T. Lee Mac: Immigration Reform – The Ants Come Marching
Yesterday, Barack Obama quietly met with 34 lawmakers and others within his administration at the White House. Topic of discussion? Immigration reform. He is feeling the squeeze from several different directions, not just from the usual liberal/conservative angles, reports the Houston Chronicle. Business, agriculture, organized labor, Latino groups, the ACLU, and the southwestern states of California, Arizona and Texas all seem to view this common nightmare from different perspectives. This is not your typical liberal versus conservative issue…or is it? (more…)
A Victory for Common Sense: Thank You Sir, May I Have Another?
Common sense scored a victory today when the SCOTUS ruled that Connecticut firefighter Frank Ricci and his mostly white colleagues were unfairly denied promotions because of their skin color. Ricci was among the 20 firefighters — 19 white and one Hispanic — who sued the city of New Haven, Conn., arguing that they were discriminated against when the city threw out the results of a promotion test after too few minority firefighters scored high. The 5-4 decision provides some measure of hope that we as a country have not entirely lost our ability to think rationally.
The decision also has significant political ramifications as it is the sixth decision that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has had overturned by the SCOTUS, out of seven cases reviewed. Now I am certainly not an expert on judicial qualifications and fully recognize that there are other factors which need to be considered in the nomination and confirmation process. However, in the real world were I to receive a resume indicating the candidate made incorrect decisions, as determined by those at the top of her chosen profession, 86% of the time, that candidate’s resume would likely be one of the first to find its way to the circular file. One would hope that somewhere during the confirmation process this particular statistic is given due consideration by the 19-member Senate Judiciary Committee. Common sense was victorious today. Let’s hope another victory can be achieved before we find ourselves with a Supreme Court justice with a track record worse that your local meteorologist (with apologies to meteorologists).
What health care crisis?
Doctors and other medical professionals in the United States are the best in the world. Every County and State have multiple Health care facilities in addition to Emergency First responders. Hospitals by law, Cannot refuse treatment for any reason. Yet, I watch the politicians and many would have you feel that this system is a disaster. How can this be? It Can’t because there is no crisis at all. We keep on hearing how 47 million people have no health insurance. Putting aside the fact that there are those that suggest many of these either are illegal Immigrants or Simply do not have any because they pay cash. This entire debate on it’s face is a false issue. There is no health care crisis. It can be debated that there IS a health insurance crisis however. Simply put, Health care and insurance is expensive. I can give you one big reason that is a large part of the problem. The first is that every doctor has to pay huge amounts of money for Medical malpractice insurance. My own doctor who is also a friend has to pay $250,000 every year here in New York. The primary reason is the malpractice lawsuits are usually huge payouts. John Edwards himself became a multi millionaire this way. There are no caps on the amount of money rewarded. This is the real heart of this “Crisis” How many times have you read about a minor injury resulting in a huge reward? Now there are things that happen that are tragic and life time medical care is needed. Of course if there is fault or negligence, There should be a large payout. But this should not be the case if you burn yourself with Macdonald’s coffee while your driving for example! The expense of heath insurance is the issue. and a large part of the problem is the political lack of honesty on the part of some Republicans and far more Democratic politicians to address the need for Tort reform because the trial lawyers contribute a ton of money to see that it is not addressed. That in my view is a big part of the problem.
What’s the rush?
What’s the rush with “Cap and trade”?
This is what I was asking myself while en route to the mountains last weekend. The news was on the radio and the normal discussions were going on in regard to all things political. Currently, Legislation is being developed regarding “Cap and trade”Let’s take a look at it.
“Cap and trade” refers the Waxman-Markey legislation that, If passed into law, Each large-scale emitter, or company, will have a limit on the amount of greenhouse gas that it can emit. The firm must have an “emissions permit” for every ton of carbon dioxide it releases into the atmosphere. These permits set an enforceable limit, or cap, on the amount of greenhouse gas pollution that the company is allowed to emit. Now as far as the “Trade” It will be relatively cheaper or easier for some companies to reduce their emissions below their required limit than others. These more efficient companies, who emit less than their allowance, can sell their extra permits to companies that are not able to make reductions as easily.
OK. Very noble as I am up here with my laptop gazing at a Bass filled Lake. However, Is this an emergency? In my view, No it is not. There can be no doubt that this is going to raise energy prices and damage the already battered economy. Current estimates by the Non Partisan Congressional budget office suggest a price in the range of $872.8 Billion to $885 Billion for the years between 2010 and 2019. Others say it is going to be far higher. This bill will be charged to the energy user, Do not be fooled by anyone suggesting otherwise. In addition, This money will come directly out of the economy reducing peoples ability to spend more. There are those that suggest that our dependency of foreign oil will even increase! Adding to this, Nobody that signed on this in the House of Representatives even read it before the vote! The purpose of this legislation is to basically address the emergency of “Global Warming” now called “Climate change”. But does Global warming even exist? There are many skeptics who say that it does not. There are many that suggest that it does. Perhaps we as a nation should first do studies with ALL the experts except for only the ones that support this legislation. Add to that that I want to know how many backers of this stand to make money off this Bill passing and I don’t mean just Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore. I want names because I personally don’t buy it. But let’s assume I am wrong. What is the rush in passing something so large and profound? Should we not take our time and get it right the first time? And what if some of the critics are right in that we are heading for a cooling trend? I am all for cleaning up the evironemnt as much as possible. But I don’t think we should wreck our economy in the process.
T. Lee Mac: States Opt Out of ObamaCare
Health care. It has grown into a political time bomb of nuclear proportions. Obama has set the timer to detonate by year’s end. Now several states are considering ballot initiatives for the 2010 election which will, if adopted, allow these individual states to opt out of a national insurance program should the administration get one passed.
Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wyoming are all working on such legislation, and the Arizona legislature has already passed such an initiative, which will appear on the ballot in 2010 (contingent upon the governor’s signature). I talked with State Senator Ron Justice of Oklahoma just this morning. He tells me, while no discussions are currently underway, such legislation will likely be discussed this year. I suspect other states will follow suit, as many see this as more than just a threat to individual freedom. It is a states’ rights issue as well. (more…)
DC Blows Hot Air in Another Power Grab?
[Congress] will apparently move forward with their enormous tax-and-spend bill known as Waxman-Markey this week and it’s all concealed in a cloak of green political correctness. The real purpose of the plan is to dramatically enhance the power of Washington politicians by giving them control over vast swaths of the U.S. economy.
So says Phil Kerpen, of Americans for Prosperity, in a scathing indictment of what is more commonly known as the cap-and-trade bill. That bill purports to rid the planet of its fever by placing limits on the greenhouse gases emitted by business and industry. Those who exceed the government-imposed limits will be fined, unless they can purchase “credits” from others who have not already exceeded their own limits. The costs, of course, will be borne by the consumer, as companies offset the increased cost of energy that will result (and remember, the Obama administration made clear that those costs would “necessarily sky-rocket”). (more…)
Prescription for America
Tonight at 10PM, ABC News Primetime will air from the White House in an event called “Questions for the President: Prescription for America“, hosted by Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer. ABC News web site describes the event as follows:
During the discussion from the East Room of the White House, President Obama will answer questions from an audience made up of Americans selected by ABC News who have divergent opinions in this historic debate. ABC News’ Medical Editor Dr. Timothy Johnson will also take part in the conversation which will focus on different ideas for how to fix the system and how proposed changes will impact our already fragile economy.
The health care conversation will continue on “Nightline” at 11:35pm ET.
Wednesday morning’s “Good Morning America” will originate from the South Lawn of the White House and will include an exclusive interview with President Obama. He sits down with Diane Sawyer to discuss healthcare and other issues on the nation’s agenda. Wednesday’s program will also feature portions of Robin Roberts’ exclusive interview with First Lady Michelle Obama.
Charles Gibson will anchor “World News” from the Blue Room of the White House on Wednesday.
The Republican National Committee requested an opportunity to present their Party’s views and expressed concern that “this event will become a glorified infomercial to promote the Democrat agenda.” Their request was denied by ABC in a response indicating, in part, that ”no one watching, listening to, or reading ABC News will lack for an understanding of all sides of these important questions.”
Exclusive interviews with the President are hardly unprecedented, so is the RNC’s complaint valid? Do you think the program will fairly present all sides of the debate? What is the right answer for addressing the nation’s health care woes?
Also join us for a live discussion during the broadcast.
To the Fox Castaways:Please read
Good day,
As you can see, I am Mr Joshua. It seems as though something happened at Fox…Whatever. So what now? Well, We DO have this place, Commonground13 is a place where debate, I.E, The “Arena of Ideas” Really does happen. All the founders are in agreement on this. Although it is true, The Founders are Conservative, It does not mean we dismiss debate. This is part of the game, We try to convince you and you do the same. Face it, It’s fun!. Having said that, This forum is not moderated. Or should I say, Self moderating? Let’s not go the way of Fox Forum with posters saying “Fox sucks” Or “you are lemmings” Let’s keep it adult and I fully invite you to openly Mock anyone posting like that. So having said that, Feedback would help us, So post away, Have fun and enjoy. Some of you, Most I hope will find your home here and we welcome you! So do have fun and post away!
Senator Kerry Responds
In response to a letter from a constituent, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) responded:
Thank you for contacting me about alternative energy sources. I appreciate hearing your concerns on this issue.
Concerns over climate change and our continued dependence on foreign oil have made the switch to alternative energy sources imperative for our economic, environmental and national security. We must move toward a new alternative energy strategy that will stimulate the economy, create millions of new jobs, and assert America’s leadership in the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future. (more…)
Welcome Fox Forum Castaways
In an effort to provide a place for those of us who appear to have been displaced from the Fox Forum, we have opened up this new discussion thread. So in addition to sharing your complaints about this poor decision by Fox, feel free to make suggestions for discussion topics and volunteer to write articles. We are short handed at the moment and in need of contributors. We welcome any and all help and commentary and intend to put up a members only area in the future to keep out the trolls.
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