A great man has passed today, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy. He was considered, rightly, "the lion of the senate." During his tenure, the Senate passed hundreds of bills that affected, positively, the lives of millions. Although considered a proud liberal, still he was able to cross party lines and effectuate bipartisan legislation like, the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act. Still, the questions remains. Who shall become the "New Lion of the Senate?" After all, the pride must continue.
Many political pundits assume that the "lion" must come from the aisles of the left. Not so fast. What about GOP moderates like Senators Snowe or Collins? Or could the next lion come from the conservative caucus? How about Senators McCain or Graham? Remember, Senator Graham was bold enough to place his stamp of approval for Justice Sotomayor. The man does have that "it" factor. The kind that grabs people's attention and hold it. And let's not forget, he was a member of that famous Gang of 14 in the Senate.
But, what about the left? Who has the gravitas? The courage? The command presence? How about independent Senator Bernie Sanders? Probably not, because although he caucuses with the democrats, still he is neither republican or democrat. He is sort of an outcast, and an outcast can never lead the pride.
The next lion must be an unorthodox man. A man who defeated long odds to get elected to the most coveted, and sought after position in this Nation, excluding the presidency. That man is Senator Al Franken!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Cash for Clunkers! Cash for Veterans!
When its war time, this country has so much respect and love for the troops. But, after the war ends and the troop returns as a disabled veteran, somehow the love isn't as strong.
There are thousands of veterans suffering physical and psychological injuries sustained during a war. Many have filed disability claims with the VA and have yet to be paid a dime. In many cases, the wait has extended into years. Some veterans have even died awaiting benefits. Why does it have to be like this? Why would a nation, who claims to hold its troops in such high honor and esteem, allow its veteran to suffer so indignantly?
True, there is another Administration in the White House, and there have been some improvement in claims processing. Still, there remains a long line of veterans who have been waiting and waiting and waiting. Its time for a change, and that change must happen right now!
The one thing that the Government has demonstrated since this economic disaster began is the ability to response swiftly. It took the Congress and the White House about a week to pass emergency legislation to extend the "cash for clunkers" program. Now its time for the same Congress and White House to extend immediate help to its disabled veteran. The legislation should include the following:
"On or before September 11, 2009, a 'Cash for Veterans' emergency disability payment shall be enacted. All veterans who have filed disability claims, and have been approved, and who have been waiting no less than 12 months for payment, shall be entitled to receive an expedited lump-sum payment. In accordance with the Act, the veteran shall present his VA identification card, along with proper photo ID, and a certified VA/DOD awards document (i.e., letter) to any full service bank. The full service bank shall examine and accept these documents as proof of the veteran's award status; and thus issue the veteran a stipend equal to the lump-sum award amount shown in the certified VA/DOD awards letter. The full service bank shall bill the treasury for reimbursement of said stipends."
This is how our veterans can be honored. This is the right thing to do. Just do it and do it now!
There are thousands of veterans suffering physical and psychological injuries sustained during a war. Many have filed disability claims with the VA and have yet to be paid a dime. In many cases, the wait has extended into years. Some veterans have even died awaiting benefits. Why does it have to be like this? Why would a nation, who claims to hold its troops in such high honor and esteem, allow its veteran to suffer so indignantly?
True, there is another Administration in the White House, and there have been some improvement in claims processing. Still, there remains a long line of veterans who have been waiting and waiting and waiting. Its time for a change, and that change must happen right now!
The one thing that the Government has demonstrated since this economic disaster began is the ability to response swiftly. It took the Congress and the White House about a week to pass emergency legislation to extend the "cash for clunkers" program. Now its time for the same Congress and White House to extend immediate help to its disabled veteran. The legislation should include the following:
"On or before September 11, 2009, a 'Cash for Veterans' emergency disability payment shall be enacted. All veterans who have filed disability claims, and have been approved, and who have been waiting no less than 12 months for payment, shall be entitled to receive an expedited lump-sum payment. In accordance with the Act, the veteran shall present his VA identification card, along with proper photo ID, and a certified VA/DOD awards document (i.e., letter) to any full service bank. The full service bank shall examine and accept these documents as proof of the veteran's award status; and thus issue the veteran a stipend equal to the lump-sum award amount shown in the certified VA/DOD awards letter. The full service bank shall bill the treasury for reimbursement of said stipends."
This is how our veterans can be honored. This is the right thing to do. Just do it and do it now!
Speak Plain Mr. President! Please!
I do believe that President Obama sometimes gives the general public too much credit with understanding the english vocabulary. For example, when he conducted a AARP townhall, a caller asked about the "death panels." He said that this would be "kind of morbid." Some people talk like this all the time, but many, many americans don't and would never use words like "morbid" in their every day conversation.
The White House should send grouplets to the deep south, for example, and have them attend Sunday morning services in old-fashion-good-ole-boy-fire-and-brimstone baptist churches. Pay close attention to the words used by these preachers--which is, very simple and very emotional. These people use simple vernacular to communicate effectively with their flock. Likewise, President Obama--and his surrogates--should do the same to communicate effectively to this Nation.
Do's and Don'ts:
1. Don't say, "That would be kind of morbid". Do say, "That would be horrible, and if anyone tells you I want this, they are lying! Don't let people lie to you."
2. Don't say, "The other side has distorted information." Do say, "When Senator Grassley said that real healthcare reform would 'pull the plug on grandma', then he is not telling the truth. Don't just take my word for it, read the House bill for yourself. Its on the Internet."
3. Don't say, "The public option is a viable plan." Do say, "This public option is going to lower your premiums. Isn't that what you want? Better coverage and lower premiums? Check out the facts. Don't let people lie to you."
4. If a questioners asks, "How can the private insurance companies compete against the government?" Do say, "Insurance companies have been around before this country was founded, I have every confidence that they will compete successfully. Now, they may have to cut expenese. For example, maybe their top-executives will have to live on $2 million per year salary instead of $100 million. Maybe they will be limited to buying 2 houses instead of 4 or 5."
Please sir, talk to the country. Speak plainly. Keep it very, very simple. No lectures. Keep the answers short, direct and forceful.
The White House should send grouplets to the deep south, for example, and have them attend Sunday morning services in old-fashion-good-ole-boy-fire-and-brimstone baptist churches. Pay close attention to the words used by these preachers--which is, very simple and very emotional. These people use simple vernacular to communicate effectively with their flock. Likewise, President Obama--and his surrogates--should do the same to communicate effectively to this Nation.
Do's and Don'ts:
1. Don't say, "That would be kind of morbid". Do say, "That would be horrible, and if anyone tells you I want this, they are lying! Don't let people lie to you."
2. Don't say, "The other side has distorted information." Do say, "When Senator Grassley said that real healthcare reform would 'pull the plug on grandma', then he is not telling the truth. Don't just take my word for it, read the House bill for yourself. Its on the Internet."
3. Don't say, "The public option is a viable plan." Do say, "This public option is going to lower your premiums. Isn't that what you want? Better coverage and lower premiums? Check out the facts. Don't let people lie to you."
4. If a questioners asks, "How can the private insurance companies compete against the government?" Do say, "Insurance companies have been around before this country was founded, I have every confidence that they will compete successfully. Now, they may have to cut expenese. For example, maybe their top-executives will have to live on $2 million per year salary instead of $100 million. Maybe they will be limited to buying 2 houses instead of 4 or 5."
Please sir, talk to the country. Speak plainly. Keep it very, very simple. No lectures. Keep the answers short, direct and forceful.
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