Team Sununu Update-Medicare

The latest email from John Sununu’s campaign.  Please visit his site for more information.  New Hampshire needs John Sununu

 

What They’re Saying About
Senator Sununu’s Work for New Hampshire
On Medicare Reimbursement

Senator John Sununu Has “Stood Strong” Against Polices That Are Harmful To New Hampshire Seniors And Has Worked To Provide Medicare Reimbursement Relief “For The Broadest Number Of Health Care System Constituents”:

New Hampshire Hospital Association President Michael Hill: “Sen. Sununu for some time has seen this legislative occasion as an opportunity to address more broadly other significant issues relating to access to health care beyond just the amount of reimbursement for doctors. He has been working with the NHHA and others to insure that the legislation that ultimately passes will provide Medicare reimbursement relief for the broadest possible number of health care system constituents.” NHHA Press Release, 7/8/2008

Hill: “The NHHA is grateful for Sen. Sununu’s efforts in this regard. The legislation that will ultimately pass may well be the last meaningful opportunity in this Congress to deliver comprehensive benefits to the widest possible number of New Hampshire citizens. Sen. Sununu’s resolve and determination to not allow this opportunity to pass without fighting for this relief is greatly appreciated by the NHHA and by all New Hampshire citizens for whom our hospitals provide care.” NHHA Press Release, 7/8/2008

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care President And CEO Charles Baker: “Sen. John Sununu has stood strong against policies that would harm New Hampshire’s seniors. He should be applauded for his efforts. The New Hampshire Medical Society and other interested parties, including insurers like Harvard Pilgrim, should work with Sen. Sununu to find a solution to avoid the physician payment cut without hurting New Hampshire’s seniors and New Hampshire’s employer community.” Charles Baker, Union Leader, 7/9/08

Senator Sununu Opposes Medicare Reductions:

The Nashua Telegraph: “Sununu and U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, both Republicans, said Tuesday that they don’t like cutting fees paid to these doctors…But they preferred a Senate alternative because along with avoiding a cut in doctors fees, it did not cut payments to privately run insurance plans offered to seniors known as Medicare Advantage. “Sununu Defends Doctor Fee-Cut Vote,”  Nashua Telegraph, 7/9/2008

The Union Leader: “[Senator Sununu] co-sponsored a bill by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, that he said carries the same reimbursement rates as the bill being debated. The bill also encourages quality data reports, electronic prescribing and other improvements.” “Sununu, Gregg Urged To Back Medicare Relief,”Union Leader, 7/9/2008

The Union Leader: “The Senate votes today on a Democratic leadership bill to postpone a 10.6 percent reduction in Medicare payments to physicians. Sununu rightly opposes the bill. Democrats and the American Medical Association say that if this bill doesn’t pass, Medicare recipients in rural areas will see big service reductions…What they don’t say is that Sen. Sununu co-sponsored a bill called the Preserving Access to Medicare Act, which postpones for 18 months the reduction in Medicare payments while increasing those payments in the meantime. It also increases Medicare funding for rural hospitals and physicians.” “Medicare Myths: Dems At It Again”, Union Leader, 7/9/2008

The Democrat Leadership In Washington Is Playing Politics With Medicare Funding For New Hampshire Seniors:

The Nashua Telegraph: “According to published reports, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, of Nevada, rejected a compromise that Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, had worked out and decided to bring the House bill to a vote.” “Sununu Defends Doctor Fee-Cut Vote,”Nashua Telegraph, 7/9/2008

The Union Leader: “Sununu said HR 6331 will hurt roughly 8,000 New Hampshire seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. He said a bipartisan deal on the entire issue was reached months ago, but fell apart when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid decided ëto make political hay out of this.'” “Sununu, Gregg Urged To Back Medicare Relief,”Union Leader, 7/9/2008

U.S. Senator Judd Gregg: “We could do this, we could straighten it out, it’s all about politics, it is all about an election year, trying to force some Republicans like Senator Sununu, to make it a political vote.” “Sununu Defends Doctor Fee-Cut Vote, ” Nashua Telegraph, 7/9/2008

Posted in Local NH Politics | Leave a comment

Lynch wants more money–anyone surprised?

In a article from the Nashua Telegraph Gov. Lynch is requesting additional Home heating assistance from the Federal Government for the upcoming winter.  He’s begging for 50 million from the Feds instead of our usual 25 million dollar allotment of tax payer funded assistance.   I’m sure this will tie in nicely in the years to come as his executive decision to anchor New Hampshire to the Regional Green House Gas initiative, a local Cap and Trade scam, drives all of our energy prices ever higher.  Are we going to ask for federal assistance for that too?

Over at Jeanne Shaheen’s web site she’s running on a policy of energy independence.  We could burn wood-chip ethanol, or install giant windmills across the North-Country-I’m sure that would attract more tourists, while covering about 4% of our actual energy needs.  Or maybe John Lynch and New Hampshire could actually set an example for everyone else by weaning itself off the Federal dole.   Of course we would have to mange our budget so that instead of the State government burning money, we could afford our own in-state heating assistance so that the poor folks could burn whatever it is you Democrats are telling us will be replacing oil just about any day now.  Then we wouldn’t have to go beggin to the Federal government for help.

Live Free or Die, you know?

Posted in Local NH Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Souter gets a room all his own. Too bad it isn’t padded.

Supreme Court Justice David Souter attended a ceremony at the New Hampshire Supreme Court today, where a conference room was dedicated to him.  It was not padded, nor do I beleive did it have metal bars.  Pity.

 

“I don’t think David ever has forgotten that no matter how esoteric and macro the issue, sooner or later it intercedes and interacts with real persons living their real lives,” said Tom Rath, a former state attorney general and friend

Tom Rath must of drank too much Kool-Aid.   Tell that happy story to the people who lost KELO v. New London.  Those living persons saw their real lives get the shaft thanks to Justice Souter, who joined the 5-4 majority in approving one of the most blatant disregards for personal property rights to come down from the high court in my lifetime.

That doesn’t mean he isn’t a great guy.   I just hope you didn’t have a ceremonial prayer before the dedication.  That would look bad.

Posted in Local NH Politics, National Politics & Policy, New Hampshire News | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Walls of Seperation

It is quite evident that the Left prefers centralized authority.  You are, after all, what you vote for.  And when we examine their policies every one of them moves most or all of the decision making process to Washington.  This kind of top-down governance erodes local control.  It abrogates the opportunity for the more personal relationship one might otherwise have—or feel inclined to exercise—with those in charge.  It makes the process of seeking a redress of grievances not just difficult but almost impossible.  It builds a political “wall of separation” between the rulers and the ruled protecting the whimsy of the rulers from  the unwashed masses.   This is, ironically enough, the very thing our constitution was enacted to prevent.  But the left will do anything to convince us it is not.

The left favors the wall of separation.  They use it to separate us into races, classes, religions, and genders.   They then define these differences through policy, and insist on legislation that calcifies our differences into the law of the land so that there can be no denying that these differences exist.  They erect another wall based on income, separating good labor from bad, defining what profits are best left to those whose labors bore them out, and whose must be sacrificed to their legislative priorities.   They redistribute the product of that labor  to shore up their social engineering, to buttress the walls they have erected to separate us, always in favor of the classes who just happen to vote for them more often than against them.  They spend it on policies that centralize power and separate people, and are comfortable supporting polices that collect more.  And as long as we are separated by them, they can continue to use our money to centralize power.  It is what they want.  It is what they do.

Continue reading

Posted in Political Thought | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Change we can…Change!

Obama’s slight stagger–stumble, fall, trip, stagger–ever so slightly towards the center has required him to “tweak” so many of his earlier positions that he’s turned into some kind of policy drunk.  Let’s call it “Change we may have had a bit too much of”  And while the “Free Press” is supposed to pull him over now and again and apply some kind of sobriety test–to, you know, keep him honest–all we ever hear is,   “No, no, he’s still OK to drive!” 

So while The Obama-Slide™ (cue music) goes to work on Iraq unchallanged–“change as fast and as often as we can get away with it™”–will it be as easy for every other Democrat running for election to just change their policy positions because Barry needs to please “some of the people?”  Sure he can make a few off hand remarks about “not making any final decisions until….” Until what?  Until you get elected?  The locals are more accountable to actual voters–they are not just people who can be swayed by polls made up by of people who agree with whatever it is they are polling.   “8 out of 10 Obama supporters registered voters agree that no matter what Michelle Obama says she really does love the country.”

But the war will be of particular interest.  If their (would-be) spiritual leader really does make any more significantly centrist declarations about Iraq–such that policy positions about where the Real War Du Jour actually is now, yesterday, tomorrow, last week, Today!–“and can I get another side of print media Bias with that please?”–will the most secure employment position in any Democratic election campaign machinery be Web Master or system administrator as “Change we can believe in” translates into overtime required just to keep up?

Usually it takes decades to watch a candidates policies develop and grow but look! just sprinkle on some of B.O’s changeyoujustdamnwellhavetoputupwith and presto! The same results faster than you can say “Chris Mathewes leg is tingling again!”  Fun for the whole family!

Someone’s gotta pay for all this nonsense, I’m just hoping it isn’t us.

Call it a hunch, but if Mr. Obama makes another change on Iraq, start cheking those web site to see who follows suit, and then nail them to the wall.  Of course the only thing more non-stick that Teflon® is a progressive.  It is after all about change.

Posted in Local NH Politics, National Politics & Policy | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Waxing Prophetic

When the people of New Hampshire exercised their general discontent with Republicans back in 2006 they,  intentionally or not,  handed all the eggs to the Democrats, who then (feeling they had been given  a mandate) attempted to hatch all manner of liberal policies with little regard to anything other than their ability to do so.   Like children left unattended too long, every kept desire was unleashed as legislation, but it is clear that this has not improved our New Hampshire advantage.

The owner of my company is looking to expand—we need more space (even in the current economy)—and he is seriously considering moving out of New Hampshire.  When I asked him why he said, “well, New Hampshire has this tax on business, and because of how much we have to pay now, (it keeps getting more expensive) Massachusetts is becoming quite competitive as a possible location for us.”

I haven’t looked into just how much that tax is—it didn’t seem appropriate to ask the man, it is his money—but when a multi-million dollar company with 25 employees wants to grow into a bigger company with 35 employees—or 50—or 100, the last thing I want to hear it let’s grow to Massachusetts.  It’s a clear sign that something is wrong with the environment but it’s not the one the Democrats are wasting all their time trying to tend.  The good earth of New Hampshire has been spoiled by shortsighted liberal policies.

Continue reading

Posted in Local NH Politics, National Politics & Policy, Political Thought | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Morse Code

Fred Morse continues his campaign of class warfare against Senators Gregg and Sununu, this time in the July 5th Union Leader. He insists that they are elitists because they had “a disingenuous reason” for voting against “emergency food for the needy” and “food stamps allocations for the poor.”  That reason was, to quote Mr. Morse, “that somewhere in the bill there were benefits for a few rich farmers.”  He never mentions that “the bill” was the 290 Billion dollar pork-laden farm bill or that the “benefit” was 25 billion dollars.

 It might have hamstrung his objections to site specific details, like that the bulk of recipients don’t even earn their living as farmers, or that most of that 25 billion will go to corporate farmers who earn $200,000 per year or more.   He must believe we are incapable of funding these necessary programs for “the poor” without a 25 Billion dollar tip to an industry flush with cash.  This is the fiscal equivalent of hiding weapons in orphanages to protect them from attack. 

Mr. Morse’ hypocrisy can be further demonstrated;  Imagine if our Senators had voted for a 290 billion dollar funding bill that included 25 billion dollars in subsidies to the oil companies, but just happened to have a food stamp appropriation tied to it—would he be praising them for having the sense to “provide increased food stamp allocations to people who need it?”  He’d be burning them in effigy.  And they’d still be elitists.

So what other detials did Mr. Morse leave out?

Continue reading

Posted in Local NH Politics, National Politics & Policy, NH Senate race | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Renew your citizenship and take the test.

Celebrate independence day and renew your citizenship. 

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

Here’s a link to the test given to those seeking citizenship in the US.

I got 100%.  I get to stay.  Good luck!

(I’ll post more difficult tests in the future.)

[Updated]

Like this one. Much more challenging.

I got 48 out of 54.

Posted in Political Thought | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Live Free or Die

Patrick Henry  (Follow link for the Audio version)      

Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Continue reading

Posted in Local NH Politics, Political Thought | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Save the Middle class with sunshine and hot air.

The latest radio ad to hit New Hampshire is pushing the Renewable Energy and Job creation act. (HR 6049) The bill was sponsored by Charles Rangel (D-NY).  **Warning** , **Warning** but failed to get through the Senate.

>The premise of the ad is that our Senators are giving money to big oil.

>Profits by big oil are bad (even though the government makes more from the same oil in taxes)

A woodchuk named Ethanol>Creating renewable energy instead of fossil fuel energy is good, and it will create jobs ‘for the middle class.” (Like Shaheen’s woodchuck ethanol–I mean wood-chip ethanol.  It’ll save us all, hallelujah)

While I wouldn’t give money to “big oil” the Democrats just gave at least 17 billion in the farm bill to people who don’t actually do any farming, so I’m not sure they are in any position to complain.

Continue reading

Posted in Local NH Politics, National Politics & Policy, NH Senate race, taxes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment