This Pennsylvania hospital may have been considering this step before Obamacare became the law of the land. If you smoke, here is another reason to quit now.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Will my company drop my health insurance thanks to Obamacare?
Let's answer this question by asking another: Why does my company offer health insurance benefits in the first place?
-To compete for quality employees.
-To reduce costs:
-Reduced Absenteeism
-Reduced Turnover
-To build community goodwill
-To network with potential customers, suppliers, new business partners and even future employees
-To improve morale and productivity
Like with other business activities, it has to be a money maker. A company does not offer a health plan just to be nice. It makes cents, and dollars to have a health plan. Until now.
Therefore, if companies determine that the cost of Obamacare outweighs the benefits and if companies also determine that there are narrower holes in the safety net, that employees will have a place to land, they will drop drop this benefit. If companies like AT&T, Caterpillar and other American business giants drop their health plan due to the new expense, others will follow. Your company-offered benefits may quickly become a thing of the past.
How do we cope? One of the results is that some people, such as computer people, that have not traditionally been part of a union, may unionize to keep their benefits. The young and healthy may find that a private plan will be cheaper and have a broader benefit than their company plan. These will be the least affected. Many will not be so fortunate. Those that will likely suffer the most are those that are not insurable today.
Obamacare says that you can not be denied coverage, but some people will have to pay through the nose to get health insurance without their company plan. If you have a cancer survivor, or a diabetic or a schizophrenic in your household, you will be able to find a private plan, but you will have to pay a ton of money to get it. Insurance companies are not going to give this away, no matter what Aunt Nancy has said. They will be able to justify a higher price for taking on a higher risk. The courts will be on their side. Think SR-22 style insurance. (That is the auto insurance plan for people who have had a DUI on their record.) People like this will have little choice but to buy from a government co-op. Then you have to hope to find a doctor in your community that will accept your co-op.
-To compete for quality employees.
-To reduce costs:
-Reduced Absenteeism
-Reduced Turnover
-To build community goodwill
-To network with potential customers, suppliers, new business partners and even future employees
-To improve morale and productivity
Like with other business activities, it has to be a money maker. A company does not offer a health plan just to be nice. It makes cents, and dollars to have a health plan. Until now.
Therefore, if companies determine that the cost of Obamacare outweighs the benefits and if companies also determine that there are narrower holes in the safety net, that employees will have a place to land, they will drop drop this benefit. If companies like AT&T, Caterpillar and other American business giants drop their health plan due to the new expense, others will follow. Your company-offered benefits may quickly become a thing of the past.
How do we cope? One of the results is that some people, such as computer people, that have not traditionally been part of a union, may unionize to keep their benefits. The young and healthy may find that a private plan will be cheaper and have a broader benefit than their company plan. These will be the least affected. Many will not be so fortunate. Those that will likely suffer the most are those that are not insurable today.
Obamacare says that you can not be denied coverage, but some people will have to pay through the nose to get health insurance without their company plan. If you have a cancer survivor, or a diabetic or a schizophrenic in your household, you will be able to find a private plan, but you will have to pay a ton of money to get it. Insurance companies are not going to give this away, no matter what Aunt Nancy has said. They will be able to justify a higher price for taking on a higher risk. The courts will be on their side. Think SR-22 style insurance. (That is the auto insurance plan for people who have had a DUI on their record.) People like this will have little choice but to buy from a government co-op. Then you have to hope to find a doctor in your community that will accept your co-op.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
What happens when business expenses increase--Updated.
The cost of doing business is increasing, and a mandate from the Federal Government will not help. When some costs rise, a business has to find a way to make up the money somewhere else. There are only five choices:
1. Increase revenue through improved sales.
2. Increase revenue through price increases.
3. Increase revenue through improved marketing practices.
4. Cutting costs through improved efficiency.
5. Cutting costs by reducing obligations. This includes a reduction the work-force.
6. Improved services or taking other steps to justify a higher price.
7. Stop offering the costly service.
There is only so much that can be gained through either of these options. It makes for some tough choices.
Finally, when a company can not gain any additional revenue or balance their costs, they are left with choices.
1. Pass the expense on to the customers in the form of higher prices? Doesn't everyone do it? Truth is, no. The amount that you can charge for a good or service is really governed by the laws of supply and demand. Businesses that always respond to higher costs with increased prices often find themselves in chapter 11. You have to play a game of "chicken" with your competition and customers. Gasoline, it seems, almost seems very resistant to sharp price increases. But if I ran a grocery store, while not selling at a loss, I would be very careful about passing prices on to customers. Who knows if you will see them back.
2. Absorb the cost. This will reduce profits or increase the red ink. But if an expense in temporary, this may be a better option. It will help ensure loyalty from customers and employees. In the long term, this is not really an option. Operating at a loss is a recipe for failure.
3. Terminate obligations. This could include lay offs. At first, a company will get rid of the least productive employees. Later, however, good employees will have to be let go. Companies are hesitant to lay off employees. They will do things like scale back on extras first.
4. If the loss becomes too much to absorb, one option for a business is to discontinue offering the product. For example, there is a grocery chain here in Utah that no longer offers beer and other alcoholic beverages because it was too expensive. More product was going out the back door than out the front and many of their most loyal customers were never purchased beer, wine or other beverages anyhow.
1. Increase revenue through improved sales.
2. Increase revenue through price increases.
3. Increase revenue through improved marketing practices.
4. Cutting costs through improved efficiency.
5. Cutting costs by reducing obligations. This includes a reduction the work-force.
6. Improved services or taking other steps to justify a higher price.
7. Stop offering the costly service.
There is only so much that can be gained through either of these options. It makes for some tough choices.
Finally, when a company can not gain any additional revenue or balance their costs, they are left with choices.
1. Pass the expense on to the customers in the form of higher prices? Doesn't everyone do it? Truth is, no. The amount that you can charge for a good or service is really governed by the laws of supply and demand. Businesses that always respond to higher costs with increased prices often find themselves in chapter 11. You have to play a game of "chicken" with your competition and customers. Gasoline, it seems, almost seems very resistant to sharp price increases. But if I ran a grocery store, while not selling at a loss, I would be very careful about passing prices on to customers. Who knows if you will see them back.
2. Absorb the cost. This will reduce profits or increase the red ink. But if an expense in temporary, this may be a better option. It will help ensure loyalty from customers and employees. In the long term, this is not really an option. Operating at a loss is a recipe for failure.
3. Terminate obligations. This could include lay offs. At first, a company will get rid of the least productive employees. Later, however, good employees will have to be let go. Companies are hesitant to lay off employees. They will do things like scale back on extras first.
4. If the loss becomes too much to absorb, one option for a business is to discontinue offering the product. For example, there is a grocery chain here in Utah that no longer offers beer and other alcoholic beverages because it was too expensive. More product was going out the back door than out the front and many of their most loyal customers were never purchased beer, wine or other beverages anyhow.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
What would really happen if the US declared bankruptcy
Like the rest of us, the US Government is not immune from bankruptcy. The Federal Government could avoid bankruptcy through inflation, even though bankruptcy would be more costly at the polls than inflation, it would resolve little. Many in Congress prefer hyper inflation to bankruptcy. Hyper inflation is 100% inflation or higher. That means that the price level doubles annually. And it is not a real solution if the level of spending in Congress continues. Not to mention how the electorate would feel about it.
Eventually, however, even members of Congress will realize that we can not go on and on with a deficit forever. And there may be a point where it will become obvious that it is at the breaking point and can not continue. The troubling fact is, Congress can avoid bankruptcy at any time. They have the power of the purse, and can cut spending to the bone any time they can all agree to do so. Budgetary items are the only items that can avoid the cloture vote in the senate, meaning no filibusterer...a simple majority vote in both houses will take care of it.
But if the congress can't do that, there is chapter 11 or something similar to it. This is not chapter 7, where debts are forgiven. It is not chapter 13, where a time table is agreed upon. It has to be like a business reorganization, because this is the closest legal precedent we have. We do not have a provision in the constitution for the bankruptcy of the US Government. I suspect that if it is bad enough for bankruptcy, that the President can make the formal declaration without a vote from Congress. The Supreme Court would need to back him or her up. This is basically taking the power of the purse away from the Congress and putting it in the hands of the courts until the books are brought back in line and Americas creditors are satisfied. This would be a constitutional crisis, expect the legality of it all to be contested in courts. If these proceedings are tied up in courts long enough, the plan will fail and the Federal Government with it.
If it succeeds, the government continues. The government as we know it today may be unrecognizable afterwords. If it fails, the government fails. But only the Federal Government. The governments of the 50 states would individually continue. Here is how that process is likely to take place:
How it works:
1. A trustee would need to be appointed. The judge over the case would be the chief justice of the United States. The trustee would likely be either a former president or a retired associate justice of the Supreme Court. If this were to happen today, it would likely be Sandra Day O'Connor.
2. Constitutionally, Congress has the power of the purse and should make any financial decisions. Because Congress would be afraid of the political consequences of the tough choices made, they would facilitate a committee to take care of the bankruptcy and vote on their findings. The Congress would have to agree on their findings. The committee would make some choices that would be hard on the Democrats, and some choices that would be hard for the Republicans. The committee would have to be made up of people that could set aside their partisanship and get something accomplished quickly--within 120 days by law. Therefore, it could not include any who are currently sittings in elected positions. I would appoint retired federal and state judges with experience in bankruptcy cases.
3. They work it out in four phases. First, you have to list the assets and liabilities. Then you have to list income and expenditures. Third you list contracts and leases. Fourth, you create a statement of financial affairs.
4. In short writing, a plan will be developed to bring the Federal Government's financial affairs in order. This is where a lot of lobbying will take place and why the members of the trustee's committee will need to be untouchable. Obviously some contracts and obligations will be canceled, some assets sold, and some commitments curtailed. (This is over-simplified.)
5. There needs to be a time table to emerge from bankruptcy and milestones to track progress.
6. The bankruptcy would fail if the Congress votes against it, the trustee rejects it, the president vetoes it or any milestones are missed or the government debt continues to grow afterwords.
Likely Outcome of the Proceedings:
Now for the consequences for the government, some things that may have to happen to bring our federal house in order. Many of these steps can be taken now to avoid bankruptcy.
1. Many government bureaucracies would need to be eliminated or downsized. There are a lot of functions that are duplicated within the Federal Government by multiple agencies. These can be combined or consolidated. There are also functions that are duplicated by various state agencies. Due to the 10th amendment, these functions can be eliminated completely at the federal level. Only those given to the government explicit by the Constitution would be eliminated at the state level. The departments of Education, of Health and Human Services and others could disband. Many federal employees will be laid off. Federal employee retirement programs would be restructured.
2. Many federal court cases would be dismissed or referred back to state courts. This could include criminal cases where state laws were also violated. All civil lawsuits could be referred back to the states. The scope of a "Federal Question" would be reduced.
3. At best, the retirement age would be raised to 75 effective for all people under the age of 75. At worst, all able bodied people would be asked to return to the work force and social security payments would be eliminated for every person who can not prove that they are not able to work. The population dependent on the government dole would need to be reduced significantly.
4. Taxes would increase. Most likely to happen: many tax loopholes could be closed. The EITC would likely disappear as well. But the top marginal rate could increase, or another top bracket would be added. But taxes would need to remain at a realistic level.
5. Closed military bases would be sold. Many stationed overseas would return home. Commitments to foreign bases and governments could be curtailed. There would have to be some consolidation of the military, but it would have to be done in a way that would not compromise our defenses. There may even be layoffs of active duty soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines...meaning people being moved from active duty to what is called the "ready" reserve before their commitments are complete. Many military vehicles, ships and planes would either be scrapped and salvaged or "civilianized" and sold.
6. Some national monuments and recreation areas and even some national parks would be privatized. Indian reservations would be decommissioned. Much land now owned by the Federal Government would be sold. This would likely be the most controversial part of the plan as environmentalism has become so powerful in the US.
7. Some federal debts, where the government is the creditor, could be accelerated.
8. The size of the House of Representatives could be reduced. The pay of many elected officials would be reduced. This would include the pay of the President, the Vice President, the federal courts and Congress. Congressional sessions would be reduced. Congressional travel would be reduced.
9. Many farm subsidies would be canceled.
10. Medicare goes away. Doctors would have to find a way to work with patients that have been covered by Medicare, refuse to accept these patients or go out of business. Same with Medicaid, SCHIP and other federal health care programs.
Negative consequences on society as a whole:
1. High unemployment with the limitation of unemployment benefits.
2. Deflation, including real estate prices. This is not usually a good thing. It usually accelerates the pace of lay offs in business as companies will take advantage of the opportunity to replace higher paid people with those who can provide the same quality of work for a lower wage. No one is happy about having to work for less money, even if it means your pay check will go farther. The Federal Minimum wage may even need to be decreased.
3. Higher crime due to reduced law enforcement activities and more idleness among the population.
4. Increased terrorism both from foreign enemies and domestic.
5. Higher turnover in elected offices. Currently there is about a 10% turnover rate in Congress in each election. (3 new senators and 50 new congressmen/congresswomen each election.) This could increase significantly.
6. Lower quality of infrastructure, including the collapse of many bridges, dams and other capitol projects managed by the Federal Government. Highway projects would be delayed or canceled.
7. Lower environmental quality.
8. Many more people falling through societal safety nets. This means more deaths due to lack of access to health care facilities, more accidents in the workplace, more suicides, more starvation, more homelessness etc. These problems would be especially severe among the elderly. There will be more strain on faith based charities and other private charities.
9. Imported items will be more expensive as the US dollar will be weak. Energy prices would increase.
10. Recovery from natural disasters will be slow. What now takes days now will take months. Some communities heavily damaged by natural disasters would become ghost towns.
11. Many pubic schools will close. This will include universities.
12. Many businesses will close.
13. Many homes will fall into foreclosure. So will many commercial properties.
14. The "entitled" could become frustrated, disenfranchised and disaffected.
15. Some state governments would be overwhelmed with the loss of federal funds.
16. If the US were involved in a war, the draft would return.
17. More corporate control of American Farmland. Many farms will fail. Many farmers will have to find lower-cost methods of farming to survive.
What would happen if the bankruptcy of the United States fails and the government of the United States were to fall? Each of the 50 states would become 50 independent countries. Some have the resources to survive very well as independent republics, like Texas. Others will quickly become failed states. If the US survives and emerges from bankruptcy, the country could be better off. The eventual positive consequences will include:
1. Reduced federal spending that could eventually lead to lower taxes. But not until the National Debt is completely retired.
2. A reduced "entitled" population.
3. The balance of power would be shifted to state governments and courts.
4. The end of congressional earmarks.
5. A smaller federal government. Larger state governments.
6. Less land owned by the federal government means a higher tax base for local governments.
7. People would find a way to survive without big brother helping them every step of the way.
8. The American manufacturing base would be rebuilt.
9. Lower interest rates as the largest borrower in the United States pays off her debt.
10. Facilitating the creation of a federal rainy day fund to take care of the cleanup from natural disasters.
11. Energy independence.
12. More entrepreneurship among the populace.
Now you decide, is this worth the panic that Glen Beck and others are preaching? Yes, it is time to take prudent steps to prepare, but not time to panic. It's not going to be easy to take these steps, especially if you have parents in their 70s or older, but it will not be complete anarchy either. Remember, if the Federal Government fails, many of us have a strong state government as a backup. Many businesses survive bankruptcy and the US Government can as well. Bankruptcy would not mean the end of, or the collapse of, the Federal Government, but a way to avoid it.
How can we prepare?
1. Get out of debt.
2. Store food.
3. Be a good employee.
4. Be active in politics and choose good, prudent representatives even if it means crossing party lines. Be involved in state and local politics as well. Strong state governments will save us from anarchy if the Federal Government fails.
5. Hug your kids daily.
6. Save money.
7. Plant a garden.
8. Take care of your health.
9. Watch over aging parents.
Eventually, however, even members of Congress will realize that we can not go on and on with a deficit forever. And there may be a point where it will become obvious that it is at the breaking point and can not continue. The troubling fact is, Congress can avoid bankruptcy at any time. They have the power of the purse, and can cut spending to the bone any time they can all agree to do so. Budgetary items are the only items that can avoid the cloture vote in the senate, meaning no filibusterer...a simple majority vote in both houses will take care of it.
But if the congress can't do that, there is chapter 11 or something similar to it. This is not chapter 7, where debts are forgiven. It is not chapter 13, where a time table is agreed upon. It has to be like a business reorganization, because this is the closest legal precedent we have. We do not have a provision in the constitution for the bankruptcy of the US Government. I suspect that if it is bad enough for bankruptcy, that the President can make the formal declaration without a vote from Congress. The Supreme Court would need to back him or her up. This is basically taking the power of the purse away from the Congress and putting it in the hands of the courts until the books are brought back in line and Americas creditors are satisfied. This would be a constitutional crisis, expect the legality of it all to be contested in courts. If these proceedings are tied up in courts long enough, the plan will fail and the Federal Government with it.
If it succeeds, the government continues. The government as we know it today may be unrecognizable afterwords. If it fails, the government fails. But only the Federal Government. The governments of the 50 states would individually continue. Here is how that process is likely to take place:
How it works:
1. A trustee would need to be appointed. The judge over the case would be the chief justice of the United States. The trustee would likely be either a former president or a retired associate justice of the Supreme Court. If this were to happen today, it would likely be Sandra Day O'Connor.
2. Constitutionally, Congress has the power of the purse and should make any financial decisions. Because Congress would be afraid of the political consequences of the tough choices made, they would facilitate a committee to take care of the bankruptcy and vote on their findings. The Congress would have to agree on their findings. The committee would make some choices that would be hard on the Democrats, and some choices that would be hard for the Republicans. The committee would have to be made up of people that could set aside their partisanship and get something accomplished quickly--within 120 days by law. Therefore, it could not include any who are currently sittings in elected positions. I would appoint retired federal and state judges with experience in bankruptcy cases.
3. They work it out in four phases. First, you have to list the assets and liabilities. Then you have to list income and expenditures. Third you list contracts and leases. Fourth, you create a statement of financial affairs.
4. In short writing, a plan will be developed to bring the Federal Government's financial affairs in order. This is where a lot of lobbying will take place and why the members of the trustee's committee will need to be untouchable. Obviously some contracts and obligations will be canceled, some assets sold, and some commitments curtailed. (This is over-simplified.)
5. There needs to be a time table to emerge from bankruptcy and milestones to track progress.
6. The bankruptcy would fail if the Congress votes against it, the trustee rejects it, the president vetoes it or any milestones are missed or the government debt continues to grow afterwords.
Likely Outcome of the Proceedings:
Now for the consequences for the government, some things that may have to happen to bring our federal house in order. Many of these steps can be taken now to avoid bankruptcy.
1. Many government bureaucracies would need to be eliminated or downsized. There are a lot of functions that are duplicated within the Federal Government by multiple agencies. These can be combined or consolidated. There are also functions that are duplicated by various state agencies. Due to the 10th amendment, these functions can be eliminated completely at the federal level. Only those given to the government explicit by the Constitution would be eliminated at the state level. The departments of Education, of Health and Human Services and others could disband. Many federal employees will be laid off. Federal employee retirement programs would be restructured.
2. Many federal court cases would be dismissed or referred back to state courts. This could include criminal cases where state laws were also violated. All civil lawsuits could be referred back to the states. The scope of a "Federal Question" would be reduced.
3. At best, the retirement age would be raised to 75 effective for all people under the age of 75. At worst, all able bodied people would be asked to return to the work force and social security payments would be eliminated for every person who can not prove that they are not able to work. The population dependent on the government dole would need to be reduced significantly.
4. Taxes would increase. Most likely to happen: many tax loopholes could be closed. The EITC would likely disappear as well. But the top marginal rate could increase, or another top bracket would be added. But taxes would need to remain at a realistic level.
5. Closed military bases would be sold. Many stationed overseas would return home. Commitments to foreign bases and governments could be curtailed. There would have to be some consolidation of the military, but it would have to be done in a way that would not compromise our defenses. There may even be layoffs of active duty soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines...meaning people being moved from active duty to what is called the "ready" reserve before their commitments are complete. Many military vehicles, ships and planes would either be scrapped and salvaged or "civilianized" and sold.
6. Some national monuments and recreation areas and even some national parks would be privatized. Indian reservations would be decommissioned. Much land now owned by the Federal Government would be sold. This would likely be the most controversial part of the plan as environmentalism has become so powerful in the US.
7. Some federal debts, where the government is the creditor, could be accelerated.
8. The size of the House of Representatives could be reduced. The pay of many elected officials would be reduced. This would include the pay of the President, the Vice President, the federal courts and Congress. Congressional sessions would be reduced. Congressional travel would be reduced.
9. Many farm subsidies would be canceled.
10. Medicare goes away. Doctors would have to find a way to work with patients that have been covered by Medicare, refuse to accept these patients or go out of business. Same with Medicaid, SCHIP and other federal health care programs.
Negative consequences on society as a whole:
1. High unemployment with the limitation of unemployment benefits.
2. Deflation, including real estate prices. This is not usually a good thing. It usually accelerates the pace of lay offs in business as companies will take advantage of the opportunity to replace higher paid people with those who can provide the same quality of work for a lower wage. No one is happy about having to work for less money, even if it means your pay check will go farther. The Federal Minimum wage may even need to be decreased.
3. Higher crime due to reduced law enforcement activities and more idleness among the population.
4. Increased terrorism both from foreign enemies and domestic.
5. Higher turnover in elected offices. Currently there is about a 10% turnover rate in Congress in each election. (3 new senators and 50 new congressmen/congresswomen each election.) This could increase significantly.
6. Lower quality of infrastructure, including the collapse of many bridges, dams and other capitol projects managed by the Federal Government. Highway projects would be delayed or canceled.
7. Lower environmental quality.
8. Many more people falling through societal safety nets. This means more deaths due to lack of access to health care facilities, more accidents in the workplace, more suicides, more starvation, more homelessness etc. These problems would be especially severe among the elderly. There will be more strain on faith based charities and other private charities.
9. Imported items will be more expensive as the US dollar will be weak. Energy prices would increase.
10. Recovery from natural disasters will be slow. What now takes days now will take months. Some communities heavily damaged by natural disasters would become ghost towns.
11. Many pubic schools will close. This will include universities.
12. Many businesses will close.
13. Many homes will fall into foreclosure. So will many commercial properties.
14. The "entitled" could become frustrated, disenfranchised and disaffected.
15. Some state governments would be overwhelmed with the loss of federal funds.
16. If the US were involved in a war, the draft would return.
17. More corporate control of American Farmland. Many farms will fail. Many farmers will have to find lower-cost methods of farming to survive.
What would happen if the bankruptcy of the United States fails and the government of the United States were to fall? Each of the 50 states would become 50 independent countries. Some have the resources to survive very well as independent republics, like Texas. Others will quickly become failed states. If the US survives and emerges from bankruptcy, the country could be better off. The eventual positive consequences will include:
1. Reduced federal spending that could eventually lead to lower taxes. But not until the National Debt is completely retired.
2. A reduced "entitled" population.
3. The balance of power would be shifted to state governments and courts.
4. The end of congressional earmarks.
5. A smaller federal government. Larger state governments.
6. Less land owned by the federal government means a higher tax base for local governments.
7. People would find a way to survive without big brother helping them every step of the way.
8. The American manufacturing base would be rebuilt.
9. Lower interest rates as the largest borrower in the United States pays off her debt.
10. Facilitating the creation of a federal rainy day fund to take care of the cleanup from natural disasters.
11. Energy independence.
12. More entrepreneurship among the populace.
Now you decide, is this worth the panic that Glen Beck and others are preaching? Yes, it is time to take prudent steps to prepare, but not time to panic. It's not going to be easy to take these steps, especially if you have parents in their 70s or older, but it will not be complete anarchy either. Remember, if the Federal Government fails, many of us have a strong state government as a backup. Many businesses survive bankruptcy and the US Government can as well. Bankruptcy would not mean the end of, or the collapse of, the Federal Government, but a way to avoid it.
How can we prepare?
1. Get out of debt.
2. Store food.
3. Be a good employee.
4. Be active in politics and choose good, prudent representatives even if it means crossing party lines. Be involved in state and local politics as well. Strong state governments will save us from anarchy if the Federal Government fails.
5. Hug your kids daily.
6. Save money.
7. Plant a garden.
8. Take care of your health.
9. Watch over aging parents.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Letter to Nancy Pelosi
I know what you meant when you said, "vote for the bill and then you will be able to see what is in it away from the fog of Washington." Even if the pundits have been all over this statement. But let's be honest, it is much different than a car dealer saying, "take this car home, believe me it will look much better in your driveway than it does in this lot." Would you buy the car?
Let's be honest about one aspect of this health care bill. It is really nothing more than a new entitlement. It will become another third rail of politics. An entitlement program that can not be repealed. Even if the means to pay for it are unsustainable. If this bill survives to where people experience the benefits, then it will be political suicide for anyone who attempts to repeal it.
Just like buying a used car, it is buyer beware. It could be a cherry, or it could be a lemon. We know when we are getting a snow job, and taxpayers and voters are smarter than that.
Let's be honest about one aspect of this health care bill. It is really nothing more than a new entitlement. It will become another third rail of politics. An entitlement program that can not be repealed. Even if the means to pay for it are unsustainable. If this bill survives to where people experience the benefits, then it will be political suicide for anyone who attempts to repeal it.
Just like buying a used car, it is buyer beware. It could be a cherry, or it could be a lemon. We know when we are getting a snow job, and taxpayers and voters are smarter than that.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Astroturf Reboot.
First of all, I want to reiterate my support for a Tobacco Tax increase in Utah. I support the moderate increase that has passed the legislature. I know that a lot of people that I pal around with, politically would disagree. They see the tax as a tax on the minority to serve the majority. But I do not see it that way. People do not have to use tobacco. Ideally, we should not collect one thin dime from tobacco taxes. We can make the tobacco tax go away tomorrow, if we wish. This is a voluntary tax. So if you choose to smoke, the taxpayers of Utah thank you. Please quit now.
Now, if you see a Bob Bennett add on this blog, please understand that this is a Google Ads mistake. I do not make enough money from ads on this blog to care either way. And I am embarrassed to admit that I do not know how to remove it. I have chosen who I support for the Senate Campaign. Keep reading.
Otherwise, I have been to a couple of 9/12 meetings. I wish that I could join, but beginning a doctorate later this spring will limit the time that I can physically contribute to political causes. I will continue to serve, if elected, as a precinct chair. This means that I will be stumping for GOP candidates this fall as my schedule permits. I want to see this through until Orrin Hatch either retires or is defeated. I will blog when I can.
In the past few months, however, I have changed my mind on a few issues. I am going to hold off on calling for constitutional amendments, for now. I have been talking and reading a lot about topics for a long time, and I think that I like the constitution the way that it is now. I only have one amendment in mind that I think is still needed.
I no longer think that we need a balanced budget amendment. We need a disciplined Congress. We need to elect representatives that will work to balance the budget, even in hard times. We all need to avoid debt, but just like there are times for you and me when debt is necessary, there are also times when public debt in necessary. But those times are rare.
I will currently back off on the Marriage Amendment. We have a 120+ year precedent in this country that says that one man and one woman make a marriage, and we do not need to amend the constitution to protect marriage. That was decided by the Supreme Court in 1888. We do not need a constitutional amendment when we have Stare Decisis. We need to respect and abide by all of our case law. We can not pick and choose. The decision to support Edmunds/Tucker is as valid as Roe v. Wade.
Right now, I am backing off of a term limits amendment. We should not need it. It seems like it takes less than one term for certain people to become corrupted in Washington. If they are touchable, then it will happen quickly. If there is no other way to ensure an honest congress, then let's have term limits. I think that we need to better use the party systems, especially here in Utah, to hold our representatives accountable. We have given our congress a pass, especially here in Utah, based upon their party.
The amendment that I am still stumping for is the Line-Item Veto Amendment. This seems to be the only way to target earmarks. However, the President will likely allow certain earmarks to pass, the ones that benefit certain allies, while embarrassing enemies. Therefore, for earmarks it would have to be an all-or-nothing proposition to keep the proper balance between the executive and legislative branches.
My solution for the abortion problem: Require any woman who wants an abortion to notify the father. Require the father to pay for at least half of the procedure. Hold the father partially liable for any complications. The negative effects of pregnancy fall far to much upon the mother. If men share more of the consequences, the need for abortion would decline.
Now, I do not agree with everything Glen Beck says, he is a little too alarmist. Rush Limbaugh is not right as much as he says he is. I do not like it when Sean Hannity talks or shouts over someone he disagrees with. But it is entertaining.
There are going to be negative consequences for the actions of Congress and the President in the last four years, but we still have time to avoid them. This election is critical. Here in Utah, we have a chance to send a message that will reverberate to the entire nation by sending Bob Bennett home.
I support groups that want to return our government closer to the constitutional republic that we are. The word Republican means that we are in support of our republic. In support of Freedom. We are moving far too close to total government and need to step back. People are the solution to our problems, not government. I will take anyone I agree with 80% of the time. Therefore, I announce my support of Cherilyn Eager for Senate in Utah. She's not perfect, but as good as we are going to get.
Now, if you see a Bob Bennett add on this blog, please understand that this is a Google Ads mistake. I do not make enough money from ads on this blog to care either way. And I am embarrassed to admit that I do not know how to remove it. I have chosen who I support for the Senate Campaign. Keep reading.
Otherwise, I have been to a couple of 9/12 meetings. I wish that I could join, but beginning a doctorate later this spring will limit the time that I can physically contribute to political causes. I will continue to serve, if elected, as a precinct chair. This means that I will be stumping for GOP candidates this fall as my schedule permits. I want to see this through until Orrin Hatch either retires or is defeated. I will blog when I can.
In the past few months, however, I have changed my mind on a few issues. I am going to hold off on calling for constitutional amendments, for now. I have been talking and reading a lot about topics for a long time, and I think that I like the constitution the way that it is now. I only have one amendment in mind that I think is still needed.
I no longer think that we need a balanced budget amendment. We need a disciplined Congress. We need to elect representatives that will work to balance the budget, even in hard times. We all need to avoid debt, but just like there are times for you and me when debt is necessary, there are also times when public debt in necessary. But those times are rare.
I will currently back off on the Marriage Amendment. We have a 120+ year precedent in this country that says that one man and one woman make a marriage, and we do not need to amend the constitution to protect marriage. That was decided by the Supreme Court in 1888. We do not need a constitutional amendment when we have Stare Decisis. We need to respect and abide by all of our case law. We can not pick and choose. The decision to support Edmunds/Tucker is as valid as Roe v. Wade.
Right now, I am backing off of a term limits amendment. We should not need it. It seems like it takes less than one term for certain people to become corrupted in Washington. If they are touchable, then it will happen quickly. If there is no other way to ensure an honest congress, then let's have term limits. I think that we need to better use the party systems, especially here in Utah, to hold our representatives accountable. We have given our congress a pass, especially here in Utah, based upon their party.
The amendment that I am still stumping for is the Line-Item Veto Amendment. This seems to be the only way to target earmarks. However, the President will likely allow certain earmarks to pass, the ones that benefit certain allies, while embarrassing enemies. Therefore, for earmarks it would have to be an all-or-nothing proposition to keep the proper balance between the executive and legislative branches.
My solution for the abortion problem: Require any woman who wants an abortion to notify the father. Require the father to pay for at least half of the procedure. Hold the father partially liable for any complications. The negative effects of pregnancy fall far to much upon the mother. If men share more of the consequences, the need for abortion would decline.
Now, I do not agree with everything Glen Beck says, he is a little too alarmist. Rush Limbaugh is not right as much as he says he is. I do not like it when Sean Hannity talks or shouts over someone he disagrees with. But it is entertaining.
There are going to be negative consequences for the actions of Congress and the President in the last four years, but we still have time to avoid them. This election is critical. Here in Utah, we have a chance to send a message that will reverberate to the entire nation by sending Bob Bennett home.
I support groups that want to return our government closer to the constitutional republic that we are. The word Republican means that we are in support of our republic. In support of Freedom. We are moving far too close to total government and need to step back. People are the solution to our problems, not government. I will take anyone I agree with 80% of the time. Therefore, I announce my support of Cherilyn Eager for Senate in Utah. She's not perfect, but as good as we are going to get.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The Matheson Court Appointment
I have not blogged on this site for a while, and I thought I would check in tonight about the appointment of Scott Matheson, Jr. to the appeals court.
Scott Matheson, Jr. is the son of former governor Scott Matheson. And he is the brother of Congressman Jim Matheson. Jim is one of the so called "Blue Dog" Democrats that President Obama needs to win over to get health care reforms passed.
Scott Matheson is probably well qualified and would likely make a good appeals court judge. He may even make the Supreme Court. He is the dean of one of the better law schools in the country. You do not arise to that position without being good at both the law and politics.
The trouble is the timing. In politics, it is almost all perception. Weather or not the political payoff is real, it still looks and smells like a skunk. In this case, it may simply be that she-cat that is being chased by Pepe LePew just because of a stray paint brush. But notice how the Parisians in these cartoons react.
Sometimes in politics, the reality does not matter, it is the perception of that reality that is the problem. It might be a good idea to set the nomination aside for a while. That is until the whole health care deal dies down, one way or another.
For reference, here is a link to a Pepe LePew cartoon.
Scott Matheson, Jr. is the son of former governor Scott Matheson. And he is the brother of Congressman Jim Matheson. Jim is one of the so called "Blue Dog" Democrats that President Obama needs to win over to get health care reforms passed.
Scott Matheson is probably well qualified and would likely make a good appeals court judge. He may even make the Supreme Court. He is the dean of one of the better law schools in the country. You do not arise to that position without being good at both the law and politics.
The trouble is the timing. In politics, it is almost all perception. Weather or not the political payoff is real, it still looks and smells like a skunk. In this case, it may simply be that she-cat that is being chased by Pepe LePew just because of a stray paint brush. But notice how the Parisians in these cartoons react.
Sometimes in politics, the reality does not matter, it is the perception of that reality that is the problem. It might be a good idea to set the nomination aside for a while. That is until the whole health care deal dies down, one way or another.
For reference, here is a link to a Pepe LePew cartoon.
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