Health Care Alternatives

There are certain realities to the health care mess. Depending upon your personal resource for health care, you either love it or hate it. If you are incredibly rich you can self-insure and enjoy superior treatment which you pay for. If you are a geezer, you probably have Medicare which really isn’t all that bad. If you are a union member you are also likely to be OK. If you are a working stiff employed privately, you are probably paying an exorbitant premium for a plan of questionable value. If you are an illegal alien just show up at the hospital and they have to (by law) treat you and you can skip the bother of paying.

At our house we have a hands on acquaintance with the industry. Jan is a nurse employed by an elder facility locally and carries home all the worries and cares generated at her place of employment—no names, just circumstances; HIPPA, you know. She has also mentioned the frequency of inspection by the state through monitoring of care and investigation of complaint.

For an indication of a view which is all too familiar to her and millions of other healthcare workers, we offer the following picture:



To complicate the issue, we have a president who would alter the system by a government takeover in its entirety. (Ed.: Affectionately known as Obamacare, or Socialized Medicine, or, Michael Savage's personal favorite, Soviet Medicine) We have seen the results all too often of federal government intrusion in the lives of the citizenry: DMV, takeover of industry and banking, enforced health legislation (nanny state regulations,) corruption in Medicare, forfeiture of property rights, voting irregularities, and on, and on, and on.

Not to oversimplify but there is a likely outcome to this path of governance. It serves as an alternative to the lady in the above picture: a person being seen to by a medical professional and being tested beforehand to avert possible problems. The person pictured below could be your grandpa, your wife, your child or—God forbid—you!




It’s your choice still. Are you willing to contact your representatives and indicate your desire? Will your voice be heard? Do they know where you stand? Will you demand verifiable facts to support any view expressed?

Keep in mind that this is a government who would willingly see you kill your unborn child.

This is important. Your life may well depend on it.



In His abiding love,



Cecil Moon

Just a Question

How’s that Obama thing working out for you?

Shamelessly stolen from Knowledge is Power



In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

New Car Czar – Dave Burge

For those whose interest in cars is lame, Dave Burge is the maestro in charge of Iowahawk, the best rod, carb, deuce coupe, humor, burning rubber and beer blog on the net. He is also the Zion Beckons proposed nominee for the next federal car czar. Seems Mr. Rattner has gone on to other opportunities and needs to be replaced.

Being car czar, or any other kind of czar, is no easy task. Since his predecessor probably couldn’t change the oil on his ride or keep it tidy himself, we have all sensed the need for a hands on czar. Burge is not only handy with a wrench or a roll of duct tape but also a whiz at expressing himself—at least on paper.

He has indicated his willingness to assume this awesome responsibility to serve his country and possibly be able to borrow tools from an auto manufacturer. Hey, every job has its perks. I’m not certain what pay scale goes with the job but it has to result in an enhanced life style at the Burge household.

So, faithful readers, if you get a late-night call from the White House asking for input on this important matter, please keep these good words about Dave Burge in mind. We could, and probably will, do worse.


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Monday Morning Rant 100

Jan worked a “double” last night so I wound up facing the Baptists alone. Bob Clark acquitted himself very well with a sermon on being filled with the Holy Spirit. He reminded us of an anecdote from the late Charles Spurgeon. Someone asked the famous evangelist if he was filled with the Holy Spirit and he replied: “Yes, but I leak.”

I found it a helpful reminder of my personal condition and one which I am certain I share with millions of others. Maintaining the “fullness” requires constant attention and being ever mindful of its Source. Good job Bob!

A Recent Speech

Last week a speech was delivered and as I read this paragraph, I was somewhat confused. I took the liberty of providing (parenthetical bold face) some of the situations and individuals responsible for the conditions here in the United States which the speaker described.

“This is about more than just holding elections. It's also about what happens between elections. (Applause.) Repression can take many forms, (Cap & Trade, Health Care Reform, sizure of manufacturing industries and financial institutions) and too many nations, even those that have elections (especially those where ACORN is operative), are plagued by problems that condemn their people to poverty ( 9.5% unemployment and the disappearance of value from pension plans and stocks) . No country is going to create wealth if its leaders (Al Gore, Chris Dodd, Barney Frank, William Jefferson, etc.) exploit the economy to enrich themselves -- (applause) -- or if police -- if police can be bought off by drug traffickers (Among the 118,000 Google responses are these; here, here, here, here, here, and here.). (Applause.) No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent (Many US taxpayers would happily settle for 20%) off the top -- (applause) -- or the head of the Port Authority (For a total laundry list of this corruption click here) is corrupt. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. (The 1st step would be the DHS identifying ex-Gis as an extremeist threat.) (Applause.) That is not democracy, that is tyranny, (The preceding three words are absolutely on the money) even if occasionally you sprinkle an election in there. And now is the time for that style of governance to end. (I couldn’t agree more!) (Applause.)"

This address was given to the parliament of Ghana last week by the president of the United States. It is only one paragraph from the speech but it pretty well sums up everything which has befallen the United States since the 20th of January. “People who live in glass houses” comes to mind.

I would love to know who really writes this clap-trap. He (she?) is an excellent wordsmith. We know full well that “the one” can’t say “thank you” without a teleprompter so it’s not his fault what the thing says. I do believe the ship of state is also leaking.

One Hero to Another




Pfc Brendan Marrocco of Staten Island, receives the winning game ball of the AT&T National at Bethesda, Md. from, the winner, Tiger Woods. Woods managed a one stroke victory, and immediately after sought out Pfc Marrocco to share the ball. For more details check (this link.)

It is a pleasant relief to see a celebrity honor a true American hero. But, Tiger has always had an abundance of class. He has almost as much as this kid who is facing at least another year or two at Walter Reed to adjust to his extremely serious injuries obtained in Iraq . May God bless Pfc Marrocco and his new friend as well.

And finally

Disappointment with various issues facing the congress and politicos in general this coming week is rising. The gap in the approve/disapprove numbers are not heartening for the new president but we are not facing an election any time soon.. One measure which will gather some attention is the Sotomayor hearings. The level of opposition from the right will determine just how serious they are to defeat “the queen of empathy.”

For now, I shall just enjoy the recent rains, think about Bob’s sermon, and enjoy my dogs. I feel sorry for folks who, for whatever reason, do not have mutts. These critters are the epitome of forgiveness, trust, and love. The care required is minimal compared to the massive gains from being in their presence. Obviously, I value my wife and kids above all except the Lord, but I truly believe the dogs come next. Who else displays absolute joy when you come through the door? Who is aware of imminent danger while you sleep? Who doesn’t care if you are rich, poor, good or so-so looking, or dressed properly? Maggie and Gus fill that bill well and I’ll bet yours do too.


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

The $18,000,000.00 Website

This one puts the $600 hammer to shame.

I fully realize that the website you are currently reading is faulty from time to time. Despite our best efforts, the rare (we hope) typo, occasional bad sentence structure and clumsy picture posting are a distraction from the commentary. Our massive staff – that would be Jan –doesn’t always observe the appropriate time lines for posting. Even the principal writer -- that would be me -- has lapses which produce unsupported positions and yes, sometimes shaky logic.

Through your indulgence, we manage to soldier on with a budget about $17,999,994.60 short (I spent $5.40 for batteries for the calculator) of what the Recovery.gov web requires for its continued existence. The site, for the purpose of keeping you abreast of the federal government’s stimulus outlay, announced the need of the $18 million to keep things ship shape for next half decade.

I confess that as a “hick” in the Ozarks my view of the world of high finance is influenced by my surroundings. We are unsophisticated, bible-clutching, gun clinging, God fearing, redneck right-wing extremists using our existing resources and our limited imaginations to keep our web site up and running. Money is not part of the equation. We would continue to pay Dish for the connection if we did not post another rant. I’d keep it for FreeCell if nothing else.

Supposedly, every single thing on the Recovery.gov website is a matter of public record. All persons with American citizenship should have free access to these figures and the disposition of the public monies. Government employees run the thing and require no additional salaries. No marble columned multi-story building is required to house the facility. You could probably do it on a lap-top and additional high powered servers would only be necessary if someone accidentally read it.

Will someone please tell me why they need 18 million bucks?

Don’t know do you?


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Finally! He’s normal!

In an unguarded moment, “the one” let his aloof persona down and engaged in a perfectly normal reaction to finding his place on the steps with President Sarkozy. While some may smirk and point; I find his behavior the most natural and human (male) I have witnessed so far in his presidency.



It is a welcome change.

With the latest publication of the Rasmussen Reports, Index, it would appear he needs to take his pleasure where he can find it. It certainly won’t be in the latest numbers. We admit a point of consternation that the current result has been so slow in coming. Changing the American mind is a laborious task apparently.

Look at the chart again which measures the glacial pace of the accumulating numbers for strongly approve and strongly disapprove. The first entry was on Jan 20 and it has been nearly six months now. I attribute this to the massive numbers of separate issues involved. To trigger the “strongly disapprove” number, he has to commit to some policy near and dear to the heart of one of the poll respondents. It must also resonate with their opposite number by diminishing the “strongly approve” figure as well.

As with all his predecessors, he has found that “pleasing all of the people, all of the time” is not only an unattainable goal but especially impossible if one is unwilling to explain satisfactorily to the electorate what one is about. “Hope and change” will only carry you so far. Sooner or later some people will want to see the nuts and bolts of your proposals. Each failure to deliver quantifiable information rather than a sound byte can only result in diminished approval.

Every day presents a new opportunity to alienate yet one more segment. Given his narcissist nature, this would probably come as quite a shock to him to see these numbers – if he does? It is possible his sycophantic staff keeps him well shielded from this reality.

We, as a people, are fair and forgiving. We are prone to give every one a chance. It is our nature to wait a bit and see how things go before we lower the boom. This is not to say it is either good or bad—merely that it is. It is this American characteristic which has made watching these approval numbers accumulate so agonizing.

Obviously, some of us are more impatient than others.

I rejoice that finally, we have an electorate which is recognizing the problem and providing the tools to make a correction. Even if the president does not recognize it – and he doesn’t –others in the government do and will be less anxious to sign on to his ridiculous agenda for fear of their precious jobs. Our countrymen have proven themselves to be fearless on the battlefield but feckless in the halls of congress. Our representatives fear hostile voters far more than bullets and sense the danger in the air. Arrogance does not trump “yeas.”

Let us earnestly pray that the honeymoon is over.


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!


Yep! Today marks the beginning of our third year. We managed to stay alive for two and no one is more amazed than we are.

After 448 posts and nearly a half a million words what is the result? Well for one, we love God more; and for the other, we love the government less. A suitable present to mark the occasion would be if someone could find that birth certificate.

Nearly 10,000 of you have clicked on Zion Beckons at one time or another and we thank you. Aside from the commenters, most of whom we know, other readers live in nearly every state (Where are you North Dakota?), and over twenty countries spread over each continent except the Polar Regions. Some of you routinely check in during the middle of the night; can’t sleep eh?

It has been an adventure for Jan and me. We view each reader as a valuable friend and fellow believer. We recognize your role in the blog and urge your continued participation.

As to the future; who knows what excitement it may bring? We shall continue to be opinionated lovers of God and supporters of liberty. As a reader, you are well acquainted with our existing views and it seems unlikely they will change—just the details.

Thanks again for your love and support.


In His abiding love,


Cecil and Jan Moon