Over the last 72 hours or so we have heard much from the GOP and Republican members of congress about “Obama being responsible for the attempted terror attack”, in Detroit on Christmas day.
It’s rare when you get to read a story that is so true, and so contradicts those statements. Read below to find out exactly who is behind the stoppage of a bill that would have funded the exact equipment needed to have detected the chemical that was used in this attempted terror attack. AND THE CORRECT ANSWER WOULD BE – THE BILL WAS BROUGHT TO VOTE IN 2007 AND WOULD HAVE MANDATED PLACEMENT OF EQUIPTMENT BY 2009, SO LETS NOT HEAR ANY OF THE NONSENSE ABOUT WHERE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN PLACE OR NOT!
(AP – Spencer Ackerman)
Some of the same Republican lawmakers currently criticizing the President for softness on terrorism voted back in July 2007 against legislation that, among other reforms, provided $250 million for airport screening and explosive detection equipment.
The Improving America's Security Act of 2007 was a relatively non-controversial measure that effectively implemented several un-acted-upon recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. Eighty-five Senators voted in favor of the bill's passage. Seven missed the vote (several of whom were on the campaign trail, including Barack Obama, John McCain and Chris Dodd).
Eight Republican Senators, however, voted against passage, including Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Tom Coburn (R-Okl.) Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), James Inhofe (R-Okl.) and Jon Kyl (R-Ari.).
The opposition was, at the time, a bit perplexing, considering the praise the legislation received from many of the revered members of the 9/11 Commission itself. Now, following a botched terrorist attack that nearly brought down an airliner over the city of Detroit -- and subsequent conservative complaints that Democrats mishandled matters of national security -- the bill and that vote contain obvious, additional meaning.
The Improving America's Security Act of 2007 mandated 100 percent inspections of air and sea cargo, authorized $4 billion for rail, transit and bus security, and changed methods of allocating security funds so that states and cities with greater risks received a greater share of money.
More relevant to current times, the bill provided the Transportation Security Administration with the authority to use $250 million in funds to "purchase, deployment, installation, research, and development of equipment to improve security screening for explosives at commercial airport checkpoints." It also urged the TSA to "to deploy such technologies quickly and broadly to address security shortcomings at passenger screening checkpoints."
Additionally, the legislation included provisions that required the Department of Homeland Security to "submit a strategic plan to Congress that describes the system to be utilized for comparing [airline] passenger information to watch lists; explains the integration with international flights; and provides a projected timeline for testing and implementation its advanced passenger prescreening system."
Such synchronicity clearly failed the DHS in detecting the failed attempt by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to blow up a transcontinental flight above Detroit. But casting a vote against a basic reform of watch-list procedure back in 2007 could complicate the capacity for the GOP to criticize the administration's handling of security breaches today.
DeMint, for one, has accused President Obama of pursuing a homeland security policy that "downplayed terrorism." Graham, meanwhile, has raised concerns about President Obama's decision to transfer terrorist suspects from Guantanamo Bay to Yemen.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Not So Minty!
It’s hard to believe this story but it’s true.
Sen. Jim DeMint’s office yesterday slammed the Obama Whitehouse for failures to stop terror attacks on the U.S. and that because the Obama administration has failed to get his department heads in place, our nation is less secure because of it.
Then we come to find out that the ONLY reason there is no department heads for the TSA and Border Patrol is because there is a Senator that is Filibustering the Nominations.
Who is that Senator? Himself – Jim DeMint
“A Republican senator who has been blocking President Barack Obama's nominee to head the Transportation Security Administration complains that Democrats are trying to rush a vote on the nominee without adequate debate.
Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina has placed a hold on the nomination of former FBI agent and police detective Erroll Southers.
DeMint said Wednesday that he is concerned that Southers would let TSA screeners join a labor union.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has accused Republicans of jeopardizing national security by playing politics with Southers' nomination. But today, Sen DeMint’s office sent that charge right back to the Democrats suggesting that the Whitehouse is stalling to replace Southers and that they were responsible for any and all failures in the system. The holdup in Southers' confirmation has been highlighted since the airliner attack last week in Detroit.
Reaction from Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office was asking for there to be clarification from Sen. DeMint’s Office on objection to the Whitehouse’s nomination of Erroll Southers and a pathway to his up or down vote.”
So what’s the deal DeMint?
Sen. Jim DeMint’s office yesterday slammed the Obama Whitehouse for failures to stop terror attacks on the U.S. and that because the Obama administration has failed to get his department heads in place, our nation is less secure because of it.
Then we come to find out that the ONLY reason there is no department heads for the TSA and Border Patrol is because there is a Senator that is Filibustering the Nominations.
Who is that Senator? Himself – Jim DeMint
“A Republican senator who has been blocking President Barack Obama's nominee to head the Transportation Security Administration complains that Democrats are trying to rush a vote on the nominee without adequate debate.
Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina has placed a hold on the nomination of former FBI agent and police detective Erroll Southers.
DeMint said Wednesday that he is concerned that Southers would let TSA screeners join a labor union.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has accused Republicans of jeopardizing national security by playing politics with Southers' nomination. But today, Sen DeMint’s office sent that charge right back to the Democrats suggesting that the Whitehouse is stalling to replace Southers and that they were responsible for any and all failures in the system. The holdup in Southers' confirmation has been highlighted since the airliner attack last week in Detroit.
Reaction from Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office was asking for there to be clarification from Sen. DeMint’s Office on objection to the Whitehouse’s nomination of Erroll Southers and a pathway to his up or down vote.”
So what’s the deal DeMint?
Move your Money!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Icqrx0OimSs&feature=player_embedded#
Here we go. I have found a video that just needs to be seen.
If you care about your money, what it is used for and who makes what off of it, you should see this video.
Happy New Year 2010!
Here we go. I have found a video that just needs to be seen.
If you care about your money, what it is used for and who makes what off of it, you should see this video.
Happy New Year 2010!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A Look Back - and a Prayer for the Future
How often do we get the opportunity to look back on a year like we can this one?
Well, Every year, but this one seems particularly special.
We have had some interesting things happen this year – A historic election, A Historic Inauguration, A New Justice, a New Flu and a New Buzz.
The historic election of Barack Obama
Historic Protests after the Iranian elections
Drug Wars in Mexico
The reelection of Karzi in Afghanistan with little doubt of voter fraud
The War in Afghanistan gets worse for our troops
the growing bombings in Pakistan
Iran’s Nuclear ambitions hard at work
North Korea tests 4 long range rockets, 1 underground Nuclear device and holds 2 American journalists against their will
Healthcare reform
America’s diminishing role in Iraq
Tea Baggers protesting the new administration
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is impeached and removed from office
the “balloon” incident
The Shooting at Fort Hood Texas
1 miracle and 1 tragedy on the Hudson River
H1N1
the USS New York (made from WTC Steel) Enters the fleet
Governor Palin Resigns
The Justice department decriminalized Marijuana
And a Tiger Crashed his truck.
We saw the closing of many family owned business and some Giants too.
Circuit City, Saturn, Pontiac, Kodak(Chrome), Encarta, Max Factor, Expo(HomeDepot), Gourmet Magazine and Saab are just a few of the businesses to go under.
Some of our largest companies filed for bankruptcy protections.
Six Flags, Chrysler, General Motors, Eddie Bauer, BearingPoint, Chicago Cubs, Ritz Cameras, 100’s of news paper companies and tons of personal filings.
We certainly can look at the Great events that took place in 2009. Bill Clinton visited North Korea and rescued 2 jailed journalists. Jaycee Dugard came home 18 years after being kidnapped. The reckless economy settled down and the housing market started to pick back up. We saw a new Justice – Sonia Sotomayor sworn in. We saw our first viable woman candidate for president – Hillary Clinton. And a Pilot that landed a jet in the Hudson and saved so many.
It’s hard sometimes to think of all of the good things when so much we remember is so sad.
We had the Passing of Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze, Farrah Fawcett, Walter Cronkite, Brittany Murphy, Mary Travers, Edward M. Kennedy, Robert Novak, Les Paul, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, John Hughes, Robert S. McNamara, Steve McNair, Karl Malden, Billy Mays, Ed McMahon, David Carradine, Chuck Daly, Dom DeLuise, Jack Kemp, Bea Arthur, Angels pitcher Nick Adnehart, Ron Silver and long time NBC sportscaster George Michael.
So as we enter 2010, yet another year that will bring us tears of joy and sadness, let us promise to listen to each other for the greater good of all. Let us remember what one small year can bring, and take. Let us keep our hearts focused on bettering not only ourselves, but our community.
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
Well, Every year, but this one seems particularly special.
We have had some interesting things happen this year – A historic election, A Historic Inauguration, A New Justice, a New Flu and a New Buzz.
The historic election of Barack Obama
Historic Protests after the Iranian elections
Drug Wars in Mexico
The reelection of Karzi in Afghanistan with little doubt of voter fraud
The War in Afghanistan gets worse for our troops
the growing bombings in Pakistan
Iran’s Nuclear ambitions hard at work
North Korea tests 4 long range rockets, 1 underground Nuclear device and holds 2 American journalists against their will
Healthcare reform
America’s diminishing role in Iraq
Tea Baggers protesting the new administration
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is impeached and removed from office
the “balloon” incident
The Shooting at Fort Hood Texas
1 miracle and 1 tragedy on the Hudson River
H1N1
the USS New York (made from WTC Steel) Enters the fleet
Governor Palin Resigns
The Justice department decriminalized Marijuana
And a Tiger Crashed his truck.
We saw the closing of many family owned business and some Giants too.
Circuit City, Saturn, Pontiac, Kodak(Chrome), Encarta, Max Factor, Expo(HomeDepot), Gourmet Magazine and Saab are just a few of the businesses to go under.
Some of our largest companies filed for bankruptcy protections.
Six Flags, Chrysler, General Motors, Eddie Bauer, BearingPoint, Chicago Cubs, Ritz Cameras, 100’s of news paper companies and tons of personal filings.
We certainly can look at the Great events that took place in 2009. Bill Clinton visited North Korea and rescued 2 jailed journalists. Jaycee Dugard came home 18 years after being kidnapped. The reckless economy settled down and the housing market started to pick back up. We saw a new Justice – Sonia Sotomayor sworn in. We saw our first viable woman candidate for president – Hillary Clinton. And a Pilot that landed a jet in the Hudson and saved so many.
It’s hard sometimes to think of all of the good things when so much we remember is so sad.
We had the Passing of Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze, Farrah Fawcett, Walter Cronkite, Brittany Murphy, Mary Travers, Edward M. Kennedy, Robert Novak, Les Paul, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, John Hughes, Robert S. McNamara, Steve McNair, Karl Malden, Billy Mays, Ed McMahon, David Carradine, Chuck Daly, Dom DeLuise, Jack Kemp, Bea Arthur, Angels pitcher Nick Adnehart, Ron Silver and long time NBC sportscaster George Michael.
So as we enter 2010, yet another year that will bring us tears of joy and sadness, let us promise to listen to each other for the greater good of all. Let us remember what one small year can bring, and take. Let us keep our hearts focused on bettering not only ourselves, but our community.
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Where has our Nation Gone?
Just before the Senate vote on the first of three procedural motions to move its health care reform bill toward final passage, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) appeared to urge Americans to pray that a member of the majority caucus would not show up to vote, thus leaving the Democrats one vote shy of breaking the GOP filibuster. The thought is that the “member” he was talking about was Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV). Sen. Byrd who is old and frail was wheeled in for the 1:00am vote, and was the only member missing prior to the vote for at least 3 hours before prior to the vote and 1 hour prior to Sen. Coburn’s speech.
COBURN: “What the American people ought to pray is that somebody can’t make the vote tonight. That’s what they ought to pray”.
Is this what we have become? We have stooped to the level of praying that members of congress would die, so that a legislation would fail? How sick is this thinking and when did this type of radicalism start? When did we decide that this type of behavior is ok and warrants reelection. In fact, it is ok enough that those on Capitol Hill aren’t even required to make apologizes anymore? But where is this behavior coming from?
If the next thought is that perhaps Sen. Coburn was suggesting that we should pray that a voting member of the senate, be tied up at dinner, sleeping or some other form of delay, clearly that thought is flawed. But what exactly did Sen. Coburn mean? He isn’t part of the Anti-Obama movement or the Tea Baggers that have called for Obama’s removal from office or even the few that have suggested hanging him.
No, that isn’t who Coburn is. In Fact he is a friend of the President. Sending him notes weekly, expressing hopeful wishes of encouragement and well wishes. Obama and Coburn came to the U.S. Senate at the same time and quickly became friends and cosponsors on bills together. Sure, there were calls for George W. Bush’s impeachment. But to my knowledge, there was never an echo as clear today, or even a whisper for his assassination, hanging or bodily harm as some on the far right have suggested for our current president. But it’s not just that, that worries me. If you look at the behavior of the GOP and it’s allies, some things might make you question them also.
• The Birthers Movement – Who claim that President Obama was NOT born in the United States, thus making him unqualified to be the Commander in Chief of the United States, as stated in the Constitution. There is a two part for me here so bare along – (1) He was born in the United States – Last time I checked Hawaii was still part of the union. (2) John Sidney McCain was born on Aug. 29, 1936, in the Panama Canal Zone, of which had the full endorsement of the group fighting Obama’s Presidency which is the basis of their argument.
• Conservapedia – a Watchdog group of conservatives that host a website www.conservapedia.com has called and funds commercials calling Obama a Muslim. Barack Obama isn’t a Muslim, and has confessed his love and faith in the Christian faith. But the greater question is; so what if he was a Muslim? Our constitution is written so that we have freedom of religion. Conservapedia also spent over $3.5 million in an ad campaign claiming that Barack Obama was holding Muslim religious prayers with his family in the Oval Office. This was broadcast in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Florida. They have also supported the idea that Obama wasn’t born in the US and shouldn’t be Commander in Chief.
• The GOPPAC – Republican Political Action Committee spent $12.7 million on ads, exploiting Barack Obama’s middle name “Hussein”. In the ad it depicts Obama as a muslim, and says quote “is this the person we can trust to fight terror, or is this the face of a supporter”.
• Sarah Palin – Called Barack Obama a Terrorist in theory, by making a connection to William Ayers, a 1960’s radical that was convicted of bombings in protest to the Vietnam war. Obama & Ayers do know each other, they both were professors at the University of Chicago. Ayers who served jail time for his 60’s & 70’s violent crimes, attended a house party to elect Barack Obama into the Illinois state Senate. Claims were made by Sarah Palin that this house party took place at Ayers house, but in fact the party took place at the President of University of Chicago’s home located off campus.
• For the First Time in history a sitting congressman interrupted a President’s speech to a joint congress when Rep. Joe Wilson yelled out “you lie” when the president spoke about healthcare in this country.
• Former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judge Sandra Schultz Newman, a member of John McCain’s national task-force monitoring Election Day voting and the Pennsylvania G.O.P. sent an email to Jewish voters, equating a vote for Senator Barack Obama with the “tragic mistake” of those Jews who “ignored the warning signs in the 1930’s and 1940’s,”
I guess the real question is this; Even though he is not, what would be the issue if Obama was a Muslim? What does that say to our young American Muslim youth? ‘I’m sorry, but because a group of radical Muslims flew 4 planes into buildings on September 11th, you have no reason to work hard and become educated, because the American People will never trust you because of your religious values’. Is this what we are to tell our children?
Is it the Republicans view that only Anglo Saxon Americans, Christians can strive to be president in this country? Is the view that Barack Obama had a greater chance of being elected because as Rush Limbaugh said ‘he’s half white, so many felt more secure with that’? Don’t say no, or you will be compelled by your GOP leaders to make a formal apology to Rush, but you get the point.
When did it become so viral in this country that certain candidates started questioning the patriotism of other candidates and calling them Terrorists? Where has this nation Gone? When did any democratic congressmen or senators ever interrupt President Bush or any previous presidents speech with words like “you lie”? It has never happened. Never. Even though, we now know, it could have warranted it with Bush 2.0
It’s no secret that the election of Barack Obama was a contentious and heated. We witnessed the election of our first minority President in this country that was founded with one of the greatest human rights sins in existence, slavery. There are those that hate Barack Obama’s policy and then there are those that hate Barack Obama because of his name and skin color. The biggest tragedy here is that people hate him, without seeing what he will do, instead, what they believe or have been told he will do, by a group of haters.
COBURN: “What the American people ought to pray is that somebody can’t make the vote tonight. That’s what they ought to pray”.
Is this what we have become? We have stooped to the level of praying that members of congress would die, so that a legislation would fail? How sick is this thinking and when did this type of radicalism start? When did we decide that this type of behavior is ok and warrants reelection. In fact, it is ok enough that those on Capitol Hill aren’t even required to make apologizes anymore? But where is this behavior coming from?
If the next thought is that perhaps Sen. Coburn was suggesting that we should pray that a voting member of the senate, be tied up at dinner, sleeping or some other form of delay, clearly that thought is flawed. But what exactly did Sen. Coburn mean? He isn’t part of the Anti-Obama movement or the Tea Baggers that have called for Obama’s removal from office or even the few that have suggested hanging him.
No, that isn’t who Coburn is. In Fact he is a friend of the President. Sending him notes weekly, expressing hopeful wishes of encouragement and well wishes. Obama and Coburn came to the U.S. Senate at the same time and quickly became friends and cosponsors on bills together. Sure, there were calls for George W. Bush’s impeachment. But to my knowledge, there was never an echo as clear today, or even a whisper for his assassination, hanging or bodily harm as some on the far right have suggested for our current president. But it’s not just that, that worries me. If you look at the behavior of the GOP and it’s allies, some things might make you question them also.
• The Birthers Movement – Who claim that President Obama was NOT born in the United States, thus making him unqualified to be the Commander in Chief of the United States, as stated in the Constitution. There is a two part for me here so bare along – (1) He was born in the United States – Last time I checked Hawaii was still part of the union. (2) John Sidney McCain was born on Aug. 29, 1936, in the Panama Canal Zone, of which had the full endorsement of the group fighting Obama’s Presidency which is the basis of their argument.
• Conservapedia – a Watchdog group of conservatives that host a website www.conservapedia.com has called and funds commercials calling Obama a Muslim. Barack Obama isn’t a Muslim, and has confessed his love and faith in the Christian faith. But the greater question is; so what if he was a Muslim? Our constitution is written so that we have freedom of religion. Conservapedia also spent over $3.5 million in an ad campaign claiming that Barack Obama was holding Muslim religious prayers with his family in the Oval Office. This was broadcast in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Florida. They have also supported the idea that Obama wasn’t born in the US and shouldn’t be Commander in Chief.
• The GOPPAC – Republican Political Action Committee spent $12.7 million on ads, exploiting Barack Obama’s middle name “Hussein”. In the ad it depicts Obama as a muslim, and says quote “is this the person we can trust to fight terror, or is this the face of a supporter”.
• Sarah Palin – Called Barack Obama a Terrorist in theory, by making a connection to William Ayers, a 1960’s radical that was convicted of bombings in protest to the Vietnam war. Obama & Ayers do know each other, they both were professors at the University of Chicago. Ayers who served jail time for his 60’s & 70’s violent crimes, attended a house party to elect Barack Obama into the Illinois state Senate. Claims were made by Sarah Palin that this house party took place at Ayers house, but in fact the party took place at the President of University of Chicago’s home located off campus.
• For the First Time in history a sitting congressman interrupted a President’s speech to a joint congress when Rep. Joe Wilson yelled out “you lie” when the president spoke about healthcare in this country.
• Former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judge Sandra Schultz Newman, a member of John McCain’s national task-force monitoring Election Day voting and the Pennsylvania G.O.P. sent an email to Jewish voters, equating a vote for Senator Barack Obama with the “tragic mistake” of those Jews who “ignored the warning signs in the 1930’s and 1940’s,”
I guess the real question is this; Even though he is not, what would be the issue if Obama was a Muslim? What does that say to our young American Muslim youth? ‘I’m sorry, but because a group of radical Muslims flew 4 planes into buildings on September 11th, you have no reason to work hard and become educated, because the American People will never trust you because of your religious values’. Is this what we are to tell our children?
Is it the Republicans view that only Anglo Saxon Americans, Christians can strive to be president in this country? Is the view that Barack Obama had a greater chance of being elected because as Rush Limbaugh said ‘he’s half white, so many felt more secure with that’? Don’t say no, or you will be compelled by your GOP leaders to make a formal apology to Rush, but you get the point.
When did it become so viral in this country that certain candidates started questioning the patriotism of other candidates and calling them Terrorists? Where has this nation Gone? When did any democratic congressmen or senators ever interrupt President Bush or any previous presidents speech with words like “you lie”? It has never happened. Never. Even though, we now know, it could have warranted it with Bush 2.0
It’s no secret that the election of Barack Obama was a contentious and heated. We witnessed the election of our first minority President in this country that was founded with one of the greatest human rights sins in existence, slavery. There are those that hate Barack Obama’s policy and then there are those that hate Barack Obama because of his name and skin color. The biggest tragedy here is that people hate him, without seeing what he will do, instead, what they believe or have been told he will do, by a group of haters.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
A Reply to: Jaxon News & Views Blog - http://jaxonnews.blogspot.com/2009/12/grinch-who-stole-christmas-from-us.html
Last year, Candidate Obama promised a "transparent" Administration that would seek bi-partisan Congressional action after pending legislation was posted on-line for at least 72 hours, you are right. So was he. The Senate bill, has been on the Senate website for 8 days. All Versions! The one containing the Sanders Amendment and the many without. The issue isn’t the Amendments that have been attached, but the core bill that is being written and how fast bills move through the houses of congress. Of the bills that this congress has passed, most have been online available to read for an average of a week and a half.
Candidate Obama also promised bi-partisanship and bring all parties to the table on these types of important legislation. Two Points here: (1) He did bring democrats, independents and republicans to the table. Parts of the current bill are riddled with goodies inserted by the GOP, for the health insurance companies. (2) The Majority of GOP members of the Senate have been the Party of “NO”. They seek to keep the healthcare system in this country exactly as it is, keeping millions of Americans from obtaining the basic human right of healthcare.
Hard as it may be to accept, health insurance companies are never going to change. Denying coverage to those that pose “high risk”, so in the end they end up losing everything so that they can stay alive. Last year, according to the non-partisan organization Factcheck.org, 45,000 Americans died from lack of health insurance. Out of that, 82% were in the middle class tax bracket, but because they were higher risk, the insurance companies decided to do what is called “price them out”. A sales tactic that we use in my industry to avoid having to sell a certain customer. Last year (Not included in the 45,000) 2600 military veterans died from lack of health insurance. No, this isn’t because the V.A. isn’t doing their job. It’s because the previous administration shortened the benefits based on age. Really? So when our neighbors who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan age, they will no longer be eligible for V.A. healthcare, even though they risked life and limb for this nation?
If there is any doubt about where the majority of insurance premiums are going, let me spell it out.
Below is a listing of the annual compensation for just 7 insurance companies CEO’s. This is their take home Pay. And if you are interested, My Source for this is the Security and Exchange Commission sec.gov
• Aetna Ronald A. Williams: $23,045,834
• Cigna H. Edward Hanway: $25,839,777
• Coventry Dale B. Wolf : $14,869,823
• Health Net Jay M. Gellert: $3,686,230
• Humana Michael McCallister: $10,312,557
• U.Health Grp Stephen J. Hemsley: $13,164,529
• WellPoint Angela Braly (2007): $9,094,271
L. Glasscock (2008): $23,886,169
Now, I am not opposed to Executives earning great salaries. But for these companies to increase the premiums on the backs of middle class and poor Americans whom can’t afford it, so that they may pay their CEO’s big compensation packages, is mind-blowing. And the fact that the GOP agrees with this type of Rape is even more disgusting.
As to the “Late Night” c-span televised votes, this isn’t a rarity it seems. On July 25 2003, the Senate Republicans waited until the wee hours of the morning to pass the Head Start bill, that doesn’t work, because it funds only lower income families and is seriously underfunded. Or the late night vote that took place on October 19 2003, where the Republicans forced a late night vote Energy Bill that extended carbon emissions to companies, giving them nearly a 38% increase in allowable emissions. It also had cuts in the EPA’s budget.
I think that you have it right Mr. Raymond, there is a rush to get this legislation passed. Too many Americans die each day, because they don’t have the same access to health care as you, as those who have been given the "privilege" of having health insurance. It is unbelievable to think that there are people out there that care so much about themselves, that they don’t want something better for all Americans if it means something bad for them.
Higher taxes, yes. But the flipside is something that should be looked at. And so let’s do that. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has determined that the bill before the Senate would provide coverage to more than 94 percent of non-elderly Americans and to an even larger percentage of total Americans. It would also save money, reducing the deficit by $130 billion over the next ten years. You can access the CBO's analysis by going to it's webpage.
The insurance industry would be reformed. The bill would change the way that health insurance companies do business in order to protect consumers from harmful (and unfortunately common) insurance industry practices.
• Insurance companies would not be allowed to stop paying for coverage after a certain lifetime or annual limit.
• Insurance companies would not be allowed to charge co-pays for preventative services, such as checkups, immunizations, or recommended mammograms.
• Young adults under 27 would be able to stay on their parents' plan.
• Beginning in 2014, insurance companies would be barred from discriminating against applicants based on pre-existing conditions, health status, or gender. Before 2014, uninsured Americans with a pre-existing condition would have access to an immediate insurance program, which would help them maintain affordable coverage.
More people would have access to coverage.
• The bill would create "exchanges" for people who do not have access to affordable coverage through an employer and for small employers who have trouble paying to insure their employees.
• In these exchanges, people would have access to a variety of insurance options, including, in some states, a public insurance option that would compete with insurance companies.
• Low- and middle-income people who purchased insurance through the exchanges would be eligible for government subsidies to help them afford insurance.
The Medicaid program would be expanded.
• The bill would expand the Medicaid program so that it covered all non-elderly Americans with income below 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
• Procedures for Medicaid enrollment would be streamlined so that more eligible people are able to take advantage of the program.
The Medicare program would be protected and strengthened.
• Without action, the Medicare hospital insurance trust fund is expected to go broke in just over seven years. The bill would make Medicare a stronger, more sustainable program by streamlining Medicare payment procedures.
• The bill would crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare, as well as in Medicaid, CHIP and private insurance, thereby strengthening Medicare's solvency.
• Medicare currently reimburses health care providers on the basis of the volume of care they provide rather than the value of the care they provide to the patient. For example, for each procedure, test, or scan that a doctor performs, Medicare reimburses the doctor for a particular dollar amount, thus rewarding doctors who do more, even if they are ordering unnecessary care. The bill contains a number of proposals that would change the way that Medicare pays doctors, moving away from a system that rewards unnecessary tests and towards a system that rewards quality care.
The bill promotes preventative care, which saves money and lives by keeping people from getting sick in the first place.
• The bill would invest in a national prevention and public health strategy and improves education on disease prevention and public health.
• It would authorize enough funding to establish a Federally Qualified Community Health Center in every underserved community in America.
• It would address shortages in primary care and other areas of practice by funding the National Health Service Corps, a scholarship and loan repayment program for students entering the health care workforce. It would also reward those professionals who choose to become primary care practitioners and those providers who choose to practice in underserved areas with higher reimbursement rates.
Other good changes:
• Under the transparency portions of the bill, consumers would have access to crucial information about care providers, including to information about physician ownership of hospitals and high tech medical equipment.
• The bill would expand the scope of an existing drug discount program, so that patients at children's hospitals, cancer hospitals, rural hospitals and in other underserved communities have access to medicines at lower cost.
• The bill would make long-term support and services more affordable for millions of Americans by providing a lifetime cash benefit that would help people with severe disabilities remain in their homes and communities.
The Bad News
• The bill is huge (over 2,000 pages) and enormously complicated.
• Implementation of the plan would take too long. The insurance exchanges, the affordability credits, and increased Medicaid eligibility wouldn't occur until 2014. There is simply no reason that the American people should wait another five years for reform.
In this country, that we love so dear, that we put on a pedestal for a model for other countries to follow, we have one of the worst healthcare systems bar none. We leave our weak to fend for themselves, our middleclass to fight for themselves and the few that are privileged to reap the benefits off the backs of hard working Americans who can afford most insurances because they are included in their compensation packages.
While our leaders claim to be trying to do what is right, lobbyists use big money to prevent the growth of America, instead worrying about their bottom line and executive compensation. Where do we draw the line? At what point do we say enough is enough and stop the bleeding of the average American’s dreams and hopes of a better life? It isn’t hard to imagine our nation better, we just need to have the courage to do it.
You are on the wrong side of history here. I am sorry that you have chosen a path of stalemate and status quo instead of having the courage to progress.
P.J. Weber
Sources - Factcheck.org, CBO.gov, Senate.gov, npr.org, Wall Street Journal online
Candidate Obama also promised bi-partisanship and bring all parties to the table on these types of important legislation. Two Points here: (1) He did bring democrats, independents and republicans to the table. Parts of the current bill are riddled with goodies inserted by the GOP, for the health insurance companies. (2) The Majority of GOP members of the Senate have been the Party of “NO”. They seek to keep the healthcare system in this country exactly as it is, keeping millions of Americans from obtaining the basic human right of healthcare.
Hard as it may be to accept, health insurance companies are never going to change. Denying coverage to those that pose “high risk”, so in the end they end up losing everything so that they can stay alive. Last year, according to the non-partisan organization Factcheck.org, 45,000 Americans died from lack of health insurance. Out of that, 82% were in the middle class tax bracket, but because they were higher risk, the insurance companies decided to do what is called “price them out”. A sales tactic that we use in my industry to avoid having to sell a certain customer. Last year (Not included in the 45,000) 2600 military veterans died from lack of health insurance. No, this isn’t because the V.A. isn’t doing their job. It’s because the previous administration shortened the benefits based on age. Really? So when our neighbors who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan age, they will no longer be eligible for V.A. healthcare, even though they risked life and limb for this nation?
If there is any doubt about where the majority of insurance premiums are going, let me spell it out.
Below is a listing of the annual compensation for just 7 insurance companies CEO’s. This is their take home Pay. And if you are interested, My Source for this is the Security and Exchange Commission sec.gov
• Aetna Ronald A. Williams: $23,045,834
• Cigna H. Edward Hanway: $25,839,777
• Coventry Dale B. Wolf : $14,869,823
• Health Net Jay M. Gellert: $3,686,230
• Humana Michael McCallister: $10,312,557
• U.Health Grp Stephen J. Hemsley: $13,164,529
• WellPoint Angela Braly (2007): $9,094,271
L. Glasscock (2008): $23,886,169
Now, I am not opposed to Executives earning great salaries. But for these companies to increase the premiums on the backs of middle class and poor Americans whom can’t afford it, so that they may pay their CEO’s big compensation packages, is mind-blowing. And the fact that the GOP agrees with this type of Rape is even more disgusting.
As to the “Late Night” c-span televised votes, this isn’t a rarity it seems. On July 25 2003, the Senate Republicans waited until the wee hours of the morning to pass the Head Start bill, that doesn’t work, because it funds only lower income families and is seriously underfunded. Or the late night vote that took place on October 19 2003, where the Republicans forced a late night vote Energy Bill that extended carbon emissions to companies, giving them nearly a 38% increase in allowable emissions. It also had cuts in the EPA’s budget.
I think that you have it right Mr. Raymond, there is a rush to get this legislation passed. Too many Americans die each day, because they don’t have the same access to health care as you, as those who have been given the "privilege" of having health insurance. It is unbelievable to think that there are people out there that care so much about themselves, that they don’t want something better for all Americans if it means something bad for them.
Higher taxes, yes. But the flipside is something that should be looked at. And so let’s do that. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has determined that the bill before the Senate would provide coverage to more than 94 percent of non-elderly Americans and to an even larger percentage of total Americans. It would also save money, reducing the deficit by $130 billion over the next ten years. You can access the CBO's analysis by going to it's webpage.
The insurance industry would be reformed. The bill would change the way that health insurance companies do business in order to protect consumers from harmful (and unfortunately common) insurance industry practices.
• Insurance companies would not be allowed to stop paying for coverage after a certain lifetime or annual limit.
• Insurance companies would not be allowed to charge co-pays for preventative services, such as checkups, immunizations, or recommended mammograms.
• Young adults under 27 would be able to stay on their parents' plan.
• Beginning in 2014, insurance companies would be barred from discriminating against applicants based on pre-existing conditions, health status, or gender. Before 2014, uninsured Americans with a pre-existing condition would have access to an immediate insurance program, which would help them maintain affordable coverage.
More people would have access to coverage.
• The bill would create "exchanges" for people who do not have access to affordable coverage through an employer and for small employers who have trouble paying to insure their employees.
• In these exchanges, people would have access to a variety of insurance options, including, in some states, a public insurance option that would compete with insurance companies.
• Low- and middle-income people who purchased insurance through the exchanges would be eligible for government subsidies to help them afford insurance.
The Medicaid program would be expanded.
• The bill would expand the Medicaid program so that it covered all non-elderly Americans with income below 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
• Procedures for Medicaid enrollment would be streamlined so that more eligible people are able to take advantage of the program.
The Medicare program would be protected and strengthened.
• Without action, the Medicare hospital insurance trust fund is expected to go broke in just over seven years. The bill would make Medicare a stronger, more sustainable program by streamlining Medicare payment procedures.
• The bill would crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare, as well as in Medicaid, CHIP and private insurance, thereby strengthening Medicare's solvency.
• Medicare currently reimburses health care providers on the basis of the volume of care they provide rather than the value of the care they provide to the patient. For example, for each procedure, test, or scan that a doctor performs, Medicare reimburses the doctor for a particular dollar amount, thus rewarding doctors who do more, even if they are ordering unnecessary care. The bill contains a number of proposals that would change the way that Medicare pays doctors, moving away from a system that rewards unnecessary tests and towards a system that rewards quality care.
The bill promotes preventative care, which saves money and lives by keeping people from getting sick in the first place.
• The bill would invest in a national prevention and public health strategy and improves education on disease prevention and public health.
• It would authorize enough funding to establish a Federally Qualified Community Health Center in every underserved community in America.
• It would address shortages in primary care and other areas of practice by funding the National Health Service Corps, a scholarship and loan repayment program for students entering the health care workforce. It would also reward those professionals who choose to become primary care practitioners and those providers who choose to practice in underserved areas with higher reimbursement rates.
Other good changes:
• Under the transparency portions of the bill, consumers would have access to crucial information about care providers, including to information about physician ownership of hospitals and high tech medical equipment.
• The bill would expand the scope of an existing drug discount program, so that patients at children's hospitals, cancer hospitals, rural hospitals and in other underserved communities have access to medicines at lower cost.
• The bill would make long-term support and services more affordable for millions of Americans by providing a lifetime cash benefit that would help people with severe disabilities remain in their homes and communities.
The Bad News
• The bill is huge (over 2,000 pages) and enormously complicated.
• Implementation of the plan would take too long. The insurance exchanges, the affordability credits, and increased Medicaid eligibility wouldn't occur until 2014. There is simply no reason that the American people should wait another five years for reform.
In this country, that we love so dear, that we put on a pedestal for a model for other countries to follow, we have one of the worst healthcare systems bar none. We leave our weak to fend for themselves, our middleclass to fight for themselves and the few that are privileged to reap the benefits off the backs of hard working Americans who can afford most insurances because they are included in their compensation packages.
While our leaders claim to be trying to do what is right, lobbyists use big money to prevent the growth of America, instead worrying about their bottom line and executive compensation. Where do we draw the line? At what point do we say enough is enough and stop the bleeding of the average American’s dreams and hopes of a better life? It isn’t hard to imagine our nation better, we just need to have the courage to do it.
You are on the wrong side of history here. I am sorry that you have chosen a path of stalemate and status quo instead of having the courage to progress.
P.J. Weber
Sources - Factcheck.org, CBO.gov, Senate.gov, npr.org, Wall Street Journal online
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