MEDICARE PART lll Better read all ! Vouchers ?

Medicare 101: What's a Voucher ?

Part 3 in a Series   

Vouchers have been called: the end of Medicare as we know it, a rhetorical bit of ideological hogwash and a Medicare killer.  Today we look at why health advocates, senior associations and the American people are increasingly concerned about this proposal and the implications it can have for your retirement.

Background – In 2011, Rep. Paul Ryan included a proposal in his budget that would shift Medicare from a program in which the government provides universal access to essential care to one where individuals would be responsible for payment.  To make the payments to insurance providers, vouchers would be given out to help offset costs.  Any difference between the amount of the voucher and the cost of decent insurance would be the responsibility of the individual.  The plan would apply to those under 55 and also include an increase in the eligibility age from 65 to 67.  Ryan’s budget proposals have passed in the U.S. House for the last two years, but have gotten no traction in the Senate.

Will Vouchers Reduce Costs? – Proponents say that the power of the marketplace will introduce competition to reduce costs.  As Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman argues, there are significant problems with that argument:

“All, and I mean all, the evidence says that public systems like Medicare and Medicaid, which have less bureaucracy than private insurers (if you can’t believe this, you’ve never had to deal with an insurance company) and greater bargaining power, are better than the private sector at controlling costs. . . You can see this fact in the history of Medicare Advantage, which is run through private insurers and has consistently had higher costs than traditional Medicare. You can see it from comparisons between Medicaid and private insurance: Medicaid costs much less. And you can see it in international comparisons: The United States has the most privatized health system in the advanced world and, by far, the highest health costs.”

How Much Could a Voucher Plan Cost You? – The Center for American Progress released a report in August that looked at long-term impacts of a voucher plan.  Voucher amounts will increase based on the rate of growth of gross domestic product plus 0.5 percent – slower than projections for healthcare costs.  Looking at just this one cost-shifting  factor will mean:

If you turn 65 in 2023 (today’s 54 year olds), you’d pay $32,900 more in retirement.
If you turn 66 in 2030 (today’s 48 year olds), you’d pay $73,600 more in retirement.
If you turn 67 in 2040 (today’s 39 year olds) you’d pay $139,100 more in retirement.

The Bottom Line – Vouchers would fundamentally change how Medicare operates, moving from a system of shared risk and guaranteed benefits to one where risk is placed on our shoulders at a time when we need security the most.  Polling shows that Americans are not sold on the idea – and for good reason.

Sources: The Medicare Killers, Paul Krugman, New York Times, 8/30/12; Increased Costs During Retirement Under the Romney-Ryan Medicare Plan, Center for American Progress Action Fund, 8/24/12.

"Democracy...is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch"!
Liberty...is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Fiat Lux

MEDICARE PART 2...BETTER READ !

Medicare 101: Paying for Medicare
Part 2 in a Series

Medicare provides coverage at a time when our healthcare needs are often the greatest – and the most expensive. 

Cost-Effective Coverage
The good news is that Medicare has a long track record of providing coverage more cost-effectively than private insurance.  Since 1979, Medicare’s cost per beneficiary has grown cumulatively 40 percent more slowly than equivalent benefits provided by private insurers.  To put this figure in real  terms consider that the average family insurance plan provided by employers today is roughly $15,000 annually.  If the private sector was as effective in controlling costs as Medicare over the same time period, that same family coverage would cost only $9,100.  Why does it save?  There are fewer administrative costs, no million dollar CEOs to pay, negotiating power that provides significant discounts and a focus on service rather than being profit-driven.

Finances
Medicare is primarily financed by a payroll tax, general revenue and premiums paid by beneficiaries:

• Part A is mainly funded by a payroll tax of 1.45 percent on current employees and employers.  Next year, this rate will increase for higher-income taxpayers (more than $200,000/individual and $250,000/couple) by 0.9 percentage points (from 1.45% to 2.35%).  The revenues are placed in the Hospital Insurance (HI) trust, which, like Social Security is designed to be self-supporting.
• Part B is financed through monthly premiums paid by Medicare enrollees and general revenues. Income from these sources is credited to a Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) trust. 
• Part C is paid for by the government making payments to private insurers on the enrollees’ behalf in appropriate parts from the HI and SMI trust funds.
• Part D funding comes from a separate account in the SMI trust fund and is financed by general revenues, state contributions and beneficiary premiums.

Important Information About the Medicare Trust Funds
A board of trustees makes an annual report to Congress on the status of the trust funds, including a projection for the date when the HI fund will be able to cover a portion of costs rather than 100 percent. Since 1970, the dates have ranged from as little as two years out to as many as 28.  The fund has always covered 100 percent of costs, in part due to legislative changes. 

The passage of the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) included a series of improvements and funding changes to Medicare.  According to the 2010 Medicare trustees report, those changes strengthened the HI trust fund a significant number of years to 2024.  Because of the way it is funded, the SMI trust fund does not face exhaustion. 

Sources: Medicare.gov; Economic Policy Institute; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Congressional Research Service

“The past is the cause of the present and the present will be cause of the future"!

"Democracy...is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch"!

Liberty...is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Fiat Lux

Management & Labor...On Same Page ?

The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) Guide to the Denver Presidential Debate. 

China. Tires. Outsourcing. Sweatshops. Auto parts. Currency manipulation. Made in America. Manufacturing. Cheaters.

All these words and ideas have a prominent place in the 2012 election. In our view, rightfully so. But the charges and counter-charges, the attack ads and responses, have done little to help define where President Obama and Mitt Romney truly stand on these issues. Will the Denver debate shed any light on these topics? We know half the debate will focus on economic themes. Let’s hope Jim Lehrer asks at least one of these vital questions.

1. What would you do to prevent American tax dollars from creating jobs overseas?
2. Do you support strong trade enforcement when other nations cheat?
3. Do you believe that our trade deficit with China is a national security issue?
4. What actions would you take to penalize China for its currency manipulation and would it include supporting legislation that has passed the Senate and is supported by a majority of members in the House?

For immediate, post-debate analysis, follow @ScottPaulAAM on Twitter.  Then, check back for more post-debate analysis at ManufactureThis.

IN-DEPTH QUESTIONS FOR EACH CANDIDATE:

[A] Buy America Preferences.   The construction materials for several, recent high-profile infrastructure projects have been outsourced to China, including massive amounts of steel for the new Bay Bridge linking Oakland and San Francisco.

     QUESTION FOR GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Governor Romney, the decision to outsource the steel for the Bay Bridge was made by a Republican Governor to save money, though the final benefit to taxpayers has been heavily questioned after delivery delays, faulty welding, and cost overruns. You have said you would bar procurement from China until it opens its market for our goods. Do you agree with Governor Schwarzenegger’s decision to buy Chinese steel or do you support a strict Buy America preference to keep tax dollars invested here?

     QUESTION FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA: President Obama, Republicans have been highly critical of your stimulus bill, which they say is creating jobs in other countries. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus called it the “ultimate sin.” When asked about Buy America in the Recovery Act, you cautioned against “protectionism” and said, “I think we need to make sure that any provisions that are in there are not going to trigger a trade war.” Do you support Buy America preferences for government spending and infrastructure projects?

[B] Trade Enforcement.  The U.S. has laws on the books to level the playing field when other countries cheat to gain an unfair advantage in trade, but critics warn that using these tools could spur a trade war. Others argue that weak enforcement of these trade remedies has left American manufacturing exposed. You have both run TV ads pledging to be tougher on China than your opponent.

     QUESTION FOR GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Governor Romney, you have said you don’t want a trade war, but won’t settle for trade surrender. However, you criticized President Obama’s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese tires. Also, your opponents say you closed factories and outsourced jobs during your time at Bain Capital. Where do you stand on using our trade enforcement tools to counter illegal subsidies, dumping, and other unfair trade?

     QUESTION FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA: President Obama, your administration recently created a trade enforcement unit to investigate and respond to unfair trade. The first action was a major trade enforcement action at the World Trade Organization with China on auto parts. Is this a signal that you would push for more aggressive enforcement of our trade laws, including cased initiated by the Administration, in a second term?

[C] National Security.  Much attention has been paid to budget deficits and America’s long-term fiscal concerns, but much less is said about America’s trade deficit. Our trade deficit with China has climbed sharply from $83 billion in 2001 when it joined the World Trade Organization to a record $295 billion in 2011.

Another issue that is getting significant attention is China’s emergence as a military power. China’s defense budget has increased sharply, from $17 billion in 2001 to $106 billion in 2012. They recently launched their first aircraft carrier.

     QUESTION FOR BOTH CANDIDATES: To both President Obama and Governor Romney, is there a connection here between our trade deficit and our national security? If so, what structural reforms to our trading relationship would you undertake to bring the trade deficit under control?

    

[D] China’s currency manipulation.  China manipulates the value of its currency to gain an artificial, unfair trade advantage over American-made goods. Currency manipulation acts as a subsidy for Chinese-made products entering our market and as a tax on our exports to China.

     QUESTION FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA: President Obama, four years ago you said, “…what we need to do is to just be better bargainers and say look, here's the bottom line, you guys keep on manipulating your currency, we are going to start shutting off access to some of our markets." However, you have declined to cite China as a currency manipulator seven times. President Obama, is this a failed campaign promise or have you done enough to address China’s currency manipulation in your first term?

     QUESTION FOR GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Governor Romney, you, too, have made a campaign pledge to penalize China for currency manipulation. On day one, you say you will sign an executive order citing them as a currency manipulator. You’ve criticized President Obama for not turning campaign rhetoric into action, so why should the American people believe that you would actually follow through with meaningful penalties to level the playing field?

     QUESTION FOR BOTH CANDIDATES: And, to both of you, would you sign legislation that has already passed the Senate and has the support of a majority of members in the House?

 Editorial : Labor and Management, finally, on the same page ! You Bet`Cha ! The above are great questions. Let`s stop all the rhetoric about abortion and gun control !  And talk about the above/real issues.

The corporations don't have to lobby the government anymore. They are the government.

"Democracy...is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch"!

Liberty...is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Fiat Lux

MEDICARE ! THE BASICS !

 Medicare 101: Do You Know the Basics ? 

Part 1 in a Series

Medicare has become one of the most discussed issues in recent days given Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget proposals. Beyond the sound bites, what do we know about Medicare?  Read on to find out the basics of the program and watch for more information to come in this multi-part series.

Medicare is our nation’s health care insurance for all people ages 65 and older, regardless of income.  It also covers people under the age of 65 who have certain disabilities as well as those with end state renal disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease.  Prior to the enactment of the program in 1965, about half of America’s seniors lacked healthcare coverage.  Today, nearly all have coverage, with almost 50 million Americans currently benefitting from the program.  Medicare has four parts.  Parts A and B are considered “traditional” or “original” Medicare.  Recent changes to the program are in italics.

• Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health care and hospice.  If you or your spouse worked 40 quarters or more (10 years), you pay no monthly premium for Part A.  Deductibles and coinsurance (paying a percentage of the cost of care) apply. 
• Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover doctor and other health care provider services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and some home health care not covered under Part A.  Part B also covers a number of preventative services. The monthly premium for Part B in 2012 is $99.90.  Premium costs go up somewhat for those earning in excess of $85,000 as an individual.  Assistance is available for those who are low income. Deductibles and coinsurance apply to Part B services. The Affordable Care Act (also known as “Obamacare”) did away with many deductibles and coinsurance costs for preventative care. Nearly 33 million people have already experienced this benefit.
• Part C (“Medicare Advantage”) was enacted in 1997 so that Medicare beneficiaries could have the option of receiving their benefits through private health insurance plans.  Under Part C, also known as “Medicare Advantage,” private insurers run plans that Medicare approves. Costs and restrictions vary by plan.  Approximately one quarter of Medicare beneficiaries choose Medicare Advantage plans.  Costs from the Medicare accounts to pay for Part C have been outpacing costs for traditional Medicare.  The Affordable Care Act will bring the costs back in line and provide incentives for the best-quality and best-value plans.
• Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) was enacted in 2003 to help cover the cost of prescription drugs.  It is run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.  Beneficiaries choose their plan and pay a monthly premium that varies (for those using Medicare Advantage, Part D premiums are part of the overall premium).  Deductibles and copayments may apply and vary depending on the plan that is selected.   Part D has what is referred to as a “doughnut hole” meaning that after a certain amount is spent on drugs, there is a gap in coverage until a catastrophic level is reached.  The Affordable Care Act offered a one-time $250 benefit to those in this coverage gap and phases out the “doughnut hole” by 2020.  Approximately 3.6 million seniors have seen costs go down to date.

Sources: Medicare.gov, Kaiser Family Foundation, Healthcare.gov and Whitehouse.gov 

"Democracy...is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch"!

Liberty...is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

FIAT LUX

EDITORIAL ON ANDY HOLT !

To the Editor, Weakley County Press

 Two years ago District 76 voted to replace long-time state representative Mark Maddox with newcomer Andy Holt. Mr. Holt’s representation is now a matter of public record. I can think of no stronger argument for returning Mr. Maddox to Nashville. 
Mr. Holt has supported legislation to take rights from teachers, as well as to dictate what can and cannot be said in a public school classroom. He supported requiring a photo identification to vote. 
In a return to the embarrassment of the Scopes “monkey trial,” Mr. Holt voted in favor of allowing the challenge of scientific theories in the classroom. 
The horrific case of animal abuse in Weakley County earlier this year illustrates how important it is to have multiple, easily accessible avenues for reporting such behavior.  Mr. Holt sponsored a bill, thankfully defeated in committee, that would hold citizens exposing such crimes via the media or social networks in violation of law. 
Continuing with animals, he sponsored a bill to allow horses to be slaughtered for meat in our state. It is common practice in many countries to consume horse meat, but not in the United States. I do not understand why we would want to take on the task of slaughtering the animals in a country that finds this practice abhorrent. 
Mr. Holt sponsored a bill to allow home visits that must be conducted by case workers and counselors to be held using the SKYPE program. It is unrealistic to think that all the necessary information that is collected during an actual in-home visit could be gathered through a computer screen. 
Mr. Maddox gave Tennessee the no sales tax holiday, the do-not-call list limiting the number of telemarketing calls placed to private residences, sponsored legislation ending the probationary teaching license which eliminated reams of cumbersome paperwork. His work made it more difficult to sell nitrous oxide to minors. He held regular meetings throughout the district for the purpose of listening to his constituents. 
Furthermore, he was a friend to the Tennessee Education Association, The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, the juvenile court and the Department of Children’s Services. He consistently supported legislation to protect our most vulnerable citizens. 
Both Andy Holt and Mark Maddox are devoted family men. Both are professionals with many years’ experience in their respective fields. Both hold office in their churches.  But only one is the right choice for District 76. Please join me in voting to return Mark Maddox to the Tennessee House of Representatives.  


Sincerely,
Joyce Hale
McKenzie

Ditto : Underdog = Don Jones

Fiat Lux

FIRE THE TEA PARTY~ You Bet`Cha !

                                                                   

Thanks for adding your name !

We can't let Republican obstruction block President Obama's agenda in his second term. That means we need to fire the Republican House majority. Help us send 100,000 "Tea Party Pink Slips" to Boehner and Cantor.

Please forward this email to 3 friends right now and ask them to add their name to our Tea Party Pink Slip:

http://dccc.org/Fire-the-Tea-Party.

You can also share this petition on Facebook and Twitter:
Even better, now you can print out a pink slip and send it directly to a Republican Member of Congress or Speaker Boehner’s mailbox. Just go to http://dccc.org/Send-A-Pink-Slip to get started.

Together, we can send the Tea Party packing this November. Thank you for your support!

Thanks for all you do,

Underdog = Don Jones

"Democracy...is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch"!

Liberty...is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Fiat Lux

Tennessee Senators Abandon Vets

     Tennessee’s Senators Abandon Veterans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  a bill that would assist veterans. In a stunning display of indifference towards the needs of America’s bravest, Senate Republicans voted today to block work to ensure employment for our veterans who return home after serving their country (Senate Roll Call). 

“Over the past few years, Americans have become increasingly frustrated with the Republican politicians in Washington who have committed themselves to stopping progress on creating jobs and growing our economy,” said Chip Forrester, Chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party. “Few of us could have imagined that their commitment to hurting our economy to spite the president would extend to turning a blind eye toward the needs of our veterans.” Despite garnering 58 votes in support of the bill, Senate Republicans were able to use procedural gimmicks to block the ‘Veterans Jobs Corps Act of 2012’ which would provide “$1 billion over five years to hire 20,000 young veterans for public lands jobs and prioritize vets for first responder jobs such as police, firefighter, or EMT. The measure would have also provided young vets access to the infrastructure with which to assist in job searches, such as access to computers, internet and career services advisers” (ThinkProgress).   Tennessee Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker joined their fellow obstructionist Republicans in blocking passage of this important legislation.

“It is shameful to see Republicans use our veterans like political pawns when we should be doing everything in our power to ensure our heroes can successfully transition back to civilian life,” Forrester said. “Tennesseans should call or write Senators Alexander and Corker and demand they reverse course and put the needs of Tennessee Veterans above their political goal of sabotaging the president.”

Contact Information for Tennessee’s Senators who voted against the Veterans Job Corp Act:

Sen. Lamar Alexander

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

(202) 224-4944

Sen. Bob Corker

185 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

(202) 224-2934

"Democracy...is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch"!

Liberty...is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Fiat Lux

President Obama: Join People of Faith for Obama

Obama makes ‘unwavering’ pledge to protect religious liberty in new video

By Alicia M. Cohn - 09/17/12 03:07 PM ET

Tweet  

President Obama on Monday made a campaign pitch to “people of faith” in which he reaffirmed what he called his “unwavering” commitment to “protecting religious liberty.”

“I know faith is often used as a wedge in our politics, and with a new election year comes new attacks,” Obama said in the video. “The American people should know this: In a changing world, my commitment to protecting religious liberty is and always will be unwavering. As America's religious diversity grows, we have the chance to reaffirm the pluralism that has defined us as a nation. A pluralism that is expansive enough to protect the rights of all to speak their minds and to follow their conscience.”

Obama has faced numerous charges of conducting a “war on religion” from Republicans. Earlier this year, the White House faced a national backlash from GOP and Christian groups after it issued a mandate requiring most employers to provide birth control for women in their healthcare plans without charging a copay. The requirement triggered several unresolved lawsuits by religious-affiliated employers that object to certain methods of birth control.

Mitt Romney renewed those charges in a TV ad released last month.

“President Obama used his healthcare plan to declare war on religion, forcing religious institutions to go against their faith," the ad charged. “Mitt Romney believes that’s wrong.”

Obama confronted the charges in the video without using his GOP challenger’s name. He took three minutes to speak directly about his own “Christian faith, which has guided me through my presidency and in my life.” He also connected his policies, including the auto bailout and healthcare reform, to his religious beliefs in a way he typically reserves for events such as the National Prayer Breakfast.

“This job is full of tough decisions, and at the end of every day, each president needs to act based on what their values are and what they believe,” Obama said in the video. “On issues like education, poverty and immigration, I’m standing on the side of human dignity and a belief in the inherent work of all human beings.”

The video points supporters to a page on the campaign website set up specifically for “people of faith” to sign up to support the president’s reelection.

Fiat Lux

An Open & Inspiring Letter from ROY HERRON...God Blesss You !

Don, 

My father’s been gone for 35 years, but yesterday afternoon, I visited my nearly 96-year-old mother in the ICU.  Her eyes were open, really open, for the first time since before the ambulance took her to the hospital last Friday. 

I leaned close, talked loud, and told her that yesterday, September 10th, was my father’s 100th birthday. She squeezed my hand and then, within three hours, Mother went to join him. She was never one to miss a birthday party.

Last week, Nancy’s mother entered hospice care.  Today, less than twenty-four hours after my mother went home, Nancy’s mother -- with her two daughters holding her -- also went home. She is now with her husband.  She didn’t want to miss the party either.

One friend said this is a tough time for our family, but I am overwhelmed with gratitude.  When our mothers have been with us for a combined180 years, we can surely be grateful for blessing after blessing, year after year. Their lives were full, and they have filled our lives with love.

Now we will honor and remember two wonderful women, two loving mothers, and two precious grandmothers.  For my mother, we will gather in Dresden at the First United Methodist Church for visitation on Friday night between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. and a Celebration Service on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.  For Nancy’s mother, we will gather in Memphis for a Committal Service this Sunday morning and a Memorial Service over Thanksgiving.

As we give thanks, please keep our family in your prayers. And know that we are praying for you and yours.

Your friend, 

Roy Herron

Editorial : None needed !

Fiat Lux

America First...You Bet`Cha !

Don't Let Congress Leave Without Saving American Jobs.

Congress has one last chance to stand up to China’s cheating and save American jobs. Before your Member of Congress comes home to campaign for this November’s election, tell him or her to pass China currency legislation. Here’s why. America's trade deficit with China rose for the fifth straight month.  In fact, it reached a new monthly record of $29.4 billion in July.
When the trade deficit goes up, that means jobs go down.  A recent report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) shows our trade gap with China cost the U.S. 662,100 jobs between 2008 and 2011 alone, and 2.7 million jobs from 2001-2011. Click here for an interactive map showing this job loss in each state and congressional district. One of the principal reasons for this staggering job loss is China’s undervalued currency. Recent national polling for the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) shows that 64% of voters believe that this currency manipulation has cost U.S. jobs.
 We can’t afford to wait.  It’s time to ensure that American businesses and workers have a level playing field when competing with China.  Before Congress finishes for the year, it needs to pass China currency legislation. <> Click here to send a message to your Member of Congress urging the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 639, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act.
Together, we can make a difference.

Thanks for all you do,

Underdog = Don Jones

"Democracy...is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch"!

Liberty...is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Fiat Lux

HEALTH INSURANCE ~ A NIGHTMARE ! You Bet`Cha !

Sisters and brothers, My name is Karrie Turner.  I’m a proud Steelworker wife – married to the love of my life, Craig, and a mommy to three young boys: Travis, Trenton and Tucker. I’m writing to share my story and to ask you to please keep fighting for me and my family. As a member of USW Local 7248, Craig works hard every day.  In October 2005, when our first-born Travis was just 9 months old, our world was turned upside down. Our baby was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer. Travis was so sick he almost died. And just three months into his treatment, our insurance company kicked him off because the cost of his care had reached $1 million.  You can watch our story here.   Craig and I were devastated and shocked. How could this happen? We did everything we were supposed to do.  My husband went to work every day and paid for good benefits. But that didn’t matter to the insurance company. So Travis was forced onto Medicaid, and we spent the next few years fighting like heck to get the health care our son so desperately needed. Now, at age 7, Travis is in remission and back on Craig’s insurance because the Affordable Health Care Act championed by the USW and signed by President Obama bans the kind of lifetime caps that allowed our son to be dropped. Some call this law “Obamacare” and promise to repeal it. Our family calls it an answer to our prayers, and we’re counting on you to help us protect it. I’m not a political person, or a union official or wealthy campaign donor. I’m just a mom.  And as a mom, I’ll do everything in my power to protect my kids.  President Obama fought for my son. Now, my family is fighting for him. Will you please join us?  And when you cast your vote on Nov. 6, please remember my son. Thank you, Karrie Turner Pioneer, Ohio "Loyalty to country, always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it." ! "Democracy...is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch"! Liberty...is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote. Fiat Lux

NO WAR with IRAN !

                                                                        

Even as the drumbeat for war with Iran grows louder, there has been scant attention paid to the costs of another war.

Click below for a sample script and the number to call: Before we start another unnecessary and costly war, policymakers should understand what it will do to our military, to our economy and to our national security. Don't let Congress ignore the consequences of attacking Iran .

That is why progressive anti-war champion Rep. Barbara Lee has asked her colleagues in Congress to co-sign a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and the Office of Management and Budget Acting Director Jeffery Zients, asking them to provide a report detailing the projected costs of a potential war with Iran.

The deadline for co-signing the letter is tomorrow.

Can you call your representative, Stephen Fincher, today and ask him to co-sign Rep. Lee's letter? Click here for the number to call and a sample script.

Making the call today is vital for two reasons.

First, we have heard from our friends on Capitol Hill that members of Congress are not hearing from constituents who want to avoid an unnecessary and costly war with Iran. So we should use every opportunity to demonstrate that constituents will be shocked and angry if we casually start another costly and unnecessary war.

Second, if we bomb Iran, it will set the entire Middle East on fire, send oil prices through the roof and our economy off a cliff — something our nation simply cannot afford.

But the current clamor for war entirely ignores this reality. So we should support efforts like this to highlight the very serious consequences of attacking Iran.

The more members of Congress who co-sign Rep. Lee's letter, the more likely it is that the request for a report will carry weight with the officials who receive the letter.

Please take a minute to pick up the phone today and make a call asking Rep. Fincher to co-sign Rep. Lee's letter. Click the link below for a sample script and the number to call:

http://act.credoaction.com/call?tg=FHTN_08&cp_id=261&id=46280-3026155-ID6DSqx&t=7

Thank you for all you do,

Underdog = Don Jones.

WORK CONNECTS US ALL !

Work Good for Everybody !

No matter what you do, work connects us all. We depend on one another's work. Together, it's how we build, create, teach, rewire, heal and grow what's important. And this Labor Day weekend there's a new way for you to go that extra mile and thank someone special in your life. The AFL-CIO is launching a new tool that allows you to thank someone who makes a difference in your life.
Maybe it's the first coworker you ever had, the smiling face whom you buy coffee from each morning or the mail carrier who always has a good story to tell. Will you share your thanks now, with the AFL-CIO's new tool? You can send a video or an e-card message to the people whose work helps make your life better.
You can probably think of plenty of workers in your life who deserve thanks-the teachers who inspire your children, the firefighters who keep us safe, the nurses who heal our wounds or the electricians who keep the lights on. It might be workers you sometimes forget about-the waitresses who served your dinner, the accountants who worried about your taxes so you didn't have to or the mail carriers who got your package there in time for your mom's birthday.
We want everyone to know their work matters. Say thanks to the workers in your life today.

In Solidarity,

Underdog = Don Jones
Keep America Working

"Democracy...is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch"!

Liberty...is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Fiat Lux

Canadian Rx. Drugs ! Order On-Line...Check it Out !

Click here > http://www.canadadrugs.com/ As you may know, RxRights and Roger Bate of the American Enterprise Institute are working together on a survey that will shed some light on questions such as why people buy prescription drugs from international pharmacies. Thank you to those of you who have already participated in the survey! The survey closes next Monday and so if you haven't, please be sure to fill it out today! Our hope is to secure survey data that can be used to influence prescription drug policy. *Please note: the survey is anonymous. In addition, RxRights will never share your personal information with others. Thanks for all you do, Underdog = Don Jones

Petition problems: Thank you to those of you who have signed petition to protect access to imported prescription drugs, especially to those who have persisted despite technical issues with the petition site! Still having trouble? We have posted some tips on our website. The petition closes on Friday. But we still need more than 17,000 signatures to reach our goal. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I again urge you to sign the petition and forward it to everyone you know. Please take a stand on behalf of the millions of Americans who can't afford the high price of U.S medicine.

The Rich ~ The Under Taxed !

America the Undertaxed

08/27/2012

Tula Connell

In refusing to turn over more than two years of his tax returns, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney brags that he paid all his taxes but "not a penny more." Meaning no matter what he paid, he coughed up a pretty minimal amount, however how you slice it. Not only can Romney get away with legally paying very little in taxes, but his low tax rate is within an already low national tax rate (click to enlarge chart).

A recent Foreign Affairs article, "America the Undertaxed," provides a much-needed corrective this election cycle. From the authors:

Compared with other developed countries, the United States has very low taxes, little redistribution of income, and an extraordinarily complex tax code. These three aspects of American exceptionalism deserve more attention than they typically receive.

Yet under the Romney-Ryan budget plan, Romney would get another $4.5 million in tax cuts. Romney would pay less than 1% in taxes of $20 million in income.

So how does the nation make up for that loss? Romney and his vice presidential running mate, Paul Ryan, have the answer: Make the middle class pay! From the Center for American Progress:

[Former] Gov. Romney and Rep. Ryan force a $2,000 tax hike on millions in the middle class. Their plan would raise taxes on 95 percent of Americans—from the single parent working a minimum wage job to the family making $150,000 a year—just to give the wealthiest Americans another tax break.

"America the Undertaxed" needs a qualification: Especially if you're extremely wealthy.

And especially if you're Mitt Romney.

Editorial : The rich, should pay their way ! Not look for loop-holes to avoid paying tax`s ! ESpecially off-shore !

" I always turn to the sports section first, which records man`s accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man`s failures."

"Democracy...is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch"!

Liberty...is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Fiat Lux