A public, government run, option will force this country into a single payer system. This is no doubt what is intended. Private companies can not long compete with a government option. The playing field is not level. The government makes and enforces the rules and regulations. A public option is backed by the weight and power of the federal government. It is backed and subsidized by taxpayer dollars. How can any private company compete? It is like having the head coach of one team referee the big game.
The government would eventually completely control our health care and our lives. We had better be really good or big brother would be unhappy. This is all about power and control. It is not about improving the quality and affordability of our health care. The American people do not want this government take-over of our health care. We want our health care to be controlled by our doctors and ourselves.
I am asking you, my legislator, to not vote for any bill that places my health care in governmental hands.
Signed,
The Electorate
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Health Care: Eventually The Public Gets To Vote
The House Speaker wants to call the public option the consumer option. The Senate majority leaders want a public option/opt-out plan. The name is not the problem. It is the policy we don’t like. We do not want the government to run and control our health care. We want to control our own health care.
Almost every poll I see affirms that the majority of Americans do not want the public option. The Washington Post poll puzzled me until I saw that the question didn’t mention “public option” and that nearly twice as many Democrats were polled as Republicans. This caused the abnormality.
Eventually the public will get to vote on the health care issue. We just have to wait for the next elections. Then we can vote to not reelect those who supported this bill. New legislators can then vote to reverse this legislation.
Signed,
The Electorate
Almost every poll I see affirms that the majority of Americans do not want the public option. The Washington Post poll puzzled me until I saw that the question didn’t mention “public option” and that nearly twice as many Democrats were polled as Republicans. This caused the abnormality.
Eventually the public will get to vote on the health care issue. We just have to wait for the next elections. Then we can vote to not reelect those who supported this bill. New legislators can then vote to reverse this legislation.
Signed,
The Electorate
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Lower Taxes Needed
Congress needs to reconsider burdening taxpayers with more taxes. Whether they are called a tax or a fine, they are taxes. Congress wants us to further tighten our belts so that they can loosen theirs. Our belts are about as tight as they will go.
Speaker Pelosi is beginning to sound like Yogi Berra. When asked about the expiring tax cuts, she replied, “That wasn’t a tax increase. It is...eliminating a tax decrease”. For all practical purposes how does one differ from the other? Taxpayers will still pay higher taxes. This is Washington double speak.
Our backs are to the wall. Taxes need to be lowered. The taxes on small and large businesses need to be lowered. This would create more jobs. Jobs are what we desperately need.
Congress needs to extend the tax cuts and not burden taxpayers with new taxes as is proposed in new legislation such as the health care and energy bills.
Signed,
The Electorate
Speaker Pelosi is beginning to sound like Yogi Berra. When asked about the expiring tax cuts, she replied, “That wasn’t a tax increase. It is...eliminating a tax decrease”. For all practical purposes how does one differ from the other? Taxpayers will still pay higher taxes. This is Washington double speak.
Our backs are to the wall. Taxes need to be lowered. The taxes on small and large businesses need to be lowered. This would create more jobs. Jobs are what we desperately need.
Congress needs to extend the tax cuts and not burden taxpayers with new taxes as is proposed in new legislation such as the health care and energy bills.
Signed,
The Electorate
Monday, October 26, 2009
Health Care Must Be Paid For
While Congress debates what they want or don’t want in a health care bill, they are glossing over a vital issue. This bill has to be paid for. The national debt is increasing at an alarming rate. This level of spending can not be sustained. This federal spending spree has got to stop – NOW.
Congress seems to want to fund this enormous program by cutting Medicare and raising taxes. Whether or not Congress is actually willing to cut Medicare, it is irresponsible for them to propose cutting Medicare by ten percent as more and more “baby bloomers” are entering the system. Increasing taxes in a struggling economy will only deepen and prolong the recession. Ask your constituents – the recession is not over.
The costs of the health care bills are not mathematically correct. Taxes and cuts will begin in 2010. The programs will not begin until 2013 and will not be fully implemented until 2017. Basically Americans are paying for this program for ten years and receiving about five years of benefits. Ten years of the program would cost twice the estimates. Even that would be a low ball figure. Government programs always cost more than the initial estimates. Bernie Madoff would be so proud.
Health care proposals need to be cut down to the basic needs. Increase competition by allowing Americans to purchase insurance from any American based insurance company – NO cost to government. Make it illegal to refuse coverage because of a pre-existing condition – NO cost to government. Enact real tort reform – This will lower the cost of insurance at NO cost to government. Reasonably expand the eligibility for Medicaid and fund the mandates to states. This has a cost, but it is far less than the proposed trillion dollar bills.
Does Congress understand that this is a time to live within our means? Be responsible. The future of our children is at stake.
Signed,
The Electorate
Congress seems to want to fund this enormous program by cutting Medicare and raising taxes. Whether or not Congress is actually willing to cut Medicare, it is irresponsible for them to propose cutting Medicare by ten percent as more and more “baby bloomers” are entering the system. Increasing taxes in a struggling economy will only deepen and prolong the recession. Ask your constituents – the recession is not over.
The costs of the health care bills are not mathematically correct. Taxes and cuts will begin in 2010. The programs will not begin until 2013 and will not be fully implemented until 2017. Basically Americans are paying for this program for ten years and receiving about five years of benefits. Ten years of the program would cost twice the estimates. Even that would be a low ball figure. Government programs always cost more than the initial estimates. Bernie Madoff would be so proud.
Health care proposals need to be cut down to the basic needs. Increase competition by allowing Americans to purchase insurance from any American based insurance company – NO cost to government. Make it illegal to refuse coverage because of a pre-existing condition – NO cost to government. Enact real tort reform – This will lower the cost of insurance at NO cost to government. Reasonably expand the eligibility for Medicaid and fund the mandates to states. This has a cost, but it is far less than the proposed trillion dollar bills.
Does Congress understand that this is a time to live within our means? Be responsible. The future of our children is at stake.
Signed,
The Electorate
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Health Care: Opting Out
The latest health care trial balloon being floated is that states would be allowed to opt out of a federal health care public option. They would first have to prove that they were providing health care coverage to citizens of their state that met standards set by the federal government. No doubt it would be almost impossible to meet these standards – especially during the current difficult financial times. Most states are struggling to provide now existing programs.
If states did opt out, would their citizens then be exempt from the new taxes which are being proposed to fund the federal health care proposals? Would the cuts to Medicare not be applied to their state? It would be unfair to ask residents to pay for a federal public health care program that they were not receiving.
Florida has a home insurance program, Citizens. Its premiums have been traditionally higher than other private plans. Everyone knows that if a major hurricane hits Florida, Citizens could not pay its claims. State taxpayers would be responsible for the state’s shortfall. It would seem a state health care program would face the same problems.
If states did opt out, would their citizens then be exempt from the new taxes which are being proposed to fund the federal health care proposals? Would the cuts to Medicare not be applied to their state? It would be unfair to ask residents to pay for a federal public health care program that they were not receiving.
Florida has a home insurance program, Citizens. Its premiums have been traditionally higher than other private plans. Everyone knows that if a major hurricane hits Florida, Citizens could not pay its claims. State taxpayers would be responsible for the state’s shortfall. It would seem a state health care program would face the same problems.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Health Care: Public Option
Any legislator who supports the public option should take a long hard look at the public health care options we currently have. They are not good examples of efficient, high quality health care. Is a Medicare type plan what this country really wants?
Only half the doctors in this country accept Medicare, because of the low reimbursement rate. This rate is scheduled to be reduced even more in the future. Then even fewer doctors will accept it. It does not matter if you have health insurance if no one will accept it.
Medicare denies treatments at a higher rate than private insurance companies do. The government seeks to determine what treatments are “cost effective”. More treatments will be denied in the future.
Fraud is rampant in Medicare. Medicare pays for procedures for dead people. Dead doctors bill Medicare and are paid. Medical facilities are reimbursed for procedures that were never done. It is estimated that 75 billion dollars are wasted every year due to fraudulent claims. Medicare doesn’t seem to really care. After all it’s the taxpayers money not theirs. Private insurance companies lose far less to fraudulent claims.
Medicare frequently takes at least a year to reimburse doctors. This is not an efficient organization.
Medicare will be bankrupt in eight years – if not sooner. Is this the example Congress wishes to follow?
Medicare works for older people who are more apt to be sick. Ninety percent of health care costs occur in the last year of life. Private insurers don’t really want our older citizens. Medicare helps older citizen – just not very well.
Before Congress seeks to extend this type of option to the entire country, it needs to show the public that the government can run health care in an efficient and affordable manner. Solve the problems of Medicare first. Prove to the people that the government can provide high quality health care and not bankrupt the country. Then people will consider a government run option.
Signed,
The Electorate
Only half the doctors in this country accept Medicare, because of the low reimbursement rate. This rate is scheduled to be reduced even more in the future. Then even fewer doctors will accept it. It does not matter if you have health insurance if no one will accept it.
Medicare denies treatments at a higher rate than private insurance companies do. The government seeks to determine what treatments are “cost effective”. More treatments will be denied in the future.
Fraud is rampant in Medicare. Medicare pays for procedures for dead people. Dead doctors bill Medicare and are paid. Medical facilities are reimbursed for procedures that were never done. It is estimated that 75 billion dollars are wasted every year due to fraudulent claims. Medicare doesn’t seem to really care. After all it’s the taxpayers money not theirs. Private insurance companies lose far less to fraudulent claims.
Medicare frequently takes at least a year to reimburse doctors. This is not an efficient organization.
Medicare will be bankrupt in eight years – if not sooner. Is this the example Congress wishes to follow?
Medicare works for older people who are more apt to be sick. Ninety percent of health care costs occur in the last year of life. Private insurers don’t really want our older citizens. Medicare helps older citizen – just not very well.
Before Congress seeks to extend this type of option to the entire country, it needs to show the public that the government can run health care in an efficient and affordable manner. Solve the problems of Medicare first. Prove to the people that the government can provide high quality health care and not bankrupt the country. Then people will consider a government run option.
Signed,
The Electorate
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Meaningful Tort Reform Needed
Throughout the health care debate one group has been suspiciously silent – attorneys. Of course nothing has been proposed that would restrict or harm them. Could this be because so many legislators are attorneys and wish to protect their own or is it because they donate such large amounts to political campaigns?
If Congress truly seeks to contain the rising costs of health care, tort reform MUST be addressed and it must be meaningful tort reform. Frivolous laws suits need to be eliminated and doctors must be allowed to stop practicing defensive medicine. Costs will drop if unnecessary tests are no longer ordered and malpractice insurances rates are lowered. Some have suggested a study of tort reform. This is merely a way to shelf tort reform and hope it is forgotten. We do not need a study. Some states have already enacted tort reform. That is your study. In Texas malpractice law suits have decreased by over fifty percent. Frivolous law suits no longer clutter its legal system. The cost of malpractice insurance has dropped by forty-five percent. Tort reform works. Only the lawyers don’t approve.
The American Bar Association’s lobby is powerful, but Congress must stop catering to it. The welfare of American citizen should be more important to our legislators than the interests of a select, powerful few. Even with tort reform lawyers will prosper.
If Congress truly seeks to contain the rising costs of health care, tort reform MUST be addressed and it must be meaningful tort reform. Frivolous laws suits need to be eliminated and doctors must be allowed to stop practicing defensive medicine. Costs will drop if unnecessary tests are no longer ordered and malpractice insurances rates are lowered. Some have suggested a study of tort reform. This is merely a way to shelf tort reform and hope it is forgotten. We do not need a study. Some states have already enacted tort reform. That is your study. In Texas malpractice law suits have decreased by over fifty percent. Frivolous law suits no longer clutter its legal system. The cost of malpractice insurance has dropped by forty-five percent. Tort reform works. Only the lawyers don’t approve.
The American Bar Association’s lobby is powerful, but Congress must stop catering to it. The welfare of American citizen should be more important to our legislators than the interests of a select, powerful few. Even with tort reform lawyers will prosper.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Bailing Out Newspapers
Bailing out newspapers is an absolutely terrible idea. This could corrupt or destroy the concept of a free press. The press has always played a special role in this country. It is the watchdog of the republic. It is a check on the government. It reports on the actions of the government – the good and the bad. The government can only be accountable to the people, if the people know what the government is doing. The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom...of the press”.
If the press receives money from the government, it becomes indebted to the government. The press is seriously compromised. The government can use the power of the purse strings to influence and control what the press reports. The press needs to be independent if it is to be believed.
If a newspaper can not produce a product that people are willing to buy, then it needs to fail. It will be replaced by a news organization that can succeed. When the government, in anyway, influences or controls the news, the news becomes propaganda.
If the press receives money from the government, it becomes indebted to the government. The press is seriously compromised. The government can use the power of the purse strings to influence and control what the press reports. The press needs to be independent if it is to be believed.
If a newspaper can not produce a product that people are willing to buy, then it needs to fail. It will be replaced by a news organization that can succeed. When the government, in anyway, influences or controls the news, the news becomes propaganda.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Behind Closed Doors
Behind closed doors, in secret, a few members of majority leadership are now writing health care reform bills. Apparently the open debates of the last few months were nothing but dog and pony shows. Majority leadership is drafting the bills they want. These bills will be written in a lengthy, convoluted manner to hide what is in them. The bills will then be rushed through Congress; so that neither the public nor members of Congress actually know what goodies are concealed.
What happened to the transparency that we, the voters, were promised? Legislation was not to be drafted in secret. Meetings were to be broadcast on C-Span. The public would know what was happening and what was in proposed legislation. Bills would be posted on-line 72 hours before Congress voted on them. I am waiting for these promises to be kept, but I am not holding my breath. They were probably only the promises of campaigning politicians.
It is up to moderate Democrats and Republicans to insist that they and the public be allowed time to read these bills. They must also insist that sufficient time is allowed to discuss the bills and for the public to express their opinions. This legislation will affect one-sixth of our economy and our very lives. Congress needs to get this right!
What happened to the transparency that we, the voters, were promised? Legislation was not to be drafted in secret. Meetings were to be broadcast on C-Span. The public would know what was happening and what was in proposed legislation. Bills would be posted on-line 72 hours before Congress voted on them. I am waiting for these promises to be kept, but I am not holding my breath. They were probably only the promises of campaigning politicians.
It is up to moderate Democrats and Republicans to insist that they and the public be allowed time to read these bills. They must also insist that sufficient time is allowed to discuss the bills and for the public to express their opinions. This legislation will affect one-sixth of our economy and our very lives. Congress needs to get this right!
Is This Why You Have No Town Halls?
Sent to Senator Bill Nelson
You recently stated that you supported the public option. Could you not have stood up this summer and looked your constituents in the eye and stated and defended your ideas? Good ideas, if they are good, will stand on their own merit. Could you not have then listened to and addressed the opinions and concerns of your constituents? Someone who is willing to face a dangerous journey into space should be willing to face the people they represent. I am really disappointed in you.
Signed,
The Electorate
You recently stated that you supported the public option. Could you not have stood up this summer and looked your constituents in the eye and stated and defended your ideas? Good ideas, if they are good, will stand on their own merit. Could you not have then listened to and addressed the opinions and concerns of your constituents? Someone who is willing to face a dangerous journey into space should be willing to face the people they represent. I am really disappointed in you.
Signed,
The Electorate
Monday, October 19, 2009
Better No Reform Than Bad Reform
I really believe that we need some common sense health care reform. We need to increase competition by being able to purchase insurance across state lines. Our health insurance needs to be portable. We need to prevent exclusions because of preexisting conditions. We need true tort reform – not a study of tort reform.
This does not appear to be the type of health care reform that Congress is willing to deliver. Every proposal seems to be overly expensive and more concerned with increasing government size and power than it is with improving health care. We tell Congress we do not want a government takeover of health care. Congress does not listen. Congress wants what Congress wants and does not care what the people want.
The latest poll shows that 40% of people think the government’s top concern should be jobs. Another 25% think the top concern should be reducing the deficit and spending. Only 13% believe that health care reform should be the top governmental concern. Yet Congress is devoting most of its time to health care. Can Congress adjust its priorities to coincide with the people’s priorities?
I would rather have no health care reform than have the health care reform that is being proposed. There is an old adage. Nothing is so bad that the government can’t make it worse.
Signed,
The Electorate
This does not appear to be the type of health care reform that Congress is willing to deliver. Every proposal seems to be overly expensive and more concerned with increasing government size and power than it is with improving health care. We tell Congress we do not want a government takeover of health care. Congress does not listen. Congress wants what Congress wants and does not care what the people want.
The latest poll shows that 40% of people think the government’s top concern should be jobs. Another 25% think the top concern should be reducing the deficit and spending. Only 13% believe that health care reform should be the top governmental concern. Yet Congress is devoting most of its time to health care. Can Congress adjust its priorities to coincide with the people’s priorities?
I would rather have no health care reform than have the health care reform that is being proposed. There is an old adage. Nothing is so bad that the government can’t make it worse.
Signed,
The Electorate
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Health Care: Cadillac Plans
Congress is considering funding health care reform by taxing what they refer to as Cadillac plans. Unfortunately, these Cadillac plans have now become Kia plans. Beginning in 2013, an excise tax of 40% would be levied on these plans. It would be applied to plans valued at $8000 for individuals and $21,000 for families. Most work health care plans would fall into this category and would be taxed at 40%. The cost of these plans would increase. Soon these plans could no longer be offered. Less expensive, inferior plans would be offered instead.
Is the purpose of health care reform to lower the quality of health care? Does Congress seek to eliminate the good, but not spectacular, health care plans that 85% of Americans now have only to replace them with cheaper, inferior plans that could be offered to a slightly larger segment of the population? Can not this country do better than that?
Pledges were made to maintain the quality of health care. Were these empty promises? Your vote will answer this question. When you next run for reelection will your slogan be “I support lousy health care for all”?
Is the purpose of health care reform to lower the quality of health care? Does Congress seek to eliminate the good, but not spectacular, health care plans that 85% of Americans now have only to replace them with cheaper, inferior plans that could be offered to a slightly larger segment of the population? Can not this country do better than that?
Pledges were made to maintain the quality of health care. Were these empty promises? Your vote will answer this question. When you next run for reelection will your slogan be “I support lousy health care for all”?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Paying for Health Care, Part 2
The question is really quite simple. Is Congress willing to pay for this health care reform, which the majority of Americans oppose, with unfunded state mandates, massive cuts to Medicare, taxes and fees on the middle class, and taxes and fees on businesses both small and large?
Does Congress really want to provide health care to others by cutting health care to seniors? Every year more and more baby boomers are entering the system. Congress says it can provide better care to an increasing number of seniors while cutting costs. This is unrealistic.
Unfunded state mandates must be paid for by additional taxes, fees, and fines on individuals and businesses on the state level; so, essentially everyone will be forced to pay twice to fund this flawed plan.
The middle class is already overtaxed. We can not afford more taxes. Democrats pledged that 95% of Americans would not see their taxes increase by a single dime. Will that pledge be honored?
If taxes, fees, and fines are increased on small and large businesses, they will be forced to cut their work force or increase product or service costs. Probably both will be done. Taxing insurance companies and companies, who produce medical products, will result in higher premiums and higher costs for medical products. Almost all health insurance companies make a profit of less than five percent. This is not excessive. Congress stated that health care reform was needed to reduce costs and make it more available. Why is Congress proposing legislation that will raise costs?
Congress needs to go back to the drawing board and review their priorities. This is not a wise use of taxpayer money.
Does Congress really want to provide health care to others by cutting health care to seniors? Every year more and more baby boomers are entering the system. Congress says it can provide better care to an increasing number of seniors while cutting costs. This is unrealistic.
Unfunded state mandates must be paid for by additional taxes, fees, and fines on individuals and businesses on the state level; so, essentially everyone will be forced to pay twice to fund this flawed plan.
The middle class is already overtaxed. We can not afford more taxes. Democrats pledged that 95% of Americans would not see their taxes increase by a single dime. Will that pledge be honored?
If taxes, fees, and fines are increased on small and large businesses, they will be forced to cut their work force or increase product or service costs. Probably both will be done. Taxing insurance companies and companies, who produce medical products, will result in higher premiums and higher costs for medical products. Almost all health insurance companies make a profit of less than five percent. This is not excessive. Congress stated that health care reform was needed to reduce costs and make it more available. Why is Congress proposing legislation that will raise costs?
Congress needs to go back to the drawing board and review their priorities. This is not a wise use of taxpayer money.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Paying for Health Care Reform
After all these months no one has found a good way to pay for a large health care reform bill. We can not borrow more for we are drowning in debt. The government’s uncontrolled spending has already trashed the dollar and has increased the strain on the already sagging economy. Few want to loan this country money anyway for we are a bad risk. If we print more money, the dollar will be further devalued. The only remaining way to fund an enormous spending bill is to raise taxes.
Raising taxes during a recession will only deepen and prolong the recession. Yet the latest health care proposal is filled with taxes and fines on individuals and corporations. Corporations will pass their taxes along to consumers in higher prices. Individuals can not pass along their taxes. We can not afford any more taxes. We are hanging on by our finger tips now.
Congress plans on increasing the number of people eligible for Medicaid. States are responsible for almost fifty percent of Medicaid’s cost. The federal government then only has half the cost of new benefits included in its projected costs. Isn’t this a neat bookkeeping trick? Of course, the people are still entirely responsible for all the costs, but it sounds better. These are UNFUNDED state mandates unless you live in Nevada, Oregon, Michigan, or Rhode Island. The federal government will pay their share of the new Medicaid costs. Apparently they are special.
Congress needs to scale back their plans for health care reform. Reform the obvious. Allow us to buy insurance across state lines to increase competition. Follow the Texas example and enact real tort reform. It has lowered costs there and will lower costs elsewhere. Make it illegal to deny health care insurance because of a pre-existing condition. These three items will not affect our budget. Then provide scholarships for primary care doctors and provide premium subsidies for those who truly can not pay for insurance. These last two items will have a cost - but will not cost the trillion dollars that other plans will. Do not punish citizens with higher taxes or push this country over the financial precipice by significantly increasing the national debt.
Raising taxes during a recession will only deepen and prolong the recession. Yet the latest health care proposal is filled with taxes and fines on individuals and corporations. Corporations will pass their taxes along to consumers in higher prices. Individuals can not pass along their taxes. We can not afford any more taxes. We are hanging on by our finger tips now.
Congress plans on increasing the number of people eligible for Medicaid. States are responsible for almost fifty percent of Medicaid’s cost. The federal government then only has half the cost of new benefits included in its projected costs. Isn’t this a neat bookkeeping trick? Of course, the people are still entirely responsible for all the costs, but it sounds better. These are UNFUNDED state mandates unless you live in Nevada, Oregon, Michigan, or Rhode Island. The federal government will pay their share of the new Medicaid costs. Apparently they are special.
Congress needs to scale back their plans for health care reform. Reform the obvious. Allow us to buy insurance across state lines to increase competition. Follow the Texas example and enact real tort reform. It has lowered costs there and will lower costs elsewhere. Make it illegal to deny health care insurance because of a pre-existing condition. These three items will not affect our budget. Then provide scholarships for primary care doctors and provide premium subsidies for those who truly can not pay for insurance. These last two items will have a cost - but will not cost the trillion dollars that other plans will. Do not punish citizens with higher taxes or push this country over the financial precipice by significantly increasing the national debt.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Where is Common Sense?
I wonder if Congress ever stops and listens to what they are actually proposing. In what world does what they are saying even make sense? I ask you to actually listen to the proposals and ask yourselves in what third world dictatorship could these proposals actually be enacted.
Congress is proposing a mandate to force all citizens to have health care insurance. Congress argues that car owners are required to have insurance on their cars. Car owners are required to carry insurance to cover the damage to other people’s cars. This is not the same as requiring everyone to have health care insurance. An excise tax would be placed on anyone who does not comply. If this tax is not paid that person could be fined up to $25,000 and be sentenced to one year in jail. Aren’t the jails already overcrowded? Now we will need debtor and noncompliance jails. Isn’t this one of the reasons colonists fled England and came to this land? This is a punitive tax for behavior t hat the government does not approve. It is not constitutional. Did not Congress swear to uphold the Constitution?
It is also being proposed that people who smoke or who weigh more than the government deems appropriate would have to pay thirty percent more for health care insurance. This could be raised to fifty percent at a later date. The Food Police strike again. Wasn’t the main purpose of health care reform to make it more affordable? Over fifty percent of Americans are considered overweight; thus these people would pay significantly more. If they don’t or can’t comply, they could be placed in Fat Jails. Here calories could be restricted and exercise programs be made mandatory. This gives a whole new meaning to forced labor camps.
Does not Congress see how intrusive and even ridiculous these bills would be? The Constitution never gave the federal government power to control these aspects of our lives. It is no wonder more citizens are becoming more and more vocal every day. We are Americans. This goes against everything in which we believe.
Congress is proposing a mandate to force all citizens to have health care insurance. Congress argues that car owners are required to have insurance on their cars. Car owners are required to carry insurance to cover the damage to other people’s cars. This is not the same as requiring everyone to have health care insurance. An excise tax would be placed on anyone who does not comply. If this tax is not paid that person could be fined up to $25,000 and be sentenced to one year in jail. Aren’t the jails already overcrowded? Now we will need debtor and noncompliance jails. Isn’t this one of the reasons colonists fled England and came to this land? This is a punitive tax for behavior t hat the government does not approve. It is not constitutional. Did not Congress swear to uphold the Constitution?
It is also being proposed that people who smoke or who weigh more than the government deems appropriate would have to pay thirty percent more for health care insurance. This could be raised to fifty percent at a later date. The Food Police strike again. Wasn’t the main purpose of health care reform to make it more affordable? Over fifty percent of Americans are considered overweight; thus these people would pay significantly more. If they don’t or can’t comply, they could be placed in Fat Jails. Here calories could be restricted and exercise programs be made mandatory. This gives a whole new meaning to forced labor camps.
Does not Congress see how intrusive and even ridiculous these bills would be? The Constitution never gave the federal government power to control these aspects of our lives. It is no wonder more citizens are becoming more and more vocal every day. We are Americans. This goes against everything in which we believe.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Don't Hide The Bills
In the last six months more and more Americans are paying attention to what is happening in Washington
Citizens now want to know what is in proposed legislation. We want to express our opinions to our congressmen and congresswomen. We want them to consider our opinions before voting. How can we do this if the bills are hidden from the public?
We were promised transparency. Where is it? All bills should be posted online at least five days before Congress votes on them. If they are good bills, the public will approve of them. If they are bad bills, they should not pass. Ours is a representative government. All we ask is that you truly represent us. You can only do this if you inform us and then consider our opinions.
This is especially true of the proposed health care bills. This affects one-sixth of our economy and our very lives. Don’t hide the bills from us. Give us time to read and consider the bills and to voice our concerns. Represent us – not special interests or individual parties.
Signed,
The Electorate
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)