Why do we have to reform healthcare in 2009?

Here's a letter I recently sent to Senator Murray of WA in response to her broadcast email asking to support healthcare reform.

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Senator Murray,

I appreciate your efforts in leading the charge for changing our healthcare system. I, however, do not agree with the overall direction our politicians are currently taking. As a concerned constituent, I am asking you to consider in the following matters:

* There has been little debate out in the public on what is being proposed. The public wants real details - not just promises. President Obama's townhall session that aired on ABC June 25th, 2009 has only hindered the process, not helped it.
* Tort reform must be a significant part of the package to garner my support. Doctors need the ability to practice medicine in the way they see fit, based on the information, practices and procedures known at the time, without fear of retribution.
* There must be no real or perceived penalties for those who opt out of a public plan. There are many of your constituents who are not convinced a public plan is even necessary.
* Given the current economic and budgetary commitments, committing trillions, or even billions, to a program that has not seen the full light of day does not seem prudent.

In summary, slow the process down. There is no reason to put a healthcare bill on the President's desk by the end of the year. Rushing things will only lead to mistakes we will all regret later. My children and grandchildren are in enough debt as it is. Once a public healcare plan is put in place, everyone pays and there will be no going back.

I'm a proud GM Stockholder

While I'd like to comment weekly on the status of the US financial crisis I'm not an expert and have no original insight. All I know is I'm incredibly frustrated by the lack of common sense coming out of Washington DC. The '08 election campaigns were filled with words like HOPE and CHANGE. I think we got the CHANGE part. I don't think it's the CHANGE we were expecting. What's the point of me blogging the same drivel that's in 1000 other places all over the 'net.

Today there was one little, small, teeny, itsy-bitsy CHANGE that actually seemed to be smart. GM is selling it's Hummer unit. What took them so darn long!?!?!?!? With 5 kids in my family, and 6 in my brother's, we completely get the need for large vehicles. The Hummer was a ridiculous idea in the first place. It should have been left in the elite circles of "concept cars" or other autos reserved for those with too much money.

Unfortunately Saturn is mixed in with the sale. That's too bad. GM should keep Saturn (noted for customer service) and dump all the rest of the autos we're not buying.

Now as for being a GM stockholder. Do I get a company car? Any perks in it for me? Doubt it... Obama has stated that the Government is a "reluctant stakeholder". If so, why not sell a majority interest of the shares of GM NOW!!! Keep some. After REAL business people turn the company around - sell the rest of the shares to AT LEAST break even. Stocks/bonds are a gamble. The taxpayers weren't guaranteed a return in the first place....

I think the only reason the Government (Obama) invested in GM in the first place was to force them to create greener autos. Control is the perfect excuse NOT to sell GM now to those who can better manage it. I just don't have any HOPE the Obama administration will get it right.