The Health Care Reform “Two-Step” – Part 2

Please take a look at my previous suggestion on Health Care Reform. <click>

Simple. Right to the point. Doesn’t increase government intervention.  Should put us in the right directon and we can add more ideas later (if necessary).

We do need something done in healthcare. And it should not matter if it comes from Republicans, Democrats, Independents,  or “Martians” … if it makes sense let’s try it.

Here is an excerpt from ideas of John Boehner…  (source)

• Number one: let families and businesses buy health insurance across state lines.
• Number two: allow individuals, small businesses, and trade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices, the same way large corporations and labor unions do.
• Number three: give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs.
• Number four: end junk lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs by increasing the number of tests and procedures that physicians sometimes order not because they think it’s good medicine, but because they are afraid of being sued.

This sounds very similar to my previous suggestions.

Why would anyone not consider this?

Why are we looking to make massive changes before trying small changes?

Electoral College – Electoral Votes – The New Plan for 2012

(Yes, I know everyone should vote… everyone’s vote counts,… etc…)

I live in New York. I vote in New York. New York votes Democrat (with or without me). ...So if I vote for Obama, New York’s 31 Electoral Votes go to Obama. If I vote for McCain, well, New York’s 31 Electoral Votes still go to Obama.

Let’s get everyone voting. Let everyone feeling their vote counted; Every last vote mattered.

Here’s the new plan…

• If a candidate gets 57% or more of the popular vote in the state, the candidate will get 100% of the state’s electoral votes.
• If a candidate gets less than 57% of the popular vote in the state, the candidate will get 80% of the state’s electoral votes.

This plan will (a) have states without a dominant preference, contributing 80% of its electoral votes to the candidate  and 20% to the other candidate, and (b) states with dominant preferences (greater than 57%) will have all of their electoral votes given to the candidate.

From a psychological perspective, let’s look at my situation of living in New York. (In each scenario I realize NY is an Obama state.)

• Scenario (a): If I plan on voting for Obama, I rush out and vote hoping to contribute to New York awarding 100% of the electoral votes to Obama.
• Scenario (b): If I plan on voting for McCain, I rush out and vote hoping that I can contribute to New York only contributing 80% of the electoral votes to Obama. (and 20% to McCain).

Hypothetically, if Obama gets 55% of the NY popular vote, he would get 24.8 electoral votes and McCain would get 6.2 votes. (Yes, we need to account for fractions and the point there is more than 2 candidates… plus other details.)

Interesting idea?  This plan keeps the electoral college process in place but also accounts for the popular vote. It also has everyone feeling their vote does count.
(photo nationalpopularvote.com)

Obama is the better presidential candidate — and the end of debate

Obama is the better presidential candidate but we simply cannot afford to ignore checks and balances.

We are in a critical time in the world – not just the USA.

We cannot afford to have a Democratic Congress AND Democratic President.  It is not the time to start pushing through legislation.  We need to seriously contemplate next moves and all signs are there that legislation is already being teed-up to slide through…

Even before Obama is elected, the talk is that Obama and Congress are already cutting the defense budget by 25%. The cut may be the right move but it needs to be discussed and debated.

If Obama wins it may be the end of debate on important issues.
For background and more info, click here.
(photo congressforkids.net)

Politics – New definition(s) – The Wright Stuff, The Wright Thing

Here is a new definition that should be used throughout politics (and anywhere else appropriate):

The Wright Stuff * or * The Wright Thing: To run from, avoid, distance onself from a person or item that may hurt you. Related to Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s relationship to Barack Obama. Ex: A political candidate who is endorsed or befriended by someone who may hurt their campaign. Usage(1): The Democrats’ strategy should be to do The Wright Stuff. Usage(2): When McCain refused the endorsement, he was doing The Wright Thing.

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(photo: oboerista.files.wordpress.com)

The Wright Stuff (c) Copyright 2008 TopOfTheThread.com and MarkA.

The Wright Thing (c) Copyright 2008 TopOfTheThread.com and MarkA.

America’s First Female President – the winning democratic ticket

We’re going through tough times. The economy. Terrorism. War. And one of the most horrendous administrations in U.S. history.

As I had written earlier, the 2004 presidential election was a slam dunk for the democrats. Bush had a poor term and the democrats, with a “decent” candidate and “decent” campaign strategy, should have won the office.

But it didn’t happen.

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So now we have McCain, Obama, and Clinton vying for the top office in our land. Not too much to cheer about.

• A republican distancing himself from the republican president (rightfully so)
• A Chicago extreme liberal who is inexperienced and making inroads because of the web 2.0 generation.
• A democrat who is hated by the left and the republicans

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The American public loves seeing and knowing celebrities. That is why we have people like Susan Sarandon, Alec Balwin, and other famous people on their soapboxes in politics.

The public sees them on TV and movies and, for some reason, thinks their opinions count more than other people’s opinions. Some of them are intelligent and knowledgeable. Others not.

During the run of “West Wing”, Martin Sheen would have received many votes for the presidency.

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In all seriousness, there is someone on TV who is intelligent and would do a good job in politics; Oprah WInfrey. She is sincere, extremely intelligent and has a strong following.

If Oprah ran for congress, she would win. After a few terms, she could win the presidential nomination. Imagine a Oprah and Obama ticket where Obama was the VP.

Silly? Think about Arnold.

What’s the big deal? California Superdelegate Wants $20 Million for vote

What’s the big deal? California Superdelegate Wants $20 Million for vote

Superdelegeates seem to be the key to the Democratic Presidential nomination contest between Obama and Clinton.

Steven Ybarra, a California lawyer in Sacramento, says he wants $20 million for his endorsement. He says it is not for him but to register Mexican-Americans voters in various states. He also says that registering these people can assist the Democrats in the General Election.


Given that Mr. Ybarra does use the money for that purpose and does not pocket it, why is this news? Politicians do this type of politicking all the time. They vote for a bill because it is good for his district or state.

The only difference here is Mr. Ybarra asked for cash for the purpose.

As long as Mr. Ybarra believes that either Obama or Clinton would be good candidates, he is not really selling out.

Next story.