Mankind emerged 200,000 years ago, but only in the last 1000 or so has the concept of "money" impacted human life. For most of its existence, our species has walked the earth without having any idea what money was, as all other species still do. Yet today it is the key determinant in the length, quality and enjoyment of our lives. Money, or the lack of it, has become the core influence in most human lives, and our concern about money extends even beyond the end of those lives. On some level, that amazes me. My take is that the elemental benefit of having money is the removal of stress -- the more we have, the less we worry about covering our basic human needs. And if used properly, it can help us achieve a longer and better life. Everything else is details.
I haven't the expertise to answer that question, but if Japan can do it for 123 million people, and Germany and France can do it for 84 and 69 million citizens respectively, the US should be able to figure it out.
Mark, the best healthcare systems in the world are the ones where government provides baseline care for everybody and those choosing to can add supplemental insurance -- Germany, France, the Scandinavian nations. However, the term "universal healthcare" has come to mean an all-government system like the NHS in Britain, which I do not support. I understand from my friends there that the waits for surgeries can be horrendous, and the NHS is slow to adopt new breakthroughs and therapies. The new cancer treatment that saved my life wasn't even close to becoming available in the UK at the time it was approved here in the US.
I posed this question to Reps. Jackie Speier and Nancy Pelosi during town hall meetings promoting the Affordable Care Act. I told them it made no sense to me to put in a massive new infrastructure -- and 50 separate state exchanges -- instead of using the same funding to give 37 million uninsured Americans access to Medicare, which was already working well for 65 million recipients. Neither really had an answer to the question. I still support Medicare for all. It fits the hybrid public/private model that I believe works best for national healthcare. I find it obscene that ours is the only leading nation in the world where people go bankrupt because of medical bills.
Having attended many venues for sporting events in my days as a sportscaster, I can vouch for the fact that local restaurants (and hotels and taxis) jacking up the prices for major events is a time-honored American tradition.
I enjoy the consulting work I have done for the last 30 years, but I don't really have a problem saying no to potential clients because of my lifelong and worsening medical condition -- LAS, which stands for Lazy-Ass Syndrome. The older I get, the less motivated I am. In all seriousness though, Mark, I think I have always recognized on a subconscious level that financial success sometimes contributes to life "failure" in that it takes precious time away from vital endeavors like sleeping in with your wife, watching the Cubs game when you should be working, and photographing sunsets. Everything is a balance. And in the final analysis, maintaining that balance is the most important side hustle any of us could ever have.
Ken, you may find that by limiting your hours, you'll become even more of a hero. My clients always thank me profusely. Much more so than when I was readily available. It feeds my own hero complex perfectly.
Jonathan, your willingness to share your difficult journey is inspirational. And in that remarkable generosity may lie one answer to your question. When my time was determined to be finite, of course we rushed to do some trips and cruises, but I also eventually settled on a particular personal goal -- to try to make a small difference in the life of someone else, with word or gesture, as often as I could. We all remember a comment or compliment or laugh we received from someone we didn't know, sometimes decades later. I resolved to give out those little gifts wherever possible. I tried to do it in every phone and personal conversation, not just with family and friends but with grocery checkers and waitresses and my infusion nurses (always) and even the health insurance people on the phone (it was tough with them sometimes!). If I could make someone laugh or generate a warm thank-you response, it made me feel good too. Especially on days when I didn't. I've done my best to continue the effort in the years since my unexpected survival.
Comments
Mankind emerged 200,000 years ago, but only in the last 1000 or so has the concept of "money" impacted human life. For most of its existence, our species has walked the earth without having any idea what money was, as all other species still do. Yet today it is the key determinant in the length, quality and enjoyment of our lives. Money, or the lack of it, has become the core influence in most human lives, and our concern about money extends even beyond the end of those lives. On some level, that amazes me. My take is that the elemental benefit of having money is the removal of stress -- the more we have, the less we worry about covering our basic human needs. And if used properly, it can help us achieve a longer and better life. Everything else is details.
Post: How Important Is Money?
Link to comment from July 17, 2025
I haven't the expertise to answer that question, but if Japan can do it for 123 million people, and Germany and France can do it for 84 and 69 million citizens respectively, the US should be able to figure it out.
Post: I have a challenge for you. It’s one of the most significant financial and controversial issues facing the U.S.
Link to comment from July 15, 2025
Mark, the best healthcare systems in the world are the ones where government provides baseline care for everybody and those choosing to can add supplemental insurance -- Germany, France, the Scandinavian nations. However, the term "universal healthcare" has come to mean an all-government system like the NHS in Britain, which I do not support. I understand from my friends there that the waits for surgeries can be horrendous, and the NHS is slow to adopt new breakthroughs and therapies. The new cancer treatment that saved my life wasn't even close to becoming available in the UK at the time it was approved here in the US.
Post: I have a challenge for you. It’s one of the most significant financial and controversial issues facing the U.S.
Link to comment from July 15, 2025
It wouldn't have to work for 340 million, just those who chose to use it, or needed it at some stage.
Post: I have a challenge for you. It’s one of the most significant financial and controversial issues facing the U.S.
Link to comment from July 15, 2025
I posed this question to Reps. Jackie Speier and Nancy Pelosi during town hall meetings promoting the Affordable Care Act. I told them it made no sense to me to put in a massive new infrastructure -- and 50 separate state exchanges -- instead of using the same funding to give 37 million uninsured Americans access to Medicare, which was already working well for 65 million recipients. Neither really had an answer to the question. I still support Medicare for all. It fits the hybrid public/private model that I believe works best for national healthcare. I find it obscene that ours is the only leading nation in the world where people go bankrupt because of medical bills.
Post: I have a challenge for you. It’s one of the most significant financial and controversial issues facing the U.S.
Link to comment from July 15, 2025
Mark, you were "peckish" for a chicken sandwich?
Post: A Grievance Most Fowl: When Golf Ate My Lunch.
Link to comment from July 15, 2025
Having attended many venues for sporting events in my days as a sportscaster, I can vouch for the fact that local restaurants (and hotels and taxis) jacking up the prices for major events is a time-honored American tradition.
Post: A Grievance Most Fowl: When Golf Ate My Lunch.
Link to comment from July 15, 2025
I enjoy the consulting work I have done for the last 30 years, but I don't really have a problem saying no to potential clients because of my lifelong and worsening medical condition -- LAS, which stands for Lazy-Ass Syndrome. The older I get, the less motivated I am. In all seriousness though, Mark, I think I have always recognized on a subconscious level that financial success sometimes contributes to life "failure" in that it takes precious time away from vital endeavors like sleeping in with your wife, watching the Cubs game when you should be working, and photographing sunsets. Everything is a balance. And in the final analysis, maintaining that balance is the most important side hustle any of us could ever have.
Post: Framed by his Side Hustle?
Link to comment from July 13, 2025
Ken, you may find that by limiting your hours, you'll become even more of a hero. My clients always thank me profusely. Much more so than when I was readily available. It feeds my own hero complex perfectly.
Post: Framed by his Side Hustle?
Link to comment from July 13, 2025
Jonathan, your willingness to share your difficult journey is inspirational. And in that remarkable generosity may lie one answer to your question. When my time was determined to be finite, of course we rushed to do some trips and cruises, but I also eventually settled on a particular personal goal -- to try to make a small difference in the life of someone else, with word or gesture, as often as I could. We all remember a comment or compliment or laugh we received from someone we didn't know, sometimes decades later. I resolved to give out those little gifts wherever possible. I tried to do it in every phone and personal conversation, not just with family and friends but with grocery checkers and waitresses and my infusion nurses (always) and even the health insurance people on the phone (it was tough with them sometimes!). If I could make someone laugh or generate a warm thank-you response, it made me feel good too. Especially on days when I didn't. I've done my best to continue the effort in the years since my unexpected survival.
Post: Extra Innings
Link to comment from July 10, 2025