The Collapse Of The American Republic

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You Said That Because???

I have always been a Conservative.  I don't ever remember being anything else.  While my 2 brothers and my sister performed antics all over the neighborhood growing up, I was the one who cleaned up the messes and took care of the responsibilities we had in the family.  Maybe, that's why I got involved in Blog Talk Radio and created the show Southern Sense.

I am still running around the neighborhood trying to fix the messes, only this time it's the messes we allowed to occur because we didn't speak out enough.  In the past I wrote editorials, letters to elected officials, government offices and placed calls.  Two years ago, I co-founded the Beaufort Tea Party in South Carolina.   It was not enough, so I created this Blog, joined Twitter and Facebook.

Because of the Internet social networks, I started to get my voice heard, figuratively speaking, and met wonderful and new people.  Yet, I still felt it wasn't enough.  Today, I host, 2 days a week, the Blog Talk Show, Southern Sense as well as remaining active in local affairs, without becoming a politician.  On that matter, I promised my Momma, I would clean sewers first, before that happened!

Activism begins at the grass-root level.  You have to be passionate about an issue, whether it's adhering to the Constitution or the actions of your local council.  From the bottom up, I have found my voice has made some difference.  To begin with, the State Legislature wanted to modify the Handicap Parking Permits that hang from your car rear view mirror and place your photo exposed to anyone walking by.  I fought them and today, the photo is hidden and upon request of a law enforcement officer, can be shown to prove the person in the car is the actual permit holder and it's not being used fraudulently.  My argument was that any criminal can see a handicap permitted car and see an easy prey.  They only need to match the person to the photo and lay in wait for their intended victim.  I won.

Today, I am battling our local council to create a friendlier business environment that will create jobs, attract business and improve our local economy.  You have to start somewhere.

My point is, don't just sit back and trust someone else to take up the battle standard.  Step forward and choose your fight carefully, determine what your goal is and what compromises you'll accept.  You have to start with what you care the most about and use all of the resources available, be it print media, the Internet or the TV & Radio media.  Make your voice count! I have!

How All Liberal S.I.N. (So Says The Herman Cain)

The following editorial was published in my local paper (link embedded below).  Please read and an my online response to it.  It is amusing!  Enjoy!

National health care not a radical change
Published Friday, January 21, 2011
Read more: http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/01/21/1517941/national-health-care-not-a-radical.html#disqus_thread#ixzz1BnIloPeG

     Let me see if I have this right.  Many citizens of the United States, along with some politicians in Congress, have access to: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment compensation, disaster recovery (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc.), yet they are objecting to a national health care program that will help 32 million uninsured Americans. And why? Because they don't want the government running their lives? Who's selling whom the farm?
     Stop and think about that for a moment. "Ludicrous" comes to my mind. That along with all this political posturing lately gives me a headache. If there are some things wrong with the health care law, then address those specific issues by prioritizing. You can't throw the baby out with the bath water.
     Wake up, America, and tell your elected officials to concentrate on more important things, such as bank bonuses, pork-barrel spending and a "Weeper of the House" who incites vitriol. Besides, I didn't vote for him as president, and he doesn't speak for me.
     Finally, I see a modest recovery under way in spite of all the negativity. President Barack Obama is doing his job and doing it well. The proof is in the pudding.
 
Joseph W. James III Beaufort

**********************************************************

How Liberals S.I.N. (so says The Herman Cain)
(Switch the subject, Ignore the facts, Name call)

** Take a moment and find in the above editorial how the author in four simple papragraphs manages to S.I.N.  

I am always amazed at the ability of the left to ignore and distort facts and in using unrelated subjects to prove a bogus argument.  With this in mind, I may be wasting words and time on Mr. Joseph W. James III (Love how they have to quantify their name instead of just signing Joe James), but it just may make a difference to another reader.  So here goes.....

Mr. James does have one fact correct, in that he stated that "Many.... have access to:" various public programs.  The key word is "access" not mandatory participation.  The individual must voluntarily apply and meet certain criteria to be eligible for the services he mentions.  No where in the Constitution does Congress, the Executive Branch or the Judicial branch have the authority to mandate all citizens to purchase a service or good as a prerequisite to citizenship or residency.  If such a power did exist, then government could mandate that everyone  must purchase and wear only pink underwear or some other inane item or service.

The very premise of a mandate is unconstitutional, therefor the entire legislation must be nullified, because each section of it is based upon the mandate to purchase by everyone.  With this in mind, the best plan of action is to return to square one, look at the sections of the bill that can work as stand alone programs, such as forgiving pre-existing conditions, portability, etc. and begin to overhaul health care in a logical fashion.  Build a sunset clause into these programs, so that if it is found they are unsustainable, impractical or just plan failures they can die out and be replaced with workable programs that are within the framework of the Constitution.

Health care does exist on varying levels for all people (note I did not say citizens) residing within the United States.  Federal law mandates that anyone who goes to an hospital emergency room must be treated, they can not be turned away.  If the patient is indigent or lack adequate funds, each hospital has a social services department which will assist the individual obtain Medicaid, charitable funding, grants, loans or work out discounted payment plans.  They also assist in helping them to obtain follow-up care through community clinics, pro-bono doctors or medical facilities.  Medications can be obtained from the the hospital or pharmaceutical companies with their various programs at low or no costs.  I downloaded a coupon from http://www.SmartSource.com which offers a 75% discount on ANY medication at ANY pharmacy for ANY person WITHOUT insurance.  It is being offered to a local pharmacy (at my own cost of time, ink and paper) so they can use it for someone in dire need.  If Mr. Joseph W. James III is so concerned with the uninsured, maybe he'll take the time, ink and paper, to download a few of these coupons and offer them to his local pharmacy to help the uninsured.

I personally have experienced instances where I could not afford certain care.  Simply sitting down with the Doctor's staff, I was able to work out programs and payment plans which enable me to receive the full and proper care needed.  Many Doctors and Nursing staff when faced with an uninsured patient, based upon the medical and financial situation may offer their care for free.

I will agree with Mr. Joseph W. James III that we need our elected officials to concentrate on more important matters, such as "pork-barrel spending".  He can help by going to http://majorityleader.gov/YouCut/ and tell Congress what programs to cut to help balance the budget.  However, he mentions bank bonuses without qualifying the statement.  This is a free market, capitalistic society, so what is wrong with making a profit or being rewarded for a job well done?  Would he deny Andruw Young his $2 million dollar contract with the Yankees or the performance bonus of an additional $1.2 million?  Would he deny Spike Lee a portion of the box office receipts on each of his movies or the royalties on the movie rentals or broadcasts?  Would he deny Michael Jordon, in his post basketball career, the dividends on his holdings or returns on his properties?  If honestly earned and not taxpayer funded, I think not. 

The idea of the big bad "Fat Cat" versus the little average Joe is being stretched too far.  Wealth, honestly earned is good.  It generates jobs, improves standards of living of those it surrounds and promotes a robust economy.  Why do others wish to tear that down, unless it is to control and impose their unconstitutional mandates upon us.

As for Mr. James W. James III attack upon Speaker of the House John Boehner, it was undignified.  Representative Boehner has not in the past, nor announced a future run for President, so I can see why he didn't vote for him.  However, when control of the House of Representatives returns to the Democrats, I do encourage him to contact his elected Representative to voice his choice for a new Speaker of the House. Barring that, maybe if he wants to be able to directly cast a vote for a new Speaker in 2012, he may want to contemplate a run for his district's seat in the next election.

I do respect Mr. Joseph W. James III opinion of the job performance of President Barak Hussain Obama and unlike others in his political party (Such as Bill Mahr, Chris Matthews, Joy Behr, etc)  have and will refrain from vitriol.  Instead, I will quietly smile and voice my opinion discretely in the voting booth next year.

May God Bless America and help us protect and defend The Constitution!

Expel Members Of House Who Invoke The "Slaughter Solution"

The Democratic Chair of the House Rules Committee, Representative Louis Slaughter (NY-24) has come up with a power grabbing idea, being dubbed the "Slaughter Solution".  Rep. Slaughter, who is joined at the hip to the Democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (CA-08) has dreamed up a rule for the House to bypass actually voting on the Senate Health Care Bill and passing it into law.




In order to do this, Speaker Pelosi would present to the House the "corrections" for approval of the Senate bill.  Therefore, the House will not vote on the actual Senate Bill, but only on the pages presented as corrections and Ms. Pelosi will present the full Senate bill with the House corrections for President Obama's signature. 

Does anyone see a problem here?  I do, this is in direct violation of the Constitution, which Speaker Pelosi and Representative Slaughter swore to uphold.  Article 1, Section 7, Clause 2 requires both houses of Congress to vote on the bill.  If there are amendments or changes, the bill is to go to a committee made up of selected members of the Senate and House to reconcile the differences, before going to the President for signature.

I ask you, how can you vote only "corrections", when you haven't even voted on the actual bill?  Any Member of the House who agrees to and is complicit in this scheme should be expelled from Congress for Violation of Oath of Office and immediately arrested.  In an article on the "Friends of the  Article V Convention" web site titled "Violation of Oath of Office and Walker vs Members of Congress" they explain:

"Federal law regulating oath of office by government officials is divided into four parts along with an executive order which further defines the law for purposes of enforcement. 5 U.S.C. 3331, provides the text of the actual oath of office members of Congress are required to take before assuming office. 5 U.S.C. 3333 requires members of Congress sign an affidavit that they have taken the oath of office required by 5 U.S.C. 3331 and have not or will not violate that oath of office during their tenure of office as defined by the third part of the law, 5 U.S.C. 7311 which explicitly makes it a federal criminal offense (and a violation of oath of office) for anyone employed in the United States Government (including members of Congress) to “advocate the overthrow of our constitutional form of government”. The fourth federal law, 18 U.S.C. 1918 provides penalties for violation of oath office described in 5 U.S.C. 7311 which include: (1) removal from office and; (2) confinement or a fine."

 Although, I cite the Article V site for the purpose of explaining the law in this blog post, I do not support a Constitutional Convention.  I am advocating the upholding of our Constitution and enforcement of this nations laws, equally among all citizens, no matter what office they hold.  Should President Obama agree to sign into law the Health Care bill if passed under the Slaughter Solution, he should be impeached and also arrested for Violation of Oath of Office.

When we hold the Members of Congress and The Office of the President to the same standards of the average citizen, we just may have a more honest and open republic!

Health Care 101 - 10 Steps to Better Coverage

Health Care 101

10 Steps to AFFORDABLE & SENSE-ABLE Health Care Coverage
with NO Government Mandate:

#1 - Tort Reform: By Limiting the awards in civil suits and preventing frivolous suits, we can reduce the cost of malpractice insurance for doctors and medical facilities, and thus reduce the cost of medical care. Tort lawyers will fight this, however, they will in short time find new prey to latch onto. Furthermore, by reducing the spectre of potential lawsuits, Doctors will be less inclined to order multiple and needless diagnostic tests. The threat of mal-pratice lawsuits force the use of these tests to cover all of their bases. Therefore, Tort Reform will reduce malpractice insurance, reduce unnecessary and costly medical tests, and reduce the overall cost of medical care.

#2 - Health Care Savings Accounts: Most current HSA accounts earn below an 1% interest rate. Normal savings accounts currently earn at least 3%, leaving a difference of over 2.5%. Why would anyone want to place their money into such a small return. Increase the interest rate of HSA account to equal or slightly above the market rate to encourage more people to invest in the HSA accounts. The more people utilize HSA accounts, the less they will tax government funded systems and reduce taxpayer liability.

#3 - Vouchers: For those who fall between the gap of eligibility for Medicare / Medicaid and the ability to afford to purchase an individual or family health insurance plan, (i.e - low & middle class income earners) offer an income based vouchers, to enable them to purchase a policy that fits their needs. Enable families and individuals to continue to make decisions about their own life, liberty and pursuit of happiness as befits their life style and accept the consequences of those choices.

#4 - Policy Availability: Cease the monopoly of "in-state" insurance and allow individuals, families and businesses to purchase policies across state lines. This will increase competition reduce the cost of medical insurance and offer customers better benefits. Allow small business to draw from a pool, possibly run through the National Chamber of Commerce, thus lowering the premiums to small businesses, putting them on par with big businesses.

#5 - High Risk Plan Pool: Reasonable standards should be established as to "previous conditions" as to what should be considered deniable or not. For those who are uniformly defined by insurance law standards as "high risk" would fall into a "High Risk" pool and reduce the cost of medical insurance to the regular policy holder, by spreading the cost ratio for the insurance carrier. Furthermore, those who are already covered under a plan and become ill, injured or at risk, cannot have their coverage altered, be penalize or denied medical care.

#6 - Complaint Board: Create a non-partisan Complaint Board made of members without interest in the AMA, have worked as a lobbyist, or for the insurance industry to review denial of claims and medical coverage. By removing the complaint board from individual insurance carriers, you enable a more just review of complaints, reduce the number of complaints, thus reduce the cost of medical insurance. Streamline complaints to be heard in a time critical fashion.

#7 - Tax Cuts / Rebates: Enact Tax Cuts or Rebates to enable and encourage businesses of all sizes to offer employer based insurance plans. Additionally, offer the insurance companies a tax incentive to offer lower rate programs to individuals and small businesses and reduce the overall cost of medical insurance.

#8 - Portable Policies: Life is unpredictable and companies close, people change jobs and retire before they are eligible for Medicare. People should not be penalized for these life changes. For those who change jobs, get laid off or retire early, enable them to keep the coverage they currently have, should they not be offered a better policy. This may require a voucher if they leave a small business that cannot continue coverage, an entity that goes out of business or other unforeseen circumstances.

#9 - No Mandated Coverage: The People under the Constitution have the right to be stupid, although it isn't implicitly written. We also have the right to be secure from unreasonable Search and Seizure, To be secure in our persons, papers and property and To be treated equally. The HR 3200 bill of mandated health care would cause these rights to be violated. If a person gets ill and they chose not to purchase health care, they foot the bill themselves, they hurt themselves. Mandatory Health care effects every taxpayer. Let every family and individual decide for themselves! Additionally, Congress is attempting to extend their powers beyond those allotted to them by the Constitution, bringing HR3200 into the realm of unconstitutionality.

#10 - Electronic Portable Records: A credit card type of data storage, would cost under $20 and take up little space in your pocket or wallet. It will go with and where the patient goes. By remaining on the person of the patient, in cases of emergency medical care, the records are readily available. It can be maintained using the the data strip on the card or uploading data updates to the card. Place an individuals medical record on portable devices or accessible websites "voluntarily". Many of us have a real fear of over accessibility of medical records. Allow us the choice of methods and a discount for those who use portability. The ability of Doctors and medical facilities to access your complete medical record can reduce misdiagnosis and decrease cost of care for redundant tests. However, privacy concerns must be addressed. There is no reason for a podiatrist to look at a patients record of hair replacement.


Tell me what YOU think? Do I make sense, can we make this happen?