If By 'Transparent' You Mean 'Secret'...

If By 'Transparent' You Mean 'Secret'...

After much bribery and arm-twisting, the Senate managed just before Christmas to pass its version of ObamaCare by a 60-39 vote (amazingly, without a single GOP "aye"). Now, the bill heads for conference deliberation televised by C-SPAN, just as the cable channel offered and Barack Obama promised numerous times.

Or not.

Democrats let slip this week that there would be no typical conference committee on the competing House and Senate versions of the health bill, as "leaders" opted instead for private negotiations with "key" congressmen and senators, none of whom is Republican. Once an agreement is reached, each legislative chamber will vote again and send the unified bill to the president.

Without conference committee, a rule requiring public access to the conference report for at least 48 hours before a vote would conveniently not apply. That means even more liberty-stealing treachery can be slipped into the bill with little notice. Funny how the "public option" doesn't mean that the public gets to know what's in the bill.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) nevertheless had the gall to declare, "There has never been a more open process for any legislation in anyone who's served here's experience." In response, Wall Street Journal columnist James Taranto mocked, "Has a most false or awkwardly worded statement ever come out of anyone who has served as speak of the House's mouth?"

In spite of Democrats' best efforts at "transparency," there are many extra-special things that we actually do know about the bill. For example, on page 1,020, the Senate bill states: "It shall not be in order in the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any bill, resolution, amendment or conference report that would repeal or otherwise change this subsection." In other words, the bill creates an eternal law by prohibiting future elected Congresses from making changes to this subsection.

What's in the subsection in question? The infamous "death panel" -- the Independent Medicare Advisory Board (IMAB), who objective will be to "reduce the per capita rate of growth in Medicare spending" (read: to ration health care).

Meanwhile, the bill contains what amounts to a marriage penalty worth $2,000 or more in insurance premiums each year. The Wall Street Journal explains, "The disparity comes about in part because subsidies for purchasing health insurance under the plan from congressional Democrats are pegged to federal poverty guidelines. That has the effect of limiting the subsidies for married couples with a combined income, compared to if the individuals are single."

Finally, Obama signaled this week he's willing to break another campaign promise: The "no tax increases on the middle class" pledge. He threw his support behind the Senate's tax on higher end "Cadillac" insurance plans, something unions and House Democrats oppose.

The more the public learns about this continuing saga, the more vigorously opposed they become to "reform". No wonder Democrats want the process to remain secret.

[The Patriot Post (PatriotPost.US)]

Middle of the Night/Very Early in the Morning

Here it is, almost 430am and I am awake. I have been waking up in the middle of the night because of coughing fits. They wake me out of a dead sleep. Ugh.

Hope everyone had a good turkey day. I just hung out here with my parents, eating and watching football. I made our dinner: baked ham, mashed potatoes, peas, baked yams, rolls, and dad's pumpkin pie. It was fairly good, I thought. My brother and his family came over on Saturday and we had our 'Thanksgiving' then, as well as, celebrated my oldest nephews birthday. That was a good time.

Have gotten most of my Christmas shopping done. Have shopped just about exclusively online. It's so much easier that way. No driving into Lexington and battling the crowds. I have gotten some nice things and some really good deals. There will be a few things I will have to hit a store or stores for (like stocking stuffers), but it shouldn't be too bad.

Have been feeling quite down, depressed lately. However, a friend of mine reminded me of the verse that says (paraphrasing), turn,turn,turn; everything has a season etc. He reminded me in an email, then I read it on his blog. Then I was given a book called 'New Life After Divorce' and the first few lines of it basically said the same thing. There is a season for everything, and things will get better. So, to all who contributed to giving me that message, thank you so much! It was much needed.

I guess winter will set in here this week. I have all my coats, gloves, etc., ready. I need a new scarf and hat (although I have 2 already). I also got my snow boots ordered from Lands End. Hopefully we will get enough snow to make them useful. I am of the opinion that if its going to be cold, it might as well snow! Snow is so much better than rain anyhow!

Well, I guess I had better close this out. I don't feel like I have said anything of importance, but sometimes it just feels good to blab. Hope everyone is getting a good nights sleep!

Obama's Speech on "Health Care Reform"

Tonight, Obama will address the United States Congress as well as the American people, on what seems to be a last ditch effort to save his precious 'health care reform'. He has lost all control of this, which does not bother me.

He seems to be waffling on the 'public option' part of the bill and yet Nancy Pelosi says no bill will be presented on the floor of the House of Representatives that does not have that 'option' in it! Representatives and Senators from his own party are jumping ship quickly! I do not know how many of them actually held town halls and listened to people, but I do know that some are in terrible trouble for re-election next year!

Again, we are rolling fast down the hill of socialism. We already have it in some areas of our lives, but we need to pay attention to everything, not just health care. The things that Obama and his administration want to do to this country, would make us a socialistic country, not a republic that is ruled by democracy. They are cramming things through so fast, it makes my head spin, but we must pay attention to it all!!

Do not listen to the smooth talker tonight and buy into his words. He is just giving a good speech, which about all he is good at, he does not know what he is saying. Do not be lured into his smooth words, it will be the death of America.

Here is a link to the House of Representatives bill that's been floating around out there. I would have put the actual text on here, but it would have taken way too long. Look through it, read it, use the brain the God gave you and learn!
www.energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090714/aahca.pdf

Yesterday when I wrote this, I included a song done by the Glenn Beck Show. For some reason, when I clicked on the link today, it said the song wasn't there on YouTube anymore. So, I found another one. It's the same song, new words 'hailing' Obama set to the tune of "Gimn Sovetskogo Soyuza" the national anthem of the former Soviet Union. Hopefully this link will work better.

Again, have a smile or two with it, but also give it some pause and thought. It is a serious matter.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvxiG56M-eU

Take Our Country Back!!! Throw These Socialists/Communists/Marxists Out on Their Bum!!!

OCEAN RAIN!!!

Thought I would share this before I head off to bed. As some of you may or may not know, Tropical Storm Claudette came ashore very early this morning at the Florida/Alabama border, basically. Well, here is it, almost 11pm here in Kentucky, of the same day!

And lo and behold, we have the first bits of the remnants of the same storm pounding on our doorsteps with heavy rains, high winds, and fierce lightning!! We went out on the porch to survey the storm and you could still smell the sea salt in the rain! Gosh, it smelled so good!!! I have missed living on/near the ocean waters and beaches, yes, even with the hurricanes.

That made my day. Being able to go out and smell that ocean smell in the rain was just wonderful! I have missed it soooooo much!

Hope any of you that have been to or lived by a beach can picture (and sense the smell in your nose) just what I am talking about!

Goodnight!

July 26, 2009 Post: "Question"

Why haven't more of you spoken out in answer to my question? If you don't know an answer, say so. Are you afraid to speak out? You shouldn't be at all. I'm not looking at names on the answers, I am looking for honest, serious answers. Here is the question again:

WHY, IN A SITUATION OF SIN IN THE CHURCH, DO CHURCHES FAIL TO ACT AS GOD AND THE BIBLE DIRECTS US TO?

I am looking for some honest, serious answers here. Let me hear from ya.

Question

Why in a situation of sin in the church, do churches fail to act as God and the Bible directs us to?

Saturday Night

Here it is, another Saturday night. This one is the second one here in July. Gosh this summer is sure flying by fast!!

Let's see, a brief summary of politics this week. Obama continues to sell our country down the river, agreeing to cut back ships, planes, subs, oh my!! What an idiot! What's he think we are going to fight with when the time comes, and the time is coming!

The Democrats in Congress want to appoint yet another Czar, this on for health care! Huh?? Has anyone actually looked up the definition of the word Czar? Here is it:

Czar - (1)an emperor: title of any of the former emperors of Russia and, at various times, the sovereigns of other Slavic nations(2) any person having great or unlimited power; autocrat*

and since some of you will wonder:

Autocrat - (1) a ruler with absolute power; dictatorship; despotism (2) anyone having unlimited power over others (3) any domineering, self-willed person.*

Do you guys actually want this kind of power over you and yours? We already have it in a number of 'czars' (not sure of the count, but it's getting up there in numbers) in a variety of things. We have already allowed ourselves to be put under this kind of domination in other areas of our lives. When will it stop? When will we, as Americans, have the guts to stand up and say "ENOUGH"!!!

Wake-Up America!

Okay, enough with the politics for tonight. Let's move on to other things..hmm...where to begin.

I turned 40 years old on June 27th!! Had a party with very good turn out and much, much fun!! I don't really feel any older, body wise, which is good. My cake was absolutely fabulous. It was horses racing (40 being chased by 30) with the fence and everything! It said something to the effect of 'Meg's 40.....And She's Off'! Off to the races! Off to a new life. Off to a new beginning. It was a great day all the way around!

The bummer thing is that I have been battling a terrible asthmatic cough for almost a month now. There was a couple of weeks where I coughed, hard, every evening for about 4hrs or more. That has settled down some, although last Sunday night, I was up all night coughing and pulled some muscles on my left side (shoulder, neck, chest). Ribs are mighty sore too. See doc again this week, hopefully we can figure something further out about this. My cough has reared its ugly head again tonight.

Finally got my application into the college here in town! Whew! I am not planning to start there till spring of next year (Jan 2010). They are on semesters, so this won't be at such a break-neck speed, thank goodness! I am looking forward to getting back to it and getting it (the degree) done!

Nephews are growing like weeds! Both are going to be tall, but I think the younger one will be taller than the older one! It is interesting to watch them learn and grow! Think we may hit the circus next month, which would be awesome!

Well, I guess I had better go for now. Tried to just briefly update about this and that. As usual, heavier on the politics than anything else, but it's needed right now.

Ya'll stay aware and get active about your country!!! Be safe, as always. Now to try to find a song....hmm.

Ok, in honor of where I currently live, here is:

Miranda Lambert with "Dry Town"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VBvsTrotg4

hahaha....

Ya'll have a good one!


*definitions of Czar and Autocrat taken from Webster's New World College Dictionary. Thank you, Mr Webster!