Flimflammery over “Obamacare” by Michael Kinsley

I read an article that I saw on politico.com about a person’s view on the Obama Healthcare plan.  I think that the Arthur of this article was looking at the Obama Healthcare plan from both democratic and republican sides.  He also has done research on the topic and is continuing to follow the progress.  Here is an over view of what Michael Kinsley wrote on the Obama Healthcare plan.

From the republican checklist of what’s wrong with Obama care: after computing the cost compare six years of expenses with ten years of revenues.  Since most of the important benefits don’t kick in until 2014, the health reform program has an extra four years (2010-2014) to collect money before it has to start paying out.  After the first ten years is up (government costs and revenues are usually reported over ten year periods), and every years income is compared with every year’s outgo.  The Obamacare will actually reduce costs and save the government over ten years.  Apparently the accounting is phony, the democrats are giving themselves a four year head start.  Since the new revenues from health care reform are inextricably tied in with the costs- penalties for not carrying insurance and so on.  If it’s not required that everybody carry insurance there can’t be a penalty for not carrying it, can there?  If you go to the Congressional Budget Office documents, you see that the CBO estimates that the revenue from penalties on corporations and individuals for not carrying insurance is exactly $0 for the first four years.  Total revenues from all sources for the first four years are $32 billion, out of a total for the first decade of $525 billion.  To be sure, that democrats have their own flimflammery.  Like most government programs, especially entitlement programs, it’s a good bet that this will cost more than anybody’s current estimate.  The CBO has said that Obamacare will actually save the government money (that is reducing the deficit) over its first ten years.  It’s about honesty.

I would have to agree with Michael on his view of the Obama Healthcare plan.  He is looking at the plan from both political parties.  There should be a balance and fairness between the two.  I enjoyed reading the article, and I hope you do as well.  I liked looking at a large topic that will affect the United States for years to come through someone else eyes and thoughts.  This just gave me a new prospective on the Obama Healthcare plan, and has made me more interested in following the process. 

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/48056.html

U.S., Mexico police unite to fight border crime

I currently read an article that was in posted on USA Today, by Dennis Wagner that I thought was interesting and worth sharing. 

A joint operation between the U.S. Border Patrol, Mexican federal police and about 60 U.S. state federal, tribal and local police agencies had have great success.  The benefits of this has been making drug seizures and arresting undocumented immigrants.  There have been arrest of 270,00 illegal border crossers, seizure of 1.6 million pounds of marijuana and the recovery of $13 million in cash.  These efforts will also go to help the flow of illegal immigrants and drug smugglers in Arizona. 

With the collaboration of the Mexican President Felipe Calderon and the U.S. President Barack Obama they are sharing the responsibility to fight the smuggling cartels on the border.  This means that the cartels and smugglers will find it more difficult to cross the border.  Although this effort is helping the problem at the moment more needs to be done to reduce the drug consumption.  The border is still overrun with violence and is out of control, both Mexico and the United States are willing to work together to reduce and stop the problem.  There is training and on going communication to stranghten the fight against this war.

I found this article to be a breath of fresh air and found some hope.  For two countries could come together and fight a large, deadly issue.  There are lives lost, drugs sold to our children, people stolen every day that should happen.  I know that there is bad in the world but enough is enough.  It is no longer safe to cross the border or be any where close to it because of all of the crime and drug cartel.  You should feel safe in your country and to a visiting country. When it is no longer safe to take a family vacation to a beautiful country something needs to change and change now.  Innocent Men, Women, and children have lost their lives for drugs, and money.

I will keep following the progress that is going on with the U.S. and Mexico to end this unnecessary war.  I hope that you too will read this article and follow the progress.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-02-09-us-mexico-police-border_N.htm