In response to my recent post on Moderate American Muslims ... a recipient of that email wrote back ... at the end is my reply
I find it hard to believe there are no moderate Muslims because of the
butchering of this family. It is more likely that the moderate Muslims are more
afraid if the extremists find out they have taken a side other then theirs.
Cowardly? Possibly. It's hard for me to accept an all or nothing point of
view. One would hope whether they fear of retaliation or not they would still
come forward and denounce any wrong doing by one of their own.
Powerless and isolated within their own mosques it's not hard to understand
the silence. Labeling the masses in any religion is just as wrong as them not
coming forward and denouncing the murders and wrong doings. Our history as
Jews surely shows this.
We are watching history take place in the Middle East. Should we be
concerned with the fundamentalists taking control (God Forbid)? Absolutely! I
pray that wont happen as I know all Jews do. Iran is our biggest threat to
having this happen.
I find no advantage in further isolating the American moderate Muslims
(however many there are here) considering the line they are walking. Although I
would like to see more of them step up and take the risk that their brothers
in arms are willing to die for.
I believe we have a unique opportunity to help free these regime burdened
peoples in the middle east and around the world. We should embrace the
opportunity and have faith our way of life is what they're truly after and not
the annihilation of our peoples because of our race color or creed.
In the end result only history will tell and as much as we would like to
believe we can control the outcome we are all powerless to a peaceful end. I
truly believe that without a good freedom fight by the parties affected
there can be no basis for a continued peaceful future. Look at what our own
country went thru and how many Veterans died for because they believed our way
of life was worth dying for!
Peace = Compassion and Kindness
In reply:
While what you say has merit ... the problem is that we are being naive to thing that they only reason they do not stand up is fear for their lives ... in the United States there are Muslim organizations and they do not speak out on these issues against violence except for the token response just like the Palestinian leadership ... they say it nicely in English and turn around and in Arabic say congratulations ... Saudi Arabia provides a stipend for families of suicide bombers ... American TV talks about the modern progressive very small minority of Arabs who are educated ... unfortunately they are not in leadership positions nor are they likely to be in one in our life times ... the spot light does not shine on Palestinian schools, television and media that depicts Jews as vermin ... it does not point out that in Egypt for the entire time of the peace treaty Mubarak never did anything but lip service to promote peace with Israel ... neither in the education system nor in the newspapers - he allowed Israel and Jews to be the demon that was causing all the problems of the land ...
So, I am not denouncing any vast majority of any group ... I am just sick of the public and the Media speaking about Moderate Muslim Arabs ... remember they consider Assad of Syria a moderate as he murders his own people and continues military rule over his people.
If there really are moderates let the speak out in English and Arabic ... and let the Media report reality not the fiction they would hope might be reality
Yes, there is some very small glimmer of hope but remember the same American group that went and determined that the Taliban could be a positive influence ... the CIA ... are now interviewing the rebels in Libya ... there track record is not so good ... remember they did not see the over throw of the Shah of Iran ... the dictator we put in power .... they did not see any of these revolts coming ... so their track record and judgement is questionable
these are scary times and it is important to shine the light on the darkness ...
respectfully
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Moderate American Muslims
Reading the news lately and for the most part that would be newspapers, news weekly magazines both in print as well as online a couple a thought has been reconfirmed.
There are no moderate Muslims in America … there is no Peace Now Muslim Movement.
How do I arrive at this conclusion? Let us go back a short while ago. There is a particular bigoted pastor in Florida who by his own reading of his religious text determined that it would be proper to desecrate another religions holy book. He decided that it would be proper as a Christian to burn a copy of the Koran and burn it in as public a manner as he could. Prior to his declaration, pretty much no one outside his community had ever heard of him. The next step was for the media to make this a real event by broadcasting it all over the world. The Pentagon and State Department were interviewed. Apparently, no one in his religious order above told him that this would not be a very Christian thing to do and even if they did … he did it anyway.
Now, I want to be very clear. He was absolutely wrong on so many counts. The Koran is a book, a symbol. The Koran is on the same level with the Jewish Torah - the Five Books of Moses - and the Christian New Testament. So, the pastor was wrong.
Almost a year later, Afghan Muslims finally get the word about what happened in northern Florida. Apparently their CNN and Fox News is delay or censored. Well, they got the news and then decided the appropriate response would be to murder seven (7) United Nations workers and seriously wound over 80 more people.
Now burning holy book is bad but murdering people because of it certainly worse.
In all of those news outlets, I did not read about or hear about one American Muslim group denouncing these murders. Not one real outcry against senseless murders which was supposedly because of the burning.
A couple of weeks ago, there was another incident you may have missed it because Time Magazine did not cover it and most news outlets buried in deep within their publications. Palestinian Arab Muslim terrorists broke into a Jewish home in the middle of the night and butchered both parents. Then, they murdered three small children by cutting their throats as they slept. This was a horrendous act by any definition. There is no possibility of saying that there is an excuse or justifiable reason … there is no reason that would justify the butchering of this family.
Again, you may not have heard about this gruesome murder because the media did not warrant it significantly newsworthy. It was no where near as newsworthy as some unknown pastor burning a book.
But my point is, once again there was no outcry from the moderate American Muslim community calling for an end to the murder of Jews. No American Muslim outcry for the ending of suicide bombers walking around Jerusalem looking for a good spot to blow themselves up and murder innocent civilians. No American Muslim moderates calling for the end of Palestinian rockets being launched daily against Jewish Israeli civilians.
Why not? The reason why there is no outcry, no one for the media to interview is that evidently there are no Moderate American Muslims. Don’t even ask about Liberal American Muslims. Can you imagine a counter part to the Jewish Israeli Peace Now Group … the Muslim Peace Now Movement demanding that Palestinians stop killing and accept one of the numerous offers of peace presented by numerous Israeli governments over the years. Well, apparently they do not exist so you can not ask them.
Maybe if there were Moderate American Muslims they could start with protesting the education system in the Palestinian controlled school. The schools that continue to teach their children that the only good Jew is a dead Jew and that the Palestinian state will include Tel Aviv and Haifa. Of course, the worldwide media does not deem this newsworthy either.
The reason you do not hear these cries for Moderation is that there are NO AMERICAN MODERATE OR LIBERAL MUSLIMS only those apparently have no problem with killing United Nations workers or Jews sleeping in their bed.
Instead we get stories about young professionals in the disputed territories texting about change. Just like there are similar stories about their Egyptian counterparts. We get these stories as if they were meaningful. In Egypt the Muslim Brotherhood is poised to take control and in Gaza Hamas murders its opponents. Text away young Arab professionals about how you want change but keep in mind you will get no support from AMERICAN MODERATE OR LIBERAL MUSLIMS because they do not exist.
There are no moderate Muslims in America … there is no Peace Now Muslim Movement.
How do I arrive at this conclusion? Let us go back a short while ago. There is a particular bigoted pastor in Florida who by his own reading of his religious text determined that it would be proper to desecrate another religions holy book. He decided that it would be proper as a Christian to burn a copy of the Koran and burn it in as public a manner as he could. Prior to his declaration, pretty much no one outside his community had ever heard of him. The next step was for the media to make this a real event by broadcasting it all over the world. The Pentagon and State Department were interviewed. Apparently, no one in his religious order above told him that this would not be a very Christian thing to do and even if they did … he did it anyway.
Now, I want to be very clear. He was absolutely wrong on so many counts. The Koran is a book, a symbol. The Koran is on the same level with the Jewish Torah - the Five Books of Moses - and the Christian New Testament. So, the pastor was wrong.
Almost a year later, Afghan Muslims finally get the word about what happened in northern Florida. Apparently their CNN and Fox News is delay or censored. Well, they got the news and then decided the appropriate response would be to murder seven (7) United Nations workers and seriously wound over 80 more people.
Now burning holy book is bad but murdering people because of it certainly worse.
In all of those news outlets, I did not read about or hear about one American Muslim group denouncing these murders. Not one real outcry against senseless murders which was supposedly because of the burning.
A couple of weeks ago, there was another incident you may have missed it because Time Magazine did not cover it and most news outlets buried in deep within their publications. Palestinian Arab Muslim terrorists broke into a Jewish home in the middle of the night and butchered both parents. Then, they murdered three small children by cutting their throats as they slept. This was a horrendous act by any definition. There is no possibility of saying that there is an excuse or justifiable reason … there is no reason that would justify the butchering of this family.
Again, you may not have heard about this gruesome murder because the media did not warrant it significantly newsworthy. It was no where near as newsworthy as some unknown pastor burning a book.
But my point is, once again there was no outcry from the moderate American Muslim community calling for an end to the murder of Jews. No American Muslim outcry for the ending of suicide bombers walking around Jerusalem looking for a good spot to blow themselves up and murder innocent civilians. No American Muslim moderates calling for the end of Palestinian rockets being launched daily against Jewish Israeli civilians.
Why not? The reason why there is no outcry, no one for the media to interview is that evidently there are no Moderate American Muslims. Don’t even ask about Liberal American Muslims. Can you imagine a counter part to the Jewish Israeli Peace Now Group … the Muslim Peace Now Movement demanding that Palestinians stop killing and accept one of the numerous offers of peace presented by numerous Israeli governments over the years. Well, apparently they do not exist so you can not ask them.
Maybe if there were Moderate American Muslims they could start with protesting the education system in the Palestinian controlled school. The schools that continue to teach their children that the only good Jew is a dead Jew and that the Palestinian state will include Tel Aviv and Haifa. Of course, the worldwide media does not deem this newsworthy either.
The reason you do not hear these cries for Moderation is that there are NO AMERICAN MODERATE OR LIBERAL MUSLIMS only those apparently have no problem with killing United Nations workers or Jews sleeping in their bed.
Instead we get stories about young professionals in the disputed territories texting about change. Just like there are similar stories about their Egyptian counterparts. We get these stories as if they were meaningful. In Egypt the Muslim Brotherhood is poised to take control and in Gaza Hamas murders its opponents. Text away young Arab professionals about how you want change but keep in mind you will get no support from AMERICAN MODERATE OR LIBERAL MUSLIMS because they do not exist.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Mr. President Can You Explain
Mr. President, can you explain something to me? You are being asked by the Arab League and Mr. Abbas to put pressure on Israel. Their current demand is for Israel to continue its moratorium on building in the disputed territory. This is in significant part because back in 2009 your first words on the Middle East were to tell us all including the Arab world that the settlements were the great impediment to peace negotiations. So, this is their current requirement to keep the PLO at the table of direct talks to discuss the possibility of seriously discussing peace.
Now here are some of the things that I do not understand.
(1) Israel had a moratorium for nine months before Mr. Abbas would even think about talking face to face … how would an additional small number of months make difference when the first nine months had no effect? Also, why is it only two months being asked for and not ten or twelve but only the number needed to get past the November elections?
(2) All these negotiations with Mr. Abbas. Who exactly does Mr. Abbas represent anyways? His term of office ended almost two years ago, so he is not the President of anything. He does not represent Gaza because that is Hamas Land. He does not even have the support of all of the West Bank. So, why do have to even consider negotiating with him when he can not deliver anything?
(3) You are being asked to put pressure on Israel, but what pressure are you placing on Mr. Abbas or the Arab League? What does Abbas have to do besides just coming to the table? Have you demanded that at least the Palestinian Authority acknowledge Israel’s right to exist? Have you demanded that as sign of good faith Gilad Shalit be freed? What real pressure are you putting on Abbas or the Arab League? What do they have to do to move peace discussions forward?
(4) The Arabs routinely have stated that all they want is to have the Israelis move out of the settlements of Tel Aviv and Haifa. The land the Arabs want for peace is 100% of Israel. So, Mr. President, what is it that Israel needs to compromise?
(5) The Palestinians teach their children that the only good Jew / Israeli is a dead one. It is on their TV and in their schools. Have you demanded that the PA changes the school curriculum to show Israel on the map? So, what are you asking Mr. Abbas to do?
We know what Israel must do to move peace forward, they must continue to put their security in jeopardy but what exactly must Mr. Abbas do to move peace forward in your opinion?
Now here are some of the things that I do not understand.
(1) Israel had a moratorium for nine months before Mr. Abbas would even think about talking face to face … how would an additional small number of months make difference when the first nine months had no effect? Also, why is it only two months being asked for and not ten or twelve but only the number needed to get past the November elections?
(2) All these negotiations with Mr. Abbas. Who exactly does Mr. Abbas represent anyways? His term of office ended almost two years ago, so he is not the President of anything. He does not represent Gaza because that is Hamas Land. He does not even have the support of all of the West Bank. So, why do have to even consider negotiating with him when he can not deliver anything?
(3) You are being asked to put pressure on Israel, but what pressure are you placing on Mr. Abbas or the Arab League? What does Abbas have to do besides just coming to the table? Have you demanded that at least the Palestinian Authority acknowledge Israel’s right to exist? Have you demanded that as sign of good faith Gilad Shalit be freed? What real pressure are you putting on Abbas or the Arab League? What do they have to do to move peace discussions forward?
(4) The Arabs routinely have stated that all they want is to have the Israelis move out of the settlements of Tel Aviv and Haifa. The land the Arabs want for peace is 100% of Israel. So, Mr. President, what is it that Israel needs to compromise?
(5) The Palestinians teach their children that the only good Jew / Israeli is a dead one. It is on their TV and in their schools. Have you demanded that the PA changes the school curriculum to show Israel on the map? So, what are you asking Mr. Abbas to do?
We know what Israel must do to move peace forward, they must continue to put their security in jeopardy but what exactly must Mr. Abbas do to move peace forward in your opinion?
Mr. Lowe ... do you really understand?
Originally written 06-08-10 and printed in the Sun Sentinel
Mr. Lowe your cartoon about an alternative statement by Helen Thomas displays a complete misunderstanding about her statement. You improperly equate sending Palestinian Arabs to an Arab country with sending Jews back to Poland and Germany.
You state your “what if Helen Thomas said” sending the Palestinian Arabs to say anyone of the 22 Arab countries is equal to sending Jews back to countries that did in fact kill 6 million Jews.
You overlook some facts (1) Hamas, ruling Gaza has as its prime credo that Israel be wiped off the map and all the Jews killed. (2) The Palestinian Authority promotes elementary school education curriculum that it is their goal to reclaim 100% of Palestine including Tel Aviv and Haifa driving the Jews into the sea. These would be the same Palestinian Authority and Hamas that Ms. Thomas supports. Israel is not trying to wipe the Palestinians off the face of the map but the Palestinian leadership has clearly stated its goal to drive the Jews out.
Helen Thomas’s career is portrayed as the pinnacle of news journalism. Yet, now that she has been outed by her own words on video as a virulent Jew hating individual … others are coming forward stating that they have known for years of her opinion. People who have the hatred clearly demonstrated by Ms. Thomas’ words should not be celebrated or held us as role models. They are people who are what America is supposed to stand against.
Mr. Lowe your cartoon about an alternative statement by Helen Thomas displays a complete misunderstanding about her statement. You improperly equate sending Palestinian Arabs to an Arab country with sending Jews back to Poland and Germany.
You state your “what if Helen Thomas said” sending the Palestinian Arabs to say anyone of the 22 Arab countries is equal to sending Jews back to countries that did in fact kill 6 million Jews.
You overlook some facts (1) Hamas, ruling Gaza has as its prime credo that Israel be wiped off the map and all the Jews killed. (2) The Palestinian Authority promotes elementary school education curriculum that it is their goal to reclaim 100% of Palestine including Tel Aviv and Haifa driving the Jews into the sea. These would be the same Palestinian Authority and Hamas that Ms. Thomas supports. Israel is not trying to wipe the Palestinians off the face of the map but the Palestinian leadership has clearly stated its goal to drive the Jews out.
Helen Thomas’s career is portrayed as the pinnacle of news journalism. Yet, now that she has been outed by her own words on video as a virulent Jew hating individual … others are coming forward stating that they have known for years of her opinion. People who have the hatred clearly demonstrated by Ms. Thomas’ words should not be celebrated or held us as role models. They are people who are what America is supposed to stand against.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Pay The Piper Or How You Pay a Penalty for Glut
It hit me this weekend like a blinding ray of light. So, I pass this along to you Mr. President and your allies. Here a couple of ideas to pay for a portion of your desire to force us to take the exact health insurance plan mandated by Congress for us but not them. Yes, Congress and the we understand that you, Mr. President and Congress will continue to get the Rolls Royce of health insurance plans while we struggle to pay our own premiums for policies designed by Congress who obviously know better than we do about what we need or can afford.
So here our two options:
1. Fat Tax. More Americans are obese than ever before. More Americans are obese than any other country. The result is that these specific people cost the rest of us extra on our health insurance. This fact is well documented by many sources. Around thirty-two percent of Americans are deemed obese compared with between 10 and 20% of other major nations who provide universal coverage. According to the source of all knowledge, Wikipedia "Obesity is associated with many diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties during sleep, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive dietary calories, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility, though a limited number of cases are due solely to genetics, medical reasons or psychiatric illness." So, lets tax these people who are a significant cause of our high heath care costs. Tax them by the pound. Now, before you get your snoot in an uproar, I am not talking about the slightly fat, those with a paunch in the middle to hold your beer can fat, I am singling out those who are obese. Each year, every individual would see their doctor or other authorized fat center and be weighed. This weight certificate would be attached to their tax return along with a form calculating the number of pounds you are above the prescribed normal and a tax would be added to your liability. You eat, you pay.
2. The Glutton Wage Tax. Everyone understands that the people at the top make more than people at the bottom. It is understood that without the proper leadership a company will go nowhere. Other the other hand, a company that is losing money should not be paying large bonuses to the top management. A real factor on the Gluttony Scale is the ratio between the top and the bottom. So, lets pick a figure of say 200. As long as the top people do not make more than 200 times the individuals on the bottom, everything is fine. If, on the other hand, the top people are making more than 200 times the bottom layer, a luxury tax would kick in, just like the sports teams pay. When I am talking about compensation, I mean total compensation including perks for all kinds ... from extra pension plans, stock options, first class air travel, car, driver, use of vacation spots, every benefit paid for people would be included in the Glutton Wage Tax calculation. The tax would be 100% of the compensation over the 200 level. We are not talking about making the dollars not deductible but instead a dollar for dollar tax that is paid regardless of other income tax that the company may pay. So, if a company feels their top brass is worth more than 200 times the janitor ... well, they would pay a luxury glutton tax.
So, Mr. President send these ideas to the appropriate committees and have them flesh out the details. Just remember, whatever they determine is best for America should be certainly good enough for you and Congress since you all work for America. Just like public education is good enough for us ... it should be good enough for yours and the Congresses' children but that is another subject entirely.
So here our two options:
1. Fat Tax. More Americans are obese than ever before. More Americans are obese than any other country. The result is that these specific people cost the rest of us extra on our health insurance. This fact is well documented by many sources. Around thirty-two percent of Americans are deemed obese compared with between 10 and 20% of other major nations who provide universal coverage. According to the source of all knowledge, Wikipedia "Obesity is associated with many diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties during sleep, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive dietary calories, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility, though a limited number of cases are due solely to genetics, medical reasons or psychiatric illness." So, lets tax these people who are a significant cause of our high heath care costs. Tax them by the pound. Now, before you get your snoot in an uproar, I am not talking about the slightly fat, those with a paunch in the middle to hold your beer can fat, I am singling out those who are obese. Each year, every individual would see their doctor or other authorized fat center and be weighed. This weight certificate would be attached to their tax return along with a form calculating the number of pounds you are above the prescribed normal and a tax would be added to your liability. You eat, you pay.
2. The Glutton Wage Tax. Everyone understands that the people at the top make more than people at the bottom. It is understood that without the proper leadership a company will go nowhere. Other the other hand, a company that is losing money should not be paying large bonuses to the top management. A real factor on the Gluttony Scale is the ratio between the top and the bottom. So, lets pick a figure of say 200. As long as the top people do not make more than 200 times the individuals on the bottom, everything is fine. If, on the other hand, the top people are making more than 200 times the bottom layer, a luxury tax would kick in, just like the sports teams pay. When I am talking about compensation, I mean total compensation including perks for all kinds ... from extra pension plans, stock options, first class air travel, car, driver, use of vacation spots, every benefit paid for people would be included in the Glutton Wage Tax calculation. The tax would be 100% of the compensation over the 200 level. We are not talking about making the dollars not deductible but instead a dollar for dollar tax that is paid regardless of other income tax that the company may pay. So, if a company feels their top brass is worth more than 200 times the janitor ... well, they would pay a luxury glutton tax.
So, Mr. President send these ideas to the appropriate committees and have them flesh out the details. Just remember, whatever they determine is best for America should be certainly good enough for you and Congress since you all work for America. Just like public education is good enough for us ... it should be good enough for yours and the Congresses' children but that is another subject entirely.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Life and Its Updates
Software allows for upgrades. Pay a fee once a year or maybe every couple of years and wallah ... your state of the art up-to-date raring to go. You are new born. You are refreshed with the latest and greatest stuff your software could do. Allows you to get the most out of your investment. Could I apply for a software upgrade for my body and or mind?
Imagine the possibilities!
But what if your on the wrong base? Your parents were into LSD and hard rock ... or bubble gum and comic books. It might be like be on Windows versus MAC ... when what you want now is something cool like Linux or Solaris/Open Solaris or something simple like Unix. Solaris does sound cool. Hi, my mind operates the Open Solaris ... how about you?
Oh well, stuck with the same operating system ... and no software upgrades except the old fashion manual reset button. Get up tomorrow and actually do something different.
Imagine the possibilities!
But what if your on the wrong base? Your parents were into LSD and hard rock ... or bubble gum and comic books. It might be like be on Windows versus MAC ... when what you want now is something cool like Linux or Solaris/Open Solaris or something simple like Unix. Solaris does sound cool. Hi, my mind operates the Open Solaris ... how about you?
Oh well, stuck with the same operating system ... and no software upgrades except the old fashion manual reset button. Get up tomorrow and actually do something different.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Please Mr. President Helpe Me Understand
I begin my remarks with the clear understanding that you are only six months into your administration but as you and Congress move towards your summer vacation I think it is a good time to ask my question.
As way of background, I have four young sons. Young in the sense that last year they were voting in either their first or only second presidential election. All of them took particular interest in following your campaign. Each spoke strongly on why you were the clear better choice for the job of president. They heard your message of hope and change and believed that it meant something. In all honesty, I heard your message and chose the other candidate but you are the President now and we have to deal with the man in office.
So, I ask you Mr. President, with all due respect, why you appear to be working so hard to disappoint my children who thought you would represent hope and change?
Let's review:
First there was the desperate need to pass the Stimulus Package by February 14th or the world would come to an end. You left self proclaimed important matter totally in the hands of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. What we got was not clearly not a stimulus package but pent-up demand for financing all the liberal Democratic ideas with little or no stimulus. In fact as of recently, there has been only tens of billions spent in stimulus with the remaining spread out over the next year and a half. Why the rush? Would not your leadership have turned this into more stimulus earlier when it is needed? Wouldn't this have been a time to engage the Republicans as you promised?
Then came the rush to Cap N Trade. Again, little time for thoughtful debate or public input. Again, you delegated the complex details to the team of Pelosi and Reid. Again, we have what is now being characterized as a poorly thought through plan with little or not thought to the consequences of the legislature.
You have shown that words matter. People listen to you when you speak because you speak well. So, we know that words have meaning to you and how have you used this power. Well, you ended the Global War on Terror ... instead we now have "Overseas Contingency Operations". We have form your OMB Director on February 26th ... "the budget shows the combined cost of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and any other overseas contingency operations that may be necessary". Your assistant secretary of the Air Force told Congress ... "key battlefield monetary incentives has allowed the Air Force to meet the demands of overseas contingency operations even as requirements continue to grow". So, you change the language as if the issues are now different.
You promised to close Gitmo. Again, your bold public promise with no thought to how it would be done and who would pay for it. So far, your friends in Congress have said no. No money and your not moving those people to my district. Your friends in Europe and Asia have also said for all practical purposes no. Oh they might take one or two but you have several hundreds to deal with and no place to send them. Again, promises without thought.
Health Care is of course the latest demonstration that indirect incomplete speeches are your stock in trade. You speak loudly of the need for reform and yet no where do you or your representatives present specifics of any meaningful reform. You promised in your campaign that legislature would have a 48 to 72 hour reading period before being voted on. You promised that important legislature would have meaningful public input. You promised that you would listen to voices that disagreed with you. The House voted on an 1,100 page proposal with only a few hours of advance notice ... no reading time. The CBO did not have time to score the proposal but again Nancy Pelosi wanted to meet your arbitrary deadline so promises be forgotten.
You tell seniors don't worry their Medicare coverage will be okay. The tens of billions in cuts will not effect their coverage. Who will effect? Oh, the doctors who now must see many patients providing small amounts of time and according to you prescribing unnecessary tests will not receive less money per patient and be penalized for prescribing tests. So can you explain in simple terms how this will improve medical care? You belittle the health care industry for unnecessary procedures and inefficient services and what do you offer? Better computer records is your primary answer. Now electronic medical records are nice but the complete answer ... I think not. You go to Cleveland Medical Clinic to tell the world that they are a shining example of how things should be. Yet, they are not a teaching facility like many hospitals. They are a place where doctors are not in practice for themselves but all employees of one big organization. Is this your goal? If so, please state it clearly and do not hide your intentions.
The CBO Director has read through the legislature being proposed. His analysis says it will not reduce costs as you said it would. His analysis says it will not be revenue neutral as you said it would. In fact his analysis says it will increase medical care costs and cost almost $300 Billion more over the next 10 years. Your answer when questioned about this disparity ... "I don't agree with his assessment". You provide no details, no support ... just "I don't agree".
You label those who agree with you as "stakeholders" and those who disagree as "special interests". You claim the Republicans are road blocks, yet you, Pelosi and Reid do not engage them in conversation. Do you have a Richard Nixon enemies list?
Mr. President, you are the President of the entire United States. People voted for you on the belief that you are a smart man who would do things differently. The hope was that you would lead the country into a new, better day. We acknowledge that you started with a terrible economic situation, two wars and a world that really does not like us. What have you given us? You have delegated leadership to highly partisan Congressional officials. You have done as you promised and pushed extremely liberal legislature but that agenda seems to be afraid of meaningful hearings. The process does not allowed time to think through the consequences.
I acknowledge that this presentation does not cover every step you have made and then only domestic issues. Your foreign policy is not so wonderful ... is there a country you have not apologized to except our allies?
When you come back from your vacation Mr. President, will be there be time for thoughtful legislature. We will get time to read proposals? Will there be time for time for intelligent debate? Will you listen to and take into account dissenting opinions? Mr. President will you talk in specifics and not more generalities? You are the President and not the candidate. Mr. President you can not be all things to all people, you need to stand for something. You need to lead and not delegate that leadership. Only a handful of the nation voted for Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, more than 50% of the nation voted for you.
Mr. President, I implore you ... do not make my sons sorry they voted for you.
As way of background, I have four young sons. Young in the sense that last year they were voting in either their first or only second presidential election. All of them took particular interest in following your campaign. Each spoke strongly on why you were the clear better choice for the job of president. They heard your message of hope and change and believed that it meant something. In all honesty, I heard your message and chose the other candidate but you are the President now and we have to deal with the man in office.
So, I ask you Mr. President, with all due respect, why you appear to be working so hard to disappoint my children who thought you would represent hope and change?
Let's review:
First there was the desperate need to pass the Stimulus Package by February 14th or the world would come to an end. You left self proclaimed important matter totally in the hands of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. What we got was not clearly not a stimulus package but pent-up demand for financing all the liberal Democratic ideas with little or no stimulus. In fact as of recently, there has been only tens of billions spent in stimulus with the remaining spread out over the next year and a half. Why the rush? Would not your leadership have turned this into more stimulus earlier when it is needed? Wouldn't this have been a time to engage the Republicans as you promised?
Then came the rush to Cap N Trade. Again, little time for thoughtful debate or public input. Again, you delegated the complex details to the team of Pelosi and Reid. Again, we have what is now being characterized as a poorly thought through plan with little or not thought to the consequences of the legislature.
You have shown that words matter. People listen to you when you speak because you speak well. So, we know that words have meaning to you and how have you used this power. Well, you ended the Global War on Terror ... instead we now have "Overseas Contingency Operations". We have form your OMB Director on February 26th ... "the budget shows the combined cost of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and any other overseas contingency operations that may be necessary". Your assistant secretary of the Air Force told Congress ... "key battlefield monetary incentives has allowed the Air Force to meet the demands of overseas contingency operations even as requirements continue to grow". So, you change the language as if the issues are now different.
You promised to close Gitmo. Again, your bold public promise with no thought to how it would be done and who would pay for it. So far, your friends in Congress have said no. No money and your not moving those people to my district. Your friends in Europe and Asia have also said for all practical purposes no. Oh they might take one or two but you have several hundreds to deal with and no place to send them. Again, promises without thought.
Health Care is of course the latest demonstration that indirect incomplete speeches are your stock in trade. You speak loudly of the need for reform and yet no where do you or your representatives present specifics of any meaningful reform. You promised in your campaign that legislature would have a 48 to 72 hour reading period before being voted on. You promised that important legislature would have meaningful public input. You promised that you would listen to voices that disagreed with you. The House voted on an 1,100 page proposal with only a few hours of advance notice ... no reading time. The CBO did not have time to score the proposal but again Nancy Pelosi wanted to meet your arbitrary deadline so promises be forgotten.
You tell seniors don't worry their Medicare coverage will be okay. The tens of billions in cuts will not effect their coverage. Who will effect? Oh, the doctors who now must see many patients providing small amounts of time and according to you prescribing unnecessary tests will not receive less money per patient and be penalized for prescribing tests. So can you explain in simple terms how this will improve medical care? You belittle the health care industry for unnecessary procedures and inefficient services and what do you offer? Better computer records is your primary answer. Now electronic medical records are nice but the complete answer ... I think not. You go to Cleveland Medical Clinic to tell the world that they are a shining example of how things should be. Yet, they are not a teaching facility like many hospitals. They are a place where doctors are not in practice for themselves but all employees of one big organization. Is this your goal? If so, please state it clearly and do not hide your intentions.
The CBO Director has read through the legislature being proposed. His analysis says it will not reduce costs as you said it would. His analysis says it will not be revenue neutral as you said it would. In fact his analysis says it will increase medical care costs and cost almost $300 Billion more over the next 10 years. Your answer when questioned about this disparity ... "I don't agree with his assessment". You provide no details, no support ... just "I don't agree".
You label those who agree with you as "stakeholders" and those who disagree as "special interests". You claim the Republicans are road blocks, yet you, Pelosi and Reid do not engage them in conversation. Do you have a Richard Nixon enemies list?
Mr. President, you are the President of the entire United States. People voted for you on the belief that you are a smart man who would do things differently. The hope was that you would lead the country into a new, better day. We acknowledge that you started with a terrible economic situation, two wars and a world that really does not like us. What have you given us? You have delegated leadership to highly partisan Congressional officials. You have done as you promised and pushed extremely liberal legislature but that agenda seems to be afraid of meaningful hearings. The process does not allowed time to think through the consequences.
I acknowledge that this presentation does not cover every step you have made and then only domestic issues. Your foreign policy is not so wonderful ... is there a country you have not apologized to except our allies?
When you come back from your vacation Mr. President, will be there be time for thoughtful legislature. We will get time to read proposals? Will there be time for time for intelligent debate? Will you listen to and take into account dissenting opinions? Mr. President will you talk in specifics and not more generalities? You are the President and not the candidate. Mr. President you can not be all things to all people, you need to stand for something. You need to lead and not delegate that leadership. Only a handful of the nation voted for Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, more than 50% of the nation voted for you.
Mr. President, I implore you ... do not make my sons sorry they voted for you.
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