My Buffet of Thoughts

Many of you know that I make my living working in the veterinary healthcare industry. Veterinary medicine shares many traits with its human medicine counterpart; however, the differences that do exist between the two are stark. Those differences are neither here nor there. I aim to show each of you just how much medicine (veterinary and human) is no different than any other business that operates in America. How screwed up it is that our government (which is also a business) is not being operated and managed as it should be. It really makes no difference to me whether you agree with me or not on what I am about to write. I am not writing down my thoughts in order to further polarize or divide this country more than it already is. I am not out to convince anyone to vote one way or another. However, I do pray that my content in this piece will generate some serious thought and discussion within the social circles of my readers.

Most of my veterinarian clients base every medical decision they make on decades of research. That research must be reviewed and accepted by a multitude of industry experts (and also clear the FDA) in order for it to be published in medical journals and textbooks. That is how change or new discoveries are accepted into the common practice of medicine. Many veterinarians approach their business decisions the same way they have approached learning and practicing medicine. Before anyone can open a medical practice (or open any business) they must do their research. Most practitioners will hire a multitude of consultants who will each specialize in one particular facet of that practice (like me and my expertise in diagnostic imaging) or an MBA graduate to consult them on management or an architect to design a hospital that will benefit the client, the pet and the staff. These doctors are entrepreneurs. They must produce a business plan which lays out the costs to start up, operate, grow and maintain their medical practice. Once they have their business plan, it is presented to investors and/or a financial institution. If the plan looks to be a promising investment (a good risk), it will then be funded and the doctor can build his or her practice.

Healthcare practitioners do not spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their education to go into business for themselves and lose money. Albeit, most are very compassionate and do love to help people (or animals), but all are in it to make a profit. I could easy take off here and chase the rabbits that all led into our rising healthcare costs and all of the things that folks believe should be reformed these days. In a nutshell, this all can be traced to the ill behavior of a few bad individuals whose corrupt actions ruined it for everyone else. I do not think all of that is important to discuss (at this very moment) because it really has no bearing on the concepts that I am laying out.

Let us now take a moment to reflect on the last few days and what happened in the US House of Representatives. You know who they are; that group of over 400 people who represent the 300 million or more United States Citizens. There is a plethora of polling data from several media sources and independent research organizations and they all agree for once. They all state that over 50% of the American people do not approve of the new healthcare reform legislation and/or the way it was passed into law. The Democrats are all on TV saying that this new system will decrease the deficit and provide the proper care to all Americans, including millions who are uninsured at this moment. There are Republicans saying that the new legislation may bankrupt our country and will actually lower the standard of care across the board to all Americans. Again, let’s not forget that hard data in the polls suggest that this legislation was all passed without a majority blessing from the American people. This polling data is solid by the way. How do I know? Because I can access that data and read it online from all of the biased and non-biased polling sources stated on the news channels. Even the historically heavily democrat biased polls have shown that most Americans disapprove. With that all said, now we can get into the GOOD STUFF!

QUESTION #1: Where is the data to support either of these arguments on what healthcare reform will save or cost the American people today and in the future? Where is the data that TRULY supports either argument on the quality of care that will be provided?

It blows me away than ANY political figure can get on TV, quote numbers and make generalizing statements without being held responsible for the origins of their content. They certainly cannot write that content and publish it without it being scrutinized…unless…it’s 2300 pages long and no single human being has the time, energy or stamina to read all of it before it gets voted on and signed into law. That sure seems suspicious. If legislation is supposed to help the American people and save us money, then why not slow down and let us read through this bill before it gets voted on? If the intentions are truly to improve healthcare and save money, then why push it through so quickly without allowing the voters to digest it? Sounds like something in there needs to remain hidden? It's common sense people. When the law makers push something (any type legislation) through fast that is not a true emergency (true emergencies are Haiti, Chile, Sept. 11, ETC..) there is definitely something to hide. If not, they would take their time with it and allow their constituents to research it, ask questions, and digest it.

I have been watching all major networks over the past two days and I am trying to bring myself to trust anything that any one of these people are saying. Unfortunately, I cannot trust any “R” or any “D”. Why? They are ALL FULL OF SHIT. ALL OF THEM! I want to see the data! I don’t want to read all 2,300 or more pages of this legislation to know what it does or does not do. I want a whitepaper written on what just passed in plain English. I also want a Return on Investment (ROI) report for anything we legislate to spend. Furthermore, in the future, I want that ROI and whitepaper on any future spending that my elected officials will be voting on and I want it BEFORE they vote NOT AFTER. Something that is between ten and twenty pages long that nutshells this whole thing. There should be trustworthy data provided by PRIVATE SECTOR experts and consultants (NON-GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES) on these things! I want to know how 43 economists all arrived at the assessment that this new reform of healthcare will reduce our deficit over time. I want to see the data that shows me and all Americans how this reform will affect my disposable income and how it will affect my level of care in plain language. Some people will argue with me on this and say that it is too much to ask of that busy little nest of vipers in D.C.

Horse Shit! Here is why.

Like banks, animal hospitals, and urgent care clinics; the US Government is indeed a business. It has investors, expenses, employees and produces revenue just like any business does. The big fat difference between the US Government and ABC Animal Hospital is that the United States is managed by people who are not qualified to manage a business. Again, let's look at common sense for a moment. The US Postal Service is owned and operated by the US Government. Currently, the US Postal service is in debt $4 Billion. FedEX posted a profit of $739 Million for 2009 just days ago. These two business provide the same exact service. The privately operated firm posts profits consistently. The government owned firm bleeds loss consistently. If our leaders in the US Government had any such talent for operating a successful business (or working as an executive for a private business), they would not be staying in public service their entire lives. They would be working for a living like the rest of us.

With that weakness now exposed, we can talk about not only term limits, but limited public service period. I believe that any American citizen should be limited to the number of consecutive years that he or she can serve in ANY public office. This would encompass municipal, county, state and federal offices. I will just throw out some numbers here for grins. You only can spend 8 consecutive years of your life in public office and then you have three options. 1) retire permanently 2) take an 8 year furlough 3) take your shot at an executive position such as a governorship or the presidency. Furthermore, those 8 consecutive years should be also be prefaced AND predicated with 8 years of private employment and/or business ownership. If these were the rules, it is obvious that the same people would not be sitting in Washington. Our president would definitely be someone different and a majority of our senators and congressman would be different people.

So if the government is a business, who finances that business? The taxpayers do. Notice that I did not say the American citizens, I said THE TAXPAYERS. I really wish I knew what percentage of our total population actually paid income tax versus those who do not. I am sure the percentage of Americans who actually pay income tax is staggeringly low. That is a whole new argument. I believe income tax and the current tax code is completely broken. I am all for a consumer flat tax, but I will save that for a later rant. Staying on point; since the tax payers are ultimately the investors of this business, we are owed the courtesy of knowing where our dollars go and why they are going there. I do know exceptions should exist for military expenditures in the spirit of national security but that is not something I am as interested in getting an ROI for. I am all for beefing up the military with all of the ways and means they can get to keep this country safe and sovereign. However, we do need to control waste in all facets of government spending. I drive between Alpine, Texas and San Antonio, Texas about every month and most of my trips are taken on highway 90 which parallels the Rio Grande River (US/Mexico border). As I pass by theses border patrol headquarters and several satellite stations I always notice that there are at least 50 parked government owned vehicles in each of the motor pool areas. I would like to know how much we spent on those vehicles that sit there idle every day and do not get used. Can it get worse? Yep. I was driving that road last week and passed two semi truck loads of new border patrol SUV's. Wow! More? Why do we overspend in such a way? Do not buy them if you are not going to put them to use every day. If that is how we spend money on vehicles, then it scares the hell out of me how our government spends in other areas.

QUESTION #2: What if we took the top 500 self-made millionaire entrepreneurs in America and placed them in the seats of the Senate, House, and into the Presidency? Would our government change?

Hell yes it would. Only because each and every one of these men and women know what it means to account for every dollar and to BE ACCOUNTABLE to those who have trusted and therefore invested in them. Successful business people do not tolerate losing money or operating their business in the negative (aka an unbalanced budget). Our federal government continually operates in a deficit. Only during the Clinton administration have we actually balanced a budget and even produced a surplus. WOW! We have done it before, why not do it again?

QUESTION #3: What if you were awarded a one million dollar LOAN to start-up and operate a business… and then you simply spent every dollar (and then some more) without it returning you or your investors a profit? Of course that would mean craw fishing on the loan with your investors. Nice. You are now no different than not only this congress but many before it.

In my opinion, this is exactly what happens in D.C. right now. I send the IRS thousands of my hard earned dollars every year. I wonder how many of those dollars actually do benefit ME and MY FAMILY. What I mean by how I benefit is: What services do I receive in exchange for my tax dollars? I know that I have roads to drive on and that I still speak English instead of Arabic, German, or Japanese (THANK YOU U.S. MILITARY!) and my kids get a good education (THANK YOU TEACHERS!). What services do I truly expect in exchange for my tax dollars? Protection of my inalienable rights as a human being is first and foremost. If you don’t know what those inalienable rights are, please refer to the United States Constitution and The Declaration of Independence. There are many copies of them both on the web; Google it. Education for my children is second and then come the good roads/logistical infrastructure.

I do not expect the government to provide me or my family: food, shelter, healthcare, entertainment, insurance or transportation. All of those things are up to me to earn and provide for my family. So with that said, I am sure that many folks are now thinking that I am a facist. That is not the case. I do believe that it is definitely our responsibility as compassionate human beings and US Citizens to care for the poor and the uninsured sick on our own; privately. I do not believe the government should do it because they have already proven that they SUCK AT IT! You should remember the nasty conditions at Walter Reed (a VA Hospital) that our injured soldiers were subjected to. It was reported just 12-18 months ago. What about last October when thousands of Detroit citizens lined up at City Hall to collect what they thought was "Obama's money from his stash" being given away to them? The government has been very careless and has spoiled many with their hand-outs already.

We have many faith-based and secular charities in the USA already in existence who do a great job caring for the poor and sick. It is unfortunate is that ALL OF THEM are continually scraping for more funding. They are all underfunded because they must compete with the government not only for a piece of our disposable income but also in their services. Most folks would be able to give more of their money if the government wasn’t taxing them so heavily. I believe that people who operate and manage charities have a much greater understanding of how to distribute that aid to those who are really and truly in need. Smaller, local, and more grassroots oriented charitable organizations have that kind of discernment and empowerment. Whereas any large non-personable government entity has no discernment and therefore, no true control over who is just being plain lazy (duping them) and who is truly in need.

QUESTION #4: Why is it more difficult for you, me, or any other regular Joe to run for public office and then get elected?

The answer is simple. Most people do not have the stomach for what must be endured to raise campaign money. Many elected officials in our cities, counties, and states were not elected because they are independently wealthy. Some may think that, but I disagree. Even if they are wealthy, not one of them would never spend themselves broke in order to get elected. They seek out campaign funding from wealthy citizens, special interest groups, PACS, political party chapters and yes; even some corporations. Why do these people all invest in these candidates? A number of them do because they truly believe that candidate will represent their interests. Others invest because they seek a GREENER return. No matter how you slice it; we call that corruption and there is too much of it in all levels of government. Unfortunately, if a candidate does not make a sweet deal here and there (to provide some favors if elected); then they will likely not have enough money to even make themselves electable.

Campaign financing must turned completely on its ear before we can solve any single issue that we face in American politics and law making as we know it today. As long as there is an unlimited amount of funding available to these candidates, there will be corruption. Can we blame just the corporations, parties, lobbyists or PACS? No, there are a few dirty rotten people peppered within every organization and party. We simply need to make campaign finance really simple.

Here is my idea: 1) Only American citizens who are registered voters should be allowed to give money to candidates. 2) Campaign donors should only be allowed to give a certain total amount (under $10,000) to political campaigns in total; per year. 3) The candidate should only be allowed to utilize a certain amount of his or her own money from their own personal kitty ($10,000 maybe?) in order to finance their campaign. Who’s to know what would be fair when speaking of these limited dollar amounts. I do know that not one single politician in office today would ever support such a major reform in campaign finance as this. That would be like voting themselves a cut in pay and benefits; which also needs to happen by the way.

I am sure that whatever Healthcare reform was passed looks nothing like the healthcare they already receive themselves and will continue to receive until they die. Kind of like the pensions that they get once they retire from office. I am sure that our parents and grandparents do not receive Social Security checks that look anything like the checks our former senators, congressmen and presidents are drawing.

In conclusion:

Every business is responsible to its investors. The U.S. Government is a business and it must be responsible to its investors as well. There is no longer any true representation in this government as it stands today. Many citizens like me, have lost trust in our leadership. Our leaders must possess good moral character and ethics. They must speak only facts that can be backed up by multiple PRIVATE SECTOR resources. I just want my return on investment as any investor would ask for. If you do not invest, then you should have no opinion and zero control. Get to work people. We weren’t put here to simply exist.

QUESTION #5: WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE LATELY?