The Sham Wow Summit From Redstate

I found this article on Redstate.com.  I just had to repost it.

There are many reasons the Republican Party is often referred to as the Stupid Party. Many Republicans thought that after the President overshadowed the GOP at their Baltimore retreat last month, going to Blair House yesterday would just be another PR disaster.

It was anything but.

The GOP won the day so convincingly that even the traditional media had to praise the party for talking issues.

Contrast that with Barack Obama who scowled, berated, lied, and harassed the attendees — not to mention filibustered them.

In the most ironic moment of the day, Barack Obama lectured Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor on having the Democrats’ 2,700+ page health care bill on his desk at the meeting. Obama called it a “prop.” At the same time, Democrats were in the newspapers admitting that, in effect, Barack Obama was using the GOP as a prop in a vain effort to show bipartisanship on health care.

There is bipartisanship on health care. There is bipartisan opposition to it. The Democrats must realize today that they would get nothing out of the meeting. They will now try to force health care deform through Congress on a majority vote in each house.

Only a couple of years ago, Barack Obama praised the filibuster claiming it was what the founding fathers wanted to prevent the tyranny of the majority. Now he is intent on ignoring the filibuster and ramming through health care deform.

If nothing else, today shows the American public that the Republicans have a better agenda, better ideas, and are willing to stand up and oppose a reckless scheme that will increase health care costs.

Well said.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Don’t Like The President’s Plan for America? Maybe You’re Part of a Hate Group!

Well, I don’t fit into any of those groups but maybe I’m a fanatic.  Not sure on that one.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a democrat from Rhode Island, made some interesting comments on the floor of the Senate as well as a more interesting denial.

I’m betting heavily that there are groups like the Aryan groups, birthers, etc. who do not stand behind the President and his proposals.  What I heard in the entire speech was anyone who has a problem with any of the President’s proposals is somehow compared to hate groups.   Maybe I’m reading too much into his comments.  So just so I’m clear here, when democrats opposed proposals from President Bush, they should have been compared to hate groups?  OK, I get it now.

Either way, it’s an interesting speech.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Lieberman: Denied By Stuart Smalley

Does it seem strange that this Health Care monstrosity is being pushed to some artificial deadline (Christmas) for no good reason?  I’m not one for doing things because “that’s the way it has always been done,” but it does seem curious that Al Franken denied an extra minute of time to former Democrat (and current Independent) Joe Lieberman on the floor of the Senate. 

I really don’t care about the procedural crap that goes on in Congress and every other political body in the United States.  I think we are way too formal with our government and need to speak in common language that more than just the lawyers in DC can understand.  So…the question is…why is the procedure being changed in this instance if it has not been that way, in recent history?  Why the rush? 

Earlier in the week, while debating defense spending, Senator Tom Coburn demanded a reading of a spending resolution from Senator Bernie Sanders.  My illustrious Senator, Dick Durbin, stated “How in the world can we in good conscience do this at this time of year?”  How can we in good conscience not bring relevent issues to the floor?  If these yahoos read the bills, amendments and resolutions aloud in the chamber for all to hear, they might make better decisions rather than rush to judgement and vote for items they have not properly read and vetted.  Why is this so hard to fathom?

Senator Menendez added:

“It’s become very clear to me, as it should be clear to just about everyone, that everything they’re doing has nothing to do, nothing to do, with helping Americans get affordable healthcare or get jobs, but everything to do, everything to do, with winning the next election,” Menendez said. “The Republicans have decided their road to electoral victory in 2010 and to poise themselves 2012 is for this president and this Congress to fail.”

Health Care?  I thought they were voting on defense spending?  Just trying to get things straight.  As far as having Congress fail, I for one am of the opinion that the less that Congress does, the better.  The only seem to screw up things that are put into their hands.

Maybe the rub is just with Republican and Independent politicians.  Maybe Al Franken is so inexperienced that he needs a lesson on procedure.  Maybe the party in power wants to stifle debate on this vastly important issue (Health Care).  Who really knows.  It is interesting, though. 

Back to the Health Care monstrosity, I hope the bill is read aloud for all to hear like was threatened before Thanksgiving.  We’ll see if they (Congress) have the chutzpah to actually do that.  I won’t hold my breath.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Reid: If You Oppose Health Care Legislation You’re A Racist

I always knew I was a racist.  First it was the Tea Parties with all of the white faces in the crowd (thank you Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews.)  Yesterday, Harry Reid expounded on the floor of the Senate, that if you are opposed to the Health Care legislation then you are just like all of those people who opposed abolishing slavery.  I seem to remember it was a Republican president who pushed the issue that plunged us into a bloody Civil War.  Whoops!

If my memory serves me right, the Civil Rights act was passed because of massive support from Republicans, not Democrats.  So Mr. Reid, am I to believe you are advocating that those opposing your huge grab for power should not speak out on their concerns?  Sounds like the desperate act of a desperate man who has run out of support for his bill.

I hope all of you in Nevada are listening to this guy and remember his idiocy at the next election.  He is an embarrassment to Nevada and the United States Senate. 

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Conservatarian Values: Common Sense for America

As we are a country of many views and thoughts, not many people fall simply within Republican or Democrat camps.  A small portion of the electorate adhere to a hybrid version that I and others dub as conservatarian.  This is a combination of conservative and libertarian viewpoints.

Abortion – Abortion is the taking of a life.  Human rights should apply to everyone, even the unborn. 

Crime and Justice – Protect citizens through effective law enforcement.  Penalize those individuals who do not follow the rule of law with common sense sentencing and limited parole.

Self-Defense – The ability to defend yourself, your property, and your family.

Environmental Issues – The environment should be protected and preserved but not at the expense of basic human liberties. 

Taxes – Replace the federal income and payroll taxes with a fair tax.  Stop the over taxation of the producers and under taxation of non-producers.

Energy and Resources – The United States should explore its own natural resources free from over reaching environmental agencies and left-wing environmental groups.

Financial Markets – The government should get out of the way of the financial markets and allow them to function properly.  Oversight should be utilized but without a full-on intrusion from the Fed.

Compulsory Retirement System – The forced bankrupt governmental retirement system (Social Security) should be abolished in favor of a voluntary method of individual contributions.

Health Care – Health care should not be run by the government in any realm.   

National Defense – The military should be available to first protect citizens against domestic threats and then against international threats.

Domestic Security – The United States should first protect her citizens and then the rest of the world.  Threats to domestic security should be handled swiftly and with minimal bureaucracy.

Illegal Immigration – Illegal immigrants should be deported out of the United States.  Businesses that employ illegal immigrants should suffer steep and progressive fines.

Legal Immigration – Individuals should have the opportunity to continue to become citizens of the United States without exorbitant red tape and expense.

Discrimination Issues – Discrimination in any form is anti-American.  Everyone should be equally protected regardless of sex, wealth, race, color, creed, age, national origin, or sexual orientation, but no individual group should have more protection than another.

Many of these ideals have come through years of thoughtful study with assistance from various groups and organizations.

Download a pdf file of this post here.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

John Stewart Skewers CNN Fact Checking SNL Skit

I just thought this was funny.

The Whole Foods Health Care Plan: A Good Idea

One of my favorite journalists, John Stossel, did a post about health care that had a very interesting story about Whole Foods and their employer plan.  Below is an excerpt from his story:

Insurance: The Whole Foods Experiment

I asked Whole Foods founder John Mackey what would happen if his customers bought groceries the same way most of them buy health care. “We’d make a lot more money. Instead of buying a bottle of wine for $7.99, they might buy a $300 bottle of wine.”

Yet this is how we pay for health care? “I know, it’s ridiculous.”

Mackey knows that when people shop around, costs go down. So seven years ago, faced with skyrocketing health insurance costs, Whole Foods decided to offer its employees high-deductible insurance — the kind Mark Horn has. If workers get cancer or heart disease, insurance pays, but for things like physicals and flu shots, employees pay. Whole Foods even helps employees meet those costs by contributing to a special “health savings account.” Because the savings accounts belong to the employees, they shop around before spending the money.

And what happened to the company’s bottom line after implementing the new insurance plan? “Our costs went way down,” Mackey says, because “people started asking what things cost.”

Whole Foods employees liked the system so much, they voted overwhelmingly to keep it.

When Whole Foods marketing director Mary Ann Buttros went to the doctor, she never used to ask, “‘How much will this cost?’ Because it didn’t matter,” she says. “And now it matters to me because it’s my money.”

The Whole Foods experiment works because it makes people care about costs. But because most Americans with health insurance expect someone else to pay, shopping around is harder than it should be.

Wow.  If a left leaning company like Whole Foods can create a good option like this, why not expand the idea?

To me, this seems like a major part of our problem when dealing with health insurance.  We have been conditioned to simply go in to the doctor, pay the co-payment amount, and never think about the actual cost.  I’m as guilty as anyone else when visiting the doctor and displaying this type of behavior.  I don’t ask the cost of the visit, procedure, etc. as I am not forced to as a part of my insurance plan.  But what if things changed with my plan?  I would be glad to take a more active approach when it might come out of my pocket.

It was not that long ago that we went to the doctor, paid the bill (yes, paid the bill) and then billed the insurance company for the service.  By simply doing this we would cut down on unnecessary visits to the doctor and thus cut the overall cost of health care.  If we would further ask questions about the cost of our healthcare, I’ll bet my meager paycheck that costs would go down. 

I was in Canada this week on business.  I travel to the great white north (not white yet, but I like the movie) a couple of times a year.  I had dinner with a friend who happens to be a chiropractor and asked her about the health care system in Canada.  I’ve known for some time that the Canadian socialized health care system has had to eliminate most services outside of hospital and medical doctors visits to reduce costs.   Things we take for granted like dental care, optometry and chiropractic care, just to name a few.  This has actually been a great thing for those professionals as they have started to really educate their patients on the value of their services.  The friend I mentioned operates a cash only practice and sees a whole host of patients – young, old and everyone in between.  She has taken the time to actually educate her patients on the benefits of her care.  She is able to cut out the BS and red tape required to deal with the government like Medicare and insurance companies.  Instead of hiring someone to just bill insurance (like what happens in the US), she is able to keep that money in her pocket.  (Yes, I know she is in Canada but go with the example.)

I don’t have answers on the health care menagerie, but I don’t think that our elected officials do either.  Maybe we can start with the huddled masses and actually educate them on their health care and expenses.  Just a thought.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Where is the Love for the Health Insurance Execs?

One of my favorite actors is Will Ferrell.  His movies are some of the best comedies ever.  I can’t get together with my friends without quoting cinematic gems such as Anchorman, Old School or any of his awesome skits on SNL.  A true comedy icon.

Last week I came across a video put together by his company, Funny or Die.  The video pokes fun at the insurance companies in a tongue-in-cheek way.  Clever, but not truthful.  I’m convinced that insurance companies will make money no matter what system is in place as the government could never manage even a simple option.  They will need help from somewhere.  I doubt the pow wow at the White House with all the Health Insurance Execs was simply to scold them.  I believe it is self preservation.

These guys want a public option.   I find it curious that Moveon.org is involved in this project.  Not surprised, but curious.

Michael Wilson, writer for Big Hollywood, had an interesting perspective:

The actors and comedians in the PSA could literally buy health insurance for tens, if not hundreds of thousands of uninsured Americans. And they don’t even have to wait for the government to take their money at gunpoint. They can just do it. And they should. It’s clearly being positioned as a moral issue, so is it immoral for these folks to hoard money while children are suffering?

Well, the answer is “no.” It’s their money. And I think Will Ferrell should be able to keep as much of his dough as possible, even if he uses it to buy a mini-zoo in his back yard for exotic animals like a white tiger or Pygmy horses. If he chooses to buy me and a hundred thousand or so of my fellow uninsured Americans some insurance, it would go a long way toward establishing credibility. It would also prove that we don’t need government to force Americans to help each other.

It’s always nice to see things in perspective.  I’m sure Mr. Ferrell and his friends could buy and sell the Health Insurance Executives.  I am like Mike Wilson on this one, who cares how much money someone makes.  This is America and that should be part of the deal when being or becoming an American – unlimited potential to make as much money as you want.

As a counterpoint, some very creative people did a spoof of the Funny or Die video.   Very funny.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Axelrod Blitzed on Health Care Competition

Wolf Blitzer swerved into the truth about breaking down barriers to the insurance companies to complete across state lines.  Interesting stuff.

As Axelrod said, this is not endemic to the kind of reforms that we’re proposing…. 

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

UC Berkely Students Fail History Test

Alright, it wasn’t exactly a full blown history test but they didn’t pass anything with flying colors.

One of my favorites, Steven Crowder, hit another home run.  He traveled to the #1 institution in America – UC Berkeley to ask some questions of the smartest students in the land.

My favorite part is around 8:45 asking the single payer option students if Mary Jo Kopechne was in support of the public option (they were using Ted Kennedy’s image to promote the group.)  Also, I was a little surprised that none of these “enlightened” students indicated that Barack Obama was their favorite president.  Very interesting.

Aren’t they just priceless!

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Jack Webb Schools Obama on Health Care

This is just for fun. 

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Kennedy Family Throws Grandson to the Wolves

Nice.  They just couldn’t have a nice funeral service for Teddy, they had to make it political.  What a disgrace and a shame.

What’s next?  The mentally handicapped?  The invalid?  The homeless? The downtrodden?   The huddled masses?  Where does the shame begin for the left?

Do it for Teddy?  I don’t think so.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Keith Olbermann: The Worst Person in the World

OK, maybe he’s not the worst, but probably one of the most idiodic.

If you don’t watch MSNBC, and by the horrendous ratings not many do, you might not know that Keith Olbermann has a feature on his show called “The Worst Person in the World.” This segment highlights the three of the worst people in the world (hence the title) according to Mr. Olbermann. It varies by the day from Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, etc., etc., you get the point. (I actually think that Keith has a secret crush on Glenn Beck by all the attention he pays his show – just pure speculation on my part.)

This particular day Rep. Wally Herger (R) from California served as Olbermann’s whipping boy. During one of Rep. Herger’s town hall meetings a gentleman came to the microphone and mentioned several things as well as admitting to being a  “Right-wing terrorist.” Now you can judge for yourself, but he was obviously speaking tounge-in-cheek or as we like to call it Keith, he was being sarcastic. Evidently Keith didn’t get the memo.

I’m not really that surprised that Mr. Olbermann took the statement from Mr. Stead the way he did – that’s the premise of his show and his paycheck.  The loony left that tunes into the MSNBC trifecta (Hardball, Olbermann and Maddow) would expect nothing less.

To the credit of Rep. Herger, he has not backed down from his original statement:

From a statement from the Congressman’s Office:

Congressman Herger stands by his statement in support of his constituent. Mr. Bert Stead is a taxpayer and veteran, who, like so many others, is rightfully fed up with being called “un-American”, or “extremist” or a “political terrorist” by liberals in Washington, for simply exercising his First Amendment rights. Mr. Stead served his country and therefore he is a great American. The Congressman doesn’t at all regret commending him for standing up, exercising his free speech rights, and expressing his strong concerns with the direction liberals in Washington are taking our country.

Nuff said.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Those Darn Racist Gun Owners

My interest is always peaked when gun issues or gun talk comes up, especially on MSNBC.  A “controversy” came up with some of their reporting on protesters outside a venue President Obama was speaking at last week.   The video below depicts selective clipping on the shots cropping out the top portion of the individual (who just happened to be a black gentlemen).  The truth about the person in the video carrying the gun would have gotten in the way of their analysis that this was a racial statement – white people carrying weapons outside an Obama event.   You pasty white racist homophobe honky rednecks!!!!!

To be totally fair and balanced, clips used on Rachel Maddow’s show did pan out on the individual carrying the so-called “assault” weapon.  The ensuing conversation was of no interest to me, but I’ll give her show props since her brethren did not have nearly as much balance (or what can be construed as balance on her show).

Now I have no doubt that some in America are upset that a black man is in the white house – but this is a fringe element.  )He did, afterall, get over 50% of the vote in this hostile racist country!)  Most that are opposed to President Obama are opposed to his policies and not the color of his skin.  These guys on MSNBC are idiots, plain and simple.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Canadian Doctor on Health Care: Expect Long Lines and Rationing

I just love this piece.  I grabbed it from a great national blogger here in St. Louis, Gateway Pundit.  It really illustrates a great point of view regarding the Canadian Health Care System.  I am well aware that the proponents of some type of government plan will tell me: this is not socialized medicine!  I really don’t know how we can avoid a socialized system down the road if we decide to turn more control over to the government, but the convinced are rarely convinced otherwise.  Even if the current proposal(s) are not a fully government controlled plan like the Canadian’s currently have, it is my opinion that this is the logical conclusion (and what several members of Congress want – single payer system).

I know people from Canada that have had to wait in those lines.  I also know that the good MD’sin Canada often times will leave to practice in the US or other countries because of the vast income disparity and frustration with the bureaucratic system.  From this system the citizens of Canada do not get the best and brightest – they are coming down to our country to participate in our system.  What’s wrong with this picture?

I’m hoping that someone comes up with a better mousetrap before we are hammer of government run health care comes crashing down on us.  We’ll see.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant