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Stupid Is As Stupid DoesPosted Monday, August 3, 2009, at 2:34 PM
I consider myself an average American, part of the working middle-class. The last few years I have paid a bit more attention during presidential campaigns, but by the time I go to vote, the barrage of campaign propaganda pushes me to the point that I feel I am voting not for the most qualified person but for the one I think will do the least damage. I rarely do in-depth research myself on those running for office, or on their legislative agenda once they are elected. Until now.
There are so many huge issues that the current administration is trying to solve by hurriedly pushing legislation through congress even the most nonchalant person should be alarmed. Though each deserve more than this limited space, I'll put them out there and we can delve further in future blogs. Stimulus, the saga: Great politically for some, reality nightmare for many. Legislation passed but the funding process is daunting. And, while large sums have funded some worthy projects so far, the bulk has not been spent and yet the talk of another stimulus package has begun. Huh? Cap and trade: I love Mother Earth and each of us, including the business community can do a better job of protecting our good Mother. Yes, the United States should lead by example, but when this leadership costs jobs because companies cannot compete due to increased costs forced upon them, increased costs they do not face and will probably never face in other countries, then here is a program that needs to be reviewed very carefully. Cap 101 available through the U.S. EPA website. Health care reform: Yet another complex issue with no easy solution, so why the urgency to pass legislation? And if this is such a great thing why aren't our legislators willing to convert to the proposed system? Maybe first provide additional funding so that healthcare fraud and abuse can be stopped -- who knows, the penalties and fines collected could possibly fund a healthcare initiative, and costs drastically reduced by removing these folks from the system. A net search for Health Reform Bill H.R. 3200 will take you to the 1,000 + page document. Beer summit: Not a legislative issue, but certainly an issue. Regardless of initial circumstances, the only person to have acted stupidly was the President. His comments followed by the beer summit -- well, as Forrest Gump's mama always said, "stupid is as stupid does". A true leader heals, not divides. So the bottom line is, no matter good the intention or program, someone has to pay for it. We cannot afford any program that causes more jobs to be lost and creates more burdens for the working folks. Silence is acceptance. If we do not speak out, if we remain silent about issues that could potentially ruin us, then we are the ones who are truly stupid. Comments Showing most recent comments first [Show in chronological order instead] |
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wbkelley, you are absolutely correct that math and research might help, in fact these are vital. I was only stating my opinion from personal experiences in various situations over the years. We have many fine ethical health care providers and we also have many who know how to work the system. The AAPS, Association for American Physicians and Surgeons estimates that Medicare fraud is about 10% with a rise expected as baby boomers age. I did do a few searches for the total cost of Medicare in order to calculate how much 10% of that cost actually is, but I couldn't find a definitive answer. It is great to know that the estimate is only 10%, which translates to 90% provide care without fraud. However, Medicare is only one portion of health care. The President of Healthcare Insight estimates that healthcare fraud costs the U.S. $485,000 per minute. I do have my shoes off so I can cipher somewhat, but I don't have a calculator with me and I haven't got the get up and go to use a pencil and paper to figure how how many minutes it would take to equal the national deficit of $1.7 trillion. I guess before I so flippantly make another remark about budget I'm going to have to figure out how many zeros are in trillion.
Bingo, you can not stay on topic. The topic is the freedoms we would lose if this bill passed, then you started "Bush Bashing". Formersubscriber do not insult my intelligence any further. You lost your point have a good day.
Its hard to grasp just how ignorant your last post was texas. First you argue that the working mom shouldn't have insurance since she can't afford it, then you seem to be concerned that her child won't get proper care from the state. Again you talk about freedom, do you mean freedom to die without proper care or freedom from having your tax money help anyone ever? In New Hampshire a man stood outside a townhall with a gun strapped to his leg and a sign saying that the tree of liberty should occasionally be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots. This man was not arrested or interogated. If there was such a system in place he would have been the first to be taken away to some camp and tortured, no wait that is what the Bush administration would have done. You have a freedom of speech but not a freedom to be a jerk and disrupt others ability to excersise free speech and freedom of assembly.
To allow this bill to pass would be a tragedy. As citizens we have the right to choose or not to choose to have insurance. With this bill, you would be taxed for not having insurance. Then comes those that can not afford insurance. The working moms that are barely putting food on the table they would have to pay a tax for not being able to afford insurance. If they can not afford the insurance, how can they afford the tax? Lets go a bit further, if this bill becomes law, then the mother would go on the state insurance program. In this program the mother takes her child to a "state" doctor by appointment. The appoinment may not be for six months. the child needs medicine now, not in six months. The freedoms that we would lose would come. Such as now the infamous "White House List". This list contains the names of individuals that have spoken and continue to speak against this reform. Is this not a violation of our right to free speech? Does this not violate that we are a country that say what we want and when we want about our leadership? Try speaking against this bill in a public assembly and see how fast the speaker is removed. That is happening now.
Exactly what freedom will we be losing? The choice of doctors? Doesn't our insurance company decide that now by who is in your network? Death Panels(which didn't do anything remotely close to what they were rumored to do and has been removed from the bill, might I also add that it was added by a republican from Georgia)? Isn't that the board that determines whether to pay or deny your claim based on the likelyhood that you won't sue? Name one part of the bill of rights that will be infriged upon, or better yet remember that the way we honor the sacrifices of Americans is by making sure that they are taken care of. People like Glenn Beck would have been against Medicare or even the VA because there wasn't as much money for private industry. Making money is fine but maybe that isn't the most important thing in every debate.
After reading just a few pages of the bill entitled Health Reform Bill H.R.3200, it is very surprising. This bill is nothing short of socialism. We need healthcare reform in this nation, but at the same time we can not allow our "leaders" to begin dictating how we will live. This is a nation based on freedom. This bill will be the begining of the destruction of every freedom that we enjoy. Our freedom was paid for with blood of all our fallen soldiers from the Revolutionary War to now. This bill should never have been written.
Before making these extravagant claims ("health care fraud equals the national deficit"), a little math and a little research might help. "Just my reaction" is a pretty lame basis.
I'm sure the Chamber of Commerce is being well run, but judging by these views I'm glad it's the Obama administration in office.
formersubscriber, I didn't think to check and see what positions either the U.S. or the Missouri Chamber take on any issue, just my reaction to the situation. I have worked in the private sector for about 35 years and I know that if costs increase for my employer those costs are either going to be passed along to the customer or customer services and/or expenses, including employee benefits (and jobs) are going to be cut. If none of these work, then the company closes or moves to a location where expenses are less. We have to take some responsibility for jobs moving to other countries because for years we have expected good wages with plentiful benefits yet we want to pay the lowest possible price for every single thing we buy. I understand budgets and smart shopping, but it is rare to see an item selling for $1 made in the USA.
I am absolutely thrilled to see that the healthcare issue is causing people to get involved. Here's my first healthcare reform recommendation: start with putting additional funding into the identification and punishment of fraud and abuse. Punish those abusing the system through fines, penalties and/or prison. Remove their ability to have any association with the healthcare industry. Again, not an area that I have thoroughly researched, just personal experiences over the years, but my guess is if only 50% of the fraud and abuse were stopped, the savings in removing these folks from the system and the income from fines and penalties might just be enough to wipe out the whole dang national deficit.
Anyway, former, thanks for your comments. You, too, PAL.
As always, I enjoyed reading your comments.
This research led you to the platform positions of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Missouri Chamber as well. Their positions are also that free trade will benefit all Americans, I'm sure the former employees of Emerson here in Kennett would disagree.
I am headed to Senator McCaskill's healthcare forum - hopefully we won't make FOX news unless it is in a good way!
I guess that I'm on their list. I sent a "negative" email directly to the White House. OOPS! ;-)
Well, thanks for the vote of cofidence, KHS, but I am right where I need to be. We need informed people in the private sector to stand up and speak out about the good, bad and the ugly. When I sent this latest blog to Deanna at the DDD, I joked that if the CIA showed up at my door I would be calling a few people and for the last two days it has been on the news about the email the White House has set up where people can report bloggers with negative things to say about the proposed healthcare reform. Hmmm, things are getting weirder and weirder in our good ole USA.
I've followed your postings for several years and have a great respect for your well-stated views on Kennett's problems and opportunities. It seems to me that Kennett would be well served if you were Mayor. How about running in next election? I believe that you would win in a landslide!!