Help Is On The Way
In this time of rising health care and energy costs I think it is important to listen to what the president says so I took the liberty of assembling some of the presidents statements on these important issues for all Americans. With this much concern being put on these important issues by the administration we can all rest easy that the things will be done to cure these problems.
#1. "In the area of natural resources, my recommendations will include programs to preserve and enhance the environment, to advance science and technology, and to assure balanced use of our irreplaceable natural resources".
#2. "I will have recommendations to advance the Nation's health".
#3. "Let me speak to that issue head on. There will be no recession in the United States of America. Primarily due to our energy crisis, our economy is passing through a difficult period. But I pledge to you tonight that the full powers of this Government will be used to keep America's economy producing and to protect the jobs of America's workers".
#4. "We will establish a new system that makes high-quality health care available to every American in a dignified manner and at a price he can afford.
#5. ..we must end vulnerability to economic disruption by foreign suppliers..
#6. "Increasing health costs are of deep concern to all and a powerful force pushing up the cost of living. The burden of catastrophic illness can be borne by very few in our society. We must eliminate this fear from every family".
#7. "I again urge the Congress to move ahead immediately on the remainder of my energy proposals to make America invulnerable to the foreign oil cartel.
My proposals, as all of you know, would reduce domestic natural gas shortages; allow production from Federal petroleum reserves; stimulate effective conservation, including revitalization of our railroads and the expansion of our urban transportation systems; develop more and cleaner energy from our vast coal resources; expedite clean and safe nuclear power production; create a new national energy independence authority to stimulate vital energy investment; and accelerate development of technology to capture energy from the Sun and the Earth for this and future generations".
#8. I proposed urgent action to improve the economy and to achieve energy independence in 10 years.
I proposed to the Congress the first comprehensive national energy program--a specific and coordinated set of measures that would end our vulnerability to embargo, blockade, or arbitrary price increases".
#9." In a separate written message to Congress, I've outlined other domestic initiatives, such as welfare reform, consumer protection, basic education skills, urban policy, reform of our labor laws, and national health care later on this year".
#10. "We here in Washington must move away from crisis management, and we must establish clear goals for the future--immediate and the distant future--which will let us work together and not in conflict. Never again should we neglect a growing crisis like the shortage of energy, where further delay will only lead to more harsh and painful solutions".
#11. "We know that inflation is a burden for all Americans, but it's a disaster for the poor, the sick, and the old. No American family should be forced to choose among food, warmth, health care, or decent housing because the cost of any of these basic necessities has climbed out of reach".
#12. "This year, we will take our first steps to develop a national health plan".
A responsible budget is not our only weapon to control inflation. We must act now to protect all Americans from health care costs that are rising $1 million per hour, 24 hours a day, doubling every 5 years. We must take control of the largest contributor to that inflation-- skyrocketing hospital costs.
#13. "The crises in Iran and Afghanistan have dramatized a very important lesson: Our excessive dependence on foreign oil is a clear and present danger to our Nation's security. The need has never been more urgent. At long last, we must have a clear, comprehensive energy policy for the United States".
We have made progress together. But Congress must act promptly now to complete final action on this vital energy legislation. Our Nation will then have a major conservation effort, important initiatives to develop solar power, realistic pricing based on the true value of oil, strong incentives for the production of coal and other fossil fuels in the United States, and our Nation's most massive peacetime investment in the development of synthetic fuels".
#14. A national energy plan is in place and our dependence on foreign oil is decreasing".
#15. "The legislation I submitted lays the foundation for this comprehensive plan and addresses the most serious problems of health financing and delivery. It is realistic and enactable. It does not overpromise or overspend, and, as a result, can be the solution to the thirty years of Congressional battles on national health insurance".
#16. By deregulating oil, we have come closer to achieving energy independence and helped bring down the costs of gasoline and heating fuel".
#17. In the coming year, we will also act to improve the quality of life for Americans by curbing the skyrocketing cost of health care that is becoming an unbearable financial burden for so many. And we will submit legislation to provide catastrophic illness insurance coverage for older Americans".
#18. "We seek to fully deregulate natural gas to bring on new supplies and bring us closer to energy independence".
#19. "I am committed to bring the staggering costs of health care under control".
#20. "That requires a forward-looking plan of action, and that;s exactly what we will be sending to the Congress. We have prepared a detailed series of proposals, that include:
-A comprehensive national energy strategy that calls for energy conservation and efficiency, increased development and greater use of alternative fuels.
#21. "Good health care is every American's right and every American's responsibility. So we are proposing an aggression program of new prevention initiatives- for infants, for children, for adults, and for the elderly - to promote a healthier America and to help keep costs from spiraling".
#22. "We must reform our health care system for this too,bears on whether or not we can compete in the world. American health costs have been exploding. This year America will spend over $800 billion on health,and that is expected to grow to $1.6 trillion by the end of the decade. We simply cannot afford this. The cost of health care shows up not only in your family budget, but in the price of everything we buy and everything we sell. When health coverage for a fellow on the assembly line costs thousands of dollars, the cost goes into the product he makes. And you pay the bill. Now we must make a choice.
#23. "So this year, we will make history by reforming the health care system".
#24. "Let's at least pass meaningful insurance reform so that no American risks losing coverage for facing skyrocketing prices. That nobody loses their coverage because they face high prices or unavailable insurance, when they change jobs and lose a job, or a family member gets sick".
#25. "We have to do more to make health care available to every American".
#26. "We must continue -- we must continue, step by step, to give more families access to affordable, quality health care".
#27. "We have it in our power to act right here, right now. I propose $6 billion in tax cuts and research and development to encourage innovation, renewable energy, fuel-efficient cars, energy- efficient homes".
#28. "We should make it easier for small businesses to offer health insurance".
#29. "We will assure quality, affordable health care, at last, for all Americans".
#30. "Good jobs also depend on reliable and affordable energy. This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure, and it must act to increase energy production at home so America is less dependent on foreign oil".
#31. "Americans know economic security can vanish in an instant without health security. I ask Congress to join me this year to enact a patients' bill of rights to give uninsured workers credits to help buy health coverage to approve an historic increase in the spending for veterans' health and to give seniors a sound and modern Medicare system that includes coverage for prescription drugs.
#32. "Our third goal is to promote energy independence for our country, while dramatically improving the environment.
#33. "Our second goal is high-quality, affordable health for all Americans".
#34. "I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy.
#35. "On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs".
#36. "To keep our economy growing, we also need reliable supplies of affordable, environmentally responsible energy".
#37. "To make our economy stronger and more productive, we must make health care more affordable and give families greater access to good coverage and more control over their health decisions".
#38. "Keeping America competitive requires affordable health care".
#39. "Our government has a responsibility to help provide health care for the poor and the elderly, and we are meeting that responsibility".
#40. "For all Americans -- for all Americans -- we must confront the rising cost of care, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, and help people afford the insurance coverage they need".
#41. "Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy".
#42. "By applying the talent and technology of America, this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a petroleum- based economy and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past".
#43. "A future of hope and opportunity requires that all our citizens have affordable and available health care. When it comes to health care, government has an obligation to care for the elderly, the disabled and poor children. We will meet those responsibilities".
#44. "Extending hope and opportunity depends on a stable supply of energy that keeps America's economy running and America's environment clean".
#45. "For too long, our nation has been dependent on foreign oil. And this dependence leaves us more vulnerable to hostile regimes, and to terrorists who could cause huge disruptions of oil shipments ... raise the price of oil ... and do great harm to our economy".
Yes folks, all of the above are direct quotes from our president. I guess it is only fair that I mention when all of the above that has benefited us so greatly was stated.
As a matter of fact they are all from the presidents "State Of The Union" speech.
#1. and #2 from Richard (Tricky Dick) Nixon 1973
#3. and #4. from Richard (Tricky Dick) Nixon 1974
#5. Gerald Ford 1975
#6. and #7. Gerald Ford 1976
#8. Gerald Ford 1977
#9. and #10. Jimmy Carter 1978
#11. and #12. Jimmy Carter 1979
#13 Jimmy Carter 1980
#14. and #15. Jimmy Carter 1981
#16 Ronald Reagan 1982
#17. Ronald Reagan 1983
#18. Ronald Reagan 1985
#19. Bush 1. 1990
#20 and #21 Bush 1. 1991
#22. Bush 1. 1992
#23. Bill Clinton 1994
#24. Bill Clinton 1995
#25. Bill Clinton 1996
#26. Bill Clinton 1997
#27. Bill Clinton 1998
#28. Bill Clinton 1999
#29. Bill Clinton 2000
#30. and #31. Bush 2. 2002
#32. and #33. Bush 2. 2003
#34. and #35. Bush 2. 2004
#36. and #37. Bush 2. 2005
#38, #39. #40, #41, and #42 Bush 2. 2006
#42, and #43, #44 and #45. Bush 2, 2007
Note: Today is Jan 18th 2008. I am sure I will have a #46 and #47 to post on here Jan 31, 2008 that will make us all rest easier because something is finally going to get done about the rising cost of energy and health care, ya think?
I call this piece my "Doctrine Of Non-Partisan Bullshit"
On a personal note, on September 24, 2005, I had a "Brown Out", commonly known as "Your Head Up Your Ass"
I had an argument with my table saw (while it was running) and the table saw won.
Two of my fingers were a tad shorter than they were on September 23, 2005.
The good news was that with all the help we have received since 1973 the bill to sew them up and follow up was only a paltry $10,000 and my share out of pocket was a scant $1200.
And to top that off I only used a measly $6.00 worth of petroleum to get to the hospital and back.
What a deal, huh
Sincerely
Joe Muharsky