I was in RI over the weekend to see my parents, do my laundry and have my dad do my taxes.  I realized that playing Nintendo 64 with my brother for hours on end is something I really miss doing.  I also realized that 4 loads of laundry is a shit ton of dirty clothes and it takes a long ass time to wash them all.  While doing my taxes (the section about health coverage) my father realized that I could avoid being penalized for not having health insurance if I claimed a religious exemption.  Allow me to pause here and explain to those of you fortunate enough to not live in Massachusetts what happens when you don't have health insurance.   In Mass. you get penalized for not having health coverage.  I don't understand the logic.  I assume the state is concerned about the problems that could arise from uninsured people flooding the hospitals but I think having to pay full price for your hospital visit is penalty enough.  Anyway, how cool is it that you can just check off a box that says you are too religious for healthcare and you can avoid a bunch of monetary headaches from the state.  Religion is the ultimate excuse for just about everything.  Homophobic?  Its probably because god hates gays right?  Racist?  God doesn't like people different than you right Jethro?  Its funny how we mold god to fit our lifestyles.  Even murderers feel that god is ok with their choices.  I'm reminded of a quote by Voltaire: "If God has made us in his image, we have returned him the favor".  Interesting no?  I'm off track.  My point is, how many people do you think claimed religious exemption after seeing that option?  I'm betting more than a few. 

The last thing I realized is I have exhausted all my hook up options in RI.  What a shame.