The Respectfully Republican Conversation

moodyk13 · November 2008

You probably don't remember it, but earlier this year Pew Research did a poll in Europe questioning European attitudes toward the U.S. Poll results showed that 58% of Europeans wanted to see the United States weakened. Could that have been one of the reasons Europeans were so solidly behind the election of Barack Obama? Did they suspect that he was a key to a weaker America?

Now I call your attention to this story from Reuters. The National Intelligence Council has produced an analysis entitled "Global Trends 2025." The basics? The economic and political clout of the United States will decline over the next 20 years resulting in a more dangerous world with a plentitude of advanced weapons and scarcities in food and water.

The Europeans may well get what they wanted. How far into this process do you think we will get before they start screaming and begging for help from the U.S. as either Muslims or Russia embarks on a grand new adventure? $$

moodyk13 · November 2008

On November 4th, 2008 millions of Americans were shocked that a man of Barack Obama's limited experience, extreme liberal positions and radical political alliances could be elected President of the United States. For many of these Americans, the explanation was rather simple... the news media, completely enamored with Obama, simply refused to do their job.

On Election day twelve Obama voters were interviewed extensively right after they voted to learn how the news media impacted their knowledge of what occurred during the campaign. These voters were chosen for their apparent intelligence/verbal abilities and willingness to express their opinions to a large audience. The rather shocking video below seeks to provide some insight into which information broke through the news media clutter and which did not. $$

http://howobamagotelected.com/

moodyk13 · November 2008

John Ziegler, a Burbank-based documentary filmmaker, had commissioned the poll of 512 Obama voters. The results delighted the right and inflamed the left, drawing widespread coverage on the Web, cable news and radio.

Zogby International said in its summary of the results: "Just 2 percent of voters who supported Barack Obama on Election Day obtained perfect or near-perfect scores on a post-election test which gauged their knowledge of statements and scandals associated with the presidential tickets during the campaign, a new Zogby International telephone poll shows."

and the dems call us dumb! at least i can tell you exactly WHY i voted for mccain and WHY i didnt vote for obama-------and NO color was not the issue! $$

moodyk13 · November 2008

House Dems Enjoy Secret Ballot Rights; Workers Should Too, Republicans Say
Thursday, November 20, 2008
By Susan Jones, Senior Editor

(CNSNews.com) - House Democrats on Wednesday used a secret ballot to indicate their choice for the next chairman of the Energy & Commerce Committee.

If the secret ballot is good for lawmakers, why would those same Democrats deny it to employees taking part in union elections, House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio) wondered.

"The secret ballot election is a cornerstone of our American democracy. If it is good enough for House Democrats to rely on during [Wednesday's] high-stakes vote, shouldn't it be good enough for millions of American workers across America who value their workplace privacy?" Boehner asked.

In Wednesday's 25-22 secret ballot vote, the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee recommended that Rep. Henry Waxman of California head the energy committee in the 111^th Congress. Rep. John Dingell of Michigan is the current chairman and he is vying to keep the job.

A final decision will come Thursday, when the House Democratic Conference votes.

Regardless of who gets the job, there's an irony here, Rep. Boehner said.

"Earlier in this Congress, 228 House Democrats voted to expose workers' votes in union organizing elections to everyone - their employers, their co-workers, and union bosses. Today, those very same Members are enjoying secret ballot rights that Americans have come to take for granted in a hotly contested race for a powerful Committee chairmanship. What message does this send to workers across our country?" Boehner asked.

For decades, union elections have been decided by a secret ballot vote. At the beginning of the 110th Congress, however, House Democrats passed the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 800), which would establish a "card check" process in which workers would have to sign their names to union authorization cards for all to see.

Critics argue that card checks would make workers vulnerable to coercion, pressure, and intimidation and threats - from either management or labor unions, depending on how they voted.

President-elect Obama and House Democratic leaders support the bill that would make it much easier for unions to organize businesses.

"House Republicans will stand firmly against the decidedly undemocratic card check - and strongly for democracy in the workplace," Boehner said.

An AFL-CIO official told the Washington Times he's sure the Employee Free Choice Act will pass Congress and be signed into law by Barack Obama.

The card-check bill is "integral to fixing the economy," William Samuel told the newspaper in an interview published on Nov. 20. "If we are going to have a consumer-led recovery, workers are going to have to earn more."

Im on a roll tonight! $$

Anonymous · November 2008

I watched a late night show and they switched everything McCain said, even his VP pick: Palin and said it was Obama's words and that Palin was his VP pick.

The people said they were voting in the election, said they liked Palin and supported Obama's choice. The people supported all the views of Obama ... it was obvious they were voting for the man not what he said, what he stood for or what he would do for them ... they just wanted Obama. Probably because of the media hype .. the bandwagon mentality.

LuAnnH · November 2008

Rock, honestly I was just tired of how bad our country is being run into the ground. It seems we have had a major lack of leadership and now that we have a president elect it has gotten even worse. Even though Bush is limited in time he is still in his job and should act like it. He is not stepping up to the plate speaking to the public or anything. It is like he is hiding in a hole and letting everything fall apart for the next administration to clean up.

I really believed our country needed some new thinking. I liked several things about Obama, he is a very likable person. Seems to have a certain finese that will go far in dealing with foreign diplomats. He is young and educated, we have had so many older men in our presidency that have no new fresh ideas. The world is changing! I am sure the education McCain got is much different than the education Obama got. i don't mean anything in terms of schools but in terms of each year newer ideas are taught. A younger person could start pulling resources from modern science and make some thing work more effeciently and do alot to help our country. It just seems taking someone that hasn't been stuck in the old boy network for too long that is owing a gazillion people favors and pass things because he owes them. also the fact that Bush has been in bed with the Saudis doesn't help my outlook on how he has made descisions for us. While most of the country is losing money he is probably still prospering and not taking any hits on his funds. I guess the turn off of George Bush made me turned off of the next repub coming in his place, especially considering that John McCain bought into so many of Bush's policies it really scared me for how bad things would be with another four years of this.

So that is my story and I'm sticking to it, so not sure it applies to what you said but that was my reason and alot of people I know felt the same way. The only friends of mine that voted for McCain was simply because they can't pull away from their catholic belief that you cannot cast your vote for someone that is pro choice.

Anonymous · November 2008

Good stuff, Moody. I've seen some of the video that was in your second post...HOW OBAMA GOT ELECTED. I have often said it was because of the MSM.

I think that voting for a person just because is a bad reason. I'm going to post these videos. Isn't it strange that people make their minds up about Palin at the Turkey "farm", but do not like negative YouTube videos about Obama...not a good source. Silly me for thinking that Palin YouTube video was okay. $$ ($$$)

See good reasons why people voted for Obama. Also see how misinformed people were that voted for Obama. Absolutely unbelieveably. No it isn't...I find MOST people didn't/don't know squat! $$$$

Stossel thinks stupid voters should not vote. I agree.

UNBELIEVABLE! Stupid Voters? ABC News Reveals the Truth?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofgaa1_lk8I

Stupid Voters So, who likes Howard Stern? I don't. But I find this enlightening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkWFzvITkO0&feature=related

Re: Harlem voters This is an African American gentlemen responding to Stern's video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8v0yjqUsqg&feature=related

A Group of Obama Supporters Cannot Name A Single Obama Accomplishment (Luntz (sp) doing his thing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uyJSXCZRpc

Pt. 1 Barack Obama Supporters Unleashed! No, this is not racist. It just goes to show you.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv1EKBsPedo&feature=related

(Voting for him because he's black and change, illegal immigrants?..these people are crazy..they're not illegal....really informed..NOT!) These are the people who voted our President Elect into office? No wonder he didn't have them near him or sitting behind him on his little stump speeches. How many times did anyone see the majority of people were WHITE that sat behind Obama when he made speeches...

Shirley

$$$$

Daffodil · November 2008

It's clear that I am far too old to be posting here, that my education is outmoded, my experience inconsequential, and my ideas stale. I'll defend my finesse, however, to the White House and back!

Carry on, ladies and gentleman!! Laughing

PS: Please thank LuAnn's little boy and his fellow soldiers~~~~

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html

Anonymous · November 2008

LuAnn, I hate to disagree with you. Being a likable person is not a criteria for being the POTUS. Education certainly helps, but one doesn't have to go to eight years of college to be smart. In fact, if you've noticed, Obama is surrounding himself with OLD WASHINGTON CLINTON YEARS. That's not new nor is it change. Abraham Lincoln was not schooled, but taught himself and was considered a country bumpkin. He wasn't popular, but has been proven through history of his greatness. Now, Obama is being compared to Lincoln.

Young doesn't get it either. Life experience can educate one more than years and years of college. We have no idea what Obama learned, did when he was in college. He won't release his transcripts. He is the most unexperienced president we've ever had. He's the most unvetted president we ever had. If this had been the "hateful, do-nothing" George Bush you can bet the MSM would be digging into every little nook and cranny to see what dirt they could dig up n him..IN FACT THEY DID...Remember Dan Rather? Remember Sarah Palin? She has been hammered hard by the press. Why not Obama. He has had relationships with unsavory people but everyone is giving him a pass. The MSM did NOT do it's job.

And, by the way, Bush has being doing many things. I cannot name them all, but he's not sitting back in his chair with his feet propped up on his desk. He has been meeting with foreign leaders, has come out more than ever through this "bail out" the economy situation. When he would come out to inform us people criticized him. Bush can do NOTHING right. But I believe history will tell another story. I know many people who have been posting on these two threads HATE, DESPISE GWB. I happen to like him and respect him. I will never forget the day of 9/11. He was later criticized when he didn't jump up from reading books to the children. I thought he did the right thing..the thoughtful thing. Instead of jumping up and scaring the children he continued. I've seen him tear up giving medals to parents of soldiers who did brave acts. I can post you a video and watching him should make anyone tear up. Howver, if someone hates him they'll think he's acting. Men do not like to cry in front of the world. Men will LIE and we give them a pass..i.e. Clinton pointing his finger at ME and saying, I have never had sex with that women! Yes, I know it was a private matter..NOT. No one should be able to have SEX with anyone when at work and in their office.

John McCain was different from George Bush. Why do you think the very conservative Republicans did not want them for the nominee. But I trusted McCain.

I am wasting my time typing this. It won't matter one bit to anyone who dislikes President Bush.

Shirley

Anonymous · November 2008

And, what's this about someone saying that there's a rumor that Cindy is/was having an affair with a younger man? It's her personal, private business. Cool

Shirley

PS LuAnn..look at the videos and see just how informed people were about the man they were voting for. The one thing they DID know was everything about Plain, but NOTHING about Obama. And somethings they got wrong about McCain, but thought it was Obama's policies and was fine with them. So, tell me WHY people were voting for Obama? There are more uninformed people who vote than informed. I have found that out PERSONALLY. Many, many, many voted for Obama because he was likeable, young, educated...so what!? Like I said, he's surrounding himself with Washington folks..Clinton folks. Nothing new.

But I do hope he can do something with our economy without screwing up other things. However, the libs might be surprised that he may not be able to walk on the left side..he may have to walk in the middle. Laughing

Shirely

Anonymous · November 2008

Daffodil, nah, you're not too old. Remember, I'm the "uneducated" one and have more common sense than many of the libs. So, please (you) THE EDUCATED ONE stay on board. LOL

Shirley

LuAnnH · November 2008

Shirley, I thought the Clinton Administration was good. the country was prospering and we did not have a budget deficit when he left office. Bush took over and 8 years later we are at our highest defict ever. I thought repubs were for smaller gov't????? So how did that happen???? When you look at McCains record, he voted along the lines of George Bush's ideas. That just isn't working for the country. Our country is trickling down to nothingness. People will not own a home and iving in thier cars if they havven't been repoed.

Shirley, we have been run into the ground and the repubs had total control for almost 6 years. You can't blame the 2 years the dems started getting back into control in the house brought our country into ruin. Why hasn't Bush jumped up and helped when our gas was hitting $4.00 a gallon. He is in bed with the saudi's and it would hurt his income if he brought the prices down.

Now Shirley I don't like to be mean and nasty but on this level I think our country needs someone to step in and fix this mess we are in and Jonh McCain and Sarah Palin weren't the poeple to do it. If she lets people slaughter turkeys during and interview, just imagine the embarassing things she would have done as VP????

vivre · November 2008

The thing that saved clinton from being another tax and spend liberal was the fact that he had to compromise with a Republican congress. They held the line on spending. Unfortunately they did not carry this mentality into the Bush administration. They started to pack on the pork, like dems usually do, and that is what ruined the party-not the war. Bush has had to deal with much more than Clinton did. Besides Sept. 11, we have had hurricanes, sunamis, etc. And maybe Sept 11 would have never happened if Clinton had gotten rid of Bin Laden when he had the chance.

Bush has made a lot of mistakes, but he has done a great job in one of the most challenging presidencys in our time. He has kept terrorists on the run, and prevented them from concocting another attack on US soil. He led a strong economy until the dems took control of congress and sat around doing nothing for the past 2 years. And it was the dems who caused the whole housing and bank collapse with their stupied HUD initiatives, fueled by Fannie and Freddie, their very own pet project. Bush has tripled aid to Africa, helping to bring peace to countrys like Liberia, who by the way, has a female president who worships him for helping her country. He has made AIDS medicines available to the extent that it is no longer devasting the continent. He has brought the women out of the dark ages in the middle east, giving then a voice at last, making sure they are allowed to be educated, and helping to make the governments understand that women should not be on the same level as a dog. Yes, we have sacrificed our soldiers and our treasure, but we are building a better future, with a more democratic middle east. Just as we left a fascist Germany and a totalitarian Japan in better state than we found it, we do so everywhere else. America is a great country and it is great leaders like Bush and Lincoln, who were willing to do things that were unpopular in order to make this world a better place. Comparing Obama to Lincoln is stupid. One cannot even say that they are from the same state. Lincoln had a midwestern set of values. Obama has a Chicago thug mentality of knocking down anyone who gets in the way. He has never accomplished anything excepet win elections. Lincoln was vilified every bit in his time, as Bush has been. They called him an idiot because of his lack of formal education, they called him a hick because he was not worldy, just as they ridicule GW. It took many years for people to understand the magnitude of what Lincoln's gamble accomplished-a more perfect union and the end of slavery. It will take the same amount of time for history to reflect on Bush and credit him for liberating people, especially women, who have been incarcerated for thousands of years. I do not understand how women is this country cannot applaud the fact that we have enabled women in the middle east to dream of a better life for their daughters.

This war was not a waste. We took a lot of losses, but we have fought it for freedom, just as Americans have done from day one. Bush has not always made the right decision but I believe he has made decisions based on what he thought was right for our country, not his politcal career. We will see if Obama has the courage to do the same, or if he will only make a decision based on the latest popularity poll. Clinton did a good job of keeping his popularity, in spite of his lies, because he did not buck the system. If obama does the same thing, we will be in deep---- in the next few years.

$$$

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Anonymous · November 2008

Is there really much of a difference in the mentality of people who shoot moose from a helicopter or in the despicable manner in which they cruely raise and then slaughter turkeys?

Anonymous · November 2008

LuAnn, if Clinton let an aide or whatever she was called to a BJ right there in the Oval office, what

else do you think he's done? I don't think that Palin did anything embarrassing by being

interviewed at a turkey slaughter. She thinks nothing of it. It's the way she was raised. I find that

as a ridiculous statement.

Listen, the Dems won. Why can't the dems just go about their happy way instead of continuing

bashing McCain and Palin? I mean..someone made a comment about Cindy McCain having a

younger man on the side? What's that about. And, some people do not know all the GOOD

Cindy has done. However, the NYTs sure did do a hit job on her. It was outrageous and I don't

understand any women on this board or who claims to be a feminist stood by and watched

without raising cain!

Where was the ACLU when Joe the Plumber was invesigated because he asked a question?

No, the dems just want to make fun of him. He's a well spoken man. Now the ladies on the

other thread are making fun of him and the book they have heard he may be writing. So what?

Good for him. I hope he gets his plumbing business. I don't understand how the women on the

Obama thread can be so darned insensitive toward this man. He DID NOTHING WORNG....,

NOTHING! He simply asked Obama a hard question. Then is life was invaded by the media,

Ohio looking into all his records. WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE from people who want to be fair!

And yes, they on the Obama thread also made fun of Tito the Contractor who said the USA made

him. He was angered by how the press was treating Joe and he lit into them. Good video on that

too. He became a citizen here from Colombia. He worked as a Janitor and worked his way up

and started his own tiny business. The man is smart and has so much common sense. I'm sure

he's not educated though. Why, why do they over <----------------------- have to be so critical of

anyone who questions Obama

This has been a very one sided election. Obama will be our president, Biden will be our VP. Get

over McCain and Palin...it's over. Whatever she does next in her life is HER business. I'm still

angry that affairs on spouses means nothing, but Palin's interview at a turkey farm is "politically

incorrect." HILARIOUS! and UNBELIEVABLE! Do you not see the hyprocrisy here. It was okay

for Bill to lie, get a BJ while at work in the Oval office, lie under oath and it's called "his personal,

private business?" Give me a break. And don't tell me once again that Bush lied about the

war..Congress voted...majority of Dems and Repubs supported...there was a 9/11 Commission.

Here is the link:

9-11 Commission Final Report

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/911/index.html

There's a lot to read and I don't have time to read the entire chapter 10.

10. Wartime

10.1 Immediate Responses at Home
10.2 Planning for War
10.3 "Phase Two" and the Question of Iraq

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/911/pdf/sec10.pdf (this is chapter 10).

Very interesting stuff. There are chapters after that about foresight and hindsight. If one really

wants to know the truth it will take some digging. I think it's time to stop blaming all of this mess

on Bush. Our country was hit nine months after President Bush took office. I believe most of us

were in a trance...I know I watched it day after day after day just as I did the war. There were big

decisions to be made and many advisers to listen to.

As far as the economy..it's not all Bush's fault. A few dems wanted minorities to own homes

even though they could not afford them. And, of course the money was easily available to all.

the subprime mortgage lending was a huge mistake...Clinton signed that one. I'll have to check,

but I think Carter even had a hand in it. And the repubs didn't fight it hard enough three years ago

when they tried to warn the committee. The Reform never made it to the floor for a vote. Maxine

Walters has a big mouth and she was defending this lending along with Barney et al.

There's enough blame to go around. Obama cannot fix this in a short time. It will take a lot of

sacrifice from many. The men and women sitting on The HIll will go unscathed. They will not be

laid off..they will continue to have the best insurance. Why? Why shouldn't they

consider renegotiating their insurance contracts just like many of us have had to do? They have

the BEST. Why don't they have high deductibles like me and my dh. I suppose in order for

AT&T to keep their retirees and employees insured they had to screw up our insurance. It's hard

and we're retired. Why should the government get to have the best? That ought to cut a lot out

of the government's budget.

I believe history will tell us that GW was a good president. He wasn't popular, but neither was

Lincoln. He went after the terrorists when another president wouldn't. However, perhaps the

other president didn't think Bin Laden was much of a threat. How could this man REALLY

hurt our nation?

I'm done. I need to get busy Thanksgivinging. But I just get so infuriated and can't keep my

mouth shut with so much hyprocrisy going on.

Shirley

$$$$

Anonymous · November 2008

Shirley I won't write a lot because the post will be deleted so is not worth the effort, but you whitewashing the incredible harm done by Bush to this country, and that is unforgivable. Yes he lied. He said there was absolute proof of WMDs in Iraq and they were never found. He didn't say the intelligence was equivocal. Congress didn't expect the President to lie over something so important. In retrospect he deserves nothing but a boot out of office as quickly as possible. Even now we are in a leadership vacuum and he has done nothing of substance to stem the economic crisis. As for Clinton, big deal, he lied about not get a bj in the oval office. People lie in sworn testimony 99% of time if their own interests are at stake. We are a nation lacking integrity to the core of the people. That's why we are in the mess we are in. And Bush was at the forefront. And Republicans, based on the way the campaign have always been great liars. Democrats are liars to, but they never perfected to the art the way the Repubs have.

sccruiser · November 2008

Hi Shirley,

Am posting here cuz I don't think you go over to the other thread very often. I was sorting through my pile of disorganized recipes, and came upon this one. I believe that you asked me for it a while ago--sorry for the delay. My hubby calls this A Keeper! Hope you enjoy it!

Black Bean Chili

1 lb. pork tenderloin, cubed

16 oz. chunky salsa

45 oz. canned black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 c. chicken broth

1 red bell pepper, choped

1 large onion, chopped

1 t. cumin

2 t. chilli powder

1 t. dried oregano

1/4 c. sour cream (or shredded mexican cheese blend)

Place tenderloin in your slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients except sour cream or shredded cheese. Cover and cook on low for 8 hrs. Serve with sour cream or shredded cheese.

saluki · November 2008

Looks delicious and easy (I usually use dark beer in my chilli)---If it's anywhere as good as the chicken curry it will become a permanent part of my go to recipes......... Thanks!

moodyk13 · November 2008

LMBO!!

only at bc.org will you get a recipe thrown in the middle of a heated argument! That is too funny bygrace1----I LOVE it!!!! Kiss

sccruiser · November 2008

Thanks! When I was growing up and all the relatives gathered for the holiday meal, the men would sit at the table and drink brandy & benedictine, smoke cigars and argue over politics--except they called it a "discussion." LOL

moodyk13 · November 2008

Well, as always, I got curious about what GWB has been up to so I went digging (not hard to do) and here you go:

President Bush Signs H.R. 6867 Into Law

Friday, Nov 21, 2008

H.R. 6867, the "Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008," which extends Emergency Unemployment Compensation to 20 weeks, and creates a second tier of 13 weeks of compensation for individuals in States with high unemployment rates.

President Bush Attends APEC CEO Summit 2008

Read it here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081122-7.html

President Bush Meets with Prime Minister Harper of Canada at APEC

Read it here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081122-4.html

President Bush Meets with President Medvedev of Russia at APEC
Read it here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081122-9.html

Fact Sheet: Creating a New Era of Prosperity in the Asia Pacific Region and Beyond
President Bush Focuses On Three Great Forces For Economic Growth: Free Trade, Free Markets, And Free People
Read it here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081122-6.html

Memorandum for the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy
SUBJECT: Proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Arab Emirates Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
Read it here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081121-2.html

President Bush to Welcome Israeli Prime Minister Olmert

President Bush will host Israeli Prime Minister Olmert at the White House on Monday, November 24, 2008. The President looks forward to discussing with the Prime Minister the strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Israel, our continuing, mutual efforts to bring peace to the Middle East, and a wide range of regional and international issues.

Executive Order: Transformation of the National Air Transportation System
Read it here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081118.html

Executive Order: Amendments to Executive Order 9397 Relating to Federal Agency Use of Social Security Numbers
Read it here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081118-5.html

And this all happened since November 18th. So He has been very busy even if we dont see it!

moodyk13 · November 2008

He does care about healthcare- contrary to popular belief:

Fact Sheet: Expanding Health Care Coverage and Lowering Costs

President Bush Participates in Roundtable on Health Savings Accounts
In Focus: Health Care

President Bush Has Spearheaded Creation Of Health Savings Accounts, Which Are Saving Americans Money While Increasing Their Health Care Options

"Health savings accounts all aim at empowering people to make decisions for themselves, owning their own health care plan, and at the same time, bringing some demand control into the cost of health care."

- President George W. Bush, 1/26/05

Today, President Bush will participate in a roundtable discussion on Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) with small business leaders in Oklahoma City. The President believes that the cornerstone of good health care policy is ensuring that patients and health care providers are in charge of medical decisions. Products like HSAs encourage consumer ownership of health care decision-making and allow Americans to benefit from the affordability and flexibility of HSAs and HSA-eligible health plans. While a candidate in 2000, then-Governor Bush promised to expand the availability of account-based plans to provide health care alternatives and savings to American families, and has championed HSAs throughout his presidency. Under his leadership, Congress established HSAs as part of the Medicare reform bill President Bush signed into law in December 2003, and he is working to build on the success of HSAs by changing the tax code to give all Americans better access to affordable health insurance.

Today more than 6.1 million people are covered by HSA plans, up 35 percent since 2007. Low- and moderate-income Americans and those previously uninsured are enrolling in HSA plans. In 2005, the most recently available data, more than one-third of HSA policyholders in 2005 had incomes under $50,000 per year, and one-third of individual HSA policyholders in 2005 were previously uninsured.

As of January 2008, more than 1.8 million small business workers and their dependents were covered in HSA plans, up 72 percent since 2007. The latest survey data indicate almost one-third of those newly insured through small-group coverage were enrolled in an HSA plan.
HSAs Are Helping Small Businesses Provide Health Insurance

This week, the Treasury Department and the Small Business Administration announced a new website, www.HSA.gov, to assist small businesses and consumers in understanding the value of HSAs. The website provides small businesses with information on how HSAs can help meet their employees' health insurance needs. It provides information about HSA plans, comparisons to other health coverage options, and materials to help employers and individuals determine whether and how to enroll in HSA-eligible coverage. Additionally the site shows how to save for health care costs through an HSA. While many Americans have access to health coverage through their employers, many other employees work for companies - often small businesses - that are looking for solutions to provide health insurance benefits.

HSAs Are Making Health Care More Affordable And Accessible For Many Americans

HSAs allow Americans to save pre-tax dollars to pay for current and future medical expenses.
The Health Savings Account is accompanied by an HSA-qualified insurance plan that can cover major expenses, often including preventive care, and provides security against high or unexpected bills. HSA-qualified insurance plans may have higher deductibles, but offers savings through lower premiums which can be put toward funding the account. In addition, employers may contribute to their employees' HSAs. Further benefits of HSAs include:

Ownership and Portability: Account funds remain from year to year (similar to an IRA): there is no "use it or lose it" rule for HSAs. Individuals keep their HSAs even if they change jobs, change health coverage (to another HSA-eligible plan), or become unemployed. Furthermore, HSAs are an inheritable asset.

Savings: Policyholders receive a tax deduction when they contribute to their account, any investment earnings in the account are tax-free, and withdrawals from the account for qualified medical expenses are tax-free. Contributions are excluded from income and wages for employers.

Flexibility: Patients can use HSA funds to pay for current medical expenses that their insurance plan may not cover or choose to save the money for future needs, such as: health insurance premiums or medical expenses if unemployed, medical expenses after retirement (before Medicare), out-of-pocket expenses when covered by Medicare, and long-term care expenses and insurance.

Control: Policyholders make decisions about how much to contribute, whether to pay current expenses with the account or save for future expenses, which medical expenses to pay for with the account, which company will hold the account, and investing decisions for the money in the account.

moodyk13 · November 2008

And oh my, here are the executive orders he has created and signed this year:

Oct. 9 Executive Order: Facilitation of a Presidential Transition
Oct. 7 Executive Order: Further Amendments to Executive Orders 12139 and 12949 in Light of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008
Sept. 26 Executive Order: To Authorize Certain Noncompetitive Appointments in the Civil Service for Spouses of Certain Members of the Armed Forces
Sept. 26 Executive Order: Amendments to Executive Order 12962
Sept. 11 Executive Order: Executive Branch Responsibilities with Respect to Orders of Succession
Aug. 28 Executive Order: Further Amendments to Executive Order 13285, President's Council on Service and Civic Participation
Jul. 25 Executive Order: Blocking Property of Additional Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe
Jul. 24 Executive Order: 2008 Amendments to the Manual for Courts Martial, United States
Jun. 30 Executive Order: Reforming Processes Related to Suitability for Government Employment, Fitness for Contractor Employees, and Eligibility for Access to Classified National Security Information
Jun. 26 Executive Order: Continuing Certain Restrictions with Respect to North Korea and North Korean Nationals
Jun. 9 Executive Order: Amending Executive Order 12989, as Amended
May 1 Executive Order: Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions Related to Burma
Apr. 18 Executive Order: Amending Executive Orders 13389 and 13390
Feb. 29 Executive Order: President's Intelligence Advisory Board and Intelligence Oversight Board
Feb. 15 Executive Order: Providing An Order of Succession Within the Department of Health and Human Services
Feb. 13 Executive Order: Blocking Property of Additional Persons in Connection with the National Emergency with Respect to Syria
Feb. 7 Executive Order: Improving the Coordination and Effectiveness of Youth Programs
Feb. 5 Executive Order: Implementation of the Protocol Additional to the Agreement Between the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in the United States of America
Jan. 29 Executive Order: Protecting American Taxpayers From Government Spending on Wasteful Earmarks
Jan. 23 Executive Order: Further Amendment of Executive Order 11858 Concerning Foreign Investment in the United States
Jan. 22 Executive Order: Establishing the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy
Jan. 4 Executive Order: Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay

Read each one here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/orders/

moodyk13 · November 2008

This one last one:

THE PRESIDENT'S FY09 BUDGET

Includes a bipartisan economic growth package that spurs investment and strengthens the Nation's economy.

Promotes and preserves the American dream of homeownership though education and assistance to combat foreclosures and maintain a stable, healthy housing market.

Makes tax relief permanent for long-term economic growth and sustainability.

The President's 2001 and 2003 tax relief fostered economic growth, but is currently set to expire in 2010. Inaction would result in 116 million taxpayers seeing a tax increase of $1,800, on average

Improves access for more Americans to affordable health care by fostering a marketplace, encouraging competition, and improving efficiency.

Builds on the success of No Child Left Behind through support of proposals to reauthorize and strengthen the law while also proposing policies to make college more affordable for families.

Keeps the U.S. the most innovative nation in the world by implementing the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI).

$12.2 billion total for the National Science Foundation, DoE's Office of Science, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an overall funding increase of $1.6 billion, or 15 percent, above the 2008 enacted total of $10.6 billion.

The President's FY 2009 Budget returns ACI research to a doubling path to ensure this consensus national priority objective is realized.

Increases energy security by focusing on renewables, accelerating technological breakthroughs, and expanding traditional sources to reduce our reliance on foreign oil.

Supports the national defense and funding for America's troops.

$515 billion for the Department of Defense base budget - a nearly 74 percent increase since the President took office - to support military readiness and continue the transformation of our military to meet twenty-first century threats.

$70 billion for an emergency allowance to support activities related to the Global War on Terror that help achieve the strategic goal of creating free, democratic, and self-governed ally nations in Iraq and Afghanistan

Enhances homeland security and terrorism prevention.

10.7 percent Government-wide increase for improving nuclear detection, expanding cybersecurity, securing borders and removing individuals in the country illegally, and bolstering homeland security functions.

$500 million for 2,200 new Border Patrol agents to accomplish the President's goal of more than doubling the size of the Border Patrol.

Nearly $6 billion to enhance the security of the Nation's transportation system through increased security personnel, more screening devices, improved passenger checkpoints, and air cargo security inspectors

Promotes peace, democracy, and economic opportunity worldwide through diplomatic, development, and reconstruction activities

Balances the Budget by 2012

Maintains proven pro-growth policies - keeping taxes low and restraining government spending - to ensure that near-term deficits are overcome and we achieve a surplus in 2012.

In making tax relief permanent, Federal revenues as a share of the economy average 18.5 percent over the next five years, above the historical average. This demonstrates that Americans are not undertaxed, rather their government needs to control spending.

Continues to address the long-term challenge of unsustainable entitlement spending

Improves results of government programs and instills greater transparency so that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

Read about each one indepth: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/budget/2009/index.html

Anonymous · November 2008

Thanks, Grace! I love black beans and I love chili! I am copying it right now as soon as I C&P it. Can't wait to try it. It looks more like the "real" chili that I ate when I was a kid. At least as far as the meat goes. I know there's some kind of chili meat that the Mexicans use, but it was ground beef. It was more chunky. I'm starving!

Shirley

Anonymous · November 2008

Moody, looks like you've been as busy as the president..LOL

I've made the squash casserole and put it in the freezer. Now I wanted to make the Hummingbird Cake, but do not have three 8 inch cake pans! Darn it! I'll try two 9 inch ones. Marth Stewart's recipe that I'm not using calls for two 9 inch. Shoot!

Shirley

moodyk13 · November 2008

Yep Shirley, I came home from church and took a nap. Woke up all energized!! Wink

Anonymous · November 2008

ladies ... 1SB ... tootsie pop!!!

tons of them!!

Today my dd and I spent having brunch then cleaning out the backyard! Our tree had gotten away from us but it's on a hill and we watered last night so after much mud, stepping in dog poop and cutting and pruning and jumping in trash cans to smash it all down, my 7 year old is happy for the adventure!! Mommy stepping in dog poop was soooo funny! So was squirting her with the hose!!

moodyk13 · November 2008

rock you crack me up! Laughing

this time i actually beat the tootsie pop! Kiss

pinoideae · November 2008

"Plumber" Scandal Widens

By Bob Parks Sunday, November 23, 2008

Knowing liberal compassion and tolerance as we do, there's no way the whole Joe The Plumber-privacy-invasion scandal could be an isolated incident. And it isn't....

Two more senior managers at the Ohio agency where computers were used to dig up information about "Joe the Plumber" have been suspended without pay for their roles in the searches, an official at the agency said Friday.
Fred Williams, the Department of Job and Family Services' assistant director, will be placed on two weeks unpaid suspension beginning Monday, spokeswoman Scarlett Bouder said in a statement. Doug Thompson, the department's deputy director of child support, is facing a four-week unpaid suspension, also starting on Monday,
Two other agency employees are facing disciplinary action based on conclusions reached Thursday by Ohio's government watchdog, she said.

It may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but these partisans now crawling out from under the bus must be asking themselves if it was really worth it?

The Respectfully Republican Conversation

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