Monday, March 22, 2010

Inoticed a lot of hootin' and hollering on Twitter last night regarding the House's non passage-passage of the Senate health care bill.

For example, one liberal, when challenged by myself about his proclamation that Obama promoted 'change', tweeted:

@Leo_Pusateri The change that 31million will have insurance, no pre-existing conditions. Im celebrating right now catch me some other time.

Yeah. And Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

First of all, we pay the increased taxes now. The first of the bill, as I understand it, does not go into effect until 2012, and not in full force til 2014. The Bush tax rates expire this coming year. Seniors will now pay increased capital gains tax on their retirement income. The top marginal tax rate will now skyrocket to 44%. Taxes on investment income are also set to increase substantially to offset the costs of President Obama's monument to his ego.

Of course, when something is taxed, there becomes less of it. Less investment, less money flowing into the economy, less risk capital, less jobs.

On the "bright" side, since the democrats claim that 30 million people will now be insured-this potentially means 30 million more democrat voters--people who, as have people who have bought in to the democrat line since the Great Society, been sold a bill of goods based on empty promises that cannot be fulfilled, or for that matter have had no intention of being fulfilled from the get-go. (just wait til they recruit another 20+million new voters when they ram amnesty for illegals down our throats).

This bill has absolutely NOTHING to do with healthcare, and everything to do with the reaching of government tentacles and encroachment into every aspect of our lives.

Do you really think that a set of laws that has 16,000 new IRS agents as its main enforcers really have anything to do with health care?

Are you really that gullible, liberals? Or are you knowingly nodding and cheering with a smug smirk on your visage on the sidelines, watching as your beloved government takes a totalitarian bent and gets even with 'da man?

Thing is, as a fly sitting on the spider web, watching with glee as an enemy gets devoured, you do so in the faux comfort of ignorant bliss, not realizing that you, too, are listed on the spider's menu.

Liberals' blind trust of the government is very much akin to the blind, naive trust that a child places in Santa Claus, not knowing where the gifts come from, just kinda believing they'll magically be there.

In summary, Karl Marx would be very proud of today's collection of 'useful idiots.'

Minnesota state representative Larry Hosch (D, 14A) has introduced what has been roundly criticized as being a horrible bill. In an email correspondence, MN District 14a Representative Steve Gottwalt states:

This bill whacks long term care providers with fee increases and cuts. It does not do it as part of a responsible, global budget solution, but to make some point about the impacts of such tactics. In committee today, Kari Thurlow, VP of Advocacy for Aging Services of MN, called the bill "One of the most onerous bills we have ever seen as it impacts older adult care services." Even to prove a point, this reflects the kind of failed leadership we continue to see from Hosch and the Democrats. Where is their responsible, global solution to the budget deficit??

But don't just take Steve's word for it. Yes, even Aging Services of Minnesota, a senior advocacy group, joined by AARP of Minnesota, writes

Last week, Aging Services staged a 48-hour campaign against HF3442 (Hosch), a bill that proposed, among other things, cuts in funding to older adult services and huge fee increases on providers and caregivers.

We challenged our members to send at least 2,000 e-mail messages to legislators expressing our overall disapproval of the bill. Not only did members meet the challenge, but you exceeded our goal. We estimate over 4,000 e-mail messages were sent to committee members and local legislators over a 48-hour period.

This campaign was instrumental to our success in removing one the most onerous provisions for housing providers from the bill during last Thursday's hearing in the House Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee.

[SNIP]

Aging Services was opposed to this provision because it would erect a barrier to consumer choice. AARP Minnesota and Senior and Workers for Quality also joined in our opposition to this proposal. While the provision should be considered "dead" in the House, it would not be surprising to see this proposal emerge in a Senate bill later this session.

Representative Larry Hosch better watch out, or he just may receive a visit from his other brother Larry, who, with his advancing years, just may not take too kindly to being dissed by his younger brother, and just might make sure you "blowed up real good."

Saturday, March 13, 2010

(St. Cloud, MN) -- Minnesota State Representative Steve Gottwalt announced today he will seek a third term representing the people of House District 15A, including the communities of St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Augusta and Rockville. Gottwalt said he will seek the Republican endorsement later this month.

"These challenging times call for common sense, conservative leadership in state government, and I believe I can continue making a positive difference for the people of my district and the great state of Minnesota," said Gottwalt. "Growth in state spending has far exceeded inflation or economic growth. We need to set good priorities, seek greater reforms, and live within our means instead of raising taxes on the backs of struggling Minnesotans. We need more jobs, not more government."

Gottwalt said his primary focus in a third term would be on sustainable jobs creation, working to improve Minnesota's business climate so businesses can grow the jobs necessary to get the state's economy back on track, and improve the state's revenue picture. He said, "We need to rein-in state spending and boost our economy if we hope to get out of the structural budget deficits we face."

"Our business tax and regulatory environment is ranked among the ten worst in the nation," said Gottwalt. "For too long we have been killing the 'goose' that lays Minnesota's 'golden eggs.'" Gottwalt proposes reducing taxes and regulatory burdens primarily hurting Minnesota's small and medium size businesses that create the vast majority of new jobs. Gottwalt currently serves on the House Bioscience and Workforce Development Policy and Oversight Committee.

Gottwalt said he will also continue providing common sense leadership toward sustainable health care reforms. Recognized as a leader in health care reform at the State Legislature, Gottwalt serves on both Health and Human Services committees in the House, and is one of only two House GOP members serving on the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access. Gottwalt also serves on the Minnesota Rural Health Advisory Committee, carefully considering the unique health care challenges facing greater Minnesota.

Gottwalt founded and chairs the Real Reform Working Group that has produced some of the most innovative health care reform solutions considered in recent years (HF1865 and HF3036). "We must move Minnesota toward common sense, market-based solutions that engage consumers and health care providers in achieving affordable, high quality, accessible health care," said Gottwalt. Noting that the cost of state health care programs is rising at an unsustainable rate, he added, "Bigger government is not the answer."

Gottwalt said he looks forward to an energetic campaign focused on the issues, and will soon launch another in his ongoing series of Town Hall meetings around District 15A to gather residents' ideas and concerns.

For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Corporal Jason L. Dunham, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

House Rules Chairwoman Louise Slaughter is prepping to help usher the healthcare overhaul through the House and potentially avoid a direct vote on the Senate overhaul bill, the chairwoman said Tuesday.

Slaughter is weighing preparing a rule that would consider the Senate bill passed once the House approves a corrections bill that would make changes to the Senate version.

This end-around around the Constitutional intent of internal and external checks and balances is nothing less than appalling and dictatorial.

As the polls clearly illustrate, the democrats are now attempting to rule against the consent of the governed, and are doing so with an iron fist, regardless of the consequences. Although they know full well that their present course will invariably spell political disaster for them in November, they continue to press on and fall on their swords for their megalomanaiacal commander in chief. This brazen and blatant thwarting of the will of the people is illustrative of the democrat majority and President Obama as acting not as elected representatives, but as overlords.

At least Bill Clinton had enough sense to read the tea leaves in 1994 that the public wanted no part of government-run health care, and let the issue go. In 2006, George W. Bush let go of his signature issue, the privatization of Social Security (which to this day I believe was a good idea) when the democrats convinced a majority of the people to reject it. But Barack Hussein Obama, being the narcissist and megalomaniac that he is, will have none of it. Tyrant and statist that he is, he will get his 'legacy' enacted, even at the expense of his underlings, and even at the expense of the well-being of the American people.

Well, we certainly have our 'change,' don't we. I'm still waiting on the 'hope' part; but I won't hold my breath.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Just four days after a failed DFL override attempt of Governor Pawlenty's Minnesota GAMC (General Assistance Medical Care) veto, a compromise has been reached. According to a communication received from Minnesota 15A representative Steve Gottwalt,

Last Monday, the majority inisted the only thing to do was to override the governor's veto of a bill to extend GAMC another year or so by taking money from hospitals and county programs for children and vulnerable adults -- and still leaving $170 million unaccounted for!

Those on our side of the aisle insisted it was time to stop enactin unfunded, temporary bandaids, and establish a permanent solution with good ideas from all sides -- making a promise we can keep to the sickest and poorest. We upheld the governor's veto, and within an hour, both sides were back at the negotiating table in the Governor's Office, working on a long-term solution that would also provide better care for the poorest and sickest.

Within four days (by Friday) all sides had negotiated a long-term solution that not only delivers much better care to these people, but also saves enough (more than $700 million per biennium) to put these services on sustainable footing without raising taxes. We will now enact that reformed and responsible solution -- a "win, win, win" for Minnesotans.

The above compromise may not have seemed so 'miraculous' in the not-so-distant past, but certainly seems miraculous now given the general democrat mindset of "We'll shove this down your throatwhether you like it or not!"

But unlike their zombified party compatriots in the U.S. Congress, who appear hellbent on doing a full-speed-ahead "Thelma & Louise" to pass unpopular and unworkable statist legislation, damn the torpedoes, the Minnesota DFL appears to have been able to (at least temporarily) sober up from their drunken power orgy.

If the DFL should actually continue this trend toward sanity, the real miracle may be that the Minnesota DFL comes out relatively unscathed after what is sure to be a rash of democrat bloodletting at the federal level come this November.

However, their unnamed daughter cheated death after the bullet from her father's handgun missed her vital organs.

Police were alerted by worried neighbours who discovered the massacre three days after the shooting and the girl was taken to hospital.

The youngster is recovering in hospital in the town of Goya in the northern Argentine province of Corrientes, where doctors say she is out of danger.

Her parents said they feared the effects of global warming in a suicide note discovered by police.

So not only have Algore and the warmers cost our society untold billions of dollars in wasted money, people are now committing suicide, feeling themselves unworthy of life itself as a result of the failed religion of global warming.

Despite the fact that the data behind the faux science of global warming have been fudged, disproved, and outright falsified, the high priest of the Church of the Global Warmers, Algore, remains a bitter clinger:

I, for one, genuinely wish that the climate crisis were an illusion. But unfortunately, the reality of the danger we are courting has not been changed by the discovery of at least two mistakes in the thousands of pages of careful scientific work over the last 22 years by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In fact, the crisis is still growing because we are continuing to dump 90 million tons of global-warming pollution every 24 hours into the atmosphere — as if it were an open sewer.