"Health care costs to rise again in 2010" ...Not Much of a Shocker

From MSNBC.com: Full Story Link

Thurs., June 18, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS - Employers who offer health insurance coverage could see a 9 percent cost increase next year, and their workers may face an even bigger hit, according to a report from consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Costs will rise in part because workers worried about losing their jobs are using their health care more while they still have it, the firm said in the report released to The Associated Press. The report also said rising unemployment is driving up medical costs.

I don't know about you, but when our insurance company comes back to our union with the news that rates are going to increase 9%, we all do a happy dance. And here's the rub...we've grown accustomed to enormous rises in our rates that we're THANKFUL when it goes up 10%. Congressional Democrats need to kick the Republicans out of the car and force through reform WITH A PUBLIC OPTION!

Senate Democrats Lack the Balls for Leadership...

WTF???

From MSNBC.com: Full Story Link

"WASHINGTON - Key Senate Democrats are paring back subsidies designed to make insurance more affordable as they reach for bipartisan support on health care legislation.

An outline circulated Thursday by Sen. Max Baucus, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, also leaves open the possibility that there would be no direct government competition against private insurors. "

I am absolutely unable to understand this "bipartisanship" bull shit. Were the Republicans concerned about bringing Democrats along for the ride when they decided to invade Iraq???Did they care about what Democrats wanted?

And honestly, how can you not include a public option for health care??? No one said that leadership was easy. No one said you would make friends. Lead or get the hell out of the way. The Republicans could mess this up on their own...they don't need Democrats to do their dirty work...It is not reform without a public option to keep companies honest. No public option is only polishing a turd!

One Step Closer...

Yesterday the Wisconsin State Legislature moved one step closer to equality for homosexual couples by approving domestic partnership benefits for Wisconsin same-sex couples as part of the state budget. This clearly doesn't change the egregious 2006 constitutional referendum that blatantly violates the federal Constitution's 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause, but it is a step in the right direction...

Too Little....

Relocation expenses? Until President Obama personally pushes health insurance benefits for gay federal employees, it is simply going to be seen as trying to be incrementalist with civil rights. That is unacceptable with racial, ethnic, or gender equality...Why not with homosexuals? The answer: he is playing politics...scared to be labeled as "pro-gay" by the knuckle draggers in Congress. Better get on the right side of history now, Mr. President...Full story link

Obama Administration Drops the Ball...

The Obama Justice Department, has chosen to oppose the first case brought in federal court over whether the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) represents a violation of same-sex couples' constitutional rights. This is the wrong decision. The Full Faith and Credit clause clearly covers marital rights from state to state. My marriage was issed in Wisconsin, but is valid in Minnesota or Mississippi as well. Why not marriages of gay couples???

To add insult to injury, Justice Department lawyers used case law dealing with marriage of underage children and incestual relationships between uncle and niece as core arguments against recognizing same-sex marriages. Shameful. This is something you would have expected from the previous president...

Sums it up beautifully...

Business leaders in favor of EFCA...

'I strongly support the Employee Free Choice Act. In the past, some employers have intimidated union members and used subtle 'divide-and-conquer' techniques to spread confusion among their workforce. This leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of workers and undercuts the mutual goal that employers and employees share of promoting the ongoing success of their enterprises.'

-Bruce Ventimiglia, Founder and President, Saratoga Capital Management

Don't step in the horse crap. There are thousands of business owners and leaders who back the Employee Free Choice Act--making the unionizing process more fair for workers. Republicans and some DLC Democrats (DINOs) don't want these voices of fairness heard. Take some time and visit the Business Leaders for a Fair Economy at their website: http://www.faireconomynow.org/