In response to your posting on the political section since my account is still shut down and I am still being deprived my first admendment rights to the freedom of speech I find my self in agreement with you on the statment that the Repubs have lost their Mojo even though I am not one of them and insist on calling myself a swing voter. Imagine how frustrating it is to have inadequete representation from anyone because there are no conservatives in Washington anymore. Only people that insist on spending us into debt further and further and the party of no as you call it that do nothing but rollover. Why would the Dems need any help they already have the majority?
So we will need to shell out more money for more Government programs but lets not forget the new programs will have adminstrative costs to boot and the fact that the average Goverment employee makes $71,000 per year which is more then double that of the private sector it is very troubling. Not too mention that we will pay 4 yrs for the Health care before we get any benefits from it.
Since you believe in the freedom of speech go ahead and repost my email for me and we will see if you do. MaddTaxy
Canada's Healthcare System is Bad Medicine
by Glenn Woiceshyn (March 31, 2006)
The failure of Canada's experiment with socialist medicine is readily apparent: long waiting lists and wait times for specialized services, conveyor-belt treatment for routine services, chronic shortages of family doctors and hospital beds, gross inefficiencies, slow innovation, stifling and wasteful bureaucracies, warring "special-interest" groups, and the exodus of good doctors to greener, freer pastures.
It's still illegal in Canada for private healthcare providers to compete with the government monopoly. Only North Korea and Cuba—two impoverished, brutal, communist dictatorships—still retain such restrictions. And there have been increasing accounts of Canadians suffering severe pain and even dying while waiting months or years for treatments that are readily available in countries that allow private healthcare.
So when the Canadian election was called several months ago, one might have thought that at least one political party was willing to promise, if elected, to de-monopolize healthcare to some extent at least. However, none of the five significant parties—not even Stephen Harper's "right-wing" Conservative Party—would dare make such a promise. Why not? Because despite how impractical the Canadian healthcare system is, many Canadians regard it as moral. It's a classic case of accepting a moral code that clashes with reality and harms people.
The moral code underlying Canada's healthcare system can be inferred from how it is practiced. Everyone has free and equal access to healthcare providers (which naturally generates a lot of demand). Providers bill the government for services rendered. Government pays providers with the money it extorts via highly progressive taxation. Government has the power to restrict healthcare spending (which logically leads to long waiting lists and wait times).
The basic moral principle is egalitarianism—the belief that everyone must be given equal rewards regardless of performance or behavior. Everyone gets equal access to healthcare regardless of what they pay in taxes. And what one pays is independent of how much one uses the system. Egalitarianism is a species of altruism—the moral code which advocates self-sacrifice to others. (The opposite code is rational self-interest or rational egoism whereby each individual pursues their own well being and happiness—neither sacrificing oneself to others nor others to oneself—and social interaction is voluntary, not coerced.)
For healthcare consumers, the egalitarian message is obvious. Don't bother working hard to achieve success for you will only be condemned as "the haves," taxed of your "excess," prevented from securing better healthcare, and told to go to the back of the line. Don't bother being responsible regarding your health because it won't affect what you pay in taxes or what services you get "for free." Imagine the impact on a hard-working teenager if his parents seized his earnings from a part-time job and distributed it—in the name of equality—among his ambitionless siblings.
As for health-care providers, the egalitarian message is also obvious. Study hard for years; work long and grueling hours; develop life-saving skills, but government will dictate your employer and compensation. The public demands high-quality services regardless of the extent to which your freedom and interests are being sacrificed to the "public good"—to hell with individual rights.
Form this one can extract the egalitarian notion of justice: Punish those who are creative, productive and responsible in order to reward those who (for whatever reason) are not. But if justice is the policy of granting to each person what he or she deserves, then egalitarianism is unjust. The champions of egalitarianism seem oblivious to what makes wealth and medical technology possible. They want us to believe that they can punish and enslave achievers and still have piles of money to seize and distribute—that high-quality services and technological advances are possible in a society where those who are ambitious and productive are sacrificed in the name of helping those who are not.
Given this moral code of egalitarianism, it's not surprising that Canada's healthcare system is so impractical.
Now consider today's wonderful trend of being offered higher quality computer products and services at ever lower prices, and what would happen if governments seized control and established a government-controlled monopoly offering free computing to all. What would happen to the computer innovators, product/service quality, real costs and government debt? Pretty much what has happened with the Canadian healthcare system.
Why is it immoral to personally benefit from one's own success? Surely, someone's computer innovation or breakthrough medical discovery is not stolen from those who didn't innovate. The aspirations and abilities of people vary immensely, and they expect to be, and should be, rewarded accordingly for their efforts and achievements. An opposite policy—an egalitarian policy—destroys the motivation to innovate and succeed.
Or consider socialist medicine from a somewhat different angle. When government has the power to extort money from people to pay for government services such as healthcare, the providers become directly responsible to bureaucrats, politicians and "special-interest" groups—not to patients. When the patient retains the power to financially reward providers for good service, providers will compete for the money by offering better quality at lower prices, which is what we get in the relatively unregulated computer industry.
There is no rational argument in favor of socialist medicine. It persists in Canada primarily because the majority of Canadians have accepted an irrational and impractical moral code—egalitarianism—which remains virtually unchallenged. Only when this moral code is widely challenged and debunked, will Canadians experience a significant improvement in healthcare. Americans should be wary when politicians such as Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy try to glorify the Canadian healthcare system.
Well it be Chrismas when dat baby Jesus role out of de twat of dat Mary and all de angels be there and come these wise-men from da east with a gift of hamburger and muir and probably some crack to make them forget that they was in da' manger with a bunch of dirty cows and sheeps and all dem other animals. So, we was down with celebrating dat da little white boy was born to save all da world and make us all brothers. he's a good little white, dat be for sure. So, i know'd that i need to buy da' bitch a nice gift, but cuz it be snowing there just not be much money in da' hat from me rappin on the street, like there be in the summer.
So, i think, how i gonna' get dat bitch some gift if tha folk aint be tossing de coin in de hat? So, I figure there only be one thing wat i kin do. Sell my crack cocaine and git da' money for my bitch to be happy.
Now I go out on 4th st and I stand on de corner, and a fore too long, comes by de' cars of those whitey's from da suburb and de be lookin' for some crack cocaine. Yo' Mother, I got yo' some. No problemo, it be some nice rock, bitch. Check it out. Now the next thing I know, der be Crismas light everywhere shining all over da' 'hood only I think...what the hell is this..christmas lights in de' hood? That ain't happening...and before I could skip and run, so'nuf it was the johnny-law everywhere! They be in cars, they be running up da street and de done get da dead drop on me. I throws up my hands, and say, damn Man! I just trying to sell some crack to git my bitch a christmas gif' fo sure.
Well brother, they throw me down and de' clamp de cuffs on my hands and next thing I know, i was riding down to the center, with da' po-lice and they done ready to send me to booking for distribution of crack. Oh. i cried. i ain't gonna's see my bitch's coochie for a long time. Christmas is ruined fo' sure.
Well here I am in bookin' feeling low down fo' my self and like all de' world be ruined. No Christmas coochie for me. Dat be when da miracle happen!
I look up an fo' sure, there was my bitch! She be all cuffed up and de' be bookin' her too. Yo' bitch, what you be doin' here, I say to her!
Yo' Dante, she say. Why you be down here in bookin?
Well, baby I say, I love you so much, and I love your Coochie so much, that I went out on 4th street and I sold all my crack cocaine so I could git you a nice christmas present, like you deserve darlin'
Well my baby eyes fill wit tears like she was gonna' cry. She say, Oh Baby! I love you so much. I Love yo crack so much, that I was out on 5th st. and I was selling my Coochie so I could git da' benjamins all lined up and git you a beautiful silver pipe so you could smoke dat crack in style!
De police bitches be draggin' my baby away.. So..I didnt have no crack dat christmas and I didnt have no coochie dat christmas but as they drag me down to holding I think damn, that ironic. she sell da' coochie for my crack and I sell da' crack for her coohcie. Damn.
And anyway, it be nice and warm here on Christmas and de do have some turkey dinner and even give us a cupcake, so christmas turned out to be one fine day of good 'eatin fo sure. I think I will write me a rap song about it now!
You have made it abundantly clear that you are of the belief that healthcare in America should be a "right". I respect and fully defend your ability to think, say and to take the action to make it so. I dont happen to believe it reaches the level of "right", but do believe that the healthcare we enjoy in this country should be available to all citizens. In fact with a microscopic few exceptions, it is. How many people are actually turned away when they are in emergency need of service? Very few, if any is the answer. I am first in line to help the truly needy in our society, but there are far to many examples of those who abuse the system we have setup. We have a set of social standards that does not live up to standard of "rights" and "responsibilities" that comes with everything we have or are given. A major part of the problem begins here, but this in and of itself is a whole 'nuther mammoth discussion.
I pray you do not think for one moment I "side" with the insurance companies, nothing could be farther from the truth (I do wish you and your daughter the best in making sure she has the medicine she needs). It seems to be coming to light that the Senate's version of "historic legislation" is nothing more than a "bailout" for the insurance companies ... exactly what we do NOT need. How often (if ever) have you ever heard of an insurance company LOSING money? The current insurance system is FAR from perfect, and I think that there are quite a few better solutions than a wholesale makeover of a system that overall works pretty damned well. I believe there are many better, incremental steps that should be taken to clean up the insurance industry and make it more efficient and user friendly before we throw up out hands and say F*CK IT, let the bureaucrats do it. The Federal government (GOP or Dems) doesnt exactly have a sterling track record of running anything! Anything you believe the insurance companies are doing, or not doing, you can believe that a Federal bureaucrat will be doing at least ten-fold. If the phrase "Im from the government and Im here to help" makes you wretch, we see pretty eye to eye (if it doesnt, Lord help us - LOL). I would simply ask the Federal government (and Hell, states too) on ALL legislation to simply what we were all asked to do in 6th grade, and show their work to demonstrate how this will help us all.
My kids and wife wouldnt agree Im in this for me (and the battles we also have with insurance companies), but youre entitled to your opinion. I'd like to think the more successful I am in my quest (wait, is this Monty Python? ... ummm, sidetracked there a moment, sorry), the more I actually help every honest, hard-working American citizen, both today, and in the future. I think the closer we are allowed to return to our individual liberties, the better off we will ALL be. If there is any citizen is doing something they shouldnt be, by all means prosecute them to the fullest, be they man, woman, white, black, hispanic, asian, gay, straight, martian, whatever. If the rule of law is perverted for one, it is perverted for all equally.
OK ... out of curiosity, how would someone who chooses to defend the standing laws and principles of our country for the last 230+ years, be dubbed a "teabagger"? Seems a convenient gambit the left uses to try and demean an opponent when they are making too much sense - lol. I'm afraid that any true thinker will simply know youve lost the argument, and must now throw mud. I reply simply "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" - LMAO. Names can be hurledin both direction, but it inly clouds the true issues, which is fine with our political leaders, we argue over minuscia while they go about their merry plundering of our combined pocket.
SOBRIETY - please believe me when I say that I have had ALL kinda experience in the non-sober field of dreams. The only problem is that reality (there's THAT again) is a patient thing, and is always still there when I return from the short (or long) hiatus from life. Those periadventures are not gone completely, but are now fewer and farther between. My choice is the liquid kind, but gets you there just te same.
AS AN ASIDE - wasnt it beatniks and hippies making a LOUD call for LESS government in their lives, not more? Methinks thou doth protest too much.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Co-author of the Second Amendment
during Virginia's Convention to Ratify the Constitution, 1788
"The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full posession of them."
Zachariah Johnson
Elliot's Debates, vol. 3 "The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution."
"Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable … the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
George Washington
First President of the United States
"The great object is that every man be armed." and "Everyone who is able may have a gun."
Patrick Henry
American Patriot
"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
Thomas Jefferson
Third President of the United States
"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that … it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; … "
Thomas Jefferson
letter to Justice John Cartwright, June 5, 1824. ME 16:45
"The best we can help for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed."
Alexander Hamilton
The Federalist Papers at 184-8
"The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand arms, like laws, discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as property. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, other dare not lay them aside...Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them." Thomas Paine
"A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves..." Richard Henry Lee (taken from Letters from the Federal Farmer to the Republic, Letter XVIII, May 1788.
"...the people are confirmed by the next article in their right to keep and bear their private arms" Philadelphia Federal Gazette, June 18, 1789, Page 2, Column 2; Article on the Bill of Rights
"And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the Press, or the rights of Conscience; or to preven the people of the United State, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms;..." Samuel Adams - quoted in the Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer, August 20, 1789; "Propositions submitted to the Convention of this State"
"The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution." Thomas Jefferson
"What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms." Thomas Jefferson
"The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion." Edmund Burke, British Statesman, 1784
"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin
"If you wish the sympathy of the broad masses, you must tell them the crudest and most stupid things." Adolph Hitler
"Our main agenda is to have all guns banned. We must use whatever means possible. It doesn't matter if you have to distort the facts or even lie. Our task of creating a socialist America can only succeed when those who would resist us have been totally disarmed." Sara Brade, Chairman of Handgun Control Inc; The National Educator, January 1994, Page 3.
James Wilson, George Washington's appointment to the Supreme Court: "Christianity is part of the common-law."
John Q. Adams: "The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were . . . the general principles of Christianity."
Noah Webster, publisher of The American Dictionary of the English Language: "Almost all the civil liberty now enjoyed in the world owes its origin to the principles of the Christian religion."
United States Supreme Court, 1844: Vidal v. Girard's Executors (43 U.S. 126, 132) - Justice Joseph Story delivered the Court's opinion. The case was about Stephen Girard (a deist from France) who had moved to Philadelphia, PA and later died there. In his will, he left his entire estate, which was valued at over $7 million, to establish an orphanage and a school. The catch was that "no religious influence be allowed". The city rejected this proposal with their lawyers declaring the following: "The plan of education proposed is anti-Christian and therefore repugnant to the law...The purest principles of morality are to be taught. Where are they found? Whoever searches for them must go to the source from which a Christian man derives his faith - the Bible...There is an obligation to teach what the Bible alone can teach, viz. a pure system of morality...
Both in the Old and New Testaments (religions instruction's) importance is recognized. In the Old it is said, "Thou shalt diligently teach them to thy children," and the New, "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not..." No fault can be found with Girard for wishing a marble college to bear his name for ever, but it is not valuable unless it has a fragrance of Christianity about it."
The United States Supreme Court rendered its UNANIMOUS opinion in the above case as follows: "Christianity...is not to be maliciously and openly reviled and blasphemed against, to the annoyance of believers or the injury of the public...It is unnecessary for us, however, to consider the establishment of a school or college, for the propagation of...Deism, or any other form of infidelity.
Such a case is not to be presumed to exist in a Christian country....Why may not laymen instruct in the general principles of Christianity as well as ecclesiastics...
And we cannot overlook the blessings, which such [lay] men by their conduct, as well as their instructions, may, nay must impart to their youthful pupils. Why may not the Bible, and especially the New Testament, without note or comment, be read and taught as a divine revelation in the [school] - its general precepts expounded, its evidences explained and its glorious principles of morality inculcated?...
Where can the purest principles of morality be learned so clearly or so perfectly as from the New Testament?
It is also said, and truly, that the Christian religion is a part of the common law of Pennsylvania.ť
Robert E Lee, August 1865 - speaking to his former chaplain, John Williams Jones, in regards to the latter's speaking at Washington College in Lexington, VA (later to become Washington and Lee University):
“Oh, doctor, if I could only know that all the young men in this college were good Christians I should have nothing more to desire.
I wish, sir, to thank you for your address. It was just what we needed. Our great want is a revival which shall bring these young men to Christ.
I should be disappointed, sir, and shall fail in the leading object that brought me here, unless these young men all become Christians; and I wish you and others of your sacred profession to do all you can to accomplish it.
We poor sinners need to come back from our wanderings to seek pardon through the all-sufficient merits of our Redeemer. And we need to pray earnestly for the power of the Holy Spirit to give us a precious revival in our hearts and among the unconverted.
John Adams, June 28, 1813 in a letter to Thomas Jefferson:
The general principles, on which the Fathers achieved independence, were the only Principles in which that beautiful Assembly of young Gentlemen could be united. And what were these general Principles? I answer, the general Principles of Christianity, in which all these Sects were United: And the general Principles of English and American Liberty, in which all those young Men United, and which had United all Parties in America, in Majorities sufficient to assert and maintain her Independence.
Now I will avow, that I then believe, and now believe, that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God; and that those Principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human Nature and our terrestrial, mundane System.
Again United States Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story:
"The real object of the First Amendment was not to countenance, much less to advance Mohammedanism, or Judaism, or infidelity, by prostrating Christianity, but to exclude all rivalry among Christian sects [denominations] and to prevent any national ecclesiastical patronage of the national government.
The following quotes are from www.dojgov.net:
"Can the liberties of a nation be sure when we remove their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people, that these liberties are a gift from God? Thomas Jefferson
"Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God." Thomas Jefferson
"(T)he foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality; ...the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained..." George Washington, First Inaugural, April 30 1789
"You have rights antecedent to all earthly governments; rights that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws; rights derived from the Great Legislator of the Universe" John Adams - 2nd Pres.
"There is not a shadow of right in the general government to intermeddle in religion. Its least interference with it would be a most flagrant usurpation." James Madison
March 23, 1775:
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! Patrick Henry
Since i have a few minutes, I'll just reply to each point you proffer:
Mr. Reality, nowhere in the founding documents are there any rights for slaves or women either! (SEE 13th and 19th AMENDMENTS) ... Do you wish to go back to the "original Constitution? (AS AMENDED, YES!) ... That is why there are these things called amendments to correct The Constitution (SO FAR, YOURE THE ONLY ONE THAT HASNT NOTICED THAT) ... Did you just overlook those because they're inconvenient or maybe you know just enough about The Constitution to hurt yourself? (I NEVER OVERLOOKED THEM, WHAT DID I SAY THAT MADE YOU THINK THIS?) ... Everything is negotiable depending on the situations and desires of "the people", the "Pursuit of Happiness" as it were. The founding Fathers were geniuses and amendments were put in place to change the very fabric of The Constitution when it concerns the general welfare of the people of The United States(DID NANCY HERSELF GIVE YOU THIS LINE? .. GIMME A BREAK, EVERYONE KNOWS THE CONSTITUTION CAN BE AMENDED) ... Without those little inconvenient amendments, sir, we would still have slavery and women would not be allowed to vote. Those are indisputable truths! (NICE WORK THERE EINSTEIN, NOTHING GETS BY YOU, DOES IT?) ... And, we do have the finest country in the world (YES WE DO!) but are also cursed with the absolute worst health care in the world, (NAME A COUNTRY OF OUR SIZE THAT ENJOYS BETTER HEALTHCARE ON THE WHOLE) simultaneously. EVERY other industrialized country in the world has government healthcare and are generally healthier than WE are (NOWHERE HAS IT BEEN GRANTED FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HEALTHY, ITS CALLED PERSONAL FREEDOM FRIEND) ... Yes, some people do come here for certain types of operations IF THEY HAVE THE MONEY, but general healthcare is free for them (WHOA! THAT MUST HAVE BEEN SOME JOINT, YOU ACTUALLY THINK ITS FREE? WHERE DO YOU THINK THE MONEY COMES FROM? *POOF!* THERE'S SOME MONEY, NO ONE PAID ANYTHING FOR IT, EVERYONE FLIES FREE!) ... Here, people who are poor have to go to the hospital to get healthcare, ultimately causing insurance premiums to become more expensive and on and on, dude! (NICE "DUDE" THROWN IN TO CONFIRM THE STONER STATUS, DUDE - LOL ... SOOOO, THAT'S THE REASON TO SCRAP THE WHOLE THING AND LET BIG BROTHER WATCH IT? YES, THEY DO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, BUT THEIR CARE IS PAID FOR NOW, BETTER THAN IT WILL BE UINDER THE PROPOSED PLAN(S)) ... It's a really simple situation (ACTUALLY IT IS, BUT POLITICS AND POLITICAL OCRRECTNESS GET IN THE WAY) ... but Repubs and "others" just don't get it or are hung up on ridiculous, outdated Constitutional paradigms due to fears of woe-is-me government-run healthcare/socialism (OH MY GOD, AHHHHHHH!), Jesus Christ, can't you "people" think outside your little box about anything? ( LMAO, ANYTHING TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION TO YOUR WAY OF THINKING, RIGHT?) ... You're hung up on Constitutional verbiage over the general welfare of all Americans. This kind of stupidity is evil, dude! (ITS GOTTA OBVIOUS BY NOW, IM NOT HUNG UP ON ANYTHING EXCEPT USING WHAT MEN WAY SMARTER THAN EITHER ONE OF US PUT INTO PLACE) ... Get with the program that'll be good for you and other numb ones ultimately too ("GOOD FOR US"? AS DECIDED BY WHOM?) ... Don't you think those stupid Republican Senators would've raised the Constitutional issues too by now if that was a way out of their inevitable defeat in this matter? (TRHOSE ASSES TRY AND WEASEL AROUND THE CONSTITUTION AS WELL WHEN IT SUITS THEIR PURPOSE, IM HERE FIGHTING FOR THE CITIZENS, NOT A POLITICAL PARTY THAT IS CHOKING THIS COUNTRY TO ITS DEATH) ... Huh? Do ya think that might've crossed their little minds by now too? Duh! Do ya feel me, Sparky? Earth to "Reality". Beam me up, Scotty! (LMAO - I JUST SPIT COFFEE OUT MY NOSE WHEN I READ THAT ... ARE YOU A FRESHMAN THIS YEAR, OR STILL 8TH GRADE? ITS THAT KIND OF STUPID NAME CALLING BULLSH*T THAT BLOCKS ANY MEANINGFUL PROGRESS ON ANYTHING IN THIS COUNTRY.)
God, thank you for a brain (GOD KNOWS YOU'VE NOT USED IT MUCH, STILL HAS LOTSA CLEAR THINKING TO BE DONE AT SOME LATER TIME. TRY PUTTING DOWN THE PIPE AND LETTING YOUR HEAD CLEAR, THEN GET BACK TO US) ... And thank you mostly for progessive liberal thinking (IT'S OK, YOULL GROW OUT OF THAT WHEN YOURE OLDER) ... and a wonderful Democratic Senate, House, & Prez.! Peace-Out (ENJOY THE NEXT YEAR CinDem, VOTERS WILL ATTEND TO THAT MISTAKE IN NOVEMBER 2010).
OH! ... and for an FYI ... BHO didnt really take time out to address a letter to you specifuically .. they're called form letters.
Early this morning, the Senate made history and health reform cleared its most important hurdle yet -- garnering the 60 votes needed to move toward a final vote in that chamber later this week.
This marks the first time in our nation's history that comprehensive health reform has come to this point. And it appears that the American people will soon realize the genuine reform that offers security to those who have health insurance and affordable options to those who do not.
I'm grateful to Senator Harry Reid and every senator who's been working around the clock to make this happen. And I'm grateful to you, and every member of this community, for all the work you have done to make this progress possible.
After a nearly century-long struggle, we are now on the cusp of making health insurance reform a reality in the United States of America.
As with any legislation, compromise is part of the process. But I'm pleased that recently added provisions have made this landmark bill even stronger. Between the time when the bill passes and the time when the insurance exchanges get up and running, insurance companies that try to jack up their rates do so at their own peril. Those who hike their prices may be barred from selling plans on the exchanges.
And while insurance companies will be prevented from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions once the exchanges are open, in the meantime there will be a high-risk pool where people with pre-existing conditions can purchase affordable coverage.
A recent amendment has made these protections even stronger. Insurance companies will now be prohibited from denying coverage to children immediately after this bill passes. There's also explicit language in this bill that will protect a patient's choice of doctor. And small businesses will get additional assistance as well.
These protections are in addition to the ones we've been talking about for some time. No longer will insurance companies be able to drop your coverage if you become sick and no longer will you have to pay unlimited amounts out of your own pocket for treatments that you need.
Under this bill families will save on their premiums; businesses that would see their costs rise if we don't act will save money now and in the future. This bill will strengthen Medicare and extend the life of the program. Because it's paid for and gets rid of waste and inefficiency in our health care system, this will be the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade.
Finally, this reform will extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans who don't have it.
These are not small changes. These are big changes. They're fundamental reforms. They will save money. They will save lives.
And your passion, your work, your organizing helped make all of this possible. Now it's time to finish the job.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
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'Tis good to be blessed by The President's correspondence! Hop to it, people! This is a hip man. Get with the program. Think progressive!
b) please point out where in the Constitution the Federal government has the authority to force anyone to buy health insurance under the threat of fines and / or imprisonment? Do NOT give me the old "general welfare" clause argument, that is SOOO weak, and WRONG! There are specific enumerated powers, and I can assure you that you will NOT find the authority there either.
What the goofy Democrats (in this case) fail to realize is that this bill is something youre all gung ho for ... the next time it likely will not be. Ill ask you to recall a short few years ago when Democrats were the ones complaining about the Constitution being trampled on ... same principle, tho unlike many today, I was complaining then as well. The plain facts are we citizens let these politicians get away with whatever they damned well please. It is NOT politicians place to make whatever the F*CK laws they want, we have existed 233 years as the finest country in the history of the planet.
Great job, Dems! Keep up the good work for The American People. This could still not pass but is looking good and "the true audacity of hope" continues to live. At least The Dems are trying to help Americans. Meanwhile, all the Repubs can do is pout and say, "no". That is un-American to me.
Our individual liberties are now under full Congressional fire, and the actions taken by the Senate last night amount to a Declaration of War on the US citizens freedom and liberty. The ruling classes (BOTH Democrats and GOP) will try to marginalize we patriots as "terrorists", "unamerican", or some othe such terms to try and protect their lofty perches.
Only in the USA do we allow our public servants to be publicly on sale to the highest bidder. If private sector executives, employees, etc. were to take the kind of money our Congress people take, they would be in jail for a LOOOOOONG time. Ask yourself this: Why does a public servant spend millions of dollars to get a job that pays them less than $1 million over the course of their term? (Obama spent about $150 million to get a job that pays about $400,000 per year.) They arent serving for free, they are servng for the insider payoffs, bribes (from PACs and supporters), payoffs, and perks that come with the modern Washington scene.
I renew the call I made after House passage of their version of this bill to say NOW is the time to rise and demand strict adherence of our established laws, and demand the liberties and freedoms guaranteed us by the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The United States is in dire need to return to the pre-FDR freedoms we enjoyed. PLEASE realize that with every unlawful act by this or any other Congress that is allowed to slide further ingrains the straying of our republic from what made it great.
When I was in my late teens, early 20's (a loooong time ago - lol), I and my group of friends found ourselves making some hella convincing arguments while smoking pot. A day later, when we reviewed our previous night's "wisdom", great hilarity about these "arguments" ensued.
I submit that our CinDem is posting when "under the influence" and then getting a big kick out of it when they review it the next day. When viewed in this light, one can easily gain an insight into CinDem and the "strong" opinions they hold.
The embattled community organization has been at the center of controversy for months -- first over allegations of voter fraud during the 2008 presidential election and again this year, when a series of undercover videos were released showing some of the group's employees offering advice on how to skirt tax laws and avoid detection by authorities while operating a brothel.
Congress voted to prohibit the provision of federal funds to the group following the revelation.
I know I aready posted the picture of B.O. bowing to burger king,but it's one of my favorites
"I am pleased that the GAO has agreed to review ACORN's receipt and use of federal funds," Smith said Thursday in a written statement. "Congress has a responsibility to ensure that no taxpayer dollars are allocated to an organization supporting or engaged in criminal conduct."
But while lauding the GAO's decision, he said ACORN needs to be scrutinized even further.
"The GAO review is a good start, but given ACORN's extensive record of criminal conduct, the FBI must also step in," he said. "Only an independent criminal investigation conducted by the FBI can get to the bottom of the nationwide allegations against ACORN."
Lehman Brothers - $229,090
JP Morgan Chase & Co - $216,759
Exelon Corp - $194,750
Citigroup Inc - $180,650
Citadel Investment Group - $166,600
UBS AG - $146,150
Time Warner - $142,718
UBS Americas - $106,680
Morgan Stanley - $104,425
Credit Suisse Group - $92,300
I also applaud President Obama's brilliant speech at the Nobel Peace Prize event! The world loves this guy and so do most Americans in spite of your negative nabob tunnel vision living here in little ol' conservative Cincinnati. The man is tackling many major issues simultaneously and the cat is stompin'! All he needs is the Party of No to behave and get with the program. I want you all to stop your grousing now and get happy! A great "new world order" is coming (LOL!). AND, the mighty Bengals will be in the playoffs too! It is a good time to be liberal, my friends. Come over from the dark side and join me and my other friends, Nancy, Harry, Al, Bill, Hillary, Barney, and Keith O. & Michael M., won't you? A liberal progressive society is what all good countries should strive for. Love yaz.
Hell, the last real elected president we had was 100 years ago. Everyone stuck to praising the bullet points of a party are living a lie. Your sole purpose is to grease the cogs of the machine with your tax money and be their useful idiot. When you discover the truth they will dispatch you like the Russians do with their idiots. See, a person that realizes the truth is more dangerous than the lap dog of the party. The powers that be have been putting people to sleep for decades with TV and education that effectively removes the ability of someone to think for themselves. What would you rather do, read a book or get slowly retarded by watching American Idol. Most choosy sheep in the country prefer American Idol.
You praise the battle plan of the almighty to vanquish the evil in Afghanistan. Do you realize we have not won a war since WWII. When the men of war are allowed to fight at full capacity things like atomic bombs get developed and used. Since seeing the full power of people actually allowed to fight, lawyers and politicians had to get involved to direct the rules of engagement. We don’t fight to win, we fight until the profits run out and then we come home. Answer yourself this, if Iraq was about oil, how come we haven’t taken any yet. Gas is still expensive as hell. If you want to crush the current enemy, try spraying the poppy fields with DDT. Battle over, we come home, but we can’t because their drug crops fuel the CIA and the elite. There are even reports from reputable news agencies that report seeing Afghan fighters being flown by helicopter to the battle ground. Do your research, the elite has funded both sides of every war in recent history. Your messiah will keep changing the date of the escape plan because he is simply a talking puppet for the war machine. A news article today has Karzai wanting us there for the next 25 years.
Your eagerness to be the useful idiot will reward you well when you are standing in the soup line waiting for your daily sustenance. Every lap dog needs a master. The master you need to worry about is the hidden majority of Americans waiting for the one issue to warrant taking the country back. Will it be gun rights, cap and trade, North American Union, who knows, but it will come and there will be action. The unrest has been building for years. The question is do you want to be the useful idiot getting your daily bread from the government and be their bitch or do you want to be in control of your own destiny. You better man up and decide because the time is drawing near and your party will not protect you.
Well how about the GLOBAL WARMING LIE that has been preached around the world terrifying those to ignorant to see it as a re-distribution of welth scam.(many of whom voted for Obama).The LIE about GLOBAL WARMING was also brought into our schools
to terrify our children and make the parents appear evil to their kids if they happen to screw in an incandesent light bulb.I am outraged that this agenda was brought into our schools to manipulate our children.
Dear President Obama,
My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don't believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert. I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate. Now I live in a "rest home" located on the western end of Pearl Harbor allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.
One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man. So here goes. I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish. I can't figure out what country you are the president of. You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:
"We're no longer a Christian nation"
"America is arrogant" - (Your wife even announced to the world, "America is mean-spirited. " Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and hopelessness.)
I'd say shame on the both of you but I don't think you like America nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.
After 9/11 you said, "America hasn't lived up to her ideals." Which ones did you mean?
1. Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British ?
2. Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War ?
3. I hope you didn't mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around because we stand for freedom.
4. I don't think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.
Take a little advice from a very old geezer,young man. Shape up and start acting like an American.If you don't, I'll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue .You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves. And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don't want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts who was putting up a fight ? You don't mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don't want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are,terrorists.
One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life but you're the Commander-in-Chief now,son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you're not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you're thinking of.
You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president. You're not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That's not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now. And I sure as hell don't want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle.
Item # 2: More good news as the Dem's healthcare plan inches ever closer to ultimate passage with today's vote along party lines, of course.
Item # 3: President Obama's plan to send 30k more troops to Afghanistan is even getting approval from arch-conservatives like Newt Gingrich, who says he supports Obama's War plans. Even you Repubs have to dig what Prez Obama is doing about this matter. LOL!
It's all good on The Left, righties, even with a new "job summit" by The President in the works. So, support this cat. He's very hip! And I'm sure you're not!
Liberal and Loving It!
P.s.-Funny shit below:
Wingnuttery deluxe: Palin's God Can Kick Obama's God's Ass
Posted: 02 Dec 2009 03:00 PM PST
Over in the Alan Keyes quadrant of Planet Wingnuttia, Pastor J. Grant Swank foresees the forces of the apocalypse, good and evil, lining up respectively behind Sarah Palin and President Obama in some looming global showdown.
According to the good pastor, Obama's real religion is Islam:
Obama's so-called holy writ is the abominable Koran. His hope for eternity is unknown; but if he becomes a suicide bomber for Allah, he will be guaranteed pronto a score of virgins for everlasting. His hope for the present seems to be his reliance upon Islam's Koran furthered by his clandestine support of Islam World Rule via czars and a shadow government given to overthrowing our Republic.
PastorSwank_edited-1_859fd.jpgOf course, out comes the eliminationist rhetoric -- followed by the balm that is Sarah Palin:
This cancer sore Obama is the most dangerous occurrence ever in all the Republic's history for it promises us our doom.
Then comes along Sarah Palin. What does she hold out for the populace?
She speaks of common sense politics, a Christian heritage history continuance, reliance upon the God of Scripture, actual hope in prayer and the Holy Spirit's guidance in one's personal faith life.
She comes from a biblical base regarding worship gatherings. It is not theological liberalism as touted in the United Church of Christ, Episcopal Church, Anglican Church, United Church of Canada, Unitarianism, Evangelical (a misnomer) Lutheran Church of America and other anti-Christ labels.
She worships with Christians who seek to live out the Bible, confess to following Christ as personal Redeemer, pray daily, conduct family devotions, believe in miracles, repent of their sins and then yearn to go forth in holiness.
Palin is the antithesis to Obama. Palin represents a biblical way of life. Obama represents a satanic cult.
America is now faced with the choice of Palin or Obama. Of course, in weeks and months to come, someone else may log in to sideline Palin. But at the moment, it is Palin versus Obama.
Wonder if Sarah will give this a shout-out on her Facebook page.
Pastor Swank has a, um, thing about Islam. Check out Jesus' General's recent post about some evil Muslims the pastor found sacrificing goats on Black Friday.
Dumb - It's the ecomomy / Job loss stupid. The rest doesn't mean much if you cannot support your family.
Bottom line is I would rather have a dumb honest middle of america person anyday than a supposedly educated socialist leaning president that does not give a damn about anything but his ideolgy rather than the people.
I am here to reference a simple, well accepted point in regard to Obama's "intelligence". How many times in your life have you encountered someone who was in fact of an extreme intelligence, but had absolutely NO common sense? I will accept the premise that in todays world no one gets elected President without having above average if not exceptional brain power (OK, for the record ... I kinda question G.Dubs brain power as well, but he WAS smart enough to get himself elected - TWICE ... gotta have something going on up there). Oh my, Ive strayed a bit havent I?
Im here to say, maybe for the first time in print, or public, that Barack Obama is "Book Smart". He has shown little if any common sense from the moment he was elected President. Let's run through a few quick and indisputable examples, shall we?
A) Mr. President, Im pretty certain that not only the American people, but everyone else in the world knows you ARE in fact the President of the United States. There is NO need to jet around the country and the world on MY dime eating at some of the finest eateries, and showing off your wife wearing the finest attire money can buy. Act like your comfortable in this role, and not simply showing off for all your global buddies to see.
B) The fact you had the vast majority of the free press in your hip pocket during your campaign doesnt mean someone isnt going to dig up and start reporting on your lesser qualities. Because Fox News and whoever else may say some negative things about you, dont get into a pissing match with them. There are thousands of them, and only one of you. The more you debate them or anyone else on your own principles and values, the less committed to them you seem.
C) Did you really think thet General McChrystal was going to say that he could accomplish YOUR stated objective in Afghanistan with the same or lesser number of troops? ... Really? You dont have to be a military history major to know that there has been NO General in the history of the world that didnt want more troops for battle, particularly when they are in an untenable position to begin with. When you sent Petraeus and McChystal in you knew damned good and well they were going to need to beef up the force there, so why take months to decide to support the recommendation you nearly begged to be made? Again, YOU made Afghanistan one of your main campaign issues, and now youre wavering on carrying it out? How about finding that "steel backbone" Joe talked about Mr. President?
Millard Fillmore was a particularly bright man that assumed the Presidency as well. A man that was not only known for being an academic, but for founding a university (SUNY Buffalo). An well heeled man who worked his way into political position, but is considered by many to be the most inept President this country has ever known. In direct oppostiion to Fillmore are George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the men largely recognized as the finest Presidents in the history of the republic. Neither had what anyone would consider a fine education, but were deep in the plain common sense that is a must to be a success in any walk of life.
President Obama, your respect and adoration for Lincoln is well known by all who follow your views and opinions. I will state here for all to read sir; we knew Lincoln, we served with Lincoln, and you Sir, are NO Lincoln ... Heck, you may not even be Millard Fillmore as far as we can tell so far.
Osama bin Laden was unquestionably within reach of U.S. troops in the mountains of Tora Bora when American military leaders made the crucial and costly decision not to pursue the terrorist leader with massive force, a Senate report says.
The report asserts that the failure to kill or capture bin Laden at his most vulnerable in December 2001 has had lasting consequences beyond the fate of one man. Bin Laden's escape laid the foundation for today's reinvigorated Afghan insurgency and inflamed the internal strife now endangering Pakistan, it says.
More pointedly, it seeks to affix a measure of blame for the state of the war today on military leaders under former president George W. Bush, specifically Donald H. Rumsfeld as defense secretary and his top military commander, Tommy Franks.
"Removing the al-Qaida leader from the battlefield eight years ago would not have eliminated the worldwide extremist threat," the report says. "But the decisions that opened the door for his escape to Pakistan allowed bin Laden to emerge as a potent symbolic figure who continues to attract a steady flow of money and inspire fanatics worldwide. The failure to finish the job represents a lost opportunity that forever altered the course of the conflict in Afghanistan and the future of international terrorism."
The report states categorically that bin Laden was hiding in Tora Bora when the U.S. had the means to mount a rapid assault with several thousand troops at least. It says that a review of existing literature, unclassified government records and interviews with central participants "removes any lingering doubts and makes it clear that Osama bin Laden was within our grasp at Tora Bora."
On or about Dec. 16, 2001, bin Laden and bodyguards "walked unmolested out of Tora Bora and disappeared into Pakistan's unregulated tribal area," where he is still believed to be based, the report says.
Instead of a massive attack, fewer than 100 U.S. commandos, working with Afghan militias, tried to capitalize on air strikes and track down their prey.
"The vast array of American military power, from sniper teams to the most mobile divisions of the Marine Corps and the Army, was kept on the sidelines," the report said.
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