Legislative Update

[Indyfriends] An Open Letter to Sarahh Palin About Rick Perry]

2010-02-07T15:45:00.000-06:00

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------

Subject: [Indyfriends] An Open Letter to Sarahh Palin About Rick Perry
From: "Linda Curtis"
Date: Fri, February 5, 2010 8:11 am
To: indyfriends@lists.independenttexans.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

An Open Letter to Sarah Palin About Rick Perry From Independent Texans

Dear Sarah:

We been trying to reach you ever since we heard that you're going to be in Texas during the Super Bowl this Sunday to support our Governor's run for yet another term. Please don't treat us like you treated President George HW Bush, who called you twice but never got a call back. Some people say you did that for political reasons, others say you just ain't got no home training. We really don't know what to think.

We just wanted you to know that Texans have been planning a Tea Party for Rick Perry in Galveston Bay ever since the good Governor tried to carry out the largest private land grab in US history for the Trans- Texas Corridor. Texans have been trying to give back a little piece of the hell Rick Perry has been giving to us for the last 8 years.

Everybody's talking about why you are coming here if you're really a tea partier. Then we heard you were getting paid to appear. Well at least somebody's getting paid around here.

Mrs. Palin, maybe you don't have time to return a few phone calls.

Maybe you should just butt out and let Texans settle up with Rick Perry.

Respectfully,

Linda Curtis, Independent Texans

BootPerry.org (go ahead, press the red button)_______________________________________________

Indyfriends@lists.independenttexans.com

http://lists.independenttexans.com/listinfo.cgi/indyfriends-independenttexans.com

January Warrior now Online

2010-01-01T16:48:00.000-06:00

You can get to the January 2010 Warrior online at this time.

Click on TMR2 and then Warrior Online to get to the main web page or you can click on the links below.

Webpage - http://www.tmra2.org/waronl.shtml

Warrior - http://www.tmra2.org/images/warrior201001.pdf

Urgent Message PLease Share

2009-12-15T18:43:00.000-06:00

URGENT URGENT URGENT

Please put on your website and pass along as best you can!

We received several reports of Riders from out of state moving into Texas and being required to take the Rider Training Course to renew their MC classification on their Drivers License. We called John Young at the DPS Motorcycle Rider Training Division and he informed us he was getting calls on that problem also.

By checking with the Drivers License Division we were informed that was how their Legal Staff told them SB 1967 had to be interpreted. An out of state licensee was a first time license in Texas and required proof of having taken the Training Program. We contacted Senator Carona’s Office and requested a “Letter of Intent” that stated that was not the intent of that Bill. He agreed to furnish the requested document. We were then informed that the License bureau’s Legal Staff would not accept a Letter of Intent to change their ruling.

We then contacted Representative Chavez’s office and requested the same type letter figuring to use the two letters to file a lawsuit the next time we heard of a rider moving into Texas and being told they had to take the course to renew their license. Then I recalled how well we had worked with Colonel Beckworth when he was Chief at DPS and called him. I explained the problem and he assured me he would look into the matter.

Just got off the phone with Colonel Beckworth on his return call. He informed us he had with Colonel McCraw and their Legal Staff and they would allow out of state riders to renew their license without the course.

He said they will send out a Memo to all Driver License Offices tomorrow telling them of the decision. He then asked that we clarify the Bill in the next session. I assured him it would be done.

If anyone has trouble please contact John Young at the Rider Training Course 512-424-2021 or Sputnik 512-971-6777.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

SOTOMEYER speaks up for Miranda

2009-12-08T23:31:00.000-06:00

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Monday seemed headed toward telling police they must explicitly advise criminal suspects that their lawyer can be present during any interrogation. The arguments in front of the justices were the latest over how explicit the Miranda warning rights have to be, as justices debated whether the warnings police gave Kevin Dwayne Powell made clear to him that he could have a lawyer present while being interrogated by police. Powell was convicted of illegally possessing a firearm after telling police he bought the weapon "off the street" for $150 for his protection. Before his confession, Powell signed a Miranda statement that included the statements "You have the right to talk to a lawyer before answering any of our questions. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed for you without cost and before any questioning. You have the right to use any of these rights at any time you want during this interview."

The Florida Supreme Court overturned the conviction on grounds the Tampa police didn't adequately convey to Powell that he was allowed to have a lawyer with him during questioning. Joseph W. Jacquot, Florida deputy attorney general, argued that the warning given Powell "expresses all the rights required under Miranda." Justice Stephen Breyer clearly disagreed.

"Aren't you supposed to tell this person, that unlike a grand jury, you have a right to have the lawyer with you during interrogation?" Breyer said. "I mean, it isn't as if that was said in passing in Miranda. They wrote eight paragraphs about it. And I just wonder, where does it say in this warning, you have the right to have the lawyer with you during the interrogation?"

Different courts have came down on different sides on what exactly should be said, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said. "We've got a split of circuit courts and state courts on whether this reasonably conveys or not.

Shouldn't that be enough of an ambiguity for us to conclude it can't reasonably convey, if there's this many courts holding that it doesn't?"

Justice Sonia Sotomayor said. Powell's lawyer, Deborah K. Brueckheimer, said that the warning Powell was given from Tampa, Fla., police gave him the impression that "once questioning starts, that he has no right to consult with a lawyer anymore, and it certainly doesn't tell him that he has the right to the presence of an attorney with him in an interrogation room, where the coercion takes on a highly new meaning." Justice Scalia called Brueckheimer's argument "angels dancing on the head of a pin." "You are saying, 'Oh, if he had only known. Oh, if I knew that I could have an attorney present during the interview, well, that would have been a different kettle of fish and I would never have confessed,'"Scalia said.

"I mean, doesn't that seem to you quite fantastic?" Miranda rights have been litigated since they first came into being in 1966. The courts require police to tell suspects they have the right to remain silent and the right to have a lawyer represent them, even if they can't afford one. But those requirements likely will continue to be parsed by lawyers and judges.

For example, Justice Samuel Alito pointed out that most police start off Miranda rights by saying "You have the right to remain silent." But,Alito said, what happens if someone begins talking to the police and then decides that they want to be silent? "Once you break your silence, there is nothing in there that says you have the right to resume your silence,"

Alito said. "We could write that down. It could be the next case," Justice Anthony Kennedy said to laughter.

This is the third Miranda case the court has heard this year. The justices heard arguments earlier over whether officers can interrogate a suspect who said he understood his rights but didn't invoke them, and whether a request for a lawyer during interrogation can expire after a lengthy period of time. Decisions in all three cases are expected next year. The case argued Monday is Florida v. Powell, 08-1175.

Sputnik

Warrior Available

2009-11-30T21:38:00.002-06:00

A new posting of the Warrior is available online. You can read it at.....

http://www.tmra2.org/images/warrior200912.pdf

Update to H.R. 3845 add the Senate version S.1692

2009-11-22T10:14:00.000-06:00

There is a companion bill to HR3845. Remember this bill is the one asking for some changes in the Patriot act. The Senate version of this legislation is S1692. Please contact your Senators and ask them to Co-Sponsor the Senate Bill S.1692.

HR3845

2009-11-11T18:52:00.000-06:00

Received a note from D Doc of the Defenders wanting to know what we thought about this Bill so I read it. While it does not get rid of the Patriot Act it does make sone reasonably good changes. They have to do something by the end of the year or several parts of the Act will expire.

Consider this to be a HEADS UP for our WARRIORS to get in touch with your Congressman/woman and tell (you notice I said Tell) to Co-Sponsor HR 3845 immediately.

Do not mistake this as a Call To Action fron the Defenders I am asking our membership to respond to this issue immediately. They will issue their own request if it is so desired.

Thanks,
Sputnik
State Chair
Texas MC Rights Association

Health Care Bill??

2009-11-09T08:13:00.000-06:00

HEALTH CARE ??
I spent most of the day Saturday watching C-Span while the House debated
the Health Care Plan. First you must understand that Nancy Pelosi and a
few of her top Cohorts went behind closed doors and wrote the last 1000
pages of this 2032 page Bill without any committee hearings on that part
of the Bill. Despite many Democrats saying they would not vote for the
Bill if it contained a clause to pay for Abortion that was put into the
Bill. Congressman Stupak introduced an Amendment to remove that clause
from the Bill and it passed with a wide margin.
The Republicans introduced a substitute Bill which was defeated. Then the
vote was called for. 39 Democrats voted against the Bill and I Republican
from New Orleans voted in favor of the Bill. The Bill passed 220 Ayes to
215 Nayes. While Speaker Pelosi claimed a huge victory this Bill is
clearly a long way from being a done deal.
This Bill is not about Health Care it is about insurance. Congressman
Boehner read through some of the things included in the Bill from the
podium. Some of the things this included are:
Everyone will be required to buy insurance. Those who do not can be fined
as much as $250,000 and spend up to five years in the penitentiary.
A Health Czar will be appointed who will make your health decisions for
you. He will decide what treatment you need, how much it will cost and
establish a waiting list for your treatment.
It will cover Illegal Aliens.
Several other Agencies will be established to watch over other portions of
the Bill. A fund will be setup to teach you how to deal with your
children.
Medicare Benefits will be cut and premiums will be increased.
If a state has Tort Reform this Bill will over ride that Law or the state
will pay a penalty to the Feds.
This is just a little of what this supposed Health Care Bill does for or
to you. Pay attention. Watch C-Span 2 as the Senate takes up their Bill
next year.

Sputnik

SD is requesting copies of handlebar tickets from out of state

2009-11-02T22:38:00.001-06:00

South Dakota is considering legislation to repeal our handlebar height law. If you know anyone that was stopped for handlebar height while in South Dakota (no out of state incidents please) please have them send me:

1. A copy of the citation –or-if not cited their testimonial with a signature that it happened…need the usual when and where details of course.

2. If possible a photo of the rider and bike as cited

3. If willing, a testimonial about whether this event affected your plans to return to South Dakota and spend your tourist dollars.

4. The reason you like the bars at that height. We realize this will not be scientific, remember you will be talking to a intelligent legislator that doesn’t understand your position.

Additionally, we are also trying to build a file on Stop lights that don’t sense motorcyclists. Same request as above, if you experienced this in South Dakota last year, please let me know.

Please email any responses to: sdimpacchair@yahoo.com

Thanks

Larry Nielson

Legislative Officer ABATE of SD
MRF Rep South Dakota

Senator John Cornyn - Official YouTube Channel

2009-10-30T23:10:00.002-05:00

The Senator has a youtube channel. You may want to look at this to see what our senator is saying.

http://www.youtube.com/SenJohnCornyn#p/u/

09NR36 - MRF News Release - Senate Committee Holds Distracted Driving Hearing

2009-10-30T12:52:00.001-05:00

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE | Suite 510 | Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice) | 202-546-0986 (fax) | http://www.mrf.org

09NR36 - MRF News Release - Senate Committee Holds Distracted Driving Hearing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 October 2009

Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF V.P. of Government Relations

Senate Committee Holds Distracted Driving Hearing

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee recently held a hearing to look into the dilemma of distracted driving. Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), was in attendance. The MRF submitted an official statement for the record on this hearing. That document is available on the MRF website at http://www.mrf.org/2009/CST_Statement_record_distracted.pdf.

Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) opened the hearing with a startling fact; at any given moment, 11 % of all of drivers on the road are holding an electronic device. That’s over 800,000 people, and that’s only one form of distraction. Rockefeller used this opportunity to unveil some new legislation. He and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) are introducing a bill that would provide grants to states to be used in anti-distracted driving efforts. When the MRF gets a look at the language regarding the requirements for obtaining these grants, a position will be established.

The Committee heard first from Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who is not a committee member, but proposes withholding 25% of highway money for states until they enact a law that bans the practice of texting while operating a motor vehicle. His legislation S 1536 (and the companion bill in the House, HR 3535) would blackmail the states into passing a law they might not want. The MRF believes this is a state’s rights issue first and foremost, and does not support withholding highway funds in this manner for any reason. Beyond that, Schumer’s bill only singles out the worst of the worst forms of distraction. That’s not good enough; the motorcyclists of this country deserve to have all forms of distracted driving discontinued voluntarily.

The Committee next heard from Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Communications Commission Chairman (FCC) Julius Genachowski about what their respective agencies are doing or plan to do to stop distracted driving. The FCC is undertaking a consumer awareness campaign much like “click it or ticket.” Secretary LaHood perhaps said it best when he said, “Education is number one,” meaning let’s use the carrot, not the stick, or in this case use the Rockefeller, not the Schumer. LaHood also had some interesting advice – using your brain. Moms, don’t call your kids when you know they are driving. Bosses, don’t call your employees when you know they are driving. Basically, be part of the solution. Just because you aren’t driving doesn’t mean the other half of your conversation isn’t. Good advice for all of us. LaHood also called for a broader focus beyond texting and talking, such as cheeseburgers and CD changers and so on. Anyone remember the old Norelco commercials that attempted to make distracted driving look cool?

Committee member Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) had perhaps the most interesting approach for the role of federal government in this issue – do nothing. He said, “Let’s use the states as an incubator. A lot of states have passed good distracted driving laws; let’s let them continue to do that and see what works and what doesn’t, and go from there.” This proposed approach drew some criticism, but it does make some sense.

Ultimately the federal government will get involved, and their solution is likely to be part carrot, part stick. As always, the MRF will keep you up to speed on this and all issues affecting motorcyclists.

Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or call 1-202-546-0983

Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for further details and registration information.

Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF's Young Activist Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visit http://www.mrfae.org/yas.php.

Sign up today for the MRF's new roadside assistance program by visiting http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members and non-MRF members.

© All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists' rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists' rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early 1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause of rider safety and rider freedom.

The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists' rights organizations and the very founders of the American riders' rights movement among its leading members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists' rights organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.

District Advisors Meeting

2009-10-25T22:14:00.000-05:00

I will be unable to attend the Advisor meeting on Nov. 15th. I believe it best if we cancel the meeting and tryto schedule something in December.

Sputnik

Attention US Defender Team,

2009-10-15T22:45:00.003-05:00

This a National Call to Action(CTA). Attached and included in this email isinformation about the CTA, how to contact your US Representative, a sampleletter for your Representative, and a link to more detailed information about HR2057.

* Review the information about HR 2057, you may find more information about HR2057 by following the link below in this announcement.
* Use the link included in this email to find your US Representative. Attached is a sample letter that you may use and personalize for yourself. Be courteous and professional in your letter---make sure you fill in the correct date and your Representative's name.
* Use the letter to ask your Representative to support and cosponsor this resolution. Using the list below, if your Representative is already cosponsoring HR 2057 ask him/her to further support it and bring this resolution into law.
* Print two copies of your letter, include your full name and complete address and zip code, sign one copy and mail it to your US Representative. Give the second copy to the unit commander of your US Defenders Program or the regional COIR representative.
* This CTA should be completed within 72 hours.

HR 2057, Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act of 2009, as this resolution is currently in the US House of Representatives - Committee on Energy and Commerce introduced on 4/22/09 protects the right of individuals and independent repair shops to have to necessary tools in order to make repairs to vehicles of all types, including motorcycles.
HR 2057 is sponsored by:
Rep. E. Towns[ NY-10] and cosponsored by:
Rep Altmire, Jason [PA-4] - 5/21/2009
Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] - 5/14/2009
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] - 5/12/2009
Rep Boucher, Rick [VA-9] - 4/30/2009
Rep Brown, Corrine [FL-3] - 5/14/2009
Rep Butterfield, G. K. [NC-1] - 7/28/2009
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] - 9/23/2009
Rep Carney, Christopher P. [PA-10] - 9/10/2009
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 5/12/2009
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 5/14/2009
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 6/17/2009
Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] - 5/21/2009
Rep Delahunt, Bill [MA-10] - 7/28/2009
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 4/22/2009
Rep Etheridge, Bob [NC-2] - 6/4/2009
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 6/4/2009
Rep Fudge, Marcia L. [OH-11] - 7/31/2009
Rep Gerlach, Jim [PA-6] - 4/30/2009
Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 6/4/2009
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 7/28/2009
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 7/10/2009
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] - 6/4/2009
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 6/17/2009
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 6/26/2009
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] - 6/17/2009
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 7/10/2009
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 5/21/2009
Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] - 7/28/2009
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] - 4/22/2009
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 7/28/2009
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] - 6/26/2009
Rep Perriello, Thomas S.P. [VA-5] - 7/31/2009
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] - 5/21/2009
Rep Price, David E. [NC-4] - 6/26/2009
Rep Rogers, Mike D. [AL-3] - 4/30/2009
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 6/4/2009
Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7] - 6/4/2009
Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] - 6/4/2009
Rep Shuler, Heath [NC-11] - 4/30/2009
Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13] - 7/31/2009
Rep Welch, Peter [VT] - 4/30/2009

Information about the Right to Repair Act:
A link to HR 2057 to this email for reference.
http://thomas.loc.gov/

What the right to repair does:
Reaffirms the owners' right to repair their vehicle and keep their families
safe.
Promotes consumer safety by allowing owners or their vehicles technicians'
access to the computers that control the systems and components that affect the
safe operation of their vehicles.
Permits owners to choose the repair shop and the replacement parts to service
and maintain their vehicles.
Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate regulations to
protect consumers and to promote competition in vehicle maintenance and repair.
What it does not do:
It does not take a manufacturer's intellectual property.
It does not affect the dealer's warranty agreement with the vehicle manufacturers.
It does not require manufacturers to disclose manufacturing processes or tradesecrets.
***More information may be read at: Right to Repair Coalition
http://snipurl.com/s4rw6

***Contact information for your US Representative may be found at:
http://snipurl.com/s4rwd

To get the address follow the link to the edit and contact feature.
This is our very first National CTA, follow the USD model, network amongst yourselves and get busy! Timing is very important, we need to respond in concert together from all across the United States acting as ONE VOICE, ONE HEART and let our numbers speak!
Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Use our website http://www.usdefenders.org/ to post on the message board your successes and your challenges.
Good Luck and Godspeed
The National US Defender Officer Team

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

2) From:
Sample Letter:

Date

Dear Representative__________,

I am writing you today concerning HR 2057, Right to Repair Act, and am asking you to support and cosponsor this bill.
Modern vehicles, including motorcycles, contain advanced technology that monitors or controls virtually every function of the vehicle including: brakes, steering, air bags, fuel delivery, ignition, lubrication,theft prevention, emission controls and soon, tire pressure.
Vehicle owners and independent shops need full access to the information, parts and tools necessary to accurately diagnose, repair or re-program these systems. Vehicle manufacturers are making access to such vital information increasingly difficult to obtain for the independent aftermarket and its customers. Without access to critical information, parts and tools, motorists are forced to patronize new car dealerships, which may not be convenient oreasily accessible to a car owner and may increase the cost of repairs which adds a financial burden onto my household

This bill is sponsored by Representative E. Towns [NY-10]and co-sponsored by forty-one other members of the US House and is in the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Once again, I urge you to support and cosponsor HR 2057 in an effort to protect my ability to make timely and affordable repairs to my vehicles.
I appreciate your time and thank you for your support on this effort.

Sincerely,
Full Name
Complete Address and zip code

Lane Splitting

2009-09-28T23:14:00.001-05:00

This is why I refused to support thie Lane Splitting Bill. THese are all in just one area.
Sputnik

http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_13433868

Recent deaths highlight dangers of lane-splitting By Jason Sweeney Oakland Tribune Posted: 09/28/2009 12:00:00 AM PDT Updated: 09/28/2009
04:44:24 AM PDT
Click photo to enlargeA motorcyclist splits lanes on Interstate 238. Two motorcyclists died this year splitting lanes...«12»HAYWARD — So-called "lane-splitting" on a motorcycle is perfectly legal, but Officer Cristina Tagle of the California Highway Patrol asks, "Is it really worth it?"
Bikers have an obvious advantage when it comes to the daily commute, but Tagle said splitting lanes — riding alongside other vehicles, between lanes — carries significant risk, as exemplified by three deaths this year in the Hayward-San Leandro area.
Earlier this month, John McGuinness, 45, of Alameda, was killed while splitting lanes on Interstate 880 in San Leandro. He lost control of his motorcycle and collided with two vehicles, police said.
In June, Jason Amaya, 29, of San Mateo, was killed on Interstate 238.
In February, Jeremie Troub, 28, of Mountain House, was run over by a big rig, also on Interstate 238, in Castro Valley.
"California does not have a law that prohibits (lane-splitting)," CHP Sgt.
Kevin Briggs said. "But you're still subject to all the laws in the Vehicle Code. Everything still applies."
That means if traffic is moving at 65 mph, a motorcyclist splitting lanes can be cited for speeding. "But catching them is a different matter,"
Briggs said.
Lane-splitters also can be cited for "unsafe speed," which Briggs said is "a judgment call."
Briggs, a motorcycle officer for 10 years, said he has encountered all manner of danger while on the job.
"You have people that don't use a blinker that pull out right in front of you, people that are angry and will block your way, people opening doors,"
he said. To avoid the dangers, "You have to use sound judgment."
Fernando Camilli, 35, is a motorcycle enthusiast who knows the risks.
Camilli is president of the Hayward chapter of the Bay Area Delinquents — the motorcycle club that Troub previously led.
Camilli was friends with Troub. He said I-238, where Troub was killed, is a particularly notorious spot because of narrow lanes and the large number of trucks that leave little space between lanes for a motorcycle.
"When I drive through there, I think, Jeremie, man, why here?" Camilli said.
Camilli has been in two motorcycle accidents in the last four years, suffering road rash, bruises and a concussion. But splitting lanes on his Yamaha R6 is not something he is going to give up.
"We split lanes every day, commute time, night time," he said. "In 60,000 miles on a sport bike, I just don't think there's a class they could give that could teach an awareness while you're lane-splitting. You can't re-create that environment. It is something you learn from experience."
He said inexperienced motorcyclists can make unsafe decisions, but even for experienced riders, the danger is always there from drivers who are not paying attention.
"Everybody knows the risks. We know it every day, the minute we stick that leg over the bike. Everybody knows the consequences. You never hope it's going to be your time, but it can be any time."
Even so, he hopes no laws are passed to prohibit lane-splitting, as has been done in other states.
In these days of crowded freeways and heightened environmental awareness, Camilli asks that drivers see motorcycles not as a dangerous nuisance, but as a green, fuel-efficient alternative to cars.
Camilli says Troub's death affected him deeply, but he did not consider giving up his bike.
"It's a freedom," he said. "It's a lifestyle. It's a way of life that I've been accustomed to."

November Constitutional Election

2009-09-26T20:40:00.004-05:00

Upcoming Constitutional Election
We have a constitutional election coming up on Nov 3rd 2009. The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 Constitutional Amendment election is Monday, Oct. 5. Please call (1-800-252-VOTE (8683)) or show up and register to vote. You can also fill out the form from http://www.votexas.org/
Here is a link to the sample ballot.
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/sampleballot-2009amendments.pdf

Here is an internet link to the amendments and a short explanation of what their intent is.
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/2009novballotexp.shtml

Always remember when it comes to voting for constitutional amendments. If you don’t know then just vote NO! If you don’t understand it, then it was written badly or not properly explained. Also it takes a lot longer to get a lost freedom back.

Here is a link to the pro's and con's of each amendment.
http://www.lwvtexas.org/2009VG/2009CAVG[FINAL].pdf

Please read and make your voice be heard. Voting is your right that your forefathers gave you in blood. Not voting is submission to someone else's decisions. If you submit, don't complain to me about the outcome, you had your chance.

Da'Lady

2009-09-15T21:16:00.002-05:00

Posted on September 15, 2009

On Sunday, state Rep. Norma Chavez held a campaign kick-off event on El Paso’s East Side. Often seen as controversial or polarizing, Chavez’s event was several things all at once
-- party / political event / show of political strength.

The event attracted more than 800 people by the time it finally ended. If you’ve never attended a Chavez function and have attended similar events by other candidates and elected officials, you’d notice that Chavez does things differently.

You won’t find wine and cheese with a string quartet playing softly in the background. No hors d'oeuvres. What you will find is beans, beer, and brisket. Instead of a string quartet, there was a band and a DJ and no shortage of seniors cutting the rug.

I always knew Chavez was strong in her district; all you have to do is look at her numbers to see that. In her last contested race against Marty Reyes, she didn’t lose a single precinct and her smallest margin of victory in a precinct was over 60 percent of the vote. But the turnout at her event still surprised me.

Chavez took the opportunity to recognize several people who had done as Chavez recently has, completed their education later in life.

The other thing that makes a Chavez event unique is that you rarely leave empty-handed. Chavez is a big on door prizes. Funny thing about door prizes, turns out County Judge Anthony Cobos was in attendance and his name was drawn for a door prize. Unfortunately, he left before I got there and I didn’t get a chance to ask him if he was running for re-election.

But it’s really too bad that he wasn’t there to collect his prize, especially because I’m pretty sure he won’t be winning anything else in this town.

Most of the various candidates for the upcoming election made the obligatory stop at the Chavez event, including Sergio Coronado, Larry Medina, Beto Acosta, Norma Favela, Connie Telles-Odom, and the U.S. Senate candidate John Sharp.

Rumor has it that there may be a challenger against Chavez. The buzz is that Naomi Gonzalez is being courted to run against Chavez. Gonzalez last ran against city Rep. Emma Acosta in a previous special election to replace Jose Alejandro Lozano.

Speaking of Lozano, I was critical of him in the past because his campaign signs in his last attempt at public office looked to me to be a total rip-off of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign logo. So I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that things seem to have come full circle in El Paso. Coronado, a candidate for county judge, has some identity issues of his own. His campaign logo looks very much like President Obama’s during the campaign.

To add to the irony, his new campaign headquarters is located on Missouri, near downtown. That building also formerly housed the McCain/Palin headquarters.

Only in El Paso!

On a quick sidebar, I recently wrote a column that mentioned several El Pasoans that have a reputation for being government watchdogs. Well, another civically involved El Pasoan and former candidate for City Council, Walt Phillips, has taken ill. He is fighting prostate cancer and has several treatments ahead of him. When I spoke to Phillips, he told me "It was divine providence that I didn’t win because I wouldn’t have been able to serve." Phillips’ spirits are high and he ended our conversation by saying he’ll be around for a long time yet.

That’s Why They Call Her the People’s Rep

It drives some people nuts, not just those who comment here and on my blog, but other elected officials and politicos, that I refer to Chavez as the People’s Rep. For some insane reason, a few people even thought I was the one who came up with that label, but she’s been called the People’s Rep before I even came to El Paso.

Chavez has plenty of detractors and you could fill a phone book with legitimate criticisms of Chavez, but to be fair to Chavez, there’s a lot she’s done that people don’t know about. It's stuff that flies under the radar because it doesn’t involve a public meltdown, text messaging, or a fight with Congressman Silvestre Reyes, state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, state Rep. Marisa Marquez, or County Commissioner Veronica Escobar.

As I mentioned earlier, I was late to the event, but I stuck around while people were cleaning up. I noticed that several people that were serving food earlier (and helping Chavez hand out cake to kids) were lined up in front of Chavez who was sitting at a table. I realized Chavez was writing checks. Turns out Chavez was paying them for their work.

Normally, there is nothing remarkable about paying labor, DJ’s, etc after an event. But this was different. I talked to the workers and found out that they were from La Mujer Obrera and were women who needed work because of the situation over at Café Mayapan. Chavez has publicly supported them, which one would expect from an elected official. Sadly, she’s one of the few who have done so publicly.

But after talking to the women, I remembered something I had heard Cesar Chavez tell my dad once. He said that there was dignity in work, all work, no matter what it is. He also said that when you give someone the dignity of work, you feed their spirit.

It’s one thing to issue a press release or attend a public event with cameras and reporters in support of these women, but it’s a whole other thing to put your money where your mouth is. Chavez backed up her words with deeds. Chavez directed Lily Ruiz, a senior staffer, to collect the names of the women so that they can be given more work at a later date.

The food that was served came from Sin Fronteras, another local Latino-based organization. There’s a lot of criticism about Chavez when it comes to money, but one thing is for sure, she makes sure she supports her local community by spending money with people who need the business.

It wasn’t meant to be made public and she’ll probably be mad at me (again) for making it public. But it's something that needs to be made public, because for every meltdown or email fight she’s involved it, there are probably 100 acts of this nature that no one ever hears about.

So when people approach me with a stink-face and ask me, "Why do you keep calling her the People’s Rep?" I’ll tell them to ask those women.

Cash For Clunkers

2009-09-04T21:24:00.000-05:00

Indian Motorcycles Cash for Clunkers program August 31, 4:32 PM

Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Patty Davis

Indian Motorcycle Chief - source: http://www.indianmotorcycle.com The 'Cash
for Clunkers' program is not dead yet. Indian Motorcycle has just announced
their own version of the program. Indian will offer $3,000 for your old
clunker when you trade-in an old bike towards a new 2009 Indian Chief. Now
for the fine print: Trade in must be street legal, 100cc or larger and n
running and ride-able condition; NO mopeds, scooters, or dirt bikes are
eligible. Trade-in must have a clear title. This program cannot be used in
conjunction with any other program. Indian Motorcycle reserves the right to
alter or terminate this program at anytime at their sole discretion and
without notice.
So what is keeping you? Head to the nearest Indian dealer and check out the
Chief.

Sputnik

Good News

2009-09-04T21:15:00.001-05:00

The following stats come directly from TxDOT. I would say this is a direct
result of the Texas Transportation Institute put together to cut down on
Traffic fatalities, especially for motorcyclists. Several of our members sit
on the Board of that newly formed Institute.
The Motorcycle Awareness Program put together by TxDOT at our instance and
the full combination of effort put forth by all concerned parties over the
past year.
We have very high hopes that SB 1967 and the year round PSA's, increased
penalties for negligence and Rider Training will bring that number down even
farther.

Ride Free - Ride Sober

Sputnik
State Chair
Tx. MN Rights Assoc.

FYI

Motorcyclist Fatalities Comparison
*JAN 1, 2009 - AUG 24, 2009 = 264
*JAN 1, 2008 - AUG 24, 2008 = 344

Statistics
*80 less fatalities in 2009 versus 2008; during same period
*23.25% less fatalities in 2009 versus 2008; during same period.

Gonzo

Gonzalo A. Poncé
Program Manager
Traffic Safety Section
TxDOT | Traffic Operations Division

Desk: 512.416.3258
Cell: 512.965.4920
Fax: 512.416.3349
Email: gponce@dot.state.tx.us

Ed Freeman

2009-08-21T22:20:00.000-05:00

Ed Freeman

You're a 19-year-old kid. You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley , 11-14-1965, LZ X-ray, Vietnam . Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac helicopters to stop coming in.

You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you're not getting out. Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.

Then, over the machine gun noise, you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter and you look up to see an unarmed Huey, but it doesn't seem real because no Medi-Vac markings are on it.

Ed Freeman is coming for you. He's not Medi-Vac, so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire, after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come.

He's coming anyway.

And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire as they load 2 or 3 of you on board.

Then he flies you up and out, through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses.

And he kept coming back, 13 more times, and took about 30 of you and your buddies out, who would never have gotten out.

Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman died on Wednesday, June 25th, 2009, at the age of 80, in Boise , ID. May God rest his soul.

Medal of Honor Winner

Ed Freeman!

Since the media didn't give him the coverage he deserves, send this to every red-blooded American you know.

THANKS AGAIN, ED, FOR WHAT YOU DID FOR OUR COUNTRY.

RIP

MS NBC

2009-08-20T19:10:00.000-05:00

Will NBC be surprised??

Here's your chance to let the media know where the people stand on our faith in God, as a nation.

NBC is presently taking a poll on "In God We Trust" to stay on our American currency.

Please send this to every person you know so they can vote on this important subject.

Please do it right away, before NBC takes this off their web page. Poll is still open so you can vote:

CLICK ON BELOW, VOTE & THEN FORWARD TO FRIENDS

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/

If you agree forward it, if you don't, delete it.

09NR29 - MRF News Release - August Recess Prep

2009-08-12T12:18:00.002-05:00

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation236 Massachusetts Ave. NE Suite 510 Washington, DC 20002-4980202-546-0983 (voice) 202-546-0986 (fax) http://www.mrf.org

09NR29 - MRF News Release - August Recess Prep

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7 August 2009

Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President of Government Relationsjeff@mrf.org

With the House adjourned and the Senate set to do so any day now, your elected officials will be coming home to politic, vacation and interact with voters. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) recognizes this as a convenient, relaxed, and productive way to meet with your legislators in their home districts. One way that they interact with a lot of voters at once is the traditional town hall meeting. However, becoming more and more popular is the so-called “tele-town hall meeting” where you get a robo call asking you if you want to listen in on the actual meeting that usually took place a few hours earlier. While this new form of communicating can be very informative, it simply does not replace face-to-face interaction with the person you pay to represent you in Washington.

Unfortunately, the House Democratic leadership doesn’t feel that way. At this point everyone knows that Washington is urgently working on overhauling our health care system. You may have seen some footage earlier this week of Members of Congress holding town hall meetings and getting skewered by their constituents, who are begging them to not overhaul the entire system so fast or not to spend any more taxpayer money, as well as any other number of hot-button issues. Because this makes the health care overhaul unpopular with some voters, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has asked Members of Congress not to hold actual town hall meetings, but to instead hold only tele-town hall meetings. In a memo leaked to the MRF, House Democrat leadership lays out the reasons why Members should tele-town hall. It is, of course, up to the will of the elected official to hold or not hold traditional town hall meetings.

Now, let’s be clear, this is not about donkeys and elephants. This is about you being able to go to a town hall meeting and tell your elected official how you feel on any issue face to face. It’s about looking people in the eye and getting an answer, not just merely leaving a voicemail with your concerns.

So here’s your homework in the MRF’s view. Contact your two Senators and one Representative, who you pay to come to Washington, and find out when and where the real town hall meeting is; then plan to attend. They may hold more than one, but that’s not likely.

The MRF is concerned with a few issues that you should bring up. The first issue is the upcoming Highway Bill. The House Transportation Committee will be working on the bill at the full committee level in September. The current bill expires 9-30-09. US Senator Barbra Boxer, Chairwoman of Senate Committee on Envrironment and Public Works, has already passed the 18-month extension President Obama asked for. The MRF feels that a year and half is unacceptable. At this point some extension is necessary, but a year and half is just too long. Ask your elected officials to focus on the bill and pass it. We haven’t seen the entire bill yet, but House Chairman Oberstar has some very promising motorcycle-specific language on the table.

The other issue that the MRF feels you should bring up is health care reform. It’s not clear if the votes are there to pass a bill, but Democrat leadership is working hard to close the gap. We don’t have to demand that they not overhaul the system, we just have to look out for motorcyclists. At this point there are no anti-motorcycle provisions or suggestions. The MRF’s main concern is that it’s not unreasonable to think that at some point, someone in the government will suggest not covering motorcycle injuries in a government-run health plan, and that makes the idea of a government-run public plan unacceptable.

Please do not hesitate to contact the MRF DC office should you need any additional information.
==========================================================
Do not reply to this email, it will be discarded.
==========================================================

Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or call 1-202-546-0983
Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for further details and registration information.
Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF's Young Activist Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visit http://www.mrfae.org/yas.php.
Sign up today for the MRF's new roadside assistance program by visiting http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members and non-MRF members.

© All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists' rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists' rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early 1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause of rider safety and rider freedom.

The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists' rights organizations and the very founders of the American riders' rights movement among its leading members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists' rights organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.

Song

2009-08-10T19:02:00.001-05:00

Check out this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXzapdQsFHk

My Two Cents

2009-08-09T21:58:00.001-05:00

Food For Thought

Unlike most I have finally finished reading HR 3200 and it is absolutely terrible for our nation. Just over 1000 pages of the same thing offered by the Clinton administration. And if what is written in those pages isn’t bad enough Congressman Gene Green admitted during a Town Hall Meeting in Houston that the Amendments have not been added yet. They will be expected to pass the Bill without even reading the Amendments. In it’s final analysis (by me) this is not a health care plan at all but rather it is a national insurance plan. If the day comes when congress says " we will accept the same plan for our health insurance needs and pay the required taxes to own it" then you might have something you can believe in.
You may not be interested in the Health Care Bill but I feel compelled to now give you a Health Care Plan put together by a Texan for Texas that is easily understood, will not increase taxes and increases health care and it would be done in Texas for all Texans. Mr. Collins admits he doesn’t have all the answers but invites all Texans to join in to complete the final phase of who does what. I look forward to my input.

Collins: What health care crisis?
Pt. 3, an alternative proposal
by Tim Collins
There are numerous examples throughout the country of the success salaried medical professionals have in delivering increased levels of patient focused care. They achieve this success because they answer to medical outcomes, not a "piece work" schedule of payments.
Posted on August 3, 2009
Editor's note: This is the third of a series. Click here for part 1 and here for part 2.

***
In the last two parts of this series, I presented lots of numbers regarding private health insurance. I discussed salaries for executives, premiums, lawsuit settlements, taxes paid to support public health care and concluded, for me at least, that private health insurance provided very little if any value for its cost.
If you look at all the proposals for "reform" put forth by the Federal government, no matter which party they come from, they all offer more of the same. Preserve private health insurance, but add a public competitor.
To fund the public option we are offered increased taxes (ok only on the super rich if you believe the pronouncements), and reduced reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid. The assumptions for all these proposals are twofold: 1) Health care should be dealt with by the Federal government and 2) maintaining the existing third party model, including health insurance companies is required. Estimates for the cost of this reform can’t be nailed down with any degree of reality, but one trillion dollars over 10 years appears quite often. The goal of the Federal proposal, as far as I can tell is universal health care insurance.
More of the same is not exactly what I want from health care "reform". I don’t know about you, but what I want is to quit being afraid, angry, and disappointed.
Why am I afraid? I’m afraid because I am going broke paying for private health insurance. I am afraid that with the current Federal government proposal I will be paying even more and receiving even less. I’m afraid to even use the health insurance I have because every time I have, it has been followed by a large bill anyway. I’m afraid that after paying for health insurance my entire working career, in the end I will go bankrupt and leave nothing for my children as my savings are taken to pay for medical care as I lay dying.
Why am I angry? I’m angry at the health insurance company that takes over $8,000 per year out of my pocket and seemingly provides little in return.
I’m angry because I was foolish enough to study this topic. My study showed me just how much profit these health insurers are making, and how much of that profit is spent on lobbying politicians, bloated salaries for executives, fines paid for denying legitimate claims, and hundreds of other things that do nothing to reduce my premiums or improve the care I receive.
I’m angry because despite the billions of tax dollars dedicated to health care for the poor and the elderly, we still hear about millions that do not receive adequate health care. I’m angry because everyday I read of the games played by health care providers to dump the uninsured onto the public system and of the public system delaying and denying services simply to keep their system running. I’m angry with health care professionals gaming the system to increase their reimbursement rate (in the worse case), or to make the required treatment fit the restrictions of the health "plan" that will cover the cost. I’m angry with the government bureaucracy with its ever decreasing reimbursement rates and complicated accounting system that push providers to do so and add administrative costs to the whole system.
Why am I disappointed? I’m disappointed because it is obvious to me that our elected officials are listening more to the lobbyist for the doctors, insurers and lawyers than they are actually debating what is the right thing to do. I’m disappointed that the debate has devolved into name-calling and personal attacks, instead of reflective and informed debate on the best way to achieve or even define a shared objective that benefits the nation. I’m disappointed that so many everyday citizens are blindly following the political partisan positions and dividing along class lines on this issue. I’m disappointed because I always thought that as a nation we were smarter than this "debate" has shown us to be.
I’m afraid, angry, and disappointed because my own government is offering more of the same and calling it reform. I’m afraid, angry and disappointed that partisan politics has framed the discussion into one camp arguing everyone has a "right" to health care and the other screaming "socialism".
I’m afraid, angry and disappointed that neither side sees that we can achieve the goal of improved access to health care for all using existing infrastructure and at the same time not bankrupt the nation or add additional monetary burdens on anyone. I’m afraid, angry and disappointed that the interest of the health insurance and legal lobbies in profits is being put ahead of the interests of the citizens needs.
Why not try a different approach?
I previously stated and will repeat here because to me it is the crux of the issue: Health care is not an individual right; but providing needed medical care is a moral obligation of a just society. So how do we build a system that provides the care required by all, and not bankrupt the nation or any individual? We don’t.
What if I told you that every state in the union already has such a system, they just need to be expanded and integrated? What if I also told you that we could expand these systems, save you money, and reduce the cost of operations? What if I told you the biggest loser in going this route would be the private health insurers? What if I told you the end result would be universal health care – not universal health insurance?
How about a state based approached using existing and expanded health care infrastructure and a pre-paid, mutually funded, non-profit, health care approach instead of insurance?
I know it sounds either crazy or socialist depending on your perspective, but why rush immediately to a national approach that continues the health insurance financing model? Do we really need to rush to a solution without discussing alternatives? If I can ask your indulgence, hear me out before dismissing me as a socialist dreamer.
What is required for health care delivery?
It really isn’t that complicated a question. To deliver quality health care you need: property & equipment (infrastructure), people (health care professionals and administration), and money (funding). Let’s take an inventory of how we stand in these areas in Texas.

Property & Equipment
According to the Texas Department of State health Services (DSHS), in 2008 there were 267 hospitals in the state designated as Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals. Of these 81 (30.3%) were directly owned and operated by the public, 152 (56.9%) were non-profits and 34 (12.7%) were for profit institutions. As you can see, the facilities are already in place and operating. This does not even count the number of neighborhood and rural medical clinics throughout the state.
Let’s think a little broader in our definition of a medical care facility.
How much and what kind of space and equipment is needed for primary, non-emergency, care and diagnosis? Seems to me a decent size office and examination room should fit the bill, perhaps include a simple x-ray machine. Where could we find such space already owned by the local government? How about our schools?
Think about it. One of the major issues in health care delivery is the flooding of emergency rooms with non-emergency patients, for the most part uninsured. Now how many these "emergency" patients have a school in their neighborhood? How many of these patients are actually school aged children, or their less than school age siblings? How many of these schools already have a nurse’s office? How many of our schools still have countless "portables" left over from the pre-construction bond days?
If we use existing buildings for this use, would we not make primary health care more accessible, even in our rural areas? Obviously we would have to provide the required medical equipment and "tools" as well. I don’t have the expertise to define what that requirement would be, but I am certain we have the people with that knowledge in our public medical community. In the area of property and equipment we are most certainly not starting from square one with an empty pantry.

People
How many medical professionals do we need to provide care for all? How many do we currently have working in the public hospitals that exist today? How many more are working in other non-hospital settings operated by state and local government?
In the school system we have nurses, counselors, speech and language pathologist, physical therapists, psychiatrist and psychologists and who knows what other medical or medical related professionals. I know for a fact that Ysleta School District here in El Paso makes affordable dental care available to its students.
In our Department of Public Safety we have Emergency Medical Technicians, and disaster response teams.
In our Department of Health and Human Services we have similar professional staff as we have in our schools.
We must literally have thousands of state and local government employees already engaged in providing health care to "financially" qualified citizens.
How many more do we need to provide care to all? How much more and more efficient care could we provide if we coordinated our efforts better and broke away from the county based delivery system?
How many administrative professionals does state and local government currently employ to meet the reporting, inspection, regulation, and accounting for health care provided throughout the state?
How many aspiring future medical professionals are sitting in our classrooms today that could easily fill our future needs, if the cost of the needed education was not an immovable obstacle?
Again, in the area of people, we are not starting from square one; our pantry is not empty.

Money
As previously discussed, funding for existing health care services ($29,681,049,686 in 2008), is provided through taxes of all types, including property, Medicare/Medicaid, sales taxes, workers compensation, and private charitable giving. In 2008 this expenditure was only second to what we expend on education in Texas, in previous years health care was the largest single expense at the state level. Add to that amount the money every property owner in El Paso, and I am sure every Texas county, contributes through their property taxes to schools and county hospitals.
So before you start yelling "socialist" and "socialism", consider that we already have extensive publicly funded health care and for the most part it is provided for and to those without private insurance, or those of limited financial means and "paid" for by those of us more financially fortunate.
How much more money could be made available if each of us stopped paying our health insurance premiums to a private carrier and instead made even 50% of that amount directly to a government owned health care delivery system? While writing this story I received notice that my out of pocket premium for health insurance rose 21% with my latest paycheck. I am now paying roundly $796.00 per month for health insurance, on top of what I pay the state to support health care efforts. Think about it.
How much are you paying and who benefits the most – you or that health insurance CEO bringing home a multi-million dollar salary? Many who oppose a government health care program complain that such a program would give the government an unfair advantage over the for profit insurers. Profit it is said is the heart of our free market system and eliminating the profit motive eliminates the motivation for advancement and innovation. What many fail to mention or perhaps understand is that profit is calculated after salaries are paid. I make no apologies; when it comes to providing affordable health care, profit cannot and should not be the measure of success. Patient care and the quality of that care is the only measure that matters.
As with property & equipment, and people, we are not starting from square one with an empty pantry. The money we need to reorganize, expand and deliver quality health care to a larger population of citizens is already in the market. We do not need a trillion dollars of new expense or debt to improve the access, quality and delivery of health care.

The bottom line
The current proposals under development in Washington, D.C. are unacceptable. They cost too much, provide little actual "reform", are designed to appease well-funded special interest groups, and in the end will do little to improve actual health care provided. The assumption that this issue must be addressed at a national level is wrong on many levels.
There is a role for the national government, but it is not a controlling role, it is a supporting role. Health care, like education is best addressed and delivered at the local and state level.
The current health care system is based on a "piece work" payment structure. Payments are made based on a schedule of services that an insurer (whether private of government) establishes. Payment levels are adjusted frequently and usually downward, practically forcing health care providers to figure out a way to work the system to increase their payments. Medical services are not the same as garment production and should not be compensated in a similar fashion. There are numerous examples throughout the country of the success salaried medical professionals have in delivering increased levels of patient focused care.
They achieve this success because they answer to medical outcomes, not a "piece work" schedule of payments. Don’t believe me? Google The Mayo Clinic and read their annual report. This should be the model for building a state level system.
In the next part of this series I will offer my thoughts on the specific roles for Federal, State and Local governments in meeting this challenge.
For now I ask only that the reader consider what I have proposed and bombard me with your questions, comments and concerns. I freely admit I do not have all the answers to this challenge and welcome your help in developing my position and proposals.
Tim Collins is a business development manager, and calls himself a fiscal conservative and social liberal Independent voter who proudly has called El Paso home since 1999

Just food for thought. I shall try to bring you the next part of the series. In the meantime if you believe this is a better way to go let your Congress man know.

Sputnik
　

Reports

2009-08-02T15:36:00.000-05:00

That's what I'm talkin' about.

The 1st Brazoria Chapter held their meeting on August 1st. On August 2nd I received a very good report from Frank, it is now downloaded, formatted and placed into the Warrior for September 1st. Thanks Frank.

Now if the other chapter follow suit and each Advisor has a report by the 25th the September Warrior will be a good issue.

Sputnik

State Chair

Warrior

2009-08-02T15:35:00.002-05:00

Here is the August Warrior. If you have Dial up it could take up to 10 minutes or so to open but the alternative would be to take out the color and/or the pictures.

We hope it meets with your approval. On the final page just click on theclickit and enjoy.

Sputnik

http://tmra2.org/images/warrior200908.pdf