The Slice: Talk about an ailing economy

Is it our civic duty to have health problems?

Most of us know how important the medical sector is to Spokane’s economy. But what would happen if all of us were in perfect shape 100 percent of the time?

That might sound good. But think of the implications for the bottom line.

If Spokane had virtually no use for doctors, nurses and lab techs and our fair city had to do without their purchasing power, would this burg dry up and blow away? Would we be left with a few buffets and bait shops?

Obviously, I don’t wish anyone ill health. Nor am I suggesting we replace “Near nature …” with “Break a Leg.”

Still, consider this theoretically. When you require medical attention, aren’t you really doing your share to keep this private-sector engine of Spokane’s economy hitting on all cylinders?

So next time you go in to get scoped, poked or probed, give yourself a pat on the back. Even if you aren’t feeling so great, you can take comfort in knowing you are helping keep Spokane on its feet.

Life in Spokane: I was sitting in our car parked downtown. An older gentleman making his third attempt to parallel park behind me traded paint with my vehicle on his way into the curbside spot.

And even after I calmly called their attention to the matching scratches and started taking pictures, his wife denied it happened. “I didn’t feel anything,” she said.

Just a thought: You know those around-the-neck therapeutic megaphones veterinarians place on dogs and cats to keep them from licking stitches or ointment applications? Sure. Well, would they work on drivers known to text behind the wheel? Admittedly, this would hinder the motorist’s peripheral vision. But since that person isn’t accustomed to paying attention to the road anyway, maybe it would still be a net plus.

Warm-up question: Do you ever request a window seat on Spokane-bound flights arriving at night because you get such a bang out of seeing the lights of home down below?

Today’s Slice question: Where were you surprised to encounter a snake?