HEALTHCARE– Public Option and Congressional Opposition

I have listened and attempted to understand the logic dictating Congressional Opposition to a Public Option being included in the Health Care Reform Package but I can’t figure out the logic nor understand the strategic plan. That is unless the strategic plan is to do nothing, change nothing and reform nothing as Congress eats and drinks at the MONEY trough of lobbyist. The main objection seems to be who will pay for Health Care Reform; and of course the President has a pay as you go policy. But this does not explain what their Health Care Reform is and who in America their plan will benefit.

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090617-716441.html “... Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., interrupting the opening remarks of Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., called the proceedings a "joke" and suggested the panel needed better cost estimates before it took up the legislation.

"I suggest we not move forward until we have some provision on how we're going to pay for it," McCain said. "Obviously, the CBO estimates that came out yesterday are much, much higher than we have originally estimated and we've yet to pay for them."

Here is my suggestion for Senator McCain and the rest of my Congress – First, get off your dead ass and do your damn job and be thankful you have your job because a lot of Americans don’t; you might not have your job following your next election if you keep making the American people suffer. Second and this is specifically for you Senator McCain, you are a triple dipper…Senator McCain receives a monthly Navy pension (along with all the benefits befitting a retired Naval Officer (including insurance, medical benefits, and drug benefits); Senator McCain also receives a monthly salary as a U.S. Senator (along with all the benefits of a tax paid employee (including insurance, medical benefits and drug benefits, oh I forgot dental and vision (above); and because he is over age 65, he receives a monthly Social Security payment and Medicare Benefits. Taxpayer dollars pay for all of this Senator McCain; true you have earned your Navy benefits and I salute you as an American Hero for your Naval Service and your endurance. However, since you can’t seem to do your job getting Real Health Care Reform for United States Citizens and specifically for Arizonians, you should QUIT or be FIRED. At that point, Senator McCain, you will only be a double dipper.

• Over forty million Americans are currently without Health Care
• Every American Senator and Representative has a Public Health Care Option
• The Bush Administration Medicare Reform had a giant “Donut Hole” which benefited the lobbyist, pharmaceutical companies and possible some politicians but gouged the elderly.
• Clinton Administrations attempt at Health Care Reform was blocked by Congress and never even got off the ground

In the meantime the American public has had the following heaped upon us

• My personal favorite – HMOs and PPOs

Not sure what HMO stands for, but I do know that since their existence, actual health care has been diminished

• Doctor/patient ratios increased significantly;
• Doctor time spent with patient, decreased dramatically;
• Doctors no longer “see” patients, and rarely physically touch their patients;
• Doctors very readily prescribe pharmaceutical drugs which in many cases are unnecessary;
• Doctors run lots of expensive tests that usually result in normal parameters but never help in the diagnosis of the initial problem;
• Doctors no longer look at the whole body to determine diagnosis – there is no time;
• Consistently Increasing Prescription Drug Cost
• Drugs that became approved by FDA in the 1960’s and 1970’s today cost 50% or more in comparison to original released rates;
• Recently developed drugs are released without thorough testing (primarily because of cost) sometimes resulting in deaths that are considered collateral damage;
• Increased law suits resulting from deaths or lifelong impairment due to taking drugs that have not had rigorous testing; most are not “frivolous” as suggested by former President Bush with his tort reform. Households who are affected by improper drugs will have life long medical problems which will have to be paid – Pharmaceutical companies are not volunteering to pay these costs;
• Drug companies profits keep going up;
• Drug company CEO’s and top management are paid more than the President of the United States in most cases ;
• Insurance Companies Ripping Off Consumers
• Personal note – I believe insurance is the biggest SCAM in America. Really think about this people – Life Insurance (oxymoron?) – Once you get life insurance you pay premium rates each year/month, each birthday your rates increase and/or you add more insurance, paying more and more every year till you die; then someone else gets the benefits. How is that insurance on your life?
• Monthly premium rates have tripled in comparison to inflation rates over the last nine years;
• Coverage has decreased to consumers and health providers together nickel and dime consumers to death with hidden costs that are no longer covered by “the plan”
• Medical Insurance Companies profits have increased along the same rate as the premium rate increases over the last nine years
• Insurance company CEO’s salaries are more than the President of the United States in most cases;

Congress, We the Hardworking People, have given everything we have monetarily in taxes, we have nothing left to give to you or the pharma companies, insurance companies, and HMO, PPO’s , who have all gained so much monetarily. Stop sucking the blood of the middle class. Do you job for the people and stop sucking up to Corporations. If you can’t do your job, QUIT!

I did my research; below you will find some supporting web documentation that will open the eyes of the American people to the farce that Congress refuses to see.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7015852971?Health%20Insurer%20UnitedHealth%202Q%20Earnings%20Jumps%20On%20Prior-Year%20Charges,%20Higher%20Revenue

Health Insurer UnitedHealth 2Q Earnings Jumps On Prior-Year Charges, Higher Revenue

Minneapolis, MN (AHN) - UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) announced Tuesday that its second-quarter profit more than doubled on previous year charges, with growth in revenues, topping analysts' estimates. The company also raised the low end of its full-year earnings outlook.

For the 2009, the company improved its guidance to $3.00 per share to $3.15 per share from the previous outlook range of $2.90 to $3.15 per share. UnitedHealth Group continues to project full year 2009 cash flows from operations of approximately $5 billion.

Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7015852971?Health%20Insurer%20UnitedHealth%202Q%20Earnings%20Jumps%20On%20Prior-Year%20Charges,%20Higher%20Revenue#ixzz0M6yKjcJl


http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/health-care/pfizer-reports-second-quarter--results-increases-year--adjusted-diluted-eps/

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today reported financial results for second-quarter 2009. Revenues were $11.0 billion, a decrease of 9% compared with the year-ago quarter and flat on a constant currency basis. Foreign exchange unfavorably impacted revenues by approximately $1.1 billion or 9%. For second-quarter 2009, U.S. revenues were $4.5 billion, a decrease of 5% compared with the year-ago quarter. International revenues were $6.5 billion, a decrease of 12% compared with the prior-year quarter, and reflected operational growth of 2%, which was more than offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange of 14%. U.S. revenues represented 41% of the total compared with 39% in the year-ago quarter, while international revenues represented 59% of the total compared with 61% in the year-ago quarter.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/health-care-reform/2009/07/health_care_continues_its_inte.html?hpid=topnews?hpid=topnews

Lobbyists Spend Millions to Influence Health Care

By Dan Eggen
Drugmakers, hospitals and insurers continued to pour millions of dollars into lobbying during the second quarter of this year, hoping to limit the damage to their bottom line as lawmakers and the Obama administration wrangle over landmark health-care legislation.

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090617-716441.html

JUNE 17, 2009, 6:34 P.M. ET

4th UPDATE: Senate Republicans Assail Process On Health Care

   By Patrick Yoest 

   Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 

http://www.fiercepharma.com/special-reports/top-17-paychecks-big-pharma

Top 17 Paychecks in Big Pharma

May 19, 2008 — 2:35pm ET

by Tracy Staton and Maureen Martino

Few statistics are as hotly debated as CEO pay reports. Investors, analysts, and the just plain curious all want to know how much the head honcho makes--and how one company's chief stacks up against another's. So here for your rubbernecking pleasure are the 17 highest-paid CEOs in Big Pharma. While the names themselves probably won't be a surprise, their pecking order might. For instance, the biggest drug maker by sales--Pfizer--doesn't have the highest-paid executive, and one of the relatively small fry counts its chief among the top 10.

http://www.centerjd.org/air/pr/AIRProfit.pdf

For Immediate Release Contact: Joanne Doroshow, 212/267-2801

September 30, 2003

Insurance Companies Raking in Huge Profits

Contrary to what insurance lobbyists may be telling lawmakers, newly-released data shows

that insurance company profits, including those of medical malpractice insurers, are booming and insurance analysts are privately raving about it.

According to the September 15, 2003 issue of Business Insurance (“Market conditions still

ripe for insurer profitability; Buyers to see rate hikes ease”), 14 property/casualty insurers saw a 35.9% increase in net income, to $7.5 billion, in the first half of 2003. Only Hartford booked an $888 million first-half loss, reflecting a $3.91 billion pretax charge for asbestos reserves in the first quarter.

Thank You Michael and the Jackson Family for Sharing with the World

My Tribute to Michael Jackson –

Michael Jackson, “The Greatest Entertainer to Ever Live", as proclaimed today by Mr. Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of Motown, was/is my hero.

God gifts humanity with living angels whose talent and gifts exceed human abilities; John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Princess Diana, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Minnie Ripperton, John Lennon, Michael Jackson, and others were among those angels, who lived among us, doing great things, during their short lives on this earth. “Gone to Soon” was sung by Usher at the memorial for Michael Jackson today bringing tears to everyone’s eyes as he sang to the family and a gold plated casket holding Michael’s body.

The comet that was Michael Jackson gave so very much to the world during his brief stay on this earth…his music, his dance, his performances, his caring, his power, and his love. Michael did so very much which has received little coverage by the media that needs acknowledging, especially, The Millennium-Issue of the “Guinness Book Of Records” names Michael as the Pop Star who supports the most charity organizations. He did a lot and we need to acknowledge his accomplishments off the stage as well as on stage.

He was a Father to three young children who are now without the one person in the world they counted on to be there for them. I pray that his children know just how powerful, and extremely wonderful he was to the world. His gifts to us will not be forgotten by me; nor will young Paris Jackson’s words about how great her Daddy was and how much she loved him.

Michael’s music touched people across the globe. I remember being in a night club in South Korea listening to Koreans sing Michael Jackson songs, and as I visited other clubs during my trip I realized that everyone was singing Michael Jackson songs and dancing like Michael. In Japan, I experienced the same thing. In England, Australia, in New Zealand, in Africa and South America, his music was played on radio stations, in bars and clubs, and in taxi cabs as I traveled around the world. Michael Jackson and his music are known throughout the world. Watching little children all over the world attempting to do the “Moon Walk” is a tribute to the power of this amazing artist.

I think about how Michael Jackson influenced entertainers who came after him, Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Madonna as well as Janet Jackson and so many others. Additionally, Michael Jackson’s influence on older artist, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and others also were influenced by Michael’s talent and gifts. How lucky we are to be able to enjoy the products of his amazement. After the 25th anniversary of Motown with the debut of Billy Jean, the Moon Walk and when he hit his toes, my son said, “ballet dancers all over the world will want to burn their shoes”.

There exist recorded music by Michael that has not been released, another great gift we, his fans have to look forward to in the future, we can hope.

Thank you so very much Mrs. Katherine Jackson for sharing your son with me and mine. Thank you Michael Jackson for sharing your gifts and talents with me and mine.
Thank you; thank you; thank you and may God bless your family forever.

God gave; the Jacksons and Michael shared; and we are much better because he lived.

Endnote – To all of Michael Jackson’s fans, contact your Congress people and request they vote on Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee’s Resolution 600 – …World Humanitarian Award for Michael Jackson.

SUPER STARS DIE -- MEDIA KILS

ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITIES DIE -- NEWS MEDIA COVERAGE LACKS SENSITIVITY

The last week in June 2009 confirms that LIFE is too short and we have to do the very best we can with the time we are given on this planet to treat everyone the way we wish to be treated.

Ed McMahon – Every generation alive today had been exposed to Ed’s voice and face on television through his time on the Tonight show to Star Search to his many commercials for various products. Mr. McMahon had been ill for some time and died at age of 88. Hopefully he had a long and happy life while he was on this planet.

Farrah Fawcett – A very talented, yet underrated actress died after a brave battle with cancer for the past three and one half years at the age of 62. After her one year stint on “Charlie’s Angles,” Ms Fawcett’s acting career seemed to disappear, be disparaged, and belittled. However, anyone who saw her breakthrough, made for TV movie “The Burning Bed” observed first hand this blonde beauty’s ability to act on an exceptional level that “Charlie’s Angels” could never take her. Ms. Fawcett’s performance told the story of an abused wife and mother who continued to have physical, verbal, and emotional abuse heaped upon her day after day of torture expressed in her eyes, facial expressions and body movements with such dramatic effect that every woman who watched could easily empathize with the character. That’s telling a story. Ms. Fawcett opened her life to us with the release of “Farrah’s Story”, which documented her struggles and triumph’s over the cancer which eventually took her life.

Michael Jackson – A start that burned so bright and provided so much light; humanity found it necessary to tarnish to dimness that light with dishonor, deceit, contempt, and greed. And now that star has burned out, Michael is dead. Did we appreciate him enough when he was here? Did we appreciate the gifts of song, dance and music he brought to the world? Obviously we didn’t and we still don’t especially if you look at TV News.

News(?) Media has reported rumor, innuendo, gossip and speculation about Michael Jackson, his finances, his health, his drug use/abuse, and his ability to perform, from people who claim to be close to him, but who probably don’t know anything. The media reports these scurrilous rumors and gossip as truth without any regard or thought for the grieving Jackson family or Michael Jackson’s children. Did Michael deserve this treatment? It didn’t happen with Ed McMahon or Farrah Fawcett, the media did not question McMahon’s finances, even though it had been reported that McMahon was having financial difficulties.

How he died matters to his family; as a fan, all that is important is Michael Jackson is DEAD. Hopefully he left new unpublished music we will be able to appreciate and enjoy well into the future. Hopefully his children will have the ability to forgive the News(?) Media for their scurrilous rumors regarding the death of their Father, some day; I am not sure I can or will forgive the Main Stream Media for their extreme sensationalism of Jackson’s death, it really is unnecessary.

Photo Credits to Life Magazine and Newsday

UNREST Amongst Cable News Viewers

As one of America’s many news junkies, I spend many hours surfing between all the news channels to get the latest on what is happening in the world. This weekend I finally got very aggravated with each and every news channel who for some reason don’t think we know what channel we are watching. You know what I am talking about; "Up Next, Breaking New Video...";A new video from the internet is being shown on “X” Cable News Network; icons take up more than one third of the screen with some “Network Information Icons", and under that taking up another half an inch is the “Breaking News Crawler”. In addition, the Network Symbol Logo icon and another icon with the name of the show.

All and all viewers get between one to two thirds of the actual video the announcer claims you want people to see. What is wrong with you media people? Don’t you watch your own broadcast? Even with high definition 50 inch television, viewers miss a lot of important stuff.

When viewers connect laptop computers to the television set, the entire video can be viewed unobstructed. So why do viewers need to watch the main stream media? Get a clue, main stream media all those icons are NOT really necessary? We know what network and show we are watching, we don’t need instructions. Get rid of the clutter.

Don’t make me have to hook up my lap top and turn you off!

"The View", Open Mouth Insert Elizabeth...

Elizabeth was Wrong About President Obama’s Speech…

I don’t usually post on message boards, or comment about the many issues I disagree with Elizabeth about; this morning, however, I felt I had to take issue and point out her major mistake. One of the reasons I sometimes change the channel on the View is because Elizabeth is often inaccurate on issues she speaks about. Stop drinking the Kook-Aid Elizabeth, stop letting the talking points make you look like you are an unintelligent fool. Do your own homework and research before you open your mouth.

This morning Elizabeth stated President Obama did not mention Democracy in his speech. You obviously did not listen to the entire speech. I have copied the relevant portion below for you, which you could have found the same place I did as the speech transcript was posted at “White House.gov”

“…The fourth issue that I will address is democracy. (Applause.)

I know -- I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.

That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere. (Applause.)

Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments -- provided they govern with respect for all their people.

This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. (Applause.) So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power: You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.”

Nancy Pelosi, The CIA and Congress

It appears Congress has lost it collective mind once again. Am I the only American who expects our elected officials to do the job for which they are getting paid?

We elected you; we pay you to be intelligent, honest, rational, logical, straightforward and practical, with the ability to exercise real common sense. But what we see from Congress today is more like watching high school students, bicker, tease, push and shove each other in the halls and bathrooms. You people are supposed to be grown adults. Until now, MSNBC had been doing a fairly decent job, providing good journalistic information and satisfying my need to demonstrate my dismay and disappointment about our Government. But the crap that has been coming from Congress over the last several weeks, has once again forced me to “RANT”.

CIA versus Nancy Pelosi and Water-boarding –

Good grief people, get a grip. Speaker Pelosi says that the CIA did not brief her on the fact that “Enhanced Interrogations”, were being utilized by CIA operatives in dealing with detainees. “Enhanced Interrogations”, which includes water-boarding, and who knows what else we are unaware of at this time. “Enhanced Interrogations”, doesn’t that sound like code for something much more than you or I could possibly comprehend? Speaker Pelosi went further in a press conference recently when she stated that “the CIA has misled the Congress”. Why anyone, including Congress find this difficult to comprehend baffles this American voter. After all, wasn’t it the CIA that provided the FALSE details that led to the invasion of Iraq? Remember, weapons of mass destruction, Chemical Weapons in Iraq, Yellow Cake in Africa being provided to Saddam Hussein, the Downing Street Memos. Let us not forget, Iran Contra – drugs and guns; then there are these:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/may/02/worlddispatch.kateconnolly

CIA knew about Waldheim's Nazi past

Newly released US intelligence documents show that officials knew about Kurt Waldheim's Kate Connolly; history long before he was appointed UN secretary general, writes…

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1207/7481.html

NY Times changes CIA headline for WH

By: Michael Calderone
Dec 19, 2007 03:31 PM EST

The New York Times has changed the sub-headline in Wednesday’s front-page story on the CIA’s destruction of secret interrogation tapes, following a formal request by the White House.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/washington/22cia.html

August 22, 2007

C.I.A. Lays Out Errors It Made Before Sept. 11

By MARK MAZZETTI

Correction Appended

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 — A report released Tuesday by the Central Intelligence Agency includes new details of the agency’s missteps before the Sept. 11 attacks, outlining what the report says were failures to grasp the role being played by the terror mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and to assess fully the threats streaming into the C.I.A. in the summer of 2001.

I am sure I have not included additional documented evidence that the CIA has lied to Americans in the past.

REMEMBER: “Those who do not remember the past are doomed to make the same mistakes”

We don’t even have to remember today…WE HAVE GOOGLE! And believe me Americans are very knowledgeable of the Google. We use it, why can’t our elected officials.

REMEMBER: G.W. BUSH, DICK CHANEY, CONDI RICE, DONALD RUMSFELD, PAUL WOLFOWITZ, AND JOHN ASHCROFT WERE IN CHARGE…WITH ROBERTO GONZALEZ HEADING LEGAL/JUSTICE DURING THE TIME IN QUESTION. REPUBLICANS WERE IN CONTROL OF THE WHITE HOUSE, THE SENATE, THE HOUSE AND THE JUDICIARY BRANCHES OF OUR GOVERNMENT DURING THIS TIME.

It is not that far fetched that Speaker Pelosi is accurate when she states she was not briefed completely and accurately on the facts surrounding CIA Enhanced Interrogations actions.

Additionally, it has occurred to me from listening to an FBI agent’s testimony to Congress recently that the CIA “CONTRACTED” to someone else to conduct “Enhance Interrogations”. WTF, America…it wasn’t even the CIA, it was a “Private Contractor” who conducted the “Enhanced Interrogations”. I think that what should be investigated is who authorized the procurement of the “Private Contractor”? Because, you can bet your last dollar, that Congressional oversight has not investigated this aspect of who authorized “Enhanced Interrogations” and when a contract was approved and by whom. Dr. James Mitchell was definitely paid for his services. Remember, Watergate’s Sins were revealed according to Bob Woodard, by following the money. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104350361 May 22, 2009

Did White House OK Earliest Detainee Abuse? by Ari Shapiro

All Things Considered, May 20, 2009 · It is clear that increasingly abusive interrogation techniques were used on Abu Zubaydah, the first high-value detainee, in the months between his capture and the first Justice Department memo authorizing harsh interrogations. But the legal guidance that authorized those early interrogations remains shrouded in secrecy.

I haven’t had the opportunity to read the 243 page recently declassified “Report by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Detainee Treatment” (http://documents.nytimes.com/report-by-the-senate-armed-services-committee-on-detainee-treatment#p=1) at the time of this writing, but I plan to dig into it very shortly. I will be looking for those documents that detail how and when money was allocated for the psychologist involved in “Enhanced Interrogation”.

Gov. Bobby Jindal Was Wrong

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/24/sotn.jindal.transcript/

photo from cnn.com

Governor Bobby Jindal gave the Republican Response to President Obama's "Preview -- State of the Union". In your response speech, you criticized the need for funds for volcano monitoring. Do you feel the same after viewing the following videos? In fact we have one of the world's largest super volcanoes on the planet located at Yellowstone National Park. It is understandable that you live in a fantasy world where stories you make up are repeated during national address as fact, will be remembered. The fact that you made up a story about one of the worst disasters your state has faced and is still recovering from proves you do not know what is going on in the real world. How will you feel when Yellowstone blows and we could have been forewarned but because of thinking like yours, we will be caught by surprise.