The Badgers beat the Wolverines in the Big Ten Tourney yesterday. I have difficulty dealing with the fact that Bucky only put up 51 points. I have no idea how I'd handle a team that only scored 34 like, oh, say, Michigan. So is this a testament to incredible defense or poor-beyond-belief offense?

In Training for Madison

Sam has found a new favorite activity. He's just learning in this video (sans sound by the way) but he's really gotten the hang of it now. "Jump Around" will be a piece of cake when he makes it to Badger games. 5 months old and I already see that he's going to be high energy. Yep, Julie and I are in trouble.

There is talk about

a tax on hospitals. I don't know the particulars and, admittedly, I'm going to have to do some more checking on it. This bill failed in our state before while the budget was getting hashed. There are people in office that ran on a platform that included the thoughts that health care in our state was too high. I agreed. After all, we'd all like to see things cost less. There are wonderful facilities in this state and we have access to many things that are among the top of the field in many areas. But, just on a surface observation, how does taxing the hospitals to increase state income decrease the cost of health care? I would think that these costs are going to be passed to either the patient or the insurance companies who will then pass it to the patients.

Am I Missing Something Here?

The possible change to the Wisconsin State Constitution regarding voter photo ID did not pass. The Milwaukee County Arm of the Law did a 3-1/2 year study and produced a 67 page document that outlined the voting fraud that happened during the last major election. In my eyes, this is unacceptable. I must show ID when I'm at work, when I use my debit or credit card, when I write a check, when I cash a check. I went to pick up some medications today for sick family members and I had to show photo ID to the pharmacist before I could buy an over-the-counter cold symptom remedy. Yet to vote - one of the most important things we may do for our country - all I had to do was tell the volunteer my last name, first name, and address. I received a ballot and away I went. Heck, I know my neighbors' names and addresses. I know some of them didn't vote. What's to stop me from from saying I'm one of them and casting a few more votes? In my case, morals and ethics. As the documents have shown, not everyone has high standards of themselves. Why is it our lawmakers deem this a permissible practice? Can someone enlighten me? I'm open to reasonable explanations and even not so reasonable ones.

Julie works in a dental office that sees Title 19 patients. These patients, through various means, have come to rely on tax dollars for their health care. This can be a very good program when used properly and enables those who are in need of health care to receive it. The office typically double-books these patients. Why you ask? Because the have a 50% failure rate. This means that half of them don't show up for their scheduled appointments and services. Are they unable to get there? That should never be an issue as they receive taxi rides to and from the appointment at no cost to them. Some even take advantage of the cab time and free fare to run errands and go shopping. Others may have reason for not showing, but calling to cancel is unheard of. I know that many private patients can be charged for not showing for an appointment or failing to give adequate notice of cancellation. But these issues are not what got to me. They upset me, but the kicker is, THEY GET A FREE $10.00 GIFT CARD FOR WAL-MART FROM THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM JUST FOR SHOWING UP FOR THEIR APPOINTMENT! That makes free health care, free transportation, a free $10.00 gift card and still a 50% failure rate. Oh, and by the way, there are those that are in this program that do have their own transportation. Some in that group have a nicer vehicle, better clothes, and more expensive cell phones than I have. I don't want to be in the position that I need to be supported by the government. I do like the fact that there are programs in place in case that does happen and I truly need it. But, when I see what is going on, I start to feel that I've been doing things wrong. I see a lot of room for improvement in a program where there is much abuse happening.

In Vain

So, the trenching and the ice removal yesterday? Yeah, water coming into the basement. I'm now working from home in between sucking up water and rerouting any water outside that I can. If I had more than just the two years equity, I'd be thinking pretty hard about moving. I'll suck up some more of that seepage and then I'm going to spin for awhile and go make dinner for my wife when she gets home. I do lead an exciting life.

My abs, arms and back are going to

hurt tomorrow. Great workout you ask? Nope. When you guess that it's from spending time trenching/picking through ice to divert water away from the house, let me know. That's what it's from. I'm thinking that we may have some issues with our landscaping. We'll probably need to re-pour the patio. As long as I'm at it maybe I'll extend it and add a spot for a hot tub and a parking spot for the tangerine dream. This also means that I'll be putting off the purchase of a new vehicle. Pains me to say that as I was actually starting to get excited about it. I know that keeping water out of the house is more important, but that doesn't make it easier to accept.


At least is was nice out today. We were able to get a nice walk in with Sam and the mutts. The couple of miles on foot felt great in the open air. But one day of sun and warmth means snow to follow. 1-3 inches of wet, heavy slush to come tomorrow. We are starting to see the temps get closer to normal, but I think we're still going to have a long way to go.

Hmmm

It's March1. It's been two weeks since I've posted. My how time flies. I'm so stuck in the rut that is this winter that I'm going nuts. More later. I'm not in the right mindset to type anything other than whines and complaints. I know that sounds pathetic, but right now I'll be much better off building or fixing something.