Isn't this special

Getting tort reform is important to any effort to 'fix' health care. For those of you that went to public school, tort reform means changing the rules regarding lawsuits that people bring against doctors and hospitals for supposed mistakes that they made.

I offer this video to fuel our discussion> Howard Dean's comments start at about 1:44 in. And, shockingly, I think we actually are hearing the truth from old 'primal scream' Howard!



People are fully entitled to recover all economic damage caused by a mistake. In some circumstances, they are allowed triple the economic damage - this is as it should be. If you are crippled due to malpractice, you should be entitled to lost wages, medical costs, costs for your care, etc.

What is damaging our system though, are PUNITIVE damages. These are meant to 'punish' the doctor or hospital. First of all, it is the insurance company that pays, not the doctor - so no punishment is really bestowed.

The reason these are so damaging is because of the arrangement that the ambulance chasing lawyers have. The lawyers usually get 30%+ of the damage settlement! It has created an industry where none should exist. John Edwards, for Senator, Presidential candidate, and male-slut, made over $200 million dollars this way.

Now, why do I have a problem with his having made this money - being the good conservative that I am? Simple - it was the shady WAY he made it. He sued doctors for 'mistakes' they made delivering babies. Edwards claimed these 'mistakes' led to cerebral palsy. Research has shown these were bogus claims -- the birthing process did NOT cause the cerebral palsy. But, Edwards convinced a bunch of jurors to make someone 'pay'.

Now, the cost of these lawsuits is a factor in our health care costs. But, the real damage is the indirect costs that they impose. In the 1960's, 4% of American births were by C-Section. In 2007, that number was 31%!! Nearly 1 in 3 American births are done surgically! Are you kidding me? This is a 'natural' process that woman have been doing for 1000's of years. Now, of course, we haven't had multi-multi-million dollar damage settlements for 1000's of years.

Result? Doctors do a C-section as a 'defensive' measure. A huge majority of those births, given the chance, would have concluded successfully. In the 5% of cases that need it - do the surgery. But my goodness, do you see the costs associated with 'defensive' medicine?

Lawsuits cost, directly, about 1-2% of our health care dollar. Defensive medicine adds anywhere between 8-13%. And 30-50% of lawsuit profits go directly to lawyers.

Which leads us to WHY there is no tort reform in the bill. In the video, Howard Dean (a doctor himself) admits the reason: the Dems are in bed with the trial lawyers. The lawyers are the 2nd biggest source of campaign money to the Dems - and they want to protect their right to bring these lawsuits. Hence, they are pressuring the Dems to avoid tort reform.

Dean says the did not want to 'take on' the lawyers! He talks about 'making enemies'. Well, the Dems sure as hell did not hesitate to 'take on' us average Americans. They have called us un-american, evil mongers, fascists, nazis, violent mobs, tea-baggers, and astro-turf. That sounds just like 'enemy' talk to me. How dare those bastards to bow to the lawyers and then spit on US!!!

Apparently, we don't donate enough money - so we are not 'protection'. Sounds almost like the organized crime version of 'protection' to me. It is the politicians that you and I need 'protection' FROM.

This was SO predictable

Well - the playbook of the Left is alive and (not-so) well.

After weeks of getting beat up, the White House signaled, in no uncertain terms, that it is shifting strategy. But not how one would think.

Let's have a quick re-cap of the biggest mis-steps.

• The Cash-for-Clunkers (or, buy your neighbor a car) program. Even if you over-look the dubious basis for the program. You have the fact the it is a huge wealth destroyer - crushing cars that poor people could have used to get to work, or donated to charity. And the fact that a foreign automaker, Toyota, has been the biggest beneficiary. And the fact that it cost triple what was projected (typical of ALL government programs - triple really is not so bad). And the fact the the Government completely fumbled the ball on execution (again, typical). Then when you think 'and these people want to run health-care?' Yikes.
  
• The Messiah trying to tell us that somehow the Post Office is some kind of model for competition that we can apply to the 'public' option for Health Care.
  
• The Town Hall meetings have galvanized the great unwashed to rise-up and tell the Dems NO. Leading to us being called, in no particular order, evil-mongers, astro-turf, un-American, Fascists, Nazis, tea-baggers, obstacles, pawns, paid for by the insurance companies, and being told by the President to stop talking.
  
• In a little-reported new story from Friday - the White House boosted it's own projection for the 10 year deficit by 2 TRILLION bollars (going for 7 to 9). Bet you didn't see that on ABCNBCCBSMSNDCNYTLATIMESCNNNPR.
  

So, the White House decided it was time to change strategy. By trying to be more bi-partisan? No. By trying to actually listen to what we are saying? No. By trying to start over on Health Care? Hell no.

Their idea of a change in strategy - to try to create a diversion. They have decided to start a criminal investigation of individual CIA agents in the 'torture' cases!! This after The One has told us it is time to stop looking back, and to start looking forward!!

This has caused quite a stir. Leon Panetta, the head of the CIA, apparently is threatening to resign in protest! Leon is loyal Democrat, not some Republican partisan hack!!

This is right from the Liberal playbook. Attack people who disagree with you. If that doesn't work-create a distraction to lure peoples attention away. If this case, focus on the dark deeds of the Devil: George W. Bush. Not sure how long Bush Derangement Syndrome will continue to work - I guess we shall see.

I love it when people expand their craft

I love Penn and Teller. They always take things to the 'next level'. Plus, they are serious Libertarians!

Anyway - please take a couple of minutes and appreciate their take on a classic illusion:

Stupid people saying Stupid things

In this video:, Jesse Jackson Jr. makes an amazing claim.

He states that it is the US Post Office that keeps prices down on overnight package delivery!! Oh, that is hilarious.

Jesse - I have a news flash for you. The Post Office LOSES money on the overnight delivery business. They underwrite overnight delivery with their over-priced First Class mail 'profits'. They keep the First Class business only they have a Constitutional monopoly on First Class mail - it is illegal for anyone else to deliver First Class mail.

Jesse - here's the real story. Fedex, UPS, and DHL FORCE the Post Office to keep down their prices on overnight package delivery. If it weren't for the money the Post Office generates on the First Class business (and the tax funded subsidy that they get) - the Post Office would be bankrupt. They would be unable to compete. Why?

Because governments cannot run businesses, period. Never did, never will. Government cannot match the passion, creativity, or discipline that is common in private enterprise. They are too used to endless subsidies from the tax payer. They have NO motivation to be efficient (seen how many TSA people it takes to staff a security checkpoint?).

So, Jesse, my suggestion to you (which was the same as for your poverty-pimping, race baiting old man) - sit down, and shut-up. Please, just shut-up.

You could not make this stuff up if you tried.

Well Well...

This weekend, the Messiah's administration finally has backed away from the 'public option' as being a 'necessary' part of health care reform. Translation- 'We give up'.

Basically - Obama MUST pass SOMETHING that he can call reform. To fail to do so will irretrievably damage his Sainthood status. He seems to think that dumping the liberal-loved, conservative-loathed public option just might do it. Of course, the brain-damaged left blogosphere is apoplectic. Why? Because they know that the 'public option' is a needed first step to single-payer universal, Canadian style health care. This is the Holy Grail for a Socialist. But wait..... Speaking of Canada. An unfortunate turn of events (for the Anointed just occurred there.

Seems the new head of the Canadian Medical Association is of the opinion that the Canadian Health care system is in a MESS. He uses the word 'imploding' to describe it. His organization is making 'overhauling' the system a TOP priority.

One wonders what method they will use. Well, wonder no longer, gentle-reader, because we shall reveal it to you: PRIVATE INSURANCE.

That's right - they are going to fix the Canadian Health system by patterning it more after the 'failed', 'bloated', 'inefficient', 'costly' AMERICAN health care system.

If that gives you chills of patriotism - you are not alone. We have known for years that Canadians come down from our 51st State just up north to the 'lower 48' to get health care that they are refused in Canada. Now, apparently, they have gotten tired of the drive and they are moving to a system where they can get the care closer to home.

Or, it may be, the hassle of getting the passport needed to come here is more onerous than reforming the health care system. So, they decided to avoid the passport issue altogether, and are fixing the mess they created in health care instead.

This should make it exponentially (for those that went to public school - that means 'a lot') harder for American politicians to extol the virtues of a 'Canadian' style system. It SHOULD... Hopefully, they will get the memo.

Just a random thought

We all know that the Congress critters have Gold Plated health coverage. They will never give it up - even as you stand in line at some clinic to see a Doctor you hate.

As you probably know, Senator Ted Kennedy is fighting Brain Cancer. We also know that he is 77 years old. The is also a rumor (wink wink) that he has been know to have a drink or twenty at times.

This is a question I would like to see posed to Obama:

Mr. President - Imagine a 77 year old man, live long alcoholic - who develops brain cancer. He is vibrant and vital and has a great spirit. Under your program, would he get treatment? Or would you offer him the pain pills?

In my fantasy world - he would actually respond. Probably with 'end of life decisions are the most difficult. We can't really account for a persons spirit, because the is subjective. We need rules. Sometimes, if the research shows that the operation is not likely to be effective - we may say taking the pain pills is better.'

THEN - ask him if his name being Ted Kennedy would change his answer.

Oh - just in case you think I am off the wall with my 'imagined' answer - have a read below. It is a transcript from a town mall meeting about a month ago:

Obama: “I don’t think that we can make judgments based on people’s ’spirit.’ Uh, that would be, uh, a pretty subjective decision to be making. I think we have to have rules that, uh, say that, uh, we are going to provide good quality care for all people.

... At least we can let doctors know — and your mom know — that you know what, maybe this isn’t going to help. Maybe you’re better off, uhh, not having the surgery, but, uhh, taking the painkiller.”

And all the 'uhh' are actually in the audio - not just added in the transcript.

Teleprompter missing in action

Well - He did it AGAIN. B. Hussein is, one must admit, is a very eloquent speaker when he is delivering prepared remarks. However, when he is delivery ad lib remarks, he makes G.W. Bush sound darned right polished.

The latest example



are you kidding me?

Look - he was trying defend the Health Care System Takeover proposals from criticism. Specifically the idea of a 'public option' - where the government 'insurance' would 'compete' with private insurance. The charge (which is true btw) is that the government program would squeeze the private plans - because the gov't option would not be on a level playing field. It would be taxpayer subsidized and would not need to operate as a real business.

So, he trots out the example of Fedex competing with the Post Office as an example of private business vs government competition.

Are you kidding me? No matter what he was 'trying' to say - what he DID say was that the Post Office is basically broken. Compared to Fedex, it has all kinds of problems. We all know this.

But...but...but wait. Wait .... please wait.. Mr. President, Isn't the Post Office is run by the same baffoons (the Fed) that you want us to turn over our health care to?? They are bloated, have high labor costs, and are always having to raise prices on stamps, and they STILL run a deficit. The Post Office would be extinct except for their legal monopoly on First Class mail.

So - in trying to prove one point --- he clumsily reinforces one of OUR big points -- the Fed sucks at running anything that ever remotely looks like a business. We certainly do NOT want them in charge of 17% of the economy if it is going to run like the freaking Post Office.

Sir - stick to the lofty, vapid rhetoric of the tele-prompter. Cuz you suck at off the cuff speaking....I mean you really do suck.

But

He awaketh to blog once again

Ok - enough complaining from my 'non-blogging' followers out there. This is tougher than it seems - especially as horrifying as B. Hussein Obama has turned out to be. Well - he is just as I expected he would be - but I am still horrified.

But - today we shall celebrate some GOOD news - Immigration Reform, according to our Dear Leader, is off the table until next year!! Good.

And since next year is an election year - I surmise this means he has given up on 'reform' until after the mid-terms. There is a reason for this. Immigration Reform is really only a method to get millions of illegal, illiterate Mexicans U.S. citizenship. Then - they become Democrat voters. The Messiah only cares about these folks being able to vote in the 2012 election. So, he is in no rush.

While on his trip to El Mexico, the Messiah said he "doesn't expect to be able to snap his fingers and change the politically charged immigration system." WHAT??? Why the hell NOT? He thinks he can reform the car companies, the banking system, global warming, and health care. What is one more 'reform'? Slacker!

Also, he said he "expects a fight" regardless of his standing in the polls and declares that he is ready for a fight. Oh, no sh*t Sherlock. It will be a Health Care Town Hall meeting redux.

He says, however, that changing the immigration system is going to have to wait until next year while he focuses on other priorities. Yah - like trying to figure out how to pull his poll ratings out of the self-inflicted nose dive that they are in.

Also, in a flash of brilliance he said "the system is broken and nobody can deny it." Finally something coherent. But we know something he does not...I know how to fix it ... pick me ... pick me ... BUILD A FENCE.