Sebelius/Obama Health Care Will Hurt & Could Bankrupt America

Kathy Sebelious, the United States "Home Health Secretary," has blown through the softball questions of the Senate, Media, and Barack Obama. She is now in charge of, what is quoted/marked as $650 billion to 2.5 trillion (depending on which poll/statistics to believe), but there is no actual model in place for the American health care system. Therefore, isn't this putting the cart before the horse (like President Barack Obama has done, on his budget, just announced). What started out, in the first month of Obama's Presidency, he stated the health care portion of the "pie" (in the budget) would be $650-700 billion dollars, but things move fast in Washington. Obviously, things and figures change and move even faster out of Barack Obama's mouth, as the figure has ballooned from the projected $650 billion to $2.5 trillion, to overhaul the whole health care system. Oh, what a difference two months makes.

Kathy Sebelious was the governor of Kansas, and she was a popular governor for the majority of her tenure. However, the last year and a half, as governor of the "Sunflower State" she has run into and instituted many problems on her own. Of course, there was Dr. George Tiller (AKA -- "Tiller the Baby Killer", by thousands around America), who performed late term, partial birth, and even post delivery abortion (as at least one of his "terminations" was unsuccessful, leaving a live baby outside the womb and in the trash can. Breathing for 45 minutes, before passing.), if a person had $5,000. He was blatantly breaking the law, in another way, in not reporting under age girls, who were abused and/or raped, to authorities. The whole Tiller "mantra" was, if you have $5,000, you can have an abortion, period. However, before Sebelious left her post, as governor, she nixed the whole three to five year Tiller case, and declared a veto on the partial birth abortion law (the senate backed the veto).

Coupled with the above, the state of Kansas is in a free fall economically. Along with California and Michigan, Kansas was to declare bankruptcy under Subelious. This was all over the media, when the economy and states were the talk of the media elite. However, all of the talk of bankruptcy, putting the Islamic Terrorists (from GITMO) in Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, and the other problems Kansas people had with her were tamped down (for about four to six weeks) in the media, in order for President Obama to have his Health Secretary, without problem. She is close to being confirmed and will be within days (unless the Senate takes their break, before the vote), like all of Obama's appointees. Another problem, with Kathy, is the fact she is for green technology, backed Obama thru the whole process to President, and yet she was avidly against green wind technology and solar panels, in the state of Kansas. Looking at the back and forth of Subelious' choices, on the hard line issues, shows her vacillation and lack of fortitude on big issues.

As the American Government gives a monetary figure, for a certain budget proposal, it "always" goes over the projected figure. Therefore, Barack Obama and Kathy Subelious are set to spend $2.5 trillion (closer to a $3-3.5 trillion, like when "Hillary Care" was presented, and the price ballooned, far beyond speculation, from ideologues. When the American people figure out their health care system is going the way of Cuba, Europe, Canada and Socialist Medicine, with no details up front and a $2.5-3 trillion price tag, there is no telling what will happen (not to mention putting a person who couldn't run a state, is beyond liberal in her beliefs on health care/abortion/the elderly, is beyond comprehension). Even in her confirmation hearings, Subelious would not give any specifics on what she intends on for major changes, in the near future. She spoke out saying, "Health care reform cannot wait another year. Every American should have health insurance." However, there was no specifics on how to obtain this, and she did stop short of saying "all Americans MUST have health insurance", which is an under the radar liberal and Obama wish.

This all boils down to an Iraq type spending spree, with no transparency, and the person running the system without a clue (kind of like Janet Nepolitano, at the DHS). A person would think Obama, would learn from his mistakes, but he doesn't feel these are mistakes. Yet, Barack Obama and his whole cabinet will have the majority of the back room deals, models in place, and it will be far to late for anyone to do anything about a situation which could bankrupt America, leave countless people left with sub-par health care, and for better, or worse, America is "all in" with the plan. Even if they do not know what the "plan" is, and that is a shame for America and the world (monetarily).

Copyright. "The Thought Spigot"

" http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/ "

Obama's Words Great, Pakistan Still Under Siege

Copyright. "The Thought Spigot"

" http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/ "

Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Taliban, and the United States (not to mention Iraq and Iran) are headed for a collision course. President Barack Obama sat down with both, Hamid Karzai and Asif Ali Zardari a crucial message, "We meet today, as three sovereign nations joined by a common goal, to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al-Queada and their extremist allies, in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their ability to operate now and in the future." The Taliban is just an hour away from the capitol of Pakistan, and continues to move, from the north. There seemed to be a common goal, with all three leaders, in wanting to not only keep the Taliban out of the Pakistani mainland, but also to prevent nuclear weapons to fall into enemy hands. President Zardari continued, "I am here to assure you, we are here to assure you, we will share this burden with you. No matter how long it takes, and what it takes, democracy will deliver, and my democracy will deliver." However, there are thousands of Pakistani citizens fleeing the Capitol and Buner Province, amidst the chaos and violence.

The Taliban is out in force and does not discriminate between civilian and soldier. They are brazen enough to speak to cameras and even their top man (in Pakistan), Muslim Khan, spoke to Sky News. He went on the record stating the obvious, of why the three countries are going to have more than their hands full in dealing and ridding the two countries of the Taliban, saying, "The security forces, the American forces, the N. A. T. O. forces have EVERYTHING, everything, but how they cannot defeat the Taliban.? Because our demand, with the thing we fight for, the Koran, is more stronger than weapons and wills." A set of strong words, coming from a strong leader who believes every word. The Taliban and other Islamic Extremists are more than just stomping on an American flag, burning a leader in effigy, they are living their perversion of religion (Islam) to the core of their souls.

The Taliban has no need for reasoning, changing to a different set of standards. In America passing the blame has not worked in eight years, so America is set to depend on Pakistani leaders, the Pakistani military and U. S. drone strikes (which Karzai did not rule out, or quibble with President Obama), to defeat an enemy living for one thing. Unlike Americans, who go to work, worry about the economy, "keeping up with the Jones'", the Taliban and Islamic Extremists of all stripes are just living for spreading Sharia law, or killing anyone (women, children, anyone who doesn't believe their view of Islam and Christians) who does not agree with Sharia law and their brand of extremism, period. They are living what they believe. Barack Obama, Karzai, and Zardari (not to mention all of the Middle East) must protect the nuclear weapons (in Pakistan) first and foremost. Then they must form a cordon to protect Islamabad and weed out any traitors in the Pakistani army (sympathizers to the Taliban and extremists in the army, itself). Finally, the leaders of these three countries have to find other Islamic countries (Jordan, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and others), to have moderate leaders come forward and speak out against all of the terror.

Only the Muslim world can make the huge dent in this problem, and they have been M. I. A. for eight years, as well. There have been, virtually, no moderate Muslim people to combine in force, in solace, or in any way at all, to protect themselves and the other Muslims of the world. Which means Joe Biden was correct, when he said, "Barack Obama will be tested within the first six months of his administration." The Taliban, Al-Queada, and other Islamic terrorists are not going to be defeated with nice words, huge bombs, and a magical wordsmith's transformation. GITMO has shown the unshakable, unbreakable will of these terrorists. At GITMO, where terrorists have been for one to six years, are still unrepentant (as a rule) and their countries of origin will not take them back, to stand trial and become imprisoned. Showing how formidable of an enemy they are and what they will endure, in order to spread their brand of Islam. The Muslim men and women (in some places) are infected, with a high powered virus, and the virus is extreme Islam and death to everyone else.

Changing vernacular, relying on "allies" (whether it is N. A. T. O., Pakistan, Europe, or any others), the United States using "kid gloves" on these barbaric practices, and the two countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan) are not going to cure the virus. To date, there is no cure for the virus, other than death. Death by suicide attacks, death by fighting in guerilla war style battlefields, and/or death by the death penalty when they are captured. The Obama administration has the first real test, now. Dumping money into Pakistan, nice words, and what has been done to date is not going to allow him to pass this test. A new strategy, against the Taliban/Extremist Virus, must be formulated in a hard line way, not with pity-pat tactics. The United States and all three Presidents will find this out, if not thru winning (by changing tactics), then by extreme Islamic terrorists coming across the Mexican border (in six to eighteen months) with a nuclear suitcase bomb, to be detonated at a place to be named later.

1st Place Royals, Still Need To Look To The Future

Copyright. "The Thought Spigot"

" http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/ "

The first month has come and gone, in Major League Baseball. Along with some great individual efforts (Zack Grienke, Carlos Quentin, Kemp, six stolen bases in a game, by Carl Crawford, and the list goes on and on) and major surprises in some teams records (Kansas City Royals, Seattle, & Toronto in 1st place in the A. L. and the Yankees, Angels, and D-Rays are looking up). There is some great young talent to emerge and solid veterans (like Michael Young) putting up great numbers, where some of the "superstars" (Ryan Howard, Mark Teixiera) who are not worth their salt, at the moment. However, one month into the season, there is not any person (aside from Peter Gammons), who can tell what is going to happen, who will win post season awards, and the World Series winner, so there is only two things ball clubs should be looking at: (1) winning each series (for record and winning their division) and (2) building a great ball club.

Focusing on the second, as the first point (winning each series), is self-explanatory. If a team wins two of three games, or three of four games, they will end with a record of around .700-.750, which will win any division. Therefore, the focus should be on creating and building, from farm system to the "big club." The Oakland A's, have been a staple, with Billy Beane at the helm. Beane, the A's G. M., has become a baseball team building phenom, on a general team salary of "small market team" (Royals, Twins, Brewers, teams who can't have a $200 million pay roll, like the Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox). The formula was keeping their own farm system, cultivating all stops in the major leagues, and signing those guys to longer contracts for middle money. Through the late 1990's-2004, the A's and Beane, brought up pitchers from their own system (Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder) and position players (Jason Giambi, Eric Chavez, & Miguel Tejada). They held onto these players, long enough for an impact and their second contract to expire, before they dealt them and became less than their previous selves.

The Royals, in 2009, they should be building for the future, not reveling in today. They have a solid nucleus, of complete farm and draft picks (Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Zack Grienke, Joakim Soria and David Dejesus), all who make under $3.75 million a year. The pick up of Gil Meche, Jose Guillen, and others are stop gaps, and that alone. Look at Mark Grudzelaniak, last years Royals second baseman (soon to be Jose Guillen and Gil Meche next year), is gone in favor of Willie Bloomquist and Albert Callaspo. As it stands, the additions of Mike Jacobs and Willie Bloomquist are not the cornerstones of a playoff team. They are mediocre players, who have a handful of years left.

Therefore, what is the difference between the Royals of today and the A's of the late 90's? Commitment, value of the dollar based on the player being considered, and the fact the Royals (and other teams) can't evaluate and pull the trigger to sign their farm/minor league picks to longer term deals (in the 4-6 year range, after the original draft contract is over). The Royals have to find a way, not only to pay (Gordon, Butler, Soria, Grienke and maybe Callaspo), plus enhance a line up with players who are not past (within 1-2 years) their prime and are assets for 3-5 years. These 3-5 year enhancement players have to be like Coco Crisp (who will steal 25-30 bases, hit .275, and lead off for 4-6 years, if the Royals can do the right thing). They also need to do a better job with the "Rule 5" draft players, free agents in the $5-9 million a year range, and finally David Glass and the "Front Office" must open their wallets. The Royals have made excellent strides with their drafts, but they must focus on signing their big players first, while continuing to add on, with some mid-level talent (especially starting and relief pitching).

This year it is great for the Royals to be in first place, after over a month of baseball. Yet, Royals fans and the people Kansas City need to look to the next three years, not this year. This year the Royals are a .450-.475 winning percentage team, at best. This is not good enough for first place in the Central Division, and they will not sniff the "Wild Card," as the East will have the wild card pick. In three years, the Royals could not only be a cellar dwelling team, but they will have one of these top players left, after free agency and teams picking the Royals apart. Gordon, Butler, Dejesus, Soria, Grienke, Callaspo, Aviles, and even Jose Guillen and Meche will be gone. Outside of the box thinking, for the future, and just a little bit more cash out of David Glass' wallet, will be the only thing to save the Royals. They have no Billy Beane and they continue to lose farm talent, to teams who will pay. Continuing to leave the Royals, every five to seven years, on the brink of going to the top of the Central and being a basement team.