With all the hoopla in the news about protests over proposed health care plans, I thought I would try to find the truth for myself. These plans could affect EVERYONE in the country, so it’s important to know what is in these plans.
When I first started searching, I found nothing but opinions: The Fear! The Praise! The Need! That’s all well and good, but I wanted to know what is really in these plans. I wanted to know what would happen if any of these plans were put into operation. I finally found the sites with the information straight from the horse’s (or donkey’s or elephant’s) mouth. I give you…
The Plans!
WARNING: These are not summarized lists of pros and cons of the plans. These are the ACTUAL PLANS being proposed. There is a combined 1633 pages of legislatural verbage to comb through. This is not light reading!
‘‘Affordable Health Choices Act’’ – http://help.senate.gov/BAI09A84_xml.pdf
Brought to you by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions.
‘‘America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009’’ – http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/AAHCA-BillText-071409.pdf
Also known as the “House Tri-Committee Plan” named so because it is brought to you by the House Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Labor.
The House Republican Health Care Solutions Group Outline - http://blunt.house.gov/Read.aspx?ID=1140
Brought to you by the House Republican Health Care Solutions Group. This is still an outline and not a proposed bill. There is some controversy whether the group will turn their outline into a bill.
If you feel passionately enough about these plans to interrupt town hall meetings with shouting, chanting and pushing, you should feel passionately enough to READ THE PLANS. Otherwise, you’re just allowing others to use you.
John Hughes died today. I’m sure just about everyone who was a teenager in the 80’s feels like tearing up a little just as I’ll tear up the one day, a long time from now, when Kevin Smith dies. As tribute, I give you one of my favorite quotes about John Hughes (WARNING: Graphic language ahead):
From Dogma:
Bethany: McHenry is pretty far from Jersey, might I ask what brings you guys to Illinois?
Jay: Some fuck named John Hughes.
Bethany: “16 Candles” John Hughes?
Jay: You know him too? That fucking guy. Made this flick “16 Candles” right? Not bad it’s got tits in it, but no bush. Of course Ebert over here don’t give a shit about that stuff cause he’s all in love with this John Hughes guy and rents every one of his movies. Fucking “Breakfast Club” all these stupid kids actually show up to detention, fucking “Weird Science” where this one chick wants to take off her gear and get down, but aw, no she don’t cause it’s a PG movie, and then there’s “Pretty In Pink” which I can’t watch with this tubby muthafucker any more, because everytime we get to the part where the red head hooks up with her dream guy, he starts sobbin’ like a little eight-year-old with a skinned knee and shit. And nothing is worse then watching a fat man weep.
Rest in peace John Hughes! Thank you for Emilio Estevez dancing funny, for Kevin Smith’s creativity, and for putting John Cusack in the roles he’d end up in for the rest of his life.
Sitting at work at 5am, nothing is going on. Just washed down an alertness aid (200mg of pure caffeine) with some Mtn Dew. Watching Henry Poole Is Here which contains a depressed man, a sad six year old girl, a strong-willed Christian woman, a stain on a wall that may look like Jesus, and George Lopez as a priest.
The little girl touches the wall. After touching the wall, she does something she was unable or unwilling to do for an entire year:
She speaks.
This is a HUGE deal. A 6 year old girl who doesn’t speak for a year has something wrong with her. I know, I have a 5 year old girl who can hardly keep quiet for 5 minutes.
This touching scene (and probably the unhealthy amount of caffeine in my system) kicks off some poignant thoughts:
- Even though about 20% of the time my daughter speaks it’s to whine, complain or argue about something; I’d be devastated not to be able to hear her voice.
- I start thinking about the nature of faith and belief and I have an epiphany: Belief is the strongest force in the world.
The great thing about belief is that it doesn’t matter what it is you believe in. If you believe in something positive, you will live in a positive world. If you believe in something negative, you will live in a negative world. Your interpretation of your belief will decide whether you believe in something positive.
- Some peoples’ belief in the saving power of Jesus causes them to be more forgiving and help others.
- Others’ belief in the same power makes them bitter and suspicious of anyone who doesn’t show as much “belief” as them.
- There was a great goalie named Patrick who believed stepping on the blue line was bad luck. He never stepped on it and he was a better goalie because of it.
- There are those who lead better lives because they follow their horoscopes.
- Tarot cards help some see the world in a better light.
- Beards have won playoff games.
- Shaved heads have caught king crab.
- Unwashed socks have won championships.
I guess what I’m trying to say is…
Lacking belief will put you at the mercy of others. Having belief will give you better control of your world. So believe in something! Believe in anything! As long as that belief allows you to be a better person, believe!
Scott Pantall | August 10, 2009
