Romney Issues: July 10-17

On an Iowa radio show of July 10, 2012 Romney said “My investments have been held by a blind trust and are managed by a trustee. I don’t manage them and don’t even know where they are.” Boy was this dumb. He wants you to believe that he can handle the country’s finances when he doesn’t handle his own. July 11 Romney was booed at an NAACP gathering; Rush Limbaugh took shots at Obama for sending Vice President (VP) Biden (he had a scheduling conflict); Romney said the reaction was expected but he wasn’t changing his message; others said he should speak to his audience like John McCain did. Talk about someone out of touch with the people.

July 13 Romney said he left Bain in February 1999 and worked on the 2002 Olympics but the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) papers show him as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Bain until 2002 (did he commit a felony by not participating in the company). Bain did outsource and offshore jobs in the early 2000s when his name was listed on the SEC papers. On July 10 it was reported that the US  Olympic team will be wearing opening ceremony uniforms by Ralph Lauren that were made in China; everything from head to toe was made overseas; if the clothing and mementos were made here a billion dollars (of private funding) would have been kept is the US; Congress got upset and a bill was introduced on July 16 to have all future uniforms made in America; the American people said they could do it for this year and on July 13 ABC News emailed the names of the companies to both the Olympic Committee and Ralph Lauren; Lauren said there was no time to order new uniforms for this year but will have them made in America for the 2014 Winter Olympics and thereafter (China was upset with our reaction and Russia said it wants American clothes). When asked whether or not he thought the Olympic uniforms should be made in America – Romney said he wasn’t going to weigh in on that. The ladies on the View weighed in on this subject on their July 16^th show and a good point was made – Governors should know what factories are empty in their states and the people available for work, why doesn’t the government or businesses identify what we need in this country and use the empty buildings and unemployed to get things made in the US. We heard such a thing on March 22 - CEO billionaire Lynn Tilton of Patriarch Partners had revitalized Gorham, New Hampshire by converting a paper mill into a tissue factory. It seems everyone but Romney weighed in on this issue. I hope the American people want a President that cares enough to answer such a simple question. But perhaps it’s because the uniforms worn in the 2002 Olympics were made in Burma. 

July 14 in response to the Obama ads regarding his work at Bain, Romney did a lot of interviews and said he wants an apology from the President – he said its Chicago style politics at its worst, he ought to disavow it and reign in these people that are running out of control. Of course Obama is not giving an apology – I guess the truth hurts. On this same date it’s mentioned that Condoleezza Rice might be considered a potential VP candidate although earlier she said she wouldn’t consider the position. Romney said Rice has been helpful to him and his campaign in regard to foreign policy issues. The Times of Israel reported on July 15 that this would upset the Jewish community because she was a strong Palestine supporter and others said she’s a pro-choice supporter. Back in June it was said that Marco Rubio wasn’t a Romney pick for VP (he hadn’t submitted any of the questionnaires or other paperwork) and Romney said he was being considered. Rubio has different ideas about immigration than Romney and although Rubio was baptized a Mormon he steered his family back to Catholicism. It seems to me that the media is looking for a minority person to help bring in votes.

On July 15 it’s said that the Obama campaign has spent $100 million in ads. On July 16 it’s reported that economists are growing pessimistic about the country’s slow growth. On July 17 a report came out predicting that 2 million American jobs will be lost if Congress fails to resolve last year’s budget issues and the automatic cuts go into place.

Here’s what I have to say. If Romney can’t take the heat of the Obama ads then he sure can’t handle the pressure of the presidency. I’m tired of hearing of Romney’s tax returns. Because he filed for an extension he’s had all this time to address the issues brought up in the ads so his 2011 return when completed could be erroneous; it’s just another legal thing that he did that I don’t think sets a good example for the people of America. As far as economists go, I think they’re as bad as Wall Street speculators who have just added fuel to an existing fire. And Congress needs to get to work on the budget as the deadline is just a couple of weeks away.

Tomorrow I start talking about all the things that the Republicans have tossed a cookie on (No Child Left Behind, Fast and Furious, information leaks, the clean energy program and immigration) that I feel they have overreacted on just to get a candidate in the White House and keep the tax credits they don’t deserve. 

Campaign News From May-July 10, 2012

In May 2012 the President pulled in $15 million from Hollywood fundraisers and soon after 90 year old Betty White endorsed the President, something she’s never done before. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York said more than 6 million people over age 50 were still paying off their student loans; it’s said there’s a total $36 billion outstanding in student loans and some are paying $600 month in interest only on their loans (in June we heard a baby born in 1960 cost $25,230 to raise through age 17 without college; a baby born in 2011 is estimated to cost $234,900 and per the Huffington Post Congress waited until the last minute to pass a bill to maintain the low interest student loan rate; Obama signed a one-week temporary measure June 29, permitting the highway and loan programs to continue until the full legislation reached his desk; all no votes were Republican). Romney met with Donald Trump in Las Vegas, Nevada (he headed a fund raiser) and once again brought up the issue of the President’s Hawaii birth certificate that was released more than a year ago; Republicans said it’s risky for Romney to be seen with Trump and suggested he’s not willing to stand-up against the offensive and false nonsense of that wing of his Party. The President caused outrage with the mention of Polish Death Camps at the Medal of Freedom ceremony. Obama started going after Romney’s Governor record and his work at Bain; Romney’s campaign started to bring out any failed businesses (like Solyndra) that got government money.

In June Romney in Ohio said he wanted to grow the economy by cutting taxes and spending; he also said the President has put together almost as much public debt than all the prior presidents combined and that he wants somebody that can do a better job. The President attended the G20 summit in Mexico (critics said the underlying support of Russian aid to Syria showed). Romney held a secret fundraiser in Utah with top GOPs (Romney raised $106.1 million in June alone while Obama raised $71 million). There was talk about Marco Rubio being a potential VP and the Fast and Furious drug mission that I’ll talk about later.

Although Bill Clinton and Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker said they were tired of hearing of Romney’s work at Bain, on July 1 Obama ads say Romney created jobs overseas (news media said it’s unknown whether or not this is true) and he made millions when companies went bankrupt. July 8 an Obama ad has several people saying they don’t have or know of anyone that has an overseas bank account; the clip I saw ends with a man saying – I don’t think our next President should have an overseas bank account either. I know that Romney’s money overseas is not there illegally. But, I agree with the ad – we shouldn’t have a President who doesn’t invest/have his money in his country. A doctor recently told me that Romney’s money is there because a big portion would be taken for taxes if he kept it here and the rich are paying their equal share. I don’t believe the rich should have opportunities that the average American doesn’t have and there’s been a lot of talk of them not paying taxes equally (why else would they fight so hard to keep the Bush tax cuts). (This doctor also said it’s not the doctor’s getting the big bucks but the hospitals [see the February 20, 2012 Life & the Government blog for cost appropriations]. Although it’s true that hospitals get 10% more than the doctors, I’m assuming they are the ones that pay for nurses and the greater cost of administration/equipment).

On July 9 Obama called on Republicans to allow the Bush tax cuts for Americans making less than $250,000 but voters will decide whether or not to continue to allow them for wealthy Americans – he will continue to fight to eliminate them.  It’s said that both candidates are running ads that are untrue. Obama ads say Romney shipped jobs to China and there’s no evidence that jobs went to China under his leadership; Bain did invest in companies with operations in China (see July 13 where evidence is shown). Romney says Obama has the worst job record since the depression but more jobs were lost during the first term of George W. Bush. Romney is also saying that what the President is proposing is a massive tax increase on job creators and small business (Mom and Pop small business don’t make the money Romney is talking about) – I’ll agree the tax is on job creators however, I don’t think a big tax cut for those making over $250,000 a year is appropriate or helping the economy; less profit by having more people employed will improve our overall economy. There was a poll that showed if people focus on what the President has done – he loses, but, if the focus is on what he promises to do – he wins. Romney wants to continue with the tax cuts for companies that have shipped jobs overseas. The people who participated in the poll must be deaf or blind; there is a long list of what Obama has done despite Republican opposition. I’ll go into them at a later date.  

July 10 it was pointed out that the American dream was that if you were born poor you could work yourself up to the middle class and again work yourself up from there and it’s no longer true because incomes don’t grow along with overall costs. Romney hasn’t released anymore than his 2010 tax return (he gave McCann 23 years) and will release his 2011 return when it’s done. Every presidential candidate over the last 30 years has released more documents than Romney; some Republicans are asking him to submit more. Alabama Republican Governor said “If you have things to hide then maybe you’re doing things wrong.”  

Antibiotic Use

December 29, 2011 I heard that the genetically engineered corn plant is now becoming vulnerable to bugs. On January 5, 2012 the US was restricting more antibiotics for livestock citing drug resistance. March 17 the World Health Organization (WHO) put out a warning that bacteria is growing stronger and because we’ve over used current antibiotics we may not have an antibiotic to treat the mutated bacteria. Dr. Margaret Chan, Head of WHO, said “The world is entering an antibiotic crisis which could make a routine operation impossible and a simple scratched knee potentially fatal.”  Dr. Besser said the crisis is very real, “We’re seeing more and more infections when we’re down to the last drug, the last drug between you and a deadly infection”. Dr. Besser also said “when you go to the doctor don’t ask for an antibiotic because you’ll probably get it even if you don’t need it; ask what else you can do to feel better.” He also said that the pharmaceutical companies aren’t making new antibiotics because there’s no money in something you take once in a while.

On July 11 ABC reported that chickens are fed antibiotics from the time they’re hatched until the time they’re killed. Dr. Besser said the CDC has been concerned for a long time about giving antibiotics to the animals we eat. Although the chicken industry refuses to believe that researchers have found the same strain of e-coli in chickens now in people, doctors have shown the antibiotics given to chickens are causing a dangerous e-coli which causes bladder infections in women. The infection reoccurs as it can’t be treated with a single antibiotic and the right combination is needed. Wash your chicken and hands good.    

Other blogs containing information on antibiotics are my November 20, 2011 - Congress and the President and May 21, 2012 - Get A Clue. 

US Economy's Ups/Downs

In January 2012 we heard that teen unemployment was nearly 25% and about 1 million construction jobs are expected to be offered in 2012 (California’s WINTER has a 10 week program and was teaching women to prepare for these jobs as an iron worker makes $23 an hour compared to a waitress making $10 and less than 1% of said jobs are filled by women). In February the US Labor Department said the median income rose 4% in 2011 to $51,413 and the Bureau of Labor Statistics said jobs came in all areas but there were still 19.3 million unemployed or under employed and 5.5 million of them are long term unemployed. We also heard that home foreclosure filings rose 3% and General Motors (GM) reported its biggest profits ever. Because of the GM news and unemployment filings being at their lowest in 4 years, the stock market closed at its highest level since May 2008 and Moody’s Analytics and all 10 of the US’ top economists now agreed that the US was on its way to recovery as people were upgrading silverware, dishes and other things.

In March the economists said the recovery was happening faster than anticipated and unemployment could be down to 8% by November. However, we also heard that foreclosures rose in 26 states. As such the Bank of America was to test a program that would give homeowners in foreclosure the option of giving the house back to the bank, having the loan forgiven and renting the house back at market rate. (May 26 the LA Times reported - the Bank of America Corp. sent 300 letters this week inviting borrowers without other options to apply to test a mortgage-to-lease program in the Golden State. An additional 1,500 letters will go out in the next few weeks as the bank -- which also is testing the program in three other states -- evaluates whether a national rollout is feasible.) In April an economist said legalizing marijuana would save the government $13.7 billion a year (I’m not sure we want to change the laws). In May the Census reported a record low small business start up in 2010 and the railroad was expected to hire 15,000 this year. Also it was said that 1 in 3 workers were expected to retire in the next 5 years leaving hope for new workers. On May 8 per the Labor Department there were 3.74 million jobs open in March. It was reported that 25,000 more women had joined the men in America’s oil fields from 2004-2012. Hewlett-Packard said it will cut 27,000 jobs in the next 2 years due to IPads, etc. (per Computerworld the Chinese-based computer manufacturer Lenovo at its current pace will surpass Hewlett-Packard as the world's largest PC maker by the beginning of 2013. In the third quarter of 2011 Lenovo passed Dell to take the industry's second-place spot).   

In June we heard that in the last 27 months almost 4.3 million jobs were created but only 69,000 jobs were added in May (28.000 construction and 13,000 government jobs were lost) and unemployment remained at 8.2% and because of the lack of improvement the stock market closed at its lowest level in 2 years. In response to this information the President requested that Congress fast-track a bill allowing homeowners to refinance at the lower rate so they’d have some extra spending money and pass the Jobs Act. Romney said we should be well into a robust recovery and the President always finds someone to blame (in the background was his campaign poster ‘Putting Jobs First’ and CNBC showed the price of crude oil dropped 3.7%); he went on to say Obama’s policy has created uncertainty in the business world. Some CEOs said the real reason for the lack of jobs was the debt crisis in Europe and the US and the lack of political will to deal with it (they don’t seem to know we’re all in the same boat) which causes investors to wait. In a speech on June 8 the President said the private sector was doing fine in creating jobs (meant to show the government needs to hold up its end but we all should know the private sector can do more) and the Republicans ran with his mistake in words. On June 21, 15 of the world’s biggest banks, including 5 in the US, were hit with credit downgrades; the banks are stable but it will cost consumers more to do business (will need good credit to get a loan).

On July 6 because jobs in the last 3 months dwindled, the President said that the jobs created were a step in the right direction; Romney said it doesn’t have to be this way, America can do better and this kick in the gut has got to end – I agree - the millions put into campaigns could’ve been better used on jobs – I do wonder what Romney thinks a president can do when he’s unable to do anything if Congress doesn’t cooperate. You would think that Congress would at least approve the infrastructure jobs mentioned in the Jobs Act since the heat in tearing up roads across the country. The kick in the gut is coming from the Republicans in Congress, not the President. On July 10 a Consumer Group found that people were losing their homes to a few hundred dollars in back taxes. So the government has the banks working with people and now the local governments are being jerks. 

I’m confused. The Labor Department said there were 3.74 million jobs open in March. In late June California cherry growers couldn’t get people to pick the cherries for $10 an hour so the crops are going bad and on July 14, I heard that the Denver, Colorado Full Contact internet startup company is so desperate to hire 12 programmers that they give $7,500 for you to take a vacation anywhere. People are complaining and not taking jobs that are out there (a doctor told me it’s because welfare pays more with benefits. I hope this isn’t the case).      

Health Care Conflicts

Doctors aren’t the only ones taking bribes. On January 10, 2012 we heard that the Wall Street Journal reported a member of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel that recommended Bayer birth controls pills had ties to the company; a direct conflict of interest. In January a research group questioned the effectiveness of Tamiflu as the manufacturer submitted incomplete information; the researchers found it could reduce the duration of the flu by one day but couldn’t confirm that it would stop the spread of the flu. The government had already spent $1 billion stockpiling it in case of a pandemic. I would think the government would use its own agencies to verify a product before stockpiling it and would hold companies accountable for their actions.

On January 27 a new study found that fried food is not the direct cause of heart risk. This goes along with the February 2 article in a medical journal that said sugar should be taxed like alcohol; it linked added sugar to metabolic syndrome that causes obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and high triglycerides which leads to heart disease (the number one killer of Americans). This article said the sugar in products would be okay if people didn’t add it to other things and the average person uses 22 spoons of sugar a day (a glass of orange juice contains 6 teaspoons of sugar, one cup of cereal 5-6 spoons and a teaspoon of catsup has a teaspoon of sugar). The Sugar Association responded with – There is an obesity problem in our country that can lead to the very serious health issues mentioned...but it originates from the combination of overconsumption of all foods and the lack of exercise. To label a single food as the one and only problem misinforms, misleads and confuses consumers and simply adds to the problem. ABC’s Dr. Besser said that you can help reduce the problem by getting rid of the sodas and the sport drinks and limiting juice to once a day and if you do that you shouldn’t have to worry because that’s where the bulk of the sugar is coming from. On April 3 it was reported that another study said that the US obesity epidemic is worse than they previously thought; Dr. Robert Lustig said that the cause is not just sugar; processed food contains a lot of sugar and removes fiber; he said a debate that went on in the 1970s regarding fat (low or no fat products) being replaced by sugar resulted in losing fat; he also said the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 doesn’t allow you to know that how much lactose (milk sugar which is okay) versus added sugar is in a product (e.g. yogurt); additionally the fructose in fruit has fiber that mitigates the sugar as it limits how fast the body absorbs it; although the calories are the same the sugar in juices are not absorbed slowly (he paralleled sugars to fats, carbohydrates and amino acids – there are good and bad ones). Dr. Lustig said sugar is not only toxic but addictive and other such substances have laws for them; he said the sugar industry will continue to tout its mantra. (January 6 Dr. Mike Dow said he has a 28 day diet plan to break your brain’s food addictions.)

On March 13 Dr. Sanjay Gupta reported (and he has a book out on this) that every Monday morning hospital surgeons get together for Morbidity and Mortality meetings to discuss the errors they made and the lessons learned. This practice is to improve the care given to patients. If this works, it seems to me that other doctors should be using time to improve their specialties as well. For example: in February it was reported that common indigestion drugs are linked to an increase in hip fracture risk; the British Medical Journal said those taking sleeping pills are 3.5 times likely to die; insomnia is not a disease it a symptom of heart disease - fluid in the chest cavity, diabetes – going to the bathroom several times during the night, asthma – breathing difficulty and cancer – hormonal changes and pain. The sleeping pill slows down the activity in the brain; short term use is okay but long term patients should be checked for other conditions; on April 2 a study showed long-tem hormone use to ease menopause is increasing breast cancer risk. I believe doctors shouldn’t be getting their information regarding drugs from a pharmaceutical marketing firm – it should come from the FDA.  

On December 16, 2011 a Maryland teen died during wisdom tooth surgery. Because a grandmother contacted ABC, on July 12, 2012 it was reported that many children have died from routine dental procedures; they were given high doses of sedatives/anesthesia so they wouldn’t squirm in the chair. It turns out there are seminars promoting the act and telling dentists about the tens of thousands of dollars they can make annually by sedating the children. It seems greed has hit every aspect of our medical system and part of the President’s health care law is to try and stop said misconduct.   

Good things do happen. On December 28, 2011 it was reported that a 15 year old boy’s immune system had shut down (born with a kidney disease) and he can’t be around other kids; a robot linked to a laptop and WiFi connection walks the halls and attends his classes (he’s also the sports announcer at football games). On April 10, 2012 California scientists developed the world’s first portable brain scanner. On June 21 a 9^th grade boy won the Intel Science Fair by developing an early cancer detection device that’s 168xs faster and 400xs more sensitive than current tests and costs 3 cents to make the carbon nano tube paper that looks for the protein in cancers (he read articles; the subject wasn’t taught in school) and Johns Hopkins is saying the technology can be used to detect other infectious diseases. We need more of this type action from our researchers. 

Health Care Misconduct

As already said, during the summer of 2009 the Tea Party protested against health care reform. Former insurance executive Wendell Potter of the Center for Media and Democracy (funding comes from groups such as the Tides Foundation) argued that the hyperbole (exaggeration) generated by this even was a form of corporate astro-turfing which he said he used to write for CIGNA. Opponents of more government involvement, such as Phil Kerpen of the Americans for Prosperity (funding comes mainly from the Koch Industries) counter-argued that some of those corporations opposed to a public plan pushed for government action that would unfairly benefit them, like employer mandates forcing private companies to buy health insurance. The mid-2009 was referred to as "The Summer of Astroturf" due to the organizing and coordinating efforts made by various groups on both pro and anti-reform sides. Although none of this matters at this time, it’s important to know that the health care law incorporated issues from both sides. As the Republicans said they would, on July 11, 2012 the House voted for the 33^rd time to repeal the health care law. And, TV ads are being aired asking for the repeal of the Health Care Reform bill because of the said tax (who cares if it’s a tax or penalty, the result is the same); they’re trying to convince you it’s a tax on all and not only to the 1% who choose not to buy insurance (Ryan himself said it was being paid for by the Medicare program - I’m not sure this is true). Some ads say people won’t get to keep their doctors and others just say it’s bad for America. Our health care system is a mess and there is now a chance to get it in order and on an equal footing for all Americans.

I don’t think the law will eliminate all pharmaceutical issues (December 23 Johnson & Johnson recalled Motrin.  In January 2012 Pfizer and Medivation halted its Alzheimer’s treatment after getting disappointing results, Novartis and other drugs were recalled because of mislabeling, on February 1 Pfizer recalled Lo-Ovral 28 and its generic equivalent marketed by Akrimax because birth control pills were put in the packets wrong, February 17 Baby Tylenol was recalled because of faulty packaging, February 28 Glenmark birth control pills were recalled because of a labeling and April 19 a contaminated ultrasound gel was seized from a New Jersey [NJ] company). On April 5 the DEA said from 2006 – 2011 pharmacy robberies went up 82% (3,535 robberies and more than 6 million pain pills stolen) and they’re investigating some Walgreens stores because of increased purchases of pain killers. I do hope it will eliminate some. On July 2 it was reported that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) made it all about the money when they held a marketing scheme in Las Vegas, Nevada offering bribes to doctors to sell their products and many took their offer thus placing your life in danger. The government claimed GSK promoted drugs when there was no evidence that they would help (they had evidence that Paxil could cause suicidal thoughts yet claimed it was for depression in those under 18 – the FDA hadn’t approved it for children, Wellbutrin was marketed for weight loss and sexual dysfunction – not approved for these issues and they aggressively promoted Avandia without disclosing to the FDA or doctors that it could cause heart problems). The company agreed to pay $3 billion to settle the biggest health scam in history.

I did not hear what would happen to the doctors who took the GSK bribes but I think they should be held accountable for their part. With the new law we may be able to eliminate doctor issues such as the March 16 report of the Texas doctor who was charged with the largest Medicare fraud now being charged with trading drugs for sex. On September 20, 2011 ABC reported that drugs were killing more people than motor vehicle accidents as there is a troubling rise in prescription drug abuse. Drug overdoses and brain damage linked to long-term drug abuse killed an estimated 37,485 people in 2009, surpassing the toll of traffic accidents by 1,201. (I also found in some states that death by gun was higher than vehicles accidents). On November 2 it was reported that overdose deaths from pain killers have tripled in the last decade and on May 1, 2012 the number of babies born with an addiction to pain killers has tripled in the last decade. On June 6 the Office of the Inspector General came out with a report that said 75% of doctor’s offices are keeping vaccines either too hot or too cold and minimizing their effectiveness or rendering them useless. On June 26 it was reported that in 8 years the number of prescriptions for Adderall was up 750%; it’s suppose to be for those with ADHD but instead women in their 20s and 30s are using it to juggle home and work (there are websites telling you how to lie to your doctor to get it); they’re becoming addicted and it can cause seizures, strokes and heart attacks. Doctors are to first do no harm and must be more proactive if they are to meet this goal. I hope the health care law will encourage doctors to care more.

Women were paying more for health insurance than men and even though people had insurance they were not getting the treatments they needed. On January 18, 2012 a 3 year old mentally retarded NJ girl was denied a kidney transplant (February 21 we heard of a Down Syndrome Tennessee high school basketball player that made more 3 point shots than NBA star players). On July 11 parents launched a website to help with medical bills for a Florida boy whose arm was bit off by an alligator. If you’re one of the people who don’t want the government telling you to buy insurance, be thankful that you’ve been healthy and/or there is now an affordable way to get the insurance-right now it isn’t that way for many. We need to help support one another as our ancestors did. 

Republican Response to ObamaCare

On July 1, 2012 Congressman Paul Ryan on ‘This Week With George Stephanopoulos’ said he’s heard for years that people don’t like raiding Social Security (SS) to pay for other programs and Obama Care for the first time in history raids Medicare. The President’s law raids Medicare to pay for Obama Care while the Republican budget takes the money (makes cuts to benefits) to extend Medicare’s solvency. Okay, this explains why I had difficulty understanding why both programs would be under water. It does not excuse this Congress or past Congresses for using the programs for other than what was intended. Perhaps the need to rob Peter to pay Paul wouldn’t occur if the rich pay their fair share in taxes and Congress didn’t get the perks not given to the average American. At least the Obama plan will keep funds directed at health care and not at some non related activity. On April 23 it was reported that per the SS Administration 8.6 million Americans are on disability; a 17% increase in the last decade; some say it’s because the government now allows for ‘persistent anxiety’ and ‘chronic fatigue’ and per the Government Accountability Office fraud alone costs taxpayers $10 billion a year (other estimates are higher). I believe that Congress needs to maintain current regulations and not deregulate as the Republicans are touting if we are to stabilize the programs. 

Ryan also said the 15 people charged with putting price controls on Medicare will end up rationing Medicare in ways that will deny care to seniors. On April 23 it was reported that per the Archives of Internal Medicine routine surgical procedures like an appendectomy can range from $1,529 to $182,955 in California alone; the problem is in all types of medical work including blood tests and health insurance (currently) only covers so much; you can bet it’s happening all over the US and unfortunately you can’t call around and get estimates like you can for other work. I think the cost of the 15 people is well worth it if price gouging and fraud is eliminated and thus reduce the cost of Medicare. If this occurs the program will stabilize itself and benefits would not need to be reduced as is being proposed by the Republican Party.

Ryan went on to say that this (the Supreme Court decision) says the government defines our rights and we (Republicans) don’t believe that – according to the Declaration of Independence our rights come from nature and God. Okay this is a good twist. First, I’d like him to realize that the Declaration, written by our government, says – When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Second, in supporting the Declaration we have a Constitution that generally defines our rights and is the basis for our actions; subsequently the Constitution does define our rights and gives us the right to bear arms and more. The Preamble of the Constitution says - We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. The Republicans want to ignore that we are to be treated equally (the Defense of Marriage Act should be repealed) and the Declaration calls for the dissolution of political bands in order for the welfare of all to be considered when making laws. The general welfare of all therefore should include health care.

Ryan said this election is the most important of our lifetimes – do you want a government centered society, a government driven economy, and a government rationed health care or do you want an opportunity society with a safety net, a free economy, economic freedom, personal liberty. He said a vote on repealing the law will occur in July and Republicans will present a replacement law. I agree with Ryan in that this election is very important. Our country as well as every country in the world is centered on its government’s rules and taxation. The Republicans want to do away with what is right in our nation and let the rich run rampant and become richer while taking advantage of the average American. An example of this is the various state bills that deal with Planned Parenthood (May 5 the Arizona Republican Governor signed a bill banning the funding of Planned Parenthood for even non abortion services; 20,000 will suffer without health insurance if this holds up. On this same date Federal Appeals Court judges said Texas cannot ban Planned Parenthood from getting state funds. Romney in March indicated he would focus on eliminating the organization’s federal funding and Republicans in Missouri, Washington, and other state legislatures across the country are fighting to do the same.)

Americans must remember all the things that were held up in Congress because the Republicans will not support the rich being taxed equally to the average American and vote for Democrats in order to get the equality that our Declaration of Independence and Constitution call for.