WEDNESDAY, JULY 29TH, 2009 AT 5:59 PM
The President Highlights Health Insurance Consumer Protections
Posted by Katherine Brandon
Speaking to North Carolinians at a town hall in Raleigh, the President made clear why health reform will benefit all American: "if you’ve got health insurance, then the reform we’re proposing will also help you because it will provide you more stability and more security. Because the truth is we have a system today that works well for the insurance industry, but it doesn’t work well for you." We all know the horror stories, which is why the health insurance consumer protections that are part of reform are so important.
At the town hall, the President outlined these core principles: Let me be specific. We will stop insurance companies from denying you coverage because of your medical history. (Applause.) I've told this story before -- I will never forget watching my own mother, as she fought cancer in her final days, worrying about whether her insurer would claim her illness was a preexisting condition so they could wiggle out of paying for her coverage. How many of you have worried about the same thing? (Applause.) A lot of people have gone through this. Many of you have been denied insurance or heard of someone who was denied insurance because they got -- had a preexisting condition. That will no longer be allowed with reform. (Applause.) We won't allow that. (Applause.) We won't allow that.
With reform, insurance companies will have to abide by a yearly cap on how much you can be charged for your out-of-pocket expenses. No one in America should go broke because of an illness. (Applause.) We will require insurance companies to cover routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies -- (applause) -- eye and foot exams for diabetics, so we can avoid chronic illnesses that cost not only lives, but money. (Applause.) No longer will insurance companies be allowed to drop or water down coverage for someone who's become seriously ill. That's not right, it's not fair. (Applause.)
We will stop insurance companies from placing arbitrary caps on the coverage you can receive in a given year or in a lifetime. (Applause.) So my point is, whether or not you have health insurance right now, the reforms we seek will bring stability and security that you don't have today -- reforms that will become more urgent and more urgent with each passing year. So, in the end, the debate about reform boils down to a choice between two approaches. The first is projected to double your health care costs over the next decade, make millions more Americans uninsured, bankrupt state and federal governments, and allow insurance companies to run roughshod over consumers. That's one option. That's called the status quo. That's what we have right now. I want everybody to understand this. If we do nothing, I can almost guarantee you your premiums will double over the next 10 years because that's what they did over the last 10 years. It will go up three times faster than your wages, so a bigger and bigger chunk of your paycheck will be going into health insurance. It will eat into the possibility of you getting a raise on your job because your employer is going to be looking and saying, I can't afford to give you a raise because my health care costs just went up 10, 20, 30 percent. And Medicare, which seniors rely on, is going to become more and more vulnerable. On current projections, Medicare will be in the red in less than 10 years. So that's the status quo. When everybody goes around saying, why is Obama taking on health care -- that's the answer. That's one option. I don't like that option. You shouldn't either. (Applause.) That plan doesn't sound too good. That's the health care system we have right now. You can read more about the President’s eight health insurance consumer protections here, and figure out how reform will directly affect you and your family.
YES WE DID! YES WE MUST:
Þ Protect him from harm both verbal & phyiscal
Þ Stay "FIRED UP" by staying active
Þ Work Bi-Partisan to bring "Change" together
Þ Don't just bitch, get active and stay engaged
Þ Start and join a local "Change" group
Þ Be philanthropic, serve your community, state and nation
Þ Stick by Obama, STOP smears on the Right & the Left!!!! Hold yourself responsible as you hold Barack!
Join the future of this movement!!
http://change.gov/joinus
http://www.communityorganize.com
http://www.ourpresidency.com
http://www.usaservice.org
http://www.whitehouse.gov
Barack's DNC 2004 Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0&feature=PlayList&p=B1939005B8A4D4ED&index=188
Barack's DNC 2008 Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ato7BtisXzE&feature=channel
Barack’s Election Acceptance Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wJ-2Zu_Iic&feature=channel
Barack’s Inauguration Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4
Hey --
Barack Obama recorded a personal video message with some exciting news about the future of the grassroots movement that came out of the campaign.
Take a minute to watch the video and get involved:
http://my.barackobama.com/future
The challenges our country faces are too great for us to sit on the sidelines.
Thanks
Change generated from the grassroots builds a momentum all its' own, like a snowball rolling down a large hill.
This Sunday December 7, 2008 at 1 PM our newly elected Precinct Committee People will bring CHANGE to our Broward County Party, by electing the Officers offered by the Broward Coalition for Change. All Obama supporters who believe in Change from the bottom up are invited to a BBQ at Noon before the Official Meeting. Let's show the Media and the status quo people, that the grassroots activatist that were ignited by the Obama campaign for change will not be deterred.
WHEN Sunday 12-7-08 Noon
WHERE Millennium Middle School in Tamarac
5803 94th Ave just north of W. Commercial Blvd Btw Pine Island Rd & Nob Hill
THIS A VISIBILITY EVENT FOR CHANGE BE THERE !!!!
The road we all where put on by God is over now and we can take a deep breat and look back at the crazy people and the crazy things they said about President Obama, YES I SAID PRSIDENT. it is time for us to call him the respected tital. I even got really sick and the doctors though I had cancer, and I had to have to have two surgeries and a long recovery, but I never stop praying for the Democratic Party and Sen. Obama.
I didn't pray for myself, nor did I worry about my health I put all of that in God's hands and took one day at a time. I even enrolled in school and I'm still in school hoping to finish by this Summer or next fall.
But all and all I lived to be cancer free and to see the first African American President and a fresh start in America for me, my children, and my grandchildren. This is pray answered from the pass. from my grate grate grate grandparents and yours.
Now in January there will be another road we will have to face and we will have to face that road the same way determanation.
President Obama has a lot of mess to dill with one is the war the other is the dept and the other is the loss of jobs and bussinesses the other in medical care just to name a few.
President Obama will need us to be calm and understanding while he and his team is working on the problems we are facing, and we should. look at it this way we have made it this far we will make it a little farther while this mess is being worked on. so stay calm, and keep doing what you are doing and keep pray for Obama.
"Pole" for Obama to Get Voters to Polls
On Saturday November 1, for a final push to get out the vote I decided to use an empty flag pole at Lakeland Farmer's and Flea Market in Lakeland Florida to encourage shoppers to vote early.
Some of the photos in the links below demontstrate how I temporarily transformed the empty pole in a high visibility location at the market to an early vote pole - to remind folks to vote after they left the market.
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/africreations/2994175232
SlideShow: http://www.flickr.com/photos/africreations/show
The election is only a few days away! Please do whatever you can to get out the vote and/or make a donation to help raise funds for Obama for America.
Delores
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/Afri
http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/BlackDesignersCraftersandArtistsforObama
If you are already registered to vote, please don't wait until Tuesday, 4th November 2008. Go and vote for Obama using the absentee voting system today, if you haven't done so. This will ensure that you don't queue up for ages waiting to cast your vote on next Tuesday.
Remember, you have a right to cast your vote if you're already registered. If someone tries to stop or challenge you, politely take their name and photograph if you can. We have a voter protection team in most polling stations and am sure they will be able to offer you help and support.
If you're using an electronic voting machine, ensure you review your vote - clearly select Barack Obama. In most cases, if you make a mistake and press the wrong button, you should be able to change this quite easily.
It's important to note that Al Gore lost Florida by 537 votes in 2000. Therefore, every vote counts in this election. Please don't assume anything and make sure you get up early on Tuesday and be at the voting location in good time.
Good luck and God bless you folks.
Obama/Biden '08
Early Voting for the entire state of Florida has just been extended.
Every Early Vote location in Florida will now be every day from 7am-7pm up through November 2.
Please pass along this great news to everyone you know who will be voting in Florida. Click here to find your nearest early vote location.
Here's the release:
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS ~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~October 28, 2008Contact:GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008. "I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote." Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting. Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting. Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29. Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217. STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217 WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties; WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; andWHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008. GOVERNORATTEST:SECRETARY OF STATE
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS
~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~
October 28, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
"I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote."
Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting.
Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting.
Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29.
Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217.
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217
WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and
WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and
WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and
WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties;
WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; and
WHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008.
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE
I was pleased to read an article 'Need for SAT Questioned.' A Harvard committee concluded that the SAT and other standardized tests are imprecise at measuring academic ability.
So, what does that say about the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test? The FCAT is one test given on one day, no retakes. Is that fair? What if the child was sick, had a fight with a friend, has a great academic record but test anxiety. His school career is ruined for the next year.
I remember the stress over the SAT in high school. Can you imagine that pressure on a second-grader? Florida teachers spend most of their time teaching for a test, not teaching the kids reading, writing and math. The FCAT is tricky and meant to be that way so the teachers are stuck trying to teach the kids to understand how to interpret the questions.
John McCain consulted with Jeb Bush, who supposedly has a 'nationwide reputation' for his success in implementing the FCAT in Florida schools. McCain may be considering taking this idea nationwide.
Please stop the madness. Even Harvard has determined that this is not the way to go. Don't let John McCain make education another national disaster.
JEANETTE SCANLON
Plant City
PUBLISHED IN THE LETTER TO THE EDITOR SECTION OF THE LAKELAND LEDGER 10/25/08
We must pray for Obama so that he wins this US Election. God bless his campaign.
Are you worried that McCain's smears may be gaining traction in your state or district? I've been worried about Ohio, so I wrote a series of replies to fight back. Please feel free to use one of my letters as a model and send your own letter-to-the-editor of a local paper. Time is running short: many papers have cut-off dates for election-related letters, so do it TODAY! Small town papers are a better bet for getting printed than big-city dailies that receive tons of letters. Also, those "pro-American" towns might need some balance about now. Find lists of newspapers here: http://www.50states.com/news/ and here: http://www.usnpl.com/It's always wise to check in advance if your paper has a length limit. They often don't tell you this on the website, so a quick phone call can save wasted time. Most will accept letters by email, so ask for the editor's (or relevant person's) direct address, too. Always include your address and phone number. They will not print these, but may call to verify that you are the sender.At the bottom, I've included a list of the papers where I sent my letters, so if you live in Ohio--don't duplicate! That would make a really bad impression. Please leave a comment to let others know where you've sent a letter. Of course, you can also revise any of these letters in your own words. THANKs and FIGHT THOSE SMEARS! YES WE CAN!
290 Words:Dear Editor:Senator McCain is not well served by advisors trying to "turn the page" on economic problems by focusing Mr. Obama's questionable associates of years past. The $200 donation Obama once accepted from Bill Ayers pales beside the $112,000 McCain took from Charles Keating—later convicted of fraud in the Savings and Loan collapse that cost taxpayers $124 billion. Now Democrats are also raising McCain's relationship with G. Gordon Liddy, who remains proud of his role in undermining the rule of law at the highest level. Convicted in the Watergate break-in, Liddy also admitted to conspiring in murder and kidnapping plots. This history should have dissuaded McCain from speaking on Liddy's radio show, praising his "patriotism," attending fundraisers in his home, and accepting thousands of dollars in donations. Earlier this year, McCain sought the endorsements of Rev. John Hagee and Ohio's own Rod Parsley, only to repudiate both after embarrassments came to light. Hagee boasts a long history of anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic views. Parsley made a series of derogatory statements about Islam, at a time when we need cooperation from Islamic countries like Pakistan. This misstep tarnished McCain's effort to reach out to Christian leaders.Governor Palin's checkered career raises still more red flags. Her history of support for the Alaskan Independence Party, which wants to secede from the United States, hardly fits the theme of "Country First." Video of Palin's 2008 address to the party's convention has been widely viewed on-line. Nor are her unrepudiated links to African exorcism and the Jews for Jesus likely to appeal to mainstream voters.John McCain has received very poor advice. In light of unsavory connections like these, I am afraid his campaign's decision to smear Obama's past associates will prove another ill-advised political gamble.
[[I sent this letter to the following papers. Do not duplicate!
Napoleon NW Signal OHThe Bellevue Gazette, OHThe Findlay Courier OHVan Wert Times-Bulletin, OH Sidney Daily News, OH Shelby Daily Globe, OHThe Kenton Times, OH
346 Words:
Dear Editor:
When Barack Obama was 8, a man he'd never met conspired to bomb public targets to protest the Viet Nam War. Fast forward many years—Obama and William Ayers, now a university professor, wind up in the same big city and serve on a charity board together. Yes, Obama once appeared at a candidate forum in Ayers's home, but he never consulted Ayers on any policy issue and never shared his radical politics. He denounced the acts of 40 years ago as "despicable."Sarah Palin thinks this minor association, which has been discussed in the media numerous times, demands attention now that John McCain is down in the polls. But is it wise for the pot to call the kettle black?Palin's association with her husband is certainly closer than any link between Obama and Ayers. Todd Palin attended state Cabinet meetings normally closed to the public and received copies of government correspondence. So voters should consider his 7-year membership in the Alaska Independence Party, a group that refuses to put "Country First." The AIP's founder, Joe Vogler, stated that, "The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government." He resented the federal Clean Water Act, which prohibits pollution of Alaskan rivers; he condoned violent resistance. Vogler's greatest fame came in 1993, when he was scheduled to address the United Nations to denounce United States "tyranny" and demand Alaskan secession. The islamist government of Iran agreed to sponsor his anti-American tirade. Sarah Palin's association with this group is so close that she twice attended the AIP annual convention, courted their political support, and in 2008 delivered a governor's address to the membership. She praised their "important role" in state politics and urged them to "Keep up the good work." (Video is readily available on-line.) The current AIP chairwoman stated that Palin "sounds just like Joe Vogler." Sarah Palin's support of this fringe movement is much more relevant to questions of fitness for office than the ancient history of any "washed-up domestic terrorist"—John McCain's words—who happened to live in Barack Obama's neighborhood.
[[I sent this letter to:
Wapakoneta Daily News, OH, Troy Daily News, OH, The Bryan Times OH Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune, OH Mansfield News Journal OH Norwalk Reflector, OH
I am a Catholic who supports Barack Obama not because of his is a Christian faith, but because he reassures me that their is hope that our religious views will be set aside and give way to mend the state of our country. We cannot afford to keep pointing fingers at eachother, but we can use our experiences to point fingers in the right direction.
I strongly believe that it is the Chapel’s or the Church’s responsibilities is to help reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and increase adoption rates. How can we do that? By making sure that all women have the necessary support and health care available to aide in this process. The Republican party has shown time and time again to inadequately provide health care for numerous individuals which includes coverage form single low-income mothers! Our job as church members is not to “Cast the first stone,” but to provide the aide that young teens need in order to make sure they do not become pregnant like Palin’s young daughter.
Government’s role is different from the Catholic church. There needs to be a separation if this country is to thrive. Our ancestors escaped religious execution only to begin a streak of carnage against young women accused of being witches. There needed to be that separation in order to establish a solid ground in our government. And although our Union was founded under God’s name, our country has changed. And with that change, comes our duty as children under God to accept everyone religious faith in order to live in harmony. We need to remember the past history of all religious groups under persecution for their beliefs and we need to ask ourselves, “Do we want that to happen again? Do want want health care for everyone? Do we want a stable economy? Do we want to end the war in Iraq? Do we need reform in education? Etc..”
Black, white, Jewish, Christian, Catholic, Baptist, Atheist, Buddhist, Muslim, etc…Does it matter who we vote for if we are only seeking the best for our children? I will make sure my daughter learns about sex and the prevention of premature pregnancy, that is my job as a mother and as a Catholic. Barack Obama’s job as president will be to make sure we have money in our pockets, that my daughter has a solid education and we can afford college, that we have health care coverage, that the war in Iraq comes to an end, ans he lowers our taxes so we may take that little vacation we haven’t been able to take under the Bush administration, that we are able to help the poor, that we are able to give more during collection at mass, and much more!
As Democrats, we are NOT PRO-ABORTION! We do not support a culture of death! The majority of us are against corporal punishment, and for any to assume that we enjoy the destruction of an unborn child is really naive. What we do support, is the right for a woman to consult her family, pastor, and doctor to make the right choice. It is a difficult choice that is made, but it is not the Government’s position to dictate that choice based on a single religious view. Why haven’t you questioned the fact that Cindy McCain is also Pro-Choice And that in Alaska, Sarah Palin supports gay rights? Isn’t there a double standard here that you are ignoring? But this email is not about pointing fingers, this email is show that we support our candidate for the most serious issues that we are facing today. And although abortion is a serious issue, it is not government’s position to set the laws by a few religious organizations. If that were the case, we would have to ban short skirts, and have women cover their faces. Our country is too diverse to place religion on the hands of our political leaders, and it will be disrespectful to push our religion on to others.
My name is Viviana Otero, I am Catholic, I am a teacher, and I support Barack Obama because he is the only hope we have to make sure our children’s’ future is saved! I am voting for Barack because it is my duty as a mother to make sure my daughter grows up to live under our values and our moral duty, while I allow Barack Obama (who is of African and White American heritage) to secure our economy and restore the education my child and my students deserve!
I pray for our country and for our church to see things through and that we do not vote on what our religion dictates, but that we vote for a president who will focus on the needs families who are struggling to make ends meet. My family is struggling even though we have college degrees, to us that matters!
I know that this will not change your mind on Democrats, but we need to work together to reach that goal that we all seek: To prevent teenage pregnancies, to spread the Safe Haven Law, to provided shelter from young teens disowned from their families due to pregnancy, to provide more mental help. That is our duty, our responsibility, and our belief as Democrats and Catholics.
God bless you!
