Just a quick note. For those interested in the health care providers perspective on the current health care programs in Congress, check out http://vanishingdoctors.com/
Hat tip to DrsHelper for pointing me there.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Abortion, Racism and Homeland Security?
Big hat tip to Jim Hoft on this one.
Today, Dr. Martin Luther King's work is celebrated all across America. We all know the work he did to bridge the gap between races. Now, Dr. Kings neice is speaking out on behalf of the unborn.
In an article posted today on LifeNews.com, Dr. Alveda King spoke out against abortion.
Dr. Alveda King, today, is celebrating Uncle’s life and she said he would agree that, when it comes to treating all people with respect, that he would include babies before birth.
“Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of a Beloved Community where all are treated with respect and dignity,” Alveda King told LifeNews.com today.
Today, Dr. Martin Luther King's work is celebrated all across America. We all know the work he did to bridge the gap between races. Now, Dr. Kings neice is speaking out on behalf of the unborn.
In an article posted today on LifeNews.com, Dr. Alveda King spoke out against abortion.
Dr. Alveda King, today, is celebrating Uncle’s life and she said he would agree that, when it comes to treating all people with respect, that he would include babies before birth.
“Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of a Beloved Community where all are treated with respect and dignity,” Alveda King told LifeNews.com today.
“He fought against society’s exclusion of people who were treated as less than human because of their appearance," she added. "Today, we are compelled to continue Uncle Martin’s fight by standing up for those who are treated as less than human because of their helplessness and inconvenience."
King told LifeNews.com, “The unborn are as much a part of the Beloved Community as are newborns, infants, teenagers, adults, and the elderly."
The niece of the great civil rights leader also said those who follow his ideals of tolerance don't always show that to unborn children.
"Too many of us speak of tolerance and inclusion, yet refuse to tolerate or include the weakest and most innocent among us in the human family," she said.
King concludes, "As we celebrate the life of Uncle Martin, let us renew our hearts and commit our lives to treating each other, whatever our race, status, or stage of life, as we would want to be treated. Let us let each other live."
King had an abortion but now speaks out for protecting human life. She has called abortion and racism "evil twins."
This is a powerful sentiment considering Dr. Kings 
background and legacy.
background and legacy.Hearing this I had to wonder. Based upon Janet Napolitano's previous statements in early 2009, I wonder if she would qualify Dr. Alveda King as an extremist or even a terrorist. You will remeber that Janet Napolitano said that "groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion" may be considered right wing extremist. How would Ms. Napolitano regard Dr. Martin Luther King during the civil rights movement? It's just something to think about.
Am I being unfair? Tell me if you think so.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
UPDATED - Union Healthcare Support = Card Check?
The unions are not happy with the Democrats right now. After helping them get elected and specifically after some unions (SIUE) helped intimidate health care opposition at town hall meetings, the administration and Senate Democrats are now calling for a tax on luxury or “Cadillac” health care plans (click here for more info on what is a luxury plan).
Why would this upset the unions, well many of the unions, in the past, have negotiated these plans for their members. This would mean that in most cases a tax would be levied on union members, not the employers. While the House has no such plan in their bill, Obama and the Senate have both recommended this plan and all indications show that the House will probably relent should the two bills be reconciled. The unions are not at the point where they are publicly coming out against healthcare, but have begun making veiled threats. According to an article in the Lipman Times,
With the 2010 elections already looking grim for the Democrats they cannot afford to have the unions not participate in the upcoming elections. Reading Trumka’s comments made me wonder what the administration is going to give to the unions so that they will endorse this plan should it be reconciled. Obama really needs this to pass considering the amount of time and effort he has put into this and if he wants to continue to roll out his agenda, he needs a Democrat controlled House and Senate. To pull that off, he needs the unions. So, what can Obama offer to the unions that would make them endorse this health care plan? Card check. If you are not familiar with card check, read this.
Indications that this is on the table have already come out. Late on January 11th in an article in the Wall Street Journal, it was written,
Card check is not something that Obama can really afford to invest a lot of political capital into. That said, he really cannot afford to have the unions fighting him on health care and take a back seat in the 2010 elections. He is going to have a very difficult fight on his hands if this comes up. The best thing for Barry may be if the House and Senate cannot reconcile the bill. He can blame it on the Republicans and moderate Democrats while at the same time not having to fight the Card Check fight. I guess we will see.
UPDATE 1/17/10
It seems that the Unions have been able to wiggle themselves out of the luxury tax without requiring Card Check. Last estimates were that this would decrease the tax from 149 billion down to about 90 billion. The question is now, will Congress ask the CBO to look over this bill and will it now maintain its "tax neutral" status as the President and Congress promised.
Another thing to watch will be the results of the Brown vs. Coakley election. If Brown wins or even comes close to winning, this will undoubtly scare a lot of blue dog Democrats and Democrats in vulnerable areas. This monstrosity may still not pass. We can only hope.
Why would this upset the unions, well many of the unions, in the past, have negotiated these plans for their members. This would mean that in most cases a tax would be levied on union members, not the employers. While the House has no such plan in their bill, Obama and the Senate have both recommended this plan and all indications show that the House will probably relent should the two bills be reconciled. The unions are not at the point where they are publicly coming out against healthcare, but have begun making veiled threats. According to an article in the Lipman Times,
“AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka warned the Obama administration that even
though unions will not oppose the final bill, it could impact upcoming mid-term
elections. “People could stay home. It could suppress votes,” he said”
With the 2010 elections already looking grim for the Democrats they cannot afford to have the unions not participate in the upcoming elections. Reading Trumka’s comments made me wonder what the administration is going to give to the unions so that they will endorse this plan should it be reconciled. Obama really needs this to pass considering the amount of time and effort he has put into this and if he wants to continue to roll out his agenda, he needs a Democrat controlled House and Senate. To pull that off, he needs the unions. So, what can Obama offer to the unions that would make them endorse this health care plan? Card check. If you are not familiar with card check, read this.
Indications that this is on the table have already come out. Late on January 11th in an article in the Wall Street Journal, it was written,
“Trumka predicted that legislation allowing workers to organize labor unionsObama is an advocate of this program, but with the economy in the tank and many business leaders against it, the Democrats have been weary to push this agenda. The US Chamber of Commerce has come out against as has Obama supporter Warren Buffett.
more easily, dubbed "card check," would be passed in the first quarter of 2010.”
Card check is not something that Obama can really afford to invest a lot of political capital into. That said, he really cannot afford to have the unions fighting him on health care and take a back seat in the 2010 elections. He is going to have a very difficult fight on his hands if this comes up. The best thing for Barry may be if the House and Senate cannot reconcile the bill. He can blame it on the Republicans and moderate Democrats while at the same time not having to fight the Card Check fight. I guess we will see.
UPDATE 1/17/10
It seems that the Unions have been able to wiggle themselves out of the luxury tax without requiring Card Check. Last estimates were that this would decrease the tax from 149 billion down to about 90 billion. The question is now, will Congress ask the CBO to look over this bill and will it now maintain its "tax neutral" status as the President and Congress promised.
Another thing to watch will be the results of the Brown vs. Coakley election. If Brown wins or even comes close to winning, this will undoubtly scare a lot of blue dog Democrats and Democrats in vulnerable areas. This monstrosity may still not pass. We can only hope.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Media Biting the Hand That Fed Them
Back in October, I wrote an article on the media and the slippery slope is was on. I said at that time that the media would eventually bite the hand that fed them. Well it is starting to happen.
From C-Span admitting they were played for political purposes and then asking for open conferences.
From C-Span admitting they were played for political purposes and then asking for open conferences.
You have Jack Cafferty of CNN ripping Obama for his lack of transparency on the healthcare debate.
And the CBS Evening News posting the following headline - Obama Reneges on Health Care Transparency.
On top of that, Madam Speaker, took a swipe at President Obama with this.
With friends like this, who needs enemies. No wonder Obama is going grey with less than a year in office.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
