SPECIAL POST
The members of United Auto Workers are jubilant that they get to keep their wages and their benefits AND they gain ownership rights in General Motors. The creditors, bondholders, and stockholders get the not-so-royal shaft. And the American taxpayers, you and me, again get stuck with the bill... somewhere between $75 billion and $100 billion.
We've now had six months of TARPs, stimulus, bailouts, bank shams and bonuses.... and outrageous unemployment figures.
I don't know about you, but I feel like the American taxpayer has just been gang raped again.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
WHY OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE PLAN WON'T WORK
It is said that we have the best health care system in the world. It is also the most expensive.
Can it be improved?
The answer, of course, is yes. And, it must be improved... With thoughtful evaluation of what is wrong, what alternatives are available, what plans must be put into effect, and what the costs will be.
Why can't the government just...do it?
For starters, ask yourself how the "just do it" approach worked with TARP, stimulus, and bailout. We will never know where all of those billions and trillions of dollars went that WE and our descendants our now obligated to pay back.
But, there's more. Let's talk about how successful and adept the Government is is managing Medicare. This would be a good comparison, would it not? More than 34% of processed and paid claims for wheelchairs, oxygen supplies, and other equipment in 2006 was misspent....questioned by auditors. 31.5% of the medicare claims processed and paid had missing or incomplete documentation. Over $1 billion per year in waste and fraud.
What do you think a full-blown government mandated and government operated health care system is going to look like?
Would that $1 billion pay for health-care insurance premiums from private companies to cover care for those who are under-covered or not covered at all?
If we Americans are going to have the opportunity to talk about health-care and the options, isn't this a good first question to ask? "Mr. Congressman, if we cut the fraud and corruption in the Medicare system, can we actually save enough money to fund health-care for those who don't have it?"
If we don't ask questions, if we don't demand the right to explanations and discourse so we have an educated chance to recommend "we the people" decisions to Congress, who can we blame but ourselves if their plan doesn't work?
Can it be improved?
The answer, of course, is yes. And, it must be improved... With thoughtful evaluation of what is wrong, what alternatives are available, what plans must be put into effect, and what the costs will be.
Why can't the government just...do it?
For starters, ask yourself how the "just do it" approach worked with TARP, stimulus, and bailout. We will never know where all of those billions and trillions of dollars went that WE and our descendants our now obligated to pay back.
But, there's more. Let's talk about how successful and adept the Government is is managing Medicare. This would be a good comparison, would it not? More than 34% of processed and paid claims for wheelchairs, oxygen supplies, and other equipment in 2006 was misspent....questioned by auditors. 31.5% of the medicare claims processed and paid had missing or incomplete documentation. Over $1 billion per year in waste and fraud.
What do you think a full-blown government mandated and government operated health care system is going to look like?
Would that $1 billion pay for health-care insurance premiums from private companies to cover care for those who are under-covered or not covered at all?
If we Americans are going to have the opportunity to talk about health-care and the options, isn't this a good first question to ask? "Mr. Congressman, if we cut the fraud and corruption in the Medicare system, can we actually save enough money to fund health-care for those who don't have it?"
If we don't ask questions, if we don't demand the right to explanations and discourse so we have an educated chance to recommend "we the people" decisions to Congress, who can we blame but ourselves if their plan doesn't work?
Sunday, May 24, 2009
GOD, GUNS AND VALOR
Our Country was founded on them
Our Country has been defended by them
Let us remember and be forever grateful
For God, guns and valor.
Our Country has been defended by them
Let us remember and be forever grateful
For God, guns and valor.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
TAXPAYER REVOLT IN CALIFORNIA
Faced with a Governor and a legislature who have promised to close schools, lay off cops, turn prisoners loose on the streets and put California into bankruptcy court, California's citizens banded together, Republican and Democrat alike, and soundly voted down proposed tax increases in special election held Tuesday the 19th.
Let our voices be heard, Congress: You and all of your cronies in Washington are going to pay the piper in next year's elections. We, the commoners, have had enough. And, I mean.....WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!
Let our voices be heard, Congress: You and all of your cronies in Washington are going to pay the piper in next year's elections. We, the commoners, have had enough. And, I mean.....WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!
Monday, May 18, 2009
CALIFORNIA TAX PAYERS HAVE TWO BULLETS TO FIRE
SPECIAL POST
California's citizens have had enough. The State Legislature and the Governors have traditionally been of the spend and tax mentality. In recent years, the state government has managed to skirt around the budget issues by raising taxes and raising taxes. Now, confronted with a drastic drop in tax revenues and a national economy that has put a drain on its social services and unemployment funds, the Legislature has come to the grips with the fact that one of the contributing factors is ...businesses have been flocking to nearby Nevada. And, of course, people who are unemployed aren't paying taxes. Real estate values are not only upside down, but in foreclosure; those tax revenues have plummeted.
The results have made national news, which doesn't need to be repeated here.
The fact is that the state government has ignored the plight of small business and of its citizens. In fact, they have responded to several special election ballot issues calling for more taxes to cover their wild spending that are very unpopular with the state citizens by threatening to put the state in bankruptcy. There's been no meaningful discussion of budget cuts, but the citizens have been put in the penalty box because... they have to come together and work as a team to bail Sacramento out.
Citizens have had enough with irresponsible government. The election, Tuesday May 19th, will probably find them firing round one by turning the tax proposals down. Round two will undoubtedly be filed next November when they vote the incumbents out of office.
Some how, some way, those who govern must be taught a lesson. And Congress is also in the cross-hairs.
California's citizens have had enough. The State Legislature and the Governors have traditionally been of the spend and tax mentality. In recent years, the state government has managed to skirt around the budget issues by raising taxes and raising taxes. Now, confronted with a drastic drop in tax revenues and a national economy that has put a drain on its social services and unemployment funds, the Legislature has come to the grips with the fact that one of the contributing factors is ...businesses have been flocking to nearby Nevada. And, of course, people who are unemployed aren't paying taxes. Real estate values are not only upside down, but in foreclosure; those tax revenues have plummeted.
The results have made national news, which doesn't need to be repeated here.
The fact is that the state government has ignored the plight of small business and of its citizens. In fact, they have responded to several special election ballot issues calling for more taxes to cover their wild spending that are very unpopular with the state citizens by threatening to put the state in bankruptcy. There's been no meaningful discussion of budget cuts, but the citizens have been put in the penalty box because... they have to come together and work as a team to bail Sacramento out.
Citizens have had enough with irresponsible government. The election, Tuesday May 19th, will probably find them firing round one by turning the tax proposals down. Round two will undoubtedly be filed next November when they vote the incumbents out of office.
Some how, some way, those who govern must be taught a lesson. And Congress is also in the cross-hairs.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
HEALTHCARE REFORM: Special Post
There are those Americans out there sounding the health-care alarm and demanding reform by day's end, saying that the world will come to an end unless reform happens right now. Right now. Right now.
Well, I have a different approach. There are thousands of unemployed, underemployed, and downright poor people in this country who should not be denied health care. But, I have seen the quality of health care that is being delivered by the government out there on Indian Reservations and, by and large, it sucks. If the government's answer to the healthcare problem is the same as what I have seen, then the answer is wrong.
Second, I like my doctor, my dentist. I don't want to change. I've signed up with a great health-care program and I don't want to change.
I do agree that something has to be done, but I saw this country stampeded into TARP, Stimulus, and bailouts over the cries of imminent danger and what happened was that this country got the economic and budgetary shaft, big time. Our kids and their kids and generations to follow are going to be feeling this shaft for decades to come.
I am adamantly opposed to passing any kind of health-care reform this year, or next for that matter. What I am in favor of is a good, solid, educated in-depth investigation of various alternatives, good strong dialogue, communication and discussion of those alternatives over the next two years, and then a public vote in November of 2010.
If the government is getting ready for another "emergency" cramdown of something that has not been well-thought out and discussed, then I am going to fight it like hell.
Well, I have a different approach. There are thousands of unemployed, underemployed, and downright poor people in this country who should not be denied health care. But, I have seen the quality of health care that is being delivered by the government out there on Indian Reservations and, by and large, it sucks. If the government's answer to the healthcare problem is the same as what I have seen, then the answer is wrong.
Second, I like my doctor, my dentist. I don't want to change. I've signed up with a great health-care program and I don't want to change.
I do agree that something has to be done, but I saw this country stampeded into TARP, Stimulus, and bailouts over the cries of imminent danger and what happened was that this country got the economic and budgetary shaft, big time. Our kids and their kids and generations to follow are going to be feeling this shaft for decades to come.
I am adamantly opposed to passing any kind of health-care reform this year, or next for that matter. What I am in favor of is a good, solid, educated in-depth investigation of various alternatives, good strong dialogue, communication and discussion of those alternatives over the next two years, and then a public vote in November of 2010.
If the government is getting ready for another "emergency" cramdown of something that has not been well-thought out and discussed, then I am going to fight it like hell.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
BIN LADEN'S FAVORITE AL JAZEERA NETWORK IS COMING TO YOUR TV SOON!
Remember back when Obama was running for the White House and the right-wing conservatives challenged both his religion and his birthplace? The rumble was that Obama intended to sell out America to his Muslim friends.
Now, just four months into a new Presidency, guess who's coming to dinner?
The Al Jazeera English news channel — the English speaking partner of the Arabic al-Jazeera network — will soon be on your TV.
The network is funded by the Persian Gulf island nation of Qatar and angered officials in the Bush administration with its anti-American rhetoric and bias. It is also widely noted for its airing of Osama bin Laden videos. 18 million U.S. households will ultimately be able to receive some or all of the network's programming.
Check it out.
And, don't have any worry about the Taliban and Al Queda taking over Pakistan and its nukes. Your friend in the White House has everything under control.
P.S. There's no truth to the rumor that the FCC is going to knock FOX off the airwaves in order to make room for the new Al Jazeera Network. The necessary space has already been made.
Now, just four months into a new Presidency, guess who's coming to dinner?
The Al Jazeera English news channel — the English speaking partner of the Arabic al-Jazeera network — will soon be on your TV.
The network is funded by the Persian Gulf island nation of Qatar and angered officials in the Bush administration with its anti-American rhetoric and bias. It is also widely noted for its airing of Osama bin Laden videos. 18 million U.S. households will ultimately be able to receive some or all of the network's programming.
Check it out.
And, don't have any worry about the Taliban and Al Queda taking over Pakistan and its nukes. Your friend in the White House has everything under control.
P.S. There's no truth to the rumor that the FCC is going to knock FOX off the airwaves in order to make room for the new Al Jazeera Network. The necessary space has already been made.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
ON VACATION, BUT...
Forget about Miss California. She's toast. I mean, she will lose her crown. She will lose her dignity and her future. She dared to stand up against the liberal agenda. She espoused a belief in traditional marriage.
Her ass is grass.
Back next week.
Her ass is grass.
Back next week.
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