The Truth of Health Care Reform Revealed

On Thursday, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released their preliminary cost estimates for the pending health reform legislation. Democrats lauded the reports findings, noting that the figures–cost of $950 billion and reduce the deficit by $150 billion over ten years–hit the marks President Barack Obama laid out when the health care debate began over a year ago. While these numbers may fall within the parameters dictated by President Obama–the New York Times does an excellent job of explaining how it was impossible for them not to–this battle has little to do with deficits or health care reform. In the end, it comes down to one word–”power.”

Regardless, it appears Democrats have the votes they need and passage is inevitable. Over the past couple of days, I’ve watched the reactions of several different factions involved in the debate.

As expected, members of the “Tea Party Movement” have expressed outrage at the bill and out of frustration have started directing their anger at the politicians involved with ramming the bill through. NBC reporter, Luke Russert, tweeted earlier that Tea Party activists were hurling racial slurs at  Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), one of the more visible faces in the health care debate, and other Democratic politicians. It’s unfortunate that some people feel the need to resort to ignorance to voice their opposition. Clyburn and other Democratic politicians are making a huge mistake in supporting the current bill, but it has nothing to do with the politicians’ race, hurling racial slurs at politicians will not prevent the bill from passing, nor will it help reduce the size of the Federal government.

Another group I’ve followed reaction from is the intellectual elitist/Hollywood crowd. This group, largely made up of people who have made a lot of money from doing virtually nothing–either through trust funds, inheritance or bad art–feels guilty for having so much and doing so little. This creates a void in their life and they spend their free time–something else they have plenty of–searching for ways to give their life meaning, supporting health care reform gives their lives’ this meaning. After all, they believe everyone will now have free health care and that a perfect utopia cannot be far behind. This group is ecstatic. While I strongly disagree with this segment of society, they’re so far out of touch with mainstream American society that I cannot hold this instance of bad judgment against them. They lack the proper knowledge to fully understand the practical implications this bill will have on American society.

Without a doubt, the most smug group are the Democratic politicians. Power drives politicians. This goes for Republicans as much as Democrats, but the Democrats have control of both houses of Congress and are the party responsible for this health care bill. This bill was born out a hunger for power, but sold to the American people as a humanitarian necessity. Simply put, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barack Obama could care less how much the average American is paying for insurance premiums, nor do they have any real interest in the number of Americans currently without health insurance. These politicians care only about power and health care reform provided the perfect opportunity to control over a large portion of the American economy currently run by the private sector. This group is walking around D.C. right now, chest stuck out, nose stuck up, fake smiles chiseled on their faces, overjoyed that their dream is nearing reality, soon they will have power our Federal government has never seen.

Then there’s me. I’ve made it clear from the beginning that I don’t believe the Federal government has any role to play in health care reform, unless it’s removing itself from the equation altogether. While I do believe reform is needed, I don’t believe that the Federal government is the proper to agent to usher in that reform.

But what about the poor people without health insurance? Our nation is filled with the most generous people on the face of the planet. I have no doubt that, if provided with sufficient tax credits, American people would gladly increase their charitable donations to churches and other altruistic organizations. People run charities a lot better than the Federal government.

When I look at this health care bill, I am saddened by the unabashed bigotry of some of the bill’s detractors. I’m offended by the bravado of the elitists on the East and West Coasts of this nation, who look to the government to solve their personal issues, at the cost of millions of average middle-Americans. I’m disgusted by the egos of the Democratic politicians, so hungry for power, that they’re willing to totally destroy our constitutional Republican form of government, which has worked so well since the founding of our nation. Most importantly, I remain resolute that this socialism starter course will not take hold in the bowels of the Americans people, but rather be discharged as the filthy excrement it is. The first big BM? November 2010.

The Faulty Logic of Republicans on Education

Recently, I penned a piece exposing the Democrat’s faulty logic in continuing to press forward with health care reform in the face of widespread opposition. In that piece, I made it clear that Democratic politicians are not alone in their use of faulty logic to promote a personal agenda. Indeed, Republicans are just as guilty of the charge. Consider the faulty logic displayed by the Bush administration in the build-up for the invasion of Iraq. Even many “third party” and independent candidates build their political platform on a foundation of faulty logic. Perhaps that’s why so many rational people find the world of politics so disgusting; it’s a world void of logic.

It seems that some elected officials make the mistake of assuming that we live in a democracy, when in actuality the United State is a constitutional republic. Other politicians profess to understand the distinction, yet continue to govern as though in a simple democracy.  On Friday, Republican members of the Texas State Board of Education voted to adopt new social studies and history curriculum that would, among other things, refer to the United States government as a “constitutional republic” instead of a “democracy”. Ironically, they relied solely on a democratic principle–the simple majority–to ram through the curriculum’s most controversial elements.

At the heart of the “Texas Textbook War,” is the attempt on the behalf of cultural conservatives to inject their beliefs into the textbooks. This includes their belief that the United States was founded on “Judeo-Christian values,” studies of the role of conservative political action committees during the 20th Century, and an ultra-conservative interpretation of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960′s. While there is definitely a time and place to debate these ideas in the classroom, they would be taught as fact if the current curriculum survives a final vote in May.

Not surprisingly, the attempt to radically alter the way history and social studies are taught in Texas’ classrooms has generated intense opposition from Democrats and many Republicans. Earlier this month, two of the board’s most outspoken cultural conservatives, most notably Dr. Don McLeroy, lost Republican primary elections to opponents who oppose this curriculum. McLaren remains defiant in the face of defeat, and vowed to push through the curriculum before relinquishing his seat, a maneuver that would make Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barack Obama smile.

The biggest difference between a democracy and a constitutional republic is the allocation of protections of the minority from the “tyranny of the majority.” The Constitution serves as the primary guarantor of the rights of the minority, but Republicans on the SBOE seem to reject that notion as well. On Thursday, they blocked a measure introduced by a Democrat that would have taught the importance of “separation of church and state” as contained in the First Amendment.  While Republicans claim to support the idea that we live in a constitutional republic, their actions indicate they favor a simple democracy when the results further their agenda.

Students should be taught the difference between a “democracy” and a “constitutional republic.” The nuances between the two forms of government seem to baffle even the most astute politicians. Elected officials have the responsibility to ensure balance exists between competing ideas in the classroom, but must understand that one extremist stance does not balance out another extremist stance. Perhaps educators can use the examples of Democrats on health care reform and Republicans on textbook adoptions as examples of the dangers of simple democracy and to teach the protections provided by a constitutional republic.   Until then, we the people must remain resolute in combating faulty logic wherever it may occur in the realm of politics. Our freedom and liberty, not to mention our children’s future, depend on it.

Swine flu!

Everywhere I look today, people are talking about the “swine flu.” Evidently, this is the real deal, a “potential pandemic” situation according to experts.  I’m not doubting that at all; however, I am curious as to how this particular virus flew under the radar for so long. We’ve been hearing about the “bird flu” for almost a decade, yet until two nights ago, I had never heard of “swine flu.”

There seems to be so many questions regarding this situation. How did it spread so quickly? Who is most at risk? How deadly is it? How worried should we all be?

I guess my initial reaction is that its one more reason to secure our borders. The governments of the United States and Mexico can say what they want, but the potential of a deadly virus spreading across our porous borders is a real threat.  I don’t think anyone can give us an accurate count of how many people cross the U.S./Mexico border, illegally and legally, each day.  We know that many who cross illegally, often travel in groups, which I would think be a great source for the spread of a virus like this. 

Instead of talking about the borders, the political angle will turn to public health and the I’m sure Obama and the Democrats will use this a pawn to push through pieces of socialize medicine legislation. It’s a shame really.

I’m going to look more into this, but for now, I guess I can be happy that local officials are being somewhat proactive.

Obama in Bohemia!

While living in East Texas, I found a home among East Texas’ progressive underground, a unique blend of neo-Bohemians, punks, artists and emo kids.  Though small, it was a vibrant community that encouraged artistic expression, personal liberties, and a general sense of rebellion against all the cultural stereotypes attached to East Texas.  We went to shows, put on plays, attended political rallies and staged walk outs.  We sat around talking religion, politics and the virtues of a vegan diet.

 

Through all of this, I evolved from a staunch Republican to a borderline socialist. I worshiped the Beats, the ultimate Bohemians–men and women who lived life on their own terms, men and women who valued individual liberties and community. I aimed to live my life like these men and women; I aimed to live my life as a symbolic middle finger to the rules of conformity.

 

Today, I still read Ginsberg and Kerouac and I still listen to Bad Religion and The Smiths, but I find myself drawn back to the Republican Party. I look at neo-Bohemians across the great land, a majority of whom have cast their lot with Barack Obama, and I shake my head in disbelief. In his most simple form, Barack Obama represents everything Bohemia rejected, everything the Beats railed against and everything the punks cursed.

 

Though verbose and affable, Obama promotes a massive expansion of our Federal government, a Federal government that would no doubt exert more control over the individual, be it positive or negative. All these great movements that comprise progressive communities rely on communities of minimal control. By backing a political candidate who supports expansion of powers and control, one would be betraying these very basic truths.

 

Further, a vocal opposition engenders an environment of creativity and activism. More than once, I’ve made the point that I would end up in a fight in a room full of Republicans and I would have a great time in a room full of Democrats; however, I plan on voting for John McCain in the Fall. He represents the foil of the neo-Bohemian. This foil inspires the Bohemian to create and react, which in turn gives us movements like the Beat Generation. In short, without McCain, what would there be to rebel against?

 

My days of extreme rebellion are waning. While some may say I’ve sold out, I like to think that I have “bought in.” I still admire the people I met during my days in the undeground and what they represent, but I’ve grown older along the way and now I’ve traded in some of the youthful idealism for some realism.

Islami Fascists II

 

 

I wrote about this previously, but saw this article on MSNBC this morning and felt compelled to raise the issue once again. 

 

While the Bush administration touts Iraq, the media bombards us with horror stories of a nuclear North Korea and the Democrats talk sex, the Islami-fascists continue to destroy Somalia. 

 

Why should we care?

 

Like the regressive Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the Islami-fascists trying to control Somalia seek to establish a government based on the principles of sharia law. Do we really need another Afghanistan? God knows the average American didn’t even realize that Afghanistan was a country prior to 9/11, much less understand the nature of the religious nuts that ran the country.

 

At least with Somalia there is some recent history.  Sadly, we didn’t finish our mission in that country.  For political reasons, many on the left would like us to pull out of Iraq, just like we did in Somalia.  It’s safe to assume that if we pulled out of Iraq now it too would turn into another Afghanistan or Somalia.  That’s why in spite of my objections to the war in Iraq, I feel it’s imperative that we maintain our presence.

 

Did the Bush administration lie? No doubt…

 

Should we have attacked Iran instead of Iraq? Of course…

 

But it’s too late to second guess.  We’ve left Iraq with no legitimate government and no legitimate army and the minute we pulled our troops out the world would have on more government led by militant Muslims. Let this story be reminder of why, regardless of your political affiliation, we must “stay the course” in Iraq.