What is the Real Cost of Health Care Reform?

The key argument used by Nancy Pelosi and the President for the health care reform has been the need to reduce government spending on health care. Last week the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) tried to score segments of the bill they were actually allowed to review. Yet the gymnastics to claim that the bill reduces expenditures is simply insulting to anyone with a brain.

First of all, the bill takes 10 years of revenues to pay for 6 years of services. The bill requires tax increases years from now. Why then an not now? Because, this congress is simply kicking the can of paying for this plan years down the road. This spineless congress doesn't have the guts to pay for this bill so they will place the difficult task of tax increases on members of congress in years to come. What is unfortunate is that many of the same members of congress will remain, and those that will be in office will be equally gutless as the current members of congress. The result will that the congress of the future will fail to implement the tax increases that will be needed to pay for this health care bill. A more detailed explanation of how this bill will be paid for can be found in today's New York Times.

Obama uses social security to justify his health care bill

Today, the media reports that President Obama is in full campaign mode. In a speech he commented that critic would argued Social Security would leave to socialism. So the success of social security is the foundation of the health care reform bill. Where has Social Security led us. It is an entitlement the few people understand. Much of the public believes that Social Security is like a trust where we sent our taxes where it is held in security until we reach out golden years. Social security was intended as a social safety net, but has devolved to an entitlement program used to fund many elderly peoples entire retirement. The misconception is that the government will pay for my retirement. With the momentum of this misconception, we are now on the precipice of this health care reform act. Listen to the President. Has Social Security has turned out to be well funded, without fraud, and with no threat of insolvency? No.

Consent of the Governed

In virtually anything in health care, a hospital and provider has to obtain consent. A hospital needs consent to admit you to the hospital, consent to perform surgery, consent to give blood, and even consent to bill your insurance company. However, consent can only be obtained after a great effort has been spent explaining the details to the patient. All written consents have to be written at an eighth grade reading level. Yet when it comes to the legislative process of the health care reform, no effort is being spent to assure the the public (aka the governed) understand the details of the health care reform bill and the process to pass the bill. The written language is complicated to the point that one can only assume that it is designed to obfuscate understanding.

We may not agree on the issues of health care reform but I think that most of the public would agree that we need legislative reform. Congress is filled with hubris, and they are governing without the consent of the governed.

Steele Threatens to Quit if RNC Undermines Funding Authority - Presidential Politics | Political News - FOXNews.com

Steele Threatens to Quit if RNC Undermines Funding Authority - Presidential Politics | Political News - FOXNews.com

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The Political Bailout

Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s appointment of Roland Burris has produced a fascinating sequence of events. It seems that one attempted illegal act begets others. This intern allows others to think that that naked, illegal actions are permissible because the intent in noble. Senate majority leader Harry Reid and Illinois Secretary of State have both said that they will not allow the seating of Roland Burris to the vacated US senate seat. It is not within Harry Reid's power to refuse a lawfully appointed interim Senator. The legislature of Illinois could call for a special election. That would remove Blagojevich from the appointment process and make him irrelevant in regards to any senate appointment. This seems like a very simple, expedient, and lawful option. The reason that the Illinois legislature will not have a special election is that the Democratic party fears that the people of Illinois could actually vote to be represented by a Republican. Certainly that is not a choice the Democratic party are willing to let the people make. So Harry Reid says that he will refuse to seat Burris. Burris seems qualified, certainly more qualified than Caroline Kennedy. Reid is demonstrating either his arrogance or contempt for the Law. Burris should be seated and those who oppose his appointment should take the issue up in the federal courts. The reason is once again that we have a culture where there should be no consequences. Buy a house you cannot afford-- no problem. Poorly manage a company-- the taxpayers has your back. Well, we see the same attitude in the Blagojevich case. The Democratic machine raise money and supported Blagojevich to ascend to the office of Illinois Governor, Now that he has gone of the reservation- the Democratic party wants to call a political mulligan or bailout. The impression is that the Democrats do not want to live with the consequences of their actions. Seems to be a pervasive and growing problem in the US.

Three seats in the US Senate are for sale- not one

It is interesting to me the magnitude of righteous indignation regarding Governor Blagojevich’s alleged consideration of exchanging the appointment to fill the vacated Illinois US Senate seat for money. After all, to exchange a political favor for cold hard cash is so ugly, undignified not to mention to illegal. In New York State, Caroline Kennedy has decided that it might be fun to be a member of US Senate. It would appear that New York Governor Paterson is going to appoint Kennedy. Her appointment would because she is the most qualified candidate. Kennedy would not be appointed because of her decades of service to the public. Governor Paterson is certainly going to gain something by the appointment of Kennedy. To think otherwise would be ludicrous and naïve. Patterson will gain political favor, access, and perhaps future political appointments. In Delaware, Governor Ruth Ann Minner is likely to appoint a placeholder individual to occupy the seat until which time Biden’s son will be able to run for the seat following his military obligation. It’s not likely that cash will be exchanged in this deal. However, both in New York and Delaware a transaction will be consummated. Blagojevich’s mistake was that he asked for money. When Blagojevich asked for a job or appointment no one cried foul. When he asked for money, the earth opened up on him and everyone acted with total disgust on even such a consideration. As the President-elect fills many of his political appointments over the next couple of months give some consideration as to how many of those are political payback for support, endorsements, or favors. A transaction brokered with a currency of a different type. There are many things more valuable than money.

Shoe Thrower Lacks Convictions-- Shocking

The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes in an attempt to insult President George Bush has plead for mercy on the Iraqi court asking for a pardon. He asked," "I appeal to your fatherly feelings to forgive me." What a spineless coward. The Arab world erupted with enthusiasm and support for his insulting of the US president. Notably absent are the throngs of people in the street celebrating his latest public act--his pleas to the court. The US media are also not playing his story of begging the court not to send him to prison in a looped video.