The disappearing middle class

I spoke with a realtor about putting my house up for sale today and the news is grim. I will be lucky to walk away owing nothing. The loss of jobs in Michigan has created a tidal wave of people walking away from their homes and businesses failing around us. Housing prices are awful. I will probably have to stay put for now. I really get tired of hearing about the Republicans and their wonderful tax cut 90% of which aided the poor or the wealthy. Mr Bush saved me a whole 200 dollars a year however venture capitalists pay only 15% tax on their gains not the 35% the rest of us pay. They can afford the wealthy lobbyists to protect their interests. I am generation f#*!ed as I'm a tail end baby boomer who has had her pension frozen soc security benefit decreased and I have to work longer to get it The gov acts like soc security is a hand out vs something I've paid into my entire working life. Time for change.

Sicko

I saw Michael Moore's doc on the sad state of health care in America. Being in the field for 30 years I felt he he brought up several spot on observations. The fact that this country is run by wealthy lobbyists more than anyone else plays a big part. He covered the propaganda that we are fed regarding the evils of socialized medicine, the money that has been given to gov officials to prevent universal health care, and the appalling use of bonuses to HMO docs to deny care. He also presents the greed and corruption within the insurance companies. He then travels to Canada, England, and France to interview both their citizens and US citizens on their thoughts. I know for a fact that the only people getting rich in health care are the insurance and pharmacutical companies. I see 80-90 yr olds coming in to my ER on 30 meds most of which cause terrble side effects resulting in an ER visit. If you are 94 do you really need to care about your cholesterol level. The US uses a disproportionate amount of dollars on end of life care so a patient can go back to the nursing home and lay in a bed and wait to die. The Canadians, French, and British enjoy their health care and feel a true democracy means every one contributes to the good of all. I have seen no advances in the quality of life since I started practicing as a nurse. People may live longer but in worse circumstances. I especially loved his comment on the French way of life including plenty of cigarrettes, alcohol and rich food and they live longer than us. The US has a higher rate of infant mortality than all other industrialized nations including Guatamala. A lot to think about and vote on in the next election.

HIV/AIDS UPDATE

I had to update my HIV/AIDS education and it was an eye opener again. There are now 38.6 million people world wide infected with over 50% being women. The biggest increase is showing up in Eastern Europe and Asia. Men are infected 58% of the time by homosexual sex followed by 21% by IV drug use. Women on the other hand are infected 64% of the time by heterosexual sex followed by 34% by Iv drug use. Incubation from infection to symptoms can be 4-6 years which makes tracking partners difficult. Of the healthcare professionals who are exposed 1 in 300 becomes HIV positive. They are now finding HIV in people older than 50 due to divorce and widowhood causing older adults to start dating again. The course was very interesting and for my practice especially for older patients I now know to look for repeated pneumonias and yeast infections. As Aids has a 100% mortality rate the antiviral meds used can only buy time. A vaccine is still being worked on

Dave, Kathryn, and Gpa

Dave just chillin

Gma and Bri together

Manly Bri, The boys and hot tubbing.

Charlie buried

WEYHER/HARDY REUNION

Well we finally did it! Got almost everyone together and had a great time catching up. This first one is a shot of the family hanging together. It was so fun catching up with my cousins that we are already planning the next one