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Reply to tvtkr -
NICE! That guy was from GE, huh? ... the company that popularized the outsourcing craze?! NOW there have regrets, because the shortsighted bastards are FINALLY realizing that the main thing the US had going for it was a HUGE, nearly insatiable, consumer market. However, as decent paying jobs have left the country (sent overseas by Jack Welch and the like), demand has dried up and suddenly, GE's bottom line is threatened not by cheaper suppliers, but by plummerting demand.
Haven't we serviced the supply side long enough? Isn't it time for that pendulum to start swinging back to the demand side?
Please ask Bernie about the Office of the Attending Physician at the Capitol (ran by the Navy). Sounds like Government run health care to me. And I am assuming the law makers have few complaints about it, or the Pharmacy which I am betting is right next door.
On the topic of our current system bankrupting states, Pennsylvania is going through a rough time. Like you said yesterday about Illinois, Gov. Rendell wants to heavily slash funding for public assistance programs in Pennsylvania. Luckily, the legislature said no to his proposal. The problem is that a change to Pennsylvania's constitution requires a budget be passed before anything can be paid for, including wages. This means that as of July 1, 2009, Pennsylvania state employees will be working without compensation. They are promised back pay once the budget is passed, but this definitely puts a large strain on the work force. They are expected to continue to work, but wilthout timely payment of wages. I know people that are directly affected by this and thought if enough public attension is brought to bare, it will provide the pressure to get it resolved faster.
Charlie Rose had a CEO on his show last night [6/25/09].
Here are some of the things he said.
Business leaders in the U.S. must become good American citizens again.
We have to make our country competitive again.
Corporate managers should start bringing back some manufacturing to the U.S.
We need more manufacturing and R&D in the U.S.
Healthcare absolutely has to be reformed; it is needed by G.E. and by the American people.
People who say we don't need healthcare reform are living in an alternative reality.
CEOs who are going to put millions into ads against healthcare reform are delusional.
He said that he voted for John McCain, and that he's a Republican.
The last __ years didn't work out that well for working people in this country.
Middle class income has declined since 1980, but the top 20% have done fine.
Who was he?
Jeff Immelt, the CEO of General Electric.
People ought to send a video of this interview to everyone in congress.
Re: Governor Sandford's Argentine dalliance -
At least MY ex-Governor (Mr. Spitzer) took his business to a reputable, LOCAL hooker!
Perhaps this is meant to be just another example of the Republican meme of foreigners doing the jobs that Americans simply refuse to do? ;)
PICA will be after you now mstaggerlee :-)
Singe Pay USA is having an action event tomorrow in Portland, Oregon.
Saturday June 27, 11 AM
David Douglas High School, South Cafeteria
1400 SE 130th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97233
Their comment is "Let's attend this town hall and get Sen. Merkley on record in front of his constituents about Single payer Healthcare."
If you live in another city, you could come to Portland to support this meeting and spend the rest of the day having fun in Portland. It's a beautiful beautiful city! Bring your bicycle!
I think people in favor of starting with public options should attend "single pay" events and vice versa because we all want health care!
Last night, I was sitting in my living room reading President Obama's 1st book, "Dreams from My Father", when a fly landed on my left leg. With as much stealth as I could muster, I moved my right hand to within about 8 inches, and struck!
It wasn't the cleanest hit - I stunned the bug, it landed on the floor, and I finished it off by stepping on him.
"Not bad," my wife said. "Evidently, something's rubbing off. Finish the book, and we'll see how you're doing later in the summer." :D
Editing my comment--I clicked too soon
"Conservative big business (and Blue Cross and other insurers are big big business) uses Rumor tactics and they have open door to big media sources to help them spread.
I dont think I will be around on chat today---hardly ever miss Friday but sunny day beckons and I will be headed to Plum Island, Seabrook or Salisbury Beach.
Re: Health Care haggling. I think when Blue Cross - Blue Shield came out publicly against Public Option that that signals that the battle is getting serious and likely to be dirty.
There will be a lot of unsourced rumors floated with attempt to confuse and divide Public Option supporters. Conservative big business (and Blue Cross and other insurers are big big business).
View all unsourced rumors very SKEPTICALLY in the health care debate.
I think Obama is afraid to make moves that are too "radical" because whatever move he makes, someone is going to be hurt no matter what in the short term, and he's going to be blamed. Obviously, it is better to hurt the fat cats than everyone else, but let's remember who holds all the cards here. The only way that real reform is going to come is if people march out into the streets and demand it. As it is, the vast majority of people in this country are really afraid of "change", or don't know exactly what it means. The world slowly turns, each day seems the same as the one before. As long as they have a job and a place to live, most people are satisfied; if things are bad now, they could get a lot worse rather than better. Those more farsighted know, however, that sometimes maintaining the bridge requires major repair work; while those driving over the bridge may feel nothing is amiss, without those repairs it will eventually collapse--and no one is going anywhere until it is done.
Elsewhere, it seems to me that the reason why Republicans like small government (unless it is military expenditures) is that they don’t like to concern themselves with the welfare of the proletariat. The negative effect of this is that Republicans have too much free time on their hands, used to expectorate inconsequentially and daydream of omnipotence. If they are Republicans, it is not against any moral or ethical law to engage in a little corruption or harmless dalliances. Effete New Yorkers might not understand this, but South Carolinians are made of stranger—I mean stronger— stuff. Spitzer’s call girl escapade—that’s supposed to be more censorious than Monicagate? Clinton, being a Southerner, didn’t resign. Sanford’s sexcapade with an Argentine tart (who isn’t even American) was merely an exercise in straight-up American “foreign relations.” At least somebody is holding the American "end" up.
In regard to the conversation with Michael Tanner from the Cato Institute, I find it remarkable the suggestion that doctors are motivated more by visions of great wealth than the Hippocratic Oath. In order to bring healthcare costs under control, everything has to be on the table—including reimbursement requests that are usually inflated in order to receive an “adequate” return. It is simply unconscionable that this country spends so much on healthcare for so little return relative to other countries. What this country spends on healthcare now should by all reckoning cover everyone, and all with first-class treatment. One reason why healthcare costs continue to skyrocket is that there are too many hands in the cookie jar. The vast majority of the healthcare dollar is spent to pay people to perform a certain function, much of which has nothing to do with providing healthcare.
Loretta,
You're welcome. I wish I had better info. for you.
What group (if any) sponsored the protest you attended? (Maybe that's a place to start.)
Thank you Quark, for calling Sander's office. I went to the protest in front of the Federal building in Portland, Oregon which was small, because there were other protests going on about torture, but while we were there, 11,000 signatures were delivered to Wyden's office asking him to vote for a public option. So we may be getting closer to getting Wyden's vote for at least a public option. But Thom's comments about the public "option" possibly being that rinky dink savings plan won't help much, so we have to keep the pressure on full out .
And we should have a central website devoted to just this issue. The group protesting today in PDX believes single payer is the only option, but I think a central website should cover both the single-payer protests and the public option protests. I don't see how we can do this without a ton of people in the streets because we are up against so much big money, as usual.
Apparently Wyden was listening to the pointed remarks saying we won't vote for him unless he gets us a public option.
Thom, I just wanted to be sure you would see this issue and perhaps discuss it at some point.
In all the talk about healthcare, I have never once heard anyone mention the need to make alternative or integrative medicine as accessible and affordable as “traditional” or mainstream medical practices. I believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. I also believe that the ability to choose what healthcare you receive is important. It makes no sense to have affordable healthcare if it is only the mainstream, fix-it-with-a-pill or chop-it-out-in-surgery options are available.
I went through a myriad of expensive and invasive tests, was given multiple prescriptions, referred to countless specialists over the course of 4 years and it was all in vain. I have paid thousands of dollars out of pocket for these medical expenses and I had full insurance coverage!
When I was diagnosed with diabetes type II at Christmas time last year I decided that I would pursue alternative treatment as all my prior seeking had brought me naught in 4 years. I didn’t even know what my options were but happened to here Thom use the word “naturopath” during his show. After a long search (it’s damn hard to find an alternative practitioner or naturopath) I began seeing a naturopath, knowing full well that my insurance would cover only office visits. 4 months later I have lost 20 pounds, my neuropathy has vanished, and my blood sugar levels are approaching normal. A simple Carroll test showed I am allergic to potatoes, which I was eating everyday, and eliminating them from my diet has also eliminated several of my ailments.
Why did no one in mainstream medicine in 4 years think to do this test? Instead I had CT scan, and ultrasounds and endoscopies and prescriptions, none of which addressed the underlying problems and all of which were expensive! Even with insurance I paid several thousand dollars for “treatment” that resulted in my whole “healthcare team” saying “we don’t know what’s wrong with you.”
It is so important that alternative medicine be accessible at least as an option. I have had to pay out of pocket for all of my supplements and testing ordered by my naturopath, but every cent has been a step towards healing. Can you believe, I had to sign a waiver to see my naturopath because she cannot even be licensed in my state (NC)?
Mainstream medicine is so often not about healing people, but instead about maintaining the sickness. Perpetual sickness insures a solid consumer base. Healing on the other hand is about the patient instead of the patient’s dollars. Why isn’t alternative or integrative medicine ever brought up in this discussion?
I hear the pundit news corp's... speaking of the cost of health care...
OH GOD... "The American White Collar God Like Ruling Class...The Kings Of Our Oblivion"...
Health Care Reform Is Stimulus You Idiot's Stimulus Times Ten.
Today;s healthcare news and a new turncoat.
http://democratichealthcareturncoats.webs.com/
I too am a 960 listener from the Bay Area and am heartsick that Thom's program has been shortened and moved to a later time slot so that he is no longer live! In Thom's usual time slot they have moved Ed Schultz in. In my opinion Ed is the left's Rush. I am not impressed. If anyone else is outraged pleas let 960 know. Thank you John for the link.
I just tried several times to call Sen. Kerry's office regarding his support for the health care "trippger." I couldn't get through, so I sent him the following email, instead: (I will try to call later)
Dear Sen. Kerry,
I worked VERY hard for your election in 2004 for the presidency. I also donated a lot of money to your campaign (in fact, more than I could really afford.) I have been a Democratic activist and delegate most of my adult life.
That said, I want you to know how OBSCENE I think it is that you apparently just came out in favor of a "trigger" for a public health care option, and that it would be available ONLY 1) after 10 years and 2) with clear evidence that the health insurance companies are not fulfilling their obligations.
Come clean and GIVE BACK your campaign funding from the parties interested in dooming any REAL reform to the U.S. healthcare system.
Support REAL reform by supporting a single-payer system, or at LEAST a true public option.
American people want CHOICE, sir, not the garbage that comes from bribing our elected politicians.
You should KNOW how most of us in this country are suffering with the current system --- even those who supposedly are "covered." You and the rest of our elected (so-called) representatives should ALL go without health insurance or access to medical care based on a sliding scale (i.e., the wealthier you are, the more proportionately expensive health care is for you.) THEN maybe you'd have SOME idea of the plight of the rest of this country's CITIZENS and TAXPAYERS.
I would like to see national health care promoted as a pro-life initiative. I believe that it probably would put the GOP between a rock and a hard place. Should they balk at that statement, demand to know if they’re pro-life or not? It seems that most republicans are pro-life as long as they don’t have any money involved.
The people of Massachusetts should go to John Kerry's house and throw their health insurance bills over his fence. He has let them down. He has let us all down.
I'm fortunate enough to have a great plan through my work. Last year it had a $500 deductible and the premium was covered by my employer.
This year premiums went up 40%. We had to switch to a plan with a $1000 deductible but still paid for by my employer. But the new plan doesn't include any general practice docs closer than 40 from here. So I had to choose another plan with docs in this city and which is slightly more expensive, so I have some out-of-pocket expense for it.
Bottom line, I now have higher premiums for a plan with higher deductible. I could imagine this happening again in future years. And if I ever lose my job I've got zilch.
So for those who say that a public health plan will take away the plan you have now -- our current system makes that a possibility every time year during the enrollment period.
I am a disabled teacher nearing retirement who is facing not being able to afford health insurance after I stop working and my health benefit from my teaching job is gone! I think it is going to cost me as much as HALF of my take-home pay for insurance when I retire. Without help, how will I pay for medications or doctor visits?
After giving almost 20 years to the education of this country's youth, I am going to fall between the cracks and end up on the street because some CEO or high level manager has to make her/his MILLIONS/BILLIONS???
How far down will corporations be allowed to shove us before folks in congress take care of "We The People"??? I am sick and tired of corporations getting all the breaks while the rest of us (those whose work created all that wealth to begin with) get kicked in the teeth?
I almost forgot to mention that if my health benefit gets taxed, then I will have to pay about $4,000 more in taxes until I retire. For what, may I ask?
Loretta,
OOPS! 'Meant to say Sanders staffer did NOT know of such a website, but wishes he did!
Loretta,
Here's a website with basic health care advocacy info. It's a place to start.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Health_Care_for_America_Now
I called Bernie Sanders' office and talked with a staffer. He said he wishes he did know of such a website or national clearing house for such advocacy info., but wishes he did...
This doesn't have anything to do with today's show, but i just wanted to post this link to Green960 in San Francisco that shows all of the support for Thom after they removed him from his live time slot and cut him to two hours.
http://www.green960.com/pages/blog.html?feed=313154&article=5652962
Nearly all of the posts are by people who are blown away that they made the programming change. I am among those who are upset by this change, and i wanted Thom to know there are so many people pulling for him to get his slot back.
John
Re: Gays are a threat to marriage
I believe it was George Lakoff who explained that the threat was that the male would no longer be in charge (as stated in the Bible; the woman is to be sub-servant to the man). How can a male be in charge if the couple are both male, or both female?