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Health care’s shot-in-arm: People’s choice

By Jim Wooten | Friday, May 2, 2008, 08:30 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The debate that keeps raging — the one that divides legislators, policy-makers and others who weigh the role of government in our lives — comes down to this:

Can individuals be trusted to make responsible choices in their lives?

The conservative belief — and generally where most Republicans come down — is yes. That certainty is at the core of virtually all major domestic-policy disagreements that tend to divide along party lines. Education. Health care financing. Retirement planning. All divide on the basis of one’s belief in the ability of informed individuals to act in their own best interest and that of their families and children.

The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Mike Leavitt, a three-term governor of Utah, is squarely in the corner of those who believe that an informed citizenry, aided by government leaders with a shared vision and purpose, can bring about revolutionary change. Two related issues offer specific examples.

“Medicare,” he says, “is drifting toward disaster.” No surprise here. “The core problem is that costs are rising significantly faster than costs in the economy as a whole. … When I was born, [health care] was 4 percent of the economy. When my son was born it had doubled to 8 percent. When my first grandson was born two years ago, it had doubled again to 16 percent.”

Now 12 percent of the population is 65 or older, he notes. By 2030, it’ll be 20 percent. Fewer workers support more old folks. Medicare’s insolvent in 11 years.

For young families now starting out, “the typical household is going to see its health care spending basically double in the next 20 years,” he says, “from 23 percent to 41 percent of total compensation” while the federal share of spending for Medicare will nearly double from 13 percent to more than 23 percent. Bleak. At some point, and soon, the generations clash.

“What I have discovered after nearly four years is the symbiotic relationship between Medicare and the larger health care reform,” Leavitt said in a conversation last week. “Medicare is not just the single largest payer, but it is the foundation upon which all other billing systems and practice-management systems are based.” On Medicare, he says, “we will have to do three things: separate the commitment from the pain, pick the right moment, and modernize the budget-scoring conventions.” Those are political processes and they warrant separate discussions.

On health care, it means both changing behaviors and systems to deliver better quality at lower cost. First up is developing national measures quality. Second is to gather and report costs for procedures, by physician and hospital. “Our system of billing is insane,” says Leavitt. He compares it to an automobile, except everybody bills separately without regard to total charges.

“The way we price health care cannot be understood by a human being of average intelligence and limited patience.” Last year Medicare paid for 255,000 knee operations. “Believe me, when you pay for 255,000 of anything, you know what medical supplies, services, procedures, and facilities somebody getting a knee operation is going to use.” Developing a single-price system for common procedures “would promote coordination and accountability that does not exist now,” he says.

His department is developing demonstration projects on “bundled payments for hospital-based episodes of care.” Hospitals would bid for procedures. Savings would be shared with patients who chose cost-competitive hospitals.

Providing incentives for higher quality and lower cost, and making information available, should motivate consumers to search out better care at lower cost.

Part of that was announced last week. An HHS Web site, www.medicare.gov, offers comparisons of hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers and home health agencies. When consumers have sufficient information both on hospitals and physicians and when they have incentive to care what things cost, they’ll change the way they make health care decisions.

Are we smart enough? Yes. The momentum and the necessity exist, along with the tools, to save Medicare and to change the health care delivery and financing system. In the process, we can avoid sucking young families dry by forcing workers to divert more and more of their quality of life to the baby boomer generation.

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By AJC Management

May 3, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

{{{{If party denies Obama, black voters may walk-Urinal Front Page}}}}

That’s what we’re shooting for.

Bwa.

~~~~~

Well, well, the pinkos at the Urinal got religion:

{{{{Shiite clerics offered sharply different visions in the showdown between government forces and Shiite militias —- one predicting that armed groups will be crushed in Baghdad and another calling for the prime minister to be prosecuted for crimes against his people. “Al-Maliki should be tried for the crimes he committed against his people,” Shiite Sheik Asaad al-Nassiri said in a sermon in the city of Kufa.-Urinal Iraq “Development”}}}}

Ever notice how the liberals seem to be drawn to a “sermon” only when the preacher is spewing hate and divisiveness?

I have to give credit, although I wonder if the libs really meant this the way it came out:

{{{{Three al-Qaida insurgents fired on U.S. soldiers as they tried to stop a vehicle near the northern city of Mosul, the military said. The soldiers returned fire, killing all three as well as the driver of the vehicle.-Urinal}}}}

~~~~~

Ahhh, yes, “global warming:”

{{{{The mayor of Rapid City, S.D., Friday pleaded with residents to stay home as a May blizzard closed down streets and highways in parts of the state.}}}}

Ahhh, yes, a “recession:”

{{{{Futures traders are betting for the first time since December 2005 that the dollar will gain against the euro.}}}}

Ahhh, yes, Conservatives are “doomed:”

{{{{Boris Johnson has beaten Ken Livingstone to become the first Conservative Mayor of London.}}}}

~~~~~

{{{{Brodkorb wouldn’t reveal how he first got the notion to check up on Al Franken’s business dealings in New York and California, but said simple searches on government Web sites delivered the goods: New York had levied a $25,000 judgment against Franken’s private corporation for failing to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and the corporation was in forfeiture in California.}}}}

Stealing from children’s charities, shafting the IRS and he doesn’t pay for his own employee’s health care, yep, he’s a liberal, no doubt about that.

~~~~~

Listen to this panty waist, the second coming of Paul Krugman, Michelle E Kanell, the Urinal’s resident economic Cry Baby:

Job hunt gets scary-The official jobless rate slipped slightly in April, from 5.1 percent to 5 percent. That mark is modest by historical standards, but it is calculated only after eliminating Americans who have stopped looking for work. America sucks, blah, blah, it’s hopeless, blah, blah, help, my diaper’s full, blah, blah.- Urinal front page

You can tell the economy is getting better when the Dimokrat National KKKommittee propaganda rag puts their economic scare monger on the front page.

Read the entire article, that’s why I linked it, and tell me if you can’t sense an utter, wormy desperation to downplay the US economy in the face of good news.

You liberals suck, heavy, on your knees, the lies you tell prevent employers from hiring, you hurt people, you harm children, you eat sh!t.

All for your POS political party.

~~~~~

Here’s a nice little report card on the job performance of our area leaders, like they even care:

{{{{Forbes.com has dipped its hand back into the bag of travel statistics and decided Atlanta’s commute is the worst in the nation.-Urinal}}}}

As long as the chauffer is the one dealing with it, eh, Speaker of the House?

~~~~~~

{{{{ Most of the cuts to the police and fire departments will be office staff, including 26 part-time office assistants for the police and four administrative workers in the fire department. “The work has to continue to be done,” the ruined City of Atlanta police Deputy Chief George Turner said. “We know that there will be some [paperwork] delays. We just hope that it won’t be noticeable to the public.”-Urinal}}}}

Sounds like they could have done without those 400 jobs to begin with, don’t it?

~~~~~~

I see that the Urinal Staff is submitting their own Vents, again:

{{{{The Air Force has been publicly chastised by the secretary of defense, the Army and Marines are accepting more and more felons, the Marines can’t get enough men so they are begging for more women, and all services are engaged in an unconscionable back-door draft called “stop loss.” This Vietnam combat veteran is ashamed.-Urinal Vent}}}}

After remembering the back stabbing, deceitful, treachery that the pinko media perpetrated on the soldiers fighting the Vietnam War, don’t you find it rather odd that a Vet from that era would join the back stabbing, deceitful, treachery the libs are trying to perpetrate on this generation of brave, selfless and honorable soldiers?

Sick.

By ray

May 3, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

Universal Health Care would put more people in line. If the country would quit whining about the recession, they would see the great lesson it provides. Those who work hard to ensure their freedom are rightly entitled to the treasures of this great land. Those who don’t can use this time of ‘suffering’ as a teaching tool. I did not work my tail off in school and on the job so that me and mines could have good health care just so big government could pass a law that will inevitably clog up the line in front of us with free loaders.

Health Care today does a great job natural selection. John McCain is the only candidtate who understands this, and knows it to be best for the country.

Let’s remind the libs that this country is for those who work for it. No work - no play - no health care - go live in France.

By Winfield Scott

May 3, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this

So we’re supposed to care about the care that humans receive, but care nothing about the chicken holocaust? For shame.

By AJC Management

May 3, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

Got Euros?

{{{{Speculation that the euro’s seven-year bull run was coming to an end intensified on Thursday as the single currency fell to five-week lows against the dollar and the pound.}}}}

I got some $dollars$ you can trade for, uh, but they ain’t gonna be cheap.

Ain’t no future in the Euroweenie.

By AJC Management

May 3, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

{{{{Since the start of the primary and caucus season in January, Republican voters have been crossing over in increasing numbers to vote in Democratic contests — supplying up to 10 percent of the vote in states that allow such crossover voting — and they are expected to play a pivotal role in the fiercely contested primary here. What is less clear, however, is the motivation for their behavior: are they genuinely attracted by the two Democratic candidates? Or are they mischief-making spoilers, looking to prolong a divisive Democratic fight or support a candidate Mr. McCain can beat in November?}}}}

Oh yeah, I know all kinds of Republicans that hate America the K.K.K. of A. with a purple passion and just can’t wait to get Mr. Ultra Lib into the White House, I’m so sure.

And that’s what we all talked about last night, how great it would be to have the prototype screeching ex wife ruling over our lives, a nag who needs to be fact checked after she says “hello,” and wants to take all of your hard earned money and blow it on all kinds of mindless garbage, yes, we just can’t wait.

We are kicking your as-s.

We are ruining your political party for generations to come.

You are helping us do it.

It’s only gonna get worse.

For you.

Bwa.

By AJC Management

May 3, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

The dimwit America Hater’s plan:

{{{{You may also be wondering how a higher tax on energy will lower gas prices. Normally, when you tax something, you get less of it, but Mr. Obama seems to think he can repeal the laws of economics. We tried this windfall profits scheme in 1980. It backfired. The Congressional Research Service found in a 1990 analysis that the tax reduced domestic oil production by 3% to 6% and increased oil imports from OPEC by 8% to 16%. Mr. Obama nonetheless pledges to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, which he says “costs America $800 million a day.” Someone should tell him that oil imports would soar if his tax plan becomes law. The biggest beneficiaries would be OPEC oil ministers.}}}}

{{{{There’s another policy contradiction here. Exxon is now under attack for buying back $2 billion of its own stock rather than adding to the more than $21 billion it is likely to invest in energy research and exploration this year. But hold on. If oil companies believe their earnings from exploring for new oil will be expropriated by government – and an excise tax on profits is pure expropriation – they will surely invest less, not more. A profits tax is a sure formula to keep the future price of gas higher.}}}}

Your brain, free of drugs:

{{{{Late this week, a group of Senate Republicans led by Pete Domenici of New Mexico introduced the “American Energy Production Act of 2008” to expand oil production off the U.S. coasts and in Alaska. It has the potential to increase domestic production enough to keep America running for five years with no foreign imports. With the world price of oil at $116 a barrel, if not now, when? No word yet if Senators Clinton and Obama will take time off from denouncing oil profits to vote for that.}}}}

It’s like, duh.

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

AJCM, you’ll never convince them that they’re going to lose. Even after they lose, they’ll all learn how pregnant a chad can be before they understand that they’ve lost. And even then they’ll be in denial, a stage that occurs immediately before sheer hatred for everything including their own country, their own nest.

So don’t show them how they’re going to lose. Just let them p!ss and moan from the sidelines, like they’ve been doing for more than seven years.

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Dammit. Saturday. Rain. Must be man-made global warming led by all those burritos consumed last night.

CLEVELAND (AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Thursday backed off his assertion that pork-barrel spending led to last year’s deadly bridge collapse in Minneapolis.

Leaders don’t back down, McCain. Stick with the truth and don’t be like a pansyassed liberal democrat worrying about what others think.

You were spot on, BTW, Commander. Just but one example:

$3,000,000 Cedar Lake Regional Trail, Minneapolis (MN)

By AJC Management

May 3, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

Glenn: It couldn’t be more obvious and they will continue to row their little boats right over the falls regardless of what we tell them.

Read that full Treason Times article, these dimwits think we are crossing over because of the “enthusiasm” of their two ultra lib Haters of America, let them eat their crap in the dark and turn into mushrooms for all I care.

Fathom this fact: It is their own party that is going to be crossing over, hahahahaha, and they’re too stupid to see it.

Not only do the libs still hate America and the wingnuts, they have come to hate 50% of themselves, whole groups of people that they used to tolerate because of their votes.

And all you have to do to fully understand the goony mindless deep seated rage and resentment that your common off the shelf liberal can harbor for an eternity, is just read some of the raging, ignorant rants that appear on this very blog.

The cultists will be babbling about the klanners years from now, never mind in November.

Sweet, so very, very sweet.

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

“Read the entire article, that’s why I linked it, and tell me if you can’t sense an utter, wormy desperation to downplay the US economy in the face of good news.”

Uhm, I’ll take your word for it holmes. I wouldn’t lay one finger on that liberal snotrag, let alone two quarters. The liberal RAT party has owned Congress for 1-1/4 years now, and the jackass liberals at the Atlanta Communist Manifesto are still stuck on stupid and BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome).

One has to wonder, will the diseased liberal left ever return to some sort of sanity after the election of 2000?

Nah.

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Congressman Charles Rangel was recently seen getting out of his Cadillac DeVille, which he leases for $774 per month. Then there was Congressman Jose Serrano, getting out of his Buick LaCrosse, which he leases for $317 per month. And how about this one: Congressman Gregory Meeks was recently seen waiting for Congressman John Conyers to step out of Meeks’ Lexus LS460, which Meeks leases for $998 per month.

You think the liberal RATs at the Atlanta Urinal Constipation would talk about that? Oh HELL no.

My favorite comment by Mr. Draft himself:

CBS 2 HD: “How would you answer those people who say, ‘Well, but it’s taxpayer money. Instead of $700 a month, could you find something for, say, $300 a month?’”

Rangel: “I could probably find something for … one of those red cars and then I think my constituents would say, ‘With all the money that he gets, this is the respect he shows us?’”

Now that’s about as arrogantly ironic as it gets. A liberal democrat knows what others are thinking. Hey Charlie, NEWSFLASH: it’s not your money.

The hypocrisy of the left is nauseating.

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Already touched on today, but I’ll drive the point home like a Milwaukee nailgun:

The latest barometers flashed encouraging signs that the economic slowdown may not be as pronounced as some had feared. Still, there’s much caution — about housing, credit and other problems.

Uhm, feared, or wished for solely to help put the liberal socialist RAT party in complete power?

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Ports along the U.S. West Coast, including the country’s busiest port complex in Los Angeles, shut down on Thursday as some 10,000 dock workers went on a one-day strike to protest the war in Iraq, port and union officials said.

Isn’t that just like a bunch of damned bedwetting liberals? Attempt to shut down the economy to “protest” against something they are against, as if they arrogantly think they can control Washington beyond a vote.

By the way, you do know that unions vote overwhelmingly Democrat, don’t you?

My favorite apologist moment in that story:

But port officials cast doubts over the war protest motive.

“PMA’s Getzug said the action came two months prior to the expiration of the current labor agreement. “Today’s actions raised the question of whether this was an attempt to leverage contract negotiations,” he said in a statement.”

Yeah ok. No Democrat or Democrat[ic] interest has ever protested against Iraq.

Uh huh.

Goons.

By jbmlaw

May 3, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. Simple cure for medicare, require a 10% co-pay. Not only will that encourage price shopping, it will also eliminate some small percentage of unnecessary medical expenditures. Of course, if we really wanted to rein in costs, we could put some strong limits on malpractice tort suits or make the government that licenses an entity solely responsible for torts arising therefrom.

Otherwise AJCM and Rufus and Glenn seem to be in control of the intellectual materials today. What happened to all of our leftists? Been a bad couple of weeks for them. Think reality is setting in?

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Oh yeah, and all you socialist neoliberals who bi-tch about the tax relief checks, donate yours to a charity or just cash it and give the proceeds to some homeless bum with a cellular phone. Many working Americans are overqualified for one.

(That means some people’s incomes are too high for you smart liberals in Decatur).

Wow. Money goes back into people’s hands, the government gets more revenue. <— you don’t really expect a neo-Stalinist liberal to understand that concept, do you?

By AJC Management

May 3, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

Kalifornia, thee environmental terrorist’s guinea pig:

{{{{California’s proud claim to have kept per-capita energy consumption flat while growing its economy is less impressive than it seems. The state has some of the highest energy prices in the country – nearly twice the national average – largely because of regulations and government mandates to use expensive renewable sources of power. As a result, heavy manufacturing and other energy-intensive industries have been fleeing the Golden State in droves.}}}}

{{{{The unreliable power grid is starting to rattle some Silicon Valley heavyweights. Intel CEO Craig Barrett, for instance, vowed in 2001 not to build a chip-making facility in California until power supplies became more reliable. This October, Intel opened a $3 billion factory near Phoenix for mass production of its new 45-nanometer microprocessors. Google has chosen to build the massive server farms that will fuel its expansion anywhere but in California.}}}}

Now check this out, because of it’s self abusive hatred of itself, these dimwit liberals have to buy power from other states:

{{{{The blunt secret is this: California now imports lots of energy from neighboring states to make up for having too few power plants. Up to 20% of the state’s power comes from coal-burning plants in Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Montana. Another significant portion comes from large-scale hydropower in Oregon, Washington State and the Hoover Dam near Las Vegas.}}}}

Does anyone here really believe that there is a difference between having an energy plant within your own state versus one right on the other side of the border?

Total, mindless insanity.

{{{{And yet, despite a desperate need for more power, opposition to energy projects remains prevalent. State law prohibits the construction of new nuclear plants, and legislative efforts last summer to repeal it went nowhere. Last spring state regulators vetoed a proposal to build a liquefied natural gas terminal 14 miles off the Malibu coast.}}}}

{{{{The details of how the Global Warming Solutions Act is actually implemented don’t have to be revealed until next January. Even the California Energy Commission hints that the targets might be unreachable. But they’ll certainly cost a lot to find out. Analysis from the Electric Power Research Institute pegs the Act’s cost to the California economy at anywhere from $100 billion to $511 billion.}}}}

Uh, this is the same state that moron Pelosi hails from and as any non dimwit can see, her boutique, head up her as-s ideas are reeking havoc upon her constituency.

Gosh, I wonder what she’d do with the whole country?

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

“What happened to all of our leftists? Been a bad couple of weeks for them. Think reality is setting in?”

Don’t worry, jbm, the resident liberals will be here. We taxpayers are fetching their slippers. Also, there was a chill in the air along with humidity last night and they all got the sniffles.

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Yep, total mindless insanity. Try explaining the facts of business to a Democratic legislator in California; by the time they finish acting all cynical and knowing, it’s time for their hair appointment.

By George Washington

May 3, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

This nonsense column should be called “Double Think, Double Speak” not thinking right…..

By AJC Management

May 3, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Ask yourself this question, do the Code Pinkos really care about the soldiers killed in the recent heavy fighting against America’s enemies or are they taking advantage of their deaths to score stupid political points for their beloved dimokrat party?

{{{{The latest increase in casualties is the result of another coalition offensive: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s decision to break the grip of militias in Basra. At first the results did not look promising: Iraqi troops were rushed in without adequate preparation, and shortly after the March 25 offensive began appeared stymied in their battles against the Mahdist Army. Mr. Maliki seemed to agree to an Iranian-brokered cease-fire with Moqtada al Sadr that left the Mahdists in control of much of the city. But as April progressed it became clear that the results of the initial clashes were more beneficial than most (including me) had initially suspected.}}}}

{{{{Iraqi security forces have not suspended their operations in Basra. In fact, since the “cease-fire,” they have continued to increase their area of control. An April 25 article by a London Times correspondent who visited Basra finds: “Raids are continuing in a few remaining strongholds but the Iraqi commander in charge of the unprecedented operation is confident that his forces will soon achieve something that the British military could not – a city free from rogue gunmen.”}}}}

I hate and mourn each and every death of our brave and honorable soldiers, just as I hated and mourned the deaths of those three thousand innocent fellow countrymen killed in the atrocity committed against us on 9/11.

But I am not stupid, I fully understand that the hijackers came from four different Middle Eastern countries and that all of them were followers of the same religious extremism, the Islamic Jihad.

What we are doing in the Middle East is earth shaking to say the least, we are freeing whole peoples to live their lives as they so choose, while their own countrymen butcher them, enslave them, enforce mindless religious edicts on them.

We are changing these people’s opinion of us from the marauding crusaders that the scumbag left has worked so very hard and so very long to portray us as, to the friends and protectors that we really are.

The truth that they see with their own eyes is the truth that they will remember for a long time coming.

We are the strong horse and a caring one at that.

And for this, we should be thanking those brave soldiers that have sacrificed so much for us and for a free Iraq, not using them as political fodder.

Shame on you liberals.

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

I have many times jokingly said here that those who do not vote for Shrillary will be labeled a sexist (yes, that includes you Republicans), and those who do not vote for for Obama will be labeled a racist (yes, that includes you Republicans).

Yes, I understand the diseased mind of a liberal all to well.

In any event, one of my favorite websites, Politico, has this kook to back up my comment on the latter:

“[T]he vast, vast majority of voters who would not vote for Barack Obama in November based on race are probably firmly in John McCain’s camp already,”

Yeah, to hell with political values and personal convictions and issues, we should all vote for Cadidate A or B because he and she are representatives of Category C and D.

Liberalism is a twisted mindset.

By George Washington

May 3, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Ask yourself this question “Do the fake patriot neocon scum really care about american soldiers killed in iraq, the loss of trillions of american tax dollars, and the trashing of the american constitution.” The answer is “NO” they don’t care because America is not their country…as long as Israel prospers, America is expendable to the neocon traitors, and idiots like woodenhead who are too stupid or too cowardly to see and speak the truth…..

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

George Washington, where is your Vietnam in the face of Poultry Holocaust? What is today’s “narrative” of WTF your Obama is, and what he really thinks, and where he really comes from? Where have all the flowers gone?

By George Washington

May 3, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

Glenn, when the special reeducation camps open for you neocon scum, I will pay special attention to you and yours…..

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Come the Revolution, General Washington, you’ll be the first to go.

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Did anyone by chance catch that PBS documentary series called “Carrier” this week? Basically it was a camera crew that filmed an entire six month cruise of the USS Nimitz. She went from a port in Asia to the Persian Gulf.

One thing I noticed and am proud of is that 18,19, and 21-year olds run that ship. Sure, there are officers and the pilots who are also officers, but it’s the enlisted personnel that run that ship from the bottom up, literally.

However, it doesn’t go without saying that there are idiots in our military. One enlisted chick was interviewed about her views on being in the Persian Gulf. Her response was this (I’m paraphrasing from memory): “I have no idea what we are doing here.”

Well my immediate and very vocal response to the TV was, “Well sweetcakes, that’s why you are no commanding officer.”

It’s a great series, and I’d highly recommend catching it, if not purchasing it on DVD (Blu-Ray please??) when it comes out (I will, just as I donated to NPR this week - hey, even I have to support liberals from time to time).

By AmVet

May 3, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Off topic but…

Hudson was dominating last night! One of the best pitching duels I have seen in a LONG time. The crowd was great and the weather perfect.

Man, I love good baseball.

Counselor, ‘tis true that the ever bumbling Democrats have had it rough this past fortnight. And just think, this time no Nader to fault for all of their woes.

YET…

And I suppose that is noteworthy.

But not so much, relative to their rival political party that has had it’s head kicked in for the past few years and in the last 18 months, especially.

So, with but a scant six months until the presidential election, the question is unchanged - which of the remaining three liberals will live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue come next January?

And its corollary - which of the far right’s faux conservative oracles jumps off a building first - Mann Coulter, Rush Limberger or Pretty Boy Hannity? Maybe one of the minor oracles takes the collective “conservative” sword on their behalf?

(I would absolutely love to see Hillary win the nomination, if for no other reason, than to see the look on Mann’s gaunt face whilst out campaigning for her!!!)

Republican Bloodbath, Part Deux. Coming to an election near you this November.

Pray for (more) rain…

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

Ha! “This is off topic…”

I should EFFING HOPE it’s off topic, AmVet, or we’re gonna be here p!ssing on each other’s shoes for the rest of the day!

By jbmlaw

May 3, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Dear Rufus @ 11:16, much of what you say parallels what my son says, especially regarding the NCOs being the ones who really run the navy. If I may offer a word for the uninformed Navy lass - guessing, I did not see the show, and the quote you provide is ambiguous - a common attitude within the services is “it does not matter why we are here, we are here to do a job.” I’d guess that enlisted person did not particularly care about the “why” of her assignment, but I’ll bet she knew the “what” of her job. The Ensign acknowledges that he is merely a cog in the wheel, and he is proud to be a cog.

By AJC Management

May 3, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Uh, I’ll take the liberal that wants to be in Iraq for the next hundred years instead of the two that want to rub America’s face in another shameful, disgusting defeat like they did with Vietnam, if you don’t mind.

By jbmlaw

May 3, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Dear Glenn, you may be interested, had a conversation with the Ensign Wednesday, a matter not to be disclosed to Mrs. jbmlaw. He expects to wing in July, after completing two years of training, and he is angling to get an assignment in the Middle East. He reasons that combat experience is a prerequisite for meaningful promotion and interesting assignments, so he wants to get the experience while it is available. Hard for me to express my thoughts. His attitude is not reckless, but is clearly calculated. He sees it as a right thing to do, for his career and for his country. There is a fearful side of me that reluctantly accepts this inevitability, and there is also a side of me bearing fathomless pride.

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Saw only one of the episodes, Rufus, figuring to see the rest at my cable leisure. And yeah, it was conspicuous how on-the-ball even the youngest mates are. As they say in other services, they’re “squared away”.

Presumably none of us would want someone in his or her late teens to have to chance death to have so purposeful and productive and engaging a job, but still a lot of young Americans do such work—-out of our view, for now.

I saw that “Enterprise” documentary too, and thought it a handy way to televize history—-to use the ship itself as the narrative line, the text.

By AmVet

May 3, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Rufus, I only saw about 20 minutes of that program, but was very impressed!

I am looking forward to seeing the entire thing!

No matter our level of love and dedication to this country, it is easy to forget the sacrifice and service so many make on all our behalfs.

I salute the sailors and marines aboard all of those ships that make us all proud to be called Americans…

Glenn,

Speaking of off topic (and the futility of arguing politics!)do you remember this from Dire Straits?

philosophy is useless theology is worse

history boils over there’s an economics freeze

sociologists invent words that mean ‘Industrial Disease’

By catlady

May 3, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

A 10% copay and a heavy penalty for non emergency emergency room use sounds good to me. This should apply to all—medicaid, peachcare, medicare, and any national health care we come up with. To shape behavior you sometimes have to use a carrot, and sometimes use a stick. And if the person pleads they cannot afford it, take it out of their government check or deduct it from their wages. We would see far less of this “going to the ER for a sore throat” business. Cause and effect can be a good teacher.

Parenthetically, I was horrified to see AARP, in an article within the last couple of years, advocate to folks to say they thought they were having a heart attack when they go to the ER, to get moved into the front of the line no matter what was really wrong with them. Shameless.

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

“I’d guess that enlisted person did not particularly care about the “why” of her assignment,”

Well jbm, there’s a part of the way she stated that comment that led me to believe that she was against being in the Persian Gulf for political reasons. You know how tone of voice can make a statement mean one thing or another even though the same words are used?

Anyway, I didn’t want to bring this up, but there are some people who sign up for the military, Navy especially, who do not belong there. One Oklahoman on the episode was a blatant racist and eventually got kicked out. He said he didn’t (again, paraphrasing) ‘feel like he belonged with other people not like him.’ He received a less than honorable discharge and was proud of it. The Captain had the final comment: “I’m sorry we could not help him, but he has no idea how hard it will be to get a job now.”

Again, I’d highly, highly recommend catching the series when it comes back around. Five episodes, two hours a pop.

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Sorry, jbm, but he reasons correctly. The Navy is in the catbird seat just now, as you know—-all Chief and little Indian—-but that could change overnight. I happen to know the officer in charge of air deployment, Near East, but not in a good way (he never thought I was good enough for his sister), but I’ll tell you this about him and about the way things go down these days: he’s way too impartial to do anything special even for superiors—-they’re that professional now. So, I’m sorry, but if y’aksme, the Ensign’s gonna do what he’s gonna do.

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Point taken, ACJM, point taken.

By George Washington

May 3, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

If it is hard to git a job, there is always a life of crime….I urge the swabbie to hunt and rob the rich, the census bureau can give you the zip codes for the happy hunting grounds…..

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Yes! AmVet! I DO remember that kick-a* tune! That was right about when Ginsburg was recording similar diatribes (one of them with Dylan, as I recall). I dig that stuff. I think it’s a special art form, or something.

I did quote that song earlier in the year; the verse about the great Japanese scare of that era. Migawd, the hysteria! It’s hysterical.

Remember the “Telegraph Road” song? I think Knopfler must’ve written it from the celebrated R. Crumb series of panels about the development and gradation and then degradation of a country lane.

Remember?

Sh!t! See, THAT stuff is radical…

By George Washington

May 3, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

Glenn, come the revolution, its W-88’s away at you know who……

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

“I urge the swabbie to hunt and rob the rich, the census bureau can give you the zip codes for the happy hunting grounds…..”

Hey PoFo, may I recommend starting in Kennesaw? Even Gawgia has some mightly “liberal” gun laws these days.

Do you really want some of that?

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

CARACAS (Reuters) - The governor of New Mexico met on Saturday with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in an effort to restart talks with neighboring Colombia to secure the release of hostages held by leftist rebels.

Gee. I feel safer already. A potential Shrillary running mate goes down and talks with one of Jimmuh Cartuh’s bestest friends, a hater of America.

Democrats.

Go figure.

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

“Our Germans are better than their Germans.”

By George Washington

May 3, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Ah hears the fools in kennesaw have been shotting themselves and their family members by mistake, heh heh heh…ah just luvs stories like that…ha ha ha

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

Well, it appears the SC has ok’d voter ID. Leave it to the libs at the LA Slimes to reference the 1950s and 1960s and race on the matter Uhm, this is 2008, no?

What the hell happened to the Urinal Constipation? The LA Slimes beat Cynthia Tucker to the punchline????

If the Constipation editorial bored [sic intentioned] already wrote about this, please let me know. Everyone knows I don’t read that liberal rag - along with millions of others in the greater Atlanta area.

By Jackson

May 3, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Been shooting each other to the mating calls of…

…lawyers in love…

By George Washington

May 3, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

speaking of lawyers, here are three reasons why lawyers are replacing lab rats as expendable test subjects: 1) Lawyers are more numerous than rats; 2) Lab techs like dusty do not become emotionally attached to lawyers the way they do to rats; AND 3) There are some things even a RAT won’t do…..

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

People complain about the media getting us to find guilt by association. And yet here we have an innocent fellow mammal, the rat, unjustly compared—-with no sense of fairness or reason—-to common senseless vermin.

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Hey Glenn, don’t you know it’s not Germaine to the situation?

Ok, this blog is spiraling today lol.

Back to government and global walarmism and liberalism:

<”a href=”http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23621210-26103,00.html”>Global warming set to fan HIV

Gawd. Leave it to another matter for the Al Sorebot global walarmists to latch on to.

Screw restless sex. AIDS is now global warming’s fault.

By AmVet

May 3, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

Glenn,

I too love that verse about going down to Speaker’s Corner and hearing two men say they’re Jesus and one of them must be wrong!

BTW, I’ve been to that famous spot in Hyde Park and can attest that it is a veritable zoo/freakshow!

And as you noted they wanna have a war to stop us buying Japanese…

They succeeded. On behalf of the Chinese!

Jackson, anybody who quotes Mr. Browne is A-OK in my book.

One of the bet ever…

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

“Ben” was NOT Germaine, Rufus. “Ben” was Michael.

Anyway what does any of that have to do with the GENOCIDE of chickens?

Get hip, man.

By Rufus

May 3, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Good grief. Jacked up link.

Let’s try again.

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

AmVet, I met that guy a couple times—quiet mover in Dem. Party politics—-and he was one of the kindest men I’ve ever encountered. How can it be true that he beat the lovely Ms. Hannah? It’s never computed, in my book.

By AmVet

May 3, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Mr. G,

As I am exceptionally disinterested in virtually all things Hollywood, I never heard of the incident.

From what I just read, and I am only surmising here, it appeared to be much ado about nothing. (Too much coke and booze?)

I don’t always agree with his politics, but JB’s music is undoubtedly some of the very best to ever come out of SoCal.

And I am not a bit surprised to hear that your experience confirms my guess that he is one of the good guys.

And though not German(!) to the situation, I have found Hannah’s acting to be terribly forced and her movies generally a snooze fest…

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Rufus,

Did you notice what that story cited as the cause of the outbreak? “Stress.”

What a fu@#ing transparent power grab! They want to be the World’s STRESS POLICE, frnsakes. Aw hell, there’s no use fighting it. Just let ‘em take over. My organs are pledged to the State already…

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Rufus,

Did you notice what that story cited as the cause of the outbreak? “Stress.”

What a fu@#ing transparent power grab! They want to be the World’s STRESS POLICE, frnsakes. Aw hell, there’s no use fighting it. Just let ‘em take over. My organs are pledged to the State already…

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Sorry about that. The cat ate my term paper…

By Dimokrat National KKKommittee

May 3, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

Greetings, fellow goons and klanners-

These last few days have been very dark and disgusting at kkkampaign headquarters, there has been much suffering and tumult and agony, for Bruno has been very angry and particularly repulsive, even more than usual, she has been throwing thee dinnerware and other heavy implements at us, oh, thee horrors that have been visited upon us ever since she was outwitted by thee Coffee Machine. We are not sure if she will ever get over it. We have been praying to thee forests and grasses and bugs that Billy will get caught with another of thee many airheads so that Bruno will become distracted and cast her demented mindless eye upon him.

Please, you idiot mouth breathers, next time, for the love of God, pour a cup for her, would you?

Now to thee business at hand; many of you dimwits have been asking us what is thee big deal with thee Crack Dealing Muslim Terrorist’s preacherman and spiritual advisor, what did he say that has everyone so upset? I cannot count thee number of you morons that have whined to me, are we not supposed to hate America too?

Look, you stupid frothing dullards, I know that you agree that 9/11 was thee chickens coming home to roost for America and that thee people inside of those buildings were little Eichmann’s that got what they deserved because they would not lavish thee free health care upon you. But that is not thee point, you slobbering blockheads, has thee Great and Bountiful Giver Of Government Benefits not taught you how to fake thee outrage when it is politically expedient, er, when it is beneficial, uh, you know what I’m talking about, you jackas-ses, lying to take advantage of, oh never mind.

For an example, have you not seen thee White Powers at their very best, when they were whining and moaning about “thee vast right wing conspiracy” when it was really Bill who was porking thee plump Jewish chick and lying about it?

Do we have to show you beady eyed imbeciles how to do everything, can you hacks not figure it for your yourselves?

When you hear thee black preacher speak about hating thee evil America, even though you totally agree with him, you should weep and cry at thee “outrageous” and thee “horrible” things that he speaks.

Bruno will be out later to show us how to shed thee fake tears.

So hop aboard your horsies, you stupid slobbering toadies, put your pointy little cap on top of your empty head and ride through thee land spreading thee words of Bruno.

Whether they are true or not.

Seig Heil!

By Attn: AJC Management

May 3, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Hello AJC Management team. This is a really concerned citizen making a statement. Please monitor all the blogs here today, and provide demerits, warnings, questions, slaps on the hand or whatever it takes to get some of your faithful to take their meds (faithfully)!! As the older grandmoms would say, “What’s the world coming to?”

By George Washington

May 3, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

The real ajc management is not bright enough to chew gum and walk at the same time, hence all the gum on marietta street…uck, sticks to your new suade shoes…soon management will join the crew in the field, picking turnips for export to chin chin land….

By Hans Apology

May 3, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

CNN-word just announced that Uberdelegate Cynthia McKinney has come out in support of Obama……

…just in case you thought it couldn’t get any worse for his campaign.

Wooten’s article has had a whole day to ripen. He claims that American’s are smart enough to act in their own best interests when choosing health care plans. Was there even one comment today about health care from the uberpudwits that infest this hoary chatroom?

The only real information we get from Wooten today concerns what comprises the conservative philosophy: the adequacy of the average american’s intelligence to choose their own education, health care, and investments.

This is why conservatism is dead. There aren’t five people in this country conversant in the different healthcare plans. The comments from the right today are prima facie evidence that the average american is not intelligent. Applying the most lenient standards, giving these overachievers every benefit of the doubt, and stretching the clinical definition of mongoloid might allow some allowances, but when each and every contribitor today matched 23 of the 25 criteria, well, it’s just such a shame that I dont even think I can finish this…..

By Attn: AJC Management

May 3, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

By George WashingtonMay 3, 2008 3:59 PM The real ajc management is not bright enough to chew gum and walk at the same time, hence all the gum on marietta street…uck, sticks to your new suade shoes…soon management will join the crew in the field, picking turnips for export to chin chin land….

You’re probably right. Only one (two, three, four) problem(s), these wingnuts don’t know squat about planting, cultivating, harvesting veggies. Let’s see what happens!!!!!

By Polly Wanna Cracker?

May 3, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

Why would you need government health care if the terrorists kill you?

By AJC Mgmt

May 3, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

We must be doing something right George!

You post here constantly, some days you’re here from 8am until 6pm.

Its Saturday and you’re here posting!

By Jim

May 3, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

Mission Accomplished 4,000 + !

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

What’s it all got to do with CHICKENS?!

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Mission: Regime Change

Status: Accomplished

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

Which of us can truly say that the best health care system is a system built on the backs of chickens?

By AJC Management

May 3, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

{{{{And, of course, the senator’s speech does share one quality with Cooper Union, Gettysburg, the FDR Inaugural, Henry V at Agincourt, Socrates’ Apology, etc.: It’s history. He said, apropos the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, that “I could no more disown him than I can disown my white grandmother.” But last week Obama did disown him. So, great-speech-wise, it’s a bit like Churchill promising to fight them on the beaches and never surrender, and then surrendering a month and a half later, and on a beach he decided not to fight on.}}}}

{{{{The notion that the Amazing Obama might be just another politician doing what politicians do seems to have affronted the senator more than any of the stuff about America being no different from al-Qaida and the government inventing AIDS to kill black people. In his belated “disowning” of Wright, Obama said, “What I think particularly angered me was his suggestion somehow that my previous denunciation of his remarks were somehow political posturing. Anybody who knows me and anybody who knows what I’m about knows that – that I am about trying to bridge gaps and that I see the – the commonality in all people.”}}}}

{{{{Funny how tinny and generic the sonorous uplift rings when it’s suddenly juxtaposed against something real and messy and human. As he chugged on, the senator couldn’t find his groove and couldn’t prevent himself from returning to pick at the same old bone: “If what somebody says contradicts what you believe so fundamentally, and then he questions whether or not you believe it in front of the National Press Club, then that’s enough. That’s – that’s a show of disrespect to me.”}}}}

{{{{And we can’t have that, can we?-Steyn}}}}

By Glenn

May 3, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

AJCM, it’s not fair to stick it to the Green Proggies right in the Obama when they’re not looking. Chickens aren’t the only ones with rights, you know…

Jim, you write just like a liberal. Only you add the words “individual” and “choice”. Good words, those. Bundling billing around more standardized pricing, even if done in a really really BIG “demonstration project”, is a far cry from “revolutionizing” the “way health care decisions” are made.

And no policy tweak you’ve mentioned—-despite all your flattery about individuals and their very smart choices—-comes close to a “change” of “the health care delivery…system.” In fact, you don’t even address the delivery system.

Your rhetoric is far off your subject, though.

By TW

May 3, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

GOP couldn’t win this November with Jesus Christ on the ticket.

The likes of ‘w’ and saxby had the keys to the city and they burned it down.

Libs are pansies, no doubt.

But the new republicans are losers.

And nobody likes a loser.

By Charles

May 4, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

I’m sure the Democraps would LOVE to have another governmental program in place to control OUR money. It’s just another way to fleece and control us (see Medicare, Social Security and any other Democrap idea). They don’t believe in individual responsibility and freedom.

When you vote Democrap like GaLiberal you’re a zombie for the communist Liberals who’ve invaded their party.

By Hans Apology

May 4, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

GW: thanx for running interference yesterday.

Anyone could have predicted the tragedy at Churchill Downs yesterday. That’s what happens when you hold a horse race so close to a Hillary Reception Ceremony…….Oh! The bleakness of a beakless chicken sunday……Hawks? They lose 104 to 96. The law of averages….. three pointers can beat the paint, for one game, on one sunday, in the playoffs.

But I wont miss a minute of it. (plus I’m using double reverse secret probationary psychology on murphy’s law and the peter principle)

No jinx here.

By Redneck Convert

May 4, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Well, it looks like people just can’t stick to the topic, which is health care. No, they got to talk about chickens and the gyp lawyers kid and about everything else but health care.

Anyhow, I’m with Wooten. Let people go shop for the best price. Just go from one place to the other and say how much would you charge?

Lets say I got a pile-on cyst, like that Realist guy that got out of being a soldier because of it. You just go into a hospitle, slip down your pants, turn your nekkid butt to the person and say how much you charge to fix this? And you just keep going from one place to the other till you get the best price.

Anyway, the best fix for this Medicare problem is jbmlaw’s Old Folks Army. Just round all the geezers up and put them in uniform.

So it looks like people are going to talk and talk about about how much health care costs and not do nothing about it. Maybe put out some whines about the cost but just keep talking and don’t do no acting. That way we can keep from dealing with the lack of health care we can afford and get people to tongue-clack and agree with us at the same time. Pretty smart, I say.

If Sister Dusty wants to see my pile-on cyst, just let me know where and I’ll turn my butt to her so she can give me a price for the lab work. And have a good Sabbath everybody.

By Hans Apology

May 4, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Grading Wooten: A shot in the arm? (Merely a scratch)

Randomly generated statistics confound Wooten’s sincere attempt to justify the triad of political processes trolling the bridge between doctor and patient. Wooten’s argument gets cut off at the 255,000 knee surgeries which medicare would treat as a production-line flesh wound.

The vast array of evolving remedies for carcinomas easily disarm Wooten’s investor-pleasing cost cutting proposals. Millions of intelligent baby boomers are going to get cancer. None of them took premed or prelaw, but they’ll all understand how their healthcare plan provides immunity to the investors only.

The body of Wooten’s lame argument is grounded upon conservative lore’s self-serving mantra about any person’s ability to choose the best health care plan. This contest involves one black-hearted elitist’s obliviously stubborn attempt to block the baby boomer’s manifest right to proceed past cancer.

We’ll call it a draw.

By @@

May 4, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

One of my fears Jim, is that once universal healthcare is adopted, it then becomes a political platform on which politician’s can extort votes. Heck, Canadians have to take legal actions to withdraw. Sounds like a hostage situation to me, with lawyers as negotiators. France has one criteria that I do agree with - you must be a legal resident to qualify. The wait for legal residence is three years but anyone applying must have proof of private insurance.

“Socialized” healthcare isn’t very social when you consider all the restrictions placed on the citizens who pay for it.

France has attempted to limit spending by setting health care budget targets, but the measures failed. The public would have no part of it. Some within the system cherish their ability to waste - doctor shopping until a specialist renders the diagnosis they want. Overuse of prescription drugs is another wasteful practice. One-fifth of France’s health spending goes to pharmaceuticals.

It’s predicted that by the year 2020, France will be 70 billion euros in debt for their health care system and that’s after having paid the highest tax rate worldwide for the privilege.

Nah! I’ll take a HSA any day. Self-discipline required at the onset with rewards accumulating thereafter. Besides, I love negotiating with doctors on fees. Brings ‘em back down to earth where the patient lives.

By Glenn

May 4, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

Ya gotta love the image of @@ negotiating a doctor’s fee, but still, getting a bargain price on your poison ivy rash is like adopting a foster child so that “you can make a difference”. We’re talking about possibly unimaginably huge and complex systems here.

Jim pitches his rhetoric at the systems level, but when all the bluff and bluster is peeled off, he’s not talking about anything structural or systemic.

Still, I’m fairly sure that if you could get a handle on pricing, for the few most common treatments, the efficiency would be significant enough to jolt the economy. (But I’m a miserable economist.)

By George Washington

May 4, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

John McCain is the Gomer Pyle of politics….Do we want an Elitist like Washington, Jefferson, FDR, and JFK in the Whitehouse calling the shots, or do we want Gomer Pyle?

By getalife

May 4, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

“Dems Capture Long-Held GOP House Seat In Louisiana”.

They used ads tying Don to Pelosi and Obama and lost.

To save this country, the gop party must go away like the whig party.

By ghost rider

May 4, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Bush’s follies…

four Marines were killed in Anbar province on Friday, but no other details of the incident were released.

Anbar was once a stronghold for insurgents battling against U.S. forces. But in the past year the vast desert province has largely been calmed with the rise of the Awakening Council movement — Sunni fighters who now turn their guns on al-Qaida instead of U.S. forces.

Friday’s attack was the most lethal in the province since Sept. 6, when four Marines were killed in combat. The military did not release details of those deaths either.

AND THE BEAT GOES ON!