That is today's humstle. I don't spend a whole lot of time thinking of either Sonny Or Cher but the song still has some relevance.
So, Shaun McCutcheon can give as much money as he wishes directly to political candidates. And he can give as much as he wants to any and all candidates whom he feels shares his beliefs and agenda SCOTUS, by a vote of 5-4 ruled that limits on contributions were unconstitutional and "burdened" his First Amendment rights to free speech.
Paul Ryan's annual "Road to Prosperity" show is on Capitol Hill for the 4th year running. Early analysis shows it to be more draconian than previous budget proposals. I'll stay out of the deep weeds but some of the highlights are allegedly lower taxes for the wealthy, cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Job Retraining programs. What it does not address is and end or reduction in subsidies for Energy Producers, Cuts in the Military budget as a balance to other reductions, any addressing of the carried interest rates that private investors, equity managers or hedge fund operators pay in relation to the rest of us.
This will set up the annual "dog whistle war" between the 1% and the 99%. It doesn't take a genius to see that if Shaun McCuthcheon and all the other Shauns out there want to give disproportionate amounts of money to politicians who will continue to vote for the Ryan budget, which is a continuation of "trickle down" economics initiatives that have haunted this country for more than 30 years, social and economic security (not even equality) are just a joke. And a dream that will not be realized any time soon- or so it would appear.
So, as the ACA has seemingly exceeded enrollment projections, these new challenges will replace the anger over "sick"care in this country. Deeply conservatives state and local legislatures will hack away at pensions, women's rights and perhaps the worst of all, the right to vote in this country. Along with this, deniers (liars) will block any research to wean us off fossil fuels and put us on a pathway to developing cleaner energy sources. So POTUS and VPOTUSdid a victory lap in the Rose Garden yesterday; as the President asked a reasonable question, "WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OPPOSED TO PEOPLE HAVING HEALTH CARE?
And, so, The Beat Goes On.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
One less bell to answer
Ah, do you remember that song?
Actually, the Affordable Care Act became one less bell or one less dog whistle to respond to yesterday, as the open enrollment period ended. Yup, that's it. No more bogus graphics on FOX, no more soothing comments by Max Baucus ( and just about every other living politician) about it being a "trainwreck" or a "job killer" no more reminders that it's all just a communist or European plot to erode your basic freedoms or worse, a capitulation to the private healthcare industry. There have been 54 attempts to defund or repeal it that have failed. Whether you believe the numbers or not, and let's say you don't. so we'll pick a number well below estimates of eventual sign ups and with that, assume that nobody under 35 years of age has signed up AND no one has paid their first premium.
Let's ask a few questions that have nothing to do with optics, politics or anything that sets your or anyone elses hair on fire; if that's possible.
1. Did you have insurance before?
2. Was it a good policy that covered doctor visits or at least, kept you out of poverty and doom if you had a catastrophic event? Or was it a really terrible policy that you hoped you would not need in the event of a catastrophic event?
3. Are you so in love with your doctor that if you lost him/her, your life would be forever compromised?
4. Were you able to grasp that having insurance was vital to you and your loved ones and you were able to give up something in order to have this insurance?
5. Do you believe in and/or practice good health habits which would slow down the onset of chronic diseases known to increase your dependency on the medical profession?
6. Do you breathe easier knowing that you cannot be denied coverage based upon pre-existing conditions?
7. Do you take another easy breath knowing that your children can be on your policy and be covered until age 26?
8. Can you take just one more knowing that you will not lose coverage because your lifetime benefits expire or are arbitrarily taken away?
9. Do you appreciate and support Medicare and Medicaid as either primary or supplemental healthcare solutions?
10. Have any of these questions made you pause to either regret having sought and bought health insurance?
11. In your opinion is the United States medical system a health care system or a sick care system?
OK, I'm done. Today, for the first time- and it's been a long time coming, a reputable poll has shown that a tiny majority sees the ACA as favorable- 49-48. In all likelihood, with the prospect of less light being shone on this law (because, after all, it's a law and now it has to be demonstrated to be judged as either good or bad.
So let's hope the light dims and the law, despite its pros and cons can serve to let nearly 7 million people breathe easier, knowing that if God forbid, they get sick, they don't go broke. That should be a no brainer, but it isn't because of the way the entire discussion has been framed for the last 5 years.
By the way, did you know that the House of Representatives is voting this week to limit research and discussion of possible climate change?
When do you think the Chicago Cubs will score a run?
Are you in favor of quickly coming to the aid of Ukraine with a reported one billion dollar aid package-- while cutting benefits to people at or below the poverty line, including veterans who have served their country and are in similarly tough straits?
Whose team would you play for, Usher, Shakira, Blake or Adam?
Do you have Twitter follower envy because people that talk about their boy and girl parts have 50 times as many as you?
I'm not trying to bust balls here. Sometimes the questions are endless and somebody has to at least ask them.
So, yes, today's humstle is One Less Bell To Answer. Thank goodness. Let's just live- how bout it?
Actually, the Affordable Care Act became one less bell or one less dog whistle to respond to yesterday, as the open enrollment period ended. Yup, that's it. No more bogus graphics on FOX, no more soothing comments by Max Baucus ( and just about every other living politician) about it being a "trainwreck" or a "job killer" no more reminders that it's all just a communist or European plot to erode your basic freedoms or worse, a capitulation to the private healthcare industry. There have been 54 attempts to defund or repeal it that have failed. Whether you believe the numbers or not, and let's say you don't. so we'll pick a number well below estimates of eventual sign ups and with that, assume that nobody under 35 years of age has signed up AND no one has paid their first premium.
Let's ask a few questions that have nothing to do with optics, politics or anything that sets your or anyone elses hair on fire; if that's possible.
1. Did you have insurance before?
2. Was it a good policy that covered doctor visits or at least, kept you out of poverty and doom if you had a catastrophic event? Or was it a really terrible policy that you hoped you would not need in the event of a catastrophic event?
3. Are you so in love with your doctor that if you lost him/her, your life would be forever compromised?
4. Were you able to grasp that having insurance was vital to you and your loved ones and you were able to give up something in order to have this insurance?
5. Do you believe in and/or practice good health habits which would slow down the onset of chronic diseases known to increase your dependency on the medical profession?
6. Do you breathe easier knowing that you cannot be denied coverage based upon pre-existing conditions?
7. Do you take another easy breath knowing that your children can be on your policy and be covered until age 26?
8. Can you take just one more knowing that you will not lose coverage because your lifetime benefits expire or are arbitrarily taken away?
9. Do you appreciate and support Medicare and Medicaid as either primary or supplemental healthcare solutions?
10. Have any of these questions made you pause to either regret having sought and bought health insurance?
11. In your opinion is the United States medical system a health care system or a sick care system?
OK, I'm done. Today, for the first time- and it's been a long time coming, a reputable poll has shown that a tiny majority sees the ACA as favorable- 49-48. In all likelihood, with the prospect of less light being shone on this law (because, after all, it's a law and now it has to be demonstrated to be judged as either good or bad.
So let's hope the light dims and the law, despite its pros and cons can serve to let nearly 7 million people breathe easier, knowing that if God forbid, they get sick, they don't go broke. That should be a no brainer, but it isn't because of the way the entire discussion has been framed for the last 5 years.
By the way, did you know that the House of Representatives is voting this week to limit research and discussion of possible climate change?
When do you think the Chicago Cubs will score a run?
Are you in favor of quickly coming to the aid of Ukraine with a reported one billion dollar aid package-- while cutting benefits to people at or below the poverty line, including veterans who have served their country and are in similarly tough straits?
Whose team would you play for, Usher, Shakira, Blake or Adam?
Do you have Twitter follower envy because people that talk about their boy and girl parts have 50 times as many as you?
I'm not trying to bust balls here. Sometimes the questions are endless and somebody has to at least ask them.
So, yes, today's humstle is One Less Bell To Answer. Thank goodness. Let's just live- how bout it?
Monday, March 31, 2014
Our Daily Dread
I'll be short today. Friday's post, detailing Sheldon Adelson creating his own primary still is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
I came upon an article written by Terrence Heath today entitled The Billionaire's Primary for ourfuture.org.. I thought he had plagiarized my own post but actually, he is a better writer than I and distilled the chilling and salient points of why voting in 2014 is so crucial.
I don't know why people pay particular attention to Presidential elections and sit out mid term elections, but it has been very costly.
So, in the wake of the beginning of the 2014 baseball season and all the other stuff that normal people care about, I'll just close for today with my usual wish list:
Boycott products that Charles and David Koch's companies produce and don't gamble at Shel Adelson's casinos. Make sure you're registered to vote and make sure at least one person in your immediate or remote life GETS registered. See you tomorrow.
I came upon an article written by Terrence Heath today entitled The Billionaire's Primary for ourfuture.org.. I thought he had plagiarized my own post but actually, he is a better writer than I and distilled the chilling and salient points of why voting in 2014 is so crucial.
I don't know why people pay particular attention to Presidential elections and sit out mid term elections, but it has been very costly.
So, in the wake of the beginning of the 2014 baseball season and all the other stuff that normal people care about, I'll just close for today with my usual wish list:
Boycott products that Charles and David Koch's companies produce and don't gamble at Shel Adelson's casinos. Make sure you're registered to vote and make sure at least one person in your immediate or remote life GETS registered. See you tomorrow.
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