Thursday, September 24, 2009

Another political cartoon


Just posting another newspaper political cartoon that exemplifies the worries that many of us have about the overhaul of "health care/insurance."


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Politics continued...

This political cartoon was in the Deseret News this morning. Too bad it wasn't in yesterday; it goes so well with my concerns.

If anyone is truly interested in delving into the difficulties and possible solutions for the health care/insurance debate, here is a very long, but well-written article. The author is even a democrat, and although his piece is lengthy, I thought he had some very valid points. Take a look. http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200909/health-care

Monday, September 14, 2009

Beware, I'm a bit political today.

When it comes to estimating the cost of a program, the government--no matter who's in charge--cannot be trusted. When President Obama and his congressional supporters estimate his health-care (insurance) plan will cost between $50 and $65 billion a year, you can laugh or cry.

Let's check history. When Medicare began, in 1966, it cost $3 billion. President Johnson and the House Ways and Means Committee estimated that Medicare would--adjusted for inflation--cost $12 billion by 1990. It was more than $107 billion. That's $107,000,000,000.

Another big lie was Social Security. It began in 1936, started gently, and the Congress's promise was that after about twelve years we would pay up to $.03 for each dollar earned, and up to $3000 a year was the most anyone would ever pay. Have you checked your FICA deductions lately? Even worse was the closing line in the original Social Security pamphlet: "...the United States government will set up a Social Security account for you. ...The checks will come to you as a right."

There is no Social Security account containing my money, and the Supreme Court has ruled twice that Americans have to legal right to Social Security payments.

So, I am very skeptical of government promises.

Ask yourself why President Obama (and his colleagues) were in such a hurry to pass "health care" reform. Why was it so important that it get done in August, or before the year's end? The provisions of the bill don't take effect until 2013. If it was so necessary and beneficial, why the wait? If we don't need it until 2013, what's wrong with the normal process of hearings, the study of pros and cons?

I would think, if things are as dire as he says they are, the President would want people to experience the benefits of this package before the next election. Oh, maybe that's just it. Maybe no one is supposed to see how this really works until after the election.

It just seems like our current government is trying to push through things that have not been done in the past, before the people know what is really happening.

Remember, we were assured it was vitally important to get the stimulus approved very quickly. Our economy depended on it. But why? Much of it will not be distributed for more than another year. I guess, for those who are seeking more power over the economy, there was the possibility that things would start to improve on their own--and that would be bad.

When the President's Chief of Staff talks about not letting "a crisis go to waste" or how "it's an opportunity to do things you could not do before." It seems about gathering power and control while circumventing and deceiving the public, not serving the people.




Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Happy Birthday Lindsey

My youngest grandchild is 4 years old today. The time is going by incredibly fast.We were able to spend the Labor Day weekend with her family (Grandpa hadn't see their new house), and we enjoyed it immensely. We took a day to visit the San Diego Zoo, and she is always willing to pose for the camera.She looks angelic, sweet, and pretty enough to be on magazine covers.

But watch out for the twinkle in her eyes and big smile on her face....she can also be a ball of fire.She loves fancy princess dresses and tiaras, lip gloss, shoes, make believe games, pre school, jumping, running, dancing, and riding her bike (training wheels don't slow her down).

Happy birthday, princess. We love you.