Based on company financial reports filed with the Security and Exchange Commission for 2009, the five largest health insurance companies racked up a combined profit of $12.2 billion, up 56% from 2008. That according to a report by "Health Care for America Now."
Other information in the report showed the companies covered 2.7 million people less than the year before and that three of the five insurers cut the propotion of premiums they spent on their customers medical care, committing relatively more to salaries, administration expenses and profits.
The latest poll shows that the people still oppose health care reform. They have been duped by both the republicans and the insurance industry and have failed to think for themselves based on what is taking place with the health care debate and how insurance companies are manipulating the facts.
Health insurer WellPoint, one of the five insurers in the report, in a separate report announced a 39% increase in rates for some California customers of its Anthem Blue Cross plan. These are the same people who said Health Care legislation would raise insurance rates. Yet they are raising rates like they do every year and the country does not have Health Care legislation at this writing. The insurance people lie just like the oil and gas industry.
It is time for state and federal regulators to step in and do what is necessary to change the outrageous behavior of these people. Their obscene profits and rate increases come at a time when the people are still trying to find jobs because of the recession. Insurance companies have no conscious and their monopoly has to come to an end.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The NFL, Corporate Welfare, Tax Incentives And The Transfer Of Wealth
The Super Bowl is the venue that chooses the world champion in pro football. The NFL created an event where the hype is larger than the game itself. It is a celebrity affair drooling with money. The NFL and its franchise owners are a wealthy bunch and the value of their franchises are going thru the roof. Yet they use their wealth to entice city and states to give them corporate welfare and other tax breaks that are unnecessary. Politicians are ready to dole out the concessions to these wealth builders that reduce state revenue. States find themselves with budget deficits because of those special interest give aways. The states and cities are being screwed by the elected officials, the NFL and its franchise owners.
The Oil and Gas industry has been the recipient of tax breaks for over 40 years, yet the nation is dependent on foreign oil more now than ever before. They even want the breaks when oil is $150 barrel and their profits are at an all time high. They have millions of acres of land they own or lease and have yet to drill one well on but still want the government to open up new lands for drilling. The price of oil and gas is manipulated according to supply and demand so the U.S. will always be dependent on foreign oil.
Defense contractors have cost over runs on a daily basis on their contracts with the government. The practice has been wide spread and on going for many years to the tune of billions of dollars that cost the tax payers.
Wall Street and the financial industry engineered the collapse of the economy and was caused by greed because the wealth of those two industries wanted more wealth. They used sub primed mortgages as their vehicle to more wealth.
David Broder, a Washington Post journalist reported a government report that showed between the third quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2009 house hold net worth fell by $17.5 trillion which was the equivalent to more than one years GDP. All but two months happened on the republican watch. That's the GOP who cater to wealth.
Federal and state governments are drowning in give aways to special interest groups which do nothing but transfer wealth from the average American to the wealthy. State governments are getting as bad as the federal government with corporate welfare. All at a time when the peoples needs are the greatest burden.
Our system of fairness in government is a thing of the past because the wealth of special interest groups and their clout are one sided. The problem has also destroyed the free enterprise system that we like to brag about because the system is stacked to favor the wealthy and eliminates competition. If any one thinks the meltdown of the economy and the transfer of wealth just happened, wake your self up.
The voters can change elected officials all they want but if the give aways to special interest is not reversed, nothing will change. That says it all.
The Oil and Gas industry has been the recipient of tax breaks for over 40 years, yet the nation is dependent on foreign oil more now than ever before. They even want the breaks when oil is $150 barrel and their profits are at an all time high. They have millions of acres of land they own or lease and have yet to drill one well on but still want the government to open up new lands for drilling. The price of oil and gas is manipulated according to supply and demand so the U.S. will always be dependent on foreign oil.
Defense contractors have cost over runs on a daily basis on their contracts with the government. The practice has been wide spread and on going for many years to the tune of billions of dollars that cost the tax payers.
Wall Street and the financial industry engineered the collapse of the economy and was caused by greed because the wealth of those two industries wanted more wealth. They used sub primed mortgages as their vehicle to more wealth.
David Broder, a Washington Post journalist reported a government report that showed between the third quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2009 house hold net worth fell by $17.5 trillion which was the equivalent to more than one years GDP. All but two months happened on the republican watch. That's the GOP who cater to wealth.
Federal and state governments are drowning in give aways to special interest groups which do nothing but transfer wealth from the average American to the wealthy. State governments are getting as bad as the federal government with corporate welfare. All at a time when the peoples needs are the greatest burden.
Our system of fairness in government is a thing of the past because the wealth of special interest groups and their clout are one sided. The problem has also destroyed the free enterprise system that we like to brag about because the system is stacked to favor the wealthy and eliminates competition. If any one thinks the meltdown of the economy and the transfer of wealth just happened, wake your self up.
The voters can change elected officials all they want but if the give aways to special interest is not reversed, nothing will change. That says it all.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Mitch Landrieu, Mayor Elect, City of New Orleans
Congratulation to Louisiana Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu on his election on February 7 to be the next Mayor of New Orleans. Mitch was chosen in the first primary by almost 70% of the voters which was unprecedented. Mitch"s five opponents never had a chance the vote was so overwhelming.
Mr. Landrieu was a four term state representative and has been Lt. Governor for six years. His political life is a tribute to a family that believes in public service. Father Moon Landrieu was elected Mayor and served two terms ending in 1978. His sister Mary has been a U.S. Senator for twelve years and another sister Madeleine is a Civil District Court Judge. They are a family with courage that never run from a fight.
Mayor elect Landrieu understands the needs of the city and its people and the voters responded. The vote had no racial over tones and the majority of white and black voters gave their approval to Mr. Landrieu. He carried all but one of over 300 precincts in the city, that is how broad the consensus was for the mayor elect. There was no people division on this election day.
Mayor elect Landrieu faces a lot of challenges. The aftermath of Katrina is still with the city, the crime rate, streets that are in terrible condition, jobs, parts of the city that are dying and a host of other problems. But Landrieu is a political person who has heart and can get things done. He understands how government works and how it can be a positive factor in people's lives. He also understands what public service means. The following statements were made by Landrieu in his acceptance speech. It is worth while to read and hear the words again because it defines who Landrieu is as a person.
The people of New Orleans have called us to work hard. So we should accept the call. The people have asked us to sacrifice, and so we should. But the only way to do that is for us to seek, to find and to secure higher common ground where we come together as one people and do what is necessary to secure our future.
Every day during the campaign, I carried this card in my hand, and you should all have one, and you know what it says? One team, one fight, one voice, one city. One team, one fight, one voice, one city.
Those are very important statements and I believe Mitch Landrieu will govern accordingly.
Mr. Landrieu was a four term state representative and has been Lt. Governor for six years. His political life is a tribute to a family that believes in public service. Father Moon Landrieu was elected Mayor and served two terms ending in 1978. His sister Mary has been a U.S. Senator for twelve years and another sister Madeleine is a Civil District Court Judge. They are a family with courage that never run from a fight.
Mayor elect Landrieu understands the needs of the city and its people and the voters responded. The vote had no racial over tones and the majority of white and black voters gave their approval to Mr. Landrieu. He carried all but one of over 300 precincts in the city, that is how broad the consensus was for the mayor elect. There was no people division on this election day.
Mayor elect Landrieu faces a lot of challenges. The aftermath of Katrina is still with the city, the crime rate, streets that are in terrible condition, jobs, parts of the city that are dying and a host of other problems. But Landrieu is a political person who has heart and can get things done. He understands how government works and how it can be a positive factor in people's lives. He also understands what public service means. The following statements were made by Landrieu in his acceptance speech. It is worth while to read and hear the words again because it defines who Landrieu is as a person.
The people of New Orleans have called us to work hard. So we should accept the call. The people have asked us to sacrifice, and so we should. But the only way to do that is for us to seek, to find and to secure higher common ground where we come together as one people and do what is necessary to secure our future.
Every day during the campaign, I carried this card in my hand, and you should all have one, and you know what it says? One team, one fight, one voice, one city. One team, one fight, one voice, one city.
Those are very important statements and I believe Mitch Landrieu will govern accordingly.
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Latest Economic News On The Recovery
The Labor Department reported the national unemployment rate for January was 9.7%. That was a reduction from December's rate of 10%. Not a great improvement, but still a welcome development. Economist still think the unemployment rate will average 10% the whole year in 2010. A Labor Department survey actually found that more than a half a million more Americans had jobs in December.
Also reported was the fact that the economy shed 20,000 jobs last month, a big improvement and job losses under President Obama has been drastically reduced after record losses under the Bush administration. Still, economist are projecting a slow job market because of the severity of the recession. No one can argue with the positive numbers or the fact that economist are cautious in their projections, however the positives going into 2010 are much more real than they have been in a long time and the President still has plans to keep the economy moving in the right direction.
New factory orders have been up for several months now and that is one of the best positive signs of a recovery. It is an area that was badly hurt and where job cuts have been drastic. The automobile and steel industries are awakening and their business is reported to be up. The American people are beginning to spend more, not yet enough to see a large leap for the economy but the GDP for the last quarter of 2009 was over 5% growth, a great number compared to the fact that the previous 3 quarters were in negative territory.
The President needs to keep a steady hand on his economic policies and make adjustments where necessary. He also needs to demand more from congress to produce legislation that will continue the economic expansion and job creation that is necessary. America has indeed turned the corner and is on its way to recovery despite what the negative voices are trying to sell.
Also reported was the fact that the economy shed 20,000 jobs last month, a big improvement and job losses under President Obama has been drastically reduced after record losses under the Bush administration. Still, economist are projecting a slow job market because of the severity of the recession. No one can argue with the positive numbers or the fact that economist are cautious in their projections, however the positives going into 2010 are much more real than they have been in a long time and the President still has plans to keep the economy moving in the right direction.
New factory orders have been up for several months now and that is one of the best positive signs of a recovery. It is an area that was badly hurt and where job cuts have been drastic. The automobile and steel industries are awakening and their business is reported to be up. The American people are beginning to spend more, not yet enough to see a large leap for the economy but the GDP for the last quarter of 2009 was over 5% growth, a great number compared to the fact that the previous 3 quarters were in negative territory.
The President needs to keep a steady hand on his economic policies and make adjustments where necessary. He also needs to demand more from congress to produce legislation that will continue the economic expansion and job creation that is necessary. America has indeed turned the corner and is on its way to recovery despite what the negative voices are trying to sell.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu Did Her State and Country Proud
Louisiana's Senator Mary Landrieu stood proud and strong on the Senate floor Feb. 4 and defended her actions in adding $300 million to health care reform legislation passed by the U.S. Senate. The move was to plug a hole in Louisiana's Medicaid program that Louisiana Governor Jindal sought the change for. In her speech, Senator Landrieu questioned the political courage of Jindal who did not stand up for her when the going got tough.
Jindal wants it both ways, he wants the Louisiana delegation to solve the Medicaid problem but opposed the health care bill with or without the measure. He has no guts to solve Louisiana's own problem, he may have to make a decision to do that but wants other people to make the decision and catch the heat. This writer has in the past couple of months made commentaries about Jindal's lack of courage as a leader, especially on Louisiana's budget problems. It was posted first here on politidose.
Senator Landrieu showed her leadership as a Senator and representative for Louisiana and said after her speech, as reported, that she would stay at her front row desk on the Senate floor till 6pm to hear from any republican Senators who wanted to confront her. I have not heard yet of any takers. The republicans and their hatchet men, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity have been reduced in size by this Louisiana gal concerning the subject matter.
Keep up the good work and the pressure Mary. Hopefully other democrats will step up to the plate as you did and give the republicans hell.
Jindal wants it both ways, he wants the Louisiana delegation to solve the Medicaid problem but opposed the health care bill with or without the measure. He has no guts to solve Louisiana's own problem, he may have to make a decision to do that but wants other people to make the decision and catch the heat. This writer has in the past couple of months made commentaries about Jindal's lack of courage as a leader, especially on Louisiana's budget problems. It was posted first here on politidose.
Senator Landrieu showed her leadership as a Senator and representative for Louisiana and said after her speech, as reported, that she would stay at her front row desk on the Senate floor till 6pm to hear from any republican Senators who wanted to confront her. I have not heard yet of any takers. The republicans and their hatchet men, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity have been reduced in size by this Louisiana gal concerning the subject matter.
Keep up the good work and the pressure Mary. Hopefully other democrats will step up to the plate as you did and give the republicans hell.
Cal Thomas: Another "Ditto Head" Journalist
The Cal Thomas editorial titled, "Obama's Q and A With The GOP" shows how uninformed conservatives are with the words, progressive, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Thomas has the ditto head mentality of republican conservatives who try to offer talking points about democrats that are devoid of truth and reality and offer nothing more than the standard ideology of hoping any thing they say about democrats stick. The same Karl Rove mentality of believing if the same lie is repeated over and over the people will accept it as the truth.
Thomas is still pushing across the board tax cuts to spur economic growth. George Bush tried that old worn out trickle down economics that resulted in a failed economy and the worst job creation since Herbert Hoover. Thomas and his conservative brothers still think of themselves as elite who know everything and want complete control of people's lives. His comment about Warren Buffett shows he has no clue of what President Obama was talking about. Thomas does not think the wealthy has any responsibilities at all.
If one puts the various editorials side by side that are written or broadcasts by conservative journalists over a period of time a picture is drawn that is really pitiful. It would show the same talking points over and over with no journalistic distinction for the sole purpose to discredit democrats. It reminds me of office break ins where evidence is tried to be obtained when there is no evidence at all except in the warped ideology of conservatives. In other words, create the illusion like Saddam being involved in the tragic attack of 9-11.
President Obama needs to remain strong like President Truman was in dealing with republicans. Their failed policies and ideology should not be allowed to repeat it self any time soon.
Thomas is still pushing across the board tax cuts to spur economic growth. George Bush tried that old worn out trickle down economics that resulted in a failed economy and the worst job creation since Herbert Hoover. Thomas and his conservative brothers still think of themselves as elite who know everything and want complete control of people's lives. His comment about Warren Buffett shows he has no clue of what President Obama was talking about. Thomas does not think the wealthy has any responsibilities at all.
If one puts the various editorials side by side that are written or broadcasts by conservative journalists over a period of time a picture is drawn that is really pitiful. It would show the same talking points over and over with no journalistic distinction for the sole purpose to discredit democrats. It reminds me of office break ins where evidence is tried to be obtained when there is no evidence at all except in the warped ideology of conservatives. In other words, create the illusion like Saddam being involved in the tragic attack of 9-11.
President Obama needs to remain strong like President Truman was in dealing with republicans. Their failed policies and ideology should not be allowed to repeat it self any time soon.
The President's Budget
President Obama introduced the nation's federal budget for fiscal 2010/2011 that begins October 1 and projects a deficit of $1.27 trillion. Those numbers are unacceptable to Mr. Obama and should be. He does understand the problem and is willing to admit to it and plans to do something about it. The big problem is the country can not overcome 20 years of deficit spending and debt in a short time and put the governments house back in fiscal order like it was on the watch of Bill Clinton.
The President in his budget eliminates the roughly $37 billion in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry and rightly so. That industry has been getting tax breaks for over 40 years, has not produced one extra barrel of oil or made the country less dependent on foreign oil. In fact the U.S. import of oil has been at its highest level according to oil man Boone Pickens. One should also remember Mr. Pickens said gasoline should be $4.00 gallon.
The budget says $1.12 trillion of income will come from individual income taxes. That is more than 43%. Corporate income taxes will only contribute $270 billion in income. Once again corporate America gets a free ride because of all their tax breaks and exemptions. The budget will also let the Bush era tax cuts for families and corporations earning more than $250,00.00 expire. A three year freeze on some expenses is also in the budget. It is ironic that corporate America gives out bonuses to its executives that almost equal their tax burden. Which means the $270 billion that they pay in corporate taxes is not a burden at all. The individual income tax numbers in the budget explains in simple terms how wealth has be transferred from the average citizen to the wealthy.
The reason the country did so well during the Clinton administration was the many tax breaks given to individuals and families that allowed them to have some extra money to spend which propelled the economy. Tax breaks to corporate America does nothing to encourage the people to spend money and in fact is a reason why corporate bonuses are so out of line. The democratic party needs to push hard and pass the Presidents budget and keep the country on track to reverse the deficit spending of the past. There are other proposals in the budget that will help put America to work that will go a long way in reducing future deficits.
The President in his budget eliminates the roughly $37 billion in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry and rightly so. That industry has been getting tax breaks for over 40 years, has not produced one extra barrel of oil or made the country less dependent on foreign oil. In fact the U.S. import of oil has been at its highest level according to oil man Boone Pickens. One should also remember Mr. Pickens said gasoline should be $4.00 gallon.
The budget says $1.12 trillion of income will come from individual income taxes. That is more than 43%. Corporate income taxes will only contribute $270 billion in income. Once again corporate America gets a free ride because of all their tax breaks and exemptions. The budget will also let the Bush era tax cuts for families and corporations earning more than $250,00.00 expire. A three year freeze on some expenses is also in the budget. It is ironic that corporate America gives out bonuses to its executives that almost equal their tax burden. Which means the $270 billion that they pay in corporate taxes is not a burden at all. The individual income tax numbers in the budget explains in simple terms how wealth has be transferred from the average citizen to the wealthy.
The reason the country did so well during the Clinton administration was the many tax breaks given to individuals and families that allowed them to have some extra money to spend which propelled the economy. Tax breaks to corporate America does nothing to encourage the people to spend money and in fact is a reason why corporate bonuses are so out of line. The democratic party needs to push hard and pass the Presidents budget and keep the country on track to reverse the deficit spending of the past. There are other proposals in the budget that will help put America to work that will go a long way in reducing future deficits.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Journalism: Conservative Style
Conservative journalist David Brooks who writes for the New York Times had an editorial titled "calling Ross Perot" that was published in the Times Picayune on January 30, 2010. The article was supposed to inform the people that the country needs a "saner Ross Perot" at this time in our history. Mr. Brooks has been a regular commentator on the News Hour for several years and appears on other T.V. programs from time to time. Using Ross Perot as an example to describe the situation that the country faces is typical of conservative journalists who can not compete in the real world in facing the truth and facts as they happen.
One comment Mr. Brooks made was "The deficits are the issue around which everything else revolves. The mounting deficits both symbolize Washington's institutional dysfunction and genuinely threaten the nation." But Mr. Brooks knows full well the deficit and federal debt was under control until Ronald Reagan took office and his administration started the march of increased federal deficit spending and debt and was continued through the administrations of Bush 41 and Bush 43, the latter who put deficit spending and debt through the stratosphere. Yet Mr. Brooks was silent all those 20 years of debt creation.
Thank the good Lord the Clinton administration came in between and returned the nation to balanced budgets and surpluses. Since a saner Ross Perot will never be President, Mr. Brooks should have used Bill Clinton as the model. Conservatives never like to talk about the Clinton administration because it reminds the people how well the country did on Mr. Clinton's watch and how he put the federal government's fiscal house in order and reversed the deficit spending and debt of Reagan/Bush.
Mr. Brooks also failed to understand how President Obama is changing the status quo and will continue to do so. Journalists should be on the side of truth and facts when they report to the people regardless of party affiliation. The massive deficits and debt by Reagan/Bush should have been addressed by journalists at the time it was happening, but they choose to look the other way. The republican ideology of speak no evil about another republican is alive and well but brings out the worst in journalism. The debt burden has been put on President Obama and now all of a sudden journalists see the light and want to talk about the deficit. Fox news even ran a headline that it was President Obama who was responsible for Mr. Bush's last fiscal year budget that came in with a record deficit of $1.4 trillion. Unlike the last three republican Presidents, President Obama will stand strong and face the issue
One comment Mr. Brooks made was "The deficits are the issue around which everything else revolves. The mounting deficits both symbolize Washington's institutional dysfunction and genuinely threaten the nation." But Mr. Brooks knows full well the deficit and federal debt was under control until Ronald Reagan took office and his administration started the march of increased federal deficit spending and debt and was continued through the administrations of Bush 41 and Bush 43, the latter who put deficit spending and debt through the stratosphere. Yet Mr. Brooks was silent all those 20 years of debt creation.
Thank the good Lord the Clinton administration came in between and returned the nation to balanced budgets and surpluses. Since a saner Ross Perot will never be President, Mr. Brooks should have used Bill Clinton as the model. Conservatives never like to talk about the Clinton administration because it reminds the people how well the country did on Mr. Clinton's watch and how he put the federal government's fiscal house in order and reversed the deficit spending and debt of Reagan/Bush.
Mr. Brooks also failed to understand how President Obama is changing the status quo and will continue to do so. Journalists should be on the side of truth and facts when they report to the people regardless of party affiliation. The massive deficits and debt by Reagan/Bush should have been addressed by journalists at the time it was happening, but they choose to look the other way. The republican ideology of speak no evil about another republican is alive and well but brings out the worst in journalism. The debt burden has been put on President Obama and now all of a sudden journalists see the light and want to talk about the deficit. Fox news even ran a headline that it was President Obama who was responsible for Mr. Bush's last fiscal year budget that came in with a record deficit of $1.4 trillion. Unlike the last three republican Presidents, President Obama will stand strong and face the issue
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair
In a appearance before an official inquiry into Briton's role in the Iraq war, the former Prime Minister said he would do the same thing again and that Saddam Hussein's threat had assumed greater dimensions after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Like former President Bush, Blair has learned nothing from that unnecessary war.
Leaders who never learn and are incapable of admitting mistakes are truly sad people.
The country and its people suffer for their leaders bad decisions and mistakes and end up trying to paint those who did not support their decisions as unpatriotic. The fact that 8-1/2 years later Blair is still trying to make a connection between Saddam and 9-11 reveal just how sick a man he is.
The tragic mistake of Bush and Blair with the Iraq war over WMD that did not exist set the stage for the course of action that took place. The die was cast and not even the testimony of American Generals who appeared before congress and said Iraq was no threat to the security of the U.S. could not stop the war. Senator Kennedy was one of the few Senators who voted against the war resolution because he said the Generals testimony was persuasive. Kennedy and the Generals were right and ironically the war itself proved Bush and Blair were wrong.
President Obama and future Presidents should be aware of what really happened with this war and use that knowledge to never again repeat the same mistake. Most of all they have to be a President with courage and never stroke the flames of war like Bush and Blair did.
Leaders who never learn and are incapable of admitting mistakes are truly sad people.
The country and its people suffer for their leaders bad decisions and mistakes and end up trying to paint those who did not support their decisions as unpatriotic. The fact that 8-1/2 years later Blair is still trying to make a connection between Saddam and 9-11 reveal just how sick a man he is.
The tragic mistake of Bush and Blair with the Iraq war over WMD that did not exist set the stage for the course of action that took place. The die was cast and not even the testimony of American Generals who appeared before congress and said Iraq was no threat to the security of the U.S. could not stop the war. Senator Kennedy was one of the few Senators who voted against the war resolution because he said the Generals testimony was persuasive. Kennedy and the Generals were right and ironically the war itself proved Bush and Blair were wrong.
President Obama and future Presidents should be aware of what really happened with this war and use that knowledge to never again repeat the same mistake. Most of all they have to be a President with courage and never stroke the flames of war like Bush and Blair did.
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