American Politics

The Obamacare Fiscal Cliff

2012-12-13T16:33:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends, I have included for your reading an article written by Matt Staver, Liberty Counsel President. In the article, well.....read it for yourself...and weep! While Congress and our nation’s news cycles are obsessed with the so-called “fiscal cliff” and the proposed tax hikes on the “rich,” some of the most devastating hits to the wallets of Americans in 2013 are sliding in under the radar: The stealth costs of ObamaCare. Contrary to the oh-so-earnest promises made by President Obama when he was selling ObamaCare to the nation, the new healthcare law is driving up costs for every American. Here are just a few of the troubling signs we are seeing… The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Blue Shield of California is looking to increase their rates 13-20% next year. The Kaiser health plan wants to raise rates 9%. Bloomberg News is reporting… “Health insurance premiums may as much as double for some small businesses and individual buyers in the U.S. when the Affordable Care Act’s major provisions start in 2014, Aetna Inc. (AET)’s chief executive officer said. “We’ve shared it all with the people in Washington and I think it’s a big concern,” the CEO said. Aetna is our nation’s third largest health insurance company. Michael Turner wrote on National Review Online that a majority of ObamaCare’s $1 trillion new or increased taxes will take effect in 2013, including… “An increase in Medicare payroll taxes; cuts in Flexible Spending Accounts; new business taxes; medical device taxes and…Middle-class workers will also be among the biggest losers from the changes that Obamacare imposes on tax-deductible medical expenses – amounting to a $500 tax hike.” Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC) has a list of 20 new or higher taxes being imposed on American families and businesses on his congressional website. And, as the icing on the cake, Michael Turner reports… “ObamaCare will add roughly $1.5 trillion to the debt over the next ten years.” These are at least 20 more reasons why ObamaCare must be defeated in court! As you may know, Liberty Counsel’s lawsuit against ObamaCare was revived by the Supreme Court late last month. Thankfully, I will once again be arguing in federal court on behalf of tens of millions of Americans who want to keep ObamaCare’s socialist mandate from doing irreparable damage to our nation. Because of the remarkable Supreme Court ruling granting a rehearing of Liberty University v. Geithner, our case against ObamaCare, I will be delivering oral argument before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, contending that mandates in the misnamed “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” are completely unconstitutional! I believe our lawsuit is now America’s best hope to end the federal takeover of our healthcare system and its deadly impact on our culture. ++You can play a pivotal role in derailing Obamacare.

I’m asking you to join with at least 100,000 of our faithful Liberty Counsel team members in signing our “Amici Book” for our revived case against ObamaCare. The all-new “Amici Book,” which is Latin for “Book of Friends” will be placed at our Counsel’s Table…. directly across from Attorney General Eric Holder’s team from the Department of Justice (DOJ)! With your signature in the book, you can in effect be with me in that federal courtroom. Please take a moment right now to sign the Amici Book and declare that you will personally stand with me in the daunting challenge of taking on the Obama administration and the Department of Justice: http://www.libertyaction.org/372/petition.asp ++We have no choice but fighting with all of our might! As you know, this outrageous law is actually the complete socialization of our nation’s medical system. It MUST be stopped before it destroys our medical services industry, makes taxpayer-funded abortion a permanent part of our culture, and bankrupts our already weakened economy. Together, we CAN stop this outrageous government takeover of the world’s most advanced healthcare industry in court! Together, we can save America from being turned into just another second-class socialist state! Signing our Amici Book will unite you in Liberty Counsel’s cause of defeating an unprecedented expansion of federal power and the outrageous imposition of ObamaCare’s unconstitutional mandates. Please, send Liberty Counsel into this historic courtroom battle with your prayers, support, and this tangible evidence of your ever-present encouragement! Click here to sign Liberty Counsel’s powerful new Amici Book: http://www.libertyaction.org/372/petition.asp As much as the media has positioned ObamaCare as President Obama’s “crowning first-term achievement,” we know that the law was only passed by sleight-of-hand legislative manipulation, backroom deals, and outright bribery. That’s why the legal battle against ObamaCare is among the most historic pieces of litigation ever fought in the United States federal courts. And Liberty Counsel’s lawsuit is now at the forefront of all judicial efforts to have the law overturned! Stand with my team and me once again in this special way by clicking here and adding your name. http://www.libertyaction.org/372/petition.asp THANK YOU for all you do, and have done, as a key member of the Liberty Counsel team! Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman Liberty Counsel P.S. Please join me in the courtroom by signing our Amici Book (meaning, as I have mentioned, “Book of Friends”). You ARE a friend – please let me know you support our case against this outrageous healthcare law. Again, thank you and God bless you! http://www.libertyaction.org/372/petition.asp http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?U=179337&CID=372&RID=32240324 Liberty Counsel, with offices in Florida, Virginia and Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit litigation, education and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and family. Liberty Counsel . PO Box 540774 . Orlando, FL 32854 .800-671-1776

Tough Day at the Office

2012-07-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

I sure didn't know the job was going to be this tough!

The Worst President Ever?

2012-07-23T19:09:00.000-07:00

After running on a campaign of no higher taxes and promises to lower the national debt, it is apparent we have been deceived.Somewhere buried between the 9000 + pages of Obamacare, there lies a tax increase and the single largest funding source for Planned Parenthood. If Obamacare gets instituted, even over the objections of several states, then Medicaid and healthcare exchanges will become realities. When November rolls around, we cannot afford to vote for President Obama again.

Why Run Again?

2011-04-04T21:32:00.000-07:00

Today, I received an email from our President. He stated his intentions were to run for office again. I would have replied to the email, but I figured he was busy getting us in another war without Congressional approval, or looking for a back door to slide in healthcare, or figuring out a way to spend more money we do not have. If I sound cynical, excuse me. It is just that he has literally done everything he said he would not do, including committing troops for foreign conflicts. Today, Hillary Clinton was pushing for a UN mandate on gun control-WHAT????????? Everyday, more and more sovereignty is taken away by Obama, and his cronies. A weak America is bad for everyone; how come he can not see it? He made history, now he needs to disappear. Maybe he willbe more liked later on after about 8 years. People will have forgotten the mess he inherited, and made worse. One bad decision after another deserves at least one good decision- do not run again!

From a Former Supporter.

Newt For President?

2010-10-31T07:31:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the opportunity to attend an event at Liberty University School of Law (my law school) where the speaker was Newt Gingrich. The school brought in Speaker Newt to have a roundtable discussion with the students. I was particularly impressed with how intelligent Newt is and what his ideas about the country are. In a time of out of control spending, policies few want, and other bad ideas floating around by both parties, Newt has some very good, solid ideas to move the country along. When asked about whether he would run for president, he simply responded that it would be up to the people, and that if the people wanted him, he would consider it. He spoke to us at length about the inner party politics of how Washington works and explained to us why it is so hard to get anything done there. Hearing it from someone who has tried to effect change really made a big difference in how I think about it Washington. He mentioned the need to change the culture of Washington in order to be successful bringing about reform.

Do You Know What Is In the Healthcare Bill?

2010-10-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

In keeping true to my word, I am writing yet another article on the issue of the direction this country is taking. Several of my colleagues have badgered me to no end on my some of my view points regarding healthcare and other issues. After some much needed reading and more prodding by those same colleagues, I can no longer support our president or his agenda on healthcare. I find my palate can no longer tolerate the hidden agenda of the healthcare bill. The bill is paramount to a trojan horse, has hidden language in it, and attempts to trick the American public into supporting it by appealing to our emotional feelings of needing coverage. I now feel that any and all further bills, relating to healthcare, or other issues should be drafted as stand alone bills only. No more hiding tax increases in bills with spending or education. No more passing war spending bills with other issues that have nothing to do with war. What does the student loan program have to do with healthcare? Nothing! Why is it in the bill? Proposals to cut out federal Stafford Loans to students ???? In a healthcare bill? We have been tricked too long and it his now time to stand up and take back our rights. While I still support many things Obama has done, it has become evident that the support of the people does not rest with the choices he has made, or the party he represents. In complete disgust with Obama and Geithner, I have included an excerpt of what I call "Pay for the premium or we are keeping your tax refund" and/or fining you $5000.00.

Read on....
53. Section 1501 of the Act provides that, beginning on January 1, 2014, an individual who fails to obtain and maintain minimum essential healthcare coverage as defined in Section 1302, is subject to a penalty in an amount equal to the lesser of the national average premium for a “bronze” level health insurance plan or the greater of a graduated flat dollar amount or graduated percentage of the difference between household income and gross income.

54. Section 1501 of the Act provides that the penalty imposed for failure to maintain minimum essential healthcare coverage shall be payable as part of an individuals income tax return.

55. The Act grants the Secretary of the Treasury, presently Defendant Geithner, the power to collect said penalties as part of his oversight of the Internal Revenue Service.

Someone please slap these people back into reality. This is America and you cant
force me to buy anything, including a bronze level healthcare plan.

While healthcare costs are out of control, and there are millions out of work without coverage, this simply is not the answer.

For additional reading on the bill and upcoming litigation see Liberty Council v. Obama

NORTH KOREA IS AT IT AGAIN

2010-05-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my readers. I am back at work and ready to roll. In one of my past articles written several months ago, I proclaimed North Korea to be a danger that would soon have to be dealt with. Well, now the time has come. North Korea has fired a missile and sank a South Korean military vessel causing 48 sailors to lose their lives. Unprovoked, North Korea aggressively fired a torpedo for no good reason. Now that the international community has concluded the investigation into the incident, determined North Korea to be at fault, and is meeting to see what actions to take. In one of past articles, I suggested months ago that North Korea be bombed into submission. North Korea says they are not guilty of firing the torpedo and takes no responsibility for the loss of lives. At the time of the incident, North Korea was reported to have the only military submarines in the area. what the international community and the UN are going to do about remains to be seen. Hillary Clinton is calling for swift action, but North Korea says any action taken against it will provoke an all out war. I say the international community should call their bluff, beef up patrols, blockade the North and wait to see what happens next.

Special Thanks to Bobo

2010-03-03T18:25:00.000-08:00

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Bobo the clown over at the bobofiles.com. Although we seldom agree on the issues of politics, I seem to have found an issue or two about China, Spending, Trade, and dangerous products from China that we both agree on. Special thanks to Bobo for bringing light to the issues.

LEAD BASED TOYS ARE KILLING OUR KIDS

2009-12-31T11:52:00.000-08:00

This morning while perusing the internet I came across an article that shocked, angered, and alarmed me. It seems that my son who loves Thomas the Train and all the subcomponents that go with it, has been playing with lead based paint trains and toy parts for the last few years. After doing research on RC2 Corporation, there is and has been a huge recall in effect for many Thomas the Train wooden trains and components since 2007. The latest of the recalls occurred in 2008 and included more trains and parts manufactured in China and distributed by RC2 Corp.

Read the latest AP article regarding legislation about lead based toys and you may come to understand why any parent should be fighting mad.

"WASHINGTON (AP) - Makers of toys and other children's products won a reprieve Thursday from federal regulators trying to implement legislation Congress passed more than a year ago after a holiday season marred by scores of lead-tainted toy recalls.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to delay for another year - until February 2011 - the certification and independent third-party testing rules on the amount of lead allowed in children's products. Those rules were set to kick-in last February but have been delayed twice.

Manufacturers and importers still must test their products to make sure they're safe and meet federal limits on lead. But the commission's decision late Thursday means they won't have to produce compliance certificates and perform third-party testing for now, though many are already doing so at retailers' requests.

Even so, the commission's action was aimed at giving businesses more time to comply with the many additional requirements spelled out in the 2008 product safety law.

"The extension of the stay was needed in order to give the agency more time to promulgate rules," CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said in a statement.

Republican Commissioners Nancy Nord and Anne Northup had pushed for the delay until 2011, but Democratic Commissioner Robert Adler said the disruption in the marketplace was overstated. Adler was the lone vote against the delay, instead advocating a 6-month delay.

As it implements the law, the agency is still writing rules, such as the definition of a children's product and how often companies will have to test their products for lead, lead paint and chemicals used in plastics known as phthalates.

Lead can cause irreversible brain damage, and phthalates, used to soften plastics, have been linked in some studies to reproductive problems.

The law passed with overwhelming support in Congress and much fanfare from consumer advocates and parents who worried about small children, who often mouth toys, and the effect of lead and phthalates in products.

Big toy-makers - some of whom had high-profile lead recalls - backed the legislation. But smaller companies that make toys, children's educational products and homemade crafts complained the legislation was overly broad, forcing them to test and certify products they already knew to be safe, a cost they feared would put them out of business. The testing can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on the product and the required tests.

In an effort to ease the burden on businesses, the commission also voted to allow manufacturers and importers to rely on testing from suppliers of buttons, paint, zippers and other parts that might be used in a toy, clothing or other product for a child.

Previously, the entire finished item would have to be tested. Now, under the CPSC's interim policy, toy-makers and others can take testing certificates from the parts' suppliers - cutting down on some of the costs associated with the testing for lead."

For all the parents who have children with these toys, it is past time to start getting involved by writing Congress. Any elected official who refuses to act and further jeopardizes our kids health should be promptly voted out of office. Why are we accepting products with any lead based paint in them? There is no acceptable level of lead that is okay for our children to play with. The dangers of lead have been proven and reproven. This thing smells of buddying up with China- the major producer of LBP toys. Most times there is a recall, it can be traced back to China. The issue also begs the question of why toys and other goods are not produced here under strict controls instead of accepting substandard dangerous goods for our children to play with.

Republicans Nany Nord, and Anne Northup along with Democratic Commissioner Robert Adler all have some answering to do. It is completely unaccaeptable to push this off until 2011 while more kids are exposed to lead.

A quick check of the internet will detail how Xmas time always brings out the greed of toy companies who often issue recalls a few months after December when they have made significant cash offering unsafe toys.

TIME TO GET TOUGH ON IRAN

2009-12-22T09:32:00.000-08:00

The recent claims by Iran's madman that the US forged documents about the Iranian nuclear program is more of the same type of rhetoric that signals Iran's unwillingness to cooperate. Iran deserves to feel the full brunt of all the sanctions that can be bestowed upon it. Will sanctions work? Probably not. Have they worked so far? Probably not. Now is the time to be thinking about what the international community's next move will be. At some point, one would have to wonder what the Israeli response to all this will be. It seems likely to this blogger that Iran can expect some type of preemptive military strike against it by Israel sometime next year. The international community, especially the UN, does not have the willingness to do much but keep extending deadlines and coming up with more useless diplomacy. Israel has been relatively quiet which could mean they are planning something special for Iran. A well deserved air strike may be in the making. Whether or not Iran has made progress in its' quest for a nuclear bomb, no one can be certain. Why wait to find out?

NO RUNOFF, NO TROOPS

2009-11-01T06:56:00.000-08:00

In an article appearing on "The Daily Beast", about the recent pullout of challenger Adullah in the upcoming runoff election against Karzai, Hillary Clinton stated the elections would still be legitimate even if there were only one person running. Hillary- how could an election with just one candidate be legitimate considering the circumstances leading up to the runoff? A candidate pulls out citing voter fraud, a fixed election, and so many other irregularities that no fair election could exist under such circumstances and Hillary calls it fair? During the time of such turmoil in Afghanistan, I say it is about time to return our troops home and let Afghanistan decide whether they want to remain a country or fall into a state of pure chaos. We have done enough, but can no longer force an agenda on a country refusing to help itself. Bring home all the troops and get the heck out of there. Why are we there? Oh by the way, that includes Pakistan too. Neither of these countries have any oil, so what's the point. Let the world deal with them, Osama, and the Taliban. We have paid the price in the blood of our soldiers, all for nothing.

Here is the article from the Daily Beast, November 1st, 2009

"The runoff election planned for November 7 in Afghanistan was thrown
into turmoil Sunday when President Hamid Karzai's challenger said he was
pulling out of the vote. Abdullah stopped short of calling for a boycott
of next Saturday's election. Some analysts think that Abdullah is trying
to win a last-minute power sharing deal with Karzai. "We don't want to
boycott, but Mr. Karzai has not accepted any conditions, so he left us
with no other choice," one member of Abdullah's political team told the
Washington Post. "There is no guarantee that a second round would be
free and fair. It would only create more problems than it solves." A
cancelled or marred election could throw the nation into chaos at a time
when the Obama administration is deciding whether to send more troops to
the area. Hillary Clinton downplayed a possible boycott, saying the
elections would still be legitimate even if Karzai were the only
candidate. It's unclear if Karzai will still participate in the runoff,
if the race will be postponed until the spring when there's a viable
challenger, or if the vote will be cancelled and Karzai declared
president."

Disgruntled Rush Told No Go By NFL

2009-10-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my supporters. Sorry I have been away for awhile. Life's calling has me very busy these days, but not too busy to write a story about Rush Limbaugh. All it took for me to return was one good story line. Thanks to a disgraced radio host, I have my story. Rush Limbaugh, the same guy that was thrown off Monday Night Football for making derogatory statements about Donovann Mcnabb and all the other black quarterdecks in the NFL, has now had his small minority stake canceled out by the NFL powers that be. Roger Goodell and Irsay came out as outspoken critics of a guy who is known to be a conservative bigot. Good ole Rush would have you believe it was Obama, Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton that canceled his NFL ticket, but not so fast. First of all, Jackson, and Sharpton may be outspoken critics of Rush, but they sure do not discriminate, only against bigots. Next of all, what has Obama got to do with this? Rush, wake up and stop taking those mail order prescriptions buddy. Maybe Goodell, who is known as the character policeman, thought wisely to exclude a racist, pill popping, conservative bigot with a huge following on radio. Good move Goodell. The town just aint big enough for the two of them. Anyway, all the black players on the Rams were against Rush and said they would never play for him, even if his interests were a minority stake.

Funny Political Cartoons

2009-09-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

This cartoon gave me a good laugh and I hope you find it as funny as I did! I will be back posting real soon. Family obligations, work, and school have me chasing my tail right now. Thaks to all my readers. I miss you all!

TO PROSECUTE OR NOT TO PROSECUTE?

2009-09-02T20:02:00.001-07:00

Weigh in on the issue. Over at my other now defunct blog at Today.com, we had this debate about prosecuting those who oechestrated torture and the subsequent cover up. Now the debate rages again. Please feel free to leave your comments.

33 Advertisers Drop Glenn Beck

2009-08-24T04:49:00.000-07:00

Glenn Beck, back from vacation, will find himself in need of new sponsorship after several big name companies have decided not to advertise on his show following his comments about President Obama being a racist.

According to an AP article appearing on the wire, "A total of 33 Fox advertisers, including Walmart, CVS Caremark, Clorox and Sprint, directed that their commercials not air on Beck's show, according to the companies and ColorofChange.org, a group that promotes political action among blacks and launched a campaign to get advertisers to abandon him. That's more than a dozen more than were identified a week ago.

While it's unclear what effect, if any, this will ultimately have on Fox and Beck, it is already making advertisers skittish about hawking their wares within the most opinionated cable TV shows.

The Clorox Co., a former Beck advertiser, now says that "we do not want to be associated with inflammatory speech used by either liberal or conservative talk show hosts." The maker of bleach and household cleaners said in a statement that is has decided not to advertise on political talk shows."

Way to go Glenn! Sometimes, the only message these radicals like Glenn Beck understand, is being a little bit lighter in the pocketbook. This also may force the network to reign in TV hosts who choose not to use their words wisely.

Stop Lou Dobbs

2009-07-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

Dear MoveOn member,

Why is CNN promoting right-wing paranoid conspiracy theories about President Obama's birth certificate?

The fringe ideas of the so-called "birthers" have been thoroughly debunked.1 But CNN host Lou Dobbs perpetuates these myths by constantly talking about them on his shows and asserting that Obama still needs to "produce a birth certificate."
This is not responsible journalism. Our friends at Media Matters have launched a campaign calling on CNN to address its Lou Dobbs problem—but a lot of us are going to have to speak out in order to get CNN's attention. Clicking here will add your name to their petition:

http://civ.moveon.org/stopdobbs/o.pl?id=16683-17003581-LWA85ex&t=3

The petition reads:

Dobbs' relentless promotion of outlandish conspiracy theories about President Barack Obama's birth certificate seriously damages CNN's credibility. It is time for "The Most Trusted Name in News" to prove it deserves viewers' trust. We the undersigned demand CNN address its Lou Dobbs problem in a credible manner.
Numerous reporters, including CNN's own hosts, have debunked the idea that Obama wasn't really born in the U.S.

2. Nevertheless, Dobbs has repeatedly claimed on both his television and radio shows that the birth certificate the president posted online more than a year ago has "some issues"

3. and lashed out at "lily-livered lefties" who criticized him.
CNN's reputation is on the line. Their president, Jon Klein, has admitted that anyone who "is not convinced doesn't really have a legitimate beef"—but he has refused to correct the situation.

4. CNN needs to hear that allowing Dobbs' to promote "birther" conspiracy theories is simply irresponsible. Please sign the petition by clicking here:

http://civ.moveon.org/stopdobbs/o.pl?id=16683-17003581-LWA85ex&t=4

Thank you for your help in holding CNN accountable.

–Justin, Eli, Lenore, Michael and the rest of the team

Sources:

1, 2. "As Dobbs digs in, CNN rebuts, ridicules, distances itself from birth certificate claims." Media Matters for America, July 22, 2009.
http://mediamatters.org/research/200907220035
"Born in the USA." FactCheck.org. November 1, 2009.
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html

3. "Dobbs repeatedly makes Obama birth certificate claims his CNN colleagues call 'total bull'." Media Matters for America, July 17, 2009. http://mediamatters.org/research/200907170039

4. "Dobbs 2, CNN 0: CNN president Klein reportedly calls Dobbs' birther coverage 'legitimate'." Media Matters for America, July 25, 2009.
http://mediamatters.org/blog/200907250009

Obama Was Born In Hawaii

2009-07-28T05:11:00.001-07:00

Lately, all the right wing extremist talk has centered on where Obama was born and if he is truly a US citizen. Many right wing blogs have been fostering lies and malicious gossip saying Obama is not a US citizen and is not qualified to be president. Once and for all, Hawaii state health officials have declared Obama to be a US citizen born in Hawaii. Read the excerpt below of Dr. Chiyome Fukino.

""I ... have seen the original vital records maintained on file by the Hawaii State Department of Health verifying Barack Hussein Obama was born in Hawaii and is a natural-born American citizen," Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino said in a brief statement. "I have nothing further to add to this statement or my original statement issued in October 2008 over eight months ago."

After all this nonsense over a non issue, one would think the right should concentrate on the issues at hand. When absurd challenges like this appear, the desperate nature of the right really shows they will stoop to new lows to undermine the preseident.

Facebook | Brent Barbour

2009-07-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Facebook | Brent Barbour

BALTIMORE CITY SCHOOLS AND THE EDUCATIONAL STIMULUS

2009-07-24T06:42:00.000-07:00

With the recent news of the educational stimulus being enacted, my question centers on how much money, if any, Baltimore city schools will end up with. With test scores from the whole state grouped together, Baltimore schools' terrible scores don't garner nearly the attention they ought too. My worry is that bad schools with the worst scores will not receive the money they should if there is an outright competition to get money. The worst schools need the money more than any other to become better schools for inner city kids.

Below is a reprint article I wrote back in March detailing problems in the city school system.

Reprint from my now defunct other blog:

BALTIMORE INNER CITY SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE BOOKS!
Published by ndfenceofobama at 3:58 MARCH 12TH-

My wife who works in the Baltimore City School system came home today with news that there are not enough textbooks for all the kids in the school to use. So the teachers make copies and have students write down assignments in order to assign homework. I asked the question; what happens when these kids go home and need to study? The answer; they don't study, they have no books to study from. Since there aren’t enough books to go around at school, no student gets to take books home. Imagine, a whole school system that doesn’t have enough books and doesn’t allow students to take home any books.
I questioned my wife as if she couldn't’t possibly be telling the whole story. Unfortunately, she is. The politicians here in Baltimore don’t make issues of such things around here. I suppose they are too busy doing damage control over the low standardized test scores Baltimore City Schools render every year. To add insult to injury, the State Superintendent of Schools included all the test scores for the whole state together as a way to insure Baltimore City doesn’t stand out in the negative category. The sad part is Maryland Public Schools was recently ranked in the top for scores across the nation, Baltimore notwithstanding. With a graduation rate of @40%, it is easily understood how these kids feel about education. If we don't care enough to give them books to study from, how can we expect them to succeed. These kids will not have developed any study habits because they have no books to study from. The vast majority will never have a chance to go to college and if they do, they will be even further behind everyone else.

Why Insurance Companies Need Regulation

2009-07-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

So easy, A caveman could do it!

There has been on ongoing debate between some of my readers concerning regulation of big industry, namely insurance companies. I continue to receive spirited debate from the right slamming Obama for putting government in big industry and for proposing much needed regulation. My response has always been the same; if big business will not act ethical and do the right things on it's own, then someone has to step in and make these companies do right by plain ordinary citizens.
Just the other day, my dad injured his lower leg while doing much of nothing. After some pretty bad swelling in the affected area, he sought medical treatment at his local physicians office. The doctor, a specialist in foot and leg injuries, advised my father to obtain an MRI at a local facility. The doctor then advised my dad that due to the significance of the injury, an x-ray probably would not show the severity of the suspected tear of his Achilles. In order for my dad to obtain the needed MRI, he sought out pre-approval from the his insurance company. The insurance company my dad has is through his workplace employer, which covers all state employees in Ohio. The insurance company, against the doctor's advice, responded by saying my dad needed to get x-rays first before an MRI would be allowed. After obtaining the x-rays, the results were as the doctor said they would be, inconclusive. The much needed MRI was then flat out denied by the insurance company, which claimed they didn't have enough information to authorize the MRI. The insurance company then went on to add that my dad should seek out therapy for the injury first, even without knowing the extent of the injury. Does this make any medical sense?

When is it that a health insurance company knows what's better for a patient than when a doctor does? This is backward medicine when an insurance company can hijack a patient's health at the expense of the patient and the patient's wallet too. Paying health insurance premiums, whether private or employer sponsored, should at the least enable the payer quality medical care orchestrated by competent physicians.
Not substandard care decided by some clerk or insurance company personnel without enough knowledge to ascertain the severity of someone's injury. Plain and simple, insurance companies need to be in the business of insuring health, not dictating what medical care is needed, especially against physicians diagnosis's. Pending an appeal which will be filed by my dad, he continues to need the MRI to ascertain the seriousness of his injury.
To all those who say Obama needs to stop his regulation proposals, I say wait until the time comes when it affects one of your loved ones. If this were a life and death situation, legal action would have already been orchestrated by my family. When bug business won't do make ethical decisions, big government must have a way to stop them. Regulations that make sense are a part of the solution.

Republicans Keeep Handing Obama Victories

2009-07-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

Having a blog dedicated to presenting all sides of issues, I thought I would publish excerpts of a recent article written by Jon Kraushar for FoxNews. The article provides great insight to how Obama has racked up several victories on major issues. The article also provides examples of the fractured republican party and how the necessary blocking votes for Obama legislation are not apparent.

"Although President Obama enjoys a Democratic majority in both the Senate and House it is actually Republicans who keep delivering legislative victories to him.

On June 26, the House just barely passed Obama's controversial cap-and-trade global warming bill by a seven-vote margin (219-212). It was the 8 Republicans who voted for the bill who provided the margin of victory. Those Republicans are: Mary Bono Mack (Calif.), Mike Castle (Del.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), John McHugh (NY), Frank LoBiondo (NJ), Leonard Lance (NJ), Dave Reichert (Wash/), and Chris Smith (NJ).

In February, Republicans were unable to filibuster against Obama's $787-billion stimulus package in the Senate because Republicans Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania (who has since become a Democrat) denied Republicans the nay votes they needed.

When it comes to cap-and-trade, health care and Obama's next legislative target -- immigration reform -- can Republicans be any more united and effective? Possibly, but it will require some changes in their image and their communications."

We continue to see Obama garner just enough votes to pass legislation. In general, I agree with most of what Obama has done and hope the trend continues.

Palin Just Doesn't Get It

2009-07-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

In an article appearing on the AP lines of Yahoo, Palin through her attorney has announced she is going to go after bloggers for reprinting or posting defammatory remarks and articles. How ridiculous is this woman and her attorney? So ridiculous that after reading the article, I immediately began my daily post on none other than Sarah Palin. Coming after bloggers is tantamount to chasing down the rumour mill or a lie. It can't be done. To even threaten to tie up the court with foolish litigation, shows just how thoughtless this woman is. Read the excerpt below!

"The abruptness of her announcement and the mystery surrounding her plans have fed widespread speculation. But Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein on Saturday warned legal action may be taken against bloggers and publications that reprint what he calls fraudulent claims.

To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as 'fact' that Governor Palin resigned because she is 'under federal investigation' for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation," Van Flein said in a statement. "This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law."

My thoughts on the article is Palin is a nut case, way too sensitive for national politics, and needs to find another day job she can be committed to. Palin needs to get lost. While I admit the conservative party needs leadership, I dont think this is what they had in mind. Anyway, who asked Palin to lead the party? Alaskans have been betrayed by Palin, plain and simple. Two and a half years into a four year gig, with little prior political experience, what does Palin expect to accomplish? Resigning before the job is done at a critical time in Alaska's budgetary business shows exactly why Palin is no good for the country. Self serving interests above the peoples needs and interests are sure to go a long way in Washington. Isn't that what is going on there now? She will fit right in, if they let her in, which they will not.

PALIN TO RESIGN

2009-07-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin in resigning as Governor of Alaska. Palin offered no reason as to why she is stepping down, but some speculate she is planning on capturing the presidential republican nomination for 2012. Effective July 26, 2009 Palin will resign.
This blogger can hardly wait until Palin announces her bid for the nomination. I am sure to have lots of laughs and plenty of fodder for my blog all thanks to Palin. As if her last run wasn't enough, we are sure to get enough funny headlines to fill up a comic strip daily. This is also further proof how much trouble the republican party is in. Oh well, looks like another four years for Obama.

TODAY.COM HAS SHUT ME DOWN

2009-07-02T14:53:00.000-07:00

I wanted to let all my readers know that Today.com and I have parted ways. It seems that after my straight forward article about Entrecard and Today.com bickering, that Today.com decided to shut down my site on Today.com. After sitting back and watching Today.com singlehandedly destroy all of the Entrecard members traffic, Today.com decided to ban the Entrecard widget altogether. The on again, off again, approach literally killed the Entrecard members traffic. Several of us have worked hard to attain great ratings and traffic through Entrecard. It's not easy dropping cards and visiting sites, all in an attempt to generate some much needed traffic. Unlike some bloggers, a good bulk of my traffic came through Entrecard to the Today.com site. With the widget banned, my main source of traffic was gone. When I wrote the article on Today.com announcing my imminent departure, I thought it would be at my leisure. I guessed wrong after getting an email today letting me know I had been fired from Today.com., final payment pending. I am little pissed about being thrown off there when I would have preferred leaving on my terms. I suppose my questioning of Today's traffic stats and how they compute unique visitors was the last straw. Oh well, welcome to my new work of art on blogspot. Any suggestions on improvements will be greatly appreciated, and integrated.

Remembering Michael Jackson: A Man With A Big Heart

2009-07-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

I remember when Michael came to Indianapolis for the funeral of Ryan White. I was a manager for the Omni Severin and had the pleasure of serving at Michael's request. After spending the week with Michael and Elton John, I literally ran around like a chicken with my head cut off. I loved every minute of it. After helping sneak Michael and his manager in the back door to the hotel, I was overcome with awe at his magnetic personality. He acted as if it was business as usual and he was just a normal run of the mill guy. Serving him and his many requests, I was delighted to watch him practice dancing in a ballroom set up just for him. At first, I thought for sure, I would be asked to leave, but he just kept dancing as if I was his audience. The way he moved was unreal. The whole time he danced, it was as if he was in a world only he understood. I would never call what he did a rehearsal because it was obvious he made it all up in a split second, including singing impromptu words to something only he could understand. He was a rhythmic genius, able to make up a beat, dance steps, and words, all at the same time. It was awesome to watch. The way he defied gravity, I believe he was in his own world, a world without physical laws. After being around him and conversing with him, it was clearly evident to me he was and is the most misunderstood person the world has ever attempted to know. He was gracious, thankful, and appeared at great peace with an existence only he could truly reconcile. When he left, I felt his spirit and his presence longing for something he would never have. He was a gift from God to this world, sent here on mission to give from his soul, never taking anything, but always giving of himself that which God gave him. He literally gave until he had nothing more to give, and that is when he was called home. The pictures, momentos, and memories I have of Michael, I have shared with few and will hold them dear to my heart forever.