Sorry Bill.....I took a look at this nutcase and decided to take a quick minute to check out just one of his facts.  Professor Phil Jones (in the UK) has no recorded connection with the United Nations whatsoever anywhere that I could find on the internet.  Now when this guy says that he's the guy that provides all the reports for the United nations on climate change, you'd think there would be some mention of something this important on the internet.  Nothing, nada, nyet!

This is a simple method of determining the accuracy of anyone who publishes.

Methinks he's full of it, when one of your major facts is proven false, the rest are suspect.
Stan

Dear MLG,

Good food for thought. 

Did you know the big ever expanding government post office is reducing staff this year?  (Leno joked that they didn't know why but the layoff notices were being emailed by the end of the week.)

$200!  WOW!  Back when I was in the game - pre Medicare and paying for my health insurance by check I was paying $250 for an HMO.  My wife was another $250.  It was the largest single purchase per year we made.  When she qualifies for Medicare her monthly premium will drop to about $120.  She could stay with the private $250 program but I think she'll opt for the $120.  Oh, same HMO.

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Second, my $200 a month church sponsered medical plan

The whole family or per person?  And then

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First, I have nothing to do with Social Security and Medicare. zip, zilch, nada.

How do you have $2400 a year “Second” and yet have none of the “First”?

I'm sure you give thanks for your special wonderful life.  You live in a disappearing world that is simply not available to most US citizens.  In my neighborhood; fire, police, education (majority) and many other services are delivered by well paid government employed professionals.  I too respect and appreciate their service and their choice of career.  But in most of the US (by population) these services are PAID FOR by tax dollars.  Ah, the tyranny of the majority.

<snip>

Ever wonder why it’s wrong to depend on the government and smart to be dependent on “for profit” poly-national corporations?  It’s a complicated world out here in the “real” Amerika.  We need to band together if we’re going to succeed.

Casey

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...plain old mediocrity?


I know one thing for a fact, I've never become more involved in the political process other than voting every chance I had. I always thought I was doing my duty and that was good enough, this year and the next that's going to change.........

<snip>

I am SO tired of the whole govt workers=mediocrity line of thinking.

I for one am no doorknob and would welcome your experience, intelligence, business accumen, etc to help out.

But beware, you might just figure out first-hand that most of the people that you and others are so quick to criticize are actually fairly sharp and on the ball; and that there are legit reasons for things being done the way they are done.

PS - Regarding the $200 church sponsored medical plan, how much of your cost is being underwritten by others taken from the congregation collection basket??? 

What is the difference between that and having the govt do the exact same thing across the board?  At least you'd have another reasonably priced option from which to choose.

Just my $0.02 worth...I've been spending 12 hours per day or so up on the new roof, and am so tired I'm asleep by 8pm so haven't checked or read all the postings, sorry guys.

<snip>

I thought the recent shenanigans of the high and mighty south of the border getting the million dollar bonuses for running their companies into the ground would have taught us something about "competative markets".    I guess not up here in BC anyway.

I would submit that Islam is not the problem any more than Christianity.

The problem lies with radicals that either push or force their agenda on others.

As far as I'm concerned, hang the radicals from the highest trees and call it good.

I'd have no objection respecting someone elses faith, no matter what that faith is.  That is between them and their God.

It's my personal opinion that religion is the #1 scourge on human kind, and it has caused more conflict than anything else that I know of.

Formalized religion is HUGE waste of time imho. 

PLEASE NOTE, my comment has nothing to do with believing (or not) in God, Allah or whomever, and instead has everything to do with respecting others and what they believe in.

Regards,

Steve

8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage

Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.

Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.

Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.

Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.

Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.

Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.

Learn more and get details: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

8 common myths about health insurance reform

Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.

We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.

Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.

Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.

Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.

Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.

You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.

No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts.  Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose.  Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make.

Learn more and get details:

http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck/faq

8 Reasons We Need Health Insurance Reform Now

Coverage Denied to Millions: A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html

Less Care for More Costs: With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages. In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job.  Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html

Roadblocks to Care for Women: Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care. Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html

Hard Times in the Heartland: Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas. With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes

Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage: Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers. From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%. About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline

The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction

Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. An estimated 87 million people - one in every three Americans under the age of 65 - were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html

The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets. Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance - projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. Learn more: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf
    

I guess I am getting wierd the older I get