Just days after Trump's win, George Soros and other big Democrat donors huddled together with Nancy Polosi, Elizabeth Warren, and Keith Ellison to come up with a strategy to resist Trump's agenda and take back power. Thus, the hashtag #resist came to be.
But, something else may have also arisen from that meeting: the Indivisible Guide. Essentially, this is a cookbook for progressive activism to #resist Trump by confronting GOP Congressmen and Senators in an effort to force them to block Trump's agenda. The "Guide" instructs activists to confront GOP lawmakers at their Town Hall Meetings, public events (like ribbon-cutting ceremonies), at their offices, and even their homes. The Washington Post wrote about this new age of disruption tactics in a piece titled: "Swarming crowds and hostile questions are the new normal at GOP town halls".
Of course, these activities are all Constitutional as long as they are peaceful, but already some are crossing that line. Further, people with concerns other than what liberals are concerned about are being drowned out.
Now, should these tactics turn violent and become overdone, it is quite possible that they may backfire by damaging the chances of some Democrats being elected or reelected. Several Democrats are in vulnerable positions going into the 2018 mid-term elections. And, lets not forget that Trump won the election in the battle of ideas. Not those of Hillary Clinton.
References:
Soros bands with donors to resist Trump, 'take back power': http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/democrats-soros-trump-231313
Swarming crowds and hostile questions are the new normal at GOP town halls: https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/swarming-crowds-and-hostile-questions-are-the-new-normal-at-gop-town-halls/2017/02/10/376ddf7c-efcc-11e6-b4ff-ac2cf509efe5_story.html?utm_term=.30eeda5c34a3
Twitter: News about #resist: https://twitter.com/hashtag/resist?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Ehashtag
Facebook: The Indivisible Guide: https://www.facebook.com/indivisibleguide/
The Indivisible Guide.PDF: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5855a354cd0f68bab2089b40/t/588eaa1ebebafb2132666bcd/1485744745727/IndivisibleGuide_2017-01-29_v8.pdf
What is the Indivisible Guide: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/what-is-the-indivisible-guide-847974467669
Protesters read Coretta Scott King letter outside McConnell's house: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/319071-protesters-read-coretta-scott-king-letter-outside-mcconnells
DNC Official Sides With Protesters Who Physically Blocked DeVos: http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/10/dnc-official-sides-with-protesters-who-physically-blocked-devos/
Chaffetz faces tough crowd at Utah town hall meeting: http://www.ksl.com/?sid=43138806&nid=148&title=chaffetz-faces-tough-crowd-at-utah-town-hall-meeting
GOP lawmakers face angry, worried constituents at town halls - SFGate: http://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/GOP-lawmakers-face-angry-worried-constituents-at-10925273.php
Showing posts with label Town Hall Meetings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Town Hall Meetings. Show all posts
Monday, February 13, 2017
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Will Obama Find A Job For An Unemployed Engineer?
Earlier this week, in a video town hall meeting, a woman told President Obama of her husband's failure to find a job for the last three years.
Now, while it is true that American corporations, especially in the high tech fields, are having trouble finding qualified engineering applicants, this exchange between Obama and this woman leaves a lot of unanswered questions.
First of all, we don't know why her husband was laid off in the first place. Obviously, companies faced with having to let employees go don't like to lose there most valuable employees. Second, change in high tech is fast paced. For an unemployed semiconductor engineer, every day that he is out of work is a day that technological progress is passing him buy. Companies aren't in the business of on-the-job training. When they hire somebody, they expect that person to hit the ground running. Third, we don't know what metropolitan area this woman's husband is seeking a job in. If, for example, that area is already knee deep in unemployed semiconductor engineers, only the cream of the crop will fill any job openings. Definitely, his being out work for 3 years has made him less and less valuable in the current, depressed job market. Lastly, many people who are unemployed are forever stuck looking for work in the area that they currently living in. Many might be able to find jobs elsewhere in the country but, because they are so underwater on their current mortgage, they just can't relocate without facing substantial penalties on their existing mortgage commitment.
This woman's husband is a sad commentary about the years of high and long-termed unemployment in this country. While I'm sure, for political reasons, Obama will definitely find this guy a job, others in similar situations won't be as lucky. Many "high tech" professionals may never find work, again, in their chosen profession. Some may have to start all over again by applying for an entry-level engineering jobs. But, knowing Obama, my guess is that he will use this woman's husband as an example of those "bad corporations" intentionally avoiding hiring the long-term unemployed. Again, he will call for tax penalties for companies who don't hire the long-term unemployed. Just mark my words.
Now, while it is true that American corporations, especially in the high tech fields, are having trouble finding qualified engineering applicants, this exchange between Obama and this woman leaves a lot of unanswered questions.
First of all, we don't know why her husband was laid off in the first place. Obviously, companies faced with having to let employees go don't like to lose there most valuable employees. Second, change in high tech is fast paced. For an unemployed semiconductor engineer, every day that he is out of work is a day that technological progress is passing him buy. Companies aren't in the business of on-the-job training. When they hire somebody, they expect that person to hit the ground running. Third, we don't know what metropolitan area this woman's husband is seeking a job in. If, for example, that area is already knee deep in unemployed semiconductor engineers, only the cream of the crop will fill any job openings. Definitely, his being out work for 3 years has made him less and less valuable in the current, depressed job market. Lastly, many people who are unemployed are forever stuck looking for work in the area that they currently living in. Many might be able to find jobs elsewhere in the country but, because they are so underwater on their current mortgage, they just can't relocate without facing substantial penalties on their existing mortgage commitment.
This woman's husband is a sad commentary about the years of high and long-termed unemployment in this country. While I'm sure, for political reasons, Obama will definitely find this guy a job, others in similar situations won't be as lucky. Many "high tech" professionals may never find work, again, in their chosen profession. Some may have to start all over again by applying for an entry-level engineering jobs. But, knowing Obama, my guess is that he will use this woman's husband as an example of those "bad corporations" intentionally avoiding hiring the long-term unemployed. Again, he will call for tax penalties for companies who don't hire the long-term unemployed. Just mark my words.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Obama: It's The Republicans Who Are Blocking Health Care Reform
Having a strong majority in the House of Representatives, the Democrats should be able to easily pass "their" health care reform without a single Republican vote. For the Senate, the Democrats, too, have a veto-proof 60-vote majority. In addition, they have Republican Senators Grassley and two other Republicans who are working with a few Democrats to try and hammer out what could be considered a marginal attempt to get a bipartisan bill through the Senate.
Clearly, the Democrats have a majority to vote this bill into law without the help of a single Republican. The Dems could have brought it to a vote in the House before the recess. But, they didn't have enough of their own people on board. The Republicans had nothing to do with it. Harry Reid is now saying that it won't be until late September or October before a vote can take place in the Senate because he, too, doesn't have enough votes for any Democratic, go-it-alone, health care bill being passed in the Senate. In both cases, the Republicans have been a lot like the Washington Generals playing against the Harlem Globe Trotters. They might have scored a few points but, theoretically, they are in no position to really win. It is actually the Democrats who have been their own worst enemy.
So, I find it interesting that this President seems think it is "solely" the Republicans who are at fault for blocking any health care reform (Click to See Full Story: "Obama blames GOP for stalled health bills").
But, this is so typical of Obama and his blame-game. It's never about him; it always someone else. It is either the health insurance companies; or, the greedy Wall Streeters; or, the banks; or Joe the Plumber; or, now, the Republicans. This guy appears to have the mentality of a two-year old. His is a spoiled child who won't accept any responsibility; won't ever apologize for his own faults; won't give credit to Bush for Iraq and other programs; and, who thinks he can deflect any blame by always pointing fingers at someone else. I call that the Obama,"Johnny Did It", syndrome!
From the very get-go, Obama only had meetings with the Democrats of Congress to lay out his planned health care legislation. The Republicans were completely excluded from any and all of those meetings. Obama and the Democrats completely ignored Republican calls for tort reform; the interstate sale of medical insurance; tax credits for anyone having to buy their own insurance coverage; the creation of non-profit co-op insurers and insurance pools to reduce cost; and so many other ideas. Instead, the Democrats are totally deaf to any other viewpoints because they only have "one" goal in mind. That goal is a single-payer, government-run health care system that will ultimately crush any private insurance companies in America. They want complete control over you and your doctors and the hospitals. Any concessions to that ideologically-minded goal will not be tolerated. This, then, is why the Republicans have been almost totally excluded from the process. That reason, too, is why the Democrats are calling out and demonizing the dissenters at the Town Hall Meetings.
When the President says that the Republicans are "not" working with him, he is really saying they aren't completely on board with either "him" or "his programs" -- lock, stock, and barrel! For this supposed bipartisan President, it has always been the philosophy of "his way" or the highway. He seems to think that bipartisanship is to have the opposition party falling all over him as if he were some kind of political god. Now that he has shown the Republicans the highway, he wants America to buy into "his big lie" that it's all about "them" and their unwillingness to work with him. When, in fact, it is not just the Republicans who are having problems with health care reform; it is his own party.
The polls are showing that, more and more, it is most voters and most Americans who aren't buying this health care plan; and, not just Republicans. His overall approval rating is plummeting because he has lost the confidence America and, most importantly, the voters in the middle-of-the-road: The Independents. His dream of complete health care control in America has literally turned into a nightmare. A nightmare of "his own doing" or, should I say, of "his own undoing"! If the Republicans had something to do with that, it is only because Obama, himself, handed them the very weapon -- Reason -- that was needed to defeat his health care reform plans.
Obama should look into the mirror; take his blame like a man; and start over with a plan that doesn't hurt, but helps, Americans with any of their specific health care issues. It should be a plan that takes baby steps. It should not be one that forces the whole meal down your throat at once. That' why America is choking over Obama-Care. It has very little to do with the Republicans.
Clearly, the Democrats have a majority to vote this bill into law without the help of a single Republican. The Dems could have brought it to a vote in the House before the recess. But, they didn't have enough of their own people on board. The Republicans had nothing to do with it. Harry Reid is now saying that it won't be until late September or October before a vote can take place in the Senate because he, too, doesn't have enough votes for any Democratic, go-it-alone, health care bill being passed in the Senate. In both cases, the Republicans have been a lot like the Washington Generals playing against the Harlem Globe Trotters. They might have scored a few points but, theoretically, they are in no position to really win. It is actually the Democrats who have been their own worst enemy.
So, I find it interesting that this President seems think it is "solely" the Republicans who are at fault for blocking any health care reform (Click to See Full Story: "Obama blames GOP for stalled health bills").
But, this is so typical of Obama and his blame-game. It's never about him; it always someone else. It is either the health insurance companies; or, the greedy Wall Streeters; or, the banks; or Joe the Plumber; or, now, the Republicans. This guy appears to have the mentality of a two-year old. His is a spoiled child who won't accept any responsibility; won't ever apologize for his own faults; won't give credit to Bush for Iraq and other programs; and, who thinks he can deflect any blame by always pointing fingers at someone else. I call that the Obama,"Johnny Did It", syndrome!
From the very get-go, Obama only had meetings with the Democrats of Congress to lay out his planned health care legislation. The Republicans were completely excluded from any and all of those meetings. Obama and the Democrats completely ignored Republican calls for tort reform; the interstate sale of medical insurance; tax credits for anyone having to buy their own insurance coverage; the creation of non-profit co-op insurers and insurance pools to reduce cost; and so many other ideas. Instead, the Democrats are totally deaf to any other viewpoints because they only have "one" goal in mind. That goal is a single-payer, government-run health care system that will ultimately crush any private insurance companies in America. They want complete control over you and your doctors and the hospitals. Any concessions to that ideologically-minded goal will not be tolerated. This, then, is why the Republicans have been almost totally excluded from the process. That reason, too, is why the Democrats are calling out and demonizing the dissenters at the Town Hall Meetings.
When the President says that the Republicans are "not" working with him, he is really saying they aren't completely on board with either "him" or "his programs" -- lock, stock, and barrel! For this supposed bipartisan President, it has always been the philosophy of "his way" or the highway. He seems to think that bipartisanship is to have the opposition party falling all over him as if he were some kind of political god. Now that he has shown the Republicans the highway, he wants America to buy into "his big lie" that it's all about "them" and their unwillingness to work with him. When, in fact, it is not just the Republicans who are having problems with health care reform; it is his own party.
The polls are showing that, more and more, it is most voters and most Americans who aren't buying this health care plan; and, not just Republicans. His overall approval rating is plummeting because he has lost the confidence America and, most importantly, the voters in the middle-of-the-road: The Independents. His dream of complete health care control in America has literally turned into a nightmare. A nightmare of "his own doing" or, should I say, of "his own undoing"! If the Republicans had something to do with that, it is only because Obama, himself, handed them the very weapon -- Reason -- that was needed to defeat his health care reform plans.
Obama should look into the mirror; take his blame like a man; and start over with a plan that doesn't hurt, but helps, Americans with any of their specific health care issues. It should be a plan that takes baby steps. It should not be one that forces the whole meal down your throat at once. That' why America is choking over Obama-Care. It has very little to do with the Republicans.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Lie Detector
Those on the left say that the "mobs" at the Health Care Town Hall Meetings are "manufactured". It isn't a real grassroots movement. It's AstroTurf. They also say that these "mobs" are being planted by the health insurance companies and by anti-health care reform Republicans like Dick Army.
That all might be true if the polls contradicted that anger. But, the polls, too, show that Americans don't want what the Democrats are trying to cram down their throats. And, it is isn't just one poll but, almost all the polls. So, who's the liar here: The Mobs or the Democrats. You be the judge.
That all might be true if the polls contradicted that anger. But, the polls, too, show that Americans don't want what the Democrats are trying to cram down their throats. And, it is isn't just one poll but, almost all the polls. So, who's the liar here: The Mobs or the Democrats. You be the judge.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Uncle QALY
Yesterday, Barack Obama, at a Town Hall Meeting, laughed-off the "rumor" that Obama-Care will pull the plug on "Grandma" when the Federal government decides that it is the time to end her life. Many point to the section of HR3200 (the primary House version of the Health Care Reform Bill) that mandates that patients, who are age 65 and beyond, receive end-of-life counseling as proof of this. However and in reality, there is no such actual "euthanasia" language in the entire bill.
What is in the bill is the creation of a Health Choices Administrator (Commissioner) as defined in the "governance" subsection of Title I of the bill. On a cursory basis, this new agency, that reports directly to the President, looks to be a regulatory agency of the Federal government who will oversee the health insurance industry. But the Administrator's responsibilities are very broad because there is "no" limiting language. In fact, there seems to be absolutely no limits placed on this agency in dealing with the insurance companies. Simply speaking, this new agency will "decide" what medical practices and procedures will be allowed under any insurance company's offered coverage. Any, and all, decisions by this agency are then legally binding under Federal Law. Insurance companies who either violate the mandates or who are even thought to have violated the dictates of this agency will be subject to audits, fines and, in, worst case, an ordered liquidation of that company. If an audit is ordered against a company, for any reason, that company will be forced to pay the cost of the audit; even if it is found to be in full compliance.
This is where the dirty work of the "end of life" decisions will be made. Don't expect euthanasia to be clearly outlined or specified by this agency. What will happen is that it will mandate rules regarding the extent of care that anyone can receive depending on their age, their sex, and their relative and pertinent health conditions and, even, their value to society.
In the U.K., the national health system's medical practice and procedures rules are dictated by an agency that carries the cute and non-threatening acronym: NICE (Click to See Full Story). However, if you are disabled or aged and you need expensive health care, NICE may not be so nice. That's because NICE guidelines are based on the principles of QALY or Quality-adjusted life year (Click to See Full Story). In effect QALY analysis will determine whether or not care is given or withheld; based on age and other factors that can include a patient's value to society. In other words, if you are a 78 year old male who is, in QALY's viewpoint, 3 years past your life expectancy, QALY might deny you a heart transplant or some other heroic effort to extend your life because the cost of do so is too high; relative to the likelihood of you "possibly" dying soon. At the same time, heroic efforts might be denied to any mentally-challenged or severely disabled children or babies because their quality of life or life expectancy is considered to be too limited.
In a way, QALY is a backdoor form of euthanasia because it doesn't actually pull the plug on your life. Instead, it just denies you the treatments you may need to keep you alive. That is the real intent of the Health Choices Administration as defined by HR3200. And, that's where "Grandma" will lose her life. Uncle Sam's QALY guidelines will effectively overrule any desires by the doctor, or a family or the patient for any lifesaving procedures. That's where the Democrat's plan will ultimately save money. This is because the bulk of the costs for anyone's health care generally comes in the last few years of their life.
Uncle QALY is the true Grim Reaper in this health care reform bill. And, to that extent, Obama was really stretching the truth when he said the Federal Government won't pull the plug on Grandma. He knows damn well that, after implementation, a bureaucrat, running the Health Choices Administration, will determine Grandma's fate. The pure goal of that agency is restrict what it determines to be unnecessary. Anyway you shake it, that is rationing and that is medical care being denied. To say otherwise is pure lie!
By The Way... QALY practices are why the Insurance Companies are backing Obama-Care. Their massive insurance payouts will be reduced by the government-mandated restriction on health care procedures and care. For them, Uncle QALY, not them, will now become the bad guy who is denying your care.
What is in the bill is the creation of a Health Choices Administrator (Commissioner) as defined in the "governance" subsection of Title I of the bill. On a cursory basis, this new agency, that reports directly to the President, looks to be a regulatory agency of the Federal government who will oversee the health insurance industry. But the Administrator's responsibilities are very broad because there is "no" limiting language. In fact, there seems to be absolutely no limits placed on this agency in dealing with the insurance companies. Simply speaking, this new agency will "decide" what medical practices and procedures will be allowed under any insurance company's offered coverage. Any, and all, decisions by this agency are then legally binding under Federal Law. Insurance companies who either violate the mandates or who are even thought to have violated the dictates of this agency will be subject to audits, fines and, in, worst case, an ordered liquidation of that company. If an audit is ordered against a company, for any reason, that company will be forced to pay the cost of the audit; even if it is found to be in full compliance.
This is where the dirty work of the "end of life" decisions will be made. Don't expect euthanasia to be clearly outlined or specified by this agency. What will happen is that it will mandate rules regarding the extent of care that anyone can receive depending on their age, their sex, and their relative and pertinent health conditions and, even, their value to society.
In the U.K., the national health system's medical practice and procedures rules are dictated by an agency that carries the cute and non-threatening acronym: NICE (Click to See Full Story). However, if you are disabled or aged and you need expensive health care, NICE may not be so nice. That's because NICE guidelines are based on the principles of QALY or Quality-adjusted life year (Click to See Full Story). In effect QALY analysis will determine whether or not care is given or withheld; based on age and other factors that can include a patient's value to society. In other words, if you are a 78 year old male who is, in QALY's viewpoint, 3 years past your life expectancy, QALY might deny you a heart transplant or some other heroic effort to extend your life because the cost of do so is too high; relative to the likelihood of you "possibly" dying soon. At the same time, heroic efforts might be denied to any mentally-challenged or severely disabled children or babies because their quality of life or life expectancy is considered to be too limited.
In a way, QALY is a backdoor form of euthanasia because it doesn't actually pull the plug on your life. Instead, it just denies you the treatments you may need to keep you alive. That is the real intent of the Health Choices Administration as defined by HR3200. And, that's where "Grandma" will lose her life. Uncle Sam's QALY guidelines will effectively overrule any desires by the doctor, or a family or the patient for any lifesaving procedures. That's where the Democrat's plan will ultimately save money. This is because the bulk of the costs for anyone's health care generally comes in the last few years of their life.
Uncle QALY is the true Grim Reaper in this health care reform bill. And, to that extent, Obama was really stretching the truth when he said the Federal Government won't pull the plug on Grandma. He knows damn well that, after implementation, a bureaucrat, running the Health Choices Administration, will determine Grandma's fate. The pure goal of that agency is restrict what it determines to be unnecessary. Anyway you shake it, that is rationing and that is medical care being denied. To say otherwise is pure lie!
By The Way... QALY practices are why the Insurance Companies are backing Obama-Care. Their massive insurance payouts will be reduced by the government-mandated restriction on health care procedures and care. For them, Uncle QALY, not them, will now become the bad guy who is denying your care.
Monday, August 10, 2009
My Opinion On The Town Halls
When's the last time you heard of the Democrats going on break and holding "so" many Town Hall meetings? I can't remember when -- and I have closely followed political news for years.
I think these Town Halls are "all" a set up. They are intentionally being used to bait the opposition. I think they want the yelling and dissension as a means of marginalizing the opposition to their Health Care Reform Bill. Those that are objecting to Obama-care in these meetings are being held up by the Democrats and the Obama-loving national media as misfits; and, thereby, making their arguments against the plan look disingenuous, radical, and, even, un-American!
This is consistent with all that has been going on since Obama took office. It is a strategy. It is a tactic that is used by the community organizers and the political thugs of Chicago. It is the practice of calling people out by isolating them, embarrassing them, and, then, crushing them and any opposition to what you want to do.
I think these Town Halls are "all" a set up. They are intentionally being used to bait the opposition. I think they want the yelling and dissension as a means of marginalizing the opposition to their Health Care Reform Bill. Those that are objecting to Obama-care in these meetings are being held up by the Democrats and the Obama-loving national media as misfits; and, thereby, making their arguments against the plan look disingenuous, radical, and, even, un-American!
This is consistent with all that has been going on since Obama took office. It is a strategy. It is a tactic that is used by the community organizers and the political thugs of Chicago. It is the practice of calling people out by isolating them, embarrassing them, and, then, crushing them and any opposition to what you want to do.
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