Amendments to National Health Care Legislation

April 7, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

The health care legislation was signed into law in late March 2010. Subsequently, there is lot of disappointment to the effects of law and the insurance industry obligations that appear to contain many loopholes resembling the status quo.

Hence, upon reviewing the major components of the bill per the statements from the President’s letter, along with the data made available by Congress and the Congressional Budget Office,

It’s clear that amendments are necessary to protect ‘average Americans’ interests from the health industry behemoths.

Statements from the President’s letter:

“Now we need to begin the process of implementing these historic changes.

To ensure a successful, stable transition, many of these changes will phase into full effect over the next several years.”

1. “But for millions of Americans, many of the benefits of reform will begin this year – some will even take effect this week.”

Recommendation: Although, it’s claimed that the uninsured with pre-existing conditions would be covered beginning this week, the data should be provided for public knowledge.

The insurance companies willing to offer coverage to the uninsured population with pre-existing conditions including the information on the eligibility, the premium costs and the federal funding source is essential to confirm the benefit.

2. “Uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions can join a special high-risk pool to get the coverage they need, starting in just 90 days.”

Recommendation: “High-risk” pool coverage starts effective immediately and not in three months’ time.

Insurance industry must note that this is a health issue and not a decision about any recreational activity or a vacation.

For some it could be a life threatening illness requiring urgent medical intervention.

Moreover, in the absence of specifics from the insurance industry – on coverage costs, limits and treatment level, the patients could be inhibited from seeking the comprehensive coverage they might need for their health problem.

3. “And Americans with insurance will be protected from seeing their insurance revoked when they get sick, or facing restrictive annual limits on the care they receive.”

Recommendation: This legislative law applies to the ‘currently insured,’ who are pre-screened and selected as the ‘low risk’ subscribers.

However, the law must be extended to the uninsured regardless of medical history.

4. “We passed this reform for 5th-grader Marcelas Owens, whose mother died because she didn’t get the health care she needed after she got sick, lost her job and her health insurance. Marcelas’ message to Congress was simple: “Finish health care reform. No other kid should lose their mom because they don’t have health care.”

We passed this reform for Natoma Canfield, who wrote to tell me that she could no longer afford her health insurance policy. Since losing her health insurance coverage in January, Natoma has been diagnosed with Leukemia and is fighting for her life.

Recommendation: In order to protect victims of such tragic situations, the Medicaid and Medicare (if age qualified) expansion is vital as suggested below.

5. We passed this reform for Ryan Smith, a small business owner with five employees. Ryan was doing his part to provide health insurance to his employees, but cannot keep up with rising health care costs.

Small businesses will receive significant tax cuts, this year, to help them afford health coverage for all their employees.

Recommendation: The public option is the reliable option for Small business and self-employed individuals struggling to compete in the dire economy.

Because, it’s being facilitated through tax cuts (federal funding) to enable their private coverage,

The public option is the ideal choice that would produce savings for this demography and the government.

6. “Early retirees will receive help to reduce premium costs.”

Recommendation: Again, the burden is shifted from the insurance industry to the taxpayers via federal help.

Instead, the Medicare threshold should be lowered from 65 to 55 in the amendment that would adequately address the issue.

7. Young people will be allowed coverage under their parents’ plan until the age of 26.

Recommendation: It should be at no additional costs to the subscribers.

8. Children will be protected against discrimination on the basis of medical history.

Recommendation: It’s verified to be true for the ‘insured’ but not the uninsured.

It was also revealed that the law is interpreted by the insurance industry as a discretionary action. Otherwise, a non-committal response and even coverage denial to this piece of legislation.

Therefore, imposing penalties for failure to comply will make the law effective.

9. We’re also making investments to train primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals.

Recommendation: It’s a step in the positive direction.

To make the investment worthwhile, it’s imperative to utilize the health care services for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, VA patients as well as the ‘Public Option’ subscribers rather than the private industry solely benefiting from it.

10. “State-level consumer assistance programs to help patients understand and defend their new rights” –

Recommendation: This could create variation in practice allowing the insurance and the health care industry to circumvent the respective state laws as seen in the environmental matter on carbon emissions, leading the environmental agency to adopt a standard law across the country.

That’s why, the independent and non-profit ‘National Consumer Health Rights Agency,’ would be ideal to deliver the service.

“In Marcela, Ryan, Natoma, my mom and so many other Americans, we are reminded of what this fight was about. It wasn’t about politics. It was about doing the right thing, and taking care of the hardworking people that make our country great.”

It would be beneficial to the suffering population upon incorporating the above recommendations and the amendments listed below.
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By Padmini Arhant

Amendments to the National Health Care Legislation

Since the health care legislation is already passed, the applicable changes should be rapid without any legislative rigmarole.

1. Effects of law commencing in 90 days, 6 months and within a year must begin tomorrow and no later than April 12, 2010 to accommodate all different health situations experienced by those who are ill at present.

2. The contentious settings in 2014 and 2019 for full effects should be brought forward to June 2010.

3. Simultaneously, the tax laws scheduled for 2013 and 2018 should be modified to be effective immediately.

Accepting the uninsured patients as new subscribers should not be a daunting task given the resources and the established system that are currently in place.

In addition, the federal funding for private insurance coverage should be diverted to ‘public option,’ program, CHIP, Medicaid and Medicare expansion notwithstanding the VA patient care.

4. Introduction of public option to induce real competition is the hallmark of the amendment.

5. Lowering the Medicare eligibility threshold from 65 to 55 as agreed by most legislators in Congress during the health care debate.

6. Medicaid expansion to the unemployed and senior citizens falling short on prescription drug expenses despite the $250 rebate upon them reaching the coverage gap.

NB: The votes are available in the House and the Senate to pass these rules via ‘the reconciliation process,’ if the bipartisanship remains impossible.

7. Revive the deal with the health care service and Big Pharma on the estimated $500 billion dollar savings that was initially committed by the industries.

8. Jan 1, 2011 – Enactment calls for ‘marketplace’ insurers to invest premium dollars on medical services by 80 percent for individuals and small plans, whereas the large groups by 85 percent respectively.

Recommendation: Monitoring is essential to ensure such practice among the insurers.

The law would be redundant without oversight.

Independent and non-profit ‘National Consumer Health Rights Agency,’ is appropriate for it would prevent breach of the investment criteria.

9. Anti-trust laws passed by Congress should be extended for a longer period i.e. until 2020.

10. Mandatory insurance should be based on affordability and individuals without sufficient financial means automatically qualify for federal medical program via public option at a lower competitive cost and not higher than the private sector as determined earlier to boost the private insurance sales, during the health care legislative process.

Alternatively, the Medicaid program should be accessible for these individuals and families experiencing sudden change in status due to loss of family income generating an insurance lapse in premium payments.

These changes will provide for all Americans.

The health care reform would be meaningful with the all of the above recommendations and amendments.

Those who contribute to these enactments need not be concerned about their re-election for they will be guaranteed a victory in November, 2010.

The legislators from both sides of the aisle could make this happen by showing their willingness to prioritize their constituent’s physical health over the special interests’ financial gains.

Ultimately, the power lies in the citizen’s vote regardless of corporate campaign financing.

‘Change’ is made possible by the people in a democracy and not the profit seekers.

If there is will, there is a way.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant


P.S: Comprehensive analysis on National Health Care Legislation was previously published on March 29, 2010 under “Health,” Category on this website.

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Health | Leave a Comment 

Eulogy

February 16, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

The nation bid farewell to the two honorable members of Congress recognized as the veterans in national defense and politics.

Rep. John Murtha (June 17, 1932 – February 8, 2010)

John Murtha, a former Vietnam War veteran and then a Democrat in the United States House of Representatives from the 12th Congressional District, Pennsylvania, turned into a strong critic of the Iraq war.

Initially, Rep. Murtha joined the majority of the Democrats and voted for the Iraq war.

However, the Congressman reportedly remained confused about the premise surrounding the Iraqi invasion. Later, Rep. Murtha called for the troop withdrawal from Iraq.

Legislatively, the democrat representative served his constituents until the last moment and earned the reputation as the longest serving member in Congress for the state of Pennsylvania.

Like most public figures, Rep. John Murtha was criticized on ethics related to earmarks spending and receiving campaign contributions from the special interests.

Militarily, Colonel John Murtha appeared to have gained distinction for his service having won many Medals of Honor.

Appropriately, the Congress acknowledged Rep. John Murtha’s invaluable service to the nation.

The veteran Congressman will be missed in the strong dissent against the military presence in Iraq.
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Charles Wilson (June 1, 1933 – February 10, 2010)

Charles Wilson – Previously, a United States naval officer and subsequently a 12 term Democrat Representative in the U.S House of Congress from the 2nd congressional district in Texas is remembered in the U.S operation against the Soviet Army in Afghanistan.

Rep. Wilson was apparently a true celebrity in many aspects with positive and negative connotations.

Nevertheless, the Congressman’s contribution towards the U.S expulsion of the Soviet Union from Afghanistan is memorable.

Similarly, Rep. Charles Wilson as the naval officer deserves credit for his service in the United States Navy and later at the Pentagon in the intelligence unit.

We hope and pray for their soul to rest in peace.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Politics, United States | Leave a Comment 

Supreme Court Ruling on Campaign Finance and Impact on American Politics

January 24, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

The world is impressively coalescing to alleviate the Haitian population plight from the 7.0 earthquake followed by a 6.0 aftershock that hit the Caribbean nation. A spectacular performance by the benevolent Hollywood in the telethon to raise hope for Haiti should enhance the rescue operation.

Meanwhile, Washington D.C, the political capital, where the members of Congress make decisions on issues affecting approximately three hundred million American and estimated five billion lives around the globe, experienced even a greater seismic activity and an aftershock that deserves undivided attention and immediate action.

On Tuesday, January 19, 2010, the people of Massachusetts elected their State legislator Scott Brown, the republican candidate to represent their interests in the United States Senate.

Opposition is necessary to maintain checks and balances in a democracy. It’s effective when the opposing members engage constructively with valuable input in legislative matter benefiting the electorate, i.e. the people and steer the nation towards a progressive path.

Instead, politics primarily focus on destructive course aimed at bringing down the incumbent administration and the majority in power besides misleading the electorate to be dissatisfied with the power in the highest office, viz. the President.

The opposition is further emboldened through the political means such as filibuster and the news media aiding them with false propaganda, distorted views and vitriolic attacks blaring on the radio airwaves and mainstream television network.

Unfortunately, there is no bar on the opposition’s motive seeking political vengeance to regain the lost regency. The reference is suitably applied to the republican members and the selective communication media accompanied by the print press columnists ever at their disposal and,

Not precluding their powerful allies in the judiciary branch to launch snipers, witnessed in the recent Supreme Court 5-4 decision on January 21, 2010 that allows the Corporations to hijack democracy.

The newly elected Massachusetts Senator’s arrival boosts the republican minority from the existing forty to forty-one members empowering them with the filibuster right.

It’s relevant to highlight that the Senator-elect was chosen by the Republican party to strengthen the “Nay” votes to consistently derail the democrats effort to relieve the American people from the economic woes.

As expected, the Senator-elect pledged to vote against health care, climate bill and legislations designed to revive the economy.

Filibuster is a favorite tactic of the minority to subvert the majority actions in legislative affairs, available to all political representatives. However, it’s widely adopted by the republican members to protest legislations put forth by their opposition, i.e. the democrats from moving forward, thereby creating a ceaseless gridlock in legislative process.

The Senate votes crucial in the final passage of the bill in Congress often exert authority on the legislative content and framework rendering the legislation a mere formality rather than a meaningful legislative act that would safeguard the immediate and long term national interests.

It’s evident in the health care reform that has been subject to filibuster threats from the conservatives i.e. democrat, independent and the republican party to appease the Corporate sponsors.

Similar response received during President Obama’s economic stimulus package when the republican members’ unanimously abstained from voting with a warning to anticipate more obstruction on issues like the finance reform, energy, environment…otherwise, everything related to improve the ‘average’ American lives.

Republican members have continuously displayed partisanship since the dawn of the Obama Presidency. The South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint vowed to stall the health care reform claiming,

“It would break President Barack Obama. Perhaps it might be his waterloo.”

That’s not all from the SC Senator. The Christmas security issue with the Nigerian bomber on the Delta airline should be attributed to Senator DeMint’s partisan politics for blocking the appointment of TSA chief over republican alleged TSA unionization.

When the incident takes place, the Republican Regent, the former Vice President Dick Cheney and the propaganda news channel blame the President and the democrats as being too “soft on national security,”befitting the metaphor,

“They want their cake and eat it too.”

Incidentally, Osama Bin Laden proudly claiming notoriety for the Nigerian bomber attempt to wreak terror in the sky.

Same critics conveniently discard the former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the Vice President Dick Cheney’s blunder prompting a credibility factor… to set the terror mastermind Osama Bin Laden free in Tora Bora, Afghanistan.

So much for being the ‘veterans’ on national security.

The voters’ disappointment confirmed in the latest poll on the Massachusetts default victory to Republican candidate Scott Brown and the ‘controversial’ news network message reverberated in the electorate’s reason.

“There is too much government involvement aka government monopoly rather than having the businesses and individuals deal with the crisis.”

When in fact, the crisis is created by the Corporations in the finance, health care and energy industry by indulging in speculative trading and gorging practices all along.

From Reaganomics to Bush philosophy, the economic policy that gave the free market a free pass through deregulation and generous tax cuts to wealthy corporations and individuals with skyrocketing defense spending on two simultaneous wars led the economy and the global financial market to a near free fall.

Now, when President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress is elected to clean up the mess inherited from the Republican owned Bush-Cheney disastrous Presidency, the Republican legislators unabashedly resort to cheap political stunts to sabotage every legislation, instead of cooperating and resolving their manufactured crises.

For instance, the long overdue financial reform involving tax levy against the banks, originally rewarded by the Bush-Cheney republican administration in 2008 via TARP bailout is reportedly characterized by the radio talk show host, Rush Limbaugh as racial profiling of the ‘Jewish,’ bank executives.

Reports also suggest the republican legislators, not surprisingly preparing to torpedo the finance reform that will essentially protect the ‘average’ American consumers from financial fraud in credit card and mortgage transactions, an epidemic hurting millions of Americans in addition to contributing to the credit crunch in the economy.

The republican legislator reportedly confessed that the agenda is to seclude President Obama from gaining any political score as he conceded it would be a sure political winner considering the public outrage against wall street.

It must be clear to the electorate from coast to coast that the Republican administration and the republican Congress members fail to stand up for the people electing them to power.

They empathize with the big corporations and the wealthiest in the society hiring them to represent their specific profiteering goals at the expense of the average American workers.

The Supreme court decision enables the Corporations to cherry pick the representative to deliver the desirable corporate results on every issue, not withstanding the religious organizations inevitably forging their religious belief on women and gay community.

For any rational political observers, the shameful conduct by the Republican ratio whether minority or majority is all too familiar as the tradition maintained from the Carter Presidency with Iranian hostage crisis and later the Clinton Presidency, resulting in the government shut down by the former Speaker Newt Gingrich.

To shed light on the irresponsible stance by the republican appointed justices in the Supreme court decision, on the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission matter, it’s a political favor returned to the party in minority not to mention the conservatism gone awry.

The decision has appropriately caused an enormous anxiety and concern among the citizens aware of the serious ramifications where the populace voice is suppressed by the Corporate power, an existing scenario exacerbated with the highest court interference in politics.

With the exception of two members, the majority republican party is jubilant at the assault on democracy by Supreme Court activist justices reflected in the minority leader Mitch McConnell greeting the message with a warm welcome.

Republican party and the conservative forces consider this opportunity an effortless return to power with an utter disregard for the people undermined in the undemocratic ruling.

Ironically, the Republican legislators declined to cast their vote for the democrat nominee, Justice Sonia Sotomayor targeting the decisions made by the then judge Sotomayor in the United States Court of Appeals as ‘political activism,’

Yet currently embracing the conservative justices’ activism on the Supreme Court decision as free speech protection for Corporations with them being the sole beneficiaries.

The abundant hypocrisy in the conservative policy worsens with time. It’s basically centered on subjugating fascism via corporatism in a democracy.

”The Supreme Court decision in the case of Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled that a Title VII complaint must be filed within 180 days of the specific action that sets discriminatory pay, regardless of its ongoing and continuing discriminatory impact on the employee.”

Setbacks on women’s rights in the Supreme Court Decision extended in the Senate Bill on equal pay for equal work killed by the Senate Republicans via 56-42 votes on April 23, 2008 on the grounds that the legislation would trigger lawsuits from the affected parties i.e. the women in this case.

All of these events unequivocally reveal the ideology driven conservatism and their allegiance to Wall Street oppressing the main street regardless of economic conditions.

It’s not adequate to remain emotional on this extreme activism from the judicial bench by the republican justices, once believed to be corporate attorneys.

Citizens and Congress must take action to revoke the catastrophic trend originating from this radical conservative course and repeal the malevolent doctrine dominant in the judicial and legislative branch. A dangerous precedence that blatantly deprives citizen participation in the electoral process.

Citizens Action:

A constitutional amendment is urgently required to delineate “Corporations, Unions, religious institutions,” as intangible entities from the natural human material.

Therefore, the first amendment that guarantees free speech and human rights would not be applicable to the non-physical embodiments such as Corporations, Unions, religious institutions etc.,

The available websites for this particular action are:

http://www.movetoamend.org/ Corporations are not people and www.voteraction.org

Signing a petition per district and submitting to your local representative is also a place to start in stopping the unthinkable crime against democracy.

Whenever there is lack of accountability with guaranteed job security viz. the Supreme Court appointment, the abuse of power is impulsive more than prerogative.

Hence, reducing the lifetime tenure to a five-year term would be a pragmatic approach to deter extremism from the judicial branch.

Again, the citizens’ demand in this context would enforce the change for constitutional enactment and the urgency appears to have emanated from the conservative justices’ cavalier decision.

Remedy through Congress legislation:

Passing the law that would prohibit the participation of Corporations with federal and state contracts in political campaigns.

The proposal by the Illinois Democratic Senator Richard Durbin is also a constructive mechanism to minimize the corporate influence. Any one raising objection or voting against the proposal should be identified and voted out of power.

Voice of the people combined with action across the socio-economic spectrum as taxpayers, consumers, shareholders should counteract the abominable Supreme Court verdict.

Ideally, isolating corporations, unions and religious groups from the political sphere should be the American democracy’s objective.

Corporations should exclusively focus on economy by creating and protecting jobs for arguably their political intervention endangers democracy.

A message that should resonate among the electorate contrary to the conservative fear-mongering strategy about the government takeover of corporations and individual life.

In light of the conservative demolition of democratic values and principles, it’s the responsibility of the American electorate to view the status quo in broad perspective and rally behind President Barack Obama and the democratic Congress earnestly committed to resurrect the nation from the economic crisis, the Bush-Cheney republican legacy to American people.

Now is the time for the Populist movement i.e. peaceful and non-violent dissent to emerge preferably exploiting technology to protect democracy as the government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Politics, United States | Leave a Comment 

Health Care Revelation

July 21, 2009

By Padmini Arhant

The special interests through their government talking heads i.e. the legislators and specific media are engaged in the preposterous propaganda convincing the naïve majority that are insured to claim utter satisfaction with the status quo, when in reality those who are currently insured are ‘safe’ in the same reference to their stock market holdings.

The truth of the matter is – in the highly volatile job market, the employers ripped off by the exploitative health industry through exorbitant premiums will not be able to sustain the health care costs and soon forced to withdraw the contributions to maintain overheads. Then the crisis will transform to a personal level for all those in agreement with the deceptive misguided policies of the self-serving legislators obligatory to their sponsors’ prosperity.

United States cannot possibly procrastinate on this health care issue any longer as the economy is drained from corporate greed, unscrupulous practices, and gross abuse of legislative power solemnly pledged to the special interests directly responsible for the economic ruin of the state, country and the entire world. The narcissistic policies of the authorities in the State of California with the Republican Governor and the minority are a classic example in the recent declaration of ‘closing the deal’ on the budget crisis.

As for the legislators contemplating on the issue of meeting the President’s deadline, it is a test of their courage, commitment and competence in the health care battle between the people i.e. the constituents holding the key to the power in a democracy, vs. the special interests, also dependent on the people as the consumers in a capitalist society.

The special interests tactics is to stall the legislature through their paid employees i.e. legislators objecting to the reform by detecting flaws on unrelated pretexts given the past triumphant record in extinguishing the national health care scheme.

Citizens across the nation on their part must vigorously campaign by calling the local representatives and Senators to act immediately by embracing the President’s public option policy dedicated to revive the economy and the job market with a guaranteed low cost yet quality insurance for every citizen.

By doing so, the citizens can free themselves and relieve the future generation from the existing corporate bondage essentially liable for the crippling economy.

Regardless, the people will prevail because without consumers and constituents’ vote the ‘power’ is powerless despite the substantial wealth investment in the legislative votes.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Health | Leave a Comment 

Fairness Doctrine

October 21, 2008

Most recently, a frustrated reader, evidently a Republican wrote the following letter to the editor, the San Jose Mercury News, October 20, 2008. – Thank you.

“Shame on the media for favoring Dems —

The media and Hollywood have lost all self-respect. The movie “W” comes out 19 days before the election.

The re-release of “Hanoi Hilton,” which portrays an actual true version of what happened to John McCain, is halted and will not be released until a week after the election.

I’m sure this is just coincidence. Joe the Plumber questions Obama; he gets investigated by the media.

Palin gets more scrutiny in a few weeks than Obama has for two years.

From Tony Rezko to William Ayers, to Rev. Jeremiah Wright, to ACORN, no investigations!

Thank God for alternative media. Without it, where would we get the news?

Oh wait, the Fairness Doctrine will fix this.”

Jon Hoefling

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The Fairness Doctrine has remained focused on issues concerning people in the United States and around the world. It is a true commitment and solemnly pledged for the welfare of humanity.

If the re-release of “Hanoi Hilton” is halted for political reason,

Then it undermines the democratic values and such practices have no place in politics or elsewhere.

Both Presidential campaigns are advocating “change” in Washington.

The Change must begin in the Campaign trail to have any impact and credibility upon their election to office.

It is appropriate for the electorate to have both sides of “Presidential Profiles” to help them make an informed decision on November 4, 2008.

In terms of non-partisan effort by the Fairness Doctrine, – please refer to the blogs –

Presidential Race – Sequel, May 24, 2008, Accountability – Aug 12, 2008 –www.padminiarhant.blogspot.com

or

Accountability – www.padminiarhant.com under U.S.Politics.

Further, the Fairness Doctrine in evidence of “transparency and accountability” would like to present the communication held with the Republican Presidential Candidate, Senator John McCain.

The original transcript of the letter from the Republican Presidential Candidate:

To: Padmini Arhant

From: John McCain

Tuesday Morning

Dear Friend,

I am 100% committed to leading our Party to victory in this November’s elections all across the country, and I need RNC Members like you, men and women who have done so much to help our Party in the past, working alongside me.

That’s why I made it my first priority , after securing the Republican Presidential nomination, to reach out to you today to ask you to stand with me in a criticially important undertaking.

The fate of all of our Republican candidates and the fate of our Party in the 2008 election is in the hands of Americans like you. We cannot succeed without your immediate and generous support.

That’s why I am asking you to join in the effort that I will be spearheading in the coming months to build and strengthen our Party’s national organization from the grassroots up. This RNC project will be known as VICTORY 2008.

My friend, it is absolutely critical that we kick-off Victory 2008 immediately – and with as much strength as we can muster.

Our challenge this year is greater than it ever has been – because our Democrat opponents are more determined to win total control of the government than ever before. They are raising unprecedented sums of money. And they have seen record-breaking voter turnout in primaries and caucuses nationwide.

That is why we must begin right now – to answer this challenge.

And that’s why it is so important to me to have Republicans like you join with me in making a 100% commitment to RNC VICTORY 2008 today.

So please take a moment to sign and return the enclosed RNC VICTORY 2008 Pledge of Support, along with your contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50 or even $25 to help us kick-off this campaign.

We’ve set an aggressive goal of raising $10 million in seed money in the next 30 days to jump-start our Victory effort. That’s why it is essential that you return your Victory 2008 contribution immediately.

Your gift will be used for promoting our Republican agenda, identifying Republican and Republican-leaning voters, conducting voter education and Absentee Ballot programs as well as implementing the RNC 72-Hour national Get-Out-The-Vote effort to get our voters to the polls on Election Day.

Perhaps most important of all, your gift to Victory 2008 will help fund the RNC’s voter registration program which has a goal of registering 2 million new Republican voters before Election Day.

Let me be perfectly clear about what is at stake for our nation if we fail to elect conservative Republican leadership in Washington, D.C.

If liberals like Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi control the White House, Congress and statehouses across this country …

…they will raise your taxes. Already, leading Democrats have laid out plans to pass record-setting tax increases.

But if Republicans win, we will make the present tax cuts permanent, work to cut additional taxes and simplify the tax code. Republicans know that raising taxes in tough economic times is a recipe for disaster, but tax cuts are proven medicine for getting the economy growing again.

If liberal organizations like MoveOn.org have their way, our troops will be recklessly pulled out of Iraq and our enemies will be handed a victory they have neither won nor deserve.

But Republicans will not give up. We will see the war through to victory and make sure the radical Islamic extremists have no sanctuary and no victory.

If liberals have their way, government spending will skyrocket as they implement government-run health care and resurrect their entire portfolio of the failed welfare state programs of the 60s and 70s.

But not if we Republicans unite and work together. Our free-market solutions and conservative principles are better for America – and that has proven true time and again.

As the Democrats tear each other apart arguing over “Who will raise taxes the most ?” and “Who is more committed to cut and run in Iraq?”, you and I need to be getting organized and reaching out to our fellow Americans to let them know there is a BETTER WAY , our way, the Republican way of solving problems that does not rely on big government and high taxes.

History has shown that no nation has ever taxed its way to economic prosperity…

…And no nation has ever become more secure retreating from a conflict that they are winning or by standing down their troops in the face of a sworn enemy such as the radical Islamic terrorists who have made our destruction their sole purpose in life.

I know this because as a proud foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution some years ago, I witnessed first hand the strength and power of our conservative ideals and principles.

I was inspired to get into politics by Ronald Reagan. I respect and cherish the leadership President Reagan brought to our Party and our nation. And the principles that guided him provided the lessons needed to improve the policies of today.

I want to restore the trust of the American people in their government.

I want our Party to make the tax cuts permanent.

I want our Party’s candidates and leaders to strengthen ethical standards in government to eliminate the influence of big monied interests.

I want Republicans to stop Congressional earmarks that allow lawmakers to inject millions of dollars in pork-barrel spending into legislation with no accountability. And, as President, I will veto any bill that comes to my desk with earmarks.

I want Republicans to lead the way to expanding affordability and accessibility to quality health care with market-based – not big government – solutions.

I want to help elect Republicans who will fight to strengthen border security.

I want the Republican Party to ensure that our nation builds on the success we have achieved in Iraq under the leadership of General David Petreaus and the troop surge he orchestrated and implemented.

And I want to keep America safe, prosperous and proud so that our children and grandchildren will have even greater opportunities than the ones we were blessed with.

Our Republican agenda stands in stark contrast to our liberal Democrat opponents who are rallying behind a tired, failed agenda of creeping socialism, ever-rising taxes and a defense policy of retreat-and-defeat.

My friend, that is not the kind of change our nation needs.

But I cannot succeed, nor can our Party prevail over the challenges we will fact from the Obama/Clinton Democrats, without the support of dedicated Republicans like you.

That is why your immediate response is crucial and your generous financial support is urgently needed.

We’ve all seen the Democrats’ massive rallies, record-setting voter turnout and colossal fundraising reports. It is obvious they are pulling out all the stops to win.

Will you sit on the sidelines and let them take control of Washington? Or, will you join with me by signing and returning the enclosed Pledge of Support along with a contribution today?

The past few elections have shown that every vote counts.

You and I need to make sure the Republican Party has the resources it needs to fight for every vote, all across the country.

Clearly we must act immediately to be ready for the challenges ahead . The ambitious goal of raising $10 million in the enxt 30 days for Victory 2008 is just the beginning. And the fact is – we can’t afford to fall short .

So please take a moment right now to sign and return the enclosed RNC VICTORY 2008 Pledge of Support. Please also enclose your most generous contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50 or even $25 to help us fully fund our Party’s outreach efforts, voter registration and get-out-the-vote programs.

The future of our nation, our Republican agenda and our entire Republican campaign effort depends on the success of RNC VICTORY 2008 and on your support today.

Please let me know that I can count on you. Thank you.

Sincerely,

John McCain

United States Senator

P.S. The liberal Democrat agenda is wrong for America and we need to unite now to stop it. That’s why I’m personally asking you to support RNC VICTORY 2008. This effort is critical in giving Republican candidates the edge they need to win.

Please sign the enclosed Pledge of Support and return it with your contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50 or even $25 today. Your support is urgently needed to help us reach our goal of raising $10 million to kick-off Victory 2008 this month. Thank you in advance for joining me in this very important cause.

———————————————-

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Victory 2008

PLEDGE OF SUPPORT

To: Senator John McCain 575590126

RNC Victory 2008 V08CA060

From: Padmini Arhant

Dear Senator McCain,

I am honored to be one of the first to join the RNC VICTORY 2008 effort. I realize how important Republican Party outreach, Voter Registration, and Get-Out-The-Vote programs are to strengthening our grassroots foundation and helping Republican candidates running for office all across the country. I pledge to do everything I can to help this critical effort succeed.

Enclosed is my personal contribution of:

$1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50, $25, $ other

Signature ____________________________

Padmini Arhant

Please make your personal check payable to RNC Victory 2008

Contributions to the Republican National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

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Please note the Senator’s letter was received in May 2008, during the height of Democratic Primary election.

The requests still continues up until now.

My response to the above letter:

May 27th , 2008.

Private and Confidential

Intended for Addressee Only

From: Padmini Arhant

To: Hon. Senator John McCain

Presidential Candidate, Republican Party

Washington DC 20077-7252

Dear Senator McCain,

I am honored to receive information about your candidacy. I salute you for your service to this great nation as a war hero and a Senator representing the State of Arizona.

Your commitment to bring about changes on national and international issues is praiseworthy.

I am sure you will continue to work tirelessly for the welfare of all Americans and people around the world, if, you were to be elected the next “President of the United States ” in November 2008.

As an “Independent,” I pledge my support to the people of this nation and millions around the globe.

My position is to voice my concerns for humanity in all aspects.

With all due respect, to you and several other honorable Statesmen and women, I realized lately that politics is not for people like me seeking truth and justice.

My request to your candidacy for the office of “The President of the United States ” is, to address the great many challenges confronting our nation with effective policies that would benefit the people and not the Special Interests or the Lobbyists .

It is essential for the next administration to address every issue with diligence in providing immediate relief to the people from the economic, energy, education, health, and environmental crises.

It is evident from the recent polls that the nation is desperate for Change comprising "Fiscal responsibility, Accountability and Transparency” in Washington Politics.

I am confident that any candidate sincere in delivering the specified change can win the general election in November 2008.

I would like to add that candidates must have a legitimate time line for troop withdrawal from Iraq and divert investments to accelerate economic growth at home.

The national security and foreign policy is another major concern for the electorate.

I cannot possibly emphasize enough to pursue the path of Peace and Diplomacy at every opportunity over War and Aggression .

The nuclear proliferation is another culminating factor to the existing volatile world environment. These are bipartisan issues and matter to the entire humanity.

I hope the future “President of the United States ” would earnestly seek multilateral resolutions for international crises as we have learned a harsh lesson from the current Iraq war .

I wish you the very best in all your endeavors including the “Presidency of the United States” in November 2008.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Padmini Arhant

P.S: There might be many deserving choices in the Republican Party and outside.

If, I may take the liberty of expressing the choice for your Vice Presidential candidate;

I think given the two most compelling issues – economy and Iraq war in the minds of the electorate,

The New York City, Mayor, Michael Bloomberg or the Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel not only alienate your candidacy from the current unpopular administration but also bolster the Republican ticket as “centrist” among “independent” and crossover electorate.

I am almost certain that either one of these two choices will be a “win-win” situation for you in November 2008.

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Finally, The Fairness Doctrine is to promote peace, progress and prosperity for all and bring forces against the maxim to justice.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Featured, Politics, United States | Leave a Comment 

Save the Planet

October 19, 2008

It is not merely a slogan. A grim reality dismissed as a myth by extreme political factions.

What is a slogan?

“Drill baby Drill, Drill now, Drill here ” … until there is nothing left and the entire species vanish in a black hole .

Such political psychodrama far outweighs the speculation of similar outcome from The Large Hadron Collider as the "Big Bang " experiment, conducted to unravel the mysteries of the origin of the universe across the border between France and Switzerland.

The nation, as the pioneer in virtually most frontiers of humanitarian needs is advancing towards the dangerous zone with policies like “offshore” oil and gas drilling… rejecting the real consequences to the environment.

Political rhetoric to satisfy the humanity’s insatiable appetite for energy demands is sweeping across the nation without any rationale or logic.

In the process, the moderate thinkers in the political aisle are forfeiting their commitments to the environmental cause and denying the call from the reasoning faculties within.

The electoral process is a mechanism to promote irrational ideologies to justify victory by any means.

Even, if such radical platform is detrimental to the existence and survival of self and other species on the planet.

It makes one wonder! What is the driving force behind the extremism preventing the political power from exercising judgment for the benefit of all inhabitants on the planet?

The simple response is — the Special interests or the “lobbyists” , the active and most successful operatives in every election.

Their argument as purveyors of the elections from Congressional to “Presidential ” is, electoral process is an investment vehicle to promote Corporate agenda based on profiteering at all expense.

In essence, Corporations determined to maximize personal gains against all odds run the government, supposedly “democratic ”.

The real authority behind the entire management of elections especially in the United States is the Conglomerate operating across the Atlantic, and thus far highly successful in the nomination of their choice of “Presidential candidate ” to advance the personal agenda and devious modus operandi worldwide.

That is why, the recent fear mongering tactics… against a candidate in opposition to such policies, is stigmatized a Socialist and cast as a threat to “Capitalism”.

It is common knowledge that the free market or “Capitalism” is always healthier for the enrichment of ideas and competitiveness to benefit consumer based economies provided,

The monetary gains and welfare are widespread among the investors and consumers alike including the work force/ human Capital, the most important resource for “Capitalism” to succeed.

Therefore, a threshold is necessary to define the role of “Capitalism” in a democracy.

Both extremes — the extensive Corporate role in the legislation and government intervention in the micromanagement of free market system undermine the success of democratic market economies.

In the environmental front, there are serious challenges confronting the global community.

The solutions to the problems created by none other than human force for various economic reasons are within the realm of people power.

Every individual can make a difference in resolving the current environmental crises. The first and foremost strategy is to reflect on the cause and effect factor.

Simple actions like recycling, supply and purchase of environmental friendly products and services, cutting back on carbon emissions and recreating lifestyle would greatly contribute to the cause.

The lifestyle by an average household with modified energy consumption could help the humanity in general.

The recent article shed light on the impact of global warming on other living species.

Government declares beluga whale endangered

By DAN JOLING Associated Press Writer – Thank you.

Article Launched: 10/17/2008 07:38:33 AM PDT

Qannik, a 6-year-old beluga whale, swims in a tank at his new home at…

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—First, there were the polar bears. Now, beluga whales. Washington and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin just don’t see eye to eye on wildlife protection.

The beluga whales of Alaska’s Cook Inlet are endangered and require additional protection to survive, the government declared Friday, contradicting Gov. Sarah Palin who has questioned whether the distinctive white whales are actually declining.

It was the Republican vice presidential candidate’s second environmental slap from Washington this year.

She has asked federal courts to overturn an Interior Department decision declaring polar bears threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The government on Friday put a portion of the whales on the endangered list, rejecting Palin’s argument that it lacked scientific evidence to do so.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that a decade-long recovery program had failed to ensure the whales’ survival.

"In spite of protections already in place, Cook Inlet beluga whales are not recovering," said James Balsiger, NOAA acting assistant administrator.

The decision means that before federal agencies can issue a variety of commercial permits, they must first consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service to determine if there are potential harmful effects on the whales.

That has the potential to affect major Alaska projects including an expansion of the Port of Anchorage, additional offshore oil and gas drilling, a proposed $600 million bridge connecting Anchorage to Palin’s hometown of Wasilla and a massive coal mine 45 miles south of Anchorage.

The state does have serious concerns about the low population of beluga whales in Cook Inlet and has had those concerns for many years, Palin said in a statement.

"However, we believe that this endangered listing is premature," she said.

Palin in April successfully lobbied for a six-month delay in a listing decision until a count of the whales this summer could be included in deliberations.

That count showed no increase over 2007 numbers—375 whales, compared with a high of 653 in 1995.

Federal regulators and conservation groups said further delay would be harmful.

NOAA said Friday the Cook Inlet population declined by 50 percent between 1994 and 1998 and "is still not recovering" despite restrictions on the number of whales that Alaska’s native population can kill for subsistence.

It said recovery has been hindered by development and a range of economic and industrial activities including those related to oil and gas exploration.

The National Marine Fisheries Service "will identify habitat essential for the conservation of the Cook Inlet belugas in a separate rule-making within a year," the agency said.

The federal decision pleased environmentalists.

"We can finally focus now not on whether the belugas are endangered, but what we can do to protect them," said Brendan Cummings, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the groups that petitioned for the listing.

Cook Inlet stretches 180 miles from the Gulf of Alaska to Anchorage.

It is named for Capt. James Cook, the British explorer who sailed into the inlet in 1778 on a quest to find the Northwest Passage.

Beluga whales feed on salmon and smaller fish.

They can also eat crab, shrimp, squid and clams. During summers, the whales, which reach a length of up to 15 feet, often can be spotted from the highways leading away from Anchorage, gathered at river mouths, chasing salmon that have schooled before a run to spawning grounds.

Beluga whales’ natural enemies are killer whales, but something else has been keeping their numbers down in Alaska’s Cook Inlet.

Craig Matkin, an independent biologist who has worked in south central Alaska for 25 years, said the delay in the listing had held up a comprehensive research plan to find out why the population had not recovered after subsistence hunting was curtailed.

The concern is not just in numbers, he said, but in distribution. Whales in recent years have been staying in northern Cook Inlet near Anchorage.

"They’re just gone from these areas," he said of his own home near in Homer, near the tip of the Kenai Peninsula and about 100 miles from Anchorage.

"Why they aren’t coming down into this habitat is a question I’d like to answer."

Future development won’t be helpful to the recovery, Cummings said, starting with the noise and pollution associated with industrialization of the inlet, which includes oil rigs off the Kenai Peninsula.

Global warming, changing ocean conditions and higher temperatures in salmon streams may be another factor, Cummings said.

The Port of Anchorage, helped by congressional earmarks secured by Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young, has embarked on a $500 million project to double the port’s size and replace its aging docks.

Environmental groups also have expressed concern about a planned coal mine 45 miles from Anchorage across Cook Inlet, where developers propose to mine 300 million metric tons of sub-bituminous coal, roughly equal to the energy of a billion barrels of oil, over 25 years.

That would mean noise and boat traffic associated with building and operating a mine, a potential effect on salmon streams and more warming.

The Cook Inlet beluga whales are one of five populations in Alaska waters and the only one endangered.

Other beluga populations off Alaska inhabit Bristol Bay, the eastern Bering Sea, the eastern Chukchi Sea and the Beaufort Sea.

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Reality Check :  Gov. Sarah Palin — Welcome to the National Political Arena!

Your performance on SNL last night may well be the cause for celebration as an “anti-environmentalist. ”

Even though, your judgment or the lack thereof, in the environmental matter is analogous to the rhetoric on your campaign trail invoking fear and Anti-American euphemism against your opponent, the Democratic Presidential Candidate, Senator Barack Obama.

As one among many advocates for the voiceless and defenseless species, I am obligated to pose the following questions to you:

1. What exactly is the issue you don’t understand about the environmental crises?

2. As a self proclaimed maverick , how do you propose to sustain the ecological balance, crucial for your present survival… against the cavalier offshore oil and gas exploration and other projects?

3. Please, explain to the American electorate your bizarre stance in the pivotal issues —

A. Your personal claim, highlighting the foreign policy experience equivalent to the panoramic view of the residence of Russian Prime Minister, Mr. Vladimir Putin from the convenience of your porch while,

B. You choose to remain oblivious to SOS calls from the native species of your home state Alaska.

Perhaps, this could be a revelation for you —

Global warming is real due to reckless policies and irresponsible human behavior.

Save the Planet , for Life matter .

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Environment, Featured | Leave a Comment 

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