Pharmacy Prior Authorization Form 2012: Fill & Download for Free

To add to Colin Johnson’s excellent answer, let’s add some more meat on the bones of the answer. Since this IS Quora, there will undoubtedly be others who will provide more meat, both opinions and facts.EDIT ONE DAY AFTER: after reflection, I realized I should apologize up front to Quorans who might read this, because it IS a long read. As I started to answer the question based on the proposed scenario, my short answer just kept getting longer and longer as I added material, new links, learned new things, and began to synthesize some disparate threads that all seemed germane. So, forewarned is forearmed: it’s a long one! But hopefully useful.Let me add just a few more comments up front:SHORT ANSWER: Yes, the US military will restore order, but it will be split, i.e., not every member of the US military who owed allegiance to the Constitution at the beginning of “The Troubles” will still be there at the end. That’s just inevitable with human nature, loyalties, family, and other obligations both physical and of the conscience.The United States is more than just the Federal Government. It is a combined, overlapping, and interrelated federal republic, governed by the U.S. Constitution, containing:fifty states and a federal district;16 territories,500+ tribal areas,3000+ counties/boroughs/parishes,36,000+ cities/towns; andclose to 40,000 more more special districts, e.g., various governmental subdivisions performing specialized functions such as water districts, utilities, port authorities, parks, libraries, highways, mass transit authorities, cemeteries, and hospitals, among others.Federalism provides that jurisdiction and authority “begins at home,” i.e., at the lowest level. Thus, civil unrest and disorder that is severe enough to cause the imminent collapse of Federal governmental structures and authority, will most certainly have already been felt — more or less — at lower political subdivisions in the spectrum. The community and government leaders at these levels, from the levee district, port authority, small towns and great cities, counties, tribal areas, and states, would ALREADY HAVE BEEN FULLY INVOLVED AND AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS…and working together through both formal and informal Mutual Assistance Compacts and other arrangements, and when those begin to fail, calling for assistance from State(s) and the Federal Government.Most people think they know what “the US military” is. But the answer, as the following will show, is far, far more complex. Even military professionals with several decades of service often do not know the full extent: because it is just so complicated!the Armed Forces, including their respective Reserve Components and the National Guard of the United States (NGUS) —Army + Army Reserve + Army National Guard of the US (ARNGUS),Navy + Navy Reserve,Marines + Marine Reserve,Air Force + Air Force Reserve + Air Force National Guard of the US (AFNGUS),Coast Guard (c. 40,000) + Coast Guard Reserve (+ Coast Guard Auxiliary, if mobilized in time of war or national emergency as the “Temporary Coast Guard Reserve”).All of the nearly 500,000 National Guardsmen, both Army and Air Force, hold dual commissions/enlistments: as State AND Federal organized militia. When not “Federalized” pursuant to a Presidential or Congressionally-declared national emergency, or during war, the National Guard serves specifically as the organized militia forces available to each State Governor and the Governors of the 4 Territories with organized National Guard forces (District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands).the Uniformed Services, which include all of the above Armed Forces, PLUS —Public Health Service (6,700 commissioned officers) (+ PHS Reserve, authorized by Public Law 111–148, AKA “Obamacare,” on 23 March 2010, but as of late November 2016 has not been implemented),NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) (379 commissioned officers).The Commissioned Corps of both the PHS and NOAA, as uniformed services, may be militarized and considered a branch of the armed forces by an act of Congress, or by executive order by the President of the United States, not only in time of war, but in "an emergency involving the national defense proclaimed by the President." Major militarization of these agencies occurred during World War II and another later during the Korean War.In addition to the Armed Forces and Uniformed Services, which together are immediately available for military service in a national emergency or during time of war, there are “other” entities that have military roles:the US Maritime Service, AKA Maritime Administration (MARAD), an agency under the Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the DoD US Transportation Command, provides the following to national defense:The Voluntary Intermodal Shipping Agreement (VISA):The VISA program creates a partnership between the U.S. Government and the maritime industry to provide commercial sealift and intermodal shipping services and systems necessary to meet mobilization requirements.Through the VISA program, transportation solutions are developed in peacetime to anticipate emergency/wartime DoD requirements. The program provides for a seamless, time-phased transition from peacetime to wartime operations, while maintaining ongoing commercial arrangements during contingencies.The VISA program can be activated in three stages as determined by DoD, with each stage representing a higher level of capacity commitment. In Stage III, participants must commit at least 50 percent of their capacity. Dry cargo vessels enrolled in the MSP must commit 100 percent during Stage III. VISA participants get priority preference when bidding on DoD peacetime cargo.There is a clear link between VISA and the MSP (see following): more than 90% of the “militarily useful vessels” in the U.S.-flag merchant fleet are committed to the VISA program and over 75% of that capacity comes from MSP vessels.The Maritime Security Program (MSP):Participating MSP operators are required to make their ships and commercial transportation resources available upon request by the Secretary of Defense during times of war or national emergency.The MSP maintains a modern US-flag fleet providing military access to vessels and vessel capacity, as well as a total global, intermodal transportation network: vessels, logistics management services, infrastructure, terminals facilities and US-citizen merchant mariners to crew the government owned/controlled and commercial fleets.MSP ship crews are a major source of manpower for DoD surge maritime requirements. The MSP contributes approximately 2,400 US-citizen, qualified mariners to the US deepwater seafarer base.The MSP maintains a core fleet of 60 US-flag, privately-owned ships operating in international commerce which are also available under agreement to provide capacity needed to meet Department of Defense (DOD) requirements during war and national emergencies.“Without the VISA and MSP fleet, the United States would have assured access to very few U.S.-flag commercial vessels to support DoD operations.”US Merchant Marine Fleet - a combination of Government and civilian-owned US-flagged vessels that, in times of war, can be an auxiliary to the United States Navy, and can be called upon to deliver military personnel and materiel for the military.Merchant Marine Officers may also be designated as Military Officers by the Department of Defense. This is commonly achieved by commissioning unlimited tonnage Merchant Marine Officers as Strategic Sealift Officers in the Naval Reserves.the majority of the midshipmen graduated from the 7 USMS-approved training academies, including the US Merchant Marine Academy, accept commissions in the US Navy or US Coast Guard, or their reserve components, and serve aboard USN or USCG warships or US-flagged merchant vessels. The MARAD also maintains a large number of vessels, and as needed either personnel and/or vessels can be brought on-line to directly contribute to any national emergency or war.the State Defense Forces (c. 16,000): maintained by 15 States, although not dual State/Federal entities like the National Guard of the United States, these forces are components of the State militias like the individual state National Guards.State Militia/State Guard - generally organized similar to Army National Guard units, although there is considerable variation from State to State, authorized by 32 USC 109.Naval Militia - a few States maintain an active Naval Militia, which is different from a maritime component of the SDF, in that Naval Militia maintain a distinct Federal link; but in practice there is virtually no distinguishing between Naval Militia and maritime SDF in those States that maintain either.Both forms of SDF are usually folded under the command and operational control of the State Adjutant General (senior NGUS officer within each State, usually a one or two star general officer). Often specialized with emergency management, search and rescue, and other homeland defense and security training and equipment. Some SDF are permitted by State laws to be armed and/or trained with weapons.The SDF usually serve without any pay, typically in a manner similar to the National Guard, for two days a month and occasionally for longer periods of time for training and deployments.SDF are NOT eligible for mobilization under any DoD authority, as they are solely the resources of the State that created, organized, trained, and equipped them. States may call them up for duty under State laws collectively known as “State Active Duty,” where they fall under the disciplinary authority of State law, and generally earn pay and allowances similar or exactly the same as their NGAUS counterparts, although except in rare instances they will not accrue retirement credits and are covered by their State’s Workmen’s Compensation laws rather than traditional military medical coverage.Individual members of the SDF are often, but not always, prior service or retired military members of the Federal or NGUS military.While SDF organizations may not be mobilized under traditional Title 10 authorities as other NGUS and Federal Reserve forces, e.g., Navy Reserve, as INDIVIDUALS they may be subject to either recall by their parent military services (if they are retired, or have remaining obligated military service on their 8-year contracts), OR through either induction by the Selective Service in the event the draft was reinstated OR in the event the President or Congress calls forth the Militia under the Insurrection Act. (See below for more on the Militia and the Insurrection Act.)Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): the agency's primary purpose is to coordinate the response to a disaster that has occurred in the United States and that overwhelms the resources of local and state authorities. The governor of the state or territory in which the disaster occurs must declare a state of emergency and formally request from the president that FEMA and the federal government respond to the disaster.FEMA (14,844 employees across the country – at headquarters, the ten regional offices, the National Emergency Training Center, Center for Domestic Preparedness/Noble Training Center and other locations),FEMA Reserve - The Reservist Program was established 1 October 2012, to build and sustain a robust, well-trained, deployable, and available corps of employees to support the needs of disaster survivors and their communities. Reservists are temporary intermittent employees who are hired into one of 21 incident workforce cadres to perform a specific job/function within a cadre. Reservists possess valuable skills, training, and experience, which assist FEMA in performing its survivor-centric duties to its fullest capability.FEMA National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) - a multiagency center located at FEMA HQ that coordinates the overall Federal support for major disasters and emergencies, including catastrophic incidents in support of operations at the regional-level.National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) - teams that provide medical and allied care to disaster victims, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc., typically sponsored by hospitals, public safety agencies, or private organizations.Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) - provide medical care at disasters and are typically made up of doctors and paramedics: National Nursing Response Teams (NNRT), National Pharmacy Response Teams (NPRT), Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT), Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORT), and National Medical Response Teams (NMRT) equipped to decontaminate victims of chemical and biological agents.Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces - perform rescue of victims from structural collapses, confined spaces, and other disasters, for example mine collapses and earthquakes.Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) - these teams provide communications support to local public safety. For instance, they may operate a truck with satellite uplink, computers, telephone and power generation at a staging area near a disaster so that the responders can communicate with the outside world.FEMA vehicle provides communications support after a major hurricane.These teams provide communications support to local public safety. For instance, they may operate a truck with satellite uplink, computers, telephone and power generation at a staging area near a disaster so that the responders can communicate with the outside world.And here begins the LONG ANSWER, for those Quorans who want to know more, maybe even way more…Let’s start with some fundamental truths:Every single person who is currently serving in the US Government, all branches and agencies, AND all State and local governments, have sworn an oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution against all enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC. For those who hold office or otherwise work in any capacity for a governmental organization at the State or lower, they have ALSO sworn an oath to their respective State, City, County, etc.Those Oaths are loyalty oaths to the concept of a republican (little “r,” not the political party big “R”) form of government, laid out and executed for the common benefit of all Americans as prescribed in the wording (and subsequent US Supreme Court precedents that help implement obscure passages here and there) of the actual Constitution. The Oath of Office is not given to a piece of paper…and it’s not to be taken with any “mental reservations or purpose of evasion.”The Oaths of officers and employees of subordinate layers of government, say local city police officers or the local water district employees, will also require loyalty to their own jurisdictions, in addition to the U.S. Constitution.We know from the aftermath of our last civil war that States, while “sovereign” entities inside the republic, cannot simply secede. And we also know that the principle of federalism includes a provision that the Federal Government’s actions, when performed under the authorities provided in the U.S. Constitution, trump (not chosen as a pun, but a verb…) State and local authorities.The Constitution gives the President one fundamental responsibility: the preservation of the nation. It also gives the President the authority to “call forth” the militia of the “several states,” etc.Over the years since our Constitution was born and ratified, the Congress has assisted the President in defining just “how” the President could use the authority to call forth military forces to assist in preserving the nation. These laws have included variations of the “Militia Act” and the Insurrection Act, the “Selective Service Act,” the “Posse Comitatus Act,” even the “War Powers Act.”Here is the most relevant wording of the Insurrection Act; notice that the President may use the authority both to suppress insurrection against a State’s authority, OR anywhere that the authority of the United States (i.e., “Federal law”) is usurped or in danger:§ 331. Federal aid for State governmentsWhenever there is an insurrection in any State against its government, the President may, upon the request of its legislature or of its governor if the legislature cannot be convened, call into Federal service such of the militia of the other States, in the number requested by that State, and use such of the armed forces, as he considers necessary to suppress the insurrection.§ 332. Use of militia and armed forces to enforce Federal authorityWhenever the President considers that unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion against the authority of the United States, make it impracticable to enforce the laws of the United States in any State or Territory by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, he may call into Federal service such of the militia of any State, and use such of the armed forces, as he considers necessary to enforce those laws or to suppress the rebellion.Further, Section 333 permits the President to use the armed forces to suppress any “insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy” if law enforcement is hindered within a state, and local law enforcement is unable to protect individuals, or if the unlawful action “obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes the course of justice under those laws.” This section was enacted to implement the Fourteenth Amendment and does not require the request or even the permission of the governor of the affected state. See: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RS22266.pdf8. Here is a good companion aid to the Posse Comitatus Act, aka “PCA.” Specifically, the PCA statutorily prevents the Army and the Air Force from engaging in law enforcement, even Federal laws (other than in the context of military discipline and in the execution of basing and military functions). The DoD has issued a regulation that applies the PCA to the USMC and the US Navy, as well, but theoretically the Secretary of Defense could void that regulation with a single word…and thus the USMC and USN could participate in any type of law enforcement as required (indeed, as they did when the USMC protected the mail trains in the 1920’s due to a rash of robberies). As noted below, the PCA does NOT apply to military operations taken pursuant to the Insurrection Act, nor does the PCA apply to the US Coast Guard at all, at any time or place, or to the National Guard when acting solely under State authority and command (i.e., not Federalized).9. The entire text of the Posse Comitatus Act, as amended in 1956, is as follows:18 U.S.C. § 1385 - Use of Army and Air Force as posse comitatus"Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both".Accordingly, actions taken under the Insurrection Act, as an "Act of Congress", have always been exempt from the Posse Comitatus Act.10. “The Constitution provides little guidance for the meaning of martial law, as it contains only one provision on point” (see page 50 of the paper), found at Article I, § 9, Clause 2:The Habeas Corpus Suspension Clause states that, "[t]e privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it."11. So, to combine the two above threads regarding the loyalty of those who serve the nation in a governmental capacity, and the authorities to preserve public order:Every Government employee, from top to bottom of every layer of Government in the country, has sworn a loyalty oath to an idea: the United States of America. This idea is manifested firstly in a piece of paper signed by a bunch of dead old men, whom we generally refer to as the “Founders” or the “Fathers” of our country. The piece of paper is titled “The Constitution of the United States of America.”The DoD has the authority to designate any DoD civilian employee, voluntarily or involuntarily, as “emergency-essential” and deploy them in support of various military contingency operations, or in time of declared war. See: 10 U.S. Code Chapter 81 - CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES. In the event civilians working with the DoD, even inside the US, commit offenses against the military Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), they may be subject to military courts-martial or nonjudicial punishments. If habeas corpus has been suspended, and martial law instated, then there is by definition no civilian authority to otherwise hold them accountable…if there is sufficient civil authority remaining then they must be remanded to either local authorities (if a local crime), or the US Dept of Justice (otherwise).Even in retirement, those who swore an oath may continue to hold their office (military and law enforcement especially)…this manifests most relevantly here in the various authorities that the President (and Congress, and the “sovereign States”) can use to recall and/or mobilize (the wording can vary, but the idea is the same…) retirees to “support and defend” the Constitution.In the event of a threat to the national security, from within, as in the scenario proposed with this question, the President and the 50 State governors and Territories have Constitutional authority to “call forth” the militia, i.e., any and all required military force and the resources required to support, sustain, reinforce, and maintain those military forces.The Constitutional authority is such that any amount of force that is required, or other actions that may be deemed necessary, to put down the Insurrection can be used…i.e., similar to the “continuum of force” taught to all police officers where any resistance to a lawful command or action can be met by a greater force to ensure compliance, so that at the end of the scenario the police officer is in control. The amount of force that can be used will be enough greater to ensure control, so a failure to accept verbal control may be countered and raised to “hands-on” control, and a threat of a knife can be met with a gun, etc.12. The scenario proposes that the insurrection has already begun…or is well underway. I won’t try to modify the underlying premise of the question and “stop” the insurrection before it begins, but the question specifically asks:“Would the U.S. military restore order or would it also be split. (sic)”? 13. In any group of people, even the 5 or so million military personnel, and several million more Federal/State/Local government employees, i.e., “civil servants” including the roughly 1 million law enforcement officers in the US, of course some will be susceptible to the types of pressures listed in this scenario, and may choose to forsake their oaths of loyalty for whatever they believe to be a greater individual or societal “good.”14. Would enough of those 4–5+ million military personnel, up to 20 million military veterans, some 1 million law enforcement personnel, and a couple million more “non-sworn” civil servants, stay loyal to the concept that is the United States of America that when the President “calls forth” the militia and the full force of the Federal AND all the sovereign States through the Insurrection Act, and other associated war powers such as the Selective Service draft, that the US military could restore order…or would it be split?15. I submit that it WOULD BE SPLIT, to a degree. Precisely because there are always going to be those people who want something different…right or wrong, good, bad, or indifferent.16. BUT, I also submit that there would be sufficient cohesion and loyalty to the Nation, in the person of the Commander in Chief and President, that the combined resources and organizational expertise of several million military members, and their assisting police and civil servants, would restore order.17. Too many people have sworn the oath of office or enlistment, have bled and sweated and cried for our nation, and know many, many others who have paid the ultimate price for their loyalty, to strike out in violence, or even disobedience, to prevent a coherent and thoughtful response to any insurrection that threatened to tear the Nation apart.18. There are of course plans and strategies already in existence to address various forms of domestic insurrection, just as there are to address various foreign threats to national security.19. For two good examples, consider the way the various levels of government responded to the disorder caused during the Rodney King riots in LA in 1992, and Hurricane Katrina (interestingly, also in “LA” = Louisiana) in 2005.Under the federal system of government, sovereignty is vested at the lowest level of governmental organization, and then rises.Any threat to public order is first to be evaluated, and if possible, prevented, contained, or resolved, by the lowest governmental organization. This is usually a City or County (a la City and County of Los Angeles and surrounding areas, or City and Parish of New Orleans and surrounding smaller cities and parishes). When the local government is overwhelmed, they are to call upon higher authorities, so that County, State, regional, or Federal resources can be employed.In the LA riots, the local authorities quickly decided they would not be able to handle the threat to public order, and called upon the State of California, which immediately directed various National Guard (under State authority, not Federalized) units and other public safety employees (police, fire, emergency, utilities, etc., from other California jurisdictions outside the immediate danger zone) to the scene in what was actually quite a swift and fairly organized response. In the event, those assets were also overwhelmed and the Governor then called upon the President for assistance, and the Insurrection Act was called forth.The suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, as mentioned above, is the formal suspension of civil authority over an area. In the absence of civil authority, there can be only two remaining choices:Chaos, orMartial law.In effect, if not explicitly by its very definition, invoking the Insurrection Act is the imposition of martial law, because the local authorities cannot provide basic security and functioning of the police, courts, and other fundamental tasks of a government, at a minimum in a limited area and for a limited period of time. There is no statutory minimum “geographic area” or “time period” that is required, either that which is affected and requires assistance, or limitations upon the Act itself. President Bush the Elder declared the Insurrection Act only because the totality of California’s resources were declared insufficient to handle the crisis internally to the sovereign state of California.In the case of Hurricane Katrina, the local authorities, up to and including the State Governor, as well as FEMA, dilly-dallied and generally appeared incoherent as to their responsibilities under the various laws in their own jurisdictions, and essentially the US Government stepped in and seized control over the New Orleans area, with a US Army commander, Lieutenant General Honore, effectively assuming the role of a unified commander, under the Federal Response Plan then in effect in 2005. As soon as civil authority could be restored in various stricken areas (some areas of the greater New Orleans area were much more damaged than others, like the 9th Ward and the downtown area), and the civilian courts and law enforcement resumed functioning at even a minimal level (considering that the NOLA city jail and much of the court documents were flooded), military forces began fading into the background and departing the area. Of course arguments can, and were, and will continue to be in the future, be made that either or both the State and Federal Governments should have acted sooner, differently, with more organization and boots on the ground (whether State National Guard and law enforcement, Federalized National Guard, or Federal law enforcement and military Quora answer is that a response DID happen, martial law was de facto in at least some areas of New Orleans, and the “unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion against the authority of the United States…” was relatively quickly resolved and handed back to the State and local authorities. This is what Federalism, the Insurrection Act, Habeas Corpus, the PCA, and the Federal Response Plan all require, indeed demand, under our federal republic.20. If you are still with me at the end of this rather lengthy monograph, let’s review again the original Quora question:“How would the US military function in the event of a 2nd American Civil War?”Scenario: Growing resentment at the economic, social and political disparity amongst rural, urban and ethnic populations leads to insurrection; causing the federal government’s collapse. Would the U.S. military restore order or would it also be split. *Read my comment for further info about scenario*The question assumes the federal government’s collapse, and asks whether the US military would restore order or “be split.”Answer: Yes. The US military would be split, but would still restore order, given time…if…if, the entire mechanisms of the federal government have collapsed, meaning civil authority and the courts no longer function, then of course there would be significant degradation of military command and control, desertions, questions about who is REALLY in control, where is the “nuclear football,” etc.But, at this point, the President (or whomever has lawfully succeeded through the Presidential Succession Act, and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, as amended by multiple Executive Orders through late December 2016) should have declared an “Insurrection” if for no other reason than Federal laws and authority such as Equal Rights, taxation, safety, transportation, air traffic control, and commerce are no longer able to be enforced. I.e., if a “tipping point” of inability of the Federal and local law enforcement and court systems to function is reached, then an “Insurrection” has occurred.Of course, depending on how fast the US Federal Government has “collapsed,” the military response probably would be somewhat uncoordinated (at least at first), but once empowered to act by suspension of Habeas Corpus and released from the Constitutional shackles imposed by the Posse Comitatus Act to perform domestic law enforcement, the US military would operate in a “Homeland Defense” mode where the military takes charge, and is “supported” by all other agencies of the remaining US, State, Local, etc., governmental structures and corporate/business interests functioning as part of the “Total Force,” as defined most cogently under Joint Publication 4–05, Joint Mobilization Planning. (You could also, cynically, name the Total Force the “Military-Industrial-Complex” — as defined by President Obama’s Executive Order 13603 on NATIONAL DEFENSE RESOURCES PREPAREDNESS under the Defense Production Act of 1950.)See: Joint Publication 3–27, Homeland Defense, at https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=742874:The Posse Comitatus Act (PCA) prohibits the use of military personnel from performing various functions within the homeland. However, when directed by the President, the use of military operations for HD is a constitutional exception to the PCA. When performing HD operations, Title 10, United States Code, forces are not subject to the restriction of the PCA.Homeland Defense kicks in when there is an existential threat to the Republic, and this scenario clearly posits an existential threat. The military would shift from a supporting role, i.e., “Homeland Security,” where all military actions are in support of civil authority — to “Homeland Defense” where military actions supersede (although are still going to be coordinated with, when possible) civil authority through enacting USNORTHCOM Concept Plan (CONPLAN) 2502. The name for this is “unified action,” as defined in JP 3–27:Unified action synchronizes, coordinates, and/or integrates joint, single-Service, and multinational operations with the activities of other interagency partners, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and the private sector to achieve unity of effort.Except it wouldn’t be a “Concept Plan” any longer…the US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) must coordinate with the US Pacific Command (USPACOM), NORAD, and their various subordinate elements located around the nation to make the necessary changes to the “off the shelf” concept planning previously done, and begin executing Operational Plan 2502 by issuing various orders and commands in pursuit of Homeland Defense in the face of an existential crisis about to wipe out the United States as we know it.Page II-10 of JP 3–27 defines the US PACOM AOR, which is more than just Hawaii and Alaska, it includes the “Compact of Free Association” as well as various US territories and islands in the Pacific Ocean:USNORTHCOM covers all of the Continental US (CONUS), and the approaches thereto, so NORTHCOM must coordinate with PACOM (for all Pacific dependencies and HI/AK and the western approaches to CONUS by air/land/sea/etc.), SOUTHCOM for the approaches from the Caribbean and Latin America, CYBERCOM for information/cyber domain approaches and actions, TRANSCOM for military-grade heavy-lift transportation assets, STRATCOM (Strategic Command) for various warfighting functions including air assets and nuke stuff, and MORE!How confusing! But NORTHCOM will most likely be the “supported” command for any event happening in CONUS, the other Commands will be “supporting,” meaning they will be helping in any way they can as required by NORTHCOM.Additionally, we have a long-standing mutual defense treaty (since the 1940’s) with Canada which is personified in the bi-national NORAD command, where Canadian military officers are integrated into the Command structure providing air and space defenses over both the US and Canada. This mutual defense treaty goes further: it allows deployment of Canadian military assets into the US to assist the US military, if needed. This includes air, space, sea, and land assets of the Canadian military and government. See: The Canada-U.S. Defence RelationshipPermanent Joint Board on Defence (PJBD) – established in 1940 to discuss and advise on defence policy issues related to continental defence and security. Since, 2001 the Board’s membership has expanded to include representatives from Public Safety Canada and the Department of Homeland Security. The Canadian and U.S. co-chairs report the bi-annual discussions directly to the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of the United States.Military Cooperation Committee – established in 1946 and meets bi-annually as the primary strategic link between Canadian and U.S. joint military staffs.North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) – established in 1958 and based at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, NORAD is a Canadian and U.S. bi-national organization tasked with aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. Traditionally, the Deputy Commander of NORAD has been a senior Canadian Armed Forces officer.The Combined Defence Plan – synchronizes military efforts from both countries into one coherent bilateral military defence plan.Tri-Command Framework – signed September 2009, outlines how NORAD, U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), and the Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) operate and cooperate.The Canada-U.S. Civil Assistance Plan – signed February 2008, and renewed in January 2012, to facilitate the support of military members from one nation to the armed forces of the other nation in support of civilian authorities during an emergency such as a natural disaster.So, any scenario where the US Government has effectively collapsed will of course involve significant considerations by, at a minimum, these Governments (of which the first 8 are included in mutual defense treaties):Canada,NATO (United States, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom),Australia,New Zealand,Philippines,Thailand,Republic of Korea (South Korea),and the RIO Treaty (United States, Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela),Plus Mexico, although the US has no formal mutual defense treaty, obviously anything that affects the US will affect Mexico!And…the United Nations…which surely will not sit by and idly let the world’s remaining superpower with thousands of nuclear weapons and over 300 million people and by far the largest economy go to ruin…easily imagine both General Assembly resolutions and Security Council diktats attempting to prevent the world’s nuclear mistakes, and the devastation of the world’s economy.By invoking Article 5 of NATO, we are also essentially calling out to the UN that at a minimum Chapter VI peacekeeping measures are needed, i.e., additional support, or Chapter VII peace enforcement, or even Chapter VIII regional measures whereby the Security Council has determined that the breach to international security and peace and order is so great as to require voluntary or involuntary introduction of UN resources, whether that is just food and housing, or military assets that would operate under a regional coalition simultaneously holding UN authority to act AND US (i.e., “regional”) Command, since it is difficult to envision that even in veritable death throes the remaining US authorities would permit “non-invited” UN military forces to the US…but as part of an overarching Chapter VIII Regional United Nations solution, in conjunction with the invocation of Article 5 of NATO collective self-defense, it IS conceivable to have a “coalition of the willing” comprised of many Nations helping to get the US back on its feet: the US and Canada form the core, adding NATO, and then remaining requirements brought to bear through Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter…At the point where the US Govt is collapsing, the remaining Presidential authority will be used to not only call forth the national militia through the Insurrection Act, empower the US Armed Forces and the entire Total Force to support it through Homeland Defense operations, augment remaining Federal/State/Local authority through Defense Support to Civil Authorities operations (which is a simultaneous Homeland Security action occurring while Homeland Defense actions occur), AND invoke the Combined Defense Plan and Canada-US Civil Assistance Plans with Canada, AND invoke Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which would bring the resources of the entire NATO to support the remaining US Govt authorities and reinstate Federal controls. After all, what are our NATO friends for?!The actual “how” is far too complicated to explain here…massive and complex inter-organizational coordination (see Figure below), command structures, operations throughout the operational domains (land, sea, air, undersea, space, information/cyber, see Figure below), using the instruments of national power (diplomacy, information, military, economic), within and to protect the Homeland (and its approaches to continue to defend against anyone else trying to take advantage of our momentary weakness by flooding drugs, weapons, terrorism, etc., across our borders or against our interests and allies abroad).See Figure II-1 of JP 3–27:See figure I-3 of JP 3–27:

Vitamin D3 is an antioxidant. But it is much more than that. Below I reprint a blog that I wrote following a lecture at one of the anti-aging conferences.Originally, when vitamin D was found to be the missing ingredient in preventing rickets in growing children the recommended daily allowance (RDA) to prevent rickets was found to be 400 IU of vitamin D. The active metabolite has been identified as vitamin D3 for which the body has receptors on all vital organs (heart, brain, bones, kidneys, liver). In recent years new insights have been gained as it turns out that the RDA’s were set much too low for many diseases that can develop when vitamin D intake is too low, particularly in the aging population. Higher doses of vitamin D3 in the range of 800 to 1000 IU per day have been shown to prevent osteoporosis, falls and fractures in older adults and in nursing home populations. But the immune system of everybody is dependent on higher doses of vitamin D3. Recently (Dec. 12 to 15, 2013) I attended a lecture at the A4M conference in Las Vegas where Dr. Eisenstein reviewed the latest on vitamin D3. It is now known that 2/3 of the US population is deficient for vitamin D as measured by blood tests (less than 25 ng/ml). The standard test is the 25-hydroxy-vitamin D level (abbreviated as 25(OH)D level). It is now known that you require at least a level of more than 40 to 60 ng/ml of 25(OH)D as measured in the US, which translates to more than 100 to 150 nmol/L measured in metric units in other countries, to prevent cancer.The Super Powers Of Vitamin DMetabolism of vitamin D390% of the vitamin D3 that we need comes from exposure to sunlight, which transforms a cholesterol metabolite (7-dehydrocholesterol) into the vitamin D precursor (vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol). This is what we absorb from naturally occurring fish oil and oily fish, but otherwise this does not naturally occur in foodstuffs (Ref. 1). Dr. Eisenstein pointed out that it is well known that people living north of the 37th degree latitude lack vitamin D3 because of a lack of sun exposure, particularly in the winter season. People south of the 37th degree latitude have enough sun exposure, but wherever you live, it is advisable to have your vitamin D3 level measured (as 25(OH)D level). If you do not eat enough fish or fish oil, the levels likely are too low as is the case for 2/3 of the US population. Vitamin D3 supplements will have to be taken by those whose levels are too low. Vitamin D3 is further metabolized by the liver and then by the kidneys into the active vitamin D compound, called 1,25(OH)2D3 (which is called “calcitriol”). The main effect of calcitriol is to absorb calcium and phosphate from the intestine into the blood stream. Together with vitamin K2 as explained in a prior blog these minerals are then taken up by the bone to prevent osteoporosis or rickets in the growing child. What has not been known for a long time is that vitamin D3 is also necessary for normal cell metabolism by most of your body cells, but particularly by the vital organs like the brain, the heart, the kidneys, the liver, the immune system and the bone. However, doses of 5000 IU to 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 capsules per day are required for optimal vitamin D3 health. This will lead to levels of below 200 ng/ml of 25(OH)D levels, which have been proven to be safe. According to Dr. Eisenstein no toxicity has been found below 30,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day, but based on other authors a dose of 10,000IU should be adequate for most people. Strangely enough colored people also have to take vitamin D3 supplements as their the higher melanin pigment in the skin filters out UV light so effectively that their 25(OH)D level can be low. Always err on the cautious side and have your vitamin D3 blood level taken.Vitamin D3 has a characteristic stereotactic configuration (cis-triene structure), which allows it to bind free radicals and function as an antioxidant (Ref.2).What are some of the clinical effects of vitamin D3?1. Vitamin D3 has diverse effects on organs systems as Dr. Eisenstein summarized: vitamin D3 lifts depression and has been found to be of particular value for drug resistant depression. Take 5000 to 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day.2. Muscle power increases with vitamin D3, particularly in those who work out regularly.3. Many fertility clinics pay attention to vitamin D3 levels, as the higher the blood levels of vitamin D3 in a man, the faster this sperms move! And the more vitamin D3 she has on board, the better she ovulates. The end result is a higher pregnancy success rate when both partners take 5000 to 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day4. Also, if a woman takes vitamin D3 during her pregnancy, the first set of teeth in the offspring will have fewer cavities.5. Brain development in autistic children is much improved with vitamin D3 in higher doses. This needs to be combined with detoxification methods and supervised by one of the DAN physicians.6.Chronic pain typically improves when vitamin D3 deficiency, which almost always is present in patients with chronic pain, is treated with vitamin D3 supplementation.7. To prevent flus and colds and other infectious diseases, take higher doses of vitamin D3. When you come down with a flu, it is safe to increase your daily vitamin D3 intake to 30,000 IU of vitamin D3 for a few days until your symptoms improve, then resume your maintenance dose of 5000 IU to 10,000 IU per day. This year’s dominant flu is the type A, subtype H1N1 – also known as the swine flu. Children should get 50% of the dose regimen detailed for adults when they develop a flu (for children: 15,000IU for three to five days , with tapering to a maintenance dose of 2500 to 5000 IU until blood levels of 25(OH)D are available). Here is a website of Dr. Cannell where he discusses dosages as well.8. Asthmatic patients do better with vitamin D3 supplements requiring less maintenance anti-asthmatic medicine to keep them balanced with regard to their airways.9. Chronic low vitamin D3 levels cause brain damage including Alzheimer’s disease. In this context it is important to know that the enzymatic conversion in the liver and kidneys slow down as we age requiring higher doses in older patients. This may have been the reason for the confusion about relatively low doses of 400 IU of vitamin D3 preventing rickets in children versus the need of vitamin D3 in middle aged and older patients where much higher doses are required as already explained.10. High blood pressure is linked to vitamin D3 deficiency and it is better manageable with medication when vitamin D3 levels are normalized.11. Live longer with vitamin D3. How is this possible, you might ask: the answer has been found in the telomeres, the shoelace like structures at the end of the DNA strand of each cell. Vitamin D3 lengthens the telomeres and promotes telomere repair; this is associated with a longer life span. Centenarians have longer telomeres. You can measure telomere length, but it is a pricey test, which is not for everyone, contrary to supplementation with vitamin D3 that should be taken by everyone!12. As already indicated, vitamin D3 strengthens the immune system, but it also modulates the inflammatory response from muscle damage, so athletes can perform better. Patients with multiple sclerosis will improve as it slows down the inflammatory process. But other inflammatory diseases like arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and even cancer will respond favorably to higher doses of vitamin D3 (20,000 to 30,000 IU of vitamin D3 in these cases). This is information that has not yet percolated into mainstream medicine, but will do so in the next few years (or decades?).13. Higher percentages of cardiovascular disease are found in patients who have lower than 15 ng/ml 25-Hydroxy- vitamin D3 levels in their blood meaning that vitamin D3 supplementation prevents heart disease (Ref.3).What are toxic vitamin D levels?What is known about the safety of vitamin D3, particularly the higher vitamin D3 doses? First, it is wise to have your 25(OH)D blood levels taken from time to time. If any of these levels exceed 200 ng/ml it would be prudent to reduce the vitamin D dose or stop supplementation for a while. Otherwise it has been difficult to establish a toxic range.This website claims that 40,000 IU of vitamin D3 or more would lead to toxic levels where the blood calcium levels would be increased, which can be measured as hypercalcemia. However, another study done in 2007 showed in MS patients that took 40,000 IU per day and that led to a blood level of 400 ng/ml of 25(OH)D did not lead to increased calcium levels and did not lead to hypercalciuria (too much calcium in the urine). So, all of the papers that either indicated to the public that it would be unsafe or unnecessary to take vitamin D3 seem to have other agendas than communicating the truth. Had it been true that calcium would be released from the bones or calcium were absorbed too much from the gut, this would have caused calcification of the bones, soft tissues, heart and kidneys. Also, kidney stones would have developed. However, a low calcium diet combined with corticosteroid drugs usually leads to a full recovery within a month. Interesting that all of the dire predictions regarding toxic vitamin D3 levels did not materialize. Here is another website discussing vitamin D3 dosing.I talked to a participant of the conference (who has a fellowship degree of the A4M) about what is really known about vitamin D3 toxicity. He told me that there has been an unintentional overdose where a compounding pharmacy made a mistake, so that a patient accidentally received a dosage of 500,000 Units of vitamin D3 per day for a full three months, before the mistake was uncovered. The patient felt sluggish, but did not have any other symptoms. He was told to stop the vitamin D3 compound. He had an uneventful recovery with no detrimental effects. At this point no overdose of vitamin D3 has been established.ConclusionVitamin D3 is a vital supplement that has been shown to prevent not only rickets in children, but also depression, MS, infections and even many cancers (Ref. 4). As usual there will be many critiques that doubt the validity of the above statements. But I have found that all of these effects described above were confirmed in several sources of various medical information. Keep in mind that negative rumours have a tendency to linger on for years.More information on vitamin D3 for prevention of osteoporosis and hardening of arteries: http://www.askdrray.com/calcium-vitamin-d3-and-vitamin-k2-needed-for-bone-health/Vitamin D3 deficiency can cause pancreatic cancer: http://nethealthbook.com/news/insufficient-vitamin-d3-linked-to-pancreatic-cancer/References1. McPherson: Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods, 22nd ed., © 2011 Saunders2. Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America – Volume 38, Issue 1 (February 2012) , © 2012 W. B. Saunders Company3. Wang TJ, Pencina MJ, Booth SL, et al: Vitamin D deficiency and risk of cardiovascular disease. Circulation 117. (4): 503-511.2008.4. “Recognition and Management of Vitamin D Deficiency”: American Family Physician – Volume 80, Issue 8 (October 2009), © 2009 American Academy of Family PhysiciansSource: The Super Powers Of Vitamin D - Medical Articles by Dr. Ray.

Guadalajara TodayMay – July 2017The State Capitol of Jalisco MexicoIs Like Living in Any City in The USA,But More Economical!By Carlos TurverIntroduction1. Keeping busy.2. I no longer miss living in the USA.3. US TV in Guadalajara.4. Public Transportation.5. Owning a Car in Mexico.6. Where can I meet North Americans?7. Health care in Mexico.8. A recent hospital experience.9. Assisted living.10. Dentistry.11. What it costs me to live in Guadalajara.12. Staying safe in Guadalajara.13. Emigrating to Mexico.14. Language.Conclusion.IntroductionAlthough I have been living in Guadalajara since 1970, I make it a point to kept myself informed about what is happening in the USA. Quite frankly, with all that has been going on up north, it surprises me that I have not seen any significant increase in the number of Americans retiring to this city.Prior to the two major devaluations of the Mexican peso in September of 1975 and in August of 1982, it seemed that every other automobile had US plates and were driven by fair skinned North Americans. However, when they lost approximately 50% of their assets over night, they cashed in their pesos for dollars and returned home.The following cycle of US plated cars that were in abundance throughout the city, were driven by Mexican nationals who had returned home to take advantage of the increased purchasing power of their hard-earned dollars.Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a large variety of foreign automobiles can now be purchased here on credit. Consequently, US plated cars are now seldom seen.------My parents retired to Mexico in the summer of 1969. A few months later, my father passed on. Although I was a few months shy of completing my four-year enlistment obligation, the US Coast Guard gave me an early honorable discharge so that I could be with my mother while she was recovering from her loss. Shortly after I arrived, I also made the decision to make Guadalajara my new home.------Soon after my military discharge, I married a Mexican National. I got a job as an account manager for an investment house whose clients were primarily English-speaking North Americans. A few years later I owned and operated two small American style food restaurants that were both named Uncle Sam’s Kitchen. The first was patronized by students from the USA who attended the AMA accredited Autonomous University school of medicine. The second restaurant was initially supported by North Americans and other foreign executives who came to Guadalajara to manage the numerous industries that had been allowed to operate in this city because of NAFTA.Prior to the implementation of this free trade agreement, it was extremely difficult to get working papers. Only foreign-born language teachers and those who were married to Mexican nationals were permitted to work. The exception to this law was for those foreigners who invested a minimum of $100,000usd into businesses that created jobs.Those foreigners who were 55 years old and provided proof of a specified minimum monthly income that was required at that time, could obtain temporary residency, but were not allowed to work. However, after 5 annual referendums, the temporary residency papers were upgraded to permanent resident and foreigner was then allowed to work in Mexico.There was a time when it virtually took a presidential decree for foreign males to obtain Mexican citizenship. However, foreign females who were married to Mexican males could apply. In 1975 a supplement to this law was added that allowed foreign males to become citizens when they were married to Mexican females.As I met this condition and as I had decided to live permanently in Mexico, I applied for and received Mexican citizenship that same year. At the time, it was required that I surrender my US passport, birth certificate, my temporary resident papers and a copy of my marriage certificate. The attorney’s fee was $1,000usd. One month after these papers were submitted, I became a legal Mexican citizen. I was recently informed that it now takes a few years to obtain this privilege.Soon after I received my naturalization papers, I was visited by a US government official who informed me that it was very likely that I would lose my US citizenship unless I could provide an adequate explanation of my actions to the Department of State, as it was called at the time. However, even after I had informed this government agency that it was never my intention to lose my US citizenship, I still received a CERTIFICATE OF LOSS OF NATIONALITY OF THE UNITED STATES that was approved on Nov. 17, 1978. This document stated that I had taken an oath of allegiance to Mexico on Nov. 25,1975. As I had signed a document of allegiance to Mexico that enabled me to receive my citizenship papers, I reluctantly accepted their decision. However, in 1990 the law regarding dual citizenship with Mexico was modified. I applied for and received a new US Passport in 2009 and retained my Mexican nationality.During my non-US citizen years, whenever I visited the United States, I had to stand in the line for foreigners and enter with a USA visitor’s visa stamped in my Mexican passport.Whenever I decide to revisit the USA, I will be required show the Mexican immigration authorities my Mexican passport as proof of legal residency in Mexico. My US passport must be shown to the travel agency prior to the issuance of an airplane ticket, as one is required for all US citizens reentering the USA.------Whenever I am asked why I decided to stay permanently in Guadalajara, I previously gave three reasons. Now I give four:1. The weather. Decades ago I learned that Guadalajara had the world’s second-best climate with Nairobi Africa being the first. Guadalajara was closer.2. The Pacific coast is less than 3 to 4 hours when traveling by car or by bus.3. Guadalajara is known for its beautiful women who concentrate daily in any one of the many modern shopping malls that are located throughout the city.4. As my wife and I own our home, our monthly combined income of $25,068 pesos or $1,355usd more than covers our needs.The reason that brought my parents to Mexico is explained in the Conclusion section of this booklet.Unless otherwise specified, the exchange rate of $18.50 pesos for $1.00usd will be used for converting pesos and dollar currency throughout this booklet. In most cases, the currency conversions will be rounded off to the nearest dollar or peso.------Keeping busy.When I retired 10 years ago, I made my goal to get out of the house every morning for at least a few hours.My daily routine is walking to and from the buses I take to meet friends for breakfast and/or coffee. Current events and a variety of other topics are discussed daily except for sports and personal health issues. However, brief updates these two are permitted.Every afternoon I watch less than one hour of Main Street Media, prepare lunch and then take a one to two-hour siesta. Prior to the evening meal, I turn on my computer and listen to informative documentaries and later read the various points of view offered by the alternative media. Before the day’s end, I spend a couple of hours watching episodes or movies on Netflix and You Tube.My hobby for the past 5 years has been writing booklets about an improvement that I made to the martingale betting system that have also been self-published on Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more. The time spent on the keyboard helps to fill in a few hours of each day and helps to keep my mind distant from the mornings conversations that invariably cover doom and gloom topics.Now that I have written all that I care to about gambling, I have diversified from that subject matter. I recently wrote a booklet that explains a diet that I follow daily titled “A Diet for The Body’s Needs, Not for Its Wants”. After self-publishing this booklet, I have an idea for a non-religious short story that I may title “Life After Death, Eternal Revelations of What Could Have Been”.I hate to admit it, but if it were not for the many hours that I spend on the Internet the days would be very long! The computer has become my main source of entertainment and has been well worth the $389.00 pesos or $21usd monthly fee for the telephone and for modem. Also included with these services are all local, national and international land line calls to the USA and Canada. These services are all included with my subscription to Telmex and Infinitum, Mexico’s largest telephone and Internet network!I no longer miss living in the USA.Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Guadalajara offers much of what can be found today in any given metropolis in the USA: Shopping malls, movie theaters, cultural events, gambling casinos, convenience stores, super markets, fast food establishments, restaurants, car dealerships etc. For example:In Guadalajara’s high-end Andares Plaza, there are many familiar brand name stores: Calvin Klein Jeans, Victoria’s Secret, Dockers, Nespresso, Brooks Brothers, Subway, Great American Cookies, Pretzel Maker, GNC, Apple MacStore, Best Buy, AT&T, Steren Shop, Radio Shack, Movistar, Starbucks Coffee, Krispy Kreme, Levi’s, Rolex and others that I am not familiar with as I have not returned to the USA for the past 28 years nor have I lived there for any length of time during the past 47.Throughout the metropolis, there are many other well with known outlets: Walmart, Sam’s, Costco, Office Depot, Home Depot, Office Max, Outback, Red Lobster, Chilis, I Hopp, UPS, Federal Express, DHL, Waldo’s, Dairy Queen, Black Coffee, 7 Eleven, Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep, Mini, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Pizza Hut, Dominoes, Little Ceaser’s, McDonalds, Carl Juniors, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Applebees, Dennys, Sirloin Stockade etc. And when take out with home delivery is preferred, just call UberEATS.Many American foods can be found in a few stores that specialize only in products from the USA. There are even “As advertised on T.V.” stores that can be found in a few shopping malls. Many US companies that previously exported their products to Mexico, are now being manufactured here: IBM, Flextronics, Hewlet Packard, Herbalife and many others. Several North American products are manufactured in Mexico under licensing agreements with reputable Mexican companies: Pringles potato chips, Mars and Hersey chocolates, Coca and Pepsi Cola, McCormick Mayonnaise, Del Monte Catsup, Kraft Cheese, Campbell´s soups, an assortment of Great Value and Procter&Gamle products, Crosse&Blackwell, Hunts BBQ sauce etc.The Americanization of Guadalajara gradually began prior to the North American Free Trade Agreement. However, consumers could only purchase large ticket items with cash. Since the implementation of NAFTA, many jobs have been created and the standard of living for many Mexican nationals has improved. Just like in the USA, a considerable percentage of Mexico’s population can now purchase anything that they want on credit.Welcome to the country of the Mexican Dream!US TV in Guadalajara.Twenty-four seven, 365 days of the year, most, if not all, US TV programing can be accessed and watched in the comfort of one’s home. There are several satellite and cable networks to choose from that offer news, movies, sports, sitcoms and documentaries on well-known channels such as Warner, Disney, History, Discovery, Cinemax, Showtime CBS, NBC, ABC FOX, CNN, ESPN and MSNBC, all transmitted in English. And if cable is not wanted, multiple US news channels can be seen at http://www.zahipedia.net.Depending on the company contracted, a basic package, that offers a limited choice of sitcom and movie channels in English, start around $245 pesos or $13usd/month.A few free channels can be watched on http://watch.ustvnow.com “TV for U.S. Military Service Members and Americans Abroad”. A variety of additional channels can be subscribed to for a monthly fee.Netflix is also available.Public Transportation.Regardless of where anyone lives in Guadalajara, a bus stop is usually only a short walk away. Students and the elderly ride for free with special “transvale” tickets. A one-way fare is $7.00 pesos or $0.39usd. For those in possession of a federal INAPAM (Instituto Nacional para las Personas Adultas Mayores) senior citizens discount card, the price is reduced by 50%. As I take an average of 3 busses, my daily transportation expenses total $10.50 pesos or $0.58usd.There are a few bus lines that charge $10 and $12 pesos, $0.54 and $ 0.65usd respectively, that offer more comfortable seating, air-conditioning, fewer stops and more direct routes, but no discounts.Upon presenting the INAPAM card with a pictured ID, traveling to any destination throughout the country is also half the normal price. On a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, the round-trip fare that costs $1,080 pesos or $58usd was only $540 pesos or $29usd.Graffiti free, clean and modern, the above and below ground Metro Buses, electric trains “tren lijeros”, taxis and Uber services provide economical travel to any part of Guadalajara.A 20-mile cab fare to the international airport on the opposite end of town from where I live costs $280 pesos or $15usd. A ride to a terminal that will get me on a bus to P.V. costs $120 pesos or $6.47usd. For $90 pesos or $4.87usd a cab will take me to a closer location where I can access buses to points south of Puerto Vallarta.In a few designated zones on the outskirts of the city, a relatively new form of transportation service is available: Three-wheel motor vehicles that can carry up to 4 passengers, including the driver, for short distances.Owning a Car in Mexico.My wife recently upgraded her 2007 Nissan Sentra to a 2012 Honda Civic. Full insurance coverage on this vehicle for one-year cost $5,666 pesos or $306usd.It appears that an important part of the NAFTA will soon be implemented that will allow foreign oil companies to compete with Mexico’s Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX. As there is currently no competition to this federally owned gasoline monopoly, the cost per liter was recently increased. The PEMEX Magna now costs $16.26 pesos or $0.88usd per liter and the PEMEX Premium $18.19 pesos or $0.98usd per liter. The price per gallon cost is approximately $3.33 and $3.72usd respectively.The annual registration fee for the Honda was for $450 peso or $24usd. There is also a yearly emissions test that usually requires a major tune-up. This once a year expense was for $1,500 pesos or $81usd.Toll roads are much safer, but costly. For example, according to Mexico’s SCT (Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes) the cost for a round trip visit to Puerto Vallarta from Guadalajara for tolls and gasoline is for approximately $1,486 pesos or $80usd for a 4-cylinder automobile.Driving in this city is no longer fun! Total concentration is required to maneuver through Guadalajara’s heavy traffic. Since the implementation of The North American Free Trade Agreement the streets have been literally inundated with automobiles and motorcycles as these vehicles can now be purchased on credit.With so many vehicles on the streets, body shops are doing a thriving business! When involved in any accident, even the tiniest of fender benders, the law requires that the vehicles involved remain exactly where the accident occurred until the proper authorities arrive to fill out the paperwork. This can take a few hours and will pretty much ruin anyone’s well planned day along with those drivers who are unable to get past this potential crime scene.The country’s judicial system continues to be based on Napoleonic law. Whenever any blood is shed, the accident becomes a felony.Where can I meet North Americans?The weekly Guadalajara Reporter at http://theguadalajarareporter.net/ lists the time and dates of many social activities that take place in the city or at nearby Lake Chapala some 50 kilometers or 30 miles south, where many Americans and Canadians have opted to reside.Several expatriates can be found at the luncheons offered by the American Society (AMSOC) on Thursday afternoons. Open mornings Monday thru Saturday from 10am to early afternoon, this nonprofit organization offers a 60-inch TV screen for those who want to keep abreast of world events. There is also a large English book and movie library for its members. AMSOC can be contacted at 312-123-95, [email protected] or at The American Society of Jalisco, A.C.. At Lake Chapala, there is a similar organization called the Lake Chapala Society. There is also an American Legion.Health care in Mexico.Before visiting Mexico, it would be advisable to read your health insurance policy to be well informed of your coverage prior to traveling outside of the USA.Citizens and legal residents of Mexico have several choices for their health care needs. There are many pharmacies in this city that offer a consultation with a licensed doctor for as little as $30.00 pesos or $1.62usd. Once an ailment has been diagnosed, the patient is given a prescription that can be filled at that pharmacy.Guadalajara offers two inexpensive hospitals for those who have no health insurance and are short of cash. Reasonable fees are charged for consultations with specialists, lab work, X rays etc. For example, the following prices are for a few of the services offered by these Jalisco state run Civil Hospitals:Consultation with a specialist: $80 pesos or $4.32usd.Cost per night in a shared room: $600 pesos or $32.43usd.Lab tests: $100 to $1,500 pesos or $5.41 to $81.08usd.X rays and magnetic resonance: $300 to $5,000 pesos or $16.22 to $270,27usd.The Cruz Verde is unique to the State of Jalisco offering inexpensive 911 emergency response medical services. This organization has their own outpatient ward and charges modest fees for their services. The ambulance is free.Since the Vicente Fox administration, any citizen or resident throughout the country can be accepted into the Seguro Popular that is essentially a free health care system. An 80 plus year old lady friend of mine who had registered for this program recently underwent major surgery and chemotherapy at no cost to her.Across the street from the McDonalds that my friends and I frequent, there is a Dairy Queen, Jeffrey’s Pasteleria, a North American owned cake, pie and cookie store, Pizza Hut, a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet, and a laboratory named Salud Digna. Prescription eye glasses start at $180 pesos or $10usd. A second pair can be purchased at a 50% discount. An electrocardiogram costs $100 peso or $5usd; X rays go for $140 pesos or $8usd each; Blood tests range from $130 to $360 pesos or $7 to $19usd.The I.M.S.S. (Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social) that has many hospitals and clinics nationwide, is the working man’s health care and pension program. However, those individuals who work independently can be covered by the same health care program by paying a yearly fee. My brother in law who is 72 years old, recently paid $7,600.00 pesos or $411usd, for one year’s coverage. He is coverage for any contingency with the exception of a precondition. This will be covered when he has been affiliated with this institution for a minimum of two years.The Instituto del Seguro Social para los Trabajadores del Estado, I.S.S.T.E. is primarily for those employees who work for the state government.As my wife, brother in law and a few of my friends who are now older than 65 years of age, have cancelled their private health care insurance policies because of the expensive premiums that are substantially increased every year. A few of them have recently enrolled into the IMSS and a few of them have decided to use the Seguro Popular or the Civil Hospital health care systems.A close friend of mine who is also 72 years old, recently dropped his private health insurance and will opt for the same IMSS coverage as my brother in law by paying a yearly premium of $7,600 pesos. As he has decided that it is very unlikely that he will ever return to the United States, he is in the process of canceling his Medicare part B coverage for $113usd per month as it cannot be used in Mexico. Once cancelled, a portion of this additional income will be used to pay for the $411usd IMSS coverage. In the meantime, he has signed up with the Seguro Popular.To lessen the financial burden upon my demise, every year I renew my funeral expense policy that will cover all costs related to this event except for a burial plot. I recently renewed this policy that cost me, a 71-year-old man, $1,350 pesos or $72.97usd.------A recent hospital experience.A few weeks ago, a close friend who had been suffering from chronic back pain, acute anemia, type 2 diabetes and prostate cancer, was unable to answer his telephone or to open his front door. Fortunately, he had disclosed the hiding place of a spare key to a mutual friend who was accompanying me that day. Upon entering the house, we found him sprawled on the floor where he had fallen several hours earlier. As he was too weak to stand he was unable to access his phone to call one of us or 911. He knew that both of us were coming over for coffee that morning so he impatiently waited for our arrival.We called an ambulance and 45 minutes later he was in the emergency room at the nearby Arboledas Hospital. The ambulance service charged $1,100 pesos or $59usd. As he had no health insurance nor a credit card, a $15,000-peso or $811usd cash deposit was required for his admission to a private room.An endoscopy procedure for $9,500 pesos or $514usd and $1,000 pesos or $54usd for the anesthetic resulted in a stomach ulcer discovery. A back-X ray that cost $590 pesos or $32usd, detected a vertebral hernia. He also had two blood transfusions for $5000 pesos each or $270usd. The overnight charge for a private room was for $1,650 pesos or $89usd.His blood sugar levels were far from normal when he arrived but after a two-night stay for $44,135 pesos or $2,386usd, his blood sugar count was back to normal, the stomach ulcer was healing and the pain killers for his back kept him comfortable while he regained enough strength to be discharged.His internist prescribed the following medicines that were purchased at a nearby branch of Farmacias Guadalajara. The doctor’s consultation fee at the hospital totaled $4,000 pesos or $216usd during my friend’s recovery period of approximately 45 hours. Future consultation fees at the doctor’s office would be for $700 pesos or $38usd each.1. Glucerna SR powder400gr $335.98 or $18usd.2. Ulsen PCS 40mg 14 capsules $275.10 or $15usd.3. Paracetamol 500mg 20 tablets $12.50 or $0.68usd.4. Tradol 50mg 10 capsules $270.75 or $15usd.5. Metformina 850mg 30 tablets $13.49 or $0.73usd.6. Galvus Met 50mg/850mg compressed 30 tablets $397.67 or $22usd7. Two liquid Enemas of Fosfato Fosfanema (Phosphate) 133ml each having a of cost $76.08 or $4usd. These 8 items totaled $1,382 pesos or $75.41usd.------Last week, my friend had a relapse.Since his release from the hospital, we noticed that his strength was slowly diminishing. When we were informed that he had fallen two times the night before, we returned him to the same hospital where he spent 3 nights. The cost for this visit that included three blood transfusions was slightly above $32,000 pesos or $1,730usd.On the day of his discharge, he was able to walk confidently with the aid of a walker. The following day, we took him to a urologist who charged $700 pesos or $38usd for the consultation. He prescribed the following three medicines for the prostate treatment:1. Zoladex 10.8mg, one every 3 months. $10,940 pesos or $592usd.2. Calutol 50mg tablets, one/day. $1,653 pesos or $89usd.3. Zometa 4mg solution, one/month. $6,717 pesos or $363usd.These three items totaled $19,310 pesos or $1,044usd.Assisted living.Although he was improving at a noticeable pace, his three children flew in from Toronto and Utah after they had been notified of his condition. They insisted that he spend at least one month in an assisted living facility until he regained his strength. He is now staying at the Casa Eugenia, [email protected], another property of theArboledas Hospital owners that is located one block away.A private room at this facility cost $1,000 pesos/night or $54usd for short stays, $16,000 pesos/month or $865usd for a semi private room, $21,000 pesos/month or $1,135usd for a private room and $23,000 pesos/month or $1,243usd for a slightly larger private room.Dentistry.Yesterday at our Saturday morning coffee/breakfast gathering, I saw something that I had never seen or heard of before. A bite guard. The granddaughter of one of our group had just recently been fitted for this thin transparent bite guard. I asked the young child’s grandmother what it was for. She told me that it was for giving support for a loose tooth.This device was exactly what I needed as I also had the same problem. She told me that it cost $500 pesos or $27usd.On the way home, I stopped at Especialidades Odontológicas, that can be contacted at http://especialidades-drrex.com. While there, I asked the receptionist for prices. My bite guard was going to cost $800 pesos or $43usd. Fillings cost $600 pesos or $32usd and a root canal for $3,500 pesos or $189usd. An X ray cost $200 pesos or $11usd and a bridge for one front tooth is going to cost $2,500 pesos or $135usd.------What it costs to live in Guadalajara.A few years before I received my first benefit check from the Veterans Administration in June of 2007, my wife received an inheritance that was used to purchase our home. Our combined monthly income from Uncle Sam and the Mexican Social Security pension program is more than enough to cover our needs. We each receive a monthly deposit of $2,721 pesos or $147usd from the Mexican government. I receive a monthly income of 1,061usd or $19,629 pesos that is deposited to a Texas bank. From this amount, I give my wife $4,767 pesos or $258usd that gives her a combined monthly income of $7,488 pesos or $405usd.With a declared total monthly income of $25,071 pesos or $1,355usd, less my wife’s monthly income, a balance of $17,583 pesos or $950usd remains for our fixed and miscellaneous expenses.When there are no major household or auto repairs, occasionally I have been able to save up to $2,500 pesos or $135usd in one month. There are some months when I have increased my Mexican peso savings by taking advantage of a strong dollar and weak peso rate of exchange.These savings pay for restaurant outings or for short inexpensive trips to Puerto Vallarta, Cuyutlan, or Barra de Navidad, all located on the beautiful Pacific coast only a few hours away by car or by bus.The Mrs. saves most of her monthly income for car upgrades that takes place every few years.Based on the above numbers, the combined fixed and miscellaneous expenses average $27.17/day totaling $815usd/month.Monthly expenses:Telephone and Internet:$389 pesos or $21.03usd.Cellular phone:$60 pesos or $3.24usd.Gated community maintenance fee:$580 pesos or $31.35usd.Electricity: $157 pesos or $8.49usd.In our residential area, the government owned electric company CFE, Comision Federal de Electricidad, subsidizes 85% of the cost.Natural Gas: $183 pesos or $9.89usd at $7.07pesos/liter. This expense will increase by approximately 14% when the tank is refilled this year as the price is now $8.08 pesos/liter or $0.44usd.Four days per month maid service:$1,125 pesos or $60.81usd.Basic cable service for two TVs:$245 pesos or $13.24usd.My wife’s income:$7,488 pesos or $405usd.Yearly expenses:Water: $750 pesos or $41usd ($62.50 pesos/month).Property tax on our one million pesos or $54,054usd house: $486pesos or $26usd ($40.50 pesos/month).We carry no household insurance.Auto collision and liability insurance: $5,666 or $$306usd ($472.17 pesos/month).Tune up with emissions verification: $1,500 or $81usd ($125 pesos/month).Auto registration: $450 or $24usd ($37.50 pesos/month).Gross monthly income = $25,071 pesos or $1,355usd.Less the Mrs.’ income = $7,488 pesos or $405usdNet monthly income = $17,583 pesos or $950usd.Total monthly expenses = $10,965 pesos or $593usd.Miscellaneous expenses = $4,110 pesos $222usd.Average monthly surplus = $2,500 pesos or $135usd.Staying safe in Guadalajara.In my personal situation, my wife and I have resided in a gated community for the past 4 years. We have 24/7 security guards that work closely with the local police. Our home security consists of two chihuahuas who bark at any noise.For those of you who are concerned about the violence in Mexico, you are not alone. As much of it appears to be drug related, simply avoid those areas where that kind of trouble occurs. When we do find ourselves at the wrong place at the wrong time, it is just part of living that can happen in any city, state or country that we choose to visit or to live in!When driving, it is advisable to keep the car doors locked and the windows rolled up. When walking, stay on the main streets. An evening strolls depends on the security of the area. I find it best to avoid this nocturnal activity. The rule of thumb of course, is to always use your street smarts.------Depending on the emergency within the Guadalajara Metropolitan area, calling 911 will send the police, firemen or an ambulance.The American Consulate can be contacted at 326-821-00 for advice on handling other problems.------Emigrating to Mexico.I am by no means an expert in Mexican immigration law. Therefore, it would be advisable, and in some instances necessary, to first contact a Mexican Consulate and/or an immigration attorney for a consultation concerning your specific needs and who can also offer assistance in obtaining resident, working or citizenship papers.According to “Mexico On My Mind”, at https://www.mexicoonmymind.com , to become a temporary resident in Mexico one needs to present proof of income for approximately $2,000usd for an individual, $3,000usd for a married couple and an additional 25% for each family dependent.I have heard that these amounts can vary when an applicant is married to a Mexican National, owns a home, or choses to reside in a small or medium size town.For approximately $22usd, a 180-day tourist visa can be obtained upon entering Mexico. I have been told that this amount is included in the airline fare or is paid separately when crossing the border by car or by bus.Prior to making any decision about permanently moving to Mexico, I strongly suggest using the full six months of a tourist visa. Since 1970 I have known several expatriates who have gotten frustrated with the different aspects of the Mexican culture after having gone through the immigration process. I have always suggested that any major decision such as buying a home or marrying a Mexican national should not be made until a minimum of 6 to 18 months have been spent getting familiar with the ways of the people and getting to know what the country has to offer. Mexico is not for everyone!Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement I have been told that it has become much easier to acquire papers to work in this country. However, there are still several hoops that need to be jumped through.An immigration lawyer will prove to be invaluable for obtaining legal status in Mexico. If the plan is to start a business, a good accountant will also be needed!Language.Do not be too concerned if you do not speak Spanish. Most residents of Guadalajara have a fair knowledge of English. Spanish courses are readily available throughout the city for a reasonable per hour price.In Conclusion.Both of my parents were born in the State of New York. My father taught high school biology and every summer he would take my mother and myself on a two-month cross country drive to California.My grandfather was of Spanish- Mexican decent and graduated from the Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City when it was a military academy. He graduated in the late 1800’s or in early 1900’s and then deserted.For graduation, his parents bought him a round trip steamer ticket to New York City. Instead returning to fulfill his 8-year military obligation that he owed Mexico for his schooling, he cashed in the return ticket and taught Spanish and fencing in NYC.He married a woman who had recently arrived from Spain by the name of Martha Fox and then moved to Buffalo, NY. – I have always wondered if his wife’s family was related to Vicente Fox, a fairly recent president of Mexico.As this story goes, I was told that my grandfather asked my parents to visit Mexico to look up his relatives and let them know that he was alright. He had not communicated with them since his desertion for fear of being tracked down by the Mexican authorities. If found, he could have been forced back to Mexico, stood trial for desertion and would have probably served a long prison sentence.I was probably 8 years old when my parents first visited Mexico in 1953. Our first stop was Guanajuato where my grandfather used to live. I mention this only to point out that the family of the former president Vicente Fox was also from Guanajuato.After locating his relatives in Mexico City, we traveled throughout Mexico and discovered Guadalajara. Until their passing some decades ago, every summer vacation was spent in this city. We lived here for two years from 1956 through 1958 when my father took a two-year leave of absence from his high school teaching position. While I was completing my four-year enlistment in the US Coast Guard, my father retired in the summer of 1969, sold our home and brought my mother to live permanently in Guadalajara.My father passed on during the following month of October. I was given a four month early honorable discharge and returned to Guadalajara to be with my mother. I have been here ever since.Guadalajara has been my home for approximately 50 years and I have never regretted leaving the USA nor for having made the decision to live here permanently. When I initially moved here, there were a few things that I missed from the USA. These can now be found in Guadalajara. What I do not miss is the cold, rain, sleet, snow and constant overcast that prevailed in my hometown of Endicott, New York!The author can be contacted at: [email protected]