Friday, June 26, 2009

Record-setting fireworks to cap off Fourthfest | Duluth News Tribune

Record-setting fireworks to cap off Fourthfest | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota: "Terry Mattson, CEO of Visit Duluth, said the Duluth fireworks display is “the largest pyrotechnic display in Minnesota. They have earned the reputation as the best around.”

Comparing size of the fireworks display and the shells themselves, the Duluth fireworks are second only to Chicago, Mattson said."

TakeBackMedicine

TakeBackMedicine - Home: "Physicians have stood on sidelines too long as you have watched your control over the practice of medicine taken over by politicians, insurance companies and regulators – people who have never laid a hand on a sick patient, explained to a sobbing child why she needs a “shot,” or made split-second life-or-death decisions.

They’ve never know what it’s like to have a make a decision whether to “break the rules” or do what’s best for your patient in spite of the rules.

For too long, doctors have been carrying the burden of a scheme that increasingly leaves you out of the decision-making process, and tells you that your first responsibility is to the government or insurance company, rather than your real clients, your patients."

Obama Leaves Door Open to New Tax on Health Benefits - Political News - FOXNews.com

Obama Leaves Door Open to New Tax on Health Benefits - Political News - FOXNews.com: "Hospitals were being asked to accept a reduction of roughly $155 billion over the next decade in fees they are promised under government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, according to numerous officials."

"Baucus is seeking similar concessions from nursing homes, insurance companies, medical device makers and possibly others"

Money doesn't grow on trees and neither do cost reductions. We will pay for that someway or another.

"At its heart, any legislation is expected to require insurance companies to offer coverage to any applicant, without exclusions or higher premiums for pre-existing medical conditions."

So everyone will get higher premiums.

"Current law allows those expenses to be itemized when they exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income. The proposal under review would raise that to 10 percent, officials said."

Only people with massive medical problems will be affected by this so we'll tax the hurting.

"Gerald W. McEntee, president of the 1.6 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said in an interview that union leaders believe Obama is 'a person of his word.' He was referring to Obama's opposition to taxing those benefits during last year's campaign.

'They're not going to take it,' McEntee said of workers' views of that proposal. 'They're not going to tolerate that.'"

"ABC News was the lone network broadcasting Obama's town hall -- drawing criticism from Republicans who wanted equal time.

In defense, ABC News President David Westin said the show would 'include a variety of perspectives coming from private individuals asking the president questions and taking issue with him, as they see fit.'"

So that makes it fair? Would they consider it fair to only do a Republican town hall like that?

Stop the Cap-and-Trade Bill

Campaign For Liberty — Stop the Cap-and-Trade Bill: "Supporters of the legislation are of course trying to downplay the cost of this scheme to the American people.

But if the bill does not directly and massively increase energy costs to consumers, how would it possibly achieve its stated aims?"