So what is next?
PART THREE: Each person in line was given the McKeon survey. You could respond Yes, Lean Yes, Lean NO, No, and Not sure on the following questions . . . Whether or not the constituents support the Obama plan and the Congressional Democrats? How we rated the quality of healthcare in this country? Do you believe the federal government has a responsibility to ensure healthcare coverage for all Americans? Do you support government run public insurance option to compete with private insurance? Do you support tax incentives for individuals and families to purchase health insurance independently of their employers? Do you support reining in medical liability abuse by cutting down on frivolous lawsuits? Do you support a federal mandate on individuals to require the purchase of health insurance? Do you support a federal mandate on individuals to require the purchase of health insurance? Do you believe that Members of Congress that support the President's healthcare reform plan should be required to sign up for it? Not sure where he was going here, don't congressional members have policies already? and Do you support citizenship verification to ensure illegal immigrants are not eligible under the Democrat healthcare plan? I thought immigrants aren't eligible for "public option". This was news to me. I’ll have to send out a SOS to the healthcare experts and find out what is the story behind this.I understand from a phone call the following Monday afternoon, they really do want to know how people feel and a woman directed me to the online site. Funny the online site only has two questions. How did she know I didn't turn my long form in? As I said, I had worked with a crew the night before to get signs made. Before I got there many sign carriers were told that they had to leave their signs outside. Hence, I became the keeper of the Democratic signs.
Based on some of the nasty comments as people passed there was definitely heckling, anger, and snarling ahead. Comments ranged from they don't want to be mandated to purchase or even consider government healthcare to “they better not play with my Medicare and VA Benefits”. But this isn’t socialized medicine they claim. I only gave a ½ hearted smile at them, shaking my head.
After one of the sheriff’s assured me that no one would bother with the signs, I eventually went inside. I knew we were filming so what ever I missed I’d see on video eventually. However, I was glad that I did go inside, I heard firsthand expressions on concerns about “frivolous lawsuits should be eliminated”, however, as one woman said, “if ever you had a relative who is harmed by a well-known or powerful physician, you will need aggressive attorneys to mitigate on your behalf. How are you going to be able to afford the healthcare to remedy a family member that has been medically harmed or killed? How do you compensate family members with horrendous and poor medical diagnosis”.
Another argued “if an illegal alien walked into the gym with swine flu, which could infest all of us, you’d want him to be hospitalized too”. This was received with huge boos, hissing and verbal heckling. I only wish they had read the response I received from Wendell Potter, former CIGNA VP of communications, who assured me and has told Congress in two testimonials that insurance companies know how to provide public option while keeping it competitive. Illegal aliens are already factored into our current healthcare costs. We just don't realize it and the republicans have been told this, to say otherwise is a lie. Unfortunately, he wasn't there to refute many of the claims that McKeon was professing although I had sent the video to McKeon the day before. . . I reviewed the Organization Chart of the House Democrats' Health Plan with an IBEW member who came to hear McKeon's answers. "This is nice and confusing, I wonder if he is going to review this madness", we both shared a laugh at the 8 1/2 X11 sheet with numerous arrows and charting. "No wonder it takes them forever to do anything", he continued. "I've seen that chart in color", I replied, "doesn't make it any less confusing, but I know as a graphic artist, someone took a lot of time making the graphing, choosing the type and arranging the layout". We took turns questioning what HIPDB stood for; it had an X through it. Overall, the response to questions by the audience was pretty partisan.
September 26th Part Two. As I realized that the unspoken message was “we don’t care about the physically challenged, elderly, mothers with infants, and those that might need assistance in negotiating a steep set of stairs with the nimbleness of an athlete weren’t factored in.
There was two ASL signers, each taking turns for the entire room but they weren't on camera or on a projection screen to if you weren’t able to get to the front of the room you could still see what was going on. They fluctuated from sitting down to standing up. The first middle section was reserved for handicapped, however, I didn’t see any hearing impaired in those seats based on body language and eventually I saw an event planner encourage people to move up in those seats. So I wasn't sure whom they were signing to.
SherryAn was there with her Organizing Healthcare Obama flyers and passing them out to people in line. Carole Lutness was taking names and phone numbers for those interested in the current local elections’ GOTV. Local elections are scheduled for November throughout the state.
The next Freedom of Speech was dwarted by huge white signs that said No Sign Posters allowed”. I guess McKeon had been tipped off that Democrats were coming to protest this meeting however, we had been forewarned the night before that it was quite likely we couldn’t take the posters inside, even if we didn’t have them on stakes. Depending on whom you approached at the event, the range of reasons were: 1.) Fire regulations; 2.) Diminishes the range of view; 3.) Electioneering; 4.) Buck doesn't want to see them; 5.) the other side didn't bring any, it isn’t fair, or 6.) those say public option and single payer, that’s not what Buck wants to see.
The number of signs accumulated as the line increased. Eventually to keep from having to walk back to the parking lot and losing our places in line, the signs began to accumulate in the bushes surrounding the entryway to the gym.
I decided to help spread them out around the bushes as you enter the gym instead of them being stacked up. Some people in lines found the signs funny to pretty interesting. Some got out of line to take pictures and read them more closely. The night before we had asked the sign makers to use large print so they could be seen from the street. There had been discussing to stand on the side of the road as people drove up, but I found too many democrats were interested in hearing and being inside, this never materialized. The bright green florescent poster that deemed the most attention was “Buck received over $340K in healthcare company donations”, information attained from “Open Secrets” and “Newmeat”, sights that I would recommend future event planners check out for factual resources.
I don't know if any other Republican signs had been taken back to the cars before my arrival at 8:15AM but I did spread out four within the pile and put their largest one near the door, equal opportunity for all, although we had outnumbered their signs 6:1. Then I took some of the professional OFA signs and spread them between the handmade signs. Two people asked if they could have them, one lady offered to wrap hers across her leg and take it inside. She gave me the Sarah Palin wink and I handed it to her anyway. Not sure whose signs they were, I went back to the car and took several out of my own stash that I hadn’t thought to bring originally. At least my conscious would be clear.
http://www.youtube.com/crazycatherder
http://www.youtube.com/BuckMcKeon#play/uploads/1/PAg_Gx_0VZs
Well Saturday's September 26th event turned out to the largest LA COUNTY Townhall meeting to date since the Congressman Adam Schiff’s event in San Gabriel Valley. McKeon and his staff were busy pleasing themselves over the 800 RSVP’s. I watched them giving one another high fives.
Someone had left a visible unlabeled box under the stairwell and the sheriff department responded cautiously to its contents. After one bold sheriff realized that it wasn't ticking, he opened it. And all disgustingly shook their heads to find La Rouche magazines with Obama w/a Hitler mustache on the cover . . . They reclosed the box and shoved it back but out of view, I agreed with their disgust, but this is a country of Free Speech, exhibit #1. There were close to 1,500 people there. Of course, the repubs say that it was 2,000. The initial anxious and alert crowd snaked around the building well before 8:15AM. One event planner was giving the others high fives in relaying “we have up to 2,000 RSVP's”. They had done their job. NOT. For it to be a healthcare meeting, the elevator didn't work for the physically impaired. Although, later in the morning, I heard the janitor exclaim to the sheriffs “it was working on Tuesday, I checked it myself”. Funny, there was little signage to let the public know that the elevator was even there.
I heard the janitor explain to the sheriff officers that the spring wasn't leveling as it should, hence it wasn’t usable. One officer offered that it was a safety violation and should be fixed quickly. I watched the janitor huffing up the stairs. I thought to myself, he’s in relatively good shape, not lean, but if he is huffing up the stairs and stopping at the first landing, what did he expect from moms with a child in a stroller? Some wheelchair bound and motor cart attendees looked dejected when they saw the final set of stairs. There was no signage telling them to keep going up the 20 degree hill to the side entrance of the gym. Some turned around expressing angry others called up asking for assistance.
I saw one young woman run down the stairs and offer to walk the man around the building. The person concerned, but not sure responded, “if you will take me all the way”. The guest obliged him.
She asked me if I knew where the side door would be, I told her it was my first time there also, “I don’t know”. I thought if democrats were in charge, we would have known to facilitate the handicapped and physically challenged. It is a requirement to holding a democratic event.
Eventually a guy in a white Boys and Girl’s Club polo called on a phone and a man came up with a golf cart. The cart man wheeled around to help the gentleman on the canes. I watched Good Samaritans grabbed the front of baby strollers to assist several mothers and a father. I saw audience members descend the stairs to aid physically exhausted elderly men and women, who were measuring their steps to ascend the stairs. One lady I ran down to help pulled her arm away. “I can help myself thank you, ” she was feisty but physically unstable. I retreated. Another man who had seen her too, came down behind me and she allowed him to help her up the last landing. “Thank you sweetie”, I heard her smile and say to him, as she turned around and sneared at me. He and I bodily shrugged at the same time and simultaneously shook our heads . Another form of Free Speech, I thought.
If the planners were concerned about healthcare wouldn’t they have had a plan for this situation I thought. But maybe that was the ultimate message “everybody for themselves”, because they have pulled themselves up by their boot straps why worry about anyone else? No one ever considers that someone made those boots. We can’t get there by ourselves, it takes all of us to make a village and I was taught this years before Hillary Clinton ever wrote the book! (to be continued)
Here are the various YouTube.com videos of the Buck McKeon September 26th, 9AM Healthcare Townhall Meeting.
9/26/08. TOWNHALL MEETING ON O’REILLY:
http://www.youtube.com/BuckMcKeon#play/uploads
Buck McKeon gallery: http://www.scvyoungdems.org/albums/BuckHealthCare/photo.htm
Crazycatherder videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=crazycatherder&view=videos
The Buck McKeon Townhall Healthcare Meeting Saturday made footage on Fox News. You can snippets at: http://www.scvyoungdems.org click on “Events", then open the Buck McKeon picture!
There were easy 1,500 attendees at this event! People stood against the walls, in the hall way and moving back and forth through the gym. Republicans claimed 2,000. It was possible, the gym sat 1,000 in the bleachers on each side and 1000 chairs. A serious fire Marshall and sheriffs were present to assure public safety. McKeon said 800 people RSVP'd. We believe 30% of the crowd was us and we had 11 days to mobilize. The event brought out Dems I hadn't seen since he Obama election! Democrats and moderate Republicans leaders still say they'd rather wait and see . . . not believing as they once did, that President Obama can really pull healthcare reform off. Everyone’s watching Abu Grab and Guantanamo militarial terrorism, Iraq and Afghanistan wars and getting the receivers of the first financial bailout. That damn Bush!
The Republican rhetoric is confusing the hell out of folks. Even Wendell Potter (former VP of Communications for Cigna) told me personally, “Minerva, if they don't have the "public option", then the insurance industry will have won this battle, you might as well pack it in lady!” I’m however still fired up and ready to go . . . my friend from Seoul says, “Clutching on invisible hope!”
Bottomline, the Democrats are going to have to agree to agree and explain what the hell is in the damn bill! We can't defend what isn’t understood. I read the first 500 pages and wanted to pull my hair out! Healthcare is a human people problem. Maybe next time they’ll plan better for strollers, the handicapped, seniors and other physically challenged individuals and not expect them to walk huge flight of stairs at the next townhall meeting.
Will someone tell me more about the "illegal alien, abortion and tort amendment" that Buck mentioned? McKeon like the Democrats are crediting the Blue Dogs for holding up the 2013 Bill. Yesterday I hear they voted against “public option”. I know I have my advocacy job cut out for the rest of the fall . . . I still pray that the healthcare bill isn't watered down to nothing. Based on the outbursts, exchanges, heated comments and disgust portrayed . . . Healthcare reform is Damn Important. What’s more important than your health? A roof over your head, food in your tummy, a job and someone to love?
Someone asked me, “Exactly who is this PEDRO NAVA guy that you and the members of the Santa Clarita Valley Democratic Club and the Democratic Neighbors of the 38th Assembly District are taking the time to celebrating next Wednesday, September 16th? I don’t believe I have heard of him". I don't doubt you aren't eating and sleeping politics like a lot of my friends are doing but you will probably recall the following legislation that has been into effect for Pedro Nava's three terms as the Assemblyperson for the 35th Assembly District. So here are the facts and we hope that if you have any questions on any of the following information that you'll come and ask your questions . . . Looking forward to seeing the Antelope, Simi, San Fernando and Santa Clarita residential support. . . . Legislation that has gone through with the bill full name and number
ANIMAL WELFARE
AB 241 - THE RESPONSIBLE BREEDER ACT OF 2009 Limits to 50 the number of non-spayed or neutered adult dogs or cats that a seller may possess in an attempt to curb the proliferation of “puppy mills” in California.
AB 242 – THE DOGFIGHT PREVENTION ACT OF 2009 Strengthens penalties for spectatorship at a dogfight in California.
AB 243 - THE ANIMAL CRUELTY PREVENTION ACT OF 2009 Makes it mandatory for a judge to prohibit a person convicted of specified animal-related crimes from owning or possessing, caring for, or having any contact with animals for a minimum period of time.
BANKING & FINANCE
AB 33 - STATE BANKING REGULATORS Combines the Department of Financial Institutions, Department of Corporations and the mortgage loan broker functions of the Department of Real Estate into the California Department of Financial Services into a one stop shop regulator providing clarity for licensees and increased consumer protections. Also creates the Office of the Financial Consumer Advocate to serve as an advisor to DFS on consumer protection issues.
AB 34 – THE SAFE ACT Requires all mortgage loan originators to be individually licensed. Also requires all loan originators to register with a national database and submit criminal history background checks.
AB 764 – HOMEOWNER FRAUD PREVENTION ACT Bans the collection of advance fees for modifying a loan. This will ensure that homeowners receive a modification before paying. Violations will be subject to a fine of $20,000 for an individual and $60,000 for a corporation and up to one year in county jail. AB 764 will also ban false and misleading advertising by individuals and companies that offer loan modification services.
AB 1075 - THE CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY ACT Prohibits state chartered financial institutions from using any emergency economic stimulus funding for: lobbying expenditures or political contributions; the hosting, sponsorship, or payments for conferences and events; the use of corporate aircraft, travel accommodations, and travel expenditures; expenses relating to office or facility renovations or relocations; executive bonuses; and/or expenses relating to entertainment, holiday parties, employee recognition events, or similar ancillary corporate expenses.
AB 1156 - CALIFORNIA FIRST Prioritizes the investments of state funds into California community banks.
CIVIL RIGHTS
AB 67 - PARENTAL CONSENT FOR CAMPAIGN COMMERCIALS Requires parental consent for use of images of minors in political campaign commercials.
HR 16 - RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FEDERAL MATTHEW SHEPARD HATE CRIMES ACT (Sponsor: Equality California) Calls on the United States Senate and the President of the United States to approve the Matthew Shepard Act which will expand the landmark 1969 United States federal hate crimes law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s real or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.
EDUCATION
AB 1022 - VENTURA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Authorizes Ventura Unified School District to use the proceeds from the sale of surplus property for any one-time general fund purpose.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE
AB 50 – WILDFIRE RELIEF FOR GAP FIRE VICTIMS Provides disaster relief assistance for victims of numerous fires that occurred in 2008. This will allow victims to receive a homeowner’s property tax exemption while their home is being repaired or rebuilt even if they can not live in the property. In addition, provides state reimbursements of local property tax losses to the county resulting from the downward property tax assessments of properties damaged by the fire.
AB 1214 - PRIVATE PROPERTY FIRE TECHNICIANS Requires any private property fire technicians hired by an insurer to report to, and follow the direction of, an event’s Incident Commander.
AB 1440 - EMERGENCY WORKER PROVISIONAL BALLOTS Allows emergency workers deployed during declared states of emergency during elections to vote by provisional ballot in the county of their service.
ENVIRONMENT
AB 305 - HAZARDOUS MATERIAL AND WATER CODE ENFORCEMENT The bill will allow prosecutors to seek jail sentences for polluters who knowingly make a false or misleading report about an offshore oil spill. AB 305 will also extend the statute of limitations for violations of Hazardous Material Release Response Plans and Inventory related violations from 1 to 5 years to bring it into accordance with other hazardous material and hazardous waste laws in the same Division of the Health and Safety Code.
AB 376 – VOLUNTARY CARBON OFFSET DISCLOSURE Sets up minimum information disclosure and verification requirements for the sale of retail voluntary carbon offsets and requires that all offsets be registered and tracked so as to prevent the sale of the same greenhouse gas emission reduction more than once.
AJR 3 – OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING Voices opposition to the damaging coastal provisions of proposed federal energy policies, including, but not limited to the adoption of HR 2784. Also asks that Congress continue the federal Offshore Leasing Moratorium for Fiscal Year 2009 and beyond.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
AB 471 – GENERAL/LEAD COUNSEL DESIGNATIONS Clarifies the Attorney General's (AG) authority to act as legal counsel for state agencies in civil litigation. The bill would also establish clear authority for state agencies to retain in-house legal counsel to provide advice in non-litigation matters, without first having to obtain the Attorney General's consent. This bill essentially clarifies the role of the Attorney General as the chief litigator in the state, but allows agencies to engage in litigation with consent of the Attorney General.
AB 798 - CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION FINANCING AUTHORITY Creates the California Transportation Financing Authority and allows the Authority to issue revenue bonds in support of local transportation projects and toll roads while assuring appropriate financing is available for local governments and transportation agencies.
HEALTH
AB 159 - THE HEALTHY MOTHERS ACT OF 2009 Allows the State Department of Public Health to establish a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Task Force from nonpublic funds to develop both a best practices model for public awareness and a standard of care that may be used by physicians, medical centers, hospitals, and other medical organizations.
AB 359 - DIGITAL MAMMOGRAMS Requires digital mammography screening to be covered under the “Every Woman Counts” (EWC) Cancer Detection Program administered by the California Department of Public Health when analog mammography is not available.
AB 721 - PHYSICAL THERAPY DIRECT ACCESS Allows patients to see a physical therapist directly for evaluation and treatment of movement related conditions.
AB 867 - CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY (CSU) DOCTORATE OF NURSING PRACTICE Gives CSU the ability to offer doctoral nursing programs independently of the University of California and other institutions of higher education.
HOUSING
AB 566 – MOBILEHOME PARK CONVERSIONS Allows local governments or advisory agencies to consider whether the currently required survey represents a majority support of the residents prior to approving, denying, or conditionally approving a mobile home park subdivision. The bill gives residents a voice in the mobile home park conversion process allowing them to protect the equity in their homes.
PUBLIC SAFETY
AB 61 – SEX CRIME LOOPHOLE CLOSURE Will prohibit authorities from granting deferred entry of judgment to juveniles who have committed egregious sex crimes, making them ineligible to go directly to probation.
AB 86 – PERS FOR AIRPORT PATROL OFFICERS Changes the classification of specified airport law enforcement under the Public Employees’ Retirement Law from “local miscellaneous” members to “local safety” members.
AB 168 – SEX CRIME DISCLOSURE Would unseal sexual violent predator listed crimes from juvenile records when assessing an individual, who has been convicted of a listed SVP crime as an adult, for eligibility to civil commitment program.
Don ‘t tell me any stories about “triggers” and “exchanges” are needed to justify a public option.
Obama campaigned on public option during the 2009 Election Season. Millions of Americans voted to see that happen. Fact, every time the baby boomers go through a life cycle, everything that they touch becomes larger than any previous generation. So why should healthcare, medical coverage, and pharmaceuticals be any different? Prior conditions should not be a preventative for human medical coverage. Bankruptcy should not be the end all for affordable, adequate and dire medical services because you “love your family member” and want them to live as long as possible.
Preventative care needs to be a requirement. Responsible healthy eating should be an edict. Encouraging varying levels of exercise need to be strongly pushed from birth to the end of life. Instead of the insurance industry investing in medical technologies that often don’t work, they should invest in all of the various levels of prevention, and enhancements for investment purposes. Fact, the healthy we are the more likely we can continuously pay our premiums on time. If insurance companies award us with lower premiums and cash options because we take good care of ourselves we’ll do it more. Fact, businesses don’t have souls, but the individuals who run them “should”. Call this ethics appreciation for the “common good”, common sense and compassion. I don’t believe medicine delivery should be a commodity for trade. . . Call me stupid, but healthcare professionals do still say a Hippocratic Oath. Right?
I ran into this blog that I had posted on another site of mine, I thought I'd share a few words because sometimes looking back you see how far you have come:
Saturday, January 31, 2009. I’m happy to hear that on last Thursday, the United States Senate followed the United States House in passing a reauthorization of a child health insurance bill. I do remember twice Bush vetoed this bill. Just imagine 4 million more children in America will have access to health insurance, isn’t that a huge post Bush phenomenon. Another positive sign that the boat has oars with a new helmsman anointed by none other than Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chair, of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Thank God for Kennedy, now hopefully Obama can step up to all the other healthcare needs called Universal Healthcare! Don’t know about you, but I am still praying for this major fete. Yeah, it may seem odd with my working for the industry now, however, AFLAC, I rationalize was created out of a need for additional healthcare costs. So technically, it wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the large “hole” in insurance coverage.
You see, the creators of AFLAC saw bankruptcy due to the illness of their mother who died of cancer. There were procedures the insurance company wouldn’t approve and even though the family had coverage, the costs were exorbitant so what they did have wasn’t enough. So you would think they would be on the side of the President, right?
Wrong, the new marketing director they told us in a Sheraton meeting that we needed to lobby the President to keep things as they are, our jobs were at stake, if there were any changes in the healthcare coverage we had much to lose, and if any of us were interested to see him after the meeting. I cringed. We are lobbying legislators for free? They aren’t paying us to be lobbyist? Is this part of the clean money concept? That was odd.
I thought we were the “good guys” in the insurance world. A promise I made to myself. I said if I ever go back to corporate, I wanted to work for a corporation that believed in “stewardship” as one of their core values and part of their mission statement, not gouging or "pretending to care" about customers, just to make money.
At various companies I saw how not being forthright, withholding information, to downright “verbal kung fu-ing” with the “bottomline concept”. Minerva, do you want to make money or not this week? When in the long run, the relationship with the customer would mean much more service, more referrals; new add ons (only if they needed them) and providing the customer the opportunity to choose what is best for them?) or was I back to the “gaming”, “selling” techniques and twisting the arm which could blow up in your manager’s face and they would ask you to “fall on the sword” because . . . they were the manager? Did I make that mistake again, or what? I really need to explore this new leadership more . . . hopefully I got the message wrong . . . I know the product does what it says it does, but why isn't the corporation supporting the president? Until I get a definitive explanation, I'm slowing backing away . . .
But could hope spring eternal and that even the Republicans are seeing change by having former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, an African American at the lead. Depending on which Republican media pundit you listen to, they would have you believe that Steele’s role is just for PR purposes. Bull. Last I heard the person sitting on the top of the Republican Party had to be a “damn good fundraiser”, and in this economic market where money isn’t falling from the trees anymore, even banks are standing in line begging for governmental support. Now how effective Steele will be with his moderate views makes politics so interesting. Yes, bedfellows in politics get a little weirder and weirder if you take the time to read, to listen and to watch.
Some republicans are trying to say that media commentators weren’t saying that Mr. Blago Bully was a democrat. Blago was voted out of office and out of politics by a group of his own peers and the fallout from the criminal charges are still left to be resolved. Yes, he is a democrat and his behavior based on the information that we were provided was horrible. But I don’t remember anyone NOT saying he wasn’t the democratic governor from Illinois. What does raise my eyebrows was that Democratic strategist James Carvell originally poo-pooed the idea that Blago was under scrutiny in the first place and he said “there is wheeling and dealing going on all the time”. So is this why Blago doesn’t think he did anything wrong?
Hopefully there won’t be large court scenarios but the way Blago went out was heartbreaking to see a man who doesn’t know when he is caught. And if in fact this was politics as usual, I’m sure there are folks scrambling to clean house. Speaking of cleaning house. . . How many flaws can you find in this write up? On reading the “White House Blog”, I found this little gem:
George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, was sworn into office on January 20, 2001, re-elected on November 2, 2004, and sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2005. Prior to his Presidency, President Bush served for 6 years as the 46th Governor of the State of Texas, where he earned a reputation for bipartisanship and as a compassionate conservative who shaped public policy based on the principles of limited government, personal responsibility, strong families, and local control.
President Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut, and grew up in Midland and Houston, Texas. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University in 1968, and then served as an F-102 fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard. President Bush received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1975. Following graduation, he moved back to Midland and began a career in the energy business. After working on his father’s successful 1988 Presidential campaign, President Bush assembled the group of partners who purchased the Texas Rangers baseball franchise in 1989. On November 8, 1994, President Bush was elected Governor of Texas. He became the first Governor in Texas history to be elected to consecutive 4-year terms when he was re-elected on November 3, 1998.
President Bush worked with the Congress to create an ownership society and build a future of security, prosperity, and opportunity for all Americans. He signed into law tax relief that helped workers keep more of their hard-earned money, as well as the most comprehensive education reforms in a generation, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This legislation ushered in a new era of accountability, flexibility, local control, and more choices for parents, affirming our Nation’s fundamental belief in the promise of every child. President Bush also worked to improve healthcare and modernize Medicare, providing the first-ever prescription drug benefit for seniors; increase homeownership, especially among minorities; conserve our environment; and increase military strength, pay, and benefits. Because President Bush believed the strength of America lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens, he supported programs that encourage individuals to help their neighbors in need.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked our Nation. President Bush took unprecedented steps to protect our homeland and create a world free from terror. He was grateful for the service and sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform and their families. The President believed that by helping build free and prosperous societies, our Nation and our friends and allies can succeed in making America more secure and the world more peaceful.
President Bush is married to Laura Welch Bush, a former teacher and librarian, and they have twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna. The Bush family also includes two dogs, Barney and Miss Beazley, and a cat, Willie. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/georgewbush/)
I thought it was an amazing play on wording and one day maybe I’ll meet the wordsmith who must have been having a hard time putting this together. See y’all later, Todd says there is no maid, so we have a house to clean today . . .
THE END
Oh well, I recall all of the comments being made about Kennedy, I do hope he rests in peace but I have to admit "his mantle" is really heavy.
Sorry, I never had the opportunity to meet him. But I'll never forget the time, I passed out when I saw President Kennedy on the corner of Rexall Drug Store, sitting on my daddy's shoulders dripping an ice cream cone! I passed out from the excitement it was like yesterday! Minerva
Barack Obama won by more than 7.5 million votes over the Republicans . . . How then can he be so wry in stating what he wants this healthcare reform bill? Obama won more votes than any other candidate. He even won Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Virgina, and handsomely, California (except Orange County).
Those of us who field the calls, go out to the malls, set up workshops, pass the word, produce pass outs, e-blast, twitter, and Facebook are interested in knowing why there is so little information regarding the strategy behind Obama’s statement that the “public option is just a sliver of the proposed objectives and may not be in the final bill”?
Obama-ites and individuals in need of healthcare who believe in the change necessary to stop the medical bankruptcies, to provide efficient, effective and standardized health delivery are supporting healthcare reform. Many understand the need for preventive care, which is to lower the costs of pharmaceuticals, doctors, hospital healthcare, which is strangling our weary seniors, and HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes and cardiac treatment. I believe we all know someone with a nagging irreversible illnesses requiring medicinal cocktails, patches, pills, shots, and tonics to make it through the day.
With the recent morphing of the Obama Plan, “NO OPTION”, many are raising their eyebrows regarding the “non information” getting to the front lines and this can be quite wearying when you are taking the “shots, the hits, the late night calls, and the hissing” from those who believe you are on some “blind ambition” that Obama can deliver.
So what is all of this hesitation, maneuvering and double speak that we are hearing? Are the Democrats just downright gutless wonders on an issue that affects us all? Bush is not around to kick this time. The media won’t allow us to be oblivious to the disruptive, gun toting and gun strapped, reddened, head-vein popping, bulging eyed, yelling “patriots” at town hall meetings. We understand that change is abominable to some and frightening to most when the government steps in. We know how groups take advantage of the “gaping loopholes” and “financial windfalls” due to poor planning and pencil pushing administrators who can’t think their way out of wet paper bags. Nevertheless, Obama et. al. says they have “studied the plan, they know what they need to shore up the gaps before execution.”
Won’t we, in the meantime, demand that our legislature stop taking money from the corporate entities that stand to lose when healthcare is spread throughout the United States? While legislators fully enjoy superior taxpayer-supported healthcare, paid in full, every year, on time, without denial for prior medical conditions, can’t we be vigilant and exclaim to our elected leadership that they represent us and our families’ future? What is wrong with us that a subject we all require to live each day becomes something not worth fighting for? Is it really something in the water? Will someone explain this to me?
Thursday August 6, 2009
After a grueling three weeks of questioning, it is confirmed today that the 111th Justice of the distinguished Supreme Court of the United States of America, nominated by Barack Obama (the 44th President of the United States and the 1st African American) is Sonia Sotomayor.
Sotomayor is the first Hispanic, the third woman, and the youngest member at 55 years of age . . .
The count was 68-31 with most Republicans voting no!
This is indeed the change we can believe in!
Congratulations Lady!
May our hispanic brothers and sisters remember this when they go to the polls. Yes, after she served our country, with seventeen years on the bench, Sessions and his ilk of conservative right-wing friends in the Republican Party, didn’t believe she was “good enough”.
Nine Republicans and two Independents considered her a moderate and cast their votes for her. She will replace retiring Justice David Souter, a liberal named by former President George H. W. Bush. Sotomayor is not expected to alter the court’s ideological split.
May our sista’s and brotha’s in the Hispanic political family remember . . . always . . . Cesar Chavez must be smiling down at us.
Best wishes to her and her family members . . .
Minerva Leah Williams & Todd L. Hoover, Santa Clarita Valley, 37th Assembly District Representatives, Los Angeles County Democratic Party’s Central Committee
I believe we need to know this facts when we are debating the healthcare reform issue.
The legislative recess is occuring and with that the BIG BOYS will be shooting out more advertising, lies, and misleading facts because the facts will be sandwiched between the untruths to confuse the average consumer who is probably not eating and sleeping these issues. The intend is simple to cause enough chaos to make the "average nonpolitico" scratch their heads and not get into the healthcare discussions. Hopefully we will all be able to stand up to this opposition. Here is some ammunition . . .
THE SECURITY YOU GET from health insurance reform:
Here are a few words from Linda Douglass:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things/
Here are some of the facts:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/
Suppose you are from New York? Let me know what you think . . . HAPPY FRIDAY . . .
The question of whether Obama was legitimately born in the United States continues to stir considerable controversy. Reservist Major Stefan Cook of the US Army refused to deploy to Afghanistan, questioning Obama’s authority as commander-in-chief. Cook told the Army he needed proof that Obama was actually born in the US. Without such proof he believed he should not be compelled to follow the President’s orders to deploy to Afghanistan. To further exacerbate this, the Army subsequently rescinded his orders, leading many to hold this as further proof that Obama just may not be a US born citizen and should therefore be removed from office.
Why the army didn’t pursue further action against Cook and simply revoke his deployment does raise serious questions. This is certainly not in line with the Army’s normal procedure for those who refuse to follow orders. Consider the case of Lt. Erin Watada. Watada refused to deploy to Iraq on the ground that to do so would constitute a war crime, namely that of waging a war of aggression. The Army certainly did prosecute him. Although one of the charges got hung up on a technicality, there are still other significant charges pending against Watada, which will most likely have serious consequences.
It is undisputed that Iraq never attacked the United States or even threatened to do so. It is also undisputed that President Bush never secured the constitutionally required congressional declaration of war against Iraq. It would be difficult to find a better example of an illegal and unconstitutional war, which is precisely why Watada refused to obey orders to participate in it.
My father was in the service and always gave me the impression that the United States Military rarely backs off of an insubordinate soldier without providing an explanation. I would think that they would want to make an example out Cook. Did releasing Cook open the door for every soldier, sailor, and airman to get a free "get out of war" pass?
In the Cook case why didn't the Army pursue further action? Where did the order come from to revoke his orders? Under what conditions were these orders revoked? Why was there no explanation? Will the Army ever provide answers to these questions, or at least an explanation as to why his case is closed? Respectfully yours, Minerva L. Williams, Castaic, CA.
It may appear to be a cliffhanger for Obama’s appointment to the Supreme Court, but the word from the Washington Post Tuesday is, that with the assistance of Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, the one lone Republican and the twelve Democrats of the Senate Judicial Committee finally confirmed Sonya Sotomayor for the Supreme Court! That means six Republicans said no. Graham says that he feels good about Sotomayor. Speaking on judges, he said that “sometimes they have left our ideals down”. And they have often seen the larger picture through the Constitution, when many of us weren’t able to move away from our beliefs. He said the questioning of Sessions, although he was entitled to his inquiries, will tend to run individuals away, who would be good judges.
He said that his colleagues of the Senate Judicial Committee “have a chance to respond” and “being a judge is different”, “the law should be a quiet and unpopular place” because something more than 50+1 is going on. He referred to Sotomayor as “competent, not just qualified”, “left of center” “of good character” and pointed out that her 12-year record doesn’t show activism. The other story is that the speeches and advocacy needed to be put into context of what she was talking about, did bug the hell out of him, but she embraces her ability to speak on an opinion even though it may not be the position that he would take. “We are 200 years old as a nation and the fact that she is the first Hispanic woman to be chosen is very important”, “she meets the qualifications test”. If she can inspire other Latina women to seek law as a profession then America would be moving forward and a better nation for having done so.
Depending on whom you read, there is rumor that if Republicans block her nomination, they will have hell to pay in their Hispanic districts. Mind you these guys still have to go home and run for their positions. Others say that they are staying true to their base (conservatives) by looking at Sotomayor through moderate glasses. So hopefully the rest of the voting will be a formality at best for the rest of the Senate. The Supreme Court convenes in September so Judge Sista Girl, and I do mean this affectionately, can take her place, as one of newest human rights liberals, on the nine member high bench. I can see Judge Roberts, and crew reaching for the Maalox.
Sotomayor is only 55-years-old, appears to be in great health, has spunk and many years left to live (looking at the perseverance and sacrifice of her mom). We can only hope Sotomayor will continue reviewing cases and passing down her judgments as she has done for the past 17 years as a federal judge. Sotomayor will be replacing Judge Suter who was appointed by Bush
The conservative base of the Republican Party is disagreeing with Graham. They believe she is disguising her views and guarding her personal views. Now if you were in the running for a judgeship and there stood a chance that your personal views may direct your judgment, would you send off firecrackers and a strobe light to forewarn this squeamish bunch? After all of these caustic statements, is that all they have come up with?
I don’t think so. . . .There is still rumor though that there will be a last minute shockwave of revelation, but many pundits believe this is the usual Republican drama being played out, to keep us watching the CSPAN proceedings. And you can bet there are a few of us making time to watch the saga unfold.
She may not ideologically change the balance of the court, however, I’m sure she can write some hellfire responses. She is the third woman and the first Latina to be a member of the all boys club. Wow! Obama, will everything you touch create continual drama? Well, at least, they are paying close attention. Viva La Raza Sotomayor! Viva! Viva!
REFERENCES:
Picture from: http://www.voanews.com
http://lgraham.senate.gov/public/
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=10812499
Long before Obama ever decided to run for office there was a little incident call the Watergate Scandal. In this incident, we learn how badly "the big boys" play inorder to sabotage one another's campaign and to see information when they are looking for dirt. To go out and hear this from one of the "insiders" is a rare treat. Listening to what this guy has to say, should open your eyes, head and mouth at the level "some people will stoop to" to keep many of us in the dark, mislead, and confused about our government.
So if you have some time on your hand check it out, this will equip you in understanding why HOPE requires ACTION. And why Obama can't do it alone!~ Peace Out, Minerva
Palm Springs, CA- Polimedia Publishing will reissue John Dean's definitive insider account of the Watergate scandal, Blind Ambition: The End of the Story, on July 21st, 2009. Dean appends his original bestseller, out of print for two decades, with a powerful new Afterword, providing new revelations and details that answer the most persistent questions lingering since the original investigation. Readers will be astonished with the brutal honesty of Dean's disclosures, which finally close the case on Watergate. He explains with insightful clarity why (and how) a bungled, conspicuously amateurish burglary at the Democratic National Committee unraveled a presidency, forcing Richard Nixon from office. Dean provides definitive answers to outstanding historical questions, and alerts us to the growing efforts by Nixon revisionists to reinvent this tragic chapter of American history by rewriting it.
I have been communicating with a Doctor in Oregon who happens to be a member of the Physicians National Health Project. This national group of doctors and other medical professionals who strongly believe in the Single Payer program and have been pounding the sidewalks with unique and humorous protests rallies (to get the media attention) is a little bit different than your usual protesters.
The fact that doctors are taking the time to demonstrate is a new group that you don't think about when you call a rally. The presumption always was that they were too busy, the wouldn't "lower themselves" to public outcries and they made so money what did they have to protest about anyway. Well apparently, when it comes to healthcare, doctors are finding they are being hit with high insurance premiums, overhead running their offices, paper work which is staggering, protecting themselves from patients looking for a "deep pocket" and an excuse to sue (not that some doctors don't need a slap upside the head sometime for neglect) but are also having to juggle family life, mental days off, patient care (24 hours) and paying for school loans (like the rest of us). When you combine this with the overall economy having hit financial nest eggs, pensions, and retirement funds it isn't a wonder more people aren't in the street screaming. Meantime, we are all sitting and waiting to hear about the banks that were rescued with Obama's bailout, who other than Bank of America, you don't even see advertisements about "come on in" we got our act together now, "we are willing to share the wealth", being that you (the American taxpayer) saved our bacon! But you don't see this. So here is what my buddy Paul sent me on behalf of the Physicians in Oregon who do believe that Healthcare Reform really needs to be taken more seriously than the media would care to tell us. And I'd suggest writing him, he has an inexpensive video that would make you go "hugh, they are doing what?" . . . when you hear more about the history of healthcare in America and where all the thorny discussions are, that they didn't teach you in Social Studies (if you are over 45) or Health Science if you are under 40. Enjoy . . . and give me your opinion . . .
Mad As Hell Doctors
Who are we? We are members of Oregon PNHP who believe our health care system and political process are deeply flawed. They are both mostly about money and are not yielding results that are most beneficial to our communities. We expect those who agree with us to help us bring this message to those who haven’t yet figured this out. Doing so will require serious, national media attention.
· The Health Care Industry, through our corrupt political process, continues to manipulate our legislators to create public policy that values profits over public good. That’s what we are mad about!
· Unless we find immediate savings in our chaotic health care system (that is built around insurance companies and employers) and, then, focus on controlling costs, we will never be able to accomplish the moral imperative of true Universal Access without driving our government to insolvency.
· Accomplishing this will require a single risk pool, publicly financed, and administered by an independent, transparent, publicly accountable agency that is responsible for asking and answering the following question. How do “we” get the most health and the least suffering for the precious, limited resources, that we spend on health care?
Why a road trip? Getting the attention of those who aren’t already part of the choir requires that tap into their default “channels” of entertainment/information. By creating media events in communities across the country, we will infiltrate those “channels” long enough to deliver our very cogent message, believably delivered by articulate, sincere doctors who are committed to telling the truth.
What is our vision? We will tap into the growing anger that our legislators in Washington are being manipulated by campaign contributors. We will become the rallying cry for individuals and countless local/national groups who are fed up with status quo and “false-reform”. By virtue of our numbers and the inherent truth of our message, those same legislators will be given the courage to give us real reform that results in a sustainable Health Care System with real Universal Access.
What is the plan? Over the next few weeks, with our help, communities on our itinerary will prepare for and publicize our arrival. We will leave the Willamette Valley on September 8 in a painted motor home that will draw attention to us during meetings and rallies at which we will present our case. Documenting our progress with video uploads and daily conversations with National media, they will become increasingly interested in following us as we draw progressively larger crowds. When we penetrate The Beltway in the end of September, a caravan of cars will follow us to a public rally in which we will demand health care reform consistent with our message, stated above.
How will we accomplish this? We are currently involved in Stage One, in which we put up a substantial amount of our own money to hire Gary Jelinek (Dennis Kucinich’s 2004 Campaign Organizer) and Adam Klugman (a creative media consultant) to:
Stage Two is the trip. Successful fund raising is crucial to keeping Adam and Gary involved in the project, renting and “wrapping” a motor home, and traveling with a videographer who will document our progress, record peoples’ stories, and feed video clips to both the internet and national media on a daily basis. Subsequently, a video that captures the spirit of the trip will be produced.
Consistent with our vision, “we” will grow to include you and those organizations with whom our message resonates. Tax deductible contributions can be made through our website: www.MadAsHellDoctors.com.
Questions? Gary Jelinek at jelinekdoctors@gmail.com or Paul Hochfeld at phochfeld@msn.com
