bookofjoe

Why has rationing become a dirty word?

The third rail of the health care reform debate, rationing of care is decried by everyone, no matter which side you're on.

But think for a minute: everything is rationed.

Some people shop at Whole Foods, others can't afford to.

It that rationing?

If I only have a dollar in my pocket when I go to McDonald's, does that mean they're rationing quarter pounders with cheese because I can't pay for one?

I don't think so.

Some people subscribe to magazines, others can't afford to so they read them at bookstores or libraries.

Are magazines being rationed?

Some people buy a Lexus, others drive a Kia because they can't pay for anything else.

Some people take the bus or ride a bike or walk because a even a Kia's out of reach.

When I went to U.C.L.A., I did all three because I couldn't afford a car.

It never occurred to me they were rationing transportation.

Lots of time health insurance won't cover this or that.

So you have a choice: pay cash or forget about it.

Isn't that rationing?

Everyone accepts it as a given, at least in the U.S., and I don't see anyone saying everyone's medical insurance policy should cover everything.

When it comes to insurance, you get what you pay for.

Kind of like life.

People with more money will always have more options, whether it comes to food, media, cars or health care.

Domino Coffee Table

By Canadian designer Chris Pritchard.

Cantilever design concentrates its weight at the bottom of the wooden slabs for stability.

From the website:

••••••••••••••••••••••

Domino Coffee Table

 

Built by hand over a period of 6-8 weeks by a single craftsman.

Signed and numbered by the artisan who built it.

Sustainable Canadian birch hardwood ply.

Custom stain with triple gloss topcoat.

Tempered glass tabletop.

48"L x 22"W x 19"H.

••••••••••••••••••••••

$1,400.

Easy Boombox — 'Put the ghetto back into the blaster!'

 

Matthew T. Miller's TechnoDolt™-friendly hack appears in the latest issue (#19) of Make magazine.

'Flesh of My Flesh' — by Derick Melander

"A 2' x 2' x 10' column comprised of carefully folded and stacked second-hand clothing. 

Each garment is categorized by relative value and crisscrossed around a central spine.

The darkest clothing is placed at the bottom and the top of the stack, transitioning to a white center."

13-year-old Lauryn Hill sings Smokey Robinson's 'Who's Lovin' You' at Amateur Night at the Apollo — and gets booed

True.

But the jeers soon turn to cheers.

[via The Daily What and JESS3 Blog]

Dancing Vases — When Sufi met ceramic

Designed

by

Maastricht-

based

Robin van Hontem.

Apply within.

[via Design Milk and Milena]

'The 35 Best iPhone Apps Of The Year (So Far)

By Alex Ahlund, founder of AppVee, it appeared August 15, 2009 on the Washington Post's website.

Of the 35, I have three (Flight Tracker, Skype and Kindle) on my iPod touch.

What is it?

Answer here this time tomorrow.