TARP, was wrong, so is the Stimulus Package

"When the government makes loans or subsidies to business, what it does is to tax successful private businesses in order to support unsuccessful private businesses."--Henry Hazlitt

and then there is this,

"A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."--George Bernard Shaw

So in 6 months, we've managed to add 20% to the deficit, and have literally NOTHING to show for it.

The 2nd Amendment

The strongest words in support of an individual right to keep and bear arms are the words of the founder of the Democratic Party...something Democrats would like to forget:

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.--Thomas Jefferson

When did profit become evil?

From Instapundit:
STEPHEN CARTER: When did profits become evil?

“For-profit” firms come under constant attack from activists and members of Congress.

Thus, a recent news release from the AFL-CIO began with this evidently alarming fact: “Profits at 10 of the country’s largest publicly traded health insurance companies rose 428 percent from 2000 to 2007.” Even had the figures been correct — they weren’t — we are seeing the same circus. Profit is the enemy. America could be made pure, if only profit could be purged.

This attitude was wrong in 2006. It is wrong now. High profits are excellent news. When corporate earnings reach record levels, we should be celebrating. The only way a firm can make money is to sell people what they want at a price they are willing to pay. If a firm makes lots of money, lots of people are getting what they want.

Some people don’t like that. I hope Carter makes money on his new book, which I”m taking to the beach with me.

I agree...I think profit is a good thing...I just wish I was seing more of it.

Newt Gingrich's Tax Plan

At the Taxprofblog, I found that Newt Gingrich has a new tax plan. I don't think it would work, as interesting as it sounds:

Newt Gingrich's American Solutions For Winning the Future has launched a petition drive for Jobs Here. Jobs Now. Jobs First with four tax planks:

1. Cut the Payroll Tax in Half for 2 Years. Every single working American pays the payroll tax. In this economy, many people may not get a pay raise, but this would immediately give every working American a take home pay raise. This would also immediately increase the liquidity of every small business, because there would be more money available to put back into the business and create more jobs. So that Social Security and Medicare funds are not affected, we would pay for this proposal by redirecting all the TARP and $787 billion stimulus money that has been allocated but not yet spent.
2. Abolish Taxes on Capital Gains. If we want to compete with China and have the most productive factories in the world, the best jobs, and the highest take home pay, we should match China's capital gains rate of zero. This would dramatically increase investment in America.
3. Reduce the Corporate Tax Rate. When you combine state and federal taxes, America has the highest corporate tax structure in the world. We believe that by matching the Irish corporate tax rate of 12.5%, America would be the most desirable economy in the world to open a factory, create a new job, and develop a new product.
4. Abolish the Death Tax. If we want to be pro-work, pro-savings, and pro-family, we should not punish, but instead reward people who have worked, saved and created wealth all their life.

As I said, I don't think there is any way in hell it would pass. But it's a neat thought.

My own idea would be to establish a flat tax wherein EVERYONE would pay the same rate...the only two exceptions would be those who are under the poverty line wouldn't pay, or would pay a much reduced. The other would be 50 cents on the dollar reduction for charitable contributions. That's federal taxes. State income taxes would be capped at 7.5%. This would force EVERYONE with the means to pay, would pay.

Reinstating Michael Vick...is WRONG!

The NFL's reinstatement of Michael Vick is the latest example of the NFL's moral bankruptcy. Mr. Vick tortured and killed animals for entertainement. While I'm certainly NOT a supporter of PETA or any other "animal rights" group, I do agree that wantonly torturing or abusing animals is sick. By reinstating him, the NFL shows that, quite frankly, they don't care about being a moral standard in America. This shows that one can do virtually anything, go through the public "atonement process" and be allowed to return to the sport. This disregards the obligation the NFL has towards it's fans. It's all about the money, nothing more, nothing less.

Things that make you go Hmmmm...

I don't think that Mr. Obama wasn't born in Hawaii, but I do think his secrecy about his past, and those with whom he associated brings up questions that need to be answer. Nor do I agree with the "birthers" at all. On the otherhand,

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=Yjg3ZmU1ODQwNWJmZWY2ZGZmZWQwMTc3ZWQyYTMyMDc=

But because the MSM has invested so much into seeing him succeed, first in the elections (allowing Hillary to be smeared as she was, then Sara Palin), then in their selective coverage since then. The MSM has, or rather had, a vested interest in vetting any public figure running for office. Unfortunately, in the case of Barack Obama, they have failed to do so in a way so complete as to be embarrassing.

Health Care Reform

I think that "Health Care Reform" is a complete misnomer. What we should really call this debate is "Health INSURANCE Reform". In my opinion, it's really not about reforming health care, but about a government power grab. It's an attempt to sieze control of yet more sectors of the economy. The financial markets wasn't enough. The auto industry wasn't enough (recent polls show that 49% of American WONT buy GM or Chrysler cars...). Now the socialists want more.

I hope that if it's passed, someone has the sense to sue in Federal District Court, that it's in violation of the 10th Amendment of the US Constitution. No where in the constitution does it state that health care is a reserved to the federal governenment. This being the case, this matter is reserved to the several states.

Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

So far, only Massachussetts has had the courage to initiate health insurance in their state. That it has been a dismal failure has carefully been concealed by the media. They don't want you to know that Medicare, Medicaid have been riddled with corruption and cost overruns for decades. This is what we the people are about to unleash upon ourselves. Corruption like you've never seen, limits upon what treatments people can receive, will be permitted to receive.

After all, Mr. Obama himself clearly stated that anyone with is elderly should be given "a pain pill" instead of life sustaining treatment. I suspect that if you aren't on the "PC" side, you'll not receive any such treatment. This is the very thing that the NAZI's did prior and during WWII. If you weren't a member of the master race, you didn't get health care. Keep in mind that NAZI = socialist, afterall, they were National Socialists, not conservative.

Health Care Reform

Here's a link to daily updates as to the contents of HR 3200.

http://republicans.waysandmeans.house.gov/

You can find out exactly WHAT is in this behemouth of a bill, and just what it will do to our economy, and health care insurance system. Because face it, this isn't about health care reform, it's about destroying the health insurance industry, and by the back door, using the government to take over 1/6th of the economy.

Health Care Reform, the response

Hi again, Here's the response I received today from Congressman John Sarbanes (D, MD3)...as well as what I wrote back to him. As you can see, I included my original question because as I see it, he didn't answer my question at all. It's what I would call a non-response.

Dear Mr. Sarbanes,

Please find enclosed a copy of the simple question that I asked you, as well as your non-answer. I take it that basically, you just don't have an answer why you in Congress has chosen to specifically exclude yourselves, and all Federall employees, as well as members of the Executive branch from coverage in your bill. I would very much like answer to my question.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Vail

“Pray that you will never have to bear all that you are able to endure.”
Jewish Proverb"
Dear Mr. Sarbanes,
I would like you, personally, to answer one simple question:

If HB 3200 is such a good bill for this country, WHY is/are Congress, the President, VP, and all federal employees specifically exempt from the provisions of this bill?

After all, if it is good enough for the rest of us, it SHOULD be good enough for you, your family, Congress, the President and all federal employees.

Richard A. Vail



July 24, 2009

In a message dated 7/24/2009 2:49:40 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, md03ima@mail.house.gov writes:

Dear Dr. Vail:


Thank you for contacting me to express your views about health care policy. As the Congress enters into this historic debate over health reform, I have heard from thousands of people who care deeply about this issue and want to highlight specific areas of concern to them. I appreciate this input and have tried to put it to good use as we consider various reform proposals.

America is home to the world's best doctors and nurses, the most advanced medical technologies, and scientists that are on the cutting edge of research and development. There are many things about our health care system that we should be proud of and fight to retain. But rising health care costs are making quality care less affordable - squeezing American families and businesses. Americans pay more for care than any other citizens in the world, but we are not the healthiest.

It is time for us to create a uniquely American health system that builds on what works and fixes what is broken. We must make health care more efficient and affordable so that all Americans have the opportunity to receive quality care. And we must put doctors and patients back in charge of our health care decisions - not insurance companies.

In a recent speech to the American Medical Association, President Obama offered his own observations about the current state of health care in America. He said, "When it comes to the cost of our health care, then, the status quo is unsustainable. Reform is not a luxury, but a necessity. I know there has been much discussion about what reform would cost, and rightly so. This is a test of whether we - Democrats and Republicans alike - are serious about holding the line on new spending and restoring fiscal discipline. But let there be no doubt - the cost of inaction is greater. If we fail to act, premiums will climb higher, benefits will erode further, and the rolls of uninsured will swell to include millions more Americans."

As the health reform debate continues, the overriding goal for me is, and always will be, providing the opportunity for every American to access quality care. The debate over how we expand coverage has received the most focus and it is very important that we get it right when we develop new insurance options for patients. I will continue to advocate for a system that gives Americans more choices including a "public option." I strongly support a public option health plan because I believe enhanced competition in the health care market will reduce cost and promote innovation.

But there are several other issues receiving much less national attention that I view as equally important to the success of our reform efforts. I have been particularly focused on ensuring that we have an adequate number of doctors and nurses to support our new health system; bringing a new emphasis to primary and preventive care so that we can catch health problems before patients become very sick and reduce cost; and finding ways to bring health services to the patient through "place-based health care." I have introduced legislation to support each of these goals and have worked to make them a part of the broader health care reform debate. Additional information about each bill can be accessed through my www.sarbanes.house.gov/health.

As a member of both the Health Subcommittee and the full Energy and Commerce Committee, I have participated in scores of hearings on all aspects of our health care system. In late June, making use of what we learned in these hearings, the Congressional panels that claim jurisdiction over various elements of health care policy - Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor - released a tri-committee discussion draft for comment and revision. More recently, the Chairmen of these three committees have introduced legislation that builds on the discussion draft and incorporates ideas that were generated in response to that document. I am pleased that several of my legislative proposals discussed above have been incorporated into the broader health reform bill. The committee has now begun formal consideration of the legislation and it is my hope that we will be able to report a bill to the full House of Representatives in the near future. For more information about the bill, go to the Energy and Commerce Committee here: www.energycommerce.house.gov.

I understand and respect that this is a very personal issue for many Americans. In the end, I believe it is possible to make intelligent reforms to our health care system that expand coverage and improve quality of care. I also believe there are many areas where we can reduce cost by eliminating waste and making our system more efficient. The status quo is unsustainable and I am convinced that long term economic security will be elusive until we fix our health care system. I look forward to your continued feedback as the process unfolds in the coming weeks and months.



Sincerely,

John Sarbanes

Member of Congress

Health Care Reform: An interesting point

I saw the following point on Real Clear Politics:

"Of the ~ 45 million uninsured, about 1/3 are citizens of other countries (almost all breaking US law by being here), about 1/3 have chosen not to buy insurance, or are already eligible for other programs (Medicaid, etc.) but have chosen not to sign up. This leaves about 15 million charity cases to address. Obama plans to disrupt the current arrangements of about 250 million people to "solve" this problem. Of course the real goal is not health care, but to put 18% of the economy under Government control. As people become aware of this, they are not happy."

Therein lies the dichotomy of the problem. Mr. Obama wants to completely disrupt economy, to merely cover less than 6% of the population. The only way to do something to halt this insanity is to write you congressmen and senators and simply ask them if they will accept the coverage of the public option if they vote affimatively

Health Care Reform: A Question for Congress

I have sent this same basic email to several sites of the past couple of days. I have yet to have a simple basic question answered by anyone. It is a question that I firmly believe is important and fundamental to the health care debate. Here is a copy of a letter I sent to my Congressman, John Sarbanes, D MD. I have yet to receive a reasonable answer.

"Dear Mr. Sarbanes,
I would like you, personally, to answer one simple question:

If HB 3200 is such a good bill for this country, WHY is/are Congress, the President, VP, and all federal employees specifically exempt from the provisions of this bill?

After all, if it is good enough for the rest of us, it SHOULD be good enough for you, your family, Congress, the President and all federal employees.

Richard A. Vail"


I would genuinely, like to get a reasoned answer to this question. It's not one I've seen asked, or answered. Because, I sure can't seem to get one anywhere else. Thank you for your assistance, I just keep hitting a stone wall.