RESULT of "ONE PARTY" COMPASSION

RESULT of "ONE PARTY" COMPASSION Mike DeNunzio Unemployment in San Francisco nears ten percent; yet City Supervisors refuse to schedule a hearing on tax incentives to stimulate jobs, but they will discuss a ban on feeding ducks in city parks. These people did not “seize power;” they were elected by voters of the ONE PARTY that has controlled public policy in San Francisco since 1964. Members of this ONE PARTY exalt “San Francisco values,” and congratulate their compassion for the needy-(incessantly) In January the progressive “SF WEEKLY” published a 4,700 word indictment of what their personal liberal guilt has done to the City and suggested they take personal responsibility for what they have done: "San Francisco is...arguably the worst-run big city in America. I never heard anyone say: If only [our city] could be run like San Francisco. Other liberal (cities) wouldn't put up with the dysfunction in San Francisco; says urbanologist, Joel Kotkin." (SF WEEKLY, Jan. 14, 2010, Benjamin Wachs, Joe Eskenaz.) In San Francisco the voters of this ONE PARTY have readily "put up" with serial mismanagement, deficits, debt, and repeatedly elected candidates who support policies that border on criminality: Sanctuary policies that led to murder; social policies that foster homeless, and crime, and failed transit policies. Fiscal policies with a $6.6 billion budget, 27,801 employee-- 8,000 paid $100,000 plus benefits. The voters of this ONE PARTY are solely responsible for a staggering $4 billion unfunded liability for retirement benefits that deprives services for needy children, the aged and disabled. Einstein said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and expecting different results." In San Francisco the voters of this ONE PARTY continues to prove Einstein is right -liberalism is a mental disorder.

SF worst run city in America

To SF Weekly authors: Your excellent, excellent article applies to Washington, DC, as well. Our "leaders" there are as corrupt as SF "leaders." You certainly have a bead on SF, and I applaud you.

"It's time to face facts: San Francisco is spectacularly mismanaged and arguably the worst-run big city in America. This year's city budget is an astonishing $6.6 billion — more than twice the budget for the entire state of Idaho — for roughly 800,000 residents. Yet despite that stratospheric amount, San Francisco can't point to progress on many of the social issues it spends liberally to tackle — and no one is made to answer when the city comes up short."

Do not miss this article! http://www.sfweekly.com/2009-12-16/news/the-worst-run-big-city-in-the-u-s/

SENIORS SAY: “FIRST DO NO HARM”

AMERICA’S SENIORS SAY: “FIRST DO NO HARM”
Mike DeNunzio, Chairman S.F Republican Assembly

“Whether to save one 20 year old who might live 60 years, or three 70 year olds who could live 10 years is unclear. We recommend the "Complete Lives System" that prioritizes younger people. Reform must redefine doctor’s ethical obligations for the greater good.‘

This ominous prognosis for America’s seniors was co written by the distinguished bio-ethicist, Ezekiel Emanuel, MD, PhD in the British Medical Journal, January. 2009. Doctor Emanuel is Special Advisor for Health Policy to the Office of Management and Budget--his brother is Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s Chief of Staff. Ezekiel Emanuel supports “the 2009 Health Choices Act" (HR3200 it includes: Advance Planning Consultation for End of Life Services; and a “Center for Comparative Effectiveness” to base treatment on cost and patient age. (Section (Sect.1401) Seniors are greatly troubled by HR3200 –Republicans, independents and Democrats.

“Why are we making bad decisions for the sake of passing something on a self imposed deadline. I don’t know why our Senators -Feinstein and Boxer allowed it to happen.” Willie Brown, former Mayor of San Francisco asked this question in his column in the S.F. Chronicle, Dec. 27, 2009. Most seniors agree with “Da Mayor: Senior’s don’t buy from people in a hurry to sell something they won't buy for themselves. Americas seniors do not want their intelligence insulted: They question why Congress exempts itself and 2.4 million federal employees from HR3200. They also ask why a reform to reduce health costs excludes mal practice lawsuits that increase costs $200 million a year; and why health care leaders endorse a bill they never read. HR3200 will take over one sixth of the US economy and affect 300 million Americans from womb to tomb,

America’s forty million seniors age 65 and over, and fifty million “boomers” 50 to 64 are active, accomplished and informed: Millions work, run businesses, serve on boards, donate funds and volunteer hours valued at billions. They read, watch, listen and discuss health issues; half are married, own homes, assist their families- including aged parents. Eighteen million are veterans, and eight of ten votes regularly. Many face health and financial challenges and require costly assistance; two of ten live below poverty. They helped pay for and create a health care system that is the envy of the world. Medicare is not charity - seniors have earned it-and they don’t want it cut.

In 2008 both parties called for reforms to make health insurance and health care more affordable and available and America agreed, especially seniors. Today over half the nation opposes HR3200, and seniors oppose it most: Seniors know good intentions can cause harm; they remind proponents of HR3200– First do no harm”--the caveat of Hippocrates- the father of western medicine: HR3200 harms seniors; it cuts $500 billion from Medicare’s hospital and home care, nursing facilities, hospice, rehab, Medicare Advantage Insurance and especially the aged, disabled and terminally ill. HR3200 also increases taxes $400 billion; they include medical devices, stints and wheelchairs; and increases insurance premiums and total health costs.

Seniors ask why the American Medical Association, the American Nurses and Hospital Associations, and the AARP and PhARMA endorse a bill that cuts their Medicare. They’ve learned these health care leaders negotiated self serving deals: The AMA to protect certain billing rights; the AARP to protect sales of insurance; PhARMA to restrict drug imports; the Hospital Association to get insured patients, and the Nurses Association for pro union legislation. The AFL- CIO and SEIU and the American Bar Association also endorsed HR3200- but they don’t take care of the sick and never took an oath to ”do no harm.” Seniors now know eighty percent of America’s 800,000 doctors do not belong to the AMA -and most oppose HR3200, and over 60,000 members have quit the AARP since June..

The health care and government officials who endorse HR3200 know health budgets of countries with “government care” prioritize lower costs over patient care. Canada and European Union nations uses fewer MRIs, CT scans, advanced drugs and fewer beds per capita. They also report higher mortality for cancer and heart disease. In the EU the death rate from cancers in Great Britain is second only to Denmark, and only the German regions of Saarland, Bremen and Rheinland-Pfalz have a higher death rate from heart disease. Britain’s National Health Service also uses a system called “Quality Adjusted Life Years” to determine treatment based on cost and patient age; and it restricts renal dialysis for the aged, as do other EU nations: In Belgium and the Netherlands, euthanasia is legal; the Dutch also permit neo natal intensive care units to give lethal injections to newborns diagnosed unable to have “meaningful relationships. The entire EU invests only 16% of the world's biotech research; the US invests 78 percent for new drugs and technologies that save lives worldwide. Every year thousands from Europe seek treatment in the US; last year 39,282 came from Canada where the Supreme Court ruled: “Access to a waiting list is not health care.

Seniors know Medicare’s greatest costs are in the final years of life. they are wary of a “Center for Comparative Effectiveness” to recommend treatment based on cost and age. They also oppose federalized "Advance Consultation for "End of Life Service."(Sect.1233) Seniors have caring families and trusted advisors; those who need assistance can receive it at no cost; Every state has agencies and protective laws for Advance Directives -like California Probate Code 4700, and the national hot line (800-222-1753)

Seniors and most Americans now know the “47 million” reported to lack health insurance includes ten million who are not US citizens. The uninsured citizens include nine million that earn over $75,000 and eight million over $50,000. Another ten million citizens are eligible for insurance but not enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid, S-Chip, veterans or employer’s plans. The ten million Americans who need assistance can be insured with patient centered options that preserve choice. They include; portability, interstate sales, group purchase, cash subsidies, risk pools for pre existing conditions, and tax exempt medical savings accounts.

Congress is buying the votes and will change anything to pass HR3200- and “fix it later.” Seniors know they will be first to lose most care -and the most years of life: They don’t want health policies for the “greater good,” from countries with moribund populations rampant with and anti life pathologies: The average “population replacement rate” in the EU is 1.5 per couple, and suicide, abortion and substance abuse is record high. The EU defense budget to protect its population is a telling 1.6 percent of GDP, and Canada is 1.1 percent. The US expends 6.1 percent of GDP to protect American lives- and Canadians and Europeans.

The 1991 national best seller “Parliament of Whores” by P.J. O’Rourke was hailed a “perceptive indictment of Congress.” A 2009 version could be titled “Parliament of Charlatans,” and indict health care and government officials that support HR3200. The Surgeon General should declare them "Dangerous to America's health." America's Senior’s will remind them 21st century America is not 8th century Sparta where ailing seniors and sickly newborns were left on a hillside to die: In America the right to life is inalienable, America is not the EU- “first do no harm.”

NOTE TO READERS:
SPEAKING CLEARLY presents personal views of Mike DeNunzio: They do not represent opinions or recommendations of any commission or other public or private organization of which he is a current or past member. Mike DeNunzio is Chairman of Development Services Group, Inc.-consultants to non profit organizations for health care, educational, and social services. He has guided clients throughout the U.S. and in Canada, Europe, Central America and Asia. He serves on the board of the American Institute of Ethics and "The Handicapables." Governor Schwarzenegger appointed him to the California Commission on Aging, and he was a San Francisco Commissioner on Aging-Adult Services, appointed by Mayor Willie Brown, and reappointed by Mayor Gavin Newsom. He is a thrice elected past Chairman of the San Francisco Republican Party and currently Chairman of the S.F. Republican Assembly.

Kicked out of House of Representatives

Believe it! My friend and I were actually kicked out (along with a few other people) to make way for late-comer visitors to the House of Representatives to witness the dastardly Healthcare bill passage last night. And we were threatened with hand-cuffs if we did not leave our seats. We could, however, come back into the Gallery, but we had to go to the end of the line (very long, snaked around two corridors +). Reminded me of education's "no one is a winner" mantra - all are equal - except in this case, the late-comers were the "winners." Those of us who got to the Gallery earlier "lost." Don't know who ordered this outrageous affront to taxpayers who own this House. Could it be Nancy Pelosi, who has final say re ingress and egress of House, and had to make way for all those staffers to witness her most glorious moment?

DC Protest Nov. 5

By Barbara Howey, in Washington,DC Washington, DC. Thursday, November 5. This was not fun. Compared to the 9/12 protest, which I attended, this protest was deadly serious. At the 9/12 protest, people were laughing, joking, smiling, meeting new people, a party-atmosphere. Not so with the 11/4 Healthcare Reform protest. At this protest, we Patriots were packed in like sardines on the grassy area below the West steps of the Capitol. I could not even make my way up to where my friend - another Patriot (a small business woman in Novato) who had taken the red-eye the night before, and flew out of DC that afternoon at 4pm, was standing. She managed to fight (politely, of course) close to the front of the crowd. So many signs, so many TALL people, so much earnestness was sobering. This crowd realized what was at stake if this dastardly Healthcare Reform bill that the Dems so love is passed. The people I met were from all over the States, but it seemed quite a few were from Texas. Michelle Bachman gave a brief speech, as did Mark Levine, and Jon Voight. Of course, many of the Republican Representatives had to get their few seconds of fame, so the speeches went on and on. About 1.5 hours after the start, I, and quite a few others, started leaving. I met up with my Novato friend in the security line of the Rayburn Bldg, where I was going to deliver a reasoned letter written by my husband to Nancy Pelosi's office (see below). Of course, the intern in Pelosi's office was...young, but smiling. She offered us House Gallery tickets. So, we ran off to the House Gallery to view the boring minutea of inconsequential, bureaucratic details - again, some Reps getting their 30 seconds of fame. I can't even remember the subject. It certainly was not Healthcare, or I would have listened. My Novato friend had to dash to Reagan Airport, so I ran to the Senate bldg to hand my letters to Boxer and Feinstein. From Boxer's office, I got Senate Gallery passes. Off I went to sit in the (Rogue's) gallery for 2 hours, watching all those Senators, Republicans and Democrats, pat each other on the back. Hail fellow, well met!

*****

Dear Congresswoman Woolsey,

Thank you for e-mailing me a copy of H.R. 3962. After starting to read it I discovered it was 1,990 pages long. YIKES! And I thought Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” was long at 1,168 pages. At least that was entertaining!

This only strengthens my resolve to tell you how much I do NOT want government controlled health care. I am a senior citizen and I am not ready to give up my freedom of choice; Or the quality of my health care. The quality of my health care can only be diminished by the resulting inevitable rationing if government run health care is implemented. I do not believe this is the "American Way." Neither do I believe it is consistent with the revered American traits of individual personal freedom and responsibility.

I believe a better way to provide affordable, quality health care for all is by making well-considered incremental changes because polls consistently show that the majority of citizens are satisfied with their existing health care coverage and choices. A good start would be to reform what I believe are two of the most pressing issues; pass Tort reform legislation and allow the free market to deliver real competition by authorizing the sale of Health Insurance across State lines.

Women’s health care is particularly important. A recent poll by the Independent Women’s Forum reports three out of four women surveyed (74%) consider their own health care as good or excellent. Only 40% would want even slight modifications to their own health care, and 35% would leave their health care as is. Furthermore, 64% of the women surveyed would rather have private insurance than a government-run plan and 61% do not support the individual mandate. Women also oppose the rush to pass a bill. Only 16% rate health care as their top issue and two thirds (67%) don’t want something passed that is poorly crafted. And this poll was taken before the swine flu vaccine shortage. This poll can be seen at www.iwf.org.

In contrast, the currently proposed radical restructuring of the entire health care system for the country is being rushed through the House of Representatives without allowing adequate time to read, much less debate, the proposed bill in order to even begin to understand this complex legislation or its consequences. Rather than promoting competition, I believe the proposed government-run health care plan will ultimately diminish competition, and result in government-run monopoly, runaway costs, and rationing; Or worse, denial of care.

Why do I believe this? For starters, because under the government-run program Politicians and Bureaucrats will control health care choices and decisions, Not Individuals and their Doctors. The proposed program is a vast expansion of government that goes far beyond the existing Medicare program; the same program that currently results in an estimated $68 Billion in losses from Fraud, each year!

I thank you for your attention. Fred Howey Constituent and Taxpayer

cc: Senators Boxer and Feinstein, Congresswoman Pelosi

From the Hill - Washington, DC

There were about 12 Patriots in my group today. We visited (for 4.5 hrs) most of the Blue Dog Dems who were on the fence re Healthcare. Also Pelosi's office, and Woolsey's office. We encountered mostly polite receptionists and staffers, but never met with the Reps. A GA congressman, Brown, from Atlanta, stopped us in the hall, and spent about 10 mins encouraging us to continue the pressure - with our visits, with emails, telephone calls, and faxes. I also stopped in at those CA Republican Reps with a "thumbs up" when I passed their doors.

Diane, the Tea Party Patriot organizer from PA, had faxes produced from all over the country, and she handed them out at each stop. As the day wore on, our numbers dwindled. We had a female Dr from Texas who talked to Pelosi's aide for about 20 mins. Then the Dr went off on her own to lobby the Blue Dogs, stating that she thought she could be more effective in her argument/presentation alone.

All offices seemed to be aware of big event tomorrow on Capitol steps.

Woolsey's office gave me two passes to the House of Reps gallery, so I may get a chance to go & hear some of the speeches on Healthcare, either Friday, or Sat.

Real democracy in action! Barb

Danoodle Goes to Washington

Going to DC to protest Healthcare Bill, along with thousands of Tea Party Patriots. Will post pictures soonest.

Happy Halloween

SF Tea Party in SF today at 5pm, Union Square

Danoodle is back in town. Much has happened the last 6 months while I have been gone. Will post whenever possible. My friend Sally Zelikovsky heads up Bay Area Patriots. She has done a stellar job in organizing events for Marinites and SF conservatives. Click on title above for information re today's protest in SF at 5:00pm. See you there! Sally's website is www.bayareapatriots.com.

Local Businesswoman takes on Lynn Woolsey

How sweet it is! Local businesswoman Catherine Bragg took on Lynn Woolsey at a Town Hall Meeting that would make any conservative proud! Go Catherine! Click on title above to view to Catherine's UTube spot.