- Who is "surrounding" the President in the White House?
- Do any of the President's advisers have criminal records?
- Are the President's advisers working to better the country or their own ideals?
- Who are the anti-capitalists in Washington?
- What roles do they have in crafting bills?
- What was "STORM"? What happened to the founders, where are they now?
- What qualifications must one have to be a Presidential adviser?
- What is the difference between a community organizer and a community activist?
- Do the czars have power?
- Should a communist have the ear of the President of the United States?
- What role did the Apollo Alliance play in crafting bills?
- Does the President know the co-founder of the Weather Underground is a board member of the Apollo Alliance?
- How many people in the administration are connected to the movement for a democratic society?
- What role does George Soros play... CONSTITUTIONALLY?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Our National Debt Clock
I dare any Obama support to view this and then pose a logical response as to why Congress should be allowed to spend one more dime.
http://usdebtclock.org/
I look forward to hearing from you...
http://usdebtclock.org/
I look forward to hearing from you...
Am I hateful if I ask...
- Our unfunded liability for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is close to $100 trillion. Is there any way to pay for these programs without bankrupting America?
- We are in so much debt, why spend more borrowed money on cap-and-trade and healthcare programs before we stop the flow of red-ink?
- The stimulus package funneled billions of dollars to ACORN. How does giving billions of dollars to ACORN stimulate the economy?
- If it was so important for congress to pass the stimulus bill before they even had time to read it why has only a fraction of the stimulus money been spent 6 months later?
- Bush said he had to abandon free market principles in order to save them, how exactly does that work?
- Why won’t member of Congress read the bills before they vote on them?
- Why are citizens mocked and laughed at when they ask their congressman to read the bills before they vote on them?
- Was the cash-for-clunkers program meant to save the earth or the economy? Did it accomplish either?
- How did Van Jones, a self-proclaimed communist become a special advisor to the president?
- Did President Obama know of Van Jones’ radical political beliefs when he named him special advisor?
- The Apollo Alliance claimed credit for writing the stimulus bill—why was this group allowed to write any portion of this bill?
- If politicians aren’t writing the bills and aren’t reading the bills, do they have any idea what these 1000 page plus bills actually impose on the American people?
- If the ‘public option’ health care plan is so good why won’t politicians agree to have that as their plan?
- If town hall meetings are intended for the politicians to learn what’s on our mind—why do they spend so much time talking instead of listening?
- Politicians are refusing to attend town hall meetings complaining, without evidence, that they are scripted. Does that mean we shouldn’t come out and vote for you since every campaign stop, baby kiss and speech you give is scripted?
- Why would you want to overwhelm the system?
- Is using the economic crises to rush legislation through congress what Rahm Emanuel meant when he talked about not letting a crises go to waste?
- What are the czars paid? What is the budget for their staffs/offices?
- We are in so much debt, why spend more borrowed money on cap-and-trade and healthcare programs before we stop the flow of red-ink?
- The stimulus package funneled billions of dollars to ACORN. How does giving billions of dollars to ACORN stimulate the economy?
- If it was so important for congress to pass the stimulus bill before they even had time to read it why has only a fraction of the stimulus money been spent 6 months later?
- Bush said he had to abandon free market principles in order to save them, how exactly does that work?
- Why won’t member of Congress read the bills before they vote on them?
- Why are citizens mocked and laughed at when they ask their congressman to read the bills before they vote on them?
- Was the cash-for-clunkers program meant to save the earth or the economy? Did it accomplish either?
- How did Van Jones, a self-proclaimed communist become a special advisor to the president?
- Did President Obama know of Van Jones’ radical political beliefs when he named him special advisor?
- The Apollo Alliance claimed credit for writing the stimulus bill—why was this group allowed to write any portion of this bill?
- If politicians aren’t writing the bills and aren’t reading the bills, do they have any idea what these 1000 page plus bills actually impose on the American people?
- If the ‘public option’ health care plan is so good why won’t politicians agree to have that as their plan?
- If town hall meetings are intended for the politicians to learn what’s on our mind—why do they spend so much time talking instead of listening?
- Politicians are refusing to attend town hall meetings complaining, without evidence, that they are scripted. Does that mean we shouldn’t come out and vote for you since every campaign stop, baby kiss and speech you give is scripted?
- Why would you want to overwhelm the system?
- Is using the economic crises to rush legislation through congress what Rahm Emanuel meant when he talked about not letting a crises go to waste?
- What are the czars paid? What is the budget for their staffs/offices?
Boycott
So, GEICO, UPS, Progressive Insurance, Walmart, CVS Caremark, Clorox, Sprint, Proctor & Gamble, and SC Johnson pulled advertising from Glenn Beck because he questions whether Obama is racist. One only needs to be reminded of 'typical white person', Jeremiah Wright, Obama's 20 years with him (though he didn't know such things were being said...right), and Obama's comment that instead of reparations, he wants to 'level the playing field'.
If you care about this, PLEASE make a statement and boycott these companies and their products until they grow a spine.
Thanks.
If you care about this, PLEASE make a statement and boycott these companies and their products until they grow a spine.
Thanks.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Faith Based Functions, Racism, and Homework
Bare with me, this is a bit of a rant today...
It appears Obama has now instituted an order denying Service men the right to speak at faith based functions.
http://www.sonorannews.com/archives/2009/090819/letters2e.html#letter8
Then we have the 'ColorofChange' which should really be termed 'ColorofRacism'.
http://www.sonorannews.com/archives/2009/090819/FrntPgCommunism.html
It is quite clear that the Progressive/Liberal agenda is to tag anything racist if one does not agree with their views.
Case in point, The 'ColorofChange' leaned on Glenn Beck's advertisers and got P&G, Geico, and SC Johnson to pull ad's from the show because they touted he was racist. These claims are made over and over, without a shred of proof. Personally, I'm surprised Glenn does not file a slander suite against these groups.
The we have Hispanic liberal groups here in Phoenix who claim Sheriff Arpiao is racist. I tend to believe these are the progeny of the 'everybody wins' mentality now prevalent across America which allows Dick and Jane to graduate, giving them passing grades because, of course, we can't hurt their feelings. Well, to declare some as being a representative of a particular group, one must provide evidence. It is obvious that these allegations are unfounded as had these mental midgets examined Arpiao's family they would see the mixed cultures that make it up, namely Hispanic.
Or consider the Racist gunman at Obama's town hall here in Phx last Monday. Ooops, forgot to take a look at the gunman, didn't ya? So quick to pull the racist word and bandy it about on the airwaves that the media failed to recognize the man was BLACK.
The goal of Obama's insurgence into America is to take advantage of lower class black people, and ignite their passions of hatred because there happens to be others in the US doing better than them.
Bill Cosby recognizes this to be inaccurate, but when he tried to say something, the black community treated him with disdain. How dare he try to instill the idea that they have the power within themselves to rise up and seize that golden ring if they truly want it.
No, instead Obama ignites hatred and jealousy, then moves in with groups like ACORN, offering them ways to channel their anger. It is class warfare, and this is Obama's policy.
The next time you feel like 'greed' is evil, watch this and reconsider the definition and what things come of it.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A
For those who haven't read Thomas Paine, consider an analogy he offered for the purpose of government.
A group of people land on a deserted piece of land, isolated from the rest of the world. Within minutes, they realize they must work together to survive, building shelter, gathering food and water. Eventually their society becomes stable and allows them to prosper. At first the group is small and all must play a part of be shunned from the group until they do so.
But as the society grows, it starts becoming to big to keep tabs on who is doing what. Unfortunately there will be those who do not wish to do their share, steal from others when they are not looking. Because of these things, a separate group must be established to address these issues. But pulling them away from their work to do the work of oversight means they will not be able to provide for themselves, therefore others must compensate them so they may be free to do this oversight. The goal of course is to keep the oversight as minimal as possible, but just enough to allow the society to function.
This is the first government.
The key here is minimal oversight. But unless these people in charge of these duties are reigned in, they continue to govern, providing more excuses to gain more power.
It is when the society fails to respond when they see this occurring, that real problems begin.
In this country, we have able bodied people refusing to do work, choosing to live off the government dole. Government meanwhile preaches the woes they can cure, just give us more power.
The fact is that society can handle most issues and does not need government accept in certain circumstances.
People site that our Constitution says that United States should provide for the Common Welfare. Welfare meaning the care of the sick and poor. However, this is a modern meaning of the word, welfare. The Constitution elaborates on this to state that this is in terms of levying taxes to secure the infrastructure, and defend the United States. Not for establishing a 'government dole' for the poor.
So let end by asking you this...
Did the People of the US create the $12 Trillion Deficit, or the Government?
Did the people create the massive welfare programs that now endanger the country or did the government?
Are the people's voices being heard, or are the Politicians controlling the mike?
Are the people being told what the details of these plans being proposed are, or does the government gloss over the details, assuming you are too stupid to understand? {Keep in mind Rep Shepard's words last Sept that the only way to pass a bad bill is not to read it, yet Arlen Specter tells the ignorant masses that they don't have time to read the bills}
The people of the United States are parents of a juvenile delinquent who continually causes damage, yet we are too reserved to react, instead we continue to pay for that damage and allow the brat to go unpunished, knowing it is only a matter of time before he does it again. This brat must be reigned in and disciplined and if he does not comply, then we must disown him.
Not everyone in life is a winner, and it is a fools game to believe one can create a world in which this is not true. Yet the liberals will have you believe this can be done.
If that were to be true, then I just have one simple question to ask them, where's you proof?
It appears Obama has now instituted an order denying Service men the right to speak at faith based functions.
http://www.sonorannews.com/archives/2009/090819/letters2e.html#letter8
Then we have the 'ColorofChange' which should really be termed 'ColorofRacism'.
http://www.sonorannews.com/archives/2009/090819/FrntPgCommunism.html
It is quite clear that the Progressive/Liberal agenda is to tag anything racist if one does not agree with their views.
Case in point, The 'ColorofChange' leaned on Glenn Beck's advertisers and got P&G, Geico, and SC Johnson to pull ad's from the show because they touted he was racist. These claims are made over and over, without a shred of proof. Personally, I'm surprised Glenn does not file a slander suite against these groups.
The we have Hispanic liberal groups here in Phoenix who claim Sheriff Arpiao is racist. I tend to believe these are the progeny of the 'everybody wins' mentality now prevalent across America which allows Dick and Jane to graduate, giving them passing grades because, of course, we can't hurt their feelings. Well, to declare some as being a representative of a particular group, one must provide evidence. It is obvious that these allegations are unfounded as had these mental midgets examined Arpiao's family they would see the mixed cultures that make it up, namely Hispanic.
Or consider the Racist gunman at Obama's town hall here in Phx last Monday. Ooops, forgot to take a look at the gunman, didn't ya? So quick to pull the racist word and bandy it about on the airwaves that the media failed to recognize the man was BLACK.
The goal of Obama's insurgence into America is to take advantage of lower class black people, and ignite their passions of hatred because there happens to be others in the US doing better than them.
Bill Cosby recognizes this to be inaccurate, but when he tried to say something, the black community treated him with disdain. How dare he try to instill the idea that they have the power within themselves to rise up and seize that golden ring if they truly want it.
No, instead Obama ignites hatred and jealousy, then moves in with groups like ACORN, offering them ways to channel their anger. It is class warfare, and this is Obama's policy.
The next time you feel like 'greed' is evil, watch this and reconsider the definition and what things come of it.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A
For those who haven't read Thomas Paine, consider an analogy he offered for the purpose of government.
A group of people land on a deserted piece of land, isolated from the rest of the world. Within minutes, they realize they must work together to survive, building shelter, gathering food and water. Eventually their society becomes stable and allows them to prosper. At first the group is small and all must play a part of be shunned from the group until they do so.
But as the society grows, it starts becoming to big to keep tabs on who is doing what. Unfortunately there will be those who do not wish to do their share, steal from others when they are not looking. Because of these things, a separate group must be established to address these issues. But pulling them away from their work to do the work of oversight means they will not be able to provide for themselves, therefore others must compensate them so they may be free to do this oversight. The goal of course is to keep the oversight as minimal as possible, but just enough to allow the society to function.
This is the first government.
The key here is minimal oversight. But unless these people in charge of these duties are reigned in, they continue to govern, providing more excuses to gain more power.
It is when the society fails to respond when they see this occurring, that real problems begin.
In this country, we have able bodied people refusing to do work, choosing to live off the government dole. Government meanwhile preaches the woes they can cure, just give us more power.
The fact is that society can handle most issues and does not need government accept in certain circumstances.
People site that our Constitution says that United States should provide for the Common Welfare. Welfare meaning the care of the sick and poor. However, this is a modern meaning of the word, welfare. The Constitution elaborates on this to state that this is in terms of levying taxes to secure the infrastructure, and defend the United States. Not for establishing a 'government dole' for the poor.
So let end by asking you this...
Did the People of the US create the $12 Trillion Deficit, or the Government?
Did the people create the massive welfare programs that now endanger the country or did the government?
Are the people's voices being heard, or are the Politicians controlling the mike?
Are the people being told what the details of these plans being proposed are, or does the government gloss over the details, assuming you are too stupid to understand? {Keep in mind Rep Shepard's words last Sept that the only way to pass a bad bill is not to read it, yet Arlen Specter tells the ignorant masses that they don't have time to read the bills}
The people of the United States are parents of a juvenile delinquent who continually causes damage, yet we are too reserved to react, instead we continue to pay for that damage and allow the brat to go unpunished, knowing it is only a matter of time before he does it again. This brat must be reigned in and disciplined and if he does not comply, then we must disown him.
Not everyone in life is a winner, and it is a fools game to believe one can create a world in which this is not true. Yet the liberals will have you believe this can be done.
If that were to be true, then I just have one simple question to ask them, where's you proof?
Friday, August 21, 2009
Refuse to go softly into that goodnight
This began with an email containing a link to Obama's site "Time to set the record straight." {Here's the link if you care to look, I find the title rather amusing, however the "getting the Record Straight is not something Mr Obama is capable of. Link:http://www.barackobama.com/images/email/20090814_SettingTheRecordStraight.jpg}
So this managed to get forwarded to someone who had little tolerance for receiving such and email and voiced his opinion against this site. Bravo...another who refuses to go softly into that good night.
This stirred a reaction by a diehard Obama supporter who replied, and I shall paraphrase,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What I believe...please take time to read it, if just to have another point of view.
People who are bringing guns to town hall meetings are creating a true disaster for our country.
I am not sure why so many untruths are being spread.
Know that top insurance executives received as much as $11 million average each last year in salary.
While this may seem to be part of capitalism, our rates continue to climb, though we file no claims.
This chance for {government} competition is good. If we had only one telephone company like we used to, we would not enjoy the low price of long distance, the free internet, and many more of the things we take for granted since the Bell telephone monopoly was broken up, due, yes, to the intervention of the government.
Greed is controlling health care in the U.S. at this time. We spend twice the money on health care than any other country, yet are 34th in quality of care.
Thank you for having an open mind.
I do not like arguments like this, but since before the election I have felt amazed that the hatred for Obama is driving so many to a point of view that is increasingly violent and divisive for our country.
It comes across as racism, though I am sure that is not the case for many people, but is is something to look at.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No doubt, this invoked a response. ;)
Here it is...
The key to these issues is not to 'believe' but to read the bills in question and seek out the exact verbiage being said by the person in question. Not by sighting pro-Obama sites as evidence of validity. As you will see, there is a lot of misrepresentation at the citizens of the US’s expense.
Consider the man carrying the assault rifle, while it may be extreme for most of us, it is a 2nd amendment right and does not become conditional because we may not like it. He did everything within the law and performed this act in the first place as protest against Obama's views on guns.
It is also key to note...this was a Black Man carrying the gun, much as the media would like you to believe the incident was racially driven.
Link: http://www.mrc.org/biasalert/2009/20090818040310.aspx
In 2007, Obama stated the following at an SEIU meeting (Interestingly enough has been scrubbed from YouTube as of today, but Paul still has copies).
"I’m asking that you get engaged, that you get involved...But here’s the thing you need to understand, when you give into the cynicism like that, the people who believe politics is a game always win. That’s what they are counting on, they are counting on you being so disappointed, so disillusioned, that you lose your own voice. That you start doubting yourself, that you start believing…’You know what? Change is never going to happen in this country and that I don’t count.’”
Well this is the exact play book that is being implemented by the ruling majority right now.
What used to be accepted protest during the Bush administration has now become 'unacceptable' by those who used to do this...ie the ruling majority in Congress. They refuse to acknowledge 63% of the public is against the Healthcare plan.
Instead, Nancy Pelosi, Obama, Harry Reid, Dick Durbin, Arlen Specter, Barbara Boxer, and Barney Frank - to name a few – pride themselves in calling these protesters Evil Mongers, Racists, Nazi's, Un-American, Republicans, Astroturf (AKA shills for the Drug and Insurance Companies which is interesting considering Obama has made deals with them to get them to go along with the bill Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/13/internal-memo-confirms-bi_n_258285.html ), and the most offensive ‘Well Dressed’. These folks are Democrats and Independents, and Republicans. These folks are accused of the violent tactics, which are, curiously enough, employed by the Obama Administration, utilizing SEIU and ACORN members to beat up anyone who protests.
Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXl4yn_W1tE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGRUx2b0ArM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJoLftlARf8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73Mdxa-cKyk&feature=related
http://lonestartimes.com/2009/08/13/obama-camp-plants-fake-doc-che-fan-at-jackson-lee-forum/
Then we have Rep's like Erik Massa who thumb their nose up at democracy by refusing to heed the interests of the district he represents, stating he knows better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_ID7hYzk44
It is interesting that the President as well as various media outlets purport the ‘Truth behind the Healthcare myths’. Anyone who has been following closely knows there are at least two bills floating around, if not more. Also that they are carefully worded as to allow wiggle room of claiming ‘that’s not what that means’.
Consider the statement: I will meet you when it gets dark out. If I went out at 8pm and didn't see you, then ask why you weren’t there. You answer, “well I wasn’t talking about nighttime; I meant when the storm clouds roll in.”
Anyone who reads what is available online, in HR 3200, will clearly see this.
The current version available states the government will have access to not only your records, but you personal bank account and will automatically debit that account as they see fit to ensure payment. Page 57.
Page 469 states that there will be focus on bolstering up the medical services though minorities will be favored for these positions over whites (ie not based on aptitude or intelligence).
On Page 29 – Explains how health care will be rationed.
On Page 50 – How the elderly will compete against illegal aliens for healthcare.
The truth is Obama doesn’t know what is in the bill. In fact, you can hear him laugh as a question is being asked by one of the Liberal Bloggers during a conference.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVjc9mopH58&feature=PlayList&p=832A1761E7FE9DD2&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=10
Given that, we must then resort to what Obama’s plan has been up till now, as he can’t be pinned down to anything specific. Therefore we must turn to his speeches since 2003, all of which clearly state over and over and over, he wants to abolish private health care and fund abortions with the plan.
Here are just a couple of examples.
Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpAyan1fXCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9CCpvj690A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtjJ1CKkDOQ
The current talk this week is how government will offer competition. There is competition already and to believe adding a government plan will provide that is ludicrous. What the government will do is mandate price cuts to a level which will kill off the insurance companies. They will also institute lower than market premiums which will do the same thing. To promote single payer as the way out demonstrates a lack of understanding in the economics behinds health care and what the problems actually are. The following link has some perspectives that aren’t discussed:
http://primemover-2010.blogspot.com/2009/08/observations-on-health-care-costs.html
Then consider the fact that there are not enough physicians today in the US and enrollment in Medical school is down 60%. If there are those experiencing wait times, it will not get any better adding 46 million to the pool. Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/20/pho.doctor.shortage/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
To sight someone’s salary as a reason to attack the industry is playing into the policy of ‘class warfare’ Obama has instituted. One should not covet someone’s wealth, instead, they should focus on what they need to do to reach their desired level of financial comfort.
If one is going to mention how much is spent on health care in comparing countries, don’t look at the overall cost, it must be in terms of per capita. The fact is there is a difference between medical care and health care. The US is #1 in medical care. We also have the lowest wait times. John Stossel did an informative series on HC, here’ are the links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEXFUbSbg1I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpsEAVbCkMM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=refrYKq9tZQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzhiG0dcwN8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsp_Jh5EIT0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_KCLm9cekU
Then there’s Obama’s budget which will produce a $1.7 trillion deficit or bringing it down to a number we can grasp, $53,906.64 a second.
Our interest is $26 Million per month – Enough to fund the CDC, Coast Guard, and Dept of Interior for 1 year.
The annual interest payments of $300 million could fund the Dept of Commerce, Education, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Dev, Energy, Justice, and Labor.
By 2019, those interest payments will have accrued to $806 billion a year - enough to fund the Dept of Def, Dept of Trans., Veterans Affairs, and the State Dept.
Before we can solve the ills of the US , we need to solve the ills of government.
P.S. You may find the following links interesting.
{Information on Sweden and France concerning Cost and Wait Times of their healthcare systems}
http://www.nationalcenter.org/NPA555_Sweden_Health_Care.html
http://www..brookings.edu/f p/cusf/analysis/dutton.pdf
{Warnings from US Comptroller General David Walker 2.5 years ago concerning the economic crisis}
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIgrxpp97OQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXr_Ga_n0pY&feature=related
{The cost of creating a new prescription drug}
http://www.ipi.org/ipi/IPIPublications.nsf/PublicationLookupFullText/EBE39D9EF34EF6ED86256C1E005AA323
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/76xx/doc7615/10-02-DrugR-D..pdf
So this managed to get forwarded to someone who had little tolerance for receiving such and email and voiced his opinion against this site. Bravo...another who refuses to go softly into that good night.
This stirred a reaction by a diehard Obama supporter who replied, and I shall paraphrase,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What I believe...please take time to read it, if just to have another point of view.
People who are bringing guns to town hall meetings are creating a true disaster for our country.
I am not sure why so many untruths are being spread.
Know that top insurance executives received as much as $11 million average each last year in salary.
While this may seem to be part of capitalism, our rates continue to climb, though we file no claims.
This chance for {government} competition is good. If we had only one telephone company like we used to, we would not enjoy the low price of long distance, the free internet, and many more of the things we take for granted since the Bell telephone monopoly was broken up, due, yes, to the intervention of the government.
Greed is controlling health care in the U.S. at this time. We spend twice the money on health care than any other country, yet are 34th in quality of care.
Thank you for having an open mind.
I do not like arguments like this, but since before the election I have felt amazed that the hatred for Obama is driving so many to a point of view that is increasingly violent and divisive for our country.
It comes across as racism, though I am sure that is not the case for many people, but is is something to look at.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No doubt, this invoked a response. ;)
Here it is...
The key to these issues is not to 'believe' but to read the bills in question and seek out the exact verbiage being said by the person in question. Not by sighting pro-Obama sites as evidence of validity. As you will see, there is a lot of misrepresentation at the citizens of the US’s expense.
Consider the man carrying the assault rifle, while it may be extreme for most of us, it is a 2nd amendment right and does not become conditional because we may not like it. He did everything within the law and performed this act in the first place as protest against Obama's views on guns.
It is also key to note...this was a Black Man carrying the gun, much as the media would like you to believe the incident was racially driven.
Link: http://www.mrc.org/biasalert/2009/20090818040310.aspx
In 2007, Obama stated the following at an SEIU meeting (Interestingly enough has been scrubbed from YouTube as of today, but Paul still has copies).
"I’m asking that you get engaged, that you get involved...But here’s the thing you need to understand, when you give into the cynicism like that, the people who believe politics is a game always win. That’s what they are counting on, they are counting on you being so disappointed, so disillusioned, that you lose your own voice. That you start doubting yourself, that you start believing…’You know what? Change is never going to happen in this country and that I don’t count.’”
Well this is the exact play book that is being implemented by the ruling majority right now.
What used to be accepted protest during the Bush administration has now become 'unacceptable' by those who used to do this...ie the ruling majority in Congress. They refuse to acknowledge 63% of the public is against the Healthcare plan.
Instead, Nancy Pelosi, Obama, Harry Reid, Dick Durbin, Arlen Specter, Barbara Boxer, and Barney Frank - to name a few – pride themselves in calling these protesters Evil Mongers, Racists, Nazi's, Un-American, Republicans, Astroturf (AKA shills for the Drug and Insurance Companies which is interesting considering Obama has made deals with them to get them to go along with the bill Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/13/internal-memo-confirms-bi_n_258285.html ), and the most offensive ‘Well Dressed’. These folks are Democrats and Independents, and Republicans. These folks are accused of the violent tactics, which are, curiously enough, employed by the Obama Administration, utilizing SEIU and ACORN members to beat up anyone who protests.
Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXl4yn_W1tE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGRUx2b0ArM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJoLftlARf8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73Mdxa-cKyk&feature=related
http://lonestartimes.com/2009/08/13/obama-camp-plants-fake-doc-che-fan-at-jackson-lee-forum/
Then we have Rep's like Erik Massa who thumb their nose up at democracy by refusing to heed the interests of the district he represents, stating he knows better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_ID7hYzk44
It is interesting that the President as well as various media outlets purport the ‘Truth behind the Healthcare myths’. Anyone who has been following closely knows there are at least two bills floating around, if not more. Also that they are carefully worded as to allow wiggle room of claiming ‘that’s not what that means’.
Consider the statement: I will meet you when it gets dark out. If I went out at 8pm and didn't see you, then ask why you weren’t there. You answer, “well I wasn’t talking about nighttime; I meant when the storm clouds roll in.”
Anyone who reads what is available online, in HR 3200, will clearly see this.
The current version available states the government will have access to not only your records, but you personal bank account and will automatically debit that account as they see fit to ensure payment. Page 57.
Page 469 states that there will be focus on bolstering up the medical services though minorities will be favored for these positions over whites (ie not based on aptitude or intelligence).
On Page 29 – Explains how health care will be rationed.
On Page 50 – How the elderly will compete against illegal aliens for healthcare.
The truth is Obama doesn’t know what is in the bill. In fact, you can hear him laugh as a question is being asked by one of the Liberal Bloggers during a conference.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVjc9mopH58&feature=PlayList&p=832A1761E7FE9DD2&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=10
Given that, we must then resort to what Obama’s plan has been up till now, as he can’t be pinned down to anything specific. Therefore we must turn to his speeches since 2003, all of which clearly state over and over and over, he wants to abolish private health care and fund abortions with the plan.
Here are just a couple of examples.
Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpAyan1fXCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9CCpvj690A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtjJ1CKkDOQ
The current talk this week is how government will offer competition. There is competition already and to believe adding a government plan will provide that is ludicrous. What the government will do is mandate price cuts to a level which will kill off the insurance companies. They will also institute lower than market premiums which will do the same thing. To promote single payer as the way out demonstrates a lack of understanding in the economics behinds health care and what the problems actually are. The following link has some perspectives that aren’t discussed:
http://primemover-2010.blogspot.com/2009/08/observations-on-health-care-costs.html
Then consider the fact that there are not enough physicians today in the US and enrollment in Medical school is down 60%. If there are those experiencing wait times, it will not get any better adding 46 million to the pool. Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/20/pho.doctor.shortage/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
To sight someone’s salary as a reason to attack the industry is playing into the policy of ‘class warfare’ Obama has instituted. One should not covet someone’s wealth, instead, they should focus on what they need to do to reach their desired level of financial comfort.
If one is going to mention how much is spent on health care in comparing countries, don’t look at the overall cost, it must be in terms of per capita. The fact is there is a difference between medical care and health care. The US is #1 in medical care. We also have the lowest wait times. John Stossel did an informative series on HC, here’ are the links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEXFUbSbg1I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpsEAVbCkMM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=refrYKq9tZQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzhiG0dcwN8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsp_Jh5EIT0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_KCLm9cekU
Then there’s Obama’s budget which will produce a $1.7 trillion deficit or bringing it down to a number we can grasp, $53,906.64 a second.
Our interest is $26 Million per month – Enough to fund the CDC, Coast Guard, and Dept of Interior for 1 year.
The annual interest payments of $300 million could fund the Dept of Commerce, Education, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Dev, Energy, Justice, and Labor.
By 2019, those interest payments will have accrued to $806 billion a year - enough to fund the Dept of Def, Dept of Trans., Veterans Affairs, and the State Dept.
Before we can solve the ills of the US , we need to solve the ills of government.
P.S. You may find the following links interesting.
{Information on Sweden and France concerning Cost and Wait Times of their healthcare systems}
http://www.nationalcenter.org/NPA555_Sweden_Health_Care.html
http://www..brookings.edu/f p/cusf/analysis/dutton.pdf
{Warnings from US Comptroller General David Walker 2.5 years ago concerning the economic crisis}
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIgrxpp97OQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXr_Ga_n0pY&feature=related
{The cost of creating a new prescription drug}
http://www.ipi.org/ipi/IPIPublications.nsf/PublicationLookupFullText/EBE39D9EF34EF6ED86256C1E005AA323
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/76xx/doc7615/10-02-DrugR-D..pdf
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Obama's ad to hire the thugs working for ACORN
If you care to look up Healthcare & Townhalls, you will see numerous videos pop up, and more each day, many of which show the confrontations at these townhalls. Throough closer examination you will see that it is ACORN and SEIU Thugs who are attacking American's trying to have their voices be heard.
Below is an ad which has been used this summer to recruit these 'Brown Shirts' working for Obama.
Job opportunites working on urgent grassroots campaigns
This summer we have the opportunity to make huge gains on critical issues, from repowering America with clean, renewable energy and reducing our dependence on oil, to fixing the high cost of health care, to winning the battle for equal rights.
America’s leading advocacy groups are gearing up to meet these challenges this summer. In order to win, they need citizen support and grassroots action. That’s where we come in.
At the Fund for the Public Interest, we’ve been organizing campaigns to protect the environment, stand up for the public interest, and defend human rights for more than 25 years. We've helped cut global warming pollution with Environment America. We've helped pass laws that require drug companies to disclose more of the dangerous side-effects of their drugs with NJPIRG. And working with the Human Rights Campaign, we helped organize the grassroots opposition needed to defeat the discriminatory Federal Marriage Amendment.
Now is the time to work for change
We need people like you—lots of people like you—to go out in communities around the country this summer and help make change happen. And you can earn money doing it. Earn $4,000-$6,000 this summer.
Get skills. Learn vital campaign skills including how to fundraise, run a news conference and mobilize activists.
Know the issues. Learn about the issues from some of the nation's top advocates, organizers and experts.
Be part of a winning team. Work alongside other motivated staff who share your passion for change. Make lasting friendships.
Leadership Opportunities: We also have opportunities for additional responsibility as a Field Manager or Campaign Coordinator. Gain great experience—like an internship, but you get paid.
Field Managers work with the director to meet the office goals and increase the impact of our campaigns. Field Managers make an additional $500-$1,000 over the summer.
Campaign Coordinators work closely with the directors to develop and implement winning campaign tactics, such as organizing the media, building coalitions, and writing letters-to-the-editor.
To apply for a job this summer, visit our website—www.JobsThatMatter.org—or call Chris at 646-473-0905
Compensation: $11-16/hour
This is at a non-profit organization.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Phone calls about this job are ok.
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
Below is an ad which has been used this summer to recruit these 'Brown Shirts' working for Obama.
Job opportunites working on urgent grassroots campaigns
This summer we have the opportunity to make huge gains on critical issues, from repowering America with clean, renewable energy and reducing our dependence on oil, to fixing the high cost of health care, to winning the battle for equal rights.
America’s leading advocacy groups are gearing up to meet these challenges this summer. In order to win, they need citizen support and grassroots action. That’s where we come in.
At the Fund for the Public Interest, we’ve been organizing campaigns to protect the environment, stand up for the public interest, and defend human rights for more than 25 years. We've helped cut global warming pollution with Environment America. We've helped pass laws that require drug companies to disclose more of the dangerous side-effects of their drugs with NJPIRG. And working with the Human Rights Campaign, we helped organize the grassroots opposition needed to defeat the discriminatory Federal Marriage Amendment.
Now is the time to work for change
We need people like you—lots of people like you—to go out in communities around the country this summer and help make change happen. And you can earn money doing it. Earn $4,000-$6,000 this summer.
Get skills. Learn vital campaign skills including how to fundraise, run a news conference and mobilize activists.
Know the issues. Learn about the issues from some of the nation's top advocates, organizers and experts.
Be part of a winning team. Work alongside other motivated staff who share your passion for change. Make lasting friendships.
Leadership Opportunities: We also have opportunities for additional responsibility as a Field Manager or Campaign Coordinator. Gain great experience—like an internship, but you get paid.
Field Managers work with the director to meet the office goals and increase the impact of our campaigns. Field Managers make an additional $500-$1,000 over the summer.
Campaign Coordinators work closely with the directors to develop and implement winning campaign tactics, such as organizing the media, building coalitions, and writing letters-to-the-editor.
To apply for a job this summer, visit our website—www.JobsThatMatter.org—or call Chris at 646-473-0905
Compensation: $11-16/hour
This is at a non-profit organization.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Phone calls about this job are ok.
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Observations on Health Care Costs
For eight years I worked in supporting and designing healthcare software. First for a software company, then working directly for two hospitals supporting their medical and financial systems.
Below you will find a list I put together addressing the real costs of healthcare.
High Cost of durable medical equipment - No one ever seems to question that. Consider my wheelchair versus my 2007 Tundra.
Permobile
8 way adjustable seat
2 Car Batteries
6 actuators
Top speed 7mph
Range 9 miles
Weighs 250 lbs
Cost $30,000
Warranty 1 yr
Out of pocket $0.00
Tundra
6 way adjustable seat,
1 passenger seat,
Flip up rear bench that seats 4
1 Car Battery
5.7 liter 5.8
Top speed 100+ mph
Range 430 miles
Weighs over 1 ton
Cost $42,000
Warranty 3 yrs
Out of pocket $42,000
My guess is that the permobile is actually produced at a price of
$10-$12,000.
Brand or Generic - Do you question the drugs your doctor prescribes? Is there a cheaper alternative? Or do you happily accept his recommendation? Did you know Pharmaceutical Reps rewards Doctors for writing prescriptions? Their short skirts are easy on the eyes too.
Procedures - Do you question the procedures ordered by your doctor? Are they necessary? Did you know that unnecessary procedures are the biggest contributing factor in the high cost of healthcare? Why is it done? To prevent the possibility of malpractice suites.
Milking the system - Ever run out of a prescription that you have taken for years, call the doctor, and be told you must come in and be seen first? Why is that done? Because the doctors are trying to make up for lost fees from Medicare and Medicaid. Some doctors are even dropping that insurance coverage. Though doctors are not the only ones feeling the pinch from the Government cutting fees, the hospitals are feeling it too.
Union Contracts - Unions such as SEIU who work in hospitals who are vying for higher wages and healthcare coverage. Right or wrong, it is just one more stress.
Illegal Aliens - In every other country in the world, no money, no service, here it’s a different story. Border state hospitals are being crushed by the onslaught of illegals coming to the US for medical care, and blowing off paying. The Mexican Government even produces pamphlets directing pregnant mothers where to go to have their babies in the US and become citizens.
Working the system - Doctors and hospitals that ‘work’ the system, via adjusting codes to maximize payments by insurance. Not all do this, but a recent survey showed 1 in 3 providers didn’t see this as something they should not do.
Fraud - Then we have fraudulent claims to private insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid to the tune of 270 billion per year and the Gov’t isn’t doing anything. That 1 out of every 3 dollars paid by Medicare/Medicaid to the State of NY was Fraudulent.
Sure...let's do it, I have insurance! - Don’t like what you hear from your doctor? Many people will change doctors until they get the doc to do as they wish. Some legitimately, seeking second opinions, or having disagreements, then we have others who are just not satisfied. Either way, insurers bear the cost.
Billing - Many billing departments for physicians and hospitals are incorrectly staffed to efficiently handle timely accurate billing and payment collection.
Paperwork overload - Notice you always fill out the same paperwork for yearly visits to the doc? How about day surgery? Ever note the volumes of paperwork? Not only is this stuff produced, but much of it must be stored afterwards and space is not free.
Consider those who set up doctors appointments, yet fail to show. These costs can not be ignored, it’s a business.
Misuse of ER facilities - to treat people’s illnesses which is better handled by a doctor’s office. That’s like using a howitzer as a fly swatter. Even worse are the illegals who use the ER and never pay.
I've seen it all. I've been denied claims, battled insurance companies, and seen more inconsistancies than you can imagine. Why? Because I have had to use the system extensively due to having muscular dystrophy, being a cancer survivor, and receiving heart disease as a result of the cancer treatments.
But I do understand one very important thing and that is the drug industry and insurance industry is a business. And like any other, they have a right to make a profit.
Granted there is much to improve upon, they are not the vampires the Obama Administration and the Democrats would lead you to believe.
Consider the cost of developing a new drug.
The average time from taking the idea to FDA approval is 12 years.
Only 0-2 percent of these compounds make it to human testing.
And only about 20 percent of those tested are approved.
This equates to $359 million for a company to get one new drug on the market.
Then they only have 7 years to recoup the cost before the the generic competitors enter the market who sell a cut-price version without spending money on research.
So think twice before complaining about the high cost of drugs. Also realize the the US is the only real viable pharmeceutical market creating drugs because they are not forced to eat the costs.
Not one socialized or nationalized healthcare nation has drug development because the government regulations and price ceilings make it impossible.
Consider what will happen when HR 3200 passes.
How about insurance companies?
Insurance works because a pool of customers is created such that most will require little need for claims, allowing the funds to be shifted to those who do while still allowing the insurance companies the ability to make a profit.
Everyone understand that when you have an automobile wreck, that the insurance must determine whether the auto is totalled or worth repairing. Not all cars can be repaired. Still we don't drive like maniacs smashing up our cars because we have insurance. We also know that a car is a machine with parts that wear down and that we don't expect insurance companies to pay for dead batteries, tires etc. They would deny the claims.
So one should not be surprised that some claims are denied by health insurance companies for the same reasoning. There are areas for improvement, but Obama would have you believe that this evil empire should not be able to deny claims.
But when you have a claim denied, you can appeal it. And if you feel strongly about it, get a lawyer. The system isn't perfect, but nothing ever is.
I required a toilet lift to help me get to a stand, the insurance company denied the claim. Yet researching t, I discovered they based their aprovals/denials on what was established under the Medicare/Medicaid fee schedule which was determined by the government.
How interesting!
Further research showed that Medicare/Medicaid would pay for a Lazy-Boy recliner that would get me to a stand.
So in short, the government denied me for submitting a claim for a piece of durable equipment that was necessary to assist me with bodily functions, but if I wanted to relax in a lazyboy, they'd pay for it.
Isn't that just brilliant?
Below you will find a list I put together addressing the real costs of healthcare.
High Cost of durable medical equipment - No one ever seems to question that. Consider my wheelchair versus my 2007 Tundra.
Permobile
8 way adjustable seat
2 Car Batteries
6 actuators
Top speed 7mph
Range 9 miles
Weighs 250 lbs
Cost $30,000
Warranty 1 yr
Out of pocket $0.00
Tundra
6 way adjustable seat,
1 passenger seat,
Flip up rear bench that seats 4
1 Car Battery
5.7 liter 5.8
Top speed 100+ mph
Range 430 miles
Weighs over 1 ton
Cost $42,000
Warranty 3 yrs
Out of pocket $42,000
My guess is that the permobile is actually produced at a price of
$10-$12,000.
Brand or Generic - Do you question the drugs your doctor prescribes? Is there a cheaper alternative? Or do you happily accept his recommendation? Did you know Pharmaceutical Reps rewards Doctors for writing prescriptions? Their short skirts are easy on the eyes too.
Procedures - Do you question the procedures ordered by your doctor? Are they necessary? Did you know that unnecessary procedures are the biggest contributing factor in the high cost of healthcare? Why is it done? To prevent the possibility of malpractice suites.
Milking the system - Ever run out of a prescription that you have taken for years, call the doctor, and be told you must come in and be seen first? Why is that done? Because the doctors are trying to make up for lost fees from Medicare and Medicaid. Some doctors are even dropping that insurance coverage. Though doctors are not the only ones feeling the pinch from the Government cutting fees, the hospitals are feeling it too.
Union Contracts - Unions such as SEIU who work in hospitals who are vying for higher wages and healthcare coverage. Right or wrong, it is just one more stress.
Illegal Aliens - In every other country in the world, no money, no service, here it’s a different story. Border state hospitals are being crushed by the onslaught of illegals coming to the US for medical care, and blowing off paying. The Mexican Government even produces pamphlets directing pregnant mothers where to go to have their babies in the US and become citizens.
Working the system - Doctors and hospitals that ‘work’ the system, via adjusting codes to maximize payments by insurance. Not all do this, but a recent survey showed 1 in 3 providers didn’t see this as something they should not do.
Fraud - Then we have fraudulent claims to private insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid to the tune of 270 billion per year and the Gov’t isn’t doing anything. That 1 out of every 3 dollars paid by Medicare/Medicaid to the State of NY was Fraudulent.
Sure...let's do it, I have insurance! - Don’t like what you hear from your doctor? Many people will change doctors until they get the doc to do as they wish. Some legitimately, seeking second opinions, or having disagreements, then we have others who are just not satisfied. Either way, insurers bear the cost.
Billing - Many billing departments for physicians and hospitals are incorrectly staffed to efficiently handle timely accurate billing and payment collection.
Paperwork overload - Notice you always fill out the same paperwork for yearly visits to the doc? How about day surgery? Ever note the volumes of paperwork? Not only is this stuff produced, but much of it must be stored afterwards and space is not free.
Consider those who set up doctors appointments, yet fail to show. These costs can not be ignored, it’s a business.
Misuse of ER facilities - to treat people’s illnesses which is better handled by a doctor’s office. That’s like using a howitzer as a fly swatter. Even worse are the illegals who use the ER and never pay.
I've seen it all. I've been denied claims, battled insurance companies, and seen more inconsistancies than you can imagine. Why? Because I have had to use the system extensively due to having muscular dystrophy, being a cancer survivor, and receiving heart disease as a result of the cancer treatments.
But I do understand one very important thing and that is the drug industry and insurance industry is a business. And like any other, they have a right to make a profit.
Granted there is much to improve upon, they are not the vampires the Obama Administration and the Democrats would lead you to believe.
Consider the cost of developing a new drug.
The average time from taking the idea to FDA approval is 12 years.
Only 0-2 percent of these compounds make it to human testing.
And only about 20 percent of those tested are approved.
This equates to $359 million for a company to get one new drug on the market.
Then they only have 7 years to recoup the cost before the the generic competitors enter the market who sell a cut-price version without spending money on research.
So think twice before complaining about the high cost of drugs. Also realize the the US is the only real viable pharmeceutical market creating drugs because they are not forced to eat the costs.
Not one socialized or nationalized healthcare nation has drug development because the government regulations and price ceilings make it impossible.
Consider what will happen when HR 3200 passes.
How about insurance companies?
Insurance works because a pool of customers is created such that most will require little need for claims, allowing the funds to be shifted to those who do while still allowing the insurance companies the ability to make a profit.
Everyone understand that when you have an automobile wreck, that the insurance must determine whether the auto is totalled or worth repairing. Not all cars can be repaired. Still we don't drive like maniacs smashing up our cars because we have insurance. We also know that a car is a machine with parts that wear down and that we don't expect insurance companies to pay for dead batteries, tires etc. They would deny the claims.
So one should not be surprised that some claims are denied by health insurance companies for the same reasoning. There are areas for improvement, but Obama would have you believe that this evil empire should not be able to deny claims.
But when you have a claim denied, you can appeal it. And if you feel strongly about it, get a lawyer. The system isn't perfect, but nothing ever is.
I required a toilet lift to help me get to a stand, the insurance company denied the claim. Yet researching t, I discovered they based their aprovals/denials on what was established under the Medicare/Medicaid fee schedule which was determined by the government.
How interesting!
Further research showed that Medicare/Medicaid would pay for a Lazy-Boy recliner that would get me to a stand.
So in short, the government denied me for submitting a claim for a piece of durable equipment that was necessary to assist me with bodily functions, but if I wanted to relax in a lazyboy, they'd pay for it.
Isn't that just brilliant?
Monday, August 10, 2009
Obama and the Democrats can lie all they want, but the truth is right in HR 3200
As long as you can suffer through the legaleze they purpose pad the bills with, the evidence of what HR 3200/Obamacare is right there for all to read.
Boiling it down from an article I read this weekend, here are the important areas to be aware of...
Page 29 - Explains health care would be rationed
Page 50 - Elderly will compete against illegal aliens for healthcare.
Page 203 - To ensure the bill meets Obama's claim that he will not raise taxes to provide everyone with his socialized health care, the bill actually states, “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax imposed by this chapter ...” So a tax in this bill is not considered a 'tax', how convenient.
Page 57 - The federal government will require every person’s medical records to be immediately accessible through an electronic database, and that they have direct real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfers.
Page 425 - Exposes the government's paln for mandated “advance care planning”, listing national and state-specific resources to assist americans with end-of-life services and support such as palliative and hospice care.
Page 429 - The government will decide whether an illness or injury is chronic, progressive, life-limiting, life-threatening or terminal and will decide whether one may be admitted to a skilled nursing facility, a long-term care facility or a hospice program.
Page 469 - Defines provisions for “community-based medical home,” nonprofit community-based or state-based organizations that provide medical home services, employ community health workers, lay workers or other persons “as determined appropriate by the Secretary …”. Or in simple terms, new federal funding opportunities for organizations such as the National Council of La Raza, ACORN and AARP.
Boiling it down from an article I read this weekend, here are the important areas to be aware of...
Page 29 - Explains health care would be rationed
Page 50 - Elderly will compete against illegal aliens for healthcare.
Page 203 - To ensure the bill meets Obama's claim that he will not raise taxes to provide everyone with his socialized health care, the bill actually states, “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax imposed by this chapter ...” So a tax in this bill is not considered a 'tax', how convenient.
Page 57 - The federal government will require every person’s medical records to be immediately accessible through an electronic database, and that they have direct real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfers.
Page 425 - Exposes the government's paln for mandated “advance care planning”, listing national and state-specific resources to assist americans with end-of-life services and support such as palliative and hospice care.
Page 429 - The government will decide whether an illness or injury is chronic, progressive, life-limiting, life-threatening or terminal and will decide whether one may be admitted to a skilled nursing facility, a long-term care facility or a hospice program.
Page 469 - Defines provisions for “community-based medical home,” nonprofit community-based or state-based organizations that provide medical home services, employ community health workers, lay workers or other persons “as determined appropriate by the Secretary …”. Or in simple terms, new federal funding opportunities for organizations such as the National Council of La Raza, ACORN and AARP.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Wake-up Call Productions presents....
Have you seen the DNC video released yesterday?
Well, here's my response...enjoy
Link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s2LUrYjNHk
Well, here's my response...enjoy
Link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s2LUrYjNHk
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Gov't access to your Bank Account
I will refer you to page 57 of HR3200, which states...
SEC. 1173A. STANDARDIZE ELECTRONIC ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSACTIONS.
STANDARDS FOR FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSACTIONS. IN GENERAL. The Secretary shall adopt and regularly update standards consistent with the goals described in paragraph (2).
GOALS FOR FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSACTIONS.—The goals for standards under paragraph (1) are that such standards shall— be unique with no conflicting or redundant standards; be authoritative, permitting no additions or constraints for electronic transactions, including companion guides; be comprehensive, efficient and robust, requiring minimal augmentation by paper transactions or clarification by further communications; enable the real-time (or near realtime) determination of an individual’s financial responsibility at the point of service and, to the extent possible, prior to service, including whether the individual is eligible for a specific service with a specific physician at a specific facility, which may include utilization of a machine-readable health plan beneficiary identification card; enable, where feasible, near real-time adjudication of claims; provide for timely acknowledgment, response, and status reporting applicable to any electronic transaction deemed appropriate by the Secretary; describe all data elements (such as reason and remark codes) in unambiguous terms, not permit optional fields, require that data elements be either required or conditioned upon set values in other fields, and prohibit additional conditions; and harmonize all common data elements across administrative and clinical transaction standards.
Be afraid...
SEC. 1173A. STANDARDIZE ELECTRONIC ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSACTIONS.
STANDARDS FOR FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSACTIONS. IN GENERAL. The Secretary shall adopt and regularly update standards consistent with the goals described in paragraph (2).
GOALS FOR FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSACTIONS.—The goals for standards under paragraph (1) are that such standards shall— be unique with no conflicting or redundant standards; be authoritative, permitting no additions or constraints for electronic transactions, including companion guides; be comprehensive, efficient and robust, requiring minimal augmentation by paper transactions or clarification by further communications; enable the real-time (or near realtime) determination of an individual’s financial responsibility at the point of service and, to the extent possible, prior to service, including whether the individual is eligible for a specific service with a specific physician at a specific facility, which may include utilization of a machine-readable health plan beneficiary identification card; enable, where feasible, near real-time adjudication of claims; provide for timely acknowledgment, response, and status reporting applicable to any electronic transaction deemed appropriate by the Secretary; describe all data elements (such as reason and remark codes) in unambiguous terms, not permit optional fields, require that data elements be either required or conditioned upon set values in other fields, and prohibit additional conditions; and harmonize all common data elements across administrative and clinical transaction standards.
Be afraid...
Monday, August 3, 2009
More sanity towards Healthcare Reform.
The Wall Street Journal published a great article by Bobby Jindel on Healthcare reform.
Check out the link for the article.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203946904574300482236378974.html
Still working on putting together my own list.
Been very swamped with personal stuff, which has kept me from posting as of late.
Should be back on queue in a day or two.
In the meantime, enjoy the article.
Check out the link for the article.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203946904574300482236378974.html
Still working on putting together my own list.
Been very swamped with personal stuff, which has kept me from posting as of late.
Should be back on queue in a day or two.
In the meantime, enjoy the article.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Health Care Costs
A friend of mine on facebook posted this yesterday (Thanks Tod!).
Without further ado, please enjoy this article from Keith Hennessey.
{Link:http://keithhennessey.com/2009/07/30/health-care-counterpoint/}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A counterpoint to the President’s health care reform email
Posted on July 30th, 2009 by kbh
Yesterday President Obama sent an email on health care reform to the White House mailing list.
Respectfully, here is my counterpoint.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Keith Hennessey [mailto:kbh.blog@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 2:00 PM
To: Taxpayers
Subject: What health insurance reform means for you
Dear Taxpayer,
If you’re like most Americans, you like the health insurance you have today but think the system needs improvement. You would like things to work better, but are aware of the threats that arise from politicians who promise you something for nothing.
President Obama is correct that the underlying problem with health care is rising costs. Because of this problem, your paycheck grows more slowly, millions of Americans cannot afford to buy health insurance, and the escalating costs of Medicare and Medicaid will force enormous tax increases onto you and your children. The President wants to slow the growth of health care spending, and so do I.
Congress has gone in the opposite direction. Rather than changing incentives to reduce the cost of health insurance, they are trying to shift those costs onto someone else: you. The facts are not in dispute. The bill being developed in the House of Representatives would mean:
No reduction in the growth of average private health insurance premiums;
More than $1 trillion of new government spending over the next decade;
$239 billion more debt in the short run, with ever-increasing additions to the deficit forever; and more than $500 billion of tax increases, including higher income tax rates on successful small businesses. The U.S. economy is struggling to recover from a deep recession. America cannot afford a bill that imposes these extra burdens on an already weak economy. Rising health care costs are the problem, and so Congress’ solution begins by spending a trillion dollars more on health care. That doesn’t make sense.
The President is correct that it’s time to fix our unsustainable health insurance system. I disagree with the way that Congress is trying to fix it.
You will soon hear that these bills would not increase government involvement in your health care. That is incorrect. These bills give government officials authority to determine benefit packages, copayments and deductibles, relative premiums, as well as health plan expenses and profits. The government would, in effect, control health insurance. That’s the wrong way to fix a flawed health insurance system. There is a better way.
Health insurers today are partially insulated from competitive forces. If they convince the human resources manager at your employer to offer their plan, they’re all set. Your choice is secondary and therefore less important. We need a system that instead forces health insurance companies to compete for your business.
You can’t watch a televised sports event without being overwhelmed by the competition among auto insurers. They compete based on reliability and service when you have an accident and need help. They offer incentives for safe driving. Some emphasize that they can cover you even if you are a high-risk driver with a less-than-perfect driving record. They aggressively cut premiums to attract new customers. They reassure you that you’re “in good hands” if you choose to give them your premium dollars. These insurers don’t behave this way because they’re nice. They do it because it’s how they win your business, and because they know you will go elsewhere if you can get better value. Your health is both different and more important than your car, and we need to bring those same benefits to the health insurance market. We need a thoughtfully regulated market that means insurers will compete for your business by offering reliable, high quality health insurance that you can afford.
When insurers have to compete for your business, it will put you and your doctor in control, rather than your insurer or your employer. The bills moving through Congress assume that we all have the same health care needs, and they create one-size-fits-all solutions. But your situation is different from your neighbor’s, and only you can make the right decisions for you and your family, based on advice from medical professionals you trust.
This does not mean you’ll have to negotiate prices in the ambulance. Health insurance must protect you and your family when you need it most – when there is an emergency, or a severe accident or disease that threatens not only your family’s health, but your family savings. We buy insurance to protect ourselves against the small chance of a really bad situation, and that’s what health insurance must do.
More control means putting the resources in your hands while giving you both the information you need to make good decisions, and the incentives to consider whether that fourth MRI is really necessary, or whether you could save some money with a generic drug or a semi-private recovery room in the hospital, instead of a more expensive alternative. Health care and health insurance cost a lot today primarily because we’re often spending someone else’s money, so we don’t think about the cost of the care that we use. These tradeoffs and decisions about what care is worth the cost must happen. We must answer a basic question: who is more likely to make good decisions about your health insurance and health care – you and your doctor, or a government bureaucrat who doesn’t know or care about your particular situation?
The right kind of health care reform is not a free lunch. It carries obligations as well. While others offer you the hollow promise of government-provided and underfunded health care security, I’m telling you that you’re going to have to take more responsibility for decisions about your own health. A well-functioning system will offer financial incentives to keep yourself healthy, and to avoid risky behaviors that are the source of so much of the costs in today’s system. You will have to spend more time talking with your doctor and making hard choices yourself, although that’s far preferable to spending that time fighting with your insurer or with a government bureaucracy. You will have to shop intelligently for health insurance and decide what tradeoffs make sense for your family situation. You will have lower insurance premiums but more financially responsibility for relatively minor medical costs, and you can have a tax-free reserve fund that you can spend wisely on everyday non-critical medical expenses. It means more personal responsibility and control, and less dependence on the government. It means your health security comes from you buying insurance to protect your family against catastrophe, rather than hoping the government won’t ration your care when it’s needed. Others want to tell you that you have the right to have someone else pay for your health insurance. I think you have the responsibility to provide for your family’s health security, and that it’s government’s job to set rules so that you have affordable options, and to subsidize the poorest who cannot afford basic catastrophic protection.
The right kind of health care reform means your wages will grow faster as insurance premium growth slows. It means portable health insurance that you can take with you from one job to another, so you don’t get locked into your current job because you’re afraid to lose your health insurance. It means that millions more Americans will be insured because premiums are less expensive and the uninsured can better afford to buy it, not because we are shifting those costs onto other hard-working Americans and small businesses through higher taxes. It means no increase in the short-term budget deficit. It means dramatic reductions in unsustainable long-term budget deficits, rather than the explosive deficit increases contained in the current legislation.
The President is promising to guarantee your health care security by changing the way health insurance works and making someone else pay for it. If you’re reading this, you’re probably that someone else. You’ll probably pay for it through higher insurance premiums, as they do in New Jersey where these “protections” make insurance unaffordable for many. You’ll probably pay for it through higher taxes, whether you’re one of the eight million people who would remain uninsured and still pay higher taxes under the House bill, or a successful small business owner who would face higher income tax rates that kill your ability to grow your business. You and your kids will definitely pay for it through higher taxes when the massive deficit increases from this bill come due, on top of the unresolved long-term problems of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Over the next month you will hear the claim that opponents of the pending Congressional health care bills are defenders of the status quo. You are going to hear that the choice is between a broken system and these bills, and that reform is better than no reform. You will hear that the cost of doing nothing is too high, and that we must therefore enact one particular solution, no matter how flawed.
This is misleading, and there is a better way. I strongly oppose the health care bills now being advanced in Congress, and I think the status quo is a mess. There is no free lunch in health care reform, and fixing our current system without breaking the good parts will involve some hard choices. There are alternatives to the pending bills that do health care reform the right way. I have a plan you can find at KeithHennessey.com. If you’d rather see a good plan from someone who actually matters, then check out the Ryan-Coburn Patients’ Choice Act from Rep. Paul Ryan and Senator Tom Coburn.
You will soon be told that it’s time to act, and that we must therefore enact the wrong kind of reform. You can help by telling your friends, your family, and the rest of your social network that Washington needs instead to start over, and to put you, the patient/worker/taxpayer/consumer/citizen, at the center of health care decision-making, not the government. We need the right kind of health care reform, not these bills now being considered.
Washington – Please stop promising us free lunches. The country is going bankrupt – don’t make it any worse. We’re adults. We can handle the hard choices.
Sincerely,
Keith Hennessey
KeithHennessey.com
Without further ado, please enjoy this article from Keith Hennessey.
{Link:http://keithhennessey.com/2009/07/30/health-care-counterpoint/}
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A counterpoint to the President’s health care reform email
Posted on July 30th, 2009 by kbh
Yesterday President Obama sent an email on health care reform to the White House mailing list.
Respectfully, here is my counterpoint.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Keith Hennessey [mailto:kbh.blog@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 2:00 PM
To: Taxpayers
Subject: What health insurance reform means for you
Dear Taxpayer,
If you’re like most Americans, you like the health insurance you have today but think the system needs improvement. You would like things to work better, but are aware of the threats that arise from politicians who promise you something for nothing.
President Obama is correct that the underlying problem with health care is rising costs. Because of this problem, your paycheck grows more slowly, millions of Americans cannot afford to buy health insurance, and the escalating costs of Medicare and Medicaid will force enormous tax increases onto you and your children. The President wants to slow the growth of health care spending, and so do I.
Congress has gone in the opposite direction. Rather than changing incentives to reduce the cost of health insurance, they are trying to shift those costs onto someone else: you. The facts are not in dispute. The bill being developed in the House of Representatives would mean:
No reduction in the growth of average private health insurance premiums;
More than $1 trillion of new government spending over the next decade;
$239 billion more debt in the short run, with ever-increasing additions to the deficit forever; and more than $500 billion of tax increases, including higher income tax rates on successful small businesses. The U.S. economy is struggling to recover from a deep recession. America cannot afford a bill that imposes these extra burdens on an already weak economy. Rising health care costs are the problem, and so Congress’ solution begins by spending a trillion dollars more on health care. That doesn’t make sense.
The President is correct that it’s time to fix our unsustainable health insurance system. I disagree with the way that Congress is trying to fix it.
You will soon hear that these bills would not increase government involvement in your health care. That is incorrect. These bills give government officials authority to determine benefit packages, copayments and deductibles, relative premiums, as well as health plan expenses and profits. The government would, in effect, control health insurance. That’s the wrong way to fix a flawed health insurance system. There is a better way.
Health insurers today are partially insulated from competitive forces. If they convince the human resources manager at your employer to offer their plan, they’re all set. Your choice is secondary and therefore less important. We need a system that instead forces health insurance companies to compete for your business.
You can’t watch a televised sports event without being overwhelmed by the competition among auto insurers. They compete based on reliability and service when you have an accident and need help. They offer incentives for safe driving. Some emphasize that they can cover you even if you are a high-risk driver with a less-than-perfect driving record. They aggressively cut premiums to attract new customers. They reassure you that you’re “in good hands” if you choose to give them your premium dollars. These insurers don’t behave this way because they’re nice. They do it because it’s how they win your business, and because they know you will go elsewhere if you can get better value. Your health is both different and more important than your car, and we need to bring those same benefits to the health insurance market. We need a thoughtfully regulated market that means insurers will compete for your business by offering reliable, high quality health insurance that you can afford.
When insurers have to compete for your business, it will put you and your doctor in control, rather than your insurer or your employer. The bills moving through Congress assume that we all have the same health care needs, and they create one-size-fits-all solutions. But your situation is different from your neighbor’s, and only you can make the right decisions for you and your family, based on advice from medical professionals you trust.
This does not mean you’ll have to negotiate prices in the ambulance. Health insurance must protect you and your family when you need it most – when there is an emergency, or a severe accident or disease that threatens not only your family’s health, but your family savings. We buy insurance to protect ourselves against the small chance of a really bad situation, and that’s what health insurance must do.
More control means putting the resources in your hands while giving you both the information you need to make good decisions, and the incentives to consider whether that fourth MRI is really necessary, or whether you could save some money with a generic drug or a semi-private recovery room in the hospital, instead of a more expensive alternative. Health care and health insurance cost a lot today primarily because we’re often spending someone else’s money, so we don’t think about the cost of the care that we use. These tradeoffs and decisions about what care is worth the cost must happen. We must answer a basic question: who is more likely to make good decisions about your health insurance and health care – you and your doctor, or a government bureaucrat who doesn’t know or care about your particular situation?
The right kind of health care reform is not a free lunch. It carries obligations as well. While others offer you the hollow promise of government-provided and underfunded health care security, I’m telling you that you’re going to have to take more responsibility for decisions about your own health. A well-functioning system will offer financial incentives to keep yourself healthy, and to avoid risky behaviors that are the source of so much of the costs in today’s system. You will have to spend more time talking with your doctor and making hard choices yourself, although that’s far preferable to spending that time fighting with your insurer or with a government bureaucracy. You will have to shop intelligently for health insurance and decide what tradeoffs make sense for your family situation. You will have lower insurance premiums but more financially responsibility for relatively minor medical costs, and you can have a tax-free reserve fund that you can spend wisely on everyday non-critical medical expenses. It means more personal responsibility and control, and less dependence on the government. It means your health security comes from you buying insurance to protect your family against catastrophe, rather than hoping the government won’t ration your care when it’s needed. Others want to tell you that you have the right to have someone else pay for your health insurance. I think you have the responsibility to provide for your family’s health security, and that it’s government’s job to set rules so that you have affordable options, and to subsidize the poorest who cannot afford basic catastrophic protection.
The right kind of health care reform means your wages will grow faster as insurance premium growth slows. It means portable health insurance that you can take with you from one job to another, so you don’t get locked into your current job because you’re afraid to lose your health insurance. It means that millions more Americans will be insured because premiums are less expensive and the uninsured can better afford to buy it, not because we are shifting those costs onto other hard-working Americans and small businesses through higher taxes. It means no increase in the short-term budget deficit. It means dramatic reductions in unsustainable long-term budget deficits, rather than the explosive deficit increases contained in the current legislation.
The President is promising to guarantee your health care security by changing the way health insurance works and making someone else pay for it. If you’re reading this, you’re probably that someone else. You’ll probably pay for it through higher insurance premiums, as they do in New Jersey where these “protections” make insurance unaffordable for many. You’ll probably pay for it through higher taxes, whether you’re one of the eight million people who would remain uninsured and still pay higher taxes under the House bill, or a successful small business owner who would face higher income tax rates that kill your ability to grow your business. You and your kids will definitely pay for it through higher taxes when the massive deficit increases from this bill come due, on top of the unresolved long-term problems of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Over the next month you will hear the claim that opponents of the pending Congressional health care bills are defenders of the status quo. You are going to hear that the choice is between a broken system and these bills, and that reform is better than no reform. You will hear that the cost of doing nothing is too high, and that we must therefore enact one particular solution, no matter how flawed.
This is misleading, and there is a better way. I strongly oppose the health care bills now being advanced in Congress, and I think the status quo is a mess. There is no free lunch in health care reform, and fixing our current system without breaking the good parts will involve some hard choices. There are alternatives to the pending bills that do health care reform the right way. I have a plan you can find at KeithHennessey.com. If you’d rather see a good plan from someone who actually matters, then check out the Ryan-Coburn Patients’ Choice Act from Rep. Paul Ryan and Senator Tom Coburn.
You will soon be told that it’s time to act, and that we must therefore enact the wrong kind of reform. You can help by telling your friends, your family, and the rest of your social network that Washington needs instead to start over, and to put you, the patient/worker/taxpayer/consumer/citizen, at the center of health care decision-making, not the government. We need the right kind of health care reform, not these bills now being considered.
Washington – Please stop promising us free lunches. The country is going bankrupt – don’t make it any worse. We’re adults. We can handle the hard choices.
Sincerely,
Keith Hennessey
KeithHennessey.com
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