I hate insurance companies. For the moment, however, let's leave my personal feeling that all types of insurance are akin to a Mafia protection racket. Instead, let's examine how the insurance industry is a nearly perfect analog for practical (not theoretical) socialism. Now, Americans generally dislike socialism, choosing instead to hitch their shiny horses to the star of almighty capitalism. Part of the American Dream is that if you work hard enough, then you will be rewarded with riches compensatory to such work. The dirty underwear of this is obviously greed. Americans feel that it's their money and that it would be sacrilegious to divvy any out to those of lesser economic means, because, obviously, they are simply lazy. There is also the prevailing theory that only material rewards engender innovation, although I would say that new ground is continually broken in the highly socialized fields of law enforcement and fire fighting. Still, Americans rail against the very notion of any program or idea that smells even vaguely like the big S.
If, then, socialism is so distasteful on an academic level, then why is it so blindly accepted in practice? A portion of the above thinking is rooted in the basic assumption that human beings are self-serving. Sure. This quality has manifested as corruption in many a socialist state leading to an eventual downfall. In a nutshell, those in power give preferential treatment to a select few and embezzle their fat asses off. This, my friends, is exactly how the insurance industry works, except that it is perfectly legal.
We can break this down into 3 distinct components - (1) The Redistribution of Wealth. At zero, everyone pays the same amount of money into an insurance pool. This gives the agency the funds to pay for the claims of those "in need." Let's look at health insurance. Everyone pays in so that insurer can cover the medical bills of the ill. That is, the allocation of wealth is based on need, classic socialism. (2) Cronyism. Eventually, if any one individual places too many claims, his insurance premiums will rise. The tacit rationale for this is to maintain some sense of equality, to create a nominal distance from what is described in point #1. The actuality is that the insurers simply want to give preferential treatment to those that allow them to reap a larger profit. By raising the rates of the sick, the insurers both lessen the relative burden on the healthy and weaken the already frail ability of the enfeebled to regain their health. It's all about the King Harolds, which brings us to... (3) Government Sponsored Embezzlement. So, we have the vast majority of the population paying into a pool that is used primarily to maximize the income of the insurer. So, where does that money go? Of course, there is overhead and, for all publicly held companies, the payouts to shareholders. Still, the biggest piece of the pie goes to (drumroll, please) the corporate CEOs. I won't bore you with the numbers (go here if you would like to see some), but suffice to say that 8 figure salaries could be used to lessen the burden on the entire set of insured. If this were a socialist state and those in power were hoarding the wealth instead of distributing it to the masses, we would call that corruption. Instead, in the great old US of A, we call it living the dream.
Yep, capitalism is much better.
Cheers.
Eat the Rich.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Tribe Prospect Countdown: #16 LHP Giovanni Soto
2011 Stats (Rookie League/ A+ Kinston): 4-4, 3.13, 1.19 WHIP, .232 OBA, 2.9 BB/9, 9.3 K/9
The fruit of 2010's Jhonny Peralta trade, Soto has produced phenomenal numbers throughout his minor league career (17-12, 2.64), including a pair of A ball shutouts, which is quite uncommon. While he does not have an overwhelming fastball (86-90 mph depending on 2-seam vs 4-seam), he supplements the offering with an outstanding cutter that absolutely destroys left-handed hitters. One would also expect a increase velocity as he builds mass and arm strength. Giovanni adds a "slurvy" curveball and a change that he commands well, but with which he needs to develop consistency. He induces the high-rate of ground balls (1.77 GO/AO) that is so enticing to the Indians and only magnified by the fact that he is left handed. Anyone care to hazard a guess on the only monkey wrench in the works? Soto missed about 2 months last summer with left elbow neuritis. The organization has been extremely cautious during his return, using him in relief at the tail end of 2011 as well as in the winter league. While Gio still projects as a starter, there have been internal discussion about converting him to the bullpen. Such a move would significantly diminish his value especially considering his vast array of pitches and the fact that he has already built his IP/GS to 5.1. The brain trust loves his intangibles (aggressiveness, savvy, confidence, etc) with VP of Player Deveelopment Ross Atkins definitively stating "he is a Major League pitcher." Soto should begin 2012 at AA Akron, I would hope, in the rotation.
Up Next: #15 1B Beau Mills
Pretty Girl 01.08.12 - Marcella Valladolid
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Tribe Prospect Countdown: #17 LeVon Washington
Bats: Left, Throws: Right
2011 Stats (A Lake County): .218, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 15/21 SB, .647 OPS, 1.82 K/BB
Too be sure, Washington has a ton of talent. Known as an amateur as a "toolsy" player, he can do a little bit of everything. The speed (4 3B as well) and arm (11 OF assists) are evident; while the average, power (.315 SLG) and defense (6 OF errors) seem to be lagging behind. Before becoming the Indians' 2nd round pick in 2010, LeVon was a 2009 1st round selection by Tampa Bay, declining to sign. Despite a letter of intent to the University of Florida, poor SAT scores forced him to junior college between the drafts. Washington did not handle the experience well. A lack of focus combined with a rehabbing right shoulder led to a lost season. The situation reinforced character concerns about the talented youngster and helped push him down to the Tribe in round #2. Additionally, the injury bug has followed LeVon to the pros. He had hip surgery prior to 2011 and was hampered the entire season by a nagging knee injury. To me, there seem to be a ton of red flags. Many are very high on Washington, often dazzled by amazing metrics (i.e. 4.0 seconds home to 1st). I agree that his ceiling is through the roof, but until the kid shows me some production, my skepticism will remain.
Up Next: #16 LHP Giovanni Soto
Pretty Grl 01.07.12 - Carla Gallo
Friday, January 6, 2012
Tribe Prospect Countdown: #18 RHP Hector Rondon
2011 Stats (A- Mahoning Valley): 0-0, 3.00, 1.00 WHIP, .250 OBA, 0 BB/9, 6.0 K/9
Everything was going perfectly for Rondon through the 2009 season. He had followed up an excellent 2008 (11-6, 3.60, 9.0 K/9) at Kinston with an equally impressive year (11-10, 3.38, 8.4 K/9) split between Akron and Columbus. Then, the proverbial roof caved in. After never surrendering more than 13 home runs in any career season, Hector served up 12 in his first seven 2010 starts. He was quickly diagnosed with a UCL strain in his pitching elbow and shut down indefinitely. Rondon chose a rest and rehab program, which progressed nicely until a bullpen session in August resulted in more intense pain. Does anyone know how to repair a UCL? Yup, Tommy John surgery. Hector came back on the short end of the 12-18 month recovery period to pitch for the Scrappers at the close of 2011. In addition to rebuilding arm strength, Rondon will have to overcome his removal from the 40-man roster in November. Personally, I believe that if the Tribe had not already written in their starting rotation, a different move would have been made and Hector would have competed for a back end spot during spring camp.
So, with all of that stacked against him, what do like about Rondon? His fastball, of course! Before the injury, he was hitting 96 on the gun and, according to Indians VP of Player Development Ross Atkins, has regained every bit of that velocity post-surgery, if not more. His secondary pitches, a slider and a straight change, are merely average by MLB standards, but have been the focus of Hector's off-season. An extremely mature and diligent person, I would not be surprised to see great strides in these offerings come Spring Training.
While there have been discussion about moving him to the bullpen, those conversation have been tabled pending Rondon's 2012 performance. I have every expectation that Hector will return to form in 2012 and, assuming he produces, should be among the top options should another starter be needed in the bigs.
Man, I sure am sick of detailing the talent squandered within the organization thanks to injury...
Up Next: #17 OF LeVon Washington
Pretty Girl 01.06.12 - Emily VanCamp
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