Friday, July 24, 2009

Deadline Broken, Talks Continue for Health Bill - Political News - FOXNews.com

Deadline Broken, Talks Continue for Health Bill - Political News - FOXNews.com

Yesterday I was listening to Senator Orin Hatch talking about health care. He pointed out that one-sixth of US economic activity goes to health care. I believe we need to have health care reform. I'm not too keen on the idea of the federal government running it. But, things have to change.

I believe that we as Americans have been shielded too long from the actual prices of health care. After having been laid off, I had to find a health care plan that allowed me to stretch my budget a little further. Now that I'm shouldering more of the financial burden of my health care, I realize just how expensive things are. I think that if we truly knew what things cost, we would act as upset consumers and fight for change and lower prices.

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Friday, July 10, 2009

Stimulus Waste? The $3.4 Million Turtle Crossing

Don't get me wrong. I like turtles; however, state governments are just grabbing money and wasting it. The money is supposed to stimulate business and create jobs. Instead of funding projects that creates ongoing jobs, I see more and more projects that create short-term jobs and nothing more.

The President named Biden as his watchdog regarding the stimulus package. So far, I have been unimpressed and we are now talking about a second stimulus package.

Stimulus Waste? The $3.4 Million Turtle Crossing - ABC News

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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

GAO: More Transparency Needed to Track Stimulus Money - FOXBusiness.com

According to the Government Accounting Office, there needs to be better oversight and transparency in tracking the Stimulus funds. Most Americans are starting to feel that the money is being wasted.

GAO: More Transparency Needed to Track Stimulus Money - FOXBusiness.com

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Friday, July 3, 2009

Ruth Madoff Asks to Keep Her Fur Coat as U.S. Marshals Seize Penthouse - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

After stealing billions of dollars from investors, the family is holding on to fur coats and wanting to stay in the $7 million penthouse. It is my understanding that the government has given Ruth Madoff $2 million to live on. That is very generous.

I saw a news segment with people who have lost their retirement and life savings. One couple lost $2 million. Another woman has lost her home and is now living in her car. She is on the verge of losing her car. She doesn't know where her next meal will come from or if she will have a place to live. The woman didn't have much to begin with, but now she has nothing left.

Ruth Madoff Asks to Keep Her Fur Coat as U.S. Marshals Seize Penthouse - Local News News Articles National News US News - FOXNews.com

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Senate Bill Would Fine People More Than $1,000 for Refusing Health Care Coverage - Political News - FOXNews.com

Some people will not be able to afford health due to being laid off or the expense. So, what is the government's response? Fine people who can't afford medical insurance. This makes a lot of sense. Know we know how the government is going to fund their health care program. Fine those who can't afford it. Brilliant.

Senate Bill Would Fine People More Than $1,000 for Refusing Health Care Coverage - Political News - FOXNews.com

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Thursday, July 2, 2009

Show Me the Results!

I read that only 7% of the stimulus package money has been spent and most of that money has been spent poorly. According to some analysts, only 25% of the stimulus package money will be spent by the end of the year.

Granted, I'm not one for asking the government to spend money like a drunken sailor. However, this package was sold to the American people as the pill that would solve all of our economic woes. Like drug trials, I think we got the placebo.

The Note: Job One -- Pressure on Obama to Show Stimulus Results - The Note

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Official: N. Korea Fires Third Short-Range Missile - North Korea | Map | Government - FOXNews.com

North Korea test fired their short-range missiles. All this managed to do is escalate an already tense situation. All of the saber-rattling that North Korea has done has put the world on edge. A Japanese newspaper said that North Korea could be ready to test a long-range missile by the 4th of July. Given the past situations, I could honestly see them test firing a missile on the 4th of July in order to thumb their noses at the United States.

As I had mentioned in an earlier blog post, Kim Jong-il wants to have military superiority in the region at all cost even if it means his people going hungry. With the average North Korean person earning an annual income of $900, Kim Jong-il drinks a certain Hennessey cognac that sells for $630 a bottle in Korea. According to those around him, Kim Jong-il purchases between $650,000 and $720,000 and has become Hennessey's best customer. People escaping from the tyranny of North Korea also report that he has 17 palaces. His own people do not know about all of this. If they did, I believe his days as leader would be numbered. However, his military would easily crush his opposition.

I feel for the North Koreans.

Official: N. Korea Fires Third Short-Range Missile - North Korea Map Government - FOXNews.com

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California Government Declares Fiscal Emergency Over Budget - ABC News

One of the barbers at the barber shop I use in Cedar Park and his wife used to live in California. They got one of the IOU's from the state for a refund on their state income tax. It is my understanding that California will have a budget gap of $121 billion. OUCH!

California Government Declares Fiscal Emergency Over Budget - ABC News

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Wednesday, July 1, 2009