Tuesday, October 21, 2008

quick links

You may have noticed that the content is rather, um, light here lately. I've been busy with other things (teaching, grading, life) so the blog is running itself--or, mostly, not, lately. But here are a couple of quick links.

First, do you think it's fair to provide health benefits to families? Me, too. But not everyone agrees--or, at least, they want a cut if they're not taking the health insurance. What is fair?

Second, don't you want to look at some amazing pictures of animals? Really, you do. Link courtesy of the amazing Neil Gaiman who is, I'm sure, way busier than I am.

That's all I've got.

5 comments:

FreshHell said...

Dare I utter it: I think health care should be socialized. I do not think its in our best interests as a country for health care insurance and pharmaceutical companies to be for-profit and run like other corporations. That's the reason everything is so expensive. I doubt we'll ever get there but McCain's idea is insane and very scary.

FreshHell said...

Which....doesn't actually pertain to the question you pose in your article. I think its "fair" though when benefits are available for people no matter where they are in life. Eventually, even if faculty are not married now, they may be in the future. They may have children and/or elderly parents to care for. All these different kinds of assistance should be made available to staff and faculty. Whether you use them or not is up to you. But what's fair is offering them in the first place. Why shouldn't a university operate a childcare center on campus, for example? The users pay the fees. It helps the whole environment of the university. I certainly wouldn't begrudge people elder care/adult day care services or partner benefits just because I might never use them. THat's silly.

Libby said...

oh, I'm completely with you on the S-word. But first things first...

Magpie said...

I think health care should be universal and provided by the government.

That said - there is an inherent unfairness to an employer treating me one way and a single person a different way. My employee pays 100% of the cost of single insurance, and none of the add on for spouse/child/family.

Libby said...

So, Magpie, that sounds to me like an example of fairness, right? My employer does the same: 100% for a single person, or the equivalent in $$ for family coverage. That seems right to me. There's also a cash rebate for those who forego coverage because they get it elsewhere, though that is less than the total cost of the insurance.