Recent comments

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    Thanks for the link, Loretta.

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    Does everyone know about Obama's healthcare forum happening in three minutes? Here's the link: Show your support for the public option by signing up to watch. Please pass the word on so our Prez knows we have his back

    http://www.barackobama.com/forum/live.html

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    A little over an hour ago, George Lakoff, Berkley professor, author, cognitive linguist, etc. released at: www.truthout.org/082009B?n "The Policy-Speak Disaster for Health Care". I'm still chewing thru it, but, it is an amazingly coherent read. I hope THOM checks it out. What am I saying...he reads everything! Not only that, I bet his lips don't move when he's reading ...like mine sometimes do. For all you amateur, semi-pro, aspiring campaign people or policy wonks, this is a must read. Seriously. I would have added an link but I'm a Luddite.

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    B Roll,

    Thanks for the warning! I'll put my protective wrist bands on!

    http://inplacenews.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/wonderwoman.jpg

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    Filibuster and Cloture

    Until 1975 breaking a filibuster required the votes two-thirds of voting senators. That would be 67 votes if all senators are present, but the two-thirds ratio applied even when not all senators were present. If only 80 senators were present, a cloture vote would only take 54 vote (67%) to end a filibuster.

    The rule was changed in 1975, lowering the ratio to three-fifths (60) votes, but as a compromise, the three-fifths ratio doesn't apply if less than a full senate is present. 60 votes in the absolute minimum now.

    Quark,

    I'm coming for you girl... with a response to your reply to my post about religious and spiritual beliefs.

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    woops that liberal conference is at 11:30AM today http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago
  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    I called my senators and congressman yesterday. Congressman Price has a really great FAQ and Myths and Facts sheet as well as analysis of the health reform bill here: http://price.house.gov/issues/health/health_insurance_reform.shtml

    What I want to tell you about is my conversation with someone at Senator Richard Burr's office. I asked what his position was on healthcare reform and was told the senator is for reform and does NOT support the public option. I asked what his reform would include. The staffer said "Tort reform, tax breaks and subsidies for private companies". I asked if that means my tax dollars would be given to private insurance companies instead of to a program like Medicare. The staffer answered this would be the best way to save money--tax breaks and subsidies. I asked if any of that money would go to help people instead of companies and how this would save money. The staffer answered "well this would save money because less people would be covered".

    I simply said "Isn't THAT the problem now?"

    He quickly stated i would need to speak with the Health care specialist for the senator and put me through to voicemail.

    I'm pretty sure this is exactly the issue --Republicans want to give more money to private companies under the ruse of "reform" while not actually letting anyone have healthcare. Spot on, staffer for Senator Burr! Maybe he wasn't paying attention when Senator Dole ran for election....and lost.

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    The President has just finished and has done well.

    I think we need to realize that we need to be working with the President and not putting all of this on just him. Just the other day for example, in emailing a question to the President I suggested he be on a radio show and take calls from callers - who knows ...but somehow that is now what just took place. So be on the liberal call with us today at 2PM today and make some contributions. I think I posted the info on yesterdays board.

    Those of us in OFA are constantly setting events and doing creative ways of education. For example, here in SAC each week we screen SICKO and have had neat gleaning days and even days on the farm to get back in touch with our own natural health care responsibilities.

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    Having spent most of my life in the mid-west, I remember old timers often saying that the only two things you don't talk about in polite conversation are religion and politics. This troubled me on several levels. First of all, with the exception of sex, they were the most interesting topics to me. Secondly, being a student and ardent freak for our political history, it seemed to me, that our democracy depended on people discussing the important issues which governed their lives. The Revolution which resulted in our country's founding began in taverns and inns over mugs of rum. Public discourse ignited the people to act and guided our founders leadership.
    Religion poses a more complicated consideration. It has been my opinion that whatever your religion, it should stay out of my government and in return, I'll keep my government out of your religion. We as a people have many religions from which to choose or reject, but, have one shared government. Mixing them is not only usually bad manners but dangerous to both. Values, morality, traditions, YES! Personal, spiritual or religious beliefs, when poured over the public discourse of how we do everyone's business gums-up the works and is damaging. It's not that I would presume to muzzle free speech. I love a good philosophical discussion of religion, just not when I'm trying accomplish something else. Mixing religion with politics is like mixing alcohol with gunpowder...dangerous. Of course, by posting this I kind of feel like David Lynch when he made "Elephant Man". He made a movie that moralized about the evils of exploiting, when by doing so, he was continuing the exploitation. By engaging on this issue I am feeding the troll and encouraging what I would seek to limit. See what happens when you start dancing in a mine field?
    I've given myself a headache. You physicists and big brains are too smart for me. Never mind.

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    President is now on and is walking through his basic requirements, for which I have listed above. They do seem slightly modified now, he is

    1 must be deficit neutral, 2 gets cost under control 3 insurance reforms for those who already have insurance 4 wants a health exchange similar to what Congress has. You can look at a bunch of options and if you can't afford a market based

    choice, competition, reducing cost

    Host is now talking about personal responsibility - what incentives are there?

    President: Safeway for example is giving incentives that you will see on your paycheck if you do these things - even cash incentives could be a good idea and be a part of the plan.

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    Health Care Reform: A Medical Emergency
    TOWN HALL MEETING & LIVE BROADCAST
    Monday, August 31, 2009 6-10 PM EDT

    The Dom Giordano Show

    Part 1 - THE LEGISLATORS: Dom hosts and open discussion with several Philadelphia area congressmen. They will discuss all aspects of health care reform legislation in a civil and respectful manner.
    Guests include:

    Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA 2nd)
    Rep. Joe Sestak (D- PA 7th)
    Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA 6th)
    Rep. Bob Brady (D-PA 1st)

    http://thebigtalker1210.com/pages/5021278.php

    PS from last post I missed this: Says more Rush Even if abortion is not in the bill, we know the Supreme Court will add it in.

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    George Lakoff | The Policy-Speak Disaster for Health Care
    http://www.truthout.org/082009B?n
    George Lakoff, Truthout: "Barack Obama ran the best-organized and best-framed presidential campaign in history. How is it possible that the same people who did so well in the campaign have done so badly on health care?"

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    Food Fascist,

    Change of subject. Did you happen to see this discussion about "The Real Cost of Cheap Food" on Morning Joe today?

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789#32489722

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    So I am listening to the other station to hear the President- Rush L is on saying the 47 million uninsured include illegal aliens. And they do get health care in the emergency rooms. He is going line by line to Obamas conference call and 'debunking' all of the President's answers. Ie Planned Parenthood supports the health care reform [therefore, President must be lying] Also played some campaign promise and interpreted it sloppily saying He says we're lying but it s only because The President is lying] - ah how am I tolerating this, I miss the Thom Hartmann show! Everyone write the Whitehouse and tell them Barack Obama must be on the Thom Hartmann show!

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    Shoot -

    Here is David Axels’ ‘viral’ email that further gives weight to the desired principles needed for health care reform: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-Return-of-the-Viral-Email/

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    President Obama DID put his principles together. I have posted them numerous times but not even the progressive media has been reporting them. I recieved them in my box the next day after requesting them on a conference call.

    Here they are:

    The Whitehouse

    The Official Health Care Parameters

    …see no one is trying to kill your grandparents-

    • No discrimination for pre-existing conditions
    • No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays
    • No cost-sharing for preventive care
    • No dropping of coverage if you become seriously ill
    • No gender discrimination
    • No annual or lifetime caps on coverage
    • Extended coverage for young adults
    • Guaranteed insurance renewal so long as premiums are paid
    Read more of the above here:

    http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/?e=9&ref...

    Here is David Axels’ ‘viral’ email that further gives weight to the desired principles needed for health care reform: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-Return-of-the-Viral-Email/

    The Whitehouse

    The Official Health Care Parameters

    …see no one is trying to kill your grandparents-

    • No discrimination for pre-existing conditions
    • No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays
    • No cost-sharing for preventive care
    • No dropping of coverage if you become seriously ill
    • No gender discrimination
    • No annual or lifetime caps on coverage
    • Extended coverage for young adults
    • Guaranteed insurance renewal so long as premiums are paid
    Read more of the above here:

    http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/?e=9&ref...

    Then, Axlerod came out with this 'anti viral email'

  • Dear President Obama,   14 years 32 weeks ago

    Why don't all you people move to Canada?
    Problem solved.

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    DRichards,

    I think cults, whether religious, political or any other kind allow people to act without thinking rationally. Fear drives people into those cults and the hands of those who perpetrated it, as we know too well.

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    AZAFVET,

    That IS perfect.

    Matt Taibi is arguing, in his latest piece, "Sick and Wrong", for The Rolling Stone, that we will get no real healthcare reform "because it’s encased in another failed system: the U.S. government:"

    (http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs)

    See Taibbi video on "Morning Joe:"

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789#32489838

    It makes me think that we, the American people, are no more than animals bred and kept around specifically as "food" for the corporate "ticks."

    Then again, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the administration may present a 2-tier approach to healthcare reform:

    "New Rx for Health Plan: Split Bill"

    (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125072573848144647.html)

    It starts:

    "The White House and Senate Democratic leaders, seeing little chance of bipartisan support for their health-care overhaul, are considering a strategy shift that would break the legislation into two parts and pass the most expensive provisions solely with Democratic votes.

    The idea is the latest effort by Democrats to escape the morass caused by delays in Congress, as well as voter discontent crystallized in angry town-hall meetings. Polls suggest the overhaul plans are losing public support, giving Republicans less incentive to go along."

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    Biff! Boom ! Kazaar! Way to wipe out that Free Market Piled High Deeper guy - oh, I have so many stories about having to share college rooms with conceeded empty arguments like that fellow was presenting-

  • Dear President Obama,   14 years 32 weeks ago

    Thom, your suggestion on Monday, about a "buy-in" to Medicare, is terrific! I have been pursuing "Medicare for All" for several weeks, after becoming disgusted with Obama's pussyfooting around with the Republicans and the Blue Dogs. It's simple, its effective, and will get the same result that Obama "wants," a "public option." The only thing that I would add is the campaign should be named, "Medicare for All." While that really implies a single-payer system (which I prefer) because it is a "buy-in" it's not single payer. Medicare for All, Medicare for All, MEDICARE FOR ALL!!!

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    "With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."
    Steven Weinberg, quoted in The New York Times, April 20, 1999

    It seems to me that we create God in our own image. Therefor, it seems to me that "good people" simply justify their actions by using religion; their actions were part of their nature to begin with, with or without religion.

    What do you think?

  • Thursday August 20th 2009   14 years 32 weeks ago

    India Will Become World's Most Populous Country by 2050. Almost All Population Growth Will Occur in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean

    The 2009 World Population Datasheet - published by the Population Reference Bureau
    http://www.prb.org/pdf09/09wpds_eng.pdf
    - gives a number of important statistics on population trends, including the following:

    India will have more people than China within a couple of decades
    97% of global population growth over the next 40 years will occur in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean

    http://georgewashington2.blogspot.com/

  • Dear President Obama,   14 years 32 weeks ago

    I've come up with two names for grassroots organizations. One is Citizens Against Corporate America. The other is Fighting Unregulated Corporate Control in the United States. Mainly because I like the acronyms. The first spells our clearly what we've gotten from them. The second accurately depicts what they've done to us and the US. And, if you just use the U to represent the United States, and drop the S, it could be our response to them.

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