Obamas' Health Care

The health care debate rages but there seems to be a few things that aren't being discussed often enough.

First there is the the thought of me losing the ins. plan I already have. 20 years ago our plan covered everything including a vision and dental plan. Vision and dental had a limit, but it was more than adequate for my family. Then came PPO's and HMO's. Our contractors, eager to reduce costs, forced the union to accept them, and that was without a presidential or congressional endorsement. Funny how noone seems to remember the grief from all segments of the American labor force who were forced into them. The president says we can keep what we have, but that's only if it's offered.

If you look at life survival rates for the major diseases, the US rates in the top 10%. Take cancer. In the U.K. only one type of cancer has a survival rate 90% or more. The US has 5 at or above 90%. Pick your own disease and check it out.

Let's face it, they can't read muchless debate over 1000 pages in the time left. Now that we can see the stimulus bill, the American People are nervous and rightfully so about effecting 18% of the economy. Besides, chairman Conyers said it's just a waste of time anyway. He says you need a lawyer for that and a couple of days, so why bother.

I keep hearing all this talk about wringing billions of dollars of waste out of medicare and medicaid. If there were that much waste, why'd they wait so long? I would've thought that they (congress) would've done that years ago to be able to pay doctors more so seniors don't have to get supplemental ins. to help them pay thir bills.

If singe-payer's the goal, then why do so many foriegners come here? Public broadcasting on the radio (NPR) has a program called "As it Happens" produced by the Canadian broadcasting co. and I've heard many programs about the Canadian health care system. Right now the big fight in their congress is about purchasing private ins. Liberals want to outlaw the purchase of private insurance. Imagine that. They call it "Jumping the Line" and say it's unfair to others who either can't afford to or don't want to buy it.

The president and some lawmakers are saying that we're already paying for the uninsured with higher rates. If we're paying for them now for X amount of dollars, why is it going to cost a trillion dollars more for the same thing?

Nancy Pelosi says the Illegal Aliens won't becovered in the bill. That should lower costs, right? Wrong. After pressing her and a lot of stammering she brought up the fine point about noone being turned away from an emergency room. Looks like we're going to be hearing about the uninsured for a long, long, time.

Then there's the publically funded abortion issue. Nancy really did some twisting and turning on that one. She kept on insisting that abortion wasn't the point. I already know that. It's just a part. Never did give an answer.

Bushs' Bet Pays Off

Looks like Bushs' plan to give democracy a chance in the Middle East is starting to pay dividends. For the last 7 yrs., dems have been poking fun at his plan as folly.
But, it looks like Iran is having it's share of problems. I think the main reason is the Iranians watching the Iraqies vote for the people they want to represent them and not be overruled by the "supreme leader". They might not do the things the people actually wantdone, but then, neither do ours. Right? I mean, let's get real here.
They risk getting killed, but they're showing the world that it's worth the risk to secure your own future.
This is driving the the mullahs bonkers. The only way they seem to be able to fight back is with bullets.
It makes my heart sing to see the turmoil in Iran right now. I just wish the mullahs and army were the ones suffering and not the Iranian people. I'm 60 yrs. old and I've seen what the Iranian leaders have done the US citizens, and others, over the years.
I think of politics as more of a sport, and (to me) a very exciting one at that. I mean, nothing gets the blood flowing like a good old political fight, right? I'll bet that the more the Iraqies participate in their government, they'll come to see it that way too.
I wish the Iranians a lot of luck in their endevor. It's not easy to change a form of government and people don't give up their powerful positions easily. These mullahs aren't going to roll over like the Marcos', and it was plenty hard to get them out.

President Obama and the Pirate Czar

Once upon a time, when Andy Jackson was pres., the word czar was a bad thing. He used the term in his war with the banks.

Then in later years the term came more acceptable. In the 20's we had the "baseball", "beer", and "boxing" czars. Believe it or not, we even had a speaker of the house known as the "genial" czar.

During the Roosevelt admin. They had "price control", "production", "ships(?)" among others. They even had cartoons in the papers of the day about all of them. By the time Nixon's "drug czar"(1971) and the more famous "energy czar" (1973) came along, the word czar was falling into disrepute again. And we can see why. Jimmy Carter gave us "inflation" czars and it went to all time highs. Bush didn't use the term, and Obamas' not going to either.

But that doesn't mean we doesn't.

Right now we have an "energy", "urban affairs", "drug", etc, and talk of "cyber", "car", and whatever else they dream up.

I have a suggestion for them. We need a "PIRATE CZAR".

Shock Jocks

I got a chuckle today when I saw the shock in people's eyes when they heard the auto industry would shed about 25,000 more jobs, close plants, and eliminate some car model lines.

Memories sure are short. A week ago, newscasters were talking about how the congress of the US virtually mandated that they do just that.

That they (the auto comps.) come up with a survival and repayment plan. The only way to do that is to slash saleries, reduce pension costs, and the like.

That they (the auto comps.) increase fuel efficency. The only way to do that is to stop making big cars and build smaller cars. The only problem is that people aren't buying any cars right now, big or small, and that leads to lay-offs.

But, congress knows best.

Gotta Love that Nancy and the Gang

I have to admit that those Dems sure know how to build a "Stimulus" bill. It stimulated the whole nation. Two weeks ago, we were just cruising along sleepily. Then we were awakened with cold water in our faces.
The quote, unquote, "stimulus bill" did it. Some of that stuff was a real stretch as far as stimulating goes. One was birth control as a cost reduction tool. My first thought was that she and other dems think that there are too many poor (minority) kids being born, but was afraid to say that in so many words. Maybe I'm just being too cynical, but I just can't put anything past congress.
I'll bet our poor president never dreamed that something like this would ever happen. Whoever thought Obama would have trouble keeping dems onboard. Even Diane Fienstien has reservations about the effectiveness dems claim.
Dems under Pelosis' leadership, and Obamas' own words about posting bills on the White House website, really screwed him. All the paybacks for their friends blew up in their faces. I can't believe that the President doesn't know that they have to be herded like cattle. The only problem is they're more like cats. Slealthy, quiet, and independant.
The word on the street is that a back-room, closed-door deal has been reached. I wonder if they smoked? But we'll never see it though, until it's too late. Ried was going to call a vote tonite, but changed his mind. Moved it to Sunday.
He's scared dems will bolt and I can't blame him. Once the houses' plan came to light, the American People turned on it. Even a blind person can see that a better way is to drag out the process so that the final bill is presented to the President on the last day. It'll be easier to reinstate any stripped-out pet projects that way, and provides cover too.
Then congress et al. can stand there straight-faced, maws agape, and say "I don't know" when the American People get to eyeball it.
But anyway, the real action comes next week when the 2 bills have to be reconciled. I can see some real gnashing of teeth when the dems meet. Some say Nancy is pissed about the senate stripping out some of their pork. I can't see what that was though. A $819 billion dollar bill was sent over and was reduced to $780 Billion, but with another $50 Billion added in ammendments. To me, that adds up to $830 Billion. What's-up? That's cutting to the bone? But that's guarenteed to start a big fight. By the time they're done, if it passes, it'll barely make it to the Presidents' desk in time. So much for the American Peopls input.
Me? I can't wait until the real catfight starts next week.

Flg Flap

To hear congressional democrats agonize over where U.S. flags are made sure gave me a chuckle. Once again congress' ineptitude gave us a problem that now has to be solved. It's just to bad that they don't realize that they aren't the solution, they're the problem.

It was all part of what I call the "congressional enlightening". It took place during the 1970's. Congressional members who were there and still are might not remember the debates, but I do. Democrats had control of both houses and they were flexing their muscles.

First of all, democrats in congress were having a fit about how much the defense dept. was being charged for parts by the defense contractors. Funny how they always seem to forget about how the ridiculous rules and requirements they specify drive up costs.

At the same time the world, led by Japan, began a full blown campaign to break into our markets. Back in those days it seemed like everything made in the world came from America.

Congressional democrats in their zeal to teach the contractors a lesson and to show the world their human face, passed a bunch of new laws, rules, and regulations on where and how our military bought parts. That opened the door and the rest is history.

First the Japanese cornered the market on our goods. Then when their items became to expensive, the Taiwanese stepped in. Then the Koreans and now China.

For me to think that the congress that devised this mess is going to be able to solve the problem is totally beyond my comprehension. I think the best thing to do is for them to stay on vacation so they can't do anything. Sooner or later the American People will get sick and tired of cheap products that only work once or twice and change their ways to demand and buy American once again.

Democrats, Going Green, and High Oil

Everyday pundits, right and left, lament yet another new daily high price for gas and oil. Some seem to know the answer and others seem confused. When the reporters ask members of congress for answers, they just never seem to ask the really tough ones.

I have one for them. Are congressional democrats purposely driving the cost of gas and oil sky-high because they are pushing for alternatives?

Although no one likes to, sometimes you have to call a spade a spade. Democrats know that only high gas prices will pave the way for their "Green Policy". The first 6 years of the bush presidency, gas went from about $1.50 a gallon to about $2.25 a gallon. Since the democrats took control of congress less than 2 years ago, gas has gone from $2.25 a gallon to over $4.25 a gallon with no end in sight. That's impressive.

The democratic nominee, Barack Obama said that he would have preferred a slower rise so the "American People" could adjust to it easier. That's beautiful. His and congressional democrats answer that we should Go Green and Not Drive. What a great answer. Why didn't I think of that. Duh!

Only 1 little problem though, the burg I live in doesn't have that stuff.

Let's see, less than 2 years into the new democratic American direction gas has tripled, oil has tripled, corn has doubled, all grains have doubled, trucking costs for those still in the business have doubled, home heating fuel has doubled, electric rates have doubled, natural gas has doubled. Did I forget anything?

Well I guess that I did.I almost forgot to mention the food riots that have started since we became enlightened.

Last week when I saw the committee hearings with the oil execs., I couldn't help but think that the ones at the table should be members of congress themselves. I think Nancy, Barbara, Harry, Carl, should be sworn in, sat down, and made to fess up to the "American People" about their plan. But then again, did you ever notice that it's never congress? That they always have the right plan and solution? That it's always someone elses' fault?

Democrats have been working overtime to convince the "American People" that it's the fault of the oil companies, but it's just not working for them. 75% of the "American People" are seeing through the charade. They realize that we need to drill and refine also. Even Californians!

But remember, our esteemed congress has worked hard these last few weeks after their last vacation. They're all burned out and had to take their 4th of July vacation without doing anything at all about our energy problems, much less the housing problem. It's just to hard for them to concentrate on this right now and they had to go home.

So good luck to everyone, it looks like democrats in congress are going to keep oil prices sky-high for a very long time to come. It's the only way to make "renewables" alive.