Ranting Rex

First of all in Switzerland everyone between the ages of 20 and 30 must join the militia and obtain military weapons training.  For those of you who can read, gun possession in a militia is what our own Constitution guarantees, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”  It doesn’t say you get to have a gun no matter what.  That would be crazy.  You know…like you are.  Switzerland’s militia laws are actually where the uneducated idiots of the gun nut group get their idea that everyone must own a gun.  I guess in their world Switzerland is really Logan’s Run. 

Now, to make things more interesting, when you are discharged from the militia after age 30 (34 if you are an officer), you can then apply for a private license.  However, these are usually only issued to people who work in some type of security service where a weapon is needed for the job.  In other words, not just any Joe Schmuck can own an assault weapon.  In short, it is actually HARDER to own a gun in Switzerland than in the U.S., not easier.  Also, you are almost guaranteed that the person with the gun has the training and expertise to use the damn thing.  Not like in the U.S. where any knuckle dragger who can put an X in the signature box, and barely obtain the brain power to stand erect. 

There are 3 main reasons why there are fewer gun deaths in Switzerland than in the U.S.  They are likely difficult for you to comprehend, but I’ll try. 

Reason Two:  Switzerland’s economy is such that crime is lower than the U.S.  They have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.  They don’t have the poverty we do.  Their system provides healthcare to everyone, economic programs for the needy, and they make sure everyone that can work is working.  Their population is also smaller than any of our major cities, making it easier to manage economic stress. 

Reason Three:  They don’t poke their noses into the business of other countries.  Since before WWII Switzerland has been the land of neutrality.  They don’t get a lot of people pissed at them because they try to dabble in the daily economics and political battles of places they don’t belong.  We’re the kings of pissing off the world because we can’t mind our own business.  This makes us vulnerable to attack from people who want nothing more than to be left alone.

I have no doubt that when black America sees on the news, again and again, black citizens shot by white police officers, or just some random guy claiming to be protecting his neighborhood, it is difficult for them not to be outraged.  It’s difficult for me not to be outraged.  After centuries of slavery and another century of beatings, lynchings, and laws that prevented black Americans from holding property or even voting, why would they not be outraged?

I think Dr. King knew more than anyone that the only way to further the cause black America was through consistent and peaceful means.  He knew that for change to come white America had to see their own savagery.  Only then would black America get support.  It worked.  Never before had there been such support for Civil Rights before the marches in the south.  People watched on their televisions in horror the utter savagery that blacks endured from southern white society.  It was only then that change began.

I can tell you from experience that if we all walk around with a chip on your shoulder, we will always find someone who wants to knock it off.  It’s easy to feel slighted when you’re angry.  Everything comes to the surface.  The skin becomes thin and raw because at every turn all you see is persecution.  This is not something that is unique to race.  Problems come when we think that everyone is out to get us, white or black.  Sometimes it’s not about how we are treated, but how we react to the treatment.  Never discount the idea that it might not be everyone else.  That’s not to say that if you think someone is mistreating you, you’re incorrect.  However, it’s always best to look internally first.     

The following is an open letter to Dublin Primary Care in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Might I suggest that if you need medical treatment that you go someplace else.  

Dear Dublin Primary Care:

I just read your letter asking me why I had not received the “important tests” ordered by Dr. Clothier. I didn’t know you were expecting any tests. After my appointment I was summarily handed a stack of paper and told “you’ll have to find a provider your insurance covers to get your tests.”  I thought you took my insurance and could perform tests?  I even called you to verify that fact before my appointment.  I guess I was mistaken.

When I made the appointment with Dr. Clothier I mistakenly expected medical care. I thought since you advertise as a doctor’s office, that would be expected. My apologies.  I was incorrect. I therefore followed your recommendation and went to find a qualified physician that took my insurance and could perform the needed tests.  Why do I need you?

When I first made my appointment I was asked to fill out paperwork for insurance, and medical history to bring with me. Therefore when I showed up to your office on time I again incorrectly assumed that when I handed the paperwork to your receptionist I would not have to wait 30 minutes for my appointment.

The sign on your front desk states that I would have to wait in line as you see patients in the order they arrive. I guess I incorrectly assumed that if I made an appointment and was on time, you would be on time. After all, you made it clear that I would be charged for services if I missed my appointment. I understand that.  It’s a great policy.  Time is money.  I bill my time at $350.00 per hour. Where’s my $175.00?

When I was in the exam room I informed the nurse I had a few questions, and she told me that Dr. Clothier didn’t have time to answer all my questions and I would have to limit it to two.  To be fair I did receive an EKG in your office, even though I went in to have my knee examined, but when I asked if I could see the result I was told that Dr. Clothier didn’t have time to provide it.  I would have to make another appointment.  Good thing I didn’t have a heart attack! I’m not sure you would have had time to provide CPR. I’m not entirely convinced any of you would know how.  My knee is better, by the way.

Suffice it to say I was not impressed with your office, or your care. The waiting room has all the charm and ambiance of a skid row methadone clinic, and the competence of the staff only adds to that impression. This became clear when I witnessed a woman, whose arms were in slings, kick at your door for assistance while the staff looked on in confusion. I went outside and opened the door for her. I was the only person within visual range to determine a person with their arms in slings could not physically open a door. I should have taken this as an indication of what to expect.

In today’s world the competition is tough.  You have to find a business that can serve the customer.  Therefore, I wish you good luck with whatever business you are in. Evidently it is not the healthcare business.

Sincerely,

Rex Nipper

Every day I pass one to two hundred homeless on the way to the office.  Most of them men, but many are women and children that I thought were exercising their right to be cold and hungry.  I have no idea how many were former military.  I’m not sure if anyone has asked them if they’re Christian.  I just knew they had chosen to be there.  In downtown Denver alone, hundreds line up each night to try and get a bed in the shelter.  Many of them don’t like the shelters because they run out of beds so quickly, so I thought they “chose” to sleep in the doorways of buildings, or even trash dumpsters around the city.

A lot of them “choose” to be mentally ill, or addicted to drugs.  They “choose” to be poured out onto the street from hospitals and care centers that can’t afford to treat them.  They even “choose” to be assaulted and often murdered by bands of criminals who make bets with themselves to see how many homeless they can beat in an evening. 

Tell me please with your distaste for the poor and indigent how are you going to address all these issues?  Just last week you were talking about how these programs were a drain on society for no other reason than people “choose” to be poor.  What happened?  When did these people loose their choice?  How did they end up this way?  I’m so glad you’re willing to make a difference.  This is your time to show all the compassion you have in your heart for people in need.  Are you ready to get working?  Or are you just full of shit?

I really want to understand how people like that think.  I really do.  They espouse so many things that make zero sense.  I wonder where it comes from.  Why are they so afraid?  They have slogans like “we need to take this country back.”  Back from what?  People that aren’t rich, straight, Christian, and white?  You don’t mean you want to take it BACK.  You want to take it from FROM!

France was attacked.  It’s horrible.  This shouldn’t have happened.  However, a month ago you thought funding an invasion in Syria was a mistake, now all of a sudden the President is weak for not going to war, and you want us to invade.  I’m sorry…did they attack the U.S.?  Syria didn’t even attack France.  Some crazy assed right wing extremists did that.  You know…people like you.  Syria is too busy fighting a civil war.  If you read a newspaper rather than listening to idiots, you’d know that.