HEALTHY way out

The ongoing debates in the several sections of the American society about the pros-n-cons of President Obama's health care bill, have raised hackles of the insurance sector. They who've had free run this far, are scared that their mindless money making charades will grind to complete stand-still if this bill is passed. Thus, they resort to using ruffians and thugs to ambush town-hall meetings and raise a spectre.

This uncivilized way of getting paid bullies to vocalize and espouse their cause ain't serving its purpose in fact, this very act (that surely seems to have been sponsored) by the insurance lobby substantiates doubts about their credibility and integrity to serve the people. It just shows that their higher-ups have been milking bonuses and lavish perks thus-far by sucking blood of gullible and innocent insurance paying Americans.

But, there is another side to this story. The growth of private insurance sector has also enabled US to develop break through technologies in field of medicine and health-care. Without doubt it can be assessed that, due to active fiscal involvement of its insurance sector, today US is so far ahead of the rest of the world in innovation in health-care services. So, the challenge for President Obama lies in finding a right balance between the right and left and treading the middle-path.

Just forcing the bill through just because he has filibuster proof majority in both houses and pushing for reforms purely based on ideology will be akin to committing harakiri. A deep thought will have to go into correcting this age old practises, trying to achieve anything overnight will be anything but, fruitful.

It has been observed that in countries where Public Insurance is provided the quality of health-care infrastructre is not as updated and extensive as in those that have private insurance. Also it has to be noted that most countries with public health isurance do not have population, the size of US. It has also been observed that for obvious reasons the Private Insurance sector fosters constant need for innovation and upgradation of medical and health-care services.

So, before forcing the bill all these reasonings will have to be factored in and a middle path arrived at so that the leadership in technological advancement is not lost upon us in the blind haste.

Amen! May wisdom and reasoning prevail.

VEGAN ATTACK

Last week myself and my better half, Lucky went out for all out Vegan dinner with our musician friend Ben Perkins, his opera singer wife Laurie Styron, filmmaker couple Michael Dunne and Sussan Muirhead to this comfy little place called Chicago Diner on N. Halsted a few blocks north from where we live.

It was helluva experience. For once I was almost sold out on the vegan way of living. But, come morning, I was back to my usual self, I walloped 4 boiled eggs and turkey breast s/w for my break fast.

Ben and Laurie are avowed Vegan and religiouly promote vegan lifestyle and over the years have managed to convince most of their friends to convert to it. I am sure, I am next on their hit list. Though born to a strictly vegetarian mother, I am a serious meat-eatarean espousing meat culture to all and sundry. I just cant come to think of giving up meat even for a day leave alone for rest of my life. Yet, I kinda enjoyed the meal and the discussions that involved all us for rest of the evening.

Michael has just finished his final draft for an horror flick and is busy sourcing buyers for his creation. Sussan is into initial stages of scrpting her magnum opus. Ben is busy fine tuning his rudra veena and sur bahar while Laurie is busy with her non-profit fund raising project. That leaves two of us Lucky and me doing nothing, completely wasted and idle.

So, I do exactly as an idle mind would; deconstruct and dissect the world and form my own views and opinions regardless of the fact that, I am my only follower. Lucky does peep in for a quicky once in a while but, for most times she leaves me alone; to unearth an Aristotle, a Pluto or a George Bernard Shaw in me.

I revel in the isolation as it leaves me to explore and tune into my true calling. I am not exactly a loner but, then there are times I like been left alone. And now is that time, I need to build a solid defense against Ben & Lauries vegan onslaught. I need to brace myself for a long and hard vegan v/s meat battle ahead.

Reluctantly though, I would like to confess that I truly enjoyed the Radical Reuben and the wonderful Soy thick-shake, as that would give them sufficient reason and purpose to further espouse their cause. I have to be vigilent always on gaurd lest they launch a surprise attack.

So, now is the time for me to bring to life the genius of Aristotle, Pluto and Shaw that lie buried in me and offer a valid argument that will withstand their vegan blitzkreig.

HAIL!Meatytarians