SOLD OUT? The Public Option is gone?

PERSONAL

I awoke this morning at 6:15am, to a 3+ after 9+hrs of sleep. It is a cold (9 degrees) morning. I took my am pills and put my flag out after the sun came up. I tuned into the C-span to follow the health care debate in the Senate. My 3+, I think, is a result of my attendance to the CPBT Christmas Party yesterday. I did see and talk to lots of people I haven't seen in quite a while. John did a wonderful job and the turnout was great. Barbara S. W., from Senator Wyden's office, was there, but I didn't get a chance to talk with her. I did have a very good conversations with Don G. (MDA), Pete H. (LNG Plant) and Tim G. ( IBEW-BULL Session). Tim did tell me that the BULL did distribute over $300,000 to our various children's charities. They did have lots of wonderful prizes to give away. I won a fishing trip donated by NW Natural Gas, Thanks for watching my ticket Mary Jo. The thought of getting on a boat for the fishing trip, when I have trouble walking on solid ground , I was pretty sure a boat would have been way too funny. I did thank Pete H. but I explained my concern and immediately donated it to the BULL session. Tim did tell me they did want me back on the Board as the 2010 tourney and Auction will be the 20th. While I have been unable to attend board meetings for a few years (I have MS you know) I didn't know they fired me from the board. :-) I did tell the Kaiser rep that was there that some of my M.S. Prescriptions that were not covered by Kaiser. I still need to send an email to Senator Wyden because there is one important point that I have not heard made, still.

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 the 0% from bankruptcies? Today the arguments the Republicans are making is that they are ones fighting for Medicare advantage. I checked the DOW today and it was up slightly. 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, Around the Corner, that brother Mike was kind enough to send me.
And the following poem that was distributed at 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 Niece Stephanie and Sister in Law Peg, they are dealing with the loss of Gramma B., 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. I have now been on that brand new FDA approved pill, Aminopyridine, and I have increased it to 4, but I did forget last night. 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 a few U.S. Senators we don't even seem to practice it here in our own country.

Does it make you wonder why the Republicans are doing so much arguing on the floors of Congress trying to appear as the party trying to save Medicare when they were the party that fought against the establishment of Medicare? Sounds like Hypocrisy to me!

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

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, maybe he will have someone at the Christmas party. 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 understand it appears to be on the back burner and that burner 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 have died in both the Iraq and Afghanistan 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. Niece Stephanie is putting together a package for her Marine son in Afghanistan.

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.

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 Afghan war address 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 BCS drawing is tonight and the result of many games yesterday should make it very interesting.

The loss of Greg Oden is sure going to affect the Blazers.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & CHARITIES

The Cancer Center at Providence Hospital, as I know they were definitely a comfort to Dianna, her family and friends those last days. Their pink gloves advertisement is great.

M.D.A. is also an awesome organization, including the Gales Creek Foundation. In large part to the efforts of Don and Sandy Getman. It was sure good to see you yesterday Don.

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 and the Salvation Army

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!

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 backto 5 pages today thanks to Joe Lieberman and a few DEMOCRAT SENATORS. Now don't forget to say your prayers and I'll see you next time on my blog.

I've signed a petition that's going to be delivered to the Senators negotiating as we speak. Click here to add your name to the petition telling them to say no to this deal:
http://healthcareforamericanow.org/page/s/sayno

As Senator Brown said, "A large number of people in this country including many, many doctors wanted Medicare for all. That didn't happen. Then we wanted a strong public option tied to Medicare rates. Then we wanted a public option building the Medicare network. That didn't happen. Now we are saying public option coming out of the HELP Committee. And now we're saying public option with the state opt-out. Where was the compromise coming from their side?"[3]

As we speak, ten Democratic Senators - five progressives and five conservatives - are fighting out their differences on the Senate health reform bill. Everyone in that room needs to know that the American people reject Joe Lieberman's outrageous ideas.

Click here to add your name to the petition rejecting this so-called compromise:
http://healthcareforamericanow.org/page/s/sayno

The petition reads:

SAY NO TO JOE! A public health insurance option that is accountable to voters and Congress and available nationally from day one is essential to lower health care costs and to keeping insurance companies honest. Otherwise, the insurance companies win. Health reform cannot be held hostage by Joe Lieberman. We, the American people, reject this so-called compromise.
Click here and to add your name. These signatures will be delivered today, so act now!
http://healthcareforamericanow.org/page/s/sayno
Thanks!

Wally;
As we head into the final stretch on health reform, big insurance company lobbyists and their partisan allies hope that their relentless attacks and millions of dollars can intimidate us into accepting the status quo.So I have a message for them, from all of us: Not this time. We have come too far. We will not turn back. We will not back down.But do not doubt -- the opponents of reform will not rest. So I need you, the members of Organizing for America, to fight alongside me. We must continue to build out our campaign -- to spread the facts on the air and on the ground, and to bring in more volunteers and train them to join the fight. I urgently need your help to keep Organizing for America's 50-state movement for reform going strong.
Can you donate $25 or whatever you can afford today?
https://donate.barackobama.com/FinalStretch
Let's win this together,President Barack Obama