So...Here I am, a non-activist where politics are concerned, but now I believe the conservative elements in this country have just gone too far! Their orchestrated disruptions of open political debate are a threat to the free speech rights of all the rest of us, and at the very least, we must deplore those tactics.
What is worse is the obvious sub-text of their actions: they are actually promoting the undermining of the effectiveness of the Obama administration. Why would they do this? Do they not realize that would mean a severe diminishing of the US world-wide, that our international security and world-wide economic efforts would also be undermined? But, then on reflection, they aren't being entirely rational.
It is sad to see how people who might otherwise be decent have had their fears mobilized and how they are manipulated by the powerful business interests that simply do not want health care reform at any price--because reform would affect the huge profits they realize from the current so-called "free market" system. Let's face it--there is nothing open about the current health care insurance marketing system; it works to fix prices and bar very ill patients who would be costly for them!
I believe in free markets in general and the American entreprenurial profit system, but not at the cost of the lives of the elderly and uninsured.
If any proposal fails to reduce the cost of medical care, it deserves little support. In this regard, when I read today that the White House is calling a halt to seeking reductions of drug costs at the $80 billion level proposed by the industry, I have a bad feeling about the Administration's concern for matters of cost. I am especially concerned about dropping the simple business practice of buyers negotiating prices with sellers by not, once more, allowing Medicare (or other public plan) to play hardball on our collective account.
The fact that the largest share of medical-consumers' costs are for physician and hospital services, still leaves room for savings. We should not back any plan that fails to seek savings from these providers.
The effort to provide 'universal' coverage, in my view without providing a universal cost-reduction is a non-starter. I guess the problem is that someone's bottom line has to take a hit if we are to see any benefit to health care reform. Why people are so worried about rimbursement rates to physicians and hospitals is amazing to me. They are the drains on our resources - 52% of health care expenses. Let them operate more efficiently to keep their earnings up rather than clunking along charging us more and more.
Ms. Denise "DeeNice" Rhodes of Washington D.C. has been working every day for the last year to ensure underprivileged communities and the elderly in the mid- Atlantic area aren't left in the dark when analog TVs everywhere switch to digital June 12, 2009. But there is still much work to be done! In the Washington DC area alone, African Americans have the highest incidence of NOT redeeming their $40 coupons for the digital converter box. Based on December 2008 numbers only 25% of Washingtonians have redeemed their coupons.
She also wants to ensure that expectations and misinformation circulating about this monumental transition will not be allowed to negatively impact Americans, leaving them in the dark.
DeeNice's nonprofit organization, The Urban Progressive Foundation, is responsible for providing DTV consumer education to over 7000 residents, and installing over 1000 digital converter boxes by the end of this month. She would like to share her grass-roots level perspective on experiences and best practices when working with seniors & underserved communities with your audience as soon as possible! There are only seven days left before the transition.
If Ms. Rhodes can make an appearance on your show, please contact us at 202-652-4700 or info@dtvoutreach.org. She would be honored to do so and many communities would be served by this opportunity. If she is able to give a simple demonstration or share important and valuable information many Americans, who may otherwise have no idea how or where to get help, can be served by these efforts.
For more information call: 202-652-4700, or info@dtvoutreach.org
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We are almost there.Yes after much press - the DTV transition from analog to digital is almost here. And none too soon.
Even thought there are still a few million folks not ready for the conversion, positive strides have taken place since the new Obama Administration has come into office.
First in 2009 the 4 million Americans on the waiting list "coupon hopefuls" were shipped first class mail their $40 coupons in about 3 weeks time. Fantastic!
Next those whose $40 coupons had expired were able to re-register for a new coupon. And the FCC has issued contracts for installation of the digital converter boxes, help center etc etc.
We are on our way to June 12 2009 - Digital Day!
As we all know Medicare and S.S. are in jeopardy of disappearing. As one who works in health care seniors are a very important part of our society. Their financial contrilbutions (saving and consuming) got us out the a financial mess back when they were not considered seniors. Lets take care of them financially while helping ourselves selflessly.
Though I am not an expert on alternative energy I do have an idea. Why not build "sun" cities (senior housing communities) with alternative energy as the sole source of energy. They should be massive retirement communities with massive alt. energy farms (solar (FL,CA,NV), wind). If anyone knows how to conserve it would be our seniors.
Here's where the money comes in. As we know most seniors conserve and money can be made buy selling the energy conserved at these communities back into grid.
Any thoughts?
http://www.sac-now.com/index.html
Thousands of adults are currently under Conservatorship. In California there are over 500 Conservators overseeing 4.5 BILLION DOLLARS in assets and 5,600 Conservatorship petitions filed each year. In 2000, the number of people in California who were 65 years of age or older was 3.7 million. By 2020, the number will have grown to 6.3 million. SAC, NOW is dedicated to the individuals who neither need nor require such drastic action and is working to protect everyone from abusive Conservatorships.
THE TOUGH BATTLE: FIGHTING CONSERVATORSHIP
In November of 2005, Robin Fields, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, ran a four part series on the ramifications of seniors placed under Conservatorship. The stories of rampant abuse, neglect and outright theft were shocking. Assemblyman Dave Jones asked for tighter restraints on professional Conservators, realizing that 4.6 BILLION DOLLARS and the lives of Conservatees were at risk. Assemblyman Jones' bills resulted in new legislation by the California Legislature, known as the Omnibus Conservatorship and Guardianship Reform Act of 2006.
The Omnibus Act made new provisions in an attempt to protect Conservatees, which requires a review of a Conservatorship after six months, education for Judges and Court Investigators, licensing for Conservators, new procedures regarding the sale of the Conservatees residence and investigating Conservators if the Court finds it necessary.
The Omnibus Act DOES NOT PROVIDE for the protection of your Constitutional rights, individual freedom, how your money is spent, where you are to live, the right to make your own medical decisions and a standard for the Courts to follow defining "clear and convincing evidence" for Conservatorship.
In 2006, the Judicial Council, the policy making body of the California courts, formed a 29 member "Probate Investigator Task Force". After eighteen months, the Council provided 85 recommendations for the Courts and the State. Patricia McGinnis, a member of the Council, was quoted in the Task Forces' final report as saying "We had a number of consumers to address this task force. Unfortunately all of the consumers that I talked to were afraid to testify. They were either fearful of being caught up in the system again or being sued." During a press conference, Administrative Presiding Judge Roger W. Boren, who heads the Los Angeles Appellate Court and the Task Force was quoted as saying "the elderly have a target on them, and that target is their estate." The Judicial Council acknowledged that it may take years, if at all, along with increased funding to implement their recommendations.
To read the articles in the Los Angeles Times, please visit www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-conservators-series
To read the Omnibus Act in it entirety, please visithttp://ceb.com/lawalerts/guardianshipconservatorships.asp
For their Judicial Council's full report, please visitwww.courtinfo.ca.gov
For more information on Conservatorships, please visit www.retirementnightmare.com
Requirements For a License
All Conservators must be licensed with the Statewide Registry, which is a division of the Department of Justice. The requirements for a license with the Statewide Registry is a fee and college education. The Statewide Registry has no authority to take any action against an abusive Conservator. Many Conservators belong to the Professional Fiduciary Association of America. They do not make membership mandatory nor do they have jurisdiction to investigate abusive Conservators. In July of 2008, the Department of Consumer Affairs will take responsibility from the Statewide Registry and will oversee and license Conservators.
If a family member agrees to become the Conservator, the only requirement is to be bondable, with no criminal history. According to the Professional Fiduciary Association, 60% of all abuses against Conservatees are by family members. Using the professional Fiduciary Association's statistics, does this mean that 40% of abuse is performed by professional Conservators? When is it ever acceptable for anyone to be abusive? When is someone going to step up and make a difference? When is someone going to stand up for the rights of beloved family members?
SAC, NOW knows that little has changed and people are as vulnerable today as they were prior to the new laws. All the previously mentioned abuses STILL EXIST TODAY.
SAC, NOW believes it is hypocritical that neither the Assembly nor the Judicial Council addressed any of the major issues; the Constitutional Rights, civil liberties and freedoms of Conservatees are still seized by the Court. It is a fact that convicted felons have more rights than those under Conservatorship. The Conservatee is still required to pay ALL attorneys' fees and Court costs. The Courts still allow testimony against the Conservatee without any proof or evidence.
If our elected officials won't seriously address these issues, it is incumbent upon SAC, NOW to inform the people that the new laws CHANGE NOTHING. If you believe this could never happen to you, think again. Once a Conservatorship is started, it's already too late.
Is Conservatorship Fair?
Don't let someone you love become the next victim of unwarranted Conservatorship.
If you support SAC, NOW please join us in our fight. The time for waiting is over.
What your tax deductible donation will do:
Please join us in our fight against unwarranted and abusive Conservatorships
Your donation will help SAC, NOW continue the fight to protect the rights of all, or.. you can wait for the day when you may become the next victim of Conservatorship.
Please contact us at info@sac-now.com
Send donations to: SAC, NOW 4968 Calvin Avenue Tarzana, CA 91356
If you wish you may call us at (818) 345-4339
Don't wait for your elected officials to have more committee's and debates.The time for change is NOW.
SAC, NOW is dedicated to our Mother, who was unjustly placed under Conservatorship
http://www.elderabuseadvocate.blogspot.com/
Nielsen's report (December 19, 2008) stated that November - December 2008, the penetration of Completely Unready households for the DTV transition was 6.8% of households.
1. There are 114.5 million households in American that own television sets
2. 6.8% (7.8 million) of these households currently, are totally unprepared for the analog to digital switch3. 10% (11.4 million) of U.S. Households are Partially Unready (having cable and analog tv)
This means that a total of 19.2 million households have some fancy footwork to do before Feb. 17, 2009 in order not be left in the dark with their analog television sets.
Granted, there has been strong media outreach supported by the NAB, NTIA and FCC to alert and make people aware that the switch is coming. And they have done a remarkable job with 90% of Americans being made aware.
The problem is that making people aware and having them make a buying decision during the worst financial condition our country has seen since the "depression" is a different matter all together. Not to mention a technological application to boot.
I can just see grandma running down to her local retail store and hooking up a digital converter box. The following is what will be in store for her:
1. Locate her $40 government issued coupons and check to see that they have not expired.
2. Locate digital converter boxes in the store and ask if the model available has a pass-through feature so low band width channels can still be viewed on her TV.
3. Purchase a digital converter (DC) box. (There still may be time to register to receive the $40 off coupon from www.dtv2009.gov.)
4. Back at home, make sure she has an antenna that can be connected to the digital converter (DC) box. (If not, this could mean a return trip to the store for an adapter or a new antenna.)
5. Check for an available outlet plug near her TV set. If not, she will need a multi plug adapter, extension chord, or power strip.
6. Find the original remote control for her analog TV.
7. Connect the digital converter (DC) box properly, inserting batteries in the DC remote control, and plugging in the DC box.
8. Turn on the TV. Set the TV to channel 3 with the original TV remote.
9. Turn on the DC using the correct remote. WARNING: Remember don't mix up the remotes.
10. On the DC remote, press the setup or menu button and scroll to menu.
11. Scroll to and Scan the channels. Channel scanning will need to be repeated when additional DTV channels become available.
12. Hope and Pray that most of the channels come in. Many times they won't. Repositioning the TV antenna higher or closer to an outside wall or window may improve reception. (Try scanning again.)
13. Oops, did you hook your rabbit ears/roof top antenna to the digital converter box in the proper port in the back of the digital converter box, and the extra cable in the box to the TV-out port correctly? Then Nana, you are almost there.
14. Now, remember your original remote for the analog TV set is only used to turn the set on and off. Make sure not to change the channel off of "3".
15. Finally make sure you use the new remote only for channel surfing and volume, not for turning the TV on and off. Keep the DC box directions in a safe, memorable, and accessible place for when scanning for new channels needs to be done.
Got all that NANA? Now enjoy your new digital viewing experience. Pleeezzzz, someone get me some aspirin.
Can you see this being done in a month or so with 19.2 million folks, with a disproportionate number being the elderly, minorities, those whose first language is not English, rural and disabled?
WE WERE CAMPAIGNING TO HAVE THE FEB. 17TH DATE SET BACK. IN THESE TURBULENT TIMES, WE CANNOT HAVE 19 MILLION AMERICAN LEFT IN THE DARK. Especially, with the new administration UPDATE - As of Feburary 8, 2009 the House Approved the DTV Delay Bill to push back the dtv date for June 12, 2009. More time, education and activitism is needed!
The continuous expansion of HOPE THROUGH GENERATION O rest on the continuous support of active participants. Obama 'Generation O' members include –
GENERATION OBAMANATION SEARCH QUERIES Altavista | Google | Lycos | MSN | Yahoo
..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
WHO IS THAT GUY BARACK OBAMA? HE IS US.We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts. I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.
Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
It has been almost two months since my grandmother started her blog at 85andchange.com. Working on this project with her has been so exciting. She never ceases to amaze me with her energy and tenacity. She is a most amazing woman, and it means so much to me to have had this experience. I wish every grandchild could have a bonding experience like this with their grandparents. We have so much to learn from our elders.
Over the last several weeks have traveled to see Joe Bide, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton. Each speaker has been an inspiration and motivational. But today the excitement hits an all time high. Today we get to go downtown and see Barack, Michelle, and Bruce Springsteen! What an appropriate and fitting end of the campaign. We are both so excited, we can't contain ourselves! The only excitement that can compare to it will come on Tuesday evening when it becomes clear that the nation has chosen Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States!
Will Barack Obama win by a landslide and usher our nation into a new era? Will John McCain win in an upset proving we are even more imperfect a union than we’ve recently allowed ourselves to believe?
Yes, I hear the same reporting about polls that you do. Yes, Obama is heavily favored to win. But when I allow myself to imagine our nation on 11/5 if McCain wins, I am so deeply saddened that I am motivated to do all I can to support Obama’s election. If Barack Obama loses, despite being so strongly favored in the polls at this late date, there will be no way of denying that the evil power of racial hatred and fear holds our nation hostage. In that scenario, the damage caused by a McCain administration’s misguided policies pales in comparison to the tragic demoralization of our nation and loss of hope for my children’s future.
Is the nation really so post-racial that the Bradley Effect no longer exists? Are our old polling systems accurate reflections of this unique election? Will all the newly registered Democratically skewed voters really show up? Will Obama voters in the western states, which are keystones in several likely victory paths for Obama, just stay home if early east-coast returns look promising? Will old people show up in far greater numbers than young people, as is typically the case, and hand FL and PA to McCain? Will Republican Party tricksters and demons find enough ways to eliminate enough votes to swing OH red again? The US Supreme Court just stepped in earlier this month and told Ohio's Republican Party they did not have jurisdiction to enforce a federal election law in a manner that would have disenfranchised a disproportionate amount of Democratic voters. Without being too much of a conspiracy theorist, it's sadly true that our elections have been tampered with in the past and could be again.
We don’t have early voting in NY and without committing voter fraud you cannot vote more than once. But the title of this posting is sincere. I encourage you today, and everyday until the election, to dramatically increase the power of your individual vote by calling voters in swing states. If you already are making calls, fantastic. Your phone call may be enough motivation to get someone in Ohio or Colorado or Florida to make the trip to the voting booth and wait in a long line next Tuesday. The other night I hosted a group of Women for Obama to watch Obama’s infomercial and call voters in Colorado. We placed 180 calls. Of course, most voters weren’t home, didn’t answer, or didn’t live at that number, but like sales, retail campaigning is all a numbers game. Go to barackobama.com and you can call voters in a swing state and even a specific demographic that speaks to you (Senior to Senior, Women to Women, Italian to Italian…) The website walks you through step-by-step on how to place a call. I intend to call more voters over the weekend and on Monday. If you've never done it before, don't be afraid. Most people I've spoken with are friendly and understand you are a volunteer, not a telemarketer trying to sell them anything. Yeah, it feels a little weird, but think of it as your chance to vote more than once and to vote in a battleground state.
Please vote early and vote often.
Exciting News!
Barack is going to make two stops in Pennsylvania Monday and Tuesday.
Here are the details: Monday, October 27th Doors Open: 3:00 p.m.
Mellon Arena 66 Mario Lemieux Place Pittsburgh, PA 15219RSVP Tuesday, October 28th Doors Open: 8:00 a.m. Program Begins: 10:00 a.m.
Widener University Main Quad One University Place Chester, PA 19013
Public Entrance off of E 17th St.RSVP
Barack is going to make two stops in Pennsylvania early this week.
My Grandmother and I were watching the news tonight when the story broke that Senator Obama's grandmother's health has taken a turn for the worse. My heart goes out to Obama tonight. As I was sitting with my grandmother and taking in this news, we both got teary eyed. We have been working together on the 85andchange.com blog, as we have worked on so many projects together, and this news hit home. My grandmother was imagining what must be going through the heart and mind of Barack's grandmother, while I was thinking of the fear and love that Barack must be feeling.
I sincerely hope that her health is strong enough to get her through the next few weeks. Win or lose, she has accompanied Barack through his amazing life, and I'm sure it will be so satisfying for her to see this journey through to election day. And I am sure it is his hope to be able to call her, or see her the moment after he is elected the next president of the United States!
On behalf of my grandmother and myself, our thoughts and prayers go out to his whole family tonight, and we pledge to do whatever we can to get her wonderful grandson elected.
If anyone cares to share a story of a bond between grandparent and grandchild, or just would like to share their hopes for Obama's grandmother - I encourage you to visit my grandmother's blog at 85andchange.com.
