My two-cents worth and then some. An online journal by LP Brown.

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The Old Switcheroo — On-line Buyers Beware

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Have you ever ordered something on line, and paid the shipper for United Parcel Service (UPS) delivery only to have your package delivered by the United States Postal Service (USPS)? Well, you are not alone. It’s sort of a bait and switch tactic. You pay the on-line seller to have your merchandize delivered via UPS and later learn that while the item was initially sent via UPS – UPS Basic to be precise – near the final leg of the trip your package was turned over to the USPS for delivery. UPS Basic  is a less costly UPS service that delivers small packages, weighing less than 70 pounds within the U.S. at a lower cost than regular UPS.  

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Staying Alive

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This is not a story about the 1983 John Travolta movie or the Bee Gees soundtrack. But, in a way it is a sad song about Jacque, my friend since childhood. He is now a Baby Boomer who has been unemployed since losing his white collar, mid-management position nearly three years ago. Subsequently, when he was let go, Jacque lost his health and life insurance. Any conscientious Boomer knows that losing either or both of those benefits make you as vulnerable as a cat trying to cross a four lane highway.  No wonder some Boomers commit suicide.

Jacque, a 61 year old divorcee, with two grown children says he does not have suicidal tendencies, although he has become a loner during the past year. We recently met for lunch one day after he called me and said that he needed to vent. He is unlike thousands of Boomers who quietly seethe in anger after losing their job. “They can call it what they want, being laid off, downsized or fired,” he said while resting his elbow on the table beside his plate and his chin on his fist. “The bottom line is that they are still kicking you out. Forget loyalty. Forget working hard and going to the office, promptly every day. You are damned if you do and damned it you don’t.” Jacque had enjoyed his job of the past 25 years, and planned to work until he decided it was time to leave.

As I sipped my green tea, he continued to let off steam, “You know I never lived an extravagant lifestyle. All I ever wanted in recent years was to live the rest of my life comfortably; keep my old Ford running and my dog, Duke, happy. I had a little bit of savings before I got axed. Then some age related medical problems started and …” He hesitates in mid-sentence and dejectedly shakes his head. I lower mine. I feel his pain.

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Living A Healthcare Nightmare

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“Do you want to see something really scary?” That was a line from the 1983 film, Twilight Zone: The Movie. But that film is not the subject of this post. Healthcare insurance – specifically the lack of it – is more frightening than a sci-fi horror flick.

Various studies reveal that uninsured Americans are more likely than those with health insurance to delay seeking medical care. Often the only source – and sometimes the last resort – of medical care for the uninsured is treatment in the hospital emergency room. Because they lack health insurance that would enable them to get medical treatment, numerous uninsured Americans are dying daily from curable ailments or complications associated with preventable diseases. Furthermore, studies reveal that uninsured Americans are sicker and die earlier than those with insurance, and the uninsured are more likely to be diagnosed with a disease – like breast cancer – in the advanced stages, because they could not afford prescreening and preventive care.

If you have health insurance you may feel complacent about those facts, but ask anyone you know who is uninsured how they feel about those details and you may reassess your feelings.

Last week, Kyle Willis, the 24 year old nephew of musician Bootsy Collins died from a toothache, because he could not afford to have his infected wisdom tooth removed. Reportedly after suffering for two weeks with the toothache Willis developed severe headaches and facial swelling. He sought treatment in a Cincinnati hospital emergency room and was given two prescriptions; one an antibiotic, the other for pain. According to a relative, Willis could only afford to fill one prescription. He chose the pain medication. The pain ceased, but lacking the antibiotic, the infection spread to his brain and subsequently caused his demise.

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Times They Are a-Changin’ – Part III of III

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In the late 1960s, when Grammy Award winning R&B singer, Aretha Franklin, popularized her hit tune Respect, gentlemen generally respected women and most women held themselves in high-regard; so much so that you would never have seen any self-respecting young lady outside wearing Daisy Duke shorts with the words “Bootylious” stitched on the rear. And respectable young men did not walk around exposing their underwear over pants swaggin’ off their hips. 

Years ago, it was unthinkable for young people to disrespect their elders, their teachers, law enforcement officers and especially their parents. Although Baby Boomers raised our share of hell during our teenage years, many of us were generally respectful enough not to loud-talk about sexual exploits or use a string of expletives in the presence of anyone except our peers. and some of us didn’t do it then. Today rude, attention craving youths don’t care whether they are in a public venue or not, they say whatever they want and do as they please, and dare anyone to challenge them on their behavior.

There is a serious lack of civility in today’s society. I’ve heard many Boomers say that America’s downward spiral began with the removal of prayer from public schools; and that decision triggered a domino effect purging religious activities in other public places and creating an upswing in horrendous crimes and immorality everywhere.

Minus a religious foundation, graphic depictions of violence and sexually explicit movies, TV programs, and lewd music are also believed by some to be contributing factors to the decline of American society. One of the saddest realities in this era of unstable economy, widespread homelessness and unprecedented unemployment is that unfortunate, life altering conditions are no longer viewed by the masses as something that happens to other people. Conscientious people know that it only requires a flick of fate – a job loss, sudden illness, a natural disaster – any unusual occurrence to make a grown man cry and bring anyone to the edge of despair.

“There but for the grace of God, go I” is no longer a passing thought for some. It is a potential reality for many. Many Boomers no longer live under the illusion of security, because security doesn’t exist. Times they are a-changin’.

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Times They Are a-Changin’ – Part II of III

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Remember good music?  Every Boomer has their idea of what they consider to be good music. For many it is simply music that makes you feel good. It doesn’t matter if it is pop, rock, R&B or some other soul-stirring sounds, if the melody is pleasant and the lyrics understandable, we considered that good music. In our heyday, there may have been a few oldies that contained some suggestive lyrics, but overall the songs were decent and inoffensive. But fast-forward thourgh the 70’s on and the music started to change. Some folks apparently didn’t keep up or they listened to more refined music.

Several years ago, while I was browsing in a trendy dress shop, a popular oldies tune was playing on the store’s speaker system and a sophisticated looking lady, who appeared to be in her 70’s came into the store. The music was still bumping as the lady began looking at the suits on the sales rack near where I was standing. Suddenly, she looked directly at me. Instinctively I smiled at her, and then noticed the look of anxiety on her face.

“Young lady,” she said, “What are they saying on that song?” She asked the question like she was afraid to hear the answer and before I could reply she repeated the question with a bit more urgency, “What are they saying?”

Though the tune had never been one of my favorites, I was familiar with the Brothers Johnson song and immediately understood her concern. Enunciating as clearly as I could so that there would be no misunderstanding, I said to her, “They are singing, ‘get the funk outta my face.’”  “Oh,” she replied, and then she turned and walked out of the store, all the while slowly shaking her head from side-to-side as if in a state of disbelief. I stood there wondering whether she had misunderstood me or if she was just upset by what she thought they guys were singing. Anyone who is unfamiliar with the song can certainly understand how funk could be mistaken for a more explicit word.  Life used to be so simple, but times they are a-changin’.

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