Tag Archive for expense

Chocolate Me for Chocolate Day

July 7, 2020 Comments Off on Chocolate Me for Chocolate Day

To many of us, chocolate is comfort food. And, since we can all use some comfort, what better day than today, Chocolate Day? I hope you enjouy my little chocolaty poem:

CHOCOLATE ME

In my next life, I’ll be chocolate.

Sometimes nutty, sometimes smooth,

Sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet,

Or hiding a squishy center.

Harmless in moderation

But increasingly expensive.

A melting mess in warm hands

While maintaining my allure.

Adding weight to the over-burdened.

Raising spirits periodically.

Hazardous in extremes.

A cause of sibling rivalries

(Fighting over me!)

Plus a rapid thumping heart

And a crawling belly ache.

There will be those who want me gone,

Yet secretly crave more of me. 

Yes, that’s what I will be–

Sort of like I am now.

But in that day, when I’m chocolate,

Everyone will love me.

——- Jackie O’Donnell

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Life-Saving Meds: A Great Idea

May 24, 2019 Comments Off on Life-Saving Meds: A Great Idea

Many people depend on insulin just to stay alive. Pharmaceutical companies know that–and take advantage of it. They have raised their prices for this relatively inexpensive drug by 1000% over the last 20 years, leading people to cut down on their doses in order to afford it or to share with a loved one, thus endangering their health and lives. But they have no other choice.

Remember that this is a drug whose discoverers, back in 1922, sold the patent for a single dollar to the University of Toronto with the assurance that it would be available for all who needed it

Now Colorado has stepped in. They just passed a bill that no one can be charged more than $100 (yes, one hundred) a month out-of-pocket for their month’s supply of insulin. In addition, the bill requires an investigation into the pricing of that drug and a report given to the governor by 2020.

The 400,000 Colorado citizens will have to wait until Jan. 1, 2020, for the law to go into full effect, but at least they have hope.

Seems to me that this would be a good law for all the other states to enact.

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ALS Breakthrough: Can You Afford It?

May 8, 2017 Comments Off on ALS Breakthrough: Can You Afford It?

I was so happy about Radicava, the breakthrough drug to be released in August that can help people with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) by slowing down their physical decline.  I’m disappointed that it slows it by only 33%, but that’s a big step toward a larger number.  I have some questions, though.

For one, why will it cost $1000 per infusion/dose, meaning $150,000 per year?  MT Pharma America Inc., the drug’s maker, has announced that it will help people financially to buy it, whether or not they have insurance.  In that case, why not just lower the price?  Just make it affordable to all who need it without making sick people get their hopes up then have you refuse or allow them such a small amount that they still can’t afford it—or make them jump through hoops made of paperwork even to apply, then wait for an approval that may never come?

Pharmaceutical companies argue that it takes a lot of money to bring a drug to market, lots of R and D.  But people contributed a good chunk of money through the Ice Water Challenge, which brought in $115 million plus another $13 million in donations directly to the ALS Association.

The Association has spent some $47 million so far on research (plus 20% of the $115 million on patient and community services and 11% on processing, fundraising, and education—all appropriate according to Charity Navigator since ALS is not something that will be cured overnight).  That research has been fruitful.  MT Pharma benefits from that and ongoing charity-financed research.  Again, I ask MT, Do you have to make that much profit right away?  What you’ve spent developing Radicava is tax-deductible business expense, which lessens your financial exposure.  Can’t you make the drug more affordable?

I know they aren’t listening.  But I can hope.

 

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Fence out those Immigrants!

November 20, 2015 4 comments

I live in California, a state that has a large population of immigrants coming in illegally.  I should, I suppose, jump on the bandwagon of the Presidential candidates who insist on building a fence to keep them out.  It’s expensive, they all agree, but worth it, say some, or will be paid for by Mexico, claims one.

I don’t understand.  Aren’t those candidates aware that many people come in through Canada, too?  Or overstay their visa or HB work permits?  What about them?  A fence won’t help.  Also, haven’t they seen the statistics that show that  2009-2014 more Mexican immigrants have been choosing, on their own, to return to their families in Mexico than have come into the U.S.?  In addition, those reports show that the theory that they’ve been returning because of our bad economy is false–it has always been better economically here than where they came from.

Come on, candidates, make that bandwagon actually count for something–like plans to solve poverty, under-education, discrimination, bigotry, and violence in our nation.

 

 

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Kill Stains, Not the Earth

August 1, 2015 Comments Off on Kill Stains, Not the Earth

Instead of toxic and expensive stain-fighters, use an eco-friendly dish soap like Dawn.  Rub a few drops into the stain and toss the garment directly into the wash or into the hamper for wash-day.

Leaf 6

[For more easy, money-saving, earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-book seller.]

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Nebraska, Death, and Shame

May 29, 2015 Comments Off on Nebraska, Death, and Shame

Nebraska lawmakers have banned the death penalty, even overriding their governor’s veto.  I congratulate them on realizing that the “eye for an eye” law was–listen up, Christians–the old law, replaced by a new Law of humanity and reason.  They came to understand that the death penalty, on the moral level, is unequally applied and too permanent in cases when guilt is later disproved; on the practical level, far too expensive; and, on the emotional level, seldom brings victims’ families the peace they long for.  Lawmakers saw that the practice was not justice but simple revenge.

Nebraska is state #19 (plus DC).  We’re well past 1/3 of our civilized nation’s ridding itself of the practice, as much of the rest of the major nations have done.  Yet we’re so far away from even 1/2.

I’m sad to say that my state, California, is on the wrong side of those percentages.  If you live on that side, urge your state’s lawmakers to do something about ending this national shame.

 

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