Friday, June 29, 2012

Kentucky leaders react to ObamaCare Ruling

Kentucky leaders react to healthcare decision - wave3.com
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell; "pundits will talk a lot today about what they think today's ruling means and what it doesn't mean. But I can assure you this, Republicans won't let up whatsoever in our determination to repeal this terrible law and replace it with the kind of reforms that will truly address the problems it was meant to solve."
'The bill was sold deceptively as a non-tax and emphasizing Republican intentions to repeal and replace the law.'

Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Reality of Obamacare

So many people are arguing over whether Obamacare is legal and/or necessary. We at Louisville Politics of course have been arguing against Obamacare for obvious reasons. The overreaching of this President, and others before him no doubt, in the efforts to destroy the individual in America is yet one example.

But here is another.

From my personal experience this Act does not do anything to address real insurance reform or lower insurance costs. My own plan is one in which many would consider a “good” plan. It is also provided through my wife’s employer. As someone who pays attention to their Dr bills, on the rare occasion I actually go to one, many things have been noticed.

For starters since my Dr accepts my insurer, they agree to a lower office visit cost in their agreement with them. What does this mean?

When I visit the Dr’s office, generally no more than twice a year, the regular cost of the visit is $75 BUT the negotiated lower cost to my insurer is $35. Sounds like a great deal so far right?

It would seem so except I also am required to pay a co-pay of $30 for my visit leaving my health provider on the hook for a whopping $5.

You read that right. My insurer pays approximately $10 per year to my Dr while the employer pays thousands for their “coverage.”

The average cost for these benefits to my wife’s employer are roughly $5000 per year and the insurer pays out $10 and I pay out $60.

That’s a pretty sweet deal for the insurance provider isn’t it?

There also is a deductible of $250 per year, required by my insurer, that I must pay before they pay anything. Once that deductible is paid then the insurer picks up the balance from there.

Did I mention I see the Dr twice a year generally for a standard checkup? That my costs are generally $60 while my insurer pays $10? Still wonder how they pay themselves these incredible bonuses each year?

At 48 years old I would expect my healthcare costs to go up in the near future no doubt but I also believe I am reflective of the majority of us that get to my age. Simply put?

I have been fortunate enough to have health insurance paid for through my, or my wife’s, employer since I was 18 years old, but until recent years I never needed a Dr on a regular basis and as such I would not have been burdened with a healthcare tax by the Government.

This would leave me with more money to provide for myself. Today, in a fractured economy at best, we are now penalizing those like me at a “young” age and forcing them to pay for coverage they don’t necessarily need or can afford. That is the tragedy of Obamacare.

Throw in that Obamacare will increase taxes by a minimum of $500 Billion, or that Medicare will be cut by an additional $500 Billion to offset the costs, resulting in a zero sum game seemingly.

The reality is that even by conservative estimates, through the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the costs of Obamacare will exceed $1.7 Trillion in the next ten years. So where will the money come from?

From the largest tax increase in U.S. history we call Obamacare.

Who will pay for it? Generations yet to come.

That is the tragedy of this unneeded and unnecessary legislation.

More than 75% of employers surveyed state that this will keep them from hiring new employees. All at a time when we need jobs worse than we have since the Great Depression.

Factor in that there is zero reason for a private employer to offer or provide healthcare insurance for employees anymore we are left to ask what happens next?

What will happen if private employers eliminate healthcare coverage to their current employees? What once was considered a “benefit” now can be considered a hindrance to profits.

What if the youth of America in the workforce decide to opt out of healthcare coverage in favor of a higher wage? In today’s economy, if faced with a decision that will get you an extra $1 in wages for example versus accepting company supplied medical benefits you don’t feel you need, what will the decision be?

What if the employer decides that his healthcare costs are $5000 annually for the employee and decides to offer a bonus equal to half of that amount on a yearly basis? Your cost is roughly $695 a year in the tax for not having insurance, but your employer is offering you $2500 to opt out.

When faced with the reality of needing more and more to feed and house yourself what would you do?

Most I believe would opt for the higher wage, and why not? It’s simple math.

And those people will end up using government resources for medical at our expense which will raise exponentially the cost of Obamacare. These costs will certainly cost us trillions of dollars if employers decide to do this.

When faced with a penalty of paying a few hundred dollars a year for not having insurance, and receiving thousands in potential wages by opting out, how exactly is that reforming healthcare?

Who is left to pay for Medicare at that point? The states are. This of course adds yet another burden to the budgets of our states at a time they can’t afford more unfunded federal mandates.

Even if the feds decide to pay for the total cost of Medicaid to states where will the money come from? Higher taxes to the feds who now have the right to tax anything they want according to the SCOTUS decision today.

Including any behaviors they deem unacceptable.

And this is freedom?

While the Supreme Court ruled that the states cannot be penalized for not expanding Medicaid, the reality is that more and more states will be forced to do so by the citizens of that state who do not fully recognize the consequences of this Supreme Court decision.

What happens to those people who depend on Medicaid/medicare when the money runs dry?

Money is a limited resource regardless of how many trillions of dollars the Federal Reserve prints up. There has to be value behind it and we can’t print our way out of debt.

Didn’t we fight against an oppressive government before?

The American Revolution was the result of a series of social, political, and intellectual transformations in early American society and government, collectively referred to as the American Enlightenment. Americans rejected the oligarchies and aristocracies common in Europe at the time, championing instead the development of republicanism based on the enlightenment and understanding of liberalism. Among the significant results of the revolution was the creation of a democratically elected representative government responsible to the will of the people….

We have continued to see a power grab by the feds resulting in what can only be described as a hostile take over of our Constitution. President Obama has proven that he will use “executive orders” to circumvent states rights and individual rights accordingly.

There was not much doubt that Obama would declare an “emergency” and use an executive order to circumvent Congress and enact Obamacare if the SCOTUS had ruled against it. He has shown a willingness to circumvent Congress by using this during his term already.

There also can be no doubt that had Obama lost this fight the would use retaliatory tactics against those that opposed him. Ask Arizona how that works.

Was this the Hope and Change so many voted for?

The reality is that even if Romney is elected President he will use this same failed logic to end Obamacare, that is if he is to be believed with his public statements that he will repeal Obamacare.

It may be his only option, but that doesn’t make the use of the privilege any better than Obama’s.

It is time that Congress repeal the Act of 1933 that essentially gives every President the right to circumvent Congress authority.

More than at any other time in our brief history America is under attack. Not by a foreign enemy but a domestic one.

The enemy is not Obama alone, no it is indeed the collective elected leaders who continue to follow the failed logic that there can be no personal responsibility and that government will pay for it all.

We are the government folks. The government makes no money and provides no product.

What they do is take from us and give to others. What happens when they can’t take anymore from us? What happens when they can’t pay for everything anymore after people have gotten used to having others take care of them?

The failed logic of this mentality is beyond phenomenal.

The reality is that Obamacare has made our choices for us.

Is it time for the American Revolution part II?

Wake up America this is the pandora’s box that sets the future and it doesn’t look good……

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

$80B a year for food stamps, but feds won't reveal what's purchased

Add to the total a $125,000 bill for the Freedom of Information request?????
Top secret: $80B a year for food stamps, but feds won't reveal what's purchased - Washington Times
Besides we know where the Food Stamp money is going.............
Food Stamp and WIC Eligible

















Join me every weeknight at 7pm EDT at LouisvillePolitics.com for our live call in show and podcast.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

WHERE DOES BULLYING END

Louisville, KY - Most that read the headline will automatically assume this article will address the bullying against children, or groups such as the gay community. Sorry to disappoint you.

No I want to ask the business and community leaders one question, where does bullying end?

We are now spending millions each year promoting an anti bullying message in regards to our children but leadership requires that one lead by example. This is where we fail.

During the Jim King case I defended, and won, hundreds of these leaders would write and offer information of other alleged improprieties by King and his daughter, sitting Judge Katie King. When I filed charges against former Councilwoman Judy Green the same rule applied.

It seemed everyone had a new story to tell and the mantra was contact Springston with info and he will do the work for us. In short they wanted to hide out of fear of being bullied by the elected establishment.

We are not talking about average citizens here folks. We are talking about recognized community leaders, business owners, and those who seemingly have power and influence. None of whom contribute any money or resources whatsoever to aid in the fight. Why not? Is it not in their best interests to do so?

Of course it is but I understand that they will suffer needlessly if they are associated in any way with someone who dares take on the political establishment. I'm not alone many fight the fight everyday in their own way.

I can and would never give their names because I believe in confidentiality as anyone who has ever read one story here can attest. Sources deserve to be protected so we can get at the truth and they always will be protected here as they know.

But now with Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin's current debacle, these leaders are once again calling  wanting me to fight the fight for them. I will do so as it is the right thing to do but we have to ask ourselves one question.

Why would they call me?

Those with the resources and time to do the hard work feel as though they can't. Why?

Because they are scared of repercussions from the elected. The elected leaders bully them into silence. From threats of IPL investigations, to zoning problems for developers, the list is long and endless. Harass anyone who stands against the elected status quo into compliance. I have been told  so many examples it would make you sick.

Instilling that fear is how the bullies win at all levels. Including our government bullies. Bullying is bullying.

It doesn't matter whether the bullying involves a child or an adult. When you allow others to control you out of fear you are empowering the bully.

What message does that send to the bully? What example does that set for our kids?

The message clearly is that, "if you have something to lose let others control you, that is an acceptable behavior."

And that is the fundamental problem. Our own government leaders wear you down through harassment and intimidation. All with their unlimited resources that is our tax money.

Is there a price for standing up against bullies? You bet. I pay the price everyday.

My non fear of bullies has cost me a great deal both personally and professionally. From the standard not so subtle IPL visits sent as a warning, to the phone calls threatening me and my family, and much worse. It has cost me income and my standard of living.

Sorry folks but the reality is nothing in life is free. There are repercussions for our actions.

Is it worth it? You bet. So why would I be OK with that?

Because it's important to hold OUR elected leaders accountable.

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin.

The words by Franklin ring true more today than ever. What are we sacrificing for our own benefit. Temporary safety from those that would oppress us? Our own elected leaders?

As a veteran I took an oath to stand against all enemies foreign and domestic. I believe when we adult leaders cower in fear instead of standing up for what is right, then we have allowed the enemy to come into our house.

When it involves fear of our own elected leaders then that enemy is a domestic one.

Recently, a friend reminded me of Socrates with his comments to a previous article at Louisville Politics. "Socrates said that the highest role of a citizen philosopher was to be a “gadfly.” By that, he meant that the proper function of citizenship was to be a constant irritant to those in power."

During his defense when on trial for his life, Socrates, according to Plato's writings, pointed out that dissent, like the gadfly, was easy to swat, but the cost to society of silencing individuals who were irritating could be very high. "If you kill a man like me, you will injure yourselves more than you will injure me," because his role was that of a gadfly, "to sting people and whip them into a fury, all in the service of truth."

In modern and local politics, gadfly is a term used to describe someone who persistently challenges people in positions of power, the status quo or a popular position.

I agree and unless we continually hold the powerful elected accountable then we cannot move forward.

While we consistently preach the message of no more bullies to our kids, when does that message resonate with the messenger itself?

How can we sit idly by and allow ourselves to cower in fear to our ELECTED government?

Socrates also stated, "I only know that I know nothing."

I agree with this in many areas but I do know one thing from practical experience. As a child I was bullied. I was a little guy compared to today, and an easy target accordingly, but I found out one thing.

When I finally chose to quit being victimized and stood up for the first time against a bully something strange happened.

The rest disappeared.

I learned my lesson. Standing up for one's self makes a difference. As an adult today I have learned that it not only makes a difference in my life it does in others as well. Ask Jim King and Judy Green if the costs of their arrogance and attempts at bullying were worth it. In a few weeks ask Barbara Shanklin the same thing.

Bullying takes all shapes, forms, and sizes. It knows no boundaries to age, race, color, or religion. Or government.

The only allegiance a bully has is to himself. He must oppress you to feel better about himself. His power reinforces his well being. The same is true of our elected. In a sense it is also reflective of those who choose to hide from bullies for fear of losing something. Whether it be money or status.

Standing up to these bullies makes a difference in people's lives. Not just your own. It is a positive to the majority of the people that these elected leaders are supposed to serve. That's what happens when you stand up for truth, ethics, morals, and values.

I have received too much mail to count thanking me for my efforts in gaining accountability against the elected leaders who abuse our trust. To each of you my sincerest thanks.

I am one man, one voice, who has the courage to move forward and force accountability from those that would abuse our public trust, our money, and our values.

But I am left to wonder. If one man can accomplish so much, what would happen if others joined forces and stood up as one?

I will continue rising up until the day I die. It is that simple. Each of us deserves to be heard and recognized. That has always been the intent of the MyViewMatters mantra. Empower yourself and others will follow.

In the meantime, I will continue to be the voice for each of you until you feel it is safe to do so on your own. All of us deserve a voice. For you business leaders I will gain accountability for you. All you have to do is contact me and ask.

But I have to admit.

It sure would be nice to have some help along the way.............

Listen daily from 7-8pm at The Ed Springston Show. Also visit Louisville Politics for more details and in depth coverage of local political and news issues.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

WISCONSIN RECALL SHOWS UNIONS ARE IN TROUBLE

On the Ed Springston Show last night the Wisconsin recall elections were discussed. What did the election prove? Can unions survive?
Springston went where most won't go and discussed the future of unions and the meaning of the results.

Tune in below:


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Listen daily from 7-8pm at The Ed Springston Show. Also visit Louisville Politics for more details and in depth coverage of local political and news issues.

9/11 Twenty-One Years later....

This will not be the post you expect from the headline. Fair warning..... Most remember the events of 9/11. How anyone could forget I have n...