The Federal Government – Too Big to Succeed

We continue to get bombarded almost daily by examples of political corruption and stupid political decisions. Objective media outlets will expose the real negative consequences, while the spin machines of the left and right will continue to be blinded by their own ideologies. What should frighten all of us is the collective damage these actions are wreaking on both our economy and the political foundation of our country. The healthcare bill is nothing more than further erosion of our liberty through a greater expansion of the federal government into our personal lives. Let’s not forget the collateral damage imposed by an even larger destructive debt burden. No one argues that Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security are filled with fraud that totals over $100 billion each year (conservatively). When future projections of tax revenues and expenses for these three programs are considered, many people are not aware that we are already trillions of dollars in the hole. Stupidity is giving... [continued...]

The Sellout by AARP and AMA

I have been telling folks this week that there were specific reasons why the AMA and AARP went overboard for the Healthcare Plan… and I said that we needed to follow the money. I noted that AARP had a significant financial interest in what was to occur if the plan passed and thanks to Dick Morris, I now have answers… Here is what he wrote: “As the suicidal Democratic congressmen proceed to rubber-stamp the Obama healthcare reform despite the drubbing their party took in the ’09 elections, the president trotted out the endorsements of the AMA and the AARP to stimulate support. But these – and the other endorsements – his package has received are all bought and paid for. Here are the deals: The American Medical Association (AMA) was facing a 21 percent cut in physicians’ reimbursements under the current law. Obama promised to kill the cut if they backed his bill. The cuts are the fruit of a law requiring annual 5 percent to 6 percent reductions in doctor reimbursements... [continued...]

Endangering Our Children and Our Nation

As a nation of people with disparate interests, we often disagree on political issues and about the events that shape our future as a country. But occasionally a threat arises which should cause us ALL to band together and take action. There is an editorial on Investors’ Business Daily you should read – sooner, not later. Before I got past the second paragraph, I knew this story needed to be posted immediately in the Daily Briefing section on The Daily Patriot, and that the issue warranted further study. IBD entitled its editorial article, “Selling China The Rope To Hang Us.” Dramatic enough, but I instead entitled the link, “Treason or Stupidity at Commerce?” The first sentence in the IBD column is ominous: “On the eve of a visit by China’s No. 2 ranking military officer, the Obama administration loosens export controls on technology that will benefit Chinese missile development.” “Loosens” appears to be inaccurate, however.... [continued...]

Canary in the Coal Mine?

The Nobel Peace Prize was given to the 44th President of the United States this last week. By all accounts, the nominating process started within 11 days of him being sworn in as the president. One must wonder what the goal of the Nobel Committee is, whether they actually have the best interests of the world in mind when they make their decisions, or, by sheer luck, do they happen to be “the canary in the coal mine” as it relates to American Presidential success… The old story is that miners used to bring canaries into the coal mines because they were especially sensitive to methane and carbon monoxide… when the canary was singing… the canary was breathing! If it died… it meant that the air was unfit and that the miners had better make a quick exit. The canary was the early warning system for the miners, and I am beginning to wonder whether the Nobel Committee is the early warning system for what we will see here from our president. Four American presidents have been awarded... [continued...]

The Numbing Down of America

There has been so much outrageousness in the Obama administration and throughout both parties of Congress that we have become numb to even the most despicable deeds. The appointment of Kevin Jennings is another example of Obama’s arrogance – he could care less what most people think. In some aspects, it may be worse than arrogance. He is deliberately populating his administration with people who hold views that are the antithesis of our founding principles. Obama has put Jennings in the position of a “safe school czar”, a man who has a background that should have prevented his consideration. If that doesn’t insult our intelligence, I don’t know what will. And yet, there is very little outrage in the media, Congress, or anywhere. Our insulated and untouchable elected officials don’t seem to understand why people feel so angry. What should politicians expect when the government takes a larger and larger part of the taxpayers earnings, becomes more intrusive, and dumps... [continued...]

Free Speech: The Government Versus Humana

Is it now a crime to speak the truth on “health care reform?” Humana Health is being investigated over a recent letter to its Medicare policyholders. Today it was reported that the Health and Human Services Department is investigating Humana Health Insurance because it sent out a mailer critical to the Obama Health Care plan and how it may affect those who are eligible for Medicare. Since when is it illegal to put out an advertisement that speaks the truth about what is occurring and is in support of your business? Humana serves over 11 million policy holders in the United States and is a leading advocate of developing a simple ID card that the user can take to any doctor so that their medical information is easily transportable. Such a system will provide one of the benchmarks that Obama says will help make insurance more affordable. It seems odd to me that a company that is driving towards the same goal of portability through open market capitalism is now the target of the... [continued...]

Census Bureau Has Come to Its Senses!

I never could understand the basis for the Census Bureau engaging ACORN to serve as the defacto Government Agency in assisting the 2010 census count. I knew that there were discrepancies in almost every market where ACORN did “voter” registration work across the country. Then there is the proudly defined far-left agenda that ACORN espouses as well as their legendary ties to the SEIU and other unions. This decision to hand over the census count to ACORN clearly appeared to be both political payback for the Obama win (potentially BILLIONS in payoffs to them through the January Stimulus bill) as well as an opportunity to enhance and further entrench the liberal bent to the national political scene. These two issues, while disturbing to me, were to be expected as this is right out of the Democrat playbook. What has shocked me is the fact that the Census Bureau has actually grown a “spine” and has rejected the President and his Rahm/Pelosi/Reed Management team. I applaud... [continued...]

The Debate Over Gitmo

There has been broad coverage regarding the legality of what the Bush administration did directly after 9/11 to protect the country. What I find interesting is how facts don’t seem to play a big role in the discussion by the pundits and politicians. It is more about Democrats vs. Republicans than resolving questions of national security and the appropriate response to imminent terrorist threats. Why are people so concerned about the treatment of the Gitmo detainees and their due process when we have Obama-approved Predator drones flying over Afghanistan and Pakistan firing Hellcat missiles into suspected terrorist hideouts (operative word is “suspected”)? I don’t think there was a lot of due process for those on the receiving end, but this is an inconvenient fact that makes the treatment of Gitmo detainees look tame – unless you believe that death is preferable to prison. Are these “suspects” that much different than the people we captured and brought to Cuba? We know collateral... [continued...]

Too Much Doom and Gloom

There is a lot of doom and gloom about the global economy that is well justified. I don’t think anyone can disagree that we are in a very difficult situation that can get even uglier. However, at the risk of appearing to view the world through rose-colored glasses tainted with conspiratorial overtones, maybe there are some other considerations (not to say these are original thoughts of mine). You may recall early last summer, there were quite a few foreign leaders (from countries with the some of the largest global economies) who were relieved that their economy was at long last delinked from the US economy. They commented with certainty that even if the US economy went into a downturn, it didn’t matter anymore to them since the US was no longer the dominant industrial driver. Much to their chagrin, when our economy began to slow, it was clearly apparent they were mistaken. To the extent that the US is responsible for close to 25% of the world’s GDP (IMF and World Bank 2007; 27%... [continued...]