The House Health Reform Bill: How Good Is It?

At least "something" is happening after 60 years of empty promises. This may take more than a single pass through Congress before we get what we need and deserve...a system of universal care that has placed nations like France, England, Canada and most western democracies well above the poor ranking the US has in terms of quality care. ( we rank only 37th despite having the most costly care )



Many in Congress waste our time worrying about the private for-profit health insurance business. Keep in mind that 30% of your premiums are for profits not for health care...you pay 30% more so some CEO can buy a nice mansion and a new yacht or private jet.



14,000 Americans lose insurance each day in America (http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/02/17/14000-coverage/) for several reasons. (1) Companies closing (2) Companies dropping coverage due to high cost (3) Insurance companies refusing to provide policies because someone actually needed care that was expensive.



Congress's obligation is to the American people not to the wealthy insurance corporations. A truly universal plan will cost money...but consider that the tax increase to pay for it will be far less than you would have to pay for an insurance premium that nearly a third of which goes into private pockets.



Give me the tax and the care...screw insurance companies who presently get to decide who gets to live or die based on financial status.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Keeping the Spotlight on Lobbying Outrages and Economic Hard Times

In addition to writing congress I am also posting and emailing to spread this information.



I did not get to elect a lobbyist to represent my interests...why should they have more "pull" than the voters?



http://www.joethevoter.org/whistle-blower-in-congress.html
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Keeping the Spotlight on Lobbying Outrages and Economic Hard Times

If this does not make you sick be glad you don't have health care. If it does make you sick call Congress, not your doctor.



This interview is posted on OpEd news and was also the subject of testimony in Congress recently. It is with a former health care executive who became a whistleblower about how big health screws the insured and makes insurance impossible for others.



Read the whole interview online:

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Health-Insurance-Whistlebl-by-Rob-Kall-090707-638.html
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

LobbyBlog

Lot of information to swallow but I am certain I really won't learn much more.



(a) Money is more important to politicians than America's citizens.

(b) Special Interest Groups run Congress.

(c) We don't get to vote for any special interest group.

(d) "We the People" no longer are represented in Washington.



Time to kick them all out and try our luck with some new people. If they fail the first term, kick them out and try again until they finally work for us again.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

If You Don't Want the Public Option, Get the Hell Out of the Way

I need a new hip. Standing and walking gets more painful each week.



I have waited for almost 10 years here in the US and may have a few more to go before I am "old" enough to qualify for medicare before I even have a line to wait in.



Give me an 8 week wait any day..( hell I'll wait 8 months! ). I am tired of waiting for Congress because I may become totally disabled before I can get a hip replacement.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Progressives Push Against Drug War: Will Dems Listen?

It is long past time if you ask me. It is also long past time that politicians start thinking about what's best for American rather than what's best for them.



It is a social and health issue, not a criminal issue. Whoever came up with the idea that prison is a suitable treatment method for drug addiction should have their collective heads examined.



Aside from the cost savings in emptying prisons of those incarcerated for drug abuse or possession, imagine the new cash flow from taxing recreational drugs...we already to it for alcohol and tobacco anyway despite the death toll.



Read my article on the subject...then tell Congress to wake up.



http://joethevoter.org/economy/15-stupidcongress/26-legalizepot.html
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Time for President Obama to Throw Down Against the Corrupt and Spineless

I just sent this email to the Democratic Party.



Bob Cesca ` Huffington Post said..."If President Obama is truly serious about changing the way Washington operates, he'd begin to aggressively hector the entourage of lawmakers that I've not-so-affectionately nicknamed the "Coalition of the Corrupt and Spineless" (COCS) -- the Democratic Senators who have very obviously been bought off by the healthcare lobby, along with other almost-as-awful Democrats whose cowardice is only matched by their weakness of will."



We have a democrat in the White House and a majority in both houses of Congress. If we fail to obtain health care reform this time we can ONLY blame Democrats and Republicans will not hesitate to point out our impotence come next election.



If we fail with your guys in power it is time to



(a) remove them from office and

(b) resign from the Democratic party.



What's it going to be this time?



Paul
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost