POLITICO MAFIOSO

noreply@blogger.com (opinion maven) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 03:41:00 +0000

Memorial Service for Jeff Vath
Friday, April 5th, 10:00 AM
Deer Valley LDS Chapel
2939 West Rose Garden Lane
Phoenix 85027
(between Union Hills Drive and Deer Valley Road)

noreply@blogger.com (opinion maven) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:32:00 +0000

Jeff Vath passed away peacefully last night. All of us over at Politico Mafioso wish his family comfort and healing. We grieve alongside them for our dear friend and partner in crime. May he rest in peace.

go raibh biseach gan mhoill ort Tony GOPrano

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:16:00 +0000

Dear Visitors and Friends,

Our very own Tony GOPrano aka Jeff Vath, the creator of this blog has fallen ill. Currently our dear friend is in a medically induced coma as doctors work tirelessly to make him well. The situation is serious and as you can imagine scary for the family and friends.

Those of you that know Jeff are well aware that he is of a rare breed. A genuine compassionate, caring individual. Dedicated with unconditional love to the family that supports him loyal to his friends.

Jeff has been a tireless crusader for the State of Arizona. Whether through this blog portal or his many other actions and affiliations through causes and politics, Jeff has consistently given greatly of himself to better our nation and the State of Arizona. He is truly selfless.

Whether you are one of the many of us that more often than not agree with Jeff politically, or you are from across the aisle so to speak, there is no doubt about his commitment to making our communities a better place for future generations. Jeff has earned the respect of thousands of activists from all across the nation, from every political stripe . . . Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, you name it. He has shown that it is possible to disagree yet still work towards a common goal.

I first began working with Jeff in late 2007 and over those few short years have come to love him dearly as do so many that he befriends.

Please take a moment and leave a comment on this blog or visit his Facebook page comment. Jeff and his beautiful family need your prayers now more than ever. It is little to ask for a man that has given and done so much. I know once he his home, healing with his family it will give him great pleasure to see all of your visits and comments.

go raibh biseach gan mhoill ort

Sheridan Folger

Heal me, O Lord and I shall be healed; save me,
and I shall be saved; for thou art my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14

Politics On The Rocks Event with United States Congressman Trent Franks & Author Chris DeRose - Thursday March 28th - 6:00PM

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Politics on the Rocks is proud to announce our next free networking event featuring United States Congressman Trent Franks and Chris DeRose, author of the newly released “Congressman Lincoln” on Thursday, March 28th 6:00 PM at the Montelucia Resort "Centro Lounge" located at 4949 E. Lincoln Dr. in Paradise Valley. Located off the resort’s Kasbah Pool, Centro Lounge is the center of campus gathering spot for Montelucia’s sophisticated and high-energy crowd. Montelucia’s Centro Lounge has transformed into the reimagined space with a fresh and innovative restaurant menu from Executive Chef Michael Cairns. A nine-panel media wall with indoor seating and lounge clusters expand into the outdoor space. Enjoy the views of Camelback Mountain, gather around the fire pits and enjoy the Scottsdale Lifestyle. We appreciate our marketing partners Swiss America, Scottsdale Nights, and Biltmore Graphics.

Are you a Small Business Owner or Entrepreneur?

Would you like to rapidly accelerate your company’s growth THIS YEAR and separate yourself from the competition?
The MADE IN THE USA Project will tell the stories of 12 local business leaders in a new book about Entrepreneurship in Maricopa County. It will be launched at a well-promoted event right here in Scottsdale. Then, for an entire year, each of these 12 sponsors will be featured in a multi-media grassroots effort to create new revenue for you... and to encourage small business mentorship and community support for entrepreneurs.

Politics on the Rocks is one of the 12 Gold Sponsors and there are only 10 left. Here’s the good news. If you are one of the 12, you and a guest can join us at a private dinner
with Congressman Franks at the Montelucia …all included with your sponsorship. Click here to get all the details and look for a special webcast announcement next week.

Congressman Trent Franks is someone who still believes that there is such a thing as the truth and that people and principles should be at the center of political discourse in America. He works very hard in The United States Congress for smaller government by cutting government waste, reducing taxes, bureaucracy, and regulation. Trent believes in personal responsibility, free enterprise and that government's first purpose is to protect its innocent citizens. Trent is a former member of the Arizona House of Representatives. Trent Franks is past Chairman of the Children’s Hope Scholarship Foundation and a Republican Member of The United States Congress. He has served on the Budget Committee, the Small Business Committee, now serves on the Armed services Committee and the Judiciary Committee, and is now Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee. He is a member of the Republican Study Committee, the House Working Group on Judicial Accountability, House Working Group on Waste, Fraud and Abuse, the Congressional Hispanic Conference, the Liberty Caucus, the DUI Caucus, the Human Rights Caucus, the India Caucus, the Refugee Caucus, and the Education Freedom Caucus.

Chris DeRose is the author of Founding Rivals: Madison vs. Monroe, the Bill of Rights, and the Election that Saved a Nation, named by The Washington Post as one of the “Best Political Books of 2011.” DeRose is an attorney and political strategist who, for the past fifteen years, has served in every capacity on campaigns up and down the ballot across five different states. Chris lead the Congressional efforts of Sheriff Paul Babeu, and has recently served Director of Election Day Operations for Bob McDonnell and the Virginia Republicans in their 2009 historic landslide victory, and as campaign manager for Congressman Sean Duffy.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our next Politics on the Rocks event Thursday, March 28th at the Montelucia Resort.

Regards,
Charles A. JensenPolitics on the Rocks National Committee

Date: Thursday, March 28th
Time: 6:00pm Montelucia Resort
"Centro Lounge"
4949 E. Lincoln Dr.
Paradise Valley, Arizona[ map it! ]

Las Vegas
San Francisco
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Los Angeles
Tucson

A message to GOP PCs from your firefighters

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:00:00 +0000

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	Dear Republican PC: As a precinct committeeman for the Arizona Republican Party, you're in a unique position to pass along accurate and relevant information to voters and your fellow party leaders. That's why I'm writing to you. Our organization, which represents more than 6,500 fire fighters in the State of Arizona, is deeply concerned about the misinformation being circulated about a number of bills before the Arizona Legislature. My goal is to give you the facts, in hopes you will pass along this information to your fellow Republicans. The bills in question all will impose severe restrictions on organizations like the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona. One bill seems to assume that employees can be compelled to join a union. That is absolutely not the case.Because Arizona is a "right to work" state, membership in a union is completely voluntary. The Arizona Constitution is very clear on this point: ARTICLE XXV: RIGHT TO WORK Right to work or employment without membership in labor organizationNo person shall be denied the opportunity to obtain or retain employment because of non-membership in a labor organization, nor shall the State or any subdivision thereof, or any corporation, individual or association of any kind enter into any agreement, written or oral, which excludes any person from employment or continuation of employment because of non-membership in a labor organization. The same voluntary status goes for a member's political activity and political donations. Union members elect their leadership. In turn, those leaders may ask members to join a PAC fund or be politically active. Everything a union member does is voluntary. Every member joins the association individually and voluntarily. Any member can quit and stop paying dues at any time. They don't even have to tell the union when they quit; they can simply have their payroll deduction stopped at any time with a word to a clerk. If union members do not like what leadership does, politically or otherwise, members can vote their leaders out of office, just like Arizona voters do with elected officials. In a nutshell, union members can join at any time and quit at any time. The Arizona Revised Statutes are clear on the voluntary nature of political activities:*16-921.Unlawful contributions by corporations and labor organizations from a fund; procedures; definitions* A. It is unlawful under any fund established by a corporation or labor organization pursuant to section 16-920, subsection A, paragraph 3: 1. For such a fund to make a contribution or expenditure by utilizing money or anything of value secured by physical force, job discrimination, financial reprisals or the threat of force, job discrimination or financial reprisal or by dues, fees or other monies required as a condition of membership in a labor organization or as a condition of employment or by monies obtained in any commercial transaction. 2. For any person soliciting an employee for a contribution to such a fund to fail to inform such employee of the political purposes of such fund at the time of such solicitation. 3. For any person soliciting an employee for a contribution to such a fund to fail to inform such employee, at the time of such solicitation, of his right to refuse to so contribute without any reprisal. We hope the above information is helpful and shows exactly why the bills in front of the Legislature are unnecessary and represent an illegitimate government overreach into the Constitutional rights enjoyed by members of our organization. Again, every dollar given by a member of our organization is given voluntarily. So-called "release time" is another item under attack by various legislators. While this "release time" has been described as a government giveaway, that's simply untrue. Our organization's members pay for this "release time," as negotiated by the Memorandum of Understanding approved by membership and each city's Council. In laymen's terms, every dollar used to compensate public safety members sits in a single pot. When dollars are used to pay for "release time," those dollars are subtracted from the pot and not used for salaries and health benefits. Thus, release time is paid for by our membership directly and approved by a direct vote of our membership. It is not a giveaway.Finally, the Legislature is considering an "open meeting bargaining" bill that would severely hamper the negotiations between our organization and city officials. If passed, this bill would require the negotiation of each municipal contract with the presence of the public and the press at every step of the way. A good labor-management relationship is much like a marriage – with give and take, the occasional disagreement and the need for trust. Just as a marriage would fall apart if every conversation were picked apart by the public, so would this complex relationship. Besides, every labor-management negotiation is ultimately made public at the time of the Council vote to ratify the ensuing contract. These meetings – which allow for public input – function as a safeguard in the system. We continue to welcome them and we continue to welcome your input – just as we welcome the truth, as opposed to fictions and lies.Thank you. Tim Hill President, Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona

Medicaid Resolution Seriously Flawed

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

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	Response to: The Maricopa County Legislative District 15 Republican Committss's Resolution In Opposition to the Governor's Medicaid Plan
	LD 15 says: WHEREAS, the Voters of Arizona clearly expressed their will to reject implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) by amending the Arizona Constitution via Proposition 106 in 2010, and thus preventing an individual mandate; and TRUTH: It was Republican Governor Fife Symington, who first proposed the idea of covering adults in the mid-90s. Then Arizona voters approved the measure in 1996 and again in 2000 via Proposition 204. The support from Arizona voters was overwhelming. The Governor's plan simply honors the will of the voters. The Governor's Medicaid plan has nothing to do with enforcing the individual mandate. In fact, it was clear that Proposition 106 did not affect the AHCCCS program whatsoever. LD 15 says: WHEREAS, the State of Arizona cannot afford to be saddled with the costs of implementing this federal program and the "Circuit Breaker" clause is insufficient to prevent an out of control escalation of said costs; and TRUTH: The Governor's plan protects the State's General Fund and takes Prop. 204 costs off the State's books by working collaboratively with the hospital industry to formulate an assessment. The State is clearly able to terminate this proposal at any time, so the "circuit breaker" also protects the State from any federal "bait and switch." LD 15 says: WHEREAS, the "assessment" on hospitals is in reality just a hidden tax that will ultimately be passed on to hospital patients in the form of higher costs and is a disingenuous attempt to subvert the legislative process requiring tax increases receive super-majority approval in the legislature; and TRUTH: Under the Phoenix Access to Care Ordinance, which the Governor has proposed adopting at a statewide level, hospitals are forbidden from passing on the costs to consumers. No law, however, protects consumers from hospitals passing on their costs of uncompensated care. We – all of us – are paying for uncompensated care. We are all covering the cost of care for people who do not have insurance but who still get cancer or people who get in a motorcycle accident and end up needing care in a trauma center. Recent studies put this at nearly $2,000 per family. The assessment is similar to current programs, like the Managed Care Premium assessment and the recently passed Nursing Home assessment. It is well within the bounds of the Arizona Constitution and the precedent set by the legislature to allow agencies to set their own assessments for the industries that they regulate. LD 15 says: WHEREAS, no government entitlement program has ever been scaled back, eliminated or held within its initial costs [sic] projections, and the long term and evolving costs of the Obamacare Medicaid Expansion will cause a severe financial hardship on Arizona’s budget, just as surely as Obamacare will do the same to the country; and TRUTH: Not in Arizona – in 2011, when the state's general fund was spread too thin, Governor Brewer led the effort to reduce the AHCCCS budget by $2.5 billion, including eliminating the program that provided coverage for people with catastrophic medical events, known as the spend-down program. Further, the State froze enrollment for its KidsCare and childless adult program. In total, these efforts reduced the rolls by about 180,000 people. Although the goal was always to restore access to this population to respect the will of the voters, when the state has faced difficult fiscal times, the Governor and legislature have not been afraid to scale back government entitlements. Further, Arizona already knows what it takes to provide coverage to the Proposition 204 population; it has been studied by experts from Harvard and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The cost of this care is already well known to actuaries. And finally, Governor Brewer's plan calls for an automatic "circuit breaker." Under this provision, the expansion population would automatically be repealed without another vote of the legislature if the federal government's share falls below 80%. LD 15 says: WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court explicitly rules that each State is free to reject implementation of the Obamacare Medicaid Expansion and Insurance Exchanges, the two cornerstones of the Affordable Care Act, without which Obamacare collapses as a practical and functioning program; and TRUTH: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the law of the land. Although Governor Brewer vehemently and courageously opposed the passage of the legislation, and participated in the lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court that sought to strike down the act, the Affordable Care Act is here to stay. Twenty-six states, including Arizona have rejected the Act’s offer to set up state exchanges; this will not stop the federal government from setting up a federal exchange. Similarly, failure to accept the federal government's offer to fund the restoration of Arizona's Medicaid program will not have any meaningful impact on the success or failure of the overall legislation. The Governor's plan is about Arizona. It is not ObamaCare. LD 15 says: WHEREAS, the Federal government is incapable of implementing these programs by 2014 or even 2016 without the local organization, legwork, and the financial subsidies of the States; The fastest and most efficient means to end Obamacare is simply for each State to refuse their implementation and allow them to fail; and TRUTH: The fastest and most efficient means to end ObamaCare would have been for the American electorate to vote for Mr. Romney, whom the Governor endorsed, campaigned for and fully supported. Elections have consequences. Elected leaders have a duty to govern and make tough choices. Her plan does right by Arizonans. Resolutions like these come from those who have the luxury of living in their ideological worlds without having to understand the real-life implications of their theories. LD 15 says: WHEREAS, by holding AHCCCS as the conservative model for Medicaid and an example to the other states, Governor Brewer is advocating for a conservative expansion of socialism, a truly contradictory concept; and TRUTH: This is a time for Republicans to rebuild and unite, not tear each other apart. Since when is it socialist to provide a safety net for the elderly, the disabled, the poor? And the AHCCCS system is truly a shining example of limited government where care is managed by private health plans and provided by private physicians and hospitals, the very same ones we all see for our own care. LD 15 says: WHEREAS, supporting a government takeover of our health care system, even to secure large amounts of federal funds, does NOT reflect the values of the Republican Party or the interests of the taxpayers of Arizona; now therefore be it TRUTH: Once again, the Governor's plan is about Arizona and Arizona's system is one of limited government. Limited government works. As the leader of the Republican Party, the one whom Republican precinct committeemen have been elected to support, Governor Brewer's plan is the embodiment of the Republican values of private sector partnerships and limited government interference. LD 15 says: RESOLVED, that we, the Maricopa County Legislative District 15 Republican Committee do (unanimously) affirm and declare our opposition to the Governor’s plan to expand Medicaid in support of Obamacare; and, be it further RESOLVED, that we, the Maricopa County Legislative District 15 Republican Committee demand that the Legislators of the Arizona State House and Senate stand with the people of Arizona in opposition to the Governor’s plan to expand Medicaid in support of Obamacare by defeating any bill to such ends. TRUTH: Opposing the Governor's proposal to restore Arizona's innovative and nationally acclaimed AHCCCS program ignores the will of the voters, the fiscal realities of our state and the escalating costs of uncompensated care that threaten to drive up the costs of private health insurance premiums, hurt Arizona businesses and make Arizona uncompetitive. Preserving a strong and competitive economy and fostering the free-market ideals that AHCCCS embraces are at the core of the Republican Party’s beliefs. So much so, in fact, that the AHCCCS enabling legislation was passed by a Republican-led legislature in 1981. Then, Republicans understood that their role as elected officials was not to "hold the line" but to come up with pragmatic, responsible solutions to the state’s healthcare crisis. Now, our elected officials are faced with the same choice. Governor Brewer has proven she understands that her primary responsibility is to improve the lives of the citizens of Arizona; it is unfortunate that the Pima County GOP does not hold itself to the same standard. The Governor's plan supports Arizona. It is not in support of ObamaCare.

Muslim Birthrate Slows - Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Published on DickMorris.com on March 14, 2013

Dear Friend,

In this video commentary, I discuss how the Muslim population growth has slowed. Contrary to some theories, they won't take over Europe or the U.S. Tune in!

Click Here to give me your thoughts and continue the discussion.

This Dick Morris Lunch Alert! sponsored by Fisher Investments.

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White Smoke means....by Lisa Benson

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Thank You Rep. Carter for standing up for Arizona families

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:00 +0000

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Good News For America - Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Published on DickMorris.com on March 13, 2013

Dear Friend,

In this video commentary, I discuss some good news for America. A relief from bad news; somethings are working right. Tune in!

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View my most recent videos in case you missed them!

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Obamacare May Bite You At The Vet’s Office

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

March 11, 2013 10:59 AM

5.3K

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Dog at vet’s office. (Source: CBS4)

Reporting Eliott Rodriguez

Filed under

Health, News, Politics

Featured Gallery

For more trusted health

news and information,

visit CBS Miami's

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Pet owners listen up: You may want to start saving more money for veterinarian care this year. The reason goes all the way back to Washington and an unintended consequence from medical reform.
Dog owner Lori Heiselman was surprised where her veterinarian posted a warning on Facebook.
The notice read: “Because medical equipment and supplies will be going up in cost, that extra expense will have to passed on to the customers.”

So Lori is already tightening her belt to pay for the increase in her dog’s care. Though she doesn’t like it, she’s willing to pay more for her pets.

“They’re very important. They’re members of the family,” said Heiselman.
Why the increase? Its part of a new 2.3-percent federal excise tax on certain medical devices that just went into effect. The tax will help fund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, intended for people, not pets. Manufacturers pay the tax, but a recent survey found more than half plan to pass it along.
Some vets say they can’t afford it. Dr. Mike Hatcher is one of them. He explained, “I’m extremely concerned how this is going to be a hidden tax to our consumers that is going to be passed on.”

How does this work? Medical devices used only on animals are exempt. However, items including IV pumps, sterile scalpels and anesthesia equipment, which are medical devices that have a dual use, meaning they can be used on people and animals, will be taxed. Hatcher said, “Putting off an equipment purchase is something that can terribly affect our clients’ ability to have quality care.”

The American Veterinary Medical Association represents 82,000 vets. At this point, they don’t know how much this new tax will indirectly cost them. The organizations members are waiting to hear from more device makers.

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Obama Lets China Steal Top Secret NASA Technology

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!

Smoke Signals of the Vatican Conclave by Nate Beeler

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina elected pope

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:41:00 +0000

By Jason Horowitz and Anthony Faiola,

Updated: Wednesday, March 13, 12:29 PM

VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope Friday, becoming the first pontiff from Latin America and taking the name Pope Francis.
Appearing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica a short time later, the new pope led a prayer for his predecessor, Benedict XVI

“As you know, the duty of the conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome, and it seems to me that my brother cardinals have chosen one who is from far away, but here I am,” he told the crowd.

Earlier, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the church’s most senior cardinal in the order of deacons, or the proto-deacon, announced “habemus papam” and spoke the name of the new pope, chosen on the second day of deliberations among the assembled cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. But his words were barely audible to the throng gathered in St. Peter’s Square, and there was initial confusion over the identity of the new leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.

White smoke rose over the Sistine Chapel earlier Wednesday evening, heralding the election of the new pope after the 115 voting cardinals reached a decision on the 266th pontiff.

Crowds erupted in joy in St. Peter’s Square and waited anxiously for the presentation of the then-undisclosed new pope.

The new pope was revealed to the world with a cry of “habemus papam” on the balcony after entering the so-called room of tears, donning white papal vestments and praying with the cardinals who elected him.

(Click here to get the latest updates on our live blog and to watch live video from St. Peter’s Square.)

A throng of people ran up the Via della Conciliazione, the broad avenue leading to St. Peter’s Square, holding umbrellas above their heads. A line of Polish nuns in white clasped each other’s hands.

Clusters of students jumped up and down, and roars of joy passed over the sea of people like waves.
“Huge emotions,” said Claudio Santini, a lawyer from Rome who stood in a bowler hat in the square.

“It’s not important where the pope is from, just that he can travel into people’s hearts.”
A marching band and lines of Swiss Guards flying the white and yellow Vatican colors proceeded up the basilica steps in front of the cheering crowds.

Standing at attention in front of the basilica, the band played the Italian national anthem as many in the crowd sang along — a sign of the close relationship between the Vatican and Italy.

The papal seal on the Vatican Web site, which has been cloaked under an umbrella during the interregnum following Benedict’s retirement, or sede vacante, now again displays the papal tiara under the title “Habemus Papam.”

The white smoke, accompanied by the pealing of bells to eliminate any confusion, billowed from a flue on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, prompting the huge gathered in the square to erupt in applause and cheers.

The election came after two rounds of balloting in a morning session. The 115 voting cardinals reconvened about 4:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m. Eastern) to vote up to two more times before either electing a new pope or adjourning for the day.

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Governor Jan Brewer Unveils Draft Legislation to Restore Arizona’s Medicaid Program

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:00:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ann Dockendorff

March 12, 2013 (602) 542-7029

ADockendorff@az.gov

Governor Jan Brewer Unveils Draft Legislation to Restore Arizona’s Medicaid Program

Plan will Boost Economy, Protect Hospitals and Save Arizona Lives

PHOENIX – Joined at the Arizona State Capitol by a broad coalition of supporters, including patients, physicians and business leaders, Governor Jan Brewer today unveiled draft legislation for her Medicaid Restoration Plan.

This thoughtful, conservative plan will stimulate the Arizona economy, protect rural and safety-net hospitals and provide quality, cost-effective health care to Arizona’s working poor.

"As public officials, it is our duty to uphold the best interests of our state and the citizens we serve," said Governor Brewer. "I urge legislators to take a step back and reflect upon the real, human impact of refusing to pass this critical legislation.

"It’s simple. If we do not restore AHCCCS, hundreds of thousands of Arizonans will continue to lack health coverage, and nearly 60,000 more stand to lose coverage on January 1, 2014. There is no Plan B. I thank Representative Carter for her leadership on this important issue, and I stand ready and willing to work with her legislative colleagues to get this done for the people of Arizona."

Passage of Governor Brewer’s Medicaid Restoration Plan will:

Inject more than $8 billion into the Arizona economy over the next four years;

Preserve safety-net and rural hospitals that have been pushed to the brink by overwhelming costs associated with providing uncompensated care;

Keep Arizona tax dollars in Arizona and;

Take pressure off our strained State budget.

"AHCCCS works because it leverages the private sector and employs private sector principles. AHCCCS members have their choice of health plans and doctors, and are treated in the same medical facilities used by all Arizonans," said state Rep. Heather Carter, R-District 15. "We do not have a ‘government’ health care program. What we do have is 30 years of evidence to show Arizona has found a better and more cost-effective way to serve the health care needs of our most vulnerable citizens. With the passage of this legislation, we can get it right once again."

For more information on the Governor’s Medicaid Restoration Plan, visit: azgovernor.gov/Medicaid.asp or

RestoringArizona.com .

###

March News From Vice Mayor Bill Gates

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Friends,

Please click on or copy and paste the link below into your browser to view my latest newsletter.

http://www.phoenix.gov/webcms/groups/internet/@inter/@pcc/@dist3/documents/web_content/d3newsmarch2013.pdf

Republicans Cave In On ObamaCare - Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Published on DickMorris.com on March 12, 2013

Dear Friend,

In this video commentary, I discuss how Republican governors of both Florida and New Jersey have caved in and are expanding Medicaid as Obama wants. A disaster for them! Tune in!

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China's Cyber Pearl Harbor - Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

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Obama's Revenge Army - Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

Attacking Woodward - Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

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Intellectuals and Race By Dr. Thomas Sowell - Townhall.com

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Mar 12, 2013

There are so many fallacies about race that it would be hard to say which is the most ridiculous. However, one fallacy behind many other fallacies is the notion that there is something unusual about different races being unequally represented in various institutions, careers or at different income or achievement levels.

A hundred years ago, the fact that people from different racial backgrounds had very different rates of success in education, in the economy and in other endeavors, was taken as proof that some races were genetically superior to others.

Some races were considered to be so genetically inferior that eugenics was proposed to reduce their reproduction, and Francis Galton urged "the gradual extinction of an inferior race."

It was not a bunch of fringe cranks who said things like this. Many held Ph.D.s from the leading universities, taught at the leading universities and were internationally renowned.

Presidents of Stanford University and of MIT were among the many academic advocates of theories of racial inferiority -- applied mostly to people from Eastern and Southern Europe, since it was just blithely assumed in passing that blacks were inferior.

This was not a left-right issue. The leading crusaders for theories of genetic superiority and inferiority were iconic figures on the left, on both sides of the Atlantic.
John Maynard Keynes helped create the Cambridge Eugenics Society. Fabian socialist intellectuals H.G. Wells and George Bernard Shaw were among many other leftist supporters of eugenics.

It was much the same story on this side of the Atlantic. President Woodrow Wilson, like many other Progressives, was solidly behind notions of racial superiority and inferiority. He showed the movie "Birth of a Nation," glorifying the Ku Klux Klan, at the White House, and invited various dignitaries to view it with him.

Such views dominated the first two decades of the 20th century. Now fast forward to the last few decades of the 20th century. The political left of this era was now on the opposite end of the spectrum on racial issues. Yet they too regarded differences in outcomes among racial and ethnic groups as something unusual, calling for some single, sweeping explanation.

Now, instead of genes being the overriding reason for differences in outcomes, racism became the one-size-fits-all explanation. But the dogmatism was the same. Those who dared to disagree, or even to question the prevailing dogma in either era were dismissed -- as "sentimentalists" in the Progressive era and as "racists" in the multicultural era.

Tags: Media and Culture , Liberals , Progressives , Racism , Race , Woodrow Wilson , inequalit

Size Matters…Cartoon by A.F. Branco

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Post Chavez: Venezuela, Iran, and the U.S. - Guest Commentary

noreply@blogger.com (Guest Commentary) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Upon landing in Caracas yesterday for Hugo Chavez’s funeral, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed, "Iran and Venezuela are two brother peoples and will be united forever." While "forever" might be a stretch, the countries share a way-too-cozy relationship, including convoluted military, political and financial ties.

Iran and Venezuela had exchanged diplomats since the 60s, but until 2005, that was the extent of their ties. As soon as Ahmadinejad was elected president, the leaders became bffs. Although their histories and cultures have precious little in common, the two megalomaniacal leaders shared a ruthless determination to dominate their respective regions along with a hatred of America and Israel, and in 2007 declared an "axis of unity." Then-Manhattan DA, Robert Morgenthau, conducted extensive research into the Venezuela-Iran relationship in 2009.

Ahmadinejad and Chavez entered into a series of Memoranda of Understanding, pledging cooperation in areas as diverse as banking and finance, technology, and oil and gas exploration. By most accounts, Chavez has helped his friend to evade international sanctions. Iran launders tens of billions of dollars in transactions through Venezuelan banks and industrial entities. Venezuela’s national oil company, PDVSA, continues to break the embargo.
Analysts differ on the extent to which Iran-sponsored Hezbollah has infiltrated Venezuela’s government. At a minimum, however, Hezbollah raises revenues for jihadist exploits through its involvement in the cocaine trade, with the full complicity of Venezuelan officials.

Alarmingly, over the past few years, periodically there have been reports of long-range Iranian missiles in Venezuela, in striking distance if the U.S.

Given their mutual adoration, it’s not surprising that Ahmadinejad posted on his website, "I have no doubt that he [Chavez] will return alongside Jesus Christ and the Mahdi [the Hidden Imam] to establish peace and justice in the world…" Bases covered.

Does Chavez’s death represent an opportunity to disrupt this unholy alliance?

Hard to tell.

Polls show former vice president Nicolas Maduro, Chavez’s handpicked successor and now acting president (instant incumbency?), the likely winner on April 16^{th. Maduro has fashioned himself as a Chavez clone, but he lacks the late leader’s charisma and his command. Madura’s challenger, Henrique Capriles, is the centrist governor of Miranda, Venezuela’s largest state,}

^{Neither of Venezuela’s presidential candidates is likely to share Chavez’s popularity.

The winner may well need to focus on internal problems, including 20% inflation and rampant food shortages, for fear of civil unrest.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton suggests that, regardless of the outcome of the election, there may be an opening for the U.S. and Venezuela to resume relations. As ambitious as this sounds, Morgenthau recalls:}
^{In 1962, President Kennedy stared down a nuclear threat to the United States when a leftist popular leader with a strong anti-American streak joined forces with the Soviet Union to bring nuclear weapons in close proximity to our borders. JFK ended the Cuban missile crisis through resolve and tough diplomacy.

　

Ending the alliance with Iran and ejecting Hezbollah would be preconditions to normalization of U.S. - Venezuela relations.

Obama is no JFK, but we tolerate Iranian influence in Latin America at our peril.}

Senator Bob Worsley - SB1389 Testimony

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:00:00 +0000

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!

Published on Mar 5, 2013

SB1389 (JLBC; economic impact) is a fairly simple bill. It would require the budget forecasting arm of the legislature, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), to reflect any significant fiscal impact of legislation on the state's private sector economy, if practical, when preparing fiscal notes.

Basically, it requires the legislature to consider any potential economic impact particular legislation might have on the private sector and the thousands of small businesses and their employees in our state. Something I was surprised to learn wasn't already being done at the state level.

The bill has already passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee but is currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate Rules Committee.

China's Cyber Pearl Harbor - Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Published on DickMorris.com on March 11, 2013

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In this video commentary, I discuss how the Chinese military has gotten far further into our cyberspace than anyone is admitting. Tune in!

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The Girls On Fox News - Video!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

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Obama - Don't Send Bin Laden's Son to Guantanamo Bay - by Jerry Holbert

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Governor JAN BREWER'S Public Schedule for week of March 11-17, 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Public Schedule for Governor Jan Brewer

Week of March 11 – 17, 2013

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

• 1:00 p.m. – Governor to unveil draft bill language for Medicaid Restoration Plan

Arizona State Capitol – House Lawn

1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

• 11:00 a.m. – Governor to Speak at Groundbreaking for Tri-State Shooting Park

Tri-State Shooting Park

10 mi. SE of Bullhead City (south on Hwy. 95 and east on Boundary Cone Road for approximately 7 miles)

• 2:00 pm. – Governor to Deliver Kingman State of the State Address

Kingman Board of Supervisors Building

700 W. Beale St., Kingman

• 5:00 pm. – Governor to Speak at Mohave County Republican Forum

Elks Lodge

900 Gates Ave., Kingman

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Size Matters…Cartoon by A.F. Branco

Post Chavez: Venezuela, Iran, and the U.S. - Guest Commentary

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