America is Exceptional

America is the greatest country in the world. Most Americans understand this and believe in it. Many previous adminstrations and leaders have talked openly about American "exceptionalism". The Wall Street Journal captured the essence of my concern (and I suspect many others) with the award of the Noble Peace Prize to President Obama. I remember how proud many were every time an American won the Noble Prize for anything.

But this time, the lack of accomplishment of President Obama reveals a hidden bias of the Nobel Prize committee (which are appointed by the Norwegian Government). This bias is in favor of an "unexceptional America". That why I am less than excited with this year's award.

Ten Best Reasons to Oppose Health Care Reform

Most of us are not opposed to health care reform (See this Washington Post link for an excellent primer on health insurnace in the US.) and most of us agree on objectives. My concern is that the leaders driving the reform bus (President Obama and Congressional Democrats) are not genuine in their real purpose. Accordingly, their legislative prosposals seem inconsistent with their goals.

For example, there is little in the bills to reduce or control costs. The current Senate Finance plan does not have any limitations on medical malpractice lawsuits. Too many Americans will remain uncovered (25 million). And, two essential elements of reform i.) tax equalization, and ii.) interstate competition of insurance companies are nowhere in sight. For those that prefer shorthand, here are the ten best reasons to oppose the current health care reform proposals:

1. Key and critical provisions are missing. a) Malpractice reform, b) tax equalization and c) interstate competition of health care insurance companies.
2. Costs are excessive. CBO estimates are based on many flawed assumptions. If medicare savings could be easily realized, why hasn't Washington done it before now.
3. Massive implicit tax increases. The Finance Committee proposal has $400 billion in tax increases. While proposed to be levied on insurance companies, if enacted at all as described, they will be pass throughs to beneficiaries.
   

Simple Campaign Finance Reform in Illinois

There is a fun suggestion going around the internet about how to reform politics in Illinois. It involves establishing a two term limit in Illinois. One in office and one in jail. Being serious for a moment, there is a quite simple solution that would dramatically reduce corruption. When all else fails, stay simple.

NO one may contribute to an Illinois election campaign more than $2,500 per campaign cycle. Only legal residents of the state of Illinois may make such contributions. No contributions to any IL political campaign, whether in-kind, or in cash, may be made by any party, committee, business or any other organization. Any organization may organize and encourage individual contributions of its members.

Now, every current politician and lobbyist in Illinois will suggest dozens of reasons why the simple formula above can't possibly work. But, ask the citizens if it works. Ask actual voters what is wrong with the above? Then listen carefully what voters say and who says it.

Cash for Clunkers and Simple Math

A vehicle at 15 mpg and 12,000 miles per year uses 800 gallons a year of gasoline.
A vehicle at 25 mpg and 12,000 miles per year uses 480 gallons a year.
So, the average clunker transaction will reduce US gasoline consumption by 320 gallons per year.
They claim 700,000 vehicles – so that's 224 million gallons / year.
That equates to a bit over 5 million barrels of oil.
5 million barrels of oil is about ¼ of one day's US consumption.
And, 5 million barrels of oil costs about $350 million dollars at $75/bbl.
So we all contributed to spending $3 billion to save $350 million.

How good a deal was that ???

And these are the same guys wanting to take over health care. Better check their numbers.

Health Care Reform on One Page

With all the debate about health care reform, it really can be quite simple. Here is my one page plan. Tell me your thoughts and don't hesitate to share it with your favorite Congressperson or President.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop regulations to enact the intentions of Congress to reform the United States health care industry as described below:

1 - Interstate marketing of health insurance plans. Insurance companies shall be permitted to offer and sell health insurance plans across state lines so long as they otherwise conform to insurance regulatory requirements of the individual states.

2 - Requirement for Medical Doctor Counseling. All insurance plans and programs marketed and offered in the United States shall provide for once per year for each person covered by such plan one hour of medical doctor counseling as to health risks, treatment plans and health practices to reduce risks and treatment costs.

At Last - Health Care

If there has ever been an issue crying our for national debate it is health care. But, first we need to see that there are multiple issues involved. While they may be inter-dependant, they are not all the same issue. Lets first take up the distinct issues:

1. Cost - Is the cost of health care to high in the US? Is it affordable and is it a good value?
2. Access - Do all citizens and residents have access to health care? And, do they have access in a way to encourages a reasonable or high quality of life?
3. Who pays - Does the current financing method for health care provide for the appropriate balance between access to health care, affordability and excess use?
4. Quality - Are Americans receiving reasonable quality health care?

Over the next few weeks many will be commenting on proposed changes to our health care system. Clearly, the US system as it exists is not optimal but it is not terrible. Changes in policy are long over due. In general terms, we must consider "fixes." Answers to all of the above issues are "we an do better."

Did We All Fail when the Bridge Collapsed?

First, let me express sympathy for the families that are missing their loved ones in Minnesota.

The possible cracks in the Minnesota bridge reveal the cracks in our democracy that risk the collapse of what we cherish.


I would stand at the front of the line defending our system of government. Yet, it has its deficiencies. Like cracks in a bridge, our system has cracks that we may have noticed in an inspection, but, fail to repair.

The news accounts now inform us that the Minnesota bridge was "structurally deficient" similar to thousands of other bridges that we drive on. Tonight's news revealed that reports in 2005 and 2006 revealed serious concerns. These same cracks were viewable in New Orleans. Also in the anti-terrorism group in Washington. These cracks are clearly visible in our education system (i.e. drop out rates, education achievement, school violence, and poor college persistence).

Immigration According to Teddy

Teddy Rooselvelt that is...

"Those that do not learn the lessons of history are bound to repeat the mistakes of the past." We frequently look for an original way to think or comment on important issues when others before us have "nailed the issue". The debate on immigration could be helped by considering the views of a previous American president.

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who say s he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Defending Don Imus???? Not me

This blogger would never defend Don Imus. Nor any other mouthpieces of slime that exist on the airwaves. The world would be a better place with less of them and more decorum.

However, I am troubled by the piling on that is occurring. Many can easily chastise Mr. Imus, but remain silent and out of sight when other mainstream commentators call for our President's assasination, death to the vice president and demands for annialation of Americans coming from the middle east.

We seem to have lost our moral compass. We no longer know right from wrong. As one analyst said, either it is all ok, or it is all not ok. It would be greatly preferable if there was more simple decency in the world and more self-restraint. It is preferable for the mainstream media to have the common sense and fairness to expect more, expect decency and to denounce all forms of hate speach.

And another thing. Are attacks on Imus being used by some to perpetuate the dieing myth of racism in America today? Perhaps. For sure there are still racists in the America. But racism has long ago slipped from the fiber of many Americans. Now these many Americans want desperately to be fair and be sure that every chance is given to those deserving of it.

But. Where would the defenders of minorities be today without a villain like Imus? Where would they be without the ugly head of racism to drag through the streets? They might have to take up a new crusade to teach decency, hard work, self-responsibility, learning and initiative. But do they know how to teach that? Could they perform that task? There is the question that leads to the simple truth.

Oh Spare Me; Shouldn't the Outrage be to the Hubster

Congress is having a hysterical hyssie-fit today over poor Valerie and the mean White House for exposing her status as a CIA employee. The simple truth is that this whole issue is nothing but politics and part of the ongoing campaign by "dummiecrats" and "mediacrats" to disparage and tear down George Bush. Nothing more. Nothing.

Simple Facts:

• Valerie worked for the CIA
• Valerie was at one point (years ago - 5) a covert operative
• Valerie recommended to CIA leadership that her "hubster" (based on his diplomatic credentials)to go to Nigeria and explore possibility that Iraq was trying to buy uranium. Joe did go
• Joe did report back that Iraq'i operatives had been in Nigeria exploring "business transactions" (which were widely believed by Joe and CIA was "code word" for uranium.
• Joe wrote an article in major newspaper attacking White House assertions that Iraq wanted to acquire nuclear material.
• Joe was politically connected to John Kerry.
• White House operatives (Rove, Cheney, Libby and likely others) went into discredit mode to counter a major political piece against their policies.
• US Attorney assigned to investigate White House alleged "outing" of Valerie found no criminal actions in statements made about Valerie and Joe.

Simple Truth

• Valerie was not a covert operative
• She should not have recommended her own husband for a mission (bad judgement)
• Joe should not be wading into the political arena attacking his "client" (White House and CIA) if he didn't want the political guns turned back on him and Valerie.
• Valerie's outrage is better placed on the Hubster for exposing her.
• Valerie is D.D.G. (email me for definition)
• This whole episode is politics and self-promotion (thanks for the book Joe)

For those reading this that want more detailed and specific information, read this.