Why the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a.k.a., Obamacare bites the big one!

The ACA was rammed through Congress like poop through a duck!

Many people think they like it.  Many are liberals who think it's the greatest deal in the world for poor people, so they can afford to buy health care.

I'm here to tell you that the Affordable Care Act STINKS!!!

Because:

We were told the premiums would be significantly lower and they are NOT.

We were NOT told that out-of-pocket expenses would increase dramatically.

We were NOT told that yearly deductibles would escalate absurdly from where they were around $250 per year way up to a high of $15,000 per year, depending on what sort of coverage you want and what premium you want.

We were NOT told about all the hidden costs we would have to pay for services and that we wouldn't know about them until we are billed by doctors, hospitals, et. al.

The AFA is a terrible concept and it is failing Americans on most levels.

If you want to pay a small premium for poor coverage, it is possible to get a slight deal.

We were told that insurance companies must cover preexisting conditions; however, many people are finding that their preexisting conditions are either NOT covered or they must PAY MUCH MORE to have it covered.

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IS THAT ENOUGH FOR YOU AS TO WHY THE ACA STINKS FOR MOST AMERICANS???

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Furthermore, health care providers are playing end-around games with patients and charging more for their goods and services, plus, the costs are rising every 6 months!

If Obama and Congress wanted to provide everyone with cheaper insurance they should have extended Medicare for all Americans.

People could have been charged the same amounts Medicare recipients are paying for the same Medicare benefits and affordable deductibles.

It's all a fight to pull-in the mighty dollar!

But, the health providers would throw a major fit.  They couldn't charge high premiums and deductibles; they couldn't charge elevated costs for medications; they would have to take in less profit under a Medicare for All program.

Medicare works well for most people on it; it is a proven system and they had it right in front of Obama's nose!!!

Health care was much better BEFORE Obama sold our nation a bill of goods.  It was cheaper and more affordable.

Both President Obama and his Obamacare have been a HUGE disappointment.  Interestingly, many people still don’t know it, but in time they will.

Police forces and our civil rights under attack

In general, people continue to be stupid.  While we are all guilty of stupidity sometimes, others are too often more adept at it

While black people and others have a legitimate "gripe" about what transpired recently in Staten Island, NY, the events in Ferguson, MO may not be as apparent.  In either case, people becoming violent at so-call "protests" across the nation really don't comprehend fully what they are doing and how it may affect our nation in the immediate future.

The police are not the enemy.  We need the police.  it’s a handful of them that are out of control at times.  It has always been that way and most likely always will be.  It’s the nature of the beast.

In addition, it is up to the black population and communities in our country to change the status quo and the image of black people by rising up from much of the actions and criminal activities going on in these communities.  Naturally many blacks are law-abiding and valuable citizens.  However, the public view is that all or the majority of blacks may be violent, aggressive, drug-involved, gang-related, government-aided and unemployed population.

If blacks want to change that view they need to get involved at the community level and start to promote the change necessary to build a different view, thereby, changing the national outlook on blacks and also how the police view them.  It is also a huge opportunity for blacks to provide a better future for their children and for generations to come.  The black community with the help of local police must work together and rid neighborhoods of criminal elements and inappropriate behavior.  That's the best way for change.

If these ongoing street “protests” continue to become violent and if the powers that be increase a tighter oversight over police actions, we will have not only a weakened and ineffective police force throughout states, cities, counties and towns, but we may be moving more quickly towards greater military involvement into our daily activities.  In that scenario there may be even more force on the American people and our civil liberties may vanish in the process.  And if we go that route we will move even further away from being a democratic republic than we already are.

The time for change in now, but it must be in an intelligent and peaceful progression.

P

Below is an article showing one instance of violent protest.  Others are brewing all over our nation.

Below this line I have placed links to some articles that are considering action and/or increased oversight of police forces throughout the nation.  Feel free to read and to share with others.  We need to remain informed.

"Time for honest conversation on racism says NYC mayor"

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/12/07/time-for-honest-conversation-on-racism-says-nyc-mayor-de-blasio/

"Are police tactics the problem?"

http://video.foxnews.com/v/3928230229001/are-police-tactics-the-problem/#sp=show-clips

"Police departments scrambling to reduce excessive force"

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/police-departments-scrambling-to-reduce-excessive-force/article_93f61c22-5a81-55e2-a17a-1eff61ca8143.html

"Body cameras worn by police 'are no safeguard of truth' experts say" 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/nyregion/body-cameras-worn-by-police-officers-are-no-safeguard-of-truth-experts-say.html?ref=us&_r=0

Two police officers injured as Berkeley protest turns violent

Published December 07, 2014

FoxNews.com

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December 6, 2014: Police officers deploy tear gas against violent protesters in Berkeley, Calif. (Courtesy KTVU)

Two officers were injured Saturday night as a California protest over police killings turned violent with protesters smashing windows and throwing rocks and bricks at police, who responded by firing tear gas, authorities said.

Several officers were struck, but there were just two reports of injury, Berkeley police spokeswoman Jenn Coats said.  A Berkeley police officer received hospital treatment for a dislocated shoulder after being hit with a sandbag, while another sustained minor injuries.

The demonstration against police killings of unarmed black men in Missouri and New York began peacefully, the latest of several in the Bay Area in recent days. But Coats said that a some protesters later broke away and began throwing rocks, bottles and pipes at officers.

Dozens of law officers from several surrounding agencies joined Berkeley police in trying to quell the unrest, which included protesters attempting to access Interstate 80 and stop traffic. A California Highway Patrol officer told KTVU that the protesters did not make it onto the freeway and only caused temporary delays.

She said several businesses on University Avenue were vandalized and damaged, including Trader Joe's, Radio Shack and a Wells Fargo Bank branch.

"A small splinter group from the original protests continues to march in Berkeley," Coats said in a statement issued shortly before at 11 p.m. PST. "Unfortunately this group has become violent and continues to throw objects, including rocks and bricks at officers."

She said officers attempting to get the crowd to disperse used tear gas.

"Several dispersal orders have been given, and the crowd has ignored the orders. In response to the violence officers have utilized tear gas and smoke in an effort to disperse the crowd," she said.

Police did not provide further details of any injuries or arrests.

"The total number of arrests and injuries is not known at this time," Coats' statement said.

KTVU reported that approximately 400 people took part in the protest march, which was planned to proceed from the University of California, Berkeley campus to Oakland's Civic Center. The station reported that officers closed two Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations due to the protest, but later re-opened them.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The National Debt soars over $18T !!!

Moving on to some worse news...

Our National Debt soared over $18 trillion and underscores the inept planning of Obama and his administration and that of previous administrations.



Are we going to manufacture more money to overcompensate the the lack of fiscal restraint?  We are acting as poorly and absurdly as did the Adolf Hitler regime under Nazi Germany prior to WWII and the incredible over-inflation that plagued that nation and its resources.

We are following negative history more closely than we imagine.

Look at the ongoing and escalating internal chaos spreading around the US.  Internal unrest, high inflation, lack of good paying jobs, high numbers of illegal immigrants, power & control issues between Federal, State and Local Governments... it doesn't look good, folks.

When is this administration going to get serious about fiscal economics?  When do both Elephants and Donkeys start working together to put our nation on the best path for healing and resolving so many urgent issues?

Congress has no credibility with the American people.  It has a 14 percent approval rating.  Do we have to smack each member of Congress over the head with a 2X4 to get their attention???

disgusted about the Michael Brown case and following uprising...

pstern 1:52:59 PM on 1 December 2014 Don't know about how all of you feel about the Michael Brown case in Fergusson, MO, whereby this young black man [Brown] 6'4" at 245 lbs. was aggressive towards a [white] Fergusson police officer, Darren Wilson, who shot and killed him.  Many from the black community are up in arms about it because many are saying that excessive force was used, being that Brown supposedly was unarmed and had his arms raised in a law-abiding pose, but the facts don't really support the street views given. The street verdict was that the officer acted out of racism, that Brown was not resisting or acting violently. In addition, the facts also highlight a video from a nearby store in which we see Michael Brown acting violently toward a clerk or owner of the store before he emerges from the store and is walking along with a friend before a police car calls out to them.   See store video for yourself: http://video.foxnews.com/v/3736886850001/store-owners-in-fear-after-michael-brown-video/#sp=show-clips Then there is documentation that reports Brown fought the officer [still in the vehicle] and was wrestling with the officer who had his weapon drawn in defense against Brown.  The rest of the incident remains open to some speculation. In addition, there was a report that Brown may have been under the influence of an illegal substance [drugs] and that the substance may have encouraged violent behavior towards the store clerk and the police officer. In conclusion, the officer was cleared of any wrong-doing by a lengthy review and verdict by a grand jury, but many protesters refused to agree with the findings and began some peaceful and then violent protests throughout Fergusson, St. Louis, and some other towns and areas.  The violence did foster street mayhem in the form of store looting and setting fires to homes and stores.  Fights broke out and a man in his thirties was killed by 3 young teens with a hammer. It has gotten ugly and even the Reverend Al Sharpton has become involved and perhaps inciting further protests throughout Fergusson and the nation.  It often seems that protesters are acting out emotions and/or violent and aggressive tactics and many do not seem to have considered the facts in the case that prompted a grand jury of their peers to file a not-guilty verdict. Meanwhile, Officer Darren Wilson submitted his resignation from the Fergusson Police Force and despite the grand jury dismissing any guilt on his part, will not receive any severance pay from the department. Everyone needs to watch this video of one black man's view: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152314396513715&fref=nf See and hear Charles Barkley's view of Ferguson and the jury's verdict : http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/12/01/charles-barkley-says-ferguson-grand-jury-got-it-right-looters-scumbags/ I am disgusted by the methods used by many of the protesters who now appear to be comprised of blacks and whites and who are using the case to aggressively halt public traffic and protest without permits when needed.  The violence now continues throughout the nation and even this past Sunday 5 black pro-football players from the St. Louis Rams mimicked the raised hands which has become the outcry of the protesters and they did so in front of public television.  A police organization has requested that the players be punished and the movement of protesters does not seem to be subsiding, nor apparently do they recognize and/or accept the facts and videos provided to the grand jury, which has been made very public and transparent to anyone wanting to see the facts of the case. You may view some of the articles posted on the case by looking around on the front page in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch  here Meanwhile, the real victims continue to be the citizens of Fergusson and St. Louis and other nearby areas, who fear for their lives on a daily basis.  The police has been mostly passive as per direction from the Department of Justice and President Obama.  The powers that be are NOT interested in protecting the citizen majority and in removing the reality-based fear for survival. There are ways to protest and there are ways to incite people towards criminal behavior.  The verdict was given and if certain people don't agree with it then they should file an appeal like all the rest of us would need to do.  But the violence and inappropriate behavior will continue and we have not seen the end of it by any means.  The police must punish those who determine to be hostile and aggressive to persons and property and they also should not accept the disruption of public traffic in any area.  Protection of the public is paramount. At least that's what I believe.  How do you feel?

my response to Speaker Boehner...

Dear Speaker Boehner:

 

You said, “Instead of working together to fix our broken immigration system, the president says he’s acting on his own.  That’s just not how our democracy works.   The president has said before that ‘he’s not king’ and he’s ‘not an emperor,’ but he’s sure acting like one.  And he’s doing it a time when the American people want nothing more than for us to work together.”

 

While I agree with your statement, I also need to remind you that upon Obama's inauguration the Republicans publicly proclaimed that it would NOT approve anything Obama wanted and the GOP also promised that it would NOT cooperate nor compromise with Obama.

 

So, the GOP first decided to become renegades and now the President is determined to be a renegade.

 

Neither party has worked in the best interests of American citizens and the President acts in the same absurd way.  There is a reason that Congress has a 14 percent approval rating.

 

Neither party is innocent during the past 2 decades.  Neither party has offered to compromise and meet in the middle on various issues.  Consequently, both parties have failed American citizens and continue to do so.

 

Change your tactics and work together.  Stop blaming each other.  You are both at fault.

 

Peter Stern

 

Gov. Rick Perry finally having a bad hair day...

Poor Rick, having a bad hair day..

A few words of truth on the 2014-midterm elections

The 'sheeple' never learn that it doesn't really matter if the majority in House and Senate is Republican or Democrat.    The 2-party system has failed Americans and it will continue to do so.

The gaming of liberal vs. conservative doesn't translate into any victories for the American people.

Congress is still the "do-nothing" Congress that we all hate.

 - Peter Stern

Illegals get American driver's licenses and the right to vote...

And then there's the situation I sent you in private [email] about the North Caroline DMV that provides illegals with driver's licenses, but then also automatically provided voter registration with these license Photo ID's as well.

A growing number of states across the country, including Maryland, Utah and New Mexico, grant licenses to all qualified drivers regardless of immigration status, and many others have considered similar proposals.

Now THAT's outrageous!!!  

Illegals in our nation who "legally" drive and vote?  It's against the law!

If I was in NC or in one of the other states, I would file a lawsuit against the State and the DMV for doing this.  In fact, I believe the DOJ is filing or has filed a lawsuit against North Carolina.

Meanwhile, what happened to the rights of American citizens???

Photo ID's

I'm sorry that Photo ID's were made an election issue.

The GOP was very dumb in presenting it that way.

 The party should have simply declared that all American citizens should have a photo ID to help identify them from the 30 million illegals living and working in our nation, so that we don't accidentally deport them or their children.

Maybe then it would have been accepted as a common sense reality and need..

The Texas Voter Photo ID Law goes into effect...

This requirement is effective immediately.

Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID:

• Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
• Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
• Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS
• United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
• United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
• United States passport

With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.

The above noted on the Texas Secretary of State web site:

 http://votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/need-id/