Hey, all!
Yeah, it’s been long time, no type. Here’s the latest on the chaos:
(1) As most of you have heard by now, my podcast ALL GAMES CONSIDERED received the 2008 ENnie Award for Best Podcast. We were also nominated for a 2008 Parsec Award, and while we didn’t win (congratulations, Brilliant Gameologists!) , we’re just flabbergasted at all the recognition. Thanks to our listeners for your support!
(2) I bought a house! One reason for my recent silence is that in July I put a bid in for a house. I closed the week before Gen Con and moved the week after Gen Con (you can see where my priorities were). I actually had to do two moves: I moved my apartment stuff the weekend after Gen Con, and then that next weekend I moved furniture from my dad’s farmhouse. Now I’m slowly unpacking, a few boxes at a time.
(3) My dad still struggles with his dementia. The good news is that I”ve found someone to buy part of his property to help fund payment for his nursing home care.
(4) Speaking of health care: yes, I’ve been following the reform “debates” and yes, I support the Democrats, because dammit, something has got to change. Paying for retiree health benefits damn near bankrupted General Motors, and represents an insane burden for corporations. Companies based in other countries have a real competitive advantage over American corporations because they’re working of a government-run, single-payer system. They don’t have to pay for all of that health care! You would think the party of fiscal responsibility and free markets would be all over that like white on rice. Instead, they continue to s**k the collective d**k of the insurance companies and defend the status quo.
In a few years, the Baby Boomers are going to have their first really big wave of retirement. Most of them will have inadequate benefits and little-to-no savings to support themselves. Their medical care costs will be nothing short of mind-blowing. They’ll wind up showing up on the doorsteps of their kids, their grandkids, their nieces and nephews…anyone who might be able to take care of them, because they won’t have the money to take care of themselves.
It’s going to be financially catastrophic for Generations X and Y. They’ll barely be able to afford caring for themselves and their families; taking in Grandma and/or Great-Grandma will ruin them. I just hope that, in the ensuing chaos, we remember that we had a chance to change the system, but we let scare tactics from the radical conservatives stop us.
I’ll provide more ranting later. But meanwhile–I’m back! Well, mostly.
mags
