Organ/Donation ~ Just The Facts !

Organ/Donation & The Media ?

Sunday's NBC Dateline broadcast the story of the trial of the California transplant surgeon who was accused in 2008 of trying to kill a patient for their organs. It was widely reported when the charge was brought, and, as usual, totally ignored when he was found innocent. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34956452 This story is highly unusual for the media. I find that it`s the story not the facts that the media enjoys. Most, but not all Transplant movies are highly exaggerated ! It sells tickets. Get the facts from a Transplanted Patient or one of the accepted Organ/Donor Awareness groups. such as, Tennessee Donor Services. The Freemasons Grand Lodge of Tennessee. Click on the web-site above ! Click on the following for Tennessee Donor Services (TDS)> http://www.donatelifetn.org/ <

You can also contact this writer at > donjones90@gmail.com <> " Give The Gift of Life, Be an Organ/Tissue Donor, it`s the Masonic Thing to Do"! Grand Lodge of Tennessee, The Freemasons > http://www.grandlodge-tn.org/

Health Care Stopped by Republican Minority !

Republican Minority ~ Kills Health Care Reform !
By Don Jones = Underdog

I have been watching this so called debate on Health Care, in the Congress and the Senate ! I`m at a loss ? I do not understand ! Then a light turns on ! The health care/insurance/lobby money is buying votes and influence. Now, the Supreme Court has ruled that corporations are unfettered to spend all the money they wish, to buy up their/congressional votes ! It seems that the American middle class is doomed. I have been an optimist most of my life. I am no longer an optimist. I have been told that, Unions can now do the same thing. That`s true. However, compared to corporations, unions are mere paupers. In other words, Union money compared to corporate money is like a drop of water in the ocean. Corporations can buy and sell us and anyone else to get their laws passed, and they will ! When George W. Bush had an opportunity to pack the court with two new Justices, he did ! Both Republican ! The Court is now (5) conservative and (4) progressive. Guess what ? American middle class loses again. The Republican minority is still running the country. Not by the majority votes they once had, but by the minority votes they now have. I would not have thought this possible, I was wrong ! They just say no to any of President Obama`s plans to reform, not only health care, but anything he try`s to accomplish. Senator Mitch McConnell (R) Kentucky is the minority leader. He has kept his troops in lock step to oppose anything the Democrats offer ! McConnell could care less about the middle class ! I know this, if health care reform is not accomplished. The things that are so desperately wrong with this country will not get any better. As I see it,(1.) Health Care, (2.)Trade, (3.)Wall-Street and (4.) Manufacturing are the most important items to be reformed. What can be done ? President Obama must begin by going to the American people and telling them, like it is. He must become President Franklin D. Roosevelt and tell the lobbyist and the Republicans things they have not heard before ! America can only survive by his strength. President Obama is a great orator. Action and deeds are needed to back up the oration !

Supreme Court Rules Against America`s Middle Class !

Supreme Court Packed by "Dubya" Rules Against Middle Class Americans...

Yesterday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that corporations can spend freely in federal elections.It's a green light for a new stampede of special interest money in our politics, giving their lobbyists even more power in Washington. Now, every candidate who fights for change could face limitless attacks from corporate special interests like health insurance companies and Wall Street banks.While the GOP is celebrating a victory for its special interest allies, President Obama is working with leaders in Congress to craft a forceful response that protects the voices of ordinary citizens. Please add your name right away to help show that the American people support strong, urgent action to prevent a corporate takeover of our democracy. Congress: I support bold action to ensure fair elections. The Supreme Court decision overturned a 20-year precedent saying that corporations could not pay for campaign ads from their general treasuries. And it struck down a law saying corporations couldn't buy "issue ads" -- which only thinly veil support for or opposition to specific candidates -- in the closing days of campaigns.The result? Corporations can unleash multi-million-dollar ad barrages against candidates who try to curb special interest power, or devote millions to propping up elected officials who back their schemes.With no limits on their spending, big oil, Wall Street banks, and health insurance companies will try to drown out the voices of everyday Americans -- and Republicans seem ecstatic.While opponents of change in Congress are praising this victory for special interests, President Obama has tasked his administration and Congress with identifying a fix to preserve our democracy -- and we need to show that the American people stand with him.Add your name today:http://my.barackobama.com/FairElections

Health Care Reform & The Public Option = Definition

The Public Option & Health Care Reform
Definition !

By Sarah Rubenstein

April, 2010

So what is this “public” insurance plan that President Obama has been talking about, anyway ? When Obama was on the campaign trail, he pushed the idea of giving consumers the chance to choose among both private and publicly sponsored health-insurance options. The idea has caused some consternation among insurers, who worry such a public plan would have an unfair advantage with the heft of the government behind it. Another question is whether the new public plan would pay doctors at the same rates that Medicare does — rates many doctors feel are too low. In a media briefing hosted by the Kaiser Family Foundation today, Nancy-Ann DeParle, who’s running the new White House Office of Health Reform, was asked for her own definition of the term. Her response:
A public plan is something that’s sponsored by the government, and therefore has very low or almost nonexistent administrative costs, compared to others. It doesn’t have the need to have brokers out selling; it wouldn’t have the need to have a lot of costs and profits, the way private plans would. So it has that advantage. It could operate by the same rules that all the other plans do; it could have payments rates that are very similar. Or it could have payment rates that are the same as Medicare — that’s one idea that’s been used. So there are various ways of looking at it. DeParle then said one model might be the plans that are offered to state employees. They’re government-sponsored and tend to be less expensive, but they’re often operated by private companies, she said. Another model is Medicare, she added.
When it comes to differences on how to construct such a plan or how much it would pay, “there are ways of bridging that gap,” DeParle said. Some folks on the left, including Howard Dean, are trying to make sure Obama doesn’t give up the idea altogether.

Editorial : The Public Option, a Good Idea !

Trade, Trade, Trade ~ China, China, China ! U.S. Workers Shafted Again !

President Leo W. Gerard, United Steelworkers International:

January 11, 2010 10:33 AM

In Trade, Too Often, the Victim is Blamed

A screwy thing happened after the United Steelworkers and eight domestic steel producers won their trade case late in December against Chinese manufacturers of the steel pipe used for oil and gas drilling. Instead of describing it as an important victory for U.S. industry and workers, one in which they proved to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that China violated international trade rules, the media characterized it as Americans unnecessarily picking a fight with the Chinese. What else is new ? It's exactly what happened in September when the United Steelworkers won tariffs in a trade case regarding imported Chinese tires. What's particularly disturbing about this stance from the media is that it occurs only when a trade case involves manufactured goods. The media strongly supports protections for copyrighted material - movies, music etc. The media have made clear they oppose Chinese piracy of intellectual property - you know, like the written and filmed products that media members produce.
But their reaction is completely different when the Chinese violate international rules regarding manufactured goods. Then, the media blame the victims -- the U.S. industries and workers - the same way defense attorneys accuse rape victims.
Here, for example, is the Washington Post contending that the ITC decision to impose duties of between 10.4 and 15.8 percent on Chinese pipe heightened trade hostilities between the U.S. and China:"The current tensions began in September, when the United States imposed a staggering 35 percent import fee on tires from China." The Dow Jones Newswire in a story by Henry J. Pulizzi also charged the U.S. with provoking the Chinese by imposing duties, beginning with a reference to the steel pipe decision:"The ruling adds more tension to the U.S.-China trade relationship. Ties between Washington and Beijing are already frayed by the Obama administration's imposition of duties on Chinese tire imports and China's criticism of U.S. moves as protectionist."These reporters act like the decisions themselves initiated animosity between the U.S. and China over trade. That completely disregards how the process starts - with China violating international trade rules it had agreed to obey in ways that cause U.S. businesses to collapse, factories to close, thousands of U.S. paper workers, tire workers, steelworkers and others to lose their jobs, and their communities to suffer. We could sit back and just take it and allow U.S. industries to die, one after another, while China keeps its citizens employed by providing subsidies and supports forbidden under international law to its industries and then selling the goods in the U.S. at prices below production costs. But that doesn't sit well with most Americans. They believe their country should enforce trade rules. That is what U.S. industry and unions are demanding. That is what occurred in the tire and steel cases. That is what the United Steelworkers and paper manufacturers are seeking in a trade case to be heard later this year. Demanding adherence to the rules isn't protectionism. And the media need to stop saying it is. Here's how Dan DiMicco, chief executive officer of Nucor, the nation's second largest steelmaker, explained it, "It is not protectionism when countries are held accountable for the agreements and obligations they freely entered into to have access to the USA and world's markets." In addition to falsely making this a protectionist fight, the media wrongly contend the tariffs were political. Dow Jones, for example, tried to make the unanimous ITC decision in the steel case political, writing: "The ITC is an independent federal agency tasked with investigating the impact of alleged 'dumping' of foreign products on U.S. industries. While its six commissioners are split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, the decision fits with the Obama administration's push to address U.S. manufacturers' concerns about Chinese competition." Dow Jones implies here that somehow Obama managed to strong-arm all three Republican ITC members to vote his way in this case. None of the stories suggesting politics were involved in the tariff decisions note that Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama and nine Republican Congressmen joined dozens of Democrats in signing letters to the ITC supporting the duties.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman has written that failure to enforce trade laws and compel China to stop manipulating its currency could cost the U.S. 1.4 million jobs over the next couple of years. He describes China's behavior as mercantilist - supporting industry for export of goods to maintain high employment and trade surpluses. He quoted economist Paul Samuelson:"With employment less than full. . . all the debunked mercantilist arguments" - that is, claims that nations who subsidize their exports effectively steal jobs from other countries - "turn out to be valid."That is what China is doing to the U.S. - stealing jobs. The U.S. doesn't have to let it happen. America can enforce international trade laws. It works. Shortly after President Obama imposed the tire tariffs, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced plans to add capacity to its Findlay, Ohio plant and hire up to 100 workers. Other U.S. tire plants began recalling laid off workers. American manufacturers, workers and communities are the victims of unfairly traded Chinese exports. They're fed up with the media blaming them when all they're asking for is justice.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leo-w-gerard/in-trade-too-often-the-vi_b_418424.html?view=print

Organ/Donation & Your (PCP)Primary Care Physician

Primary Care Physicians & Organ Donation ?

By Charles Bankhead, Staff Writer, MedPage TodayPublished: January 08, 2010Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco andDorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner
Earn CME/CE creditfor reading medical news

Explain to patients that a survey of primary care physicians showed that physicians rarely discuss organ donation with their patients. Primary care physicians rarely discuss organ donation with patients, even though most of the doctors believe organ donation is within the scope of their practice, a survey of primary care physicians showed. Fewer than 4% of physicians said they discussed organ donation with patients, compared with 30% who discussed end-of-life issues. Almost two-thirds of the physicians said organ donation is not outside the scope of clinical practice. Most often, discussions about organ donation occur with grieving individuals who are trying to cope with a friend or family member's imminent death, or during applications for drivers' licenses and renewals.The survey findings suggest a need for increased involvement of healthcare workers, and more specifically, primary care physicians, according to authors of an article in the January issue of the Journal of the National Medical Association. "With more than 100,000 Americans waiting for organ transplants, it is crucial that we find new ways to increase donation," J. Daryl Thornton, MD, of MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, said in a statement. "New efforts should focus on improving communication on the subject between healthcare providers and their patients."Discussion of organ donation with a primary care provider might increase patients' willingness to donate, Thornton and co-authors wrote. However, the frequency of such conversations had not been reported. To examine the issue, the authors conducted a mail and Internet-based survey of a national sample of 831 primary care physicians, with oversampling of African- American and Hispanic physicians. Respondents comprised 233 non-Hispanic blacks, 194 Hispanics, and 277 non-Hispanic whites. The 41-item questionnaire elicited information about respondents' demographics and practice patterns, professional knowledge about organ donation, and personal experience with organ donation, including their own willingness to be organ donors (live or deceased). White physicians tended to be older than blacks and Hispanics (47.3 years versus 43.6 and 44.8). More than half of the black physicians were women, compared with a quarter of Hispanics and a third of whites. About 60% of whites were family physicians, whereas 55% of blacks and 57% of Hispanics were internists. Overall, 97% of respondents expressed support for organ donation, with relatively small proportions saying they would be unwilling to donate their own organs (7% of whites, 11% of Hispanics, 17% of blacks). Responses showed that 47% of blacks had signed a donor card, compared with 61% of Hispanics and 79% of whites. Overall, 4% of physicians said they had discussed organ donation with more than half of their patients. The authors found that 5% of physicians had donor cards in their offices, while 11% had information about organ donation, and 50% could cite sources of information for patients. In contrast, 29% of black physicians, 36% of Hispanics, and 23% of whites had discussed end-of-life issues with patients (P=0.01, Hispanics versus other two groups). Responses showed that 16% of physicians received training in organ donation during medical school and 17% afterward. However, 71% had provided care for a transplant recipient. Most respondents felt they had inadequate knowledge about organ donation, but only 36% thought that discussion of organ donation was outside the scope of their practice. A multivariate analysis revealed only two significant predictors of organ donation discussions: donation education during or after medical school (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.00 to 6.5, P<0.05)>

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs ~ Manufacturing Base !

Reminder: Last Day !

Take the Rapid Response Jobs Survey

On Monday, Rapid Response sent out an important survey to get your input on how to create jobs in our country. If you haven’t yet done the survey, take five minutes to do so TODAY! The President is considering various approaches for needed job creation, including the strategies the USW is fighting for. He is now asking us to weigh in to tell him what we believe should be the most important priorities and tactics to make this happen. Responses will be compiled on Friday, so we need everyone who has not taken the survey to do so right now !

Click HERE to take the Rapid Response Jobs Survey.

Or you can click on the title of this artice !

The Gift of Life ~ How Inspiring...

Yes, it is so great that we are all still here to enjoy and Celebrate life this Holiday Season.

By James Gleason

My wife just came back from a transplant nurses meeting (about 80 attending) and shared that my own 15 years (and I note and celebrate those others who responded to Adam with heart transplant years of 15 and 27 years out - YES!!!) is remarkable given what she heard in that presentation. Their topic was "Optimizing Immunosuppressive Management Strategies in the Transplant Patient and in retrospect they are still learning so much about our long history of over dosing/underdosing that it is truly amazing that we have the very positive results we have, and it should be getting better with each passing year as they learn more from observing those of us who are the long term survivors (hearts I'm talking about here, since the kidneys certainly have the longer history of those many years survival). I have observed over these years that transplant doesn't' prevent death, its an extension of the uncertain life span we all must face, transplant or not. So I have decided that the real question we all face is not how long we are going to live, but rather, what are we going to do with the life we have today, and tomorrow and if gifted with yet more, those days too.
So given this wonderful network we share here, what is everyone doing these days with that gift of life? Any special things you can share from this past year, for example, that were really special because you had that year to live because of the gift from a donor family who faced the other side of this uncertain length of life years/days? What are you celebrating this holiday season and how are you going to celebrate it because you can with this transplant ? Yes, Adam, we are (most of us anyway) still here, and thankfully very busy living life. Thanks for asking so we could share in responding to you this way. Happy and healthy holidays everyone (i.e., Russ, Karen, etc.). "Live long and prosper..." as they said on that famous Star Trek show years ago.

Jim Gleason,

Heart Transplant Recipient,

Oct 19th, 1994...

Editorial : I wish, I had written this. "Thanks Jim" !

Don Jones

Heart Transplant Recipient

Aug 17th, 1994

Seven Health Care fixes, That Would Work !...11/24/09

Seven Quick fixes to Health Care
What would happen soon if the health-care overhaul passes.
By Ryan Teague Beckwith

To hear the rhetoric on both sides, you'd think the health-care overhaul in the Senate would change the U.S. system overnight. In reality, most of the changes — such as the new health insurance exchanges and insurance mandates for individuals — would not take place until 2014 (or 2013 in the House version).
Still, a few provisions are set to begin next year, if the legislation passes. Some of the most significant changes would extend existing programs and rules in order to immediately reduce the number of uninsured Americans. Others would end unpopular practices in the private insurance industry.The measures are designed to build immediate support for the longer-term provisions in the bills, which could still be changed by future legislation. They will also provide President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats with talking points going into the 2010 elections. If the bill passes, expect to hear a lot more about these provisions in the near future.

Below, a few of the immediate changes:

* Insuring high-risk citizens. Both bills would create a $5 billion fund for temporary insurance for citizens with pre-existing conditions who have not been insured for at least six months. The program would end once the insurance exchanges begin in 2013 or 2014.

* Extending insurance for adult children. The House bill would allow parents to keep unmarried adult children on their health insurance until their 27th birthday; the Senate bill, until their 26th birthday. This would reduce the number of uninsured young adults.

* Extending insurance for the recently unemployed. Under current law, laid-off workers are allowed to continue buying their existing insurance through the COBRA program for up to 18 months. The bills would extend that coverage until the insurance exchanges begin.

* Ending lifetime limits on benefits. Both bills would end the lifetime caps on insurance coverage which have sometimes been used to deny payments to consumers with particularly expensive treatments. Both bills would also restrict annual limits on health-care benefits.

* Ending rescission. Insurance companies often cancel policies for consumers who require expensive medical care because they made honest mistakes on their medical histories. Both bills would prohibit insurance plans from canceling coverage except in cases of fraud.

* Starting to close the doughnut hole. Both bills would begin closing the so-called "doughnut hole" in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage by providing an additional $500 in coverage starting in 2010. Over several years, the gap would be reduced until it was closed entirely.

* Taxing plastic surgery. The Senate bill would include a new 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic surgery. The tax is estimated to raise $5.8 billion over the next 10 years. It does not apply to cosmetic surgery to fix problems caused by accidents, disease or birth defects.

Ryan Teague Beckwith is deputy editor of Congress.org.

Underdogs Blog=Don Jones !....11/21/09...You Bet !

UnderDog`s Blog ?
By Don Jones = Underdog

I publish this blog, called Underdog almost daily. I write about things, I think, I know about ? For instance, I write about Organ/Transplantation. I write about Unions. I write about healthcare. I write a little about Pulmonary Hypertension. At times I am very opinionated. I do not ask that you agree with me, I do ask however that when you disagree with me, that your comments on my blog be without curse words. I do not use them in my blog. I must insist that your comments be curse free. If they are not without curse words, that`s your prerogative. However, that particular comment will be deleted. That's my rule ! I am a Democrat most of the time. Although, I have voted Republican. I am a voter of platforms and programs. Thus, the platform of the Democrats, usually fit my needs. I feel that if you are a Republican voter, you are mostly with and not without, you are white collar not blue collar. I feel if you are opposed to health care reform, you are both with and have great insurance ! I`m a Democrat who opposes gun control. I am a Democrat who opposes abortion. If you want to carry a gun, and I do ! Get licensed. I am ! You don't want or believe in abortion, don`t have one ! As for myself and my family, I view it as our decision, not your`s ! I believe in Free Democratic Trade Unions ! I belong to one. In my state of Tennessee, we have a law called (Right to Work) You are not required by law to join a union. If you do not wish to join, don`t ! You must understand, that I do not agree with that law, but, I am a law abiding citizen, thus I do abide by it ! I believe we should have term limits for our politicians. Congress was never intended to be a life-time occupation. We have them for our President and in Tennessee we have them for our Governor. Why not Congress and the Senate ? I once had a politician tell me, he could`nt be bought, but, he could be rented for a little while. I had a problem with that statement. I am a practicing Christian. I believe in separation of church and state. I have seen my church lose members over the years, because they turned into a political action committee(PAC). Let your conviction be tempered by your love for your fellow man. Let your example be that of Love, Hope and Charity ! I am a Freemason, Do not ever give up on our democracy. Vote ! Demand that your voice be heard and that you stay in touch/contact with your elected Representative`s. When you do disagree with someone, disagree with kindness, not hate or disgust. My e-mail address is on my blog. You can contact me via e-mail. donjones90@gmail.com/ or donjones@charter.net . You can make comments on my blog, I encourage you to do so. Just be agreeable or disagreeable, not ugly ! If you have items of interest you would like to see published, just forward them to this writer. Now, understand, I am the publisher, I will decide what is published and what is not ! If you wish to save my web-address for my blog, just click on the title or the following link. > http://wwwsecondchance.blogspot.com/ <

and put it in your favorites.With warmest regard, I remain

Stick a Fork in Me, I`m Done !

UNDERDOG = Don Jones !

Medicare & Healthcare reform !...Check it Out !

Medicare & Healthcare Reform...H.R. 3962

A report requested by Republicans and released on Saturday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services drew attention from health reform critics this week. The report questioned the expected savings from the House-approved health care overhaul. However, CMS's analysis is not an apples-to-apples comparison to the cost estimate conducted by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), because CMS did not review tax provisions, which help offset the price tag of the Democrats' measure. It is certain that the House health care reform bill will extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund by five years, significantly longer than any other recent proposal. The legislation will also cut out-of-pocket spending by more than $200 billion by 2019. "We must separate fact from fiction to avoid being alarmed unnecessarily," said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. "Overall, national spending on health care would increase by less than 1.3% over the next decade with the House bill, even though millions of additional people will gain coverage. Without health care reform, health care costs are expected to rise at rates double that of inflation, growing every year as a larger share of the Gross National Product." To learn more facts about the financial benefits of H.R. 3962 to retirees, go to http://bit.ly/jV9Ml.

______________________________________________________ Donut Hole...Sucking Sound ! $$$

Rising Drug Costs in Face of Health Reform The New York Times reported early this week that the drug industry has been raising its prices at the fastest rate in years - this year by 9%. The rise has caused speculation about price increases in advance of health reform legislation. Those increases will add more than $10 billion to the nation's $300 billion drug bill this year, and led Democrats in Congress to request two investigations of drug industry pricing http://bit.ly/1NcGtz on Wednesday.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ~ This Writer Has It !...11/14/09

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
By Don Jones, PAH Patient...11/14/09

I have not written about my Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension disease lately. I have been doing a drug called Ventavis 5.0 inhaled six(6) times a day and a drug called Revatio(20mg.)The cost of these two drugs are appoximately $12,000.00 per month, my insurance pays, or I could`nt pay ! I do not believe these drugs have made a marked difference. I do not believe I`m any worse. Vanderbilt is going to stop these drugs and put me on a new drug called Tyvaso. I am affraid to ask the cost. Tyvaso is form of Remodulin. Tyvaso, (inhaled treprostinil) is an inhaled form of Remodulin®, which is a synthetic form of prostacyclin. It is produced by United Therapeutics, Inc and received FDA approval in 2009 for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in WHO Group 1 patients with NYHA Class III symptoms. Tyvaso is administered using the Tyvaso Inhalation System. The product is to be administered by oral inhalation, 4 times daily, approximately 4 hours apart during waking hours. The effects on a persons ability to exercise will decrease over the course of the minimum recommended dosing interval of 4 hours but treatment timing can be adjusted for planned activities in order to accommodate individual schedules of activity. I must say that I can`t wait to begin this new drug ! Shortness of breath is not much fun. I cannot do very much strenuous activity and walking is a nightmare at times. Being a Heart-Transplant, this disease puts a heavy burden on my heart. I`m not sure if I will continue the Revatio, Vanderbilt`s Dr. Hemnes(Picture Above) has not said at this point. As I learn more, I will write more in regard to this new treatment. I would ask what anyone`s experience is with this new drug, but, it is so new, there are`nt any. I have learned that as a PAH patient, I have good days and bad days. I find it extremely difficult to keep a positive outlook. I do know, that without my family, I could`nt make it ! Studies have shown that Tyvaso is a very effective treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is much less invasive than the current subcutaneous or intravenous formulation of treprostinil (Remodulin) and since it is administered less frequently than Ventavis®, it makes it a very desirable option for PAH patients. For additional Information, visit the Tyvaso Website.

Unfair Trade, Ya Think ?

U.S. Taxpayers to Give Over $425 Million to Create Over 2,000 Jobs in China...

Chinese Manufacturer Claims "This is Just the Beginning"

Recent news revealed that the developer of a planned Texas wind farm is seeking – and expects to receive – more than $425 million in stimulus funds for the project. The wind farm is estimated to create a few-hundred temporary construction jobs along with about 30 ongoing jobs in the United States. Meanwhile, it is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs in China. That’s because a Chinese firm will be the exclusive supplier of the wind turbines for the project. China Artificially Lowers the Cost of their Exports, While U.S. Producers Struggle In case after case, China is continually found to provide massive subsidies to its domestic manufacturers along with other tactics to undercut U.S. producers. Consider that while China’s wind-turbine producing industry grows, in the first three quarters of 2009, there were 33 percent fewer announcements of U.S. wind turbine factory expansions compared to 2008.China plans on continuing their investments in the U.S. renewable industry in order to create a market for their manufacturers. Lu Jinxiang, an executive involved with the West Texas deal, was recently quoted as saying that “this is just the beginning” and the U.S. is “an ideal target” given our desire to promote renewable energy. We Can’t Afford to Give Up Good-Paying Manufacturing Jobs Unemployment now stands above 10 percent. Adding in those who have stopped looking or are not working as much as they would like takes the rate above 17 percent. Now is the time to make a real commitment to American jobs through a solid policy to promote manufacturing, as so many other nations already have. We need to get our country and our communities back on track. Green jobs can help reinvigorate the U.S. manufacturing base and provide quality, sustainable jobs for millions of Americans while promoting a cleaner environment. The stimulus bill was supposed to spark this activity – not create green jobs overseas. These wind turbines, their main components and other “green” products, can be made in the US – at least for the moment. It’s time to rethink our policies and renew our commitment to quality jobs in the U.S. Get Ready To Act ! We will NEVER just sit by and quietly watch this happen! Rapid Response will let you know how you can take action within a few days to help us try and stop this further export of U.S. jobs and taxpayer dollars to China!

Health Care Critical to Seniors...Life & Death !..11/13/09

Alliance Leaders Join First Lady as Part of Health Reform Effort

Several Alliance leaders are scheduled to be with First Lady Michelle Obama this afternoon at a White House health reform event focused on senior women. Ms. Easterling, Alliance Executive Vice President Judy Cato and Executive Board member Barbara Matteson of Tucson, Arizona, are planning to attend the event, which will shine a light on the difficulties older women face getting insurance and how health reform will help them.
______________________________________________________________

Senate Works to Pass Its Own Health Care Bill :

The narrow margin in the House vote suggests enormous challenges in the Senate, where Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is struggling to hold on to all 58 Democrats and two independents in his caucus. Sen. Reid has merged two bills into one. The fine print is not public, but according to The New York Times, the broad outlines are known. Unlike the House bill, which pays to extend coverage by taxing individuals who earn more than $500,000 a year and couples who earn more than $1 million, the Senate bill would impose a tax on higher-end insurance policies, which could have a detrimental effect on coverage for retirees and older workers. And unlike the House bill, which includes a national public plan, the Senate measure would allow states to opt out. White House officials realize that the closer the final vote comes to the November 2010 midterm Congressional elections, the more difficult it will be to pass legislation. "Senators must remember that many workers gave up other benefits in order to maintain their right to good health care benefits," said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. "To tax those workers? health benefits now would be unfair."

Health Care & Trade Our Two Most Important Economic Indicators...11/12/09

It`s Health Care & Trade, Stupid !

By Don Jones

As most of you know, I am a strong believer in our middle class. I think that without Unions, Fair Trade and reformed Health Care our middle class is lost. I do not believe that Wall Street will save us ! I do not believe that unfair commerce will save us ! I do not believe that a few people with all of the money will save us ! Our political system has divided into two factions, the Republicans represent the rich and powerful. The Democrats represent the middle class and the not so powerful. If you do not believe or like that statement, where on earth have you been ? Unfair Trade is absolutely killing off all of our manufacturing base. Without descent paying jobs, America is lost ! Health Care is one of the factors in moving off shore and manufacturing that same product and send it here to the United States for sale. Health Care is part of our manufacturing cost. If say, Goodyear Tire & Rubber builds a plant in China and they have and are. They can pay their employee`s 0.42 cents per hour and no benefits/health care ! They send tires back to USA for sale, They cannot sell them in China for (5) five years ! Price does not come down. Now, that's fair, sure it is ! Workers here cannot compete with that kind of unfair trade. I picked on Goodyear because that is exactly what is going on, plus, I worked there before my retirement. Unions have been rendered almost powerless in the last decade or longer. It is tough to organize workers, when there are no jobs. Can we all sit in front of a computer and make a living ? I think not. It is jobs, jobs, jobs and as our President says, we must make products here ! We no longer make shoes, clothing, electronic`s. Buy American, sounds great, but where do you find American made products, you sure cannot find them at Wal-Mart ! They are the great China importers. Do not believe the party of NO that we cannot have fair trade. I have heard that crap, until I`m sick. We must have fair trade, trade that equalizes are workers. Without it, we become a third world country. Our very rich, move their money off-shore to avoid paying tax`s. That leaves just the middle class to tote the note. Soon there will not be enough of us remaining to pay. Stop the bleeding of our manufacturing base now, or pay dearly later...and not much later either. So, it is Trade and Health Care...fix it !

How Health Care Reform Would Help YOU !...11/10/09

Here’s How the House’s Health Care Reform Would Help You
by Seth Michaels, Nov 9, 2009

With successful passage of a historic health care reform bill this weekend, experts are weighing in on the benefits that the bill would bring to working families.
Maggie Mahar, a longtime observer of health care policy, says the progress Congress has made on health care is “astounding” and the House bill would move millions of families to less expensive, more comprehensive health care coverage, protecting them from medical bankruptcy, lifetime coverage caps and other consequences of our current flawed system. A study by MIT health care economist Jonathan Gruber suggests the changes in the House proposal will lower premiums by hundreds or even thousands of dollars for middle-class families who are looking to buy insurance.This legislation includes numerous benefits for working families, immediately and in the long term, whether you have insurance now or not: It will end the national scandal of medical bankruptcy—the number one cause of personal bankruptcy—by eliminating lifetime caps on insurer payments and limiting annual out-of-pocket costs. Medical bankruptcies affect up to 4,000 families every day in the United States—and 78 percent of them are fully insured.
It ends abusive insurance company practices, including the denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions and “rescissions”—the practice of canceling coverage when patients file claims.

It provides subsidies to help middle-class and lower-income families afford coverage. Through an exchange, it offers people a wide range of choices of insurance, including a public health insurance option that competes with private insurers.

It narrows the “donut hole”—the gap in Medicare coverage for prescription drugs.

It creates incentives to increase the number of doctors and boosts funding for community health centers.

It allows young people to be covered by their parents’ insurance up to age 27.

It creates a new fund to help employers give health coverage to early retirees.

It provides for efficient, computerized medical records and other tools to streamline medical care and increase quality.

It cuts costs to the federal government as well as to families, reducing the deficit by more than $100 billion over the next 10 years—thanks, in part, to the existence of a public health insurance option, which lowers costs across the system.
Ad it’s fairly funded—through employer responsibility and a surtax on the very highest earners, not a tax on middle-class health benefits.

That’s a huge, historic win that will make a real difference in the lives of people of all ages. Here’s a two-page fact sheet that explains more.
Meanwhile: President Barack Obama praised the House members who showed courage in taking this critical vote.
Health Care for America Now (HCAN) and other reform supporters are thanking representatives who voted “Yes.” You can thank your member of Congress here. They showed courage by fighting against insurance companies and for working families—and they need to hear from you to know that they did the right thing.
And the Senate could begin debate on its own health care legislation next week.

The Great Connection ~ Wal-Mart & China...11/02/09

The Emma Maersk (part of a Danish shipping line).

What a ship....no wonder 'Made in China ' is displacing North American goods big time. This monster transports goods across the Pacific in about 5 days!!! This is how Wal-Mart gets it's stuff from China . 15,000 containers and a 207' deck beam! The crew-size: 13 people on a ship longer than a US aircraft carrier (which has a crew of 5,000). Notice that 207' beam means it cannot fit through the Panama or Suez Canals . It is strictly transpacific. Cruise speed: 31 knots.. The goods arrive 4 days before the typical container ship (18-20 knots) on a China -to- California run. So this behemoth is hugely competitive when carrying perishable goods..The ship was built in five sections. The sections floated together and then welded. The command bridge is higher than a 10-story building and has 11 cargo crane rigs that can operate simultaneously. Additional info: Country of origin - Denmark Length - 1,302 ft Width - 207 ft Net cargo - 123,200 tons Engine - 14 cylinders in-line diesel engine (110,000 BHP) Cruise Speed - 31 knots Cargo capacity - 15,000 TEU (1 TEU = 20 cubic feet) Crew - 13 people First Trip - Sept. 08, 2006 Construction cost - US $145,000,000+ Silicone painting applied to the ship bottom reduces water resistance and saves 317,000 gallons of diesel per year. Editorial Comment ! A recent documentary in late March on the History Channel noted that nearly all of these containers are shipped back to China , EMPTY. Yep, that's right. We send nothing back on most of these ships. What does that tell you about the current financial state of this country ? Just keep buying those imported goods (mostly gadgets) until you run out of money. Then wonder what the cause of unemployment (maybe your job) in the U.S. and Canada might be? I believe it is time to start shopping somewhere besides WalMart.
LOOK FOR MADE IN AMERICA. We can do it if we stick together. American Made Only.

Editorial : Thanks to Buddy for this ! Ya Think Wal-Mart is your friend ? I think not !

The Church, The Christian, and Politics ?

What Would Jesus Do ?

By Don Jones...10/25/09

It is Sunday morning, I have followed my usual routine, I`ve watched the Sunday morning news - talk shows. I then went to church. I have a fellow christian friend at church his name is, lets call him, Bobby, now Bobby and I are of the same persuasion when it comes to politics. We usually vote the Democratic ticket and we both love Tennessee football. We are both liberal thinkers. Now in some Church's liberal has become a political word, and not a good word at that. Where they get this, I have no idea. Now, I have another christian friend at my church, his name is, lets call him Joe ! Joe is of the conservative persuasion. now that`s alright, except, I`m not sure what a conservative right wing republican is, or if he is one ? I have found that most conservatives have come to a conclusion that if you are liberal democrat, that is a very bad thing. I do not believe their conclusion. There are some republicans, who believe that you cannot be a christian and be a democrat. I do not believe that. There are some Democrats who believe that if you are a republican, you cannot be a christian. I do not believe that. What would Jesus do ? I believe that Jesus would be a liberal. I believe he was a liberal. He cared about the poor and the oppressed. His ministry was among them. Jesus drove the money lenders from the temple ! He healed the sick ? He fed the multitudes/poor ! Now, if you do not agree with me, that`s alright ! I may not understand, why you do not ? But, that's alright too ! My point being that, if Christian's cannot disagree without being disagreeable, then no one can. Jesus loved/loves the believer and the lost. Can we do less ? I think not ! I believe our forefathers were probably more smart/intelligent than we give them credit for ! The separation of Church and Government is an absolute must. If you practice what you preach by example, that is all you must do. If Jesus loves the saved and the lost, are we to be so petty as to not love our fellowman ? I`m not saying that Republican`s are our enemy`s ! I`m saying we must love them, even if we disagree with them ! If we are to be examples of love and share our Christ, we must keep politics out of the church. Want to persuade someone to become a born again christian ? Do it by example. Not by political party. I`m a Christian and a Democrat. If you are a Christian and a Republican, I must love you and accept that fact ! I may disagree with your political philosophy. I still must love and accept you as a Christian. The next time you have a discussion with someone, who is of a different persuasion than you, try finding out, what you agree on. Then proceed to have social intercourse. I bet you will find out that you agree on more than you think you do ? ! "God Is Love"!

Health Care & A Public Option...10/16/09

As Insurance Industry Continues Its Campaign of Lies…

Obama administration officials and Congressional Democrats fired back on Monday at a misleading insurance industry report that said premiums would climb sharply with the passage of comprehensive health legislation. The report, by Price Waterhouse Coopers, was attacked on several fronts. White House officials said the industry had ignored features of the bill that would lower costs for consumers, like subsidies for people who could not afford insurance. Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform, said she was surprised by the report because she met last week with Karen Ignagni, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), which commissioned the report, and they vowed to work together. Price Water house Coopers acknowledged that numbers in the report could be misconstrued. "America's Health Insurance Plans engaged Price water house Coopers to prepare a report that focused on four components of the Senate Finance Committee proposal," the company said in a statement. "As the report itself acknowledges, other provisions that are part of health reform proposals were not included in the PwC analysis." For example, Finance Committee aides said, the study assumes that a proposed 40% fee on insurers that offer high-cost insurance, and more than $100 billion in taxes on the health care industry, will be passed directly onto consumers without forcing any kind of behavioral changes by individuals or companies. In essence, the study looked at the worst-case scenario and failed to consider mitigating forces such as tax credits to purchase insurance, Democrats said. “The misleading and harmful claims made by the profit-driven insurance companies are politicking for corporate gain at its worst,” Sen. John Rockefeller (D-WV) said in a statement. “Their recent statements only further highlight that our focus here in Congress must be on the inclusion of a public health insurance option in the marketplace to protect families and put more money back in their wallets by creating greater competition and driving down costs.”

Editorial : Without a Public Option, there is no competition ! The Insurance company`s have no competitor`s. That`s not good for you and I !

Call Congress for FREE !

How to Call Congress for Free...

Is calling Congress racking up long-distance charges on your phone bill ?
One interesting quirk about the U.S. Capitol is that there are no official toll-free lines to the Congressional switchboard.That means you foot the bill most times you call the official number (202-224-3121 for the Senate;

(202-224-3121 for the House) with a question or concern for your elected officials.
But toll-free lines offered by different lobbyist groups present a free alternative to calling the official Congressional numbers. Some members also foot the bill for their constituents calls.

Visit Congress.org to see a list of official toll-free numbers or read more about lobbyist-paid numbers.

Health Care & The VEBA`s ?...10/12/09

Health Care Reform & The VEBA`S...
by : Don Jones...10/12/09

During this long debate on Reforming Health Care, I have heard very little in regard to the many existing Volunteer Eemployee's Benefit's Association`s (VEBA) and this health care reform will affect these VEBA`S ? I`m certain, it will affect them, the question is will it be a positive or negative impact ? Those Retired United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and United Auto Workers (UAW) perhaps it is time, you found out ? As I understand it, health care reform, will affect those of us retired and members of these VEBA`S ? I`d almost laugh, if it was`nt so tragic, but I believe this reform will affect us ! It is just a matter of how ? They call them Volunteer Employee`s Benefits association`s , I did`nt volunteer, did you ? I do know that, if this money in the VEBA`S is not replenished, it will soon be all gone ! It must be invested and money made on the investment. Looking at the stock market today, I cringe at that very thought. The Health Insurance Company`s are in control at the moment. That alone should worry you. Does me ! Goodyear has negotiated all of us retiree`s away. They handle my pension alone now. I`m sure CEO Bob Keegan is trying to figure out a way to get that, as well as my health benefits. I do not know who to tell you to contact in regard to your/our VEBA, perhaps Jerry Ivey or David Nelson (731)885-6641 ? Or Their local`s web-site > http://www.local878l.com/ < Or maybe Cong. John Tanner >(731)885-7070 or his site http://wwwhouse.gov/tanner You can be sure of one thing though, someone on wall street is trying to figure out how to get their hands on your/our VEBA money.