We also pay for private health insurance, mostly for the convenience factor of avoiding waiting lists for non-urgent treatment that we may need in the future. Our government also provides a 30% premium subsidy to encourage the purchase of private health insurance for those that can afford it. They also provide exemptions to the Medicare levy for low-income earners. This is how a government shows its citizens that it’s working for them rather than itself.

From what I understand, the US health system by comparison appears severely lacking. Somewhat odd too is the fact that it is provided as part of a salary package? What’s the go with that? And why is an employer responsible for their employee’s healthcare?

I’ve watched a number of documentaries about the US health system in the past, and while I take documentaries with a grain of salt, I was interested to see much of what I had heard in documentaries was backed up in this Wikipedia article, which if you read it is rather damning:

Health care in the United States

I don’t get why the US is so opposed to implementing something that could make their nation’s living conditions a great deal better across the board, not to mention take better care of their senior citizens and war veterans, which in my opinion should be a priority of any respectable nation. It’s puzzling to me that a country as prosperous is so deficient in healthcare standards. More puzzling yet is the nations reluctance to make a change that will be beneficial to all its citizens. What’s there to debate? Surely the citizens of the US are not so self-absorbed that they wouldn’t be willing to take a short-term financial set-back in national debt if it meant a benefit to the entire nation and their future generations? But then maybe I’m wrong. I thought along similar lines when it came to Toowoomba’s water crisis debate (a.k.a. Recycled water debate), but in the end FUD ended up winning out, and it may do so yet in this case.

If they are that worried about the cost, maybe they could put NASA on hiatus for a few years. Silly don’t you think, a country that has the most advanced space program in the world, yet can’t even sort out basics like healthcare. Priorities screwy much?

If I were ever offered the chance to live in the US I’d decline. In fact, I wouldn’t live their for quids. While the package wrapping is nice, the contents inside leaves a lot to be desired on a pragmatic level. By contrast my Australian tax dollars go toward things that I can actually see making a significant difference in people’s lives. Medicare being one of them. Family Tax Benefit being another. Even on a personal level, the Medicare threshold saved us stacks of money when we were pregnant with Josiah.

It’s not all bad news for US citizens though. Massachusetts State and the city of San Francisco (CA) seems to have the right idea… at least in regards to healthcare. Maybe they will lead the way in US medical reform. I tell you what though, when I read about conditions like this it makes me glad I live in Australia! Greatest nation on Earth IMO.

When I made the site back in 2003 the most I was confident in stating about myself at the time was that I am a sinner, and a horribly wretched one at that. Trust me on this point! I still believe this as a foundational truth about my nature, but what I’d like to think is that maybe I’ve grown a little since then. No doubt personally, but more importanly spiritually. Because of this I feel my focus needs to shift from the bad news to the good.

I’m also wearing a few more hats than I was at that point. Those being both obvious and pivotal to the need for a change in focus. My little champ will probably read the content herein at some point in the future, and the last thing I want him to think is that his Dad is incapable of change and growth, nor of recognising his own faults.

Spiritually, what resonates more with me these days is not that I’m a sinner, but moreso that I am saved. I think every true Christian has doubts about this at times, but more recently I understand the Father’s unconditional love for us, and I think this is because I know how insanely strong my love is for Josiah. My relationship with him gives me a clearer understanding of how my Heavenly Father’s love for me might look like when my parental love is extrapolated on an infinite and eternal level. Dim picture still I’m sure, but much clearer an idea than I had 6 years ago.

My interests have also shifted a little since 03. I used to be hugely into apologetics, at least on a personal level, partly because of interest in the field, and partly because of insecurity about my own salvation. After a while though apart from keeping the mind active and giving me the tools to hopefully be able to adequately explain the reason for my beliefs, apologetitcs does nothing to touch the heart of the unbeliever. Get them questioning perhaps if they are truely open minded, which none of us really are, but never really enough to meet someone on a spiritual or relational level, and definitely not useful for convicting a soul towards repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. I realise now that this is the job of God’s law.

What I want from the new site to come is a truer representation of me and my journey, and its current trajectory. Not bound by sarcasm, negativity, or even anyone else’s perception of what I should or shouldn’t discuss as a Christian.

The topics I’d like to explore could include evangelism, and my insecurities about sharing my faith with others. Fatherhood too, and the infinite joy I feel inside when I’m spending time with my son. My deep love for my gorgeous wife and how my idea of home revolves around my proximity to her. Previous posts perhaps, and whether or not I still agree with myself six years on. Also how the Christian sub-culture portrays itself in these morally ambiguous times and whether it’s teachings reflect what the scriptures actually state. On this point too, I had an idea of developing my own personal Gospel message/Doctrinal truth check-system based entirely on scripture to grade some of the crap being dished out of the Contemporary Christian Music industry and seeing if we as a Church are still preaching Christ and Him crucified, especially in our music.

These are just some of my ideas, and likelihood is there’d be a fair amount of geek scattered throughout, but to nutshell the idea I want to remove constraints. Just write whatever, or perhaps even nothing. Rant if I feel the need, or reflect on why I feel compelled to rant. Ultimately learn, about myself and those around me.

This after all is what life is all about, relationships.

The resultant conversation was right out of left field… for your amusement here it is, names and places edited for the protection of the parties involved.

Random Blond Chick: Hay Bud, I’m looking for a man by the name Josh who works at the Random Bladibla call center in Tbar….is this you? Kisses
Josh: Yes.
Random Blond Chick: This may seem rude but I dnt mean to be. Is your dream guy Scott who works at pascos?
Josh: Dream guy? Are you smoking crack? I’m both straight and happily married with a kid.
Random Blond Chick: Im so sorry, I didnt mean to be rude. Obviously not the right person. thankyou
Josh: Clearly.

I later remembered that I’m not the only Josh in the call center. Coincidentally the other, if I recall correctly is gay. Sigh… next time I will say possibly…perhaps…or even maybe. Would have been a safer option.

Now, since accidents caused while driving under the influence are specifically excluded in our product disclosure statement, if our insured has done so we will not be covering this claim.

As such, until the results of the breath test are known, we are not approving this claim, and since we are not yet at a stage where the claim is approved or these results are known, we are not willing to pay the hire car costs for you up front.

Should we approve the claim, any hire vehicle cost you have incurred up to that point will be reimbursed to you providing they are fair and reasonable costs. If on the other hand we decline the claim we would not be obliged to pay any hire vehicle costs whatsoever, meaning you would be in the same position as you are right now, having to pay up front then settle your demands directly with our insured.

So, as a reasonable person I’m sure you would agree that if you were in our position, you would also refuse to cover any costs that relate to an incident if it were likely or even possible that the claim could be declined, at least until you had a chance to investigate matters.

But no, instead of being reasonable you instead decide to swear and yell abuse down the phone line and abruptly hang up.

Thanks for sharing the beauty of your personality under pressure, you’ve enriched my day…

The rest of the day so far has pretty much been sleep. Since I was already up for the Skype call I got Siah ready for the day (breakfast, clothes and nappy change etc) then after the call I happened to fall asleep on the couch until midday while the little prince happily played and watched The Wiggles… Yes, I’m a bad parent.

Melly must have woken up from her sleep-in sometime before I woke up at midday to Siah tripping on one of his toys and bumping his noggin, because she was up and dressed already. Poor little boy got such a fright and a big bruise too

After the ensuant screaming ceased, I realized I had drooled on the sleeve of my hoodie. I drool when I sleep, mostly when I have a blocked nose, sometimes when I don’t. It was at that point I remembered Melly had been up for some time, because she had earlier pointed out between dreams that I had drooled on my pillow too. Low point of the day, how embarrassing.

Went back to sleep when our little bubba went down for his nap. Woke up around half four, and have since been fiddling with getting cross posting worked out between Wordpress, FriendFeed, AudioBoo and Twitter. Finally sorted so now I don’t have to duplicate any post across any of these services. Convenience is for the win!

So I guess not a lot accomplished, but at least I’m rested. Shouldn’t expect more when I stay up until four in the morning tinkering with my website. Not much planned for the rest of the evening, just Melly time and perhaps some WoWing if I get the motivation.

Hope everyone is well and has had a good weekend.