Friday, December 20, 2019
A long while...
Okay, it has been a long while since I posted anything on blogger. We are ending a decade and starting a new decade. Things seem to get worse and worse. We have a president who is now impeached, the most unhinged president I have ever seen in my lifetime. We are laughed at by many in the world. And I don't see anything coming from this. He may be end up being the first impeached president to be re-elected by the electoral college, since he was never popularly elected. No, not yet. Well, I hope this Christmas in 2019 will bring out the best for you this season. What do supporters reason with this? Well, the stock market's up. Low unemployment, but that counts only those who are presently unemployed. Many people have left the job market altogether either through retirement or just gave up looking for work. Gig jobs and temp work seem to be the way to go. Trump is pulling troops out. I read a marquee from a Tribune-owned TV station that he was pulling out 4,000 troops from Afghanistan. We know he pulled troops from Syria, hence, losing friendship with the Kurds. I don't know how often I am going to write in this blog. I just recently gained back my old Google account. I plan on this blog to be pretty much a miscellaneous blog on many things and I won't try to be as political. Psyche! I can't guarantee that. And as we speak, Tulsi Gabbard's candidacy for president is on its way out. She votes "present" on impeachment on both counts. And I find she is way too chummy with India's Modi and Syria's Assad. She is the peace candidate, but way too pacifist for me. Conservative supporters question her anti-Israel stance enough that they will not get on board. Democrats do not need to worry about her. Get her on these issues. She is way too peaceful. So much so, she gives authoritarians the green light! Again, Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Myths and Lies about Single Payer
1. Single payer is socialized medicine. WRONG.
That would be the Veterans Administration. Or the British health care system. Where the government pays for the doctors and hospitals.
Under single payer, you get a health care card and you can go to any doctor or hospital in the United States.
Doctors are not employees of the government.
Hospitals remain in private hands. You get free choice of doctor and hospital.
2. Single payer will lead to rationing, like in Canada. WRONG.
Right now in these United States, the private health insurance companies ration care.
If you don't have health insurance, you don't get health insurance. 50.7 million Americans currently lack health insurance.
That's why 120 Americans die every day from lack of health care.
There are some problems in the Canadian system, but most of what you hear about long lives is health insurance industry propaganda.
Zero people die every day in Canada due to lack of health insurance.
3. Costs will skyrocket under single payer. WRONG.
Single payer is the only health care reform that will save enough money to insure everyone.
By eliminating the health insurance industry, we save $350 billion a year in administrative costs and profits.
We then use that money to insure those who lack insurance and fully cover those who are under-insured.
Yes, more people will be seeking health care because they will now have insurance. But they will be taking care of medical problems only, thus preventing more costly treatment later.
4. Drugs will be more difficult to get under single payer. WRONG.
The drug industry would have you believe that there will be less research and development under a single payer system.
In fact, much medical research is currently funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Under single payer, this would grow.
Also, drugs will be cheaper under single payer.
When all patients are under one system, the payer wields a lot of clout.
For example, the Veterans Administration gets a 40% discount on drugs because of its buying power.
Now you know why the drug industry is so opposed to single payer.
5. Single payer will cover less than the insurance I have now. WRONG.
For the majority of Americans, single payer will be a vast improvement.
All medically necessary care would be funded through the single payer, including doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental services, nursing home care, rehab, home care, eye care, and dental care.
An enlightened single payer will also result in a sharp increase in public health funding to prevent disease.
No more bills. No more deductibles. No more co-pays.
6. Single payer will cost me more than I'm paying now for private health insurance. WRONG.
The vast majority of Americans will pay about the same or less than they are paying now.
Instead of paying premiums to a private health insurance company, most of us will pay a similar or smaller amount in taxes.
So, right now, if you are paying $8,000 in premiums for a family of 4 with a $4,000 deductible, your yearly liability is at least $12,000.
You will probably pay less than that in taxes to fund a universal single payer.
There will be no deductible.
And you can go to see any doctor or check in to any hospital in the United States.
Public Citizen
1600 20th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Monday, January 23, 2012
Ken Aden fought for our country. He'll fight for you.
The representation we have in Congress right now doesn't reflect the values of the Third District of Arkansas. We don't want to see Social Security and Medicare cut for our seniors, yet that is just what our current Congressman favors. We need good paying jobs, but instead of working to rebuild our infrastructure and put people back to work, our Congressman is doing the bidding of his big money campaign contributors.
As a former U.S. Army Staff Sargeant with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ken knows what it takes to lead in tough times. He's ready to fight for you. It's time to put PEOPLE FIRST again.
Visit Aden4Arkansas.com to learn more.
As a former U.S. Army Staff Sargeant with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ken knows what it takes to lead in tough times. He's ready to fight for you. It's time to put PEOPLE FIRST again.
Visit Aden4Arkansas.com to learn more.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Facts on Religion and Public Schools
Public School Students have the right to:
Pray in schools if it's their own decision and they're not disrupting class.
Read the Bible and other religious books during their free time.
Join voluntary religious clubs in secondary schools that meet during non-instructional time (as long as other non-curriculum related clubs are meeting).
Take classes about religion as an academic subject, as long as the approach is objective and non-dogmatic.
Talk about religion with their friends, as long as they do not engage in harassment.
Public Schools may not:
Compel, require or pressure students to take part in prayer, scripture reading or other form of worship.
Sponsor religious events or speakers who proselytize.
Include official prayers in school events, such as graduation or football games.
Teach creationism in science class.
Permit teachers to preach in class.
Pray in schools if it's their own decision and they're not disrupting class.
Read the Bible and other religious books during their free time.
Join voluntary religious clubs in secondary schools that meet during non-instructional time (as long as other non-curriculum related clubs are meeting).
Take classes about religion as an academic subject, as long as the approach is objective and non-dogmatic.
Talk about religion with their friends, as long as they do not engage in harassment.
Public Schools may not:
Compel, require or pressure students to take part in prayer, scripture reading or other form of worship.
Sponsor religious events or speakers who proselytize.
Include official prayers in school events, such as graduation or football games.
Teach creationism in science class.
Permit teachers to preach in class.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Republican Plan to End Medicare
House Republicans voted to end Medicare - but protect tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires, and Big Oil.
This reckless privatization scheme is an insult to every hardworking American who has paid into Medicare.
Medicare belongs to the people who worked their whole life to pay into the system. It's not the government's piggy bank to balance the budget on the backs of seniors.
Seniors, our children, and grandchildren deserve better than an extreme Republican scheme that would impose dangerous benefit cuts to Medicare.
GOP Budget would almost double health care costs for seniors. "The Republican congressman's proposal to privatize Medicare would mean a dramatic hike in U.S. health care costs for the elderly, an independent analysis finds. Seniors would pay almost double - more than $12,510 a year." [Los Angeles Times, 4/7/11]
The Republican Budget will force nearly 4,000,000 seniors to pay $2.2 billion for prescription drugs next year alone. "Since passing their reckless budget plan last week, Republicans nationwide have continued to make the false claim that their plan protects today's seniors. But seniors need to know the facts about the GOP plan. The Republican-passed budget will force nearly 4,000,000 seniors to pay an additional $2.2 BILLION for prescription drugs next year alone. [DPCC, 4/21/11; Associated Plan, 4/6/11]
AARP: Budget undermines vital initiatives for older Americans. "Among its provisions, the proposal would drive up costs for people in Medicare, take away needed coverage for long-term care from millions of older and disabled Americans and reduce critical help for seniors facing the threat of hunger." [AARP, 4/7/11]
CBO: Elderly people would pay more for health care under the Republican Plan. According to the CBO, "most elderly people would pay more for their health care than they would pay under the current Medicare system." [CBO, 4/5/11]
Medicare Cost would rise for many under Ryan Plan. "The House Republican for overhauling Medicare would fundamentally change how the federal government pays for health care, starting a decade from now, likely resulting in higher out-of-pocket costs and greater limits to coverage for many Americans." [WSJ, 4/6/11]
GOP Budget raises health costs for retirees. "Most future retirees would pay more for health care under a new House Republican budget proposal, according to an analysis by nonpartisan experts for Congress that could be an obstacle to GOP ambitions to tame federal deficits." [AP, 4/6/11]
This reckless privatization scheme is an insult to every hardworking American who has paid into Medicare.
Medicare belongs to the people who worked their whole life to pay into the system. It's not the government's piggy bank to balance the budget on the backs of seniors.
Seniors, our children, and grandchildren deserve better than an extreme Republican scheme that would impose dangerous benefit cuts to Medicare.
GOP Budget would almost double health care costs for seniors. "The Republican congressman's proposal to privatize Medicare would mean a dramatic hike in U.S. health care costs for the elderly, an independent analysis finds. Seniors would pay almost double - more than $12,510 a year." [Los Angeles Times, 4/7/11]
The Republican Budget will force nearly 4,000,000 seniors to pay $2.2 billion for prescription drugs next year alone. "Since passing their reckless budget plan last week, Republicans nationwide have continued to make the false claim that their plan protects today's seniors. But seniors need to know the facts about the GOP plan. The Republican-passed budget will force nearly 4,000,000 seniors to pay an additional $2.2 BILLION for prescription drugs next year alone. [DPCC, 4/21/11; Associated Plan, 4/6/11]
AARP: Budget undermines vital initiatives for older Americans. "Among its provisions, the proposal would drive up costs for people in Medicare, take away needed coverage for long-term care from millions of older and disabled Americans and reduce critical help for seniors facing the threat of hunger." [AARP, 4/7/11]
CBO: Elderly people would pay more for health care under the Republican Plan. According to the CBO, "most elderly people would pay more for their health care than they would pay under the current Medicare system." [CBO, 4/5/11]
Medicare Cost would rise for many under Ryan Plan. "The House Republican for overhauling Medicare would fundamentally change how the federal government pays for health care, starting a decade from now, likely resulting in higher out-of-pocket costs and greater limits to coverage for many Americans." [WSJ, 4/6/11]
GOP Budget raises health costs for retirees. "Most future retirees would pay more for health care under a new House Republican budget proposal, according to an analysis by nonpartisan experts for Congress that could be an obstacle to GOP ambitions to tame federal deficits." [AP, 4/6/11]
Republicans' War on America Because They Hate Pres. Obama or any Democrat in Office
Their Agenda:
Destroy 700,000 middle class jobs.
Zero out federal funding for National Public Radio and public television.
Slash $1.3 billion from community health centers and eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood.
Slash nearly a billion dollars in food and health care assistance to pregnant women, new moms, and children.
Slash support for Head Start, dropping 200,000 vulnerable children for pre-school.
Slash support for education to states which will eliminate 65,000 teachers and aides and dramatically increase class size.
Slash financial aid for 9.4 million low- and middle-income college students.
Slash $1.6 billion from the National Institutes of Health, a cut that will 'send shockwaves' through cancer research.
Eliminate $400 million in support to the U.S. Weather Service's early warning system for tsunamis, hurricanes and tornadoes.
Slash by 50% the number of veterans who get housing vouchers this year, which will increase homelessness among veterans by 10,000.
Destroy 700,000 middle class jobs.
Zero out federal funding for National Public Radio and public television.
Slash $1.3 billion from community health centers and eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood.
Slash nearly a billion dollars in food and health care assistance to pregnant women, new moms, and children.
Slash support for Head Start, dropping 200,000 vulnerable children for pre-school.
Slash support for education to states which will eliminate 65,000 teachers and aides and dramatically increase class size.
Slash financial aid for 9.4 million low- and middle-income college students.
Slash $1.6 billion from the National Institutes of Health, a cut that will 'send shockwaves' through cancer research.
Eliminate $400 million in support to the U.S. Weather Service's early warning system for tsunamis, hurricanes and tornadoes.
Slash by 50% the number of veterans who get housing vouchers this year, which will increase homelessness among veterans by 10,000.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Five Outrageous Religious Right Myths About the U.S. Constitution
1. The Constitution says the United States is a "Christian nation."
The Constitution says no such thing. In fact, it puts all religions on equal footing by banning "religious tests" for public office and guaranteeing religious freedom for all in the First Amendment. Article VI - "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several State legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both the United States and of several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support the Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
2. There are many references to God in the Constitution. There aren't any references to God in that document. The framers didn't leave them out because they were hostile to religion. They simply intended that the government they were creating would be secular. Religion, they believed, would prosper if left in the hands of the people, not the government. Only in the Declaration of Independence is where these references are found, "When in the Course of human Events it become necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and it assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them,..." "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
3.Separation of church and state is not in the Constitution, It was invented by Communists, Adolf Hitler, etc. James Madison, considered the "Father of the Constitution," was the primary author of the First Amendment and its separation of church and state. Thomas Jefferson later spoke of that wise amendment as erecting a "wall of separation" between church and state. Church-state separation stretches back to the founders. It's as American as apple pie. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof:..."
4. The Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution to say there can be no religion in public schools. The Supreme Court says church-state separation means that kids can't be compelled or requiredto pray or take part in devotional exercises in public schools. Truly voluntary and non-disruptive prayer is legal in public schools as is legitimate study about religion in history, social studies, literature classes, etc.
5. The Constitution does not protect the rights of non-believers. The Constitution's First Amendment protects religious liberty for all, which includes the right not to believe or practice any religion. Americans enjoy more religious freedom that residents of any other nation. Courts have struck the proper balance: Voluntary religious expression is protected, but no one can be forced to support or take part in religion.
The Constitution says no such thing. In fact, it puts all religions on equal footing by banning "religious tests" for public office and guaranteeing religious freedom for all in the First Amendment. Article VI - "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several State legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both the United States and of several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support the Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
2. There are many references to God in the Constitution. There aren't any references to God in that document. The framers didn't leave them out because they were hostile to religion. They simply intended that the government they were creating would be secular. Religion, they believed, would prosper if left in the hands of the people, not the government. Only in the Declaration of Independence is where these references are found, "When in the Course of human Events it become necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and it assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them,..." "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
3.Separation of church and state is not in the Constitution, It was invented by Communists, Adolf Hitler, etc. James Madison, considered the "Father of the Constitution," was the primary author of the First Amendment and its separation of church and state. Thomas Jefferson later spoke of that wise amendment as erecting a "wall of separation" between church and state. Church-state separation stretches back to the founders. It's as American as apple pie. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof:..."
4. The Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution to say there can be no religion in public schools. The Supreme Court says church-state separation means that kids can't be compelled or requiredto pray or take part in devotional exercises in public schools. Truly voluntary and non-disruptive prayer is legal in public schools as is legitimate study about religion in history, social studies, literature classes, etc.
5. The Constitution does not protect the rights of non-believers. The Constitution's First Amendment protects religious liberty for all, which includes the right not to believe or practice any religion. Americans enjoy more religious freedom that residents of any other nation. Courts have struck the proper balance: Voluntary religious expression is protected, but no one can be forced to support or take part in religion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)