Breaking News Journal LLC
Breaking News Journal Archives
Archives From Columnist Christopher Popham Smith's Page
Christopher's Big Bang Theory
As we draw nigh to the end of the most insidious election process in American history, a few thoughts come to mind. I shall make some comments, some 'predictions' and observations, none of which are meant to alarm or frighten, but inreality need to be taken into fair consideration. My thoughts come from observations, discussions, the Internet, the media and a keen sense of analyzing the condition and fate of our great nation. I can only hope that some of youwill see what I see as to the future of America. Prophecies, forecasts and revelations, written hundreds, even thousands of years ago are now taking shape in this, theAge of Aquarius. From the Bible to Nostradamus to current day pundits, we have been warned of shocking future events.And now America, only miitarily powerful, is in my humble opinion, about to experience a major revolution, not just because wallets have been ravaged, not because of crooked CEO's, banks and brokerage houses, not even therealization that Congress has dragged this country down for 30 years to where we are today, not just because religious, moral and ethical standards are in the hopper------no, my friends----it is indeed ambivalence, apathy and denialthat has brought us to this point in time. It is a total breakdown. The responsibilty belongs to all of us. Our once comfortable vehicle of liberty and justice for all now has three flat tires, a broken fan belt, dents everywhere, a damaged windshield and a 1/2 gallon of gas.We are stranded. We have lost sight of who we really are as humans and how great we could be if we applied ourselves. I digress for a moment. The threat of terrorism is still here. Just ask Robert Mueller, head of the FBI. He and other bravegovernmental agencies thwart terrorism attempts all the time. He's deathly afraid of the big one. In an unprecedentedmove, the two Presidential candidates were recently invited to briefings on the current terror threats to America.
It wasdeemed expedient, in light of the latest reports, to bring them up to speed, no matter who the winner might be.Maybe nothing will happen; however, it has been postulated that in the upcoming vacuum of power beginning Nov.5th,that we might be attacked again. The subway and bus bombings in London a few years ago came right after an election.Remember, the best time to attack your enemy is when he is off guard, demoralized (the economy) and all you have isa lame duck executive branch. O.K.---far fetched you say. Well, the army at home (totally prepared for 'crowd control'), andall agencies and Homeland Security are approaching an orange alert, but they won't tell you that. One thought that has always troubled me. The Crusades of the 1100-1200's were a failure. The Muslims eventuallydrove the Europeans out of their lands. The Muslims won the war. They are winning again in 2008, as we turn to theoil rich Arab nations for money to bail us out of our economic mess. How interesting. Another observation. Russia almost went bankrupt as it over-extended its military forces years ago. Should we not betaking a lesson from that. We have 823 military bases/outposts in 40 countries around the world, including of course,Iraq and Afganistan. Do we really need to protect and preserve America to that extent? The overall cost must be in thetrillions of dolllars----trillions that we need here at home. My point is this: the revolution I see is not necessarily a violent one. It is, in my opinion, the ultimate wake up call.This is revele, my fellow Americans. Yes, We The People. How many times do you need to hear that exclamatoryphrase that epitomizes who we are? We are the people of the United States of America. We must stop giving lipservice to this phrase. We must act on it---before it's too late. Come on America. This is the United States of America.Stand up for your country. Tell your elected officials we've had enough. Vote them out of office if you must. "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."Yes. Patriotism. Let's not just talk about it---let's do it.
Posted Nov, 13, 2008
Christopher Popham Smith'
2008 (I) Presidential Candidate/Columinst BNJ
Boston Massachusetts
As I was returning from my morning walk, a man with a clip board approached.
He was asking for money for the poor and homeless. I recoiled and told him I
could use some money myself and that the stock market as tumbling.
Because I was decently attired, he assumed that I was wealthy and actually
said so. Then he made a remark that amazed me. "The stock market is just
suffering from a 'hiccup', nothing more." And so he continued trying to get
passersby to give him money. He himself was clearly not homeless. I did not
stop to inquire who he represented. But that doesn't matter.
If some people in this country believe that the monetary gauge of our economy
has suffered only a hiccup we are in more denial than I thought.
This guy had obviously not heard about the severity of financial doom facing
our auto industry, major banks, millions of homeowners, Circuit City bankruptcy,
inflation bordering on recession/depression and above all, what appears to be
a totally inept executive branch of our Federal government unable or unwilling
to take the necessary steps to deliver us from ruin.
Perhaps my fellow Americans, this is the seed of Revolution that this country
has been eyeing for so long. In my humble opinion, I conjecture that once the
wallets of our once hard-working middle class and others have been emptied
out or close to it, we will see an uprising, hopefully not violent, but something
has to give here.
I am hopeful for our great nation. We can and must come back. We have always
shown great resilience in very difficult times to pull together, to remember our
heritage, that we are first and foremost--Americans. There is no other nation on
earth like America.
We can and must, at this critical time in history join forces as one family of
300 million Americans and show the world, that we are indeed the greatest
nation on earth.
Respectfully submitted
Christopher Popham Smith
Posted December 10,2008
Christopher Popham Smith -
2008 Presidential Candidate Boston Massachusetts-BNJ Columnist
Political Corruption
The Governor of Illinois, the Congressman in the airport men's room, the Louisiana Congressman with$90,000.00 in his freezer, the Alaska senator indicted for illicit activities, and too many more tomention. Machine politics, the good old boy patronage system. This is America's revered two-partysystem. This is politics in its finest hour; greedy, bombastic, arrogant and absurd. A brazen politicalmaze which the American people are beginning to realize does not and has never really served them,but rather the cronyism of political misfits reigns in this nation, to its dishonor and ultimate decline. The politicians referred to above are a severe embarrassment to this once great nation. It is peoplelike this in local, state and especially the Federal government who have dragged this country downto where we find ourselves today. The economic turmoil and its ripple effects around the globe are justthe beginning. Who do these elected officials think they are? They spout off sound bites to the lackeymedia: sometimes, even causing the stock market to go up or down. They make pronouncementsabout topics they know nothing about. They show their disdain for the people by pretending to beknowledgeable.
They alienate their constituents, disenfranchise them and use scare tactics to keep us all on guard and frightened.
Then, to add insult to injury, these reprehensible city councilors (Wilkerson and Turner, Boston, Ma. 11/08),state reps., Washington representatives and senators in one way or another use their power and influenceto go for the money. Greed, corruption and a degree of selfishness unparalleled, in my humble opinion. There are indeed 60 new Congressmen and women this year. We must demand more transparency, honesty and decency in politics before the current trend ruins this country. Perhaps these new memberscan serve to be extra brave and shake things up for a change. True bipartisanship is also needed for thebetterment of America, and appropriate law making too. In 2010 and 2012, we must consider voting theoligarchs and 20-plus year incumbents out of office, allowing for some 'new blood' to legislate withfairness and dignity, but above all, with the American people and this country's welfare as theirnumber one priority. P.S. Who really cares about the third governor in a row in Illinois going down for massive graft and corruption. Just add his name to the long list of crooked politicians, elites and financial sectorexecutives who try to cheat, steal and lie their way to wealth and power. We better start caring. Now.
Respectfully submitted,Christopher Popham Smith.Boston, Massachusetts
Posted December 26, 2008
Christipher Popham Smith BNJ Columnist 2008 Presidential Candidate
Boston Massachusetts
Silver Lining
There is a lot to be said for hope, optimism and even a silver lining as we make our way through theeconomic calamity facing us here at home and abroad. I'm trying very hard to access these positivesides to a particularly difficult equation, because the other side of the equation appears quite bleak.
The following is not for the faint of heart. We must keep calm and carry on; however the research I'vebeen doing lately takes me down a narrow and treacherous path; not just economically, but from a moral,ethical, religious, and societal demotion. Nevertheless, a friend said to me recently how she believedthat some people were at least trying to be be more supportive of one another during these hard times.Indeed, these are most uncertain times, where from day to day, we hear of family tragedies, untold natural disasters, civil disorder, rioting, and worst of all, two middle eastern wars that snatch the physical/mental well being of our young people or actually snuff out their lives. And for what?Oil, greed, international politicking, our national security? Economically: There are forshadowings of a very lean 2009. Yes, plenty of folks are still gainfullyemployed, but another friend told me of how he had to let go six of his best employees last week, andright before Christmas. He's in the investment business, so I wasn't surprised. However, that's just the tipof the iceberg. Television pundits label this trend as a 'cyclical downturn', that we just need time to beginturning things around. O. K., that's fine, but what happens as the economic whirlpool widens and wedescend into predictable deflation? That's borderline depression. What if the mood of the masses resortsto civil disobedience? There are warnings of a worst-case scenario in which the ingredients for eventualunrest are evident---plummeting consumer spending, rampant foreclosures, unemployment, tight creditand stressed markets.
By the summer of 2009 a huge amount of short term commercial real estate paperwill come due---yet another bubble to burst and further damage to the economy.It is said that violent protests could break out in countries worldwide---including theadvanced economies. Morality, ethics and even religion will take a back seat if there is a lack of food,water, clothing and shelter, the basic needs of life on this planet.
A prominent economist lately informed me that some governments might actually implode in the next six months. What we are talking about here is educating ourselves to anticipation of problems before they arise.Rather than panic, we need to take pre-emptive strikes at all aspects of the economy.It has been suggested, by trends forecaster Gerald Celente, that America is morphing into the first "undeveloped" nation by 2012; in other words, a third world America, with the distinct possibility of a tax revolution, marked by food riots, squatter rebellion, tax revolts and job marches.Perhaps this all seems just too impossible, but consider the threat of domestic terrorism, the China Syndrome, more bailouts, bankruptcies and financial crashes and lastly the Dollar nightmare.All of this speculated upon and even predicted over the next three to five years. Our prosperity and liberty, the face and image of the once great United States of America is dwindlingbefore our eyes. The hope, optimism---the silver lining is with the American people and their spirit.
We've been through great wars, economic downturns and multiple upheavals, but if we stand up to the platetogether now, fight hard for our sovereignty, we can rebound better and stronger than ever.We can and must at this critical time in history join forces as one family of 300 million proud, patriotic Americans and show the world that we are the greatest nation on earth.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Popham Smith.
The Miracles/ January 20th, 2009
On January 20th, Barack Hussein Obama (the one) will ascend to the Presidency of the United States of America. And on that day the following will occur:
Flowers and trees will begin to bloom in the Arctic and Antarctic. All endangered species will be saved. The coral reefs of Florida and Australia will miraculously repair themselves.
All natural disasters will end for a thousand years. A cure for every every known life threatening disease will be discovered.
The Vatican will sell off all of its great wealth (including the largest collection of pornographic films) in order to feed the hungry of the world.
Middle Eastern oil rich nations will reduce the price of a barrel of oil to $10.
Obama campaign supporters will raise hundreds of millions of dollars for the relief of suffering African nations. Bill and Hillary Clinton will start attending church every Sunday and reaffirm their marriage vows. John McCain and his wife will sell their seven houses and donate the proceeds to Sarah Palin's 2012 campaign. The media will cease their bias and begin reporting the truth. Oh, the truth, the real truth.China will forgive $500 billion of debt to the U.S., thereby easing our economic stress and allowing us to borrow more. Russia will pipe in energy supplies through the Ukraine to all of Europe, free for one month.
Except for the 60 new members of Congress, the remaining 475 will resign in disgrace and go home, word. never to be heard from again, followed by patriotic American legislators dedicated to the betterment of this country.
George Bush and Dick Cheney will go to Texas and Montana and never say another word. A $1 trillion bailout will be divided amongst 115 million very needy American households, thereby providing us with the best 'stimuus package' ever, and with absolutely no earmarks or pork barrelling.
All the free market economies will suddenly reverse themselves from the economic crisis, free trade will flourish like never beforef, there will be no more lower class, no more poverty; everyone will make money.
Israel will cede the Gaza Strip in its entirety to the Palestinians. Hamas and Hezbollah will virtually disappear, democracy will prevail and no more threat of World War 111. India and Pakistan will dismantle all their nuclear weapons, defeat terrorism, kill bin Laden and be at peace forever.
All rioting, murder, mayhem, atrocities of all kinds all over the earth, will come to an end. No more cruelty, hatred, racism, religious persecution---only acts of kindness and love for your fellow man. Virtual bliss will prevail.
Finally, the leaders of all 156 nations will meet in Reykjavik, Iceland and agree to agree on how best to save this planet from selfish destruction, to do everything in their mutual power to improve and enhance all aspects of
every world issue for the good of all men. Then, Presidents, Prime Ministers and Kings will shake hands and/or hug and return to the sovereignty of their respective nations to preserve and protect mankind. All of this and so much more shall simultaneously come to pass as the 44th President of these United States is sworn in on January 20th, 2009.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Popham Smith.
Boston, Massachusetts. contributing journalist to www.breakingnewsjournal.net
Posted February 2, 2009, Submitted By
Christopher Popham Smith, BNJ Columinist Boston Massachusetts,
Walking back to my apartment last night, I suddenly realized that We The People are in a significant
and dare I say, planned straight jacket of 'Pelosian socialism'. We are now in a lock down mode ofradically inspired ultra left wing agendas. The power of the People has been usurped and pulverized,replaced by the overwhelming dictates of our inept national legislature.
Congress continues to force upon us their idealistic and dishonest maneuvers, serving only to distract us from what is really going on. But hear me. This is precisely the position they want the People to 'enjoy'----distraction, fear-mongering, the fostering of a moral and ethical climate where suspicion, betrayal and even treachery prevail.
This is not an easy time for this once great nation. Between a poorly executed 'bailout' (TARP) and the inherent greed of our so-called leaders over the last 30 years, the United States of America now struggles under the immense weight of another 1930's economic meltdown. Will we now meet up with our second Depression? Time will tell. The forecasts of pundits and responsible economists around the world are painting a very bleak picture. What can we, as a family of 300 million Americans possibly do, in order to make known our frustrations and dissatisfaction.
O.K. You know the routine---call, write, fax or e-mail your Congressmen and women. Make your voice as an American citizen be heard loud and clear. As our domestic, anemic fiscal condition worsens, so does that of the rest of the world. So far, we have been relatively unscathed. We are a sensible nation. Daily, we are urged by the MSM----keep calm and carry on---in the midst of huge layoffs, inept politicians, an $819 billion bailout program, (that ostensibly translates to trillions and will accentuate a growing massive debt). Join this to the earmarks and insidious pork barrelling, banks hoarding their original TARP funding, corporate bonuses, just to mention a few. Congrats to Pres. Obama for scolding Wall St.
The peoples of other nations around the globe have in recent weeks and months taken to the streets, unhappy with their government's management of their domestic economic crisis. Russia, France, Iceland, Greece, Switzerland, Thailand, Scotland, Latvia, Hungary and Lithuania to name a few. All have experienced protests, demonstrations and even riots. Europe's governments are shuddering as banks fail, prices of basic foodstuffs increase, joblessness and so on. Revolution is in the air.
Could this happen in the sensible, calm, cool and collected United States of America?Under no circumstances would I advocate any level of violent revolution, but without the mutual participationof every able American to speak up, stand up, join forces and diligently resolve ourselves to overcomeour adversities, we might, possibly, may be heading down the wrong path. Together, we can and must,
at this critical time in history, show ourselves and the world, that we can still be the greatest nation on earth.
Oh, yes---May God Bless America.
Respectfully submitted:
Christopher Popham Smith.
Boston, Massachusetts 1/31/09
GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
Posted February 20, 2009 Submitted by
Christopher Popham Smith, BNJ Columnist
Boston Massachusetts
For the past two weeks, I have een searching the Internet, e-mailing friends and former candidates and having productive discussions with the 'guys' at my athletic club. We are all, trying hard to find some good news to talk about. But it's very hard to do that with the pall of economic doom hanging in the balance. As one
columnist put it;"It's like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic". I don't know about you, but I want to stay as positive and hopeful as possible, for a fruitful outcome to our fiscal challenges.
Nevertheless, it is daunting, when you read or hear about the following scenarios. The whole world is in a serious financial episode and many of us believe that the people responsible for this debacle (government, Wall St., the banking sector and real estate executives) knew full well, years ago, the bottom line of their greed and ineptitude. But we are here now; the situation worsens daily. The American people might be waking up to the true reality of the crisis mode that we are in. In the blogs and commentary that I read, they sure are angry.
Keep calm and carry on, but consider these statistics, projections, judgements and opinions; observe them all, then you be the judge. Whenever I would get upset about domestic or world issues, my former assistant would
admonish me: "Mr. Smith, these issues are beyond your control, there's nothing you can do". Well, I beg to differ.
There is plenty that we can all do to make a difference. For me, it is the outlet of writing that allows me to at least feel that I'm contributing something to the overall perspective on issues, that we need in order to stay alert
and be well-informed. So here is a sampling of some of the 'news alerts' that I have accumulated over the past two weeks:
President Obama said that Lincoln made his story possible. Poor Mr. Lincoln must be doing somersaults in his grave. He also indicated that he is likely to only serve one term in office if he can't fix the economy. You got that one right Sir
Commercial real estate bubble will burst in a few months. Now won't that be special. Another bailout maybe?
> Sen. Harry Reid, "...a bold and responsible plan to help our economy get back on its feet".
What a brilliant statement. May God help us.
> The housing market lost $3.3 trillion in value in 2008. Gosh! Only $3.3 trillion?
> Thousands, yes thousands of small businesses are going belly-up. What now Nancy P.? What now? How was your trip to Italy? Visiting the relatives?
> An extra $8-13.00 per week in the average paycheck for two years. Wow! You can pay off your mortgage, take a cruise.... maybe purchase two pairs of socks. "....quite a stimulus": said Joe Lieberman. Such a smart man.!
> 1073 pages of reckless, non-stimulative spending. No one actually reads this stuff any way. Earmarks, pork...who cares.
> American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009---cloaked in secrecy with no public opinion or honest bi-partisan debate. The Pelosian junta perpetrating its long-planned agenda on the American people. No due diligence or aforethought to our basic American values. Hip hip hooray! The gang is all here, plundering, plundering, plundering.
> U. S. consumer gloom? Of course not. Everything will be just fine by the end of 2009(?), or 2010(?) or 2011(?). Oh well, it doesn't really matter, because everything is gonna be just fine. Isn't it?
> O.K. it's all the chatter on blogs. What would happen if we allowed banks and auto companies to enter bankruptcy?Too big to fail? Come on America. If you or I had a thriving business that failed, would the government bail us out???
> The White House is assuming control over the census! What in the world is that all about?
The E-Verify Program has been eliminated from the Stimulus Plan. Excuse me! More benefits for illegals???
> Geitner, Summers and the Pres. are going to oversee the automobile industry. How come most Democrats own foreign made cars, but take huge campaign donations from the UAW? Go figure.
> The "gleam" in Sen. Reid's eye and written into the Stimulus Package---a high speed, ride-on-air, choo choo train from Las Vegas to Disneyland. Now that will stimulate the economy--maybe by 2012. How stimulating.
> The printing of money =hyperinflation = the dollar on steroids = deflation. Oh boy, wish I had some of those greenbacks.
> Recent e-mails and blogs urge stocking up on gold, guns, ammunition, canned goods and water. Goody! We can go on a hunting trip and a picnic too!!! Let's ask Sarah to join us.
> Lawyers are being laid off from some of the most prestigious law firms in the country. Now isn't that special! My heart bleeds for them. Hope they have put some money aside from those hourly fees of $400--1000/hour.
> Projected---that 70% of the U.S. economy will shrink through mid year 2009. Now that's downright scary, Mr. Pres.
> $400 billion to bail out Fannie and Freddie.? They should get married and move to Bolivia.
> 'The Stimulative Waste Package' is a travesty perpetrated on the American people; a phony, ersatz, red herring economy based on more and more borrowing, just what we've been doing for 30 years. But who cares? My half sister's great, great grandchildren can foot the bill. Right? She voted for the One and now he's delivering on all his promises of change and hope. Hope you see the picture more clearly now. Hyperbole, good oratorical skills and charisma do not a President make.
> 60,000 troops needed in Afghanistan for the next 3-4 years!!! More of our billions in taxes going to a hopelessly corrupt and ungrateful nation. Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Get your poppy seeds here!
> The Federal Reserve and the Congressional Budget Office are making more doom and gloom forecasts. High unemployment until 2011? Good Lord. This is the typical fear mongering that Michele repudiated in a speech during the campaign. Hello! Is anyone listening?
> Who cares if the Postmaster General gets $850,000.00/year. Salary, pension, bonuses and perks. The poor man works very hard to dream up an increased postage levy of 0.2 cents starting in May. Give him a standing ovation.
> O.K. Enough about the United States of America. Here's a little good news:
> It is estimated that worldwide, by the end of 2010, there will be an aggregate job loss of only 51,000,000 people. Only 51 million! Now that's not so bad, when you think that globally, there are only 6 billion mouths to feed. I truly wonder about this one.
> Well, be glad you don't live in Argentina. The worst drought in 70 years is scorching the land. And to think--all we have is snow, sleet, rain, floods, tornadoes hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Isn't Mother Nature exciting?
> The next big bio fuel could be the Jatropha seed, which produces clean-burning diesel. Now, that is good news.
> As long as China and the Arab states do not seek to cash in the U.S Treasury Bonds that they own, then we'll be O.K. Of course the borrowing from these entities is on-going. Borrow, plunder, borrow and plunder some more.
> One last piece of really good news= www.recovery.com . This is a brand new website where every American can easily track the domestic spending spree. Maybe the White House is really trying to be transparent. I hope so.
May God Bless America.
Respectfully submitted:
Christopher Popham Smith.
Popham's State Of The Union Part 1
Posted April 11,2009
It is April 2009. Tomorrow is Easter. The signs of spring are everywhere. Mother nature is performing her wondrous annual miracles of new growth. We emerge from the cold and damp (at least here in Boston) and look to new buds, flowers and green leaves. Warmer weather is coming and the summer months of sunshine and recreation are on the horizon. Spring is always a time of renewal; an annual good feeling, laced with expectation and fulfillment. Sometimes I wonder if there are seasons on other distant planets, but I digress. Any way, "spring has sprung" and there is promise in the air. But what kind of promise?
In the course of human events, mankind is forever trying to better itself, aspiring to greater heights in all facets of life. Evolution brought us this far. We feed off of the knowledge, wisdom, philosophies of old, and today the enormous degree of high technology, which, for the most part makes our lives more facile, yet ever complicated. Television, computers, and cell phones dominate our lifestyles, providing us with instant access to sound bites, news and split-second communication. Just imagine where we will be with all these devices in 25 years. The possibilities are endless.
Perhaps however, it would behoove us to pause and reflect. World events are moving at lightening speed.
We are overwhelmed on a daily basis with more data and information than seems humanly possible toabsorb. One friend tells me frequently, that between the domestic and global bad news, his head is likelyto explode. The antics of our politicians, a new presidency already faltering, and rumblings of unrest at home and abroad drive my friend to pass around the most amusing and mundane emails he can find.
This helps to alleviate his stress and sometimes mine too.
O.K. Mr. Smith, I ask rhetorically, where are you going with these themes. Well, I'm still perplexed that we as a nation of 300 million 'democratically ruled' people are continuing to allow Congress and the Oval Office to dictate to us just how best to manage the affairs of what some folks are calling "this once great nation".
FDR warned us about these two branches of government becoming too powerful, too arrogant; for theyshould be listening to the people, who placed them in high office and not to their self serving consciences.
It is now being repeatedly queried as to exactly what it will take for the American people to stand up to theplate for America. This is a critical time in the history of our very young country--only 233 years old.
Just look at how far we have come. In five generations, we have produced great cities, transportation systems,
factories and so much more. We are the economic bulwark of the world. From our very founding there have
been great statesmen, businessmen and women, scientists and even celebrities who have brought us recognition as a viable and powerful nation. And people from all over the world want to come to America
because of liberties and opportunities for a good life. we find ourselves, is first and foremost on everyone's mind. Beginning
with major banking/investment institutions going belly up, flagrant and failed bailouts, high unemployment, erratic stock market, stimulus packages, trillions in debt obligation for generations to come and above all, a government playing roulette with our tax dollars. Are you telling me that the aforementioned branches of government and their 'compatriots' will be allowed to continue the rack and ruin of this country? Surely, this is the true axis of evil, of which we all must face up to. But Mr. Smith---what can I do? The answer is simple.
You are an American citizen. You do not let your legislators, your President or anyone else ride roughshod over what five hard-working generations have so carefully built for you. You must, as I do, be in touch with your Congressman/woman and senator and tell them that: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore".
And so, in the spirit of Spring and the promise that it brings, consider attending one of the nationwide rallies on Wednesday, April 15th. It is called a Tax Day Tea Party. This is no social event. It is an opportunity for as many of us as possible to at least show up and announce our dissatisfaction with the excessive spending and taxing of our money. So far, there are 600 venues for this event. They will go on all day, so even if you can only attend during your lunch hour, do so. Demonstrations, rallies and similar events have been happening all over the world for months. It's high time that we, as the people of America be heard, loud and clear. Yes, the power really is with the people. So...get out there and be counted.
This is the first in a series of articles which I will be submitting to Breakingnewsjournal.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Popham Smith.
Boston, Massachusetts.
Posted April 22, 2009
Sumitted by BNJ Columnist
Christopher Popham Smith-
Boston Massachusetts
Popham's State Of The Union
Part 2
It may be presumptive to use the phrase, "State of the Union", but the intention here is to convey the 'condition' in which our country finds itself, particularly as it relates to the critical economic climate. On a scale of one to ten, ten being excellent, I would humbly assert the overall scale to be tilting towards a five. There are far too any variables to consider, so much data, statistics and daily news to absorb. Job losses, factory closures, companies going under, 41 bank failures so far, Wall St. media spin that says we are in for a modest recovery by the end of '09, the egregious and outlandish spending programs perpetrated on taxpayers by Congress and the Administration, ever greedy investment 'insiders' grabbing all they can get, banks re-arranging (cooking) their books to reflect better earnings,
a rapidly mestastizing government bureaucracy that snatches the purse and wallet of every American, a new President, who is perhaps 'reaching out' too far, in an effort to achieve world peace, a sad and pathetic Congress too arrogant and full of blustering media spin, that it makes us all crazy and angry and yes, even hopeless. For where is the hope, if we are losing are livelihoods and prosperity?
This is but a brief list of some of the mind-blowing domestic issues that we face for our once great
nation. A good friend, with whom I attend church every Sunday, reminds me frequently that if he hears any more of these monstrous bad news stories, that his head will explode. I wonder how many other Americans feel the same way. It is my assumption that most people are thoroughly distracted from what is really going on. Their lives are centered around the need to survive, the need to put food on the table every day, pay the rent or mortgage, go to work each day and hope you still have the job tomorrow. These concerns and so much more, keep us in denial and distracted from reality. We don't have time for these heady issues of the economy, the government, business and finance. I have said this before in previous articles---the elites, power brokers and the very wealthy of this country and the globe, have us precisely where they want us---scared, confused and distracted. It is a commonly known historical fact,
that in the times leading up to crisis and in the crisis itself, governments always assume a 'protect the people stance'. The people, fearful and unsure, allow their leaders to gain full control over their money their way of thinking, their movements---their very lives and livelihoods. Just rely on your government and they will 'take care' of everything. This is not to sound conspiratorial. This just happens to be how the "haves" make sure they take everything they need from the "have nots".
There are 538 members of Congress. Many of them are aging, incompetent, vociferous blowhards who serve no other purpose than to make outrageous, often incomprehensible spin statements in the MSM, which serves absolutely no purpose whatsoever, other than to confuse and infuriate the public.
The stats on these esteemed national legislators is a disgrace and should be an embarrassment to this country.
It is alleged that 84 of them have been pulled over on DUI charges, 29 of them found to be beating their spouses, 7 of them involved in cases of fraud, 19 have bounced checks,71 of them do not own a credit card, 14 of them have had dope or drug charges brought, 8 have been charged with shop lifting and 21 of them are defendants in law suits.And now, my fellow Americans, if only half of these stats are accurate---even then, as I said before, these men and women, the people who represent us in Washington, with their fine salaries, pensions, free health care and multiple perks, are,
you guessed it---just like a cross section of any assemblage of Americans. But hold on. Aren't they supposed to be held up to a slightly higher standard? After all, they are our elected officials. They are indeed expected to show a good example to their constituents and the country as a whole. These are the men and women who draft, ponder, argue and ultimately write laws for the United States of America!
Some of them are oligarchs and some (160 new members) are novices.
A select few of these Congressmen and women were responsible for many aspects of our failing fiscal condition. Yes, the state of the Union. Instead of owning up to their mistakes, they haphazardly persist in the endangerment of our economic health. And why, I query, should they care? There are purportedly more Democratic millionaires in Congress than Republicans, although some of the Reps. haven't done too
badly for themselves, financially. Many of them go on junkets, write books, attend and get paid
handsomely for speaking engagements and enjoy the added benefits and perks, normally assigned to the CEO's of major corporations. They feed off of and bleed the system for more money and power wherever and whenever they can. It is said that most members of Congress spend at least 70% of their time campaigning for the next election cycle. That means, my fellow Americans, that they actually find
30% of their valuable time, to lower themselves to the execution of their prescribed duties to their constituents and this country. I wouldn't mind a job like that. Would you?
The point once again is that there will be elections for Congress in 2010. At least on this issue, among all the above that affect this once great nation---please do not let the elites and power mongers distract you from your duty and obligation to the safety, security, sanctity and preservation of our sovereignty as a Constitutional Democracy. The future of America depends on you. As a registered voter, you have the ultimate power to make positive change and give true hope to your children and grandchildren. If, in good conscience, you take action in 2010 and vote in new blood to Congress, then we might have a chance to
show ourselves that this could once again be the greatest nation on earth. But if you allow the status quo to continue, and the same people are running our precious government and dictating to you, how to work, play and live your life, then once again, we shall only have ourselves to blame and future generations will
damn us to hell for not taking up our inherent, Constitutional responsibility to the United States of America.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Popham Smith.
Boston, Massachusetts.
Posted May 12, 2009
Popham's State Of The Union
Part 3
There are so many diverse domestic issues that concern me these days, but the following topic being bandied about in Washington and the MSM causes me to wonder about the true direction in which this once great nation is heading.
The pros and cons, the pundits, the lawyers and above all the politicians, are creating a very controversial windstorm that could potentially serve as yet another moral issue to divide this country. We already have abortion, racism and same-sex marriage issues on our proverbial plate, not to mention hundreds of ineptCongressional legislators and mean-spirited, self-promoting media personnel, who only want to further confuse and confound the American public for their amusement and self-aggrandizement.
But the topic herewith is torture. Very simply, torture is defined as the infliction of severe bodily pain especially as a punishment or a means of persuasion. It can also be a perversion of mental suffering. However we choose to define it, we must take pause in considering its usage and its advantages, if any.
O. K. Torture is clearly against the mandates of the Geneva Convention, which the U.S. ratified in 1994.In my humble opinion, it also goes against the moral grain of many Americans. The controversy raises issues on both sides of the argument. Should we or shouldn't we employ harsh treatment in order to extract vital information from prisoners of war or terrorism?
If we legitimize torture, then every dictatorship state, when called to account, can simply say:
"Well America does it". Under the Bush/Cheney Administration, we did do it. We sexually humiliated, we used dogs, and we water boarded. Sometimes we got the intel that we sought and it saved lives and property, but at what cost did we go 'overboard' in our efforts to "make 'em talk". Well, the answer lies within the current firestorm of discussion by liberals and Democrats who seek retribution of the CIA torture tactics. Many Americans are justifiably perplexed and angry to think that this was actually the prescribed and ordered modus operandi of the Administration.
In recent statements, both Dick Morris and former Presidential candidate/T.V. star Fred Thompson, have resolutely criticized the current Administration for exposing the CIA memos. Morris gives Mr. Obama an "F" on his first 100 days and Thompson says that Obama is revealing his "naivete, ineptitude and arrogance" as he deals with matters of national security. Other so called
experts say that releasing pictures of alleged interrogation abuse by U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan serves no purpose other than to be propaganda fodder for our enemies. Some say that the memo release is "absolute betrayal".
Sen. Robert Byrd (oldest oligarch) says it's our "obligation to investigate". Our obligation? No matter what his opinion, he should just go home. And yes, Spain and England have already initiated investigations of the Bush Administration officials over torture. After all, as we discovered with Nixon, no President is above the law. In the course of interrogation 'methodizing', the Army found and employed many softer techniques that were not used by the CIA. The Army used methods similar to what we see on T.V. cop shows and the results were surprisingly productive; all without using any degree of torture.
It is alleged that 60% of the information elicited by water boarding only came from three terrorists. But does this justify using torture.
It's a fine line. Were we really just trying to extract life-saving intel from these terrorists as Mr. Cheney
has claimed?
Prisoners were routinely kidnapped, thrown on a plane and flown to another country for torture. This was the notorious program now being revealed about the CIA program. And now the ACLU is making headway in seeing to it that some or all of the terror suspects are given their day in court. Everyone is getting involved. May God help us.
The shameless secrecy and fear mongering perpetrated by the 'Cheney Administration', now returns to haunt him and maybe George Bush. Most of us would agree that Mr. Bush was only a puppet leader. Mr. Cheney and his minions of the military/industrial complex appeared to be in control. Cheney's efforts to publicize torture memos that show enhanced interrogation techniques working, suggest that, as Ed Shultz of MSNBC said: "Cheney might feel vindicated if America was attacked again". In some peculiar fashion, he's trying to save face or maybe justify his vice presidential legacy. Who knows.
In the meantime, between the Obama administration and the liberals in Congress, a war crimes tribunal
might be under consideration. We have never brought a previous administration to court. This may be that which Dick Cheney is most afraid. However, the same Congressmen and women, who were briefed on these techniques are now pretending not to have known what was going on, especially Speaker Pelosi.
This is dirty politics at its worst; self-serving, corrupt and full of lies. Our so-called responsible leaders are feigning denial in order to sway support towards bringing a former President and officials to high court.
I would posit that the Obama people, the Democrats and liberals are marching to a discordant sound; one that could tear this country apart at a time of enough mental and economic hardship---for everyone. An issue this controversial could irreparably divide us. It might even show telltale signs of weakness in
Washington to the rest of the world. We should be very careful, no matter what our personal views on this subject might be. I cannot predict the direction in which this issue will go, but I can tell you this much. As with other scandals and upheavals, America will probably weather the storm; however, once more we set ourselves up for the need to deal with yet another moral issue that can only serve to be divisive and weaken our moral resolve and moral fiber.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Popham Smith.
Boston, Massachusetts. BNJ Columist
Posted May 21, 2009
Popham's State Of The Union 4
Walking around the city of Boston each day, I cannot help but observe all the 'positive economic indicators'.
Some people have actually purchased a new car, albeit not an American car; so they're helping the global economy. I see young people, in particular, shopping in all the up-scale stores and boutiques; so they're helping the domestic economy. Local restaurants are, for the most part, doing good business. Convenience stores would probably thrive even in a depression; they're always busy. People have to eat, so the supermarkets are doing well and making an effort to offer good 'deals'. Five avocados for $3...lots of guacamole...mmmm!
But I see more homeless on the streets too, and at my church, where, every Tuesday evening I volunteer to help serve a very good dinner for the homeless. Their ranks have increased recently. We are now serving anywhere from 90-120 'guests' each time. I'm also noticing that 'executive types are still tooling around the city in chauffeured limousines. That's a good "green shoot" sign that the economy is bottoming out. Harrumph! Who dreamed up the "green shoot" metaphor in the first place?
The consumer is consuming, yet the MSM is feeding us the most conflicting economic news ever disseminated to a reading or listening audience. What's going on here? There is a severe financial crisis and yet we hear/read optimistic overtures such as: the global economy is turning around; the IMF has reduced its prime lending rates allowing countries to invest billions to regenerate their faltering economies. If you have a chance, check out the IMF. Fascinating 'banking' institution, backed by wealthy member nations. The U.S. is the most powerful, controlling member. Not surprising. The IMF also has huge gold reserves. That's interesting.
Mr. Bernanke says that test results on the banks should buoy confidence in our economy. I would like to see confidence that these banks will survive without further bailouts. Once the commercial real estate and consumer credit card default bubbles begin to burst, the banks are likely to cry poor again. And in the the same breath, the White House forecasts a higher budget deficit. Only $1.9 trillion for 2009. Well, isn't that special. Maybe we can just spread out this interminable debt to our great, great grandchildren, if they can find the jobs, to earn the money, on which to pay the higher taxes. We better be careful America; we are being led down a very tenuous and unstable garden path. Just heard on the news that retail prices for April are down---gosh, I wonder why?
And the U.S. post office just increased first class postage to 43 cents because sales of stamps are down. That's odd. I thought that when a business needed to increase sales, they lowered prices. In February of this year it was reported that Postmaster General, John E. Potter, racked up salary, bonuses and perks for 2008 to the tune of $800,000. That's twice the Presidential salary. Have you seen a photo of Mr. Potter? He really
represents the "fat" cat beauracracy of Washington.
Come on America, be patriotic, let's go out and buy a GM or Chrysler right now and bolster the economy. Whoops, I forgot. The banks are hoarding $1 trillion and we can't borrow, because we don't have enough collateral to satisfy the greedy bankers. Recession, inflation, even deflation. What do you suppose we are going to do?
And now the government has seen fit to bail out the life insurance industry to the tune of $27 billion. Excuse me, but aren't there a few federal programs --recently eliminated-- that could use proper funding?
Why in the world are we supporting
insurance companies again, when the U.S. government should be allocating these monies
for worthwhile domestic projects.
And lest I forget, be sure to check out the latest Amnesty Bill floating around Congress, the provisions of which are so outrageous as to once more bilk the taxpayer into funding illegals who are here or cross the border in the future. The Democrats are determined to fill up those voter ranks with as many Hispanics and others in order to 'bolster' their voter base. Aren't they clever?
Congress, currently enjoys a 31% approval rating according to a Gallup poll in February. That's an increase of 12% since 2008. Whoopee! It's still however, low marks for the men and women who are responsible for overseeing the welfare of this country, and this is the worst part; they draft laws for America! It is alleged that 70% of their time is spent, campaigning in some fashion, for their next election. In addition, they find time to take
'vacations' whenever they like. They go on expensive junkets at taxpayer expense, and guess what; theysomehow find time to write memoirs and autobiographies as well. They have a good salary, perks and pensions, nice homes, a
car and driver, aides, assistants and secretaries. Yet, with all this abundance, they still manage to lower themselves to spend 30% of their time in Congress. I would concede that perhaps a few
of these legislators are hard-working, honest and committed to the betterment of our country; however the vast majority leave a lot to be desired. They have been dragging this nation down and in a precarious direction for over thirty years, and yes, we the people, are allowing them to get away with it. As with other urgent issues that affect this once great nation, I once again wonder when the American people will begin
to say: enough is enough.
The whole cascading scenario is just not funny any more, as if it ever was. At stake, is the preservation of our sovereignty and a Constitution that was written 233 years ago to establish
the best democracy ever devised by man. Yet here we are some five generations later with our so-called leaders openly discussing one world government, a new world order. This is not speculation or conspiracy. It's just plain fact. Just recently, Henry Kissinger, German born American, political scientist and advisor to Presidents, suggested that it is time for this to occur. But what does he know?
Can you imagine this country losing its reputation as the greatest nation on earth and opening its borders to Mexico and Canada, in order to become one. One what? A new nation? A new triad to compete on the open market with China, Brazil, Europe and the Middle East? I for one, do not like the direction in which Congress
and this and the past two administrations have been taking us.
We must wake up before it's too late. We must not let the media, the elites and Congress deceive us and lead us down this very dangerous path. Like Rome, America is fading in its glory, its power and its wealth. But there
is promise, if and only if, we, as the people, commit ourselves to the basic tenets of law, laid down by our forefathers. We must not let them down. They sacrificed too much to bring us a better way of life and the sound
fundamentals of a democratic self government. If we do not stand up to the plate for America now, then we shall
surely lose.
As I have said in previous articles: We can and must at this critical time in history join forces as one family of 300+ million Americans and show the world, that we are indeed, the greatest nation on earth.
Respectfully submitted by BNJ Columnist
Christopher Popham Smith.
Boston, Massachusetts.
Posted June 8, 2009
Popham's State Of The Union #6
America is beautiful and bountiful in a myriad of ways. On five road trips across this great nation from June 2007to June 2008, I had the privilege of seeing this country in all its magnificent, dazzling detail. Forty three states and 37,000 miles took me to parts of this land, that most Americans will never get to see. Well, I suggest that if you can
find the time, get in your car or camper and tour the United States of America. It will likely change the way you envision our country and its people. Here's what I discovered.
It isn't just the diversity of our towns and cities, the sweeping landscapes, local architecture, the deserts, the mountains. the lakes, rivers and oceans; it is most certainly for me, the people who I met and interacted with along the way. To be sure, driving through Chicago is a nightmare any time of the day, but then you relax in the serenity of the Western states, beginning with Wisconsin and beyond. On my first trip through the Rockies,
I was overwhelmed by these enormous, soaring wonders. From there into desert and ultimately, the famous 350 mile long stretch of road, known as "No Man's Land", a flat straight highway seemingly endless, but eventually bringing you to more mountains, and on my last trip, to my destination of Mt. Rushmore. S.D.
Awesome, breathtaking is the only way to describe the majesty of mother nature. We have so much for which to be grateful. This country of ours is all at once, vast, barren, spectacular, serene and inspirational.
You just have to get out there and see it.
But I would like to talk about the people of America. In a short 233 years, we have risen up from a revolution to the greatest nation on earth; powerful, wealthy, innovative, generous and envied around the world for our democratic way of life. Immigrants desire entry to America more than any other country. And why not?
After all, we offer the best aspects of life, liberty and the pursuit of fruitful labor, and above all, yes, happiness. What more could anyone ask for? But this exceptional way of life for the citizens of America is now in jeopardy.
In my travels, I found most of the thousands (yes thousands) of Americans I met, to be in accordance with their feelings, philosophy and promise for the future of America. I stopped all along the way, meeting with folks from all walks of life; mostly the working stiff---a gas station attendant, a waitress, a hotel porter, an electrician, a
security guard, a politician, a stte trooper, parents, teachers and so many more. There was the young marine with his parents at a rest stop in Arizona. He was on his way to Pendleton and then Iraq. And then, on a bright Saturday afternoon, a Viet Nam veteran on his Harley, going from one rest stop to another collecting aluminum cans, which he cashed in to help fund his daughter's college tuition. He and I talked for a long time about the pressing issues that we face. He saw his friends die needlessly in a very unpopular war. He's patriotic, and he,
like so many I met, care so deeply for America and its destiny. However, they resoundingly distrust Washington. Like so many people I spoke with, he asked me (should I be successful) to revisit the Constitution. I heard that particular theme frequently. The people of America actually fear and distrust their federally elected officials, who
they sense are dragging this once great nation down and shredding the Constitution along the way. What is going on here? Why do Americans feel this way about our leaders in Washington?
The people of the United States of America are supposed to be the voice of the land. O.K. So we vote, usually for the better of to evils and hope and pray that our Congress will serve us under the laws of the Constitution, that they have sworn to uphold. However, in recent years (30 years), they have been failing us miserably, to the detriment of our morality, our wealth as an important global economy and our reputation around the world, just to name a few. Election after election, we pull the lever for the same incumbent or oligarch and the on-going
result is the same: dirty politics abounding all around us. Greed, self-aggrandizement, deception, ineptitude, posturing, and worst of all---pervasive corruption. Of course these characteristics are not limited to just the elected officials in our capitol. It is a proverbial cesspool of backscratching lobbyists with hands out for the money, paid to them by the so-called leaders of our major corporations and financial institutions. Why in the world are
we as citizens, allowing this mayhem to continue at the expense and downfall of America? Perhaps.
it is because too many Americans are content to let government 'take care of everything'.
We the people are the governing body of this nation, but we are wretchedly failing to fulfill our duty to our country, by not speaking out. If someone was burglarizing your house or stealing your car, would you not call the police? Samuel Adams said: "Our obligations to our country never cease, but with our lives".
The pundits, columnists, T.V. anchors, economists, CEO's and 'leaders' at every level of government are proselytizing and spewing their opinions day after day as to what they think we should know. And guess what?
We listen to them and believe them, because they spin us on T.V., radio and publications. They spin us to the point, as one friend puts it: "My head is going to explode". That's right. The politicians and the wealthy elite,
literally control your information and frame of reference---via the main stream media. This is not conspiratorial. It is fact. I had a client years ago who warned me that everything that you see and read in the media is pure
unadulterated distraction from what is really going on. I think he was right on target.
And so, if we as a people and a sovereign nation ever expect to regain the proper, honest, respected and just governmental system established by our forefathers, then we must, yes, we must stand up and be counted--- all 300 plus million of us. The situation is critical. This is not funny any more. It never really was. Water cooler
chat is fine, but produces no results. The very lives of your children and their offspring depend on what we do (or not do) here and now. I am not an activist per se, but the state of this union gives me cause every day to be
concerned as to the direction in which this country is heading, and sets me to wondering if our politicians have a clue as to what they are actually perpetrating on us. The future of America is at risk. Many of us give it lip service, but few take action, content with the pathetic status quo. You've heard it all before, but we better wake up from our somnambulant state or else it might be too late.
Hindsight is always easy; however, if I had become President of the United States, my first act would have been to mail out an immediate referendum to all registered voters, listing ten major domestic issues. Each issue would be 'graded' by the voter in terms of priority; in other words, the issues from one to ten, that you the people, would like to see your President tackle first, IE: health care, the economy, the Middle East wars, education and the infrastructure and so on. Admittedly, the current administration is addressing all these issues, but not
however to the satisfaction of the majority of voters. The idea that an elected official, at any level, is allowed under our laws to dictate to you the people is nothing short of outrageous. To paraphrase, Franklin Roosevelt said: "Never let Congress or the White House dictate to you the people; never allow those two branches of government be telling you the people what to do". The results of such a referendum might have taken a little time, but it is feasible, and it would have provided me or any President with the popular endorsement from the
people, to grapple with the issues most important to the majority of voters. And being a man of my word, I would have followed the wishes of the majority. That my fellow Americans, is the proper way to run a
people's democratic federal government.
No matter where my life, as a former Presidential candidate and now 'journalist' takes me, be rest assured of one thing. I shall never forget the earnest pleas of the people as I travelled throughout this land, for this country has and always will, mean more to me than my own life and I would give that up in a heartbeat for the safety, security and sovereignty of America and its people. We have come too far in a little more than two centuries.
Our country is a wonderful cross-section of humanity. It abounds in natural resources and resourcefulness.
This is not a time in our history to be timid or in denial about what is really going on. Take five minutes. Write a letter, make a call, send a fax, but contact your representatives in Washington and tell them what's on your mind. Flood their message centers with your opinions and ideas on their performance and what you think is best for America. Sam Adams says: do it now.
We can and must at this critical time in history, join forces as one family of 300 million Americans and show the
world that we are the greatest nation on earth.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Popham Smith.
Boston, Ma.
Posted June 2, 2009
Health Care -Who Cares? I DO!
Having been in the health care field for almost 20 years, I do know a little bit about how our system works.
It doesn't work and that's the problem. The wealthiest, most powerful nation on earth is unable to provide for a universal health care program. It is, without a doubt, the most convoluted, complex menagerie of laws, provisions, premium requirements, deductibles and treatment protocol in the world and it remains above all, the most expensive.
Most of us know all these facts, but like the government and the health care industry as a whole, we are in a quandary as to a workable solution to a serious domestic issue. We simply must find a cost effective way of insuring every single eligible American, whether it be for an emergency broken ankle, heart attack,
stroke or long term care. Yes, it's true. If we can spend hundreds of billions of dollars on sending astronauts into space, maintain the exorbitant expense of two failing war efforts; bail out greedy banking institutions, inept insurance companies and automobile giants, then in the name of all that is scared in America, why can't we
protect ourselves from the vagaries of an inadequate health care system? What is going on here?
Next to properly educating our precious children, the physical health of our nation should indeed be of the highest priority.
The first concept of "health insurance" was offered up in 1694. In the late 19th century "accident insurance", similar to disability insurance became available. In 1850, accident insurance was first presented by the Franklin Health Assurance Company of Massachusetts. By 1866, there were 60 such organizations.
The industry soon consolidated and rapidly began to include the origins of sickness coverage in 1890, while the first employer-sponsored group disability policy emerged in 1911. In the mid to late 20th century, disability evolved into modern health insurance programs, (HMO's), including the cost of routine, preventative, and emergency care procedures and most prescription drugs, though this was not always the case.
O.K. A health insurance policy is a contract between an insurance company and an individual or his sponsor (e.g. his employer). The contract is renewed annually or monthly. Health care costs are defined in advance in the contract or "Evidence of Coverage" booklet, and include definitions of: -Premium, -Deductible, -Co-payment, -Co-insurance (percentage of total cost of surgery), -Exclusions (not all services covered, patient required to pay for these out of pocket), -Coverage limits (health plan ceases payments when the maximum benefit is reached), -Out of pocket maximums (sometimes apply to a specific benefit category such as prescriptions or to all coverage provided during a specific year), -Capitation (amount paid by insurer to the health care provider, for which the provider/doctor agrees to treat all members of the insurer),
-Network provider (preselected list of doctors which allows for better discounting of benefits),-Prior authorization, (certification and authorization of services rendered) and finally - -Explanation of benefits, a document sent to a patient explaining covered services and patient responsibility amount. So there you have it---a basic outline of health plan insurers' requirements.Not so complicated, but a lot to absorb. So how can this egregious system with its pathetic pitfalls, loopholes and shortcomings be made to work for all Americans at a reasonable cost?
The current Administration and Congress are once again, to the best of my understanding, trying to pilfer the health care system from the private sector and place the entire scope of a "Universal Health Care" plan under the control of the U.S. government. Many worry that they will ultimately plunder such a plan, as they have already done with Medicare, which will be 'bankrupt' in ten years or less. Should we indeed allow our Congressmen and women, through inappropriate lawmaking, usurp our basic right to well-managed health care at a reasonable expense to all? The answer of course is a definite NO. This is not to say thatthey should not play a participating role in order to protect and promote a viable health care system, but total control should be out of the question. We, the American people, cannot extend our trust to a legislative body already guilty of plundering Medicare to pay for wars. The war is here at home. The war to be won is the one
facing us here; to provide a good, solid health care system for all American citizens, bar none.
We must find a way to provide the best health care for every man, woman and child.
And there is an alternative plan. Unfortunately, it would seriously dilute the power and control that the health care industry currently holds, and the potential control that Washington is proposing. We all know that politics,
campaign contributions, lobbyists, and generalized ineptitude and greed, mixed in with a lack of an apparent disconnection with what is best for our country, all adds up to gross failure, and in this particular case, to
incorrectly serving our country for the betterment of all.
Finally, and paraphrased from a comment that I wrote recently for the Huffington Post on 5/25/09.
It is all very well and good to compare our health care system with other countries and try to create the best possible "Universal" one for all Americans. There are alternative programs and initiatives that might help to solve the dilemma of making sure that every American has full coverage health care, for their lifetime.
There is the Alexander McGee Medical Plan. It may not be perfect in the complex world of health care, but the idea of medical co-op ownership, instead of costly private insurance, could be made available to every citizen (on a tier basis, according to their ability to pay a modest premium) at a cost considerably
lower than any of the competing health insurers. It is an ownership program under which everything is covered: long-term, short-term, regular doctor visits to your PCP, and any and all surgery. Each eligible person would pay into the co-op. The Heritage Foundation's latest mean estimates place insurance for a single person at an annualized cost of $4704!!! A family's cost is at about $12,680!!! I myself gave up my Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance last fall. The monthly premiums had risen to $754 a month!!!
So what if a co-op system was put in place? Well, let's say the average family paid in $5000 a year and an individual paid $2000 a year. For the sake of round figures, let's say there are about 110 million families in the U.S. and at least 50 million single workers. If my math is correct, that would fund the co-op with about $560 billion a year. That's right--half a trilion dollars! Health care spending for 2008 amounted to $2.4 trillion. Therefor, in a few short years, we could engender a viable and cost effective health care program for all Americans.
Additionally, as a member of the co-op, if you do not make a claim or get sick during the course of a year; in other words you remain healthy, then the co-op sends you a modest dividend payment at the end of the year, similar to owning stock in a thriving company.
I know----the health care industry will see this as a direct threat to their business, but it is time, as our President has indicated, to settle on a quality Universal Health Care system that works for every one. They will no doubt squawk and lobby against any such proposal, but this is a very good alternative, that Congress should consider. This would be good for America. Private insurance companies could be phased out and their respective personnel 're-employed' by the co-op. Their experience in the field would be invaluable in setting up the program.
In closing, I would urge you all, if you like the ideas presented here to contact your national legislators and inform them that that there is another way of providing health care. This is not just a mundane domestic issue. It has been debated with flawed legislation for too many years. It is time to act; to seriously consider what is best for America. It is imperative now that all parties participate to ameliorate this national dilemma. In a distressed economic climate, it would perhaps be a good and positive move to make cost-effective health insurance a reality, to which all Americans could look forward.
Respectfully submitted by,
Christopher Popham Smith.
Boston, Ma.
Math Contribution by The Master Educator Steve White -Henderson NV
Posted July 1, 2009
Dateline: Minnesota. (The Al Franken Story
According To Christopher Popham Smith)
After eight desperate and grueling months, the great state of Minnesota now has a new Democratic senator, securing for Harry Reid and the Senate, sixty votes, to over ride any possible Republican filibuster. In their mutual bid for this 'esteemed' office, Mr. Coleman(Rep) and Mr. Franken (Dem) allegedly spent $50 million (that's right, fifty million dollars) on their campaigns. This is, in and of itself, an absolute national disgrace and a blight on our ever corrupt political system. It is also alleged and suspected that Soros and his minions had their devious little hands in this fiasco. Indeed, is this any way for the voters of any state in the Union to be placing someone into any legislative office? What are we doing here in America?
Have we lost sight of any degree of legitimacy, honesty or integrity when it comes to the
voting process. And so my fellow Americans, I regret to inform you that, if Rep. Governor Tim Pawlenty signsthe election certificate, America will have the extreme honor of adding one more foul-mouthed comedian to the Senate of the United States of America. Hip hip hooray!
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Popham Smith
Boston, Ma. BNJ Columnist and 2008 Presidential Candidate
Posted July 13, 2009
Popham State Of The Union #7
Lobbying America
Everywhere I go these days, people are telling me in no uncertain terms, their fears about the
direction in which America is being driven. Many say that we are doomed.
Between all the domestic issues that we face; an explosion of the unemployed, continuing
foreclosures, a banking industry run amuck, icons of the brokerage business still floundering, and a fledgling Administration, that for all
intents and purposes, appears to be brinking on despotism.
And someone said to me that, individually, some members of the House and
Senate might be smart, well-intentioned human beings, but that as two legislative bodies pretending to write laws for the good of all Americans, they fail miserably. This may not be the best metaphor, but sharks come to mind. One rogue shark roaming around the ocean, swimming, jumping out of the water, and occasionally chowing down on another sea creature is alright. But have you ever seen
the frenzy of a pack of sharks, when there is blood in the water? They go berserk in the feeding frenzy. Sometimes they even attack one another.
Why? Because, my fellow Americans, there is so much at stake; it is tens of billions of dollars that is their prey. These billions fund
everything from lobbying to payoffs, to lavish junkets, to special interests and so much more.
In the end, we the people are plagued and even awestruck by this audacious practice and the politicians, their allies and cronies just get rich from the spoils of the system.
The corruption, ineptitude, self-serving greed of our 'esteemed' legislators on Capitol Hill, their
illicit sexual perversions, their short quips in the media (spin), full of unconcsionable, ill-conceived remarks, seldom properly researched, and all adding up to nothing more than fear mongering, is bad enough. However, the worst mechanism in which they participate is lobbying.
"Lobbying" is the process of petitioning government to influence public policy. This is regarded as a treasured right in a democracy. It goes back to the Magna Carta of 1215;
the right to petition our government was repeatedly reaffirmed in colonial American treatises, the Declaration of Independence
and post revolutionary federal and state constitutions, and yes, even the Bill of Rights. In colonial times, written petitions to local governments were usually simple, brief and always answered.
Gosh, it occurred to me that federal, state and local governments cannot sustain themselves without lobbyists. On the other hand, it remains the most incredulous method of
influencing legislators of every rank; to write and pass laws perpetrated by graft. This is an affrontry to all sense of decency and fair play. Sometimes, the lobbyists actually write the proposed law! That's right, my fellow Americans, lobbyists occasionally have a hand in drafting national legislation. How is that
possible? Surely, this is no way to run
a so-called democratic government.
There are allegedly 17,000 registered lobbyists in Washington, D.C.! That's right---17,000!
The editor of *simpleamerican.org* believes that corporate America still runs this country. Well, he might be on to something. The practice of 'lobbying' those in high places is as old
as prostitution. Now there's an appropriate word---prostitution. O. K., so major corporations, investment houses, banks and various organizations all seek 'special favors' from our legislators and even the
Presidency.
These days, people are telling me in no uncertain terms, their fears about the
direction in which America is being driven. Many say that we are doomed.
Between all the domestic issues that we face; an explosion of the unemployed, continuing
foreclosures, a banking industry run amuck, icons of the brokerage business still floundering, and a fledgling Administration, that for all
intents and purposes, appears to be brinking on despotism.
And someone said to me that, individually, some members of the House and
Senate might be smart, well-intentioned human beings, but that as two legislative bodies pretending to write laws for the good of all Americans, they fail miserably. This may not be the best metaphor, but sharks come to mind. One rogue shark roaming around the ocean, swimming, jumping out of the water, and occasionally chowing down on another sea creature is alright. But have you ever seen
the frenzy of a pack of sharks, when there is blood in the water? They go berserk in the feeding frenzy. Sometimes they even attack one another.
Why? Because, my fellow Americans, there is so much at stake; it is tens of billions of dollars that is their prey. These billions fund
everything from lobbying to payoffs, to lavish junkets, to special interests and so much more.
In the end, we the people are plagued and even awestruck by this audacious practice and the politicians, their allies and cronies just get rich from the spoils of the system.
It is a fact that between 1869 to 1877, Ulysses S. Grant, not allowed by his wife to smoke in the White House, would
walk across the street to the lobby of the Willard Hotel and enjoy his cigar. Politicians and others, seeking favors, soon began to frequent the lobby, as the President was
usually in good spirits. Historically, perhaps the word lobby comes from the British House of Parliament, where politicians would gather in the lobbies of the House to parlay their entreaties.
The history of lobbying in America is of course complicated and convoluted. It is a necessary evil. Its practice has, over the years, degenerated to nothing more than America
for sale to the highest bidders. The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 was made into law after decades of wrangling to make
the regulation and disclosure of *lobbying* the federal government more effective. To quote Sen. Carl Levin, commenting on this act: "The purpose of our lobbying laws is to tell the
public, who is being paid how much to lobby whom on what. That purpose is not being served under the status quo as we now see it."
To further quote another source (Lobbyinginfo.org): "The days of citizens
effectively petitioning government for redress of grievances have long come to a close. Federal and state governments deal with vast numbers of complex economic and political issues, affording limited time for direct constituency contact, and spawning a legion of professional lobbying firms and associations.
These groups * leverage* the right of petition.........
The rise of the professional lobbyist has meant an incredible--and potentially dangerous--concentration of power over government within a small, elite cadre of people."
The corruption of lobbying is legendary. It has always been viewed as a sort of seedy profession, but in the long run---money talks. Since 1998 43% of 198 members of Congress registered as lobbyists. During the
prior two decades, becoming a lobbyist was 'beneath' most Congressmen, not a
very respectable position for an ex-Congressman/woman. But guess what. In the late 80's high salaries for lobbyists were just too good to be disdained, and so the twisted and warped 'profession' of lobbying
suddenly became very attractive to these influential former legislators. They had been on the inside, but now they could be paid
exorbitantly high salaries to petition and sway their friends on Capitol Hill.
Without a doubt, I do not have an answer or solution to this blatantly corrupt practice of lobbying, but in my humble opinion, it wreaks of the ignominy of a time when honest citizens could appeal to their government officials, be heard and answered. No more do we the people have a say in our country's lawmaking.
It is sadly the almighty dollar that dictates our legislative processes, and the people, yes the people, are once again excluded and disenfranchised from self governance.
I would take this opportunity to wish Larry Roseman, editor of www.simpleamerican.org , and his supporters good luck in their forthcoming September initiative to strike a blow against the corruption of lobbying in
America.
Respectfully submitted.
Christopher Popham Smith
Boston, Ma.
Posted August 7, 2009
By Christopher Popham Smith Boston MA
Congress Milking Tax Payers and Big Brother Watching You, No Joke!
On July 29th, Congress approved funding, to be hidden in the budget of the U.S. Air Force, for the purchase of three Gulfstream 550's at a cost of
$200 million. These private, long distance jets are for the comfort and convenience of Congressmen, elite military and other U.S. 'dignitaries'. For hypocrisy, in terms of the criticism of auto execs using their own private planes for meetings in Washington----this goes beyond the pale.
Pelosi goes to and from San Francisco every week. She was behind this bill, which was surreptitiously injected into the budget. $200 million???!!! And we are in a recession? Those are our tax dollars
that Congress feels so free to spend on themselves, while millions of Americans are to meet their mortgage payments etc, etc. etc.
When does this all end?
The White House has just established an e-mail address that allows any one the ability to message the Administration with regards to right wing
web sites and/or e-mails on the Internet, that negatively criticize the policies IE: health care, Cap & Trade, taxation etc. of Congress and the Adm.
Shades of Big Brother? See www.flag@whitehouse.gov
The Wall St. Journal reports today that the actual funding for new planes for
Congressional junkets has now increased to eight (8!!!) new luxury jet aircraft at a total cost of $550 million!
Pelosi and her minions are behind this outrageous expenditure, at a time when the average American is having trouble making ends meet.
Additionally, House Minority Leader, John Boehner (R-Ohio) and five other lawmakers are about to go on a 'trip around the world'.
Sen. Rick Shelby (R-Ala.) is escorting a group of senators to Europe for three weeks! The airplanes that are used for these junkets use up fuel that costs the taxpayer between $3000--5600 per hour! And they are permitted to bring their wives along for the ride.
When contacted for confirmation on these 'flights of fancy', the offices of both senators claimed that the nature of these trips could not be commented on. It would appear that not just Democrats are abusing their power and spending of taxpayer dollars.
Your readers also need to know that First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama now employs twenty-one (21!) personal assistants, from hair dresser to assistant director of travel arrangements to assistant director of communications. No first lady in history has ever had a retinue of 'helpers' like this.
Even Jacqueline Kennedy never had, but a few attendants and Mamie Eisenhower had to hire and pay for (herself) a private secretary.
Mrs. Obama's staff salaries range in pay scale from $45--150,000+ per year.
If this does not raise the ire of the average American, then God help us.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Popham Smith.
Boston, Ma.
osted October 19, 2009
Christopher Popham Smith , Boston Massachusetts
Al Gore Where's The Gobal Warming?
It's been snowing here today! Snow in October---yikes. I thought Al Gore said that we are experiencing global warming. He's so full of it. Over $8 billion dollars spent so far by the federal government on global warming research just to 'feed' those wretched bureaucrats, dwarfing the amount we spend on AIDS research!
It's all about the money that the green industries can make. And to think that they gave a Nobel Prize and an Academy Award to Gore; all, so that the companies, in which he is invested, can reap greater profits. He's a good illusionist: I'll hand him that. Have you ever viewed his slide show 'movie'. So many of his outrageous claims are today being debunked and proven to dead wrong. The polar bear population is actually increasing!
Yesterday, I attended a Tea Party demonstration. Though poorly attended, (only about 100 people); their hearts and enthusiasm were really into the cause for defeating health care reform. It was moderated by a local conservative radio talk show host, with whom I spent some time talking. There were a number of very good speakers, one of whom is running on the Republican ticket for Kennedy's senate seat. He's got my vote primarily because the Mass. Dem. candidates are as crooked as the day is long, particularly a guy named Capuano,
who supports and got contributions from Rep. John Murtha of Penn, the private airport guy, who is under multiple House investigations for a variety of wrongdoings. Capuano had to return $30,000 given to his campaign by the Murtha people. Such a wicked web they all weave.
By the way, I read that Harry Reid, your senator, is now "the one" to put together a health care plan that all of his fellow senators agree upon....good luck to him. He's got five bills to somehow thread through the eye of a very controversial needle.
Fox News featured Senators Specter and Baucus among others tonight. Baucus really pushed the idea of co-ops as the best option, but cited Germany (?) as having one the best non-profit co-op systems. Interesting.
At the same time, in another part of Boston, there was an anti Afghan war demonstration. I spoke with a young, gung-ho Marine at my club tonight, who has heard a 'rumor' that indeed the President is considering sending 40,000 more troops to that God-forsaken, corrupt and ungrateful country of Afghanistan.
More of our young men and women losing limbs or worse yet returning home in
a coffin. And it's all to protect a proposed pipeline from Siberia,
through Afghanistan and on to Pakistani ports and into the Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean; oil and gas on its way to energy-hungry far east countries. It's all been in the works since we first entered that country in2001. This is our military/industrial complex profiteering at the expense of our brave, young troops. It's diabolical.
Also, here in Beantown, the annual Head of the Charles Regatta, a major inter-collegiate and club rowing event was on the docket over the weekend. Rowers come from all over the world to compete.
The weather was abysmal; cold, wet and windy. I used to row years ago. It isn't any fun being on the water in those conditions.
A busy day in Boston, the country and around the world.
And how was your weekend?
Popham.
Boston 10/18/09
Posted September 15, 2009
Over One Million Join Forces in Washington, D.C.
Saturday, September 12th, 2009.
It is a fact that when the Washington Mall is full, the estimate of people is 980,000. There were more than that last Saturday! The government controlled media is
either ignoring the march or failed to report it accurately. It makes me so angry.
Saturday, September 12th, 2009.
A banner day in the annals of American history. Tens of thousands of concerned citizens gathered in Washington, D.C. on this day to protest and demonstrate their disagreement with the direction in which our great nation is being taken; to tell the country and the world that we are dissatisfied and angry with our leadership. The people, who attended this event, were not just right wing conservatives or Tea Party enthusiasts. They came from all corners of the land, from every walk of life, all races, religions and political persuasions, but above they are Americans, and I for one am very proud to have been there in spirit.
Every five weeks we add $100 billion to the national debt, and if we allow this
Congress to pass exorbitant costly health care reform, cap & trade legislation
and higher taxes, then surely America is fiscally in trouble. We must not surrender
to these outrageous spending packages. We must continue to say enough
is enough; that we are indeed as mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore.
Today was the beginning of the 21st Century American Revolution and it is about
time. Yes, that's right, it's about time that we stand up for America and put a stop to
an inept, corrupt and greedy government, that does not have the best interests of
our country in view. They know that their high offices are in jeopardy for 2010, so
they persist in perpetrating their extreme left wing agendas upon us. We can and
must show them our resolve, by voting them out of office.
And so tens of thousands of Americans came together with their voices fervently
united against a government for and by the people. To quote the beginning of the
fourth paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, "That whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive of these ends (the rights of life, liberty and pursuit
of happiness), it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it.........."
My hat is off to all the People, who made the effort to be in Washington for this
momentous occasion. No matter what the government influenced main stream media
might claim; this event will be remembered and heralded as a banner day for
true American freedom. It was successful.
We can and must at this critical time in history join forces as one family of 300+
million Americans and show the world, that we are the greatest nation on earth.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Popham Smith.
Boston, Ma.
Posted October 2, 2009
By Christopher Popham Smith Boston MA
As the vitriolic main stream media and its proponents go
down into the maelstrom/cesspool of public opinion, it is no surprise that more and more people are turning off their T.V. sets and cancelling newspaper subscriptions.
The hate and fear mongering mode that your organization, major networks and cable T.V. perpetrate on the American psyche these days, continues to infuriate and consequently alienate the very Americans, who truly care about America.
By the mere commenting/reporting on vapid, insipid T.V. 'journalists' such as
Beck or Dobbs only serves to strengthen our resolve to look elsewhere for our news and information.
We do not subscribe to Drudge, let alone misguided websites such as Media Matters, but we always welcome the opportunity to respond to the incessant rantings of those who would spin the kind of unwholesome rhetoric that, for the time being, is still permitted by the 1st Amendment of our Constitution.
Respectfully,
Christopher Popham Smith.
Archives From Columnist Dr. Donald K. Allen's Page
Dr. Don Allen Columnist BNJ and 2010 Candidate Youngstown Ohio
Posted Nov 10, 2008
I just got this e-mail last night (see below). It really makes me wonder how much support any of us would have received if we had only gotten a few minutes of national media attention. This woman is from Louisiana, where I couldn't get nine (9) people to consent to be Presidential Electors for me. I got two, both veterinarians, but no more before the deadline. Same with Colorado. Those states just want a list of electors and a check for $500 to be on the ballot.Maybe now that the elections are over the media will loosen up a bit. But, hey, that's just the optimist in me! I got a call from Tom Sullivan last week and his producer e-mailed me yesterday to contact me again today. He has been the one and only talk show host (Sirius satellite radio) who has been supportive since we first talked in January. I've been on his show three times, and each time get 20k+ hits on my campaign site (546,000+ so far).I replied to Janet and thanked her. I told her that I will be running for the 6th Ohio Congressional District House of Representatives in two years and hit the presidency again in 2012. I tried to kick down the door to politics, but now I'm just trying to get my foot in.
Paula thinks I shouldn't step to a "lower" position, but she's still on board.I had ten 4' X 8' campaign signs on privately-owned vacant lots throughout the Youngstown Area. They are corrugated plastic, very durable, and are held up by T-style steel fence posts and wire ties. One in a predominantly Obama neighborhood has been scratched with a knife and knocked down twice (no, not the wind). Two others in Obama neighborhoods have disappeared all together, posts and all. They want Holy O to win in the worst way, and I'm flattered that they feel I'm such a threat. I've made some small signs with two Obama "O" symbols/logos. There is a bold-faced "F" just before them, and "LED" right after. I really despise this two-party system.Good luck to everyone today. I hope our coalition can help us in future campaigns. I start tomorrow on the 2010 election.Sincerely,Don
Posted December 15,2008
You first have to understand that Illinois is a state just outside of Chicago. Three prior Illinois governors have been imprisoned in the past 35 years! Do you think Chicago politics has anything to do with corruption of the state's highest office? I read the book, "Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago" by Mike Royko, many years ago. I remember a quote by Daley that he never took a penney himself, but he never squealed on anyone else who did. What a great guy, and now his son runs his machine! Guess what machine vaulted the O-Man to national prominence and guaranteed Illinois in the election? Do you think there are any debts owed there? Hey, guess what? The new Secretary of State is from Chicago, too! What a coincidence.
I'm originally from Rockford, IL, and graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. When will the people of this country stand up and demand an end to corruption?
When will they insist that Congress have term limits of 12 years, cumulative, maximum? The longer members of Congress stay in power, the more powerful they become, and the more likely that power has corrupted them.
Congress is filled with unindicted felons, but reelection of incumbents is 98%. Incredible. How can Massachusetts citizens reelect Barney Frank and Pennsylvania reelect John Murtha? Are they that indifferent about the people who represent them? Are they that loyal to people who have no loyalty to them or the country (Semper Fi, John)? This Nation is long overdue for a demotion of the Republican and Democratic Parties. The only way that can happen is for people in every state to elect a candidate for Congress who is nonaligned with ANY party, and who owes his electors first, not the party or Speaker of the House. Time to put a wedge in between these two pompous parties and dilute their power, bringing that power back to Americans, where it belongs. Twelve years and out!
Donald K. Allen, MS, DVM 2010 Independent Candidate for Congress , BNJ Columnist Youngstown, Ohio donkenall@peoplepc.com
Posted February 2, 2009, Submitted by
Donald K. Allen, MS, DVM 2010 Independent Candidate for Congress , BNJ Columnist Youngstown, Ohio donkenall@peoplepc.com
Top of the Month
Our new government leader is making good on some of his promises. He’s started shutting down Guantanamo, set lower fuel consumption standards, and returned funding for foreign birth control programs. How about initiating drilling for oil in ANWR and anywhere else we can find it in this country and its territorial waters? How convenient that the price of gasoline is back down and people aren’t screaming for relief at the gas pump. Will we have another gas price surge? Absolutely, it’s just a matter of time. But then the administration will say, “If we start drilling now, it will take years before we see the benefit.” So start now, President Obama!Our Congress has bailed out failing banks and bought interest in many of them, but the bank managers continue in their jobs, and nothing has changed. If a business fails, it usually fails of its own accord due to mismanagement or an unviable business plan. In the case of banks, the managers chose to skate on thinner and thinner financial ice, and believed the prosperity would never end. Businesses fail and go bankrupt all the time in this country. Less than half of small business start-ups survive four years. Nobody bails them out. They turn to another business start or work for another company. Life goes on. Failure is not a reason for rescue, but it is a reason to change your business plan, and perhaps to purge mismanagers. A bailout only postpones the inevitable failure.The American auto industry is a prime example. While other world automobile manufacturers produce very competitive and often superior products, Ford, GM, and Chrysler continue what they’ve been doing for decades. Why make Mercury vehicles nearly exact clones of Fords, with identical construction except for superficial labeling? Why does GM make the Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5, when they are basically the same car? It’s time to drop the facades and focus on making one good car instead of two twins. Maybe drop the GMC pickup trucks and only make the Chevy, or vice-versa.We have seen car makes fall by the wayside. The last DeSoto rolled off the assembly line in 1960. Plymouth disappeared in 2001, after evolving into a clone of Dodge. Instead of making cars better, Detroit chose to make manufacturing cars cheaper by sharing structure and bodywork; interchangeable parts, not improvement. Time for new thinking and world competitiveness in our auto industry, but shoring up the entrenched doctrines does not bring the revolution that is needed. After this industry “loan,” it should not be repeated.The huge public works program that will cost “we the people” more than we can ever afford is a flash in the pan. It may create jobs for the short term, but when these projects are completed, will we need another stimulus package to keep those people working? This is temporary work, not a career. It may temporarily reduce unemployment, but only for a while. Then there will be bounce back to even greater unemployment when inflation hits all the retired people in this country who are living on savings and fixed incomes from pensions, and they need to go back to work. Last month I pointed out that dumping a trillion dollars into our economy will create inflation, and what costs $7 today will cost $8 in the near future. That is because the stimulus program that is supposed to rescue our economy will create 14% inflation. Some believe a trillion won’t be enough, so look for continuing double-digit inflation. If you are retired, living on savings of $100,000, you will find that each year your buying power decreases until you can’t make ends meet. That’s what’s in store for us because we chose “hope” and “change.”
The solution is to let a free market economy function without government intervention and minimal regulation, where mismanagement is rewarded with bankruptcy and the American citizen isn’t saddled with the financial burden of bailouts. Instead, we are headed further down the path of socialism and government control of our banks, jobs, and individual futures. This is already affecting you and me, and it will definitely alter the futures of our children and theirs.* * * * * * * * * Unintended Consequences
So we will no longer be able to sequester dangerous prisoners in Guantanamo. Unintended consequence: Take no prisoners!The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act ensures that women and minorities must be paid exactly the same wage as white males performing the same work. Unintended consequence: Only hire white males!
* * * * * * * *
Unemployment Compensation
I know people who lost their jobs and said, “I’ll wait until my unemployment runs out and then find something.” A recent study showed that the average American actively looks for work 41 minutes a day, which is a lot higher than the average European at 12 minutes per day. But now that Congress has increased the number of weeks of paid unemployment from 20 to 33 weeks for states with higher than 6% unemployment, they can hold off that much longer before they get serious. Other states went from 13 weeks to 20 weeks of paid TV watching.We all now know about Ponzi schemes. Part of the Great Stimulus Plan is to increase food stamps and allow people without Social Security numbers to get benefits. Of course, that means that the seven to ten illegal aliens that are sharing the same SSAN numbers can stop that fraud and just get the goodies legally. So a Ponzi occurs when the number of people being paid exceeds the number of people paying into the plan. With more and more people receiving Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, food stamps, aid to dependent children, unemployment benefits, tax rebates, disability, federal grants, low income home energy assistance, mortgage assistance, railroad benefits, student aid and loans, veteran’s benefits, tax counseling for the elderly, etc. (I’m leaving out quite a few other free money programs from our Mother Government), the collapse is imminent. Printing more money will just feed the flames and make for a harder fall. What’s the answer? Rely on yourself and your family, and stop relying on the government. The government has never fixed anything, and from the Soviet experiment it was shown that the more that people get money for nothing, the less that working people will produce to pay for those others. Production decreases and the money dries up. Stop looking to Big Brother/Mother Government to take care of you. Do it yourself. * * * * * * *
Corporate Greed and Irresponsibility
The obscene compensation packages that corporate executives receive even when they fail in their management is one of our biggest complaints we the people have regarding Wall Street and corporate greed. To me it seems a simple solution for Congress to pass a law requiring a government-mandated clause in every corporate management contract that would provide for this. The wording should be something to the effect that if a business failure, bankruptcy, insolvency, etc. could be attributed to mismanagement, malfeasance, excessive risk, or other unsound business practice, then all compensation packages, golden parachutes, bonuses, severance packages, etc. would be null and void, and should be retroactive and anticipatory of impending future business failure. Nobody should be able to walk away from a business disaster and reap benefits while the employees of that company sometimes lose everything. Unfortunately, our taxpayer’s money in the first stimulus package (Troubled Asset Relief Program) has already been given to many banks, only to end up paying the millions in bonuses and benefits for the bank executives. Our President said, “That’s not right,” but has done nothing to correct it for the first stimulus package. end wage increases, which cause more price increases, etc, etc. This is known as a wage-price-spiral, and is the ultimate definition of inflation. In fact,
we did this back in the 70's, and it caused chaos.
The inflation caused by 100% employment under Capitalism is so bad, and so brutal, and so inherently unstable, that it simply cannot ever be allowed to happen again. And it's not just the inflation. If anyone could have any job they wanted, why then, would anyone bother to be a trash man, or a sewer inspector, or any of a myriad of other nasty jobs?
In fact, with 100% employment under Capitalism, the entire society falls apart.
This is why our southern border is wide open. This is why we legally
allow millions into the US every year. This is why we have free trade with third world countries. This is why we have unemployment and poverty. Capitalism does not function without unemployment. It's that simple. But I like Capitalism! I do. The very thought of a Socialist policy whereby the worthless idiot in the cube next to me is making the same money as I am, infuriates me. I like the competitive nature of Capitalism. I believe we need it.
Wage freezes, price freezes, not even a combination of the two will work
to solve the collapse caused by 100% employment. Eventually, basic
unsavory necessities stop, due to lack of labor.
We will, of course, have to deal with this soon enough. As Capitalism
spreads around the world, as more and more people are put to work, they
will, eventually, run out of labor. Capitalism will destroy itself.
Guaranteed. Inevitable.
And what is right about labor competing for jobs anyway? Why inflict misery on the population? Shouldn't employers be competing for labor
instead? Yes, they should. Of course they should. But that, as we know, creates problems. There are solutions. The difficulty being: that all
involve bigger government, more regulation, and an end to most of the free market. With 100% employment, someone has to decide which jobs are more important than others in order to keep the society functioning.
Someone has to decide who builds what and how much. Someone has to decide what price to charge for various goods and services. Someone has to decide who gets paid how much. Someone has to be in charge of keeping
the limited workforce in balance with the needs and desires of the
population.
That someone is the federal government. Not in its current form, of course. Could you image how screwed up things would be if we let the
current corruption machine have that much control? Well, perhaps not much worse than things are already screwed up. But the mere thought of
yet more government control is rather repulsive, I have to admit that.
And so, the solution to our problems, to end poverty, to end unemployment, to end misery all across the planet, and to prevent the
inevitable collapse of Capitalism due to its own dysfunction at high employment levels, is to completely overhaul our government. Trash it.
Start over. Build a completely new structure that eliminates corruption.
Build a system of government we can trust and rely on.
That, my friends, can be done.
Posted Nov 7, 2008
Ricahrd H. Clark
New American Independent Party
Presidential Candidate 2012
www.middleclass2008.com
Economy... what's in store for us next...
As predicted...
Stock market tanking on the October numbers. Of course, a monkey could
have made that call. No surprize at all there.
The banks are still not making loans. No surprize there either. Most of
us don't need more debt anyway. Companies will have to learn to trust
each other when they trade. Gee, just like in the old days, before we
became addicted to banks!
The October numbers will no doubt have an overall gloom effect on
business everywhere. Although it was just a bump in the numbers, caused
in no small part by the current administration-of-^%$@&^%$!&^%$-morons,
it will have a large impact. Everyone is cutting back. Taken in context
with entire countries going bankrupt, like Iceland, Ukraine and others,
and the pain is amplified. Add to that the fact that even China is
feeling the pinch, and the net result is that we're going down, down,
down. But then again, the only reason the economy ever recovers from these
types of disasters is people like my wife. Yup. Completely oblivious,
happily living the mantra of shop-till-you-drop. Too bad for her I cut
off her allowance!
In general, expect the bottom of the market to be sometime in the spring
of 2009. Figure on March or so as the utter abyss.
Market bottom in spring? Well, maybe. That's assuming that the world
doesn't drop the dollar. There are a number of reports out there that
are predicting that the USA will either default on it's debt outright, or get caught green-handed with its mitts on the printing press. Either way, we're seriously &#$% up. Consider the probability! The entire world is bailing out their banks. The entire world stock market has gone kersplat. The entire world is embarking on economic spending plans. The USA is in the process of spending roughly $2 Trillion in borrowed money to help with the crisis (give to the banks!). With the huge cut in paper wealth, where does all that money come from? It's not an infinite supply.
The entire world is
short on cash, and the USA is in borrow-by-the-truckload mode.
Estimates range from Janurary through July 2009. That's when we can't
borrow enough to meet our debt payments. Broke. Collapse. Chaos.
There are only two ways out of this for the gop/dem/msm corruption
machine. One is to raise taxes. Imagine your Federal Income Taxes going
UP 30%! The other way is to cut federal spending by 25%! Either way, the
pain given to the economy is unbearable and a depression ensues. OK,
yes, there is a third way. And that's to simply print money. Just turn
those presses on full speed. Let 'em rip! That, of course, causes
massive inflation. Anyone on a fixed income is screwed. Heck, most of us
are screwed, because the real result is that the dollar becomes
worthless to the rest of the world, and anything we import skyrockets in
price. The good news is that our exports become cheap as dirt to
everyone else. The bad news is that, no, your salary will not keep up
with inflation caused in this manner. Especially while we are in the
middle of cutting jobs anyway. You think it's bad now. Ha! You ain't
seen nothin' yet...
There is, of course, a way to fix this entire mess painlessly for all of
us.
But you were too caught up in the media trap to vote for me.
You voted for more gop/dem.
Grab your kneepads!
Reposted August 9, 2009
Originally Submitted and posted June 2, 2009
Health Care -Who Cares? I DO!
Having been in the health care field for almost 20 years, I do know a little bit about how our system works.
It doesn't work and that's the problem. The wealthiest, most powerful nation on earth is unable to provide for a universal health care program. It is, without a doubt, the most convoluted, complex menagerie of laws, provisions, premium requirements, deductibles and treatment protocol in the world and it remains above all, the most expensive.
Most of us know all these facts, but like the government and the health care industry as a whole, we are in a quandary as to a workable solution to a serious domestic issue. We simply must find a cost effective way of insuring every single eligible American, whether it be for an emergency broken ankle, heart attack,
stroke or long term care. Yes, it's true. If we can spend hundreds of billions of dollars on sending astronauts into space, maintain the exorbitant expense of two failing war efforts; bail out greedy banking institutions, inept insurance companies and automobile giants, then in the name of all that is scared in America, why can't we
protect ourselves from the vagaries of an inadequate health care system? What is going on here?
Next to properly educating our precious children, the physical health of our nation should indeed be of the highest priority.
The first concept of "health insurance" was offered up in 1694. In the late 19th century "accident insurance", similar to disability insurance became available. In 1850, accident insurance was first presented by the Franklin Health Assurance Company of Massachusetts. By 1866, there were 60 such organizations.
The industry soon consolidated and rapidly began to include the origins of sickness coverage in 1890, while the first employer-sponsored group disability policy emerged in 1911. In the mid to late 20th century, disability evolved into modern health insurance programs, (HMO's), including the cost of routine, preventative, and emergency care procedures and most prescription drugs, though this was not always the case.
O.K. A health insurance policy is a contract between an insurance company and an individual or his sponsor (e.g. his employer). The contract is renewed annually or monthly. Health care costs are defined in advance in the contract or "Evidence of Coverage" booklet, and include definitions of: -Premium, -Deductible, -Co-payment, -Co-insurance (percentage of total cost of surgery), -Exclusions (not all services covered, patient required to pay for these out of pocket), -Coverage limits (health plan ceases payments when the maximum benefit is reached), -Out of pocket maximums (sometimes apply to a specific benefit category such as prescriptions or to all coverage provided during a specific year), -Capitation (amount paid by insurer to the health care provider, for which the provider/doctor agrees to treat all members of the insurer),
-Network provider (preselected list of doctors which allows for better discounting of benefits),-Prior authorization, (certification and authorization of services rendered) and finally - -Explanation of benefits, a document sent to a patient explaining covered services and patient responsibility amount. So there you have it---a basic outline of health plan insurers' requirements.Not so complicated, but a lot to absorb. So how can this egregious system with its pathetic pitfalls, loopholes and shortcomings be made to work for all Americans at a reasonable cost?
The current Administration and Congress are once again, to the best of my understanding, trying to pilfer the health care system from the private sector and place the entire scope of a "Universal Health Care" plan under the control of the U.S. government. Many worry that they will ultimately plunder such a plan, as they have already done with Medicare, which will be 'bankrupt' in ten years or less. Should we indeed allow our Congressmen and women, through inappropriate lawmaking, usurp our basic right to well-managed health care at a reasonable expense to all? The answer of course is a definite NO. This is not to say thatthey should not play a participating role in order to protect and promote a viable health care system, but total control should be out of the question. We, the American people, cannot extend our trust to a legislative body already guilty of plundering Medicare to pay for wars. The war is here at home. The war to be won is the onefacing us here; to provide a good, solid health care system for all American citizens, bar none.
We must find a way to provide the best health care for every man, woman and child.
And there is an alternative plan. Unfortunately, it would seriously dilute the power and control that the health care industry currently holds, and the potential control that Washington is proposing. We all know that politics,
campaign contributions, lobbyists, and generalized ineptitude and greed, mixed in with a lack of an apparent disconnection with what is best for our country, all adds up to gross failure, and in this particular case, to incorrectly serving our country for the betterment of all.
Finally, and paraphrased from a comment that I wrote recently for the Huffington Post on 5/25/09.
It is all very well and good to compare our health care system with other countries and try to create the best possible "Universal" one for all Americans. There are alternative programs and initiatives that might help to solve the dilemma of making sure that every American has full coverage health care, for their lifetime. There is the Alexander McGee Medical Plan. It may not be perfect in the complex world of health care, but the idea of medical co-op ownership, instead of costly private insurance, could be made available to every citizen (on a tier basis, according to their ability to pay a modest premium) at a cost considerably
lower than any of the competing health insurers. It is an ownership program under which everything is covered: long-term, short-term, regular doctor visits to your PCP, and any and all surgery. Each eligible person would pay into the co-op. The Heritage Foundation's latest mean estimates place insurance for a single person at an annualized cost of $4704!!! A family's cost is at about $12,680!!! I myself gave up my Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance last fall. The monthly premiums had risen to $754 a month!!!
So what if a co-op system was put in place? Well, let's say the average family paid in $5000 a year and an individual paid $2000 a year. For the sake of round figures, let's say there are about 110 million families in the U.S. and at least 50 million single workers. If my math is correct, that would fund the co-op with about $560 billion a year. That's right--half a trilion dollars! Health care spending for 2008 amounted to $2.4 trillion. Therefor, in a few short years, we could engender a viable and cost effective health care program for all Americans. Additionally, as a member of the co-op, if you do not make a claim or get sick during the course of a year; in other words you remain healthy, then the co-op sends you a modest dividend payment at the end of the year, similar to owning stock in a thriving company.
I know----the health care industry will see this as a direct threat to their business, but it is time, as our President has indicated, to settle on a quality Universal Health Care system that works for every one. They will no doubt squawk and lobby against any such proposal, but this is a very good alternative, that Congress should consider. This would be good for America. Private insurance companies could be phased out and their respective personnel 're-employed' by the co-op. Their experience in the field would be invaluable in setting up the program.
In closing, I would urge you all, if you like the ideas presented here to contact your national legislators and inform them that that there is another way of providing health care. This is not just a mundane domestic issue. It has been debated with flawed legislation for too many years. It is time to act; to seriously consider what is best for America. It is imperative now that all parties participate to ameliorate this national dilemma. In a distressed economic climate, it would perhaps be a good and positive move to make cost-effective health insurance a reality, to which all Americans could look forward.
Respectfully submitted by,
Christopher Popham Smith.
Boston, Ma.
Math Contribution by The Master Educator Steve White -Henderson NV
