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Name: Stefano
Location: Clayton, MO
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Email: tectonic.stl@gmail.com
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Town Hall, Medicare, Deceptive Politicians, etc.

Posted by Stefano on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 2:33:51 PM
 I attended the Claire McCaskill, Hillsboro, Missouri town hall yesterday where the merits of politician-run health care were discussed.  Although the citizens were loud at times, I thought they were pretty respectful.  It reminded me of British Parliament on C-Span when the Prime Minister is questioned by members of Parliament.  There's lots of yelling and mocking and the Prime Minister doesn't seem to mind.  He gives it as well as he takes it.  Tony Blair was particularly good in this forum.  Our Democrat politicians need to grow a thicker skin.  Some are such wussies that they are cancelling scheduled meetings.
 
It was interesting that yesterday Pres.Obama, Sen.Cardin of Maryland and Sen. McCaskill all used Medicare as proof that government can run a program well.  At least 2 of them also used the UPS, FEDEX, USPS argument.  This is the argument that claims that private companies can compete with money losing U.S. Treasury backed government enterprises.   McCaskill, in at least two of her most recent meetings, has also used a deceptive technique to attempt to sway people.  She asks anyone on Medicare to raise their hand.  Then she asks everyone who wants to give up their Medicare to raise their hand.  Then she says "you see, all of these people love their government run Medicare."  What she neglects to say is that there are no primary health insurance policies for folks over 65 other than Medicare.  Just check esurance.com and you'll see that if you're over 65, you're stuck with Medicare.  In that sector of the health system (age 65+), the public option has driven the free market out of existence.  That's something that they claim won't happen with the public option in the proposed government takeover.  That claim is just more deceptive nonsense.
 
I checked with MO Senator Kit Bond's office yesterday and found that Medicare is an option in the Congressional health program for those over 65. It is part of the roster of HMO's and insurance companies they can choose from.  I would love to know how many Congressmen and Senators over 65 have chosen the Medicare option.  My guess is that there are very few which would give evidence to the assertion that Democrat Congressmen don't really believe in the public option when they make the choice for themselves.  Let me suggest that if you have a Senator or Congressperson over 65, ask that person if he/she optioned into Medicare for their health insurance choice.  Leave a  comment identifying that politician.  That could make for an interesting post.
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15 Days Wasted by Democrats on Drilling

Posted by Stefano on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 8:59:08 AM
It has been 15 days since President Bush removed the executive order banning outer continental shelf drilling, and to this date Democrat leaders Pelosi and Reid have done nothing to lift the Congressional ban of such drilling.  We need action now.  Here is my letter to  Republican Senator  Kit Bond of Missouri:
 
Dear Senator Bond
 
I want to commend you and the Senate Republican caucus for the legislative blockade you have set in place to force the Democrats to lift the offshore drilling ban, and the ban on other types of oil and gas exploration and production.

Please do not compromise with Senator Reid on the offshore drilling ban. His most likely action will be to allow a little drilling here or there with obstructive restrictions that will allow either a little bit of exploration and no drilling or exploration with the necessity for congressional approval for production later.  Some Senators are attempting to craft compromise packages that will open certain offshore areas on the Alaskan North Slope or offshore Alaska.  I have also heard of allowing "study" of offshore drilling in certain places which is just a way of delaying production.  All of these piecemeal tactics are a sham and will be rescinded as soon as the Democrats have the opportunity to do so. Our nation needs a complete removal of the offshore drilling moratorium akin to the lead of President Bush 15 days ago, and we need it now. 

Senator Reid has, in the past, shown himself to be untrustworthy with his promises and later obstruction of judicial nominees. He reminds me of Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown. He will without a doubt yank the football away just as you are about to kick it. You have them over the barrel and their tactics on this energy policy will sink them in November if they continue down the path they are on. Make them bend to the will of the American people or let them sink.

The moratorium on drilling is a war on poor and working class people who are losing their jobs and who will not have the money to pay their heating, gasoline, and food bills this winter. This could be a defining moment for the Republican Party and you as a leader have the opportunity to stand up and be the champion of those who are in need. I pray that the Lord will give you strength for this task. God bless you and your colleagues.

Sincerely,

Joe Stephens

Clayton, Missouri
 
Copy or revise this as you wish for your own letter.
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Lift the Ban or Face the Consequences

Posted by Stefano on Friday, July 25, 2008 3:08:25 PM
At 9:18 AM this morning, the US Senate Republicans set in place their promised blockade of any Senate legislation that did not include lifting of the congressional moratorium on oil drilling off shore and in other areas.  President George W. Bush led the drive for more drilling on July 14, 2008 by lifting the executive order that had established a similar moratorium.  A blockade in international relations is considered an act of war and this legislative blockade led by Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader may be considered a legislative act of war.  It is a welcome response to the numerous blockades that have been established by Senators Pinky (his real nickname) Reid, Dick Durbin, and  other co-conspirators against administration nominees and initiatives.  This is a development that has the potential to change the tide of power in the halls of Congress, because the Republican caucus is on the right side of the issue, and on the same side as an overwhelming majority of the American people.  This is a majority of people whose composition crosses party lines lines, cultural lines, and economic lines.  We must take a no compromise position.  We must demand that the Republicans hold their ground because of the importance of drilling to the security of our nation, our families, our jobs and our way of life. 

It has been ten days since President Bush provided the leadership on this issue and the two branches of Congress led by the Democrats, Senator Reid and Congressperson Pelosi have done absolutely nothing in a practical sense to lift the ban on drilling and give the people of this nation relief from skyrocketing energy prices.  President Bush's action caused futures market speculators to reassess their risk and reduce their long positions in energy, resulting in a drop in energy prices. If and when the congressional Democrats bend to the desires of the majority of Americans and lift the drilling ban we will see another drop in prices because investors will again reassess risk and reduce their long positions. Longer term when more oil and gas enters the energy supply lines, prices will be further reduced. What is it that is more important for Congress to do than lift the drilling ban?  How can it be more important for Congress to go on their August recess than to lift the drilling ban?  The Democrat leaders love to tell us how they feel our pain.  I see no evidence of that from the Democrats when they plan to go on vacation before lifting the drilling ban.  Tomorrow will be eleven days that Congress has not acted.  How many more days will it take.  Every day that the Democrats fail to act is another day of money hemorrhaging from our wallets and from our national treasury.  It is a day closer to when another American will lose his job, a day closer to a winter when an American will be unable to pay his heating bill.  Don't give us this garbage about throwing out everyone in Congress if no action is taken.  The ball is in the Democrat court and their power is on the line.  Act or be acted upon.
 
See how your Senator voted at this link.  A yea vote was a vote against lifting the drilling ban.  In my state of Missouri, Bond voted for lifting the ban, and McCaskill voted against lifting the ban.
 
 
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A Message From Pinky Reid and Grandma Pelosi

Posted by Stefano on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 3:47:10 PM

You Americans just don't know what's good for you and the country.  We cannot continue our addiction to carbon based energy.  We don’t have a supply problem in the US, we have a consumption problem.  Americans are using too much energy, far more than their share of the world’s supply.  The United States Congress, under our leadership, is going to encourage America to use less by continuing to block development of oil reserves in the outer continental shelf off the east and west coast.  We will continue to block additional drilling for oil in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.  We will continue to protect ANWR from oil production.  Nuclear power plants will also be blocked, although we may study that energy source for a few years before we decide not to allow their development. 

To control our excessive consumption we will mandate the following measures: an emissions cap, hybrid and flex fuel cars, 25%-30% renewable fuel electricity, zero emissions buildings, reduction of speed limits, personal carbon limits, and decreased development in suburban areas. 

All of these mandates will most likely keep gasoline prices below $10 per gallon.  That’s our energy plan for the future. The result may be massive unemployment, freezing poor people, and a chaotic economy but we're willing to impose those sacrifices in order to cure this unhealthy addiction.  Call it a cold turkey solution if you like, and we're not referring to lowered thermostats, but we, with our vast experience and wisdom know that this is the best medicine for our country. Vote for the Democrats and Oback Arama in November and you can count on it.

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