Health Care – The Bane of My Existence

I am one of those Americans…a citizen without health insurance.  It is not for the lack of attempting to acquire coverage.  When I made an inter-state move, I could not take my health coverage from BlueCross/BlueShield with me.  Why?  I simply could not find a logical answer…and nor will Congress as they trudge through the morass of the health care system.

While Obama and Company make plans to “help” folks like me – those with no insurance, the details and reality of implementing such an enormous task reveals, yet another attempt at massive control of America’s citizens. 

This week both houses of Congress will continue debate on health-care reform.  The President has set a deadline of August 8 for both houses to vote on proposed legislation for a new medical insurance plan that will provide coverage for every American.  Stated in its raw form, this idea seems like a good idea, expensive no doubt, but a humanistic and conscientious idea.  With more study however, the plan exposes the largest power grab in our nation’s history.

As with anything produced from government, the proposed plans are lengthy and filled with nonsense.  The tri-committee task force in the House has issued a plan that is 852 pages in its first draft form. Rest assured that the Senate will add no less than an additional 1,000 pages.  Either way it will not matter, as neither house will read the bill prior to vote…as usual.

Dr. Robert E. Moffit, director of the Center for Health Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation issued a report last week that stated, “the [House] bill would create a new public plan to compete with private health insurance in a national health insurance exchange; impose mandates on individuals and businesses to buy health insurance coverage or be subject to tax penalties; and allow the federal government to control, standardize, and regulate health insurance, defining what is and is not ‘acceptable coverage’ for American citizens.”

This depth of control and mandate into the personal lives of citizens severely oversteps the boundary of government according to our Constitution. 

My situation is a great example of the inane policies that currently regulate our health insurance system.  My policy from Virginia was a sort of “tri-state” policy and recognized medical treatment in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.  This triad was their range of “in-network” care.  Much to my surprise, I found that not only was Tennessee’s BlueCross/BlueShield considered “out-of-network,” it was not part of the same insurance company…well, at least for the sake of policy owners.  I was not allowed to simply transfer my coverage to the Tennessee system.  However, when I asked how to acquire coverage from Tennessee, I was told that my records from Virginia would be taken into consideration for the purpose of pre-existing my coverage.  The end result was that I could buy a new policy from Tennessee BC/BS, but nothing would be covered except for new maladies.  To me, that meant spending $4,668 per year in premiums, plus a $1,000 deductible, plus a $30-50 co-pay per visit.  Since my “maladies” would not be covered, I decided that paying out of pocket would be much less expensive for the occasional flu or cold. 

As I listen to the lofty plans from both Democrats and Republicans to provide health care for all and reform the system, it occurred to me that they are overlooking the obvious.  By simplifying regulations on insurance companies, the cost of coverage could be decreased significantly; thus giving an incentive for people to buy insurance.  Here are a couple of ideas that seem simple enough for even Congress to understand:

• Allow for inter-state transfer of an existing full coverage policy, especially within the same corporate umbrella.  This should include the waiver of pre-existing conditions for an existing policy holder.
  
• Dismantle or reorganize the grouping policies of insurance companies. These companies make most of their money on the risk ratio within a group.  However, groups are not available to large majorities of the population, or the restrictions of group membership are too narrowly defined. 

Actions as simple as these would go far to ease the crisis in health insurance coverage with minimal government involvement. 

Congress and the President have forced too much “change” onto the American public with little to no discussion and sketchy detail.  More consideration should be put into a project of this magnitude which will impact the private lives of citizens and bankrupt our country.  We only have a short time to convince our elected Congressional nitwits to stop their headlong rush into Socialism through acts such as this.  And that is…Why It Matters.

Condolences

Today, Michael Jackson was laid to rest. We extend our deepest condolences to his children and family for their loss.  Regardless of the controversies that he faced during his life, his death is a sad tragedy. 

Let us pray that his children will be loved and cared for and that they will find peace in the days to come. 

To a troubled, yet brilliant, musical mind we bid farewell…

Godspeed.

Happy Birthday America!!

Two hundred thirty three years ago today, a group of men, who had gathered from each of the original 13 colonies, announced to the American colonists – then to the world – a declaration of independece from a tyrannical regime.  This act of treason placed these 56 men, their families and all those who assisted and supported their effort in danger of losing everything they owned…including their lives.

“Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms (of government), those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.”
Thomas Jefferson

“If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves.  It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions.”
Thomas Jefferson

“All (that) tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”
Thomas Jefferson

“I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
John Adams

 “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force, like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master.  Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.”
George Washington

 

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

 

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

CAP AND TRADE…THE DEATH OF FREE ENTERPRISE

Despite the tremendous efforts of many concerned American citizens, talk radio and bloggers, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by a narrow margin of 7 votes, the largest regulatory and taxation bill in the history of the United States. 

This bill has been kept low-key and away from the scrutiny of the American people for months.  For that matter, much of the language of the bill has been unknown until days prior to the vote, leaving House Members and their staffs in a flurry to scan the document, if they read it at all.  As you can image, this allowed for little to no consideration of the ramifications that each point would bring. 

The bill was given the benign, feel good name - American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454).    It has also referred to as the Cap and Trade bill, the Waxman-Markey bill, and the Climate Change/Control bill.  Sponsored by Rep. Harry Waxman (D-CA) and co-sponsored by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), this legislation was presented as the nation’s first truly “progressive” act toward limiting pollution, thus slowing global warming, and providing America with new, cleaner energy sources.

Unfortunately, the bill has very little to do with improving energy or bolstering national security through advancing our energy options.  Instead, the 1,201 pages of this bill creates the most sweeping taxation America has ever seen and sets a path of destruction with unprecedented [American*] government regulation with ripple effects throughout the world economy.  (*Note that this type of control has precedents, in fact, examples in other countries such as the former USSR.)

These regulations propose a cap on carbon emissions and other polluting energy sources, such as fossil fuels.  Entire industries will be forced to comply with such caps which economic experts say will cause massive job losses as factories, refineries, etc. re-tool and/or downsize their operations. The alternative is to trade (i.e. purchase not swap) “carbon credits” to offset their pollutive output or face exorbitant fines and taxations.  Mid to small sized businesses and, even, the family farmer will be held to similar restrictive regulations. 

One might wonder where such “carbon credits” are to be found.  Well, lucky for us Tennesseans, Al Gore has invested his time and money into building firms such as Generation Investment Management and other entities which will broker “carbon credits” or issue “carbon vouchers.”  The Wall Street Journal reports another interesting proponent of the “Climate Bill” is the world’s largest manufacturer of wind-turbines, Vestas, who also happens to “sponsor CNN’s Climate in Peril segment,” in an effort to “urge governments to invest heavily in wind energy and pass policies that would increase Vestas’ earnings.”  The Journal also cites other parties on the “Cap and Trade” bill-bandwagon including 50 of the biggest U.S. electric utilities.

So how might this legislation affect you, the average American? 

First, it is an act in direct opposition to our capitalist system of free trade.  The power granted to the Feds would allow the government to determine how industries and companies (large and small) can run their operations; which companies or businesses will receive “credits or vouchers” for energy – determined solely upon how the Administration views the necessity and importance of such businesses; and trickle-down regulatory impact on everything from wages to production output to consumption.  Oh, and did I mention it will regulate citizens as to which type of car you will be able to buy? Possibly how many motor vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, jet skis, RVs, etc.) you may own?  You may have noticed the ads running this week for a government tax-credit allowance toward the purchase of new, cleaner energy cars? This is no joke, folks. 

This, my dear readers, is the definition of a Communist/Socialist/Marxist-style government:  where the populous is told not to think for themselves, instead to allow the central government to think and act for the benefit of the whole.  The interest of the whole is placed over that of the individual.  (Doesn’t sound much like our Constitution to me.) If you didn’t believe the talk of Socialism earlier, now you must close your ears to the political hype and sincerely open your eyes to see the real events happening around you. 

As with any piece of legislation, there are supporters and opposition.  In researching this issue, I discovered that among those opposed to HR 2454 include, The Heritage Foundation, The National Black Chamber of Commerce and the Brookings Institute; all of which project huge job losses and additional debilitating taxes and higher costs for the average American family.  Heritage’s in-depth analysis of the impact of this legislation if enacted found:  Unemployment would increase by 2 million in 2012 during the first year of the program; Total GDP losses would be $9.4 trillion by 2035; As the economy slowed, national debt would balloon, saddling a family of four with an additional $114,915 of more national debt as their share; Families would suffer as the bill would slap an energy tax equivalent of a $4,609 on an average family of four.

 

The domestic impact of this “Cap and Trade” or “Climate Change” bill will have devastating effects on American industry, businesses of all types, employers and employees, and the end consumers through higher taxes and prices for goods.  The international impact of the bill will also have disturbing effects to the economy through a decrease in international trade and strain on international trade relations.  Further, it will cause situations of non-compliance with policies from entities such as the World Trade Organization, and handicap their ability to function, thus reducing confidence of foreign governments in America’s true intent.  For the third-world economies, its impact would lead to lower economic growth rates and rising poverty – ironically resulting in higher carbon emissions and pollutions from those countries that are too poor and undeveloped to adapt to America’s new standards.  Researchers conclude that this factor alone negates any positive potential the legislation aims to achieve. 

Once again, we see the Obama Administration and the radical-liberal Democrats jump into forcing solutions without thoroughly assessing the ramifications each aspect of the bill would cause.  I, for one, am amazed at the continued naiveté of this Democratic led government which seems to act on impulse to push an agenda rather than on logic to better our country in a time of economic turmoil and world-wide unrest.  With continued isolationist actions, such as an enactment of this bill, it is no wonder that other countries refer to America as “arrogant” or “selfish.” 

In regard to the renewed effectiveness of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), her timing of a vote on this controversial bill was excellent.  With summer vacations, Little League games, camps, and other activities, very few Americans were paying any attention to the shenanigans of Washington, D.C.  (Heck, they aren’t even asking questions about the criminal aspect of the Pelosi-CIA scandal anymore…who dropped that ball?) No, this summer our citizens are trusting that things will just work out and nothing much will change.  They continue living their American dreams, enjoying their freedoms, and pursing their happiness.  But now, one may ask…for how long?  And that is…Why It Matters.

UPDATE: House Passes Cap and Trade Bill

US House of Representatives

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed, by a narrow margin of 7 votes, the largest regulatory and taxation bill in the history of the United States. 

Thanks to the new arm of our socialist-styled government, the mass media (ABC, NBC, CBS, NYT, LAT, WP, etc.), this bill has been purposely kept low-key and out-of-the-light from the American people for months.  First, the bill was given the benign, good feeling name of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454).    It has also been referred to as the Cap and Trade bill, the Waxman-Markey bill, and the Climate Control bill. 

Rep. Harry Waxman

Sponsored by Rep. Harry Waxman (D-CA), this legislation has very little to do with improving energy or amping up security.  Instead, the 1,201 pages of this bill sets a path for government regulation of: how industries and companies (large and small) can run their operations; which companies will receive “credits or vouchers” for energy based upon how the Administration views the importance and necessity of such businesses; and possible regulation on everything from wages to production output to consumption.   Oh, and did I mention it will regulate citizens to which type of car you will be able to buy? Possibly how many vehicles one may own?  This is no joke, folks.

This, my dear readers, is the definition of communism/socialism/Marxism.  If you didn’t believe it earlier, then you must believe it now.

You would think that Congress would have learned its lesson on passing legislation without actually reading the contents and language of the bill.  Sadly, they have not.  This bill was passed with little time for the Representatives to read the original draft of the bill.  Then, to add insult to injury, Waxman announces a 300 page amendment to bill only hours before the vote.  Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) tried to bring light to this abominable trick on the American people by insisting on reading the proposed amendment aloud in the House session.  His only success was to see the amendment defeated. 

The impact of HR 2454 will have devastating effects on American industry, businesses of all types, and the end consumers through higher taxes and prices for goods.  The issue has been so heated that 44 House Democrats voted AGAINST the bill.  More surprising were the 8 Republicans who voted in favor of the bill.  In case one of these traitorous Representatives are from your district, I thought it only proper to let you know their names…and office telephone numbers so that you may let them know your feelings on their treacherous actions.

REPUBLICAN TRAITORS LIST

Bono Mack (CA) 202-225-5330

Castle (DE) 202-225-4165

Kirk (IL) 202-225-4835

Lance (NJ) 202-225-5361

Lobiondo (NJ) 202-225-6572

McHugh (NY) 202-225-4611

Reichart (WA) 202-225-7761

Chris Smith (NJ) 202-225-3765

These eight people value their own survival in politics, their own personal gain over the best interest of the constituents that they represent.  To a conservative voter in these districts, it must seem as if you have no voice in Congress anymore. 

This listing of Republicans certainly does not alleviate the blame from the 211 Democrats that have voted to enlarge government to a point of danger for the American citizens.  Nor does it absolve the 3 Non-Votes (1 Dem, 2 Rep) who apparently have no guts to make a decision or no brains to figure out how to vote!  With legislation of this magnitude, YOU SHOW UP TO VOTE!

Lastly, my fellow Americans, allow me to say that the fault lies at our own feet.  Yes, ours.  These idiots were elected by the people of their districts, just as the Obama Administration was elected by the majority of voters in America who had no clue as to the seriousness of their civic duty.  And for those of us who did not vote for the Democrats or these 8 traitor Republicans, it is our fault that enough of us didn’t make enough noise to wake up the nation. 

One has to give credit to Comrade Pelosi on her timing of legislation that is so controversial.  With summer vacations, Little League games, camps, and other activities,  very few Americans were paying any attention to the shenanigans of Washington, D.C.  They were living their American dreams, enjoying their freedoms, and pursing their happiness.   But now…for how long?

 

To read the bill and amendment, go to The Library of Congress’s website, ”Thomas” at http://thomas.loc.gov/.  Type in the Bill Number of H.R. 2454. 

 

BREAKING NEWS: Dems Rushing to Quickly Pass the Highest Tax in US History

HELP STOP THIS DEVASTATING LEGISLATION!!

Disguised by its working title “The Climate Change Bill” (aka the Waxman-Markey bill), this piece of legislation is more about taxing American citizens than helping the environment.  In a purposeful attempt to rush this bill through the house and, hopefully, the Senate, Democrats hope to have all in place before the American people raise their heads from the summer vacations.  When we do, we will find that, while we thought we were only getting a tan, we were, in fact, getting screwed! 

The Wall Street Journal has an eye-opening article today that details parts of the bill and the politics surrounding it.  Here are some highlights:

THE CAP AND TAX FICTION
Democrats off-loading economics to pass climate change bill. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has put cap-and-trade legislation on a forced march through the House, and the bill may get a full vote as early as Friday. It looks as if the Democrats will have to destroy the discipline of economics to get it done.

Despite House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman’s many payoffs to Members, rural and Blue Dog Democrats remain wary of voting for a bill that will impose crushing costs on their home-district businesses and consumers. The leadership’s solution to this problem is to simply claim the bill defies the laws of economics.

[Click here for the full article.]

This is, yet another of the Obama Adminstration’s attempts to shove extreme taxation to pay for socialized programs.  Don’t let this pass by unnoticed.  Act now and call your Senators, Congressmen and women, even the White House (202-456-1414 Main Line or 202-456-2130 Public Liason Office) and tell them NO WAY WILL WE PAY!!!

HELP STOP THIS LEGISLATION NOW!

• In the scope of legislative manuveurs, this bill stands to cripple American business and industry more than any other tax imagined. 

• It will hit the American citizens with higher rates on everything from energy to products as the tax increases and rationed commodities will cause higher costs to producers; thus these increases will be passed along to consumers.

• Additionally, it will place the government in the position of allocating energy, in all its forms, to those businesses or industries to which it deems necessary (i.e. those it will allow to produce). 

• This bodes ill for industries such as Coal and Oil, as Mr. Obama has chillingly stated he would see their demise.

D.C. Commuter Train Catastrophy

The reports coming in from the wires regarding the head-on train collision leave me shocked and horrified.   As a former resident of Washington, D.C., I, like most everyone else, rode the rail transit system to get around the city and its suburbs frequently.

As our nation awaits the final tally of this tragedy, we  offer our thoughts and prayers for the families and friends of the victims of this horrible event.

ALW

YOU’RE FIRED!

Apparently, Obama has confused his role of “President” with the role of “Emperor.”  In a move that would make Donald Trump sit up and take notice, the Obama Administration has fired at least three (3) Inspectors General in the past week.  The final tally is yet to be known.

Our government system of checks and balances is supposed to work so that no one entity has complete hegemony.  The role of the Inspectors General is to “detect and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and violations of law and to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of the Federal Government.”  Additionally, the IG acts as the purveyor of information to the American public from the “Council of the Inspectors General on the Integrity and Efficiency” (CIGIE), created by “The Inspector General Reform Act of 2008” which consolidated several smaller like entities into one agency.  In simple words, the Inspectors General are the watchdogs of government on behalf of the people.

The law regarding the Inspectors General requires the President to give Congress 30 days’ notice, plus the determining cause for termination of said IG.

IG Walpin

Much attention has been given to the firing of IG Gerald Walpin, who oversaw the operations of the AmeriCorps program.  Mr. Walpin is a 1955 graduate of Yale Law School, who has given his life to our country’s service, as have his children and grandchildren.

Rather than abide by the law, Obama & Company gave Mr. Walpin, NOT Congress, an hour’s notice (1 measly hour) to either resign or be fired. Congress was notified after the fact without the required cause for such termination.

So, you ask, “What was the hurry?”  “Was there imminent danger to our country that such action should be railroaded through with no regard for protocol or the LAW?”  The answer, dear reader, is NO.  There was no urgent matter.  There was, however, a grudge.  Mr. Walpin had stepped on the toes of Obama crony and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, who was being investigated along with his non-profit group, St. HOPE Academy for possible fraud and misuse of hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal grants – specifically grants from the Corporation for National Community Service – the body which runs the AmeriCorps program – to which IG Walpin was assigned.

Sadly, this incident did not make waves until after Senator Clair McCaskill (D-MO) requested an explanation from the White House for this firing which was out of protocol.  Even later when a group of Republican

Rep. Issa

Sen. McCaskill

staffers led by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, met with White House counsel, they found themselves, well, brushed off.  According to a report by Byron York of The Examiner, a GOP aide stated, “When we pressed them on specific questions and documents, they said they weren’t prepared to give us information on that.”

Little did the Congress know that this was only the tip of the iceberg.

The Chicago Tribune reports that a similar incident occurred with Acting IG Judith Gwynne, who oversaw the

Sen. Grassley

workings of the International Trade Commission.  Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, became “concerned about her independence because of a report earlier in the year that an agency employee forcibly took documents from the acting inspector general.”  In a letter to the White House, Grassley stated, “It is difficult to understand why the ITC would not have taken action to ensure that the ITC inspector general had the information necessary to do the job.”  The Tribune reports that “Less than three hours after the letter was e-mailed to the agency, the acting IG, Judith Gwynne, was told that her contract, which expires in early July, would not be renewed.”

The Los Angeles Times reports on yet, another incident with an IG stating, “The challenge to TARP watchdog IG Neil Barofsky’s authority came as he began an investigation of the

IG Neil Barofsky

[Treasury] department’s role in approving bonuses to executives of insurance giant AIG, sources say.” Again Sen. Grassley expressed his concerns in a letter – this time to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner – and demanded further information about a “’dispute over certain Treasury documents’ that he said were being withheld from Barofsky’s office on a ‘specious claim of attorney-client privilege.’”  The Times continues stating that “A White House spokesman declined to comment, referring questions to the Treasury Department.  Treasury spokesman Andrew Williams said late Wednesday that the agency would read Grassley’s letter and respond to the senator before any public comment.”   Odd wouldn’t you say?

With Obama & Company running amok with hatchets for anyone who dares to investigate, contradict or challenge the Administration, one wonders who will be next?  And more sobering…where does it stop?  And that is…Why It Matters.

xxx

Kudos to Mr. Krauthammer!

We would like to congratulate Charles Krauthammer, syndicated columnist and FoxNews contributor, upon being awarded the Eric Breindel Award for Excellence in Opinion Journalism.  This prestigious award was presented Wednesday, June 10.

This writer has had the opportunity to meet Mr. Krauthammer during my tenure in Washington, D.C. and found him to be as intense and intriguing as his opinion pieces.  He is truly a remarkable man with an extraordinary mind.  His insight and analysis of various topics from world politics to domestic issues prove time and again to be exceedingly accurate.  In the media world, Mr. Krauthammer is, indeed, one of my heros.  Congratulations!!

BREAKING NEWS – Continental Flight Attendant Requested Passenger to Put Away Book that Offended a Muslim Passenger

BREAKING NEWS – June 4, 2009 – Nashville, TN

When Continental Airlines flight CO2471 landed in Nashville last night, America almost witnessed the first test of the strength of our Constitution.  A close friend of mine was traveling from Houston, TX back to Tennessee on this flight, when about 20 minutes into the flight, a flight attendant approached him.  He was reading the book “The Last Patriot” by Brad Thor (Simon & Schuster).  The flight attendant told him that he would have to put away the book he was reading.  My friend asked why? The attendant replied that there had been a complaint and that someone was offended by seeing that book read in public.

My friend was astonished that this request was actually being made…in America!  He replied angrily asking who had been offended? My friend is very patriotic, very fair minded, certainly not racist, but he was extremely incensed. So, to make a point he asked in a voice loud enough to be heard by others, “Maybe that towel-head behind me?” The attendant did not answer.

My friend said that he would NOT put away his book.  He said that this was still America – a land where we are free to read whatever we choose.  He said that he would gladly deal with any “offense” when they landed in Nashville and that the airline could even have him met with police if they felt necessary.

The flight attendant returned to her post.  Landing in Nashville…nothing happened.  My friend deplaned, gathered his luggage, went to his truck and called me.

I am appalled at the action of this flight attendant and wonder if this behavior is condoned by Continental Airlines.  Because my friend was very tired and didn’t want to “make any further scene,” he didn’t pursue the Captain or a Continental representative to discuss the matter last night.  But, rest assured…he is a patriot, a proud American…and this will not be the end of the story.

As I sit tonight thinking about this incident, I cannot just let this go unnoticed.  This is outrageous!   A direct affront to our Constitution and to our freedom.  Since when did we, Americans, begin to fear offending someone?  Are we afraid of litigation? Of being tagged racist or discriminatory? When did we allow our personal freedoms to be abolished?  When did we start apologizing for everything under the sun?

Well, thank you Mr. Barak “I’m So Sorry” Obama for setting the precedent that our citizens should apologize for being FREE Americans.  In fact, DAMN you. And Damn the “offended” passenger who is too weak to face opposing views  and apparently too stupid to know to simply turn his head or – how about this – IGNORE IT.  And Damn Continental Airlines, and specifically this flight attendant, for actually having the nerve, no – the stupidity to act on such an outrageous request from a passenger.  [Next time I am “offended” by someone’s smell, I shall merely ask the flight attendant to push him out of the plane!]

Perhaps, though, I am more appalled at our own citizens who continue to accept such nonsense and comply!  Those are the people who, sadly, do not merit the freedom in which they live.  It really makes me take pause and reconsider the old phrases, “survival of the fittest” and “thin the herd.”

I ask you my readers, how many others of you have experienced a similar event?

Oh, and by the way…go buy Brad Thor’s book “The Last Patriot.” Read the Constitution OUTLOUD, Fly an American flag, and say a prayer in public!!  Let’s all offend someone tomorrow!

ALW