After Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld
With all their words of War
Their hatred for the rest of the world
Which shook peacemakers to the core..
It's been refreshing to hear words of reason,
The Guantanamo Bay inmates' release,
Communication with the Arab World
Talk of Diplomacy and Peace
Obama has reached out to the world
With a handshake of co-operation
He's wants to understand both sides
And has made us proud as a Nation
If it hadn't been for Barack Obama
There would now be a lot more war
Although you may feel he doesn't deserve it
Tell me, who deserved it more?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Obama's "Failure"
I am amused that the extremist right groups in this country have managed to persuade anyone on the right of center that Obama is failing recently..
First, they said Cash For Clunkers was a failure.. hello? Oh I see what you mean, its a failure because its TOO successful? Because TOO MANY people are trying to buy new cars, trading in their old ones? Ah! So now I know what "failure" means to Republican Americans.. it means "too successful".. Bill Gates, you are a failure by Republican definition.. Hmm.. somehow something doesnt seem right to me there..
Next it was that Obama was "taking away our health care choices".. Hmm, that is odd. When I heard him speak, and indeed when I read the proposal for the Bill, it seemed to me that Obama was ADDING a choice and taking away NOTHING..?? Maybe I misunderstood something? Oh no, I dont think I did - it says it in black and white on the White House Website..
"Health reform must be built on three fundamental principles: It must lower the skyrocketing cost of health care; guarantee choice of doctors and plans; and assure quality affordable health care for every American. A public option would achieve those goals and give the American people more choices. It would foster greater competition; lower costs; and give consumers a greater variety of affordable choices."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#i2
Then the Republicans claimed that rationing would prevent people from getting treatment they wanted/needed. Hang on, isnt that what happens right now? Even I cant see whatever doctor I want to - I have to go to a doctor who works within my plan.. and I know of many people who were dropped by their insurance companies because they had a "pre-existing condition". Also, haven't premiums doubled in the past 10 years, making it impossible for many hardworking Americans to AFFORD health insurance? Isn't that a form of rationing by Private companies?? In fact, on investigation I find that Obama's plan aims to reduce or even eliminate much of the rationing that goes on under the current system! Funny - isnt that the reverse of what the Republicans claim??
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#r1
So I asked the Obama team about the Heathcare Reform Bill, and the "misinformation" I am coming across on Right wing TV and Radio and Websites..
This is their response..
"There's nothing accidental about the lies floating around -- they are cooked up specifically to prey on people's fears and terrify them into opposing the insurance reforms we all need. It's a desperate, shameless tactic -- but with your help, we can set the record straight and make sure Americans know the truth about health insurance reform.
At the "Reality Check" site, you'll hear from some of President Obama's top officials who set the record straight on the rumors and lies that the opponents of reform have been circulating.
Securing real reform and fixing the broken status quo are too important for us to stand on the sidelines and hope for the best. To win this fight, we have to make sure the real facts prevail.
Check out the new site, and do your part by giving health care rumors a reality check:
http://my.barackobama.com/RealityCheck"
Obama - keep on failing the way you are doing..
First, they said Cash For Clunkers was a failure.. hello? Oh I see what you mean, its a failure because its TOO successful? Because TOO MANY people are trying to buy new cars, trading in their old ones? Ah! So now I know what "failure" means to Republican Americans.. it means "too successful".. Bill Gates, you are a failure by Republican definition.. Hmm.. somehow something doesnt seem right to me there..
Next it was that Obama was "taking away our health care choices".. Hmm, that is odd. When I heard him speak, and indeed when I read the proposal for the Bill, it seemed to me that Obama was ADDING a choice and taking away NOTHING..?? Maybe I misunderstood something? Oh no, I dont think I did - it says it in black and white on the White House Website..
"Health reform must be built on three fundamental principles: It must lower the skyrocketing cost of health care; guarantee choice of doctors and plans; and assure quality affordable health care for every American. A public option would achieve those goals and give the American people more choices. It would foster greater competition; lower costs; and give consumers a greater variety of affordable choices."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#i2
Then the Republicans claimed that rationing would prevent people from getting treatment they wanted/needed. Hang on, isnt that what happens right now? Even I cant see whatever doctor I want to - I have to go to a doctor who works within my plan.. and I know of many people who were dropped by their insurance companies because they had a "pre-existing condition". Also, haven't premiums doubled in the past 10 years, making it impossible for many hardworking Americans to AFFORD health insurance? Isn't that a form of rationing by Private companies?? In fact, on investigation I find that Obama's plan aims to reduce or even eliminate much of the rationing that goes on under the current system! Funny - isnt that the reverse of what the Republicans claim??
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq#r1
So I asked the Obama team about the Heathcare Reform Bill, and the "misinformation" I am coming across on Right wing TV and Radio and Websites..
This is their response..
"There's nothing accidental about the lies floating around -- they are cooked up specifically to prey on people's fears and terrify them into opposing the insurance reforms we all need. It's a desperate, shameless tactic -- but with your help, we can set the record straight and make sure Americans know the truth about health insurance reform.
At the "Reality Check" site, you'll hear from some of President Obama's top officials who set the record straight on the rumors and lies that the opponents of reform have been circulating.
Securing real reform and fixing the broken status quo are too important for us to stand on the sidelines and hope for the best. To win this fight, we have to make sure the real facts prevail.
Check out the new site, and do your part by giving health care rumors a reality check:
http://my.barackobama.com/RealityCheck"
Obama - keep on failing the way you are doing..
Sunday, June 21, 2009
English Spelling
I cannot believe the latest news about spelling in the UK. The govt is apparently telling teachers not to teach kids the rule "i before e except after c" because there are "too many exceptions" to the rule. This plainly shows the ignorance of those in the dept of education in the UK. As any well-educated Brit knows, the rule is actually "i before e except after c, when the sound is ee".. and there are actually NO exceptions. Isn't it sad that the bureaucrats who run education in the UK are ignorant about the English Language themselves? Shocking.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090620/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_spelling_shake_up
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090620/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_spelling_shake_up
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Future of Affordable Healthcare
Ok, so much has changed since my last post on this subject but this is probably the most important issue for this country's future so I make no apologies for posting a second time.
America's healthcare system is corrupt and broken. It is great if you are healthy and hardly ever need to see the doctor or take drugs. However, very few of us make it through our whole lives without one serious illness or the need for expensive drugs.
Too many people go bankrupt cos they get sick once in their life.
Too many parents have to choose between feeding their children or getting them health insurance.
Too many people have to worry about the hospital bills rather than concentrate on a loved ones final days before they leave this world.. how awful to hope your loved one dies fast so the hospital bills dont bankrupt you?
How awful that health care costs so much more because Doctors have to insure themselves to the hilt because lawyers are allowed to pursue ridiculous lawsuits.. and how awful that health care costs so much more because the Drug companies are allowed to charge whatever they like for life saving drugs..
Such are the consequences of unfettered capitalism.. it is time for some regulation and control over these expenses that mean health care plans are too expensive for so many..
I have a "remedy" for the health system.
Pass a law that states that if a lawsuit against a doctor is found to be just an attempt to extort money from a doctor for doing his/her job, and/or being human and making mistakes.. the complainant is fined or has to pay a proportionate amount of the defendent's court costs.
Pass a law that states that the drugs companies cannot charge more than x% on top of the costs of making the drugs (say 20%), and that the govt funds all drug research. Also make it possible to get drugs over the internet if you have a prescription. The drugs companies often claim their high costs are because they have to fund all the research that goes into drugs but these costs DONT come close to the amount extra they make (hence the huge profits).
Pass a law that states that noone can be refused health care on the basis of pre-existing complaints/illnesses.
Pass a law that states that no person should ever lose more than half their worth because of severe illness. The govt and health care company should soak it up 50/50 in these cases.
These changes alone should enable everyone in America to have affordable health care and not to live in fear of going bankrupt due to poor health.
Better still, make the leap to fully nationalized healthcare like in the UK - people in the UK still have the option to go private if they want care faster or "better" - but noone is refused treatment if they need it.
America's healthcare system is corrupt and broken. It is great if you are healthy and hardly ever need to see the doctor or take drugs. However, very few of us make it through our whole lives without one serious illness or the need for expensive drugs.
Too many people go bankrupt cos they get sick once in their life.
Too many parents have to choose between feeding their children or getting them health insurance.
Too many people have to worry about the hospital bills rather than concentrate on a loved ones final days before they leave this world.. how awful to hope your loved one dies fast so the hospital bills dont bankrupt you?
How awful that health care costs so much more because Doctors have to insure themselves to the hilt because lawyers are allowed to pursue ridiculous lawsuits.. and how awful that health care costs so much more because the Drug companies are allowed to charge whatever they like for life saving drugs..
Such are the consequences of unfettered capitalism.. it is time for some regulation and control over these expenses that mean health care plans are too expensive for so many..
I have a "remedy" for the health system.
Pass a law that states that if a lawsuit against a doctor is found to be just an attempt to extort money from a doctor for doing his/her job, and/or being human and making mistakes.. the complainant is fined or has to pay a proportionate amount of the defendent's court costs.
Pass a law that states that the drugs companies cannot charge more than x% on top of the costs of making the drugs (say 20%), and that the govt funds all drug research. Also make it possible to get drugs over the internet if you have a prescription. The drugs companies often claim their high costs are because they have to fund all the research that goes into drugs but these costs DONT come close to the amount extra they make (hence the huge profits).
Pass a law that states that noone can be refused health care on the basis of pre-existing complaints/illnesses.
Pass a law that states that no person should ever lose more than half their worth because of severe illness. The govt and health care company should soak it up 50/50 in these cases.
These changes alone should enable everyone in America to have affordable health care and not to live in fear of going bankrupt due to poor health.
Better still, make the leap to fully nationalized healthcare like in the UK - people in the UK still have the option to go private if they want care faster or "better" - but noone is refused treatment if they need it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)