Uncommon Common Sense

Like you, I've been mainly focused on the Holiday's recently, but I have still been paying attention to current events...I just haven't felt motivated enough to write about it. So, if you have been following the news, I want to assure you that there is NO need to be alarmed. We are in good hands. For example, after much wrangling, arm-twisting and minimal debate in the Senate, Harry Reed has finally managed to cobble together a fragile coalition in order to pass health care. But there are many reasons not to be alarmed: 1) No one has seen the actual bill yet. 2) All of the taxpayers in the U.S. will be paying an extra $10 million to the state of Nebraska in return for the Honorable Sen. Ben Nelson's vote. 3) That goes along with the $30 million, we will be sending to Louisiana for Sen. Mary Landrieu's vote. 4) Oh, and let's not forget that the White House and Democrat leadership threatened to shut down Offutt Air Force Base. "According to a Senate aide, the...

Over the last week or so, a new controversy has emerged about breast cancer screening. What has become the standard of screening over past years, has suddenly come in to question. Interestingly enough, this controversy demonstrates a perfect example of what life will be like under government health care. For years, women have been told that they should do breast self-examinations and start their mammogram screening at age 40. On November 17, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, announced new guidelines that include the following: -recommendation against women in their 40's receiving mammograms, subject to individual patient needs and doctor input -women in their 50's should receive biennial mammograms (every other year) -recommends against teaching women breast self-examination Generally, I don't have a problem with these recommendations. However, I don't have a history of breast cancer in my family. On the other hand, we all know people who do and would not...

Please read the following from the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748704795604574519671055918380-lMyQjAxMDA5MDEwNTExNDUyWj.html It is obvious that little or nothing has changed from the original House version of health care which I read a while ago. None of this is new and this bill is still junk.

You may or may not have heard through the media that thousands of protesters descended on the Capital today to voice their opposition to the government takeover of health care. I would like to thank them personally for doing so. If it had been possible for me to go, I would have been there. Thank you for representing those of us who wanted to be there. At the very moment that this rally was taking place, Pres. Obama made a "surprise" appearance at the daily White House press briefing. I don't know who would be surprised with his insatiable lust for face time in front of the camera. But I digress. I am absolutely certain the White House would deny that he even had knowledge of the protest, but his timing conveniently coincided to divert press coverage of the event. He was "grateful" to announce the endorsements of AARP and the AMA of the House health care bill. (If you would like to read his comments: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-a...

This is by far one of my favorite authors and one of the smartest people I've ever read. He is an amazing man with an inspiring life story. (See http://www.tsowell.com/ for more information.) This article is a great perspective on the current healthcare debate. The "Costs" of Medical Care http://townhall.com/content/6d848057-bab6-46c6-bfbc-86b55677ef93 Now, with Dr. Sowell at my back, I'll venture to add the following: It is worthwhile to discuss the difference between "cost" and "price". People often use the words interchangeably, but they are different things. Consumers are typically much more interested in the price than the cost. But businesses have to be interested in both the price they charge and their costs for producing. For example, when a grocery store sends out a weekly ad, they cover the front page with what they call "loss leaders". Loss leaders are the items that are put on sale at a loss in order to get customers in their ...

Government Reclamation Manifesto By: Lori J. Burns, October 2009 Whereas, those elected to govern our nation have forgotten their true purpose and to whom they answer and whereas the voters, are responsible for this problem, we hereby resolve to reclaim and reform our government and return it to its rightful owners, the people. We, the people, resolve the following: 1) We will no longer allow any politician to serve for a lifetime. We will limit their terms with our votes, thus eliminating what has become the ruling class of this free nation. 2) We will no longer vote for anyone who puts party before principles and the best interests of our entire nation. 3) We will no longer elect anyone who does not believe in the profound value and sacred nature of our Nation’s founding documents. 4) We will be silent and complacent no more. We will be engaged in the political process from its earliest stages to insure we are electing the people that represent our values, beliefs and morals. 5) We w...

Government Reclamation Manifesto By: Lori J. Burns, October 2009 Whereas, those elected to govern our nation have forgotten their true purpose and to whom they answer and whereas the voters, are responsible for this problem, we hereby resolve to reclaim and reform our government and return it to its rightful owners, the people. We, the people, resolve the following: 1) We will no longer allow any politician to serve for a lifetime. We will limit their terms with our votes, thus eliminating what has become the ruling class of this free nation. 2) We will no longer vote for anyone who puts party before principles and the best interests of our entire nation. 3) We will no longer elect anyone who does not believe in the profound value and sacred nature of our Nation’s founding documents. 4) We will be silent and complacent no more. We will be engaged in the political process from its earliest stages to insure we are electing the people that represent our values, beliefs and morals. 5) We w...