said some interesting things. Of course the next day you learn that a lot of what they said wasn't true. What I can't understand is why they lie about things that can be easily checked? Although I believe someone said that they can't have a campaign run by fact checkers. Who needs the bother?
They say that the first casualty of war is the truth. I think the same can be said about politics!
God Bless America!
If nothing else, politics can be entertaining. Especially with a dynamic speaker like Bill Clinton. He gave a masterful speech at the Democratic Convention. Although he left out one small detail. It's great that he had four straight balanced budgets when he was president. His omission. He , at least in part, set the stage that would make it very difficult if not impossible for future presidents to balance their budgets. A little thing called NAFTA. With millions of jobs outsourced and still being outsourced, how can the economy ever fully recover? I wonder how many balanced budgets Clinton would have had if the president before him had signed NAFTA? None I would guess.
I had listened to speakers at the Republican Convention earlier. They said some interesting things. Of course the next day you learn that a lot of what they said wasn't true. What I can't understand is why they lie about things that can be easily checked? Although I believe someone said that they can't have a campaign run by fact checkers. Who needs the bother?
They say that the first casualty of war is the truth. I think the same can be said about politics!
God Bless America!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
2011 in review
The Economy
Pretty much the same as last year. They say less people are unemployed this year. My guess is that a lot of people just gave up looking for work and aren't counted anymore.
Politics
My response to the Occupy Wallstreet movement. What took so long? I wondered how long it would take for people to get fed up enough to revolt or at least react. The system is essentially unfair. The rich get richer at taxpayer expense, and there's no accountability. When the politicans bailed out the banks with our money, there were no provisions for setting aside a portion of that money for loans to Americans. And there were no limits set on executive bonuses. Alot of these clowns got millions-they should have been fired! As for the presidential race, another circus has come to town. Perry makes George Bush look like the smart one. Herman Cain may be the biggest clown of them all, but the season is still going.
People In The News
Boy, people sure have a short memory, or they weren't really paying attention. I see Condeleeza Rice has a book out now. Was't she essentialy in charge of the nations security when 911 hit. Nice job Condy. And Colin Powell is out there too. Wasn't he the guy that stood before the world and said that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction? He basically made the strongest argument for war, and we've paid dearly ever since. Then there's Bill Clinton out with a book on creating jobs. I call that the height of hypocrisy! He was one of the geniuses behind NAFTA, which cost this country thousands of Manufacturing jobs. Remember Ross Perot saying if NAFTA is passed your going to hear a loud sucking sound of American jobs being lost. He was so right.
Celebrity
We live in a world where you don't have to have talent to be famous. Dancing With the Stars. Are any of these people stars? Makes you wonder what's real.
What to Do?
Take care of yourself and others as much as possible. For many, starting your own business is the best solution. Read a good book on the subject like, Patrick Gilligan Says Be Your Own Boss!, now available on kindle.
Pretty much the same as last year. They say less people are unemployed this year. My guess is that a lot of people just gave up looking for work and aren't counted anymore.
Politics
My response to the Occupy Wallstreet movement. What took so long? I wondered how long it would take for people to get fed up enough to revolt or at least react. The system is essentially unfair. The rich get richer at taxpayer expense, and there's no accountability. When the politicans bailed out the banks with our money, there were no provisions for setting aside a portion of that money for loans to Americans. And there were no limits set on executive bonuses. Alot of these clowns got millions-they should have been fired! As for the presidential race, another circus has come to town. Perry makes George Bush look like the smart one. Herman Cain may be the biggest clown of them all, but the season is still going.
People In The News
Boy, people sure have a short memory, or they weren't really paying attention. I see Condeleeza Rice has a book out now. Was't she essentialy in charge of the nations security when 911 hit. Nice job Condy. And Colin Powell is out there too. Wasn't he the guy that stood before the world and said that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction? He basically made the strongest argument for war, and we've paid dearly ever since. Then there's Bill Clinton out with a book on creating jobs. I call that the height of hypocrisy! He was one of the geniuses behind NAFTA, which cost this country thousands of Manufacturing jobs. Remember Ross Perot saying if NAFTA is passed your going to hear a loud sucking sound of American jobs being lost. He was so right.
Celebrity
We live in a world where you don't have to have talent to be famous. Dancing With the Stars. Are any of these people stars? Makes you wonder what's real.
What to Do?
Take care of yourself and others as much as possible. For many, starting your own business is the best solution. Read a good book on the subject like, Patrick Gilligan Says Be Your Own Boss!, now available on kindle.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
2010 In Review
2010 is almost over. Interesting year. Let's review:
The Economy: Many reports indicate that 2011 will be a better year. I hope so. Some economists have said that the deepest recession since the Great Depession is over. I still contend that unemployment and outsourcing of American jobs are the biggest problems facing the economy and this country.
This has been called a jobless recovery. A jobless recovery! Who are they trying to kid? With 10% of the workforce out of a job, how can the economy rebound? If people are out of work and they don't have disposable income, how can they purchase goods and services to grow the economy?
Politics: When things get worse under the Democrats-we throw the bums out. And when things get worse under Republicans-we throw the bums out. If these elected officals looked out for the American people instead of the special interest groups and lobbyists that own them-they might accomplish something.
Health Care Reform: As I've said before, something had to be done. Don't forget that more and more people are losing their health insurance everyday! Although I don't like the idea of being forced to buy health insurance. The courts are divided on that provision of the law. But removing pre-existing condition clauses and limits on coverage are among the many pluses of the bill.
Entertainment: Hollywood seems addicted to remakes these days. I hate it when they remake a movie they have no business remaking like True Grit. Jeff Bridges is no John Wayne! I'd urge those that saw the remake to view the original. No comparison. Now Hawaii Five O. The only thing the new show has in common with the original is that it is set in Hawaii. Don't get me wrong, it's a good show. When I watch it, I look at it as another crime show set in Hawaii. It's not Hawaii Five O! While we're at it, I don't like the new James Bond.(I know he's had the role for a while now, but I wasn't doing my blog then) This guy is basically a thug. If you want to make movies with him, fine-just don't call him James Bond.
As for Dancing with the Stars, when was Bristol Palin ever a star? I must have missed that.
It's always good to be optimistic about the future, at least it will make you feel better. Let me close with my signature close from my radio and television programs.Folks, remember if you can imagine it. you can achieve it, if you can dream it you can become it! I'm Patrick Gilligan, and I'll see you next time. Make it a a Great Year.
The Economy: Many reports indicate that 2011 will be a better year. I hope so. Some economists have said that the deepest recession since the Great Depession is over. I still contend that unemployment and outsourcing of American jobs are the biggest problems facing the economy and this country.
This has been called a jobless recovery. A jobless recovery! Who are they trying to kid? With 10% of the workforce out of a job, how can the economy rebound? If people are out of work and they don't have disposable income, how can they purchase goods and services to grow the economy?
Politics: When things get worse under the Democrats-we throw the bums out. And when things get worse under Republicans-we throw the bums out. If these elected officals looked out for the American people instead of the special interest groups and lobbyists that own them-they might accomplish something.
Health Care Reform: As I've said before, something had to be done. Don't forget that more and more people are losing their health insurance everyday! Although I don't like the idea of being forced to buy health insurance. The courts are divided on that provision of the law. But removing pre-existing condition clauses and limits on coverage are among the many pluses of the bill.
Entertainment: Hollywood seems addicted to remakes these days. I hate it when they remake a movie they have no business remaking like True Grit. Jeff Bridges is no John Wayne! I'd urge those that saw the remake to view the original. No comparison. Now Hawaii Five O. The only thing the new show has in common with the original is that it is set in Hawaii. Don't get me wrong, it's a good show. When I watch it, I look at it as another crime show set in Hawaii. It's not Hawaii Five O! While we're at it, I don't like the new James Bond.(I know he's had the role for a while now, but I wasn't doing my blog then) This guy is basically a thug. If you want to make movies with him, fine-just don't call him James Bond.
As for Dancing with the Stars, when was Bristol Palin ever a star? I must have missed that.
It's always good to be optimistic about the future, at least it will make you feel better. Let me close with my signature close from my radio and television programs.Folks, remember if you can imagine it. you can achieve it, if you can dream it you can become it! I'm Patrick Gilligan, and I'll see you next time. Make it a a Great Year.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
$3.00 Gas, Laura Bush and Hypocracy.
Let's start with gas prices. I hear a lot of talk about our need to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. What about the oil companies? These companies make billlions, that's billions of dollars a quarter! I believe that the oil companies are still subsidized by the taxpayer. Let's conduct an experiment. Have the oil companies sell gas for $1.00 a gallon. I'd bet that they'd still make a huge profit, perhaps only millions of dollars a quarter. The rest of America is cutting back...
Laura Bush. I always thought she was a nice, elegant lady. I still do. However I always wondered how she could go along with all of the stuff that went on in her husbands administration. On Oprah she said she was in a car accident when she was 17. Apparently she was with a girlfriend in the car who said "you just passed a stop sign." Then she ran into another car who she would later find out was driven by a friend of hers. Her car collided with her friends car and her friend was killed. As an interviewer, I would have asked her if she was charged with a crime. Oprah didn't. I'm no lawyer, but I think if you run a stop sign and someone is killed, there could be legal consequences! When asked how she dealt with that horrible experience, she said she never talked about it. I guess that ability to block out negative experiences and live in a state of denial served her well when she was in the Whitehouse.
Now for hypocracy. For years I've believed that politicians, especially senators and congressman who hold hearings should have to wear patches on their suits, like racecar drivers wear, to denote who their sponsors are. Having them have to show who their sponsors are would have been very revealing when executives from Goldman Sacs were being grilled by politicians who receive money from the very people they are supposedly investigating. What a dog and poney show. Talk about hypocracy!
Laura Bush. I always thought she was a nice, elegant lady. I still do. However I always wondered how she could go along with all of the stuff that went on in her husbands administration. On Oprah she said she was in a car accident when she was 17. Apparently she was with a girlfriend in the car who said "you just passed a stop sign." Then she ran into another car who she would later find out was driven by a friend of hers. Her car collided with her friends car and her friend was killed. As an interviewer, I would have asked her if she was charged with a crime. Oprah didn't. I'm no lawyer, but I think if you run a stop sign and someone is killed, there could be legal consequences! When asked how she dealt with that horrible experience, she said she never talked about it. I guess that ability to block out negative experiences and live in a state of denial served her well when she was in the Whitehouse.
Now for hypocracy. For years I've believed that politicians, especially senators and congressman who hold hearings should have to wear patches on their suits, like racecar drivers wear, to denote who their sponsors are. Having them have to show who their sponsors are would have been very revealing when executives from Goldman Sacs were being grilled by politicians who receive money from the very people they are supposedly investigating. What a dog and poney show. Talk about hypocracy!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
HealthCare Reform
Are you for it or against it. I should mention that I own a health insurance business that I started over 20 years ago. Most of my income has been derived from it. Am I for Healthcare reform? Yes. Why, you ask. Well part of the reason was discussed in my last blog on the economy. With all of those good paying jobs with benefits being outsourced, millions of Americans have found themselves without health insurance or have insurance that is terribly inadequate. Many lower paid workers have insurance with such high deductibles that they can't afford to go to see the doctor, even though they are supposedly covered.
My suggestion for healthcare reform was to increase the income limits on the medicaid program to include more of the working poor. The new reform has a provision like that where I believe that people making under 29k will be put into an expanded Medicaid program. The new reform does away with pre-existing conditions and with some cajoling from the White House, have accelerated the removal of pre-existing conditions for newborns. Off course there are drawbacks. Now drug makers have to wait more years before generic drugs can come on the market thereby increasing their profits on name brand drugs.
Is the current reform perfect. No, not by a long shot. But I think we can all agree that something had to be done! Let's hope that they iron out the wrinkles in a way that benefits Americans - One can always hope.
My suggestion for healthcare reform was to increase the income limits on the medicaid program to include more of the working poor. The new reform has a provision like that where I believe that people making under 29k will be put into an expanded Medicaid program. The new reform does away with pre-existing conditions and with some cajoling from the White House, have accelerated the removal of pre-existing conditions for newborns. Off course there are drawbacks. Now drug makers have to wait more years before generic drugs can come on the market thereby increasing their profits on name brand drugs.
Is the current reform perfect. No, not by a long shot. But I think we can all agree that something had to be done! Let's hope that they iron out the wrinkles in a way that benefits Americans - One can always hope.
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