by j. wright
.
Friday gave us a “Good news, bad news” scenario: the good news was that President Obama would be vacationing at Martha’s Vineyard and out of the public spotlight briefly. The bad news is that his administration released a revised report showing the growing federal spending deficit would explode to an outrageous $9 trillion during the next ten years instead of the $7.1 trillion they had projected after taking office. Contrary to the Obama Administration’s economic experts, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) had predicted a $9.1 trillion deficit and it appears they had the right numbers all along.
So for the next ten years our federal government will go along, happily spending $900 billion more dollars annually than it takes in. I wish I could run my household finances like that. Maybe not, come to think of it. The really bad news is this $9 trillion expected deficit increase adds not only to the burgeoning $11.7 trillion National Debt, it doesn’t include a single dime for the cost of national health/insurance reform… if somehow passed, would be tacked on.
On May 24, 2009 President Obama, as quoted in the NY Post said during a lengthy interview referring to the country, " We are out of money, were broke.” He also added, as I remember, that our government’s current spending habits were “unsustainable.” So what is his solution? Break his campaign promise and increase taxes on every remaining wage earner in order to cover our various near bankrupt social programs? Or begin to reform all of them, cut wasteful fraud and spending and get our financial house in order before taking on anything new?
Still mired in a deepening recession, and with approximately 30 million currently out of work, a huge amount of social program dollars will never be collected. Scarlett O’Hara might suggest that we “…take care of it tomorrow.”
jaq~
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Get Ready for Socialized Medicine
by jwright - August 12, 2009
.
The national health care reform proposals being generated in Washington and introduced in Town Hall meetings across the land are not receiving the warm welcome that many politicians wanted or expected. Many ordinary folks in attendance appear to be beyond angry with their lawmakers, who in fact were “hired” at the voting booths to represent but seem hell-bent on passing some sort of radical bill anyway. One in essence that “tears down the house to remodel the bathroom.” Apparently the lawmakers are more fearful of their leadership’s ability to destroy them than they are of the voters to boot them from office. How else could they all utter the identical pro-reform lines over and over?
.
The bill most discussed, of several being generated, is HR3200, a 1,018 page complicated monstrosity that if passed could result in 30,000 pages rivaling our IRS code. That after the government bureaucrat’s finish fine-tuning and defining it into a total remake of our current medical care system; one that isn’t broken but could definitely use some major changes.
.
The Democrats in power have rejected out-of-hand many changes proposed by Republicans including tort reform. A.good part of the escalating costs of medical care is passed on by the increasing costs of medical malpractice insurance. Anti-tort reform trial lawyers are a major financial contributor to the Democrats. No one wants to close that spigot.
NO one wants to close that spigot..
Another tidbit the Democrats refuse to consider is to allow the various independent insurance companies to sell their wares across state lines. For example, if you live in New York state today and wish to purchase lesser cost insurance in Delaware, you can't. Why?
.
Now the Town Hall attendees in disagreement with health care reform are accused of being a mob, organized rabble-rousers, etc. because they want their voices heard. So the opponents of free speech send in their own ‘mob’ of organized thugs, even to the point of beating a conservative black man who was handing out “Don’t Tread On Me” outside one of the meetings. Add to that, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her political toy-boy, Steny Hoyer, recently labeled public dissent as “un-American.” Our Founding Fathers must be spinning in their graves!
.
One line I overheard last week sticks with me: ''They (the lawmakers) didn't come to listen, they came to teach.'' Good grief! I know all I need to know about any of their various health care reform plans, or as Obama now calls it, health 'insurance' reform. What I know is I don't want it! And for all of his so-called oratoical presence, President Obama can't explain it short of lying about what it includes.
.
What I fear most is that come hell-or-high water, these elected idiots, as I mentioned before, are more fearful of Obama's ability to destroy them politically than they are of their constituents booting them out of office. They will dutifully do the bidding of their leader, their Messiah, and pass this or a similar abomination anyway, regardless of massive public sentiment to the contrary.
.
Then what? Wait for the 2010 mid-terms, elect Republican or conservative Independents and attempt to rescind the entire mess with a president holding a veto pen? How much damage will have taken place in the interim?
.
I sincerely hope that those good folks who were duped into voting for ''change'' are choking on their fears right now.
.
jaq~
.
The national health care reform proposals being generated in Washington and introduced in Town Hall meetings across the land are not receiving the warm welcome that many politicians wanted or expected. Many ordinary folks in attendance appear to be beyond angry with their lawmakers, who in fact were “hired” at the voting booths to represent but seem hell-bent on passing some sort of radical bill anyway. One in essence that “tears down the house to remodel the bathroom.” Apparently the lawmakers are more fearful of their leadership’s ability to destroy them than they are of the voters to boot them from office. How else could they all utter the identical pro-reform lines over and over?
.
The bill most discussed, of several being generated, is HR3200, a 1,018 page complicated monstrosity that if passed could result in 30,000 pages rivaling our IRS code. That after the government bureaucrat’s finish fine-tuning and defining it into a total remake of our current medical care system; one that isn’t broken but could definitely use some major changes.
.
The Democrats in power have rejected out-of-hand many changes proposed by Republicans including tort reform. A.good part of the escalating costs of medical care is passed on by the increasing costs of medical malpractice insurance. Anti-tort reform trial lawyers are a major financial contributor to the Democrats. No one wants to close that spigot.
NO one wants to close that spigot..
Another tidbit the Democrats refuse to consider is to allow the various independent insurance companies to sell their wares across state lines. For example, if you live in New York state today and wish to purchase lesser cost insurance in Delaware, you can't. Why?
.
Now the Town Hall attendees in disagreement with health care reform are accused of being a mob, organized rabble-rousers, etc. because they want their voices heard. So the opponents of free speech send in their own ‘mob’ of organized thugs, even to the point of beating a conservative black man who was handing out “Don’t Tread On Me” outside one of the meetings. Add to that, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her political toy-boy, Steny Hoyer, recently labeled public dissent as “un-American.” Our Founding Fathers must be spinning in their graves!
.
One line I overheard last week sticks with me: ''They (the lawmakers) didn't come to listen, they came to teach.'' Good grief! I know all I need to know about any of their various health care reform plans, or as Obama now calls it, health 'insurance' reform. What I know is I don't want it! And for all of his so-called oratoical presence, President Obama can't explain it short of lying about what it includes.
.
What I fear most is that come hell-or-high water, these elected idiots, as I mentioned before, are more fearful of Obama's ability to destroy them politically than they are of their constituents booting them out of office. They will dutifully do the bidding of their leader, their Messiah, and pass this or a similar abomination anyway, regardless of massive public sentiment to the contrary.
.
Then what? Wait for the 2010 mid-terms, elect Republican or conservative Independents and attempt to rescind the entire mess with a president holding a veto pen? How much damage will have taken place in the interim?
.
I sincerely hope that those good folks who were duped into voting for ''change'' are choking on their fears right now.
.
jaq~
Monday, August 3, 2009
What is in the Democrats drinking water?
by j wright - August 3, 2009
.
A friend of a different political persuasion questioned what is in my drinking water that causes me to post here? Similarly I’d ask what’s in the water of many of our elected officials in Washington when they utter some of the things they do?
.
President Obama began it with his statement that although he didn’t have the facts about an arrest made in Cambridge MA went on to assert, “The police acted stupidly.” This was at the end of a press conference covering his health care reform proposals.
.
On that topic, Senate Majority Harry Reid, D-NV, blamed the media for “making up” the August 1st health legislation deadline. That flying in the face of several video clips showing Obama, Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, pushing incessantly for a pre-recess deadline.
.
Pelosi later publically accused our health insurance providers of being the “villains” in this process.
.
Later, Representative Charlie Rangell, D-NY described our current health care system as “terrible.” Terrible? I’m well satisfied with mine, and other than the annual cost increases of Medicare, my insurance premiums have not increased since 2001.
.
Fellow Michigander John Conyers, Democrat, House Chairman, Committee of the Judiciary, questioned why lawmakers should bother to read 1,000+ page bills before passing them because it would take two days and two lawyers to explain it. Unbelievable!
.
Then Democrat Barney Frank of Massachusetts, House Financial Services Chairman was caught on video saying the “public option” that Obama wants to include is the best way to achieve single payer coverage (such as Canada and the UK have). That would ultimately result in the rationing or outright refusal of some aspects of medical care, especially for senior citizens.
.
This contentious, omnibus health care plan is being hashed over in several proposed bills; none of which the national polls find appealing to the informed voters. None of which many Republicans are involved in in or supporting. We need to reform our health system, perhaps starting with tort reform in order to get law suits agaionst doctors and hospitals uinder control BUT that would hinder the trial lawyers ability to make tons of money, AND the trial lawyers are one big fat special interest that supports the Democrat Party.
.
Another move would be to allow insurance cmpanies to sell their services across state lines, increasng competition and lowering costrs to the nsured. Why this isn't in effect already is a mystery to me.
.
jaq~
.
A friend of a different political persuasion questioned what is in my drinking water that causes me to post here? Similarly I’d ask what’s in the water of many of our elected officials in Washington when they utter some of the things they do?
.
President Obama began it with his statement that although he didn’t have the facts about an arrest made in Cambridge MA went on to assert, “The police acted stupidly.” This was at the end of a press conference covering his health care reform proposals.
.
On that topic, Senate Majority Harry Reid, D-NV, blamed the media for “making up” the August 1st health legislation deadline. That flying in the face of several video clips showing Obama, Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, pushing incessantly for a pre-recess deadline.
.
Pelosi later publically accused our health insurance providers of being the “villains” in this process.
.
Later, Representative Charlie Rangell, D-NY described our current health care system as “terrible.” Terrible? I’m well satisfied with mine, and other than the annual cost increases of Medicare, my insurance premiums have not increased since 2001.
.
Fellow Michigander John Conyers, Democrat, House Chairman, Committee of the Judiciary, questioned why lawmakers should bother to read 1,000+ page bills before passing them because it would take two days and two lawyers to explain it. Unbelievable!
.
Then Democrat Barney Frank of Massachusetts, House Financial Services Chairman was caught on video saying the “public option” that Obama wants to include is the best way to achieve single payer coverage (such as Canada and the UK have). That would ultimately result in the rationing or outright refusal of some aspects of medical care, especially for senior citizens.
.
This contentious, omnibus health care plan is being hashed over in several proposed bills; none of which the national polls find appealing to the informed voters. None of which many Republicans are involved in in or supporting. We need to reform our health system, perhaps starting with tort reform in order to get law suits agaionst doctors and hospitals uinder control BUT that would hinder the trial lawyers ability to make tons of money, AND the trial lawyers are one big fat special interest that supports the Democrat Party.
.
Another move would be to allow insurance cmpanies to sell their services across state lines, increasng competition and lowering costrs to the nsured. Why this isn't in effect already is a mystery to me.
.
jaq~
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
My 2-cents
by jwright
.
.
Comedian Steven Wright once said, "If you get a penny for your thoughts, why do we always put our '2-cents' in?"
.
Real Politics columnist John Stossel writes on the very confusing issue of national health care reform: “It's crazy for a group of mere mortals to try to design 15% of the U.S. economy. It's even crazier to do it by August. Yet that is what some members of Congress presume to do. They intend, as the New York Times puts it, ‘to reinvent the nation's health care system’. Let that sink in. A handful of people who probably never even ran a small business actually think they can reinvent the health care system.”
.
Stossel gives the congressional legislators credit for being mere mortals. I’d liken them more to being arrogant snake oil salesmen with blown dried hair and good quality suits. There was a saying that the definition of an expert is anyone more than 25 miles from home. This appears to be the case of the lawmakers who are attempting to follow President Obama’s orders and overhaul (or possibly ruin?) our national health care system.
.
From the liberal NY Times: “Three of the five Congressional committees working on legislation to reinvent the nation’s health care system delivered bills this week along the lines proposed by President Obama. Instead of celebrating their success, many Democrats were apprehensive, nervous and defensive.” That’s understandable. Much of what they are proposing is so bizarre that even the unwashed, average American can understand it. Recent national polls reflect it’s not to their liking.
.
The lawmakers can’t predict it’s eventual cost in new taxes, or if it actually improves the system or replaces it with what Canada and the UK currently “enjoy.” Still, President Obama is pressing hard for something now. Too often, and unfortunately, what a bill contains is secondary to its passing. This controversial bill will affect everyone, forever. Why the rush? Do it right.
.
jaq~
.
Information sources:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/07/22/arrogance_97561.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/health/policy/18health.html?_r=3&hp
.
.
Comedian Steven Wright once said, "If you get a penny for your thoughts, why do we always put our '2-cents' in?"
.
Real Politics columnist John Stossel writes on the very confusing issue of national health care reform: “It's crazy for a group of mere mortals to try to design 15% of the U.S. economy. It's even crazier to do it by August. Yet that is what some members of Congress presume to do. They intend, as the New York Times puts it, ‘to reinvent the nation's health care system’. Let that sink in. A handful of people who probably never even ran a small business actually think they can reinvent the health care system.”
.
Stossel gives the congressional legislators credit for being mere mortals. I’d liken them more to being arrogant snake oil salesmen with blown dried hair and good quality suits. There was a saying that the definition of an expert is anyone more than 25 miles from home. This appears to be the case of the lawmakers who are attempting to follow President Obama’s orders and overhaul (or possibly ruin?) our national health care system.
.
From the liberal NY Times: “Three of the five Congressional committees working on legislation to reinvent the nation’s health care system delivered bills this week along the lines proposed by President Obama. Instead of celebrating their success, many Democrats were apprehensive, nervous and defensive.” That’s understandable. Much of what they are proposing is so bizarre that even the unwashed, average American can understand it. Recent national polls reflect it’s not to their liking.
.
The lawmakers can’t predict it’s eventual cost in new taxes, or if it actually improves the system or replaces it with what Canada and the UK currently “enjoy.” Still, President Obama is pressing hard for something now. Too often, and unfortunately, what a bill contains is secondary to its passing. This controversial bill will affect everyone, forever. Why the rush? Do it right.
.
jaq~
.
Information sources:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/07/22/arrogance_97561.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/health/policy/18health.html?_r=3&hp
Friday, July 17, 2009
Is Your Home Really Your Castle?
by j. wright
.
So you think “your home is your castle?” Not if the U.S. Senate passes the questionable “climate” bill the House of Representatives passed last week on a 219-212 vote. It legislates mandatory home inspections by federal regulators (Big Brother?) who will demand to audit every aspect of your home under the threat of substantial and repeated fines if their visits are denied or their demands not satisfied.
.
The inspectors shall request copies of utility bills, or permission to obtain copies from your utility companies and use them to produce an estimate of generalized heating and cooling end-uses; and will inspect for R-values of wall/ceiling/floor insulation; type of windows: glazing type and frame material; type, model number, and location of heating/cooling system, ductwork, location and R-value of duct insulation; type of foundation if crawl, basement, or slab; the age and efficiency of your hardwired light fixtures and screw-in bulbs and the number of water faucets, showerheads just to name a few areas.
.
Does this mandatory intervention violate the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing protection from unreasonable search and seizure? “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
..
This legislation was fueled on the automatic assumption that global warming is taking place and it attributes to rising CO2 levels, despite the fact that this is a highly contentious question and is being rejected by more and more international scientists, but who cares? This government knows best even when it ignores the Constitution. Your choice: federal fines, or do you spend dollars you can’t spare to upgrade?
.
jaq~
.
So you think “your home is your castle?” Not if the U.S. Senate passes the questionable “climate” bill the House of Representatives passed last week on a 219-212 vote. It legislates mandatory home inspections by federal regulators (Big Brother?) who will demand to audit every aspect of your home under the threat of substantial and repeated fines if their visits are denied or their demands not satisfied.
.
The inspectors shall request copies of utility bills, or permission to obtain copies from your utility companies and use them to produce an estimate of generalized heating and cooling end-uses; and will inspect for R-values of wall/ceiling/floor insulation; type of windows: glazing type and frame material; type, model number, and location of heating/cooling system, ductwork, location and R-value of duct insulation; type of foundation if crawl, basement, or slab; the age and efficiency of your hardwired light fixtures and screw-in bulbs and the number of water faucets, showerheads just to name a few areas.
.
Does this mandatory intervention violate the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing protection from unreasonable search and seizure? “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
..
This legislation was fueled on the automatic assumption that global warming is taking place and it attributes to rising CO2 levels, despite the fact that this is a highly contentious question and is being rejected by more and more international scientists, but who cares? This government knows best even when it ignores the Constitution. Your choice: federal fines, or do you spend dollars you can’t spare to upgrade?
.
jaq~
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Step Two in Totalitarianism - Mandatory Home Inspections
by jwright-July 8, 2009
.
So you think “your home is your castle?” Maybe not if the U.S. Senate actually passes the questionable “climate” bill the House of Representatives passed last week on a 219-212 vote. It legislates mandatory home inspections by federal government regulators (Big Brother?) who will demand to audit every aspect of your home under the threat of substantial and repeated fines if their visits are denied or their demands not satisfied.
The inspectors shall request copies of utility bills, or permission to obtain copies from your utility companies and use them to produce an estimate of generalized end-uses (heating, and cooling); and then will inspect for R-values of wall/ceiling/floor insulation; Square footage and approximate age of home; Type of windows: glazing type(s) and frame material(s); Type, model number, and location of heating/cooling system(s); Type of ductwork, location and R-value of duct insulation, and any indications of previous duct sealing; Type of foundation if crawl, basement, or slab; Checklist of common air-leakage sites; Estimated age and efficiency of major appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers; Number and type of hardwired light fixtures and screw-in bulbs in portable lamps suitable for energy efficient re-lamping; Visual indications of condensation; Presence and location of exhaust fans, and whether they are vented outdoors; Number and type of water faucets, showerheads; and Presence and type(s) of combustion equipment; blocked chimney, and corroded or missing vent connections
This legislation was fueled on the automatic assumption that global warming is taking place and it attributes to rising CO2 levels, despite the fact that this is a highly contentious question and is being rejected by more and more international scientists, but who cares? Government knows best. If your home doesn’t pass muster, what then? Federal fines, or do you spend dollars you can’t spare to upgrade?
jaq~
.
Information source: http://www.infowars.com/bureaucrats-will-carry-out-mandatory-home-inspections-under-climate-bill/
.
So you think “your home is your castle?” Maybe not if the U.S. Senate actually passes the questionable “climate” bill the House of Representatives passed last week on a 219-212 vote. It legislates mandatory home inspections by federal government regulators (Big Brother?) who will demand to audit every aspect of your home under the threat of substantial and repeated fines if their visits are denied or their demands not satisfied.
The inspectors shall request copies of utility bills, or permission to obtain copies from your utility companies and use them to produce an estimate of generalized end-uses (heating, and cooling); and then will inspect for R-values of wall/ceiling/floor insulation; Square footage and approximate age of home; Type of windows: glazing type(s) and frame material(s); Type, model number, and location of heating/cooling system(s); Type of ductwork, location and R-value of duct insulation, and any indications of previous duct sealing; Type of foundation if crawl, basement, or slab; Checklist of common air-leakage sites; Estimated age and efficiency of major appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers; Number and type of hardwired light fixtures and screw-in bulbs in portable lamps suitable for energy efficient re-lamping; Visual indications of condensation; Presence and location of exhaust fans, and whether they are vented outdoors; Number and type of water faucets, showerheads; and Presence and type(s) of combustion equipment; blocked chimney, and corroded or missing vent connections
This legislation was fueled on the automatic assumption that global warming is taking place and it attributes to rising CO2 levels, despite the fact that this is a highly contentious question and is being rejected by more and more international scientists, but who cares? Government knows best. If your home doesn’t pass muster, what then? Federal fines, or do you spend dollars you can’t spare to upgrade?
jaq~
.
Information source: http://www.infowars.com/bureaucrats-will-carry-out-mandatory-home-inspections-under-climate-bill/
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Step One in Totalitarianism - Cap and Trade
by jwright
HEADLINE: Dollar Falls Most in Month as China Urges New Reserve Currency. That was the June 27 headline at Bloomberg.com, published by the Bloomberg Professional, a service terminal that provides real-time financial news, market data, and analysis.
.
The U.S. Dollar declined the most against the Euro and dropped in value versus the Yen after China challenged Obamanomics and repeated its call for a new global currency.
.
What does the decline in value of the dollar mean for you and me? In a capsule, according to the Gerson Lehman Group, its devaluation means higher prices for our every day goods and commodities, as they are expected to continue to rise along with the value of energy, oil, precious and base metals. Fuel costs will increase, and consumer credit will shrink while inflation increases (punishing those like me and others on a fixed income).
.
The opponents of the president’s ominous Cap-and-Trade bill that passed recently in the U.S. House of Representatives said much the same. In the opinion of millions it’s a new, unfair tax on energy consumption that will essentially increase the costs of everything we use. Slowdowns in corporate production will ensue. American businesses relocating offshore would result, subsequently followed with the loss of American jobs.
Some politicians say the bill makes sense because if energy costs rise, consumption will be less. The nebulous reasoning is that we’ll then lessen our dependence on foreign oil and somehow change our planet’s climate. Is this like rearranging the chairs in a restaurant’s public smoking section while the growing smoke cloud lingers everywhere? With China and India’s growth, the pollution on the planet increases while our cost of living increases and our standard of living erodes, the economy continues to founder, and worse, the central federal government attains more power. We are the losers.
Sources: www.bloomberg.com; www.glgroup.com/
.
jaq~
HEADLINE: Dollar Falls Most in Month as China Urges New Reserve Currency. That was the June 27 headline at Bloomberg.com, published by the Bloomberg Professional, a service terminal that provides real-time financial news, market data, and analysis.
.
The U.S. Dollar declined the most against the Euro and dropped in value versus the Yen after China challenged Obamanomics and repeated its call for a new global currency.
.
What does the decline in value of the dollar mean for you and me? In a capsule, according to the Gerson Lehman Group, its devaluation means higher prices for our every day goods and commodities, as they are expected to continue to rise along with the value of energy, oil, precious and base metals. Fuel costs will increase, and consumer credit will shrink while inflation increases (punishing those like me and others on a fixed income).
.
The opponents of the president’s ominous Cap-and-Trade bill that passed recently in the U.S. House of Representatives said much the same. In the opinion of millions it’s a new, unfair tax on energy consumption that will essentially increase the costs of everything we use. Slowdowns in corporate production will ensue. American businesses relocating offshore would result, subsequently followed with the loss of American jobs.
Some politicians say the bill makes sense because if energy costs rise, consumption will be less. The nebulous reasoning is that we’ll then lessen our dependence on foreign oil and somehow change our planet’s climate. Is this like rearranging the chairs in a restaurant’s public smoking section while the growing smoke cloud lingers everywhere? With China and India’s growth, the pollution on the planet increases while our cost of living increases and our standard of living erodes, the economy continues to founder, and worse, the central federal government attains more power. We are the losers.
Sources: www.bloomberg.com; www.glgroup.com/
.
jaq~
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