The moment always comes when one realizes the truth of certain things. You know, the damned check is never in the mail, people always lie in order to get their way during sex, and...uhhh, what was that other one? Oh yeah, do not trust your best interests to someone else, particularly a politician.
So, let us not forget that Barack Obama, above all else, is no more than a politician. Leave us not get too sentimental about young, progressive African-American president and all that other stuff. It's old news. The question right now is what is he doing for older Americans and working families. We voted for him, we worked hard for him, we contributed out hard-earned money to his campaign and since his election we have suffered the scandalous and scurrilous lies about him and stood up for him in the face of vicious attack from right-wing ideologues.
Now, this weekend, we learned that he has cut a back-room deal with PhrMA ( the drug industry lobby) to block any attempt by congress to include the bidding of lower drug prices by Medicare as part of health care reform. Briefly, this overhaul would allow Medicare in its Part D prescription drug coverage to bid for lower prices and buy in bulk and earn rebates as the Veteran's Administration already does. This would close the annual donut hole face by seniors in which they lose their benefits until a certain plateau is reached--they do, however continue paying premiums during this interval of non-coverage. It would save Medicare billions, and cost the drug company billions, and insure that seniors could afford their life-preserving drugs.
I feel much like that apocryphal teary-eyed lad during the Black Sox scandal who looked up at his hero "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and said, "Tell em it's not so Joe!" Well, it is so, and I shoulda seen it coming...because after all the check is never in the mail, people lie to get sex, and politicians will be politicians regardless the harm they cause.
My suggestion is that we bombard the White House with our phone calls and letters of outrage.
Hillary lost me over her support for the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Obama will lose me if he does not gut up and stand for me against the drug tsars and insurance oligarchs.
07 August 2009
Fight Against the Thugs, Bullies and Goons
It does not matter if it's in the early morning hours on a dark road to a Harlan County, Kentucky coalmine or outside a bright sun drenched polling place in Florida, the paid goons and thugs from the reactionary right-wing are ever ready to stomp on the rights of the working class of America. Now their target is that most basic of all the institutions of America Democracy, the Town Hall Meeting.
"The shout 'em down, shut 'em down thuggery being staged right now at town hall meetings about health care is again a source of conservative pride as corporate lobbying groups brag about their ability to turn out the mobs, to shut down the democratic process." Rachel Maddow.
The situation is dire, the threat is real and the thugs and goons are out to do the bidding of the Insurance Oligarchs and Drug Tsars who want to prevent meaningful health care reform. And, it is not about politics or ideology, although right-wing ideologues are the tools, it is about their continuing to exploit working class Americans for the maximisation of their excessive profits.
Such Republican notables as Jack Abramoff, Dick Armey, Pete Sessions and John Boehner are either directly fomenting or supporting the outrageous and menacing behavior of the right-wings mobs shouting down and attempting to rattle and intimidate our representatives attempting to get input from their constituents. Some congress persons have received death threats or have been hung in effigy. So much for "family values" and "civil discourse" so often lamented over by the wing-nuts.
What to do? you ask. Simple, I say. Fight back. Here's how.
E-mail your congressional representative and then follow up with a phone call. Tell them you support health care reform, and even if they don't you want them to go on the record against the mobs attempting to disrupt the democratic process of town hall meetings.
Seek out, town hall meeting in your area and be prepared to shout back, block and stand up to the bullies and thugs. Show up, bring as many people as you can, outnumber them, and when they start to disrupt, start and lead a rhythmic chant, "Let him/her Speak!"
Your representatives and Senators are coming home for summer recess, make it a point to visit their local office, and make sure you gather a number of people to join you. Those offices are not private, they are yours and mind and must be kept open to the democratic process.
Do not expect someone else to do this for you...you must do it yourself. No excuses, or once again the thugs, bullies and goons will win.
"The shout 'em down, shut 'em down thuggery being staged right now at town hall meetings about health care is again a source of conservative pride as corporate lobbying groups brag about their ability to turn out the mobs, to shut down the democratic process." Rachel Maddow.
The situation is dire, the threat is real and the thugs and goons are out to do the bidding of the Insurance Oligarchs and Drug Tsars who want to prevent meaningful health care reform. And, it is not about politics or ideology, although right-wing ideologues are the tools, it is about their continuing to exploit working class Americans for the maximisation of their excessive profits.
Such Republican notables as Jack Abramoff, Dick Armey, Pete Sessions and John Boehner are either directly fomenting or supporting the outrageous and menacing behavior of the right-wings mobs shouting down and attempting to rattle and intimidate our representatives attempting to get input from their constituents. Some congress persons have received death threats or have been hung in effigy. So much for "family values" and "civil discourse" so often lamented over by the wing-nuts.
What to do? you ask. Simple, I say. Fight back. Here's how.
E-mail your congressional representative and then follow up with a phone call. Tell them you support health care reform, and even if they don't you want them to go on the record against the mobs attempting to disrupt the democratic process of town hall meetings.
Seek out, town hall meeting in your area and be prepared to shout back, block and stand up to the bullies and thugs. Show up, bring as many people as you can, outnumber them, and when they start to disrupt, start and lead a rhythmic chant, "Let him/her Speak!"
Your representatives and Senators are coming home for summer recess, make it a point to visit their local office, and make sure you gather a number of people to join you. Those offices are not private, they are yours and mind and must be kept open to the democratic process.
Do not expect someone else to do this for you...you must do it yourself. No excuses, or once again the thugs, bullies and goons will win.
06 August 2009
The Health Care Lies & Myths From the Right!
Part Two;
OK, hold your breath and count to ten. On July 28 Congresswoman Virginia Fox (R-NC) said the Democrats health care proposal would "put seniors in a position of being put to death by their government".
Which statement presents us with lie number four...
4. They want you to consider euthanasia!
In this cruel and appalling distortion of the truth, opponents of health care reform have shameful alleged that health insurance reform will lead us to government sponsored euthanasia. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is an OPTIONAL and helpful provision in the reform legislation that will provide coverage for advanced care planning. This counseling will make it easier for people to consult with their doctors about end-of-life decisions we all have to make, and what services and supports are available, including palliatives and hospice. This advanced planning concept has been in federal law since the Patient Self-Determination Act in 1990 and has been supported by both Republicans and Democrats alike for decades. The difference is that such counseling would now be covered, not an out-of-pocket expense.
OK, hold your breath and count to ten. On July 28 Congresswoman Virginia Fox (R-NC) said the Democrats health care proposal would "put seniors in a position of being put to death by their government".
Which statement presents us with lie number four...
4. They want you to consider euthanasia!
In this cruel and appalling distortion of the truth, opponents of health care reform have shameful alleged that health insurance reform will lead us to government sponsored euthanasia. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is an OPTIONAL and helpful provision in the reform legislation that will provide coverage for advanced care planning. This counseling will make it easier for people to consult with their doctors about end-of-life decisions we all have to make, and what services and supports are available, including palliatives and hospice. This advanced planning concept has been in federal law since the Patient Self-Determination Act in 1990 and has been supported by both Republicans and Democrats alike for decades. The difference is that such counseling would now be covered, not an out-of-pocket expense.
5. They want you to lose your prescription drug coverage!
Again, this is about the Medicare Advantage plans using Republican sock-puppets to scare older people into thinking that if over payments are cut, then they would have to do without prescription drug coverage. Here's the truth. Health insurance reform saves seniors hundreds of dollars on their prescription drugs because it cuts the cost of brand-name drugs by half once you've reached the Part D coverage gap; and phases in completely filling in the "donut hole".
6. They will increase our long-term care costs!
No, no, no! For the first time ever, health care reform will create a new, national system (CLASS Act) of delivering affordable long term care to all Americans in the environment they choose--even in their own home.
Coming Tomorrow....How to fight back against the bullies, screamers and thugs, without winding up in jail.
05 August 2009
Health Care Myths & Lies From the Right Wing
SPECIAL - TWO PART EXPOSE'...
Let us examine the lies and myths being perpetrated on America by the right-wing as part of its fear-mongering campaign of disinformation:
1. Government run health care will destroy America!
Let me say this up front. If eight years of that dry-drunk sociopath, George W. Bush, with his coterie of mendicants, river trolls, sneak-thieves, cut-purses, panderers and deep-forest hobgoblins did not destroy us, a humane effort to provide quality health care to everyone surely will not.
The truth is that health insurance reform will limit tax increases to the richest Americans, ensure continued choice and access to doctors by making certain they are reimbursed fairly for quality care, cut over payments to private insurance companies in Medicare and protect the right for Americans with health insurance to stay in their own plan.
2. Seniors will be the ones footing the bill for health care reform!
To the contrary, health insurance reform will eliminate wasteful over payments to private Medicare Advantage plans, extend the solvency of Medicare, and include improvements to Medicare benefits and health care for seniors. Medicare will remain strong and stable and seniors will continue to have the choice of doctors and hospitals and increased access to coordinated, high quality care. Health reform is actually the key to protecting Medicare for today's and coming generations of seniors.
3. The government wants seniors to drop dead!
Here, come up for air a moment and ask yourself this question; if no one can be elected to office without the senior vote, why would they initiate a health plan to the disadvantage of seniors? It doesn't calculate does it?
The truth? Private health insurance companies that profit from Medicare Advantage plan over payments are lobbying congress to stop health care reform because they know that reform will cut into their bottom line. That is a good thing for seniors. The truth is that MA plans are overpaid at least 15% more than they should be, so these cuts will only hurt their profits, not seniors' benefits. In fact, it is the insurance companies telling seniors to "Drop Dead!", because if they can't make a profit off the government, then they won't want to give seniors health care.
COMING TOMORROW: Euthanasia, Drug Coverage and Long-Term Care lies.
Let us examine the lies and myths being perpetrated on America by the right-wing as part of its fear-mongering campaign of disinformation:
1. Government run health care will destroy America!
Let me say this up front. If eight years of that dry-drunk sociopath, George W. Bush, with his coterie of mendicants, river trolls, sneak-thieves, cut-purses, panderers and deep-forest hobgoblins did not destroy us, a humane effort to provide quality health care to everyone surely will not.
The truth is that health insurance reform will limit tax increases to the richest Americans, ensure continued choice and access to doctors by making certain they are reimbursed fairly for quality care, cut over payments to private insurance companies in Medicare and protect the right for Americans with health insurance to stay in their own plan.
2. Seniors will be the ones footing the bill for health care reform!
To the contrary, health insurance reform will eliminate wasteful over payments to private Medicare Advantage plans, extend the solvency of Medicare, and include improvements to Medicare benefits and health care for seniors. Medicare will remain strong and stable and seniors will continue to have the choice of doctors and hospitals and increased access to coordinated, high quality care. Health reform is actually the key to protecting Medicare for today's and coming generations of seniors.
3. The government wants seniors to drop dead!
Here, come up for air a moment and ask yourself this question; if no one can be elected to office without the senior vote, why would they initiate a health plan to the disadvantage of seniors? It doesn't calculate does it?
The truth? Private health insurance companies that profit from Medicare Advantage plan over payments are lobbying congress to stop health care reform because they know that reform will cut into their bottom line. That is a good thing for seniors. The truth is that MA plans are overpaid at least 15% more than they should be, so these cuts will only hurt their profits, not seniors' benefits. In fact, it is the insurance companies telling seniors to "Drop Dead!", because if they can't make a profit off the government, then they won't want to give seniors health care.
COMING TOMORROW: Euthanasia, Drug Coverage and Long-Term Care lies.
02 August 2009
Pet Peeves That Deserve Euthanasia
If I had not always been a prickly, edgy, short-tempered sort of guy, I'd say that I'm becoming cranky and curmudgeonly in my old age. But, the things that gnaw at my butt now, always chomped away faster than Ms. Pacman. It's just that I'm a whole lot less patient about them than I used to be and one helluva whole lot more likely to speak up when someone "steps on my corns".
Here's an example. Our local grocery chain, Brookshire's, has deluded its self into the obnoxious practice of yelling greetings at me the moment I enter the store and inquiring as to my health. They think this is friendly customer service. I think it is a pain in the ass. Look, I go into a store I want anonymity. I do not want attention focused on me, and, I'll reserve discussions of my health for medical experts, family and friends--thank you!
I want to slip in and quietly do my business and get out. That is it. That is all.
I do not want to hear, "How're yew doin!" shouted at me as the automatic door swings open. Leave me the hell alone, damn it. You're only doing this because someone behind a desk somewhere decided that customer service needed to be improved. That person probably shops at Whole Foods and does not know how incessantly annoying being yelled at in the grocery store can be. Anyway, none of you know from customer service, believe me. Or you wouldn't be yelling at people the way you do.
It is particularly off putting once you've been loudly greeted and had your health checked by store employees five times before you even make it out of produce. Damn, would y'awl just give it a freakin' rest, will you?
And. Shall I continue? OK, sure, no problem.
I'd dearly like to paint ball idiot drivers that for some reason think that the turn signal engages the car's turning apparatus. You know what I'm getting at here. These are the clods who cut in front of you, and, as they're starting or better yet, completing, the turn, engage their turn signal. Folks, read the Rules of the Road put out by your state. The turn signal is to be engaged well prior to turning or changing lanes to let others drivers know your intent. Do not do it to tell us what you're doing, we can see that quite plainly as we lock our brakes to keep from hitting your dumb ass!
The next one? OK, I'll be brief. Where in the hell do these people come from that think it is OK to dump dirty diapers in the parking lot? There can't be that many fourth generation inbred people out there, can there? Let me catch you, and I'm rubbing your nose in it, swatting you with a rolled up newspaper, and leaving you outside all night.
And my all time favorite.
You're in the express lane for a reason, you've got stuff to do, things to see and people to hustle and lie to, and you get behind some gimlet eyed little old lady with the Sexy Senior T-Shirt that digs into her purse to count out the precise change to the clerk. You've been there, right?
She already has your butt-kicking foot twitching because she had eight items over the Express Lane Limit and the lily-livered clerk doesn't have the gumption to send her away. Or else is a recent high-school graduate who can't count past ten.
Grandma opens her purse and digs around through the used Kleenex, Luden's cough-drop box, vivid red (Kiss Me You Fool) lipstick, expired cell phone, six months of Bible Thoughts of the Day tracts, buttons, pins, ball of rubbber-bands, grandchild's Binky, photos from the Bridge Club X-mas party, and assorted other necessities of old age, for a five compartment snap closure coin purse, all the while, without coming up for air, blathering about the cute things her grandchildren do.
Then, as the coin purse comes out, she squints at the register and asks, "How much was that honey?". Then, she methodically counts out onto the counter the precise change, usually in dimes, nickles and pennies, pausing every moment or so to recount and check once again the amount owed.
I'm telling you. I will not have to spend anytime at all in hell. St. Peter knows of my suffering and will give me the wave through.
Here's an example. Our local grocery chain, Brookshire's, has deluded its self into the obnoxious practice of yelling greetings at me the moment I enter the store and inquiring as to my health. They think this is friendly customer service. I think it is a pain in the ass. Look, I go into a store I want anonymity. I do not want attention focused on me, and, I'll reserve discussions of my health for medical experts, family and friends--thank you!
I want to slip in and quietly do my business and get out. That is it. That is all.
I do not want to hear, "How're yew doin!" shouted at me as the automatic door swings open. Leave me the hell alone, damn it. You're only doing this because someone behind a desk somewhere decided that customer service needed to be improved. That person probably shops at Whole Foods and does not know how incessantly annoying being yelled at in the grocery store can be. Anyway, none of you know from customer service, believe me. Or you wouldn't be yelling at people the way you do.
It is particularly off putting once you've been loudly greeted and had your health checked by store employees five times before you even make it out of produce. Damn, would y'awl just give it a freakin' rest, will you?
And. Shall I continue? OK, sure, no problem.
I'd dearly like to paint ball idiot drivers that for some reason think that the turn signal engages the car's turning apparatus. You know what I'm getting at here. These are the clods who cut in front of you, and, as they're starting or better yet, completing, the turn, engage their turn signal. Folks, read the Rules of the Road put out by your state. The turn signal is to be engaged well prior to turning or changing lanes to let others drivers know your intent. Do not do it to tell us what you're doing, we can see that quite plainly as we lock our brakes to keep from hitting your dumb ass!
The next one? OK, I'll be brief. Where in the hell do these people come from that think it is OK to dump dirty diapers in the parking lot? There can't be that many fourth generation inbred people out there, can there? Let me catch you, and I'm rubbing your nose in it, swatting you with a rolled up newspaper, and leaving you outside all night.
And my all time favorite.
You're in the express lane for a reason, you've got stuff to do, things to see and people to hustle and lie to, and you get behind some gimlet eyed little old lady with the Sexy Senior T-Shirt that digs into her purse to count out the precise change to the clerk. You've been there, right?
She already has your butt-kicking foot twitching because she had eight items over the Express Lane Limit and the lily-livered clerk doesn't have the gumption to send her away. Or else is a recent high-school graduate who can't count past ten.
Grandma opens her purse and digs around through the used Kleenex, Luden's cough-drop box, vivid red (Kiss Me You Fool) lipstick, expired cell phone, six months of Bible Thoughts of the Day tracts, buttons, pins, ball of rubbber-bands, grandchild's Binky, photos from the Bridge Club X-mas party, and assorted other necessities of old age, for a five compartment snap closure coin purse, all the while, without coming up for air, blathering about the cute things her grandchildren do.
Then, as the coin purse comes out, she squints at the register and asks, "How much was that honey?". Then, she methodically counts out onto the counter the precise change, usually in dimes, nickles and pennies, pausing every moment or so to recount and check once again the amount owed.
I'm telling you. I will not have to spend anytime at all in hell. St. Peter knows of my suffering and will give me the wave through.
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