Design Your Retirement: A Data Driven Approach
Designing Your Retirement: A Data Driven Approach is a methodology, based on scientific and subjective data that will help retirees design a happy and fulfilling retirement.
My Anxiety
Although I had never been diagnosed with anxiety, my career as a physician has always entailed a high degree of stress; and this has had consequences.
Designing Your Retirement
Designing Your Retirement: A Data Driven Approach is a methodology, based on scientific and subjective data that will help retirees design a happy and fulfilling retirement.
And She Will Learn Much More Than I’ll Ever Know
The joy of teaching the young.
Lefty vs. Righty
Righty: I was the responsible one…
Lefty: No, I was the responsible one…
A very brief non-political exploration of cooperativity.
A Fraught Pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Odyssey Through Camberville
A darkly humorous, sociopolitical, anthropomorphized chronicle of a rafter of turkeys’ sojourn from the Cambridge Common to their roost in Somerville’s Davis Square.
Senator Mitt Romney, An ?Honorable Politician
An honorable Senator Romney would immediately use his political capital to undercut Senate GOP Leader McConnell and the GOP caucus’ Trumpian agenda by resigning from the Republican Party, declare himself an independent, and caucus with the Senate Democrats as, in Romney’s own words “my (Republican) party really doesn’t believe in the Constitution.”
Silently Swaying in Room 302
A fictitious short story about dementia.
Retirement Update @ 8 months
A fulfilling retirement requires planning. It will not happen spontaneously or when treated as an extended vacation. And I want to get this right the first time…
The Joys of Cycling the Somerville Community Path / Minuteman Bikeway
I choose the Somerville Community Path – Minuteman Bikeway as I appreciate the certainty of knowing that I will see sufficient greenery and/or beauty to ensure that I will feel better when I arrive home.
Bedford to Boston by Bike
A 75 minute morning bike ride from Bedford to Boston following a bike path compressed into an 8 minute music video.
His Hubris. Her (The Turtle’s) Story.
A cyclist and a nesting turtle cross paths on the Minuteman Bikeway. The turtle teaches the man a lesson in humility.
Moral Injury: A Physician’s Premature Retirement
I retired early from the profession I loved because the devolution of the healthcare system made it impossible for me to provide care to my patients in a manner which met my standards. Unfortunately the resultant “moral injury” left me leery of again getting involved with our healthcare system.
The Republican Party’s Path to Power is Predicated on Political Paralysis, Societal Mayhem and Worse
America is polarized because political paralysis, societal mayhem and worse are the Republican leadership’s only path to power. The GOP has shifted so far to the right that it has now become professional suicide for most Republican Senators and House members to participate in a political compromise.
United We Fail, Divided We/They Succeed, A Data Driven Solution
We can continue as a unified & polarized nation, incapable of addressing our problems or we can look at the data and find a mutually agreeable solution.
About My Retirement Diary
A diary of the recently retired.
Governors Must Prioritize Health Above the Supreme Court’s Unhealthful Edicts
Federal judges must be forced to prioritize the health of society ahead of their unhealthy anti-abortion and pro-gun policies. There is a path forward but Blue State Governors must act now!
Political Thinkers Who are Concerned That Fascism is Coming to America
Numerous political thinkers are concerned that fascist ideologies have made inroads into America’s political system and fascism is now a serious threat to the future of America’s democracy.
The Beauty of Math and Physics in Nature
I have always loved math and physics, especially when they become obvious in nature.
A Thought Experiment: Biden’s National Unity Government with a Republican Vice President
The best way to ensure a Biden Presidential victory is by creating a National Unity Government with a Republican as Vice President.
Retirement Update @ 3 months
Three months into retirement there have been some hits and some misses. My mantra remains “It is now our time.”
Fascism is Coming to the U.S.A.
MAGA politicians and supporters are using fascist propaganda techniques (The Big Lie, The Firehose of Falsehoods) to polarize society and enfeeble our democracy, as others have done in Turkey, Hungary, and many other former democracies. The future of America’s democracy is no longer a forgone conclusion.
Our Illegitimate, Illogical, and UnAmerican Supreme Court
As the Supreme Court has violated its uncodified compact with America it is time for America to reassess the Court’s privileged position in our society.
One Physician’s Frustrations of Practicing Amidst the CHIPHIT Complex and Implications for the Future of the U.S. Healthcare System
If we hope to improve the healthcare of all Americans we must redirect funding away from the CHIPHIT complex and toward entities that prioritize a high quality, low cost, egalitarian healthcare system.
Fewer Guns = Fewer Gun Deaths, There is a Solution…
There are policies which will reduce gun deaths and there is a way to implement these changes, at least for the residents of the Blue States, but it requires us to treat the US Supreme Court as a judicial-political entity.
My Engagement Story: “I will call you back”
I have always been intrigued by engagement stories. Mine is notable for “I will call you back,” twice.
My Journey into Retirement: Before, T=-1 month
Like so many others who are considering or entering retirement, I too am worried that…
Obesity is a Disease
Obesity is a disease, it is not a result of a failure of will power. We have good therapies that induce significant weight loss and improve overall health.
Donate Now. Inaction is Tantamount to Complicity.
Democracy in America is no longer inevitable. Act now. Inaction is tantamount to complicity.
Pardon Him or Not
The Resolution to Preserve America’s Democracy is the best way to politically nullify Trump and save America’s democracy even though it circumvents some of our sacrosanct legal principles.
The Voter Enthusiasm Gap Predicts the GOP Will Control the House of Representatives
As Sept 2022 polling data finds 51% Democrats and 52% Republicans are “almost certain” to vote, these equations predict GOP will win the House of Representatives by 10-17 seats.
My Woodworking Creations
I adopted woodworking as a hobby because it provided a creative outlet and a way to clear my mind from the stress of taking care of patients…
Retirement Letter to My Patients
I am honored you trusted me to be your physician and thank you for allowing me to be part of your life.
Hiking the Alaskan Wilderness Induced a Moment of Cognitive Clarity
Hiking the solitude of the Alaskan backcountry induced a moment of cognitive clarity.
A New American Patriotism and The American Flag
Democracy loving Americans should proudly display the American flag in support of the aspirational ideals of the US Constitution.
Approaching Retirement
I want to thank my patients for choosing me to be their physician and for sharing with me the joys and tribulations that life throws at all of us. It was an honor to have been your physician.
A 10th Supreme Court Justice
Seven weeks before the November 2022 midterm election, President Biden should nominate President Barack Obama as the 10th Justice to the US Supreme Court…
An Apology to the Woman I Splashed While Cycling on the Minuteman Bikeway
When I was within a few feet of passing on their left they veered in-front of me, forcing me to swerve behind them and to the right, and into the puddle.
Move Presidents Day to Election Day
America should move Presidents Day to Election Day as a means to increase voter participation and celebrate America’s democracy.
The Republican Party has become “The Party” of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eight-Four
The Republican Party has become ”The Party” in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eight-Four.
Federal Red-Lines and Massachusetts’ Relationship to the Federal Government
Massachusetts needs to debate whether there are “red-lines” which, if crossed by the Federal government or the Supreme Court, will trigger the Commonwealth to alter its relationship with the Federal Government.
Covid-19 “Fair-Share” Healthcare Surcharge for the Unvaccinated
The decision to remain unvaccinated inflict avoidable healthcare and economic costs on Massachusetts’ vaccinated residents and economy. It is time to make the unvaccinated pay their fair-share.
How to End Gerrymandering, Big Money and Americans’ Distrust of Federal Institutions
A greatly expanded House of Representatives would address Americans’ lack of “social trust” and fix many of the intractable issues which contribute to our dysfunctional Federal government
President Joseph Biden, the Last Democratic President!?
As a result of sociopolitical trends, technologic innovations, and insights into human behavior, I believe there is a reasonable probability that President Biden will be the last Democrat to occupied the Oval Office for several decades.
A Physician’s Exam Room Should Be Educational and Inviting
Our medical offices are now antiseptic, devoid of educational material and humanity and this adversely impacts a physician’s ability to provide medical care.
Why Patients Refuse the Covid-19 Vaccination – It’s Political, Mostly
The US is progressively falling behind other countries on COVID-19 vaccination rates. My patients tell me the reason is…
My White Privilege and Antiracism
Those of us who have obtained the American dream have a moral obligation to use our resources to help make America a country where every child has an equal probability of obtaining the American dream.
Biden’s Most Important Political Priority
All Americans and activist organizations must subjugate their personal and organization’s priorities to the need to ensure America’s democracy survives beyond 2024.
A Political Thought Experiment: Democracy’s Survival Is Predicated on the Judicial Conviction and Imprisonment of Donald Trump
To protect our democracy, Trump must be expeditiously convicted in Federal Court and his conviction affirmed by the Supreme Court. He must then be remanded to prison according to statue.
America Needs The Presidential Propaganda Prohibition Act
America must create a mechanism that will prevent the President of the United States from using the big lie propaganda technique before it is too late…
8,300 House of Representatives Will Help Fix America’s Democracy
We should begin the process of repairing America’s distrust of the Federal government by changing the composition of the House of Representatives so that each House member had only 40,000 constituents, similar to the Great Compromise of 1787…
Erase His Name From Our Consciousness: Substitute “#HeWhoMustNotBeNamed” for “@realDonaldTrump” and “Donald Trump”
To reduce Trump’s influence on we must erase his name from the public discourse. Substitute #HeWhoMustNotBeNamed when you intend @realDonaldTrump, Donald Trump, President Trump, or Trump.
Talking Politics with Patients
Physicians teach their patients the science they must understand to enable them to make informed healthcare decisions. Is it not also a physician’s responsibility to explain the science underlying public health policy and the connection between political choices, public health policies, and their health and longevity?
Lock Him Up or Not
America’s democracy now hangs in the balance. We can neither allow the criminals to go unpunished nor should we create a legal process that does further damage our fragile democracy.
The Blue State Domestic Ambassador for the Coronavirus Pandemic
Governors of the Blue States should create the “Blue State Domestic Ambassador for the Coronavirus Pandemic” to implement a mutually agreeable, multi-year, Blue State Coronavirus Mitigation Plan predicated on Blue-State ethos.
Hostage the U.S. Economy to End Racism in America
It’s time that moral America align its pocketbook with her ideals. Let’s make the racists and their co-conspirators literally pay the price…
A Physician’s Dilemma During the Coronavirus Pandemic
My hospital has asked its physician to volunteering to take care COVID-19 patients. For many reasons, this request is both problematic and necessary…
Healthcare As a Role Model for An Equitable Solution to our COVID-19 Inequity Problem
The COVID-19 pandemic will exacerbate the US economic inequity problem and threatens the viability of our healthcare system, a solution…
Political Purity at The Ballot Box Will Be Counterproductive and is Immoral
Invoking “political purity” as a reason to “not vote” is an immoral choice that can only ensure the institutionalization of values you abhor and may be the final nail into democracy’s coffin.
Promoting a Community’s Economic Diversity
If we can continue to ignore our gentrification problem, our communities will become increasingly economically and socially polarized and politically unstable. One alternative is …
Democracy Requires We Nail Down the Roving Political Goalposts
America’s nearly 250 year experiment in democracy is dying. Our system of “check and balances” now exists only in name. Maybe the death of democracy in America can be forestalled or averted if…
How to End Egregious Medical Bills
If we hope to create a healthcare system that is sustainable and meets the needs of all members of our society…
The Democrat Party Needs a Competent Propaganda Machine, Like the Republican’s
The Democrats must play the political game according to the rules as the exist, not according the the rules they wish existed…
Is Your Physician Prescribing the Best Medicine for You?
Physicians are required to prescribe a medication whose risk/benefit ratio they may not be able to fully assess or have never used….
A Centrist Democrat President Will Enshrine Authoritarian Rule in America
There is only a single political path that has the potential to enshrine democracy in America. A centrist Democratic Presidential nominee is not on that path.
It Is Time to Impose Price Caps on our Healthcare System
As our capitalism based healthcare system is not fiscally sustainable nor efficient, we need to explore alternative options…
Hillary v2.0 Cannot Win the 2020 Presidential Election
Mr. Biden is a “Hillary v2.0” candidate and as such he will not be able to beat Donald Trump. I thank Mr. Biden for his service to our country, but it is time for him to set aside..
Why Do I Keep Eating After Supper? Trigger Foods!
Why do I eat at 9 PM even though I just finished dinner…
Fortifying the Circle of Prosperity as a Means to Reduce Economic Inequities
We owe it to our children and grandchildren that we leave them a world that is at least a little better than the world we have inherited…
It’s No Longer Your Father’s Republican Party (or There Are No Honorable Republican Senators)
There are no longer any honorable Republican Senators…
Red-line Supreme Court Rulings and the Future of the Supreme Court
If the Supreme Court tilts too far to the right, it may find that several states will begin to ignore its rulings…
Democracy in America was Fantastic!!
America’s great experiment in democracy is in a death spiral…
Pharmacists Should Be Required to Inform Patients of the Least Expensive Purchasing Option
Pharmacist should be legally mandated to disclose the lowest possible price of a prescription to the patient during every transaction…
Forty Features Which Should Be in All Electronic Health Records including Epic & Cerner
Electronic Health Records are the prime cause of physician dissatisfaction with our health care system because these systems were designed to maximize billing revenue and with little regard for the needs of the physician user. Here are 40 suggestions to improve the functionality of EHRs…
A Proposal to Increase the Transparency and Quality of Electronic Health Records
Errors and bias (inadvertent and commercial) in the computer code of EHRs can have serious ramifications for the health care system. As the EHR’s programming code is proprietary, there is no opportunity for the health care community to identify and fix these errors. However…
United We Fall, Divided We (One of Us) Stand
We can continue as a unified and polarized nation which is incapable of addressing the problems that face our society or…
Hacking Can Be Patriotic
We need Federal legislation to encourage hackers to help society build more secure IT solutions…
