Thoughts… Is Healthcare Reform Necessary?

No fluff, the answer is heck no and most of us know it.  Healthcare reform is about government control.  We need Health Insurance reform including prescription drugs.  We have the best healthcare in the world.  It’s not perfect but it is the best.  That is indisputable.   So what can we do?  Speak up!!!!

Health insurance companies are in the business to make money.  We live in a Capitalist system so that is their right.  However, government regulations have forced them to become bullies.  More competition is my first suggestion.  Although I support states rights, the car insurance model shows that competition works.  Make it interstate.  

Preexisting conditions?  I have diabetes and have to pay extra.  I can’t buy car insurance after an accident and be covered.  It is insurance, not an entitlement.  I am not cold hearted, so if we can reduce the insurance costs more of us would donate to help those with preexisting conditions.  I already do, but I would have more money to help those in need.  This is an area that needs work, not a mandate.

I know someone that had a broken leg that did not qualify for Short Term Disability.  Why?  Because she could do her job at her desk and the commute to work was not covered.  I won’t name the company but are you serious Snoopy? Those types of abuses have to be reformed.

Healthcare regulation and laws are necessary for our protection, but should be limited.  Tort reform, especially for frivolous cases, would lower medical insurance and our medical costs.  Blatant malpractice should not be ignored in this change though.

Prescription drugs are another story.  They do have research costs that cannot be ignored.  Why do you think we have a shortage of cancer drugs?  Money.  It is disgraceful and should be addressed.  Believe it or not, generic drugs are cheaper, but for the true developers to move on.  They did all of the work and then get ripped off. I am not saying I have a solution for this problem. But if we penalize the doers, we will never get out of this mess.  The doers have to make their money up front.  Put yourself in their shoes.

I am not defending the Health insurance or drug companies but I am saying this is where the reform should start.  We do not need Healthcare reform.  Repeal the “Affordable Health Care Act.”  The name does not describe what it does.  Does anyone really know what it does?  Nancy?

~ 3Jeeps3 

Thoughts… The Real Cause of Childhood Obesity.

When I was a child my parents made sure I had a balanced diet by the standards of the day.  Sure, they let me have junk food and skip some vegetables, but they always said, at least try it.   If I didn’t like something I didn’t have to eat it. I was always fed for health and survival.  So why wasn’t I fat as a child?  Exercise, limited TV and no video games. 

After school, I went outside to play until my mother yelled “dinner!”  We played baseball, football, hockey, kickball, tag, raced, guns with sticks, etc.  If I didn’t have too much homework, I could go out after dinner and play some more.   That’s more activity than I get today as an adult.  So, as a child, give me cake and ice cream for dessert, I always burned it off.

Eventually we had Atari.  But my parents limited my time and enforced outside play.  Today most children do nothing but watch TV, play video games, “surf the Internet” and maybe do their homework.  I encourage outside play, but most kids go outside to a friend’s house to play video games!  The majority of parents today are more concerned with themselves and let their children do what they want.

Michelle Obama may have good intentions, but our money would be better spent encouraging exercise and reinstating proper physical education in the school curriculum instead of telling people what they should eat.   Most of the food forced on our children is tossed in the trash.  It’s a waste of taxpayer money and will lead to malnourishment.  School lunches were fine for me and are still fine today.  Encourage exercise instead of dictating what we eat, while you pig out on ribs and fries.  Hypocrisy at its best.

The real cause of childhood obesity… a lack of exercise.

~3Jeeps3

Thoughts… Planned Parenthood vs. Komen et al.

I used to contribute to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the same reason I donate to other charities. I want to help people in need. It took me a while, but once I heard they supported Planned Parenthood I sent my dollars to different women’s causes.  Then I heard they pulled their contributions and was back on board.  I applauded the Komen decision because it stood in the face of the Pro-Abortion activists.

I never tell anyone to support anything unless they believe in it.  So, if you support Planned Parenthood’s cause that is your choice.  It is not for me to challenge. That’s true Pro-Choice.  We choose to support what we believe in.   At the same time, don’t challenge me.

So then I did some research and boy did I learn.  If you plan to boycott all charities and businesses that give to Planned Parenthood you better be ready to live on an island. I could not believe what I read.  I know, they are being politically correct and support all causes to avoid lawsuits.  Personally I find it spineless.  Every company I have worked for in the last 12 years (3) matches’ donations to Planned Parenthood.   

I am keeping this short because I do not want to debate the abortion issue. I have my beliefs and you have yours.  But I am going to have to reconsider my boycott of Komen.  I never stopped wearing the pink, but I may as well donate.  Most of the money goes to the true cause.

Thoughts… Vote For The Most Electable? Are You Serious?

Can you remember a time when you voted for the most “electable” person? I sure can’t. That thought never crossed my mind.   I have always voted based on my beliefs.  Usually, I end up voting for the lesser of two evils in the general election, but I speak my mind until then. This is why we vote!  Don’t let the MSM tell you who to vote for.  All of the pundits that support Romney, for this reason alone, will not be forgotten.  I may not have an eidetic memory, but it is good.

Honestly, all of my “first” choices are out of or did not enter this Republican Primary race.   Anyone but Obama?  I say anyone but Romney!  Newt Gingrich nailed it when he said it is pathetic that all Romney can do is demean and bring down opponents.     Now that I look back, I truly believe that Romney was behind Cain’s demise.  If the accusations were true, what happened to them? It was about sexual harassment right?  Whether he runs or not shouldn’t change that.  If this is all about money and attack ads, Obama will crush Romney.   Neither can run on their records.

What annoys me the most is being called a racist because I disagree with what President Obama has done. Nothing could be further than the truth.  But those that believe that are never satisfied with facts.  David Webb said it recently.  “He's half white,” which side do they hate?”  The subject of race is a lame excuse for the failure of Barrack Obama.   Stop the name-calling and false accusations. 

Ann Coulter has lost her mind in defending Romney.  It is all about being the most electable.  She’s lucky I already purchased “Demonic”.  The most outrageous endorsement has to be from Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.  She is suing because of Obamacare, but supports Romney?  I have yet to hear her explain how that is possible. She dodges and filibusters.  I am very disappointed.

If you decide to vote for the “most electable” person you have failed as a citizen.   Win or lose, vote based on your beliefs.  Remember, Romney couldn’t beat McCain in 2008.  Unless you support Romney based on his policies, a vote for him is a desperate move that is unnecessary. Think about it.  Who thought Barrack Obama was more electable than Hillary Clinton? I rest my case.

~ 3Jeeps3

Addendum: After the last week of ads, debates and disgraceful infighting between Romney and Gingrich, I officially support Rick Santorum. I was undecided, but the childish behavior between Romney and Gingrich has led me back to my beliefs regardless of $$$$.  Who am I?  The silent majority that has had enough. Decide for yourself.  I am only one of many.

Thoughts… How Will They Be Remembered?

If I had written this a year ago, Joe Paterno would have been remembered as one of the best college football coaches in history. Pete Rose, as a player, is a similar example. I am from PA and grew up a Penn State and Phillies fan. But please read on, and you will see that I do not allow that to interfere with my honesty.

JoePa is the 3^rd winningest coach in all of college football and number one in Division 1-A or whatever it is called these days.  He also has the most Bowl wins of any college coach.  I know, he coached most of his adult life, so the statistics can be considered skewed.   He was a true idol; the players and people loved him.   From a football perspective, you can’t beat Paterno.  That may be subjective, but he is one of the best all time.

So how will I remember him?  An enabler of some of the most despicable crimes… pedophilia, sexual abuse and rape.  I wish that wasn’t the case, but it is.  The entire university should be sanctioned for letting this go on for so long.  JoePa deserved to be fired.  I feel bad for anyone that is ill, so my prayers are with his family and friends.  But I will remember the last memory the most.

Pete Rose was one of the best baseball players in Major League Baseball.  The statistics are obvious.  They exceed the statistics of most players in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  If you watched him as a Red and Phillie it was his heart, guts and leadership that made him stand out. Rose brought Philadelphia their first World Series Championship.  Being a fan of the team with the most losses of any baseball franchise… that means a lot. Again, another long career, so the statistics could be considered skewed. 

So how will I remember him? A manager that bet on his own team and was banned from the MLB.  I don’t care what he did as a player.  Integrity on and off the field is part of the criteria to enter the HoF.  I know, players in the past benefited by the lack of media coverage.  The same can be said for the players today that succeed because of the diluted base of the MLB. 

On a personal note, I had great love and admiration for my grandparents.  They all provided a great influence and unconditional love.  I don’t remember a single negative experience.  But how will I remember them?  The funerals.  I wish I could forget, but it is the last time I saw them.  Even though I have great memories, unfortunately the end is what I remember most. 

Let me be clear, I am not comparing my grandparents to Paterno and Rose as far as how they lived their lives.  But I am making the point of how I remember the people and influences in my life. It is the last memory that sticks with me.

~ 3Jeeps

Thoughts… The Appreciation of Tebow… A Lesson in Discrimination

Yes, I said it…appreciation.  Most of the MSM mocks Tim Tebow and his faith.  I for one, do not.   Judging him based on his faith is wrong. Right?  Don’t most players from both teams gather at the end of games and pray like Tebow?  Yes they do!  The MSM is too busy running commercials and moving on to the next show.   Unless you are present, you may never know.

So what is my point?  This is an anti-Christian movement.   The MSM can’t hide it during the game, but they don’t show the after game prayers.  I think the fact that Tim Tebow is the most popular athlete says a lot about the silent majority.  We are a Judeo-Christian nation. Christians and the Jewish are typically private. We do not believe God determines the outcome of a game, but he does allow us to utilize our given gifts if we choose to use them.  Anyone that thinks otherwise is ignorant.

The people that celebrate any failure of Tebow should be ashamed of themselves.  Didn’t we root for Dan Marino in his rookie year? … unless you were a 49ers fan, but that is understandable.  How about Roger Staubach the veteran, Terry Bradshaw, little Joe Montana, Troy Aikman and so on?  OK, I was bitter as an Eagles fan, but I rooted for the young guys to succeed.  It makes for a better NFL.  So why not root for Tebow?  I think I made my point.

Instead the MSM chooses to celebrate felons, criminals, punks, and disrespectful players.   I don’t own a football team and never will.  But these players are influential on society.  I choose to support the positive influences.  My children do not like Mike Vick.  How can I disagree? I tell them that I like the Eagles but don’t determine the roster.  As an adult, it is a team thing for me.  As a dog lover, I can never defend him. Forgive, but never forget.

I live in MD and Donte Stallworth is a good receiver.  He played for the Eagles, Ravens and Redskins.  All are local to my area.  Would I consider getting my children his jersey?  Heck no.  He served time for a conviction of DUI manslaughter.  Why did the NFL let him back? My children do not have to be an Eagles fan like me.  That is why I gave them Tim Tebow’s “Young Reader’s Edition” to read.  They will decide which team they like.  But my job as a parent is to encourage positive influences.  Tim Tebow is a positive role model.

~3Jeep3

Thoughts… Electric Cars, Renewable Energy & the EPA

The most common misconception in liberal thinking is that electric cars will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.  OK, so the car will not rely on fossil fuels as much, if at all, but how is the electricity generated?  You guessed it, fossil fuels.   I am limiting this discussion to the United States.  Some countries do use nuclear power as a primary source and that changes the statistics.  With that said, most of those “pro-electric” advocates are anti-nuclear and think we can live on water, wind and solar alone.  Honestly, I wish they were right. Renewable energy is a great idea.  But that is all it is… an idea, not a reality.

The EPA restricts the use of dams, so water is not an option if the EPA continues to exist as is.  However, the EPA will approve any wind or solar project regardless of the wildlife or wetland impact.   But don’t try to collect or transport a fossil fuel; the EPA will stop you in your tracks.  I expect the common housefly to become endangered soon.  The problem is that the renewable technology is too expensive and the supply is too inconsistent to use as an alternative to fossil fuels.  If businesses can’t succeed in this field, then they are not an option.  I know the fossil fuel industries are recipients of subsidies.  I say no energy subsidies.  Farmers are another story.  Stop paying them not to grow with my money and help them grow during the droughts.  Be considerate of wildlife but be reasonable.

Anyone that has had gas appliances and switched to electric knows that the cost is much higher.  This is nothing new.  My parents complained about it in the 1970s.  Yes there is a danger with gas appliances but there is also a risk with electric. Both can cause fires and explosions.  But the facts show that fossil fuels are more efficient.  How about the pollution?  I understand that and support measures to reduce pollution.  But again, we need to be smart with our dollars and find a reasonable balance.

What annoys me the most are the recent reports that the tax credits for electric cars are going to the same people that support Obama’s socialist policies but take our money?   If you can afford a hybrid or full electric car good for you, but no more tax breaks.  Buy them for what you believe in but always know it most likely took a fossil fuel to generate that electricity.  Personally, I like my fossil fueled Jeeps. 

~ 3Jeeps3