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Is there a Beaumont Beyond Petroleum?
We have to do something to reduce our local economy's dependence on Oil. At the very least realize when Obama was elected a large part of that "Change" was about energy policy. Look at the Cap and Trade bill. Thats a big change for better or worse. The incentives are being created for renewable resources and the oil companies will certainly scale back their plans. Thats just business, but its also why our economy and schools shouldn't be at their mercy. We need to learn from Detroit and Flint, Michigan what happens when you rely too much on one industry. We should be working to create those new technologies and manufacturing them. It definitely helps to have a Technical College in our city. You know the "Golden Age" is over when the world's 3rd largest energy company (BP) changes its slogan to "Beyond Petroleum".
Hold onto your hair Perry! Kay for Texas is "Open for Business"
Senator Kay Bailey said yesterday her campaign for Governor against Rick Perry is "Open for Business" as she announced raising almost 7 million dollars so far this year. As a federal candidate she can raise money all year and has been doing so sense the launch of her exploratory committee back in December '08. She has amassed a war chest of over 12.5 million to fight Gov. Perry in the primary. Perry shows 9.3 million according to filings. Perry is not allowed to raise money while the legislature is in session, but did manage to raise over 4 million in 8 days between the regular and special sessions. He is well aware that in the background KBH is not so quietly building her coalition for a contentious primary battle.
The French Fry America, but WHO in Health Cares?
Countries with Universal Healthcare shown in Blue. Countries attempting to implement UH in Green.
France's health system, based on compulsory national insurance, was ranked best in the world by the WHO in 2000, while Britain's National Health Service, the world's largest publicly funded system, was in 18th place. The United States and Turkey are the only wealthy industrialized nations who do not offer universal healthcare in either a single payer or a public option form. Currently the US spends 15% of GDP on healthcare. Compare that to 11.2% in France and 9.7% in Canada who provide universal coverage for their domestic populations. According to Gallup Poll 57% of Canadians are satisfied with their healthcare coverage as well as 63% of Brits. Compare to 72% of Americans who disapprove of the healthcare they receive. Harris Polls show broad and overwhelming support by US citizens for the current government run healthcare programs such as Medicare (76%) and Social Security (76%). Countries with Universal coverage also spend less per capita in tax dollars to implement their plans. Contrary to what those who oppose a public option say, no one is attempting to determine what doctor you see or even take away additional private options. In fact, because of a lack of healthcare many elderly and poor are forgoing medication and doctor's visits all together. Could it be any worse? Curtailing serious illness through preventative care and getting people back to work as quickly as possible are the only ways to reduce the long term costs of healthcare in America.
What advocates and adversaries are saying:
According to ConsumerWatchDog.org health insurance and drug companies have given over 5 million in contributions to House and Senate members to prevent a national health care system since 2005.
"Big Pharma and Big Insurance are gaining ground in their campaign to kill the public option in the emerging health care bill. You know why, of course. They don't want a public option that would compete with private insurers and use its bargaining power to negotiate better rates with drug companies." - Robert Reich
"Given that all countries other than the U.S. have universal health care systems in place, this may invite questions on why the U.S. remains the only wealthy, industrialized country without such a system," Harris president George Terhanian told Reuters.
"...the central pathology of our deeply pathological health-care system is that most of us have no choice but to get health coverage from an entity whose sole reason for being is to take our money and then try to avoid paying for our care when we get sick." -Paul Waldman American Prospect
Competition from the public option mustbe unfair because government does not need to make a profit and has enormous pricing and negotiating powers. Besides, unless the point of a government plan is to be cheaper, it is pointless. - George Will
George WIll's (leading conservative thinker) reasoning behind not supporting a public option is the same reasoning the President has used to support one, because it will make healthcare cheaper. In 2008 the cost of healthcare rose twice the rate of inflation. The over 2.4 Trillion spent on healthcare in the US in 2007 is expected to almost double by 2016. There is currently no incentive for insurers or drug manufacturers to lower prices and the government is barred from negotiating lower prices through volume purchasing. Many average citizens are waking up to the true costs of not insuring everyone, wether its through loss of productivity in the workplace or paying for emergency services for those who are currently not covered. Lack of healthcare and rising costs are contributing largely to our economic woes by way of increased foreclosure do to medical bills and bad credit from debt. With a universal system patients will not have to live in fear of being dropped when they get sick or disqualified for preexisting conditions. Just ask yourself. Can you afford to get sick?
Sarah Palin trades "Lame Duck" for "Dead Fish"
"A real surprise, its unconventional, but you know when I first heard it I thought its a little crazy to give up the Governorship for a year and a half. It would have made sense to serve that out and then run for president in 2012...but maybe she's crazy like a fox." ...<< MORE >>
The Comic Tragedy of Michael Jackson
Although this was a sad sad story the endless exploitation is still overwhelming. The events of this week put an end to a story that was an entire generation in the making...<< MORE >>
Is 2012 the end of days for GOP?
Watching the Republican Party post election has been like watching a train wreck in slow motio ...<< MORE >>
Texas Changes for the Bluer
"Texas is a very unique place and uh, were a pretty independent lot to boot.", Governor Perry pointed out in his now infamous secession rant. It seems every where you look whether its polls, articles, blogs or other empirical data, Texans are challenging their "Red state" labe ...<< MORE >>
Voter ID(iots)
Want a perfect example of why Democrats get clobbered year after year in Texas? It's called Voter ID. Political insiders know this issue well and it comes with a lot of baggage. To the average voter the question of whether or not we should "ID" voters is quite simple and the answer is overwhelmingly "yes!" ...<< MORE >>
Transitional + TX US Senate race
Now that the 81st (regular) session is over and I have settled back in Beaumont, I will focus on national issues as well as the 2010 campaign season. It seems now more than ever, particularly with the advent and increasing popular of social media campaigning has become a year round activity.
The ensuing Democratic primary battle for US Senate between John Sharp and Bill White is set to be the most contentious and high profile. These two are fighting for a position not officially due until 2012. The early opportunity comes only if Kay Bailey ...<< MORE >>
Special Session Heads up!
Today the Texas Govna announced a Special Session. It was long suspected that he would as the 81st session began to wind down with lots of unfinished business. With TWIA legislation passed and Perry's plan to use his executive powers to redirect the responsibilities of TX DOT and TDI to other agencies, most members and staff thought they had managed to avoid any need for a special session.
What we don't know are two very important things. What items will be on the Governor's call and when he plans to call the session ...<< MORE >>
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