Obama’s Healthcare Bill and Sailing to Catalina
7 Comments Published by Dr. Beyster March 24th, 2010 in Government, San Diego.Before I go to bed at night, I usually watch CNBC. The last six months have been loaded with information on the new healthcare bill. Mr. Obama was the leading performer on the channel, pushing his healthcare reform. Although I didn’t vote for him, I have to note that he has done something that none of the other politicians running the country have been able to do: sensibly reform our government healthcare programs.
This is not a new issue for our country. It is my understanding that President Teddy Roosevelt tried to institute a similar program almost 100 years ago, but was defeated. Almost every president since then has tried to bring some form of government-backed healthcare to the American public, but these measures have been defeated each time. It appears to me that the lobbyists against it have been very strong. Most “civilized” countries have had government-backed healthcare available to their citizens with the U.S. being one of the few exceptions.
Now that the bill has passed, we’ll have to wait and see what happens. I’m frankly optimistic.
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The only thing that was different about last week is that instead of taking the boat to Oceanside, we went to Catalina. It was the first time in six months. Catalina is a beautiful place and it is being preserved for the ages by the Catalina Island Conservancy. The trip took us eight hours, starting at 9:30 am. We had lunch as usual at Armstrong’s Seafood. Dessert was a Big Olaf’s ice cream cone.
– Bob
Great to hear from you….glad you are back sailing.
The world of STRATCOM continues to evolve. Interesting time for them
V.R.
Al Buckles
I too am optimistic re the new Healthcare package. I am also glad the debate is over, for now and that government can move on to more small business, entrepreneurial and jobs stimulus passage..
BOB; I WAS PLEASED TO READ THAT YOU APPROVE THE PASSING OF THE HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL. THE PRESIDENT DESERVES PRAISE FOR THAT ACCOMPLISHMENT. SPRING IS FINALLY COMING TO THE MIDWEST AND NONE TO SOON FOR ME AND MY GARDEN. JEAN N. SUMI
Bob,
My concern with government funded heath care has always been: where will the money come from? The GAO’s estimate of $958 billion for the first 10 years will be shown to be low by at least a factor of 2, probably more. To borrow a line from Kevin Coster “If you build it, they will come.” i.e. more patients, more procedures and more drugs.
The Federal Government will be carrying a debt of more than $15 trillion by the end of next year. That equals the entire money supply at the moment. If interest rates are increased to realistic levels, just meeting the interest payments on the debt will consume the entire Federal budget. Also, I’ve started to see articles suggesting that the USA’s bond rating of AAA may soon be a thing of the past. Traditionally, a lower rating results in still higher interest rates, compounding the problem (pun intended). I see no way out. The new health care financial burden will only exacerbate an already impossible situation.
Bill: I’m a bit more optimistic than you are about the prognosis for the success of Obama’s new health care system. What’s obvious to me is that we are stuck with it now, so Congress has to make it work. You made some statements about federal bonds and the potential for a lower rating. I hope you’re wrong, but we’ll have to wait and see. — Bob
Jean: Are you still on Grosse Ile? Has the island changed very much? What’s Lakewood Drive look like today? Who’s living in your old house on the river? How are you doing? I’m looking for an excuse to visit Michigan. My daughter has some activities in Ann Arbor. I may come East to visit with her. — Bob
Al: You can’t imagine how much I miss my trips to Omaha, even in the winter. I actually have a powerboat now, not a sailboat. If you ever get in this neck of the woods, I’ll be happy to take you out. How is Admiral Bell? It looks like the strategic stockpile is going down again in the coming years, to about 2,500 warheads on each side. Are SAG meetings as exciting as they used to be? — Bob