Will Obamacare turn the U.S. into banana republic

http://www.naplesnews.com/blogs/no-more-doubletalk/2010/apr/07/politics/
WILL OBAMACARE TURN THE US INTO A BANANA REPUBLIC?

Obamacare was finally passed. Seven months later than Obama’s original target. It took bribes, arm twisting, special deals, trampling of the US Constitution, but the President finally got what he wanted.What is the definition of a “Banana Republic”?
This is not a definition that you will find in Webster Dictionary. However, this expression has become common when referring to many of the governments in several Latin American countries. It originally referred to the banana producing countries of Central American, which have, over the years, been known to have governments, who resort to bribery, intimidation, violations of their constitution to either take over power, stay in power or pursue their anti-democratic agendas. The term is credited to American Author O. Henry in his 1904 book of linked short stories. Cabbages and Kings. The book was based on Mr. Henry's 1896-97 time in Honduras while he was hiding from the US government authorities for embezzlement in the United States. The term was used as a reference to a servile dictatorship which abetted, and supported bribes and kickbacks for the exploitation of large agricultural plantation which involved mostly in the growing of bananas.
As years have passed, countries like Argentina, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, etc. have become or behaved in such manner or worse.
Wikipedia, for instance defines the features of a Banana Republic as:
1-“A collusion between the overweening state and certain favored monopolistic concerns, whereby the profits can be privatized and the debts socialized.2-Devalued paper currency in the international community.3-Kleptocracy - those in positions of influence use their time in office to maximize their own gains, always ensuring that any shortfall is made up by those unfortunates whose daily life involves earning money rather than making it.4-There must be no principle of accountability within the government so that the political corruption by which the Banana Republic operates is left unchecked. The members of the national legislature will be (a) largely for sale and (b) consulted only for ceremonial and rubber-stamp purposes some time after all the truly important decisions have already been made elsewhere.”
If you look at what has happened in Venezuela, which has become the equivalent of a modern Banana Republic you see how unconstitutional actions, bribery, attacks on the media , and human rights abuses have driven this country into socialism and a decaying standard of living and suppression of freedoms.
1-Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez has bribed his military to support his socialist regime. He has also used bribes and intimidation against, both, political opponents and allies alike to maintain his hold on power.2-Hugo Chaves in Venezuela decided to take over the Oil industry because “they were evil doers and a threat to the economic stability of the country” under the hands of those running it. As a result, Venezuela’s oil production has decreased by about 25% since he took the industry over.3-Hugo Chavez in Venezuela has confiscated enterprises and on a populist move re-distributed their wealth. The result has been catastrophic for the Venezuelan economy with investments drying up and directly affecting its key oil industry causing oil output under his administration to drop by over 25% and inflation in the 25 to 30% range continues to seriously impact the population standard of living, and the currency to devalue.4-In Venezuela, Hugo Chaves has motivated attacks against the media and essentially shut down any criticism of his regime. Political speech has essentially been under attack by demonizing opponents and in many case taking over of media outlets, both print and broadcast.5-President Hugo Chavez, used manipulation and intimidation as well as gimmickry to corrupt the Venezuelan Supreme Court to be a party to his violation of the Venezuelan constitution so that he can essentially violate. term limits and stay in power as long as he can manipulate elections.
In Cuba we have seen what has happened over the 50+ years of the Castro regime.
1-Re-distribution of wealth has essentially destroyed the once thriving middle class. Currently there are only 2 classes. The poor and the government elite. While Castro supporters may blame the so-called US embargo, the fact is that Cuba has been able to buy all the products it wants from Canada, the European countries and essentially the rest of the world. Furthermore, the US has been and continues to be a major supplier to Cuba of food and medicines, as well as billions of dollars in remittances to Cuba from Cuban exiles. The so-called re-distribution of wealth has eliminated incentives for investment and job creation, thus making the Cuban economy a “basket” case.2-Intimidation and continued detention and execution of the opposition has completely destroyed freedom of speech and trampled human rights. The most recent intimidation has been that of “The Ladies in White”. This is a group of women that are wives, daughters, sisters, neighbors and friends of Cuban political prisoners who have been marching for years, in a peaceful manner, for better prison conditions and fair trials and humane treatment of the many political prisoners held in very inhumane conditions. In 2005, the European Parliament awarded these ladies the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of thought. Over the years, the Castro regime has sent their thugs to harass, demonized and even attack these peaceful demonstrators. Recently, with the death in prison of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, a Cuban dissenter of African origin, the Ladies in White again marched and the Castro thugs violently attacked them, dragged them through the streets, and used racial slurs. The power of government intimidation is overpowering.3-Socialized health care in Cuba, that has been praised by the likes of Michael Moore is a sham. There are really 2 healthcare systems in Cuba. One for the people and one for the Cuban government elite. The common Cuban has to even bring sheets to the hospital, as well as basic medications, such as aspirins. If you doubt that, all you have to do is take a drive around the city of Miami and you will see businesses all over the place advertising the shipping of medicines to Cuba. If the Cuban healthcare system could provide those medicines, these businesses in Miami could not thrive or exist.
Do you find any similarities with the above explanation of a Banana Republic, and what is going on in our great country since President Obama took over?
Here are some:
1-Bribery of Senators to pass Healthcare, including Senator Nelson of Nebraska for the Cornhusker deal. Senator Landrieu for the Louisiana Purchase. Senator Nelson of Florida special deal on Medicare Advantage. The $60 Billion “special” deal for unions only so that their “Cadillac” health benefits do not get taxed until after 2018, while the rest of the people in the US will have theirs taxed. There are also a variety of special deals for the States of Connecticut, Montana and even special deals for specific businesses.2-Congressmen who opposed the Obamacare were intimidated and threatened by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with removal from key Congressional Committees. Also many Democrat Congressmen were threatened by Speaker Pelosi with the withdrawal of any campaign moneys and support for their re-elections. Even the so-called pro-life Congressmen, like Stupak, were bribed by the President with a commitment to issue an “executive Order” to disallow the federal funding of abortion approved in the bill. The fact is that the executive order has no value from a legislative and legal perspective. The passed legislation, and signed by the President into law trumps any executive order. Congressman Stupak and his so-called “pro-life” group supported and voted yes on the bill, but got “political cover” by the use of gimmickry and doubletalk by the President and Congressional Leaders.3-The US is is in danger of becoming "a fascist country," which is defined as "private ownership, but government control." The US government doesn't have the money to own anything, but it has the force and the threat of violence to control just about anything it wants. Under President Obama, Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner is proposing the ability by the federal government to take over any private institution that he “deems” to big to fail and put it under total government control. Through this regulation the Obama Administration will fire Executives and Directors, void contracts and agreements and essentially nationalize those institutions, and/or sell them to their cronies.4-President Obama and members of his administration have attacked his opponents by demonizing them. They have stated in their recent speeches that there is too much vitriolic speech which can lead to violence. Yet, President Obama himself attended Jeremiah Wright’s church for 20 years. This is the same Jeremiah Wright who made incendiary speeches against the US, against our officials, against many other Americans, etc. Yet, President Obama never denounced so-called Reverend Wright, hateful, bigoted, anti-American, and racist rants.5-The so-called Healthcare reconciliation, starting in 2013, will impact all employers who provide retiree drug benefits. Employers will no longer be able to deduct the drug subsidy from the federal government for providing qualified retiree drug coverage under Medicare Part D. Employers, under FASB rules and SEC regulations are required to report changes to the tax treatment of the subsidy on their financial statements in the quarter in which the law is enacted. Over the last several days we have seen the likes of ATT, Verizon, Boeing, Caterpillar, and many other corporation follow the legal requirements and announced the impact that this new legislation will have on them and their retiree benefits. Because of this, Congressman Henry Waxman is calling for a set of hearings starting in late April 2010, and demanding that CEO’s of these corporations testify on the reason for these financial charges required by federal regulations. This is intimidation and scare tactics, not much different than what Hugo Chavez has used to his private industry critics.6-Since President Obama took office the deficit has grown to historic highs and unsustainable rates. The 2009 budget deficit was 1.4 trillion dollars. The 2010 deficit is projected to be over 1.5 trillion dollars. The printing presses are working 24/7 and the US depends more and more on the purchase of its debt by not so friendly countries like China and Middle East countries. As a result the dollar has dropped in value against most currencies, and inflation will be rearing its ugly head soon, since a way to cover this unsustainable deficits and increase in the national debt is by “monetizing” it. Oil has already exceeded over $80.00 a barrel as a result of a weakened dollar.7-Wealth redistribution called for by Obama and Biden as well as many other Democrat Leaders follow the populist undertaking of countries like Cuba, Venezuela, Argentina, etc. Interestingly enough, Obama and Biden “shine” when it comes to “distributing” their own wealth. Vice-President Biden charitable contributions over a 10 year period when he was Senator averaged, according to a USA Today report, $369 a year or about 0.3% of his income. The average nationwide for American’s households is 3% or 10 times Biden’s. In the case of Obama himself he contributed and average of 1% a year, but since he became President, his last year’s contribution was about 5%. This shows how the President and Vice-president are willing to “share” the wealth of others, but not theirs. Obama has also stated that there will be limits as to the deductibility of Charitable contributions. This will follow into his plans to make people more dependent on the government. Seems like political bribery.8-Tea Party movement has been demonized by Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, VP Biden and many other Democrat leaders. While they claim that the Tea Part people are Republicans, the fact is that major polls from the likes of Gallup ( Democrat pollster) shows that the majority of Tea Party people are Independents and Democrats, just people who are fed up with runaway federal spending, higher proposed taxes, and total disregard for the voice of the majority of Americans. The Obama media has also joined on the demonization of this people.9-Obama himself has attacked Fox News and talk radio. Is this Presidential? Does this threaten freedom of speech? The last President who attacked opposing media to this level was Richard Nixon. When that happened the Democrats and the Elite Media (NY Times, Washington Post, LA Times, ABC, CBS, NBC, etc)went in a tirade about the attack on “Freedom of the Press”. However now they remain silent. They do that at their own peril, the minute they decide (although that is probably doubtful since they are really the Obama media) to criticize the President they may also be demonized.
We live in scary time. Our country has changed, but not the Change that many people who voted for Obama expected or wanted. Our country has gone through similar major crisis before and come through stronger. It is up to us, the American people, in spite of been ignored and demonized by the Obama Administration, Pelosi, Reid, Biden and many others in the Democrat controlled Congress and the Elite Media, who can take the necessary actions (think active and peaceful participation in the political process and in the upcoming Congressional elections in November 2010), and bring our nation again to be the shining light of freedom and opportunity for the rest of the world, and those who want to work for a better tomorrow.

Maybe the Most Hyped Safeway Rollout Ever - Washington City paper

Maybe the Most Hyped Safeway Rollout Ever - Washington City paper
Posted by Lydia DePillis on Apr. 6, 2010 at 11:37 pm
Can you feel the socialness?

Georgetown ex-journalist and blogger-about-town Carol Joynt recorded her preview of the Georgetown Social Safeway “so you don’t have to break in before it opens on May 6th,” and we watched the entire ten minutes of shaky footage, so you don’t even have to do that!

The tour begins with an introduction from Safeway spokesman Craig Muckle, who announces that one of the new building’s primary green virtues is that it was built using no additional land. Nope, no urban sprawl here. The camera proceeds to the sales floor, lingering over signs for “family planning” and “craft beer,” while the sound of drilling and banging obscures any conversation between the handful of hard-hatted visitors. Sustainability is further highlighted; parts of the waste stream will be diverted to “other locations,” including composting. There’s a counter for “Ranchers Reserve Tender Beef,” a garden section labeled “poetry in bloom,” and a a whole circular awning labeled with different kinds of nuts. If you still need some outlet for your anticipation, you can watch the building’s progress 24/7 on their construction cam.

Now if they can just get President Obama to ring up the first customer, they’ll be golden.

We need a nanny to pester us about our nutrient-poor diets

We need a nanny to pester us about our nutrient-poor diets


BY SUZANNE HAVALA HOBBS - CORRESPONDENT
Tags: food_cooking | lifestyle | on the table

Does America need a diet super-nanny?

Yes, but those who need the most help may not know it ... or care. In fact, some are downright hostile at what they perceive as diet police dictating what they should and should not eat.

A good illustration of this is Jamie Oliver's new television show, "Food Revolution." The premise: A British celebrity chef sets up shop in the West Virginia town of Huntington, where his goal is to transform the eating style of people in the "most unhealthy town in America."

If you haven't seen the opening episodes of this new food reality show, get caught up by visiting Jamie Oliver's Web site at www.jamieoliver.com.

I don't want to spoil any surprises, so let's just say that Oliver's initial experiences with the Americans he hopes to help have been disappointing.

In addition to a radio show host who doesn't care about good nutrition, Oliver also meets schoolchildren with appallingly low food IQs. Even more troubling are the kids' abilities to ignore what they see and hear about what goes into processed foods.

In other words, even though they know it's trash, they still want to eat it. But see for yourself.

Pesky but right

We grown-ups may not want nannies, but we've had super-nannies to thank for many advances in public health.

Think air bags.

The automobile industry fought the use of air bags in cars for years. Now manufacturers brag about air bags that can be deployed from every nook and cranny of their vehicles, surrounding you in clouds of safety on impact.

Would you ever again want a car without air bags?

We got air bags because Ralph Nader - one of the original super-nannies - made a pest of himself for years.

The diet super-nannies have been around for decades, too. We're getting more notice today because we're on the cusp of an overhaul of the nation's kitchens.

With the passage of health reform is coming a national menu labeling policy that will require chain restaurants to provide calorie information on menus and menu boards around the country.

Once the Food and Drug Administration drafts an implementation plan for the new policy, we'll all be better able to make informed choices at the point of purchase when we eat out.

Restaurants run with it

Restaurants are already getting with the program. You may have seen the television commercial that Applebee's is running, touting their new "Under 550 Calories" menus.

At the same time, Congress has reauthorized child nutrition programs and with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 has set in motion a series of new policies aimed at improving federal nutrition programs including the national school lunch program and the federal food assistance program for women and children.

Once implemented, the legislation will, among other things, authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish stronger nutrition standards for all foods sold on school campuses throughout the school day, provide funds for local produce to be served in schools as part of the Farm-to-School Program, and provide funding for school gardens.

These changes are long overdue and urgently needed.

Thank the diet super-nannies.
Suzanne Havala Hobbs is a licensed, registered dietitian and clinical associate professor at UNC. Send questions and comments to suzanne@onthetable.net.

Fresh produce may not lower cancer risk

Fresh produce may not lower cancer risk


n eight-year study of half a million Europeans shows eating a lot of fruit and vegetables may not reduce the risk of cancer

An international study of almost 500,000 people has shown eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables may not lower a person's risk of getting cancer.

The report was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, highly regarded as a source for the latest news on cancer research.

The study examined the diets of 478,000 men and women in 10 western European countries for over eight years, and found those who ate a lot of fruit and vegetables did not have a significantly reduced chance of cancer.

This contradicts the long held view of the World Health Organisation that a diet high in fresh produce could help prevent the disease, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The authors said their study pointed to only a weak link between a high intake of fruits and vegetables and a reduced cancer risk.

Health experts warned people not to disregard fruit and vegetables, as a diet rich in them could help prevent heart disease, while some cancer types, like bowel and breast, are linked with obesity.

"We are still not clear why fresh fruits and vegetables would reduce cancer but we do know that some cancers are related to obesity, so regardless of these findings, people should be staying within a normal weight range," said Ian Olver, chief executive of the Cancer Council of Australia.

The report's findings were questioned by Bruce Armstrong, a professor of public health at the University of Sydney, who said the study did not focus on specific cancer types, and masked the results for some types that were linked to diet.

"Fruit and vegetables definitely do have a protective effect against some cancers. The evidence for bowel and oesophageal cancers remain strong, so we have not been giving people the wrong message," he said.