Op Ed: Corporate Funds
Crushing Democratic
Decisions On Issues

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Terry Markee July 3, 2009 11:43 am (Pacific time)

Daniel I also saw the video with Helen Thomas and Chip Reid, and agree with your interpretation that it will be a short-lived event. Maybe not though. You hear about the Washington Post and the Lobby connection? The reporters at the WP got pretty steamed and the lobbying party was cancelled. My wife has been a high school teacher in Portland and currently in Beaverton, for over thirty years now and she's been fortunate not to have had to deal with the high drop out rates at the schools she's been at, but we're losing a lot of kids, and their futures are pretty bleak. This downward slide has been impacting the entire national public school system for quite some time now, at least since the 1970's from the data I've seen my wife provide. I also read Paul Krugman every now and then and his "Committing treason against the whole planet," June 30, it was about as unscientific a view as I can imagine and smacks of nothing so much as the church's earlier attempts to silence those who disagreed with it's interpretation of the bible. In my opinion, especially since I've read in numerous reports that the earth as been in a cooling trend for 11 years, that global warming is essentially a politically motivated behavior-change device. Though lowering pollution is a no-brainer, but then we have the millions of tons of it coming here on the prevailing winds from China, India and elsewhere. I expect much higher prices for all consumer goods as energy prices impact costs in everything. It just won't be your private residences utility costs. It will be like a value added tax.

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Daniel Johnson July 2, 2009 8:12 pm (Pacific time)

I watched the link to the whitehouse press conference supplied by Kirk and, much as I support Obama, I could see the possibility of a press revolt here, revolting against being controlled and manipulated. Unfortunately, I think it is going to be a one minute wonder and that will be the end of that.

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Henry Ruark July 2, 2009 7:57 pm (Pacific time)

To all: First-shots in inevitable GOP campaign to invalidate long overdue corporate tax and 70-year long laughable "ten bucks minmum" corporate tax, used by two thirds of Oregon corporate operations, has begun --precisely as OpEd here set it out very recently. GOP is claiming "thousands of job losses inevitaable" due to these fully justified, long-overdue wise action elected representative decisions obviously in the full interest of the Oregon commonweal, with very small actual rises, especially in sight of the decades-long easy-take/time already on record in this state. Again, do not allow GOP's carefully-crafted descriptions to throw off your full easy understanding of reality. The job-loss/cited is based on assumptions by economists involved on many key characteristics of the Oregon situation, open to estimate by them in preparation. One revealing story is the old one about the economist asked to estimate costs involved for opening cans -- and he replied" "First we must assume a can-opener" --clearly leaving open realistic costs sure to occur but thus open to "assumptions" shaping the operation. You get the picture...to which I will add only that a request for details on how the job losses were arrived at, sent to economists involved, has yet to draw anything but silence and no response.

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Henry Ruark July 2, 2009 5:37 pm (Pacific time)

Kirk: Re yrs on WHpress conference, "see a;sl" TIME 6 July issue with special report making very clear how long it took even for New Deal/FDR impacts on Great Depression unemployment. Must remember Obama, faced with even greater issues, problems, costs, involvements worldwide, less clout with Congress, is now just barely beyond 100-day starting impact and with every right to expect stimulus only just now beginning to run about two years for planned effect. Patience, friend Kirk. This ain't easy, demands time,needs full citizen support for the President rather than simple false "political principle" unwise, unfair, damaging opposition. Re hs drop/out rate in Oregon, that is complex situation due mainly to the economic climate, personal and family surround and relationships, and other factors not by any means within OREdDept. control. Here I speak from decade of coping with change process then demanded for unique federal funding media installation programs, as well as professional preparation at OSU (M.Ed.) and Indiana U. (Ed. D. abd.), qualifications cited strictly for your information. Do you have comparable experience or background ? If so, cite it for further dialog on professionally recognizable factors and situations; always glad to learn from someone else's travails while at work in actual life situations. ("Sincere"in both these to you, to share worthwhile added information...)

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Henry Ruark July 2, 2009 5:20 pm (Pacific time)

Kirk: Watched the Gibbs show twice through, felt for him in the circumstances. NOT at all surprised at either Thomas or Chip Reid, fairly normal for many WH conferences. Knew Thomas slightly years ago, do NOT know Reid at that level. BUT clearly the incident much overplayed, perhaps due to use on Coulter website --which for any devotee of ethical journalism is all that need ever be said. Have you ever attended a WH conference ? Have had that privilege a time or two, long ago, and thus have some more normal background vs this one, which is where my "So what ?" comes from... Re issue they battered, the questions in Obama session openly, honestly selected, and represent straight public opinion, at least for those qualified to judge it when found. Re "stacking" such open session as that one, it is nearly impossible to do in that format, requiring ability to set up responses and make sure they become "selected" at precisely the "right" time. Have you ever experienced any work with such presentations ? If so, you can recognize my points' if NOT they may seem simply like fast words to avoid issue here. Let me assure you that is NOT the case. Situations as described above right out of sharp recall, documented by work records at the time, including long-ago intermittent notes to Thomas re my involvement with issue she happened to be covering. Here feel she showing the frustration all too common in aging reporter found deeply involved in further-angering spat with sharp WH press secretary --thus forming fine material for such as Coulter source. Further check on source shows full display of other program bits available--every one of same kind, same intent, same malignity. "See with own eyes" via your link, and then "evaluate with own mind", too. Do NOT be benighted by the propaganda pieces all too often now inserted on similar Far Right-devoted websites as this one. Make sure to seek out same story coverage for their "hot issues" in other press channels --and, if they are missing, THEEN become a bit suspicious of what's being sold on these sources.

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Kirk July 2, 2009 12:21 pm (Pacific time)

Here is a link to yesterday's whitehouse briefing with Chip Reid and Helen Thomas that shows a discussion dealing with the recent townhall healthcare function. It is an incredible thing to watch. It's as though something finally froze over and some farm animals have started flying. http://www.thehopeforamerica.com/play.php?id=1388

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Kirk July 2, 2009 6:34 am (Pacific time)

Our unemployment rate is still going up as per the unemployment claims for June. We are now at 9.5%, but as reported if you add in those who have exhausted benefits and have stopped looking it's at 16.5%. This does not count the recent college and high school graduates looking for work. Speaking of high school graduates, the Oregon Department of Education reported 6/30/09 that approximately 1/3 of high schoolers in Oregon do not graduate. So I wonder what the plan is now? Continue dropping graduate requirements? How are these people going to be absorped into the work force with no marketable skills? Are we going to be like it is in europe where chronic double digit unemployment is the norm? These are serious questions that need to be addressed as we head down the road of even larger government spending coupled with diminishing revenue to pay for it. California is the 8th largest economy on the planet, look what has happened there, and still they are raising taxes and fees. Insanity. Catch Helen Thomas on CNN recently about the healthcare townhall meeting yesterday? Eye-opening comments from this journeyman reporter.

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Chris Sullivan July 1, 2009 1:32 pm (Pacific time)

Does anyone know of a case where a government has spent it's way out of a recession? I've been researching that possibility and have come up empty. I have read where excessive government spending has prolonged a recession/depression. Seems that California, on a state level, is a real time model for that reality.

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Henry Ruark July 1, 2009 8:43 am (Pacific time)

Kirk: Tax policy myth re hard times depends on many factors, with rise in revenue sometimes as demanded as cuts. Please cite documentation for your statement, sir. There is plenty for other-view, with decades of solid study and experience worldwide,including relatively huge deficits which represent hidden-rises since demanding payment-later--often the only action open to govt. at that time. For bckgrnd on many nations over decades see "Commanding Heights" classic in this field, just re-read. OR "So Damned Much Money" also cited here previously. Time doth not permit full ID for books this a.m.; will send later today for all serious readers.

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Henry Ruark June 30, 2009 8:57 am (Pacific time)

To all: "Betraying the Planet" is the title of Paul Krugman's probing very-pointed Op Ed today. Here's "see with own eyes" ending-pghs excerpt. See the rest for evaluation YOURSELF at www.nytimes.com: "Given this contempt for hard science, I’m almost reluctant to mention the deniers’ dishonesty on matters economic. But in addition to rejecting climate science, the opponents of the climate bill made a point of misrepresenting the results of studies of the bill’s economic impact, which all suggest that the cost will be relatively low. "Still, is it fair to call climate denial a form of treason? Isn’t it politics as usual? "Yes, it is — and that’s why it’s unforgivable. "Do you remember the days when Bush administration officials claimed that terrorism posed an “existential threat” to America, a threat in whose face normal rules no longer applied? That was hyperbole — but the existential threat from climate change is all too real. " "Yet the deniers are choosing, willfully, to ignore that threat, placing future generations of Americans in grave danger, simply because it’s in their political interest to pretend that there’s nothing to worry about. If that’s not betrayal, I don’t know what is." ----------------- Could not have written it better myself...!!

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Kirk June 30, 2009 6:18 am (Pacific time)

There is plenty of time for information dealing with both the National Health and Cap/Trade legislation for the voters to provide plenty of feedback to congress. My bet is on those politicans who want to keep their job will listen to the people on these two items. Anyone notice that Germany has now proposed to lower taxes to help stimulate their economy? This is what past models show is the only way to shorten an economic recession. Good for Germany.

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Henry Ruark June 29, 2009 3:48 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Healthcare in various forms is under probing examination in Congress and elsewhere. Here's OCPP information to keep YOU informed. Unfortunately links do not show up in this excerpt; check www.OCPP.org for easy access. We will return to dialog on this key issue shortly. --------------------- www.OCPP.org. Making Sense of Health Reform Proposals Before Congress adjourned last Friday for its July 4 recess, a number of congressional committees released draft health reform bills and provided other draft documents that give clues about the direction health reform is taking. That direction is tracked in the resources that follow. Community Catalyst has summarized the bill being considered by three committees in the House -- Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor. The summary of this "Tri-Committee bill" can be found here. Community Catalyst has also summarized the draft legislation being considered by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. That summary can be found here. The Kaiser Family Foundation has launched a website that compares various features of these proposals, plus the Senate Finance Committee's policy options papers, the President's plan, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden's Healthy Americans Act and others. Kaiser promises to update the website as the committees make changes to their proposals. House and Senate committees will resume consideration of their respective bills when Congress reconvenes on Monday, July 6.

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Henry Ruark June 29, 2009 2:23 pm (Pacific time)

To all: "The path of least resistance and least trouble is a mental rut already made. It requires troublesome work to undertake the alternation of old beliefs. Self-conceit often regards it as a sign of weakness to admit that a belief to which we have once committed ourselves is wrong. We get so identified with an idea that it is literally a "pet" notion and we rise to its defense and stop our eyes and ears to anything different" --- John Dewey -------------------- Should help some to understand and appreciate "denial", in its many psychological forms.

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Henry Ruark June 28, 2009 12:45 pm (Pacific time)

"Anon": Yours is worth precisely what you make of it by your refusal to sign your own words, even with pseudonynm. Re Constitution, that's open to dialog with multiple examples of when, what, why from past wars, agencies and agreements via treaties. Even yr use of word is in error; see def.: subordination (as in "submissiveness")n:the quality of obedient submissiveness. As in submissiveness to law as set up internationally, or as in UN agencies in which we take lead role, and often also funding for worldwide action clearly in our own interests. SO worthless words are worth just that when willingly examined by simple cogitation built on realities easily seen and widely understood. One on which world consensus stands strongly is fact of the growing pollution and other damage as private-profit has been allowed to pillage and plunder our natural resources, leavin the inevitable cleanup demanded for ANY survival to what can ONLY now be accomplished by international effort, coupled with wise and rapid internal action by every nation. Like this act or not, at least it is a start on that specific extremely threatening problem. What do YOU propose, from laissez faire inebriation ? Do YOU own heavy holdings in current energy production OR oil-drill future takings ? Are YOU perhaps employed by PR firm for one or t'other of those perpetrators ? We know you not, and you give us no reason to believe what you words purport to tell us...while the real message is simply "do nothing...and all will be well !!"

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Henry Ruark June 28, 2009 8:30 am (Pacific time)

Martin: We all know there are great differences among us all in life-experience. The issues you speak of here reflect that situation well. BUT what's also true is that fact,and not political fiction based on misinformation and misunderstandings, must always prevail if we are to make wise decision for the commonweal. SO your thoughts appreciated here --and we honor your service to the nation, sir-- but we still need more than your personal feelings to substantiate what you say. On thorough re-reading here it is possible to destroy your very point by simple reference of known and tested facts from national sources well-trusted world-wide. BUT neither patience nor time will allow that reproaching action, nor will space here allow reflection on you rown full responsibilities for public statement. SO, until and unless you provide detailed documentation for them all, we must simply put your own words in the envelope of life experience you have shared with us --part of the essential ID for any source to be trusted-- and compare/contrast it with well-documented many-source statements in the Op Ed, whose main points it in no way even begins to change. Facts are facts; distorted statements perverting reality, no matter on whose lifetime they are based, do nothing but defy and delay the demands we must face in the 21st Century. Your participation well and truly appreciated here, within that unavoidable context we all must face --again, strong reason to illuminate from whence we cometh for all to know and understand.

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Anonymous June 28, 2009 8:20 am (Pacific time)

Even Kucinich voted against cap and trade! This bill also has some provisions that has some future unnamed federal officals that will be required to go to the UN for getting directions when and if a world energy policy is created. Look at our Constitution , we do not subordinate ourselves to any other government body.

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Martin June 27, 2009 5:32 pm (Pacific time)

I think it's highly unlikely that this cap and trade will pass the senate. They will have enough votes to keep a philibuster going at the very least, and maybe even get 51+ votes against. This will probably also be where the national health bill will be stopped. Considering that half of our electricity comes from coal, and a significant percentage comes from oil and natural gas, one would have to be deluded to think green energy at it's present development level could offset even our current energy needs, much less forcasted needs. It will be interesting to see if the House Bill gets leaked out in it's current form so it can be analyzed for content. The American public needs to see it so they can assess those who voted for it and why they did not read the bill before voting for it as reported in the major media. We all want clean energy, regardless of the global warming scenario, which more and more scientists see as lacking supporting evidence. Al Gore and many others, have become incredibly wealthy based on this green energy scheme, expect more on this to be made public. Does anyone know of someplace where this has worked? Spain's green energy program has been an utter disaster. Heck look at our ethanol program. It causes poor gas mileage while driving up animal feed and food prices. It's as though someone or some people want to destroy our entire economy. With our growing unemployment, resulting in decreased tax revenue, this is utter madness to cause even a tiny increase in energy costs. So many people at the financial breaking point, it may be the proverbial straw that send us into a deeper recession. I heard in Spain, that for every 4 energy jobs created, the economy lost 9 jobs and it cost them hundred of thousands of dollars to create each green job. Our domestic market only hires when they need more people to work, which is constant. No cost in that employment/job process.

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Henry Ruark June 27, 2009 10:46 am (Pacific time)

To all and Scott: The Waxman-Markey bill just passed by House action is the vehicle for Pres. Obama's program for energy reform and rehabilitation. The whole program is under conservative distortion and attack because it strikes at the heart of heavy profits now threatened by major pollutant industries resisting inevitable, irreversible, and unavoidable change. Here's excerpt from Media Matters reporting actuality of these attacks: www.mediamatters.org. (Excerpt) "Indeed, portraying the legislation as a massive financial penalty for ordinary Americans is a major line of attack for media conservatives. "Thursday's Fox and Friends claimed that the average family would have to pay an extra $3,100 a year in energy costs if it passed. But that number is based on a distortion of a 2007 MIT study -- a distortion that has since been discredited by one of the study's authors. "Fox's Sean Hannity also pushed a similar myth, claiming that the bill would cost families $2,000 a year. "Entirely absent from these critiques is the result of a recent Congressional Budget Office analysis that found that the bill's net impact to households would eventually range between a benefit of $40 per year and a cost of $340 per year, with an average cost of $175 per year. "Hannity isn't the only one ignoring this crucial study while claiming the bill will lead to far higher costs; "CNN's The Situation Room and Lou Dobbs Tonight and Fox News' Special Report and On the Record with Greta van Susteren have also repeated the misinformation or failed to challenge guests who advanced it. "Unfortunately, as of June 23, none of them had reported on the new CBO study." -------------------- House parliamentary actions now press on to the Senate the absolute necessity for some action on these crucial matters. Dismay at desperate tactics is highly relevant here but the reality is that probing, extended, authoritative study has already occurred, done by academia, industry, and government. Further examination is a sure thing in the Senate. SO NOW is the time for full dialog preparing YOUR stance on this demanded action and YOUR voice to elected reps.who can still act under sworn oath for the public interest. Thanks to Scott for keying attention NOW to this issue... one more of many emphasized in these Op Eds...

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Henry Ruark June 26, 2009 5:30 pm (Pacific time)

Scott et al: It is purely wondrous to behold what can often be accomplished, rapidly and by simple parliamentary insert, when fatcat former colleagues now lavish lobbyists come around carting those newly- fancied forms of Čshionable cash as "corporate campaign contributions", often now accompanied by imported "Main St. level" citizens set on serving own economic interests regardless of what the nation now demonstratively needs. Long-recognized political pressure points now are giving way to big-bagged bounties bestowed as benefits and somehow kept concealed via camouflage and creative other means, but still magnificently malign and massively damaging to the tattered remnants of what our Founders intended as a republican resolution of huge political promise, in 1776-1883 (official end of the (first) American Revolution, unofficial start of party politics.)

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Scott June 26, 2009 4:25 pm (Pacific time)

I can't believe the S-N folks and contributors aren't screaming their heads off right now as the House votes on this joke called "Cap and Trade", aka the "Waxman-Markey" bill. 300 pages dropped in last night, a "placeholder" blank spot in the bill for "later revision", and nobody's even read the thing...

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Henry Ruark June 26, 2009 4:16 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Here's link to powerful and documented statement titled "Deadly Reasons to Defeat Incumbents" at www. informationnclearinghouse.org. with additional points re the continuance of our two wasting wars: (Excerpt) "Right now, 22,000 Americans die each year because they cannot afford health care[xi]. That’s an average of 60 deaths every day. These ghastly numbers put all the fuss about how much it will cost to insure all Americans in clear perspective. "That the wealthiest nation in history, with a War Department budget of more than $600 billion (actually closer to one trillion dollars if the Energy Department’s nuclear weapons, NASA’s military section, the CIA, and other “national security” expenditures are included), and with an empire of more than 800 military bases in over 130 foreign countries (costing $100 billion per year) cannot afford to provide adequate health care, a human right according to The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to all its citizens, is much worse than a travesty. "It is a national disgrace and a very avoidable tragedy (by the way, our next nearest spending rival in national ‘defense’ is China, with a war budget of $65 billion, or one-tenth ours). "As Jon Soltz puts it: "Let me get this straight. The latest polls say three-quarters of the American people want a public option in health care, yet it's in question. But, Congress is about to throw $369 million (on a down-payment of $2 billion) for a dozen F-22 fighter jets that even the Pentagon doesn't want. "Oh, and the money for it? It's coming out of funds that were set aside to clean up dangerous nuclear waste in the U.S."[xii] "The original 2002 Institute of Medicine study put the figure at 18,000 Americans dying each year due to lack of health care[xiii], but even that lower figure is still horrendous, adding up to more than six times the deaths from the 9/11 terrorist attacks, or six 9/11 attacks each year. "And these are avoidable deaths. ----------------------- Which set of numbers do you CHOOSE to believe ? These OR those calculated for private profit gain by Investors Institute, cited earlier. Please note also international documentation for the factual statement that healthcare is a universally recognized human right --NOT a commodity to be parcelled out at the behest and for the profits of any group. Forgive continuing emphasis on heatlthcare, which ONLY documents and emphasizes the whole point of Op Ed...WE must NOW CHOOSE to allow forced action by others to continue, OR to reassert our American right to choice and reinforce it via that ultimate weapon, the VOTE...in next possible election, but meanwhile via our voices loud and clear to already-elected and SWORN TO THE COMMONWEAL Congresspersons in DC and Legislators in every state.

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Henry Ruark June 26, 2009 2:28 pm (Pacific time)

J.W.: As revealed by overwhelming content clearly dictated by special-interest, yours comes from Investors website. Surely some of its points need full consideration --but just as surely from the painful perspective of the "many", still facing despoilation and domination by the "few"-- here surely and clearly,even if not so cleanly revealed in its most exposing comments. The main one, to be expected from source here, is cost. Facts now known show that's chimera, distortion, even for some perversion, given waste, inefficiencies, AND overwhelming profits extracted now via commoditizing what IS surely a "human right" --in the purssuit of dollar-gain for private interests. That remains the constant and by far the most essential and demanding of all possible understandings shaping any equitable actions to reform a painful --and unnecessarily costly -- human/rights situation we have chosen to allow to be committed --just as we can CHOOSE to remedy NOW, once and for all... It's as if current economic crisis --certainly now very well understood as caused by greed, incompetence, denial of commonweal interest, and many other major points of conflict unavoidable for any who cogitate for themselves, had never happened. BUT they DID, again clearly seen as continuing precisely the same cycles painfully presented ever since the Great One we all now know we are rapidly approaching. SO "see with own eyes" for this statement, too; allow for its generative source; and then --yes !-- "evaluate with own mind", right along with the obvious reasons appended here, now, right in the midst of our open, honest,democratic S=N channel...worth just what YOU will make of it via your own --YES, AGAIN !--very careful cogitation. It is truly, unavoidably, remorselessly, scientifically and sensibly YOUR CHOICE...as in any democracy when the final power is invoked: The VOTE...shaping representative governance as invented by our Founding Fathers.

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Jerry Warner June 26, 2009 12:55 pm (Pacific time)

The below article provides a very brief overview of what has happened to our neighbors to the north, minus the incredible sad stories that have happened to so many of their citizens because of their healthcare programs. It's very informing and shows where we are heading unless we learn from their tragic mistakes. "Canadian Health Care We So Envy Lies In Ruins", Its Architect Admits By DAVID GRATZER (http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=299282509335931andkw=Castonguay) Back in the 1960s, Claude Castonguay chaired a Canadian government committee studying health reform and recommended that his home province of Quebec — then the largest and most affluent in the country — adopt government-administered health care, covering all citizens through tax levies. The government followed his advice, leading to his modern-day moniker: "the father of Quebec medicare." Even this title seems modest; Castonguay's work triggered a domino effect across the country, until eventually his ideas were implemented from coast to coast. Four decades later, as the chairman of a government committee reviewing Quebec health care this year, Castonguay concluded that the system is in "crisis." "We thought we could resolve the system's problems by rationing services or injecting massive amounts of new money into it," says Castonguay. But now he prescribes a radical overhaul: "We are proposing to give a greater role to the private sector so that people can exercise freedom of choice." For Castonguay to advocate this is as if John Maynard Keynes, resting on his British death bed in 1946, had declared that his faith in government interventionism was misplaced. Canada isn't the only country facing a government health care crisis. Britain's system, once the postwar inspiration for many Western countries, is similarly plagued. Both countries trail the U.S. in five-year cancer survival rates, transplantation outcomes and other measures. The problem is that government bureaucrats simply can't centrally plan their way to better health care. Note: Wealthy elites from around the world come to America for the healthcare their nations cannot provide. If not for huge profits here, as unseemly they may be, there would be no more R and D for new drugs and new equipment, which actually keeps costs down and improves people's lives. Nothing is perfect, and these national healthcare programs around the world are heading back to private care. Market forces will always trump government controlled operations. 40 years after the start of the above healthcare program 12% of Canadians do not have a primary doctor. 40 years later!

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Henry Ruark June 26, 2009 10:40 am (Pacific time)

To all: Here's "see with own eyes" current national-source view by award-winning healthcare authoritative writer, supplementing and strengthening dialog with Martin: OpEdNews Original Content at http://www.opednews.com/articles/Delusional-Health-Care-Ref-by-Joel-S-Hirschhorn-090624-647.html June 26, 2009 Delusional Health Care Reform By Joel S. Hirschhorn In the national debate about health care reform absolutely nothing makes less sense than the positive views of much of the public about private health insurers. There is no good reason to have positive views of private health insurers, the companies that have relentlessly increased the costs for very limited health insurance. Copays, deductibles and premiums have raped those lucky enough to have health insurance while also making it very difficult much of the time to get coverage for all kinds of health problems. The US health care system is unbelievably inefficient, providing far less effective health care for what is incredibly high costs, compared to all other industrialized countries. The main reason is the private health insurance industry. If you need solid information to believe this view, then consider these facts. ---------------- SO now you can use link to "see with own eyes, evaluate with own mind" re the reality of our extremely threatening situation vs healthcare. YOUR perception is worth ten thousand Op Ed or dialog words here or anywhere else...just be sure of your source when cogitating the consequences.

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Martin June 26, 2009 7:01 am (Pacific time)

In answer to below question: I have my healthcare through the VA system, I am a disabled veteran. The VA system is heralded by many DC politicans as a model of excellent healthcare. I also have purchased a major medical policy that will cover me for most major procedures if I decide not to use the VA. There have been times where I have spent out of pocket to get second opinions, and on one of those occasions it allowed be to forgo a dangerous surgical procedure. Getting that second opinion took less than one week, and it took over a year to get the VA diagnosis (takes longer now). Years ago getting service at the VA system was certainly no easy task, but you were able to get help in a timely manner. Since the late 1990's it has gotten worse as more veterans have been allowed to use the system. It use to be just for service-connected veterans. Let me give an example, I am considered a top priority veteran because of my varied disabilities that actually add up over 100%. When I call to make an appointment, which use to be done in less than 30 days, it now can take up to two years to see my primary doctor, and that does not count the added time to see referral specialists. There are exceptions, but the time frame is lengthening quickly. I can always go to the VA emergency room, but that is also a crapshoot. Take a priority #8 veteran, when he calls to make an appointment, he essentially gets the same time frame as a priority 1 veteran. Those who use the Portland VA sure know about the parking problem. As I wrote earlier, this over-population of veterans began around 1994 and has continued to get worse. If the DC politicans have so misread the VA medical needs, expect it to be even worse for a national policy. Those private insurance outfits, where nearly 9 out of ten are happy with their service (see below post), will not be able to compete with those who write the rules, the government bureaucrats, and in time they will go out of business. The VA has a serious shortage of medical personnel, equipment and funding. You can increase funding, but it takes years to train the medical staff and get new equipment. Bottom line, the VA is undergoing a rationing process that is getting worse. Add around 50 million plus new patients tho the national sysytem. Ramming through legislation like the Stimulus (also most likely unread) will be a boondoggle of the highest order. You can say that everyone now has medical coverage, okay fine, now see how long it takes to get it and what it's quality is. Also I am not an ideologue, but I sure know what distraction and incompetence is. The VA healthcare system has been around for a long time, they have some top people doing their best with what they have, now take a system that will be new with incredible staff shortages and few experienced problem solvers. We can solve the uninsured problem with responsible debate and incorporating realistic solutions, but we are heading the same way as the Stimulus, and how is that working out? See many new permanent jobs? Or just mainly pork spending and temp jobs?

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Henry Ruark June 25, 2009 7:41 pm (Pacific time)

Martin: Yrs re hcare survey of Congress simply reveals even further naivete and ignorance. More than one of proposals now under debate includes precisely the option of choosing programs paralleling what Congress now has. (OR Sen.Wyden's for one...) Others have some components, several uncovered in press (but available to some jrnlsts via personal sources) are unique; more than one demands public option as choice. Yrs remains focused on topic of failure as inevitable in any universal program operated by government, which is simple propaganda promoted for neocon noise machine purposes. You use hcare and this dialog in this channel for your own malign purposes of distorted/perverted political pandering. You fail to propose any kind of hcare solution, or even beginning remedy for higher costs now inevitable; OR for other problems including corporate cash-flow calamitous to honest, open Congressional considerations-- point of Op Ed. Until, unless you do, and with your own healthcare status noted for comparison and credibility, yours simply fails responsibility demanded for any sensible public dialog statement. Try any daily print-side newspaper where you must qualify by residence, name and address for any consideration, rather than slice off more cheesy nonsensical diversions here. OR you could always do your own Op Ed, with full public journalistic responsibility, in ethical approach, and with full documentation for your own statement of "informed" opinion --open to anyone else for full comment, naturally...

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Martin June 25, 2009 4:27 pm (Pacific time)

I dare say the most telling survey about the national health care issue would be for the media to address each senator and congressman, with cameras and mic going and ask them that if the health care bill passes will they will opt out of their current federal (or other) insurance program. If it's good enough for us, it would be the same for them, right? A follow up question would deal with taxing current health benefits and if they felt anyone should be immune from those taxes, like what is being discussed by Sen. Baucus about giving union members a pass. If so, then why give them a pass and say not a non-union person of similar income level? There will be many commercials on this matter and that's pretty normal when your looking at huge government programs. But it's what our political leaders do, not what they say. Ask you local senators and congressmen if they'll opt out. I would be surprised if you get a firm yes or no answer.

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Henry Ruark June 25, 2009 2:34 pm (Pacific time)

Here's "See with own eyes" link to Parry-coverage of major attempt to distort and pervert fact and reality re healthcare...as in Op Ed overview: consortiumnews.com False Health-Scare Ad on CNN By Robert Parry June 25, 2009 A right-wing group called Conservatives for Patients’ Rights is airing a political attack ad against the idea of a public option for health insurance by turning upside down an analysis showing that 119 million Americans would jump from their private health insurer to a government plan if one existed. According to that analysis, 119 million Americans – roughly two-thirds of those now on private plans – would defect to a public option if they had a choice. But the right-wing group, in airing its ad on CNN, presents that number as a case of denying those Americans the choice of staying on their private plans. “Experts say a government plan could result in 119 million Americans coming off their existing coverage,” a woman’s voice intones over the image of a Wall Street Journal article. “They’d end up on a government-run plan.” However, those 119 million Americas would be “coming off their existing coverage,” according to the analysis, because they would choose a public health option over their existing private plan. In other words, what the CPR group wants to do is to deny those 119 million Americans the choice they want. In opening the ad, CPR leader Rick Scott explicitly flips the issue of “choice,” maintaining that a public option “could mean taking away your choice.” Scott is a multimillionaire who built Columbia/HCA into the largest U.S. health-care company before being removed by the board of directors in 1997 after a fraud investigation that led to a guilty plea for the company on overbilling state and federal health plans and to a record $1.7 billion in fines. ----------------- Use link, check out Parry report, "evaluate with own mind", with facts from same reporter who broke Reagan-era Iran/Contra, heart of current economic crisis AND of revolt shaping up in Iran, sure to change whole world-equation that much more. Point here is Op Ed overview further confirmed via "see with own eyes" link...

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Henry Ruark June 25, 2009 12:26 pm (Pacific time)

J.W.: Fully sympathize with your sad experience too broadly found across nation. BUT this is consequential problem to immigration policy failures, part of broad spectrum Obama faces, adding consequentially to healthcare situations...proving precisely the point of Op Ed re reality of close connections among most of those he faces. We MUST have incoming strengths of diverse kinds to continue growth and build our nation still further, on same pattern as for past centuries. Adequate attention to border problems is surely demanded right along with healthcare, and solution is same for all of them: MORE real democracy, NOT less ! Power of the vote, to remove and replace those facing down "the people" and their real needs, remains the answer, difficult, dangerous, and demanding as it may be in the doing now demanded of us all. See mine to Martin; your participation and his highly appreciated for insightful points demanding due attention. 1000-wd.Op Eds can only open dialog-door for direct, deep experience-shared for its mutual learning impacts...the true value of our open, honest,democratic S-N channel.

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Henry Ruark June 25, 2009 11:44 am (Pacific time)

Martin et al: You wrote: "...endless examples both here and abroad that shows anytime a government has taken over anything private, it becomes inferior to what the market had done previously. The best evidence is that there is no place on the planet where any government has successfully taken over private commerce and has done better than the private market." You challenged Pres. Obama's statement, without a single link or example. Op Ed is NOT aimed ONLY at healthcare but at multiple major issues, every one proceeding to disaster level from the same failings, paramount in our system ever since early Colonial days. Regardless, you have solid answers in several segments re world history and ongoing realities of economics NOW, in 21st Century, in astonishingly rapid-change far beyond any previous era. Focus on a single problem can only distort the total picture, which remains sharply in focuss per Op Ed. Do you challenge rising costs in broken healthcare system ? That's a matter of public record, unquestionable by anyone. Do you challenge even more overwhelming rise in lobbying distortions of issues via cash-bags called "corporate campaign contributions " ? That, too is a matter of deep public record, with revolving door for politicians seeking personal gain by simple act of selling self first to voters, then to corporations. We can go on and on and on in stupifying oversimplistic dialog, but facts are facts, as Op Ed outlines. It does no good to question established reality broadly recognized by national reputable sources. When we recognize reality, then we can proceed, together by consensus,via rep. elected, to whatever mutual fate they bring to us...at our CHOICE, since we control the fatal gun called "the vote". Unless and until we DO SO, we simply acquiesce in what's done TO US --which is point of this and preceding Op Eds.

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Martin June 25, 2009 11:25 am (Pacific time)

Tomorrow morning I will be sending certified letters to both my U.S. senators and my congressman asking them if they will opt out of their current health plan and sign up for the one they want to pass for the rest of us, and what they think of the below news story? I saw that an ABC reporter asked Obama that last night and he declined to answer. Americans have always demanded fairness, the below report shows fundamental unfairness as related to unions that will not pass muster with the vast majority of Americans. I am academically trained to be skeptical of all statistical surveys, especially if there is even a hint of a conflict of interest, and the below story acknowledges a potential conflict: "Union workers would be exempt from Dem health care tax Wash Examiner ^ | 6/24/09 | Sue Ferrechio With cost estimates already as high as $1.6 trillion, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., has proposed paying for the bill in part by taxing health care benefits... But the union workers who helped Democrats win Congress and the White House and whose support will be key in getting a health bill signed into law would not pay the tax. Those union members serving under collective bargaining agreements would not be subjected to the tax, according to proposals under discussion... Union workers enjoy some of the most extensive and costliest health benefits... (Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ... Note: I'm sure it's fresh in the taxpayer's mind about bailing out UAW workers while other non-union workers lost their jobs.

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Henry Ruark June 25, 2009 9:44 am (Pacific time)

Martin: Then, too, there's the entire economic history of Japan, Inc, after near-decade of collapse, and numerous other examples as in China's continuing govt. control of a new form of "socialist capitalism", and those smaller Eastern nations, some under dictatorship. For details of earlier market dominance, see famed "Commanding Heights" by Yergin and Stanislaw, 1998; recently re-read. Then compare vs late edition of Samuelson "Macroeconomics". Have YOU read either of these two consequential references ? What have you read recently ? Cite here to share what you think you did learn... If NOTHING,you surely remain "Uninformed",except by noise machine propaganda; and yours becomes more understandable.

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Jerry Warner June 25, 2009 8:46 am (Pacific time)

Illegals already get FREE health care from the sniffles to stab and gun wounds to organ transplants!! Ever been to an emergency waiting room? Don’t even mention the nurseries in the hospitals. They also get section 8 housing, food stamps and cash aid..most of their SS# and ID’s are fake or stolen to begin with.” Yeah. That makes my blood boil! I cut my hand at home 2 years ago, went to the emergency room and got 6 stitches, showed my Med. Ins. card, ID and SS card and was on my way. Got a $508 bill a year later about some “physician’s charges” my Insurance didn’t cover. I blew it off. Got a Court Summons 2 weeks ago saying pay the $508 or fight it out in court and pay court costs and attorny’s fees if I lose. I paid that sucker to avoid missing a day of work at court and having to hire a lawyer. Next time I go to the emergency room, my name is gonna be Jose, and I ain’t got no ID and no SS# cuz I’m Illegal. They’ll patch me up, and I’ll never see a bill. There will be 20 million plus illegals entering a national health program, oh yeah, that's going to be easy to deal with. Get real, we need to protect our own, and that's all.

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Martin June 25, 2009 7:06 am (Pacific time)

Editor I don't know very much about how well the health care is in Cuba, but I do know people are constantly trying to escape. As far as drug costs, it seems that headway is being made in that area. The Medicare prescription plan appears to be cutting costs(http://www.medicare.gov/pdphome.asp). My main thrust is timely medical care, which is not happening in most government run health programs (just google health care problems and name the country) and being able to get a timely second opinion. I believe we are all on the same page, we want our people taken care of so at least we are having a good robust debate. Studies (listed below) show that most Americans are overwhelmingly happy with their own health care -- but they are dissatisfied with the country's overall system, because most Americans who have insurance "believe that those who don't have it are not receiving care." Note: see the disconnect in the last statement under quotes? This is an excellent example of misinformation taking hold, in that the majority are satisfied but feel they are unique because of misinformation. Those same studies, however, show that a surprisingly large 70 percent of the estimated 46 million Americans who don't have insurance say they do, in fact, receive health care, and that a vast majority of them are satisfied with it. A survey conducted jointly by the "Kaiser Family Foundation, ABC News and USA Today", found that 89 percent of Americans were satisfied with their own personal medical care, but only 44 percent were satisfied with the overall quality of the American medical system (a disconnect!). The survey is the only recent poll for which data is publicly available that allows for a comparison of the satisfaction of insured and uninsured Americans. . . . Those with recent serious health problems, possibly the people with the best knowledge of how health care is working, were generally the most satisfied. Ninety-three percent of insured Americans who had recently suffered a serious illness were satisfied with their health care. So were 95 percent of those who suffered from chronic illness.

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Henry Ruark June 24, 2009 7:45 pm (Pacific time)

Martin et al: Might check out working persons in your chosen nations to see what they state in their national press. Here's "see with own eyes" from www.aflcio.org, for huge survey just done here: AMERICA'S ECONOMIC AND HEALTH CARE CRISES have formed a perfect storm battering working families. The results of the online 2009 Health Care for America Survey, sponsored by the AFL-CIO and Working America, reveal deep problems that must be fixed. A total of 23,460 people responded to the survey, which was conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2009. And more than 6,000 people took the time to tell heart-wrenching stories about the toll of health care costs, lack of insurance, systemic flaws in our health care system and the economic downturn. The survey confirms that every day, people are being forced to make life-and-death decisions: Pay the health care premiums or buy the life-saving prescription? Chip away at credit card debt or skip the required care for a serious chronic condition? Nearly everyone is dissatisfied with health care costs—including almost three-quarters of people with insurance. As one woman wrote, "My insurance deductible equals four to five months of take home pay each year. My insurance bill is split with my employer but equals two days of pay each month. How am I supposed to go to a doctor?" What Can I Afford THIS Month...? Every single month, I find myself trying to determine what is going to get refilled and if I can still see the doctor for follow-up. I know I need to see the doctor for maintenance of my chronic life long condition but sometimes, I just don't have the copay because I have to still afford gas to get to and from work. I am constantly finding myself rationing my medication and not taking it as prescribed because I can't afford to get it all the time....So much for the American Dream, I'm living in poverty hoping that $30 worth of groceries lasts two weeks and I don't get sick before I can refill my medications. Amber, Florida As this survey report was being prepared, congressional committees were writing health care reform legislation. The AFL-CIO will share these results with members of Congress and the administration, as well as the media and state and local leaders. From the extensive survey responses—and even more poignantly, from the personal stories—policymakers will learn about the everyday impact of our disintegrating health care system.' ------------ Choice of union information surely as reliable, reputable as personal non-documented statements, esp. reporting a 23,000-persomn survey ! Did YOU do any survey ? Did YOU seek out solid fact in national-organization Internet sites ? Do you dare to discard an honest, documented report from this source ? BTW,BUandM --What's YOUR healthcare coverage status ??

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Henry Ruark June 24, 2009 7:30 pm (Pacific time)

Martin: IF countries you claim so ubquitous, why not name them, and supply us "see with own eyes" links to their debacles when substituting for private profit gainers ? I note you do NOT show any such links, nor do you refer to the Scandinavian, Far East and other nations now engaged in precisely such actions, precisely in healthcare, with reported resilts leading the U.S. in key areas, including longevity. Nor do you cite any links to reports, studies, academic experts or others to document your personal statements. So, friend, we await your Op Ed with 30,40, 50 or so well-recognizable documenting items, listed with links, available on request to Tim with full ID and working phone. Until then you remain one more word-twisting, distorting example of unprincipled attack backed only via more words from same sources we all know by now... with same motivations, and same themes, current now as from origination in early Colonial days, all seeking to separate and seduce the "many" in the interests of the "few". Read any of the many new informative materials as now characterized in the Op Ed, to corrent your lack of essential information. Try "Adams and Jefferson" by Ferling; and "American Creation" by Ellis, just done for this one...Amazon list by name, so ISBN not necessary. What have YOU done in this area of history, recently ?

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Martin June 24, 2009 6:16 pm (Pacific time)

"That’s the origin of President Obama’s comment in his recent press conference: “If privae(sic) insurers say that the marketplace provides the best quality healthcare...then why is it that the government, which they say can’t run anything, suddenly is going to drive them out of business ?” I believe this quote by President Obama has endless examples both here and abroad that shows anytime a government has taken over anything private, it becomes inferior to what the market had done previously. The best evidence is that there is no place on the planet where any government has successfully taken over private commerce and has done better than the private market. If someone can point out a country where they have, then I believe that business template would be omnipresent, it is not. Hint: It's government over-regulation and the bureaucratic red tape that comes with it that messes up the process, whatever that may entail. Medicare is an excellent example.

Editor: It is only "commerce" to doctors and other members of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.  People in Sweden, Norway, Holland, they are doing very well with their public healthcare systems.  Maybe you haven't noticed the way the pharmaceutical industries gouge and rip off Americans?  My parents, when they were still alive, did everything they could to get their drugs through Mexico or Canada.  The United States is a rotten example of the way things should be and letting all of you remain so damned unregulated is half the problem.  I want to see a completely different system in place where every American is able to receive healthcare.  If it sits poorly with other Americans, I couldn't give two cents over it.  They're the same ones who backed Bush and the people who have brought this nation to its knees.  There are endless examples of the so-called "business models" you mention but the thing is, it needs to be about people, not business, and everything has gotten so out of hand that people just become numbers.  The AMA is a joke too, I hate to say.  The poison is the knowledge that the pharmaceutical companies have great influence in medical schools all over the country, it all corrupt from beginning to end.  I look forward to the FCC someday again doing its job and ending the big pharma ads; "side effects include vomiting, rashes and death..."  It has been allowed to escalate to amazing levels, what else can you say.  People die waiting for medical care in Los Angeles and yet they are all treated well in Cuba...?  Yes, regardless of whether you or anyone else believes it, even places like Cuba make American doctors and hospitals look bad.  I can go on, and if I run out of steam I'll throw it to our medical writer Dr. Phil Leveque who is my mentor on the subject, and it will leave heads spinning.  All Americans have to do is pay attention and follow the money trail.

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