Soaring costs force Canada to reassess health model.
Well, you better watch out, the health care costs WILL increase when government run health care goes into effect. This will mean higher taxes, higher co-pays, limited "approved" pharmaceuticals, and a mass exodus of doctors as they will have their pay slashed and workload increased.
"Ontario, Canada's most populous province, kicked off a fierce battle with drug companies and pharmacies when it said earlier this year it would halve generic drug prices and eliminate "incentive fees" to generic drug manufacturers."
Okay, cut the prices on generic drugs and eliminate incentive programs...hmmm, that ought to keep pharm companies wanting to come and produce generic drugs there.
"...Quebec has a new flat health tax and a proposal for payments on each medical visit -- an idea that critics say is an illegal user fee."
Well, increased tax AND increased co-pays.
"And a few provinces are also experimenting with private funding for procedures such as hip, knee and cataract surgery."
Private funding = more costs to the consumer.
"Brian Golden, a professor at University of Toronto's Rotman School of Business, said provinces are weighing new sources of funding, including "means-testing" and moving toward evidence-based and pay-for-performance models."
Cut the doctor costs and see how many stay.
"Other problems include trying to control independently set salaries for top hospital executives and doctors and rein in spiraling costs for new medical technologies and drugs."
Cut salaries and see who stays. Cut costs and see how many companies want to develop new drugs or medical devices.
"The province has introduced legislation that ties hospital chief executive pay with the quality of patient care and says it wants to put more physicians on salary to save money."
Again, see who or how many stays.
"In a report released last week, TD Bank said Ontario should consider other proposals to help cut costs, including scaling back drug coverage for affluent seniors and paying doctors according to quality and efficiency of care."
More costs to the consumers. It won't stop at just seniors. The definition for "affluent" will be continue to decline. Again, see how many of those rich, greedy doctors stay (tongue in cheek)!
"Essentially it boils down the wishes of the population. But I think, from an economist's standpoint, we point to the fact that sometimes Canadians in the short term may not realize the cost."
They will never eliminate the gov. health care if they leave it to the people. The people will; be used to the entitlement!
We need to vote the bunch out and get this entitlement program repealed/unfunded!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Meet Our New Ally In The Middle East?
Well, maybe this is the answer to my previous post.
The United States is sending a succession of envoys to engage with Hamas but lacks the bravery to talk to the Islamist movement openly, its leader, Khaled Meshal.
"The claim that the US is engaging with a group it lists as a terrorist organisation will upset the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, whose security forces have locked up and allegedly tortured leading Hamas members in the West Bank.."
Well, maybe we have the answer...Hamas our new ally for the future?
The United States is sending a succession of envoys to engage with Hamas but lacks the bravery to talk to the Islamist movement openly, its leader, Khaled Meshal.
"The claim that the US is engaging with a group it lists as a terrorist organisation will upset the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, whose security forces have locked up and allegedly tortured leading Hamas members in the West Bank.."
Well, maybe we have the answer...Hamas our new ally for the future?
Who Will Be Our Ally In The Middle East Now?
Now that Obama has thrown Isreal under the nuclear bus, who does he plan to ally with?
The resolution adopted by the United Nations on Friday calls on Israel to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and urges it to open its facilities to inspection.
"Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear power in the Middle East, with around 200 warheads, but has maintained a policy of deliberate ambiguity about its capabilities since the mid-1960s.
The document, which singles out Israel but makes no mention of Iran's controversial nuclear programme, drew a furious reaction from the Jewish state who decried it as "deeply flawed and hypocritical."
But it was US backing for the resolution which has caused the most consternation among Israeli officials and commentators, who interpreted the move as "a resounding slap around the face" which has dealt a very public blow to Israel's long-accepted policy of nuclear ambiguity."
"According to the top-selling Yediot Aharonot daily, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "furious with the Obama administration for having failed to prevent the resolution from passing... and for choosing to support it."
"The American support for the resolution, after decades in which it supported Israel on this issue, came as a complete surprise," the paper said."
My question remains, who will be our ally now? Or maybe, who will ever want to be our ally in the future knowing that "America" will throw them under the bus whenever we feel the need?
Where are we heading?
The resolution adopted by the United Nations on Friday calls on Israel to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and urges it to open its facilities to inspection.
"Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear power in the Middle East, with around 200 warheads, but has maintained a policy of deliberate ambiguity about its capabilities since the mid-1960s.
The document, which singles out Israel but makes no mention of Iran's controversial nuclear programme, drew a furious reaction from the Jewish state who decried it as "deeply flawed and hypocritical."
But it was US backing for the resolution which has caused the most consternation among Israeli officials and commentators, who interpreted the move as "a resounding slap around the face" which has dealt a very public blow to Israel's long-accepted policy of nuclear ambiguity."
"According to the top-selling Yediot Aharonot daily, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "furious with the Obama administration for having failed to prevent the resolution from passing... and for choosing to support it."
"The American support for the resolution, after decades in which it supported Israel on this issue, came as a complete surprise," the paper said."
My question remains, who will be our ally now? Or maybe, who will ever want to be our ally in the future knowing that "America" will throw them under the bus whenever we feel the need?
Where are we heading?
Saturday, May 29, 2010
This One Goes In "Can You Believe This?" Category
You have to read this short article yourself. This is freaking unbelievable!
California College Offers Scholarship to Illegal Immigrants.
California College Offers Scholarship to Illegal Immigrants.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Bank Closings-May 28, 2010
1. Sun West Bank, Las Vegas, Nevada, was closed today by the Nevada Financial Institutions Division, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the seven branches of Sun West Bank will reopen on Tuesday as branches of City National Bank. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $96.7 million.
2. Granite Community Bank, N.A., Granite Bay, California, was closed today by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the three branches of Granite Community Bank, N.A. will reopen on Tuesday as branches of Tri Counties Bank. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $17.3 million.
3. EverBank, Jacksonville, Florida, acquired the banking operations, including all the deposits, of three Florida-based institutions. To protect depositors, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with EverBank. Bank of Florida – Southeast, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Bank of Florida – Southwest, Naples, Florida; and Bank of Florida – Tampa Bay, Tampa, Florida, were all closed today by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, which appointed the FDIC as receiver. The three failed banks were owned by the same holding company, Bank of Florida Corporation, which was not part of this transaction. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) for Bank of Florida - Southeast will be $71.4 million; for Bank of Florida - Southwest, $91.3 million; and for Bank of Florida – Tampa Bay, $40.3 million.
Total Bank Closings = 78
Cost to the FDIC (We The People) this week... 317 Million
Cost to the FDIC (We The People) yearly...approx. $17.3 BILLION
2. Granite Community Bank, N.A., Granite Bay, California, was closed today by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the three branches of Granite Community Bank, N.A. will reopen on Tuesday as branches of Tri Counties Bank. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $17.3 million.
3. EverBank, Jacksonville, Florida, acquired the banking operations, including all the deposits, of three Florida-based institutions. To protect depositors, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with EverBank. Bank of Florida – Southeast, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Bank of Florida – Southwest, Naples, Florida; and Bank of Florida – Tampa Bay, Tampa, Florida, were all closed today by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, which appointed the FDIC as receiver. The three failed banks were owned by the same holding company, Bank of Florida Corporation, which was not part of this transaction. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) for Bank of Florida - Southeast will be $71.4 million; for Bank of Florida - Southwest, $91.3 million; and for Bank of Florida – Tampa Bay, $40.3 million.
Total Bank Closings = 78
Cost to the FDIC (We The People) this week... 317 Million
Cost to the FDIC (We The People) yearly...approx. $17.3 BILLION
Bankruptcy talk spreads among Calif. muni officials
Well, here is another story about a municipality that is talking bankruptcy.
Antioch's leaders earlier this month said bankruptcy could be an option for the cash-strapped city of roughly 100,000.
"Antioch's fiscal woes are standard issue for local governments in California: weak revenue from retail sales and property taxes is forcing spending cuts, layoffs and furloughs. But cost-cutting measures may not be enough to keep Antioch's books balanced, so its city council is openly discussing bankruptcy."
"Marc Levinson, a lawyer with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP who is representing Vallejo in its bankruptcy proceeding, agrees that California's hard times and lean local budgets are forcing local leaders to weigh bankruptcy. "It's a topic on everyone's lips because cities and counties and local governments are hurting," Levinson said."
Like I've said before, I think we will continue to see more cities, counties and even states talking bankruptcy.
Antioch's leaders earlier this month said bankruptcy could be an option for the cash-strapped city of roughly 100,000.
"Antioch's fiscal woes are standard issue for local governments in California: weak revenue from retail sales and property taxes is forcing spending cuts, layoffs and furloughs. But cost-cutting measures may not be enough to keep Antioch's books balanced, so its city council is openly discussing bankruptcy."
"Marc Levinson, a lawyer with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP who is representing Vallejo in its bankruptcy proceeding, agrees that California's hard times and lean local budgets are forcing local leaders to weigh bankruptcy. "It's a topic on everyone's lips because cities and counties and local governments are hurting," Levinson said."
Like I've said before, I think we will continue to see more cities, counties and even states talking bankruptcy.
Looks Like L.A. Is Not Far Behind Miami
The heart of the proposal is the idea of raiding the state's bottle deposits for the next 20 years and then getting an $8.7-billion loan from Wall Street.
Well, you have to admit they are getting creative on raising revenue.
"State Assembly Speaker John A. Perez on Tuesday outlined an alternative path to balancing California's budget that would raise oil taxes, delay corporate tax breaks and borrow billions from the nickel-and-dime deposits consumers make on recyclable bottles -- and would not require any Republican support. How? A convoluted mechanism that would swap existing state sales taxes for local sales taxes in order to skirt state law that requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to raise taxes. Consumers would pay the same on taxable purchases."
Boy, they don't even need the Republicans...that's showing bipartisanship. The Republicans will feel good about this...NOT.
"A spokesman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called it "legal gymnastics." "The Assembly Democrats' budget proposal includes no real spending cuts and no real reforms -- only legal gymnastics for majority vote tax increases," said Aaron McLear, a Schwarzenegger spokesman."
No kidding, robbing from Peter to pay Paul. I bet it won't work. They will still need additional money. They are only playing games instead of "cutting to the chase". They need to cut budgets, cut government spending and cut entitlement programs. That is the only way they will climb out of the hole. Borrowing more money to pay what they need now will dig the hole deeper.
Well, you have to admit they are getting creative on raising revenue.
"State Assembly Speaker John A. Perez on Tuesday outlined an alternative path to balancing California's budget that would raise oil taxes, delay corporate tax breaks and borrow billions from the nickel-and-dime deposits consumers make on recyclable bottles -- and would not require any Republican support. How? A convoluted mechanism that would swap existing state sales taxes for local sales taxes in order to skirt state law that requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to raise taxes. Consumers would pay the same on taxable purchases."
Boy, they don't even need the Republicans...that's showing bipartisanship. The Republicans will feel good about this...NOT.
"A spokesman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called it "legal gymnastics." "The Assembly Democrats' budget proposal includes no real spending cuts and no real reforms -- only legal gymnastics for majority vote tax increases," said Aaron McLear, a Schwarzenegger spokesman."
No kidding, robbing from Peter to pay Paul. I bet it won't work. They will still need additional money. They are only playing games instead of "cutting to the chase". They need to cut budgets, cut government spending and cut entitlement programs. That is the only way they will climb out of the hole. Borrowing more money to pay what they need now will dig the hole deeper.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Is Miami Ready To Go Belly Up?
The city of Miami is in such financial dire straits that a commissioner is using the "B" word, bankruptcy.
You might want to read this article, as there may be other cities in or near the same position. The cities will start raising funds one way or another... cutting workers, cutting pay, changing contracts, eliminating services, and of course raising taxes and fees. They will need to begin this soon as they are running out of money.
Keep your eyes open...
You might want to read this article, as there may be other cities in or near the same position. The cities will start raising funds one way or another... cutting workers, cutting pay, changing contracts, eliminating services, and of course raising taxes and fees. They will need to begin this soon as they are running out of money.
Keep your eyes open...
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
U.S. Debt Now Over $13 TRILLION (and climbing)
Well, as I type this this morning the debt is $352 Million over the $13 TRILLION. Look closely at all the other numbers on this site. Debt per taxpayer...$117,978.
But the one to really look at is the U.S. Unfunded Liabilities...$108 TRILLION!! There is no way mathmactically speaking that we can climb out of this hole. Something will have to give....
But the one to really look at is the U.S. Unfunded Liabilities...$108 TRILLION!! There is no way mathmactically speaking that we can climb out of this hole. Something will have to give....
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
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