Welcome to the January, Business & Nonprofits: A Winning Partnership issue of NorthBay biz. We’re proud to say that 2016 marks the beginning of our 41st year of publishing. Celebrating our 40-year anniversary throughout the past 12 months was exciting and fulfilling—creating new editorial content, posting circulation gains and adding additional employees, the year ultimately was highlighted by being named the 2015 Small Business of the Year by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce. With the past 40 years as a warm up, we feel we’re just hitting our stride serving the best interests of the North Bay business community. As we go forward into the New Year, stay tuned as we plan to debut new features, platforms and multiple opportunities to help grow your business. The best is yet to come.
By now, practically everyone reading this column is aware of the shortcomings and broken promises inherent in Obamacare. We know, only too well, that premiums have soared, not declined; deductibles not only didn’t decline, but instead doubled or tripled. These facts, coupled with the inability of many to keep their same doctor or the health plan that had been serving them well, has lead to widespread dissatisfaction both in the pocketbook and psyche. Here at the magazine, we’re in the throes of our annual 1/1 health plan renewal. It seems every option open to us has major drawbacks. The only thing shared is every plan’s price has soared. Overall, it’s been a hot mess.
In an attempt to pull back the curtain and try to understand convoluted government logic, here’s the 10,535 pages of Obamacare legislation distilled down to 4 sentences:
1. To insure the uninsured, we first have to uninsure the insured.
2. Next, we require the newly uninsured to be re-insured.
3. The newly uninsured are now required to pay extra charges to be re-insured.
4. The extra charges are required so that the original insured—who became uninsured and then became re-insured—can pay enough extra so the original uninsured can be insured, which will be free of charge to them.
What more can I say?
Common courtesy, civil discourse, good manners and simply being polite seem to be relics of a distant past. In today’s society, mean spirited name- calling and 4-letter epithets seem to be the norm. Gone are the days of intelligent, creative ways of delivering a lasting insult. To that end (and especially since I’m a big fan of using effective quotes to make your point), here are a few creative barbs you might want to use next time the circumstance calls for it.
“He has delusions of adequacy.”—Walter Kerr
“I feel so miserable without you, it’s almost like having you here.”—Kip Adota
“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.”—Oscar Wilde
“I’ve never killed a man, but I’ve read many obituaries with pleasure.”—Clarence Darrow
“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.”—Moses Hadas
He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.”—Billy Wilder
Next, here’s a short cautionary tale of why you shouldn’t underestimate seasoned citizens: An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He finally went to a doctor, who fitted him for a set of hearing aids that restored the gentleman’s hearing to 100 percent. The gentleman returned for a checkup one month later and his doctor said, “Your hearing is perfect. Your family must really be pleased that you can hear again.” The gentleman replied, “Oh, I haven’t told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to their conversations. I’ve changed my will three times already!”
And finally, I’ll share a few musings with you: My therapist said that my narcissism causes me to sometimes misread social situations. I’m pretty sure she’s hitting on me. My 60-year kindergarten reunion is coming up soon and I’m worried about the 195 lbs. I’ve gained. The pharmacist asked me my birthday again today. I’mpretty sure she’s going to get me something.
One last quote caught my attention, “If you didn’t know how old you were, how old would you be?” Think about it. Your answer says a lot.
That’s it for now. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and our best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year from everyone at NorthBay biz magazine.
