Eric Holder's Justice Department has overturned the will of Congress and re-opened the Federal spigot to ACORN. This Attorney General is rewarding fraud, instead of prosecuting it. The money is to be spent for ACORN's housing assistance, the very program that James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles exposed as rife with corruption.
When he wasn't writing entertaining stories, C.S. Lewis was offering sage political advice. He advised the progressives' of his day "If you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.". Being a true-blue progressive, Wrong-way Eric is following the road dictated by the monied interests of the left, moveon.org and George Soros. The ACORN decision is just the latest case where politics has trumped justice. Some examples:
1)Ignoring the OLC decision that the vote to give Washington D.C. a representative in the U.S. House was unconstitutional.
2)Dismissing charges in a voter intimidation case against three members of the New Black Panther Party after they had been convicted.
3)Forcing a U.S. Attorney in New Mexico to drop an investigation of Governor Bill Richardson.
4)Re-opening a case against members of the CIA for the interrogation techniques they employed against members of Al Qaeda.
5)Treating KSM and his 9/11 co-conspirators as common criminals worthy of a jury trial in NYC.
6)Inviting Democratic strategist Donna Brazile to speak to employees of the Justice Department.
I believe the above examples make a pretty good case that under Eric Holder's leadership we have the most politicized justice department in modern memory. This latest decision to restore funds to ACORN overturns the will of Democrats as well as Republicans. I hope the Democratic members of Congress will join their Republican colleagues and insist that the funding ban they enacted be enforced.
Andrew Breitbart of biggovernment.com recently issued A.G. Holder a challenge, "investigate ACORN or I'll release the rest of what I have on ACORN before the 2010 elections". With this decision, Holder has doubled down on his bet on ACORN. I say, if Mr. Breitbart has more evidence of dirty dealing by ACORN it needs to be released now rather than later.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
One More Freedom Lost
While it would be an exaggeration to suggest that our forefathers at Bunker Hill were fighting King George to protect themselves and their progeny from paying a tax to fish for stripers. It's only because taxing people for fishing was a step too far, even for the tax loving British parliament. Hence, a freedom we have enjoyed since colonial times was lost late Monday night. Starting in January, surfcasters and those fishing within 3 miles of shore will need to pony up $10 to the Commonwealth for the privilege of wetting a line.
Governor Patrick claims his hand was forced by the Feds. "The Patrick administration is emphasizing the lower permit fee and the local retention of fee revenues to cover program administration, better fisheries management and improved public access for recreational fishing". A more honest response would be to admit that with the budget deficit Massachusetts is experiencing, there is no way the Patrick administration would forgo a new revenue stream. After all, those of us who already pay $29 for a fresh water license will not be spared from paying the new fee.
To maintain that the fee is to cover better fisheries management is a joke. In all the years I have been buying a license, no official has asked to see it. In all the years that I have been fishing, the only people to ask if I had caught anything were fellow anglers. Now, I suppose some of them may have been undercover agents of the Fish and Game department, but I highly doubt it.
This money is going to pad the budget of some bureaucrat in that black hole of taxpayer money on Beacon Hill. Trust me, that $10 fee will only increase and probably quickly.
Governor Patrick claims his hand was forced by the Feds. "The Patrick administration is emphasizing the lower permit fee and the local retention of fee revenues to cover program administration, better fisheries management and improved public access for recreational fishing". A more honest response would be to admit that with the budget deficit Massachusetts is experiencing, there is no way the Patrick administration would forgo a new revenue stream. After all, those of us who already pay $29 for a fresh water license will not be spared from paying the new fee.
To maintain that the fee is to cover better fisheries management is a joke. In all the years I have been buying a license, no official has asked to see it. In all the years that I have been fishing, the only people to ask if I had caught anything were fellow anglers. Now, I suppose some of them may have been undercover agents of the Fish and Game department, but I highly doubt it.
This money is going to pad the budget of some bureaucrat in that black hole of taxpayer money on Beacon Hill. Trust me, that $10 fee will only increase and probably quickly.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Smile
Some Friday fun before the hard work begins in the Senate. The only thing standing between socialized medicine becoming a reality is the American people. The best we can hope for is that the Republicans in the Senate can keep debate going on long enough that a Democrat blinks. I'm talking to you Se. Nelson of Nebraska.
Go directly to jail
This is a letter to the editor published by the Newburyport Daily News on 11/18/09. It was not posted online,so I'm posting it here.
To the editor:
Nancy Pelosi has strong-armed her health care control bill through the U.S. House. She accomplished this feat by a margin of 3 votes, 220-215(218 needed for passage). A lone Republican, Rep. Cao of New Orleans, who doesn't seem to understand the concepts of limited government or individual liberty, voted for passage. Considering the narrowness of the vote, President Obama's intervention proved decisive. He rallied wavering Democrats by referring to opponents of nationalized health care as "teabag, anti-government extremists". So much for the promise of a unifying, post-partisan presidency, but I digress.
As for the bill itself. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that the true 10-year cost is almost $3 trillion. Remember, to disguise the impact on our national debt, the bill starts taxing right away, but doesn't start spending until 2014. The bill increases taxes by $1.2 trillion and cuts Medicare spending by $628 billion. Seniors can decide for themselves if these cuts will lead to rationed care.
The bill also imposes a federal mandate to purchase insurance. Every American will be required to buy " acceptable health insurance coverage"; the CBO projects the cheapest family plan will cost $15,000 in 2016. The plan does provide subsidies, but those are likely to disappear when the costs explode. So, many Americans will be forced to buy insurance they can't afford or pay a penalty of 2.5% of their income. What happens to those Americans who can't afford to pay the fine because they are trying to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table? They can be sent to prison. From H.R. 3962: Section 7203-misdemeanor willful failure to pay is punishable by a fine up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. Section 7201-felony willful evasion punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 5 years.
The Democrats in Congress have decided they know what's best for America. It's either follow their rules or go to prison. Hardworking Americans deserve a better choice.
Paul Breau
Newburyport
To the editor:
Nancy Pelosi has strong-armed her health care control bill through the U.S. House. She accomplished this feat by a margin of 3 votes, 220-215(218 needed for passage). A lone Republican, Rep. Cao of New Orleans, who doesn't seem to understand the concepts of limited government or individual liberty, voted for passage. Considering the narrowness of the vote, President Obama's intervention proved decisive. He rallied wavering Democrats by referring to opponents of nationalized health care as "teabag, anti-government extremists". So much for the promise of a unifying, post-partisan presidency, but I digress.
As for the bill itself. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that the true 10-year cost is almost $3 trillion. Remember, to disguise the impact on our national debt, the bill starts taxing right away, but doesn't start spending until 2014. The bill increases taxes by $1.2 trillion and cuts Medicare spending by $628 billion. Seniors can decide for themselves if these cuts will lead to rationed care.
The bill also imposes a federal mandate to purchase insurance. Every American will be required to buy " acceptable health insurance coverage"; the CBO projects the cheapest family plan will cost $15,000 in 2016. The plan does provide subsidies, but those are likely to disappear when the costs explode. So, many Americans will be forced to buy insurance they can't afford or pay a penalty of 2.5% of their income. What happens to those Americans who can't afford to pay the fine because they are trying to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table? They can be sent to prison. From H.R. 3962: Section 7203-misdemeanor willful failure to pay is punishable by a fine up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. Section 7201-felony willful evasion punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 5 years.
The Democrats in Congress have decided they know what's best for America. It's either follow their rules or go to prison. Hardworking Americans deserve a better choice.
Paul Breau
Newburyport
Another Big Government Republican
The eyes of the nation will soon focus on Massachusetts. We have it in our power to deny Harry Reid a filibuster proof majority. Which is why it's so disappointing that one of our candidates in the upcoming special election is choosing to act more like a Democrat than a Republican. Massachusetts-style big government is the path we should not follow and any Republican that hasn't been in a coma for the last 60 years should know better. So why is Jack E. Robinson looking to out Democrat the Democrats?
The answer. Mr. Robinson has caught bailout fever. He wants to give all public transportation systems and their riders a bailout. From the Herald:
“(The government) put $185 billion into (troubled lender) AIG. That would fund the T for 40 years,” Robinson said yesterday. “There is money to be used smartly and intelligently.”
Robinson, who is running against state Sen. Scott Brown for the GOP nomination in the race for the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s vacant seat, is suggesting the MBTA bailout as part of a proposal to make all public transportation nationwide free. Robinson aides said there are cities in Washington and Oregon that offer free public transit."
His plan is meeting the typical response. “I think that’s awesome,” 33-year-old commuter Jason Harris of Boston said. “Free is great.”. One would hope that someone who has reached the age of 33 would realize that other Americans would be paying for his "free ride". While Mr. Harris doesn't have the slightest concept of economics, I have no doubt he is one of those smug, more enlightened than thou Democrats that populate the Commonwealth.
We need a Republican that is going to fight tooth and nail against the statist policies of the Obama administration not emulate them. Scott Brown should be our next US Senator.
The answer. Mr. Robinson has caught bailout fever. He wants to give all public transportation systems and their riders a bailout. From the Herald:
“(The government) put $185 billion into (troubled lender) AIG. That would fund the T for 40 years,” Robinson said yesterday. “There is money to be used smartly and intelligently.”
Robinson, who is running against state Sen. Scott Brown for the GOP nomination in the race for the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s vacant seat, is suggesting the MBTA bailout as part of a proposal to make all public transportation nationwide free. Robinson aides said there are cities in Washington and Oregon that offer free public transit."
His plan is meeting the typical response. “I think that’s awesome,” 33-year-old commuter Jason Harris of Boston said. “Free is great.”. One would hope that someone who has reached the age of 33 would realize that other Americans would be paying for his "free ride". While Mr. Harris doesn't have the slightest concept of economics, I have no doubt he is one of those smug, more enlightened than thou Democrats that populate the Commonwealth.
We need a Republican that is going to fight tooth and nail against the statist policies of the Obama administration not emulate them. Scott Brown should be our next US Senator.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The true enemies of reform
Two stories from todays Boston Herald spotlight the pervasive and negative power the teachers unions have over our government. In the first case, the union is standing in the way of their members receiving a bonus for being outstanding at their job.
"The Boston Teachers Union staunchly opposes a performance bonus plan for top teachers - launched at the John D. O’Bryant School in 2008 and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates and Exxon Mobil foundations - insisting the dough be divvied up among all of a school’s teachers, good and bad.
“It’s insanity,” said Jim Stergios, executive director of the nonpartisan Pioneer Institute. “They’re less concerned about promoting the interest of individual members than maintaining control over their members.”
As a product of public schools I can tell you that I had some fantastic, dedicated and in a couple of cases inspiring teachers. I also had more than a few that were clearly just collecting a paycheck and counting the days until they could retire. Excellence, in whatever field should be rewarded. If the deadwood teachers receive a bonus just for showing up it sends the wrong message.
The other issue has to do with charter schools. If you want to see an official at the National Education Association lapse into a blinding, spittle producing rage just mention the words charter school. It takes a special person to become a teacher at a charter school. They are generally required to work longer hours and are expected to be more invested in their students success. They are the type of teacher that our education system is in dire need of and they are enemy number one of the education lobby. Massachusetts with the support of Governor Patrick is trying to expand the number of charter schools in our state and the education lobby is having none of it.
"School unions swarmed the State House yesterday, leaning on lawmakers to snuff key aspects of an education reform plan that would allow more charter schools - a move that could cost the cash-strapped state $250 million in federal funding."
"Senate lawmakers advanced the bill last night after two days of bruising debate, but House lawmakers seemed doubtful the legislation would pass today, the last day of formal sessions this year.
“Who really controls the lawmaking process here? Is it the elected officials or is it the labor unions?” asked Rep. Jeff Perry (R-Sandwich), who sits on the education committee."
These unions, which typically can't get enough funding from the public trough are willing to leave money on the table in their effort to stifle reform. They are more interested in protecting their turf than seeing the children that desperately need a better education system get one. It's their government, at least in Massachusetts, we just pay the bills.
"The Boston Teachers Union staunchly opposes a performance bonus plan for top teachers - launched at the John D. O’Bryant School in 2008 and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates and Exxon Mobil foundations - insisting the dough be divvied up among all of a school’s teachers, good and bad.
“It’s insanity,” said Jim Stergios, executive director of the nonpartisan Pioneer Institute. “They’re less concerned about promoting the interest of individual members than maintaining control over their members.”
As a product of public schools I can tell you that I had some fantastic, dedicated and in a couple of cases inspiring teachers. I also had more than a few that were clearly just collecting a paycheck and counting the days until they could retire. Excellence, in whatever field should be rewarded. If the deadwood teachers receive a bonus just for showing up it sends the wrong message.
The other issue has to do with charter schools. If you want to see an official at the National Education Association lapse into a blinding, spittle producing rage just mention the words charter school. It takes a special person to become a teacher at a charter school. They are generally required to work longer hours and are expected to be more invested in their students success. They are the type of teacher that our education system is in dire need of and they are enemy number one of the education lobby. Massachusetts with the support of Governor Patrick is trying to expand the number of charter schools in our state and the education lobby is having none of it.
"School unions swarmed the State House yesterday, leaning on lawmakers to snuff key aspects of an education reform plan that would allow more charter schools - a move that could cost the cash-strapped state $250 million in federal funding."
"Senate lawmakers advanced the bill last night after two days of bruising debate, but House lawmakers seemed doubtful the legislation would pass today, the last day of formal sessions this year.
“Who really controls the lawmaking process here? Is it the elected officials or is it the labor unions?” asked Rep. Jeff Perry (R-Sandwich), who sits on the education committee."
These unions, which typically can't get enough funding from the public trough are willing to leave money on the table in their effort to stifle reform. They are more interested in protecting their turf than seeing the children that desperately need a better education system get one. It's their government, at least in Massachusetts, we just pay the bills.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Massachusetts Miracle 2.0
There has been a lot of gloom and doom talk about residents of Massachusetts packing up and leaving the state, mainly to lower tax New Hampshire. With the census coming up our entrenched members of Congress have been wondering which one is going to be redistricted out of a seat. Face it, the only way we are ever going to get rid of these guys and girl is if they are forced to run against each other. It will be a case of addition by subtraction for those of us who believe in actually limiting the scope of the Federal government.
Well, according to Recovery.gov our representatives for life can rest easier in the knowledge that they will never have to worry about making a living in the private sector. For you see, President Obama's magical stimulus has created new Congressional districts for the Commonwealth, and in some of them it has actually created jobs. So instead of losing a seat or two we have gained 6. If Stevie Pags is unable to buy his way into the Senate he may want to try for one of our new seats in the U.S. House. They are(complete with jobs created and money spent):
District/ Jobs created/ Money spent
00/ 162/ 2,222,406
11/ 17.9/ 1,353,691
14/ 0/ 214,463
20/ 0/ 281,790
25/ 0/ 24,404,085
86/ 0/ 1,405,891
Don't worry folks, our counrty is in the very best of hands.
Well, according to Recovery.gov our representatives for life can rest easier in the knowledge that they will never have to worry about making a living in the private sector. For you see, President Obama's magical stimulus has created new Congressional districts for the Commonwealth, and in some of them it has actually created jobs. So instead of losing a seat or two we have gained 6. If Stevie Pags is unable to buy his way into the Senate he may want to try for one of our new seats in the U.S. House. They are(complete with jobs created and money spent):
District/ Jobs created/ Money spent
00/ 162/ 2,222,406
11/ 17.9/ 1,353,691
14/ 0/ 214,463
20/ 0/ 281,790
25/ 0/ 24,404,085
86/ 0/ 1,405,891
Don't worry folks, our counrty is in the very best of hands.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Debate begins
The Senate is set to begin debate this week on Obamacare. The fine print of the House bill, passed with one Republican vote has been examined and the prognosis for the nations' fiscal health is dire. The non-partisan Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services released a report on Friday detailing what becomes of our health care delivery system if this legislation becomes law. Short version, all the promises President Obama has made to Americans will be broken. Some of the center's findings:
Health Care Costs Increase: “In aggregate, we estimate that for calendar years 2010 through 2019 [national health expenditures (NHE)] would increase by $289 billion, or 0.8 percent, over the updates baseline projection that was released on June 29, 2009.”
“However, a number of workers who currently have employer coverage would likely become enrolled in the expanded Medicaid program or receive subsidized coverage through the Exchange. For example, some smaller employers would be inclined to terminate their existing coverage, and companies with low average salaries might find it to their - and their employees’ - advantage to end their plans … We estimate that such actions would collectively reduce the number of people with employer-sponsored health coverage by about 12 million.”
“18 million are estimated to choose not to be insured and to pay the penalty associated with the individual mandate. For the most part, these would be individuals with relatively low health care expenses for whom the individual or family insurance premium would be significantly in excess of the penalty and their anticipated health benefit value.”
“Section 1161 of Division B of H.R. 3962 would set Medicare Advantage capitation benchmarks … We estimate that in 2014 when the MA provisions would be fully phased in, enrollment in MA plans would decreased by 64 percent (from its projected level of 13.2 million under current law to 4.7 million under the proposal).”
“Of the additional 34 million who are estimated to be insured in 2019 as a result of H.R. 3962, about three-fifths (21 million) would receive Medicaid coverage due to the expansion of eligibility to those adults under 150 percent of the FPL.”
“H.R. 3962 would introduce permanent annual productivity adjustments to price updates for institutional providers… Over time, a sustained reduction in payment updates, based on productivity expectations that are difficult to attain, would cause Medicare payment rates to grow more slowly than and in a way that was unrelated to, the providers’ costs of furnishing services to beneficiaries. Thus, providers for whom Medicare constitutes a substantive portion of their business could find it difficult to remain profitable and might end their participation in the program (possibly jeopardizing access to care for beneficiaries).”
“In practice, supply constraints might interfere with providing the services by the additional 34 million insured persons. …providers might tend to accept more patients who have private insurance (with relatively attractive payment rates) and fewer Medicaid patients, exacerbating existing access problems for the latter group."
The American people can't afford a bill that: increases the costs of health insurance, will cause millions, including seniors to lose their existing coverage, adds to the budget deficit. The American people need to make sure their Senators know that voting for nationalized health care will be political suicide.
Health Care Costs Increase: “In aggregate, we estimate that for calendar years 2010 through 2019 [national health expenditures (NHE)] would increase by $289 billion, or 0.8 percent, over the updates baseline projection that was released on June 29, 2009.”
“However, a number of workers who currently have employer coverage would likely become enrolled in the expanded Medicaid program or receive subsidized coverage through the Exchange. For example, some smaller employers would be inclined to terminate their existing coverage, and companies with low average salaries might find it to their - and their employees’ - advantage to end their plans … We estimate that such actions would collectively reduce the number of people with employer-sponsored health coverage by about 12 million.”
“18 million are estimated to choose not to be insured and to pay the penalty associated with the individual mandate. For the most part, these would be individuals with relatively low health care expenses for whom the individual or family insurance premium would be significantly in excess of the penalty and their anticipated health benefit value.”
“Section 1161 of Division B of H.R. 3962 would set Medicare Advantage capitation benchmarks … We estimate that in 2014 when the MA provisions would be fully phased in, enrollment in MA plans would decreased by 64 percent (from its projected level of 13.2 million under current law to 4.7 million under the proposal).”
“Of the additional 34 million who are estimated to be insured in 2019 as a result of H.R. 3962, about three-fifths (21 million) would receive Medicaid coverage due to the expansion of eligibility to those adults under 150 percent of the FPL.”
“H.R. 3962 would introduce permanent annual productivity adjustments to price updates for institutional providers… Over time, a sustained reduction in payment updates, based on productivity expectations that are difficult to attain, would cause Medicare payment rates to grow more slowly than and in a way that was unrelated to, the providers’ costs of furnishing services to beneficiaries. Thus, providers for whom Medicare constitutes a substantive portion of their business could find it difficult to remain profitable and might end their participation in the program (possibly jeopardizing access to care for beneficiaries).”
“In practice, supply constraints might interfere with providing the services by the additional 34 million insured persons. …providers might tend to accept more patients who have private insurance (with relatively attractive payment rates) and fewer Medicaid patients, exacerbating existing access problems for the latter group."
The American people can't afford a bill that: increases the costs of health insurance, will cause millions, including seniors to lose their existing coverage, adds to the budget deficit. The American people need to make sure their Senators know that voting for nationalized health care will be political suicide.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Here we go
Following the advice of former President Clinton to speed things along, Harry Reid filed a motion to start debate next Monday the 16th. The Republicans can object which will delay things till Tuesday. Former President Clinton is afraid the "teabaggers" will win the debate if the Senate delays the health care bill any longer. Actually, he says they are mad because they are losing the debate, but his actions belie his words. So, being a good soldier Harry Reid will introduce his vapor bill and debate will begin next week. It's called a vapor bill because it hasn't even been written yet. They will be debating a bill to nationalize one fifth of our economy and the public won't be able to read the fine print.
Why are the Democrats in such a rush to pass a bill? Todays numbers from Gallup have the Republicans winning the Generic Congressional ballot by 4 points. More importantly they win independents 52-30. Harry Reid is so desperate because he knows the longer they take to vote, the more time the American public has to learn what the Democrats are trying to do to their health care. The last thing Harry Reid can afford is for his caucus to go home for Thanksgiving and be confronted by angry voters. Sens. Nelson, Bayh, Lincoln etc. may decide they would rather stay in office than realize the progressives' dream of socializing American medicine and not be around to enjoy the benefits of greater government control over its citizens.
Why are the Democrats in such a rush to pass a bill? Todays numbers from Gallup have the Republicans winning the Generic Congressional ballot by 4 points. More importantly they win independents 52-30. Harry Reid is so desperate because he knows the longer they take to vote, the more time the American public has to learn what the Democrats are trying to do to their health care. The last thing Harry Reid can afford is for his caucus to go home for Thanksgiving and be confronted by angry voters. Sens. Nelson, Bayh, Lincoln etc. may decide they would rather stay in office than realize the progressives' dream of socializing American medicine and not be around to enjoy the benefits of greater government control over its citizens.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
220-215
Pelosicare has passed the House and now moves to the Senate. Republicans with the exception of Rep. Cao(R-LA)stood up for the American taxpayer. I hope Rep. Cao had the foresight to get his bribe, I mean promises from Nancy Pelosi in writing. The Democrats will promise you the world to sell out your principles and then stiff you after you have done their bidding. Just ask Arlen Specter.
Rep. Cao this little nugget is part of the legislation you voted to foist on the American people you represent. How can you call yourself a Republican when you think it is acceptable to throw Americans in jail for not buying a government approved health care plan?
PELOSI: Buy a $15,000 Policy or Go to Jail
JCT Confirms Failure to Comply with Democrats’ Mandate Can Lead to 5 Years in Jail
Friday, November 06, 2009
Today, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee Dave Camp (R-MI) released a letter from the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) confirming that the failure to comply with the individual mandate to buy health insurance contained in the Pelosi health care bill (H.R. 3962, as amended) could land people in jail. The JCT letter makes clear that Americans who do not maintain “acceptable health insurance coverage” and who choose not to pay the bill’s new individual mandate tax (generally 2.5% of income), are subject to numerous civil and criminal penalties, including criminal fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to five years.
In response to the JCT letter, Camp said: “This is the ultimate example of the Democrats’ command-and-control style of governing – buy what we tell you or go to jail. It is outrageous and it should be stopped immediately.”
Key excerpts from the JCT letter appear below:
“H.R. 3962 provides that an individual (or a husband and wife in the case of a joint return) who does not, at any time during the taxable year, maintain acceptable health insurance coverage for himself or herself and each of his or her qualifying children is subject to an additional tax.” [page 1]
- - - - - - - - - -
“If the government determines that the taxpayer’s unpaid tax liability results from willful behavior, the following penalties could apply…” [page 2]
- - - - - - - - - -
“Criminal penalties
Prosecution is authorized under the Code for a variety of offenses. Depending on the level of the noncompliance, the following penalties could apply to an individual:
• Section 7203 – misdemeanor willful failure to pay is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.
• Section 7201 – felony willful evasion is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years.” [page 3]
When confronted with this same issue during its consideration of a similar individual mandate tax, the Senate Finance Committee worked on a bipartisan basis to include language in its bill that shielded Americans from civil and criminal penalties. The Pelosi bill, however, contains no similar language protecting American citizens from civil and criminal tax penalties that could include a $250,000 fine and five years in jail.
“The Senate Finance Committee had the good sense to eliminate the extreme penalty of incarceration. Speaker Pelosi’s decision to leave in the jail time provision is a threat to every family who cannot afford the $15,000 premium her plan creates. Fortunately, Republicans have an alternative that will lower health insurance costs without raising taxes or cutting Medicare,” said Camp.
According to the Congressional Budget Office the lowest cost family non-group plan under the Speaker’s bill would cost $15,000 in 2016.
Rep. Cao this little nugget is part of the legislation you voted to foist on the American people you represent. How can you call yourself a Republican when you think it is acceptable to throw Americans in jail for not buying a government approved health care plan?
PELOSI: Buy a $15,000 Policy or Go to Jail
JCT Confirms Failure to Comply with Democrats’ Mandate Can Lead to 5 Years in Jail
Friday, November 06, 2009
Today, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee Dave Camp (R-MI) released a letter from the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) confirming that the failure to comply with the individual mandate to buy health insurance contained in the Pelosi health care bill (H.R. 3962, as amended) could land people in jail. The JCT letter makes clear that Americans who do not maintain “acceptable health insurance coverage” and who choose not to pay the bill’s new individual mandate tax (generally 2.5% of income), are subject to numerous civil and criminal penalties, including criminal fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to five years.
In response to the JCT letter, Camp said: “This is the ultimate example of the Democrats’ command-and-control style of governing – buy what we tell you or go to jail. It is outrageous and it should be stopped immediately.”
Key excerpts from the JCT letter appear below:
“H.R. 3962 provides that an individual (or a husband and wife in the case of a joint return) who does not, at any time during the taxable year, maintain acceptable health insurance coverage for himself or herself and each of his or her qualifying children is subject to an additional tax.” [page 1]
- - - - - - - - - -
“If the government determines that the taxpayer’s unpaid tax liability results from willful behavior, the following penalties could apply…” [page 2]
- - - - - - - - - -
“Criminal penalties
Prosecution is authorized under the Code for a variety of offenses. Depending on the level of the noncompliance, the following penalties could apply to an individual:
• Section 7203 – misdemeanor willful failure to pay is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.
• Section 7201 – felony willful evasion is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years.” [page 3]
When confronted with this same issue during its consideration of a similar individual mandate tax, the Senate Finance Committee worked on a bipartisan basis to include language in its bill that shielded Americans from civil and criminal penalties. The Pelosi bill, however, contains no similar language protecting American citizens from civil and criminal tax penalties that could include a $250,000 fine and five years in jail.
“The Senate Finance Committee had the good sense to eliminate the extreme penalty of incarceration. Speaker Pelosi’s decision to leave in the jail time provision is a threat to every family who cannot afford the $15,000 premium her plan creates. Fortunately, Republicans have an alternative that will lower health insurance costs without raising taxes or cutting Medicare,” said Camp.
According to the Congressional Budget Office the lowest cost family non-group plan under the Speaker’s bill would cost $15,000 in 2016.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Price tag: 3 Trillion
Senator Gregg (R-NH) has taken a look at what the House bill actually will cost. He finds:
Senator Gregg stated, “The CBO estimate released last night finally sheds light on the smoke and mirrors game the majority has been playing with the cost of their health care reform proposal. Over the first 10 years, this legislation builds in gross new spending of $1.7 trillion – and most of the new spending doesn’t even start until 2014. Once that spending is fully phased in, the House Democratic bill rings up at more than $3 trillion over ten years.
“Additionally, this bill cuts critical Medicare and Medicaid funding by $628 billion, accounts for nearly $1.2 trillion in tax and fee increases and will explode the scope of government by putting the nation’s health care system in the hands of Washington bureaucrats. The $3 trillion price tag defies common sense – we simply cannot add all this new spending to the government rolls and claim to control the deficit.
“If we continue to pile more and more debt on the next generation, they will never be able to get out from under it. The health care system needs reform, but this massive expansion of government, financed by our children and grandchildren, is the wrong way to proceed.".
Is it any wonder that Nancy Pelosi is pushing a vote before these numbers can be digested by the American people? For the record this bill raises taxes on the middle class, adds to the national debt and will force some health care plans out of the market. President Obama promised that he wouldn't sign legislation that included any of these provisions let alone all three. The time is rapidly approaching to see if he is a man of his word. Don't bet on it.
Senator Gregg stated, “The CBO estimate released last night finally sheds light on the smoke and mirrors game the majority has been playing with the cost of their health care reform proposal. Over the first 10 years, this legislation builds in gross new spending of $1.7 trillion – and most of the new spending doesn’t even start until 2014. Once that spending is fully phased in, the House Democratic bill rings up at more than $3 trillion over ten years.
“Additionally, this bill cuts critical Medicare and Medicaid funding by $628 billion, accounts for nearly $1.2 trillion in tax and fee increases and will explode the scope of government by putting the nation’s health care system in the hands of Washington bureaucrats. The $3 trillion price tag defies common sense – we simply cannot add all this new spending to the government rolls and claim to control the deficit.
“If we continue to pile more and more debt on the next generation, they will never be able to get out from under it. The health care system needs reform, but this massive expansion of government, financed by our children and grandchildren, is the wrong way to proceed.".
Is it any wonder that Nancy Pelosi is pushing a vote before these numbers can be digested by the American people? For the record this bill raises taxes on the middle class, adds to the national debt and will force some health care plans out of the market. President Obama promised that he wouldn't sign legislation that included any of these provisions let alone all three. The time is rapidly approaching to see if he is a man of his word. Don't bet on it.
Friday, November 6, 2009
What's at stake
It's a shame we don't have a single member of our Congressional delegation like Mr. Rogers. I'm sure when the vote happens on Saturday they will vote 10-0 for Pelosicare.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Full speed ahead
The Democratic victories in NY-23 and CA-10 last night by proponents of the "public option" will encourage Nancy Pelosi to move ahead with with her health care scheme. Centrist Democrats will see the Democratic pickup in NY-23 as evidence that a vote for nationalized medicine is not political suicide after all. In fact, they may fear losing in a primary for not supporting this abomination of a bill more than losing to a Republican in the general election. The Republican leadership and the grassroots need to pick themselves up this morning and work together to prevent this bill from being rammed through Congress before the public knows what this bill means for their future. Because the more the public knows about this bill the less popular it will become and voting for it really will be joing the " Kamikaze caucus".
For starters, one of the chief arguments the advocates' of government intervention make is that private insurers spend too much money on overhead. They claim the Medicare and Medicaid model of low administrative costs is the path we should follow. Nevermind the billions in Medicare and Medicaid fraud that occurs because of said lax oversight every year. Nothing to see behind that curtain. Next argument: insurance companies are evil, look at their obscene profits! Actually the inurance industry profit margin averaged 2.2% last year. So, I guess don't look behind curtain two either.
The House Republican Conference has looked at the Pelosi bill and has found that it creates a bureaucratic maze of new health care gatekeepers, 111 to be exact. They are:
1. Retiree Reserve Trust Fund (Section 111(d), p. 61)
2. Grant program for wellness programs to small employers (Section 112, p. 62)
3. Grant program for State health access programs (Section 114, p. 72)
4. Program of administrative simplification (Section 115, p. 76)
5. Health Benefits Advisory Committee (Section 223, p. 111)
6. Health Choices Administration (Section 241, p. 131)
7. Qualified Health Benefits Plan Ombudsman (Section 244, p. 138)
8. Health Insurance Exchange (Section 201, p. 155)
9. Program for technical assistance to employees of small businesses buying Exchange coverage (Section 305(h), p. 191)
10. Mechanism for insurance risk pooling to be established by Health Choices Commissioner (Section 306(b), p. 194)
11. Health Insurance Exchange Trust Fund (Section 307, p. 195)
12. State-based Health Insurance Exchanges (Section 308, p. 197)
13. Grant program for health insurance cooperatives (Section 310, p. 206)
14. "Public Health Insurance Option" (Section 321, p. 211)
15. Ombudsman for "Public Health Insurance Option" (Section 321(d), p. 213)
16. Account for receipts and disbursements for "Public Health Insurance Option" (Section 322(b), p. 215)
17. Telehealth Advisory Committee (Section 1191 (b), p. 589)
18. Demonstration program providing reimbursement for "culturally and linguistically appropriate services" (Section 1222, p. 617)
19. Demonstration program for shared decision making using patient decision aids (Section 1236, p. 648)
20. Accountable Care Organization pilot program under Medicare (Section 1301, p. 653)
21. Independent patient-centered medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302, p. 672)
22. Community-based medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302(d), p. 681)
23. Independence at home demonstration program (Section 1312, p. 718)
24. Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research (Section 1401(a), p. 734)
25. Comparative Effectiveness Research Commission (Section 1401(a), p. 738)
26. Patient ombudsman for comparative effectiveness research (Section 1401(a), p. 753)
27. Quality assurance and performance improvement program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 1412(b)(1), p. 784)
28. Quality assurance and performance improvement program for nursing facilities (Section 1412 (b)(2), p. 786)
29. Special focus facility program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 1413(a)(3), p. 796)
30. Special focus facility program for nursing facilities (Section 1413(b)(3), p. 804)
31. National independent monitor pilot program for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities (Section 1422, p. 859)
32. Demonstration program for approved teaching health centers with respect to Medicare GME (Section 1502(d), p. 933)
33. Pilot program to develop anti-fraud compliance systems for Medicare providers (Section 1635, p. 978)
34. Special Inspector General for the Health Insurance Exchange (Section 1647, p. 1000)
35. Medical home pilot program under Medicaid (Section 1722, p. 1058)
36. Accountable Care Organization pilot program under Medicaid (Section 1730A, p. 1073)
37. Nursing facility supplemental payment program (Section 1745, p. 1106)
38. Demonstration program for Medicaid coverage to stabilize emergency medical conditions in institutions for mental diseases (Section 1787, p. 1149)
39. Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund (Section 1802, p. 1162)
40. "Identifiable office or program" within CMS to "provide for improved coordination between Medicare and Medicaid in the case of dual eligibles" (Section 1905, p. 1191)
41. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Section 1907, p. 1198)
42. Public Health Investment Fund (Section 2002, p. 1214)
43. Scholarships for service in health professional needs areas (Section 2211, p. 1224)
44. Program for training medical residents in community-based settings (Section 2214, p. 1236)45. Grant program for training in dentistry programs (Section 2215, p. 1240)
46. Public Health Workforce Corps (Section 2231, p. 1253)
47. Public health workforce scholarship program (Section 2231, p. 1254)
48. Public health workforce loan forgiveness program (Section 2231, p. 1258)
49. Grant program for innovations in interdisciplinary care (Section 2252, p. 1272)
50. Advisory Committee on Health Workforce Evaluation and Assessment (Section 2261, p. 1275)
51. Prevention and Wellness Trust (Section 2301, p. 1286)
52. Clinical Prevention Stakeholders Board (Section 2301, p. 1295)
53. Community Prevention Stakeholders Board (Section 2301, p. 1301)
54. Grant program for community prevention and wellness research (Section 2301, p. 1305)
55. Grant program for research and demonstration projects related to wellness incentives (Section 2301, p. 1305)
56. Grant program for community prevention and wellness services (Section 2301, p. 1308)
57. Grant program for public health infrastructure (Section 2301, p. 1313)
58. Center for Quality Improvement (Section 2401, p. 1322)
59. Assistant Secretary for Health Information (Section 2402, p. 1330)
60. Grant program to support the operation of school-based health clinics (Section 2511, p. 1352)
61. Grant program for nurse-managed health centers (Section 2512, p. 1361)
62. Grants for labor-management programs for nursing training (Section 2521, p. 1372)
63. Grant program for interdisciplinary mental and behavioral health training (Section 2522, p. 1382)
64. "No Child Left Unimmunized Against Influenza" demonstration grant program (Section 2524, p. 1391)
65. Healthy Teen Initiative grant program regarding teen pregnancy (Section 2526, p. 1398)
66. Grant program for interdisciplinary training, education, and services for individuals with autism (Section 2527(a), p. 1402)
67. University centers for excellence in developmental disabilities education (Section 2527(b), p. 1410)
68. Grant program to implement medication therapy management services (Section 2528, p. 1412)
69. Grant program to promote positive health behaviors in underserved communities (Section 2530, p. 1422)
70. Grant program for State alternative medical liability laws (Section 2531, p. 1431)
71. Grant program to develop infant mortality programs (Section 2532, p. 1433)
72. Grant program to prepare secondary school students for careers in health professions (Section 2533, p. 1437)
73. Grant program for community-based collaborative care (Section 2534, p. 1440)
74. Grant program for community-based overweight and obesity prevention (Section 2535, p. 1457)
75. Grant program for reducing the student-to-school nurse ratio in primary and secondary schools (Section 2536, p. 1462)
76. Demonstration project of grants to medical-legal partnerships (Section 2537, p. 1464)
77. Center for Emergency Care under the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (Section 2552, p. 1478)
78. Council for Emergency Care (Section 2552, p 1479)
79. Grant program to support demonstration programs that design and implement regionalized emergency care systems (Section 2553, p. 1480)
80. Grant program to assist veterans who wish to become emergency medical technicians upon discharge (Section 2554, p. 1487)
81. Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (Section 2562, p. 1494)
82. National Medical Device Registry (Section 2571, p. 1501)
83. CLASS Independence Fund (Section 2581, p. 1597)
84. CLASS Independence Fund Board of Trustees (Section 2581, p. 1598)
85. CLASS Independence Advisory Council (Section 2581, p. 1602)
86. Health and Human Services Coordinating Committee on Women's Health (Section 2588, p. 1610)
87. National Women's Health Information Center (Section 2588, p. 1611)
88. Centers for Disease Control Office of Women's Health (Section 2588, p. 1614)
89. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Office of Women's Health and Gender-Based Research (Section 2588, p. 1617)
90. Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Women's Health (Section 2588, p. 1618)
91. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women's Health (Section 2588, p. 1621)
92. Personal Care Attendant Workforce Advisory Panel (Section 2589(a)(2), p. 1624)
93. Grant program for national health workforce online training (Section 2591, p. 1629)
94. Grant program to disseminate best practices on implementing health workforce investment programs (Section 2591, p. 1632)
95. Demonstration program for chronic shortages of health professionals (Section 3101, p. 1717)96. Demonstration program for substance abuse counselor educational curricula (Section 3101, p. 1719)49. Grant program for innovations in interdisciplinary care (Section 2252, p. 1272)
97. Program of Indian community education on mental illness (Section 3101, p. 1722)
98. Intergovernmental Task Force on Indian environmental and nuclear hazards (Section 3101, p. 1754)
99. Office of Indian Men's Health (Section 3101, p. 1765)
100. Indian Health facilities appropriation advisory board (Section 3101, p. 1774)
101. Indian Health facilities needs assessment workgroup (Section 3101, p. 1775)
102. Indian Health Service tribal facilities joint venture demonstration projects (Section 3101, p. 1809)
103. Urban youth treatment center demonstration project (Section 3101, p. 1873)
104. Grants to Urban Indian Organizations for diabetes prevention (Section 3101, p. 1874)
105. Grants to Urban Indian Organizations for health IT adoption (Section 3101, p. 1877)
106. Mental health technician training program (Section 3101, p. 1898)
107. Indian youth telemental health demonstration project (Section 3101, p. 1909)
108. Program for treatment of child sexual abuse victims and perpetrators (Section 3101, p. 1925)
109. Program for treatment of domestic violence and sexual abuse (Section 3101, p. 1927)
110. Native American Health and Wellness Foundation (Section 3103, p. 1966)
111. Committee for the Establishment of the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation (Section 3103, p. 1968)
This bureaucracy is what will stand between you and your doctor if Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and President Obama get their way. Keep fighting! While the odds are heavily stacked against the ideals of limited government and individual liberty, they are not insurmountable.
For starters, one of the chief arguments the advocates' of government intervention make is that private insurers spend too much money on overhead. They claim the Medicare and Medicaid model of low administrative costs is the path we should follow. Nevermind the billions in Medicare and Medicaid fraud that occurs because of said lax oversight every year. Nothing to see behind that curtain. Next argument: insurance companies are evil, look at their obscene profits! Actually the inurance industry profit margin averaged 2.2% last year. So, I guess don't look behind curtain two either.
The House Republican Conference has looked at the Pelosi bill and has found that it creates a bureaucratic maze of new health care gatekeepers, 111 to be exact. They are:
1. Retiree Reserve Trust Fund (Section 111(d), p. 61)
2. Grant program for wellness programs to small employers (Section 112, p. 62)
3. Grant program for State health access programs (Section 114, p. 72)
4. Program of administrative simplification (Section 115, p. 76)
5. Health Benefits Advisory Committee (Section 223, p. 111)
6. Health Choices Administration (Section 241, p. 131)
7. Qualified Health Benefits Plan Ombudsman (Section 244, p. 138)
8. Health Insurance Exchange (Section 201, p. 155)
9. Program for technical assistance to employees of small businesses buying Exchange coverage (Section 305(h), p. 191)
10. Mechanism for insurance risk pooling to be established by Health Choices Commissioner (Section 306(b), p. 194)
11. Health Insurance Exchange Trust Fund (Section 307, p. 195)
12. State-based Health Insurance Exchanges (Section 308, p. 197)
13. Grant program for health insurance cooperatives (Section 310, p. 206)
14. "Public Health Insurance Option" (Section 321, p. 211)
15. Ombudsman for "Public Health Insurance Option" (Section 321(d), p. 213)
16. Account for receipts and disbursements for "Public Health Insurance Option" (Section 322(b), p. 215)
17. Telehealth Advisory Committee (Section 1191 (b), p. 589)
18. Demonstration program providing reimbursement for "culturally and linguistically appropriate services" (Section 1222, p. 617)
19. Demonstration program for shared decision making using patient decision aids (Section 1236, p. 648)
20. Accountable Care Organization pilot program under Medicare (Section 1301, p. 653)
21. Independent patient-centered medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302, p. 672)
22. Community-based medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302(d), p. 681)
23. Independence at home demonstration program (Section 1312, p. 718)
24. Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research (Section 1401(a), p. 734)
25. Comparative Effectiveness Research Commission (Section 1401(a), p. 738)
26. Patient ombudsman for comparative effectiveness research (Section 1401(a), p. 753)
27. Quality assurance and performance improvement program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 1412(b)(1), p. 784)
28. Quality assurance and performance improvement program for nursing facilities (Section 1412 (b)(2), p. 786)
29. Special focus facility program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 1413(a)(3), p. 796)
30. Special focus facility program for nursing facilities (Section 1413(b)(3), p. 804)
31. National independent monitor pilot program for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities (Section 1422, p. 859)
32. Demonstration program for approved teaching health centers with respect to Medicare GME (Section 1502(d), p. 933)
33. Pilot program to develop anti-fraud compliance systems for Medicare providers (Section 1635, p. 978)
34. Special Inspector General for the Health Insurance Exchange (Section 1647, p. 1000)
35. Medical home pilot program under Medicaid (Section 1722, p. 1058)
36. Accountable Care Organization pilot program under Medicaid (Section 1730A, p. 1073)
37. Nursing facility supplemental payment program (Section 1745, p. 1106)
38. Demonstration program for Medicaid coverage to stabilize emergency medical conditions in institutions for mental diseases (Section 1787, p. 1149)
39. Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund (Section 1802, p. 1162)
40. "Identifiable office or program" within CMS to "provide for improved coordination between Medicare and Medicaid in the case of dual eligibles" (Section 1905, p. 1191)
41. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Section 1907, p. 1198)
42. Public Health Investment Fund (Section 2002, p. 1214)
43. Scholarships for service in health professional needs areas (Section 2211, p. 1224)
44. Program for training medical residents in community-based settings (Section 2214, p. 1236)45. Grant program for training in dentistry programs (Section 2215, p. 1240)
46. Public Health Workforce Corps (Section 2231, p. 1253)
47. Public health workforce scholarship program (Section 2231, p. 1254)
48. Public health workforce loan forgiveness program (Section 2231, p. 1258)
49. Grant program for innovations in interdisciplinary care (Section 2252, p. 1272)
50. Advisory Committee on Health Workforce Evaluation and Assessment (Section 2261, p. 1275)
51. Prevention and Wellness Trust (Section 2301, p. 1286)
52. Clinical Prevention Stakeholders Board (Section 2301, p. 1295)
53. Community Prevention Stakeholders Board (Section 2301, p. 1301)
54. Grant program for community prevention and wellness research (Section 2301, p. 1305)
55. Grant program for research and demonstration projects related to wellness incentives (Section 2301, p. 1305)
56. Grant program for community prevention and wellness services (Section 2301, p. 1308)
57. Grant program for public health infrastructure (Section 2301, p. 1313)
58. Center for Quality Improvement (Section 2401, p. 1322)
59. Assistant Secretary for Health Information (Section 2402, p. 1330)
60. Grant program to support the operation of school-based health clinics (Section 2511, p. 1352)
61. Grant program for nurse-managed health centers (Section 2512, p. 1361)
62. Grants for labor-management programs for nursing training (Section 2521, p. 1372)
63. Grant program for interdisciplinary mental and behavioral health training (Section 2522, p. 1382)
64. "No Child Left Unimmunized Against Influenza" demonstration grant program (Section 2524, p. 1391)
65. Healthy Teen Initiative grant program regarding teen pregnancy (Section 2526, p. 1398)
66. Grant program for interdisciplinary training, education, and services for individuals with autism (Section 2527(a), p. 1402)
67. University centers for excellence in developmental disabilities education (Section 2527(b), p. 1410)
68. Grant program to implement medication therapy management services (Section 2528, p. 1412)
69. Grant program to promote positive health behaviors in underserved communities (Section 2530, p. 1422)
70. Grant program for State alternative medical liability laws (Section 2531, p. 1431)
71. Grant program to develop infant mortality programs (Section 2532, p. 1433)
72. Grant program to prepare secondary school students for careers in health professions (Section 2533, p. 1437)
73. Grant program for community-based collaborative care (Section 2534, p. 1440)
74. Grant program for community-based overweight and obesity prevention (Section 2535, p. 1457)
75. Grant program for reducing the student-to-school nurse ratio in primary and secondary schools (Section 2536, p. 1462)
76. Demonstration project of grants to medical-legal partnerships (Section 2537, p. 1464)
77. Center for Emergency Care under the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (Section 2552, p. 1478)
78. Council for Emergency Care (Section 2552, p 1479)
79. Grant program to support demonstration programs that design and implement regionalized emergency care systems (Section 2553, p. 1480)
80. Grant program to assist veterans who wish to become emergency medical technicians upon discharge (Section 2554, p. 1487)
81. Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (Section 2562, p. 1494)
82. National Medical Device Registry (Section 2571, p. 1501)
83. CLASS Independence Fund (Section 2581, p. 1597)
84. CLASS Independence Fund Board of Trustees (Section 2581, p. 1598)
85. CLASS Independence Advisory Council (Section 2581, p. 1602)
86. Health and Human Services Coordinating Committee on Women's Health (Section 2588, p. 1610)
87. National Women's Health Information Center (Section 2588, p. 1611)
88. Centers for Disease Control Office of Women's Health (Section 2588, p. 1614)
89. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Office of Women's Health and Gender-Based Research (Section 2588, p. 1617)
90. Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Women's Health (Section 2588, p. 1618)
91. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women's Health (Section 2588, p. 1621)
92. Personal Care Attendant Workforce Advisory Panel (Section 2589(a)(2), p. 1624)
93. Grant program for national health workforce online training (Section 2591, p. 1629)
94. Grant program to disseminate best practices on implementing health workforce investment programs (Section 2591, p. 1632)
95. Demonstration program for chronic shortages of health professionals (Section 3101, p. 1717)96. Demonstration program for substance abuse counselor educational curricula (Section 3101, p. 1719)49. Grant program for innovations in interdisciplinary care (Section 2252, p. 1272)
97. Program of Indian community education on mental illness (Section 3101, p. 1722)
98. Intergovernmental Task Force on Indian environmental and nuclear hazards (Section 3101, p. 1754)
99. Office of Indian Men's Health (Section 3101, p. 1765)
100. Indian Health facilities appropriation advisory board (Section 3101, p. 1774)
101. Indian Health facilities needs assessment workgroup (Section 3101, p. 1775)
102. Indian Health Service tribal facilities joint venture demonstration projects (Section 3101, p. 1809)
103. Urban youth treatment center demonstration project (Section 3101, p. 1873)
104. Grants to Urban Indian Organizations for diabetes prevention (Section 3101, p. 1874)
105. Grants to Urban Indian Organizations for health IT adoption (Section 3101, p. 1877)
106. Mental health technician training program (Section 3101, p. 1898)
107. Indian youth telemental health demonstration project (Section 3101, p. 1909)
108. Program for treatment of child sexual abuse victims and perpetrators (Section 3101, p. 1925)
109. Program for treatment of domestic violence and sexual abuse (Section 3101, p. 1927)
110. Native American Health and Wellness Foundation (Section 3103, p. 1966)
111. Committee for the Establishment of the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation (Section 3103, p. 1968)
This bureaucracy is what will stand between you and your doctor if Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and President Obama get their way. Keep fighting! While the odds are heavily stacked against the ideals of limited government and individual liberty, they are not insurmountable.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Entourage: The White House years
The Canadian Free Press is about to join Fox news on the White House enemies list. They have taken the time to document the large staff that caters to Michelle Obama:
$172,200 - Sher, Susan (CHIEF OF STAFF)$140,000 - Frye, Jocelyn C. (DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND PROJECTS FOR THE FIRST LADY)$113,000 - Rogers, Desiree G. (SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND WHITE HOUSE SOCIAL SECRETARY)$102,000 - Johnston, Camille Y. (SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE FIRST LADY)Winter, Melissa E. (SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE FIRST LADY)$90,000 - Medina, David S. (DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE FIRST LADY)$84,000 - Lelyveld, Catherine M. (DIRECTOR AND PRESS SECRETARY TO THE FIRST LADY)$75,000 - Starkey, Frances M. (DIRECTOR OF SCHEDULING AND ADVANCE FOR THE FIRST LADY)$70,000 - Sanders, Trooper (DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND PROJECTS FOR THE FIRST LADY)$65,000 - Burnough, Erinn J. (DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY SOCIAL SECRETARY)Reinstein, Joseph B. (DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY SOCIAL SECRETARY)$62,000 - Goodman, Jennifer R. (DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SCHEDULING AND EVENTS COORDINATOR FOR THE FIRST LADY)$60,000 - Fitts, Alan O. (DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ADVANCE AND TRIP DIRECTOR FOR THE FIRST LADY)$52,500 - Lewis, Dana M. (SPECIAL ASSISTANT AND PERSONAL AIDE TO THE FIRST LADY)$52,500 - Mustaphi, Semonti M. (ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY TO THE FIRST LADY)$50,000 - Jarvis, Kristen E. (SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR SCHEDULING AND TRAVELING AIDE TO THE FIRST LADY)$45,000 - Lechtenberg, Tyler A. (ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE FIRST LADY)$45,000 - Tubman, Samantha (DEPUTY ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR,SOCIAL OFFICE)$40,000 - Boswell, Joseph J. (EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE FIRST LADY)$36,000 - Armbruster, Sally M (STAFF ASSISTANT TO THE SOCIAL SECRETARY)Bookey, Natalie (STAFF ASSISTANT)Jackson, Deilia A. (DEPUTY ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE FIRST LADY)This adds up to a whopping $1,600,700.00 and the amount doesn't include the elite benefit packages granted to the White House staff and their significant others (include same-sex partners). Nor does the figure take into account the salaries for the two additional full-time staff members mentioned by Mrs. Obama's Press Secretary nor the full time hair-dresser and makeup artist assigned to her. A guesstimate of the total salaries for Mrs. Obama's attendants is $1,750,00.00 plus the additional benefits.
So, the First Lady has a staff with a cumulative salary of almost 2 million dollars. When is the American media going to get off their duffs and report this great waste of the taxpayers dollars? The Obama's think nothing of flying up to New York for a date night or to Denmark for a day to pitch for the Olympics on the taxpayers' dime. This is unseemly excess in a time when most Americans are trying to make every penny count.
$172,200 - Sher, Susan (CHIEF OF STAFF)$140,000 - Frye, Jocelyn C. (DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND PROJECTS FOR THE FIRST LADY)$113,000 - Rogers, Desiree G. (SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND WHITE HOUSE SOCIAL SECRETARY)$102,000 - Johnston, Camille Y. (SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE FIRST LADY)Winter, Melissa E. (SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE FIRST LADY)$90,000 - Medina, David S. (DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE FIRST LADY)$84,000 - Lelyveld, Catherine M. (DIRECTOR AND PRESS SECRETARY TO THE FIRST LADY)$75,000 - Starkey, Frances M. (DIRECTOR OF SCHEDULING AND ADVANCE FOR THE FIRST LADY)$70,000 - Sanders, Trooper (DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND PROJECTS FOR THE FIRST LADY)$65,000 - Burnough, Erinn J. (DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY SOCIAL SECRETARY)Reinstein, Joseph B. (DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY SOCIAL SECRETARY)$62,000 - Goodman, Jennifer R. (DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SCHEDULING AND EVENTS COORDINATOR FOR THE FIRST LADY)$60,000 - Fitts, Alan O. (DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ADVANCE AND TRIP DIRECTOR FOR THE FIRST LADY)$52,500 - Lewis, Dana M. (SPECIAL ASSISTANT AND PERSONAL AIDE TO THE FIRST LADY)$52,500 - Mustaphi, Semonti M. (ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY TO THE FIRST LADY)$50,000 - Jarvis, Kristen E. (SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR SCHEDULING AND TRAVELING AIDE TO THE FIRST LADY)$45,000 - Lechtenberg, Tyler A. (ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE FIRST LADY)$45,000 - Tubman, Samantha (DEPUTY ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR,SOCIAL OFFICE)$40,000 - Boswell, Joseph J. (EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE FIRST LADY)$36,000 - Armbruster, Sally M (STAFF ASSISTANT TO THE SOCIAL SECRETARY)Bookey, Natalie (STAFF ASSISTANT)Jackson, Deilia A. (DEPUTY ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE FIRST LADY)This adds up to a whopping $1,600,700.00 and the amount doesn't include the elite benefit packages granted to the White House staff and their significant others (include same-sex partners). Nor does the figure take into account the salaries for the two additional full-time staff members mentioned by Mrs. Obama's Press Secretary nor the full time hair-dresser and makeup artist assigned to her. A guesstimate of the total salaries for Mrs. Obama's attendants is $1,750,00.00 plus the additional benefits.
So, the First Lady has a staff with a cumulative salary of almost 2 million dollars. When is the American media going to get off their duffs and report this great waste of the taxpayers dollars? The Obama's think nothing of flying up to New York for a date night or to Denmark for a day to pitch for the Olympics on the taxpayers' dime. This is unseemly excess in a time when most Americans are trying to make every penny count.
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