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Now that the legal mumbo jumbo is outta the way...

Monday, August 31, 2009

Friday, August 28, 2009

Why are the Democrats failing?

The Democrats are scrambling to try and explain and blame someone, anyone for their lagging numbers, soon to be lost House and Senate seats and losing support for the health care bill and upcoming Senate Energy Bill. There are daily polls, focus groups, renaming from health care reform to health insurance reform, endless discussions of what is causing such a lack of faith from the American People. Well it must be the Tea Party people, the far right fringe, it can't be their own fault!

And the Republicans are pretty much just as confused. They think they understand, but their lack of understanding could result in loss of their seats as well, they just don't realize that.

So what is the real answer?

I think it is two simple things.

1. Prior to Bush's parting spending bill, the average American voter did not realize that it was common practice in Washington to NOT read the bills. We elect these people, send them to Washington, and are amazed at the legislation coming out like a faucet turned on full force. Maybe we just never stopped to think about it. We figured that was what they should be doing on our taxpayer dime. And then for some of the politicians to stand there and act like the voters are being unreasonable to expect them to READ THE BILL, set off our "who the heck do you work for" button! The arrogance displayed by the people who are basically our employees is becoming too much to bear. And we won't.

2. This one is extremely simple but tell me I'm wrong: Americans do not like Nancy Pelosi. We do not trust her. Period.

There ya have it. Don't over complicate things. But politicians always over complicate.

HR1207 Update**REVISED**REVISED

Well I'll be spanked and made to write bad checks but it's finally going to happen.

Ron Paul and Patriots such as Liberal Hater, and all of us who wrote, emailed etc., are going be be rewarded for our efforts. Barney Frank, yes I said BF hisself, has committed to a vote and passage of HR1207 this October!

How 'bout that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2DX9Iu4wNo

This is going to be HUGE.

______________________________________________
UPDATE --- As Ron Paul was afraid, celebration may be premature, as the video is missing one line, that it was actually Barney's own version of financial regulations that would pass, not RP's version of HR1207.

http://www.ronpaul.com/2009-08-28/barney-frank-didnt-say-that-hr-1207-will-pass-in-october/

Seems there is still work to be done.

New slogan for Health Care Bill

Just say no

For Mary Jo

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Milton Friedman and Phil Donahue

Yeah it's a little old but still very pertinent for today:


Milton Friedman

This man is a genius.

Ems Town Hall #3

I have to check this out, but for now go visit and see what you think: https://wethepeoplehealth.com/

Saturday, August 22, 2009

John Adams

We are in the process of watching the series originally shown on HBO. I highly recommend it to any one.

Oh what a time that was at the birth of a nation!! To have been there, to have been able to participate or even just to observe the pain, the struggles, the sacrifices. From the lowliest field worker who suddenly found a musket thrust into his hand, the wives sending their sons off to fight for our nations future, even the wives of the great men of the time not being able to participate directly but helping the leaders that were their husbands craft their thoughts into history changing words leading to history changing deeds. Yes, I would have loved to be there.

A new nation. Not a beautiful thing, ugly actually. Still dealing with the moral pains of slavery to be a future cause of yet another great strife. No, not a beauty. But full of great promise with unheard of ideas that would shape the world. They had NO idea of the power in their hands, in their hearts, in their words. To be on that threshold, oh I cry for them even now.

Even now, we watch our nation changing before our very eyes. And it is these words in the Declaration of Independence that strikes the loudest chord with me at this time:

"accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."

Are we becoming too accustomed to the evils around us? How long have we been suffering, how long has our constitution been trampled on? Is it time?

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new guards for their future security"

Our right. Our DUTY!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Government Funded Burials

Just not one of those things I had even thought about!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-08-19-funerals_N.htm

Em's Town Hall Discussion #2 - Co-op Plan

This ought to be very short. And unfortunately, uninformative, as I have yet to find any real details. They are being very closed mouthed about what is in this plan draft and will not be rushed. Well the not being rushed is refreshing coming from Washington, but I'm afraid it's just a smoke screen.

Michael Cannon, of the Cato Institute, talked about the co-op plan on Glenn Beck. What was interesting was his description of the "management" of a co-op. It is run by the members. Well on day one, there are no members yet. SO the government will step in to run it. I think we all know, that once government sticks their nose in, it's hard to get it out.

Cato Article

Senator Kent Conrad was speaking on behalf of the "Gang of Six" assigned to come up with a non-partisan option for health care, hence the Co-op option. But no details?!!

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/sen.-conrad-public-option-a-wasted-effort-2009-08-16.html

So our discussion could only be: how do you think this would work?

Personally I think it's a back door effort of government control. Or more likely, a smoke screen to keep us focusing on too many items to get a clear picture.

As the Judge says: what say you?

Our Tax Dollars Going To Brazil???????

Two BILLION dollars going to Brazil - for offshore drilling! But offshore drilling here in the US was declared a "gimmick" by President Obama! So why are we giving two billion dollars to Petrobras for offshore drilling in Brazil?

Interesting.

Guess who is the major holding in George Soros' Hedge Fund?! Petrobras.

something fishy going on, think I'll report it to the White House

Just say no!

Yet another Congressional attack on corporate America. Overstepping their authority, trampling the constitution. DEMANDING documents and financial records on pay and premium records.

When will one of these CEO's tell them: "You require my cooperation to destroy me. I refuse to participate." to paraphrase Atlas Shrugged.

Just Say No

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The County Maintenance Department JOB INTERVIEW...

A guy goes to the County Maintenance Department to apply for a job.

The interviewer asks him 'Are you allergic to anything?'

He says 'Yes, just caffeine.'


The interviewer says 'That will give you 5 extra points toward employment here.', and then asks, 'Are you disabled in any way?'

The guy says, 'Yes... an IED exploded near me and blew my testicles clean off.'

The interviewer tells the guy 'O.K. In that case, I can hire you right now. Normal hours are from 8am
to 4pm. You can start tomorrow at 10am, and plan on starting at 10am every day. Don't worry, we'll still pay you from 8am.'

The guy is puzzled and says, 'If the hours are from 8am
to 4pm, why don't you want me to be here before 10am?'

The government job interviewer says, 'For the first two hours we just stand around drinking coffee and scratching our balls. No point in you coming in for that.'

Friday, August 14, 2009

Em's Town Hall Discussion #1

Today (Saturday) we will cover the proposal listed below. I have posted the links below, they will open in a new tab or window. Have also inserted the Short Summary Text but the others are a bit long to post here. Not as long as the House Bill! PLEASE feel free to post questions or comments. If I or any one else here can't answer your question we'll see if we can't find someone who can.

If you do not feel comfortable posting in this public forum you can email your questions or comments to **** . (revised due to abuse)

H.R. 2520 Patients Choice Act (authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R) of Wisconsin)

Short Summary

Patients’ Choice Act
May 2009
The Patients’ Choice Act transforms health care in America: strengthening the relationship between the patient and the doctor; using the forces of choice and competition rather than rationing and restrictions to contain costs; and ensuring universal, affordable health care for all Americans.

Preventing Disease and Promoting Healthier Lifestyles
Each year, five chronic diseases (heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes) cause two‐thirds of American deaths; treatment of these largely preventable diseases makes up 75 percent of total health care expenditures. Critical investments in public health and disease prevention will go a long way in restraining health care costs and improving the quality of Americans’ lives. The Patient’s Choice Act of 2009 would:

• Encourage increased coordination of federal prevention efforts and bring long‐overdue accountability to these programs
• Require CDC to undertake a national campaign highlighting science‐based health promotion strategies

• Equip recipients of Supplemental Nutritional Benefits with easily understandable information about nutritious food options and target the use of food stamps to healthy food choices
• Invest $50 million annually for increased vaccine availability and bonus grants to states that achieve 90 percent or greater coverage of CDC‐recommended vaccines
• Provide incentives for states to reduce rates of chronic disease like heart disease and diabetes


Creating Affordable and Accessible Health Insurance Options
Our health care system should be easier to navigate and provide integrated care in a more equitable manner. A vibrant market for health insurance that is consistent and fair will allow all Americans access to health coverage. The Patient’s Choice Act of 2009 would encourage states to establish rational and reasonable consumer protections, including the following:

• Creates State Health Insurance Exchanges to give Americans a one‐stop marketplace to compare different health insurance policies and select the one that meets their unique needs
• Gives Americans the same standard health benefits as Members of Congress, so all Americans have a wide range of choices
• Protects the most vulnerable Americans to ensure that no individual would be turned down by a participating Exchange insurers based on age or health
• Creates a non‐profit, independent board to risk adjust among participating insurance companies to penalize companies that “cherry pick” health patients and reward insurers that encourage prevention/wellness and cover patients with pre‐existing conditions
• Helps States expand coverage through auto‐enrollment at state and medical points of service, for individuals who do not select a plan at the beginning of the year
• Gives states the ability to band together in regional pooling arrangements, as well as the creation of robust high risk pools, reinsurance markets, or risk adjustment mechanisms to cover those deemed ‘uninsurable’

Equalizes the Tax Treatment of Health Care, Empowering All Americans with Real Access to Coverage
Economic analysts across the political divide agree that the tax code is stacked in favor of the wealthy and those who get their health coverage through their employers, discriminating against the self‐employed, the unemployed, and small businesses. The Patients’ Choice Act of 2009 would restore fairness in the tax code and give every American, regardless of employment status, the ability to purchase health insurance by:

• Providing an advanceable and refundable tax credit of $2,300 per individual or $5,700 per family

• Improving the operation of Health Savings Accounts [HSAs] by allowing health insurance premiums to be paid with HSAs without a tax penalty
• Allowing preventative services to be covered by High Deductible Health Plans
• Increasing the amount of money an HSA owner may annually contribute to their account

Modernizing the Medicaid Benefit and Protecting Medicare Beneficiary Choice
The health security for low‐income families and American seniors is threatened by the outdated formulas and exploding costs of Medicaid and Medicare. These vital programs require significant reforms to better balance value for those beneficiaries in greatest need and protection for U.S. taxpayers. The Patients’ Choice Act would make important improvements to both programs without limiting eligibility or benefits by:

• Integrating low‐income families with dependent children into higher‐quality private plans through direct assistance
• Removing the stigma of Medicaid and providing access to the same coverage options available to all Americans
• Realigning responsibility between federal and state governments in order to better coordinate benefits by requiring the Medicare program to assume Medicaid responsibility of premiums, cost‐sharing, and deductibles for low‐income seniors
• Rebalancing long‐term care services to ensure choice between institutionalized and home‐based care
• Empowering Medicare beneficiaries with more choices and more power by reforming Medicare Advantage
• Allowing for the creation of Medicare Accountable Care Organizations that would improve payment to physicians, hospitals, pharmacists, and nurses for demonstrable improvements in quality and patient satisfaction while reducing costs
• Requiring wealthy Medicare beneficiaries to contribute a little more for their care under Medicare Part D

Ensuring Compensation for Injured Patients
Our current legal system does a poor job at compensating patients for medical mistakes in a fair and efficient manner. Instead of nurturing an environment where medical professionals can openly learn from their mistakes, our legal system often forces doctors and patients into contentious courtroom disputes. The Patients’ Choice Act would reform this broken system that helps drive health care costs out of control by:

• Encouraging states to adopt a number of legal alternatives entirely run by the state that would include the establishment of expert medical panels to resolve disputes, creation of health courts, or a combination of both

Establishing Transparency in Health Care Price and Quality
For a vibrant health care market to function properly, patients must know what services cost and who provides the best service. Uniform and reliable measures of reporting quality and price information should be designed by the stakeholders in health care rather than the heavy‐hand of government. The Patients’ Choice Act would bring this much needed transparency into the health care market by:

• Creating a Healthcare Services Commission that relies on a public/private partnership to enhance the quality, appropriateness and effectiveness of health care services through the publication and enforcement of quality and price information
• Empowering the private sector – rather than Washington bureaucrats – to set standards on price and quality with the input from all major stakeholders in health care, as well as the general public
• Ensuring that measures of effectiveness keep pace with innovation

Long Summary

Q&A

Text of Legislation

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Are you a Geico Policy Holder? Email them

This is my email:

We have been policy holders of Geico for both our vehicles for quite some time. Imagine our surprise when we hear that Geico pulled it's ads from The Glenn Beck Show because of Van Jones and his Color of Change group. That is a racist group if ever I saw one. You seriously need to re-examine this position. This is going on our blog which could cost you more customers.

Sheldon & Joyce

http://www.fireandreamitchell.com/2009/08/13/obama-official-linked-to-racially-charged-boycott-of-glenn-beck/

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

The 10th Amendment

Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note*
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

*Note from site: Note well this. Anything not expressly granted to the Federal government is reserved for the States or the People. Although this amendment is very liberally interpreted, it is one of the tenets of the Constitution. This amendment is also known as the States' Rights Amendment.

Now, nowhere in the Constitution is healthcare delegated to the United States nor is it prohibited to the states. Wouldn't that mean, that healthcare (or anything else not covered by same) would be relegated specifically to the states or the people?

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Timeline of Financial Meltdown - Warnings & Those Who Ignored Them

What makes this even sadder, this is from a Canadian website. I'm sure I can find the same elsewhere, just find it interesting that this is being discussed in Canada.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMnSp4qEXNM&feature=player_embedded

Starting in 2001, the warnings from different sources in government and economics and how people like Barney Frank kept fighting to protect their pet projects.

Un-American

So it's un-American to protest at town hall meetings now is it?

I guess these were un-American protests as well:

protests on the voter recounts in Florida
protests against the Iraq war
protests against the Vietnam war
the Selma, Alabama march
it was un-American for Rosa Parks to NOT get to the back of the bus
un-American to burn your bra
protesting for or against prohibition
protesting for black right to vote
protesting for Women's right to vote

There is a long line of protests from many views of the compass, all the way back to some beverage being tossed into the bay but yet, protests are un-American.

Tell me again Mr. President, Speaker, tell me exactly how protesting is un-American?

How dare you?

Friday, August 7, 2009

The most arrogant president on record

Excuse you???? I may not have voted for you but I do help pay your salary so I will NOT just sit down and let you ruin our nation!!!


http://www.breitbart.tv/obama-dont-want-the-folks-who-created-the-mess-to-do-a-lot-of-talking/

Enjoy this while it lasts

expect youtube to take it down soon

bad words in text only, you have been warned (but it's funny)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRvtWEG_vhQ&feature=player_embedded

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Health Care Plan - it's not about choice

Wanted to make sure the title was clear for any wacko that wanted to send my blog to the White House Disinformation Czar!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ-6ebku3_E&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.heritage.org%2F2009%2F06%2F11%2Fobamas-health-care-trojan-horse%2F&feature=player_embedded

Make that another nail in the coffin of American freedom

From the White House website:

There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

_________________________________________________________

OMG now we are being encouraged to spy on each other. Go ahead, send them me!!!!

1984 anyone?

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Order a pizza?

http://aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf

Thanks Geri!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Daily Kos revenge tactics

They want the names and addresses released who signed a petition against gay marriage! Personally, I don't have a problem with gay marriage, but releasing petition names? No, not right.

"everyone who dared to sign the petition"

Everyone who DARED? So this is not really about disclosure, it's about revenge. You people suck.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/8/3/760023/-Disclosure,-Privacy-and-Principles

Wonder if they are that concerned about fraudulent ACORN activity?

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Southern Women

My sweet sistah sent me this lil diddy:

Southern women appreciate their natural assets:

Clean skin.
A winning smile.
That unforgettable Southern drawl.

Southern women know their manners:
"Yes, ma'am."
"Yes, sir."
"Why, no, Billy!"

Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions :
"Y'all come back!"
"Well, bless your heart."
"Drop by when you can."
"How's your Momma?"


Southern women know their summer weather report:
Humidity
Humidity
Humidity

Southern women know their vacation spots:

The beach
The rivuh
The crick

Southern women know the joys of June, July, and

August:
Colorful hi-heel sandals
Strapless sun dresses
Iced sweet tea with mint

Southerners know everybody's first name:
Honey
Darlin'
Shugah

Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:
Fried Green Tomatoes
Driving Miss Daisy
Steel Magnolias
Gone With The Wind

Southern women know their religions:

Baptist
Methodist
Football

Southern women know their country breakfasts:
Red-eye gravy
Grits
Eggs
Country ham
Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma's homemade jelly

Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
Chawl'stn

S'vanah
Foat Wuth
N'awlins
Addlanna

Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform.
Men in tuxedos
Rhett Butler

Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall
The Country Club
The Beauty Salon

Southern girls know the three deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails
Having bad manners
Cooking bad food


Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them , you "PITCH" them.
_____

Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up
"a mess."
_____

Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of
"yonder."
_____

Only a Southerner knows exactly how long
"directly" is, . as in: "Going to town, be back directly."
_____

Even Southern babies know that
"Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table.
_____

All Southerners know exactly when
"by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well.
_____

Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad.. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin!
_____

Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between
"right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that < /B>"just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.
_____

Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.
_____

No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.
_____

A Southerner knows that
"fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb , or an adverb.
_____

Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and when we're "in line," we talk to everybody!
_____

Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage.
_____

In the South,
y'all is singular, all y'all is plural.
_____

Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.
_____

Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.
_____

When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!
_____

Only true Southerners say
"sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk.
_____

And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her heart" ... and go your own way.
_____

To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart!
_____

And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language!
_____

And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could."



Now...... Shugah, send this to someone who was raised in the South or wish they had been!

If you're a Northern transplant, Bless your little heart, fake it. We know you got here as fast as you could


Health Care Plan back door to Single Pay System

http://bit.ly/17TJZ3

Barney Frank has pretty much admitted this. There is a group called Single Payer Action advocating for single payer health care, socialized health care. They are so obsessed they are attacking anyone they see as compromising for a combination of private and public options. They stopped Barney Frank thinking they were exposing him as being against single payer. Well they got a surprise! He is all for single payer but knows it would never pass as such.

Remember the socialist manifesto: we will feed socialism to America little bite by bite until they wake up one day to realize they are a communist nation. Paraphrased but I believe Stalin said that.

Once in place, this health care plan locks you in. Even if you are in a private plan, you can not make any changes to it without being kicked into the public plan. If you are in an employer plan and change jobs, if your plan is not mobile, you will lose the private option and again, be kicked into the government plan. After age 67 you will be forced into medicare/government plan.

Eventually we will ALL be in the government plan whether we want to or not! Little bites at a time.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Another nail in coffin of liberty in Venezuela

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN0146551720090801

Expect similar moves here when a bill passes that forces minority ownership and "local issues" on radio and tv. It's still in the talking stages, make sure it stays there.

Chavez, Zelaya and Obama.

Going out on a limb here and saying if Republicans take back Congress in 2010, we will start seeing "Executive Actions".