Conference moira::parenting_v3

She might want to check with her employer on the TDI (which I assume
means Temporary Disability Insurance)  Is that like "Short Term
Disability"?  They could probably give her some info on that.

 Steve,
   If you still need information on TDI, I can help.. I used it.  Send me 
MAIL.
               Laura

    I apologize up front for the political incorrectness of this reply. 
    After reading it, please feel free to hammer me.

    There was a time when people took responsibility for their actions.

    This not a new story: In the old days of 1984, when my wife and I
    planned/had our first child, we were both working, and making very
    little between the two of us. The loss of my wife's income was very
    difficult, but we survived it; our strategy was called a "budget" or,
    as it's sometimes called, "living within your means".  Our decision to
    have children was no one's responsibility but OUR OWN, and although we
    lived in California (state motto: "We're the OTHER welfare state"),
    whose living costs were just as high as New England, we didn't ask the
    state for income we gave up.

    I an NOT saying that people in certain difficult circumstances
    shouldn't be helped.  I AM saying that two people making a reasonable
    income can and should be self-reliant.

    As long as individuals have a CHOICE, they should bear the
    RESPONSIBILITY.
                   
    Charlie

Charlie, perhaps I misunderstand, so please correct me if so.
Are you also saying that health insurance should not cover
this elective condition?  Or would it be ok to cover it as
long as I paid for that individual part of the policy?  I have
heard this argument from a few people.  I guess one could 
take it a step beyond and suggest that if a person is involved
in an auto or ski accident they should pay their own medical 
expenses because they elected to ride in the car or hurtle
themselves down the slope.

Again, I may misunderstand.

    No, I'm talking about STATE-sponsored disability coverage.  Now, I may
    be misunderstanding as well.  From my experience in California, the
    state would pay pre- and post-natal disability, and I assumed that sort
    of thing was being discussed here.  Someone please correct me if I'M
    wrong. 

    As far as insurance covering this sort of thing, No, I don't have a
    problem. As a taxpayer, I don't have a choice (short of legislative
    action) when the state chooses to pay for it; as an insurance buyer, I
    can buy other insurance. 

    Charlie

    And nobody really asked for that response either.
    
    OK, some people don't believe in government sponsored insurance type
    programs ... that's effectively what was implied ... there is a lot
    of "User pay" sentiment running rampant around the world right now,
    predominantly because of high taxes due to fiscal mismanagement by
    the many layers of government.
    
    So, lets let this drop here before any more vengeful notes start
    flying about things we cannot really alter.
    
    Stuart

    
    You're absolutely right, and I apologize for my nasty response.
    I guess I could blame it on new-daddy jitters or some such,
    but I'm not one for excuses. 
    
    Still, I do only want to provide the best for my family.
    
    I continue to look forward to (more) valid responses to my original
    note. Again, I apologize.
    
    				-Steve

    No problem ...
    
    We all do it from time to time, especially in notes ... it is one
    of the problems of communicating with notes and electronic mail in
    that it's easy to jump into battle when the people you are battling
    aren't looking into your eyes! :-)
    
    As to why you're here ... that's why we're all noting here in
    parenting ... just to do the best we can for our family, and if
    we can get something here, that's great.
    
    Welcome aboard!  We're generally a friendly bunch!  Honest! :-)
    
    Stuart