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Living in America can be risky business

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Contributed by: Stan Dyer on 10/6/2007

America is a beautiful country. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. We have so much wealth, opportunity, and abundance. Sometimes, however, we can get caught up in complacency and not realize the stark reality of being one diagnosis or one accusation away from bankruptcy. Two incidents this past week brought the risk clearly into focus for me.

On CNN, I listened to the story of a young woman dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, she had insurance. Unfortunately, it was not enough. Her insurance paid for certain things, but there wasn't ample coverage for lab fees, rehabilitation, medical equipment, unexpected doctor bills and driving reimbursements. As a result of her illness, the woman was saved, but it cost her every penny she had.

Now, she was still very young, but she exhausted her life savings, her 401K, and, even after bankruptcy, the bills kept rolling in. At last count, over $50,000 in bills she could not pay filled a box that she kept on the table. In her own words, "I will never own a home or a decent car. My future is ruined". It kind of brings new meaning to the words, your money or your life.

If you have no insurance, can't be insured, or think you can't afford insurance, there is help. You can find affordable health care quotes at www.ehealthinsurance.com. You can find help and resources at www.covertheuninsured.com. You can find more information, resources, and information on covering children at www.naschip.org and www.cancer.org. Even if the president vetoes bills to assist children, we all can do something to help ourselves and avoid the bankruptcy caused by a diagnosis. We may be living in a different world, but we need to realize this and take steps to adjust.

Along the same line, but in a different arena, what about this Guatemalan dishwasher who lived in the United States for 11 years and stashed $59,000 under his bed? He tried to take it home in a gym bag, but forgot to claim it and it was seized by customs. I'm split on this one, but it does point out not onlythat ignorance of the law is no excuse, but also why.

Sure, it's easy to believe the man's story, but, on the other hand, wouldn't that be a perfect disguise and a perfect story for anyone who wasn't honest? How do we really know where that money came from? How do we really know where it is going? By the way, did this man file income tax forms andpay income taxes? Was he in the country legally? What about his employer? There are these and so many other questions. I want to believe him and give him the benefit of the doubt, but this is Post 9 11 America and the country has lost its remaining innocence. The legal aspect of life in America came to life in another story this week as well.

A young man was accused of killing his parents. I don't know if he did it or not. I do know that he spent every cent in the world he had, would have and had inherited just to defend hinmself. He lost. His innocence doesn't really matter at this point. He is bankrupt and serving 50 to life for a crime he claims he did not commit.

We can argue, discuss and exhange words back and forth about these stories or any similar ones, but it will not change what has happened. The point is that the stark reality of life in America is that there is a lot of risk involved. Never get so comfortable that you forget this. Health care costs a lot, as does good, legal defense. America is the greatest nation in the world, but all of that comes at a price and with a good amount of risk. Enjoy your life, but take nothing for granted, plan for the future and know the real risks involved with anything you do.

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Submitted By: Gladys Mercier

posted on 10/6/2007 @ 3:28:56 PM

Rated Story

Have you read John Grishams' book " An Innocent Man"? Makes you realize that justice isn't always just and anything can happen to anyone.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Stan Dyer

Arvada , CO

Stan Dyer has posted 891 stories and 111 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. Stan Dyer 's average story rating is 4.65.

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