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The events happening in Washington, D.C. since the inauguration are very alaming to me because Medicare and Supplimental are what pay for my three times weekly dialysis treatments. Without these payments, I can’t afford the treatments. Without the treatments, I die. Medicare is one of the programs Republicans regularly try to end or privatize. The way to do this is based on the U.S. Constitutional process by the elected Legislative branch, not the unconstitutional, illegal chainsaw approach of the new president. Oh yeah, without dialysis, I bloat out, my organs are crushed by fluid buildup in the tissues, and I suffer death by an overloaded heart. Friends who voted for the current president voted for someone who would do something about the price of gas and eggs or because of their sincere belief about abortion, in most cases. Reducing government spending, too, is a traditional Republican principle. Well, to quote the Biblical quote quoted in the film, “he who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.” I hope it happens before I die.
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I was very tired after dialysis yesterday. After medicating Andy a little after 1:00 pm, I went to bed. I woke up a little after 11 pm. Sleeping 10 hours these days is indicative of the stress, worry, existential fear of my country’s political situation, I feel these days.
I was physically sick in 2017 worrying about what he was going to do. This time, I’m more numb. I’m a little amused by people who took him at his word about the economy and the Middle East and are already regretting their vote. He’s doing exactly what he said he was going to do. I hope we all survive the next four years.
Amen to that. I am astonished yet that anyone bought his banter. I knew his reputation well before he ran for President the first time. It wasn’t very good!
Me, too.
Doug, you and I are not the only ones dependent on Medicare. I pray for your life to extend to the customary 120 years, and then some more.
Mr Andy has excellent taste in movies.
I am no longer sparing the feelings of those who voted for that man. I used to think I should respect their opinions. I personally think they are complicitors in my death at worst, a hell of a lot of fear and stress at best.
I am so sorry about it, Doug.
People like you (and me, also on Medicare and Social Security) are just collateral damage, aren’t we ? And I don’t notice grocery prices going down either.
It appears that we are. I resolved to be a loud voice going down. The people who voted for this monster are complicit. Knowing of his character is something I was aware of from articles I read in magazines I subscribed to
Unfortunately, you and I are just that.
Yeah, smoke and mirrors is something a conman masters.
It is a scary world we live in these days. I am prone to anxiety and lately with all I read each day my level rises and falls like a yo yo and that make me feel even mor anxious. I pray and hope all will be well for you.
You described how I am these days, too. I try to focus on making his supporters know I regard them as complicit, though they thought they were voting to get a president who supported their abortion view or some other single issue. He said he intended to be a dictator his “first day” and he was going to get revenge on people he regarded to be enemies. How the he’ll did they process those words? Or did their Fox source of news edit that crap out of their coverage?
I so do wish you well
Derrick, I appreciate that. A year from now, I hope I can be here to laugh with you about unfounded fears. It looks like that is still up in the air.
The anxiety everywhere is palpable. There may be some sources of alternative funding from Nebraska if the system fails you. I can look into it if you want. Is the V.A. helpful at all?
The VA resources are in Scottsbluff, Hot Springs, SD, and the biggest stuff farther north in Ft. Something – I always forget the name. I haven’t used this option because my work insurance always was top tier. When I retired and became eligible for Medicare, that resource has matched what I was I sed to, so I decided to leave the VA to veterans who didn’t luck out like me and get dream assignments to make motion pictures in Germany and other countries. How noble, eh?! No, I didn’t experience terrible war wounds of the mind and body, and I felt and still feel that the VA is best for treating those veterans, and my issues can be handled satisfactorly in civilian hospitals.
There is a low level of anxiety among many of us. Even those who don’t need critical care…now. It feels a lot more like “the ship is sinking, every man for themselves.”
That is so true. One keeps hoping to hear the proverbial cavalry bugle and the thunder of hooves coming from behind the hill, and John Wayne leading his troops to save the day. It seems a happy end to this nightmare is just about as likely.
It’s probably actually a good thing that cats don’t seek out coffee … I agree with what you’re saying about politics. It’s a source of great anxiety here too. We’re already staggering from medical bills due to our elder ages and my rare disease. And now we have complete lack of confidence in what’s going on with the government.
My primary health issue is WG/GPA, and everything else, including end term kidney failure, caused by that. Either of those two, untreated will kill me. Fortunately, since the former is a more grim death, the latter gets right down to the suffering and death. Of course, having a realistic understanding of what the failure of government to honor its contract to pay our medical bills from a fund we paid into all our working lives thinking bit would be there when we needed it is sad for us. Criminal for them, though. Everyone who voted for him I hold complicit.
Well stated. I’m so sorry you have such a serious condition and I sure hope that somehow the funding for treatment continues.
What is happening in your country seemed unimaginable a few brief months ago. I worry for people like you, Doug, who depend on a fragile health care system to allow you to lead a life of some independence and dignity. How can this vengeful machine be stopped?
I do not know. All of my Senators and Congressman are MAGAista. I write, and what I write is ignored. I’ve chosen, however, to use this blog as a diary of my decline and death if my worst fears come true of an end to my dialysis treatments by an illegal “audit ” process by a South African multibillionaire. Yeah, for regulars, Andy photos will continue.
I read the play “Inherit the Wind” in high school. It seems almost quaintly optimistic compared to what is happening now. Back when we read the play, we scoffed at the ignorance of the townspeople opposed to the teaching of evolution and science: but I know now some of my classmates, all in their late 60s, voted for politicians who would be happy to abolish science curriculum from public schools in favor of “faith based” education. (Faith meaning Christianity, as if those of us belonging to other religions don’t exist.) I also am anxious about the possibility of losing Medicare: the treatment for my cervical dystonia would cost me over $1000 a visit, money I don’t have at hand. Without it I would be unable to drive, walk down the block, or even sit at a desk without being in pain. The move fast and break things boys who would destroy what little nationalized health care we possess have no idea they’re sentencing a lot of us to death or an existence much like it. Or maybe they don’t care, since they seem to think suffering is acceptable as long as it’s not them doing it. It’s infuriating and frightening.
I have decided to join the revolt by speaking out. If I upset my friends who voted for Trump, it is to open their eyes to the dangers many of us will suffer because of his illegal and unconstitutional ways. I mean, to me, the threat to my life is more important to me than if they are upset because I disagree with how Trump is handling power
hugs to you two… sometimes a coffee can do wonders.. but sadly not always …
There are threats there as well, ones I pray each country deals with, perhaps we can learn from here.