Heath Care Reform, Period/ Interim Life Expectancy, etc.

Heath Care Reform, Period/ Interim Life Expectancy,
Democrats such as Pelosi, Republicans such as Greg Walden, Suggestion/Ideas, more


The debate on heath care reform in full swing, with Obama, Reid and Pelosi leading the way with lies to try and push through reforms with little disclosure of what is contained within the different proposals.
Do not get me wrong, I think something needs to be done (this includes reform of the insurance industry), as often many self employed persons have been given the shaft by dishonest insurance companies with such statements as “pre-existing conditions” (that often are not even based on correct medical reports!)
However a takeover by the economy by the US government is far from the answer!

Let me address some corrections to pundits and some thoughts I have about this problem.

• I heard a comment by a caller to the Sean Hannity show state in response to Hannity’s point to look at the USPS and its inefficiency; “Fedex and UPS managed to compete with USPS dominance, why shouldn’t insurance companies with a Federal insurance plan”.
First of all the deck was not stacked against Fedex or UPS the way the insurance companies as the Health Reform plans would be. Second as an international retail shipper, I know that USPS (along with foreign postal services) does have the deck stacked against Fedex/UPS by allowing much lower costs and more importantly requiring harmonized codes, long forms, custom brokers, etc. that increase costs (including the cost of time) making shipping via USPS almost the only way we or our customers can afford (except for a few that are so frustrated with postal service destruction of packages, lack of tracking, etc that they will pay the much higher fees).
The bottom line is when the playing field is even, fine, but this is not the case with the Senate and congressional proposals that will likely lead to businesses bailing out of private insurers, as well as IRS enforcement of extreme penalties for non participation (and few intelligent persons can argue the extreme corruption within the IRS)

• Life expectancy based on age; this is where some pundits on the right side of the aisle have argued to look at comparisons between the US and the UK (Great Britain; which has socialized medicine).
Using male expectancy at birth the UK (77.16) leads the USA (74.81), however when you look at a male at age 60 (whom has made it past other factors that include accidents, homicide, etc.), the gap is almost non existent. The adjusted life expectancy from age 60 for a USA male is 80.42 while a UK male is 81.06.
What this indicates is that the better medical care in the USA closes this gap.

Please reference these US and UK government websites for further information (based on 2005):
*Interim life tables; UK
*Period Life Table; USA

• I also should note that from my perspective, rarely does the governments get it right, even with good intentions. My own dealing with DHS/DCS (Department of Children’s Services), shows an agency that may have good intentions, but is so corrupt with an anti family agenda that they “rarely can get it right”.

• That said, the Republicans with their arrogance towards many of their constituents does not bode well for trust of many of them to get it right either.
Greg Walden of Oregon is a good example of a republican I would never vote for, he nor his staff would rather condescend to person such as myself about understanding accounting (I never got less than an A in accounting in either high school or college) , rather than correct major flaws in another corrupt government run organization; “the Food Stamps Program” which is skewed against anyone self employed

Suggestions

• Allow insurance agencies to compete across state lines

• Do not allow insurance companies to only insure the “cream”. In other words if insurance companies want to play they MUST insure all or give up rights to insure ANY (and this includes all forms of insurance such as auto, home so that if they want to stay in business they cannot play the games that they so often do at others expense). This is not to say they must charge equal charges any more than a driver with multiple accidents should get the same rate someone with a perfect rate does. However this is not a perfect analogy since poor driving is a choice, in many cases contracting a disease is not (although not in all cases here either)

• Tort Reform; correct the many problems with outrageous lawsuits that drive up medical costs (& not just for doctors, but medical manufacturers).
This reform should include hospitals that cannot even mange to diagnose the most basic of conditions and then fail to bill the insurance companies and then sue the patient later (this actually happens, such as with a poorly managed hospital in Gold Beach Oregon). There needs to be a public binding arbitration to manage these low quality medical providers.

• Allow both a government backed tax free medical saving plan combined with government subsidies possibly with a 1% employee and 1% employer FDIC increase (this is where I actually would support a tax increase). This would be used to allow self employed, uninsured, persons with so-called “pre-existing conditions” a chance to by real health insurance.
This “Government Aid/Subsidy” would NOT be a government option, rather simply a way of providing someone who has lost their job, is self employed (yet below the poverty level via real accounting methods unlike the dishonest food stamp program), etc. aid with purchasing/keeping existing insurance plans.

• Full portability of insurance, this should include a similar grace period (like the 6 months of unemployment) regardless of reason of discharge from an employer (except for a crime). This would improve many lives and allow those stuck in cr## jobs the ability to leave as MANY persons remain in jobs only to keep insurance. This not only can degrade health via constant stress, but also keeps potential great employees out of the job market or even entrepreneurship that can lead to a better economy only because a person fear to “move on” and thus loose health insurance coverage (often moving on means leaving for a small company without health insurance, but with a lot of personal growth potential).

In my opinion, losing a job or being self employed should not mean lack of ability to seek medical care. In fact a small business going out of business for medical bankruptcy hurts everyone, including those employed by this company (including potential future employees and tax revenue lost).

In Summary; these are just a few humble suggestions from a very small voice crying in the wilderness that unfortunately likely never to be heard from those in power, either on the left or the right side of the aisle (politically speaking). Sadly their agendas are too much for them to take an honest look at these suggestions.
I might also add that in my circle of business and friend contacts that these suggestions are not mine alone, but those of a very large silent group of Americans that have been left behind by their government representatives and the extremely corrupt media.

Grants Pass Schools

Grants Pass Schools; Thanks to North Middle, Parkside Elementary

In this post I would like to express my thanks to North Middle School and Parkside Elementary School of Grants Pass Oregon for the many of the staff’s excellent care of my children, in particular Timothy (who has high functioning autism) and Danielle (who also need some special education).

While this may not seem like much to point this out, I would like to preface this post by stating my school years were terrible with one teacher who was beyond reprehensible (many of my classmates have confirmed this at my most recent reunion), as well Michelle has had difficulties with poor school staff care at GPHS and at Palm School in Hacienda Heights, CA.
So for me this is very refreshing to see excellent staff care by these two schools.

Starting with Parkside Elementary School, both Timothy and Danielle has had excellent teachers starting with Mrs. Hammervold for his first grade class who was an awesome Christian that showed both love, yet firmness he needed (she also has a special needs child herself which probably helps with her understanding). Timothy finished school with Mr. Pinster who also was excellent in dealing with Timothy’s difficulties such as not understanding when to speak.
The special education teacher is Mrs. Cutillo who although she had a difficult start with Timothy, she never gave up and really tried with the best of her abilities to help both us (me and my wife Joanne) and others at school mainline Timothy.
Mrs. Cutillo also did an excellent job with Danielle, although she was much easier to work with, so it is her work with Timothy that impressed me over the years.
The year end trip to the coast to see tide pools full starfish and other sea life (as well as Ocean World and more) for graduating 5th graders is a neat event as well that provided my kids with awesome memories

Joann Pilcher was the vocal music instructor who did an excellent job with Danielle and deserves our thanks as well.
Finally the principle is Diane Mease whom took much over her valuable time to help with Timothy.

North Middle School has had all three of my kids. Michelle (my oldest) was home schooled by my sister who is a College instructor by profession as she was not ready for elementary school when we first moved here while Dr. Safko counseled her through difficulties thrust upon her while in the Los Angeles area (he still continues to see her and does an excellent job in earning her trust, while attempting to help her deal with her the past and more importantly how she deals with the present).

Starting with the principle; Mr. Dan Smith, I cannot say enough about him, as I consider him a friend and probably the best principle anyone could ask for their children. He is a compassionate &understanding person that understands others struggle in (he also has a special needs child, which I personally think helps him understand others). It is clear he loves the kids in his charge and treats them, his staff, and parents with respect, as well he is a good Christian man that does not wear this on his sleeve, rather he shows this through his actions (which is what I believe the Bible truly asks of us).

There are too many teachers to name them all and although some have not been as good as others (I recall a science teacher that was not fair to Michelle), this has been the exception and the as a whole most have been excellent. The special education teachers that help Timothy and Danielle have been very patient & understanding.

Grants Pass High; since I am primarily writing this post thank those who have helped change some of my views towards public schools, I will not comment too much here, as so far I am much less impressed with this schools dealings with Michelle, in particular the Counseling Department that cannot seem to even contact others such as her counselor that has spent years with her, nor deal with the horrible teasing she receives. I will live it at this for negatives (maybe another post someday for this subject).
I will say that Mr. Dennis DeCasas (a special education instructor) has been excellent with my daughter and it shows in how she relates to him and how he genuinely cares for students in his “care”.

Media Lies/Half Truths for Obama

Media Lies/ half truths cover ups for Obama and other socialists.


What is the most bothersome to me about the plethora of Obama half truths/lies is how the media is right behind him with a giant broom to cover up his trail of excrement.

After the Joe Wilson incident (which by the way, I was also thinking what a liar he was while watching this dishonest attempt to pain the whistle blower as the villain about calling President Obama on his lies and half truths), I was taken aback by Pelosi and other extreme radicals and her willing media accomplices to act like the liberals are above the fray when in fact Senator Reid (Nevada) has yet to apologize to President Bush for this exact same statement, as well as the many who have treated him with extreme disrespect in his addresses.
Further more, Joe Wilson was correct in his assessment (although it is debatable as to how he should have delivered this message), yet the media has the audacity to state that Obama was telling the truth.
Sorry ABC, CNN, MSNBC, etc; but a half truth is still a lie, when he (Obama) knows that the way the bill is written that the enforcement of keeping illegal aliens off any government sponsored health plan.

The Bill does state, “Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.”
However,The bill contains no verification requirement or enforcement process for citizenship or legal residency, as exists for other federal benefit programs. The only verification required for the subsidies pertains to family income. Beyond that, as the Congressional Research Service report notes, everything is left in the hands of the Health Choices Commissioner.
See: Congressional Research Service: ObamaCare will cover illegal immigrants

Let me put it this way as an analogy for those who think Obama is telling the truth:
Lets say you have a law that makes the speed limit in front of schools 20 mph when school children are present, yet provide no fines or refuse any law enforcement, do you really expect the law to be enforced? The obvious answer is NO!.
This is how this bill is written & Obama as well as his liberal colleagues know this full well!!!

Further more, years of meddling by the high courts shows that any provision to block illegal aliens form this government plan would be thrown out.
See this excellent website for more well written historical proof of this:
Citizenship Up for Grabs; The Supreme Court and Immigration (By Mark Levin).

I guess what bothers me most about our current president is not how he is behaving, as this was predicable for anyone willing to look at his & others around him history, but that the media has totally lost all objectivity with this man (& his many radical appointments), as well as painting the good systems pointing out his lies and socialist agenda as the villains.


On a positive note, polls now show most Americans do not trust the media to give the correct information when they supposedly “report” the news.

See this website: Press Accuracy Rating Hits Two-Decade Low

Hopefully more Americans will send these lousy journalists packing by simply turning off their TVs, or dumping their newspaper.

Update 9/15/09; Although as any reader of this little blog of my opinions would know, I am not a fan of President Obama or most of the radicals that have taken over the Democratic Party, thankfully a local Congressman form Southern Oregon Peter DeFazio is a good man that gives me hope that there are persons in the Democrat party that will “do the right thing” (more open to his constituents than the Republican Congressman from Southern Oregon Greg Walden whom I would never vote for). But anyway I have to even give President Obama credit for a comment he made when he thought the microphones were off dealing with the Kanye West/ Taylor Swift incident when he made these comments from this conversation: “I thought that was really inappropriate,” Obama says. “What are you butting in (for)? ... The young lady seems like a perfectly nice person. She's getting her award. What's he doing up there?” A questioner chimes in, “Why would he do it?” “He's a jackass,” Obama replies, which is met with laughter from several people All I can say is kudos to the President and I hope the media does the same.

Google Lies, Dishonesty

Google Dishonesty, Plagiarism, with Adsense, Adwords, & More

Although Google is the darling of the drive-by-media (which has about as much credibility any more as Osama Bin Laden has in teaching others to love their neighbors), they have actually gotten worse with their hypocritical use of Adwords/Adsense on illegal blogs/websites that use copyrighted articles to make money for both them and Google.
What Google is doing is nothing new and not personal against me, this is how they treat all small businesses and individuals and why they are the multi billion dollar company they are, by going after and taking money from the little guy that cannot afford lawyers. Say what you will about Bill Gate's business practices, at least he has gone after those who can afford lawyers and to get the medias attention (I will also point out he is the #1 contributor to Autism research, etc. in the world).

Recent Google Searches have yielded many sites, but this site in particular has ripped multiple articles from my Aquarium Answers Posts and Aquarium Information articles.
In a search using excerpts from my well researched and popular Aquarium Lighting Article helped me find this article chock full of Google Adsense/Adwords adverts:

This is just one page! *http://www.newportme.com/2009/03/10/page/2

Here is the specific article plagiarized from me: http://www.newportme.com/and-nanometers/aquarium-lighting-wattage-kelvin-and-nanometers.php

What is especially sad is that Adsense recently denied my article sites for content, and what makes this even more sad and blatently dishonest is that my articles are constantly researched and updated for accuracy of content, which these articles have not.
I have written many departments at Google and have gotten either no reply or lame dishonest answers such as Google stands by only offering up ads on the highest quality sites that have been checked by Google, WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP, and sadly many buy this load and continue to think Google is this company with the highest of integrity when the opposite is true.

Update 7/27/09; Here is another plagiarized article from my Aquarium Answers site with Google illegally participating by using Adwords on my plagiarized content: http://www.petenter.com/tap-water-for-aquarium-use-from-chlorine-and-chloramines-to-nitrates-nitrites-and-phosphates/ Taken from this post: Aquarium Answers; What should I know about tap water for my aquarium? From Chlorine and Chloramines to Phosphates

I have spent the better part of 30 years in hands on and research of outside sources to write my many articles, as well I have worked hard at providing often hard to find or unique products such as hard to find UV Bulbs & T5/T8 straight/standard UV Bulbs only to see Google take advantage of this to their dishonest gain

What Google does is to provide nice products such as Google Docs, email and many other first rate services (although I beg to differ as to the quality of their searches since they are weighted heavily by the old boy network at DMOZ). I will admit that this is a blogger hosted blog, however it should be noted that I have been with Blogger for some time and that Google bought them out as they have many other good services.
How Google pays for this is their dishonest and corrupt business practices such as screwing the little guys such as myself that cannot afford a lawyer or a class action lawsuit that Google deserves (I doubt there are too many Lawyers with the Huevos Grandes to take on Google anyway).

Just in case Google does take action about this site in particular, here are a few screen shots that show just a little of the ripped articles and the hypocritical Google Adwords being run there:
Please click to enlarge



Hopefully someday others, especially either the masses or those with the power to inspire the masses such as the media or popular TV/Radio show hosts like Rush Limbaugh will put their money where their mouths are and call Google to the mat (and stop using the vomit inducing phrase “to Google something” instead of simply to search). Maybe then Google as a company will rise to the quality of many of its services instead of the bottom feeder this company is currently.

Update 8/03/09
What others can do:

I have sent emails to many in my business and friends contact, as well I have urged members of my aquarium/pond forums to switch to using Yahoo or Bing as their home page instead of Google. I know of at least a couple dozen persons who have made this switch, which admittedly a drop in the bucket, but if enough other businesses with similar experiences start similar campaigns and those who received these forwarded emails do likewise, this can make a difference and Google will take notice (although in their extreme arrogance they may not figure out why).

As well Microsoft and Yahoo need to stop taking Google head on with their search engines, as although I strongly beg to disagree that Google is the better search engine (especially since they use DMOZ to weight many sites and DMOZ is nothing more than a good ole boy network of late), most in this country are convinced that Google is good.
In my opinion the other search engines need to other unique services such as Google Apps, Docs, better blogging, less buggy email (are you listening Yahoo?), etc; maybe then many will switch just to use these services for which Google clearly the king of for the time being.

DHS, DCS, CPS Abuse of authority

DHS/ DCS/ CPS, DCFS Abuse of authority problems
In particular Oregon DHS

These government organizations are among the most out of control in my experience, I can speak in particular to Children’s Services in Oregon and California.

While I am sure there are good and well meaning persons employed at these government agencies, there are no boundaries for the abuse of authority the exists in these agencies.
Many of these social workers have no respect for the constitution of the USA and will make themselves the judge, jury and executioner while ignoring due process.

I have been given this rather poor example to support their actions: “they need to act quickly to prevent potential harm to the children in question”. Unfortunately while this may help some children, how many are also harmed due to false or inaccurate accusations? More importantly, if I were to take the same actions against the real cause of harm to my family (more on this later), and take action without going through proper legal channels, I would end up in jail, so why are these social workers allowed to break the law while an ordinary citizen would be accused of vigilantism?

In my family’s most recent problems with Oregon DHS was a VERY sad example of persons that had no business being employed as a worker as all the facts that were easily found (many as public record) were grossly overlooked.
As a side note the Grants Pass Police also have mishandled the issues that have led up to this problem and the arrogance of the desk sergeant I spoke with as to the department’s behavior was both immoral and extremely lacking in any compassionate (their policy of writing traffic citations where a citation is not called for is also immoral in mine and others views); other departments do not do this the GPPD should not as well and the reasons cited to no hold water)

This most recent problem started with my oldest daughter who has issues such as neuro sensory dysfunction, common puberty issues, and most importantly; mental harm that resulted from a person that harmed her after taking advantage of my wife during a mental breakdown due to severe depression and more several years back while still in California.
Her therapist here in Grants Pass that has been working with her since her emergency arrival here (we flew her ahead of the family to protect her), is aware of this (he has been an awesome person I might add that has achieved Michelle’s full trust allowing for him learn much from her), the Grants Pass PD is aware of the veiled threats sent to us and the fact she still has severe nightmares of harm from him, unfortunately they have done little to help, unlike the LA Sheriff which kindly kept in contact with my family before we moved. I also noted this to her school counselor early in the school year.

Sadly however when she had one of her common meltdowns, where she made suicidal statements (although those who know her well, know that although she can be deeply depressed, she is not suicidal), her school counselor brought DHS into the problem, totally bypassing me, even her therapist and others that know the truth (such as those from our church who we spend many camping trips with and know our family well, or my sister who acted as her mother when my daughter was first moved to Oregon); since my daughter has been made to believe many lies, in part from threats of harm (that are documented) from the man in Los Angeles CA., she quickly made statements about me that mirror 100% documented emails and other statements made by this person.
DHS in their apparently man/father hating attitude “ran with this”, not conducting any real investigation such as even consulting with her long term therapist. They convinced my other children and worse even my wife (who struggles with being easily suggestible, as her often controlling sister has many issues that also made the situation worse) that I had issues of anger which are far from the truth (I do struggle with bitterness issues, but I am much better in this in part due loving help of others including church counselors).

This resulted in my family being removed literally in a matter of hours while I was away on a business trip. This caused much trauma to my two younger children, especially my autistic son who amazingly saw through the lies. DHS also convinced my wife to place a restraining order on me based on so many lies I will not even add them here. On a positive note, I had an outpouring of support as to this horrible and dishonest restraining order by many at our church who knew these charges to be outright blatant lies, since many camp with us and know that I have ALWAYS been the family’s primary giver. As well since I work out of the home (to take of my special needs kids), the two persons that have spend much time there also knew that the total opposite of these charges was the truth. Since I am the primary care giver, the kids could not get to their karate classes, were latch key kids, were not fed the home cooked balanced meals I provided, and more.

Thankfully during a hearing, the judge immediately questioned the truthfulness of these charges, and with a court full of person that knew the truth the restraining order was thrown out after he asked my wife if she really wanted to go forward with this more and she quickly saw that this was going nowhere. Unfortunately it took the Grants Pass PD a few months to respond to this (but then again they could have helped with this problem, but chose not to and the desk sergeant even laughed at me in a later phone call).
As well, with the help of many truly caring persons, that knew and sought the truth, my wife and I are now back together.

Sadly though, the case worker, finally contacted me to get “my side” and even when presented with evidence that was overwhelming (including eyewitness testimonials, hate emails form the person that is the real cause, and MUCH more), she still made this horrible statement: “I believe your daughter should still not be with you”. I later spoke with an attorney and others who know this DHS worker and they basically stated that she does what she wants to; regardless of the facts (essentially Jesus Christ could tell her she was wrong and she still would argue she is correct). What is scary to me as to Human Services/Children’s Services/ Children’s Protective Services; is this is a similar response a case worker gave me after this person that is the cause of the initial problems back in Los Angeles after this man would call DHS/DCS to make false charges against me so as to deflect his own crimes against my family. In the last incident back in LA, I had already flown my daughter to Oregon to protect her, yet the case worker responding to the charges that I was abusive the day before told me after I attempted to give her evidence to the contrary (such as the fact that my daughter has not even been in LA for a few weeks at this time) told me this: “It is not my job to investigate your evidence, rather to protect your children from you”. I could go on about what a psychopath this person who harmed my daughter and family is (causing great financial harm as well and me to abandon my business in LA of 25 years as my family was what is most important to me), but would rather not open up this can of worms.

Hopefully someday some Politians with the moral fortitude will do something to rein in the power bestowed upon these government agencies, as although they may help some families, they have often harmed families as well (I still am picking up the pieces from the harm DHS/DCS has bestowed upon my family). What is also sad is they were there with armies of persons to tear my family apart, but were nowhere to be found to put my family back together.
Thankfully through the Love of Jesus shown through my sister Jan, my Brother in Law Cary and MANY at Bethany Presbyterian (that filled the court room), fellow co-workers, my prevous partner from my old business (these persons worked out of the home and see how my family really is cared for) we are putting things back together once more.

I still worry, as my daughter still has much to deal with, as well my younger daughter is learning delayed and my son is autistic, so this places much stress on our family. This means we need loving and HONEST support, as well the Grants Pass PD has not shown it can truly care about the care for its citizens; they are too busy writing traffic citations for non existent violations, banging back doors to homes (about fireworks?), correcting citizens how to address a sergeant over an officer, & training their officers to lie IMO.

Here are a couple of others complaints about DHS/DCS/CPS:
From: We signed the "We are asking For: Victims of Child Welfare Memorial Day" petition!

* “My 2 grand children were taken from my son on false allegations and phone calls. C.P.S. just came and took them without a investigation. Soon to find out it was all lies and no probable cause. Because C.P.S. Failed to follow their own procedures and policy by not investigating, my 2 grandchildren are still in foster care.”

* “CPS social services should go more into depth with their cases, rather than pulling a child out of their home, and ripping their life apart, taking them away from their home, family, and siblings, just like they did mine. This needs to be taken seriously, my siblings and i were some of the lucky ones who resorted to family and friends rather than foster families who could have become abusive. My mother didn’t neglect us, or abuse us, CPS did. They have abused our whole life in just one day. God bless the children who died because CPS took them away from their families without the proper research, just their selfish thoughts of making money.”

Update 9/21/09; ABC Good Morning America & other media outlets, blogs, etc. have reported a similar incident where Children’s Services and local police have reacted without any kind of investigation In this case the employee that reported this couple is being criticized, but in my view the authorities share most of the blame as they did not investigate before taking action. Sadly, this also makes the many excellent police and Social workers jobs much more difficult, as these types of incidents further alienate the public from these government agencies and their heavy handed big brother actions. As with me, despite many documents, including a PHd children’s counselor was never consulted. It took an outpouring of persons that knew my family well in court and a wise judge that threw this out before hearing 90% of the witnesses present (including our church camping group, coworkers that work out of my home with me, and many more; that knows how much time I spend as the person that feeds and provides most of my children’s care) Anyway, here is the article: Bath Time Photos Prompt Child Porn Allegations