Detroit is bankrupt and I don't feel so good myself

With apologies to Lewis Grizzard, the late great story teller from Georgia (see http://www.lewisgrizzard.com/), Detroit is bankrupt and I don’t feel so good myself.

The news cycle from the last few weeks has presented the thinking public with several opportunities for self-examination – especially of our core values. A fellow named Snowden is holed up at the Moscow airport looking for a home; the Internal Revenue Service has been proven to target organizations on the basis of their political leanings; the President announced that he would delay the enforcement of provisions of his tenure’s signature legislation; a jury found George Zimmerman not guilty yet a young man died at his hand; Detroit has filed for bankruptcy.

Oh, and I had a tooth explode while on a business trip to Chicago.

Edward Snowden, a contractor with high level security clearance stole secrets from the National Security Agency (NSA), left the country, and shared said secrets with Britain’s Guardian Newspaper. The information disclosed a far-reaching capability (and practice!) of data farming of individual communications both foreign and domestic. Here’s the issue: Snowden’s actions are both arguably treasonous and arguably heroic. He’s disclosed state secrets that reportedly have helped foil terror plots within our borders and he’s blown the whistle on practices that seem to run afoul of several key provisions of our Bill of Rights. I guess I’d be more comfortable with the hero argument if he hadn’t run.

With every stop of the “Wolverine” – Amtrak’s train service between Pontiac, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois – the pain intensified in my left jaw. By my arrival in the Windy City, even my left eye hurt. A call to my dentist (and friend) Scott left me admonished to find a local dentist to evaluate my situation.

The IRS is subject to many digs, jokes, and faux-horror stories. It appears, however, that our natural dismay may have more footing than we knew. Groups applying for particular tax status were delayed or denied because they were perceived by IRS personnel as having a political agenda contrary to that of the administration. Full blown investigations are underway and some allegations point to instances where groups of different political stripes were also subject to similar disservice. I have more than a casual discomfort that very powerful government agencies seem to operate in utter defiance of the First Amendment.

Fortunately, I walked past a small plaque that said “Setty Dental Practice” on my approach to my hotel. The plaque wasn’t more than 3” x 9” but I found it early Friday morning as I sought a local practitioner. I was in their waiting room at 7:45 am and was heartened to see the diplomas from the University of Michigan Dental School – a good omen. I was scheduled for an evaluation at 11:40 am.

The mandate to businesses that they must have (and prove) health insurance for their full time employees will not be enforced starting in 2014. This was a clearly stated provision of the law and the administration has chosen not to enforce the law. I don’t get it. I seem to recall a specific grievance about King George in the Declaration of Independence: “He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.” If a piece of legislation is passed and signed into law, shouldn’t it be enforced? Are we subjects to a king who can overrule the people’s legislature?

My Chicago dental exam pointed toward two possible courses of action: an immediate root canal or a course of antibiotics and pain relievers that would carry me through the weekend until I could see my own dentist. I chose the latter.

The Zimmerman case, to me, underscores a few things. Laws are imperfect. It is, however, important to respect these laws – even if imperfect. And legal does not necessarily mean moral. Almost exactly a year ago today, I awoke to a criminal attempting to crawl into my bedroom window. It would have been perfectly legal to lay and wait until said bad guy got into my home and then shoot him. It would not have been moral. Instead, I yelled, told him (assuming a "him") that I’d kill him if he came in and racked the shotgun. He didn’t enter. An important take away: we might not like a law and dislike a court outcome. But is it worse to be in a society where the application of laws is malleable based on situational public opinion, a judge’s whim, or the braying of political pundits? I think it would be.

Scott amended his calendar to get me into his office first thing on Tuesday morning – at least an hour’s worth of drilling and evaluation. My jaw hurt. We’ve decided on an intermediate course of action in hopes of avoiding a root canal or an extraction. The medications remain important.

Detroit, Michigan is the largest American city to file for bankruptcy. The Chapter 9 filing was submitted today – consistent with the emergency manager’s exhortation to creditors. Real attempts were made to negotiate settlements outside of bankruptcy and certain groups wouldn’t budge. Now, it will be interesting to see the painful outcomes of bankruptcy court.

Perhaps these creditors will find that the intermediate course of action would have saved much pain. I’m relatively certain that my pain meds won’t help.

Image from:  http://www.silverliving.com/blog/2013/05/will-ltc-bankrupt-the-nation/