Gumption Editor, Lewis, Shares Thoughts on Recent SCOTUS Decision
Constitutionality of Obamacare, Passes Legal Litmus Test of a Heavily ‘Right-Wing’ Supreme Court, GOP Disheartened.
My thoughts may not matter to you from the next Joe Schmoe, but I like to believe that I have an informed opinion on this matter. My mother, who passed away in 2010 after a 1 year-10 month battle with breast cancer, and myself are DIRECT beneficiaries of the (obnoxiously named) “Obamacare” health care legislation. For my family and friends, especially those of you who may want to believe I lean to the right, know this, I WILL be voting for OBAMA in November because of this single piece of (watered down) legislation! For all the damn whinny Republicans out there, ENOUGH! I’m tired of hearing your diatribes on why this law is “bad for America.” Just turn on Fox News and see so-called “facts” about exactly why this is “bad.” My mother, God rest her soul, died of cancer, but was a primary beneficiary of Obama’s efforts to reign-in healthcare costs and greedy insurance companies. And for those Nay-Sayers out there who say the law didn’t even take affect until recently, I respond, how dare you disrespect the improved care my mother got. I know for a fact that the benefits of the Affordable Care Act was felt by my family as early as 2009, when she was first diagnosed. Also, I benefited because after she died I got really depressed, suicidal even, and could not have afforded in-patient and out-patient therapies, let alone these damned expensive medicines, such as Saphris (which is like $600/month without insurance). The bill, in my opinion, was extremely less effective after the GOP bitched and complained, eventually getting portions of the bill altered or removed entirely. I apologize in advance for this digression, but the Op-Ed below, by Larry Champeau, was published by personal request of Mr. Champeau himself. Mr. Champeau happens to be a close relative of mine, one I value dearly, as did my mother. His views on this topic are very fair. I especially like the first few sentences:
I really don’t care for the rhetoric coming from the right and the Tea Party concerning this decision, (and I’m a conservative). Their position is the law needs to be repealed. As I understand it, this law will force insurance coverage for all American’s. I think it’s a sad commentary on our healthcare system that not all people, in the richest nation on earth, are not covered in at least a minimal way for those catastrophic events we all know can happen.
Matt Lewis
Tucson, Ariz.
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Recent SCOTUS Decision on ‘Affordable Care Act’ (A.K.A. Obamacare)
I really don’t care for the rhetoric coming from the right and the Tea Party concerning this decision, (and I’m a conservative). Their position is the law needs to be repealed. As I understand it, this law will force insurance coverage for all American’s. I think it’s a sad commentary on our healthcare system that not all people, in the richest nation on earth, are not covered in at least a minimal way for those catastrophic events we all know can happen. I work in the medical field, as does my wife, and I can’t tell you how many times a simple examination, for a complex health problem, could not be accessed by an individual because they had no insurance and could not pay for it out of pocket, what happens in this case? They pay a visit to the Emergency room at the local hospital. The emergency rooms are filled with people utilizing it as a clinic, knowing that the hospital will have to treat them because they are required to provide a certain percentage of indigent care. Who pays for this service? All the working people with insurance. What happens to our rates because this happens? Our rates are elevated to cover all those who can’t pay. Do we really want to repeal something that will continue this system, I think not! So here is something to think about when you enter the voting booth this November.
Larry Champeau
Norman, Okla.
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Who will be Romney’s VP? Does anyone really want to be?
By Derek Evans
Mitt Romney says he is in the process of choosing his vice presidential nominee. Like always there are rumors of who it might be, but those rumors proved to be insignificant in 2008. I don’t think one single rumor had John MCCain’s VP nominee being Sarah Palin. In reality the vice president pick, really isn’t that huge to the outcome of the election, voters vote for President, not Vice President. But it is still interesting who Romney will pick, here are who I think are the most likely choices. For one there is Ohio United States senator Rob Portman. Portman would be a safe pick for Romney, he is from a huge and very important swing state Ohio. He also wouldn’t outshine Romney , unlike how Palin outshined MCCain in 2008. Portman does have some baggage , however having served two jobs In the George W Bush administration, he was United States trade representative under Bush from 2005 to 2006 and director of office of management and Budget from 2006 to 2007. I don’t think Romney should choose anyone with any ties whatsoever to Bush. Another possible pick is Florida United States senator Marco Rubio. Rubio seems to be a young growing star in the Republican Party, much like Obama was before the 2008 election, but I think Romney and the Republican Party in general would look very hypocritical if the pick is Rubio. In 2008 Republicans attacked Obama for lack of experience being only a one term senator well it just so happens Rubio is also a one term senator. If Romney thinks simply adding Rubio will get him the Hispanic vote he is mistaken. It might even hurt him more with Hispanics because they might feel offended that Romney would think simply running with an Hispanic will get him the Hispanic vote. Another possibility is Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Much like Rubio, however I don’t think Jindal is ready at all and might be a possibly for presidential nominee in 2016 if Obama is reelected. There is also New Hampisher senator Kelly Ayotte , but after Palin I highly doubt Republicans would choose another woman. One more possibility I see if Governor of New Jersey Chris Chirstie, but I think he is to happy with his current job to leave. I beg the question, does any Republican really want to be Romney’s vp nominee that bad? If Romney losses it might kill his running mate’s political career. ¶
Journalism is Alive and Well
Essentially, my argument breaks down to two parts. The media is a vital element in society, no matter what form or medium the information is delivered. Second, the drive and stamina of the journalists, editors and related support staff (lawyers, accountants, janitors, et cetera) are what make any newsroom possible. Yes journalism outfits are not as profitable as they once were; no surprise there, since it’s a widely reported fact. From the local, small-town paper to The New York Times, revenues are down, staffs are being let go and brick-and-mortar news headquarters are disappearing.
When we have convinced older people to join Facebook and get smartphones, we have simultaneously done journalism a favor and harm. Because of the shift in platforms, we have a leg up on our older, often wiser counterparts simply because we are familiar with the technology. There is a caveat to this, though, we don’t have the business acumen to make this a successful enterprise – at least not yet. Trust me when I say we will. We will soon! These college students don’t want to graduate without a job. They will either create their own media outlet, similar to what we have done here at The Gilbert Gumption – OR – they will help existing companies to find a way to profit from new technologies.
The best advice I can have for formalized institutional media outlets is to remain agile, embrace change and work damned hard (and fast) to develop new, solid business foundations. ¶
GLBTQ Community Grows:
Deserves Respect
Date Published: March 12, 2012
