The republicans won two state elections last night. There was the Gubernatorial election in Virginia, you know the one that came about because the democrats took the Governor of Virginia (D) to become the head of the dnc and there was my home state of New Jersey where an unpopular incumbent governor corzine spent Four forgettable Years (even with banning the death penalty) as governor, after leaving the Senate to replace Richard Codey. Who became acting governor when the last Democratic Governor came out of the closet. These are the big telling wins that show a public trend against the President and towards the republicans? Nationally?? Rationally?
How about that NY-23 Congressional race where the republican party's splitting in half gave the Democrats a win in a district, parts of which have voted republican since the 1800's? Now that's a trend I can get behind.
In other election news, sadly, gay marriage was not legalized in Maine, but an openly gay mayor was elected in Chapel Hill, NC and an anti-discrimination (against homosexuals) bill was passed in Kalamazoo, MI
"Don't believe the hype-it's a sequel"
david calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ USA
"In New Jersey, the party in power in the White House hasn't won the Governor's office since 1985 and the party in power in the White House hasn't won the Governor's office in Virginia since 1977."
From dnc chair Tim Kaine's statement on last night's election
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Happy Election Day!!!
I have received several emails asking who I am going to vote for, and even though it is a secret ballot something is driving me to tell you.. sort of.
I don't pay much attention to State politics. (I know, I know act local..) Governor Corzine should have stayed Senator Corzine, and he heard from this IP address about that. He has been lack luster as Governor of New Jersey. Not too bad, not too good. Not that it's easy to take over a State when the Country's economy is tanking. Christie has rooted out corruption, on both sides of the aisle, but he's a man with a plan that no one has, or maybe can, see. The main factors for me are his "relationship" and enthusiastic support of bush jr , the fear that he would have New Jersey opt out of the public option on health care and/or turn away additional stimilus monies like other bush republican governors have said they would, only to take it and take credit for it. And Christie is a union buster. Now I know unions aren't what they used to be, but I believe that this country favors the management (upper especially) in so many ways that workers still need and deserve protection . All that being said, New Jersey goes back and forth from Democratic to republican every couple of elections. If Christie does pull this squeeker out, our property taxes will go down by Spring, right? Oh yeah there's a third party candidate, Chris Dagget, from the middle (expect to see more of them) who can't win, but might be a good protest vote, especially if your republican.
On a local level, Hoboken may finally have an official Mayor again, hopefully hanging on for a full term. Full disclosure, my position with the City of Hoboken has improved under Acting Mayor Dawn Zimmer (see the Greening of Hoboken), though I do fear for the positions of other City workers once she is made Mayor of Hoboken tomorrow (More of a prediction than an endorsement). Acting Mayor Zimmer has been met with a few reality checks since she has taken her chair in the Mayor's office (see balanced budget), but has not made any glaring errors. Her hiring practices have not been as outside the box (or loop) either, which doesn't really surprise me. Her top three opponents are vying for the same pile of peter "the indicted" cammarano votes. Councilwoman Mason may have a reformer or two, but Acting Mayor Zimmer will not shed any of the votes (almost exactly half the voting public) she received in the last Mayoral election. Councilwoman Mason's campaign has been brutally nasty. Former Judge Glatt is the candidate no one has heard of, unless you're part of the Hudson County Democratic machine. And Developer Frank "Pupie" Raia is a glimpse at old "Hey oh, How You Doing?" Hoboken, that would be a step backward. Truthfully though, looking at what Hoboken continues to turn into (men's spas, sushi, and national chains) backwards isn't such a bad way to look.
So that's what I got a squeeker in the Governor's race and Zimmer winning Mayor. What's important is that you vote and take part in Our Democracy. How else will you be justified in comp[laining about it?
To Us!
dave calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ USA
I don't pay much attention to State politics. (I know, I know act local..) Governor Corzine should have stayed Senator Corzine, and he heard from this IP address about that. He has been lack luster as Governor of New Jersey. Not too bad, not too good. Not that it's easy to take over a State when the Country's economy is tanking. Christie has rooted out corruption, on both sides of the aisle, but he's a man with a plan that no one has, or maybe can, see. The main factors for me are his "relationship" and enthusiastic support of bush jr , the fear that he would have New Jersey opt out of the public option on health care and/or turn away additional stimilus monies like other bush republican governors have said they would, only to take it and take credit for it. And Christie is a union buster. Now I know unions aren't what they used to be, but I believe that this country favors the management (upper especially) in so many ways that workers still need and deserve protection . All that being said, New Jersey goes back and forth from Democratic to republican every couple of elections. If Christie does pull this squeeker out, our property taxes will go down by Spring, right? Oh yeah there's a third party candidate, Chris Dagget, from the middle (expect to see more of them) who can't win, but might be a good protest vote, especially if your republican.
On a local level, Hoboken may finally have an official Mayor again, hopefully hanging on for a full term. Full disclosure, my position with the City of Hoboken has improved under Acting Mayor Dawn Zimmer (see the Greening of Hoboken), though I do fear for the positions of other City workers once she is made Mayor of Hoboken tomorrow (More of a prediction than an endorsement). Acting Mayor Zimmer has been met with a few reality checks since she has taken her chair in the Mayor's office (see balanced budget), but has not made any glaring errors. Her hiring practices have not been as outside the box (or loop) either, which doesn't really surprise me. Her top three opponents are vying for the same pile of peter "the indicted" cammarano votes. Councilwoman Mason may have a reformer or two, but Acting Mayor Zimmer will not shed any of the votes (almost exactly half the voting public) she received in the last Mayoral election. Councilwoman Mason's campaign has been brutally nasty. Former Judge Glatt is the candidate no one has heard of, unless you're part of the Hudson County Democratic machine. And Developer Frank "Pupie" Raia is a glimpse at old "Hey oh, How You Doing?" Hoboken, that would be a step backward. Truthfully though, looking at what Hoboken continues to turn into (men's spas, sushi, and national chains) backwards isn't such a bad way to look.
So that's what I got a squeeker in the Governor's race and Zimmer winning Mayor. What's important is that you vote and take part in Our Democracy. How else will you be justified in comp[laining about it?
To Us!
dave calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ USA
Saturday, October 24, 2009
What a Difference a year or few makes.
"I just have to remind everybody — I know the campaign got fun, but those of you who were there early — you remember that? When nobody could pronounce my name?... We all remember, back in the very beginning, a lot of people said having hope was naive You remember that?" AUDIENCE: "Yes!" THE PRESIDENT: "That our faith in this country was misplaced. There’s a whole industry feeding cynicism and skepticism, and promoting a notion of, well, it hasn’t happened yet so it’s not going to happen. And for a while, you remember, those folks looked like they were right. You remember? Until we proved them wrong. Until we proved there isn’t anything false about hope. Until we proved that in America nothing can withstand the power of millions of voices that are calling for change. That’s the spirit that we need right now."
The President spoke to an Organizing for America fundraiser at the Hammerstein Ballroom in the New York City on October 20th. My friend (whose donations got me in the joint) and I sat in the Upper Balcony watching, listening and recording (shhh.) as a relaxed President Obama delivered a speech that addressed where we've come from, what has been accomplished, and what we have ahead of Us after his first nine months in office. The speech, primarily addressing health "insurance" reform, addressed critics from the left. One anonymous audience member shouted "single payer" , to which the President delivered a retort with the refrain "the bill you least like" that started with "the one you least like of the five that are out there would provide 29 million Americans health care — 29 million Americans who don’t have it right now would get it" followed by the much quoted since (in blogland, at least), "You know, sometimes Democrats can be their own worst enemies. Democrats are an opinionated bunch. You know, the other side, they just kind of — sometimes — do what they’re told. Democrats, you all are thinking for yourselves. I like that in you. But it’s time for us to make sure that we finish the job here. We are this close. And we’ve got to be unified." And to the critics on the right Obama hit with a "what I reject is when some folks decide to sit on the sidelines and root for failure on health care" and his newly crafted "Grab a Mop!" (and "Help us clean up this mess") bit. (A slogan that my mom thinks should be used by Active Democrats, the way "tea bag" was used by the minority of the minority party)
A year or few ago, stopping and arresting "terrorist plotters" (in NYC and Boston) would have been met with fanfare and a general lauding of the President for "keeping us safe" (with faux news taking the lead). A year or few ago, Alaskan wilderness was in greater danger of being drilled for oil than of being preserved for polar bear habitats. A year or few ago, opposing minority members were not yelling at the President of the United States during one of his Few addresses to Congress and gunmen were not tolerated at Protests (wooden dowels to hold up signs weren't). A year or few ago, there was still a discussion on water boarding, stem cells, the need for guantanamo bay, not to mention, getting out of the war of choice in Iraq. I realize that the list of everything the progressive left (me included) wants has yet to be addressed. All the promises that Candidate Obama made have yet to be completed. But a year or few ago would an extension of hate crimes to include sexual orientation ever get through Congress or be signed by the President (failure 43 threatened to rewrite the Constitution to discriminate against homosexuals)? Would the government be planning to cut upper corporate management's pay? Would criticism of the President be seen as un-American or dissent and debate (no matter how ludicrous the claims, unfortunately )? Would Congress be doing their job discussing and formulating legislation or would they just be doing their party's president's bidding?
So yeah, has Barack Obama saved the world? No, but the world does have a much more favorable opinion of us. Has he saved the United States? No, though you don't hear the Great Depression talk very much anymore, even house sales are starting to trend in the right direction. Has he saved the Earth? No, but Major strides have been made in mileage and emission standards already. And he's "just getting started!"
More on President 44's first year and how it compares to other presidents when it's closer to over. Until then, call Congress, call the White House, and call the Media. Let your voice be heard. It is, after all, as much your country as it is any other American citizen's.
"This is such a rare moment in our history. Now is not the time to start getting disillusioned, or now is not the time to start thinking, oh, this is too hard. We’ve got this opportunity to change our world for the better. But the change — we said this in the campaign, it is true now — it never starts in Washington. It always starts with you. It starts with ordinary people — — men and women who love their country, who are standing together and fighting for its future.... So I just want everybody here to understand, we are in this for the long haul. Some of these changes may not happen in 18 months, or 36 months, or 72 months. It’s going to take time. But I don’t know about you, I just want to let you know — I'm just getting started. I’m not tired. I don’t know about you, but I’m not tired. All these folks who are throwing stuff at us and getting all crazy and — you know, I’m just getting started. I feel refreshed. I feel energized. And it’s because of you. " President Barack Obama October 20, 2009 New York City
To Progress (one step in the right direction at a time)
David Calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ USA
The President spoke to an Organizing for America fundraiser at the Hammerstein Ballroom in the New York City on October 20th. My friend (whose donations got me in the joint) and I sat in the Upper Balcony watching, listening and recording (shhh.) as a relaxed President Obama delivered a speech that addressed where we've come from, what has been accomplished, and what we have ahead of Us after his first nine months in office. The speech, primarily addressing health "insurance" reform, addressed critics from the left. One anonymous audience member shouted "single payer" , to which the President delivered a retort with the refrain "the bill you least like" that started with "the one you least like of the five that are out there would provide 29 million Americans health care — 29 million Americans who don’t have it right now would get it" followed by the much quoted since (in blogland, at least), "You know, sometimes Democrats can be their own worst enemies. Democrats are an opinionated bunch. You know, the other side, they just kind of — sometimes — do what they’re told. Democrats, you all are thinking for yourselves. I like that in you. But it’s time for us to make sure that we finish the job here. We are this close. And we’ve got to be unified." And to the critics on the right Obama hit with a "what I reject is when some folks decide to sit on the sidelines and root for failure on health care" and his newly crafted "Grab a Mop!" (and "Help us clean up this mess") bit. (A slogan that my mom thinks should be used by Active Democrats, the way "tea bag" was used by the minority of the minority party)
A year or few ago, stopping and arresting "terrorist plotters" (in NYC and Boston) would have been met with fanfare and a general lauding of the President for "keeping us safe" (with faux news taking the lead). A year or few ago, Alaskan wilderness was in greater danger of being drilled for oil than of being preserved for polar bear habitats. A year or few ago, opposing minority members were not yelling at the President of the United States during one of his Few addresses to Congress and gunmen were not tolerated at Protests (wooden dowels to hold up signs weren't). A year or few ago, there was still a discussion on water boarding, stem cells, the need for guantanamo bay, not to mention, getting out of the war of choice in Iraq. I realize that the list of everything the progressive left (me included) wants has yet to be addressed. All the promises that Candidate Obama made have yet to be completed. But a year or few ago would an extension of hate crimes to include sexual orientation ever get through Congress or be signed by the President (failure 43 threatened to rewrite the Constitution to discriminate against homosexuals)? Would the government be planning to cut upper corporate management's pay? Would criticism of the President be seen as un-American or dissent and debate (no matter how ludicrous the claims, unfortunately )? Would Congress be doing their job discussing and formulating legislation or would they just be doing their party's president's bidding?
So yeah, has Barack Obama saved the world? No, but the world does have a much more favorable opinion of us. Has he saved the United States? No, though you don't hear the Great Depression talk very much anymore, even house sales are starting to trend in the right direction. Has he saved the Earth? No, but Major strides have been made in mileage and emission standards already. And he's "just getting started!"
More on President 44's first year and how it compares to other presidents when it's closer to over. Until then, call Congress, call the White House, and call the Media. Let your voice be heard. It is, after all, as much your country as it is any other American citizen's.
"This is such a rare moment in our history. Now is not the time to start getting disillusioned, or now is not the time to start thinking, oh, this is too hard. We’ve got this opportunity to change our world for the better. But the change — we said this in the campaign, it is true now — it never starts in Washington. It always starts with you. It starts with ordinary people — — men and women who love their country, who are standing together and fighting for its future.... So I just want everybody here to understand, we are in this for the long haul. Some of these changes may not happen in 18 months, or 36 months, or 72 months. It’s going to take time. But I don’t know about you, I just want to let you know — I'm just getting started. I’m not tired. I don’t know about you, but I’m not tired. All these folks who are throwing stuff at us and getting all crazy and — you know, I’m just getting started. I feel refreshed. I feel energized. And it’s because of you. " President Barack Obama October 20, 2009 New York City
To Progress (one step in the right direction at a time)
David Calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ USA
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
A guiding, underlying philosophy.
"Life,
With the exception of security, which is meant to protect the first (while, at times, negating the second), Our society is focused on the third, and regardless of the cliche "Money can't buy Happiness", it is money that so many are in pursuit of in its name.
An underlying, guiding, principle serves as a foundation or constant to political argument. The lack of one gives the appearance of, or in fact is, hypocrisy. How can one argue that banks (which made millions and sent the economy tanking through deregulation) were not too big to fail, turn around and say that health insurance companies (the 10 largest of which saw their profits go up 428% between 2000 and 2007 (page 7) while costing American People their homes and worse through deregulation) are too big to fail, or even compete? Or if the man, who is quoted as saying “Blessed are the meek”, is your own personal savior, why would you not do all you can to help them? Where is the guiding principle?
The Health Care Reform “debate” has been, more than anything else, about dollars and cents (with a little nonsense throw in by the power$ that be). “Your taxes will go up”, but your premiums will go down. “How can you justify spending billions in this recession?”, but we’re spending that on war. Well it turns out the Baucus bill, which I am not thrilled with, will Reduce the deficit over the ten years. How do you like that? Health Care Reform will provide for some, unfortunately not all, of the uninsured, save the insured money, And save the Country money. But again, money shouldn’t be the driving issue of this debate on Our Nation’s Health Care, currently ranked 37th in the world and costing Americans more than most other populations. No, the issue should be what is best for the Health of
The "inalienable rights" in the Declaration of Independence were and are meant for all Americans, those who agree and those who disagree, those who "deserve it" and those who "don't". It is the government's job to afford All Americans security in attaining and maintaining these rights. As the homeless American goes, so does the CEO. Trouble is we are all so focused on that Pursuit of Happiness, currently defined by money and convenience, we're too blind to see it. 45,000 people die a year because they don't have health insurance. There are American people that need help maintaining "Life" and the US Government needs to help them. Period.
Next week's topic: What a difference a few years make: How I'm pissed at the Democratic Congress because they're not rubber stamping slaves to the President like the Republicans were, also Presidential First Years: A Greatest Hits.
"“I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors,” “There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other, to learn from each other, to respect one another, to seek common ground.” -President Barack Obama - Winner of the Nobel Prize for his Diplomacy in 2009.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Health sCare (health care reform part 1)
Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed by the 111th Congress as the 111th United States Supreme Court Justice. She is a woman. She is Puerto Rican. She grew up in public housing in the Bronx. Fine example she sets. The top taliban leader in Pakistan was killed by the United States. Former President Bill " Big Dog" Clinton talked two American journalists, from Al Gore's Current TV, out of North Korea's hard labor camps. So many people have taken advantage of the Cash for Clunkers program it has been approved to get more money. Along with helping auto dealers sell cars, it's fuel efficiency requirement has played a significant role in June's jump in average gas mileage (the largest in years). Saying this program is a failure is like saying a concert is a failure because it was sold out. Sadly, another plane crashed into the Hudson. This time, tragically, after colliding with a helicopter. There were no survivors. And newly released documents prove rover and miers' direct involvement in the political firings of US attorneys.
Now that all of that is out of the way, it's on to the health care reform "debate" that has Stephen Hawking and republicans (along with the Democrats who aren't afraid to speak) calling "bullshit" on protesters' ridiculous claims and lies. And by protesters I mean concerned citizens asking pertinent questions at "town hall" meetings on health care reform.
Here are some Fun Facts regarding the current Health sCare Reform "debate":
There are no "death panels" in the House Health Care Reform Bill, despite what republicant sentors, ex-governors , and faux journalists have to say. The "end-of-life" services in the legislation do not refer to euthanasia. They refer to hospice and assistance to the family in the last days of a loved one's life. To quote one republican, on the House committee through which the bill passed, referring to these services as "death panels" is "nuts". Though there is something that could be construed as similar currently at private insurance companies. There are no provisions in the House health care bill for "rationing" "abortions paid for by tax dollars" or "health care for illegal immigrants". You, or if your employer provides it your employer, can choose to keep your current insurance under the House health care bill. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi did not call protesters "un-american". She said "[d]rowning out opposing views is simply un-American." She didn't call them "nazis" either. She said they were carrying swastikas, which they were. A swastika was recently painted on a Congressman, who happens to be black,'s house after his town hall " discussion". On a more positive note, the American Medical Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, PhRMA (the trade group of the pharmaceutical industry) SEIU (the service employees union) and the AARP all support and are pledging millions in support of the health care plan. No need to remind me that there were deals made for some of this support, but I'm not afraid of a good compromise if it extends health benefits to 40 million Americans who are currently uninsured.
Violence and wild eyed hate is not the usual debate for a 1000+ page of legislation. A lot of the vocal protests seem to have little to do with the proposed bill itself. The more I hear the concerned citizens entering the free speech town hall debate on health with nothing to say but "I am afraid of Obama", the more I am afraid for him and for America. Bringing a loaded hand gun to the President's town hall in NH? They took my key chain when I saw Candidate Barack Obama speak in New York. Armed militias are on the rise. More guns and knives are showing up at town hall "discussions" on health care. Why? Who's responsible for distributing and pushing all the disinformation and slanderous comparisons? Look no further than lou "you gotta put a stake through his [Howard Dean's] heart to stop him" dobbs, rush "adolph hitler, like Obama" limbaugh, glenn "obama is a racist" beck, and sarah "death panel" palin, to name a few. They are calling fire in a theater, and throwing gasoline on the flames they create, along with the teabag/birther organizers who want No Reform at all. They, and handful of old politcos like dick "no nickname needed" armey, are responsible for being so irresponsible. Remember when the guy got tasered after refusing to leave the lectern for asking a volatile question? Remember the anti-Iraq war protesters being rounded up in NYC and held in a warehouse? Remember when the right wingnuts were referring to those of us protesting an unnecessary, illegal, pre-emptive war of choice as "zealots" and "nazis". I guess hanging US congressmen in effigy, threatening their lives, shutting down public meetings and shouting down elected officials so they can not speak isn't that bad to them. Billions for killing? Good. Billions for health? Unacceptable. I wonder how many of the protesters use the VA, are on medicare, or would be helped by the legislation they are being used to oppose. I wonder if the republicants that oppose "government run health care" will shed their tax payer funded federal employee health care plan to buy private insurance of their own. I say no government run health care for Congressmen and women who say they oppose it, and that includes the VA, Medicare, and TriCare.
Americans are dying and/or going bankrupt because they can not afford health care or their insurance provider has denied them treatments. The thought of this issue as the politics of a "win" or "loss" for the President or a political party is disgusting. Defending Health Insurance companies, who made a 428% from 2000-2007 while dropping one to two million people per yer from their roles isn't much better. The House bill is an attempt at extending health benefits to 40 million Americans who are currently uninsured. This debate should be about finding a way to provide health care to average and low income Americans versus the current corporate model, which puts the bottom line ahead of the health of Our country's citizenry. About whether or not we should treat the issue the same way we do police protection or national security or car insurance for that matter. Instead, it's a "debate" about whether a government providing for its citizenry is socialist.
Enough about the faux debate. I'm going to go read the 1018 page H.R.3200 - America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (full text, summary).
To your health!
David Calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ USA
P.S. This same crap's going to happen during the Climate Change Bill debates.
Now that all of that is out of the way, it's on to the health care reform "debate" that has Stephen Hawking and republicans (along with the Democrats who aren't afraid to speak) calling "bullshit" on protesters' ridiculous claims and lies. And by protesters I mean concerned citizens asking pertinent questions at "town hall" meetings on health care reform.
Here are some Fun Facts regarding the current Health sCare Reform "debate":
There are no "death panels" in the House Health Care Reform Bill, despite what republicant sentors, ex-governors , and faux journalists have to say. The "end-of-life" services in the legislation do not refer to euthanasia. They refer to hospice and assistance to the family in the last days of a loved one's life. To quote one republican, on the House committee through which the bill passed, referring to these services as "death panels" is "nuts". Though there is something that could be construed as similar currently at private insurance companies. There are no provisions in the House health care bill for "rationing" "abortions paid for by tax dollars" or "health care for illegal immigrants". You, or if your employer provides it your employer, can choose to keep your current insurance under the House health care bill. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi did not call protesters "un-american". She said "[d]rowning out opposing views is simply un-American." She didn't call them "nazis" either. She said they were carrying swastikas, which they were. A swastika was recently painted on a Congressman, who happens to be black,'s house after his town hall " discussion". On a more positive note, the American Medical Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, PhRMA (the trade group of the pharmaceutical industry) SEIU (the service employees union) and the AARP all support and are pledging millions in support of the health care plan. No need to remind me that there were deals made for some of this support, but I'm not afraid of a good compromise if it extends health benefits to 40 million Americans who are currently uninsured.
Violence and wild eyed hate is not the usual debate for a 1000+ page of legislation. A lot of the vocal protests seem to have little to do with the proposed bill itself. The more I hear the concerned citizens entering the free speech town hall debate on health with nothing to say but "I am afraid of Obama", the more I am afraid for him and for America. Bringing a loaded hand gun to the President's town hall in NH? They took my key chain when I saw Candidate Barack Obama speak in New York. Armed militias are on the rise. More guns and knives are showing up at town hall "discussions" on health care. Why? Who's responsible for distributing and pushing all the disinformation and slanderous comparisons? Look no further than lou "you gotta put a stake through his [Howard Dean's] heart to stop him" dobbs, rush "adolph hitler, like Obama" limbaugh, glenn "obama is a racist" beck, and sarah "death panel" palin, to name a few. They are calling fire in a theater, and throwing gasoline on the flames they create, along with the teabag/birther organizers who want No Reform at all. They, and handful of old politcos like dick "no nickname needed" armey, are responsible for being so irresponsible. Remember when the guy got tasered after refusing to leave the lectern for asking a volatile question? Remember the anti-Iraq war protesters being rounded up in NYC and held in a warehouse? Remember when the right wingnuts were referring to those of us protesting an unnecessary, illegal, pre-emptive war of choice as "zealots" and "nazis". I guess hanging US congressmen in effigy, threatening their lives, shutting down public meetings and shouting down elected officials so they can not speak isn't that bad to them. Billions for killing? Good. Billions for health? Unacceptable. I wonder how many of the protesters use the VA, are on medicare, or would be helped by the legislation they are being used to oppose. I wonder if the republicants that oppose "government run health care" will shed their tax payer funded federal employee health care plan to buy private insurance of their own. I say no government run health care for Congressmen and women who say they oppose it, and that includes the VA, Medicare, and TriCare.
Americans are dying and/or going bankrupt because they can not afford health care or their insurance provider has denied them treatments. The thought of this issue as the politics of a "win" or "loss" for the President or a political party is disgusting. Defending Health Insurance companies, who made a 428% from 2000-2007 while dropping one to two million people per yer from their roles isn't much better. The House bill is an attempt at extending health benefits to 40 million Americans who are currently uninsured. This debate should be about finding a way to provide health care to average and low income Americans versus the current corporate model, which puts the bottom line ahead of the health of Our country's citizenry. About whether or not we should treat the issue the same way we do police protection or national security or car insurance for that matter. Instead, it's a "debate" about whether a government providing for its citizenry is socialist.
Enough about the faux debate. I'm going to go read the 1018 page H.R.3200 - America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (full text, summary).
To your health!
David Calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ USA
P.S. This same crap's going to happen during the Climate Change Bill debates.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Quitting, and other things.
Remember that nut from Alaska? It turns out she's a quitter. "Say it ain't so Joe". She put in her three weeks notice. Her explanation was an ambiguous 7,000+ word screed that any teenager would be proud of, complete with unnecessary quotation marks (I'm flattered.) and explanation points. "You Betcha!" Some say this salmon is swimming up stream, some say the lipsticked Bush is running from something somebody has on her. Maybe it's one of the bloggers she has threatened to sue. I say WHO CARES!!!!
Some real important news stories have been hidden recently by failed republican governors and the death of, arguably, the biggest pop star, greatest entertainer, and most enigmatic celebrity of all time (RIP Michael Jackson). American troops pulled out of Iraq's cities on Iraqi National Sovereignty Day. 5,014 American soldiers dead, 100,000's wounded and they had fire works to celebrate the Us withdrawal. That worked out great. We may not even get at their oil. Well, at least we still have Afghanistan, right? Iranian clerics made a bold move and "defied" the Ayatollah. Maybe there is some power to the people, not to mention the seeds of change in Iran. Good thing we didn't openly meddle or take sides. If we had, Iran's hard-liner claim that "the opposition leader is a US agent" might hold more weight. Honduras is on fire. A coup has taken place there, but don't worry they don't have any oil, or plans for nuclear power. The Uighur uprising in China, that has claimed 156 lives, has China's president, Hu Jintao, threatening the death penalty for rioters, who are keeping him from his Italian Summit with President Obama and the G8. In bad domestic news, unemployment rose to 9.5%. President Obama has said it would hit 10%, and more recently Vice President Biden left his disclosed bunker to say "we and everyone else misread the economy" possibly leading up to the next stimulus package. They said the stimulus package was to be implemented over 18 months (we're about 4 months in), but this is starting to hurt really badly. Just look at States like California and Michigan.
So yeah one republican governor used state funds to see his goumade (mistress) in Argentina, and another republican state chief executive quit before her first term in office was over, but it's a big world out there, and we have plenty of big problems here at home. At least there's a comedy writer/Mic Jagger impersonator in the Capitol Building. Senator Al Franken is "ready to work". But before you get too giddy, that magic Senatorial number 60 everyone keeps talking about only matters if the Democrats walk lock step toward things like Health Care for all and clean, renewable, sustainable energy. Something they have yet to do. We need to push them. It's going to take more than voting to change this country.
I'll leave you with this from Henry Kissinger on Obama's "speech to the Islamic world:
"Obama is like a chess player who is playing simultaneous chess and has opened his game with an unusual opening. Now he's got to play his hand as he plays his various counterparts. We haven't gotten beyond the opening game move yet. I have no quarrel with the opening move."
I just couldn't resist.
To Progress (the "We're going to have to do Our part" kind).
David Calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ USA
Some real important news stories have been hidden recently by failed republican governors and the death of, arguably, the biggest pop star, greatest entertainer, and most enigmatic celebrity of all time (RIP Michael Jackson). American troops pulled out of Iraq's cities on Iraqi National Sovereignty Day. 5,014 American soldiers dead, 100,000's wounded and they had fire works to celebrate the Us withdrawal. That worked out great. We may not even get at their oil. Well, at least we still have Afghanistan, right? Iranian clerics made a bold move and "defied" the Ayatollah. Maybe there is some power to the people, not to mention the seeds of change in Iran. Good thing we didn't openly meddle or take sides. If we had, Iran's hard-liner claim that "the opposition leader is a US agent" might hold more weight. Honduras is on fire. A coup has taken place there, but don't worry they don't have any oil, or plans for nuclear power. The Uighur uprising in China, that has claimed 156 lives, has China's president, Hu Jintao, threatening the death penalty for rioters, who are keeping him from his Italian Summit with President Obama and the G8. In bad domestic news, unemployment rose to 9.5%. President Obama has said it would hit 10%, and more recently Vice President Biden left his disclosed bunker to say "we and everyone else misread the economy" possibly leading up to the next stimulus package. They said the stimulus package was to be implemented over 18 months (we're about 4 months in), but this is starting to hurt really badly. Just look at States like California and Michigan.
So yeah one republican governor used state funds to see his goumade (mistress) in Argentina, and another republican state chief executive quit before her first term in office was over, but it's a big world out there, and we have plenty of big problems here at home. At least there's a comedy writer/Mic Jagger impersonator in the Capitol Building. Senator Al Franken is "ready to work". But before you get too giddy, that magic Senatorial number 60 everyone keeps talking about only matters if the Democrats walk lock step toward things like Health Care for all and clean, renewable, sustainable energy. Something they have yet to do. We need to push them. It's going to take more than voting to change this country.
I'll leave you with this from Henry Kissinger on Obama's "speech to the Islamic world:
"Obama is like a chess player who is playing simultaneous chess and has opened his game with an unusual opening. Now he's got to play his hand as he plays his various counterparts. We haven't gotten beyond the opening game move yet. I have no quarrel with the opening move."
I just couldn't resist.
To Progress (the "We're going to have to do Our part" kind).
David Calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ USA
Friday, June 12, 2009
Respect, Strength, and [a] Justice
It was a week ago, but I am still somewhat awestruck by the President of the United States' speech to the Muslim people of the World, those living in the Middle East in particular, at Cairo University in Egypt. It was the first time I have ever heard an elected official from the US treat the people of the "Muslim world", and their religion, with such respect. Neither extremists nor their appeasers or sympathizers were let off the hook, but to hear an American President recognize the largest religion in the world by speaking (a better attempt than failure 43's Spanish) in its native tongue was something different. The New President has gone as far as to say that Iran has the right to use nuclear power for electricity. Any country with nuclear Weapons is extremely dangerous, just ask Japan. But has Our "do as we say, not as we do", "we're in charge" "we know better" approach worked? Has it stopped Iran or North Korea? Did it stop Pakistan? Has it brought any lasting peace to the "Middle East"? When you are threatened, do you back down, compromise and discuss or do you push back even harder? Four days after Obama's speech hezzbollah lost seats in Lebanon's election? Let's hope Iran's election (that's right , ahmadinejad was democratically elected, as opposed to Our Saudi King ally, among others) goes "our" way too.
Another jaw dropping change in Middle East policy was the President's and the Secretary of State's strong stance opposing Israel's expanding its territory through settlements. Wow! Elected officials who are not of the "Israel can do no wrong" ilk are usually way below any position of policy making power. More on Prime Minister Netanyahu's response after his upcoming speech on "security".
But these were not the only historic and possibly transformational moments recently. In what may become President Obama's Reagan moment (not for the reasons you may think) he has nominated Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. I type "Reagan moment", not because he nominated a woman, but because the nominee may turn into more of a right center leaner than a left, which would be reminiscent of Reagan's appointment, Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra O'Connor, turning out to lean left center. Justice Sotomayor came from the projects in the Bronx, went on to graduate from Princeton University and Yale Law School. She has more judicial experience than anyone on the Supreme Court had when they were nominated. She was first nominated to the Federal bench by President George H. W. Bush and then was promoted by President William Clinton. So far the republicants have had a problem with the way she pronounces her name, the kind of food she eats, the fact that she once said her experience as a "Latin woman" would give her an insight that an old white man or woman might not have (i'm paraphrasing) and of course she said that "the court of appeals is where policy is made". Supreme Court Justice antonin scalia was a bit more blunt when he said "courts often 'make law,' since the precedent of the highest court does not cover every situation, and not every case is reviewed. " Justice Sotomayor has ruled in favor of pro-lifers and pro-choicers. She has been on both sides of discrimination cases during her tenure. She has been a part of thousands of decisions, authored 380+ published opinions, ruled in favor of the Wall Street Journal over the Clinton Justice Department, and ended the baseball strike. But alas, she is a "hispanic" woman, and that has some old white men in a panic.
Speaking of panicking old white men, the republicant party has turned from defeated and disorganized to Down Right dangerous and the Department of Homeland Security's report last month warned us of it. The pro-lifer that murdered a doctor while he was ushering at his church and the white supremist anti-semite opening fire, killing a guard, at the Holocaust Memorial in DC will hopefully be the peak of the violence perpetrated by these domestic terrorists. When the pro-life murderer warned of "more violence to come" where was the outcry from the pro-torture crowd to waterboard him to find out more.
Well, next up health care reform. Why doctors at the AMA may not like it. Why you don't have a choice of whatever doctor and/or procedure you want or need Now. Why a tax increase that is lower than the health care cost it does away with is a good deal. Why America is one of, if not thee, last industrialized, "civilized" nation in the world not to have public health care to go with Our public education and public safety (police & fire).
To Progress.
David Calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ USA
Another jaw dropping change in Middle East policy was the President's and the Secretary of State's strong stance opposing Israel's expanding its territory through settlements. Wow! Elected officials who are not of the "Israel can do no wrong" ilk are usually way below any position of policy making power. More on Prime Minister Netanyahu's response after his upcoming speech on "security".
But these were not the only historic and possibly transformational moments recently. In what may become President Obama's Reagan moment (not for the reasons you may think) he has nominated Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. I type "Reagan moment", not because he nominated a woman, but because the nominee may turn into more of a right center leaner than a left, which would be reminiscent of Reagan's appointment, Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra O'Connor, turning out to lean left center. Justice Sotomayor came from the projects in the Bronx, went on to graduate from Princeton University and Yale Law School. She has more judicial experience than anyone on the Supreme Court had when they were nominated. She was first nominated to the Federal bench by President George H. W. Bush and then was promoted by President William Clinton. So far the republicants have had a problem with the way she pronounces her name, the kind of food she eats, the fact that she once said her experience as a "Latin woman" would give her an insight that an old white man or woman might not have (i'm paraphrasing) and of course she said that "the court of appeals is where policy is made". Supreme Court Justice antonin scalia was a bit more blunt when he said "courts often 'make law,' since the precedent of the highest court does not cover every situation, and not every case is reviewed. " Justice Sotomayor has ruled in favor of pro-lifers and pro-choicers. She has been on both sides of discrimination cases during her tenure. She has been a part of thousands of decisions, authored 380+ published opinions, ruled in favor of the Wall Street Journal over the Clinton Justice Department, and ended the baseball strike. But alas, she is a "hispanic" woman, and that has some old white men in a panic.
Speaking of panicking old white men, the republicant party has turned from defeated and disorganized to Down Right dangerous and the Department of Homeland Security's report last month warned us of it. The pro-lifer that murdered a doctor while he was ushering at his church and the white supremist anti-semite opening fire, killing a guard, at the Holocaust Memorial in DC will hopefully be the peak of the violence perpetrated by these domestic terrorists. When the pro-life murderer warned of "more violence to come" where was the outcry from the pro-torture crowd to waterboard him to find out more.
Well, next up health care reform. Why doctors at the AMA may not like it. Why you don't have a choice of whatever doctor and/or procedure you want or need Now. Why a tax increase that is lower than the health care cost it does away with is a good deal. Why America is one of, if not thee, last industrialized, "civilized" nation in the world not to have public health care to go with Our public education and public safety (police & fire).
To Progress.
David Calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ USA
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