Congressman Parker Griffith (Big Time DINO) hosted a "town hall" meeting to "get citizen input" regarding Health Care issues. I want readers to compare and contrast the analysis of the meeting from two sources who were in attendance. I want readers who weren't there to tell me which one gave them the most information. I want readers who were there to compare and contrast the two reports. The first report from a "Blogger" will be on this page. The report from The Huntsville Times is below the fold. I report, you decide.
For those who weren't able to attend, I wanted to let you know how the town hall went with Rep. Parker Griffith tonight ...
There were about 250 people in attendance; it lasted almost 2 hours. Griffith gave a short talk about why healthcare reform is so important (businesses can't compete, CEOs say we must change it, we want everyone to have access to quality care, reduce costs and give people choice.) He also talked about problems with the shortage of primary care doctors and nurses and how we're trying to reform a system in the middle of a recession. Griffith then opened it up to comments/questions from the audience.
Throughout the evening, about half who made comments or asked questions were in favor of single payer/public option. (It was good to our single payer views were so well represented in the Q&A!) The other half talked about the need for free markets and their fears of socialized medicine.
Here are some specific items I took notes on:
+ When asked about a public option, Griffith said he would be in favor of it if it was at a level playing field with private insurance companies. However, if it was like Medicare, then he thinks it would destroy the healthcare quality that we have today. (I wasn't clear on why he thought that...)
+ Someone said how much cheaper the same drugs are in foreign countries than they in the U.S.
+ In response to a question about medical tort reform, Griffith talked about how doctors are doing extra procedures to keep from being sued.
+ Griffith will be introducing two bills shortly. One is that Congress members must be subject to the same healthcare plan that they devise. The other is that a healthcare bill must be on Congress members' desks one week prior to a vote -- so there is time to study it.
+ Someone talked about how her sister has followed all the rules (working, paying taxes, etc.) but she can't get insurance due to a pre-existing condition. If something happed to her now, she would be in big financial trouble.
+ Griffith said we don't want government people in Washington DC deciding what kind of medical treatment we would get or not get. Someone responded saying that it's now insurance co. bureaucrats who are doing that now.
+ Someone said that the 47 million uninsured includes illegal immigrants. Griffith corrected them saying it does not. He also said he is against illegal immigrants being allowed healthcare in the U.S.
+ Someone talked about starting a small business but not being able to afford healthcare for their employees. They said this stifles capitalism since small businesses are the important to our economy.
+ In response to a question about the shortage of doctors and nurses, Griffith said we need to give doctors incentives to get them to practice in areas where there are shortages. Education about diet and exercise should not be done by doctors but by other healthcare providers.
+ Someone talked about how her insurance company has denied treatment/medicine that her doctor wanted her to take.
+ Griffith said he thinks single payer is dangerous to the healthcare people want, and to innovation. (He moved onto another topic quickly, so this didn't get challenged... but it's good for us to know what he's thinking.)
+ Griffith did say that he sees healthcare as a right, not a privilege.
+ He talked about how healthcare is the largest industry in the U.S., and that the issues with changing it are very complicated.
+ Someone brought up that 60% of bankruptcies are caused by medical bills. Griffith said that 70% of bankruptcies have some medical costs in them.
+ One person stood up and talked about how the Canadian and German healthcare systems are good. They had lived there. Another person who had lived in Canada said that routine care was good, but they knew someone who died waiting for a heart operation (they didn't say how old this person was or any complications).
+ A man said he is a Christian and based on that, he thinks all people should have access to good healthcare. He owns a small business and is very concerned that he saw his premiums jump from $300 to over $500 in the last two years.
While most people were civil, I was disappointed to see that a few people on both sides of the issue (single payer/public option folks AND free market folks), were unkind in their questions and responses to Griffith's remarks.
All in all, it was an interesting evening and I was so glad to see many of our single payer people in the audience!! In addition, there were a number of others in the audience -- not yet part of our group -- who voiced their opinion in favor of single payer.
*I would add the majority of the right wingnuts who are opposed to so called "socialized medicine" are the same ones that marched to W-ar with Dubya and voted for bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran McSame. These are the same people who gave Dubya and Dick a blanck check to spend for welfare in Iraq. If Bush wanted "socialized medicine" they would be all for it. They are like petulant children (h/t mooncat) who need to grow up.
As various news outlets have reported this spring, the economic situation is causing many families to change summer vaction plans. From USA Today:
People are taking shorter vacations, in distance and duration. They are searching for bargains and booking hotel rooms at the last minute to get the best possible deals. Many who normally fly are driving this year. Like the Whites, they're planning more day trips or long weekend escapes instead of week-long vacations.
That got me thinking about weekend or day trips some of us might be considering here in Alabama or in nearby states.
As Herding Old Cats noted in another thread, one reason for this blog is to educate people outside Alabama about our state. Show them, in HOC's words "that we're not all out chasing our pregnant cousins around" with, I assume, amorous intentions...
I'll offer a couple of trip suggestions on the flip, and everyone feel free to jump in. What cool stuff is there to do in your area?
ROVE: This White House has carried pre-packaged, organized, controlled, scripted events to a new height, and they’re getting away with things that in any previous White House, the media would have eviscerated the press secretary and the White House for it.
Amazingly, Rove is not referring to the White House he served. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the 14 years since that star-crossed class arrived in Washington espousing an agenda that placed family values at its core, no less than a dozen of its members have been caught up in affairs, sex scandals or in messy separations and divorces from their spouses that, in more than a few instances, led to their political downfalls.
The problems started almost as soon as they took office, and by the end of their first year in Congress, the marriages of at least four Republican freshmen had collapsed.
Why is anyone surprised? Family Values, the Contract with on America, Christian Values and etc. was an advertising campaign, folks. As such it had very little to do with reality. Kind of like Ginsu knives ... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Speaking of false advertising ... "Mark Sanford has backed out of a promise to release personal financial records to the media proving he did not use state money for trips to see his mistress." Sanford (GOP Class of '94) is toast. And depending on what those records show, he may be toast facing corruption charges. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Historically, Griffith’s tie-breaking vote in the Alabama Senate that empowered the socialist wing of the Alabama Democrat Party to control the Alabama Senate ...
Of course, there is no "Alabama Democrat Party" and I dare, in fact I double dog dare, either Mo Brooks or the proprietor(s) of Flashpoint to produce any evidence of such a thing, let alone a "socialist wing" of it. Continued use of "Democrat Party" rather than "Democratic Party" makes you sound like a petulant little kid.
Ron Sparks made a major campaign address today in Montgomery and announced major themes of his campaign for governor.
Today, I am asking the people of Alabama to make me their Governor. I am asking for this honor because I believe we can make a difference in the lives of working families, business owners, farmers and factory workers across Alabama.
But you know, I've been around politics long enough to know talk is cheap. Vague promises don't mean a thing. You've got to have a plan. Today, I want to outline the first three planks of our platform.
The three policy announcements I am making today will;
Guarantee every child who seeks higher education that chance;
Reduce taxes for every family in Alabama;
Provide more money for Medicaid;
Increase funding for education;
And, create a disaster relief fund for agriculture.
The press release went out yesterday afternoon, which was kind of short notice, but perhaps he's trying to capitalize on Sue Bell Cobb's announcement that she won't run. I'm sure there were people waiting to commit to a campaign until she made a decision.
The two announced candidates, Congressman Artur Davis, and Ag Commissioner Sparks have met at two public foums so far. More about those on the flip...
It is called Tricare and is for active and retired military and is provided by the Department of Defense. Please check out this EXCELLENT article from Alternet about how the states that are complaining the loudest about a government option in the healthcare overhaul are the same ones with the most people already using a government funded option.
In this year's health reform debate, congressional Democrats quickly took proposals for a single-payer system off the table, claiming it was "unrealistic."
But more than 9 million people in the U.S. have already signed on to a single-payer system that has proved both workable and popular: TRICARE, the Department of Defense's program for active-duty military and retirees.
Even more interesting: According to a Facing South analysis, nearly half of TRICARE beneficiaries live in the South -- states where congressional leadership has been most vocal in opposing public involvement in health care.
I've been hoping for a flood of progressive Democrats seeking office in 2010, and we scored a couple of good ones today: Jeremy Scherer for Treasurer and Susan Pace Hamill for House District 63 in Tuscaloosa.
“I believe government can actually benefit the lives of the people, so long as it upholds the public’s trust,” said Sherer, a Democrat. He said he would make an official announcement about his candidacy Monday.
I don't know Jeremy personally, but everything I've heard from folks who do know him indicates he is a forward looking, results oriented progressive and just the kind of person we will need to clean up the mess Kay Ivey will be leaving.
“I believe government must serve the weak equally as well as it serves the strong,” she told friends and supporters in front of Trinity Methodist Church. “I believe tax policy should be written not by those with the most lobbyists, but those with the greatest commitment to equity and fairness.
“I believe the quality of public education we provide our children should not be determined by their address, their race or the circumstances of their family. I believe the process through which government makes all policy should be premised on central moral and ethical standards.”
Susan Pace Hamill is no stranger to progressive causes and I'm delighted she is running for the open seat in HD63. She has written extensively on tax policy and is the author of The Least of These: Fair Taxes and the Moral Duty of Christians and As Certain as Death: A Fifty State Survey of State and Local Tax Laws. Her knowledge and dedication to fairness would be such an asset to the Alabama Legislature.
Wouldn't it be nice to see a slate of progressive candidates in 2010 from the top of the Democratic ticket to the bottom?
LiA is about to undergo some remodeling. Dardango has created a new, truly kickass, logo for us and the rest of the blog needs some sprucing up to go with it. You know how new curtains make the carpet look tired and if you replace the carpet that old sofa just looks ratty ... and pretty soon you've redone the whole place? That's where we are.
Major changes are in order for the sidebars too. Some things will go away, never to reappear. Others will move. What sidebar items do you like/use and what would you love to kick to the curb? Speak soon, or it will be too late. Blogroll suggestions are welcome, too.
Bear with us over the next day or two -- hopefully the mess will be entirely cleared away and we'll have a shiny new place to blog by Monday.
Reading a story just recently about how Lyndie England is having a hard time getting a job. Lyndie was the woman pictured in many of the infamous photos that showed American soldiers abusing Iraqis at Abu Ghraib prison.
This reminded me to post my review of what I think is the most definitive film on Abu Ghraib. It's called "Standard Operating Procedure by director Errol Morris.
There aren't that many opportunities to interact with your Congressman in person. Don't miss this one!
TOWN HALL MEETING HEALTHCARE REFORM with U.S. CONGRESSMAN PARKER GRIFFITH
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 5:30 – 6:30 PM Davidson Center 3D Digital Theater U.S. Space and Rocket Center 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805
– Free of Charge –
Everyone is encouraged to attend, particularly if you have experienced difficulty with the current healthcare system such as: • Being uninsured • Health insurance too costly • Insurance claims denied • Inadequate coverage • Delaying costly medical care • Trouble finding doctors
• Learn about the healthcare reform taking place in Washington, D.C., and how these changes may affect Alabamians.
• Share experiences you have had with the current healthcare system and present your questions about proposed health reform.
• Hear Congressman Griffith discuss current healthcare reform efforts as well as challenges related to health services delivery and access.
• Members of the public and the media are invited and encouraged to attend.
A Healthy Alabama is a Prosperous Alabama!
For further information: (800) 832-9060 Arise Citizens’ Policy Project · Anna Blair · blair@alarise.org Alabama Appleseed · Vaughan Branch · Vaughan.Branch@alabamaappleseed.org
“I am honored to have been sought out and encouraged to run for Governor by so many Alabamians from all walks of life. Their support has been humbling and perhaps made this decision the most difficult I have ever been called upon to make.
First and foremost, I want the best for the people of Alabama, whom I have attempted to faithfully serve for the last 28 years. I care greatly about where we are as a state and the direction in which we need to go.
While this love for our state and encouragement caused me to seriously consider running for governor, I have been privileged to serve as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and plan to remain in this position. Therefore, I will continue to work tirelessly to improve the court system of this state and will continue to devote my time and energy to programs and projects that improve the lives of all citizens of Alabama:
-Programs that make our communities safer, while at the same time saving precious financial resources.
-Programs such as model drug courts, dedicated domestic violence dockets, and local juvenile justice corrections programs.
-Programs that are already paying dividends by not only reducing costs but also reducing the financial burdens of our jails and prisons and more importantly redirecting “would be career criminals” to a path away from crime and toward meaningful rehabilitation and productive lives.
As I stated when I sought the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the challenge for judges and justices is to do the harder work of fixing people rather than the easier work of just filling prisons.
I want to thank the voters of Alabama for giving me the distinct honor of serving as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, and I want to thank the judges and all of those who work so hard every day to make our justice system a model for the nation.”
Although it appears that Oklahoma legislator, Sally Kern, would fit right in with some segment of our population.
WHEREAS, we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater national moral crisis; and
WHEREAS, this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion, pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse, and many other forms of debauchery; and
WHEREAS, alarmed that the Government of the United States of America is forsaking the rich Christian heritage upon which this nation was built; and
WHEREAS, grieved that the Office of the president of these United States has refused to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in giving recognition to our National Day of Prayer; and
WHEREAS, deeply disturbed that the Office of the president of these United States disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior;
Hope the Alabama Legislature doesn't get wind of this effort. Because certainly they have nothing more important to do, right?
I'm telling you, Brooks is the best opponent Parker Griffith could have hoped for. His appeal is entirely to the far right. He's too close to the "nut" in "wingnut" to attract moderate/independent voters and liberals and progressive Democrats will happily work to beat him, even though we're ticked at Griffith's conservative bent. This release is from the Alabama Democratic Party:
Mo Brooks’ time on the [Madison] County Commission has been marked by cost increases and skyrocketing spending. The last thing Alabama needs is Mo Brooks in Congress.
“Instead of finding fiscally responsible solutions, Commissioner Brooks runs to the taxpayers to bail out problems,” said Jim Spearman, Executive Director of the Alabama Democratic Party.
Taxpayers can thank Brooks for the 35% increase in cost for trash pickup that was imposed earlier this year. [Source: Huntsville Times, 5/09/09, link]
Taxpayers also footed the bill for a 20-fold increase in Brooks’ budget since he took office. Brooks’ yearly spending ballooned from $35,000 in 1996 to $740,000 in 2008. Shockingly, Mo Brooks bragged that the increase in spending was evidence of his power and influence on the Commission [Source: Huntsville Times, 5/22/08]
“Mo Brooks’ has no problem taxing and spending to try to boost his image, but when it comes to making important investments in the county’s schools and other needed projects, he says no,” said Spearman.
It's all about Mo -- and it always has been. The wingers will back him to the hilt, so he'll have plenty of money, but an examination of his career will give Griffith and the DCCC plenty of far right hypocrisy to work with.
I've been stockpiling outrageous stuff -- and believe me, if you aren't outraged you haven't been paying attention lately.
Let's kick it off with FAUX News' terrorist worshipper Glenn Beck and his guest, Michael Scheuer, hoping Osama bin Laden will succeed in detonating a "major weapon" on American soil to make government "do the right thing."
The only chance we have as a country right now is for Osama bin Laden to deploy and detonate a major weapon in the United States. ...Only Osama can execute an attack which will force Americans to demand that their government protect them effectively, consistently and with as much violence as necessary.
Beck seems downright sad as he opines that bin Laden -- who is still at large because of George W. Bush's failure -- probably won't inflict such death and destruction on America.
They not only hate freedom, they want Americans to die so we'll be willing to give up our freedoms. Crazy anti-patriots, for sure.
We're number two, but closing fast! I know, if you are like me, you are sick and tired of Alabama being waaayy down at the bottom of every listing of states and their accomplishments. Here's a list that ranks us near the top! According to the Trust for America's Healthand theRobert Wood Johnson Foundation, Alabama ranks second behindMississippi as the most obese state in the union. That's right, and we are closing on the top spot fast!
Ode to Alabama
Each citizen takes pride in "Home sweet home", And praises what his state does really well. Had I the time, I'd surely write a tome The praises of Old Alabam to tell.
Our schools are pretty bad, I must admit I cannot find a way to brag of that Our economy is way down in the pit. But thanks to God and cornbread, we are fat!
For every Sunday morning we go pray And nourish hearts and soul with saving grace And then we move festivities outside Get off out knees and start to stuff our face.
Now Southerners are not a stupid lot. We understand what good nutrition means And veggies are a part of what it takes. But put more bacon in these butter beans.
So now we're close, quite close to number one And we can make the grade if we just try it So fry more chicken, bake more pecan pies Or else put Mississippi on a diet.
OUCH! Tough times in the Birmingham area as the County Commission cuts budgets, staff, and services - in a big way.
The Jefferson County Commission on Tuesday launched its third round of budget cuts since April, slashing departmental budgets by 33 percent, a move that will require hundreds of layoffs countywide.
The $31.7 million reduction is in addition to the steps taken two weeks ago that ended road maintenance contracts in all cities, switched most county employees to 32-hour workweeks and set closing dates for all satellite courthouses as the county scrambles to balance the books for the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The commission cut budgets by $21.7 million in April.
The move comes as the county's reserve fund steadily declines amid predictions that the county would run out of cash by the end of July.
I haven't followed this story closely this spring, so it shocked me to read about how dire the situation is in Birmingham. Shelia Smoot is a member of the Jefferson County Commission, and I wonder if this will have any impact on her Congressional race.
I know (from looking at the server logs) that we have a lot of LIA readers in the Birmingham area. What's the scoop in Jefferson County? Is it the recession, mismanagement, the failure of the occupational tax bill, or some combination of all three?
The situation sounds grim, and I feel bad for everyone affected by the job and service cuts.
(AL-07 is going to be an interesting race next year. - promoted by countrycat)
Elect Women Magazine has a great feature on AL-07 Congressional Candidate Shelia Smoot. According to facts on Elect Women Magazine Website
*Women make up only 17% of the members of Congress * Only 10% of women have ever thought about running for office, compared with 20% of men. Lawless and Fox (2005)
Smoot aims to become the First African American female elected to Congress from Alabama. Alabama currently has no female members of Congress.
If you live in Birmingham you may be electing a new state Senator today. Democrats Priscilla Dunn and Merika Coleman face each other in a runoff. The Republican party did not field a candidate so today's winner will become the new state Senator for district 19. Click here to find out what Senate district you live in.
Merika Coleman has represented House District 57 in the Alabama Legislature since 2002. She has been endorsed by the New South Coalition, the Birmingham News, Communication Workers of America, Alabama Federation of Teachers and the Fraternal Order of Police. Rep. Coleman received 29% of the vote on May 12.
Priscilla Dunn has represented House District 56 in the Alabama Legislature since her election in 1998. She has been endorsed by the local Democratic Women, three former opponents for this Senate seat, the ADC and Concerned Citizens of Hueytown. Rep. Dunn received 34% of the vote in the May 12 primary.
Both these candidates look pretty good on progressive issues such as repealing the sales tax on groceries, Constitution Reform and so forth. If I lived in SD19 I would probably vote for Merika Coleman because of the successful hospital bill she sponsored. I found out about that on her website. The fact that I was able to find Coleman's website, and it has interesting stuff on it, is another reason I would probably vote for her.
The Mobile Press-Register on charter schools, June 14, 2009:
Alabama legislators have no legitimate excuse for spurning this education reform movement. And Mississippi lawmakers now have a strong incentive for removing barriers that prevent parents from exercising the charter option.
National leaders from the left and the right side of the political spectrum see the benefits of charter schools. Why can't leaders in Alabama and Mississippi figure out that charters should be part of the education scene?
Why can't they figure it out? Maybe because the case for charters is not as open and shut as all that. Charter schools are not the silver bullet that will cure all our education problems, no matter what the Press-Register and right-wing think tanks (or even the Obama administration) tell us.
A new report, ""Multiple Choice: Charter School Performance in 16 States.""(pdf) (pdf executive summery / pdf press release), from Stanford University's Center for Research on Education Outcomes, or CREDO, finds that charter schools significantly underperform overall compared to the traditional public schools they are supposed to improve on--a major embarrassment that will no doubt be ignored, just as all evidence of privatization and corporatization are ignored ...
Alabama has not passed charter school legislation, and was not one of the 16 states included in the CREDO study. Results below the fold. TPS means "traditional public school."
That got me thinking about weekend or day trips some of us might be considering here in Alabama or in nearby states.
If you live in Birmingham you may be electing a new state Senator today. Democrats Priscilla Dunn and Merika Coleman face each other in a runoff. The Republican party did not field a candidate so today's winner will become the new state Senator for district 19. 
