Tag: policy
Another day, another crack in Obamacare.
If it’s the government it’s okay to steal your property.
If it’s the government it’s okay to steal your property.
If it’s the government it’s okay to steal your property.
A boycott by firearms companies against states that pass gun control laws appears to be growing.
Pushback: A boycott by firearms companies against states that pass gun control laws appears to be growing.
Pushback: A boycott by firearms companies against states that pass gun control laws appears to be growing.
Seven million to lose their health insurance under Obamacare
According to the Congressional Budget Office, seven million people — twice the number previously predicted — will lose their health insurance under Obamacare.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, seven million people — twice the number previously predicted — will lose their health insurance under Obamacare.
“We’re now in a society of violating one another.”
February 23, 2013: A day of resistance.
February 23, 2013: A day of resistance.
February 23, 2013: A day of resistance.
The Democratic Party leaders in New Mexico have announced that an agreement over spaceport liability has been reached with Virgin Galactic.
The Democratic Party leaders in New Mexico have announced that an agreement over spaceport liability has been reached with Virgin Galactic.
This might be good, but with no details released and all the statements coming from politicians of only one party it is reasonable to wonder how serious it is and whether this announcement is merely a bargaining ploy.
The Democratic Party leaders in New Mexico have announced that an agreement over spaceport liability has been reached with Virgin Galactic.
This might be good, but with no details released and all the statements coming from politicians of only one party it is reasonable to wonder how serious it is and whether this announcement is merely a bargaining ploy.
Electronic medical records — required by Obamacare — are costing doctors time while taking them away from their patients.
Finding out what’s in it: Electronic medical records — required by Obamacare — are costing doctors time while taking them away from their patients.
Probably the biggest problem with electronic records is simply that it requires the physician to input all notes and orders, rather than dictate them. As a result, as my bride puts it, “they’ve taken the highest paid person in the department and turned him/her into a data entry clerk”. On average, she and her colleagues spend more time per patient wading through drop-down menus, clicking boxes and filling in required but utterly irrelevant information than they do at the bedside, actually treating the patient. In short, it’s her experience that they see fewer patients per shift than they did previously, and spend less time with each one, now that they are required to sit down at a computer after seeing each patient and jumping through hoops to place orders instead of, as previously, simply telling the nurse what is needed and then moving on to the next patient. [emphasis mine]
Have you noticed in your recent visits to the doctor how the doctor seems to be spending his entire visit with you staring at his laptop, typing continuously as you talked? I have. Say goodbye to simplicity in the medical field. The future shall be complex bureaucracy and less medical treatment.
Finding out what’s in it: Electronic medical records — required by Obamacare — are costing doctors time while taking them away from their patients.
Probably the biggest problem with electronic records is simply that it requires the physician to input all notes and orders, rather than dictate them. As a result, as my bride puts it, “they’ve taken the highest paid person in the department and turned him/her into a data entry clerk”. On average, she and her colleagues spend more time per patient wading through drop-down menus, clicking boxes and filling in required but utterly irrelevant information than they do at the bedside, actually treating the patient. In short, it’s her experience that they see fewer patients per shift than they did previously, and spend less time with each one, now that they are required to sit down at a computer after seeing each patient and jumping through hoops to place orders instead of, as previously, simply telling the nurse what is needed and then moving on to the next patient. [emphasis mine]
Have you noticed in your recent visits to the doctor how the doctor seems to be spending his entire visit with you staring at his laptop, typing continuously as you talked? I have. Say goodbye to simplicity in the medical field. The future shall be complex bureaucracy and less medical treatment.
A Pennsylvania hospital has decided to stop delivering babies because of Obamacare.
Finding out what’s in it: A Pennsylvania hospital has decided to stop delivering babies because of Obamacare.
The detail that “obstetricians are either leaving or refocusing their practices” suggests once again that doctors are reacting negatively to Obamacare and are deciding in large numbers to get out of the business because of it.
Finding out what’s in it: A Pennsylvania hospital has decided to stop delivering babies because of Obamacare.
The detail that “obstetricians are either leaving or refocusing their practices” suggests once again that doctors are reacting negatively to Obamacare and are deciding in large numbers to get out of the business because of it.
James Hansen, activist global warming scientist, teams up with leftwing Occupy Wall Street.
Birds of a feather: James Hansen, activist global warming scientist, teams up with leftwing Occupy Wall Street.
Hansen gave a lecture this morning to OWS, detailing “the harsh realities of the climate emergency and what needs to be done to address it.” I would love to see some footage, as I expect what he advocated was harsh government regulation, to great applause.
Birds of a feather: James Hansen, activist global warming scientist, teams up with leftwing Occupy Wall Street.
Hansen gave a lecture this morning to OWS, detailing “the harsh realities of the climate emergency and what needs to be done to address it.” I would love to see some footage, as I expect what he advocated was harsh government regulation, to great applause.
A new study has found that five Gulf Coast states have so many vague environmental laws that anyone who does anything outdoors can be found guilty of something.The rise of facism: A new study has found that five Gulf Coast states have so many vague environmental laws that anyone who does anything outdoors can be found guilty of something.
The rise of fascism: A new study has found that five Gulf Coast states have so many vague environmental laws that anyone who does anything outdoors can be found guilty of something.
And it has happened. Read the article.
Then there’s this good news: “Any federal regulation enacted by Congress or executive order…offending the constitutional rights of my citizens will not be enforced by me or my deputies.”
Update: A second Oregon sheriff has joined the first in declaring he will not enforce any federal regulation that violates the Constitution.
The rise of fascism: A new study has found that five Gulf Coast states have so many vague environmental laws that anyone who does anything outdoors can be found guilty of something.
And it has happened. Read the article.
Then there’s this good news: “Any federal regulation enacted by Congress or executive order…offending the constitutional rights of my citizens will not be enforced by me or my deputies.”
Update: A second Oregon sheriff has joined the first in declaring he will not enforce any federal regulation that violates the Constitution.
David Gregory will not be prosecuted.
The law is for little people: David Gregory will not be prosecuted.
This despite the fact that the D.C. Attorney General even admits that Gregory clearly broke the law.
This travesty more than anything demonstrates how pointless these laws are. Gregory waved a high capacity magazine on camera to illustrate the need to ban such items, even though he was doing so in a place, Washington, D.C., where such magazines were already banned. Not only did Gregory prove the law was stupid, the decision not to prosecute him proves that the law exists merely for political reasons. It is used only when it benefits the powers in control. Gregory is on the side of gun control, so of course he gets a pass. Innocent gun owners and supporters of gun rights who happen to be caught traveling in DC with such a banned item, however, can expect jail time.
The law is for little people: David Gregory will not be prosecuted.
This despite the fact that the D.C. Attorney General even admits that Gregory clearly broke the law.
This travesty more than anything demonstrates how pointless these laws are. Gregory waved a high capacity magazine on camera to illustrate the need to ban such items, even though he was doing so in a place, Washington, D.C., where such magazines were already banned. Not only did Gregory prove the law was stupid, the decision not to prosecute him proves that the law exists merely for political reasons. It is used only when it benefits the powers in control. Gregory is on the side of gun control, so of course he gets a pass. Innocent gun owners and supporters of gun rights who happen to be caught traveling in DC with such a banned item, however, can expect jail time.
An official of SpaceX announced today that the company plans on its first manned launch by 2015, and that the astronauts will be its employees, not NASA’s.
The competition heats up: An official of SpaceX announced today that the company plans on its first manned launch by 2015, and that the astronauts will be its employees, not NASA’s.
Back when the shuttle program was still alive and NASA astronauts could have applied political pressure to keep it running, some said they should, if only to save their jobs. They did not, and instead toed the party line and supported the shuttle’s retirement even though no replacement was even close to being operational.
How’s that working out for you, guys, eh?
The truth is that there is no justification any longer for the astronaut corp at NASA. They have no vehicle, and any future space vehicle is going to be built and operated by others who will chose their own pilots.
The competition heats up: An official of SpaceX announced today that the company plans on its first manned launch by 2015, and that the astronauts will be its employees, not NASA’s.
Back when the shuttle program was still alive and NASA astronauts could have applied political pressure to keep it running, some said they should, if only to save their jobs. They did not, and instead toed the party line and supported the shuttle’s retirement even though no replacement was even close to being operational.
How’s that working out for you, guys, eh?
The truth is that there is no justification any longer for the astronaut corp at NASA. They have no vehicle, and any future space vehicle is going to be built and operated by others who will chose their own pilots.
An Omaha-based chain of fast food restauants has decided to cut the hours of all non-management employees workers’ hours to part time in order to avoid the costs of Obamacare.
The part-timing of America: An Omaha-based chain of fast food restauants has decided to cut the hours of all non-management employees workers’ hours to part time in order to avoid the costs of Obamacare.
The part-timing of America: An Omaha-based chain of fast food restauants has decided to cut the hours of all non-management employees workers’ hours to part time in order to avoid the costs of Obamacare.
Under Obamacare health insurance rates for young adults will skyrocket 40 percent next year, according to a new study.
And they voted for it! Under Obamacare health insurance rates for young adults will skyrocket 40 percent next year, according to a new study.
And they voted for it! Under Obamacare health insurance rates for young adults will skyrocket 40 percent next year, according to a new study.
“The toll collectors on the road to serfdom.”
To avoid Obamacare, companies are turning more employees into part-timers while also cutting back on hires.
Surprise surprise! To avoid Obamacare, companies are cutting back, turning more employees into part-timers while also refusing to hire new employees.
And we’ve only just begun. The cost of this bad law is so high it will squelch everything it touches.
Surprise surprise! To avoid Obamacare, companies are cutting back, turning more employees into part-timers while also refusing to hire new employees.
And we’ve only just begun. The cost of this bad law is so high it will squelch everything it touches.
Hobby Lobby appears willing to face fines rather than bow to the Obamacare contraceptive mandate.
Hobby Lobby has decided to face millions in fines rather than bow to the Obamacare contraceptive mandate.
They will continue to provide their employees healthcare, but will refuse to include any payments for contraceptives as now required by Obamacare. For standing by their beliefs and doing this, it is very possible this company could end up going bankrupt, thereby putting 13,000 employees out of work. Not only will they lose the healthcare plans that Obama promised they could keep, they won’t even have jobs!
Thank you Obama for giving us Obamacare. And thank you the American voters who have decided to allow this disaster of a law to go forward. Sadly, the worst is yet to come.
Hobby Lobby has decided to face millions in fines rather than bow to the Obamacare contraceptive mandate.
They will continue to provide their employees healthcare, but will refuse to include any payments for contraceptives as now required by Obamacare. For standing by their beliefs and doing this, it is very possible this company could end up going bankrupt, thereby putting 13,000 employees out of work. Not only will they lose the healthcare plans that Obama promised they could keep, they won’t even have jobs!
Thank you Obama for giving us Obamacare. And thank you the American voters who have decided to allow this disaster of a law to go forward. Sadly, the worst is yet to come.
The CEO of Aetna says that Obamacare will double health care premiums
Finding out what’s in it: The CEO of Aetna says that Obamacare will double health care premiums.
I think he is underestimating the rise in costs. He is also not mentioning the almost certain decline in care that will happen as well.
Finding out what’s in it: The CEO of Aetna says that Obamacare will double health care premiums.
I think he is underestimating the rise in costs. He is also not mentioning the almost certain decline in care that will happen as well.
Not only have the models failed to predict temperature, they also have failed to predict the amount of methane in the atmosphere.
Another IPCC failure, revealed in the leaked report: Not only have the models failed to predict global temperature, they also have failed to predict the amount of methane in the atmosphere.
The graph at the link is just like the temperature graph I posted on Monday. It compares actual observations with the predictions of the computer models, which all called for a hefty rise in atmospheric methane. All the models got it wrong.
Another IPCC failure, revealed in the leaked report: Not only have the models failed to predict global temperature, they also have failed to predict the amount of methane in the atmosphere.
The graph at the link is just like the temperature graph I posted on Monday. It compares actual observations with the predictions of the computer models, which all called for a hefty rise in atmospheric methane. All the models got it wrong.
Instagram has said it will withdraw language from its terms and conditions that would have given it ownership rights to users’ photography.
That didn’t take long: Instagram has said it will withdraw language from its terms and conditions that would have given it ownership rights to users’ photography.
How nice of them. But note that the article above also points out that the actual language has not yet changed.
That didn’t take long: Instagram has said it will withdraw language from its terms and conditions that would have given it ownership rights to users’ photography.
How nice of them. But note that the article above also points out that the actual language has not yet changed.
Democratic senators (who voted for it) have joined Republicans to call for the delay or cancellation of an Obamacare tax on medical equipment.
Finding out what’s in it: Democratic senators (who voted for it) have joined Republicans to call for the delay or cancellation of an Obamacare tax on medical equipment.
Maybe if these idiots had read the damn bill before they passed it we wouldn’t have this problem. But then again, this is the quality of senators the American people want in charge of our country. I read this and weep.
Finding out what’s in it: Democratic senators (who voted for it) have joined Republicans to call for the delay or cancellation of an Obamacare tax on medical equipment.
Maybe if these idiots had read the damn bill before they passed it we wouldn’t have this problem. But then again, this is the quality of senators the American people want in charge of our country. I read this and weep.
North Korea, having postponed the launch for technical reasons, has apparently begun removing the rocket from the launchpad.
North Korea, having postponed the launch for technical reasons, has apparently begun removing the rocket from the launchpad.
North Korea, having postponed the launch for technical reasons, has apparently begun removing the rocket from the launchpad.
“It will be very costly.”
Guess what: “It will be very costly.”
Guess what: “It will be very costly.”
The head of the Interior Department has ordered the shutdown of a century-old California oyster company.
We’re here to help you: The head of the Interior Department has ordered the shutdown of a century-old California oyster company.
Two key quotes from the article illustrate the foolishness and oppressive nature of this decision:
» Read more
We’re here to help you: The head of the Interior Department has ordered the shutdown of a century-old California oyster company.
Two key quotes from the article illustrate the foolishness and oppressive nature of this decision:
» Read more
Rachel Carson was wrong.
Two more states have decided not to set up health exchanges, a key component of Obamacare.
The more the merrier: Two more states have now decided not to set up health exchanges, a key component of Obamacare.
That makes 22 states total have have refused to participate in this disaster of a law.
The more the merrier: Two more states have now decided not to set up health exchanges, a key component of Obamacare.
That makes 22 states total have have refused to participate in this disaster of a law.
The federal government’s debt ceiling will be reached no later than the end of February, and possibly sooner.
The day of reckoning looms: The federal government’s debt ceiling will be reached no later than the end of February, and possibly sooner.
The day of reckoning looms: The federal government’s debt ceiling will be reached no later than the end of February, and possibly sooner.
Photo Op meets red tape. Red tape wins.
Photo Op meets red tape. Red tape wins.
I find quite disturbing how people still have faith in the empty promises made by politicians at a disaster scene. The politician is there for only one reason: to look good for the cameras. Rarely if ever does that appearance mean a damn thing. If anything, it will only hinder relief efforts, as local authorities have to scramble to deal with the politician’s entourage rather than deal with disaster victims and their problems.
I actually have far more respect for politicians who stay away during these times of crisis, rare as they are. They show common sense and good judgment.
Photo Op meets red tape. Red tape wins.
I find quite disturbing how people still have faith in the empty promises made by politicians at a disaster scene. The politician is there for only one reason: to look good for the cameras. Rarely if ever does that appearance mean a damn thing. If anything, it will only hinder relief efforts, as local authorities have to scramble to deal with the politician’s entourage rather than deal with disaster victims and their problems.
I actually have far more respect for politicians who stay away during these times of crisis, rare as they are. They show common sense and good judgment.
Why state regulation is better than federal regulation
In response to my condemnation of the insane requirement by Obamacare that restaurants and take-out pizza delivery services publicly post on their menus the calorie count for every item, including a calorie count for each of the literally thousands of topping variations for pizzas, regular reader Patrick Ritchie asked me, “What level of super market labeling would you support?”
I replied, “I think the federal government has no business requiring any labeling at all. This is a state matter, pure and simple, both for practical and Constitutional reasons.”
He responded, “Which practical reasons? I’m genuinely curious. What makes a state regulation inherently better than a federal one?”
My response to this last question was quite long, and after reading it Patrick suggested I elevate the comment into a full headlined post. I have decided to do so. Here is what I wrote, edited slightly for clarity:
» Read more