The Angry Mob

Internet Privacy

2010-11-16T08:00:00.002-05:00

Infographic byWordStream Internet Marketing

Countdown

2010-11-03T12:24:00.000-04:00

Been Slacking On This For Too Long

2010-10-22T16:40:00.001-04:00

I have not been blogging as much as I once did. For this I have no real reason, other than just being tired of almost everything political. Suffice it to say, none of my opinions have changed. We are still in deep shit and I am the most disappointed in the media. The early Whigs had it exactly right with their opinion that a free and open media was the most able defender of liberty.

So, on the non-political side, I have recently earned my center patch with the US Military Vets Motorcycle Club! I consider this among the most worthy things I have accomplished in quite a while. US Military Vets M/C

For any Brother who likes to vent in this type of forum, which is mostly political in nature, let me know & I will grant you permission to Author posts. There are only two “rules” here:

1) That you would proudly wear the title of “Angry Mob”, as it pertained to the media’s representation of the TEA party participants.

2) That you cite sources when appropriate.

Anyway, here is my meager little blog. I hope you like it.

Libertarian Monday Morning Message - 09/06/2010

2010-09-06T16:05:00.001-04:00

September 6, 2010

Dear Friend of Liberty,

It's hard to celebrate Labor Day when unemployment is 9.6 percent.

Government interference is the single biggest cause of unemployment. Minimum wage laws, OSHA, ADA, etc., etc., make it difficult both to hire and to fire workers. (And when it's difficult to fire workers, it's much less likely that they will be hired in the first place.) To reduce unemployment, we need to start repealing laws!

Section 2.7 of the Libertarian Party platform states: "We support repeal of all laws which impede the ability of any person to find employment. We oppose government-fostered forced retirement. We support the right of free persons to associate or not associate in labor unions, and an employer should have the right to recognize or refuse to recognize a union. We oppose government interference in bargaining, such as compulsory arbitration or imposing an obligation to bargain."

I read today that President Obama wants another $50 billion in Keynesian stimulus spending. Stimulus supporters think that government spending creates jobs. What they don't seem to understand is that the money is taken out of the private sector, which decreases private sector spending and investment, and that destroys jobs. I believe that stimulus spending destroys more jobs than it creates. We'd be much better off with the laissez-faire policies advocated by Austrian economic theory.

It makes me mad to think of all the ways the Republican and Democratic congresses, and presidents Bush and Obama, have hurt the private sector with all their stimulus and bailout programs. (Remember George W. Bush's 2008 "Economic Stimulus Act" with all the $600 "rebate" checks?)

If you'd like to help fight them, please participate in Quiz Across America.

Sincerely,

Wes Benedict
Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee

By all appearances, our President IS working to "Fundamentally Transform" America

2010-08-16T12:06:00.000-04:00

Indeed, when our President said he would "fundamentally transform America", he was not kidding.

Let's work backwards, and cover just a couple of the highlights. To cover them all would take more time and energy than I possess.

Let's begin with the Mosque in Manhatten, originally to be called the "Cordoba House". There are so many arguments against this idea, it is almost unimaginable that it is even being discussed. The prevalent point is that this is hallowed ground. I have heard it argued that this Mosque should be allowed to be built, but only after a Synagogue is built in Mecca. The very idea of a Mosque being built there is offensive in many ways, especially when we discover why the name is being changed from Cordoba House. ''Cordoba House' is a deliberately insulting term. It refers to Cordoba, Spain - the capital of Muslim conquerors who symbolized their victory over the Christian Spaniards by transforming a church there into the world's third-largest mosque complex.

Of course, our President is all for it. Speaking at a White House dinner to honor the holy month of Ramadan, the president said, "Muslims have the right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country," an apparent show of support for the mosque. Of course, he later backslid as popular fury grew over his position (don't you wish he would have shown as much wisdom to relent from the fury over the Obamacare he rammed down our throats). One must wonder why he would even want to chime in on this issue. Could it be his own Muslim roots?

It is apparent to me that Obama has no love for this country. All you have to do is look at the legislation he introduced as Prez, or supported during his brief stint as a Senator (when he even bothered to cast his vote). He often simply voted "present" in an apparent attempt to stay clear of any controversy. But y'all elected him anyway.

You can look at how he bowed to foreign dictators and kings. It really is embarrassing! Even more telling, is his wife's comments as he was nominated. Who could possibly forget her words?

Oh, and lest I forget, why is it that he found it so necessary to immediately seal his public records, like school records and a simple birth certificate? Since I have to show my birth certificate to get a simple driver's license, why is it he can drive the country without one?

I could go on and on and on. Let's suffice it to say that at the beginning of his term, I thought he was merely a bumbling idiot who was voted into office by other idiots. Sadly (and I mean really sadly), I have changed my opinion. I believe now that he is reading his instruction manual to the letter, and implementing it before our eyes before we even bother to realize what he is doing. If that is the case, we will get what we deserve.

Wake up America. We have a traitor in our house. Impeachment is certainly not out of the question.

Visible Vote on Facebook

2010-08-03T09:53:00.000-04:00

Visible Vote on Facebook

Libertarian Monday Morning Message 08/02/10

2010-08-02T16:43:00.000-04:00

August 2, 2010

Dear Friend of Liberty,

Last week it was reported that the Obama Administration wants to give the FBI power to force internet companies to reveal information about their users' internet activities: things like who they send email to, times and dates of emails, and maybe also information about their web browser activity.

Even worse, they want the FBI to be able to demand this information without a warrant!

President Obama is racking up an atrocious record on civil liberties and the Fourth Amendment. When he campaigned, he talked a lot about civil liberties. But when he got elected, he made an about-face and started expanding the abusive policies of the Bush Administration.

For example, his Justice Department claimed that "state secrets" doctrine started by Bush gave the government even more secrecy powers than Bush had claimed!

And earlier this year, the president signed a bill re-authorizing even the most abusive parts of the PATRIOT Act.

It seems that Obama has lots of respect for government power, and little or no respect for the rights of the people. Just like his predecessor.

Democrats and Republicans are cooperating to grow the power of government and trample on our rights. Please support the Libertarian Party and Libertarian candidates this year. We are the only real opposition.

Sincerely,

Wes Benedict
Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee

History 101

2010-07-22T08:07:00.000-04:00

Predictably, my History 101 class is not going well. I'm getting good grades at the expense of a likely ulcer.

Each and every chapter is a new lesson on ...European settlers' evil; slavery, expansionism, etc. Not necessarily inaccurate, but certainly incomplete information. The heroics and wonders of the founders are glossed over at every opportunity.

‎...and I quote from the textbook:
"The Know Nothing party disappeared, but nativist hostility to new immigrants did not, as we clearly see in the current opposition to Mexican and Central American migrants".
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Regardless on where you stand on the question of illegal immigration, this is pure propaganda, being presented as Academic Fact.

===

The Know Nothings were a group within the Whig's, who felt their views were controversial enough that when asked, they should respond that they "know nothing" about it. I think the textbook, much like the media, should simply present the facts; and all of them! The good, the bad and the ugly.

Sadly, both the media and Academia can no longer be counted on, much less expected to, deliver the facts without bias and spin.

Visible Vote - Main

2010-07-17T06:30:00.000-04:00

Visible Vote - Main

Double-Speak

2010-07-13T10:02:00.000-04:00

Y'all have heard me moan about govt double-speak for quite a while. You've read my words that govt passed laws mandating the auto makers build crappy little cars that nobody wants, then screams "mismanagement" when the crappy cars don't sell. Then they take over a large portion of the industry.

You have heard about the govt mandating the banks to provide home loans to folks who can't afford them. When, predictably, the loans go into default, the govt screams "mismanagement" and takes over a large portion of the industry.

You've read other examples on my page as well. Let's add another. Govt mandates oil companies to drill far away from shore, where it is easier to manage a burst pipe or a leak. So the oil companies go miles off shore, have a leak, and the govt screams "irresponsibility!" What do you think the plan is now?

TEA Movement - Hijacked!

2010-07-13T08:19:00.002-04:00

I'd like to start my comments by saying that I am not automatically anti-Union. Many decades ago, when the labor movement was first born, it was by people that I hold in a similar reverence to a soldier. These people fought, died, and sometimes killed to obtain the job conditions we all enjoy to this day

The problem began when the politicians got involved and corrupted an honorable movement by the people. You see, I don’t think the Democrats shared any significant ideology with the Labor Movement. I think they recognized a large block of voters and latched on. The Unions have grown more corrupt as more government and party dollars came into play.

Anyway, I see a similar phenomenon happening right now with the Republicans latching onto the TEA Party movement and claiming it as their own. I don’t think they share any significant ideology, rather they too have recognized a large block of voters and are trying to claim them as their own. I fear this will also lead to the sort of corruption that is born out of large amounts of government or party money. You see, I don’t believe the Republicans favor “lower” spending, rather I think they favor “different” spending.

Civic Disobedience

2010-07-01T16:18:00.000-04:00

What is the duty of a citizen? When something, morally questionable or even morally wrong, is sanctioned and even actively supported by the government, where does the duty of the citizen lie? Does the citizen oppose the government outright and thereby jeopardize his livelyhood and his families welfare, or does the good citizen obey the government? Is the answer somewhere in between?
===

I am 47 years old and have grown quite cynical over the years. I see such hypocrisy on both end of the political spectrum, that this question becomes difficult to answer without relying on a lot of “ifs” and “ors”. I find myself unable to answer the question of a citizen’s duty without first examining the hypocrisy and contradictions of the recent past. For the sake of this discussion, I will be forced to generalize somewhat, referring to the “left” and the “right” as if both camps walked in lock step. I know this is not accurate, but it should help the conversation move smoothly, and I am disclaiming it now; I understand there are a wide varieties of opinions and beliefs among both the “left” and the “right”.

My main topic will be the current war in the middle east. I remember clearly how the Bush supporters were so aghast that anyone would dare disagree publicly with a US President during a time of war. President Bush even went so far as to outlaw many forms of war protest through Executive Order (Livingston, 2007). President Bush proclaimed “I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, find that, due to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by acts of violence threatening the peace and stability of Iraq and undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq and to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, it is in the interests of the United States to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 of May 22, 2003, and expanded in Executive Order 13315 of August 28, 2003, and relied upon for additional steps taken in Executive Order 13350 of July 29, 2004, and Executive Order 13364 of November 29, 2004." Of course, the “left” howled (Livingston, 2007)! This editorial I cite includes an Editor’s Note, which reads “Ed. Note: The United States government actively seeks to find, and silence, any and all opinions about the United States except those coming from authorized government and/or affiliated sources, of which we are not one.” I clearly remember in 2003, when the Left was going after Bush with everything it had – remember Bush lied and people died? – it fell to Hillary Clinton to defend political speech. She said. “I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration, somehow you’re not patriotic.” She went on to say that dissent is perfectly proper no matter what administration is in power. Well, that was THAT Clinton and that was then (Woolley, 2010). Now, with a African American from the “left” holding the office of President, while largely running his war policy in largely parallel with Bush’s, Dissent Is No Longer Patriotic…It Is Racist (Harvey, 2008).

To address the question of the duty of the citizen, as it relates to non-compliance with government wishes, I believe we would be better off as a whole to listen to our own individual sense of right and wrong. For too long, people have simply fallen into lock step with their political party of choice. I don’t believe it to be patriotic to blindly adhere to government wishes or laws. I don’t believe it to be patriotic to automatically support or oppose the government based on which party is currently in power. Because of the incredible power of our federal government, I believe dissent or outright disobedience must be a matter of personal conviction.

Works Cited:
Harvey, M. (2008, November 6). Yes indeed. Stalin and Lenin and Marx would be proud. Retrieved July 1, 2010, from Canada Free Press: http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/6108

Livingston, D. (2007, July 20). Bush Outlaws War Protest - Citizens Face Full Asset Seizure. Retrieved July 1, 2010, from rense.com: http://www.rense.com/general77/asset.htm

Woolley, L. (2010, April 18). Clinton VS Clinton -- Dissent & Patriotism. Retrieved July 01, 2010, from The Lynn Woolley Show: http://www.belogical.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=361:clinton-vs-clinton-dissent-a-patriotism&catid=20:secretaryoflogic&Itemid=83

The Narcissistic Personality Disorder

2010-06-09T07:45:00.001-04:00

I have just finished a non-fiction account of a Green Beret officer, who was also a doctor, who was convicted of slaughtering his family ten years ofter the fact. The book is called Fatal Vision, by Joe McGinniss (http://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Vision-Joe-McGinniss/dp/0451165667/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276082050&sr=1-1).

In the end-notes, the author cites an extensive study of the narcissistic personality disorder, conducted by psychoanalyst Otto Kernberg, who published many of his findings in a 1975 volume entitled "Borderline Conditions and Pathological Narcissism". I would like to quote a little from that work.
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"On the surface, (pathological narcissistic individuals) may not present seriously disturbed behavior; some of them function socially very well. Many possess the capacity for active, consistent work in some area which permits them partially to fulfill their ambition of greatness and obtaining admiration and approval from other people."

Kernberg observed "a curious apparent contradiction between a very inflated concept of themselves and an inordinate need for tribute from others. When narcissistic personalities are in a position of objective importance they love to surround themselves with admirers in whim they are interested as long as the admiration is new. They obtain very little enjoyment in life other than from the tributes they receive from others or from their own grandiose fantasies, and feel restless and bored when external glitter wears off and no new sources feed their self-regard."

Kernberg considers the main characteristics of narcissists to be "grandiosity, extreme self-centeredness, and a remarkable absense of interest and empathy for others in spite of the fact that they are so very eager to obtain admiration and approval. It is as if they have a right to control and possess others and to expolit them without feeling guilt feelings, and, behind a surface which very often is charming and engaging, one senses coldness and ruthlessness. These patients not only lack emotional depth, but fail to understand complex emotion in other people."

"...Narcissistic patients divide the world into famous, rich and great people on one hand, and the despicable, worthless 'mediocrity,' on the other. Such patients are afraid of not belonging to the company of the great, rich and powerful, and of belonging instead to the 'mediocre,' by which they mean worthless and despicable, rather than 'average' in the ordinary sense of the word.
===
It goes on for quite a bit, but you get the idea. How many politicians can you think of right off the top of your head who this seems to describe to a tee? Any one in particular?

A more in depth quiz

2010-06-02T15:46:00.003-04:00

Go figure, I'm considered a "Radical Libertarian".

Conflicted

2010-05-13T08:03:00.000-04:00

I am conflicted. I am somewhat ashamed. I am a living example of how broken the system is.

Last year (2009), I was laid off work on February 6. I submitted over 100 applications and resumes, receiving only 3 replies for my efforts, none of which ended up with an actual interview. On this point, let's be clear: I am 47 years old, and it has never in my adult life taken me longer than about a week to find work if I was genuinely trying to find it. Anyway, about July of last year, I was getting very down on myself for not finding work, and my lovely wife put her foot up my butt and made me return to college to occupy my time. She is a wise girl.

So anyway, I spent almost 11 months on unemployment last year. I did NOT have federal taxes withdrawn from my Unemployment benefits.

In June of last year, my wife was also laid off, due to company downsizing. She saw this as an opportunity to increase her college load from part time to full time. She, like myself, never had taxes withheld from her Unemployment checks. Now, onto my being conflicted.

The system is broken. At the end of the year, I owed no taxes. This, I can understand, as I basically made almost no money. But we received a tax refund of over $6000. Lord knows, I can use the $ as Unemployment is about to run out and that will leave me living off of student loans while paying a mortgage and supporting a family. It is a God-send. *BUT*, I am ashamed that I received a larger refund than I ever have before - by far, when I paid next to $0 into the system.

There is more. Since my wife is a "displaced worker" and a full time student, the government is basically throwing money at her. The amount of Pell Grants she receives continues to grow, almost by the month.

Meanwhile, check this out. One of my wife's friends has a husband about to ship out to Afganistan. His National Guard unit is so broke, that the new recruits have fired live ammunition in training ONE time! One time and off to war they go! The rest of the training, I assume, has been conducted with blank ammunition and what is known as a MILES system (lasers and vests that beep when you are "hit"). MILES training is effective; I did it many times when I was in the Army during Reagan's peace time. But it is no substitution for actually firing and learning your individual weapon on the rifle range.

I am conflicted. I fully understand the intention to get me "dependent" on government hand-outs. I am angry at myself for accepting them and being thankful for them.

Econ 101

2010-04-18T08:30:00.001-04:00

I am in my 2nd semester of college, at 47 years old. I am fascinated by my economics class! So much so, that I'm spending a little time outside of the assignments, studying it on my own.

===

Economist Richard Wolff explores the complex, worrisome economic relationship between China and the U.S. American consumerism, he says, funds China's ability to lend to the U.S. in what he calls a "replay in reverse" of the Marshall Plan.

http://networkedblogs.com/2XoJg

===

Currently, I'm reading Bad Money, by Kevin Phillips, which my wife bought for me yesterday.

http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Money-Reckless-Politics-Capitalism/dp/0670019070

Only one chapter into it. Fascinating!

===

The REAL reason I am studying various lines is that I'm trying to make sense of what I see happening in the country and the world. I can't bring myself to truly accept any conventional wisdom it seems. I believe one of my responses to this week's class assignments illustrates the confusion. I brought up the point that as a general rule, I am almost always in favor of government returning the people's money to them (tax refunds, cuts, etc).
I wrote:

"...Oh, and as an afterthought. I understand that this may well result in inflation. But as I've said before (I think), inflation is at this point a foregone conclusion. I believe the only thing holding inflation in check currently is the unemployment. But if/when people get back to work, inflation will certainly kick in. You can't expect to print a gazillion dollars with nothing backing it and expect it will hold its purchasing power.

So again, with inflation being a given in my opinion, returning the people's money to them seems the best bet to me. Perhaps if this returned money was saved, rather than immediately spent, it would help fight inflation. But now we're back to prolonging the recession without the spending.

What a mess!"

The Professor's Reply:

What I really like about your path thus far is the fact that you seem to be embracing education regarding many economic lines of thought. Too many aspiring economists resign their studies to include only those ideals that happen to fit their pre-disposed notions of what is "right" or "wrong".

As you read more and more from those who preceded you within academia, you will find that nearly all of these experts present viable theories and practices that have, at times, proven effective - and ineffective - where solving economic problems are concerned.

We end the course in a few weeks, but never let that dissuade you from keeping in contact if you should have anything you would like to discuss or pose a question about.
Have a great weekend!

Professor C
(I purposely abbreviated his name. We do NOT refer to him as Professor C)

===

So yes, I will accept that as in the case of so many topics, that the truth lies in combining many answers.

Besides, it's said that whoever wins the wars gets to write the history books. I suppose they also get an upper hand when writing economic theory.

Devy Kidd

2010-04-14T20:06:00.000-04:00

http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?read=171043

Worth the Repeat

2010-04-06T14:51:00.000-04:00

I remember seeing this years ago. Got it again today & think it's worth the repeat.
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8th grade    education

What it took to    get an 8th grade education in 1895...

Remember when    grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th    grade education? Well, check this out. Could any of us have passed the    8th grade in 1895?

This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in    Salina, Kansas. It was taken from the original document on file at    the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina , and    reprinted by the Salina Journal. 
 
8th Grade Final Exam:    Salina , Kansas – 1895

Grammar 
(Time, one hour) 
Give nine rules for the use of capital letters. 
   Name the parts of speech and define those that have no    modifications.

Define verse, stanza and    paragraph

What are the principal parts of a verb? Give    principal parts of 'lie,''play,' and 'run.'

Define    case; illustrate each case.

What is punctuation? Give rules    for principal marks of punctuation.

Write a composition of    about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use    of the rules of grammar.

 Arithmetic

(Time, 1 hour 15    minutes)

Name and define the Fundamental    Rules of Arithmetic.

A wagon box is 2 feet deep, 10 feet    long, and 3 feet wide. How many bushels of wheat will it    hold?

If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth    at 50 cents/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs. for tare?

   District No. 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for    incidentals?

Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. of coal at $6.00    per ton.

Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18    days at 7 percent.

What is the cost of 40 boards which    measure 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $20 per meter?

Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10    percent.

What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre,    the distance of which is 640 rods?

Write a    Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.

U.S. History

(Time, 45    minutes)1. Give the epochs into which U.S.    History is divided.

Give an account of the discovery of    America by Columbus . 

Relate the causes and results of the    Revolutionary War.

Show the territorial growth of the United    States .

Tell what you can of the history of Kansas    .

Describe three of the most prominent battles of the    Rebellion.

Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton ,    Bell , Lincoln , Penn, and Howe?

Name events    connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865

Orthography

(Time, one hour)

[Do we even know what this    is?]1. What is meant by the following: alphabet,    phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication

What    are elementary sounds? How classified?

What are the    following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong,    cognate letters, linguals.

Give four substitutes for caret    ‘u’. (HUH?)

Give two rules for spelling words with final    ‘e’. Name two exceptions under each rule.

Give two    uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.

Define    the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis-mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.

Mark    diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell,    rise, blood, fare, last.

Use the following correctly    in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane, vain, vein,    raze, raise, rays.

Write 10 words frequently mispronounced    and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by    syllabication..

Geography

(Time, one hour)1. What is climate?    Upon what does climate depend?

How do you account for the    extremes of climate in Kansas ?

Of what use are rivers? Of    what use is the ocean?

Describe the mountains of North    America 

Name and describe the following: Monrovia, Odessa,    Denver, Manitoba, Hecla, Yukon, St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall,    and Orinoco

Name and locate the principal trade centers of    the United States . Name all the republics of Europe and give the    capital of each.

Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the    Pacific in the same latitude?

Describe the process by which    the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.

Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the    earth.

 Notice that this exam took FIVE HOURS to complete.

Gives the saying “He only had an 8th grade education” a whole new    meaning, doesn’t it? This also is a perfect demonstration pointing out    how poor our education system has become.   

And not because of the teachers.  They teach what is    demanded by their superiors.  (I ADDED THIS    SENTENCE.) 

And, NO - I don’t have the    answers… I don’t even understand most of the    questions!

All I can say is "wow!"

2010-03-25T11:32:00.002-04:00

Wow this surprised me! I recieved this in an email earlier today. Please read through and let me know what you think!

Have you READ Article 1 section 7 of OUR Constitution, "All bills for raising revenue originate in the house of representatives"...and this is a revenue bill. It began in the Senate and it hires 16,000 new IRS agents to harass our citizens.

Page 22 of the HC Bill: Mandates that the Govt will audit books of all employers that self-insure!!
Page 30 Sec 123 of HC bill: THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get.
Page 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill: YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!
Page 42 of HC Bill: The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your HC benefits for you. You have no choice!
Page 50 Section 152 in HC bill: HC will be provided to ALL non-US citizens, illegal or otherwise.
Page 58 HC Bill: Govt will have real-time access to individuals' finances & a 'National ID Health card' will be issued! (Papers please!)

Page 59 HC Bill lines 21-24: Govt will have direct access to your bank accounts for elective funds transfer. (Time for more cash and carry)

Page 65 Sec 164: Is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in unions & community organizations: (ACORN).
Page 84 Sec 203 HC bill: Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private HC plans in the 'Exchange.'

Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans -- The Govt will ration your health care!

Page 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill: Govt mandates linguistic appropriate services. (Translation: illegal aliens.)

Page 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18: The Govt will use groups (i.e. ACORN & Americorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan.
Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans. (AARP members - your health care WILL be rationed!)
Page 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill: Medicaid eligible individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. (No choice.)
Page 12 4 lines 24-25 HC: No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt monopoly.
Page 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill: Doctors/ American Medical Association - The Govt will tell YOU what salary you can make.
Page 145 Line 15-17: An Employer MUST auto-enroll employees into public option plan. (NO choice!)
Page 126 Lines 22-25: Employers MUST pay for HC for part-time employees ANDtheir families. (Employees shouldn't get excited about this as employers will be forced to reduce its work force, benefits, and wages/salaries to cover such a huge expense.)
Page 149 Lines 16-24: ANY Employer with payroll 401k & above who does not provide public option will pay 8% tax on all payroll! (See the last comment in parenthesis.)
Page 150 Lines 9-13: A business with payroll between $251K & $401K who doesn't provide public option will pay 2-6% tax on all payroll.

Page 167 Lines 18-23: ANY individual who doesn't have acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income.
Page 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill: Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay.) (Like always)
Page 195 HC Bill: Officers & employees of the GOVT HC Admin.. will have access to ALL Americans' finances and personal records. (I guess so they can 'deduct' their fees)

Page 203 Line 14-15 HC: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax." (Yes, it really says that!) ( a 'fee' instead)
Page 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill: Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid Seniors. (Low-income and the poor are affected.)
Page 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill: Doctors: It doesn't matter what specialty you have trained yourself in -- you will all be paid the same! (Just TRY to tell me that's not Socialism!)
Page 253 Line 10-18: The Govt sets the value of a doctor's time, profession, judgment, etc. (Literally-- the value of humans.)
Page 265 Sec 1131: The Govt mandates and controls productivity for "private" HC industries.

Page 268 Sec 1141: The federal Govt regulates the rental and purchase of power driven wheelchairs.

Page 272 SEC. 1145: TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!

Page 280 Sec 1151: The Govt will penalize hospitals for whatever the Govt deems preventable (i.e...re-admissions).
Page 298 Lines 9-11: Doctors: If you treat a patient during initial admission that results in a re-admission -- the Govt will penalize you.

Page 317 L 13-20: PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. (The Govt tells doctors what and how much they can own!)

Page 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3: PROHIBITION on expansion. (The Govt is mandating that hospitals cannot expand.)
Page 321 2-13: Hospitals have the opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input is required. (Can you say ACORN?)

Page 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339: The Govt mandates establishment of=2 outcome-based measures. (HC the way they want -- rationing.)
Page 341 Lines 3-9: The Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Advance Plans, HMOs, etc. (Forcing people into the Govt plan)

Page 354 Sec 1177: The Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of 'special needs people!' Unbelievable!

Page 379 Sec 1191: The Govt creates more bureaucracy via a "Tele-Health Advisory Committee." (Can you say HC by phone?)

Page 425 Lines 4-12: The Govt mandates "Advance-Care Planning Consult." (Think senior citizens end-of-life patients.)

Page 425 Lines 17-19: The Govt will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. (And it's mandatory!)
Page 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3: The Govt provides an "approved" list of end-of-life resources; guiding you in death. (Also called 'assisted suicide.')(Sounds like Soylent Green to me.)

Page 427 Lines 15-24: The Govt mandates a program for orders on "end-of-life." (The Govt has a say in how your life ends!)

Page 429 Lines 1-9: An "advanced-care planning consultant" will be used frequently as a patient's health deteriorates.

Page 429 Lines 10-12: An "advanced care consultation" may include an ORDER for end-of-life plans.. (AN ORDER TO DIE FROM THE GOVERNMENT?!?)
Page 429 Lines 13-25: The GOVT will specify which doctors can write an end-of-life order.. (I wouldn't want to stand before God after getting paid for THAT job!)
Page 430 Lines 11-15: The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end-of-life! (Again -- no choice!)

Page 469: Community-Based Home Medical Services = Non-Profit Organizations. (Hello? ACORN Medical Services here!?!)

Page 489 Sec 1308: The Govt will cover marriage and family therapy. (Which means Govt will insert itself into your marriage even.)
Page 494-498: Govt will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, and rationing those services.

Well, here we are

2010-03-22T13:19:00.000-04:00

A true democracy can not stand. Eventually the populace will discover that it can vote itself the largess of the public treasury. I can't remember which 18th century British dude said this, but it is true without a doubt.

We are now a socialist/marxist nation. Of course, we will never refer to ourselves as such; we will continue to call ourselves free. Do I recall that the Soviet citizenry thought they were free? I weep for this nation. I weep for the lost greatness that I grew up with. Comfortable that I lived in the greatest place in the history of the world. I weep for my children, and my grand child. I am an older man, who offers little to the future. My children and my grand child will live in a 3rd world, banana republic, created largely by my generation.

And just because nobody else is willing to say so, I find it ironic that it was the 1st black president who got us here. I am trying to remember an African nation that did not implode within about 10 years and am drawing a blank. How I wish the 1st black president had been a man of character, rather than a marxist radical.

So long USA. I admired you and will miss you.

We must put a stop to this outright thievery!

2010-03-09T15:45:00.001-05:00

According to The Trustees for the Social Security Administration,

" THERE WILL NOT BE A COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS IN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. ADDITIONALLY THEY WILL RAISE YOUR CO-PAY FOR YOUR RX MEDICARE BENEFITS " !

They, the Congress (BOTH "REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS TOGETHER") say no increase is warranted because of the losses in gross national product and other cute things..

NOW SPORTS FANS THIS IS THE ONE THAT WILL FLIP YOU OUT!!

THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IS FUNDING TWENTY FOUR MILLION DOLLARS-- LET ME REPEAT THAT AMOUNT...SO YOU UNDERSTAND IT $ 24,000,000.00 DOLLARS FOR NEW ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS PROCESSING FOR OUR CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS !!

THEY ARE OBTAINING THESE FUNDS, and I QUOTE DIRECTLY FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY WEBSITE...

"THIS MONEY WILL BE COMING FROM THE SAVINGS TO BE GENERATED FROM WITHHOLDING "COST OF LIVING INCREASES FOR 2010 & 2011 In SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR THE ELDERLY AND A $2.00 INCREASE ON ALL MEDICARE RX BENEFIT CO-PAY"

Please pass this to ALL your friends and have them"PROTEST TO THE IDIOTS WE ELECTED TO CONGRESS"

Who by the way, have just voted themselves ANOTHER 3% SALARY INCREASE!!!

We must put a stop to this outright thievery! IT IS THE CONGRESS AND THE SENATE, BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS, WE CAN'T FIRE THEM, BUT WE SURE CAN NOT RE-ELECT THEM, And WE CAN IMPEACH THEM OR DEMAND RECALL ELECTIONS !!! HOW ABOUT WE ALL GET TOGETHER AND DUMP THESE CLOWNS.

All I ask is that you consider the suggestion here.

The entire Congress of the United States is corrupt. And I mean both Houses and I mean both major parties. I realize that a few Members of each House are trustworthy,But, As a group they are absolutely the most corrupt bunch to ever disgrace our Nation.

In November of 2010 The entire House of Representatives will stand for re-election;

All 435 of them. One third of the Senate, A total of 33 of them, will also stand for re-election. Vote every incumbent out. And I mean every one of them. No matter their Party affiliation. Let's start all over in the House of Representatives with 435 peoplewho have absolutely no experience in running that body, with no political favors owed to anyone but their own constituents.

Let's make them understand that they work for us... They are answerable to us and they simply have to run that body with some common sense.

Two years later, in 2012, vote the next third of the incumbents in the Senate out.

We can do the same thing in 2014 and,By that time we will have put all new people in that body as well.

We, the People, have got to take this Country back and we HAVE to do it peacefully. That's what the Framers of our Constitution envisioned.

I am also suggesting term limits on the NEW BUNCH - 8 YEARS FOR REPRESENTATIVES AND 12 YEARS OF SENATORS. NO EXCEPTIONS. THE LONGER THEY STAY IN OFFICE THE MORE POWER THEY GET AND THEY LOVE IT AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET RE-ELECTED.

WE HAVE TERM LIMITED THE PRESIDENT -

NOW LET'S TERM LIMIT THE LEGISLATORS.

VOTE THE POWER ABUSERS OUT...

LET'S TAKE AMERICA BACK !!!

IF YOU LIKE THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING IN OUR COUNTRY,

THEN DO NOTHING...

This is an email I received today. I searched the SSA website, and was only able to find bits, but enough to make me think there is some credibility to it. Plus, it's all over AARP's website. Take it for what it's worth.

Hey lets step it up...

2010-02-26T16:20:00.001-05:00

Step up the pressure on these dicks...

Write Queen Nancey an e-mail. I just e-mailed her about her
covering Charlie Rangle. Of course he didn't do anything wrong!
He isn't a republican. Had it been a republican he/she would
have already been gone. Send her a message you lazy fucks

www.speaker.gov

So is this really that far off? I mean really is it?

2010-02-24T16:25:00.000-05:00

ORDERING PIZZA IN 2011

Operator: Thank you for calling Pizza Hut. May I have your national ID number?
Customer: Hi, I'd like to place an order.
Operator: I must have your NIDM first, sir.
Customer: My National ID Number, yeah, hold on, eh, it's, 3897950001-54-66689.
Operator: Thank you Mr. Phelps. I see your E-mail address is, phelps@home.net and that you live at, 8257 Private Drive. Your home phone number is, 505-7633, your office number over at Brave New World Insurance is, 254-7697 and your cell number is, 733-7433. Which number are you calling from sir?
Customer: Huh? I’m at home. Where’d you get all this information?
Operator: We’re wired into the HSS, sir.
Customer: The HSS, what is that?
Operator: We’re wired into the Homeland Security System, sir. It will add only 15 seconds to your ordering time.
Customer: (sighs) Oh well — I'd like to order a couple of your All-Meat Special pizzas.
Operator: I don't think that's a good idea, sir.
Customer: Whaddya mean?
Operator: Sir, your medical records and commode sensors indicate that you've got very high blood pressure and extremely high cholesterol. Your National Health Care provider won't allow such an unhealthy choice.
Customer: What?!?! What do you recommend, then?
Operator: You might try our low-fat Soybean Pizza. I'm sure you'll like it.
Customer: What makes you think I'd like something like that?
Operator: Well, you checked out 'Gourmet Soybean Recipes' from your local library last week, sir. That's why I made the suggestion.
Customer: All right, all right. Give me two family-sized ones, then.
Operator: That should be plenty for you, your wife and your four kids, and your 2 dogs can finish the crusts, sir. Your total is $49.99.
Customer: Lemme give you my credit card number.
Operator: I'm sorry sir, but I'm afraid you'll have to pay in cash. Your credit card balance is over its limit.
Customer: I'll run over to the ATM and get some cash before your driver gets here.
Operator: That may not work either, sir. Your checking account is also overdrawn.
Customer: Never mind! Just send the pizzas. I'll have the cash ready. How long will it take?
Operator: We're running a little behind, sir. It'll be about 45 minutes, sir. If you're in a hurry you might want to pick'em up while you're out getting the cash, but then, carrying pizzas on a motorcycle can be a little awkward.
Customer: Wait! How do you know I ride a scooter?
Operator: It says here you're in arrears on your car payments, so your car got repo'ed. But your Harley's paid for and you just filled the tank yesterday.
Customer: Well, I'll be a #%#^*^&$%^$@#!
Operator: I'd advise watching your language, sir. You've already got a July 4, 2006 conviction for cussing out a cop and another one I see here in September for contempt at your hearing for cussing at a judge. Oh yes, I see here that you just got out from a 90 day stay in the State Correctional Facility. Is this your first pizza since your return to society?
Customer: (speechless)
Operator: Will there be anything else, sir?
Customer: Yes, I have a coupon for a free 2 liter of Coke.
Operator: I'm sorry sir, but our ad's exclusionary clause prevents us from offering free soda to diabetics. The New Constitution prohibits this.
Thank you for calling Pizza Hut.

Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

2010-02-24T06:13:00.001-05:00

Found on www.angrywhiteguy.com
Attack of the killer Hot Dogs

Doctors Urging for a Safer, Choke-Free Hot Dog

When 4-year-old Eric Stavros Adler choked to death on a piece of hot dog, his anguished mother never dreamed that the popular kids’ food could be so dangerous.

Some food makers including Oscar Mayer have warning labels about choking, but not nearly enough, says Joan Stavros Adler, Eric’s mom.

The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees. The nation’s largest pediatricians group is calling for sweeping changes in the way food is designed and labeled to minimize children’s chances for choking.

Choking kills more than 100 U.S. children 14 years or younger each year and thousands more — 15,000 in 2001 — are treated in emergency rooms. Food, including candy and gum, is among the leading culprits, along with items like coins and balloons. Of the 141 choking deaths in kids in 2006, 61 were food-related.

The frankfurter aka the “hot dog” has been around since about 1480 AD the sausage in casings have been around since as early as 900 BC both similar in shape and have been eating and enjoyed billions upon billions of people countless times over the last 2500 years but now they need a warning label… Oh Lord give me strength!

I sorry this lady lost her child nothing could be worse than a parent losing a child, but to change the shape of design of a food that has been around 2500 is just ridiculous. How about you be the parent and teach your child to chew their food and if that’s to much work on you then slice the hot dog up and if that still to much burden on you to be a responsible parent then don’t give them the damn hot dogs in the first place – don’t punish an ancient food type for your short-coming as a overseer of your child’s well being.

You don’t change the shape of the wheel because people get run over. The reality is it is not societies or the government’s responsibility to be your child’s nanny and it is sad that 100 kids a year die from choking accidents. The reality is 1800’s child mortality was a 100 times or more higher than it is today and the further reality is you can not eliminate every danger for your children. But why is child mortality lower today? Simple science and medicine and the science says chew your damn food before swallowing and leave my hot dogs alone.

Let’s do the cold heartless task of risk management something industry and government does daily – nobody wants anyone to die choking, especially children and while the story states that 100 children a year die choking it doesn’t not say how many are the result of hot dogs. You make think it’s a little cold to think of it in terms of risk management, but at some point reality has to enter into it and for the record the leading caused of child mortality is auto accidents at 7,677 (2003) drowning 1,062 (2003) and sadly suicide at 1,737 (2003). The facts are every year American eat more then 150 million hot dogs on the 4th of July and over 2 billion in the month of July alone. So one could conservatively estimate that Americans eat about 8-10 billion hot dogs a year and the American Academy of Pediatrics wants to change a entire industry? In other words you stand a far better chance of winning the lottery than choking on a hot dog. Now we’re talking hot dogs alone, not Little Smokies, Brats, Sausage links etc. So I fail to see that based on the volume of consumption verses the health risk an industry wide change is merited. It’s just not a viable option and as I’ve said I don’t want anyone to die choking on a hot dog especially children, but at some point personal responsibility kicks in and if a child is too young to exercise that responsibility then the parent needs to step up and be the parent.

Read the last part if nothng else

2010-02-24T06:05:00.001-05:00

Bayh's explanation that he is quitting because he no longer likes Congress not only came off as whiny, it was indicative of his gutless style. No one would disagree that Congress is dysfunctional, though the problem isn't partisanship, as Bayh suggests. It's that Democrats, because of guys like Evan Bayh, can't lead. Period.

Yes, Congress's inability to represent the people is a crisis that threatens our society. But Bayh's reaction to that challenge is not to stand up and fight, it's to wrinkle his noise and quit. Since he leaves no legacy of any kind from his 12 years in the Senate, and since he has been and always would have been one of its most ineffectual members, it's no surprise that when the going got tough, the senator chose to split.

Evan Bayh has no vision, he's no fighter, and he's no Democrat. He's a child of destiny. He touts bipartisanship because he's a Republican stuck with a Democratic family.

Democracy never has been a cherished institution in Indiana, which was openly controlled by the Ku Klux Klan in the early 20th century and spawned the John Birch Society in the 1950s. With one of the most restrictive ballot access laws in the nation, the state is one of only four in the nation where Ralph Nader was unable to get on the ballot for president. It is virtually impossible for anyone other than establishment Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians to provide electoral alternatives to Indiana voters at the state and national levels.

So, it again came as no surprise that Bayh waited to announce his retirement until it was too late for the electorate to determine his replacement. He announced his decision on the last day that candidates had to collect and submit signatures for ballot placement.

Only one candidate, Bloomington cafe owner Tamyra d'Ippolito, had initiated a petition drive to seek Bayh's seat. On Feb. 19, she announced she did not obtain the 5,000 signatures necessary but will challenge Indiana election laws in court. If d'Ippolito's legal challenge fails, the Indiana Democratic Party will select the candidate for Bayh's seat.

One of two things happened here. Either Bayh did just reach a decision, in which case he's an impulsive quitter. Or, he knew all along and deliberately chose to circumvent state Democratic Primary voters.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) believes it was the latter. "It raises serious questions whether he purposefully timed his announcement to deny Hoosiers a voice in the political process," NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh said in a Feb. 17 news release.

Only Evan Bayh could make the National Republican Senatorial Committee seem noble. What an embarrassment.

Steven Higgs is editor of The Bloomington Alternative. He can be reached at editor@BloomingtonAlternative.com