Adrienne's Catholic Corner

2009-11-28T14:17:00.000-08:00

I will be gone for a short time. We have just received news that my step-son has died.

Prayers would be appreciated...

Gregory Scott Streeter

April 18, 1969 - November 26, 2009

Manhattan Declaration

2009-11-27T21:40:00.000-08:00

Have you signed the Manhattan Declaration yet??

A Call of Christian Conscience

Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.

We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:
the sanctity of human life
the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Day Off

2009-11-27T14:23:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone is recovered from stuffing the stuffing...

Today I'm going to do my best to stick my head in the sand and pretend all the things going on are really not going on. Just for today...

from Adrienne dePitera:

Don't forget...

Big Christmas Carnival at The Shabby Chic Cottage. It starts tonight at midnight - 24 giveaways in 24 hours. Gina promised some amazing giveaways from 24 hard-working ladies...including moi!

I've been busy, busy, busy! New items in my Etsy shop and many more to come.

Heading out now for the annual Christmas parade in Coeur d'Alene and lighting ceremony - and a huge fireworks show, too!!

More than 1.5 million lights sparkle across Lake Coeur d'Alene as the Holiday Light Show, the largest on-the-water resort holiday light show in America, comes to life each evening during the holiday season.

Highlighting the 2009 Holiday Light Show is The World's Tallest Living Christmas Tree on display. Laden with over 30,000 sparkling LED lights and rising to more than twice the height of New York City's famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, The Coeur d'Alene Resort's 161 ft. giant will be shining brightly in the crisp evening sky. Featured on Good Morning America in 2007 as one of the nation's best holiday light shows!

There is also a cruise around Lake Coeur d' Alene to view the many life sized lighted displays.

and...................there's also the start of the Festival of Trees at the Coeur d' Alene Resort. Oh my!

Cross posted at Adrienne dePitera

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T21:51:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving Prayer

Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of giving thanks.

Thank you for all the graces and blessings. You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage. Our food and shelter, our health, the loves we have for one another, our family and friends.

Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessing throughout the coming year.

This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Brother. Amen.

Linky Love and Ribs...

2009-11-25T12:25:00.000-08:00

In an attempt to get a modicum of work done, I must quickly give you the low down on the best places to visit.

Amusing Bunni has the best Climategate coverage this morning.

James over at Reaganite Republican brings us a great roundup of Rasmussan Numbers

Track-o'Crat's Healthcare, Defined is a must read.

Counting the blessings of American Medicine by John Olson in the Seattle Times puts a bit of prespective on all the medical bashing going on in our country. H/T Real Clear Politics

Father Powell: If the right-wing are right about global warming...???

LarryD tells us how stupid the Post Office really is: Santa Claus Given His Walking Papers. Is this the same Post Office that ended up 2.8, or was it 3.8 billion dollars, in the hole???

Victor Davis Hanson: Candid Camera Moments contains today's money quote:

[...]"So far, the affability of the president has offset the unpopularity of his agenda and kept his positive ratings between 45 percent and 55 percent in various polls. But when the public gets a whiff of the nasty fraudulence of the global-warming cadre, the Chicago-style villainy of ACORN, and reset-button diplomacy reduced to photogenic groveling, it hurts the president where he needs to be the strongest — if he is to push America hard to the left, where it doesn't seem to wish to go." read the entire article

DaTechGuy has something to say about ignorant Catholics

The BlogProf gets it right in Hypocrisy with a side of bias: NYT linked to hacked Palin's emails, refuse to publich CRU emails proving global warming is a lie

Mark in Spokane is spending his day contemplating ~~eating a whole bunch of turkey~~ God and all the things he is thankful for...

Doug Ross (a true gentleman and scholar) stopped laughing long enough to give us his run down on Global Warming. I can't even begin to type out his title - you'll have to go and see for yourselves.

A special Thanksgiving wish for Stacy McCain and his loyal and hardworking co-blogger, Smitty. Both of these gentlemen are unfailingly polite and helpful to all their many fans (except the ones who cross them - which as a card-carrying Italian, I understand perfectly!)

Something fun and uplifting:

I recived an email yesterday from famed author, Katie Alender (who knows all about commas but can't spell horror - heh). She gave me a link to her equally over-achieving husband, CEO of Soapbox , and winner of one of last years Webby Awards for The Muppet's Ode to Joy video.

Be one the first to see his brand new video, Bohemian Rhapsody. Let's help this go viral!!!

Now I must run and put my baby back ribs in to marinate. Yep, that's right! We're having baby back ribs for Thanksgiving.

Comments are getting stuck in the queue for some reason.

Arrrrrrrgh!!!

So to Track - you're always welcome to share our ribs

and

Mary Ellen - I can't even read your whole comment but I get the drift and Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, You bring us all much joy!

Wise Advice!

2009-11-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Make Mine Freedom (1948)

Chilling! Well worth watching...

Displaying his Street Creds

2009-11-23T17:09:00.000-08:00

Is this how our elected politicains should be speaking? Ignorant street talk that you would expect to hear from a gang-banger? This man is a disgrace!

"Ain't going to be no money for nothing if we pour it all into Afghanistan." David Obey (D-WI) source

Busy Monday

2009-11-23T00:07:00.000-08:00

I'm headed off to run errands this morning. As usual American Thinker provides us with much to ponder.

I agree with Mr. Smith. When I saw Mary Landrieu clucking about her 300 million ~~bribe~~ ~~payoff~~ for aid to her state, my first thought was, "Heck, we have these DC elites batting about trillions of our dollars - 300 million is chicken feed." Fool!

Mary Landrieu Takes Louisianans for a Ride by J. Robert Smith

I've also been following quite closely the series put together by James Simpson on the Cloward-Piven Strategy. Here is another part of the series with some serious advice for all of us who care about our country.

Play nice while I'm gone. Or not...

Update before I leave:

at Adrienne dePitera:

Recipe Party Alert
Thanksgiving Dinner Preparation Tips
DIY Photo Light Box

A Saint is Found

2009-11-22T15:54:00.000-08:00

Angela has a Saint for 2010

This year my youngest cat, Erica, asked (nay, demanded) to be the channel for Angela Messenger's saint for 2010. Erica, being new to this whole channeling business, was having a tough time. But finally, on our last session, with the candles lit, incense clouding the room, Gregorian chant wafting from the computer speakers, I managed to get her focused enough to complete the job.

It was a sight to behold. There was little Erica, sitting upright with knees crossed, paws resting gently on her thighs, and eyes raised heavenward when she quietly spoke, "Mummmmeow." Not being sure if this was Angela's saint, or a request to visit the litter box, or possibly york up her dinner, I asked her to repeat more slowly what she had said.

"Mummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeophen." Ok. Maybe we're getting somewhere now. Let's try that one more time - really, really slowly.

Before she could utter another word, her purr-box started to emit a sound that was like the heavens singing. Her expression became beatific and as clear as a bell she said,

"What, are you stupid? I've said St. Stephen twice now!! Do I need to spell it out? (Well, she is a cat and not likely to suffer fools gladly)

So, Saint Stephen it is...

Prayer to St. Stephen the Protomartyr

O Great St. Stephen, the scriptures tell us that your face was like an angel’s as you witnessed to the truth of Christ.

Please ask the Most Holy Trinity to fill my soul and the souls of all my brothers and sisters throughout the world with a deep hunger for the truth that comes from the Heart of Jesus, and also with the loving courage to embrace and profess the truth even amid difficulties, confusion, and persecution.

May the serenity and peace which were yours at the hour of your stoning be ours as well as we wait in hope for the coming of the Lord Jesus who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Amen.

NOTE: You need not be Catholic to have a patron saint. Angela works hard each year assigning saints to all those that request them. However, she does have a cut off date of Dec. 1st. If you wish to have a patron saint, head on over to her blog. All are welcome...

Artwork: Franz Anton Maulbertsch, The Preaching of St Stephen, 1783. Fresco, Parish church, Papa, Hungary.

Twelve Steps of Alcoholic's Anonymous

2009-11-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

Step One

12 Steps of Alcoholic's Anonymous

from an email I received:

This is the song Frank just told me about. As the story goes, T. Graham Brown quit drinking the day he finished writing it, and he was supposed to have received over 10,000 emails in 3 weeks time from other people who said the song helped them quit as well.

A Must Read

2009-11-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

Excellent!!

From Mary Rose:

The Miracle of Sarah Palin

[...]One of questions I often hear from pundits, radio news personalities, and newspaper reporters is this: What's the big deal? Why does Sarah Palin cause such a ruckus? Well, aside from the fact that Hillary Clinton created her own brand of "ruckus" and President Obama caused people to faint or feel a shiver going up their legs - I'll take a shot at why I think people are gaga over Sarah Palin. read the rest

Rule Five Sunday

2009-11-22T11:36:00.000-08:00

Rule Five Sunday for Conservative Women

Agnes B. over at Mulieris Dignitate, is advancing the Rule 5 Sunday ball down the field. Read her list of rules and join the skirmish.

Following is her email to my Comma Prince, the famous and hardworking Smitty of The Other McCain (who is also, along with Stacy McCain, the instigator and perpetrator of a slovenly mess of trashy, half-clad women. Gimme a break - Shauna Sand?????)

And before getting to the email, allow me to say that even though Stacy and Smitty have featured me on their blog beaucoup times (and I am mega grateful and honored), which pushed huge numbers of readers to my humble little blog, and even though Stacy does not consider my Catholicism a barrier to friendship (being the staunch Protestant that he is), and even though Stacy took the time to call moi, a fan and supporter (on his dime, I might add), and even though Smitty always answers my emails in a timely fashion, making me feel important and larger than a small and insignificant dot on the blogoshpere - I wonder why, why I ask, am I not on his permanent "favorite blogs list?"

Oh yes, the things I have listed are important, nay, very important. But I still feel a bit like a one-night stand waiting for some guy to call after he promised he would (yeah, right!) I ask you; is this how the cat feels when the litter box is not cleaned, or the dog when her water bowl is empty? Or a kid with an empty trick or treat bag? Maybe not forgotten, but marginalized? It's as though I've been purposely left out of the annual family Christmas picture. "Yep, that's our beautiful family - it's a shame ol' Adrienne couldn't get here in time for the photo session." Ouch!

Now that's out of my system, back to the email:

As an avid fan of The Other McCain, having been introduced to it by Adrienne's blog, I am submitting to the will of The Overlord of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy blogosphere, The Other McCain. Since I cannot compete with Adrienne, who availed herself of prima nocte first, I am going to steal her thunder and your idea and start a Rule 5 Sunday for Conservative Women. Real Men who are conservative will be displayed in their God given glory. No girly men, no Dems, nada- real men only need apply. Men in uniform of course will always be posted!!! My goal is to reach a million hits, as per the rules laid down by His Awesomeness.

Thanks Agnes. Here's my contribution. Enjoy!

Texans in Iraq
Fighting for Freedom

source with names

In Afghanistan:

Guarding the Pope

Ricardo Montalban

Putting out our fires (or starting them???) Bless me Father, for I have sinned. Today I set my house on fire so I could dial 911

Kiss Your Health Care Goodbye

2009-11-22T00:07:00.000-08:00

The following article points up quite nicely what I have been saying all along. I don't want government involved in my health care at all. I would be just as happy if Medicare was scrapped in favor of real health care reform. Grandfather in the people already on Medicare, and allow a real market solution for future retirees.

My husband just reached the age of Medicare. We are both self-employed and have paid large sums of money each month for a very high deductible insurance policy. You'll be pleased to note, due to government interference, I paid each month for maternity coverage. NB: I don't plan on having a baby one month before my 64th birthday. We have paid for all our own medications, office visits, and lab work. And guess what? That was fine with us.

If this health care package of carp passes, the young people and slackers of the country who demand "free" health insurance will get what we are getting. You will be forced into a government plan, just as older citizens are forced into Medicare. We hate it. Of course we have options. We can continue to pay for coverage, except you are financially punished if you delay signing up for Medicare.

In our area, it is almost impossible to find a doctor that will accept Medicare patients. Those that do, have a waiting list. By luck and the grace of God, one of my husbands long-time students is a doctor and accepted my husband (you just don't want to diss your banjo teacher, doncha know!)

We chose Medicare Advantage for my husband and will pay more. Within two weeks of being on the program, we received notification that the rates are going up while the coverage has been slashed. We are essentially getting nothing. And that will only get worse. If this bill passes we won't even have the option of paying more for an Advantage type plan because it will be gone, along with the private health insurance companies.

If you think arguing with your insurance company over treatment is a nightmare, wait until you have to argue with the government. Raise your hand if you have had a good experience getting in a tangle with the IRS. Whooops, don't see any hands. Those are the same people who will decide what care you will get.

This is your future young people of America. You've been on a free ride for most of your life. It's going to cost you big time now. Congratulations!

From Big Government: Congress, We Don't Trust You With Health Care At All

A Must Read and a Note on Linking

2009-11-21T14:49:00.000-08:00

A Look at Your Future:

Don't cry for me, America

and...

A note about my new link policy:

About a week ago, a blog that was prominently featured on my side bar, posted the photo of Obama bowing to the Saudi King Abdullah. However, the photo had been "shopped" so that the head of Obama was bouncing up and down to make it appear he was performing an unnatural sex act on the king.

While we are all guilty of fun with our Photoshop programs, and often play fast and loose with our words, in my opinion this picture had crossed the line. When something shocks me, it must be pretty bad. After giving it some thought, I removed their link from my site.

Due to the high quality of their articles, American Thinker is one of my first stops each morning. Their writers do not find it necessary to delve into the "dark side" to attract readers. There is a fine line between humor and smut and also a big difference between calling Obama a "loon" and a f*cking a**hole. Lately I've noticed the folks on the right getting just as smutty as the left usually is. I can be as guilty as the next person and vow to clean up my own act.

From American Thinker:

God and Government: Islam and West Are Incompatible

The Evidence of Climate Fraud

A Park of My Own

2009-11-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

Whoee! My family is going to have it's own park. Too cool!!

from the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

Pedro family donating land for downtown St. Paul park

The site of Pedro Luggage, once a retail landmark in downtown St. Paul, soon could become Pedro Park. The St. Paul City Council is to approve a plan today to accept the donation of the land that once was the site of Pedro Luggage and give it to the Parks and Recreation Department for a downtown park named after the Pedro family.

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hahm said the donation is a "pretty unbelievable opportunity" to make good on city plans to build a park in that portion of downtown.

"The Pedro family had approached us about a desire on their part to make a donation of their property as the first step to help realize the vision of a park," he said.

The park's potential name would recognize both the donation and the family's history in the city, Hahm said.
Pedro Luggage closed in October 2008 after 94 years in business. The Pedro brothers, Eugene and Carl, put the 85,000-square-foot building at 501 N. Robert St. on the market after selling off most of their retail inventory.

Property records valued the building and surrounding land at $1.9 million. Taxes on the property were more than $61,700 in 2009.

A family spokesman declined to comment in advance of today's council meeting.
Approval of the donation is the first step to establishing a park on the land. According to a donation agreement, the city does not have a budget to convert the property into a park at this time. Hahm said there are no specific plans for the park.

Going Rogue

2009-11-21T12:39:00.000-08:00

"And I do know there is a God. My life is in His Hands. I encourage readers to do what I did many years ago, invite Him in to take over...then see what He will do and how He will get you through. Test Him on this. You'll see there's no such thing as a coincidence. I'm thankful for His majestic creation called Alaska, which has give me my home, and for His touch on America, which has given us all so many opportunities. By His grace, an American life in an extraordinary life." Sarah Palin "Going Rogue", closing paragraph

Linky Love

2009-11-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

Dems have 60 for health care; Lincoln a 'yes'

I fear for our country...

Linky Love and New Friends...

Smitty, over at The Other McCain, has done his usual bang up job on his Full Metal Jacket Reach Around (FMJRA) Spreading a bit of what I like to call Linky Love, is a wonderful way to reach out and meet other ~~bitter clingers~~ like-minded folks

Smitty says it so well:

This week's FMJRA is a shout of anger, a bellow of dismay, a scream of horror at the Congress That Shall Live in Infamy. If the legislation now oozing through the bowels of Congress was anything other than toxic sludge, they would speak boldly and with pride of the details, rather than hiding them. Reid and Pelosi's actions are all the indictment necessary. read his FMJRA

Not to be outdone, The Reaganite Republican is having a linky love party, complete with chips and nuts. He was nice enough to link to me and while checking out his other links, I found Amusing Bunni. So after ~~wasting even more time~~ spending quality time reading and watching cute videos on her blog, I can attest to the fact that you MUST GO VISIT Bunni. Now! One smart bunny in the blogosphere!!

Terry, over at Abbey-Roads wrote a superb article about the homo-sexual outing of priests and bishops.

Activists in D.C. intend to begin outing closeted homosexual priests and bishops in retaliation for Archbishop Wuerl's anti-same-sex marriage efforts as well as a USCCB pastoral letter, which has been perceived as an 'anti-gay attack' - when in actual fact it is a defense of marriage, defining Catholic teaching on issues of faith and morals. read the rest

From Ebeth at A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars: Did You Know: What happened BEFORE original Sin?

Subvet has a story about an Ophthalmologist who it appears has gotten fed up with Medicaid patients.

My take:

I suppose his bedside manner may leave a bit to be desired. However, after I worked as an Optician for a Optometrist who accepted Medicaid, I can fairly say the average Medicaid patient was extremely abusive to the system. Children were given unlimited frame and lens replacements and, trust me, they took full advantage of that. It was not uncommon for glasses to be replaced monthly.

Of course, this was all taking place while the doctor was scamming the system by performing unnecessary tests that were being billed to Medicaid. This is what happens when you remove "charity" from local control.

Dr. Earl Sunderhaus, an Asheville eye doctor, has what might charitably be described as a brusque bedside manner.
That much is not in dispute.
But the N.C. Medical Board may decide Sunderhaus overstepped the bounds of decency when he recently told a patient she was irresponsible for being unemployed, on Medicaid, and relying on taxpayers to cover another pregnancy after giving birth less than a year earlier. read the rest

Thought for the day...

2009-11-21T09:42:00.001-08:00

Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8

Proud to be a Citizen of Idaho!

2009-11-21T09:16:00.000-08:00

Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) from the great, and very red state of Idaho, speaks out about the health care bill.

Ordinarily I would never cut and paste completely from another website or blog, nor provide a link. I am unable to access Gateway Pundit due to their "bandwidth being exceeded" and recovered this from my reader. The information about this forced takeover of our economy and our way of life must be gotten to the greatest number of people possible. I'm sure under the circumstances, Jim Hoft will forgive me...

From the video: Sen. Crapo says, “This 2000-page bill will drive up the cost of health care insurance and medical care, not down, increase taxes by hundreds of billions of dollars, cut Medicare for senior citizens by hundreds of billions of dollars, grow the federal government by over $2.4 trillion in new spending, push the needy uninsured into a failing Medicaid system, impose a damaging unfunded mandate on our struggling states, leave millions of Americans uninsured, and establish a massive governmental intrusion into management of our health care economy.”

Here is the full transcript from Senator Crapo’s address:

“This is Senator Mike Crapo from Idaho. Americans are calling on Congress for health care reform because they can no longer tolerate its skyrocketing cost. They want us to stop the punishing increases in insurance premiums and health care costs that, year after year, are driving families across this nation to the edge. And, they want us to ensure that they have meaningful access to quality health care. But, when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid finally revealed the 2,074-page bill that has been crafted for weeks now behind closed doors, that’s hardly what we got.
“This two-thousand page bill will:
** Drive up the cost of health care insurance and medical care, not down;
** Increase taxes by hundreds of billions of dollars;
** Cut Medicare for senior citizens by hundreds of billions of dollars;
** Grow the federal government by over $2.4 trillion in new spending;
** Push the needy uninsured into a failing Medicaid system;
** Impose a damaging unfunded mandate on our struggling states;
** Leave millions of Americans uninsured; and
** Establish a massive governmental intrusion into management of our health care economy.

“This is not true health care reform, and it is not what the American people want. This bill will result in higher premiums and higher health care costs for Americans – period.
“At a time when we are experiencing record double-digit unemployment, the Reid bill raises taxes by nearly half a trillion dollars. A significant number of these provisions violate President Obama’s promise to the American people, namely that lower – and middle-class Americans would not see a tax increase under his proposals. And, yet, this bill clearly breaks that promise as it taxes a wide range of Americans: the uninsured and the insured; families with so-called high value insurance plans; employers who create jobs or provide retiree drug coverage; individuals who need medicines or medical devices; and many others. It also levies fines and penalties on individuals, families and businesses.

“Medicare faces cuts of nearly $500 billion to create the new government entitlement, even though Medicare is already facing enormous unfunded liabilities and looming insolvency. These cuts will reduce access to, and the quality of, care our seniors receive from a number of Medicare providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, home health and hospice services. And, as they see their access to and quality of care reduced, seniors enrolled in the popular Medicare Advantage plans will also lose many of the benefits that they enjoy today.

“We are already experiencing record deficits and debt, and yet, this bill creates a massive expansion of government, growing the size of the federal government by over $2.4 trillion over ten full years of implementation. When you take away the budget gimmicks used in the early years of the implementation that make the total cost look smaller, the truth is glaring and the Congressional Budget Office agrees: this plan will increase federal spending and health costs, not lower them. That means both you and the federal government will see costs go up.

“The legislation pushes 15 million people into the failing Medicaid system rather than giving them access to health insurance. And, in addition to forcing the neediest of the uninsured into a failing entitlement program, this expansion will result in $25 billion in unfunded Medicaid mandates on the states, which are already struggling financially. This mandate further jeopardizes state budgets as it forces them to drive up spending.

“The bill creates a government option insurance company and establishes unprecedented expansion of governmental control over health care. It establishes the government as the determiner of what kind of insurance Americans can purchase. It also imposes new federal mandates on all Americans. The first mandate would apply to the individual: buy insurance, or the IRS will collect a fine from you. Then, on employers: face a penalty if you don’t provide a government-approved health plan. The bill imposes $28 billion in new taxes on employers who don’t comply. Those new taxes would be passed along to employees in the form of reduced wages and lost jobs.

“You’re going to hear a lot about this bill. That’s why I encourage you to read the bill yourself and form your own opinion. This bill is available on my website as well as a number of other Internet sites. Take a close look at how the bill is funded and who and what it covers and doesn’t cover and how it may impact you and your family. It’s a real eye-opener!

“In recent months, I’ve heard from many Idahoans in my home state about health care, and they echo what Americans want in health care reform–lower costs and better quality. What Americans really want is the kind of step-by-step reforms that Republicans have been advocating for years — common-sense ideas like the ability to purchase insurance across state lines, allowing small businesses to pool together to offer more affordable health insurance to their employees; changing the incentives in our system from numbers of procedures to quality of outcomes; eliminating pre-existing condition limitations, equalizing the tax treatment of insurance; eliminating waste, fraud and abuse and promoting wellness and prevention programs that encourage people to make healthy choices. These are the kinds of reform that make sense and would really make a difference for all Americans. Thank you for listening.”

Please take time today to call your US Senator.

It only will take a minute.

** HERE IS THE PHONE LIST.

Don’t let the democrats destroy our health care system.

Mike Crapo's website

Stop the Health Care Bill

2009-11-20T16:15:00.000-08:00

We need to be calling our Senators and telling them to vote NO! Remember - a vote for this to go to debate is a YES vote on the bill.

I've heard rumors that the phones have melted in DC, so you may have to email.

When I heard that Nelson (Nebraska) was voting yes, I called and told them I would be giving campaign contributions to make sure his opponent was elected.

RedState has a very good compilation of the important points of this disastrous bill.

REDSTATE WEB EXCLUSIVE

November 19, 2009
MEMORANDUM
FROM: Michael Hammond
RE: The Reid Bill: The Mandates, Public Option,
Regulation, Rationing, and Taxes

[Redstate] EDITORS NOTE

Harry Reid’s objective has been to secret the provisions of the most important piece of legislation in our lifetimes until he could cram it down Americans’ throats because there was insufficient time to analyze and mobilize against it. To some extent, he has succeeded. I have done what I could, given the need to disseminate this at least a day before the Senate moved to cloture on the motion to proceed. I have therefore focused on the mandates, the public option, regulation, rationing, and taxes. read the rest

...and then call your Senator

Ouch!

2009-11-20T07:22:00.000-08:00

H/T: Americans for Tax Reform

Full List of Tax Hikes
In Senate Democrat Health Bill

Individual Mandate Tax (Page 324/Sec. 1501/$8 bil): Starting in 2014, anyone not buying “qualifying” health insurance must pay an income surtax according to the following schedule (capped at 8 percent of income):

	Single	Single +1	Single +2
2014	$95	$190	$285
2015	$350	$700	$1050
2016, etc.	$750	$1500	$2250

Exemptions for religious objectors, undocumented immigrants, prisoners, those earning less than the poverty line, members of Indian tribes, and hardship cases (determined by HHS).

Employer Mandate Tax (Page 348/Sec. 1513/$28 bil): If an employer does not offer health coverage, and at least one employee qualifies for a health tax credit, the employer must pay an additional non-deductible tax of $750 for all full-time employees. Applies to all employers with 50 or more employees.

If the employer requires a waiting period to enroll in coverage of 30-60 days, there is a $400 tax per employee ($600 if the period is 60 days or longer).

Excise Tax on Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans (Page 1979/Sec. 9001/$149.1 bil): Starting in 2013, new 40 percent excise tax on “Cadillac” health insurance plans ($8500 single/$23,000 family). Higher threshold ($9850 single/$26,000 family) for early retirees and high-risk professions. CPI +1 percentage point indexed.

From 2013-2015, the 17 highest-cost states are 120% of this level.

Employer Reporting of Insurance on W-2 (Page 1996/Sec. 9002/Min$): Preamble to taxing health benefits on individual tax returns.

Medicine Cabinet Tax (Page 1997/Sec. 9003/$5 bil): No longer allowable to use health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement (HRA) pre-tax dollars to purchase non-prescription, over-the-counter medicines (except insulin)

HSA Withdrawal Tax Hike (Page 1998/Sec. 9004/$1.3 bil): Increases additional tax on non-medical early withdrawals from an HSA from 10 to 20 percent, disadvantaging them relative to IRAs and other tax-advantaged accounts, which remain at 10 percent.
FSA Cap (Page 1999/Sec. 9005/$14.6 bil): Imposes cap on FSAs of $2500 (now unlimited).
Corporate 1099-MISC Information Reporting (Page 1999/Sec. 9006/$17.1 bil): Requires businesses to send 1099-MISC information tax forms to corporations (currently limited to individuals), a huge compliance burden for small employers
Excise Tax on Charitable Hospitals (page 2001/Sec. 9007/Min$): $50,000 per hospital if they fail to meet new "community health assessment needs," "financial assistance," and "billing and collection" rules set by HHS.

Tax on Innovator Drug Companies (Page 2010/Sec. 9008/ $22.2 bil): $2.3 billion annual tax on the industry imposed relative to share of sales made that year.

Tax of Medical Device Manufacturers (Page 2020/Sec. 9009/$19.3 bil): $2 billion annual tax on the industry imposed relative to shares of sales made that year. Exempts items retailing for <$100.

Tax on Health Insurers (Page 2026/Sec. 9010/$60.4 bil): $6.7 billion annual tax on the industry imposed relative to health insurance premiums collected that year.

Eliminate tax deduction for employer-provided retirement Rx drug coverage in coordination with Medicare Part D (Page 2034/Sec. 9012/$5.4 bil)

Raise "Haircut" for Medical Itemized Deduction from 7.5% to 10% of AGI (Page 2034/Sec. 9013/$15.2 bil) : Waived for 65+ taxpayers in 2013-2016 only
$500,000 Annual Executive Compensation Limit for Health Insurance Executives (Page 2035/Sec. 9014/$0.6 bil)
Hike in Medicare Payroll Tax (Page 2040/Sec. 9015/$53.8 bil): Current law and changes:

	Wages (Employer/Employee)	Self-Employment Net Income
Current Law and New Rate on First $200,000 ($250,000 MFJ)	1.45%/1.45%	2.9%
New Rate on Amount Which Exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 MFJ)	1.45%/1.95%	3.4%

The 0.5% new rate addition is not deductible for the self-employment tax adjustment.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Tax Hike (Page 2044/Sec. 9016/$0.4 bil): The special tax deduction in current law for Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies would only be allowed if 85 percent or more of premium revenues are spent on clinical services

Tax on Cosmetic Medical Procedures (Page 2045/Sec. 9017/$5.8 bil): New 5% excise tax on elective cosmetic surgery to be paid by the surgery patient.

Armed Robber Foiled

2009-11-19T12:33:00.000-08:00

This is how we do it in North Idaho...

Shopko employee tackles armed robber

A Coeur d’Alene pharmacy employee tackled a masked armed robber and held him for police Wednesday night. Jason Anthony Wahl, 28, will appear in Kootenai County District Court this afternoon after police arrested him at the Shopko pharmacy, 217 W. Ironwood Drive.

Wahl is accused of trying to rob the pharmacy of prescription medication just before 9 p.m.

When police arrived, an employee was on top of Wahl struggling to get control of a handgun, said Sgt. Christie Wood.

Wahl had been tackled while trying to run from the store with drugs, police said. source

Update: If you plan on leaving a comment saying what the employee did was stupid, dangerous, or is in any way not in support of the employee (as I'm sure ShopKo will not be), don't.

I am a firm believer, in many cases, of people standing up for their rights and the safety of themselves and the people around them. I think the employee took the path of honorable and brave behavior. A drug addled crazy running around with a gun needs to be put away for a long, long time.

Abortion: Yay or Nay?

2009-11-19T09:48:00.000-08:00

From Mary Ellen in the Combox:

Regarding the health care bill...I've been trying to find a blog that clarifies this so-called "compromise" on the abortion issue on the Senate bill. I never knew there was a compromise when it comes to killing babies, but that seems to be the mindset of our government these days. My fear is that it will be enough (along with arm twisting from their party) for Dems who were originally against funding abortions to sway their vote. I tried reading the excerpt of the bill and can't make heads or tails out of it.

From The American Spectator: HarryCare is a Rotten Deal

[...]Under tremendous pressure from pro-choice groups, Reid did not include the Stupak language in the Senate bill. Instead, the Senate bill mandates that every state insurance exchange must offer a plan that covers abortion in addition to one that does not. It also allows for the government-run plan to cover abortions as long as the HHS Secretary can assure that no federal funds will be used to subsidize the procedure. As for the subsidies, it proposes an unworkable "segregation of funds" that theoretically is supposed to make sure that the actuarial value of the abortion benefit isn't paid for with tax dollars. read the rest

Just in from Americans United for Life: Reid Releases Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid last night unveiled a health care bill which provides for an unprecedented expansion of federally-funded abortion. The bill includes pro-abortion language and mirrors the false compromise Capps Amendment from the House debate — it allows the public option to include abortion coverage and provides federal subsidies for private plans which cover abortion. read the rest

I've posted two things that seem to be diametrically opposed. I haven't had time to read the pertinent passages but will try and get on that later.

And from Big Government: Inside Harry Reid’s Massive Health Care Tax Plan

Reality Disconnect

2009-11-18T12:54:00.000-08:00

At 5am this morning I am greeted by the headline stating "Obama: Too much debt could fuel double-dip recession."

President Barack Obama gave his sternest warning yet about the need to contain rising U.S. deficits, saying on Wednesday that if government debt were to pile up too much, it could lead to a double-dip recession.

What could I possibly add to that?

At the same time and just inches away is: Senate Democrats plan to unveil healthcare bill

Will someone please tell me how much is "too much debt?"

The details of the worked over legislation will be released at 5pm ET. Anyone want to bet abortion is back in? I didn't think so. However, take time to read what Senator Jim DeMint posted on Red State:

[...]To begin debate on this new version of Obamacare, Reid will play a shell game. He needs 60 senators to “vote to proceed” to an unrelated piece of legislation, and once he clears that hurdle he will strike that bill’s text and insert his new health care bill. But don’t be fooled by senators that will say they oppose a government takeover but just wanted to allow debate on health care, they are not being honest.

The simple fact is this: Any senator that votes to proceed to the Reid-Obama bill is voting for a government takeover of health care.

Please take a moment and read the whole article (it's not long), so you will know what it is you must do. It was a bit of an eye opener for me.

The The Republican Alternative by Peter Ferrara tells us again what any rational person already knows. You don't need 2000+ pages to "fix" the health care delivery system in this country.

Jeffrey Flier, dean of Harvard Medical School tells us why Health 'Reform' Gets a Failing Grade

Sarah Coming to Coeur d'Alene

While I have never been one to line up to meet a celebrity, when I found out Sarah Palin was coming to Coeur d' Alene, my first thought was "cool". Then I read on The Blog Prof what happened on her first stop in Michigan, and things are not looking good for getting my book (obtained off a huge stack at Costco yesterday) signed. Lining up at midnight would never make it onto my radar. I would consider showing up at 5am, but only if I know there will be porta potties. Just sayin'...

The other difference is the Fred Meyer, where she will be doing the book signing, is not in a mall. It is a free standing store and also doesn't have a very large parking lot Do I want to stand outside on Dec. 10 in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho? Not so much!

Gateway Pundit has a video of the Michigan gathering...

The Reaganite Republican was nice enough to gather together some humor for hump day to entertain us. Thanks RR

Father Powell clears up some issues:

Sacrifical Service vs. Being a Doormat

How do we distinguish between "serving sacrificially" and "being subservient"? Or, as one commenter puts it: what's the difference between rendering sacrificial service and "being a doormat"? read the rest

I lean toward the doormat, thank you very much!

And this doormat needs to get some work done - even though there is much, much more to say...

Sarah on the Oprah Show

2009-11-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

It's taken just a small amount of time to skim about 20 articles about Sarah Palin's much anticipated appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. They range from fawning adulation to overt derision. Sandwiched in between these two extremes are the pseudo-intellectual meanderings of people vetting every word and inflection of not only Sarah, but Oprah.

Is there no one who will just say the truth? It was nothing more than an appearance of a woman, who appeared to be telling the truth, on a fluffy daytime talk show. It was not worthy of adulation, and it certainly didn't deserve to be castigated. Sarah seemed to be honest and was very charming. Nothing more or less.

Have we lost our ability to see the obvious? Things really can be simple. Occam knew that, and so do I. My favorite saying has always been, "Let's cut to the chase." That's one of the reasons I detest meetings. A group of folks in a meeting will rarely "cut to the chase." They form steering committees instead.

I think Sarah knows all about Occam's Razor and my bet is that she too, wants to "cut to the chase."

Update: Here's one article I hadn't read yet (because it was just published)

My hat is tipped to Stacy McCain for his great article in American Spectator: