Changes both good and bad

Number of things are changing. Some good, some not so much.

First, the bad. My company continues to forge ahead with changes which I have detailed before. They are claiming it is a raging success while at the same time begging people to work OT (even though they have expanded the number of clinical reviewers like myself). Cases going to the medical directors are running entire days behind the normal schedule. Callers are getting nothing short of pissed off and I can no longer blame them. Yet they are expanding the program and have added another special extension for certain cases. Crap, the non-clinical people can't manage to send calls to the correct extensions now. I'm always getting calls which I have to forward because I was not supposed to receive that call in the first place.

Now the good news. The GOP is obviously addicted to losing. Otherwise you would think they would try doing something, anything differently. Latest issue was a threat to shut the government down again to take federal funding away from Planned Parenthood. That failed. One GOP candidate wants to make the office of the President require being Christian. That is against the Constitution. Donald Trump put out his tax plan, which benefits the rich far more than middle class or poor. Economists say it would increase the national debt by $12 Trillion over ten years. (Note: That is if we do NOT get into another war. With his mouth, not getting into a war would not be possible if he were elected.) He plans to offset the cost by making cuts to education and the EPA. Great, so destroy both education and the environment. While raising prices to pay for the wall he wants to build. His poll numbers are dropping on a daily basis. There are NO sane candidates in the GOP this election cycle. 

Further into danger

I am seriously not kidding when I say some of my writing has the potential to put me in danger. Displaying the tactics of those in power is a dangerous affair. 

I changed and expanded my writing about food stamps. Welfare is not mentioned but that would apply to the same issue by default, as the same principles still apply. I made it slightly easier to read. I try to keep things simple to reach the people it really needs to reach. However, I know I sometimes fail. I have to keep things step by step. 

So, here is how I have it posted now:

Are food stamps good or bad for the economy?

I know what you're going to say, bad. Incorrect.

Lots of people claim they create dependency and poor work ethic. Yet most people on food stamps already work but do not get paid enough to support their families.

Food stamps are good for the economy on numerous levels.

First, they create government jobs.

Then, the money from food stamps (and welfare) go back into the economy.

That money is spent in local grocery stores. This creates jobs.

What would happen if you decreased or stopped food stamps?

Grocery stores would decrease revenue. This could result in thousands of grocery stores closing. Many thousands of jobs lost. Managers, cashiers, stock people, maintenance workers. Gone.

Remaining stores would decrease both choices and amount of stock.

Decreased stores and stock means fewer truck drivers needed to deliver that stock. At least hundreds more jobs lost.

Decreased processing and packaging needed would mean hundreds more jobs gone.

Less need for imports would mean thousands more dock workers jobs lost.

Less consumption means farmers would have crops rotting in the fields. Because it would cost more to harvest crops than to sell them. Farm and field workers, thousands more jobs lost. Small farmers would largely cease to exist. Same with dairy farmers, chicken farmers and ranchers.

Meanwhile, cost of processing and shipping would remain constant while waste would increase. Cost of groceries would skyrocket.

A higher percentage of income being spent on groceries means less disposable income for other goods and services.

New car sales basically cease. More jobs lost.

Home improvements and repairs are deferred or forgotten. Thousands more jobs lost.

Less money spent on other goods and services means less profit for other businesses. This would result in more businesses closing, many thousands more jobs lost.

Decreased profits in nearly all areas would mean investments falter, stock market crashes.

People currently on the edge of poverty would be pushed over the edge. Foreclosures increase drastically. Savings and loans crash, property values plummet. Millions of mortgage holders under water. Homeless rate goes through the roof.

The two areas which see increased sales in such conditions are alcohol and illegal drug sales. Non-violent and violent crime rate increases rapidly.

So, who would benefit from eliminating food stamps? The ultra rich. Same people who oppose raising the minimum wage and in favor of eliminating it. Starving people will accept any work at any wage. Starving people are easy to control. It is used as a form of torture and brainwashing. There is not one person in our entire society outside of that group who would benefit at any level.

How are food stamps looking now?

Much better, so far

This past Sunday, I finally got out and replaced the rear brakes on the car. That took care of the squealing. There was still pad left, so it wasn't bad. Never had a problem stopping. Just an annoying squeal.

Tonight, I replaced the exhaust gasket and the valve cover gasket. Been having problems with acceleration sine after coming back from the first road trip with daughter. Tried replacing the oil and transmission fluid. That didn't do anything. (Needed to be done after the trip, any way.) One reason I also did the brakes was to be sure they were not dragging. They weren't. Between different behaviors of the car, I figured I had a vacuum leak somewhere. No evident leaks I could find. I've tinkered but had no success. However, once I did the work tonight I took a short test drive. It seems to have done the trick! Much better acceleration!

Now, I will say I did not yet take it out to higher speeds. Just second gear. Since first and second gear are shifting better, I assume it will act normally again at higher speeds and gears. Test drive further tomorrow.

That's a relief. I was afraid I needed a new transmission. Of course, not clear of that idea yet. If I do, I hope it will wait until after the holidays.

I could tell while doing it that those gaskets were at least part of the problem. The exhaust gasket had spots with visible heat wear. For all I know, it's the original gasket, so it would be 22-23 years old. The valve cover gasket itself may not have been a problem. Never hurts to replace it, especially since I already bought the new one. However, the valve cover bolts were seriously loose. Only reason I needed the ratchet was because I could not fit my fingers into some spots easily. I think that was the biggest issue. 

Looking forward to this weekend! Not only is daughter over but old friends (daughter's godparents) are going to be in town to visit! Haven't seen them in years and miss them.

One doubtful post

I did post one thing which I question. I have no question that there is the possibility that I could post something which would actually put my life in danger. For the simple fact that I can reveal tactics which are used by the right wing. However, not all of it is new information, just packaged differently. Plus the fact that I am posting things where it can be seen by those using those tactics. Considering these people have no qualms sending thousands to their deaths in war zones, it remains possible I make myself a target.

So, here is what I wrote:

Road map to taking control of a country without military force:
1. Concentrate the majority of wealth to a small subsection of the population.
2. Focus efforts on the least educated and hence least likely to ask questions.
3. Control as much of the media as possible. 
4. When #3 is not possible, use religion as a method of cohesion.
5. Claim to be a member of the same religion as that being used in #4.
6. When questions are asked where wealth is being used, focus attention on subsections of the community least able to defend themselves. (Immigrants, the poor, the elderly, minorities.) Simply put, engage an “us against them” attitude. It is easier to conquer a divided community than one which is united.
7. Convince the target group in #4 that their rights are being invaded.
8. When the above are not sufficient, focus attention on external influences such as other countries or lesser known cultures. The less the population understands about the target influence, the better.
9. Use irrational emotion to stir motivation and lessen intellectual inquiry. Turn all questions and doubts into an immediate threat which must be met with force.
10. Convince the group named in #4 that additional rights are being threatened, such as the right to own weapons.
11. When opponents question your information, accuse them of dishonesty and lack of patriotism.
12. Where possible, alter the historical record to reflect your agenda.

13. Control as much of the educational process as possible to ensure future generations follow the same agenda. 

These tactics though are easily available. Because it is step for step the tactics used by the Nazis.

Another post

Here is another item I wrote to post on FaceBook. 

Hate and anger are addictions.
Take a look back over your life right up to the present. Can you think of a time when you were not angry for more than a few days? 
Can you think of a time when you, personally, listened to a politician spewing hate and you did not feed on it? 
Can you think of a time when you were not looking for valid solutions instead of seeking someone to blame?
Can you think of a time when you looked at this country and thought, “We are in this together, we can fix these problems together”?
The fact is, if the source of your anger is removed, it never lasts for long. Then you are looking for something/someone else to hate.
Make no mistake. This is an addiction. You NEED your hate, you NEED your anger, no matter how unjustified, no matter how irrational, no matter how it can be clearly demonstrated that it damages your own life.
The signs are all there. You are willing to harm other people to hold onto your anger with a white knuckle grip. It does not matter if it hurts women, people in poverty, veterans, your neighbors, your mother, your wife, your daughter. They all live with the consequences of your anger. It doesn't matter if you sentence soldiers to death or permanent disability. It does not matter if you send children into areas where they may not live to adulthood. It doesn't matter if it means you have to pay more money. It doesn't matter if your attitude goes against everything your religion teaches, like compassion, feeding the hungry, helping the poor, not killing, beating swords into plowshares, loving your neighbor.
You NEED your anger and will do anything for your next “fix”.
Take a look in the mirror. Ask yourself what it would take for you to be happy? How many more people have to hurt, die, starve? How many walls do you need to build? How much money is enough? How many more tears must be shed? How many more mothers and fathers must cry over their dead children? How many more people must turn their backs and walk away if they are not sharing your addiction? How long before both of you turn your anger against each other? It has happened before, it will happen again..and again..and again. When will you stop screaming to drown out the emptiness inside?

So, of course, I expect some people to respond with..hate. However, I am posting this on a pages for hate promoting politicians and right wing groups. I don't expect it to have an immediate impact. Instead, what I am hoping it accomplishes is to plant the seed of the thought in the back of their minds. Make them question their motivations over time. There is no question this applies to many of the people I am directing it toward. In the end, at least some of them will have this eat at the back of their minds, making them wonder just what they are trying to accomplish in realistic terms. I have no doubt some of them will read this with the express intent of finding something they can be angry about. So far, I have received one reply from some guy who said I need psychiatric help and called me lonely. I responded to ask if that was an attempt at hate and if saying it made him feel better about himself. 

I plan on posting the same thing on various pages which promote hate every single day until the election.

It worked!

It worked! Using the concrete sealant to anchor the decorative gravel on the front ramp has kept the gravel secure now that it's dry! Yay! Okay, I am not going to claim it looks like a professional job but it does look good. So I have no complaints. I also sealed the section that has hand prints from my daughter and myself, along with the year. Of course, I can't claim forever but it should last for many decades. I may spray another coat of sealant later, just to be sure. 

I do feel slightly embarrassed it took me so long. Last year I finished the major part of the ramp and then freezing weather came in and concrete work in the winter is not a great idea. Over the summer, I've had lots of other projects to do and this work was just for aesthetics, so it waited. Plus, yes, there have been no shortage of times I did not quite have the energy for concrete work.

10:30 PM-

Forgot I had to run to the store for a couple of things, which took up a little time. 

Still, I got the seat off the bike, took the seat apart and traced the shape of the old pieces onto the new fabric and cut the main (most difficult) piece out. Try to get it sewn together tomorrow.

Rain

Didn't get as much done as I wanted to, of course. Slept poorly last night. Woke up a couple of times with stomach cramps. just felt tired most of the day but not much pain.

I did work on the front ramp some more. Sprayed it down with sealant, put down more decorative gravel and sprayed more sealant. Can't be sure if it worked yet. Not long after, it began to rain. I had to cover the ramp with a tarp. Check it tomorrow. 

Did some minor cleaning and laundry. 

Not much else to write about. The house is slowly getting in better shape. I can still get a lot done during the week.

And one more

And one more political rant posted today-

Conservatives need to be honest. Stop saying what you are against. Instead, state clearly what you are voting FOR. Every single one of the policies below come from actual statements from Conservatives-
War with Iran
Offending China
Decreasing women's rights
Decreased pay
Increased work hours
Decreased worker benefits
Racism
Homophobia
Integration of Christian church and state
Elimination of freedom of speech (see treatment of peaceful protesters and journalists, silenced, ejected, physically abused)
Dismantling the Constitution as a result of these policies
Elimination of subsidies for farmers
Increased subsidies for corporations
Decrease, freezing or elimination of the minimum wage
Privatization or elimination of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid
Health insurance/care only for the highest earners.
Elimination of food stamps and welfare for the poor.
Result of the last six- Job elimination by the millions, grocery stores closing by the tens of thousands, along with hospitals and clinics
Police abuse
Building a wall which we cannot afford and could not force another country to pay for. (It would require international approval.)
Tariffs (Okay, fine. Think. Who winds up actually paying for tariffs? You do via increased prices.)
Result of the above- More millions of jobs eliminated (dock workers, truck drivers, store clerks and stock people)
Deportation. (Again, how much would it cost and who pays for it? You do.)
Increased crime as starving people are left with no other choice, especially those with children
Increased homelessness
Increasing the number of prisons
Privatization of prisons, making them for-profit (Again, who pays for them being built and operated along with the profits)
Decreased veteran benefits
Decreased infrastructure expenditures (decaying roads, collapsing bridges)
Defaulting on international debts (and expecting no consequence)
Result across the board of increased prices- You get less for your money, buy less and less often, resulting in millions more jobs lost. (Basic economics)

But, hey. You get to keep your guns and your Bibles (which you never lost). For now.
However, project out a bit further. The only possible way to maintain order in a society as outlined above would be eventual institution of martial law. There would be no other way to manage a society of jobless, homeless, sick, desperate people who have the right to own guns.
So think about this before responding. Stop thinking of what you are against. Put all of your thoughts into what you are voting in favor of. 

Another political post

Here is another political rant I posted on FaceBook today-

Liberal concepts-

40 hour work week

5 day work week

OT pay

Social Security

Pension plans

Medicare/Medicaid

OSHA

FDA

EPA

Food stamps

Welfare

Public infrastructure

Public transportation

Public police

Miranda Rights

Right to trial by jury

Child work laws

Freedom of speech

Freedom of the press

Minimum Wage laws

Consumer protection laws

Farmer subsidies

Health departments

Federal retirement age

Traffic safety laws

Taxation according to income level

Federal Trade Commission

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Separation of church and state

Equal rights (EEOC)

Student loans and grants

Public schools

Public utilities

Public libraries

Public Democratic elections (A government of the people, by the people, for the people)

Freedom of Information Act

The ACA (Obamacare)

Access to Emergency Medical Care (EMTALA)

Immigration laws/reform

Patients Rights laws

HIPAA

Public privacy laws

Conservative concepts-

Increased taxes for the poor

Decreased taxes for the rich

The “trickle down theory” (disproven over millenia, at least as far back as the Middle ages)

Building a $20 Billion wall

Deporting 11 million people (consider lowball estimated cost at $400 per person)

The above does NOT include cost of increased police

Racial profiling as a result of above

Tariffs to pay for the Wall (you will pay the tariffs through increased prices)

Elimination of the ACA

Reduction or elimination of public assistance

Privatization of Social Security to for-profit entities

Reduction and privatization of Medicare/Medicaid to for-profit entities

Elimination of consumer protection laws

Decreased spending on infrastructure

War before and instead of diplomacy

Decreased or privatized veterans benefits

Elimination of patient protection laws

Selling of public data

Elimination of public privacy laws

Integration of church and state

Censorship of speech and press

Black ops

Torture

Retention without charge

Note that this is a very short list for comparison. I will give the reader credit to figure out more.

In each and every case, these ideas were fought against by the Conservatives of their time (no exceptions). The repeated claim was that they would destroy our society and our economy, often claiming they would eliminate jobs. In each and every case, they improved the economy, created new jobs and/or improved individual rights. No exceptions.

Things accomplished

I got moving and got a few things done. Lot more to do tomorrow but not bad today.

Went to Lowe's and got the concrete mix. Came back and completed the last section of the ramp. That section was really just for aesthetics. The ramp looked a bit lopsided. I do need to seal and set more decorative gravel, which does also add some traction. Have to clean it further before I can do that. May also need to level off the surface but have to get it clean enough at the base to really tell. Cleaned it somewhat today but using too much water could have had negative effects on the concrete I was setting. 

While out getting the concrete, stopped at Walmart on that side of town and got two pairs of jeans. The store on my side of town did not have my size, as usual. 

Finished canning chicken and pork. Ten lbs of chicken made 5 pints. A 7 lb pork roast made 4 pints. May not sound like much but one pint equals two meals. So each pint of chicken costs only $1.20, which comes out to $0.60 per portion, while pork costs $1.75 per pint, $0.86 per portion. Of course, not meant to be eaten alone but that's a very good cost for preserved food. 

I'll do that a few more times in the next year. Plus an upcoming project will be canning potatoes. Sometime when there is a good sale on them. Potato flakes are good but instant potatoes and rice can get monotonous day after day. 

Not exactly sedentary

Yes, I have been lazy this morning. Been up for four hours and haven't done anything physically active.

I have been very active on political discussions. I seem to be gaining a following. 

In the process of this, I came to a realization. I have gained knowledge in a lot of areas which I never truly expected to know much about when I was younger. 

For this, I credit the internet. When I was younger, I was always interested in learning many subjects. I used to have tons of books, reference materials like encyclopedias which I nearly wore out. There was also a time when I wished I could reach a position where I could afford to take college classes on various subjects just because I wanted to. No degree involved, just for the knowledge. 

When the internet came along, I had hopes that accurate information would become freely available. Mostly due to financial and copyright struggles, the early days of the internet proved rather sparse on such things. However, that has changed over time. 

Today, basically any knowledge or subject is only a few keystrokes and milliseconds away (assuming a high speed connection). Major universities offer even graduate level courses for free. You cannot yet get a degree for free but you can gain graduate level knowledge. However, you can use that knowledge to take college level tests for credit. They cost money but not nearly as much as taking the course. Plus those online courses are self-paced, rather than requiring rote attendance, reducing time spent and cost of transportation.) I have seen courses freely offered by MIT and other major universities. 

Years ago, some of this information was out there. However, it took paid subscriptions to access much of it. Not so much any more. 

It is since this information began expanding that my own knowledge has expanded drastically. I can honestly say I have become a true geek, an information and education addict. I most often watch documentaries and science shows before going to sleep. They help me relax. 

On the other hand, intentional misinformation is also widely propagated for religious and/or political reasons. 

In the end, it is up to the user to decide what their goal is. Do they want education and understanding? Or do they just want to memorize some talking points to spread their superstitions? I admit, knowledge takes more time, more work, more dedication. However, it is far more worth it in the long term and often in the short term. 

I find the biggest difference to be that of seeking solutions versus seeking someone to blame. The latter results in bigotry in many forms and never solves any problems. Most often the person pointing a finger does so to divert attention from their own culpability. Sadly, too often it works for many people. 

Yes, this whole rant is strictly focused on information and leaves out entertainment. However, without the entertainment aspect of the internet, the internet itself would be much smaller. And I do enjoy entertainment. It tends to be entertainment which drives much investment and innovation toward the internet. Most people are completely unaware that many existing internet technologies were developed by the porn industry and internet pirates. Without them, the internet as we know it would not exist.

Shopping and masochism

Yes, I was dumb enough to go shopping today. Ugh. Labor Day weekend and first weekend of the month all at once. People were just as stupid as you would expect. Especially at the grocery store.

There were some things I wanted to get. Got some but not all.

Ran to the crafts store for vinyl fabric to make a cover for the motor scooter seat, which is coming apart. Picked up a few other items while I was there. Like heavy duty sewing machine needles.

Got outdoor grade clear polyurethane paint to use on the front ramp. That should help anchor the gravel in place. I was going to get concrete for several projects, including final adjustments for the ramp. However, they were out of 50 lb bags. I deferred going to another location today. Maybe tomorrow. 

Got a couple of shirts and a fleece jacket. Nice deal, I got a zip up fleece jacket for $7! 

Ugh. The grocery store. Picked up another pork roast while still on sale. Also got a 10 lb bag of chicken leg quarters. Going to give a shot at canning the chicken and can more of the pork. Going to use smaller jars for the most part than the first attempt. I have the tendency to overdo things, which winds up with waste too often. 

Some things I am stocking up on I am taking the easy route. I figure every 2-4 weeks if I buy a case of something to lay aside, it won't take long to have a decent stockpile. So far I have 24 cans of corn and 12 cans of peas, in addition to the things I have canned myself, which is becoming a considerable amount. Ultimately, I will keep stocking things up until after the next election. If the country doesn't fall apart, I'll start using the canned food after that. Things I've canned myself I will use in rotation and try to build a larger supply. Not going to fill the whole house, just the pantry. 

Slow start

Yes, I'm off to a slightly slow start. My gut was killing me for a while when I woke up. That's rather common. Happens more days than it does not in the morning.

However, not as badly as a few weeks ago. The idea of surgery is less on my mind now. One big change was just one more change which reflects that if it's bad for most people, it's good for me. I really seem to have the most backward biology on earth.

Couple of weeks ago, I was having respiratory problems frequently. Not as a primary problem. It was completely evident that as my gut issues increased, so did the respiratory issue. I started taking Ephedrine twice a day. Of course, Ephedrine has been controversial for years but it has never caused me any problems unless I took too much but even that is difficult to do. I will stress that it is highly dangerous for people with high blood pressure, existing cardiac or kidney problems. Any way, I started feeling better.

Then I began thinking of the science behind how it works and the interaction with ulcerative colitis. Went back to reading. Seems a common treatment for ulcerative colitis is adrenergic receptor agonist therapy. Turns out both Ephedrine and Benadryl fall into this classification. So, on and off I have been treating the condition for decades without knowing it. Again, as it turned out smoking is another treatment. Once again, it explains part of why my bronchitis was really bad while in the Army, because Ephedrine was not allowed. (That is, aside from diesel fumes causing reactive airway problems, which is more direct. The combination of the two was really bad.) 

I am going to get moving here shortly. I have a lot of things I want to do this weekend and it is cool enough to be comfortable doing them.

Insomnia

I'm tired. Not sick. I had a very difficult time sleeping last night. Not sure why. Mind would not stop running even after cannabis, which usually works really well for me.

So, going to get to bed early tonight.

I'm not sure what brought it to mind but doesn't matter. While taking the dog for a walk, it came to mind that I have never (at least since I was 9 years old) felt like anyone has ever loved me. Except my daughter. Maybe it has been a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts. However, it did occur to me that you do not truly love someone unless you love them enough to sacrifice your life for theirs. I have loved a number of people that much, with no exaggeration. It has never been returned. Of course, I would not want anyone to give their life for me. It is just that if you do not love someone that much, you do not truly love them and it shows in many other ways. Because your concerns are always and forever more important than theirs. Yes, this ties in to my fear of abandonment. My history is filled with people who abandoned me. If they did not abandon me physically, they did so emotionally. Then passive-aggressively waited or tried to force me into the decision to walk away from them physically. When that did not happen, they mentally turned me into a bad person whom I never have been. Somehow, it just feels like my karma. 

It's a three day weekend. I have a long list of things to get done. 

Made my first attempt at canning meat last night. Two jars of three didn't seal properly, so I heated them again. One has sealed and I'm waiting for the last one to cool down now. They're all pork and potatoes. 

Call it survivalism but I am starting to stockpile different things. Food which stays good with no refrigeration, tools, etc. Part just basic security after things I've gone through the last few years. However, my feeling that something big is coming is growing rapidly and I now think it will be centered on the coming Presidential election next year. Obviously, I could be wrong but I would much rather be prepared. 

Neighborly

I picked two buckets of tomatoes tonight. One large and one smaller. I chose to live up to the way I was raised and share with the neighbors. So I bagged most of the tomatoes and walked around the neighborhood, giving one bag to each house on the street. Each bag was about 5 lbs.

This past weekend, I gave about 10 lbs to the ex and her husband. Plus I gave some to another friend, who owns the dance studio. 

If I get another large crop, I'm thinking of giving a large amount to either the nearest homeless shelter or a food bank. If not too hard to get there, I'm leaning toward the food bank, as the homeless shelter has a strong religious leaning and much of their services are tied to religious requirements. At least listening to their sermons is mandatory, from what I understand. 

The cucumber crop continues to be really good. I have around 10 lbs of cucumbers waiting to be pickled. However, I need more vinegar. Go get that tomorrow, after the new grocery specials come out. I also want to look up a good cold pack recipe. One cucumber came in at about 20 ounces and another at around 1 lb. However, lots of others are normal size or pickle size.