Harry Reid's Vision

Harry Reid has stated that he has wide-spread support from the Public for the incorporation of a Government sponsored option in the proposed National Health Care program. President Pinocchio is "pleased that the Senate has decided to include a public option for health coverage."

I believe that the only widespread support Reid has is in his head!The folks that want Government insurance coverage are people who are not going to have to pay for it, were unwilling to pay for it in the past and people who no more have a concept of public debt being an actual amount than if there is life on Mars. My advice-Learn Chinese as soon as possible. I think that we are going to need it when the new sheriffs come to town to take over.

The Weathervane-What's Happening?

I've just finished my entry for today and then immediately deleted it! In reading it critically, I found the finished product banal and without any original thought and without any new insights. What's happening now is really so bizarre that often times when I receive a forwarded email I write back and ask, "Is this a joke?"

I happened to be out of town when the news came that President Pinocchio had won the Nobel Peace Prize. Ann and I happened to be in Oslo on a 50th anniversary cruise (ours, not the ship's) in May and I had a chance to ask one of our city guides a few questions about the mindset of the people, primarily the youth. The guide, who happens to double as a journalist for one of the numerous, local papers, was happy to talk about the local pulse. I wasn't very fair when I phrased the question like this: "Are the young people frustrated by the high taxes and how this keeps them from getting ahead?" Even though he probably hears that question a lot, he was very pleasant, answering that even the young people had no problems as everyone lives pretty well. "Pretty well" means living in an apartment , bicycling or walking and from what I could tell, a lot of lying around on the lawns of public buildings and drinking coffee. Socialism is apparently such a way of life that even the youth chooses "secure" over "upper mobility".

Exporting the idea of a Republican form of government is hard. We've seen it in the Middle East and I guess while every young person we met spoke excellent English, they just don't get "it" when we use the phrase "personal freedom". With our limited exposure to the Norwegian mind I think I better understand the Nobel being given to a Man of Promises.

P.S. Read the proposals carefully when you go to vote this time (You are going to vote aren't you?), the boys in Austin have cooked up some new stuff for us.

Through the Eyes of Others

Sometime I wonder about our national press. Neither the Conservative nor the Liberal press are able to discern between reportage and editorializing. Even our local paper, the Dallas Morning News publishes unsigned editorials that, in my mind, are either harmless, by writing about the opening of the newest snack attraction (Fried Butter!) at the State Fair or the more harmful, bemoaning the mindlessness of the local and regional Tea parties and how they encourage the fringe people to violent comments and actions.

I've been looking at a couple of British media sites, the BBC and the Telegraph, hoping for a bit more of a picture of the USA from a foreigner's viewpoint. Little did I know where those unbiased views might come from. How about this from a Romanian writer that was sent to me by a special friend.

Read this excerpt from a Romanian Newspaper. The article was written by Mr. Cornel Nistorescu and published under the title 'C'ntarea Americii, meaning 'Ode To America ') in the Romanian newspaper Evenimentulzilei 'The Daily Event' or 'News of the Day'.~An Ode to America ~

Why are Americans so united?

They would not resemble one another even if you painted them all one color! They speak all the languages of the world and form an astonishing mixture of civilizations and religious beliefs.On 9/ll, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people into a hand put on the heart.

Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the Army, or the Secret Service that they are only a bunch of losers. Nobody rushed to empty their bank accounts. Nobody rushed out onto the streets nearby to gape about. Instead the Americans volunteered to donate blood and to give a helping hand. After the first moments of panic, they raised their flag over the smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of the national flag. They placed flags on buildings and cars as if in every place and on every car a government official or the president was passing. On every occasion, they started singing: 'God Bless America !'

I watched the live broadcast and rerun after rerun for hours listening to the story of the guy who went down one
hundred floors with a woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the Californian hockey player, who gave his life fighting with the terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a target that could have killed other hundreds or thousands of people. How on earth were they able to respond united as one human being? Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some turned into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with every phone call, millions and millions of dollars were put into collection aimed at rewarding not a man or a family, but a spirit, which no money can buy.

What on earth can unite the Americans in such a way? Their land? Their history? Their economic Power? Money? I tried for hours to find an answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases with the risk of sounding commonplace, I thought things over, I
reached but only one conclusion...

Only freedom can work such miracles.

Keep the faith. Bill

Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Sunlight

The Senate Finance Committee has just released its recommendations for the revision of the US health system. This committee, headed by Senator Max Baucus, has commonly been called the Gang of Six, made up of 4 Democrats and 2 Republicans.

The committee has avoided the Federal government-run health system and instead is endorsing the establishment of non-profit, member-owned co-operatives. (Some days ago, I reported that Kay Bailey Hutchinson had warned that she believed that this would be an end run by the Administration and that after this idea fails (as it is expected to) the White House will ride in and be the White Knight that will take over! I believe Kay.

The proposed bill was described as follows:

• Everyone must buy insurance. If they don't, they will be fined
• Insurance companies must accept everyone regardless of health and cannot reject anyone.
• Insurance companies, after enjoying "great increase" in profitabiliy due to the new lives becoming insured under the new system will be taxed $6,000,000,000 per year.

I would love to know what expertise this committee drew on to come with these proposals. Very quickly here are my responses to this brief synopsis of the proposal:

If one of the most publicized reasons for people not owning health insurance is affordability, does it make sense to put an even greater financial burden on these same people.

Presently if an applicant has health issues, the insurance company prices for that additional potential claims risk. Taking that pricing ability away means that the healthy lives will subsidize the premium of the bad risks (the smokers, the overweight, those with serious pre-existing conditions).

One of the ways this program would be paid for would be by placing a $ Six (6) BILLION fee on the health carriers because of the "additional profits that the Committee believes will go to the carriers from the large influx of new, taxpayer-subsidized customers. If history is any guide, we know how profitable Social Security and Medicare has been since they were established. A wide open system like this one will cry out for further subsidizing by the Government!

The direct cost of this proposed program over the next 10 years is $856,000,000 savings (?) from cuts in government health programs of $507 Billion and 349 Billion in new taxes and fees!

Will There Be Peace in Our Time?

After months of debate and confrontations, there seems to be some light shining in the East. Must be light bulbs coming on! Based on what is being discussed in each of the camps, a middle ground seems to be emerging. The most recent broadsides I seen seem to show this. If we can accept Thomas Sowell as the Conservative voice and David Brooks of the New York Times as the Liberal, here’s what seems to be happening.

Mr. Sowell’s most recent comments questions not so much the need for health care reform but, instead, Obama’s basic honesty and leadership. Brooks, on the other side, dissected O’s health care speech and noted each point that he, Brooks, believes will need to be modified or abandoned in order for the proposed health care bill to be acceptable.

After all the rhetoric, here seems to be the common ground that each side can agree to.

• It’s true that the Health Care system here in the United States is broken and neither side is happy with it.
• 45 Million may not be the right number but the United States does have too many uninsureds.
• The Tort system may be poorly functioning, the jury awards too generous and the legal system may need overhauling, which will, in turn, reduce the cost of malpractice coverage to the doctors.
• The benefit payments under a proposed Government mandated plan, if similar to Medicare reimbursement in amount will probably drive many healthcare professionals out of business.
• There is waste and inefficiencies in the current Medicare administrative system.

Each of these discussion points have advocates and detractors lobbying for their own positions. It will be interesting to see if the newly recognized strength of the Tea Parties and their own awakened constituency will drive our elected officials to “do the right thing”, ignoring the lobbyists and demands of their political party and, instead, support a bill that is best for the United States.

Kay Bailey Speaks Out Against Co-ops!

Kay Bailey Hutchinson has just responded to an email that I sent regarding the Administration's attempt to establish a single payer health insurance system (controlled by the Fed) in the United States. The response was what you and I would expect from a politician.

However, Congressman Hutchinson did point out a "stealth" approach that apparently the Obama gang is going to try instead of the "In Your Face, ram it through" approach introduced earlier. Instead of the out-of-favor terminology of Government plan or Single Payer plan, the term, "co-op" is being floated as the system of the future. Here's what Ms. Hutchinson had to say about co-ops-

After hearing from constituents over the last several months, some members of Congress have now learned that using the term “government plan” elicits a strong negative response from voters, so they have now latched onto a new way to describe the same thing: a co-op. Texans should not be confused by this new packaging of the same idea. The co-op is a back door to a government takeover of our health care. The co-op would be started with federal funds, and it remains unclear whether taxpayer dollars would be used if the co-ops began to fail. The Administration has tried to bail out the banking, housing, and auto industry; would these co-ops be next?

Ms. Hutchinson has been doing her homework, at least in the case of co-ops. The State of Texas has tried them as a panacea for an absence of insurance companies willing to take on people that the company's underwriters say are bad risks and are uninsurable. Unfortunately, in practice , potential healthy prospects continue to avoid the co-op or "pool" as the claims experience tends to be bad and rate increases a regular feature, guaranteeing that a co-op will be a loser. At that time, I believe that Obama may claim the "mandate of the public" to "take over the co-op system" and make it work! With patience, anything is possible.

Two items of note today; Rememberance of September 11, 2001 and a couple of comments regarding Obama's health care speech. The easier one first:

Obama's Health Care Plan-The speech Mr. Obama gave may have been a bit more forthcoming in details but after watching him over the first 100+ days of his administration, I'm still unsure about what this appetizer has to do with his final entree. Many in the United States do not trust this man and with all due respect to the office of President, we feel that he will take as many liberties as he can with facts and and will assume privileges that he believes are his and as much as he can get away with! Some time ago Ronald Reagan said it best, "Trust but verify."

Bill O'Reilly was quite charitable concerning the speech, saying that there were two items that he believes Obama is trying to "finesse" past us at this time; The actual cost of the mandated program which O'Reilly quoted as being $2.7 Trillion in about three years after the plan is established. The second item is where are the Doctors and other Health Care professionals needed to handle the expected additional 40+ Million participants? O'Reilly says that this has to lead to rationing of health care. Newt Gingrich has developed a plan that has five stages of incorporation that has practical aspects that the Obama plan does not. I would suggest that if you have time to look it up, this might be a good alternative. (We need him back!)

The Matter of 9/11

Being older is sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse. This is the case with the 9/11 attack by the Islamic terriorists on New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. As we remember the heartache of those incidents, I'm struck with the way some have moved past the solemnity of the destruction and on to the negotiations for advantage by the players in New York, the way that the day has been claimed by Obama as a day of "Freedom Day of Service and Rememberance", whatever that may mean. We still don't know how the Pennsylvania day will be "used".

The Dallas Morning News pushed any articles relating to the 9/11 anniversary to the Second section of the paper, save one, a story outlining concerns of the area's muslims saying "that for the younger generation of muslims, the tragedy can even seem like a distant memory". "Time marches on," said Souha Azmeh Al-Samkari, a 22 year old student at the University of Dayton in Ohio.

Nice to hear that 9/11 did not leave any permanent scars on these young muslims but it would still be good to hear some rejections of this horrible act from the so-called peaceful muslims here in the United States or anywhere for that matter.

Give Me 30% More or Else

For us Texans the recent phenomenon of selling our major highways to the highest bidders has caused an unsettling effect. We've seen the ECSTASY of significant funds coming to the State Treasury with "little or no downside?"

For us in the Dallas-Ft. Worth-McKinney area, the time has come to pay the piper and experience the AGONY of the state's decision of auctioning the rights to build and COLLECT TOLLS on Highway 121 from the entrance of DFW airport to McKinney. The bidding war between the Spanish firm who had bid and apparently won the competition and the North Texas Toll Authority resulted in a last-minute victory for the NTTA. Their bid must have been a bit high, too high to sustain! We are now paying a third (30% plus, Folks) on ALL TOLL ROADS IN THE NORTH TEXAS REGION for their foolishness and reckless bidding! This increase was applied without any approval or in reality, any discussion! At the risk of creating another bureaucratic stumbling bloc, we need to have input into the bidding process or at least a way of protecting the public against these rate changes. Someone (the public, maybe)should have significant input to keep un-elected executives from 1)making these unreasonable and un-sustainable bidding mistakes and 2)the ability currently available to them of making the public to pay for their mistakes.

Well, tonight Folks, we get to hear what the REAL health care proposal is that the Administration is proposing and we will probably see a fine speech (unless the tele-prompter breaks down). Now why did I take that cheap shot?!

My best advice today is to record the speech, not for its historical significance but because of the way the president will check the wind blowing and take that position as his own.

The Defining Moment

Here is one of America's Greatest Heroes, speaking one of his most famous phrases. Watch:

Deja Vu, all over again, huh? The Democrats still pushing the same agenda as they were with Mr. Carter. I read that now is the defining moment for Mr. Obama and what will be his legacy and that he is going to push back hard against the neighsayers and critics who are rejecting his Single Payor Health Care proposal. If he is successful or he's not, I believe that he has already written, in his deeds, the legacy he will leave for history.

Unfortunately Mr. Obama has a hard time with the truth. If it doesn't fit his agenda, he prefers to ignore it. Consider the Lockerbie terrorist release and our President's statement that the US did not know of the Scotish government's plan. Yesterday's blog entry documented the British government's reaction to his avowal of innocence. Consider the "harmless" address he plans to present to the school children of America encouraging them to stay in school and study. We were assured that this is totally apolitical, right? Unfortunately the study guide to be furnished to the students by the White House asked the children to give ways of how they can help Mr. Obama. We've all seen clips of Mr. Obama discussing universal Health care with seemingly different ideas each time he speaks. Has anyone seen what we are expected to buy?

Our country has already had a president we called "The Great Communicator" and you just heard him. I think that the title, "The Great Prevaricator" may just have a home!

On September 2, I questioned our continuing relations with Britain in view of the release of the Libyan responsible for the Pan American bombing in Lockerbie, Scotland without our government's knowledge and approval. According to everything released at that time our President was totally surprised, disappointed and outraged by this unexpected action.

Here is how the Daily Mail reported the Obama administration's knowledge of the transfer of Megrahi:

British officials claim Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton were kept informed at all stages of discussions concerning Megrahi’s return.

The officials say the Americans spoke out because they were taken aback by the row over Megrahi’s release, not because they did not know it was about to happen.

‘The US was kept fully in touch about everything that was going on with regard to Britain’s discussions with Libya in recent years and about Megrahi,’ said the Whitehall aide.

‘We would never do anything about Lockerbie without discussing it with the US. It is disingenuous of them to act as though Megrahi’s return was out of the blue.'

Viva La Watchdogs

Just got back from an interesting and educational gathering of the Collin County Tea Party. I'm no good at estimating crowds but it was substantial and people were still arriving as we were leaving. I was impressed with the organization of the morning and despite the summer-like heat, the attentiviness of the crowd.

The gathering was much more systemic than just a pep rally against Obama and his policies. We were reminded that there are people at every level of government who are happy to spend money as long as it’s someone else’s. We heard an excellent speech from the CEO of EmpowerTexans (www.empowertexans.com) reminding us of this fact. There was a great sense in the crowd of taking back fiscal control and calling to account those people we elect, no matter at what level of government they serve and having them do that, serve our needs and desires.

I was reminded of the following article that appeared in the Dallas Morning News a few days ago-

“Welcome to the modern American high school, Texas style. Prosper High School is a $113.5 million, 590,000-square-foot behemoth, complete with a medical tech lab, a restaurant-worthy kitchen, a greenhouse, a broadcast studio and, of course, an indoor football practice facility. All this in a still-sleepy town of just 7,000 people.”

I wonder who made the decision to build that facility and, more importantly, who is going to pay for it? Can someone say, “Trustee Recall Election”?

Folks, it’s time for us to stop voting “straight ticket” and being ignorant of the issues in the Local and Statewide races. As one political junkie friend of mine once said, “Politics are the Most Fun you can have without Laughing Out Loud!” I’m diving in-care to join me?

Are Bumper Stickers the Eyes of the Soul?

I receive a blessing this morning even before arriving at my church for Sunday Worship services.

I saw a bumper sticker and it read:

"Impeach Obama!"

Have to say, it started my day off right.

Saw one of the chief organizers for the Collin County Tea Party happening tomorrow. Got some powerful speakers and it appears that there's going to be a strong turnout. I'll report how the rally goes in my next entry.

Is Honesty the Best Policy?

I’m still disappointed in the way the al-Megrahi release was handled by the Scottish legal system with the tacit approval of the British government. I believe that I would have been able to accept a more honest comment from these folks, simply stating that this release was being made to improve or solidify their relationship with Libya.

As Americans, we have already lost our innocence concerning matters like these and, in today’s world, Commerce seems to always “trump” National Honor. This has been proven in numerous events that have taken place and will continue to take place here in the States.

How can we condemn other countries for these strategies while currently families and government officials are still trying to locate the remains of military personnel still missing from the Viet Nam war while, at the same time, we are actively importing merchandise from that one-time enemy? My family just bought a nifty little table from a local shop that, when we got it home, "Made in Viet Nam" was shown as the country of orgin.

There will be one event that will disprove my suspicions about the release of al-Megrahi. If he will hurry up and DIE in a timely fashion, I'll have a nice lunch of crow and move on.

Unfortunately my wife and I saw Humanitarian Release abused first-hand when we were volunteers at the federal prison in Ft. Worth, Texas. Some years ago, a convicted swindler apparently found a doctor that would certify that the prisoner was in the final stages of cancer and would die soon. The prisoner was released, with his predicted death a few months in the future, but to this day, some 5 years later, he is still functioning fully.

Another thing is causing my stomach to churn. As a dues paying member of AARP, I receive a periodical called the AARP Bulletin. I just received the September issue where its headline reads THE HYPE, THE LIES, AND THE FACTS.

This issue purports to “Tune out the fear-mongering and misinformation and make sense of the health care reform debate".

I’m still in the process of reviewing what this Obama-favoring publication has to say, but I was struck by the statement signed by the CEO and the President that “THE COST OF DOING NOTHING IS UNACCEPTABLE. WITHOUT REFORM, A FAMLY’S PREMIUMS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE WILL ALMOST DOUBLE BY 2016 TO OVER $24,000!

I can only believe that the $24,000 is in Obama Dollars (current dollars adjusted for Runaway Inflation). Till next time.

Will Our Anglo-American Ties Be Broken

A friend gave me a report outlining the recent release of Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, the convicted terrorist. He is the Libyan responsible for the bombing of Pan American Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland which killed 270 passengers, many of whom were college students returning to the United States for Christmas.

His release points up two things that apparently have changed with the inauguration of our new president. Al-Megrahi was released without the approval of the U. S. government and without regard of the possible diplomatic fallout with the United States.

It’s clear from the furor created by al-Megrahi’s release, his flight home to a hero’s welcome, and his personal welcome by Gadhafi, complete with his warm embrace, that this was beyond that expected by the Brits and outrage is being seen both there and in the U.S.

It is also clear that Britain has chosen to cozy up to Libya at the expense of its relations with the United States. While Britain’s Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, continues to stress that the decision to release the terrorist was Scotland’s alone, there were numerous letters exchanged between Britain and Scotland, stressing the importance of the growing relationship between Britain and Libya. Britain imported 1.6 Billion (that a B) pounds in Oil and other goods last year. As relationships grow, the imports are also expected to grow.

At what point did the normally warm relationship between the leader of the United States and the Prime Minister of Great Britain fall apart? Did the erosion start with the shabby treatment Gordon Brown received when he came to Washington to offer his personal congratulations and those of his people to Obama. Or, could it have been when Mr. Brown was given, as an important, ceremonial gift, 25 of the best movies made in the U.S. on DVD, in a format that could not be played in Britain. Of course Mr. Brown went home with more than the discs. He was given the bust of Winston Churchill that had been displayed in the Oval Office for many years after being told that there was no longer any space there for that item!

Somehow I don’t think that anything described above would have happened if Tony Blair and George W. Bush had remained in office.

Our Second Amendment Rights?

There's nothing catchy or witty to write about today after looking at this video- Very disturbing! It's pretty apparent that citizens have to be vigilant on numerous fronts for us to end up, still a Republic, at the end of Four years, hopefully, or Eight years if the voters go to sleep or surrender! We can't assume anything when there are Obama minions working on so many fronts to increase control by the Federal government. This administration apparently can find people like Senator Lugar behind almost any rock who are totally confident that they know what's best for us.
Much like the DC liberals who have "wonderful" ideas for Public Education while continuing to send their own children to private schools, I have no doubt that the provisions under any gun control legislation would exclude our elected officials.

I grew up in an extended family who hunted as a matter of fact. I did too but I haven't fired a gun in the last 25 years. Nevertheless, I recently joined the National Rifle Association, an organization of some strength that gets things done in Washington! Unlike many lobbying organizations, the NRA's membership believes passionately in their rights and they vote to preserve those rights! Could this be the time for you to join up. Until next time, be vigilant.

Say What? You Want Me to Do What?

Can you imagine two Washington bureaucrats talking. Let’s listen in on Ralph and Harry, C.P.S. (i.e. career public servants) as they talk about Medicare…

“Ralph, you know there were millions of folks over 65 we literally gave Medicare coverage to, some even getting coverage for the first time back in 1965. What a fun time! We put 'em under the Social Security system at NO cost back during LBJ’s administration. You remember the Great Society idea that the Democrats were pushing then; guns AND butter, that sort of thing. The USA could afford it all."


"Harry, I remember it differently. We actually charged for the Doctors' part. Can't remember what we charged starting out in '65 but I know in 1971 they were charging $50 a month. That's when my mother enrolled. A real bargain for her as she was getting pretty sick!"

"Those were great times! But now, well, we got to start cutting back. There’s just too many people in the program now and not only that, they’re living too long! We can’t afford them. But how can we do it?"

"Hmmmm.

I know one thing we can do. Let’s start pushing "End of Life" Counseling. Nice ring to it, huh! Kind of a “stealth” approach. Better use the ole "spinmeister" on this one. If anyone asks, just say that we’re going to be counseling the oldsters on living wills and other paperwork, stuff like that. We know these folks are already bummed out over their life anyway, not feeling too good, taking lots of pills and feeling pretty well useless. We could probably even sell them on the idea that an early exit would be the patriotic thing to do! Yes, I bet we can!”


The dialogue is imaginary but the facts are true. The Federal government tried to do what they always try to do-Give things away and get re-elected. Stay tuned, it's going to get more interesting!

Who Can You Trust?

One of the serious fundamental battles going on today, intentionally or unintentionally orchestrated by the present administration is the pitting of the two major age groups against one another. This is particularly troublesome to me as a senior citizen as my group is the most vulnerable and dependent on the good will of the younger generation for our protection and provision.
As long ago as I can remember the debate over the funding of Social Security has simmered, always asking the same basic question, “Will the younger, working class be willing to finance a system that only benefits the older age population?” This question became even more nettling as the costs have gone up, the population has aged and the number of people still working has shrunk in total numbers. The fundamental question regarding Social Security benefits has never been answered satisfactorily. Of course, with the addition of the Medicare program to the Social Security system, this disparity was exaggerated and the shortfall greater.
The introduction of Medicare by LBJ and the Democrats brought millions of U.S. citizens, many covered by health insurance for the first time, into the Federal system without a business-like method of paying for it. (Haven't we heard this song recently?) The new program started out, virtually broke! Many proposed fixes have come and gone without providing any real answers, with each session’s Congress saying let the next session take care of it.
Today, this Administration has come forward with a plan that will fix Social Security and Medicare, once and for all! Even though time is against a simple fix because 1) People are continuing to live longer and 2) There are fewer workers available to pay into the System.
The administration’s plan is simple, elegant and theoretically will work well.
Their plan is to simply convince the older generation that as good Americans, they should expect less from the System and over time their deaths and decreased use of medical facilities will bring the System back into balance, along with the funds to pay for it. In the meantime, the plan calls for massive infusions of money from a bank account that’s busted!

The Universal healthcare bill that every one is talking about has already broken the ice. The idea of Euthanasia and withholding or rationing of treatment based on a set of formulae and boards of review have already been introduced in the proposed plan so that everybody is already getting “comfortable” with the proposed treatment for the old folks. Even the loving child who wrote the above letter to the Dallas Morning News earlier this week probably loves her Granny and Grandpaw, but let’s be practical-This young person sees that her Granny and Grandpaw taking up space and they have to go because, “like Health Care is scarce”!

I sure hope this 17 year old isn’t on the Review Panel when my time comes!

Balkanization of the United States

Mr. Obama doing what he promised when he was elected. He said he would redistribute wealth and privilege, taking from the Haves and giving to the Have-nots, no matter how these assets had originally been acquired. We've seen this redistribution in some of the financial rescues, even down to which auto dealerships would remain open and which are to be closed under the dictate of the Federal Government. This again proves that when dealing with the Government, the adage that "All are equal, but some are more equal than others (if they have friends in D.C.)".


We still have the redistribution of wealth through taxation to look forward to. As predicted, the increased taxation of the Middle and Upper Classes Tax Payers is clearly signaled (but is yet to be disclosed) by Obama and is certain to favor the Lower Class Tax non-payers. Additionally, the commitment of Trillions under the guise of pork-ladened Recovery spending is going to result in the overall pauperization of the U.S. Middle Class. Of course, the Poor will do well with their increased entitlements (with still little or no taxes to pay) and the Wealthy, seeing the future, have already placed much of their own wealth beyond the taxman's reach through clever tax shelters, off-shore investments and other devices. Who does that leave to do the heavy lifting?


Let's see now. His policies have divided the Red states from the Blue, the Patriots from the "One Worlders" and the Young versus the Old. Take a look next time to see how this last division, Young versus Old is playing out in the world we find ourselves in today.

A Look Behind the Curtain

I see where the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett has been roused from his sleep and has raised the alarm that, Yes, we are facing major inflation! “Unchecked greenback emissions will certainly cause the purchasing power of currency to melt,” Buffett said. “The dollar’s destiny lies with Congress.”


Can you believe that it's taken him this long? Of course, Warren has a few Billion (that's with a B) so he's getting prepared by going off-shore in investment with a lot of Berkshire Hathaway cash. If you followed the past presidential campaign, Obama asked Warren for financial advice and because of that apparently, Buffett anounced his support for O. Wow, what a wake up call for Warren when O started throwing around money the U.S. didn't have.


Buffett is followed by the investment community closely and all you have to do is read the financial forums to see how even some of the very sophisticated investment people speak of him in hushed tones, normally reserved for gods from Mount Olympus. Kind of gives credibility to my suggestion in yesterday's blog. If any of you are interested, Buffett's biography, "The Snowball" debunks a lot of the baloney that surrounds him. For an 800+ page book, it's a fun read.

Is it true, can I come out now?

Mr. Fisher, the head of the Federal Reserve here in Dallas, a normally conservative fellow, has declared that the Economy's "healing" process has begun. I believe that this actually means that the U.S. public is beginning to BUY again, the one thing we remain world class in and ahead of any other known country here on earth.

What's it been, a year? Have we learned anything from this, the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression?

I was reading some comments by G.K. Chesterton concerning our World this morning. He said, "The real trouble with this world of ours is not that it is an unreasonable world, nor even that it is a reasonable one. The commonest kind of trouble is that it is nearly reasonable, but not quite...It looks just a little more mathematical and regular than it is: its exactitude is obvious, but its inexactitude is hidden; its wildness lies in wait."

I believe that this recent trouble tells us that we must begin to measure situations and not let the "experts" make our decisions for us. As adults we need to start depending on our own best assessment, giving it more weight than what "they say". I hope that you agree.

How Texas Demystified Insurance Talk

Last time I promised to write about Texas and how they made health insurance much more understandable. Like other states, Texas is charged with protecting their citizenry against misunderstanding and fraud. Health insurance policies are complicated and if there's a desire to sell a "pig in a poke", it can be easily hidden in the complicated language of the policy form. The Texas Department of Insurance saw this danger and established the following criteria: They require that (1) a short, succinct "Outline of Coverage" be included in the presentation to the prospective policy buyer, written in simple, easy to understand language and (2) any Policy Form, Outline of Benefits, Application, or any advertising material must be processed through a readability test called Flesh-Kincaid Readability test and pass before being approved. The passing results can not be lower than 70.
As a bench mark, here are the examples of some popular publications and their scores. In the Flesch-Kincaid Readability test, higher scores indicate material that is easier to read; lower numbers mark passages that are more difficult to read. Scores can be interpreted as shown in the table below.[1]
Score Notes

90.0–100.0 easily understandable by an average 11-year-old student
60.0–70.0 easily understandable by 13- to 15-year-old students
0.0–30.0 best understood by university graduates

Reader's Digest magazine has a readability index of about 65, Time magazine scores about 52, an average year 7 student's (eleven years) written assignment has a readability test of 60-70 (and a reading grade level of 6-7) and the Harvard Law Review has a general readability score in the low 30s. The highest (easiest) readability score possible is around 120 (e.g. every sentence consisting of only two one-syllable words).
My question is: If a state agency can mandate the use of such a scale, why is the proposed National Health Plan being offered to the U.S. Citizens in the overblown, complicaed form that even its advocates can't explain?

What Are You Suggesting, Sir?

Are we really being seen as reactionaries that pushing back after being fed bad information by those ole insurance companies, the Republican party, the astroturf Tea Party leadership or maybe lobbyists with their even darker agendas ? That could be the point of this cartoon. There certainly are some pretty radical charges and responses being thrown around by both sides! So why the confusion?

Some would see this confusion as being a ploy of the Administration to ram something through that is purposefully hard to understand and that is filled with landmines for us once we accept it. We know that many of our own representatives in D.C. haven't read the proposed bill and have relied solely on their staff's interpretations and their handler's outline of talking points.

Others, being more charitable will say that the benefits and procedures are too complex to understand for the layman and should be left for the professionals to sort out. These may be the same folks who are willing to allow the Federal government to have their way because the government is working in our best interests!

The State of Texas solved the complexity problem of Health Insurance policies some years ago by employing the Flesch–Kincaid readability test, a system that is available and one that could be used to take the mystery out of the proposed National Health plan benefits. Tomorrow I'll give you a more detailed explanation of this nationally respected approach to communication.

Would You Folks of Good Will Please Stand Up?

My cousin and I were exchanging emails the other day about a columnist we both admire, Charles Krauthammer. This man, for those of you who might not be familiar with his work, is one of the lead columnists for the Washington Post newspaper. Other than being probably one of the most coherent writers with clearly Conservative leanings, we agreed that he was also one of the most honest and fair writers we see in the overheated political climate today. He has not fallen victim to the use of Hyperbole instead of Fact or Emotion over Reason.
Later I started thinking about how easy it is to find someone that we agree with and line up behind him or her, forgiving them the use of a little bit of distortion or a phrase that is plain wrong but plays well on youTube or the evening news.
There's a lot of talk about self-reliance but what's going on today is too important to leave to someone else to decide what we should believe. I'm making a pledge to spend at least as much time studying the issues as I spend in front of the TV so that I can make an informed decision. I hope that you will join me.

Is Insurance Hard to Understand?

As a guy who made his living working for these "blood suckers" I am always amazed how everyone outside the insurance industry has the answers as to what's wrong with it. Simplistic answers, it's true, but answers that play well with the public. Mechanically, insurance is a simple mechanism with only one variable that ALL the companies, either Life or Health have to keep in mind when developing a product for the public and that variable is THE PUBLIC. The public is predictable-When they are well, they don't want to pay for insurance but instead they want to see the latest movie, buy a big screen or maybe just take an expensive vacation;Anything but pay those blood-sucking insurance companies for that cheesy sheet of paper that doesn't entertain us, amuse us or even feed us tasty food. After my 40+ years of experience, this group tends to be the young, the healthy and the carefree.
Now, the second group which tends to start at about age 45 are those folks that begin to find they don't feel as good as they used to and that along with other more obvious signs that the ole body is not what it used to be, are more than willing to begin to buy and pay for insurance, the more the better. We've found that over the years, people actually want to use life insurance to create an estate for their children to replace the monies that they should have saved and didn't when they were younger.
Now, here's the simple part. The insurance company is usually either a stock company (owned by their investors) or a mutual company (owned by it's policyholders). There a few other types but are insignificant in size or influence. In either of the two major type companies, there are managers. Their jobs are to make sure that they have more income than outgo. If they get mixed up and their outflo is greater than income, over time the management is replaced.
It is no trick to pay claims but the trick for every company is to entice the young, and presumably healthy lives to remain as policyholders in enough numbers to off-set people like me who not only are older but are almost guaranteed to have health or life claims, sooner or later, probably sooner.
I've often thought that part of the compensation that employees in the insurance companies receive should be called "defamation pay". They are universally cursed and rediculed and come out just above lawyers and used car salesmen in polls of the worst professions in the US.
One more item for you to ponder; Why do you think major corporations pay fees to insurance companies to "administer" their benefit plans, even though the major corporation is actually the insuror of the group. Here's the secret: The insurance company who is employed to keep the bad risks out (and keep the group plan solvent) steps in as the surrogate BAD GUY and takes the shots that would otherwise be directed toward the employer.

Just kidding about being a blood sucker industry. We're pretty good guys; Just ask an widow or someone coming out of the hospital with 80, 90, or even 100% of their treatment covered.

Watch Your Flanks!

There's a strong scent of victory in the air for those of us who oppose the proposed Single Payer(also called Federal Government operated) health plan. Do we have victory or is this thing a multi-headed monster that's going to keep showing up until the brain is replaced!


I believe the latter! How can we seal the victory?


Short term- the pressure must be maintained!-Letters and emails to the legislators, co-ordination with other like-minded citizens, letters to editors and any other opinion makers that can sway public opinion. Use the interet.

Long term-Repeat after me, everyone, "In every Local, State, and National election I will study the issues, vote my conviction for the good of our Country, and I will never vote a "STRAIGHT" ballot, ever again."

Remember-The most dangerous time in any campaign is when victory is declared and everyone relaxes. THAT'S THE TIME TO WATCH OUT FOR A COUNTER-ATTACK!

Does AARP Speak for Me?

The American Association of Retired Persons has placed their organization squarely behind the national health care plan being pushed by the Administration and the Democrats. Even though they reduced the membership age minimum to age 50 some time ago, they still walk, talk, and act as if AARP has the mandate (i.e. mindless support) of the retirees of the United States and speak for a membership of 50,000,000. What would be the benefits of such a claim? As a lobbying organization they certainly get the attention of any legislator and unless refuted, they will maintain to all who will listen that they are the VOICE of the retired American population! Even to their own dues-paying members, this role is promoted. Doesn't it seem odd that a major reason for the growth in the numbers of the AARP membership and the assumed strength this implies is the healthcare and excellent treatment provided to its members under the current system?

It would be a real American success story if the Management (Don't kid yourself, they're not all volunteers!) can transform this little association originally formed years ago to sell insurance to old people into a major servicing organization of the Prescription Drug program or maybe a claims-paying behemoth by supporting the Single Payer plan being promoted by Obama. We can only guess the size of fees that might be generated from such an arrangement. Opportunities are great if you back the right horse even when wearing a phony jersey!

A Hero's Monument

On my blog yesterday, I mentioned that even under intense pressure from their authorities, how some patriots continued to make their presence felt, some even to the point of death. While in Oslo, Norway just a few months ago I snapped the enclosed picture. A pretty site, huh?

Can you believe that only a few decades before, a group of Norwegian patriots were lined up by the Nazis and shot dead on this site because they resisted the rule of their country's conqueror, Adolph Hitler? Thankfully the rule of law here in the United States has not been snuffed out so lawful protest should still be welcomed by our elected representatives. As a proud American, I believe that the orderly demonstrations taking place around our Country are not only legal but should be encouraged by our elected representatives so that they might know our Country's true heart. Speak out, friends, speak out.

Quisling-A term from the Past (Maybe 60 years ago)

A friend just sent over a email reporting our junior senator's objection to the latest faux pas by our new president and his posse. Apparently the administration is objecting to the internet communication between people of like mind who are rejecting the insane terms of the proposed Universal Health plan currently being railroaded through the congress. While many are too young to remember the term QUISLING I have my trusty Webster's right here-This term is attributed to Vidkun Quisling, a Norweigan politican who coorporated with the Nazis back in WWII, resulting in the death of a number of the resistance fighters during that war. (On a side note, I have a photo that I took about three months ago of a memorial in Oslo dedicated to these fallen patriots). Quisling simply informed on his fellow Norweigans and collaborated with the Nazis. Later this term was applied to any nationality that did the same.


On Thu, 8/6/09, Senator John Cornyn <newsletter@cornyn.enews.senate.gov>



Either this is an example of arrogance from the Oval Office or bad management of what some have called Chicago thuggery practiced by an un-named staff person without supervision.

In His Own Words

How do you tell a Politician is lying? Answer: His lips are moving! Watch this unless the gov. has taken off:
www.breitbart.tv/uncovered-video-obama-explains-how-his-health-care-plan-will-eliminate-private-insurance

Another day older and ...............

A good Sunday so far. Church this morning and a lively discussion over the proposed Health Care package during lunch with some good friends. Much like trying to find anyone who will admit to voting for him, I can't find anyone that trusts what Obama's Health Care bill will provide to the average citizen. As far as the people who will vote the final compromise into law, who knows what they are thinking? Reminds me what somebody said the other day, "The reason congressmen work so hard to be re-elected is so they don't have to live under the laws they write for us!" As an older American, I just hope that the cost of keeping me alive and healthy does not exceed the government's guidelines. Does this worry anyone but me?

Concern for the World and its sojourners

Each day after I read the morning newspaper I feel like the last man on shore as I watch the rest of the world leave on a boat! A generally happy and reasonably satisfied individual, I am becoming more and more uncertain as to my fitting in here.

Over time (of which I've spent many years) I seen myself move into a more decidedly minority position. The values that prevail no longer are mine, the entertainment in public venues are so over-amped as to actually be painful to my ears (as is the content in many cases).

If I were to try to diagnose my self, I would write in "Paranoid". But, am I really?

The new reality that we see and read is that even though being overweight is unhealthy and leads to Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Stroke, Diabetes and other complications, it's OK and the US should continue to medicate itself by over-eating!

I just got back from the Baltic states and all I saw were physically fit nationals jogging, biking, and walking. What I didn't see were overweight people (except for US tourists like me). Sorry for this rant. I promise that I'll get off the soapbox next time.