Pale Side of Life » Culture and Politics

A Track Record on Cost Estimates (Death of the Constitution)

Chad — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:54:12 +0000

OK, America, let’s take a little closer look at what exactly our government has handed us in the new Health Care Reform law. I’ll go through the litany of other problems with the bill later, but now let’s just concentrate on what the government says it will cost. Then we’ll look back at other projections our government has made.

Right now the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects this legislation will cost $940 billion over the next 10 years. (Side note: Did you know we’re going to start getting taxed almost immediately to support this law, but the benefits won’t arrive until 2014? Do you understand that? If not, start making payments on a car now that you can’t drive for another 4 years and see if you like it.)

Oddly enough, the government itself has made my research a bit easier with this report. Here, however, are the highlights:

What/When Estimated Cost / by Actual Cost / by % Error

Medicare/1965 $12 Billion/1990 $110 Billion/1990 917%

Medicaid DSH/1987 $1 Billion/1992 $17 Billion/1992 1700%

Mass. Health Reform/2006 $472 Million/2008 $628 Million/2008 133%

I’m not sure what you’re thinking about when you read those numbers, but I’m thinking oops. So, let’s conservatively put the past record of just our federal government to its own litmus test by saying that perhaps the CBO is off by… I dunno… 1000%. That means by 2020, this neat little health care reform law will cost me, my children, you and your children $9.4 trillion dollars. I hope you’re ready because there is only a couple of ways to pay for this, and they’re both bad.

Never mind this is the single largest Constitutional overreach by our federal government in the history of this nation. On that thought, I might just make a special trip to Oklahoma, stand over the grave of my grandfather, and apologize that his sacrifices during WWII were in vain. Apparently his efforts only bought us another 65 years of a Constitution worth dying for. We really screwed up this time, America, and it might be too late.

I’m writing to let you know…

Chad — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:21:00 +0000

Yesterday was essentially like any other. My daughter arrived home in the back of her mothers car carrying a wad of paper, envelopes, mailers and other assorted junk. She anxiously handed me the small jumble and proceeded to inform me exactly how many pieces of mail I received.

I just can’t wait…. yeah, whatever. I don’t remember as a kid being excited about mail, but I suppose I was. Today, it’s either a bill or it’s junk – what’s to look forward to?

But yesterday was a little different. Yesterday I received an envelope that was clearly from the U.S. Census Bureau! For weeks I’ve been anxious to see if the “Do you own a gun?” question was in fact part of the questionnaire.

This envelope seems a little skinny I thought to myself.

But I opened it because why else would I receive an envelope from the Census if it didn’t, in fact, contain the census form?

What in the world is this?

Allow me to paraphrase here (I shredded and ceremoniously burned the letter in anger, so I can’t now directly quote it): “This letter is to inform you that in about one week you should receive your U.S. Census packet.”

………………….Though you as the reader wouldn’t know it, there is supposed to be a very long pause between that last paragraph and this one…………………… I’m still trying to put into words the insanity of that letter.

Sometime today I actually started to calm down, and that’s when I had the epiphany. I think I will start sending all my friends a letter one week before their birthday. On the note will be a short sentence to the effect of….. “I’m writing this note to inform you that next week you should receive a birthday card from me.” Just to make it more fun, I probably won’t sign it or even have a return address.

I love math, but I simply don’t have the time. Someone please respond with an estimated cost of this letter. OK, fine, let me get it started. Roughly 100 million households times some slightly discounted postage. Then add in the cost of the paper, ink, envelopes, personnel, writers, facilities, electricity, fuel, etc., etc.

If it weren’t our money, it would be laughable… but it is, so it isn’t.

Who is “We”?

Chad — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:44:17 +0000

This was an email I received the other day:

President Barack Obama said in Turkey : “We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”

Do you know the Preamble for your state? . .

Alabama 1901 We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution..
Alaska 1956 We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911 We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…
Arkansas 1874 We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government…
California 1879 We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…
Colorado 1876 We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe…
Connecticut 1818 The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897 Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences…
Florida 1885 We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution…
Georgia 1777 We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution…
Hawaii 1959 We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance …… Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889 We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings..
Illinois 1870 We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851 We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857 We, the People of the St ate of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859 We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891  We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties..
Louisiana 1921 We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820 We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776 We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty…
Massachusetts 1780 We….the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction
Michigan 1908 We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857 We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings.
Mississippi 1890 We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845 We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness .. Establish this Constitution…
Montana 1889  We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ..
Nebraska 1875 We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864 We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution…
New Hampshire 1792 Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844 We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911 We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..
New York 1846 We, the people of the State of New York , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868 We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those…
North Dakota 1889 We , the people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain..
Ohio 1852 We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.
Oklahoma 1907 Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this
Oregon 1857 Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences.
Pennsylvania 1776 We, the people of Pennsylvania , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance……
Rhode Island 1842  We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing…
South Carolina 1778 We, the people of the State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889 We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ….
Tennessee 1796 Art. XI..III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience…
Texas 1845 We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896 Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777 Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man …
Virginia 1776 Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
Washington 1889 We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872  Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ..
Wisconsin 1848 We, the people of Wisconsin , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility…
Wyoming 1890 We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution..

2010 Predictions

Chad — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:24:35 +0000

President and First Lady Obama will travel to Switzerland and plead with the IOC to move the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games to Chicago.

Bernie Madoff, the king of ponzi schemes, will be offered a work-release from prison, but only if he accepts President Obama’s new Social Security Czar position.

Tiger Woods will eventually wake up from his current nightmare… unfortunately he’ll be in someone else’s bed when he does.

Congress will pass, and Obama will sign, another stimulus program. This time it will benefit only Nebraska as a thank you to Senator Ben Nelson.

Al Gore, father of the internet, will blame the Bush administration for the leaked climate warming emails.

The Democrats will hold their majority in congress… in an alternate universe. Here on earth it’s not likely.

Sarah Palin and Katie Couric will tour the country performing mock interviews.

The Large Hadron Collider will in fact create a miniature Big Bang, which will collapse into a black hole which will swallow half of Europe.

Obama will hold another Jobs Summit, only this time he will only invite illegal aliens.

Tiger Woods and a handful of other prominent athletes will be paraded in front of congress to testify on the perils of allowing kids to have role models.

The Republican Party will drop the moniker GOP, which stands for Grand Old Party, and demand it be called DUD… Democrats Under Disguise.

Vice President Joe Biden will produce another 238 gaffes and one Freudian slip in which he introduces “King Obama” to a delegation of visiting school children who otherwise won’t know any better.

GM will announce bankruptcy again, prompting President Obama to run up and down the halls of the White House yelling, “Sell! Sell!”

And finally, congress will approve the pawning of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and one-third of the nation’s national parks.

The New Era of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Chad — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:48:13 +0000

In case you had not heard, three Navy SEALs are facing criminal charges for allegedly punching a high value terrorist while being detained. Ahmed Hashim Abed says he’s got the bloody lip to prove it. If you care to, read about it here.

This isn’t the first time in the last ten months I’ve woken up wondering if I’m in the right country. I’m going to ignore whether or not these three SEALs did anything wrong because I could not care less about the rights of a terrorist accused of murdering and mutilating four U.S. contractors in Fulluja in 2004. Why am I ignoring this? These SEALs did their job capturing a high value target and the thank you this country gives them is criminal charges? I’ll add this to the growing list of probable reasons our military is having difficulty reaching their enrollment quotas. Anyone seriously considering a career in our armed services has to wonder if the same Constitution they will swear to protect will also be used by our enemies abroad. And please don’t wave the Geneva Convention flag in my face. We can treat our captives on those terms the next time we’ve captured someone meeting the requirements of Article 4.1.2 of the Third Geneva Convention (go look it up).

We can thank President Obama for handicapping our heroes in this “oversees contingency operation” and ushering in a new era of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Don’t ask our bravest if they mind sharing their constitutional rights with our terrorist enemy. And don’t tell them never mind, as of January 20^th, 2009 it’s too late.

Keynesian Policy Fails (Again)

Chad — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:13:55 +0000

The Obama administration and liberal Democrats in Congress have once again shown us the fallacy of the Keynesian economic model. I will not pretend to be an economic wizard. Rather, I’d like to look at our current woes from purely a logical viewpoint. I know my logic isn’t necessarily your logic. But what I’m hearing from the other side seems to me complete illogic, and the numbers are in my favor.

Logic #1: There is only so much money in the world. And the U.S. government has seemingly just borrowed what little was left. OK, great, at least now we have access to it. But do we? Can you knock on the door of your congressperson and simply ask for a check? No, it will have to make its way through the Keynesian strainer (more on that later). And if nearly all available funds are tied up in the federal government, where does small business (the ones who employ over half the country’s private sector workforce) get funding to really put people back to work?

Logic #2: Government spending is a boondoggle for waste. This isn’t just my logic – check out what other folks perceive with this Gallup poll. Our government is dumping borrowed money into the Keynesian strainer. In a nutshell, the Keynesian model would have the federal government fund the digging of one hole so that it could fund the filling of the same whole, thus putting people to work, earning wages and taxable income, which then fill the coffers of the government via income and sales tax revenue – quite simply a circulation of money. I suppose this model would be of some benefit if every dollar borrowed where injected directly into the economy, but we all know that isn’t the case. I also suppose Keynesianism would work beautifully if the government actually had money and didn’t have to borrow it.

Logic #3: The size of government and the size of those governed are inversely proportional. Perhaps you like this and if so you probably love our federal government right about now. Getting back to the strainer, I think you know what happens when the strainer begins getting plugged up – less gets through. I see this happening with the stimulus funds as more special interest and unions start clogging the pores of the strainer. Inevitably more money stays with those in power instead of making it down to where it is needed. Yes the people in power can create jobs (in the government) with that money, but much less efficiently and with much more dependency on the government, which needs more and more money (tax revenue) to grow more jobs, etc, etc. Put a big fish in a tank with hundreds of smaller fish. Over time the big fish eats the small fish and for his efforts he gets bigger and stronger. Someday he’ll eat all the little fish and if you do not step in to supplement the big fish, he will die. China will not supplement our big fish much longer. Our big fish needs to lean out and learn to do more with less.

Logic #4: You do not fix a leaky boat by punching more holes in the hull. Similarly, you do not spend your way out of a deep recession by adding to already record deficits.

Logic #5: It failed miserably before. So why would we believe this time it will succeed? Keynesian stimulus failed under Hoover and Roosevelt in the 1930s, it did next to nothing for Ford in the 1970s and Bush 43, and it created the “lost decade” in Japan in the 1990s. What’s that urban definition of insanity again? Something about doing something the same way over and over and expecting a different outcome?