If the Republicans hope to reclaim Congress in 2010, the recipe in my humble opinion, is pretty simple. It calls for a new, simpler version of the Contract with America of 1994, and consists of two simple points.
1. A Republican majority in Congress will support no legislation nor pass any law which Congress itself doesn't have to live under. It's pretty simple. If a law is good enough for We the People, it should be good enough for Congress. This would ensure the death of Obamacare and the salvation of Social Security. Right now it's easy to support Obamacare if you're in Congress when it won't apply to you and your family, who will still get "gold standard", traditional American medical care.
2. Term limits. If 8 years is enough for Presidents, then 12 years ought to be good enough for Congress. That's 2 terms for Senators and 6 terms for Congressmen. Politics is about publice service, not fat public pensions.
I hope you're listening Mr. Steele. The millions who have taken to the streets in the Tea Party movement, will not simply pull the Republican lever because they're angry at the President and his party. If Republicans do no better than Obama-lite, they will find themselves in the political wilderness for generations.
The woman reviled and scorned as an imbecile by our friends on the Left, has struck once again. Her forthcoming book Going Rogue: An American Life is already numero uno on both Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, and it won't even be released until November 17. Not bad for an illiterate rube from Steward's Icebox. Of course, this is the same hick who in one short Facebook post redefined the health care debate, thus putting the President and his "death panels" squarely on the defensive. I hope Chairman Steele and the gang at the RNC are taking notes. Obviously, Senator McCain (whom I will forever salute as a war hero) is not. Nor is Senator "Gang of 14" Graham. Both of them are proving their eagerness to lose even more elections with their "centrist" nonsense. How'd that work out for you in 2008, Senator McCain?
Oh and by the way RNC, have you forgotten the Left's attacks on the "Amiable Dunce" in the 1970s -- the former actor, cowboy and California Governor whom President Carter and his team ardently hoped would be the Republican nominee in 1980? Whatever happened to that Old Fella? I guess he's not as memorable as some of the "notables" the RNC have force-fed to the American people, e.g. Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush (1992 version), Bob Dole, and John McCain. Do I detect a pattern here? Moderate = Electoral Defeat. In case you haven't noticed RNC, there is a huge movement sweeping the country. Folks who've never been politically active or participated in protests have been taking to the streets demanding a return to Constitutional principles -- you know, limited government, low taxes, strong national defense and individual liberty. Funny, these are some of the things Sarah Palin consistently champions in her writings, speeches and interviews. Hmmm.
I suggest Michael Steele et al take a clue from the Tea Parties. The candidate who is unapologetic about American exceptionalism and the vision of this country put forth by our Founding Fathers is the candidate who will take the White House, not to mention save the USA from impending disaster. And if that's not enough for you, here's a litmus test: simply look at the Republican candidate that the Left despises and mocks the most, and you've found your or man -- or woman. The bottom line is the Left deeply fears Sarah Palin and they know they need to destroy her now.
The fact is that Governor Palin has the greatest political instincts since President Reagan. The Left and the dinosaur media viciously attacked Sarah and her family and it backfired. Next they set out to destroy her governorship by filing multiple, bogus ethics complaints which had nothing to do with ethics, and everything to do with bankrupting the Palin family. When she resigned this past summer, they incorrectly assumed they'd achieved a "gotcha" moment, as did some pseudo-elitist, Beltway conservative commentators (who didn't much like Palin from the get-go).
Wrong again folks! Not only did she pass the torch on to her highly capable poltical twin, former Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell (along with a fiscally solvent state treasury), her resignation proved to be her most brilliant move to date, with the possible exception of completing her book several months ahead of time.
Her recent speech in Hong Kong was a grand slam that even the near-bankrupt New York Times called "compelling". How refreshing to have an honest, middle class American just like us with a real chance at the Presidency. George Washington would be proud; this is exactly the way the American system developed by our Founders was designed to work. They'd had their fill of despots and monarchs, going to great lengths to ensure a government "by the people, for the people and of the people". Enough of the elite ruling class of both parties telling us what to do!
Keep it up Sarah. My wife and I are anxiously awaiting your book in the mail.
Just read about this exciting news over at Conservatives4Palin. Seems the woman the lamestream media vilified as someone who doesn't read actually completed her book months ahead of schedule. Can't wait to read her take-down of the treacherous McCainiacs, and her plan to rescue America from the evil clutches of the radicals. Looks like I've found the perfect Christmas gift for all of the conservatives in my life!
I've been light on the political blogging since attending the 9/12 March on Washington, partly because I've been spending a great deal of time promoting Water Signs. This past Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of speaking to the Hawthorne Writers Group in New Jersey, thanks to my good friends Don Smith and Sabrina Steyling. To Don and Sabrina, and all who attended, I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as I did! Looking forward to seeing you all again when the sequel is completed, hopefully in the spring of 2010. Here are a few videos of my presentation, all of which can be found at my You Tube channel.
Last night we celebrated the 50th birthday of the most amazing person I know -- our brother Ralph. For a few hours at least, I forgot all about politics as I joined with family and friends to honor someone who will always be our hero. In addition to the WWF, Ralph absolutely loves movies, thus the Hollywood-themed party included a red carpet; cut-outs and photos of Clint Eastwood (one of Ralph's favorite actors) and other famous stars; and even an Oscar presentation to the guest of honor.
I tried to capture the evening's magic in these videos. Enjoy!
I have been scratching my head trying to remember the last time a political leader so angered the majority of the American people, as to cause widespread disgust and spontaneous public demonstrations of patriotism.
While it's true that George W. Bush was detested and vilified by the far Left, his detractors constituted a small fringe minority of the body politic. Bill Clinton was certainly disliked by conservatives like myself, but he never inspired mass demonstrations like we're seeing today. Similarly, Ronald Reagan, like Bush 43 was hated by the far left, but again we are talking about a very small, albeit vocal minority.
I then thought back to Richard Nixon, he of enemies list fame. While the Left despised him and he was in the White House at a time of large protests and mass demonstrations, the thrust of those public displays was opposition to the Viet Nam war. While many who attended were clearly anti- Nixon, the former President was not the sole driving force behind those marches. They started in the Johnson administration and would have continued had Humphrey been elected in 1968.
Still stumped, I looked further back in history. While Southerners, who comprised half of the country clearly hated Lincoln, we are talking about a time in history when the country was fighting a bloody civil war. Their anger was directed at all things Northern not just Lincoln, and the feeling was mutual. A review of the first fifteen Presidents also came up empty.
Who then could compare to the Chosen One? It hit me while watching a tea party protest on the news one night. Tea party was a term I had not heard used in modern times, until the President took office in January. Before its modern revival the last time the term "tea party" was in vogue was in the 1700s when American colonists threw a big party in Boston harbor. Who was in charge then? Who was the leader who provoked such outrage? None other that King George III, that's who. He's the leader who Obama most resembles. Remember him? Taxation without representation, imposition of government control over every aspect of American life, and loser of an important war. Sounds just like a guy who would be a good czar in the current Administration.
The President ought to study King George III, for he who does not learn from history is doomed to repeat it. Unless Mr. Obama soon realizes that he is a president and not a king, he will meet the same fate as the erstwhile British monarch. He will learn that it is unwise to attempt to take away the freedom of the American people. Should he continue to try to do so, the President like King George III will inevitably find himself on the losing side of the next American Revolution.
It's difficult to describe the overwhelming sense of pride, solidarity and excitement I experienced as I joined with approximately 2 million like-minded patriots from every state in country yesterday at the 9/12 March on Washington. At the risk of conjuring up an unpleasant image, I've never been prouder of my fellow Americans, many of whom traveled long distances and sacrificed hard-earned time and money to make their voices heard.
Since I am still in Pennsylvania visiting family, I rode down on a chartered bus with the West Chester Tea Party folks, a dedicated, passionate and friendly group. Mirroring what I witnessed in DC, they represented a broad cross-section of citizens, from 11 year-old Quentin Cody (who's quite famous in this area for his thoughtful, intelligent and articulate speeches delivered at Town Halls and other rallies) to stay-at-home moms and military veterans. Kudos to trip organizer Paula Stiles, one of the most efficient planners I've ever met. Not only did she expertly manage the inevitable cancellations, waiting lists and endless questions that accompany such an undertaking, she made the entire drive memorable and fun with raffles, patriotic music and even homemade brownies. And best of all, she'd even printed out maps of DC, to make it easy for us to get around, knowing we were all free to go our separate ways before meeting up again for the ride home.
I sat next to a wonderful woman named Beth, who appears at the beginning of my video below. From the beginning of our journey, which began at 6:30 a.m. at the West Goshen shopping center (site of our chartered bus pick-up), it was obvious that September 12, 2009 was going to be a historic day, marking a turning-point in our country. The excitement on the nearly three-hour drive down was palpable as we cruised along I-95. There were two buses in our caravan, but as we got closer to DC, we noticed several others. By the time we pulled into Union Station, any doubts or fears about the event's success were eliminated as one-by-one, every designated parking space welcomed another motorcoach.
As I proceeded through the station with map in hand, I got a call from my friend Sean Williams, BTR host of The War Room, who'd driven up from Orlando, FL. Before I could even inquire as to the crowd size, I heard him cry out exuberantly, "Holy Sh%^&*"! Hearing the roar of the crowd in the background, I couldn't wait to get to the Freedom Plaza and march back up to the Capitol, surrounded by like-minded patriots.
I met up with Sean in front of the building bearing Ronald Reagan's name, and we joined the endless parade. Amid a sea of flags and elaborate, homemade signs, we chanted "USA"!; "Here we come"; and The Pledge of Allegiance (with special emphasis on the phrase "Under God".) We sang God Bless America and The Star Spangled Banner, while above us the skies were partly sunny, with a nice breeze. But even if it had rained, as it appeared to be threatening to do at least a few times during the afternoon, the spirit of this enthusiastic, determined crowd would not have been broken. I can't remember a time when I've felt more connected to my fellow Americans; it's a feeling I will treasure always.
Sean and I then found Premo Mondone, BTR host of Red State Town Hall and his friend David, who'd arrived on a bus from Chattanooga, TN with their local Fair Tax organization. From there, we headed to the Capitol lawn to hear the speeches (at least as best we could from our vantage point) and interact with other 9/12 marchers. Unfortunately, I never did connect with the many others I'd planned to, including my good friends Ellen Snyder, Shona Daress and the wonderful Facebook "YaYa" group, but given the sheer magnitude of the crowd, I'd been lucky to locate anyone I knew.
And as always, these Tea Party Patriots were well-informed, smart, resolved and resolute. They unequivocally reject socialism, Czars, arrogant Congress Critters in both parties, our narcissistic President and his Marxist plans for the USA, and the rampant corruption that has overtaken our government. They want to restore the Constitution and get this country back to the vision of its Founders. Countless signs spelled out the solutions, including tort reform, interstate competition for insurance companies and medical savings accounts.
We met a nice family of five from Southern California (see them in the video), who informed us that contrary to popular belief, most Californians are NOT liberals. The reason they get saddled with liberal politicians like Boxer and Feinstein is because The Golden State allows illegals to vote, going so far as to provide them with ballots in Spanish. Is there any doubt why Obama yearns for the rest of the country to follow in California's heavily taxed, welfare-state footsteps?
A few other fun anecdotes: At one point, a woman walked by and happily informed me that she'd visited the CNN bus (which was parked near the area we'd settled in) and told them to "stop lying about us" and to "get the story straight today" in terms of the crowd numbers and description. Later when we heard ABC (ABC!) had reported 1.7 million, I wondered if the reporter had choked on the words. At one point, Sean got a misinformed Tweet announcing the death of Fidel Castro (which we later discovered to be false), prompting cautious rejoicing from everyone around us. How fitting it would have been on this day, but alas the Dictator lives for a least a little while longer!
No SEIU or any other thugs tried to disrupt the event as far as I could tell. There may have been some there, but we did not encounter any. Given the enormity of the turnout, there's no way they would've succeeded in causing trouble anyway.
Finally, I would also like to thank everyone responsible for planning and executing yesterday's protest, which was one of the most organized events I've ever attended. There were numerous volunteers in yellow tee-shirts offering help and directions, placed at strategic points all along the way. The protesters themselves, while vocal and enthusiastic, were also courteous and polite.
Overall, it was a day that will live on in history, marking a turning-point in the restoration of this country to the people from the grubby hands of special interest groups, self-serving politicians, secular progressive millionaires and billionaires (Gore, Soros etc) and their petulant, arrogant embodiment of "Hope and Change", Barack Hussein Obama. The sleeping giant has awakened with a roar, and "The Silent Majority" is silent no more!
Elizabeth of Daily Inklings wrote this remembrance of Timothy Daly and posted it on 9/11/08:
Tim Ward was born on Valentine’s Day, 1963, the son of Susie Ward Baker of Rancho Bernardo and the apple of his mother’s eye. He lived in nearby Scripps Ranch with his companion, Linda Brewton. He was an IT project manager for the Rubio’s Baja Grill chain of restaurants. He was an accomplished chef who would pack a chocolate confection in a picnic basket, an animal lover with a West Highland terrier named Sherman, and a devoted San Diego State Aztec fan who would travel to their games.
He was a passenger on Flight 195 when it was hijacked by terrorists and flown into the second tower of the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001.
I found a subsequent article, written in November 2008, on his mother's quest for his remains; an excerpt:
For seven years, 3,000 miles stood between Susanne Ward-Baker and her son Timothy’s remains.
Timothy Ray Ward, 38, was flying from Boston to Los Angeles on the morning of 9/11, on United Airlines Flight 175. After the plane slammed into the World Trade Center, all that was found of Ward were three shards of bone.
For seven years, those three pieces of bone sat in a Ziploc bag in a freezer at the New York City Medical Examiner’s office, waiting to be claimed. For seven years, Ward-Baker made phone calls to New York from her house in San Diego, searching a way to bring her son home.
“I’m just a mother who wants my son’s little teeny pieces of bone with me,” Ward-Baker told Downtown Express several weeks ago, beginning to cry during a telephone interview.
Ward-Baker, 67, finally got her wish on Nov. 14, when a seven-year impasse ended and her son’s remains arrived.
By all accounts, Robert Penninger was an exceptional man with a steadfast love of family, country, and life. An electrical engineer for BAE Systems, the Poway, California resident was 63 years-old when his plane -- American Flight 77 -- was crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
His wife, Janet Penninger, later described her husband to the Washington Post:
"Bob Penninger loved life, always living it to the fullest. He always tried to find humor in any situation. Bob also loved cars. In high school, he was always tinkering with the cars he and his friends owned, fine-tuning them to get more speed. So it seemed only natural that he buy a 1999 electric green Cobra Mustang with thoughts of making it into a show car. He added many Saleen extras including a speedster cover, spoiler and ground effects. He had a supercharger installed, as well as having the car lowered, putting on wider tires and a roll bar. He enjoyed every moment driving and showing this car and won a trophy at every car show he entered."
Among the entries for Penninger on the Legacy.com Guest Book, are these beautiful tributes:
To the family of Robert Penninger: Robert gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. My deepest sympathy to you. We must never forget! Peggy Childers "Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away" www.IraqWarHeroes.org
Peggy Childers, Carson City, Nevada
***
Bob was a friend and co-worker for many years, working on military projects that had terrific humanitarian applications. He was very excited about that because it would save so many from injury or death. Bob was a fine man who loved his family dearly. I miss his humor and kindness.
Dave Hunsaker,
Ramona, California
***
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Kristine,Tecumseh, Michigan
May Robert Penninger, and all victims of 9/11 rest in peace in God's presence. And may those of us left behind always remember their heroism, and live a life worthy of their sacrifice. God bless America and her fallen heroes.
Nathaniel Lawson was living the American Dream. Having grown up in Georgia in a family of 19 children, 61 year-old Lawson was a waiter and cook for Forte Food Service, and had been transferred to the World Trade Center, just three months prior to 9/11.
In The New York Times Portraits of Grief, Lawson's niece Brenda Weaver shares the story of Lawson's excitement over his new cable service, enabling him to watch his beloved New York Knicks and other teams, as well as gospel programs. He'd called her mother -- his sister -- Betty Moore, the day before the attack on the World Trade Center, to relate the news.
"He was a very spiritual man," Ms. Weaver said. "He always kept a smile. And he was helpful. Anytime you would call to talk to him about a problem, he was always willing to give good advice and willing to pray with you about anything that was bothering you."
The New York Times profile goes on to state:
Mr. Lawson lived alone in a tiny apartment in Flatbush, Brooklyn. His grown daughter, Pamela, lives in Germany. He was close to his sister, Betty. "For my mother, it's a lot like losing another half of her," Ms. Weaver said.
May Nathaniel Lawson enjoy the rewards of eternity, along with all of the victims of 9/11.
During my month-long visit to Pennsylvania, I've joined my parents at several Town Halls and Tea Parties, including Dom Giordano's healthcare panel at The Philadelphia Inquirer, where I witnessed Joe Sestak give John Edwards a run for his money for the title of sleaziest politician in America. I documented the entire experience on Facebook, along with photos.
And this past Saturday, I had the pleasure of meeting more Keystone State patriots in front of the courthouse in West Chester, site of their weekly gathering. Among the crowd of 30+, I spoke with many dedicated activists from all walks of life, ranging from retired CEOs to small business owners to veterans. People like event organizer Mark Driver, a grass-roots activist since 1990. Among other things, Mark is a member of American Sheepdogs, Pennsylvania Conservative Council, six different Tea Party groups, and an organization named ACTION (American Christian Traditions In Our Nation).
When I asked about his biggest concern with Obamacare, Driver stated emphatically, "The very last page, where it is written, 'if you do not accept government healthcare plans, states' rights will be limited.' That is the most disturbing line in the entire 1,000-page bill for me, as it is another power-grab by an ever-expanding centralized government."
Fellow protester/organizer Craig Cody agreed. Though politically aware for the last 12 years, he'd never gotten active -- that is until he realized the necessity of getting involved. "Our Founding Fathers were smart," Cody told me, "They were great students of history, and that's what we have to get back to. I am thankful for the millions of regular citizens who are fighting for our freedom."
On such citizen is Cody's remarkable son, Quentin, just eleven years-old, and one of the Tea Party movement's most passionate orators. Quentin first spoke at the West Chester Tea Party on April 4, 2009, and is scheduled to address an Americans for Prosperity event this coming week. Along with his sister Shannon, Quentin offers hope that all is definitely not lost when it comes to future generations.
Finally, there was US Navy vet and event organizer Rich Davis, who gathered us together on the courthouse steps before we adjourned, to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, sing God Bless America and pray the Our Father. Rich also announced two other events taking place that day in nearby Exton and King of Prussia. Undaunted by the small group of counter-protesters across the street, bearing signs with drawings of aliens and slogans of "They're back" on them, he told me that they'd long ago come to an arrangement to stand on opposite corners to avoid any potential conflicts.
Once again, I was incredibly impressed by the vast knowledge, intelligence and passion expressed by my fellow patriotic Americans who -- despite every attempt by the mainstream media and the White House to marginalize and intimidate them -- refuse to back down. Can't wait to ride the bus to DC with the Chester County group!
Here's the story of Rich Davis and the Chester County Victory Movement:
It's even uglier than you could have imagined. Many thanks to The Czar of Muscovy for trudging through all 1,017 pages of this abomination to bring all the points of interest to light. From his Big Finish:
But the Czar realizes that this bill is very much like President Obama himself. Rushed through without proper review, and containing an unfocused blend of various liberal and radical ideas, the bill promises extensive reform, but ultimately cannot provide specifics beyond trivial process and procedure. The contents are pro-lawyer but anti-doctor, misinformed on how business works beyond the abuse of buzzwords, but is fully incorporative of labor union interests. The bill, like the President, raises a specter of of increasing fundamental central control coupled with an élitist dismissal for consequences; in the end, its scattered attempt to be a panacea to the nth degree produces a framework that is merely a framework: it is a blank slate, onto which the supporter pins his own hopes and goals, without anything within justifying that faith.
If there was one irritant beyond all others prevalent among the weasels who either tried to tear Sarah Palin down, or else sit by idly while it happened (ahem, Senator McCain), it was the utter lack of focus on what she actually DID as governor. Some people in politics get in it to accomplish something, rather than to be able to claim to be something. Sarah was not content to say "I'm Governor Palin"; she achieved things as governor. Thanks to Dewie Whetsell (via Marion Valentine), here's a précis of what she actually did:
The last 45 of my 66 years I’ve spent in a commercial fishing town in Alaska. I understand Alaska politics but never understood national politics well until this last year. Here’s the breaking point: Neither side of the Palin controversy gets it…It’s not about persona, style, rhetoric, it’s about doing things. Even Palin supporters never mention the things that I’m about to mention here.
1- Democrats forget when Palin was the Darling of the Democrats, because as soon as Palin took the Governor’s office away from a fellow Republican and tough SOB, Frank Murkowski, she tore into the Republican’s “Corrupt Bastards Club” (CBC) and sent them packing. Many of them are now residing in State housing and wearing orange jump suits. The Democrats reacted by skipping around the yard, throwing confetti and singing “la la la la” (well, you know how they are). Name another governor in this country that has ever done anything similar. But while you’re thinking, I’ll continue.
2- Now with the CBC gone, there were fewer Alaskan politicians to protect the huge, giant oil companies here. So, she constructed and enacted a new system of splitting the oil profits called “ACES”. Exxon (the biggest corporation in the world) protested and Sarah told them “don’t let the door hit you in the stern on your way out.” They stayed, and Alaska residents went from being merely wealthy to being filthy rich. Of course the other huge international oil companies meekly fell in line. Again, give me the name of any other governor in the country that has done anything similar.
3- The other thing she did when she walked into the governor’s office is she got the list of State requests for federal funding for projects, known as “pork”. She went through the list, took 85% of them and placed them in the “when-hell-freezes-over” stack. She let locals know that if we need something built, we’ll pay for it ourselves. Maybe she figured she could use the money she got from selling the previous governor’s jet because it was extravagant. Maybe she could use the money she saved by dismissing the governor’s cook (remarking that she could cook for her own family), giving back the State vehicle issued to her, maintaining that she already had a car, and dismissing her State provided security force (never mentioning—I imagine—that she’s packing heat herself). I’m still waiting to hear the names of those other governors.
4- Now, even with her much-ridiculed “gosh and golly” mannerism, she also managed to put together a totally new approach to getting a natural gas pipeline built which will be the biggest private construction project in the history of North America. No one else could do it although they tried. If that doesn’t impress you, then you’re trying too hard to be unimpressed while watching her do things like this while baking up a batch of brownies with her other hand.
5- For 30 years, Exxon held a lease to do exploratory drilling at a place called Point Thompson. They made excuses the entire time why they couldn’t start drilling. In truth they were holding it like an investment. No governor for 30 years could make them get started. This summer, she told them she was revoking their lease and kicking them out. They protested and threatened court action. She shrugged and reminded them that she knew the way to the court house. Alaska won again.
6- President Obama wants the nation to be on 25% renewable resources for electricity by 2025. Sarah went to the legislature and submitted her plan for Alaska to be at 50% renewables by 2025. We are already at 25%. I can give you more specifics about things done, as opposed to style and persona . Everybody wants to be cool, sound cool, look cool. But that’s just a cover-up. I’m still waiting to hear from liberals the names of other governors who can match what mine has done in two and a half years. I won’t be holding my breath.
By the way, she was content to to return to AK after the national election and go to work, but the haters wouldn’t let her. Now these adolescent screechers are obviously not scuba divers. And no one ever told them what happens when you continually jab and pester a barracuda. Without warning, it will spin around and tear your face off. Shoulda known better.
Maybe had she been astro-turfing, I mean, organizing communities, she would be held in higher regard. Nah, only if she spewed left-wing bromides.
The smart lady with the powerful keyboard is at it again, this time taking on the all-important issue of tort reform. Like the health providers she references, 'Cuda is intimately familiar with being a target for frivolous lawsuits -- an unfortunate reality in a world filled with opportunists:
As Governor of Alaska, I learned a little bit about being a target for frivolous suits and complaints (Please, do I really need to footnote that?). I went my whole life without needing a lawyer on speed-dial, but all that changes when you become a target for opportunists and people with no scruples. Our nation’s health care providers have been the targets of similar opportunists for years, and they too have found themselves subjected to false, frivolous, and baseless claims. To quote a former president, “I feel your pain.”
So what can we do? First, we cannot have health care reform without tort reform. The two are intertwined. For example, one supposed justification for socialized medicine is the high cost of health care. As Dr. Scott Gottlieb recently noted, “If Mr. Obama is serious about lowering costs, he'll need to reform the economic structures in medicine—especially programs like Medicare.” [1] Two examples of these “economic structures” are high malpractice insurance premiums foisted on physicians (and ultimately passed on to consumers as “high health care costs”) and the billions wasted on defensive medicine.Dr. Stuart Weinstein, with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, recently explained the problem:
"The medical liability crisis has had many unintended consequences, most notably a decrease in access to care in a growing number of states and an increase in healthcare costs.Access is affected as physicians move their practices to states with lower liability rates and change their practice patterns to reduce or eliminate high-risk services. When one considers that half of all neurosurgeons—as well as one third of all orthopedic surgeons, one third of all emergency physicians, and one third of all trauma surgeons—are sued each year, is it any wonder that 70 percent of emergency departments are at risk because they lack available on-call specialist coverage?” [2]
Dr. Weinstein makes good points, points completely ignored by President Obama. Dr. Weinstein details the costs that our out-of-control tort system are causing the health care industry and notes research that “found that liability reforms could reduce defensive medicine practices, leading to a 5 percent to 9 percent reduction in medical expenditures without any effect on mortality or medical complications.”
Dr. Weinstein writes:“If the Kessler and McClellan estimates were applied to total U.S. healthcare spending in 2005, the defensive medicine costs would total between $100 billion and $178 billion per year. Add to this the cost of defending malpractice cases, paying compensation, and covering additional administrative costs (a total of $29.4 billion). Thus, the average American family pays an additional $1,700 to $2,000 per year in healthcare costs simply to cover the costs of defensive medicine.Excessive litigation and waste in the nation’s current tort system imposes an estimated yearly tort tax of $9,827 for a family of four and increases healthcare spending in the United States by $124 billion.
How does this translate to individuals? The average obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) delivers 100 babies per year. If that OB-GYN must pay a medical liability premium of $200,000 each year (which is the rate in Florida), $2,000 of the delivery cost for each baby goes to pay the cost of the medical liability premium.” [3]You would think that any effort to reform our health care system would include tort reform, especially if the stated purpose for Obama’s plan to nationalize our health care industry is the current high costs.
So I have new questions for the president: Why no legal reform? Why continue to encourage defensive medicine that wastes billions of dollars and does nothing for the patients? Do you want healthcare reform to benefit trial attorneys or patients?Many states, including my own state of Alaska, have enacted caps on lawsuit awards against health care providers. Texas enacted caps and found that one county’s medical malpractice claims dropped 41 percent, and another study found a “55 percent decline” after reform measures were passed. [4] That’s one step in health care reform. Limiting lawyer contingency fees, as is done under the Federal Tort Claims Act, is another step.
The State of Alaska pioneered the “loser pays” rule in the United States, which deters frivolous civil law suits by making the loser partially pay the winner’s legal bills. Preventing quack doctors from giving “expert” testimony in court against real doctors is another reform.Texas Gov. Rick Perry noted that, after his state enacted tort reform measures, the number of doctors applying to practice medicine in Texas “skyrocketed by 57 percent” and that the tort reforms “brought critical specialties to underserved areas.” These are real reforms that actually improve access to health care. [5]Dr. Weinstein’s research shows that around $200 billion per year could be saved with legal reform. That’s real savings. That’s money that could be used to build roads, schools, or hospitals.If you want to save health care, let’s listen to our doctors too. There should be no health care reform without legal reform. There can be no true health care reform without legal reform.- Sarah Palin
Private citizen Palin continues to fire expertly timed salvos at Obamacare via her Facebook page, proving once again her ability to put forth coherent, common-sense arguments against socialized medicine, as well as practical, free-market solutions for bringing down the cost of health insurance. More than any other leader in the Republican Party, this "quitter" speaks the language of everyday people, unrestrained by the hang-ups of the Beltway crowd.
Everyday folks understand the dire need to protect doctors, particularly specialists, from greedy trial lawyers and clients. They recognize that the costs of practicing defensive medicine have spiraled out of control, along with exorbitant malpractice premiums. At the Wexler protest yesterday, there were several signs asking, "Where's the tort reform?" and at one point, when a megaphone was passed around, my impassioned command to Mr. Obama to "stop demonizing doctors like my father!" was met with thunderous applause.
There can be no healthcare reform without tort reform. Sarah Palin gets that. And she's not afraid to whip her keyboard and say so.
Although grass-roots activists were denied their seat at the staged "Town Hall" hosted by Congressmen Robert Wexler and Alcee Hastings at the South County Civic Center in Delray Beach today, hundreds of us stood in the hot sun to voice our opposition to Obamacare and fight for freedom amid the MoveOn/SEIU crowd.
I arrived with my brother Ralph who is visiting from Pennsylvania, and my good friend Elaine Laffey at approximately 10:30 a.m. At that time, things were just getting underway, with free market warriors setting up camp with handmade signs, American flags and other items like bumper stickers and buttons. Several police officers were on-hand, as well as the usual obnoxious Kool-Aid imbibers, who initially attempted to usurp our spot along the sidewalk. At first, the police tried to make us move to the far end of the venue, but several of the patriots who'd already set up tables stood their ground. Eventually, the police relented and the Obama group was told to stick to their portion of the sidewalk.
In the distance, a high school marching band played under the pavilion, their music nearly drowning out everything else, while cheerleaders wearing Obama tee-shirts danced gleefully. I'd later discover that these students were from Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, bused in for the occasion. They attempted to quiet the opposition with their music, but Tea Party patriots joined in the dance, waving their pro-American, pro-freedom, pro-capitalism signs in defiance.
Within an hour of our arrival, the patriot resistence began to outnumber the Obama-bots, although they certainly made up for the deficit by screaming the usual platitudes, and of course, chanting their Dear Leader's name. No matter how many times I watch that spectacle unfold at these events, I am always shocked by the blind allegiance and -- frankly -- ignorance of these people. Not one of them could state what was in the bill, nor do they understand the mechanisms of the free market.
Mention the dire need for tort reform, interstate competition for insurance companies and tax credits for small business owners, and their eyes glaze over. These people truly believe the government -- the same government that brought us Cash for Clunkers, Fannie and Freddie, Medicare, the DMV and the US Post Office -- is the solution to all their problems. And therein lies the crux of the matter: too many people refuse to take personal responsibility for their own lives, preferring to subjugate themselves and the rest of us to a perceived benevolent bureacracy that is utterly devoid of anything remotely resembling efficiency or morality.
Among the sickening chants of "Yes we will!" the patriots shouted back "Kill the Bill!", "We will, we will stop you Obamcare!" and "Free market healthcare!" led by Everett Wilkinson on the megaphone, who at one point was punched in the arm by a crazy blonde Obama-bot. Undeterred, we wandered back and forth on the lawn, and rallied under the pavilion, sending a clear message to the opposition that we were not intimidated by their presence, nor cowed by the staged shenanigans taking place indoors. I think they were somewhat shocked by the sheer number of us unpaid activists, joined by local talk radio host Joyce Kaufman, who did a live broadcast from the venue.
One of those unpaid folks was a woman named Jeanne Kennedy of Deerfield Beach, who took a vacation day from her job at a Fort Lauderdale CPA firm to attend today's rally. She'd sent an email to Wexler expressing her opposition to Obamacare, but never received a response. After her husband called to inquire about the date and location of the Town Hall, she decided to participate. "I want to know the truth; I want my questions answered," Kennedy told me. "Big government means big problems. There are so many people lying and stealing; so much fraud. You can't name one government program that's effective."
Corinne Giusti, an ER doctor, concurred. "I live in Wexler's district and I completely disagree with this bill. According to the President we (doctors) make more money by chopping off people's legs. I resent the demonization of the medical profession." Giunti also told me that one of her co-workers who voted for Obama now admits it was the worst mistake of her life.
Then I bumped into Richard from England, who enjoys dual citizenship since "I had the good fortune to marry an American." When I asked for his perspective on socialized medicine, he soberly stated, " I grew up with an intimate understanding of national health service. It doesn't work, it's unaffordable and it's unfair. I have an 81 year-old mother and I am very concerned about her. It would be an absolute tragedy to bring this awful system to the US."
Roy Deng of Delray Beach added, "This is bad legislation. It's rationed care, a change that fundamentally shifts our healthcare from private to public." To support his statement he read me a direct quote from a doctor who went to D.C.: "The national healthcare board will approve or reject treatment for patients based on the cost per treatment divided by the number of years the patient will benefit from the treatment." Sure sounds Draconian to me.
And let's not forget the special needs community, and those with chronic health conditions. I was thrilled to bump into a young woman of 20, Cristy Tulko of Lake Worth who -- unlike most kids her age -- was clearly not an Obama supporter, but a believer in the free market. Together with her mother Mary Tulko, she'd come out to take a stand against the bill. When I asked Cristy why she opposed Obamacare, she explained that she has a serious condition called papillomatosis, in which polyps form on her vocal chords. She requires frequent check-ups to prevent swelling and God forbid, suffocation. As her mother explained, "She's had 150 surgeries over the years and is fine because of constant follow-ups with her doctor. If left unchecked, her condition could potentially kill her. I am very concerned that Cristy would be denied the proper care if this legislation passes."
One final observation: congressional candidate and Robert Wexler challenger Ed Lynch held his own Town Hall outside on the lawn, where he outlined some of the bill's horrendous provisions; stated his support for all of the free-market solutions to bring down the cost of health insurance; and actually took questions from the crowd. And unlike Wexler, Ed even fielded comments and questions from people who support nationalized medicine. If you live in South Florida, support Ed Lynch for Congress!
Finally, I am continually amazed by the dedication of my fellow patriots who rise to every occasion and fight the good fight with passion, intelligence and genuine love of country. Thank you for all you do!
But in the end, this is not about Palin, this is about the people being pissed off at Washington. Who do we have? A media that has yet to check out the record $500 million in large campaign donations andits possible relationship to that quick, $787 billion payoff, er, stimulus package? A Republican Party that screwed up for two elections in a row?
Who stands for the 47% of America that refused to go along to get along and voted for someone else?
If it is Palin, then let it be Palin. And if that makes us all a bunch of stupid, gun-clinging rednecks, well, so be it then. The Ivy League sent us this guy. Maybe the University of Idaho can send us someone better.
Dennis Miller continues to amuse me to no end during his regular appearances on the "O'Reilly Factor." Recently, he really struck my funny bone when he commented on Bill Clinton's trip to North Korea and the return of the two female journalists who were jailed and convicted of trumped up charges after a so- called "fair trial."
Miller's take was that it was great that the women returned home safely and that everybody in America was happy about it except Joe Biden. Miller explained that Biden is given only inconsequential jobs and cannot be trusted with anything remotely important. What he said next was truly hilarious. Miller explained that Biden is the Fredo Corleone of the Administration. Godfather fans everywhere fell off of their chairs at that one. That is the perfect description of Biden. He truly is Fredo. A bumbling idiot who thinks he's intelligent and who is consistently getting the Family, in the case the Administration, in trouble because of his mouth.
Keep up the good work Dennis. With this Administration, we can use all the comedy we can get.
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