By Greg Richards
Why did it take until 100 years after the Civil War, until 1964, to pass a Civil Rights Act? Because the Democratic Party would not take its boot off the neck of the black man until Martin Luther King made the black vote a political force. Dedicated to being in power above all else, the Democrats had to make a U-turn on their race policy in the 1960s and join the Republicans in passing the Civil Rights Act because they realized that after the black vote was counted, they were not going to win any more national elections without it.
But there was a problem. How was the Democratic Party going to overcome its deplorable record on race? It was the party of slavery, segregation, lynching, and the Klan.
What to do now? Get back in front of history with comprehensive rather than palliative welfare — the Great Society. The Democratic Party would become the friend of the black community by giving it things it wasn’t asking for, but were hard to resist.
But there is a big problem with comprehensive welfare: it destroys the role of men in the community and this was disproportionately true of the black community. There is nothing worse than taking away a person’s mission in life, making that person unnecessary and thus unwanted. That is evil. And today we see the results of that evil.
Single mothers can cope, but the family as a force in the community cannot flourish without men as a responsible presence. Without men, there is nobody to show boys how to behave, have someone to look up to and emulate, to set them straight when they go off the path, to show them how to be men. This has been true of every civilization in history.
But over the last 50 years, the Democratic Party wiped out the black family by wiping out the role of black men in order to stay in power. The black family had withstood 250 years of slavery and 100 years of Jim Crow, but was destroyed by 50 years of Liberalism. In 1960, the illegitimacy rate in the black community was 30%. Now it is 78%. And as Star Parker has pointed out, there is nothing unique about blacks. Whites are now where blacks were in 1960 and are on the same path.
What is the result of this devastation? There are now two Americas — Welfare America and Enterprise America.
The Democratic Party is the party of Welfare America and the Republican Party is the part of Enterprise America. Enterprise America is that part of America that is hands-on in its affairs. That does not mean the top managers of big business, which either out of necessity or out of temperament, in many cases cozy up to Big Government. There is also the billionaire effect, where billionaires, unaware of the wellspring of their own success, do not preach what they practice and support Welfare America for reasons of social standing.
Let’s compare the cultural attributes of Enterprise America and Welfare America.
Give us Men!
Men-from every rank,
Fresh and free and frank;
Men of thought and reading,
Men of light and leading,
Men of loyal breeding,
The nation’s welfare speeding;
Men of faith and not of fiction,
Men of lofty aim in action;
Give us Men-I say again,
Give us Men!
Give us Men!
Strong and stalwart ones;
Men whom highest hope inspires,
Men whom purest honor fires,
Men who trample self beneath them,
Men who make their country wreath them
As her noble sons,
Worthy of their sires;
Men who never shame their mothers,
Men who never fail their brothers,
True, however false are others:
Give us Men-I say again,
Give us Men!
Give us Men!
Men who, when the tempest gathers,
Grasp the standard of their fathers
In the thickest fight;
Men who strike for home and altar,
(Let the coward cringe and falter),
God defend the right!
True as truth the lorn and lonely,
Tender, as the brave are only,
Men who tread where saints have trod,
Men for Country, Home- and God:
Give us Men! I say again- again-
Give us Men!
Whether it is the nation as a whole, or my little corner of it (family), the challenge is the same. IDENTITY!
Many of us have been quite active over the last few weeks working toward the defunding of Obamacare. It didn’t matter that logic was on our side. It didn’t matter that the American people were on our side. The media was not, and perhaps, never will be. So … now what?
I saw a discussion on facebook about the creation of a third party. The poster stated, correctly in my view, that the Republicans have left a large segment of their constituents behind and become the old Whig Party, denying the Conservative stand of most Republicans. His claim is that the media ignores or tarnishes anyone who disagrees, and this prohibits contrary views from being part of the public domain. The IRS scandal (which has been quickly pushed out of the headlines) is clear evidence of this “silencing” of views that oppose the President.
The question remains, how do we, the opposition, move into the next election cycle without faith in our leaders? How can we change our leadership? It’s not so much the fiscal issues that divide, but the social issues. Abortion, even after 40 years, is still as hot a topic as it was back when Roe v Wade went to the Supreme Court. In addition, we have now the gay marriage issue which divides us and even gun control.
I don’t know if a third party WIN is possible, but I do know that Americans have to make a decision, the sooner the better, concerning morality and civility. We must decide WHO we want to be. Are we going to be the compassionate, helpful, generous, and kind people we have been until this current President took the reins? Or are we going to continue down the road of hate, destruction, resentment, his false notion of “fairness,” and poverty?
The political actions of this administration are very simply make clear Obama’s hatred for everything America has represented for over 200 years. And, while some people declare him incompetent, he has succeeded beyond expectation in the destruction of America’s economy, America’s middle income industry, and small business. He has brought a depth of jealousy and greed between socio-economic levels that never existed before his regime. He has also brought about a resurgence in racial tensions as he drives false wedges between races and other social differences. We now experience the lowest morale within the military ever known resulting in unprecedented numbers of suicides and untreated PTSD among Veterans. In short, in the 5 years of his presidency so far, he has succeeded in turning Americans against one another in record numbers simply for his (and his party’s) benefit. It’s all about CONTROL!
The Gun laws are all about CONTROL!
Obamacare (The un-Affordable Healthcare Act) is all about CONTROL!
The Global-warming myth is all about CONTROL!
On and on the list grows while the people of this great nation ignore the outrageous scandals, the dismantling of our 235+ yr old brilliant CONSTITUTION, and generally surrender more and more CONTROL to the government. If only those who have sworn to “support and defend” our CONSTITUTION for ALL enemies, both “foreign and domestic,” maybe America could self-correct.
Calling on BOTH Democrats and Republicans
to uphold their Oath of Office
I don’t really understand this mindset. Does it really feel that good to sit around and watch “Let’s Make a Deal,” and collect welfare? Or are we too busy working 2 or 3 part-time jobs (since Obamacare is moving quickly to eliminate our 40 hr week)? Have we all pulled back into our shells in the hope the bad behavior of our leaders will just go away? Or maybe their bad behavior justifies ours?
If we want our “Representatives” to be honest, WE must be honest!
If we want our Leaders to be KIND, WE must be kind!
If we want our elected officials to respect LIFE, WE must respect LIFE!
We must demand integrity in ourselves first, then we can search for it in those who wish to represent us. We must treat others as we want to be treated if we want our leaders to work together in spite of differing ideals. We must respect our differences if we hope our representatives in government will consider all sides of a debate. It’s up to us! Don’t you see? This is exactly why our Constitution is so BRILLIANT!!! Ultimately, the POWER is in OUR hands. Over the past few decades, we have abdicated our responsibility and surrendered our POWER, but it’s TIME to take it back, don’t you think? The ball is in our court, so to speak. What will we do with it? Will we mature and take responsibility for our lives, our fortunes, and our honor? Or will we continue to yield our Liberty in exchange for leisure?
Perhaps a little reminder of the COST of FREEDOM will help to inspire us.
The Americans Who Risked Everything
Maybe a reality check will help us appreciate the VALUE of FREEDOM.
“Man, I hate these stupid, crazy, tea bagging right wingers. So foolish, so uncivilized. They run around screaming like crazed anarchists about how they want to stop Obamacare. Damned idiots don’t realize that the government needs to be involved in our health care decisions; we’re too helpless and feeble to handle it ourselves — unless we’re making the “medical” choice to get an abortion, in which case, THIS IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, YOU GOVERNMENT PIGS. GET OUT! I mean, leave your wallet on the table, ’cause I’m gonna need you to pay for this, but then GET OUT, JERK.
“There are many scare tactics being used by the tea baggers in an effort to discredit Obamacare. Personally, I hate scare tactics. You should never let anyone scare you away from supporting socialized medicine, mostly because without it every poor person in the country will get sick and die. Anyway, like I said, I disapprove of scare tactics.
“They claim that Obamacare will raise taxes, but this has been PROVEN false so many times. You know it’s been proven because I capitalized “proven.” Sure, there might be a few minor billion dollar taxes, like the individual mandate tax and the employer mandate tax, the Excise Tax on Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans, the Tax on Health Insurers, the Tax on Innovator Drug Companies, the High Medical Bills Tax, the Medicine Cabinet Tax, the Tax on Indoor Tanning Services, and the Excise Tax on Charitable Hospitals. And, yeah, there might be a small number of multi-billion dollar tax hikes on things like the Medicare Payroll tax and the “black liquor” tax and the HSA Withdrawal tax. And, OK fine, we’ll even see some tax deduction eliminations, like the deduction for employer-provided retirement prescription drug coverage.
“But besides, like, 20 new taxes and tax hikes totaling, like, hundreds of billions of dollars, there aren’t ANY tax increases attached to Obamacare. None. NONE. See? I did the capital letter thing again. Pretty convincing stuff.
“The redneck Tea Party crazies have even gone so far as to completely LIE about the impact Obamacare will have on the workforce. They insist that businesses are actually being forced to cut hours and lay off employees just to comply with the “burdensome” Obamacare rules and regulations. Again, this is a fabrication. Businesses aren’t cutting hours. Besides Walmart, Regal Entertainment, Trader Joe’s, Subway, Firehouse Subs, Sea World, Lands End, Dave and Busters, White Castle, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Home Depot, and academic institutions like Philadelphia University, Sam Houston State University, Ball State University, Georgia Military College, Three Rivers College, Hillsborough Community College, and University of North Alabama, and county governments in Indiana, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Michigan, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as school districts like Middletown Township Public Schools in New Jersey, Millard School District in Utah, and Shelbyville Central School System in Indiana, along with over 280 other businesses, universities, school systems and town governments, literally NOBODY is losing work because of Obamacare.”
why does the President keep finding portions he wants to delay? It’s ONE Law … either it is LAW or it isn’t??? Another section delayed just today! (9/26/13)
why does the President keep making EXEMPTIONS for his friends in BIG BUSINESS (GE, GOOGLE, etc) and more importantly, for CONGRESS (large gov’t subsidies), and for friendly HOLLYWOOD celebs?
what gives PRESIDENT OBAMA the authority to PICK & CHOOSE which PARTS of the LAW to ENFORCE and what parts NOT to ENFORCE? WHO MADE HIM KING?
How do we get past the “entitlement” mentality of half of America? How do we bridge the “entitlement” gap?
In the span of a generation, the American culture has flipped 180°. It was a beloved Democrat, JFK, that delivered the famous admonition: “Ask NOT what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
Today’s Democrats (with the GOP not far behind) ran on a platform of “freebies” in exchange for liberty. Of course, they don’t explain it that way, but history tells us repeatedly to guard our liberty from any and all who would put a pricetag on it. Apparently, a majority of Americans have placed a very low price on their liberty – “Obamacare?” The Affordable Care Act will tax Americans (but not illegals) with an income of $14,000 an additional $2500 annually if they do not purchase the “State Insurance Plan!” Does that sound “AFFORDABLE” or “fair” to you?
There are other evidences of this irresponsible, myopic vision. This administration has a number of unresolved events with catastrophic results.
The FBI debacle known as “Fast & Furious” got as far as the White House in its investigation, and President Obama claimed “Executive” privilege. The only way he can legally do that is if he is intimately involved. Hello?
Obama’s claim to fame, the capture and … Of Osama bin Laden, though a successful mission, proved a precursor to the revelation that the event could have occurred sooner, but President Obama …hesitated. The heroic SEAL Team 6, responsible for this victory, was “outed” by the White House and soon after, a chopper with an unusual number of this team, 20 SEALS, were shot down mysteriously killing all plus the flight crew – 23 in all. This is, apparently, still … under investigation. Is anyone still asking why so many spec ops agents were on board an unarmored chopper? Does anyone care?
“Benghazi-gate” is our most recent event of, what seems like treason. The administration continues to hide behind “the investigation,” but we know the attack was watched LIVE from the White House. We know troops nearby on the ground were ordered to “Stand Down.” We know Gen Ham and Gen Allen, both distinguished career officers, refused to obey the order to “stand down,” and were relieved of duty within 24 hours. We know the administration has, with the help of the lap-dog media, succeeded in turning the bloody attack which resulted in the deaths of 4 Americans into a run-of-the-mill DC sex scandal. Has America moved on to whatever the Kardashian girls or Snooki are doing today?
That doesn’t even touch the election, itself! Have you looked at the “results” map? How does the President win with so few “blue” specks amid the sea of red? Turnout results in some districts greater than 100% of registered voters, multiple precincts reported 100% for Obama – 0 for Romney, Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse … or any other candidate. Strange? Curious? Or just don’t care?
I don’t know how far our nation will have to fall before enough Americans care. I don’t know what might affect the change sufficient to re-awaken the attitude JFK called forth 40 years ago. This much I know, our Founders understood the elements required to build, establish, and maintain a Republic: personal sacrifice, virtue, and free trade!
As for me and my house, we will trust the Lord! This is where things get “radical.” I have told my adult children, and I’m suggesting to you, Patriots, that the only thing we have to cling to right now is what separates us from the Left AND the GOP >>> Traditional American Values! In this transition time, we, as Patriots, need to affirm our belief in our individual & personal FAITH – whatever that may be. We need to position ourselves to be of service to others in the “dark” (and dark is a relative term) days to come. Our WORDS must be put into action for the benefit of others who are struggling. THAT is the ONLY thing short of “bottoming out” that will turn the tide of entitlement around … maybe! But this I know, my God is still on His throne, and His will will be accomplished. My prayer remains the same: that America (and therefore Americans) will take a “reality” pill and … make the Right choice as individual Patriots.
“Right now I call the sky and the earth to be witnesses that I am offering you this choice. Will you choose for the Lord to make you prosperous and give you a long life? Or will he put you under a curse and kill you? Choose life!”
I am compelled to apologize for any words or images I have shared throughout this election season that disrespected the Office of the President or the person of Barack Obama. My intention was to make no judgement about him as a person. It is his policies that are contrary to my beliefs, and it is his policies I take issue with. That is all. His personal life and character are not for me to judge except where it affects public policy.
There has been a landslide of nasty, irresponsible ads, cartoons, and slurs from both sides, and it prompts one simple question:
What gives us the impression we deserve a more truthful,
more Constitutional government
when we cannot even engage in a civil discussion
among ourselves as neighbors, family and friends?
I suggest we have more in common than we have differences, or at the very least, we have a foundation of shared beliefs:
We are, after all, all Americans despite what some politicians believe. We come from different nations, backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, etc, but none of those things are really issues unless someone turns a spotlight on them. We are British, French, German, Spanish, African, Russian, Jewish, and Arabs. We are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and atheist. We are rich, poor, thin, fat, tall, short, but we are all Americans. We have been foolish to allow politicians to drive wedges between us, focusing only on our differences and ignoring the things we share.
We all care for our children, our elderly, and the weaker among us, and seek ways and methods to help improve their lot. None of us can abide purposeless suffering and will do whatever we can to “fix” the problem. We want our children to excel in whatever they choose. We want our Seniors to have purpose right up to the end of their lives. We want to alleviate pain where we can, and comfort the suffering as best we can.
We all feel the need to be safe in our homes, and live the life we choose, as lng as it doesn’t infringe on another’s right to do the same. We all know the world has some craziness in it, but we need to feel safe, at least in our our homes. We acknowledge that the choice between safety and freedom is an ambiguous one difficult to fathom and harder to apprehend.
We all need to feel like we matter, like we’re a part of something noble that is much larger than we are and we have a part. We are all disappointed when we learn that “noble” something turns out to be less than perfect. This is a basic human need – to be needed or appreciated. This is the point and function of families. Each of us, ideally, has a family that provides a “safe” growing place, but we know this is not how things always play out. Nevertheless, individuals require a circle of support, in lieu of a family or in addition to it, to help in times of need, but also to be a place of giving for each one. We all – each one of us – have something of value to share with others, and it is vital to to preserve and develop our individual promise, our personal dream.
The hatred and bitterness that ripples across our land is a potentially fatal virus. Though we disagree on the “HOW” of these issues, the goal is the same for Democrats and republicans, for Liberals and Conservatives, for Libertarians, and Tea Party Patriots. We want a strong, vibrant America with productive citizenry and opportunity for every American.
We ALL feel disenfranchised, cut off from the power, right?
We ALL feel a horrible disappointment in the way prices continue to climb and our pay doesn’t, right?
We ALL feel unfairly helpless as life appears to be dictated by the powerful elite in DC or Big Business, right?
We ALL believe the goal of government, as stated in the Constitution, is to facilitate the ability of each American citizen to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The attainment of happiness is up to each of us since it is different for each of us. If the men and women currently running for office are not the ones to get us to this goal, it is up to us to find the ones that can and will, and if we cannot do that, perhaps we should consider running for office.
In another week or so, we will elect the man to lead our nation for the next 4 years. Some of us will be very upset by the results and some will be content, but either way, we are ALL Americans! The hatred and divisions do not serve ANY good purpose, and only serve to divide us for easier … manipulation? I am only one person, and claim no authority but that of citizen, but still I urge any who read this to put aside the foul emotions of this election season, the name-calling and lies, and put our energy into pushing our government to actually represent OUR wishes.
HARPERS FERRY- This Friday, the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan will be holding a public rally in the historic town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. This rally is to endorse Barack Hussein Obama and honor his contributions to the Democratic Party.
It irks me that so many Americans either never learned or have bought the rewritten version of American history concerning Jim Crowe, the KKK, and the Democrat Party. Of course, printing it here will not change many minds, I’d wager, but TRUTH is TRUTH! Martin Luther King, Jr was a REPUBLICAN – a lifelong Republican who lived a virtuous, conservative life as he sought to bring American life into line with Biblical principles of “love your neighbor!” If you check history, the REAL history, the most despicable crimes against Black Americans were perpetrated by the Democrats. The Frederick Douglass Foundation, Inc. is a great source of TRUTH about Americans of color throughout our nation’s history. – BBB
Scripture References – Contrary to current policy and political correctness, you see, WORK is a GOOD thing! It is rewarded, not only by financial gain, but also personal dignity and a sense of accomplishment which builds confidence and character.
Ecclesiates 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
Romans 5: 1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Confident they will suffer no condemnation by the liberal media, Democrats routinely engage in rank racism toward black Republicans, calling them “sellouts”, “House Negroes” and worse.
This racist name calling is the despicable tactic Democrats use to demean black Americans who do not toe the liberal agenda line and keep blacks corralled on the Democratic Party’s economic plantation.
Race-baiting to garner the black vote is a key component of the re-election campaign of President Barack Obama. He remained silent when his VP, Joe Biden, shamelessly played the race card while speaking to a largely black audience in Danville, Virginia, saying about the Republican candidates: “They’re going to put y’all back in chains”. READ MORE
1. What Party was founded as the anti-slavery Party and fought to free blacks from slavery?
[ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 2. What is the Party of Abraham Lincoln who signed the Emancipation Proclamation that resulted in the Juneteenth celebrations that occur in black communities today?
[ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 3. What Party passed the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution granting blacks freedom, citizenship, and the right to vote?
[ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 4. What Party passed the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1875 granting blacks protection from the Black Codes and prohibiting racial discrimination in public accommodations, and the Party of most blacks prior to the 1960’s, including Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Booker T. Washington, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
[ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 5. What is the Party of the founding fathers of the NAACP?
[ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party *NOTE: Mr Du Bois was actually a member of the Socialist Party and in the early 60’s, joined the Communist party of America. 6. What is the Party of President Dwight Eisenhower who signed the 1957 Civil Rights Act, sent U.S. troops to Arkansas to desegregate schools, established the Civil Rights Commission in 1958, and appointed Chief Justice Earl Warren to the U.S. Supreme Court which resulted in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision ending school segregation?
[ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 7. What Party, by the greatest percentage, passed the Civil Rights Acts of the 1950’s and 1960’s?
[ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 8. What is the Party of President Richard Nixon who instituted the first Affirmative Action program in 1969 with the Philadelphia Plan that established goals and timetables, a plan crafted by black Republican Art Fletcher?
[ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 9. What is the Party of President George W. Bush who appointed more blacks to high-level positions than any president in history and who spent record money on education, job training and health care to help black Americans prosper?
[ ] a. Democratic Party [ ] b. Republican Party 10. What Party fought to keep blacks in slavery and was the Party of the Ku Klux Klan?
[ ] a. Republican Party [ ] b. Democratic Party 11. What Party from 1870 to 1930 used fraud, whippings, lynching, murder, intimidation, and mutilation to get the black vote, and passed the Black Codes and Jim Crow laws which legalized racial discrimination and denied blacks civil rights?
[ ] a. Republican Party [ ] b. Democratic Party 12. What is the Party of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Harry Truman who rejected anti-lynching laws and efforts to establish a permanent Civil Rights Commission?
[ ] a. Republican Party [ ] b. Democratic Party 13. What is the Party of President Lyndon Johnson, who called Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “that [N-word] preacher” because he opposed the Viet Nam War; and President John F. Kennedy who voted against the 1957 Civil Rights law as a Senator, then as president opposed Dr. King’s 1963 March on Washington and had Dr. King investigated by the FBI on suspicion of being a communist?
[ ] a. Republican Party [ ] b. Democratic Party 14. What is the Party of the late Senators Robert Byrd who was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, former Governor Ernest “Fritz” Hollings who hoisted the Confederate flag over the state capitol in South Carolina , and the late Senator Ted Kennedy who called black judicial “Neanderthals” while blocking their appointments?
[ ] a. Republican Party [ ] b. Democratic Party 15. What is the Party of President Bill Clinton who refused to send troops to Rwanda to save 800,000 blacks from being killed in 1994, vetoed the welfare reform law twice before signing it, and refused to comply with a court order to have shipping companies stop discriminating against blacks and develop an Affirmative Action Plan?
[ ] a. Republican Party [ ] b. Democratic Party 16. What Party is against school choice opportunity scholarships that would help poor blacks get out of failing schools and takes the black vote for granted without ever acknowledging their racist past or apologizing for trying to expand slavery, lynching blacks and passing the Black Codes and Jim Crow laws that caused great harm to blacks?
[ ] a. Republican Party [ ] b. Democratic Party
NOTE: All answers are “b.” – For details visit: www.NBRA.info
Character assassination. That’s the tactic used by Democrats in the 1960’s to discredit Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a Republican who was fighting the Democrats and trying to stop them from denying civil rights to blacks.
The relentless disparagement of Dr. King by Democrats led to his being physically assaulted and ultimately to his tragic death. In March of 1968, while referring to Dr. King’s leaving Memphis, Tennessee after riots broke out where a teenager was killed, Democrat Senator Robert Byrd, a former member of the Ku Klux Klan, called Dr. King a “trouble-maker” who starts trouble, but runs like a coward after trouble is ignited. A few weeks later, Dr. King returned to Memphis and was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
Prior to his death, Democrats bombed Dr. King’s home several times. The scurrilous efforts by the Democrats to harm Dr. King included spreading rumors that he was a Communist and accusing him of being a womanizer and a plagiarist.
BLOGGER’S NOTE:Sadly, there are still great numbers of African Americans supporting President Obama for no other reason than his skin color. Seriously! When asked why they support him, they, generally, have nothing to say.
PLEASE, friends, if you truly support what he stands for and the personal vision he has for America – to become equal partners in a One World Government with the other nations of the earth, by all means, vote for him.
If, however, you love America, but believe we can do better, help one another better by becoming more productive from bottom to top, I urge you to support LIFE, support the Equality birthed by God and written about in our Constitution, support Godly principles (regardless of personal religion or lack of it) that build character and strong families. Vote for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan on November 6th! Please!
I know that every campaign promise Barack Obama makes has an expiration date … but this is ridiculous. The confetti is barely off the floor at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina after Obama’s acceptance speech, and already we find out that he’s flip-flopped. Remember this part of the speech, in which he attacks the Paul Ryan plan to apply free-market reform and cost controls to Medicare?
And I will — I will never turn Medicare into a voucher.
No American should ever have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies. They should retire with the care and the dignity they have earned. Yes, we will reform and strengthen Medicare for the long haul, but we’ll do it by reducing the cost of health care, not by asking seniors to pay thousands of dollars more. And we will keep the promise of Social Security by taking the responsible steps to strengthen it, not by turning it over to Wall Street.
In his convention speech in Charlotte, President Obama vowed to block the Republican Medicare reform plan because “no American should ever have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies.”
But back in Washington, his Health and Human Services Department is launching a pilot program that would shift up to 2 million of the poorest and most-vulnerable seniors out of the federal Medicare program and into private health insurance plans overseen by the states.
The administration has accepted applications from 18 states to participate in the program, which would give states money to purchase managed-care plans for people who are either disabled or poor enough to qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. HHS approved the first state plan, one for Massachusetts, last month.
Bear in mind that Ryan’s plan made the vouchers optional; seniors could choose the traditional government-run Medicare plan or opt for a private insurance plan from a federal exchange of approved insurers. Ryan also allows all seniors to choose, and didn’t force the poorest seniors to take the voucher option. Not only will Obama push just the poorest seniors into this plan, in some states they’d have to know to opt back in to traditional Medicare:
California is already counting on more than $500 million in budget savings from its own program this year. Most states are proposing to automatically enroll people. Those who don’t want to participate would need to opt out. The Massachusetts plan includes that feature.
Talk about leaving seniors — the poorest seniors! — “at the mercy of insurance companies.” And why has HHS decided to roll out this pilot program?
blogsense-by-barb 