Among all the other nutjobbery being foisted on the less, shall we say…sophisticated among us is this new boogieman: Labor unions*. Apparently the Service Employees (and Thugs) International Union is infiltrating Town Hall Healthcare meetings to wreak havoc.
These miscreants are difficult for the average person to detect because they look just like Real Americans. But they have a secret method of identifying themselves to their evil cohorts: T-shirts with a 12”x24” SEIU logo.
They are doing their wreaking on an unsuspecting citizenry composed entirely of innocent, nonpartisan, unarmed (wink, wink), upstanding free speech advocates, who advocate free speech with baboonlike screeching.
This whole row centers around a “SEIU beatdown” in St. Louis. Just go to YouTube.com and search SEIU St. Louis and prepare to be pissed off. If you are a Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity or (insert truth impaired Fox Newsmonkey of choice here) fan, you will be sickened, sickened, I say!, by the extremely graphic violence perpetrated by the Barack Hussein “Born in Kenya” Obama Chicago Community Organizer Beatdown Thugocracy and Crack House.
If you’re sane, you’ll be sickened by Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity or (insert truth impaired Newsmonkey of choice here). And being sane you will be excused for asking yourself, “Wha…?” If what I saw on the You Tube video of the incident is any indication, the “victim” in this case had better stay away from any angry Kindergarten kids. Seriously.
(To be continued…)
* Labor unions never flourished in the American South because they were called “Labor Unions”. Had they been called “Labor Confederacies” it is probable they would have been much more successful.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Soldiers
By Lamar Deal
All your patriotic music
And all your fifes and drums
Will not bring my dead child back to me
When all the killing’s done
All you politicians
With no children in the fray
You do not care what harm you do
To my child in harm’s way
(Chorus)
They say old soldiers never die
And I suppose that’s true
Old soldiers never die
But, God how the young ones do
All you who make a profit
Upon my child’s death
I pray that God will curse you
With that child’s dying breath
All you who would willingly
Give my child as sacrifice
Would you give your own child
Would you pay that awful price
(Chorus)
All your patriotic music
And all your fifes and drums
Will not bring my dead child back to me
When all the killing’s done
All you politicians
With no children in the fray
You do not care what harm you do
To my child in harm’s way
(Chorus)
They say old soldiers never die
And I suppose that’s true
Old soldiers never die
But, God how the young ones do
All you who make a profit
Upon my child’s death
I pray that God will curse you
With that child’s dying breath
All you who would willingly
Give my child as sacrifice
Would you give your own child
Would you pay that awful price
(Chorus)
Friday, August 7, 2009
Letter to the Waycross Journal Herald
To the Editor:
I was in attendance at the Town Hall meeting that took place on August 5. I have several comments on that subject.
First of all, although I did identify myself as a member of the Ware County Democratic Party Executive Committee, I did not intend to imply that I was representing the Party or the Executive Committee. I was merely trying to state my position vis-à-vis the healthcare legislation in question. I apologize to my fellow Democrats for appearing to speak on their behalf.
As to my question concerning an actual debate, I would like to point out that a lot of misinformation is being bandied about on this very important issue. Fox News is about as “Fair and Balanced” as a carnival roulette wheel. I think that a public debate would help clear the air on just what is and is not true. Rep. Kingston’s reply that Nancy Pelosi would not allow amendments to the bill on the floor of the House was completely beside the point.
My final question was in reference to a humorous comment that Rep. Kingston had made in his earlier comments. Speaking of insurance payments he had stated, with apparent sarcasm, “I just love paying my insurance bill. Don’t you just love paying that insurance bill?” My exact quote when I asked the question was, “…If I may? I liked what you said about loving to pay your insurance. That was good…but, and correct me if I’m wrong… Don’t we (I gestured at this point, indicating inclusion of all the taxpayers present)…pay for your insurance?”
That was a joke. But it was joke with a point. That point is, unlike millions of Americans, Rep. Kingston has insurance and has had it for some years and we’re paying for it.
How does this former insurance agent, who has been in office for nine terms (after winning his first election on a strict term limits platform) have any credibility at all on this issue?
Lamar Deal
Private Citizen
4550 Oak View Rd.
Waycross, GA 31503
912-614-5787
I was in attendance at the Town Hall meeting that took place on August 5. I have several comments on that subject.
First of all, although I did identify myself as a member of the Ware County Democratic Party Executive Committee, I did not intend to imply that I was representing the Party or the Executive Committee. I was merely trying to state my position vis-à-vis the healthcare legislation in question. I apologize to my fellow Democrats for appearing to speak on their behalf.
As to my question concerning an actual debate, I would like to point out that a lot of misinformation is being bandied about on this very important issue. Fox News is about as “Fair and Balanced” as a carnival roulette wheel. I think that a public debate would help clear the air on just what is and is not true. Rep. Kingston’s reply that Nancy Pelosi would not allow amendments to the bill on the floor of the House was completely beside the point.
My final question was in reference to a humorous comment that Rep. Kingston had made in his earlier comments. Speaking of insurance payments he had stated, with apparent sarcasm, “I just love paying my insurance bill. Don’t you just love paying that insurance bill?” My exact quote when I asked the question was, “…If I may? I liked what you said about loving to pay your insurance. That was good…but, and correct me if I’m wrong… Don’t we (I gestured at this point, indicating inclusion of all the taxpayers present)…pay for your insurance?”
That was a joke. But it was joke with a point. That point is, unlike millions of Americans, Rep. Kingston has insurance and has had it for some years and we’re paying for it.
How does this former insurance agent, who has been in office for nine terms (after winning his first election on a strict term limits platform) have any credibility at all on this issue?
Lamar Deal
Private Citizen
4550 Oak View Rd.
Waycross, GA 31503
912-614-5787
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The Other Side
This is a letter from Barbara Griffin to the editor of the Waycross Journal Herald in Waycross, Georgia, sent on August 1, 2009. Since the letter probably won't be published, we present it here in a feature which we call "The Other Side"
To the Editor:
It is with continual amazement that I read all the columns and editorials denouncing a health care reform plan that has not yet been created. All of these writers, including you Mr. Editor, are predicting doom and gloom without even knowing what plans will eventually be agreed upon. I have a small measure of faith that the legislators and those from whom they are getting their information are more informed and judicious in their opinions and planning than the op-ed writers in this publication, as well as the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck.
The primary objection raised by conservative talk show pundits and right wing writers is that government intrusion, or “creeping socialism” will destroy our health care system and possibly our way of life. To those great thinkers I would like to point out that the most efficient health care insurance we have now is a government plan, Medicare. Imperfect though it may be, it is a lifeline for both the older population and the disabled. No matter how hard we work or well-insured we are during our working years, once we retire most of us have no other options. As far as the government dictating to doctors what type of care we may have, managed care and HMO policies are already doing that.
The other main argument is that the cost of overhauling the healthcare system as well as instituting a public option will destroy our economy. Our President’s main point all along has been that a) our economy has been on a destructive course for the past 8 years and b) if the healthcare system is not dramatically changed, it can only worsen the economy. Many proposals for improving the cost effectiveness of healthcare are being considered during the legislative planning sessions. A recent paper by the Urban Institute, a non-partisan economic and social policy research organization provides an overview of many of the measures being reviewed (www.urban.org).
There is no one plan that can please everyone. The vested interests of high premium insurance companies are certainly at stake, as well as possibly the incomes of medical professionals. The primary benefit will accrue to the uninsured and the underinsured. However, it will also benefit those institutions that presently have a percentage of their patients with little or no coverage and therefore must lose payments for many of the services provided. With a public option, the onus of small businesses having to provide health insurance can be eliminated.
As a professional within the health care system, I deal with unsolvable problems on a daily basis. It is my job to translate complicated health and drug insurance options and then explain why certain services or medications are not available to people who have just enough to get by. Many studies have shown that our country’s health care ranks significantly lower than all other industrialized countries (#37 according to the World Health Organization), and costs considerably more as well (Commonwealth Fund National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance, 2008). In a country with our power, wealth and knowledge that is inexcusable. It’s time we offer our citizens the quality of healthcare they deserve.
Barbara Griffin, Waycross
Here is the Editorial Rejoinder:
EDITOR'S NOTE: It's interesting that you cite Medicare as a "lifeline" to older Americans. It's my understanding that ObamaCare will dismantle the Medicare program and place its participants in line for health care services.
Surprisingly, the WJH did publish the letter. Here are some comments.
All I can say about the editor's response is that he must have attended (not graduated from) the Sean Hannity School of Journalism.
Your letter was well-written and reasoned, and it is sad that something that you obviously put time and effort into was brushed aside with such a weak retort.
It is the close-minded thinking of people like our esteemed editor, Mr. Williams, that has this country scared and turning on itself with regards to the economy. The same conservatives that took great advantage of the economy while it was booming under the half-closed eyes of W and his crew, are crying foul and screaming for change, while denouncing the very people who are trying to bring about the needed changes.
It is with unfortunate fear that I read or listen to the news reports now, because I know that what I will hear will be, at best, a partial truth, on average, a great misrepresentation of facts, and at worst, outright lies.
No one questions that our economy is currently in great peril. What is questioned, and rightly so, is the proper way to improve it. One reason I am very thankful that Obama is our president is that he has been very upfront and honest about his lack of certainty of the "right way to go". What he has said repeatedly is more to the effect of "get the people who know this system and its flaws to come up with something better for everyone". One key to being a great leader (and we should all hope that Obama will be one) is not necessarily having the right answers, but having the wisdom to find the people who do, and listen to them. From every speech I have heard Obama give, I have gleaned nothing if not that he is very much relying on "experts" to come up with the best plan, and Congress to pass it into law. How is that Socialism? How is that worsening the economy?
Anyway, that's my rant, for what it's worth. I have to watch the Daily Show and the Colbert Report to unwind after hearing all the negativity I deal with every day.
Your loving son,
Joshua
To the Editor:
It is with continual amazement that I read all the columns and editorials denouncing a health care reform plan that has not yet been created. All of these writers, including you Mr. Editor, are predicting doom and gloom without even knowing what plans will eventually be agreed upon. I have a small measure of faith that the legislators and those from whom they are getting their information are more informed and judicious in their opinions and planning than the op-ed writers in this publication, as well as the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck.
The primary objection raised by conservative talk show pundits and right wing writers is that government intrusion, or “creeping socialism” will destroy our health care system and possibly our way of life. To those great thinkers I would like to point out that the most efficient health care insurance we have now is a government plan, Medicare. Imperfect though it may be, it is a lifeline for both the older population and the disabled. No matter how hard we work or well-insured we are during our working years, once we retire most of us have no other options. As far as the government dictating to doctors what type of care we may have, managed care and HMO policies are already doing that.
The other main argument is that the cost of overhauling the healthcare system as well as instituting a public option will destroy our economy. Our President’s main point all along has been that a) our economy has been on a destructive course for the past 8 years and b) if the healthcare system is not dramatically changed, it can only worsen the economy. Many proposals for improving the cost effectiveness of healthcare are being considered during the legislative planning sessions. A recent paper by the Urban Institute, a non-partisan economic and social policy research organization provides an overview of many of the measures being reviewed (www.urban.org).
There is no one plan that can please everyone. The vested interests of high premium insurance companies are certainly at stake, as well as possibly the incomes of medical professionals. The primary benefit will accrue to the uninsured and the underinsured. However, it will also benefit those institutions that presently have a percentage of their patients with little or no coverage and therefore must lose payments for many of the services provided. With a public option, the onus of small businesses having to provide health insurance can be eliminated.
As a professional within the health care system, I deal with unsolvable problems on a daily basis. It is my job to translate complicated health and drug insurance options and then explain why certain services or medications are not available to people who have just enough to get by. Many studies have shown that our country’s health care ranks significantly lower than all other industrialized countries (#37 according to the World Health Organization), and costs considerably more as well (Commonwealth Fund National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance, 2008). In a country with our power, wealth and knowledge that is inexcusable. It’s time we offer our citizens the quality of healthcare they deserve.
Barbara Griffin, Waycross
Here is the Editorial Rejoinder:
EDITOR'S NOTE: It's interesting that you cite Medicare as a "lifeline" to older Americans. It's my understanding that ObamaCare will dismantle the Medicare program and place its participants in line for health care services.
Surprisingly, the WJH did publish the letter. Here are some comments.
All I can say about the editor's response is that he must have attended (not graduated from) the Sean Hannity School of Journalism.
Your letter was well-written and reasoned, and it is sad that something that you obviously put time and effort into was brushed aside with such a weak retort.
It is the close-minded thinking of people like our esteemed editor, Mr. Williams, that has this country scared and turning on itself with regards to the economy. The same conservatives that took great advantage of the economy while it was booming under the half-closed eyes of W and his crew, are crying foul and screaming for change, while denouncing the very people who are trying to bring about the needed changes.
It is with unfortunate fear that I read or listen to the news reports now, because I know that what I will hear will be, at best, a partial truth, on average, a great misrepresentation of facts, and at worst, outright lies.
No one questions that our economy is currently in great peril. What is questioned, and rightly so, is the proper way to improve it. One reason I am very thankful that Obama is our president is that he has been very upfront and honest about his lack of certainty of the "right way to go". What he has said repeatedly is more to the effect of "get the people who know this system and its flaws to come up with something better for everyone". One key to being a great leader (and we should all hope that Obama will be one) is not necessarily having the right answers, but having the wisdom to find the people who do, and listen to them. From every speech I have heard Obama give, I have gleaned nothing if not that he is very much relying on "experts" to come up with the best plan, and Congress to pass it into law. How is that Socialism? How is that worsening the economy?
Anyway, that's my rant, for what it's worth. I have to watch the Daily Show and the Colbert Report to unwind after hearing all the negativity I deal with every day.
Your loving son,
Joshua
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