THIS TIME, I AM REALLY STEPPING ON THIN ICE!

Copyright Vladimir Kagan 2010

I was taught: if you want to get on in this world, never discuss politics, sex or religion! So here goes:

…I like President Obama!…I think that he is a decent man. Yes, he was groomed for the job in one of the most politically corrupt districts in America: Chicago. He is ambitious…(every politician is). Vain. (He has a right to be.) Driven. (That's what it takes to get thing done.) The rest of the rhetoric is B.S. I believe he has the ability to lead and squire us through the most difficult times in this country's history. Is he doing a good job? It's a tough new world out there. (…He's trying his best.) 

So, what's up? The enemy in the woodpile is Congress…A self centered, body of men and women. There they sit…elected for two or six years. Their purported job is to legislate a government for the people and by the people…. It is also one of the cushiest jobs in the country. The perks are endless: Free office space, staff, transportation, the best free healthcare insurance package in the world, full salary retirement after one term… (I'd like to be in the congress just for those perks) the list is endless! Small wonder, we can't get rid of them…they stay and stay and stay. They rig their electoral districts to assure the vote. They control their local political machines to perpetuate themselves. Money flows toward them from all sources: vested interests, local agendas, (not at all in tune with the best interest of the country)…. The Insurance lobby, the Bankers, the Medical Profession, the Legal Profession and of course, the Gun Lobby.  Foreign interest groups like Israel, Saudi Arabia and China. They all have their fingers in our pie. It is a wonder that anything gets done in the interest of the People. Even the best of legislation is filled with Pork in order to get the votes. Just ask Nancy Pelosi, she doles it out daily. 

All Legislators share one thing in common: A glib tongue. Listen to them and you might think you are hearing the Sermon on the Mount. 

Want good government? Start term-limits for the Congress.

Take the much touted Health Care Bill, now in closed-door conference between the congress and Senate, passed by the Democrats only Every Republican (save one brave soul…Senator Snow of Maine) voted against what started out as a reasonable concept to bring medical security to ALL the people of this country…They sat on their hands and did NOTHING…not even offer constructive advice on how to make this overdue concept a reality. This summer they riled the poorest and most needy in this country, to rally to their battle cry! This tactic is not new. Take the historic Boston Tea Party of 1773. A spontaneous act? Hell no, it was stirred up by the rivalry between two wealthy ship owners: Both from Nantucket - But it was billed as a patriotic act!

Don't even think that the Democrats are blameless…Not a by a long shot. In order to squeak the health bill through, countless addendums and special interest agendas were added to the bill. No one knows what the end result will be…certainly not what it started with. 

I have one equalizing solution. What's good for the Goose, is good for the Gander. What ever the Health package will be….Let it be ALL inclusive. Let every member of congress join Us the People, and be protected by the same coverage!.... Ha ha ha!!!

Comments

[Hillary Chaves]

I could not agree more!!!

[Peter Aiken]

I like him too but am afraid he was bamboozled by all those medals on the chests of his generals. He needed more experience and age to say no on Afghanistan. Now we will have more war when the people who put him in office - you,me - wanted less war. Enough already!
Afghanistan is in their third decade of continual warfare (Russia, civil war, USA). While China makes advances in industry and green technology, we piss money away in senseless war. And cripple and kill our youth. An older Obama would have known better.

[Henry Babcock]

Absolutely we need term limits for our Congress Critters! However, they will never legislate themselves out of office, as you've pointed out. It's time for a National Initiative:

http://www.ni4d.us

I do have a correction: Senator Snowe voted against both cloture and the final passage of H.R. 3590.

I do have to take issue with the Republicans "did NOTHING" claim. I'm not a Republican, as I prefer to vote issues and not party - so I don't this post an affront to myself - nor am I a Democrat; rather, I just want to get at the truth.

Republicans offered several individual pieces of legislation to address problems with our health care delivery system, including their own comprehensive plan. These addressed issues like eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions, med-mal tort reform, and allowing interstate insurance sales. There are more, and I invite you to check them out (scroll down to the bottom for info on individual pieces):

http://www.gop.gov/solutions/healthcare

Congressional leaders wouldn't even send these bills to committee.

John Mackey had some very short, concise ideas for some reform, but he was vilified for them.

Whether one agrees with these ideas or not, it's unfair to say that the Republicans sat on their hands and did nothing.

As for what the Democrats have saddled us with, even the CBO reports that H.R. 3590 may still leave 23 million without any insurance in 2018.

http://tinyurl.com/yj3vbab

That's not health coverage for ALL. And, as you've pointed out, there are an elite 535 people in America (not to mention the thousands of DC staff members that benefit from the same plans as well) who won't be required to participate with "Us the People".

It's time to get ALL the entrenched corrupticrats out of office, redistrict Congressional maps for fair elections, and institute term limits. IMHO.

[Henry Babcock]

Great new video that goes right to your point about congressional members being held to the same standard as Us the People:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_i-vXZU7ZQ

[Cheap Asics Shoes]

Just about the most cherished factor in existence is friendship. By far the most valuable matter in between us is understanding.