2/22/2008
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is reporting that Dallas police are concerned about Secret Service protection for Barack. It is my hope that something is done about it, because THE PROBLEM IS NOT NEW. In December, my wife and I saw Barack speak at the Civic Center Auditorium in San Francisco. The crowd was massive. As reult, we ended up being part of more than a thousand people, lined up for blocks around the building, who were told that the auditorium was full. As people dispersed, we walked to the auditorium entrance to see what was going on. To our surprise, we were allowed in without any check of our coats purses, etc. Others who had been in line followed us. There was no security. The metal detectors had been taken down, police and Secret Service who were milling around paid no attention to the the crowd coming in. At the time, the program had not even started. Still, no security. We were able to stand within 10 feet of Barack when he spoke. As strong Obama supporters, we loved being that close. At the same time, we were worried for Barack, wondering if we should try to act as self-appointed security guards to protect him. The news from Texas is not isolated. The Secret Service is too lax. This is a VERY SERIOUS ISSUE.
Paul Krugman of the New York Times went after Barack’s healthcare plan with a vengeance this morning. His argument sounds plausible in theory, not in practice.
For thirty-years, I have sold health insurance to corporations and individuals in California, Illinois, and other states. Barack is correct. Mandates are problematical. Many actors need to be drawn into the universal healthcare process in order to make it cost effective and palatable to all. America need healthcare for all that is cost effective and high in quality.
Just look at Massachusetts. My youngest daughter goes to college there. The healthcare premiums in Massachusetts are astronomical and the benefits are not comparable to plans in other states. Consequently, I cover my daughter with insurance purchased in California. Mandates are a lot like price controls, they hide real costs that are not addressed. That is why benefits per dollar of premium are so out of line.
Barack is He realizes that healthcare needs Republican support to pass. In addition, a number of interest groups must be part of the solution. We do not need a repeat of Hillary’s failure in 1993
