The Good, The Bad, The Ugly and, Occasional Great

The ongoing saga… 

The Great – The re-introduction of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023 by a group of bi-partisan legislators with the support of 17 major health care advocacy groups!!

The Good – The growing movement within the health care industry towards moving our payment system from a “I-did-this” orientation toward a “I-helped-to-prevent this-and-made-that-better” reimbursement system with a focus on “value”.

The Bad – The ongoing effects of climate change – whether it’s the extreme summer temperatures in Phoenix, the adverse weather patterns in Europe, the fact that Maine lobsters have already moved 250 miles further north to become Canadians due to the warming Gulf of Maine, the hurricanes in the Atlantic or, your favorite weather-related problem. But, of course, there is no climate change from anything humans have done…

The Ugly – Returning to the USA and daily saga of American politics where the focus is on power and control rather than on solving problems – and, we have many!!

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly -8/14/23

The Great – I’m on a six-week trip through Newfoundland (pronounced “New-fin-land, as I understand it – still trying to verify 😊) across the entire island. It’s an extraordinary place with wonderful engaging and inviting people that make one feel right at home… Furthermore, it’s great to be disconnected from the media and mayhem of America for at least a short period of time…

The Good – News on the USA economic home front in the last week was very good, including:

  • 2nd quarter annualized growth of the USA economy at 2.4% - higher than projected.
  • Inflation was down from the last quarter and slower at 2.6% - or, lower than most analysts’ projections.
  • The USA economy is 6% larger today than it was prior to the onset of COVID-19.
  • Real business investment and consumer spending were up 7.7% in real terms… 

The Bad – I read all 45 pages of the August 1st indictment of our last USA President and developed severe dyspepsia. See “The Occasional Perspective” above…

The Ugly – The fact that Jack Smith, the Independent Counsel in charge of the investigation related to conspiracy issues of our former President, has had to seek protection because of death threats is an incredibly sad commentary. We – in the USA – are no longer acting like a “leader” country but more like a 3rd rate, lawless nation falling under the control of gangs!

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly - 7/20/23

The ongoing saga…

 The Great – Time with family and friends in a far-off land allowed me time to think, to ponder, to wonder, and to consider all that is happening in the world around us.

The Good – The Greeks have got cooking down to an art form. I simply try to imitate their innate abilities with my culinary exploration – which includes the six cups of fruits and vegetables described above in Consulo Indicium!! 

The Bad – We are castigating immigrants for problems they did not create (SEE above “The Occasional Perspective

The Ugly – The vast destruction of the Anthropocene Era on life here on Mother Earth and the lack of action we are taking toward resolving the real problems that surround us!

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly - 7/11/23

The ongoing saga… 

The Great & Good – I am just back from a holiday in Greece with our adopted family. I continue to believe that the people of Greece are some of the friendliest and finest people that I know. I cherish their friendship.

The Bad –– Three mass shootings over the Fourth of July weekend. When is enough, enough? Sensible control is “part” of the answer. But, understanding the societal allowance for moving to these types of extremes to solve problems is a whole other issue that we rarely hear about nor do we seemingly understand…

The Ugly – The ongoing findings of the Department of Justice Independent Counsel related to Donald Trump’s activities with secure data and attempts at overturning the last Presidential election. If you doubt the findings, read them here. You, too, will be quite disturbed.

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly - 6/26/23

The ongoing saga… 

The Great – Spring has sort of sprung and we seem to be on the verge of summer or at least that’s the way it feels in Maine. The Southern States have already been hit with multi-day temps or more than 100 so, they may be looking forward to Fall.

The Good – I’m still thinking about it… 

The Bad – I don’t care which side of the aisle you sit on – the Trump indictment is a devastating document that speaks to obstruction, obfuscation and any number of other problems that we should never allow among any of our leaders.

The Ugly – The tenor and tone of our rhetoric in media and between ourselves is troublesome at best. We should all take “listening” lessons.

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