Dealing with the changes

On Wednesday as normal I read my paper online. I like to comment on the articles that interest me. One of those was of course about the Tea Parties. This letter to the editor had a basic premise that local Republicans need to have more events to create awareness about their candidates. They also suggested we do not need moderates running such as they had in NY 23.

I of course mentioned that I am a registered Independent. That seemed to open the floodgates to the party faithful. The Bay County Republican Roundtable president even commented on this letter. She used a partial quote from Samuel Adams. She only used the last few lines, this was the complete quote:

Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say "what should be the reward of such sacrifices?" Bid us and our posterity bow the knee, supplicate the friendship and plough, and sow, and reap, to glut the avarice of the men who have let loose on us the dogs of war to riot in our blood and hunt us from the face of the earth? If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom — go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!

source
By excluding the first part of the quote, the context is easily missed. This of course was a call by Adams for further involvement in the Revolutionary War. My comment to that is we are not at that point. I was then reminded by other people that I can not vote in the primaries as an Independent. I was well aware of that. Then I was told I could not complain about anything because I am not involved in the political process. Sorry, folks, nothing stops me from complaining. I think it is one of those rights our forefathers held self evident. People will complain regardless. So the conversation went back and forth. Our Bay County Republican leaders commented, and at some point I felt like my arm was being twisted. I stated I would not change my registration solely to vote in a primary. I was chided for not being involved, simply sitting on the porch. But my conviction is still firm. I will not register to a party that I do not support. But I think if this is the recruitment tactic being used, there are problems for 2010.

The Republican party has lost its way. Reagan would not call them his own if he were alive today. McCain was one of the most liberal candidates ever to run under the red flag. They talk about whether there is room for moderates under the tent. I say there is not. If the Republican party wants to return to greatness it must find its true conservatism that is was founded on. The voters in November should be voting for a candidate because they espouse their value, not just because they are not a Democrat. Especially in 2012, there needs to be a candidate that proudly claims the Republican party. A candidate who knows that less government is better. A candidate who has instilled the moral values and common sense this party was known for a mere 20 years ago. Until that point I will watch from the sideline. But I know when it is election day, my vote will count equally just as will everyone's. I will vote for the candidate that shares the same views as mine on the major issues. I will not vote for a party.

Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you source

Yes, it is a Christmas song. No, I have not completely lost it. When I was thinking about what to write today, those lyrics just kept going through my mind. I woke up this morning, early as usual. Drove to the gas station and bought a newspaper. On page 1B is what they call the "Squall Line". The editor picks these from the online forum. Yesterday the theme was of course I am thankful for... Most people participated in this.

Of course there were a few that didn't participate in it. They continued their normal daily political debate. Which of course is usually like one of those paddles with the rubber ball tied to it. You can hit that silly thing all day, but at the end you have changed nothing. So I of course had to wonder why someone wouldn't stop and give thanks.

The last line of the lyrics are the one that kept standing out in my mind. The writer is of course U2 legend Bono. This was the theme song for "Band Aid" which raised money in 1984 for the famine in Ethiopia. Bono was of course criticized by some for that line. "Thank God it's them instead of you". I can see the controversy in the line, but he made his point well.

So today when you gather with friends and family, in a way we are thankful for what is not. Be thankful you do not live on the street. Be thankful you are not unemployed. Be thankful you are not starving today. Be thankful you are not alone. But as the song says, remember those who are less fortunate in your prayers. Give thanks every day for all you have.

It is being reported now that the Senate Democrats are likely to have enough votes for cloture. This vote is expected at 8 pm and will allow debate on HR 3962 after the Thanksgiving break. I really am starting to wonder about these Saturday votes. I know if there is something you want to keep quiet you have a press conference on Friday afternoon. People are trying to get their work done, ready to enjoy the weekend and really don't pay attention to the news. So I guess on Saturday they are hoping enough people are watching college football not to notice either. But the good thing is, unlike the House, this vote is just to allow debate on the bill to begin, and knowing our Senate that could last a while. I still doubt this is passed by January if at all. So I scanned down the table of contents and just picked a few sections from this 2,074 page bill.

Subtitle F, Section 265 is "Limitations on Abortion Funding"

In General- No funds authorized or appropriated by this Act (or an amendment made by this Act) may be used to pay for any abortion or to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion, except in the case where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, or unless the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.

This was a major contention of the conservatives. I agree with this provision in that abortion is a moral choice an should not be paid by taxpayer money.

Section 104 is "Sunshine on price gouging by health insurance issuers" It states:

IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with States, shall establish a process for the annual review, beginning with 2010 and subject to subsection (c)(3)(A), of increases in premiums for health insurance coverage.

Which I think is a good thing. We saw this in previous industries where regulation was needed. I truly believe in the free market. But if a particular industry is financially detrimental to the public, then the government needs to step in. Had insurance companies been morally responsible to begin with, perhaps none of this legislation would have been needed.

Section 716 is "Elimination of lifetime aggregate limits":

In General- A group health plan and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not impose an aggregate dollar lifetime limit with respect to benefits payable under the plan or coverage.

This is another section I agree with. So many times you hear of a case where hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on medical care. At some point the insurance company will stop coverage because you have reached your limit. What is a person to do at that point? The illness does not stop just because the money runs out.

Section 241 is " Health choices administration; health choices commissioner"

IN GENERAL- The Administration shall be headed by a Health Choices Commissioner (in this division referred to as the `Commissioner') who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Yes, this creates more bureaucracy. But you will note, unlike many of the czars, the Senate does have "consent" in this appointment.

Section 2714 is "Ensuring value and lower premiums", this part I really like. It is the refund clause.

In General- Each health insurance issuer that offers health insurance coverage in the small or large group market shall provide that for any plan year in which the coverage has a medical loss ratio below a level specified by the Secretary (but not less than 85 percent), the issuer shall provide in a manner specified by the Secretary for rebates to enrollees of the amount by which the issuer's medical loss ratio is less than the level so specified.

I recently read a comment that health insurance should be a non-profit enterprise. I know we have many hospitals that are non-profit and their sprawling campus shows the advantage of reinvesting. This section is a good provision since if more premiums are paid than claims filed, the insured will be refunded that money.

So in general, there are some good parts to this bill. But, it comes back to do we want government that involved in our personal medical care? Some see the health care legislation as a government takeover. Where does regulating an industry to protect citizens end and government control begin? We know that the health insurance industry needs much improvement. We hear of people declaring bankruptcy simply because of medical bills. We know of people dying every year because they did not have access to preventive care. But is this the final solution?

There is less than a year to 2010 elections. What happens now will greatly effect then. The Democrats are rushing to have this passed before seats change as they likely will. I know something needs to change, but I am not sure this is the right direction. I hope the debate is extensive and if this bill is not deemed worthy it will fail.

President Obama did an interview with Major Garrett on Wednesday night. This was his first interview with Fox News since July. I was under the impression from Glenn Beck that President Obama had not gone on Fox News since January, and this is incorrect. This of course comes just a few days before Anita Dunn is scheduled to resign. I do have to wonder what Ms. Dunn thought of the interview. Was it just entertainment to her?

I think it was a great interview. It even started with the exchange of holiday wishes. But alas, Huffington reports:

The interview comes after a verbal battle between the White House and FOX News, in which the White House called the network a "wing of the Republican Party." The war of words was not brought up in the interview, which remained civil throughout.

I really would have liked to see that come up in the discussion. But really that is not a priority for the president. It shouldn't be a priority. The priority is the issues that affect this country and it's future. Those issues are far more important than an staffer condemning one particular news network. I am glad President Obama did this interview and I hope to see him and his administration on the network more in the future.

There are disadvantages to working the night shift. On my first night off for the week, I often have troubles adjusting my sleep pattern. I sleep a little during the day and they try to sleep most of the night. One advantage today was I was up early so I decided to go to the beach for some pictures. The rest of them are HERE.

Governor Mike Huckabee was in Panama City for a book signing on Sunday. He was at the same book store he appeared almost a year ago. I wrote about my experience meeting him then when he was promoting his book "Do the Right Thing". His new book is "A Simple Christmas". I have my copy on order.

I thought about going to the book signing, but it being in the middle of my work week, the energy was just not there. The question of course came up about 2012. He already has the endorsement of a conservative straw poll. However, like a true statesman, he is not speculating on a presidential bid yet.

I hope that Mike Huckabee is the Republican candidate. As an Independent voter, I will not have a vote in the primary. But I think the lesson was learned from McCain. The country is expecting a true conservative from the GOP this time around. Mike Huckabee is that person. In his first book he outlined his principles. His basic ideal is this country would be a better place if everyone did the right thing. He gave an example of this with the criminal justice system. If there was a decrease in crime, that would be less money spent on enforcement, courts and incarceration. That money of course could be used for a better social purpose such as feeding those that go hungry every night.

Yes, I still like Mike. I hope the party likes him too. It would be great to have a signed book from a president.

Thursday night I showed up to work and was surprised. The person that was supposed to work the early shift was not there. They didn't call either, just didn't show up. The next night we decided that he had quit.

This was the person that trained me how to do my job. We worked together most of the time and then when hours were cut, he worked the early shift and I the later. There is something about a work relationship that affects us. Working 40 hours a week with someone you tend to become friends. This is especially true in the security field. You are depending on having that second person there to assist you if a situation gets bad. It is a comforting feeling to know they have the training and together an issue can be taken care of.

Lately though I have been working alone which is completely different. No one to talk to and of course I am doing all the work. My coworker will be missed. He was a good friend and I always enjoyed our conversations. I know that most of us have worked with people that we can not stand. It is amazing what some people will tolerate just for a paycheck. So when you can find someone you really enjoyed working with, it is a sad day when that ends. Good luck to you buddy wherever you are.

For too long a time, they stood in a chill wind, as if on a winter night's watch. And in that night, their deeds spoke to us, but we knew them not. And their voices called to us, but we heard them not. Yet in this land that God has blessed, the dawn always at last follows the dark, and now morning has come. The night is over. We see these men and know them once again -- and know how much we owe them, how much they've given us, and how much we can never fully repay. And not just as individuals but as a nation, we say we love you.

Ronald Reagan address November 1988

Ida made landfall in Dauphin Island, Alabama early this morning. It was a non-event for Panama City. Kind of like Claudette was. I went to the beach this morning, took a few pictures and video. The public schools for the entire county are closed today. Everyone thought this would be a bigger storm.

What is it about weather that effects people differently? For many it brings out a panic instinct. For myself it is a sense of adventure. A good storm is a opportunity to get some footage at the beach. I think part of that is since this is only my second hurricane season living here. Last year of course there were many more storms that had potential. I had my hurricane kit all prepared and stashed in the closet. Even had my small bills in an envelope in case the power went out and the atms didn't work. And of course I have a real cool Red Cross emergency radio that can be hand cranked if the batteries go out. That of course is someone else job to crank the radio.

I think overall, your reaction to the weather is the same as your reaction to life. If you are an optimistic person, again like me, you see it as a good chance to experience some serious weather. If you are a pessimistic person, you think doom and gloom. I am guessing the pessimists are very disappointed today. They must wonder why they were even concerned last night.

A few days ago when the gulf was so calm.

And this was this morning. More pictures are in my photos.

After my shift last night, I of course headed to the beach. The tide wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. Landfall is going to be around 6 a.m. tomorrow around Pensacola, about 100 miles west. The heavy rain and wind should start tonight. It will probably only be a tropical storm when it reaches the coast.

Here are a few videos from this morning:

Note in the one below the darker brown line where the tide was last night.