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7/20/2009
Thousands flock to share frustrations of tyranny
Wow. Great Tea Party yesterday. 2,000, perhaps more, partied in Greenville Lions Park on a beautiful summer day. I’ve read two different accounts so far that have said “hundreds” when referencing the attenders. (NBC 26 and Fox 11) The Post-Crescent quotes Jim Steineke as estimating it was “around 1,000.” Hmm. I got a different impression from Jim. Oh well, here we go again, arguing about the crowd. The crowd pictures aren’t assembled for counting yet, but the parking crew did its job – they counted 746 cars plus 2 large buses. Having watched the crowd enter, we estimated a conservative 2.5 per car. That’s already 1,800. Add the cars in the parking lot below, the worker bees and the buses and you’re getting way over 2,000. Then add the cars that came in after the start… well, you get the message. No way was the crowd “hundreds.”
Of course we saw what have become the traditional signs.
- "So how’s that hopey changey thing workin’ out for you?”
- “Pres. Obama, we’re not your ATM!”
- “God only requires 10%”
And flags. Lots and lots of flags. Oh my. Really neat.
Joe the Plumber spoke his mind, modeling exactly what he was exhorting the crowd to do. Get involved. Open your mouth. Make a difference. He touted the book-of-the-month having bought several copies for friends. His copy, held up to the crowd, was most assuredly dog-eared. Check it out on Amazon or wherever you like to go for that kind of stuff. The latest paperback was published March 13, 2009 as the 30 Year Anniversary Edition and includes a foreword by Glenn Beck. Author is W. Cleon Skousen. From Amazon:
The 5000 Year Leap will take you by the hand as you discover the ideals of the Founding Fathers and their 28 principles for success. The values explored in detail by Dr. Skousen range from the Founder's prerequisite that the Constitution was designed for a moral people, to a government empowered by the people with checks and balances, along with an understanding of the critical nature of fiscal responsibility and family values. This book sums up the secrets to what James Madison called a miracle. The secrets to the miracle that is America. Or at least was America.
But here in the Fox Valley, in 2009, on a Sunday afternoon – these were great people. Orderly coming in the entrance area. Willing and excited to take information. Polite. Really polite. Interested, excited, abuzz. And the crew of helpers was terrific. My husband and I had the trash detail – pick up the great reusable cardboard trash boxes that Menasha Corp. so generously provides and pick up the Recycle Containers on loan from Outagamie County. We expected we’d be setting up 25 of each, hurrying to get it done in 90 minutes. Well, lo and behold Howard and Paul and their crew were assigned to help! And we all worked together at the end, tearing things down and getting the garbage, recyclables and containers where they needed to go. Gosh, what a refreshing group. Congratulations to Jim Steineke and the Fox Valley Initiative for doing a phenomenal job. Thank you to the Town of Greenville, the Greenville Lions Club and the Greenville Civic Club for being committed hosts and helpers.
I can’t wait ‘til we do it all again.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
It would have been great to be there yesterday, but unfortunatly I had something else going on in my own community. Sounds like the super enthusiasm for which these gatherings have become notable.
But I have a problem: Now that all the signs have been taken home, and all the garbage dutifully placed where it belongs, what changed? It looks like people are travelling from far and wide to express their hope that something will change.
Oh, yes they'll call their representatives to tell them to stop spending us into oblivion. Take a peek at how Sen. McCaskill's office staff handles that - http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/2009/07/claire_mccaskil_1.html#comments
This is where we meet the firewall - at the door to the elected representative's office; at the door to party headquarters, and at the desk of the political apparatchik that knows better than we do what he/she wants to accomplish.
So far, this is as far as the Tea Party seems to go. The question is when, where and how do we replace not just the individuals, but the political engines that put them where they've nested. How do we get rid of the faux centrist Democrats..., and Republicans?
Duke (Mon Jul 20 07:54:21 2009)
Well...I was there and the enthusiasm was great and the atmosphere was "electric". I had tears in my eyes as, unasked, people stood when "I'm Proud to Be An American" was played through the sound system.
What will change. I am not sure but I certainly hope that those people we have elected to represent us will see that we, the people, are discontent and want our voices to be heard. Sadly, not one Democrat representative came to "talk with the people" as I heard Congressman Kagen say, when interviewed for the evening news, that he "took every opportunity to speak to his people". Well, Mr. Kagen, there were over 2000 of us in Greenville and you weren't there. Also Ms. Bernard Schaber, nor were you.
If enough of us do as we were encouraged to do....speak up, loudly and often, our message to take back our America will be heard.
Bobbie (Mon Jul 20 08:11:56 2009)
I was there yesterday and agree the crowd was very receptive to the message. The one message that Joe the Plumber stated at the end that gatherings like this are great for motivation, but you need to get involved in finding out what is going on and pushing your legislators to listen.
Believe me if enough people call they will listen because you are voters and can vote them out of office in the next election. You either "change the people or change the people".
I think most politicians think that we have short memories and won't spend the time to hold them accountable. If we sit on our hands for this next election cycle, I am affraid the pendulum will have swung too far and we won't be able to stop it.
So get involved, keep abreast of the issues, and make your voice heard. I hope we have awakened a sleeping giant.
Mike
Mike Thomas (Mon Jul 20 08:31:56 2009)
Great to hear, and I'd support more demonstrations. But these people are rallying against the "effect" and ignoring the "cause." It is silly to object to one and not the other.
Taxes are caused by spending, and spending is caused by government giveaways to the special interests that want taxpayer dollars, and that is ALL caused by our corrupt political system.
Simple as that. And the politicians just love it when people don't know the difference. They can rally against high taxes by your side, then vote for for special interest spending. The very Republicans who voted for the Medicare Drug program in 2003, a $780 billion giveaway to the drug industry, are now rallying against a single-payer system that would save the public $400 billion per year.
There is good spending and bad spending. And if you are a special interest you want the latter and are willing to buy your politician to get it. The insurance industry has paid the politicians $46 million to block health care reform, and promise to increase government spending by $1.5 Trillion over the next decade.
Duh!!!
Jack Lohman (Mon Jul 20 08:49:24 2009)
Thanks for the coverage, Jo.
The book you reference is worthwhile reading -- and for anyone who doesn't have a copy, check your public library. Dr. Skousen's "5000 Year Leap" is available at libraries in Appleton, Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha & Waupaca. I will make sure our library gets some of his other books.
And I think America still IS a miracle, and will remain so as long as we can respect that sometimes we agree, and sometimes we agree to disagree. We argue, we vote, we shake hands and we argue some more. Then we do it again!
Terry
Terry Dawson (Mon Jul 20 10:16:02 2009)
Jack - I think you missed the Congrssional Budget office report on the health care plan. You might want to check it out before claiming a $400 billion savings. This non partisan group that has analyzed the data and reports that there will be a net increase in the deficit of $239 Billion over the years of 2010-2019. This, in my opinion, is a very rosy scenario. I fear like most other government bodies, the CBO has underestimated costs....
Jim Steineke (Mon Jul 20 11:39:43 2009)
Jim, you are mixing apples and oranges.
Yes, CBO is correct under the existing proposals by the House and Senate, who both have introduced bills that keep the insurance industry in the loop. The industry's net drain on the system is 22% of today's healthcare costs (CEO salaries and bonuses, shareholder profits, broker commissions and campaign contributions... all passed on to the patient).
Congress proposes mandating health insurance for the 45 million people that don't have it now and providing a taxpayer-funded subsidy to the portion that can't afford insurance.
The best system ELIMINATES the insurance bureaucracy by providing Medicare-for-all and saving $400 billion per year. Or expanding Medicare with vision and dental and etc, HR676, and saving nothing (but also costing nothing, while transferring health care costs to the national infrastructure (with perhaps increased taxes) but eliminating it as an employer expense, which the public pays for anyway with higher product prices, lost US jobs, and a trashed economy.
Which is best? Higher taxes will be cheaper than letting the industry drain 22% of our health care costs. See:
http://www.pnhp.org/facts/singlepayer_faq.php
And my apologies to Jo for making this a healthcare issue, but our corrupted political system really covers all issues. Taxes are just one of them.
Jack Lohman (Mon Jul 20 12:37:34 2009)
Great get together.
Really enjoyed the program..
We can't forget the speech given by Yuri Maltsev, former Soviet economist under President Gorbachev , and quite moving in its content
I thought his comparisons of Soviet Russia and the path we have taken here in the USA as something every American should hear.
He re-affirmed Reagan's comment about
American being the "Beacon" of hope for the rest of the world. His own Political Asylum entry into our Country was inspired by this image, and as he so aptly described, we are loosing it faster than we can imagine.
We need to stop this march to socialism
Jack and Duke...FYI
as Lincoln said ,
"A house divided cannot stand"
We need to divide the Socialist House
So to, may it be said that there is strength in numbers, and the intent of the rally was to gather that strength and focus it. We must maintain focus at all costs.
The media has Michael Jackson and other issues to divert attention.
I firmly believe this is the "Liberal" agenda
We need to re-focus them(media) with constant rallies
Jack
Don't forget 20 million of those "uninsured" number are illegal immigrants.
That leaves 25 million without coverage.
Take 5 million out for rich people who need no coverage, and you have 20 million /- .
So with 300 million people we have 6 % who should be the reason to completely revamp our health care system ?
This is less than the number of unemployed?
Makes no sense.
Rich
Rich Carlstedt (Mon Jul 20 14:09:50 2009)
Rich, I think we need to avoid getting to a soviet-style government, and we can and we will. But there are two extremes: 0% socialism and 100% socialism. We’ve seen what can happen with unfettered capitalism over the last 15 years, since the 1994 takeover of Congress by the Gingrich conservatives and Phil Gramm’s 1999 repeal of banking regulations which I blame both on the R’s and the D’s, but mainly on our moneyed political system. We’ve also seen what can happen with 100% socialism/communism. Neither are good.
Everybody says socialism is so terrible, but Sweden socializes only healthcare and higher education (beyond the US). And their taxes are higher than ours as a result. But 60-70% of Americans polled support higher taxes to get to a Medicare-for-all system.
Also recognize that we aren’t doing this just to make sure the illegals get health care. Yes, we should fix the illegal situation, but not by withholding health care from their kids.
And understand that at least 50% of Americans are paying the exorbitant 22% premium on insurance bureaucracy waste, all while withholding health care from the 20 million who need care (and you and I are obviously not affected by).
Jack Lohman (Mon Jul 20 14:56:40 2009)
Jack..."unfettered capitalism?" C'MON! We've had Government-enabled huge corporations pushing everyone out of the way! IF the govt. could possibly keep its hands off (what a joke) and not regulate small businesses out of business while at the same time helping the large corporations by self-same regulations, it'd be interesting to see what could happen.
Watch the video "Corporation" or "Big Sugar" and see the interplay between "business" and politics. Or just look at some of the ridiculous "food safety" bills being considered by Congress: all about squashing small producers; they'd even stifle local farmers' markets! Or watch "America: Freedom to Fascism", which exposes how we've been sold out to the Federal Reserve for 100 years.
The problem started with Wilson, exploded under FDR (who GAVE us the concept of special interests) and has festered under every administration ever since, until we get the mess we have today.
"Government" has a legitimate role: provide defense, fire protection, police...and that's about it. Whenever it gets involved in things it's not designed to do, it does them abysmally.
People who want to live off the government, forget that the government wants to live off THEM.
emily matthews (Mon Jul 20 17:02:55 2009)
Believe what you will about "unfettered capitalism," Emily. And yes, I have seen "The Corporation" and also follow many good blogs on the subject.
You seem to believe that our Founding Fathers knew all there was to know about the needs of our country when they originally penned the Constitution. I believe they missed some important things, and that's why we are where we are. Had they been perfect they would have laid out regulations to protect the country from political corruption. Our politicians should be able to think on their feet, but they can't with their hands in the special interest's pockets. That's why the tea parties have become necessary.
Jack Lohman (Mon Jul 20 19:20:42 2009)
I'm with those of you calling for specific action, to continue to be very intentional about it. Perhaps folks must be accountable to take two or three (or more!) actions between monthly meetings of Tea Party groups. Perhaps provide copies of letters, emails, etc. to share with fellow members. Implementation. Action. Making a difference. Got to keep at it.
Jo (Mon Jul 20 19:33:15 2009)
Jack;
Once again, ( or a bunch of times) fact and logic seem to be beyond your grasp. You correctly say that 100% socialism/communism is bad. Yet you ignore we have a near 100% communist in the whitehouse. You also ignore that all goverNMEnts everywhere have a great tendency to be "progressive." They want progressively more of your money and your freedom. It will be impossible to have a socialist/communist health system, and expect that the socialists/communists will not want to, say, take over the banks, the insurance companies or even the car companies. No, that would never happen in America, right?
There have been books written about the fact that THERE IS NO THIRD WAY!! A mixed system ALWAYS tends to lead to more controls, less freedom, unless some cataclysmic event turns it around. And goverNMEnt is NEVER as cheap as promised. SHOW ME ONE example. How about Badger care? Either the of the drug programs at the state or federal level? Nope, nope and nope.
Just to reinforce the point, this "president" talks of the rule of law, even as he writes the law as he goes, violating the constitution, and exercising authority he does not legally have. Kinda like Bill Clinton talking about personal responsibility, or GB II talking about liberty. The Obama admin is seriously talking of forced vaccinations, with big fines and jail time for those who would prefer to protect their health from unproven risks, talk of siezing private pension funds, shutting down or seriously restricting the internet (most assuredly protecting the 'pro
messages, while throwing guys like me in jail, or worse,) has already instituted an Obama (Hitler?) youth corps, has a criminal enterprise signed up to help with the census, wants control of ALL your medical records ( we can blame previous presidents for destroying financial privacy, but do not expect a rollback there,) wants to federalize every mud puddle, wants to destroy our sovereignty by way of a series of treaties, wants a federal police force as big and as well funded as our military, just issued a statement saying that illegal aliens should not be prevented from registering to vote, and you are not concerned?
If not, you are living in a dream world, but I guess we already had a few hints....
You refuse to accept more "free market" alternatives that would surely reduce the price of health care, and you accuse us of not being concerned about those without health care, yet you would be a pawn in promoting a system that can only end in tyranny and poverty for all but the elites.! Not sure a truly caring or at least, an understanding person would do that.
Ken Van Doren (Mon Jul 20 20:04:39 2009)
If we are to have a truly free market and efficient health care system that costs less we need to introduce true competition. The way to do that is to give all consumers a true stake in their care allowing them to shop for a provider and watch what they are spending. Sort of like any other insurance that isn't provided by an employer. That 22% administration share along with a lot of other costs would start to go down drastically as different health care providers would compete for business.
Right now through employer-provided plans you probably have a choice of a couple of network hospital networks and the insurance pays the same to all so you don't really think much of deciding on one hospital over the other on costs. If a consumer really had to be responsible for it all from picking an insurance to picking whatever hospital to finding the best deal there would be true competition and costs would go down.
There are ways for care providers to supply services in more cost effective ways without reducing the quality of care. The market (not government) needs to force that.
Some examples of how the market is driving us in that direction if the government would just stand out of the way and let it happen.
1) Walmart $4 prescriptions.
2) Aurora Quickcare clinics. Did you know for $40 you can have a nurse practitioner diagnose things like ear infections and strep and write a script for it. This would cost over $100 to see a doctor for the same thing.
3) $600 MRIs offered by a company in Milwaukee - Smart MRI.
4) Lasik surgery - it used to be over $4000 per eye. Now it is half that or less. It is not covered through most insurances so customers have to shop around for the best deal. The costs have gone down drastically in a short time because of it.
These are just a few examples but good ones. And these happened without any government intervention. In fact, I contend that these things have happened because employer benefits plans continue to cover less causing the employee to cover more of their own costs therefore driving a deal-shopping mentality. You take care of the pre-existing condition issue through a government enabled risk-pooling system and also help with tax-credits to buy care and I think you would have a workable solution free of government control. We need government enablement - not control.
See Paul Ryan's plan. He is very much on the right track on this.
Brian Witt (Mon Jul 20 22:22:04 2009)
Wow. Well, I'm obviously not a truly caring or understanding person, as I have a different opinion. I am not an Obama supporter, but I'm also not going to blame him for what has led up to the teabag protests. And I'm also not going to support zero regulations (Libertarian goals) to permit our trusted CEOs to use their own personal judgment as to how deep they go into the public's pocket. I know these are nice guys and all that, but haven't we had enough?
Jack Lohman (Tue Jul 21 03:13:06 2009)
Jack, you're a kind, caring person. Now go to bed and get some rest!
Jo (Tue Jul 21 3:33:14 2009)
Brian, please see Price competition in health care is a pipe dream. It doesn't exist and never will. And if Paul Ryan could get his hands out of the pockets of the special interests he could be a decent guy.
Jack Lohman (Tue Jul 21 04:16:43 2009)
Jack, I never said zero regulation. Not even once. There would have to be standards set as there are in just about every other industry. What I am against is the government setting up shop in "competition" with private plans. The truth is that will not drive true competition as the government does not need to make a profit and get more efficient. Since the government has the power to tax it will just tax more if there is not enough money. Private companies cannot tax more. They raise premiums. With a true competitive system, if premiums go up at one company consumers could shop around and move to another. It happens with auto insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance, etc.
As far as price competition being a pipe dream - wrong. So you are telling me that health care holds some special status over every other good or service provided so that it can never be competitive. I just pointed to four examples off the top of my head to illustrate price competition. Are those just figments of my imagination? Just like any other good or service the customer, given the true power to make decisions, will chose the best value and costs will go down.
I agree that political influence will have to go away for this to work as I am describing. However, to argue that getting the government more involved is going to somehow solve the problem is a stretch. If you think there is political collusion and influence now, just wait and see what will happen if there is a government option.
Brian Witt (Tue Jul 21 08:27:30 2009)
I, too, was at the Tea Party Sunday and enjoyed it very much. It isn't often that you see conservatives letting down their hair, but it certainly isn't because they don't know how.
I have to say my favorite speaker was Professor Yuri Maltsev from Carthage College who defected from Russia about 20 years ago. I guess it takes a legal immigrant to this country to put things in the right perspective.
Maltsev scored big with the audience when he said, (paraphrasing)" If America becomes socialist/communist, there will be no place to defect TO."
***And if Paul Ryan could get his hands out of the pockets of the special interests he could be a decent guy.***
Jack, I'd like your source for this and please don't give me KOS, DU or HuffPo. Accusing a congressman of unethical conduct is despicable if there is nothing to it but your thoughts (and wishes?)on the subject.
C.R. Stevenson (Tue Jul 21 22:38:56 2009)
Ryan money, higher than average House member:
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00004357&cycle=2008
Jack Lohman (Tue Jul 21 23:38:06 2009)
More $$ on Ryan at:
http://www.votesmart.org/finance.php?can_id=26344
Jack Lohman (Tue Jul 21 23:41:47 2009)
Brian, having been in health care for 40 years, I do not believe that "cheap" medicine is going to fly. Most of us will not go to the lowest bidder, and when "costs" are controlled (as in Walmart etc) they will not have the revenue needed to attract other than the least competent nurses, technicians and doctors.
Jack Lohman (Wed Jul 22 07:44:52 2009)
Jack, I think you missed this one. Kagen makes Ryan look like a novice. His fund raising in 2006 was stratospheric. He raised more money by far than the average House member.
C.R. Stevenson (Wed Jul 22 22:25:57 2009)
C.R., I have always fought against the "system" of corruption, and members of both political parties are corrupt.
Jack Lohman (Wed Jul 22 22:57:25 2009)
Jack
You mentioned the founding fathers nore or less did not do a good job and that is why we are where we are.
You are mistaken I believe
Our legislators have always felt they were smarter than the founding fathers.
To start with, the Founding Fathers felt it was very important to have the House represent the people, and specifically spelled out the number of citizens per representative. This forced the Representative to be close to his constituants.
What happened ? Our Congress voted to restrict the number to 435 Maximum, thereby forcing it into a Geographic based formula.
I know the house today would have 10,000 members...so what? You, me and every other citizen would be almost on a first name basis, instead you have Lobbist driven agendas.
How about Roosevelt stacking the Supreme Court ?
Our courts do not conform to Founding Father construction
How about Presidential edicts....errr..sorry,I mean "Executive Orders"
We have the Administrative Branch determining policey AND LAW that is clearly a legislative function
The IRS and Federal Taxes were NOT part of the original Republic, but that was laid waste in the Civil War I guess
Everywhere I look, I see the hand of 'do-gooders" to the detriment of of lives
Lets keep it right.
Rich Carlstedt (Thu Jul 23 00:05:22 2009)
Rich, you answered your own question. You argue against my statement that the founding fathers did not do a good job and that is why we are where we are. That is my feeling. I wish they had of been perfect, but they weren't.
You said "the Founding Fathers felt it was very important to have the House represent the people" and "instead you have Lobbyist driven agendas."
That is exactly my point. I said "The insurance industry has paid the politicians $46 million to block health care reform."
So who is representing you? Your representative who is taking the bribes, or the insurance industry who's giving them? (Answer: the latter.)
And that goes to the subject of this article: taxes. Politicians are paid by the special interests to spend taxpayer money, and until the protesters realize that and fight the corrupt system, it will continue. They are fighting the effect and ignoring the cause.
Jack Lohman (Thu Jul 23 07:20:48 2009)
Jack, bottom line. Why in the world would you want government run health care? Think of Social Security, I.R.S., Medicare, Post Office, DNR, MVD to name just a few government departments They're all full of waste, corruption, over-spending and patronage. And I didn't even throw "poorly run" into the mix.
The taxpayers pay the bill for all these programs so they can take more money from the taxpayers.
Why should we subsidize all the medical care for everyone including illegal aliens?
Because the federal government has no close ties with its citizens they do a "one size fits all" and try to make it fit. The result is that it fits no one.
We have the best health care in the world. The larger share of us have insurance even though we may grouse about the premiums and co-pays.
I don't want a politician telling my doctor what kind and how much treatment He can provide to me.
I'm in the "old" category and I don't want to have to be the one who has to take advantage of the hospice and euthanasia clause in that monstrous bill.
C.R. Stevenson (Fri Jul 24 18:47:30 2009)
Why would I want government run health care? Because I've lived with both private and public health care, and I'll take the latter any day. I'm on Medicare and go to the same doctor I did even under the private system. He just sends his bill in a different direction. The only patients I've heard complaining about Medicare are those with Medicare Advantage, the privately run portion (which incidentally costs taxpayers 17% more than public Medicare). So much for private being more efficient than public, don'cha think?
Social Security? Can you imagine what would have happened if Bush had privatized it? Not for me.
The Post Office? You mean FedEx and UPS can deliver a letter for 50 cents? I don't think so.
C.R., there is more waste, corruption, over-spending and patronage in the private system than in Medicare. The latter results in jail time, the former rarely does.
The taxpayers pay the bill anyway, through increased product prices, cost shifting and bankruptcy costs.
Why should we subsidize all the medical care for everyone including illegal aliens?
Because we can provide first-class Cheney-care for 100% of our population -- including the illegal aliens -- for the same dollars we are paying today. Actually, we can save $400 billion in the process.
"One size fits all?" No, only the logo on the check that goes to the hospital or doctor is the same. Otherwise your care is dictated by your doctor.
The best health care in the world? Only for the larger share of us that have insurance... at the moment ... and as long as you have a job ... and as long as your employer is flush with cash. Otherwise don't you dare get sick because the insurer can cancel you retroactively. It's called "rescission."
You don't want a politician telling your doctor what kind and how much treatment he can provide you. Under Medicare I've never had that happen, but would you like a CEO whose salary and bonus is determined by profitability and the denial of care making this decision instead? Remember the 17 year old that was denied a kidney transplant in California and died? That was Cigna, not Medicare.
Jack Lohman (Sat Jul 25 18:02:45 2009)
But Medicare just pays as little as possible. Doctors are getting a little tired of that, too.
Some won't take Medicare anymore. So far I'm lucky that my doctors still do, but a couple of months ago I got hit with an over $500 hospital bill because Medicare pays such a small portion of their bills.
Sorry, Jack, I don't want the Morlocks to take over.
C.R. Stevenson (Mon Jul 27 22:03:17 2009)
C.R., Medicare doesn't pay "as little as possible," they pay what is "needed" to offset labor, technology and overhead, and they adjust it for locality. It is "fair," but it is just not as extravagant as the private "reasonable and customary" system that pays up to four times the amount. When I was in the business we called that "whatever you can get away with."
For 15 of my 25 years I provided a mobile echocardiogram service in which I charged $300 per patient. After interpreting the echo the doctor billed and was paid $400 (less the 20% co-pay). But some doctors billed the privates $1800 for that same test and got away with it. Yes, some doctors had built their patient load to the point that they could hold out for only the privates, but if they only had Medicare and didn't over-bill, they'd take home essentially the same money.
The point is that this nation is paying a hefty price by allowing the private insurance bureaucracy to drain 31% of our health care costs... money that should instead be used to pay for additional doctors and nurses to treat the uninsured.
I'm lucky. I have Medicare and see the same private doctor I always have. 60% of doctors support Medicare-for-all because Medicare doesn't step between them and the patient like the private insurers do. And Medicare doesn't cancel policies when people get sick, even after the fact, a process called "rescission" that our insurance industry told congress they refuse to stop.
Jack Lohman (Tue Jul 28 10:40:55 2009)
Jack, do you really believe this will hold true once the government is the single payer? And it will be, you know.
Those in government can't help themselves. Once they're in power they have to go as far as they can because they're trying to please a segment of the population whose vote they're courting. Once people discover they can vote their own welfare, they do.
Jack, I'm not going to convince you and you're certainly not going to convince me. I've been around a lot of years and have seen the government push in more and more. Those who are children now will never know the freedom that I had as a child and a young adult and I never had the freedoms that my father and grandparents took for granted.
I won't exchange freedom for a placebo.
P.S. You may be down on both Republican and Democrat legislators but you only seem to ever mention the bad things Republicans do, i.e. Ryan and Kagen. ;-)
C.R. Stevenson (Tue Jul 28 19:38:56 2009)
Probably, C.R., it's because the R's have taken the most money (55% from the insurance industry) and are the obstructionists of the day. And single-payer means health care also for politicians and govt workers, so I think they'll keep it in check. And if they don't the voters will be all over them. And I have been vocal about Doyle being a waste. (And I thought Kagen was a Dem.)
All that means is we'll likely get more rather than less, and I think that's better though more costly. You don't. So be it.
Jack Lohman (Tue Jul 28 20:06:48 2009)
And C.R., here is an example of a recent bill which only Ryan and Sensenbrenner voted against. Because it was a bad bill? The "Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009"? Requiring spending to be offset by cuts???
I don't think so. These guys are just flat out obstructionists that don't want to side with the Dems even on good bills. As well, they both voted for the 2003 Medicare drug giveaway of $780 billion to the pharmaceutical industry and now, get this, both are claiming that Medicare is going broke.
Jack Lohman (Wed Jul 29 07:50:47 2009)
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• Nygren: Governor Continues Terms of Failure in State of the State
• Sen. Fitzgerald: Governor down the wrong track at high speed
• Phosphorus is the new CO2. $Billions in Wisconsin
• More Obama giveaways
• A reprimand? Would you keep him on the job?
• Burri: Sarah Palin for Prez troubles me
• Quote of the Day – Obama after the pie-eating contest
• Populism, abused and trampled
• Fitzgerald: Senate Republicans Propose Real Job Creation Agenda
• Stripped down health insurance – it’s about time
• Ok GOP, scrap the Party of NO; time to lead
• No way Feingold is a Coakley. Is Wall a Brown?
• Burri: Conservatives off the chart for a RINO?
• Paltry quid pro quo?
• Doyle says ARRA has ‘created or retained’ 44,000 WI jobs
• Does most of the public fall for this stuff?
• When you get signatures, always get a couple extra
• Blame it on the outmoded computers
• Scott Brown victory does not scuttle health bill
• 8th Congressional Candidate Forum, Jan. 25
• Scott Walker Meet-and-greet, Monday, Jan. 18
• Aren’t consumers taxpayers too?
• MORE taxes on investment income - dreadful and wrong
• Join the blaze orange army and say ‘Enough is Enough’
• The future of government-run health care
• Tax on banks is a really bad idea
• Roth, Savard on the stump, grassroots style
• Savard speaking in Appleton, 8 PM, Wed., Jan. 13.
• Rahmlow: Savard, Bies frontrunners for State Senate
• Burri: Failing Political Correctness 101
• School contracts and Race to the Top
• Senator Feingold worrisome and big red flags
• Psephological?
• This is really important. Contact Rep. Kagen. Now. Please.
• This is exactly what we need from Governor Doyle
• This guy is my hero
• Why am I not surprised?
• Talk health reform with Feingold (Th), Petri (today)
• Give the Mayor power over MPS - if he can break contracts
• Burri: Yup, Dems really are going to bypass a conference
• The $2.7 billion Wisconsin deficit no one told you about
• Walker launches county accountability website
• Rahmlow: Why is Van Hollen dodging the Nebraska deal?
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| 2009 |
December
|
November
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October
• The Lawton-Bader files
• Yup, it’s the TAX LEVY, not the tax RATE
• Ellis: costly automobile insurance laws must be rolled back
• If not Barrett, who?
• The subsidy game
• Burri: Bailouts, Banks, Health Care, and the Mob
• Attend Appleton Schools budget meeting tonight
• A public option WON’T increase costs? That’s delusional!
• Appleton Schools budget meeting Monday
• Wisconsin should be screaming for accountability
• Burri: If anything, we need more obstructionism around here
• WI on the leading edge - in the wrong direction
• Rep. Montgomery: Utility Customers Join State’s Crime-Fighting Efforts
• Public Conservation and Recreation Lands Total 16.5% of State
• In the crow's nest of the Titanic, shouting 'Iceberg!'
• Is Rep. Nelson a political hack?
• Health care: The road ahead will be brutal
• Kagen's pandering again
• Birthers - good stuff for you
• How much do we bend over backward for seniors?
• The trouble with health care is paying for it
• Two-parent families: The Gold Standard
• Burri: Kids... the joys and blessings
• Very, very worried about health care
• Rep. Huebsch: Wisconsin is proof government health care isn’t the answer
• School district contracts push up tax levy
• What? Obama, the Peace Prize?
• TODAY - hearing on Campaign Finance Reform
• Appleton School District tax levy up way too much
• CBO report is out - and the bill isn't even written yet?
• So, how much do YOU budget for health care?
• Burri: Copenhagen trip was amateurish
• “Sotomayor, you have blood on your hands...”
• Cap and Trade. Always follow the money
• Rep. Kagen gets (almost) free health services
• I actually agree with Rep. Kagen
• Future Wisconsin Conference for Conservatives, October 10, Wauwatosa
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September
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August
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July
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June
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May
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April
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March
|
February
|
January
|
| 2008 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
• Important votes Tuesday, including Appleton Common Council
• Democrats are becoming supply siders??
• Further debunking Hillary myths
• WEAC has created an unsustainable monopoly
• From Mark Gundrum: One of the greatest honors an American can experience
• 'Operation Chaos' working?
• Joe Martin the best candidate in Appleton's 8th
• State programs to cut? - Volume II
• Oh the naivete of youth
• Not just disingenuous - flat wrong
• Steve - you will be missed
• Make cuts only AFTER you're elected....
• Getting serious: What programs can we cut?
• Rep. Steve Kagen joining me on Jerry Bader Show today
• Rep. Van Roy: Dental Care Pilot Program
• Has Dave Obey turned the corner on earmarks?
• Speaker Huebsch: Governor turns down Federal Aid?
• Mark Rahmlow: "We're Broke."
• As taxpayers, how do we know if it's a Chevy or a Lexus?
• This is trash talk - about a veteran
• Frank Lasee: Take time to get the Compact right
• 'The Gableman Ad' - is it racist?
• Roth thankful, Kagen shaking money tree
• Gov. Doyle's office not enamored with Freedom of Information
• Governor Doyle will never do it
• Leadership on smoking ban? Not Hanna
• Rep. Van Roy speaks out about smear ads
• You're threatening me about potholes?
• Losing the Hastert seat is NOT a trend and NOT curtians for the GOP
• First suggestion for 'slashing' programs
• Big money-saver for municipalities
• More one time fixes. Nuts.
• Any chances???
• I'm doing the Jerry Bader Show, today, the 11th
• Representative Frank Lasee: Final Waltz of the Season
• Guest Blog: It's not the county's business to be in the nursing home business
• Yup, Hillary won Texas and Ohio
• Gableman/Butler race featured - and it isn't pretty
• Lies from Planned Parenthood and NARAL
• He who sacrifices liberty.....
• Duh.
• The Troha sentencing, Doyle and that $200K
• Guns, passion and "originality"
• How hard is it anyway, to shut down a government program?
• Voting is a PRIVILEGE. And so are property taxes....
• Guest Blog: Governor Doyle, cancel your Ireland trip
|
February
|
January
|
| 2007 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
• Lots of ideas. No money.
• The Cigarette Tax - "Poor Policy Instrument?"
• School budget Lite?
• Frankenstein - not in the library, but in the legislature
• A librarian, a legislator, a president
• $1.25/pack - NO, NO, NO, and NO
• Kagen and Reagan in the same breath?
• Menasha: behind the 8-ball, but not biting the dust
• Any way you slice it, Wisconsin government wants (further) in on health care
• The World is Flat...what about health care?
• The PAC - too precious to fail. Day 3
• News follow-ups: Appleton West, Kagen at the White House
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail - Day 2
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail
• New Transit Tax coming your way
• Rep. Petri has his finger in the dike - I guess
• AASD Retirement Costs Burdensome
• Health care, health care, health care, health care
• Water rate increase was no slam dunk
• Education for all is just a bad dream
• New Year's resolutions from a parade snob
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| 2006 |
December
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November
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October
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September
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| 2000 |
May
|
|
