War Gear Flows to Police Departments (FC)

 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/09/us/war-gear-flows-to-police-departments.html?hp&_r=0

                 
 The New York Times did a report on local police departments across the nation being armed with military style weapons; this is because of the whining down of the Afghanistan war and the ending of the Iraq war. I came up with two different views of my own, and how I really feel about  the situation. 


                


Point 1. No way is such heavy duty weaponry needed by a police department, unless the police across our nation are declaring war on its citizens. Furthermore, many small town police departments have either minimally-trained or untrained locals in a uniform who haven't a clue about the use of such weapons. Like so many other outmoded or disused weapons of war, they need to be safely destroyed by the military.

Point 2- I don't see the problem if police departments want to recycle unused military gear. Better that it has a second life than it gets turned into scrap metal. Taxpayers should remember that they paid for all this stuff. Plus, you can't expect the bad guys to follow the rules - you have to be prepared for anything. As the saying goes: better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Gear is in itself not evil, its just a tool bag. As long as police officers always keep the constitution front and center when they do their jobs, I don't see the harm.

Point 3- While I believe the current intentions of the vast majority of police departments in this country remains to be protect and serve the community, it is impossible not to be alarmed by the rapid armament. While I admit that what I have to say in the coming sentences is purely speculative, I also believe that skepticism now is something so desperately needed in many aspects of the way we are currently conducting ourselves as a society. The amount of special interest money flowing through Washington is incomprehensible. Election to office now goes to the highest bidder. The concentration of wealth to a select small percentage made them have tremendous legislative power. The media in this country is continuing to do a tremendous job of not only keeping the vast majority of the populace uninformed, but also the gross, delusional "political divide". All the while this country evolves into something which I fear will be completely unrecognizable. We need better education. We need the re-introduction of science. We need unity, common ground, rational debate and discussion. We need skepticism, questioning, and analyzing. Who is going to question those in power when faced with tanks, tear gas, and M-16s? MY VIEW

Free Choice- Carbon Pollution Regulations

       
    The Obama administration has created a monumental climate policy that will have a huge impact on future generations and even now. President Obama will speak and announce this blueprints on the propose regulations on Monday. These proposed regulations will apply to existing power plants, which produce nearly 40 percent of the United States carbon pollution, the primary cause of climate change.



   No single action the U.S has taken to address climate change is as important as this proposal. If we can dramatically decline  power plant emissions, we can start as a nation to make a big difference in the climate fight. The U.S is in the spotlight on green-efficiency and combating climate change. As long as the America lead in combating climate change, more countries will follow like China.


 
 The Obama administration had to act unilaterally, while the Republican control Congress was tied in knots on the issue. The administration proposal is legally under the "Clean Air Act (CAA)" The Clear Air Act was passed in 1970 and 1990 both  goal is to achieved dramatic reductions in air pollution and maintain a healthy society. The courts has already declared that the EPA has the legal basis to move forward with the proposal.  While the the courts are legalizing these proposals; it ensure positive results moving forward with other proposals.


 When the proposed regulations are released tomorrow it would be a historical, thanks to President Obama and the EPA. As a nation we must combat and find ways on improving green-efficiency and climate change.

Freebie

Obama claims victory in push of rollout (FC)

Heath care has long been subsidized for those without insurance. Emergency room care for those without insurance the most expensive way to provide care with the worst outcomes is largely paid by government, with minor contributions from charity and asset stripping from those who have assets and garnishing those with wages.

Visiting a Doctor to address long-term heath problems such as asthma, high blood pressure,  and diabetes should significantly lower emergency room visits, saving government money. And much more importantly improving the lives of those newly covered.

The subsidies are strongly means tested. You can get a subsidy only if you have very little income. Otherwise, ACA is an insurance program.

Time will show how many enroll, pay, were previously insured. Time will tell how much managed medical conditions reduce emergency room visits. Time will also tell how many gratuitous deaths are caused in those states that have done all in their power to make ACA fail compared to those that have worked to save lives and improve medical outcomes. 

Time will also tell if the US, spending about twice the money per person as any other nation but in 53rd place (or thereabout) in medical outcomes can do better. (WhiteHouse.gov) The rest of the world has already shown that this can be done for fewer dollars with better results. Let's use ACA to improve lives, and reduce health care spending.

Freebie

(FC) Health Care Reform

                                                                   

       Health Care Innovation

    The Affordable Care Act also known as the Obama care. This health care law was enacted in March 2010. This health care law has been through a lot of uphill challenges but on October 1, 2013, Americans can sign up for it. As of now there is a lot of opposition against the law; regarding the Republican majority in Congress. Today marks the 6th day of the government shutdown, which Congress enforced, since the Senate refuse to defund Obama care. This law is a huge step towards fixing our broken healthcare system.

   This innovation will help improve the quality of life of many Americans.  According to www.whitehouse.gov, “The benefits of the Affordable Care Act are pretty straight forward: the law makes it easier to get insurance you can afford, ensures you have the care you need when you get sick, and covers the preventive services you need to stay healthy for free”  Also this law will expand Medicaid and decrease premiums. Health insurance companies have to be more accountable for the American people. “If they spend too much money on overhead and not enough on medical care, you get a rebate -- just like 8.5 million Americans this summer”, according to www.whitehouse.gov . The health care law requires insurers to spend at least 3/4 of their premiums dollars on medical care. Now if the insurance company spends more than 20% of American premium’s dollars on administrative cost; that will result in rebate for the difference.  A lot of lobbyist and corporate leaders disagree with this law, based on the fact its cracks down on fraud and loopholes that is costing Americans more heartache.

 This family that lives in Baltimore shows why the Affordable Care Act is a success “My family is one of the reasons why I support the Affordable Care Act. It is one of the reasons I run an organization called Young Invincible that is committed to expanding opportunity, including health care access for young adults. Health care coverage protects me, my brother, my sister,  my parents individually, but it also protects us collectively.

 My brother, Arthur, for example, grew up with terrible asthma. The asthma attacks would keep him up at nights, make even routine colds causes for worry, or send him to the doctor or hospital. For my mom, the fear and anxiety for my brother’s health would keep her up at night too, just from the anxiety and fear. Fortunately, we had good coverage and my brother got the medicine he needed to treat the condition, and avoid attacks. He has overcome that illness, and now lives in Baltimore after recently graduating from college. My brother can still get the inhalers and other medicine he needs because he is covered under my parent’s plan up to age 26. That is just one of the benefits of the ACA and has already helped over 3 million young people gain coverage.  (According to http://www.policymic.com)

    The health care law will lower the cost for families seeking health insurance.  Over the next ten years, health spending will be more efficient and less costly. In part of the loopholes that will be stop and fraud; this will make up all the expenses to go toward the health law. In New York, health care plans set fall 50%.  According to www.newyorktimes.com  “Individuals buying health insurance on their own will see their premiums tumble next year in New York State as changes under the federal health care law take effect, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Wednesday. State insurance regulators say they have approved rates for 2014 that are at least 50 percent lower on average than those currently available in New York. Beginning in October, individuals in New York City who now pay $1,000 a month or more for coverage will be able to shop for health insurance for as little as $308 monthly. With federal subsidies, the cost will be even lower. Supporters of the new healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act, credited the drop in rates to the online purchasing exchanges the law created, which they say are spurring competition among insurers that are anticipating an influx of new customers. “It’s been only six days and Americans are starting to feel comfortable with the cost.

    The Affordable Care Act will have a long-lasting impact on Americans.  Expanding Medicaid to those who are less fortunate is a remarkable way on bettering the lives of Americans. Throughout American history we have seen successful laws that have improve American health care system.  On July 30, 1965, President Johnson signed the Social Security Amendments which established Medicare and Medicaid, which provide a wide range of health and medical services for Americans of all age. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Social Security Act in 1935 which provides insurance and benefits, to those  are unemployed and retired.  Now, President Obama has reform health insurance and Medicaid, with the law “Affordable Care Act”

My proposal for clean energy (FC)

President Antwan Clark,

Clean Energy Standard

America must become more environmentally friendly. The Clean Energy Standard promotes:
1) Build foundation for a clean energy economy, tackling the issue of climate change and protecting our environment.

2) Increasing the use of energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydro power.

3) In urban communities and minority communities  manufacturing jobs, manufacturing alternative energy sources such as  making more solar panels around communities and advocating for more environmental friendly cars and technology.

4)  Manufacturing jobs that will build more energy efficient trucks, cars, and industrial complexes.

5).  The Department of Interior to approve more onshore renewable projects.

6)  The more regulation and inspection on farms, factories nuclear power plants, and oil companies.

7) Prevention on fracking that is damaging the lives of the American people.

8) The Department of Defense to provide energy efficient equipment and technology to American Armed Forces.