Campaigns, Elections and A Good Old-Fashioned Rant

Hey everyone. So I realize this is my first post in awhile. It's been a crazy couple of months. But now, with elections over and the year drawing to a close, I'll be keeping up to date with the Fabulous States.

I've spent the last few months working on a New York City Council Campaign and I am proud to say that my candidate, Dan Halloran, is now one of 5 Republican City Councilmen! Here are some pictures from the campaign...

Here are some of our St. John's College Republicans with our man Dan Halloran!

Here we are again with NYS Senator Frank Padavan

In a surprise endorsement, Former Governor George Pataki came out to support us!

I even got to meet, now 3rd term, Mayor Mike Bloomberg!

Of course, just because we were campaigning doesn't mean we didn't have some fun. Here we are partying it up with the Log Cabin Republicans at a Mayoral event!

All in all, it was a great campaign season. We saw the historical election of Mike Bloomberg to his 3rd term as Mayor of New York City. We saw two Republican governors elected: Chris Christie in New Jersey and Bob McDonnell in Virginia. My candidate Dan Halloran of the 19th CD, the Republican-Conservative-Libertarian-Independence candidate, won over the Democratic candidate in one of the most closely watched City Council elections. All in all, we did pretty good this year and we plan to do even better in the midterm elections next year.

I would like to briefly comment on one of the strangest elections this year. The 23rd Congressional District. For those of you who may not know, the 23rd district is located near the Canadian Border in the most Northern part of New York. In this race, which was being run due to an appointment of the former congressman to the position of Secretary of the Army, we had a moderate Republican State Assemblywoman, Dede Scozzafava, who had been nominated by the County Executives of the district, running against a conservative Democrat. Now, it's important to note that this district has not gone Democrat in over 100 years, and the plan was not to go Dem this time. However, that's before our country's idiot got wind of this and stepped in for yet another moment of shame in the spotlight. Sarah Palin and cohorts were outraged that a moderate Republican who had been nominated across the board by those representing the district locally, and who believes in the equal rights of LGBTQ citizens and the rights of women to have an abortion, would more than likely be the districts next Congresswoman. So what did they do? They nominated and campaigned for a Conservative candidate who, get this, doesn't even live in the district named, Doug Hoffman. Hoffman backed by Palin, Glen Beck and Tim Pawlenty, just to name a few (Do they even know where Watertown, NY is?) ran such a heated campaign in which he trashed Scozzafava, that he actually managed to push Scozzafava into dropping out of the race 3 days before the election. WHAT?! Let me sum that up for you. This dude from out of district and his conservative [insert offensive, yet appropriate title] cohorts, pushed the candidate who should have won, and was most deserving of the office out of the race, just before the election. So what did the White House do? The White House turned around and got Scozzafava to endorse the Democrat, Bill Owens, which she gladly did. (I wonder why?) And then sent Vice President, Joe Biden, to the district to campaign for the weekend. The 23rd Congressional District now has a new DEMOCRATIC Congressman.

So what have we learned from this race? I'll tell you what I would hope everyone has learned. These Ultra-Right Wing Conservatives have no place in the Republican party. And let this be a message to you Ms. Palin, while you know nothing of politics from your partial term as Governor of Alaska, you have no right to nominate a candidate in an election you know nothing about and push the most deserving candidate out of the race. You and your misguided and ignorant beliefs of right and wrong, good and evil do not stand for the entire country and they do not stand for the Republican Party. The reign of Ultra-Conservatives like you, Beck and Pawlenty is over and your days are numbered. While I do not think that there is anything inherently wrong with Conservatives, I have a real problem with people like you, Ms. Palin, who think that you have the only right ideals and that those who differ from you are wrong. The Republican party is headed in a new and more inclusive direction, in which we do not embrace those who would push out a candidate because their ideals differ from yours. You can point all the fingers you want for the loss of this district to a Democrat, but the only people at fault are you and your cohorts that stand against everything you don't believe in. Soon, you will find that you are the only ones standing there and then maybe you will realize that there is much more to the Republican Party than you and your delusional political stance.

Congratulations to all of the candidates in this years election! Lets make next year even better!

Everyone Hates Health Care III: Revenge of the Senate

Max Baucus, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, has finally unveiled his much anticipated health care bill this week. And much like everything else associated with the health care debate, everyone hates it.

Senator Baucus' bill is the cheapest of all the bills circulating through Congress, totalling $856 billion over the next 10 years. But, the bill, which despite being negotiated with Republicans for months on a daily basis, at times, did not even win the endorsement of Olympia J. Snowe, the Republican Senator from Maine, with whom the Democrats have hoped to win support. Now the bill is drawing fire from both Democratic and Republican Senators alike, and a hailstorm of opposition from the House.

Among the many contested elements of the bill, is a 35 percent excise tax on high cost insurance policies. The threshold for these taxes would be on individual policies totalling over $8,000 a year and family policies totalling over $21,000. Republicans and Democrats alike have expressed concerns that the tax will only serve to hurt those in the middle class with more generous policies. While the tax is estimated to raise $215 billion over the next 10 years, many are still concerned that the tax will negatively affect many consumers. Senator John Kerry expressed his concern over the tax, stating that he felt the threshold was far too low. Not only is there this tax but there are tremendous fines for those who do not obtain healthcare coverage, penalizing individuals with a $950 fine and families with up to $3,800. So it would appear that, more than likely, you're gonna pay.

Another element of the bill that has drawn alot of fire, particularly from House Democrats, is the inclusion of citizenship verification for all those applying for government subsidies for healthcare. A similar element was introduced in the House by Republicans, and quickly defeated. The Bill also eases income requirements for those applying for Medicaid, the already troubled and overburdened healthcare system for the needy. Senator Baucus' bill would also make massive cuts to the Medicare system totalling $500 billion. However, Democrats have assured that the cuts would not restrict benefits.

Of course, no discussion of the health care debate would be complete without discussing the never ending issue of the public-run insurance plan. The Senate bill is one of the few, if not the only, bill to not include the now infamous public option. Instead, the bill would create non-profit insurance co-ops that would help to foster greater access to affordable health care. Liberals are outraged that the public option has not been included and have made quite clear that they would not expect such a bill to make it through the house. Meanwhile Republicans have made quite clear that they would not endorse bills with the public option.

The Senate bill is likely the last bill to be put on the table by both houses of Congress. And now, we debate. Democrats are desperately struggling to find the 60 vote threshold that would allow them to prevent any filibusters of the bill. However, while the Democrats are one senator short of having that number, it is far from certain that the Democratic Caucus would be unanimous in keeping a filibuster off the table. The senate democrats are extremely divided over what they feel is important in the bill and their own individual concerns as to what the bill does and does not address.

With all of the opposition from all sides, it is hard to even imagine what will happen when it comes time to stick a bill together from the House proposals and the Senate proposals. But I must say that when it's televised I will have my popcorn at the ready for watching all the drama unfold.

“Do I believe there is enough consensus around here to get a bill done in the end? Yes,” says Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania. “But I also believe it is going to be a difficult couple of weeks.”

I guess we shall see....

Sources:


NY Times

NY Post

NY Times

2010: A Gubernatorial Odyssey

As we hope for Rudy Giuliani to run for Governor of New York in 2010, we must look at his record and ask ourselves if he is really the right man for the job. Well first we must ask, what is the job?

New York State is currently suffering at the hands of the current leadership in Albany. We have a dysfunctional legislature. The State Senate spent over a month this past summer in an impassé while both the Republicans and Democrats battled over who had control of the senate, with the only clear fact being that Governor David Patterson certainly did not. The current leadership has done more wasteful spending than one could dream of, giving raises and bonuses in a time of financial crisis. We have bailed out the MTA, leaving New York City and seven surrounding counties with huge financial burdens to support, while the MTA continues to spend money unchecked, with no forensic audit having been done. Governor Patterson was not only unable to broker the deal, he has given the Chairman of the MTA a contract that awards him a half million dollars upon resignation. Taxes have been increased. The wealthy have received a host of new taxes, prompting them to pick up and leave New York, along with many jobs. New smaller taxes have been implemented to nickel-and-dime taxpayers. And we have instituted, for the first time ever, a tax on tax-exempt institutions in the twelve counties comprising the “Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District.” Unemployment is at the worst it has been since the early ‘90’s. Private sector jobs have dropped nearly 4 percent in the past year, that’s over 200,000 jobs across the state. New York State has reached a level of 8.6 percent rate of unemployment, and New York City has a 9.6 percent rate of unemployment. And under the current leadership we have hit a projected deficit of 8.6 billion dollars. Now ask yourself, could Rudy do a better job?

In 1993 when Rudy Giuliani took office as the Mayor of New York City he inherited a 2.3 billion dollar deficit. By responsible fiscal action in cutting spending and reducing the municipal payroll, Rudy was able to turn that deficit into a multi-billion dollar surplus, all while he lowered taxes. In fact, during his tenure as Mayor, Rudy enacted over 2.5 billion dollars in tax reductions. As Mayor, Rudy created over 450,000 jobs in the private sector as a result of his fiscal policies. Rudy dealt endlessly with the MTA’s many problems, having helped broker deals with employees to prevent strikes and helping to manage their never-ending fiscal problems, all while doing his best to prevent fare increases and service cuts. New York City is now one of the cleanest, safest and most prosperous cities in America, thanks to Rudy.

Rudolph W. Giuliani has demonstrated the experience, the knowledge, and the ability to lead New York State. We need a Governor who will take control of our state. Who will reign in wasteful spending. Who won’t increase taxes. Who will create jobs. Who will create functionality in our government. And who will stand up for the rights of our citizens. We need Rudolph W. Giuliani for Governor in 2010.

The Fiscal Hostage Taking

The Fiscal Hostage Taking:

When the MTA’s Greed Meets Albany’s Unrestraint

As people from Long Island, Upstate New York and Connecticut travel into work in New York City each day, they’ve all noticed one thing: it costs more. Bridge and tunnel tolls went up midway through July. Subway and bus fares went up by about 12.5 percent, 25 cents, at the end of June. In November, those who travel by way of taxi in New York City will find themselves paying even more than the already excessively expensive cab rides, when a 50 cent surcharge is tacked on.

Why is this all happening? Well there’s a very simple reason. The MTA needs more money. Earlier this year the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), following the example of our banks, went to Albany pleading poverty and demanding money from the New York State legislature in order to remain solvent; the MTA threatened fare hikes of over 25 percent for buses, subways and trains as well as extensive service cuts if an alternative source of income was not found. The MTA controls Metro North Railroad, Long Island Railroad, The New York City bus and subway systems as well as many New York City bridges and tunnels, including the Verrazano Bride, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge and the Queens Midtown Tunnel. After months of debate the NYS Assembly and Senate passed a bill to create and maintain additional funding for the MTA in a matter of two days. The bill is estimated to raise about one billion dollars for the MTA in 2009 and around 1.9 billion dollars in 2010. You may find yourself wondering: Where is all this money coming from? The answer is YOU.

The MTA Bailout bill has caused outraged protest throughout the 12 county region it affects, named the “Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District,” a region solely connected by the presence of the MTA within it. The bill has created a series of new taxes and fees to be imposed. Taxpayers, businesses, non-profit organizations, local governments, public schools, and hospitals are just some of those being hurt by the bill. The bill includes new license and registration fees, a new tax on rental cars and a surcharge on taxi rides. The elephant in the bill is a retroactive .34 percent payroll tax put on everyone, including New York State itself. “It’s offensive.” says Marc Molinaro, a New York State Assemblyman representing parts of Dutchess County. “It’s the first time, as best we can tell, in New York State history where New York State imposed a tax on tax-exempt institutions.”

While there is a section of the bill that allocates to reimburse public schools for their payment of the payroll tax, it leaves one to wonder, why didn’t they just exempt public schools from the tax? Assemblyman Joel Miller of the 102^nd Assembly District says, “People have to realize that even though there was some reference to ‘we’re going to give the money back to the public schools,’ that’s a lie. It’s not in the bill. It’s simply a reference to an INTENT to do something, and this government never follows through on intents, they don’t even follow through on the law. So that’s not happening.” And Assemblyman Miller is absolutely right. The language used in the bill is as follows: “It is the intent of the Governor to submit and the legislature to enact for each fiscal year after the ’09 – ’10 fiscal year in an annual budget bill an appropriation in the amount to be paid to school districts pursuant to this section.” Assemblyman Molinaro feels the same way, saying, “Living by a commitment made by the State of New York for future years is like hoping to visit Neverland.”

“We’re not paying it!” jokes Richard Barrett, town supervisor of Milan, a town of about 2,500 people in Northern Dutchess County. “The MTA tax is retroactive to March of ’09. And we never budgeted it because we were just informed that it was due.” While Milan only has to pay about 850 dollars, larger towns in the region have to pay far more. On the website for the town of East Fishkill one is welcomed with “ARE YOU FED UP WITH THE NEW MTA PAYROLL TAXES? PLEASE CALL THE NYS GOVERNOR AND ASSEMBLY SPEAKER AND LET THEM KNOW!” emblazoned in bold lettering. Supervisor John Hickman says that East Fishkill had to allocate upwards of 15,000 dollars to pay the retroactive tax for 2009 and that the town will owe 29,000 dollars in 2010. In fact, New York State itself has to pay about 15 million dollars into the payroll tax each year.

Think you’ve heard the best yet? Oh, it gets better. Despite all of the money being poured into the MTA, there has yet to be a forensic audit of the MTA. That’s right. Albany closed their eyes and handed over the keys to the bank. Not only has there not been an audit since the bailout bill was written, but the MTA actually hires the company that does their audit, which the MTA itself then submits to the state, after review. “I’m not even sure there’s enough ethics and morality in enough people to accomplish anything.” says Joel Miller, one of the assemblymen who have been pushing for an independent forensic audit of the MTA. “Here’s an organization that kept two sets of books and lied about their reserve funds; that increased fares when there was no need to increase fares.”

While the bill contains a clause allowing the State Legislature to commission an independent audit of the MTA, Assembly Speaker, Sheldon Silver, declined to bring the commission of an audit to vote before the Assembly. In fact, in a press release, Mr. Silver, who represents parts of New York City, predominantly in Manhattan, was quoted as saying, “The bill provides a stable, long term funding stream for our buses, subways, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North and spreads the burden equally among everyone who has a stake in the region's future.” Assemblyman Molinaro cares to disagree stating, “Quite frankly, other than the boroughs of New York City, Long Island and the four counties of the Mid-Hudson Valley get treated as second class citizens in the discussions.” He goes on to say that, “You have the four counties of the Mid-Hudson Valley shouldering disproportionately the burden without receiving the same service and with little address of the waste and fraud and abuse that exists within the agency. And that is offensive at best to us. It’s like a fiscal hostage taking. We’re forced to pay, we get limited services and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

In part H of section 1 of the bailout bill, Albany sought to create transparency and accountability within the MTA. But in reality, which Albany seems to exist outside of, part H created a sovereign leader of the MTA by combining the positions of Chairman and CEO. Now, the chairman of the MTA has fiscal and administrative power over all of the MTA and its subsidiaries. You may find yourself wondering, how does that create accountability and transparency? It doesn’t. Who is the MTA Chair accountable to? It would seem that many people are left asking the same question. He’s not accountable to the riders. He’s not accountable to those of us stuck paying the bill for the MTA. So who, then, is he accountable to?

So what has the MTA Bailout done for us? Fares and tolls still went up. New taxes and fees were imposed upon us. A position of unaccountable power was given to the leader of the MTA. What has been done for us, the people? The MTA has been given a nearly 2 billion dollar bailout, with no sunset on the taxes and fees imposed. They’ve raised fares and tolls for which the MTA expects 50 million dollars for each one percent increase. And as if that weren’t enough money already, the MTA recently held a public hearing on the topic of obtaining federal stimulus funds. As we all sit here scratching our heads over this bailout, my final question is: Is there any end to the greed of the MTA?

All interviews and writing by: Kyle T. Collins

In Memoriam: Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Remembering a man with many triumphs, many failures, many shortcomings, many tragedies but above all many great deeds. To a man who has helped to shape a nation and define generations. A strong leader and a strong individual. Though you have passed on, your legacy will live on forever.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy

1932 - 2009

In the News: We Want Rudy!

After hearing many whispers as to the possibility of a run for Governor of New York in 2010, we are beginning to see some clear signs that Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York City, is seriously considering running. Web sites such as DraftRudy.com and Facebook groups trying to drum up support for a gubernatorial bid can be found all over and the Internet and Mr. Giuliani has reportedly told some of his associates that he plans to announce if he will run within the next 60 days.

In recent weeks, Mr. Giuliani has been wading into statewide politics, a move many people are regarding as a serious sign of his planning to run. Last Friday Mr. Giuliani had a meeting with Joseph Mondello, chairman of the New York State GOP and just yesterday Mr. Mondello announced that he would not be seeking another term as chairman. Following this announcement, aides to Mr. Giuliani were making phone calls to officials across the state to gauge support for Henry F. Wojtaszek, a candidate for chairman and a major supporter of Mr. Giuliani's 2008 Presidential bid.

Congressman Peter T. King of the 3rd Congressional district, representing parts of Long Island, met with Mr. Giuliani in recent weeks. “Several times, he said to me that he sees state government similar to where New York City was in 1993: out of control,” Rep. King said after meeting with Mr. Giuliani late last month in Washington. “So many people are saying the state can’t be governed, which is what everyone was saying about the city then. In Rudy’s mind, this is a challenge.”

Mr. Giuliani was quoted at an address he made at Crain's New York as saying: “If I thought that I could make a real difference in the state, really change things and it really needed me, then I probably would do it.”

While we don't know for sure yet if Mr. Giuliani will run, one thing is for sure. The State of New York needs a change in leadership and WE WANT RUDY!

Rudolph W. Giuliani for Governor in 2010

Sources:

New York Times

NY Post

DraftRudy.com

In the News: Prop 8 Goes to Court With Some New Supporters

Theodore B. Olson is not a name synonymous with social activism. He is, however, known for his position as the head of the Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department under the Reagan administration. Perhaps he is even better known for his role in the Supreme Court case of Bush V. Gore in 2000, in which he represented President Bush and secured his first term in the White House. In fact, Mr. Olson has stood before the bench in the Supreme Court 55 times.

But now, Mr. Olson is taking on what could be one of the most important cases he has ever tried. Mr. Olson has filed a lawsuit on behalf of two gay couples in the Federal District Court in San Francisco, challenging Proposition 8, the state-wide ban on same-sex marriage. Proposition 8 passed last year as a state referendum in a 52-48 vote.

Mr. Olson hopes that the case will lead him to his 56th case in front of the United States Supreme Court, where he hopes to argue for the rights of gay couples across the nation. Mr. Olson has drawn fire from both sides of the political spectrum over his support for same-sex marriage. Despite the recent support of same-sex marriage from conservatives like Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator John McCain, many conservatives are baffled by Mr. Olson's support. On the left, many longtime advocates for same-sex marriage have expressed not only distrust for Mr. Olson but also apprehension at bringing same-sex marriage before the courts, for fear that a loss could set back marriage equality considerably.

But Mr. Olson keeps his head high and anticipates the legal battle that will hopefully bring marriage equality to gay couples across America. The trial is set to start January 11th in front of Judge Vaughn R. Walker of the Federal District Court in San Francisco.

Sources:

NY Times

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Hey guys, sorry it has been awhile since my last post. I've been hard at work on an original piece that I think you will all really like. Just to give you all a taste, it's a piece on the New York State Bailout of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and some of the opposition to it. The piece will be complete with interviews from not only the opposition to the bill, but some of those that it is hurting. I should have it for you soon. In the meantime, keep reading. Thank you all for your support!

- Kyle

In the News: Everyone Hates Health Care Even More

As America descends into chaos over the proposed Health Care legislation, one has to wonder: Has America lost its mind? The answer is no. We stopped allowing people to think for themselves. Or so it would appear.

Congress members have begun holding town hall style public forums to address concerns of their constituents regarding health care. And of course, when you talk public forum, you tend to find some of the cream of the crop. People from both sides of the political spectrum have been flooding these town hall meetings with quite a bit to say. Reports of shouting matches, offensive signs, fights and even arrests have abounded from town hall meetings across the country. And we've finally seen the return of Nazi comparisons with signs depicting Obama as Hitler and using swastikas and SS symbols.

The Liberal media has been quick to denounce the outspoken opponents of what the media likes to call "ObamaCare," calling them "Fake Protesters." It would seem that you are a "fake protester" if you are an opponent of ObamaCare and listen to any of the more conservative ideals of the Republican Party. The media as well as the White House have been criticizing those websites, bloggers and talk show hosts who have encouraged people to attend the public forums and speak out against ObamaCare. The Liberal Media has been quick to say these "fake protesters" are just being organized by the Republican party solely to disrupt these forums. It would seem that the only voices that should be heard are those of ObamaCare supporters, who are the only people with real and valid opinions. For we must remember that Democrats do not disrupt public forums, compare government officials to Nazis or encourage their supporters to flood public forums to express their support.......

WAIT A SECOND!

The Democratic party has acted in the same way to help get their supporters to the town hall meetings and show their support as the Republicans have to get their voice of opposition heard. Last time I checked, it was not only appropriate but common circumstance to encourage members of your party to voice their support or opposition to legislation, particularly at a public forum meant to hear the concerns of constituents. And a Democrat can yell just as loud, and often just as ignorantly, as any Republican. And I'm sure that Nancy Pelosi, who has spoken out against protesters depicting the Obama Administration as Nazis, will remember the many protests during the Bush Administration where we saw Bush depicted as Hitler so often it stopped being impactful.

It's clear to me that it has become far too easy to cast those not in the majority as mindless followers. While both parties have their fair share of straight-ticket voting, brainwashed masses, some people still use their brains (I hope) and are able to form their own opinions and protest or support that which they believe in. To sum up this article I'm going to include some of my favorite quotes surrounding the Health Care Debate from this week:

When asked if she felt protesters at town hall meetings were legitimate grass roots opposition or "astro-turf" Nancy Pelosi replied: "I think they're AstroTurf. You be the judge. They're carrying swastikas and symbols like that to a town meeting on health care."

The Democratic National Convention put in their two cents on the protests at town hall meetings calling them: "mob activity straight from the playbook of high-level Republican political operatives. They have no plan for moving our country forward, so they've called out the mob."

And for all my left-leaning friends, I thought we could all get a chuckle out of the GOP's favorite loony. "The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care," "Such a system is downright evil." - Sarah Palin, via Facebook

Sources:

NY Times

Real Clear Politics

NY Post

In the News: Clunker Program A Clunker Itself?

The "Cash for Clunkers" program has been an overwhelming success. So much so that the $1 Billion dollars allotted has already run out. Now, after the House passed a $2 Billion dollar extension before departing for their one month recess, it is up to the Senate to decide the fate of the program before they break at the end of this week.

The program, which gives customers refunds of either $3,500 or $4,500 for trading in their cars for more fuel efficient models, has run out of the originally allotted $1 Billion, which was originally anticipated to last up until Nov. 1st or until the money ran out. Now that the program is out of money, much quicker than expected, the question of whether to extend it looms.

The program has proven successful in boosting auto sales. Ford has posted sales increases of 2.4 percent from last July, its first year to year increase since 2007. Other automakers have claimed sales increases as well, including Chrysler and GM. It would appear that the $1 Billion dollar program has proven itself more successful for the recovery of the auto industry than the tens of billions of dollars spent on the auto bailouts and we didn't even have to take over any companies.

The question of the program's future is not so much one of its immediate success, but a matter of cost and its long term success. Senator McConnell (R-Kentucky), the GOP leader, was quoted as saying, "It ran out of money in a week, prompting the House to rush a $2 billion extension before anybody even had time to figure out what happened to the first billion." While the program has had great success, the argument to wait and see its long term results is not necessarily a bad idea. While the boost in auto sales has been tremendously beneficial to the auto industry, what does this mean for the banks responsible for all of the loans being given for the purchase of new cars? Perhaps it would be wise to wait and see how the massive amount of car purchases affects the nation's economy outside of the auto industry. I'm sure you will all recall the reverberating effects of the housing crisis and its impact on the nation's economy.

There is no clear answer as to if the program should be extended or not and whether it would be wiser to wait or to act quickly, as it would appear the Obama administration would like to see done..... with yet another piece of legislation. I guess we will all have to wait and see what the Senate decides before the week is out.

Sources:

NY Post - 8/3/09

NY Times - 8/3/09

In The News: Everyone Hates Health Care

It would seem that no one can agree when it comes to the health care debate on Capitol Hill. Each group has something nasty to say about another group and sometimes even about their own groups. It's Democrats vs. Republicans. Blue Dogs vs. Liberals. Freshman vs. Veterans. House vs. Senate. Energy and Commerce Committee vs. Finance Committee. Executive vs. Legislative. There is no end in sight for the battles being waged over the Health Care Mess.

It would seem that no one is united when it comes to the fight over Health Care. My question is: Why the rush? Why is everyone trying to get a bill passed before the August recess? With one week left before the recess and no one agreeing as to how to pull this off, what is everyone expecting to accomplish, aside from an unsuccessful vote?

It is looking as if the only real hope of a bill that won't be rushed through Congress and shoved down the throats of America is coming from the Senate Finance committee, who is actually working, and very hard at that, to achieve a bipartisan bill. However, the Finance Committee has made it very clear that they will not have a bill finished before the August Recess.

In the House we see something very different. The Liberals are very quick to try and get exactly what they want, but are running into opposition not only from the dreaded Republicans but from some members of their own party. The fiscally conservative Blue Dogs successfully created a 10 day impasse in the House Energy and Commerce Committee as they opposed the measure to use Medicare fee schedules to pay doctors and hospitals, which would, undoubtedly lead to sub-market prices being paid to doctors under the proposed public insurance plan. After giving in to the Blue Dog demands in an effort to break the impasse, Liberals were sent screaming to the press about how their ideas for the public insurance plan were now being compromised. Under the proposed bill in the House Committee, employers would also be required to provide insurance to all their employees or pay a steep payroll tax of eight percent, clearly pushing employers toward the proposed public plan. Blue Dogs as well as committee Republicans have been opposing this measure as well, with some success.

There have also been struggles within the Democratic Party with freshman congressmen from districts recently taken from Republicans. Several have bound together, including some of the Blue Dog group, to oppose budgeting and other questions in the proposed House health care legislation and have helped to postpone a floor vote on any of the legislation.

Overall it would seem that there is no end in sight for the ongoing health care battle. With many questions still hanging over all the versions of proposed legislation, it is unclear how it will all turn out. But one thing is for sure, public approval is dropping quickly as Congress argues over what to do. Liberals lose more and more ground and the proposed legislation grows more complicated each day as the not so pretty side of health care reform is seen. Will we ever pass Health Care Reform or will the Obama administration put its foot in its own mouth. It would appear the old saying, "Easier said, than done" would apply perfectly to Health Care Reform. I guess only time will tell how it all plays out.

Sources:

NY Times - Criticism

NY Times - Impasse

NY Times - Freshmen

In the News: $147 Billion Weight We Can Trim from Health Care

Health Affairs Journal published yesterday that new studies, "estimate that the medical costs of obesity could have risen to $147 billion per year by 2008." This is almost double the $78.5 billion dollars spent on obesity 10 years ago, half of which was being financed by Medicaid and Medicare. This new "analysis presents updated estimates of the costs of obesity for the United States across payers (Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers), in separate categories for inpatient, non inpatient, and prescription drug spending," Health Affairs says in the article published yesterday online.

In a time of economic recession as our government is struggling to find a solution to curb mounting health care costs, (emphasis on the struggling), it is clear where we need to trim some fat. The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cite two-thirds of the American population as being overweight to obese. This huge problem also brings with it, clearly, tremendous medical bills. An estimated 9.1 percent of all medical spending is on obesity and weight related problems.

These figures make it clear that if we want to trim our health care budget, we need to trim our weights. It's become clearer than ever that we need to do more to get Americans leading healthier lifestyles. Clearly fast food and video games aren't the recommended diet anymore. Anyone living in New York City can now clearly see the calorie counters at any fast food restaurant. However, let me be the one to clue you in that to reach the lower end of the counter (450 calories vs. 1500 calories) you need to peel the skin off your chicken, not eat your sides or biscuit and drink water. But what would help Americans more than anything? EDUCATION! I can't stress the importance of not just teaching the same old "proper dieting" schpeel. It's important to teach people about how to comprehend the revamped food pyramid, which I don't think I speak for just myself when I say it's slightly more than complicated to read. It's also important to teach people that the so-called "Nutrition Facts" on the back of every soda bottle are not quite so straight forward. (200 calories per serving isn't that bad, except when you just unknowingly drank 3 servings.) Finally, how many people do you know that live on a 2000 calorie diet? It's great to imagine a world in which we all do and we can look at our percent daily intake based on that. But let's face the facts, if we all lived on a 2000 calorie diet... I wouldn't be writing this article.

The answer is clear. Educate people. Let them know that, contrary to what the television tells you, you can't lose weight just from taking a miracle pill. And you aren't taking in only a few calories with each soda you drink. Let's take the time to develop a physical education program in schools that doesn't alienate those who aren't quite so athletic. Frankly, it's quite sad that one of the greatest health issues facing our country is obesity, and I personally, have faith that with some education.... and maybe some motivation... we can move ourselves in a better direction.

Sources:

Health Affairs Journal


New York Post

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