ObamaCare – why are we forgetting this is about affordable health care? by Tony Green

Doctor examining young girl

The first portion of the Affordable Healthcare Act or ObamaCare was enacted a few months ago.  As designed, Americans without access to reasonably priced health insurance can enroll with federal and state run insurance exchanges to select plans where financial assistance is available to help cover the cost. In light of bipartisan bickering people seem to overlook the reason the Affordable Health Care Act was drafted and legislated. The reality is many people cannot access to health care for themselves and their children. This, in the end, costs everyone since medical providers are required to care for insured patients and in many cases the expenses are absorbed by those who have health insurance. 

Is health care a right? The rest of the world thinks so. Canada, Australia, Europe and Japan all have national health insurance programs. Interestingly enough, the exchanges which were recently rolled out are similar to the Japanese systems on providing health care for its citizens.  

Japan’s National Health insurance created in 1958 by its National Health Care Act which was designed for people who are not eligible to be members of any employment-based insurance programs. All Japanese citizens, permanent residents, and any non-Japanese residing in Japan with a visa lasting one year or longer are required to be enrolled.  

The program is administered by local governments. Patients are free to select physicians or facilities of their choice and cannot be denied coverage. When the insured person uses a medical facility or hospital which accepts the National Health insurance, the patient pays a portion of the cost. The medical facility will then send invoices for the remaining amount to the National Health Insurance Federation, which reviews and pays the medical facility or hospital.

Hospitals, by law, must be run as non-profit and be managed by physicians since for-profit corporations are not allowed to own or operate hospitals. 

The United States is the single major power without universal basic health care for its citizens. The United States takes pride in being one of the world’s most progressive thinking nations is the rest of the world entirely off base by providing, at the least minimum health care at some for all of its citizens?? 

Accountability vs. Responsibility by Tony Green

Note: this posting was intended to part of a blog based on my experiences as an employee in a Japanese company which was never launched.

Japanese businessman

Working for a Japanese company as a Sales Manager with American customers presents certain challenges on a daily basis. On my first day of work my boss told me I would be responsible for sales and marketing in Canada, Mexico and the United States. No problem.

The management in Japan clearly stated the expectation of meeting the goal of penetrating our company’s products in the North America where currently we had no market share.  No Problem.

The problem was the folks in charge did not tell me the entire decision making and authority process would be based in Japan. The insight into the market place which I was hired to provide is appreciated, however, the team leader makes the call from the home office. Perhaps, I should have recognized a “gaijin employee” like me would never be allowed to possess any true authority. In my own defense, this was my first experience working for Japanese company.

In many companies you are compelled to take instruction/direction from management. My concern is what happens when all does not go according to plan? The foreigner gets singled out that he was not doing his job and takes the “bullet” so the team does not lose face.

I think ultimately the issue comes down to accountability versus responsibility. The expectation is you will manage our clients to where the business is profitable while maintaining a satisfied customer. As the customer representative your job is to make these activities happen. Responsible and accountable. Keep in mind you have no decision making authority in managing the specific accounts which you are responsible for. At least I am still accountable. Seems quite fair to me.

Why have I been through so many jobs by Tony Green?

Yes, my resume lists the many jobs I have had since I left the Navy over 13 years ago.   I take some solace since, in many cases, I needed to move on and obtain other positions sooner than later since my family relies on me to keep the bills up to date. Through all of my professional turmoil I am current with my mortgage; own both of my vehicles and my children are finished with their braces. In another sense, I am embarrassed since, in many cases; if you are laid off someone else has been chosen to keep around rather than you. More ever when you interview for the next position no one asks the company why they let you go. You always need to explain why they should hire you.

My longest stint between positions was nine months which was during the depth of the latest recession while my shortest lapse was six weeks from leaving the previous position to my first day at the new job. I cannot blame my previous employers in every case. Can I be at fault? Perhaps, or there may be other factors out of my control.  

During the interview process misrepresentations exist on both sides. The interviewee is pressed to get back to work so a strong tendency exists to tell the prospective employer what he/she wants to hear. On the other hand, if I can be honest, the reasons the employer are looking to hire is to get someone deal with tasks they would prefer not to deal with. Think of the issue this way, if a boss had a function which he/she truly enjoyed would they be thinking about bringing in someone else?

Therefore, it is of no surprise by the first ninety days on the job after the employee gains a full understanding for what they were hired for and the employer’s tactic to hide the true nature of the position has resulted in disillusionment on both sides.

I wonder if my resume would look better having longer gaps between positions and being employed at those positions for more time rather than having held more positions with shorter terms of employment.

My sister once told me she believes the career I seek is waiting for me. I think there is something out I am ideally suited for, a destiny I am not fulfilling by passing through various positions with limited possibility for growth.   If only I didn’t need to pay my mortgage every month. Perhaps, I could explore my full potential without ignoring my responsibilities as a father and a husband.  Will you hire me if she’s wrong and I never find the perfect position?

A trip on the bus by Tony Green

I was getting my car serviced on a Sunday a few months ago and since my wife was working I needed another way to pick up my car from the dealership once the maintenance was complete.  Then the thought came to mind, why not use the public bus?

Open seats on a public bus

As a child in growing in Philadelphia, as in many large cities, people depended on the public buses and subways to get from one place to another.   Now that live in the suburbs, which by nature is very spread out, having an automobile is almost a requirement to getting where you need to go.

At any rate, I checked on the Internet and found a bus route whose route happened to be within a block of my house which stopped within walking distance of the dealership. I walked to the bus stop well before the scheduled time of its arrival.  I would later discover as a result of reading the schedule incorrectly I missed a bus and had to wait another ½ hour until the next bus arrived.

Once I sat on the bus I remembered the annoyance of riding the bus from my childhood.

I recalled instances when passengers would get on the bus with large bags of what appeared to be junk. By the time the person hauled their gear onto the bus and paid their fare – almost five minutes had elapsed only to pick up one passenger.

Another thing which boggled my mind was, in my view, if I planned to take a bus I would make sure I know what the fare would be BEFORE I boarded. First you get the clueless look and after the bus driver would inform the prospective rider what the fare would be the person would gather what available change was in the various pockets of her jacket. I almost felt compelled to give the person a dollar to cover her fare just to get the damned bus moving.

Finally, during certain portions of the bus route which went through heavy traffic. What was the end result? The bus moved at a snail’s pace along the street which the pedestrians walking on the sidewalk made better progress.

Once I returned home in my newly serviced car, after having wasted half of the afternoon, I came to the conclusion driving may not be best way of commuting in all cases but in certain instances , especially this one, the public bus may not be the way to go either.

My last Undokai by Tony Green

Undokai flags

For the last few years on the first Saturday in June I have participated in the traditional Japanese sports day known as undokai,  For the last few years on the first Saturday in June I have participated in the traditional Japanese sports day known as undokai,  運動会. Attendance is one a requirement since my daughter attends the Hoshiko Japanese school. The school, which is held every Saturday during the fall and spring, is designed to enable its students, many of which are the children of Japanese citizens living in the U.S., to read, speak and write Japanese at a native level. 

The “undokai” is traditionally held on a Saturday or Sunday morning.  The children are the primary participants, but their parents and friends attend in order to enjoy the experience.   During the weeks proceeding the sports day, the students practice their events with the intention of showing off their prowess to their loved ones.

Since I was not participating in the events my job was to arrive early enough to reserve the spot within close proximity field where the event would occur. In addition, I pitched a tent and ensured the box lunches (bento) are ready for lunch. 

The morning events began after the opening ceremonies are completed. After engaging in casual conversation with some on the other parents I used the opportunity to brush up on some on Japanese grammar all while being immersed in the various side conversations which were taking place in Japanese. I should mention I did take a moment to observe my daughter participate in one of the races where four children are paired off and run one lap around the track, with more of a focus on competition than winning and losing.     

The break occurred at lunch where all of the parties take time to eat the carefully prepared bento lunches.

In the afternoon, I finally got a chance to actively participate taking part in the tug-of-war and a race where four people, two facing forward and the other two facing backwards hold two poles and raced as a team. The key was to ensure all four people kept in step which other which is easier said than done since the two of the people are looking in the opposite directions are not able to see each other. This year the race wound up being successful since we did not fall down in a heap like last year in the grass as the other teams raced past.

After a long day of events all was well with the exception of one child who received a bloody nose during one of the competitions.

Since my daughter would be moving on to junior high next year this would be my last undokai. All told it was a long day after working all week but the opportunity to experience a true piece of Japan in San Jose all without having to endure the long flight was well worth it. 

 Attendance is one a requirement since my daughter attends the Hoshiko Japanese school. The school, which is held every Saturday during the fall and spring, is designed to enable its students, many of which are the children of Japanese citizens living in the U.S., to read, speak and write Japanese at a native level.

The “undokai” is traditionally held on a Saturday or Sunday morning.  The children are the primary participants, but their parents and friends attend in order to enjoy the experience.   During the weeks proceeding the sports day, the students practice their events with the intention of showing off their prowess to their loved ones.

Since I was not participating in the events my job was to arrive early enough to reserve the spot within close proximity field where the event would occur. In addition, I pitched a tent and ensured the box lunches (bento) are ready for lunch.

The morning events began after the opening ceremonies are completed. After engaging in casual conversation with some on the other parents I used the opportunity to brush up on some on Japanese grammar all while being immersed in the various side conversations which were taking place in Japanese. I should mention I did take a moment to observe my daughter participate in one of the races where four children are paired off and run one lap around the track, with more of a focus on competition than winning and losing.     

The break occurred at lunch where all of the parties take time to eat the carefully prepared bento lunches.

In the afternoon, I finally got a chance to actively participate taking part in the tug-of-war and a race where four people, two facing forward and the other two facing backwards hold two poles and raced as a team. The key was to ensure all four people kept in step which other which is easier said than done since the two of the people are looking in the opposite directions are not able to see each other. This year the race wound up being successful since we did not fall down in a heap like last year in the grass as the other teams raced past.

After a long day of events all was well with the exception of one child who received a bloody nose during one of the competitions.

Since my daughter would be moving on to junior high next year this would be my last undokai. All told it was a long day after working all week but the opportunity to experience a true piece of Japan in San Jose all without having to endure the long flight was well worth it.