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November 18th, 2008
A CNN article references a Physicians’ Foundation study, citing that government regulation is causing doctors so much pain, they want to quit.
Government has been stifling the health care industry for years. Barack Obama’s health care plan, which subsidizes the insurance industry and forces every taxpaying American to have a policy, is only going to make this problem worse.
We need to innovate in order to minimize government process impact on doctors. We need to innovate in order to make more health care alternatives available to patients. At the same time as trying to provide health care for every American, we need to reduce red tape so that health care can actually cost less. This is otherwise known as the dirty word - “deregulation”. Don’t get mad at me for saying it. Your doctor is saying it, too.
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November 17th, 2008
We the People of the United States, in Order to form more perfect Unionized labor, establish Justice against the rich, insure domestic Tranquilizers for any protesters, provide for the common defense against corporations, promote Welfare for everyone, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity with taxpayer money, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America to be changed whenever we want.
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November 17th, 2008
President - Barack Obama
Vice President - Joe Biden
Speaker of the House - Nancy Pelosi
Senate Majority Leader - Harry Reid
Secretary of State - Hillary Clinton
Let this sink in folks. This is scary. The most left, most socialist, most bitter and angry democrats will become our leaders. They will finally have their way. They have been gunning for this position since the election was “stolen” in 2000. These people have been plotting, scheming, and undermining George Bush since then.
The most ironic thing about this turn of events is that the Democrats have been claiming they want bipartisanship and that they will work towards it. Obama, Biden, Clinton, Reid, and Pelosi are hardly bipartisan, and as shown by their conduct in Washington, they have no intent of being bipartisan.
Now the keys to the kingdom have been given to them. They will surely satisfy the longings of its people. Handouts for all, insurance for every person, taxes for the rich, justice for the oil companies, the meek shall now inherit the Earth! (unless you are a fetus) Eat drink and be merry for the time has come!
It appears Saxby Chambliss in Georgia is the last bastion of hope for the Republicans in the Senate, and any kind of balance of power in Washington. Now you have all the big guns like Bill Clinton loading up on their attacks of the Georgia Senator. You will likely get the same tired, false rhetoric such as, “Chambliss was a rubber stamp for George Bush”, “we can’t afford more failed Bush economic policies”, etc, etc. If Jim Martin were to somehow pull out this election, our country will be heading down the socialist road to a Utopian society where everything is “fair”.
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November 10th, 2008
It may not have a snowball’s chance of passing if ever introduced to Congress, but if it does, you’d be better off hiding the money under your mattress because you sure don’t want the government to have control of your retirement account.
This is more information on Teresa Ghilarducci’s magnificent plan to confiscate your retirement account and turn it into a “Guaranteed Retirement Account”. Sure, it will be guaranteed until the government needs to use it or borrow against it for some reason. This is FLAT OUT COMMUNISM in the works.
What’s most laughable is that Ms. Ghilarducci actually teaches ECONOMICS! Unbelievable! You have to wonder and worry about all those she is indoctrinating with this communist garbage. From her website,
“In my new book I propose a practical reform of the private pension system — a mandated savings program called Guaranteed Retirement Accounts. The federal government subsidizes each account with an annual grant of $600; workers and employers share the rest of the cost equal to 5-percent-of-pay contribution (up to the Social Security cap). The federal government pays a guaranteed 3% rate of return ABOVE inflation , which with Social Security provides, on average, 70 percent of pre-retirement earnings. The $600 refundable tax credit costs nothing if we eliminate most of the tax breaks for 401(k)s and IRAs. We can keep tax breaks for contributions up to $5,000 per year, and lower the grant to $400 per year. I am grateful to the WURF Fellowship at the Labor and Worklife Program at the Harvard Law School and the Rockefeller Foundation for their support.”
First, a free handout. That will get some votes. Words like “share” are always good. The government pays 3% over inflation? This is a HORRIBLE rate of return compared t the market over a long period of time. The Democrats are opportunistic though. They will compare the return of this program to the current market. Unfortunately, there are enough ignorant people in this country to fall for it.
This plan de-incentivises saving for retirement. How could we trust the government with more of our precious retirement money given the prospects of social security? How can we trust the government when they have shown no restraint on spending.
What this really tells me is that the government would take your money, invest it themselves, get a wonderful rate of return on it and only give 3% back to you. That sounds like a sweet deal for them and ripping the people off. Either they will keep it to spend on more government programs or redistribute it directly to people who don’t save a dime!
This is just a proposal and there is nothing currently being done about it, BUT there will be more plans like it. My reaction to this plan is to only participate up to $5000. From that point, my money is in cash, gold, or some other sheltered investment account that they government cannot touch.
Most smart people will do the same which will cause widespread non-participation, which will then cause the program to completely fail. Let’s just hope and pray a plan like this never has the opportunity to succeed or fail.
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November 8th, 2008
After his first intelligence briefing, Barack Obama had a short press conference. Our president-elect was asked how soon after taking office could we could expect taxes to be raised on the top 5% of income earners. Instead of answering the question, President-Elect Obama explained his tax policy all over again, as if he was giving a stump speech. No time frame was given. He seemingly intended to dodge the question.
It is, for these reasons, that I begin to distrust Mr. Obama. I’m still signed up to have hope that he’s a better man than other presidential candidates, but so far, his rhetoric is all smoke and mirrors.
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November 7th, 2008
1. Congratulations but…- Congratulations to Barack Obama for winning the election. He brings some positive things to the table. Quick Hits maintains the stance that he won by deceiving the American people in three ways. 1. McCain is 4 more years of failed Bush Policies. 2. It’s time to make America “fair” by spreading the wealth. Tax cuts for 95% (30% of whom don’t pay taxes). 3. Diverted attention away from his radical associations and views.
2. Automakers want a piece of the pie - Auto makers met with Speaker Nancy Pelosi on how they could get a bailout from Congress, a.k.a you and me. Will it be granted to them? Absolutely. Granted, there are a lot of jobs involved here, but a lot of their trouble is of their own making. In my opinion, Pelosi should have the guts to say, “GM, Ford, Chrystler, you have been getting your butt kicked up and down by the Japanese for 30 years. How about making a car worth a damn that is efficient, long-lasting, good looking, and feels good on the inside. You guys are pathetic!. No way you get you get any money! Go figure it out! The Koreans and Japanese are doing just fine!
3. Common Thread - You could certainly say that Automakers, Airlines, and Education are three very weak segments of our country and economy. Anyone care to guess what they all have in common? UNIONIZED LABOR
4. Proposition 8 - Quick Hits thought the result of proposition 8 in the election was very interesting. California voting for more conservative values? Wow. However, at the same time, they voted against restriction on abortions. Well, almost anything goes in California.
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November 6th, 2008
We’ll talk over the next few days about Obama-nation and the results of the campaign… I’m working on formulating my thoughts. But one item can’t wait.
It’s time to lay the groundwork for a resurgence in conservatism. Unusual for me, I want you to visit this well thought out and easily presentable post on Right Wing News. Go ahead - I’ll wait on you to read it and come back here.
In an earlier post I said I was desperate for leadership. I also asked you - what action were you doing to help promote conservative leadership in our government. Well - this is your time to get involved. Call your Senators - Tom Coburn for Senate Minority Leader.
Got a better choice? Tell me about it in the comments.
– mel
UPDATE - I just called one of my Senator’s office (the other one is in a run off, he has better things to do) and asked for him to support Coburn for minority leader. She said she’s heard talk on the hill about it but I was the first constituent to call. SO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL! Here’s how to find your Senator’s phone number. It will take 5 minutes of your time.
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November 5th, 2008
Obama said last night in his acceptance speech that he was never the “likeliest” candidate. I disagree. America has tried for a long time to put mass hope into a political candidate, but there were none worthy until Barack Obama. He happened to catch us in international uncertainty and economic strife, which doesn’t hurt, either. These are times such as Ronald Reagan inherited in 1980, which was probably the closest thing to what is going on now, but is now dwarfed by Obama. I saw Obama when he was elected to the US Senate, and I said to myself, “that guy will win if he runs for President”, and he did. In the way that I loved Obama then, I love him now. He’s a great orator and a great unifier.
I won’t let this day go by without saying on DemWits that Obama is a force of good in many ways. I’m still a bit afraid of his rhetoric, which he displayed last night, regarding Wall Street, free enterprise, etc. But rhetoric aside, it is nice to have an African American president. I like the display of evidence to the world that proves what I have thought most of my life. America is a great country. While it is not everywhere a “tolerant” country, it is one in which a myriad of cultures not only coexist but thrive. To elect an African American president means we have overcome an huge amount of inequity.
Though I think Obama is one of the most liberal guys you could ever elect, I’m hopeful that he will be true to his word. I hope that despite his party affiliation, he will listen to the people.
For example, though he plans to “tax the rich”, etc, I hope he pays attention to keeping upward economic mobility alive for all Americans, so that they may work hard and reap the rewards.
I hope that when Obama helps implement nationalized healthcare that he will not only make it more affordable (and mandatory) for everyone to have an insurance policy. I hope he will lead us to look at why costs rose to begin with. Though deregulation has become an ugly word, it is exactly what’s necessary to break the cartel of drug companies and introduce more competition and more viable remedies that are legal and widely used in other countries. Deregulation is exactly what’s necessary to put more types of professionals into business to perform healthcare services to citizens and to open more outlets of care throughout the nation. If you combine the two approaches, nationalization and innovation/deregulation, cost could decline significantly, quality would go up, and more people could receive the care they need, quickly and efficiently.
If Obama can truly lead, he will listen to the people and change America using bold approaches that truly change us. We don’t need more expensive bureaucracy. Americans have spoken and they want more government services, but it’s time for the government to step up and give Americans efficient solutions that get the job done without further bankrupting our nation. I’m tired of taxation and I’m tired of printing money, and I’m not the only one.
I’ll finish with this statement. If Obama can’t do it right, nobody can. I don’t agree with him, but I’m an American and you won’t see me trying to undermine what we’ve done to elect this powerful and compelling man to office. Congratulations to Barack Obama, a man I knew could be President the first time I heard him speak.
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November 4th, 2008
6:48pm So I threatened to live blog the election returns tonight, so here I am.
Like I said, tonight is my Super Bowl. Easily making my top five nights of all time was the crisp November night in 2000 when it was Bush vs. Gore in a tight race… the networks said Bush won and Gore backed out, then he got new polling data and withdrew his withdrawal, finally taking it to the Supreme Court for a final decision. I was up until 3am before I threw in the towel.. what an exciting night! Among other things, it was great to watch the pundits on air fall all over themselves when the polling data ended up being a bit… wrong.
I don’t think tonight will be like that. I’ve looked at lots of data - I’m calling Obama wins with a total of 338 electoral votes. I think we will definitively know the answer by 11:30pm EST. But I do so love the night!
I want to balance new media vs. old media tonight. I’ll be trolling the net, following several local elections (in my state and yours) as well as tracking the results. I’ll share my news and sources with you if you will do that with me. Leave me a comment if you find something you want me to look at. I can’t promise I’ll post every five minutes, but I will when I find something. Just leave this web page up and refresh every now and then.
If you have an adult beverage in front of you and want to play a little game… take a sip every time someone says any version of “democracy” when describing our country or voting process. I had a guy say that at work today, so I’ve already started. *wink*
I’m on the east coast so all times will be EST. First round - watch VA, GA and IN. PA will also be an interesting decision.
– mel
6:52pm - Saxby Chambliss getting coverage on CNN. Anderson Cooper saying what we all know - “we once didn’t think this could happen, he’s now in the fight of his political life.” Guess the man doesn’t read this blog… yet.
6:55pm - IN and KY are *tight* right now. KY expected to go red, but who the hell knows. I’m bouncing between ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, BBC America - what else should I be watching?
7pm - CNN and Fox and BBC calls KY (8) for McCain and VT (3) for Obama. They are all getting their info from the same place - that’s no fun.
7:07pm - CNN puts GA in the “toss up” category. Not sure I buy into that. Guess more people are saying that too.
7:14pm - Drudge saying Obama up by 15% in PA. No bueno for McCaino. Also saying that McCain will indeed carry AZ. Don’t need the Gore comparasions.
7:18pm - I swear to everything that is holy - CNN has Jessica Yellin on as a hologram. I’m drinking just for that, screw the rules. STUFF YOUR BELLS AND WHISTLES.
7:20pm - >1% reported in FL and they have McCain up by 1%. Hail Mary if he can pull that state. Now they say the FL numbers were jacked up - Obama has a healthy lead.
7:30 - next round of polls close - OH and NC. A few returns in for Chambliss (Senator in GA) - gonna keep watching that one. I’m saying the Libertarian candidate (Buckley) will take 11% and will force this into a run off.
7:35pm - OK, I take back a bit about the bells and whistles. I kinda like the ABC news website. CNN ain’t too bad either.
7:37pm - I have to wonder what impact the talking heads on TV have on west coast voting.
7:42pm - Fox news calls WV (5) for McCain and DE (3) For Obama - no surprise there. New media is way ahead of old media in getting the info out.
7:51pm - we know it isn’t all about the President. Frankly, the President can talk until the cows come home but if Congress isn’t aligned, it just won’t happen. Don’t make me prove my point. Safe to say Dem’s won’t get a super majority. House Dem’s should pick up more then 20 seats. Thanks Republicans.
7:57pm - CNN just called SC (8), TN (11) and OK (7) for McCain, but the numbers don’t jive yet. Fox is giving ME (3 of the 4), MA (12), VT (3), CT (7), DE (3), MD (10), IL (21), DC (3) and NJ (15, gee thanks Dana!) to Obama.
on a side note, does anyone give a crap how White Evangelical Born Again voters swing? I swear, CNN is drooling over this data.
8:23pm - PA is polling high for Obama, but with no returns in yet they aren’t calling it. Well, they are doing everything but calling it. FL is showing 30% returns with a 6 pt lead for Obama.
8:30pm - took them 7 min to call PA (21) for Obama. AL (9) and AR (6) called for McCain. Gotta say, with the loss of PA, I don’t think McCain has a chance. FL isn’t looking good for McCain either.
8:39pm - just called GA (15) for McCain - W00t! WitSuperU is happy. Wow, they just called Chambliss won the election with 20% returns in. That shocks me. ABC news is the boldest in projections - Obama 102 to McCain 49.
8:52pm - just talked to WitSuperU - “it’s over. we’re f’d. It’s over.”
9:02pm - Polls just closed in Mt time zone - ABC now shows 174 to 61. OH, FL, NC still too close to call.
9:17pm - fox news website craps out. And I was about to give props to new media. Going to have to stay on top of my spreadsheet. Key counties in VA are moving blue. Don’t look good for the ‘Pubs.
9:25pm - on a tip from a friend, I’m tempted to watch “the woman who craved pickles” on TLC. Trust me, she just has Addison’s disease. These are tasty.
9:28pm - They call OH (20) for Obama. And we have live blogging in the comments. Whopee!
9:40pm - McCain wins TX (34). CNN is showing the doomsday scenario for McCain. “he has to be just about perfect for all the remaining states. Even with a miracle, I can’t get McCain to 270 electoral votes.”
9:46pm - props to BBC America for having John Bolton on as a talking head. Talk about your straight talk express…. And they are calling the entire election for Obama. They are the first (I think). VA 50/50 with 76% reporting.
9:54pm - 200 to 130. My friend just texted me and said with CA, OR or WA it’s over. I told him it’s over already.
Programming note - if you stick with old media only you might want to follow witSuperU in the comments - I’m much faster then he is. Of course I’m juggling 7 websites and 6 cable channels.
9:57pm - ok, this is kinda fun. This could be very awesome, but it’s slower then CNN.
10pm - more polls close - IA (7) is for Obama, UT (5) goes for McCain. Still no surprises. 207 for Obama. With CA (55) and WA (11) he’s over the 270 mark. It’s over. I’m still calling 338 total for Obama.
10:07pm - 83% reporting, VA is still 50/50. What the hell are these people thinking that voted for McKinney?!? NC still 50/50 with 76% reporting. Obama winning FL by 3% with almost 70% reporting.
10:15pm - BBC America says Indiana is 50% red, 49% blue with 85% of precincts reporting. The big three networks keep showing the growing crowd in IL waiting for Obama to claim the victory.
10:22pm - SlowNN just called TX for McCain. But we knew that already, didn’t we?
10:24pm - McCain’s campaign. Technically, it’s a zeppelin.
10:27pm - as I consume more scotch, I personally want to thank the Republicans for getting us to this point.
10:29pm - and the hits just keep on coming with Murtha claiming victory. Franken will win.
10:35pm - VA is now 51/49 Obama with 90% reporting. Fox is saying FL is “looking good” for Obama. I’m feeling more and more emotionally low even though I’m prepared for this.
10:37pm - drudge is calling Obama.
10:38pm - just found what google is doing for elections tonight. CNN now has a hologram white house. WHY?!?
10:41pm - Stick wants to abolish the Electoral College. I go back to my rules for drinking tonight - lose the EC, become a democracy, add fodder to my argument that America is in the twilight years.
10:45pm - Fox calls VA (13) for Obama. CNN has Will.I.Am on hologram.
10:52 - BBC says we are 9 minutes away from Obama declaring a win. Man interviewed in Chicago - “this is great because we are no longer a country run by one man. We will now be a country run by the American people.”
10:55pm - I think FL will go Dem and NC will go Rep. New England and CA will decide this election. AP just called FL (27) for Obama. CNN and Fox follows suit. CNN is now calling the entire election for Obama. Fox too.
11:01pm - President Obama. Now it’s time to heal.
11:09pm - BBC reports Saudi Arabia just cut oil production. Connected?
11:10pm - let’s focus on the positive… maybe, just maybe the world will let us off the hook for a few weeks.
11:20pm - Thanks John. I kinda think you were chosen as the Republican scapegoat, but you ended with class.
Folks, this has been fun, thanks for tagging along. I’m going to sleep tonight with a sense of peace. I did what I could - annoyed my friends and colleagues with my political topics of conversation. I’ve written letters and I’ve donated money. I know there has been a lot of fear floating around over the last few months - one man can’t radically change the system, no matter what the bumper sticker slogan says. Let’s hope that Congress acts in OUR best interests… and Obama does indeed bring us a bit of positive change.
I’m glad there is a black man in the White House. Can’t vote “present” anymore - I will judge him on his future actions - no more, no less.
Goodnight.
– mel
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November 1st, 2008
I had a miserable voting experience this week - Yup, I live in Georgia. Yup, I early voted. Props to the Secretary of State’s office, things went smoothly and all of my fellow citizens in line with me were in a good mood, regardless of who we were voting for.
I had a miserable experience because of who I had to choose to vote for US Senate. Where this was once a solid Republican win, the incumbent Saxby Chambliss was expected to coast into another term. Not so anymore. Because we have a strong Libertarian candidate (by strong, I mean he’ll get about 11% of the vote.) GA state law says a candidate must get 50% plus one vote before being elected - I just know that the country will be looking to Georgia after the election to follow our Senate run off - it will be that close.
Well, I thought about it. People say that if we don’t like how our politicians are doing in office we can “exercise our right and vote them out of office” or “fire them.” I am *this close* to doing just that. I voted for Chambliss but wanted him to know that unless he begins to personify the Republican virtues I expect, I’m washing my hands of him.
So I wrote him this letter:
——-
Senator Chambliss,
I (early) voted today. And I voted for you. But I’m not sure I like the way I voted or the position I’m in.
Let me tell you who I am:
- I’m Caucasian, 35 years old, work for a financial firm and make over $50,000 a year.
- I listen to talk radio and regularly encourage political discussion with my co-workers, conservative and liberal.
- I volunteer at my church and for the Boy Scouts of America.
- I consider myself patriotic and have stood by my president over the last eight years, even though I’ve been publicly ridiculed for it.
- I am quite fond of the fair tax.
- Individually, I’m a nobody. Nothing special about me… and that’s why I think you need to hear from me. I’d bet there are MANY people that think just like me.
I believe my government has let me down. You’ve done it for years, and I now consider you a part of the problem. I honestly don’t see much difference between Republicans and Democrats anymore. For example:
Republicans say they believe in free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative. I say you failed to support that by nationalizing our banking system (and don’t forget AIG!). By my count we expanded our debt by over 20% within a 2 week period. Respecting free enterprise and initiative means that there will be mistakes made and sometimes we will have to endure failure. And I’m not even going to address the legislation that helped get us in this mess in the first place.
Republicans say they believe that government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn. I say you failed to support that by growing our government and adding PORK to countless bills you have voted for and supported.
Republicans say that the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations, and that the best government is that which governs least. Yet, again I think you fail on that front by spending my tax dollars on pathetic things and government GREW under your control of congress.
Republicans say that the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people. I only hear from you when you want my money for a campaign.
And the RNC believes the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government. I think the Republican Party abandoned their principles long ago and will continue to be punished on November 4th by the general public.
I want my government to shrink. I want my government to get its hands out of my pockets. I want my government to give me control of my money (including social security!) I want my government to allow me to be held accountable when I fail, and I expect the same for governmental bodies. I want the deficit to shrink. I want the pork spending to stop. I desperately want leadership to emerge in the GOP that will embrace these principles. I want to be proud of my government again!!!
I voted Republican this term out of fear of what an Obama administration and Democratic majority would bring. But, you sir are on notice. Heck – as far as I am concerned all Republicans are on notice. Embrace your principles and show me “change” you can be proud of or you’ll lose me… and all the people that think like me.
Sincerely,
———-
I copied our other Senator, Johnny Isakson. I also sent a copy to my Representative Tom Price and RNC Chairman Mike Duncan. And I sent a copy of my letter to about 20 people I know and work with. Here’s some of the comments I got back:
I really, really share your sentiment but feel that this will fall on deaf ears. I sincerely hope that you copied an army of your friends on this email and they will second your thoughts with their representative…
I think we should all be doing this. Perhaps I should write some as well.
Nice of you to write the letter, and i do admire you letting him know how you feel, but I think Saxyy’s far too out of touch to care. Plus, he already got what he wanted from you - your vote.
Which is why, having voted almost exclusively for Republicans for 20 years, volunteered, even holding a paid position for the party in the mid 19990’s - I am voting Libertarian for every place I can find a Libertarian on the ballot this November. Regrettably, the “change we need” is no more likely to come from the GOP then it is the Democrats.
As I claimed in my letter, It appears I’m not the only one that feels this way. My questions to you - do you agree or disagree? Do you think I made a mistake by telling him I voted for him? Most importantly - Except for bitching, WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
– mel
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