Paul Krugman on the state of American Healthcare - part 2...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/22/opinion/22krugman.html?th&emc=th
Excerpts:
The United States spends far more on health care than other advanced countries. Yet we don't appear to receive more medical services. And we have lower life-expectancy and higher infant-mortality rates than countries that spend less than half as much per person.
According to the World Health Organization, in the United States administrative expenses eat up about 15 percent of the money paid in premiums to private health insurance companies, but only 4 percent of the budgets of public insurance programs, which consist mainly of Medicare and Medicaid. The numbers for both public and private insurance are similar in other countries - but because we rely much more heavily than anyone else on private insurance, our total administrative costs are much higher
Isn't competition supposed to make the private sector more efficient than the public sector? Well, as the World Health Organization put it in a discussion of Western Europe, private insurers generally don't compete by delivering care at lower cost. Instead, they "compete on the basis of risk selection" - that is, by turning away people who are likely to have high medical bills and by refusing or delaying any payment they can.
Yet the cost of providing medical care to those denied private insurance doesn't go away. If individuals are poor, or if medical expenses impoverish them, they are covered by Medicaid.
So we've created a vast and hugely expensive insurance bureaucracy that accomplishes nothing. The resources spent by private insurers don't reduce overall costs; they simply shift those costs to other people and institutions. It's perverse but true that this system, which insures only 85 percent of the population, costs much more than we would pay for a system that covered everyone.
First, in the U.S. system, medical costs act as a tax on employment. For example, General Motors is losing money on every car it makes because of the burden of health care costs. As a result, it may be forced to lay off thousands of workers, or may even go out of business. Yet the insurance premiums saved by firing workers are no saving at all to society as a whole: somebody still ends up paying the bills.
Think about how crazy all of this is. At a rough guess, between two million and three million Americans are employed by insurers and health care providers not to deliver health care, but to pass the buck for that care to someone else. And the result of all their exertions is to make the nation poorer and sicker.
Why do we put up with such an expensive, counterproductive health care system? Vested interests play an important role. But we also suffer from ideological blinders: decades of indoctrination in the virtues of market competition and the evils of big government have left many Americans unable to comprehend the idea that sometimes competition is the problem, not the solution.
4.21.2005
Way to take a stand....
2 Winona High Students Put Free Speech to the Test
http://startribune.com/stories/462/5359758.html
I don't think expulsion will happen if they get 100 students to show up...
This is how to do it, take a stand, organize support, make a difference...
http://startribune.com/stories/462/5359758.html
I don't think expulsion will happen if they get 100 students to show up...
This is how to do it, take a stand, organize support, make a difference...
A Must Read and A waste of a Good Life...
Marla Ruzicka's death is a blow to all of us. It is too bad that we did not know more about her when she was alive.
These are the people we need to spend more media time on.
This is where most of the world met her:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/21/opinion/21herbert.html?th&emc=th
This is where we should have:
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1230-08.htm
These are the people we need to spend more media time on.
This is where most of the world met her:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/21/opinion/21herbert.html?th&emc=th
This is where we should have:
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1230-08.htm
Out of the mouths of babes.....
"I repeat, personal accounts do not permanently fix the solution."—George W. Bush; Washington, D.C., March 16, 2005
4.20.2005
Krugman on Healthcare....
Here's the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/15/opinion/15krugman.html?th&emc=th
And excerpts:
Before I get to the numbers, let me deal with the usual problem one encounters when trying to draw lessons from foreign experience: somebody is sure to bring up the supposed horrors of Britain's government-run system, which historically had long waiting lists for elective surgery.
In fact, Britain's system isn't as bad as its reputation - especially for lower-paid workers, whose counterparts in the United States often have no health insurance at all. And the waiting lists have gotten shorter.
But in any case, Britain isn't the country we want to look at, because its health care system is run on the cheap, with total spending per person only 40 percent as high as ours.
The countries that have something to teach us are the nations that don't pinch pennies to the same extent - like France, Germany or Canada - but still spend far less than we do. (Yes, Canada also has waiting lists, but they're much shorter than Britain's - and Canadians overwhelmingly prefer their system to ours. France and Germany don't have a waiting list problem.)
Let me rattle off some numbers.
In 2002, the latest year for which comparable data are available, the United States spent $5,267 on health care for each man, woman and child in the population. Of this, $2,364, or 45 percent, was government spending, mainly on Medicare and Medicaid. Canada spent $2,931 per person, of which $2,048 came from the government. France spent $2,736 per person, of which $2,080 was government spending.
Amazing, isn't it? U.S. health care is so expensive that our government spends more on health care than the governments of other advanced countries, even though the private sector pays a far higher share of the bills than anywhere else.
What do we get for all that money? Not much.
Most Americans probably don't know that we have substantially lower life-expectancy and higher infant-mortality figures than other advanced countries.
Above all, a large part of America's health care spending goes into paperwork. A 2003 study in The New England Journal of Medicine estimated that administrative costs took 31 cents out of every dollar the United States spent on health care, compared with only 17 cents in Canada.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/15/opinion/15krugman.html?th&emc=th
And excerpts:
Before I get to the numbers, let me deal with the usual problem one encounters when trying to draw lessons from foreign experience: somebody is sure to bring up the supposed horrors of Britain's government-run system, which historically had long waiting lists for elective surgery.
In fact, Britain's system isn't as bad as its reputation - especially for lower-paid workers, whose counterparts in the United States often have no health insurance at all. And the waiting lists have gotten shorter.
But in any case, Britain isn't the country we want to look at, because its health care system is run on the cheap, with total spending per person only 40 percent as high as ours.
The countries that have something to teach us are the nations that don't pinch pennies to the same extent - like France, Germany or Canada - but still spend far less than we do. (Yes, Canada also has waiting lists, but they're much shorter than Britain's - and Canadians overwhelmingly prefer their system to ours. France and Germany don't have a waiting list problem.)
Let me rattle off some numbers.
In 2002, the latest year for which comparable data are available, the United States spent $5,267 on health care for each man, woman and child in the population. Of this, $2,364, or 45 percent, was government spending, mainly on Medicare and Medicaid. Canada spent $2,931 per person, of which $2,048 came from the government. France spent $2,736 per person, of which $2,080 was government spending.
Amazing, isn't it? U.S. health care is so expensive that our government spends more on health care than the governments of other advanced countries, even though the private sector pays a far higher share of the bills than anywhere else.
What do we get for all that money? Not much.
Most Americans probably don't know that we have substantially lower life-expectancy and higher infant-mortality figures than other advanced countries.
Above all, a large part of America's health care spending goes into paperwork. A 2003 study in The New England Journal of Medicine estimated that administrative costs took 31 cents out of every dollar the United States spent on health care, compared with only 17 cents in Canada.
4.19.2005
Roosevelt's great ideas:
Bob Hebert discusses what I believe to be one of the greatest speaches of all time:
Roosevelt referred to his proposals in that speech as "a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race or creed."
Among these rights, he said, are:
"The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation.
"The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation.
"The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living.
"The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad.
"The right of every family to a decent home.
"The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health.
"The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment.
"The right to a good education."
"The test of our progress," said Roosevelt, "is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/18/opinion/18herbert.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fColumnists%2fBob%20Herbert
Roosevelt referred to his proposals in that speech as "a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race or creed."
Among these rights, he said, are:
"The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation.
"The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation.
"The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living.
"The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad.
"The right of every family to a decent home.
"The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health.
"The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment.
"The right to a good education."
"The test of our progress," said Roosevelt, "is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/18/opinion/18herbert.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fColumnists%2fBob%20Herbert
If only people paid more attention to the real issues before Nov 2nd.....
President Bush doesn’t fare very well in the latest CBS News poll with an approval rating of just 44 percent and still limp support for his proposed Social Security overhaul.
But at least he's doing better than Congress, which earns a thumbs-up from only 35 percent of Americans – nearly as low a rating as it received last month immediately after lawmakers' unpopular intervention in the Terri Schiavo case.
Approval ratings for Congress have historically been low but they're now at one of their lowest points since the late 1990s. Disapproval of the Republican-controlled Congress even extends to 39 percent of Republicans, along with 59 percent of Democrats.
Just 37 percent think what the current Congress has accomplished so far has been good for the country; 41 percent think what Congress has done has been bad.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/18/politics/main688974.shtml
But at least he's doing better than Congress, which earns a thumbs-up from only 35 percent of Americans – nearly as low a rating as it received last month immediately after lawmakers' unpopular intervention in the Terri Schiavo case.
Approval ratings for Congress have historically been low but they're now at one of their lowest points since the late 1990s. Disapproval of the Republican-controlled Congress even extends to 39 percent of Republicans, along with 59 percent of Democrats.
Just 37 percent think what the current Congress has accomplished so far has been good for the country; 41 percent think what Congress has done has been bad.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/18/politics/main688974.shtml
4.15.2005
Perhaps this explains our local elections....
Pessimism raises dementia risk, study finds
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7514222/
Pessimistic, anxious and depressed people may have a higher risk of dementia, U.S. researchers reported Thursday.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7514222/
Pessimistic, anxious and depressed people may have a higher risk of dementia, U.S. researchers reported Thursday.
4.12.2005
Does this sound right...
I get an email every evening from MSNBC that covers the business news of the day. Here are some of today's headlines:
Former AIG CEO takes the Fifth
The former chairman and CEO of embattled insurer AIG Â invoked his constitutional rights against self-incrimination Tuesday, declining to answer questions from securities regulators, according to a person familiar with the meeting.
Scrushy perjury counts to be thrown out
A federal judge indicated Tuesday she would throw out three perjury charges against fired HealthSouth Corp. CEO Richard Scrushy but said she would let his corporate fraud trial move ahead on 55 additional counts.
U.S. prosecutors indict NYSE traders
Fifteen specialists who managed trades on the floor of the NYSE were indicted Tuesday, charged with using their inside positions to earn an estimated $20 million in illicit profits for themselves and their firms.
3 out of 10 of the headlines were about criminal charges leveled against business leaders. We need real change in the US business community, and the demand should come from within.
Former AIG CEO takes the Fifth
The former chairman and CEO of embattled insurer AIG Â invoked his constitutional rights against self-incrimination Tuesday, declining to answer questions from securities regulators, according to a person familiar with the meeting.
Scrushy perjury counts to be thrown out
A federal judge indicated Tuesday she would throw out three perjury charges against fired HealthSouth Corp. CEO Richard Scrushy but said she would let his corporate fraud trial move ahead on 55 additional counts.
U.S. prosecutors indict NYSE traders
Fifteen specialists who managed trades on the floor of the NYSE were indicted Tuesday, charged with using their inside positions to earn an estimated $20 million in illicit profits for themselves and their firms.
3 out of 10 of the headlines were about criminal charges leveled against business leaders. We need real change in the US business community, and the demand should come from within.
4.11.2005
Krugman hits the nail on the head....
...Those of us who accuse the administration of inventing a Social Security crisis are often accused, in return, of do-nothingism, of refusing to face up to the nation's problems. I plead not guilty: America does face a real crisis - but it's in health care, not Social Security.
...A recent survey of chief financial officers at major corporations found that 65 percent regard immediate action on health care costs as "very important." Only 31 percent said the same about Social Security reform.
...America's traditional private health insurance system, in which workers get coverage through their employers, is unraveling. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that in 2004 there were at least five million fewer jobs with health insurance than in 2001.
...the U.S. health care system is wildly inefficient. Americans tend to believe that we have the best health care system in the world. (I've encountered members of the journalistic elite who flatly refuse to believe that France ranks much better on most measures of health care quality than the United States.) But it isn't true. We spend far more per person on health care than any other country - 75 percent more than Canada or France - yet rank near the bottom among industrial countries in indicators from life expectancy to infant mortality.
...medical progress may force us to make a harsh choice: if we don't want to become a society in which the rich get life-saving medical treatment and the rest of us don't
...The fact is that in health care, the private sector is often bloated and bureaucratic, while some government agencies - notably the Veterans Administration system - are lean and efficient. In health care, competition and personal choice can and do lead to higher costs and lower quality. The United States has the most privatized, competitive health system in the advanced world; it also has by far the highest costs, and close to the worst results.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/11/opinion/11krugman4.html?th&emc=th
...A recent survey of chief financial officers at major corporations found that 65 percent regard immediate action on health care costs as "very important." Only 31 percent said the same about Social Security reform.
...America's traditional private health insurance system, in which workers get coverage through their employers, is unraveling. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that in 2004 there were at least five million fewer jobs with health insurance than in 2001.
...the U.S. health care system is wildly inefficient. Americans tend to believe that we have the best health care system in the world. (I've encountered members of the journalistic elite who flatly refuse to believe that France ranks much better on most measures of health care quality than the United States.) But it isn't true. We spend far more per person on health care than any other country - 75 percent more than Canada or France - yet rank near the bottom among industrial countries in indicators from life expectancy to infant mortality.
...medical progress may force us to make a harsh choice: if we don't want to become a society in which the rich get life-saving medical treatment and the rest of us don't
...The fact is that in health care, the private sector is often bloated and bureaucratic, while some government agencies - notably the Veterans Administration system - are lean and efficient. In health care, competition and personal choice can and do lead to higher costs and lower quality. The United States has the most privatized, competitive health system in the advanced world; it also has by far the highest costs, and close to the worst results.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/11/opinion/11krugman4.html?th&emc=th
4.08.2005
Did you see this....
Dad of football player held for shooting coach
Suspect reportedly had shoving matches with coaches in the past
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7420306/
This is the disturbing part:
Rhonda Miller, a cousin of Robertson’s wife, was among the relatives gathered outside the jail Thursday night to help support Robertson’s wife and son.
Miller said she didn’t want Robertson portrayed as “a lunatic” because he wasn’t the only one frustrated with the school’s athletic program.
“A lot of parents are upset. This is not a single incident, and if they don’t take care of it, it could escalate,” she said, declining to elaborate.
They take football serious in Texas.....
Suspect reportedly had shoving matches with coaches in the past
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7420306/
This is the disturbing part:
Rhonda Miller, a cousin of Robertson’s wife, was among the relatives gathered outside the jail Thursday night to help support Robertson’s wife and son.
Miller said she didn’t want Robertson portrayed as “a lunatic” because he wasn’t the only one frustrated with the school’s athletic program.
“A lot of parents are upset. This is not a single incident, and if they don’t take care of it, it could escalate,” she said, declining to elaborate.
They take football serious in Texas.....
4.01.2005
I was asked to post this.....
WIND FARM PROJECT
The Lake Winnebago Wind Farm Project (LWWFP) is coming to fruition. The
seemingly endless hours, weeks, and months of planning are about to pay off.
A final go-ahead is expected any day from the DNR. It is a win-win
situation for all. You can expect your electric bill to drop substantially
once it's in operation. We have eliminated all objections to noise by
locating the facility right in the middle of the lake. The only apparent
downside might be that more than a few gulls might get their wings clipped.
Projects such as this are becoming common in the North Atlantic but
with one distinct difference. The ocean doesn't freeze and they use floating
platforms. Here we will use a permanent platform built on pilings similar to
a bridge or large pier. The area under these platforms will provide
additional spawning grounds for marine life and are destined to become
favorite hot spots for area fishermen. The base of each of these mammoth
towers may also provide new opportunities for small seasonal businesses such
as bait shops, taverns, and restaurants. Summer of course would be the
optimum season, but January and February would provide another eight weeks
or so of business to round out the year depending on the ice depth.
The wind farm has been a well kept secret until now, almost as well
kept as the sightings of a strange unidentified creature in the lake.
Sightings have increased to the point where they can no longer be ignored. I
personally hesitate referring to it as a monster, but small children should
be warned. There have been no injuries (or worse), no photographs exist, but
fishermen have been asked to give their descriptions to local artists.
Depictions may be viewed Saturday night at the downtown Gallery Walk.
Citizens wanting more detail, and politicians needing to 'catch up on
their homework' can find out more by contacting the North Eastern Wisconsin
United For Future Development Association (NEWUFFDA).
Thank you.
Gary Jepson
Oshkosh
The Lake Winnebago Wind Farm Project (LWWFP) is coming to fruition. The
seemingly endless hours, weeks, and months of planning are about to pay off.
A final go-ahead is expected any day from the DNR. It is a win-win
situation for all. You can expect your electric bill to drop substantially
once it's in operation. We have eliminated all objections to noise by
locating the facility right in the middle of the lake. The only apparent
downside might be that more than a few gulls might get their wings clipped.
Projects such as this are becoming common in the North Atlantic but
with one distinct difference. The ocean doesn't freeze and they use floating
platforms. Here we will use a permanent platform built on pilings similar to
a bridge or large pier. The area under these platforms will provide
additional spawning grounds for marine life and are destined to become
favorite hot spots for area fishermen. The base of each of these mammoth
towers may also provide new opportunities for small seasonal businesses such
as bait shops, taverns, and restaurants. Summer of course would be the
optimum season, but January and February would provide another eight weeks
or so of business to round out the year depending on the ice depth.
The wind farm has been a well kept secret until now, almost as well
kept as the sightings of a strange unidentified creature in the lake.
Sightings have increased to the point where they can no longer be ignored. I
personally hesitate referring to it as a monster, but small children should
be warned. There have been no injuries (or worse), no photographs exist, but
fishermen have been asked to give their descriptions to local artists.
Depictions may be viewed Saturday night at the downtown Gallery Walk.
Citizens wanting more detail, and politicians needing to 'catch up on
their homework' can find out more by contacting the North Eastern Wisconsin
United For Future Development Association (NEWUFFDA).
Thank you.
Gary Jepson
Oshkosh
3.31.2005
Straightening Some Things Out....
There has been alot of misconceptions about my opinions bouncing around the Oshkosh Political Blogosphere lately, and there probably will continue to be for the next week thru the elections. So, I thought I would take a minute here and set anyone with questions straight.
That way, if you are concerned enough about my opinion, you can find the unfiltered or twisted facts.
1. I do not enthusiasticly support Castle for Mayor
We have an electoral system where, for this kind of office, you make a choice between two candidates. Sometimes you have to choose between two people you are not thrilled with. Of the two, I believe that Castle is the best choice. It is not that I think Castle is Better, it is that I think Esslinger is worse.
I wish Mark Madison had made it through the primary.
2. I did not accuse Esslinger of being a racist.
I did say that he made remarks that can be seen as racist or sexist. There is a difference. I think his remarks, as well as his attitudes towords women, minorities, the under-employed and other groups he may consider below him are reprehensible. I am accusing him of not being comapssionate to others. I am accusing him of being regressive and negative. I am accusing him of being insensitive. I am accusing him of being condescending.
The face of Oshkosh should not be this way. Is Castle a great choice? Not really, but he is better for Oshkosh than Esslinger. So I will vote for him.
3. Do I support unions?
Yes, wholeheartedly. I believe that the labor movement was one of the most important developments in world history. We all owe our working conditions to the bravery of the unions members that fought for them. I personally buy union whenever possible, and will continue to.
However, because of the poor record both candidates for Mayor have, and because the labor council has refused to endorse, I feel that the union issue does not play in this election.
I have spoken with several union activists about this, and they agreed with me. They are not thrilled with the choices, as I am not, but they stated they are also reluctantly voting for Castle. If you are a union activist or member, and disagree, please let me know. I know people have said things anonymously on websites, but I cannot believe that they are truly union members.
If you have a different opinion and would like to discuss this in a civil manner, please call/email me.
4. Why have I become a lightning rod in this election when I am not running for anything?
I believe the reason for this is because I am one of the few people willing to put my name on an opinion out here. I promise to continue doing this. If you have a problem with, or would like to discuss, an opinion of mine - please feel free to email/call me.
5. I am currently not running for anything.
There is no reason to pay as much attention to me as some people are... Unless they feel I am making good points.
That way, if you are concerned enough about my opinion, you can find the unfiltered or twisted facts.
1. I do not enthusiasticly support Castle for Mayor
We have an electoral system where, for this kind of office, you make a choice between two candidates. Sometimes you have to choose between two people you are not thrilled with. Of the two, I believe that Castle is the best choice. It is not that I think Castle is Better, it is that I think Esslinger is worse.
I wish Mark Madison had made it through the primary.
2. I did not accuse Esslinger of being a racist.
I did say that he made remarks that can be seen as racist or sexist. There is a difference. I think his remarks, as well as his attitudes towords women, minorities, the under-employed and other groups he may consider below him are reprehensible. I am accusing him of not being comapssionate to others. I am accusing him of being regressive and negative. I am accusing him of being insensitive. I am accusing him of being condescending.
The face of Oshkosh should not be this way. Is Castle a great choice? Not really, but he is better for Oshkosh than Esslinger. So I will vote for him.
3. Do I support unions?
Yes, wholeheartedly. I believe that the labor movement was one of the most important developments in world history. We all owe our working conditions to the bravery of the unions members that fought for them. I personally buy union whenever possible, and will continue to.
However, because of the poor record both candidates for Mayor have, and because the labor council has refused to endorse, I feel that the union issue does not play in this election.
I have spoken with several union activists about this, and they agreed with me. They are not thrilled with the choices, as I am not, but they stated they are also reluctantly voting for Castle. If you are a union activist or member, and disagree, please let me know. I know people have said things anonymously on websites, but I cannot believe that they are truly union members.
If you have a different opinion and would like to discuss this in a civil manner, please call/email me.
4. Why have I become a lightning rod in this election when I am not running for anything?
I believe the reason for this is because I am one of the few people willing to put my name on an opinion out here. I promise to continue doing this. If you have a problem with, or would like to discuss, an opinion of mine - please feel free to email/call me.
5. I am currently not running for anything.
There is no reason to pay as much attention to me as some people are... Unless they feel I am making good points.
3.29.2005
Secret Service Barring Law Abiding Americans From Taxpayer-Funded Events...
Monday, March 28, the Secret Service called three everyday people into their offices to discuss why we were kicked out of a presidential event in Denver last week where Bush promoted his plan to privatize Social Security. What they revealed to us and our lawyer was fascinating.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/29/113651/512
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/29/113651/512
So much hypocracy....
I don't know what to think about the Schaivo case:
"But, given the vehemence with which he has been fighting to prolong Terri's life, it is a little surprising to learn that Robert (Terry Schaivo's father) decided to turn off the life-support system for his mother. She was 79 at the time, and had been ill with pneumonia for a week, when her kidneys gave out. "I can remember like yesterday the doctors said she had a good life. I asked, 'If you put her on a ventilator does she have a chance of surviving, of coming out of this thing?'" Robert says. "I was very angry with God because I didn't want to make those decisions."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1077219,00.html
Last paragraph
"But, given the vehemence with which he has been fighting to prolong Terri's life, it is a little surprising to learn that Robert (Terry Schaivo's father) decided to turn off the life-support system for his mother. She was 79 at the time, and had been ill with pneumonia for a week, when her kidneys gave out. "I can remember like yesterday the doctors said she had a good life. I asked, 'If you put her on a ventilator does she have a chance of surviving, of coming out of this thing?'" Robert says. "I was very angry with God because I didn't want to make those decisions."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1077219,00.html
Last paragraph
The Question About Underheim....
"Would it be a plus or minus to have a state superintendent who didn't like being a teacher and has a short record of hands-on involvement in education? How you answer will say a lot about how you're going to vote."
http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/mar05/313442.asp
The entire article make the point that Gregg is no good for this position, in a pretty funny way. Read it and pass it on....
Some more:
""I'm desperate," he said when asked how fund raising was going."
Underheim - $32,000 v Burmaster - $200,000
"For several years after he graduated from college, Underheim was a high school English teacher in Caledonia, Minn., near his hometown of La Crosse. "I spent my life correcting five-paragraph essays, and I didn't want to do that," he says. So he quit."
"In running for state superintendent of public instruction, Underheim can be seen as combining something he likes (politics) and something he doesn't (he's very critical of much of the educational establishment and specifically of the state Department of Public Instruction, which he would head if he won). And his candidacy can be seen as showing how he doesn't get discouraged easily. After all, he ran for superintendent in 1997 and didn't make it past the primary."
http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/mar05/313442.asp
The entire article make the point that Gregg is no good for this position, in a pretty funny way. Read it and pass it on....
Some more:
""I'm desperate," he said when asked how fund raising was going."
Underheim - $32,000 v Burmaster - $200,000
"For several years after he graduated from college, Underheim was a high school English teacher in Caledonia, Minn., near his hometown of La Crosse. "I spent my life correcting five-paragraph essays, and I didn't want to do that," he says. So he quit."
"In running for state superintendent of public instruction, Underheim can be seen as combining something he likes (politics) and something he doesn't (he's very critical of much of the educational establishment and specifically of the state Department of Public Instruction, which he would head if he won). And his candidacy can be seen as showing how he doesn't get discouraged easily. After all, he ran for superintendent in 1997 and didn't make it past the primary."
3.28.2005
Chickens Coming Home....
I have been attacked very often for the opinions that I publish various places.
I believe the reason why is simply because I am willing to put a name on the (positive and negative) things I say about issues and candidates.
However, again and again, the people making attacks stay nameless. I consider this cowardly.
It is great to see one of them unmasked, in full hypocracy....
"The Tip: It was news when Mark Harris, candidate for county executive, quit his job at Associated Bank. Before Web chat rooms nearly melted in spontaneous speculation, The Northwestern had been tipped to the story. Ron Montgomery, a low level functionary in the Van De Hey administration, approached three Northwestern staffers with the rumor. Montgomery didn’t want to be linked with the tip and admonished all three; “You didn’t hear it from me…”"
"The question from News Central: Why is Ron Montgomery engaged in a clandestine, Deep Throat type of rumor mill and why does he care what happens to Harris?"
http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/news/columns/stories/columns_20386615.shtml
Also in this very entertaining and informative article:
"Why would Bloechl be pleased by the approval of a proposal she publicly opposed?"
"The only person who ever declined our invitation to discuss issues and answer questions is council candidate Cheryl Hentz."
I urge you to read it all.
I believe the reason why is simply because I am willing to put a name on the (positive and negative) things I say about issues and candidates.
However, again and again, the people making attacks stay nameless. I consider this cowardly.
It is great to see one of them unmasked, in full hypocracy....
"The Tip: It was news when Mark Harris, candidate for county executive, quit his job at Associated Bank. Before Web chat rooms nearly melted in spontaneous speculation, The Northwestern had been tipped to the story. Ron Montgomery, a low level functionary in the Van De Hey administration, approached three Northwestern staffers with the rumor. Montgomery didn’t want to be linked with the tip and admonished all three; “You didn’t hear it from me…”"
"The question from News Central: Why is Ron Montgomery engaged in a clandestine, Deep Throat type of rumor mill and why does he care what happens to Harris?"
http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/news/columns/stories/columns_20386615.shtml
Also in this very entertaining and informative article:
"Why would Bloechl be pleased by the approval of a proposal she publicly opposed?"
"The only person who ever declined our invitation to discuss issues and answer questions is council candidate Cheryl Hentz."
I urge you to read it all.
A Summary of the Mayor's Race...
In their own words (first of a series....):
Esslinger wants to force the city's workers to make up for budget shortfalls, and is proud that he is skirting the law:
"a 2.25%, 2.50%, and a 2.75% increase in the employees' salaries over three years respectively. This is the first time that the union employees received less that a 3% increase in their salary in a long time."
"The thing that will need to be taken into consideration in the next contract negotiations is that the comparables (contracts that have been signed in communities around us) are over 3.0%. This is important because we must be close to what we offer our employees or the unions can go to court and claim that the city is not bargaining in good faith."
http://www.oshkoshnews.org/OshkoshMayor/2005/03/esslinger-answer-to-question-3.html
Castle answering the same question:
"Employee costs including medical costs will continue to increase. We can not take the attitude that we are going to balance our budgets on our employees backs. Some businesses have tried that approach and found that it doesn’t work. We must work cooperatively with our employees to find ways of delivering greater value for each wage dollar spent."
http://www.oshkoshnews.org/OshkoshMayor/2005/03/bill-castle-response-to-question-no-3.html
ADVANTAGE - CASTLE.
Esslinger wants to force the city's workers to make up for budget shortfalls, and is proud that he is skirting the law:
"a 2.25%, 2.50%, and a 2.75% increase in the employees' salaries over three years respectively. This is the first time that the union employees received less that a 3% increase in their salary in a long time."
"The thing that will need to be taken into consideration in the next contract negotiations is that the comparables (contracts that have been signed in communities around us) are over 3.0%. This is important because we must be close to what we offer our employees or the unions can go to court and claim that the city is not bargaining in good faith."
http://www.oshkoshnews.org/OshkoshMayor/2005/03/esslinger-answer-to-question-3.html
Castle answering the same question:
"Employee costs including medical costs will continue to increase. We can not take the attitude that we are going to balance our budgets on our employees backs. Some businesses have tried that approach and found that it doesn’t work. We must work cooperatively with our employees to find ways of delivering greater value for each wage dollar spent."
http://www.oshkoshnews.org/OshkoshMayor/2005/03/bill-castle-response-to-question-no-3.html
ADVANTAGE - CASTLE.
Great Profile of Mark Harris:
Some good reading - and great quotes....
Stephen Hintz, a former University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh political science professor, served on the Oshkosh Common Council with Harris and is publicly supporting him.
Hintz described Harris as “a person of absolute integrity. Mark is just about as straightforward and honest a person as you’re going to get.
“Sharp guy, knows finance, knows budgeting,” Hintz said. “I felt when we went into budget (review) there wasn’t anything that would escape Mark’s eye.
”The executive’s post is nonpartisan but Harris describes himself as a moderate Democrat, very conservative fiscally but socially liberal.
...
He admires the older generation who “tended to be savers and investors” and used credit only sparingly. Not so with many people today who quickly become overextended, Harris said.
“Government has gone that way (credit mentality),” Harris said. “Sooner or later, that will bring society down. So we have to change and probably fairly soon.”
...
A county budget differs from a municipal budget primarily in the human services area. That’s where Harris supported the $600,000 additional funding in the 2005 budget because he has “more of an orientation to those people in need.
“It didn’t seem right that the one part of the budget that was taking a hit was an area that was providing service to abused and neglected children, elderly indigent and the developmentally disabled,” he said
http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_20251455.shtml
Please Vote Mark Harris for County Executive.
www.harris4exec.com
Stephen Hintz, a former University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh political science professor, served on the Oshkosh Common Council with Harris and is publicly supporting him.
Hintz described Harris as “a person of absolute integrity. Mark is just about as straightforward and honest a person as you’re going to get.
“Sharp guy, knows finance, knows budgeting,” Hintz said. “I felt when we went into budget (review) there wasn’t anything that would escape Mark’s eye.
”The executive’s post is nonpartisan but Harris describes himself as a moderate Democrat, very conservative fiscally but socially liberal.
...
He admires the older generation who “tended to be savers and investors” and used credit only sparingly. Not so with many people today who quickly become overextended, Harris said.
“Government has gone that way (credit mentality),” Harris said. “Sooner or later, that will bring society down. So we have to change and probably fairly soon.”
...
A county budget differs from a municipal budget primarily in the human services area. That’s where Harris supported the $600,000 additional funding in the 2005 budget because he has “more of an orientation to those people in need.
“It didn’t seem right that the one part of the budget that was taking a hit was an area that was providing service to abused and neglected children, elderly indigent and the developmentally disabled,” he said
http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_20251455.shtml
Please Vote Mark Harris for County Executive.
www.harris4exec.com
3.27.2005
The Absolute pinnacle of hypocrisy:
Ok, lets get this straight....
In 1988 Rep. DeLay's father was in a tragic tram accident. He was severely brain-damaged. After sometime, the family, with Rep. DeLay's consent, decided to stop treatment. They let him die.
Then, the family sued the manufacturer of the tram that was installed on their personal property.
Now, in the last month, Rep DeLay has pushed through legislation to take away the right of Michael Shiavo to choose the same options that he exercised for his father. This following his support of legislation to remove the rights of litigants in the courts for corporate negligence.
The hypocrisy of the republican leadership is amazing.
Here's the story:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-delay27mar27,0,5710023.story?coll=la-home-headlines
In 1988 Rep. DeLay's father was in a tragic tram accident. He was severely brain-damaged. After sometime, the family, with Rep. DeLay's consent, decided to stop treatment. They let him die.
Then, the family sued the manufacturer of the tram that was installed on their personal property.
Now, in the last month, Rep DeLay has pushed through legislation to take away the right of Michael Shiavo to choose the same options that he exercised for his father. This following his support of legislation to remove the rights of litigants in the courts for corporate negligence.
The hypocrisy of the republican leadership is amazing.
Here's the story:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-delay27mar27,0,5710023.story?coll=la-home-headlines
3.25.2005
Great Line:
"President Bush believes in an "ownership" society, which means that except for the wealthy, you're on your own."
"The president's budget would cut funding for Medicaid, food stamps, education, transportation, health care for veterans, law enforcement, medical research and safety inspections for food and drugs. And, of course, it contains big new tax cuts for the wealthy."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/25/opinion/herbert25.1.html?th&emc=th
"The president's budget would cut funding for Medicaid, food stamps, education, transportation, health care for veterans, law enforcement, medical research and safety inspections for food and drugs. And, of course, it contains big new tax cuts for the wealthy."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/25/opinion/herbert25.1.html?th&emc=th
3.24.2005
Esslinger on Unions...
In the last contract negotiations with the unions, there were some positive developments. The unions agreed to pay 5% of their premiums where they previously paid 3%. We also had savings by having two health plans, an EPO, and a PPO. The EPO limits the amount the doctors for the employees but saves the city money because the doctors involved agree to discounts. We saved money on the PPO by increasing the out of network payments by employees. We also agreed to a 2.25%, 2.50%, and a 2.75% increase in the employees' salaries over three years respectively. This is the first time that the union employees received less that a 3% increase in their salary in a long time.
The thing that will need to be taken into consideration in the next contract negotiations is that the comparables (contracts that have been signed in communities around us) are over 3.0%. This is important because we must be close to what we offer our employees or the unions can go to court and claim that the city is not bargaining in good faith.
So, to sum it up, are hands are somewhat tied when it comes to salaries and benefits, however, we may have some leverage with more insurance concessions.
http://www.oshkoshnews.org/OshkoshMayor/index.html
He is proud of the fact that the lowest legal increase in wages was negotiated.
The thing that will need to be taken into consideration in the next contract negotiations is that the comparables (contracts that have been signed in communities around us) are over 3.0%. This is important because we must be close to what we offer our employees or the unions can go to court and claim that the city is not bargaining in good faith.
So, to sum it up, are hands are somewhat tied when it comes to salaries and benefits, however, we may have some leverage with more insurance concessions.
http://www.oshkoshnews.org/OshkoshMayor/index.html
He is proud of the fact that the lowest legal increase in wages was negotiated.
Harris answers critics...
As to the speculation over friction between Harris and his employer, Dempsey said Associated Bank is “very, very community minded” and took no umbrage to their vice president’s county bid or his several years of city council service.
“We’re proud to be involved in the community, and Mark did it in a big way,” he said.
http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/news/local/stories/local_20338201.shtml
“We’re proud to be involved in the community, and Mark did it in a big way,” he said.
http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/news/local/stories/local_20338201.shtml
We are winning the social security debate!
A new Badger poll shows support for President Bush's Social Security plan may be eroding.The phone survey of about 500 Wisconsinites shows 44 percent support the plan to allow workers to invest a portion of their Social Security taxes in private investment accounts.
That support was 49 percent when the proposal was unveiled in January.
Opposition to the plan among those surveyed increased from 47 percent to 53 percent.
The poll is sponsored by The Capital Times and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and has a margin of error of about four percentage points.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7281058/
That support was 49 percent when the proposal was unveiled in January.
Opposition to the plan among those surveyed increased from 47 percent to 53 percent.
The poll is sponsored by The Capital Times and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and has a margin of error of about four percentage points.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7281058/
In the words of Paul Esslinger....
Candidate for Mayor, City of Oshkosh, or 'Reasons Not to Vote For Esslinger'
On government social assistance:
In regards to people being dependent, I agree, however, I think the dependence comes from another source. Too many people are dependent on the government, or should I say, entitlements. Some people say, "why should I work when the government will pay me to stay at home." Or, "Why work and get health benefits from my employer and help pay for them myself when the government can provide them for me." Of course the "government" here means TAXPAYERS. The majority of workers want to work and earn what they have, however, there are too many that want the "government" to provide for them.
On abortion and prayer and contraception at school:
“We have abortions being legal, prayer taken out of schools, nativity scenes being outlawed but other non Christian symbols allowed, and contraceptives being hand out like candy to children. Does this really sound like something the religious right is stumping for?”
“You think handing out condoms to kids is a great idea? There's a great message to send kids, schools handing out condoms. HMMM, maybe the kids will think because they are being handed out by the schools, that it's OK to have sex????”
On religious invocations before council meetings:
“Every religion may profess to have their own God. The first amendment to the constitution reads; "Congress shall make no law respecting on establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." By having an invocation at the beginning of a Council meeting, we don't even come close to violating the first amendment, and the Supreme Court upholds that fact.”
On corporate responsibility:
“Companies are in business to produce products and to make money. They are not in business to employ people. The sooner you realize this the better. Could companies do a better job treating their employees? YOU BET!Companies employ as many people as it takes to make their operation run efficiently; no more, no less! Would it be wise for a business to employ too many people and lose money? If they did, everyone in that company would be out of a job eventually!”
On affirmative action:
“The following letter I’m sure will upset some people (liberals), but I wanted to touch on something that has been in the news lately, affirmative action, which I call politically correct racism. I’m sure I’ll even be labeled a racist, but that’s usually what happens when liberals don’t like what you say, it just defaults to “you’re a racist.”
On the Bush Administration’s lawsuit with the University of Michigan in regards to their affirmative action policy:
“I think the Chancellor (Wells) has fallen into the same trap many have fallen into, which is we need to give minorities special treatment to get them ahead in life. Now I thought that allowing someone to have an advantage because of the color of his or her skin, or sex was racism and sexism, isn’t it? Then why do we allow minorities to have preferential treatment when applying for jobs or college?”
On why we have affirmative action:
“I’m sure the liberals are going to say, “it’s because they have an unfair advantage growing up, and that they don’t have access to good schools, etc., etc., etc.” This argument is nonsense. The business and political world have several minorities doing a great job, and not because of some ridiculous affirmative action policy, or because of some other tax-loving government program.”
On successful minorities:
“In Oshkosh alone we have several minorities in prominent positions, or have served in prominent positions (Eileen Connely-Keesler: Executive Director or the Oshkosh Community Foundation, Ron Montgomery: former Winnebago County Board Supervisor, Carla Craig: former Chair of the Oshkosh Chamber Board of Directors, Melanie Bloechl: former Mayor of Oshkosh, Jane Van De Hey: Winnebago County Executive) The list goes on, but I think you get the point. I’m sure these people got where they are/were because they worked their butts off, and didn’t ask for any special help. In Wisconsin we now have a minority as the Attorney General, Peg Lautenschlager, and nationally we have several minorities in the Bush Administration.”
On the lack of need for affirmative action:
“With the global economy we have in the world, and the competition that the U.S. has, we cannot afford to ask, “what color skin do you have, or what sex are you” when applying for a job, or applying for college. Other industrialized countries don’t ask what color skin they have, or what sex they are, they find out whose the most qualified, and put them in the position.”
“There are some intelligent minorities that realize that affirmative is really an insult. I remember one African American on a talk show who said, and I’ll paraphrase; by having affirmative action, you’re telling me that I’m too stupid to get ahead in the world so you need to give me an advantage because of my skin color. I’ve been hearing other minorities saying the same thing.”
“Why can’t we just put everybody on the same playing field, and don’t give ANYONE any advantages? You should win by being the best at what you do, not because of your skin color, or sex. “
“If affirmative action is supposed to make things equal, then I guess some people will just be a little more equal than others are. “
Sources:
http://eyeonoshkosh.com/article.php?story=20040922171125708
http://www.wordexchange.net/eyeonoshkosh/racism.htm
On government social assistance:
In regards to people being dependent, I agree, however, I think the dependence comes from another source. Too many people are dependent on the government, or should I say, entitlements. Some people say, "why should I work when the government will pay me to stay at home." Or, "Why work and get health benefits from my employer and help pay for them myself when the government can provide them for me." Of course the "government" here means TAXPAYERS. The majority of workers want to work and earn what they have, however, there are too many that want the "government" to provide for them.
On abortion and prayer and contraception at school:
“We have abortions being legal, prayer taken out of schools, nativity scenes being outlawed but other non Christian symbols allowed, and contraceptives being hand out like candy to children. Does this really sound like something the religious right is stumping for?”
“You think handing out condoms to kids is a great idea? There's a great message to send kids, schools handing out condoms. HMMM, maybe the kids will think because they are being handed out by the schools, that it's OK to have sex????”
On religious invocations before council meetings:
“Every religion may profess to have their own God. The first amendment to the constitution reads; "Congress shall make no law respecting on establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." By having an invocation at the beginning of a Council meeting, we don't even come close to violating the first amendment, and the Supreme Court upholds that fact.”
On corporate responsibility:
“Companies are in business to produce products and to make money. They are not in business to employ people. The sooner you realize this the better. Could companies do a better job treating their employees? YOU BET!Companies employ as many people as it takes to make their operation run efficiently; no more, no less! Would it be wise for a business to employ too many people and lose money? If they did, everyone in that company would be out of a job eventually!”
On affirmative action:
“The following letter I’m sure will upset some people (liberals), but I wanted to touch on something that has been in the news lately, affirmative action, which I call politically correct racism. I’m sure I’ll even be labeled a racist, but that’s usually what happens when liberals don’t like what you say, it just defaults to “you’re a racist.”
On the Bush Administration’s lawsuit with the University of Michigan in regards to their affirmative action policy:
“I think the Chancellor (Wells) has fallen into the same trap many have fallen into, which is we need to give minorities special treatment to get them ahead in life. Now I thought that allowing someone to have an advantage because of the color of his or her skin, or sex was racism and sexism, isn’t it? Then why do we allow minorities to have preferential treatment when applying for jobs or college?”
On why we have affirmative action:
“I’m sure the liberals are going to say, “it’s because they have an unfair advantage growing up, and that they don’t have access to good schools, etc., etc., etc.” This argument is nonsense. The business and political world have several minorities doing a great job, and not because of some ridiculous affirmative action policy, or because of some other tax-loving government program.”
On successful minorities:
“In Oshkosh alone we have several minorities in prominent positions, or have served in prominent positions (Eileen Connely-Keesler: Executive Director or the Oshkosh Community Foundation, Ron Montgomery: former Winnebago County Board Supervisor, Carla Craig: former Chair of the Oshkosh Chamber Board of Directors, Melanie Bloechl: former Mayor of Oshkosh, Jane Van De Hey: Winnebago County Executive) The list goes on, but I think you get the point. I’m sure these people got where they are/were because they worked their butts off, and didn’t ask for any special help. In Wisconsin we now have a minority as the Attorney General, Peg Lautenschlager, and nationally we have several minorities in the Bush Administration.”
On the lack of need for affirmative action:
“With the global economy we have in the world, and the competition that the U.S. has, we cannot afford to ask, “what color skin do you have, or what sex are you” when applying for a job, or applying for college. Other industrialized countries don’t ask what color skin they have, or what sex they are, they find out whose the most qualified, and put them in the position.”
“There are some intelligent minorities that realize that affirmative is really an insult. I remember one African American on a talk show who said, and I’ll paraphrase; by having affirmative action, you’re telling me that I’m too stupid to get ahead in the world so you need to give me an advantage because of my skin color. I’ve been hearing other minorities saying the same thing.”
“Why can’t we just put everybody on the same playing field, and don’t give ANYONE any advantages? You should win by being the best at what you do, not because of your skin color, or sex. “
“If affirmative action is supposed to make things equal, then I guess some people will just be a little more equal than others are. “
Sources:
http://eyeonoshkosh.com/article.php?story=20040922171125708
http://www.wordexchange.net/eyeonoshkosh/racism.htm
3.23.2005
A good point...
As Republican leaders in Congress move to trim billions of dollars from the Medicaid health program, they are simultaneously intervening to save the life of possibly the highest-profile Medicaid patient: Terri Schiavo.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58069-2005Mar22.html
What they are doing it the worst hypocracy - read the article, it states it better than I ever could.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58069-2005Mar22.html
What they are doing it the worst hypocracy - read the article, it states it better than I ever could.
3.21.2005
All Politics is Local...
Here is a great editorial about Sistani in Iraq deserving a Nobel Prize, which I agree.
But, in it there was this paragraph that meade me thing of our own local elections here in peaceful Oshkosh....
"Sistani did not build his politics on negating someone else." Saddam Hussein built his politics around negating America, Iran and Israel. Arafat built his whole life around negating Zionism - rarely, if ever, speaking about Palestinian economic development or education. The politics of negation has a deep and rich history in the Middle East, because so many leaders there are illegitimate and need to negate someone to justify their rule. What Mr. Sistani, the late Lebanese Sunni leader Rafik Hariri and the new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas all have in common is that they rose to power by focusing on a positive agenda for their own people, not negating another.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/20/opinion/20friedman.html?th=&pagewanted=print&position=
But, in it there was this paragraph that meade me thing of our own local elections here in peaceful Oshkosh....
"Sistani did not build his politics on negating someone else." Saddam Hussein built his politics around negating America, Iran and Israel. Arafat built his whole life around negating Zionism - rarely, if ever, speaking about Palestinian economic development or education. The politics of negation has a deep and rich history in the Middle East, because so many leaders there are illegitimate and need to negate someone to justify their rule. What Mr. Sistani, the late Lebanese Sunni leader Rafik Hariri and the new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas all have in common is that they rose to power by focusing on a positive agenda for their own people, not negating another.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/20/opinion/20friedman.html?th=&pagewanted=print&position=
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