Archives for the Month of August 2006 on College Conservative Movement
The UN can't handle Iran
I can't believe the UN cannot do as much as enforce their own resolutions. They are blatantly going against a UN resolution. They are blatantly pursuing nuclear weapons. If the UN does not do anything when their resolutions are ignored, what are they worth? Do you think Iran really cares that the UN is upset with them? No... not at all. Diplomacy is only worth anything if it is used from a position of strength. The UN must apply economic sanctions to Iran.
Less tropical storms Bush's fault too?
Last year... many people blamed President Bush for the "global warming induced tropical storms" even though most meteorologists preached that it was just part of a tropical cycle. Ok... so if that was Bush's fault... isn't the much less active season this year his fault too?
A conservative solution America's health insurance problems
America has a problem. Not everyone can get health insurance. I have a plan that takes a common sense approach to health coverage in America. Our nation can solve this problem without having to create an inefficient government program. In order to best understand my plan, one must understand my perspective as a college student, why government run universal health care cannot work, and my plan to fix America’s health insurance system.
First of all, one must view this problem through my perspective in order to best understand my thinking. I am 21 years old. I am a college student working towards an undergraduate degree in engineering. I also have a chronic medical condition called Crohn’s disease that requires a bimonthly IV treatment. This treatment can cost in upwards of $7,000 dollars an infusion. This boils down $42,000 a year. Right now insurance covers it. However, I will no longer be eligible for my parents’ medical insurance once I reach the age of 23 years old. I will not graduate until I am 24. There is a program called COBRA that allows me to extend that coverage, but one can only utilize this program for two years. This means that I would have a lapse in coverage if I were to pursue a more advanced degree. I cannot afford a $40,000 education and $42,000 in medical bills, so a graduate degree is completely out of the question for me. My problems would not stop at the end of that lapse in coverage. Assuming I can somehow come up with the money to pay for my treatment throughout a graduate degree program, after six months off of insurance, my Crohn’s disease will be a pre-existing condition. This means that even when I graduate and get insured, I will have to wait a year for my new insurance to even begin to cover any medical expenses related to the disease.
Hillary Clinton and John Kerry are always talking up a universal health care program. That sounds so perfect. Under their plan everyone would have free medical insurance. No one would have to pay for any prescriptions, hospital visits, or surgeries. This sounds great to the casual observer; however, upon further examination, it is far less beneficial than it sounds. First of all, taxes would have to be raised astronomically to fund such a program. This would place even more burden on domestic businesses where it is already difficult to compete in a global economy with current taxes and regulations. It would be even more difficult to compete because more taxes would further increase the cost for product development and production. More importantly, a universal health care system would disrupt the most powerful medical system in the world. Right now, hospitals are competing to provide the most advanced treatments to draw customers. If a socialized health care system is put in place, competition would be replaced with government regulations. This would greatly hinder future advances in medicine. Most importantly, this would result in patients receiving the cheapest treatments and not the best treatments. This is clear in the treatment of Crohn’s disease in Canada where the health care system is socialized. The government will not pay for the regular IV treatments that I receive. They will only pay for much cheaper treatments like prednisone. While prednisone is only twenty dollars, it can destroy one’s bones and liver. It also can lead to extreme anger, mood swings, weight gain, acne, glaucoma, ulcers, abdominal pain, cataracts, insomnia, horrible infections, diabetes, and hypertension. Even with all those side effects, it only works in some cases. In my case, my body did not respond to it at all. With the treatment that I am currently receiving, Remicade, I have been nearly symptom free for almost five years. Some people from Canada are so desperate to get Remicade treatments that they travel to the Cleveland Clinic to receive treatments at their own expense. This is not acceptable. I cannot even imagine having to live without my medication. My life would be absolutely miserable.
I have a plan that could fix the problem with health care without having to socialize it. The concept is quite simple. The biggest problem with America’s health insurance system is the necessity to be part of a group to get affordable coverage. As a college student, once I am off my parents’ coverage, I have nowhere to turn to. Even if I wanted to pay a premium rate, I could not get coverage. My plan would effectively get rid of that problem. The expected outcome is to allow United States citizens to purchase an individual, affordable health insurance plan through a private company. In order to accomplish that, the federal or state congress will first determine minimal standards for two types of coverage: minimal coverage and premium coverage. After that is set, they will set up a linear tax cut system. This system would provide a certain amount of tax relief to health insurance companies who provide individual plans that meet the standards set. The system would be linear because the amount of tax relief would be proportional to the number of people insured. This would encourage competition between the insurance companies to receive the maximum tax break. Competition ensures the best value for the consumers. It is also necessary for the government to require that the company offer the two plans for the same price to all members. This will help to ensure that people with chronic conditions will be able to afford coverage as well. It is necessary that a dialog take place to determine what level of tax cuts are necessary for the insurance companies to participate.
This plan would create and utilize the same capitalistic environment that has made our country such a great and powerful nation. This would make insurance companies compete for tax breaks. Any time companies are competing, the consumer wins. This would allow any citizen of the United States of America to get health coverage at an affordable rate without the creation of an inefficient government program. With the available coverage, the life expectancy and overall health of our nation will likely improve. The tax cuts provided to the insurance companies would also help to improve economic conditions. It would put money back into our economy to help create economic growth. The most important thing about this plan is that all of these results could be achieved without disrupting the operation of our globally superior medical institutions.
Iranian President: Solution to Middle East crisis is to destroy Israel
Iranian President: Solution to Middle East crisis is to destroy Israel
How many times do the conservatives have to say this before the libs get it? This war is not about land. This war is about Iran's desire to destroy Israel. There is no negotiating with a madman.
Iran has also already rejected the UN offer. It is time for harsh economic sanctions. We cannot let this continue. We must come from a position of strength.
Strickland ranks 5th for most votes missed in congress
Ted Strickland ranks 5th for the most votes missed by any congressman this year. He has missed votes on 165 issues. This lack of devotion to his public office shows that he would not take the position of governor seriously. Do you really want to elect someone governor who skips out on his elected roll in the government 165 times?
Strickland on the wrong side of many issues
Abortion:
Voted NO on an amendment to prohibit any funds to be used by the FDA for the testing, development, or approval (including approval of production, manufacturing, or distribution) of any drug for the chemical inducement of abortion
Voted NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad
Voted NO on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes.
voted YES on an amendment to allow funds other than Federal funds to be expended for abortions.
Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research.
Economic Issues:
Against Privatization of social security.
Voted NO on eliminating the "marriage penalty".
Voted NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax").
Voted NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years.
Voted NO on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts.
Voted NO on making the Bush tax cuts permanent.
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends.
Voted YES on an amendment in nature of a substitute to require the Department of Labor to establish a Small Employer Health Benefits Plan similar to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan. Requires the Secretary to widely disseminate information about SEHB through the media, internet, public service announcements, and other employer and employee directed communications. Employers with fewer than 100 employees during the previous calendar year shall be eligible to apply for coverage under SEHB.
Voted NO to provide small business certain protections from litigation excesses and to limit the product liability of nonmanufacturer product sellers.
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade.
Voted NO on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Voted NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement.
Voted NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile.
Voted NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools
Rated 25% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes.
Energy:
Voted NO on scheduling permitting for new oil refinieries.
Voted NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries.
Voted NO on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy.
Voted NO on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy.
Voted NO on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels.
Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR.
Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol.
Defense:
Voted NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date.
Voted NO on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored.
Voted NO on reforming the UN by restricting US funding.
Voted NO on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight.
Voted NO on adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.
Voted NO on authorizing military force in Iraq.
Immigration:
Voted NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment.
Health Care:
Voted NO on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages.
Voted NO on small business associations for buying health insurance.
Voted NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits.
Voted NO on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts.
Other Issues:
Voted NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance
Voted NO on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage
Ken Blackwell Endorsed By Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich has gone on record endorsing Ken Blackwell for governor of Ohio. This says a lot coming from one of the most important figures in the conservative movement. Ken Blackwell has his politics right. He is just as Newt Gingrich says, out of the mold of the greatest president in recent times, Ronald Reagan.
Former U.S. House Speaker and conservative movement hero Newt Gingrich today announced his support for Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell."Ken Blackwell is a man, cast in the mold of President Ronald Reagan, with powerful ideas that will empower individuals and spur job creation in the Buckeye State," said Gingrich. "His new ideas, new strategies and new solutions will set Ohio back on the right path."
"I am honored to have the support of a true hero in the conservative movement," said Blackwell. "The overwhelming support of conservative leaders is a testament to my adherence to the core principles that have made the Republican Party the nation's party of ideas and progress."
We Need Ken Blackwell's Turnpike Lease Plan!
Gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell today blasted the Ohio Turnpike Commission’s move to increase tolls by 14.5 percent simply to maintain current operations. The commission’s decision to seek additional funding while refusing to examine internal cost-saving measures makes it ripe for a market-centered reform.
As we near election time, we are starting to see the need for Ken Blackwell’s lease of the turnpike system. There is too much wasted money in government operations. These leases have worked in other states, yet Strickland wants nothing to do with Ken Blackwell’s excellent plan
Similar leasing deals have proven extremely profitable to state and local governments. Indiana recently leased its 157-mile turnpike for $3.8 billion. Chicago leased its 8-mile Skyway for $1.82 billion. Illinois expects to receive $14 billion from its 274-mile turnpike. Currently, 15 states and municipalities have leased or are accepting bids for their toll roads.Currently, fees collected on the Ohio Turnpike are used exclusively for operations and provide no direct financial benefit to Ohio taxpayers. In addition, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) subsidized the toll road with over $23.4 million in taxpayer dollars over an 18-month period ending June 30.
Further, the Ohio Turnpike is a model of government inefficiency with:
• Twenty-three percent of Turnpike revenue used to collect tolls and full-time toll collectors earning $45,000 a year, when many states utilize automated toll collection systems;
• Twenty-six percent of Turnpike revenue used to make payments on a $709 million, 30-year debt; and
• Twenty percent of Turnpike revenue used for construction projects, even though congestion is low and design deficiencies virtually non-existent.
This leaves the possibility of BILLIONS of dollars of extra revenue plus countless dollars of savings from the removal of governmental operational costs. This will help our economy and reduce the size of our state government. This will help bring jobs to Ohio.
Vote for Ken Blackwell for Ohio Governor.
What does it take to save Cleveland and the rest of Ohio's economy?
How is it that Ohio has a dismal job market while the rest of the country has a booming economy? This is something that intrigues politicians all throughout Ohio. This is a big concern for people in my situation. In two years, I will be graduating from college with a degree in Computer Engineering. There are very few technological jobs in Cleveland anymore. I want to stay in Cleveland; however, as it stands, I will likely have to relocate to find a job. The cost of living is very low in Ohio. Housing prices are very low. However, one thing is absolutely strangling the economy in Ohio. The tax hikes instituted by Governor Taft have put a sleeper hold on our economy.
There is someone who can save Cleveland and the rest of Ohio and that man is Ken Blackwell. Ken Blackwell has laid out a detailed plan to reduce the tax burden on Ohio citizens and business owners. As we have seen in the past few years, tax cuts help the economy. Ken Blackwell will lower taxes and reduce government spending in Ohio so that businesses are more inclined to come to Cleveland. His plans to cut spending include brilliant ideas like privatizing workers’ compensation and leasing the turnpike. These two things will generate revenue for the state as well as rid the state government of two inefficient programs. With low cost of living AND low taxes, Cleveland will be the ideal place for businesses.
The fact of the matter is, we are being taxed way too much in Ohio. The government is taking money out of the economy and wasting it on inefficient government programs. Ken Blackwell will fix that. With Ken Blackwell as governor, people like me who grew up in Cleveland and want to stay in Cleveland won’t have to leave to find a job.
Islamic Extemists vs. Israeli and US troops in a time of war
These pictures show the approach of Israel and the US's soldiers approach versus those of the Islamic Extremists.
Who will run for the GOP in 2008?
Who will run in 2008 for the GOP?
There are quite a few possibilities:
John McCain: While many consider him a front runner, I disagree. I think he is far to liberal to ever get the nomination. He has gone against the conservative agenda way too many times. McCain is one of the misguided Republican Senators that voted for the comprehensive joke of an immigration bill.
Rudy Giuliani: While he did do a lot of great things for New York, he is also far too liberal. He is for abortion which would make it much harder to get him elected.
Mitt Romney: He is often considered a front runner for the nomination. However, it is my opinion that being from Massachusetts will really hurt him in the primary. Like the first two, he has taken liberal stances on many issues. One thing that will really hurt him is the social health care program that he instituted in his state.
George Allen: He is a legitimate contender for the nomination. He has a strong record in family values, abortion, and government spending. His voting record is almost 100% with the conservative agenda. However, he is a senator. Traditionally, senators have had a hard time getting elected. I feel that his voting record in the senate will actually HELP him get elected because it is so staunchly conservative. Unlike many of his fellow misled GOP senators, he was against the awful senate immigration bill.
Senator Brownback: While he has often been considered a conservative’s conservative, he has been showing less political spine as of late. He is one of the many misguided Republicans who voted for the Senate immigration bill. Polls indicate this will be a big issue with the voters, so I believe that vote alone will make a presidential run impossible.
Bill Frist: This senator has the right political ideals to run for president. He has a strong pro-life record. He also has a very strong record on economic issues. While he is low in the polls right now, he could gain momentum as 2008 approaches.
Condi Rice: While she has repeatedly said she does not want to run for the presidency in 2008, many still consider her. She has shown a lot of leadership in her role as secretary of state. If she wanted it, there is no doubt she could get the nomination from the party. However, I question the way she has been handling the Israel-Lebanon conflict. In my opinion, she is legitimizing Hezbollah far too much. She seems to be caving into international pressure to encourage a cease fire. She should be involving Iran and Syria in these talks. She should be encouraging more than harsh words with Iran and Syria.
Newt Gingrich: Newt Gingrich is the dark horse of the presidential class of 2008. He is the best candidate out there. He is starting to rise out of the wood work. He even won a straw poll in Minnesota. Can you imagine Newt Gingrich in a debate? He would destroy whoever he is up against. He has shown through his spectacular service in Congress that he has a political spine. He stands on his principles with conviction that can only be matched by Ronald Reagan. While many question his gruff nature, I believe that it will not be an issue. His confidence in his ideas will ring loudly through America. He is strongly for the privatization of Social Security. This is a major issue with my generation. We want the same deal government workers and teachers get. He is also a throwback to the world of Reaganomics. He is for shrinking the government and shrinking taxes. He also is a very strong pro-life and family values candidate. This will help attract the compassionate conservative base. The most important quality that makes Newt Gingrich presidential material is his natural ability to lead a conservative movement. He showed with the GOP takeover of congress that he can lead a movement. After George Bush, America needs someone with conviction. We need someone who will stick to his conservative principles. That man is Newt Gingrich.