Medicare for Everyone

Even before the annual enrollment period for Medicare had started (October 15) I was receiving the start of insurance company campaigns for my enrollment. Since then the volume of mailings has become an avalanche. This has caused me to ask: Are there significant profits to be made in Medicare enrollments?

The answer appears to be YES. AARP’s single largest revenue source is royalties from United Health Care Group. This is no surprise. I receive solicitations from AARP to join United Health Care every single month of the year. 34% of their revenue comes from United Health Care. In 2011, the AARP generated $458 million in royalty fees from so-called “Medigap” plans. Read more about AARP’s special treatment at this forbes.com link.

Other companies solciting my enrollment include: Blue Cross, Blue Shield, SCAN, Aetna, and Humana.

This campaign leads me to the conclusion that Medicare for all would be a real solution to affordable health care for everyone.

100 Years of World History

Just in case you forgot; this is worth watching.

Romney the Pathetic

A pathetic phone call from Mitt Romney to his donors was reported tonight by the Los Angeles Times. The Republicans decried class warfare but they know that it is a fight between the rich and poor. Mr. Romney didn’t consider some other factors like women’s rights, the snuffing of the middle class, and his constant calls for armed confrontation with every foreign adversary. There were many other issues that put both Romney and Ryan on the side of a minority group.

“The Obama campaign was following the old playbook of giving a lot of stuff to groups that they hoped they could get to vote for them and be motivated to go out to the polls, specifically the African American community, the Hispanic community and young people,” Romney told hundreds of donors during a telephone town hall Wednesday. “In each case they were very generous in what they gave to those groups.”

Romney’s frank analysis echoed his secretly taped comments at a May fundraiser, where he told a small group of donors that 47% of the electorate was unlikely to vote for him because they paid no income taxes and were dependent on government. It followed his running mate Paul D. Ryan‘s assertion that Obama’s win stemmed from turnout among “urban” voters.

“With regards to African American voters, ‘Obamacare‘ was a huge plus — and was highly motivational to African American voters. You can imagine for somebody making $25—, or $30—, or $35,000 a year, being told you’re now going to get free healthcare — particularly if you don’t have it, getting free healthcare worth, what, $10,000 a family, in perpetuity, I mean this is huge. Likewise with Hispanic voters, free healthcare was a big plus.”

Happpily other Republicans quickly denounced the comments, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who were in Las Vegas for a meeting of the Republican Governors Association.

“We have got to stop dividing American voters,” Jindal said. “I absolutely reject that notion, that description. … We’re fighting for 100 percent of the vote.”

Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza says: “This won’t help the GOP’s efforts to win over minority voters, especially given Romney’s past “47 percent” comments. And the fact that Jindal and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) so quickly denounced Romney suggests party heavyweights are ready for the Romney chapter to be over.”

Soap Opera Government

What a wonderful way to distract the public from the issues that really matter. Most likely a series of worthless congressional hearings followed by more new regulations.

If ever there was a real soap opera it’s the events now surrounding David Petraeus. Now involved is General John Allen, Congressman Eric Cantor, Paula Broadwell, Jill Kelly, unnamed FBI agent, Holly Petraeus, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and President Barack Obama.

The sequence of events as reported by blaze.com. This really could be made into a soap opera.

Spring 2012:

FBI starts investigation, intercepting Petraeus’ emails and reviewing older emails going back to his time in Afghanistan, where he was commander of U.S. Forces from July 2010 to July 2011 (Newsmax, Nov. 9).

Week of October 21:

Federal investigators interview Broadwell. (Reuters, Nov. 11).

Oct. 26:

Broadwell delivers speech at University of Denver, discussing details about how Petraeus handled the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi and revealing possibly classified information about alleged Libyan militia members being held prisoner at that consulate and that situation may have been a potential catalyst for the attack (Fox News, Nov. 12).

Glenn Beck predicts that David Petraeus would take the blame on Libya: “Who have they tried to sell down the river every step of the way? The intelligence,” Glenn said. “You watch. Petraeus is going to be the fall guy. They’re going to have him step down. They’re going to point all fingers to him.” (TheBlaze TV, Oct. 26)

Week of October 28:

Federal investigators interview Petraeus. Prosecutors conclude afterward they likely will not bring criminal charges. (Reuters, Nov. 11)

Oct. 31:

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s office contacts FBI to inform them about information from an FBI whistle blower who told Cantor (R-Va.) in late October that Petraeus had been involved in an extramarital affair and was potentially putting national security at risk (New York Times, Nov. 10, 2012).

Nov. 6 (Election Day):

At about 5 p.m.: the FBI notifies Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who oversees the CIA and other intelligence agencies, about Petraeus. Clapper speaks to Petraeus that evening and again Wednesday and advises him to step down (Reuters, Nov. 11).

Nov. 7:

Clapper informs White House National Security Council official that Petraeus may resign and President Barack Obama should be informed. The president is told about it later that day (Reuters, Nov. 11).

Nov. 8:

At 11 a.m. A Petraeus meeting with foreign dignitaries scheduled for 2:30 p.m. is canceled and his visitors are informed he has to go to the White House to meet with Obama. Petraeus meets with Obama at the White House and offers his resignation, explaining the circumstances behind it. Obama did not immediately accept the resignation (Reuters, Nov. 11).

Nov. 9:

In a statement to CIA employees Friday, Petraeus said he submitted his resignation to President Barack Obama on Thursday and Obama accepted it Friday afternoon (CIA).

Fox News reported the affair was with his biographer and was discovered during the course of an FBI investigation on an “unrelated and much broader case.” According to Fox, journalist and biographer Paula Broadwell’s name came up during the investigation, which led to uncovering the affair (Fox News, Nov. 9).

Fox News analyst Ralph Peters, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, speculates that Obama administration knew of the affair and waited for the right moment to “play the card” (Fox News, Nov. 9)

Nov. 11:

A senior U.S. military official says Broadwell sent harassing emails to a woman who was the State Department’s liaison to the military’s Joint Special Operations Command. The official, who asked to remain anonymous, says 37-year-old Jill Kelley in Tampa, Fla., received the emails from Petraeus biographer Paula Broadwell that triggered an FBI investigation. (TheBlaze/AP).

Nov. 13:

To be continued. Tune into to your local newspaper, favorite web site, or television station for the latest episode.

The World’s 200 Richest People

Why is this man smiling? He is the richest person in the world. Carlos Slim.

Details are on bloomberg.com. Here is the summary list of the top 30 and few other well-known people and number 200.

1. Carlos Slim

Net worth: $77.5 billion

YTD change: + $15.6 billion / + 25.3%

Source of wealth: America Movil

Industry: Telecommunications

Citizenship: Mexico

Age: 72

2. Bill Gates

Net worth: $64.4 billion

YTD change: + $8.7 billion / + 15.7%

Source of wealth: Microsoft

Industry: Technology

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 57

3. Amancio Ortega

Net worth: $53.6 billion

YTD change: + $18.4 billion / + 52.1%

Source of wealth: Inditex

Industry: Retail

Citizenship: Spain

Age: 76

4. Warren Buffett

Net worth: $48.4 billion

YTD change: + $5.7 billion / + 13.2%

Source of wealth: Berkshire Hathaway

Industry: Finance

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 82

5. Ingvar Kamprad

Net worth: $41.8 billion

YTD change: + $5.0 billion / + 13.7%

Source of wealth: IKEA

Industry: Retail

Citizenship: Sweden

Age: 86

6. Charles Koch

Net worth: $38.6 billion

YTD change: + $4.8 billion / + 14.1%

Source of wealth: Koch Industries

Industry: Diversified

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 77

7. David Koch

Net worth: $38.6 billion

YTD change: + $4.8 billion / + 14.1%

Source of wealth: Koch Industries

Industry: Diversified

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 72

8. Larry Ellison

Net worth: $37.2 billion

YTD change: $4.2 billion / + 12.8%

Source of wealth: Oracle

Industry: Technology

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 68

9. Christy Walton

Net worth: $30.5 billion

YTD change: + $5.4 billion / + 21.4%

Source of wealth: Wal-Mart Stores

Industry: Retail

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 57

1 0. Jim Walton

Net worth: $29.3 billion

YTD change: + $5.8 billion / + 24.7%

Source of wealth: Wal-Mart Stores

Industry: Retail

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 64

11. Rob Walton

Net worth: $28.7 billion

YTD change: + $5.7 billion / + 24.7%

Source of wealth: Wal-Mart Stores

Industry: Retail

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 68

12. Alice Walton

Net worth: $28.2 billion

YTD change: + $5.6 billion / + 25.0%

Source of wealth: Wal-Mart Stores

Industry: Retail

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 63

13. Li Ka-shing

Net worth: $27.0 billion

YTD change: + $4.8 billion / + 21.8%

Source of wealth: Cheung Kong Holdings

Industry: Diversified

Citizenship: Hong Kong

Age: 84

14. Mukesh Ambani

Net worth: $26.0 billion

YTD change: + $4.7 billion / + 21.8%

Source of wealth: Reliance Industries

Industry: Energy

Citizenship: India

Age: 55

15. Liliane Bettencourt

Net worth: $24.7 billion

YTD change: + $4.5 billion / + 22.1%

Source of wealth: L’Oreal

Industry: Manufacturing

Citizenship: France

Age: 90

16. Stefan Persson

Net worth: $24.7 billion

YTD change: + $2.9 billion / + 13.1%

Source of wealth: Hennes & Mauritz

Industry: Retail

Citizenship: Sweden

Age: 65

17. Jeff Bezos

Net worth: $24.2 billion

YTD change: + $7.6 / + 45.5%

Source of wealth: Amazon.com

Industry: Technology

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 48

18. Bernard Arnault

Net worth: $24.1 billion

YTD change: + $3.4 billion / + 16.4%

Source of wealth: LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton

Industry: Retail

Citizenship: France

Age: 63

19. Larry Page

Net worth: $23.0 billion

YTD change: + $3.1 billion / + 15.9%

Source of wealth: Google

Industry: Technology

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 39

20. Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud

Net worth: $22.9 billion

YTD change: + $5.6 billion / + 32.0%

Source of wealth: Kingdom Holding

Industry: Diversified

Citizenship: Saudi Arabia

Age: 57

21. David Thomson

Net worth: $22.9 billion

YTD change: + $1.3 billion / + 5.8%

Source of wealth: Thomson Reuters

Industry: Media

Citizenship: Canada

Age: 55

22. Sergey Brin

Net worth: $22.8 billion

YTD change: + $3.1 / + 15.7%

Source of wealth: Google

Industry: Technology

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 39

23. Lee Shau Kee

Net worth: $22.7 billion

YTD change: + $6.1 billion / + 36.7%

Source of wealth: Henderson Land Development

Industry: Real Estate

Citizenship: Hong Kong

Age: 84

24. Karl Albrecht

Net worth: $22.7 billion

YTD change: – $0.20 billion / – 0.9%

Source of wealth: Aldi

Industry: Retail

Citizenship: Germany

Age: 92

25. Michele Ferrero

Net worth: $22.5 billion

YTD change: + $1.4 billion / + 6.4%

Source of wealth: Ferrero

Industry: Food and Beverage

Citizenship: Italy

Age: 87

26. George Soros

Net worth: $21.9 billion

YTD change: + $0.64 billion / + 3.0%

Source of wealth: Soros Fund Management

Industry: Finance

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 82

27. Sheldon Adelson

Net worth: $21.3 billion

YTD change: + $1.4 billion / + 6.9%

Source of wealth: Las Vegas Sands

Industry: Service

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 79

28. Eike Batista

Net worth: $20.4 billion

YTD change: – $2.1 billion / – 9.3%

Source of wealth: OGX Petroleo & Gas Participacoes

Industry: Energy

Citizenship: Brazil

Age: 56

29. Iris Fontbona

Net worth: $20.2 billion

YTD change: + $2.7 billion / + 15.8%

Source of wealth: Antofagasta

Industry: Metals and Mining

Citizenship: Chile

Age: n/a

30. Zong Qinghou

Net worth: $20.1 billion

YTD change: + $0.90 billion / + 4.7%

Source of wealth: Hangzhou Wahaha Group

Industry: Food and Beverage

Citizenship: China

Age: 67

46. Carl Icahn

Net worth: $15.8 billion

YTD change: – $0.36 billion / – 2.2%

Source of wealth: Icahn Enterprises

Industry: Finance

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 76

49. Steve Ballmer

Net worth: $15.0 billion

YTD change: + $1.6 billion / 11.6%

Source of wealth: Microsoft

Industry: Technology

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 56

52. Paul Allen

Net worth: $14.6 billion

YTD change: + $0.40 billion / + 2.8%

Source of wealth: Microsoft

Industry: Technology

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 59

70. Michael Dell

Net worth: $12.9 billion

YTD change: – $0.38 billion / – 2.9%

Source of wealth: Dell

Industry: Technology

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 47

77. John Paulson

Net worth: $11.8 billion

YTD change: – $6.5 billion / – 35.5%

Source of wealth: Paulson & Co.

Industry: Finance

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 56

88. Mark Zuckerberg

Net worth: $10.7 billion

YTD change: – $6.8 billion / – 39.0%

Source of wealth: Facebook

Industry: Technology

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 28

92. Rupert Murdoch

Net worth: $10.4 billion

YTD change: + $2.6 billion / + 33.6%

Source of wealth: News Corp.

Industry: Media

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 81

143. Giorgio Armani

Net worth: $7.8 billion

YTD change: + $1.6 billion / + 26.7%

Source of wealth: Giorgio Armani

Industry: Retail

Citizenship: Italy

Age: 78

176. Eli Broad

Net worth: $6.6 billion

YTD change: + $0.55 billion / + 9.1%

Source of wealth: Kaufman & Broad Home

Industry: Finance

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 79

200. John Sall

Net worth: $5.8 billion

YTD change: + $1.1 billion / + 24.1%

Source of wealth: SAS Institute

Industry: Technology

Citizenship: U.S.

Age: 64

Japan’s Technology is Impacting the World

Bloomberg Businessweek sells advertising that looks like its columns. Companies and countries use this methodology to promote their business friendly atmosphere. The sections are clearly marked as “advertising section.” In one edition the United Arab Emirates bought pages that promoted the business opportunities in those nations. The information was presented in a format that leads readers to believe the articles were being presented by the magazine. The font sizes and the presentations give the appearance that they are indeed being presented by the magazine publisher.

In the October 22, 2012 edition there was a 13 page presentation that was sponsored by Japanese companies. It is impressive and informative. It makes me realize how far other counties have developed compared to the United States. The article is long but is worth your time. I was especially impressed by the fact that a Japanese company is updating the British railway system. Another has developed quick set up homes for people who have been displaced by natural disasters (think the homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy).

Following is very abridged version of the article with significant statements in bold text.

A new market for Japanese rail technology is the U.K., the original home of railways. Hitachi Ltd. has formed a consortium with a British company to supply a total of nearly 600 high-speed rail carriages, and the supporting maintenance infrastructure, starting delivery in 2017. The Hitachi Super Express trains will be manufactured in a newly built factory in the north of England. The total value of the project. including the maintenance and repair centers to be constructed throughout the U.K., is estimated at between ¥400-¥500 billion ($5.1-$6.3 billion).

These new trains will replace the U.K.’s aging Intercity fleet on the East Coast Main Lines and the Great Western Main Lines. The lightweight construction of the trains (between 15 and 40 percent weight reduction per seat) lowers energy consumption of the bimode units, and this light weight also helps reduce the travel time for the growing number of passengers on the routes where these trains will be operated.

High-speed shelters

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, over 340,000 people were displaced, with most taking refuge in emergency shelters, such as school gymnasiums, until more permanent housing could be arrangec for them. The lack of privacy for extended periods (blankets or temporary cardboard partitions were often the only divisions between family groups) caused severe additional emotional stress to many survivors.

Photo was scanned from Businessweek

Accordingly, a need was perceived for lightweight flexible structures that can be quickly transported and erected to provide such spaces. Enter the QS72 from Daiichikensetsu Ltd., with “QS” standing for “Quick Space” and “72” representing the number of hours within which such components can be deployed to provide floors, walls and roofs for meeting rooms, emergency clinics, toilets and other areas, in the time when disaster survivors are at their most vulnerable psychologically.

Constructed of polypropylene, the system requires only a few people and no tools to assemble. Using a lightweight construction method providing thermal insulation, the units can be linked together in a variety of ways to serve various needs of a displaced community. The basic construction recalls the principles of origami in the way the different parts fold and unfold to create the spaces. A single unit can temporarily accommodate a small family until more permanent accommodations can be arranged and constructed. Following this, the unit can be combined with others and reused as a community space, for example, or a store or medical center. Indeed, following the March 2011 quake, 100 units were donated to the Japanese Red Cross, and used as general purpose structures in lshinomaki, supplementing the existing hospital facilities.

Keeping in touch during disasters

A key issue following a disaster is the effective dissemination of information. Making use of one of the best IT infrastructures in the world, the Japanese government has developed Disaster Guidelines and Action Plan for IT, with a two–pronged emphasis on the preservation of life and the well-being of the survivors.

First, the safety of inhabitants of the affected area, and the status of emergency services, is confirmed. Following this immediate response, the system changes to provide information to survivors about vital infrastructure elements (utilities, communications and transportation). The rapid growth of smartphone use in Japan allows for rapid and easy sharing of information. Already, earthquake early-warning systems are incorporated into the cellular network, and internet sites designed for smartphones are planned that will allow parents to check on the safety of their children at school, as well as to use the newly developed J-anpi system to check on others’ safety and reassure friends and family of their own.

Lessons learned from the March 11 disaster that have been incorporated into the plan include the use of alternative channels (websites, email and social network services) beyond the usual emergency number. These channels can also disseminate information, using cloud services to ensure continuity of service, and supplement radio and TV broadcasts. The Prime Minister’s Office also operates a Twitter account, allowing the government to “push” up-to-the-minute information to millions of smartphone users.

In the event of future disasters, Japan hopes to save lives, and to improve the lives of survivors through such implementations of technology, and to share these techniques and technologies with other nations. – H.A.

G.O.P. Should Look in the Mirror

I am disappointed with the Republican Party. The Party has allowed fringe groups to take control and that is the reason they are at a loss to explain their situation.

They decry the beliefs of Islamic extremists and then offer extremists as candidates to congress and the presidency. CNN reported that women voted 55% for Obama to 45% for Romney.

Why? You might ask. Romney refused to confirm the Lilly Ledbetter (equal pay) Act and instead launched into “binders of women” he used to add women to his governor’s staff in Massachusetts. His running mate’s desire to stop all abortions and declare conceived unborn children as human beings only added to the distrust by women. Then there was Richard “Mourdock [in Indiana] saying that God meant for rape victims to bear the resulting children “and [Todd] Akin [in Missouri] saying that women only needed to hold Aspirin between their legs to prevent pregnancy.

So is it any wonder that a majority of women voted for President Obama? My question is; why would any woman vote for Romney?

This nation has changing demographics that make 1950s views of the world ancient. If the Republican Party wants to remain relevant they will have to accept the changing world. If they want to remain loyal to all of their beliefs they will have to accept a minority position in our government. As to the Tea Party (the largest group within the GOP), that group helped REDUCE the number of Republicans in the Senate. There are so many issues to address that this little blog cannot discuss them all in one posting. My list includes:

-Immigration
-Jobs
-Medicare/Medicaid
-Social Security
-Global Warming
-Infrastructure
-Education

Many GOP ideas are worthwhile. Unfortunately they face vocal fringe groups and people that are not acceptable to the majority of Americans.

Obama Wins in a Divided Nation

“Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;

But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.”

It appears that Barack Obama has won a second term as president of the United States. While the final counts have not been recorded the popular vote is very close. Barack Obama may have won the electoral count by a large majority the POTUS does not have a mandate to do anything. In the popular vote count he won by a nose in a country of 311 million people. It tells me how divided our nation is on so many issues.

Even as I write this post Mitt Romney has not agreed to concede defeat. Perhaps his staff is looking for irregularities in the vote counts that could change the outcome. Then again he came so close he may be having a difficult time accepting defeat. It’s got to hurt.

So assuming the networks are correct the question remains; where will the president take this country in the next four years?

Kate Upton on Vogue Italia November 2012: Seductive

OK ladies this is my blog. I get to post what I want. I am getting tired of politics. I am looking forward to Tuesday November 6 so that we can focus on other things. One thing to focus on is pretty models. This is posted under Happiness and Good Mood because seeing a pretty girl do a modeling of clothes makes me happy.

Kate Upton photographed by Steven Meisel – Video by Gordon Von Steiner
Flip through the complete Cover Story on http://www.vogue.it: http://bit.ly/UqKkA1