Americans understand real compromise. This is not it.
By Thom Hartmann A...
It's the third day of the government shutdown, and Congress appears no closer to a resolution. President Obama and Senate Democrats continue to call for a clean government funding bill, and Tea Party Republicans are still holding our nation hostage with a long list of demands. All the while, Republican leaders claim that the shutdown is the democrats' fault for being unwilling to negotiate. But, their claims are completely bogus.
The so-called compromise that Republicans offer is about nothing more than undercutting Obamacare, even after the law has started to go into effect. And, the conference committee that Republicans say that they want is exactly what Democrats have asked for 18 times, in an effort to prevent our nation from reaching the economic brink where we now stand. Speaker John Boehner won't even bring a clean continuing resolution to the floor of the House, because he knows that democrats and moderate Republicans would vote to pass it. That is not compromise. That is not negotiation.
The fact is, the Senate's version of the bill already included huge concessions to Republicans, like continuing the sequester, and proposed spending levels below the amount that the Tea Party has previously demanded. The Senate Democrats already compromised in an effort to keep our government running, and House Republicans demanded more.
Now, the Tea Party's hostage-taking has led to the furlough of 800,000 workers, the closure of our national parks, and thousands of women and children wondering if they'll be able to afford their next meal. Americans deal with give-and-take everyday in their daily lives, and they aren't foolish enough to believe that this Republican list of demands is anything close to a compromise.
Comments
#2
Dan -- What gun control did he effect by Executive Order? I think everyday the Prez is realizing more and more how uncaring the repugs. The last debt limit ceiling debt led to the sequester which is destroying the economy. I hope he learned. The Prez has until Oct 24 to pull out the trillion dollar coin trick or whatever to use the 14th Amendment.
#3
Great news!! California legalizes the growth of Industrial Hemp. Bad news, it only goes into effect after the Federal government approves.
The Huffington PostQuote Robin Wilkey:However, implementing the law Brown signed last week depends on approval from the federal government.“With the signing of this bill, California is poised to grow industrial hemp when the federal government gives states the green light,” state Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), who authored the bill, SB 566, said in a statement. “In the past year, the conversation to legalize the cultivation of hemp has gained momentum at the federal level, and it is only a matter of time before a farmer’s right to grow hemp is restored.”
Under federal law, hemp production is illegal, banned since 1957 because of the relation of hemp plants to marijuana. Hemp contains an insignificantly low amount of tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical in marijuana that produces a high. The U.S. started importing hemp products, used in the manufacture of products that include fibers, food and fuel, from other countries in 1998.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/03/california-hemp_n_4033632.html
Another major goal almost met. Today is a good day to be an American.
#4
Quote chuckle8:Dan -- What gun control did he effect by Executive Order?
Obviously you missed Thom's show that covered this issue. Here is a review:
Article: Obama Firing Off More Executive OrdersQuote Gina Loudon:Shortly after the Newtown school shooting massacre, President Obama unveiled 23 executive actions he planned to take in response. At the end of August, the president released a statement touting his progress on 22 of those recommendations and affirmed that he would use the power of the executive branch to push for more regulation of gun ownership since Congress has not acted.The statement declared, “Even as Congress fails to act on common-sense proposals, like expanding criminal background checks and making gun trafficking a federal crime, the president and vice president remain committed to using all the tools in their power to make progress toward reducing gun violence.”
http://www.wnd.com/2013/09/obama-firing-off-more-executive-orders/
Are we to assume that "reducing gun violence" is more important than the Federal Government itself?
#5
Dan -- Thanks. I probably didn't listen to Thom on that issue. I listen to every podcast except for those on gun control, because it seems so hopeless. Do you know if any of those executive orders had any impact on gun control?
#6
According to the White House staff that have been asked this question the fear is that a court decision could overthrow an Executive order. This could adversely affect the economy. However, the way I see it, the economy is going to be adversely affected anyway. Why not try to nip this tactic in the bud and issue the order. This charade has to come to an end.
The 14th Amendment--the way I read it--makes doing so mandatory.
The Constitution of The United States of AmericaQuote Amendment 14 Section 4 & 5:Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution
If Congress does not uphold the "validity of the public debt of the United States" they are not protecting and defending the Constitution. Therefore it falls on the executive branch to do so. Such an action would take weeks to be addressed by the Superior Court. If the Court overrules the action the President still can act by simply continuing to remain firm and refuse any compromises. He will have made it clear by then that he is resolved to getting his way. That way the Republicans in congress will eventually be pressured by their wealthy puppet masters to fall in line. If the Court upholds the action then the President wins and this charade of raising the debt ceiling is over for good. It certainly is a risk worth taking with sooo much at stake.Either way, the President stands to win. Checkmate!
#7
The Republic Party is now pushing for piecemeal funding of the federal government. Wonder if they are ok with us paying our taxes a la carte?
#8
Quote chuckle8:Do you know if any of those executive orders had any impact on gun control?chuckle8 ~ No, I'm afraid I don't know for sure. It is almost impossible to tell and may take a careful study over many years. The gun situation in this nation is very complicated. Our gun problem in this country is so extensive and intertwined with other problems that I don't think any impact on gun control is going to affect gun violence. Of course it will affect gun control somewhat--that is at least gun control that involves legally purchased guns. I believe one of the Executive orders was to curtail guns purchased online and at gun shows. Previously, such purchases didn't require a background check. This is common sense and ridiculous that such a sorry state of affairs was ever possible in the first place. However, anyone who really wants a gun and doesn't have severe personal 'issues' is going to go through the background checks and patiently wait to get one. That I suppose is a very good thing. This would--at least on paper--really help to keep guns out of the hands of violent people and people with diagnosed severe mental disorders who want to buy guns legally. It is the guns sold on the black market that are far beyond the reach of any legislation. Those include some of the most dangerous firearms of all. As such, in my opinion the only impact any legislation has on gun control only affects honest, nonviolent sane people who want to buy a gun legally. None of this charade has any effect on violent criminals who already can't buy guns legally--other than making it harder to buy them at gun shows and online. People who suffer from undiagnosed severe mental disorders can also qualify to buy any gun legally as well. No real impact there. Since most of these shootings are done by severely mentally ill people I doubt the legislation will have any impact on motiveless mass shootings. Of course, if you are a violent criminal or someone with a severe mental condition what difference is it going to make where or how you buy your weapons? Even if all weapons were completely banned there will still be plenty available on the black market. No effect on gun violence there either. Gun control is really a Red Herring. Probably why President Obama was so prolific with his Executive Orders. It looks like he's doing something. The only people really affected were sane, nonviolent gun owners, manufacturers, retailers, and the NRA. Also, none of them are affected very much.
#9
Apropos to post #9. The White House and Congress has just been assaulted by an unknown assailant.
chuckle8 ~ As if to give an example of what I am talking about. The effect the Executive Orders have had on gun control apparently has done little to curtail gun violence; in fact, it has directed it toward Capitol Hill. Unbelievable! What timing!
Gun control is the responsible thing to do. However, as you can see, it is a Red Herring.
#10
Boehner goes berserk on capital hill because he was turned down for a free donut being offered to all federal/government workers during the shutdown. ;-0 So, do we know who the shooter was this morning on Capitol Hill. Was he also on a psychotropic drug or is he a member of the TeaParty? Looks like one rather porcine Capitol guard was shot and taken to the hospital. And they temporarily locked down the Capitol and White house.
#11
Quote article:The suspect was reportedly involved in a car chase with the police. There are some reports that the suspect was female. There are also some conflicting reports about the suspect. Some reports say the suspect was killed after driving into a police barricade on Pennsylvania Ave., near the White House.
http://hollywoodlife.com/2013/10/03/capitol-hill-shooting-washington-dc-...
#12
DAnneMarc,
Sadly, I do not think POTUS has any intention of using his authority in that way. The illusion of conflict is just that, an illusion. The meetings between the elites of both parties occur behind closed doors for a reason, to perpetuate that illusion. Neither Democrat or Republican elites desire anything other than an excuse to bring about disaster capitalism. They have no interest in anything but profit. The TTP and the TTIP will become international “law”, subverting our constitution. They are being “fast tracked” as we speak. The media’s focus on the “show-down” is drowning out even the possibility of debate in public, let alone in congress of these two disastrous international “agreements” which will virtually wipe out much of what’s left of our constitution with regard to civil liberties and any law protecting us from poisoned air, food and water. The timing of the debt ceiling and these trade agreement’s final negotiations is a wet dream for Plutocracy. They are standing around the looming debt ceiling rubbing their hands and drooling like a glutton at an orgy anticipating a meal. As I write this, Thom and Victoria are reporting on a “lock-down”, “Shelter-in-Place” of the Capital...an incident which no one seemed to witness, says Victoria. Gee, sound familiar? (Boston) Is nobody in the media EVER going to take notice of how Bizzar this behavior is on behalf of law enforcement? Is anyone in the media ever going to publicly ask why there never seem to be witnesses to these alleged crimes? Is anyone in media ever going to hold law enforcement to account for their interpretation of events? Without an eyewitness, we have no idea what happened. For all we know, this is another rehearsal for martial law or a distraction from the real issues. ...Your kidding me...the washington post (now owened by neo-con wage-slave owner and President of Amazon) says that this “male” was caught on camera? Sounds familliar doesn’t it? Why is it that we can discuss the speculation of “facts” fed to us by law enforcement, but can not speculate on the reason for this circus without being considered a conspiracy-theory nut job? Why do we swallow law enforcement's story hook-line-sinker? Sadly Thom and Victoria seem to be falling straight into the trap- discussion and hype of chaos instead of reading between the lines. When Obama turned his back on the Bush war crimes, the BP crimes, etc., etc... I woke up. For years I have hoped for liberal media to begin a discussion of real solutions outside our political system; How to locally handle survival when capitalism crashes and burns. How to mange transition locally to green energy, sustainability, egalitarianism. How to transition to new paradigm. How much longer are we going to behave like abused children who don’t know how to do anything other than go back for more?
#13
Quote article:
Reports: Capitol Shooting Started When Woman’s Vehicle Rammed White House Gate
October 3, 2013 2:32 PM
A female shooter is reportedly dead on the scene and the lockdown has been lifted. There is still a swarm of law enforcement on Capitol Hill.
..a child was in the car but was not harmed. Police say the woman had no identification on her and her car was leased out-of-state.
http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/10/03/capitol-on-lockdown/
She was driving a black Infinity and hit speeds of 80 mph from the White House to the Capitol.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/shots-fired-u-s-capitol-report-...
#14
sandlewould ~ All very good points. Thanks for that heads-up about the TPP and the TTIP. I didn't know about that issue and will have to research it; however, I'm not surprised about yet another smoke screen. Every time Washington stands firm for the people I suspect some subterfuge.
Palindromedary ~ Yes the driver was a woman I understand with a baby in the car. She couldn't be thinking straight with a baby in the car. If you ask me it just goes to show how much damage even a woman with a baby can do with just a car. We've been making this argument to gun control advocates now for months. Now we have a fine example to back it up. Any news as to whether or not she had a gun as well? Is it possible that the car was remote controlled?
#15
According to this story the woman fired multiple shots from some a heavy gage firearm before being shot herself.
Quote Article:"You could hear multiple shots," said one witness. "We knew we were in danger, in harm's way, and we heard the police screaming, 'Get down, get down!' So we hit the concrete and just laid still."Another witness told NBC Washington he heard two separate bursts of gunfire. NBC News correspondent Luke Russert reported hearing three or four booms from his office and saw 40 to 50 people hit the ground.
#16
DAnneMarc: I have also read that it was reported that there was also a man in the car as well...but that the woman was the driver and the shooter.
In addition to the car being a black Infinity...the woman was from Stamford, Connecticut and she was born in 1979...so that would make her about 32 or 33.
The shooting took place at near the intersection of Maryland NE & Constitution AVE & 2nd St. NE which was 2 blocks NE of the Capitol. It was just NE of the Supreme Court Library.
I'm still trying to find a motive...If we could just get her name, we might be able to find out if she ranted on the social media. But the authorities usually pull that stuff off the internet before people can read it after something like this happens. If there was a man in the car...he may shed light on the subject but after it is filters by the authorities we may get a slanted story.
I wonder if it would be too presumptuous to assume that she must have been fairly well to do...from Connecticut and a fairly expensive car.
#17
Here's a video of the car backing up into a police car and then a car chase.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LINM-_S4QiY&feature=youtu.be
#18
How does the insurance industry manage in nations that have national health care systems thru a single payer system? I never hear of major problems in Canada, Germany or England with their insurance industries failing. After being a Nurse for 40+ years, I have come believe that only an immoral society uses physical and/or mental illnesses as a reason to make PROFIT! I worked 22 years as a government nurse and 20 yrs in private for profit facilities as a nurse, and not only were the working conditions better in government employment, the patient care was patient centered- not profit centered. The health care industry is non existent in this country. We use illness to support the insurance robber barons of our day. The insurance industry continues to rake in record profits. Our society picks and chooses it's morals based on bottom lines. I knew on the day in the 1980's my supervisor informed me to no longer call patients, patients, but always refer to them as customers or clients, that healthcare had lost it's way in this Capitalist economic system with no conscience. SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE FOR ALL- for free!
#19
Palindromedary ~ It depends if it is her car. A stolen vehicle is more likely to be used as a battering ram. This whole incident isn't a bad commercial for Infinity. She rammed a White house barricade and a Police cruiser and in the photos the car hardly looks like it has a scratch.
Now you say there was a passenger? This story makes no sense. The more we learn the more questions there are. I wonder if all the passengers in the car were related? Did they write a suicide note or a Manifesto? Did the passenger sleep through the whole thing? Was he alive? Obviously they didn't think out their plan very well. Maybe drugs or mental illness played a major role? Maybe it was a spontaneous act--like road rage? Nothing positive was accomplished. I noticed on one CNN video that the child appears to be black girl. Could It have been her mother? Could this just be a domestic dispute on steroids? How could anyone endanger any child? Why?
#20
DAnneMarc: Good points...questions! All we can do is speculate based upon what we read and hear. Keep diggin'!
By the way, that video shows a statue (monument) behind the car and police when the car backed up into the police vehicle. It looks like it is probably the President James Garfield Monument Southwest of the capitol..at the end of Maryland SW ave where it joins the circle around the Capitol. So, unless there is another monument over near the White House that looks almost identical to the Garfield monument near the Capitol...the shooter, after trying to crash the gates at the White House, traveling 80 MPH to the Capitol and parked, or was pulled over, near the Garfield monument. Then after the car backed into the police car and got away..went around a round-a-bout and wound up on the NE side of the Capitol where the shooter was shot. I suspect the police didn't try to shoot the woman at the Garfield monument because they saw the child inside I don't know at which point the policeman was shot, or when shooting first started..but must have been South East of the Capitol.
#21
Sounds just like Michael Hastings...
#22
The shooter lived at 114 Woodside Green condo complex in Stamford, Connecticut.
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/default/article/Police-descend-on-Stamfo...
#23
Her name was Miriam Carey, 34 years old. She worked as a Dental Hygienist and had a history of mental illness. As reported she was unarmed when she got out of the car and was gunned down by police.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/shots-fired-u-s-capitol-report-article-1.1475378
#24
Remember when reporters used to actually air interviews w/ witnesses? " 'so and so' from 'town, state' says he/she saw/heard ................." instead of "witnesses say...." or "a witness tells us...". This new "We are told...", "We have heard..." " 'officials' tell us..." aproach to reporting is very unsettling and we need to expose it. Remember when media did not report until they could name a specific source? Media used to quote actual specific officials. Officials actually gave specific details and their stories didn't keep changing. Remember when they didn't declare "shelter-in-place" or "lock-down" (cute euphamisms for marshall law) in order to cope with a car out of control? Have they proven that anyone was armed? Why all the gun fire? Why did they kill her? This is starting to sound like a combination of what happened to Michael Hastings and to the Tsarniev Bros. It's time to expose this dangerous and lazy reporting.
#25
Another example of what happens when mental illness goes untreated. This time no gun involved.
#26
Again, WHO were these alleged witnesses?
#27
"This story makes no sense. The more we learn the more questions there are."
Exactly...Boston all over again...and NO ONE in the media is asking any questions. Very frustrating.
#28
"the shooter" How do we know for sure she had/used a gun?
#29
DAnneMarc: Holy Cow! Thanks...I found an acquaintance who was interviewed by the Stamford newspaper. Her name is Vanessa Fabre and it looks like she also was in the medical field. I've got here myspace address but I don't think I'll say what that is...although it does say Vanessa Fabre from Stamford, Ct. with her photo. She probably should remove that stuff now that she is in the news.
#30
sandlewould ~ One question at a time please.
1. "Who were these alleged witnesses?" They were exactly that--alleged witnesses. That is exactly the way the news service reported the information. They might be police, eyewitnesses or something the reporter thought he heard or made up. It is what it is. Pure hearsay.
2. "This story makes no sense." You said it. Mental disease rarely makes any sense. Right now thats my humble opinion as to what happened. A direct consequence of discontinuation of publicly funded mental hospitals and institutions. If you look at it that way, it makes sense.
3. "How do we know for sure she had/used a gun?" We don't. We can only speculate that since the only victims were victims she hit with her car that she didn't have a gun; or, if she did, she didn't get a chance to use it on anyone. The latest two stories I just read state that the police reported she was unarmed. If that is the case, the police who fired on her are going to have some splain'in to do.
#31
Here's a photo of the police car that got totalled in the event. What a wreck!
#32
The photo of Miriam Carey at this web site:
http://www.everyjoe.com/2013/10/03/crime/miriam-carey-photos-white-house...
looks a lot like the photo of Vanessa Fabre at her myspace web site...could be the same woman. In Vanessa Fabre's photo she has her head tilted and she is not smiling and has jewelry hanging on her right nostril. In the picture of Miriam Carey, she is smiling, has no nose ornaments. But the hair is pretty much the same cut. Eyes, nose, and lips are pretty much the same.
#33
Palindromedary ~ Who is Vanessa Fabre and why do you think she is Miriam Carey? Lot's of people look alike. I'm constantly being mistaken for Brad Pitt.
#34
Photo of Miriam Carey's car after being shot.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/shots-fired-u-s-capitol-report-...
In the 4th photo from the top it shows Miriam Carey's car with door open. Notice the roof corner of a small building and the electrical/phone cabinets in the lower right of the photo.
Now, in Google Earth, put
38°53'31.01"N 77° 0'14.12"W
into the Google Earth search box and click search.
This shows the exact location in the photo. If you click on Google Earth street view you will see the same photo sans the car, of course.
#35
When I click the link, I get a photo of the victim, not a police car...? I'm sure I can find it elsewhere. Is curious to wonder how she, let alone her car survived crashing into a barracade at 80 MPH. Maybe the police car, rushing to the scene is actually the one that fell pray to the plutocratic auto-barricade...& since when do they shoot unarmed (according to latest reports I've heard) people with children in the car dead.
#36
DAnneMarc: No, I don't have a theory except that it is probably just a coincidence that they look very similar. By the way, that information you gave about Miriam being shot while getting out of the car unarmed...even if she had already shot someone is pretty typical of cops, I'd say. If they can use billy clubs to beat to death a man laying on the sidewalk...something like 10 cops all beating on this guy...then the gestapo pigs can't be trusted to not kill you for any other reason.
#37
Palindromedary ~ Ok. I see the cabinets, the car and the roof corner. I understand you feel Miriam resembles Vanessa. Now what does all that mean? You have a theory? I'm lost!
Google maps shows that location as some small shack with tinted windows. The area is covered with police vehicles even at the time that the Google pictures was taken. Other than those tidbits, I'm still lost!
#38
RT currently reporting that "officials" will not release identity of victim...yet they already have. Kudos to RT for interviewing real people...who are saying that the shots rang out as she sped away after the vehicle hit the barrier and was trying to turn around. The video they show of the car driving away doesn't appear to be going 80, nor does it have any visible damage. They sounded as if the woman may have made a wrong turn and was frightened by the barricade and sped away out of panic...pure speculation, of course, but makes more sense than anything else.
#39
DAnneMarc: I clicked on your link at #32 and that group photo with Miriam on the right now makes it clear that the photo of Vanessa Fabre is most likely not the same woman. Miriam Carey has higher cheek bones that stick out more than the photo of Vanessa Fabre...and, in this picture she looks heavier than Vanessa Fabre. But many people go up or down in their weight over the years.
#40
sandlewould ~ I don't know if it makes sense to speed away when a police officer is pointing a loaded gun at your head. I don't care how frightened you are. It makes more sense to roll the window down and ask what is wrong.
However, I do agree that the damage on the car doesn't fit someone who just tried unsuccessfully to run a barricade. The damage on the car doesn't make sense either where it came to rest. Allegedly, she hit a barricade, caused the totaling of a police cruiser sending the officer to the hospital, and hit another cruiser head on. The photo of the front of her car after the episode showed a nearly pristine grill, bumper and headlights.
Also, I doubt she was shot in the initial confrontation. If you look closely at the video the driver's side window was still intact when she sped off. I think the police and secret service agents who saw her close up realized there was a mental condition related problem occurring and not a threat to the Government. They didn't want to harm a young woman and only fired warning shots.
The officers on the other street where the car came to rest were some distance from the vehicle and didn't have time or perspective to assess the situation properly. When she emerged from the vehicle they had little time to respond. They may have heard warning shots from the police on the other street and confused them with the probability of the suspect being armed and shot her on first site.
It isn't easy being a police officer and having the power over life and death. I think this was all a big tragedy all around. I blame the lack of public funding of mental institutions. These kinds of events were almost unheard of before President Ronald Wilson (666) Reagan.
#41
Sandlewood, I noticed the same thing in the video..the car didn't seem to be damaged when it was stopped and surrounded by cops. Of course it sure was after it backed up into that police car. And again, this was right in front of the Capitol next to that James Garfield Monument.
If it hit some barriers over on Pennsylvania and 15th, then those barriers were probably not very solid. In Google Earth street view there are concrete planter (flower pots?) barriers across the entrance. Google Earth street views are usually a year or so old and things can change in that time.
#42
Palindromedary ~ I agree! But still, any ideas how that police cruiser got crushed? That is one piece of this puzzle I can't figure out. I'm fairly certain it wasn't done by Miriam's car. Yet the photo of the totalled police car I saw isn't near anything that could have hit it. Unless it hit something and bounced off?
#43
I would like the court to try and stop it. The Prez, like Andrew Jackson, could ask the SCOTUS where their army is.
#44
chuckle8 ~ Oh yeah! I'd like to see the SCOTUS try and stop it too--especially with all federal worker's, contractor's, police and the military's pay on the line. Oh yeah! I'd just love to see that.
#45
Point, Canada doesn't have a single payer system. It is a province (state) by province System. insurance companies don't fail because they charge what they want. Mine just went up 5% two days ago. Just because it is government run doesn't mean there is no profit. Drugs, MRI's, etc are all private for profit companies. The personal care is just a drop in the bucket compared to all of the behind the scenes health care costs.
#46
Concerning the police car that was crushed like a soda can. Apparently the Capitol area has been equipped with solid barriers that shoot up out of the street for just such an occasion. From what I understand this one shot up a split second too slow after the suspect's car passed it and the cruiser following her slammed into it. It was probably lowered in the photo posted. That would explain what we saw. Very reminiscent of The Keystone Kops and The Roadrunner...
#47
Quote Kend:Point, Canada doesn't have a single payer system. It is a province (state) by province System. insurance companies don't fail because they charge what they want. Mine just went up 5% two days ago. Just because it is government run doesn't mean there is no profit. Drugs, MRI's, etc are all private for profit companies. The personal care is just a drop in the bucket compared to all of the behind the scenes health care costs.
Kend ~ Really? Just how many times have you ever hopped the border to save money on "drugs, MRI's, etc." Don't despair. I'm sure we could find lots of volunteers right here on this blog who would be more than happy to stand in line to offer you a completely 'free' colonoscopy. No "behind the scenes" costs here.
Just kidding, buddy.
It's not the "behind the scenes" care costs that we worry about. It's the in your face costs that are killing us.
#48
A friend of mine has a governent job. Because of the Sequester -- he has to take time off without pay. Everyone does. Well, not Congress. But actual government WORKERS have to do this. I believe he said 14 days? 1/2 months pay! By the end of the year. Now, with this shutdown, that adds to the cut already in place.
#49
Kend ~ Let me give you an example. I've always had some kind of health care insurance. 25 years ago the out-of-pocket cost for an Emergency room visit was $5.00. Today, that same visit can easily run $5,000.00. And that is with insurance. That is a 100,000% increase in insured out-of-pocket costs for an Emergency room visit in 25 years; or, about 4000% a year. My monthly premium back then was about $325. Today it is about $850.00. If my math is right that is approximately a 38.2% increase in 25 years; or, about 6.2% a year. Yet in that period wages have only increased about 5%; or far less than 1% a year.
A $5,000.00 bill is enough for someone with a life threatening condition to wait too long to seek help. That is a system that bankrupts and murders people. People who have symptoms and not very good coverage also postpone care; endangering their lives; endangering the lives of others, and driving up the cost of healthcare for everybody else. People with no coverage either stay healthy, risk bankruptcy, or die. Now you see the problem? This system doesn't work. The sick get sicker and the rich get richer. Healthcare is supposed to care for health and should never be for profit. That is, excessive profit. Reasonable profit is fine.
#50
DAnne i have to admit there has to be a better way. For both of us. Yes you pay a lot for health insurance but we pay way more taxes for, well everything. Probaly double what you pay. Here we have long waiting list for speciality needs where you get it sooner. We both need something in the middle.
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Why doesn't the President simply raise the debt limit with an Executive order? This makes no sense. Thanks to GW he can declare a national emergency and do it too. Why is the President acting like he is powerless and subject to the whims of the House of Representatives? Did he not enact gun legislation on his own with an Executive order. When he wants to he oversteps Congress. Hopefully he is just hesitating to make the Republicans look bad for the next election. If so, it sure is working.
Anyway, any feigned compromise at this point is a pure cop out. I hope that doesn't happen. Let the Republicans crash and burn. They deserve it. If he gives in any way all is lost for the rest of his term. This is the real red line in the sand. If he doesn't uphold it the Republicans are right and he is soft.