It has been a mind-boggling journey since November 3, 2020 - Election Day. 

Yes, the loser has proven what he really is -- a very poor loser and more. He is attempting to undermine the Biden administration, democracy and the people of this country as he leaves. More of his chaos is not what we needed but that's what we're getting. January 20. 2021 can't come to soon. 

We can look forward to a rational, empathic president and administration during the next four years. Perhaps President Biden won't be the answer to all of this country's problems but he will be trying. Hopefully he will get some help from republicans as well as democrats. It will take all of us working together to heal the deep divides that exist currently. 

The COVID pandemic is a major challenge and will continue to be. There is no immediate or quick solution as many more get infected and die. It is a terrible thing that's happening and much of it could have been prevented with a rational, scientific approach along with a strong leader setting a good example.

We now have an opportunity to change from a negative direction to a positive direction.

A mind-boggling opportunity.

Stan the Man

 

Mind-boggling Current Affairs-

It's overwhelming whats going on in this country right now. How does one make sense of a crazy presidential election coming up, a Pandemic decimating our country with no clear direction to end it, racial in-justice and more. 

One of the problems is how do we know how to tell the truth from lies or distorted truths? I don't have the answers--I'm as confused as the next guy. 

I do believe that the 200,000+ Americans who have died from the COVID didn't need to die--at least we could have saved a substantial number with a better plan.

I've also come to the conclusion that Joe Biden is our safest bet for the immediate future. This is brief post but I have come to these two conclusions.

All we have are our own thoughts and conclusions to guide us. I hope every one will think long and hard.

Stan the Man     

Missed Opportunity

Recently in our local newspaper a lady wrote about an experience she had at a grocery store. Apparently a gentleman also shopping at the store was wearing a Trump t-shirt. She related her reaction to the man and the t-shirt in a letter to the editor. She stated that she was afraid, yes she admitted to being very fearful being in the same store with an obvious Trump supporter.

In the next edition of the paper there was an avalanche of criticism in the form of letters to the editor. Obviously all of these letters were from Trump supporters. The fearful lady was attacked for being afraid and for expressing her fears. There wasn't any supportive input at all.

My reaction is that this was a mind-boggling, perfect opportunity for the Trump supporters to prove to the lady that she didn't need to be afraid. They could have responded with caring and understanding and perhaps could have changed the fearful lady's mind about Trump supporters. Instead she was soundly attacked probably increasing her fear. With the polarization we have in this country we need to take steps to build community that can increase understanding and acceptance.

Too bad. A mind-boggling opportunity missed.  

Stan the Man

Loved this Book

Thanks to Kay in Texas who wrote a review of my novel, The Last Client as follows:

"Just Loved the book! It has everything in a book that I like, murder, suspense, seduction and keeps your attention. It is an easy read and is very enjoyable. The ending took me by surprise. This is a must read if you like suspense. I highly recommend this book."

Available at www.squarepegbookshop.com or on Amazon.

Stan the Man

Mind-boggling Reminder

It seems there are some things we don't fully understand until they are experienced. I had no problem with Katherine traveling to Mexico City to learn Spanish through an immersion program. You see she's motivated to help with the struggles at the border and caring for immigrants. She could be much more effective if she spoke Spanish. I thought it was a good idea and helped her before she departed with my rusty Spanish left over from 2 years in the Peace Corps. Two weeks as a bachelor again sounded kind of good.

It didn't turn out to be much fun. After three days I missed her something terrible. I cooked my own meals, cleaned up after myself, did laundry, walked our Greyhound three times a day and on and on. It was an extremely busy time keeping the household together. We have a great relationship which includes an equitable division of labor. Taking it all on and more wasn't an issue.

 I missed her companionship, our conversations, our un-spoken understandings of one another and a myriad of other things. Once again I'm reminded of the importance of that one primary relationship and how it nourishes body and soul.I will probably begin to take our relationship for granted but for now the experience of a two week absence is helping me celebrate her presence.

Yes, it is a mind-boggling experience to know again; absence does make the heart grow fonder.  

Stan the Man

More Healthcare Fraud

Yes, there goes more unnecessary expense in health care. It's also doing great harm to many patients. It's a Billion Dollar fraud case uncovered in California by the Feds.

Apparently, many back surgeries have been performed on patients who didn't need them. Why? The doctors were getting kickbacks on a per patient basis. It makes it difficult to trust doctors doesn't it? Not to say they are all criminals but certainly some are.

To make it worse they were using counterfeit screws to insert and treat the supposed back problems of the patients. Now the definition of counterfeit could tell you a lot: Made in exact imitation of something valuable or important with the intention to deceive or defraud.

But these counterfeit screws were  not safe to use with patients. When inserted they leaked toxins harmful to human beings. Patients who were the victims of this fraud suffered excruciating pain caused by the leaked toxins. The real screws would have been safe and if used on patients with a genuine need, would not have leaked toxins but instead helped the patient.

This scheme caused healthcare Billions of dollars. While some of it may be recovered through fines and some paybacks a lot of money has gone directly into the pockets of these perpetrators and will never be recovered.

If you haven't read The Last Client yet, you can purchase it at Amazon.com or at www.squarepegbookshop.com
It is a fictionalized story of fraud in the mental health system with mystery and intrigue.


 

Fraud in Health Care

The Last Client, my recently released novel, deals with one of the reasons health care costs in this country are out of control - fraud. Yes, there are many professionals in the health care field who are interested in making millions and sometimes billions through schemes that require fraudulent activities. In the last few years and presently the federal government is tracking down these criminals and prosecuting them. Of course some get caught and others are smart enough to get away with it for years. Mind-boggling!
In The Last Client you will read a psychological thriller that depicts one of those crooks who is attempting to get away with fraud. Read to see if he does.
It's available on Amazon.

Stan the Man