Author: Elena

This is the reality, while everybody is bickering, you, and me, and everyone else that has healthcare, will spend more and get less each year. REAL insurance reform must take place or this country will no longer be a super power. If people are sick, they can’t work, if people go bankrupt because of medical bills, we all suffer, if people spread disease because they can’t AFFORD to see a doctor, we are all at risk. If YOUR child would suffering in pain because you couldn’t afford healthcare or the insurance plan you had refused to pay for treatment, WHAT would you do?

Wendell Potter testified before Congress about the need for a Public Option, he worked for Cigna and ultimately quit!

 

From the Washington Post

As businesses contend with rising costs, many workers face an erosion of health benefits next year, according to an annual survey released Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust.

Forty percent of employers surveyed said they are likely to increase the amount their workers pay out of pocket for doctor visits. Almost as many said they are likely to raise annual deductibles and the amount workers pay for prescription drugs.

A major business lobby weighed in Tuesday, saying that if current trends continue, annual health-care costs for employers will rise 166 percent over the next decade — to $28,530 per employee.

“Maintaining the status quo is simply not an option,” said Antonio M. Perez, chief executive of Eastman Kodak and a leader of the Business Roundtable. “These costs are unsustainable and would put millions of workers at risk,” Perez said in a statement.

 

Thanks Firedancer, this parody is beautiful.  For those who would like to learn more about our ranking, please visit the World Health Organization here.

So, here is what I know.  Corey gave an interview, early this morning, on WMAL.  The focus was on the 1.5 million dollar grant to create affordable housing.  So Corey, maybe thinking this was Obama stimulus money, spoke, clearly, before he truly understood the question, therefore prohibiting a thoughtful and knowledgeable answer. 

Back in the Bush era, Housing and Urban Development was handing out money to blighted neighborhoods, i.e., The Neighborhood Stabilizaton Fund.  Prince William County recieved approximately 5 million dollars to help infuse some new life into some communities that were in dire need.  Fast forward to today, apparently there was still some money left in this fund.  The federal govt. hands over money to States, the State of VA gets 1.5 million. 

This is where Corey loses his fact compass because during this interview on WMAL, he keeps talking about how government shouldn’t be in ” the business of being a landlord.”  First of all, the Prince William County government wrote a letter supporting/endorsing that this grant money be given to Catholics for Housing, a nonprofit organization, NOT a government entity, who have an excellent track record of fiscal responsiblity and success in putting public servants into affordable housing.  Second,  this government is absolutely in the business of being landlords, go to any base and you will find a myriad of government housing that our soldiers live and raise their families in. 

 

 

 

 

Several people on the previous thread accused the woman who  yelled out , ” Heil Hitler” to a Jewish man, of being a “plant”, put their to create a scene.  I would suggest to those people to watch and listen to conservative pundits.  Rush Limbaugh, the self proclaimed face of the conservative republican party, reinforces the craziness with talk such as this, suggesting that the health care logo represents a Nazi swastika.   Hmmm, I am beginning to worry about myself now!   I am against animal testing, believe my children and your children should breathe clean air, and believe health care is basic human right.   Uh Oh,  my Bubbie would be horrified, Rush thinks I’m a Nazi!

Seriously, are people really shocked that nuttiness like this is catching fire. As a Jew I am offended, greatly, that people would compare, very specifically, a debate on health care to Nazism. Glenn Beck, with his diatribe on healthcare reform being reminiscent of Hitlers eugenics, is only one of many. Listen to Anne Coulter, not a credible pundit, but she does have a following, she also compares President Obama to Hitler in this interview.

Hitler used fear, hate, and division to wield his power.  His improbable rise to power was because he used those less fortunate, those who were different, those who could be scapegoated.  President Obama has shared a message polar opposite of that twisted legacy, he has extolled upon us NOT to be divided by our differences, but to come together, to remember we are ALL Americans. 

We can debate policy differences, we can debate ideological differences, but there are NO similarities between President Obama and Hitler. 

The Colbert Report	Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Health Care Hell-Scare – Die-agnosis: Mur-DR
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Meryl Streep

 

This is too hilarious!  Stephen Colbert is a genius satirist! I’m sure we all have our insurance horror stories. If anyone cares to share, please, feel free!

I just wanted to add, the idea that offering end of life counseling, via hospice, is akin to euthanasia is despicable and completely false! I have a news flash, we will all face that cycle of life, being treated with dignity is NOT suggestive of murdering our senior citizens.

This is a great op-ed from the Police Chief of Salt Lake City. I did not include the article in full, so I urge you to read it in its entirety. I believe Chief Burbank echoes the sentiments of Chief Deane. Given Moon-Howlers most recent thread topic, it seemed to fit the need to have law enforcement actually participate in what makes a community safe. Given the past history of PWC, Chief Deane was right to stand before the BOCS and warn of “unintended consequences” .

Police officers should not engage in civil immigration enforcement. However, local law enforcement should diligently continue to arrest serious criminal offenders and, as appropriate, refer dangerous criminals to federal authorities. Civil immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and it is paramount to the well-being of our neighborhoods that the federal government maintains accountability.

This is the central finding of a report from the Police Foundation, a research organization in Washington, D.C. focusing on law enforcement issues. Noting that police agencies throughout the country were increasingly being asked to assume immigration enforcement responsibilities, the foundation conducted a yearlong study to determine the appropriate balance between immigration enforcement, civil liberties and community safety.

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At some point, we must acknoweldge the reality there are children in this country, without proper documentation, through no fault of their own, that have grown up as American as you and I. THIS is their home, this is their country, however, they came to be here, they have a dream, no different than my own children. How moral or ethicial is it to deny hard working bright kids a future? An educated population benefits us all!

AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

One Dupont Circle NW, Washington, DC 20036-1193
Telephone: (202) 939-9355 • Fax: (202) 833-4762
Web: http://www.acenet.edu

July 1, 2009

The Honorable Nydia Velazquez The Honorable Charles Gonzalez
Chairwoman Vice Chairman
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Congressional Hispanic Caucus
2466 Rayburn House Office Building 303 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515

Re: S. 729/H.R. 1751, the DREAM Act

Dear Chairwoman Velazquez and Vice Chairman Gonzalez:

On behalf of the higher education associations listed below, I write in support of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors or “DREAM” Act. The DREAM Act has been introduced in both the Senate and House as S. 729 and H.R. 1751, respectively, and we urge you to work to make this proposed legislation into law.

 

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Apparently John Stirrup, having sabotaged any opportunity for citizens to have 500 acres of parkland at no cost to the taxpayer, is now up to more shenanigans at Silver Lake!

Someone please tell him that this isn’t about politics, it’s about parkland. All we want is the assurance that someone’s not going to come along in two years or five years and put in a Splashdown Water Park or light up the night sky at Silver Lake or ???

Deed restrictions will guarantee that what we’ve been told is what will happen at Silver Lake. And the problem is ???

People have been commenting for nearly three years now, saying they want passive uses and horseback riding at Silver Lake. Stirrup’s 6/21/09 newsletter says he wants trails, bank fishing, picnicking and other passive recreation at Silver Lake.

Everything seems to match, so what’s the problem? Why is Stirrup opposed to deed restrictions? Could it be that he has other plans?

Deed restrictions would also help open Silver Lake sooner rather than later. Since the Park Authority has already agreed to restrict recreation uses at Silver Lake, there’s no need to re-start at the beginning. Deed restrictions will make sure that doesn’t happen. They will speed up the process and move us one step in the right direction. And Stirrup is opposed to this because ???

Stirrup’s newsletter tells us that, after Supervisors deadlocked on the outcome of Silver Lake in April 2008, he told county staff to negotiate a solution and asked to include the Nokesville Horse Society in the meetings. The newsletter suggests that negotiations failed because “all suggestions were unacceptable to the BRMC.”

Why was the Nokesville Horse Society invited but all other organizations were excluded? And I can tell you, the statement “all suggestions were unacceptable to the BRMC” is just not accurate. In fact, according the 10/21/08 press release issued by BRMC:

“Mr. Stirrup and his planning commissioner Martha Hendley were not supportive in BRMC’s original negotiation with the developer to proffer the entire 230 acres for parks, open space and recreation, and have remained unsupportive ever since.”

You can’t have things both ways. The deed restrictions proposed by May and Nohe support everything Stirrup says he wants at Silver Lake. So what’s the problem????

By putting their proposal forward in advance, May and Nohe gave Supervisors time to consider the issues, consult the County Attorney and be ready to vote at tomorrow’s meeting. After nearly three years of discussion, there’s no need for more delays.

Supervisors May and Nohe are taking a strong leadership position on Silver Lake and I commend them for it!  Although the opportunity to have Bull Run Conservancy take over stewardship and add an additional 270 acres to Silver Lake for public use was lost, there are still valuable long terms assets to perserving the Park.  As we all know, Supervisors come and go with each election, but the fate of Silver Lake can be preserved for generations to come through a simple deed restriction prior to handing over the property to the Park Authority. 

Why is a deed restriction important? Too many times, Parks meant for valuable passive recreation, like fishing, hiking, birding, and picnicking have been threatened by outside entities wanting to turn them into active recreation, often times the plans include cutting down trees and altering landscapes. In 25 years, 50 years and so on, beautiful sanctuaries like Silver Lake will be a rare commodity. We have already experienced how much a community can change from the pressures of development. Silver Lake, with appropriate deed restrictions, will remain a Park that will offer swimming, fishing, camping, hiking, nature education, and horse back riding for generations to come.

In June 23rd, at 2:00 p.m., the Board will turn over control to the Park Authority, I hope this Board finally decides to take a strong stand for conservation, it’s about time in Prince William County.

Please link to the Prince William Conservation Alliance read this “hot of the press” press release.

I urge you to visit www.savesilverlake.org to send your thoughts to the Board, you can also easily invite friends and family to join in this important conservation effort for all PWC citizens.

News and Messenger Coverage

 

 

NEW AMERICANS IN THE OLD DOMINION:
Virginia’s Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are a Political and Economic Powerhouse

June 16, 2009

Washington D.C. – The Immigration Policy Center has compiled research which shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians not only wield tremendous political power in Virginia, but are also an integral part of Virginia’s economy and tax base. As workers, taxpayers, consumers, and entrepreneurs, immigrants and their children are an economic powerhouse. As voters, they are a potent political force. Yet anti-immigrant groups are exaggerating the alleged fiscal “costs” imposed by undocumented immigrants, and are completely discounting the many economic benefits which immigrants, Latinos, and Asians bring to the Old Dominion.

Highlights of the research include:

Immigrants make up about 10% of Virginia’s total population and nearly half of them are naturalized citizens who are eligible to vote.
New Americans (naturalized U.S. citizens and their U.S.-born children) represent 6.4% of the voting population.
The purchasing power of Virginia’s Latinos totaled $13.5 billion in 2008 and Asian buying power totaled $14.7 billion.
Asian-owned businesses in the state generated sales and receipts worth more than $7.7 billion annually and Latino-owned businesses generated $3.4 billion in 2002.
Virginia’s undocumented population earned between $2.6 and $3.1 billion in 2007, and paid between $260 and $311 million in state income, excise, property, Social Security, and Medicare taxes.
There is no denying the contributions immigrants make and the important role they play in Virginia’s political and economic future. Virginia’s budget deficit was not created by immigrants and it won’t be filled by attacking them. For more data on the contributions of immigrants, Latinos, and Asians to Virginia’s economy, view the IPC fact sheet in its entirety.

It is quite rare that I can become speechless, as I am sure most of you would concur. However, I found myself, having been sent an e-mail by Supervisor Stirrup’s office, in that exact frame of mind…speechless!

For those of you who have been following the saga of Silver Lake, 233 acres donated by Toll Brothers, there was a tug of war between Bull Run Conservancy vs The Park Authority. At one point, there was a suggestion, either by Board Members or the Park Authority that the donor from BRMC should just give the additional 263 acres to Prince William County and that we would control the 500 acres. Well, the donor did NOT want to relinquish control (one can see why now), and eventually, this “gift horse” fell flat on its butt. Bull Run Conservancy withdrew their offer and to this day, Silver Lake, has YET to open to the public.

Here is the latest on what is happening at Silver Lake, direclty from Supervisors Stirrups office:

The FBI will be conducting a training exercise in the vicinity of Antioch Road on June 10, 2009. Residents may hear two to three pops between 9 and 11a.m. This is a controlled training exercise and there is no danger to citizens or surrounding property. Lieutenant Bill Cox (Prince William County Police Department) can answer any questions regarding this training. He can be reached at 703-792-4951.

Please let the homeowners in your community know about the FBI training exercise at Silver Lake.

Kind regards,
Carol Ferguson
Assistant To Supervisor John Stirrup
Gainesville District Supervisor

Here is what was agreed upon when Toll Brothers donated Silver Lake:

7/10/2006 – Silver Lake to become conservatory

Toll Brothers has plans to donate more than 280 acres of open space to Prince William County in return for approval of some 400 new homes in a 2,800-home community. … In response to the community’s concerns, the developers said they would donate 282 acres surrounding Silver Lake to the county for a school, nature conservancy and a therapeutic horseback riding facility, according to a letter from Michael Lubeley, a Toll Brothers attorney. Washington Examiner

This is NOT about a training exercise, this is about almost three years of citizen participation being ignored, in fact, not just ignored, but given the proverbial middle finger in my opinion. There have been several public hearings, multiple meetings, and county attorney involvement in order to discuss the fate of Silver Lake. Overwhelmingly citizens wanted passive recreation. THIS is not passive recreation, in fact, for citizens, there is nothing but a locked gate, saying “keep out”. So much for Prince William’s county desire to provide quality passive recreation and a commitment to land conservation.

Update: The following statement has been issued

Supervisor Stirrup’s Office asked that I reply to your concerns about the Silver Lake property being used for a joint County Police Department/FBI training exercise this week. The Public Works Department has been responsible for protecting the Silver Lake property until it can be opened for public use. Public Works approved the use of Silver Lake for a joint exercise between the FBI and the County’s Police Department, and as such, I am responsible for this decision.

The exercise is a one-time event which will be held during this week and will conclude on Friday, June 12. The quarry at the site provides an ideal location for this type of exercise because it involves underwater activity by several dive teams. The Prince William County Police Department Dive Team has in the past been approved to use the quarry on a case by case basis as a training location. The exercise this week was originally planned for last summer, but was not conducted as planned. At that time, Public Works and other County agencies had evaluated potential impacts to the lake/quarry, the Silver Lake property and surrounding communities and it was determined that there would be no adverse impact as a result of the exercise. The operational benefit of having this joint exercise with the FBI will be of significant value to the County’s Police Department and the larger community.

The Board of County Supervisors is scheduled to have a Public Hearing to consider conveying the Silver Lake property to the Park Authority at their meeting on June 23 at 2PM. It is my understanding that the Park Authority will provide you with more information about future plans for Silver Lake, as well as a time frame for when it could be opened to the public. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions you may have.

Thomas Bruun
Director of Public Works
(703) 792-6253

So, now we discover this one day event is actually a three day training exercise.

I have a great dog, not sure he’s as smart or as dedicated as this pooch, but thought it would be nice to start out the weekend on a positive note!