Just 2.6 percent of Massachusetts drivers have junior operator's licenses or learner's permits, but when state laws governing these drivers change on Saturday, nearly everyone will be affected. The list includes teen drivers, their friends, their families, anyone who pays car insurance, and anyone who's ever been touched by stories of teens killed in high-speed crashes. The changes are aimed at making teenage drivers take safety seriously by toughening the punishment for those who don't. Junior operators -- new drivers under age 18 -- who get a speeding ticket will have their licenses automatically suspended for 90 days. Almost all basic offenses will carry suspensions, as well as fines and fees of up to $1,000. full article

Essentially, a teenager, naturally unfamiliar with the roads around where they live, accidentally goes down a one way street the wrong way and gets hit by $1000 in fines? Or maybe they didn't notice a speed limit changed and WHAM your family's not making rent this month! The fines for a simple error are outrageous and fly in the tradition of treating minors as less responsible for law breaking. Now teenagers will face fines over an order of magnitude larger than adults charged with the same violation.

This kind of fine-base approach, as in the state's shining "universal" healthcare law that provides healthcare to everyone by fining uninsured people who don't purchase health insurance just makes Massachusetts that much less affordable. And the cost of living in Massachusetts is the reason so many people are leaving this so-called liberal state.

President Bush likes to say that his health-care proposal would "level the playing field" between people who get health coverage through their job and those who buy it on their own. But experts said yesterday that it would tilt that field toward a kind of health insurance that Bush has long favored -- a high-deductible plan paired with a special tax-exempt health savings account, or HSA. ... Bush's proposal seeks to eliminate the long-standing tax break for job-based medical insurance, requiring that a worker's taxable income include any money his employer contributes to help pay the premiums. A new tax deduction -- $15,000 a year for families and $7,500 for individuals -- would help people pay the premiums, either through their job or on their own. The plan faces opposition from Democrats in Congress. ... Len Burman, director of the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, said that, in leveling the field, the White House should also seek to scrap the HSA tax break, whose purpose is to counter the tax code's current bias toward comprehensive and expensive employer-provided coverage. Under Bush's plan, it would be the only extra tax break for health insurance -- one that would most benefit wealthy people, who can best afford the financial risk of a high-deductible plan and to sock away a lot of money in an HSA. ... Burman said eliminating the HSA tax break would bring in billions of dollars that Bush could put toward the other initiative he proposed this week -- giving states special grants to fund innovative ways of covering the nation's 47 million uninsured. "This is not just free money just sitting there," he said. "There really is a big opportunity cost." full article

This is not a tax cut. Bush is proposing taxing employees where they were not taxed before. Adding new taxes is a tax increase.

Of course his new taxes will barely (if at all) touch the wealthy. Of course employers don't have to pay the new tax. And to offset the hardship the wealthy will experience at not having to pay this tax, he proposes a new tax break for the wealthy. Everyone else, go suck an egg.

I propose "Mr. Tax Cut" Bush be spanked spanked repeatedly with this proposal. I propose that "Bush is proposing a tax increase" be a talking point. He is repeating the lies of his father. Read my lips: "Trumpet it!"

My dad:

His surgery went fine and should be out in time to vote straight Republican. They are going to put the second stint in next Monday. Things are looking good and he appears very willing to give up cigarettes.

Me:

I do not have Behçet's disease (with about a 95% certainty). However, he was cautious about the" ulcerations" on my tongue and suggests that I get a biopsy after I get a teeth cleaning. He did not have a suggestion as to what they might be looking for with a biopsy. I've had the ulcerations on my tongue for as long as I can remember, the one dentist I asked said I must be biting my tongue in my sleep. I accepted that then, but now am questioning that assessment.

Of course, since the doctor I saw today is an Behçet's expert and outside my normal insurance it would make sense to attempt to find the care in-network. I'm not even sure if this is where I want to put my energy: if the weird tongue issues are not connected, I'd rather concentrate on the vertigo.

I've been getting out more, which is good. My cycle of vertigo episodes appears to be waning, but I am still not free of this wave. If I keep improving at this rate perhaps in a week I'll stop carrying a staff or cane with me when I go out.

My primary care nurse has yet to produce the referral to the neurologist I wanted. I have given up on her being of much use and have located on my own a doctor of oral pathology who is an expert on Behçet's Disease as well as a sufferer himself. He should be able to rule in or rule out Behçet's as an explanation for my symptoms. Unfortunately, I'll have to pay for the appointment out of pocket, which will definitely be a strain on the coming month's already tight budget.

Yesterday, I went to therapy for the first time since July. During our talks, my therapist told me that I'm in the final stages of therapy. With that comes the question: "What now?".

It's a difficult question. Moving back into the productive workforce carries a good deal of it's own issues and getting in with a 6 year gap and outdated geek skill will present a challenge. I did really enjoy databases and if I do go back into tech I'd like to go back into designing them. There is something about databases that deeply appeals to me. I've done a small amount of data mining in the past, and that appeals to me even more than design. But, it would be easier to go back to design as that is where my experience really lies. It's been 6 years since I've done database design and I would need some refreshing is in order along with updating my skill set to fit the current environment.

However, I'm not entirely certain I want to go back into tech. It would be the easiest and likely the most lucrative choice available to me, but doing something artistic and/or crafty appeals to me greatly as well. Working on the tangible and creating things that will take on a journey and life of their own. I know that some of my databases are still in use and in that way they've taken on a life of their own, but it's not the same as something you can touch. I want to create and build. I just don't know if that is a viable prospect, as it requires capital to get started and insurance is a pain in the ass for the self-employed.

Going back to school would be a happy thing, perhaps studying math and physics like I started out on over a decade ago now, perhaps studying something else. But, that appears the least likely path right now. Financially I don't see how it could happen.

I am overwhelmed with possibilities. It's like I'm coming out a deep dark cave and can finally see great meadows and mountains and forests in front of me, all wondrous but I must choose if I will head towards the meadows or the mountains or the forests. Eyes opening for the first time, yet again.

I found out from the Stop & Shop Pharmacy yesterday that my insurance has refused to cover my new prescription for injectable estradiol, meaning I would have to pay $220/month. That amount is completely out of the question, so I'll be continuing with my old hrt regimen even if it isn't working perfectly. So be it.

I saw my endocrinologist last night. My testosterone levels are a bit too high, however my estrogen levels are high as well. She thinks that another delivery system for the estrogen will help better. She wanted to give me a cream that absorbs through the skin, but my insurance won't cover it. Instead I will be getting injectable estrogen. I'm going to have to learn how to give myself shots. I need to find a pharmacy that carries the prescription, as Walgreens does not. I'll still be talking my estradiol until I meet with a nurse to instruct me on how to give myself the shots.

Children represent the fastest growing group of users of a new generation of antipsychotic medications, even though the drugs are not approved for their use and serious safety concerns remain. Between 2001 and 2005, prescriptions for atypical antipsychotic drugs increased by 80% among children and teens, compared with an increase of 46% among adults aged 20 to 44. ... In a study published in the summer of 2004, the researchers reported that prescriptions for atypical antipsychotics doubled among Tennessee children on Medicaid between 1996 and 2001. They further reported that 43% of prescriptions were written for children with ADHD or a related disorder as the primary diagnosis, while just 14% were written for bipolar disorder and 9% for schizophrenia or other psychotic conditions. In a later nationwide study, the researchers concluded that 6 million prescriptions for atypical antipsychotics were written for children between 1995 and 2002. Again the researchers found that a large percentage of the prescriptions were written for children with ADHD as the primary diagnosis. full article

Lets ignore for a moment the devastating side effects of antipsychotics such as diabetes, metabolic disorders, heart problems, tardive dyskinesia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Let's just focus on the intended effects of these drugs. Antipsychotics slow down the brain. They make it harder to think and by doing so make it harder to learn. These children are having their brain fogged at the most important time of their lives for them to be thinking. I can't imagine the damage to the intellectual and emotional development of these kids caused by being on extremely powerful mind altering drugs 24 hours a day. THESE ARE CHILDREN, FOR GOD'S SAKE!

The psychiatrists aren't even attempting to claim these children are psychotic. 43% of the children receiving antipsychotics are diagnosed with ADHD. Antipsychotics have nothing whatsoever to do with the "symptoms" of ADHD. The only reason to give antipsychotics to ADHD-diagnosed children is to sedate them. To keep them drugged so the teachers and parents don't have to deal with them. It is a form of neglect.

These children are going to reach adulthood. Due to the drugs they are being forced to take, many are not going to be able to develop the mental and emotional tools necessary to live and function as adults. Not having learned the skills necessary to hold down jobs, many will become dependant on the very system that abused and drugged them. The psych industry is creating a generation of lifetime customers.

gacked from kyrene:

How Spoiled Are You?

( long survey )

I"m getting dental!!

Good news for me, but I'm still a bit dubious about the new Mandatory Health Insurance Bill. Everyone under 100% of the FPL (Federal Poverty Level) will get free health insurance. Everybody who makes above 300% of the FPL will be required to purchase healthcare outright

My chief concern is in the subsidies provided for those making 100% to 300% of the FPL (between $9,500 and $28,700 for individuals). Since people in that bracket are already hit hard by the high price of housing in Massachusetts and will now be required to buy the subsidies plans, the affordability of those subsidised plans is of great concern. Since the subsidies are not currently spelt out, it could be a nasty trap where one is slapped with heavy fines for not having enough money.

I would rather the subsidies have been spelt out before this point. I would also have preferred there to have been more discussion about this legislation before this point as well, as I tend to follow the news fairly closely and this is the first I've heard of the sweeping reforms just passed. Until the subsidies are spelt out, I'm going to reserve my judgement on the legislation.

A good summery of the bill can be found here

Holy fucking hell, Batman. Another monster in the gulf. And there are still idiots who deny global warming and it's effects. Hurricane season still has over a month to go. I hope Rita stumbles, but while possible, that doesn't seem likely.

The money-grubbing, gas-guzzling, carbon-dioxide-spewing, SUV-loving Republicans want the poor to pay for all this. Can't touch the tax breaks for the rich, in fact we need to implement more. Take it out of Medicare and Medicaid, because the poor, elderly, and disabled don't really need health insurance. Take it out of the funding for alternative fuel sources, because we need more fucking global warming. Anything, but make sure the rich get richer. Feed Halliburton and Bechtel the federal reconstruction dollars, because we can trust Bush's cronies to do a fine job and not rip us off. These people with their propaganda machine mass media are robbing the country blind with one hand and stabbing it with the other. I've had it. I've fucking had it. I've so fucking had it with the vile scum running this country. They need to leave now.

I'm extremely worried that we all may be kicked out of the house_of_clocks. Even if we do keep it, I've already given up on heating it this winter. Due to other's lack of funds, the household is currently behind on rent by a staggering amount. I anticipate some money coming in soon and maybe more coming in from two of the roommates. But, the one that owes by far the most may never pay it. I didn't know how bad the situation was until recently, because the person who owes the most is also the person in charge of handling the rent. The problem is the landlord doesn't want multiple checks every month, so we all have to hand over the money to one person who then writes a large check to him. I can't be that person, because having a large amount of money appearing in my account every month could screw up my SSDI and MassHealth. Kicking the person who owes the most out right now doesn't' seem like a viable option, because we'd still be far in debt to the landlord without them. The best hope is the continued generosity of our landlord, who hasn't kicked us out yet.

Finding a roommate right now would prove very difficult. A portion of the bathroom ceiling collapsed yesterday, the fridge is pretty ragged, we have a minor (at this point) roach infestation and we're in debt to the landlord. I doubt anyone would want to move in under those circumstances.

We need to have a house meeting, but I don't know how to arrange it within the confines of household politics. I'm pretty sure that two of the roommates are unaware of the direness of the situation and need to be informed forthwith.

purpleglitter thinks I should jump ship before we lose the place and has been trying to find other places with affordable rents that I could live. Even if I can come up with the first and last for another place, I'll feel bad about screwing over the landlord and the other roommates, but it may be the best option, because none of the friends and family I've talked about the situation to have said they would take in mazzycat. I will not give her up.

I feel guilty whining about my problems which are very minor compared all that is going on right now. I'm safe, I know I will have a place to stay, and my city is still here. But it is my journal and I needed to get it out.

My sister, ellynx, told me that she can both help me find a doctor that will take me seriously and help me pay for seeing that doctor if MassHealth and Medicare won't. Finding out why I'm having these "spells" will make my life a hell of a lot less scary. Not knowing is worse than anything it probably is, and definitely highly contributes to my current low mood directly and indirectly. I have many other pressing issues, but my "spells" keep me from addressing them efficiently. And because of that inefficiency, I get completely overwhelmed and then am not able to address the pressing matters at all. Then things deteriorate more and more, and then… well … here I am thinking about jumping in front of trains. While getting my neurological issues taken care of may not solve all of my other problems, it may at least put a damper on the current domino effect which is dominating my life. I need to come up for breath and this offer from my sister is completely out of the blue and has my head spinning. I didn't expect this tonight. In fact, after the day I've had, added to the last few weeks, I truly didn't expect to have an optimistic outlook again ever. Maybe things can work out. Maybe I wasn't able to jump for a reason.

Just got back from therapy. We discussed both reasons I have been considering therapy. I discussed the events of the last week and told her that I didn't want to be on psych meds and that it has completely solidified my previously existing distrust of the medipsych establishment and want to leave every part of it, including therapy. She said that she did believe that I needed psych meds. I explained that if I start taking psych meds, the best case scenario is that just when they get the regiment straightened out to where it is helping me, I'll have to go off them again because on January 1^st I'll be dropped from the MassHealth prescription plan and placed on the new Medicare prescription plan with its much higher co-pays and lack of flexibility. I'll be lucky to be able to keep affording my hormones, much less taking on the additional hassle and cost of psych meds. She thought that was a sound reason not to take them, and said she respects that decision. It's things like this that help me separate her in my mind from the medipsych system in general. Yes, she works in the system, but she is not a fan of it. I figured out that I do want to remain in therapy with her.

However, want might not be the biggest part of the equation. If I lose MassHealth, I may have to leave therapy whether I want to or not. Robin wants me to keep in touch with her on what happens in that regard. She was frustrated that DMH didn't work out, but blames them more than me, which makes me feel better even though I blame myself. Losing MassHealth will screw up more things than just therapy, I really hope that it doesn't happen.