Grumpy Old Bastard Rant

Favorite Daughter in Law (FDIL) refers to me as GOB (Grouchy Old Bastard), an improvement over the previous EFIL (Evil Father in Law). Today’s rant is about Nanny State thinking.

Per Social Security regulations, a health insurance premium amount will be deducted regardless if any health insurance is bought. This per my insurance agent (and I’m too lazy to find out if he is wrong). The company he recommended is United Health Care. For the most part, they have been ok. Paid the bulk of my pacemaker episode and cover a large portion of my prescriptions. Why the rant, GOB?

Starting last year, they have taken to nagging me about flu shots, colonoscopies, annual health checks and the like. This comes as phone calls and a blizzard of emails. Damn nanny thinking on their part.

I pay them for insurance, only. I have my own primary health care provider who I see twice a year, a community health clinic, and my own cardiologist which they can easily determine by looking at my claims. Why do they deem it necessary to try and monitor my health without my requesting they undertake that responsibility?  

I get the argument they are trying to contain costs by keeping people healthy. Best method? Send out information as to how they propose to do this. Offer the insured the option to opt out. Simple, no?

They mail me stuff all the time that reads like a Shillary campaign mailing. I’ve unsubscribed from their emails and expressed my displeasure to the telephone callers (with their chirpy little voices and supercilious tone of voice). Still, it continues.

Well then, GOB, why don’t you change insurance companies? Answer. It is laziness, inertia, and not wanting to spend thirty minutes listening to my insurance agent. The man is even more boring than me.

GOB/WSF, what is the point of your rant? Just this, I’ve a glimpse of what the future will bring should the socialist dream of a one pay server come to fruition and I don’t want any part of it.

Muddled Rant

Doing a mental “connect the dots” prompted by reading several bloggers starting with Old NFO https://oldnfo.org    and a comment by LL http://symbolic-mirage.blogspot.com  taken in it’s entirety.

The corrupt, venal, smug, nasty, lying, elite mainstream media is only a vehicle through which funds flow. They’re a tool for other, hidden interests which supported Hillary, which delivered protesters to the rallies that President Trump held, paid the protesters, gave then a sack lunch.

You can’t expect the mainstream media to ask HONEST questions. They’re part of the system of the beast, wholly owned and operated.

The setback caused by the Clinton defeat, no matter how many billions she spent on ads, was incremental and a setback, but it didn’t slow the agenda.

Free people are armed, slaves are not. They need to disarm America and that’s been a relentless agenda.

Some of the dots are:

Firearms control (I hate to use 'gun' unless talking about a smooth-bore -blame the NCO’s at Ft. Leonard Wood Basic Training)

Transnational gangs and the abysmal failure to combat them.

Drug and opioid abuse.

Bizarre behaviors tied to prescription drug use. Example. Teachers having sex with their students. Young men shooting up schools.

Conspiracy theories as camouflage by government entities, particularly the intelligence communities, after events or exposure of illegal practices.  There is an immediate explosion of conspiracy theories. Coincidence or planned responses?

Constant pointless wars sapping the nation’s wealth.

Relentless attacks on our way of life by wealthy individuals with no consequences to them. Some are very public, such as George Soros.

Is all of this an accident, or part of a plan? Do the dots connect? There is an agenda, as pointed out by LL, but who’s agenda? Or, competing agendas?

Or, is WSF guilty of fomenting another unsubstantiated conspiracy theory? YMMV

Four Days Off

Guernsey, WY this morning at 0630. Cold enough folks were zipping up their jackets. Hope it warms up by Monday when I go back to work.

My employer runs a low overhead operation but doesn't stint on maintenance and tires.  The ice grip tires on the Yaris go for $100+ and work well. I prefer studded tires and the owner doesn't. Oh well.

Earning My Meager Pay

Winter weather is back. Fun, fun, fun.

Onward With Ranting

Time for another political rant instead of low humor.  I’m currently reading Edward Klein’s book, “All Out War – The Plot to Destroy Trump”, and found, starting on page 233, one of the reasons I detest so many Republicans.

“There is also a cultural divide. Anti-Trump conservatives are a very refined group of people”

Yeah, fucking self appointed elitists. Not very different from (P)regressive Democrats.

Years ago I developed a talking point as to the difference between Republicans and Democrats when I was a Democratic Precinct Committeeman.

“We have this pie. The Republicans are all about who gets what slice of the pie. The Democrats are first of all concerned that there is pie”.

At the time, it was effective because it had a kernel of truth.  Today, I would phrase it differently.

“We have this pie. The (P)regressives want total control over the pie and the authority to decide who deserves what part of the pie”.

Many Republicans today?

“I’ve got mine, screw you and I’ll get yours if I can”.

That hasn’t changed over the years.

IMO, President Trump’s appeal is that he is, first of all, concerned there is pie for all and, second, protecting his fellow citizens from those who will grab the pie. Too simplistic?  Well, I’ve been called simple stupid more than once. Think I give a shit?

See where Mueller and team have named 16 inconsequential Russians as villains. Months and millions spent and this is what he has come up with?  Good analysis.

https://www.westernjournal.com/dick-morris-mueller-exposed-much-ado-nothing/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=deepsix&utm_content=2018-02-17&utm_campaign=can

Even his success, Gen. Flynn, is falling apart because of the questionable tactics his staff has used.

Interesting, isn’t it, even the most liberal judges can gag at over the top prosecutorial misconduct. Bundy case anyone? Why, it seems even lawyers (judges are lawyers, after all) have scruples. Who woulda thunk? Maybe there is hope for our country after all.

We Blue Dog Democrats are still wandering in a political wasteland. Most of us voted for President Trump. Maybe we can form the core of a third party, the United Deplorables of America?

I’m refraining from saying much about the latest school shooting. That political field has been plowed over and over with little to show. I do note the FBI is getting some well deserved heat.

I think the knowledge of some workable solutions lie with the police officers and correction officers who daily deal with the citizens causing problems. This is not to disparage (much) those in the upper ranks. They are where they are because their views, and the views of the politicians they serve, are similar. If any are reading this, ladies and gentlemen, your track records suck, IMO.

See where the America Media Maggots (h/t BZ) are after President Trump about alleged infidelities. Think most of the country will shrug and say,

 “Yeah, so what?”

Rape and coercion is despicable. Most he/sheing between consenting adults doesn’t rise above deplorable.

$.25 tax increase on gasoline? Yikes! I can live with that but the cynic I am doubts if much will be spent on infrastructure. Lots of various consultants will be employed long before the first pothole is filled.

Going back to Klein’s book, he has always laid out how the deep state, by whatever name, arrogantly believe they run things. Pisses me off we the people actually pay these arrogant assholes to fuck over us. I don’t have answers but must believe the estimated 300,000,000+ firearms in private hands tends to dampen the assholes thirst for power and dominion. YMMV

I’m all behind President Trump’s efforts to drain the swamp. I suspect many more people in this country, despite what the Trump haters want to believe, are with him all the way. That is why he was elected IMO.

If you are still with me, thanks for reading.

Twins

Ami is talking about identical twins in her program.

http://amimental.blogspot.com/2018/02/those-kids-are-carbon-copies.html

Brought  back a memory from a misspent youth where I was dating Helen, whose identical twin was Nancy. The two were always using their similarity to fool people and create mischief. They were attractive, liked to have fun but were very chaste, to use an old fashion term.

One evening I arrived to pick up Helen for a date and it was Nancy who came out to the car. Aha. Promptly put my hand down her blouse and copped a feel. She was outraged.

“What’s the matter”, I asked? “You liked it on our last date”.

Boom, she was out of the car and back in their house. Then both came out, angry.

“How dare you say that to my sister”, Helen shouted?

My grin and laughter made both stop, think and then they laughed. Joke was on them.

After that, had a nice date with Helen. And, no didn’t cop a feel.

Might Be A Clue

The property manager for the apartment complex where I live is one of the hardest working people I've met. She has been divorced three times. Currently doesn't have a boyfriend. Wonder why?

Today she was storming around the complex raving about people not picking up after their dogs. I understand her anger but she was way over the top. Lucky me, I don't have a dog. 

Usually I can make her laugh. Today? Checked my mail and scuttled into my apartment.