Shut up while I listen to you

 Free speech, Words from President Obama  No Responses »
Aug 082009
 

Usually when politicians talk out of both sides of their mouths, they don’t do both sides at the same time. But here’s what one of our country’s political leaders said in a campaign speech last Thursday, as reported by the AP. This must be what he meant when he said, “I have a gift, Harry.”

Appealing across party lines, Obama told the Democratic audience that leaders must listen to their opponents and disagree with civility. He pointed to Virginia’s two most recent governors, Democrats Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, the former now a senator and the latter Obama’s hand-picked Democratic National Committee chairman.

“We want to make sure that we listen to other people’s ideas. We’re going to bring labor and business together,” he said….

He pointed to massive financial challenges and an exploding deficit he said he inherited from Republican President George W. Bush.

“That was gift-wrapped and waiting for me,” Obama said. “I don’t want the folks who created the mess do a lot of talking. I want them to get out of the way so we can clean up the mess. I don’t mind cleaning up after them, but don’t do a lot of talking.”

Last I heard, there was a bit of disagreement on just who created the mess and how. But it’s not clear whether that part of that disagreement is one where we want to listen to other peoples’ ideas or where we want them to shut up and not do a lot of talking.

Not calling Rep. Schauer

 Health care reform  No Responses »
Aug 082009
 

I usually don’t bother getting in touch with my U.S. Representative or Senators any more. But I thought I would send a note to Rep. Mark Schauer to encourage him to conduct one of those town hall meetings so his constituents can go and protest the Democrat health care plans. I’d even give him an advance summary of what I’d say if I’d get a chance at the microphone:

  • Our current health care system needs reform
  • It is neither right nor acceptable that so many people cannot afford health care insurance or health care.
  • We need separation of health care and state for the same reasons we need separation of church and state. A complete separation is not possible given the 1st two points, but we need to maximize personal and family choice and minimize government intrusion into our bedrooms, dining rooms, and sick rooms.
  • The plans proposed recently do not do this. Quite the opposite.

But it looks like I can’t send him an e-mail without figuring out what the plus-four number is for my zip code and putting it in a web form. I refuse to take part in demeaning activities like that, so screw it. I’d be glad to put my street address on my note, but not go through this.

And anyway, sometimes it’s better to let our representatives work in ignorance and then find themselves blindsided when they don’t understand where their constituents are coming from.

Hours and hours and hours

 Dissent, Health care reform  No Responses »
Aug 082009
 

The most offensive part of Kathleen Sibelius’s remarks comes at about 1:20 in this clip. It’s an old, old ploy, but it still stinks in 2009. I’ve seen it played in public meetings on school affairs, and I’ve seen it used in church meetings. I’ve even had it played on my behalf, which is one reason that nowadays I’d rather work for change by standing on the outside and throwing rocks than working within the system.

It works like this: A committee comes up with a plan and presents it to the voters/public/whatever. But the people ask difficult questions, and it sounds like some of them might oppose it. Then comes the ploy: “This committee has worked hard on this. They’ve put in many hours of their time.”

Instead of addressing the issues and engaging the skeptics, they pull the “hours and hours” ploy as a way to silence dissent. Yuck.

And it’s even worse in the case of Congress, because “working hard” for those people means things like coming up with enough ethanol subsidies for his well-to-do constituents to lure Sen. Grassley to support the health care bill. In other words, “working hard” means “working hard to corrupt enough people to go along.”

It’s a dangerous world out there

 Health care reform  No Responses »
Aug 062009
 

Troubled by insomnia? Here’s something to make it worse. If you’re looking for something to wake you in the middle of the night, screaming in terror, this is for you:

While the president says his plan will reduce costs, 53% believe it will have the opposite effect. (WSJ link here.)

Think about it. We have a reasonably high literacy rate in this country — not as good as it could be, but certainly higher than 53 percent. We have schools where history and math are taught. Most people have the opportunity to attend for at least a few years. We have the internet and broadcast media.

Yet 47 percent of the population doesn’t think Obama’s health care plan will increase costs.

Think about that statistic tomorrow while on the road or walking in the hallways or stopping to shop. Nearly half of the people around you are not aware that Obama’s health care plan will increase costs.

That thought can creep you out, but try to stay calm and alert. Here are some safety tips:

  • Stay alert and tuned into your surroundings.
  • Appear calm and confident in public. Look like you know where you’re going.
  • Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, leave.
  • Know the neighborhoods where you live, work, and attend school, including where the police stations, fire stations, public telephones, and hospitals are located.
  • Walk in the middle of the sidewalk rather than near a building or along the curb.
  • Be alert when approached by a stranger asking for directions. Project a no-nonsense attitude.
  • Use busier, better-lighted stops on public transit. Sit near the bus driver or in subway cars with several other passengers.
  • Don’t feel bullied by people who look you in the eye. Look them in the eyes. Eye contact makes everyone somewhat uneasy—use it to your advantage.

Long-term thinking

 Health care reform  No Responses »
Aug 062009
 

I didn’t know the 1965 Medicare statute said this (as reported by the WSJ editors).

… Nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize any Federal official or employee to exercise any supervision or control over the practice of medicine or the manner in which medical services are provided.

I guess the Obama campaign denials aren’t the first time we’ve learned that you can not put a huge, expensive bulldozer in motion and also guarantee it will not leave a trace of its presence. Well, you can guarantee it — even put it in writing — but it won’t matter.

BTW, the same article is also reporting on how members of Congress are hard at work trying to figure out how to make Obama’s health care plan “deficit neutral” for the first ten years. Then after that… Well, maybe it says something about the quality of health care we’ll be getting if we don’t need to think further than ten years ahead.

Coffee and the public option

 Health care reform  No Responses »
Aug 062009
 

The Wall Street Journal explains how free, unlimited wi-fi is starting to go away in coffee shops. Too many people nurse a single cup of coffee all day and use the free wireless internet, taking up table and chair space that could otherwise be made available to paying customers.

But there is not a word in the article about the lessons to be learned for government-provided health care.

Mission accomplished!

 Stimulus spending, Words from President Obama  No Responses »
Aug 052009
 

obama-wakarusa

Obama was in Wakarusa today, declaring victory. (“In Indiana, Obama declares stimulus is working“) It kind of reminds one of George W. Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” speech.

bush-mission-accomplished

The first part of the week we had been staying in Nappanee, 6 miles to the south, and at breakfast someone had mentioned that it was hard to get around up there because the President was coming. If I had arranged another day of vacation it would have been nice to ride my bike up there with some protest signs and then listen to leftwing operatives explain where I come from. (Read the memo. I did.)

Who are these people? The people who show up are far right-wing ideologues recruited by paid organizers. Much of this recruitment and organizing is funded by industry lobbyists and public relatgions firms to engage radical right-wing groups. Many of these groups are motivated by far right ideology in general – not by health care as an issue. They are held together by a common vision of the world that centers on defeating Obama and his agenda. We can expect to see anti-abortion groups, pro-gun groups, insurance company employees (mandated by employers to come out), militia groups, and anti-immigration groups.

hamilton-0068

But instead I did a 76 mile ride to Hamilton, to the site shown above, and from there we drove home. Besides, I’ve ridden my bike to Wakarusa before — stopped there to get a bite to eat on my way elsewhere. It got me thinking, though, about how I could deck out my bicycle with some protest signs where I would usually mount panniers. And then there is the question of what to put on them. One bumpersticker slogan I found on the net a few days ago: “Please don’t tell Obama what comes after a trillion!”

 Permalink  Abuse of power, Bash the Messenger  No Responses »
Aug 052009
 

I dislike headlines like this one from CNN: “Ex-Rep. Jefferson convicted of corruption“

The problem is, it gives people the idea that corruption is illegal. If corruption was illegal, then Rahm Emanuel would be in the slammer for trying to give out federal stimulus funds only on condition that recipients speak favorably about the stimulus program. Of course Emanuel should lose his job over that, but I’m not sure it’s something for the criminal courts.

Editor’s offensive note

 Leviathan Ankle-Biter  No Responses »
Aug 042009
 

I noticed the following notice at the end of an article (“Amish Cook: Kids detasseling, vegetables late“) in the Battle Creek Enquirer:

EDITORS’ NOTE: Home canning and pickling should be practiced by only experienced people. For more information, check sources online or contact your local county extension agent.

That is just sad. No, it’s not just sad, it’s some other things, too, starting with disgusting and disturbing, and working its way up to offensive, vile, and beyond.

No Leviathan Anklebiter award for that editor.

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