Old Friend

Decades ago I worked for a short while at a software company that, among other things, designed and programmed games for the Tandy (Radio Shack) Color Computer. I programmed one called Wildcatting. I became friends with a younger man sitting next to me. Recently I was googling the company and found his e-mail address. I had dinner with he and his wife Friday night. He and I have a lot in common so I had a great time with he and his wife. We plan to do it again in about a month.

What's Fair?

A man is running on for Governor of Illinois with the promise of making taxes more fair. By that he means soaking the rich and cutting taxes for "the working man." [Don't the rich work?] How can you know the tax curve should be steeper unless you know how steep it is already? The answer seems to be the steeper the better so you have a rachet effect. The extreme of fairness becomes no tax up to a certain level of income and 100% of the excess. That certain level depends upon how much money you need [want?] to collect. You can't cut taxes for the poor because they don't pay any. Since raising taxes is unpopular and cutting them is popular, the object is to cut them for enough people to get elected.

My own definition of fair is more taxes for other people and less for me.

Ramblings

I put ramblings in my journal today. I'll spare you the details, but they were the result of attempts to clear out my basement.

Health Insurance

I keep hearing about the terrible situation of the many people who don't have access to medical care because they don't have health insurance. I can remember when no one had health insurance, but they did recieve medical care. The doctors even made house calls. Granted, the care today is much better, but is there a shortage of money to pay for care or a shortage of care?

Frank Miller paintings

....I have two watercolor paintings signed Frank Miller that were purchased from the Des Moines Art Center many years ago. I believe they were painted by the same Frank Miller who was a political cartoonist for the Des Moines Register for many years. I have been unable to verify this, however. Can anyone help?

Tea Leaf Sold

I received the check yesterday for $1400 - a very satisfactory result. Next on the docket: Lenox Mystic.

Surprise!

My friend threw a "surprise" party for my 83rd birthday Saturday. The only other time that happened to me I was forty. I used quotes because the preparations were obvious. Good food and good conversation with neighbors (hers).