Rasta Rants

Well, well we have a swarm of media and debate about the quotes from Duck Dynasty star Robertson. I wish I could say I am surprised about this but I am not. Here is my take on it: What do you expect from a show like Duck Dynasty? How did this even become popular? A bunch of rednecks who make duck callers? That is entertaining? How? Sadly it is a serious commentary on our society the lack of intelligence and focus on the weird, awkward and strange. Just silly but sadly is our new reality.  So based on that and the shows personalities we are now surprised and outraged about one of the stars comments about social issues? Why? This was predictable all along. Whether you agree with his thoughts or not there should be no surprise that he said these things. He is a professed conservative and religious fanatic. Actually, his comments are probably in line with his beliefs and are not at all shocking. If you disagree with his beliefs and point of view (as most probably do) let the ...

The deadline for 1/1/14 enrollment is now past. The administration reports that over one million have enrolled in PPACA. The states are all trying to compile their actual figures and everyone has questions. The law will start imposing many changes in a few days and most will drive up the cost as we go through 2014. So what now? Well there are a number of things we can expect and that are predictable but more importantly there are few things that probably will happen and are not being talked about much. I won't review all the expected changes the law will bring because those have been discussed and shared a million times. We all know those changes are going to happen and as stated above many will drive up premiums in 2014. So what is not being talked about much? Enrollment stats are not yet being discussed much. Specifically, how many are actually paying not just enrolling; how many are canceling; how many are being subsidized and what the age distribution looks like. Why is t...

In most generations we do not see too many real heroes. In this generation we have been blessed with a real hero - Nelson Mandela. Much has been said about him and his life and truthfully there is little I can add. He was inspirational, humble and charismatic. While these are not the three qualities we see in most modern leaders today these are not what made Mandela so impressive. What made him impressive was his self sacrifice and his ability to reason above his emotions. 27 years in prison on Roben Island. In the US 27 years served is considered life in prison. Actually, at the rate we are releasing prisoners today that maybe more than a life sentence. In that time any normal man would change and most for the worst. Somehow Mandela changed but for the better. He managed to see past his anger, sorrow and regret. He rose above his emotions for the good of his country. He defeated his own ego and defied his instincts for the greater good. He came out stronger, compassionate wi...