We haven’t had one of these for a while so we might as well open it on up. I also need a place to put up a few admin notes.
For the past month, Anti been operating with one hand tied behind our backs. There was an upgrade and we could not look at more than one comment at a time behind the scenes. If you commented and your polite comment never appeared, and if you are a newcomer or a regular posting under a new name or email address, try again. We are sorry, we had software glitches.
I went through some of the unpublished comments tonight. You might find them buried in the middle of other comments, at the time they were posted. Also, the blog is now set to cut off comments on any thread, after 2 weeks. That helps us stay on top of things better.
A newer, better wordpress upgrade is out and we can now perform tasks that we have been unable to do for the past month. Thanks Alanna for sticking with it and coming to our rescue.
This might be a good time to revisit some of the blog rules. First off, the H and N words having to do with Germany are still verboten. It was getting out of hand. Maybe some day…. I, M-H, confess to being the one who finally lost it over those 2 words.
Ad hominem attacks on contributors or on the admins are discouraged. That kind of discourse is counter-productive and hampers discussion. 95% of our contributors are courteous and polite, even those who strongly disagree with some or all of us.
So enough business. Happy weekend. I am just sitting here listening to some Bob Dylan, celebrating the blog being healed and enjoying Windows 7. It really was the computer fix I needed. I am not disappointed. 🙄
Elena demonized the health insurance companies this week for excessive profits and their refusal to cover pre-existing conditions. However, it turns out that the average profit margin for these companies is only 3.3% (http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2009/10/health-insurance-companies-rank-86-by.html). This suggests that no savings will result from a government takeover of healthcare.
Government can force coverage of those pre-existing conditions, but only at great cost to everyone else. That’s basically what healthcare reform is all about: getting someone else to pay for your coverage.
No one on this blog has really been able to point out the constitutional authority for federal involvement in healthcare. MH thinks that federalism died with the Civil War. I should point out that the Speaker of the House cannot elucidate where constitutional authority for this comes from either (http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/55971).
@kelly3406
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3, often called the interstate commerca clause, covers the Federal Government’s legitimate interest in healthcare. Healthcare is a business that crosses state lines so the Feds have a legitimate interest in regulating it.
And no one told me anything about windows 7 kelly. I am think it is probably because they aren’t interested. Think that might be why6 no one has pointed out the constitutional authorityy for federal involvement of health care.
Maybe the rest of us don’t think it is needed. How about the space program? Where is the authority there?
@kelly3406
This is from your link, “Pelosi’s press secretary later responded to written follow-up questions from CNSNews.com by emailing CNSNews.com a press release on the “Constitutionality of Health Insurance Reform,” that argues that Congress derives the authority to mandate that people purchase health insurance from its constitutional power to regulate interstate commerce.”
For others interested in reading Kelly3406′ link, it doesn’t work because of the ( ) . Use this one instead http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/55971 It’s worth a peak to clear up the constitutionality issue.
@Moon-howler
Interspace commerce?
snicker! I hadn’t thought of that one. You are sharp this morning, Opinion.
Getting back to the subject of Illegal Aliens (for which this blog was started). Apparently some are still around doing the jobs that Americans won’t do:
http://www2.insidenova.com/isn/news/crime/article/manassas_man_charged_in_rape_of_girl_13/45787/
Just a fact, not an opinion.
What isn’t a fact but a suposition is whether or not Vasquez is an illegal alien. I saw nothing either way.
Unfortunately, some Americans do the same kind of crime. They should all be in jail forever. I wouldn’t even mind old Sparky for child rapists, regardless of ethnicity.
Glad to hear you are enjoying Windows 7, M-H. Tell us more.
I’m all about pandemic preparedness, but this is starting to sound balloon-boyish.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/24/AR2009102401061.html
Of biggest concern to me is the suspension of EMTALA, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, which guarantees emergency medical care regardless of ability to pay. Aside from the inherent hypocrisy of this administration suspending EMTALA while pleading for the public option, I find it amazing that someone walking into the hospital with a sniffle and fever will take priority over a woman in active labor or someone having a heart attack, which would be the practical implication of such a move.
Quite the dramatic move for an administration that has shown little interest in bioterrorism preparedness in the first place.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-10-21-WMD-threat_N.htm
I am tired of that boy in the balloon story. So what. His parents are jerks. They need to pay for rescue costs. Put a judgement on them, slap a lien on their house.
Emma, tell us in people speak what this really says. I am very confused.
EMTALA requires transport and treatment of all emergency patients, regardless of ability to pay. So far, so good (unless one gets into issues of illegal immigrants getting free healthcare in the ER, blah, blah, blah), because the intent was to prevent what was rampant “dumping” of patients to other hospitals just because they could not pay, and potentially causing them further complications or death.
By suspending EMTALA, hospitals would be prioritizing those who show flu symptoms, potentially over any other emergency, and once again allow people to be transported elsewhere for care, to make room for the numbers of people who might overwhelm a hospital. All well and good, but it’s hard to separate the symptoms of swine flu from regular seasonal flu or even an ordinary head cold on initial triage. Imagine for a minute a women in active labor being shuttled about, or someone in the throes of a heart attack being turned away or transported elsewhere because someone else has a runny nose and fever, and you get the picture.
Yikes, I went comma-crazy in that second paragraph, but at least no one’s paying me for my thoughts.
@Opinion
My understanding of the commerce clause is that it does NOT give the government the power to require people to obtain health insurance, or allow the government to provide a “public” option. If my understanding is correct, then the House and Senate healthcare bills are both unconstitutional, but for different reasons.
That’s because the government wants you to buy into healthcare reform and Microsoft wants you to buy Windows 7. I prefer to read the fine print for buying, whether it’s the constitution or software. For example, given the notorious vulnerability of Windows machines to hackers, I would never buy a PC.
That picture you see is a wolf howling at the moon. (no smart ass remarks please).
If you want a gravitar, go to http://www.gavatar.com and create an account and then select an avitar. It can be from your computer or something online that you like. You will have to shrink it though.
The email address you use is critical. Whatever email you link to must be used here. It might require us to reapprove you but that shouldn’t be a problem with the new spiffy software.
My point was, Kelly, lack of interest. Most of us don’t scour the Constitution to see if legislation meets muster, or how we interpret the Constitution. Most of us look to see if we think the legislation is good for the country.
@kelly3406
I guess we will just have to disagree. The current administration favors my point of view, and the loyal opposition isn’t challenging on Constitutional grounds (which I assume they would if such a challenge existed in fact). Considering the mood of the Republicans on the hill, I would assume they would have raised a Constitutional challenge early and loud if one existed (since it’s a “showstopper”).
I am always interested in constitutional issues. From where do you derive your understanding regarding this issue (so I may learn)?
One last post before I attempt an avatar and get lost in cyberspace.
An AP story says some hospitals are screening before patients get in the door:
“Some hospitals have opened drive-thrus and drive-up tent clinics to screen and treat swine flu patients. The idea is to keep infectious people out of regular emergency rooms and away from other sick patients.”
Even if you think preparations for H1N1 are just a balloon boy or a Y2K, you still have to prepare for it as if it’s a Katrina.
In the City of Manassas, the registrar is training extra election officials next week to serve as alternates in case H1N1 affects those scheduled to serve Nov. 3. Measures like that seem very reasonable to me.
And more important than immigration, health care, the budget deficit, baloon boy, etc… how do you insert those happy faces into a post? And i’m off to try and get an avatar.
avatar test
“Even if you think preparations for H1N1 are just a balloon boy or a Y2K, you still have to prepare for it as if it’s a Katrina.”
My point is that we are ill-prepared, taking last-ditch efforts that will impact the care of true emergencies, just to make it look like something is actually being done. Epidemiologists have known for years about the strong potential for a flu pandemic. Did you read the USAToday article about how the Obama adminstration has also taken very little interest in bioterrorism preparedness? I find that scary.
This is akin to cutting troop numbers during peacetime. Only makes sense if no one ever plans to attack us.
What I’m saying about triage might not make a lot of sense if you’re not familiar with EMTALA, and how suspending that law might threaten lives. Wikipedia actually has a pretty good explanation, if anyone is interested.
If the legislation does not pass constitutional muster, then by definition it is not good for the country (in my opinion). Our country became great due in no small measure to the individual liberties that are guaranteed by the Constitution. As the federal government gradually encroaches on these liberties, the opportunities that produced great economic growth and technological advancements could wither.
Why Emma, you look beautiful. Hooowwwllll even.
Directions are posted above. I have been trying to do this for a long time. Getting the new software here last night gave me inspiration.
Good luck Cindy and Opinion!
Where is Slowpoke? I know he wanted to do one.
Kelly, I didn’t say that right and yet I am not sure how to say it. I don’t want something unconstitutional. But I am a person who believes that our laws have to bend to be current with the times. We cant be stuck in 1791.
More later. I have to leave.
Emma… you’re (avatar is) beautiful!
I do not mean to insinuate that I am a constitutional scholar. However, when I took the oath of office for the military years ago (http://www.history.army.mil/faq/oaths.htm ), I became very interested in the Constitution. I have taken several courses in my previous military career that included sections on the constitution. I have read the Federalist papers and several books on the subject (e.g. Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law by Herman Belz; Men in Black by Mark Levine).
Why, thank you!
@kelly3406
I took the same oath and am also a student of the constitution. I didn’t mean to offend, I will certainly accept your opinion as just that.
I agree that our Constitution needs to be current with the times. Where we differ is that I do not want the clauses of the Constitution to be “re-interpreted” or otherwise twisted. If there is a need to revise the Constitution, then let’s do that by following the amendment process.
@kelly3406
kelly3406, I’m afraid you are on the wrong end of history at the moment. Obama and the Democratic party won control of power because the people want (among other things) health care reform. That is the nature of Democracy. While Constitutional questions are interesting, they are a moot point at the moment.
(IMHO) There is general agreement on both sides of the aisle and the White House that health care reform is Constitutional. This is evidenced by the fact that no Constitutional argument has been made in the House, the Senate, or the Executive Branch (that I am aware) against moving forward. I have worked on policy for the White House (and have a lovely letter from President Bush on my mantle thanking me for my efforts). One of the first things we do is research the Constitutionality of proposed policy. Sometimes, you just have to believe the folks who govern us have figured this stuff out… and they have.
(IMHO) This one was an easy call.
Back to more important matters, I created my avatar, got to the page where i log onto worldpress, and my logon failed. I used the userid and password I use for this site and tried all of the variations for blog names. Any suggestions?
use the email of your choice at gavatar and then maybe a different user id.
Get the email from gavator and then log back in. Create your avatar.
Then come here and put in the email where your gavitar is hooked up as your email here. If it is different from the one you are using, I am here now and can approve.
Kelly, how do we justify school desegregation? It wasn’t mentioned in the Constitution? It is all a matter of interpretation isnt it?
M-H… one teensey correction to your avatar instructions… the correct website is http://www.gravatar.com (you dropped the “r”…). Once you get to the right website, it’s relatively easy (and Constitutional, to boot… 1st amendment!)
Meet enso… my avatar.
avatar test
figures
@Slowpoke Rodriguez
Note my comment , above, about the correct website. Ironically, the wrong web site also lets you create avatars… drove me… well… to howl at the moon… ’til I figured it out.
I can’t wait to see what Slowpoke comes up with….
Thanks for that correction. I had a hard time getting to the website myself. That is probably why.
www,gravatar.com
Cheer Opinion.
We can help, Slow. I cant change mine to a different wolf now, even though I have tried.
avatar test
duhhhhh
Yeah! Meet Oscar, my shelter dog.
You guys are having WAY too much fun with the avatars! LOL!
Emma, isn’t the print from the front of the Henry James book?
No, it’s the cover of Jane Austen’s Emma, of course! My favorite of the six novels.
Hi Cindy, good dog!
Amazing what getting the write url does for this. Sorry about that guys.
http://en.gravatar.com/
I had to clear the cache on my computer to switch out of the pink wolf.