The case for ditching your mortgage, your credit cards and steady employment is laid out so hilariously, articulately, thought-provokingly and with lots of fascinating historical factoids by tom hodgkinson in THE FREEDOM MANIFESTO that i hesitate to even attempt to reproduce any of it here. I read the bulk of the book in one giant late night swallow/slightly higher than normal alcohol intake session. One fact Ir emember was the historical record of how many days off serfs had and about how mucht hey actually worked. Turns out serfs in europe had a relatively sweetd eal to our crappy schedules, many more feast and holidays, lots of lying about. Tom is a big advocate of lots of free time. Please, truly, pick up a copy. It was my favorite book of 2009. it must be read by anyone seriously contemplating dropping out of the system. I guess as for myself when it came down to it, I just believe that no one on their deathbed ever regretted spending too much time in the office, and I made my decision accordingly. But seriously, I’m just not cool enough to unplug from therat race.
i can’t remember what tom had to say on health insurance, but he was as a strong advocate of plenty of drinking and loafing about. and hanging out with kids. and general neighbohood tomfoolery and merriment.