Fred On The Issues: Healthcare

The fourth topic about Fred On The Issues:

Healthcare:

Americans have the best healthcare in the world. Some, however, choose not be insured; others cannot afford it. Every American should be able to get health insurance coverage that is affordable, fully accessible, and portable. Coverage should meet their individual needs and put them in control. Those who propose a one-size-fits-all Washington-controlled program ignore the cost, inefficiency, and inadequate care that such a system offers. Access to affordable, portable health care can be made available for all Americans without imposing new mandates or raising taxes. Current government programs must also be streamlined and improved so that those who truly need help can get the health care they need. I am committed to a healthcare system that:

*Realigns programs and creates a system around individual consumers and patients by providing more information and more opportunities to choose affordable health care options that best meet their needs and those of their families.

*Improves the individual health of all Americans by shifting to a system that promotes cost-effective prevention, chronic-care management, and personal responsibility.

*Modernizes delivery and administration of care by encouraging the widespread use of clinical best practices, medical information technology, and other innovations.

*Increases competition and consumer choice while streamlining regulations through free-market solutions that benefit individuals and reduce costs for employers.

*Promotes and speeds medical research and life-sciences innovation.

The first sentence is important: "Americans have the best healthcare in the world." This is true, and we benefit from this fact. If the government takes over the healthcare system we are going to lose a major benefit we have in this country.

Take a look at the countries that have national healthcare and tell me you honestly want our heathcare to resemble theirs.

Not to mention the cost on the American taxpayers.

Middle Tennessee State University Students To Vote On Allowing Guns On Campus

Via WKRN News:

Members of the Student Government Association of MTSU will vote on a proposal today to allow students to carry guns on campus although state law forbids guns on campus.

Mathew Hurtt wants to protect students’ constitutional rights and wants students to be able to protect themselves by allowing them to carry guns on campus.

“The constitution says it’s the right of the people to bear arms,” Hurtt said. “It shall not be infringed. It doesn’t say except on college campuses. There are no exceptions. People assume it’s going to be like the ‘wild wild west’ if we allow guns, that’s just not the case".

I can't wait to find out how this vote goes.

I am sure they will have to overcome many obstacles to make this to happen. I also feel it is a much needed step in protecting our students.

Hit the link above and take the poll.

Charlie Rangel Is Looking For A "Tax Fight"

This from Rep. Eric Cantor via Red State:

I wanted to drop by today to let you know about a critical legislative debate that is brewing in the U.S. House, a debate that will have a dramatic effect on the nation and will directly impact you and your families.

We have long known that Chairman Charlie Rangel, the leading Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, would attempt to raise your taxes this fall. However, we did not know the tax hikes would be so sweeping and expansive.

Mr. Rangel has promised that this fall he will host "the mother of all tax bills." His objectives are clear – a sharp tax increase on American families, small businesses, and investors.

Brushing aside warnings from seasoned economists House Democrats, since taking the reigns of power, have done nothing but play petty politics with America's economy. Their reckless actions have already had a negative effect.

House Democrats have tried to hide their failures behind the tired liberal rhetoric of class warfare; yet, the simple reality is that just nine months into Democrat control, you are more likely to be unemployed in America, you are more likely to lose your home, and rising interest rates have made it harder for you to achieve the American Dream.

We may be in the minority, but conservative Republicans are not going to allow these taxes to go through without a fight. With your help, it is a fight I know we can win.

Rather than raising taxes on hardworking American families, why don't the Democrats cut wasteful spending from the massive federal bureaucracy?

The Department of Treasury internally had over $24.5 billion "unreconciled transactions" in one year alone – these are transactions for which auditors cannot account. The bureaucrats spent $25 billion somewhere on something; they don't know who spent it, where it was spent, or what it was spent on.

Given the way the Republican members of congress have been spending money, I do not know how well they can fight this.

It may be time to get back on the phones.

Bush Vetoes SCHIP

From Reuters:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Wednesday vetoed a measure to expand a popular children's health care program, launching the first in a series of major battles with Democrats over domestic spending.

The legislation would have provided an extra $35 billion over five years for the health program, which is administered by the states. Taxes on tobacco products would have been raised to pay for the increase.

The health bill enjoyed bipartisan support. The veto is likely to anger a number in Bush's own Republican Party who fear the issue will cost them votes in the congressional and presidential elections.

Supporters of the bill said it would have helped provide health coverage for some 10 million children.

Bush contended the increase would have expanded the program beyond its original intent of covering low-income children and taken a step toward government-controlled health care.

He has proposed a much smaller increase of $5 billion in the children's health program.

I think this was a good decision by Bush.

Of course Reuters does not think so. But, you already knew that.

Required Learning

Two great definitions from HWT:

Here is the definition of "true patriot": A true patriot is someone who loves his country exactly the way it is. That doesn't mean that he thinks his country is perfect, nothing made by man is or ever will be, but he loves his country warts and all.

The phony patriot doesn't love his country exactly the way it is. He may claim to love his country, but what he really loves is a picture, which exists only in his head, of what the country could become if only he, or people exactly like him, were in charge. In other words he really loves himself, not his nation.

What more can I say?

Reno Business Flys Mexican Flag Over American Flag. A Veteran Reacts.

Go here to watch the video. It is good.

Fred On The Issues: Tax Reform

The third post of Fred On The Issues deals with:

Tax Reform:

The U.S. tax code is broken and a burden on U.S. taxpayers and businesses, large and small. Today’s tax code is particularly hostile to savings and investment, and it shows. To make matters worse, its complexity is a drag on our productivity and economic growth. Moreover, taxpayers spend billions of dollars and untold hours each year filling out complicated tax returns, just so they can send more money to Washington, much of it for wasteful programs and the pet projects of special interests. We need lower taxes, and we need to let taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned dollars—they know best where and how to spend them. And we need to make the system simpler and fairer for all. To ensure America’s long term prosperity and economic security, I am committed to:

*Fundamental tax reform built on the principles of simplicity, fairness, and growth.

*A new tax code that gets the government out of our citizens’ pocketbooks, while enhancing U.S. competitiveness abroad.

*Dissolution of the IRS as we know it.

We all know this needs to be done. It would be a formidable task to take on, but if the right people were brought in on this issue it could be repaired, or replaced with something much better.

My Select A Candidate Test Score

McCain was 5th with a score of 42.

Mitt was 9th (34)

Rudy was 10th (24)

Even Ron Paul got 8th (34)

And tied for last Clinton, Obama, and Edwards all with a score of 3.

Take the quiz. You know you want to.

Win, Fred, Win

	Fred Thompson Score: 49	Agree Immigration Taxes Stem-Cell Research Health Care Abortion Social Security Line-Item Veto Marriage Death Penalty	Disagree Iraq Energy
	Duncan Hunter Score: 49	Agree Immigration Taxes Stem-Cell Research Health Care Abortion Social Security Line-Item Veto Marriage Death Penalty	Disagree Iraq Energy
-- Take the Quiz! --

Mark Levin On The "Phony Soldiers" Fiasco

Listen to what the Great One thinks about the smearing of Rush here.

To anyone who actually listened to the conversation Rush was involved in when he said "phony soldiers" there could be no doubt about what he meant.

As always, the Democratic smear machine jumped into high gear with this story. I think it has made them look even more ridiculous than when they were hoisting Jessee McBeth and the rest up to prove that veterans did not support the war.

Fred On The Issues: Federal Budget And Spending/Budgetary Reform

The second in my Fred On The Issues posts:

Federal Budget And Spending/Budgetary Reform:

In a few short years—not a generation from now—a fiscal tsunami that could imperil our security and economic prosperity will hit our nation and place an unfair burden of debt on our children and grandchildren. The tens of trillions of dollars in debt that will be accumulated over the next few decades will do immense harm to our economy. This burden is now estimated at $170,000 per person and $440,000 per family. Time is running out to address this looming crisis. We need market-based approaches to reform that guarantee benefits for those who need them and embrace personal responsibility and cost-effectiveness without raising taxes. Given the scope and urgency of this problem, and the burden it will place on our children, reform is not only an economic necessity, it is a moral imperative that requires action now. I am committed to:

*Opening the government’s fiscal books on this looming crisis for all to see and understand.

*Working with individuals of all political persuasions to develop a comprehensive solution to the pending fiscal crisis.

*Leading and making the hard choices necessary, to include cutting wasteful government spending, to safeguard our security, promote our prosperity, and protect our children and grandchildren from fiscal calamity.

I like the "Opening the government’s fiscal books on this looming crisis for all to see and understand" part. For way too long they have hidden the amount of money they are spending.

This may be a little vague, although not any more then the other candidates are being on the subject.

Chris Wallace Has The Clinton's Number

It is true, he has made both of them break down now:

Chris Wallace brings out the real Bill and Hillary each time he interviews one of them.

For those who have ever visited Clintonland, it’s sometimes hard to recognize the slickly-scripted, post-White House media personalities of the Clintons: the affable, smiling Hillary seen on the campaign trial or the laid back, take-it-as-it-comes Bill who periodically surfaces for softball interviews.

But every once in a while, there’s a rare moment of clarity. That happened last year when Wallace interviewed the former president. At the end of the interview, Bill lost it. Suddenly the veneer was off, exposing the enraged, snarling, lunging Bill accusing Wallace of “do[ing] his nice little right wing hit job” when he forced Clinton to address his inability to capture or kill bin Laden.

Not a pretty sight.

And Wallace did it again in his recent interview of Hillary. Asked about the extreme partisan politics espoused by her and her husband, the real Hillary challenged Wallace. “Well, Chris, if you'd walked even a day in our shoes over the last 15 years I'm sure you'd understand.

"Hillary preceded her passing moment of reality by a loud, inappropriate and mirthless laugh – a scary sound that was somewhere between a cackle and a screech. She was quick to follow it with a scripted recitation about how she wants to rise above partisanship. (Of course) But, in between, we saw a fleeting glimpse of the pervasive sense of victimization and self-righteousness that even now underscores the vicious partisanship with which both Clintons play the game of politics.

Amazingly, they seem to genuinely believe that they are still the targets of a “vast right-wing conspiracy” and that they are alone and under attack despite their manifest virtue and singular desire to do good.

You don’t see this authenticity very often. Hillary’s handlers have taken great pains to teach her the art of concealment, hiding her raw partisanship behind a smile and, when necessary, even a forced laugh. A laugh that’s often too long and too loud.

That is truly a horrible laugh. And you can almost read her mind; "Chris if we were not on TV I would rip your head off". Or cast a spell on him, whatever. Maybe this is why they stay away from Fox News.

Fred On The Issues: National Security

On Fred's official site there is a list of his stance on several issues. I will post on each one separately over the next few days.

The first issue is:

National Security

The first responsibility of government is to protect the American people, the homeland, and our way of life. Today we face the urgent threat of radical Islamic terrorists. Al Qaeda is committed to attacking us here at home, and wants to use weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to kill millions. We must never give them that opportunity. We must defeat the terrorists abroad, and that begins in Iraq and Afghanistan—the central fronts in this global war. We must show the world we have the will to fight and win. A weakened America - or an America that appears weaker - will only encourage further attacks. We must persevere. As Commander-in-Chief, the president must ensure the United States has the means to achieve victory. Presidential leadership requires talking to the American people about these stakes, mapping out a clear vision for success, and devising a comprehensive strategy for achieving it. I am committed to:

*A larger, more capable, and more modern military that can defeat terrorists, deter adversaries, and defend the U.S. and our interests.

*A missile defense system that can protect the U.S. and our allies from long-range ballistic missiles.

*An enhanced intelligence community, with robust human-intelligence capabilities, focused on terrorism and proliferation.

*A robust approach to homeland security that will protect our nation from terrorists and WMD, regardless of where they come from.

*A strengthened system of global alliances to better combat terrorists, proliferators, and traditional threats to our interests.

*A judicial system that deals with the realities of terrorists and unlawful enemy combatants.

I feel he understands the threat that terrorist pose to this country. I also think he will deal with this issue appropriately.

Over the last couple of weeks he has said the right things about dealing with Iran. To me this is the most important part of the issue. We are not going to put all the fires out in Iraq until we stop Iran from stoking them.

Win, Fred, Win

So You Think SCHIP Has Nothing To Do With Federalized Health Care

Hillary thinks it does:

Back in 1993, according to an internal White House staff memo, then-first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s staff saw federal coverage of children as a “precursor” to universal coverage.

In a section of the memo titled “Kids First,” Clinton’s staff laid out backup plans in the event the universal coverage idea failed.

And one of the key options was creating a state-run health plan for children who didn’t qualify for Medicaid but were uninsured.

That idea sounds a lot like the current State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which was eventually created by the Republican Congress in 1997.

“Under this approach, health care reform is phased in by population, beginning with children,” the memo says. “Kids First is really a precursor to the new system. It is intended to be freestanding and administratively simple, with states given broad flexibility in its design so that it can be easily folded into existing/future program structures.”

Obama Will Win This Hands Down

It seems the Democratic Candidates are competing for Senator Kennedy's endorsement:

Democratic presidential contenders flocked to Sen. Edward Kennedy's 75th birthday party earlier this year.

Sen. Barack Obama showed up at Kennedy's home with a bottle of wine as a gift. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton pulled Kennedy aside to schmooze. Sen. Christopher Dodd needled Kennedy about getting older.

The shower of personal attention underscored Kennedy's star power in the White House race. The liberal senator's endorsement is among the most coveted by the eight Democratic contenders.

The birthday party was also a reminder of the tough endorsement choice Kennedy faces as the 2008 contest unfolds.

The Massachusetts senator has close ties to several candidates who are eagerly seeking his support. Whatever he decides, he's bound to disappoint some longtime friends and colleagues.

"It's going to be difficult choosing," Kennedy told The Associated Press. "I've got a lot of friends who want to be president."

So Hillary was kissing up to him, Dodd was cutting up with him, and Obama brought him wine. I wonder who will win this competition?

But seriously, it would be toss up on this one. Democrats are used to standing behind one of their own. It is easy for them to decide which person is right when one person has a (D) by their name and the other an (R). But making a decision about 8 (D)s will be hard for them.

I have to wonder; how many Republicans would want the endorsement of ,at best a person who committed manslaughter, at worst a murderer.

"Kill The Terrorists, Secure The Border, And Give Me Back My Freedom."

Now that I got your attention, read this post by Hillbilly White Trash. It is a pretty long one but well worth it.

A few exerts from the American Thinker post he sites:

Conventional wisdom is hardening around the proposition that Fred Dalton Thompson is too lazy, ill-prepared, tired, old, lackluster, inexperienced, inconsistent and bald to make a successful run for President.

Of course, conventional wisdom rarely gets anything right. When it does, it's only by accident.

In this case conventional wisdom is not just wrong but comically so. Thompson will win the Republican nomination for two reasons. First, he's a very impressive candidate. Second, there's no realistic alternative. He will win the general election for the same two reasons.

...

This isn't politics as usual in 21st Century America, but it is likely to sell. When it does, it will make a mockery of Dick Morris's entire career, which was grounded on the idea that pandering conquers all.

...

Thompson's view on the proper scope of federal government activities is neither shallow nor passing. It has deep roots and he can defend them against heavyweight attacks. At National Review Online last spring, Ramesh Ponnuru challenged some federalist positions Thompson took as a Senator. Thompson wrote a response which dismantled Ponnuru's arguments. Ponnuru's reply was both snarky and beside the point. It came as close to sputtering incoherence as it is possible to come in print. Ramesh Ponnuru is no fool. The man who can beat him like a rented mule in a battle of the keyboards thoroughly understands the subject of their dispute.

...

Fred Thompson isn't Ronald Reagan. But he can restore the Republican Party to Reagan's default settings. He can make the GOP once again the party of the American Revolution and distinguish it sharply from the party of the French,
Russian, Chinese, and Cuban Revolutions.

...

Thompson's reaction to General Petraeus' recent testimony before Congress suggests that he can. Before Petraeus said a word everyone knew that our efforts in Iraq have become vastly more successful under his command. Everyone understood that Al Qaeda and Iran's proxies will probably be humiliated in Iraq unless they can adjust to the tactics we are now using with such success. The $64,000 question was this: What is Iran doing to forestall humiliation in Iraq and what will we do to stop them?

General Petraeus dropped some very interesting hints on this subject and Thompson zeroed in on them. His statement on the subject was simple and direct: "Gen. Petraeus' report also leaves me even more concerned about Iran's role in Iraq. Iran is headed down a dangerous path, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad must understand that."

Thompson reinforced this barely veiled threat with his reaction to a controversy over Ahmadinejad's request to visit Ground Zero while he is in New York to address the UN. He said "I wouldn't let him in the country." He went on to say , according to the Dallas Morning News, that "the Iranian regime was a threat to Americans and should be dealt with accordingly."

At last a candidate who understands that Iran is at war with us and who is willing to speak as though we are at war with Iran. It's a bonus that he speaks in clear declarative sentences and that everything in his manner and appearance demands that you take him seriously.

...

After a recent Thompson speech in Iowa a member of the audience called out: "Kill the terrorists, secure the border, and give me back my freedom." Thompson replied "you just summed up my whole speech."

That is just a few things to get you interested. Do yourself, and America, a favor and read the whole post before you vote.

Win, Fred, Win