Mr. Bojangles:
Amie: Pure Prairie League
Michele Bachman – 6-28-2011-use of Medicaid funds
One of Michele Bachmann’s constant themes is to discredit Medicaid as the source for swelling the “welfare rolls.” She has denounced the Medicaid program on several occasions. Since 2005, the mental health clinic, run by her husband, Marcus Bachman has received $137,000 in Medicaid payments. Furthermore, the clinic operated by Bachman and Associates received an additional $24,000 in state and federal monies to train their employees. To date, the clinic has received $161,000 in state and federal monies.
When asked about the use of the funds by Chris Wallace of Fox news, Bachman responded, that it was “one-time training money that came from the federal government. And it certainly didn’t help our clinic.” She further indicated, “My husband and I did not get the money,” noting that it was “mental health training money that went to the employees.”
However, the communications manager for the Minnesota Human Services Department, Patrice Vick, was puzzled by Bachman’s comments that the funds received under state grant went to the employees. Vick stated that the funds did not go directly to the employees although the monies were to be utilized for employee training, but instead “It went to the clinic.” Vick further noted, the contract was with the clinic and not the employees and has no record as to whether or not the clinic passed it on to the employees.
Bachman has been a steadfast critic of federal spending programs including the health care program which calls for enhancements to the Medicaid program. She has preached repeatedly that cutbacks are a necessity for these types of programs in order to balance the budget. But yet, she is one of the first to extend her hand to receive funds from the very program she is attempting to eliminate or reduce.
Earlier this year when When Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill extending the Medicaid program to 95,000 state residents, Bachman rose up to denounce the move with her republican colleagues. Hypocrisy? Of the first class.
Anthony Weiner
Finally, it’s a Democrat whose face is splattered across the scandal sheet. Anthony Weiner, after nearly two weeks of lying to the press, saying his twitter account was hacked and inferring a lewd picture of him was most likely manipulated finally came clean. When will politicians learn that in this day and age of high-tech media, that someone will ultimately discover the truth.
In a press conference he called on Monday, June 6, Weiner said he “exchanged messages and photos of an explicit nature with about six women over the last three years.” He said “most” of the communications took place before his marriage, but admitted some took place afterward. He further stated, “over the past few years I have engaged in several inappropriate conversations conducted over Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, and occasionally on the phone with women I have met online.”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has called for an ethics committee investigation to see if House rules were broken. Weiner’s office released a statement shortly thereafter saying “I welcome and will fully cooperate with an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.”
Links and other resources
Charley Reese: His Last Article
Charley Reese, a reporter for the Orlando Sentinel for 49 years wrote a very interesting last article. It is a very interesting and I encourage everyone to take a minute and to read the entire article. Please be sure to read the poem and tax listing at the end. Goodbye Charlie. We will miss your interesting thoughts, wisdom and the intrigue you bestowed upon us for the past five decades. Originally posted -2-21-2011
This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral, neither anti-republican or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day. It’s a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering!
545 vs. 300,000,000 People
-By Charlie Reese
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don’t propose a federal budget. The President does.
You and I don’t have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
You and I don’t write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don’t set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don’t control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don’t care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator’s responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.
What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? John Boehner. He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted — by present facts — of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can’t think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it’s because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it’s because they want it in the red.
If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it’s because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan …
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it’s because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like “the economy,” “inflation,” or “politics” that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
They, and they alone, have the power.
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.
Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees…
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.
What you do with this article now that you have read it… is up to you.
This might be funny if it weren’t so true.
Be sure to read all the way to the end:
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he’s fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won’t be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He’s good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he’s laid…
Put these words
Upon his tomb,
‘Taxes drove me
to my doom…’
When he’s gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the heck happened? Can you spell ‘politicians?’
I hope this goes around THE USA at least 545 times!!! YOU can help it get there!!!
GO AHEAD. . . BE AN AMERICAN!!!
Post your comments below.
Definitions
Yes, we’ve actually developed a definition page for the blog and website. After all, there are numerous governmental nomenclature, programs and various issues that need to be defined in order for the reader to have an excellent grasp and comprehension of the subject matter.
Medicaid: A program funded by the federal and state governments, which pays for medical care for those who can’t afford it. The program typically helps low-income individuals or families, as well as elderly or disabled individuals. To receive Medicaid, an individual must meet certain requirements (such as income level), and also must go through an application process. Although all states participate in the Medicaid program, each state is responsible for administration, and is able to set different requirements and other guidelines.
The Medicaid program reimburses hospitals and physicians for providing care to qualifying people. Medicaid does not pay money to individuals, but instead forwards payments directly to your health care providers. Depending on a state’s rules, you may also be asked to pay a portion of the cost (co payment) for some medical services.
Generally the categories and groups listed below are eligible for Medicaid:
* Pregnant women and children under 6 with family income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. Based on 2010 Federal Poverty Guidelines, a family of two would need an income less than $19, 378 to qualify for Medicaid assistance.
* Children ages 6 to 19 qualify with a family income at or below the federal poverty level.
*Adults who take care of children under age 18.
*Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income
*Teenagers up to age 21 who are living on their own
*People who are over 65, blind or disabled
*Some individuals who do not meet the income requirements may still receive Medicaid benefits because they are medically-needy. Not all states have medically needy Medicaid programs:
In general, you must be an United States citizen to qualify for Medicaid. However, legal immigrants may be able to qualify in certain circumstances. Illegal immigrants who would otherwise qualify for Medicare, may qualify only under emergency situations.
Rick Scott- Florida Governor
Governor Rick Scott of Florida; Often bewildered and confused and most certainly out to pad his pockets with the abuse of of his power and with taxpayer money. But didn’t the electorate of Florida want this man.
Rick Scott: Governor of Florida, reaching out to collect money to fill his pockets.
According to the Palm Beach Post, Scott divested himself of interest in Solantic before taking office however, he shifted controlling shares of the company to his wife. Solantic is an urgent care chain co-founded by Scott. now Scott wants to test state employees and welfare recipients and guess what company will be conducting the test? You got it. The one he used to own and his wife currently controls. And the Republican hits just keep on rolling in and the voters flocked to the polls to push their buttons. More below from the Palm Beach Post.
John Boehner
John Boehner was born in Reading Ohio on November 17, 1949. He is the second of twelve children and still resides in southwest Ohio. He received a B.A. from Xavier University in business administration in 1977.
From 1982 to 1984, Baylor, served on the Board of Trustees of the Union Township, in Union County Ohio. On January 3, 1985 through December 31, 1990, Boehner served in the Ohio House of Representatives for the 58th District. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the eighth Congressional District in Ohio and assumed office on January 3, 1991. When the Republicans assumed control of the House in January 2011, he was elected speaker by the Republican majority.
House Voting Record
1. Seniors Protection Act, December 8, 2010 and:Boehner voted no- bill failed: This act would have provided senior citizens and other Social Security recipients a one-time $250 payment in years that no cost-of-living increase was provided.
2. Amendments to Estate Tax, December 16, 2010: Boehner Voted No- amendment failed: Would have increased the estate tax on the wealthy. Significant provisions are indicated below.
Lowers the applicable exclusion amount from $5 million to $3.5 million (Sec. 302).
-Increases the maximum estate tax rate from 35 percent to 45 percent (Sec. 302):
- Caps the amount of tax on any estate over $1.5 million at $555,880 plus 45 percent of the excess of such amount over $1.5 million.
Boehner Health Insurance Record
Stem Cell Issues:
1. Voted NO on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Jan 2007)
2. Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
Under Construction
Imagine, this man is just two heartbeats from the presidency. Scary: everyone needs to go into a self survival mode.
