Healthcare Plan C

Here's the third summary. The whole thing was written by the Associated Press, so I take no credit. I tried to actually find this on the Associated Press website, but I couldn't find it.

WHO'S COVERED: Around 97 percent of Americans. Illegal immigrants would not receive coverage.

COST: Around $1 trillion over 10 years.

HOW'S IT PAID FOR: Possible sources include cuts to Medicare and Medicaid; a tax as high as 35 percent on very high cost health insurance policies; a requirement for employers to pay into the Treasury for their employees who get their insurance through public programs or receive government subsidies to help pay premiums. Looking to raise $90 billion by taxing health insurance companies as much as 35 percent on policies valued at $25,000 or more.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS: Expected to include a requirement for individuals to get coverage.

REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYERS: In lieu of requiring employers to provide coverage, lawmakers are considering a "free rider" penalty based on how much the government ends up paying for workers' coverage.

SUBSIDIES: No higher than 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($66,150 for a family of four).

BENEFIT PACKAGE: The government doesn't mandate benefits but sets four benefit categories — ranging from coverage of around 65 percent of medical costs to about 90 percent — and insurers would be required to offer coverage in at least two categories. No denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

GOVERNMENT-RUN PLAN: Unlike the other proposals the Finance Committee's will likely be bipartisan. With Republicans opposed to a government-run plan, the committee is looking at a compromise that would instead create nonprofit member-owned co-ops to compete with private insurers.

HOW YOU CHOOSE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE: State-based exchanges.

CHANGES TO MEDICAID: Everyone at 100 percent of poverty would be eligible. Between 100 and 133 percent, states or individuals have the choice between coverage under Medicaid or a 100 percent subsidy in the exchange. The expansion would be delayed until 2013, a late change to save money — the start date had been 2011.

Healthcare Plan B

Here's the second summary. The whole thing was written by the Associated Press, so I take no credit. I tried to actually find this on the Associated Press website, but I couldn't find it.

WHO'S COVERED: Aims to cover 97 percent of Americans.

COST: About $615 billion over 10 years, but it's only one piece of a larger Senate bill.

HOW IT'S PAID FOR: Another panel — the Senate Finance Committee — is responsible for figuring out how to cover costs.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS: Individuals will have to have insurance, enforced through tax penalty with hardship waivers.

REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYERS: Employers who don't offer coverage will pay a penalty of $750 a year for each full-time worker. Businesses with 25 or fewer workers are exempt.

SUBSIDIES: Available up to 400 percent poverty level, or $88,000 for a family of four.

BENEFITS PACKAGE: Health plans must offer a package of essential benefits recommended by a new Medical Advisory Council. No denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

GOVERNMENT-RUN PLAN: A robust new public plan to compete with private insurers. The plan would be run by the government but would pay doctors and hospitals based on what private insurers now pay.

HOW YOU CHOOSE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE: Individuals and small businesses could purchase insurance through state-based purchasing pools called American Health Benefit Gateways.

OTHER PROVISIONS: Creates a new voluntary insurance program that would provide a modest daily cash benefit to help disabled people stay in their own homes instead of going into nursing homes.

Healthcare Plan A

Here's the first summary. The whole thing was written by the Associated Press, so I take no credit. I tried to actually find this on the Associated Press website, but I couldn't find it.

Plan A

WHO'S COVERED: Around 94 percent of non-elderly residents (those not covered by Medicare, which kicks in at age 65) would be covered — compared with 81 percent today. Nearly half the 17 million non-elderly residents who remain uninsured would be illegal immigrants.

COST: About $1.5 trillion over 10 years.

HOW IT'S PAID FOR: Revenue-raisers include $544 billion over the next decade from new income taxes on single people making more than $280,000 a year and couples making more than $350,000; $37 billion in business tax increases; about $500 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid; sizable penalties paid by individuals and employers who don't obtain coverage.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS: Individuals must have insurance, enforced through tax penalty with hardship waivers. The penalty is 2.5 percent of income.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYERS: Employers must provide insurance to their employees or pay a penalty of 8 percent of payroll. Companies with payroll under $250,000 annually are exempt. That level could rise to $500,000 under a deal between House leaders and fiscal conservatives.

Employers could apply for a two-year exemption from the mandate if they can prove the requirements would result in job losses that would negatively affect their communities.

SUBSIDIES: Individuals and families with annual income up to 400 percent of poverty level ($88,000 for a family of four) would get sliding-scale subsidies to help them buy coverage. The subsidies would begin in 2013.

HOW YOU CHOOSE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE: Through a new Health Insurance Exchange open to individuals and, initially, small employers; it could be expanded to large employers over time. States could opt to operate their own exchanges in place of the national exchange if they follow federal rules.

BENEFIT PACKAGE: A committee would recommend an "essential benefits package" including preventive services, mental health services, oral heath and vision for children; out-of pocket costs would be capped. The new benefit package would be the basic benefit package offered in the exchange and over time would become the minimum quality standard for employer plans. Insurers wouldn't be able to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

GOVERNMENT-RUN PLAN: A new public plan available through the insurance exchanges would be set up and run by the secretary of Health and Human Services. Democrats originally designed the plan to pay Medicare rates plus 5 percent to doctors, but under Wednesday's deal with the fiscal conservatives the HHS secretary would instead negotiate rates with providers.

CHANGES TO MEDICAID: The federal-state insurance program for the poor would be expanded starting in 2013 to cover all non-elderly individuals with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level ($14,404).

DRUGS: Grants 12 years of market protection to high-tech drugs used to combat cancer, Parkinson's and other deadly diseases.

I want to hear what you think.

God Bless

Four Healthcare Plans...

Good morning, Gentle Readers,

Here's what I'm going to be doing today...

I will use the information I found from the Associated Press to Outline the four different plans. The only change I'm going to make is to change their names to A, B, C, D. There's no reason to choose a plan because the Democrats created it or to reject a plan because it is created by Republicans. What I want is for everyone who reads the plans, to comment on the one they like or comment on the ones you don't like. And, don't just say, that sucks. Be specific. I'd like to know which healthcare plan really resonants with my readers.

God Bless

Healthcare Email From the White House...

I received an email from David Axelrod Senior Adviser to President Obama. He included 8 facts about the President's Healthcare Plan, as well as 8 myths. I am copying these 16 points, without any comment, into this blog. I want you to come to your own conclusions.

8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage
1. Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
2. Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
4. Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
5. Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
6. Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
7. Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
8. Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.


8 common myths about health insurance reform

1. Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
2. We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.
3. Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.
4. Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.
5. Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.
6. Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.
7. You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.
8. No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts. Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose. Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make.

Okay, come to your own conclusions. Watch this space tomorrow. I'm posting summaries of the four plans. I found them at the Associated Press. Read them all and come to your own conclusions. Before the end of the weekend, I'll post my opinions.

God Bless

Illinois drivers in Wisconsin

Message: My mother is always complaining about how IL drivers receive more traffic tickets in WI than they should. This upsets her because she thinks that WI cops are picking on IL drivers. Well, I'm here to say that every single ticket issued is justified. Just this morning, a driver was on my back bumper-so close I couldn't see his headlights-at 70MPH. If I had hit my breaks, he would've hit me. Then when traffic cleared, he passed me. That's when I saw his plate. So, then I kept my eye on him and I should mention that he wasn't a young kid - he looked to be 50 or so. He tailgated in the construction zone and took off speeding when construction ended. And, that's why IL drivers deserve tickets when they drive in WI. And, I know not all IL drivers are like this - some are worse. God Bless

CBS & Hulu

This past February, I was off work while I recovered from knee surgery and while I had a lot of time on my hands, I was pretty much out of it because vicodin makes me loopy. While I was recovering, Cheryl was in Green Bay helping Kim with little Nicholas, so I was pretty much on my own. With all that time on my hands and no one with which I could talk, I watched a lot of TV and I found the site Hulu. I was able to watch various old TV shows, which is something I love to do. The best part was that Hulu offers very few commercials, so it brings back the good old days where one or two companies would sponsor a show.
Flash forward to today: This morning, I was reading my Business Week and there's an article about Hulu and CBS. It seems that there is a debate as to how many commercials consumers are willing to watch during online content. According to the article, CBS conducts tests by aimming infrared beams into the eyes. Somehow, this can tell them when a watcher has stopped paying attention. CBS has taken this to mean that web viewers will tolerate the same number of commercials in online content as they have for TV.
Now, I should add this before I go any farther, outside of my being out of commission for two weeks, I have rarely watched any online content. I prefer my content the old fashioned way -- in front of my TV set. I DVR nearly everything I watch and I skip the commercials. According to the article, only 4% of people would be willing to pay for commercial free content -- I'm one of those people.
Having said all of that, I do like Hulu's concept of less is more. They charge twice as much for commercials (again, according to the article) and I like that. You can't fast forward through the ads, so you're stuck watching them. But, they stick with you. I had a much easier time remembering the ads on Hulu than I do watching television. I think Hulu has the right idea. Less ads means more impact.
I think CBS with its more is more option is a little nuts. Plus, the last time I looked, Ghost Whisper wasn't offered online, nor was Criminal Minds. And, this sucked because I had managed to miss both of those shows in one week. And, the main reason I turn to online viewing is to watch a show I missed.
Remember, people, less is more.
God Bless

Healthcare - Stop Now

I know I'm about to sound like a raving, right-wing lunatic, but we have to stop Congress from making any changes to healthcare and we have to stop them right now. They have lost their collective minds. I was just reading in this week's Business Week how happy insurance companies are. They're going to come out winners, especially if there is no public option to the plan. According to the article, there are limits as to what the insurance companies will have to cover to take on 47 million new customers. And, since health insurance is going to be manatory, that's 47 million new paying customers who will have insurance policies that aren't worth the paper they're printed on.

So, let's not rush into a bad marriage with the insurance companies. We don't need their fly-by-night plans with low coverage. We all ready have that -- the 47 million Americans have access to healthcare, just not health insurance. Any plan before Congress that doesn't make American Businesses a partner in this is not a plan this country needs.

While I'm speaking of businesses, think about it -- Wal-Mart is supporting a government plan. Wonder why? Because it let's them off the hook for responsibility.

Oh and according to the article the idea of taxing white collar workers' benefits is back -- again. I really resent that, because my dad has been a blue collar worker all his life and he made a lot more money than some white collar workers I know, including me.

We need Congress to come up with something better. We don't need 1000 pages of crap. We have enough of that all ready.

One last thing, what makes me truly different from a real raving, right-wing lunatic is I have a plan and I've written about it.

God Bless

Cars and Tips

Let's discuss the cash for clunkers program. It is a resounding success, according to Business Week, the program helped sell 157,000 cars. I think that's just get. Now, it is all over the news that the program has been such a success that it is out of money. Congress is thinking about doing it again. I have two concerns with this. My first is that the program apparently didn't just allow sales of smaller cars go up. Apparently, the trade in couldn't get more than 14 or 18 mpg -- I'm not sure which, as I've seen both figures in print - AND the car purchased had to get more than 16mpg. 16mpg? Are they serious? That means those big, hulky gas guzzling SUVs and trucks were being sold. How is that am improvement?

Here's my second concern: If we renew the cash for clunkers program, are we just going to artificially prop up the auto industry like the lowering of interest rates propped up the housing market? I worry what will happen to the economy with a piece of it being blown up again.

I should disclose that I recently purchased a vehicle, but my Suzuki was still getting 24mpg and didn't qualify for the program even though she had 204,000 miles on her. The dealer offered me $100 for her. I donated her to kars 4 kids instead. I'm a little irked that the Suzuki didn't qualify for the program - I know, I could've lied about her gas mileage, but I'm not that kind of girl - but that people are allowed to purchase vehicles that don't get better gas mileage than a car I donated.

So, my suggestion is that we continue the program for another billion, but every car sold must get at least 20mpg city and highway combined.

Next, we're going from cars to waitressing, which I know is a very strange combination.

The next time you sit down in a restaurant, I want you to consider this: That waitress works for $2.33 an hour. That's not a lot of money. On top of that, whether or not you tip her, she pays tax on 8% of your total bill. Further, depending on the restaurant's structure, she is giving a percentage of her tips to the bartender, the hostess and the bus boy.

So, let's say a waitress works an hour and makes $100 in sales. Before she has tip one to count, she owes the government $8.00 in taxes. She only made $2.33 (which is minimum wage) and she owes 15% (not including social security and medicare and state taxes). If the tables in that hour don't tip her, she's just worked an hour of her life she can never get back and worse, she has to pay the government $8.35 for the privilege.

I know what you're thinking, what's your point?

My point is that before you leave that small tip, you stop for a moment and think about the service you've received. If you received good service, make sure you tip 15% of the entire bill -- not just the pre-tax amount -- because she's taxed on the entire bill. If you received excellent service, then you should leave a generous tip of at least 20%. And, if you run into a waitress who sucks, just don't stiff her -- you look cheap. Tip her 8%, to cover the tax and complain to the manager of the restaurant. My philosophy is this: I watch how many tables she has. If the waitress has less than four and I can see her yakking with her friends in the back and my service is bad, she gets a small tip and I complain, but if I can see she has a lot of tables and is keeping up the best she can, then I leave an extra generous tip and I make no complaint.

Oh, and don't just complain, speak with a manager if you receive top-notch service, as well.

I should note, I've NEVER been a waitress. I couldn't do it. Long hours on your feet, dealing with rude customers and making very little for your trouble - not my idea of a career, but someone has to do and those of us who don't should tip them well.

God Bless

Palin on Healthcare Reform...

Now, I'm not sure on how much of the Obama Healthcare plan I actually support. I am not even sure the government is on the right track on how to fix healthcare, but at least I'm not spouting lies on my Facebook page about it.

According to CNN, Sarah Palin posted the following on her facebook page: "And who will suffer the most when they ration care?" she wrote. "The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama’s 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil."

But, what about the system we have right now, where 47million Americans have no access or cannot afford health insurance? Many of those 47 million Americans probably couldn't afford the proper care for a Down Syndrome baby. Some, when faced with that decision, might have aborted the child rather than have him. Which leads to the same euthanasia former Governor Palin claims the Obama Healthcare plan will cause.

Admittedly, I don't know a lot about the great state of Alaska, but if they have a great healthcare system that was supported by former Governor Sarah Palin, I'd like to hear about it. Otherwise, just shut up. Attacking a system on grounds that outrageous and unsupportive is just crazy. If you can't offer constructive critism, then shut up. But, unfortunately, the Republican Party and their loonies -- such as Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and Glenn Beck -- haven't offered a constructive thought in more than twenty years.

So, is it me or have all the intelligent Republicans just given up? I know they're out there. Those Republicans who admire Theodore Roosevelt and Abe Lincoln, where have those guys gone? Richard Nixon was a President who did a great deal for this country (yeah, but only if you exclude Watergate). The man was intelligent, but not this band of so-called Conservatives. They talk about energizing their base, but their base -- white, lower middle class or even poor, right wing, uneducated Christians -- is a shrinking group and if they continue this pandering, they're truly not going to be a great party. Someday, I'll be telling my grandsons about what a Republican was.

At least, the history books will have pictures of Roosevelt and Lincoln.

God Bless

Me and Barbra Streisand

Yesterday, I checked my email and there's one from Barbra Streisand. Turns out I'm on her mailing list and do I want to remain there. According to the email, this is the second time I've received this request. There are two things I find humorous about this. One is that I never received the first request -- not enless it went to my junk inbox and was deleted -- and two, I don't remember even joining the Barbra Streisand mailing list in the first place. It isn't something I would normally do. Not that I have anything against Barbra Streisand, but I - with just two exceptions - generally only sign up for mailing lists that are either political or technical. Now, I'm wondering if someone put me on her list. Wouldn't that be a kick in the rubber parts?
But, if Babs wants to keep me on her mailing list, I guess it won't hurt.
God Bless

More Random Thoughts

I was going to write an in depth post about the recession and the recovery, but today I'm just dragging. So, I have a couple more random thoughts to put out there.

• Nothing in the whole wide world is cooler than answering my phone and hearing: "Hi, Nana!" Whether Danny or Alex is the voice, it is way cool. Singing "Blue Suede Shoes" while putting them on speaker is pretty cool, too. Both boys love to sing. Can't wait to see what little Nickie does when he gets the chance. It does mean that I don't get to speak with Kim much. Kim called and while we were talking, Danny came up and asked if she was talking to me, she told him yes and he said, "Well, I want to talk to Nana." And, that was that.
• While I thinking of the recession and the recovery, I have to say that it has been good for those of us who didn't run out and purchase huge homes or more expensive cars than we could afford. Cheryl and I have spent more money in the past six months on various purchases than I believe we did in the six months prior -- excluding spending for Christmas. I'm not saying that we're going hog wild or anything, but we've been able to buy things that prior to the recession were out of reach. Our personal recession occurred last year when unplanned events wiped out our savings twice. I should add that we are both very blessed. We still haven't been able to afford a great vacation, but I think we should do well enough that if we play our cards right, we can go someplace next year.
• That last paragraph been said, I'd like to say to those who are so worried about the future to lighten up a bit. We're going to bounce back, but if we listen to people like Susie Orman, no one would ever spend any money and, guess what -- the economy will NEVER bounce back. If you have a little extra and there's something you want or need, then go buy it. I'm not saying that if you're deep in debt, go deeper. I'm talking about people like Cheryl and me who have a little extra. We're choosing to put a little less into the savings account, which BTW only gets .5% interest, to purchase items that we've wanted or needed. We didn't rack up thousands in debt, so we can afford to stretch it out a little. Let's help the economy grow.
• Did I mention it is only 10 more days until they install our new kitchen floor?
• Crockpots are proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

God Bless

Birthers? Can Obama Be President According to the Constitution? And, is Joe Biden anti-Christian?

Headline One:

Birthers? Can Obama Be President According to the Constitution?

Have you heard the big fuss being made over just where President Obama was born? I thought this was all resolved during the elections, but I was WRONG wasn't I? Apparently, 28% or 50% (depending on which blogger you wish to believe) of Republicans believe that President Obama isn't a natural born American citizen and, therefore, not eligible to be President.

But, I saw this blog post over at the Huffinginton Post written by Chris Kelly and I WISH I had thought of this! The man is brilliant and a bit of a smart aleck. So, check out his post.

Headline Two:

Is Joe Biden anti-Christian?

Saw this over at Huffinginton Post, too. I cannot believe that there is really a "Christian" group who thinks for one iota of a second that saying "Jesus Christ" is hate speech. Now, I know that I try my darnedest to not take the Lord's name in vain and I know that sometimes I fail. I say silly things like son of a biscuit and Holy Crap. But, that's getting me off track.

In reality, taking Jesus' name in vain isn't a sin. The Ten Commandments only says that you cannot take the Lord's name in vain and Jesus isn't God now is He? He is the Son of God, so taking His name in vain is not the samething as taking His Father's name in vain. Actually, since Jesus considered all of us His brothers and sisters, perhaps, we could take each other's names in vain. Like, the next time I get mad, I could yell JULIE MARIE! (like my father often did when I was a kid) instead of JESUS CHRIST and then I'd be off the hook for any sinning in that grey area of whether or not taking Jesus' name in vain is a sin, which I think it isn't, so it really doesn't matter and I just made you waste five minutes of your life you'll never get back.

JULIE MARIE!!!

Hmmm, kind of catchy, isn't it?

God Bless

Random Thoughts

This weekend, I had quite a few ideas for articles, but the time went so fast, I never had a chance to formulate them into coherent thoughts. Now, I'm a little sleepy and I have to get ready for work, so I was thinking of just a listing of random thoughts. Maybe, a little something to get the conversation started.

• Teddy is the cutest and smartest kitten I have ever owned. He is an amazing creature and totally worth all of the allergy driven issues I'm having since we became his parents.
• My car is really pretty and I know this because a lady at the bookmobile told me.
• Paul Ryan's office must be getting more cards, letters, emails and phone calls than normal. I have called him once and sent an email on two different subjects and have not received a response on either. One issue -- Alternative Minimum Tax -- I've been waiting over a month for a response. It isn't like his office, so I'm making a guess that they must be really busy.
• If I'm right and Paul Ryan's office is busy, that can only be a good thing. It means, I hope, that my fellow Americans are becoming more involved. Well, really, it means just my fellow southeastern Wisconsinites are becoming more involved.
• Today is the day that gay Wisconsinites can register for domestic partnership. THANK YOU GOD and Governor Doyle! This whole gay marriage issue has really gotten a lot of people's tits in a wringer, as my mother would say, and for what? What has anyone who is against gay marriage gained by denying marriage to someone they don't even know? Oh, I know what they think they'll get, they think they'll get a slice of the that pie called Heaven. And, won't they be surprised when they don't. However; gays can and should take solace in the following..."Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
• There is nothing cuter than three cats watching a rainstorm.

Well, gotta get ready for work.

God Bless

Heartless, Hypocritical Bastards

Those so-called "family" groups are at it again. No sooner had the ink dried on the state budget, which includes Domestic Partner benefits, than 3 board members of various "family" groups had their lawyers file to fight it in court.
Look you rotten bastards, you won the big fight -- we can't get married and we can't have civil unions in Wisconsin. At least give us the very small protections Domestic Partnerships give us. And, if I sound angry, I am. I'm sick and tired of a group of people who don't know me spending their time and effort to make my life miserable. They wanted the anti-gay amendment and they got it. And, how did they get it, buy making it a two part question, where the answer was yes if you DIDN'T support equal rights for gays. Do you know how many of my straight friends called me up and said, "Isn't it great, you and Cheryl can get married now. We voted yes and it passed." I apparently didn't explain it to them in easy enough terms for them to understand that a yes vote meant we COULDN'T get married.
Now, we're just getting basic protections: the right to inherit, the right to hospital visitations, the right to sue for wrongful death, etc. We're not getting the right to file joint tax returns. We're not getting the other 1300 rights that married couples enjoy in this country.
And, these bastards are hypocrites on top of it all. They don't believe in legistlating from the bench, but they want a judge to throw out a law signed by our governor. Sounds like an activist judge decision to me.
I have a question. If Cheryl gets seriously ill and can no longer make decisions for herself, are these bastards going to step in then and make the decision I cannot legally make until the domestic partner benefits kick in on August 3rd? Are they going to stop her life support or stop treatment when there's no hope? Oh, of course not, these are the kinds of bastards -- in a general sense -- that believe in the so-called right to life, which means they don't believe anyone should ever die.
God Bless the Gay People for we give the phony family groups something to do.

I can't believe they were really that dumb...

I saw this headline Cops suspended after check on Obama on CNN and I had to read the story. It seems two police officers -- both of whom have been on the job less than five years -- ran a background check on President Obama.  Didn't they realize that they'd get caught?  I'm pretty sure anytime a police officer runs a check on anyone, there's a record of it.  And, two young police officers should know that better than an older one -- this is the computer generation after all.

God Bless

Congressman Ryan's Healthcare Idea

Congressman Ryan sent out a flyer regarding his healthcare plan. He wants to give everyone a $5700 tax credit -- not a deduction, you receive this credit whether you paid money in or not -- to everyone in order to buy healthcare. The tax credit works out to $475.00 per month, which sounds like a lot of money for health insurance, until you realize that group plans can cost that much and trying to buy insurance as an individual is very expensive.
There are some questions I want answered and I'm sending an email to him to get them:

• From where are Americans supposed to buy this insurance? Are we going to be able to get the kind of coverage we currently have with our employers and at the group rate?
• From where is the government going to get the money for the tax credit? I pay for my employer insurance pre-tax, so I am not paying taxes on my health insurance. My pre-tax premium is way less than the $5700 tax credit and $5700 will practically wipe out my tax obligation and the tax obligation for a lot of Americans, so where is the government going to get the extra money?
• Will I have to prove that I purchased healthcare insurance or put the money into a health savings account in order to collect? How can we be certain that people use the credit for that which it was intended? If there are no guarantees in place, we could end up spending a lot of government money without covering a significant portion of Americans.
• What will this do to company policies? Won't this encourage companies to just dump their healthcare plans and let individuals do it on their own?
• Who is going to educate those who don't understand anything about insurance? I have a college degree and insurance policies confuse me. Who is going to make sure the American public is well informed?
• Won't this just encourage fly by night insurance companies? How can we be sure people won't be scammed into policies that really aren't worth the paper their printed on?

It is something to think about. Contact your Congressman to find out more information.
God Bless

Where have all the cajones gone?

Why is it that no one has cajones (balls) anymore? My co-worker gets away with saying how "busy" she is and how she doesn't have time to do something and my boss just lets it slide. Remember when I told you about that project and how she didn't want to do it, but my boss gave it to her anyway? Well, today she says she doesn't have time. So, now it just won't get done.
But does he call her bluff?
Of course not. And, why is that?
Glad you ask.
No one has any cajones. Everyone is so busy saying, "oh, I'm sorry." Politicians, actors, bosses, etc. I'd rather deal with a blantant racist than deal with the balless.
God Bless the balless - for they shall go farther than they should

Smile Train

I don't know if you'll be able to see the pictures from the email I'm copying and posting here, but if you can't I will get this fixed later. I didn't want to wait in posting this. Smile Train is an organization that is very close to my heart. I see the pictures of these children and I want to help them all. I encourage all of my readers to donate to Smile Train.

Here is an email I received this morning. Please take the time to read it. Oh, I should note that I didn't receive permission from Smile Train to post this, so please consider the whole email copyrighted by them and not me.

God Bless

"I will never forget a little 7-year-old girl who literally jumped into my arms-and into my heart." -Christopher Meloni

The flight to Haiti from New York is just a little more than 3 hours but the distance between our two countries is VAST. The U.S. is the richest country in the history of the world with an average per capita income of about $40,000 a year. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with an average per capita income of $400 a year. 80% of Haitians live in poverty. 50% cannot read. The healthcare system is in shambles. Average life expectancy is 53 years. Almost one out of every 10 babies dies before their first birthday.

When our plane landed in Port-au-Prince, we went right from the airport to Cité Soleil, a densely populated shanty town where about 300,000 people live in unimaginable circumstances. It is one of the poorest slums in the entire world. In Cité Soleil there are no police, no sewers, no stores and little to no electricity or running water.

The stench was overwhelming. As we walked around it felt to me like I was walking on a gigantic landfill, stepping on garbage, human excrement, litter, refuse, rotting food, you name it, while hundreds of wild pigs were snorting and foraging all around us.

Everywhere I looked people were foraging too, looking for food, for plastic or metal cans, for anything they could use, like shoes or clothing.

I thought of Dante's inferno and its Map of Hell-this place would have fit right in.

Many children rubbed their bellies and held out their hands, the international signal that says, "I am hungry will you give me some money."

We came across a market where I saw something I will never forget. A woman selling cookies, made out of mud. Cookies that people actually buy and eat. I was incredulous. I held one and smelled it. Why would anyone eat something like this? I was told that in Haiti, for many people, the hunger pains are so bad they are given the nickname Clorox. Because it feels like there is bleach eating away at the walls of your stomach. So some children eat these mud cookies to fill their stomachs and fend off the hunger pains at least for awhile.

I stood there holding one of these mud cookies shaking my head.

How can it be that just off the coast of the richest country in the world, are 8 million people starving on an island eating cookies made out of mud? What is even more ironic is that the biggest health problem we face in the U.S. these days is obesity. It's true. The leading cause of death in the U.S. is coronary and heart problems related to obesity.

Well, my depression lifted immediately when we got to our Smile Train partner hospital and saw HUNDREDS of children and adults who had come from all over Haiti to be helped. Smile Train distributed posters, ran radio and TV ads and spread the word far and wide that every baby, child and adult with a cleft who came to this hospital would be guaranteed free surgery.

I must say, it was a little overwhelming for me to see so many clefts in one place at one time. Some of them were extreme.

I spent a lot of time meeting as many children and their parents as we could. Through our interpreter who spoke Creole, we asked all kinds of questions.

What I came away with was that this Smile Train program was their only chance to ever get cleft surgery for their child. Many of these children had traveled for days, by foot, by boat, by bus, from very far away because this was their one chance, their one shot.

And I will never forget a little 7-year-old girl who literally jumped into my arms-and into my heart. Bergaline and her mother lived in Cité Soleil. Her mother said never in a thousand years could she ever raise enough money to help her child. We talked a bit and then I lifted Bergaline up and carried her into the O.R. to observe my very first cleft surgery.

And 45 minutes that would change the rest of Bergaline's life.

Her surgeon, Dr. Michael Schaefer, was fantastic. He gave me a play-by-play as he gently, expertly and methodically deconstructed Bergaline's cleft and then artfully put the pieces back together just like a jigsaw puzzle. I was really blown away with how dramatic the transformation was-as well as how quickly it all happened.

In Smile Train direct mail they always say the surgery takes as little as 45 minutes and I must say I have always been a little skeptical about that claim. But sure enough, in under an hour, about 50 minutes, I was lifting a sleeping Bergaline up from that O.R. table and carrying her to the post-op area. (Without all my questions and suture cutting they probably would have been done in 35 minutes!)

I almost sprinted to go get Bergaline's mother.

There was not a dry eye in the room as we watched this mom cry tears of joy as she danced and hugged and said thank you again and again and again and again. Wow.

When I got out of my scrubs, I sat down in a hallway to drink some water and take a break. But as I looked out the window at all the children and their parents that were still standing in a long line, waiting to register, or arriving by foot after days of travel, it hit me even harder.

These kids have to be helped. None of these children can be turned away.

Before I went to Haiti, I thought Smile Train was a well-run charity that was doing some good work and helping a lot of kids. But I came back from Haiti with a much more intense point of view and a much greater sense of urgency.

There are millions of poor children in the world who are suffering with unrepaired clefts.

All of their suffering is completely unnecessary.

Every single one of these kids can be helped with this simple, cheap, quick surgery.

Smile Train is working feverishly to raise enough money to help as many children as quickly as it can.

If you can help us too, that would be great. If enough of us pitch in, we can actually solve this problem, we can help all the kids who are out there waiting for their chance to smile.

Thanks for reading my report and thanks for helping these kids.

All the best,

Chris Meloni

P.S. If you are wondering if I would go on another Smile Train trip all I have to say is just name the place and the date and I will be there.

P.P.S. I made a pretty neat video about my trip. You can check it out at

Torture

I hear people say things like, "they do it to us, so we should do it to them" whenever the subject of torture comes up. But, if "they" jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge, should we do it too? Now, I read in Newsweek that Eric Holder -- the US Attorney General -- wants to begin investigating the Bush Administration and go after those who approved the torture we as a whole committed. Well, even though I'm against torture, I think that ship has sailed and all Eric Holder will find is a heap of trouble for his boss. I'm, also, torn. I do want those people who said it was okay to torture someone punished, but at the same time, I'm reluctant to air America's dirty laundry anymore.

My dad, who went through torture "training" before being shipped to Vietnam, said that water boarding isn't so bad. He survived it and he doesn't understand why everyone is making a fuss over it. Yet, I read an article in Vanity Fair written by Christopher Hutchinson who said it was a terrifying experience. Of course, my father is one tough guy and he makes John Wayne look like a sissy boy, so he's probably tougher than a journalist for Vanity Fair.

I'm not sure how much water boarding really harms anyone and we are in a war with the terrorists, but I wonder, if we torture them because they torture our people, then aren't we just like them? I should think that a great country such as the United States of America would hold ourselves to a higher standard. We are the beacon of hope for the hopeless and the bearer of that great standard - freedom. We should never lower ourselves to the level of terrorists. We should never be the bad guys. Not torturing a terrorist doesn't make us weak, it makes us, well, us. We are THE country on this planet that looks out for the underdog. We are the country that fights for injustice. Come to think of it, we're the Superman of the world. We need to hold ourselves to a much higher standard than the rest of the world, because we are the United States of America -- one nation, indivisible, under God with liberty and justice for all.

God Bless

Inmates Give Money to Help Little Girl Have Surgery

Have you heard about Trinity Schley?  She's four years old and lives in Baton Rouge, LA.  You can read her story here.  She needs surgery to restore her sight and the surgery and associated costs total about $60,000.  Her parents don't have that kind of money -- really, who does.

I donated and now I'm calling on all of you, my gentle, kind hearted readers to donate as well.  A group of Inmates donated $5,000 -- INMATES, people!  These are hardened criminals and they've joined together to donate 5 GRAND.  Surely, we can do better than that.  We're all upstanding citizens, aren't we?

You can donate here. 

God Bless Trinity and her family.

Let's raise some money!!!

What's Wrong With America

We are. That's right, it is us citizens. You see, not only do we want things to be perfect, but we're not really wanting to work for it. I'm not talking about people who go to work to earn money. I'm talking about the work it takes to keep our great country great.
Case in point, on Facebook, I challenged someone's statement that President Obama had promised to fix Iraq and Afghanistan in 6 months. I hadn't heard that in a campaign speech and I said so. Instead of responding with an intelligent response to back up the claim, the response was "whatever".
I get that a lot. You can't have an intelligent debate anymore in this country -- on the right or the left -- because there aren't enough intelligent people to go around. It ends in name calling or shrugs. There is middle ground, not every issue is black and white. If you take out the ones the right-wing Christians care about -- abortion, gay rights and the death penalty -- the rest are things we can discuss, debate and come to a consensus on, but we don't.
We all just make blanket statements and we don't do any research to back them up. I'm all for everyone having their own opinion, but I think we've gone too far.
And, I blame Rush Limbaugh. Seriously, I think he was the start of no debate. Callers who agree will just say Ditto and callers who disagree don't get a chance to say anything at all and/or they get made fun of. Admittedly, I haven't listened to Rush Limbaugh in well over 15 years, so he might've changed.
It's really too bad we've come to this because no President stands much of a chance and if we keep it up, we as a country don't either.
God Bless

Work

I often complain about work, but it is where I spend the majority of my time. I can't understand how someone who makes good money can consistently not step it up when volunteers are needed to jump right in. It happened again today and what really upsets me is twofold: since she didn't volunteer, our boss would never assign the project to her. It just won't happned -- it hasn't happened before. And, I can't understand how she is allowed to keep her job in today's economy. Shouldn't only the hardworking individuals be allowed to work?
Drives me nuts.

So, if you're looking for a hardworking Data analyst with skills in SQL, Crystal Reports, Cognos, VB, VBA, HTML and limited knowledge of PHP. Please send me an email. Joboffer@topofmyhead.info.

God Bless

UPDATE: I couldn't believe it, but the boss actually gave her the assignment. You could've knocked me over with a feather. First time that has ever happened!

Healthcare

Thank goodness for lunch hours or I would've missed this report (http://www.rr.com/news/news/article/rr/6818193/8257578/Conservative_Democrats_break_ranks_on_health_care/full/).  There really is a tax on healthcare benefits in the Senate plan.  This needs to be stalled and stopped.

I get three tax breaks as a single person -- the first is on the portion of the healthcare premiums I pay and that goes with the break I get on my supplemental insurance I have thru Aflac, the second is my house and the third is my charitable donations.  Without these, I would be paying over $1,000 more a year in taxes.  I will be in a new tax braket.  I don't know about you, but I cannot afford the extra $1,000 per year.

I did have a thought today regarding how to raise some tax dollars to fund this program.  How about every time an American company closes up shop here and moves the plant to Mexico or overseas, we tax them a dollar a component to bring whatever it was back?

My other thought on funding is we give employers huge tax breaks for funding the healthcare for their employees and employees' families.  You give them a tax break and I'll bet you the number of uninsured in this country will drop significantly.

We do need an overhaul of healthcare, but the buck is stopping here. Any plan that raises the taxes on those of us who earn less than $100,000 a year (singles) and $200,000 (married couples) needs to be stopped in its tracks.

Contact your senators and tell them you want healthcare, but not at this price.

God Bless

What America Needs...

My goal this morning was to get up, do some research and write a blog entry about what I think America needs. Well, you know how that goes. I've been up since five and I'm not even close to being done, nor have I made great strides in getting started.
Since I have to leave for work, I'll have to post this over the weekend.
BTW, did you see the interview with Jeb Bush where he claims his brother's presidential ratings were higher than Obama's, then claims ratings don't matter and turns around and just misses calling Obama a socialist and stating the Obama would've have been elected if America knew his true agenda?
Try to find it -- it is an interesting read. Here's a quick take -- why is it that if the idea disagrees with the right wing's thoughts, you have an "agenda", but they have "ideas."
God Bless

Sarah Palin

This is going to be quick. It comes from an article on CNN about Sarah
Palin:

"No legal "bombshell" or personal scandal lies behind Palin's
resignation, but off-color jokes by talk-show host David Letterman
contributed to her decision to step down, Thomas Van Flein said."

So, she's leaving the governorship 17 months early because she can't
take a joke?

I'll finish reading the article later today, I have to fly right now.

God Bless

Well done, Congressman Peter King

From CNN...

"New York Rep. Peter King called on the media to "knock out the psycho-babble" and stop covering Michael Jackson because "this guy was a pervert.""

I wish my Congressional Representative had these kinds of balls as Peter King of New York does.  I read some of the comments below the article and I saw this one written by Vic from New York:

"July 6th, 2009 9:44 am ET

Dear Mr. King,

I'm no Jackson fan, but your comments are the the kind of Right-Wing psycho talk that juxtaposes you kind at the opposite end of the spectrum - but just as bad if not worse - than the behaviors you claim to revile.

John Dean calls it "Conservatives without Compassion". I call it the right wing Nazi Cabaret of extremist repression oriented doctrine.

No Thanks! If faced with picking between the "worst of the worst" - I'll take Jackson over your ilk hands down."

Well, I've got to disagree.  With the passing of Michael Jackson, we've proven that what becomes news is what sells and not what is truly important.  At first, I was angry because his death overshadowed Farrah's and I liked her better, but now it has been more than a week and CNN still has a huge headline.  Our news channels have become all Michael, all the time.  What he did his last hours - why it took so long for the ambulance to get there -- who gets his kids, etc. etc.

Ignoring the fact that he was an alleged child molestor, Michael Jackson was a singer and a dancer and that's pretty much it.  He didn't find a cure for cancer or bring peace to the middle east.  He sang and dance.  I know that singers, dancers and actors have a place in our daily lives.  They make us laugh, their movies make us forget our own issues or even, keep us at the edge of our seats.  A good song by a great singer or group of singers can inspire thousands to move mountains and that right there is the worth the price of admission.

And, it is sad when one of our stars leaves the planet for that great soundstage in the sky, but to obsess about one man is definitely not healthy.  So, to all the news outlets who are just playing into this so-called period of national mourning, get over it.  We need to go back to study more important issues.

One last thought, I remember those 14 weeks in 2005 when MJ was on trial.  It seems we lost our collective mind back then, too.  So, yet again, MJ has pushed important news that will probably affect our futures for sometime to come right off the front page. <sigh>

To the Jackson Family, I offer heartful prayers and thoughts.  I can't imagine losing a child or a sibling or a parent in such a public arena.  I pray that all of you will be able to find some sort of peace Michael has now found.

To the rest of us gawkers and hangers on, stop reading the crap and they'll stop printing it.

God Bless us all

Healthcare - The numbers

I know I've been droning on and on and on about Healthcare, but the reforms that are about to pass the House and Senate are really scaring me. First, the news always reports that there are 45 million Americans without healthcare or health insurance. Anyone know from where this number comes?
Now, yesterday, I read a blog (and I'm sorry I don't remember which one) that disputed this by making a blanket statement that 20 million of those Americans are either college students or people making over $75,000 a year who choose not to take healthcare. Anyone know from where that number comes? Anybody? Because I remember when my daughter was in college that she was still on Cheryl's insurance. So, I think most students would remain on their parents' policies. Anyone know of a recent college student who wasn't covered on their parents' policies?
Does anyone know of someone who makes $75,000 a year who opts not to have health insurance? I don't, but I'm sure there's someone out there who does.
Over the next few days and, perhaps, weeks, I'm going to try to track down these numbers and pass them on. Healthcare in America is way too important to just make a rash decision on.
God Bless

Addictomatic

I was going through my stats and checking out referring pages. I like to do this every once in a while to see if I can offer a link to their site. Since I'm re-doing the site, I thought I'd add a page with links, as opposed to the ones that used to be on the left. Anyway, I found this site where you can "instantly create a custom page with the latest buzz on any topic." What a concept!
I made this one on Healthcare -- give it a try!
God Bless

Billy Mays Funeral

I think this is both the coolest way to pay tribute to a close friend, as Billy Mays' pallbearers obviously were doing, and one of the saddest things I've seen. I hadn't watched the Pitchmen series until this past week. I only knew him as the Might Putty and Oxiclean guy, but I liked watching Pitchment -- it was very interesting and entertaining.
Here's the video clip from his funeral as seen on CNN.
God Bless

Happy Fourth of July

Right now, our country is in a terrible recession. We're fighting two wars. 45 million Americans don't have healthcare and our President and Congress are rushing to make a decision about it. Gays don't have the right to marry. Michael Jackson's death announcement nearly took down the Internet and overshadowed every news cast -- until yesterday, when Sarah Palin announced she wasn't running for re-election. And, it is construction season again.

And, still, in all of this craziness we call America, with all of the complaints, today, we can spend five minutes thinking about the fact that we are the greatest nation on earth.

Happy Fourth of July and God Bless the good old USA!

Thank a Vet

This past weekend, I went to my family reunion and listened to a conversation my Uncle Bill and my father were having regarding waterboarding. I was going to write about how my views differ from theirs, but I'll save that for later. I want to tell you all about my dad and my Uncle Bill.

Now, my dad is one tough man. Frankly, I think John Wayne was a wuss when held up next to my old man. He's seventy-two and can still wipe the floor with mine and my brothers' butts. I've never tried taking on my Uncle Bill, but I'm pretty sure he could take me. These are the guys who fought in Vietnam and didn't come home with any problems and they didn't complain. They just did their duty and served their country proud. Uncle Bill served in the Air Force for at least twenty years and retired as an E8. My father served in the Navy for twenty years and retired as an E7 -- Pop doesn't take orders as nicely as Uncle Bill.

These are the guys who taught me to respect our servicemen and women, especially my dad. In fact, Pop taught me that if you see a man with a service hat on - you know the ones I mean, that mention they ship they served on or I'm a Veteran - you need to thank that man for your freedom and I always do. When I see men and women in uniform at the mall or in the airport or wherever I am, I try to shake their hand and thank them for their continuing service. I'm trying to teach Danny and Alex to do the samething, but they might be a little too young.

So, on this day, while most of us are off work because tomorrow is the Fourth of July, I just wanted to ask everyone of you who reads this to take the time to thank a vet. And, if you don't know one or don't see one, take a little time to think about America's Veterans. All over the world, there are men and women in the Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines and Coast Guard who won't be celebrating with barbecues and hot dogs, because they're standing watch and protecting our freedom. Please join with me and say a little prayer for them.

Lastly, I know this is a bumber sticker saying, but it doesn't mean it isn't right:

If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Vet.

God Bless

Open Letter to President Obama

Dear President Obama;
I've sent comments to you on healthcare, but the box only takes 500 characters and I am much more long winded than that. Also, I haven't received any response. But, I'm not writing this to complain, but to help people take notice.
First and foremost, we shouldn't rush any of this. Theodore Roosevelt wanted national healthcare at the beginning of the last century and we've lived this long without it. Let's take our time. I know there's a feeling of urgency what with the economy trying to climb out of the toliet and the American public supporting you by 65%, but let's not make hasty decisions.
Second, any plan that adds yet another tax onto the backs of the middle class is not a plan worthy of mention. Those of us in the middle class pay enough taxes as it is. Right now, between Federal and State taxes, Social Security and Medicare, 1/3 of my paycheck is gone and I haven't even walked out of the building. Let's find the money some other way. (I'm for stopping farm substidies to large corporations and weekend farmers. The substidies weren't supposed to be paid out for more than five years when they started. It's just ridiculous that people like Sam Donaldson gets farm substidies, but I digress.) I'm pretty sure that at some point in the next few years, our taxes are going to have to go up, but let's not tax one of the few benefits we enjoy.
Now, having said # 2, let me mention #3: Let's give HUGE tax breaks to companies that cover at least 75% of an employee's healthcare and even bigger tax breaks to companies that cover 90%. Let's not make them pay taxes on any money spent on healthcare for employees' dependents. A lot of the uninsured are children and by giving employers the push to do the right thing, we might be able to knock more than half of the uninsured off the list.
Four, and this is big, let's not have national healthcare, but a national standard. And, here's why; we don't want to give companies a break on taxes and then have them use some shoddy fly by night insurance company that doesn't cover the basics. A pound of prevention is worth an ounce of cure, after all. We need wellness visits and mammograms, etc. to be covered. And, the standards set must be followed whether the company is self-insured or not. I spoke with a company representative where I work and she insisted that they didn't have to follow the minimums set by Illinois because they were self-insured. I couldn't find an answer on whether or not she was lying, so let's just get that part out of the way. If you follow at least the minimums, you get the tax break, if not, you don't. He who pays the band gets to pick the music, so companies shouldn't expect breaks, if they don't want to have the minimums.
Finally, whatever healthcare plan we pick or whatever minimums we set; Congress should be set at the same standard. If they had to live with our healthcare, the healthcare system wouldn't be broken.
I hope you see this, President Obama.
God Bless
A Concerned Citizen

Freddy Fender

I love the song "Before the Next Teardrop Falls." Freddy Fender did it, along with many other Country hits. So, why isn't he in the Country Music Hall of Fame? Does anyone know how members are selected? I think us Freddy Fender fans should unite and do something about this.
God Bless

Taxing Healthcare Benefits

Okay, if you're a regular reader of my blog, you know that one of the three reasons I didn't vote for McCain was that he wanted to put a tax on my healthcare benefits. Yesterday, a co-worker of mine mentioned that he hoped I was happy now that Obama was going to start taxing healthcare benefits. I was more than a little stunned, especially since 1/3 of my reasons for voting for Obama was that he was against this idea. So, this morning, I have set out on a mission to see if I can find the justification for my co-worker's remark. I have found one article, but then my router went down and I discovered that my archives weren't working, so I haven't finished reading the article, but trust me, I will get to the bottom of this and I will be calling Feingold, Kohl and Ryan to let them know the taxing of healthcare benefits is wrong.
One quick thought before I'm off:
The article I'm reading states "The wealthy enjoy the biggest boon from the policy, with their better jobs and richer perks. Still, Obama and many lawmakers are reluctant to embrace a tax." Well, I don't think I would be considered among the wealthy of the country, so there might be hope. I wouldn't be opposed to paying taxes on the healthcare if, say, they had to earn a certain amount, like $100,000 for a single person and $200,000 for a married person -- that, my dear friends, would leave most of us out of it.
Anyway, I would like to formulate a better thought on this, but I want to do my research -- just like I did when McCain first proposed this idea.
Oh, I almost forgot, according to my co-worker, this taxing of healthcare is Hillary's idea and it was part of the "deal" she made with Obama last year. Where is that coming from? Anyone know?
God Bless

Video for Dad

I made this video for Dad and I posted it on Facebook, but if you're not on Facebook you can't see it. But, Dad sent out the link to his friends and our family members, so I'm posting it here so they can see it too.

God Bless

Inbox fatigue

Did you get the email for Robin Williams's supposed plan for peace? It is full of rantings on how America should stop defending other countries and we should give illegals 90 days to get out. I received this email and it pissed me off and not just because it is an unintelligent, uninformed rant attributed to someone who didn't write it, but because the person who forwarded didn't check the facts. And, they didn't clean up the email, by removing all the other forwarded message headers.
As my friends can attest, I rarely forward emails. On those rare occasions when I do, I remove headers, I check the facts and most of the time, I remove those forward to 100 people messages. I received an email yesterday where the writer referred to me as the queen of information and I don't think he meant it in a nice way, but I wear it as a badge of honor.
So, here's my rule: if you don't have the time to make the message look neat and you don'T have time to check the facts, the rest of us don't have time to read it.
God Bless

Happy Birthday, Pop!

Today is my father's 72nd birthday. I made him this video.

Happy Birthday, Pop!

Love,

Julie

Did you hear the one?

Sherri Goforth should not lose her job for sending a racist email. Actually, no one should and here's why.
We live in a free society where all forms of speech are protected. Now, I happen to work in a zero tolerance environment where any non-work related email can get me fired. But, we're not talking about me. If we want to truly talk about tolerance, then people who send racist emails need to be shown compassion, not lose their jobs.
I realize this woman works for the state, but racists happen to be people, too. Sherri Goforth said that she sent the email by mistake. Who hasn't hit reply all when they shouldn't? Firing her isn't going to change his racist views. It'll only make them worse. Trust me on that. Racists hate being treated nice -- especially by the race they hate the most, so if I was Sherri's African-American co-worker, I'd be as nice as all get out to her. It'll piss her off.
But, that's just me.
God Bless

Pettiness

I just received an email asking me for money to help Al Franklin in Minnesota--like I have any money! I thought this was all settled and I have to wonder how a party who wanted votes thrown out in Florida in 2000, can throw a fit now? And, I wonder why they aren't putting the country first, like Al Gore did when he gave up the fight? And, then I wonder why Republicans can't figure out why they lost the Presidency?
Last thought, isn't this the party who complains about judges legislating from the bench?
God Bless

I was thinking

I was thinking this morning, as I was reading an article about Miss Porter's School for Girls in Vanity Fair about coddling and blaming. And, I was thinking about why the economy has failed and what needs to be done and the car companies and I came up with this disjointed blog you're now reading.
First, what goes up - must come down. After the boom years of the '90s, it was only natural that the economy bottoms out.
Second, deregulation and the allowing of banks to be investors, too, didn't seem to help. And, isn't that sad? For most things, I'm not really into government regulation. I think businesses should be allowed to run themselves. I do believe it is sad that we need laws that protect people based on their sexual orientation, religion and race. I have held three jobs where, once my immediate supervisor found out I was gay, he (and I say he because they were all men) would have fired me, if it wasn't illegal for him to do so. I worked one job in Illinois, where they didn't have the protection (they might now, I do not know) and when my boss found out I was gay, out the door I went. And, it is more than that. Our government shouldn't have to mandate a reduction in greenhouse gases. Businesses should be able to make changes without being told what to do like little children, but they don't do they?
Case in point -- the car companies -- Chrysler is now own by Fiat, Ford is struggling (but the only one with a chance to survive -- and I've put my own money into that notion) and GM will be gone soon -- and, yet, why did this happen? Well, for one thing, no had to force Toyota and the other foreign car companies into building higher mpg cars. They did it and they won the car battle. Now, after taking government money, both Chrysler and GM are closing American plants that employ American workers and leaving foreign plants open. Isn't that a kick in the rubber parts?
Finally, I think in the last eight years, there were bad decisions being made all around. As a country, we're fighting two wars, we cut taxes (for the rich, at least, the middle class is still screwed) and we didn't spend money on infastructure (our roads and bridges are falling apart). Add the thought that when given an option, people will do what is best for the greater good (on a whole) and suddenly, you have banks and investment firms failing left and right.
And, now, the President wants to try to initiate a Pay as you Go plan and he's being critized by a bunch of people (Republicans) who claim to be fiscally responsible and weren't. How else could we increase spending ($10 billion in Iraq every month since the war began total? $720 billion and all of it borrowed, none of it we will see again and someone is now very rich and it ain't me).

God Bless

Poor Cheryl...

I left Jeff Dunham and Eddie Izzard -- which just proves that I have very wild and varied tastes. Today, at my house arrived two Jeff Dunham videos and an Eddie Izzard video! Yeah! An evening of comedy awaited me!

Except, Cheryl doesn't like Eddie Izzard -- oh, what should I do? It's Brian to the rescue! Cheryl's going out to dinner with him on Thursday, leaving me at home to watch Eddie Izzard!!!
Yeah!

My life is so sad, isn't it?

The GOP Has Two Faces

I need to give Credit where Credit is due...This came in an email from The Rant... I just wanted to pass it along to my readers.

God Bless

If a Republican offers you a pat on the back, be wary. It seems the Party of No has a new plan for the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court: Say one thing in public, another in private.

You saw the footage: Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., called Judge Sotomayor "animated" and "engaged" and said he enjoyed meeting with her. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., warmly welcomed Judge Sotomayor to his office. How sweet.

Or not. According to an account in The Hill, the pleasantries are all for show. Behind closed doors, political minions are cinching up their boxing gloves. As her boss was being chummy with Judge Sotomayor, a McConnell aide, Lanier Swann, gave her thumb's up to a group of right-wing activists.

"'Swann told us she wanted to encourage all of us in our talking points and that we're having traction among Republicans and unnerving Democrats,' said an attendee of Wednesday's weekly meeting hosted by Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform. 'The point was we should keep it up. She told us at this meeting to put our foot on the pedal.'"

"Keeping it up" in this case might mean calling Judge Sotomayor a "reverse racist," as radio blowhard Rush Limbaugh did. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich left it at "racist," though he later clarified, saying she had said racist things. No apology was offered.

The chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., called the winking and nudging "disingenuous."

"This is the exact type of a Washington political game that offends Americans," he said. "When you try to appear thoughtful and open-minded in front of the cameras, but behind closed doors wink to your right-wing friends to keep up the vicious attacks, it is a strategy that is not only disingenuous, but it also does a disservice to the confirmation process."

Goverment & Energy

Have you noticed that the gas prices are inching up to the three dollar mark? Normally, I am not someone who thinks the government can do it better than private enterprise, but there are some things too important to be left to the whims of business. I think an exception should be our country's energy. Higher gas prices this summer is going to hinder the economy's all ready difficult recovery.
Perhaps, our government should to put a stop to these high prices. How? I'm not sure.
God Bless

Top Of My Head...

Just a couple of items...

• If you're wondering, my co-worker, Tony, is doing much better. He is beginning rehab on Monday. Thanks to everyone for their prayers.
• There's going to be some changes around the site. I want to combine my love of politics, books, video games and online comics into one new fantastic site. Also, I'm trying to re-launch my web design / computer programming business and I've decided the business name should be Top Of My Head. I'm in the middle of designing the new site. The first change will be to move this blog off the front page, so please don't be surprised when I roll that out. I hope you will like the new site.
• If you live new Oswego, IL and you're into futbol (or soccer, for those who don't know what futbol is), then check out the new league Fury Futbol. You can find their site at http://www.furysoccer.org/.
• For those of you who checked out the above link and liked what you saw, I designed it. If you would like one like it, I am available to design a site similar and include one year of hosting for $250.00. This is a limited offer on my HTML, PHP skills. Please contact me at websitedesign@topofmyhead.info.

God Bless

Prayer Request

I was just informed by one of my co-workers that our co-worker, Tony, had a stroke over the weekend. He was in a coma until yesterday, when he came out of it to find that his right side (except for a toe and a finger) is paralyzed. He can move his left foot and hand.

Please add Tony to your prayers. He is one of the sweetest guys in the whole company, always has a smile for everyone and is the first to ask you how you doing whenever he sees you.

Tony has two children and a wife. He and his family have gone through some rough times. One of their children passed away just last year.

God Bless

Some thoughts

#1. Do we really care who won idol? Other a couple of winners (Carrie Underwood comes to mind), most Idol winners drift off never again to be heard.
#2. I feel sorry for Jon, Kate and the eight, but frankly, I don't think their marriage issues are news. I don't want to hear about them and I don't watch their show. So, why do I care if they sit side by side or not?
#3. Teddy Update: He's either the dumbest cat I've ever own or the bravest. He tried yesterday morning to take on M'Lady. Little guy was taking his life in his paws doing that. When she smacked him, he ran right back for more. Hope he grows up big and strong, because he's going to get his butt kicked for that kind of behavior. Also, he's a fast learner -- he's been up and down the basement steps when we've gone done them, but this morning, I caught him pushing open the cat door and coming up all by himself. Pretty good for a little guy that weighs 2.5 pounds.
#4. How the HELL did Michael Vick get out of prison so soon?!? Please, NFL, don't reinstate him.
#5. Shut up, Dick Cheney, shut up. And, while I'm at it, shut up the entire GOP and let's stuff a sock into the mouth of Rush Limbaugh. For 8 years, we did it your way and where are we now? Deeply in debt, engaged in two wars (we haven't properly prepared our young men and women to fight) and we're up a creek without a paddle. I don't agree with everything President Obama's doing, but let's stand behind him and let him do it. We gave President Bush a bunch of free passes after 9/11 and we should do the same for Obama. Now, I'm not saying that as regular citizens we shouldn't write letters to our representatives or even to the editor of our local papers, but I'm tired of the GOP leaders opening their mouths to critize. Enough all ready!
#6. If you don't like the way the country is heading, then do something about it.

God Bless

Kitten

I had planned on writing a post about a Business Week article I read about private equity firms, but I started answering emails this morning and I'm running out of time. I need to jump in the shower. Plus, trying to do anything on my computer is nearly impossible due to the new tiny addition to our family. He likes to sit on my laptop and be the center of attention.

His name is Theodore Roosevelt, but we call him Teddy because he looks like a little Teddy Bear.

God Bless

Palin and Miss California

To read Palin's remarks that prompted this article, click here.

I find it humorous that Miss California claims to be non-supporting of Gay Marriage because of her Christian roots, but those same roots didn't stop her from posing nude.  Nor, from participating in a beauty pagent.  I don't think watching young women walk around in bikinis is very Christian, but that might just be me.

Further, while I support Miss California's right to believe whatever she wants and to speak out about it and Sarah Palin's right, too; their both wrong.  You can't claim you want the protection that the Consitution grants you, but you don't want someone else to have equal rights that are also granted by that same Constitution. 

Finally, I find it laughable that everytime a so-called "Conservative" is attacked for their views, it is a liberal attack.  There are people on both sides of the aisle that support Gay Marriage, so the attack is neither liberal nor conservative.  I wish Sarah Palin would just crawl back to Alaska and stay quiet.  She's one of the reasons I didn't vote for McCain.  And, she's one of the reasons the Republican Party won't be willing any landslides in the near future.  They've left their roots behind to climb on the right-wing Christian band wagon and it's costing them big time now.

God Bless

Corporate Taxes And Healthcare

Have you read this week's Business Week? On page 20, the Mandel on Economics article is about slashing Corporate taxes from 35% to 25%. That's a pretty big slash and it would mean that Corporations would pay a smaller percent than the highest taxed individual. On top of that, Corporations all ready only account for 10% of the Federal Government's revenue. Slashing their taxes would only bring that figure down AND it wouldn't guarantee that they would create jobs here at home.
In an article just a couple of pages along, Catherine Arnst writes that some CEOs are behind the "new, federally funded insurer" plan "that would expand coverage by competing with private health insurers." For once, I agree with the Republicans that this is a bad idea, but not for the same reasons.
I realize that we have to get the healthcare costs in hand and that premiums have risen faster than anything else, but if we let our corporations pay less in taxes and not have to be responsible for the people they hire, we're not helping anyone. We're moving more costs to the government and less on the backs of the companies who helped incur them.
Why can't we throw out the tax code all together and create a new one that gives companies incentives to create American jobs and cover benefits by paying lower taxes? Why should we just lower the taxes across the board and give them government benefits that allow them to put out even less for their employees? Won't this just tax the American worker that much more?

God Bless

Quick Thoughts

Since the site is called Top of My Head, I thought I'd post some items truly off the Top of My Head.

1. The Governor of Texas thinks that Texas should be its own country. Well, I agree. Think about it -- nothing good has ever come out of Texas. Let's all get together, take a vote and vote Texas off this island called the United States of America. But, don't let Texans come and try to invade the rest of us. Make them get Visas before they're allowed to cross the border. And, instead of building a huge fence across the Mexican border, let's build it at the Texas state line. Besides, they only joined up with us in the first place because Texas couldn't live peacefully with Native Americans. Texas being annexed into the United States was one of the causes of the Mexican American War. Let them go and this time, don't let them come back.
2. Any television station that actually gives the octomom her own reality show should never be watched by anyone ever again. The show should tank and we should all refuse to watch any show on that network, until it's network president agrees to be spanked on national TV because of his or her bad decision.
3. Friends shouldn't let friends sing Karaoke if the friend truly can't sing. I don't care how much you like the song. Also, friends should not put in songs under other people's names. It isn't funny. It rarely goes well -- unless said friend truly can sing and is just shy. And, it annoys those of us who can sing and are waiting our turn to watch some drunk man or woman screech through a song they don't know. Knock it off, people. Karaoke is serious business.
4. Lewis Black is a comedic genius and we should all listen to him.
5. Cheryl should allow me to get a new kitten and, if you know her, please tell her so. I miss Mr. Mann more than I thought I would and we need to have three cats in our house. I know the new kitten could never take his place or even act like him, but she has taken over the other two cats in our lives and now, I feel as if I'm catless.
6. I just lost yet another diamond out of my grandmother's rings. Does anyone know a really, really good and rebutable jeweler?
7. Does anyone know if you have to be a Veteran or a government employee in order to get a job with the government? There's openings everywhere, but I can't understand all that job rating stuff.

God Bless

Work

In these hard economic times, I truly wonder why some people have jobs while others are out looking.

I have one co-worker who is not only passive-agressive; she is also a lazy ass who doesn't want to put in an honest days work for an honest day's pay. You know the type, the one that wants all of the answers handed to her on a silver platter, so she doesn't have to do any of the research or put any thought into the effort. Then, she goes around telling everyone how mind numbing her job is and how she doesn't think she can take two years (we're on the same project) of this boring work. Meanwhile, she hasn't done one constructive thing in well over a year. If you disagree with the one independent thought she has each week, she badgers you until you either lose your temper or give in. Both of which I am ashamed to admit, I've done.

I have another co-worker who spends more time checking Yahoo than working. First thing this morning, she IM's me to ask if I had checked Yahoo yet this morning. While I have nothing against Yahoo, it is almost never on my list of things to check in the morning. She thought the Cinco De Mayo graphic was funny.

<sigh>

Isn't anybody besides me working?

God Bless

Chrysler's Plant Closing

Let me get this straight -- my tax dollars went to bailout Chrysler and the thanks I get for this is unemployed neighbors in Kenosha? And, to top it off, this car company is going to leave a plant opened in Mexico. Well, isn't that just special?
Now, I loved the Dodge Dakota truck I used to have and drove for 150,000 miles. And, I realize that my Suzuki I have driven for the past 8 years and 202,000 miles was made in a foreign country. Consider this full disclosure.
But, I don't think my tax dollars should be allowed to be given over to a company who is going to put Americans out of work and let a Mexican plant remain open.
And, I don't think I'll ever buy another Chrysler again.
God Bless