BillNM's weblog
Now, if he could just understand that the only solution is to get government out of the illness care business and turn it back over to the free market.........
|
November 18, 2009
Dear Bill,
Thank you for writing me about your opposition to H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on it with me. I share many of your concerns with this legislation, which is why I decided to vote against it.
I know a thing or two about how not having health insurance can impact individuals and families. Growing up, both my parents worked long hours and sometimes multiple jobs, but we still couldn't afford health insurance. So when my parents both got sick, I had to drop out of high school and go to work to help support our family. Those were difficult times, but that experience taught me some important lessons -- and it is why as a small business owner I worked hard to provide affordable health care options to my employees and their families.
Later in life, when I decided to run for Congress, I knew that one of the things that I wanted to work on was reforming our health care system. And as I toured throughout southern New Mexico I heard from people who were all tired of paying too much for health insurance, tired of fighting with their insurance companies to get procedures covered, and tired of being denied health insurance coverage because of pre-existing conditions. In fact, reforming our health insurance system was the one thing that Democrats, Republicans and Independents throughout southern New Mexico all agreed on.
I agree with them too, and that is why I had hoped that a health insurance reform bill would lower the cost of insurance for people like you and rein in the out of control health care costs that both keep people out of the system and drive up our national debt. Unfortunately, H.R. 3962 falls short of that.
For health care reform to work, it has to bring down costs for families, business, and government. Without measures to bring down the cost of care, which is growing at twice the rate of inflation, people will continue to struggle to purchase health insurance, companies will continue to struggle to provide insurance to their employees, and we will have done nothing to attack what drives our exploding budget deficits. Ultimately, I believe H.R. 3962 is a temporary fix that doesn't eliminate the health care crisis and will contribute to growing our national debt.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has said that our "federal budget is on an unsustainable path, primarily because of the growth of health care spending." At home, our state budget is in the same situation, and this bill places on the state an even greater financial burden during these very tough economic times.
Furthermore, I think this bill does too much for the insurance companies who have made health care the dysfunctional system it is today. This bill mandates tens of millions of Americans buy health insurance, gives over seven hundred billion dollars in taxpayer subsidies to health insurance companies, and does little to make them rein in the costs they charge their customers.
Throughout this health insurance debate, my top priority has been staying in touch with the people of New Mexico. I held dozens of public forums and small group meetings with health care providers and reviewed countless messages from constituents. In every one of these conversations, I have said that when it comes to health insurance, any reform is no substitute for the right reform.
I came to Washington with personal experience of how a health care crisis can impact a family. And that is why I think health care reform is too important to settle for something I consider to be a temporary fix that guarantees more money for insurance companies and a bigger national debt, but in the end doesn't lower the cost of health care for New Mexico families and businesses.
Please know your comments were very important to me, and I hope you continue sharing your opinion with me on issues that come before the Congress.
Sincerely,
Harry Teague
Member of Congress
|
Categories: Domestic Policy, Federal Legislation, Economy, Congress
Tags:
No comments yet.
You must be logged in to post comments. [Become a member]
|
Posted by BillNM on 11/11/09Last updated 11/16/09
As it is the season I thought I would get this in before the first amendment to our constitution is removed.
STAR OF BETHLEHEM?
November breaks cool here in the Southwest U.S. and all the retail establishments roll out their inventories of gift giving goods in anticipation of increased sales. Colored lights and decorations begin to adorn the streets and the windows of both commercial and residential properties. Nativity scenes depicting the manger and birth of the Christ Child begin to pop up in both public and private settings.
With the nativity scenes there are the usual exchange of letters to the editor both protesting and defending the placement of these scenes on public property. The militant atheist is the most offended by such a display. I suspect that if a Buddha was placed on the courthouse lawn there would be little objection.
However, something Christian challenges the militant atheist since Christianity is, by definition, intolerant. Intolerant, not in its disposition toward others, but in its theology. Christianity makes the claim that there is no other name under heaven whereby men must be saved. It is in that sense that Christianity is intolerant, and that very claim is found to be intolerable by many people.
Apart from the conflicts, the nativity scenes themselves are generally incorrect. They typically have Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the center with the Christ Child, surrounded by Joseph, the shepherds, and the three wise men; all bunched together in the manger in Bethlehem. But, is that consistent with the record? Could the three wise men and the shepherds have been present in the manger? Did the star guide the wise men to Bethlehem?
The only account we have of the star is recorded in the Bible in the gospel of Matthew. Significantly, Matthew was the Apostle that was stressing the Kingship of Jesus, a fact that has to do with the star. Second, the Bible never said that there were three wise men so we really don't know how many wise men there were. The proper title for these men was Magi, and it was their duty to honor the birth or crowning of kings.
Next, they did not initially follow the star! The Bible says that they saw His star in the east. Now, if they were to recognize His star it naturally follows that they had to be told to look for it. That information could have only come from a divine source.
Also, the Bible did not say that the star was the most brilliant. If it had been, then we would certainly expect to have some astronomical record to corroborate the event. So, it was an event only recognizable by the Magi. And they connected it with the birth of Him Who was to be King of the Jews. For that reason they went to Jerusalem to inquire of king Herod as to where the King of the Jews would be born. King Herod then asked his counselors and they told him that Bethlehem would be the place.
After that, the Magi began a journey to Bethlehem but the star once again appeared and went before them to where the young child was. They greatly rejoiced and then went in and presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the young child King. And, this was not at His birth. For the Greek language clearly indicates that Jesus was a toddler at the time! Then, having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the Magi returned home by a different route.
So, where was Jesus when the Magi visited Him? Luke's account of the birth of Jesus describes how that after forty days the family went up to Jerusalem. And then having accomplished all things according to the Law they returned into Galilee to their own city Nazareth! Therefore, we should correctly call it,
THE STAR OF NAZARETH!
Finally, our calendar is supposedly based on the birth of Jesus, but what with errors along the way the actual time of His birth was probably around 4 BC. And, according to Dr. Craig Chester, one of our prominent astronomers, the best answer for the star was the conjunction of Jupiter and Regulus, the star of kingship, and the brightest star in the constellation of Leo that occurred in September of 3 BC. Leo was the constellation of kings, and was associated with the Lion of Judah. The star appearing to stop over the location in Nazareth is explained by what astronomers call the "stationary point", when the star experiences a retrograde loop.
W. N. (Bill) Fangio. November 2009
Categories: Civil Liberties, Social Issues
Tags:
Showing comments 1—1 of 1
Posted 11/17/09
topherfangio
Abilene, TX | Very interesting post! Very well presented, and entertaining to boot. |
You must be logged in to post comments. [Become a member]
|
ONCE MORE AROUND THE BLOCK
It is the thirteenth of October in the year of our Lord 2009, and I awoke this morning with a terrible sense of dread. You see this is the morning that I would attempt to renew my drivers license here in the sovereign State of New Mexico, and the prospect of facing bureaucrats always makes me a little nervous. I know that bureaucrats are only responsive to their charter and are not permitted to use any common sense whatever. Ranking below bureaucrats are legislators whose only purpose is to meddle in the lives of their citizens.
Driving to the extreme south end of town I arrived at the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division. I took my number and seat and waited for my turn at the counter. Since I am now 75 years of age I am required to renew my license annually. I handed over my license from last year and took the eye exam. All seemed in order and they took my picture without any damage to the camera. However, something new had been added. Now the State was cross checking my identification information with the Social Security Administration. You guessed it. The bits and the bytes did not exactly line up. I was told that I would have to go to the Social Security Office and see how I was listed.
I then drove to the extreme north end of town to the Social Security Office and took a number and a seat to wait for my turn at that counter. When I got my turn I was told exactly how my name was recorded in their computer since 1949 and given a paper confirming that information.
I drove back to the Motor Vehicle Division and took another number and seat to wait my turn again. Once at the counter I explained how the Social Security Office had my name recorded only to be advised that I could still not have a license since the Social Security record must match my Birth Certificate. I found that a little odd since it had never come up in the previous 60 years.
Next, I drove home and picked up my Birth Certificate and Social Security Card and drove back to the Social Security Office, took another number, and sat down to be called again. Once at the counter I explained that the State of New Mexico must have their records match with the Social Security Records before they would issue me a license, whereupon the attendant changed the format of my name in his computer. However, I was now informed that it would be at least 24 hours before the records would be updated. That meant that there would be no sense returning to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division at this time since the computer cross check would still fail.
All of this in spite of the fact that the Social Security Card issued to me over 60 years ago plainly states NOT to be used for identification!
I t would seem that if State and Federal governments are determined to become monolithic that the least they could do is office together in order to reduce driving and the attendant proliferation of green house gases.
Just to be safe, I recommend that all citizens buy a knapsack and be sure to put in your birth certificate, social security card, passport, drivers license, two recent utility bills, automobile insurance certificate, automobile title, your last ten years income tax returns, an inventory of all weapons you own, your last medical records, and anything else you suspect the socialists will need to prove that you exist. Keep this knapsack on your person at all times.
Good luck America. You're going to need it.
W. N. (Bill) Fangio.
October 2009
Categories: Civil Liberties, Socialism
Tags:
Showing comments 1—3 of 3
Posted 10/14/09
MichaelBarry
Sebring, FL | Here's some more bad news. It turns out in that mandated health insurance under the public option will be made available at your local DMV. I am listening to Limbaugh discuss this farce even as I am typing this note. |
Posted 10/14/09
belikebunce
Knoxville, IA | Bill... I am very glad that all government employees are of unimpeachable ethic, and therefore pose no identity theft risk, since your satirical advice will soon be legitimate advice. |
Posted 10/29/09
topherfangio
Abilene, TX | In a similar vein, I found myself attempting to update the address on my driver's license about a week ago. In addition, the inspection and registration on my truck had lapsed and I needed to update those as well.
Oddly enough, when I received my original license, I also received a letter stating that the Texas DMV needed additional information to prove that I was who I said I was, even though they went ahead and sent me my driver's license. I never went back in, thus, this has kept me from being able to update my address online and why I must head down to the local branch.
When I called, I made sure to mention this and asked what all information I would need to bring to verify my identity. The lady responded with, "Well, I guess your social security card."
Oddly, mine does not say, "Not for identification purposes", so I guess it should be a valid form of ID.
So, I drove down to the DMV, followed the plethora of signs pointing me around the building, parked my car and headed to the door. It was then that I remembered (due to a conveniently placed sign) that the DMV only accepts cash or checks. Why is it that in this day and age, governmental organizations can only accept such rudimentary forms of payment?
In regards to your notes, I agree that they should be able to cross reference with other governmental agencies and have data updated more regularly than every 24 hours. Perhaps there is a business in providing them some new software... |
You must be logged in to post comments. [Become a member]
|
A Certified Financial Analyst friend of mine had this to say today:
A friend called my attention to a news story that suggested that the dollar might not continue to be used internationally to settle oil transactions. The implication is that there could be a significant drop in the exchange value of the dollar. While anything is possible, it is useful to understand the consequences of such an event to assess its probability.
When the international value of the dollar declines, it makes U. S. goods less expensive to export to other nations and therefore more competitive which hurts other nation's economies. When the dollar is stronger, U. S. goods are more expensive internationally and foreign goods are cheaper domestically. In the 1930's, many nations tried to push their currencies down to gain a competitive advantage for their exports. Of course, this only works if other nations do not do the same thing. This came to be known as the "beggar thy neighbor" policy that has been mentioned recently in the press.
There are too many other ramifications to changes in currency rates to discuss briefly. However, it is interesting to note that the Federal Reserve's easy money policy has not caused more inflation because international competition has kept a lid on domestic prices due to the "strong" dollar. This also is why the Chinese have kept their currency pegged to the dollar and there has been so much pressure on them to let their currency "float" to a relatively higher level.
International trade and finance are not widely understood subjects, especially by the press, so misinformation is frequently disseminated by "authorities." This is particularly unfortunate since we will be exposed to much more political debate about the effects of foreign imports on domestic employment.
Categories: Finance, Economy, Monetary Policy
Tags:
No comments yet.
You must be logged in to post comments. [Become a member]
|
Posted by BillNM on 09/18/09Last updated 09/18/09
OUTRAGED? WHO ME?
Several years back my bride came down with some respiratory sickness. This event shifted some responsibilities to me that were definitely outside my comfort zone. The most fearful venue was the local grocery store. Let's see, was that white or wheat bread? Or, is that the brand of cheese she wants? And what about that soup; chicken noodle or cream of mushroom? The entire experience was bewildering. I gained a new appreciation for her activities.
But the most enlightening experiences occurred at the cash (historical reference) register. In one instance the lady in front of me had her cart loaded to the hilt (old swordsman expression) but the products were carefully segregated. For the approved section she paid with government food stamps, but for the section containing the beer and cigarettes she whipped out the Federal Reserve Notes. I also observed from her rotund figure that she was definitely not going hungry. It occurred to me that the Federal Reserve Notes probably came gratis to her from another welfare source. But, who was I to question the wisdom of such a successful government program?
On other occasions I arrived at the store on a Friday evening. Now for a lot of folks Friday is a pay day. So, I had the chance to see how the paycheck was being employed. Surprisingly, many of the men in line simply had their carts loaded with beer and now and then some tasty chips. From that I inferred that they were about to plop in front of the Television for a little beer drinking and football watching over the weekend.
Of course there were other shopper categories, but these two in particular caught my attention. The lady with the food stamps would hardly be upset with a government that hands out goodies even while stealing those goodies from other people within society. And, the guy with his beer and chips just probably doesn't care what the government is doing as long as he can get the beer and watch the football. Probably the only way to motivate him is to point out that through the government program the lady with the food stamps is converting the fruits of his labor to her account. But as he attended government schools he probably wouldn't understand it anyway. Federal Reserve Notes are great deceivers.
I believe that it was Marx who said, "Die Religion ... ist das Opium des Volkes", or religion is the opiate of the masses. Looks more like beer to me, no offense to beer drinkers who think. As far as religion is concerned, real Christians get mad as a hornet when confronted with socialistic ideas. It is axiomatic in Christianity that if a man (who could) will not work, then neither should he eat. But, I digress.
As government has expanded their parental activities they have roped more of us into the "system". This has the effect of keeping us quiet. It is a matter of self interest, which coincidentally is exactly what motivates all the politicians, (Dr. Ron Paul Congressman from the 22nd District of Texas excepted of course).
If you are on Social Security or Medicare or other form of government welfare, you are in the "system". If you are in the employ of the government or in the Military or in retired Military or retired civil service you are in the "system". If you work in the Military Industrial or Medical Industrial complex you are in the "system". Even if you sell products to foreign Military you are being paid with money derived from foreign aid and are in the "system".
In one way or another most all of us are all interconnected by the "system". And, if we are not, then we have to put up with interference and coercion from those in the "system". That leaves us all with a measure of uncertainty that suppresses our better instincts. So, we seek non-violent change through the very "system" that has enslaved us. That makes change and a return to our original values very difficult as we have to fight one battle at a time. Instead of checks and balances, fiat money makes the "system" monolithic and almost impenetrable. All government branches are paid with the same Federal Reserve Notes derived from the same source. That makes it unlikely that they would operate in favor of the people and against their own self interest.
Lew Rockwell of the Mises Institute may not approve of the recent 9/12 Marches, but I was impressed with the 1.7-million people who descended on Washington and who clearly demonstrated that there is a representative category of folks that are outraged. People in this category perceive our government actions to be detrimental to society and probably question why the politicians do what they do. Dr. Paul says that the politicians have an altruistic motive and that they really believe that they are doing the right things. I wish I could be as gracious. I think most politicians are at best ignorant and at worst venal.
Keynesianism just doesn't square with me. Maybe it is a generational thing (I'm an old guy), but I'm pretty sure I believed Austrian Economics long before I ever heard about it. In East Texas we understood economics this way; if your income don't equal your outgo, your upkeep is gonna be your downfall. And, I haven't read anything in Mises, Hayek, or Rothbard yet that would change my mind. And, that applies to persons, companies, and governments. And, our government has lost the fox! Maybe I am outraged.
W. N. (Bill) Fangio.
September 2009
Categories: Socialism
Tags:
No comments yet.
You must be logged in to post comments. [Become a member]
|
| |
RSS feed
