It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is…well let’s let Linda Hill explain it. Her words. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “the last piece of mail you received.” Talk about the subject of the last piece of physical mail you received, i.e., a gas bill–talk about gas, not the bill itself. Have fun!”
So the last piece of mail I received was from Blue Cross announcing a 6% increase in my premium. Not very exciting stuff like a Publisher Clearing House $7,000 a week for life but it will have to do. If you would like to join in and have as much fun visit Linda to read up on how easy it is. Here is the link.
Blue Cross by John W. Howell © 2019
“What’s this?”
“A ransom note.”
“Ransom note? What’s it say?”
“You need to pay 6% more, or they’ll kill you.”
“Huh. Who’s going to kill me and 6% more of what?”
“You have health insurance right?”
“Yes, I do.”
“And you have several things that need constant care right?”
“Well, I suppose.”
“If you don’t get the care what will happen?”
“I suppose I could die.”
“There you go. Blue Cross says you need to pay 6% more for your insurance or you won’t have any.”
“Oh. No insurance would be a bad thing.”
“Hence the ransom.”
“I see that now. What can we do?”
“Calling the police won’t work.”
“This must be a crime.”
“Sorry no. It is legal even though it smacks of extortion.”
“What is the alternative?”
“Go it alone.”
“I can’t afford that.”
“So the increase is cheaper than paying your own bills?”
“Of course.”
“Pay the ransom.”
“Best choice but I don’t have to like it.”
“Who asked you to like it?”
“Good point.”
Fiction Favorites 
Yep, in this case, it is better to pay the ransom. Great use of the prompt, John. Hope you have a worry-free day, with sunshine of course! 😀
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Yes it was a good one. Thank you, Gwen.
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Insurance companies always border on being criminals, but stop just shy. I had a good priced car insurance until our neighborhood flooded and my car was parked right in the middle of it. I see their ads about never dropping you even if you have a claim on TV – they don’t mention that the rates will jump $300 !!!!
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I feel your pain. Even though our household insurance didn’t pay a dime for Hurricane Harvy damage they raised the rates. Makes one feel like moving. 😀
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haha, gotcha!
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Yup. Ten years of premiums.
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That certainly does sound criminal!
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Tar and Feather offense at least.
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Yanno, that is a blunt force trauma truth that I (most of us) never really stop to think about. Pay the ransom indeed.
Clever spin, Boss.
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Thank you, Marc. Check’s in the mail. 😀
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Buahaha!
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Pay the man, John. Be thankful it wasn’t 16% or they didn’t break one of your legs. It does seem like a crime. Good answer to a tough prompt.
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Thank you, Dan. You are right. Just pay the man. 😁
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You should send your story to Blue Cross, John! I suppose 6% is better than 60%. I also have BC through my employer. They are expensive, but I’ll have to admit, as someone with a chronic illness, they provide me with great coverage. Nice job with the prompt…now go rest this weekend and Happy Saturday!
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Happy Saturday to you, Jill. *sung to the tune of Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys.
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Nice! 🙂
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Ransom is a great way to put it.
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Well done on the prompt, John. It would have been fun if your last piece of mail had been from Publisher’s Clearing House. 🙂
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Wouldn’t it? Thanks, Jennie.
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Yes! 🙂 You’re welcome, John.
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Extortion indeed. It’s quite the racket.
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Thank you, Eilene.
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The Family Plan is worse.
Pay or the kids get it…
:(:(:(
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I have to agree. Daughter was on my plan until age 26. Thankfully her employer has a plan.
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Yep it’s a crime. I know too many who go without. We’ve got a healthcare crisis.
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I agree, Jill. Thank you.
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Your point is well made, John, and it doesn’t just apply to health insurance either.
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There are a lot of kidnappers out there. Thanks, Robbie.
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‘Red Cross’ is a better fit! Maybe! ♥
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Ha haha. Could be. Thanks, Billy Ray.
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Unfortunately it is similar to a ransom! Have a great weekend:)
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Thank you, Denise. You as well.
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You have a way with these things, John. Brilliant take!
And you must truly feel like you’re being held for ransom!
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Thank you, Dale. These increases come afer the election period so I think a little unfair.
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I think it’s never fair…
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There really should be a stick-pin for when we reach that fixed income point in life. Not just for insurance, but everything that isn’t a commodity. Power, natural gas, insurance, etc.
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I agree.
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These people need to move to Canada…
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I guess that would be good, eh?
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Hilariously funny, John! Hope the insurance companies don’t see this and get any ideas. 🙂
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I think they already have the idea. Thanks, Jan
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[…] https://johnwhowell.com/2019/03/23/stream-of-consciousness-saturday-prompt-the-last-piece-of-mail/ ““What’s […]
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Thank you for the link, Traci.
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