I want to thank the President for his delayed arrival in Copenhagen. He didn't have to do this for us. He did.

President Obama gave a stunning address to the delegates at the climate conference. From this side of the vantage point, it followed a very interesting speech by the Ethiopian President.

Ethiopia is in very bad condition. It was once a paradise where flora flourished and there were abundant regions of water. Today, due to Climate Change spawned by Human Induced Global Warming, Ethiopia is a parched desert with migrating people to find relief from their suffering.

The Ethiopian President stated, "1.5 to survive." He stated his concern revolved around a reality that is dearly not spoken to enough and that is the fact 'the species' of human being might not survive Climate Change. The reference to 1.5 is the number of degrees' Celcius he would like to have the temperature of Earth maintained in order to insure a rich biotic Earth.

It was good to hear from him. It is not many world stages where these leaders can be heard. The criticism of many of these small countries by the so called 'civilized First World' is that they have too many problems to even trust them with monies that are suppose to be targeted for protecting their lands, hence their people.

It is an unfair and biased assessment of the very neediest of countries on Earth. Their people are allowed to survive no different than any other and it is they that have the greatest risk to die. Providing water and food isn't the only aspect of 'care' these people need. They need to move from poverty and provide protections for their land. Poverty is the greatest threat to any Climate Change. I look forward to the conclusion of the conference at Copenhagen and a strong resolve for these very brave countries. They don't need nuclear energy either.

Thank you for your consideration of any of these views.

Some 74,000 Africans cross Gulf of Aden to Yemen in record-breaking year (click here)

...In some cases they are beaten, raped, killed or just thrown overboard into the shark-infested waters. In addition, the overloaded and overcrowded boats sometimes capsize, resulting in the drowning of many onboard.

According to the latest UNHCR statistics, at least 309 people drowned or did not survive the trip this year. In 2008, some 590 people died during the crossing. Many more people went missing and are presumed dead. The mixed migration route through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea is presently the busiest and the deadliest one in the world.

Unlike in previous years, Somalis are no longer the majority of arrivals. With nearly 32,000 Somali arrivals this year their number remains steady in comparison to 2008. However, the number of Ethiopians reaching Yemen more than doubled this year to above 42,000.

While virtually all arriving Somalis approach the two, strategically positioned reception centres in Mayfaa and Ahwar, where they receive protection and assistance, only some 9,000 Ethiopians went to these venues this year. Most press on towards the Persian Gulf states in search of job opportunities....

..."We entered this negotiation at a time (click title to entry - thank you) when there were significant differences between countries. Developed and developing countries have now agreed to listing their national actions and commitments, a finance mechanism, to set a mitigation target of 2 degrees Celsius and to provide information on the implementation of their actions through national communications, with provisions for international consultations and analysis under clearly defined guidelines.

"No country is entirely satisfied with each element but this is a meaningful and historic step forward and a foundation from which to make further progress."...

Below are adult deaths due to NO health insurance coverage. Yep.

The difference between having a Public Option and not having a Public Option goes beyond simple competition. That is definitely a consideration, but, it also allows States an option in applying the expanded rolls of Medicaid that may work better for them.




Jeff Sessions, Alabama

Alabama - 541 Adult Deaths Annually. Alabama is one of the poorest States in our nation, if not the poorest. It is States like Alabama that needs health care insurance reform the most and definitely need to expand Medicaid. Absolutely. They won't be able to do it alone and that is why the Public Option is so valuable. If a State like Alabama cannot include more on their Medicaid rolls, it will fall to the federal government. However, the best way to deliver that care is to offer a Public Option so people can directly apply for an insurance program they need. Absolutely.



Richard Shelby, Alabama.

Alaska - 124 Adult Deaths Annually. I don't know how many are Native Americans.



Lisa Murkowski, Alaska




Kyl. What is his first name? Jon Kyl. Jazzy 'Jon' title I guess. This picture was interesting, I guess he and Limbaugh the master of mirth for the Republicans have a lot in common. I thought it was a strange combination of images.

Arizona - 1185 Adult Deaths Annually. Arizona has the two most right wing extremist Senators in the Senate. That is by voting record, not, by personality or some faux pet name of "Maverick." Sorry, don't buy it. It is NO coincidence that Arizona's death rate is like fourth on this list. That isn't a mistake. The people of these highly conservative states aren't being well served by their government because they 'bought into' the ideology and NOT 'good conscience.'



John McCain, Arizona

Connecticut - 326 Adult Deaths Annually. And these annual deaths that repeat year after year. This is just THIS year, this is every year.



Joseph Lieberman, Connecticut


Florida - 3542 Adult Deaths Annually. Now, I don't know about you, but, I am getting a very creepy picture right now, considering the Governor before Charlie Crist was Jeb Bush. You know the guy, the Former Texas Governor's Brother. That a lot of dead people compared to the rest of the country and both states had the Bush Brothers as Governors. It is NOT a coincidence. NOT!!!

Let me remind of The Iron Triangle. They are suppose to be 'the rock' and center of the Republican ideology. To begin with when a party has these kinds of problems and rely on image making to have folks elected to office, it is a superficial reality for the constituency.

The sincere issue regarding any of the people listed within these two entries is they chronically want to 'downsize' government. I have already stated there was a coup against the Constitution under the Bush/Cheney administration for eight years. Oh, didn't I use that word? My bad. See, if oneis employing 'a hammer' to the USA Constitution while placing at the center of the Federal Budget outside of military spending, the American entitlements trying to make them more than 50% of that budget and it is a PLAN then I call it a coup.

The purpose of the Republican leadership under the Bush Brothers has always been to LIMIT the size of government and eventually eliminate it. For the most part. That is why citizens have to be armed, etc., etc., etc.

So what is transpiring here are politicians with an ideology to implode the USA infrastructure from the inside while making it appear as though it is the best thing that God has ever done for the nation. Sorry, but, there is nothing godly about the Bush Brother's agenda.

One might recall the scandal in Florida when Jeb Bush LOST something like 500 children within the social service network there. THAT occurred because of the downsizing of the State of Florida infrastructure. Oh, sure the 'social workers' were scapegoated, but, what is sincerely boiled down to was too large workloads for the people that were the lifeline to those kids. So, the methodology of Jeb Bush was to assign MORE GOVERNMENT to the issue and supposedly solve the problem and scapegoat the victimized. The children were never safe under the Florida Social Work system because there were more children than the workers had 'quality time' to follow them. It is just that simple.

The governments of the Bush Brothers did not serve the people, but, they seem like nice guys though and after all we always get those great rebates and tax cuts.

The people listed here are not good leaders, they should not be in government and they certainly aren't moral leaders no matter how many church services they attend in any given week.

Florida has a disproportionate number of adult deaths here compared to the other states with RED representatives. Yes, Red. If you ain't taking the issues of the people seriously you are a RED representative to the House and Senate. Don't care the party. People live otherwise their representatives are giving EXCEPTIONALLY poor serve to the people that elected them over and over and indoctrinatedly over again.




George LeMieux, Flordia. (He and Crist the current governor are known to be chummy.)


Saxby Chambliss, Georgia (Was that 'bliss' in his name? Well, I found this 'insight' to his 'philosophy' interesting. Ignorant man evidently. This is a direct quote.) “First of all,” said Chambliss, “I am not a health care expert. I tend to rely on our health suppliers [sic] for a lot of the information that we’ve used in developing our ideas and our thoughts.” (Oh, it was Cham-bliss. Like Sham Bliss. Like a faux bliss. You might say that. So, let me see if I can tease out a reality here based on his statement.)

Basically, he is not an expert. I guess that means he does not have an MD. I don't know what it takes to be an expert in his estimation as he never really said. But, you know one doesn't have to be an expert when elected to office, but, only consult with GOVERNMENT AGENCIES that tract deadly trends in citizens well being. I would not put a 'supplier' in that category. So, if Shambliss turning to private industry 'suppliers' for information on deciding about the wellness of Americans and the 'intervention' government needs to take it would seem a conflict of interest at the very least. He is NOT a competent Senator. At all. Government is not suppose to turn to those that are 'causing harm' to citizens to find the problem. I won't show up there. Government is suppose to ask the 'Agencies' to reply to issues found within the citizens of the country. And then a Senator is suppose to 'think,' followed by legislation to stop the harm to citizens.

Buoy, what a mess.

Georgia - 1640 Adult Deaths Annually



Johnny Isakson, Georgia (You know the state directly north of Florida.)




Mike Crapo, Idaho

Idaho - 217 Adult Deaths Annually



James Risch, Idaho (Cheney on the right in case one forgot about Darth Vadar. A touching moment, I am sure. The last name is Risch, not Reich.)

Indian - 727 Adult Deaths Annually.



Richard Lugar, Indiana (That is a Judd next to him.)

Resposible for State Deaths due to lack of Health Care Insurance

This is a representation of about half of the deaths caused by governmental negligence to issues urgent to the populous of the USA.

There is a huge disproportionate amount of deaths noted in Texas. It is even disproportionate considering it is the largest state in the lower 48 states of the USA.

The people that have been suffering through this health care crisis for the past two decades, since our current Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, tried to correct the nation's path, knows that the problem in all this lies with the draconian methodologies practiced, NOT IN GOOD GOVERNMENT, but in ideologies toxic to our citizens and therefore our USA Constitution.

The obvious mention of Texas' disproportionate deaths among the current listed points to the epicenter of the crisis. Just that simple. One of the most oil wealthiest states in the USA has the worst track record on human rights abuses across the board and now has a Governor advocating secession as a political tool to re-election. It doesn't get more extreme than that. It doesn't get more anti-Constitutionalist than that.

The point is we had eight years of a former Texas Governor in the White House with the very priorities that have killed disproportional amount of people in the very state he was Governor with a track record of the highest 'Death Sentence' rolls in the country. George Walker Bush exhibited disdain to those in the Middle Class and favored the icons of Wall Street. He exemplified the very ideology that is against the dignity of the USA Constitution and its Founders.

The Founders of our Constitution and Bill of Rights left oppression behind to begin again a new nation based in separation of church from state, freedom of thought and pursuit of happiness. They would roll over in their graves to realize their children of the USA were victimized by an ideology and not by law or the facts that support the law. It was ideology they left behind. It is ideology laced with lies and the manipulation that wealth brings to truth we are faced with today. The people below and other I will list in a separate entry are not good Americans. They seek to align themselves with death over life when it comes to the very people already born into their rights in this country.

Our Constitution was to be a work in progress. It was FDR that noted as a man of the 20th Century that life had changed radically from the beginnings of our democracy. He called the change in our industrialized nation a need to reflect on "A Second Bill of Rights" no different than the "Patient Bill of Rights" that Senator Kennedy liked to insure would be a right to all Americans.

The wealth of this country is suppose to serve all of us, not just those that can control Wall Street. The USA Treasury belongs to the people, not the wealth merchants. If the USA can grow its domestic product with the refocusing of our work force, protect the future of their children from the ravages of an abused, neglected and over used planet, then the citizens should have the benefit of the power of their government to insure their wellness and function as a citizen of this country.

The USA is not a 'game piece' in the master board of Wall Street. We are a nation of living, breathing people that exhibit culture. There are certain understandings in our way of life that relate the urgency of the matter in regard to health care and the deaths noted here is a travesty to our people, their understandings of priorities in their lives and our Constitution and Bill of Rights. One cannot vote if one does not live. Death pre-empts understanding a government needs to address the needs of its people.

These people died due to government neglect and everyone knows it. The disproportionate deaths in Texas simply state the obvious to the 'enslavement' to ideology the Right Wing Republicans adhere to in maintaining a constituency. We have to break this cycle of abuse of our people, our laws, our Treasure and our Constitution. There are certain 'truths' that were evident to our Founders and that was the right to pursue a life. If one does not have life, they cannot pursue anything else.

Health care that is affordable and easily available is a RIGHT guaranteed to us under our Constitution as it stands today. It is in the understanding of what living brings to our documents. The ideology of the Right Wing is not even close to a religious dogma and it needs to be overcome by displacing them completely from our political parties and realm of social influence. The 'few' that were 'bailed out' by our Treasury in 2008 have found a 'way in' to our political structure and have dominated our history over the past three decades including the wrongful wars and deaths abroad.

Iowa - 272 Adult Deaths Annually



Chuck Grassley, Iowa



Sam Brownback, Kansas

Kansas - 329 Adult Deaths Annually




Pat Roberts (foreground), Kansas

'

Jim Bunning, Kentucky

Kentucky - 609 Adult Deaths Annually



Mitch McConnell, Kentucky

Louisiana - 800 Adult Deaths Annually



David Vitter, Louisiana



Susan Collins, Maine

Maine - 123 Adult Deaths Annually



Olympia Snowe - Maine



Thad Cockran

Mississippi - 518 Adult Deaths Annually



Roger Wicker - Mississippi

Missouri - 714 Adult Deaths Annually



Christopher Bond - Missouri




Mike Johanns - Bush's former Secretary of Agriculture until 2007

Nebraska - 216 Adult Deaths Annually



Ben Nelson, Nebraska

Nevada - 450 Adult Deaths Annually



John Ensign - Nevada

New Hampshire - 132 Adult Deaths Annually



Judd Gregg - New Hampshire

North Carolina - 1424 Adult Deaths Annually



Richard Burr - North Carolina

Ohio - 1279 Adult Deaths Annually



George Voinovich, Ohio



Tom Coburn

Oklahoma - 550 Adult Deaths Annually



James Inhofe - Oklahoma



Jim DeMint

South Carolina - 693 Adult Deaths Annually



Lindsay Graham - South Carolina


South Dakota - 88 Adult Deaths Annually



John Thune, South Dakota


Hutchison and John Cornyn

Texas - 5857 Adult Deaths Annually.



Kay Bailey Hutchison


Robert Bennett


Utah - 342 Deaths among Adults Annually.



Orrin Hatch - Utah



John Barrasso

Wyoming - 69 Deaths among Adults Annually




Michael Enzi

36 Weeks of 40 Weeks in Session the Republican Senators obsturcted legislation.

Senator Deb Stabenow of Michigan pointed out today, out of the 40 weeks the Senate has been in session there have been serious and dangerous delays at least 36 of those weeks.

Progress to a Senate Health Bill is slow.

Today, Hutchinson of Texas bemoaned Christmas stating she is for change in health care. She stated change is needed. She stated we are all for the people that have lost their health care due to pre-existing conditions. She doesn't think that is right. But, she also stated, the way health insurance policies stand today there is little wrong with them. She pointed out they offer high deductibles for people that want that and there are low deductibles for people that want that, but, the low deductibles cost more, that's all.

Ever get the feeling the Republicans, "Don't get it!" Yeah, I think so.

I encourage all to write their Senators and clue them in to the realities of "Health Care American Style" and demand, don't ask, demand change now ! Tell them to vote for the bill!

Thousands of U.S. Deaths Attributed to Lack of Health Insurance (click here)
January 11, 2008

As many as 27,000 Americans may have died in 2006 because they did not have health insurance, a new study estimate.

Written by Sara Lubbes, CQ Staff
The study by the Urban Institute, a nonprofit group that analyzes social and economic problems, puts a new spin on a six-year-old Institute of Medicine (IOM) study that found that 18,000 people died in 2001 because of a lack of insurance.

The Urban Institute study suggests as many as 21,000 people may have died from a lack of insurance in 2001.

Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, study lead author Stan Dorn, a senior researcher at the Urban Institute, compared the IOM's method for calculating the number of uninsured to an alternative method he believes more accurately reflects the number of Americans who die because they do not have insurance....


Crack pots like Ben Nelson stand in the way of health care reform screaming about the unborn while those already alive die without health care insurance.

There is something "W"rong with this picture !

If they can't do what it right for the living they don't belong in office!

I am calling for the Recall of all those in the Senate that stand in the way of Health Care Insurance Reform. Those up for election in 2010 that oppose the process need to receive vigorous opposition in their states.


If the United States of America demands human rights in their treatment of citizens of other countries, it should be the first to set the example that needs to be followed and upheld. Cherry picking human rights to satisfy political ambitions is not believing in human rights at all!

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."

Article 25. (click here)

• (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

"Populism" is the only bastion of hope for Republicans.

Day after day I have heard the Senate Minority Leader quote one poll or another regarding opposition to the Senate Health Care Reform Bill and he views that as a victory. He sees that as something to be proud of. He is the Minority Leader and has been unable to deliver a Senate Bill with a Public Option that contains costs today and in the future and yet this is a good thing. It is not. It is obstrutionism at its worse.

The current polls that are talking about the Senate Bill are sorely unfavorable simply because it is not serving the best interest of the people. They do no indicate the people don't want health care insurance reform, as only yesterday Dr. Howard Dean asked to "Kill the Bill" but for a totally different reason than the Republicans want it stopped.

Dr. Dean believes the Senate Bill has gone awry from its inception in the House. So, when Dr. Dean states "Kill the Bill" one can be certain there are plenty of Democrats saying the same thing but because they see the Senate as hostile and unproductive toward real reform.

So much for McConnell's propaganda.

To enter into a constructive conversation at this point regarding the accomplishes of the Senate Bill would be better at this point. It is easy to do.

Yesterday, President Obama along with Democratic Senators stated the bill has been able to capture eight more years of solvency to Medicare. That is no simple statement and cannot be ignored, so I would ask Democratic leaders like Dr. Dean to look on the positive side of the Senate's accomplishments.

They achieved this astounding accomplishment by cutting wasteful spending. Isn't that PART of what Dr. Dean wants?

Cutting wasteful spending to the bone is important to most if not all Democrats. They simply hate pork spending and government waste and to realize applying those Democratic principles to Medicare has extended its solvency eight years is nearly solving the problem we now face with our entitlements.

If I may?

Before the Democrats embarked on Health Care Reform, the Medicare program has solvency to about 2017. That is nearly only seven years in the offing. Many of the Baby Boomers are entering their entitlement years. It is safe to say MOST are entering the years of SSI and Medicare.

The Senators by cutting government waste have extended that solvency to 2025. That is fifteen years of entitlement the Baby Boomers will enjoy. That is an astounding accomplishment. Fifteen years of entitlement solvency nearly brings the issue at hand to a close as the Baby Boomers will be entering their Ninth Decade of life at the age of 80 years old.

Granted all the problem is not solved as Americans live longer and seek to live even longer as quality of life do to better health will enhance the vitality of older age. But, what the Senate has done is nearly solve the problem we currently face. After, the Baby Boomer Hump, the country will receive relief on the demand of its entitlements and a younger generation that is now making 'investment retirement' a priority will take over an even 'richer and enjoyable retirement era.'

While the Senate has accomplished a remarkable mile stone in protecting USA entitlements to its citizens, we cannot ignore the needs of our citizens today. The House Bill as passed earlier is that bill. It addresses the needs of Americans today. Applying wasteful spending principles to Public Option programs for those that choose that form of health care alternative will improve the Public Option and control even more costs. There is a lot to be learned by the Senate proposal, however, the immediacy of the House Bill to answer the nation's problems today cannot be abandoned.

I challenge all Democrats to see the positive changes of these bills and support them. I have trouble postponing the Public Option any further. While there are Senators, such as the Independant from Vermont, that advocates extending Medicare to all, there is a danger in postponing this valuable service to the American people.

It is healthy to debate even further changes to Health Care in the USA. It is more than healthy to debate all aspects of Single Payer, but, it will not be a reality today. To 'assign' it entirely to debate means it will be moved from the agenda of change for at least another generation. That is not good for the American people. When 'debate' replaces 'reform or change' it demoralizes the esteem of the issue and creates despair in the populous of this country. Democracy is for all, not just those that can afford it and it is why The Public Option must sustain the legislation at hand.

By passing a Public Option it provides the 'reality' of a sustained debate, but, to demise that option to the American people will provide despair and will serve to divide the Democratic Party rather than unit it.

Lautenberg and Menendez practice protectionism. I can't believe there is cronyism in the Democratic Party.

This is a North Carolina initiative, so it isn't as though Senator Hagin's state isn't seeking alternatives either, but, they attempting to secure their citizens from exploitation and not simply empty words of legislation.

One of the many dangers that the FBI and CIA have to realize exists is the 'online' diagnosis and prescription that follows. That is a very unsafe practice and should be shut down as a means of commerce in the USA.

What I found most attractive about this approach in North Carolina was the concept of 'State Lot Purchases.' To make it simply, States into a regional 'compact' that provides large lot purchases of medications for all their medical and pharmaceutical facilities. This provides methods of carefully obtaining the lowest priced medications of the highest quality in and out of the USA while insuring their "Homeland" always has a good supply of necessary and frequently purchased medications.

With the new health care reform legislation that will include a Public Option, the degree consumers have to lower their health care costs are significant and their safety enhanced by being able to afford health insurance and deductibles so they won't turn to such extreme measures as online doctors and drugs. I am very disappointed to realize it might even be my neighbors that are not receiving the quality of care they need due to extreme costs both on the prescribing side and prescription side. Like, WOW, where has everyone been?

I do not see this as a huge problem that cannot be contained. I see massive interest by the global community through efforts at the WTO and through State Department initiatives that will increase cooperation and enforcement of high quality standards for all Americans. I strongly advocate to have such dangerous practices be shut down as we enter the era of 'Health Care Safety, Education and Advocacy' for all our citizens.

There are some good ideas here and a sense of responsibility by States to take good care of their citizens.



Electronic Monitoring and Internet Prescribing (click here) -- This is a relatively recent trend which gained momentum during the past three years. Proposed laws would allow for the development and regulation of electronic transmission of prescription drug orders, as well as establishing Internet prescribing practices to provide increased protection for consumers purchasing prescription drugs over the Internet. Additionally, several more states seek to establish electronic prescription drug databases to monitor the misuse, abuse and diversion of prescription drugs and controlled substances. In August Alaska became the final state to change laws and regulations to allow for e-prescribing.



Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez didn't join their collegues Byron Dorgan and John McCain in stopping the illegal medication trade in the USA.

Legislating is not going to solve this problem.

There are several adaptation the States are looking at and I'll put an entry above this picture that provides some excellant alternatives to doing nothing when it comes to saving American $100 billion US in medication expense.

But, the best way to approach this is to shut down the illegal traffickers of counterfeit drugs. That is best done through channels at the FBI and CIA and the overburdened State Department.

All this protectionism by the two New Jersey Senators that receive support from their pharmaceutical industry giants have caused a problem in the USA. Rather than garnering the resources to defeat the illegal importation of medications that are dangerous to consumers, they have done nothing but stated all medications sold in the USA have to meet FDA standards. Well, that is fine to say, but, IN PRACTICE that is not what is happening.

We know for a fact there are illegally produced medications globally that reach the American consumer. They are sold on websites that should not be accessible by the American consumer. To begin, and only to begin, the federal law enforcement agencies that have PROOF of the sale of dangerous medications should have the authority to shut down these websites. I don't understand why any dangerous website is allowed to exist on any internet access in this country, whether it be al Qaeda or extremist Islamic ministers to those peddling dangerous medications. It simply should be good sound legal policy to shut them down.

Now, as to those that do not violate FDA standards, let them exist. However, a conserted effort should be made by our federal law enforcement agencies to identify these benevolent sites and then have the State Department work with these importers to win FDA approval.

This problem is not this huge. Consumers need to be educated to their reality when they seek less expensive alternatives to drug store pharmacies.

To address the need of keeping drug store pharmacies working and bringing in customers, there should be a consolidation of their authority that surrounds this issue. Where they can obtain less expensive medications either domestically or abroad they should have the ability to apply to the FDA for approval of their sources.

I simply cannot imagine Walgreens or CVS or an Association of Independant Pharmacists importing medications that are harmful to their customers. They simply would not do that. It would end their good reputations and cost them their business. What these entities should do is actively seek out less expensive sources of their medications and solitcit approval for them from the FDA on a "Fast Track Basis." In addition, to provide complete transparency these distributors should clearly label "FDA Approved Imported Medication." It would give the control to the consumer to accept these medications or pay an additional price for domestic medications.

This would be especially helful to folks without medication insurance coverage.

Somewhere in this debate, too, is Homeland Security. There are many venues of compromised Americans by simply writing a bill that looks good on paper, but, is completely ineffective in practice. Americans will find alternatives to their needs if they are forced to and the years of neglect of good Health Care Legislation and Commercial Sales of Medication from Import Sources have led to a dangerous set of circumstances.

Senator Hagin of North Carolina pointed to a woman that had the resources to purchase medications domestically, even knew something about quality medications and still opted to purchase from outside the USA that eventually cost her her very life. That girls and boys is poor legislative protections. The answer here is to indentify the need for 'discovery, verification and enforcement' met with a reactive State Department that works with other countries to solve this issue.

How can the State Department help? Simple. Previous to the draconian cuts in diplomacy by the Bush/Cheney Executive Branch, the USA had diplomatic priorities that included excluding child labor and including environmental protections from all the countries we did business with, including those in the WTO. Yes, the World Trade Organization should be taking an active roll in this mess.

But, at any rate, the State Department needs to add to its 'check list' the imporation by USA consumers of medications produced outside its borders. Where there are better opportunities for consumers in receiving high quality medications from outside the USA which results in savings of $100 billion that cannot be overlooked and should become a priority of the USA State Department and its relationship in the WTO.

The WTO should work actively with its counterparts in the USA to develop standards that reflect not only accessibility but the demands placed on the quality of the medications by the FDA. By incorporating these measures in a global market place, the USA FDA will be placing higher standards among all nations that will result in healthier people everywhere.

Not only that, but, I cannot believe there are also terrorist network dollars being made from such corrupt counterfeit medication production. By standardizing a global market place where all countries engaged in medication manufacturer uphold the same high standards, and I have a feeling some countries might have higher standards than the USA FDA, countries can harness the capacity to monitor, facilitate not just good medications for market but far, far better relations internationally.

I do not believe there is a country on Earth that does not want good quality goods to be in the market place, but, may not have the ability to understand what high quality goods are or how to best manufacturer them.

I sincerely see this as a global security infrastructure issue that will enhance market function and add to the quality of lives of citizens in all participating countries.

See above the picture of the crony politicians to read about alternatives that provide even more options.

Senator Durbin, the Majority Whip. Gotta love this guy. A heart tried and true.

Everyday, Senator Durbin is on the job. He is there at morning call and anytime when the Democratic majority needs representation. I have listened to his statements regarding the Senate Health Care Reform Bill and he is correct.

This Health Care Reform initiative is a Democratic responsibility. It is where Democrats live and hopefully where they always live. They identify with 'the little person' in our society and seek to make their quality of life better and their struggle less of a burden. Basically, Democrats come to the aid of the Middle Class in recognizing it is where we can find the strength of our economy and the beauty of the American spirit being lived out everyday.

To that understanding, the Senate Bill is a responsible act of legislation to relieve the American people of ever encroaching higher health care costs and health care insurance. We have not witnessed any legislation being pursued by any Republican or any Republican majority that would even begin to fend off the attack on the American citizen by the Health Care Insurance Lobby. To them the American citizen is fair game for any and all ruthless tactics and we have witnessed and/or experienced plenty of that.

This is the burden of the Democratic Party. They accept their burden graciously, but, they are always criticized for moving such measures forward in the first place, as if the market place is supposed to take care of everything. As if there is written in some law somewhere, the market place is the absolute answer to every American citizen's problems.

Well, if that were true we wouldn't have had to bailout Wall Street, we won't have Health Care Insurance Administrators signing the death certificate of their members and we wouldn't have lead an illegal war in Iraq and Halliburton would have sued Dick Cheney.

So, the issues that are at the forefront of the Democratic Party agenda are always unpopular. They sometimes require adding new taxes. This time, they got off easy. They only had to add taxes to the most wealthy of Americans. But, sometimes the justice the populous of the USA needs comes with a price. Nothing in life is free.

As a result, the Can Do Party is attacked for taking money out of people's pockets and robbing candy from babies. The Democrats always have an image problem because they don't 'buy votes' with tax rebates in the form of government checks. It is easy to be a Republican. All they have to do is cut taxes, cut government services and tell folks they have the right to have as many jobs as they need to make ends meet.

Heck, Republicans don't even want the USA to have a government paid military, they rather turn National Security over to Blackwater and allow the drug cartels to build a new drug economy that will prove a better opportunity when they outsource jobs that makes Wall Street happy. And that is the truth of the situation.

So, when I witness Senator Durbin walk to the front of the Senate and I hear him speak to the merits of the Senate Health Care Reform Bill day after day after day, I know someone in this country is a great statesman that upholds the values of the USA Constitution.

The Senate Bill is moving along. Today they will consider the Crapo Amendment. That is Senator Crapo in his state. The suit.

In some ways it sounds as though Senator Crapo means well, when he states there should never be any taxes on people earning $200,000 or less to pay for the Health Care Reform Bill as written by the Senate. However, the methodology in the bill as proposed by his Amendment is not good.

I'll explain.

See, the Senate Bill has aready been moved to the floor for cloture. That means there will be debate and movement toward a vote, which already two weeks long. The Crapo Amendment is an amendment to the bill. So, the bill has to be passed in order to invoke the amendment. That means the Senate bill will pass into law before any of the amendments take effect.

The Crapo amendment is very nonspecific in its approach to being sure there are no taxes on people earning less than $200,000. I'll mention the type of taxes Crapo addresses, but, basically the Democrats have already moved most of any potential tax on people below $200,000 off the bill with a restructuring of funding similar to the House.

But, the Crapo amendment wants to send the bill back to the Finance Committee to be sure there are no taxes on people earning less than $200.000. I don't know if that is even possible. The Senate Bill has moved out of committee. That was by vote of the committees that wrote it. I have never heard any bill being moved back to committee once it is passed into law and that is very poor precedent.

I don't believe the Crapo amendment is constitutional in its methodology as it goes against Constitutional procedure in passage of a bill.

For that reason alone, it would be wrong to vote in favor of the amendment.

But, for sake of argument, let's just say all that is possible. A bill is passed into law and it goes back to the Finance Committee for rework of its financing to be sure there are no Americans under $200,000 earnings that will be taxed in ANY way.

The taxes that are mentioned are primarily 'user' taxes, similar to sale taxes. The taxes called surtax on health insurance are being reworked by the Senate to exclude anyone other than the upper 0.2% of the populous of the USA that earn more than $2.4 million in a year as a single taxpayer or $4.8 million per year as a couple.

So, those surtaxes are being removed from the bill. That was made clear yesterday by Senators from Ohio, Florida and Minnesota. The remaining taxes are 'user of service taxes.' They include taxes on Medical Devices, Plastic Surgery and stuff like that.

Senator Crapo wanted to align himself with the spirit of speech made by President Obama. I thought that was a nice thing to do, however, the methodology that would have to be applied to such taxes would be very complicated and would result in a great deal of problems to the consumer.

Basically what would have to happen is that any consumer of such services earning $200.000 or less in a year would have to carry some kind of 'tax card' stating they didn't have to pay the tax. There is a high degree of fraud and corruption that could occur with such a card and there is the administrative cost of producing such a card.

What can occur and what should occur and why Senator Crapo needs to go back to the drawing board is very, very simple.

Senator Crapo needs to withdraw his amendment and rewrite it to read, "When any individual earning $200,000 per year or any couple earning $400,000 incur taxes affiliated with the Health Reform Bill of 2009, they may take those taxes off their Adjusted Gross Income. That way, those folks earning $200,000 per year would have a method of removing those taxes even though it would be after the fact. They would have to have receipts and there would not have to be an extra worksheet, but, simply an addition of the receipts that would be entered into a new and special place on all tax returns for the reduction of those taxes.

Or better than effecting the Adjusted Gross Income, add it at the end of the tax return as a credit for refund.

Simple. Wouldn't have to go back to committee, won't violate the USA Constitution and it would uphold the spirit of the speech by President Obama.

Senator Max Baucus started the Senate session today and it was with good news.

Senator Baucus stated the Senate bill has passed several tests by government budget offices. The Congressional Budget Office and the Health and Human Services Actuary (Accountant) that oversees Medicare has stated the current Senate bill would extend Medicare solvency for eight additional years. That puts the solvency of Medicare to the year 2025.

Senator Baucus also stated, the Senate bill would bring sincere savings to the Federal Debt, nearly of a tillion US over ten years. These savings would be due to cuts in wasteful spending that are currently built into Medicare.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joined by Thune of South Dakota made an anemic grandstanding display regarding the EPA ruling on Greenhouse Gases.

Today, Lisa Murkowski actually stood on the Senate floor and stated she had a draft to submit for passage to stop the EPA ruling regarding Greenhouse Gases (click title to entry - thank you). She apologized though that she was conducting her grandstanding during the week nations were meeting in Copenhagen.

Sure. Allow me to explain why Lisa is and will continue to be unsuccessful. She is a army of a few.

Five Decades. Count them, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and now the beginning DECADE of the 21st Century.

Five Decades the USA government had to 'get it right.' To rein in Greenhouse Gases and stop the dangers of Human Induced Global Warming.

Five Decades. Get the feeling no one intended to do it at all, until, we elected President Obama? Huh? I do.

The EPA is a part of the Executive Branch. A Cabinet Level agency. It carries clout and its own authority. That is what facilitated the ruling regarding Greenhouse Gases. Any legislator has a right to challenge the ruling. Murkowski has to prove her case on the Senate floor and then it requires a vote to pass her objection. That isn't going to happen, she has no proof that the EPA should not be doing what it is currently proceeding to develop and that are very stringent regulations to control Greenhouse Gases. I suppose she could try to bring in outside agencies to support her arguments, but, it is going to be tough to exceed the scientific standards of NOAA and NASA.

What Ms. Murkowski is really kicking herself in the butt over, is the fact there isn't legislation to do this and the EPA can really get tough. Really tough. Like, CAPPING without trading. There is nothing the EPA has to do regarding any market strategy. Nor do they have the authority to proceed in such a manner. Their role is simple here. They accept the science, make a ruling and uphold that ruling.

That is what I have advocated for years. In 2003 I testified at The New Source Review, a proceeding under The Clean Air Act. I stated carbon dioxide is a toxic gas when at certain levels in the troposphere which compromises the 'safe' and 'secure' use of Earth by human beings. And indeed it does. High levels of CO2 cause melting of ice caps and ice fields which result in huge dangers to the tropospheric climate of Earth.

We know that for a fact and the out of control current climate of Earth reveals all to clearly the result of decades of neglegence of Greenhouse Gases in the troposphere including droughts and unpredictable heating events that result in human deaths, ie: France and the loss of 10,000 lives. There should be a memorial at Copenhagen to them.

The EPA is proceeding and they must. They have no alternative but to protect the lives and the biotic content of this nation. Scientists within the borders of the USA have openly stated on many occassion there is peril in delaying any longer. A California scientist has stated there will be vast forest fires to even tropical systems that would further increase the negative feedback loop of Human Induced Global Warming.

This is not that difficult for this society. We have accepted the science on a societal level long ago and have moved to make our culture flexible to mold a new reality for energy and transportation. A 'saved' American company in GM is presenting The Volt for the first time this year. It will prove to be wildly popular and they won't be able to keep up with the demand.

We have proceeded with experimental renewables for decades in progressive states like California. This has provided the foothold for our new energy reality. We are building those wind farms and solar fields. We are beginning a new grid. And consumers across the board seek to understand their carbon footprint.

The USA is a great nation. We accepted our part in this long before our government did, but, it was necessary to have our Executive Branch on our side to finish the job. I am very proud of us as a country. We are and have been ready to launch a new energy and transportation reality for a long, long time. I am looking forward to high speed rail in this country. It will be affordable and easy to access. We must make it secure and safe while elevating it above roadways and out of the curiosity of children.

The USA is becoming World Class it isn't ambitions to lead the 21st Century. I simply can't wait and I am more than happy with the performance of the Obama EPA. I thank them.

There is some very good work being done in the Senate for Health Care Reform Legislation.

Senator Bernard Sanders, Independent from Vermont

Earlier today, Senator Landrieu of Louisiana provided insight to the positive highlights of the Senate Health Care Reform Bill. She noted she and Senator Lincoln had been working closely to include a Small Business focus for women owned businesses.


Senator Bill Nelson of Florida made an impressive appeal to the Pharmaceutical Industry to rethink their participation in the reform legislation. Senator Nelson stated there was a far better way to 'close the donut hole' in Medicare and it would provide $20 billion in profits to the pharmaceutical industry.

Let me explain as it seems strange a USA Senator would actually be advocating for profits for Wall Street firms.

Senator Bill Nelson asked the pharmaceutical industry to make the medications received by Medicare patients 'in the donut hole' (approximately annual costs to each person between $2100 and $6000) 100% funded and free. The reason for this is obvious. It will provide excellent medications from name brand pharmaceuticals to patients, but, would result in profits to pharmaceutical companies after the maximum of the 'donut hole' was reached and entered catastophic coverage, or any amounts over $6000 annually.

If the pharmaceutical industry would provide 100% coverage of all the medications in the donut hole it would then exceed the costs of the medications over $6000 sooner and would provide them with funding from the Medicare Perscription Catastrophic Coverage. In other words, the donut hole would be fully funded by the pharmaceutical companies and after Medicare recipients exceeded $6000 annually the Federal government would again pay the bill.

That would supply a consistent quality of medications to Medicare recipients while keeping them out of the hospital due to the inability to afford medications. It would result in a net savings for the country as there would be fewer hospital admissions and therefore less cost to Medicare A.

I thought his advocacy for Medicare recipients was brilliant and I look forward to cooperation from the American pharmaceutical industry in keeping our seniors and neediest among us healthy.

Sometime following, a colloquium of three Senators took the floor, Senator Sanders of Vermont, Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Senator Al Franken of Minnesota. Talk about The Three Muskateers. Like, WOW !

Senator Franken immediately asked for clarification from Senator Thune from South Dakota. Senator Thune had just spoken and reiterated the same thing he has been stating for three days along with other Republican rhetoric right out of the Right Wing Media Playbook.

Senator Thune had a poster that stated the taxation that would accompany the Health Care Reform Legislation would begin January 1, 2010, but, the benefits would begin in 2014. Therefore, the cost of the legislation was lopsided and was actully two and a half times more than the Democrats were stating. This was an attack against the credibility of the bill and the Senators in support of the bill and I have mentioned this before.

My defense then was weak. I haven't read the Senate Bill and was not very familiar with its provisions, except, it had amended the House Bill and that was a good thing. Basically, I had stated before there was much preparation that goes into such a large change in an entire industry and there was no valid reason for Republicans, like Thune, to complain against taxes that began in 2010.

But, Senator Franken took it further. It would seem there are vast changes that begin January 1, 2010 along with the taxes. One of those changes was a tax credit to small businesses that provide health care insurance.

The Donut Hole provision would also take effect immediately. As the provision stands now, the donut hole would be covered by 50% by the pharmaceutical industry.

So, basically, Senator Franken gave Senator Thune an opportunity to answer somewhat to the allegations he lied, but, he did so unsuccessfully.

That wasn't the best part.

The best part is that Senator Sanders decided to add an amendment to the bill that would finance the entire bill in the same fashion as the House Bill. Basically, there would be a surtax on the very wealthiest Americans to finance what the elimination of Medicare Advantage didn't cover. The Amendment would eliminate any and all taxes on any other insurance policies.

Especially noted by Senators Brown and Franken is the reality of the sacrifice by employees to companies in wage concessions. By providing wage concessions to employers, the employees were able to maintain their comprehensive medical insurance packages as a benefit. Their rational was rather heroic. They stated, why should people that have sacrificed wage increases to provide a better business platform for their employers while being able to keep their insurance packages intact be asked to pay a tax on those policies.

Earlier in the session, Senator Sanders stated he would be putting forth an amendment to the Health Care Reform Bill asking for Single Payer. He stated in the same breath, he didn't believe it would pass, but, it was a good beginning to the conversation the nation should be having even after the passage of the Reform Bills that will go to the President for signature.

Today was a lot of movement toward early reconciliation with the House Bill in the way the Health Care Reform legislation would be funded. Now, with the Amendment to change the surtax from every health care insurance policy to simply those most able to pay above the $2.4 million income for single filers and $4.8 million for married filers the cost was contained to Americans that would be receiving the Lion Share of the benefits without added cost to their households.

To say I was proud of the Senators today is an understatement. They rose above the frey and delivered reasonable, affordable health care to the people of the USA. I am looking forward to the passage of the Senate Health Care Reform Bill and having President Obama sign it soon.