I received a letter this week telling me that I’m a participant in a class action suit against L.A. Fitness. What did L.A. Fitness do wrong? I have no idea. They seemed fine to me when I was a member over four years ago. In the end I’ll most likely receive a $5 gift certificate and a few lawyers will purchase a new Mercedes courtesy of L.A. Fitness’ settlement. That goes for both the defendants’ and plaintiffs’ lawyers, by the way.
Forms, coming your way.
Last month, I received a $20 gift certificate from Ralph Lauren/Polo. The benefit of another class action suit I’m somehow a party to. I don’t even remember ever shopping at a Ralph Lauren store. But, the weird looking gift certificate remains on my desk uncashed.
I’m currently shopping for new health insurance in California. An odd thing to do during the all-out war being waged in Washington over Obama’s health care reform. Along the way, I’ve learned that if my income is $45,780, my daughter’s health care is virtually free. If my income works out to $45,781, tough cookies.
California auto insurance works much the same way. If your car is valued at less than $20,000, you have a clean driving record, and you earn less than $45,775 (an odd $5 difference from the health insurance subsidy) auto insurance costs just $400 a year. With an income of $45,776, you are on your own brother. Likewise if you car is valued at $20,001.
Welcome to the New America folks. Lawsuits and government in virtually all affairs.
To top it off, yesterday an old colleague contacted me and told me that the city where he lives will pay the salary of a new employee for a year, the caveat being the person has to be a single mom and out-of-work. The program actually will pay the salary only until September, 2010. Not a year, but a great competitive advantage if you know how to work the system and can find an out-of-work single mom with the skills your business needs. My colleague is a clever fellow. If there is a out-of-work single mom that can design MySQL databases in California, he will find her.
The point here is in the New America, much of our time will be devoted to working the system and deciphering forms. I’d rather be left alone to pay my taxes, my car and health insurance, and new hire costs. The problem is, in the New America, being left alone is expensive. I’ll pay the same taxes regardless, but will only get the benefits of the system if I’m willing to spend hours figuring out the rules and am willing to have the government be a partner in almost every decision I make.
What sets the United States apart from Europe, and is the main driver behind our wealth, is freedom from government domination. That concept is dying, and may receive its final death blow on Sunday when ObamaCare’s $1 trillion in new spending is passed.
An old friend hit me with a profanity-laced tirade on Facebook last night because I am against the health care reform bill. He stated that his four-month old was denied coverage because of a suspected milk allergy. I replied that I thought his insurance company was out of line (way out of line), but I also told him it was a bad bill, which it is.
Health care costs are expensive because of government, not because of the lack of government.
Obama will most likely win tomorrow. Democrat law makers aren’t known for principled stances and will cave at the last minute, Bart Stupak included. If Dennis Kucinich, one of the only real principled Democrats currently serving in Congress, turned, they all will.
After health care, Obama has his sights set on finance, energy, immigration, and bolstering unions. Be prepared for much more government in your life, folks. I just hope your income is under, or in, that sweet spot that government favors. If it is not, you will be paying for those who are.
Related posts:
- America Will Be Better Off When GWB and Obama in Rearview Mirror
- Modern America: $50 Permit for Neighborhood Lemonade Stand Required
- Mr. Obama, America is not Chicago
- The Limits of Central Government in Modern America
John Romano is the publisher and editor of Yes, But However!, a musician, a former political correspondent for BBC Radio London, and a serial web entrepreneur. Follow him on twitter: twitter.com/yesbuthowever or John Romano on Google+John Romano article archive.
