The Respectfully Republican Conversation

Did you guys read about Obama and the tire pressure thing?  I think McCain is witty in suggesting handing out tire pressure gauges labeled, "Obama Energy Plan"!!    And Obama is trying to defend his remarks that he is right.  Ok, so is getting a tune up and changing your air filter ... but those things are not solving our problems.

Discussing the air-pressure issue during an appearance Tuesday night, McCain said he wasn't opposed to Obama's suggestion. "And could I mention that Senator Obama a couple of days ago said that we ought to all inflate our tires, and I don't disagree with that. The American Automobile Association strongly recommends it, but I also don't think that that's a way to become energy independent."

Obama had noted that keeping tires inflated and cars tuned was endorsed by both NASCAR and AAA and should be part of any comprehensive plan to reduce reliance on imported oil.

In mocking Obama, McCain told a motorcycle rally in Sturgis, S.D.: "My opponent doesn't want to drill, he doesn't want nuclear power, he wants you to inflate your tires." The Republican National Committee widely distributed tire pressure gauges labeled "Obama energy plan" and suggested that was the Illinois senator's only idea for reducing oil imports, although both candidates have offered multifaceted energy proposals.

On Wednesday, McCain criticized Obama for not fully embracing nuclear power as part of a comprehensive energy solution. "He's out of touch," McCain said while campaigning in Ohio.

Susie, that's some sad commentaries by the Obamas.  When he was asked the question he was stumped and had to make up something QUICK? 

I read some of the responses below the videos.  What is bad about America today that needs fixing that was better in years past.  What time line is he referring to?  When women were considered second class citizens.  When blacks had to sit in the back of the bus?  He's never specific.

Roctobermom, there's a place I found that breaks down how much money per gallon (I think) the oil companies profit.  And, it also showed how much taxes oil companies pay.  And you know these CEOs get high wages and bonuses.  I'll try to find that link and let you decide.  I think if the oil companies are price gouging us then something really needs to be done.

Linda--I'm sure you will get a laugh out of this from 2007.

Its a question of judgment.

http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2008/8/7/135429/4324

That is too funny, Susie!

Linda, ya know, when someone's "reporting" on something that big, be it Oprah or whomever, they should do some in depth studies to see what the heck is going on. 

I realize it's probably like that in most schools that teach the poorer students.  Do the parents in those "districts" or counties take time to go to the meetings at the school and demand better for their children?  Do they meet with the teacher to find out why "Joey" is failing?

We sent our girls to private schools.  And we still pay taxes.  And we will as long as we own property.  And we don't mind because it was our choice to send our children elsewhere.  We didn't like the public schools and all the crap that went on in them.  And it's even worse now.  However, I now kids who went to public schools and did great.  But I can tell you that their parents stayed on top of things.

Why does our local government mismanage monies that belong to the schools?  It infuriates me!

You can be sure Obama sends his children to a private school.

And I'm also so darned tired of corruption within our government.  Where are the good politicians?  I'm beginning to think our elected officials up there on the Hill should be able to only serve an X amount of years

This is a hoot!  If you don't get the feeling of deja vu look here:

 http://www.pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/archives2/022610.php

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Oh, my. The Obama groupies have come up with their own special sign language to signal their religion to each other. Here is the worshipful new gesture that its creators want to spread across the country (”We want to see it everywhere, but more importantly we want this sign to take the world by storm”) and at the Democrat convention with the goal of presenting a “crowd of 75,000 people at Obama’s nomination speech holding their hands above their heads, fingers laced together in support of a new direction for this country, a renewed hope, and acceptance of responsibility for our future” (via US News and HA Headlines):

In case you missed it a little humor from John Stewart on the racial paranoia of some in the media.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=178314&title=the-race-genie

This never fails, they both were a golden couple.  What happens when the mighty think too highly of themselves?  Usually a scandal.  He had to be walking 10' above the ground to think he could still run for President with this hanging over his head.  I don't know what Elizabeth could have been thinking either.  This is beyond the realm of weird.  I don't even know what to think about it.

I don't want our government running our medical care.  It's bad enough that the darned insurance companies do it!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/08/AR2008080803421.html?wpisrc=newsletter

I cringe at the thought of our government administering universal healthcare.----Look at the problems with medicare and the Part D presciption coverage.

I am not familiar with Canada's plan---but I can't imagine that their government wouldn't have the right to negotiate prices with the drug companys.  Our Veterans administration does but Medicare is not allowed; The argument is that  private-sector competition has keeps prices much lower and that access to certain medications could be restricted.  Obviously, this is not working. 

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From USA Today

Prices for some drugs skyrocket
By Julie Appleby, USA TODAY
Drug companies are quietly pushing through price hikes of 100% — or even more than 1,000% — for a very small but growing number of prescription drugs, helping to drive up costs for insurers, patients and government programs.

The number of brand-name drugs with increases of 100% or more could double this year from four years ago, researchers from the University of Minnesota say. Many of the drugs are older products that treat fairly rare, but often serious or even life-threatening, conditions.

Among the examples: Questcor Pharmaceuticals last August raised the wholesale price on Acthar, which treats spasms in babies, from about $1,650 a vial to more than $23,000. Ovation raised the cost of Cosmegen, which treats a type of tumor, from $16.79 to $593.75 in January 2006.

The average wholesale price of 26 brand-name drugs jumped 100% or more in a single cost adjustment last year, up from 15 in 2004, the university study found. In the first half of this year, 17 drugs made the list.

"This does drive up the price of health care," says Alan Goldbloom, president of Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. "Hospitals are either eating the cost or passing it along to insurers, so you and I are paying it in increased premiums."

Some of the drugs are administered in hospitals, which bill insurers, patients or government programs for them. Insured patients pay either a flat dollar amount, such as $20, or a percentage of the drug's cost.

Last year, prices rose about 7.4% on average for 1,344 brand-name drugs, according to Express Scripts, which manages drug benefits for large employers and insurers.

Reasons for the larger increases are varied, researchers say.

"There's no simple explanation," says Stephen Schondelmeyer, director of the PRIME Institute at the University of Minnesota, which studies drug industry economics. "Some companies seem to figure no one is watching so they can get away with it."

The price increases are drawing legal and political scrutiny:

• In a decision awaiting approval by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, drugmaker Abbott agreed last week to pay up to $27.5 million to settle a lawsuit over a 400% price increase on its HIV/AIDS drug Norvir. The price did not change.

• Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., asked the Government Accountability Office last week to investigate large price hikes. Klobuchar asked the Federal Trade Commission in April to investigate Ovation Pharmaceuticals, which raised prices on four drugs in 2006 by up to 3,437%.

Drug companies say the price hikes cover the costs of keeping the drugs on the market. They say the drugs are often less costly than alternative treatments, such as surgery or newer, high-tech medicines.

Questcor says on its website that it had to raise Acthar's price after struggling for years to "keep (it) financially viable."

Ovation says it needed to cover its 2005 purchase of the drugs and facility upgrades. "We feel we made an important investment in keeping these older products alive," says spokeswoman Sally Benjamin Young.

EXAMPLES OF RISING DRUG PRICES

Researchers found a growing number of drugs with one-time price increases of 100% or more. Some examples based on average wholesale prices:
Drug    Condition    Company    Price before    Price after    % increase
Cosmegen    Wilms' tumor    Ovation    $16.79    $593.75    3,436%
Indocin IV    Heart problem in premature babies    Ovation    $136.10    $1,875    1,278%
Acthar    Infantile spasms    Questcor    $1,650    $23,269    1,310%

Source: Joint Economic Committee from data analyzed by the PRIME Institute at the University of Minnesota
 
 
 
Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2008-08-07-costlydrugs_N.htm

Sherri,

I'm happy you told us that.  It fits in with what a democratic stategist was saying on TV a few months back that Obama needed to dumb it down for us.  He did not use those exact words, but he made it very plain what they think about us.  They are equal opportunity offenders.

Pelosi is going to be on Larry King tomorrow night.  According to Barbara Boxer, there still are no plans to address the drilling issue when they return from their holiday.  I for one don't mind wearing extra clothing in my home if it will get some of these obstructionists out of congress this November, so let them do nothing this year.  I know, wishful thinking. 

By the way--If you get a chance take a look at Bobby Jindal on This Week with George Stephanopoulis---He ran rings around Richardson's appearance. I think you are definately looking at part of a 2012 Rep ticket.  Jake Tapper was also a much more evenhanded moderator sitting in for George S.

http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek