Dirty Secret No. 2 in Obamacare
I've read on several blogs that if my tears can cure cancer, I should take care of universal health care. Cute.
The real fact is that neither I nor Obamacare (in its present form, the 1,000-plus-page H.R. 3200) can provide the remedy.
In my column last week, I explained that dirty secret No. 1 in Obamacare is that the House bill would grant government the authority to come into homes and usurp parental rights over child care and development.
I have a few more secrets to share over these hot August political nights.
Dirty secret No. 2 is that Obama is not the leader of Obamacare. And neither is Congress. The one who has been spearheading the initiative behind the scenes is one who goes under the misnomer "adviser" to the Obama administration, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, a bioethicist and breast oncologist and brother of White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. And his bible for health care reform is his book "Healthcare, Guaranteed."
Dr. Emanuel has served as special adviser to the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget for health policy as far back as February, when he confessed to the Washington bureau chief for the Chicago Sun-Times that he was "working on (the) health care reform effort." The first draft of Obamacare?
If you want to know the future of America's universal health care, then you must understand the health care principles and plans of Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel. I find it far more than a coincidence how much Emanuel's book parallels Obamacare's philosophy, strategy and proposed legislation.
First, Emanuel rejects any attempts at incremental change or reform to our health care system (Page 185). What's needed, he concludes in his book (Page 171), is an immediate and totally comprehensive reconstruction of health care as we know it. That, of course, describes the vision of Obamacare to a T.
Second, in the chapter "Opening the Door to Comprehensive Change," starting on Page 171 (which reads more like a political and mass-manipulating strategy than a health care manual), Emanuel drives home "a key political lesson: the need to rush the legislation through." (Seen this methodology being used lately?!)
Third, as Obama crusades around the country pitching Obamacare, he continues to avoid giving virtually any specific details of the program. That, too, is a strategy of Emanuel's: "Americans need to avoid the policy weeds. Focusing on details will only distract and create tangles and traps (Page 183)." So "details" of health care reform are "weeds"? That is why we continue to hear only warm and fuzzy generalities from Obama, such as,"If you've already got health care, the only thing we're going to do for you is we're going to reform the insurance companies so that they can't cheat you."
Fourth, Emanuel describes a comprehensive government health care program that is run completely by a national health board and 12 regional health boards ("modeled on the Federal Reserve System" — Page 83). Critics would say, "But that is not the national board as described in Obamacare or H.R. 3200." Not yet, anyway. Does anyone doubt that the duties and power of the national "Health Benefits Advisory Committee" will morph and grow over time? And what power will it wield when it is like the Federal Reserve?
Fifth, Emanuel believes in the "phasing out of Medicare (and) Medicaid (pages 88-89 and 94-95)." Could their eventual termination be the reason Obama's administration won't merely reform those programs to accommodate its universal health care desires?
Sixth, Emanuel believes in ending employer-based health care (pages 109-112). As any businessman knows, why would a company pay the exorbitant costs for employees' private health insurance when it can benefit big-time from a free ticket for government health care coverage? Some have even proposed that provisions in the House's health care legislation, under the titles "Limitation on new enrollment" and "Limitation on changes in terms or conditions" (Page 16 of H.R. 3200), could essentially make individual private medical insurance illegal.
Seventh, Emanuel believes a universal health care program could be paid for by phasing out Medicare and Medicaid, adopting a value-added tax of at least 10 percent, etc., and then allowing Americans themselves to "pay extra with after-tax dollars" (Page 100) for additional medical benefits (beyond the government program). The truth is that whether the money comes from higher corporate taxes, taxing employer-provided health insurance, eliminating health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts, limiting the deductibility of medical expenses, increasing taxes on selective consumptives or the middle class, etc., or all the above, trust me; sooner or later, we all will pay.
Eighth, enough has been written lately about Emanuel's end-of-life counsel and consultation, including withholding his advice from The Hastings Center Report (in 1996) that medical care should be withheld from those "who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens. ... An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with dementia."
I find it striking that Obama's ethics similarly have allowed him already to pass more laws increasing the terminations of life in the womb than any administration since Roe v. Wade. To add insult to injury, Congress repeatedly has rejected amendments to this universal health care bill that would prevent federal funds from being used for abortions.
In short, whether in title or not, Emanuel is Obama's health care czar. Obamacare is a junior version of Emanuelcare. Or should I say the beginning stage of Emanuelcare? What's almost eerie is how they both could be juxtaposed to intersect in full bloom sometime in America's future.
One last thing: Someone once said to me, "If two people think so much alike, you can bet that one person is not thinking." Think about it.
To find out more about Chuck Norris and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2009 CHUCK NORRIS
DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM
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10 Comments | Post Comment
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Thanks for the additional insights, Chuck. Look forward to the on-going saga. In the meantime, John Mackay, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market Inc., wrote an article in The Wall Street Journal, August 11, 2009, entitled Eight Things We Can Do to Improve Health Care Without Adding to the Deficit. His opening paragraphs are as follows: "With a projected $1.8 trillion deficit for 2009, several trillions more in deficits projected over the next decade, and with both Medicare and Social Security entitlement spending about to ratchet up several notches over the next 15 years as Baby Boomers become eligible for both, we are rapidly running out of other people's money. These deficits are simply not sustainable. They are either going to result in unprecedented new taxes and inflation, or they will bankrupt us. [Which is exactly what the Rockefeller, Rothschild, Federal Reserve, IMF, World Bank, International Bankers want, to further their New World Order domination]. While we clearly need health-care reform [because our government has intentionally made a mess of the one we have] the last thing our country needs is a massive new health-care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system. Instead [If we care about our country and our future] we should be trying to achieve reforms by moving in the opposite direction — toward less government control and more individual empowerment." Mr Mackay then outlines his eight-point strategy for achieving these goals. As you'd expect, he also urges a healthier lifestyle, stating that 70% of current health care spending results from UNhealthy lifestyles. His comments remind me of Chapter 9 in Black Belt Patriotism. One essential way to counter Obamacare (Obamacurse?) is to be Fit for the Fight. In sum, Mr. Mackay's eight points seem to be feasible and worthwhile to me.
Comment: #1
Posted by: Alan O'Reilly
Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:27 AM
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Thanks Chuck Norris, Taxpayers want no part in Healthcare or anything else the politicians have their greedy fingers in. Read the 1018 pages! Taxpayers will pay dearly for this radical and socialist mess.
'PAY AS YOU GO', thus eliminating government, lobbyists, drug and insurance companies, would save trillions! In other words, if you can't work, have illegitimates by the dozens, why should Taxpayers have to pay for your social ills? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Since Obama and his gangs want to give away trillions of borrowed dollars, I have the best suggestion - Give each TAXPAYER one-million dollars each, but only people who've worked and made a contribution to America, board up all government offices, and go to the countries you've sold America and their jobs to, with no return to America! With this money, the hard-working Taxpayer can start up a textile and furniture manufacturing companies, and, once again, make America stable. Set aside "x' number of dollars, weekly, to pay for your health and dental care, through the company, and cut government and politicians from even coming onto your property.
After reading over the 1018 Healthcare pages of Obama-mania,several of us wrote down the numbers, wrote articles and pointed out what this piece of garbage really is! Obama can lie all he wants to now, but his true colors are flying high with his radical and socialist manner. You see, some of these people, of all races and party affiliations, that's voted to put these idiots in power, when they shouldn't have been voting as all. When did it become "you can live off social and welfare programs, but you have to vote for me to keep your checks coming!" "DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HARD-WORKING TAXPAYERS" IS WHAT THIS IS AND TAXPAYERS FEEL it's highly illegal, just like most 'hurry up and push things through'
An article appeared in High Point Enterprise, written by Bob Blakeneys' His article called 'Bush Deficits' makes Taxpayers wonder why he didn't go back to the Kennedy/Carter Administration to get the true figures,
when politicians started give-a-ways, handouts, giving illegitimates Taxpayers' checks they weren't entitled to, social and welfare programs creating the bankrupting of America! Sad that Blakeney doesn't want to
acknowledge that people, of all races and party affiliations, created these social ills which date way past 2002!
There are many 'long arms' of government, created by politicians deciding they could deceive Taxpayers into thinking they were actually creating jobs. Didn't it occur to anyone this way politicians could get bigger salaries,
bonuses, and retirements? Looks like it worked, because the politicians convinced the furniture businesses they could make more money with cheaper overseas labor. Nafta and Cafta got put into action in a hurry, just like
everything else politicians have their fingers in! Didn't it occur to businesses it would cost more to 'ship back and forth' thus costing millions for products? Politicians stated America could become a 'service country!'
America is servicing, alright, the Employment Security Office, Social and Welfare programs, and with no manufacturing jobs in site, where's the money?
If you want to see what the 'blood-sucking tics' really are, look at Freddie, Fannie, AIG, Citi, Automakers, now GM, and anyone taking Taxpayers money, and their lies and deceit!
WHAT WILL BE IN TAXPAYERS' WALLETS BY 2010?' Absolutely nothing as all the politicians are 'borrowing from Peter to pay Paul' and this, folks, is going to leave America more than trillions in debt to foreigners, ordinary
Taxpayers will be in the 'Poor House', with no money to buy seeds to plant a garden to feed themselves.
Comment: #2
Posted by: Shirley deLong
Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:09 AM
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Thank you so much for bringing the name of Ezekial Emmanuel to the fore front. Others in this group include Peter Singer, John Holdren and Van Jones. If we should judge a man by the company he keeps, Obama would be in trouble. Sadly, the American people don't read about these people and how much influence they have on this administration.
Ask your readers to learn about these men and the radical ideas they espouse. Singer thinks it is alright to euthanize a mentally or physically ill child for a period of twenty eight days "after birth". And I thought abortion was wrong. There are very few things that I've feared in my life but this group is certainly right up at the top of the list.
Comment: #3
Posted by: Ed McLoud
Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:11 PM
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But Chuck I don't see any answers in your article, I just see you saying what they might do. I have a lot of concerns with Obama care but few if any of the party of no has any answers.
Quit with the death panel Bull, that was something even Newt Gingrich has supported in his plan.
I got a lot to complain about Obama like why hasn't he repealed the patriot act and restored FISA to obey the constitution. Why are we still in Iraq and Afghanistan if Al-Queda is in Pakistan why???
Comment: #4
Posted by: Michael Chavers
Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:05 PM
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CHUCK- I'm glad you pointed out that the Emanuels are both dual israhelli citizens and loyal to the country of israhell. Along with EVERY high-level cabinet member and agency head, and most of the staff surrounding obongo, THEY ARE ALL JEWS LOYAL TO ISRAEL FIRST. Every single bank in the so-called Federal Reserve is owned by jews. The Fed prints our own money and loans it to us at interest. Every cent of federal income tax goes to the Fed to pay the interest. Rahm Emanuel fought for the israhelli army in 2006 and was the director of AIG in December 2008. These people are intentionally destroying America from the inside. Let me hear you say the one thing you are afraid to say Chuck. I know you know the Truth. Help us wake up America before it's too late. Say it Chuck. TELL THE REAL SECRET. Here's a good blog that will help: http://incogman.wordpress.com
Comment: #5
Posted by: Biggs
Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:37 PM
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Lately, I have begun to notice that our president has taken the role of selling progams authored by other party members. I am remimded of a car salesman who hasn't learned all the nuances of the vehicle he is trying to sell. Well, I suppose if the manual was over a thousand pages I would find it difficult, too.
Comment: #6
Posted by: John C. Davidson
Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:47 PM
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chuck,
did u actually read the book? or did you skim through it and cherry pick some text so you could misinterpret it for your readers?
is ron e.'s btother, the doctor and author, an actual advisor as you say? or is this your literary guilt-by-association technique?
either way.
i think you should really stick to karate and making tv shows and movies -- something you are really good at, and not use your popularity to mislead the uneducated and super stupid citizens in our country.
your blog posting had very little factual information and was mostly conjecture (wrong) and opinion (which you are entitled to of course).
but, again people like you continue to manipulate the super stupid citizens in our country, why? for fun?
everyone knows you are well-off and have plenty of income and money in the bank to pay for your own healthcare without private insurance, i.e. fee for service.
you also probably live a very healthy lifestyle, have plenty of income to afford your own gym equipment, eat natural foods that are way more expensive, pay for doctor visits to the very best physicians and surgeons, go on great vacations to relieve your stress, etc.
so why would you want to manipulate the super stupid and much less well-off that supporting healthcare reform which would lower their costs (conservative estimate: 40%) would not be in their best interest?
why would you convince a less well-off (super stupid) person that healthcare reform (which is in their best financial interest) is bad?
i just don't understand your motives.
Comment: #7
Posted by: frank
Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:17 AM
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Dear Chuck Norris, I thought the readers might enjoy reading the following. It was sent to me and I'm sending it along. If America doesn't Wake up and hand out 'pink slips', not only will politicians be closing offices worldwide for a day or two, they'll be closing permanently. How do you think America got this way in five (5) decades? Who would you think would be responsible for the mess we're in? Why have Taxpayers listened to these lying and deceiving idiots and let them continue on selling America out to the highest bidder, and now we can't pay the interest on the money they borrowed, without Taxpayers' consent! AMERICA, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!
Shirley deLong
=============================================================================================
Let me get this straight..
We're going to pass a health care plan written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it,
passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it, signed by a president that also hasn't read it, and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's bankrupt.
What possibly could go wrong?
Comment: #8
Posted by: Shirley deLong
Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:55 PM
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Alan, The poor man made sense so the opposition brought out their paid protestors.
Comment: #9
Posted by: John C. Davidson
Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:06 AM
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Dear Chuck Norris, I just received this and even though I'm blocking out some of the language, it really fits whats going on in politicians and their office staffers. AND THEY CONTINUE TO GIVE THEM BONUSES, YOU FIGURE!
AND THEY WANT TO RUN OUT HEALTHCARE, JUST LIKE MEDICARE, MEDICAID, FANNIE, FREDDIE, AIG, AUTOMAKERS, BANKS, SOCIAL AND WELFARE PROGRAMS, THUS CREATING SO MUCH DISASTER, AMERICA WILL NEVER GET PICKED BACK UP, UNTIL HARD-WORKING TAXPAYERS, START BUILDING A TEXTILE AND FURNITURE PLANT IN THEIR BACKYARDS, AND SELL TO THEIR NEIGHBORS! THIS SHOULD HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY, AS AMERICANS WANT NO MORE PART OF THE POLITICIANS NOR THEIR 'SO-CALLED' GOVERNING, THEY'VE RUN INTO BANKRUPTCY! sddelong
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Ain't it the TRUTH!!!
Beware of language - I am still chuckling!!!!
ACTUAL PASSPORT LETTER-----HILARIOUS!
This letter is a thing of beauty (even if the language is a bit
rough).. .You definitely feel the guy's pain! An actual letter to the
passport office...
Dear sirs,
I'm in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe
this. How is it that Radio Shack has my address and telephone number
and knows that I bought a cable t.v. from them back in 1987, and yet,
the Federal Government is still asking me where I was born and on what
date.
For Christ sakes, do you guys do this by hand? My birth date you have
on my social security card, and it is on all the income tax forms I've
filed for the past 30 years. It is on my health insurance card, my
driver's license, on the last eight damn passports I've had, on all
those stupid customs declaration forms I've had to fill out before
being allowed off the plane over the last 30 years, and all those
insufferable census forms that are done at election times.
Would somebody please take note, once and for all, that my mother's
name is Maryanne, my father's name is Robert and I'd be absolutely
astounded if that ever changed between now and when I die!!!!!!
I apologize, I'm really ' issed' off this morning. Between you an' me,
I've had enough of this "B/S"! You send the application to my
house, then you ask me for my " " address.
What is going on? You have a gang of Neanderthal 'a/h' workin'
there! Look at my damn picture. Do I look like Bin Laden? I don't
want to dig up Yasser Arafat, for "S " sakes. I just want to go and
park my 'a ' on a sandy beach.
And would someone please tell me, why would you give a "s " whether I
plan on visiting a farm in the next 15 days? If I ever got the urge
to do something weird to a chicken or a goat, believe you me, I'd sure
as hell not want to tell anyone!
Well, I have to go now, 'cause I have to go to the other end of the
city and get another " " copy of my birth certificate, to the tune
of $60. Would it be so complicated to have all the services in the
same spot to assist in the issuance of a new passport the same day??
Nooooo, that'd be to damn easy and maybe makes sense. You'd rather
have us running all over the " " place like chickens with our
heads cut off, then find some 'a/h' to confirm that it's really me
on the damn picture - you know,the one where we're not allowed to
smile?! (bureaucratic " " morons) Hey, you know
why we can't smile? We're totally " " off!
Signed
- An Irate Citizen.
P.S. Remember what I said above about the picture and getting someone
to confirm that it's me? Well, my family has been in this country
since 1776 ........ I have served in the military for something over
30 years and have had security clearances up the vingyang ........
However, I have to get someone'important' to verify who I am - you
know, someone like my doctor WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN INDIA !
Sincerely,
You Sure In The Hell Should Know Who.
...................And we want them to run our health care?!?
Comment: #10
Posted by: Shirley deLong
Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:39 AM
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