Too Much, Too Little, Too Much, Just Right

After the Scott Brown surprise win in Massachusetts Democrats are looking for scapegoats. I suppose I would too under the same circumstances. Interestingly, Republicans have seemed pretty quiet given what some might consider a real boost to their agenda.

Truth is, every politician needs to be nervous.

I have always felt that I could be a good candidate for public office. I am dashingly handsome (at least not anymore if truth be told), and I can give an articulate, passionate speech. But the facts are that in our political environment, moderates cannot be elected. It seems you need to be a zealot on one extreme or the other.

In my opinion, both sides try to do too much. They get kicked-back and are too nervous to do anything, so they do too little. They then get angry about their impotence and try to do too much.

Why not do "just right?"

Just right might mean compromising with your fellow legislators. Compromising might be to fix some little things, and then a few more and then a few more. Shake hands with your colleagues across the isle (or get rid of the isle). Perhaps everyone should declare themselves independents.

You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Cry

Sound familiar? It ends with "Santa Claus is coming to town!" Last night's victory by Scott Brown in Massachusetts was truly a stunner. Ted Kennedy must literally be turning-over in his grave, Obama clearly did not sleep well last night and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid may have thought about "smokin' something..."

The "no one can define what's in it" health care behemoth is now likely dead. Cap and Trade may disappear and other legislative initiatives by the democrats likely will go nowhere with freightened politicians and an election coming up.

But before Republicans begin dancing in the street (they are allowed to dance for precisely one day with Scott Brown), they better recognize that the electorate is more and more independent and more and more angry about the corruption of ideals in Washington, the out-of-control spending and the lack of recognition that the independent middle class finally is saying "enough" to all politicians who recklessly spend our money without consideration of long-term benefits to our society.

You better watch out -- every elected official. THE PEOPLE are Santa Claus.

It may be time to clean-house and begin a reasonable government agenda.

What is Health Care Reform -- The Blame Game

I don't pretend to understand the complexities of the healthcare reform debate, but I do know that whatever is going on in Washington has not been explained by the proponents and solid, reasoned objections have not been voiced by the opposition.

As a business person, the one thing I am certain about, however, is that competition does not exist in health care. I also know that there has been lip-service to the idea of engendering competition, but no real attempt to create competition.

Let's blame the Republicans. Okay, let's blame the Democrats. Well, let's blame the insurance companies. Hmmmm. What about let's blame the fact that there is no competition for health CARE.

When was the last time anyone checked an Internet site to see which dermatologist had the lowest price for having a mole removed? When was the last time a person with heart problems or cancer evaluated the quality of service available by different providers and the prices they charge? NEVER!

We have been covered by insurance plans with the lowest co-pays possible, so none of us has any idea what healthcare costs -- and there is no pain for us to go to the first place suggested.

Have any of you ever been treated by a doctor where the nurse didn't say, "ah, Doctor Jones is the best..." Well, if every doctor is "the best," then let them compete on price. Realistically, let them compete on experience, training and price (plus perhaps the number of malpractice claims filed...)

It is the insurance industry that caused this, but it is not their fault. Will the new federal health plan cover ALL citizens like Medicare? That will NEVER save money. My 86 year-old mother goes to the doctor 2 or 3 times a week because she has aches and pains AND the visits don't cost her anything, so there is no incentive for her to say, "I guess it is not so bad. I will save the money." And do you really think doctors or hospitals want consumers to know what things cost? Absolutely not.

Simple question for pet owners: Has pet insurance saved money? No. It has allowed veterinarians to raise their prices.

If we want everyone covered, then competition must be engendered. The health insurance companies want everyone covered because it means more revenue. The federal government wants more people covered because it establishes greater dependence upon the government from our citizens. I doubt a "government option" will engender competition. You can't have the public sector competing with the private sector and have a fair fight. "Public sector" will be the death of the "private," and thus any hope we have of establishing competition.

Let your congressman know that you want competition in health care, not higher taxes and government control.

Is Your Home a Good Investment?

If a poll had been taken anytime from 2000 to 2007 the answer would be inequivically "YES!" But with all the problems in real estate in the last 3 years, many U.S. citizens are beginning to wonder if things will ever be really good again for building wealth through owning your own home or investing in residential real estate.

My answer is "Yes," but only if you buy low and sell high, and take into consideration some key factors in how to finance a home, when to buy and how to sell. Check out a recent blog post on my BestHomePro blog: Is Residential Real Estate a Good Investment?

Happy New Year!