Don ‘t tell me any stories about how “triggers” and “exchanges” are needed to justify a public option.
Obama campaigned on the public option during the 2009 Election Season. Millions of Americans voted to see that happen. The fact is, every time the baby boomers go through a life cycle, everything that they touch becomes larger than any previous generation. So why should healthcare, medical coverage, and pharmaceuticals be any different? Prior conditions should not be a determinant for human medical coverage. Bankruptcy should not be the end all for affordable, adequate and dire medical services because you “love your family member” and want them to live as long as possible.
Preventative care needs to be a requirement. Responsible healthy eating should be an edict. Encouraging varying levels of exercise need to be strongly pursued from birth to the end of life. Instead of the insurance industry investing in medical technologies that often don’t work, they should invest in all of the various levels of prevention, and enhancements for investment purposes. Fact, the healthier we are the more likely we can continuously pay our premiums on time. If insurance companies reward us with lower premiums and cash options because we take good care of ourselves we’ll do it more. Fact, businesses don’t have souls, but the individuals who run them “should”. Call this ethics appreciation for the “common good”, common sense and compassion. I don’t believe medical services should be a commodity for trade. . . Call me stupid, but healthcare professionals do still say a Hippocratic Oath. Right?
Encourage home gardens, family and community outings with full fun body movements, dancing, swimming, climbing, walking, running, skipping, jumping, increased heart rate, fun and excitement! Maybe if we spent more time loving one another instead of killing one another, we might all have better attitudes towards life period. Wednesday evening at 5:00 PM, I’ll be looking forward to President Barack Obama, deliver his address to the full Congress. Your voice should be heard by the editor of this newspaper and our local legislatures. Show how strong, intelligent, articulate, responsible, hopeful, and sustainable you want this society to be. Get FIRED UP and ready to go! I pass on the Kool-Aid and the clicking of the heels, but I’m willing to walk in the park with anyone who is willing to discuss the feasibility of this happening . . .
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
HOMELESS IN NY
This morning I decided to listen to the CBS Colorado Progressive Talk AM-760 Radio. Michael Bloomberg, the famous mayor of New York, is sending the homeless a one way ticket to anywhere in the United States to be with their family in order to get them out of the New York homeless shelters. Are the actions of Bloomberg a dangerous microcosm, a way of legitimizing a possible solution for other cities that might take the idea and run with it? What happens if the person doesn’t have family in the US? Will they send them to other countries instead?
Bloomberg says that New York is spending up to $36K on families (for up to 9 months). Couldn’t they use that money and find these individuals jobs? Bloomberg will send families by plane, train or bus with a one way ticket to anywhere in the United States. The money to fund this is tax payer's money. Bloomberg is a billionaire. Doesn’t he have any friends or resources that can hire these people? Is New York City really that strapped?
I understand it is a way to preserve the shelters and save money for the general fund, especially when the population doesn’t like the homeless and they aren’t a voting block.
Years ago, Oregon was doing the same thing by putting the homeless on the AMTRAK train and sending them to Seattle. They found that some of the homeless are mentally ill and on drugs, which would give rise to other problems. But homeless that are women and children need immediate attention and reach.
Homelessness is a societal problem and not just a nuisance. It is a residual of society’s inability to connect with all of its members. Some of the problems of the homeless happen in our own homes but haven’t spilled over into the streets. Many of us are one to two paychecks away from being homeless, especially with the recent losses to pension funds, souring stock portfolios, decreases in home equity, rising college tuition, layoffs and shuttering of many businesses. I won’t even bring up the mental effects of these radical changes . . . headaches, anxiety, anguish, depression, over eating, etc.
Bloomberg says that the general population doesn't like the homeless. He has to defray costs and make draconian cuts to the homeless shelter program because other general fund programs are being cut as well. The New York mayor reports that it is estimated that $36K is spent on each homeless family each year. The average stay of a family in a shelter is now up to about nine months.
To provide them an opportunity to go back to their original homes is a way of getting them out of New York, where everyone knows it is very expensive to live. Some of the questions that crossed my mind were: Why can't they just create jobs for the family with the $36K? Couldn’t he just find a stimulus package for the homeless and assist these families with jobs? Remember Bloomberg being a billionaire has access to barons, movie stars and business owners the rest of the population doesn’t. They can’t get their heads together to help those down on their luck?
This may be great for the family who got stuck in New York or perhaps for the family on the receiving end. But are the families on the receiving end doing any better?
Throughout the country city managers may see Bloomberg’s response as an opportunity to have their homeless to start over again, by sending "them home", to an area that isn't as expensive as their cities? Is this the ultimate "gentrification" project? Is this a way of cleaning up a city?
Are the homeless requesting these cities provide them free passage out of town? Is this a panecea for other cities? Is this the ultimate way of assuring re-election? What is the moral equivalent or shifting responsibility? One of the callers asked if this is another way for the homeless to travel throughout the United States at no charge.
Is this a problem that may snowball to other cities? Is this the real sign of another Great Depression, where people move to an area believed to be full of jobs and opportunity when in reality they were looking for cheap employees? Remember Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath? How many of these people may choose to move to LA or other warmer climates? We all know that the homeless don’t have a large voting block. But where is the outcry from New York's political liberal voices? Aren't we all a paycheck or two from homelessness? Where would we go if we were told "to move back home"? Suppose you are from New York? Let me know what you think . . . HAPPY FRIDAY . . .
Bloomberg says that New York is spending up to $36K on families (for up to 9 months). Couldn’t they use that money and find these individuals jobs? Bloomberg will send families by plane, train or bus with a one way ticket to anywhere in the United States. The money to fund this is tax payer's money. Bloomberg is a billionaire. Doesn’t he have any friends or resources that can hire these people? Is New York City really that strapped?
I understand it is a way to preserve the shelters and save money for the general fund, especially when the population doesn’t like the homeless and they aren’t a voting block.
Years ago, Oregon was doing the same thing by putting the homeless on the AMTRAK train and sending them to Seattle. They found that some of the homeless are mentally ill and on drugs, which would give rise to other problems. But homeless that are women and children need immediate attention and reach.
Homelessness is a societal problem and not just a nuisance. It is a residual of society’s inability to connect with all of its members. Some of the problems of the homeless happen in our own homes but haven’t spilled over into the streets. Many of us are one to two paychecks away from being homeless, especially with the recent losses to pension funds, souring stock portfolios, decreases in home equity, rising college tuition, layoffs and shuttering of many businesses. I won’t even bring up the mental effects of these radical changes . . . headaches, anxiety, anguish, depression, over eating, etc.
Bloomberg says that the general population doesn't like the homeless. He has to defray costs and make draconian cuts to the homeless shelter program because other general fund programs are being cut as well. The New York mayor reports that it is estimated that $36K is spent on each homeless family each year. The average stay of a family in a shelter is now up to about nine months.
To provide them an opportunity to go back to their original homes is a way of getting them out of New York, where everyone knows it is very expensive to live. Some of the questions that crossed my mind were: Why can't they just create jobs for the family with the $36K? Couldn’t he just find a stimulus package for the homeless and assist these families with jobs? Remember Bloomberg being a billionaire has access to barons, movie stars and business owners the rest of the population doesn’t. They can’t get their heads together to help those down on their luck?
This may be great for the family who got stuck in New York or perhaps for the family on the receiving end. But are the families on the receiving end doing any better?
Throughout the country city managers may see Bloomberg’s response as an opportunity to have their homeless to start over again, by sending "them home", to an area that isn't as expensive as their cities? Is this the ultimate "gentrification" project? Is this a way of cleaning up a city?
Are the homeless requesting these cities provide them free passage out of town? Is this a panecea for other cities? Is this the ultimate way of assuring re-election? What is the moral equivalent or shifting responsibility? One of the callers asked if this is another way for the homeless to travel throughout the United States at no charge.
Is this a problem that may snowball to other cities? Is this the real sign of another Great Depression, where people move to an area believed to be full of jobs and opportunity when in reality they were looking for cheap employees? Remember Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath? How many of these people may choose to move to LA or other warmer climates? We all know that the homeless don’t have a large voting block. But where is the outcry from New York's political liberal voices? Aren't we all a paycheck or two from homelessness? Where would we go if we were told "to move back home"? Suppose you are from New York? Let me know what you think . . . HAPPY FRIDAY . . .
Fight for Healthcare Reform
In creating a future of change, I agree it requires talking to neighbors, friends, family and congressional leaders. The future for our American grandchildren will require healthcare reform. If number crunchers have already determined that in another 15 years our healthcare premium costs will be equal to our take home pay. How are we going to live?
Not all families have the ability to have two or more breadwinners in one family. We are in a day and age of automation. Why should insurance companies utilize 30% of their costs for administrative needs? Why should insurance executives make 10 times the average income of the American citizens that they are fleecing for corporate jets, penthouses, exorbitant bonus plans, elaborate **** luxury resort motivational seminars, and vacation trysts?
Meantime, healthcare needs are minimalized or denied because it will diminish the lifestyles of the stockholders, the insurance executives and their bottomlines? If the insurance companies were truly honest they would accelerate incentives for illness prevention, encourage better eating habits and exercise programs, promote positive lifestyle choices and encourage physical and mental rest to increase healthy clientele. If your clientele were taking better care of themselves and not in need of your services other than for the unexpected things, would not this increase your bottomline and gain the trust of your clients? The question we need to ask ourselves is why would someone who has government tax paid Roll Royce insurance belittle you into believing it isn’t important for you to have affordable, adequate, and accessible medical coverage and a decent delivery system.
To do otherwise is downright “stupid-headed” and does not make much business sense either, if you are truly interested in your bottomline. To know this information is not enough! It is not political; it is human and echoes the sound like the same damn greed the financial institutions just pulled on us with their wholesale bad mortgages! This is what killed the real estate industry. Do not just read this and similar information. Do something to protect your investment in your healthcare future.
Fight for healthcare reform and do not allow others to assume you do not give a damn because you sit around being silent. Didn’t you learn anything from the past eight years? Change demands action.
Not all families have the ability to have two or more breadwinners in one family. We are in a day and age of automation. Why should insurance companies utilize 30% of their costs for administrative needs? Why should insurance executives make 10 times the average income of the American citizens that they are fleecing for corporate jets, penthouses, exorbitant bonus plans, elaborate **** luxury resort motivational seminars, and vacation trysts?
Meantime, healthcare needs are minimalized or denied because it will diminish the lifestyles of the stockholders, the insurance executives and their bottomlines? If the insurance companies were truly honest they would accelerate incentives for illness prevention, encourage better eating habits and exercise programs, promote positive lifestyle choices and encourage physical and mental rest to increase healthy clientele. If your clientele were taking better care of themselves and not in need of your services other than for the unexpected things, would not this increase your bottomline and gain the trust of your clients? The question we need to ask ourselves is why would someone who has government tax paid Roll Royce insurance belittle you into believing it isn’t important for you to have affordable, adequate, and accessible medical coverage and a decent delivery system.
To do otherwise is downright “stupid-headed” and does not make much business sense either, if you are truly interested in your bottomline. To know this information is not enough! It is not political; it is human and echoes the sound like the same damn greed the financial institutions just pulled on us with their wholesale bad mortgages! This is what killed the real estate industry. Do not just read this and similar information. Do something to protect your investment in your healthcare future.
Fight for healthcare reform and do not allow others to assume you do not give a damn because you sit around being silent. Didn’t you learn anything from the past eight years? Change demands action.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
'Crossed Lines'
Yesterday the Associated Press interviewed Governor Sanford regarding his extra martial concubine and Argentine soul mate, Maria Belen Chapur as "a love story". Sanford also added details about seven other "relationships". My heart sunk. "Come on guy", I thought, will someone please tell Sanford to shut up! And what do they mean by "crossed lines"?
Unless this guy plans on selling this affair to Hallmark or another cable provider for a few bucks, he had better close his trap and find his spiritual advisor to write his press releases! He is digging the largest hole I have seen in quite some time. OKAY, I admit, I have a little more compassion than my fellow Democratic friends who enjoy watching this human fall out. But from everything that I have learned in college on "remorse" and "love" this situation is very human.
I'm going to say it. This guy is deeply in love with Argentine, Maria Belen Chapur, his mistress for more than a year. He is wrestling with his emotions, which are fighting with his head. My brothers would say "his little head". I know what a difficult time it can be to love the wrong guy. It is painful and raises anxiety off the charts! Everyone around you shakes their heads and fingers at you. "What is your problem? What part of 'no he isn't good for you' don't you get?" Been there, done that. And happily I can say, I am in a fulfilling loving relationships where love goes both ways instead of an undying "he'll finally figure it out one day." Enough about me, but this Republican leader and man of strong virtue is another Republican gift that keeps on giving. Doesn't he realize his children are hearing this saga? Doesn't he have any regard for his wife whom "he is trying to learn to love again"? Learn to love again, I don't think so, we women don't like being humiliated in public. Ask Clinton, Spector, Edwards and Gulianne's wives. And we don't like hearing about how wonderful to the touch the other woman is. We say we want to know, but we really don't want to know. And whatever you tell us, will be used against you, even when we ask for the gory damn details! Trust me, it will come back and bite you in your "arse" (SMILE) and some of us will lay and wait . . . So….
According to the New York Times article, "Mr. Anderson declined to help, noting that he is longtime friends with the South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster". And where is the Republican leader Michael Steele in all this mess? He publically admonished Sanford, but appearing less gutsy recently after the Limbaugh railings, refused to tell Sanford to step down; he doesn't really call it like he used to. Darn it! I enjoyed watching that powerful "I'm in charge", no nonsense leader of the pack, he-man image. So has someone put Steele in a more demur state? A la Palin, "You betcha", wink, wink.
Mr. Bauer's adviser Chris LaCivita alleged to Steele that they needed to get Sanford out, because of the embarrassment. But we also learn that Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is the most likely person to become the next governor if Sanford resigns. So there is a matter of "delicate diplomacy" here. So let's all send in our contribution to the Republican Sanford Appalachians Tour before we start hearing about the real Fourth of July fireworks at his home. And I'm hear to tell you, I can imagine these sparklers here in LA.
Jenny, I feel for you girlfriend. Don't ask me what I would do . . .
Unless this guy plans on selling this affair to Hallmark or another cable provider for a few bucks, he had better close his trap and find his spiritual advisor to write his press releases! He is digging the largest hole I have seen in quite some time. OKAY, I admit, I have a little more compassion than my fellow Democratic friends who enjoy watching this human fall out. But from everything that I have learned in college on "remorse" and "love" this situation is very human.
I'm going to say it. This guy is deeply in love with Argentine, Maria Belen Chapur, his mistress for more than a year. He is wrestling with his emotions, which are fighting with his head. My brothers would say "his little head". I know what a difficult time it can be to love the wrong guy. It is painful and raises anxiety off the charts! Everyone around you shakes their heads and fingers at you. "What is your problem? What part of 'no he isn't good for you' don't you get?" Been there, done that. And happily I can say, I am in a fulfilling loving relationships where love goes both ways instead of an undying "he'll finally figure it out one day." Enough about me, but this Republican leader and man of strong virtue is another Republican gift that keeps on giving. Doesn't he realize his children are hearing this saga? Doesn't he have any regard for his wife whom "he is trying to learn to love again"? Learn to love again, I don't think so, we women don't like being humiliated in public. Ask Clinton, Spector, Edwards and Gulianne's wives. And we don't like hearing about how wonderful to the touch the other woman is. We say we want to know, but we really don't want to know. And whatever you tell us, will be used against you, even when we ask for the gory damn details! Trust me, it will come back and bite you in your "arse" (SMILE) and some of us will lay and wait . . . So….
According to the New York Times article, "Mr. Anderson declined to help, noting that he is longtime friends with the South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster". And where is the Republican leader Michael Steele in all this mess? He publically admonished Sanford, but appearing less gutsy recently after the Limbaugh railings, refused to tell Sanford to step down; he doesn't really call it like he used to. Darn it! I enjoyed watching that powerful "I'm in charge", no nonsense leader of the pack, he-man image. So has someone put Steele in a more demur state? A la Palin, "You betcha", wink, wink.
Mr. Bauer's adviser Chris LaCivita alleged to Steele that they needed to get Sanford out, because of the embarrassment. But we also learn that Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is the most likely person to become the next governor if Sanford resigns. So there is a matter of "delicate diplomacy" here. So let's all send in our contribution to the Republican Sanford Appalachians Tour before we start hearing about the real Fourth of July fireworks at his home. And I'm hear to tell you, I can imagine these sparklers here in LA.
Jenny, I feel for you girlfriend. Don't ask me what I would do . . .
CASH FOR CLUNKERS
This is a beware notice originally published in CNN News. In case you missed it, if you get a call from anyway saying that they are giving away "Cash for Clunkers" it is a scam to get your personal information! But there is a way to find out more regarding the legitimate program behind this. The real Obama Program is called the "Car Allowance Rebate Program".The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) does have an official web site at http://www.cars.gov/. Their hotline number is (888) 327-4236.
According to the spokesperson for the NHTSA, Patricia Swift-Oladeinde, the "Cash for Clunkers" scams are asking drivers for "personal information, including names, addresses and social security numbers". The government web set will provide you with authorized dealers who do have to be registered to participate so call the above phone number if you have any questions or visit the website.
Congress passed the Car Allowance Rebate Program last week. After July 1, 2009 the bill will provide up to $4,500 vouchers to car buyers to replace their gas guzzlers for new fuel efficient cars. If your car is over 25 years old, you don't qualify. Will this boost employment in the automobile making states? Yes, it will. Will this help car dealers? Yes, it will. Will this keep some people on their auto parts jobs? Yes it will. Will this help our environment? Yes, it will. Does this give you the impression that gas is going up? Oh darn, yes, it does. Do other foreign imports know about this little economic abatement gem to get Americans in the showroom? You bet they do!
Tata Motors of India are bringing over smaller cars and smaller trucks (like the one pictured) along with the new American made suspects
- Chevrolet Spark
- Chevrolet Volt
- Ford Fusion hybrid
- GMC Terrain
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Kia Forte
- Kia Soul
- Nissan Cube
- Toyota Prius
- Volkswagen Routan being made in the USA.
But go to the websites for details . . . References to visit for more details are:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/index.htm?Extkey=SY95PI0&CMP=KNC-CROVMYSSP&HBX_OU=51&PK=yssp
Monday, June 29, 2009
All partisan groups agree that the American $2.5 trillion healthcare system is broken. Why not have everyone agree to agree that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Then let's really roll up our sleeves, put the interest of the patient first, dissect the components, and reclaim a healthy healthcare system. Allow the insurance companies to compete against the Single Payer Healthcare Program. Won't that be a change we could believe in, wink, wink? However, according to the U.S. Institute of Medicine, the government projects the nation will spend $2.5 to $3 trillion on health care costs this year, compared to $912 billion in 1993. Between 1999 and 2008, the average annual employee premium contribution for family coverage rose from $1,543 to $3,354, the panel said. (Tue Feb 24, 2009). You ask why! Several elements are going on at the same time:
The pharmaceutical companies are upping their costs for simple medications into the stratosphere. So if you require more than one medicine, get ready to mortgage the family heirlooms or reacquaint yourself to friends in Mexico and Canada, where the Pharma is a lot less expensive.
Demographically, the baby boomers are moving through the life cycle snake; ever since WWII we have caused a shift in the economy, education and every other industry we move through because there are so many of us born during the same time period being that need to be accommodated.
The insurance companies are doubling and tripling their premiums because their increasing overhead is 1/3 more than what it used to be. Depending on whom you talk to, they are just plain old greedy!
Preventive medicine is not practiced as it should be in our society, so American takes larger risks, needs major lifestyle changes, and has more accidents.
Litigation is rising because of bad medicine and poor medical practices. Ask a doctor to show you their premiums.
Litigation is rising because of bad medicine and poor medical practices. Ask a doctor to show you their premiums.
There aren't enough doctors and nurses to go around to care for the seniors and infirm.
And I could go on and on and on but one element, greed is causing lot of headaches, sleepless nights and 75% of the current bankruptcies.
I believe my role in all of this is to educate. I say it constantly, know your opportunities and then make the decision, but you have to go out there and learn, read, discuss and find the knowledge.
I strongly agree, that those that can afford more healthcare privilege, should be allowed to pay for it. Those doctors who are enjoying the high life with the high-income privilege should allow that privilege and billing. This is still a free country, right?
Those that like the insurance that they are currently receiving should be allowed to continue that policy, providing the employers are willing to continue paying the shared costs.In the meantime, the rest of us, believed to be 80% of the population, who can't afford the "bankruptcy challenge", set up a pool to keep costs down and extend the Medicare/MediCal program. Let's get serious and let's put a stop to the fear mongering being used by the insurance and pharmaceutical companies.
Obama originally told us, if he had it to do all over again, he'd put single payer, also known as universal healthcare reform in place of the chaos we currently have. Obama did accept, it is believed, $41 million dollars from insurance companies. So is he in debt to these folks? You bet he is. There is no mystery, as Obama is informed on the issues, he has changed his position and is leaning to find balance in the debate. But some members of the PDA Progressive Democrats of America believe he should use his popularity capitol and make single payer his mandate.
I would assume anyone in the political profession who is honest may find that campaign promises will get mired in the details, discovery, and often financial reality. Once in office, candidates may need to change promises as one grows to understand, meet, study and become more educated on the policies. Does he want to run for another term? Obama has not said. Will he need the funding from the insurance companies? You do the math. What makes Obama different? The transparency. Is it Single Payer Healthcare? NO! Let me say it again, it is not Single Payer Healthcare! It is a compromise.
He is admitting (and everyone is beating him up on this one) that he is changing course and growing in his understanding of what he "can't immediately change". Something we never heard from the Bush Administration, however, opposition, jealousy, vengeance of people in the party, as well as the opposing party, who are notorious for playing unfair in the political sandbox, are hammering Obama. Okay, the Republicans lost this presidential round, but it doesn't mean they'll be on the "Island of Lost" forever. They'll get their new marching orders, once they determine who the next 60+ male with a wide midriff, receding hairline, angry, carnivore, eye bucking, sneering, snarling fear mongering chauvinist anointed party leader will be. And I am not excusing Michael, just because he happens to be a Black Man. Come on Colin Powell, give up the ghost, and join Arlen Spector's "out of the dark" progressive resurrection. They aren't going to appreciate you. Oops, I deterred.
I can see a single payer healthcare reform occurring in the response to recalcitrant insurance industry from reading everything I can find at this time, I'd recommend any of the following:
1.) Since paying back educational loans is one of the screaming reasons that medical doctors and medical staffers claim they are in need of higher salaries, in addition to the mental sweat, gruesome hours of study, discipline and practice (which are priceless), why not allow subsidies for their medical education. This would reduce new medical staffers educational debt, encourage more individuals to go into the profession (nurses are needed everywhere all the time) and decrease the ratio of patients to care needed in the United States. And while they are at it, I have school loans too that need to be paid. Subsidize education period. I wouldn't mind working three years at any institution if it would defray four years of graduate school loans and I don't mean debtor prison. 2.) Demand a review panel on the legions of malpractice insurance, determine where the holes are in the system, publicize and education the public, then immediately close those holes. The panel should consist of highly knowledgeable bipartisan medical, legal and medical policy experts. Maybe they can solicit the help of former Senator John Edwards since he has been successful in medical litigation. Create a bipartisan medical arbitration board period. Oh, I know I am pissing off some attorneys here, but let's set some limits on the dollar amounts, however, the more egregious the medical crime the greater the reward. That's only fair. Cut the frivolous crap. Yes, the sophisticated crap.
3.) Review the amount of malpractice insurance that practicing physicians have to pay to keep the doors open, have a medical group that reviews these malpractice actions, and release physicians from their oaths who poorly practice medicine. Through these three items, we just might find a way to decrease healthcare and medical costs considerably. Then from JoeJoe's playbook on the American Perspective Blog Site:
Photo Credit: American Prospective
4) Require businesses and other employers to either cover their employees or help finance their health insurance. IF they can't finance health costs for their employees, then allow the employees to participate in a national pool and base the fee on companies comparable to the employees premium cost. Make the companies bid for portions of this pool.
5) Make insurance affordable by creating new tax credits, expanding Medicaid and SCHIP, reforming insurance laws, and taking innovative steps to contain health care costs. Those that chose not to go in would be penalized as they do auto insurance.
6) Create regional "Health Care Markets" to let every American share the bargaining power to purchase an affordable, high-quality health plan, increase choices among insurance plans, and cut % costs for businesses offering insurance. But hold everyone to their commitment. I guess you would need medical police.
7) Make it a mandate that all Americans have health insurance and make allowances for those who make less than $7,000 a year. Yep, I guess I'm pissing off the republicans about now, they hate to be their brother's keepers, why don't their mother's teach this very important Christian lesson, I guess they missed this day in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
8) Encourage a Federal Health Benefit Program that IS a euphemism for Single Payer, universal healthcare, the Hillary Clinton Plan, the John Conyer's Plan, the California Mark Leno Plan . . . drum roll please . . . done done done done DOOOOONE!
And I understand that this all will take gradual steps to get there. I believe this is where Obama is. Gradually change the system this way so no one is left out of the loop and this will forewarn greedy insurance agents to get their greed in check, find another business profession and realize, health is a human right and it is no longer for sale!
On June 27th, 2009. There were two huge community discussions rippling with questions and answers:
The first Townhall meeting was at 10am at the Venice Peace Center in Justice and the Arts, 2210 Lincoln Blvd. (on the corner of Victoria), Venice, CA and the second townhall meeting at 3:00PM The State Building in Van Nuys 6150 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401. Headlining the event is:
*Dr. Jo Olson: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at USC, Full time practice in Adolescent Medicine at Children's Hospital LA. A grassroots activist, her primary focus is implementation of a single payer healthcare program for all Californians. Past Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party & 42nd AD delegate
*Steve Tarzynski M.D., M.P.H.: Practicing pediatrician. Long time health care reform activist. Board member of California Physicians Alliance (CaPA) the state affiliate of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), a national organization of 16,000+ physicians advocating for a single payer solution.
*Don Schroeder: Emmy award writer, producer, director of the PBS documentary "No Greater Love" on the miracle of organ donations. Will present "California One Care: Full Care, For All, For Less,": Why healthcare system is in crisis and the comprehensive health care system that will save families, businesses government money. Co-founder, SFV chapter of Health Care for All California. Co-Chair of the California One-Care Campaign.
These meetings were designed to draw bipartisan supporting groups emerging in one location to express their positions. We only hope everyone is pretty civil. They even invited AARP. Don't lose the opportunity to understand universal healthcare, single payer healthcare, employee assisted healthcare, insurance option healthcare and all the differences, similarities and confusion.
Confusion you ask? As a girlfriend who is a strong healthcare advocate says:
"Quality and Affordable" are two words that are being thrown around to confuse us. Those two words mean NOTHING and stand only for rejection of any fundamental change, and yet they are propagating wildly in the mass media, driven by slick diversionary ads, and perhaps you have unknowingly and unconsciously even uttered them yourself already. Nobody can "afford" NOT to have health care, regardless of the cost, up to their entire net worth. Believe that there are "quality" doctors and nurses, but note our largest problem is getting "heartless" insurance mega corporations to authorize our quality doctors to treat us. Mortal sworn enemies of real health care reform got together and concocted a deceptive marketing campaign, as they saw that the compelling majority of the American people favored and were pressing for REAL change. They literally sat down in a room to conspire on what marketing words they could use to SELL their status quo system of gouging us as something new and different. The enemies of real change have been trying to brand single payer health care with supposedly negative coined expressions like "socialized medicine", while at the same time branding their own fake reform initiative with those OTHER words (the Q word and the A word), which we must ALL agree to never utter again.
Do you get it? Do you really get it? It is the marketing campaign of our policy change enemies, and for us to prevail, the Q word and the A word must be surgically excised entirely from our own discourse and replaced with the "economical and efficient" mental transplant. Start looking for "efficient" and "economical".
A second healthcare advocate sent me these words:
It is your right as an American citizen to know the healthcare options. It is your health services that are on the table, and to eventually advocate with others who share your point of view. See more at:
A third healthcare advocate suggested these words:
You can tell the Obama people that this is where his campaign promise has got to stick! We want Single Payer and anything short of that is a compromise. We didn't compromise on McCain and Hillary and we won't compromise because he is willing to. We need to bring it to him that Single Payer can't be a compromise and stop calling it as one PDA friend described it: "Universal coverage is not universal care", this is a MISNOMER; we want "H.R.676".
Yes, there is the option to do nothing and allow others to make decisions for you. However, don't accuse others, when you become less accountable and less responsible for actions taken on your behalf and without your permission. The time for complacency is over. An opportunity exists to make changes on what is agreed to be a broken American healthcare system. So now you have it, and I haven't even factored in the Republican
CHILDREN'S SAFETY PLEASE
I can only imagine the wretching outcry and the confused anguish in hearing over 100 little voices, ranging from one to five years old, screaming out for help as they are engulfed in a grease fire. Imagine being 4 years old and the windows are too high to reach up, the doors padlocked closed, and the front door locked. You have no idea where your teacher is. Your classmates are all scurrying about running in circles or the more frightened kids are squatting, huddled together frozen in absolute shock under a Playschool bridge. Your heart doubles its beat and you feel fear consuming you as it becomes more difficult to breathe and the plush yellow duck toy isn’t providing any comfort. All you can do is scream out for your mother. But she can’t hear you. I can only imagine being a parent, getting the phone call at work or on the home phone, running to your car or asking a coworker to drive you to the scene, in any case you can’t get there fast enough. Later you hear that some parents were able to retrieve their youngsters after one man suddenly jumped into his Chevy truck. He rammed the side of the building three times, not anticipating his own injuries or exhaustion, before a section of the building finally gave way, releasing several bricks. Following him, two other parents gun their cars in reverse straight into the fiery building also. The third truck rams open a hole wide enough for several children to scamper out to the opening arms of panic stricken relatives and community members. Imagine seeing the head of your child as he or she escapes from the visible black smoke and the gnawing smell of oil and burning wood. Two children who manage to wonder aimlessly, collapse to the ground as soon as they inhale oxygen; it is more than their little bodies can handle. Screams are echoing in your head, your heart pumps faster, and everything around you seems to go into slow motion as you observe the ambulances, onlookers and frantic parents screaming at the top of their lungs. Your arms almost smothering your youngster. You are both crying from relief.
As you walk away, your feet barely touching the ground you notice the local police running, waving at one another towards the building. Some officers stop to console the crying parents and then out of nowhere large military trucks unload heavily attired military. That’s right, this is the land where gangs play hard ball and anyone can be taken prisoner. But was there someone’s child in the building who is at odds with the gangs? Is the business next door to the day care center owned by someone who hasn’t paid their protection? Is this just a simple mistake of someone with a blow torch who accidently ignited some flammable object in the auto repair shop?
I can imagine seeing a woman fainting from the unbelievable inner pain of such a disaster loss as reported by TV Azteca. She is being fanned, while a woman runs to a nearby leaking faucet, tears from her own blouse and runs back to bring the woman comfort while another woman cuddles her body. But this is what I read, heard and saw this morning while checking “the news”. You continue reading, hearing and seeing the video describing the 31, now 35, and finally 41 tiny lives lost. 27 are on the critical list and there are still questions regarding scrapes and burns on possibly 100 more. It is assumed that there were 142 children registered at this location. One child is burned so badly that they are risking bringing him to Shriner’s hospital in Sacramento. The number of transfers will increase as children are prepped for the risky air travel to a Guadalajara hospital.
But even the onlooker, who has never been in a fire before, who has never had children, who doesn’t live in the neighborhood, who doesn’t know any of the victims can share the human pain and wonderment of whether or not all the children made it out. Who was in charge of this center? What are the building requirements for an educational center for children in Mexico? Where were the teachers? With this many children, why don’t they have floor monitors? Were there any administrators on the site, and if so, why didn’t they get the children out immediately? Had the children ever had a fire drill? Why was the front door locked at all? Why would children be caged in a brick building where they couldn’t look out? They say this was a working class neighborhood. Were children allowed to take phones? My nieces and nephews carried phones when they were young, for the “just in case” call. How does Mexico answer this frantic and horrible situation at a state run daycare center?
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/06/05/mexico.daycare.fire/index.html#cnnSTCVideo
They say the way that a nation treats its youngest and weakest is a strong reflection on their overall attitude towards its people. Are people dispensable in Mexico? The CNN videos brought tears to my eyes and made me think of a long time friend who is teaching in Seoul, Korea. I wondered what kind of building they teach in. Are the windows so high that children can’t peer out? I don’t know about you, but I can remember being one of those dreamy kids that wondered how much longer I’d have to sit in this room and watch this teacher , because by then I know I wasn’t listening to a word he or she were saying. The clock wasn’t moving fast enough; Many times I’d try to count the dots in the white tiled ceiling and for some reason every time I would lay back in the seat to lift my pencil in order to keep the rows straight in the counting and the teacher would inevitably call on me. But that was OK because it seemed like I already knew the answer, which was why I was as frustrated as the teacher in my being in the “required” class. I enjoyed school but I never liked the regimentation part. Why do we have to stand in a straight line? What was wrong with a crooked one? Why did I have to pay attention to the middle part of the back of Kathy red hair. But the building was never on fire and I never had to experience this horrific situation.
SATURDAY, you hear that there is a mass grave being dug for six victims of Friday’s fire. The town 200 miles south of the United States border is in mourning according to varying CNN reports. We learn that some children were taken to ‘Ciudad Obregon’. And two more to Shriner Hospital’s Burn Center in Sacramento. We learn the fire was hot enough to cause the ceiling to collapse. Several more children are reported to have died from the toxic fumes in the ventilation system. CNN reports that “President Felipe Calderon traveled to Hermosillo on Saturday. The president arrived with Interior Secretary Fernando Gomez Mont and Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova to get first-hand updates from doctors and investigators, the state news agency Notimex reported.”
The cause of the fire is still “unknown”. Meantime, Calderon has requested the attorney general to investigate the fire. We learn that six adults were also in the building. There is no mention of their condition either.
Part of this is a composite of the various news releases and the quotes are from the various sources that gave me the idea of pulling these thoughts together.
Sincerely, I wish the parents and family members my deepest prayers and my heart goes out to them for having to experience such a tragedy and the loss of their little ones.
MINERVA LEAH WILLIAMS, is a freelance writer who resides in Santa Clarita Valley. As an avid reader her breath was taken away just reading the accounts of this story.
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