December 6, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 14

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Friday, December 6, 2019 “ElkCituNews Real friends Opinion Page on your time and talents real friends would never request. They spend much of their time judging and criticizing Glynda Lomax is a Chris- for me one of the times I you, manipulating or trying Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 tian author and podcaster was out of work for several to run your life. They get who resides in the Ozark months in Dallas and had no angry when you don’t do things their way. They re- Everything is subject Mountains of Northern Ar- income. kansas with her two very Tam blessed with a mul- ject you when you don’t take their advice, do everything bossy dogs. She wrote her titude of great friends. Last to interpretation {first About Life.column in fall while trying to commute 2003 for a newspaper in they think you should or live four hours a day and help your life how they want you By Don Munsch, Editor Dallas. She is planning her care for my elderly mother, to. next book. I fell ill with the flu for the A real friend’s motivation One interesting aspect of English as a subject in second- second time. A good friend will always be love. They stripped away. All your ary school or college is that people will interpret an as- “You can make more called and after learning I encourage you to grow and friends just lost any status or signed book in different ways. friends in two months by be- was out of medicine, drove succeed in life your own fancy titles they had. How coming interested in other almost an hour after work- way, on your own terms. many of them would you Some people might love “Brave New World,” while oth- people than you can in two ing all day to bring me what They will always be looking still be friends with? How ers will fall asleep reading it. Same is true with anything years by trying to get other I needed. When he showed out for your best interests, many of them would still be written by, for example, Ayn Rand. people interested in you.” — up at my door, he had medi- not their own. Real friends friends with you? Dale Carnegie cine, juice and a myriad of do not hold one sided con- Friends can make life joy- And those kind of thoughts came to me while seeing the other items to help me re- versations, expecting you to ful. They help us through online and Twitter reaction to the new Peloton television How do you define the cover. In spite of my being worship at the altar of their hard times and rejoice with word friend? Do you define fevered and contagious, he ego, they are also interested us in happy ones. Real ad, “The Gift That Gives Back,” for its stationary bike. it the same way for how you then sat with me the rest of in your life. friends help carry your bur- Some people hate the ad. behave as a friend as you de- the evening, ordered take- Are the bad times in your dens instead of adding to Peloton’s stock has dropped since the ad launched, but fine it for the people you call out, and made conversation life the only times you make them. They hold you when the compnay might actually win here — eventually. I'll ex- your friends? in an effort to make me feel time for your friends? Do you cry, put your own needs Walter Winchell once better. I was so moved by the you ignore the hard times in before their own, and make plain why in a moment. said a real friend is one who generous gift of his time and their lives but expect them to time for you even when First off, it is a silly ad in some — maybe many — ways. It walks in when the rest of the his selflessness in bringing be there for you in yours? Do they’re rushed. A real friend depicts a woman — “Grace from Boston” — both excited and world walks out. me what I needed so badly you look at friends simply as will tell you the truth when apprehensive about using her new bike, which she received One day a friend found out and then risking taking ill people to accompany you it would be easier not to. A I would be undergoing major himself to sit with me. Real and applaud you as you walk real friend is loyal and wants as a Christmas gift from her boyfriend/husband. Then she surgery and no one would be friends like that are rare and through life’s accomplish- only the best for you. A real documents her time using the machine. She even tapes her with me when I went in. On the treasure of their friend- ments? Do you see them as friend encourages you to sessions, in selfies. In the commercial spot, she and her sig- the day of my surgery, she ship is worth more than gold. protection from aloneness, dream, to reach for the high- got up and drove all the way an audience, an entourage, est star and helps you find nificant other watch her ride the bike on their TV screen. I heard it said once that an enhancement to your across Dallas to be there for the ladder to reach it. She said she is a “little nervous but excited” about using the me by 6 a.m. so I wouldn’t false friends don’t make ego? Or do you see friends Real friends cannot be tak- equipment the first time. have to face it alone. When I friends, they take hostages. as relationships to treasure en for granted, they are like “Five days in a row. Are you surprised? I am,” Grace says expressed my gratitude later, Motivated “by something and build on through the precious flowers which must she simply said “That’s what other than love and want- years? be tended with care. A life in half-astonished manner to her phone while taping one of love is all about. Friendship ing real friendship, they are When tragedy strikes in rich with real friends is rich apparently many selfies over the course of a year. is about doing it when it’s inconsiderate of your time, your life, your real friends indeed. May we always re- She says the bike changed her life, but doesn’t say how or hard.” Another close friend, constantly calling you or will be the first ones to show member what Ralph Waldo in spite of severe financial casually dropping by your up and the last to leave. Emerson said, that the only in what way. She appears the same from the first time she problems in his own house- house without an invitation. Imagine that suddenly all way to have a friend is to be uses the bike. A Yahoo! Lifestyle story quoted a marketing hold, purchased groceries False friends make demands the titles in the world were a friend. professor from Northwestern University who said the fact We need a healthcare system that that the actress was fit and attractive before and after using the bike shows “Peloton is not a weight-loss tool but a life- Still, do companies think real people react this way to supports the new American workforce style choice and a remarkable movement.” their products? And has anyone ever gone this gaga over a By Brent Messenger bosses -- and boosts the effect, only 64 percent of miums would surge, making piece of exercise equipment? Americans are increasing- economy. full-time independent work- plans unaffordable for mil- I’ve used stationary bike equipment before, and none of ly leaving their traditional Consider this hypothetical ers had health insurance. By lions of middle-class people 9-to-5 jobs to work for them- -- a small public relations 2016, that increased to 83 who don’t receive subsidies. those exercise bikes got me ecstatic or wound up before I selves. Last year, nearly 57 firm occasionally needs to percent. Sadly, the efforts to under- used them. And I don’t recall being nervous before exercis- million people performed make some infographics. The ACA also spurred mine the law are working. ing, whether it was using new equipment or even during the freelance work -- up from 53 In past decades, that firm entrepreneurship. Consider Last year, exchange plan million in 2014. would have had to hire an a study from one Temple times when I’ve had a trainer. The Affordable Care Act in-house graphic designer. University researcher who premiums rose 6 percent As I mentioned, some reaction to the ad has been nega- made this transition possible That’s expensive. And only analyzed the ACA provision more than they would have tive, and while I thought the ad was goofy from the get- for many. It enabled mil- designers within commuting that allowed young Ameri- absent this sabotage. The lions of Americans, includ- distance could apply. cans to stay on their par- number of people enrolled go, I'm kind of surprised the reaction has taken this long ing those with pre-existing But now, the firm can en- ents’ insurance until age 26. in unsubsidized ACA plans to surface, given the ad had been running for a few weeks conditions, to purchase gage a freelancer -- who Young people who received plummeted from 6.3. mil- on network television. [“Saturday Night Live,” where have health insurance indepen- could have many similar that coverage capitalized lion in 2016 to 3.8 million in dent of their employer. Con- clients and earn a sizeable on the security it provided. 2018. you been?] Some critics don’t understand and or reject the sequently, Americans can income. Indeed, in 2018, They were up to three times Politicians could promote premise, while others thought the ad is sexist or essentially work independently without skilled freelancers in the top more likely to start their own entrepreneurship by restor- caters to people in the top tax brackets. worrying that medical emer- 25 markets for independent businesses. ing the individual mandate gencies could destroy their work generated over $135 Yet some politicians have To some extent, Peloton benefits here because — shock of finances. billion in revenue. relentlessly attacked the and taking steps to uncouple the century — people are talking about the product. Peloton As the head of community Win-win scenarios like ACA. In late 2017, Congress health insurance from em- released a statement to CNBC that it shared in a story on at Fiverr, an online market-this help explain why free- neutered the law’s individual ployment. Such reforms are place for independent work, lancing contributes $1.4 tril- mandate -- the requirement good policy and good poli- its website that said, “We constantly hear from our mem- T've seen first-hand how lion to the American econo- that all Americans obtain tics. More than half of free- bers how their lives have been meaningfully and positively important affordable health my annually. insurance or pay a penalty. lancers consider themselves impacted after purchasing or being gifted a Peloton Bike or care is for people to pursue Many Americans want to The Trump administration politically active, compared Tread, often in ways that surprise them. Our holiday spot freelancing. Yet policymak- work independently but re- has also allowed insurers to to only a third of non-free- ers have repeatedly tried main tethered to their em- sell lightly regulated plans lancers. was created to celebrate that fitness and wellness journey. to undermine the ACA. ployers for health benefits. that cover only some of the All Americans should While we’re disappointed in how some have misinterpreted These efforts have caused Fifty-six percent of Ameri- benefits included in standard be able to pursue indepen- this commercial, we are encouraged by — and grateful for premiums to increase, mak- cans cite health insurance ACA plans. dent work. Health coverage ing coverage unfeasible for as the reason they’ve stayed These politicians hope — the outpouring of support we’ve received from those many. mustn’t stand in the way. with their current employers. that, due to these reforms, who understand what we were trying to communicate.” Attacking the ACA further The ACA sought to re- young, healthy workers will Brent Messenger is vice The reaction to the ad will only spike some people’s in- is a mistake. Instead, law- move this barrier, and it forgo coverage or enroll in president of public policy & terest in checking out the product, even if it does reportedly makers should protect and largely succeeded -- at least junk insurance plans. That community engagement at strengthen the law. under President Obama. In would leave only older, sick- Fiverr. This piece originally cost more than $2,200. Bet you can’t fit this item in your Independent work allows 2013, the year before most er Americans in the ACA’s ran in the Houston Chroni- Christmas stocking this year, though. people to become their own ACA provisions went into insurance exchanges. Pre- cle. account the age of the per- Oklahoma’s Quality Rating Our wishlist for state and federal lawmakers son they are playing with. and Improvement System Yet another study, this one (QRIS) for child care cen- By Oklahoma Institute to a 401K retirement plan). by age 5, kids who attended conducted over 30 years by and physical and behavioral ters. Oklahoma was the first for Child Advocacy CEO Since 2018, these plans have formal childcare programs the FPG Child Development health. Our agenda includes Joe Dorman specific suggestions and been eligible to help cover had stronger reading and Institute at the University state in the nation to imple- The holiday season has legislative or policy actions the costs of K-12 as well math skills compared to of North Carolina at Chapel ment a QRIS. The major- arrived, and OICA is pre- that we believe can move as college tuition. Parents kids who attended informal, Hill, found that adults who ity of other states have now paring a “wish list” for the needle in each of these looking to pay for daycare, home-based care programs. had been enrolled as infants implemented some form of a lawmakers in advance of categories. however, are subject to ordi- Daycare offers a great in a high-quality child care quality rating and improve- the next legislative session. While most of our agen- nary income tax and a 10% opportunity for your kids program are four times more Our 2020 Children’s Legis- da focuses on state-level penalty. We would like to to socialize at a young age, likely to have earned a col- ment system. lative Agenda is driven by policies, we are also asking see this changed so more and in turn, it can help them lege degree and are more Expanding the role of 529 the work that occurred at Oklahoma’s U.S. Congres- families can readily afford learn communication skills likely to remain consistently savings accounts to cover this year’s Fall Forum, and sional Delegation to con- day care. as well. Another study by employed. the cost of daycare expenses will be submitted to legisla- tinue to engage on one fed- Why is access to daycare Radboud University in the We hope that federal is a win for children and a tors (and available online at eral issue which we believe important? Beyond the obvi- Netherlands found — that lawmakers will also see the OICA.org) by the end of this could have a major impact ous (someone has to provide children who go to daycare benefits of extending day win for many parents who week. in Oklahoma and _nation- reliable and safe care for may benefit from a wider care support through a 529 might not otherwise be able To give you a sneak wide. Currently, day care is young children, and daycare variety of social and com- saving plan for a qualified to afford daycare. We hope peek, our agenda will fo- not considered a qualified is the only option for many municative situations rela- child care provider. We that Oklahoma’s Congres- cus on four primary areas: 529 plan expense (a 529 working parents), day care tive to children who do not also believe its appropri- sional delegation will help education and early child- plan is a privately funded also sets up children to per- go to daycare. The former ate for Oklahoma and its hood development; at-risk education savings invest- form better when they get to have a heightened ability lawmakers to be trailblaz~ us to make progress on this youth policies; responsible ment account that comes school. A 2016 University to adjust their non-verbal ers on this issue. Reaching issue and deliver a win with criminal iustice reforms: with tax benefits. similar of Virginia studv found that communication to take into for the Stars is the name of national conseauences.