What about the issues?

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Cherry Kelly
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Post by Cherry Kelly » 05-25-2008 10:51 AM

Issues:

taxes are a big issue for people as well as small businesses. Leave the tax cuts alone and do not add more.

Iraq war if you care to look more is winding down. The Iraqi gov't and troops are taking over more and more of the situations. YES bring more of the troops home. (At least they are cutting back on the durations.)

Economy - gas prices are affecting every aspect of our economy. Drill offshore and yes inside USA where known oil exists, and add more refineries.

Alternatives - for utilities are in works, as well as in automotive, as well as other areas - still more can be done.

ILLEGALS - We have laws - enact them! Enforce them!

NO trans highway, get rid of NAFTA...

edit to add:
Health care - we have decent health care - the problem is in the red tape brought about by insurance companies. DRS should post charges as well as hospitals - and not charge one person than another person just because of the health insurance bits. Clinics/drs offices should be open 24/7 - even if one has to rotate the clinics/offices in an area. (hard in some small rural places but it can be done in the cities)

Tax those corporations that took their businesses elsewhere. yes...
Last edited by Cherry Kelly on 05-25-2008 10:54 AM, edited 1 time in total.

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tiffany
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the housing crisis.. Obama's plans.

Post by tiffany » 05-25-2008 10:56 AM

"For homeowners who are victims of fraud, I've also proposed a $10 billion foreclosure prevention fund that would help them sell a home that is beyond their means or modify their loan to avoid foreclosure or bankruptcy.

It's also time to amend our bankruptcy laws so families aren't forced to stick to the terms of a home loan that was predatory or unfair.

To prevent fraud in the future, I've proposed tough new penalties on fraudulent lenders and a home-score system that will allow consumers to find out more about mortgage offers and whether they'll be able to make payments.

To help low- and middle-income families, I proposed a 10 percent mortgage interest tax credit that will allow homeowners who don't itemize their taxes to access incentives for homeownership. And to expand homeownership, we must do more to help communities turn abandoned properties into affordable housing.

The government can't do this alone, nor should it. As I said last September, lenders must get ahead of the curve rather than just react to the crisis. They should actively look at all borrowers, offer workouts and reduce the principal on mortgages in trouble.

Not only can this prevent the larger losses associated with foreclosure and resale, but it can reduce the extent of government intervention and taxpayer exposure.

But beyond dealing with the immediate housing crisis, it is time for the federal government to revamp the regulatory framework dealing with our financial markets.

Our capital markets have helped us build the strongest economy in the world. They are the source of competitive advantage for our country.

But they cannot succeed without the public's trust.

The details of regulatory reform should be developed through sound analysis and public debate. And so I won't try to cross every "t" and dot every "i" in this speech.

But there are several core principles for reform that I intend to pursue as president.

First, if you can borrow from the government, you should be subject to government oversight and supervision.

Secretary Paulson admitted this in his remarks yesterday.

The Federal Reserve should have basic supervisory authority over any institution to which it may make credit available as a lender of last resort.

When the Fed steps in, it is providing lenders an insurance policy underwritten by the American taxpayer. In return, taxpayers have every right to expect that these institutions are not taking excessive risks.

Now, the nature of regulation should depend on the degree and extent of the Fed's exposure. But, at the very least, these new regulations should include liquidity and capital requirements.

Second, there needs to be general reform of the requirements to which all regulated financial institutions are subjected. Capital requirements should be strengthened, particularly for complex financial instruments like some of the mortgage securities that led to our current crisis.

We must develop and rigorously manage liquidity risks. We must investigate ratings agencies and potential conflicts of interest with the people that they are rating. And transparency requirements must demand full disclosure by financial institutions to shareholders and counter parties.

As we reform our regulatory system at home, we should work with international arrangements, like the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the International Accounting Standards Board, and the Financial Stability Forum, to address the same problems abroad.

The goal should be to ensure that financial institutions around the world are subject to similar rules of the road, both to make the system more stable and to keep our financial institutions competitive.

Third, we need to streamline a framework of overlapping and competing regulatory agencies. Reshuffling bureaucracies should not be an end in itself.

But the large, complex institutions that dominate the financial landscape don't fit into categories created decades ago. Different institutions compete in multiple markets. Our regulatory system should not pretend otherwise.

A streamlined system will provide better oversight and be less costly for regulated institutions.

Fourth, we need to regulate institutions for what they do, not what they are.

Over the last few years, commercial banks and thrift institutions were subject to guidelines on subprime mortgages that did not apply to mortgage brokers and companies. Now, it makes no sense for the Fed to tighten mortgage guidelines for banks when two-thirds of subprime mortgages don't originate from banks.

This regulatory framework...

This regulatory framework has failed to protect homeowners and it is now clear that it made no sense for our financial system.

When it comes to protecting the American people, it should make no difference what kind of institution they are dealing with.

Fifth, we must remain vigilant and crack down on trading activity that crosses the line to market manipulation.

On recent days, reports have circulated that some traders may have intentionally spread rumors that Bear Stearns was in financial distress while making market bets against the country. The SEC should investigate and punish this kind of market manipulation and report its conclusions to Congress.

Sixth, we need a process that identifies systemic risks to the financial system.

Too often we deal with threats to the financial system that weren't anticipated by regulators.

That's why we should create a financial market oversight commission, which would meet regularly and provide advice to the president, Congress and regulators on the state of our financial markets and the risks that face them. These experts' views could help anticipate risks before they erupt into a crisis.

These six principles should guide the legal reforms needed to establish a 21st-century regulatory system, but the changes we need goes beyond the laws and regulation. We need a shift in the cultures of our financial institutions and our regulatory agencies."

Of course as stated before he will have to work with Congress on these issues to get them done.

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Obama on immigration-from his site

Post by tiffany » 05-25-2008 11:01 AM

"Senator Obama played a key role in the crafting of the immigration reform bill that the Senate passed before the 109th Congress adjourned. The bill, which President Bush supports, would provide more funds and technology for border security and prevent employers from skirting our laws by hiring undocumented immigrants. The bill also would provide immigrants who are now contributing, responsible members of society an opportunity to remain in the country and earn citizenship. But not all undocumented immigrants would be guaranteed the right to remain in the U.S. under this proposal: they would first have to pay a substantial fine and back taxes, learn English, satisfy a work requirement, and pass a criminal background check.

Senator Obama offered three amendments that were included in the Senate bill. The first amendment would strengthen the requirement that a job be offered at a prevailing wage to American workers before it is offered to a guestworker. The second amendment would make it simple, but mandatory, for employers to verify that their employees are legally eligible to work in the United States. And the third amendment would authorize $3 million a year for the FBI to improve the speed and accuracy of the background checks required for immigrants seeking to become citizens.

The new Congress must turn its attention to achieving comprehensive immigration reform. Senator Obama appreciates the serious ramifications of this issue - for American workers, Illinois communities, and immigrant families. He will continue to work with President Bush, his colleagues in Congress, and the citizens of Illinois to improve the effectiveness of our immigration laws and strengthen border security."

http://obama.senate.gov/issues/immigration/index.html
Last edited by tiffany on 05-25-2008 11:15 AM, edited 1 time in total.

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Obama on Healthcare

Post by tiffany » 05-25-2008 11:06 AM

Obama's Plan to Cover Uninsured Americans: Obama will make available a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress.

The Obama plan will have the following features:

Guaranteed eligibility.

No American will be turned away from any insurance plan because of illness or pre-existing conditions.
Comprehensive benefits. The benefit package will be similar to that offered through Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the plan members of Congress have. The plan will cover all essential medical services, including preventive, maternity and mental health care.

Affordable premiums, co-pays and deductibles.

Subsidies. Individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but still need financial assistance will receive an income-related federal subsidy to buy into the new public plan or purchase a private health care plan.
Simplified paperwork and reined in health costs.

Easy enrollment.

The new public plan will be simple to enroll in and provide ready access to coverage.
Portability and choice. Participants in the new public plan and the National Health Insurance Exchange (see below) will be able to move from job to job without changing or jeopardizing their health care coverage.

Quality and efficiency.

Participating insurance companies in the new public program will be required to report data to ensure that standards for quality, health information technology and administration are being met.

National Health Insurance Exchange:

The Obama plan will create a National Health Insurance Exchange to help individuals who wish to purchase a private insurance plan. The Exchange will act as a watchdog group and help reform the private insurance market by creating rules and standards for participating insurance plans to ensure fairness and to make individual coverage more affordable and accessible. Insurers would have to issue every applicant a policy, and charge fair and stable premiums that will not depend upon health status. The Exchange will require that all the plans offered are at least as generous as the new public plan and have the same standards for quality and efficiency. The Exchange would evaluate plans and make the differences among the plans, including cost of services, public.

Employer Contribution:

Employers that do not offer or make a meaningful contribution to the cost of quality health coverage for their employees will be required to contribute a percentage of payroll toward the costs of the national plan. Small employers that meet certain revenue thresholds will be exempt.

Mandatory Coverage of Children:

Obama will require that all children have health care coverage. Obama will expand the number of options for young adults to get coverage, including allowing young people up to age 25 to continue coverage through their parents' plans.

Expansion Of Medicaid and SCHIP:

Obama will expand eligibility for the Medicaid and SCHIP programs and ensure that these programs continue to serve their critical safety net function.

Flexibility for State Plans:

Due to federal inaction, some states have taken the lead in health care reform. The Obama plan builds on these efforts and does not replace what states are doing. States can continue to experiment, provided they meet the minimum standards of the national plan.

Lower Costs by Modernizing The U.S. Health Care System

Reducing Costs of Catastrophic Illnesses for Employers and Their Employees:

Catastrophic health expenditures account for a high percentage of medical expenses for private insurers. The Obama plan would reimburse employer health plans for a portion of the catastrophic costs they incur above a threshold if they guarantee such savings are used to reduce the cost of workers' premiums.

Helping Patients:

Support disease management programs. Seventy five percent of total health care dollars are spent on patients with one or more chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Obama will require that providers that participate in the new public plan, Medicare or the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) utilize proven disease management programs. This will improve quality of care, give doctors better information and lower costs.

Coordinate and integrate care.

Over 133 million Americans have at least one chronic disease and these chronic conditions cost a staggering $1.7 trillion yearly. Obama will support implementation of programs and encourage team care that will improve coordination and integration of care of those with chronic conditions.

Require full transparency about quality and costs.

Obama will require hospitals and providers to collect and publicly report measures of health care costs and quality, including data on preventable medical errors, nurse staffing ratios, hospital-acquired infections, and disparities in care. Health plans will also be required to disclose the percentage of premiums that go to patient care as opposed to administrative costs.

con't

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Post by tiffany » 05-25-2008 11:13 AM

Ensuring Providers Deliver Quality Care:

Promote patient safety.

Obama will require providers to report preventable medical errors and support hospital and physician practice improvement to prevent future occurrences.

Align incentives for excellence.

Both public and private insurers tend to pay providers based on the volume of services provided, rather than the quality or effectiveness of care. Providers who see patients enrolled in the new public plan, the National Health Insurance Exchange, Medicare and FEHBP will be rewarded for achieving performance thresholds on outcome measures.

Comparative effectiveness research.

Obama will establish an independent institute to guide reviews and research on comparative effectiveness, so that Americans and their doctors will have the accurate and objective information they need to make the best decisions for their health and well-being.

Tackle disparities in health care.

Obama will tackle the root causes of health disparities by addressing differences in access to health coverage and promoting prevention and public health, both of which play a major role in addressing disparities. He will also challenge the medical system to eliminate inequities in health care through quality measurement and reporting, implementation of effective interventions such as patient navigation programs, and diversification of the health workforce.

Insurance reform.

Obama will strengthen antitrust laws to prevent insurers from overcharging physicians for their malpractice insurance and will promote new models for addressing errors that improve patient safety, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and reduce the need for malpractice suits.

Lowering Costs Through Investment in Electronic Health Information Technology Systems:

Most medical records are still stored on paper, which makes it hard to coordinate care, measure quality or reduce medical errors and which costs twice as much as electronic claims. Obama will invest $10 billion a year over the next five years to move the U.S. health care system to broad adoption of standards-based electronic health information systems, including electronic health records, and will phase in requirements for full implementation of health IT. Obama will ensure that patients' privacy is protected.

Lowering Costs by Increasing Competition in the Insurance and Drug Markets:

The insurance business today is dominated by a small group of large companies that has been gobbling up their rivals. There have been over 400 health care mergers in the last 10 years, and just two companies dominate a full third of the national market. These changes were supposed to make the industry more efficient, but instead premiums have skyrocketed by over 87 percent.

Barack Obama will prevent companies from abusing their monopoly power through unjustified price increases.

His plan will force insurers to pay out a reasonable share of their premiums for patient care instead of keeping exorbitant amounts for profits and administration. His new National Health Exchange will help increase competition by insurers.

Lower prescription drug costs.

The second-fastest growing type of health expenses is prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical companies are selling the exact same drugs in Europe and Canada but charging Americans more than double the price. Obama will allow Americans to buy their medicines from other developed countries if the drugs are safe and prices are lower outside the U.S. Obama will also repeal the ban that prevents the government from negotiating with drug companies, which could result in savings as high as $30 billion.

Finally, Obama will work to increase the use of generic drugs in Medicare, Medicaid, and FEHBP and prohibit big name drug companies from keeping generics out of markets.
Fight for New Initiatives Advance the Biomedical Research Field: As a result of biomedical research the prevention, early detection and treatment of diseases such as cancer and heart disease is better today than any other time in history.

Barack Obama has consistently supported funding for the national institutes of health and the national science foundation.

Obama strongly supports investments in biomedical research, as well as medical education and training in health-related fields, because it provides the foundation for new therapies and diagnostics.

Obama has been a champion of research in cancer, mental health, health disparities, global health, women and children's health, and veterans' health.

As president, Obama will strengthen funding for biomedical research, and better improve the efficiency of that research by improving coordination both within government and across government/private/non-profit partnerships.

An Obama administration will ensure that we translate scientific progress into improved approaches to disease prevention, early detection and therapy that is available for all Americans.
Fight AIDS Worldwide. There are 40 million people across the planet infected with HIV/AIDS.

excerpt:

Barack Obama is also committed to ensuring that disabled Americans receive Medicaid and Medicare benefits in a low-cost, effective and timely manner. Recognizing that many individuals with disabilities rely on Medicare, Obama worked with Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) to urge the department of health and human services to provide clear and reliable information on the Medicare prescription drug benefit and to ensure that the Medicare recipients were protected from fraudulent claims by marketers and drug plan agents.

Improve Mental Health Care.

Mental illness affects approximately one in five American families. The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that untreated mental illnesses cost the U.S. more than $100 billion per year. As president, Obama will support mental health parity so that coverage for serious mental illnesses are provided on the same terms and conditions as other illnesses and diseases.

Protect Our Children from Lead Poisoning.

More than 430,000 American children have dangerously high levels of lead in their blood. Lead can cause irreversible brain damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and, at very high levels, seizures, coma and death. As president, Obama will protect children from lead poisoning by requiring that child care facilities be lead-safe within five years.

Reduce Risks of Mercury Pollution. More than five million women of childbearing age have high levels of toxic mercury in their blood, and approximately 630,000 newborns are born at risk every year. Barack Obama has a plan to significantly reduce the amount of mercury that is deposited in oceans, lakes, and rivers, which in turn would reduce the amount of mercury in fish.

Support Americans with Autism.

More than one million Americans have autism, a complex neurobiological condition that has a range of impacts on thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. As diagnostic criteria broaden and awareness increases, more cases of autism have been recognized across the country. Barack Obama believes that we can do more to help autistic Americans and their families understand and live with autism. He has been a strong supporter of more than $1 billion in federal funding for autism research on the root causes and treatments, and he believes that we should increase funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to truly ensure that no child is left behind.

More than anything, autism remains a profound mystery with a broad spectrum of effects on autistic individuals, their families, loved ones, the community, and education and health care systems. Obama believes that the government and our communities should work together to provide a helping hand to autistic individuals and their families.
Barack Obama's Record

Health Insurance: In 2003, Barack Obama sponsored and passed legislation that expanded health care coverage to 70,000 kids and 84,000 adults. In the U.S. Senate, Obama cosponsored the Healthy Kids Act of 2007 and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2007 to ensure that more American children have affordable health care coverage.

Women's Health:

Obama worked to pass a number of laws in Illinois and Washington to improve the health of women. His accomplishments include creating a task force on cervical cancer, providing greater access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, and helping improve prenatal and premature birth services.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

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tiffany
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Vigo hope this info is acceptable.

Post by tiffany » 05-25-2008 11:29 AM

At a Glance
Ending the War in Iraq
Iran
Renewing American Diplomacy
Nuclear Weapons
Building a 21st Century Military
Bipartisanship and Openness
On Israel
On Africa
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/foreignpolicy/

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Post by Linnea » 05-25-2008 02:17 PM

It appears there are two issues:

Barack Obama
John McCain

for now...

...which are endorsed by the MSM and TPTB.

Neo Liberal fascists vs Neo Conservative fascists.


What we need:

Return majority of media outlets to local control.

Dismantling of most federal government programs - and return to local/state/regional control of:

sustainable local food supply

sustainable local energy production

revoking state charters of global corporations whose interests conflict with local communities, including revoking the status of corporations as 'persons'

state/regional global marketing strategies

support of local/state health care plans with direct participation, bypassing insurance companies

support local/state/regional education and training in newer high tech engineering and manufacturing

End 'the war' and return our National Guard to the states and eliminate all private mercenary armed forces and training bases across the US

Implement strategies to reinvigorate the participation of 'the people' in self government

For starters...

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Post by tiffany » 05-25-2008 02:24 PM

Well I'm in agreement with that Linn........why hasn't it happened is the question and the problem. We here I would think would be active in those items you mention but how do we get the rest of the people who go day by day doing their activities. I guess we wait until the majority of the people realize it when it hits their pocket books so hard they are in shock.

I have talked to several people about the climbing gas prices. It seems they are not really seeing how bad it is getting. Perhaps because their debit and credit cards are not being declined yet. But gas will affect our local food supplies.

When I get to Oregon I am going to join two co-ops to be able to get locally owned veggies and fruits for freezing.

Linn you should run for President, I like your ideas.;)

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Post by Linnea » 05-25-2008 03:23 PM

Thanks for the vote of confidence, tiffany. ;)

When you get to Oregon and join those food co-ops, maybe there will be other co-ops as well dealing with some of these other issues. I am sure you will be happy to get to Oregon.

Google 'local oil wells'

http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/05/l ... up_ou.html

What's this all about? Is it crazy? We can do many things - if we begin to phase out the greedy and totally corrupt:

http://www.prudentpressagency.com/modul ... oryid=3778

? ? ?

I am certain we have all we need to live in abundance and harmony on this blue planet...

How do we get there?

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Post by Linnea » 05-25-2008 03:29 PM

Just had another thought. Wonder if we could 'phase in' Social Security and Medicare into the states? Let the feds 'restore' the actual SSA funds (including interest) from the accounts of those residents of states who have paid in, when possible, and let the local economy guarantee investment of those funds and payouts, as well as convert the medicare coverage into local state health plans?

? ? ?

Could something like this work?

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Post by tiffany » 05-25-2008 03:47 PM

Would that enable all in a state with little population to get the complete benefits say the state of CA's people would. Wonder how that would work. Yes will check into other co-ops if there is any.

My girlfriend's son was approached in Texas about drilling for natural gas under his home (and other homes on the block). He will get $10,000 for leasing his land use and a $100.00 a month until they stike natural gas and if they do he will get royalties from that.
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Post by Psychicwolf » 05-25-2008 04:47 PM

Linnea wrote: Just had another thought. Wonder if we could 'phase in' Social Security and Medicare into the states? Let the feds 'restore' the actual SSA funds (including interest) from the accounts of those residents of states who have paid in, when possible, and let the local economy guarantee investment of those funds and payouts, as well as convert the medicare coverage into local state health plans?

? ? ?

Could something like this work?


I, for one, would not want to see this happen. There is often more corruption in state governments than there is in the federal government. And state governments at the present time are strapped for cash. Even WA State which is not suffering as greatly as most states during the undeclared (because we haven't met the technical definition) recession is going into session with a probable 2 billion dollar short fall, even after they put half a billion dollars into the rainy day fund. There would be too great a temptation to "borrow" from these funds. And who would administer these funds. There would be tremendous costs in developing agencies to manage this. Right now in Washington state the only state health plans are Medicaid, which many doctors are choosing not to participate in because they are only reimbursed 13-31 cents on the dollar and the SCHIP plan which are only drawing a few insurers participation.

Social Security and Medicare is a promise we, as Americans, made to older Americans. And politicians are never going to do something as drastic with those promises, especially with the graying of America and the votes the Grays hold.
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OBAMA PLANS TO DISARM AMERICA

Post by MAD » 05-25-2008 05:22 PM

Please, do not direct comments to me personally, this is submitted for your viewing. :rolleyes:

Video is 40 seconds,

http://www.macsmind.com/wordpress/2008/ ... rm-america

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Re: OBAMA PLANS TO DISARM AMERICA

Post by Psychicwolf » 05-25-2008 05:32 PM

MAD wrote: Please, do not direct comments to me personally, this is submitted for your viewing. :rolleyes:

Video is 40 seconds,

http://www.macsmind.com/wordpress/2008/ ... rm-america


Far right drivel.:)
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Post by Biker » 05-25-2008 05:36 PM

Due to my dial up connection, I can't view the vid, but Obama - along with Hillary - does indeed want to disarm America, in essence.

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