Several stories appeared the last couple of days pointing out some of the problems that will be plaguing Haiti and well wishers from around the world as an attempt in made to get handle on the situation after the earthquakes.
Ten members of two Baptist congregations from Idaho were spotted at the Haiti - Dominican Republic border as they attempted to cross with thirty-three "orphans". Evidently they had no paperwork on the children and were naive enough to think they could bluff their way through.
Why they are taking Haitian children to establish an orphanage in the Dominican Republic is beyond me. Why not assist and enlarge the orphanage in Haiti where the children were residing? Until the story is further investigated I will give them the benefit of the doubt and not accuse them of being child traffickers.
However, UNICEF and other international agencies dedicated to child welfare are going to need to get their act together and take all necessary measures to protect the children in Haiti. During the current chaos, any number of things can happen to these children. Well meaning gestures are nice, but they are counterproductive if they in anyway imply the children involved are going to be abused in anyway.
Another story is that the US military stopped flying patients in critical condition from Haiti to Florida. Florida's governor announced that his state cannot endure the burden of paying for the expensive treatment of these patients. The White House did not jump up and say the Federal Government will assume the costs, but rather stated other solutions are being sought.
Why not use some or all of the money raised by the Hollywood Star telethon to pay for the treatment. Put the money to immediate, positive use saving lives.
Finally, last night NBC News showed a story of a doctor from a non-profit medical group going to the airport to pick up medical supplies and being told by the Haitian official responsible for distribution that the doctor needed to pay a tax for the supplies.
Thankfully, due no doubt to the presence of a television camera, the official changed his mind and the supplies were released.
The question is how long before this kind of corruption becomes the norm and aide to the suffering is controlled by bribes?
Hopefully members of the UN will be watchdogs in this area and insure that all aide donated freely from all parts of the world, is distributed freely to all of the Haitians in need.
Its Common Sense!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Senator Mikulski on Health Care Reform
It appears that my senators are responding in the same time frame. Below is the letter I received from Senator Barbara Mikulski, the other illustrious senator from the state of Maryland.
She, like Ben Cardin, really tries to avoid the issues and making any sense.
See for yourself.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
Thank you for getting in touch with me about Medicare fraud and health care reform. It's great to hear from you.
Health care is one of the most important issues facing families and our economy. We absolutely need to pass comprehensive health reform that:
-reduces costs for families, business and government
-protects people's choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans
-assures affordable, quality health care for all Americans
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) represents the combined efforts of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the Senate Committee on Finance. This bill takes a giant step forward in providing health care that is available, undeniable and affordable for all Americans.
There are many issues being discussed as part of health care reform. I will keep your views in mind as we continue our work on this important issue.
Thanks once again for writing. Please let me know if I can be of assistance in the future.
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator
Please do not respond directly to this e-mail. The originating e-mail account is not monitored.
If you would like to get in touch with me again, please visit my Webform at http://mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm
If you would like to sign up for my E-Newsletter, please visit my Web site at http://mikulski.senate.gov/enewsletter/index.cfm
She, like Ben Cardin, really tries to avoid the issues and making any sense.
See for yourself.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
Thank you for getting in touch with me about Medicare fraud and health care reform. It's great to hear from you.
Health care is one of the most important issues facing families and our economy. We absolutely need to pass comprehensive health reform that:
-reduces costs for families, business and government
-protects people's choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans
-assures affordable, quality health care for all Americans
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) represents the combined efforts of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the Senate Committee on Finance. This bill takes a giant step forward in providing health care that is available, undeniable and affordable for all Americans.
There are many issues being discussed as part of health care reform. I will keep your views in mind as we continue our work on this important issue.
Thanks once again for writing. Please let me know if I can be of assistance in the future.
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator
Please do not respond directly to this e-mail. The originating e-mail account is not monitored.
If you would like to get in touch with me again, please visit my Webform at http://mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm
If you would like to sign up for my E-Newsletter, please visit my Web site at http://mikulski.senate.gov/enewsletter/index.cfm
Friday, January 22, 2010
Senator Ben Cardin on Health Care Reform
Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, one of my state's US Senators sent the following response to my concerns about Health Care Reform and especially fraud in the Medicare Program. Please note how he avoided any mention of the word fraud.
Maybe if you are a fraud you can't recognize it in others.
Here's the letter, I found it disappointing, uninformative and very pro-party.
See what you think.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
Thank you for contacting me about Medicare and health reform. The Medicare program has dramatically improved the lives of millions of American seniors and persons with disabilities since its creation in 1965. I am committed to protecting and strengthening this critical program.
Reforming our health care system will strengthen Medicare. The Senate health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, would protect Medicare's guaranteed benefits, ensure that Medicare savings are used to improve the program, and extend Medicare solvency. It would also reduce costs and strengthen benefits for seniors by drastically reducing the "donut hole" in prescription drug coverage, and eliminating cost-sharing for preventive services. Furthermore, the bill includes measures that would ensure that seniors living in rural areas have access to inpatient, outpatient, ambulance and lab services, and would create a competitive bidding process for Medicare Advantage plans to reduce overpayments, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates total $150 billion over 10 years.
On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The House of Representatives passed its bill, H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, on November 20, 2009. House and Senate members are now working to resolve the differences between the two bills before a final package is sent to the President for his signature.
Again, thank you for letting me know your views on this important issue. Please be assured that I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner for solutions that will protect Medicare, bring down the cost of health care in this country, and expand access to quality care for all Americans.
Please visit my website at http://cardin.senate.gov to sign up for my e-newsletter.
Maybe if you are a fraud you can't recognize it in others.
Here's the letter, I found it disappointing, uninformative and very pro-party.
See what you think.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
Thank you for contacting me about Medicare and health reform. The Medicare program has dramatically improved the lives of millions of American seniors and persons with disabilities since its creation in 1965. I am committed to protecting and strengthening this critical program.
Reforming our health care system will strengthen Medicare. The Senate health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, would protect Medicare's guaranteed benefits, ensure that Medicare savings are used to improve the program, and extend Medicare solvency. It would also reduce costs and strengthen benefits for seniors by drastically reducing the "donut hole" in prescription drug coverage, and eliminating cost-sharing for preventive services. Furthermore, the bill includes measures that would ensure that seniors living in rural areas have access to inpatient, outpatient, ambulance and lab services, and would create a competitive bidding process for Medicare Advantage plans to reduce overpayments, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates total $150 billion over 10 years.
On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The House of Representatives passed its bill, H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, on November 20, 2009. House and Senate members are now working to resolve the differences between the two bills before a final package is sent to the President for his signature.
Again, thank you for letting me know your views on this important issue. Please be assured that I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner for solutions that will protect Medicare, bring down the cost of health care in this country, and expand access to quality care for all Americans.
Please visit my website at http://cardin.senate.gov to sign up for my e-newsletter.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
US Senate wants to Raise Debt Ceiling
One day after the US Senate lost a Democrat and gained a Republican, they started a debate on the value of raising the national debt ceiling by another $1.7 trillion.
Are they out of their minds? The stimulus is not working. The only institutions making money are banks who screwed up, took bailouts and are now paying out super large bonuses.
The US taxpayer has lost out at every end and now the Senate wants to increase our debt even more.
I think the Senate needs to sit down and look at reality. With unemployment the highest in our nation's history, it is going to be a long time before adequate tax dollars start coming in to begin paying off the debt.
Rather than talk about raising the debt, let's start talking about recovering what has been lost through fraud. First Medicare - $60 some million a year, let's get that money back, punish the criminals with real sentences, as well as paying back double what they stole, not a slap on the wrist.
Illegal aliens - if they are working let's get their tax dollars and then they can apply for a visa or get sent home. Let's go after those companies and individuals who hire illegals, make them pay back all back taxes - including Social Security and Medicare - and then fine them equal to the back taxes they owe.
Rather than take the easy way out, let's take the right way out - make those who owe or steal from us pay back everything double.
Its Common Sense!
Are they out of their minds? The stimulus is not working. The only institutions making money are banks who screwed up, took bailouts and are now paying out super large bonuses.
The US taxpayer has lost out at every end and now the Senate wants to increase our debt even more.
I think the Senate needs to sit down and look at reality. With unemployment the highest in our nation's history, it is going to be a long time before adequate tax dollars start coming in to begin paying off the debt.
Rather than talk about raising the debt, let's start talking about recovering what has been lost through fraud. First Medicare - $60 some million a year, let's get that money back, punish the criminals with real sentences, as well as paying back double what they stole, not a slap on the wrist.
Illegal aliens - if they are working let's get their tax dollars and then they can apply for a visa or get sent home. Let's go after those companies and individuals who hire illegals, make them pay back all back taxes - including Social Security and Medicare - and then fine them equal to the back taxes they owe.
Rather than take the easy way out, let's take the right way out - make those who owe or steal from us pay back everything double.
Its Common Sense!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Haiti in Crisis
We have all been watching the tragedy presently occurring in Haiti. It appears that the relief is starting to get through, but there is much to be done and we need to pray that the relief agencies and the governments providing aide put the Haitians ahead of national squabbles and politics.
The majority of us will make donations to relief organizations, I just recommend that you choose carefully and make sure it is a reputable organization.
In a crisis like this, the world usually pulls together, as they did for the victims of the terrible tsunami in Asia a few years ago.
President Obama has promised aid and our planes and goods are in Port a Prince. Obama also asked Bill Clinton and George W Bush to spear head the United States aid effort and both former presidents graciously agreed.
What I do not understand is why critics of Obama need to use this kind of situation to attack the President. It is probably evident from my blog that in many ways President Obama has disappointed me, but I do believe that the man is sincere and not just a cold blooded politician. Unfortunately the Rush Limbaughs of the world will use any excuse to go on the attack. His comments concerning the situation in Haiti makes you wonder if his life is simply about ratings and staying controversial and forgetting all about people.
Anyway, we need to watch how things progress in Haiti and both that order and relief are provided quicker than after Katerina.
Keep the victims, the relief workers, and all of the families in your prayers.
Sometimes, the best we can do is put everything in God's hands and pray for the best.
Its Common Sense!
The majority of us will make donations to relief organizations, I just recommend that you choose carefully and make sure it is a reputable organization.
In a crisis like this, the world usually pulls together, as they did for the victims of the terrible tsunami in Asia a few years ago.
President Obama has promised aid and our planes and goods are in Port a Prince. Obama also asked Bill Clinton and George W Bush to spear head the United States aid effort and both former presidents graciously agreed.
What I do not understand is why critics of Obama need to use this kind of situation to attack the President. It is probably evident from my blog that in many ways President Obama has disappointed me, but I do believe that the man is sincere and not just a cold blooded politician. Unfortunately the Rush Limbaughs of the world will use any excuse to go on the attack. His comments concerning the situation in Haiti makes you wonder if his life is simply about ratings and staying controversial and forgetting all about people.
Anyway, we need to watch how things progress in Haiti and both that order and relief are provided quicker than after Katerina.
Keep the victims, the relief workers, and all of the families in your prayers.
Sometimes, the best we can do is put everything in God's hands and pray for the best.
Its Common Sense!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Medicare Fraud
Last night NBC news reported that Medicare Fraud now comes in at around $600 billion a year. They did not say how much, if any, of that money is ever recovered. $600 billion a year would go a long way towards paying for universal health care without my taxes needing to be raised.
I sent the following letter to my senators, once again imploring that they get a handle on Medicare and then worry about a health care bill.
As always use all or any part in contacting your own representatives.
Dear Senator
Last night NBC News reported that the US goverment (tax payer dollars) pays out $600 billion in Medicare fraud cases every year.
As I have written in the past, the government has to take control of Medicare, close all the loopholes and stop fraud. Once the fraud stops, then the government will have the money they need for universal health care.
Take charge of Medicare, prosecute violators to the extreme, and save our $600 billion a year. Take charge of the money that is being stolen, rather than ask tax payers to provide more.
Congress needs to take control, show leadership, and agressive copmmitment to righting a serious wrong.
Give law enforcement teeth to go after those who defraud the system so that all $600 billion is recovered.
I sent the following letter to my senators, once again imploring that they get a handle on Medicare and then worry about a health care bill.
As always use all or any part in contacting your own representatives.
Dear Senator
Last night NBC News reported that the US goverment (tax payer dollars) pays out $600 billion in Medicare fraud cases every year.
As I have written in the past, the government has to take control of Medicare, close all the loopholes and stop fraud. Once the fraud stops, then the government will have the money they need for universal health care.
Take charge of Medicare, prosecute violators to the extreme, and save our $600 billion a year. Take charge of the money that is being stolen, rather than ask tax payers to provide more.
Congress needs to take control, show leadership, and agressive copmmitment to righting a serious wrong.
Give law enforcement teeth to go after those who defraud the system so that all $600 billion is recovered.
Friday, January 8, 2010
How do we Gather Intelligence? Where is Human Intelligence?
Yesterday I watched the President use Harry Truman's line "the buck spots here" to place the blame on himself rather than any individual or agency relating to the failure to pick up on Christmas Day's attempted terrorist attack.
The President stated that the intelligence agencies were going to get their priorities in order and make sure information was shared and all the dots got connected as soon as possible. His Deputy Director of National Security is going to report back in a month as to the progress made.
I thought inter-agency cooperation among the intelligence agencies had been mandated during the Bush years. President Bush established the post of Intelligence Czar and Dennis Blair currently holds the post.
I was puzzled by the problem of sharing intelligence in a central base and looked for some information. See the attached link.
http://www.intelligence.gov/1-members.shtml
This is the list of the major intelligence gathering agencies in the United States. I thought we were talking about CIA, NSA, FBI, DIA, and DHS. I did not realize how many other players are part of the alphabet soup.
When one sees the list then one sees the problem. Competition. Everyone wants to be the fair hair boy and receive the accolades. In the same way, with so many participants, it is easy to spread the blame around so that no one person or agency takes a heavy hit.
With all of the tax dollars being spent on security, you would think Dennis Blair would have a super Cray computer under his command that could take all the information and spit out the answers in minutes. Maybe he does. After all, a computer is only as good or as bad as the humans who supply the information.
Right now the focus is once again on airport security, super scanners, more dogs, air marshalls, getting TSA employees who are attentive and not bored with their jobs.
(I am going to do some research and find out what the average salary and shift is for a TSA inspector.)
What we need is more human intelligence assets in the hot beds around the world. I know that things went bad for the CIA in Afghanistan with the operative they thought they recruited, but the bottom line is good old fashion human spies provide the best intelligence. Electronics are good for assistance, but it is the nameless human assets recruited in the areas of unrest who provide the best and most accurate information.
Budgeting needs to be done for the recruitment of these assets and maybe then a true gain can be made on the war on terror.
Its Common Sense!
The President stated that the intelligence agencies were going to get their priorities in order and make sure information was shared and all the dots got connected as soon as possible. His Deputy Director of National Security is going to report back in a month as to the progress made.
I thought inter-agency cooperation among the intelligence agencies had been mandated during the Bush years. President Bush established the post of Intelligence Czar and Dennis Blair currently holds the post.
I was puzzled by the problem of sharing intelligence in a central base and looked for some information. See the attached link.
http://www.intelligence.gov/1-members.shtml
This is the list of the major intelligence gathering agencies in the United States. I thought we were talking about CIA, NSA, FBI, DIA, and DHS. I did not realize how many other players are part of the alphabet soup.
When one sees the list then one sees the problem. Competition. Everyone wants to be the fair hair boy and receive the accolades. In the same way, with so many participants, it is easy to spread the blame around so that no one person or agency takes a heavy hit.
With all of the tax dollars being spent on security, you would think Dennis Blair would have a super Cray computer under his command that could take all the information and spit out the answers in minutes. Maybe he does. After all, a computer is only as good or as bad as the humans who supply the information.
Right now the focus is once again on airport security, super scanners, more dogs, air marshalls, getting TSA employees who are attentive and not bored with their jobs.
(I am going to do some research and find out what the average salary and shift is for a TSA inspector.)
What we need is more human intelligence assets in the hot beds around the world. I know that things went bad for the CIA in Afghanistan with the operative they thought they recruited, but the bottom line is good old fashion human spies provide the best intelligence. Electronics are good for assistance, but it is the nameless human assets recruited in the areas of unrest who provide the best and most accurate information.
Budgeting needs to be done for the recruitment of these assets and maybe then a true gain can be made on the war on terror.
Its Common Sense!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Health Care Reform Deals
I sent the following letter to my senators to get some clarification on the deals made with Ben Nelson and others to get them to vote for the Senate Health Care Bill.
As always feel free to us all or any of the letter in contacting your own representatives.
A little truth will go a long way.
Its Common Sense!
Dear Senator
In your defense of the Health Care Bill you promised that it would be good for all Americans, get just about everyone insured, lower health care premiums and within ten years help lower the deficit.
Sounds good. But then I hear about the deals. Like that Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska only agreed to vote in favor of the bill if the Federal Government would pick up the bill for Nebraska's Medicaid for the rest of my life time.
Special deals for Louisiana, Massachusetts and maybe a couple of other states.
Did the citizens Maryland get a deal, or are we expected to pay so the Democrats can present a false united front? How will these deals save me money? Will premiums really go down? Finally, what taxes will be raised to pay for all of this?
Its time for some honesty. What is the truth about the Health Care Bill? Will it perform as promised or is it all smoke and mirrors?
From the recent news that some of your fellow Democrats will not be running for another term, it is evident that the frustration of the public is finally getting through.
If the Democrats want to keep Congress and the White House, then its time to come clean and give the people the truth.
How bad are things?
What has to be done to save our country?
How much is it going to cost?
Where is the money going to come from?
Candidate Obama and the Democrats promised many things. For the first time since I began voting in 1972 I voted for the Democrat instead of the independent. He promised to close Gitmo - that's on hold, he promised to get us out of Iraq - we're still there and we increased our presence in Afghanistan, he promised a Health Care Reform that would insure at least 95% of all Americans - does not look like that's going to happen.
The President and his Democratic Congress have not delivered.
Why not?
Share the truth and explain what went wrong.
Thank you.
Michael Wolfe
As always feel free to us all or any of the letter in contacting your own representatives.
A little truth will go a long way.
Its Common Sense!
Dear Senator
In your defense of the Health Care Bill you promised that it would be good for all Americans, get just about everyone insured, lower health care premiums and within ten years help lower the deficit.
Sounds good. But then I hear about the deals. Like that Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska only agreed to vote in favor of the bill if the Federal Government would pick up the bill for Nebraska's Medicaid for the rest of my life time.
Special deals for Louisiana, Massachusetts and maybe a couple of other states.
Did the citizens Maryland get a deal, or are we expected to pay so the Democrats can present a false united front? How will these deals save me money? Will premiums really go down? Finally, what taxes will be raised to pay for all of this?
Its time for some honesty. What is the truth about the Health Care Bill? Will it perform as promised or is it all smoke and mirrors?
From the recent news that some of your fellow Democrats will not be running for another term, it is evident that the frustration of the public is finally getting through.
If the Democrats want to keep Congress and the White House, then its time to come clean and give the people the truth.
How bad are things?
What has to be done to save our country?
How much is it going to cost?
Where is the money going to come from?
Candidate Obama and the Democrats promised many things. For the first time since I began voting in 1972 I voted for the Democrat instead of the independent. He promised to close Gitmo - that's on hold, he promised to get us out of Iraq - we're still there and we increased our presence in Afghanistan, he promised a Health Care Reform that would insure at least 95% of all Americans - does not look like that's going to happen.
The President and his Democratic Congress have not delivered.
Why not?
Share the truth and explain what went wrong.
Thank you.
Michael Wolfe
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Seven Days of the Condor
Since Christmas we have heard the story of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian who was able to outsmart air security in Nigeria and the Netherlands, board a Detroit bound flight with explosives and almost succeeded in bringing down the plane.
Now there are investigations, talk of full body scanners, police with machine-guns and dogs roaming the airports. Apparently once again the international security forces were out smarted.
Which got me to thinking. Many years ago I read a book titled "Seven Days of the Condor", (the film version with Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway was "Three Days of the Condor"). Its about intrigue and a falling out within the CIA. I won't go into detail, read the book or see the movie. The interesting thing is that protagonist works for the CIA as a reader. He and a small staff read books to see if any CIA operations have been compromised, as well as to gain information that could be useful for future operations.
I think Homeland Security needs to create this kind of department. They can read literature looking for anyway a threat could be brought against the USA, as well as use their imaginations to create scenarios of possible threats.
Thus far all of our actions have been after the fact. I think its time we go on the offensive and anticipate the next and beat the terrorists at their game.
Its Common Sense!
Now there are investigations, talk of full body scanners, police with machine-guns and dogs roaming the airports. Apparently once again the international security forces were out smarted.
Which got me to thinking. Many years ago I read a book titled "Seven Days of the Condor", (the film version with Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway was "Three Days of the Condor"). Its about intrigue and a falling out within the CIA. I won't go into detail, read the book or see the movie. The interesting thing is that protagonist works for the CIA as a reader. He and a small staff read books to see if any CIA operations have been compromised, as well as to gain information that could be useful for future operations.
I think Homeland Security needs to create this kind of department. They can read literature looking for anyway a threat could be brought against the USA, as well as use their imaginations to create scenarios of possible threats.
Thus far all of our actions have been after the fact. I think its time we go on the offensive and anticipate the next and beat the terrorists at their game.
Its Common Sense!
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