Ideas, Opinions, Genealogy, and Book Reviews
I have written twice about this unfair increase in Medicare premiums for some of us (Fix unfair Medicare increase and Medicare heartburn- the uneven increase).
Now AARP has written about this too. Some Medicare Premiums Could Spike explains this in much more detail than I did and also brings up a point that I never considered.
But here is how it starts: Continue reading “Medicare premiums spike for some”
I wrote about the unfair medicare increase toward the end of last month. I didn’t think much would come of it.
But 2 bills to correct this injustice have been introduced in Congress. These bills would keep Part B premiums at their current rate for all Medicare beneficiaries in 2016.
Of course congress is kind of busy these days with the debt ceiling rapidly approaching and the need to fund the government for the year that began 10 days ago. But that is just because they chose not to do these things in a timely manner. But they don’t seem to be in too much of a rush to act on either.
So maybe they will find the time to fix this unfair medicare mess.
The story of how VW lied about diesel emissions has been much in the news lately so rather than rehash that story I will begin with my personal connection. For a review of the many aspects of this corporate malfeasance, the Wikipedia article on the Volkswagen emissions scandal seems good.
Last year I was thinking about buying a new car. So I spend some time visiting a number of car dealers. One of the cars that impressed me most was the Volkswagen (VW). I test drove the Jetta diesel sports wagon. I was impressed with it but then I didn’t need all that space so maybe a Golf with one of those clean diesel engines might be good.
The salesman was a diesel enthusiast. Continue reading “VW lied and people died”
The words grabbed my attention. I can just see someone shouting “Knucklehead for President”. The “stuff happens” part also appealed to me but it was the knucklehead business that really got my attention.
The article was “Stuff Happens to the Environment, Like Climate Change” by Thomas L. Friedman (@tomfriedman) and here is how it begins: Continue reading “Knucklehead for President”
First my thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to download an advanced reader copy of “Crimson Shore” by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I have enjoyed some of Agent Pendergast books previously.
Most of the ones I’ve read have been very good. I see this is number 15 in the series and as I only have read a few earlier ones, I was eager to get re-acquainted. Continue reading “Crimson Shore by Preston & Child”
I had read two previous books by Joseph J. Ellis about the founding of the United States several years ago . I had liked these books and when I saw he had written a new book with emphasis on the transformation into a nation or the Second American Revolution, I was eager to read it.
The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution , 1783-1789 actually begins in 1781 when the final state ratifies the Articles of Confederation. This loose confederation of the states had many problems due to the supremacy of states and lack of power in the weakly united confederation that pretended to be the United States.
For example, under the Articles the confederation called the United States had no way to force the states to honor the terms of the peace treaty which ended the American Revolution. They could ask the states but some chose to ignore the request. There was no way to raise money to pay our national debt. The United States was deeply in debt from the war but could only ask the states to give it money. The requests were frequently ignored. Continue reading “The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution”
I’ve written several times this month about Congress forgetting that we owe a huge debt to the responders to the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001. Some people responded as part of the job; others were volunteers who just showed up to help.
Politicians like to say they will never forget but a bit of help to go with those sentiments would be nice. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act is one way to giving that bit of help.
I imagine congress is pretty busy today thinking about the national budget. But it seems they like last minute deals. While stalling on this, they could take up the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act.
I’m sure they will just kick the can down the road on the budget and just pass some sort of continuing resolution. But parts of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act expire at midnight tonight.
How about doing something positive today?
This is an enjoyable book. I had requested an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) of Part of Our Lives: A People’s History of the American Public Library by Wayne A. Wiegand because I like libraries. I got the ARC from NetGalley and thank them for the chance to read this book on my Kindle before publication.
I claim neither special knowledge of nor interest in librarianship, just an interest as a library user and occasional supporter. I think I may be part of the target audience since the subtitle suggests this is a “people’s history” rather than one aimed primarily at professionals. Continue reading “History of the American Public Library”
Defunding Planned Parenthood is much in the news lately. Congressman want to do it. Candidates in the Republican primary for President want to do it. But is it constitutional?
David S. Cohen, professor of law at Drexel University, says it is unconstitutional. And this article makes sense to me. You might want to read it and think about it.
I’ve been following this issue and this is the clearest explanation I’ve seen so far: Surprise! Your Medicare Part B premiums may increase by 50 percent in 2016. This article explains the financial medicare heartburn induced in a portion of the population: Continue reading “Medicare heartburn- the uneven increase”
A bit over 14 years ago on September 11, 2001 several coordinated terrorist attacks were launched on America. Americans vowed to never forget the sacrifices of those who died or were injured as a result of those attacks. Every year on 9/11 politicians make a big show that they will “Never Forget”.
Thousands of volunteers helped in the rescue and recovery. Thousands helped clean up the devastation. We will “Never Forget”.
But our Representatives and Senators in Congress seem to have forgotten. They are glad to say “never forget” in their speeches. But they seemed to forget to “Never Forget” in their actions. Continue reading “Congress forgot to “Never Forget””
Yesterday I wrote about the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act and how there are many co-sponsors but the House and Senate Bills have been stuck in committee for several months with no apparent action.
This week’s newsletter from Senator Toomey starts with a short summary of his visit to the Delaware County 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in which they “honored the brave men and women who responded to the scene in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania”. However, he did not tell us how he stands on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act . I would think this is more important that mere words. Continue reading “Senator Toomey, take a stand”
About 5 years ago, the Senate almost derailed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act which provides health care and compensation those for responders on and in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
One would think it would be a national priority to at least provide this minimal amount of aid to those who sacrificed their lives and/or health to rescue people from the collapsing and burning buildings recover bodies from the rubble, and helped clean-up so Wall Street and other American businesses could re-open.
But it doesn’t seem to be. We’ve heard plenty of political speech in this summer but not much about doing the right thing for 9/11 responders.
The website http://www.renew911health.org/news-articles-on-effort-to-renew-the-911-health-and-compensation-act/ provides an easy way to find what has been in the news on this issue.
Bills (James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act : HR 1726 and S928) were introduced in the House and Senate in April. In May the bills were referred to the appropriate committees and subcommittees. Bill have gathered co-sponsors but no floor action (debates or votes) in either branch.
If someone on these committees or in the party leadership has a problem with the legislation, why not tell us the problem or introduce a bill that would solve the problem. Why not a vote so we know who has a problem with the legislation or with the idea of giving medical care or compensation to those who sacrificed for America.
I think it a good idea to make this permanent but maybe there is some political benefit to being able to co-sponsor legislation every few years. But sometimes politicians just do the right thing.
Let’s hope they do the right thing for 9/11 responders.
Not quite a joke -just a misunderstanding with myself.
A few days ago I wrote that I was re-reading “TransAtlantic” by Colum McCann. I had read the book before my vacation in Ireland this summer. We spent our first vacation night in Cobh. I remembered a beautifully written line from TransAtlantic about Cobh. I thought now that I had been to Cobh, I would enjoy re-reading the book. It seemed to me there were quite a few great descriptions in the book in addition to the one I remembered so well.
So here is the misunderstanding. Continue reading “TransAtlantic by Colum McCann”
I had read “TransAtlantic” by Colum McCann last spring before going to Ireland on vacation. I was busy with preparations for my trip and didn’t really have the time to write a review.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book but did not realize what an impression it made on me until I was in Ireland and parts of “TransAtlantic” came to mind. So in an unusual turn of events I am reading a book for the second time in a few months.
Continue reading “TransAtlantic again”