NOTEWORTHY IN CONGRESS--BILL PREVENTS PLANNED MEDICARE PREMIUM INCREASE

Here's something Noteworthy in Congress.

The House passed a bill that will eliminate the cost increase for Medicare in 2010. As originally planned, there was to be no COLA for Social Security recipients but there was to be a jump in Medicare Premiums.

However, on September 24, the House passed a bill eliminating that increase. People for whom Social Security provides a tight but doable budget can take a deep sigh and not begin to think about something else they might have to forgo.

While government accounting procedures may say there is no inflation, most people will probably agree that food costs have risen. While gas has come down from its high point, in my town it was still $2.79 yesterday. That's a drop, but it still strains the budget. There are predictions of an extremely cold winter this year accompanied with suggestions that fuel costs will rise this winter. It is a good thing that the Congresswoman who introduced this bill thought to lessen the impact somewhat for Seniors.

Nevada's Democratic Congresswoman, Dina Titus, sponsored the bill, and there were 54 co-sponsors. I emailed the Congresswoman with my thanks.

Technorati Tags:
politics, commentary, Not With a Whimper, Social Security, Medicare, Medicare increases, COLAS, Congress, Dina Titus,
Add to: Technorati Digg del.icio.us Yahoo BlinkList Spurl reddit Furl

LIBERTY AND TYRANNY--A MUST READ

If you’re American, the Constitution is your guarantee of personal liberty. To further understand this uniquely American document, read Mark Levin’s Liberty and Tyranny. Levin explains our Constitution, the firm foundation of our great country, in both its historical and modern contexts. He traces interpretations, attitudes, and our history through this document.

As the Federalist Papers explained to the early Americans why the colonies’ best interests would be served by joining together, Liberty and Tyranny explains why the Constitution limits rather than extends government's powers. It is essential reading, interesting, thoroughly footnoted, and a fascinating look at the Constitution through scholarly eyes. Yet it is never dry or didactic. It becomes a compelling read—even on vacation.

Levin divides the Constitution thematically so we can follow not only the reasons for its inception but also how it has impacted our history and sometimes the world. We’re also made thoroughly aware of the reasons it was constructed as it was, including why amending it is an arduous, thought-provoking process.

America is still working to live up to the Constitution’s grand expectations of us as a country, a people, and an ideal. As in everyday life, even when we know something is the right thing to do, it is not always a path we follow. Levin deals with some of the obvious issues that fall into this category, and his ideas are quite interesting. The Constitution set us up as an example of freedom, yet as human beings the actualization of that ideal has followed a tortuous path not yet fully resolved. We, as Americans, have a goal as part of our national fabric, and we continue trying to make that goal a reality. What other country in the world operates on that possibility? What past civilization offered its citizens that possibility?

Levin also traces the different influences on the Constitution’s interpretation through the actions of politicians and Supreme Court justices. Once the seed of change is planted, it can grow and change in both good and bad ways. But if one follows the prescribed course of change, errors can be corrected without toppling the country, and good can be produced. For good or bad, both parties have followed both positive and negative paths, and Levin points this out.

Levin is a conservative, preferring to follow the Constitution closely rather than loosely interpreting it. To him, it is not living and breathing; rather it is the solid bedrock upon which the United States rests, upon which the United States finds its strength to stand. Measured steps outrank rash and hurried changes, and knowledge of history and the brilliant men who composed this document are essential to understanding it. That is exactly what Levin shares with us.

If I sound awed, I am. There is a reason why Liberty and Tyranny is #2 on the New York Times bestseller list even though the Times’ description of it as a "manifesto" is way off the mark. To be #2 means there is a far larger audience than the Times’ description would indicate. I guarantee, whether Levin’s philosophy is yours or not, you will come away enriched.

Technorati Tags:
books, Constitution, government, history, "United States", "Mark Levin", "Liberty and Tyranny", education, politics, "New York Times bestseller" "political blogs"
Add to: Technorati Digg del.icio.us Yahoo BlinkList Spurl reddit Furl

NEW YORK TERROR WARNING--NOT THE FIRST

Somehow the Bush-haters are so mindlessly addicted that they are incapable of ceasing and desisting even as the President enters his final days in office. He was lambasted for attended the economic summit in Peru; dimwitted utterly contemptuous op-ed columnist Gail Collins called for the President to resign (after VP Cheney resigns) and simply hand over the government to Nancy Pelosi (ugh) until Messiah Obama takes command of the ship of state; even a numbskull Colorado State University newspaper editor cost his paper $30,000. in advertising after printing a “F**k Bush” column. He, at least, has been asked to resign. I’m still receiving not-funny anti-Bush slams from a woman who gets her “facts” from the Huffington Post, the Daily Kos, and bathroom walls.

I look at the President in a different way although his second term was hardly up to par. The United States, unlike many countries around the world, has not been hit with any more attacks. Under President Bush, we have been kept safe.

Read these excerpts from an Associated Press release, November 26th:
…
NEW YORK – Police bolstered security in subways and trains Wednesday after the government warned that al-Qaida suicide bombers were contemplating an attack on New York's mass-transit systems during the holiday season. An internal memo obtained by The Associated Press says the FBI has received a "plausible but unsubstantiated" report that al-Qaida terrorists in late September may have discussed attacking the subway system…A Pakistani immigrant was arrested and convicted for a scheme to blow up the subway station at Herald Square in 2004. There was also a planned cyanide attack on the subways by al-Qaida operatives that authorities say was called off in 2002; another aborted al-Qaida plot to destroy the Brooklyn Bridge in 2003; and a plot to bomb underwater train tunnels to flood lower Manhattan, which was broken up in 2006 by several arrests overseas.

How many foiled plots were there of which we are not aware? Under President Bush’s watch, we have not had a repeat of 9/11 even as the ACLU, activist judges, anti-warmongers as well as members of our own Congress have sought to limit or eliminate our ability to gather intelligence or punish those who have sought to destroy us. Fifty of the released “unfairly treated” prisoners of Guantanamo have been re-captured as they’ve tried to kill American military.

It will be interesting to see how our next President deals with Guantanmo and the scum imprisoned there. No country wants to take them because they are exactly what they appear to be. Let’s leave that to see what develops.

Meanwhile, thank you President Bush, for working hard to keep us safe.

news opinion politics "political+opinion" terror "New+York" subways 9/11 Bush Obama Collins Cheney Pelosi "Colorado+State" "Huffington+Post" "Daily+Kos" President "Associated+Press" immigrants "Herald+Square" al-Quaida "Brooklyn+Bridge" ACLU Guantanamo Congress judges

GOV. DAVID PATERSON--LOOKING GOOD

While there’s no difficulty in finding fault in government and politicians, there are some good things going on as well. New York’s governor, David Paterson (D), is proving to be worth his mettle. He’s good about announcing his legislation, and he’s been doing some good things for New Yorkers. That’s what we expect and what we are entitled to.

Here’s one of several improvements I’ve noticed. On Sept. 5, Gov. Paterson signed legislation to allow pharmacists, once they are state trained and certified, to administer flu shots. This sensible and seemingly small change enormously increases access to the vaccines by virtue of pharmacies' hours and locations. The result should be a healthier winter for many New Yorkers.

On a side note, the bill was sponsored by Long Island Republican Sen. Charles Fuschillo, and that indicates Paterson's willingness to support positive efforts by both sides of the aisle.

Paterson has vetoed 49 bills showing he is not afraid to use his authority when he sees the correlation between budget and policy decisions as they impact local governments and taxpayers. To me that means he is on the right track. New York is a mess, and its state officials on both sides of the aisle, by and large, spend their time bickering over power. If Paterson can pull in the reins on this runaway horse of a legislature he inherited, he can have my vote as long as he wants it.

"New+York" governors Paterson "David+Patterson" health flu vaccines vaccinations pharmacists pharmacy healthcare medicine Democrats Republicans Senate Fuschillo "Long+Island" illness

THE DALAI LAMA SPEAKS OF FREEDOM AND PEACE

With all the hoopla about the Olympics in China and the disruptions along the Olympic Flame’s route by protestors on both sides of the Tibet issue, it was interesting this morning to hear the Dalai Lama express his views.

The Dalai Lama said that protests are good—on both sides. It is worse to stifle voices than it is to allow them to be heard. The problem in Tibet stems from taking away Freedom—particularly Freedom of Speech. Freedom is what brings Peace.

Apply those sage ideas to our own situation in the United States. I have heard that same idea in relation to Iraq. I’ve heard it from President Bush even as he is vilified by his opponents for taking that stand. Freedom brings peace. It doesn’t do it overnight, and freedom is certainly not easy to achieve, but Peace is not found without it.

Think about it.

"Dalai+Lama" freedom peace Tibet protests Olympics "Olympic+torch" China "United+States" Bush commentary politics politicians news media "political+blogs" opinion

HOMELAND SECURITY VS ENVIRONMENTALISTS

Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff is up against some real loonies in trying to get 670 miles of fence built along the U.S./Mexican border. Weigh this in your scales of justice: maybe habitat---U.S. border security. Environmentalists flood the courts with lawsuits while drug-runners, potential terrorist, illegals, and every other kind of parasitic, bottom feeder blithely scoots into our country.

Thrice before Chertoff suspended environmental regulations to get portions of the job done, and, wattayouknow, no problem!

Consider Chertoff’s simple rational: "Criminal activity at the border does not stop for endless debate or protracted litigation," Chertoff states. "The waivers will enable important security projects to keep moving forward."

Works for me. I want the border secured!

But leave it to some asinine Democratic (yes, this is definitely a partisan issue) Congressman to say, "Today's waiver represents an extreme abuse of authority," House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said. "Waiver authority should only be used as a last resort."

I’m not sure when “last resort” becomes operative—perhaps after the next 9/11, Congressman Thompson!

And while I am quoting stupid remarks, here’s one from the Audubon Society president, John Flicker (is he for real with that name; we have flickers at our bird feeders regularly): "The DHS decision … will jeopardize the economy, quality of life and beauty of South Texas,"

Economy, quality or life and beauty….Doesn’t he read the papers about what’s happening to areas along the border? What does he expect happens when drug smugglers, people smugglers, and people out to create chaos here come across? I guess he’s like an ostrich with his head in the sand! He should be saying, “The early bird catches the worm!”

I’m not a big fan of the virtual fence, and I’m not a big fan of Chertoff, but in this case, the man has 100% of my support. Let’s get this done!

"Homeland+Security" "Michael+Chertoff" politics Democrats border "border+security" illegals drugs smugglers 9/11 "Audubon+Society" "Bennie+Thompson" Texas Arizona environmentalists

CREDIT FOR UPDATED GI BILL

An article in our local partisan rag, the Middletown Record, for a push to update the GI Bill neglects to give credit where it's due--to Fox News' Bill O'Reilly and retired Col. David Hunt, a tireless advocate of veterans.

Stemming from John Edwards' fallacious assertions that 200,000 homeless vets sleep under bridges each night as a result of the economy, O'Reilly called on the VA to explain. There are 150,000 beds available each night but no legal way to force vets to take them. The problem, they say, is not the economy; the problem is primarily substance abuse and mental health issues. No one can force these men and women to seek treatment, and our "rights" have actually created a crack through which they can fall.

As O'Reilly tackled the Jessica's Law issue, prompting many states to adopt this child protection law, he and Col. Hunt enlisted the help of Rep. Congressman Peter King and Dem. Congressman John Kerry to do something to help these and other vets. Philosophically apart on many issues, these men are united on this one. They are crafting legislation and attempting to give our military the benefits they deserve--whether it is health, education, parity among deployed forces or other concern--whether they are enlisted, reserve, or national guard. O'Reilly will be making monthly reports on their progress, and it behooves each and every one of us to make sure our representatives are behind them.

Regardless of your personal view on the war, you cannot deny that our volunteer military is part of what makes our country great, and these men and women deserve our support, encouragement, and thanks.
politics politicians "GI+Bill" vets veterans OReilly "David+Hunt" "Fox+news" "John+Edwards" "homeless+vets" economy "Jessicas+law" war Iraq

I got this email, and I must include its contents here. Sorry I don't have the photos too, but just keep picturing Ronald Regan in your head.

You don't realize how much you miss him, until you read and remember some of the stuff he said and stood for:

"Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose." - Ronald Reagan

"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." - Ronald Reagan

"Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because the U.S. was too strong." - Ronald Reagan

"I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandment's would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress." - Ronald Reagan

"The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination." - Ronald Reagan

"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other." - Ronald Reagan

"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program." - Ronald Reagan

"I've laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting." - Ronald Reagan

"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first." - Ronald Reagan

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." - Ronald Reagan

"Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book." - Ronald Reagan

"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. - Ronald Reagan

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan

politics politicians "Ronald+Reagan" "political+blogs" elections "current+events" commentary media