OMG. I'm listening to yesterday's Dave Ramsey podcast and a woman just called in worried that with "the new administration" there will be universal health care and her physician husband's income will be "greatly affected"

At my last doctor visit (primary-care doctor), I asked him -- jokingly -- if, now that Obama was elected, his office was ready for the transition to universal health care.

I don't remember his first reply, because it was a smart-ass reply, since he knew I was kidding. But then he said, "You know what I want to know? I agree that everyone deserves health care, but think about the sheer numbers of uninsured people right now.

"When universal health care kicks in, where are we going to get enough doctors to treat them all?"

I had never thought about that, but it's a good point. And kind of scary.

My sister-in-law found a place that's on the other side of town so I just told my brother that I wasn't up for fancy dinner tonight but if they wanted to meet for drinks beforehand in my neighborhood (which is 5 minutes from the train station where they are picking up their friend) that would be fine.

Perfect compromise.

So, I ordered these awesome cards to use for thanks yous:

[link]

I paid 35 bucks plus super fast shipping, so 50 bucks.

I got ONE CARD and not a BOX OF CARDS.

RAGE. RAGE. I have written to cafe press, which will get back to me in 24 hours, supposedly.

BUT I WANTED TO SEND OUT THE THANK YOUS ON MONDAY AND I AM SO MAD.

You know what else is weird? Seeing the resumes come in from people applying for my job.

My emergency room doctor best friend is a huge universal health care supporter. Which makes sense. They have to take care of the uninsured and are not equipped to provide, for example, preventative care.

That is enragening, Allyson. But! New job! When do you start???

I still don't have my offer letter in my hands. My salary is approved, I finished the process, and I'm just waiting for the start date which I am told is"around the 2nd week in February."

It would be maddening if I hadn't had to put countless JPLers in the same sitch all the time. It blows.

I've already set up some consultants, met with Fringe, updated their FAQ and such. And you know? It feels AWESOME.

Look Ma! I'm using my BRAINS!

My emergency room doctor best friend is a huge universal health care supporter. Which makes sense. They have to take care of the uninsured and are not equipped to provide, for example, preventative care.

Which makes sense why my primary care doctor views it the way he does -- because with universal health care, people are coming to his door.

Okay, cuz I know you all want to know the outcome of the saga of the Unplanny Brother, I mentioned getting a drink at this kid friendly bar/restaurant in my hood and so he replied that they'd just have dinner there. which was my original suggestion. And, now, looking at their Restaurant Week (which starts today) menu, they have a lobster entree on it. Hilarious. I still really want to stay home but going 5 minutes away to a place where I feel okay being an unhairwashed slob will have to do (if i get to hang with cute niece person).

Yay for new job, Allyson!!!

IObamaN, our new president is not above telling the GOP what's what:

The top congressional leaders from both parties gathered at the White House for a working discussion over the shape and size of President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan. The meeting was designed to promote bipartisanship.

But Obama showed that in an ideological debate, he’s not averse to using a jab.

Challenged by one Republican senator over the contents of the package, the new president, according to participants, replied: "I won."

The statement was prompted by Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona, who challenged the president and the Democratic leaders over the balance between the package’s spending and tax cuts, bringing up the traditional Republican notion that a tax credit for people who do not earn enough to pay income taxes is not a tax cut but a government check.

Obama noted that such workers pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, property taxes and sales taxes. The issue was widely debated during the presidential campaign, when Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee, challenged Obama’s tax plan as "welfare."

With those two words — "I won" — the Democratic president let the Republicans know that debate has been put to rest Nov. 4 .

Democratic and Republican aides confirmed the exchange. A White House spokesman said he wasn’t immediately aware of the exchange. The aides who heard the remarks stressed that it wasn’t as boldly partisan as it might sound.

Still, other Democrats echoed the sentiment. As he left the White House, House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina was asked about Republican complaints that Democrats aren’t listening to what their GOP colleagues have to say. "We’re responding to the American people," he said. "The American people didn’t listen to them too well during the election."

"When universal health care kicks in, where are we going to get enough doctors to treat them all?"

This exactly happened, apparently, - masses of people seeking routine dental and pediatric care - when England went to National Health in 1948, according to Atul Gawande's article in the current New Yorker here: [link]