Senate Health Care Bill

What's in the Senate Health Bill for You?

Overall Summary:

According to this article, the Senate's version of the Health Care Bill may have many benefits for certain incomes. The bill extends Medicaid to a larger range of incomes including families with an income under 29,000 dollars yearly. Also, families making up to 88,000 a year, will receive tax credits to make private insurance more affordable. However, those who don't purchase insurance may be fined. Also, introduced by senator Harry Reid, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act within the bill will make health coverage more affordable. Thankfully, though while spending $848 billion on the change taking place over a span of ten years , the bill will reduce the national deficit by $130 billion.

My Opinion:

I think that this article only shows the positives of the Senate's Health Care Bill. Though the positives do seem helpful to society, making healthcare and insurance more affordable, expenses don't just decrease. I'm sure that though these expenses will become easier for lower income families to pay, the cost will come out of the pockets of higher income families. This Bill is the kind of legislation that has a catch and I think that middle and upper class is going to end up with either worse coverage or higher taxes to help cover lower incomes.

Two-Party System

Two Party System

by XCDC

Christian License Plates

Federal Judge Nixes Christian License Plates

Overall Summary:

District Judge Cameron Currie ruled that because of seperation of church and state, Florida could not make license plates that had a cross along with the phrase "I believe". Both Americans United for Separation of Church and State and American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee opposed the plates whereas private Christian groups within the state favored and stated that this ruling did not exclude the plates all together. Private groups are still able to design their own plates for sale.

My Opinion:

I think that the seperation of church and state was put forth for a reason. This country is made up of many different religions and beliefs and sticking an obviously Christian license plate on cars of diverse citizens is not the most politically correct thing to do. This Christian plate may obviously offend others and I think it selfish to put Christianity before others, regardless of the law. In my opinion, the judge was right to declare the action pretty much unconstitutional.

Abortion Insurance Change

Abortion Rights Activists Say Stupak-Pitts Amendment Would Hurt Women's Rights

Overall Summary:

A recent law passed saying that insurance for abortion was to be limited. The Stupak-Pitts amendment is part of the upcoming Health Care Bill that puts restrictions on funding for abortion. According to the Bill, funding is not to go to abortion with the exception of rape, incest or for the well-being and safety of the mother. Households making more than $88,000 a year will be prevented from buying abortion insurance in their coverage.

My Opinion:

Regardless of my opinion on abortion, I think that this addition to the Health Care Bill is unneccessary. There are more problems to worry about within health care without worrying about moral obligations. Abortion is mostly a moral matter and should not be decided on by the government for each individual case. I respect that certain cases reserve the right for insurance because certain people physically and emotionally need the option of abortion, whereas others may take advantage of having the option of abortion and its insurance.

Soldier Income Raise

"What Congress Has in Store for You in 2010"

Overall Summary:

According to the article, Congress must pass two pieces of legislation to fund the military for the following year. Two bills were passed, one that allocates money going to the Defense Department and the other telling government how to use military money. In 2008 Congressed passed legislation saying that soldiers who spent a significant time mobilized receive money set aside for retirement before they turned sixty.

My Opinion:

I think that our military is made up of hardworking, selfless soldiers and we should do all we can to repay their service to our country. If this means raising their pay and giving them early retirement money, so be it. Without our soldiers, we would be a weak nation and our military is the best defense in the world. I think that U.S. soldiers are not appreciated enough for their time served these days because society does not accept reason for war or reasons for us being overseas, but we should not take that confusion and anger out on our soldiers, who dutifully protect us.

Fox Hunting

http://cts.hss.uts.edu.au/students08/Final_Website/images/foxnews.jpg

"Fox Hunting"

Overall Summary:

The Obama Administration has, for the second time, been caught dismissing Fox News. On several occasions people of Obama's Administration have insisted that Fox is "not really a news station" and that it does not supply viewers with facts so much as opinions. Instead, those who bashed Fox, would rather viewers tune in to CNN or more "reliable" resources.

My Opinion:

I think that President Obama has no business criticizing new stations. He obviously thinks that Fox is a conservative based news station but he shouldn't take viewers and therefore work from them, he should stick to his job. Also, this is showing Obama's tendency to dominate public opinion. He wants the public to think as he does and see his good side and is therefore directing them towards more liberal news resources, such as CNN, even though many of these stations, including Fox, are more moderate.

Obama Blames Slow Afghanistan Progress on Bush

"When Should President Obama Stop Blaming the Bush Administration?"

Overall Summary:

Even though the U.S. has been at war with Afghanistan for nine years, according to this article, President Obama makes the issue sound as if it began yesterday because the Bush Administration did no good towards the cause. The president's latest excuse to delay sending troops overseas is the Afghani election. CNN has taken a poll that shows majority of Americans, at fifty nine percent, oppose sending more troops overseas at all. Afghanistan is being said to be another Vietnam War in that the people of the nation favor one way and the president acts performs the other way.

My Opinion:

I think that Obama should stop blaming The Bush Administration on current situations. Obama should focus on his own job and if he thinks Bush ran the country poorly than he can make up for poor decisions and do things the way he wants them done. Also, I don't think sending more troops would help the cause overseas. The country is in a recession and the United States overall has a low morale and does not need to be worrying about family and friends overseas fighting a losing battle for an unknown cause.