INTENSIFYING FALL COLORS, AND "THE DICTATORSHIP OF THE PROLETARIAT"

VIEW OF CHEQUAMEGON BAY FROM GOLF COURSE, BEFORE SNOWFALL

RED AND SUGAR MAPLES AMONG THE CONIFERS

HACKBERRY ON WASHINGTON AVE.

MAPLE ON WASHINGTON AVE., OLD COURTHOUSE

Tuesday,  9:00 AM.  36 degrees F, wind light, variable.  The sky is covered with a low overcast.The humidity is 73%, and the barometer is trending up slightly  at 29.98".  Yesterday's blustery first "snowfall"(really ice or snow pellets) left no accumulation but everything is quite wet.  Neighbor Marilyn is out puttering in her yard but I won't do any outside work until things dry out.
   After several nights at or near freezing, the leaves have intensified their coloration.  Sugar maples and red maples in particular are more vivid, some of the sugar maples that had been quite golden yellow now turning to hues of red.  The yellow leaves of some ash, birch and poplar are more brilliant, and even the lime green leaves of hackberry trees stand out.  As of this morning, most of the leaves appear to be hanging on, even after yesterday's stormy weather.
   With all the agonizing over the monetary cost of Obamacare, I have been wondering why some analyst hasn't asked what the out-of-pocket cost of simply paying the annual medical expenses of the estimated 15,000,000 uninsured might be.
   I am certain those expenses are being paid by society presently anyway, since in all my long life I have never personally known  of anyone being denied needed medical care of whatever kind or expense necessary.  In fact I have known many people, including extended family members, who received or are receiving medicaid, SSI or other government or private assistance that pays their medical and other bills,  usually with great generosity.
   So, take a guess at what such expenses might average per person per year: for example, $10,000 each would total $15B.  Take a guess, a generous guess, and multiply that number by fifteen million. if you do the math, I'll bet you come up with a number that is less expensive than Obamacare, that could be paid with income taxes or other taxes, without its Soviet-style oppression.  And remember, it is being paid by all of us one way or another already!
   Obamacare is not about health-care, it is about the government controlling the most crucial aspect of our lives and, ultimately, our freedom.  Ever heard of "The Dictatorship of the Proletariat," comrade?