It looks like the actual land the farmhouse sits on isn't being flooded or endangered, but since my uncle has a ton of land all over Mn and SD, I suspect his crops are getting drowned. Not good.

I saw an article about the Mitt health plan

Mitt R. Health Plan

"Romney will urge states to redirect federal money that is now spent on expensive emergency room care for people without insurance, putting it instead towards helping low-income people pay for health insurance."

That sounds impractical without more money, will people without insurance stop getting sick and injured so this plan can get in place? Not a bad idea, but you'll need spend more in the short term and I don't get the impression that is what he means.

"Romney's proposal would also make insurance premiums more affordable for individuals by making health costs tax-deductible once they enroll in a plan."

Sounds good but depends on the details. Itemized deductions would be useless for low income people, but it isn't a bad idea until a better plan can be implemented.

"In hopes of lowering healthcare costs, Romney would also provide federal incentives for states to deregulate their insurance markets -- encouraging them, for example, to get rid of laws that require insurers to pay for certain medical services, like in vitro fertilization."

This could be a disaster.

"He would also give states more flexibility in how they could use federal Medicaid dollars, making it easier for states to develop innovative programs -- such as one in Utah that helps people manage chronic illnesses, which keeps them healthier and reduces costs,"

Cool, let the states innovate better ideas.

"The plan also includes a litany of proposals to help drive down health costs, including medical liability reform. And the plan would provide more information to consumers so they could shop for the best quality and prices."

Republicans love to bring out the malpractice caps, but they don't do much to actually reduce costs Article with references to other studies. The rest sounds meaningless.

All-in-all, I'm underwhelmed. I'm very interested in health care policy in this next election.

So, I have a friend who's about to move to the suburbs, so is in heavy driving-practice mode. She keeps insisting she's going to come to my house to pick me up, which is so ridiculous! There is no reason for her to drive all across Manhattan and into Queens, but hey, if that's what she wants....

So we had a quick meeting. There are already over 200 people out of their homes here and the river hasn't crested.

We're expecting more rain today, tonight and tomorrow morning.

I hope those expectations aren't met.

The university has just closed.

Don't know how I'm getting home.

Ack, sumi! Be careful!

Geez, I hope you can get home somehow.

Ack, sumi. I hope you get home quickly, safely and dryly.

I've got a ride home. There are supposed to be two bridges open between here and the east side of town.

I'll post when I get home.