Rough Waters Ahead: Feds Foul Up Another Insurance Program
Now that the healthcare bill has officially become law, there are many questions being raised about whether or not the federal government has the capacity and the knowledge to run and administer an insurance program of this magnitude. This law literally effects every man, woman and child in the United States.
In addition to the new health insurance program and Medicare, there is yet another national insurance program run by the federal government – the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). As Congress congratulated itself for passing the healthcare bill and headed out of town on recess, our legislative branch neglected to take care of this insurance program that they were already running. Given that authorization for NFIP lapsed at midnight on Sunday, March 28th, this action – or inaction, as one might say – does not exactly engender faith that they will be any more responsible with the healthcare system in our country.
A fact probably known only to those who live in a flood plain: all flood insurance is provided by the federal government through your local insurance agent. The National Flood Insurance Program was established in 1968, and later made mandatory in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) in 1973. The Act was amended once again in 2004, when Congress put a two-claim limit on flood insurance policies. According to a memo released by FEMA, “NFIP will not be able to: (a) issue new policies, (b) increase coverage on existing policies, or (c) issue renewal policies.” What this means is that, if you are scheduled to close on a house or any other type property located in a flood plain during this hiatus, your bank will be forced to delay your closing until Congress restores the program. We know that this will not happen until they reconvene on April 12, 2010. Once they are in session, it is difficult to know when the Senate will take up the matter. For certain, nothing will get done anytime soon.
Another stall in the housing market is not what we need to help our economy recover – especially since that return to balance is partially driven by the real estate market. If you are paddling a canoe in your front yard in Connecticut or Rhode Island this week, and your policy was up for renewal this week, you are probably wondering what is going to happen to you. To put that into perspective, you accidental canoeists will be in a very similar boat under the new healthcare plan, when confronted with a medical condition in the years ahead.
While NFIP issue might not be getting a great deal of attention right now, it does illustrate Congressional ineffectiveness in managing mandated programs. Unfortunately, this can be interpreted as only a preview of what is to come in the months and years ahead of us. The government’s inability to act when it should, and act when it should not, will undoubtedly leave millions of Americans mired in layers of bureaucratic red tape – a situation which will haunt our new health insurance program as it now haunts the NFIP. Grab a paddle, people. Rough waters ahead.
Has Lincoln Davis’ Campaign Plagiarized a Website?
I know it is standard Democratic practice to take the money and liberty of others to line their own pockets. I wasn’t aware that practice extended to web design. However, if you have no problem with the first step, the second would seem to follow easily. What am I talking about? Seems Representative Davis’ campaign couldn’t find a good enough theme for his website or a design firm good enough to build one for him. So he took one from someone else. No word on whether his actions will be called a “technological crisis communication enhancement initiative” or not …
A Big City with No Debt and Huge Reserves … It’s True
I have just fallen in love with at least one Canadian product. It’s the city of Mississauga, Ontario. Thanks to my friends at you-know-where for turning me on to this Sid Burgess report.
Led by 11 term mayor, 88 year old Hazel McCallion, Mississauga has done what other cities only dream of. It’s the 6th largest city in Canada and it is debt free with $700 million in reserves for future development. By way of comparison, I don’t even want to know how much my town owes and our Nashville, TN city council just voted to finance a $500 million convention center and hotel (which few Nashvillians want) on top of all our other debt. Asked how she got re-elected so often, Mayor McCallion replied, “You have to look after your people, keep your taxes down and bring lots of jobs into the city.”
I’d offer to trade mayors but I suspect the folks in Mississauga would be unable to muster the energy to sign any such agreement due to incapacitation by hysterical laughter at the very thought. Suggesting such a fiscally responsible course of action to our elected officials here would probably produce a similar response except it would be limited to the politicians as opposed to the general populace.
Check out the video below and the 2009 Mississauga Taxes and Assessment report for clues to how they do it. Most novel is their approach to property taxes. Mississauga’s property tax rate is not based on the value of the properties involved. It’s based on the fiscal needs of the city. The budget is set first and then taxes are assessed. Given the city’s debt free/hundreds-of-millions-in-reserve status it is no surprise that Mississauga has one of the lowest property tax rates around.
Did I mention that Mississauga is also the home for the Canadian corporate headquarters “for companies like Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Pepsico, General Electric, Fujitsu and Wal-Mart Canada.”
It really is possible to do this sort of thing. The only things missing from American cities to duplicate these results are Mayors with the conviction and courage to do what Hazel has done. Hazel McCallion earned her last re-election with an unheard of 92% of the vote freely given by approving citizens based on her performance. American Mayors seem content to buy narrow margin victories by taxing their productive citizens to pay off their cronies and voter base. Are you listening Mayor Dean?
Some Campaign Decisions Aren’t All THAT Difficult
Conventional wisdom dictates the campaign with the most money and the most experienced staff outperforms the underfunded and inexperienced campaign. But anything can happen in a campaign and often does. A couple of days, let alone weeks or months can be a political eternity when it comes to having to live with the consequences of choices made by campaigns. Which is why campaigns like money and experience. It helps cut down the number of opportunities to gaffe your way into a concession speech instead of a victory speech.
But it doesn’t always work out like that. Consider these two campaigns. One is in California, one in Pennsylvania. One is a US Senate race, one a US House race. One candidate has lots of money and political experience and the other is running her first race on a shoestring budget. Both of them put out web videos. One of them is excellent and the other … well, not so much …
Banking Gets a Tax, Labor Gets a Pass
If there was ever a reason to replace the current administration and a Congress recklessly committed to enacting every idea coming from it, the following qualifies. It is good for Democrats today to have friends in high places. Democrats no longer even pretend to represent anyone other than their base.
On January 14th the White House announced two new taxes. One was a tax on banks and the second a tax on health care benefits. Both mean less money in consumer’s pockets as banks will pass on their increased costs to customers and Americans with employer sponsored health care plans will be taxed on the value of their plan. That is, you’ll be taxed on your health care benefits if you aren’t in the pockets of the Democrats.
The NY Times reports, “The Senate bill currently would impose a 40 percent tax on the amount of policies for individuals above $8,500 and family plans above $23,000.” While such a steep a price for a policy might mean not many Americans will be affected by the tax, the White House and Democrats know different. The Times adds Democrats and Unions are concerned it will impact their membership saying the plan “will hit many union-sponsored health plans and force an increase in medical expenses for many middle class families.”
One day later, on January 15th, the NY Post reported that while Banking gets hit with a huge tax increase, Unions get a pass and cut a “sweetheart deal” with the administration concerning the implementation of the tax on health care. Union members won’t pay it until 2018 while the rest of us pay right away. We’ll be paying a lot, too. The Post reports, “The sweetheart deal, hammered out behind closed doors, will save union employees at least $60 billion over the years involved, while others won’t be as lucky — they’ll have to cough up almost $90 billion.” Unions are reported to be “thrilled” with the agreement and “crowing” about their success.
This illustrates all that is wrong with a powerful Central Government. It intrudes on the People’s Lives, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness in ways not permitted by Constitutional limits on its power. Like the auto bailouts, Democrats favor their friends and punish perceived opponents. Doing so promotes class warfare and decreases confidence in the entire process. It breeds a commitment to acquiring political power as opposed to providing representative Government. The list of ills such a deal reveals is lengthy.
While especially true of today’s Democrats, such corruption is not limited to a political party or special interest group. Anyone replacing the principle that Government is to safeguard the Liberties of the People with Government bestowing gifts on those it chooses is guilty – regardless of party affiliation. Those advocating such destructive notions must be identified and defeated. Until they are our Country and our Economy will continue to suffer.
Raising It Right are a good place to start looking for people and groups who support the idea that being free means being free. Investigate our Candidates, Organizations and Merchants and find some to support. Fight those using their authority to steal yours. This nation was founded on the notion that each man ought to govern his own life and affairs. Government was then instituted to protect that right. Today, Government too often demands we surrender that authority to it – for our own good, of course. If it is to be stopped, the resistance begins here!
Repaying TARP Bailouts to be Enforced via Taxes
The New York Times reported today on the Obama administration’s plans to add yet another tax burden on Americans in the midst of current financial challenges facing taxpayers.
It’s a tax on banks to recoup the money loaned to them under the terms of the financial industry’s recent bailout by Government. Set to go into effect after June 30th, the President says the tax is intended to “to recover every single dime the American people are owed” for bailing out the Economy.
The breathtaking ignorance of such a move is readily apparent. Taxpayers didn’t ask for the ability to loan money to banks in the first place. President Obama decided to do that in our name. When his grand plan to save the Economy proved both unpopular and ineffective, he is now demonizing banks and, again without consulting the taxpayers in whose name he purports to be acting, seeks to get our money back for us via a tax.
Why the Government doesn’t set up a payment plan for the banks and get our money back with interest is a question left unanswered. Probably because Liberal politicians are at least smart enough to understand that a payment plan eventually ends but a tax, once enacted, has a half life approaching that of a radioactive isotope! The Times even addresses the idea that the tax might not go away once the debt is repaid noting that “Administration officials did not outline any provision for having the tax expire once all the money is recouped.” Further, the administration brushed aside the bank’s contention that much of the money has already been repaid at interest and “called its tax a “financial crisis responsibility fee” aimed at those institutions whose risk-taking caused the problem in the first place.”
Continuing its savaging of private enterprise, the Market and the pocketbooks of individuals, the administration plans to try and force banks to pay in the way Liberals believe it should be paid, by reducing bonuses. Normally a business would properly pass on such outrageous costs arbitrarily mandated by Government to consumers. But the Administration is playing divide and conquer with financial institutions by exempting smaller banks and community banks from the tax so “that big banks will not be able to pass on the costs of its levy without risking a loss of market share to rivals that are not subject to the tax.”
It is precisely this sort of action by Government which is opposed by a large number of Americans. It pits one group of American against others; it injects Government into matters best decided by the Market; its end goal is to reduce and infringe upon the Liberty and Rights of the Individual as opposed to protecting them; and, it does all this and more under the demonstrably false banner of looking out for our best interests.
If you agree, do some research into our candidates, organizations and merchants and support those who also agree. It’s time and money well spent. Thanks for stopping by!
2010 is the Year to “Give”, Not “Go”
On September 12th, 2009 a crowd estimated at 500,000 to 2,000,000 gathered in the nation’s capitol to make their wishes known to Congress. They wanted irresponsible spending stopped. They wanted an end to unconstitutional legislation. They were ignored. Everyone I spoke to who took part in that rally labeled it one of the most personally inspiring events of their lifetime. Unfortunately, they hadn’t gone to Washington for a “mountain top” experience. They went to effect political change. At the time, it was all people could talk about. Today, just a few months later, I hear next to nothing about it.
By contrast, in the middle part of the last decade, a small number of wealthy men quietly flipped the state and federal delegations of one state from Republican to Democrat and did it without leaving home. Tim Gill and a few others dropped $10 million dollars into a couple of consecutive election cycles in Colorado. They, too, wanted to effect political change. No doubt many questioned their sanity and tactics. Those who ignored them did so to their detriment. Today, years later, I still hear about what is known as “the Colorado model”. Not because it moves men’s hearts; but because it changed a state.
The bottom line is “giving” is more effective than “going” – at least in politics.
These two stories from the past, one success – one failure, illuminate what’s at stake in the present. Let’s assume 1,000,000 people marched on Washington, DC last September spending 48-72 hours and $500 each to do so. Simple math reveals a pool of 48,000,000 to 72,000,000 man hours and a whopping $500,000,000 in cash. That’s enough to put 1 to 1.5 million man hours into phone banking, envelope stuffing, and door knocking to go along with $10,000,000.00 in giving to candidates in each state in the Union! In a single election cycle, in all 50 states, we can duplicate activity proven in one state to produce the political change we want.
I’m not saying marching on DC is a bad thing. In fact, I believe the 9-12 March helped solidify the national legitimacy of our political opposition to the agenda of those who would steal away our Liberty. It brought us together in a needed way. But it failed to put Government in its place.
There are already calls to return to DC in 2010 in even bigger numbers and to gather for a variety of causes. In this election year, I think that’s a mistake. Take the $500 you would spend and the hours you would invest and spend and invest them at home. Find and support – with your time, talent and treasure – candidates and organizations that represent you. Not only will that produce the political success we went to Washington to accomplish, it will produce the “band of brothers” relationships we’ll treasure for years as well.
Liberal Dems to force Health Care nightmare on hurting nation
The New York Times and CNN are reporting that Senate Democrats are preening as they announce they have secured Senator Ben Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska, as the needed 60th vote to pass their unread, untested, untried and unbelievably bad Health Care Reform legislation.
The bill, crafted by Democrats alone and behind closed doors, and forced on a nation already reeling from earlier Democrat economic assaults, is opposed by every GOP Senator including the usually liberal GOP Senator from Maine, Olympia Snowe.
In addition, Democrat plans for Health Care Reform are opposed by an overwhelming majority of Americans from all across the political spectrum. Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike understand what such a bill will do to the nation and do not want it passed in any form by wide margins. Gallup polling, ABC News/Washington Post polling, Rasmussen polling, Fox News polling, AP polling, Public Opinion Strategies polling and more are unanimous in reporting Americans are opposed to the Democrat’s options for Health Care Reform.
Amazingly, the “representatives” in Washington, D.C. refuse to honor either their constituent’s desires or, more importantly, their oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Instead, they are bound and determined to implement a calculated plan to dismantle the Free Market system and undermine the Republic they should be defending. They continue to use tax dollars to pay for the votes of Democrat Senators like Ben Nelson and Bernie Sanders just like they did with Mary Landreiu. You foot the bill yesterday; you are paying for today’s expenses and you are expected to pony up the cash to keep these people in power tomorrow, too.
There is only one way to defeat these people. They are able to do what they are doing because they have political power. They must be defeated first at the polls and then the legislation can be blunted or rescinded. While you’re here at Raising It Right, find a candidate to support financially. Then volunteer some time to his campaign. And tell your friends you’re doing so. If enough of us give our time, talent and treasure, we can unseat those refusing to lead or even represent us well.
Raising It Right – online fund raising in a 3.o world.
**CONTEST** Win 6 months worth of weekly payments!!
To help get things started, I thought we should have a contest. After all, it’s the Christmas season where we all think about giving things to friends and family. And who doesn’t love a good contest?
So here’s the deal. Folks who use Raising It Right to raise money get to choose how often their payments are sent out. They can get a payment a month on the 1st of the month for $5 a month. They can get paid twice a month, on the 1st and the 15th for $10 a month or they can get paid every Friday, regardless of the date, for $20 a month – including months with 5 Fridays!
Starting January 1st, 2010 and running through March 31st, 2010, Raising It Right will be conducting a monthly contest. Each month, a Grand Prize winner gets 6 months of free weekly payments, a $120 value. In addition, there will be 1 winner of 6 months of bi-weekly payments (a $60 value) and 2 winners of 6 months of monthly payments (a $30 value).
Drawing for the prizes will take place on the 1st of February, March and April with winners notified by email and noted here as well. Prizes will apply beginning on the day of the drawing. For example, the February 1st winner will receive their free service from February 1st through the end of July. The March 1st winners from March 1st through the end of August and so on. When the time period for the prize expires, the winner’s payment option will return to what it was when they won the prize for those who had accounts when they won or to monthly for those who established accounts because they won.
To be eligible for the prize, you must either have set up an account at Raising It Right with which you are raising money or you must be a subscriber to our Funding Your Future newsletter. Those of you who are both have two chances to win. You must have completed these actions by 11:59PM CST on the last day of the previous month as determined by our records. The drawings will be from the total number of eligible entries at the time of the drawing so the best chance is in the first drawing since that will have the fewest entries. You cannot win more than once during this contest. The prize is transferable so if you win, you don’t have to use it yourself. You can give your prize to a friend.
So what are you waiting for? Go sign up for something already …
And welcome to Raising It Right – Online fund raising in a 3.0 world!
Democrats raise money using censorship
ConservativeHQ’s News From the Front blog today referenced an American Thinker piece from Mark J. Fitzgibbons titled “Free speech for me – not for thee” in his email blast today.
Fitzgibbons remarks on an appeal he received from no less an organization than the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) offering a gift for a donation. It was a refrigerator magnet which reads “STAND FOR CHANGE — SILENCE GOP LIES”. Fitzgibbons’ take is that for an organization such as the DSCC to advocate for censorship in this fashion “… is more than shameful. It is downright scary and ugly.” He goes on to speculate that no one on the Left will likely even bother to notice.
For those on the Right, however, it is just another example of Democrats and their need to force their opponents to be silent since they cannot defeat them on principle. From the 2008 August recess where Nancy Pelosi ordered the power shut off so GOP lawmakers could not carry on the Energy debate to being on the wrong side of Net Neutrality to calls to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine the Left cannot compete and so they seek to conquer. The GOP’s ideas are not to be debated and defeated. The GOP is to be silenced.
Fighting back against such un-American tactics is at the core of Raising It Right’s reason for being. We can stop these arrogant and distasteful efforts by Democrats by helping Liberty loving candidates be elected and supporting organizations who fight for Liberty and not merely power.
Please take some time to look through our selection of candidates, organizations and merchants to find someone to support or something you’d like to purchase. If you’re getting this via email, please visit Raising It Right to do the same. Even a small gift will help to keep our 1st Amendment liberties intact, even if the other guys would use theirs to try to silence us.
Raising It Right – online fund raising in a 3.0 world.
