RFFM.ORG

General Motors Says Debt To U.S. and Canadian Taxpayers Paid Off Early + With Interest, But With Whose Money?

by Ed Tait

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Ed Tait is the founder of www.edtait.com, a blog dedicated to sharing information about the United States, a unique and grand experiment, which was founded by great men.  For more of Tait's writings, go to www.edtait.com.  Ed Tait is a frequent contributor to RFFM.org.

When ‘The Obama’ Begins To Crow About What A Great Idea His Bail-Out Of GM Was; Don’t Be Fooled

Recently, in a television ad, General Motors (GM) announced that it paid back the U.S. Treasury and the Canadian and Ontario governments the balance of the money ‘loaned’ to GM last year...five years ahead of the agreed schedule and with interest.

A great deal, right?

Well, maybe.  Great unless you remember that the American and Canadian taxpayers actually loaned GM more than $50,000,000,000.00 (Yes, more than FIFTY BILLION DOLLARS!)

The only reason GM can say they paid-off their ‘loan’ is due to the fact most of the money it was given in its bail-out was turned into equity.

Despite the fact the ‘loan’ to GM was paid off, American taxpayers will still own sixty-one percent of GM, and Canadian taxpayers will own ten percent...does that not sound a bit ‘soviet’ to you?!

The American and Canadian tax-payers, through their respective governments, given neither government actually has any money, had to borrow every cent they gave to GM.  And to make the announcement even less attractive, the balance of the 'loan' money will be repaid with taxpayer money.

When GM emerged from bankruptcy protection last year, a fund was established to allow it operating capital and it is from this fund that GM intends to repay the 'loans'.  The repayment will be made with money from an escrow account that was created when GM emerged from bankruptcy protection last summer.  In April of 2010, GM said it had $12.5 billion in that account at the end of 2009.

So...the more complete picture would be that GM is re-paying the taxpayers--who loaned GM money to keep their doors open, without having to re-structure, like any other business who filed for bankruptcy would have had to do--with their own money.

The fact is, the repayment by GM in no way shows the company will ever be able to make a profit.  General Motors lost over $4,000,000,000.00 (Yes, BILLION) in the last half of 2009!

Subsequently, before American and Canadian taxpayers and/or these governments begin celebrating, the public will have to wait and see if General Motors ever turns itself around.  Until GM does turn a real profit, taxpayers won’t be able to get the real bulk of their money back.  By the way, the funds given to GM in the bail-out were borrowed from China. 

Due to the fact these two governments and their taxpayers own a controlling interest in GM stock, the American and Canadian governments are able to tell GM what to do.  The sad truth is GM is in mortal danger of never being solvent again.  Why do I say that?  Because there has never been much of anything either the American or the Canadian governments have been involved in, or managed, that ever made a profit.  Therefore, why should anything change now?  You tell me.

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact: [email protected]

 

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

 

Those who would like to donate to RFFM can go to this link for more information:  http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html

An Insult To Americans: Press 1 For English

An Insult To Americans:  Press 1 For English

 

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

EDITOR'S NOTE:  The following column was first written and posted in 2006.  Unfortunately, the facts related below still hold true regarding English-speaking Americans being forced to Press 1 for English when contacting government agencies and many private businesses.

It's happened to me more times than I care to remember...a call to either a public or private institution or a government agency begins with the words, "For English, press one."  To most people, when this occurs it is frustrating to no end.  I thought I heard it all, but the other day, when making a call to the Social Security Administration, I heard the usual prompt about pressing one for English.  However, to my amazement, the recording at the other end of the phone line began spouting out a healthy flow of uninterrupted Spanish.  In fact, I was required to do something or I would have had to take a quick course "en Espanol" to understand what was being said.  Here I was, an English-speaking American citizen, who was being forced to do something extra, in order to receive a message from my own government in English.  I was astounded, yet it seemed par for the course.

I get the same feeling when I call or write elected officials in Congress concerning the problem of illegal immigration.  It seems politicians are not speaking the same language as I am.  Unfortunately, this is not an exception to the rule.

Overwhelmingly, Americans favor policies that would restrict the flow of illegal aliens into the United States over our border with Mexico.  Whether it would take the building of a 2,000 mile long security fence on the border or sending the military to stem the flow of illegals into the United States, Americans want something done -- and soon -- concerning the issue.

But all we are hearing from many legislators is how illegal immigrants need to come out of the shadows and be given citizenship.  The Republican Party is divided on the issue and Democrats, for the most part, see the legalization of 12 million more illegals as a way to increase their voting bloc.  Some Republicans are hesitant to take on the problem because they are beholding to big business.  During the recent so-called immigrant walk-out, companies like Tyson Foods and Purdue Chicken were forced to close their plants because so many of their employees were not going to show up for work that day.  Now you would think the office of Homeland Security would be asking some serious questions of Tyson and Purdue concerning their plant closings.  Are so many illegals working at these companies that business could not be conducted?  It seems these businesses were doing Homeland Security's work for them.  But there were no reports of the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) raiding Tyson or Purdue or, for that matter, any of the many companies that closed down on "immigration walk-out day," whether the businesses were big or small.

Yes, I know many illegal immigrants present fake ID's while seeking employment.  Indeed, the Social Security Administration reported $60 billion in fraudulent claims last year alone.  But it should only take one year--at most--to recognize who is using a "real" Social Security number and who isn't.  To suggest this is an insurmountable problem is ridiculous.  American Express does vary well, thank you, while keeping track of who is using their credit cards.  VISA knows exactly how much credit an individual has in their account in real time. To suggest the government couldn't come up with a similar computerized system is beyond belief.  I take that back.  The government probably couldn't come up with a reliable system to track cases of identity fraud when it comes to employers hiring illegals.  The private sector would do a much better job of creating a system that's foolproof--no pun intended.

So, why don't Republicans favor stronger sanctions against those who break our immigration laws?  They receive big bucks from businesses who hire illegals, that’s why.  However, while thinking about the here and now, the majority party may be dooming itself for the future.  It is estimated there are 12 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States, 60% of which come from Latin American countries.  If "amnesty" were granted to these 12 million, the true number of those to be put on the fast track to citizenship could be doubled or tripled.  The truth is immediate family members of those who would receive "amnesty" would also become eligible for U.S. citizenship.

If Republicans are fooled into believing this new group will vote their way, I have a bridge someone in the GOP may want to buy.  If 30 to 35 million illegals were suddenly legalized, with their participation in the electoral process, Republicans may never see majority status in Congress for the foreseeable future.  In contrast, Democrats see "legalization" as a political windfall--and well they should.

There are serious concerns whether Republicans can hold on to the majority they have in both Houses after the 2006 election.  By being soft on illegal immigration, the GOP is rushing towards an abyss from which they may never return.  They are alienating their conservative base and this is a formula for disaster.  The trade-off is simple.  Do Republicans want money now or do they want to lose votes later?  In this case, the two are mutually exclusive.  For that matter, all elected officials should be doing the right thing by making sure laws are enforced.

Please press one, if you feel Republicans are not getting the message concerning illegal immigration.

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact: [email protected]  

 

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

 

How you can help RFFM.org inform America about political and social issues:

http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html

http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html

Health Care Reform: Doctors Fix Has Potential To Damage GOP

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

 

As Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi promised, Americans would learn more about the health care reform bill after it was passed.  Yes, most have learned about the 16,500 new IRS agents who will be hired to act as the health care police.  Seniors are learning more about the drastic cuts to Medicare, including the decrease in funding of home health care, hospice care and funding for medical equipment.  In fact, there were so many terrible things in the thousands of pages this bill entailed, opponents didn't know where to begin to fight it.

 

Most Americans were clearly against the Democratic version of health care reform.  Republicans were grossly outmanned in their unified opposition to the bill and it was also hard to choose what aspects of the legislation to focus on.  Should the GOP have concentrated on the budget-busting impact this new law would have on the nation for generations to come?  Should Republicans have zeroed in on the decrease in the quality of health care that would be provided to most Americans, if the bill was passed?  Or possibly the way to have fought the bill was to point out that comprehensive health care reform had nothing to do with health care, but was all about control of a significant portion of the public?

 

However, President Barack Obama's strategy regarding health care reform is consistent with his radical political agenda.  The modus operandi was, and is, to throw everything against the political wall and see what sticks.  Obama began with the stimulus package which we were told was necessary to save the struggling American economy.  Congress passed the legislation which we are now learning is filled with waste and pork-filled projects totaling billions of dollars.  Then came Cap and Trade which, if passed into law, would have resulted in drastically higher energy costs for every American.

 

But the country quickly caught on.  It took the entire first year of Obama's administration to pass health care into law and, hopefully, this has put a crimp in a leftist vision that many in our nation are now rejecting.  In fact, the Cap and Trade bill, also referred to as Cap and Tax, was never taken on by the U.S. Senate (after the U.S. House of Representatives passed it) because it was so politically toxic. 

 

With the midterm elections coming up in November, the far left wing of the Democratic Party has been stymied in their efforts to pass bills, including comprehensive immigration reform, card check and gays in the military, which are high on their list of priorities. 

 

But Republicans have to be very careful regarding a political trap which has been set for them.  In order to pass the health care reform bill, so-called blue dog Democrats had to be convinced the health care reform legislation would reduce the national debt during the next ten years.  The argument was:  If nothing was done, rapidly escalating health care costs would far exceed the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) calculated cost of Obamacare, which was projected to be $940 billion for the next decade.  However, most economists realize the cost of adding 30 million Americans to the rolls of those to be covered by mandatory health care will probably by closer to $2.4 trillion.  But the Democrats played a very skillful game which had an impact on the CBO's original projections because the majority party left out something called the "Doctors Fix" in this equation. 

 

Physicians will have to be paid for their services to include the expanding rolls of those on Medicare and Medicaid.  Money was not allocated for this provision in the health care reform law.  The Democrats left these costs out of the bill on purpose.  They knew if the "Doctors Fix" was included in the new law, the true costs would rise between $150 billion and $200 billion for the next decade.  But leaving the "Doctors Fix" out of the equation gave so-called conservative Democrats political cover, leaving them able to vote for the bill's passage.  

 

Here's the catch.  The "Doctors Fix" and the money needed to fund it will have to be passed by Congress.  In a way, Republicans have been painted into a corner.  They can't oppose the "Doctors Fix" because the Democrats would scream from the rooftops that members of the GOP are against paying physicians the money they deserve for services rendered under the new law.  Republicans will have to go along with the expenditures that should have been included in the costs of the original health care bill.  The sad fact is the establishment media knew the "Doctors Fix" was necessary in order to make health care reform viable; yet the press paid little, if any, attention, to the issue.

 

So, essentially, Republicans will have to swallow a spoonful of medicine which has a terrible taste.  The only strategy Republicans now have is to point out the American public was duped by Obama, Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Democratic Party who did anything and everything to pass health care reform, the least of which was fudging the numbers on its true costs.  Perhaps from the beginning the GOP should have focused more on the fact the cost of the "Doctors Fix" was not written into the original health care reform legislation which was passed by Congress and signed into law by Obama, but it's too late to do so now. 

 

The worst thing Republican legislators could do would be to fight against the "Doctors Fix" on principle.  The only thing members of the GOP can say is the Democrats intentionally deceived the country.  But what else is new? 

 

RELATED ARTICLES:

 

Health Care Reform: Nothing To Do With Health Care: It's About Control by Daniel T. Zanoza [March 12, 2010] http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/03/health-care-reform-nothing-to-do-with-health-care-its-about-control.html

Food, Water and Energy = Control of Americans by Joyce Morrison [July 18, 2008]
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/07/food-water-and-energy-control-of-americans.html

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact: [email protected] 

 

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

How you can help RFFM.org inform America about political and social issues:
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html

 

Obama's Redistribution Of Wealth: Inside-Out, Not Top-Down

Plan To Disenfranchise Middle Class and Poor May Lead To Something Worse Than Socialism

 

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

 

Many have asserted there are those who wish to destroy America's economy and replace capitalism and the free enterprise system with European-style socialism or something even worse.  I didn't want to believe this.  It seemed like a wild conspiracy theory, but the actions of the so-called progressives who dominate our government tell me this is true.

 

There is a myth President Barack Obama's campaign promise to redistribute America's wealth was top-down, meaning wealth would be taken from the have's and given to the have-nots.  However, in reality, Obama's agenda is targeting the middle class and poor as well.

 

Health care reform represents a perfect example of how Obama will achieve his radical agenda.  The fact is, the wealth of the United States is going inside-out, not top-down.  The current health care reform law illustrates my point perfectly.  Besides the law destroying one of the best health care systems in the world, the United States will be plunged into a chasm of debt from which it might never recover.

 

Some say the Democratic Party desires to create a form of government akin to European-style socialism.  However, one of the primary tenets of Communism is to disenfranchise the middle class and poor.  Recent reports from large corporations indicate adherence to the guidelines within the health care reform law will negatively impact their bottom lines and, subsequently, these costs will be passed on to all Americans in the form of higher taxation and skyrocketing inflation.  This will have a devastating impact on what is already a struggling economy.  For example, AT&T, the nation's largest communications provider, released data reflecting the fact the health care bill will cost this corporation $1 billion in the first year alone of the implementation of this new law.  Of course, AT&T will not be the only business which will see its profits greatly reduced.  The fact of the matter is the losses suffered by huge corporations and companies are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

 

But the impact of overhauling America's health care delivery system will also lead to the loss of jobs because many large firms will not be able to offset their expenses by simply passing higher costs along to their customers.  The first victims regarding the loss of revenue concerning giant corporations and companies will be their employees.  More Americans will lose their jobs and the current unemployment rate of nearly 10% will soon soar.  In actuality, the true numbers regarding unemployment are closer to 17%, due to the fact current unemployment statistics do not reflect those who have fallen off the unemployment rolls, taken part-time jobs or have stopped looking for work entirely due to the fact jobs just aren't there.  Subsequently, the top-down myth regarding redistribution of wealth is just that...a myth.  America's wealth is flowing from the inside-out to nations which own our debt, including China and Japan.

 

However, since the establishment media is complicit in the radical plan to reform America's form of government, those in the middle class and the poor will eventually blame capitalism for their problems.  This was the case in the 1930's when Communist organizations flourished in the United States.  Even though President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" was in full flower, it took World War II to end the Depression and stifle the myth that Communism was the answer to our nation's woes.

 

Today, there is a common misperception that the poor are flourishing under Obama's administration.  The truth is support for the first African-American President in U.S. history among blacks has decreased by 10% since his election.  There has been little or no job creation for those who live in the inner cities and this has led to frustration from many minority leaders who believed Obama's election would be a windfall for the economically depressed.  Therefore, the fear regarding whether the U.S. is turning towards socialism may actually be an understatement of what lies ahead for the country.

 

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact: [email protected]  

 

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

 

How you can help RFFM.org inform America about political and social issues:

http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html

 

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html

Health Care Reform: Nothing To Do With Health Care: It's About Control

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

 

Since the far left assumed leadership of the Democratic Party and both Houses of Congress, it was clear to most political observers the expansion of big government would be at the top of their legislative agenda.  When Barack Obama became President, the dreams of liberal extremists were within their grasp.  It has been said there are three ways to control a population.  By controlling food, water and energy, government can assume power over its citizens.*  However, when government takes control over an individual's health--or how that health care is provided--it is the ultimate expression of power.

 

According to Mr. Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, their reasons for reforming health care are truly altruistic.  They claim health care is a right which is denied to many American citizens.  It should being forced down the throats of Americans--whether they want it or not.  However, their brand of health care, if passed--would result in the government taking control of one-sixth of the U.S. economy.

 

Yet the following rhetorical questions must be asked of these politicians who are, supposedly, looking out for the greater good in society.

 

*  Why would Democrats risk majority status of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate in their pursuit of health care reform.

 

*  Why would the Democratic Party alienate a huge voting bloc which consists of senior citizens (and millions of baby boomers who soon will be included in this group) to pursue their goals.

 

*  Why would the Democratic Party put America's economy in further debt for generations to come.

 

*  Why would a Democratic President dedicate more than one-fourth of his first term in office to push for health care reform which a vast majority of the public clearly does not want.

 

The answers to the above questions are all too obvious.  Health care reform has nothing to do with providing greater access to quality medical services for Americans.  This quest is all about control.  If health care reform is passed by Congress and signed into law by Barack Obama, it will simply be a means for government to get its foot into the door, ultimately leading to the government controlling many aspects of our lives.

 

The legislation will one day dictate what we can eat; what doctors we can see; what medical procedures will be approved or not approved dependent upon an individual's age or social status.

 

The belief that providing everyone access to health care under a government-run system will bring costs down is a fairy tale.  It is impossible to place from 30 to 47 million uninsured on the health care rolls without drastic increases in costs through higher taxation and higher insurance premiums.

 

The ultimate goal of the far left is to create a two-class system in America.  Passing any of the current versions of health care reform will put the United States and its people well on the road to socialism.  The very wealthy will have their own doctors, will have access to any specialist and be able to afford any procedure(s) they desire.  The middle and lower classes in American society will experience rationing of health care, they will have little or no control regarding what doctors they will be able to see and, more important, their access to specialists (and the services they provide) will be determined by government bureaucrats, not medical personnel.

 

If anyone believes they will be sitting in a doctor's waiting room with Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama or Sean Penn, this will not be the case.  There will be those who by status and wealth will have unfettered access to quality health care which will be denied to a vast majority of our nation's population.

 

Those who oppose health care reform legislation have not had time to focus on the actual delivery of medical services because proposed legislation is so all-encompassing.  This has been part of Obama's strategy from the beginning.  Republicans now say let's start over and work on health care reform from the ground up.  However, a bill that now totals more than 2,700 pages is filled with items, including the formation of health care commissions, mandatory requirements on small businesses and increased taxation which has diverted attention away from the quality of health care that would result from such legislation.

 

For example, Democratic leadership has targeted $500 billion in cuts from Medicare.  Obama, Pelosi and Reid would like the country to believe these reductions in costs would simply result from the control of systemic fraud and revamping Medicare Advantage--which provides senior citizens with prescription drug benefits.  The truth of the matter is, other aspects of Medicare would be greatly impacted by bills introduced in both the House and Senate.  The only way $500 billion can be reduced from the Medicare budget would be through rationing health services for those on Medicare which includes seniors and the disabled.

 

The control over America's health care system is so important to socialists, they have literally reverted to bribing their less liberal Democratic brethren.  The Louisiana Purchase, the Cornhusker Kickback and other back room deals or threats demonstrate just how important passing any health care bill is to Obama, Pelosi and Reid.  These individuals may say their only goal is to improve and make more affordable health care available to all Americans.  By the way, eventually, even those who are in the United States illegally would also be entitled to the same health care.  Obama will achieve this goal either by including illegals in the legislation itself or push for comprehensive immigration reform later in his presidency.

 

No, health care reform has little to do with providing better medical services.  In reality, it is a giant first step on the way to European-style socialism and the intrusion of Big Brother in to the lives of us all.

 

*  RELATED ARTICLE:  FOOD, WATER AND ENERGY = CONTROL OF AMERICANS by Joyce Morrison http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/07/food-water-and-energy-control-of-americans.html [posted July 18, 2008]

How you can help RFFM.org inform America about political and social issues:

http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html 

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact:  [email protected]

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

How you can help RFFM.org inform America about political and social issues:

http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html 

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact:  [email protected]

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

Illinois Circuit Breaker: Property Tax Relief For Middle + Lower Income Seniors, Disabled Cut By 50%

Assault on Seniors and Disabled Continues

 

by Daniel T. Zanoza

 

In 2009, the Dept. of Labor announced there would be no Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) for individuals receiving Social Security benefits.  According to the Consumer Price Index, there was no inflation for the past fiscal year, therefore a yearly increase in Social Security benefits was not warranted--for the first time in over a quarter of a century.  Though the Dept. of Labor predicted inflation would not increase for two years, it has been reported Social Security recipients will not receive a COLA for at least 2010, 2011 and 2012.

 

Middle and lower income seniors and disabled received more bad news when applications for the state of Illinois' Circuit Breaker program were recently sent out to those who qualify. 

 

From the Dept. on Aging's web site http://www.cbrx.il.gov/ which administers the program, Circuit Breaker is defined as:

 

The Illinois Department on Aging's Circuit Breaker program provides grants to senior citizens and persons with disabilities to help them reduce the impact of taxes and prescription medications on their lives.  When the costs of property taxes and prescription medicines begin to "overload" our seniors and persons with disabilities, this program steps in to help, just as a circuit breaker prevents overloads in an electrical system.

 

For the first time in nearly thirty years, the state's Circuit Breaker tax relief grants were cut by half.  Those who applied online received the following information regarding an estimated $20 million reduction in monies allocated to and for those seniors and disabled who qualify for property tax relief.  This info is also from the Dept. of Aging's web site http://www.cbrx.il.gov/ 

NOTICE: In past years, the Department on Aging has been able to issue Circuit Breaker grants at the maximum allowable amounts. However, the state budget for fiscal year 2010 (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010) did not fund the Circuit Breaker program at those levels. In order to continue to provide the Circuit Breaker grant benefit to older adults and persons with disabilities on and after July 1, the Department made the difficult decision to cut each grant awarded in half. This decision based on budgetary cutbacks cannot be appealed.

Thank you for your understanding.

The media has written little about the decrease in Circuit Breaker benefits. 

However, an article in the Springfield State Journal-Register on July 9, 2009, titled "Quinn rejects budget, layoff notices go out" by Ryan Keith http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x737359780/Layoffs-furlough-days-in-latest-budget-cut-plan reported :

Department on Aging cuts total more than $29 million and include:
• 12 furlough days
• 10 percent cut in some programs and grants
• $20 million reduction in Circuit Breaker grants

The Circuit Breaker program also provides discounts for license plate renewals for those who qualify.

One state senator said he was unaware of these cuts, saying the Circuit Breaker program is very important to seniors and disabled.  Many see the reduction of the Circuit Breaker grants as a further assault on those who need it most. 

Though $787 billion was provided to states under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus package) and President Barack Obama claimed two million jobs were either saved or created through the stimulus program, clearly much of these funds were targeted to preserve government jobs, providing little relief to small businesses in the private sector.

Shortly after the Dept. of Labor announced there would be no Cost Of Living Adjustment for those receiving Social Security, Obama threw seniors a bone by announcing Congress would consider a one-time payment of $250 in fiscal year 2010 to offset the COLA freeze.  At the time, the one-time payment was earmarked to come out of the stimulus package, but the $250 benefit to seniors was then included in a 2010 $85 billion jobs program which was reduced to $15 billion by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  The bill is currently pending in Congress and will, most likely, be signed into law by Obama.  However, this legislation (jobs bill) did not include the one-time $250 payment to Social Security beneficiaries.

During Mr. Obama's presidential campaign, he spoke of "spreading the wealth around."  Many advocates for seniors and disabled clearly understand this redistribution of wealth was not "top down" but "inside out", meaning the middle class and poor are not the beneficiaries of Obama's political agenda.  In reality, trillions of dollars are flowing out of the nation's coffers because of ever-mounting debt.  The clear beneficiaries of the redistribution of wealth concept are bankers and lobbyists, including politicians who voted themselves a cost of living increase for the current fiscal year. 

How you can help RFFM.org inform America about political and social issues:

http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html 

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact:  [email protected]

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

Scott Brown & Four Other Republicans Help Pass Stimulus 2: Sorry, "Jobs Bill"

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

I am not an economist and I don't play one on TV, but something strange went on in the U.S. Senate yesterday.  The legislative body passed a $15 billion "jobs bill" by a vote of 62 to 30.  Eight Senators did not vote.  [See: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00023]  Lawmakers included provisions within the legislation, supposedly designed to encourage small business owners to increase hiring.  Of course, the bill might help small business owners--until Congress rams through Mr. Barack Obama's massive health care reform plan that will penalize small business entrepreneurs and help lead to more unemployment across America.  By the way, one of the provisions in the "jobs bill" put another hit on Social Security, but who's counting?

Scott Brown of Massachusetts was one of five who broke ranks with Republicans.  It didn't take long for the newly elected Senator to fall off the wagon of fiscal responsibility.  Brown was joined by GOP comrades in arms retiring Senators George Voinovich of Ohio and Kit Bond of Missouri and the liberal Bobbsey Twins from Maine, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe. 

Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska, who voted no, obviously has seen the light since his now infamous Nebraska cornhusker kickback vote on health care reform.  Nelson has been under withering fire in his home state.  Therefore, knowing the U.S. Senate, a deal must have been cut to exclude him from voting yes on a bill that would put America in greater debt.

The original "jobs bill" totaled $85 billion before Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid trimmed the bill down to a mere $15 billion.  But hey, what's $15 billion when the U.S. deficit is running in the trillions?

Now here's a question I have.  Under the George Bush administration, nearly $1 trillion was given to Wall Street banking and insurance firms to bail them out because they were "too big to fail."  TARP, in reality, provided a financial windfall for Wall Street types who could then send lobbyists back to Washington, D.C. to help fill the wallets and pocketbooks of Congress.

But here's the part I don't understand.  The banks have paid back the U.S. government over $500 billion of the original TARP bail out money.  Some say Obama is planning to use some of this cash in a slush fund to help elect Democrats in November.  However, I won't be that cynical.

Also, there is roughly $500 billion which has not been spent from Obama's first stimulus package.  Even though only 6% of Americans believe the stimulus package really created permanent jobs, the fact remains if you combine the money paid back to the U.S. government from the TARP bail out with the $500 billion remaining in unspent stimulus money, that adds up to $1 trillion, doesn't it?

Here's another foolish question:  Couldn't that trillion bucks be used to pay down the debt that is strangling America and we could have peeled $15 billion out of it to apply towards the so-called "jobs bill" which passed in a parliamentary vote in the U.S. Senate on Monday, Feb. 22nd.

I guess I just don't get it.  And I don't understand how Scott Brown, you remember him, the 41st vote to stop health care, has lost his way so quickly.  But he did say he wasn't the 41st vote, after the election was over...every Republican Senator represented the 41st vote.  So I guess we can now call Brown the 62nd vote which helped put America more in debt.

So hold your applause, sports fans.  Scott Brown just might not be what we thought he was.  But, heck, he's a member of Congress, so what's new?

How you can help RFFM.org inform America about political and social issues.
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact:  [email protected] 

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

Health Insurance Providers Push For Huge Premium Increases: Why Now? Is Health Care Reform Fix In?

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

According to an article by Amy Goldstein of the Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/18/AR2010021801345.html?hpid=topnews insurance companies who provide health care coverage for individuals have been pushing to levy huge premium increases on their customers in recent months.  Goldstein reports "Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine is asking that state to approve a 23 percent rise in premiums for its individual-market customers, after state regulators slashed an 18 percent increase that the insurer requested in 2009."

Even worse, FOX News reported on Thursday (Feb. 18, 2010) that, in California, Anthem Blue Cross was seeking increases in premium rates as high as 39% for an individual health insurance policy.  That company also backed off from its plan to single out individual policy holders for draconian hikes in prices due to public outrage.

President Barack Obama in his plan to reform the American health care system--which represents one-sixth of the nation's economy--from the beginning has attempted to demonize insurance companies.  The question I have is:  Why would firms, including Anthem Blue Cross, help give Obama ammunition in his fight to revive health care reform legislation which seemed to be dead on arrival?

Something strange is going on here.  Either these companies are being run by fools or they are as greedy as Obama claims.  Or perhaps the whole thing is part of a sinister master plan to help pass a health care bill most Americans don't want.

Soon Mr. Obama will hold a second summit with Republicans with the purpose of reaching a bipartisan agreement over the health care reform issue.  But many question whether Mr. Obama is sincere or whether he is simply trying to paint Republicans into a corner calling them obstructionists.  Of course, in this case, the latter is true.

However, the actions of the insurance companies seem to tell a different story.  Is it possible a deal has already been cut that will ensure health care reform legislation will become a reality sometime before the general election in 2010?  If this is the case, the politicians in Washington, D.C. truly believe Americans are stupid and they won't catch on to what's being foisted upon them until it's too late.

Something smells fishy here.  But as fish lovers know, fresh fish does not smell.  Possibly the odor we are picking up is far more offensive than rotting seafood.

How you can help RFFM.org inform America about political and social issues.
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact:  [email protected]  

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

Barack Obama: The Dismantling of America: A White Paper

by Lyle J. Rapacki, Ph.D.

Editor's Note:  Lyle J. Rapacki, Ph.D. is a frequent contributor to RFFM.org.  Rapacki is an independent intelligence analyst who receives and disseminates critical intelligence and policy information from and to law enforcement, intelligence and homeland security officials, and government and community leaders; he is the author of dozens of white papers, bulletins and briefings, and he is frequently called on to share his expertise with public and private security directors and organizations. 

THE TROJAN HORSE

Barack Hussein Obama was handed the Nobel Peace Prize because he accomplished what no other President of the United States could; namely, dismantling this Nation as a free and prosperous country, all the while undermining America’s strength to protect her people, and those in the world who have relied on the United States.  You have to be ignorant or an ideologue, like Obama and company, not to see this.  He has gone to great lengths to “change” America into a country in which the European and socialized/Marxist leaders across the world are beginning to like. 

America worked and fought diligently to become the “shining light on the hill,” and for 230 years, the United States of America has been a beacon for all who chose to escape tyranny; a helping hand for all who required the strength and resources this great Nation developed; a protector for those who were assaulted by bullies; an example of innovation and reward for disciplined work.  In less than 230 days, Mr. Obama began to weaken just about every facet of America.  But “his work” is not completed, and he continues to march this country into a great abyss.  Partially from ignorance and naïveté, partially from incompetence mixed with narississim, and add a very large table spoonful of radical Marxist ideologue, this man is making a country not at all in keeping with the very heritage he swore to uphold and protect. 

Mr. Obama swore an oath (I suspect fraudulently) to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.  When he spoke those solemn words at his Inaugural on January 20, 2009, within hours he systematically began to violate his pledge; his sacred oath.  I believe he intended to do so from the moment he finished his Inaugural Speech.  Just study his actions since becoming president. 

He signed orders to alter and greatly weaken the intelligence community.  He set in motion the machinery to treat terrorists as if they were merely on some crime spree, rather than confronting them as the cold and menacing war mongers they are.  He orchestrated the largest debt this country ever experienced; he nationalized banks, industry, and education, while severely weakening private business, housing and corporate sectors.  He is creating the largest government in the history of this Nation, and he further has directed this obese government to become more aggressive towards the very citizens the government is sworn to serve. 

Mr. Obama’s verbal smoke-screen of non-violence and peaceful resolutions is, in truth, a “call-to-arms” by the government he leads to repress then smother freedoms, 36-czars and growing; create a two-class society; “the haves” and the “strugglers”.  Food, energy, fuel, and medicine all are under the control of a calculating Washington, D.C. government in which Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, and other Marxists could be proud.  And Obama and company are not finished!  Watch for new domestic security forces to be created.  Prepare for such hyperinflation that food and fuel will become scarce and rationed.  Get in line to receive government handouts in place of finding a job in the private sector, and come to realize that many occupations and careers are forever gone; I don’t know what colleges and universities will do to prepare graduates for the “changed America” Obama is creating.  Office complexes will become ghost-towns; better used as housing for the increased homeless.  Many resorts will become more exclusive and less accessible as a chasm grows between “the haves” and “the strugglers”.  

The United States of America is under siege!  This is NOT a drill!  These are NOT reactionary words tossed about recklessly.  A “Trojan Horse” has been delivered to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.

Most recent Rapacki commentary: 
Obama Economics: A Path To U.S. Financial Ruin & New World Order
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/obama-economics-a-path-to-us-financial-ruin-new-world-order.html

How you can help RFFM.org inform America about political and social issues.
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/rffmorg-needs-your-help.html

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact:  [email protected]  

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

RFFM.org's Dan Zanoza Discusses Obama's "Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan" on Dr. Laurie Roth Show

RFFM.org's Executive Director, Dan Zanoza, will be a guest on the Dr. Laurie Roth Show [www.therothshow.com] on February 1, 2010 between 6 and 7 P.M. Central time. 

Zanoza will be discussing the Obama administration's "Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan" which may be actually luring U.S. homeowners into default or foreclosure.  Zanoza first broke the story as a contract writer for the Illinois Family Institute http://www.illinoisfamily.org/news/contentview.asp?c=34682.

Joining Dr. Roth and Zanoza will be a homeowner from central Illinois who is experiencing the nightmare brought upon her family through the reckless use of taxpayer stimulus money.

Broadcast out of Washington state on the IRN-USA Radio Network, Roth's radio talk show is nationally syndicated and "is on a mission to examine the issues based on right and wrong, not party politics."

To listen in, go to: http://www.irnusanews.com/ on left hand side of page, Broadcasting now, Channel 3, Roth Show and click on "Tune in now". 

Listeners can call in to the show by dialing 1-877-999-7684.