Israel has been an important topic for quite awhile now. The United States has always and should always support and back up Israel. Israel is the holy land and is a very important part of the Christian's life. I don't know a lot about the end times but I do know that the Lord is coming back and that those who believe and trust in Him will be taken up into Heaven to live with Him for eternity. I believe there will be a rapture and a second coming and am ready for whenever it happens.
The video I watched was about the United States and Israel. It talked about John Hagee and what he believes will happen. Some people might think he's insane but I think it makes pretty good sense. I might not agree with him on everything but I do think that he knows a lot about the scriptures. Psalm 12:2,3 says: (the Lord speaking about Israel) And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." I believe this verse to be pretty obvious about just how important Israel really is. I understand that people have different beliefs than I do, but I just want to be able to share my beliefs (not force) with anyone and everyone.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sick around the world
Sick around the world was a video that taught me about other countries and their health care system. It was interesting to hear how they treat their patients and how the doctors are paid...
The first country visited was Britain. Their health care is different from Americas in that it takes on a more socialistic view of how they run their hospitals and so on. Doctors are paid based on how many patients they have and if they stay healthy. Patients do not, however, have to pay doctor bills.
The next country, which was Japan, has a health care system similar to the U.S. Japanese are known for a long life expectancy. How their system works is that people have to sign up for health care. There are no high taxes and all citizens are covered. This system is called Social insurance. If the patient or citizen loses their job, they will not be at risk of losing their health care (as Americans would). The down side to this is that half of the hospitals are in financial deficit because they don't charge enough.
The next country is Germany. Germany has a system known as the "Bismark Model". They only have to pay a $15 co pay every 2/3 months whereas Americans pay one every time they go into the hospital. Hospitals are not being paid enough and doctors here only earn half of what doctors in the U.S. do.
Taiwan is the next country described. For twenty plus years, Taiwan had the worst health care. Now they are thriving because they looked all around the world comparing different health care systems and taking some tips from each and then making it better. Everyone is treated equal, meaning rich people cannot opt out of health care. Patients have a smart card that they just scan and the doctor can get their entire history and who they are right away. Bills go straight to the government insurance office and is paid immediately. The video shared that most of the citizens are very satisfied with this form of health care.
The last country they interviewed was Switzerland. Their health care system is like the U.S. but is reformed and has a more universal curve to it. They believe that everyone has a right to health care. There are three issues: 1) Insurance companies must accept everyone, 2) Everyone must buy insurance and the government pays for the poor, 3) Doctors and hospitals must accept one standard set of fixed prices.
Learning about each of these countries different style of health care was eye opening. I don't know much about America's health care system but I'm sure there can be improvements. I think that if we do what Taiwan did and look at the other countries and what their system is like and then try to make it better, we would fare well. I do know that U.S. health care is very expensive. I know we can change something without going universal but I'm just not quite sure what that would be.
The first country visited was Britain. Their health care is different from Americas in that it takes on a more socialistic view of how they run their hospitals and so on. Doctors are paid based on how many patients they have and if they stay healthy. Patients do not, however, have to pay doctor bills.
The next country, which was Japan, has a health care system similar to the U.S. Japanese are known for a long life expectancy. How their system works is that people have to sign up for health care. There are no high taxes and all citizens are covered. This system is called Social insurance. If the patient or citizen loses their job, they will not be at risk of losing their health care (as Americans would). The down side to this is that half of the hospitals are in financial deficit because they don't charge enough.
The next country is Germany. Germany has a system known as the "Bismark Model". They only have to pay a $15 co pay every 2/3 months whereas Americans pay one every time they go into the hospital. Hospitals are not being paid enough and doctors here only earn half of what doctors in the U.S. do.
Taiwan is the next country described. For twenty plus years, Taiwan had the worst health care. Now they are thriving because they looked all around the world comparing different health care systems and taking some tips from each and then making it better. Everyone is treated equal, meaning rich people cannot opt out of health care. Patients have a smart card that they just scan and the doctor can get their entire history and who they are right away. Bills go straight to the government insurance office and is paid immediately. The video shared that most of the citizens are very satisfied with this form of health care.
The last country they interviewed was Switzerland. Their health care system is like the U.S. but is reformed and has a more universal curve to it. They believe that everyone has a right to health care. There are three issues: 1) Insurance companies must accept everyone, 2) Everyone must buy insurance and the government pays for the poor, 3) Doctors and hospitals must accept one standard set of fixed prices.
Learning about each of these countries different style of health care was eye opening. I don't know much about America's health care system but I'm sure there can be improvements. I think that if we do what Taiwan did and look at the other countries and what their system is like and then try to make it better, we would fare well. I do know that U.S. health care is very expensive. I know we can change something without going universal but I'm just not quite sure what that would be.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Tank Man
This video was moving for me. To watch an ordinary man run out during a stressful time in China and stand in front of several tanks was a courageous thing to do. Back then, China was not a free country and if someone were to do something the government wouldn't like, that person could possibly die. That's what shocked me the most, was watching those soldiers driving the tanks just stop and not really do anything about the man blocking their way. No one knew who this "tank man" was, but for people to witness and even years later see pictures of this gutsy move was an inspiration. In a way, this reminds me of David and Goliath in the Bible; how Goliath was this enormous Philistine with armor and a sword and how David was a man of God with only a sling shot and a little stone. David stood against Goliath and in the end, defeated him. Both David and this "tank man" had amazing courage to stand up for what they believed in.
What also amazed me was to watch a part from the video that was interviewing three college aged students from China about the "tank man" and who he was. They saw a picture of him standing in front of the tanks and didn't have a clue as to who he was or even what the picture stood for. The narrator explained how many students from around the world knew about this man and what the image meant, but when it came to students in China they really didn't know who he was. This tells me how strict China was and is and how the government doesn't want their people to know things that would have a negative effect on them.
This video has also made me realize how proud I am to be an American. Sometimes I lose sight of that but I don't think I would want to live anywhere else. Even though I've never been to a different country, I know that the United States of America is a special country and that's why so many people want to live here.
What also amazed me was to watch a part from the video that was interviewing three college aged students from China about the "tank man" and who he was. They saw a picture of him standing in front of the tanks and didn't have a clue as to who he was or even what the picture stood for. The narrator explained how many students from around the world knew about this man and what the image meant, but when it came to students in China they really didn't know who he was. This tells me how strict China was and is and how the government doesn't want their people to know things that would have a negative effect on them.
This video has also made me realize how proud I am to be an American. Sometimes I lose sight of that but I don't think I would want to live anywhere else. Even though I've never been to a different country, I know that the United States of America is a special country and that's why so many people want to live here.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Mind, Maps and Poverty
This video I watched by Han Rosling was interesting yet I was kind of lost in it. He explained about many different countries changing over time along with the economy... He showed graphs of child mortality in Asian countries going down over time and many others that I couldn't quite understand. Mr. Rosling also mentioned that certain parts of Africa are not in need of things like we think they are. He said that they have everything they need and more. I don't know if that is true but I would think that it would be.
The thing I thought was most intriguing was the fact that China and its economy compared to the United States and our economy is coming to a point where China is equal with the U.S.
Mr. Rosling seemed to know what he was doing and tried to show what he wanted people to know in his graphs. He was very easy to listen to and I enjoyed hearing a Swedish accent.
The thing I thought was most intriguing was the fact that China and its economy compared to the United States and our economy is coming to a point where China is equal with the U.S.
Mr. Rosling seemed to know what he was doing and tried to show what he wanted people to know in his graphs. He was very easy to listen to and I enjoyed hearing a Swedish accent.
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