Grumbling #1
Now that Christmas is just around the corner, it’s a good time to ask this question: In 30 years, what are we going to tell the kids about Santa? That he sent the elves to live on a farm where there’s plenty of room to run and play? That he’s outsourced his toy manufacturing facilities to India – whatever’s left above sea level? That Santa drowned? Merry F*cking Christmas, Tommy!

Grumbling #2
I’m not a big drug-taker. By that, I mean prescription drugs. First off, I’m impossibly healthy. Secondly, by and large, for most common ailments, I don’t believe drugs have any remarkable effect on healing. The body does a damn fine job of kicking a cold’s ass on its own, thank you. And third, I don’t want to give my money (or my employer’s share of my insurance premiums) to big, corrupt drug companies. I mention all these things as a disclaimer to explain why I hadn’t yet discovered the phenomenon of drug stores with double drive-thru windows. As if one lane wasn’t fast enough to keep society hooked on happy pills? As if there wasn’t a new drug store on every freaking corner anyways? What’s it come to when the pharmacy is dishing out Prozac and Prilosec like Big Macs and Meximelts – times two?! Do you want Zoloft with that? What's next? Drive-by IVs? Nexium-loaded tranquilizer guns? There’s a great Morgan Spurlock documentary waiting to happen here. Drive through, please.

If you choose not to read this post, I strongly urge you to click the link at the bottom. It’s a must-see video comparing the incomes of the richest people in America to yours and mine. Mind-blowing stuff.

I know, most of you vote in every, single election. But for those who don’t, let me try to explain why it’s not good enough to simply vote every 4 years. I'm not lecturing. I'm just irritated that lots people think democracy is some kind of spectator sport. Most of the issues that impact our lives on a personal level, particularly issues regarding our money, are decided by Congress. And our members of congress are elected every 2 years.

Welcome to 55 and Better

The "55 and Better" series focuses on the issues that effect everyone sooner or later. With that in mind, it is important that we join together in tackling the problems and looking for the solutions as we plan for the future. All of us have inherited a system including Medicare and Social Security from those who have fought the "good fight," now it remains up to us to continue the promise so that the years after 55 will be even better.

BIG PHARMA SCAM: Medicare Prescription Part D

(Survival inside a doughnut-hole )

It's rather difficult to discuss Medicare Prescription Part D since seemingly there are no government or agency officials willing or able to provide a clear explanation as to exactly how the scam is supposed to benefit seniors.

"Cutting drug costs for seniors" is not an explanation is it? It’s a campaign slogan.

How does it work? Is there an official explanation? Why not?