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THOM,THOM,THOM...LADY GAGA? PLEEEEEEEASE NO! GOT MEAT.LOLOL.ANYBODY BUT HER OR THAT CANDY COATED KING OF HIP HOP. HARGH,HARGH,HARGH. I AM IN STICHES. seriously though? it is pretty spooky when you think about the lengths the otherwise so called moral majority will go to to under mind the very fabric of all things that once made this nation great. makes me want to puke when i see htem face to face and i know they lie through their teeth and can actually go to bed at night and sleep soundly not lending one thought to the real evil they are. nil and void of conscience is where the new American mind set is headed. so whose side are our soldiers going to protect when it "IS" taken to the streets. You know that day all the liers and the cheaters are called out. pretty strange indeed. as JIm said...people are strange when your a stranger...now days though they are getting uglier.sad!
P,
The instance of breast implant was not for a mastectomy victim, but for a young woman who suffered low self esteem because she had small breasts. It was a court decision, and the implants won. As for eating the cat. Learn to eat lower on the food chain. Train the cat to catch mice and you can split it with the cat. If you eat the cat.....well you get the picture.
Thom and Louise Thanks for all you do ! Great show
Eventually but who knows when Under GOP Pres / Congress NEVER
Rick Scott would privatize all health care in Florida if possible.
Hi Thom and Louise – You are a wealth of information and I rely on you both to give us the best and most honest information for which I really believe you always strive. I do, however, agree with Frank Smith, one of your callers today, who pointed out your creating a disservice to viewers by interviewing and/or giving credence today to parties who call in without credentials or who are featured as experts but are yet ill-informed on their subjects namely, on today’s show, the private for-profit prison industrial complex and also the court system. Both Frank and Beau Hodai, whom Frank mentioned as quoted by one of your guests, are seasoned veterans in the fight against the private for-profit prisons. I urge you to pursue an interview or many with one or both of these men who have the credentials and have been in the fray for many years and are more than willing to convey their expert knowledge on the subject of private for-profit prisons and their dealings with the legislature, the courts and the Chamber of Commerce and the many offices, agencies, and high profile individuals that boost the Corporatocracy.
You can find Frank’s and Beau’s contact numbers prominently displayed on the following links:
http://www.privateci.org/ http://inthesetimes.com/community/profile/43582/
Thanks for your great effort.
So for every state that attempts to create a single-payer system, the RED and PURPLE statesa are doing their damnest to get out of healthcare completely. And isn't the GOP talking about introducing abill to eliminate healthcare offering by employers?
House GOP move stalls health reform action Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 4:40pm MDT
Colorado House Republicans temporarily have blocked the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange board from applying for a $22 million grant that would have been used to set up the technology infrastructure needed to operate an online health insurance marketplace beginning in 2014.
GOP leaders announced they were concerned that the grant application speaks of modifying Colorado statutes and regulations to “conform to federal requirements.”
The move prevents the exchange board from submitting a grant application — which members have been working on for six weeks — by the Sept. 30 due date. However, board chairwoman Gretchen Hammer said she remains hopeful that the board can answer legislators’ questions and get the application in for a future round of funding with a Dec. 31 due date to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
Hammer added that she’s not sure what the impact of the delayed application will be on the board’s ability to create an exchange by the start of 2014.
“I think it’s still too early to tell,” Hammer said. “I think it’s important to move forward with the full support of the [Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Implementation Review] Committee.”
The exchange board is a nine-member committee charged with putting together an online marketplace where individuals and small businesses can go to purchase insurance, often with the help of tax subsidies, beginning in 2014, as required in the federal health care reform act. The Legislature earlier this year approved a bipartisan plan to get the board up and running.
Board members have concentrated their early activities around getting organized and submitting this grant application to get money for the exchange’s operational infrastructure. The state has had a history of computer-system problems and failures, and getting the technical side of the exchange figured out early has been a priority for members.
But the legislative review committee chairwoman and vice chairman are required under state law to come to an agreement on any grant applications, or else the grant must go to a vote of the full 10-member legislative review committee, which is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. And Rep. Bob Gardner, a Colorado Springs Republican and the vice chairman of the committee, told Hammer he did not agree with the substance of the grant, essentially grounding the application.
Rep. Jim Kerr, a Littleton Republican and review committee member, said in a statement that GOP members were very concerned about the requirements to accede to federal law.
“This current application would push Colorado into a one-size-fits-all mandate from Washington,” Kerr said. “Colorado needs Colorado-specific solutions to meet our Colorado-specific needs. That’s why we created a health benefit exchange to fit the unique needs of Colorado and to protect Coloradans from an out-of-control Washington, D.C., bureaucracy.”
The grant sought money to hire 27 full-time employees by February 2012 with salaries ranging from $45,600 to $200,400.
Hammer said the board will continue to move forward with planning the exchange with money from a $1 million planning grant the state received last year. It also plans to meet with the full legislative review committee to explain the grant application, a move that has not happened yet.
Mr. Hartmann, you also praised Obamacare for forcing the healthcare companies to use only 20% of the monies taken in for administrative costs thus driving down health care costs for the general public. Guess what? The new premiums are coming out in October and they are up over 9%. United Healthcare is just passing on there need for more money for administrative costs to the general public. If you ever think corporations that get taxed, or mandated to spend more to operate, they just pass those costs on to the consumers . If they only get to keep 20% of the new increases they drive it up even more. Thus creating terrible inflation hurting the little people. i.e. all the new higher charges and fees the banksters are giving us due to the "new regulations" imposed by government. Once again, do your homework. Obamacare stinks and you know it.
http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/health-insurance-companies-say-that-they-plan-to-raise-premiums-significantly-because-of-the-new-health-care-reform-law
"The whole left-versus-right thing is just a distraction trick. It’s really the American people versus the giant bankers, captains of the military-industrial complex, and handful of others who are benefiting by shafting the average American."
That's for darn sure...it is a distraction trick...the rich have been using that smoke and mirrors illusion ploy to get what they want.
"In Quebec, for example, breast implants are covered (gotta love the French influence)."
I hope that is limited to women who have had mastectomies....otherwise it is the worse kind of abuse of the health care system. Nor should it cover penile implants or erection enhancement medications. It is unfortunate that many women have been mentally abused into thinking that they need to be bigger. Many of us men actually prefer women whose breasts will not drop to the floor after they get older. (Gravity is cruel...I know). Strictly cosmetic surgery should not be covered under such a health system.
ObamaCare is a big rip off in favor of the HealthScare Insurance companies and Pharmaceuticals. It will be just like the Trillion dollar rip off bailouts of the banks and Wall Street where they rigged it so the banks would not be held to the fire if they didn't make loans to Americans...instead they funneled much of the money into overseas gambles...and Obama's Tax Forgiveness Act where wealthy scumbags, hiding their money in off-shore accounts would only have to pay a tiny portion of taxes they originally owed if they used that money to invest in America...which of course they didn't...and renegged on their half of the deal after getting the tax breaks. The criminal politicians (Republican and Democrat...right...or left) continue to lie and make promises and continue to screw us all. And many states are now challenging the constitutionality of forcing us all to shell out big bucks to these gangsters. The HealthScare Insurance companies are raising their rates and most people can't even affort to feed their families or provide them shelter anymore...and then Obama really thinks his plan will be affordable to all? And if you don't pay the Al Capones you will get fined by Uncle $am. Maybe they will eventually herd us all into giant gullags or collectives and force us all into enslavement making brooms or something. Where's that cat....I'm getting hungry!
Mr. Hartmann, once again you let a guest beat you up. The topic was the privatization of the "commons". The subject drifted to the post office and you blamed, who else, Goerge W. Bush and the republican house for the delima the post office is in thanks to the postal reform act of 2006. You always conveniently forget to mention is the fact 100% of the senate also voted to pass this bill. Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and last but not least, Bernie Sanders are included in the traitors. If you go to war with a guest, please be prepared with facts that make our argument plausable to all progressives. We lose when you consistently forget all the facts. The internet makes it easy to verify that you have not presented your argument correctly. Please stop giving them ammo to shoot back at us.
Mr. Hartman,
Canada does Not have a nationwide single payer system. Each provience has it's own health care system. In Ontario it's the Ontario Health Insurance Program or OHIP. OHIP is not accepted in other proviences nor is other provience plans accepted in Ontario. Each Provience covers different procedures. In Quebec, for example, breast implants are covered (gotta love the French influence). Breast implants are not covered in the programs of other Provencies. If you live in Ontario, and need medical help in British Columbia, you are treated the same way you would be here in the USA if you are a member of a HMO, and seek service outside the HMO. Many employers provide a supplementary health insurance plan to their employees. Usually, the supplementary plans will cover prescription drugs and dental (which are not part of any Provinecial plan). The supplementary plans will also cover some of the costs of care in a US medical facility, where many people will go if they need quick care. The OHIP plan has become essiently a two tier system (The haves and the have nots). Doctors are not taking new patients, or they will only take patients who have supplemental insurance. Those who cannot get an appointment with a physician are relegated to clinics. In a clinic, you may be seen by a doctor or a physcians assistant. If you are lucky enough to be seen by a MD, that doesn't guarantee you'll be seen by the same MD or even seen by a MD on your next visit.
The OHIP plan ( I'm most familar with it because I lived in Ontario) has some pluses. OHIP is a wellness program. The purpose is to keep you well. The minues kick in if you get ill. It can take forever to receive treatment.
Hi Thom,
I am not an athiest, but that was a fascinating interview with Richard Dawkins. Keep up the great work!
The filibuster should be eliminated, at the very least, for nominations of officials who serve for limited terms, such as cabinet secretaries and anyone who serves at the pleasure of the President.
Role of Government, 2012 Caimpaign
Hey, Thom! While listening to your third hour today, I got inspired to call the White House comment line re: your assertion that the country needs to have a conversation about the Commons and the role of government, including your question "Why even create a government at all?" The woman who took my comment got really excited and urged me to write to the White House AND the 2012 campaign office about it. Here's what I said:
~~ I want the President to initiate and sustain a conversation with the nation about our government, the Commons, and the role of government, as a cornerstone of his campaign. He needs to educate the people about the role of government, about what it is and what it's for, and why we even have it, because the schools aren't teaching this anymore, except at the college level, and the people really don't understand or even know how to think about it. He needs to go all the way back to the beginning, talk about the ideas that inspired the founding of our government, briefly trace the history of their development into the programs we have now, teach what the Commons is and why it needs to be protected. And he needs to make a prolonged and sustained effort to do this throughout the campaign.
I think that if he does this, he will win back the hearts of the Progressives, who are all really mad at him right now for being marginalized and don't want to work for him anymore. He'll win back the base, AND I think he'll win back the middle. And as a result, he'll have a more thoughtful electorate that's better able to understand the issues and he'll win the election hands-down. ~~
I'll be writing those electronic letters shortly, and will be asking for a response from both the Whitehouse and the campaign. And I'm going to keep at the campaign office until I get someone there who's in a position to make a difference, and get them fired up about it, too...
In the meantime, here's a giant hug to you and Louise. I give thanks for you every day, Thom. You've educated me, you inspire me to action, and you've literally saved my sanity as I've developed a deeper and broader community awareness. You are absolutely The Best!
Love always, SysB
I forget the name of the county too, but its seat is Libby. It's in the northwest corner of MT.
I can't believe that it is not already in place.
I can't believe that it is not already in place.
I can't believe that it is not already in place.
Geithtner wants to leave, the reason he is still at Treasury is because Obama can't replace him. The Senate GOP won't approve ANY Obama appointments other than national security positions, and are even preventing Obama from making recess appointments.
True Conservatives Support Protest
This may seem at first glance like a liberal cause, but as I’ve previously noted, that is a false dichotomy, and true conservatives support it:
The whole left-versus-right thing is just a distraction trick. It’s really the American people versus the giant bankers, captains of the military-industrial complex, and handful of others who are benefiting by shafting the average American.
Remember that one of the founders of the Tea Party – Karl Denninger – has slammedthe current Tea Party (which was quickly co-opted by the mainstream GOP) for serving the rich and the Republican party instead of fighting against the giant banks, and iscalling for non-partisan, Gandhi-style nonviolent resistance to take on the banskters.
And see this.
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/
Isn't Montana the state that has a county that was set aside specifically in the health care bill to have basically single payer health care? I forget the county, but if I remember correctly it was because of the asbestos in the air from the nearby mining operations.
Rove would hack his own party and then scream bloody murder about it, counting on a win from the outrage. Just zero out all Democratic votes and see hell break loose.
In answer to the fake named Ramalam1:
A1:
Part of the serious problem with liberal voters is that they eagerly vote for corrupt corporate party Democrats, faith-based believing the corporate party's Democrats might be less corrupt than the same corporate party's Republicans. We all get the corporate party's complete corruption because liberals vote together with conservatives to get it.
Imagine how hard Robert Rubin laughed when tens of millions of liberal maniacs sent in their small change contributions attempting to match the funds of the corporations that already owned all the shares in Obama. Rubin's Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, and all of Obama's other corporate person shareholders got mountains of dividends, and both short and long-term gains from their investment in Obama. Natural persons got none.
Obama maniacs voted for Goldman Sachs to control economic policy; for Monsanto to control agriculture policy; and for the military industrial complex to control foreign policy... for corporate persons to continue to completely control the government of natural persons.
A2:
I'm in support of people not being liberal voters. Liberal voters have ensured that no good comes from elections, by their fundamental abuse of the electoral process. Liberal voters reliably regularly (D) vote for what they say they are against, and against what they say they are for.
Example: The corporate party's conservative retrograde (R) voters vote for war because they think it is the answer. But it's the corporate party's "antiwar" depraved (D) voters who ensure that war will be the only answer.
In a people's democracy natural persons would vote to determine the best policies for people and for Nature (upon whom we all depend), not fight over which of two corporate persons decided "electable" sociopaths is the evil thing deserving lesser or greater support from its victims.
America never achieved a democracy, because there were too many Democrats.
No democrat would be, nor could be a Democrat.
http://www.chenangogreens.org
Is there a website(s) people can acquire this equipment from? Better yet, a list of required components one can purchase for cash at an electronics store? There is ample enough time for this source list to get out, build and then saturate those states using the Diebold? During this time period one can prepare for ‘writing in’ a candidate. Who knows, Lady GaGa could possibly become “Empress of the United GaGa States of North America”.
Chris Hedges for President! I watched his speech on FSTV and he does very well in speaking truth to power. We might have a chance at fighting the evil doers...the real terrorists...the economic terrorists who have been undermining our Democracy and our Economy if Anonymous brings the US to a screeching halt. As Julian Assange of Wikileaks says...the internet is not secure because of the way it has been implemented. Secure servers mean nothing if the certificates can be forged and wreckless people in charge of that security use weak passwords. And as a billion dollars a year get stolen from the banks, even with their touted "secure transactions" we cannot rely on electronic ballot machines. And a question arises....if electronic voting machines can be so compromised...and even the Supreme Court is stacked against us (as we know with Bush)...how was it possible for Obama to have won the last election...unless the ruling elite planned it that way? Obama was the lugubrious Trojan Horse that made it possible to keep the antagonistic chatter down while they slipped in many pro-ruling elite actions...the bail-out...for one...the forced participation ObamaCare for another. Talk about voting against ones best interests....if you vote for either a Republican or Obama you will be doing just that...voting against your best interests. Obama will just give you four more years of even worse policies that will destroy most of the people who were, again, fooled into voting against their best interests. Obama is a Republican!