Monster Hospital

I've never been one to voice my opinions on things.

Okay, that's a lie.

As I'm sure you've all heard by now, health care reform passed and I'm actually really happy. As a hybrid Libertarian-Democrat whatever you'd call me, I think that government should allow people to do whatever they please as long as what they're doing doesn't physically harm or infringe on others' right to do the same and they should only provide basic, necessary services. One of these services is health care. Maybe it's the compassionate, caring person that's hidden below my vanity and dashing good looks but I don't think anyone should die because they can't afford to go to the doctor. I don't think anyone should have to choose between food and medicine. I don't think anyone's life should be ruined or dreams squashed because they got sick. I don't think anyone should have to worry about debt while their loved ones are sick and/or dying. We should be worried about treating illnesses and not saving a buck. People ask me if I'm willing to pay higher taxes or be payed less as a doctor to pay for health care... The answer is yes. I am willing to pay a little more so that everyone in our country can live a little better.

Today was historic. This could mean new hope for people with cancer, AIDS, diabetes, MS, eating disorders and other mental health illnesses, and other chronic illnesses that require consistent medical attention and/or repeated hospitalizations. They won't have to worry about financial concerns when they have more than enough other concerns weighing them down. I also think that this will be a great step forward for medical marijuana, an issue I'm extremely passionate about. It'll hopefully lessen the pharmaceutical companies' influence over this silly law and allow patients to medicate safely and without fear.

I'm not saying the bill is perfect. There's parts I don't agree with and there's parts I have questions about but it is A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. And honestly, my main concern is for those suffering in our country.

Oh, and I'm also looking forward to all the free abortions. I've already scheduled like twelve different appointments. I know, I'm a dude but I just wanna kill those babies, you know? ;)

On a related topic, something else I'd just like to say: While some of you may disagree with me on this topic, I hope you keep your comments respectful. Just because we may disagree on something like this doesn't make either of us a bad person. We all view things differently because we have different experiences to base our opinions on. Disagreement on a political issue does NOT give anyone the right to be vicious to another person. By all means, be sarcastic and feel free to joke about things... but don't be an asshole, alright?

From coast to coast and star to star

I don't know why but tonight I started thinking about transferring... again. I know, I know... I just did this last semester so shouldn't I be happy with where I am? Well, I am happy at Minnesota. This is why it's so strange that I'm having these thoughts.

I've started looking into the national student exchange program where I could take classes at a different university for a semester or even a full year but... I'm not sure if that's enough or what I really want and I'm not sure how I'd be able to swing it with all the classes I need to take to graduate on time/ahead of schedule/whatever the fuck track I'm on right now.

But I was just thinking... maybe if I'd have taken my college decision more seriously, I would've gone to the University of the Pacific instead of Purdue. And I'd be in California right now. Or maybe I would have applied elsewhere in Cali or to the University of Toronto (I really should have applied there).

I suppose there's nothing I can do about it now (except for research time travel). And besides, I genuinely enjoy where I am; I've got great friends in a great place and I'm getting so many opportunities to do things that I didn't have at Purdue (MPAC, research, being an SSDP board member, etc.) but I can't shake this feeling. Hopefully it'll pass.

Maybe I just need to go on a vacation (not that I can afford one, mind you). I've never really been on a REAL vacation. We always go somewhere to visit relatives or to Wisconsin... which usually involves meeting relatives there. I'd really like to go someplace wild and unfamiliar just to GO there, you know? Like to see the sights or just spend time there or whatever. That'd be great...