A lady went into the hospital for a common type of surgery. It was successful, and she received the bill for some $20,000 in just a few days. Her insurance was an 80-20 co pay policy, meaning she is required to pay 20% or $4,000. She paid her balance in full and assumed that the insurance company would take care of the rest. Months later, she received another bill for the balance.

Crises, whether real or contrived, open opportunities for ignoring constitutional issues. With almost every state experiencing budget shortfalls, The Dow Jones newsletter Tomorrow's News Today predicts that states will be forced to lay off 900,000 employees to balance their budgets. Such conditions may well encourage leaders to act, without following due process.

Remember to old story of the goose that laid golden eggs? A fellow took the goose away from an evil giant. For several years, he and his wife kept the goose and became quite prosperous as a result of her eggs.

One day a thief observed them getting the eggs, and stole the goose. For a little while he enjoyed the benefits, but he wasn't getting rich as fast as he wanted.

Chapters four through twelve of Exodus describe the plagues on Egypt that resulted in Israel being freed. Historically it takes place at the very end of the Middle Kingdom, shortly before the Hyksos domination around 1600 B.C. It is probable that the events listed in Exodus were major factors in the Hyksos being able to conquer Egypt even though they were rather weak.

In the children's story, The Emperor's New Clothes, a group of charlatans convince a vain emperor that they can make a suit of clothes that will enable him to always pick out the best people for a task because those who are unfitted for their job will be unable to see the new clothes.

The emperor wanted to obtain the best possible advisors and workmen, and when the crooks finished telling him how wonderful the new clothes would look, and what a wise ruler he would be to take advantage of their offer, he provided the expensive things they requested to do the job.

It has been educational and interesting to watch the new show, Undercover Boss. Corporate executives pose as a new employee starting in the company. They work for one day at various jobs in the company in various locations to gain an impression of what their employees experience. Thus far each show has revealed some serious problems, as well as some very good situations.