CNN Tells It Like It Is About Elections

This time, all politics was local – CNN.com.

CNN published an article focusing on yesterday’s seemingly surprising election results which they summed up in four words:  ”All politics is local” – a phrase which CNN credited originally to former Speaker Tip O’Neill.

If you didn’t catch any news last night, incumbent  Governor Corzine lost his re-election in New Jersey to the Republican in spite of the fact that Obama campaigned for Democrat Corzine.  In New York’s 23rd District which is conservative, the Conservative candidate lost to the Democrat.  You will recall the controversy of the Republican candidate being forced out of that race and also out-of-state big-mouths like Sarah Palin campaigning for the Conservative, yet their guy still lost last night.

These results seem surprising only to those who don’t understand the unique character of the American People.  And to those who think that they can bring out political and/or media heavyweights to sell us on a candidate.

The CNN article is well written and makes a very important point.  But will those in Washington be listening?  If those now in Washington hope to stay in power after 2010 and 2012, they might want to carefully consider yesterday’s results and Speaker O’Neill’s insightful words.

It’s time that ALL the politicians in Washington, including Obama, realize that the results in NY’s 23rd District and New Jersey are  NOT unique.  If Washington politicos think that they can roll out big wheels on either side – be it Palin, Thompson, or even Obama himself – they may be sadly surprised by the election results.

Americans are not all the same, and we resent anyone thinking that we are!  We reject being boxed into “right or left” or “liberal or conservative” corners.  The American people are reasonable and can share a mixture of views.  Yesterday’s elections results demonstrate this.  And they also demonstrate something else too:  that the American People are waking up to machinations of big-power politics!  Those who would want to continue controlling Washington may discover that they are voted out or power in 2010 and 2012.

Americans can’t be “sold” on a politician using marketing tactics like famous celebrity endorsements and glitzy ads.  Our votes are not for sale.  Commercials, endorsements, media hype tends to turn us off.  We’ve been disappointed too many times in the past by glossy, glitzy candidates who fizzle out once elected.  We want to know what a candidate is truly for or against, who they are as people, and how strong their character is.  These are traits that can’t be boxed into a glossy PR campaign!

 

 

Single Payer System Works Everywhere Else: Why Not In America?

One of the elements of “change” that many Americans voted for was real reform for our health care system.  We voted for lawmakers who would move this country away from health insurance lobbyists and toward a health care system that is open and fair to everyone.

Some of us were hopeful that America would join the rest of the industrialized world by creating a single payer system – or a Medicare system for everyone. Sadly, it doesn’t look like real “change” we can believe in will happen.   Once again, the lobbyists in Washington, from the insurance and pharmaceutical industries as well as Wall Street, are exerting their power and control over the people we have elected.

Instead of representing us, as they are supposed to, these lawmakers choose to take funding for their ever-continuing political campaigns from corporate lobbyists who have sold their souls to keep the health insurance industry in control of the American people.  It’s no surprise that health insurers are the only private companies allowed to create and maintain monopolies (which would violate Federal anti-trust laws for any other businesses).  The health insurance industry has bought the votes of politicians – both in Washington and at the local level – to keep them unregulated and above the rules that apply to everyone else!

Congress is moving ever closer to passing a health care bill.  There is no doubt that a bill will be passed.  But, unless the American People speak up soon, and in one loud voice, the bill that finally reaches the President’s desk will only benefit the health insurance cartel.

Once the melding of the House and Senate bills takes place – most likely behind closed doors – we’ll feel and see the influence of insurance industry lobbyists:

1. Any hope for a public insurance plan or Medicare for all will be watered down or a very limited afterthought;
2. Everyone will be forced – via Federal law – to purchase a private insurance policy;
3. The insurance industry itself will be allowed to continue gouging Americans because lawmakers, who are largely funded by them, are unwilling to regulate them;
4. If there is a public plan, states will be allow to opt out of it which will be a boon to the insurance companies.  In many states, only one insurance company controls most of the market without competition.  These insurance companies, who fund local lawmakers, will influence them to opt their state out of the public plan.

Why not Medicare for all?  Why not a single payer system?  Why can’t the United States develop a viable and fair health care system for its citizens like every other major country?

There is one reason – the influence of the health insurers who will do anything to maintain their power and control.  These health insurers will buy votes to water down legislation or completely block it.  They will purchase minions who will become their mouthpieces to confuse issues, turn lies into truth, and cripple reform through propaganda.

“Public option” has become a dirty word because of propaganda.  ”Single payer” is equated to “socialism” and “communism” because of lies.

The truth is that most other developed and industrial countries have a single payer plan which is funded either publicly or privately, or a combination of both.  Nations who enjoy single payer include:

• Japan
• Israel
• Almost all of Europe
• The U.K.
• Canada
• Mexico
• See the complete list here

Another truth is that some Americans already enjoy the benefits of a single payer plan.  If you are on Medicare, you are in a single payer plan.

Ironically, some of those on Medicare, we saw this summer, were the loudest voices defending Medicare but yet shouting down the “public option” which would essentially be Medicare for all.  It’s not that these people shouting down the public plan at town hall meetings were greedy to deny others the same benefits they already enjoy.  No, not greed on their parts.  But it was a demonstration of the greed and power of influence of industry lobbyists to twist the truth and confuse the issue.

It’s time for all of us to become informed about health care and to discern the truth from the myths.  Here is a good place to start to begin debunking the lies:  healthactionnow.org.

Here are some other links:

• To learn about universal health care, single payer systems, and a list of nations currently providing single payer (including Medicare, SCHIP, & TRICARE in the U.S.):    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_health_care#United_States
• Two letters to the editor from Americans with interesting information about health care: 

 http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20090925/VIEWPOINTS03/909250301/1129/Single-payer+system+best;

and,

 http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_6967f5e2-bd40-11de-8076-001cc4c03286.html.

 

Iowa’s Harkin Is Positive About Health Care Reform Passage

Senator Tom Harkin  is sure that Congress will have a health care reform bill on the President’s desk which will include a public option “before we go home for Christmas,” according to the Associated Press.

The Iowa Democrat told reporters on Sunday that a “silent majority” are in favor of real health care reform which includes a public option.

Harkin is picking up the baton for the late Senator Ted Kennedy in the Senate, according to the Boston Herald, replacing Kennedy as the Chair for the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Commitee.

Links:  1.  The Associated Press: Harkin: `Silent majority’ back health care reform.

2.  BostonHerald.com:  Tom Harkin to fill Ted Kennedy’s Senate health-care role.

 

It’s Time For Obama to Step Up For Real Healthcare Reform

It was the dream of Senator Ted Kennedy that every American have qualilty health care.  And it’s no secret that Kennedy put his faith behind Barack Obama to get it done (remember that Kennedy “passed the torch” to Obama during the 2008 Democratic Convention).

Now, with the passing of Senator Kennedy, President Obama must step up to the plate to get healthcare reform done.  To do this, he’s going to have to unite Democrats by using his leadership to honor the life-long dream of Kennedy.

The only way to really to provide healthcare for every American is with a single payer system.  Democrats must get together to stand up to the myths and propaganda created by healthcare industry lobbyists.  They must also be ready to stand up to Republicans especially in the Senate (let them filibuster and make a spectacle of themselves in front of the nation if necessary!).

The United States is the only modern developed nation in the world that doesn’t provide healthcare for its citizens through a single payer system.  The reason we don’t is because too many of our lawmakers are intimidated by big-money healthcare industry interests.  If the Dems compromise on this issue by dumping the public option or by requiring all Americans to buy a private insurance plan (or be penablized through taxes), the American people will become the pawns of these big-money interests who will be forever more enriched at our expense.

With President Obama’s leadership and Democratic majority in both Houses of Congress, Americans can free themselves of healthcare lobbyists who are only interested in bottom line profit if – and only if – President Obama leads the way and the Democrats stand united, tough, and strong.

House bill HR 676 and its Senate equivalent S 703 will provide quality healthcare for all of us.  By clicking the links you can read these bills for yourself (online or download the pdf).  For those who want to keep their private insurance, they can opt out of these plans (similar to people who send their kids to private school and opt out of universal education).

Read this for more information:  Hudson Reporter – Support single payer health care.

 

Single Payer Health-Care: Obama May Be Sliding It Past Opponents

For those who have followed President Obama’s rise in politics, it’s not a secret that Obama has always been for a single-payer health-care, or universal payer, system…that is, until recently.

Concerned about his party’s 2010 re-election and opposition from big-money health insurance interests, President Obama has appeared to change his position to one that would allow choice of private insurance along with a public option.

But, the change away from universal single-payer may be for appearance sake only if HR 3200 passes and is signed into law.

Section 102 A of HR 3200 (on Page 16) prohibits private insurance companies from accepting new members after the law goes into effect.

(1) LIMITATION ON NEW ENROLLMENT.—

11 (A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in

12 this paragraph, the individual health insurance

13 issuer offering such coverage does not enroll

14 any individual in such coverage if the first ef-

15fective date of coverage is on or after the first

16 day of Y1.

Essentially, anyone who is not covered by private insurance on the day that this law goes into effect – if it passes both houses of Congress and is signed by the President – will have to become part of the public option.

This link has more info:  Obama’s slippery transition to a single-payer health care system | Culpeper Star-Exponent.

 

Sotomayor Vote Today

Before leaving on their August recess tomorrow, the Senate is scheduled to vote on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.  The vote will take place about 3 p.m. Eastern Time or about noon for us on the West Coast.

Sotomayor’s confirmation is expected because many Republicans are breaking with their party to vote for her, probably a smart move in this politically hot climate, to look more moderate to their voters.

Sotomayor, if confirmed, will replace liberal Justice David Souter and, politically will be a parallel replacement, not bringing much idealogical change in that respect.  Sotomayor, however, will make history with her expected confirmation because she will become the first Latina on the high court.

Senate vote on Sotomayor scheduled for this afternoon – Los Angeles Times.

 

The Associated Press: ‘Clunkers’ rebates look likely for another month

Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Senate Majority Leader, told his colleagues that, unless they wanted to miss some of their August vacation, they better get moving on extending the “Cash for Clunkers” program.  According to the AP, it looks like his push is working (see link below).  The Senate is scheduled to leave this Friday.

The House, before leaving for their recess, already approved $2 billion more to extend the popular program which gives qualified buyers up to $4,500 for their gas-guzzling trade-in.

Even though people like Glenn Beck call these trade-in’s, which get less than 18 MPG, “perfectly good cars,” the “Clunkers” program is not only getting older inefficient vehicles off the road, it is also spurring the economy!

The Associated Press: ‘Clunkers’ rebates look likely for another month.

 

Dems Scramble To Keep “Cash for Clunkers” On The Road

UPDATE:  CNN is reporting that the House just passed $2 billion extension to keep CARS “Cash for Clunkers” going; Senate expected to vote later.

Cash for Clunkers” – the $1 billion taxpayer-funded program for new car buyers – is already out of money after just one month!  Democrats are trying to infuse the program with $2 billion more of our tax dollars by the end of today to keep it on the road through the weekend!

The program, you might remember, gives buyers up to $4,500 for their trade-in on a vehicle that is more environmentally friendly.

Giving the impression that our tax dollars are removing smoke-belching eyesores from the road, the Car Allowance Rebate System, or CARS, is really designed to stimulate auto sales.

Qualifiedvehicles don’t necessarily have to be a “clunker.”  In fact, many high-priced luxury vehicles qualify for the money:  to qualify for the money, your trade-in must get 18 MPG or less.

Here’s what some are saying about “Cash for Clunkers”:

Cash for Clunkers: I got in before the money ran out

The Truth About the Feds& Decision to Suspend Cash for Clunkers …

Government to End “Cash for Clunkers” Program Due to Lack of Funds

 

CBO Director “Invited” To White House Meeting By Obama

White House South Facade

Everyone knows that an invitation to the White House by the President is more than an invitation.

Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf says that President Obama “invited” him to the White House on Monday to discuss the agency’s “views about…health reform,” according to the Director’s official blog.

Last week’s report by the CBO in a letter to the co-chairs of the Senate Committee on the Budget said that “rising costs for health care will cause federal spending to grow much faster than the economy” and it warned that Obama’s health reform, in its current form, would become “an unsustainable path.”

The CBO is an independent agency which is charged with providing Congress with the nitty-gritty, the economic impact, of government spending.  As a result of the CBO’s assessment of the current health-care legislation, many in Washington, including some Democrats, are now questioning the reform bill which could run into the trillions within a decade.

Director Elmendorf didn’t give much detail in his blog about what was covered in his meeting with Obama, Administration advisors, and others at the White House but he did say that the event didn’t go to his head.  ”Of course, the setting of the conversation and the nature of the participants do not affect CBO’s analysis of health reform legislation,” Elmendorf said in his blog.  Saying that he essentially reiterated to the president the same information which he provided to Congress, Elmendorf said that he “will continue to work with Members of Congress and their staffs, on both sides of the aisle, to provide cost estimates and other information as health reform legislation is considered.”

 

Health-care Reform In Critical Condition

Public opposition to Obama’s expensive health-care reform is putting pressure on Washington lawmakers.  It’s not just Republicans now who are questioning the viability of the massive program expected to cost the taxpayers trillions.  Democrats, who are getting a earful from folks at home, are now backing off their support of the president’s plan so much that it now appears that President Obama will not get his way of a bill on his desk by the August recess.

Earlier today, the House Energy Energy and Commerce Committee, one of three committees who are charged with marking up the bill,  going over it line by line, cancelled its session indefinitely.  Blue Dog Democrats, who are conservative when it comes to government spending, are bucking the plan and refusing to cooperate with Democrat leaders.  (Read story here.)

House majority leader Steny Hoyer (D) of Maryland is now saying that it’s unlikely that they will reach agreement before they go a month-long vacation in early August.  (Read story here.)

Obama, meanwhile, is now making daily appearances to try to push support for his plan.  While the House cancelled its committee session, Obama appeared once again from the White House Rose Garden to promote his health plan.  Can you say “hustle?”

Speaking of feeling like Obama is trying to “hustle” the American people, watch Neil Cavuto’s commentary from yesterday, July 20.  He likens what Obama and supportive Dems are doing to a slick car salesman who “hustled” Cavuto, when he was a young man, into a bad deal on his first car.  (Watch video here.)