Don't Wait

If there is something you need to do or someone to whom you need to say something, don't wait. Do it now.

This morning I learned that a friend's husband had died suddenly about two months ago. We have been acquainted about eight years, and three years ago she re-connected with a man at a high school reunion, and they married. They had been married for fourteen months, when he passed away suddenly from a heart attack while out running. Needless to say, she is devastated.

So, if you need to say something to someone, say it. If you need to do something for someone, do it. Don't put it on the list of things to do "someday." Just do it. Pick up the phone and call. Or send that email, Today!!!

And, when you get a strong thought of someone, act on it. When you think, "I ought to call ...", do it. Forget the excuses. Don't worry if it's dinnertime or the middle of the workday.

Think there might be a reason you are thinking of this person? Well, there is.

When I lived in Denver, I had a friend whose husband had died at age 30 of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Then she became engaged to a man whose wife had died of the same disease. Before they married, he was diagnosed with it. Sometimes I'd get really strong thoughts about her and call, only to learn that something bad was going on in her life.

One time I called and left a message for her. She returned the call about three months later to tell me that her second husband had died just before the time I had left the message for her. There are times when thoughts of her are quite strong, and I believe something is going on in her life that is serious, but I don't know where she lives now. She married a Wyoming professor who was getting a job as a Dean at an Illinois college, so I think she is somewhere in Illinois, but I don't know where.

Has it been a while since you hugged someone in your family? Or since you told your spouse or a family member or a friend that you loved her (or him)? Do it now.

So, what I'm saying is, Act. Do something, whether it's a phone call, a letter, a card... do something. And don't put it off until tomorrow.

Registered voter survey

In a recent survey, readers were asked, “Are you registered to vote (at your current address)?”

53 (96%) indicated that they are.
2 (4%) indicated that they are not.

Thanks to the 55 readers who voted!

Pres. Obama's Education Speech survey

In a recent reader survey, the following question was asked, “Did you watch, listen to or read President Obama’s September 8, 2009, education speech?”

Thanks to the 52 readers who responded!

12 (23%) had watched, listened to or read the speech.
40 (77%) had not.

Perhaps I should have asked whether your children watched it (or were allowed to in their schools).

Prescription Drug Outrage

If you want to read something that will really boil your oil, go to www.moveon.org and read today's front webpage article about Dawn Smith, who has a treatable brain tumor.

CIGNA reportedly denied tests and treatment for two years, during which it doubled her premiums,. She pays $753/month in premiums. Seven hundred fifty-three dollars every month! Move-on members rattled their swords at CIGNA, which recently approved the test she needs. Two years is a long time to wait for a needed medical test, when you have a brain tumor!

And the pharmacy plan she is on just raised her co-pay from $10 to $1,115 for her medication! I can't even calculate the percentage increase, but she referred to it as a 10,000% increase.

Too bad she's not a member of Congress. I'll bet that healthcare plan would just pay for everything, with no deductible.

If you were faced with catastrophic medical bills, what would you do?

Is there a finder's fee?

Is there a bounty or other reward or incentive (maybe, a finder's fee?) for identifying new, major sources of revenue for the City of Woodstock?

I got to thinking after reading yesterday that "McHenry County leaders" are looking for $1,000,000 more annual income out of our County Jail, without even building another floor on it. They must have been hanging around the previous owner of Cunat's Autumnwood, because apparently they have renovated some storage space for about 30 more beds.

Here's what Jill Duchnowski wrote in her article in the Northwest Herald yesterday: "McHenry County leaders are considering renting..." and later, "'Renting the beds for about $85 a bed a day would bring in about $1 million a year,' (Undersheriff Gene) Lowery said."

Renting? Rent?

Doesn't Woodstock have a 5% Motel Tax. You bet it does!

5% of $1,000,000 is $50,000/year. Hey, Mayor!

But wait! 5% of the $10,000,000 that McHenry County Jail will rake in this year for renting 250-300 beds a day is $500,000. HEY, MAYOR!!!

Now, the City of Woodstock might need a legal opinion about collecting the motel tax from the McHenry County Jail. I say, "Go out of state and buy that legal opinion!"

In fact, don't even bother with a legal opinion. Just send them a bill.

And then send me my standard 10% commission. You know the address.

USSC takes Chicago gun case

No, not the plastic case containing the guns...

The United States Supreme Court decided yesterday to hear the case against Chicago's insane gun laws - those laws that create an imbalance in your ability to defend yourself and give the criminals the upper hand.

Richard Pearson is the Executive Director of the Illinois State Rifle Association. "All the ban does is prevent law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves," Pearson said. "It has no affect on the criminals at all." And "If anything, not allowing citizens to carry guns puts criminals at an advantage," Pearson said.

See this article for more information: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/09/supreme-court-may-decide-on-hearing-chicago-gun-cases.html?obref=obinsite

Illinois and Wisconsin are two states with their feet stuck in the Ice Age. In many states, law-abiding residents can obtain permits to carry concealed weapons after a training class, background check, and usually firearms practice on a range.

If you are a Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) cardholder in Illinois, you can get a concealed weapons permit from a Pennsylvania sheriff upon application, a copy of your FOID card and payment of a small fee. State firearms reciprocity laws allow a Pennsylvania permit holder to carry concealed in about 15 states. Can you "carry" in Illinois with a Pennsylvania permit? No way!

When criminals realize that their victims might be armed or that armed bystanders might come to the aid of victims, then armed attacks will be reduced. Don't believe it? Read More Guns, Less Crime, by Professor John Lott.

Concealed carry laws make you safer, whether you carry or not. Contact your Illinois legislator and ask him or her to support a change in law in Illinois. Ask him (or her) how he plans to support it. Ask him (or her) if he will support concealed carry. If he (or she) won't, be sure to remember this at the voting booth!

Free movie at Woodstock Theater

Next week is Mental Illness Awareness Week, and you are invited to attend a thought-provoking educational event that is sure to enrich your understanding of mental illness:

The pre-release viewing of the brand new documentary, “No Kidding, Me Too!”, produced by Joey Pantoliano, will be at the Woodstock Theater, 209 Main Street—just off the Square. The showing will be on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at 7:00PM. (Note: this viewing was previously publicized on this site as being at the Woodstock Opera House; it will be at the Woodstock movie theater.)

From a news release by the McHenry County Mental Health Board/Family CARE, this film is a humorous but poignant reflection of seven individuals who have been affected by mental illness in different ways. This film is appropriate for a wide audience, including young adults. Mental health professionals will be on stage to answer questions after the film.

Admission is without charge (as in, free!), but reservations are requested. Please call 815-455-2828 — space is limited.