Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Formal Complaint Filed on Healthcare Age Discrimination

July 20, 2010

Regional Director, U.S. DHHS
Office for Civil Rights
JFK Federal Bldg. Room 1875, Boston, MA 02203


and

Director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
Washington, DC 20201


Subject: Formal Complaint in Violation of The Age Discrimination Act of 1975

Dear Director:

The passing of National Healthcare, H.R.3590 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Obama is an obvious violation of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. The predictable age discrimination of this legislation is now becoming apparent. Dr. Donald Berwick, President Obama's selection to run Medicare and Medicaid has publicly stated, and has placed in writing, that he favors a rationing system and there is no doubt this will discriminate against seniors. There is a clear violation based upon age.

It is a fact that the United States does not have the doctor / medical services to provide healthcare for an additional 50 million people. In addition, it is extremely obvious that by taking 1/2 trillion dollars out of Medicare that the net result of this legislation will necessarily lead to rationing. This rationing will exclude Americans based upon age for certain, and their necessary health services, treatment and care.

This violation will affect 60 million Americans today, 55 and older, and an expected 107.6 million Americans (31 percent of the population) expected in 2030. This amounts to no less than massive age discrimination.

The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 is a national law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance, which will certainly be the case with the National Healthcare Law approved by Obama.In addition to being a violation of The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, this Healthcare Bill is also a violation of both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution that provides protection against discrimination by federal and state governments. The 5th Amendment prohibits the federal government from depriving individuals of "life, liberty, or property" and for equal protection under the law. By depriving senior citizens the necessary care for life saving medical treatment and, for not providing equal protection, this becomes a clear violation of this Amendment. In addition The Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states from violating an individual's rights and equal protection. The proposed federally mandated healthcare bills would necessarily transcend to the state level through implementation.

This is a serious complaint involving massive and continuing discrimination in the United States in direct violation to The Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

On behalf of myself and the 60 million Americans 55 years and older I request that you expeditiously address this serious complaint. You have an obligation to respond to this formal complaint. I will most anxiously await your reply.


Sincerely,

Friday, July 16, 2010

NAACP Accusations of Tea Party Racism Not True

The NAACP recent charges of racism by the Tea Parties should be questioned. It appears to be a complete and purposeful fabrication. While any large group of people or organization may contain some fringe elements of racism, the vast majority of the American people (and the NAACP) know full well that the Tea Parties are not a racist organization. The NAACP has lost major credibility due to this accusation and there is little doubt that this will backfire vs. their intended purpose. I would venture to say that there is more racism involved at a Democratic or Republican National Convention than exists at a Tea Party rally. In fact, more racism exists within the NAACP itself than the Tea Parties. The NAACP has been stone dead silent on the New Black Panther Party calling for the killing of whites and white babies, and their obvious voter intimidation tactics.

I have attended Tea Party rallies as a photojournalist and have not seen one sign, or heard one comment that would be considered racist. In fact, at some there were African American speakers involved! Those attending were peaceful, friendly, polite, not radical, and shared a deep concern over the current direction of our country. They are just everyday Americans involved in a grass roots movement across our country. The fact that they protest against President Obama, his administration, and his current policies and the direction he is leading our country is NOT racist. They also protest against both parties of Congress. This is not racism, it is the exercise of the First Amendment right of free speech and thank God we still have this right to do so in our democracy!

It is understandable that many black, African / Americans, voted in a huge block in support of our first African / American President. But now, reality is beginning to set in even with them. All clear thinking people can see the out of control spending, excessive power being exercised by the federal government, the real threat to our freedoms, violations to the Constitution, and more...essentially people are watching in horror as our great country is being destroyed right before us. This is not a color or race issue, it is a concern to ALL Americans. Thus the power base of the Obama administration and the Democratic majority is beginning to slip away, including with those of color.

In a desperation move, attempting to discredit Tea Parties, and to rally people back into the fold with accusations, the NAACP has trumped up the charge of racism when it doesn't exist. The NAACP has a long history as a credible organization doing positive things for people of color. Sadly, they are now running the risk of losing all credibility and relevance. People know the truth. This accusation will backfire. The current leadership and motives of the NAACP should be questioned.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Full Factual Information Needed on President Obama

It is the most important position in the United States, and, in reality, the world. Yet we know very little about President Barack Obama. Any business, or any organization, that looks to hire a person for an important position would ask for full background information on the person. Yet with President Obama there remains a vacuum of information on his past and a mystery on many things concerning his past. In the absence of information rumors circulate, some may be outrageous, some may be true. The point is...we should know. It is time that we have factual and unbiased information on Barack Obama. The American public deserves this, and really should demand it.

This information should include, but not be limited to the following:

The place and circumstances of his birth. Information on his parents, who they were, what they believed in, their education, their religion, what organizations they belonged to, what ideological paths that they followed, and what they did for a living. Information on various places that they lived as a family and why they moved, and what they did at this new location. The same information should be available for the step parent. Information should be forthcoming on the grandparent who brought him up and the reason why he was given to the grandparent for upbringing vs. his parents.

There should be information on Barack Obama as a child, where he went to school, the type of school curriculum that he was exposed to, what his favorite subjects were, what type of grades that he achieved, who his school mates and friends were, what sports and extracurricular activities he participated in. What early influences on his life were there, mentors, influences in his life, etc.

When did he go to college, what years, and where (Occidental, Columbia, Harvard?). What was his major at each college that he attended? What type of grades did he receive? What papers did he write or theses (they should be available), what organizations did he belong to, fraternities, what extracurricular activities, who were his classmates and friends? What do his teachers and those who knew him then have to say about him? This information should be readily available at all schools that he attended.

What was his first job out of college, what did he specifically do? What organizations did he belong to or interact with. The American people deserve a full resume of his jobs, activities, and his political career leading up to the Presidency. Who were his mentors and those he interacted with all during this time. What principles, ideologies, did he espouse? What was and is, his religion, and are his religious beliefs. The American people should also know more about his wife, Michelle Obama, and her background, perhaps not to the extent of the President, but certainly much more than present.

This is a call for someone...a journalist, an author...anybody!...to give a full, unbiased, non-partisan and factual history of President Barack Obama. We currently do not have it. There is much too much of a cloud of mystery and lack of information surrounding our current President. The American people deserve to know this full information

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Immigration - What SHOULD Be Done

1) Secure the border, complete building the fence across all border states. Send 20,000 troops to begin with, adjust number as needed. Use our highest technology to keep borders non porous.

2) Require ALL illegal immigrants to register so we know who they are, where they are, and their purpose for being in America. Deport those who have criminal records or outstanding warrants. For those who have jobs require them to have work permits. For those already here and in good standing, provide a fast track process toward citizenship, if desired, but NOT automatic amnesty and citizenship. Require periodic reporting of status of all non citizens.

3) New people entering the country would have to go through a border secure process of entering the country and would have to follow all laws in place on immigration, obtaining visas, etc. like any other visitor to our country.

4) Employers will be required to hire ONLY those workers who have work permits or who are citizens of our country. Failure to do so will result in SEVERE penalty, fines, and even jail / prison time for violating the law.

5) Use the full resources of America to shut down drug, arms, and human trafficking across our borders. Give the criminals a strong message that this will no longer be tolerated.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Letter to Editor on Tea Parties

This Letter to the Editor was in response to an article in USA Today that made it appear that Tea Party people were "centrists" and that is the reason for the larger numbers of Independent candidates running for office. This is pure bunk, not true. It also made it appear that Tea Party people were dissatisfied with the Republican right. Again, not true at all. Newspapers like USA Today attempt to form public opinion by such articles, truth is not their objective...propaganda in attempting to influence thought and opinion is.

The original Letter to the Editor was edited quite a bit, watered down, some of the bite taken out of it, and the title puts a different slant on it. This is what they do. Anyway it was published as below.










July 8, 2010
Party lines don't matter

The article "A rebellion in the middle, independents gain favor" is misleading. The piece seems to imply that centrists are behind the momentum of some independent candidates. However, Tea Party members will support and vote for any candidate whether they are a Republican, Democrat, independent or libertarian. Substance, not party, is the issue (Cover story, News, Tuesday).

The Tea Parties were formed in opposition to the policies of President Obama, his administration, and congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. They also are opposed to politicians who claim to be Republicans but do not follow conservative principles.

The Tea Party is not a party at all but a grass-roots movement whose members are concerned about out-of-control spending; power grabbing by the federal government; anarchy at our borders; a weak and apologetic approach to foreign policy; and legislation rammed through Congress against the will of the people.

Readers should attend a few Tea Party rallies. Talk to the participants and learn about who they really are. You will find that they are average American citizens deeply concerned about the future of our country.


















Friday, July 2, 2010

Obama's Leadership on Economy Beyond Irresponsible

President Obama's leadership of the U.S. economy is beyond irresponsible. Not only is spending out of control in the United States, but he attempted to push continued spending at the recent G 20 meeting in Toronto. A bankrupt America and a bankrupt world appear to be his goals. Yet even socialist Europe rebuffed his push for even more spending.

Those who have been business leaders of turn-around programs know that you only have about 3 months to blame the prior administration and then you own it. Also that there are 3 critical steps involved in a turn-around:

1) Stop the bleeding. There needs to be a sense of urgency in shutting down the problem areas.

2) Develop a clear and credible plan to turn things around that will lead to improvement.

3) Begin to show measurable improvement and progress.

Obama has done none of these. Yet he has been in office for approximately 19 months and he owns the responsibility for the economy. Continuing to blame Bush is beyond stale.

Under his leadership the national debt has skyrocketed to over $13 trillion. Projections are that under his current path of leadership the debt will exceed $20 trillion over the next 10 years. The reality is that it will be much worse than that. It has been proven historically that government programs always end up costing multiples of what is forecast. National healthcare, as just one example, will end up costing $2 -$3 trillion or more. Cap and trade (his energy plan by whatever title) will further financially devastate America. Manufacturing businesses will be adversely affected and this, in turn, will create more unemployment. Alternate sources of energy, although positive to look at, will not be able to fully meet requirements. This will increase dependency on foreign oil. Obama himself stated that our electricity costs would "necessarily skyrocket". The financial burden placed upon the American people will be enormous.

Under Obama's leadership reported unemployment has been tottering around 10%. He promised much less. The reality is if you include those who gave up looking for work (recent numbers show 652,000 people gave up looking) and the underemployed the number is closer to 15 to 16%. At the same time the federal government employment, at taxpayer expense, has increased significantly.

Despite disingenuous claims by the Obama administration, huge "stimulus" and "bail out" packages have failed and have done little to improve the economy. Much of the taxpayer money that was spent went to political payback and special interests that did little for the economy. Nearly all 50 states are broke and instead of becoming fiscally responsible they are becoming reliant on the "drug" of federal money. There are some exceptions to this, but this is the general case. Obama administration claims on "adding jobs" would be laughable, if it were not so tragic.

At the same time political tricks are being played with America's financial future. Next fiscal years budget will be an outrageous $3.8 trillion, the highest anywhere or anytime in history, when our country is already broke. This is for one year! Knowing this will add to criticism the Obama administration has decided to shelve the budget until after the November elections, playing political games. Political games are also being played on the cut back of Medicare payments to doctors until after the November elections since this will cause an uproar. The media gives a free pass on all this.

The stock market has been holding up until now, but this is an obvious bubble situation that is about to burst. The facts are that all the underpinnings of the economy and business are weak. This is the real story. This is now coming to fore. Market Watch reported recently (July 1, 2010), "In a dismal start to the third quarter, stocks tumbled after disappointing reports on the labor, housing and manufacturing sectors." This is little doubt that we will see more of this.

What America needs to do is come back to reality. Reality is not forthcoming from the Obama administration, nor the media, for that matter. The burden upon the American people today and in future generations will be immense, to the point of being unsustainable. The cost of living for all Americans will skyrocket with an extremely heavy tax burden and all kinds of new fees and charges. The impact upon our country will be so destructive that we will not longer be a leading nation in the world.

President Obama needs to be held accountable by the media and the American people. The American people should fight with their vote and with every legal means possible against what is now going on in our country today. Facts reveal truth. It is a matter of the survival of our nation.