The New Most Powerful Cabinet Officer
November 30, 2009
Filed under Health, Politics
Tags: Congress, Devon Herrick, Health Care, HHS, Hilary Clinton, Jack Kemp, Kathleen Sebelius, Medicaid, Medicare, Moon Landrieu, National Center for Policy Analysis, Robert Gates, Senate, Susan Ferrechio, Utah, Washington Examiner
Move over Hilary, forget it Gates, a new sheriff is on the way. Her name, Kathleen Sebilius. One of the by products, by design or not, who knows, will give the HHS secretary quite a bit more clout than she now possesses.
Traditionally, the HHS Secretary is not headed by a household name, either when their term begins or when they are done. Try naming the most famous or notable occupant of the position. Not easy is it? How about even naming her predecessor? It was Utah’s own Moon Landrieu. Probably the office’s most celebrated occupant harks back to when it was Health, Education and Welfare. That would be our friend Jack Kemp.
But, if the health care bill lurching along through the Senate becomes law, Secretary Sebilius is poised not only to become very well-known but also significantly more influential than she now is.
According to an article in the Washington Examiner by Susan Ferrechio, HHS would become a “giant” federal powerhouse. Devon Herrick is a health care expert at the National center for Policy Analysis. He says that there are almost 1,700 (1,697) times in the bill when the when the HHS secretary is given leeway to create, define or determine things in the bill. Seems that HHS will have quite a bit of wiggle room to interpret things in the bill. He cites an example or two. One of the biggies, perhaps the biggest, gives HHS the authority to regulate insurance, currently a state function. The feds would no doubt perform all sort of wondrous things to improve the insurance system or maybe just regulate it death. Who really knows? Here is another. HHS would be empowered to create a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation which could make cost savings cuts on its own without the approval of Congress. Sounds just peachy. This is just one of a potentially large number of new government agencies that are likely to arise. And remember, this bill is revenue neutral. Riiight!!
I have got to wonder if Hilary maybe would be interested in a do over on this Cabinet position stuff. She would have a lot more power as HHS secretary than she now has. Besides, I seem to remember that health care reform was once her bailiwick.
Achtung!
November 24, 2009
Filed under Media, Politics
Tags: Anthony Edwards, Barack Obama, Chuck Schumer, Cincinnati, Columbus, Democrats, Ft Bragg, Health Care, John McCain, Kelly McGillis, Martha Stewart, Mitch Stewart, Movies, Ohio, Organizing for America, Roanoke, Sarah Palin, Senate, Tom Cruise, Top Gun, Val Kilmer, Virginia
Top Gun is one of my all time favorite movies. Maverick and Goose, Ice Man and Charlie, Cruise and Kilmer,etc. Near the end of the movie, shortly after the climactic dog fight, Kilmer and Cruise meet on the deck of the carrier. After a brief stare down, Kilmer tells Cruise, “you are still dangerous,” adding that he could still be his wingman. Then we have the macho man hug and action continues.
According to some well-known folks, there is a dangerous person running amok around the country today. She has been to Ft Bragg, to Roanoke,Va, to Columbus and Cincinnati, Oh among others. Organizing for America director Mitch Stewart calls her dangerous as does well-known style arbiter Martha Stewart, presumably not related. Ms Stewart, apparently with her verbal claws sharpened also threw in the descriptive words confused and boring. Doubtless Tina Fey had something to say also, but I don’t care.
Of course, we speak of Sarah Palin as she tours the country to promote her book which sold some 300,000 copies on day 1. I will say up front that unlike a number of my conservative brethren, I am uncertain as to whether Ms Palin would make a good president of presidential candidate even. But I am certainly enjoying the angst that is surfacing among those who are not fans. Is she dangerous? Dangerous to what and to whom, don’t know. I don’t really think so. It was amusing to note Martha Stewart’s comments. I am unsure how one can be boring and dangerous simultaneously. If you are dangerous, you are certainly not boring are you? Why does Martha even care?
Anyway, the Obamacare folks should applaud her media attention. She is probably diverting some attention from all the machinations and payouts occurring in the Senate to obtain the votes of wavering Democrats. Whatever it takes, though. Sen Schumer said, we can’t not succeed. Parse that phrase, all you grammarians.
Last note. McCain has read her book and liked it. Obama says he probably will not read it.
Trial Update ( Probably not the last one either)
November 23, 2009
Filed under Legal system, Media, Politics
Tags: 9/11, Barack Obama, Eric Holder, Foreign Policy, George Bush, Louie Gohmert, Republicans, Rush Limbaugh, Scott Fenstermaker, Terrorists, Texas, United States
The attorney for one of the terrorist defendants has had some interesting things to say. Thinking about what he said and reading a comment or two from rush have switched the light on for me, I think. The attorney is Scott Fenstermaker and he had this to say. The defendants will plead not guilt but will not deny their role in the 9/11 attacks. But, they intend, according to him, to tell what happened and why. Along the way, they will share their thoughts about United States foreign policy, particularly vis-a-vis terrorism.
Now, if I am Attorney General Holder of maybe even the President, I may just like the sound of that. If U S foreign policy is “put on trial”, wonder what Administration’s foreign policy it will be? Not this one, but the Bush Administartion of course. So, and I would lik eto be wrong, rally I would, but maybe the potential for this kind of thing played into the Administration”s decision to use civilian courts, rather than the military . Another opportunity to stick it to Bush and continue to place the blame thereon.
One side note, Congressman Louie Gohmert, R, Tx has proposed a bill that would require terrorist defendants to be tried before a military tribunal. He probably knows the bill, even with 40 co-sponsors, has very little chance. But I applaud his pushing this issue and publicly keeping the heat on the Administartion decision.
Do We Still Have a Vice-president ?
November 22, 2009
Filed under Media, Politics
Tags: ABC, Arizona, Barack Obama, Dana Titus, Delaware, Democrats, elections, Gabrielle Giffords, Golf, Greenville De, House of Representatives, Joe Biden, Karen Travers, Mark Barrett, Nevada, PGA, Republicans, The Golf Club at South Shore, Tiger Woods, White House
I was beginning to worry just a bit since I had not heard anything from the 47th occupant of that lofty office in a while. But as if on cue, up pops two examples of the Biden factor. One can be characterized as political while the other is a bit harder to define. It isn’t really thuggish behavior but overly boorish and sort of amusing.
First, the political. As is possibly the case with many leading Democrats, the 2010 elections are on Biden’s mind. At this point, he is not as confident a she would like to be. His comments are from a fundraiser held on September 21 in Greenville, De for Arizona Rep Gabrielle Giffords. A fundraiser held in Delaware for a member of Congress from Arizona. Gotta love politics. Anyway, Biden made reference to House seats currently held by Democrats but in traditional Republican districts. He said that a loss of 35 of such seats wold doom the president’s agenda. Or in his words, “be the end of the road for what Barack and I are trying to do.” He went on to say that the retention of those seats would bring in a real era of bipartisanship. It would then embolden Republicans to move away from party dictates and vote their convictions, i.e., the Administration’s way. Sorry, Mr Vice-president, you lost me there. (Biden’s comments were reported by ABC White House reporter Karen Travers.) Depending on who is counting and what time period is used, average mid-term House losses are around 25 seats.
Biden plays golf. Newsworthy, not unless he plays with Tiger Woods, you might say. Well, he didn’t, but it still is and amusing as well. it happened in Las Vegas, how appropriate is that. The members only club in question is The Golf Club at South Shore and it took place a week ago today.
It seems the Mr Biden was in town for a fund-raiser for Rep Dana Titus, D, Nv and wanted to get in a round on the links. The call came in early Sunday morning from a Biden staffer and the PGA pro running the pro shop declined, citing the club’s membership policy. Gotta wonder if he still has a job? Not to be deterred, another call came in and theses words ensued,”you know the vice president would really like to play.” (Know what I mean?) Apparently the connection worked and the club reversed its decision, said membership director Mark Barrett. Biden and his people arrived about 11:00 am, played 17 holes and left. He does know that around consists of 18 holes, right?
Afterwards, Barrett could laugh about it saying it gave the club a boost of needed publicity during a time when it could really use it. Suppose that Biden left one those economic stimulus at work signs? His score, who knows. Doesn’t what happen in Vegas stay in Vegas?
The Second Louisiana Purchase
November 21, 2009
Filed under History, Politics
Tags: France, John McCain, Harry Reid, Thomas Jefferson, United States, Health Care, ABC, Washington DC, Louisiana Purchase, Napoleon Bonaparte, Mary Landrieu, Robert Sawicki, Jonathan Karl, Huey Long. William Jefferson
Way back in 1803, President Thomas Jefferson negotiated a deal with Napoleon Bonaparte that virtually doubled the size of the infant United States. This land deal which cost the princely sum of fifteen million dollars ( a really big deal in those days) bought us 828,000 square miles of territory and a lot of stability.
Now, it appears that some 206 years later we are seeing a second Louisiana Purchase. This one does not involve land but rather health care, Senators Harry Reid and Mary Landrieu and an illustration of how things often get done in Washington, DC.
In an ABC news article by Jonathan Karl, he describes language in the health care reform bill, tailored to be applicable to only one state, Louisiana. Beginning on page 432 of Reid’s bill, there is language referencing states that have been declared a major disaster area in the past 7 fiscal years. That statement refers to the commonwealth of Louisiana. The descriptive language continues for 2 pages. Bottom line says the Congressional Budget Office, this is a $100 million windfall or payoff, depending on one’s point of view. The senator from Louisiana says it is not $100 million but $300 million and she is somewhat pleased with what she has gained for her state, by pledging her vote in Senator Reid’s direction. Her Press Secretary, Robert Sawicki says she has been working on this deal for a while. Senator Maverick,aka John McCain, was not so happy about it.
One should not be amazed, I guess, since Rush has always said to follow the money. What is a bit refreshing is Senator Landrieu’s frank admission of her intentions, saying that was elected to accomplish, bring the $ home to her state. Refreshing, but a bit disheartening. Remember, we are still in the early stages of this bill. Today’s vote is just the first of several . You have to wonder what other commitments will be or have already been made that have no connection to the real issue at hand.
Paging Rep William Jefferson and wouldn’t Huey Long be proud.
What A Trial This Trial Seems To Be
November 18, 2009
Filed under Legal system, Politics
Tags: China, Chuck Todd, David Axelrod, Eric Holder, Guantanamo, Janet Napolitano, Jim Lehrer, Joe Namath, NBC, New York City, Nuremburg, Obama, Super Bowl, Terrorists, TOTUS, WWII
There is a very controversial trial scheduled for New York City. It involves people ,one in particular,Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who were involved in the masterminding of the 9-11 attacks. Many people have weighed in on the fact that the trial is being held in lower Manhattan, not far from Ground Zero itself. There have quite cogent arguments both for and against this particular decision. But there are so many elements of this decision worth discussing no matter what one thinks of the locale.
The Attorney General, Eric Holder said it was his decision and he informed the President as he was flying to China. He further said that he discussed it with his wife and his brother who is a retired Port Authority officer and lost friends in the attacks. He told Jim Lehrer that he told Obama of his decision, not that he consulted with him. I’m sorry, just not buying that one even though David Axelrod backed it up. Trying for a little plausible deniability it seems.
Second item that is generating concern. The decision has been made to employ civilian over military courts. I read comments that compare this trial to Nuremberg and how those trials did not advance the cause of the accused and thus this trial will not. Problem, WWII was over and those trials were military tribunals. This little insight may be telling in that regard. Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano says 9/11 type attacks should be condidered”man cused disasters ,” what ever that means.This backs up the Attorney General’s position nicely.
Finally, and bear in mind that the trial will occur at some future date, listen to the President(himself a lawyer) answer a query from NBC’S Chuck Todd about concernS over the legal rights the defendants are getting. Read it carefully. ” I don’t think it will be offensive at all when he’s convicted and the death penalty is applied to him.” That is a stronger guarantee than Joe Namath made when he promised a Super Bowl win way back in 1969.
Ok, to his credit Todd had a great follow-up. He said that using a civilian court over a military one was a way to show the fairness of our legal system. Now, you have just said he’s going to be convicted and given the death sentence. Ole Chuck is getting real close to losing White House access. Now, the President fires back.” Look, what I said was that people will not be offended if that’s the outcome. I’m not prejudging it.” Only one problem with those last 2 sentences. They are wrong. Not being a well-trained legal mind, I cannot be certain. But, has he not poisoned the case? Must not have had TOTUS close by.
This trial will be a doozy.
P T Barnum or George Orwell?
November 15, 2009
Filed under Energy, Politics, economy
Tags: "1984", Arbuthnot Banking Group, Carbon Allowance, Circus, Climate Change, David Hannum, Environment Agency, Eric Arthur Blair, Finsbury, George Orwell, Great Britain, Jenny Lind, Lord Smith, Netherlands, P T Barnum, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, Ruth Lee, Syracuse, Tom Thumb
Perhaps I should do separate posts for each of these gentlemen but what the hey, I shall just combine them. For in considering aspects of the overriding issue of climate change, there is ample room for them both.
Just a wee bit of background to set the stage. Many of us have no doubt read Orwell’s seminal work, 1984, with all its disturbing aspects of totalitarianism at full force. A world where the state’s control has reached its pinnacle. It was written way back in 1948, just 2 years before the death of its author, Eric Arthur Blair.
Next, we have the consummate huckster, Phineas T Barnum, who allegedly said,”There is a sucker born every minute.” In reality, the phrase was uttered by his competitor, Syracuse banker David Hannum. But Barnum was the founding force behind one of the world’s most famous circuses; Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus. Known for showcasing such diverse acts,as songstress Jenny Lind and height challenged Tom Thumb, he was also a prolific lecturer in his own right. One of the coolest sounding , ‘The Art of Money Getting.”
On that apropos note we connect the dots to climate change with two reports. One is from Great Britain, the other from the Netherlands. Second one goes first. our Dutch friends have plans to levy a “green” road tax by the year 2012. it would be charged by the kilometer and is aimed at reducing emissions as well as traffic congestion. Worthy objectives, of course. Check out the following quote as to how it will be implemented, if passed by the Dutch parliament. ” Each vehicle will be equipped with a GPS device (paid for by?) that tracks how many kilometeres are driven and when and where.This data will then be sent to a collection agency that will send out the bill.” So said the Dutch transportation ministry. Ownership and sales taxes will be eliminated and be replaced by the new levy. It will begin at 7 cents per mile and increase to 16 cents per mile by 2018. One additional odd feature to me is that taxis will be exempt. Worthy goal that will allow the government and a 3rd party to know how much you drive, where and when and charge you for doing so. Sounds like that sound fall a bit on the Orwellian side to me.
Now for the British. Upfront, i will surmise that this is more Barnumesque. Here foes. Lord Smith of Finsbury is the head of the Environment Agency. He is advocating that everyone in Great Britain be “given” a carbon allowance, by the government, I presume. people would be issued a unique number and would be required to provide that number when buying such things as fuel, airline tickets or electricity. Each month they would receive a statement to follow their balance. if the account reached zero, they would have to pay for more credits(Barnum) and that wold go to the government, I presume. frugal carbon users could do the opposite, sell their unused and make money. His position is that only those with extravagant lifestyles would be impacted. Ruth Lee is an economist with Arbuthnot Banking Group. She calls the plan “Orwellian” and maintains that it is all about control of the individual. Sure seems to have some control elements in it. Lord Smith plans to introduce his proposal at the Monday conference of the Environmental Agency.
The Go To Jail Card?
November 12, 2009
Filed under Health, Media, Politics
Tags: "Chance", ABC, Barack Obama, Congress, health insurance, IRS, Jake Tapper, KOMO-Channel 4, Monoploy, Nancy Pelosi, Seattle, Shomari Stone, Swedish Medical Center, U S Senate
Most of us have played Monopoly, either as children or as parents with our children. I usually enjoyed it, win or lose; more so when winning. So, we all know how it works. Roll the dice, move your game piece and act accordingly. Two of the spaces upon which one can land are Chance and Community Chest. At that point, a randomly drawn card would determine happened next. One of the ;least favorite cards to draw was the “Go to Jail” card. You know, do not pass Go, do not collect $200.
We may be on the verge of a real life go to jail card, except it will be caused not by a roll of the dice, but a failure to buy something. Hint, Nancy Pelosi is involved. Wonder what on earth could be so necessary to but that a failure to purchase said item would send one to jail? Ta da, it is health insurance. Don’t think so. peruse this question and answer between the Speaker and reporter. By the way, Mr Stone is a reporter for ABC affiliate, KOMO, Channel 4, in Seattle.
He asked this question of Ms Pelosi.” Do you think it’s fair to send people to jail for not buying health insurance? ” Straightforward question that somehow got a convoluted answer. She began talking about something she called uncompensated care and went on to say that we all have to do our part. That is what the bill says. Bless his heart, Mr Stone tried again. “But Madame Speaker, I’m just trying to understand. If you don’t buy health insurance, you go to jail? You didn’t answer my question.” Madame Speaker tries again.”There -there is, uh, uh,-there is- I think the legislation is very clear in this respect.
The President, in an interview with ABC correspondent Jake Tapper, sort of downplayed the issue of jail time by saying it was not the main question facing the House and Senate. He did endorse some sort of unnamed penalties.
What is really funny, scary funny is this. Shortly after the press conference, the Speaker appeared to back track, just a bit. Her e-mail to Mr Stone indicated th eliklihood of criminal prosecution is very small, similar to the odds of getting an IRS audit. Feel better now? Thought so.
Numbers of the Day
November 8, 2009
Filed under Health, Politics
Tags: Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, Democrat, House of Representatives, Health Care, health insurance, Republcans
Just a few for you to think about.
220- 215 Saturday night vote to approve Pelosi/Obama Care
Time of vote-11:15 pm
1 Republican voted yea, 39 Democrats voted nay
Who won, the Democrats, Pelosi, Obama or the American people-yet to be determined.
Good History Or Bad History?
October 29, 2009
Filed under Health, Politics
Tags: Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, Democrat, Congress, House of Representatives, Health Care, Washington DC, Las Vegas, Steny Hoyer, C-SPAN, Capitol, John Dingell, John Conyers, History
Today, House Democrats unveiled their massive health care bill (1,990 pages worth) and Speaker Pelosi called it a historic moment. I suppose that is a true statement. But, upon reflection, that doesn’t in and of itself make it good. After all, there is good history and there is bad history. It is somewhat early to know which one this will be.
The President was excited about it. He called the event another milestone in the health care reform effort. There was a big ceremony on the steps of the Capitol which was apparently an RSVP event. You or I or just any random person could not have joined in the celebration. I watched a couple of videos, one including a Capitol police officer where people were politely but firmly told they could not enter if they weren’t on the list. One gatekeeper smilingly said that it could be viewed on C-SPAN. Another example of openness and transparency in government.
Listen to these words from Speaker Pelosi:…”covers 96 per cent of all Americans (by 2013 that is) and it puts affordable coverage in reach of uninsured and underinsured Americans, lowering health care costs for all of us.” Now, I don’t know , but that seems like quite an ambitious thing. I ould just be thrilled to get a straight, no frills answer to this question? If I have good health care and like it, will it change? Being unable to ask that question of anyone in power, I shall make a guess. No! That would not be the answer but betcha you could get good Las Vegas odds on it. While I am being completely frivolous, here is question #2. Will the plan be deficit neutral? Alas, see above answer.
Just one more thing, you had to like Pelosi’s use of the word us, referring I guess to Congress which already has the best health care money can buy. So I hope that the Speaker and Reps Dingell and Conyers and Hoyer et. al enjoy themselves.I just worry that there are roosting chickens in this legislation that will come home to us.
Or, to put it another way. This is a Democrat bill, for good or bad. If it doesn’t do all that they promise it will, where will the blame fall?
