Michael1942's Blog

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A couple of things: The firearms issue and background checks are pretty much dead in the water, primary reason is  public pressure on the Congress by some to do it and some not to do it. Lets get to what should have happened: first none of the Congressional imbeciles should have made any public statements until all facts and information was available to them, they (the Dupublicans and Scamocrats) should have put together a plan to discuss and flesh it out before voting on anything. What I believe happened: the Congressional seat fillers were persuaded to do what they did by the voting constituency ( and big money).  What we have is an issue that possibly could have been done  in a rational way but wasn’t due to the getting re-elected mindset. If you can recall any public debate or notification when the 535 framed and enacted the laws that concern their salary, pension and benefits, please let me know. Now on to firearms again. I firmly believe  that proper background checks should be done, reason: prevent ANYONE who is mentally unstable or otherwise unfit ( under age, past mental problems-if information is readily available). These ideas are not new and certainly bear a lot of discussion and scrutiny but our DXXXV cannot seem to do it for us  unless we pay them more. Last let us stop using the word “gun” as an issue, the issue is “firearm(s)” which encompasses all mechanical items that functional emit a projectile at a high rate of speed with use of a power activated system.

After writing the Carry me Out Post, I found this e-mail in my box. it sums up what I posted and more:

Healthy living leads to healthy aging

“By 2015, one of every five Americans  will be between the ages of 50 and 64. As they enter this age group, 70 percent  will already be diagnosed with at least one chronic condition, and nearly half  will have two or more.”*

Americans are now living longer, and no matter what your age, you  have the potential for good health. As people age and their bodies change,  there are additional challenges to face. Older adults can take action to meet  these challenges and maintain good health. And if you aren’t as healthy as you  want to be, it’s never too late to make improvements.

Successful or healthy aging is defined as freedom from heart  disease, cancer, and respiratory problems, as well as having good physical and  brain function. The Center for Aging and Population Health at the University of  Pittsburgh has developed the “10 Keys to Healthy Aging” guidelines for adults  50 and over to follow:

1. Stop smoking. Many  conditions will improve or at least not continue to get worse after you quit.  And quitting can lower your risk for many serious health problems, including  cancer and heart disease.
2. Lower your blood pressure. The ideal systolic pressure for adults is below 120. Controlling  your blood pressure through medication and lifestyle changes reduces your risk  for heart attack and stroke.
3. Get recommended cancer screenings. Discuss your individual risk factors with your doctor. Cancer  screenings that may benefit you include skin, colon, and rectum for everyone;  breast, uterus and cervix for women; and prostate for men.
4. Get immunized regularly. Besides  a yearly flu shot, talk with your doctor about which immunizations you need.  Older adults are especially at risk for diphtheria, shingles, pertussis  (whooping cough), flu, pneumococcal disease, and tetanus.
5. Regulate your blood sugar. Your fasting blood glucose should be less than 100. When your  levels are greater, you are at risk for pre-diabetes and diabetes.
6. Lower your LDL cholesterol. LDL, or low-density lipoproteins, are the molecules that carry  fats around the body. A high LDL level increases the risk for heart disease and  stroke.
7. Be physically active. No  matter how old you are when you start exercising, physical activity, like  walking, can improve your overall health and wellbeing and even prevent some  health problems.
8. Prevent bone loss and muscle weakness. A bone density test can help detect osteoporosis. To keep your  bones and muscles strong, get moving with weight-bearing and strength-building  activities. Ask your doctor about your calcium and vitamin D intake.
9. Maintain social contact. Regular  socializing helps prevent cognitive decline and isolation and can improve  self-esteem.
10. Seek help for depression. Depression is not a normal part of aging. If you feel sad most of  the time, talk to your doctor about treatment options.

*Promoting Preventive Services for Adults 50-64: Community and Clinical  Partnerships, a joint report from the Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention, AARP, and the American Medical Association. National Association of  Chronic Disease Directors, 2009.

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I have had several younger people whose image of aging is  different to say the least. I have been told that I need to just relax and enjoy life. Lets examine what enjoying life is, enjoying life is or should be a lifetime pursuit (no matter how long that life is). When a person has spent 25 to 40 years working and decides to retire, there has to be something to fill that gap. many of us do not have hobbies but acquire one (or more). With any amount of hobby time there still needs to be something else, I equate the lessening of activity to when your computer goes to “sleep”, it is then in a low power state. Your body goes into a low power state when you lay down to sleep but upon waking, your body almost immediately is in gear to move on. Upon retirement when one decides or elects to ease off some physical activities , the body begins to slow down and underachieve in many areas. What a person  needs to do is continue as high a level of activity as possible and including mental and physical exertions. The Body is like an automobile, you need fuel (food), you need to have movement so that the moving pasts remain flexible and you need to have a periodic check up (physical). The main thing to stress is activity to keep even the ache prone parts  flexible. A little weight lifting is a good way to work out and keep the muscles toned. There is no need to go on a weight regimen like a power lifter but some moderate weight exercise is helpful. If you have no hobbies, then get one with physical activity and do crossword puzzles or some sort of mental exercise. All of this will enhance and possibly extend your life.

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Medicaid Funds for the Taking

Abel Oldsworth, my reticent friend, and I discussed the benefits and risks in going with the expansion of Medicaid through generous federal funds that would provide health care and health maintenance assistance to several hundred Michigan low income individuals and families.  Beneficiaries would not have to use emergency rooms for their primary care, and they would not have to wait until they have multiple problems before seeking care. Further, businesses would welcome this expansion because it grows consumer purchasing. We do not understand the reasons for delayed action and came to this conclusion.

Some state legislators think Medicaid expansion regretful

Although saving money and lives might be beneficial.

But it’s the poor folks’ defects

Which outweigh their spending effects

And thus warrant the denials as providential.

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A brief reading of the many articles on the Bible, especially Leviticus (which are the words of Moses et al, who were all of the Hebrew Levi Tribe). Many of the writings  were rife with adherents to practices or avoidance of actions and activities supposedly forbidden by God. In reading these banned items are references to practices by other cultures such as styles  of haircuts. tattoos, etc. These practices while forbidden by the Hebrew bible at that time were no more than rules to govern them selves and their interaction with other groups of non Jewish people. These Non Jews have similar restrictions as to dress, appearance and actions related to many of the Jewish restrictions that have survived the ages to come down to us as “Gospel”. Biblical scholars interpret and reinterpret the Old and new testament have not and do not always get the real meaning correct. These literal interpretations have been the catalyst to create more religious sects and subsequent interpretations. This leaves us today with a multitude  mini sects and interpretations which in the long run loses and limits the human quality of living along side one another. In essence the “word” has separated us more than tie us together.

Think about it.

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The ongoing buzz and debate on what is called “gun control” will be just that if the media debate continues. Everyone involved has spent too much time sound biting and, tweeting and using other social media to advance their opinions yet no one has a specific definitive answer. The biggies in the firearm debate have proposed publicly several ways to curtail or stop violence committed with firearms but none are perfect or acceptable to all. I propose that some or all of the most vocal participants have a sit down like adults should, put the real issues on the table and create a solution. The past 20 years have seen more Media debate on major and minor issues than good or just  reasonable  answers to resolve the issues. There is never a 100% solution to anything but there is always a reasonable one but many times  we have settled for one-sided, partial or temporary  solution. In the case of the current Firearms issue we have the ever present sense of firearms owners not wanting give them up or be constrained by any more laws on purchase or use. We have the lobbyists who advocate the same and asking for rescinding existing restrictions, both factions have taken hard lines on any additional restrictions but losing sight of the need for something that would allow the ownership and oversight of firearms to prevent the illegal ownership and use of firearms. The illegal use is more than just the recent mass shootings of people, it is the killing of wildlife that is protected or monitored. My opinion is: the public, media and involved parties need to meet , putting all of the vitriol aside examine the situation and decide on what could work. Without a consensus on this, the debate will go on forever creating a split that will only widen and continue to be debated with no good end.

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