This biweekly message from the guy in payroll is a story that has obvious import for today's political wrangling. Enjoy:
On this day in the year 752 B.C., Uriah the Beggar petitioned the court of Pharaoh to provide adequate health care for all the citizens of Egypt. Pharaoh considered the proposal, but was quickly beset by The Barbers of Cheops and The Potions and Salves Union, powerful lobbies representing surgeons and pharmaceutical companies, who convinced Pharaoh that if health care was universally available to all the citizens they might lose some of their income trying to compete with a government-sponsored plan. If that happened, they reasoned, they might not be able to provide Pharaoh with a new chariot of gold each year. Shortly thereafter, Uriah the Beggar was deemed to be an enemy of the state and was tossed to the crocodiles in the Nile, discouraging anyone else from suggesting such an outrageous proposition.
1 day until my birthday, 39 days until our next holiday, 148 days until Christmas (and can’t you just feel it creeping up on you, just like an old spider), and 6942 days until I retire.
