Election 2010 in Tennessee; Part 2

I was recently invited, by my county's Democratic Party, to view an interview with John Tanner on health care reform, it was a clip from You-Tube.

I watched and listened. Congressman Tanner talks a good talk but his vote tells a very different story.

I have been told that Congressman Tanner voted against the health care bill because of a few things in there that he did not agree with. It would seem that Congressman Tanner wants to "get it right."
As for those things in the health care bill that he did not agree with; first, I would like to know what they are and second, were they really worth throwing away the chance of a lifetime of getting universal health care for Americans.

Mr. Tanner, there will never be a perfect bill, never. You, of all people, know that.

In this interview, Congressman Tanner said that he did not want to live in a country where a 5 year old Leukemia patient could not get the treatment they need because their parents could not afford health insurance. I would ask Mr. Tanner: Why did you vote against this child?

It is my humble opinion, Congressman, that if you are going to talk the talk, vote the vote.


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Before the Senate Debates

Thanksgiving break is almost over. Monday the Senate will begin the debate on health care reform. I, for one, am excited about the prospect that millions of uninsured Americans may be a step closer to having the coverage they deserve.

For my friends who only watch Fox News and who get a very warped sense of what is truth, I am posting a link to the real health care reform that President Obama is proposing. The health care reform bill that the House passed is very similar and hopefully the Senate will do the same.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

It is obvious that our President cares about the people of this country. Those that the private insurers have deemed 'uninsurable', President Obama and the Democratic Party deem 'insurable'.

Until next time; America Bless God

Election 2010 in Tennessee

Next year Rep. John Tanner will be up for re-election. I, for one, will not be voting for him! I am appalled that he voted no to health care reform. The single most important issue for the citizens of America in thirty years and he votes like a Republican! I will not vote for the Republican candidate either, however, if there are no REAL Democrats willing to run against our turncoat Congressman, then I will not cast a vote at all.

Yes, I know the bill passed in the house and that is terrific. But, this is the issue that got a Democrat elected to the White House once again and John Tanner voted against it!!!?????
UGH! That "no" vote was the same as voting against the American people!

What does he care if people have to go without health care coverage? He has the best insurance in the country. The fact is he does not care about Tennesseans or Americans. Mr. Tanner, like other Republicans, seems to care only for his career and for private insurance.

It is my hope that John Tanner does not get re-elected for another term. If we are going to have a Republican representative...let's have a Republican representative. Not a Republican that calls himself a Democrat.

House Comes Through on Health Care

What an historical day for Americans! Congress passed the long awaited Health Care Reform Bill. It ended up being a bipartisan bill thanks to Rep. Joseph Cao of New Orleans. This is so wonderful. The next step, of course, is the Senate vote. It is time to begin badgering our Senators.

Republican lies did not help them on killing the health care bill. First of all, they are saying this is a 'government take over' of our health care. This is simply not true! This health care bill will make quality affordable heath care available to everyone. It will even take some of the burden of medicaid off the middle class.

Anyway, this is an amazing day in America. As for the future of health care reform, I urge the Democrats to keep fighting on for health care!

Until next time: America bless God

Health Care for Real People...Again

Looks as if health care reform is still up and running despite the persistent protesting of Republicans and Blue Dogs. Some of our nations leaders are listening to what the people want! It even looks as if AARP, the leading lobbying group for the elderly, is supporting the heath care bill.

Another 'biggy' in favor of the bill; AMA. So, doctors are seeing the kind of reform within the bill that will allow them, once again, to rely on their own knowledge and assessment of their patients instead of private insurers to direct patient care. How wonderful would that be?!

Seems the only ones that are protesting are the Republicans and a few stray dogs. The Republicans have such a wonderful argument, too, for protesting health care for all Americans: the don't want President Obama to do well in the White House. Yes, that is the bottom line for them.

Hopefully, there will be a decision made by next week as to whether or not the bill passes. I anxiously await the outcome....

Until next time: America bless God

You're Invited to a Tea Party!

Congratulations, Bill Owens! And thanks to the TeaParty for taking time to 'purge' the Republican party. It all seems to be working out well for the Democrats and the American people.

Back to the health care reform issue; I am extremely disappointed in Congress for not stepping up to the plate on this very important issue. I believe that Democrats need to locate their backbones and Republicans need to locate their 'Christian values' and do something for the people!!! Next year is NOT soon enough for some people to get the health care they need. Next year will be too late for some! And all for the love of politics...this makes my stomach turn.

I express my disappointment, mostly, with the Democratic party on this issue and not the Republican party simply because I never expect the Republicans to do anything that remotely resembles help for Americans. Well, unless those Americans are big business or wealthy.

On this most devestating note.........

Until next time: America bless God

Buyer Beware: Bogus Internet/TV Health Insurance

One thing that sets my blood to boiling more than the way private insurance treats its members, is the bogus health insurance that you can now buy on the internet and on TV. These insurance guarantee you coverage (of sorts) at a minimum premium. Now, I cannot say that I know how much these premiums are, but I can say that they are too much.

Most of these insurances will cover you, however, the maximum coverage per year could be $300. Knowing how much some of the medical tests cost, this will not go far. As a matter of fact, it won't cover many tests at all.

Some of them will cover you as long as you only have 2 outpatient visits per year, then they will cover up to $100 per visit. WOW! talk about a rip off!

Anyway, this is another thing that should be addressed in health care reform. I do hope that these types of 'insurances' do not make it into the exchange as an option for people to consider buying. These need to be stopped and stopped quickly!

Until next time: America bless God!

Heros Are Real

I love these stories that are airing on CNN about heroes. Evidently, it is something CNN does every year. The stories are a relief from the tug o' war politics, murders, and other terrible happenings in the world.

This refreshes my belief that there are good people in the world. People who find their own way to carry out at least one of Jesus' two greatest commandments: love others. Of course, the other is to love God. I cannot say how these people feel about God, but it is evident through their actions that they love people. That is more love for people than I have ever seen, in all my life, come from the mainstream Christian sectors.

On CNN.com, you can view the list of 10 heroes and vote for your favorite. These are people all over the world, taking steps to make life better for their fellowman. Should you decide that you want to be a part of helping others, there is a place to donate to each cause represented there.

I did find it very difficult to pick only one. I then found out that you can vote more than one time. Anyway, go pick someone to support, it just may give your glum mood a boost this morning!

Now that I have you feeling philanthropic; I am participating in National Novel Writing Month at www.nanowrimo.org. This organization provides writing courses and tools to young writers all over the world through classrooms and libraries. It is my goal to raise $500 this month by writing a 50,000 word 'novel' by November 30. If you would like to donate, please stop by the website, click on donate/store, and support the team of 'Tennessee Writers.' Thanks loads for helping out our creative kids!

Until next time: America bless God

Have You Read H.R. 3962?

I, for one, have not read the almost 2000 pages of legal mumbo jumbo. I have read the summary of the bill and I am very excited about what this plan can do for the American people! You can read the summary at: http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/10/affordable-health-care.shtml

This summary reads nothing like what I have heard on the news lately. Much of what Republicans would like for us to believe is, again, just not true.

• The bill will provide healthcare coverage for 36 million uninsured Americans.
• Put your health care decisions back in your hands and the hands of your physician instead of being left up to the insurance companies.
• Not a one dime to the deficit.
• Will actually cut the deficit by $100 billon over the next decade.
• Revamp Medicare and Medicaid so that seniors and low income families will be assured coverage for many years to come.

This bill, if approved, could be a life saver for millions of Americans, literally. And that, my friends, is the bottom line. Health care for all!

Until next time; America bless God!

Public Option

Why is it that the one thing that will help uninsured Americans the most is the one thing that causes the most controversy? I almost liked Olympia Snowe, the one Republican that was kinda willing to support health care reform. It almost seemed as if she cared about Americans. Now she says that she will only support public option if it only goes into effect when private insurers fail to offer affordable coverage. !!HELLO!! Private insurers have been failing to offer affordable coverage for a very long time. We need public option to loosen private insurances' stranglehold on our health care. I, for one, am anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the House's health care bill later today.

One other note: I have to say I am very impressed with our President. He certainlyhas improved our international standing. I do not hold my breath when he walks out of the White House in the mornings waiting for him to do something or say something insanely stupid. I did with the former President. Keep up the great work, President Obama!!

Until next time; America bless God

Health Care for Real People

Health care reform is huge right now! For those who are uninsured, it has been huge for quite sometime. My job, my 'real' job, for the past few years has been that of a sort of go-between for commercial insurers and their members. This has been a real eyeopener into the world of commercial insurance and their practices.

The most discouraging thing about big insurance companies is that they routinely deny services to their members that they deem 'not medically necessary.' Now, I don't know about you, but if my doctor says, 'you need to get a CAT scan done so that I can determine which course of treatment is best for you,' I would want the CAT scan. However, just because the doctor says you need it, does not mean that your insurance will think it is necessary. When all is said and done, it is the insurance that determines whether you even need to be treated. Why would anyone who pays an insurance premium and has to deal with high deductibles care if their insurance company had a little more competition?

The Republicans have suggested some very outlandish things about health care reform. Most of these things they raise concerns about stem from their concern over whether or not insurance companies will be able to continue to make huge profits. They seem to be bent on destroying anything and everything President Obama brings to the table. Instead they should focus on what is best for the people of this great country.

One last comment, today's headlines concerning health care reform told of moderate Democrats who are shunning or at least balking at the public option. Tsk, tsk to my fellow Dems. I sincerely hope that there is a very good reason for such actions.

Until next time; America bless God!