Boomers have a job to do, before we exit stage SSI

I had a rude awakening Saturday morning; I got my AARP card in the mail. I didnt ask for it, but apparently my 49.65 years triggers the computer to add me to the roster of what has become and will continue to be a very powerful group of citizens.

Sunday evening I had another jolt, as I watched 60 minutes air a segment featuring the US Comptroller General (David Walker) and his efforts to inform the public as to our pending fiscal crisis, no really this time.More than the War on Terror, the Impact of Illegal immigration or geo-political hot spots...Mr. David M. Walker made a compelling case (and to my mind a call to action) that our greatest crisis are the promises (financial commitments) made and IOU's written by our government on OUR behalf.

As we Boomers enter into this transitional stage (between the years when we produce the most, earn the most etc.) to an almost full throttle reversal, where we consume the most from the government dole, we have an ever shrinking window of opportunity to give our children a "chance at prosperity". Perhaps we can stave-off a class war based on age.

Mr. Walker suggests (and apparently with very little opposition) that our current promises for SSI and Medicare will bankrupt this country (beyond our ability to even borrow to operate) by 2040. Apparently Medicare is an even bigger financial crisis than SSI. These promises, our aging demographic and other mitigating issues have been discussed in other venues multiple times, but the clarity and logic driven by Mr. Walkers' presentation was very impactful to me.

What is almost worse, is that we arent even getting a fair deal for our current overspent dollar (I dont mean the current devalued currency exchange). I refer to the BLOATED ENTRENCHED AND BROKEN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. Despite paying 50% more than any other nation (both per capita and collectively) on Health Care we do not enjoy better health results; (infant mortality, life expectancy, and other metrics all suggest we are "middle of the roaders"). That is the metaphorical equivaliant of paying $800 a night to stay at a Ramada Inn.

Of course, we can mitigate some of the damage but, the numbers and weight of us aging "gimme mores" is a financial tsunami of biblical proportions. Our children and grandchildren will not be able to earn enough to sustain the weight of this gray directed flushing water. Compounding this issue is the rate of inflation for Health Care being 2x the nations general inflation rate. We have set the stage for political patricide. The hordes of us needy grays vs. the vigors of a minority but youthful generation pressed against each others need to not just exist, but to enjoy the level of consumerism we have come to expect.

Oh and unless you havent noticed the solidification of the family unit aint at an all time HIGH.This financial squeeze, the politics of pandering and a culture of "whats' in it for me" will reach an apex and something will have to give (or be given back).

Here is what I suggest;

1) immediately take the experts and lobbyists out of the health care debate. They are too entrenched in their own agendas to be grounded enough to find a solution.The AMA, ABA, HMO's and the Drug Companies have wrestled each other to a "stale mate of inaction".

2) Cap litigation at $250K per patient

3) Establish independent medical review boards (retrain or toss bad doctors, stop simply raising their insurance rates)

4) Provide Universal access to "preventative medical services" (I dont care if that sounds socialists, better a little red, vs drowning in red ink).

5) Build the flipping border fence, if we cant take care of the promises made to the citizens, how do we justify more promises for non-citizens

6) Make the FTC acknowledge that the drugs made by company ABC and sold in Canada are just as safe as the drugs made by company ABC in the USA

7) Change medicare to a "service of last resort" as opposed to a "first choice" provider/payer. Allow and compel medicare to reimburse for generic drugs. Today, they dont allow Dr.s to prescribe generics (wonder who paid whom to make that rule).Hug your kids and tell them, please dont hate me for reaching into your 401K before you actually started one.

Commentary pro or con or off the wall...all are encouraged to ENGAGE

Our Founders Gave us a "Chance" at Liberty...

Happy 4th to you...

For me Independence Day is not just a collective celebration of the gifts we inherited from the Founders and those that came before us, but also a reminder that Liberty and our Republic require more than the foundation of a "theory of citizen-driven governance".

Just as we have give the Iraqi's a "chance at liberty" the ownership now falls to them to form for the quality and quantity of individual freedom they will enjoy for themselves, their children and their future. We should turn our attention towards are own level of self-determination, now under siege by an increasingly tone-deaf/lobby-led government.

You and me are key components to the quality and the longevity of our Nation.

Our ability to engage and remain engaged continues to be challenged by the forces of distraction and dismay. More specifically;

*succumbing to the idea that one person can't make a difference

**A work week that is now the longest in the world

***A culture increasingly distracted by the inane, the inconsequential and the ill-advised

****The increasing influence of lobbyists and money in the political arena

*****The technique of floating false issues used to distract our energy away from those dedicated to stealing your government from you.

Our nation, this "great experiment" or as Churchill described, "the worst form of government except for all the rest" is in desperate need of more citizen participation including;

*higher election turn out

**an increased effort to remain informed

***a price called participation that will eat into your other activities

****an anger that is controlled, directed and constructively deployed

(just like our founders did)

"All that evil needs to prevail is for good men (and women) to do nothing"

Happy Fourth, please share this with a friend

Commentary pro or con or off the wall...all are encouraged to ENGAGE

Scooter Scoots while Ramos and Campean Sit in Jail

As I read President Bush's comments to justify his commutation of Scooter Libbey's sentence, I was bemused by his declaration that as a "first time offender we must balance his crime against a life-long public service...yadayadayada". Does that description not fit Border Agents Ramos and Campean?

Could you not also add, having risked their lives for the public good? I agree that the Scooter lynching was a politically motivated affair. Of course, we'll probably learn what else lies behind (pun intended) the slimy VP's door. I can also agree with the President that some of the sentence was excessive (3yrs). However, Ramos and Campean both got 10 years for shooting an illegal border crossing drug runner in the a##.

GWB needs to find a little more ink in that commutation pen and a lot more love in his heart for two men placed in the most confusing of circumstances...sworn to fulfill their duties while you attempted to make their job irrelevant.

Commentary pro or con or off the wall...all are encouraged to ENGAGE