HHS Mandate Serves Totalitarian Mindset

The mandate is not anti-Catholic; it's anti-American values.

Give Obama Credit

The following list* of Obama's accomplishments was sent to me in a recent email:

1. First President to apply for college aid as a foreign student, then deny he was a foreigner.

2. First President to have a social security number from a state he has never lived in.

First President to preside over a cut to the credit-rating of the United States.

3. First President to violate the War Powers Act.

4. First President to be held in contempt of court for illegally obstructing oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

5. First President to defy a Federal Judge’s court order to cease implementing the Health Care Reform Law.

6. First President to require all Americans to purchase a product from a third party.

7. First President to spend a trillion dollars on ‘shovel-ready’ jobs when there was no such thing as ‘shovel-ready’ jobs.

8. First President to abrogate bankruptcy law to turn over control of companies to his union supporters.

9. First President to by-pass Congress and implement the Dream Act through executive fiat.

10. First President to order a secret amnesty program that stopped the deportation of illegal immigrants across the U.S., including those with criminal convictions.

11. First President to demand a company hand-over $20 billion to one of his political appointees.

12. First President to terminate America’s ability to put a man in space.

13. First President to have a law signed by an auto-pen without being present.

14. First President to arbitrarily declare an existing law unconstitutional and refuse to enforce it.

15. First President to threaten insurance companies if they publicly spoke out on the reasons for their rate increases.

16. First President to tell a major manufacturing company in which State they are allowed to locate a factory.

17. First President to file lawsuits against the states he swore an oath to protect (AZ, WI, OH, IN).

18. First President to withdraw an existing coal permit that had been properly issued years ago.

19. First President to fire an inspector general of Ameri-corps for catching one of his friends in a corruption case.

21. First President to appoint 45 czars to replace elected officials in his office.

22. First President to golf 73 separate times in his first two and a half years in office.

23.First President to hide his medical, educational and travel records.

24. First President to win a Nobel Peace Prize for doing NOTHING to earn it.

25. First President to go on multiple global ‘apology tours’.

26. First President to go on 17 lavish vacations, including date nights and Wednesday evening White House parties for his friends; paid for by the taxpayer.

27. First President to have 22 personal servants (taxpayer funded) for his wife.

28. First President to keep a dog trainer on retainer for $102,000 a year at taxpayer expense.

29. First President to repeat the Holy Qur'and tells us the early morning call of the Azan (Islamic call to worship) is the most beautiful sound on earth.

30. First President to take a 17 day vacation.

*I will gladly give credit to the person who compiled this list as soon as they come forward.

The Rape of America

The Rape of America is up on American Thinker today and it's also listed as a "must read" on Lucianne.com. I heartily concur. Robin of Berkeley has penned another article with great insight into our culture.

If you're a regular at American Thinker, you remember that Robin is a psychotherapist and former atheist who found God. In the process of that discovery, she realized that many of the liberal tenets she previously held did not agree with her new faith or her understanding of human nature. She writes anonymously from Berkeley, and all of her articles are worth reading, sharing, and saving.

Cell Phones and Health Care Reform

Read Ann Coulter this morning to get a new, funny, accurate look at the Health Care Reform Bill recently passed. You'll love her comparison of a 3-foot-long, 26-pound, ugly green $4,000 cell phone to the health care insurance we will soon have to buy.

From The Trenches

I've seen this physician's letter a couple of times and now I'm posting it in case some of you have not seen it.

"I have been a doctor for 19 years. 4 years in the Army and 15 years in private practice. I belong to a doctor owned group of approx 350 doctors in a multi-specialty practice. We employ 4000 people. In addition to being touted as one of the very best clinics in the nation (Acclaim Award winners) we have donated over a million dollars to the local city in grants, scholarships and charity. Regularly voted as top places to work by our employees. US health care at its very best. I am very proud of what we do and we provide tremendous care and value to our patients.

"We seek to maintain a 3-5% profit margin annually. We operate in the very precarious business model of enormous volume, low margin. As any business owner knows, this is high-risk-low-margin of error model. Consequently any small changes to cash flow vectors, mandates widespread internal policy and practice corrections. Tiny changes = massive consequences.

"As many people may know, Medicare and Medicaid, the current government paid ‘insurer’ – pays approximately 70% of the cost of care. ie its more expensive for doctors to care for these patients than we get reimbursed for. Say you are a contractor. Imagine the government mandating a significant number of your jobs whereby your out of pocket costs are ~ 30% + greater than your income. That is Medicare and Medicaid. In perspective, our group alone, year 2008 lost ~$12 million caring for our government patients. This is despite taking over 1 1/2 years to help move our fee-for-service traditional Medicare patients over to Medicare Advantage plans, which are privatized versions of Medicare that reimburse better…still not covering costs…but lessen our losses significantly.

"Many people ask, why do private health insurance premiums continue to escalate? The liberals want you to believe its a combination of profiteering and waste. When in fact its due mainly to two other processes. The first is obvious: every year it costs more to care for patients and premiums are trying to keep up with this rising cost. But secondly, and less often discussed, is that every year private delivery systems lose more and more money caring for our government patients. Someone has to make up for these losses in order for your hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, pharmacies, group practices to remain solvent and profitable. Every year these delivery systems open their books to the private health care insurers – and the insurers must – they must in order for the entire system at large to stay functional, increase the amount they pay out to cover these losses. If they don't, both the delivery systems and the insurers die. So to keep the boat afloat, the payouts by private insurers MUST increase to subsidize the ever increasing losses doctors incur by taking care of our government patients. So, in a way, you could say that your increasing premiums are a tax that you are paying to cover the losses that are Medicare and Medicaid. It’s a clear and inarguable private subsidization of government cost. Enough said on that.

"So to really feel the consequence and full impact of Obamacare, one must simply see the economic dominoes. Most people can see how this bill will rapidly reduce private insurance plans and rapidly expand government plan patients. And take whatever number that is being reported, and multiply that by 3. That has been the experience in both Mass and Hawaii. Both government plans were overwhelmed with the enrollees as they significantly underestimated the government migration.

"OK, so now- how can anyone not see the obvious outcome? Government patients = significant loss of profitability. Initially the private insurers will do their best to continue to subsidize this loss, and there will be a huge escalation of premiums. But within a few months this will be unsustainable. Its a cycle that cannot be stopped. Higher premiums = higher recidivism to government plans = higher premiums etc. Within months, every single hospital, every single doctor office, clinic, nursing home, pharmacy – every delivery system reliant on private insurers will no longer be profitable. ie they will go bankrupt. These will most certainly be the headlines to come: Hospital XYZ shockingly announces bankruptcy; Hospitals can no longer remain open; Clinics across the country file for bankruptcy; Loss of Pharmacy access shocks the Nation; Doctors going bankrupt en masse creating health care delivery and access to care crises; Where can you go to get care?; Loss of access reported Nationwide

"Yes a crises. A crises of access due to widespread business failure. You will not be able to get care for as long as it takes for the government to devise their emergency bailout package and as long as it takes for those insufficient dollars to try and get those doors back open again. But it will be too late, and it will be too expensive. There is absolutely no way that our government can capitalize our entire health care system. Try as they might, only a percentage of what we have now will ultimately survive. And those that do survive will be a shell of what they once were. The conditions will be frightening, and the consequences will be dire. The degree of disarray will be unimaginable and the underlap in access to care will be gaping.

"I will not expand this discussion to predict what this means to our economy at large because I am not an economist. But anyone can be close to predicting what I am suggesting. Factors such as loss of work hours due to illnesses not treated, pressure on all the other private business models; let alone the out and out loss of enormous capital via the bankruptcy of this entire health care industry can clearly be the death nail to our country and imo is a clear and present threat to our very sovereignty. This can make the housing collapse look like a speed bump. This will be massive and rapid and lethal and complete.

"I am not certain why this very obvious outcome has not been openly discussed more often – ie the rapid and massive bankruptcy of all of your health care providers and their delivery systems. But this is the inevitable outcome should this bill ever become law and implemented."

It seems obvious to anyone who thinks about the current proposals and the ones the Democrats have dismissed out of hand, that this is NOT about health care. It is about control. Providing health care is both a cover for the real motivation and a means of increasing Big Brother's personal control of the population.

Deem

If the US House "deems" the Senate bill passed by having members vote on another bill (the reconciliation one), can we citizens "deem" our taxes paid by paying our credit card bills? According to the online dictionary, deem means to regard or consider in a specified way. Examples: the event was deemed a great success or the strike was deemed to be illegal. If the political class can deem, why can't the taxpaying class deem?

BTW, the House Whip (the one who keeps tallies on who is for/against/undecided on bills) just said the the vote may not be held until Easter.

Hmmmm. Those nationwide protests must finally be making an imprint. Keep praying.

Pelosi's Plans

In a memo to Democrat bloggers, Nancy Pelosi wrote:

"My biggest fight has been between those who wanted to do something incremental and those who wanted to do something comprehensive," Pelosi said, according to an account by Washington Post reform advocate Ezra Klein. "We won that fight, and once we kick through this door, there'll be more legislation to follow."

So Princess Nancy has even more "goodies" to foist off on the poor slubs who have to pay for it - American taxpayers.

In the meantime, she has warned all Democrat Congressional Clowns to be especially nice to the Tea Party activists who are storming Capitol Hill again today. She encouraged them to politely explain how wonderful the new health care reform package really is and how misguided its opponents really are.

Pray that our Constitutional Republic will be saved from enemies within and without.

One Eye and Half-Sense*

Every single American has complained frequently and vehemently about the lack of efficiency and the increased costs inherent in any large organization whether public or private. However, these problems metastasize in government organizations, like the Post Office, Social Security Administration, the Veterans' Administration, and the IRS.

Therefore, every single American ought to be vehemently against any proposed Health Care Bill. There is absolutely no way on God's green earth that adding bureaucrats between you and your physician is going to make it cheaper, better, or more available to more people.

No matter which sales pitch is used to favor the current proposals, it's obviously a cover-up of the real intent - taking away personal freedom and extending the power of the federal government.

If you're interested in reading more about specific proposals in the Senate bill, then please read "Guess Who's Coming to Your House?" in today's American Thinker. You'll learn new ways to be frightened about the Senate Bill which has already passed. And you should be even more inspired to call/write/email Congressional Clowns in the House protesting it.

*The title of this blog comes from my political activist grandmother who, thankfully, died before the era of politically correct speech. She used it to illustrate obvious truths that others were unwilling to understand, as in, "Well, anyone with one eye and half sense ought can see . . ." I hope that being practically one eyed myself because of ocular melanoma, you'll forgive my lapse back into the old ways of speaking.

Townhall Comes through Again

The cartoon from Townhall.com translates for all of us the meaning of Obama's speeches on his health care reform, since he is having such a hard time explaining it to us dummies. We've heard numerous talks, press conferences, and media events, but he still thinks we haven't caught on to his meaning.

Hmmmm!

On Tuesday, Rep. Massa, D-NY announced that he would not vote for Obama's healthcare bill. On Wednesday, he decided not to seek re-election, despite being a first term Congressman, because an anonymous assistant accused him of improper sexual advances.

Is it coincidence? Or is it The Chicago Way?

Quote of the Day

From Queen Nancy comes, "Bipartisanship is a two-way street. A bill can be bipartisan without bipartisan votes. Republicans have left their imprint."

Her logic, or lack thereof, makes one wonder what alternative universe she inhabits.

How Stupid Does He Think We Are?

At yesterday's "Summit" Harry Reid assured nervous Americans that the Republicans were the only ones who had mentioned reconciliation as a method for passing Obama's health care proposal. He not only chastised Lamar Alexander for his request that Democrats take the reconciliation process off the table, he insisted that Alexander was entitled to his own beliefs, "but not his own facts."

Some of us distinctly remember that it was just last week that he chastised Republicans for opposing the possibility, by telling them to "stop crying over reconciliation."

Way back in the Bush administration, both the media and the Democrats called it the nuclear option. That was when it was to be used just to approve of judicial appointments. Now that it's a take-over of 17% of the economy, it goes by the innocent sounding term, "reconciliation."

So Much for Insurance Profits

Lamar Alexander: "Now, some say we need to rein in the insurance companies -- maybe we do -- but I think it's important to note that if we took all the profits of the insurance companies, the health insurance companies entirely away, every single penny of it, we could pay for two days of the health insurance of Americans, that would leave 363 days with costs that are too high."

It's hard to see how Obama can continue to demonize the insurance industry as a major factor in rising health care costs after yesterday's "Summit on Health Care." Of course, he and the Democrats are fast becoming experts at ignoring the obvious.

They studiously avoid mentioning the impact of trial lawyers and frivolous lawsuits on costs. Even more important, they avoid even considering the impact of the stupid laws and regulations they themselves have burdened the American people with since WWII. They even disregard common sense reality that adding layers of bureaucracy not only increases costs, it also decreases effectiveness.

Obviously, saving money on healthcare to benefit the citizens of the United States is not their goal. Like the faux concern for the environment, it's a method of gaining additional control.

Hat Tip to PowerLine

Thanks to PowerLine for this great cartoon illustrating the current situation in the Healthcare debate. Pray that the Republicans continue to be uncooperative!

Tyranny, As I've Said Before

A van signs reiterates the thoughts of voters and taxpayers all over America. I think it's time to insist that Congress can not pass any laws that treat them differently from the rest of us.

Chutzpah!

Read this article in the Weekly Standard to discover even more evil to fear in the Senate Healthcare Bill -- Harry Reid has inserted a provision that he says will prevent future Congresses from repealing it. Go here to read the details.

I wonder if any part of it is constitutional. Of course, getting a liberal court to admit that it isn't would probably require a divine miracle of the highest order. And we thought we had a government of, by, and for the people, not the political elite.

They HAVE to Go!

There are no words, not even profane ones, that adequately describe the digust and revulsion I feel about the senators who just voted to ruin our entire healthcare system and in the process to destroy many freedoms that we take for granted. In the name of "saving the economy" they have loaded the unconstitutional bill with pork (to buy the senators' votes) and mandates that the CBO estimates to cost us an additional $2,500,000,000,000. And remember that Congressional Budget Office projections ALWAYS are low; Medicare expenses quickly exceeded their original estimate by a factor of 19.

Our politicians had already put us and our children into debt, now our unborn grandchildren and great grandchildren will be born owing money to our government or to the Chinese. And the stalwart American people will suffer and die sooner because healthcare will be rationed and innovation will wither away under bureacratic control.

The following list of senators are Democrats from conservative states who voted for the bill. We must see to it through encouragement and donations to conservative candidates who can oppose them and by votes if we live in their states, that they lose their seats in the next election.

In 2010, target:
Arkansas - Senator Lincoln
North Dakota - Senator Dorgan

In 2012, target:
Missouri - Senator McCaskill
Montana - Senator Tester
Nebraska - Senator Nelson
North Dakota - Senator Conrad
West Virginia - Senator Byrd

In 2014, target:
Alaska - Senator Begich
Arkansas - Senator Pryor
Louisiana - Senator Landrieu
Montana - Senator Baucus
South Dakota - Senator Johnson
West Virginia - Senator Rockefeller

In the meantime, we must work against ACORN and all of its affiliates, or we'll never have honest elections again.

Persistent Vegetative State???

The Daily Mail in the UK carries Rom Houben's story today. Several neurological experts declared Houben to be in a "persistent vegetative state" for 23 years, but he was conscious the entire time, merely paralyzed after an automobile wreck and unable to communicate.

As medical science advances, evidence of poor diagnoses when people are comatose will continue to mount up. Hopefully, it will also stop the growing move toward euthanasia for such patients.

As a patient who has twice awakened during surgery, I can attest to the fact that it is possible to hear and understand every word spoken, but remain unable to talk. I can hardly imagine the pain of going through that for 23 years.

But even worse, consider the consequences if a "death panel" in faraway Washington, were deciding whether or not to keep patients like Ron alive.

Same Song, Second Verse

Inspired by the "beloved" Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid intends to hold a rare Saturday session of the Senate and vote on his version of health care reform tomorrow night. If it worked for her, maybe it will work for him.

This vote is one of the most important ones ever held. *If it passes, the federal government will take over the health care industry whether the American people want it or not. Whatever else you have to do this week-end, please take the time to notify your Senators of your feelings in no uncertain terms. Put their name into a search engine, and you will discover their Washington address and phone numbers, their state offices and phone numbers, and their email addresses. Even if you've already mentioned it, please remind them of your distaste for this crude attempt to solve a real problem.

The proof that it is a VERY BAD bill is that the Congressional Clowns insist on exempting themselves from its provisions.

Also, try to contact the following senators who are being promised all sorts of goodies if they will just vote yes tomorrow evening. One provision of the bill has been written so that Louisiana will receive $100,000,000 if the Landrieu votes "correctly." Even if you are not from their states, you are a citizen whose life will be impacted by their vote, so don't let a snippy intern refuse to register your complaint. If you are a member of Facebook, write on their wall. If not, then phone, fax, or email. But do something to protect yourself and your family.

1. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana landrieu@landrieu.senate.gov
Washinton Voice: (202)224-5824 Fax:(202) 224-9735
New Orleans Voice: (504) 589-2427 Fax:(504) 589-4023
Baton Rouge Voice: (225) 389-0395 Fax:(225) 389-0660
Shreveport Voice: (318) 676-3085 Fax:(318) 676-3100
Lake Charles Voice: (337) 436-6650 Fax:(337) 439-3762

2. Ben Nelson of Nebraska
Washington: Tel: 1-202-224-6551 Fax: 1-202-228-0012
Omaha Tel: (402) 391-3411 Fax: (402) 391-4725
Lincoln Tel: (402) 441-4600 Fax: (402) 476-8753
Scottsbluff Tel: (308) 631-7614
Kearney Tel: (308) 293-5818
South Sioux City Tel: (402) 209-3595

3. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas
Washington: Phone: (202)224-4843 Fax: (202)228-1371
Little Rock Office Phone: (501) 375-2993 or toll free 1-800-352-9364
Fax: (501) 375-7064
Dumas Phone: (870)382-1023 Fax: (870)382-1026
Jonesboro Phone: (870) 910-6896 Fax: (870)910-6898
Fayetteville Phone: (479) 251-1224 Fax: (479)251-1410
Texarkana Phone: (870) 774-3106 Fax: (870) 774-7627

4. Evan Byah of Indiana
Washington: Phone (202) 224-5623 Fax (202) 228-1377
Indianapolis: Phone (317) 554-0750 Fax (317) 554-0760
Hammond: Phone (219) 852-2763 Fax (219) 852-2787
Evansville: Phone (812) 465-6500 Fax: (812) 465-6503
Ft. Wayne: Phone (260) 426-3151 Fax: (260) 420-0060

*It is true that the Senate require two votes to pass a bill. However, if this test vote passes with 60 votes, the momentum will highly favor passage of the bill with the second vote.

A Head Start on Health Care

The Progressives tipped their hand this week regarding the future quality of health care when they made the grand pronouncement that women should not have routine mammograms until after the age of fifty. Their soothing sales talk assured the public that earlier mammograms merely lead to a lot of unneccessary biopsies and anxiety. Postponing the tests will still result in discovery of 81% of the breast cancers.

Are those other 19% of women with breast cancer not worthy of treatment?

Currently one woman in eight will have breast cancer, many of them in their thirties and forties. Early detection saved my life with breast cancer, ocular melanoma, colon cancer, and breast cancer metastasis to the lung. And I personally can add innumerable cancer patients to the same list where early detection saved lives.

Postponing mammograms will save the bureaucrats some time and effort and it will surely cut health care costs, but it will kill a lot of women before their time. It has nothing to do with real reform in the area of health care.