Memorial Day 2011

For over two centuries, American independence, and the freedoms that are cherished by people throughout the world, are all the result of the heroism of the men and women of our armed forces.  Let us pause this Memorial Day, and every day thereafter, to honor and give our undying thanks to those soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who gave their lives for our nation.

HEALTHCARE REFORM LEGISLATION HURTS SENIORS

The impact of President Obama’s  healthcare legislation on older Americans must be examined more thoroughly.

There are several areas that concern observers who worry about how seniors will fare under the legislation.  The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) has unprecedented power to decide how to ration health care via the mechanism of price controls.  Those concerned with the IPAB’s power have termed the group a “death squad.” The IPAB as the power to fix Medicare payments at so low a rate that doctors and hospitals will have no viable economic choice but to stop providing certain types of treatments, especially those costly or frequent treatments typically required by older patients. 

The legislation replaces doctors with bureaucrats in nationwide healthcare planning. Paying for it’s expensive price tag will require taking urgently needed dollars away from Medicare.  Plans call for reducing Medicare funding by $575 billion over the next decade. Former NY Lieutenant Governor Betsy McCaughey stressed that the White House’s own actuaries admit that Medicare spending per senior will be sharply reduced under the plan, from $16,162 to $14,731 per senior in 2019.

The decisions of the IPAB won’t be advisory.  According to the Obamacare legislation already enacted, those decisions will have the full force and effect of law, unless Congress directly rules against it.  (Stanley Kurtz, a senior fellow at the Ethics & Public Policy Center, in a recently published article, questioned the constitutionality of giving this unelected organization such vast powers.)

The financial impact of Obamacare will be harsh on the general public—except those with political connections.  Organizations that played important roles in getting President Obama and other prominent Democrats elected have received “waivers” exempting them from the harsh costs of the legislation.  These include, of course, groups that raised funds for his campaign, as well as supporters of Senate Leader Harry Reid and (former) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Over the past half century, America has acted forcefully to end discrimination based on race, sex, or ethnicity.  Unfortunately, age discrimination continues to play a harmful role in our society.  Men and women over 50 seeking to find new employment are overlooked with relative impunity. Now, thanks to a heartless new healthcare system, they will also face truly deadly discrimination in receiving medical care, as well. 

Legislative Reform Can't Succeed Without Campaign Reform

LEGISLATIVE REFORM CAN'T SUCCEED 

WITHOUT CAMPAIGN REFORM

     New Yorkers are clearly unhappy with their state government.  Corruption, high taxes, and many policies that run contrary to the popular will have long been Albany staples.  Yet the reelection rate of incumbents remains remarkably high--indeed, it equals that of the old USSR.  

     The reason for this dichotomy is clear.  Campaign and ethics laws are geared to favor the reelection of those already in office.  Combined with the regular advantages of incumbency, this makes sitting elected officials almost immune to challengers, whether from another party, or from reformers within their own parties.

    Several Examples:

•      The use of taxpayer-funded "official" newsletters that are thinly-veiled campaign literature;
•      The use of "member items" to reward or punish constituency groups that support incumbents;
•       Campaign finance laws that favor organization candidates that can raise funds to hire professionals to wade through complex regulations, or to raise large amounts of cash early in the election season and qualify for debates that have funding requirements; and
•       New voting machines that also provide a boost to incumbents facing challenges from third parties.  If a voter mistakenly votes for a candidate on both a major party line and a minor party line, the vote on the major party line is automatically counted and the minor party line is ignored.  While this doesn't affect the immediate election, this does weaken the position of minor parties seeking to reform the system in the long run.

     Incumbents feeling reasonably secure from the wrath of voters have little incentive to change their behavior.  Therefore, to force current elected officials to improve their ethics and become more responsive, inappropriate campaign practices must first change.  

     The Community Action Civic Association, Inc. is attempting to accomplish this, and invites all concerned citizens, organizations, and fair-minded elected officials to join in this effort.  Please contact Frank Vernuccio at nycommunityaction@gmail.com.