Today in Finance for March 18, 2003
Survey: Health-Insurance Crisis Looming (click title above for 2003 article)
Most employers plan to pass some cost hikes on to workers; many small businesses considering dropping coverage entirely. Plus: SEC sues Merrill Lynch over Enron deals, former Anicom CFO indicted, and FEI president switches to wrestling outfit.
Stephen Taub, CFO.com
March 18, 2003
In case you're still not convinced that health care is the next great corporate crisis, read on.
According to a nationwide survey of 600 large and small businesses, 92 percent say they are likely to increase the amount their employees pay for health-insurance premiums next year....
Michael Moore Today
http://www.michaelmoore.com/
"If you're an American, you need to see this movie."
-- Oprah Winfrey
Moore tells insurance lobbyist profiting off health 'doesn't seem moral'
David Edwards and Muriel Kane
Published: Friday September 28, 2007
When Oprah Winfrey welcomed Michael Moore and two health insurance experts to her program on Thursday to discuss the health care crisis in America, she set as the central question for debate, "Do you fundamentally believe that the child of a gas station attendance and the child of an investment banker deserve the same health care?"
Professor Uwe Reinhardt, a German-born expert on health care economics, said Americans needed to overcome their "hangups about government" and start expecting government to do more.
"We love our country and yet we hate our government," commented Moore. "I don't think it's so much the government as who's put in charge of the government. There's nothing wrong with FEMA. ... What's wrong is heckuva job Brownie."
http://rawstory.com//news/2007/Oprah_hosts_Michael_Moore_versus_healthcare_0928.html
Princeton University professor Uwe Reinhardt, one of the nation's leading authorities on healthcare economics, says the healthcare debate all boils down to a single question. "Should the child of a gas station attendant have the same chance of staying healthy or getting cured, if sick, as the child of a corporate executive?" he asks.
http://www.oprah.com/world/health/slide/20070927/health_284_109.jhtml
The healthcare crisis has become a hot-button issue in American politics. As bills pile up, the cost of medical care is the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States. On average, treatment for a brain tumor costs $200,000. A stroke—$140,000. Leukemia can cost up to $600,000. Would you be covered?
http://www.oprah.com/world/health/slide/20070927/health_284_101.jhtml
Sick In America: It Can Happen to You
Sep 20, 2007 12:04 PM
harpobear 250 posts since
Sep 8, 2007
For the first time on TV, the director of Sicko, Michael Moore, and a respected insurance lobbyist face off in a healthcare showdown. Then, Lisa Ling puts some insurance companies on the line. It is a discussion of the one question we all need to answer-find out what it is.
http://www.oprah.com/community/thread/3145
Should healthcare be a right or a luxury?
Do you believe that the child of a gas station attendant and the child of an investment banker deserve the same healthcare? That was a question raised on our healthcare show with Michael Moore and we want to hear from you! Should healthcare be a right or a luxury in our country?
What was your reaction to our healthcare show and the questions posed? Did the show make you think about the issue of healthcare differently? What realizations (if any) did you have about healthcare in our country?
Do you believe everyone in the country should have equal access to healthcare? Does the thought of a total overhaul of the American health care system seem overwhelming, unrealistic, or exciting? Are you ready to make changes so that everyone can become insured in our country? What are you willing to sacrifice personally for healthcare to become a right for every citizen?
The Oprah Show wants to you hear from you! Please write only if you are willing to appear on national television.
https://www.oprah.com/plugger/templates/BeOnTheShow.jhtml?action=respond&plugId=290100001
The Wørd on Health Care
By: Nicole Belle on Friday, September 28th, 2007 at 12:58 PM - PDT
Stephen Colbert urges President Bush to veto the SCHIP bill, for the good of the children.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/09/28/the-wørd-on-health-care/
http://www.crooksandliars.com/Media/Play/21849/1/colbert_word_health_care.wmv/
September 24th, 2007 2:18 pm
Steelworker on 'Oprah' Thursday
By Andrea Holecek / Northwest Times
MUNSTER, IN -- Retired steelworker Stephen Skvara says it's his message rather than his mug that's prompted invitations to Springfield, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., for television talk shows, parades, health care rallies and as a guest on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
His appearance on the show was taped Sept. 4 in Chicago and will air at 9 a.m and 11:05 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
"Every day is something new," said Skvara, a former LTV mill mechanic from Union Township who was crippled in an auto accident in 1997 and now walks with two canes. "It's kind of interesting for a retired guy. All of a sudden something happens and people want to hear you to talk."
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10266
George to give Democrats another chance to find spine, cut war funding
September 24th, 2007 2:30 pm
Iraq war budget jumps for 2008
Bush plans to increase his request to nearly $200 billion. The troop buildup and new gear are the main reasons.
By Julian E. Barnes / Los Angeles Times
WASHINGTON -- After smothering efforts by war critics in Congress to drastically cut U.S. troop levels in Iraq, President Bush plans to ask lawmakers next week to approve another massive spending measure -- totaling nearly $200 billion -- to fund the war through next year, Pentagon officials said.
If Bush's spending request is approved, 2008 will be the most expensive year of the Iraq war.
U.S. war costs have continued to grow because of the additional combat forces sent to Iraq this year and because of efforts to quickly ramp up production of new technology, such as mine-resistant trucks designed to protect troops from roadside bombs. The new trucks can cost three to six times as much as an armored Humvee.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10267
September 23rd, 2007 6:13 am
Profane Language Puts Student Editor's Job On Line
Editorial Raises Eyebrows, Controversy At CSU
By Lane Lyon / 7NEWS
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- A four word editorial with a four letter word in it is sparking a spirited discussion on free speech at Colorado State University.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian published an editorial on page 4 of the paper Friday which read "Taser this ... F*** Bush."
The expletive was spelled out.
The last two words were in bold type, larger than most headlines. A caption below said, "this column represents the views of the Collegian's Editorial Board."
"I think they went over the line a little bit, but it's free speech and they're allowed to write what they want," one student told 7NEWS.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10263
Abstract:
FUCK BUSH
This is the view of the Collegian editorial board....
http://www.collegian.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticleComments&ustory_id=ed638edf-233b-4bf3-bac8-5044287f1b97
Letter from Collegian Editor in Chief regarding Bush statement
J. David McSwane
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: News
To: University Community and Collegian readers
From: J. David McSwane, Editor in Chief
Re: Collegian editorial
On Friday, September 21, the The Rocky Mountain Collegian editorial board printed a statement bashing President Bush in its Opinion section in an effort to highlight the importance of free speech on a college campus. In doing so, the editorial board and I realized the statement was controversial and unpopular among some students and community members.
This letter should serve as an explanation to readers who were offended and upset by the editorial statement. While the editorial board feels strongly with regard to first amendment issues, we have found the unintended consequences of such a bold statement to be extremely disheartening.
As a student-run publication with a proud 116-year tradition of serving Colorado State University Students and the surrounding communities, it is our responsibility to uphold the standards set by my predecessors. We intend to continue this tradition.
http://media.www.collegian.com/media/storage/paper864/news/2007/09/21/News/Letter.From.Collegian.Editor.In.Chief.Regarding.Bush.Statement-2984663.shtml
September 24th, 2007 1:41 pm
CSU Republicans rally against student editor
By Rocky Mountain News and CBS4 News
FORT COLLINS — College Republicans at Colorado State University want the editor of the student newspaper to resign after he used a vulgarity in an editorial before the word "Bush."
The group plans to rally against editor David McSwane from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today after the F-word appeared in Friday's edition of the Collegian newspaper.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10264
May 20th, 2005 2:47 pm
Penchant for 'cool' led to big story
'Recruit' liked idea of going undercover
By John Aguilar / Rocky Mountain News
The fallout from an Arvada teenager's investigative piece for his school newspaper is one reason Army recruiters nationwide will "stand down" today for a refresher class in ethics.
David McSwane never thought his story would get so big when he gave his 15-year-old friend a camcorder, his 11-year-old sister a still camera, and enlisted his mother to keep him out of legal hot water.
When McSwane was finished, Army recruiters in Golden had been caught encouraging him to manufacture a fake high school diploma and accompanying him to a head shop to buy him a drug detox kit.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=2712
September 21st, 2007 1:57 am
Bush Threatens Veto of Child Health Bill
By Sheryl Gay Stolberg / New York Times
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 — President Bush, bracing for a series of battles with Congress over spending, threatened today to veto a bill expanding a popular children’s health insurance program, calling it “a step toward federalization of health care.”
The program expires Sept. 30, and Congress is on the verge of renewing it by providing coverage to an additional 4 million children over the 6.6 million already enrolled — at an additional cost of $35 billion over five years. Mr. Bush says the bill would expand a program aimed at helping the poor beyond its original intent.
The veto threat is just one of nearly a dozen the White House has issued recently aimed at a variety of bills including measures on education spending and money for medical research. With the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, Mr. Bush and Congressional Democrats are headed for a showdown over spending similar to the one that preceded the government shutdown of 1995.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article.php?id=10255
H.R.676
Title: To provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all United States residents, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (introduced 1/24/2007) Cosponsors (82)
Latest Major Action: 2/2/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR00676:@@@N
Make Sure Your Rep. Supports H.R. 676
"Which congressional district am I in?"
CLiCK here and enter your address to find out.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/what-can-i-do/boxscore/index.php?action=print
Say "Thank you"
Information on
Representative Laura Richardson
of Congressional District number 37 of California
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/newmemberbio.cgi?lang=&member=CA37&site=ctc&address=&city=&state=CA&zipcode=&plusfour=
Information on
Representative David Scott
of Congressional District number 13 of Georgia
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/newmemberbio.cgi?lang=&member=GA13&site=ctc&address=&city=&state=GA&zipcode=&plusfour=
Tracy Pierce Memorial Candlelight Vigil - Friday, September 28, Washington, D.C.
On the Steps of the Lincoln Memorial at Sunset
Tracy Pierce lost his life on January 18th, 2006 at the age of 37 after a courageous 16-month battle with Kidney Cancer. Tracy had health insurance through his wife’s employer who continually denied the lifesaving treatments ordered by his physician. His family calls this “Death By Denial.” Tracy was a Journeyman Carpenter with Local #61 in Kansas City, Missouri. Tracy was the proud father of a 15 year old boy, a brother, a son, a friend to many and the husband of Julie Pierce. Julie promised her husband that his fight would not end with his death. Tracy’s story is featured in Michael Moore’s movie “SICKO” along with many other heart wrenching stories from Americans across our country because of Health Insurance. Larry and Donna Smith are also featured in “SICKO.” They lost their home, but it didn’t take their dignity or their passion to fight for what is right. Donna founded and created “APUHC” - American Patients for Universal Health Care in July 2007.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article.php?id=10127
This Giuliani Plan is more competence from Republicans that try to 'make the solution fit problem' rather than actually knowing how to solve problems.
September 21st, 2007 2:40 pm
Giuliani: Balance Tax Cut With Tax Cut
By Matthew Barakat / Associated Press
RESTON, Va. - Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani said Friday that the alternative minimum tax - which is expected to generate as much as $1 trillion over the next 10 years - could be eliminated by balancing it out with even more tax cuts.
Giuliani's remarks prompted a bewildered response from his audience of technology executives. Both Republicans and Democrats said they assumed that the candidate must have misspoke as he responded to a question about the tax and its affect the middle class.
Giuliani left the speech without taking questions from reporters. His campaign did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=1025
Single-Payer National Health Insurance
Single-payer national health insurance is a system in which a single public or quasi-public agency organizes health financing, but delivery of care remains largely private.
Currently, the U.S. health care system is outrageously expensive, yet inadequate. Despite spending more than twice as much as the rest of the industrialized nations ($7,129 per capita), the United States performs poorly in comparison on major health indicators such as life expectancy, infant mortality and immunization rates. Moreover, the other advanced nations provide comprehensive coverage to their entire populations, while the U.S. leaves 46 million completely uninsured and millions more inadequately covered.
http://www.pnhp.org/facts/single_payer_resources.php
Michiganders launch petition drive to get Gore on ballot
September 24th, 2007 7:08 pm
Group wants Gore on Michigan ballot
By Deb Price / Detroit News
WASHINGTON -- Fans of Al Gore said today they have launched a petition drive to try to get the Democrat's name added to the Jan. 15 presidential primary ballot in Michigan
"We are hopeful that Al Gore will jump in during October, and we simply don't want to take the chance that he will get in and still be unable to be on the Jan. 15 ballot," said Douglas Kelley, co-chair of Michigan Draft Gore.
Gore, the 2000 Democratic presidential nominee and star of the Oscar-winning "An Inconvenient Truth," has repeatedly said he has no plans to run for president. But supporters hope he will change his mind, especially if he wins the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 12.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10270
September 24th, 2007 7:28 pm
I'm No Lesbian, Clinton Says
White House Hopeful Says Rumors Not True
KETV-7
Nope, she's not gay. That's what Hillary Clinton will make official in The Advocate, a gay magazine, according to a story in Friday's editions of The New York Daily News.
Sean Kennedy, an editor with the magazine, asked during an interview with Clinton, "How do you respond to the occasional rumor that you're a lesbian?"
"People say a lot of things about me, so I really don't pay any attention to it," Clinton said in response, the Daily News reported.
Clinton Calls Cheney 'Darth Vader'
Clinton drew laughs Wednesday during a question and answer event at Manhattan's Town Hall when she likened Vice President Dick Cheney to the masked evildoer in the "Star Wars" movies.
-- Hillary Clinton
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10271
September 28th, 2007 1:39 am
Senate passes children's health insurance bill, Bush vows to veto
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Senate voted 67-29 Thursday night to expand the State Children's Health Insurance program, a measure President Bush has vowed to veto as a step toward universal coverage.
The program would double -- from 4 million to 8 million -- the number of children covered.
Eighteen Republicans joined all of the Democrats in voting to expand the program from its current annual budget of $5 billion to $12 billion for the next five years.
Four senators -- Republicans John McCain of Arizona and Sam Brownback of Kansas and Democrats Joseph Biden of Delaware and Barack Obama of Illinois -- did not vote.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10307
September 28th, 2007 2:07 am
"Childrens do learn," Bush tells school kids
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Offering a grammar lesson guaranteed to make any English teacher cringe, President George W. Bush told a group of New York school kids on Wednesday: "Childrens do learn."
Bush made his latest grammatical slip-up at a made-for-TV event where he urged Congress to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act, the centrepiece of his education policy, as he touted a new national report card on improved test scores.
The event drew New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings plus teachers and about 20 fourth and fifth graders from P.S. 76.
During his first presidential campaign, Bush -- who promised to be the "education president" -- once asked: "Is our children learning?"
On Wednesday, Bush seemed to answer his own question with the same kind of grammatical twist.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10308
"SiCKO" opens in more theaters today !
http://www.sickotix.com/
Nationwide Vigils Sept. 28 for Health Care Justice
American Patients for Universal Health Care hosts first national action
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Around the country on Sept. 28, advocates for universal single-payer health care will be attending vigils to show support for the families who have lost loved ones because they lacked health insurance.
American SiCKO Donna Smith, also Colorado Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) Congressional District Point Person and PDA Health care for All/Single-Payer Issue Organizing Team member has established American Patients for Universal Health Care (APUHC).
Smith and her husband Larry will join Julie Pierce in Washington D.C. for the Tracy Pierce Memorial Candlelight Vigil on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Friday, Sept. 28 at sunset. Julie is Tracy's widow, and also tells her story in 'SiCKO.' "Tracy died of kidney cancer at age 37 after repeated denials for life-saving treatment by our insurance carrier." Tracy, Sr., also left behind his 15 year old son, Tracy, Jr., and Julie promised "the fight would not end with his death."
http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/blog/2007/09/nationwide-vigils-sept-28-for-health.html
Louisville, Kentucky to Stand Together for Health Care Justice
Standing together for health care justice
At sunset on Friday, September 28, health care reform advocates will gather at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, to commemorate those who have lost their lives because they lacked access to adequate and affordable health care. Similar vigils will be held nationwide--in Chicago, in Denver, and in Louisville. Please join us.
Vigil
Friday, September 28, 2007
7– 8 pm
2240 Frankfort Avenue
(Clifton area, between Rastetter and Jane Streets)
Louisville, Kentucky (The Google)
Light a candle in memory of the 18,000 adults who die each year in the US due to a lack of health insurance.
Join us as we to mourn the loss of Clay Morgan and other Kentuckians whose deaths were caused, directly or indirectly, by the inhumanity of our current health care system.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/blog/2007/09/louisville-kentucky-to-stand-together.html
Oklahoma City to Stand Together for Health Care Justice
Join together for
HEALTH CARE JUSTICE
TRACY PIERCE Memorial Candlelight Vigil
Remember the fallen – Fight for the living
When: Friday, September 28, 2007, Sunset (6:45)
Where: Oklahoma Capital - On the front steps of Capital (The Google)
Tracy Pierce lost his life on January 18, 2006, at the age of 37 after a courageous 16-month battle with kidney cancer. Tracy had health insurance through his wife’s employer who continually denied the lifesaving treatments ordered by his physician. He was a journeyman carpenter with Local #61 in Kansas City, MO. Tracy was the proud father of a 15 year old boy, a brother, a son, a friend to many and the husband of Julie Pierce. Tracy’s story is featured in Michael Moore’s movie “SICKO.” Join us in remembering Tracy.
In Oklahoma City, a solidarity vigil is planned for 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, at the capital’s front steps on Lincoln. Speaking to the Oklahoma City crowd is Reggie Cervantes, a Ground Zero hero who is sick from the exposure to toxins during the rescue efforts.
Oklahoma City attendees from SiCKO include: Reggie, Aidan & Lia Cervantes
Washington DC Vigil attendees from SiCKO include: Adrian Campbell, 9/11 first responder John Graham, Dawnelle Keys, Larry and Donna Smith
http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/blog/2007/09/oklahoma-city-to-stand-together-for.html
HEALTHCARE & THE WAR ARE “SiCKO”
http://www.troopsoutnow.org/healthcarenotwarfare.html
September 27th, 2007 3:02 pm
CSU Collegian editor offers no apology for editorial
Board asks for explanation, will determine McSwane's future at paper
By Trevor Hughes / The Coloradoan
Collegian editor J. David McSwane declined to apologize for the profane "F --- Bush" editorial printed in the Colorado State University student newspaper last week, but acknowledged recent days have been "hell."
McSwane was called before the university's Board of Student Communications, or BSC, on Wednesday night to hear complaints that the editorial was offensive to the university community. The BSC is considering whether to fire McSwane over the editorial and its financial implications for the newspaper. Advertisers have pulled thousands of dollars in ads from the paper.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10300
September 27th, 2007 3:35 am
Dems can't make guarantee on Iraq troops
By Beth Fouhy / Associated Press
HANOVER, N.H. - The three leading Democratic presidential hopefuls conceded Wednesday night they could not guarantee that all U.S. combat troops would be gone from Iraq by 2013.
"I think it's hard to project four years from now," said Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois in the opening moments of a campaign debate in the nation's first primary state.
"It is very difficult to know what we're going to be inheriting," added Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.
"I cannot make that commitment," said former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10297
September 27th, 2007 8:43 pm
U.S. military deaths in Iraq at 3,800
Associated Press
As of Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007, at least 3,800 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 3,099 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.
The AP count is two higher than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Thursday at 10 a.m. EDT.
The British military has reported 170 deaths; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 21; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, seven; El Salvador, five; Slovakia, four; Latvia, three; Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Romania, South Korea, one death each.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10305
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