Because it's important

[yourlibrarian]

Coincidentally, today Mike discovered his primary physician is no longer a part of his healthcare plan and a friend of mine who is on Michael Moore's mailing list forwarded the following to me. Those abroad may or may not have heard about his new documentary "Sicko" but insurance companies in the U.S. are apparently sweating. Below the cut is a

Comments

[shapinglight]

I couldn't agree with you more about actors not having input into stories. I think Joss did the right thing.

However, I do enjoy some things in the final season of Due South, including the daft thing on the boat and the incredibly slashy ending.

[yourlibrarian]

I hadn't realized (or remembered) you'd seen the series!

Given that I have a writer's view of the universe, the actor-view of the universe is one of those "Bwuh?" things for me. Obviously there are actors who do both and do it well but I think it's generally a bad combination even if separately they're great.

The ending, well, there were some good elements such as wrapping up his family storyline and returning Ray V to the mix, as well as the "off into the sunset" aspect. I think the ending to S1 was a much better one for slashers! But the series endings for most of the characters was -- I mean what was that about Francesca (a character who was torturous from the start and never got a chance at any kind of redemption)? It kind of reminded me of the second SW trilogy. You think its return will be a good thing and later kind of wished it had stayed in your imagination ;>

[shapinglight]

It kind of reminded me of the second SW trilogy.

I should know what this is, I know, but I'm drawing a blank.

Someone very kindly gave me season 1 of Due South on DVD. I must re-watch it sometime. It was definitely the best, I do agree, though I like parts of season 2 very much as well.

[yourlibrarian]

Sorry, the Star Wars trilogy.

Yes, S1 was charming and it had a good ending. S2 was fine too, it's just that it didn't really go anywhere and I guess these days I'm expecting that my shows will grow and change over time.

[petzipellepingo]

I remember hearing at various points how the Buffyverse actors chafed at having minimal input into the stories and characters on the show and how they were required to read lines exactly as written. I am immensely relieved that Joss decided to run the shows this way. I don't think most actors can separate their egos from what goes on screen.

Absolutely! It's like letting the rats onboard steer the ship. And speaking of rats... that memo is just what I would expect from Health Care USA.

[yourlibrarian]

LOL! Great segue :D

The worst part of all is that this is what happens to people with insurance.

[stacey4252]

1. The reality is that HMO's are a minority product and have been for some time.

They may be a "minority" but then why is everyone I know on an HMO???

2. The movie attacks insurers for a profit motive, but makes no distinction among for-profit and non-profit insurers, and in its execution places the Blue Plans together with the for-profit insurers.

Give me a BREAK about the "non-profit" term. Just because a company is "non-profit" doesn't mean that the higher-ups aren't making fat, fat paychecks. What a crock!

[yourlibrarian]

Ha! I was just working my way backwards through my flist and was about to answer your post when I saw this come in.

Yeah, I'm guessing that the HMO move has never worked out the way originally planned, as the principal form of insurance for most people. Nevertheless there's still an awful lot of people in one. And you're right about CEO paychecks. I think it was last week I heard that the resigning head of Qwest makes so much more than the average employee that he literally made 4% on every dollar the company took in, which is a boggling figure.

[laisserais]

Moore completely fails to address the most significant driver of health care costs - our own lifestyle choices - and seeks to focus attention and efforts on the alluring 'quick-fix' of universal health care. It has taken a generation of poor nutrition and exercise to get obesity and related health issues - and subsequent costs - to their current levels,Um.... *headdesk* Right. And it hasn't taken a generation of bad legislation and greasing pockets to get the insurance industry where it is today. The "lifestyle choices" of CEOs and senators has nothing to do with rising health care costs

[laisserais]

lol! oh look, i didn't finish that thought... um: wanton lifestyles of Americans as the problem. Maybe? I think that's what I meant. *facepalm*

[yourlibrarian]

The "lifestyle choices" of CEOs and senators has nothing to do with rising health care costs.

LOL! Really. It reminds me of how Moore said the most important "pre-existing" condition in health care, that one comes from a wealthy background, is never an issue. If they're so concerned about American lifestyles how about lobbying the government to enforce the educational broadcasting standards developed decades ago and cut out all the junk food advertising to children for example? Actually funding public broadcasting so it can become a true viewing alternative that is commercial-free?

Plus, if the focus on wellness is critical why do most insurance companies cover only major medical expenses? Even decades ago when I was in an HMO there was no drive to provide wellness, but a big one to shuffle patients through appointments as quickly as possible.

Yes, I thought it was too. Glad you found it worthwhile.

[ringthebells]

Aww, but I love the RayK seasons!

Of course, I haven't seen them in ages (I watched them as they aired), but they are very specifically what drew me to slash and fanfic in the first place. :)

[yourlibrarian]

Well that's definitely one vote in their favor (boy, your brain would have exploded if it was SPN you'd seen first then!)

I agree that they're overall slashier than the first two seasons but the writing? By episode 2 Mike and I were both looking at one another saying "What's going on?"