Health care fix spares insurance hike for Congress

By JOSH LEDERMAN / Associated Press / August 2, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) — Under a forthcoming fix from the Obama administration, American taxpayers will continue paying for most of the health benefit costs for members of Congress and their aides who are being marshaled into new insurance exchanges.

Lawmakers and congressional staffers have been sounding the alarm that they could be forced to pay thousands more, picking up the tab themselves. In the past, the federal government chipped in about 75 percent. That sparked concerns that the best and the brightest might flee Capitol Hill rather than losing a benefit on which they and their families depend.

Under new regulations the Obama administration will release next week, the government will keep paying its share and that scenario will be averted, the White House said.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said it was important to resolve the issue before the August congressional recess because the exchanges open Oct. 1. She said her own staff had told her there could be a problem with ‘‘brain drain.’’

‘‘They are a tremendous intellectual resource, people who could, shall we say, be better compensated financially outside’’ of government, Pelosi said wryly. ‘‘Happily they enjoy the psychic rewards of public service — at least for a while.’’

The latest hitch in the rollout of the health care law was actually prompted by an amendment from Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley that forced senators, representatives and congressional staffers to buy insurance through new exchanges, rather than the federal benefit system most government employees use. The idea was to force lawmakers backing the bill to have a personal stake in the outcome.

But until now, there was no clear mechanism for the government to contribute its part of employees’ premiums through the exchanges.

The fix came at the request of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, the White House said. But officials have declined to say how deeply Obama was involved.

‘‘I just don’t have details on the president’s private meetings,’’ White House spokesman Jay Carney said Thursday in response to senators’ claims that Obama was personally working to resolve the dispute. ‘‘I can tell you that Congress wrote and passed the Affordable Care Act, and the law lays out details of how people will get insurance.’’

Lawmakers and staffers won’t be eligible for tax credits that low-income Americans can get to purchase insurance through the exchanges, designed to get millions more Americans enrolled in health care. Obama will start getting his insurance through the exchanges, the White House official said, adding that the administration also supports requiring Cabinet secretaries and White House staff to enroll.

___

Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP

BEING GREEN


Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the much older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this 'green thing' back in my earlier days."

The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

She was right -- our generation didn't have the 'green thing' in our day.

Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over.

So they really were recycled.

But we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day.

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, that we reused for numerous things, most memorable besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property, (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags.

But too bad we didn't do the "green thing" back then.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.

But she was right. We didn't have the "green thing" in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that young lady is right; we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.

In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she's right; we didn't have the "green thing" back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But we didn't have the "green thing" back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service in the family's $45,000 SUV or van, which cost what a whole house did before the "green thing." We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the "green thing" back then?

Please forward this on to another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smart butt young person...

We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to tick us off...especially from a tattooed, multiple pierced smart butt who can't make change without the cash register telling them how much.

CNN reports CIA cover up on Benghazi

A bombshell from CNN today regarding Benghazi.  According to the cable news network there is in fact a massive cover-up by the CIA to hide what “dozens” of CIA agents were doing on the ground in Benghazi on September 11, 2012.  It was the night of the 11th when Al Qaeda backed militants raided the U.S. compound in Benghazi, killing 4 Americans including Ambassador Chris Stevens.

According to the report from CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper:
“Sources now tell CNN dozens of people working for the CIA were on the ground that night, and that the agency is going to great lengths to make sure whatever it was doing, remains a secret. CNN has learned the CIA is involved in what one source calls an unprecedented attempt to keep the spy agency’s Benghazi secrets from ever leaking out.”

There are many questions we still do not have answered but this latest revelation continues to expose the attempted cover up by State Department officials who repeatedly claimed that a YouTube video was the reason for a spontaneous “uprising”. 
 
That was clearly not the case, so what was really taking place in Benghazi?

The secret is being held so closely that CIA agents are reportedly being subjected to repeated polygraph tests to determine if they are talking to members of the media.  In addition, agents are having their careers threatened and say they are under intense pressure to protect not just themselves but their families.

So here we are.  Another government agency demanding secrecy from agents, secrecy that likely has nothing to do with national security and everything to do with a lack of accountability to the American people.

BEING GREEN

 

 

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the much older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this 'green thing' back in my earlier days." The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations." She was right -- our generation didn't have the 'green thing' in our day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled. But we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day. Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, that we reused for numerous things, most memorable besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property, (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings.  Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But too bad we didn't do the "green thing" back then. We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn't have the "green thing" in our day. Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right; we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day. Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right; we didn't have the "green thing" back then. We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have the "green thing" back then. Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service in the family's $45,000 SUV or van, which cost what a whole house did before the "green thing." We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint. But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the "green thing" back then? Please forward this on to another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smart butt young person... We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to tick us off...especially from a tattooed, multiple pierced smart butt who can't make change without the cash register telling them how much.

EAD the whole thing - and then click over to where it shows that our Authoritarian-in-chief has decided and personally pushed through an exemption for all Government employees so that can keep their current insurance instead of participating in the exchanges like the rest of us! Take the rosy scales off your eyes folks - the ACA was to level the playing field, right? We would ALL have to use the same access and receive the same healthcare right? Correct me if I'm wrong, please correct me if I'm wrong.

This is Washington as normal - preferential treatment for the elite cronies of Obama.  His own Democrats were rebelling against the very bill that they "had to pass in order to know what's in it".  Mme Pelosi and Mr. Reid have laid out the wasteland that will be what's left of the middle class.  If congressional staffers who are paid about as much as the avg middle class workers.  However - the horror! - they will not be able to afford it on the salaries that they have and - GASP - might leave for better opportunities!!! So where does that leave the middle-class? They've figured it and won't impose it upon their own - BUT the regular American taxpayer will be left to take care of it on their own!

Authoritarian-in-chief, my friends.  the step lower than socialism. That's the first step - running the office as your personal decision making machine, where all the rulings come out of, instead of our balanced three part process.  If one person makes all the decisions in a party that's not Democracy - that's somebody on the way to becoming a thug dictator just like the Vietnam official that he praised for his policies during the war. o_O

Check out the histories of Castro, Chavez, Pinochet, Fujimori, Santander, Balmaceda, Blanco, Torres, Mendez, and Diaz.  And let's not forget Juan Paublo Peron.

http://benswann.com/premiums-skyrocket-198-congress-exempts-themselves-from-obamacare-provisions/

A Century Turns. New Hopes, New Fears. William J. Bennett

Let me start off the book is not a light read, it’s certainly not for the faint at heart, it is a solid historical look at the last 20 years of American politics.

The content of the book manly focuses on the term of the two President Bushes and President Clinton though he does touch on our current President. This period spans two Gulf wars, the troubles in the former Yugoslavia and the attacks of 9/11. But the book it a lot more than just the main events of the time. It really opens the blinds regarding what happen behind the scenes in some of the lesser know areas of American politics and give us new understanding of the most recent Presidents.

I would say that the author has done a good job of staying neutral and acting as an observer though-out the whole book. The author has the unique perspective of being involved in Washington politics but not being a central role in the stories he is presenting. The only issue that I have with the author is his lack of information with regard to his issues that occurred right at the end of the century. These "overstatements got him in no litle bit of trouble, however there is no mention of this even though it did have a direct effect on #43 as his term wound down.

On the whole I would thoroughly recommend this book if you are at all interested in current affair or politics as it paint a good picture of how we have got to where we are right now. I personally think the author has created a good follow up from his previous books, America: The Last Best Hope Vol 1&2.

Review of "Rick and Bubba's Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage "

Rick and Bubba definitely do it again - their reverence for the institution of marriage and the ability to make us laugh at ourselves mix perfectly in this "guide." Sharing their memories of early married life and some very funny experiences put you at ease immediately. Deftly handing a sturdy rope to those who may be in need of earthly help and are having trouble, Rick and Bubba let the reader know that while things are not always wine & roses, things don't have to be vinegar and thorns either.
Above all they counsel patience and understanding - both valuable beyond price in any kind of relationship. With these gentlemen sharing their "Oops" moments and then their "repairs" - some of which worked as hoped, some didn't - hehe. These guys make us feel like "one of the guys" and feel lighter, smarter, and happier because of it. As a first step towards working on yourself and alongside your partner, this read will help to adjust the atitudes and blinders that exist...

The next book I'll be reviewing

Buy		Read

Review of Christianity in Crisis by Hank Hanegraff

I am a book reviewer for Thomas Nelson publishers... The book I have received lately is "Christianity in Crisis" by Hank Hanegraff.

Full disclosure - I am a practicing Greek Orthodox Christian.

Mr. Hanegraff presents a well-written impassioned explanation of his view of the "fall" of Christianity today, specifically by evangelism. Unfortunately, he starts out with how the "Word" of God is being twisted by the prosperity ministers - those you see on TV. While I agree in principle that getting most of your religious information, advice and instruction from TV is dangerous and has caused some serious rifts between groups, I do not agree that the Bible is a literal representation of the Word.

He begins his tirade against the prosperity preachers by saying "error begets error" and "heresy begets heresy". Basically upbraiding these preachers because they follow more of a "words create reality" format. Meaning that Preachers such as Joel Osteen and Rhonda Byrne encourage their followers to follow the "if you think it, you can do it and it will become reality".
While I, myself am not comfotable with TV evangelism in any way - preferring the more traditional Sunday service rites attended in a church, I am a bit more open to think that if this will bring some people a measure of comfort that they cannot get elsewhere then it is worth it.

My major complaint of Mr. Hanegraff's writing is that he consistently refers to the Bible as the literal Word. In my opinion, this shows an extreme lack of research and knowledge of the wonderful history and biography of the Bible. If you take the Bible simply as it is, you will understand that most of it is comprised of letters written from from of the Apostles to a community or another group. These epistles are not then, the true and literal word of God, they are individual expressions of faithful men using the same avenues that the properity teachers currently do - without the glitz and glam.

The Bible, and those documents that came before it, are individual expressions of their views on faith - gentle coercion by example and thoughtful discourse. Over the centuries the Bible has endured many transformations and translations. Something is always lost going from one language to another, as are ideas turned round so as to make them more palatable to the intended audience.

It is also a compilation of epistles and psalms which have been moved around a bit, some taken out, others left in as the political or religious politics of the day held sway or broke down. My prime example is the number of different versions of the Bible as it exists today: The Bible began from the Torah, then there are the initial translations from latin into Greek and Aramaic. Then the books were arranged in to the Septuagint. Then came the Masoretic Texts (The Tanakh) wherein the Jewish scholars of the time introduced vowels into the translation which sometimes required the selection of an interpretation, since some words differ only in their vowels—their meaning can vary in accordance with the vowels chosen.

The Torah and the early books are, quite simply, the written down oral traditions of the rabbis and early leaders of the church. The use of numbered chapters and verses was not introduced until the Middle Ages and later. The system used in English was developed by Stephanus.
Early manuscripts of the letters of Paul and other New Testament writings show no punctuation whatsoever. The punctuation was added later by other editors, according to their own understanding of the text.

I shall not delve further into this history to spare the reader, they re many resources to consult on this matter should you wish further information.
Suffice to say that the oral traditions survive as they did from the beginning and each person of the faith continues this practice by changing it to suit the apparent needs of the faithful.

Basing his "crisis" squarely on the advent of new oral traditions and new versions (KJII, NIV, e.g.) starts the unwary reader down a path of outrage and prejudice, both of which are primarily founded in ignorance.

It is well-written and presents it's context well, but I do not recommend this book for the mainstream as the author intends. This book would be better served to be read and studied by those involved in liturgical studies.

Killer Angels

Was just reminded by my brother that I need to check out "Killer Angels" about the civil war - especially in and around Gettysburg - my daughter and I have made the trek to his home in DC several times but this will be the second time we go to Gettysburg. We are very much looking forward to it! Starting to plan our museum visits as well....it is soooo fun out there. Going to check out some histories of Alexandria too. Any suggestions?

Hello!

Wow - another long time.....the perils of having a blog along with tweeting and facebook and online gaming! LOL Having fun though and that's the important thing. Found a neat site that dovetails to me very well - anyone who knows me, knows that I consume books. Well, this site offers an opportunity to read books and give my humble opinion.....at least this way it'll get down semi-permanently instead of floating through the air and in emails to my friends and family about what I've read. They love to know because it helps me recover from my stroke and let's them know what I've read so that they don't buy it for me! LOL - the librarians shiver when I walk into the door carrying mt cloth bookbag to load up.
Working on some political books now - just want to read them to see what they have to say. Reading O'Reilly's "Bold Fresh" and "The 5,000 Year Leap - Principles of Freedom 101" recommended by Glenn Beck.
Yes, I am a fan of FOX and am a conservative, fiscally and otherwise. :)

Will start posating reviews of other books I've read here too - please add your comments or questions as you wish

I know, long time - no post. Well, I keep forgetting that this is here and is safe from those who have stalked me before. Part whining, part confessional, part getting it out of my system so that the blackness can go away.

Rough week, last week - my grandmother died. Actually she was my step-grandmother. And I knew it - even when I was only eight years old, I knew I didn't belong. No matter what I tried to do or how good I tried to be, I was never good enough. I still tried to love her and my step-grandfather because I so desperately wanted to be in a real family. My mother and father divorced when I was four(this was at the time when divorce and single mothers were NOT looked upon as something that was common). My father remarried a year after the divorce to a Greek woman. I thought it was great because there was a big family to come visit every summer and people who would want to take care of me and miss me when I was gone. Yeah well - stupid kid - you see people once a year, they know nothing about you and what happens to you when you go back home. They have their own lives and you live too far away and with a crazy woman who never lets you on the phone. Anyway, all abuse aside...nobody knew what anybody else did, because I was never with anybody long enough for them to really see me. Even my husband of thirteen years never really saw me.
All I wanted was to belong and be cared for. I think that's all anybody really wants, yes?
I came to this sudden realization after a week with my "so-called" family for her funeral and some of the other must-do activities. What I saw\and heard and felt disgusted me.My vague feelings of discontent and thoughts percolating all these years at the back of my head came hard into focus.
My step-mother treated me the same way her mother treated her (the grandmother that died last week) - never anything that you really wanted unless you saved up your own money to buy it and it could still be taken away, never to return. Clothes that were always unfashionable (boys' Sears & Roebuck jeans with boys plaid shirts) and never fit right. Not being a small chested woman since puberty occurred, being compared to her lack of curves constantly made me feel fat and ugly. I now realize that was a complete lie - okay, I wasn't a great beauty but neither was I hideous. Had someone given me a little guidance, my high school years would have been much more enjoyable. Her mother (grandmother) had done the same thing to her and her sister. Definitely nurture and not nature here - my Aunt is not like this at all! She is loving and caring and has come out swinging lately in my defense.....finally a piece of family. Her daughters, my cousins are also doing the same. Ah, acceptance is so sweet!

So, what brought on these realizations? Seeing my step-mother at work on her family up close and personal as an adult. Utter disbelief at her actions which would have earned me slaps, groundings and loss, she did without compunction. Her mother wasn't even in her grave and the viewing hadn't even occurred when my step-mother was going through the jewelry and giving my aunt crap about who got which pieces! Completely cold, calculating - unfeeling...she was doing this in front of her father as well.Her father who had just lost his wife of 62 years and was preparing to go to her viewing.

Okay more later, this is exhausting.

Hurricanes, hurricanes, hurricanes everywhere;
we see them here, we seem there, we see them everywhere!

Why, though do we continue to support and subsidize those who continue to choose to live in a storm prone area? Every time a hurricane comes through and the damage is massive, they expect a government bailout because the insurance won't pay...this is ridiculous!!!! If you choose to live in a hurricane prone area, be it New Orleans, Florida, North Carolina on the beaches, Galveston(a city on an island with a 100 year old sea wall!! - please get a clue, and don't expect help when it is your choice to be there! New Orleans was a neat place to visit, but come on(!) it's below sea level - are ya just asking for trouble or what????
You don't hear the Keys or a lot of Floridians whining and moaning in the press - you know why??
They take care of them selves, they are prepared because they know they will get hit at least once a year.
We got hit hard here in Indiana - but are we whining? No, because we know that we can handle it and neighbor helps neighbor to clean up - we do it ourselves.

IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE COAST, GET OUT OF IT!!!!

Have I said how mu I ovr quotes?  NO? Well get ready cause I am a fiend!  The above is the current US threat level..

A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.

Benjamin Franklin

A good conscience is a continual Christmas.

Benjamin Franklin

A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.

Benjamin Franklin

All human situations have their inconveniences. We feel those of the present but neither see nor feel those of the future; and hence we often make troublesome changes without amendment, and frequently for the worse.

Benjamin Franklin

All would live long, but none would be old.

Benjamin Franklin

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

Benjamin Franklin

Anger is never without Reason, but seldom with a good One.

Benjamin Franklin

At 20 years of age the will reigns, at 30 the wit, at 40 the judgment.

Benjamin Franklin

Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.

Benjamin Franklin

Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.

Benjamin Franklin

Beware of the young doctor and the old barber.

Benjamin Franklin

- More quotations on: [Age]

Content makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor.

Benjamin Franklin

- More quotations on: [Happiness]

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.

Benjamin Franklin

- More quotations on: [Worries]

Drive thy business or it will drive thee.

Benjamin Franklin

- More quotations on: [Business]

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Benjamin Franklin

- More quotations on: [Wealth] [Sleep]

Educate your children to self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future and crimes from society.

Benjamin Franklin

Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to get leisure.

Benjamin Franklin

Energy and persistence conquer all things.

Benjamin Franklin

- More quotations on: [Energy] [Persistence]

Genius without education is like silver in the mine.

Benjamin Franklin

Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, and never well mended.

Benjamin Franklin

God heals, and the doctor takes the fees.

Benjamin Franklin

Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is.

Benjamin Franklin

He is ill clothed that is bare of virtue.

Benjamin Franklin

He that blows the coals in quarrels that he has nothing to do with, has no right to complain if the sparks fly in his face.

Benjamin Franklin

He that can have patience can have what he will.

Benjamin Franklin

He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.

Benjamin Franklin

He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.

Benjamin Franklin

He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money.

Benjamin Franklin

- More quotations on: [Money]

He that lives upon hope will die fasting.

Benjamin Franklin

- More quotations on: [Hope]

He that would live in peace and at ease, must not speak all he knows nor judge all he sees.

Benjamin Franklin