Your Vote: Paper or Plastic?

Super Duper Tuesday came with a distinct buzz here in California...

Signs appeared on streets and students became human billboards...all in the name of their favorite candidate.

I went to my local voting station, a modest room in a nearby apartment complex, and waited for my turn to vote. I overhead a conversation going on between the volunteers as I waited.

"We're having them go to the machine first." "Now that we have it working, try to get them to use the machine instead of the paper ballots."

I, being the loudmouth patriot you know and love, quickly spoke up and asked, "What do you mean, try to get us to use the machine?!? Why?"

"Well, we're running out of paper ballots, so we are trying to get people to use the machine first, so that we don't run out of ballots."

Was this a nightmare? I looked over to the machine they were referring to. When I had first entered the building, it was opened up, and someone was working on it. It was very small, portable, and frail looking...certainly not the picture of security and infallibility.

My blood got hot, and my face probably betrayed my emotion. They quickly assured me that I could have a paper ballot.

Oh...thanks...

So, I took my ballot and went to my low-tech voting station...just the way I like it.

But the story doesn't end there. As I was carefully marking my votes, I overheard yet another telling conversation between the volunteers. Apparently, only half of the list had shown up to vote, which was about 200 out of approximately 400 voters.

So, let me get this straight. We are running out of ballots even though only half of the expected voters have shown up? How does that make sense?

Shouldn't there be at least as many ballots as we have voters?

America's answer to health "insurance"; Health Unions

This is a short video from a woman who is part of the online community Current.com. It's short, concise, and speaks volumes...don't you think?

Let's cut to the chase here, our current health-care system just isn't working. The fact that we just continue to accept this failure makes me feel a bit too much like a sheep awaiting slaughter. When did we become the fuel that runs “their” profit machines? More importantly, when did we decide to accept our fate as nothing more than batteries in this great wasteful country?

I, for one, am sick of it. Pun intended…

The purpose of this post is not to delve into the feasibility, or common sense, of universal health care. The purpose of this post is to suggest another alternative.

We, the people...

Those words, at one time, meant something. Heck, those words are meaningful enough to be the introduction to our declaration of independence. What do those words mean today? We, the people, today represent nothing more than opportunities for profit; numbers on a balance sheet.

We can point our fingers, and give all the blame to the vultures who would have us for dinner, but that wouldn't exactly be just. We have convinced ourselves that we are helpless at the hands of our government. Instead of demanding more from our public servants, we continue to choose the lesser of the evils...

Then, we ask the government nicely if they wouldn't mind please giving us health insurance. Pretty please? Its no wonder nothing has happened; we aren't really asserting ourselves, are we? And let's not fool ourselves into thinking the government is unaware of our plight. Medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy in this country, and it's projected, and accepted, that Medi-care will bankrupt the nation as a whole by mid-century.

But that's not the point of this post either...

It's time we take matters into our own hands.

Ever heard of a credit union? The non-profit of banking offers "members" more lucrative interest rates, reduced fees, and other benefits. This is only possible because groups of people get together and decide to cut out the middleman. Strength in numbers can be a powerful thing when put to use.

My last post showed how easy it would be to cut out the middleman on a national level but, until that happens, we need a better way. There are, quite literally, lives at stake, and we need a solution yesterday.

I believe, that with resources available to us, there is no reason why we cannot, today, create a non-profit insurance company that would serve the interests of it's members above all else. An insurance company, by the people, for the people, and above all, not for profit…

How exactly would it work? I'll not pretend to be an accounting genius, but I'll bet there are plenty of geniuses out there who do have an interest in seeing something like this happen. I guarantee that we could get some of the biggest minds, and even bigger pocketbooks, on board with an idea like this.

What if you paid for your insurance, like you or your employer do now, only you actually got the care that you need? What if your "health union" provided materials, lessons, and resources for healthy living in addition to critical care?
Preventative care in America?
As you may know, many of the conditions that aile us are easily preventable.
Yes, I said easily.

Knowing this, I submit that a health union would best serve its members by providing incentives to live healthier lives, as well as providing the necessary vehicles for change.

Potential “perks” could include, at low or no cost:

• Fitness training for home-bound, special case, or other
• Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates classes for ALL age levels (these are amazing tools for older patients)
• Access to a dietary nutritionist
• Prescribed, customized, diet plans (not just for diabetics!)
• Cardio clubs
• Gym memberships
• Addiction/Action support groups
• etc.

Even better, not only could these services be provided, but members could also be rewarded monetarily for taking advantage of these health management tools. Attend yoga regularly? That's x number of dollars off your membership fees!

Not only would this mean that patients would NEVER be denied care, but it also would lead to healthier members who, in turn, would require less care.

Is this making sense?

What do you do, when there's nothing you can do? It's time that we show them that we CAN and WILL do…

We will not allow our government, our lives and our futures to be hijacked. We will not allow corporate deals, and government neglect to leave our health at risk any longer.

Even today, with a presidential election around the corner, our candidates are not fully prepared to take on this challenge. Though she will claim that healthcare is a top priority, Hillary Clinton’s plan leaves us empty handed, much as we are now. Obama’s plan is the closest that I have seen to what I am suggesting here, as a last ditch effort. He, at least, proposes a plan that leaves no one turned away, and promises affordable rates along with subsidies as necessary.

Again, I will stress that we shouldn’t wait any longer for our “elected” politicians to do this for us. We need to use our market to our own advantage, and not the other way around.

Competition is intended to benefit us, not to corner us in a world that we can’t afford to live in.

Expect more. Demand more. Let’s take our health into our own hands, and leave the insurance companies to follow suit, or rot. That’s exactly what these corporations and our own government have done to us; so, if we can’t beat ‘em, let’s join ‘em, and show these jerks how the game is REALLY played…

H.R. 676 - What's the deal?

I'm 26 years young, and I can't remember the last time I went to the doctor...

Or the dentist for that matter. In fact, I'm in bed as I write this, sick with a nasty chest cold... Go to the doctor, you say?!?

I laugh in the face of such wild suggestions. You see, I'm uninsured. As a small business owner, I don't have an employer to help me with the cost of insurance, and at my young age, it simply isn't a priority. If the money isn't there...Oh well.

From outside appearances, you would see a healthy, vivacious young woman...but what would a doctor or dentist see? I don't know, because I just can't afford the cost of going to see a doctor. I am one of 47 million Americans who do not have access to health insurance or care. Don't glaze that number over, think about the scale we're talking about. 47 MILLION Americans have no access to medical care. 8.7 million of those Americans are children.

What would you do if you could guarantee health care to every single American? To every child? To every young adult such as myself? If you could, would you?

You have that opportunity, and the amazing thing is, you can give and receive all in the same action. Allow me to explain...

America, privately and publicly, is projected to spend $2,776 billion in the year 2010, on healthcare alone. That's $1,305 billion spent by the government, and $1,471 billion in private spending. We can agree, that's A LOT of money, right?

Where is all that money going? This question should be at the center of the debate on National Health Insurance. Why does it cost so much to carry insurance or to pick up a prescription? Why does the USA have the poorest rated health care among all developed countries, even when it comes to simple things like immunization?

You can start with the $278 billion that is spent on administrative tasks ALONE. Doctors and hospitals have to spend this money in order to interface with the complicated insurance system. In addition, the insurance companies themselves spend a small fortune in non-health related areas such as sales, marketing, underwriting, and of course, extravagant executive salaries. It has been projected that a full 31% of American health care dollars are wasted on these unnecessary expenses.

So, in the end, how much would it cost to insure every single American? Well, actually, the basic numbers show a SAVINGS of $387 billion per year, in addition to an overage of new funds. A savings? We can provide comprehensive medical coverage to every single American, and actually spend LESS? Yes, that's exactly what the numbers are telling us.

So, who will pay for these 47 million Americans? Here's the thing...Together, we will all provide health care to each other. Even if you are currently insured, you will spend less, and get more comprehensive care. Even better, your employer will spend less on insurance, and therefore be more profitable, facilitating bigger and better pay raises or other benefits.

No matter how you look at it, it's just more economical if we cut out that pricey, for-profit, middle man.

Here's the fiscal breakdown: For the average American, the only cost associated with NHI will be a 3.3% payroll tax. Needless to say, that's significantly lower than the deductibles, co-pays, and premiums that you currently pay, even if you have insurance through your employer. This tax alone will raise $538 billion. That pretty much covers the average Americans contribution to National Health Insurance. But what about the rest of the money, where will that come from?

This bill also includes a tax surcharge of 5% on the richest 5% of taxpayers, and 10% on the richest 1%, raising $200 billion. Reversing the tax cuts of 2001 and 2002 will bring in an additional $251 billion, and a reduction in CORPORATE WELFARE will save us an additional $100 billion. Last, but not least, a .25% stock transfer tax will raise $150 billion.

All together, that's $1,259 billion per year in new revenue. Combine that with the $387 billion savings from cutting out the administrative fluff, and you have a combined total of $1,646 billion which far exceeds the $1,187 billion that we need to replace the current multi-payer system.

Unfair to the wealthy you say? While the wealthiest among us may pay more tax, they too will reap the benefits, probably on an even larger scale. It's safe to say that those in the wealthiest 1% are business owners, who will no longer have to provide insurance to their employees, a huge savings. In addition, they will be left with a healthier group of consumers, with more money in their pockets. Sounds good to me!

It's amazing to me that this great nation, the great United States of America that I idolized as a child, is so lacking in common sense and humanity. We serve, literally, as an example to other developed nations, as what NOT to do. Other nations see our morbidly bloated health care costs as a side effect of a multi-payer system, and they are smart enough to go the other direction.

Health care is not a luxury; it's not a privilege; it should be a basic right in any civilized society that has the capability to provide it. Health care should not be exploited to the benefit of multi-billion dollar companies, yet that's what's happening every day. Americans should never be denied care in the name of increasing profits, yet countless insured Americans are sick and/or die because they have been denied care, all at the hands of a far-off insurance company.

Is the American government at work for the American people, or are the American people nothing more than tools for the profit of government workers?

Will you take care of tomorrows leaders, or today's lobbyists?

America needs change, and I can't think of a better place to start than by taking care of Americans first. It's more than just health care; it's taking a stance on American principles and priorities.

Together, we can see the next stage of American evolution; we can put people over profit.

Is this all we're capable of?

So, let me get this straight... The United States of America, supposed super power, was prepared to go to war over a nuclear program that simply does not exist?

How is it that WE had the intelligence, within our government agencies, and within our military, LAST SUMMER, yet we still had discussions about going to war with Iran? Are we truly that incompetent? Did our intelligence agencies actually screw up that badly?

My guess is that our efforts to go to war with Iran had little or nothing to do with nuclear weapons. This looks a lot like a bad sequel to Iraq.

Let's cut the crap. If the US really was interested in facts, we'd be dealing in facts. If we were really concerned with the plausibility of nuclear weapons in Iran, then these notes would have surfaced much sooner. While we are CLEARLY not the all seeing, technologically advanced nation that you see in movies, we ARE at least capable of getting last years notes to the president...Aren't we?

So, what's really going on? Why did Bush predict a nuclear holocaust in his August 29th speech in Reno this year? Why, despite the information our government had LAST SUMMER, was he publicly discussing the possibility of WWIII; because of Iran?!?

I think we know that the answer to this question is in your gas tank. The answer to this question is all around you, in the products that you buy, in the food that you eat. It's in every item that gets shipped from one side of the world to the other, for your buying pleasure...

The answer, as you know my friend, is oil. Duh, right? Well then WTF? How can we sit back and watch this administration beat it's war drums for one oil rich nation after another? Did you know that there is not a single organization that is tracking Iraqi civilian casualties? That tells me, and the rest of the world, that neither "elected" Iraqi officials, nor the mighty USA, cares about the plight of actual Iraqis.

Many, many thousands are being murdered, and no one seems to notice.

Iran was, and maybe still is, next on this administration's list.

It's not about Nukes, at least not for us. It's about creating our own little middle eastern colony. It's about bringing DEMOCRACY to the middle east. Don't believe me? Do a little research. They've got a plan not only for the middle east, but for SPACE DOMINATION. I wish I was kidding...

Clearly, our own "democracy" is not going so well, so I say, let's focus on the MULTITUDE of problems that we have here at home before we beat any more war drums.

Who knows, we just might save a life or two...

Center for Constitutional Rights - Guantanamo Bay

This is a tv spot paid for the by the Center for Constitutional Rights, featuring actor and activist Danny Glover. It's airing only in DC, and was refused by FOX news for the following reason.

"We cannot approve the spot with it being Danny Glover's opinion that the Bush Administration is destroying the Constitution. If you have documentation that it is indeed being destroyed, we can look at that. Sorry about that,"

A letter to Senator Diane Feinstein

Dear Senator Feinstein:

Thank you for your response. While it's clearly well written, I somehow failed to be moved by your form letter.

I would like to be one among many to tell you that my number one concern is not for our past, or even the wrongdoings of this administration, but instead, I am deeply concerned about our immediate future.

I, and many like me, feel that allowing this administration to stay in office for another year could lead to dire consequences as well as the further decay of our Constitution and ideals.

As our President has pointed out, WWIII could be brought about by the actions of a relatively small and, with all due respect, nearly powerless nation. I am not comfortable with a President who considers WWIII to be an option. I am not comfortable with a President who sees threats of WWIII as a diplomatic bargaining chip. He has sent a message to the world, and now the American people have a message for him.

When it comes to this administration, American citizens do not want to "stay the course".

Your role is to represent the people. It is not to do as you see fit against the will of the people. I had the idea in my mind, that as a San Franciscan, as a Californian, and as an American, you would be in touch with the current of our society. We want him impeached. We will ask, then we will demand. Far too many people have died, and far too much has been sacrificed.

Please support the impeachment of Dick Cheney. When the time comes, please support the impeachment of George W. Bush. If you listen to the people, you can't go wrong. Please check the polls. When you realize that we will support you and celebrate you, perhaps you will feel differently. I hope you make us proud.

Sincerely,
Angelina ******
San Jose, CA

Why we MUST make an effort to impeach corrupt gov. officials...

The calls for impeachment are getting louder... Miraculously, there are those of you who are actually AGAINST the impeachment of Dick Cheney, and George "WWIII" Bush. Some of you say that we need to focus on next year's election, and impeachment would only be a distraction. Others say that if we try to impeach characters like Cheney and Bush, that we will only fail, making fools of ourselves, and embarrassing the democratic party.

Whatever the case may be, allow me to present an argument for why we MUST make an effort to impeach not only Cheney, not only Bush, but each and every political figure who abuses the position they have been given.

As Americans, we are at a major crossroad. We have just endured nearly two terms with an administration that has desecrated our constitution, started unfounded wars, and generally alienated the public and the world at large. We have a President who makes references to the possibility of WWIII. We have a President who has unlawfully suspended habeas corpus, and has severely infringed upon our civil rights and privacy.

We are so off track, in so many ways, that a new president will not be the cure-all that so many of you are hoping for. If we allow these crimes to go unchecked, if we simply ignore the elephant in the room, and hope the next administration is better, then we have no hope for change. It simply won't work. The next President won't be better, because the limits have been tested, and they will know what they can get away with. This administration has set the precedent, and now it's up to us to tell the world if we are willing to take it lying down. It's up to us to tell the world that this is not the American way.

We need to send a clear message to our government workers, corporate entities, and the rest of the world. We will NOT stand for the desecration of our constitution. We will NOT allow anyone to instigate and initiate unfounded wars in our name, and with our resources, human or otherwise. We DO stand for freedom. We DO stand for equality (let's start by acknowledging Iraqi civilian casualties as being equally important). We DO aspire to peace.

It's silly, but in my mind, I imagine our national transformation to be a lot like the transformation of a hero in a kung fu movie. Imagine it; We are at our weakest point, at the lowest of lows, riddled with disease, corruption, (and a plummeting dollar); until we are on the brink of death. Miraculously, we don't die...we transform into something greater than ourselves. As we awake from our long slumber, waves of change and powerful energy emminate out from us, effecting all in our path. That's how we can make a real change in the world. That's how we can usher in a new era; after the oil. We first have to make a change from within, which is why we are constitutionally obligated to seek the impeachment of Cheney, Bush, and a long line of other corrupt government officials.

Perhaps they didn't know it then, but this administration is exactly what the founding fathers had in mind when impeachment was designed. If we do not make an effort to impeach those who have treacherously offended our great nation with acts of treason, then we are in league with them, and we are fully responsible for Bush's next war with (insert oil-rich country here). It is at this crossroad where we must decide who we will be tomorrow.

Impeachment=Change