Politics

Global Climate… Stasis? Oops!

Posted by on November 23, 2009 at 7:02 am

I don’t want to get into the whole “global warming / climate change” topic TOO much now, because I am still planning a series of posts about it. But, I thought this article in Germany’s Der Spiegel was worth bringing up. According to studies by the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research in Great […]

Barack Obama and the Truth about Legislating Morality

Posted by on November 21, 2009 at 10:10 pm

I don’t think I’ve ever heard or read anything by radio-host & columnist Andrew Tallman before. But, I was impressed with his current article at Townhall.com. Tallman clearly explains not only the hypocrisy of those who complain about those on the political Right trying to “legislate morality” but also why legislating morality is OK. In […]

New Jersey and Virginia Elections in 2009: What Realignment?

Posted by on November 7, 2009 at 2:47 am

I may not always totally agree with Charles Krauthammer, but I respect him immensely and think he is one of the sharpest minds on the Right side of the aisle in American political commentary. And, I think he makes some good observations in today’s op-ed piece in the Washington Post. To sum up, “the most […]

What’s So Bad (or Great) about Obamacare? (Part 9 of 9)

Posted by on October 11, 2009 at 6:10 pm

UPDATE: How does the most recently unveiled health care proposal, presented by Max Baucus, D-MT, and the Senate Finance Committee, compare? Very similar, in fact. Here is what Senator Jon Kyl, R-AZ, said on the 9/16/2009 Hugh Hewitt radio show: “It provides for a government takeover of health care…. [I]f you take the true costs, […]

What’s So Bad (or Great) about Obamacare? (Part 8 of 9)

Posted by on October 10, 2009 at 7:08 pm

Abortion-funding: As usual, there are mixed signals on whether or not the proposed legislation will provide for government-funded abortions. The White House has not said much about this of late. But, in a 2007 speech to Planned Parenthood, Obama said “reproductive care is essential care. It is basic care. And so it is at the […]

What’s So Bad (or Great) about Obamacare? (Part 7 of 9)

Posted by on October 10, 2009 at 7:05 pm

Impact on doctors: There are three major points to consider here. First, America already has a shortage of doctors, particularly primary-care and family practice physicians. Even doctors are advising their own children to go into another profession. One of the biggest reasons for this has been the outrageous costs of malpractice insurance – in many […]

What’s So Bad (or Great) About Obamacare? (Part 6 of 9)

Posted by on October 9, 2009 at 4:55 pm

Impact on private insurers: The first impact is the just-discussed fact that those who offer private insurance plans will be subject to additional federal regulations. Some of these might be good (e.g., disallowing exclusion due to a “pre-existing condition” or cutting off coverage when you get too sick) and some will border on the ridiculous […]

What’s So Bad (or Great) About Obamacare? (Part 5 of 9)

Posted by on October 9, 2009 at 4:47 pm

These seem like pretty valid concerns to me. Let’s look at a few more issues brought up by Obamacare’s critics: Less coverage: In addition to the above-mentioned home care and wellness services provided by Medicare Advantage, it covers several other things not covered by basic Medicare – e.g., improved prescription drug plans, screening for vision […]

What’s So Bad (or Great) About Obamacare? (Part 4 of 9)

Posted by on October 9, 2009 at 4:40 pm

“Death Panel”: A few weeks ago, former Governor Sarah Palin caused a stir when she referred to provision for “death panels” in the proposed health care legislation, which would put the lives of the elderly and disabled at the mercy of some government committee (or some such thing). Hyperbole aside, it is certainly worth investigating. […]

What’s So Bad (or Great) About Obamacare? (Part 3 of 9)

Posted by on October 8, 2009 at 2:11 am

Rationing of care: If the experiences of those in similar systems in Canada and Europe are any guide, this means looooong waits and many treatments and procedures not approved or otherwise unavailable. It seems every week, now, that one hears reports of someone in the UK who, for example, had to wait a year for […]