What's Wrong With This Picture

I'm not a rocket scientist, but I see some ugly evidence of what continues to drive our country into poverty.

Why are we bailing out financial institutions who have outsourced all their customer service jobs abroad? Bank of AMERICA and many of the other larger conglomerats have sent thousandss and thousands of job overseas, denying all those here without jobs a fair opportuniy for employment, yet we're worried about them succeeding? Ever wonder why when you call for help you can't understand the person on the other end? It's because you're probably speaking to someone in India or Pakistan. Great isn't it? What kind of government continues to allow this?

And which industry continues to be pounded by the failing economy. Think about it..everytime a business, big or small, closes their doors, moves abroad, or falls to bankruptcy, who takes a hit along with them? Truckers. Who got scalped the most when fuel prices soared. Truckers again. Which of course is ridiculous because diesel is a gasoline by-product and has always been cheaper. But all those trucks you curse on the freeway are the very people who deliver the goods you need everyday. From toothpaste to toilet paper to food, and all those things your order on-line. Each time they lose a contract, they are forced to raise their prices in order to stay in business, which in turn raises the price of the goods they deliver. In the end, we take a pounding along with them.

Just somethings I thought of when I couldn't sleep tonight. That and the Female Senator who took $300 million dollars to vote for Obamacare. When will the corruption, greed, and stupidty end?

Or will it ever?

Healthcare Reform

I'm so confused by all the BS being reported, denied, and shared on the news about Healthcare that I feel like shooting something or someone. I'm fearful about the reported changes in in PAP smear and Mammogram eligibility and the gap between testing. How many women will die because of this?

I'm angered over the Senator I just learned took a $300 million dollar bribe to vote in favor of healthcare reform. And even more pissed that the government is soliciting donations to help defray the escalating deficit.

What has gone wrong with this country? We're bringing terrorist to our shores to try them with constitutional rights and attorneys who will plead their cases for them despite the fact they've already admitted to their crimes. They're war criminals, and the fact that we've given H1N1 vaccine to Gitmo detainees and other inmates when I myself haven't been able to get a dose makes me madder than you can imagine.

But...in this time of such confusion, I decided to solicit a few friends from aboard who partake of Government run or shared healthcare for their opinions. Actually, these responses I received were uplifting and made me feel not quite so helpless, although my own healthcare benefit is doubling in 2010, I would still rather be the boss of my own destiny.

Testimonies:

I'm from Germany, as you all know, and we have universal health care. It's a mix of government/private insurance (actually mostly government regulated private insurance). It was a total shock for me to come here to the US and not be able to afford/get health care. I have it now finally that I'm full time after 20 years of being adjunct faculty without benefits, but many things that I should have taken care of I couldn't, and I'll pay the price for that in the future, or actually right now. You should see me limp on my bad ankles.... At least I was lucky enough so far not to require any serious procedures.... Haven't been to a doctor in over ten years....

In Germany, dental and vision is included (I need new glasses!!!). The way it works is that everybody gets a certain basic level of health care that is heavy on preventative care (for example, massages are paid for by health care - they prevent a lot of unnecessary back surgeries...). In other words, you are encouraged to get regular check-ups, etc. Leads to less catastrophic care and peace of mind. If you want to, you can buy more expensive private plans on top of that. My parents did that and reap the benefits now - my mother has major health issues and has spent quite a while in the hospital. She now needs in-home care, and a health worker visits her twice a day to help with whatever she needs from rewrapping bandages to personal hygiene. If they didn't have both the basic and the private level of health care, they'd be bankrupt. They still have to contribute something to the most expensive stuff (my mother got some experimental foot surgery), but it's nothing they can't afford.

If you work, your basic insurance contribution is taken directly out of your paycheck, just like taxes/social security benefits. You don't miss it, I found, just like I don't miss my regular stuff taken out of my paycheck here. If you're unemployed, it's part of your unemployment benefits - no fear like here that if you lose your job you will be left without insurance. So many people here (and in Germany) don't lose their jobs in this economy because they're lazy bums, so how do they deserve to be all of a sudden without any recourse if they're ill? There's no cap on the services, and pre-existing conditions can't exclude you. Neither can the insurances kick you out if you get sick - my mom would be in dire straits in the US.

The argument in Germany is that we're all in this together, and that no person should go bankrupt or die for want of basic health care. Doesn't matter whether you're a native or an immigrant either; after all, they work, so they can get health care. Hey, even prostitutes get it *grin*. The argument is that catastrophic health care (which cannot be denied - you can't let people croak on the emergency room stairs, after all, right? Hippocratic oath and all...) is beaucoup more expensive than decent basic care for all. Call it socialism, or whatever - give me socialism then.... Besides, what about Christian charity???

Read an interesting article about that not long since - the idea that the collective well-being is considered important in Europe, whereas rugged individualism is more treasured in the US, which leads to everybody being left to fend for him/herself - the motto is: I worked for it, it's mine. You want it, work for it yourself. I'm not paying for you. It's a philosophical difference. But universal health care is also better for the labor market - a healthy workforce is better for the economy than one that's always taking time off for preventable illnesses....

Now I'm not saying everything's perfect in good old Germany (not all hospitals/doctors are equally good - but neither are they here -, and Germany has its share of snafus), but the old canard about everybody having to wait forever to see a specialist or stuff like that is plain wrong. If you need emergency treatment, you get that. If you don't, then you're behind the ones who came in before you. Not a problem in my eyes. Also the claim that older people don't get treated, or that health care is rationed: what is it here??? Rationed by who can afford what. If you want all the bells and whistles, you have to pay for it, both in Germany and here. That's the same everywhere. Example: basic health care will get you a hospital room, but not a private room. You'll share it with others. If you want a private room, you pay for it - privately, with extra insurance or cash. That's what my mother got with the extra coverage - but my parents have paid into the system for a long time now, and now they get it back in spades.

The fear here that government controlled health care would lead to the extinction of private insurance is manifestly false in Germany (and even in England, which is often cited as a model here in the US). Private insurance does just fine, but is compelled to play by the rules. That is what the for profit insurance companies here fear the most.... My roomie was an attorney for years for an insurance company, and they're in the business to take your money, not to give it back to you, according to her. Honestly, when it comes to the choice of a government or a private insurance bureaucrat to take care of my health decisions, I'd rather have the government one - he/she is not motivated by profit.... And incompetence exists everywhere....

Give you another example: the swine flu crisis. Here distribution of the vaccine is problematic, people wait in lines, can't get it, tempers flare. You see it in the news all the time. In Germany, everybody is in the system. So people in the high risk groups get notified by mail when to come in for a vaccination (by appointment). No lines, no confusion. Pregnant women, people with pre-existing conditions, health care workers, and children first. No preference by company, money, whatever. Unified/shared medical records make that possible. Again, doesn't always work perfectly (even in the case of my mother, who has the bells/whistles private supplemental insurance, not all records arrived where they needed to be in all cases), but still, much better than the opposite.

What amuses me the most is to see the protesters against government sponsored health care: mostly middle-aged to older people, many of whom are on Medicare (government health care) and don't want anybody to touch it, much less take it away....

Honestly, can't really give you any cons against government sponsored health care - always worked ok for me. I don't expect perfection, after all. And it certainly worked for my parents. I like the peace of mind it gives you - you know that you'll get treated if something goes wrong. Got kicked by a horse in Germany in my university days. Had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, and had to stay for a week. I never even saw a bill. I wasn't asked before I was treated who was paying for this. Now that's peace of mind. My only thought here has been not get ill - though I suppose I'm judgement proof. Paid for stitches twice out of my own pocket in small payments (broke grad student), and it took forever. Consider the fact that the US pays more per capita in health care than any other civilized (whatever that means *grin*) in the world, but gets less for it than other countries and leaves so many millions uncovered.

My roomie is now a bankruptcy trustee, and what she sees, how many people lose everything because of medical bills, is heartbreaking. That shouldn't happen, esp. not to older people who have worked all their lives.

Oh, well, I could go on for a long time. Let me know if you want more info. I can get more specific. But you probably get the idea. Like most Europeans, I don't understand why Americans can't get it together on health care and cover everybody. Quote me if you want to - nothing to hide :-)

Carolin Walz

Australia is a lot like Germany, same sort of system.
One difference is that here you must pay for the use of Ambulances, unless you're on a senior's pension or unemployed. You can pay $100 a year Ambulance cover and that' s all you pay no matter how many times you call one.
The Australian government healthcare system isn't perfect, but it is better than many other countries and I'm grateful for it. I'm not in a private health insurance, and haven't missed it. I've had three babies and my kids have broken bones, etc, and we've all been seen to and never had a problem. Josh has been to ER/had hospital stays 13 times in 15 years and we've never had to pay for it. I wouldn't live anywhere else.



As a most recent recipient of the UK's NHS, I cannot praise it highly
enough.
Whats good about it?
-The expertise, among the best in the world
-It's free at point of use
-Available to all
-It is interlinked.
eg I went to my GP complaining of chest pain in May 09. After routine
tests - cholesterol, resting ECG, reaction to sprays etc, she sent me to my
local hospital for a treadmill ECG which alarmed them enough to book me in
for an angiogram on 30th June at another hospital. Went in, had that, saw
the results on tv screen, appreciated what alarmed them and was told I neede
bypass surgery. All this relayed to my GP, and to the Freeman surgeons
(centre of excellence for heart surgery on Tyneside). Saw the consultant on
7th August who told me what they would do (if I agreed) and said I would be
called within 18 weeks. I waited, was called, had that date cancelled
because patients were not moving as quickly as expected out of Intensive
Care (they were elderly, and slow to recuperate) but in I went on 30th for
pre-assessment tests (lung function, ECG and X-ray plus checks for MRSA etc
etc) Into the ward on 1st Nov, op next day, out on 7th and home. In two days
the District Nurse was on the phone wanting to visit, and the Cardiac
Rehabilitation Centre sent me an invitation to join them on a date in
December. All this has been relayed to my own GP and I sit here typing this,
recuperating nicely six months later and I shall see the consultant in a
fortnight's time for checks and to be signed off, given the green light.
Every step of the way has been explained to me by the most friendly people,
I don't expect to see a bill and if I have any queries or questions, however
small, I have a number to ring and get immediate attention. Counselling is
available if I need it (I don't think so, but evidently some people feel
they do need it) and extra help with physiotherapy or just simply managing
on a day to day basis if I have problems. What's not to like?
The media focusses only on the downside and gives the NHS a bad name. People
complain that the have to pay to park their car in hospital car parks, or
that they can't have the most expensive drugs to keep them alive. Bill used
the bus to visit me some of the time. Someone complained that they had to
pay to use the tv in the ward, but really, you don't need a tv to get
better. A tv, in my view, is a luxury, and the money is better spent on
medication. As for the cancer drugs, so expensive, is it better to keep one
person alive for three months or do 30 hip transplants with that money?
The money to pay for all this has been taken out of my salary over my
working life, and I don't, and never have, begrudged it. It's a good system,
which I haven't really had to use until now. But when I need it, it is
there. And no one ever knows when they or their nearest and dearest, will
need it.

As a Canadian, I love my universal health care. I can't imagine having an insurance company between me and my doctor deciding what treatment I can have and what I can't. That offends me terribly. I never have to think of money for a doctor's office visit or for a hospital stay or for a treatment. We simply go, talk to the doc and come out without any financial worry. Everybody knows that it's always best to eliminate the middle man whenever possible.

How can anybody love having insurance companies when they refuse to cover you if you're sick, or dump you when you're sick. No one loses their homes here in Canada if they get sick with cancer.

I've always had great health care - immediate, timely, great. Most recently I had 3 doctor visits in one month because I broke out in shingles. I was put on 4 prescriptions which cost a total of $34.00 and which I can get my money back on the private portion of my health care or I can use it as a tax deduction.

Elective surgeries in Canada may be delayed up to one year, but that's because of a doctor and equipment shortages. Many of our doctors move to the U.S. because they can make more money there in the private system, not that $200,000 per year here in Canada is much to scoff at.

The only private health care we have is for dental, vision, and prescriptions, ambulances, and for private rooms during a hospital stay. My company paid for this while I was working. Now that I've retired, I continued with it for my entire family at $168 per month. My husband has diabetes and a heart condition which requires regular medicine. I wear glasses now and we can get most of our dental work paid wkith that $168 per month.

This is What We've Come Too?

I couldn't resist. With all the economical woes, unemployment and other worries dragging us down, is it any wonder someone came up with this video. I had to share...to cute, but a little scary.

Our Future

Sorry, I've been sickly for the past couple of weeks and haven't even been following the news. No use exacerbating my already sickened stomach. :) I got this in an email today and had to share. To frightening though:

The New GM (Government Motors) Proudly Introduces The 2010 Obama This car runs on hot air and broken promises. It has three wheels that speed the vehicle through tight left turns. It comes complete with two TelePrompters programmed to help the occupants talk their way out of any violations. The transparent canopy reveals the plastic smiles still on the faces of all the happy owners. Comes in S, M, L, XL and 2XL It won't get you to work, but hey, there aren't any jobs anyway!

In all Fairness!

Since I posted yesterday, my nephew did a little more research on the most recent picture of President Obama standing before a huge American flag. Supposedly, this was taking on Veteran's Day and the flag was passing by, but in reality, Taps was just beginning to play and he had not yet moved his hand to his heart. He did, probably the instant after the pictures was taken. So, the President did pay homage to his country and presented a very touching speech. I saw the video myself, so I can attest that what was shared by some was very misrepresenting. I want to correct my part in that.

But, while I have your attention, I do have a question to ask though. Does anyone else think it strange that up until President Obama was elected, Osama Bin Laden's name was spelled with an "O". Now he has become known as Usuma Bin Laden. Just sort of seemed a little weird. That and my computer spellcheck keepss trying to make me change Obama to Osama. *smile. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

OBAMA SEEMS TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH HONORING OUR FLAG...












BUT NO PROBLEM DOING THIS? WTF????

This is How Things Get Passed

True, this video is from a vote in 2007, but is still an indication of how things get pushed through when so many people oppose them. John Murtha is also the person who has funneled millions to a very, very small airport named for him (approximately four commuter flights daily) in order to make unnecessary improvements when the country is in dire need of cash elsewhere. Time for this old geezer to step down and stop padding his pockets at our expense. Further reason that we need to clean house and start with fresh blood.

Twelve out of Nineteen Characteristics...

This is very frightening and undeniably supported by Biblical passages. This doesn't declare our President is indeed the antiChrist, but certainly gives you pause to wonder. It's 10 minutes worth watching. Please share your feelings after you watch it.

Are You Kidding Me?

Why would you go on a talk show where you know the topic is going to be the "newsworthy" items about yourself, and then become as ass like Carrie PreJean did in this video. The woman is definitely not even newsworthy in my opinion, and clearly the blonde bimbo she portrays. She's been Palinized! I guess I'm bitter because I'm an author, and I work hard at my craft, and clearly someone "ghost" wrote her life story and made her instant success. Kinda pisses me off, I have to admit.

It Does My Heart Good

I rant and rave all the time about Obama, and wonder why so many people don't see the harm he's doing. And Nancy Pelosi...the woman sickens me. She's got her lips so firmly planted on the president's butt, she can't see how horrible she looks. Anyhow...I felt vindicated today, when someone posted the following on a yahoo loop we share. These are someone else's words, but the posteer read my mind:

Now, if anyone is a supporter of Obama, um... you may not want to read the rest of this email. I don't want to offend your beliefs, but I just have to clarify how I feel.

Ok, moi? An Obama supporter???? (Hold on, I'm choking!) Honestly, the man scares me. I don't think he knows what the hell he is doing. And between that communist bastard Van Jones, corrupt Acorn and the other 'suspicious' characters he surrounds himself with at the WH -- all of whom were not veted or investigated -- I don't trust the people around him either. Either he is a complete idiot who believes everything these people tell him (probably prefaced by 'pseudo-messianic' flattering and stroking his arrogant ego) or he's a psychotic megalomaniac mastermind intent on world domination. Hopefully, he is neither or, at best, somewhere in between. For me the only thing believable about him is that I DO believe he loves his children and cares about their future which (I'm hoping) will help ALL our childrens' future as well.

In my opinion (and I think it's now being shared by many in both parties) he is trying to change the very foundations of this country in order to pursue his own agenda, shove programs and socialist ideology quickly down the throats of Americans without more thorough study, full disclosure or honest dialogue. When questioned, it's always the same rhetoric he said during his campaign.

Which brings me to another point! I don't trust anyone who cannot look you in the eye and speak openly and honestly from the heart. Watch him the next time he gives a speech. He looks left, right -- left, right....never straying too far from the scripted speech. Remember when he read the Irish Prime Minister's speech off the teleprompter, thanking HIMSELF (the President of the US) for inviting him to the White House???? And this is not the first time he's done this! Take a look at him giving a speech in Virginia about his health care plan and what happens when his teleprompter broke! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of61E1FesPU

The fact he has to have a teleprompter constantly, including at 'press conferences' where questions are NOT chosen randomly from the audience (as other presidents did) but pre-screened so he has a ready answer is a perfect example of him and his administration manipulating the press and media to suit his agenda, and NOT addressing the concerns of the people that a conscientious journalist might ask. Then again, the government now owns GE, who owns NBC and MNBC, -- so I guess no one wants to offend the major stockholder! And I really resent the fact that any citizen who questions him or doubts his experience or judgment is a racist. Sorry, I am NOT a racist and I think it's a cheap shot to keep playing that card.

My sainted Texan great-grandmother would probably compare him to a carpetbagger -- the 'fancy dressed' men who came to the south after the Civil War seeking power and success, primarily through corruption. My mom would call a flim-flam man -- deceptive, dishonest and willing to lie, cheat and swindle anyone to get what he wants. Me? I call him a snake oil salesman.

Still, when he was inaugurated, I prayed he would keep be a good president. Then I saw how the expenses for his inauguration, including the excessive GALA balls he said would not be at HIS inauguration in light of the economy and how people were suffering, were tripled what others presidents spent. Just two weeks earlier, Alcoa had laid over over 15,000 people and let's face it people were losing homes, being laid off, and no one was hiring.

I thought about how he told us all to not go to Vegas or take vacations (as if we could afford them); his solution to put air in our tires to save on gas and help the environment. Meanwhile, he goes on unprecedented vacations to the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, and New England with the wife and kids (all at taxpayer expense), not to mention their worldwide tour with the kiddies. Gee, let me run out and check my air pressure and worry about GAS prices! That's okay, Mr. President, take AF One and gallivant around the freaking world!!!!

Oh, and remember when Michelle said she was a bargain shopper and did not see the need to buy high-priced designer fashion???? Uh-huh. Gee, those $540.00 Lanvin sneakers she wore while doing a photo op at a food bank were so sensitive to the suffering of the homeless coming in there. When questioned about the 'fashionista' FRENCH sneakers, her assistant said she wears them to 'walk the dog'. Michelle's response? "They're just shoes." Uh-huh!!! OR, what about the $1,500 pumps and $1,000 tank top she wore when planting a tree a week later. And these are the two people who say WE are spoiled and need to cut back on OUR luxuries?????

CLEARLY, what these two say and what they do are at polar opposites. Well, I mean, I did have a glimmer of that during the election with his "uncle like" preacher saying "God Damn America", his criminal bomber friend, the felony charged slum lord who bought the lot next to his house and sold it for him for NOTHING -- and his association with that corrupt outfit Acorn -- the same outfit that is now being investigated by the IRS and scrutinized by the Senate -- FINALLY!

To be fair --- he does seem to be a good father -- so I guess he's not ALL bad. I'm still praying for the country, but I honestly do not trust this man and with his worshiping cult-like supporters having control of the House and Senate, I am terrified for this country and the possibly irreparable damage they are doing -- not to mention my concerns for our national security and the brave men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan who (let's face it) do NOT have a REAL Commander In Chief at the moment. Sorry, I cannot forget or possibly understand his 'priorities' when instead of meeting with the military and generals on critical issues regarding Iran, Irag, Afghanistan, etc. -- HE went to fricking Copenhagen to join Michelle and her retinue of staff to campaign for the Olympics in Chicago. At the same time, Gen. McChrystal (US Commander in Afghanistan) had just said he had never met the President and had not spoken with him in 70 days (OVER TWO MONTHS!!!???) about the war, etc.

The US Ambassador for the UN said the 'lack of communication with the general was indicative of Mr. Obama's misplaced priorities." You think????? I might add ONLY AFTER this information about lack of communication with the general was made public did Obama's people (roughly 48 hrs later) summon McChrystal to fly in for a 25-minute meeting face-to-face while AIR FORCE ONE was still on the tarmac in Copenhagen.

So, yeah, I am VERY concerned about the security in this country and especially his comprehension of the risk factor involved with the whole Iraq and Afghanistan situation, not to mention Iran making nuclear weapons.

And do NOT get me started on Nancy Pelosi because -- honestly -- I cannot stand that witch!!!!! She reminds me of some freaking wax work demon.

Let's Ignore the Bad News

Let's pretend that Pelosi and her cronies didn't just piss on the opinions of so many Americans by passing her crummy bill, and enjoy a new band. I just saw them on Bob & Tom and I love them. Don't judge by their ridiculous get up, just close your eyes and listen. I'll be you'll be tapping your toe. :)

P.S. Have I mentioned how much I dislike Pelosi?

The new OWRECK!

Again, I've "borrowed" something awesome from Iowntheworld because this needs to be shared. Although humorous, there is such truth in this cartoon. The site holds contests for readers to compete with captions for particular drawings. Whoever came up with this really had a handle on the present situation. Kudos!

An Ass on an Ass *laughing out loud*

One of my very favorites sites, I Own The World, featured this today. I had to "blogjack it and share.

Follow-Up on Yesterday's Post

Consider these are stacks of pages for reading. You can choose Pelosi's almost 2000 pages filled with waste, scotch-taped fixes, and her insistence that a favorable vote be cast immediatly...or you can read...

House GOP pens 230-page health bill draft

Nov 3 12:48 PM US/Eastern
By ERICA WERNER
Associated Press Writer


GOP Releases More Details for Health Care Bill Alternative

Bachmann Calls on Americans to Bring the Town Hall to DC on Thursday

Republicans to Read Health Bill Aloud on House Floor



WASHINGTON (AP) - After months spent criticizing Democrats' health overhaul plans, House Republicans have produced a draft proposal of their own. It's much shorter and focuses on bringing down costs rather than extending coverage to nearly all Americans.

A 230-page draft was obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press. A spokeswoman for Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said changes were still being made before the bill would be finalized in time to offer as an alternative when Democrats begin floor debate on their bill, possibly at the end of this week.

The bill leaves out a number of the key features of the Democrats' 1,990-page legislation, such as new requirements for employers to insure their employees and for nearly all Americans to purchase insurance. It also doesn't block insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing health conditions, as Democrats would do.

Instead, the Republican plan increases incentives for people to use health savings accounts, caps non-economic jury awards in medical malpractice cases at $250,000, provides various incentives to states with the aim of driving down premium costs and allows health insurance to be sold across state lines.

"As Leader Boehner has made clear, our proposal will focus on the No. 1 concern of the American people—reducing health care costs, and we do it at a price tag our nation can afford," said spokeswoman Antonia Ferrier, though Republicans have not said how much their bill would cost.

"Our proposal will help struggling middle-class families and small businesses by increasing access to affordable, high-quality health care," Ferrier said.

Democrats immediately dismissed the Republican plan as insubstantial.

The GOP alternative "does little to provide security and stability to all Americans, doesn't provide insurance availability for all Americans, does little to expand access to coverage," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters.

"Ours is vastly superior and we think the American public will think that," Hoyer said.

The GOP draft bill obtained by The AP was dated Monday.

House Democrats, meanwhile, were working overtime to put the finishing touches on their 10-year, $1.2 trillion bill, which they released last week. Leaders were trying to resolve lingering concerns over language to bar federal funding of abortions and ensure that illegal immigrants don't receive government health benefits.

The Republican bill includes a permanent ban on any federal funding for abortions except in cases of rape, incest or threat to the life of the mother, stronger language than the Democratic bill,

Hoyer predicted Tuesday that Democrats would vote within the week to pass President Barack Obama's historic health care remake.

"I'm confident of prevailing and I'm confident of prevailing before Veterans Day"—next Wednesday, Nov. 11, Hoyer told reporters. "I am confident that we are going to pass this bill."

Across the Capitol, senators are waiting to see the final language and price tag on a health bill that Majority Leader Harry Reid and a few other top officials wrote in secret. It's not clear when those details will be available and Reid, D-Nev., may not be able to begin debate on the issue until the week before Thanksgiving.

Too Much Sense to be Implemented

Number one: let families and businesses buy health insurance across state lines;

Number two: allow individuals, small businesses, and trade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices, the same way large corporations and labor unions do today;

Number three: give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs; and

Number four: end junk lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs by increasing the number of tests and procedures that physicians sometimes order not because they think it's good medicine, but because they are afraid of being sued.

“These are four smart, fiscally-responsible reforms that we can implement today to lower costs and expand access at a price our nation can afford. Again, you can learn more about these and all the health care initiatives Republicans have supported by visiting healthcare.gop.gov.

These suggestions come from House GOP Leader, John Boehner, in an attempt to make known to Congress what the GOP backs, and what a large number of Americans want. As I've pointed out, people see the word, "free" and react, but what they don't see are the long lines and diminished care that comes with the reform being pushed down our throats. The DEM administration is not reforming anything, rather adding more to an already broken medical care program. Ask people in countries where the government provides their medical care and see how they really feel: poor service, long lines, waiting for critical surgeries. These are just a few of the complaints I've heard from personal friends abroad. Nothing in life is free, there is a cost hidden somewhere, but to what end?

You can peruse the rest of the press release by clicking here.

This particular paragraph caught my eye while reading about what is being called, "The Worst Bill Ever." Nancy Pelosi should be ashamed.

Yet at this point, Democrats have dumped any pretense of genuine bipartisan "reform" and moved into the realm of pure power politics as they race against the unpopularity of their own agenda. The goal is to ram through whatever income-redistribution scheme they can claim to be "universal coverage." The result will be destructive on every level—for the health-care system, for the country's fiscal condition, and ultimately for American freedom and prosperity.

If you'd like to read the entire post, please visit The Wall Street Journal.

When The Prez Travels

Happy November!

I touched on a subject yesterday that is a sore spot for me, and I wanted to expand on it today since I have since garnered more information.

My bitch is the President spending tax payer bucks to campaign for his own party candidates in looming elections. Obama isn't the only one to do this, although he's firing up Air Force One again today to return to New Jersey to campaign for the trailing DEM there. Obama is the President of the United States, not President of the Democratic Party. He is charged to represent ALL of us, and I am insulted to have tax dollars collected from those from all political walks of life used for his traveling whims.

Did you know that his visits not only require the use of AF One, three other support jets (Gulfstream V) must be sent out to surrounding airports to allow him an "avenue of escape" should it become necessary. These jets carry a crew of at least twenty-five secret service personnel.

His limousines and additional secret service vehicles (only two that are bulletproof) must be sent via a C-5 Galaxy aircraft from Dover, Pope or Charleston AFBs including another extensive crew. I would assume his comfortable accommodations are also levied against the wallet of the taxpayers.

Am I wrong to believe the President should stay out of these races and allow the public to vote their conscience and the qualifications of the candidates and not be swayed by his position? Even if he paid the expenses himself, which I'm sure he can't afford on his salary, I think it's very wrong for him to use his political position in this manner. I'm just saying...