Jack's Opinion

Living in spite of ALS

2005-02-02T14:03:00.000-08:00

My wife Anna is my primary caregiver and I credit her and God with my longevity with this horrific disease. We have been living with this monster for 18 years. To be sure, we've had more than the normal share of disease related problems. We have been blessed with great neighbors and friends. I often feel sorry that this disease prevents my dedicated wife and caregiver from enjoying the life she deserves. I often feel guilty myself because I'm the reason she can't enjoy the life she deserves. Also I feel guilty that I'm not up at dawn going to work because I was raised believing that if you aren't up at dawn you're lazy. However, my wife is a night person which I knew when I married her, so I accept staying in bed a little later. Afterall, she is usually up until one AM.

Currently, we are authorized six hours of nursing care daily. Had the military kept their word, I would probably have 24 hours of nursing care. I feel a minimum eight hours would help greatly. The government seldom keeps it word to veterans and the civilian population usually supports these cuts in favor of a variety of social programs. Yet we always hear everybody on the bandwagon in time of war. How easily we forget. I would estimate a majority of Americans would not want their sons or daughters to even serve in the military. Forgive me for straying off my subject. When a disease like ALS strikes, that is when the help of friends is needed most. We have been fortunate that our neighbors and most of our friends have stood by us during my illness. We have received help from many religious groups. We have made a number of new friends who initially offered their help. I can understand some people find this disease difficult to witness because they remember when I was very healthy. (more later)

Government Reform

2005-02-01T15:34:00.000-08:00

I'm dreaming, so...

Folks, it's passed time to get a grip on our representatives in Washington. We could start by voting them out of office if they don't listen to WE THE PEOPLE. Most members have become "professional politicians." They spend too much time in Washington. We could put Congress on per diem, as it use to be. Additionally, curtail the session that Congress has to be in Washington. Most of their time is spent making unconstitutional laws and/or revising existing laws to benefit the special interest groups that provided the money for their election.

Next, reduce the size of government by budget cutting. The only constitutional function of the federal government is the State and Defense Department. All other Departments should be phased out through budget cuts. The individual States will need money in order to provide some of the functions provided by the federal government so abolish the income tax which will provide adequate resources to to the states. Without income tax, the federal government only has to budget for State and Defense. Understand this will require people to be individually responsible for their welfare. This would be a shock to millions who want government to "care" for them.

The Department of Education would be first to go. The federal government has taken discipline out of government schools and is in the process of taking it out of the home. The National Education Association is the culprit relative to degredation of our schools. Since President Carter established the Education Department, the quality of education has been going down. There are no quality controls in place for accountability of school faculty and it is difficult to remove incompetent staff from our schools. Solution: Get federal government out of the education business.