myTPM | CVille Dem's Blog

My Recent Bill for Lab Work

October 29, 2009, 8:03PM

I just got a bill today for labwork.
CBC: $37Metabolic Panel: 46 Lipid Panel: 93 TSH: 94 Total: $270
ADJUSTMENTS: ($234.41) Meaning, the write-off that my insurance company has negotiated.
INSURANCE PAID: ($28.48) The amount (out of $270 that my insurance paid)
BALANCE Due: $7.11 -- What I owe.
Why is the original fee so outrageously out of proportion to what they got paid, which is a grand total of $35.59?! Do people without insurance pay the total? Does anyone? What is going on here?
In my job I personally run TSH's, and it costs ( just for supplies) around $10 to run. That is before considering drawing he blood, and the human work involved, not including disposal of waste, etc.
I am baffled by this. Someone is paying the difference. Who is it?

Andrew Golis! Thanks and Farewell

October 29, 2009, 7:42PM

I don't know how long Andrew has been here, but I have always found him to be fair and a hard- worker on this site. I haven't seen him around here for a while, but I hope that he realizes how much many of us appreciate his efforts here.
Good luck, Andrew, and thanks for all the fish!

What Can Working People do to Push the Public Option?

August 31, 2009, 7:55PM

I just got an email from Tom Periello (D - VA), who BTW is not certain what he will back as far as legislation is concerned for Health Care Reform. He is having a "rally" next Tuesday from 8 am to 9 am about health care reform. I thought, okay, so who can go to that? Not me, since I have to be at work at 8 am. Will it be a bunch of Medicare recipients who have bitten the bullet of fear from the republicans, which is what I see on most of the tv and internet coverage; people who are comfortable and worried that their coverage will be compromised based on the "Death Panel" rhetoric from the far-right.
I started thinking, "What can we do?" A book-club member suggested printing out dollar-shaped flyers, and passing them out whenever you pay for anything: McDonald's, CVS, the bank, whatever: Print out a little flyer that says: "I support Universal Health Care Reform!"
....and whatever you might want to add. I think it is a great idea -- talk about grass-roots! I started doing it yesterday, and got some conversations going. For all of us who cannot go to rallies and stand up to be counted physically, why not pass out a message to all of those we deal with day to day?
The message continues that reform is losing steam. Show that it isn't true!
Any other ideas?

August 8th 1974 - Nixon Resigns - August 8th 2009 --> It's up to Us!

August 8, 2009, 10:35PM

I was at the Kennedy Center, and the Bolshoi Ballet was performing Raymunda, an exquisite ballet; a perfect performance. I don't remember if it happened at intermission, or just between acts, but the curtains came down, and a huge screen lowered. No one knew what was coming, but then it happened; Nixon resigned. Sorry, it's in two parts.

This was a time that was very tense with the Soviets, and Mikhail Baryshnikov defected that same year; he had to do it by escaping his KGB handlers while he was in Canada. It's hard to remember what it was like then, but the philosophy of "mutually assured destruction" was supposedly the only thing that kept the US and the USSR from dropping the big ones on each other.

I remember thinking as I watched Nixon doing his best to maintain some dignity as he resigned in disgrace, that these Russian dancers must be amazed at this peaceful change of power. Surely if our President, who was clearly unworthy to lead, stepped down and our process kept our government going, we had a truly great government that mere men could not bring down.

I remember feeling a little bit afraid, but also proud, and especially with the Bolshoi Ballet as our personal witnesses to this event.

Well, there's been a lot of water under the bridge since then, and I personally think we have lost our way. What Nixon did pales in comparison to the Bush/Cheney regime, and they not only never were held accountable, but proudly tout their many failures as examples of their toughness and patriotism. Using fear as a tactic, they stoked it and managed to invade a country that was of no danger to us, and they kept the war so antiseptic, that few really feared Iraqis by the time they left office.

But to fill the void of fear, the party of Nixon, Bush and Cheney has now focused on our very own President. He is to be feared, because how else would they gain power? Because there is no reason to fear him, they have to invent things, such as questioning his legitimacy of birth; saying he includes a "Death Panel" in his health care reform; and more. This fabricated fear is a cynical and malevolent threat to us all.

If we don't get back on track with this good, intelligent, and capable man, I just don't know if we ever can. If we don't educate the ignorant, defuse the hate, and take away the power from those who use it against the very substance of our country, we will lose it, and our children's futures.

It's time to get serious.

This is a Republican Email, In case anyone is Interested

August 7, 2009, 2:04PM

I just received this from a republican co-worker:

Subject: Obama Health Care Plan Details

Everyone knows abortion and euthanasia counseling are included in the health care bill. But there is more that should be a source of concern.

The following is a brief outline of this bill put together by Mat Staver of the Freedom Foundation and Liberty Counsel (contact info is at the end). The comments by the brief are by Staver.

Obama Health Care Plan Details

HR 3200 currently under consideration in the House of Representatives

Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Govt will audit the books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure!!

Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC bill - THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get

Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill - YOUR HEALTHCARE IS RATIONED!!!

Pg 42 of HC Bill - The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your benefits for you. You have no choice!

Pg 50 Section 152 in HC bill - HC will be provided to ALL non US citizens, illegal or otherwise

Pg 58HC Bill - Gov't will have real-time access to individual's finances & a National ID Health care card will be issued!

Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Govt will have direct access to your banks accts for electronic funds transfer.

Pg 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in Unions & community orgs (ACORN).

Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating an HC Exchange to bring priv HC plans under Govt control.

Pg 84 Sec 203 HC bill - Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private Health Care plans in the Exchange

Pg 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs for of Benefit Levels for Plans = The Govt will ration your Healthcare!

Pg 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Govt mandates linguistic appropriate services.

Example - Translation for illegal aliens.

Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Govt will use groups i.e., ACORN & Americorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan

Pg 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of Ben Levels 4 Plans. #AARP members - Your Health Care WILL be rationed

Pg 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Individual will be automat.enrolled in Medicaid. No choice.

Pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue Govt on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt Monopoly.

Pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/ #AMA - The Govt will tell YOU what you can make.

Pg 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into public opt plan. NO CHOICE

Pg 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for HC for part time employees AND their families.

Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer w/ payroll 400k & above who does not prov. pub opt. pays 8% tax on all payroll

Pg 150 Lines 9-13 Biz w payroll btw 251k & 400k who doesnt provide public opt pays 2-6% tax on all payroll Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesnt have acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income.

Pg 170 Lines 1-3 Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay).

Pg 195 Officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans financial and personal records.

Pg 203 Line 14-15 HC - "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax" Yes, it says that. Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected.

Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors, it does not matter what specialty you have, you'll all be paid the same.

Pg 253 Line 10-18 Govt sets value of Dr's time, prof judg, etc. Literally value of humans.

Pg 265 Sec 1131Govt mandates & controls productivity for private HC industries.

Pg 268 Sec 1141 Fed Govt regulates rental & purchase of power driven wheelchairs.

Pg 272 SEC. 1145. Treatment of certain cancer hospitals - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!

Page 280 Sec 1151 The Govt will penalize hospitals for what Govt deems preventable readmissions. (Incentives for hospital to not treat and release.)

Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Drs, treat a patient during initial admission that results in a readmission-Govt will penalize you.

Pg 317 L 13-20 PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Govt tells Drs. what/how much they can own.

Pg 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is mandating hospitals cannot expand.

pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input required. Can you say ACORN?!!

Pg335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Govt mandates established of outcome based measures. HC the way they want. Rationing.

Pg 341 Lines 3-9 Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans (Part B), HMOs, etc. Forcing people into Govt plan.

Pg 354 Sec 1177 - Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs people!

Pg 379 Sec 1191 Govt creates more bureaucracy - Telehealth Advisory Committee. HC by phone/Internet?

Pg 425 Lines 4-12 Govt mandates Advance [Death] Care Planning Consult. Think Senior Citizens end of life.

Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Govt will instruct & consult regarding living wills, durable powers of atty. Mandatory!

Pg 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Gov't provides approved list of end of life resources, guiding you in death.

Pg 427 Lines 15-24 Govt mandates program for orders for end of life. The Gov't has a say in how your life ends.

Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An "adv. care planning consult" will be used frequently as patients health deteriorates.

Pg 429 Lines 10-12 "adv. care consultation" may incl an ORDER for end of life plans. AN ORDER from GOV

Pg 429 Lines 13-25 - The govt will specify which Doctors can write an end of life order.

PG 430 Lines 11-15 The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life

(NOTE FROM RJ: The above really does give the government the authority to determine who lives and dies, and when. A government bureaucrat really will be making this decision for you and your loved ones.)

Pg 469 - Community Based Home Medical Services=Non profit orgs. Hello, ACORN Medical Svcs here!!?

Pg 472 Lines 14-17 PAYMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORG. 1 monthly payment to a community-based org. Like ACORN?

Pg 489 Sec 1308 The Govt will cover Marriage & Family therapy. They will insert Government into your marriage. Pg 494-498 Govt will cover Mental Health Svcs including defining, creating, rationing those svcs

PG 502 Sec 1181 Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research Established. - Hello Big Brother - Literally.

Pg 503 Lines 13-19 Gov't will build registries and data networks from YOUR electronic med records.

Pg 503 lines 21-25 Gov't may secure data directly from any depart or agency of the US including your data.

Pg 504 Lines 6-10 The "Center" will collect data both published & unpublished (that means public & your private info)

PG 506 Lines 19-21 The Center will recommend policies that would allow for public access of data.

PG 518 Lines 21-25 The Commission will have input from HC consumer reps - Can you say unions & ACORN?

PG 524 18-22 Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund set up. More taxes for ALL.

PG 621 Lines 20-25 Gov't will define what Quality means in HC. Since when does Gov't know about quality?

Pg 622 Lines 2-9 To pay for the Quality Standards, Govt will transfer $$ from to other Govt Trust Funds. More Taxes.

PG 624 "Quality" measures shall be designed to assess outcomes & functional status of patients.

PG 624 "Quality" measures shall be designed to profile you including race, age, gender, place of residence, etc

Pg 628 Sec 1443 Gov't will give "Multi-Stake Holders" Pre-Rule Making input into Selection of "Quality" Measures.

Pg 630 9-24/631 1-9 Those Multi-stake holder groups incl. Unions & groups like ACORN deciding HC quality.

Pg 632 Lines 14-25 The Gov't may implement any "Quality measure" of HC Services as they see fit.

PG 633 14-25/ 634 1-9 The Secretary may issue non-endorsed "Quality Measures" for Physician Services & Dialysis Services.

Pg 635 to 653 Physicians Payments Sunshine Provision - Gov't wants to shine sunlight on Docs but not Govt.

Pg 654-659 Public Reporting on Health Care-Associated Infections - Looks okay.

PG 660-671 Doctors in Residency - Gov't will tell you where your residency will be, thus where you'll live.

Pg 676-686 Gov't will regulate hospitals in EVERY aspect of residency programs, incl. teaching hospitals.

Pg 686-700 Increased Funding to Fight Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. You mean like the Gov't with an $18 million website?

PGs 701-704 Sec 1619 If your part of HC plan isn't in Gov't HC Exchange but you qualify for Fed aid, no payment.

PG 705-709 SEC. 1128 If Secr gets complaints (ACORN) on HC provider or supplier, Gov't can do background check.

PG 711 Lines 8-14 The Secretary has broad powers to deny HC providers/ suppliers admittance into HC Exchange. Your doctor could be thrown out of business.

Pg 719-720 Sec 1637 ANY Doctor who orders durable med equip or home med services MUST be enrolled in Medicare.

PG 722 Sec 1639 Gov't MANDATES Doctors must have face to face with patient to certify patient for Home Health Svcs.

PG 724 23-25 PG 725 1-5 The same Gov't certifications will apply to Medicaid & CHIP (your kids)

PG 724 Lines 16-22 Gov't reserves rt to apply face to face certification for patient to ANY other HC service.

Pg 735 lines 16-25 For law enforce. proposes the Secretary-HHS will give Atty General access to ALL data.

PG 740-757 Gov't sets guidelines for subsidizing the uninsured (Thats your tax dollars people)

Pg 757-762 Fed gov't will shift burden of payments to Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) to States. (Taxes)

Pg 763 1-8 No DS/EA hospitals will be paid unless they provide services without regard to national origin

Pg 765 Sec 1711 Gov't will require Preventative Services including vaccines. (Choice?)

Pg 768 Sec 1713 Gov't - Nurse Home Visitation Svcs (Hello union paybacks)

Pg 769 11-14 Nurse Home Visit Svcs include-economic self-sufficiency, employ adv, school-readiness.

Pg 769 3-5 Nurse Home Visit Services - "increasing birth intervals between pregnancies." Govt ABORTIONS anyone

Pg 770 SEC 1714 Fed Gov't mandates eligibility for State Family Planning Services. Abortion & State Sovereign.

Pg 789-797 Gov't will set, mandate drug prices, controlling which drugs brought to market. Bye innovation.

Pgs 797-800 SEC. 1744 PAYMENTS for graduate medical education. The government will now control Drs' education.

PG 801 Sec 1751 The Govt will decide which Health care conditions will be paid. Say RATION!

Pg 810 SEC. 1759. Billing Agents, clearinghouses, etc req. to register. Gov't takes over private payment sys.

Pg 820-824 Sec 1801 Govt will identify individ. ineligible for subsidies. Will access all personal financial information.

Pg 824-829 SEC. 1802. Govt Sets up Comparative Effectiveness Research= Trust Fund. Another tax black hole.

PG 829-833 Gov't will impose a fee on ALL private health ins. plans incl. self insured to pay for Trust Fund!

PG 835 11-13 fees imposed by Gov't for Trust Fund shall be treated as if they were taxes.

Pg 838-840 Gov't will design & implement Home Visitation Program for families with young kids & families expect kids.

PG 844-845 This Home Visitation Prog. includes Gov't coming into your house & telling you how to parent!!!

Pg 859 Gov't will establish a Public Health Fund at a cost of $88,800,000,000. Yes that's Billion.

Pg 865 The Gov't will MANDATE the establishment of a National Health Service Corps.

PG 865 to 876 The NHS Corps is a program where Drs. perform mandatory HC for 2yrs for part loan repayment.

PG 876-892 The govt takes over the education of our Med students and Drs.

PG 898 The Govt will establish a Public Health Workforce Corps to ensure supply of public health prof.

PG 898 The Public health workforce corps shall consist of civilian employees of the U.S. as Secretary deems.

PG 898 The Public health workforce corps shall consist of officers of Regular & Reserve Corps of Service.

PG 900 The Public Health Workforce Corps includes veterinarians.

PG 901 The Public Health Workforce Corps WILL include commissioned Regular & Reserve Officers. HC Draft?

PG 910 The Govt will develop, build & run Public Health Training Centers.

PG 913-914 Govt starts a HC affirmative action program thru guise of diversity scholarships.

PG 915 SEC. 2251. Govt MANDDATES Cultural & linguistic competency training for HC professionals.

Pg 932 The Govt will estab Preventative & Wellness Trust fund- initial cost of $30,800,000,000-Billion.

PG 935 21-22 Govt will identify specific goals & objectives for prevention & wellness activities. Control YOU!!

PG 936 Govt will develop "Healthy People & National Public Health Perform. Standards" Tell me what to eat?

PG 942 Lines 22-25 More Gov't? Offices of Surgeon General -Public Health Svc, Minority Health, Women's Health

PG 950- 980 BIG GOV'T core pub health infrastructure including workforce capacity, lab systems; health info sys, etc

PG 993 Gov't will establish school based health clinics. Your kids won't have a chance.

PG 994 School Based Health Clinic will be integrated into the school environment. Say GOVT Brainwash!

PG 1001 The Govt will establish a National Medical Device Registry. Will you be tracked?

Anyone have any ideas?

Howard Dean -- He May Be Our Only Hope

July 27, 2009, 9:26PM

Howard Dean, on Rachel Maddow tonight, discussed the differences between health INSURANCE reform, versus health CARE reform, among other topics. He succinctly spells it out, and he will be hosting the Keith Olberman hour for two nights. To all of you who might have tired of Keith's dog and pony show (including myself), I would encourage all of us to tune in to what Dr. Dean has to say. He is totally committed to the Public Option -- which is threatened from what I hear today.

It looks like we are losing this fight. Why? Only because of lies and fear-mongering. The only way to fight it is with fire. Let's see what Howard Dean suggests, but it is time to let all our Senators and Congressmen know that we care about this. If we can't pull this off with the numbers we have in the Senate, the House, and the White House (only because of the desire to appease republicans) then it is time to tell the Democrats that we will not show up next time. This is not what we worked, donated and voted for. It is time for them to stand up for us. If they have to appease the minority, then let them know what it feels like to BE a minority.

I worked and donated and voted for an ideal. Howard Dean still talks that talk. Why is he shut out from the administration? Why isn't he the Surgeon General? I am NOT happy with the direction we are headed. Can anyon cheer me up?

Maybe It's Time to Have a Blog Delay Function

July 24, 2009, 11:57AM

I hate to say this, because it goes against the way TPM has always worked, but today's spam posts make me think that perhaps the way around them is to have a review of blog posts before they actually appear on the site. I know it would mean someone would have to take on that job, but the mess we have today will only get worse if there isn't a little problem-solving to counter-act it. So as to allow those who blog late at night, I have a suggestion. A committee of "Trusted Users," (which was a feature when I first came here several years ago). But those users could take shifts, doing the work of checking out the legitimacy of blogs vs spam -- obviously I am not talking about censorship; only spam elimination.
I don't know how many legitimate blogs go up in a typical day, but it really would only require someone checking the title, which would eliminate most of the tripe. Once they would get wise to that, a review of a para or two would let the management know if the blog was real or spam, and put it out there.
Any ideas on this?

MOST FOLLOWED USERS?

July 12, 2009, 8:11PM

I was floating around, and just happened to notice the list of the "most followed users," and I realized that many of them haven't posted anything for quite some time. I wonder if it might be more helpful -- if there is to be a list at all -- that the list reflect the most "hits" on blogs posted by people? Or the most recommended?
I ask this as someone who doesn't regularly blog -- only when I feel I have something to say, and so I am not in contention here. I just wonder what the point is of having old, moldy lists of people who have moved on as "most followed users." It seems to me it doesn't provide any useful information.
Ideas?

Health Care Public Service Announcement -- It's Time!

June 27, 2009, 8:35PM

This Wednesday, the President will hold a town-hall on Health Care and the White House is asking for input. To learn more about how to submit a question, read here.
This is it, boys and girls! Time to put up or shut up! Don't hold back! Gather your thoughts, and give your ideas!

The Republicans Have Figured Out What To Do About Their Scandalous Behavior!

June 27, 2009, 10:00AM

Seriously, folks, there is a real discussion going on in the Party of Family Values about what they need to do about all these pols among them who just can't behave. Are they going to have prayer meetings to help their flocks realize the error of their ways? No. Are they going to get strict, and kick people out of office when they behave like randy school-boys? No. Are they going to do some soul-searching and try to be better? No. They are going to change the subject because all that "family values stuff" is coming back to bite them in their collective butts.
Some musings:

...by resorting to that kind of moral values rhetoric," said Mike Maslansky, CEO of Luntz Maslansky, a predominantly conservative communications firm. "I don't say rhetoric as a means of demeaning it. Talking in those terms is a way to appeal to the base. In an election season they find it is a significant advantage to talk in those terms. Maybe for the other three years out of their term they wish that they hadn't."

The GOP, to be certain, will never get to a point where it willfully cedes the moral high ground to Democrats. The social and religious conservatives who comprise a large and vocal portion of the base won't permit such a drift.
"Look, of course, we are the conservative party and we are going to have a conservative message," said Donatelli. "But I do think by talking a little bit more about economic opportunity that we as a party want to offer both at the national and state level, that is what we can do I think to broaden our ranks."
Could it be that they finally have reached the capacity to feel shame? No. I think it is just that they realize they might get called on it.

TPM Limerick Contest

June 7, 2009, 10:55AM

Come one, come all, and fear not!

I wanted to make this non-political, but this first one just came to me and I had to put it out here:

There once was a man named Dick Cheney...

A guy who loved to inflict pain, he

Shot his friend in the face--

Oh, What a disgrace!

His next gig should be convict trainee.

These are the rules:

1. No rules!

2. Have fun!

Some good news from Washington -- Max Baucus in Trouble with his Constituents over his Treatment of Single Payer Advocates!

June 1, 2009, 4:53PM

Here is something that just might help to lift our spirits over here in TPM-Land: Max Baucus sent his staff to hear his constituents, and they got an earful!

Five separate accounts of the meetings, published in four different local papers, show Montana voters were downright hostile to Baucus' reform proposal. Baucus has been a staunch opponent of single-payer health care, a system in which the government would provide universal coverage.

Baucus has kept single-payer advocates out of negotiations and has yet to endorse a compromise proposal by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) that would give Americans the option of buying into a publicly run plan that would compete with private insurers.

That stance put his staffers up against a wall, facing angry constituents fed up by what they viewed as a lack of courage in Washington.

"Majority wants single-payer health care," headlined an account in the Helena Independent Record.

But read the whole article. It will make you feel warm and fuzzy in this troubled time.

Dear President Barack Obama

May 18, 2009, 9:47PM

Dear President Barack Obama,

I worked for you and I put my money out there for you. Although I paid for 3 tickets, I missed your speech in Charlottesville, because my son's football award ceremony was changed to the night you were here (his original ceremony was rained out). I really regret that, but only the weather part! I did manage to see Michelle when she came here with Lilly Ledbetter and Jill Biden, and I had a great time - it was so inspiring.

I heard your speech at Notre Dame, and regardless of all the other things that people might say, the main thing I heard was that you aren't afraid to discuss things that people disagree about - vehemently. I was impressed with what you said, and am glad you said it. The pundits predicted that you would avoid the subject, but you did not. Good for you!

OK. Now I am warming up to some things that matter a lot to me. There are many of them, but I will limit myself to three, which I think our country's reputation and future depend on:

Don't Ask Don't Tell. You know this is wrong, and yet under your watch as Commander In Chief, you have allowed at least two talented people get thrown away professionally. This is a loss for them, which is beyond terrible, but is also a loss for our country. Not only do we lose their talents and gifts, we also lose yet another "chip" in our stature as a country that holds that all people are equal. You could fix this. Who cares if 28% of the electorate hate homosexuals? They have no business being in charge of our policies. It is up to you. Do the right thing.

Torture. I know you don't want to go on a witch hunt, but the fact is, that our country has been damaged severely by this clearly approved policy. Jonathan Turley said it best: "We don't need a Truth Commission." We know the truth. We need to investigate and, if warranted, charge those who are guilty of crimes. If we "look forward" instead of doing what is right, how are we different from the sheriffs of the old South who let 'the good ole boys ' get away with cruelty and worse during the 60's?

Pictures? If we do what is right, those pictures will only show that our country does the right thing. You are a Constitutional Scholar. Surely you don't believe that those who dismissed the rule of law of our country should just go on with their lives so that we can all "look forward, rather than back." We survived Nixon. It is up to you to decide if we will survive Bush/Cheney.

Universal, Single-Payer Health Care: I know you did not run on this, but just realize that the only way we can truly reform our health care is to spend every health care dollar on health care! Not on advertising, stockholders, paper, employees in every medical office who spend all day wading through the morass which is INSURANCE! And not saving money by denying needed care, or refusing to cover those who are actually, um...sick!

If you pass UNIVERSAL SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE, it will guarantee a Democratic electorate for the next 50 years. The republicans know this, because they see what happened in England. Please, don't fall for their scare tactics, and please understand that whatever the insurance company and hospitals withhold from campaign contributions will be dwarfed by the grassroots who will support the Democrats who stood up for all of us.

Please, Please don't let us down!

Obama At Notre Dame - Live Blog

May 17, 2009, 2:18PM

Well, he certainly got a rousing reception! It will be interesting to see how the likes of David Gregory, Pat Buchanan et al, spin this. Comments!

Tea Party Reporting

April 12, 2009, 8:11PM

Huffpo is asking people to report on April 15th TeaParties. I have volunteered, and was surprised to note the large number of speakers scheduled for Charlottesville this Wednesday (including my neighbor, Lawrence Eagleburger). To find out what was scheduled, I just went to Google and after a few false starts, got the agenda for 3 - 6 pm this Wednesday.

I recently got a digital voice recorder, and already have a digital camera. I am planning to cover this event INCOGNITO. I would invite all TPMer's to check out local events and report on them.

What drove me to this, was a clip of burn the books.

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CVille Dem

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Location Charlottesville, Virginia
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Favorite Blogs Huffington Post, The Zoo, Think Progress, and of course TPM
Favorite Books Authors: Neville Shute, Tom Robbins, John Kenneth Galbraith
Favorite Quotes "Yes, of course you can, Jan." "60 is the new 59!" "I shall miss your ass in my window."

Bio

The first thing I did when I turned 16 was go out and apply for a passport. I've travelled widely, and lived in Europe for a while. I have 3 children; 23 (girl) 19 (boy twins), and after staying home with them for 17 years, I went back to nursing 3 years ago. It was hard to find someone to hire me, but I am in a wonderful office (infertility, ivf, etc) and work with great people.

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