SEATOR MERKLEY SHINES IN HEALTH CARE DEBATE

PERSONAL

I awoke this morning at 7:45am, to a 3 after 9+hrs of sleep. It is a dry cool morning. I took my am pills and put my flag out. My reports will be repetitive and short again today as I am trying to put together, at the request of Louis Faust, the 290 archives Mehrens piece for the Local. I also tuned in to C-Span to keep following the health care debate, Senator Merkley was great this morning was great. I am going to send an email to Senator Wyden because there is one important point that I have not heard made. The Republicans main argument is that Doctors will stop taking patients because the Medicare reimbursement rate is only 87%. The Democrats are making the argument that health care costs have caused over 45,000 bankruptcies. Isn't 87% of something better than 0 from the bankruptcies? I have to say again Lloyd and his help from All in One Mobility did a wonderful job. Again I want to thank all of you for your prayers for my Brother in Law Eric's Dad. I will again repeat one of my Dads favorite poems, brother Mike was kind enough to send me and the prayer from Zowies funeral.

God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day, And when it comes to my last cast
I then must humbly pray. When in the Lord's safe landing net I'm peacefully asleep.
That in His mercy, I be judged............Good enough to keep.

AROUND THE CORNER
Charles Hanson Towne (1877-1949)

Around the corner I have a friend, In this great city that has no end;Yet days go by, and weeks rush on, And before I know it, a year is gone, And I never see my old friend’s face, For life is a swift and terrible race.He knows I like him just as well, As in the days when I rang his bell And he rang mine.
We were younger then, And now we are busy, tired men; Tired with trying to make a nameTired with playing a foolish game; ‘Tomorrow,’ I say, ‘I will call on Jim, Just to show that I’m thinking of him.’ But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, And the distance between us grows and grows. Around the corner!— yet miles away ...‘Here’s a telegram, sir.Jim died today.’
And that’s what we get and deserve in the end; Around the corner, a vanished friend.

My daily prayer, is to Mary Mother of God….. "O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear OUR prayer. As your children we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially for my Brother and Sister in Law, Peg and Eric, as Eric's family is dealing with the loss of his father; the Kantack family; and all in need. We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help ALL of us, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever, Amen.”
Thank You, Mother Mary, for your help and assistance.

I know I have been repeating things, maybe too much, on my blog; but some of this stuff I need to be reminded of and some of this stuff others need to be reminded of, and I've cleared a lot so far.

LDN REPORT

This is my attempt to keep track of my experiences with my LDN treatment for my Neurologist and his RN. So far with the 4.5mg I think I'm noticeably better. I am experiencing better days and now that I'm doing the new dosage I am seeing a marked change, even my NCA noticed again today. I have now been on that brand new FDA approved pill, Aminopyridine, and I have increased to 3. It is supposed to be good for “gait” issues, even those with primary progressive. I'm not jogging but I have been doing a lot of walking and it is a help for me getting into my new shower. It is apparently another pill that Kaiser Pharmacy does not “compound”.

POLITICAL

How is it, our country is spreading “democracy” around the world and because of five U.S. Senators we don't even seem to practice it here in our own country.
***********************************************************************************
If the Medicare cost reimbursement rate is 87%, what is the reimbursement rate for the 45,000+ Americans who had to declare bankruptcy last year becauset they did not have health care?
***********************************************************************************
RON, BARBARA; ARE YOU READING?

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Rep. Peter DeFazio, Rep. David Wu and Rep. Kurt Schrader are true healthcare heroes! Because of their leadership and critical YES votes for reform, we're the closest we've come to finally achieving health care legislation that holds insurance companies accountable and offers choice and competition through a public option. They deserve our most sincere thanks.Oregon's healthcare heroes need to hear from Oregonians. These Congressmen helped pass the most comprehensive healthcare reform bill in the history of these United States, at least through the House of Representatives. They deserve our thanks.
Thank you all ...........now, GET 'ER DONE !

I think; with over 60% of the American public supporting health care reform, including a public option, that ALL this health care “controversy” that is being generated is to take the publics mind off of the Employee Free Choice Act, American Rights at Work, “card check” legislation. Hmmmmmn

Thank you, Senator Wyden; for your actions in committee on health care. Now the ball is in yours and Jeff's court! You both have looked and sounded very good on the Big Ed Schultz Show.

Thank you too, Earl for the service member first time home buyer tax credit fix, HR 3590 and responding to my health care questions.

I still don't know yet, if the “soft landing” bill is done but that is one issue I will keep harping on until I am sure, I didn't call the Senators local office yet and try to reach Barbara to find out where it is. As near as I can figure, all that needs to be done for the soft landing at the State Level (Legislature) is complete; thank you Rick and Brent; and everyone, but based on what I heard yesterday it appears to be on the back burner in the Senate and it hasn't even been turned on yet!

Did you know that there were more vets that died last year because they didn't have health care, than died in both Wars?

OK, what did YOU do for the National Guard today. Daniel's wife Trina is still helping, with Daniel in the Middle East. How about getting all our service people their overdue raise.

Still sooooo many cages to rattle and wheel squeaking, remaining; and me with only a three wheel scooter!

By the way; You don't have to be a ”wheel” to get heard, just squeak for a while.
Bring our people home! ( THIS IS AN OFFICIAL SQUEAK ! )

YELLOW RIBBON SECTION

We now have one nephew in Iraq and one nephew in Afghanistan. Be safe, hurry home.
When I relate to anyone the story of our Guard members being charged for Internet access; EVERYONE I speak to is as disgusted as I, I wonder how much of the proposed raise in the D.O.D. Appropriations will need to be used to pay those exorbitant Internet costs by our people in uniform. I still don't know what the people in Washington D.C. are getting charged for their Internet access?

At the 11th Hour, on the 11th Day, of the 11th Month a cease fire was signed to end the war to end all wars in 1918. How's that worked out so far?

I am getting very disappointed in the President, because, at least in my mind, the Military Industrial Complex and Banks still seem to be in charge, and his address last night did p#^^ me off, even though it was a great speech.

SPORTS

Felix Hernandez is my Cy Young leader in the American league; Carlos Zambrano is my Cy Young pick in the National league, but of course I don't have a vote.

And yes; I still think the Ducks are for real! The Civil War game WILL decide the PAC 10 representative in the Rose Bowl.

I sure hope the Blazers get back on track.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & CHARITIES

The Cancer Center at Providence Hospital, as I believe they were definitely a comfort to Dianna, her family and friends those last days. The Providence newsletter had a wonderful article on Dianna's Christmas Celebration. I will try to create a link.

M.D.A. is also an awesome organization, including the Gales Creek Foundation. In large part to the efforts of Don and Sandy Getman.

The American Rights at Work still needs help. We must not take our eye off the MAIN issue. E.F.C.A.

The U.A. Local 290 “Don Salee” Member assistance program.

The National Guard, the USO

L.C.S.A. - Labors Community Service Agency

The OSBT – Oregon State Building Trades Council, AFL-CIO

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS“GET 'ER DONE” - SOFT LANDING ! And give them back their money, and their overdue raise!

This is a personal shout out to All in One Mobility as they have been wonderful in ALL my mobility issues. I am going to try to reach Monte and let him know that they are an awesome tenant of ours at Columbia Pacific Airport Way.

Whether you attend a church service, a Mosque, GLBT gathering, or Synagogue service, please say a prayer that God; yours, mine or ours; keeps our service men and women in the Palm of their hand.

Mike; My “short” blog is almost 5 pages today. Now don't forget to say your prayers and I'll see you next time on my blog.

*************************************************************************************

This should go above or below your list of links. Just say something like this:The Federal Trade Commission says I have to tell you that, if you click on one of these links and buy something (not give to a charity, but actually buy something, like from Amazon), I might make some money.
BEATS COLLECTING BOTTLES AND CANS, BUT SO FAR NOT AS PROFITABLE.