Visit: www.ValleyForgePatriots.org ; www.deadcatsandclippings.com
Join Valley Forge Patriots – www.Meetup.com/TeaParty09
Join www.912PA.com
Schedule at p.5.
“Marlowe, a man who is not himself mean, a ‘common man and yet an unusual man’, often lost and alone but never defeated, making a stand against ‘this strange corrupt world in which we live’, run by crooks, crooked cops and rich parasites.” Amen. http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/reviewofbooks_article/7851
Health Care Fundamentals
1) Signal detection “theory” applies to medical diagnosis and treatment. The problem goes back to approximately 1860 when psychologists measured the absolute thresholds (the dimmest light or the softest sound). They found that people vary tremendously in their perceptual abilities depending on lots of influences.
Things changed a century later with a paper by Swets J, Tanner WP, Birdsall TG (1961) Decision processes in perception. Psychological Review, 68: 301-340.
a) Your ears, eyes, and skin detect near-zero amounts of stimulation. Your eyes can detect 1-3 quanta, your ears – vibrations about the diameter or a hydrogen atom.
b) You also respond to “noise,” sometimes seeing flash or hearing a sound when none was presented. Thus, you may be far more accurate than chance when detecting low amounts of energy but you will also make plenty of errors.
c) You, therefore, have to make a “decision” about what you experienced and that decision changes depending on the consequences that you face. (Fechner’s research subjects were paid, they were often his students, and they faced harsh consequences for reporting the light was on when in fact, it was off. Those students made sure that they “saw something” before saying “yes.”)
Physicians (and nurses, psychologists, and even Toyota mechanics) have the same problem in detection. Being sued increases the odds of a “maybe” reaction. A complaining patient (a member of the “worried well”) can talk his or her way into as many of a dozen surgeries while having no objective pathology. Likewise for worried parents. Health insurance can favor the detection of ever-smaller amounts of disease, even diseases – such as an enlarged prostate – that won’t kill you before something else does.
1) Dems, as if selling a car, remarked several times that “we agree,” the Republicans “Not so fast.” Dems lamented for individual victims; Republicans lamented for tax payers.
2) Our instinct for fairness also plays its cards in this game. Grown kids can stay on parent’s plans, spending caps are challenged, and going in to have your cold treated may reveal a “preexisting” diabetes that won’t be erased from your record. And insurance “pools” (like residential institutions) accumulate the difficult to repair.
3) Individual variation: every one of us is absolutely unique, a product of perhaps 14 billion years. Thus, your cancer often will not follow the same path as mine. And your hyperactive child may be bipolar; he or she could, instead, be a budding CEO.
4) No one wants to poison a fetus (although we often kill them!) or child. Thus, a depressed mother customarily was denied antidepressant medication even though her blood chemistry signals her moods to her fetus and changes his or her own blood chemistry.
5) Finally, people routinely cheat common property. True for fishing territory, water rights, and hunting limits. Populations of humans and animals regularly balance each other until “government” declares ownership of the land. Poaching follows. So do demands for breast enlargement, nose reduction, or Viagra for 70-year-olds.
Krauthammer on Toyotas and Medicine
“Even the lowliest wage earner has an automobile that conveys him with more luxury, more freedom, more comfort than any traveling king ever experienced in all the centuries before the 20th. And modern medicines — why, vaccines alone — have prevented more suffering, more debility and more death than anything ever conceived by man.
“But these wonders can be lethal. And sorting out the endless complaints about these products is maddeningly difficult — though sort you must, otherwise every complaint would require shutting down the factories, and we’d have no industrial society at all.
“The question is: How do you distinguish the idiosyncratic failure from the systemic…”
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/02/26/toyota_and_the_price_of_modernity_104572.html
“Rahm it through” on Monday?
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/33510.html
Kim Strassel: “The president never budged. He never intended to.”
“The Summit Show was designed by Democrats for Democrats, to give Mr. Obama an all-day stage to inspire and exhort his party to charge once more into the health fray. It’s about “altering the political atmospherics,” admitted one senior Democrat. Yet for all the talk of “jump-start,” there’s little to suggest the ugly politics of passage have changed…
“The strategy is somewhat bully for Mr. Reid, who can afford to lose eight of his own members. It’s meaningless for Mrs. Pelosi. If the speaker had the votes post-Brown to pass the Senate bill, we’d be living under ObamaCare. She didn’t have them then, and yesterday’s summit was a sideshow to the problems she has getting them now.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704479404575087833312341178.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_BelowLEFTSecond. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9E2SNHG0&show_article=1. And Sally Pipes thoughts at http://healthcare.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ODhmZTExMmEwY2ZjMjk0MTcxNTA3NTAyYjliMGY5YjE=
Allahpundit: Dems 15 Votes Short
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/02/24/cantor-stupak-pelosis-15-votes-short-of-passing-obamacare/
George Will: “Why the Dem’s Health Care Bill Is Stalled”
“Today’s health policy “summit” comes at a moment when, as happens with metronomic regularity, Washington is reverberating with lamentations about government being “broken.” Such talk occurs only when the left’s agenda is stalled. Do you remember mournful editorials and somber seminars about “dysfunctional” government when liberals defeated George W. Bush’s Social Security reforms?
“The summit’s predictable failure will be a pretext for trying to ram health legislation through the Senate by misusing “reconciliation,” which prevents filibusters. If the Senate parliamentarian rules, as he should, that most of the legislation is ineligible for enactment under reconciliation, the vice president, as Senate president, can overrule the parliamentarian. This has not happened since 1975, but liberals say desperate times require desperate measures.”
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/02/25/why_dems_health_care_bill_is_stalled.html
BO’s Plan B is Cheaper
“Officials cautioned that no final decisions had been made but said the smaller plan’s outlines are in place in case the larger plan fails.
“Such a move would disappoint many Democrats, including Mr. Obama. They have worked for more than a year to pass comprehensive legislation like the plan the president unveiled Monday, which would cover the bulk of the 46 million uninsured people in the U.S., set new rules for health insurers and try to control spiraling health-care costs.
“Liberal Democrats in particular would be dismayed by any ratcheting back of ambitions. But more-conservative Democrats nervous about the fall elections could be more comfortable with a scaled-back measure.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703510204575085970815851804.html
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/25/obama-readies-backup-health-care-proposal/
Investment Tax: A (Sneaky!) Medicare Levy on Dividends & Capital Gains
Thanks Lou…
“The White House‘s new health-care proposal promises the “largest middle class tax cut for health care in history,” which is a creative way of describing a vast taxpayer-subsidized insurance entitlement. Naturally, the fine print goes on to describe one of the largest tax increases for health care in history, too.
“This new ObamaCare bargain would for the first time apply the 2.9% Medicare payroll tax to ‘interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents,’”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704188104575083520811873704.html
Gun Control: Back to the Supreme Court
“The case marks the second round of high-stakes litigation over the breadth of the Second Amendment — and will likely have wider impact nationwide than the first. In June 2008, the justices struck down a Washington, D.C., handgun ban and declared for the first time that the Second Amendment covers an individual right to keep and bear arms.
“The new question is whether the 2008 decision also applies to cities and states, or only to laws in the federal government and its enclaves, such as Washington. It sets up another major constitutional question with ramifications for scores of mostly urban gun regulations.”
Generation Zero DVD
The Crisis, the High, the Awakening, the Unraveling…Shipped 3/22/10. Order for $25 now at
http://www.generationzeromovie.com/?gclid=CIbjvpGUjqACFeh_5QodukPucw
PA Blues More Blue
Newsweek should have handed pink to the libs…
“According to the Franklin and Marshall poll, which surveyed 1,143 residents of Pennsylvania, former Representative Pat Toomey–a Republican disciple of Steve Forbes and the Club for Growth–leads Democratic Senator Arlen Specter in the senate race by 44 to 34 percent among likely voters. He leads Democratic Representative Joe Sestak by 38 to 20 percent. If you want to get really worried about Democratic prospects, look at the breakdown. Toomey leads Specter among whites by 53 to 24 percent and among voters from union households by 44 to 41 percent. The only groups among whom Specter does well (besides registered Democrats) are non-whites and people with no religious affiliation. He’s got that vaunted McGovern coalition wrapped up.”
http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/keystone-blues
BO Knows Your Cell Phone
“Americans own nearly 300 million cell phones. These ubiquitous electronic devices are used billions of times every day to make phone calls, place orders, locate destinations, pay bills, text messages, read emails, and browse the web. In a single generation, phone books, road maps, and pay phones have been rendered virtually extinct.
“Recognizing the treasure trove of information that can be revealed by or retrieved from these devices, the federal government now wants to use our cell phones and other personal communication devices for something quite different from the purposes for which we purchase and employ these now-essential tools.
“In arguments earlier this month before a federal appeals court in Philadelphia, lawyers for President Barack Obama made the case that the government should be able to easily track the location of cell phone users without first securing a warrant. In making this argument, the Obama Administration mimics the position taken by its predecessor.”
$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for Public Sector Retirees $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
“The Fairfax County Taxpayers Association asked why the school board is urging the supervisors to raise taxes by $81.9M although only $9M is needed to pay for next year’s expected increase in student enrollment.
“The school superintendent acknowledged that the reason is the increased cost in employee benefits, especially pensions. According to the schools’ proposed FY2011 budget, employee benefits costs are increasing by $98M, of which $71M is for pensions and another $15M is for retiree medical benefits.
“The school board has been less than straightforward with the community about this. During her opening remarks at the forum, school board chairman Kathy Smith talked about cuts to band and sports, and bigger class sizes, but never acknowledged that the cuts were being made to pay for increased benefits costs. School board members urged the audience to ask the supervisors to raise taxes. If taxes are not raised, then the board will cut band and sports and increase class size to make the pension payments.” (emph added, JB)
http://reason.com/blog/2010/02/21/even-more-on-the-coming-war-ov
BO’s Art Department
Missile Defense Agency is now signified by a mix of the Islamic flag and BO’s campaign decal.
Jefferson’s Dark Period
(Excerpt of Michael Kranish, 2010, Flight from Monticello: Jefferson’s Dark Period.)
“When the Revolutionary War commenced, Jefferson had been enthusiastic. While in Philadelphia in June 1775 for a meeting of the Continental Congress, and having just learned of the Battle of Bunker Hill, he was asked to draft a declaration on the necessity of taking up arms. “The war is now heartily entered into,” he wrote to his brother-in-law, and he expected it to last but a few months. He told a cousin that he looked forward to spending “the rest of my days in domestic ease and tranquility.”
“That was not to be, of course. Jefferson’s soaring words in the Declaration of Independence in 1776 were the first of his accomplishments that would eventually turn him into a demigod, but—as Mr. Kranish, a Washington reporter for the Boston Globe, relates in compelling detail—his two terms as Virginia’s wartime governor, from June 1779 to June 1781, ended with his reputation under a cloud. “
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703808904575025410176289240.html
Announcements and Meetings
Tonight: Fax Congress. “The only acceptable reform is a blank page.”
WHITE HOUSE FAX: (202) 456.2461. FIND CONGRESS FAX # AT www.Congress.org
Please sign the PETITION for the Republicans to “Stand Firm” and not make any concessions. www.AmericanGrassrootsCoalition.org
WEATHER CANCEL February 26th, 5-8 PM: Petition Signing: Toomey, Rohrer, Sellers…
Anyone can come! With or without a petition! Valley Forge Patriots, 2nd Floor, Molly McGuires, Phoenixville. Notary on site! 195 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460-3401, (610) 933-9550
February 27th, 10:15 AM-1 PM: Sestak Scatters Job Candy from BO
Interboro High School, 16th & Amosland Rd, Prospect Park, 19076
“Even if Joe Sestak is not your congressman now, he wants to be your senator. This is a great opportunity for us to educate the public on what Joe stands for. We will be handing out literature exposing his positions on the issues and his voting record. There will be signs available or you can bring your own.
“Educating our communities about his far left progressive agenda and its danger is our responsibility if we are going to restore our Republic and our Constitution. Please join us!!!
“For more information call Helen Weber-610-692-6125”
February 28th, Noon, Sunday, Rally, King of Prussia Mall
King of Prussia Mall, Corner of Mall Blvd and Rt. 202, King of Prussia, PA 19406
March 1st, 7 PM (Monday): Pottstown Patriots
Fairways Pub & Grille, 3347 W. Ridge Pike, Limerick, PA 19464, (610) 495-7626 http://www.meetup.com/912-PA/calendar/12704845/
March 5th, 5-8 PM: Petition Signing: Toomey, Rohrer, Sellers…
Others welcome. Valley Forge Patriots, 2nd Floor, Molly McGuires, Phoenixville. Notary on site!
195 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460-3401, (610) 933-9550
March 6th, 4 PM: Safari Club Banquet
Westover Country Club, Jeffersonville. Registration required: Bob Spanger, 609-944-7816.
RESCHEDULE – Pat Toomey Speaks: March 8th. 45th Annual Lincoln Day Dinner
Republican Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth
Merion Tribute House, Merion Station, Pa. www.LincolnDinner2010.com
Also, Bob Guzzardi will have copies of his petition. He runs for Lieutenant Governor.
“Bob Guzzardi supports Pat Toomey for Senate
“Bob Guzzardi supports Sam Rohrer for Governor
“Bob Guzzardi supports Bob Guzzardi for Lieutenant Governor
“I am running as Republican independent of the party Establishment Insider Network. I am running to be the eyes and ears of The Forgotten Taxpayer and Small Business Person in Harrisburg. I am Not Business “As Usual. I am seeking the endorsement of Republican Voter, not the Business as Usual Establishment.
“Pennsylvania is headed toward a fiscal iceberg and it needs new people in the wheelhouse to change course. The iceberg is the revenue shortfalls and the pension bomb, about 10 billion in a 28 billion general fund budget. The State budget is 160 billion.
“My focus is on bringing value to the voter – information he and she needs to make informed decisions about government policies and candidates. The Lt. Governor office can be a venue of open and transparent government.”
Chester County Elections
http://dsf.chesco.org/election/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=644864
March 9th: Last day to file nomination petitions. (Do it earlier, risk a challenger.)
VF Patriots, Friday, March 12th, 6-9 PM, Candidates Forum
The Franklin Commons, 400 Franklin Avenue, Phoenixville, PA 19460, in the conference room at the Grant Street entrance. Moderated by GOP Committeeman Brian Peppel.
7 PM: State Representatives for PA Districts 26th, 150th & 157th
8 PM: Federal candidates for the 6th, 7th & 13th Congressional Districts. DianeCanney@verizon.net
TEA Party Express: 3/27-4/15/2010.
Starts in Nevada, stops in DC….http://www.teapartyexpress.org/
April 15th, 5-9 P.M.: 2nd Annual Tax Day Tea Party
Rally at the corners of Bridge & Main Street in Phoenixville. Please bring your TEA (Taxed Enough Already) signs. We have the second level of Molly Maguire’s set aside to enjoy some food, drink and merriment before, during and after our rally. Speakers to be announced.
July 15-17th: National TEA Party Unity Convention
Tea Party Nation is pleased to announce the National Tea Party Unity Convention, to be held in Las Vegas. http://www.teapartynation.com/
August 28th: Beck at Lincoln’s knee… “Restoring Honor.”
Donate to Special Operations Warriors (http://firstgiving.com/glennbeck).
karinstocking@msn.com $35.00 Karin Stocking, 1939 West Marshall St Norristown, PA 19403.