Damn it - I'm angry

Why is that "health" care companies feel they have the right to scam Medicare clients and all others?

Why don't they do health care insuring [and assuring] and not "pick-your-pocket" and damn the consequences type of behavior?

From the Sunday New York Times

October 7, 2007
Medicare Audits Show Problems in Private Plans
By ROBERT PEAR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 — Tens of thousands of Medicare recipients have been victims of deceptive sales tactics and had claims improperly denied by private insurers that run the system’s huge new drug benefit program and offer other private insurance options encouraged by the Bush administration, a review of scores of federal audits has found.

The problems, described in 91 audit reports reviewed by The New York Times, include the improper termination of coverage for people with H.I.V. and AIDS, huge backlogs of claims and complaints, and a failure to answer telephone calls from consumers, doctors and drugstores....The audits document widespread violations of patients’ rights and consumer protection standards. Some violations could directly affect the health of patients — for example, by delaying access to urgently needed medications. [emphasis mine - LD]

Full article here HERE

Call me whatever - but I'd rather have the government doing health care than these greedy , out-to-scam-everyone corporate types whose only interest is the bottom line and their shareholders.

The people buying the insurance? We are just pawns in their game. And I have seen the "game" both as a provider and as an insured! Believe me - insurance companies are out for your money - not your health!

VoteVets, Keith and moral disgust from the repugs

If you support our veterans and our children [aka troops] watch this clip from Keith Olbermann

The repugnant repugs are using the phony soldier crap from fat drug boy to raise money!

Do you need a laugh?

Because if you do - read this and thank you Kos.
[that's where I first saw this logo]

but the comments are really funny - especially with Larry Craig still in the news

And yes, this is real, not an extremely clever photoshop job, and truly encapsulates what the Republican Party is all about.

Wide stance? Check.

In Minneapolis? Check.

Prison stripe-wearing? Check.

Starry eyed? Check.

As for the elephant humping the "2008"...

Are they going for a "Still screwing the country in 2008" theme, or is it a reference to hypocritical adulterers like David Vitter and just about the entire Republican presidential field?

All of the above? Check!

Apparently they ran out of space for a collapsing bridge.

Update: Can't you just picture the Daily Show and Colbert Report writers salivating at the possibilities?

Update II: From the comments:

The Blue-to-Red ratio looks to be about 80%-20%. That sounds about right for the 2008 election too.

[I]t looks like the elephant is wrapping himself in the flag.

Very appropriate for 2008. The elephant has Assumed the Position

Crapping on Minneapolis?

Elephants only stand on their hind legs for one thing; count on the Extinction Party to know nothing of their habits.

[N]ot to mention that the head looks like a snake coming out of a monkey's ass.

And okay, this is my new favorite:

Total roadkill. [I]t really does look like an elephant that just got ran over by a truck and is now splattered and dazed on the ground, covered in skid marks.

And more from what might be one of the funniest threads ever on this site:

The Lone Star eye of Texas is trained on the "con" in convention. How appropriate

The head looks like it is partially decapitated.

An elephant never forgets how.

Judging by the shape of the eye, I'd say he's been shot in the face by Cheney.

Two updates

For info on the Bridgeton levee hearing go to: http://ibridgeton.com

And regarding Larry Craig....he has decided he will stay in his Senate seat... retire at the end of his term - and not seek re-election. Just what his Senate Republican allies did not want : - 0

Poor Larry Craig

Guess this too will be blamed on "activist judges."

The Minnesota judge refused to allow Larry Craig to withdraw his guilty plea......

“The defendant argues he pled in haste to prevent the allegation in this case from being publicized, thus doing damage to his political reputation. This pressure was entirely perceived by the defendant and was not a result of any action by the police, the prosecutor, or the court.”

The judge also scolded Craig for his argument that his plea was “not intelligently made.”

"The Defendant, a career politician with a college education, is of, at least, above-average intelligence. He knew what he was saying, reading, and signing,” Porter wrote.

Full article: http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/175263.html

votevets counter the drug addict's noise

Mr drug addict who never wore a uniform has decreed that is you disagree with him and are a soldier - you are a "phony" soldier
and the wingnuts are gleeful about this new phrase he uses.....

Shame on all of them

Here is a votevets ad that says it better than I do....

Science? Not from this administration

Another in the long line of "my way - the mad king george way" - even about science - you know the area we used to say the USA was good at.

Well apparently science is not good anymore if it conflicts with a corporate bottom line!!

From an op-ed in the L.A. Times ...

What science the Bush administration chooses to stifle or promote seems to be a matter of politics and economics. According to a recent story in the Washington Post, the multibillion-dollar baby formula industry pressured the Department of Health and Human Services to weaken a 2004 public-service campaign promoting breast-feeding -- and it worked, even though the science supported the other side.

Numerous studies suggest that breast milk protects infants from developing certain illnesses and that formula-feeding increases their health risks.

The ad campaign was designed to drive home that point. Now the health of millions of infants is at risk because mothers don't have the scientific knowledge the ads would have conveyed to make an informed choice between breast- or formula-feeding.

According to the Post, a recent report by an agency within the Health and Human Services Department makes the same point as the canceled ads but has also been downplayed by the government because of pressure from the formula industry.

Full article http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/sunday/commentary/la-op-orent30sep30,1,5921620.story

As a Developmental Psychologist who advocates "real" science and breast feeding for optimal development in infants - this is sickening!

Don't children count anymore? Rhetorical question - of course they don't...they don't vote!

If you are in D.C. on October 2 - you might be interested

SCREEN JUSTICE 2007-8

FILM AND DISCUSSION SERIES

Tuesday October 2

David A Clarke School of, Law, Bldg 39, Room 201

5:30-6:15pm Reception; 6:15-7:15 Screening; 7:15-7:45 Q&A

Red Line Metro to Van Ness/UDC Station

Enter between buildings 38 & 39 on Connecticut Avenue

For more information: 202.274.7400

Louis Brandeis: The People’s Attorney (2007)

Justice Louis D. Brandeis was universally regarded as one of the great champions of liberty, progress, and justice. A ferocious litigator with a deep sense of social justice, Brandeis was a pioneer. This film deftly weaves his complex personal life, his character and his achievements together to make a rich tapestry of a giant of US legal history.

Q&A with John Brittain, Chief Counsel and Senior Deputy Director for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Professor Brittain has a background of thirty-five years in the legal profession including twenty-eight years in legal education with substantial experience in public interest litigation. He was President of the National Lawyers Guild (1991-93) and is a past member of the National Board of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and a long time member of the National Conference of Black Lawyers and the National Bar Association.